Chapter 685: Corrupt officials who don't enjoy themselves
Carrying Zhu Yunxi gives Zhu Ying the same feeling as raising a child.
But now his son Zhu Wencheng does not need Zhu Ying to take care of him.
Xiao Wencheng, who was born in the 28th year of Hongwu's reign, will turn three in a few months this year.
Sure enough, love can transfer.
At this time, Zhu Ying also felt the same feelings as Zhu Yunwen.
The old man occupied Xiao Wen Cheng all day long and rarely came to Kunning Palace anymore. Even when he slept, he often let Xiao Wen Cheng sleep in Qianqing Palace.
Even Ye Yueqing can't do it.
Zhu Yuanzhang also took him with him during the morning court, and usually let him play in the back hall.
Being with him all day long made Xiao Wen Cheng very familiar with and in love with Zhu Yuanzhang. Sometimes when he got bored in the back hall, he would stagger, roll and crawl directly to Fengtian Hall.
How could those eunuchs and maids dare to stop him? Once he was stopped, Xiao Wen Cheng's eyes immediately filled with tears, and he was about to cry immediately.
This is His Majesty's heart. This crying is a grave sin.
More than a dozen palace maids and eunuchs could only watch helplessly as Xiao Wen Cheng went to the Fengtian Palace.
The palace guards were like statues, not daring to provoke them at all.
The ceremony was still going on in the Fengtian Palace. Seeing this little guy coming in, all the ministers were silent.
As long as there are no accidents, the little guy in front of him who will turn upside down after taking two steps will be the future heir of Ming Dynasty.
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang would usually walk down from the Golden Palace with a smile on his face, then pick up the little guy and return to the dragon throne to continue the court meeting.
After going back and forth, the courtiers were already familiar with it.
Regarding Xiao Wencheng's closeness, the smile on Zhu Yuanzhang's lips never stopped.
Sometimes Zhu Ying also has a headache.
The old man was so doting on him that little Wen Cheng had the potential to become the little overlord of the palace, and he was simply fearless.
In fact, if you want to train a child, you should let him know what he can and cannot do from an early age.
Whenever Zhu Ying used his father's dignity to teach Xiao Wencheng a lesson, Zhu Yuanzhang would definitely step in and protect him.
"You didn't grow up so pampered back then. Now you have to discipline your own children. I think you are the one who lacks discipline."
"We see that you are doing well now, which means our method is right."
The old man spoke so confidently that Zhu Ying could not continue.
Could it be that I was not taught by you at all?
However, at this point, the old man refused to give in. No matter how much Zhu Ying thought about it, he was at a loss and could only let it go.
Guangzhou Government Office.
Taisun's itinerary is not a big secret. Even if he is traveling incognito, the local officials will naturally get some information.
This is also for safety reasons.
However, the prefect Jin Shigui was a little anxious.
"Why did this grandson come to our Guangzhou? I always have a bad feeling in my heart. I had a nightmare when I went to bed last night. When I woke up, my left eyelid kept twitching."
"I don't feel at ease today. Is this going to cause any trouble?"
Magistrate Jin Shigui said to fellow magistrate Xiong Xiaoyan next to him.
Xiong Xiaoyan, a colleague, subconsciously flattered me and said, "Sir, as the saying goes, if your left eye twitches for wealth, your right eye will twitch for disaster. Your left eyelid twitches and your right eyelid does not twitch. It is clear that you are bringing wealth but not disaster."
"Dreams usually come in the opposite direction. I think something good must happen."
The prefect Jin Shigui shook his head: "That's true, but what I'm most worried about is that my grandson has gone to Hong Kong Island."
"My grandson pays great attention to sea trade. When he comes to our Guangzhou mansion, he will definitely rush to the seaside to see it. You don't know what's going on at the Hong Kong dental shop. If your grandson catches you, I'm afraid there will be big problems."
Xiong Xiaoyan, a fellow magistrate, thought for a while and said, "The magistrate of Xin'an County Government is your brother-in-law. Even if your grandson comes across and finds out, at most he will be labeled as your brother-in-law."
"He is sensible and will definitely not bring the matter to you. He has made so much money in the past two years. Even if he is dismissed, I think it is enough. In the future, my family will also engage in sea trade.
It just so happens that my brother-in-law can be on top."
Magistrate Jin Shigui nodded: "That's right. I've also arranged for people to go to the dental shop in Hong Kong. Most of the blame will be on me. The county government will be responsible for negligence at most, and the crime will not lead to death."
"However, Your Highness Taisun is proficient in business and can discern every detail. If he were to directly interrogate you, I'm afraid it wouldn't be that easy to evade."
"Xiong Tongzhi quickly went to arrange for two fast horses to take the inn and rush to Xin'an County overnight to pass on the news that His Highness Taisun might arrive."
"Let them adopt the same approach. During this period, the Hong Kong dental shop will be closed and the sign will be removed. We will wait until the grandson returns to Beijing."
"If there are any foreigners who are causing trouble, find an excuse to arrest them all and put them in jail first."
Caution is the boat.
