My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 237 Next Target: Ministry of Works
March.

In the fourth year of the Longqing reign, spring rains fell continuously.

The temperature, which had just begun to rise, was dampened again by these few spring rains. It's supposed to be March, but we still have to wear winter clothes.

When officials and their families went out, they carried oil-paper umbrellas, while ordinary people could only wear straw hats to keep out the rain. As for raincoats, they could only be worn outside the city. Even on rainy days, the capital was crowded with people, and it was impossible to pass through wearing a heavy raincoat.

This is where the advantages of Su Ze's bestowed residence become apparent.

Within the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, it was possible to discern every morning who lived closest to the capital and who lived furthest away.

Those who were soaked to the bone and looked utterly disheveled were officials who lived in places far from the capital.

Those who weren't soaked and looked more relaxed were the ones closest to the imperial city.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices operated within the palace grounds, and young officials could not stay overnight in the offices of the other nine ministers, so the offices of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices were always in a mess every morning.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince was considerate of the hard work of the cooks and specially set aside an empty room for everyone to dry their clothes, which drew praise from the officials of the Imperial Household Department.

Zhu Yijun frowned and said, "My maternal grandfather has been staying at the estate these past few days, and even though my mother sent people to persuade him, he refuses to return to the capital."

My maternal grandfather was Li Wei, the Earl of Wuqing.

Ever since he obtained the seeds of potatoes and sweet potatoes, this Earl of Wuqing has been staying at his farm outside the city all day long.

What he couldn't understand was that despite his constant vigilance, he still couldn't protect his fields.

Now, not only are potatoes and sweet potatoes planted in the fields around the Marquis of Wuqing, but even ordinary people near the capital have begun to cultivate potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Wu Qingbo never imagined that the guards sent by his great-grandson to protect his land were actually traitors. They not only allowed the surrounding farmers to steal seeds, but also "stole from within" the land, actively selling the seeds that Wu Qingbo had cultivated.

“My grandfather said that it has been raining a lot these days. Potatoes and sweet potatoes prefer dry conditions and are afraid of water, so we need to make sure to drain the water well, otherwise these potatoes and sweet potatoes will rot at the roots.”

Su Ze hadn't expected that this Earl of Wuqing would be so knowledgeable about farming.

Zhu Yijun said:
"My mother told me that my maternal grandfather almost starved to death when he was a child, and his greatest hobby was farming."

It turned out to be the case.

Putting aside other matters, the Ming Dynasty was truly unparalleled in managing the relatives of the empress.

Wuqing Earl Li Wei devoted himself to farming, while his eldest son Li Wenquan devoted himself to establishing a plantation in Penghu.

Zhu Yijun added:

"The capital region has been experiencing continuous rain, which has even delayed spring planting. Father Emperor has been looking worried these days."

Su Ze also understood why the emperor was worried.

For this era, farming is of paramount importance.

Spring is rainy and the temperature doesn't rise, so the seeds that are sown will not sprout and will rot in the ground.

These days, officials in Shuntian Prefecture are busy trying to persuade the people in the capital region to postpone spring planting.

However, delaying spring planting by even one day will delay the harvest by one day, which will in turn affect the planting of the next season's crops.

The situation is better in North China, but in places like Liaodong where there is only one harvest a year, delaying spring planting could lead to crops not being ripe before winter, resulting in reduced or no harvest.

Furthermore, so much rain in the spring is not a good sign, increasing the likelihood of flooding in the Yellow River and Yangtze River this year.

This was the first time the Longqing Emperor had encountered a weather disaster since he ascended the throne, which actually made him much luckier than his father and grandfather.

But it was precisely because of the favorable weather in the previous few years that the emperor was more worried about a famine this year. With too many good days, people’s awareness of preparing for famine and disaster would be much weaker, and the pressure on the court would be even greater if a famine occurred.

As an emperor, it was indeed commendable that the Longqing Emperor was able to worry about the people in advance.

