eldest son of Ming dynasty

By the 20th year of Zhengde, some old people left the court, and some even passed away.

Wang Hao is just one of them.

The reason why Zhang Cong was able to make all the changes in the court was not only because he had the title of being the best at serving the emperor, but also because of his good luck.

Even Yang Tinghe never recovered.

In the eleventh year of Zhengde, Yang Tinghe violently contradicted the emperor, which made Long Yan furious. Afterwards, with the mediation of Wang Hao and others, the emperor finally released him from prison after his anger subsided.

But he did not agree to let him enter the temple again.

Zhu Houzhao had two considerations.

First, Yang Tinghe is different from others. This is his old friend, a confidant he has recruited since the eleventh year of Hongzhi. Logically speaking, as time goes by, there should be some feelings for him, so he won't be in love all at once. Fall out.

But it was precisely because of his age that Zhu Houzhao became even more angry when he contradicted him.

If the censor jumped out of nowhere and said a few words, Zhu Houzhao would not understand him. But what about him? After many years of getting along with emperors and ministers, doesn't he know whether he is a fool or not when he becomes the emperor?

Secondly, in the eleventh year of Zhengde's reign, the Jiangnan case cleared by the imperial court caused a violent backlash in Qingliu, causing the emperor to readjust his employment ideas. Zhang Cong, Wang Qiong, Zhang Zilin and other actors appeared on stage.

Yang Tinghe is an old-school figure like Wang Hao, he is out of date.

In the following years, it was meaningless to move him out and put him in front of Zhang Cong, and his ideas for governing the country seemed nondescript.

And this is of course the more fundamental reason.

As soon as Wang and Yang left, Zhang Cong finally took the position of chief minister by promoting the Qingtian Order in the world. This has ushered in his most energetic years.

Of course, stepping on a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​​​blood, there will definitely be a lot of curses.

Moreover, he was only forty-four years old when he ascended the throne. This was an opportunity that many of his previous favorites had never had, and he was easily tabooed.

But he did not live up to the emperor's trust, otherwise why would he be in the court.

In the 13th year of Zhengde's reign, the emperor reformed the Ming Nanyang Company, and Zhang Cong fully supported it. After that, he conquered Yerkang, and Zhang Cong served as the chief assistant to coordinate and prepare sufficient food and grass.

It can be said that Emperor Zhengde was diligent in his administration, but the past few years were not particularly difficult because Zhang Cong did many things for him.

In addition to being good at doing things, Zhang Cong is also as diligent as a machine.

Such as immigrating to Sichuan and Taiwan, promoting cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, revitalizing the cotton textile industry, promoting the selection of scientific projects over the years, ensuring the smooth holding of the three-level examination, and improving the system year by year, helping the emperor establish the field chief system, strictly Prevent clans and eunuchs from occupying acres of land, restrict land annexation, and even relocate clans in recent years...

There is not a single one of these matters that does not involve him.

The process of doing things is actually the process of power expansion. This is also clearly proven in modern management. For example, if a company wants to use a core employee, the more projects you ask him to work on, the greater the power he will naturally be given.

Zhang Cong also has to employ people.

To prevent land annexation, he would send his confidants,

To organize the three-level examination, he has to be watched.

To promote the export of cotton textiles, he also needs to find someone capable...

Only in this way can we report to the emperor.

Zhu Houzhao is also a very politically sensitive person. You can't use Zhang Cong as the front foot and find someone to trouble him as the back foot, right? Therefore, the authority to employ people must be delegated, and sometimes people recommended by him must be used.

This is the internal logic of the operation of politics and power.

It has nothing to do with Zhang Cong's character.

This is what Zai Yan saw. As for some dragon scales that cannot be touched... the clear stream gradually receded, and a large number of officials with low moral bottom lines appeared in the court. The accident was probably not accidental.

In Zhang Cong's residence, an urgent delivery from Yao Yulin, the governor of Sichuan, was also delivered.

That light piece of paper, with its few lines of words that were as curved as a willow stick, was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The person kneeling in front of him was trembling and weeping, as ridiculous and pitiful as a bereaved dog. This person was none other than Lu Zhongming, the current general affairs envoy.

These people were originally unknown people, but because of their usefulness, they were recognized and recommended by Zhang Cong, and it has been five years now.

