Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Jiang Zhao!

One of them was backed by a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and the other was a disciple of the Grand Chancellor.

He was certainly not afraid of the struggle between these kinds of people, but he also did not want to be caught in the crossfire.

Whatever the two of them want, give it to them!

Transport Office.

Jiang Zhao held the document and walked slowly.

The thirteen provinces of the empire produced nearly four hundred successful candidates in a single imperial examination.

After the results were distributed, approximately sixty Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from the two sessions ended up serving as officials in Shaanxi Province.

Among them, Jiang Zhao first paid attention to the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Huainan.

Nine of the successful candidates in the imperial examinations came from Huainan. They either served in a county or worked in a subordinate department of a government office.

Because they were not probationary scholars, these scholars were almost all ninth-rank officials, with very few being promoted one rank to the ninth rank.

Jiang Zhao held a vermilion brush and marked the names of nine Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Huainan.

He was from Huaizuo, so the people of Huainan naturally felt close to his side.

This is a result determined by one's birth.

Jiang Zhao glanced at the documents in his hand.

"Zhang Zai, Judicial Officer of Fengxiang Prefecture."

Upon seeing the name, Jiang Zhao's gaze sharpened slightly.

Four lines by Zhang Zai!

I almost forgot, Shaanxi Circuit governed three prefectures, one of which, Fengxiang Prefecture, was Zhang Zai's hometown.

“Cheng Hao, the Registrar of Shangyuan.”

Jiang Zhao checked another name.

This person was also a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the same year as him.

However, compared to serving as an official, Cheng Hao was probably more skilled at writing books and pursuing scholarship.

A typical penman, a great Confucian scholar whose legacy will be passed down through generations!

It could be very useful if it came to public opinion.

“Wang Shao, Registrar of Xin’an.”

This man expanded the territory by two thousand miles, and even created a situation for a counterattack against the Western Xia.

"Jiang Zhiqi, Registrar of Yi County."

Compared to Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, and others, Jiang Zhiqi's reputation was somewhat lower.

This man took the path of an imperial censor and became famous overnight for impeaching Ouyang Xiu for having an affair with his eldest daughter-in-law, Wu.

This person's life can be described as having both merits and demerits.

He was adept at governing the frontier, suppressing rebellions, and managing floods and providing disaster relief.

The only drawback might be that it is too dependent on the powerful and wealthy, and has a bit of a "loyal dog" attitude.

Jiang Zhao hesitated for a moment, then checked the name.

Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, Wang Shao, Jiang Zhiqi, and nine other Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Huainan.

It must be said that Shaanxi Road truly lives up to its reputation as a frontier region, boasting a wealth of talented individuals.

The second year of the Jiayou era was indeed a time when many famous figures emerged; a quick check of the list reveals quite a few renowned individuals.

"Hesheng, take my token and summon these people to the administrative office," Jiang Zhao said, passing the document in his hand.

As a powerless leader, Jiang Zhao urgently needs people to act as his eyes and ears, to understand the situation, and to implement his orders.

Only after thirteen people entered the Jingzhao Prefecture could he begin his power grab.

The power struggle between the transport commissioner and his deputy was something that some minor officials couldn't even get involved in.

The thirty-odd officials who staged the demonstration were not necessarily all on Sima Guang's side.

However, those people dared not step forward and thus tacitly became Sima Guang's men.

After all, compared to Sima Guang, who held power for seven years, the newly appointed transport commissioner might not have a chance to rise in the ranks.

However, once some advantages are shown, people will naturally come to curry favor.

They'll help whoever wins!

Transport Deputy Envoy's Office.

Sima Guang remained calm and composed, sitting in the main seat.

Liu Ping relayed Jiang Zhao's words to him.

"The move has been made, how can you take it back?" Sima Guang waved his hand, his gaze resolute.

He has now made his move, while Jiang Zhao has not yet.

Once Jiang Zhao also makes his move, the two sides will officially begin their battle.

Therefore, Jiang Zhao temporarily persuaded them to surrender, indicating that he could give them a chance, not make a move, and that the two sides could coexist peacefully.

He took a risky step; if he failed, he would be doomed.

Jiang Zhao was magnanimous, giving Jiang Zhao a chance to take back his move, which naturally showed his extraordinary composure.

Unfortunately, he doesn't need it!

After eleven years of hard work with almost no progress, Sima Guang was starting to lose his composure and refused to endure the hardship any longer.

Jiang Zhao and Wang Anshi were both potential successors to become the next party leader, and they did not follow the path of accumulating seniority.

Jiang Zichuan was a disciple of the Grand Chancellor, a man who offered timely help when Jiang was down on his luck.

