Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 554 The Need for an Emperor's Mindset

The confrontation between Zhang Ting'en and Li Qing is not that simple. Both of them are from the Qingyun faction, and Zhang Ting'en has temporarily won the faction leader dispute. Moreover, the emperor needs someone in the cabinet to hold Zhang Ting'en back, so that the progress of the reform will not be too radical and get out of control. It is also a kind of imperial mentality to balance the overall situation.

Li Qing thought about Zhang Tingen's plan of secretly attacking Chencang over and over again, but he had no idea how to crack it. However, he was not discouraged, because all strategies needed the emperor's support to be implemented.

In the past, Li Qing was the headmaster and Zhang Tingen was just an instructor. Now the positions are reversed and Li Qing is not much behind. In Li Qing's opinion, he was at a disadvantage because he did not have the support of the emperor.

Therefore, it is not that the two of them cannot fight each other. Even if they are really not opponents, the emperor will support Li Qing and let him continue to fight.

Li Qing stopped struggling and sat down calmly. Zhang Tingen looked around with the attitude of a winner and said, "Everyone, if you have no objection, this strategy is passed."

Guo Yan looked at Li Qing, and seeing that he didn't say anything, he also shut his mouth. In the past, it was Guo Yan who held the banner against the Prime Minister, but now it was Li Qing who took over. Guo Yan was happy to see it happen, after all, the emperor was happy to see the Qingyun faction split.

As for Lin Ruhai, he was not worth worrying about. He supported Zhang Tingen because the emperor needed his support. If the emperor no longer needed it, he would not support him.

As far as his own positioning is concerned, Lin Ruhai has a very stable grasp of it. There are many officials of this kind in the court, and Fang Song, the most typical one, is the unscrupulous and brainless dog thief who stands in the emperor's favor.

"Henan Province's land clearance operation uncovered a huge amount of hidden farmland. We will confiscate it and the parties involved will not be punished." Guo Yan spoke first, trying to set the tone.

Lin Ruhai seemed to have known that someone would say this, and he immediately said, "It's too light. If you do something wrong, you must accept the punishment. For three years, the nine generations of the person involved will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations."

The emperor had no expression, and Zhang Tingen had no attitude either. Others nodded and echoed this view. Pan Jixun said, "A small punishment and a big warning are in line with your majesty's benevolence and forgiveness."

Emperor Chenghui frowned slightly, then relaxed quickly. Zhang Tingen said decisively, "That's it."

"The Inspectorate should send a team to Henan to investigate the old cases and punish those who are typical of collusion between officials and gentry." The emperor, who had been silent, finally spoke. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that the emperor would get angry and take ruthless action, which would cause chaos in Henan.

As for catching typical cases, one or two will be enough, don't make a big deal out of it.

The rule in those days was that the imperial power did not extend below the county level, and even the cabinet leaders would not easily touch this bottom line.

This bottom line was not formed in a day or two, but evolved over more than a thousand years from the Western Han Dynasty's relatives to the aristocratic families to the imperial examination. Of course, the contribution of Zhu Yuanzhang's eight-part essay selection is also indispensable. It can only be said that the imperial examination, which was a leading version, was certainly fairer when it was upgraded to the eight-part essay selection, but it was also ruined.

After the cabinet meeting reached a resolution, the subsequent implementation was very fast. After the court document was issued, it caused a lot of controversy, but there was no big wave. Even if there was, it was an undercurrent.

Officials in this era are like this. If you don't do it, there are plenty of people who will do it. As long as the emperor's prestige is great enough and the cabinet cooperates, no matter how much the people below refute the policy, it will be useless.

The key point is that this time, the emperor and the cabinet learned their lesson and first dealt with the officials and then cleared the land.

After the official document was released, the inspection team went to Henan and found typical cases without difficulty. After all, how did the collusion between officials and gentry work? How could the officials not know it? It was too clear!
Find a gentry with a bad reputation and great public resentment, and then find an official who is a money-grabbing official to tie him up with, and everything will be natural.

The former prefect of Shangqiu and a local gentry named Zhang were taken as examples. It was not a big deal if you didn't know about this, but when several murders were investigated, they really became examples.

The previous prefect had just taken office for two days elsewhere when the Dragon Guard came to arrest people. The gentry named Zhang was even more evil and several cases of murder and property seizure were uncovered.

