My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 151 All have bright futures

The magistrate of Ji County was named Wu Shanyan, courtesy name Ziyuan, and was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the forty-fourth year of the Jiajing reign.

Wu Shanyan's ranking in the imperial examination was low. He was initially appointed as the magistrate of a county in Henan. Later, he was transferred to Ji County for his excellent performance in the examination, which brought him one step closer to the capital.

Of course, being a county magistrate in the capital region wasn't an easy job.

Ji County is an ancient county and a vital passage from Zhigu to the capital. Wu Shanyan was very cautious after taking office.

Dule Temple is a famous local temple. Abbot Huayan of Dule Temple had a wide circle of friends and had even interacted with Yan Song.

So when the monks of Dule Temple came to report that someone had impersonated an official and stormed into the temple to rob it, Magistrate Wu personally led his constables over.

It's not really the fault of Magistrate Wu. According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty, when the Ministry of Works came to Ji County to carry out official business, they had to send a notification letter to the county first.

Lei Li was simply too impatient; he didn't even bother with official procedures and personally led his men to attack.

At Magistrate Wu's command, the constables rushed forward.

Fifteen minutes later, the Ji County yamen runners were completely defeated!
These officials from the Ministry of Works certainly didn't have to carry timber themselves, but they were often on the construction site supervising the work and dealing with craftsmen and laborers. They ate more than those from other ministries, and they were all strong and healthy.

This is far superior to the mere yamen runners who only oppress the common people.

After the bailiffs were all beaten to the ground, Magistrate Wu trembled with fear. Just then, a familiar voice came from the sky:

"Brother Ziyuan!"

Wu Shanyan looked left and right in confusion, and then realized that the sound was coming from Guanyin Pavilion. He looked up and saw Fu Shun riding on the roof ridge.

"Brother Yinghe (Fu Shun's courtesy name)!"

Fu Shun quickly climbed down from the roof ridge and approached Lei Li, saying:

"Grand Minister, that county magistrate is my contemporary!"

Lei Li glanced at him. As the Minister of Works, he naturally had no interest in dealing with a mere county magistrate. However, since the Ministry of Works had suddenly arrived, they were indeed in the wrong. So he said to Fu Shun:

"Go and explain to that magistrate that he shouldn't disturb my inspection of Dule Temple!"

"My subordinate understands!"

Fu Shun strode forward, stood before Magistrate Wu, and said to him:
"Brother Ziyuan, when we revised the list of classmates last time, weren't you still serving as an official in Henan? How come you've been transferred to Ji County?"

Wu Shanyan smiled bitterly. Fu Shun ranked high in the imperial examination and was noticed by the Ministry of Works when he was observing the government affairs, so he stayed in the Ministry of Works as an official.

When Wu Shanyan passed the imperial examination and left the capital after observing local affairs, he was full of ambition and wanted to make achievements in the local areas so that his peers who stayed in the capital would not laugh at him.

Fu Shun went to the Ministry of Works, and Wu Shanyan became a county magistrate; both of them had bright futures ahead of them.

However, the result was that Wu Shanyan served as a local official in other places for several years, but his official rank did not rise at all; he was just a little closer to the capital.

Looking at Fu Shun again, judging from the pattern on his rank badge, he had already reached the sixth rank.

But Wu Shanyan quickly asked in shock:

"Is that really the Grand Minister of Works?"

Fu Shun nodded and said:

"Yes! We came in a hurry today and didn't have time to send a formal notice to the county government. What did the Grand Minister of Works bring everyone here for? Oh right, to inspect the Dule Temple!"

Inspecting Dule Temple?
Wu Shanyan was dumbfounded. You, a dignified Minister of Works, came to inspect a dilapidated temple?
Looking at the officials around us, it seems like your Ministry of Works has come out in full force!

Looking at the constables lying on the ground groaning, Wu Shanyan wished he could be beaten unconscious himself.

He had just been transferred back to the capital region when he almost arrested the Minister of Works?
Wu Shanyan felt that his already bleak future had become even more bleak.

Magistrate Wu realized what was happening and glared fiercely at Abbot Huayan of Dule Temple.

Now all we can do is try to salvage the situation. He looked at Fu Shun and quickly asked:

"Brother Yinghe, is there anything I can do for you?"

Fu Shun's stomach growled, and he quickly said:
"I left the capital in a hurry this morning, and the Grand Minister and my colleagues are still hungry. Brother Ziyuan, please send someone to bring you some food."

Magistrate Wu immediately said:
"Understood! I'll get on it right away!"

Fu Shun then said:
"Wait, Brother Ziyuan, the Grand Minister of Works is inspecting Dule Temple and won't have time to eat. Could you bring over something that we can eat while we work?"

Magistrate Wu thought for a moment and said:

“There is a local type of flatbread called 'huoshao,' which is a kind of steamed bun that can be filled with shredded meat and sauce.”

Fu Shun quickly said:

"Excellent! Excellent! Get to it right away!"

