Chapter 288: Gentlemen, Civilians and Eunuchs (four chapters in one)
"Mr. Zhou, the inner court said that the new weaving bureau will purchase cotton and raw silk at a price that is 50% higher than the market price. Do you think this is true?"
At this time, in Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture, farmer She Kaide went to the village squire Zhou Jiansheng to confirm the authenticity of the cotton and raw silk purchased by the imperial court at high prices.
Now the people are indeed no longer particularly disgusted with the opening of a new weaving bureau in Songjiang Prefecture by the imperial officials, but have turned their attention to the fact that the weaving bureau wants to purchase cotton and raw silk at high prices.
After all, anyone with a discerning eye understands that purchasing cotton and raw silk at such high prices is naturally beneficial to common people like themselves.
If the new Weaving Bureau really wants to purchase cotton and raw silk at high prices, it will be like the God of Wealth. Who would refuse the opening of the Weaving Bureau in Songjiang Prefecture.
certainly.
Because the image of eunuchs has always been bad among the people, this is partly due to the guidance of public opinion among the gentry, but also partly due to the eunuchs' own misconduct.
But in general, the people were indeed skeptical of the high-priced purchase of cotton and raw silk proposed by the imperial court at the beginning.
Therefore, rich peasants like She Kaide first came to local squires like Zhou Jiansheng to confirm the authenticity of the high-priced purchases of cotton and raw silk by the eunuchs of the inner court.
For farmers in Songjiang Prefecture like She Kaide, local squires are naturally more reliable than eunuchs. After all, we are all neighbors.
Zhou Jiansheng and the gentry in Songjiang Prefecture were all in the same mood at this time.
Because they originally wanted to use the eunuchs of the inner court to come to Songjiang Prefecture to open a new weaving bureau to cause public opinion that the inner court would lower the purchase price of cotton and raw silk, and then they would take care of the people of the neighbors and only pay slightly lower than the market price but higher than the inner court price. The eunuch purchased cotton and raw silk at a slightly higher price, so that he could earn more profits and make his neighbors favor him, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds.
But what Zhou Jiansheng didn't expect was that the eunuchs in the inner court would purchase cotton and raw silk at 50% of the market price. This caught him and other gentry in Songjiang Prefecture off guard, and they were all wondering how the eunuchs in the inner court dared to have such confidence. Don’t you want to make money by raising the prices of cotton and raw silk by 50% at a time?
But no matter what, Songjiang Prefecture gentry like Zhou Jiansheng had to admit that his conspiracy to use the eunuchs of the inner court to open a new weaving bureau to lower the purchase prices of cotton and raw silk in the hands of his neighbors had failed!
Even the current Songjiang Prefecture gentry like Zhou Jiansheng could only raise prices in order to compete with the soon-to-be-established government-owned Weaving Bureau for the cotton and raw silk market.
However, Zhou Jiansheng did not dare to raise the price by 50%. He did not know why the eunuchs in the inner court had such confidence to raise the prices of cotton and raw silk by 50%!
But he knew that there were more and more companies selling cotton and silk overseas, and the prices continued to fall. In order to sell more cotton and silk from his own company, he had to lower the price.
Now, if I raise the purchase price of cotton and raw silk to 50%, my firm will not be able to make much profit at all.
Therefore, Zhou Jiansheng could only take advantage of the trust of his neighbor She Kaide and said:
"Uncle Yu, do you believe what the inner court says? This official has always said that he is beautiful, but he is just like the sister in the brothel. He takes your money and doesn't care who you are. Now they say it is 50% higher. Purchase price, but do you think they will honor it? When you transport the cotton and raw silk, they only take your cotton and raw silk and refuse to acknowledge it. What else can you do? Do you dare to destroy the weaving bureau? If you do that, you will be blackmailed and accused of treason! ”
When Zhou Jiansheng said this, She Kaide believed it to be true and nodded: "That's the truth. That's why I came to you for advice. You are a scholar and well-informed, and you are the same as the officials above." We all have a lot of contact, tell me what we should do, I will listen to you!”
Capitalists will sell anything for profit, even if they risk breaking the law, committing crimes, or even risking their lives, not to mention the trust that their neighbors have in them.
