Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 459 A gentleman has no power
Having said that, all the old foxes in the cabinet must know who's intention is.
There were ministers who opposed the emperor, but they were always on major issues. For example, in the contest between the Three Yangs and Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, the slogan "The country has nurtured scholars for a hundred years, and they will die for justice today." was shouted loudly, but there were very few ministers who would actually hit the pillar! If there were the ability, more than a hundred people would die together, that would be spectacular.

If something like this really happened, the emperor would be powerless.

This kind of thing will never happen in this dynasty, not to mention that it is not worth risking your life with the emperor.

Isn't it just promoting a young official? No problem! They are not important positions.

There are two ways to vote: anonymous voting and raising hands.

With only a few people in the cabinet, the latter option was naturally adopted. If you can't even express your attitude in front of the emperor, then what's the point of being a cabinet minister?

Zhang Tingen was the first to raise his hand, followed by Lin Ruhai who hesitated for a moment, and then Pan Jixun.

Ning Ke and Guo Yan knew that they could not change the outcome, so they simply did not raise their hands, lest they be seen by the emperor as being indecisive.

"With more than three votes, the resolution has been passed. The cabinet will draft the imperial edict, and I will issue it with my seal."

The attendant was writing furiously in the corner, recording it.

[On the tenth day of February, the cabinet voted to upgrade the Research and Development Department to the Research and Development Office, and specially appointed Supervisory Censor Jia Lian (rank four) to hold the title of Assistant Minister.]

A hundred years later, people at that time had different understandings of this record and disputes arose. One interpretation is that Jia Lian, as an imperial censor, led the Research and Development Department and was promoted to vice minister. Another interpretation is that Jia Lian was transferred from the Imperial Censorate to the Research and Development Department as vice minister. The Research and Development Department was later split into multiple departments after many times, but that is another story.

This type of people still think of doing history based on historical materials, while some people directly invent history.

Jia Lian, who was unaware of the situation, was inspecting the progress of the project on the street. The entire capital was now full of construction sites, with trenches being dug, smoke and dust filling the air. After walking for a while, he was covered in dust.

The people of the capital were talking about it. It had been many years and they hadn't seen such a big commotion in the capital.

The lower-class people are the happiest. At this time, they can have a job and earn ten cents a day. It is really a great favor from the emperor!

The tone of external propaganda is very unified. Your Majesty uses the imperial treasury to repair the roads, and the wages and benefits are all determined by Your Majesty.

Many elderly people shouted excitedly: Long live the Emperor of the Great Zhou.

Well, this was really spontaneous and not arranged by Mr. Jia.

The eunuch found Jia Lian at the construction site and summoned him into the palace.

Emperor Chenghui looked at Jia Lian, who was covered in dust, and frowned, "How did it become like this?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not neglect the people's livelihood projects." Jia Lian spoke the truth, and there was no need to say anything else.

After Emperor Chenghui announced the decision made at the cabinet meeting, he added: "I just want to see what this R&D Division, now a department, can actually become."

Jia Lian tilted his head and thought for a while: "I don't know either!"

This is the truth. No one knows what this strange behemoth will look like in the future. We may not be able to see the result in our lifetime.

Emperor Chenghui was surprised for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's true. This is unprecedented, how can we predict the outcome? I only know that you didn't ask the court for a penny of funding, and you have supported tens of thousands of people, and they are living well. If the workshops in the court can achieve this level, I will have less worries."

Jia Lian showed some shame and said: "It's not that there is no funding. The craftsmen and equipment are ready. This humble minister can be regarded as having seized a part of the foundation of the Ministry of Works."

Emperor Chenghui laughed and said, "You'd better not mention the Ministry of Works. Let them do some work. They only know how to ask the court for money."

Jia Lian smiled and said, "It is understandable that officials in the imperial court work for money. Compared with other government offices, the Ministry of Works is quite good at eating."

