My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 109: Execution of the Memorial (4k)

Supervisor of Ceremonies.

A young eunuch who was delivering messages whispered a few words into Feng Bao's ear. Feng Bao sent the eunuch away, and then an official from the Ministry of Public Administration delivered the memorial drafted by the cabinet.

Feng Bao pretended nothing had happened, stood up and walked to the secret box containing the memorials, and quickly found Su Ze's memorial.

Feng Bao pretended to be indifferent, put Su Ze's memorial together with several other memorials, and moved them to his desk.

After reading this memorial, Feng Bao breathed a sigh of relief.

This Su Hanlin is really never quiet for a moment!

However, the content of this memorial made Feng Bao's mind stir.

As the head of the Imperial Household Department and the pinnacle of the entire eunuch system, how could Feng Bao look down on the things in the Neichengyunku?

The eunuchs in charge of the Neichengyunku would sell the tributes in the name of disposal before they were about to go bad. This was a "benefit" for the eunuchs working in the Neichengyunku.

Feng Bao glanced at Chen Hong behind him. Chen Hong was also in charge of the internal transport warehouse.

Any system, after operating for a certain period of time, will have the so-called unspoken rules.

As the saying goes, "live by the mountain you rely on." Even the eunuchs who were responsible for transporting sewage in the imperial city had their own ways to make money. What's more, the Neichengyunku was the emperor's internal treasury. With this job, Chen Hong became the third person in the Silijian, second only to Li Fang, the seal holder, and himself, who was in charge of the East Factory.

Of course, Feng Bao looked down on the little profit from Neichengyunku, but that didn't mean he didn't need it.

If Zhang Juzheng's suggestion was followed and a Maritime Customs Office was established in Denglai, and eunuchs from the palace were sent to the office to be responsible for exporting the excess tribute, then this would be a huge lucrative position.

Zhang Juzheng sent someone to tell him that he wanted him to support Su Ze's memorial, and at the same time to tell him in advance that he would have the position in his hands.

Feng Bao was moved.

As a leader, you must lead your subordinates to progress together.

Feng Bao was one of the three giants of the Imperial Household Department, and he also had a large number of godsons and grandsons.

For eunuchs like them, so-called progress is nothing more than promotion and wealth.

Feng Bao was thinking in his mind which of his adopted sons was suitable for this position, and then he carefully withheld the memorial.

It was naturally impossible for Feng Bao to approve such a major event privately. This memorial had to be submitted to the emperor's desk.

However, Feng Bao was able to delay this memorial until the very last moment, without letting Li Fang and Chen Hong review it, and directly send it to the emperor.

Then Feng Bao could seize the initiative, catch others off guard, and push his own men forward.

Calculating the time to submit the memorial next time, Feng Bao carefully read Su Ze's memorial twice.
-
"Father!"

In the Yiku Palace, Zhu Yijun was reporting to Emperor Longqing on the results of his studies.

Emperor Longqing was different from his father. He enjoyed this family atmosphere very much, and Concubine Li obviously understood this, so she often invited her son to the palace to create this warm atmosphere and attract the emperor to sit in the Yiku Palace.

These days, Zhu Yijun has been very diligent in giving lectures on the classics every day. After Emperor Longqing tested him on his homework, he became even more satisfied.

"Zhao Zhenji, the Minister of State, and Yin Shidan, the Junior Minister of State, have been awarded jade belts for their contributions in teaching the Crown Prince."

"The lecturer of the Eastern Palace is awarded ten taels of silver."

The emperor was in a good mood and gave bonuses to the masters of the Eastern Palace. He simply had lunch with Concubine Li Zhu Yijun in the Yiku Palace, and then handled government affairs in the Yiku Palace.

"Feng Daban!"

Zhu Yijun looked at Feng Bao and shouted in surprise.

He was raised by Feng Bao, so he has a deep affection for Feng Bao, but now their identities have changed.

Feng Bao was the second-in-command of the Imperial Household Department, and Zhu Yijun was also named the crown prince. Feng Bao did not dare to get too close to Zhu Yijun. After kneeling down to pay his respects, he hurriedly came to the emperor with a memorial.

Zhu Yijun followed Feng Bao into the study of Yiku Palace.

"Why are you here to deliver the memorial today?"

Feng Bao said quickly:

"The Imperial Household Department is busy today, and the eunuchs all have errands to run. I'm afraid that if I'm late delivering the message, it will delay the court's important business, so I've come here."

Emperor Longqing nodded slightly, not bothering with this trivial detail.

But Li Fang behind Emperor Longqing became alert.

Feng Bao came in person to deliver the memorial. This unusual move probably had some purpose behind it.

Seeing Emperor Longqing yawn, Feng Bao continued:
"Your Majesty, let me read the memorial to you."

Emperor Longqing nodded. Many times when the emperor was tired, the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department beside him would read the memorials aloud, and then the emperor would give a few words of imperial comments, which would be considered as the completion of his comments on the memorials.