Therefore, Supervisor Zhou said again this week: "After all, we are all neighbors. If I don't help you, who will help you? Let's do this. Our Zhou family purchases your cotton and raw silk at a price that is half a percent higher than the market price. You Well, it’s not a loss, and I can get more benefits. As for me, I won’t lose too much because the price of raw silk is too high. It’s okay for everyone. What do you think?”
She Kaide did not believe that the eunuchs in the inner court would really purchase his cotton and raw silk at a price that was 50% higher than the market price. The reason why he came to Zhou Jiansheng was to hope that Zhou Jiansheng would no longer lower the price to buy his cotton and raw silk. It is best if you can purchase your own cotton and raw silk at affordable prices.
After all, more and more people are planting cotton and raw silk. It can be said that every family grows cotton and picks mulberry. This has also caused the prices of cotton and raw silk to continue to fall.
From She Kaide's point of view, it is a blessing to be able to sell his cotton and raw silk without cutting prices this year.
But She Kai did not expect that Zhou Jiansheng would actually take care of herself at a purchase price higher than half the price, so she was naturally even happier and became grateful to Zhou Jiansheng:
"Xiangong Zhou, you are really a living Bodhisattva. It's no wonder that people like you can be selected as scholars and read good books. It's true that good people are rewarded! Lao She only hopes that you can live a long life!"
In She Kaide's eyes, Zhou Jiansheng is undoubtedly a real good country squire and a living Bodhisattva. He is much better than the eunuchs in dramas and rumors who eat people without spitting out their bones. After all, he is still a neighbor, even if he is rich and powerful. Know how to take care of your neighbors.
Zhou Jiansheng also calmly accepted She Kaide's praise for him. He was even used to the scene where he would just give away a little profit and let the villagers be grateful to him. He had to lament that the ignorant people are really easy to fool, the simple villagers It's even easier to fool.
Because of this, he couldn't understand why the imperial court wanted these poor children from rural families to go to school, and they didn't read books that taught people to be respectful and moderate. Instead, they read books like "Princes, generals, ministers, etc., are they of a certain kind?" As a result, the poor children in the countryside who originally worshiped themselves as living Bodhisattvas now regard themselves as living Buddhas. I thought that I was the "Liu Wencai" and "Zhou Bapi" that were circulated in the drama, so that I, the country squires, had to try their best to clear the name of these so-called "Liu Laocai" and "Zhou Bapi", and hired them to build bridges and pave the way. Let the facts prove it, and spend money and write books to prove that these people are wise squires.
certainly.
Zhou Jiansheng was gratified that the older villagers still trusted gentry like him.
And those poor children who were disobedient after studying were not welcomed by the squires and elders in the village, nor by their parents.
There is no other reason.
These poor children who received the new education were all very reactionary and did not even listen to their parents. In the eyes of the squires and village elders, they were all a group of rebellious and unfilial people. The biggest drawback of the new education was that it taught the children to be reactionary and corrupt. The general ethics does not advocate filial piety.
Turning back to the topic, after Zhou Jiansheng reached an agreement with She Kaide, he immediately asked She Kaide to sign the contract, and She Kaide also signed his fingerprints, happily and formally agreed to give away all the cotton and raw silk in his family at a high price. Yu sold it to Zhou Jiansheng at half the market price. Feeling that he had taken advantage of it, he felt a little embarrassed and kept talking about how good Zhou Jiansheng was.
Zhou Jiansheng became even more happy because of this, so he simply let She Kaide stay at his house for one night, and had someone build a wing in the courtyard where his servants lived for She Kaide to live in. He also gave She Kaide a banquet. , She was so happy that she felt that her face was bright. After all, even though she was only staying in a human room, being able to be stayed by the supervisor to eat and spend the night was considered to be a great honor to him, a country bumpkin.
"Hasn't that bastard of yours agreed to come back and marry the girl from the Lin family in the neighboring village?"
During the dinner, Zhou Jiansheng and She Kaide started chatting, and they got involved in She Kaide’s family affairs. She Kaide sighed:
"Mr. Zhou, don't mention it. I want to beat him to death for this traitor. Ever since he studied in Songjiang Prefecture Middle School, he has said that he would abandon his bad habits and refused to marry the girl from the Lin family who was betrothed to him because the girl from the Lin family had bound feet. Tell me, is it treasonous to say that you only marry girls with natural feet?”