Although we have only received news of His Royal Highness Taisun's arrival in Guangzhou so far, the prefect Jin Shigui has already made preparations as soon as possible.
Even so, the prefect Jin Shigui did not completely ignore the matter.
Instead, he asked his servants to prepare horses.
"I have to go to Mr. Guan to talk about this matter." Jin Shigui, the prefect, said as he walked away, obviously feeling a little anxious.
It is talking about Guan Xianghai, the chief envoy of Guangdong Chengxuan Envoy Department, who is also his immediate superior.
Guangzhou Fucheng did not have a government office before, but was divided between Panyu County and Nanhai County.
Fucheng is also the residence of Guangdong Chengxuan Government Envoy.
Two years ago, as maritime trade began to flourish, the two counties developed rapidly and were now connected, so the imperial court established the Guangzhou Government Office.
Jin Shigui was the first prefect of Guangzhou.
The jurisdiction of the Guangdong Administrative Envoys Department is not small.
In addition to Guangdong Province, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Beihai City, Fangchenggang City, Qinzhou City and other places in Guangxi were also included.
In total, it has jurisdiction over ten prefectures, seventy-seven counties, and eight scattered prefectures.
The Department of Administrative Envoys consists of two left and right envoys, from the second rank to the official of the border region.
This is because Zhu Ying separated military and political affairs, taking away all the military power of the Chief Secretary, leaving only government affairs. Otherwise, the thirteen Chief Secretaries, twenty-six Chief Envoys, and even the personal guards of the Ming Dynasty would not be able to do so easily.
offend.
Guan Xianghai was the political envoy of Zuo.
In the Ming Dynasty, the left was respected. The so-called left and right actually almost meant chief and deputy. Although the official ranks were the same, Guan Xianghai was undoubtedly the leader and controlled greater power.
The most critical issue on Hong Kong Island is not taxation, but oil and water.
There is a lot of oil and water here, so naturally most of it has to go up.
Taisun's name was so scary that Jin Shigui was frightened.
He was appointed as the official envoy of the Provincial Government, Si Yamen.
Ordinary people are not accepted here. Officials from various prefectures and counties, and those at the county government level are not even qualified to enter the government office.
"Please inform me that Jin Shigui, the prefect of Guangzhou Prefecture, would like to see Mr. Guan."
Here, Jin Shigui also has to be polite and behave.
The so-called first-level official is the one who kills people. He is only a fourth-level official, which is several levels behind him.
"Sir Jin, wait a minute, I'll report it." Naturally, the doorman would not embarrass Jin Shigui. Although there is a saying that he is a seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's door, Jin Shigui is an official with real power, so his treatment is naturally different.
Not long after, the doorman came over and invited Jin Shigui to enter.
"Master Guan was taking a nap just now. I heard that Master Jin is here. He is already waiting in the study. Please come with me quickly, Master Jin, and don't keep Master Guan waiting for a long time."
Jin Shigui hurriedly followed.
It is not a small thing to admit that the government envoy Si Yamen.
It almost feels like a garden in itself.
Not only was it used for offices, but the envoys also lived in the yamen.
This is also the Ming Dynasty's regulation for officials. Whenever accommodation is provided in the Yamen, and for non-business trips, reporting on work and other reasons, officials must live in the Yamen in order to handle government affairs and summons.
Most yamen office spaces are mainly halls, but like the Chief Envoy's office, the halls are basically just furnishings, and officials go to their boss's study to listen to instructions.
Jin Shigui came a lot and was relatively familiar with him.
After detouring through several quiet paths, we arrived in front of Guan Xianghai's study.
There is a lot of detail here, because there are two adults living in the Yamen. If you take the wrong way, you will end up at the residence of the Chief Envoy on the other side.
After entering the door, Jin Shigui closed the door and then bowed and said: "Master Guan."
Guan Xianghai is only sixty years old. Being able to sit in this position can naturally be regarded as half of the founding heroes of the country.
This was also due to Hu Weiyong's death, which implicated a large number of officials in stepping down, and Guan Xianghai had the opportunity to rise to power.
"The information is quite good. If you don't come over, I will call you over. Don't make nonsense. Sit down." It was noon and it was rest time. Guan Xianghai naturally knew the purpose of Jin Shigui's visit.
Speaking like this also gives people a feeling that everything is under control.
"Sir, I have arranged for people to rush to Xin'an County overnight to stop everything first to avoid any accidents. After all, this is the grandson." Jin Shigui reported first.
Guan Xianghai put down the book in his hand and nodded: "This is the right thing to do. My grandson has been away for ten years and is very familiar with some trivial matters. If your unimportant things are caught by the grandson, you will probably be poached.
from."
"Don't think that if someone is holding you down, the fire won't burn you. It's not the people in the Supervision Department who know what's appropriate. Taisun always handles things cleanly and cleanly."
"I have received the news, and you are right. My grandson's trip is probably heading to Hong Kong Island."
"Recently, Uncle Zhang, the chief steward of the Royal Chamber of Commerce, is contacting various families to prepare for the Ming Dynasty Ocean Trading Chamber of Commerce. From the sea point of view, Hong Kong Island will undoubtedly receive the attention of Taisun."
