Chapter 608 The rise of the province under the door
Zhang Ximeng came back, bringing Feng Lei with him.
Everyone is so aggrieved. The past few days have really frightened them. The Salt Transport Envoy, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs, even the Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Industry... all of them have been implicated, from the middle to the local government, from civil servants to
None of the generals in Qianhusuo escaped.
In the past few days when Zhang Ximeng and Lao Zhu were arguing over the decree, hundreds of officials lost their heads.
Among them were two Qianhu officials from Haozhou.
Taking advantage of the opportunity of setting up the Thousand Household Office, they actually brought hundreds of kitchen households under their control. This time, they did not agree to abolish the kitchen households. Some of the kitchen households fled, so they chased them with troops and beat them to death.
Then he threw the body into the sea, and then took away his family members. One of them even took possession of the deceased's sister...
When the Qianhu who committed the crime met Zhang Ximeng, they had to respectfully call him Mr. Zhang.
Just...just say goodbye!
The founding of the Ming Dynasty was not long ago, and Lao Zhu was also very strict.
But after all, it inherited a lot of traditions from the Yuan Dynasty, and it always affected the situation of the Ming Dynasty unconsciously, which made people miserable.
Take the position of prime minister as an example. The prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty was a ruthless person who could fight with the emperor. Li Shanchang could also use some tricks to protect officials.
As he changed his attitude and obeyed Lao Zhu's orders, the people below him became dissatisfied with him.
If you are not strong enough to compete with the emperor, why should you be the prime minister?
This time Zhang Ximeng came back, and all the people came together.
It's just that interesting.
Prime Minister Zhang is the real Prime Minister, and we all rely on this big tree.
Show the magnanimity of a prime minister and take charge of the government. We all support you.
Including Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong, they were also frightened by Lao Zhu's thunderbolt methods. At least now they have no ability to influence Zhu Yuanzhang's decision.
In this case, it is better to join Zhang Ximeng's sect and rely on Prime Minister Zhang to protect the big guys.
Then wait for the opportunity.
After all, only by first moving behind Zhang Xiang and standing in a good position can the backstab be successfully completed.
In a short period of time, the situation of the government changed, the wind and clouds met, and the dragon sang in the sky.
It depends on how our Zhang Xiang takes action?
"Li Xiang, a hundred officials assisted Zuo Tianzi to govern the people. Most of them were talented and talented at one time. Whether they were recommended as officials or became officials through the imperial examination, they were all down-to-earth. They relied on their merits and their ability to do things, and they got to where they are today.
.I would like to ask the minister, who is doing nothing and sitting on the corpse with nothing to eat?"
Zhang Ximeng's words were stern and serious, but he also said with strong concern, "Such officials are the pillars of the country, but they are often killed by hundreds or even thousands. Even if they are guilty, it is a loss for our Ming Dynasty!"
Li Shanchang rolled his eyelids, you are right, you are right, but I choose to shut up!
Lao Li has really learned his lesson now and is absolutely unwilling to leave any excuses.
Dare you accuse the emperor?
You, Zhang Ximeng, are brave and have a stiff neck, but I can’t!
Therefore, Li Shanchang was just speechless.
But in the ears of other officials, especially Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong, they felt very excited.
Sure enough, Zhang Ximeng intends to challenge the emperor, and we must help him no matter what.
"Prime Minister Zhang is concerned about the country and the people. He hit the nail on the head with his words, and I bowed down to him." Yang Xian first bowed deeply.
Hu Weiyong also considered it and said: "Zhang Xiang initially taught his subordinates to think about the common people. Nowadays, there is a lot of neglect in government affairs. The people are sick and the country is sick! We are waiting for Prime Minister Zhang's wonderful hand to rejuvenate!"
Zhang Ximeng looked at the two people and smiled slightly, "That's good. It's just a disease of a country. It cannot be cured by a miracle doctor. It requires everyone to work together."
Working together?
Is it possible that Prime Minister Zhang is suggesting that the big guy should make a fist and vent his breath through one nostril?
Can we join forces to deal with His Majesty?
good!
As long as you, Mr. Zhang, are willing, we will obey your orders and follow your lead!
Seeing the momentum of this group of people, they seemed to follow Zhang Ximeng to the battlefield, waving flags and shouting... Zhu Sheng, Wang Guangyang, Mao Gui, these people all showed worried looks.
Especially Zhu Sheng, he mused: "Prime Minister Zhang, he is the one who heals the country and the people. The salt road officials are so ridiculous, it is no wonder that His Majesty is angry. Prime Minister Zhang must exercise discretion!"
Zhang Ximeng nodded with a smile, "Mr. Fenglin, please rest assured, I know it in my heart."
After finishing speaking, Zhang Ximeng said to others: "You guys must remember that we only have one chance and we must work together!"
Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong were overjoyed, thinking that they were going to have a head-on confrontation with His Majesty?
Mr. Zhang, we support you!
But those who are really good for Zhang Ximeng all have dark faces. Zhang Xiang, please don’t get so excited!
Mao Gui was a martial artist after all, and he was afraid that Zhang Ximeng would be stupid and would stand up, but Wang Guangyang reached out to stop Mao Gui and signaled him not to be impulsive.
Although Wang Guangyang didn't know why Zhang Ximeng said that, he was from Yangzhou after all, and Zhang Ximeng's explanation was still vivid in his mind.
Zhang Ximeng not only understood the situation of the court, but also had a good grasp of Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.
Do you think he would conflict with the emperor for the sake of officials?
