I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 28: Like a lost dog! Duke Yansheng returns home

In the study of the Zhang family mansion.

Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei were overjoyed to see that Zhang Juzheng's expression had eased a little.

Lu Diaoyang thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, this decision-making error cannot be blamed on Your Majesty, nor on the officials. I suggest starting with this memorial to change the tide."

The softest persimmon is none other than Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian.

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

Since the dead end situation has been turned around, he naturally doesn't need to resign.

After the three of them discussed it, Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei rushed to the palace to report to the young Wanli.

As the saying goes: hold big meetings for small matters, hold small meetings for big matters, and no meetings are needed for important matters.

On such a major matter, as long as the three of them maintained consistent opinions with the young Wanli (i.e. Empress Dowager Li) and set the tone, no one could change it.

……

Early the next morning.

Zhang Juzheng came to the cabinet and started working.

The first thing he dealt with was Shen Nian's memorial impeaching Yansheng Duke Kong Shangxian.

Because of the special status of Duke Yansheng, the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief Chen Zan personally summoned Kong Shangxian to the Censorate.

Chen Zan was an upright person and always handled his affairs impartially.

The cabinet and the six ministries all respected him very much, knowing that he would not show favoritism.

Kong Shangxian had obviously received the news, and his legs went weak as soon as he entered the Censorate.

With tears in his eyes, he recounted how he smuggled goods, on the one hand because he was deceived by some unscrupulous businessmen, and on the other hand because he was helping the people of Shandong sell their goods.

Because he was too kind and wanted to help more people in his hometown, he took advantage of the court.

When admitting his mistakes, he did not forget to quote a lot of Confucius' words.

For example: Wealth and honor gained through unrighteousness are like floating clouds to me; if I want to establish myself, I will establish others; if I want to achieve myself, I will achieve others; if I act for the sake of profit, I will be filled with resentment...

Left Censor-in-Chief Chen Zan simply ignored his empty words.

After he was asked to confess the types, quantities and values ​​of the contraband he had smuggled over the past three years, the report was submitted to the cabinet.

Before noon.

The case was sent to the cabinet and the palace.

The young Wanli immediately issued an order: Kong Shangxian was punished to kneel in front of the Confucius Temple for three consecutive days, and his visit to Beijing once a year was changed to once every five years, and he was not allowed to enter Beijing without permission.

This completely cut off his excuse to use the public post for personal purposes.

In fact, this is considered a light punishment.

If there is severe punishment, Feng Bao will also be involved.

The intention of the young Wanli and the cabinet was to use this incident to implement the "Regulations on Postal Stations" and not to investigate further.

at the same time.

The young emperor issued an edict: The son of Hou Donglai, the governor of Gansu, used the post station for personal purposes, and according to the regulations, his official position was revoked.

Once this operation is carried out.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Prime Minister Zhang had turned the tide.

……

Cabinet value.

There were piles of memorials on the desks of Zhang Juzheng and Lu Diaoyang, all of which were memorials from censors impeaching local officials for using public funds for personal gain.

After verification.

The two people's proposals both stated: severe punishment according to regulations.

at the same time.

Little Wanli read through the memorials from officials pleading for the abolition of the "Regulations on Post Offices," repeating to himself: "No! No! No!"
Feng Bao held the imperial pen and quickly approved it.

After the emperor and the cabinet ministers did this, the officials below naturally did not dare to say anything.

If there are any problems, wipe them away quickly.

Those who had no problems also checked themselves to prevent family members from using public post stations for personal purposes in their names.

Shen Nian was rewarded for his advice.

The young Wanli rewarded him with 40 taels of silver, four pieces of silk, and a box of dry snacks.

The compilers, editors, and reviewers of the Hanlin Academy not only envied Shen Nian, but also admired him.

When almost all the emperor and his ministers in the court were inclined to abolish the "Regulations on Post Offices".

He can stand up and object.

He also cleverly avoided directly criticizing the emperor by using the excuse of impeaching Duke Yansheng.

Such strategy, such courage, and such means can only be achieved by a person of great wisdom and courage. In addition, this time it was Shen Nian who supported Zhang Juzheng alone.

Prime Minister Zhang must be grateful in his heart.

It is only a matter of time before Shen Nian rises to prominence in the future.

……

Three days later.

Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian hired a carriage at his own expense and left the capital.

When the carriage reached Chaoyang Gate, five idle men suddenly jumped out.

These idlers followed the carriage, muttering: "Tired as a dog that has lost its home! Tired as a dog that has lost its home! Tired as a dog that has lost its home..."

The sound grew louder and louder, attracting many onlookers.

Kong Shangxian was furious when he heard this.

This is a description of Confucius by people from Zheng in Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian: The Family of Confucius".

Confucius' attitude at that time was self-deprecating and indifferent.

This statement is the most appropriate to describe Kong Shangxian at present.

Kong Shangxian opened the window and wanted to scold these people.

But when I saw these idlers wearing short shirts and long skirts, high scarves with fine nets on their heads, yellow bags on their backs and bamboo sticks in their hands.

I couldn't help but feel scared.

This kind of people are called: Lahu, which means rogues.

They hang around the streets all day, making a living by cheating and deceiving people. Some of them help government officials cheat the people, while others intimidate the people on the streets and demand money.

These people are just reckless. They throw tantrums, talk nonsense, fight and act stupid. They will do anything for money.

To mess with them is like getting stuck with a dog-skin plaster.

Kong Shangxian thought about it and threw out a few pieces of silver.

The idlers were delighted.

An idle man immediately imitated the way students in a private school read and shouted: Confucius said: "To learn and to practice it from time to time is not it a great pleasure..."

Hear this.

Kong Shangxian felt that the other party was humiliating him, and hurriedly shouted to the coachman: "Hurry up! Hurry up!"

At this time, the idlers followed again.

He began to chant again: Tired as a dog that has lost its home, tired as a dog that has lost its home...

Kong Shangxian had no choice but to continue throwing silver.

Finally, he walked five miles out of the city and threw away half a bag of silver before he got rid of this group of idlers.

These idlers.

In fact, it is a deformed product that will spread rapidly and gradually become popular in a declining era.

But countless people just turn a blind eye.

……

Six days later.

Gansu Governor Hou Donglai submitted a letter of apology.

Hou Donglai expressed his firm support for the court's new policy, and said he would strictly discipline his son and guarantee that the use of public post stations for personal purposes would never happen again in the area under his jurisdiction..."

This is Zhang Juzheng’s ability!
The more capable the provincial governors and military generals were, the more they listened to Zhang Juzheng's advice and almost regarded his words as the gospel.

The reason why Zhang Juzheng was able to drive these people was because he knew what they wanted.

For example, how they treated Qi Jiguang.

Food and money were provided immediately when Qi Jiguang asked for them. Qi Jiguang's superior had a grudge against him, so he was immediately replaced.

Zhang Juzheng's principle is -

We should treat all capable officials who work hard for the country with humanity above principles.

This memorial.

It also made the young Wanli and the officials in the court realize once again: The Ming Dynasty cannot do without Zhang Juzheng, just as the sky cannot do without the sun.

After this incident, Zhang Juzheng's power and prestige will surely be even greater.

In Shen Nian's eyes, this is a good thing, at least for the current Ming Dynasty.

……

Note: The Eight Silver Treasures refers to a combination of eight auspicious patterns or objects made of silver.

(End of this chapter)