Kowloon wins

Chapter 266 Strict Investigation Order ([-])
According to the laws of the Qing Dynasty, the salt business was exclusively operated by the Yamen of the Salt Transport Envoy, and the price was four taels or six yuan, but not all of it was collected into the treasury. The money is distributed between the Yamen of the Salt Transport and the provinces. Generally speaking, the Yamen of the Salt Transport gets one or two taels of silver to maintain a huge bureaucracy. The provinces only get a small amount of six renminbi, but for a province’s annual revenue, it doesn’t count. Generally, it can account for [-] to [-]% of the total annual revenue. They are eyeing tigers, if it is really done according to the method Hong Qing said, it would be a strange thing that the provinces still go all out to check the illegal salt, and this is obviously not the situation that the officials of the Yamen are happy to see. However, if Hongqing's "bad name" hadn't been known earlier, the officials would have turned against her long ago.

"Master Imperial Envoy, I'm afraid this is inappropriate. The imperial court has expressly stipulated that the matter of salt transportation is under the exclusive control of my salt transportation envoy's yamen, and all local departments are not allowed to intervene in it without authorization. If all provinces are allowed to inspect the salt transportation, there will be serious troubles in the future." It will be endless, and I ask the imperial envoy to think twice."

After all, He Mingfu is an old official, slickness is slickness, and when his vital interests are really involved, he does not lack the courage to challenge Hongqing, especially at this time, he thinks he has caught the handle in Hongqing's words, so he is courageous Suddenly, Kang Sheng protested.

"I also ask the imperial envoy to think twice!"

"My lord, think twice!"

"The salt affairs must not be messed up, please think twice, the imperial envoy!"

……

With He Mingfu taking the lead, all the Taoists in the yamen became more energetic after a dry salt shipment, one shouted more cheerfully than the other, and the voices of opposition kept ringing out one after another, but Hong Qing was not moved by it , standing silently, quietly listening to the commotion of a group of officials, with a glance of his eyes, he has already seen the reactions of many officials in the Yamen of the Salt Transport Envoy, and waited to see a Taoist priest silently As she stood alone, Hong Qing's eyes immediately flashed a gleam of brilliance, she turned her head, and already recalled all the background of this person.

Ji Huaijin, a native of Taiyuan, Shanxi, born in the first year of Kangxi, a scholar at the age of 14, a senior candidate at the age of 17, a Jinshi in the 24th year of Kangxi, was sent to Henan Lanyi as a county magistrate, with a term of five years, grade A, Jinshan East Langya Zhizhou, his term of office expired for five years, and his performance was first-class. In the 34th year of Kangxi, he was promoted to Henan Yandao Daotai. Transferred to Jiangxi Yandao Daotai, and was transferred to Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy Yamen last year. He was still a Daotai-level transport secretary. , but still stand still.

"Snapped!"

Hong Qing waited quietly for a while, and saw a group of officials making a fuss, but she couldn't bear to let the officials go on and on, so she picked up the gavel and slapped the copywriting heavily. The sound immediately made all the officials stop silently.

"Is this Taoist priest Ji Huaijin, Lord Ji?"

Although all the officials had calmed down, they looked at Hong Qing with unyielding expressions in their eyes, but Hong Qing didn't pay attention at all, and his eyes fell on the Taoist priest who had remained silent before, and his voice asked peacefully.

"The next official, Ji Huaijin, kowtows to the imperial envoy."

Ji Huaijin has never had anything to do with Hongqing, and she just met at the post station yesterday when she was picking up the driver, and they met with Zhongdaotai together, and they never talked a few words, so she didn't expect Hongqing to actually Still remembering herself, Ji Huaijin was taken aback when Hong Qing called her name so abruptly, but she didn't dare to show any disrespect, she hastily restrained herself, stepped out from the side, respectfully There are too many visits to worship.

"Master Ji, please calm down. Ben Belle has heard Cao Zhizao mention the ability of Lord Ji many times. He said that Lord Ji not only understands the way of salt, but also is proficient in local government. It's been a long time."

Hong Qing praised Ji Huaijin politely, and pointed out Cao Yin's recommendation in his words, almost telling Ji Huaijin that if he was willing to work, he would be useful.

"Your Imperial Envoy is over-reputed, and I really don't dare to be an official."

When Ji Huaijin first entered Yandao, she had served in the hands of Cao Yin. At that time, she was very popular with Cao Yin. Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. Cao Yin was transferred back to Jiangning Weaving Mansion soon after. The fortune envoy's yamen also lost support, and when the spring breeze was prosperous, he often offended people, so he was inevitably squeezed out by his colleagues. The salt fortune envoy's yamen has changed three salt envoys, and he is still at the level of Daotai Ji Huaijin had given up thinking about promotion a long time ago, but when she suddenly heard Hongqing's hint that it was almost vernacular, she couldn't help but feel a big turmoil in her heart. After years of experience in the officialdom, Ji Huaijin He didn't dare to fully believe in Hong Qing's good intentions, so he didn't dare to say anything too much. He just said a word of humility, and then he shut his mouth tightly.

