stubborn thief

Chapter 676 The Sky Collapses

Zhang Jinyan started gambling.

In fact, according to his original idea, he was secretly laughing at Liu Chengzong's arrangement of putting him in the Governor's Office as an experience.

Although his previous official position was only that of a county magistrate, to be honest, it was hard for a young official with a Jinshi degree to not feel superior to a rebel regime like the Marshal's Office.

In this era, a 31-year-old Jinshi with an excellent resume of serving as an official in two places for four years does not need him to think highly of himself. It is obvious that he has the talent to be a prime minister, and everyone thinks highly of him.

Not to mention that he could endure the loneliness in the Marshal's Office which lacked high-end talents, he would still be able to endure it even if he was placed in the Ming Dynasty court.

After twenty years of training, if this man doesn't get ruined by party struggles or wars, he will definitely be able to enter the core of the imperial court if he keeps his composure.

The only reason that prompted him to jump to the Marshal's Office was that he felt that under the current environment, the court would most likely not last another 20 years.

Therefore, he would rather sit on the bench at the Marshal's Mansion.

Planting trees and raising rabbits is not a rush at all in this deserted yamen.

First come, first served. Just consider it as reserving a spot. Anyway, the local governance framework of the Marshal's Office will be set up soon. Otherwise, how are you going to govern the place?

Sooner or later you will need me.

But after Zhang Jinyan stayed in Shaanxi Provincial Government for a month, he discovered that the name of this damn place, the Marshal's Mansion, was indeed correct. It was completely different from what he had imagined.

Their grassroots framework is a piece of shit, there is no system, it is very barbaric, and it is completely ruled by man.

  How outrageous can the Marshal's Office be?

Take the newly established Longxi Road, for example. It covered the two prefectures of Pingliang and Gongchang. The commander-in-chief of the garrison in this road was Wang Wenxiu, and his guerrilla general Yang Chengzu was responsible for garrisoning Jingning Prefecture.

There are 1,830 registered citizens in Jingning Prefecture and 2,120 troops stationed there.

There was no governor in the state. The highest official was a judge named Ma Yuanli, who was once the Minister of Rites, the captain of Zhang Xianzhong, one of the Eight Kings of the Western Camp, and a fellow villager of the Grand Marshal from Yan'an.

How could his garrison be larger than the civilian population? How could Ma Yuanli, a grassroots officer known for his bravery and good fighting skills, become the magistrate in charge of grain transportation and water conservancy?

But it was really effective. The official documents that Ma Yuanli sent every day were all about planning how many acres of land to let the people reclaim, and how many canals were built with the assistance of guerrilla Yang Chengzu.

Even to build a canal, one had to go to Pingliang Prefecture to borrow people.

Or they would report to the Mo Nan Governor's Office that the family of a general had gone there to reclaim the land.

In fact, this is still an official document that Zhang Jinyan can understand.

However, in late November, the report of guerrilla Yang Chengzu was rather strange. He said that it was the slack season for farming and he wanted to bring the people of Jingning Prefecture to Pingliang Prefecture to celebrate the New Year.

  Zhang Jinyan thought, wouldn't Liu Chengzong have chopped Yang Chengzu to pieces?

No.

Not only that, the Grand Marshal also praised the idea highly and personally instructed him to go there and ask Prince Su, who was staying in Han Fan, to provide him with meals, and to urge Prince Su to report to the court to ask for salary rice.

Prince Su not only provided meals, but also sent a letter and asked Xi'an Prefecture to present it to the court.

When King Han of the Li Ya saw the letter, he immediately selected an attendant from the royal family of Han Fan to deliver the letter to Hancheng.

Within a few days, a reply from the court arrived.

The emperor wrote this with careful consideration of words and appropriate expressions.

But what it means is that because the vassal state was lost, all of Su Fan’s properties abroad were confiscated, but rice salary still has to be paid, and the court will not ignore it - you can ask the Shaanxi Provincial Administration for it.

In Zhang Jinyan's eyes, the imperial power collapsed and shattered all over the ground.

But Prince Su immediately sent the official document requesting rice salary to the Li Ya Office of the Marshal's Mansion, and the Li Ya Office really took charge.

Without further ado, the King of Han distributed the rice subsidy to Hancheng County in Shaanxi.

