I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 35: Public Conviction? No, This Is a Commendation Meeting (Happy New Year)
There was complete silence in the Tongzhengsi.

Ma Ziqiang said this.

It can be said that it is a slap in the face of all the officials who impeached Shen Nian for his flawed personal ethics.

Some people want to refute.

To say that resisting corruption is resisting corruption and beating people is beating people are not to be confused.

Some people want to protest.

Protesting the Hanlin Academy's protection of its own shortcomings and the apparent tendency to form a faction.

But when he saw the officials of the Hanlin Academy like this.

Fearing the risk of getting beaten if he retorted, he swallowed and lowered his head.

Half of the people in the Hanlin Academy also have the job of giving lectures at the daily imperial court.

Even if you hit someone.

The cabinet will not punish them severely, otherwise the little emperor will fall behind in his studies!

at the same time.

The Jinyiwei on duty and more than ten tall and burly eunuchs stood outside the door. If a fight broke out, they would immediately rush in to stop it.

at this time.

A clerk on duty in the cabinet walked in quickly.

"My Lords, after discussion, the three elders have decided to hold an additional noon court session in the Imperial Palace tomorrow to discuss the Hanlin Academy's review of Shen Nian's assault. Please return!"

Upon hearing this, the officials were all stunned.

I feel more and more that something is wrong!
Even though the incident of Shen Nian beating someone caused a mountain of memorials to the cabinet, its nature was just that of a seventh-rank official beating someone.

Now they are going to add a noon court session for public discussion among all officials. Obviously, things are not that simple!
Some officials who were only good at talking felt that it was time for them to show their talents at the court meeting.

Hitting people is never the right thing to do.

From a moral standpoint, this impeachment cannot be wrong.

immediately.

After the officials from the Hanlin Academy left, the other officials dispersed.

……

Northern Pacification Office.

After hearing what happened in the Tongzhengsi today, Cao Wei gradually understood why Shen Nian insisted on being flogged.

He looked down and said to the Jinyiwei on duty, "Go, arrest that Shanxi merchant Qiao Wendao first!"

"Commander, what crime are we arresting?"

Cao Wei frowned and glared, "What? You can't arrest someone if they're innocent? When did the Northern Pacification Division need evidence to arrest someone?"

The Jinyiwei was so frightened that he bowed quickly.

"Your subordinate... that's not what I meant. Qiao Wendao has some connection with Zhang Butang in the cabinet, right?"

Zhang Bu Tang in the cabinet refers to the newly appointed cabinet minister and Minister of Rites Zhang Siwei.

Cao Wei narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Catch him! If he dares to mention Elder Zhang, I'll tear his mouth apart immediately!"

"My subordinate understands!"

An hour later, Qiao Wendao, with a confused look on his face, was taken to the imperial prison by the Jinyiwei.

He wanted to let Qian know what crime he was arrested for.

As a result, he was slapped several times by a Jinyiwei, and his cheeks became bruised again.

……

At night, inside the Shen residence.

Shen Nian lay on the soft couch, and Gu Yue'er held a pastry in her hand and put it into his mouth.

This afternoon, Gu Yue'er applied ointment on Shen Nian's slightly scratched butt three times, and then cried three times.

Shen Nian was very excited.

just now.

Ma Ziqiang has ordered someone to inform Shen Nian that an additional noon court session will be held tomorrow to publicly discuss the incident of Shen Nian beating someone.

Shen Nian can go to the Hanlin Academy around noon to wait for the results.

Shen Nian was certain that after being flogged forty times, he would definitely not commit any more crimes.

He was curious.

What kind of solution will Zhang Juzheng adopt tomorrow to deal with the corruption of young officials?

Zhang Juzheng was willing to listen to Shen Nian's advice.

In fact, he also wanted to clean up the Ming Dynasty officialdom where corruption was rampant.

Although we dare not do it to everyone, killing a chicken to scare the monkeys can still deter a group of people.

Reducing corruption among young officials will also be conducive to the implementation of various new policies.

……

August 17th, near noon.

Shen Nian lay on the long couch in the Review Hall of the Hanlin Academy, drinking tea while waiting for the result.

And this moment.

In the Huangji Hall, all officials gathered together, and all officials who had submitted memorials came to the court.

Little Wanli sat on the throne, and Empress Dowager Li was behind the curtain.

Many officials who had impeached Shen Nian had already prepared their drafts. After thinking about it overnight, they basically focused on two key points.

First, according to the Ming Dynasty Code, beating people is a crime, and being guilty means having flaws in one’s moral conduct.

Second, all the officials in the Hanlin Academy defended the guilty officials, which seemed to be forming a clique.

soon.

After the officials bowed three times, the noon court officially began.

Zhang Siwei was the first to step forward.

He said loudly, "Today's additional noon court session is for the purpose of discussing with the Hanlin Academy the incident of Shen Nian assaulting businessman Qiao Wendao on the afternoon of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone already knows the reason for Shen Nian's assault, so I will not elaborate on it!"

