Domineering Daming

With his hands behind his back, Zhu Xu seemed to be talking to himself: "I have implemented countless reforms over the years, but very few of them have been implemented. Just say that the 'nine rules' have been repeatedly stated, but they have reached the local level. In the past, it has become a dead letter..."

Huang Chengyuan bowed, not daring to answer.

After the "Tumu Fortress Change" in the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court's control over the local area gradually weakened, especially in the late Wanli period, to the point where it had to rely on internal supervisors to do things.Although Zhu Xu has repeatedly rectified since he came to the throne, it is not a one-day cold to freeze three feet. No matter how much the court attaches importance to the New Deal, local governments either push it three times and block it four times, or ignore it at all.

This also forced the court to use various means to strengthen its control over the local area.

The folding fan in Zhu Xu's hand patted his back lightly, and he said in a tone that could not be heard coldly: "Shandong is the closest to the capital, and we must be more active in implementing the imperial court's 'New Deal'. Come with a firm attitude, don't be afraid of offending others, I like those officials who are brave and indomitable..."

A drop of cold sweat flowed from behind Huang Chengyuan's ears, he raised his hands and bowed, and said solemnly: "Don't worry, your majesty, the governor's office in Shandong will spare no effort to promote the implementation of the new policy, and will strictly and meticulously eradicate all old ills. Those who are not responsible will use the crime of 'dereliction of duty' without hesitation!"

Zhu Xu said as soon as he ordered, without saying much, the flower boat docked, and Zhu Xu and his party went ashore.

This time I went ashore, I felt more and more that the lights were red and bright, and it was a gorgeous street.

Zhu Xu opened his eyes, shook his head secretly, turned around and was about to leave, when a loud shout suddenly sounded: "Brother Zhu!"

Startled slightly, Zhu Xu turned his head, just in time to see Chen Zilong and Liu Rushi coming side by side.

He frowned, no matter Liu Rushi or Chen Zilong, Zhu Xu didn't want to have too much contact, so he raised his hand and smiled politely: "Brother Chen, Miss Liu."

Liu Rushi cupped his fists like a man, and said with a smile, "Brother Chen, my younger sister is polite."

Zhu Xu nodded in greeting. Liu Rushi was wearing a black tight-fitting long gown, with a slender figure, rather handsome appearance, and a dashing demeanor.

Cao Huachun and Huang Chengyuan lowered their heads slightly for fear of being recognized.

Chen Zilong and Liu Rushi didn't care after looking at it. Last time, Chen Zilong denied Zhu Xu's words as "family origin", and now he was very excited when he met again. He glanced at Liu Rushi and said with a smile: "Brother Zhu Tomorrow, Rushi and I are going to celebrate the birthday of Lord Yang’s mother, the prefect of Jinan, if Brother Zhu doesn’t have an invitation, I happen to be able to bring one more person with me.”

Chapter 642 An Unusual Birthday Banquet

Zhu Xu squeezed his chin with one hand, looked at Chen Zilong and smiled.

He naturally disdains such a clumsy little trick.

Liu Rushi looked apologetic, and said, "Brother Zhu, I was only invited to play a birthday song, and I can't bring anyone to the banquet."

Without waiting for Zhu Xu to speak, Chen Zilong went on to say: "If it doesn't have to be like this, maybe Brother Zhu's family is extraordinary, and he has friendship with Master Yang, maybe he has already been invited."

Liu Rushi has been secretly looking at Zhu Xu, she thinks that Zhu Xu may be the Emperor's man, and he is secretly investigating something.

Zhu Xu didn't know what Liu Rushi was thinking, looked at Chen Zilong and said with a smile: "Brother Chen has a quick mind, and he is indeed old with Mr. Yang in the next family. He has already been invited, and he will go to the banquet tomorrow."

Chen Zilong was taken aback for a moment, his eyes were suspicious, and he was speechless.

Liu Rushi had a good idea in his heart, walked over like a man, and said with a smile: "Brother Zhu, you've already arrived here, why don't you go in?"

Zhu Xu raised his head and glanced, and could feel the makeup and extravagant aura from a distance, smiled and shook his head and said: "The imperial court has rules, and I and other scholars are not allowed to linger here."

Chen Zilong's expression was slightly gloomy, he had just come out of it.

Liu Rushi didn't mind at all, and said approvingly: "A gentleman is good at guarding his body, brother Zhu can keep himself clean, and my younger sister admires it."

Although Liu Rushi has fallen into the ranks, she is not an ordinary famous prostitute with flesh and blood. She is still pure and white. Although she travels to and from the Qinhuai River, she has never done anything wrong.In addition to being talented, no one would do the vulgar act of chewing peonies.

Zhu Xu didn't want to stay with them any longer, and he still had something to say to Huang Chengyuan, so he raised his hand and said, "I still have something important to do, so I'll take my leave."

Chen Zilong frowned slightly, this Zhu Muyu gave him a very bad feeling, he didn't like it.

Liu Rushi really wanted to communicate with Zhu Xu again, but seeing that he didn't seem to want to have too much contact with them, he said, "Brother Zhu has something to do, you can go first."

Zhu Xu smiled, turned around and led a few people away slowly.

