Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 183 Mission List for the Salvation of the Ming Dynasty (v2.0)!

In front of Chengtian Gate, a group of eunuchs finished posting the imperial edict and then retreated.

Below the list, a large crowd had already gathered, mostly composed of officials who had just been reinstated.

Their arrival time in the capital varied from a dozen days to a few days. They thought they could immediately throw themselves into the heated political affairs, but found themselves as idle people.

Although His Majesty has issued an edict stating that they will be "reinstated to their original positions," times have changed, and they have been demoted for many years. How could their original positions remain vacant until now?

This is no longer the era of Wanli, when there was a severe shortage of officials everywhere.

Only a lucky few people encountered vacant official positions and were able to fill them.

Every single one of the others was appointed as a Vice Minister, a Supervising Secretary, or a Censor...

Therefore, these people, having nothing to do, either rack their brains to write official documents on state affairs, or they write a few accusatory memorials; they do nothing else of any importance.

However, after the recent grand court assembly, the number of impeachment memorials suddenly decreased, while the number of official documents concerning state affairs increased.

Many booksellers outside Zhengyang Gate made a fortune.

It's one thing if ordinary books like "Collection of State Affairs Documents (New Policies in the Capital)", "Collection of Three Daily Lectures", and "The Conflict Between People and Land (Including the Latest Charts)" sell well.

The recently circulated "Collection of Revised Documents on Road Construction by Xue Guoguan (His Majesty's Personal Comments)" has driven people into a frenzy.

This document contains all seven of His Majesty's personal comments after Xue Guoguan submitted his memorial on road repair, as well as all the versions of Xue Guoguan's revisions based on those comments.

Because some of His Majesty's words were rather impolite, no bookseller dared to publish them, and they could only be copied by hand.

As a result, the price was artificially inflated to thirty taels.

Thirty taels! That's the annual salary of a seventh-rank official in the capital!
The capital of the Ming Dynasty, once a place of desolate literary atmosphere, is now practically insane!

……

Yuan Keli stood on the periphery of the crowd, his full head of white hair standing out conspicuously.

He looked up and carefully examined the three imperial edicts.

His gaze first fell on the first list on the far left, which was titled "List of Tasks for the New Policies".

This list is not a traditional proclamation or imperial edict, but a form that has gradually become familiar and accepted by the people of the capital.

But... it was an unprecedentedly huge table.

(The attached image shows basically all the policies that are currently being promoted, but please don't assume that these have all been implemented. Only a few are completed; most are just starting out or issuing orders. The plans may need to be revised for one or two months.)
The list clearly shows the names of the new policies, the departments or bureaus to which they belong, the responsible persons, the total number of lines that need to be highlighted in red, and the number of lines that have already been highlighted in red.

Yuan Keli's gaze slowly moved down the form.

New policies in the inner palace, new policies in the capital, new policies in Beizhili, reforms of old policies...

Under the four main categories, there are further subdivisions into specific tasks, forming a fine net that encompasses the entire future direction of the Ming Dynasty.

Yuan Keli nodded slowly.

This table format complements the categorization of the new policies quite well, giving people a sense of neatness and uniformity that is inexplicably pleasing.

The table was extremely long, and it took Yuan Keli a long time to see the bottom.

It was written in small print: "This memorial was first made on the third day of the tenth month, and will be updated once a month after the third day of the third month of each month after the court assembly. Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, Supervisor of the Memorial."

Upon seeing the words "Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs," Yuan Keli's brows furrowed subconsciously.

Just then, the crowd around him suddenly erupted in a suppressed gasp and commotion.

"Twenty-nine! That's all, a full twenty-nine tasks listed!" a young official in a blue robe shouted.

His words immediately drew a rebuttal from his companion: "Definitely more! Didn't you see that the section under the new policies for Beizhili is empty? It only says 'To be listed separately after confirmation'! When that time comes, the number of tasks will probably increase more than fivefold!"

“No, no,” another person said, shaking his head and analyzing, “In my opinion, they will definitely open a separate ‘Northern Zhili Task List’ specifically for tasks in Northern Zhili!”