All the people involved in the case were arrested one after another. Based on the principle of severe punishment and quick results, the inspection team sentenced the former prefect to hanging and his family to exile in Southeast Asia. The gentry surnamed Zhang was beheaded and his three clans were exiled to Southeast Asia.

The memorial reached the capital and was approved within three days. The emperor reviewed it with his own hand and executed the person immediately without waiting for the autumn.

The information about the case spread throughout the country through newspapers, which had a severe deterrent effect on the gentry and also demonstrated the emperor's determination to implement the new policy.

Emperor Chenghui's reforms were very unique. He was not in a hurry and did them one by one.

As for the establishment of a special tax commissioner in Nanyang, it did not cause much controversy. That was overseas, what did it have to do with China? At least most people could not see the deep meaning behind it. Even if someone saw it, no one would believe it and would think he was worrying too much.

Jia Lian, who was in Southeast Asia, had to return to Guangzhou because the provincial examination was about to begin.

Even though Jia Lian handed it over to the governor and the education commissioner, they still had to come out and take part when the time came. The Celestial Empire has always attached great importance to education, and this is no joke.

This year's provincial examinations in Guangdong and Guangxi are very unique in that the examination content has been greatly adjusted. The eight-legged essay is still tested, but its importance has been greatly reduced.

The content of mathematics and practical science accounted for about half of the total. If you scored less than 60 points in the mathematics and practical science test, you would not be able to pass the exam.

In contrast, the quality of eight-part essays is more subjective. The importance of poetry and prose is almost negligible.

The reason why it is Guangdong and Guangxi is naturally because the governor of Guangxi also chose the same standard, and the purpose is naturally to flatter.

The governor can ignore the governor, but who would do that if there is no need? When Jia Lian was acting governor, he never interfered with Guangxi, which was good enough. Unlike Wang Ziteng, who wanted money, food, and people.

The imperial examination system was too inhumane. Jia Lian had wanted to change it a long time ago, but in the end he felt that it was too sensitive to touch.

The provincial examination, which lasted for three sessions and nine days in total, is over. This time the marking was much easier than before, as it mainly involved mathematics and practical studies, and there were standard answers for all of them.

As for the difficulty, in Jia Lian's opinion, it is only at the level of part of junior high school physics and chemistry, and does not include electricity. It is not enough for people of this era and they need to start from scratch without a teacher to teach them.

This is a talent-based thing. To put it bluntly, writing articles requires reading and writing a lot, becoming a skilled worker, and being able to write something decent. As for math, physics, and chemistry, if you don't understand, you don't understand.

Many so-called prestigious scholars in Guangdong and Guangxi failed in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Speaking of reputation, it is still very useful in this era, but it can be artificially created. For example, if you are very rich, you can invite a few so-called celebrities to a party, write an article, and let them brag about you. If you give them enough money, they can say anything disgusting. After all, this is a very small circle, and they all lift each other up. After the party, publish a collection of essays at your own expense and give it away for free, and you will become famous.

But this method doesn't work for math, physics and chemistry, don't you believe it? Come, try this question. If you know how to do it, you know how to do it. If you don't know how to do it, you can only write a solution and then sit there in a daze.

Well, an interesting thing happened before the provincial examination. Many scholars went to technical schools to attend classes.

Is it embarrassing? Well, for the sake of success in the imperial examination, it is not embarrassing.

You know what, many people take their questions to technical schools for help, and it really helps.

The provincial examination ended successfully, and there were actually a few people who had excellent scores in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Without exception, these people were among the top ten.

If the events in Henan shocked the world, the provincial examinations in Guangdong and Guangxi were like a hurricane.

You know, scholars are the best at stirring up trouble. Many of the famous local scholars were unwilling to accept failure in the imperial examination, so they naturally stirred up trouble.

With Jia Lian in charge in Guangdong, ordinary people are naturally convinced by Governor Jia, who has brought them practical benefits. Scholars who want to make trouble are watched by a group of officials who are as fierce as wolves and tigers, ready to show off their political achievements at any time and to please the governor and acting governor-general. The dissatisfied scholars can only hold back.

It was different in Guangxi. On the day when the provincial examination results were announced, many scholars gathered in Guilin, causing quite a stir. Fortunately, the local governor had been prepared and sent troops to disperse them.

