Ming Jiajing: Starting from Immortality

Chapter 317 Hai Rui enters the cabinet and executes first and reports later!
The Qinhuai courtesan is the best in the world.

This is common knowledge.

The origin can no longer be traced.

But it always makes people sigh: "The scenery in Jiangnan is so beautiful."

The affair between the emperor's father-in-law and his uncle was related to this woman, but it was also unrelated to this woman. The fact that the father and son were brothers-in-law, which was ridiculed by the whole world, had long been a fact.

"Where is the indenture?"

"Your Majesty, it is probably still in the hands of the wealthy businessman's son, but after being convicted and his property confiscated, it has been returned to the court." Gao Gong said with clear thoughts.

As the chief minister of the cabinet and the minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he could not help but remember the "cargo" of 60,000 taels of gold.

Looking at the expressions of the three elders, Zhu Houcong sighed and could not help but think of the classic phrase of later generations, "No trade, no harm."

Most of the prostitutes in the world are not willing to do so, but because they are used to the fickleness of the world and the indifference of human nature in brothels, they gradually become heartless and unrighteous.

You know that once people put on their pants, they will change their appearance.

However, what men who visit prostitutes like most is to "persuade old prostitutes to become good women and drag good girls into prostitution."

"I have heard that there are officials who have a liking for prostitutes in their families. Recently, they have become more and more fond of blinding beauties." Zhu Houcong said in a slightly cold tone.

Gao Gong, Hu Zongxian, and Li Chunfang all froze, and cried out in pain. Gao Gong, sweat on his forehead, reluctantly replied, "Your Majesty, I did hear about it."

"What's the benefit?"

"Your Majesty, the blind cannot see. Today, the Jinyiwei are like mercury spilled on the ground, penetrating every hole. Those who are suspicious cannot even trust the person beside them. And Your Majesty... is often furious. Officials all follow the example of Emperor Taizu Gao. In order to prevent leaks, many of them have blind girls as their lovers." Gao Gong answered with more and more sweat on his forehead.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Gao established the Jiaofangsi, which was mainly responsible for playing music at royal banquets and ceremonial activities, but it was also used as an official brothel to accommodate the families of convicted officials, the families of enemy prisoners, and women who were implicated in crimes.

After these women learned the skills, they would be enrolled in the music industry and become prostitutes to entertain merchants.

However, the phenomenon of officials visiting prostitutes in the Ming Dynasty could not be stopped despite repeated bans, which was related to social customs, officials' moral concepts and legal provisions.

During the Hongwu period, Emperor Taizu Gaozong clearly stipulated in the "Great Ming Code" and the "Imperial Edict" that all Ming officials, from the ministers of the six ministries to the police, were not allowed to visit prostitutes.

If an official was caught visiting a prostitute, he would be punished with 60 strokes of the cane in the court.

However, all laws are enforced by humans, and there are often loopholes in their actual implementation, especially in areas far away from the capital, where it is difficult to effectively curb officials from visiting prostitutes.

The society of the Ming Dynasty was full of materialism and hedonism, so officials naturally often lingered in brothels.

The prostitution industry in the Ming Dynasty had already spread all over the country. The number of government-run and privately-owned brothels in Nanjing, Beijing, Suzhou and Hangzhou often reached thousands.

The prostitution industry was particularly prosperous in the Jiangnan region. Nanjing Qinhuai, Suzhou and Hangzhou areas had been prosperous places of brothels since ancient times, and officials often lingered there.

During the Yongle, Hongxi and Xuantong periods, officials' promiscuity with prostitutes even affected state affairs. Emperor Xuanzong was furious and imposed heavier punishments on officials who prostituted.

But the effect was minimal. It just made officials dare not delay state affairs because of visiting prostitutes. Before Emperor Xuanzong could do more, he passed away.

Afterwards, during the Zhengtong period, Jingtai period, Tianshun period, Chenghua period, Hongzhi period, and Zhengde period, the Ming court was mostly governed by a powerful cabinet.

