The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Liu Yu "gifted" Zhang Zhou again.

This time it was not in the name of an individual, nor was it Zhang Zhou who was bribed, but a joint gift list was directly sent to Zhang Zhou.

The local officials and gentry of Yongping Prefecture fully realized that Zhang Zhou was too difficult to deal with. Many people wanted to protect their family property and avoid being blamed by the Jin Yiwei. The local officials and gentry, mobilized by Liu Yu, unanimously decided to give Zhang Zhou Give away 30 taels of silver every week.

Such a large sum is not paid in one lump sum, but spread over two years.

And there is a prerequisite, that is, Zhang Zhou must ensure that the interests of the local officials and gentry in Yongping Prefecture can be preserved. At the same time, this money is also an "investment", just like Zhang Zhou and Tang Yin invested in the Jiangnan Shipyard in Yingtian Prefecture. It is a "shareholding" method in exchange for some of the overseas profits from building ships and dividends.

The first payment of 30 taels will be 20 taels, and the remaining 10 taels will be paid monthly during the subsequent construction of the shipyard.

Although 30 taels is not enough to build a shipyard along the coast of Yongping Prefecture, with this money, the court and Zhang Zhou can save a lot of expenses, and the shipyard can be built with twice the result with half the effort.

"Mr. Cai Guogong, if you accept money from those people, it is better for you to take it directly from their wallets. If you do this, you are afraid that the Jin Yiwei below will be emotional."

On the edge of the Bohai Sea, Zhang Zhou was still inspecting the location of the shipyard. The person behind him who made these remarks was Li Zhang, who had just replaced Li Rong as the eunuch in charge of the East Factory.

Li Zhang was much younger than Li Rong, only in his 40s. Zhang Zhou didn't know the inside story of the palace, nor did he know what the relationship between Li Zhang and Li Rong was that led to them being defined as "from the same family." Logically speaking, Speaking of the age of the two, they were not at the same age when they were content in the palace.

Zhang Zhou said: "I didn't say that I agreed with Governor Liu's opinion."

Li Zhang said respectfully: "You have thought carefully. It is not easy for others to give opinions. However, it is indeed not easy to prevent the government and the public from finding fault with this matter, and to balance the emotions of the people below. If I can share the burden with you, Yes, just speak."

According to Li Zhang, if you don't want to be the bad guy, then I will be the bad guy.

I'll do all the dirty work, don't be embarrassed, because His Majesty sent me here just to deal with the aftermath for you.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I accept Eunuch Li's kindness. There are many criticisms from others. I know that there are many people in the government and the public who have offended me. How can I put it, it is because of your majesty's trust in me. If it were anything else, At that time, I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. But I still couldn’t go against my heart and had to be kind to others.”

Does that mean you know that there are tigers in the mountains, but you still insist on being evil to others?

Li Zhang was heartbroken after hearing this.

he was thinking.

I finally know why Cai Guogong offended so many people, working with him is not an easy job, and I finally know how Li Rong was tortured to death.

This kind of spirit of not looking back even after hitting the wall... is like the work of a young person who is just starting out.

This means that your Majesty believes in you. If you change any dynasty, the spittle of the literati will not drown you, and the three men will eventually make the king change his attitude towards you sooner or later. What is even worse is that once the emperor and the courtiers, even if you change the emperor Even if you die, your grave will be dug up and your bones will be crushed into ashes.

"30 taels is a bit less." Zhang Zhou looked at Liu Yu's letter again and said with a hint of regret, "If it were 50 taels, then basically there would be no problems."

Li Zhang said: "No matter how big the local officials and gentry in Yongping Mansion are, they may not be able to afford so much money."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I just need so much money in the early stage. Do you think that the money invested must be a loss? It's not for nothing, I just asked them to put the money with me first. Sooner or later, I will return it with interest." of."

Li Zhang was speechless after hearing this.

Still returning it.

This is simply extortion. Do you really think that the local officials and gentry are willing to invest their money in you?

They are just frightened by the Jin Yiwei. Many families have had their properties confiscated. You have to knock out the 30 taels from the Jin Yiwei's hands instead of taking it from the pockets of these officials and gentry. Even if you don't help them, Jin Yiwei will settle it, but these people won't give you any money.

This is all conditional.

"Let's think about it some more." Zhang Zhou put the letter in his arms and said lazily, "I've been very busy lately. I may be going back to Beijing in a few days, so I just need to relax first. This place is good for building shipyards. , the Ming Dynasty’s fleet can set sail from here in the future.”