The governor of Guangxi was worried that if the incident got out of hand, it would have a bad impact on him, so he immediately reported it to Jia Lian, hoping that he could give a clear strategy.

Jia Lian replied quickly, saying that if they continued to make trouble, they would be arrested and the Education Commissioner would strip them of their titles. "How could a few scholars dare to rebel?"

The governor of Guangxi received the reply and immediately felt emboldened. Some scholars were unwilling to give up and gathered together to cause trouble. They were caught and arrested. The governor of Guangxi threatened to strip them of their official titles, and only then did they behave themselves. The governor of Guangxi did not strip them of their official titles, not because he loved scholars, but because he was afraid that the matter would get out of hand and he would be blamed.

Jia Lian didn't care about these things at all. After the provincial examination, he entered a busy period again. He had to collect autumn taxes. How could he not be busy? Of course, Jia Lian's busyness was relative. In this era, it was easy for an official to have a leisurely life.

Jia Lian gave himself a day off that day and had nothing to do, so he watched a dance.

The waists of the two dancers were so white and soft, twisting like snakes, and the thin gauze made them more obvious, looming. Ding ding ding, the sound of silver bells was so crisp that it struck my heart and made me feel itchy.

Lord Jia did not join in. Instead, he rubbed the mandarin duck beside him until she blushed, and then he went behind the screen in broad daylight.

This screen is not the original one, but it is big enough. When the weather gets cooler, a bamboo bed can be placed behind it.

Xue Pan, who had a double chin, came to the backyard again. After seeing Baochai, he asked in a flattering tone: "How is Sister Baoqin? Why didn't Brother Lian take her with him when he went to Southeast Asia last time?"

Baochai looked at him speechlessly, thinking to herself, "She lives in the back house, but never goes out all day. Master has only seen her a few times. I can't just tie her up, clean her up and send her over, can I?"

Xue Pan was just asking casually. He was more concerned about whether Baochai could give birth to another child. With the underdeveloped medical technology nowadays, it was easy for a child to die, and having one was not a safe bet.

"Brother usually doesn't come to see me unless it's necessary. What's the matter today?" Baochai knew Xue Pan too well. He was afraid of Jia Lian from the bottom of his heart and would not come to see him unless it was necessary.

"More than a dozen ships came from Nanyang yesterday, most of them were carrying rice. Several newly opened Nanyang rice shops on the street have lowered the price of grain in the city by 10%. Low grain prices hurt farmers. I didn't know about it, but I had to remind you." Xue Pan left the words half-hearted. He was actually more concerned about several ships that were carrying various specialties brought back from Nanyang by mainland merchants. This stuff is really profitable.

Xue Pan has always wanted to do business in Southeast Asia, but hasn't he ever gotten Jia Lian's permission? This time he's here to test the waters.

Baochai didn't believe what he said, but it didn't stop her from asking Ying'er to go and see when Jia Lian would be able to come over.

Ying'er followed the order and went to Jia Lian's courtyard. Following Baochai, Ying'er was actually doing averagely well, only picking up some soup and water, and the rest. She was not as good as the maids, not to mention the third sister.

This time, he came back with another Yuanyang. Although she was a little older, she was in good shape for childbearing. It was no secret that Master Lian was a big cauldron.

Thinking of those slutty bitches who would rather crawl like dogs in order to seduce the master, Ying'er even had trouble walking.

In fact, Yuanyang was quite wronged. She didn't want to do it because it was too embarrassing. But the master was in the mood and had great strength. She resisted but failed.

There were two maids guarding the door. They wanted to stop Ying'er but didn't dare. They could only beg her to wait a while before going in.

Ying'er looked at the sun. It was broad daylight. It was the same when the young lady was in favor.

After staying for a while under the shade of the tree in the courtyard, the maid guarding the gate quietly listened again, and came back to say that there was no sound. Ying'er then went in.

No matter what, no matter how resentful she was, Ying'er dared not disturb the master's interest.

Seeing the two dancers sitting outside, standing up and bowing in fear, Ying'er was stunned for a moment and then shouted, "Master, our uncle is here."

"Got it. I'll be right there." Jia Lian responded and came out in a sweat soon. Ying'er didn't see Yuanyang and guessed that she didn't have the strength to get up.

