According to the rules of the court, Fang Xiaoru is an official of the Prince's Palace. Although he is theoretically qualified to submit a memorial, but the Ming Dynasty has been established for so long, almost no official of the Prince's Palace has done this.
Didn't you see that Zhan Shi of Zhan Shifu was standing among the courtiers, saying nothing?
Fang Xiaoru stood in the middle with a calm expression, lowering his head and waiting for the emperor's order.
"Accurate!"
Han Du glanced sideways at Lao Zhu to make sure that when Lao Zhu said these two words, the expression on his face did not change at all. He looked back at Fang Xiaoru and frowned slightly, wondering what Fang Xiaoru wanted.
What to do.
However, Han Du soon found out.
Fang Xiaoru stood up straight after hearing this and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this time I went to sea and was deeply impressed by the vastness of the world. There are thousands of islands in Nanyang, which is also the territory of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty has thirty-three governors' mansions in Nanyang, but these governors
None of them are civil servants. I sincerely request the emperor to send civil servants to Nanyang to educate them." ??
Damn it, this grandson wants to send us all to Bianhuang!
As soon as Fang Xiaoru finished speaking, this sentence emerged in the minds of all the civil servants. For a moment, the civil servants were crowded with people, and the whispers could not be suppressed. Even the six ministers at the head frowned and turned around.
Looking at Fang Xiaoru.
There was also a commotion on Xungui's side. However, under the crowd of officials, no one noticed Xungui's abnormality.
Tang He, who was standing in front, turned back and glanced at Han Du.
Han Du noticed Tang He's gaze and immediately looked back in surprise, not understanding what Tang He meant.
Lao Zhu also glanced at Fang Xiaoru calmly, and couldn't help but wonder, did Fang Xiaoru know about the governor of Nanyang this time when he entered Nanyang?
After pondering for a while, Lao Zhu did not agree directly, but turned to look at other civil servants and said: "Nanyang is indeed a barbaric land. If education can be promoted, it can also reflect the kindness of the Ming Dynasty. My dear friends, I think
how?"
How? No!
What kind of place is Nanyang, a barbaric land overseas? Why do these high-ranking officials, who are well-read in poetry and literature, travel thousands of miles away to do that? Just to civilize the barbarians there?
To guard the prosperous land of the capital and go to civilize the barbarians? Who could be crazy enough to come up with this idea?
Several ministers turned around expressionlessly, folded their hands in front of themselves, and said nothing.
Naturally, there is no need for big guys like them to speak for such a trivial matter. They only need to make a gesture and express their opinions, and naturally the subordinates below will do it for them.
Sure enough, a member of the Ministry of Personnel stood up, bowed to Lao Zhu and said: "I am reporting to the Emperor, I think that the Ming Dynasty can spread education in Nanyang, which is also a great thing to highlight the learning of saints. But"
Whenever these officials speak, what they fear most is a but. No matter how high they praise you in the past, as soon as this but appears, it means that they will kick you into the bottom.
Sure enough, Xiaoru was not polite to the next words of this official.
"I believe that Fang Shishuo is willing to go to Nanyang to promote enlightenment, which is also a great event for Shilin. Moreover, Fang Shishuo has experience in teaching foreign barbarians, so it is perfect to go to Nanyang to promote enlightenment."
It was obviously Fang Xiaoru who petitioned, hoping that all civil servants would go to Nanyang to educate the country, but among the people, it turned out that Fang Xiaoru himself wanted to educate. He also pointed out that he had experience in educating Zhai Yuan and others. Now, Fang Xiaoru was considered
Even if I don’t want to go to Nanyang, I can’t.
The attitude of the civil servants is very clear. If you want to go to Nanyang, you, Xiaoru, can go alone and don't try to drag us along. We will just guard this prosperous place in the capital and don't want to go anywhere.
Lao Zhu originally thought that the civil servants discovered the secret of the Nanyang Governor's Mansion and pushed Fang Xiaoru out. Now it seems that Fang Xiaoru should have learned something about the Governor's Mansion when he was in Nanyang. He wanted to say something to the civil servants, but he didn't want to let the noble officials
Control the interests of Nanyang.