……

……

That night, Li Zhang met Mou Bin, the commander of the Jin Yiwei.

Mu Bin came over to see Zhang Zhou, but did not get any new instructions. This time Mu Bin also came to visit the president of Xindong Factory.

"Although our family is appointed by His Majesty to be the Admiral of the East Factory, we still don't understand many things, and we need more guidance from Governor Mou." Li Zhang seemed very low-key, because he knew that he was a small figure in the palace system, and he suddenly climbed up the ranks. With such a high position, even though he is now one level higher than official Mu Bin in name, if Mu Bin deliberately targets him and gets closer to Xiao Jing and others, then he, Li Zhang, will not be able to accomplish anything.

The key to Li Zhang staying in his current position is to do things for Zhang Zhou.

If the people below make trouble, they will not be able to accomplish anything, and their status will not be guaranteed.

Therefore, he could not stumbling upon Mou Bin when he came up. He even spoke for Jin Yiwei before and fought for Jin Yiwei's interests from Zhang Zhou.

Mou Bin looked very anxious and said: "I just found out through some channels that the local gentry in Yongping Prefecture gave gifts to Liu Zhongcheng of Ji Town and asked him to forward them to Cai Guogong in exchange for reconciliation between Cai Guogong and the local gentry."

Li Zhang said: "Then what's going on? Didn't Cai Guogong say anything to you when we first started doing things?"

According to Li Zhang, as long as you had listened to Zhang Zhou when you made things difficult for the local officials and gentry of Yongping Prefecture and ransacked their homes for questioning, you don't have to be nervous now. After all, it was Zhang Zhou who ordered you to do it, and you can advance and retreat in a controlled manner. .

Mou Bin looked very annoyed and said: "His Majesty asked me to come here to do something. The previous instructions from Eunuch Li Rong and Li Eunuch were to be executed first and then reported. Your Majesty will definitely support it. But I didn't expect..."

Li Zhang was a little angry and said: "I didn't expect that the local people had a huge quarrel with Cai Guogong because of the mining issue. Now that they are in trouble, they still want to get support from Cai Guogong. Instead, they put your Jin Yiwei on the fire. , is that what you mean?"

Mou Bin didn't want to admit it, but he still nodded helplessly.

Li Zhang immediately felt confident.

Originally, it would be difficult for a new eunuch who had never dealt with Jin Yiwei to take charge of the East Factory and have Jin Yiwei promote him.

But now that Jin Yiwei is in trouble, the situation is very favorable to him. It depends on whether Zhang Zhou really needs him, or whether Zhang Zhou gives him face.

Li Zhang said: "Now do you want to blame the deceased?"

"That's not what I meant by humble position." Mou Bin quickly explained.

He was also angry, why did he listen to Li Rong in the first place?

I just listened to it. As long as Li Rong is still in charge of the East Factory, Li Rong will always be responsible for the matter... It's strange that Li Rong is dead... This situation is very delicate.

To extort and exploit local officials and gentry in Yongping Prefecture was the first thing he, Mou Bin, did. He said it was ordered by Li Rong. Isn't this the case without proof?

"Then how much benefit did you get from this matter?" Li Zhang asked.

Even Li Zhang was curious as to how much the Jinyiwei had gained in this matter, so that they did not hesitate to offend the local officials and gentry. After all, Yongping Mansion is also in the capital, and it is easy for the Jinyiwei to get into trouble in this place. I can't even get off the stage.

The rabbit hasn't eaten the grass on the edge of the nest yet. Now Jin Yiwei is just knocking on the edge of the nest and nibbling the grass clean.

Mou Bin said: "It's hard to say exactly, but at least it's thirty or forty thousand taels."

Li Zhang narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems that Governor Mou still doesn't trust our family enough."

"I don't dare to do it," Mou Bin said, "I don't know the exact number, so I can only give a rough estimate.

"Haha. Commander Mou, do you know how much silver the local big businessmen want to give to Governor Liu? It's a full 30 taels! I'm afraid they have more than 4 to [-] taels of silver to move around. The number two, right?”

Li Zhang wanted to use both kindness and power.

I can help you operate it, but you must also be honest. Don’t take advantage of it. You still want to hide it from me and treat me as a fool?

Mou Bin became nervous when he heard this. He immediately knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists and said: "My father-in-law knows it clearly, or the people below are enriching their own pockets and concealing it. I am humble enough to ask someone to investigate carefully!"

"no need."