"How can you go against the words of parents who ordered a matchmaker? The new education issued by Kang Hai in the imperial court is very harmful to people. It is obviously to eliminate illiteracy and open up people's wisdom, but it really corrupts the general ethics!" Zhou The supervisor couldn't help but sigh.
"This is exactly the reason. If he could study righteousness like you and become a scholar, I would be satisfied even if he was only a boy. But now I didn't expect that it would be like this. If it hadn't been for the subsidies from the imperial court, I would have let him go long ago. Back!" She Kaide took a few sips of wine and continued talking.
At night, She Kaide rested at Zhou Jiansheng's house, but before he could take off his shoes and clothes, a third-class boy from the Zhou family came over and asked, "Uncle She, isn't he afraid of the cold when he sleeps alone at night?"
She Kaide listened to the words of the young boy from the Zhou family and understood them. She hurriedly pulled the young boy from the Zhou family, stuffed a silver coin into his arms, and asked in a low voice: "I don't dare to hide it from my brother, what happened to me just now?" Your master drank some wine and was in a panic. Is there anyone in your house doing this business?”
"Yes, of course there is. There is a girl named Yun in our house who specializes in this kind of business. Whether it is the master above, farmers like you, or young men like us, as long as she gives her some cloth and gold Silver jewelry or something can make you feel comfortable!”
After the Zhou family boy laughed in a low voice, he pointed at a charming maid who passed by the moon cave door opposite: "She is Miss Yun!"
She opened her eyes and looked in the direction pointed by the young boy from the Zhou family. She saw that Miss Yun was turning back and smiling at him. She was obviously much fairer and younger than his wife with a yellow head and an earthy face. She suddenly thought of something. There is nothing left, I just want to pounce on Miss Na Yun and do it: "Will your master mind?"
"The master will not care about our servants. If you really want to, just give me thirty silver dollars, and I will tell her man that you can go in when her man comes out. His man will be outside to look out for you." , said the boy from the Zhou family this week.
She Kaide had just received a deposit of fifty silver dollars from Zhou Jiansheng. Hearing what the young boy from the Zhou family said, she quickly counted thirty silver dollars to the young boy from the Zhou family, and the young boy from the Zhou family hurriedly ran away.
And She Kaide was waiting in the room with great expectation. Thinking of Miss Yun's face that was so tender that she could pinch water, she felt very hot all over. She looked out the window from time to time. Sure enough, after a while, that week Then the boy came.
She Kai was so impatient that he went up and asked: Brother, what did Miss Yun say? ”
"You come with me!"
This time, the young man from the Zhou family led She through the moon cave door to a side room: "Go in, Uncle She, don't make too loud a sound, it won't be good if you disturb others."
She Kaide nodded and walked over. At this time, he also saw a man sitting on the stone steps outside the wing, taking a nap. He also guessed that this might be Miss Yun's man. He didn't find it strange, because it was said that He knew that it was very common for such wealthy families to have such activities.
She pushed the door open and saw Miss Yun lying on the couch, supporting her chin with one hand and lifting up her pomegranate skirt from time to time with the other hand, revealing her white legs: "Come on!"
She Kaide had to admit that this wealthy family was different, even the servants were more attractive than the women in her village, so She Kaide took off her sweat scarf impatiently.
But at the most critical moment, Miss Yun refused to give in: "You have to give me more money, another twenty silver dollars, or I won't comply and will shout out, saying that you want to rape me. Then we will If the master knows, he will never spare you!”
She Kaide was very anxious at this time. He couldn't stand this kind of torture. He hurriedly gave the last twenty silver dollars to Miss Yun, and then he got his wish and used soapy water on Miss Yun. The scent of the scent was so refreshing that for a moment I just felt that women from wealthy families were different from women in the village.
When it was just dawn the next morning, She opened her door and hurriedly left Miss Yun's place. As soon as she came out, she saw her man still lying on the green grass and taking a nap. He didn't say anything and just returned. He stayed in the room where he lived, and then said goodbye to Zhou Jiansheng with an empty cloth bag that had no silver coins in it.
