Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

As one of the highest-ranking and most influential officials in Huainan East Road, the people of Huainan East Road naturally hoped that he would speak up for their hometown.

There are many circles, big and small, in the world.

Besides the six major circles headed by the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, there are also other circles of varying sizes.

Based on the time when they passed the imperial examination, there is a circle of people born in the same year.

Compared to others, people born in the same year are more likely to stick together.

During his tenure as the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi, Jiang Zhao extensively marked the names of those who passed the imperial examination in the same year, which involved his fellow graduates.

Based on geographical location, they are called fellow villagers.

During his tenure as the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi, Jiang Zhao specifically designated nine Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Huainan East Circuit, who were considered his fellow townsmen.

The teacher-student circle is the bond between teachers and students.

Yan Shu, Wang Yaochen, and Han Zhang formed this small clique, firmly controlling one of the cabinet positions.

As Han Zhang's disciple, Jiang Zhao is also part of the master-disciple circle.

There are also small cliques based on work experience.

Officials who have served in the Censorate for a long time are very likely to form cliques.

As long as there is no conflict of interest, this is a small circle.

A small circle can be formed by bringing together like-minded people around a particular person, just like the Seven Sons of Jiayou.

In addition, by broadening one's horizons, eunuchs, literati, and nobles also formed a circle.

When it comes to matters involving eunuchs, scholars would tacitly target them and unite against them.

Just like with the matter of the imperial estate, as soon as Jiang Zhao started the group, he received strong support from scholars.

Even those who don't support it would never use this opportunity to make a fuss.

The attitude was similar when it came to nobles.

Theoretically speaking, Gu Tingye was someone Jiang Zhao promoted, and theoretically belonged to the Han faction, which other factions might not necessarily recognize.

In reality, even though Gu Tingye was someone supported by the Han faction, he was still more favored by civil officials than other military generals.

This is what a circle is; it involves all aspects of life.

Of course, forming a circle does not mean there are no conflicts or fights.

In contrast, small circles of like-minded individuals and mentor-apprentice groups tend to have much closer relationships and rarely engage in infighting.

Of course, it's very difficult to get into such a small circle.

Conversely, relationships among fellow townsmen and those born in the same year are much looser.

Especially among fellow villagers, many fights broke out in the imperial court.

The reason for this is naturally that different circles have different priorities.

Compared to the six interest groups represented by the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, other smaller circles have a much lower priority.

If fellow townsmen belong to different factions among the six major factions, and two Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are involved in a power struggle, then the significance of hometown ties will diminish.

Regardless of whether you're from the same hometown or not, you still have to be beaten.

But if it doesn't involve the interests of a large circle, then the fellow villagers will naturally unite.

Especially when it comes to joining the cabinet, the presence of fellow townsmen becomes very obvious.

The reason is simple: the six cabinet seats belong to six different factions, and once a faction is involved in the competition for the cabinet seats, it has already become a competition within the party.

In this way, there is no competition between fellow townsmen belonging to different factions, and naturally, they hope that their fellow townsmen will win the competition and rise to the top within the party.

If Jiang Zhao were to reach the point of joining the cabinet, and someone within the party were to compete with him, then officials from other factions and those from Huainan East Road would spontaneously unite to support his entry into the cabinet, thus providing additional assistance.

Jiang Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, pondering for a moment.

We still have to help!

The degree of unity among fellow villagers is inversely proportional to their size.

The smaller the scope involved, the more united the group.

Just like in Huaizuo, he was almost always the leader.

However, if we broaden our perspective and look at Huainan East Road, we find that there are several officials whose official positions are no lower than his.

In terms of influence on Huainan East Road, he is probably not as influential as these people.

This is not surprising. Since taking power, Jiang Zhao has not made much progress in the Huainan East Road area, which is difficult to compare with the decades of management by others.

Overall, his influence is still concentrated in Xihe Road.

Of course, given Jiang Zhao's reputation and status, it wouldn't be difficult for him to expand his influence.

Compared to the other people from Huainan who held official positions no lower than his, Jiang Zhao's reputation was almost nonexistent.

What he needs to do is to monetize his fame and turn it into influence.

The specific approach is simply to patiently endure the period of time.

Once the imperial examinations arrive, there will certainly be no shortage of Huainan scholars who are not affiliated with any faction visiting him.

Once these people succeed in the exams, they become his people.

The so-called disciples and former subordinates are accumulated gradually in this way.

