Chapter 773 How many people are there in 872?
“Mr. Wei Ge, Mr. Chief Assistant, please come over for a moment. We have important matters to discuss.”
On this day, Wei Guangde was handling official business in the duty room. Now that the leisurely period at the beginning of the year has long ended, various reports from all over the Ming Dynasty are flying in, and the cabinet has become even busier.
"Why have you summoned Mr. Li Ge?"
Wei Guangde put down the memorial in his hand, raised his head and looked at the visitor and asked.
"The palace sent an edict to Liu Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, asking Liu Shangshu to become an official."
The scribe replied hurriedly.
"Going to an official position?"
Wei Guangde was shocked when he heard this. The palace ordered Liu Tiqian to become an official. In fact, it only left him a trace of face and asked him to take the initiative to resign. Everyone's faces were full of confusion. Look better.
“Do you know why?”
Wei Guangde knew that Emperor Qianlong did not like Liu Tiqian, and Liu Tiqian had angered Emperor Longqing several times because of money.
Although he had some guesses in his mind, Wei Guangde still asked one more question.
"It seems that because of the jewelry purchase, the Ministry of Revenue yesterday sealed back the documents for the purchase of gold and jewelry from the inner court."
The clerk really knew what was going on, maybe he was stealing It was because he heard Li Chunfang's conversation in the duty room, but now Wei Guangde also knew the reason why Li Chunfang asked them to go.
It is no small matter for the Minister of the Ministry of Finance to order him to become an official. The official position of the Minister of the Ministry of Finance is enough to cause competition among various forces in the court.
However, Wei Guangde knew that Li Chunfang asked them to go to discuss whether the cabinet should submit a petition to stay.
After all, Liu Tiqian was not ordered to serve because he committed a crime, but because he disobeyed the emperor through purchasing, so he was punished.
Wei Guangde did not waste any time, packed up the memorials on the table and quickly went to the first assistant's check-in room.
He went there early, and not long after everyone else arrived.
“According to the news from the Ministry of Revenue, a few days ago, the middle official Cui Min went to the Ministry of Revenue and asked for one hundred thousand taels of silver to buy pearls, yellow green jade and other items. Liu Shangshu sternly refused because there was insufficient silver in Taicang, and then It is said that this is the third time this year that the Ministry of Accounts has been asked to give money, and the money from the transportation warehouse is more than 100,000.
Cui Min filed a complaint when he returned to the palace, saying that he was disrespectful to His Majesty, which resulted in such trouble.
I have called you here to discuss whether the Cabinet should report to Your Majesty, please stay in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs. "
Li Chunfang briefly explained the matter in one breath. Sooner or later, this will be spread. If it is known that the cabinet is silent on this, it will have an impact on the reputation of everyone in the cabinet.
No matter Whether the emperor listens to the advice or not, it seems that it is good to send a memorial to persuade others to stay.
"Your Majesty has been in bad shape for a long time. No matter what, it is necessary to petition to retain him. ”
Yin Shizhen said.
Although Zhang Juzheng on the side did not speak, he was nodding. Not to mention Wei Guangde, who had known for a long time that such a day would come. In fact, Emperor Longqing could endure it for so long before he had an attack. He was also surprised.
You must know that after realizing that the emperor was dissatisfied with Liu Tiqian last year, Wei Guangde once thought that the emperor would transfer Liu Tiqian to his post a year ago.
Yes, it was a transfer, such as transferring to Nanjing. After all, Liu Tiqian worked hard in the Ministry of Household Affairs and made no mistakes.
"It is best to proceed with caution in this matter. Ti Gan is disrespectful to His Majesty. How can we ask Your Majesty to keep him?"
But at this time, Gao Gong's voice reached the ears of several people. For a moment, everyone couldn't help but look at Gao Gong, with mixed emotions in his eyes, ranging from surprise to anger.
Wei Guangde also felt very bad. He really didn't expect Gao Gong to be completely different from before.
If it had been that year, Gao Gong would have rushed to the Qianqing Palace to argue with the emperor at this time.
Yes, Gao Gong was someone who dared to discuss right and wrong with Emperor Longqing face to face. He was a person who both respected and resented Emperor Longqing.
But this time I returned to the court, it seemed that I had really changed a lot. I knew how to flatter the emperor instead of looking at the right and wrong of things.
"Sir, Chief Assistant, if we are summoned today to discuss this matter, I will forgive Gao for not accompanying me. I still have many official documents that I have not read.
But if you want to persuade me to stay, don't use the cabinet. In name, Gao doesn’t agree.”
As he spoke, Gao Gong had already stood up to leave.
"Su Qing, stay."
Chen Yiqin had already stood up at this time, walked quickly to Gao Gong and whispered to him in a low voice.
However, Gao Gong did not answer, but shook his head, seemingly not accepting Chen Yiqin's words, until he walked out of the check-in room under the puzzled eyes of everyone.
"In that case, let's each play."
Chen Yiqin was very disappointed. After casually saying something, he turned to Li Chunfang, cupped his hands, and left.
