My father is Jiajing

Chapter 276 The Boss’s Thoughts

As soon as Emperor Jiajing's voice rang out, all eyes in the Wanshou Palace were involuntarily focused on Wang Youzhao, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture.

Wang Youzhao also instantly felt the invisible pressure from the gazes.

Many years ago, even when Emperor Jiajing still held court meetings, it was difficult for an official of his rank to stand close to the imperial carriage.

Now that he was suddenly summoned to see the emperor and was specifically mentioned by the emperor, Wang Youzhao was under tremendous psychological pressure.

But at the same time, Wang Youzhao couldn't help but get excited, because this also showed that His Majesty the Emperor paid special attention to him.

You have to know that if an official does not commit any mistakes and receives special attention from the emperor, it is most likely that he is lucky.

Wang Youzhao excitedly bowed deeply to Emperor Jiajing, "Your Majesty's grace is like heaven, and I am overwhelmed with fear."

Emperor Jiajing hummed calmly, "Tell us what you think and let these people hear it."

Emperor Jiajing was very good at passing the buck. Although he was the one who convened this imperial meeting, he passed the problem to his ministers in a few words, letting them speak and argue actively, and then he just watched the fun from the sidelines.

When the ministers below had almost finished arguing, he would make a judgment that he believed was in his own interests based on his own preferences or opinions. In this way, even if these ministers were dissatisfied, they would not dare to vent their anger on Emperor Jiajing.

After all, Emperor Jiajing also allowed them to speak, but what they said did not receive support.

Wang Youzhao bowed to Emperor Jiajing again, and then said, "I think the expansion of the outer city of the capital this time involves the civil affairs of Shuntian Prefecture. As the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, I think Shuntian Prefecture has an unshirkable responsibility. Therefore, I have carefully requested the court to set up a city construction office in Shuntian Prefecture to specialize in the management of the capital's city construction. On the one hand, it can clarify responsibilities, and on the other hand, it can relieve the court's worries."

As soon as Wang Youzhao finished speaking, Yan Song's drooping eyebrows couldn't help but raise slightly, but he didn't make any movement.

But Yan Shifan, who was standing at the end, changed his expression. He realized that Wang Youzhao was so bold as to snatch the benefits from the Ministry of Works.

Such a large-scale project as the expansion of the outer city of the capital is rare in a century, and both the court and the emperor will attach great importance to this project. Therefore, if this project can be completed from beginning to end, there is no telling how much profit the Ministry of Works in charge of the construction will make from it.

But now Wang Youzhao has said that he wants to set up a City Construction Office to be responsible for the management of the capital's urban construction. Isn't this just trying to steal the Ministry of Works' job?
Although Yan Shifan wanted to put some pressure on Prince Yu, it did not mean that Yan Shifan had a grudge against silver.

Yan Shifan was still very happy to let his foremen from the Ministry of Works and their craftsmen help him earn money for city construction.

You have to know that all this money is transferred directly from the Ministry of Revenue's account, so there will be no chance of any mistakes. Moreover, once the money is in their hands, they will have the final say on how much to give to the workers.

There is also the issue of building materials. Although these building materials have designated production sites, this does not mean that the court can get them for free. The court still has to pay the money it owes.

Most of these workshops and production sites are related to the Ministry of Industry, so no matter how the money is made, the bulk of it will end up in Yan Shifan's hands.

But if the Urban Construction Office proposed by Wang Youzhao is established now, wouldn’t it mean that the benefits that originally belonged to the Ministry of Works would be taken away, and Shuntian Prefecture would have to eat all the benefits?

This is obviously not in the interests of the Ministry of Industry, let alone Yan Shifan! So Yan Shifan immediately jumped out and accused Wang Youzhao: "What do you mean by this, Wang Fuyin? Do you suspect that our Ministry of Industry will cut corners and cheat?"

When Wang Youzhao heard Yan Shifan's accusation, he immediately responded, "Young Lord, I didn't mean that. I just think the Ministry of Works has too much to do and has to manage the national projects. Urban construction is something that concerns the people's livelihood. If Shuntian Prefecture takes on the responsibility, it will not only reduce the burden on the Ministry of Works, but also better and faster implement the court's will to build the capital's outer court."

Yan Shifan snorted and said, "What nonsense! The Ministry of Works has been responsible for this since ancient times. How can you change it just because you want to? As long as I am here, the Ministry of Works will never give in!"

Yan Shifan's arrogant words came out directly in front of the emperor, but Emperor Jiajing acted as if he didn't hear them. However, seeing Wang Youzhao's timid look and Xu Jie's pretending to be dead, Emperor Jiajing felt a little unhappy.

In the heart of Emperor Jiajing, he thought that Wang Youzhao was so bold because of Xu Jie's instructions.

But when he arrived in front of the emperor, Xu Jie just wanted to play dumb and let Wang Youzhao confront Yan Shifan. Isn't this just throwing meat buns at dogs? Wang Youzhao dared to argue a little, but he obviously didn't have the courage to fight to the end.

So, at this time, Emperor Jiajing also shook his sleeves and said without looking up: "What you said makes sense, Xu Jie, what do you think?"

Emperor Jiajing named him directly. Xu Jie couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart when he was named by Emperor Jiajing, but at the same time he was frantically calculating in his mind. He was not aware of Wang Youzhao's petition to build a city construction office, but Wang Youzhao dared to submit this petition without consulting him. Could it be that building a new city construction office was His Majesty's idea?
After getting this deductive result, Xu Jie suddenly felt different.

Xu Jie bowed to Emperor Jiajing and said, "Your Majesty, I have also thought about what Wang Fuyin has requested. I think it is feasible. Shuntian Prefecture is the number one prefecture under the feet of the emperor, so it is naturally different from ordinary prefectures."

"Moreover, the construction of the outer city of the capital is not a one-day job. If the construction and management rights of this project can be handed over to Shuntian Prefecture, I think this can be regarded as fulfilling its responsibilities. Therefore, I suggest that we try to let Shuntian Prefecture take on this responsibility and see the results."

Xu Jie's speech was very skillful and touched the heart of Emperor Jiajing.

Emperor Jiajing had long wanted to warn Yan Shifan to focus on making money instead of trying to earn those illusive benefits. Unfortunately, Emperor Jiajing had never thought of a suitable method.

Wang Youzhao's memorial this time gave Emperor Jiajing an opportunity, so Emperor Jiajing convened this imperial meeting without hesitation. The purpose was to give Yan Song and Yan Shifan a small warning, so that they could understand their position, help the court maintain its operation, and try to use people who can do things and make money to solve the current court problems.

Because the Ming Dynasty's treasury was so limited, if some "good talents" were not used to do things, many things might only remain verbal and could not be actually implemented.

Therefore, in the eyes of Emperor Jiajing, Yan Song and his son Yan Shifan were like a good knife that could be used easily. They could help Emperor Jiajing break through some obstacles that he was not convenient to talk about, and solve some problems that were not convenient to talk about.

But now this knife is somewhat weak, and its eyes are always fixed on trivial matters in the capital, which makes Emperor Jiajing very unhappy.

So this time Emperor Jiajing would use Xu Jie and Wang Youzhao to deal with Yan Song and Yan Shifan, just to make them feel a sense of crisis and let them see: "If you can't do things, I will find people who can do things to replace you."

--------

The next chapter will be updated in the evening. I have been busy these days, so I will adjust the original update time as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)