Chapter 434: The Ocean of Accounts
Wang Xijue, wearing a brocade gown, led about fifteen or sixteen people, and bowed towards Linfengxuan across the pool.

Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui, who had just endured for a long time and took the initiative to fall into the trap, immediately shut their mouths and shifted their eyes over.

Just a glance.

After reading it, Zhang Juzheng immediately turned his head to look at Yan Shaoting, who had stood up and patted his palms with his hands, feeling a little surprised and amazed.

There is no other reason.

Across the pool, the identities of the fifteen or sixteen people behind Wang Xijue were easy to identify.

Although the clothes these people wear are of different colors.

But the style is the same, the same cotton clothes, the same scarves, the same soapy white boots.

See here.

The identities of these people are about to be revealed.

They are all government clerks in Nanjing city.

however.

What really amazed and impressed Zhang Juzheng was that he guessed the true identities of these people.

They must be those scholars and candidates who, because of the system of recommendation for candidates to be officials proposed by Yan Shaoting in the court, saw no hope of passing the imperial examination and had no choice but to devote themselves to the public service, hoping to obtain a birth and an official position after serving for nine years!

no doubt.

Knowing that most officials in Nanjing would be hostile to him or on the sidelines, Yan Shaoting must have thought of the existence of these people a long time ago!
Although the clerk is a small person, his words do not carry much weight.

In the government, one has to receive assignments from officials every day.

Don't forget it.

There may be no real officials in the government, but there cannot be no such thing as a lack of these seemingly insignificant clerks in daily life.

Could it be that he had already anticipated this day?
Looking at Yan Shaoting's back, who was standing behind the railing and waving towards the other end of the pool.

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but feel a little bit of speculation and scrutiny in his heart.

If this is true, he would have to add another word of foresight to his evaluation of Yan Shaoting.

Or to put it more bluntly.

Although Yan Shaoting is still young, he is already shrewd and thoughtful.

Such a person should not be easily made an enemy.

The more he thought about it, the more certain Zhang Juzheng became that this move must have been thought of by Yan Shaoting when he first proposed the system of recommending students to become officials in the court.

only if.

Only then can it explain why he chose to take advantage of what happened at that time and mention Prince Yu to push this matter forward.

Need to know.

Although the imperial court has already decided on the issue of waiting for official students and has implemented it in local areas, such things still need time to change little by little.

After all, it is impossible for the imperial court and local governments to arrest and punish all the clerks in the local government offices for no reason, or to let newcomers take over everything without any preparation.

That's why.

Nowadays, there are not many scholars and candidates who enter the public service as official students in the local prefectures and counties. It can even be said that in remote areas, this matter is basically unknown.

But there are only two capitals.

Beijing, Nanjing.

One is the capital and the other is the secondary capital, but because they belong to the central government, the various ministries and government offices can replace clerks on a large scale and recruit scholars and juren who are waiting to enter the government offices as official students.

He must have expected this day.

He had already planned to go south to serve as an official, and had proposed this matter early on. Fortunately, these people were able to come and help him today!
Zhang Juzheng stared deeply at Yan Shaoting's back, but his heart was already in turmoil and could not calm down for a long time.

only.

Yan Shaoting, the person involved, had no idea that Zhang Juzheng had actually come up with a long-planned plot in his mind without his knowledge.

He looked at Wang Xijue, who had led his men around the pond and walked up to him, and smiled: "Did you just enter the city today?"

After asking the questions, Yan Shaoting looked with a smile at the dozen or so officials and clerks from various departments in Nanjing standing behind Wang Xijue.

Wang Xijue smiled, raised his arms, clasped his fists, then bent down and bowed.

"I estimated that I had just crossed the river and entered the city an hour ago. After completing the tasks assigned by the court at the Ministry of Revenue, I contacted these fellow disciples and came together to pay my respects to my master."

As Wang Xijue began to explain.

The dozen or so clerks behind him, regardless of age, all clasped their hands and bowed like Wang Xijue.

"Students greet their mentors!"

Seeing these people calling themselves students, Zhang Juzheng's eyes widened and he slapped his thighs with his hands.

I just guessed right!

All of this was planned by Yan Shaoting long ago!

When Yan Shaoting saw that these people, like Wang Xijue, called him mentor, he did not refuse.

If I hadn't petitioned the old Taoist priest to the court to implement the system of recommending students to become officials.

Based on these people's abilities in classics, they basically have no hope of a career in officialdom.

I gave them a chance, a different path.

Although it was a tormenting nine years, it was ultimately a legitimate way out.

All in all, I am worthy of the title of mentor.

After receiving these people's courtesy, Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Everyone, get up. Yuan Yu is heading south from the capital today, so it's a good opportunity for you to stay here. Liu Zongqi and his men have caught a lot of fish, so we can enjoy the fish feast tonight."

