Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 165 Yixin Society Expands Recruitment by Imperial Decree (Second Update)
"Give us a list from six departments to choose from?"

Haiyue stared blankly at the list that Lu Bing had taken out.

Lu Bing's expression was even more exaggerated when he received the order, but after learning the details, he felt helpless.

Bro, you should start recruiting!
Once other companies gained recognition, they all began to expand their scale and recruit more employees.

The Yixin Society is a good thing; it only has a few members, most of whom are students from the Imperial Academy. This year is the year of the imperial examinations, and after a while, the autumn examinations will be held. Won't there be no one to share His Majesty's burdens?

Haiyue had actually loosened her recruitment standards and even felt that she had lowered her expectations, mainly because she knew Jiajing's sensitive and suspicious nature.

Don't be fooled by the fact that there are fewer people now. When the other party asks him to expand, they will have a completely different attitude when it comes to recruiting more people.

Haiyue shook her head secretly, deciding not to answer for now, and instead asked, "How is Lu Yuan?"

"Lu Yuan was placed under special surveillance in the Northern Garrison."

Upon hearing this question, Lu Bing's attention immediately turned to the Liyuan Society. He snorted and said, "This traitor should be glad that 'Jingmu Han' and 'Yihuo She' are both dead. As the only official member of the Liyuan Society who is willing to confess, he is quite valuable. Of course, he can't be executed so easily. We're still hoping that he can get those three scoundrels to talk!"

Haiyue asked, "The three members of the Cloud Hidden Society can summon weapons?"

Lu Bing sighed: "Difficult! If they wanted to confess, they would have done so long ago. These three are truly stubborn; they're still insisting that they misjudged the Empress Dowager. Ha! The two Zhangs have already been executed..."

Haiyue's eyes flickered slightly: "Wenfu didn't inform you about the execution of the two Zhangs?"

"I didn't say it!"

Lu Bing was quite annoyed: "What, do I have to curry favor with these three traitors?"

Haiyue thought for a moment and slowly said, "Lu Yuan is actually just a messenger. He knows very little about the secrets of the Liyuan Society. When 'Jingmu Han' sent the list of Baihua Wine to 'Yihuo She' with a threatening intent, he thought it was a genuine cooperation between the two parties. Because of his low status, he was tricked by you, Wen Fu, and confessed without even being tortured!"

"Yeah... huh?"

Lu Bing's eyes lit up: "So, those three illusionists are so loyal and stubbornly holding on, does that mean they have a high status within the Li Yuan Society? At least at the level of the Twenty-Eight Constellations?"

Hai Yue nodded slightly: "The fact that Li Yuan Society has been able to remain hidden for so long must be due to extremely high requirements for the loyalty of its members, regardless of other factors. They must be good at using a simple sense of morality to strengthen the loyalty and identification of their members with the society. Of course, this kind of persuasion is generally limited to the core members who are not to be underestimated, and they don't bother with the rest."

Lu Bing was also flexible. If Hong Niangzi, Jiao Bai, and Lu Cangzhou were really the Twenty-Eight Constellations, then he should try to persuade them with kind words instead of resorting to interrogation. However, he also found it strange: "If they were really the Twenty-Eight Constellations, why would they suddenly attempt to assassinate the Empress Dowager? If this matter were to become a big deal, it would be inconsistent with the Li Yuan Society's consistently low-key style!"

Haiyue had some suspicions about this, but she didn't say it directly at the moment: "There is definitely something fishy about this!"

"Alright! I'll go back and intensify the interrogation!"

Lu Bing didn't delve into the matter further and returned to the previous topic: "Mingwei, while the pursuit of the Liyuan Society is important, you also need to put your heart into the expansion of the Yixin Society!"

Haiyue smiled wryly: "The Yixin Society was originally a society for pursuing higher education and studying..."

"That's no longer the case. Entering the imperial court is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. If you don't strive for advancement, someone else will take your place!"

Lu Bing whispered a reminder: "His Majesty has recently placed great trust in Vice Minister Yan. Be careful of the people around you. That Zhao Wenhua, you can also keep him!"

Haiyue knew who he was wary of, and nodded: "I understand Wenfu's good intentions."

This person was indeed a close friend. If it were anyone else, they would never have spoken so directly. It would have been good enough if they had just hinted at it. Lu Bing directly said to be wary of Yan Song and his son, to prevent Yan Shifan from seizing power from the Yixin Society.

Seeing that Haiyue had received the list, Lu Bing was relieved. In his opinion, this person was not particularly ambitious for fame and fortune, but her ability and character were rare in the world, and she deserved to be promoted. He patted her arm and said, "I've put down the list of the six ministries! Take a good look! Choose carefully!"

After seeing Lu Bing off, Haiyue returned to the house and actually picked up the roster.

The list of officials from the six ministries could be obtained with a little inquiry, but the fact that it was sent in the form of a roster was indeed of great significance.

This shows how happy Jiajing was this time.

But Haiyue knew that Jiajing was not Zhengde.

Given Zhengde's temperament, if he sent over the roster, it would truly be a matter of choosing whatever he wanted, and he would even find it amusing afterward.

Jiajing's actions at this time were not necessarily hypocritical, but if he crossed that line, the other party would turn his back on him without hesitation.

"Let's recruit five to ten people first, expanding the Yixin Society to around twenty members to solidify our base before considering further development."

Haiyue started making her selections.

The first one circled is Tang Shunzhi, a military officer who is currently in mourning for his mother and is not in court.

The second person circled is Wang Shenzhong, an eighteen-year-old Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) who is now only twenty-three years old and serves as the Minister of Rites for Sacrificial Rites.

