Chapter 323 Yan Shaoting Becomes the Third Party

The officials of Shuntian Prefecture who were gossiping outside heard some intense noises in the house.

It began to spread that the prefect, Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui had a fight because of their different political views and dislike for each other, and the relationship became increasingly tense.

After a while.

Shuntian Prefecture Yamen, the prefect’s official residence.

Finally...

All that was left was the sound of rapid breathing.

Yan Shaoting blocked... and stood behind the door, looking at the two people in front of him.

Zhang Juzheng was putting away his official robes, breathing heavily with red eyes, and sat down heavily on the main seat behind the tea table.

Hai Rui snorted coldly, straightened his collar with a thumping sound, and then sat down opposite Zhang Juzheng, not wanting to be outdone.

The only sounds in the room were the two people's breathing in displeasure with each other.

Yan Shaoting turned his eyes and walked forward slowly: "I heard that Brother Taiyue is an expert in tea ceremony. I wonder if I can borrow Mr. Gangfeng's help to have a cup of Brother Taiyue's tea today?"

Zhang Juzheng raised his head and glared at Yan Shaoting.

I have already had a friendly exchange with Hai Rui on how to be an official.

It doesn't matter what the truth is now.

Zhang Juzheng just snorted coldly, then lowered his head to take out the tea set, light the tea stove, and prepare to brew tea.

Hai Rui glanced at Zhang Juzheng and said, "I will definitely do what Magistrate Zhang did not do when I was appointed to Yingtian. I am afraid that many people who are related to Magistrate Zhang will be involved. If Magistrate Zhang is concerned and does not want to hand over the affairs of Suzhou and Songjiang to me, it does not matter."

Yan Shaoting's eyes never left Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui.

Zhang Juzheng just snorted.

He placed the teapot of water on the stove and looked at Hai Rui.

His eyes flickered as he asked, "When will the governor of Hai go south to take up his post?"

Hai Rui couldn't help but turn his head and look at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting could only look at Zhang Juzheng helplessly and laughed dryly, "Brother Taiyue, I asked Mr. Gangfeng about this when I left the palace just now."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes flashed and he nodded.

He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"The governor of the sea has been ordered to come to the capital this time. I think His Majesty has already made a conclusion on the past matters..."

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng looked at Hai Rui again.

I thought for a while.

Zhang Juzheng could not help but sneer: "The governor of Yingtian was something that happened before Zhao Zhenji took office as the governor of Nanzhili. This time, the governor of Haifu was promoted to take on this task. I think Your Majesty wants Haifu to rectify the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office and increase the revenue for the court."

This statement came out.

People like Yan Shaoting who heard this couldn't help but look at Zhang Juzheng.

He had not been to the Wanshou Palace in Xiyuan today, but he was able to guess the old Taoist priest's true expectations for Hai Rui.

It is to increase fiscal revenue!

Perhaps in the old Taoist priest's view, Hai Rui, who was an ruthless official, was able to collect taxes in Jiangnan meticulously.

Even if taxes were not increased, given Hai Rui's character, there was no way he would allow Jiangnan to continue to default on taxes.

As long as the prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River can pay the taxes in full, it will be an increase in fiscal revenue for the imperial court.

Hai Rui said, "Today, the Prime Minister asked me for advice. I answered him that I only did three things when I took office. One was to rectify the administration of officials, two was to crack down on the powerful, and three was to comfort the poor and weak."

Zhang Juzheng let out a light exclamation.

In other words, Hai Rui did not make collecting taxes his top priority after taking office as the governor of Yingtian.

He couldn't help but glance sideways at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting looked at the boiling teapot.

Zhang Juzheng rolled his eyes and poured the water in the teapot into the pot that already contained tea leaves.

Pour water, wash tea, scrape foam, and pour water.

Refill water, brew, Guan Gong patrol the city, Han Xin inspect the troops, and then the teacup with golden soup is sent to Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui.

Zhang Juzheng turned the teacup, but looked at Hai Rui and sighed, "I will never refute the three things that Governor Hai said. Nowadays, the court has accumulated many problems and it is time to change them. That is why I was ordered to return to the capital this year and I submitted a memorial to advocate reform. This position of Shuntian Prefecture Governor..."

Say it.

Zhang Juzheng sneered at himself.

However, his eyes were directed towards Hai Rui.

Back then, when you, Hai Gangfeng, were in the Grain Inspectorate of Suzhou Prefecture, you pointed at my Zhang Taiyue's nose and cursed me, saying that I, Zhang Taiyue, was a despicable person.

Now you can see it.

In order to carry out reforms, I have risen from a cabinet minister in the Ming Dynasty to a mere prefect of Shuntian.

It's you, Hai Rui.

He rose from a small censor to the governor of Yingtian.

Hai Rui's lips moved. In fact, he had never thought that Zhang Juzheng would submit a memorial to the emperor advocating reforms.

But it is precisely because of this that he took action against Zhang Juzheng today.

In a sense.

It can be regarded as an attitude towards easing the relationship between the two.

