I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 779 Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e's New Positions

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e were invited to a pavilion overlooking the lake not far from the Ziguang Pavilion.

Beijing began to get hot at the end of April. Sitting in the waterside pavilion surrounded by the shade of trees, the breeze was cool and comfortable.

"Mr. Hai, Governor Wang, please sit down for a moment. The Emperor will be here soon."

"You are too polite, Eunuch Qi."

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e sat down, picked up their teacups, took two sips, and started chatting.

"Zijian, is Yunnan and Guizhou still peaceful?"

"Guizhou is almost peaceful, but Yunnan is not peaceful, and we cannot let it be peaceful." Wang Yi'e said with a smile.

Hai Rui nodded: "We need a good reason to clear the weeds there. But the mountains there are high and the forests are dense. Is it easy to deploy troops there?"

Wang Yi'e shook his head: "It's not easy to deploy troops. The biggest problem is logistics. If we fight in the enemy's country, our army can still collect food on the spot.

But the royal army is in Yunnan to suppress the rebellion and save the people from disaster, not only can they not raise food, but they also have to pay a large amount of money and food. "

Hai Rui asked, "So how did you do it?"

"What else can we do? Just throw money at it! Hire horse caravans and porters from Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan at high prices to transport food and supplies to Yunnan.

The emperor is right, problems that can be solved with money are not problems."

"Hiring a caravan and porters at a high price?"

Hai Rui asked slowly, stroking his beard.

It is once again leaving it to the market, using economic methods and tools to efficiently solve problems. This is one of the favorite methods used by new-style officials, and Wang Yi'e is one of the best among them.

"Yes, Lord Hai. Now food and supplies can only be transported up the Yangtze River to Yibin County, Xuzhou County, Sichuan, and up the Wujiang River to Anshun County, Guizhou. Then, they are carried by Sichuan horses by caravan drivers through Qujing and transported to Kunming.

Some food and supplies had to be transported to Baoshan and Jinghong. Only some sections of the route could be transported by water, and a large section of the rest had to be carried by horses.

By buying twenty horses and hiring more than ten people, they could transport grain from Xuzhou to Kunming. The round trip took a month and they could earn six hundred yuan. After deducting the food expenses for the horses and the horses, the horse team could earn four hundred yuan.

On average, one person can earn 40 yuan a month. This is a huge sum of money in the southwest. Now most of the horse caravans in Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan are transporting food and supplies to us. There are also many brave people. More than a dozen households have raised money to buy horses and temporarily formed horse caravans and transportation companies.

Now the price of Sichuan horses has increased by 50%."

Hai Rui stroked his beard and nodded, "That's good. It's not about forcibly conscripting civilians to serve. On the contrary, it can help some people in Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan make money, which is also a good thing.

I have heard about the situation over there. It is not easy for the people to make some cash."

Wang Yi'e chuckled, "Mr. Hai is wise and hits the nail on the head. It consolidates the border and enriches the people, killing two birds with one stone. But the money is spent like water, and the national treasury has become the victim."

"This is an important matter. We should spend what we should spend. It is better than using it to build temples, monasteries, palaces and buildings. But can we still afford it with this money?"

"It's alright for now. Yunnan has many mines, most of which are in the hands of chieftains.

I sold the mining rights of those mines in advance to Zhongnan Mining, Lingnan Mining, Nanhai Bank and Changjiang Bank. These big banks paid part of the money for the mines, which can hold out for a while. "

Hai Rui looked at Wang Yi'e's young face and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It’s great to be young, dare to think and do!
As long as it does not harm the people and can deal with all the restless chieftains in Yunnan, Hai Rui will support it no matter what means are used.

Zhongnan Mining, Lingnan Mining, Nanhai Bank and Changjiang Bank were all big and wealthy. Of course, Hai Rui also knew that these businessmen were very cunning and would not do anything without profit.

They were willing to pay money to the Yunnan-Guizhou Governor's Office as military expenses, so they must have known the value of the mines in Yunnan.

Well, some things should be left to the market, to professionals. As long as they can make money, they will do it much better than the government.

Hai Rui was still a little worried. "Zijian, the terrain in Yunnan is complicated. During the Zhengtong period, we conquered Lichuan four times. Our army was old and our soldiers were tired. We suffered a great loss. You must not make the same mistake again."

Wang Yi'e said confidently: "Don't worry, Mr. Hai, as long as we can ensure the transportation of money and grain, half of the goal will be achieved. The troops used in Yunnan are all local soldiers from southern Sichuan, Guizhou, western Hunan, and western Hubei. They are now organized into mountain infantry regiments to adapt to the terrain and climate of Yunnan.

The Southwest Branch of the Military Intelligence Bureau was also very capable and had a very clear understanding of the situation on the chieftain's side, including routes, key points, and military strength.

I usually don't send out a large army easily, but always form a task force in company units. We disguise ourselves and take advantage of the high mountains and dense forests in Yunnan to sneak into the territory of the chieftains, seize their strongholds, burn granaries, and eliminate the main culprits.

The Political Work Department also sent capable political workers to join the task force to carry out division work within the territories of those chieftains and win over the hearts of ordinary Miao people and slaves.

Only when the time is right will I send my main force to attack Huanglong and capture the Tusi's main city in one fell swoop and recapture it."

Hai Rui knew that Wang Yi'e was a Japanese fighter, and later fought bandits in Fujian and Jiangxi, and reformed the local people in Hunan and Hubei, so he had rich experience. The generals and troops assigned to Yunnan Dusi were also experienced, especially the Political Work Department set up by the Political Work Bureau in the Yunnan-Guizhou Governor's Office, which was getting more and more sophisticated in winning people's hearts.

