Chapter 584 Xu Jie's Layout of Jiangnan

In the side hall.

Xu Jie waved his hand.

The maids brought the basin of muddy water, put on a new pair of shoes for Xu Jie, and replaced a cup of tea before they vacated the entire room.

Seeing that the maids who had served Xu Jie in the mansion had left, the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture silently stepped forward.

"The person who sent the letter on behalf of Lord Li also said that the New Party is now the dominant party in the capital, Gao Gong controls the government, and even the Yan faction... has gone dormant one by one."

Since he was Xu Jie's former disciple, the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture knew very well that he would never be able to change his identity as a member of the Qingliu Old Party in this lifetime.

But now the power of the Qingliu Old Party in the government is declining.

If he wanted to make further progress in his career, he had to serve this mentor who was exiled to Leizhou.

Xu Jie remained silent, his eyes gleaming with brilliance.

He was thinking about the changes in the court's political situation that he had been observing silently during the past year while trapped in Leizhou.

"Gao Suqing has a fierce personality, which is why he succeeded, but he will definitely fail because of this in the future."

After giving Gao Gong an evaluation, Xu Jie's eyes turned.

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture was very excited.

Even though Xu Jie has now been demoted to a commoner and his three generations have been banned from taking the imperial examinations to become an official, if it were someone else he would have fallen long ago. However, he remains dignified and shows no respect for the current Prime Minister in his words.

Xu Jie took a sip of tea and asked: "Do you think Yan Xi is really afraid of Gao Gong and the others?"

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture shook his head quickly: "My student is short-sighted. My vision of the central government is far inferior to that of my teacher. I hope my teacher will correct me."

Xu Jie smiled and said, "The Grand Master left the court, Yan Donglou resigned as the Minister of Punishment and retired to the Imperial College. Now Yan Shaoting is the only one in the Yan family who holds the position of Minister of Rites. But I think he will not control the Ministry of Rites too much. Guess what this means?"

Although he was completely dismissed from all official positions in Beijing because of Hai Rui, his entire family was demoted to commoners and exiled to Leizhou.

But it was also because of this that Xu Jie was able to observe the changes and situations in the court as a bystander.

The farther away you are, the clearer you can see.

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture still shook his head: "I don't know."

Xu Jie raised his eyes to look at the other party and smiled faintly: "You don't know, or do you want me to tell you so that you can continue to flatter me?"

After saying this, Xu Jie held the teacup and chuckled.

The Leizhou Prefecture Tongzhi, whose thoughts were revealed, could only smile awkwardly: "I really didn't understand it at first, but what you said before, Master, did clear up the confusion in my mind. If I guessed correctly, Master, what you want to say is that the reason why the Yan family is now dormant under Gao Gong is actually to raise their reputation in the court, and wait for Gao Gong to abdicate, and then let their Yan family take charge of the court?"

After listening to this student, whom he had not remembered when he was in the pavilion, Xu Jie showed an approving smile on his face.

If it weren't for the current situation.

I don't value this person either.

If I were still in the court and in power, all the officials of the Qingliu Old Party would be under my command and obey my orders.

now.

Take it as it comes.

At least the vision is not bad.

Xu Jie slowly affirmed: "You can see it clearly, which is very good. Looking back at the dynasties, all reforms have been turbulent, and the court has been in turmoil, with infighting and countless officials dying. If it were in the past, the Yan family would definitely fight for power in the court with Yan Shifan as the leader. But since..."

Although he was reluctant to admit it, Xu Jie was very clear about the changes in his old rival, the Yan family.

He sighed and said, "Now, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Yan family is led by Yan Shaoting. This boy is the most thoughtful and scheming. I didn't understand it at first, but since Yan Shifan resigned from the post of Minister of Justice, I finally understood it. Their Yan family..."

Xu Jie sneered, hatred in his eyes.

"The Yan family is going to focus all their energy on Yan Shaoting. In a few years, when he is older and no longer stands out in the court, it will be time for the Yan family to take over the banner of the new policy."

The deputy governor of Leizhou Prefecture was surprised and asked in confusion, "Yan Shaoting? He is not even thirty yet. How can he take over the new government in the future? Even if the Yan family and the Yan faction want to promote him, Gao Gong and others will definitely not agree."

"The new policy is now fierce. Do you think Gao Gong can remain as the Prime Minister like Yan Song did in the past?" Xu Jie snorted coldly. In the comparison between Yan Song and Gao Gong, he was obviously full of contempt and pessimism for the latter.

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture became more and more frightened.

