Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 458 The Prince Consort VS Confucianism (Please subscribe!!)
Jiao Ren stood in front of the construction site of Danyang Middle School, frowning as he faced the menacing protesters.

He was originally the magistrate of Xuanzhou in North Zhili, but he finally managed to turn Xuanfu into a sweet potato planting center, making the originally barren and sparsely populated Xuanfu the fastest-growing state capital in North Zhili. However, with a transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel, he was He was transferred from the position of the magistrate of Xuanzhou to the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Industry's camp and repair department.

The doctor of the Ministry of Industry, Camp, and Cleansing Bureau was only a fifth-rank official, while he, the prefect of Xuanzhou, was a fourth-rank official. But instead of being unhappy, Jiao Ren felt that there was smoke coming out of his ancestral graves. Although the Xuanzhou prefect had a higher rank, But he is only a local official. Although the rank of the doctor in the Ministry of Industry is low, he is still a Beijing official. The third level of Beijing official is equivalent to him being promoted by half a level!
There are so many prefectures in the Ming Dynasty, and there are many prefects, big and small, but there are only so many officials in the capital. How many people will never be able to enter the capital in their lifetime!
Of course, Jiao Ren knew very well that the reason why he was transferred to the capital and held such an important position was not because of his own interests, but entirely because of the promotion of his consort Ouyang Lun. This was confirmed after he entered the capital. .

The official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs who contacted him clearly told him that it was Ouyang Lun, the Prince Consort, who personally appointed him as a general and appointed him as a doctor in the Ministry of Works' camp and repair department!
What is the position of a doctor in the Ministry of Industry's Camp and Repair Department?
It's very simple, but all construction on land is related to him. One of the four departments of the Ministry of Industry, he is in charge of the construction of roads, palaces, mausoleums, city walls, temples, warehouses, buildings, barracks, and mansions. He also supervises craftsmen, For labor service, materials are prepared, materials are sorted and stored in preparation for construction. There is one doctor, three outside assistants, and four directors. They are affiliated with the civil service department, the construction department, the brick and wood department, the cabinet department, and the craftsman department.

It can be said that he is the head of the four departments of the Ministry of Industry, and his authority in the Ministry of Industry is only under the Minister of Works and the Minister of Works, and even on an equal footing with the Minister of Works!
Jiao Ren secretly made up his mind to work well in the capital and not to embarrass his consort.

Just when Jiao Ren was about to start a big fight in the capital, the imperial court's education reform began. Originally, education reform had little to do with the Ministry of Industry, but when schools were built across the country, this matter had something to do with the Ministry of Industry. In order to ensure that all regions If the school can maintain quality and quantity, someone must patrol the country, and this burden undoubtedly falls on Jiao Ren.

As soon as Jiao Ren settled in the capital, he could only start touring around non-stop.

The construction of primary schools in various places has been relatively smooth. When the villagers heard that the imperial court provided free schools and free education, they all agreed. However, it was different when it came to the county town. There was already a semi-official and semi-private teaching institution like the county school. Now we are building new schools and shutting down these county schools, which undoubtedly touches the interests of some people.

Therefore, the establishment of county middle schools was difficult.

This time, the resistance in Danyang County was the fiercest. The people surrounding the construction site of Danyang Middle School were all old people or simple Confucian students who were not deeply involved in the world. They looked excited. No matter how Jiao Ren tried to persuade them, these people were indifferent at all. Jiao Ren also It is clear that these people are just pawns, and the real behind-the-scenes driving forces are not present at all.

"Hmph! That prince-in-law Ouyang Lun is really fooling around! He actually wants to replace us, it's just a wishful thinking!"

Hearing this, the people around him fell silent.

At this moment, he was in a private room of a restaurant not far from the construction site of Danyang Middle School.

"That's right! Of course we have the final say on education in a county. When will it be his turn to make the decision?"

"We must not let this Danyang Middle School be established. If we cannot control the scholars in the county, then who will listen to us in the future?"

There were eight or nine people in the private room at the moment. Among them, Magistrate Hu in county magistrate's official uniform, Mr. Zhou dressed as a scholar, and Mr. Wu dressed as a country squire were firmly seated in the core position. The others were all talking around these three people.

"Yes, if you catch us, more people will come forward!"

"If you continue to persist in your stubbornness, you will definitely be severely punished by the law!"

"We are not afraid at all. If you want to arrest us, just arrest them!"

“This time we must unite and we must not allow Ouyang’s so-called education reform to be implemented!”

"You have to consider the price of this!"

Jiao Ren continued: "You are not afraid. According to the newly promulgated law, once you are punished, first of all you will not be able to take the imperial examination, not even the civil service examination for state-owned enterprise employees, teacher qualifications, etc. Not only you, you guys Not even immediate family members!”

"As a parent official of Danyang County, I will naturally not let the Prince Consort Party mess around. However, now that the Prince Consort Party is so powerful, I am just a small county magistrate and cannot compete with them. I can only silently support you. Please give me your support." Forgive me!" Magistrate Hu, who is in his forties, said slowly.