But what Fang Xiaoru probably didn't expect was that the civil servants would not appreciate the favor, and would repay the favor with revenge and want to kick Fang Xiaoru to Nanyang.
For Nanyang San
Lao Zhu was not willing to let Xungui take control of all the Thirteenth Governor's Mansion. In the past, it was just because of old feelings that he acquiesced to Xungui controlling all the Governor's Mansion.
In the future, Lao Zhu also wanted to slowly allow civil servants to go to Nanyang and serve as governors. Now that Fang Xiaoru has proposed it, it is a good opportunity for civil servants to intervene in Nanyang.
However, the performance of the civil servants disappointed Lao Zhu. These people were greedy for prosperity and did not want to go to Nanyang at all. They repaid kindness with hatred.
I want to kick Fang Xiaoru out of the court.
Okay, don't you want to go? I hope you won't regret it in the future. Lao Zhu lowered his eyes slightly and glanced meaningfully at the civil servants.
"We will discuss this matter later and withdraw from the court." Lao Zhu finally decided to give the civil servants a chance.
After listening to the emperor's words, all the civil servants thought that the emperor was moved by Fang Xiaoru's proposal and wanted to let the civil servant go to Nanyang to serve as governor. Everyone looked at Fang Xiaoru with hatred in their eyes, blaming Fang Xiaoru for causing them trouble, and wanted to rush up and bite him.
One bite.
And the look that Xungui looked at Fang Xiaoru was also full of bad intentions. What is going on in the Nanyang Governor's Mansion is not a secret at all among Xungui. It was precisely because he knew the benefits of being the governor that Xungui kept this secret
He kept it tightly in his heart and never let it out to the civil servants. Even now, the civil servants still take it for granted that Nanyang is still a barren land.
The annual income of a governor is one hundred thousand yuan. Who is not confused by this? You know, to describe the corrupt officials in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, it is just "three years to clean up the prefecture, one hundred thousand snowflakes of silver". This should be
The governor can earn a hundred thousand yuan a year casually. Isn't this much better than the Qing prefect? Moreover, this is not corruption or bribery, this is legitimate income.
Therefore, many nobles have long regarded the position of governor as a taboo, and have even made plans to jointly recommend those people to take office when this term of governor retires.
But now that Fang Xiaoru has interfered with it, we still don't know what it will look like. If one of the governor's positions is occupied by a civil servant, there will be one less honorable person. Even if it is one less, it will be a huge loss.
Therefore, when all the nobles left, they also did not give Fang Xiaoru a good look.
As soon as Han Du walked out of the palace gate, he was grabbed by Tang He. Before Han Du could argue, Tang He forced him into a carriage and drove towards the Xinguo Duke's Mansion.
When all the nobles saw it, they lowered their heads in unison and rode back to the mansion first. Then they took a rare opportunity to ride in a carriage and quietly arrived at the Duke of Xinguo's mansion.
It didn't take long for the Xinguo Duke's mansion to be filled with nobles.
Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia, Geng Bingwen, the Marquis of Changxing, Xie Cheng, the Marquis of Yongping, Zhang Long, the Marquis of Fengxiang, Cao Xing, the Marquis of Huaiyuan, Cao Zhen, the Marquis of Jingchuan, Wang Bi, the Marquis of Dingyuan, etc.
Except for Feng Sheng who was sent back to his hometown after being accused, Lan Yu and Fu Youde who were stationed outside the Great Wall, and other nobles who were stationed in various places, all the nobles who stayed in the capital came.
Seeing that everyone was here, Tang He slowly sat down, looked at Han Du and sighed, "Tell me, what happened to Fang Xiaoru?"
After Tang He finished speaking, other nobles also turned their attention to Han Du.
Han Du suddenly felt his scalp numb. Before anyone could speak, he waved his hands and said, "Let me declare first that I have no idea what happened to Fang Xiaoru today, and it has nothing to do with me at all."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Zhen couldn't help it. He had never been a governor before, so he had his chance this time, and now that things were going wrong, of course he wasn't very happy.
Since he had a fairly close relationship with Han Du, he didn't care at all and said directly: "How did Fang Xiaoru know about the Nanyang Governor's Mansion? Did you take him out to sea this time and he discovered the secret?"
