Chapter 162 Time alone with Jiajing (Subscription required)

again.

Yan Shaoting forced Xu Jie, the second-in-command of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, into a desperate situation.

"Well done!"

"My son is mighty!"

Outside the Wanshou Palace, an excited roar was heard.

The young eunuch guarding the palace gate hurriedly looked at the young cabinet minister Yan Shifan who spoke, and put his hand in front of his mouth.

Yan Shifan glanced at the young eunuch, then waved his hands, his face full of joy: "It's okay, it's okay, no one can hear it inside."

The young eunuch could only lower his head helplessly.

Yan Shifan stretched his neck, trying to hear what was happening in the hall.

The young eunuch had a tense face, and after thinking for a while, he said in a low voice: "Young Lord, His Majesty has an oral order..."

Yan Shifan glared at him, but thought that he must not offend the emperor and implicate his own son, so he quietly retreated to the outermost position in front of the hall.

This way, I won't be considered as prying into secrets.

I just thought the scenery at Wanshou Palace was unique, so I stayed a little longer.

The young eunuch breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Yan Shifan had retreated a long way.

And inside the temple.

Yan Shaoting, who had already pushed Xu Jie into a desperate situation, did not intend to give him a chance to breathe.

Since you, Old Xu, don’t speak.

Then I will continue.

"Lord Xu, you have been in the cabinet for many years. I wonder if you still remember me."

"In the third year of Jiajing, it must be approved. From now on, in addition to paying the salt tax, the remaining amount of salt left by each kitchen worker can be sold by merchants with permits. They should pay silver to the Ministry as usual and go to the various inspection offices for cutting."

"In the fifth year of Jiajing, the Imperial Censor Dai Jin petitioned for approval of the salt administration."

"In the 17th year of Jiajing, the Chief Censor Huang Chen petitioned for approval of the salt administration."

"In the 20th year of Jiajing, the dispute over the salt policy was intense, and Guo Yun, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, petitioned for approval of the salt policy."

"In the 21st year of Jiajing, the Ministry of Revenue requested approval for the salt administration."

"At that time, the Minister of Personnel Xu Zan petitioned for approval of the salt policy."

"In the 23rd year of Jiajing, Chen Wenhao, the co-director of the Transport Department, petitioned for approval of the salt administration."

"In the 28th year of Jiajing, the censor Chen Qixue petitioned for approval of the salt administration."

Yan Shaoting waved his robe and glanced coldly at Xu Jie.

This so-called cabinet deputy prime minister, who has been a good guy all his life, is not tall and has a thin build.

But I'm holding back a lot of bad shit all day long!

Yan Shaoting said, "May I ask Lord Xu, our dynasty has made countless proposals on salt administration. Could it be that these people have violated the laws of our ancestors? Could it be that Your Majesty, who has approved the proposal, has also violated the so-called laws of our ancestors?"

Whether it is the Taizu Dynasty, the Zhengtong Dynasty, or the Hongzhi Dynasty.

It doesn't really matter.

What is really important is that during the Jiajing Dynasty, there had been countless petitions and approvals regarding salt administration in the past.

You, Xu Jie, are you cursing the current emperor?
Behind the curtain, Jiajing also glanced at Xu Jie.

Xu Jie quickly turned around and stared at Yan Shaoting.

But before he could speak.

Yan Shaoting continued, "Lord Xu! Why is it that since the beginning of this dynasty, no one has mentioned the laws established by our ancestors, including the requests of the Imperial Censor, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Transport? I have not seen Lord Xu mention the laws established by our ancestors, and now that I have not mentioned any reforms and only mentioned the remaining salt, Lord Xu wants to use the laws established by our ancestors to stop me from saying anything?"

Under Yan Shaoting's gaze, Xu Jie's face had turned ashen.

And Yan Shaoting stopped there?

next second.

Yan Shaoting shouted coldly.

"Lord Xu, are you discussing the state and society, or are you just suppressing dissidents and starting a party struggle?"

"presumptuous!"

"shut up!"

"Be bold!"

Three consecutive shouts came from the mouths of Xu Jie, Yan Song and Gao Gong respectively.

Yuan Wei's entire face turned pale.

I know that this cabinet is a place of peril and it is not a place for anyone to stay.

Have a look.

Now even the issue of party disputes has come to light.

Xu Jie was so angry that he was shaking all over.

Yan Shaoting, this guy, even talked about party strife.

Isn't this saying that he is bringing disaster to the court and the country?

Yan Song frowned and looked at his grandson with deep eyes: "Your Majesty, all officials are discussing state affairs in front of you, all for the sake of the Ming Dynasty. How can you talk about so-called party struggles? In the court, we have always discussed the matter at hand. Where is the party? Where is the struggle? You are so frivolous!"