If we punish prostitutes again, isn't that like letting a mouse watch a rice warehouse?

The trend of visiting prostitutes became more and more prevalent, until the 40th year of Jiajing, when it all came to an abrupt end. The emperor's iron-blooded killing made countless officials tremble with fear.

One of the charges for which many officials were executed was visiting prostitutes, and many witnesses were prostitutes who had been visited by the Jinyiwei.

For a time, officials did not dare to enter or leave brothels, but there were many smart people in this world and they soon found a way to crack the problem.

Prostitutes use their eyes to testify against officials, and this is what the officials are worried about. So, wouldn’t it be enough to just make the prostitutes “not see”?

The officials were relieved, and the brothels were still able to make a fortune, so more and more beautiful blind women became prostitutes.

But there are not so many blind beauties. It's just the tricks of the ducks and brothels.

Zhu Houcong looked at Gao Gong with dissatisfaction in his eyes and said, "The underworld is empty, and the evil ghosts are in the human world."

Although Gao Gong was known in the court and the public for his bad temper and hatred of evil, he turned a blind eye to things that truly affected the civil service group.

In this respect, he is not as good as Zhang Juzheng, who really dared to take action against the civil service group.

"I am guilty!" Gao Gong knelt down again, and it was obvious that the clothes on his back were soaked with cold sweat.

"You just know that I can't get rid of you for the time being, so you are so fearless."

The cabinet only has these few people. If Gao Gong is taken over, the affairs of the court will really not be handled in time.

Gao Gong did not answer and bowed his head.

As time went by since he took over as Prime Minister, he gradually became more relaxed and his nerves were no longer as tense.

At this time, being pointed out by the emperor, Gao Gong couldn't help but think of what Yan Song had said to Xu Jie, Zhang Juzheng, and him during the period of Yan Song's cabinet, "It's easy for people to be careful for a few days, but it's not so easy to be careful for a few months, a few years, or even decades."

Especially in the court of such a wise and powerful emperor, Gao Gong really found it hard to imagine how Yan Song managed to hold on for twenty years.

Zhu Houcong's eyes moved from Gao Gong to Hu Zongxian and Li Chunfang, and said, "The cabinet has discussed the issue of cabinet appointment several times. I thought you could handle it, so I put it aside. Now it seems that it is time to appoint a cabinet."

Hu and Li knelt down and said in unison: "We have failed the grace of Your Majesty. We hope Your Majesty will punish us."

"Let's fill in two more elders."

Zhu Houcong looked at the sun outside the door and said, "Minister of Works Zhu Heng, the 25,000-mile straight road is progressing smoothly, and the construction of the eleven treasure ship fleets has also been completed ahead of schedule. You are truly a pillar of our Ming Dynasty, so you should join the cabinet as a minister."

He entered the cabinet as a minister.

It means that he will become a cabinet minister and concurrently be in charge of the original Ministry of Works. Once Bu enters the cabinet, he will be a cabinet minister with real power, and will also save the trouble of cabinet divisions.

"Hai Rui, the Minister of Rites, inspected the newly built schools in various provinces, prefectures and counties, taking the trouble to do so. He also served the people when they asked for help. He is truly a man of the Qing Dynasty, and he is also a minister who has entered the cabinet."

Zhu Houcong thought of the sharp sword of the Ming Dynasty and continued, "Wise men are in office, capable men are in office. I live with you in the imperial court, far away from the underworld. The trend of officials visiting prostitutes has been repeatedly banned, and forcing women into prostitution is not uncommon. All kinds of evil are caused by prostitution. From now on, Hai Rui will inspect the local areas on my behalf as a cabinet minister and a minister. All prostitution will be eradicated. All prostitutes will be taught to change. If they do not change, they will be killed. This order starts with the Jiaofangsi!"

"I accept the decree!"

