prosperous age

Confiscating property had long been an industry and a very profitable business in ancient times.

Behind this business lies a highly profitable industry with a complete industrial chain, clear division of labor, and substantial profits.

Let me start with a detail: during the Ming Dynasty, when imperial edicts were issued to confiscate property, officials and soldiers would seal the doors.

You thought it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard who went in?

more than.

People from the Ministry of Revenue, local officials, clerks, yamen runners, porters, and even pawnshop owners and secondhand clothing vendors were all waiting on the street corner early in the morning.

What are these people here for?

The house was ransacked.

But confiscating property is not as simple as just moving things.

A house with hundreds of rooms, containing silks, calligraphy and paintings, antiques, furniture, gold and silver, land deeds, and servants, all need to be registered, valued, cataloged, transported, and stored.

Who can guarantee that the person handling the goods won't take them?

No one can guarantee that.

In fact, everyone took it.

This is not stealing.

In the officialdom of that time, this was "hard-earned money".

Searching houses is exhausting work, often requiring several days and nights without sleep, with food and lodging provided in the sealed-off residence.

The higher-ups tacitly allow their subordinates to make a little extra money, as long as they don't go too far and don't give the censors any ammunition.

This is tantamount to a disguised subsidy.

Where did the copied material go?
Part of it was deposited into the national treasury, and the rest was sold off to realize cash.

There's a lot to learn about the resale process.

The government appraised the confiscated houses, land, furniture, and clothing and then auctioned them off publicly.

It sounds quite transparent.

In practice, local gentry and pawnshop owners had long since made connections, knowing which pawnshops were about to go bankrupt, when to raid them, and what valuable items could be seized.

They prepared cash in advance, symbolically raised their paddles during the auction, and the item was sold at the reserve price.

Resell it, and the profit will multiply several times.

During the Ming Dynasty, those who managed the embezzlement treasury often made huge profits from it.

Because all these things that need to be disposed of have to pass through their hands, and everyone from top to bottom gets a cut.

It can be seen that the people involved in the entire industry chain include not only the officials in charge of confiscating property, but also the eunuchs in charge of storing and disposing of it, as well as the gentry who had long been envious.

With so many people involved in this industry chain, the continuity of the entire industry can be guaranteed, because so many people are involved.

However, when the emperor said he would confiscate property, he actually differentiated between different levels of property; it didn't mean that all the property would be confiscated in one instance.

In principle, since the emperor is the one who makes the final decision, he is easily swayed by his emotions and his decisions can change at any time.

Therefore, the system included the "three no-confiscation" policy and the preservation of livelihoods, which aimed to avoid excessive implication and social unrest. Moreover, such confiscating property was a frequent occurrence in practice.

Firstly, property acquired during family division will not be confiscated. If children or brothers have established their own households and lived separately for many years, their independently managed property will not be considered property of the offending officials and will not be confiscated. However, if it is found that the property has been transferred, it will be confiscated by the government.

It all depends on how far those in power intend to implicate.

In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang used the method of collective punishment to investigate major cases involving thousands of people.

Secondly, clan property is not confiscated. Clan-owned property used for sacrifices, education assistance, and poverty relief, such as sacrificial fields and ancestral halls, is usually exempt from confiscation to maintain the basic operation of the clan. However, the personal shares of convicted officials in clan property will still be confiscated.

There were also imperial gifts. Gifts bestowed by the emperor upon the fathers and grandfathers of officials who had committed crimes could be passed down to their descendants as a continuation of imperial favor. However, all imperial gifts received by officials who had committed crimes were confiscated and put into the imperial treasury.

Therefore, it's not that all imperial gifts would be confiscated or confiscated; rather, it depends on the recipient of the gift.

Finally, the emperor might also leave some silver for their care. If there were elderly people or infants in the family, the emperor could grant special permission to leave some silver for their care or upbringing. However, this was an "extra-legal favor" and not a fixed treatment.

Furthermore, the fate of the families of convicted officials varied greatly depending on the dynasty and the severity of their crimes, with female relatives and male relatives being treated differently.

The Tang and Song dynasties were relatively lenient, while the Ming and Qing dynasties were extremely harsh.

The families of officials convicted of crimes would be reduced to the lowest social class, with their wives and daughters often being taken into government service as slaves. Their household registration would be downgraded to the lowest social class, such as "music households," and they would be barred from participating in the imperial examinations or marrying ordinary people for generations, resulting in a complete collapse of their social status.

Depending on the severity of the crime, serious crimes could lead to the execution of the entire family, and some women chose to commit suicide to preserve their chastity.

The next worst option was exile, being sent to frontier military camps to guard the border, performing hard labor such as washing clothes and cooking, or even being given as slaves to surrendered captives or generals, where the living conditions were harsh.

Sending them to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) to serve as musicians was actually the lightest punishment. Although it was a humiliating punishment controlled by the government and their lives were extremely humiliating, it was still better than being sentenced to death or exiled, as they were still allowed to stay in the capital.

