prosperous age

Chapter 187 Chapter 186
It was noon in a flash, and Wei Guangde was thinking whether he should go out for dinner, when Jin Da's voice was heard outside, "Is Guangde here?"

Then came Lu Bu's voice.

Wei Guangde got up immediately and went out to greet him. At this moment, he is already an editor of Hanlin, a seventh-rank official, and he is not comparable to himself, a low-ranking scholar with no official status.

"Brother Defu."

Wei Guangde cupped his fists at Jinda as soon as he went out.

"Guangde, let's go, it's time to go out for dinner, everyone is waiting for you in front."

Jin Da laughed when he saw Wei Guangde coming out.

"it is good."

Wei Guangde spoke, turned around and closed the door, and followed Jin Da out.

There is nothing here now, Wei Guangde is too lazy to lock the door, isn't there still Lubu here.

Following Jin Da out, he saw Zhu Dashou and Tao Dalin were also outside, along with several other people.

After Zhu Dashou's introduction, Wei Guangde knew that they were Chen Jin, Cao Dazhang and Wen Yinglu who were the top candidates in the last palace examination, and there were no others.

Wei Guangde was still very puzzled, but the last imperial examination had selected sages, but he didn't know exactly how many.

Since the eighth year of Jiajing, the subsequent palace examinations and imperial examinations have adopted the rule of selecting concubines every two sessions, but this time the Jiajing 35-year imperial examination broke this rule.

It's not really a break, it's just a freak.

As for the fact that there are no concubine scholars in the Hanlin Academy now, the few concubine scholars selected in the 32nd year of Jiajing’s reign were dismissed early last year. .

A few of the youngest people in the Hanlin Academy got together, and soon found a nearby restaurant, went up to the second floor, ordered food, sat down and chatted.

In fact, it was mainly Chen Jin and Cao Dazhang who were imparting experience to the new scholars. During the conversation, Wei Guangde also knew that Zhu Dashou and the others had nothing to do in the Imperial Academy this morning, they were just familiarizing themselves with the environment.

"In the afternoon, I'll take you for a walk around the Hanlin Academy, so you can identify the door."

Chen Jin, the number one scholar in the last imperial examination, said to them with a smile, "Three years later, a new Jinshi will come in, and you will do this job. This is the tradition of the Imperial Academy, ha ha."

Wei Guangde and the others were all laughing, which may mean that Wei Guangde may not have a chance, after all, he is a good man, and maybe he will leave the museum early.

Once he left the Hanlin Academy, this matter has nothing to do with him, that is, Zhu Dashou and the others can continue to do it.

As the food and wine were served, the atmosphere of the banquet became warmer amidst the sound of wine orders.

Chen Jin and others were talking about the affairs of the Imperial Academy, and the four new Jinshi listened quietly, and gradually the topic turned to the court. After all, many academicians of the Imperial Academy have other titles, such as Min Rulin, a scholar of the Imperial Academy. , with the titles of Zhan Shifu of Zhan Shifu and Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Officials on his head, but the Ministry of Officials is only a temporary post, and he is now the boss of Zhan Shifu, in charge of government affairs.

Yin Zhanshi, who is currently in charge of the affairs of the academy, is also the second in command of the Zhan Shifu, helping Min Rulin manage the Zhan Shifu, but he is more in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Academy.

Well, soon Wei Guangde felt that the Hanlin Academy is really a school for reserve cadres. As long as there is a vacancy in Zhan Shifu and Taichang Temple, there is a high probability that someone will be found from the Imperial Academy to fill in, and then there will be cadres in the Six Departments. When there is a vacancy, he will be given the title of Minister of the Six Departments. It is true that he will be promoted a bit quickly. No wonder scholars want to enter the Imperial Academy.

"Guangde, I'm afraid you don't know yet. The most fierce competition in the court recently is not the official position, but the topics. I found out the policy theory you wrote two days ago, which is the papers of the provincial examination and the general examination. Look, your remarks fit very well with the faction that has the upper hand in the officialdom."

At this time, Wen Yinglu, who was relatively seldom talkative before, said, he is the Tanhua of the previous session, and his sense of presence is probably similar to that of Wei Guangde, with two big Buddhas on his head, so naturally he doesn't talk much on weekdays, so he started talking to Wei Guangde at this time .

"What speech? What is the court fighting about?"

Wei Guangde was still a little curious.

"Speaking of which, it's really true. The other day Yiyong looked for your papers, and we read them too."

Chen Jin took up the conversation at this time: "One is the Pingwa policy, and the other is the theory of wealth and wealth, which are the papers of your provincial and general examinations, which are completely consistent with the current trend of the imperial court."

"Tell me in detail, what happened, we are all ears."

Zhu Dashou said immediately.

For those who are new to the officialdom, they naturally hope to learn more about the affairs in the court. No matter what it is, they will have to get in touch with it in the future. The more they know, the better.

