prosperous age

"Gongfu has been serving as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice for five years, and his previous evaluation was also excellent."

Now that there is a vacancy in the Ministry of Revenue, I have found a suitable candidate.

After passing the imperial examination in the thirty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign, he served successively as a secretary in the Secretariat, then as a secretary in the Ministry of War, and later as a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue. He was promoted for his merits and served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review in Nanjing and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Although the Ministry of Justice has been his main department for the past seven or eight years, he also worked in the Ministry of Revenue in his early years and is very familiar with its affairs.

Especially during his time in the Ministry of Revenue, he was highly regarded by the late emperor for his memorials on both internal and external affairs.

At the end of the Shen hour (3-5 PM), Wei Guangde, a member of the Grand Secretariat, convened a meeting with two other Grand Secretaries to discuss the matter of the Ministry of Revenue's recent memorial requesting the transfer of a Vice Minister to Nanjing, which necessitated the appointment of a new Vice Minister.

When it came to the selection of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Wei Guangde immediately suggested Wei Shiliang, the Vice Minister of Justice.

He had worked in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue in his early years. Although he was in the Sixth Section and only had the power to review documents, he was very familiar with official documents.

As for Wei Shiliang's meritorious service, it was because he had been an envoy to Korea during the Longqing era. The Korean king faced north to receive the imperial edict, while the envoy faced west. Shiliang argued against this and then faced south to proclaim the edict.

When news of this reached China, the Longqing Emperor praised him for fulfilling his mission. Later, he was involved in the affairs of Liaodong and was thus promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud.

When he was in the Ministry of Revenue, he also participated in the revision of the system of stipends for members of the imperial clan, which was presided over by Li Chunfang, so he had quite a lot of experience.

At this point, Wei Guangde presented one case after another in the cabinet, the purpose of which was self-evident: to transfer Wei Shiliang from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Revenue.

Although both were vice ministers, seemingly a lateral transfer, the Ministry of Justice was far superior to the Ministry of Revenue.

Of course, Wei Guangde had met with Wei Shiliang privately and received his approval before he brought these things up with Zhang Xueyan.

Wei Shiliang wanted to become a second-rank official, a minister. He used to think he could only be in charge of the Ministry of Justice, since this department was not very important among the six ministries and there weren't many people vying for it.

But since Wei Guangde had secured him the opportunity to work in the Ministry of Revenue, he certainly wouldn't give it up; he had to give it a try.

Ultimately, Zhang Juzheng was nearing his end, and Wei Guangde was about to become the Grand Secretary. He might very well follow in Zhang Xueyan's footsteps and become the head of the Ministry of Revenue in the future.

Moreover, the Ministry of Revenue's petition was not sent directly to him, but to Shen Shixing.

Shen Shixing was unaware of Wei Guangde's arrangements, but after he brought it up, Wei Guangde simply offered his recommendations shortly afterward.

Shen Shixing wasn't stupid. Although he was puzzled, he understood that Wei Guangde had been prepared for this.

Before Zhang Siwei could speak, he immediately declared, "What Lord Wei said makes sense. It is appropriate for Gongfu to be transferred to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Minister Zhang also came from the Ministry of Revenue in his early years and managed the Ministry of Revenue very well."

Shen Shixing's words were essentially a veiled attempt to elevate Wei Shiliang to power.

The reason Wei Guangde favored Wei Shiliang for the Ministry of Revenue was precisely because he was the only person with experience working in the Ministry of Revenue.

As for qualifications, he certainly couldn't compare to Zhang Xueyan. Wei Shiliang had always served as an official in the capital, while Zhang Xueyan was an inspector in Liaodong, a figure who held military, political, and financial power in one hand, which was something that a capital official's limited experience could not match.

However, Zhang Xueyan was able to become the Minister of Revenue upon returning to the capital, while Wei Shiliang was merely arranged by Wei Guangde to serve as Zhang Xueyan's assistant and vice minister. He did a good job in this position and there were no problems.