Zhang Cong has passed his destiny, but his energy is still strong, and he can be considered very angry when he scolds others, "If you have the courage to do it, then you must have the courage to carry it! It's not that I haven't warned you on weekdays, but you have all turned a deaf ear. Now let’s talk about this again, don’t I still have the responsibility to provide for you in your old age and see you through your death?!”

Lu Zhongming's face was filled with sadness, "Mr. Ge, please don't say that. If you say that, your subordinates will have no choice but to die to apologize! You also know that we... we all have to rely on you. !”

On the side, Wang Qiong, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was not so panicked. It seemed that the involvement was not deep, but he was still a little worried.

After Zhang Cong gained power, people like him who had "unfirm bottom lines" had already been hanging out with Zhang Cong. If Zhang Ge old fell, then even if he was not guilty, his political life would be over.

So of course he was still thinking of a way. He turned over the finger, took a look at it, and said: "According to what Yao Yulin, the governor of Sichuan, said, this memorial has already asked him to stop him. After a few days of stabilization, he will withdraw. This one's name is Xia Yan, so that's fine. Things haven't reached that point of irreversibility."

"It's not just that! Look at this troupe we have built, the windows are leaking today! The roof is leaking tomorrow! The wind and rain are blowing, sooner or later the walls will collapse and the house will collapse! Moreover, the emperor already knows about this."

Zhang Cong said with a dull tone at the end.

Lu Zhongming was shocked, and his two retreats suddenly softened, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty knows about this?! How did Your Majesty know about it?"

"Chen Chaorui reported it!" Zhang Cong said with gritted teeth.

"What?!" Wang Qiong jumped up from his chair in shock, "Didn't he intend to make friends with Mr. Ge?! How could he do such a thing? And if something goes wrong, how can he get away with it?"

Chen Chaorui was the cousin of the current imperial concubine, and the cousin of the third son of the emperor, Zai Yao. He had interests involved, so regardless of whether he expressed it or not, he was actually his uncle.

Naturally, this group of people could not urinate in the same pot as the two princes Fu and Yu.

Putting Prince Yu aside, Prince Fu had many Qingliu people gathered around him. These people frequently sent memoranda to the emperor from time to time, asking the emperor to establish a prince as soon as possible. Even if they were beaten back, they would still gather in the mansion and conspire secretly.

And he, Zhang Cong, was a thorn in the side of these Qingliu. After all, he and Wang Qiong did not favor Qingliu in their employment.

Being someone's way to get ahead in life is a huge hatred.

Following this logic, Chen Chaorui originally had a good relationship with Zhang Cong and others. Anyway, the third child wants the people the boss and second brother don't want. And he is still the chief minister of the dynasty.

Otherwise, have these people really learned some magical power that can secretly extract money from an isolated island overseas?

What a liar!

"How could he have anything to do with it? Isn't this money what he's after? How many taels of these things you secretly got went into his pocket? If you don't put it into your own pocket, then you will have enough confidence in front of the emperor. It's nothing more than It's just a crime of oversight!" Zhang Cong pointed at Lu Zhongming and was really angry at him, "Look at me, you're a second-ranked Jinshi!"

In fact, Concubine Xian had a biological brother, but the emperor did not use it and instead used this cousin. Why?

Isn't it just that this person has some courage and agility? Isn't he an ordinary person?

Lu Zhongming explained pitifully: "The governor of Japan, Chen Chaorui, has a mountain of gold and silver sitting under his butt, but he won't take it... We thought it was because he was full, and at the same time it was a sign of sincerity to Mr. Ge."

Yes, in fact, between the two of them, the one who needs to please more is Chen Chaorui.

The third prince really suffered a bit in terms of ranking.

No matter how you arrange, you can't get him.

For a smart man like Zhang Cong, even if he found out that Prince Fu and Yu were dissatisfied with him, he would not tie himself to the tree of the third prince.

First, the risk is high.

Second, it's not necessary. He is the emperor's man, why should he choose between the princes?

More importantly, break the taboo.

Everyone else can go find a source of support and burn the cold stove.

Only he, Zhang Cong, couldn't do it. Zhang Cong didn't like these things, so he confiscated them all.

"What kind of sincerity? I never took a tael of silver from him!"

In fact, if the Japanese governor's position was not crucial, he would have wanted to offend this person.

But in short, they all need each other, so this weak balance is maintained.