Wu Shanyan had been a local official for several years and was very experienced in welcoming and seeing off guests. He went directly back to Jixian City and brought the vendors who made sesame cakes, along with their cooking utensils, to the outside of Dule Temple. He then made sesame cakes for these Ministry of Works officials on the spot.

While eating a baked bun, Minister of Works Lei Li directed his men to survey Dule Temple. They reluctantly stopped work as the sun was setting.

When Lei Li stepped out of the gate of Dule Temple, Wu Shanyan, the magistrate of Ji County, hurriedly went to greet him.

"Grand Minister, I have prepared a banquet at the county office."

Lei Li frowned and said:
"I came in a hurry this time, and the Ministry of Works did not issue a formal notice. If I stay at the county government office, I will be impeached by those censors. I should return to the capital now and should be able to get back to the city before it is locked down."

Lei Li looked back at Dule Temple. Today's survey had yielded great results, but there were still some details that needed to be confirmed. However, next time, Lei Li, as the Minister of Works, would not need to go in person; he could simply send his subordinates.

However, Lei Li was also worried that the monks of Dule Temple would sabotage the investigation site.

Wu Shanyan seemed to sense Lei Li's worry and quickly said:
"Grand Minister, the monks of Dule Temple are colluding with Yan Song and are remnants of Yan's faction. There is a plaque with an inscription personally written by Yan Song as proof. I have already ordered them to return to secular life and go back to their hometowns. The county government will guard Dule Temple."

Lei Li listened with satisfaction and looked at Wu Shanyan before leading the officials of the Ministry of Works toward the capital.

Fu Shun said to Wu Shanyan:

"Brother Ziyuan, it seems the Minister of Works is quite satisfied with you. Would you like to come to the Ministry of Works?"

Wu Shanyan looked at Fu Shun. When he left the capital, Fu Shun was a tall and thin scholar. Only a few years had passed, and he had become a dark-skinned, burly man.

Thinking about the appearance of those officials from the Ministry of Works and the amount of food they ate at noon, Wu Shanyan suddenly felt that he didn't really want to go back to the capital anymore.

Fu Shun said regretfully:

"Brother Ziyuan, you don't know, but the Jiaofangsi in the capital is excellent. When you return to the capital next time, I'll take you to have a good look around!"

Fu Shun seemed to have thought of something, and quickly mounted his horse, saying:
"Wait for me! Save me a good seat!"
-
Unfortunately, despite their hurried pace, Lei Li and his party were unable to return to the capital before it was locked down.

The capital city gates were locked at night, and there were five imperial censors patrolling the city. Even if Lei Li was the Minister of Works, he couldn't order the city gates to be opened.

Wan Jing looked at the sky and said:

"Grand Commander, why don't we stay at Longquan Post Station and enter the city tomorrow after it opens?"

Fu Shun said, "Are you out of your mind? There are more than a dozen censors stationed at Longquan Post Station. We didn't send any official documents or sign any official certificates when we left the city. If we stay at the post station, we might get impeached to death by the Censorate."

Lei Li waved his hand and said:
"Let's set up camp near Longquanyi for the night and then head into the city tomorrow morning!" Everyone nodded in agreement. Setting up camp directly in the wilderness was too dangerous. Longquanyi was a major post station, so setting up camp nearby would be much safer.

The group arrived at Longquanyi, and sure enough, it was much quieter than before.

However, the area near Longquanyi has become a sizable market, much more bustling than Longquanyi itself.

Lei Li used to frequently pass through Longquanyi when traveling to and from the capital, and he stayed overnight there a few times.

However, because the people around Longquanyi had to take on extra duties, many people fled, and the area became deserted.

But in just half a month, the area around Longquanyi has become so prosperous.

Fu Shun dismounted and went to investigate, then ran back and said to Lei Li:

"Grand Minister! These are all travelers going in and out of the capital. Now that the various government offices dare not issue official documents indiscriminately, they have set up camp near Longquan Post Station, which has turned it into a market."

Wan Jing said, "Isn't that the post station? Grand Minister, let's stay here!"

Lei Li nodded, and the group entered the market.

Under the cover of night, Lei Li's scarlet robe was not conspicuous, and the people around him were not particularly surprised by the group of people dressed in official robes.

These days, the Censorate is strictly investigating and verifying documents, and many officials who go out of the city to handle private matters no longer dare to stay overnight at the official post station. With more and more officials coming and going, the people in this market have become used to it.

As the group entered the market, someone approached them and asked:
"Gentlemen, would you like some hot water?"

"Sir, would you like some steamed buns?"

Fu Shun quickly said:

"Yes! Yes! Send it over immediately!"

A short while later, someone brought these things over, and then the old man who delivered the hot water reached out his hand to ask for them:
"Sir, Huicheng, one tael of silver."

Fu Shun flew into a rage and said:

"You charge for hot water? Why don't you just rob someone!"

Just then, Wan Jing suddenly patted Fu Shun on the shoulder, then took out two brass coins and asked:
Do you accept this fee?

"Yes, yes, this money is better than loose silver!"

