I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 23: A wise ruler and virtuous ministers, a harmonious society! A court meeting without Prime Minister Zhang
On the way to the capital, Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian.

The regulations for post stations have caused another uproar.

An official from the Ministry of Personnel made a complaint: a servant from Zhang Juzheng's hometown in Jiangling illegally used the post station when passing through Gaoyou, and was stopped by local officials, and a physical conflict broke out between the two sides.

The Jinyiwei investigated and dealt with the situation: in many places, officials and businessmen colluded and forged permits. Even after the regulations were implemented, they still embezzled public funds for their own benefit and made profits for their families through the post stations.

Some people also revealed that many local post stations were still feasting and drinking lavishly in private, using public funds to entertain passing royal relatives, eunuchs and merchants.

……

This regulation is like stirring up a hornet's nest.

Those who violated the rules included royal relatives, officials of all ranks, eunuchs, clerks, merchants and gentry. Even Zhang Juzheng's relatives and servants were holding him back.

One after another, memorials that violated the "Regulations on Postal Services" were transmitted to the cabinet, pushing the other memorials aside.

at the same time.

The voices of those who complained that the regulations were too harsh, those who relied on their connections to try to get in through the back door, and those who begged the court to punish those who violated the regulations leniently, all reached the ears of Zhang Juzheng and Lu Diaoyang through various public and private channels.

Shen Nian stayed in the Hanlin Academy all day.

Listening to the gossip of some clerks and the news coming from the streets that "someone has violated the regulations on post stations again", one can feel how much pressure Zhang Juzheng was under.

Once a small loophole is opened, the "Post Office Regulations" will become a piece of waste paper.

This time, the turmoil in the court caused by the "Regulations on Post Offices" was even more severe than the performance evaluation system in the first year of the Wanli period.

After all, the performance evaluation system is aimed at rectifying the procrastination habits in the officialdom, and will only lead to the demotion or dismissal of some lazy and mediocre officials.

The "Regulations on Post Offices" rectified all officials and cut the benefits that officials believed they deserved.

Some officials even shouted: How can officials have the same power as the people? The court is too weak!
……

Cabinet value.

Lu Diaoyang looked at the memorial more than half a meter high, which was full of memorials about the "Regulations on Post Offices", and Zhang Juzheng, who was busy writing the draft, with a serious expression.

In his eyes.

Zhang Juzheng used to be gentle and kind to others.

But these few days.

The draft written by Zhang Juzheng was full of murderous intent!
Some were demoted three levels, some were sent back to their hometowns, some were demoted to commoners, and some were punished with twenty, thirty, fifty, or even one hundred strokes of the cane.

The servant in Zhang Juzheng's hometown was punished with 100 strokes of the cane.

One hundred strokes of the cane.

If a real fight breaks out, even a strong man will definitely die.

"Uncle, local officials at all levels are dissatisfied with the punishments in the Postal Regulations. If such harsh punishments continue, I'm afraid the government will be in turmoil!"

"Some officials have had excellent performance in the past two years and are worthy of being promoted. It is a pity that they have been demoted due to postal transfers. Can the regulations and punishment details be changed so that they can be dealt with slowly?"

What Lu Diaoyang said was not entirely his personal opinion.

Empress Dowager Li, the young emperor, and Feng Bao all had this idea, and the officials' grievances reached their ears.

They also felt that the punishment was too severe and worried that it would cause unrest in the government and lead to trouble.

Zhang Juzheng raised his head and glared, "Those who knowingly break the law should be punished severely. New policies and reforms will inevitably lead to bloodshed!"

Lu Diaoyang was helpless.

He could not refute Zhang Juzheng, nor was he willing to do so.

In the current Ming Dynasty, only Zhang Juzheng could be the prime minister, but he couldn't do it.

……

Two days later, on July 15th.

Near dusk.

Zhang Juzheng fell ill because he had been staying up late to write bills in recent days.

Fever.

I had a fever, a runny nose, and was too weak to get out of bed.

In desperation, he had to ask for a day off tomorrow.

Although he was a little confused, he did not forget to send someone to tell Lu Diaoyang that during the court session tomorrow, no matter who proposed to reduce the punishment system of the "Regulations on Post Offices", his proposal would not be accepted.

……

The next morning, inside the Huangji Palace.

Shen Nian is on duty, and the king is taking note.