Zhang Jinyan witnessed with his own eyes the behavior of these strongmen who treated state affairs as a joke, and his entire spiritual world was greatly impacted.

It was not until that time that Zhang Jinyan truly realized the value of the three words "Marshal's Mansion".

This is a marshal's office, and all power belongs to the military.

In their vast territory, they have no mature political or hierarchical framework at all; everything is put into the military framework.

As the saying goes, imperial power does not extend below the county level, which refers to the Ming Dynasty's Ministry of Personnel's selection of personnel, which only went down to the county level. The township officials below that relied on local recommendations.

The Marshal's Office was a formal prefecture, state and county directly under the Central Government. The local chief officials were basically not selected by the Ministry of Personnel, but were entirely appointed by Liu Chengzong.

In some places, the people in power are even military men.

Because all the prefectures, states and counties were conquered one by one by Liu Chengzong, and he just appointed someone to establish the government.

And no matter whether Liu Chengzong appointed a scholar or a military man, once he reached that position, he could really get the job done.

If the Ming Dynasty is an old machine that is bloated, complicated, worn out and not running smoothly.

Then the Marshal's Mansion is a deformed monster that relies on brute force and operates very fast.

This stuff is outrageous, it is really outrageous, but Zhang Jinyan discovered that except for Xi'an Prefecture, other places had been plowed by soldiers and people could still run.

Only Xi'an Prefecture had not experienced brutal battles, and the old political structure was widely present, absorbing many surrendered officials. It became the most difficult place, and almost exhausted the newly promoted prefect Zhao Jichang to death.

It was this strange framework that made Zhang Jinyan realize that Liu Chengzong's decision to put him in the post of governor was not really to temper his spirit.

But the Marshal's Office really does not need the Shaanxi Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office.

People don't save on this.

Zhang Jinyan was getting a little restless now. He wanted to contribute to the Marshal's Office and quickly get himself into Liu Chengzong's sight. It would be best if he stayed in the center to help him attract more talents and set up the framework of the Personnel Office, Provincial Administration Office, prefectures, states, and counties.

Otherwise, the Ming Dynasty might not last for twenty years, and the Marshal's Office would definitely not last for twenty years.

This thing has no flesh and blood, just bones. It relies entirely on Liu Chengzong's invincible prestige to cobble together a regime.

The blazing soul fire supports the skeleton soldiers' actions.

It's magic.

If I lose one game, all the bones in my body will fall apart.

On the third day of the New Year, Zhang Jinyan bid farewell to Liu Chengzong, asked his Qingjian student Wu Guoyong to take over temporarily, and went to Sanyuan alone to meet the magistrate Ye Ding.

Soon, news came from the Sanyuan County Government that the Grand Marshal wanted to employ virtuous and capable people and asked enlightened gentry to actively recommend them and come to Xi'an to discuss major issues.

Liu Chengzong was unpopular among the people in these places, and the local gentry were disturbed by this news.

Many people panicked and ran to the outskirts of Sanyuan to visit Wang Zheng, or ran to the north city of Sanyuan to visit Jiao Yuanpu, hoping to find a backbone.

But the two old men remained silent in the face of the gentry's expectations that they would make the decision.

At the Sanyuan County Office, Zhang Jinyan and Ye Ding were toasting each other, listening to the city students' description of the two families' situations. Zhang Jinyan laughed and patted Ye Ding on the shoulder, saying, "My dear brother, if they don't talk, half of the matter will be done!"

Although he was not used to Ye Ding's closeness to him, he couldn't help but feel that he had found a good brother and confidant.

After all, his position in the Marshal's Office was very awkward.

Although he was taken care of by Liu Chengzong, he could not get in touch with the generals in the Marshal's Mansion. The Yulin Langguan and Xining Xiucai, who he could get in touch with, did not dare to get too close to him.

As for my adoptive father, Mo Yujing, he already had six adopted sons, and even more children from the clan, so he couldn't take care of anyone.

Only Zhang Jinyan, a descendant official who was a Jinshi, could not help but open his heart to him, taught him how to handle government affairs and be an official, and enthusiastically pulled him along when he encountered something that could make him meritorious, which made Ye Ding very grateful. Ye Ding, wrapped in wolf fur and official robes, still looked immature on his face. He was very puzzled by Zhang Jinyan's excitement and asked in confusion: "Brother Zhang, both of them are silent about this matter, is it a good thing?"