Wan Jing nodded and said, "Go and get some more firewood."

"Sir, we can rent charcoal stoves here for heating, just pay for some honeycomb briquettes."

"Give it to me quickly, I won't be shortchanged you!"

"okay!"

After the old man left, Fu Shun said:
"Brother Wan, this old man is clearly trying to extort money from us. Why should we give him money?"

Wan Jing sighed and said:

"Those who do business near this post station earn their money through hard work, and the prices are quite fair."

"Moreover, Longquan Post Station is right next door, where the Imperial Censor is stationed. If a disturbance breaks out, wouldn't it implicate the Grand Minister of Works?"

When the censor was mentioned, Fu Shun became quiet.

Wan Jing is right. In fact, there used to be a gathering of travelers near Longquanyi, and the local people didn't dare to come and do business there.

It should be noted that many of these people were officials and gentry; it was already a miracle that they didn't enslave the common people.

However, when a disturbance occurred at a camp near Longquanyi, it alarmed the imperial censors in Longquanyi. The unfortunate official who caused the disturbance was taken away by the censors, and merchants passing by discovered a business opportunity.

The abuse of official documents was partly a loophole in the system, but it also reflected the needs of the times. The population traveling to and from the capital was too large, and there had to be places for travelers to rest.

These needs were real, which led to the emergence of this market near Longquanyi.

Because it was near Longquanyi, officials and their entourages dared not act recklessly, and the common people gradually dared to come and do business, making the market more and more lively.

The once-feared post station has now become a place of great wealth. Looking at this bustling market, Lei Li wondered if this was also thanks to Su Ze?
At the same time, the gates of Longquanyi opened, and five warhorses rushed into the station.

The postmaster, Zhou Yusheng, came out wearing a robe. A military officer dismounted, and Zhou Yusheng quickly stepped forward and asked:
"Sir, please show me your warrant."

The military officer looked at Zhou Yusheng with a puzzled expression. He had come all the way from Datong, and only when he arrived at Longquanyi did he request to see the tally.

However, considering that this was right under the nose of the capital, the military officer still took out the tally.

Zhou Yusheng carefully examined the tally, and then checked the tallies of the guards behind the military officer, before enthusiastically saying:
"Sir, the post station has prepared hot water. Would you like to change horses?"

"We'll arrive in the capital tomorrow morning, so we won't change it."

The military officer looked at Longquan Post Station with a puzzled expression. Logically speaking, this was the gateway to the capital, but the post station was not lively at all.

However, the service at the post station was excellent. The military officer recalled the previous post station, which was crowded with idlers holding tallies. The postmaster had to plead with him to find rooms for his group, and they couldn't even change their horses.

The capital city is truly different!

The military officer was very satisfied with Zhou Yusheng's official attitude and led his men to stay at the post station.

After the military officers settled in, an imperial censor came out wearing a robe.

"There's no problem with the tally. It was signed by Qi Jiguang, the General of Datong, and was issued by a military envoy to convey military intelligence from Datong."

Upon hearing Zhou Yusheng's words, the young censor put on his clothes and went back to his room to sleep.

Nowadays, no one dares to use a travel permit to book lodging in Longquanyi anymore. How am I supposed to meet my quota for this month?

Should we go and check out some more distant inns?

The young censor sighed. Since the implementation of the performance evaluation system, life in the Censorate had become increasingly difficult.
-
On February 8, after returning to the Ministry of Works, Minister Lei Li immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting a revision of the "Yingzao Fashi" (Building Standards) and also requesting that a set of standards be compiled for the Ming Dynasty based on this revision.

The cabinet naturally supported Lei Li's memorial, and the Longqing Emperor also expressed his support, granting Lei Li special privileges, such as the right to requisition any ancient building for investigation, and even handing over several imperial temples to the Ministry of Works.

With great ambition, Lei Li dispatched officials from the Ministry of Works to various places to conduct on-site inspections in accordance with the "Yingzao Fashi" (Building Standards), striving to complete the revision work as soon as possible.

Seeing the Ministry of Works bustling with activity, all the major and minor government offices in the capital were somewhat uneasy.

The latest joke in the capital is that Su Ze's memorial to the throne has caused the Censorate to be stationed at the post stations all day long, interrogating everyone who comes and goes, turning them into gatekeepers.

Then a memorial to the throne turned the Ministry of Works into a bunch of tomb raiders, spending all their time watching over those ancient buildings.

I heard that Li Yiyuan, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, has fallen ill and cannot bear to hear the name of Su Ze. He gets agitated whenever he sees Su Ze's memorials.

All the government offices were trembling with fear, no one knew who Su Ze would target next.

On February 10th, as soon as Li Yiyuan, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, stepped into the yamen, his subordinate presented him with a memorial and said:
"Da Yintai, Su Ze has submitted a memorial!"

Li Yiyuan trembled with fright, quickly took Su Ze's memorial, and after reading it rapidly, he murmured:

"This time, it's not just one government office that's going to be in trouble."

(End of this chapter)