For the top three candidates in this year's imperial examination, they also faintly heard the rumor that Wei Guangde seemed to have won the holy family, so the strange thing happened from the bottom of the top three to the top of the second.

For the Jinshi selected by this year's imperial examination, most people looked down on Wei Guangde at the beginning, because they thought he had followed the footsteps of Mr. Yan Ge, and it was the Jiangxi fellow who praised him so much.

However, after the Rong En Banquet incident, many people had a slightly different impression of him. Later, they even heard that the promotion of his ranking was definitely not under the control of Yan Song. There was only one person who could decide all of this, and that was Jiu Wu Supreme, everyone just abandoned their prejudice against him and made friends with him.

Wei Guangde was very busy in those days, he had to find time to read Taoist books, and he had to receive visitors, there were postcards sent by the family members of Beijing officials, and Jinshi came to visit.

Those Jinshi were similar to Wei Guangde, and they also kept visiting the Beijing officials from their hometown. After their advice, the Jinshi knew what was going on.

To be able to win that person's favor is considered a skill.

Now, hearing that Wei Guangde's policies for the provincial and general examinations are in line with some opinions in the court, and the faction still has the upper hand, Zhu Dashou, Tao Dalin and Jin Da naturally think that they have found the reason why Wei Guangde was promoted by the emperor. What I wrote was approved by the emperor.

In fact, many times, such emphasis is a political trend.

Chen Jin and the others looked at each other and laughed.

"Let's talk about the incident you made after boasting officials in Yujie, and went to the yamen of the Ministry of Rites. We were shocked when we heard it in the Imperial Academy. After the Shaanxi earthquake, we breathed a sigh of relief."

Chen Jinyu said relaxedly: "The imperial court is not enough to use the country. You should have felt it more or less after this incident. I heard what the seniors said. Before Jiajing 29 years ago, the imperial court's income and expenditure were barely balanced, although it was a bit stretched. , but can always support the past.

If it wasn't for the one who was obsessed with Taoism, although there were still natural disasters, they could always be dealt with. It was nothing more than tearing down the east wall to make up for the west wall. If you were a little frugal, the court might still have a surplus.

However, since Jiajing 29 years, military expenditures have increased greatly, and the Japanese pirates in the south have also become chaotic. Taxes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang have also been greatly reduced.

I remember that in Guangde’s provincial examination last year, there was one item in the plan to suppress the Japanese. Now Hu Zongxian, the censor and governor of Zhejiang Province and the governor of the Japanese government, is constantly handing over papers to the imperial court, asking for additional military expenditures, and they want to recruit recruits for it. To suppress the Japanese, the guards can only defend poorly and advance.

But think about it, where does the imperial court have the money to recruit troops for him?"

Speaking of this, Chen Jin put a trick on her, picked up the chopsticks on the table, took a mouthful of vegetables, and began to chew and swallow slowly.

"Hey, senior Chen, brother Deyan, don't be a fool, just speak directly."

Tao Dalin couldn't sit still and asked.

"Let's talk about Yong, you have read his papers for a long time, and you have the deepest understanding."

Chen Jin kicked the ball to Wen Yinglu, but Wei Guangde also understood what happened, it should be a matter of sending more tax to suppress Japanese.

"Hehe, well, it's just me."

Wen Yinglu smiled, "It's not that the imperial court has no money, Master Hu proposed to let him collect military expenses on the spot in the south of the Yangtze River to suppress the Japanese. It is used to suppress the Japanese in the south of the Yangtze River, and there is no need for the imperial court to allocate additional military salaries.”

"Then Jiangnan can bear it? They have already lost a lot of money because of the Japanese invasion, and they still need to pay more taxes?"

Jin Da hesitated, obviously not supporting this idea in his words, and then he thought of Wei Guangde who brought up this matter, could it be that he supports Jiangnan's tax increase?

Thinking of this, Jin Da looked towards Wei Guangde, saw him sitting there with the old god, and even picked up a mouthful of vegetables and put it in his mouth.

"These are not things we should consider. The higher-ups will naturally discuss this matter, because the Six Departments have been arguing about this matter. Neither Xiyuan nor the cabinet has made a statement, it's just"

Wen Yinglu said, looking at Wei Guangde here, "It's hard to say about other yamen, most people in the Imperial Academy think they should have the same meaning.

Taxation in the south of the Yangtze River is used to suppress the Japanese, which is also a good thing for the people in the south of the Yangtze River. Only when the Japanese plague is suppressed can they live and work in peace, and the imperial court also has money for disaster relief. "

"Yep."

Jin Da nodded when he heard the words. After all, he is new to the officialdom, so it is natural not to express his views too much on these issues. He said that the debates in the court are very fierce now, and obviously there are many people who disagree with him.