Li Chunfang was sitting in her seat, her face did not change at all, she looked very energetic. She was not angry because Gao Gong left like this, and said with a kind face: "In that case, let's go back to the check-in room." Let's get down to business. As for the body work, if you are willing, just give me a memorial. If you don't want to, don't force it. ’
Wei Guangde, Yin Shizhen and Zhang Juzheng looked at each other and stood up to say goodbye to Li Chunfang.
The three of them stopped by and walked back together. When they were about to reach a fork in the road, Zhang Juzheng finally couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty has changed a lot since he came to the throne. I didn't expect Gao Suqing to change even more after returning to the court. I don't know if this is a blessing or not." disaster. ’
After saying this, Zhang Juzheng handed over to Yin Shizhen and Wei Guangde.
The two of them hurriedly returned the salute when Zhang Juzheng saluted. After Zhang Juzheng left, Yin Shizhen asked in a low voice: "Do you want to go sit with Yifu first?"
"Forget it, he I should be in a bad mood at the moment. I will be the host when the office is dismissed later, so I can go to my house for a drink and talk about this later."
Wei Guangde said.
"Okay, I'm sorry for bothering you."
Yin Shizhen said with a smile, and the two of them continued to walk back, but after a few steps, Yin Shizhen still sighed and said: "I don't know what will happen to Liu Tiqian in the end, sigh."< br>
To be a good official means to be right Retired officials have the right to enjoy the rights stipulated in the relevant system, while being ordered to retire is punitive. It means that the emperor may deprive officials of the rights they should enjoy. It is implemented by the emperor against his ministers who go against his will and do not obey him. revenge.
In other words, even if Liu Tiqian submitted a petition to resign, it does not mean that the matter is over. It still depends on Emperor Longqing's approval.
In the approval, it is possible to deprive him of his official status. If so, he will not be able to enjoy the rights that retired officials are entitled to.
Under normal circumstances, the emperor would never retain an official who was ordered to serve, unless he encountered huge political pressure. For example, Li Chunfang asked everyone to discuss whether the cabinet should submit a petition to retain the official.
In fact, if the cabinet takes the lead in asking the emperor to keep Liu Tiqian, it is possible that other officials from the government and the opposition will follow suit, and then jointly exert pressure on the emperor in a tacit understanding.
But obviously, Gao Gong was not willing to do this, and walked away without giving Li Chunfang face.
If the cabinet disagrees, it will be difficult to be the leader of all officials in the court to oppose this matter. In fact, by now, Liu Tiqian's resignation has been confirmed and cannot be changed.
Wei Guangde was still thinking about the matter when he returned to the duty room. He had some doubts about whether Gao Gong wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to win the position of Minister of Household Affairs.
He himself has mastered the Ministry of Personnel, a major weapon in the promotion of officials. If he is allowed to control the financial resources of the imperial court, Wei Guangde cannot even imagine what Gao Gong will eventually develop into.
When he first knew that Gao Gong was coming back, Wei Guangde also hoped that Gao Gong could come back to teach Emperor Longqing. After all, some of the emperor's behaviors at that time really seemed a bit foolish.
Unexpectedly, Gao Gong came back. Not only did he not point out some of the emperor's mistakes and help him correct them, but he actually helped the emperor to perpetrate evil.
To be honest, if other people in the cabinet support the petition to retain Liu Tiqian, Wei Guangde will not object, but if he is asked to petition alone, he will never do it.
Because this was a feudal society and the emperor's rights were supreme, Wei Guangde had no intention of going against the emperor. That would be a thankless task.
I don’t know how much time passed, but when Lu Bu came in to refill Wei Guangde’s tea cup, he reported in a low voice: “Just now, the palace summoned Mr. Gaoge to come over to talk.”
“Oh?”
Wei Guangde withdrew his thoughts and looked in the direction of the palace involuntarily.
He felt that summoning Gao Gong at this time was probably for this matter. In order to take down Liu Tigan, the emperor obviously arranged for people to keep an eye on the cabinet very early.
Ordering Liu Tiqian to serve was not a whim of the emperor, but perhaps a carefully considered choice.
At this time, Gao Gong had already entered the main hall of Qianqing Palace. Emperor Longqing summoned him. He did not mention what had happened in the cabinet before, but asked about the situation of the officials.
The recent adjustment of officials from various places by the Ministry of Personnel is nearing completion. The emperor just casually asked about the arrangements of officials in some important prefectures and counties.
"Master Gao has worked hard on state affairs, and his hard work has yielded great results, but he must also pay attention to his body and not be exhausted."
Emperor Longqing seemed to be very satisfied with Gao Gong's ability to handle government affairs. Gao Gong said after finishing the arrangement.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. As a minister, you should serve the country. Otherwise, you will not be able to live without a meal.
The official affairs of the Ministry of Personnel are related to the selection of officials. If the official selection is not done well, not only will they be ineffective, but they will also harm the people under their rule. The people cannot live in peace.
I am trusted by your Majesty to take charge of the affairs of the ministry. Naturally, I have to do my best and dare not slack off."
