Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 128: Everyone Takes a Step Back, and Things Will Work Out Naturally
"Congratulations, Lord Wang. Your son has won the first place in the imperial examination. This is cause for celebration." It was the emperor who first pointed this out, and then ordered, "Approve it to be copied into the yellow list and announced tomorrow."

"Your Majesty!" Wang Xijue came out of the class under everyone's gaze. "In the 16th year of Wanli, my son won the first place in the Southern Zhili Provincial Examination. I was in the cabinet. There was a huge controversy at that time, and the Supreme Emperor ordered all the ministers to review the examination papers together. Although my colleagues praised my son for being worthy of the title, I have also sworn from now on: I will still stay in the court and not let my son take the exam, so as to avoid the suspicion of being in a compromising position in the world."

After explaining the past, he knelt down and kowtowed, his voice choking with sobs: "My son is nearly forty years old, and he has avoided three examinations. This time, he has studied hard for many years, hoping to fulfill his long-cherished wish. I am seventy-two years old and have been living in my hometown. I encouraged myself at that time. Your Majesty has been gracious and summoned me back to the court. The emperor and father have high hopes for me, how can I refuse? My son is praying to me, how can I stop him again?"

"But if I am suddenly awarded the title of first place, the whole world will be talking about it. My reputation is of little concern, and what crime have I committed? Your Majesty, please have pity on my difficulties and demote me to the bottom of the list. It will be enough for me to repay your kindness and show what I have learned. I beg Your Majesty to grant me this."

Wang Xijue's words were heartfelt, but to be frank, he wanted both. What did it mean that he couldn't refuse the summons?

Everyone couldn't help but look at Shen Yikuan who had returned to the court. Could he have done this on purpose?

The emperor only said: "Your Excellency has overcome your inner demons by promoting relatives without avoiding suspicion. This is a cause for celebration. Your son was worthy of the name in the past, and I think he will still be the same after twelve years of study. If such a talented person is hidden by his family background, wouldn't it be a pity for the new dynasty? Your Excellency, don't worry. I will not pay attention to the speculations of some petty people, and the ministers are not allowed to use this to attack him."

It seemed to be an appeasement to Wang Xijue, but Wang Xijue still wanted to plead, but the emperor insisted on his own opinion.

The ministers were ordered not to use this article to criticize Wang Xijue, but firstly, people's words are scary, and secondly... does this encourage everyone to use other things to criticize Wang Xijue?

Wang Xijue kowtowed in disappointment, stood up and returned to the train in a daze.

Then, just like yesterday, the emperor ordered the eunuchs to bring out a screen.

"I have reviewed the memorials you presented yesterday. I would like to hear more about the shortcomings reported by the Grand Marshal and the various malpractices reported by the Grand Marshal."

After the above content was read out, Zhu Changluo looked at Shen Yikuan and said, "Mr. Shen was busy with the imperial examination before and had no time to express his opinions. Today, I specially allow you to make an answer in court."

Shen Yikuan thanked him first.

This is strange, as being able to express opinions on certain matters in court has become a special privilege.

But this special favor was given to Shen Yikuan, not to Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue.

Shen Yi Guan said, "I think the Grand Marshal's plan is feasible! If all the ministers can fill in the gaps, we can avoid all the worries."

When these words were spoken, many people in the court changed their expressions. Unexpectedly, Shen Yikuan, who was born in Zhejiang, did not choose to speak for Jiangnan this time.

But without special permission, they could not express their opinions in court like Shen Yikuan, so as to avoid what the emperor called "endless debate."

Now many people are looking at Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue, hoping that they can stand up and say something.

Your Majesty will not ignore the stability of Jiangnan, will you? Do you really want to let the Beijing Ministry of Revenue directly collect part of the land tax collected by the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue in the form of additional gold and silver?

At this time, Wang Xijue came out and everyone stared at him.

Could it be that because the emperor had just insisted that he endure the rumors, Wang Xijue was willing to risk his life to argue in court?

However, Wang Xijue only said: "Your Majesty, I, Wang Xijue, request that since the redundant troops in the Beijing Camp have been cut down, the four guards of the Tengxiang Left and Right and the Wuxiang Left and Right should also be cut down and streamlined!"

Those who were slow to think thought he was crazy: He actually had thoughts about the direct guard?
Only those with quick thinking would know that although Wang Xijue was speaking by presenting specific matters, there must have been a solution that was beneficial to the emperor. How could he just make a judgment and be done with it?
The Beijing Army is not only cutting off the unscrupulous troops, but also training them.

As expected, Wang Xijue continued, "If the four guards are streamlined into one guard, and all of them are loyal and brave soldiers, they can protect the emperor and deter the villains, and the salary and food can be reduced a lot. After Bozhou is pacified, the chieftains and barbarians must be properly resettled. I ask Your Majesty to order the chieftains' elite soldiers and generals to come to the capital as the upper guards. This will also help to appease the chieftains and show Your Majesty that you treat them as one and give them all important positions!"

Everyone was stunned. Such a radical proposal?
The last famous story of this kind seemed to be during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, when he employed Hu generals such as Ashina She'er and Qibi Heli, who wanted to be buried alive with Emperor Li Shimin when he passed away.