He couldn't help but say in a lost voice: "The Gia Long New Deal was initiated by the previous emperor, and the current emperor also fully supports it. Even if there are some troubles caused by the new deal, the current emperor can't possibly dismiss Gao Gong, right? I really don't understand."

It seems that the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture really doesn't understand this matter.

Xu Jie decided to teach this student a good lesson.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't forget the principle that a new emperor chooses new ministers. In the past, when the previous emperor was in power, Yan Song retired at the right time. Such people are the wisest. Now that the new emperor has been on the throne for nearly a year, what is Gao Gong? The master of the current emperor's residence? The minister left by the previous emperor?"

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture was filled with shock.

These words were not something he, a prefectural governor thousands of miles away from the imperial court, would hear on a daily basis.

Xu Jie continued, "In the eyes of the present emperor, Gao Gong is an old minister left over from the previous dynasty. He is a stubborn person with a strong character who will speak up as the master of the palace from time to time. The present emperor used to have a weak character, but now he is pushing for a new policy, so he can no longer be viewed by the Prince Yu of the past. But can Gao Gong understand it? Even if he understands it, he will not change! In this way, the emperor and his ministers will naturally be alienated. When that time comes, do you think Gao Gong can protect himself?"

Speaking of this, Xu Jie couldn't help but sigh in his heart, his face full of regret.

I understand this truth now, but it is a little too late.

If I had understood this principle before I got into trouble, I could have stepped down calmly during the reign of the previous emperor, gained a good reputation like Yan Song, and continued to interfere in the affairs of the court.

If he stepped down, he could naturally make arrangements for the old party based on the favor he had with the previous emperor, and there wouldn't be only Li Chunfang supporting the center.

But Xu Jie also knew it.

This is not the root cause.

The root cause can only be that the imperial court wanted reform, but he and the upright gentry behind him were unwilling to accept the reform.

On his way to be exiled to Leizhou, when he was passing through Jiangnan.

Those upright gentry said something to him.

How can this be called innovation? This is a revolution in our lives!
This sentence is enough to show that the gentry in Jiangnan would never obey the Gia Long New Deal and all the reform methods implemented by the court.

The Leizhou Prefecture Tongzhi immediately asked, "What are you going to do next, Master?"

Xu Jie took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and glanced at the letter that Li Chunfang had sent over.

He chuckled and asked, "Do you remember what I told you earlier?"

The Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture bowed his head and nodded, frowning slightly, and whispered tentatively: "Master, what you just said... Qi Jiguang, Yu Dayou, Tan Lun and others should all go to the north?"

Seeing Xu Jie nodded, the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture felt slightly relieved.

I didn't answer wrong.

Xu Jie asked again: "Why do you think I said so?"

After finishing speaking, he looked deeply at the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture, Kong Zeyang.

Kong Zeyang's heart moved.

He looked up silently, glanced quickly at Xu Jie, and became alert.

This was Xu Jie testing himself.

For no reason, Kong Zeyang felt something in his heart. If he could answer the question correctly this time, it might be a turning point in his life.

He immediately frowned and thought about Xu Jie's question.

A few moments.

Kong Zeyang answered quietly: "Master, what you mean is... Jiangnan is empty."

His answer was brief.

After hearing this, Xu Jie's eyes lit up instantly, and then he gradually smiled. He looked at Kong Zeyang with deep approval in his eyes and nodded with satisfaction.

Kong Zeyang had a smile on his face, but he felt as if a huge stone had fallen from his heart.

Have I passed the test?

Kong Zeyang thought so in his heart.

Xu Jie also said: "I am just an idler now, but I have made some connections in the past. You should prepare yourself. Probably before the end of the year, you will receive a promotion order."

really!

I guessed it right!
The turning point of my life is coming!
I have to leave this bitter and cold place like Leizhou Prefecture!

Kong Zeyang's heart was filled with excitement, but his face was suppressed and he dared not overstep the mark. He lowered his head even more: "Transfer order?"

But as soon as he said this.

The anticipation and excitement were unmistakable.

Xu Jie just smiled lightly: "If nothing goes wrong, you can now prepare to go to Nanjing to take up the position of Right Vice Minister."

The Ming Dynasty began to implement the two capital system during the reign of Emperor Chengzu.

Although the positions of Shangshu and other officials of the six ministries of Nanjing need to be appointed and dismissed by Beijing, the six ministries of Nanjing still have the right to recommend officials such as Shilang and Shaoqing, and Beijing will basically not veto them.

He heard that he might be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing.

Kong Zeyang's heart trembled violently.

He is now only the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture, a fifth-rank official, while the Right Vice Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue is a real third-rank official!