Li Zhang said, "If they really reported it like this, it would be better. Didn't they report 4 to 4 taels? Then give them these 5 to [-] taels! Give me more, [-] taels! Just treat it as It’s time to take care of the brothers of Jinyiwei.”

Mou Bin was a little confused. He raised his head and looked at Li Zhang and said, "Father-in-law, what do you mean..."

Li Zhang's face became more resolute, and when it was time for him to establish his authority in front of Mou Bin, he said coldly: "Let's put it this way, what you have done may seem beautiful, but it will make Cai Guogong intolerable." If he takes an unkind and unjust stance, others will think that Cai Guogong doesn't even care about right and wrong for the sake of petty profits."

"It's a dereliction of duty and negligence," Mou Bin said, "Let the people below do whatever they want!"

Li Zhang said: "But brothers also want to do things. It is understandable that good intentions do bad things." "Father-in-law..."

Mou Bin was pulled back and forth by Li Zhang, and he felt like his heart was going up and down, a bit ups and downs.

He really wanted to ask, but the father-in-law quickly explained what he meant. I couldn't stand such a scare.

Li Zhang's tone became gentle and said: "Cai Guogong needs to be able to come to power, and His Majesty also needs to regain his face. The government and the public have criticized this matter too much, but if the local officials and gentry take the initiative to give money to Cai Guogong to build ships, if there is such a reconciliation, That would be best."

"Yes, I will go and give the orders right now." Mou Bin understood.

This still requires sacrificing Jin Yiwei's interests to fulfill Zhang Zhou's reputation, and also to fulfill the reputation of Emperor Mingjun.

An emperor should not be considered a coward. After all, using imperial power to appropriate the property of officials and gentry will bring about a very bad reputation.

Li Zhang shook his head and said: "Forgot what we said before? The people under my command should get some rewards for doing things. But if they want to occupy several hundred thousand taels at a time, if they dare to extend their hands, they must also consider eating. Don’t you want the hand that hugs your mother-in-law? 10 taels of silver, no more."

By this time, Mou Bin had completely understood.

Mou Bin said: "Does that mean that everything except 5 taels will be returned?"

"Yes." Li Zhang nodded, "Remember, there are only 5 taels. If you want an extra tael, it's up to you! How you allocate these 5 taels is not our concern, but as long as this number is not exceeded, no matter how big the matter is, , our family can also cover it for you! At worst, we will use this head to cover it! But if you violate the rules, don't say... our family didn't give you a good word to warn you beforehand."

Mou Bin immediately felt confident and said: "I understand, I understand."

Li Zhang waved his hand and said: "You shouldn't stay here, go back to your Yongping Mansion, and remember not to leak the news. Cai Guogong wants face, and His Majesty also needs this face... If you can get things done, just It's all on you."

"Yes." Mou Bin felt as happy as he could see the moonlight after clearing the clouds.

He hurriedly got up and went to do errands.

……

……

"Father, are you really going to give them 5 taels?" After Mou Bin left, a teenage eunuch walked out of Li Zhang's tent, looking very smart.

Apparently he had been listening.

When Li Zhang saw the little eunuch, his eyes softened a lot, and he called the little eunuch over to get his jade Ruyi.

"This is a gift from His Majesty. Our family keeps it with us at all times. If we look at it every day, we will remember that we cannot live up to the Emperor's kindness." Li Zhang said.

The little eunuch smiled and said: "My father-in-law will soar to the sky only if he is in your majesty's favor."

"This is not a sudden leap into the sky, it is an accumulation of daily life. Not everyone can do this job right now. If things go wrong, you won't even be able to keep a piece of food around your neck." Li Zhang seemed to have seen through the situation.

Why didn't the emperor let anyone else do this job instead of Li Zhang? He knew that the interests of Li Zhang and Li Rong were often the same.

Can balance the relationship behind it.

And when Xiao Jing and others come, they will never be like him and want to settle the matter.

"It's only 5 taels. Our family can still shoulder this responsibility. If we really use these 5 taels to settle things and everyone has no objections, then what our family is doing will be meaningful." Li Zhang finally said on his face. He has a smile, but it seems that he never shows this expression to outsiders.

……

……

Li Zhang visited Zhang Zhou that night.

Although he made the decision privately, he still had to seek Zhang Zhou's consent on some major matters. Although he himself felt that doing so was a bit of a show-off, but it was also the behavior of an emperor's envoy.

I mean to do something for you Zhang Zhou, but I was sent by the emperor, so I don’t have to listen to you on everything.

