Chapter 452 I’m Here to Make Friends
Capital.

The issue recently promoted by officials in the capital regarding concerns about the stability of the situation in Jiangnan was finally privately placed on the desk of Xu Jie, the second assistant of the Cabinet.

A pot of Qiantang tea.

The hot steam rises with the aroma of tea.

Xu Jie, who was on vacation at home, had no mood to drink tea, let alone appreciate the increasingly lush trees, flowers and plants outside the window.

in front of him.

He was an official of the Ministry of Rites in the capital who was born in Changzhou Prefecture, Southern Zhili.

"Sir, you have to speak to the cabinet and the emperor about this matter anyway."

As he spoke, the official bowed and poured a cup of tea for Xu Jie.

Several other officials who came to visit today also nodded in agreement.

These people were all officials in Beijing who were from the twelve prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office in the south of the Yangtze River.

Xu Jie did not pick up the teacup, but glanced sideways at the official from the Ministry of Rites.

Standing next to him was his second son Xu Kun, who was still in charge of military supplies with Gao Wuguan. He immediately frowned and looked at the official: "The south is now in charge of the Crown Prince's guest Yan Shaoting, and the governor of Yingtian is also Hai Rui. In addition, this time the power of the six southern provinces was given to Yan Shaoting, which also shows that the emperor hopes that the south can move and have some different things. Don't you understand this truth?"

Xu Jie did not say anything. Xu Kun naturally knew that his father wanted to use his mouth to shut these people up.

The officials present were stunned for a moment, and then they forced a smile one by one.

"Yes Yes Yes."

"What Doctor Xu said is absolutely right!"

"The Emperor and the court originally asked Guest Yan to go south in order to see if he could bring in more revenue for the court. We understand the reasoning behind this, and we dare not break the rules."

Everyone agreed.

No matter what happens in the government, there is always intrigue and deception.

But for those of them who came from Jiangnan, no matter how their respective interests were related, in the end it still depended on what Xu Jie and the Xu family said.

after all.

Who made it so that the only cabinet minister born in Jiangnan is Xu Jie?
And he is also the second in command of the cabinet.

But after everyone agreed, they looked at each other and communicated secretly, and soon someone raised their concerns again.

"It's just that... what the doctor said is reasonable. But if we really leave it alone, I'm afraid that according to what the Yingtian Governor's Office is going to do now, I'm afraid that by then, the people in the Jiangnan area will suffer heavy losses..."

When this man spoke, his eyes were full of meaning, and he couldn't help but look at Xu Jie, who was sitting still and not saying a word.

After all, among the twelve prefectures in Jiangnan, it is probably the Xu family in Songjiang Huating that has benefited the most in recent years.

Someone else whispered, "Besides...if there are some losses, it's not a big deal. After all, the losses are only for the moment. Can Yan Binke and Hai Rui stay as officials in Jiangnan for their entire lives? I think that's a sure thing."

Everyone looked at him curiously, wondering what else he would say.

"But now I feel that the loss is not a big deal, it's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. But if this thing is really done by the Yingtian Governor's Office, do you think the details of it, who benefited in Jiangnan over the years, and other such things will be spread by people with ulterior motives? And if it is really spread, what will happen then?"

This statement came out.

Everyone present broke out in cold sweat on their backs.

Even Xu Kun, who was acting as a shield today, swallowed worriedly and subconsciously looked at his father in front of him.

Yes.

After all, according to reason and rules, especially for court officials like Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui, it is impossible for them to stay in one place or one position for too long.

This was a necessary measure for the imperial court to prevent officials from becoming too powerful in local areas.

Not to mention that during the Western Han Dynasty, there was an even more stringent system of three mutual laws for officials.

So according to this logic.

As long as Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui leave Jiangnan in the future, even if there are some losses in Jiangnan now, after they are gone, the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan will still be able to take in double the amount they spend today.

In the past, this was basically an indisputable truth.

This is also the most commonly used method by local governments when dealing with truly loyal and honest officials.

First, keep a low profile for a few years. If that doesn't work, then give up some benefits and keep a low profile. When the honest official gets political achievements and is promoted elsewhere, the local government can immediately start over.

But this time it's different.

What the Yingtian Governor's Office has to do is to check the land and population, including matters such as land tax and population tax, so in the end the exact number of fields each family has will definitely be found out.

Once it is exposed.

How come your family, Minister Zhang, has tens of thousands of acres of land? Did you embezzle or take bribes?
And your family, Mr. Jia, was originally born in poverty, an orphan with a widowed mother. How come after you became an official, got married, and had children, now you are a grandfather, and your family almost owns thousands of acres of fertile land?
Questions like this.