Han Du glanced at Cao Zhen and corrected him: "When Fang Xiaoru went to Nanyang, I didn't want to take him there. He went there under the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince."
"But how did Fang Xiaoru know about the Nanyang Governor's Mansion? There must be your reasons for this, right?" Cao Zhen said dissatisfied.
Han Du was immediately speechless. After all, Fang Xiaoru's contacts with several governors were indeed introduced by him. Moreover, the secrets about the governor's mansion were also known to Fang Xiaoru. Although it was said that Fang Xiaoru overheard it,
But now that Han Du has said it, no one will believe it.
Seeing that Han Du was speechless, Cao Zhen wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Tang He, "Okay, okay, things have become like this. None of us want Fang Xiaoru to know the secret of the Governor's Mansion.
, but there is no way, he just knows it now. I think it’s pointless for us to argue here about how Fang Xiaoru knew the secret. Let’s think about how to deal with the current situation, right? In the court just now, I saw
The emperor seems to be a little moved by what he means."
The emperor also wants civil servants to serve as governors in Nanyang? Wouldn't that be a fool's errand?
In an instant, all the nobles became restless.
"Young Master, are you serious about what you said?" Cao Zhen's expression changed and he suddenly became nervous.
If the emperor really intends to do this, then there is nothing they can do to stop it. However, if Nanyang retains a distinguished governor's position, it will definitely be reduced by half. Whether Cao Zhen will have a chance to serve as governor is still unknown.
.
"It is certain that the emperor has this intention." Han Du said helplessly, "Nanyang is now a land of wealth for the inner treasury, and the emperor will not let us control it forever. It is only a matter of time before a civilian becomes the governor.
"
After hearing what Han Du said, everyone's expressions dropped. Of course they wanted to hold all the governor positions for a long time, but their reason told them that what Han Du said was reasonable.
Seeing that everyone looked unhappy, Han Du smiled and continued: "However, the emperor will not let a civilian serve as governor easily."
"Oh? How can you see it?" Tang He asked curiously.
Facing everyone's expectant looks, Han Du continued to explain: "Civil officials have always reached out to ask the emperor for money. When have they ever taken the initiative to give money to the emperor?"
"Isn't that right? Aren't the Ming Dynasty's taxes collected by the civil servants every year?" Wang Bi, the Marquis of Dingyuan, said blankly.
Han Du glanced at him with a smile and sneered: "It's as simple as collecting taxes. If you put an official seal on a dog's neck, it can collect taxes. What kind of skill is this?"
"Hahaha"
Everyone was instantly amused by Han Du's words.
After seeing that they had calmed down, Han Du stretched out his hand to press down and said: "So, the emperor doesn't have a good impression of civil servants. Especially when it comes to money, even more so. In my estimation, not only us
I am afraid that the civil servants will go to Nanyang, and I am afraid that the emperor is also afraid that the civil servants will go to Nanyang."
"Why is this?" Fengxiang Hou asked immediately.
Han Du patiently explained to him: "Wealth is so exciting. Nanyang earns such a huge amount every year. Do you think that if the civil servants find out, will they use the emperor's inner treasury? Do you think the emperor is willing to let the civil servants know about it?"
Going to Nanyang?”
Every year, Lao Zhu's income from Nanyang is about three times the tax of the entire Ming Dynasty. Civil servants cry poverty in front of the emperor every day, complaining that the treasury is insufficient. If they know that the emperor's inner treasury has so much money, everyone will think that by then
The emperor will definitely be chased by the civil servants asking for money.
"Hahaha"
Everyone became even happier when they thought of the scene where the emperor was chased by civil servants asking for money.
"Since the emperor is not willing to have a civilian serve as governor, why didn't the emperor directly reject Fang Xiaoru in the court, but said that we would discuss it later?" Yongping Hou Xie Cheng asked doubtfully.
Han Du smiled and explained: "Although the emperor does not want civilians to serve as governors, one day civilians will still go to Nanyang to serve as governors. I think the emperor wants to take this opportunity to see who is willing to travel thousands of miles for the Ming Dynasty."
"That means there will definitely be civil servants going to Nanyang this time?" Cao Zhen's expression darkened and he couldn't help but ask.
Han Du nodded helplessly and said, "I'm afraid that's it."