Wang Anshi was a man who cultivated his reputation for long-term success, which naturally garnered him considerable attention.

In comparison, his hard work in accumulating seniority was exhausting.

He also wants to learn from the two of them!

Unfortunately, his resume is not good.

Therefore, the only option is to take a risky approach.

The young Grand Secretary is a figurehead.

Everyone says that the young Grand Secretary reached his peak upon entering officialdom, but he doesn't believe it!

He wanted to assess the young Grand Secretary's abilities.

"My lord, what should we do next?" Judge Liu Ping asked respectfully.

Judge Chen Xin also looked over.

Both of them were Sima Guang's core confidants.

“Jiang Zhao is a disciple of Han Da Xiang Gong. He has a proud spirit and will definitely not back down if we don’t give him a try.”

Sima Guang said in a deep voice, "Right now, ninety percent of the officials in the Transport Commission are my people, and Jiang Zhao has very little power. From now on, we need to make him appear incompetent."

Literati and scholars value their reputation above all else.

Once Jiang Zhao gains a reputation for being "mediocre," he will definitely transfer away on his own.

Scholars who cultivate their reputation are most afraid of this thing.

"I hope you can give me your instructions, sir." Liu Ping looked over.

"The Transport Office is in charge of finance. As the chief official, one of the most important responsibilities is to collect taxes." Sima Guang slowly explained: "Shaanxi Road is on the frontier. A portion of the taxes must be handed over to Bianjing, a portion is supplied to the frontier troops, and a portion is stored for emergencies."

"This matter concerns the military and Bianjing. If even the matter of taxation cannot be handled properly, wouldn't it be a sign of the incompetence of the commanding officer?"

After speaking, Sima Guang looked at his two trusted confidants.

The Great Zhou Dynasty implemented the Two-Tax System, abolishing miscellaneous taxes and corvée labor, and uniformly collecting taxes based on land and property. Summer taxes were collected once in June and July, and autumn taxes were collected once in September and October.

For merchants, it was one-thirtieth of their assets to be handed over.

Uneven tax collection is definitely one of the most telling signs of an official's incompetence.

"this?"

Liu Ping was startled: "If we can't collect taxes from our subordinates, and Lord Jiang reports this to the imperial court, I'm afraid there will be an army to suppress us, right?"

How could anyone dare to do that?

The powerful clans were local emperors in their respective prefectures and counties.

Therefore, they also understood better how terrifying a real emperor was.

Minor matters are one thing, but when it comes to taxes, how can one not pay them?

"Don't rush." ​​Sima Guang was confident and waved his hand: "If we can't collect taxes, once Jiang Zhao intends to petition the court, I will take the initiative to assume the responsibility of collecting taxes."

"If the commander can't collect them, but the deputy can, then people will spread the word."

It's not that they don't pay taxes, but rather that they pay taxes late.

In this way, once public opinion takes shape, great things can be accomplished.

Liu Ping understood and stroked his beard, nodding in agreement.

To be honest, it really does make Jiang Zhao appear incompetent and mediocre.

"Sir, how many people are exempt from paying taxes?" Liu Ping asked again.

As a native of Guang Prefecture in Shaanxi, Sima Guang was naturally a local strongman.

However, the influence of local bullies is almost always limited to a single prefecture.

The relationships at the provincial level are too complex. Even if Sima Guang were to step down, or even if he were a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he might not be able to completely influence the entire province.

It's unrealistic to expect people to travel without paying taxes.

“If we include the two of you, you are a powerful clan in three provinces!” Sima Guang gave his answer.

This is his limit.

Gwangju is his hometown, no need to say more.

He was confident he could persuade the powerful families of Gwangju to lend their support.

His wife came from a prominent family in Shaanxi province, and he was confident he could persuade the entire province to lend their support.

The remaining prefecture fell to Liu Ping and Chen Xin.

The two men could at least decide that their own clans would not be required to pay taxes, and the two clans could barely be combined to form one state.

In Shaanxi Province, among the twenty-four prefectures, the fact that powerful clans in three of them were not paying taxes was already a very serious matter.

Liu Ping and Chen Xin exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

Just do it!

Chapter 79 Recommendation! (Two Chapters Combined)

Transport company.

Transport Commissioner's Office.

Jiang Zhao held several examination schedules for officials, his expression calm as he looked down.

Further down, on the left and right sides of the table, sat thirteen relatively young officials, almost all of whom looked to be in their twenties or thirties.

The few relatively older Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were all still in their prime.

Jiang Zhao let out a long breath.

Ten days have passed since he entered Shaanxi.

As expected, undercurrents were brewing during these ten days.

Sima Guang's side suddenly fell silent, and dozens of officials isolated him.