On April 27, the twenty-fifth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, Emperor Zhu Youjian frowned as he looked at the memorials sent from various places in the south of the Yangtze River.
These memorials are piled up on Zhu Youjian's desk, large and small, all to evade Zhu Youjian's recruitment.
Now Zhu Youjian's court is barely functioning.
Although Li Zhi killed 1,100 civil servants who collaborated with the enemy, there were still hundreds of civil servants in the court who did not die. Zhu Youjian symbolically punished some civil servants who showed favor to the Jiangbei Army but did not betray intelligence.
And use these relatively "loyal" civil servants to build the framework of the central government.
The first thing to do after the center was put into operation was to recruit civil servants from the local areas.
Of course, there are many tricks in who he recruits and who he does not recruit. For the purpose of controlling Jiangnan, Zhu Youjian recruited more than 700 civil servants in Jiangnan. Basically, the officials in charge of the prefectures and counties in Jiangnan were recruited by Zhu Youjian.
Replace more than half of it by inspection.
All these people were asked to come to Beijing to fill the center that was empty after the massacre.
Jiangnan has relied on the military power of Jiangbei's army over the years and has not paid attention to the emperor at all. At this time, Zhu Youjian made a major change in these civil servants. This recruitment was nominally an ordinary personnel transfer, but in fact it was Jiangnan who refused to obey the command.
The local officials were replaced and the more obedient officials were promoted to Jiangnan to take charge.
But obviously, Zhu Youjian's intention was seen through by the civil servants in Jiangnan. The civil servants in Jiangnan used a very simple trick to deal with Zhu Youjian's disobedience.
Officials from various places made excuses in various names. Some said that the place was suffering from a disaster, some said that the people were trying to stay, some said that they were sick and bedridden, but in short they just refused to leave. Zhu Youjian asked officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs to issue hundreds of letters,
Not many letters are effective.
What's even more helpless is that Zhu Youjian is powerless against these behaviors that blatantly disobey the orders of the officials.
There are only 20,000 people in the capital camp, and there are still insufficient troops to guard the capital. It is impossible for Zhu Youjian to send troops to Jiangnan to arrest these civil servants who collectively disobeyed orders.
After the New Army was defeated by the Jiangbei Army, it can be said that Zhu Youjian's strength was not as good as before. There is still a long way to go to regain control of Jiangnan.
Wang Chengen looked at the memorials about disobeying orders and was extremely angry. He said: "Your Majesty, these civil servants are really lawless. Now that the Jiangbei Army has been defeated, they still dare to disobey orders!"
Zhu Youjian sighed, walked to the window of Qianqing Palace, and looked at the scenery outside the window in silence.
Wang Chengen followed and said: "Your Majesty, why don't you send Dongchang policemen to Jiangnan to get people! Capture a few leading officials and imprison them in Dongchang, so that these civil servants will know the power of Your Majesty!"
When Zhu Youjian heard this, he looked at Wang Dehua, the eunuch of Dongchang next to him.
Wang Dehua's face froze, and he looked troubled.
Zhu Youjian knew that Wang Dehua could not complete this task, so he shook his head and said: "What's the use of the thousands of people in Dongchang? The local camp soldiers and guards in Jiangnan all obey the civilian officials. If Dongchang's fans traveled thousands of miles
If you go to the south of the Yangtze River to capture someone, you may not be able to capture them, and your life will be in fear."
If Dongchang Fanzi is really sent to Jiangnan to get people, the most likely result is that Fanzi dies normally in Jiangnan, and then all the results are blamed on the thieves and bandits.
Wang Chengen thought for a while and said nothing.
After a long while, he sighed and said: "After finally defeating the Jiangbei army, is it impossible for the emperor to regain control of Jiangnan? Can't he implement the new law throughout the country?"
Zhu Youjian looked at the scenery outside the window, frowning and saying nothing.
For a long time, no one in the Qianqing Palace spoke.
The three of them were silent for a long time before Wang Dehua plucked up the courage to say: "Your Majesty, I think the only person the civil servants in Jiangnan fear is King Qi. If you want to control Jiangnan now, you can only rely on the power of King Qi! If you give orders in the name of King Qi, Jiangnan, those civil servants will probably obey orders."
Zhu Youjian was stunned and turned to look at Wang Dehua.
Wang Chengen frowned and said: "Wang Dehua, what nonsense are you talking about? If the King of Qi is allowed to command Jiangnan, wouldn't the whole world listen to the King of Qi?"
When Wang Dehua was scolded by Wang Chengen, he lowered his head and did not dare to say more, and took a step back.
"Yes, our family made a mistake."
Zhu Youjian became interested in Wang Dehua's words, waved his sleeves and said: "Wang Dehua, what are your opinions? Speak boldly!"
Wang Dehua raised his head and looked at Wang Chengen, then at the Emperor.
Zhu Youjian said again: "Speak boldly!"
Wang Dehua licked his lips and said: "What the civil servants in Jiangnan are most afraid of now is King Qi, who has hundreds of thousands of troops. It is better for the emperor to discuss with King Qi this recruitment of civil servants in Jiangnan. If the king of Qi can be made to express his gratitude to the emperor, With your support, I’m afraid things will be easier to handle.”
Zhu Youjian asked: "How can the King of Qi support me?"
Wang Dehua thought for a while and said: "If you want to recruit officials and arrange personnel, it is better to let the King of Qi also hold the post of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the imperial court. If the emperor has any personnel recruitment, he will directly ask the King of Qi to stamp the prince's seal."
"At the same time, let the King of Qi deploy 20,000 Tiger and Guard troops to station in Nanjing to intimidate the south of the Yangtze River. Then the small towns in the south of the Yangtze River will tremble and obey orders honestly."
When Wang Chengen heard this, he hesitated and said: "Isn't this inappropriate? Let the King of Qi take charge of the court personnel and even garrison troops in Nanjing. From now on, wouldn't all the officials in the world listen to the King of Qi?"
Zhu Youjian also had a hesitant look on his face, flipped up the front of his dragon robe and sat on a chair, thinking ambivalently.
After thinking for a while, he asked: "Using the power of King Qi to command the world is also a way. But as time goes by, what if the people in the world become accustomed to King Qi's authority, fall under King Qi's banner one after another, and despise the court?"
Wang Dehua cupped his hands and said: "If this matter is to be accomplished, the King of Qi must be loyal to the court. The Duke of Zhou is afraid of rumors, but Wang Mang is humble and does not usurp the throne. Only the Holy One can tell the difference between King Qi's loyalty and treachery."
When the emperor heard this, he put his hands on the desk and said nothing.
Wang Chengen said in a panic: "Your Majesty, there is something wrong with this. King Qi is already the most powerful person in Tianjin. If he is allowed to get involved in the center and take charge of personnel affairs, will he have to discuss all decisions with King Qi? I'm afraid he is really powerful. !”
Zhu Youjian was still thinking about Wang Dehua's sentence "The Duke of Zhou is afraid of the day of rumors", and suddenly stroked his beard and said: "Interesting!"
Wang Chengen was stunned for a moment and said "Ah?"
Zhu Youjian looked at Wang Dehua with a smile and said, "Wang Dehua! Your advice is interesting!"
Wang Dehua raised his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Sheng Ming!"
Zhu Youjian stood up and said: "Wang Cheng'en, please quickly prepare an edict and say that I will transfer King Qi to the court to serve as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and take charge of the world's personnel. Send this edict to Wang Dehua in person to Tianjin to see what King Qi wants. reaction."
Wang Chengen blinked his eyes, hesitated to speak, and finally agreed.
Wang Dehua bowed his hands and said: "I obey my command!"
