The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Houzhao was angry again.

Liu Jin looked at the angry Emperor Ming and said with a flattering face.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Those officials from the Transportation Department are unworthy of publicity, so let them go!"

In fact, the first thing that was just discussed in the Wenhua Hall was the corruption and bribery of officials in the Transportation Department. Officials from the six transportation departments, including the Changlu Transportation Department, were all suspended for review, starting with officials of fifth rank and above. He was even ordered to return to Beijing to report on his duties.

According to the little emperor's opinion, the evidence of corruption and bribery of these officials was conclusive. Not only would they be stripped of their skins, but they would at least have to be dismissed from their posts and expelled from the court. However, Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, Ma Wensheng, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate all The three true kings of the court, the imperial envoy Zhang Fuhua, firmly opposed it.

The solution they gave was to confiscate the illicit money and silver they obtained illegally, and then demote them to the local government as officials.

The reason is very simple. There are a large number of gentry and gentry behind these officials. How can they watch their own people being punished according to the law by His Majesty the Emperor?

"Yuan Fu, let's forget it!" Chen Kuan stopped him with a solemn expression.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Kuan turned around and left.

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked startled.

To suppress the Japanese, you will suppress the Japanese. Why are you preparing your warships?

Is it possible that you still want to take a warship and fight into the lair of those Japanese pirates?

"Master Hou, let's talk about this..."

Even with the little girl jumping around on the deck, Tang Hao could hear the heartbreaking creaking and groaning sounds coming from the deck...

However, at this moment, a guard in uniform hurried over and handed Zuo Yidao the urgent military information.

"Why does Your Majesty humiliate the gentry of the world so much?"

There are two assistant officials in the county magistrate, including one county magistrate, who is of the eighth rank, and one who is the chief registrar, who is the ninth rank. The deputy position of the magistrate is the county magistrate.

Liu Jin, who also attended the Wenhua Palace meeting, reacted quickly and directly exposed the small thoughts of the civil servants and gentry on the spot. Only then did Zhu Houzhao finally understand.

"What I mean is that you don't have to kill these officials, but you don't have to let them live an easy life!"

As Zhu Houzhao's companion growing up, Liu Jin certainly knew why the little emperor was so angry.

"After all, it is a fact that they have been corrupt and accepted bribes. No one can refute it. In this case, it is better to demote these officials to those lower-level counties as... assistant officials!"

"Go to the Supervisor of Ceremonies and tell Chen Daxuan to go to the cabinet in person and ask the cabinet to draft the decree in this way!"

For example, the two capital counties of Daxing and Wanping on the outskirts of the capital city are undoubtedly Shifan counties. If the local magistrate is moved from Jian to Fan to become the magistrate of these two capital counties, it will naturally be a promotion.

Previously, the little emperor gave the bottom line of the transaction, that is, the court will get 70% of the salt profit, the kitchen households will get half of the salt profit, and the remaining 25% will not be interfered by the court and will be divided up by various forces.

Liu Jin showed an awkward smile after hearing this.

"In addition, prepare as many warships as possible. They will be needed soon!"

Without him, this method is too destructive and disgusting!

After listening to Chen Kuan's words, Liu Jian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, had an old face full of astonishment.

Zhu Houzhao nodded with a smile and praised: "Not bad, not bad, Liu Jin's brain is good, but you are good at disgusting people!"

"You should also know that His Majesty is very angry right now. If you really go, then the fate of these officials of the Transportation Department will only be worse, and they will definitely die!"

At the same time, Dengzhou Shuicheng.

"Master Hou, something happened!"

After being taught by "Emperor's Illustrations", Zhu Houzhao's originally somewhat skewed views were gradually corrected by Tang Hao. At least the little emperor now understands that to be an emperor, one must always keep the people at heart, not every day. Talk to these civil and military ministers.

In fact, Tang Hao came here today to inspect the warships.

"To put it bluntly, it is a fact that these officials of the Transportation Department were corrupt and took bribes. According to the laws of the country, they should have died. At least they would have been dismissed from office. For the sake of the salt policy, His Majesty spared their lives and allowed them to serve as assistants. Officer, you are already very kind!”

Since it is a water city, boats are indispensable.

In addition, in the 18th year of Yongle, the peak period of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty owned more than 3,800 ships, including 1,350 patrol ships, 1,350 warships, and ships stationed in Nanjing. There are 400 large ships and 400 grain transport ships at the Xinjiangkou base, 250 of which are ocean-going treasure ships. In addition, there are also a large number of security and law enforcement ships and messenger ships that protect the oceans and patrol the rivers!

