Chapter 368 Zhang Juzheng: I quit!
Internal meeting of the Yan family.

Essentially, it has nothing to do with government affairs.

but.

Changping's movements still attracted some people's attention.

The Ministry of War launched an inquiry into the sudden stockpiling of swords and guns in Changping.

However, the Public Security Bureau also responded in a fair and impartial manner.

There was no further explanation, except that the Public Security Bureau had a lot of surplus food, so they stored some swords and guns, which were not prohibited by the court, for Changping to use for self-defense.

The Public Security Bureau did not hide anything and wrote a letter to explain the matter openly, which prevented the Ministry of War from asking any more questions.

As long as Changping doesn't hoard crossbows, armor, or firearms, they really can't control what Changping wants to hoard even if he has the money.

Subsequently.

Time passes by little by little.

It was rare that there were no major disturbances in the court.

But this calmness is only on the surface.

Xujia Lane.

Xu Mansion.

Xu Jie is taking a day off at home today.

But he still got up early before dawn as usual when he needed to attend court, and was helped to wash and dress by the young girls in their twenties who were sent from Songjiang Prefecture.

Then he went into the tea room.

Xu Jie went into the tea room not to drink tea.

Instead, the tea room was quiet, allowing him to review various recent news in Beijing and the local area accompanied by his staff and advisors.

these messages.

Basically, they will not be sent to the cabinet or the court.

The staff and advisor waited on the side, bringing Xu Jie a cup of tea, and then whispered: "The war against the Japanese pirates in the southeast is going more smoothly. Not long ago, the Japanese pirates invaded Fuqing, but were also wiped out by the combined forces of General Liu Xian and Yu Dayou. Qi Jiguang, the deputy general of Zhejiang who was strongly promoted by the Yan family, also defeated the Japanese pirates in Pinghaiwei."

Xu Jie's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but he said, "It is the national policy for the five southeastern provinces to pacify the Japanese. Now the court is opening the sea, and the upper and lower levels are united. There is no longer the previous situation where only the court is allowed to trade. The gentry and merchants in the southeast are all looking forward to the court's army to pacify the Japanese threat as soon as possible. This cannot be stopped."

This is Xu Jie’s helplessness at the moment.

Following Yan Shaoting's advice to open the sea, the emperor agreed without changing a word.

The situation in the southeast changed dramatically in a short period of time.

Those who had strongly opposed the court's decision to open the sea in the past would never again say that opening the sea was useless.

after all.

They will not be charged with the crime of death, the imperial court will not compete with them for interests, and they will also be protected by the imperial navy warships.

This is the best thing that has happened since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

It was a dream that had been fulfilled for eighteen generations of ancestors, a benefit that was out of their reach, but now it was given to everyone for free.

Who wants to object?
The aide exchanged a letter and his brows suddenly furrowed.

"Several boats in my house that were loaded with cotton cloth, porcelain, and lacquerware seemed to have been robbed by pirates on the sea, and a lot of things were lost..."

Xu Jie's heart suddenly stagnated.

He looked up at his master.

"Where are the navy's warships?"

The staff member hurriedly turned it over twice, and then stammered, "Yes... my family didn't go out to sea with the navy's warships..."

Xu Jie's brows knitted together instantly: "Why? Do the people from the navy look down on my Xu family?"

The staff member hurriedly shook his head and explained: "The family felt that the navy guard silver was too much and they were not willing to pay it."

After figuring out the reason, Xu Jie's frown relaxed a little, but he still said in a serious tone: "Have you reported my name?"

The staff nodded: "We have reported the name of the prime minister and explained the background of our ships, but they said... that the ships of Lord Yan's family that go out to sea have also paid money..."

After finishing speaking.

The staff member hurriedly added: "Now the south is vying for the navy's warships to escort them out to sea, and the people from the tax and military offices are collecting money at the Maritime Customs Office, so..."

Xu Jie snorted twice.

But he had no choice at the moment.

They even accepted the money from the Yan family, let alone Xu Jie's money.

"Confused!"

Xu Jie cursed without naming anyone.

The staff immediately whispered, "Then I will write back to my family and ask them to pay the escort money and go out to sea with the navy's warships next time I go out to sea."

Xu Jie had already closed his eyes at this time and just hummed.

The situation is better than people.

Even if he didn't want to pay this money, he had to bear the cost of the escort fee in order to reap the profits from going out to sea.

Subsequently.

The staff flipped through a few more letters.

He picked one and looked up at Xu Jie.

The staff member then spoke up: "In Shuntian Prefecture, the monk who escaped from Nanlu Zen Temple has not been captured yet. Zhang Juzheng has been very angry these days and has urged the prefecture and Huairou County to do their best to catch the traitor."