It’s not that I won’t give you face.

But for the sake of your reputation, we will be responsible for anything that happens... Isn't this the basis for Li Rong's order to Mu Bin before?Even Li Rong knows how to take responsibility, and so can I, Li Zhang.

"Eunuch Li, you said you would give Jinyiwei 5 taels of silver in exchange for them withdrawing from Yongping Mansion?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

"That's the intention, but it's not the intention." Li Zhang said, "The matter of your mining will definitely not affect this point. The Jinyiwei will still cooperate with you, but it will no longer embarrass the local wealthy gentry, so that they can Live in peace.”

Zhang Zhou said: "But if this is the case, aren't you afraid that the local officials and gentry will regret it later and feel that the money spent is not worth it?"

Li Zhang showed his ruthless side and said: "If anyone refuses to accept the decision afterwards, they should be made aware of the consequences."

"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "5 taels, plus 30 taels, it would make the local officials vomit blood, but it would not allow them to get other benefits besides investing in the shipyard. After one or two years, Guilt can easily make them resentful."

Li Zhang said: "They are all serving His Majesty."

"it is good."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

This Li Zhang seemed to be serious in speech, and Zhang Zhou suddenly felt that this person seemed to have more characteristics in doing things than Li Rong.

He's not the kind of person who just pursues the reputation of being a good guy. He's a bit daring, but because we've just met him, it's hard to make a conclusion yet.

After all, Li Zhang was not well-known in history. As far as Zhang Zhou knew, Li Zhang only appeared a few times in "Records of Xiaozong". He always did some hard work. People who wrote history books would not regard a eunuch as a eunuch. To highlight his deeds, Zhang Zhou would not know enough about this person.

"That 5 taels is not enough." Zhang Zhou said.

Li Zhang asked: "Duke Cai Guo, do you mean to add more?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head and said: "There is only so much money, but in matters such as mining and shipbuilding, we should share some benefits with them. They are all working for the emperor, and this money is not provided by me, but by their hard work." Income from labor... It depends on a mine or something, just a small allowance, but it's still a bit small, especially since there are so many brothers in Jinyiwei."

Li Zhang also realized deeply at this time that Zhang Zhou was no fool.

Although he had already given 5 taels of silver to Jin Yiwei, Zhang Zhou was still willing to make up for it from other places and give it to Jin Yiwei as a gift. This shows how well he can win people's hearts.

In this way, it is equivalent to giving Jin Yiwei a bunch of sweet dates to eat first, and then beating them back with a stick. After taking back the sweet dates, he will return them one by one...

Jin Yiwei felt this kind of grace and power, and he would be completely devoted to Zhang Zhou.

In addition to Zhang Zhou gradually getting to know Li Zhang, Li Zhang also gradually got to know Zhang Zhou. The two of them were getting to know each other and deepening their impressions.

"I just don't know how those in the court who participated in my impeachment would evaluate this matter." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

Li Zhang said: "Cai Guogong never showed up from beginning to end. You really don't have to worry. The people below will settle the matter."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Then I would like to thank Eunuch Li first. We will have a happy cooperation in the future."

……

……

Li Zhang's memorial was delivered to Zhu Youtang almost at the same time as the memorial of a large number of imperial guards who participated in the impeachment.

The ministers of the DPRK now also know that they cannot target Zhang Zhou casually, so they should start by cutting off Zhang Zhou's wings and pulling out Zhang Zhou's front teeth.

Some people are targeting the generals around Zhang Zhou, while others are directly targeting the Jin Yiwei... Let the Jin Yiwei do their duty honestly, and then Zhang Zhou will be restricted in everything he does, and Zhang Zhou will not be able to make trouble.

"They really overestimate their capabilities."

Zhu Youtang was originally a little angry when he saw those memorial memorials, but after seeing Li Zhang's secret memorials, he was in a good mood.

Xiao Jing asked: "Your Majesty, what does this mean?"

Zhu Youtang said: "Even the group of people who were targeted in Yongping Mansion knew that they wanted to use Bingkuan's power and were willing to provide money for Bingkuan's shipbuilding. However, the people in the court thought that Bingkuan had offended everyone in the world, and even used Bingkuan's power to do so. The sharp weapon Jinyiwei beside me is operating. They don't know what my methods are! The order was sent to Bingkuan to return to Beijing immediately, saying that he came back to confront the ministers of the DPRK... When we meet, we will see how they justify themselves. " (End of chapter)