No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t look like Zhang Ximeng’s style.
Could it be said that Zhang Ximeng wants to perform a play with His Majesty?
Continue to dig holes for officials?
Killing the officials and households is not enough, how many more need to be killed?
Li Shanchang, Yang Xian, and Hu Weiyong, which one's head can't be saved?
Wang Guangyang was thinking wildly and Mao Gui was confused.
With Zhu Sheng's wisdom, he could guess that Zhang Ximeng must have a plan, but he couldn't tell clearly at the moment.
As for Yang Xian, Hu Weiyong and others, they just wanted Zhang Ximeng to rush in front and protect them from the wind and rain. As for Li Shanchang, he just wanted to be safe and sound and never cause any trouble again.
In this way, everyone came to Fengtian Hall together with a hundred thoughts in mind, asking to see Zhu Yuanzhang.
When Zhang Xiang came back, Lao Zhu was naturally very considerate. After the monarch and his ministers exchanged greetings, Lao Zhu asked: "Sir, how is the situation with the prince at your side?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "The prince is smart and studious, just like your majesty back then!"
"Really!" Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but scratch his short beard and laughed, "We know that Biao'er is a good boy... Of course, sir, he is also a good master and teaches well!"
The monarch and his ministers chatted about the next generation. They were very happy for a while, and everyone could only listen silently.
After a while, Lao Zhu said: "Mr. Zhang, the recent chaos in the DPRK and the Salt Law have brought out too many corrupt officials. There is nothing we can do now. Not killing is not enough to make the people angry. But blindly Killing is not a good strategy either. Sir, do you have any tips that you can teach us?"
Lao Zhu's posture was very low, as if he was asking for advice.
Could it be that the emperor also felt that the killing was too heavy and wanted to win back people's hearts, so what explanation was given to Zhang Ximeng? Only then could Prime Minister Zhang dare to do everything and bring everyone to plead for mercy?
After all, Zhang Ximeng is not such a reckless person.
Everyone is still making final guesses.
Zhang Ximeng said: "Your Majesty, I secretly believe that the biggest problem in officialdom has always been forming cliques for personal gain and giving and receiving privately."
"The country has its own rules and regulations. If you follow the rules of the court, there won't be such big mistakes. But there are officials who prefer nepotism and make exceptions. They promote some people with insufficient talents and occupy key positions. They reciprocate favors.
In order to keep their official positions, these people with insufficient talents have to work harder to please their benefactors, so they do whatever they want, do whatever they want, and try their best to buy them off. In fact, they are just buying their lives with money."
Zhang Ximeng's few words can be said to have penetrated deeply and pointed out the key points of the matter.
But just because the problem is clearly seen, it doesn't mean it can be solved.
What can you, Zhang Ximeng, do to solve this stubborn problem of all dynasties?
Even now, don't you have to win over a group of people before you dare to talk to His Majesty?
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Actually, I had thought about this many years ago."
Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, "Sir, did you say that?"
"Has your Majesty forgotten the original intention of my original proposal to establish the province?" Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "At that time, I felt that the government affairs of the court were roughly divided into two parts, one was decision-making and the other was execution. This requires two kinds of officials.
One is to take charge of the government and decide on major policies... This group of people is led by the Prime Minister Zuo and is responsible for assisting His Majesty Zuo and steering the Ming Dynasty."
"In addition, there are those officials who are responsible for execution. These officials mainly respect the king's law, work diligently, and implement government affairs in accordance with orders. Of course, if there are obvious omissions in this government affairs, they need to refuse to implement it.
Because of the large number of these officials, the assessment of them is initially placed in the subordinate provinces, but the final authority still lies with His Majesty."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and suddenly smiled: "Sir, you did tell us about this, but in the past few years, your province has only accepted the resumes of some officials, and it does not have much prestige!"
Zhang Ximeng said: "Then it is better to take advantage of this opportunity to divide the officials and vigorously promote officials who are on the right track. Employ people in a step-by-step manner, promote people with both ability and political integrity, and enrich the ministries and bureaus. Having a background in the imperial examination, relying on oneself
If you have the ability to serve as an official, you don't have to obey your superiors and can refuse some obviously unreasonable requests. Promote personnel step by step so that they can be competent and will not delay government affairs."
"And in this way, a situation of large and small system is formed. The senior officials of the Shangshu can naturally order their subordinates to implement the affairs of the imperial court. The subordinates' doctors, Yuanwailang, principals, and scribes can also refuse to violate the laws of the country.
The chaos of rules...the choice of these subordinate officials depends on their superiors and their subordinates. In this way, although corruption and bending the law cannot be completely eliminated, it can still make up for many loopholes and disadvantages."
After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it again and again, and suddenly laughed and said: "Mr. Zhang, by doing this, you will cause the Zhongshu Province, as well as the various ministries and government offices, to suffer heavy losses and lose a lot of authority!"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "When I came here, I already asked everyone. They are all willing to put national affairs first, work together as one, and work together. I want to come and ask them to hand over some authority. They will not object!"
Lao Zhu finally nodded, with a faint smile on his face, he glanced around, and then said: "Isn't what Prime Minister Zhang just said true?"
At this moment, everyone suddenly realized that the so-called people with one heart and one mind actually attacked themselves together and stabbed themselves hard!
Mr. Zhang, you are so cruel!
The corner of Lao Zhu's mouth raised, and he said again: "Does any of you have a better idea than Mr. Zhang's method?"
The ministers were filled with bitterness, but they could only say helplessly: "My emperor is wise and Prime Minister Zhang is wise!"