The three cabinet ministers, Gao Gong, Hu Zongxian and Li Chunfang, didn't know how they received the imperial edict, nor how they left the Forbidden City. When they came to their senses, they were already in the cabinet.

The cabinet had two more cabinet ministers, which was supposed to be a good thing, but Gao Gong, the head of the civil service, could not be happy at all. Literati and scholars have always loved prostitution, and this is the real reason why the prostitution industry can flourish.

Those who can open brothels and prostitutes in local areas and force women of good families into prostitution all have the support of famous people and powerful forces behind them. The complex network of evil and crime in the local areas is the real reason why the prostitution industry has flourished throughout the dynasties.

Eradicating prostitution can be said to be eradicating local black and evil forces.

Moreover, the emperor handed the supervision of this matter over to Hai Rui, who had just entered the cabinet and was appointed prime minister, leaving no room for maneuver.

Gao Gong looked at Hu Zongxian and Li Chunfang. Hu Zongxian had no reaction and was handling government affairs and solving problems. Li Chunfang was writing furiously. One didn't have to guess, to know that he was sending a message back to the family to check whether there were any prostitutes. If there were, they should get rid of them quickly, otherwise all would be fine.

For some reason, Gao Gong suddenly missed Zhang Juzheng. Although the two had different political views and often clashed when they were in the same cabinet, they had been colleagues for many years and Zhang Juzheng was one of the few people with whom he could understand and talk.

If it were Zhang Juzheng, how would he do it?
Gao Gong pondered over it and picked up the wolf-hair brush to do the first thing, which was to come up with a title for the little princess.

In today's world, it is easy to come up with a title. As we are experiencing a peaceful and prosperous era that is rare in the ages, there is no more appropriate title than the word "Taiping".

It was handed over to Hu Zongxian and Li Chunfang to look at. The two had no objection, so they summoned Gao Youshi, the secretary of the cabinet, to meet with the emperor and present the memorial.

Not long after, Gao Youshi returned to the cabinet to report, and the title of "Princess Taiping" was approved by the imperial eunuch. At the same time, Huang Jin, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Factory, also came with him.

The imperial decree for Hai Rui and Zhu Heng to join the cabinet and become prime ministers had to be delegated through the cabinet to the two capitals and fifteen provinces across the country.

After Gao Gong personally copied the two imperial edicts, he ordered people to keep the original edicts in Wenyuan Pavilion, and the word-for-word copies were spread throughout the country.

Huang Jin then took out the third edict, which was to eradicate prostitution in the country and educate prostitutes to become good people. Gao Gong was silent for a moment, copied it, and included it in the edict. Together with the previous two edicts to be sent to the cabinet, the three edicts were handed over to Gao Youshi to issue.

In addition, someone was specially sent to inform Hai Rui, who was inspecting the construction of schools in various provinces and counties near the capital, that he did not need to return to the capital and could just do things according to the order.

Since the spring of the 40th year of Jiajing's reign, Hai Rui has obtained the Emperor's Sword, and the Emperor has never taken it back, which has saved him a lot of effort in doing things.

Gao Gong also attached a letter, telling Hai Rui to go ahead and do it, and that the cabinet would take care of anything that happened.

The postman sets sail.

Huang Jin returned to the palace to report.

Gao Gong continued to propose the title of marquis for the deceased naval generals Ding Qirui, Yang He, Chen Qiuyu, and Wang Ping, a captain who performed the most bravely and fearlessly on the battlefield of the South Asian subcontinent.

Anxi, Weixi, Lexi, and Wuxi.

The four marquises were Ding, Yang, Chen and Wang.

Hu Zongxian and Li Chunfang still had no objection, and they selected twelve naval officers who had made great contributions and decided to confer the title of earl on them.

Since then, the Ming Dynasty had four more marquises and twelve earls, but without exception, all of them were posthumously conferred titles.

The name was recorded in the national history, and ceremonial silver was sent, and that was the end.

Before the next shift.