It wasn't until she left Zhou Jiansheng's home that She Kaide began to regret a little. She felt that she was not worth it. She spent fifty silver dollars in vain after sleeping with a servant woman from the Zhou family all night. The Qinhuai River flower boat in Nanjing is more expensive for overnight stays.
Zhou Jiansheng also came to Miss Yun at this time, and ignored Miss Yun's man. He only asked Miss Yun: "Where is the silver dollar?"
"Sir, they're all here!" Miss Yun, whose hair was in a messy bun, didn't tie up her half-open skirt, leaving only her tube top half exposed, and held up a pile of silver coins.
"Keep five dollars for yourself!"
As he spoke, Supervisor Zhou picked up Miss Yun's fair chin, threw another silver coin, and pounced on her.
Although Miss Yun cooperated with her body, she said: "Master, leave this place soon. This place is very dirty!"
"Dirty, what's so dirty? If you are dirty, then there will be no one in Songjiang Mansion that is clean! Let me kiss you quickly!" Miss Yun's husband outside saw the sweet sounds in the house again, so he had to drink more wine. Three mouthfuls, and then fell into a deep sleep.
Zhou Jiansheng also walked out of Miss Yun's room and returned to his previous serious and solemn appearance. He acted like a kind squire among the villagers and used various methods to receive the cotton and raw silk from the villagers to his business. , of course, he also did shameful things from time to time, pocketing the villagers' silver dollars, and making these villagers feel ashamed and felt that they had done something wrong and took advantage of other people's rural gentry.
Like Zhou Jiansheng, other squires in Songjiang Prefecture are also in the same situation. The methods may be different, but the purpose is the same. They use their advantage of controlling the grassroots people to monopolize upstream products such as cotton and raw silk in the textile industry, thus making the new The newly opened weaving bureau was unable to purchase large quantities of cotton and raw silk.
"Daddy, we have been ordered to raise the market price by 50% to purchase cotton and raw silk. These people don't seem to respond very positively. At present, the steam spinning machines of our Weaving Bureau have been installed, and the workers are waiting for the cotton to be harvested to start work. We are working," Diao Yongyong, the eunuch of the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, couldn't help but said to Luo Xiang.
At this time, another eunuch from the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, Ryan, hurriedly ran over: "Godfather, after inquiring, I learned that many gentry are also taking the opportunity to purchase cotton and raw silk at prices that are half or 10% higher than the market price. , the people don’t believe that we really buy it at a price that is 50% higher than the market price, so now they give cotton and raw silk to these gentry!”
"What can we do? Without cotton, how can our Weaving Bureau spin yarn! Godfather, please think of a solution quickly!"
Diao Yongyong couldn't help but panic, looked at Luo Xiang and said.
"Your Majesty said, these gentry are the scholars, and these common people are the masses. Although the scholars are in the minority, they are the most cunning. Although the masses are numerous, they are the most easily deceived. If intellectuals and the masses are united, they will be invincible in the world. Externally, We can fight against the Tartars or let the barbarians occupy our country. Internally, we can either change the emperor or let the common people become emperors! ”
"However, if you separate the two, they will become soft-legged shrimps. The so-called scholars will be more obedient than the dogs you raise, and the so-called masses will be more tolerant than the cows you raise. Therefore, we must now Whatever you do, separate them and don’t let these gentry confuse these people again!”
Now that Luo Xiang had received Zhu Houzhao's oracle, he was not very panicked, and even talked about his understanding of this phenomenon calmly.
but.
At this time, the disciple suddenly came to report: "Zhou Yuan, the supervisor of Songjiang Prefecture, is asking for an audience!"
"Zhou Yuan? The younger brother of Zhou Yong, Minister of the Ministry of Industry in Nanjing? He is not busy collecting cotton and raw silk. Why did he come to see my father-in-law and ask him to wait in the front hall!"
Soon after Luo Xiang said that, he met with this Zhou Jiansheng.