"It stands to reason that with the current development of Hong Kong Island, the county government should have been established long ago. Because of your nonsense, I turned a blind eye and delayed it. Now that my grandson is here, I can't delay it.
Come on down, I've already arranged for people to prepare, and I've already reported it to the staff."
"Don't think about it. It won't be able to survive. All the people who informed you should stop. People need to keep an eye on the dental clinic in Hong Kong."
After hearing this, Jin Shigui secretly cursed the old fox.
At least half of the money handed over went into the old guy's pocket. Now he has completely shied away from it, both inside and outside the words, and it has been entirely attributed to himself.
If something really happened, it would just be a crime of negligence, and it wouldn't even have much impact on his official position.
As for the black gauze hat on my head, I don't know if I can keep it.
Although this was the case, Jin Shigui had no idea.
This old fox is very cautious.
Even when Ming Dynasty conducted a thorough investigation of corruption, it never got into trouble. The key is that no one has evidence of his corruption.
The money given to you is not kept by the old fox.
Instead, according to the instructions of a relative and nephew of the old fox, he went to different chambers of commerce to buy antiques, calligraphy and paintings.
Of course, these antiques, calligraphy and paintings are all fake. Although everyone knows clearly, they still buy them as if they are real.
The so-called chamber of commerce is just a cover-up, and the money will be transferred several times and slowly be laundered.
In the end, the money will not go to the old fox, not even his immediate relatives, but to a certain clan member.
Jin Shigui could even guess that before he came over, the old fox must have sent a message and cut off all the lines. Even a thorough investigation could not find his head.
In this study, there are not even a few valuable ornaments, and you can see several patches on the lining of Guan Xianghai's clothes.
He is such an upright and honest person. No wonder he has been able to stand firm for so many years and even received a reward from His Majesty.
For now, even if Guan Xianghai's house is ransacked, the sum total of everything may not be worth a thousand guan.
Jin Shigui sometimes couldn't figure it out.
If you don't enjoy yourself, then why are you greedy for money?
The meals are often leftovers from yesterday, and the clothes are mainly linen, with no silk or satin. There is no fun in this life.
Not long after, Jin Shigui came out.
The old fox didn't say it clearly, but Jin Shigui already knew that the matter was much more serious than he thought.
I hope that it is unlikely that my grandson will not encounter him. The most important thing now is how to arrange a retreat and cut off the tail to survive.
"Brother, it's so lively here. It actually makes me feel like I'm in the capital."
Zhu Yunxi looked at the dense crowd and couldn't help but sigh.
They are now in the capital city of Guangzhou, and among the crowds coming and going, there are a large number of foreign faces, just like the capital.
Its level of prosperity is already comparable to that of the capital outside the outer city.
The closest trade navigation in Southeast Asia is Guangdong, which is undoubtedly the first stop for foreign maritime merchants.
Since the lifting of the maritime ban, Guangzhou Prefecture has been changing day by day. A large number of overseas businessmen have continued to pour in, and the floating population has even reached nearly one-fifth of the local population.
Ships heading to the capital must first dock here for replenishment, and the ports and docks basically stay open all night.
The large influx of population naturally creates many job opportunities.
Making money from foreigners is very quick and comfortable for many people.
The prosperity of the Ming Dynasty made the foreign barbarians from all over the world feel a sense of awe when they came here. Basically, the vast majority of the foreign barbarians did not bargain when buying or consuming here, and they gave whatever the price was, and they were very honest.
You can see Zhu Ying while walking on the road.
For example, sesame cakes that cost a few cents elsewhere are priced at ten cents here.
I just found a restaurant for dinner and spent almost thirty guan of treasure money.
This is because there are about twenty guards with him.
Zhu Ying saw a table of foreigners with similar dishes to her own, and paid the bill with seven guan notes, while her table only had 5 guan notes.
This is like crazy hunting for foreigners from other places. They are treated completely differently and there is no need to worry about harvesting their bald skin.
Although this feeling was very satisfying, Zhu Ying knew that it would not last long and could easily ruin the reputation of Ming Dynasty.
Obviously the foreigners know that they have been cheated, but this situation is very common.
Zhu Ying secretly shook her head.
A relatively fair trading environment is the key to lasting success. Ming's products themselves have great advantages. The Ming Dynasty is rich in real estate and self-sufficient. It has a very high trade surplus, so there is no need to do this at all.
Most of them are just ordinary people greedy for profit.
In today's world, the impression of the Ming Dynasty is entirely spread by these overseas businessmen.
On the surface, these overseas businessmen have nothing to do, but they will definitely say some bad things behind their backs.
Why is the Ming Dynasty so powerful that it oppresses the people of small countries, etc.
If it is ignored, the negative impact will continue to increase, especially the differential treatment which is not conducive to Ming's ability to attract overseas talents.
‘It seems it’s time to establish the Market Supervision and Administration Department. Zaiyang and Yizai are used to it, and I’m afraid even my own people will be spared.’
‘These vendors now have a bad attitude towards Chinese people, but when they see foreigners, they smile and are extremely enthusiastic.’