Yan Shaoting found it a little funny.

These two people.

The purpose of having a fight was to ease the relationship.

If you tell me, who will believe it?

I'm afraid there's already gossip out there that these three are mortal enemies.

Seeing Hai Rui didn't say anything.

Zhang Juzheng continued, "The position of Yingtian Governor is not easy to hold. You will feel it deeply when you go south to take up the post. But now that Zhao Zhenji is favored by the people, he will definitely take care of you. In addition, Hu Zongxian is in charge of the five southeastern provinces in Beijing. As long as you don't cause the wrath of heaven and people, nothing will happen."

This is consistent with Yan Shaoting's idea.

Originally, Hai Rui had no real support when he was an official in the court, but now he has a lot of support.

Even if it wasn't what he wanted.

But it is indeed so.

Yan Shaoting thought for a moment and said, “In my opinion, the position of Yingtian governor is not difficult for Yingtian Prefecture, but it is difficult for Susong Prefecture.”

It wouldn't matter even if there was one more Hai Rui in Yingtian Prefecture.

The relationships in Nanjing are complicated.

Although it was a secondary capital, it was in charge of the entire area south of the Yangtze River. How could the various ministries and government offices in Nanjing and those nobles be of one mind?

The really difficult places are places like Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture.

The local gentry were deeply rooted in the system, and if Hai Rui wanted to work as the governor of Yingtian, he would have to attack the two prefectures of Suzhou and Songjiang.

Zhang Juzheng snorted coldly: "Fortunately, he is the governor of Yingtian, and he happened to have Hu Zongxian's military order to pacify the Japanese in five years."

As he said this, Zhang Juzheng's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui looked at each other and understood instantly.

According to Lao Zhang, if they really encountered obstacles that were difficult to resolve, the worst that could happen was that they would use the name of suppressing the Japanese to mobilize troops and forcibly suppress those gentry.

Anyway, the governor of Yingtian is in charge of military affairs of all prefectures.

Zhang Juzheng also looked at Yan Shaoting and said with a smile: "And the tax and military office you set up, isn't Xu Wenbi in charge of it now?"

Hai Rui's eyes immediately lit up and he turned to look at Yan Shaoting.

There was eagerness in his eyes.

Yan Shaoting looked up at the roof.

"This roof seems a little gray..."

Zhang Juzheng frowned and said, "Don't talk nonsense. It was you who sent Xu Wenbi to the southeast. Isn't it because of you that he has such power now? As long as you send a letter, Hai Rui will be able to work smoothly in Suzhou and Songjiang in the future."

Nothing is more important than collecting taxes for the emperor.

Although the Tax and Military Office was established only recently, everything seems to be calm.

However, since Xu Wenbi took office, many things have happened in the two prefectures of Suzhou and Songjiang.

Many people from the two governments continued to maintain their connections and send letters to the capital, hoping that people in the court could plead for them in court.

But the result is obvious.

After the emperor decided to hand over the authority of the tax and military offices to the nobles of the Ming Dynasty, this group of people became very tough and took advantage of the situation.

Should the subjects of the Ming Dynasty pay taxes?

That's a must. So no taxes?

Do you want to ask whether the knife in the tax soldier's hand is sharp?

And Xu Wenbi may have also received the news from the capital.

When there were some signs of resistance in the governments of Suzhou and Songjiang, he directly arrested a few merchants who had no background and were resisting paying taxes, and suppressed them with his troops, confiscating what needed to be seized and confiscating what needed to be confiscated.

After several efforts.

The two governments' intention to resist disappeared in an instant.

Reasoning with a soldier?
That's really confusing.

And Zhang Juzheng had not expected that the tax-military system that Yan Shaoting had come up with on a whim could actually play such a role.

I really amazed myself.

If I were no longer a cabinet minister, I would definitely submit a petition to promote this tax-military system throughout the country!
But for now.

After all the things that happened after he returned to Beijing, Zhang Juzheng could only keep this thought deep in his heart and wait for the future.

And after Zhang Juzheng's reminder, Hai Rui also set his eyes on Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting looked at Zhang Juzheng.

After a while.

Zhang Juzheng blushed and snorted coldly, "I have clearly told Hai Rui that we need to think things over carefully. Don't worry that I will submit a petition to promote the tax-military system you proposed throughout the country!"

Yan Shaoting then smiled and said, "Xu Wenbi... I am familiar with him. Duke Dingguo was talking to me about his son a few days ago. It is only right for me to write a letter to him and chat about family matters."

Seeing Yan Shaoting finally gave in.

Zhang Juzheng actually breathed a sigh of relief before Hai Rui.

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but glare at Lao Zhang.

Just say one thing and mean another like Hai Rui!

All these things are on my shoulders!

The love-hate relationship between you, Lao Zhang, and Lao Hai requires me, Yan Shaoting, to act as the glue in the middle?
I became the third party?
Hai Rui was still a bit old-fashioned after all, so he actually bowed and said, "I would like to thank Mr. Yan in advance."

