My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 132 "Request for Inspection and Examination of Memorials and Decisions"

In the capital, news began to circulate that Su Ze had been issued multiple petitions by the Censorate. Shen Yiguan also came to the newspaper office to see Su Ze, but Su Ze did not take it seriously.

As mentioned earlier, such petitions are only effective against ordinary officials.

For someone like Su Ze, who is favored by the emperor and has a place in the hearts of both the emperor and the cabinet, he would not be punished for a mere visit during the capital inspection.

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, most government offices in the capital, except for a few such as the Grand Secretariat and the Office of Transmission, had been sealed off and locked up in preparation for the New Year.

After finalizing the last issue of the newspaper before the new year and completing the layout, Luo Wanhua personally delivered it to the printing shop, and the newspaper office prepared to close for the night.

After Luo Wanhua returned to the newspaper office, Su Ze led everyone in a year-end summary meeting.

Looking at all the staff of the newspaper office, including Su Ze, there were two officials of the regular rank, two junior scholars to assist in the work, plus the clerks and scribes of the newspaper office, totaling thirty people, as well as dozens of craftsmen and laborers in the printing workshop. Su Ze also felt a sense of pride.

The Yuefu Xinbao has grown from nothing to a department that is highly prestigious even in the capital. This is Su Ze's greatest achievement since his transmigration.

Although the Yuefu Xinbao only had four officials of official rank, all four of them were Hanlin scholars.

This includes two future prime ministers!

It is likely that future scholars studying the history of the Ming Dynasty will be unable to bypass newspapers, and countless scholars will publish numerous papers on this topic.

Su Ze's year-end summary was short, mainly consisting of affirming achievements and looking forward to the future. Then, Su Ze personally distributed "annual allowances" to the officials present.

The annual allowance is the year-end bonus.

Of course, according to the original design of the Ming Dynasty, there was no such money; Zhu Yuanzhang set very low salaries for officials.

The annual allowance is a result of natural evolution, and today it has become a semi-public unspoken rule.

Living in the capital is no easy feat.

Officials might forgo money or even pay out of their own pockets to become officials for the sake of their future, since those who could pass the imperial examinations were generally from well-off families. Even someone like Su Ze would be eager to arrange a marriage, and there were many who wanted to give him money as a form of financial assistance.

But this doesn't apply to lower-level officials.

Most grassroots officials have no hope of promotion. If they don't have enough income to make a living, they will naturally resort to exploiting their positions, either embezzling public funds or going out to exploit the people.

Human nature is what it is.

Su Ze does not oppose the current moral requirements for officials. In Su Ze's view, mid- to high-ranking officials should have moral pursuits. As officials, they should benefit the people in their jurisdiction. Mid- to high-ranking officials should have moral ideals, and it is appropriate to impose requirements on their private morality.

The moral depravity of a mid- to high-ranking official can affect tens of thousands of people.

However, it would be a bit of a scoundrel to merely raise moral requirements for grassroots officials without guaranteeing their treatment.

This "annual bonus" is a year-end bonus that department heads give to their subordinates, demonstrating their initiative.

The source may not be legal; the main purpose is to motivate subordinates.

Su Zefa's annual allowance was approved by the newspaper's president, who was also the Grand Secretary Li Chunfang. It was a sum of money that Su Zefa had raised by using the money from selling waste paper at the printing shop, plus the newspaper's extra subscription income.

The clerks whose names were called by Luo Wanhua happily accepted the red envelopes from Su Ze's hands.

In addition to the clerks and copyists, Su Ze also commended several artisans who had proposed improvement plans that increased printing efficiency during their work.

Su Ze gave them double their allowance and publicly commended their contributions.

After the meeting, the newspaper's work for the year came to an end.

The museum will reopen on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is after the Lantern Festival.

Just then, Shen Yiguan slipped into the newspaper office again.

The Crown Prince's Palace has also stopped giving lectures, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has closed its offices even earlier than the newspaper office. These days, Shen Yiguan has nothing to do and often visits the newspaper office.

Of course, when the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was not locked up, Shen Yiguan would often come to visit.

"Brother Zilin, Brother Rumo is returning to the capital!"

Is Shen Shixing returning to Beijing?
The Liaodong expedition was long over, the chief envoy Hong Chaoxuan had returned to the capital, and the deputy envoy Shi Duchen had been promoted, but that did not mean the Jingzhou matter was over.

Following the same method used to deal with the Prince of Liao, the imperial court would also need to compile a list of the Prince of Dai's properties, allocate land according to the rank of the imperial relatives, and reclaim any excess land as official land.

Lifting the ban on members of the imperial clan, rescinding the ban on members of the Liao royal family, and settling other people in the Prince of Dai's residence all require manpower.

Therefore, Shen Shixing was once again detained in Jingzhou by Zhang Juzheng, and only after thoroughly dealing with the Prince of Dai's affair did he return to the capital.