Then, there is no need to think or explain, the label of corrupt officials is inevitable. Should the court investigate? Should the three judicial departments and the Jinyiwei minions intervene?

This matter will become more and more serious.

Even if in the end it may be because the case involves too many people and too many people have committed crimes, we can only give them a light sentence and a severe warning.

But all the dignity they had carefully maintained in the past was gone.

How can I look up and face people in the future?

When they went out and looked at each other, they found that your family, the minister, had 30,000 acres of land, and my family, the head of the department, had 10,000 acres of land. How come the doctor over there occupied 50,000 acres? Is this still a matter of rules?

Now it is time to say that they are all corrupt and illegal.

Or is it too damn embarrassing that a minister is not as greedy as a doctor?

So this matter.

We can’t really let the Yingtian Governor’s Office accomplish this!
Everyone basically shared the same thoughts and looked at Xu Jie, who had remained silent, with worried eyes, and at the same time put the pressure of making the final judgment on him.

Xu Jie was also in a dilemma at this time.

It is true that he was born in Jiangnan, and it is also true that he is the leader of these upright officials in Beijing and officials from the south.

But he was also the second in command of the cabinet and the regent minister that the emperor wanted to keep in the cabinet.

If these people were helped, the emperor's wish for the court to give more tax silver to Jiangnan would be ruined.

If he helped the emperor, those upright and famous ministers who regarded him as their fellow men would be greatly disappointed in him, and his authority and trust among them might even be greatly damaged.

To help or not to help, to contribute or not to contribute.

There are reasons and justifications for everything, whether right or wrong.

For a while.

A stubborn mind will lead to blockage in both ends.

Xu Jie became the new daughter-in-law caught in the middle.

"I have heard all you have said. In addition, I have also learned a lot from what you have said in the past few days."

at last.

Xu Jie still spoke slowly under the expectant gaze of everyone.

He placed one hand on the table, gently turning the cup of tea that had already gone cold, while looking up and scanning the people present.

"I understand what you want to say and do. So, do you have any good ideas for the situation in the south?"

At this point, Xu Jie's tone became a little more serious: "If I had known earlier, after all, the prince's guests went south with the emperor's expectations."

"Of course, we officials know the rules. Guest Yan has only been in Jiangnan for a few days, so he definitely has nothing to do with the current incident. Moreover, the news that has come in now is that the Yingtian Governor's Office is handling the matter. Although there are rumors that Guest Yan is involved, I think it's just that he and Hai Rui have some friendship in the past, so Hai Rui paid him a visit..."

"so……"

"Do you think, your subordinates, that Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, can be moved to another position?" These people finally revealed their true intentions.

Knowing that they could not directly attack Yan Shaoting at this time, they followed the plan they had already discussed and decided to attack Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian.

Xu Jie narrowed his eyes and smiled: "If I remember correctly, Hai Rui was recommended by Lord Yan and appointed by the Emperor. What? Are you planning to convict him and banish him to another place?"

"No no no!"

"We don't dare to do that!"

As soon as Xu Jie asked, everyone present immediately denied it.

"Your subordinates are thinking that although Hai Rui has only been the governor of Yingtian for about a year, his achievements are obvious to all, and the common people all call him the upright and honest Lord."

"For a person with such talent who has contributed to the country, even if it is not in accordance with the rules now, can we give him a promotion and transfer him to another place? Or...how about directly calling him back to the capital to take up the post?"

After the final solution was stated.

Everyone immediately looked at Xu Jie eagerly, hoping that the Deputy Prime Minister would nod in agreement.

"Let Hai Rui be promoted for official duties?"

Xu Jie narrowed his eyes and muttered the solutions proposed by this group of people.

Then he looked at the group of people and said, "There is no suitable position for him elsewhere in the local area. Is there any suitable position vacant in the capital?"

"The Ministry of Works is short of an assistant minister."

"The Ministry of Justice is also short of an assistant minister. We can let Yan Shifan take over and then let Hai Rui fill the vacancy. This way, maybe the two of them can fight each other in the Ministry of Justice."

"The Ministry of Revenue is also short of an assistant minister."

"As for the Five Temples...there hasn't been a shortage recently."

"But the position of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries is also suitable. It just happens to be Hai Rui's current position. Coming here is considered a promotion. I think outsiders will not gossip about it."

After some analysis, everyone gave the vacancies in various departments in the capital, and then the whole place fell silent.