After the decree was written, Lord Yuanfu sighed.

In fact, the famous Zheng He fleet was actually just a maritime mobile fleet of the powerful Ming Empire Navy!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's eyes suddenly lit up and he couldn't help but applaud.

The profits of the salt administration should have been controlled by the imperial court. This was a major national plan and the foundation of national affairs. He, Zhu Houzhao, gave up 25% of the salt profits to these forces in vain. As a result, they were not satisfied and wanted to protect the Six Great Fortunes. Corrupt officials!

Is this too bullying?

In the end, the court discussion came to nothing, and His Majesty the Emperor left the scene angrily.

How long can he be in charge of the Ceremony Supervisor alone?

But the shocking scene in front of him still made him unable to accept it.

No, what do you mean?

"Okay, okay, Liu Jin, Liu Jin, your method is really disgusting!"

The standard for classifying prefectures is generally based on the amount of land tax paid, and the counties are divided into upper, middle and lower grades. That is, the upper county is classified as upper county if the grain is less than 100,000 shi, the middle county is as low as 60,000 shi, and the lower county is as low as 30,000 shi. .

Zhu Houzhao didn't react at first. He didn't understand why Liu Jian, Ma Wensheng and Zhang Fuhua gave such a ridiculous solution.

Tang Mu was the smarter one and explained in a deep voice: "Master Hou, there is nothing we can do about this."

Liu Jin did not answer when he heard this, but just sneered.

"Let him wait in front of His Majesty immediately!"

Just an old dog!

After seeing it, the latter's expression suddenly changed and he hurriedly looked at Tang Hao.

Another method is to use the geographical location of the county as the main criterion to divide the county into two types: "traditional and simplified", that is, "a county with more than 30,000 shi of grain or a royal palace, provincial capital, military area, or post road hub, all of which are complicated", "The county has less than 30,000 stones, and even in secluded places, everything is simple."

Now that Tang Hao is leading the troops outside, Liu Jin can't wait to show his fangs!

Tang Hao listened to these explanations in silence. Of course, he had already expected it and understood the depression of the Ming Navy.

Zheng He's fleet, with its large scale, large number of people, and tight organization, was the largest fleet in the world in the fifteenth century!

Chen Kuan scolded angrily.

"Chen Dajue, is there any problem?"

Tang Hao originally thought that Zheng He, the navy who was invincible in the past, should at least still have some wealth left after so many years of corruption.

"Since the Xuande period, the coastal defense line has been shrinking, the ocean-going fleet has been recalled, the construction of large ships has stopped, island bases have been abandoned, and various large and small shipyards along the coast have been abandoned and declined. Coupled with the court's strict maritime ban policy, the people along the coast have been left homeless. Thinking of making a living, they started to flee one after another..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jin turned around and left proudly, not caring at all about Chen Kuan's ugly face.

After all, it is not an easy task for any gentry to cultivate an elite bureaucrat with a Jinshi background. If it were to be lost in vain, they would also be forced to cede a part of the profits from the salt administration. This is not purely Bullying?

Therefore, through the three true kings of the court, all forces have expressed their attitudes.

Then in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, in order to resist Japanese pirates, there was a second wave of large-scale construction of warships.

At least in this palace, no one is worthy of his attention!

Soon Liu Jin walked into the cabinet grandly and looked at Chen Kuan with a smile on his face.

The two counties of Daxing and Wanping on the outskirts of the capital city are both in the sixth rank due to their special status.

Chen Kuan was a serious eunuch of the Hongzhi Dynasty. Because of the Hongzhi Emperor, his philosophy had always been soft. Similar to Liu Jian, the chief minister of the Hongzhi Dynasty cabinet, he had always been based on stabilizing the overall political situation and suppressing the civil servants and gentry as much as possible. Protect the rights and interests of the Ming Emperor.

But Liu Jin is the complete opposite. He is a complete mad dog. He will do whatever it takes to climb up. In order to please His Majesty, he will do all kinds of underhanded tricks. He does not care about the overall situation of the government at all. He only values ​​his own power and position!

This deal can be done, but the prerequisite is that the little emperor must let go of the officials from the Transportation Department!

Firstly, one cannot interrupt their career, and secondly, one cannot harm their lives by continuing to allow them to serve as officials in the government.

Zuo Yidao wanted to give a few more words of advice.

"Chen Dajue, whose idea was this?"

"My slave obeys the order!"