"I don't understand, my dear brother. Why are so many gentlemen looking for them at this time?"

Zhang Jinyan reached out and dipped some wine in the Yaoci wine bowl, drew a circle on the stone table, and said with a smile: "The people here have become obsessed with rebelling against the Marshal's Mansion. It is too hasty to ask him to serve as an official..."

He raised his hand and tapped his face: "No one can lose face and worry about the neighbors talking behind their backs, but if the Marshal's Mansion really suppresses it, my dear brother will hire fifty soldiers and find a wealthy mansion to ask people to serve, and they will not be able to withstand it."

"If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Wang Zheng and Jiao Yuanpu are tall people."

Zhang Jinyan smiled and asked, "But guess what, my dear brother, do they really want to be tall?"

Ye Ding shook his head decisively: "I guess he doesn't want to."

During the Hehuang Incident, the chieftain of their Ye family was nothing. The tall one was the chieftain of the Li family, but Li Tianyu was fighting vigorously under the Machang City guarded by his father and uncle.

"Yep!"

Zhang Jinyan didn't know Ye Ding's past experiences, but he really didn't expect that this kid could actually answer the question.

Because usually, those who are tall tend to take the lead when things happen.

It has nothing to do with whether he wants to be tall or not. The environment and the crowd will put him there, with no way out.

Zhang Jinyan took a sip from the wine bowl and asked with a grin, "Have you seen these two tall guys since you took office in Sanyuan?"

Ye Ding shook his head: "Wang Zheng's son Wang Yongchun, Jiao Yuanpu's sons Jiao Zhiya and Jiao Zhixia have been to the county government."

"Wang Yongchun has literary talent, and the Jiao brothers are also talented in both literature and martial arts. You can recommend them to the Marshal in the future."

Zhang Jinyan mentioned the younger generations of the two families, and then talked about the elders of the two families. He first said: "As for Wang Zheng, I am very familiar with him. He is an old gentleman who has been frustrated all his life because of his talent."

"Renhui has indeed been effective in disaster relief."

Ye Ding nodded in praise, but with a look of hesitation on his face, he asked, "But he must mention my Lord when he speaks, I am afraid that his evil views will make the Marshal unhappy. To be honest, I am planning to report this to the Marshal."

Zhang Jinyan's expression showed understanding.

The Renhui founded by Wang Zheng was basically a relief organization that spread Western Confucian teachings.

This can also be considered a tradition of Sanyuan. In this area, because the social elites, consisting of officials on the outside and gentry and wealthy people on the inside, are powerful, they play a very important role in local governance.

This model allows local forces to sometimes transcend the boundaries between officials and civilians, but this does not constitute an encroachment or contempt for imperial power. It is more like the elite forces cooperating with the government to save themselves when society collapses.

This situation is very special in the whole world.

Because Shaanxi is full of military garrisons and military towns, military, political and civil affairs are dominated by the military, and the influence of political forces is relatively weak compared to other provinces.

The only area where there is no military force is Yaozhou, Qianzhou and Tongzhou, a triangular area where commerce is particularly developed.

When the military and political collapse occurred in Shaanxi, it would be the end of other places.

The military and political power in the triangle region is usually relatively small, but the civilian power has always been strong, which enables it to burst out with tremendous force when the government is helpless in dealing with the situation.

This force helped the local area resist attacks by peasant armies many times, and also helped resist drought and famine through folk relief.

In this process, personal style is inevitable.

Wang Zheng was well versed in Western learning, so the militia in Sanyuan had the ability to cast their own red cannons; and Wang Zheng believed in Western Confucianism, so the Renhui in Sanyuan was naturally influenced by the church's methods of persuading the people.

"I think you don't need to take this as a big deal."

Zhang Jinyan shook his head and said sternly, "On the contrary, this is a good opportunity for you to learn. It's the same for all folk sects. If the government fails to fulfill its responsibilities, there will be evil people who will jump out and fight for power and profit."

"My dear brother, since you are the elder of the county and the parent of all the people, just watch what they do and follow their example. If they provide relief to the hungry, you also provide relief; if they set up a pharmacy, you incorporate it and make it a Huimin pharmacy; if they set up a cemetery, you incorporate it and make it a Leaky Garden."