Encountering problems, proposing solutions, and discussing whether it is good or bad, this is the policy approach to handling state affairs, and it is impossible to harm the country with empty talk.

"Would you like to try?"

Zhu Dashou asked again, knowing the questions of the provincial examination, now they really want to know how Wei Guangde answered in the general examination.

For them, they naturally know the question, but their strategies and theories are all well-regulated, and the suggestions are all frugal, and they should be frugal on weekdays, saving money for disasters.

"Most of your papers are sage's point of view, pay attention to throttling, Guangde is talking about open source, trade with Jiangnan silk, tea and porcelain, which are favorite products of foreigners, and exchange them for gold, silver and grain, and the court will have money Disaster relief."

Wen Yinglu's answer was very simple, but he also pointed out the difference between them and Wei Guangde's paper, "Of course, Guangde's paper also said that it is for this purpose and the way to make money."

After hearing Wen Yinglu's words, Zhu Dashou and the others all nodded their heads again and again. This is consistent with the strategy they wrote, except for the addition of trade and open source.

"I heard that Guangde is good at dealing with difficult problems, and I have been taught today."

Jin Da nodded, a native of Jiangnan, he naturally has no resistance to doing business.

He knows that doing business can make money, and his family is not a merchant family, so naturally he doesn't care about the interests of merchants. Relatively speaking, he pays more attention to the previous one, asking Hu Zongxian to levy taxes on land in the south of the Yangtze River, which concerns him. interests of the family.

"The court wants to increase taxes on Jiangnan businessmen?"

At this time, Zhu Dashou suddenly interrupted and asked.

"No."

Wen Yinglu immediately shook his head and said, "The amount of taxation is determined by the ancestors and cannot be changed without authorization."

"What is the court talking about?"

Zhu Dashou asked in surprise.

"Master Zhao Wenhua, the right minister of the Ministry of Industry, suggested that rice should be planted in Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas to increase the production of raw silk to increase the output of silk and satin. Not only can taxes be collected according to the system, but also a sum of money can be made for the court through the Shibo Department, so as to solve the problem of the court. In a tight situation."

Wen Yinglu shook his head and said.

"Changing rice to plant mulberry?"

Wei Guangde, who had an expression of indifference before, suddenly screamed and lost his voice.

No wonder he had such a big reaction. In the memory of later generations, it seems that Wei Guangde has seen this scene before. Anyway, it is very bad. The local people have been harmed by corrupt officials.

Wei Guangde pointed out that the sea trade is not for corrupt officials to annex land at a low price, it is a good way to solve the financial problems of Ming Dynasty.

Looking around the world, Ming Dynasty is the number one economic power in this era, and its gross national product is definitely the number one in the world.

That is to say, domestic minerals such as gold, silver and copper are a little less, so it seems that they are not as rich as Xiyi. In fact, the gold and silver they exchanged for goods from Ming Dynasty are blood-stained things, wealth looted from Africa and America.

Wei Guangde did not expect his proposal to be interpreted in this way. This was not his original intention. Wei Guangde felt that he had to do something, otherwise the good policy would be distorted by corrupt officials, and it would hurt the common people and ruin his reputation as a senior official. .

Look, everyone in the Imperial Academy now knows that he mentioned the matter of increasing maritime trade in the examination, increasing the production of silk and porcelain to earn money abroad, and I believe the news must have spread.

Before receiving the key care of Emperor Jiajing, well, with this news, most people probably think that this represents the political direction of Xiyuan.

However, once people like Zhao Wenhua were really allowed to do this and hurt the livelihood of the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, I am afraid that they will be accused of crimes in the end, and they will be blamed for this inexplicably.

Wei Guangde can already think of himself as a rat in the officialdom, hated by everyone, and it is not known that he will be dismissed from office and sent to prison if he can't say it.

Something must be done to prevent the situation from developing like this.

Wei Guangde didn't think there was anything wrong with raising taxes in the south of the Yangtze River to suppress the Japanese.

If there is a problem, it is that Hu Zongxian's method of increasing the land tax is not good, which will increase the burden on the people in the south of the Yangtze River. Wei Guangde only considers increasing the business tax, but has no intention of doing anything to the land.

As for changing rice to mulberry, that is completely distorting his original intention.

However, at this moment, Wei Guangde also realized that there was something wrong with the test paper he would take at the beginning, that is, if you want to increase the sea trade volume of silk and other commodities, the premise is that you have to produce more products, how do you trade without goods?

You have to think about it, Wei Guangde thought in his heart.

However, on this occasion, it is still inconvenient for him to say more, and he has to think about it after returning to the hall at night before making a decision.

Next, Wei Guangde listened carefully to the stories of Wen Yinglu, Chen Jin and others. These situations were very important, so he couldn't help but be indifferent.

(End of this chapter)