Moreover, the vast majority of the musicians who were assigned to the Jiaosifang were not as they are understood by later generations.

Many people think of the Jiaofangsi as a "brothel," even classifying it as an official brothel, but this is actually incorrect.

So, what exactly was the Jiaofangsi?

To be precise, this was the ritual and music institution of the Ming Dynasty.

The Jiaofangsi of the Ming Dynasty originated from the Jiaofang of the Tang and Song Dynasties. At that time, the Jiaofang was under the jurisdiction of the Taichang Temple, and its main responsibility was to promote acrobatics and teach folk music.

In other words, the so-called Jiaofang was an institution specifically responsible for performing for the royal family and officials.

Meanwhile, during the Tang Dynasty, the members of the Jiaofang (Imperial Music Bureau) were also responsible for vocal music and performances during various festivals and sacrificial ceremonies.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty officially established the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), whose main responsibility remained the performance of shows.

However, at that time, the Jiaofangsi was responsible for performances in the outer court, while the performances in the inner court were handled by the Zhonggusi.

What I'm trying to say is that neither the Jiaofang nor the Jiaofangsi were "official brothels" of the ancient imperial court; they were actually official institutions for ritual and music.

As for why it became what everyone thought was a "government-run brothel," it was simply a result of the decline of morals in later years.

In the early Ming Dynasty, there were indeed places such as "Fuleyuan" and "Goulan Washe", but when these places were first established, they were places to provide accommodation for the musicians of the Jiaofangsi, similar to dormitories.

Therefore, after being admitted to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), most of them were actually responsible for performing and playing instruments, but some with good looks would become objects of amusement for high-ranking officials and nobles.

Government banquets were held here, and the women were invited to perform. Gradually, it became a "government-run brothel".

This was also the original location of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), which ordinary people could not enter; only officials were allowed in.

So later, sending people from the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) to brothels was actually something done by people in the government for profit.

This time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard suddenly confiscated Zhang Jing's mansion without any intention of contacting the Ministry of Revenue; they did it all on their own.

After all, they received orders directly from the palace.

Although Zhang Jing didn't have any female relatives to let him plunder, he did indeed amass a considerable fortune over the years.

Most of the items sent to the Qianqing Palace were first put into his hands, and he played with them until he had his fill before sending them into the inner court.

Under the guise of finding treasures for the emperor, they first indulged their own interests.

Zhang Jing's household shouldn't have much silver, considering he was just a eunuch.

Don't forget, he got ship permits for people and became a member of the Maritime Trade Association. He's received quite a bit of dividends in the past two years.

There were also gifts from ambitious officials, collected under all sorts of shady pretexts, which filled several warehouses.

So, in the early morning, while the Imperial Guards were still taking stock of their valuables, many people came to them and offered money, their aim being to erase the records of their previous gifts.

Naturally, those gifts also need to be erased.

In the process of their coming and going, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was able to intercept quite a lot of things.

Of course, they didn't keep it all for themselves; most of it had to be sent to the palace. It wasn't recorded in the books; the few people in charge divided it up privately.

Inside the cabinet, Wei Guangde continued to carry out his duties.

He wouldn't get involved in this kind of thing, and he looked down on Zhang Jing's nonsense.

However, he was more interested in knowing whether the internal authorities could actually pin the charges against Zhang Jing on him.

In the afternoon, Chen Ju had someone deliver a note.

Wei Guangde glanced at it and sighed. A whole day had passed, and Zhang Jing still refused to admit it no matter what.

He knew that admitting it meant certain death, while denying it might offer a chance to survive.

As long as he lives, perhaps one day the Wanli Emperor will remember him and give him another chance to turn his life around.

But will Zhang Hong give him a chance this time?
of course not.

When Zhang Jing betrayed Zhang Hong's school, it was destined that he would be someone Zhang Hong had to kill.

Wei Guangde sent a note instructing that the situation be relayed to the Cining Palace.

Naturally, the goal was to use the Empress Dowager's help to get rid of Zhang Jing.

It's one thing for mother and son to have some conflicts, but when it comes to her son's safety, Empress Dowager Li will not be lenient.

The Wanli Emperor was still waiting for news.

Wait for Zhang Hong and Liu Shouyou to investigate the case and submit the case files.

The outer court did not intervene at all this time, leaving the inner court to operate freely.

This matter itself mainly involved eunuchs in the inner court, and had little to do with them.

The officials in Beijing were actually somewhat gloating in private, saying they were watching a show, a dog-eat-dog drama.

"Dong dong dong."

That night, someone knocked on the side gate of the Wei residence. Soon the gate opened, and a person wrapped in a cloak walked into the Wei residence.

"Brother, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

In the study, Wei Guangde had come out temporarily from the inner quarters, but he had already tidied up.

"Shan Dai, I left the palace temporarily and just wandered around before coming here."

The newcomer was Chen Ju. He had already taken off his cloak and was only wearing casual clothes, looking no different from a wealthy businessman from the capital.

"Why are you out so late?"

Wei Guangde was taken aback upon hearing this.

“I didn’t stay in the harem; I was outside, so I was able to come out.”

