The clan and the noble ministers are both the foundation of Ming Dynasty, and they are regarded as the'national foundation'. They are being tried and will be judged, which has long caused the government and the opposition to shake.
Afterwards, Zhou Zheng arrested the supervisors aggressively, which shocked Da Ming even more.
Immediately, the imperial court will try those rebellious civil servants and generals. This number is dozens of times higher than that of the clan, and it involves almost all classes and cronies of Ming Dynasty.
That is to say, Zhou Zheng's power in Beijing has always been weak, and only if he is protected in advance can he survive.
Including the first assistant Zhou Yanru, all the forces have been affected, and there is nothing to do with the'thieves'.
After more than two hundred years of development, the "literati and officialdom" group in the Ming Dynasty, despite the fact that there are many factions and contradictions, in essence, they are all "a family". You have me in you and you in me. It is difficult to distinguish each other.
Just like opening the gate to Li Zicheng and surrendering, Zhang Jinyan, the minister of war in Chongzhen, could call Zhou Yanru the'four uncles' after he transferred two people, and had the'family friendship' with Zhang Sizhi, and was an'in-law' with Qian Qianyi. s home'.
If Zhang Jinyan wants to "punish the nine tribes", Zhou Yanru and Qian Qianyi will have to be involved.
They naturally will not allow themselves to be involved, and at the same time, there are too many people in the ruling and opposition parties who do not want to be involved.
Zhang Jinyan's ability to reach the high position of the Minister of War not only has a deep background, but also his relatives and friends, as well as a veteran official. They don't even want Zhang Jinyan to be accused of crimes, it will inevitably affect them!
Ever since, having been preparing for a long time, the Da Ming gentry who was ready to move, moved like never before.
They are either complete or submit a letter, defending these people, and all kinds of methods are used to tackle the problem of the entire court.
For example, some large households hope to donate thirty thousand taels of silver to the court in order to condemn or even exonerate someone or some people.
For example, some gentry knew that some big-name celebrities had jointly pledged to intercede for some people, hoping to release the'crime of Zhulian'.
For another example, some people have put forward the theory of'forgiveness and benevolence', thinking that the world is under the control, people are worried, and it is not appropriate to kill too much, and ask the court to'dispose lightly in order to win the hearts of the people'.
Facing the surging pressure, Qian Qianyi predicted that the trial the next day would eventually be postponed, avoiding seeing people.
Under these disturbances, Zhou Zheng's plan is advancing steadily.
Zhou Fang took office as Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, and Gao Hongtu succeeded the Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry.
Levy West Gallery.
Zhang Heyi, Gao Hongtu, Sun Chuanting, and Zhou Fang were sitting opposite Zhou Zheng, talking about things.
Sun Chuanting said: "My lord, many problems are now highlighted, and our shortcomings are also exposed. One is the lack of talents. Not to mention the candidates for the governor of the 13 provinces, even the six departments are seriously short of manpower."
Strictly speaking, Zhou Zheng is not short of people. With his status, some people are flattering and relying on people, but what is lacking is'talents'. Acknowledgement, active and able to understand his reforms, reform talents!
Daming is too big and needs too many talents!
Zhang Heyi, Gao Hongtu, and Zhou Fang also nod their heads. They climbed to the high positions and felt that this was a problem more and more.
Zhou Zheng pondered for a moment, and said, "Do you have any solution?"
Sun Chuanting, Gao Hongtu and Zhou Fang looked at each other, but did not speak.
Zhou Fang has a special status and said: "There are two methods. First, we have established a law reform college based on Tianjin Wei's Maritime Academy. We have cultivated law reform talents since we were young. This method is slower and takes a long time. We can’t wait, but we can do it and prepare. The second one is to open Enke next year. The chief examiner must be in our hands."
Zhou Zheng listened to Zhou Fang's words, his expression moved slightly, thoughtfully.
The new emperor changed the yuan and opened Enke, which is the imperial examination, it was a matter of course. The chief examiner is the "mentor" of all the scholars of Jinshi and the first class. If Zhou is the chief examiner, then these people will be counted under Zhou Zhengmen. Such talents come quickly and reliably.
Gao Hongtu looked at Zhou Zheng and said, "My lord, the current officialdom is harassing, and it is difficult to distinguish between people and ghosts. Our reforms must not be lost. This method is the safest."