No... it's just a matter of a Jiangnan official and gentry making a small calculation, is it that serious? You, Wang Xijue, made such a proposal, just to prove that you are prudent and considerate, and then voted to agree with the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue?
Or is it because his son has been crowned the top scorer in the imperial examination and is being manipulated, so he is starting to side with the emperor?

At this time, Tian Le came out again: "Your Majesty, I returned to the palace yesterday and thought for a long time, and there are some strategies that I have not yet submitted. In addition to the transformation of the Zhaiyang General into a merchant, the increase in gold and silver orders should be determined by the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue. Floods and typhoons are frequent in the south of the Yangtze River, and the harvests of various prefectures and counties are difficult to determine every year, so we must deal with it flexibly."

"I think that gold and silver can save a lot of transportation costs after all. We can ask the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue to split the bill into 1,000 taels once a year and have the prefectures and counties in Nanzhili and the provinces of Huguang, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang buy and pay it according to their harvests when the autumn grain is collected. This way, some disaster-stricken areas can avoid the need to transport regular grain."

The officials in Jiangnan looked at him with mixed feelings: Are you addicted to auctions?

This sounds like a tax package.

But he had other intentions: Nanzhili participated on a prefecture-level basis, while the other three provinces participated on a provincial basis. This incident seemed to have suppressed the prefectures and counties in Nanzhili and shown goodwill to Zhejiang...Shen Yikuan.

Zhu Changluo nodded and said, "You all understand, right? The strategy proposed by Wang Gelao to streamline the four guard camps and the strategy proposed by Da Sima to organize bidding for the additional gold and silver by the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue on an annual basis should be carefully considered first. If you have any ideas, please submit them in writing."

Still no decision was made at the court meeting, but everyone knew that this had reached the final stage. Perhaps after reading everyone's memorials today, the imperial decree would be issued in court tomorrow.

After all, everyone has taken a step back now: the leaders of the "Su Party" showed that they had no intention of holding the grain transport hostage for themselves by helping the emperor immediately obtain absolutely loyal elite soldiers; the leaders of the "Zhejiang Party" stood together with the leaders of the "Northern Party", and the leader of the "Northern Party" also took a step back and withdrew the hand that helped the Beijing Ministry of Revenue to interfere in the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue's right to collect taxes on behalf of others.

It seemed that the only one injured was the Beijing Ministry of Revenue.

The door of the study outside the Silijian remained open until evening.

To be honest, it feels a bit strange that the Silijian's external study, which was specifically for collecting secret reports from ministers, was located in the Jinyiwei office.

It seemed as if there was both the intimacy of dealing directly with the emperor, and the tension of being watched by the Imperial Guards.

That night, the officials attending the court had trouble sleeping, and the candidates in Beijing also had trouble sleeping.

The results will be announced after daybreak.

Even those who are confident of passing the exam will worry about their ranking.

Before daybreak, the officials went to court first.

Honestly speaking, such court meetings are rather boring now, except that one can still see the emperor from time to time.

But since it was possible to write private letters to the emperor, and the emperor actually sent replies back to some people, it was actually not a big deal whether or not to see the emperor in person every day.

At least, can the time of the court meeting, which no longer involves endless arguments, be moved a little later?
But no one dared to neglect today's court meeting, and the final decision would probably be made.

After entering the Meridian Gate, the Huangji Gate was bustling with activity and the reconstruction progress was accelerating.

This is also due to the fact that the Dagaoxuan Palace and Dragon Boat Campaign have been stopped, and the various materials previously prepared for them can be used directly here.

Of course, it was also thanks to the fact that He Shengrui, who was summoned back by the emperor, was in charge.

Maybe it would be better to hold court at the Huangji Gate later, after all, it would mean less walking.

With these thoughts in mind, he arrived at Qianqing Gate and the emperor appeared on time.

As expected, the decree was issued directly.

The distribution plan for the additional gold, flowers and silver was finalized: it was Tian Le's plan. Some court officials were secretly delighted because the additional content included what they had mentioned in their secret memorials.

The emperor "collected all his ideas".

The plan for the general reform of Zhayang was also determined: the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War would jointly host the auction, with 50% of the proceeds going into the Ministry of Revenue's Taicang warehouse and 50% going into the imperial treasury to be used as special expenses for the training of the Beijing camp.

So in essence, it all has to go through the transfer department, which can be regarded as compensation to the Beijing Department of Household Affairs.

Then came the plan to downsize and streamline the Four Guard Battalions.

"…It was renamed the Loyal and Brave Camp, and it still belongs to the Imperial Horse Administration. The Xiliang Earl was appointed as the commander-in-chief and was organized into five camps, each with a thousand men and a captain…"

"An imperial decree orders the naturalized officers and soldiers of Xiliang... the white-pole soldiers of Bozhou..."

"I order Ma Qiancheng and Qin Liangyu to lead the army to set off immediately, through Huguang to Wuchang, and then transfer to Nanjing and head north from the canal!"

The officials in Jiangnan now understood what was said and couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.

If the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue is still not satisfied, will the officers and soldiers of the First Battalion of the Shangzhi Imperial Guard, who have just been organized and can kill the enemy, go on a killing spree in Nanjing?

"Do you have any matters that you have not yet submitted to the emperor? Please report them together with your strategies."

Zhu Changluo looked at them quietly.

Three parties have emerged in the court, and with all the officials in Beijing waiting to be replaced arriving, I'm afraid it will get even more lively.

(End of this chapter)