Emperor Chenghui was so angry that he laughed, "How can you tell the truth? Don't I have any face?"
"Get lost, stop making slanderous remarks here. It's not easy for the court to be in the current situation. Stability is hard-won, so we must cherish it. When you leave, remember to have someone go to the Ministry of Revenue to pay the taxes."

Jia Lian obeyed the order and took his leave. After coming out, he felt somewhat proud. He actually got the title of Minister. Who could have thought of that?

I went directly to the Research and Development Department and asked the people below to sort out the accounts and go to the Ministry of Revenue to pay taxes. In fact, the fact that the country does not have a separate tax department is not a problem of the court system, but the original intention of the system was to save money. In all dynasties, there have been more or less problems with redundant officials, but of course, this problem is not a problem in the eyes of modern people.

At least in Jia Lian's view, the country has fewer civil servants, not more.

At this stage, it is basically impossible to abolish the power structure in which the imperial power does not extend to the countryside. Without a political party with a clear program to launch a thorough social revolution, this problem cannot be solved.

In modern society, there are still people clamoring for local elites to govern together! I don’t know who gave them the courage.

After the official announcement was issued, there was a cheer throughout the R&D department, especially the group of officials who had changed jobs, all of whom shouted that His Majesty was wise and Lord Jia was intelligent.

The upgrading of a government office requires a process, and the R&D Department itself needs to report on how many institutions to set up.

Jia Lian and his team worked for two days to get the subordinate departments in place. They temporarily set up the Military Industry Department, the Economic and Trade Department, the Urban Construction Department, the Agriculture and Forestry Department, the Science and Technology Department, and the Logistics Department, a total of six departments, which were larger than the Ministry of Industry. The key point was that after the R&D Department reported it, the cabinet quickly passed it and submitted it to His Majesty for approval. It was done on the same day. The efficiency was so high that it was jaw-dropping.

The Ministry of Personnel could only hold its nose and issue official certificates according to the list submitted. Five of two types of officials and ten Yuanwailang were promoted in one go. The officials of the seventh and eighth ranks below also rose accordingly.

The eyes of low-ranking officials from other government offices in the capital turned red with jealousy.

This bunch of losers who can only do work normally are now on equal footing with us, and some of them are even superior to us.

When we meet in the future, I will have to take the initiative to greet him because of my low level.

On the day when the R&D Department was officially opened, many officials got drunk in the brothel. Some drank too much because they were happy, while others drank to vent their anger.

Jia Lian did not join in the drinking celebration, but went home to burn incense to his ancestors.

As the legal wife, Wang Xifeng benefited greatly. She was granted the fourth-rank imperial edict and was directly promoted to a higher rank. That same day, a eunuch came from the palace and promoted Wang Xifeng.

Grandmother Jia was also very happy, her eyes were filled with tears of excitement. She held Jia Lian's hand and kept talking to him, saying that the Jia family was prosperous again.

Wasn't it prosperous before? I can only say that only the person who drinks the water knows whether it is hot or cold!
Before Jia Lian rose to power, the power of the Jia family had to pass through Wang Ziteng, otherwise Jia Yucun would not have had the opportunity to become the prefect of Jinling. Lin Ruhai also contributed to this.

After Zhang Ting'en got off duty, he called Jia Lian to his home and asked him, "When will the ceremony of coming of age be held? You haven't taken a name yet, have you? How about I give you a name?"

Jia Lian had no objection and even expressed gratitude: "Thank you very much, Master, for the calligraphy!"

Zhang Ting'en touched his chin, pondered for a while and said, "A gentleman is not an instrument, not an instrument, how about that?"

"Buqi? Jia Buqi? Very good, my teacher is indeed knowledgeable." Jia Lian took the photo very smoothly, it has become a habit. Zhang Ting'en was amused and nodded at him: "Let me know the time of the ceremony, and I will go there then."

Three days later, Jia Lian officially performed the ceremony of coming of age. Normally, this matter was supposed to be Jia She's business, but this father was incompetent and didn't care about the matter. He only cared about his own happiness.

