Chapter 372: Zhang Juzheng was exiled to the southeast
"Guest Yan, please don't be anxious."

"Just listen to what I have to say!"

The inner hall of Wanshou Palace.

Yuan Wei smiled and stretched out his arm to stop Yan Shaoting's mouth from opening.

And in the hall, no one had expected that Yuan Wei, who usually kept a low profile, would become so opinionated in this matter.

Is this still the peaceful and non-confrontational Yuan Lord?
Yuan Wei was beaming with joy and said, "Your Majesty, the reason why I strongly recommend Yan Binke is because there is no other candidate for this matter in the court except Yan Binke!"

Yan Shaoting blinked.

There's something wrong with this Old Yuan!
How did it suddenly become its own cult?

Yuan Wei continued, "Since the imperial meeting in the early 40th year of Jiajing, it was Guest Yan who first proposed to increase silk production in the southeast and sell it overseas to increase revenue for the court to make up for the deficit. Now everyone can see that this alone can bring tens of millions of dollars in revenue to the court every year, and this is all due to Guest Yan's contribution."

As he spoke, Yuan Wei raised a finger.

Subsequently.

He added: "Although Minister Hu was in charge of the war in the Ministry of War, if Yan Binke had not strongly supported Qi Jiguang and others in the court at the beginning, how could the Japanese pirates in Zhejiang Province be completely eliminated? If the Japanese threat in Zhejiang Province still existed, how could the court pacify the Japanese pirates in the five provinces now?"

Done.

Yuan Wei raised his second finger.

"The five southeastern provinces have pacified the Japanese invaders, and now the war is going smoothly. Hu Zongxian once said that the Japanese invasion in the southeast would be pacified within five years. Now I feel that this time is a bit too long. But it is precisely because of this that our dynasty can open the sea without any scruples. And the matter of opening the sea was also achieved with the strong advice of Yan Binke."

At this time, Yuan Wei had already raised three fingers.

At last.

Yuan Wei turned his head and looked at everyone present: "In my opinion, I am afraid that no one in our Ming Dynasty has more overseas affairs than Yan Binke!"

The words have been spoken.

Yuan Wei bowed and nodded towards Jiajing on the Taotai: "Your Majesty, that is why I think Yan Binke is the best choice to be the governor of all overseas affairs!"

Yan Shaoting blinked violently.

He looked at the boastful Yuan Wei and never expected that this old Yuan actually had this side of him.

I am actually so powerful?
However, the planned things cannot be ruined because of Lao Yuan, who suddenly became the leader of his fans today.

Yan Shaoting immediately shook his head and said sincerely: "What Yuan Gelao said really makes this humble official ashamed. I am just eating the salary of the emperor, and I am thinking about doing more practical things to repay the emperor's grace."

Yuan Wei immediately waved his hand and said, "You are too generous! How many people can accomplish such a great task over the years? As the saying goes, those who are capable should do more work. In my opinion, you, a young man, should be responsible for this matter. Otherwise, do we, old bones, have to charge in the front?"

Yan Shaoting was sweating profusely, with a sad look on his face: "Lord Yuan really doesn't know. I have too many and too complicated tasks to handle now. In addition to the tasks for foreign merchants and the Maritime Customs Office, I also have to handle the tasks of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhejiang Qingli Division and military supplies in the court. In addition, there are matters at the Imperial College and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in the Changping Public Security Department. There are so many complicated things that even if I am young, I will inevitably feel overwhelmed."

After he finished speaking, he shook his head.

He looked as if he was exhausted by these things.

At this time, Yan Song also said quietly, "Think about how long it has been since you last went to Prince Yu's mansion? The prince has grown up, have you fulfilled your duties as his tutor?"

Yan Shaoting immediately glanced at Old Yan.

I couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

Could it be that the old man has seen through his plan today?

He immediately bowed his hands and said, "I hope you will forgive me, it is for this reason that I was given the task of handling foreign trade and the Maritime Customs so that I can focus on the affairs of the capital. This is not me shirking my responsibilities. If this continues, I will be delaying state affairs."

Yan Song hummed and nodded.

That end.

Yuan Wei frowned slightly.

what's going on?

Did you guess wrong?
Can't help it.

He looked again at Zhang Juzheng who was kneeling on the ground.

Yuan Wei raised his eyebrows.

Is it...

At this moment.

Jiajing above finally spoke up, "Okay, okay, Yan Shaoting does have multiple duties and responsibilities. I know he works hard, and although he is young, young people should not be forced to grow too fast, so this is why I have summoned you to discuss this matter."

Yan Song took over the conversation again and said slowly: "Your Majesty means... Yan Shaoting will be relieved of his duties involving foreign trade companies and the Maritime Customs, and the court will bring all matters together?"