Xu Jie pondered silently in his heart, and finally opened his eyes and smiled: "Then let's go to the Ministry of Justice. Isn't it said that Hai Rui is the most honest, familiar with the laws of the Ming Dynasty, and judges cases fairly? Let him go to the Ministry of Justice."

……

"Except for doing as planned by Runwu."

"They have no other options, no second way to go."

"Now, all they have left is a final period of consideration."

The West Garden is worthy of being the Wu Palace where Emperor Taizu lived when he entered Nanjing City but had not yet ascended the throne. It is now the season when birds are singing and flowers are blooming, and even though the weather is gradually getting hotter, the temperature here feels just right.

Zhang Juzheng, however, had no mood to appreciate the scenery or savor the elegance. Instead, he focused on the analysis and opinions given by the people present.

Hai Rui, who was already halfway back from the Taihu Lake, frowned and looked very dissatisfied.

The Governor-General of Zhejiang Province and Governor of Zhejiang Province Zhao Zhenji, who had stayed in Nanjing until today and had not returned to Hangzhou, looked at the man in front of him who was known as the Sea Pen Holder with curiosity.

Yan Shaoting saw that Hai Rui had something to say, so he immediately smiled and said, "Brother Gangfeng, what do you want to say after coming back from your trip?"

Seeing Yan Shaoting speak, Zhang Juzheng, who was about to continue speaking, closed his mouth and looked at Hai Rui: "Yes, Gangfeng went out with a purpose this time. After walking around the local area, he must have gained new insights and opinions."

Hai Rui didn't care about anything, even though he thought there was an outsider, Zhao Zhenji, here today.

Hai Rui also spoke directly: "All of them have committed crimes, right? Many of them are worthy of death penalty, right?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

Hai Rui immediately said in a murderous tone: "If that's the case, why worry so much? Can't we just bring the case to justice?"

Zhang Juzheng suddenly opened his mouth in surprise.

Zhao Zhenji suppressed his smile, and his impression of Hai Rui became even deeper and more intuitive.

Hai Rui also walked around Zhang Juzheng, who had his mouth wide open, ignored Zhao Zhenji who had been staring at him, and looked directly at Yan Shaoting.

"Isn't that so?"

"This...ah..." Yan Shaoting was suddenly called out and asked, and was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "If everything can really be handled by law, why would I wait until now? Even if there is something that Yang Zongqi took out, who can prove its authenticity?"

Hai Rui curled his lips and said, "I think you are the ones who are thinking that this place still needs someone to govern it. Killing people won't work."

This is quite hurtful.

Even Zhao Zhenji withdrew his gaze and looked away.

Ok.

The West Garden is really beautiful!
The non-stick pan thought silently in my heart.

Yan Shaoting was a little helpless and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

But luckily.

Just when he began to have trouble explaining and answering Hai Rui's question, Liu Wan appeared in front of him.

"Dear guest, the officials from various departments and offices in Nanjing have all arrived and are waiting for you outside."

Yan Shaoting raised his eyebrows immediately. The group of people he had been waiting for all these days finally came over on their own initiative.

He immediately stood up and said, "Zhao Bu Tang! Brother Shu Da, Brother Gang Feng, I'll go over and take a look at the situation first."

After saying that, he immediately turned and left.

Not long after.

Yan Shaoting had already seen dozens of officials in official uniforms, standing behind the screen wall in the front hall of the mansion with their heads bare, holding their black hats in their hands.

Seeing Yan Shaoting finally arrived.

Led by several of the oldest Nanjing officials in red robes, these people bowed down with their black hats in their hands.

"We have committed many illegal acts in the past, and only now do we feel sorry for them. I wonder if it is too late to turn back."

"But our loyalty to the court and to Your Majesty will never change."

"We are here today to apologize to Lord Xiao Yan. We ask Lord Xiao Yan to punish us honestly and set an example for others. We will not hesitate."

Look at the uniform movements and scenes in front of you.

Yan Shaoting was also a little surprised.

He glanced sideways at Liu Wan beside him, and Zhu Qi, Qi Dazhu and others who had been waiting here.

A smile appeared on Yan Shaoting's face.

He turned and walked into the hall.

Crunch...hiss...

A rattling sound was heard.

Liu Wan, Zhu Qi and others saw that Yan Shaoting was smiling and he personally dragged a chair out from the hall.

Yan Shaoting even placed the chairs carefully.

Then he coughed lightly, straightened his clothes and slowly sat down on the armchair.

"What is the purpose of your coming here today?"

"I was ordered by the Emperor to go to Nanjing to take up my post. Actually..."

"I'm here to make friends!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)