Jia Lian performed his coming-of-age ceremony, and Lin Ruhai also arrived. That day, the Jia family opened the main door for the second time to welcome the distinguished guest.

The ones who were able to enjoy this treatment were first Zhang Tingen who came to visit, and then the emperor sent Qiu Shian to express his congratulations.

Qiu Shi'an sat at the top and accepted Jia Lian's three kneelings and nine kowtows on behalf of the emperor, and watched the entire ceremony.

Back in the palace, Qiu Shian told about the name Zhang Tingen gave Jia Lian. Emperor Chenghui read it out: "Buqi, Zhang had high expectations for his students! The meaning is also related to the name Lian. Why didn't I think of it?" Emperor Chenghui actually regretted that he had forgotten about Jia Lian's coming-of-age ceremony, and Zhang Tingen snatched away the opportunity to give Jia Lian a name. This story of the good relationship between the monarch and his subjects had a flaw.

A trivial incident happened in the Wucheng Bingmasi after the New Year. The Dongcheng Censor was replaced. After Jian Renda's report was submitted, Lin Ruhai approved it on the same day.

Although the matter seemed to have nothing to do with Jia Lian, in fact all the officials in the Bingmasi knew that this was what Jia Lian meant.

Don’t ask if there is someone behind Lao Gu. Anyway, Jia Lian can’t tolerate him, so he has to get out!
Lin Ruhai also took charge of the selection of the new East City Censor. If there was an opportunity to send people to the Five Cities Military Department, it would be legitimate. Wouldn't it be stupid not to send people there?
Jia Lian chose to acquiesce. In fact, Jia Lian didn't care who was the East City Censor. What he cared about was whether there was only one voice in the Five Cities Military Department.

Jia Lian is still holding the position of Special Censor. How can I say this? Jia Lian wanted to resign, but the emperor did not allow him to do so. He also warned him that others might not care about some things when they see them, but you will definitely care about them when you see them. In the capital area, combined with the Wucheng Bingmasi government office, this special censor is just right.

How can I put it? I don't feel safe leaving it to someone else! I'm worried that it will ruin the current good situation.

A year later, Niu Jizong formally submitted a memorial, expressing his willingness to emulate the Han Dynasty's Huo Wei and expand the territory for the imperial court.

This memorial triggered heated discussions among court officials.

It is still divided into two sides. One side argues that the times have changed and Western countries are constantly expanding their influence. How can our great Celestial Empire fall behind?
The other side advocated that a country, no matter how big it is, will perish if it is warlike. They believed that Wang Ziteng opened up Jiaozhi, and the court spent money and effort, but received little in return.

First the argument took place at court meetings, then in newspapers.

While the two sides were arguing with each other, Jia Lian wrote an article under the pen name "Buqi".

The title is: The throat of the Maritime Silk Road cannot be placed in the hands of others.

The article begins with foreign trade, and after listing a series of data, it points out that foreign trade has become an important part of the country's fiscal revenue. Once foreign trade declines, it will inevitably affect the income of people related to the entire upstream and downstream industries. It seems that the Westerners crossing the sea now is a good thing to make money sitting at home. Everything is prepared, and if it is not prepared, it will be abandoned. What if the foreigners don't come one day in the future? It is very likely that the war between Westerners has cut off the sea route. This situation is not unprecedented. It once happened in the early Ming Dynasty, which led to a sharp decline in the central finances in the late Ming Dynasty.

The core idea of ​​the thousands of words is to take control of the key passages of the South China Sea. Even if the foreigners don't come, we can go there by ourselves.

If you want to take the initiative in foreign trade, you must control some places, such as Malacca.

How to control it? Of course, they would send troops to the area, such as the Xuanweisi agency established during the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty.

As soon as this article was published, the debate reached a boiling point. Opponents turned their attention to the pen name [Buqi] and launched a brutal beating.

At this critical juncture, Wang Ziteng submitted a memorial, requesting to resign as the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, and went to his fiefdom in Jiaozhi County to take charge of the Governor-General of Jiaozhi.