One step to the sky!
I really want to reach the sky in one step and become successful from now on!
If Xu Jie hadn't been in front, Kong Zeyang would have laughed out loud.

At this time, Xu Jie said quietly: "Add the title of Chief Censor of Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate."

puff.

Kong Zeyang, the Tongzhi of Leizhou Prefecture, who was already unable to suppress his excitement at his upcoming promotion, suddenly felt his legs go weak and he knelt heavily on the ground in front of Xu Jie.

The prefectural governor was so excited that his face turned red.

"student……"

"I will follow my teacher's lead throughout my life! I will do my best to serve you until my death!"

Kong Zeyang couldn't help but be excited, and couldn't help but show such excessive excitement at this moment.

If he was just the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing, it would only be a third-rank official position.

But if he was given the title of Right Vice Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue and Chief Censor of the Nanjing Censorate, then his future promotion to Nanjing would be completely clear.

Governor-General of Nanjing and Minister of Grain Reserves!

It is responsible for land tax, military farming, warehousing, transportation, etc. in the provinces south of the Yangtze River.

This is a lucrative job for a prominent family!

Kong Zeyang was so happy that he could get such a job that he began to wonder if his ancestors were blessed.

Xu Jie was extremely calm, and simply asked, "Do you know who the former governor-general's grain storage minister was?"

Kong Zeyang immediately replied: "It is Yang Zongqi, Governor Yang."

Xu Jie nodded and asked, "Do you know why he lost his job?"

Kong Zeyang instantly woke up from the excitement of being promoted four levels, and shuddered: "Because... Because Yan Shaoting was the Prime Minister of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River..."

Xu Jie hummed, then leaned back and said with a smile: "Since you know everything, you should also understand how to act if you take over the Nanjing Governor's Grain Storage Office?"

Kong Zeyang's face became calmer and calmer. "My dear teacher, I have arranged for you to take over the Nanjing Governor's Grain Storage Office. When Zhang Juzheng and Gao Hanwen are ordered to survey the land in Nanzhili and Zhejiang, I should stop them. If there is a chance, I should drive them away from Jiangnan."

Xu Jie became more and more satisfied.

Although he is now the tallest among short people, Kong Zeyang is also a sensible man.

He asked with a smile: "Are you scared? The land survey in Nanzhili and Zhejiang was facilitated by Gao Gong. And no matter whether it is Zhang Juzheng or Gao Hanwen, the Yan family is behind them. If you go to Nanjing and stop them from doing things, you will definitely be noticed by Gao Gong and the Yan family. If you are not careful, you will be like Yang Zongqi in the past, and you may even end up losing your head. Isn't it scary?"

There was always a smile on Xu Jie's face.

He looked at Kong Zeyang calmly yet profoundly.

Kong Zeyang, who understood what he had to do and what situation he might face, fell silent.

If you go to Nanjing, the risks will be staggering.

but……

Kong Zeyang's face was shocked: "Teacher has taught me, and today he has also helped me. I will never forget it! No matter whether it is Gao Gong or Yan family, I will follow the lead of my teacher. I don't seek fame and success, but I will do what my teacher has entrusted me with!"

This prefectural governor, who had served in Leizhou for more than ten years, finally decided to take the risk.

And Xu Jie nodded secretly.

Everything that came before was just a prelude. Now is the reason why I am willing to reuse Kong Zeyang.

He stood up with a smile, stretched out his hands to pull Kong Zeyang up personally, and then led him out of the side hall and to the front yard.

Kong Zeyang was respectful, nodding and bending from time to time, following half a step behind Xu Jie.

Xu Jie was in a good mood and said with a smile: "You don't need to worry too much. I have fought with them countless times in the past, and I will not repeat the same mistake this time. Go to Nanjing and do your job well, and follow the rules. As for actually driving Zhang Juzheng, Gao Hanwen and others out of Jiangnan and getting the court to stop the new policy of land measurement, I have other arrangements. You will understand by then, just cooperate carefully."

Originally, Kong Zeyang had already been thinking of giving it a try.

Hearing Xu Jie say this at this moment, it seemed that the former deputy prime minister of the cabinet had other plans, and the tense heartstrings loosened a little.

Kong Zeyang nodded and clasped his fists: "It's all up to you, Master."

Xu Jie waved his hand and walked to the Podocarpus tree in front of the hall.

"I would like to give you the poem written by Yan Shaoting not long ago."

Kong Zeyang's attitude became more submissive.

Xu Jie waved his hand and grasped the pine branches.

"It's all gone."

"To count the heroes of the day, look no further!"

…………

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