Since the debate over "three courts in ten days and two courts every new moon and full moon" ended, the regular court has become a little more interesting.

Some censors began to speak more.

Today, without Zhang Juzheng's regular court attendance, many officials showed long-lost smiles on their faces.

This feeling.

It's just like when the teacher in a private school asks for leave for something and the students have to study on their own.

immediately.

The court meeting began and officials reported on their affairs as usual.

Young Wanli selected answers from the database of common phrases used in emperor's court meetings provided by Zhang Juzheng and answered the questions one by one.

"I understand."

"allow!"

"After the meeting, the Ministry of Rites will discuss the proposal." "Approved!"

"Waiting for cabinet approval!"

……

Less than half an hour later.

After the routine procedures were completed, Cabinet Deputy Minister Lu Diaoyang strode out.

"Your Majesty, this morning, an imperial censor urgently impeached the son of Gansu Governor Hou Donglai for misusing the post station and smuggling commercial goods. According to the Regulations on Post Stations, Hou Donglai's son should be exempted from official protection. I request your judgment!"

As soon as these words came out.

All the officials in the hall pricked up their ears.

Even Shen Nian straightened his back and looked at the little Wanli sitting on the throne.

Hou Donglai is the pillar of the northwest of the Ming Dynasty.

This frontier official had outstanding military achievements. It was his garrison that prevented the Tatar troops from crossing the border.

The imperial court was very kind to him, often rewarding him, and as long as he did not make any serious mistakes, he would be forgiven.

of course.

He was equally good to border generals such as Qi Jiguang stationed in Jizhou and Li Chengliang in Liaodong, giving them almost everything they asked for.

Hou Donglai made contributions to the court.

His son's official position was obtained because of Hou Donglai's merits.

If his official position is exempted.

It is equivalent to revoking the Jinshi qualification of a prospective official who has finally passed the Jinshi examination.

In this case, Hou Donglai must be angry.

Young Wanli understood this, and the officials in the palace also understood this.

Now, it depends on whether the young emperor will show mercy outside the law. If he does, the rope of the "Regulations on Postal Provision" will be loosened.

Once it becomes loose, it is not far from being discarded.

"Cough cough..."

Just as young Wanli was hesitating, Empress Dowager Li behind him started coughing.

When little Wanli turned his head to look at her quietly, she shook her head like a rattle, fearing that little Wanli would say the word "yes".

The meaning is very clear: official protection cannot be exempted.

The Empress Dowager Li and the young Wanli, an orphan and a widow, feared most that war would break out on the border.

War is too expensive!
Little Wanli thought for a moment and said, "Hou Donglai has made great contributions to Gansu. This boy made a mistake. For the time being... let him be reprimanded. This will not happen again!"

"Do you have any objections, sir?"

Hear this.

Those officials who opposed the Post Office Regulations became excited.

This punishment is really too light.

"Your Majesty is very considerate of his subordinates and is very wise. The governor has made great contributions to the country, and his son should indeed be punished lightly!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

The officials who opposed the Post Office Regulations all jumped out, looking excited.

Zhang Juzheng's supporters looked at Lu Diaoyang.

Lu Diaoyang narrowed his eyes and said nothing.

In his eyes, reducing the penalties under the "Regulations on Post Offices" was indeed a matter of "good for you, good for me, and good for everyone." During the Jiajing period, the system was rectified several times, but in the end, things returned to normal.

Now, this matter has made Zhang Juzheng sick from exhaustion.

However, the number of offenders is increasing and the resentment is growing.

Given Zhang Juzheng's character of "never turning back even if you hit the wall", it is impossible for him to deny himself.

Now that the emperor has expressed his position at the regular court, it has given Zhang Juzheng a way out. This trouble will gradually disappear as the penalties in the regulations are reduced.

This is a very good development.

And this moment.

Shen Nian frowned slightly and suddenly understood Zhang Juzheng's loneliness and difficulties.

Everyone is thinking about their own "welfare".

Only Zhang Juzheng thought that if this regulation could be strictly enforced, it could save the court more than one million taels of silver a year.

If one person does something, everyone else will sabotage it.

too difficult!
At this moment, Shen Nian suddenly wanted to do something for Zhang Juzheng, but he didn't know what to do.

Soon, this court session ended in harmony.

Everyone is very happy.

Everyone felt that once this precedent was set, the abolition of the "Post Office Regulations" would not be far away.

(End of this chapter)