Naturally, the clerks did not dare to say much.

The fact that they can come here shows that they are self-aware.

They had no hope of becoming an official in the first place, but now they had the path of waiting for official students, which meant that they could endure for nine years and then become a proper official. Even if it was not for today, for a smooth official career in the future, they had to recognize the identity of Yan Shaoting as their mentor.

Yan Shaoting was also well aware of this.

It's just that everyone has their own preferences.

Since he had already established the Changping faction a long time ago, the fact that these people could come and surrender now was one of the many purposes of launching Prince Yu's proposal to establish an official student.

Wang Xijue glanced at Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui beside him.

After exchanging glances with the gentleman, she walked forward with a smile.

"Your subordinate greets the Governor-General and Governor Zhang."

This person is Yan Shaoting's student and also a colleague in the court. He is very noble in the Hanlin Academy and has a bright future.

Zhang Juzheng immediately nodded with a smile: "I remember that Yuan Yu won the second place in the imperial examination just two days ago. Now he has left the capital to work. I think in time he will be able to shoulder important responsibilities and take charge of a region like your master."

Wang Xijue kept a subtle smile on his face in response to Governor Zhang's praise.

At the side, even Hai Rui nodded with a smile in response to Wang Xijue's greeting, and said, "Thank you."

Although Yan Shaoting and Wang Xijue are teacher and student of opposite ages, the relationship between teacher and student cannot be changed.

Besides, even Hai Rui was no exception these days. Like everyone else, he looked at people’s faces first.

Those who can rank among the top three are naturally good-looking.

Wang Xijue was somewhat surprised that a figure like Hai Rui would actually do this. Suppressing his curiosity, he turned around and looked at Yan Shaoting.

"Sir, due to lack of time today, I have not been able to contact many of my fellow disciples in the city. However, I have also asked fellow disciples in other places to notify them. I think many people will come to pay their respects to you in the next two days."

Yan Shaoting nodded, and in front of the clerks, he reached out and grabbed Wang Xijue's arm: "You will have to work hard these few days. I think those people in Nanjing City will not let us check the accounts so easily."

Wang Xijue laughed and said, "If I had known this earlier, I would have invited Senior Brother Jiamo to come with me when I left Beijing for the south. His arithmetic is so impressive that even the teachers in the academy have to admire him."

Yan Shaoting just smiled slightly in response to Wang Xijue's words.

At first, I did want to take Shuai Jiamo with me to the south, but when I thought that I might be away from Beijing for a year or two, and there would always be things that needed to be considered in the capital, I did not bring Shuai Jiamo with me.

Keep this matter under control.

Yan Shaoting said, "Since you are all here, please go to the study first and write a letter for me to send to the various ministries and offices in Nanjing, ordering them to hand over the required accounts from now on."

Wang Xijue immediately responded with a smile on his face, and then took the dozen people to the study room under the guidance of Liu Wan's men.

Seeing the huge group of people leaving under the leadership of Wang Xijue, Zhang Juzheng gradually smiled and looked at Yan Shaoting with a smile: "Unconsciously, Runwu has become a teacher, with many students, and each of them is very talented."

His words have several meanings.

There are congratulations and also envy.

There is admiration and also reminder.

Yan Shaoting looked back at Lao Zhang, sat down again, and then smiled and said, "Although there is a teacher-student relationship between us, both of us are employed by the emperor, serving as officials in the court and sharing his worries."

Looking at Zhang Juzheng's half-smile.

And Hai Rui, who was standing aside with a thoughtful look and sinister eyes.

Yan Shaoting shook his head and could only continue to explain helplessly: "If in the future, some of them hold high positions but act illegally, I will never tolerate it. I will personally take action to eliminate the treacherous officials for the court!"

I heard this.

Only then did Hai Rui's face become as clear as the sky after the rain, and the gloomy look was no longer there.

Zhang Juzheng also laughed heartily and raised his teacup: "Then today I really want to congratulate Runwu. All of his disciples are loyal and good people. This will become a good story in the future!"

Hai Rui also picked up the teacup silently.

Seeing the two of them like this, Yan Shaoting didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only pick up the teacup and toast them.

A little later.

In the West Garden.

Wang Xijue had already brought people to write letters to be sent to various ministries and government offices in Nanjing.

After Yan Shaoting reviewed it, he stamped it with the official seal and asked Liu Wan to send people to deliver it to various government offices.

then.

It was Yan Shaoting, Zhang Juzheng, and Hai Rui who led Wang Xijue and others to set up a fish banquet in the Prince of Wu's Mansion, where Emperor Taizu lived before he became emperor.

Because except Yan Shaoting, everyone present was a literati.

After eating and drinking, I felt a little tipsy.

Both Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui actually started playing with Wang Xijue and that group of students and clerks who were waiting to be officials, picking up interesting things from the literati circle.