At this moment, Zhu Yijun also walked into the study.

Seeing Zhu Yijun, Feng Bao, who was about to read the memorial, paused, but Emperor Longqing said:
"Please read it aloud so that the Crown Prince can see how I handle government affairs."

After the emperor spoke, Feng Bao began to read.

He did not read Su Ze's memorial at the beginning, but instead found two unimportant memorials and read them quickly.

Emperor Longqing squinted his eyes and basically replied with an "approval" or "no" according to the cabinet's opinions, which was considered a verbal approval.

Seeing that the emperor was getting more tired, Feng Bao picked up Su Ze's memorial and read it aloud.

"Petition to Open Trade Between Deng and Lai, Ministry of the Imperial Household, Su Ze."

Zhu Yijun, who was originally drowsy, suddenly widened his eyes when he heard Su Ze's name.

When Emperor Longqing heard the title of Su Ze's memorial, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Feng Bao's expression remained unchanged, and he read out Su Ze's memorial in its entirety.

Li Fang, who was standing behind Emperor Longqing, was looking at Feng Bao. He was already certain that Feng Bao came to deliver the memorial in person just for Su Ze's memorial.

After listening, Emperor Longqing said:
"Bring it here for me to have a good look at."

Feng Bao immediately delivered the memorial to the emperor, who first read the draft opinions of the three cabinet ministers.

Gao Gong strongly agreed, Zhao Zhenji seconded the proposal, and Zhang Juzheng also agreed, but proposed to set up a Maritime Customs Office in Denglai to be responsible for the tribute monopoly mentioned in the third article by Su Ze.

After reading Su Ze's memorial twice, Emperor Longqing frowned even more.

Emperor Longqing recalled that in the first year of his reign, he had ordered all his ministers to write letters to the emperor to discuss state affairs. One of them was the governor of Fujian, Tu Zemin, who proposed lifting the border ban and trading with foreign countries.

At that time, he had just ascended the throne and agreed to Tu Zemin's memorial to open up Yuegang, Fujian for trade.

If it was just about opening up trade, there wouldn't be any problem with Su Ze's memorial, but what about opening up the north?
And what Su Ze said about minted silver coins, is this feasible?
Of course, these are just minor details. The key is the trade in Denglai, that is, restarting trade with Japan. What about those censors?
It was obvious that Emperor Longqing was hesitant at this moment.

The case of Prince Dai had just ended, and the censors had been quiet for a few days, but now they started arguing again because of the case of Prince Liao.

And this time, the censors were right.

The evidence was irrefutable that the King of Dai was colluding with the grasslands to rebel, so he was expelled from the throne, and the censors did not dare to say anything more. But the King of Liao was in Jingzhou, and you said he was planning a rebellion in Jingzhou?

The main point of the censors' attack was that even if the crimes of Prince of Liao Zhu Xianwei were true, then the high walls of Fengyang that confined Prince of Liao should be abolished. Because this would abolish the Liao vassal state, wouldn't that be too unkind to the clan relationship?
At this time, some censors wrote a letter to the emperor, telling about the feud between Zhang Juzheng and the King of Liao, and impeaching Zhang Juzheng for demanding the abolition of the Liao vassal state out of personal vengeance, which was a form of personal revenge.

Now the focus of the debate in the court changed again, and gradually some people began to use this incident to criticize Zhang Juzheng.

The peaceful court was stirred up again. What if the issue of trade with Japan was raised again?

Emperor Longqing thought about it and still felt that the time was not ripe, so he prepared to order Su Ze's memorial to be returned.

At this moment, Emperor Longqing suddenly looked at the fat little Jun who was sitting upright. He began to think about it and said to Zhu Yijun:
"Jun'er, what do you think of what your Master Su said?"

For the six-year-old Zhu Yijun, he had no idea what Su Ze was talking about, such as opening ports for trade.

However, Su Ze's memorials always discussed the matter directly, and were concise and to the point, so Zhu Yijun could still understand the general meaning.

It probably means asking my father to open the port in Denglai and do business with foreigners.

After hearing the last sentence, Zhu Yijun's attention was all on the "one million taels of silver" mentioned by Su Ze.

"Father! I think what Master Su said is correct!"

Emperor Longqing laughed heartily after hearing this. He then asked teasingly:
"What did your Master Su say was right?"

Zhu Yijun said:
"Isn't it right to be able to make money for my father?"

Emperor Longqing was stunned for a moment. He looked at his son and asked:
“It’s all about making money, right?”

Zhu Yijun nodded and said:
"Of course, the teachers have all said in their lectures that the court needs to spend money on wars, governing the people, running schools, and providing relief, so they advised me to be frugal."

"But if Master Su can help Father make money, then I won't have to save money and spend whatever I want, right?"

"Hahahaha!"

Emperor Longqing laughed at his son's innocent words, but as he laughed, his heart was also moved.

