I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 512: A New Situation after the National Mourning

On February 26th of the first year of the Wanli reign, Emperor Wanli issued the "Imperially-Decreed National Affairs for the First Year of the Wanli Reign", announcing the establishment of a Prime Minister, who would be in charge of the six ministries and seven temples, with a rank of the second rank, and the establishment of left and right councilors as deputies, with a rank of the second rank.

There was a Chief Censor who was in charge of the Censorate, and his rank was set at the second rank. The Left and Right Censors-in-Chief served as his deputies, and their rank was set at the second rank.

The Court of Justice was established to compile laws, with a chief judge of the Court of Justice, whose rank was set as the first rank. The Military Government was established to oversee the Five Military Commands, with a chief military official, whose rank was set as the first rank, and the left and right ministers as deputies, whose rank was set as the second rank.

The Advisory Bureau was established, with five advisors, without rank. They participated in the maintenance of the machinery and decided on national affairs. A secretariat was set up under it, which was in charge of writing and transmitting information from top to bottom.
Zhang Juzheng was the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, and Tan Lun, Wang Guoguang and Wang Chonggu were the left and right councilors.

Zhao Zhenji was appointed as the Chief Censor, and Zou Yinglong, Hai Rui and Wu Chang were appointed as the Left and Right Censors-in-Chief.

Li Chunfang was appointed as the chief judge of the Law Courts, and Chen Yiqin and Li Zhi were appointed as lawyers.

Hu Zongxian was appointed as the chief military governor, and Liu Tao, Qi Jiguang, Gu Huan and Tang Shilong were appointed as the left and right prime ministers.

Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji, Zhang Juzheng and Tan Lun were appointed as advisors.

When the imperial edict was issued, the court and the public were shocked and talked about it a lot.

Some people who like to gossip called Zhang Juzheng the Grand Tutor, Hu Zongxian the Grand Marshal, Li Chunfang the Grand Minister of Justice, and Zhao Zhenji the Grand Chancellor, and they were the four prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty.

There is also a children's song that goes, "Hongwu abolished the prime minister, Wanli restored him, one abolishment and one restoration, two hundred years passed in the blink of an eye."

There was widespread criticism inside and outside the capital, and in the court and the public, but Zhu Yijun remained unmoved.

On the first day of March, Zhu Yijun held another early court session at the Huangji Gate and formally conferred the titles of Taifu on Li Chunfang, Situ on Zhang Juzheng, Sikong on Zhao Zhenji, and Sima on Hu Zongxian, and also bestowed official seals, badges, and documents on them.

At the same time, he announced the appointment of the six ministers of the six ministries, the seven ministers of the temples, the left and right deputy censors of the Censorate, the commander-in-chief of the five armies, as well as the minister of the Supreme Court and the left and right envoys of the Xuanhui Court.

At this point, everyone in the world knew that the Wanli New Deal was about to begin.

On the fourth day of April, the royal family, nobles, civil and military officials respectfully escorted the coffin of Emperor Shenzong into Zhaoling Mausoleum.

On the fifth day of April, he led the royal family, nobles, civil and military officials to pay homage to Emperor Shizong's Yongling Mausoleum.

On the same day, the Ming Dynasty issued an imperial edict announcing the end of national mourning, and the whole country returned to normal.

In Zuifeng Tower in Beijing.

Wang Shizhen got off the carriage with a melancholy face. He looked up at the famous building in the capital. It was bustling with people, more prosperous and lively than ever before.

His younger brother Wang Shimao got out of the car right after him, "Brother, we are late, they are still waiting upstairs."

Wang Shizhen sighed softly, "Let's go. We are common people now, and they are governors and local earls."

Wang Shimao quickly said, "Brother, they are also kind and loyal friends."

Wang Shizhen nodded: "Yes, now you and I are hated by everyone, but you are willing to take risks and see us off. This is a show of friendship.

I was full of complaints and lost my composure. Let's go and don't keep them waiting."