Zhang Siwei blinked, knowing that with Wei Guangde's recommendation and Shen Shixing's seconding, Wei Shiliang would definitely be listed first in the cabinet's draft proposal.

The Ministry of Revenue requested the appointment of a new Vice Minister, which he was unaware of beforehand, but he also wanted to recommend someone from his own staff to the Ministry of Revenue.

That's the Ministry of Revenue.

However, judging from Wei Guangde's attitude, it seems that this was a perfect opportunity, and that he had already planned it out.

It seems that Zhang Xueyan has already sided with Wei Guangde.

Zhang Siwei could only guess that this person was promoted to the position of Minister of Revenue because he pleased Zhang Juzheng.

In the past two years, he has performed well in his position as Minister of Revenue and has gained Zhang Juzheng's deep trust.

Unexpectedly, even before Zhang Juzheng died, Zhang Xueyan had already impatiently switched allegiance to another.

Despite missing the initial opportunity, Zhang Siwei still recommended someone, which was in accordance with the rules. The cabinet usually does not submit just one candidate, but rather two or more candidates for the palace to choose from.

If the palace is not satisfied, they will have the Nine Ministers conduct a joint review.

If they are still not satisfied, then it will be discussed at the court meeting, and important officials in the court can participate in the recommendation.

One of the unspoken rules is that those who are ranked higher are considered more valued by the imperial court, or rather, by those in power in the outer court.

Without a doubt, Wei Shiliang was ranked first among the cabinet's recommended candidates.

If the emperor has no other intentions towards Wei Guangde, then passing the test is almost a certainty.

If the Grand Secretary cannot interfere with powerful departments like the Ministry of Revenue, then it will be difficult for him to exercise his power. This is a tacit understanding between the inner and outer courts.

Of the six ministries, the most important were the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel. This is why Wei Guangde never touched these two ministries when he and Zhang Juzheng divided the spoils.

When Wei Guangde walked out of the cabinet, he had a bright smile on his face.

With the Ministry of Revenue settled, the next step is to wait for an opportunity from the Ministry of Personnel.

Wang Guoguang, the Minister of Personnel, was considered a close confidant of Zhang Juzheng. Moreover, he was from Shanxi and had close relationships with Yang Bo, Wang Chonggu, and others.

In other words, Wang Guoguang would support Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Siwei, but he would never support Wei Guangde.

Therefore, the only way to get Lao Kan into the Ministry of Personnel is to bring down Wang Guoguang and replace him.

In exchange, Lao Kan was allowed to enter the Ministry of Personnel and take charge of an important department.

Of course, there is another way, which is to have Jiang Zhi transferred to the Ministry of Personnel.

However, Jiang Zhi's resume was ultimately lacking, and the Ministry of Works was an important department with deep ties to the Ministry of War, so it could only be a backup plan.

Arranging for someone to serve as the Vice Minister of Works and relocating Jiang Zhi was a last resort.

In name only, they relinquished the Ministry of Works and took control of the Ministry of Personnel; it was a one-for-one exchange.

Although the Qi-Zhe-Chu faction had not yet emerged at this time, factions based on local ties had actually existed long before.

However, these people finally united, or were formally labeled as a political party, only after the emergence of the Donglin Party.

Just as he reached the sedan chair and his attendants had already lifted the curtain to prepare to enter, a group of imperial guards escorted a man hurriedly running towards them from outside the square.

Upon seeing Wei Guangde's sedan chair in the distance, he quickened his pace and rushed over.

This is the palace gate, so they dared not shout or yell, for fear of offending the gate.

However, just as Wei Guangde was about to get into the sedan chair, he was reminded by his attendant.

"Sir, the Embroidered Uniform Guards are here, and it looks like they're heading this way."

The attendants weren't worried about what the Imperial Guards might do to their master; on the contrary, they knew that their master could still order the Imperial Guards around to do things within certain limits.