Gao Gong bowed and replied, "In addition, I have learned a lot about the official system of various places in the past few days. I have recently completed a memorial, and I have asked your Majesty to read it."
While speaking, Gao Gong took out a memorial from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
The eunuch on the side immediately took two steps forward to take the memorial from his hand, and then returned to the emperor.
Taking the memorial from the eunuch, Emperor Longqing immediately unfolded it and read it carefully.
"Abolition of redundant personnel in Jinyi?"
Soon, Emperor Longqing noticed the main content of Gao Gong's memorial and requested the abolition of officials, and the first to bear the brunt was the huge number of officials given by Jinyiwei.
Many of these people just stopped doing things after they received their imperial titles, and then took advantage of their official positions to commit evil acts. Only a handful of them were able to work in the Jinyi Guards with peace of mind.
Gao Gong proposed to clean up this part of the officials. According to the memorial, there were a huge number of such generals, no less than a thousand. Every year, at least more than 100,000 taels of salary and silver were withdrawn from the treasury of the two capitals.
Emperor Longqing did not express his position immediately. You must know that the emperor would give such a reward because his family must have made great contributions to the court.
Even if these people only take the money and do nothing, although the court will lose some money, how can it be taken back as soon as it is said to be taken back?
"Master Gao, the memorial mentioned some official positions that can be dismissed. I don't have any objection. It's just that I want to think about it more."
Long Qing The emperor did not think there was any problem with the abolition of some official positions, not to mention the abolition now. If it is later found that these positions are still needed, the Ministry of Personnel can then report to the Ministry and resume the appointments.
These are just small things.
On the other hand, taking back the rewards from Jin Yi’s personal army was a big deal in the eyes of the emperor, as it was a matter of the emperor’s face.
Although he did not agree to eliminate the imperial guards, he did agree to eliminate redundant officials. Gao Gong felt that he had not written this memorial in vain.
"The minister will report this matter in the name of the Ministry of Personnel when he returns, and the Jinyi troops will not be included in the reform for the time being."
Gao Gong said, and when Emperor Longqing nodded, he continued: "But I also remind your Majesty that as far as I know, the number of Jinyi Guards in the world today reaches one hundred thousand, and one can imagine the redundancy among them.
The number of thousands of people is just a rough calculation of the royal reward. There may be more people. Please pay attention to this matter, because it is too much.
The current imperial court is in financial distress and cannot afford to support so many people. "
"I know, I will ask Zhu Xixiao to check when I come down. If there are really so many redundant personnel in the pro-army, I will cut off those who should be laid off, and I will never be lenient.
However, it depends on the situation. For some people who have made great contributions to the country, it is better to give up the reform. "
Emperor Longqing still insisted on what he meant and said to Gao Gong.
After Gao Gong said goodbye and exited the hall, Emperor Longqing sat quietly on his throne and thought for a while, then suddenly asked: "Call Feng Bao over. I have something to ask him."
The eunuch beside him immediately accepted the order and Go, and not long after, Feng Bao came to Qianqing Palace out of breath.
After Feng Bao entered the hall and kowtowed, Emperor Longqing asked loudly: "Master Gao came here and said that my Jinyi soldiers numbered as many as 100,000? Does your Dongchang know about this?" Are there really so many people in Jinyiwei?”
First Former Feng Bao received the order and asked him to come over. He only heard that the emperor had just summoned Gao Gong, and he immediately called him. He thought that Gao Gong had made slanderous remarks in front of the emperor and wanted to harm himself. Who knew that when he came in, he heard that the emperor had But he asked about Jin Yiwei, and he was stunned for a moment.
“What are you doing standing there stupidly? I ask you, are there really one hundred thousand Jin Yiwei?”
Emperor Longqing felt unhappy when he saw Feng Bao stunned on the spot, and his tone of voice became rude.
After being pressed by the emperor, Feng Bao also reacted and hurriedly said: "Reporting to your majesty, I really don't know how many Jinyi guards there are, but there should be about 30,000 Jinyi guards in the capital. , and it is difficult to say how many guards there are in each place.
Although the Jinyi Guard system also has thousands or hundreds of households, in fact, except for the generals and captains of the Han Dynasty. Except for Lux, there is no customization. The number of people depends on the needs.
I heard that Jin Yiwei has a large number of spies distributed in various places, and there are even special agents outside the Ming Dynasty. These are all covered by Jin Yiwei, and they can be taken care of. I don’t know.
Your Majesty asked me how many people there are in the Jinyi Guards. I am afraid that only the commander of the Jinyi Guards can tell clearly.”
"There are 30,000 people in the 14 thousand-household residences in the capital?"
Emperor Longqing frowned, feeling that the number of 100,000 was probably a misinformation, and Gao Gong must have believed the rumors.
The number of Jinyiwei in the capital should be the largest. Most of the other places have hundreds of households, with only a few hundred people. How could they possibly make up a hundred thousand?
Thinking of this, his brows widened, but out of curiosity he still told Feng Bao: "Go and ask Zhu Xixiao, how many people are there in Jinyiwei?"
(End of this chapter) )