"Wansheng Zhou Yuan met my father-in-law. Wansheng came uninvited for no other reason. He just wanted to discuss a business with his father-in-law. Wansheng did not dare to hide it from his father-in-law. At present, the cotton and raw silk of Songjiang Prefecture are being supplied by Wansheng and several other local squires. trade name My father-in-law is afraid that it will be difficult to purchase enough cotton and raw silk. Now, when Wan Sheng comes to see his father-in-law, he naturally wants to discuss this business with his father-in-law, so as to prevent his father-in-law from being unable to make a good deal with your majesty! "
Zhou Yuan said.
"Really? If that's the case, how does Zhou Jiansheng plan to do this business with our family?" Luo Xiang wanted to know what kind of medicine Zhou Jiansheng was selling in his gourd this time, so he asked.
"It's very simple. The Weaving Bureau does not purchase cotton and raw silk from ordinary people, but purchases it from us. We merchants can sell these cotton and raw silk to you at a price that is 20% higher than the market price. You continue to tell the higher-ups that you are Purchased at a price that is 50% higher than the market price, so that you and your father-in-laws in the Weaving Bureau can earn 30% of the profit. Of course, later Sheng and other Songjiang Prefecture gentry can also give up half of their profits to bribe civil and military officials at all levels from the governor of Nanzhili to the magistrate of Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture. Naturally, no one will report it by then, and they can even do this every year in the future. Father-in-law The father-in-laws of the Weaving Bureau will naturally make a fortune every year, and the civil servants and gentry will not embarrass the father-in-law, so why not do it! ”
"Of course, my father-in-law can even take advantage of the rising prices of cotton and raw silk every year to report to the court that he will increase the price of cotton purchases, turning the price from 50% higher than the current market price to 70% or 80%. With His Majesty's current situation, Love the people, as long as it benefits the people, your Majesty will naturally I won’t doubt it! What do you think, Eunuch Luo, wouldn’t it be great for everyone to make a fortune together? Even the people of Songjiang Prefecture will benefit, and there will be no trouble by then! Even Eunuch-in-law can open a new business smoothly! The Weaving Bureau will not disappoint His Majesty!”
This week the supervisor said.
Frankly speaking, Luo Xiang was really almost persuaded by the supervisor this week. He had to admit that this was a clever plan, which benefited both himself, the civil and military officials of South Zhili, and even the common people of South Zhili.
However, His Majesty Emperor Luo Xiang has eyes all over the Ming Dynasty, and it is not easy for him to hide it from the emperor. In addition, he already has a wealthy family and is not particularly interested in money. Therefore, after Zhou Jiansheng said this, he just smiled and said: " Zhou Jiansheng is really a good stratagem. In this way, it is His Majesty the Emperor who is deceived, and the profits made by the Weaving Bureau in the future will only fill the stomachs of people like you and me, and will not benefit the country!”
"It can't be said that it is completely useless. At least the court can get some tax revenue! Eunuch Luo only needs to prohibit the Weaving Bureau from directly purchasing cotton and raw silk from the people," Zhou Jiansheng said with a smile.
"Forgive Luo for not daring to do so. Besides, it is His Majesty's decree to directly purchase cotton and raw silk from the people at 50% higher than the market price. If Luo does not accept it from the people, but takes it from you, that would be a violation of the decree." ! ”
After Luo Xiang finished speaking, he put down the tea cup and issued an order to expel the guests.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiansheng had no choice but to say goodbye, but he couldn't help but sneer: "Father, do you know that by doing this you not only cut off the wealth of your subordinates, but also caused the entire civil and military officials in South Zhili to lose an opportunity to make a fortune."
"That's better than offending His Majesty!" Luo Xiang replied.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiansheng had no choice but to leave.
At this time, Luo Xiang's eunuch Diao Yong and others were a little moved, and asked hurriedly: "Why didn't godfather agree to him? This matter seems to be very promising. I am an official for thousands of miles just for wealth. Now this is indeed a good deal." Opportunity to make a fortune! ”
"What do you know? Do you really think that the common people are so easy to deceive? Is Your Majesty so easy to deceive? We have posted notices on orders to purchase cotton and raw silk. If we remove the notices now and do not purchase from the people, That's resistance. Once people come to the Weaving Bureau to sell cotton and raw silk, if we don't accept it, if the news reaches His Majesty's ears, it will be the crime of colluding with foreign ministers. "
"Moreover, once the incident occurs, these gentry will only blame us, saying that we eunuchs are greedy and forced them, the gentry, to do this!"