Tang He pinches his fists in his hands
He hammered his legs twice and sighed: "Then let's discuss how we should deal with it this time. Should we stop the civil servants from going to Nanyang, or what should we do?"
Cao Zhen and others looked at each other, and finally said in unison: "Marquis Zhenhai, please tell me first."
Han Du nodded after hearing this, "Since everyone wants to listen to me first, I will explain it to you. Everyone has seen what happened in the court today. Fang Xiaoru's move was obviously not discussed with other people, and it was learned from other people's opinions.
It seems that people avoid going to Nanyang. I don’t know why, but Fang Xiaoru obviously didn’t disclose the situation in Nanyang to others.”
Everyone secretly nodded, Han Du's analysis was correct. If Fang Xiaoru had gotten along with those civil servants earlier, he would not have been isolated by the civil servants in the court. And with the virtue of civil servants, if he knew that he would serve as governor for one year,
With a starting income of 100,000 yuan, let alone Nanyang is a barbaric land. Even if Nanyang is an eighteenth level of hell, those poor and crazy civil servants still dare to roll up their sleeves and break into it.
"I think that no matter what Fang Xiaoru's plan is, it is better for us to move now than to remain silent. If we move, the civil servants may notice something, and then we will get angry. Instead of that, we might as well wait and see what happens.
, just watch Fang Xiaoru and the civil servants tit for tat."
"What if Fang Xiaoru was kicked out to Nanyang by the civil servants?" Cao Zhen was most concerned about the position of governor.
This is not Cao Zhen's worry, but he feels that it is almost an inevitable result. Fang Xiaoru alone is no match for all civil servants, and being kicked to Nanyang is almost certain.
Han Du smiled and said: "Even if Fang Xiaoru is kicked to Nanyang, he will be the only one. We are just missing a governor. On the contrary, I am worried that if Fang Xiaoru wins, he will not be the only one to go to Nanyang.
One, we don’t know how many governorships we will lose yet. It’s the lesser of two powers that harm each other, everyone.”
After Han Du finished speaking, everyone could only nod helplessly. Since it was destined to be a loss, it would be better to lose only one than to lose several.
Tang He saw that everyone had no objection to Han Du's words, so he asked: "Then, let's wait and see what happens in this matter?"
Everyone looked at each other and saw the helplessness in each other's eyes. Now that the matter has come to this, what else can they say?
Seeing that everyone was a little depressed, Han Du said with a smile: "In fact, Nanyang has developed now. Even if you serve as governor, the benefits are not as good as before. In addition, it is only a matter of time before a civilian becomes governor, so you don't have to be too disappointed."
Cao Zhen sighed slightly and said: "Brother Han, our brothers are not as good as you. If you want to make money, just build a horse farm, which is money that we will never make in our lifetime. But our brothers can't do that."
, we just hope that we can go to sea and work hard for five years to earn a family fortune for our family. But now, we don’t know if we can earn this family fortune, alas!"
"Of course, I'm not blaming Brother Han, I'm just blaming the rest of us for not living up to expectations."
Several people around Cao Zhen nodded in agreement, looking deeply convinced.
Han Du didn't pay attention to the slightest complaint in Cao Zhen's words, and said meaningfully: "Why are you so frustrated? There was no governor in Nanyang at the beginning. It was only after we pacified Nanyang that we asked the emperor to set up a governor's palace. Now that civil servants have to step in
First of all, there are not enough seats for the governor, is there nothing we can do?"
"Brother Han, is there any way?" Cao Zhen's expression changed, with surprise in his tone.
Han Du took a sip of tea slowly, nodded and said, "Of course, why else would I be telling you this?"
"Brother Han, no, brother, you are my biological brother from today on. Tell me quickly, what should we do?" Cao Zhen suddenly became excited. Regardless of being in front of everyone, he took a few steps over and held Han Du's hand sincerely.
said.
Han Du raised his hand to signal Cao Zhen to calm down, and after he went back and sat down, he said: "Since we were able to ask the emperor to set up a governor's palace in Nanyang, why can't we ask the emperor to set up a governor's palace in America now?"
"America? It's the other side of the sea. The place you went to for more than two years before coming back?" Tang He couldn't help but ask.