"Mr. Ge, you are so angry... If the emperor knows about this, you still have to think about how to solve it." Wang Qiong calmed down slightly, "And this Chen Chaorui, what does he mean?"

"It should be considered a warning."

Zhang Cong blurted out.

"warn?"

Snapped!

Zhang Cong patted the desk and angrily said: "If you don't use it for me, you will be killed by me. He took the initiative to confide this matter to the emperor, so he will protect himself first. Even if we go to the emperor to expose him at this time, it will be useless. The emperor will not believe it. Even if he believed it, for a few taels of silver, he would not destroy the foundation of Prince Rui. But the memorandum he reported was unclear and specious. He just put the knife to my neck and forced me. "

Wang Qiong narrowed her eyes, "Prince Fujun came back from an errand and was praised by the emperor. He wants us to disagree with the emperor's appointment of a heir apparent at a critical moment."

"Yes, if I don't fail, this is his weakness, but this is only one of the meanings. The second meaning is that his patience is probably running out. If I am still not being solicited, then he might as well just Wouldn’t it be convenient to join forces and send us all away?”

"This is a bit short-sighted. If the people who come up support Prince Fu, won't he lose his wife and lose his troops?"

"The fight between trapped beasts is inherently risky, so what better choice could he have? Besides..." Zhang Cong clenched his hands into fists and put them on his forehead, closing his eyes at the same time, "Prince Fujun is already twenty. Years old."

He has to think about it,

Time is running out, and there is no telling when the emperor will establish a throne.

But what does the secret reserve system mentioned last time... mean?

Could it be that the emperor's holy will is not with Prince Fu?

In this case, there is no need to worry about the eldest son and the second son of the emperor. Could it be the third son of the emperor? The emperor is very fond of the virtuous concubine.

But the emperor rarely brings his children's personal affairs to national affairs.

The information was mixed and messy, and even Zhang Cong felt a slight headache.

The study was quiet for a while...

"Zhongming, please get up. I will reply to the Sichuan governor first about this matter, asking them to act with caution. And the official silver smuggling matter reported by Chen Chaorui will definitely not be hidden from Prince Fu, and their people must have tried every means to do so. Put this charge on our people.

Once they catch me doing something wrong, they will never miss this good opportunity. This... is not a trivial matter. Sooner or later, my life will be lost in your hands, so I might as well give it to you. "

It was a bit sad at the end.

"I am so ashamed, I really feel sorry for you, Mr. Ge!"

Zhang Cong sighed deeply, "I entered the dynasty as an official with the intention of helping the country. Looking back, I saw green hair and white hair, but I didn't expect that the situation would push me to this point. From time to time, heaven and earth all work together to transport heroes without freedom. The ancients, sincerity Bullying me." The light from the candle flame kept flickering, and it shone brightly and darkly on his face.

"Remember the Ministry of Personnel, there is a chief named Lou Tianying."

Wang Qiong didn't know why, "There is indeed such a person, why did Mr. Ge suddenly mention him?"

"I have asked several connections to visit me. I will find him tomorrow. Whether he can pass this test depends on him."

"Him? A principal?"

"Go." Zhang Cong was a little helpless and very tired, "Everyone says they understand the emperor's holy will, but how many people can really understand it? I, Zhang Bingyong, am not made of clay. The reason why I can still stand is because of my My reason is that regardless of whether the emperor's eldest son or the third son is as capable as heaven, he still has to go to the emperor's heart to carry out his errands. Besides, the emperor is young and healthy. It's still too early for them to show off their power? !”

Lu Zhongming felt relieved after hearing this.

When it comes to capturing the emperor's thoughts, Zhang Ge Lao is indeed a master.

"And send someone to keep an eye on him. Tomorrow we will rush to deliver the note to the palace before Prince Fu!"

……

……

The next day, the Forbidden City.

The emperor had breakfast in the pavilion by the lake, still with the fourth son of the emperor, Zai Ji, and the fifth son of the emperor, Zai Hen.

After saying a few words, Concubine Jing took them away.

About an hour later, Zhang Cong came first. After talking for a while, Zaihe and Zaiyi arrived.

Because it was spring and warm, Zhu Houzhao moved out of the house, feeling bored inside all day.

On the contrary, there are lake views, pavilions, green plants, and spring breeze outside, which really makes every pore in the body open.

