The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1413

[1413. Chapter 1342 Official of the Ministry of Personnel]

Emperor Hongzhi said as he picked up the report in hand.

These reports are all about the Chief Envoy of Baoding.

Outstanding political achievements are considered trivial, but they are unprecedented and unprecedented.

Emperor Hongzhi said: “It has been five years since Ouyang Qing’s family moved to Baoding. In the past five years, Baoding has made rapid progress, which is amazing. I would like to encourage all officials to learn more from Ouyang Qing’s family, be courageous in taking charge, and govern the place.” , report to the country, and bring peace to the people. I am all aware of what Ouyang Qing’s family did in Baoding. The population of Baoding has increased sevenfold, and the annual tax paid is comparable to that of Jiangnan and other tax-heavy areas. There are countless roads and railways, and the number of people who have been resettled and the number of children enrolled in schools are also countless. From the time of Emperor Taizu Gao, even dating back to the pre-Qin Dynasty, can the officials of the ancient and modern frontiers be as good as the Ouyang Qing family? “

Ouyang Zhi was expressionless.

He has made great achievements and received praises from his superiors, yet he can be so calm, which is enough to convince everyone.

Fang Jifan took the opportunity and said: “Your Majesty, I have read history, like Ouyang Zhi, no one.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded: “This is all a great achievement. During the period of governing Baoding, I heard a lot of gossip, and I also listened to it. I have said that many people have doubts about the Ouyang Qing family, and I almost mistrusted others. But now, after all these years, I know that the Ouyang Qing family is right. It has not been easy these years,”

Fang Jifan said. “Yes, it is really not easy. Your Majesty, I feel the same way about this. Over the years, I have been repeatedly slandered by people. Some said that I was lazy, some said that I was greedy for money, and some said that I had selfish motives. Yes, some people say that I am fooling around, and even worse, I say that I deceive the emperor and ignore my superiors. It is because I have been slandered by such rumors that I know the grievance of being wronged. It can be said that there are blood and tears, and the past cannot be looked back on. , if he were an ordinary person, he would probably not be able to withstand such pressure. Fortunately, I gradually stepped forward, knowing that as long as I serve the country wholeheartedly, the emperor will know clearly what is right and wrong, so there is no need to worry about Ouyang Zhi. He is the disciple of the student. Over the years, the grievances he has suffered over the years can also be seen by his son. He is dull by nature and is not good at arguing with others. His son has always told him that members of the Fang family deserve to suffer these grievances, and outsiders’ I don’t understand why we should take their slanderous rumors and the criticisms of those with ulterior motives to heart. We who are loyal to His Majesty, even if we have our heads cut off immediately and both body and name are destroyed, as long as it is beneficial to the country, then You must not even blink. What are these minor grievances?”

“Really?” Emperor Hongzhi looked at Ouyang Zhi.

Ouyang Zhiran was stunned.

In fact, when I first entered the palace, it was fine, and my brain could barely keep up. But after listening to the teacher’s words, my brain was already on the verge of failure.

After a long time, he breathed out: “Yes, my teacher said it.”

Emperor Hongzhi sighed: “How can I chill the hearts of loyal ministers and righteous men, and let the villains run rampant and talk nonsense. Even so, the Ouyang Qing family has achieved this great contribution, which is really true. It’s not easy. A few days ago, Wang Ao, the Minister of Civil Affairs, asked him to become an official. He is old and wants to live in his old age. I have repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, but I can’t bear to think of his hard work. Ouyang Qing’s family is in Baoding, the Chief Envoy. With this political achievement, I have thought about it for a long time. In addition to the Ouyang Qing family’s dedicated efforts, I am afraid that it is also related to the ability to employ and recognize people. I have thought for a long time about the choice of the official, who is a heavenly official. The position of being in charge of the honor and disgrace of hundreds of officials must be done by someone who is selfless and able to discern the details. Ouyang Qing’s family is my favorite candidate. Let’s wait for the official recommendation.”

Fang Jifan was surprised.

The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel…

This Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is an official of heaven, and his status is no longer lower than that of the cabinet bachelor.

You know, even if he is the head of the official department, no one dares to provoke him in Beijing, and everyone is fawning over him.

Your Majesty actually…

Of course, this is just His Majesty’s intention.

Such an important position, according to the rules, often requires court recommendation, which means that the emperor holds a court meeting and lets the ministers make recommendations.

However, under normal circumstances, the emperor will communicate with the cabinet in advance and then make a public recommendation. With the support of the cabinet ministers, as long as the candidate does not have a bad reputation and is strongly opposed by everyone, generally there will be no problem. .

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Ouyang Zhi.

Ouyang Zhi’s face was calm. After a moment, he said: “Thank you for your grace.”

Fang Jifan couldn’t help but said: “Ouyang Zhi, I’m going to criticize you now. Your Majesty is so generous. Why don’t you decline? You should know that I have been teaching you. , You must be humble. Although your colleagues are just chickens and dogs and are not worth mentioning, you need to know that the wind will destroy the trees that stand tall in the forest. “

Ouyang Zhi: “…”

Emperor Hongzhi said happily: “Jifan, what are you talking about? Ouyang Qing’s family is the true character. Since they are willing to accept it, why should they be false?”