Hearing that his friend would be returning before the New Year, Su Ze was very happy and made plans with everyone to welcome Shen Shixing back to Beijing.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Yiguan changed the subject and said:
"Brother Zilin, the rumors about your visit to Shan are getting more and more outrageous."

Shen Yiguan glanced at Su Ze's expression before carefully saying, "Officials all say that you have Grand Secretary Gao backing you up, so you're fearless. Some have even listed your ten major crimes."

Listing crimes was a common practice in the Ming Dynasty officialdom.

This crime also grew increasingly larger as the power struggles within the Ming Dynasty's officialdom intensified.

When Xia Yan fell from power, he was accused of five major crimes; when Yan Song fell from power, he was accused of five acts of treachery and ten crimes; and historically, when Zhang Juzheng fell from power, he was accused of fourteen major crimes.

He was now ranked alongside Yan Song.

Su Ze felt that these officials were just bored and had nothing better to do.

Seeing that Su Ze didn't care, Shen Yiguan continued:
"But Brother Zilin, you really don't need to worry. His Majesty and the Cabinet have seen how much you have done this year. If you can't pass the capital inspection, who can? The charges on the petition are all baseless."

"After all, no one dares to say that Brother Zilin is lazy and incompetent. Su Ershu's name is already known even in the local area."

Everyone present was amused by Shen Yiguan's joke. "Incompetence and laziness" was a common fabricated charge on the Censorate's investigation report, but it just couldn't be pinned on Su Ze.

You say Su Ze is lazy and incompetent? Then may I ask who in this court is capable? Who is truly diligent?

Su Ze's title has evolved from Su Yishu to Su Ershu. Some busybodies have even calculated that since Su Ze became a Shujishi, every memorial he has submitted has been approved, and his success rate has reached an astonishing 100%!

With such a terrifying number of memorials and such a terrifying success rate, if Su Ze is described as "mediocre and lazy," then there are no "diligent and capable" officials left in the Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Yiguan said:

“Another incident occurred last night: Sun Hanlin, who had been petitioning, committed suicide by burning charcoal.”

"what?"

Luo Wanhua asked, "But when that censor Qi Kang failed to get a calligraphy, the Censorate wrote 'the lazy and incompetent Hanlin scholar' on his inquiry form?"

Shen Yiguan nodded repeatedly and said:
"It is indeed that scholar, Sun Hanlin."

"Alas, Sun Hanlin has wasted more than ten years in the Hanlin Academy without ever getting a chance to rise in the ranks. If he is dismissed in this capital examination, he will probably have to retire and go home."

"Perhaps he was too ashamed to face his family, so he committed suicide by burning charcoal."

Upon hearing this news, Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei asked in shock:

"Even if one fails the imperial examination in the capital, the worst that can happen is being demoted to a local post. Why would someone commit suicide by burning charcoal?"

Shen Yiguan sighed and said:
"These old scholars in the Hanlin Academy, who have spent their whole lives as noble scholars, how will they face those ruthless clerks and cunning runners when they go to the local areas? Moreover, being demoted from the Hanlin Academy is like going from purity to corruption, and they will be looked down upon when they go to the local areas."

"Sun Hanlin probably just had a moment of despair."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei fell silent. As newcomers to officialdom, this was the first time they had witnessed its cruelty.

Shen Yiguan said again:

"Speaking of this matter, does it also involve Brother Zilin?"

"I?"

Shen Yiguan nodded and said:
"This Hanlin scholar Sun committed suicide by burning charcoal, precisely the kind of charcoal poisoning that Brother Zilin analyzed in the *Yuefu Xinbao*. Now, many Hanlin scholars are speaking out for Hanlin scholar Sun, and they're bringing up Brother Zilin again." Su Ze was somewhat amused and exasperated. How could this be related to him?

Sun Hanlin's experience greatly shocked everyone, and the once cheerful and lively office room suddenly fell silent.

Su Ze remained silent for a while, then walked to his desk and picked up a pen.

Shen Yiguan asked in confusion:

"Brother Zilin, the government office is about to close, what are you still writing?"

Su Ze said lightly:
"I want to submit a memorial to the emperor."

"what?"

Everyone present was stunned.

Although the Cabinet and the Secretary of State will be on duty until New Year's Eve, and there will be people on duty during the Lunar New Year, that is to handle important military and national affairs and urgent military situations.

It is assumed that after the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, officials in the capital will begin to rest. Is this the time to submit a memorial?

Shen Yiguan suddenly remembered Su Ze's nickname "Su Ershu" and couldn't help but say:

"Brother Zilin, are you really going to collect two memorials a month?"

After he finished speaking, everyone present laughed.

Su Ze chuckled, but quickly composed himself and said:

"This memorial is of great importance. It would be best if you all refrain from signing it. If anyone asks, just say you don't know."

Upon hearing Su Ze's words, Shen Yiguan and Luo Wanhua instead said:
"Brother Su, what are you saying! You're trying to speak up for Hanlin Sun, aren't you? This time, the Censorate has gone too far!"

Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei nodded in agreement. They also felt a sense of shared sorrow over the death of Hanlin Sun. A figure as remarkable as Su Ze was rare in the Ming Dynasty, which had produced only a handful of such individuals over the centuries. Many Hanlin scholars spent their entire lives mediocre in the Hanlin Academy.

If the Censorate can make things difficult for them even in this way, then what status does the Hanlin Academy have?

But Su Ze shook his head and said:
"Yes and no."

The four people gathered around, only to find that Su Ze had already written down the title of the memorial—

"Request to Investigate and Verify the Success of Memorials and Announcements."

what is this?
Su Ze wrote very quickly, and the four of them had just finished reading the beginning when they all took two steps back in shock.

"Brother Zilin!"

The first to speak was Shen Yiguan, whose face was grim.

"If you submit this memorial, you will offend countless officials!"

Even Luo Wanhua hurriedly said:

"Brother Zilin! This is too radical!"

Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei dared not speak. They regretted that they had come up to him. Now they were in a dilemma: to dissuade him or to agree to Su Ze's memorial.

This memorial, once delivered to the imperial court, will undoubtedly drop a huge bombshell on the entire court, and officials of all ranks in the capital will likely have a very difficult year to come.

Su Ze said:
"My brothers, there's no need to persuade me any further. I have made up my mind. I have been preparing this memorial for a long time, and it is by no means a spur-of-the-moment decision."

Shen Yiguan and Luo Wanhua exchanged a glance. They knew Su Ze's personality; he wouldn't change because of a few words from them.

Luo Wanhua sighed and said:
"Brother Zilin, such an important matter, shouldn't you discuss it with Elder Gao first?"

Su Ze shook his head and said:
"This is precisely the matter that cannot be discussed with the Grand Secretaries."

Luo Wanhua still looked puzzled, but Shen Yiguan understood and said:

"Brother Zilin, are you going to become a loyal subject?"

Su Ze shook his head and said:

Whether someone is a loyal subject or not depends on which side they stand on.

"Our dynasty treats its scholars and officials well, but who in this world is not suffering?"

"The postal service in the capital region suffered from reduced pay, and the postal workers had to travel barefoot in the dead of winter; the porters in Tongzhou were struggling to make ends meet with firewood and charcoal, and huddled in leaky sheds coughing up blood; the garrison soldiers in Jizhou were all in the same household with rusty weapons, and their dull and worn-out weapons were no match for the enemy."

"Officials, officials! When we enter officialdom, we should treat the people like our own parents. But many officials are incompetent and superficial. Are there any parents in the world who treat their children like this?"

"Emperor Taizu established the Censorate and the Censorate to advise the emperor and correct ministers, but now they have become tools for factional struggles and political infighting."

"The Censorate's investigation into Shan was merely a rumor; did they really drive a Hanlin scholar to his death with just the word 'mediocre and lazy'?"

"Those who are good at currying favor are labeled 'diligent,' while those who are poor at speaking are called 'mediocre and lazy.' If this continues, who will be willing to do practical work?"

Everyone fell silent.

Everyone knows that Su Ze is right.

Of all the people in this room, Su Ze did the most work, and he also had the worst reputation among the censors.

The six subjects and thirteen questions have indeed deviated from their original purpose.

Su Ze continued writing with his pen:
"If I am to be a loyal minister, then I am willing to be one. If this method can truly reverse the corrupt practices in officialdom, then I will have the support of the people of the world."

After hearing Su Ze's words, Luo Wanhua immediately said:

"Brother Zilin! I want to co-sign!"

Upon hearing Luo Wanhua's words, Shen Yiguan also spoke up:

"I also want to co-sign."

But Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei fell silent, regretting that they had stood there.

Su Ze smiled and said:

"I understand your good intentions, but as I said before, this method is my own idea, so only I can submit this memorial."

"Furthermore, the specific details still need further consideration and revision. You two should go back now."

Luo Wanhua was about to insist, but Shen Yiguan stopped him. Seeing Su Ze writing furiously at his desk, everyone had no choice but to leave the newspaper office.

"Brother shoulder!"

Shen Yiguan stopped Luo Wanhua and said:

“Brother Rumo is returning to the capital tomorrow. Let’s talk to him in advance and ask him to persuade Brother Zilin.”

"Brother Zilin wants to get things done, but I'm afraid even the cabinet won't dare to support this memorial."

"Why bother offending the censors and officials for nothing in the face of the important imperial examination?"

Luo Wanhua was stubborn, and he said:

"I think Brother Zilin's method is quite good, so why doesn't the cabinet support it?"

Shen Yiguan was too lazy to talk to him anymore, and he said:

"Anyway, even if Brother Zilin submits a memorial, he'll have to wait until after the capital inspection. Tomorrow, please ask Brother Rumo to persuade him properly!"

After Su Ze finished writing the memorial, he put it into the "Portable Ming Dynasty Court" app, and the result left him dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)