Old Yan is really having a headache right now.

Can words about party disputes be spoken easily?

He glared at Yan Shaoting and said in a deep voice: "Hurry up and apologize to Lord Xu!"

Yan Shaoting remained calm.

Don’t you know that the word “party strife” should not be uttered lightly?
But over the years, everyone in the government and the public has been talking about the Yan Party.

Today, I seemed to have said something abrupt and rude about party disputes.

It's just to pave the way for the two words in the future.

Xu Dang!

"No need."

Xu Jie finally spoke, but his face was surprisingly calm.

He first bowed to the emperor, then nodded to Yan Song.

Finally, Xu Jie looked at Yan Shaoting.

"Looking at Yan Shidu today, I suddenly remembered that when I first entered the official career and served as an official in the court, I was as high-spirited as Yan Shidu."

"I am sorry to disappoint your majesty. I have been an official in the court for many years, and I really lack the sharpness of the young people today."

"It's just that, as an official in the court, you can be aggressive, but the billions of people in the world cannot all be swept away by the aggressiveness of the court."

"People need food and clothing. Every bite and drink is important to their livelihood."

"Earlier, Yan Shidu talked about the changes in the salt administration of successive emperors in our dynasty. This shows that Yan Shidu has indeed put a lot of effort into the salt administration. This alone is something that 80% to 90% of the officials in the court today cannot compare to."

"I am not trying to use the laws of our ancestors to pressure Yan Shidu, nor have I ever thought of blocking Yan Shidu's proposals before the emperor. Everyone has a mouth. I was able to block Yan Shidu's mouth today, but can I continue to block it tomorrow?"

"I am old and have no talent or virtue. Fortunately, your Majesty has valued me and appointed me as an assistant minister in the cabinet. But I have seen more than Yan Shidu. I am older than Yan Shidu and have more experience."

"If Minister Yan really has a good plan to clean up the accumulated malpractices in the salt administration, even though I am old, I will definitely support him with all my strength, even if it means losing my position as a cabinet minister for it!"

"But a decree from the imperial court is not worth mentioning, but if it reaches the local level, it is as heavy as Mount Tai, and it will turn the world upside down for the people."

"I am already old and decadent, but since Your Majesty has the honor of serving in the cabinet, I should prioritize the stability of the country. If Yan Shidu is really a good plan, I am willing to use my rotten body to help Yan Shidu clear all the obstacles in the salt business."

"But please be more prudent and thoughtful besides being aggressive."

"For your majesty, for the court, for the Ming Dynasty, and for the people, you should think twice before you act."

After saying that.

Xu Jie actually bowed to Yan Shaoting, then turned around silently and lowered his head. Yan Shaoting hummed a few times in his heart.

After hearing Xu Jie's words, his punches seemed to be hitting cotton.

Look at what our Lord Xu said.

What a high level!

Yan Shaoting's face was as calm as water, but he was sneering in his heart.

This was the Xu Jie, the Second Assistant Minister of the Ming Dynasty Cabinet that he knew.

Subsequently.

Yan Shaoting suddenly smiled.

He also bowed, clasped his fists, and saluted in the direction of Xu Jie.

"I am young and frivolous, not as steady as Lord Xu who has been in charge of government affairs for many years."

"Today, the emperor is discussing the salt policy in Lianghuai. I will remember the teachings of Lord Xu. I hope that the policy I propose can be as Lord Xu said, a good policy for the country."

Yan Shaoting had a smile on his face, but his eyes were solemn.

Xu Jie's move of retreating in order to advance perfectly displayed his sanctimoniousness, and the accusation of excluding dissidents was also quietly resolved.

But Yan Shaoting did as he said.

What happened today will be remembered.

Just as Xu Jie said just now, everything is for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, which is morally justified and beyond reproach.

Isn't this what you need to learn?

"There is no greater kindness than this."

Behind the curtain.

Jiajing spoke softly.

But people don’t know how great a good thing it is.

Everyone bowed and nodded.

Then I heard the emperor speak.

"Then let's listen to what this kid thinks. Just like what Elder Xu said, we always have to let people speak."

Xu Jie nodded: "Your Majesty is wise."

Yan Shaoting looked solemn, nodded and said: "I think that the management of Lianghuai salt affairs should be based on the administration of officials, as Gao Gelao said."

Gao Gong's heart skipped a beat.

Why are you mentioning yourself again?

Yan Shaoting continued, "Now that Lianghuai has urgently reported a change, whether it was caused by Yan Maoqing or the Lianghuai salt merchants, the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner's officials, both high and low, have failed to supervise.

"The salt tax in Lianghuai is reduced every year, and private salt is rampant, squeezing out official salt, causing uneven taxation of official salt. It is certain that officials from the Transport Department are involved, harming the interests of the country and enriching themselves.