"Well, from Lord Yiji's point of view, is the inspection of the provinces that Ben Belle mentioned earlier feasible?"

Hong Qingyuan didn't expect Ji Huaijin to swear allegiance to the death with a few light words, so he didn't care too much about his cautiousness, he just nodded kindly, and then turned to the topic.

"Returning to the words of the imperial envoy, the lower officials think that strict investigation is indeed necessary. However, the salt business involves a franchise, and it is really not suitable for multi-party management, otherwise there will be endless troubles. According to the lower officials, it is necessary to rectify the salt tour camps and strengthen inspections everywhere. Tianjin is enough to deal with the entrainment of private salt, especially in Yangzhou, this is the humble opinion of the officials, and I ask the imperial envoy to make a clear judgment."

Although he was moved by Hong Qing's hint, Ji Huaijin didn't want to make a deal based on principles because of this, and did not agree with Hong Qing's proposal, but gave a more secure solution.

"Well, that's a good point. Since this policy was proposed by Master Ji, Master Ji will be responsible for handling it. Ben Belle gives you the power to rectify the salt patrol camp. Anyone who dares to dissatisfy will be dismissed and dealt with legally. How dare you say no ?”

Hearing what Ji Huaijin said, Hongqing couldn't help being happy, not for anything else, but because the strategy proposed by Ji Huaijin was Hongqing's expected control method. Control, but I didn't expect to be told by Ji Huaijin before I had time to say it. Although it missed the opportunity to teach the officials of the Yanmen Yamen, it also saved Hong Qing's tongue, and there would be no He didn't agree with it, so he nodded approvingly and asked kindly.

"The next official is willing to take this responsibility."

As long as it doesn't violate her own principles of being a man and an official, Ji Huaijin has no reason not to accept Hong Qing's kindness, so she hastily bowed and expressed her position firmly.

"Wait a minute, Qingbeile. The salt patrol camps in various places are not affiliated with each other, and they are all independently inspected to ensure the independence of the salt affairs. Now if you do it according to your idea, if something goes wrong, it is not a joke."

There are salt patrol camps in all provinces, but the centralized management is in charge of the Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy. Speaking of which, the Salt Transport Envoy has nearly half of the power. He lost most of the right to speak about the matter, so naturally he couldn't tolerate Hong Qing's actions like this. Before Hong Qing could speak again, He Mingfu jumped out from the side and objected loudly.

"Presumptuous, Ben Baylor is ordered to supervise the salt affairs and takes full responsibility. When will it be the turn of a mere salt transport envoy to make irresponsible remarks, but if there is any mistake, Ben Baylor will take it for himself. Huh, don't blame Ben Baylor for his ugly words In the front, anyone who dares to act recklessly in the matter of rectifying the salt patrol camp will all be disobedient and disrespectful, and you will not retreat!"

Hong Qing had no intention of arguing with old bureaucrats like He Mingfu in court at all, so her face darkened, she held the imperial decree in both hands, and scolded He Mingfu sternly.

"The lower officials dare not, the lower officials dare not."

Seeing Hongqing carrying out the imperial decree, although He Mingfu was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to push himself forward, so he could only retreat to the side embarrassingly, but in his heart he was thinking about how to join the salt transport envoys The officials of the yamen refer to Hongqing's book.

"Master Ji, just let go and do it. Whether you want people or things, Ben Bele will not refuse anyone. If there are generals in the salt patrol camps who don't listen, just tell Ben Bele. Everything will be done for you. Make the decision, of course, there is one thing that Ben Baylor has to say up front, I will give you two months to rectify it, if there is still a flood of private salt after that, then don’t blame Ben Baylor for turning his face and being ruthless, do you dare to respond?"

Hong Qing ignored He Mingfu's retreat, and didn't care how he felt. She stared at Ji Huaijin with piercing eyes, and asked solemnly.

"Your officer is willing to serve as a military order!"

Ji Huaijin was a person who dared to take responsibility, and was not intimidated by Hong Qing's harsh words. On the contrary, he was full of pride and gave the answer neatly.

"Okay, then it's settled. This is the imperial bestowed dragon pendant, and Ben Baylor will be handed over to you. Anyone who dares to disobey can be captured first and reported later. Lord Wangji will do it for herself. Don't disappoint Ben Baylor's high hopes." .”

After hearing Ji Huaijin's statement, Hongqing didn't say anything more, and never asked the opinions of the other officials in the Salt Transport Envoy's Yamen. Even if the decision was made, she shook her hand and took off the dragon pendant tied around her waist. Get down, hold it in your hand, and raise it high above your head, so that all the officials present have a look at it, and then handed it to Ji Huaijin.

"Your Majesty would like to obey the orders of the Imperial Envoy!"

Over the years, Ji Huaijin has been stared at in official circles, and she had long thought that one day she would be proud and elated. Now, the realization of this wish is just around the corner. She couldn't help being so excited that she couldn't help herself, and the corners of her eyes were so moist that she answered The voice was already choked up.

(End of this chapter)