"Magistrate Hu, Mr. Zhou, and Mr. Wu, you three are the gods of our Danyang County. You must not let Ouyang Lun, a treacherous official, mess around!"

"If the traitor Ouyang Lun continues to be in power, my country will be in danger!"

While these people were discussing, Jiao Ren also made a decision in front of the construction site of Danyang Middle School. He took out a small loudspeaker and shouted to the people protesting around him: "The establishment of this middle school is a grand plan of the imperial court. If you stop it, you are already violating it." Law!"

These people are not afraid of being caught or beaten, but if it affects their loved ones and their own future, then they have to think carefully about it.

"Ouyang Lun is a traitor!" Zhou, who is over sixty years old and has a gray beard, said angrily: "Li Dongyang and others are my close friends, but they were made unable to speak or write in their limbs by Ouyang Lun. He and King Zhou of the Yin and Shang Dynasties There is a difference!”

After hearing this, the protestors were not afraid at all, and some even started shouting.

"The fact that Magistrate Hu is here today is the greatest support for us. I have already sent people to surround the construction site of the middle school. I will never let them start work!" Mr. Wu, a squire with a fat head and big ears, and hands full of gemstones, said With a proud face, he turned around and asked, "Mr. Zhou, what do you think of this matter?"

"And with such a stain, many large trading companies won't want you!"

Seeing that his words had an effect, he admired in his heart that the Prince Consort was really clever, and then continued: "I know that it is not your intention to stop you today, and I am not a harsh person. As long as you all leave now, don't If you prevent the normal construction of the school, I can forget about the past, but if someone is stubborn, it will be too late for you to suffer! "

As soon as these words came out, the scene was in commotion.

After a while, an old man in the protesting crowd gritted his teeth and said, "Although I'm not afraid of anything, my grandson is very smart and will definitely go to high school in the future. I can't ruin my grandson's future! I won't accompany you anymore." !”

After saying that, the old man left with his crutch.

As soon as the first person takes the lead, others will follow.

"After all, I have been studying hard for several years. If I can't get the honors, then my life will be useless! It's so unworthy!"

"Forget it, I'll leave too."

It didn't take long before only half of the originally mighty protesting crowd remained.

Seeing this, Jiao Ren said in a deep voice: "It seems that you are going to fight to the end, someone is here!"

"grown ups!"

Swish--

Suddenly, two teams of people rushed out from the construction site and directly surrounded the remaining people.

"Capture these people and put them in prison. After I finish the school, I will convict them one by one!"

Seeing the armed and unfamiliar officers and soldiers, the remaining protesters panicked.

"Sir, we won't stop you!"

"Sir, please let us go, let's leave now!"

The protesting crowd immediately started crying.

"I asked you to leave before, but you refused to leave. Now that things are coming, are you anxious?" Jiao Ren said coldly: "It's too late now!"

Hearing this, the group of people looked remorseful in their eyes. If they had known this would happen, they should have left just now. Now not only will they face jail time, but their relatives will also be affected!

Just when the remaining people were desperate and regretful, Jiao Ren spoke again: "However, I am still willing to give you one last chance!"

"As long as you tell me who instigated you to cause trouble and stop me, I will let you go this time!"

"how?"

As soon as these words came out, the scene became quiet again, no one dared to say a word. Jiao Ren shook his head, "It seems that you still don't give up. In this case, there is nothing more to say. Apart from what I just said, you will be sent to northern Xinjiang and other construction sites with difficult environments. Can you come back alive? , then it depends on whether your life is tough enough."

"Take them all away!"

Officers and soldiers began to rush towards the protesting crowd.

"Sir, let me tell you! Master Wu asked us to come. He promised that as long as we successfully stop you from building the school, each of us can get five taels of silver!"

"I was also sent here by Mr. Wu!"

Finally someone in the crowd couldn't help but speak out.

"Master Wu?" Jiao Ren frowned.

"Master Wu is Wu Zhongxian, the richest squire in Danyang County, and he is the one who recruited us!" someone immediately explained.

"Okay, I know!" Jiao Ren nodded and ordered again, "Except for letting go of the few people who reported just now, take down all the others!"

"In addition, send people to arrest Wu Zhongxian! Who dares to stop them all! A country squire dares to block the imperial government's plan. He really overestimates his capabilities!"

"Yes!"

The officers and soldiers immediately split into two. One part continued to arrest the protesters at the scene, and the other part left the scene to arrest Wu Zhongxian.

It didn't take long for the officers and soldiers to escort a group of people back.

"Sir, the criminal Wu Zhongxian and other protesters have all been arrested!"

The captain of the officers and soldiers clasped his fists and said to Jiao Ren.

Jiao Ren was a little surprised when he looked at the people who had been arrested, because it was not only Wu Zhongxian who was arrested, but also many people he knew.

"Magistrate Hu and Mr. Zhou, why were you arrested? Why are you also opposed to building a middle school?"

"That's not right. Yesterday at the dinner table, you two patted your chests and told me that you supported the construction of the middle school? Could it be that all of this was a show you put on in front of me?" Jiao Ren asked with a sneer.