When Luo Xiang said this, all the eunuchs in the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau understood, but Ryan asked again: "But what Zhou just said is right. If we don't cooperate with them, we will also have fewer civil and military officials in Nanzhili." An opportunity to make a fortune means that we have offended all the civil and military officials in Southern Zhili!”
"What are you afraid of offending? We are not scholars. We are His Majesty's domestic slaves. The more we offend them, the more Your Majesty will trust us! He just wanted to instigate you, saying that my father-in-law has cut off your financial path. , do you also believe this? To tell you the truth, there are many opportunities to make a fortune with His Majesty. It will be beneficial to open this weaving bureau in the future, but now, we cannot make a fortune without His Majesty, otherwise even if we make a fortune, we will not be able to enjoy it by then!"
After Luo Xiang said this, the eunuchs in the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau said nothing more.
At this time, Zhou Jiansheng returned to his home disappointed: "This Luo eunuch is actually quite loyal. He doesn't get enough oil and salt, and doesn't do good things to make a fortune. He insists on using the excuse that it's hard to disobey his will. In this world, There are only people you can’t mess with, and there are no rules you can’t break!”
After saying this, Supervisor Zhou said again: "However, if the security is not guaranteed, he will report to the court on Thursday. He will go to Nanjing to find the uncle (Nanjing Ministry of Industry Minister Zhou Yong) at his house on Thursday, and ask him to find Wang Wenchang in Nanjing. , read Luo Xiang’s book to take the initiative!”
……
It is almost the 18th year of Zhengde, but Zhu Houzhao did not expect that a weaving bureau that uses steam spinning machines as the latest production technology has delayed operations for nearly half a year without making a profit!
First, the scholars and people of Songjiang Prefecture obstructed the establishment of a new weaving bureau, and even the chief official Xiong Bao stood up to speak for the scholars and people of Songjiang Prefecture.
Now the Weaving Bureau cannot receive cotton again. According to Luo Xiang's secret report, it is because the gentry of Songjiang Prefecture took advantage of their control over the grassroots people to block the procurement channels of cotton.
According to the impeachment memorial written by Nanjing Household Affairs Bureau to Wang Wenchang during the incident, Luo Xiang deliberately sued and refused to purchase cotton and raw silk when he was ordered to purchase cotton and raw silk at a purchase price that was 50% higher than the market price, and instead intended to contact some officials in Songjiang Prefecture. Unscrupulous businessmen intend to profit from it.
This made Zhu Houzhao feel very depressed, and angrily threw the two memorials from Luo Xiang of the inner court and Wang Wenchang of the outer court on the table: "This is too much! It is so difficult to start a weaving bureau!"
The cabinet ministers below all looked at each other. They all received many secret letters from their colleagues in Southern Zhili. The contents of the secret letters asked them to find a way to arrange for Luo Xiang to be removed in front of the emperor, who did not give Southern Zhili officials the opportunity to make a fortune.
But now none of the cabinet ministers dare to stand up and disobey Zhu Houzhao at this time. Although they have accepted the courtesy of the officials in Nanzhili, they cannot accept money and do things for others.
Only Wang Qiong said at this time: "Eunuch Luo has been with Your Majesty for many years. He has always been mature, but he has always been kind-hearted and kind-hearted. He is inevitably hesitant in doing things, which has slowed down the opening of the Weaving Bureau. Yichen thinks , it might be better to choose another brave palace master!”
Yang Yiqing secretly admired Wang Qiong's words and thought that his colleagues in Southern Zhili hoped to transfer Luo Xiang, who did not give the civil servants and gentry opportunities to make money, but His Majesty was able to know what Luo Xiang was doing through Luo Xiang's secret report. If these cabinet ministers of my own criticize Luo Xiang at this time, what will happen instead? It would be counterproductive, but Wang Qiong's suggestion of replacing Luo Xiang, who was clearly praising Luo Xiang but actually admonishing His Majesty, would make it easier to achieve the purpose of transferring Luo Xiang, and then replace him with someone who is willing to cooperate with the civil servants and gentry. The eunuch who made a fortune together went to preside over the opening of a new weaving bureau.