"At most, a few people with special honors were exempted from menial duties."

"He also prayed to God that my brother, as a parent, would save effort and do everything he needed to do, leaving him with no way out."

Zhang Jinyan didn't take it seriously at all. He shook his head with some emotion and said, "There is no greater power than the government in the world. If there is, it must be the new government."

After that, he raised his hand and pointed to the east with a smile, saying, "Yesterday, a battalion of soldiers flying the Beidou White Lotus Banner received New Year's money from the commander-in-chief and led their troops eastward."

"The Grand Marshal has many talented people under his command, including many demons and monsters, not just Wang Zheng. Moreover, the White Lotus Sect's Mother of No Birth is much more violent than Wang Zheng's masters, but she is also obedient."

"If you do his job well, you will be a virtuous official who will be able to be honored by the people of Sanyuan. If you fulfill his wish, Wang Zheng will naturally not be able to escape the Marshal's control."

When it comes to smelting tripods, Zhang Jinyan was really generous in giving advice.

Ye Ding admired his confidence as an official who had been in charge of a region for several years.

Ye Ding didn't have such confidence, and couldn't help but ask with great joy: "If Wang Zheng uses this method, what about Jiao Yuanpu?"

"Jiao Yuanpu..."

Zhang Jinyan sighed with emotion and said, "I don't know him, but I know a thing or two about him. You only need to do three things."

"First, this person likes to be a teacher. My dear brother, just find a way to make him your teacher."

"Second, I would like to ask your father to write a letter to Marshal Zhang of Yan'an Prefecture to rescue a man from Yulin. His name is Jiao Yuanqing, the younger brother of Jiao Yuanpu, who was exiled by the emperor last year."

"Third, when the time is right, write a letter to the Grand Marshal, asking him to establish the Guanzhong Academy. Remember, it must be named Guanzhong Academy, and it should be located to the east of Baoqing Temple in Xi'an."

"When the time comes, Jiao Yuanpu will take up a post as an official."

Zhang Jinyan had a confident smile on his face. Guanzhong Academy was founded by Jiao Yuanpu's teacher Feng Congwu, and Jiao Yuanpu taught there for twelve years.

When Qiao Yingjia was the governor of Shaanxi, he destroyed the academy and threw the statue of Confucius enshrined in it into a pool in the corner of the city wall, which made Feng Congwu so angry that he died.

After Chongzhen ascended the throne, the academy was restored, but no one gave lectures there anymore and it was converted into the Feng Congwu Temple.

After the Marshal's army entered the city, they seized a lot of spoils, and the city became a warehouse for storing weapons, armor, equipment, artillery shells and gunpowder.

Deep down, Zhang Jinyan still hoped that Jiao Yuanpu could take up an official position, because he was indeed a good official, and a good official who was frustrated in the Ming Dynasty.

He resigned from the post of Governor of Datong on his own initiative.

Because of the urgent military situation on the border, shortage of military pay, and successive disasters, the hungry people had to pick up horse manure for food. Jiao Yuanpu requested to reduce rent and taxes and increase military pay, but the court ignored him.

So last year, he reported all his own problems and retired.

"But before that, my dear brother, on the one hand, you must spread the news that the Grand Marshal wants to use them, but on the other hand, you must not send anyone to recruit them."

Zhang Jinyan advised Ye Ding: "They are now being held back by their fellow villagers and will never take up official positions. So start with the merchants first, and when the rift in their hearts leads to a general trend, then recruit them."

"Thank you for your teachings, brother!"

Ye Ding clasped his fists and saluted, then asked again: "Then who do you think I should start with?"

"The local tribute students and wealthy merchants Liang Xing and Sun Zhensheng both have salt businesses in Chu. Their families have many businesses east of Tongguan. They are probably jumping around anxiously right now."

"There is also Jingyang, which is the center of tea, tobacco, and leather saltpeter in the northwest. It is also a major specialty of the Grand Marshal's Mansion, and it will also allow you to make another contribution to the Grand Marshal."

Zhang Jinyan patted Ye Ding's shoulder happily and said, "After this is done, don't forget to say a few good words for me to the Grand Marshal!"

good evening!