Jiajing immediately clapped his hands and said, "It is just as the elder said. I think since we are all doing overseas errands, why not do them together? This way, not only can the court save some money and salaries, but it can also make it easier to handle everything. It will be directly under the jurisdiction of the cabinet. If I ask about overseas affairs in the future, I can get detailed information."

This was probably the plan that Jiajing, Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng had just discussed.

Yan Song nodded and said, "This is indeed a convenient way to do things. Although the court has made a lot of profits overseas, overseas can be attributed to one thing. Otherwise, foreign merchants, the Maritime Customs, and the navy that currently protects merchant ships going out to sea will each do their own thing, and there will inevitably be constraints between the various government offices."

It seemed that the emperor and Yan Song had already decided on this matter.

Xu Jie immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think that since we are going to bring all overseas affairs under one roof, why not put it in the Ministry of Rites? Although overseas affairs are related to opening up new sources of income for the court, they are exchanges with overseas countries, so it is appropriate to put such power and responsibility in the Ministry of Rites."

Hear this.

Gao Gong, who had not spoken a word today, immediately raised his eyebrows.

He opened his mouth slightly and was about to speak.

But Jiajing said, "Ministry of Rites? That's fine. But... is there anyone in the Ministry of Rites who can understand overseas trade and money?"

Xu Jie was stunned for a moment.

If you ask the people from the Ministry of Rites to find a custom or etiquette that may only be limited to a certain county, they will definitely be able to find it accurately.

But when it comes to overseas trade and financial account calculations.

Those people in the Ministry of Rites must have chewed their pens to pieces but still couldn't figure it out.

Gao Gong smiled in his heart at this time, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, I think that since the court is currently focusing on overseas affairs and making profits for the court, why not let the Ministry of Revenue take charge of these tasks? Whether it is overseas trade or the calculation of money and grain accounts, if the Ministry of Revenue is second, I am afraid no one should say it is first."

Gao Gong's face showed confidence.

And his confidence is indeed justified.

Although the Ministry of Revenue is composed of a group of officials who passed the imperial examination, the ministry is actually full of people who are good at calculations and business.

you could put it that way.

Throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, the people who made the final calculations were all in the Ministry of Revenue!
At this moment.

Everyone raised their eyes and looked at the emperor on the platform.

Jiajing nodded under everyone's gaze, "If it's according to what Mr. Gao said, this matter can also be put in the Ministry of Revenue."

Gao Gong was delighted again.

But this time it was Yan Shaoting's turn to speak.

Yan Shaoting said, "It would be appropriate to put it in the Ministry of Revenue, but all overseas affairs are now handled by the southeastern provinces, and overseas merchants come to trade in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other places. The Ministry of Revenue is in the court but far away from the southeast. If we need to settle accounts sometimes, won't it take one or two months to settle an account?"

"Ok!"

Jiajing nodded again in front of everyone.

"What Yan Shaoting said is correct. Southeast and overseas probably have tens of millions of profits every year. This account must be settled on the spot!"

Everyone frowned immediately.

This won't work, and that won't work either.

Is this thing going to be done or not?

Yuan Wei became more and more convinced of his final guess.

Just didn't wait for him to speak.

Yan Song smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this is not a difficult matter. Why not send an official from the court to the southeast to oversee our court's overseas affairs? The official can then report directly to the cabinet and take charge of all matters."

Jiajing looked embarrassed: "My Lord, is this really okay?"

Yan Song straightened up: "Why not? The court currently has many interests in overseas affairs. Even if there is no established method to learn from, we can't just give up on it." Jiajing glanced at everyone present, then looked at Yan Song: "Then according to your opinion... the court should appoint a minister to oversee all overseas affairs?"

Yan Song stood up and folded his hands: "Your Majesty is wise, this is the right thing to do."

Jiajing just kept shaking his head.

"No! No!"

Yan Song immediately asked, "Your Majesty, why not?"

After him.

Gao Gong also frowned: "Your Majesty, the court now makes most of its profits overseas, and what Lord Yan said is indeed reasonable."

Jiajing was still embarrassed, and said sternly: "The Central Plains is vast and rich in resources. It's just selling our goods overseas to make some money. How can such a small matter be mentioned in the affairs of ministers and governors? Isn't it a bit of an exaggeration?"

Yan Shaoting lowered his head and tried to hold back his laughter.

When it comes to the old Taoist priest's acting skills, there is really nothing to say.

The old Taoist priest went to great lengths to get Zhang Juzheng appointed as the Governor-General and Minister of Maritime Affairs.

But after hearing the emperor's explanation, everyone was stunned.

Everyone looked at Jiajing on the platform in tacit understanding.

Several people were puzzled and wondered if the emperor had changed his personality today.

The emperor in front of him now thinks that making tens of millions of profits a year is a trivial matter?

Are you a bit too conservative?
Everyone's eyes were filled with surprise.