The two men walked into the hall, which was filled with noise, like boiling soup.

"Gentlemen, have you reserved a seat?" the waiter came forward and asked enthusiastically.

Wang Shizhen looked at the waiter and felt resentful.

Now he came up to say hello, but before he was far away, he rushed over like a bee collecting nectar. He must have seen that I was in such a bad state that he was so lazy and cold.

How fickle-minded people are and how cruel the world is!

Wang Shimao replied, "Someone has booked a private room, Mr. Xu and Mr. Wang. My last name is Wang."

"Are you two Master Wang? Master Xu and Master Wang are waiting for you at Yaqin Pavilion on the fourth floor."

The guy reacted immediately and continued speaking enthusiastically.

Wang Shizhen looked at him and muttered to himself, Humph, he became so enthusiastic as soon as he heard that we were the guests of two famous figures.

It's really a dog's eyes that look down upon others.

Walking up the stairs, Wang Shimao noticed Wang Shizhen's indignation and gently advised him, "Brother, our result is good. Think positively."

It would have been fine if he hadn't said these words, but once he did, Wang Shizhen felt even more upset.

He sighed deeply: "Wang Lin, Ding Shimei, Gao Yongchun, Cheng Wenyi, Li You, Zhao Zhongyi, Zhang Chong, two or three hundred people of noble character and lofty ideals, disciples of famous religions, were either executed, hanged, or exiled. The noble family was wiped out."

Wang Shimao glanced at him and continued to persuade him: "Brother, those people are not stable and have not cultivated themselves. Some cheated in the imperial examinations, some sold their titles, some hid their land, some evaded taxes, and some bullied men and women.
If you have committed crimes and have no guilt yourself, how can you be fair and just, impeach others, and make irresponsible remarks about state affairs?"

Wang Shizhen remained silent.

Wang Lin and others were arrested by the Zhenfu Division on charges of illegal publication, and then an investigation was launched.

How many Ming Dynasty officials can withstand investigation?

Some of them were corrupt in their official duties, manipulated the imperial examinations, and sold their positions for money. Once they were found out, they would be executed and despised by the world and the literati.

Some successful candidates, after being appointed to the Qinghua University, accepted large amounts of land and people as donations. This kind of thing belongs to the gray area. If you don't investigate, it's fine, but if you do, it will cause a lot of trouble.

Moreover, accepting donated land and population would most likely lead to the next step of hiding the land and evading taxes. This was also a serious crime, and the person would be hanged if found out.

The rest bully men and women and rob people by force.

After studying hard for more than ten years, he finally passed the imperial examination and became an official of the Ming Dynasty. He became a superior person. How could he show that he was a superior person if he didn't bully others?
Once found out, the perpetrators will be executed, hanged, or exiled.

The group of people who followed Wang Lin in making trouble suffered the most.

They made a lot of noise and made a big fuss, but Zhang Juzheng took harsh measures against them using the performance evaluation system, and as a result they were not even qualified to enter Chengtian Gate.

In the end, he was used as a cover by Wang Shizhen and his gang.

Wang Shizhen and his companions were much more cautious. They allowed Wang Lin and his companions to make a fuss while they hid in the dark and planned quietly. Finally, they launched an attack at the morning court on the first day of February, but the emperor managed to neutralize their attack, which also earned him the reputation of being the true emperor.

The emperor is as narrow-minded as his grandfather, and will definitely take revenge afterwards.

However, the Emperor is much more scheming than Emperor Sejong. He will not just find two charges against you and convict you.

He knew very well that none of the high-ranking officials in the Ming officialdom could withstand scrutiny.

The emperor would rather spend more time and manpower to investigate you thoroughly, and then use ironclad evidence to prove your guilt, severely punish you, and put you on the pillar of shame in history.

These days, all the major court newspapers, government newspapers, and private newspapers, after their owners and editors were interviewed by the Propaganda Bureau, coordinated and reported extensively on Wang Lin, Ding Shimei and others. On the surface, they appear to be righteous and upright gentlemen, but in fact they are thieves and prostitutes, and are despicable.