Yan Shaoting waved his hand quickly: "Mr. Gangfeng, if you want to thank someone, please thank Grand Secretary Zhang."

Hai Rui was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng immediately straightened his chest.

but.

Hai Rui actually lowered his head, reached out his hand, picked up the teacup, and took a sip of the tea.

Zhang Juzheng rolled his eyes suddenly.

This guy deserves to be hated!

in the house.

Hai Rui sipped his tea with relish, probably because Zhang Juzheng was truly an expert in tea ceremony, he actually picked up the teapot and poured himself tea.

Zhang Juzheng took two glances.

Didn't see it.

This person has never tasted the finest chaff!

Zhang Juzheng looked at Yan Shaoting.

His eyes were dark.

"It is said that……"

Yan Shaoting immediately moved his butt backwards.

Just by looking at Zhang Juzheng's expression and tone, you can tell that this guy is not up to no good.

really.

Zhang Juzheng said quietly, "There has been a lot of news from the south recently. It seems that things are not peaceful at sea recently, but it is strange..."

As he spoke, he shook his head and made a clicking sound.

A rather puzzling look.

Yan Shaoting's eyes tightened.

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "It's strange to say that there seem to be a lot of pirates on the sea. They don't bother with the ships of our dynasty and foreign merchants that are fully loaded with goods and flying the flags of foreign merchants. However, those merchant ships that don't have the flags of foreign merchants are frequently robbed."

Hai Rui finally put down the teacup in his hand.

He said bluntly: "I think it's because those merchant ships that have never been looted not only have the flags of our dynasty's foreign merchants, but also have navy warships guarding them."

As he spoke, Hai Rui turned and looked at Yan Shaoting.

He smiled and said, "It was Guest Yan who first proposed this matter in front of His Majesty. It was Guest Yan who made every effort to promote the opening of the seas in our dynasty, and it was Guest Yan who advised us to have the navy ships guard the merchant ships. Now it seems that this is indeed a good policy that benefits the country and the people."

Yan Shaoting pretended to understand, but his face was solemn, and he kept shaking his head and waving his hands.

"Opening the sea is just a matter of following the trend. At present, the country cannot increase its financial resources without opening the sea."

"But the navy warships' escort now seems to have played a role."

Zhang Juzheng was humming on the side.

He suddenly said, "It's really not you!"

Yan Shaoting immediately slammed his hands on the table.

There was a loud bang.

Not only did it scare Hai Rui who was still drinking tea, but the tea in the cup also wet his official robe.

Even the Shuntian Prefecture officials who were watching the situation from a distance outside were shocked.

Everyone looked at each other.

"Why is there still a commotion in there?"

"Who's mad again?"

"Keep a close eye on them. If a fight really breaks out, we are all from Shuntian Prefecture and we must not let the Prefecture Master suffer any loss!"

"Yes! Keep a close eye on them! We in Shuntian Prefecture will never suffer any loss!"

"no way!"

inside the house.

Yan Shaoting slammed the table and glared at Zhang Juzheng.

His appearance frightened Hai Rui so much that he quickly put down his teacup, ready to stop Yan Shaoting from fighting at any time.

Zhang Juzheng remained calm in the face of danger: "I can't think of anyone else except you in this matter, especially your relationship with that Spanish businessman Bo Fugui and your foreign trading company!"

Yan Shaoting snorted coldly: "This matter has nothing to do with me! But someone wants to use this matter to secretly hurt me!"

After finishing speaking.

He also did not forget to snort angrily several times.

Zhang Juzheng fell silent and looked at Yan Shaoting for a long time.

Then he asked doubtfully: "It's really not you?"

Yan Shaoting shook his head, then sighed deeply: "But..."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes immediately lit up.

However, Yan Shaoting shook his head and said, "But my Yan family is now doing some overseas business. Taking advantage of the favorable conditions of opening up the sea, we are planning to look for some good land along the coast of Southeast Asia. If we can occupy it, we will be able to make more money in the future."

Half true, half false.

Many times, it is something that must be done.

Seeing Yan Shaoting being so frank.

Zhang Juzheng really put away his doubts, and then shook his head and said: "Why should your Yan family get involved in these things? No matter how good the territory outside is, it is out of reach. On the contrary, it may cause slander from others."

Seeing that Lao Zhang began to believe it.

Yan Shaoting's expression became even more helpless.

He shook his head repeatedly: "Although that is the case, it is inevitable that a family will have different opinions. In addition, my dealings with those foreign businessmen have given me a more detailed understanding of overseas affairs. I deeply understand a fact. If I don't do it now, I am afraid that my descendants of the Ming Dynasty will curse me endlessly!"

Zhang Juzheng's eyebrows jumped immediately.

There seems to be something else fishy going on here!
He immediately stood up and snatched the teapot from Hai Rui.

Then he changed a cup of hot tea for Yan Shaoting.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Yan Shaoting eagerly.

"How can overseas affairs have such a connection?"

…………

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(End of this chapter)