Jiajing continued, "It's just that foreign merchants come here, and the Maritime Customs will register them and manage them according to the law. For such a small matter, why do we need to send important officials? In my opinion, we can just send a small official who can understand the account books to summarize the accounts and submit them to the cabinet. I think..."

Having said this, Jiajing stopped talking.

But everyone understood what he meant.

I'm afraid he meant that even sending a pig would be fine.

After Jiajing finished speaking, he glanced around the room in front of everyone.

Finally, in Zhang Juzheng's position, the corner of his eye twitched.

"It's him!"

Everyone followed the finger that Jiajing extended and saw Zhang Juzheng kneeling on the ground.

Jiajing was already displeased when he said, "Zhang Juzheng, you have been receiving the emperor's salary for many years. Last year, Shuntian Prefecture was in trouble. You, as the prefect, cannot escape responsibility! Now, instead of sharing my worries, you only want to resign and leave."

Jiajing's tone became increasingly gloomy.

Finally, he snorted coldly.

"I don't allow it!"

This end.

When Xu Jie heard this, his brows jumped.

About to speak.

But Jiajing had already rebuked him coldly: "Lü Fang should immediately draft an imperial decree to demote Zhang Juzheng to the Suzhou Prefecture's Grain Supervisory Office, and appoint the Censor of the Censorate as the Minister of Maritime Affairs, in charge of all overseas affairs. The Cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue should control the accounts. It is better not to let him keep unclear accounts, neglect his duties, or even commit corruption and fraud, to serve as a warning to others!"

Wait until the emperor finishes speaking.

Xu Jie was filled with regret.

I was one step late.

Although it seemed that the emperor was angry today because of Zhang Juzheng's resignation.

But how could such an overseas job with tens of millions of profits be given to Zhang Juzheng?
"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!"

Almost at the same time.

Xu Jie and Yan Song both spoke at the same time.

Xu Jie looked at Yan Song with a puzzled look.

Yan Song just looked at Xu Jie calmly.

Xu Jie had no choice but to bow and smile and say, "Please let Elder Yan speak first."

Yan Song nodded and turned to look at Jiajing: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed!"

A glimmer of hope arose in Xu Jie's heart.

After all, it's a profit of tens of millions.

I'm afraid Yan Song would not want to see such a task fall into Zhang Juzheng's hands.

Jiajing frowned and said unhappily, "Lord Yan, I have made up my mind! Zhang Juzheng has not been dedicated to his duties as an official in the court, and he dared to resign. I have only punished him to the rank of seventh-rank supervisory censor, but I have also allowed him to continue to serve the court, which is also out of my mercy!"

Yan Song sighed and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not say much about Zhang Juzheng's resignation. However, since he is the governor-general, the title of the seventh-rank supervisory censor of the Metropolitan Censorate is inappropriate for maritime affairs. Even if Your Majesty thinks that overseas affairs are insignificant, according to the court's traditional practice, he should be given the title of the left and right deputy censors of the Metropolitan Censorate."

Where no one can see.

Yuan Wei's eyes lit up.

Although I guessed wrong at the beginning today, I guessed right just now.

He immediately agreed, "Your Majesty, what Lord Yan said is true. Even if overseas is a small matter, our dynasty is based in the Central Plains. But since this matter is the governor's maritime affairs, the regulations cannot be too low, otherwise it will make our dynasty seem frivolous."

Jiajing waved his hand violently.

"I won't allow it either."

"If not, how can I demonstrate my responsibility to reward and punish my subjects?"

Jiajing was still talking about Zhang Juzheng's dereliction of duty.

Yan Song stood up, bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the country, you must not act on impulse! Please think twice!"

Jiajing's face flushed.

Looked very angry.

At last.

Jiajing let out a long sigh.

It seemed that he was extremely helpless.

On the platform.

Jiajing took a few deep breaths, and then looked at Zhang Juzheng with an unhappy expression: "Since what the Prime Minister said makes sense, the Right Censor-in-Chief will be appointed as the Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Governor of Overseas Affairs, and will be in charge of the Suzhou Prefecture's Grain Supervision Office."

It seems that Jiajing was very reluctant to change Zhang Juzheng from the seventh-rank Censor to the fourth-rank Right Censor-in-Chief because of the dissuasion of Yan Song and Yuan Wei.

But Jiajing was still obviously unhappy.

He immediately waved his hand and said, "Lü Fang drafted an order, and the cabinet immediately approved it. Zhang Juzheng is not allowed to stay and must leave the city today. There must be no mistakes. Those who disobey orders will be severely punished!"

The emperor seemed to not want to see Zhang Juzheng staying in the capital for even a moment.

After saying that.

He waved his hands repeatedly without getting bored: "You all can leave. I feel tired and will not discuss this further."

Say it.

Jiajing rolled up his Taoist robe, turned over on the platform, and turned his back to the people present.

The emperor was angry.

…………

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(End of this chapter)