The dirty deeds were published in newspapers one by one, spread all over the country, and made his reputation a bad one.

Only a few people, such as Gao Gong, Ge Shouli, Wang Shizhen, Wang Shimao, and Dong Chuance, were able to stand firm because they were pardoned by their superiors or were innocent, and no serious crimes were found. They were only dismissed from their posts and sent to their hometowns for custody for dereliction of duty and failure to observe official duties.

Wang Shimao was still trying to persuade Wang Shizhen, "Brother, this is fine. A new emperor appoints new ministers. The political situation is so volatile right now that we are treading on thin ice.

It is a good thing that we are expelled from the court and sent back to our hometown, away from the vortex."

Wang Shizhen sighed softly and nodded: "It is a good thing for you and me. But it is not a good thing for the orthodox religion." Wang Shimao said angrily and anxiously: "My brother, please save the lives of our family first. The orthodox religion is not something you and I can control.

At least, we have done our part for the religion, and almost lost our lives. Brother, that is enough!
No one wants to be Yu Shaobao or Jiao Shangong! "

Wang Shizhen glanced at his brother and said nothing.

Led by the waiter, the two entered the private room of Yaqinxuan.

As soon as they reached the door, they heard a quarrel inside, and Wang Shizhen and Wang Shimao looked at each other.

What were Xu Wei and Wang Daokun arguing about?
As soon as the guy knocked on the door, it immediately became quiet inside, and then Xu Wei's voice was heard: "Who!"

The waiter immediately replied, "The two Master Wangs have arrived."

"Yutomi and Keimi are here!"

With a creak, the door opened. Xu Wei and Wang Daokun, each wearing a blue and green robe and a square scarf on their heads, bowed and said, "Brother Yuanmei, Brother Jingmei."

Looking at the two people who were full of high spirits, Wang Shizhen felt as if he was in another world.

At that time, he was full of vigor and vitality and was regarded as the leader of Jiangnan literature.

At that time, he was known for his literary criticism, and he commented on famous figures in the court and the public, either praising or criticizing them, without any reservations.

Known as the Yuedanping of the Ming Dynasty, it was a time of high spirits and pointed out the way forward.

Xu Wei was not well-known at the time, and was excluded from the mainstream literary circle. He was also ambitious and hoped that famous scholars such as Wang Shizhen would help him become famous. He submitted his works many times, but was mercilessly ridiculed, so he was jealous.

Later, the two served in the same palace as officials. With the mediation of their mutual friends Qi Jiguang, Wang Daokun and others, the two put aside their old opinions and became "good friends."

But Wang Shizhen always felt uncomfortable in his heart and was not very fond of Xu Wei, thinking that he was a sycophantic minister who was trying to please the emperor.

Seeing that his brother seemed to be stunned, Wang Shimao quickly poked Wang Shizhen on the back.

Brother, please be more careful.

What is happening in our family now is what is happening in other people’s family. This time, my brothers and I were able to escape safely, thanks to our good friends Qi Jiguang and Wang Daokun’s mediation and their good words in front of the emperor.

Although Xu Wei did not contribute much, he did not add insult to injury, and he has become a great benefactor to us brothers.

Brother, please don't do anything stupid.

Xu Wei is a close minister of the emperor, and he is also notoriously petty. You must not offend him easily, otherwise our family will have no peace of mind.

Wang Shizhen was touched by Wang Shimao from behind with the One Yang Finger, and he immediately woke up. He bowed and said, "Brother Wenchang, Brother Boyu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Wang Shimao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; this hurdle was finally passed.

He said quickly: "Brother Wenchang, Brother Boyu, we two brothers were able to escape safely, thanks to the help of you two and all the brothers.

My brothers and I, as well as the young and old of our two families, are endlessly grateful and will remember this forever."