The "Mission List for Northern Zhili"? Upon hearing this, the officials in blue robes were all intrigued.

"How can I get a job under the new policies in Beizhili? There don't seem to be many vacancies in the prefectures and counties right now, do they?"

"Look over there! That list on the far right! It's the regulations for self-recommendation and registration under the new policy!" Someone shouted, and with a "whoosh," a large group of officials in blue and green robes rushed towards the imperial list on the far right.

The previously crowded task list suddenly became much more relaxed.

Looking at the vibrant and eager scene before him, Yuan Keli's tightly furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed, and he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

This court has been lifeless for too long, and now it finally seems to be showing some signs of life.

"Lord Jie Huan, how have you been?"

A gentle voice came from behind me.

Yuan Keli turned around, only to find that it was Fang Kezhuang.

A slight smile crept onto his face. "It's Yang Chu."

Fang Kezhuang bowed respectfully, his eyes full of respect: "I still remember that before I set off to inspect Southern Zhili, I had the honor of talking with Lord Jiehuan day and night. His teachings are still ringing in my ears."

The affairs of the Southern Zhili Magistrate were among Yuan Keli's most celebrated achievements.

Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile, saying, "I have also heard about your achievements as the salt commissioner of Lianghuai. You have indeed swept away the ills of the time."

Fang Kezhuang smiled and said, "If it weren't for Lord Yuan pointing out the many long-standing problems in Southern Zhili back then, I would never have been able to do this."

He then made a "please" gesture, "Lord Jie Huan, why don't we all admire this second list together?"

"please."

The two walked side by side to the imperial edict in the middle.

This second list is called the "New Policy Rewards and Punishments Ranking".

Unlike the first list, which is complex and detailed, this list is extremely simple and clear, using only red and green colors.

The red list is on top, and the green list is on the bottom.

The list only lists the names of the people, the reasons for adding red or green, and the cumulative number of red and green entries.

There weren't many names on the red list, but the number of "path" marked after each name was exactly the same: "one path".

On the green list, the name of former Grand Secretary Zhang Ruitu was at the top, followed by a glaring number – “Ten Roads”.

Following closely behind was Li Jingbai, the governor of Shandong, who was given a green "one-line" designation.

(Attached image. I didn't expect everyone to have a red line, haha... I haven't found out which stock hit the daily limit yet, but you can place your bets. Don't bet on Zhang Ruitu, that stock has already been delisted.)
Yuan Keli looked down and, sure enough, saw another line of small print at the end of the list, which was also updated monthly.

The two were silent for a moment.

Fang Kezhuang spoke first, his voice tinged with emotion:
"This reminds me of the Duke of Jiangling's 'Assessment and Evaluation System.' I heard that back then, there was also an assessment every month, but it seems that there was never such a clear distinction between red and green."

Yuan Keli slowly shook his head: "I became a Jinshi in the seventeenth year of the Wanli reign. At that time, the examination system had long been abolished, and I have not personally experienced its specifics, so I dare not speak presumptuously."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before moving on to look at the last list.

Just then, atop the Chengtian Gate tower, red flags suddenly began to flutter, tracing rapid lines in the air and making a rustling sound.

The officials below the list instinctively looked up.

Some knowledgeable people quickly recognized it and casually explained to those around them, "Don't panic, this is just a routine trial run of the 'Thousand-Mile Lightning Transmission Station,' nothing serious."

“Yes, yes,” someone echoed, “this thing is practiced dozens of times every day, nothing special.”

Everyone understood and quickly refocused their attention on the imperial edict.

After all, under the new policies, the Provincial Administration Commissioner was a second-rank official, the Prefect was a fourth-rank official, the Sub-Prefect was a fifth-rank official, and the County Magistrate was a seventh-rank official...

These visible and tangible promotion ladders, from high to low, cater to all budgets and preferences. Aren't they more interesting than the radio flag signals we've grown tired of seeing?
However, this time, things seem to be different.

No one noticed that this "thousand-mile-long lightning communication station" waved its red flag three times in the short span of an incense stick's time.

And... each time it became more urgent than the last.

(End of this chapter)