At that time, the total size of the Daming Navy was equivalent to ten Spanish Armadas!

"Yuan Fu must not cause any trouble again, and draft the decree as soon as possible!"

He knew very well that as long as he continued to solve problems for the little emperor, the little emperor would be inseparable from him, Liu Jin, and sooner or later he would be able to regain power!

Chen Kuan?

Do you really think that people can control you without the Marquis of Zhongshan in the capital?

The lower-level prefectures and counties are originally poor and remote areas with almost no political achievements to speak of.

"As expected, it should be Liu Jin's idea!"

"You are deepening the conflict between His Majesty and the gentry!"

Therefore, Zhang Yong is the best way to check and balance Liu Jin!

Wenyuan Pavilion.

For example, the chief of a county is called a magistrate, also commonly known as a county magistrate. There used to be differences in the ranks of magistrates. In the first year of Wu, it was decided that the magistrates of upper counties should be ranked from the sixth rank, the magistrates of middle counties should be ranked from the seventh rank, and the rank of lower counties should be ranked from the seventh rank. Soon they were all ranked as the seventh rank. .

In fact, Emperor Yongle fully supported Zheng He's voyages to the West, which led to the first peak period of shipbuilding in the Ming Dynasty. Historical records have repeatedly recorded that the Ming Dynasty actively enriched its armaments and built warships. There were 5,000 warships along the coast alone. There are about 1,000 warships. If you add the warships along the river, the total number of warships in the Ming Dynasty will be even more.

"The eunuch Liu Jin deserves to be punished!"

The most disgusting part of Liu Jin's suggestion is that all these transportation officials were demoted to lower-level county assistant officials, and they basically had no possibility of promotion. This not only showed the dissatisfaction of His Majesty Zhu Houzhao, but also tantamount to satisfaction. By meeting the requirements of the gentry and Jin gentry, the exchange of salt policy benefits can be successfully completed.

During the previous court meeting, Xu Jin, Minister of the Ministry of War, had given a detailed report.

You just said you want to be an official, but Zuoerguan is also an official!

What?

I am a noble Jinshi, and you ask me to be the county magistrate in an inferior county. How could it be so humiliating?

I'm sorry, I just humiliated you like this, what's wrong?

Don’t forget, when the savages were in Beijing, they forced the Manchu ministers to establish a rule. From now on, no official would be allowed to resign without any reason, otherwise he would be revoked and imprisoned!

Therefore, under this premise, these thousands of officials of the Transportation Department, no matter how disgusted they feel or how unhappy they are, they must go to their posts honestly!

Most of the county magistrates are served by Xinke Jinshi, with the help of judicial officials. The county magistrates can slowly be promoted based on their political performance, but the assistant officials such as the county chief registrar cannot. They can only assist the prefecture and county chief officials in managing grain, horses, etc. Arrest, water conservancy and other matters.

"Have you forgotten the purpose of my leadership in leaving Beijing this time?"

After all, the emperor is the emperor, the master of the Ming Dynasty. As a result, all the civil and military forces in the dynasty clearly do not take him as the Ming emperor in their eyes. If the benefits are not enough, they want people. It would be difficult for any emperor. I can't swallow this bad breath!

"Your Majesty, there are over a thousand officials from the Six Days of Transport Department. It is true that we cannot kill them all."

The significance of Zhang Yong is that every time His Majesty the Emperor sees him, he will recall the Nanyuan Tiger Case and Liu Jin's rebellious attempt to set up a trap for His Majesty the Emperor!

He is different from Liu Jin, or in other words, their concepts are completely different.

Liu Jin Dajun sighed secretly, feeling that his whole body was walking a little lightly.

"Ha!" Zhu Houzhao sneered: "If we don't kill them, are we going to let these corrupt officials continue to serve as local officials? Continue to prey on the common people and steal their wealth and wealth?"

The county's auxiliary officer is the chief secretary of the county, the state's auxiliary officer is the state's tongzhi and state magistrate, and the government's auxiliary officer is the tongzhi and tongpan. They are all positions that are inferior to others and have poor official career.

Liu Jin's heart moved and he hurriedly took the order and left.

Now, Tang Hao wants to take advantage of this and the astonishing benefits of the Shijian Silver Mine to promote the second large-scale construction of warships in the Ming Dynasty!

"Wei Zhang, arrange for manpower to repair these warships!"

Zuo Yidao had a premonition that something was not good and asked tentatively: "Master Hou, don't you want to..."

"Those are my subjects, and I, the emperor, am their father. If I really do this, I will be stabbed in the back for the rest of my life!"