Of course, Wang Ziteng also had his own requirements, such as requiring craftsmen, requiring preferential trade policies, and since they were all his own people, taxes that could be exempted should be exempted, and they could not be treated the same as Westerners, etc.

Wang Ziteng's resignation was already decided. You already have a fief, so it is not appropriate for you to continue to serve as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. However, the emperor had considered that the territory he had just conquered had little income and needed the support of the court. Therefore, he did not mention this matter. If the emperor and the cabinet did not mention it, Wang Ziteng pretended to be confused, which was not tactful.

The so-called Governor-General of Jiaozhi was nominally a region under the imperial court, but in reality it was Wang Ziteng's private kingdom.

The cabinet held another meeting to discuss Wang Ziteng's memorial and Niu Jizon's memorial.

This was an enlarged cabinet meeting, with all the ministers of the six ministries, princes and dukes present.

After the meeting, Zhang Tingen's topic was not whether or not to expand outward, but rather what proportion of annual fiscal revenue should be submitted to the central government in cases like Jiaozhi County.

In other words, with the support of the imperial court, it was inevitable that Wang Ziteng would return the territory he had conquered to the imperial court.

There is no need to discuss this issue anymore, namely whether we need to face the sea and expand our territory.

It was like holding a mobilization meeting for the princes and dukes present. Look, Wang Ziteng now has a fiefdom, but you can only live a life of idleness and wait for death in the capital.

The meeting lasted three full days and, as usual, there was endless debate.

Jia Lian did not participate. He stayed at home and continued to write articles, fan the flames, and brag about facing the sea and opening up the South Seas.

Various arguments continued to fly in the newspapers, saying all sorts of things.

Li Heng did have the opportunity to attend the meeting, but he did not have the chance to speak. He just listened during the day and after the meeting, he quietly invited Jia Lian to come in the evening.

Ever since Li Heng came into contact with Esmeralda, he has no resistance to sexy foreign girls.

So, he built a house privately and kept seven or eight exotic beauties, and he would come here to have fun whenever he had nothing to do.

Jia Lian came to visit quietly at night, naturally because he didn't want outsiders to know.

Li Heng met Jia Lian, invited him in and took a seat, then pointed at a group of foreign girls and said, "Take any one you like with you when you leave."

Jia Lian was so angry that he laughed: "Do I need this? Okay, if you have something to say, just tell me now. You sneaked out like a thief."

Li Heng talked about the debate at the meeting. Zhang Tingen started the debate, but it was useless. In the end, they still quarreled. It was not about whether to expand or not, but about the support of the court for those expansionists. The first voice, Wang Ziteng, was an exception. There must not be a second one. The governor of the court took the conquered territory for himself. This trend should not be allowed to continue.

The second voice is that without the support of the court, how can the frontier ministers have the ability to expand the territory? The court should not only support, but also increase its support.

The civil servants basically held the first position, while the princes and dukes supported the second.

After Li Heng finished speaking, he expressed his confusion: "For this kind of matter, Father and the cabinet should have reached a consensus and directly issued an edict to make it clear. Is there a need to argue? They even held a meeting for several days."

Jia Lian didn't answer in a hurry, but first let the foreign girl keep her distance, and then smiled and said: "If there is only one voice in the court, it means that there is a big problem in the country. As long as the quarrels in the court are controlled within a proper degree, it is good for the country. Your Majesty and the ministers in the cabinet are very clear about this principle, so they specially held a meeting, set the tone, and let everyone quarrel."

Li Heng was even more confused. The national system was designed to ensure the supremacy of imperial power. How come when it came into Jia Lian's mouth, it became something that required a different voice?
Jia Lian saw Li Heng's puzzled expression and smiled, "It's not a bad thing when someone contradicts you. When you understand this truth, Your Highness will become a wise man. When you are confronted with insults but do not get angry, it means that Your Highness has the basic qualities to become a qualified emperor."

(End of this chapter)