Chen Zilong looked at Zhu Xu's back, and said to Liu Rushi: "This person seems to be polite, but in fact he rejects people thousands of miles away. He is not a person of the same way as you and me. If so, it is better to have less contact with him in the future."

Liu Rushi was startled, then turned to look at Chen Zilong, then at Zhu Xu's back that was drifting away, and frowned slightly.

She found that although Chen Zilong is also a leader of the younger generation in Jiangnan, although he also has the heart for the country, although she doesn't know Zhu Muyu very well and doesn't know how talented he is, she feels that Chen Zilong is not as good as him, at least in terms of temperament and magnanimity. .

Seeing that Liu Rushi didn't speak, Chen Zilong thought she was tacitly acquiescing, and said with joy in his heart: "If so, let's go back, brother Mao and others are still waiting to hear your piano sound."

Liu Rushi didn't move her feet, and said suddenly: "I heard that the chief arrester of the six gates in the capital is the former Shuntian Mansion god arrester, Wang Yuyang, who is a woman, brother Chen, do you know?"

Chen Zilong knew that Liu Rushi "hated not being a man", was full of patriotism, and liked her, but he didn't want her to care about it in the future, so he said directly: "If you don't want to be delusional, then Wang Yuyang is Ping Wang's niece, Prince Ping is the current emperor's confidant, and I heard that she is the emperor's woman, those six doors are just for the emperor to please her..."

Liu Rushi frowned, not because Chen Zilong was deliberately hitting her, but because he felt that the current emperor was not so stupid as to use a yamen to curry favor with women.

"Brother Chen, my little sister is not feeling well, please apologize to Brother Mao and others on my behalf."

As Liu Rushi spoke, he took the maid and strode away.

Chen Zilong knew that his words "hurt" Liu Rushi, so he didn't stop him. Looking at her back, he said in a low voice: "If it is, I am doing it for your own good. A woman should stay at home and teach her husband and children. How can she show her face every day..."

Zhu Xu and Huang Chengyuan strolled, Huang Chengyuan turned his head to look at the bustling red-light district, and said behind Zhu Xu: "Your Majesty, regarding brothels and other matters, the governor's office will deal with them as soon as possible. For scholars and officials who have sex with prostitutes, Su prostitutes will definitely be dealt with severely, and will never be soft!"

Zhu Xu smiled indifferently, and said: "This is your Shandong government affairs, I don't care."

"You have come here, no matter where..."

Huang Chengyuan smiled wryly in his heart, paused for a while and then said: "Your Majesty, regarding the Supervisory Council, I believe that the power and responsibility are too large, which is not conducive to the implementation of local government affairs."

Zhu Xu said "Oh" and said, "Tell me about it."

The sky is about to come. The flying male sex is said to be paralyzed. The frame is cute.

The society at this time seemed very weird. People who lived well were full of lust and carefree, while those who lived poorly were miserable, struggling to the point of starving to death until they revolted.

Huang Chengyuan didn't see this, and said: "Your Majesty, the supervisory councils at all levels have the power to remove government officials and military officials, and they can also supervise government affairs and block those who think it is inappropriate. This will make the yamen at all levels tied their hands and feet, unable to fully promote the implementation of the New Deal..."

In fact, this article did not come from Zhu Xu, but Fu Tao. He believed that the officials were overstaffed and did not have enough deterrents. If the Governor's Council had this power, they would not be able to shirk it!

"What do you think should be done?" Zhu Xu looked thoughtful. In his opinion, this was aimed at the low-level officials. These people have small officials with great power and have the most direct influence on the people.

Huang Chengyuan looked at Zhu Xu's back carefully, and said: "I think that the power of the Governor's Council should be reduced, no matter the level of dismissal or the scope of supervision of government affairs..."

With his hands behind his back, Zhu Xu stopped, looked at the restaurant not far away, and said with his head bowed: "Well, the Governor's Council is being appointed by governors, prefects, and county magistrates at all levels, and the number of governors can be expanded to 49. They should be divided into groups to specialize in political, economic, cultural, national defense, military affairs, and other aspects of the provinces, counties, and the whole country. After strict review, they will be published in newspapers so that everyone in the world can understand. The responsibility of the court is heavy, and you brains must take responsibility. I will not allow the Governor's Council to be your tool to fight against dissidents and monopolize the hills. I will make adjustments in the future..."

When Huang Chengyuan heard this, he felt relieved, and quickly said: "I obey the order."

Zhu Xu's restaurant was right in front of him, and he asked, "Is there anything else?"

Huang Chengyuan pondered, and said: "Your Majesty, there is also the matter of Yang Fengzhong."

The corners of Zhu Xu's mouth turned up slightly, and he slapped the folding fan with a smile that was not a smile, and said after a while: "Well, I understand what you mean. I have eradicated the Donglin Party, and Yang Fengzhong is not in my eyes. I will not interfere with Shandong affairs. , just relax."

The corners of Huang Chengyuan's mouth twitched. No matter how he heard this sentence, he felt awkward - it should not be a conversation between the emperor and a governor at all.

But it just happened like this, Huang Chengyuan still felt relieved.