But then, His Majesty the Little Emperor naturally became angry.

Looking at the gloomy expression of Marquis Zhongshan, Wei Zhang's face turned red with shame and he didn't know how to speak.

Zhang Yong?

It's a pity that all this has been completely ruined by these unscrupulous descendants!

Now in front of Tang Hao, Dengzhou Camp, one of the three major coastal defense battalions, indeed has only three warships left, and they are the oldest Dafu ships!

"Where's Zhang Yong?"

How could His Majesty the Emperor come up with such a sinister and disgusting method?

"I will enter the palace to face the Holy Spirit now, and I must make His Majesty take back his life!"

Has His Majesty the Emperor learned too much from that naughty Marquis of Zhongshan?

"Chen Dajue, you'd better go to the cabinet as soon as possible to convey the order!"

"Even the two-thousand-material treasure ship that Zheng He used when he went to sea was slowly rotting in the harbor. Now there is only a shelf left..."

The so-called "zuoerguan", "zuo" and "er" both mean deputy, so it refers to the deputy of the Zhengyin official, also called "deputy official" or "auxiliary official".

Liu Jian thought for a long time, and finally chose to compromise and formulate this decree.

Yes, this is humiliation!

Tang Hao was playing on the boat with his little girl in his arms.

The salt deal has not been concluded since then, and all officials from the Transportation Department have been detained in the Jinyiwei Prison.

Therefore, it is difficult to be the county magistrate of this lower-level county, and there is almost no hope of promotion, let alone these deputy assistant officials.

Tang Hao chuckled and said: "Go out to suppress the Japanese. This is the task your Majesty has given me!"

"Zhejiang Navy originally had 700 warships, but now it doesn't even have 300 complete ships; Shandong Dengzhou Guard once had 100 warships, but now only three are left..."

Looking at this guy's back, Chen Kuan's eyes were filled with killing intent.

This is the first time since his recovery that he has been reused and can deliver orders on behalf of His Majesty!

Just a fool!

Ten Zhang Yong can't compare to Liu Jin!

Only the newly born Marquis of Zhongshan, Tang Hao, was the only enemy in Liu Jin's eyes.

Hearing this, Chen Kuan frowned immediately.

You can restructure the Salt Administration and Transportation Department, and you can also take away 70% of the Salt Administration's profits, but you can't touch our people. Even if you can't stay in the Transportation Department as an official, you can still go to the local government to govern. Anyway, you can't. I was tortured to death by you like this.

"Liu Jin, is this your idea?"

Why is it so weird to praise people?

There are many types of these warships. In addition to the warships of the previous generation, such as Louchuan, Mengchong, fighting ship, sea falcon, walking boat, yacht, etc., there are also 400-material warships and 400-material patrol ships. Boats, Jiujiang-style sentry boats, rowing boats, etc.

Only the assistant officers in the local third division, the highest local government office, such as political counselors, counselors, deputy envoys, and ministers, have the nature of the assistant officers of the third division. They are dispatched by the third division to guard or patrol a certain area, or are responsible for a certain area. If you are responsible for this matter, you will have a good future.

And it’s the humiliation of being trampled on the ground!

Once the imperial edict is issued, all these thousands of officials will go to the poor and remote places in the lower counties and counties, and then serve as assistant officials there for the rest of their lives, working until they die!

If nothing else happens, they will never have a chance to return to the court again in this life!

Chen Kuan sighed and chose to tell the truth.

Liu Jin asked with a smile.

"Chen Dajue, His Majesty ordered you to go to the cabinet in person and draw up an order to demote all the transportation officials to assistant officials in lower-level prefectures and counties. There must be no mistake!"

Not long after the Marquis of Zhongshan left, you, Liu Jin, started making trouble?

It’s not easy!

After all, that was Zheng He Navy!

According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty", Zheng He, on the orders of Emperor Yongle, led more than 200 large and small ships and nearly 30,000 officers and soldiers, including 62 large treasure ships. The largest one was 44 feet long and 18 feet wide. It has nine masts and twelve sails, and the farthest route reaches more than 6,000 nautical miles. It draws the earliest navigation chart with routes...

"Liu Jin?" Liu Jian was furious when he heard this, "It's this damned eunuch again!"

"These ships are being used less and less."

Chen Kuan noticed the high-spirited Liu Jin, and his brows suddenly furrowed deeper.

"There is a white lotus demon in Qingzhou who has gathered to cause chaos and raise an army to rebel!"

Tang Hao: "???"