There is a change in Lianghuai at this time, the court can follow the trend, rectify the officials of Lianghuai Transport Bureau, and clean up all the corrupt and unjust officials! "

Jiajing nodded.

Investigating the illegal officials in the Lianghuai Transport Bureau naturally meant that if there was corruption or abuse of power, the court could confiscate their money and grain.

He looked ahead: "What does the cabinet think?"

Gao Gong was the first to bow and speak: "The first problem of the chaos in the government is the administration of officials. What Yan Shidu said is that it is time to investigate the unjust officials of the Lianghuai Transport Bureau."

Xu Jie also nodded and said: "The national law is clear and hard to tolerate. The transportation department is guilty of the turmoil in Lianghuai."

Yan Song said softly, "Zhao Zhenji is the governor of Nanzhili. You can order him to go to Lianghuai Transport Bureau to investigate the officials. If there are any illegalities, they should be removed and punished."

In Old Yan's opinion, as long as Zhang Juzheng was prevented from crossing the river to the north and was kept in Suzhou Prefecture, it didn't matter who was sent to Lianghuai.

Jiajing nodded and said, "Then let's make this a decision. Let Zhao Zhenji investigate the Lianghuai Transport Bureau. All those who violate the law will be brought back to the capital to be punished."

See after this one is confirmed.

Yan Shaoting continued, "Besides the salt administration, there are also the problems of regular salt tax, surplus salt, and smuggled salt. I think that all salt affairs should be confiscated by the court, just like during the Hongwu reign, to boost the capital of salt households, cut off salt households from smuggling smuggled salt, and order officials to rectify smuggled salt, strictly investigate smuggling, and punish severely."

This article is actually the same as in the past, patching up the salt administration.

Both Jiajing and the cabinet members agreed.

According to Yan Shaoting’s request, it will be approved.

Finally, Yan Shaoting said: "I have reviewed the salt administration and found that there are countless advance payments, which is a long-standing problem. Now the court is opening up new sources of income. Next year, there will be tens of millions of dollars in revenue from the southeast. The court has issued an order to strictly prohibit the salt administration from making advance payments to boost the confidence of merchants. The government officials will purchase regular salt and surplus salt."

The so-called advance payment by the salt administration was actually eating up the grain of the next year in the current year.

The salt merchants cannot get the salt now, and may have to wait several years before they can get the salt. This was fine at the beginning, but now that the situation has accumulated to this point, no one except a fool would be willing to do this business that is doomed to lose money.

Jiajing thought about it for a while before speaking, "I remember that at the beginning of the year, Zhang Juzheng said that the court should make preparations to establish everything, and abolish everything if it doesn't. This is to avoid the problem of eating up the food of the next year before the current year. This is in line with the principle. What do you think of the cabinet?"

The court will soon have money.

If you stop using the advance payment method which doesn't work in the first place, it won't have any impact on the size.

For Jiajing, once the advance payment for salt administration was stopped, that was it.

Yan Song, Xu Jie and Gao Gong naturally had no objection.

Salt administration.

Increase costs and crack down on illegal salt trafficking.

Discontinue advance payment.

Agree on all three things!

Therefore, when the officials of various departments of the imperial court were carrying out these three matters, Yan Shaoting also had the additional power to participate.

Yan Shaoting secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Do you really think you should talk about restructuring at this time?

It is just to gain more power from the Taoist priests who are actually impossible to agree to and do not have the courage to reform.

He estimated Jiajing's attitude, and then spoke again: "Your Majesty..."

"I'm a little tired today."

Jiajing spoke up and looked at the cabinet members, "Although Yan Shaoting is young and lacks steadiness, his suggestions are mature. Since the cabinet has no objection, order the officials to discuss the details and assign the matter."

Yan Shaoting pretended to want to speak.

But Jiajing had already stood up and walked towards the back hall.

Yan Song and others bowed and took their leave.

Old Yan walked slowly to his eldest grandson and patted him on the shoulder.

"go home."

Yan Shaoting pursed his lips and frowned.

As if he hadn't finished speaking.

But it is obvious that the emperor and the cabinet are no longer willing to have a say in the salt administration.

He was about to turn and leave.

But behind the curtain, Jiajing, whose figure had disappeared, heard a voice.

"Let Yan Shaoting stay and recite some scriptures for me."

Yan Song immediately released his hand from his eldest grandson's arm, and Yuan Wei immediately came over and helped Lord Yan out.

Xu Jie and Gao Gong looked back, then looked at Yan Shaoting before continuing to walk out of the hall.

Being alone with the Taoist priest?
Yan Shaoting stopped and a smile appeared at the corner of his eyes.

…………

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

(End of this chapter)