Chen Ju simply said something, glanced at Wei Guangde with a meaningful look, and lowered his voice to say, "Your note has been followed by Eunuch Zhang. If he comes out tonight, it means he's already taken care of."

The Empress issued a decree instructing her people to take direct action.

The Emperor should know by tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Wei Guangde nodded slightly.

The meaning of this is quite clear: Chen Ju waited until the palace had dealt with Zhang Jing before leaving the palace.

"The Empress Dowager was decisive in her actions."

Wei Guangde nodded slightly and said something.

"Yes, after capturing Zhang Jing that day, His Majesty seemed to still have some regrets, which is why Zhang Hong decided to use the Empress's hand."

Chen Ju said softly.

Those who manage to climb up are all ruthless and decisive people; those who are indecisive will not survive long in the palace.

Zhang Hong initially wanted to suppress Zhang Jing, but he couldn't get through to the emperor, so he endured it.

Now that they've finally found an opportunity, they certainly won't give up easily.

In an instant, Zhang Jing's life was taken.

"In your home"

After relaying the news from the palace, Chen Ju couldn't help but ask another question.

"Alas, my brother wrote to me last time saying that things weren't going well."

Wei Guangde also looked worried as he spoke.

"Should we take it or not?"

Chen Ju still only said half a sentence, but the meaning was very clear.

Upon hearing this, Wei Guangde immediately shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Brother, please don't. Uncle Da's matter is still fresh in my mind. I absolutely will not think about this."

Just kidding, Zhang Juzheng was alienated from everyone because of "seizing the opportunity to mourn".

In the subsequent reckoning, many people could have spoken up for him, but they chose to remain silent.

That's why Zhang Juzheng's moral character was questioned; his act of seizing a prison cell caused everyone to doubt him.

Although Wei Guangde did not return to the capital after completing the mourning period, there were reasons for it. Moreover, he was summoned back by imperial decree after being away for nearly two years.

It was a dangerous time, and Gao Gong in the court was not someone Zhang Juzheng could control alone.

If Zhang Juzheng hadn't won over Feng Bao and brought the Empress Dowager into the picture, Gao Gong really wouldn't have been able to be overthrown.

Therefore, no one mentioned Wei Guangde's matter, but Zhang Juzheng's matter was the subject of much gossip behind his back.

Now that Chen Ju has brought it up, Wei Guangde is not surprised at all.

“But the court has so many things to deal with right now, and without you overseeing things, I’m worried that Eunuch Zhang might also have the same idea.”

Chen Ju was about to speak again when Wei Guangde heard that Zhang Hong's intentions were also involved. Although he was slightly tempted, he quickly rejected the plan.

Shaking his head, he solemnly said to Chen Ju, "Brother, please go back and tell Eunuch Zhang that this is absolutely impossible."

Even if he returns from his mourning period, he will still have the opportunity to govern for at least another ten years or so. He doesn't want to ruin his reputation so early.

"Our Great Ming Dynasty is so powerful and prosperous that the surrounding foreign tribes can't cause any trouble."

Even if it really causes a big problem that's hard to decide, isn't that a good thing? The court will only want me to return to the capital as soon as possible.

Returning then would be far better than having the consequences of forcing someone to come back during a mourning period.

Wei Guangde said softly.

He had actually mentioned this to Zhang Ke and others in private, not to imply that they would cause trouble, but as a backup plan.

Since things have already been set up, he has the opportunity to return to Beijing earlier.

However, the prerequisite is that a major event must occur overseas that the imperial court finds difficult to decide.

Returning to the capital at that time would have been a natural course of action, and even the old scholars of the Hanlin Academy wouldn't have said anything about it.

What Wei Guangde is currently anxious to do is determine whether Hanlin Academician Zhang Wei will stay or leave.

Should they keep him in the capital, or send him to Nanjing to serve as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy?

Although Wei Guangde had influence at the Hanlin Academy, it often didn't work on those people.

The tradition of not having members of the Imperial Academy made Zhang Weijiu, a member of the Jiangxi Hanlin Academy, a treasure in the eyes of Wei Guangde, a high-ranking official in Jiangxi.

To build up his qualifications, he was assigned to compile books in the Hanlin Academy and also held a temporary post in the Imperial Seal Bureau, all in preparation for a new Grand Secretary after Wei Guangde.

He was not in the capital, and he was worried that something might happen to this person.

In addition, there is the possibility of rotation among the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. Wei Guangde had already made preparations for these in private, and naturally he was unwilling to stay in the capital.

Chen Ju was unaware of these actions, but they were indeed for his benefit.

Seeing Wei Guangde's resolute attitude, Chen Ju finally nodded in agreement.

"I'll rest in your guest room tonight. It's too late, and I don't want to go out."

Chen Ju said something.

Wei Guangde laughed and said, "I'll have Zhang Ji prepare it, in the small courtyard where my elder brother used to rest."

Two days later, a courier horse from Jiujiang galloped into the city, heading towards the Ministry of Rites. (End of Chapter)