Yes, I wanted to hold a Lantern Festival at that time, but the Prime Minister Xu Jie stopped me from holding the festival because the situation at the border was tense and money was needed.

But if the national treasury is full and I want to hold a lantern festival, will the cabinet still object?

Emperor Longqing thought of his father again. At that time, he was fighting against Japanese pirates and the three main halls were burned down. There was a lot of discussion in the court and the public about rebuilding the three main halls, and the project was delayed.

If there is enough silver in the inner treasury, then we don't have to worry about the outer court's opinion, right?
But the emperor still couldn't make up his mind, so he asked again:

"You're talking nonsense, can you make money by opening up the port for trade?"

Zhu Yijun said:

"Of course!"

Amused by his son's confident attitude, Emperor Longqing asked:

"Tell me, why is it possible?"

Zhu Yijun said:
"Father, I've read in the newspapers. Master Su said in the Records of the Sea Kingdom that the leader of the Red Barbarians built ships and trade, becoming a wealthy man in the land and even constructing a golden palace!"

"If the barbarians can do it, why can't our Celestial Empire?"

Emperor Longqing naturally also read the "Yuefu Xinbao", but he did not read the "Haiguo Ji" in detail.

"Bring me the Yuefu New Newspaper."

Li Fang quickly brought the "Yuefu Xinbao". Emperor Longqing opened the newspaper and found the "Continuation of Haiguo Ji" written by Tu Zemin.

"That's true."

Emperor Longqing looked at the signature again. Wasn't this Tu Zemin who had written a letter requesting the opening of the gate?

It turns out that it was written by him. He presided over the opening of ports for trade in Fujian, so what he wrote should be credible.

Maybe you can try it?

In any case, Su Ze's memorial did not mention trade with Japan at all.

Open a small port in Denglai and see the results?
If it is really as Su Ze said, and can bring a lot of income to the court, then it is not a loss.

If we don't make money in the end, the censors will attack us fiercely and eventually close the port.

Thinking of this, Emperor Longqing finally made up his mind and said:
"Then let the Ministry of Revenue discuss it."

Feng Bao knew in his heart that Zhang Juzheng was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and asking the Ministry to discuss it meant that the emperor agreed.

Emperor Longqing asked again:
"According to Master Zhang's suggestion, we're setting up a Maritime Customs Office in Denglai. Regarding this eunuch, do you have a capable candidate?"

Obviously, Emperor Longqing was asking about Li Fang and Feng Bao who were beside him.

Eunuchs were the emperor's private ministers, and matters such as the appointment of eunuchs from the Maritime Customs Office depended entirely on the emperor's own wishes.

The emperor just asked casually, and Li Fang couldn't think of a suitable candidate in a hurry.

Feng Baoze had already figured it out, and he said directly:
"Zhang Cheng from the Shangyi Bureau is very efficient. He was in charge of purchasing the dragon robes last year."

Whenever a new emperor ascended the throne, he would send eunuchs from the palace to Jiangnan to purchase dragon clothes, or to make dragon robes.

Emperor Longqing recalled that Zhang Cheng's trip to Jiangnan last year was indeed done neatly and the newly bought dragon robes also fit him well, so he nodded and said:

"Then wait for the Ministry of Revenue to agree and send Zhang Cheng."

Li Fang looked at Feng Bao. He naturally knew that Zhang Cheng was Feng Bao's godson, but facing Feng Bao's expansion, Li Fang felt helpless.

There was no way, everyone knew that Feng Bao was the crown prince's best friend.

Therefore, those young eunuchs were more willing to join Feng Bao.

This cannot be changed by human power, but is determined by the hidden line of imperial succession.

Of course, Li Fang was not someone who would sit still and wait for death. In between serving Longqing, he called a trusted young eunuch and told Chen Hong, the third in command of the Imperial Household Department, what had happened in the Yiku Palace today.

Chen Hong controls the Neichengyunku. Today, Feng Bao came here specifically to deliver the memorial, which obviously bypassed Chen Hong and encroached on the interests that originally belonged to Chen Hong.
-
A secretary from the Secretariat found Su Ze who was compiling a report in the History Museum.

"Your Majesty approved the memorial? Lord Zhang invited me to the Ministry of Revenue?"

This Zhongshu Sheren was named Xia Wei, and he was a second-room Sheren working for Zhang Juzheng.

When the Imperial Household Department returned Su Ze's memorial, which had been approved by the emperor, to the cabinet, the three cabinet ministers, including Zhang Juzheng, were extremely shocked.

Zhang Juzheng had even prepared for a long period of time to persuade the emperor, but he did not expect that Su Ze's memorial would be passed so easily. The emperor did not even let the cabinet discuss the matter, but let the Ministry of Revenue handle it directly!

Even Lord Zhang was so surprised, but Su Ze, who wrote the letter, was so calm. Xia Wei could only think that this Hanlin Su's skill in cultivating his Qi was really amazing.

"Then I'll have to trouble Master Xia to lead the way."

(End of this chapter)