Gao Gong also informed the Ministry of Justice, the emperor's father-in-law, his uncle, and a group of officials, nobles, wealthy businessmen, and tycoons of the punishment recommendations in the form of a cabinet letter.

Although it was a suggestion, the words in it were obviously an order. The Minister of Justice, Paine, could naturally see who had the intention.

The cabinet closed its office.

Gao Gong did not return to the prime minister's residence, and even refused to allow his adopted son to accompany him. He went to buy some paper money and paper horses, and asked the coachman to drive out of the city.

"There are three types of unfilial behavior, and the worst is to have no descendants." Gao Gong is already fifty years old, but has no children. He had three daughters, but they all died young. Today, the Queen gave birth to a daughter, which inevitably touched his heart.

When they got outside the city, Gao Gong placed paper money and paper horses in the direction of his daughter's grave, but did not light them. As the royal family was expecting a baby, evil objects could not be used.

It was midnight and the wind was blowing coldly. Gao Gong returned to the prime minister's residence at the urging of his coachman.

After Gao Gong left, the wind grew stronger and stronger, blowing paper money and paper horses into the air, making them dance in the wind like children playing and chasing the carriage.

The wind blew the decorative silver bells on the side of the car, and Gao Gong in the car burst into tears.

He gave this silver bell to his youngest daughter, who gave it to him before she died. She said weakly, "Father, the sound of the silver bell means I have come back to see you."

The wind is strong.

After blowing for a whole night, it gradually began to subside, but the storm belonging to the Ming Dynasty had just begun.

The capital, Yongping Prefecture, Zunhua Prefecture.

Not long after Hai Rui arrived here, the people came to file a complaint. The reason was that there was a gang called "Chopping Knife Gang" in the area, who were known for their brutality and committed all kinds of evil including robbing houses, forcing women into prostitution, and so on.

Hai Rui found the county government office and mobilized two shifts of yamen runners to retrieve the abducted girl. However, just as Hai Rui was handing her back to her father, the so-called "machete gang" gathered dozens of people, each armed with axes, and brazenly attacked the county government office, trying to take the girl away.

The Jinyiwei arrived in time, but the people of the Xiadao Gang were not afraid. Instead, they attacked the Jinyiwei first.

These dozens of people were wiped out instantly.

But this attracted Hai Rui's attention. He started out as a teacher in Nanping, Fujian, and was well aware of the ugliness of the lower classes. But he never expected that they could be so ugly in the capital, under the feet of the emperor.

A group of "bandits" are not even afraid of the Jinyiwei. They are obviously not ordinary "bandits" and must be dealt with severely.

The magistrate of Zunhua almost crawled to Hai Rui's feet and signed a military order, promising to give Hai Rui an explanation. Just when Hai Rui was thinking about whether he should use this man, the imperial edict arrived.

Also arriving with him were the Jinyiwei from Yongping Prefecture, who came to congratulate Hai Rui on his entry into the cabinet.

Hai Rui did not hesitate any longer and ordered the Jinyiwei to immediately arrest the magistrate of Zunhua. He drew the Emperor's Sword and issued a strict order to the Jinyiwei: "Within seven days, wipe out the evil in Zunhua. Also, issue a general order to the two capitals and 15 provinces. Within ten days of receiving this order, eradicate all the evil in the provinces, prefectures, and counties. If a county is not pacified, the county magistrate, county assistant, and county lieutenant will be dismissed and executed. If a prefecture is not pacified, the prefect, deputy prefect, and deputy judge will be dismissed and punished. If a province is not pacified, the governor, provincial inspector, and provincial governor will be dismissed!"

Say it.

Hai Rui swung his sword and cut off the head of the Zunhua County Magistrate.

Kill first and play later!

The elder has given the order.

The thousand households of the Jinyiwei in Yongping Prefecture and the hundred households of the Jinyiwei in Zunhua Prefecture received the order and sent out the imperial guards in all directions. Anyone who encountered evil or evil would be killed without mercy!

(End of this chapter)