The third person circled is Chen Shu, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the eighth year of the Jiajing reign, who had already offended the newly powerful figures in the Great Rites Controversy.

The fourth person circled is Xiong Guo, who was originally a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy. He was also demoted to the position of Director of the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War because of his disrespect towards Zhang Gui.

Haiyue thought about it again, but suddenly couldn't help but laugh. How did they end up selecting the eight great talents of the Jiajing era?

But since Jiajing has let him choose the people, then there's no need to be polite, right?
In reality, these scholars of classical studies did not necessarily achieve outstanding success in their official careers. Because of their proud nature, unwillingness to compromise their principles, and obsequiousness to superiors, they easily offended those in power.

For example, Zhao Shichun criticized powerful officials and the emperor, but ended up spending most of his life in a state of being dismissed from office.

Apart from Tang Shun, the other talented scholars didn't fare much better, as evidenced by the fact that they generally offended the newly powerful figures in the Great Rites Controversy.

But this is not a flaw for Yixin Society, and Haiyue's requirements are also very high.

Talent and character go without saying, but there are also considerations regarding the political situation.

The first rule remains the same as before: one must not have a close relationship with Zhang Conggui'e, who is in power.

The second rule was newly added: one should not be too close to Yan Song, who was about to come to power.

Yes, even without Lu Bing's reminder, Hai Yue could tell from various events that Yan Song was about to take power.

He deserves a place in the cabinet!

At that time, a Grand Secretary Yan who lived more than a decade earlier than in history will be born!

He took Xia Yan's place, but he was not a replacement for Xia Yan.

Xia Yan's existence was solely to check and balance Zhang Cong, preventing him from seizing power. Yan Song's previous actions may have given Jiajing Emperor new hope, such as continuing the implementation of the new policies.

In fact, compared to Gui E in the past, who had already retired due to illness in January of this year, it is now almost April and Gui E is still holding on to the position of Second Grand Secretary.

But this change isn't that significant.

Whether Gui'e retired a few months earlier or later due to illness, it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the new policy.

It will fail, even if it is destined to fail.

This is because it was a systemic problem that emerged across all social strata during the mid-Ming Dynasty.

Having a diligent and ambitious emperor and a group of ministers willing to reform are only the most basic conditions. Even if these conditions are met, it is impossible to eliminate the deep-rooted problems in just a few years.

Why were Zhang Juzheng's reforms so effective?
A key factor was the groundwork laid by the new policies in the early Jiajing reign, such as instilling the concept of the Single Whip Law in the minds of people in various regions, which enabled its effective implementation later. Similarly, the Performance Evaluation Law achieved a deeper level of effectiveness by rectifying official corruption.

More importantly, Zhang Juzheng held out for a full ten years, using his power as regent to suppress all dissent before he finally saw results.

Reform is not about how much innovation there is, but about perseverance.

Zhang Juzheng overcame all difficulties to achieve this, and even with his shortcomings, he was still a great reformer. Now, Zhang Conggui'e is not without the same determination, but firstly, Jiajing is sensitive and suspicious and unwilling to relinquish too much power, and secondly, they are both old and their health is failing.

One group of court officials is not enough; the new policies must be continued by someone.

Haiyue was unsure whether Jiajing had made such arrangements in advance, but once Yan Song came to power, he would inevitably face this problem and have to take over the responsibility of implementing the new policies.

Because the current Jiajing Emperor still hopes the country will improve, as a Grand Secretary, in order to maintain his position, he must solve the emperor's problems.

Once Yan Song takes over this responsibility, he will become a powerful Grand Secretary, and with his son Yan Shifan also involved, he will need to avoid suspicion.

Otherwise, would the Yixin Society be truly loyal to the Emperor or to Yan Song?
With this clear plan, Haiyue had a clear idea of ​​how to arrange the expanded recruitment. In addition to the four talented men mentioned above, she selected a few more people, including Guo Zonggao, the stubborn official she had met in the Ministry of Justice, and the one who looked down on Zhao Wenhua.

“A gentleman has virtue, while a petty person has no virtue. Why must you be so aggressive and lose your composure and morality, Brother Yan?”

"You're a despicable person! My father valued you, yet you tried to harm me with the Hundred Flowers Wine. And you dare to talk to me about being a gentleman or a villain?"

He was still making his choice when a quarrel broke out outside. The voices, one after another, were getting closer and closer, each arguing sharply against the other.

Haiyue knew who it was as soon as she heard it: "Donglou, Yuanzhi, come in!"

The argument stopped instantly, and Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua quickly stepped inside.

The former's face flushed slightly, showing his indignation, while the latter, upon hearing Haiyue address him by his courtesy name, also flushed slightly with excitement and bowed respectfully: "Head of the Association!"

Haiyue didn't even look up: "You knew you could stay?"

Zhao Wenhua was overjoyed: "It's all thanks to the leader's appreciation that Wenhua will be devoted to the society to the point of sacrificing everything!"

Haiyue corrected, "It was the Ming Dynasty's cultivation that led to His Majesty's forgiveness, but ultimately it still depends on your personal performance!"

"Yes Yes!"

Zhao Wenhua bowed again, glanced at Yan Shifan whose face was ashen, and deliberately said, "I misspoke just now, I hope Brother Donglou will be magnanimous and not hold it against me!"

Yan Shifan's expression changed several times, but he finally smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright! Being together is like being in the same boat, we still need to work together!"

The two gritted their teeth, looked at each other, and laughed: "Haha! Hahahaha!"

(End of this chapter)