"Master Jiao, there is a misunderstanding here! We were just having a meal with Mr. Wu, and your people captured us all out of nowhere!" Magistrate Hu said with a smile.

At this time, the captain of the officers and soldiers also spoke: "Returning to your lord, when my subordinates were arresting people, these guys were secretly discussing in a private room of a restaurant, brazenly talking about destroying the middle school. When my subordinates went in to arrest people, they all resisted. , I will simply escort them all back!"

"Very good, well done!" Jiao Ren nodded with satisfaction, "Now it seems that you resisted the imperial policy and acted as the driving force behind the scenes. The facts are clear and the evidence is sufficient. You will all be detained by me!"

"Yes!"

The officers and soldiers waved their hands and took Magistrate Hu, Mr. Zhou, Boss Wu and others away.

"I am an official of the imperial court. Jiao Ren, you are just a doctor from the Ministry of Works and you have no right to deal with me!"

"It's a joke. I am an imperial envoy sent by the imperial court. I have the authority to kill officials at or below the county magistrate first and then report them later. I will have no problem killing you!"

"Jiao Ren, you are just one of Ouyang Lun's dogs! They are all treacherous ministers, you will not die a good death!"

"Tch - how many people these days want to be the prince's consort's dog, but you still can't be one!"

"Master Jiao, I have money. As long as you let me go, I can give you a lot of money."

"You are the most honest, but I don't dare to accept your money. However, the prince-in-law said that this time we will not only build the school, but also specifically attack the gentry and divide the rich. From the moment you are captured, you The money doesn’t belong to you anymore!”

Hearing Jiao Ren's words, Magistrate Hu, Mr. Zhou, and Boss Wu looked ashen and could no longer say a word.

The expressions of other people around them suddenly changed when they saw that the three most powerful people in Danyang County were taken down like this. At this moment, they clearly realized that Danyang County was about to change! !

Sure enough, after taking down Magistrate Hu, Mr. Zhou, Boss Wu and other privileged people in Danyang, Jiao Ren began drastic reforms. No one stopped him, and the reforms went smoothly.

Danyang Middle School was successfully completed, ten days ahead of schedule. Teachers who passed the assessment and training were gradually in place, and Danyang Middle School began its first enrollment.

The enrollment of middle schools is different from that of elementary schools. Students with certain basic skills are required, and there are also age requirements. They must be over twelve years old and under twenty years old. Although there are requirements, the free tuition alone attracts countless people of the right age. Come and sign up.

On the other hand, the county schools established by Mr. Zhou and the private schools controlled by the gentry were directly hollowed out.

After all, there are schools managed by the imperial court and tuition fees are free. Who would go to a private school except those whose families have a lot of money?

After solving the problem in Danyang County, Jiao Ren began to go to the next county and followed the same pattern. While supervising the construction of the school, he also disintegrated the old local power structure. Of course, Jiao Ren could not go to every county, and the court also had arrangements Other officials patrolled, but the final results were similar.

One county after another was captured, and the officials and scholars involved were escorted back to the capital. As for the squires, they were dealt with directly on the spot. It was easiest to confiscate their homes, fine them, and send them to northern Xinjiang.

Capital City, formerly the residence of the Korean Duke.

"The old Prime Minister is in trouble!"

"The old Prime Minister is in trouble!"

Duke Feng Sheng of Song and Lan Yu, Duke of Liang, came in a hurry.

"What happened? What made the two princes so panicked?"

Li Shanchang walked out with the support of two young maids.

"Old Duke, news has been coming from all over the country in the past two days. Ouyang Lun has sent many imperial envoys to supervise the construction of local schools." Lan Yu said hurriedly.

"Isn't this normal? Ouyang Lun's so-called education reform revolutionized the lives of those great Confucian scholars. Although Ouyang Lun successfully appeased those protesting Confucian students outside the palace, those protesting Confucian students were just pawns. Ouyang Lun wanted to face him. That's right, those great Confucians of the time! As long as those great Confucians of the time are still there, his educational reform cannot be successful. We just have to sit back and wait for Ouyang Lun and those great Confucians to lose both sides, and then our Huaixi Party can sit back and reap the benefits. profit!"

Li Shanchang has been in a good mood these two days. Since the Huaixi Party lowered its profile under his arrangement, it has stopped its losses and is no longer a thorn in the side of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. More importantly, the Huaixi Party and Confucianism are strong Get up, this is definitely an opportunity for the Huaixi Party.

"Old Prime Minister, don't mention those great scholars of the time. Each one of them speaks powerfully. When it comes to fighting with real swords and guns, they are extremely weak. Not to mention the provinces where the Prince Consort's influence is relatively large. Even in places like Southern Zhili, no one can defeat them. They could not fight the Prince Consort officials in three rounds before being captured, and some even surrendered directly. Now most of the Ming Dynasty has been taken over by the Prince Consort Party. "Compulsory education will be fully implemented soon," Feng Sheng said speechlessly.

what! ?

Li Shanchang said speechlessly: "Are these great scholars so inexperienced?"

(End of this chapter)