The emperor was holding a memorial in his hand, as if he had just discussed something with Zhang Cong.

However, there is nothing surprising about the emperor discussing political affairs with his ministers.

"My son, please see your father!"

"Oh, you're here too," Zhu Houzhao waved, "Come on, come on, let's sit together."

Zaihe glanced at Zhang Cong secretly, and Zhang Cong only greeted him in a routine manner.

Zhu Houzhao didn't know what happened to them 'behind the scenes', and thought he had nothing to do these two days, so he asked casually: "I have only rested for two days, and I can't help it anymore. I guess you guys came here together." , are you here to ask me for an errand?"

Zaihe reported back, "My father is very knowledgeable about things. However, when my son and my second brother asked for errands, they also wanted to share their worries with me, so that my father would be less burdened with paperwork."

"Okay, it's rare for your two brothers to have such filial piety."

Zaihe began, "Father, in addition to asking for an errand when I came to the palace this time, I also heard about something that I feel is of great importance and I must report it to my father."

"What's the matter?"

Zaihe knelt down and said, "I want to participate in the performance of Zhang Cong, Zhang Ge, the chief scholar of the cabinet and the great scholar of Jianji Palace!"

Zhu Houzhao raised his eyebrows, a little surprised, what kind of trouble was this?

He glanced slightly sideways at Zhang Cong. The guy had his hands crossed in front of him, his long eyebrows were drooped, and he was motionless.

Behind Zai He, Zai Yan was also a little surprised: Did his advice work?

But then he thought about it and realized that it was his uncle who was acting as a lobbyist again.

"Zaihe, your preface is correct, can't you talk nonsense?"

"I understand, I am not confused. Father, as far as I know, Mr. Zhang Ge has avoided gentlemen, used villains, and indulged his subordinates over the years. He has been corrupt and perverted the law, amassed countless wealth, and even caused trouble in Japan's Silver Mountain. The amount of money involved in the smuggling case of official silver was very large. In just the past three years, more than ten million taels of official silver had been embezzled, which is shocking!

Furthermore, over the past few years, Zhang Cong has eliminated dissidents and ordered people to accuse anyone who did not comply. It is called serving the emperor, but it is actually a tool to steal the country. How can this be beneficial to the country? My father lives deep in the ninth level, blinded to both sides, with unknown ears. People like Wang Qiong and Lu Zhongming, when they come in, plot to seize power and bring trouble to the government, but when they come out, they run rampant like tigers, devouring them endlessly, and the harm they do is indescribable! Officials all over the world admire their methods, look forward and backward, and dare not speak out. What I have said here today is true. I beg my father to remove Zhang Cong and his cronies from their posts and question them in order to cheer up people's hearts! "

After Zaihe said this, Zhu Houzhao was immediately shocked.

In this secluded place beside the pavilion, you can hear a needle drop for a while, and everyone is holding their breath.

About five breaths passed.

Zhang Cong turned around, knelt down facing the emperor, and said: "Your Majesty, the inconsistency in the amount of Japanese official silver has been reported in detail by Governor Chen Chaorui. I am conducting a secret investigation according to the order. The huge amount stated by Prince Fu is indeed true. . And there are many people involved, many of whom are recommended by me. I hired people improperly and was deceived by others. I have neglected my duty and I am willing to be punished by your majesty!"

Zaihe was so anxious that he wanted to get rid of the relationship just by saying that he had hired someone inappropriately?

"Father! It's as much as tens of millions of taels of silver. Without Zhang Ge's tacit consent, how could some humble minister dare to do such a crazy thing?! How could it be so simple for Zhang Ge to say that he should employ people improperly?!"

"Then Prince Fu said that it was the minister who ordered it, is there any evidence?"

"Isn't this simple? Capture your cronies and ask them questions! I guess such villains are not hard-core!"

At this time, Zhu Houzhao didn't say a word,

But his closest ministers had already quarreled with the eldest son of the emperor.

This happened suddenly, and Zhu Houzhao had to think carefully, how did the smuggled money come out?

What is Zaihe's purpose...and how should he deal with it...

……

On the side, You Zhi saw that the emperor had been silent, so he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, yesterday I called the Young Master Fan Yuchang to enter the palace, and now he is waiting outside."

The Shaofu Order turns out to be Gu Renyi.

Now this person has joined the cabinet.