They were either reciting poems or singing loudly, and they all forgot their respective identities.

Until late at night, everyone stayed in the West Garden.

however.

The West Garden is extremely lively.

However, all the ministries and government offices became busy and flustered because Yan Shaoting had once again sent someone to deliver a special document.

Even though it was already time to leave the government office.

All ministries and government offices still had to report to their respective officials.

Nanjing Governor's Grain Storage Office.

Yang Zongqi, who had been worried and depressed in recent days, became even more depressed today because he did not get an explanation from Chen Hong. After leaving the court, he went to Qinhuai River to get drunk.

But before he could finish two bottles of wine, people from the yamen brought him news, forcing him to stagger back to the yamen.

Sitting in court.

Candlelight flickers.

Yang Zongqi was a little tipsy, and his face turned pale as he looked at the documents spread out on the table.

Several officials and clerks from the yamen stood in the hall with their heads lowered cautiously, obviously not daring to offend the official.

But Yang Zongqi slammed the table with red eyes.

"Good job, Yan Shaoting!"

"What is my Governor's Grain Storage Office?"

"You must hand over the accounts immediately. If you delay, you will be impeached. Who the hell gives you support?"

"You want the account book, but I won't give it to you!"

Reeking of alcohol, Yang Zongqi raised his head and kept yelling and cursing.

The subordinates couldn't stand it anymore.

He approached cautiously and said in a low voice, "Minister, this document is stamped with the official seals of the Minister of Finance and Grain Storage of the Six Provinces, the Superintendent of Nanjing Military Affairs, and the Inspector of the Six Provinces. According to the law, we must hand over our accounts today according to the meaning of this document..."

Yang Zongqi was unwilling to give in: "What if I don't do it?"

The subordinate shrank his neck and said, "The Great Ming Law... the Ministry must not lose sight of the big picture because of a small matter, and fall into the trap of Yan Shaoting. He is now sitting and watching Nanjing, waiting for someone to make a mistake, so that he can arrest him and use him as a warning to others..."

Originally, the subordinate wanted to say that according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty and the imperial court, if the Governor's Grain Storage Office did not comply with the order and hand over the accounts immediately, regardless of whether Yan Shaoting was qualified to submit a petition for impeachment, Yang Zongqi and the people in the Governor's Grain Storage Office would be arrested on the spot, as that was within their authority.

Don't forget.

In addition to being the prime minister in charge of the financial and grain storage of six provinces and the commander-in-chief of military affairs in Nanjing, he also has a life-threatening job as the inspector of six provinces.

Correct corruption, punish serious crimes, review and record unjust sentences, promote officials and farmers, and record and reward merits.

These are the official duties of the inspector.

Moreover, it is a power that local governors and provincial governors have no right to interfere with.

Yan Shaoting could take down the entire Governor's Grain Storage Office just by correcting the first point of corruption. Even if he would be criticized for it, he had the power to do so.

Otherwise, why would Yan Shaoting, among the countless duties and official positions he had taken up during his trip south, include the title of the Censorate?

The purpose is to put this kind of power into practice and ensure that everything has rules to follow.

It was not known whether it was because of the law that the clerk had not finished explaining, or because of the words of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, but it finally made Yang Zong calm down.

He raised his head with his red eyes, staring at the official in front of him.

I don't know how much time passed.

Yang Zongqi actually lowered his head and sneered.

The officials were so frightened by the sneer that they lowered their heads and dared not raise them at all.

Yang Zongqi finally spoke up, "Yan Shaoting wants to check the accounts, right? Then let him check! Check carefully! If he can't figure it out, we'll have to trouble him to see how fair he is!"

Talking.

Yang Zongqi looked at his subordinates and said, "Go, tell the officials of each department that I will host a banquet for them at Jinling Tower tonight."

The officials and clerks immediately received the order and were about to go out.

Yang Zongqi frowned slightly and shouted, "Don't go to the Ministry of Revenue to find Zhang Xibo, go to the Ministry of Revenue's Right Assistant Minister Xu Yangzheng."

The officials dared not say anything and could only respond.

Watching his men leave.

Yang Zongqi, who was sitting in the hall, had a sinister smile on his face.

Silent all night.

The next day.

Early in the morning.

The gate of the West Garden was knocked open from outside.

Liu Wan personally took people out to check.

However, when he walked out with his men and took a look at the scene on the street outside, his face was filled with shock.

I saw that the whole street outside the West Garden had been completely blocked by trucks loaded with wooden boxes at some point.

The coachmen and government clerks had faint smiles on their faces.

It was not until Liu Wan and his men opened the wooden boxes that they could see clearly.

The boxes pulled on these trucks were actually all filled with past accounts of various departments and offices in Nanjing!

A sea of ​​accounts.

They were all blocked outside the West Garden!
…………

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(End of this chapter)