Hai Rui nodded with satisfaction: "Attacking the hearts of the people is the best, attacking the city is the second best. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world."

Zhu Yijun changed into a refreshing Yanju suit, wearing a Yishan hat on his head, and walked in quickly. When he saw the two of them, he smiled and said, "Mr. Hai and Zijian are chatting."

"I pay my respects to the Emperor."

"No need to be polite, please take a seat. What are Hai Gong and Zi Jian talking about?"

"Your Majesty, I am discussing with Zijian the issue of the rebellion in Yunnan."

"Zijian has done a very good job in Yunnan. His measures are very effective and the results are very remarkable, but he spends money like water. Every time Prime Minister Zhang sees me, he complains.

But I understand that problems that can be solved with money are not problems."

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e looked at each other with smiles on their faces.

After a few words of greeting, Zhu Yijun went straight to the point.

"The meeting is over. I invite you two to come over and have dinner together. I also have something important to discuss with you."

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e's expressions straightened and they sat up straighter involuntarily.

"In a blink of an eye, it has been almost five years since I ascended the throne and took over the foundation of the country passed down by my grandfather and father. In these five years, it is all thanks to the hard work and assistance of all the ministers that I have achieved today's achievements.

However, as time passed, many ministers became old and frail, and they submitted petitions to resign.

Dazhou Gong repeatedly resigned in the third year of Wanli. There are also Cao Gong (Cao Bangfu), Huo Gong (Huo Ji), Lu Gong (Lu Tong), Ma Gong (Ma Fang).
These old ministers have worked hard for the Ming Dynasty and their health is not optimistic. I can't bear to see them collapse from exhaustion.

After much deliberation, I plan to take advantage of this opportunity to hold a plenary meeting of the Advisory Council and the Imperial Court Council to make a major adjustment to the corresponding positions of the Grand Secretaries and Scholars of the Advisory Council, as well as the Cabinet, the Military Government, the Censorate, and the local governments. "

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e remained silent.

It seems that the previous rumors that the emperor wanted to take advantage of the opportunity of the two sessions to make a large-scale adjustment of officials were not groundless.

"I need to talk to all the ministers separately and finalize the adjustment plan. Then we will have a formal discussion at the Council of State and the Council of Justice. Once everyone has no objection, we will finalize it."

The emperor had made up his mind and was ready to communicate with representatives of all parties to reach a consensus, so as to avoid the court discussions and court meetings that turned into a mess and a mess, like the previous dynasty's court meetings where the cabinet ministers and chancellors were elected.

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e strongly agreed with Zhu Yijun's new approach.

Everyone should communicate privately first, and speak out any interests they have, and then discuss with each other, compromise where necessary, make concessions where necessary, and reach an agreement.

Once an agreement is reached, the plan will be put on the table, officially decided upon, and announced to the world.

The previous emperors were either too strong and would appoint whomever they wanted as ministers and chancellors. They were arbitrary and would never consult with their ministers or take into account the ideas of various forces in the court and the public. They would only try to strike a balance between supporting the weak and suppressing the strong.

Either he is too weak and allows the ministers to nominate and recommend candidates, and then the candidates are elected by the court. Everyone quarrels over their own interests like cockfighting, and finally they form factions and fight each other, and there is never peace in the court.

The emperor is different. He has his own opinions and can keep his composure. The key is that he is willing to discuss and consult with his ministers, allowing them to put forward their respective interests. He will be the judge, and then the officials of the Court of Justice will weigh the pros and cons and make decisions based on the governing philosophy and plan he has formulated.

It can be said that he was trying his best to treat everyone equally, but Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e knew that the emperor was more concerned about whether the minister was suitable for the position, whether he could give full play to his abilities, and whether he could bring the greatest political achievements.
The emperor will not, like Emperor Sejong did, deliberately support or suppress people for the sake of balance in the court, nor will he employ anyone who obeys his will.

Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Yi'e and continued, "Zijian, when you went to Beijing and passed through Jiangnan, have you heard about the Yang Kaitai case? That is the Xiaobaicai case that everyone is talking about."

Wang Yi'e quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard of this. I also specifically asked Wu Cheng'en, the Shao Yin of Yingtian Prefecture, about this case. After learning the whole story, I saw the trial results published in the Jiangsu Government Gazette on the way, and I was deeply moved."

Zhu Yijun nodded, motioning for him to continue.

"I think this case is not complicated. What is complicated is the thoughts of the case handlers of Jiangsu Procuratorate and Court. Fortunately, the thoughts of the case handlers of Huzhou Procuratorate and Court are not complicated.

I think this is a very typical case. The contradiction between the new case handling requirements and the old case handling thinking, the rule of law advocated by the emperor is not just a slogan. To do it thoroughly, not only do we need new laws and judicial systems, but more importantly, the thinking in our minds must keep up. "

After finishing speaking, Wang Yi'e turned to look at Hai Rui, "Master Hai, please don't mind."

Hai Rui waved his hand, "Zijian, don't mind it. If I minded, I wouldn't have insisted on moving this case to Shanghai for trial."

Wang Yi'e sighed: "Mr. Hai has a sense of justice and selflessness. He is admired by all and is worthy of learning for the younger generation."

Hai Rui smiled and replied, "There is only one word I remember in my heart, and that is justice!"

Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction, "After listening to what Lord Hai and Zijian said, I am very pleased. It seems that for the two of you, who else can take on the new position but you two?"

Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e remained silent, wondering in their hearts what the new official positions the emperor had assigned to them would be.
(End of this chapter)