Ultimately, aside from intelligence reports from spies in the capital, Wei Guangde could pass on any other information he needed.

However, Wei Guangde used the Embroidered Uniform Guard more for foreign affairs and did not have them pass on domestic intelligence to him.

Unless he received a disaster report from the local area, Wei Guangde would secretly send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to verify it.

If local officials were to investigate, it would be like throwing lambs to the slaughter.

When local areas are affected by disasters, the imperial court will take measures such as reducing or exempting taxes and allocating funds and grain for relief, depending on the severity of the disaster.

Reporting minor disasters as major ones, and major disasters as major ones, has become a common tactic used by local officials.

Anyway, it's God's fault, what does it have to do with them?

Once you receive the government's relief funds, you can pocket most of the benefits.

Therefore, in addition to the normal verification process, Wei Guangde privately increasingly trusted the Embroidered Uniform Guard to verify the situation.

Moreover, because the Embroidered Uniform Guard could transmit information quickly, and disaster relief was as urgent as putting out a fire, he wouldn't waste his precious time on it.

The palace was naturally aware of these matters and gave them the green light.

The inner court actually trusted eunuchs more and the Embroidered Uniform Guard more, even more than civil officials.

Wei Guangde, reminded by his attendant, stopped what he was doing and stood in front of the sedan chair to look over. Sure enough, it was Liu Shouyou, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, approaching quickly. His arrival at this hour clearly indicated something important that couldn't be delayed.

Perhaps, even if he leaves, he will be chased down and brought back.

"Grand Secretary Wei, an urgent secret report has arrived."

Sure enough, when Liu Shouyou arrived in front of Wei Guangde, he immediately whispered something.

"Speak over here."

Wei Guangde stood by the palace wall, and the two of them walked over. Meanwhile, the Imperial Guards that Liu Shouyou brought with him were already standing around, preventing others from getting close.

As he approached the wall, Liu Shouyou took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

Wei Guangde took it and glanced at it quickly, then his expression changed slightly.

"How could this happen? Is it definitely an accident?"

When pressed for details, Liu Shouyou's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He had just received the first intelligence report on the matter, which revealed the inside story.

"Grand Secretary Wei, although the Mongols are known for being born on horseback, it is not uncommon for them to fall off their horses. It happens several times every year."

This time, however, Taiji Taicheng fell from his horse and, due to bad luck, lost his life.

Liu Shouyou could only say.

Falling off a horse usually results in death or serious injury; only a few lucky people survive.

Of course, this level of fall from a horse usually occurs when the horse is not running and the rider accidentally falls off.

Even in later generations, it is not uncommon for Olympic equestrian athletes to fall from their horses and die, and it is often impossible to prevent such incidents.

The Dacheng Taiji who fell from his horse and died, as mentioned by Liu Shouyou, actually had another name, which was Bahan Naji.

Before his death, Altan Khan handed over his tribe to Bahannaji and gave him all the land around Bansheng. After that, he called himself Dacheng Taiji.

Taiji is a title of honor for nobles of the Mongol, Uyghur, Kazakh, and Tibetan ethnic groups throughout history. It is a transliteration of the Chinese word "太子" (taizi).

Originally a title reserved for princes during the Mongol Empire, it later became a general term for the descendants of Genghis Khan's Golden Family.

From the 16th century onwards, feudal lords of the Oirat Mongols outside the Golden Family began to use this title, which gradually evolved into a general noble title.

During the Qing Dynasty, it was included as part of the Mongolian nobility system, divided into four grades corresponding to official positions of the first to fourth rank, and stipulated a hereditary system and fiefdoms and subjects.

Generally speaking, the title preceding a Taiji indicates his rank and can also indicate the size of his fief and the number of his subjects. For example, a Jasak Taiji has both a fief and subjects.