However, Su Ze didn't have a good solution for the weather, so he could only comfort Little Fatty Jun for a few words, and then said:
"If Your Highness is truly worried about a disaster this year, you might as well ask Li Guojiu to collect some grain in Jiaozhi, the southern seas."

Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly, this was the benefit of broadening one's horizons.

In the past, when disasters occurred, the Ming Dynasty could only transfer grain from other places to provide disaster relief.

Now we have discovered a vast overseas market, and there are many places overseas that produce food.

Moreover, maritime transport is fast and economical, making it entirely feasible to transfer overseas food supplies for disaster relief.
-
After leaving the East Palace, Su Ze wandered over to the newspaper office.

No sooner had Su Ze entered the newspaper office than Shen Yiguan rushed in and said:

"Brother Zilin! His Majesty has finally approved Minister Huo's resignation memorial!"

Su Ze had anticipated this news.

Starting from the end of February, Huo Ji began to submit his resignation.

For a high-ranking official of this caliber who had not committed any fundamental errors, the emperor and the cabinet initially believed that he was not truly resigning, and the emperor even personally issued an edict to retain him.

However, Huo Ji continued to submit his resignation, and this time the emperor realized that Huo Ji was really going to resign.

Emperor Longqing was a sentimental person. Huo Ji had made both merits and hard work during his tenure. Apart from clashing with the emperor's cabinet over the issue of the Military Supervisory Commission, he was able to do a good job in the Ministry of War.

So the emperor issued another decree to comfort him, but Huo Ji continued to submit a memorial requesting to resign.

After dragging on until today, Huo Ji had submitted seven resignation letters, and this time the emperor finally approved them.

Shen Yiguan said:
"His Majesty, mindful of Huo Sima's merits, granted him the privilege of retiring as a senior official, bestowed upon him a carriage and horses to return to his hometown, and also granted favors to his second son."

This is already quite generous treatment, and the fact that the ruler and his minister were able to see things through to the end is indeed a commendable story.

Shen Yiguan said again:

"In his resignation letter, Huo Sima recommended Cao Shilang to take over. His Majesty has already ordered the court to recommend a new Minister. It is estimated that this Cao Shilang will be able to take over the Ministry of War."

Su Ze nodded. Cao Bangfu had a good reputation in the court, and with Huo Ji's resignation recommendation, he was indeed the most likely candidate to take over.

Then Shen Yiguan looked at Su Ze with a strange expression and said:

"Rumor has it that Huo Sima resigned because of Brother Zilin."

"I?"

"Yes, if the Ministry of War hadn't suffered setbacks in the matters of the Military Supervision Bureau and the Postal Administration, Minister Huo wouldn't have resigned. Isn't all of this because of Brother Zilin?"

Su Ze vehemently denied it, but even Luo Wanhua, an honest man, nodded repeatedly, indicating that he was destined to take the blame.

But this is for the best. In the future, if anyone opposes me, they will have to consider my own weight and whether I am as important as the Minister of War.

Shen Yiguan said again:

"The reform of the Tongzheng Post Office, which Brother Zilin petitioned, has also begun. The Tongzheng Office has been officially renamed and given a new sign. The court plans to set up Tongzheng Office Service Centers at thirty important locations, and twelve Service Centers along the nine borders and the coast. Officials have already begun to be selected to go there."

Su Ze nodded slightly; he had already received the detailed settlement report for this matter from the system.

The memorial requesting the establishment of the Office of Transmission and Postal Services was passed, and the Office of Transmission and Postal Services was established, with Yang Sizhong becoming its first commissioner.

[A postal system that spanned the entire Ming Dynasty was thus established, allowing government orders from the capital to be transmitted to the empire's borders more quickly, thereby enhancing the Ming Dynasty's rule.]

The efficient postal system also accelerated the spread of new ideas.