The dancer came over with a handkerchief in her hand. Jia Lian took it and wiped his sweat off his face, complaining, "What a horrible weather! It's only been cold for two days."

Ying'er waited quietly, and slowly followed Jia Lian after he went out.

When Jia Lian saw Xue Pan, he said angrily, "You are such a rare guest! If I hadn't heard from my mother-in-law recently that you are quite honest and have driven away all the messy people around you, I would have broken your legs so that you can stay at home and have children."

Xue Pan was not angry, and replied with a smile: "There is no need to break your legs. I have something important to tell you." He mentioned the recent arrival of ten ships of rice, which caused the price of grain to fall.

Jia Lian sneered, "Do you think I don't know the grain store's purchase price? I set the lowest purchase price. If I were to say, a 10% drop would be too little!"

Xue Pan quickly apologized with a smile: "Of course I can't hide it from my second brother. Recently, many sea merchants have gone to Southeast Asia, transporting people there and returning with various specialties. It's really a good business."

Jia Lian immediately put away his smile and looked at him coldly: "Other people have the ability to find immigrants and send them over. You are a foreigner, so you'd better not get involved. This is a measure to encourage immigration issued by the Minister of Nanyang, the current Second Prince. Do you really think that the wealth of these local sea merchants fell from the sky?"

Xue Pan was still laughing, and he leaned in closer and whispered, "I heard that those ships carrying grain took back tea and other in-demand Western goods."

Jia Lian raised his foot and hit him hard, knocking him to the ground. He squatted down and looked at Xue Pan's horrified face: "Remember, this business is not something you can think about. Don't lose your life later."

Xue Pan was frightened and swallowed a few times: "People die for money and birds die for food. I am indeed jealous and anxious."

Jia Lian then stood up and said, "Be careful, you may earn money but not live to spend it."

During the whole process, Baochai said nothing and just watched quietly. Only when Jia Lian's tone softened did she step forward and help Xue Pan up.

Jia Lian sat down on the recliner, took a sip of the prepared tea, and said calmly: "Xue Pan, it's too easy to make money, but don't think about all the money."

Xue Pan heard the hidden meaning in the words, stepped forward and said: "Please give me some advice, second brother! These are just small fights, which are meaningless."

Jia Lian remained silent and fell into thought. Although he was now trusted by the emperor and Li Heng had managed his retreat well, how could he be responsible for himself and his family?

Today, the main shipping routes of the world are still in the hands of the British. The competition in the business within the South Seas is too fierce, not to mention the presence of people like Li Yuan.

Xue Pan wanted to start a shipping business, and Jia Lian approved of it, but he refused to allow the business to be done within the Nanyang area.

"Have you contacted Sassoon yet?" Jia Lian asked suddenly. Xue Pan was shocked and shook his head repeatedly: "No, absolutely not."

Nowadays, there are still small-scale sporadic smuggling of opium, which is difficult to stop, and Jia Lian can only increase the intensity of the crackdown. Jia Lian was actually very unhappy that he had not been able to kill Sassoon.

"If you want, you can get a ship to India and Burma, and bring back more jadeite and gemstones. But you must pay the export tax in full. You can give it a try now that no one dares to go this route. Also, bring more people and weapons so that you can fight back if you encounter pirates."

Baochai immediately stopped him and said, "Brother can't go. Just send a steward to go."

Jia Lian nodded: "Indeed! The Wang family should have maintained their relationship with Sassoon. Go and ask around to see where this guy has gone."

As they were talking, Zhuzi hurried in, bowed to the others, and leaned in and whispered, "Master, someone is coming from the capital."

Jia Lian hummed, stood up and said, "I'm going to take care of some things. I'll stay for dinner tonight."

In the study, a middle-aged scholar was waiting inside. Jia Lian came in and folded his hands and said, "I am honored to be your distinguished guest. I am sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

The middle-aged scholar stood up and folded his hands: "Xiao Hai's sudden arrival, please forgive me, sir."

Jia Lian motioned him to sit down and said, "I wonder what advice Mr. Xiao has for you?"

Xiao Hai frowned slightly after hearing this, but soon recovered and said, "The Third Prince asked me to pass on a message. If the news of the provincial examinations in Guangdong and Guangxi spreads to the capital, there may be disturbances. Your Excellency needs to take precautions early."

(End of this chapter)