In addition, there are idle Taiji, who are merely subjects and are essentially ordinary tribal leaders.

Hannaji received the tribe and land from his grandfather, and it wasn't unreasonable for him to call himself Taiji, especially since he was also a member of the Borjigin family.

Therefore, Xin Ai Huang Taiji, the new Shunyi King, did not say anything about it.

The death of Dacheng Taiji in a horse accident ended the matter once and for all, but it affected the Ming Dynasty's strategic layout on the grasslands.

Now, with his wife and vast power at home, Dacheng Taiji will obviously become the target of contention among various princes and nobles on the grasslands.

"According to Mongolian tradition, how will his power be divided?"

Wei Guangde frowned, but finally asked Liu Shouyou for advice.

Taiji had children, but he died suddenly, and Wei Guangde did not believe that he had made arrangements.

Thus, the tribes and lands of the Great Cheng Taiji might not have time to be distributed to his sons and would instead be allocated according to Mongolian tradition.

"It depends on the situation of the Taiji. Generally, he will remarry, and the Taiji's property will become part of his dowry and be taken into someone else's possession."

Liu Shouyou, who was familiar with Mongolian traditions, quickly replied.

"His son won't get anything?"

Wei Guangde asked, somewhat surprised.

"That's how it is according to Mongolian tradition. If there's to be a distribution, it's something that happens after they come of age."

Maybe yes, maybe no.

Liu Shouyou answered in a low voice.

"We absolutely cannot let this formidable force fall into the hands of the Prince of Shunyi."

Wei Guangde immediately said.

"This, Elder Wei, regarding this matter..."

Liu Shouyou hesitated and said that this order was not easy to carry out.

Who on the grasslands isn't envious of the wealth that Anda Khan left to Bahannaji? Now, it seems that all the Taijis are making moves to seize this piece of the pie.

"Send men to summon Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing back to the cabinet for a meeting immediately, quickly."

"This shift can't be cancelled," Wei Guangde gave the order, then turned and walked towards the palace gate.

"Yes."

Liu Shouyou bowed behind Wei Guangde.

Back in the duty room, Lu Bu had just finished cleaning. Seeing the master return, he quickly went to boil water and make tea.

Such a return is rare; something must have happened, and it must be dealt with as soon as possible.

A short while later, Liu Shouyou came in, and Wei Guangde waved for him to sit down first.

Another half hour later, Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing arrived one after another, and Wei Guangde then handed the two of them the intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Da Cheng Taiji died unexpectedly after falling from his horse, and the court's layout on the grasslands underwent a major change."

Previously, thanks to Lady Zhongshun and the assistance of Dacheng Taiji, the influence of our Great Ming on the grasslands was naturally guaranteed.

But now that the person is dead, the only one left on the grasslands who truly loves the Ming Dynasty is Lady Zhongshun, according to grassland tradition.

Wei Guangde then gave a brief explanation of the situation, focusing on the ridiculous inheritance system on the grasslands.

"Can't we let her remain a widow?"

Shen Shixing spoke, asking Liu Shouyou.

Liu Shouyou was taken aback, shook his head, and said, "It seems there is no precedent for this, at least I have never seen such a record."

"It concerns Bansheng City and thousands of elite cavalry, which is a very strong force on the grasslands."

Zhang Siwei also frowned and only said one sentence.

"How old is Lady Chungshun's son?"

Suddenly, Wei Guangde spoke up and asked.

"It is impolite of me to call the son of Lady Zhongshun. He was born in the second year of the Longqing reign and is now thirteen years old."

Liu Shouyou hurriedly said.

"Snapped."

Wei Guangde slapped his forehead and then sighed.

Zhang Siwei, Shen Shixing, and Liu Shouyou didn't understand at first, but soon they all realized what Wei Guangde was thinking.

That makes sense, though. Daisei Hiyoshi is over twenty, no, he's only thirteen. There's no way he could possibly marry her. (End of Chapter)