Fang Jifan said: “Yes, yes, my son and I will die.”

The officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs must insist on Your Majesty .

The most trustworthy people cannot do it.

This authority is really too great.

Therefore, everyone originally guessed that this official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs must come from the Hanlin official in Zhan Shifu when Emperor Hongzhi was the crown prince.

This is actually understandable. After all, the prince’s subordinate official, who was both a teacher and a friend, was the most trusted by the emperor.

But who would have thought that it was Ouyang Zhi.

Yang Yiqing looked surprised.

In fact, for a seasoned veteran like Yang Yiqing, although he admired Ouyang Zhi, he was very worried about Ouyang Zhi’s always lukewarm temperament.

No matter how you look at it, a person with a temperament like Teacher Ouyang’s working in officialdom doesn’t look like he has a future.

Thinking about it, it must be his mentor Fang Jifan who supports him.

If it weren’t for this mentor, he would have been torn into pieces long ago.

But now… Yang Yiqing had to think that he was blind.

Because the position of Heavenly Official in the Ministry of Personnel is completely beyond the ability of his mentor. His mentor can protect him, but it is almost a fantasy to win the position of Heavenly Official for him.

The only possibility is that Ouyang Zhijian has gained His Majesty’s 100% appreciation and recognition in the Emperor’s heart, as well as his complete trust in him.

Is this okay with such a temperament?

Once again, Yang Yiqing felt that his outlook on life and values had completely collapsed.

Life…it is all water, water has no permanent shape and is ever-changing.

Emperor Hongzhi took a sip of tea: “It’s just that I have always been doubtful. If the Ouyang Qing family comes to the capital and takes charge of the official department, but the new policy still needs to be implemented, who can succeed?”

He gently knocked on the writing slips with his hand.

His eyes fell on Yang Yiqing.

He was still disgusted with Yang Yiqing.

The private patrols in Tongzhou and Baoding left a particularly deep memory for Emperor Hongzhi. Speaking of it, Yang Yiqing was still Ouyang Zhi’s enemy. He originally thought that Ouyang Zhi would recommend the officials he promoted in Baoding, all of whom were Ouyang Zhi taught them first-hand, there is no reason why Ouyang Zhi should not recommend them.

But he never imagined that Ouyang Zhi would recommend someone who was once hostile to him. The dispute between Tongzhou and Baoding was still fresh in his mind.

Out of respect for Ouyang Zhi, Emperor Hongzhi was still determined to meet Yang Yiqing.

Emperor Hongzhi said: “The Ouyang Qing family recommended the Yang Qing family, saying that the Yang Qing family can take charge of alone and implement the New Deal, has made great achievements, is fair, and has a clean mind. It is really a rare pillar of talent.”

Yang Yiqing heard this. There was a warm current in my heart.

To be honest, he resented Ouyang Zhi at the beginning. If it hadn’t been for him, why would he have encountered such a change.

Just slowly, he realized that he was wrong, and gradually understood these new policies and new things. He was actually appreciated by Ouyang Zhi, and promoted him step by step. Now, he has given such support to the emperor. High rating.

Teacher Ouyang is truly a sincere gentleman and a flawless beauty.

Yang Yiqing’s eyes were slightly red and he kowtowed: “Old minister, I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed… I’m ashamed… I don’t dare to deserve it!”

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Yang Yiqing indifferently, but calmly held up a memorial on the slip and said calmly: “A few days ago , all provinces reported that they hope that the tax will be changed to a whip method, and they will do their best to pay taxes in silver, changing the previous situation of paying taxes in kind. Yang Qing family, what do you think? “

The test is coming.

Yang Yiqing was silent for a moment: “The fundamental reason for these memorials is that since the New Deal, inflation has become prevalent in the country, and the price of silver and banknotes have become increasingly cheap. Such inflation is beneficial. And for the local gentry, However, it is harmful, so paying the silver tax is so urgent for them.”

Yang Yiqing paused: “But for the court, the loss of the tax in kind is too large, and most of it is in kind. But it is also troublesome. Therefore, the implementation of new taxes and the adoption of a whip method are a huge trend for the court and the localities. It has reached the point of imminence. Your Majesty follows the trend and has great consequences for the court and the provinces. “The benefits.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded slightly, this benefit analysis is quite satisfactory and not pedantic.

Yang Yiqing said: “It needs to be implemented immediately, but the veteran thinks that it is too hasty. The court can make changes slowly, step by step, take one province first, try it first, find out the problems, make corrections, and then spread it to all provinces.”

“Of course, the veteran believes that some taxes cannot be fully taxed in kind, such as grain. It is said that there is no stability without food. It is better not to change this grain tax to cash easily for the time being. Otherwise, once a disaster occurs, it will be Food prices are bound to rise. Even if the court receives money, there is a lot of money to provide relief, but without food, how can it stabilize people’s hearts and stabilize prices? Jiangnan is the center of the Ming Dynasty’s grain tax. The collection of grain taxes in Jiangnan is the bottom line of the court. , as for other cloth, silk, raw silk, pig iron, coal, wood, etc., it is not necessary to use silver as the price. “

(End of this chapter)