Therefore, whether it's for the sake of the people in our hometown or to leave a good impression on the students from our hometown, we should help them out of both reason and emotion.

Han Yi, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Wang Fuzhi was appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Lü Zhen.

Qiao Zhizhong, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Zhou Mengyang, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

These are officials of the third rank or above from Huainan East Road.

Jiang Zhao recalled the names of the officials from Huainan East Road.

He can intervene in such matters, but he cannot do it alone.

Besides these high-ranking officials of the third rank and above, the remaining fourth and fifth-rank officials who were qualified to attend court, as well as some censors from Huainan East Circuit, all needed to be contacted.

That night.

More than fifty officials from Huainan East Road gathered quietly.

The first light of dawn was breaking, and the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

"when!"

The bell tolled long and deep, and all the officials entered the palace.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen wore a dragon robe with his sleeves folded together.

"My esteemed ministers, do you have anything to report?" Zhao Zhen asked slowly.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately stood up.

"Your subject, Lü Zhen, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, has something to report." Lü Zhen stepped forward, his voice full of vigor.

Many officials have turned their attention to the past.

The Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, a third-rank official, was practically the pinnacle of the censorate.

Zhao Zhen looked down.

In response to the flooding in Huainan East Circuit, the Pacification Commissioner Feng Xu urgently sent a memorial to the emperor.

Disaster relief is definitely necessary, but the specifics of how to provide relief still need to be discussed in court.

When it comes to matters of the imperial court's finances, the Ministry of Revenue is an unavoidable hurdle.

Whether or not to provide intensive relief requires comprehensive consideration.

"Your subject respectfully reports: In Huainan East Circuit, torrential rains have been pouring down for five days and nights without ceasing. At first, the flooding of the soil was still beneficial to the crops, but the rains have continued unabated for seven days. Now, the roots of the crops are rotting, rivers and canals are overflowing, and ponds have been breached. The land east of Huai has become a swamp."

If relief is not provided immediately, millions of people in Huainan will face famine! We urge the Ministry of Revenue to quickly allocate funds and grain, and to dispatch grain transport to aid the disaster victims. We also urge the dispatch of capable officials to inspect the prefectures and counties, clear blockages to prevent flooding, prepare medicines and stones to prevent major epidemics, and repair city walls to accommodate displaced people.

Halfway through his sentence, the officials were already shocked and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Seven days of torrential rain!

Regardless of whether it actually caused widespread flooding, crops were unlikely to survive, with less than one in ten remaining.

And it was June.

This timing is extremely awkward.

Compared to Shaanxi Road and Xihe Road, Huainan East Road, being near the sea, will take about a month longer to mature.

Generally speaking, grain is harvested in July and August.

Unfortunately, the continuous torrential rains occurred in June.

"I second the proposal."

Jiang Zhao waved his purple sleeve, stepped forward, and bowed deeply.

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

Han Yi, Wang Fuzhi, Qiao Zhizhong, Zhou Mengyang, and others stepped forward one by one to express their views.

Six civil officials in purple robes, all under forty years old, suddenly appeared, causing quite a stir.

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

Without exception, all the fourth and fifth-rank officials from Huainan East Circuit stepped forward and unanimously seconded the motion.

At a glance, there were no fewer than fifty people.

Of the less than four hundred civil officials in red robes, one-sixth of them walked out in one go.

Many officials turned their heads in surprise.

This force, apart from lacking the support of Grand Secretaries, is already no weaker than some of the Grand Secretaries' factions.

Huainan East Road is located by the sea and boasts a thriving commercial sector, truly possessing a rich cultural heritage.

Huaidong Party!

"What does Lord Jiang think is the best way to provide relief?"

A deep, resonant voice slowly spread out.

Minister of Revenue, Cai Xiang!

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Chapter 139 Let the common people suffer, I'll bear the blame! (4k two-in-one)

"What does Lord Jiang think is the best way to provide relief?"

Cai Xiang, the Minister of Revenue, stepped out of the procession.

Led by Jiang Zhao, more than fifty people from Huainan East Road all looked over.

Cai Xiang was from Fujian Road.

Since he took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, Fujian Road has benefited greatly, with water conservancy projects being carried out almost every year.

Money doesn't appear out of thin air, nor does it disappear out of thin air.

The main plan for this disaster relief effort was to use money from Fujian Road.

"Open the granaries for a hundred days, reduce or exempt taxes, and build water conservancy projects. This will ensure political stability, social harmony, and a stable populace," Jiang Zhao replied.