[The length of the nation remains unchanged.] Su Ze had not expected that the length of the nation would not increase.

Could it be that the nationwide postal system accelerated the spread of new ideas?

Su Ze did not delve into the matter further, but instead said to Luo Wanhua:

"Brother Yifu, it's time for our Yuefu Xinbao to expand."

Luo Wanhua nodded excitedly.

The official newspaper "Yuefu Xinbao" was the biggest beneficiary of the nationwide postal system.

In his decree establishing the Office of General Affairs and Postal Service, the emperor also clearly stated that the Office of General Affairs and Postal Service had the responsibility of transporting and distributing official gazettes.

Luo Wanhua said:
"According to Brother Zilin's previous plan, the newspaper has already set up a printing press in Shanghai County to cover the newspaper distribution in the Southern Zhili region."

"The newspapers in the remaining areas will be distributed in small quantities through the Office of the Ministry of Justice, so that these areas can be covered first, and then gradually extended to the inland areas."

After listening to the plan, Shen Yiguan also felt that it was a solid and reliable approach, which was typical of Su Ze's style.

The Northern and Southern Zhili regions had the highest density of scholars during the Ming Dynasty, with many ordinary people being literate, making them a major market for newspapers.

Many intellectuals also returned to their hometowns to start newspapers, but the results were not good because there was not enough newspaper readers in the local area to support the cost of starting a newspaper.

Of the four major newspapers, only the editorial office of the Commercial Daily was located in Zhigu; the headquarters of the other newspapers were all in the capital.

Having heard that some local newspapers had also appeared in Southern Zhili, Su Ze decided to go to Shanghai as soon as possible to open a new branch office.

Shen Yiguan said again:

"There are two other important matters in the court, both of which are related to Brother Zilin."

"One item is the first volume of the 'Longqing Accounting Records' presented by Grand Secretary Zhang, which records the finances of the entire province, prefecture and county of the Ming Dynasty. It was presented to His Majesty and His Majesty rewarded the Ministry of Revenue. It is said that the second volume, which covers the expenditures of the major government offices in the capital, will be completed in July."

"The Ministry of Revenue will definitely make some big moves then."

Shen Yiguan looked at Su Ze. It was Su Ze who asked him to compile the "Accounting Records." Shen Yiguan absolutely did not believe that there would be no backup plan after the accounting records were compiled.

However, Su Ze remained tight-lipped, showing no intention of elaborating further, so Shen Yiguan could only continue:
"Vice Minister of Works, Wang Zhihuan, the governor of Huai, has requested the repair of the Jia Canal to separate the Grand Canal from the Yellow River and to reorganize the Shandong section of the Grand Canal. There is still controversy within the Ministry of Works regarding this matter."

Shen Yi Guan looked at Su Ze and said:
"It was also Brother Zilin who facilitated the transfer of Lord Wang to the position of Governor of Huai, and it was also Brother Zilin who instigated this proposal for the Jia Canal?"

Su Ze quickly shook his head in denial, but Shen Yiguan's eyes were full of suspicion.

Su Ze countered with a question:
Why is there still controversy surrounding the Ministry of Works?

Shen Yiguan said:
"Pan Jixun, the Vice Minister of Works, is preparing to manage the Yellow River."

Now Luo Wanhua understood that with the current national strength of the Ming Dynasty, it was only possible to choose one of the two options: controlling the Yellow River or building the Jia Canal.

Both men were vice ministers of the Ministry of Works, and each proposed two national-level projects. This was further supported by the fact that Lei Li, the Minister of Works, had long harbored the idea of ​​retiring.

Su Ze could only say that the struggle for the position of Minister of Personnel has always been like this.

This is no longer a dispute over two projects, but a struggle for leadership power that will determine the future of the Ministry of Industry.

Whoever wins the project between Pan and Wang will become the next Minister of Works.

Shen Yiguan looked at Su Ze and asked:
"Brother Zilin, which Vice Minister do you support more?"