Zhou Zheng glanced over the four of them, apparently they had already discussed it in private, nodded slightly, and said, "Okay, take this matter down."
Seeing that Zhou Zheng was finally willing to come forward, Zhou Fang felt relieved and said, "Will Yuanfu stop it?"
Zhou Zheng picked up the teacup and said, "No."
All four of them smiled, and Zhang Heyi said, "My lord, Li Shangshu is still very hesitant and undecided about the military reform. After the officials have discussed with him for many days, it is still difficult to make up his mind."
Li Banghua, the official book of the Ministry of War, seemed to be the biggest stumbling block that prevented Zhou Zheng from reforming the Ming military system.
Zhou Zheng held the teacup, his expression turned cold, and said: "I will talk to him, you continue to prepare."
Zhang Heyi answered.
Gao Hongtu went on to say: "The affairs of the household department are intricate and messy. The lower officials are sorting out the interior, and then they will start to amend the relationship with the local government, especially taxes and land. The household department is preparing to legislate and become part of the Ming law. ."
Zhou Zheng snorted, with a look of surprise and surprise, and said: "You have a good idea. It is really urgent to formulate tax and land laws. You should prepare and explore internally, and conduct in-depth research on the local area. Don't work behind closed doors."
Gao Hongtu received Zhou Zheng's approval and was very excited, saying: "Yes, the next official will be perfect!"
Zhou Zheng hummed and looked at Zhou Fang with a smile.
Zhou Fang glanced at the script on the table, and said: "There are many things about the Ministry of Industry. It involves the Yellow River, the Yangtze River bursting its banks, the official roads in disrepair, the reconstruction of palaces, altars, courtyards in the capital, and a series of weapons. Manufacturing, there are many and complicated things, and the shortage of money and food is serious..."
Originally, the Ministry of Engineering, which was the smallest in the six departments and the easiest to ignore, was unexpectedly the most troublesome.
Zhou Zheng put his right hand on his chin, thought for a while, and said: "Let’s do this, your Ministry of Industry first make a plan, including the project, steps, time, and the money needed, that is, the budget for next year. The six of you first do your own, and then summarize it. In the cabinet, I will discuss with Yuansuke."
Gao Hongtu is a book from the Ministry of Households. He hesitated and said: "My lord, after Li Zicheng's experience, the northwest was destroyed and the southeast was shaken. First, tax revenue was greatly reduced, and secondly, the usefulness was greatly increased. In addition, the northwest and the northeast. Waiting for the military pay is simply not making ends meet. In the years after next year, we may need tens of millions of money and food to support the Ming Dynasty not to collapse, not to mention our reforms..."
Zhou Zheng's expression was slightly solemn, which was also a major difficulty before them.
Don't count on Daming taxes. Even if you add Zhou's Chamber of Commerce, it is far from enough. To rebuild a broken and huge dynasty, you need money and food in the sea.
Zhou Zheng took another sip of tea, and said solemnly: "Take a debt! With the guarantee of the Ministry of Households, borrowing silver from the world, agreeing on the interest rate, and giving priority qualifications in the scientific examination and official qualifications. You will draft the specific rules. ."
Gao Hongtu listened, thought deeply, and said, "My lord, even if we can borrow it, we can't afford to pay the tax now..."
Zhou Zheng laughed and said: "The purpose of borrowing is not only to fill the national treasury, but also to revitalize my Daming market, weed out old silver, integrate business, sort out bad governance, and there are too many benefits. Even if we haven't made it a few years ago, wait for us to reform. With the results, even if it is only restored to the Jiajing period, the annual tax of 30 million yuan, debt repayment is easy, without excessive pressure..."
Gao Hongtu was a book from the Ministry of Households, he woke up slightly after he changed his mind, and quickly said: "Yes, it is the long-term view of an adult. The next official will go back and make arrangements immediately..."
Before Gao Hongtu's voice fell, Yao Tongshun came in and saw that Zhou Fang was four people. He did not evade, and said: "My lord, Mr. Jinghu is here. Some people have written for adults to narrate merits. Please be named An Guogong. In addition, officials of the third rank and above of the imperial court People are everywhere in the official mansion, and so is the prime minister’s compound.” (End of this chapter)