Fan Yuchang was Wang Bing's grandson-in-law, and he was specially selected by the emperor to join the attendant's room.

Because I was choosing a husband in the first place, I naturally chose someone with an upright personality and high moral standards.

So this Fan Yuchang is really one of the few clean figures in the court.

He was also a second-level Jinshi. He stayed in the attendant's room for several years. Later, he was sent to work as the chief envoy of a province. Two years ago, he was transferred to Beijing to serve as the Shaofu Order.

As for the Shaofu organization, it required some business acumen when it first started. After all, you have to know how to build a grain merchant from scratch.

But it is more administrative than the Nanyang Company, and its tentacles are mainly domestic, which is a monopoly. Therefore, the Shaofu is not a purely commercial organization, but has a stronger color as a political organization.

Grain merchants, shipyards, some imperial villages and imperial stores are only a small part of the Shaofu.

The Shaofu is more in charge of major projects, such as the original official roads of the two capitals, and also manages several cities that never sleep.

There are also administrative functions such as the Capital Planning Department and the Enterprise Management Department.

Therefore, Shaofu Ling does not require much business acumen. It is enough to know administrative management. If you are a good chief envoy, you can give Shaofu Ling a try.

Furthermore, the Shaofu Order is a place where corruption can easily breed.

Having a Qingliu Guan like Fan Yuchang can somewhat control some of the irregular behaviors of the Shaofu.

In the past few years, the Shaofu has also experienced more than one round of organizational changes.

In fact, it was because of the Ming Nanyang Company that some of the Shaofu's original business functions gradually became embarrassing, and naturally they had to be changed.

Zhu Houzhao gradually strengthened the administrative color of the Shaofu. Some emerging businesses that did not know which department they belonged to would be included in the Shaofu.

The Enterprise Management Department is a typical one.

Due to the boom in private commerce, various workshops have emerged. In order to strengthen the management of these actors, the Enterprise Management Department is indispensable.

In today's Ming Dynasty, as long as you open the door to do business, you must register with the county government to receive an independent code. This is a responsibility assigned by the young master. It is equivalent to the county magistrate doing one more thing and keeping one more account, which is not difficult.

These codes are related to many things, such as goods passing through customs and paying taxes.

Moreover, when you have transactions with people, the certificate from the young master is also essential. Otherwise, your property will not be protected. In other words, if you are cheated or robbed, you can only ask for happiness.

This makes traders pay great attention to the origin of the other party. If you are not careful, you may be deceived and lose all your money.

The second relatively large department is the Capital Planning Department, which is responsible for planning the development of Capital, needless to say.

In addition to these two, there is also the State Assets Disposal Department, which is the shipyard, the Ordnance Bureau, the Artillery Bureau, and some Huangzhuang Huangdian.

After that comes the Project Control Division.

The Project Control Department was first used to manage large projects established by the imperial court, but later, large projects mainly prepared with private funds were subject to the approval and jurisdiction of the Shaofu.

Finally, there was another department that was merged by the Shaofu, which was the Salt and Iron Control Department. Tea was actually among them, but it was just called that.

Salt merchants across the country are also subject to the control of the Shaofu. The auctions and salt sales that were originally scheduled are all the Shaofu's responsibilities.

Therefore, although the Shaofu does not directly conduct business like the Ming Nanyang Company, its power is not small.

When You Zhi mentioned the Shaofu Order at this time, he also had the foresight to give the emperor a break.

However, Zaihe was a bit bold, and boldness could easily turn into recklessness. Once he had attacked, he would finish it in one go. After questioning and verifying the evidence, we will send officials to Shandong, South Zhili, Zhejiang and other coastal provinces to see if there is any official silver smuggling as mentioned by the minister!"

Zhu Houzhao blinked and still didn't say a word. His index finger also made a rustling sound on the memorial. Soon Fan Yuchang came in and was a little surprised to see someone.

"I have met your Majesty, Master Fan Yuchang! I have met Prince Fu and Prince Yu, and I have met Mr. Zhang Ge."

"Be flat."

Zhu Houzhao's face was calm and he raised his arms, but he also had a decision in his mind.

===

It’s still 6,000 words sent together.

I'm okay with writing these things, but writing about war, two thousand words can choke me to death, and it's really eye-catching (facepalm).

By the way, the monthly ticket is doubled, it’s the end of the month again, don’t waste it.