Luo Wanhua said:
"Brother Zilin is definitely more supportive of the Jia Canal proposal."

Su Ze remained silent and did not answer Shen Yiguan's question directly. Just then, a notification sound came from outside the newspaper office.

As if on cue, Su Ze saw the visiting card from Pan Jixun, the Vice Minister of Works, and hurriedly led officials from the newspaper office to greet him.

Pan Jixun had a square face, his eyes sparkled, and his temples were slightly graying even though he was not yet fifty.

After exchanging pleasantries, Su Ze ushered Pan Jixun into the newspaper office.

"Is there something important that Minister Pan has come to visit in person?"

Su Ze looked at Pan Jixun with a puzzled expression. In this chaotic historical timeline that he had altered, Pan Jixun's patron was Gao Gong.

Although they belonged to the same faction, Su Ze rarely attended Gao Gong's faction gatherings and was not familiar with Pan Jixun.

In comparison, Su Ze had a better relationship with Lei Li, the Minister of Works, and was also good friends with Fu Shunwanjing, an Assistant Minister of Works.

As an official of the Ministry of Works, Pan Jixun didn't engage in much small talk. He simply took out a book, handed it to Su Ze, and said:

"Su Hanlin, this is my work, 'A General Overview of River Defense'."

Su Ze opened the book and found that it was a river engineering book written by Pan Jixun, summarizing his experience in water management.

The book is not yet fully written; Su Ze only has the first three chapters.

The first chapter, "The River Map Theory," introduces the history and current state of the Yellow River.

Chapter Two is "Discussions and Debates on the River," which summarizes Pan Jixun's ideas on water management.

Chapter Three analyzes the current status of important sections of the Yellow River, including dikes, sluices, dams, and other water conservancy facilities.

After carefully reading through the document, Su Ze couldn't help but admire Pan Jixun's advanced river management concepts.

Pan Jixun's philosophy on river management was prevention. He placed greater emphasis on flood prevention, paid more attention to dredging and clearing the Yellow River, and proposed the method of "constraining water to attack sand" for river management.

"Using rivers to control rivers, using water to control sand, is this Vice Minister Pan's strategy for water management?"

Hearing Su Ze instantly summarize the key points of his book, Pan Jixun felt a sense of kinship.

He said quickly:
"Was Su Hanlin also an expert in water management?"

Su Ze shook his head and said:
“I, Su, have never served as a people’s official, so how could I know about water management? I only gained this knowledge by reading Vice Minister Pan’s books.”

Pan Jixun felt that Su Ze was a kindred spirit, and he said:

"This year, the spring rains have been incessant. Local reports indicate that the water levels in Pizhou and Suining have risen sharply, and ants have appeared on the dikes. These two cities are both strategic locations on the Yellow River. The dikes have been in disrepair for many years, and they are also where the Yellow River and the Grand Canal are connected. Once there is flooding, it will also cause the Grand Canal to become silted up."

"I submitted a petition requesting the restoration of the Yellow River, but it was ignored."

"So, Vice Minister Pan has come to the newspaper office?"

Pan Jixun said:
"I want to ask the Yuefu Xinbao to publish some information about river management, so that the court will pay attention to it. Even if the court doesn't pay attention, it will still be beneficial to spread this information to the people."

After listening to Pan Jixun's explanation, Su Ze couldn't help but feel admiration.

Being a whistleblower on the Yellow River is no easy task.

Building river dams is time-consuming and laborious, and even ordinary people are unwilling to do it. If they work hard for a year and there is no flood, they will definitely be impeached and found guilty.

However, if flooding occurs, it is considered a curse upon the imperial court.

In fact, the best solution for Pan Jixun was to wait for the floods to occur, at which point the court would naturally appoint him to a key position in flood control.

Su Ze said, "Minister Pan has spoken out for the sake of the people, and I, Su, must also do my part!"

(End of this chapter)