Wang Daokun quickly said, "Jingmei, why do you say that? We have been friends for many years. In times of crisis, it is our duty to help each other."

Xu Wei also said, "My two gentlemen, you are so polite."

The four of them sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries. Wang Daokun asked, "What are Yuanmei and Jingmei's plans after returning home?"

Wang Shizhen and Wang Shimao looked at each other and replied, "Brother Boyu, this time we brothers have luckily escaped from the vortex. We no longer have any interest in state affairs. We only want to compose repertoires, enrich Kunqu Opera, compile poems, and teach our children."

Wang Daokun said, "That's good. The political situation is turbulent right now, and it would be a good thing for you two to cultivate your character."

Wang Shimao asked, "Will Brother Wen continue to serve as governor of Gansu?"

"Yes. I was ordered to return to the capital this time to report on the political affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu."

"What about Brother Boyu? I heard he was also sent to be a prefect?"

"Yes, the Council of State Affairs has issued an edict that the Governor of Liaoning will take up his post soon."

Wang Shizhen and Wang Shimao understood it.

They both have a bright future.

When the emperor was the crown prince, he often spoke at the official meetings organized by the Taichang Temple. After careful review, and comparing it with the new official system, it was discovered that the emperor defined new rules for the promotion of officials in the Ming Dynasty.

For the emperor, the best resume for a famous official is to be a county magistrate, a prefect, a councilor in the various departments of the provincial government, and then a right councilor of the provincial government.

Yes, this time the official system also made some adjustments to the local areas.

The left and right deputy governors were changed back to the previous left and right councilors, and the heads of each department were changed to councilors.

Famous officials would gain experience in local areas, from counties to provincial governments. After being promoted to Right Councillor, they would generally be transferred to one of the six ministries and seven temples in the central government, and become Right Vice Minister, where they would gain further experience with a global perspective.

After gaining experience as a Right Vice Minister, he was transferred to become the Left Councillor or the Provincial Governor, and then returned to the capital and was transferred to become the Left Vice Minister or the Left Junior Secretary.

Before a left assistant minister can be promoted to minister or prime minister, he must have served as a local governor. Only those who have served as governor and minister have the opportunity to enter the cabinet as a left or right councilor or prime minister.

When someone was organizing the emperor's speech, he discovered a shortcut to Zhongnan.

If a governor-general is transferred to the position of minister, he will definitely become a general or a prime minister. In the future, he will at least be the minister of one of the six ministries, and he will have a great chance to become a left-right councilor. And if he is appointed as a counselor in the Advisory Bureau, it is a great advantage to have served as a governor-general.

After the Ming Dynasty's new system, the governor-general was no longer a permanent position. Now there are only four governor-generals in the border areas of Jilin and Liaoning, Shandong, Shaanxi and Gansu, and Guangdong and Guangxi. Even if more governors are added in the future, they will only be in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Annan.

On the contrary, Shandong and Jilin and Liaoning will become hinterland in the future, and the two governors will definitely be abolished.

It’s a shortcut to Zhongnan, but the spots are limited and extremely popular.

Now Xu Wei is appointed as the Governor of Gansu, with the intention of succeeding Cao Bangfu as the Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu.

Wang Daokun was appointed as the Governor of Liaoning, and he was certainly preparing to replace Wei Xueceng as the Governor-General of Jilin and Liaoning.

Having been a governor, he is on a completely different level than other governors, ministers and ministers.

Wang Shizhen felt a little sad.

I returned home in disgrace, but my good friend was promoted to a higher position. I felt so sad.

The food and wine came, and the four chatted for a while. Xu Wei suddenly said, "Brother Yuanmei, Brother Jingmei, I have something to ask you two."

Wang Shizhen summoned his energy and asked, "Brother Wen, please speak frankly."

"I would like to ask Brothers Yuanmei and Jingmei to help me look into the three banned books of "Records of Xu Shilang's Retribution"."

Wang Shizhen and Wang Shimao's faces changed.

(End of this chapter)