When Xu Jie heard his aide mention Zhang Juzheng, he felt inexplicably moved.

Some pain.

He has also slowly opened his eyes.

A sigh.

Circling for a long time.

Xu Jie just lamented and said: "In my life, I never thought that he would go this far with me..."

The staff lowered their heads.

In fact, the matter between the Prime Minister and Zhang Juzheng has long been unclear.

Can't tell who is right or wrong.

In the final analysis, all we can say is that the choices are different.

Xu Jie sighed and said, "He wants to implement new policies and use them to gather power in the court, but isn't he too impatient? I am still in the cabinet and have not yet stepped down, but he is so impatient?"

In Xu Jie's opinion.

When Zhang Juzheng returned to Beijing and raised the banner of reform, it was actually to gain power in the court so that he could become a decision-maker after returning to the cabinet.

In Xu Jie's heart.

He never believed in any reform or innovation.

Even Zhang Juzheng, a good student of his.

Even if he called for reform, it was definitely for power.

The aide nodded: "It's a pity that the last incident at Dongguanzhuang and Nanlu Zen Temple failed to suppress him."

Xu Jie waved his hand: "It doesn't matter. Shuntian Prefecture is located in the capital. As long as he is in this position, he will always make mistakes..."

……

"Report to the Emperor."

"I have made a mistake. I believe that I should be punished for my mistakes."

same moment.

Zhang Juzheng, who did not have a day off today, made a rare appearance in the Wanshou Palace in the Western Garden.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng was kneeling with his head down in front of the Taoist platform in the inner hall.

On the platform.

Jiajing frowned slightly, looking puzzled.

Today, Zhang Juzheng came to the palace to ask for an audience, but he did not explain the reason. However, considering Zhang Juzheng's past contributions, Jiajing still summoned him.

But I didn't expect it.

After Zhang Juzheng entered the hall, he immediately knelt on the ground and said these two sentences.

Jiajing couldn't help but glance sideways at Lu Fang beside him.

And Lu Fang also shook his head with a puzzled look.

I haven't received any news from outside, and I don't know what happened to Zhang Juzheng.

then.

Jiajing became more and more confused and curious.

He said in a deep voice: "Zhang Juzheng, what happened in Shuntian Prefecture again?"

Zhang Juzheng lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, there has been no incident in Shuntian Prefecture recently. But regarding the incident at Dongguanzhuang and Nanlu Temple a few years ago, the treacherous monk from Nanlu Temple escaped, and I have not been able to arrest him so far. I don't even know where these thieves have gone. I am incompetent and guilty! I have no face to see Your Majesty. Please issue an order to severely punish me to reassure me!" It was all about this?
After understanding it, Jiajing raised his eyebrows, feeling a little amused and helpless.

He couldn't help but look at Zhang Juzheng again, but there was a bit more speculation in his mind.

"You are upset about the punishment I issued at that time, so you come to me today to say this?"

Since there has been no trouble in Shuntian Prefecture recently, and Zhang Juzheng was talking about what happened last year.

In Jiajing's view, this seemed like an act of crying out for injustice.

Zhang Juzheng quickly shook his head, and finally raised his head.

"Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention."

"Your Majesty knows that I have been known as a child prodigy since I was young, which has made me arrogant. The matters of Dongguanzhuang and Nanlu Zen Temple were not handled well by me. Your Majesty's punishment of me is already lenient. I am grateful to you."

After explaining.

Zhang Juzheng said in a deep voice: "But it is precisely because of the great favor Your Majesty has shown me that I am even more terrified and feel ashamed of Your Majesty's trust. To this day, the thief who escaped from the Nanlu Zen Temple has not been arrested. I am restless day and night, and I suddenly feel that my virtue is not worthy of my position. I beg Your Majesty to issue an order to severely punish me and dismiss me from my position as the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture!"

He said this with great sincerity.

There is no possibility of fraud.

This time.

But it made Jiajing embarrassed.

On the platform.

Jiajing frowned.

This is not good.

There came a day when Zhang Juzheng actually gave up.

Just when Jiajing was hesitating about how to get rid of Zhang Juzheng.

Huang Jin came in jogging from outside.

"Master, guest Yan is asking to see you outside the palace."

Jiajing raised his eyebrows and said in a somewhat unfriendly tone: "Why did he come here again? Does he have nothing to do or does he want to resign from me too!"

These words.

Half of them were directed at Zhang Juzheng.

But Zhang Juzheng turned a deaf ear to it.