Therefore, Yang Yiqing also took the initiative to make suggestions: "From my perspective, Eunuch Wei, who is the internal official supervisor, has always acted decisively and has excellent strategies. He is very suitable for this position."
Wang Qiong smiled slightly and secretly agreed with Yang Yiqing's accuracy in judging people. Wei Bin is also one of the Eight Tigers and a person that His Majesty can trust. However, Wei Bin is more greedy than Luo Xiang. If Wei Bin is allowed to go, he can naturally become a civil servant, eunuch, and gentry. It would be better for the people to get rich together, rather than the current situation where the Weaving Bureau cannot be opened because it only benefits the people and the royal family.
Kang Hai was a little stupid and couldn't understand the agility in Wang Qiong and Yang Yiqing's words. He only said: "Your Majesty, there seems to be nothing wrong with what the two adults said. However, maybe the reason for this matter is really improper employment of people. ! ”
Wang Qiong secretly smiled, and now even Kang Hai believed that his conclusion that "improper employment of personnel led to the inability to open the Weaving Bureau" was naturally the best.
In this way, I'm afraid the emperor will believe it. As long as Luo Xiang, an eunuch who is ignorant of current affairs, is transferred away, everything will naturally be solved, the Weaving Bureau can continue to operate, and the officials, gentry and people of Nanzhili will also Everyone can get benefits. Of course, the cabinet ministers in Beijing do not accept the filial piety of their subordinates in vain.
Zhu Houzhao had to admit that Kang Hai, a cabinet bachelor, was not good at speaking. He directly said that the current situation was caused by improper employment. This did not mean that he, the emperor, did not choose good people.
Of course, Zhu Houzhao was not Chongzhen, nor was he too concerned about face, but he did not realize for a moment that among the three cabinet bachelors, except Kang Hai, the remaining two Jingshi bachelors were all doing Tai Chi, trying to make themselves better. The emperor transferred back Luo Xiang, who was unwilling to cooperate with the gentry and civil servants of Songjiang Prefecture.
However, Zhu Houzhao has been the emperor for almost 20 years now, and he also knows that he really can't believe everything his ministers say. Therefore, he just habitually decided to put this matter aside for tomorrow and think about it himself.
"We will discuss this matter tomorrow!"
Zhu Houzhao said.
The three cabinet bachelors then retreated.
At this time, Zhu Houzhao summoned Zhang Zhong, the governor of the West Factory, and asked: "What changes have occurred among the three ministers in the cabinet recently?"
This is just a habitual question of Zhu Houzhao. After all, the cabinet is the central minister of the imperial court. Zhu Houzhao must ensure that the ministers in the cabinet are absolutely dedicated to the public good. Otherwise, he will not dismiss Liu Yu when he persuades Liu Yu to establish the crown prince just for the benefit of his own family. The position of chief minister of his cabinet.
Zhang Zhong considered that if his eldest son wanted to become the prince in the future, he would naturally need the support of the cabinet, so he deliberately covered the cabinet ministers, completely forgetting Liu Jin's instructions before his death, and replied: "Your Majesty, Wang's first assistant recently only listened to the opera with his children and grandchildren after returning home, while the second assistant still compiled teaching materials, and the third assistant also often went to the military academy to give lectures. "
Zhu Houzhao nodded after hearing this, thinking, has the world's officialdom really changed? Whether they are eunuchs or civil servants, what I learned is that they are all honest and capable officials.
But in this case, why are the people still so distrustful of the government, and why are officials living more and more luxuriously? Is it really because the empire is getting richer and stronger?
I recently read the historical materials of the Ming Dynasty and found that in the biographies of civil servants, most of them were good officials. They were either good at solving cases or good at water management, had a reputation for being honest, or were outspoken and outspoken. The proportion of treacherous officials and corrupt officials was very small. What is puzzling is that since there are so many good officials Because of corrupt officials, why do dynasties still perish and people still rebel? Anyway, if the author were to design the plot purely based on historical data, he would not be able to find a few villains at once!
(End of chapter)