Huang Jin smiled and said, "Guest Yan said that he thinks the court can still find some new sources of income in the southeast to increase its revenue..."

Got more silver?

Jiajing's little heart skipped a beat in his chest.

I have forgotten what I just said.

He immediately waved his hand.

"Hurry up and get him in here so he can explain things to me!"

Huang Jin responded and turned to leave the inner hall.

Not long after.

Yan Shaoting walked in with a smile on his face.

As soon as you enter the inner hall.

Before he could speak, Jiajing's voice came from the Taotai above.

"I heard that you have another trick up your sleeve. How much money can you give to my court this time?"

Yan Shaoting lowered his head and glanced at Zhang Juzheng who was kneeling on the ground.

I couldn't help but sigh in my heart.

If it weren't for you, Lao Zhang, I wouldn't have come up with a solution so hastily.

You, Zhang Juzheng, must repay this favor even if you turn into ashes!

I thought about it.

Yan Shaoting raised his head with a smile on his face and said, "Your Majesty, if you really talk about this matter, the money the court can get is not that much, but in the long run, it can benefit the court a lot."

Jiajing snorted and laughed: "I don't care what method it is, as long as it can benefit the court, it is a good method."

This meant urging Yan Shaoting to explain clearly.

Yan Shaoting put away his smile and spoke slowly: "What I am thinking is that now our elite army is clearing out the Japanese pirates in the southeast, and the navy is also protecting the merchant ships that go out to sea for trade after the sea is opened. But even with this, I feel that there is still something missing, so I have been thinking about it recently, and finally I figured out what is missing."

"What is it?"

Jiajing blurted out without thinking.

the end.

Only then did I react and began to wonder if I was too impatient in front of this kid.

Yan Shaoting said obediently: "Our dynasty has always been short of gold, silver and copper, and I have been dealing with foreign merchants for a long time and have learned that there are many rich open-pit mines overseas, most of which are in unowned land.

"For example, there is an island near the coast of Japan that has no name, but has countless gold and silver. Japan is unable to mine it, but our dynasty can send people to mine this gold and silver island.

The imperial court is currently in the process of suppressing the Japanese pirates, and the navy is launching new ships every month. We can make preparations early, gather the navy warships in the future, go to the Japanese pirates to find the gold and silver island, and mine it back."

at last.

After throwing out the Treasure Island.

Yan Shaoting's expression also changed suddenly.

He waved his robe and held his head high.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

"The Japanese pirates have been harassing our dynasty for many years, and have been a long-standing problem. But now the situation has changed, and our dynasty is strong."

"As the saying goes..."

"The enemy can go, so can I!"

Yan Shaoting clasped his hands together, bowed and nodded: "Your Majesty, there is no reason in the world that we cannot fight back when others come to harass our Ming Dynasty. In the past, the Japanese pirates frequently invaded, and today we should let them taste the sharpness of our sword!"

have to say.

This statement made Jiajing excited.

As the saying goes, when you are poor, you have to be stingy.

But once he had money in his pocket, this man became more confident.

Jiajing couldn't help but look at Yan Shaoting tentatively: "You call that island Treasure Island? Since foreign merchants know about it, why don't they mine it?"

Yan Shaoting immediately smiled and said, "Where do those European merchants have so many people to mine our overseas gold and treasure islands? And the Japanese people don't have the ability to do so. I think this unowned land was given to our dynasty by God!"

At this moment.

Without waiting for Jiajing to speak.

Lu Fang asked, "But the island is closer to Japan after all. If our dynasty goes there to mine gold and silver, I'm afraid conflicts are inevitable..."

This is the point!
Yan Shaoting glanced at Zhang Juzheng vaguely.

"So I think we should make preparations in advance with the help of the navy. Once the Japanese threat in the southeast is eliminated and the pirates on the sea are wiped out, we can mobilize a large number of navy to besiege the Treasure Island. I believe that Japan will not dare to sail out to sea to compete with us!"

These words.

What Yan Shaoting said was so awe-inspiring.

In a blink of an eye.

He continued, "However, this matter is a long-term plan, and requires a steady person to personally supervise it, closely monitor the coordination of all parties, and plan the whole thing!"

At this moment.

Zhang Juzheng was so surprised.

He just hoped that Yan Shaoting could help him speak in front of the emperor so that he could leave the capital, leave Shuntian Prefecture, and go to the local area to seek greater development.

Wait until he has accumulated enough strength, then return to the capital and re-enter the cabinet.

Unexpectedly.

Yan Shaoting actually came up with such a big plot.

Does this mean that you want to lead the troops out to sea?

…………

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(End of this chapter)