"First, I will read out the Cabinet's draft response to the impeachment memorial from the Hanlin Academy, which accuses Shen Nian of "flawed personal ethics and unfitting him to serve the emperor and lecture on history daily."

"Merchant Qiao Wendao attempted bribery but failed. Hanlin Academy reviewer Shen Nian, under malicious threat, struck him to protect his reputation, inflicting bruises. According to Ming Dynasty law, he should have been flogged forty times. The Northern Pacification Office rendered the punishment correct, and Shen Nian has been punished. However, the cabinet found the allegation of his personal morality flawed completely unfounded and therefore rejected the impeachment petitions filed by the officials."

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Upon hearing this reply, several officials flicked their sleeves and strode out.

Zhang Siwei raised his head, looked at the officials who had come out of line, and glared at them, "Will you allow me to finish my speech?"

Zhang Siwei has just entered the cabinet.

Zhang Juzheng intended to let him speak out in order to increase his prestige.

Faced with Zhang Siwei's sharp eyes, the officials who stepped out had to retreat again.

Zhang Siwei looked around and continued, "Secondly, after the Hanlin Academy reviewed Shen Nian's refusal of bribes, the Cabinet ordered the Ministry of Justice to review the case files of officials accepting bribes in recent years. They discovered that most officials who were demoted or dismissed for accepting bribes within five years of entering the government were seduced by unscrupulous businessmen with money and sex. They first lost their integrity, then were threatened by the businessmen's reputation, and finally became corrupt!"

"Our dynasty selects officials every three years, making it very difficult to enter the civil service. Young officials imprisoned for financial and sexual corruption are a real loss to the court. Therefore, the cabinet has drafted the 'Regulations for Young Officials to Refuse Bribery' to address the temptation and coercion of young officials into accepting bribes. The term 'young officials' refers to those who have been in office for less than five years."

"The main contents are as follows—"

"First, those who are trapped in debt in the capital, or whose families are in financial difficulty, or who are in debt due to illness or injury, can apply to the court for an advance on their salary, depending on their personal circumstances."

"Secondly, if someone is caught in a bribery scheme involving merchants, colleagues, landlords, or relatives, and confesses voluntarily, the first offender, who was also passive, will be given a lighter punishment; if he commits the offense again, he will be punished according to the law; if he commits the offense a third time, he will be punished more severely."

"Third, those who refuse bribes and proactively report those who offer bribes will have their performance records included in their performance appraisals and used as a reference for selection and promotion."

"Fourth, insulting or assaulting the briber for refusing a bribe is punishable by a lighter punishment and does not count as an act of violence, which is morally deficient."

Fifth, officials who bribed their way into office within five years will be severely punished. Those who attempt to bribe will still be punished as if they had committed bribery.

……

Zhang Siwei read out the "Regulations on Young Officials Refusing Bribery" in one breath.

simply put--

Young officials who have been in office for less than five years and are passively corrupt can be given light punishment; those who refuse bribes and actively report bribers will be given special attention by the court when they have the opportunity to be promoted.

The fourth one seems to be customized for Shen Nian.

After hearing this, Ma Ziqiang, the Left Vice Minister of Rites and Imperial Academy Scholar, turned to look at Zhang Juzheng, who had a calm expression. The more he looked, the more he admired him.

The imperial court has always been very strict in dealing with corrupt officials, with official documents being very strict but very lenient in actions. They only dare to make an example of someone to scare the others, and dare not overthrow them completely.

Shen Nian's plan was to use this incident to create an anti-corruption movement in the Ming Dynasty.

However, after Zhang Juzheng made some minor adjustments, he actually treated the young officials of the Ming Dynasty as victims in order to prevent them from being corrupt.

in fact.

Everyone knows that official corruption is a two-way street.

It's the fault of the businessmen as well as the fault of the officials.

However, Zhang Juzheng reduced the punishment for young officials who accepted bribes and increased the punishment for those who gave bribes.

Although it is not fair, it makes young officials stop and take action.

Young officials will be the main force of new policies in the future.

After Zhang Siwei finished speaking, he turned and said, "Now, everyone may speak freely. If the cabinet's words are inappropriate, I will listen to your opinions. Your Majesty will judge for sure!"

Suddenly, no officials in the hall came out.

Furthermore, Shen Nian's personal morality is flawed, which means he is opposing this regulation and encouraging the evil spirit of corruption in the officialdom.

No one wants to encounter this bad luck!
……

at this time.

An official with a gray beard came out from behind.

He was Yang Shencheng, the head of the Ministry of Rites.

This person is an old scholar who is well versed in etiquette. He is in his sixties and has worked in this position for six years. It is very likely that he will retire from this position!
"Your Majesty, I think this regulation is extremely inappropriate!"

"The Great Ming Code treats all officials equally, so why are young officials given preferential treatment? If they had the court at heart and were dedicated to serving the public, how could they have accepted bribes?"

"Bribery is bribery, and punishment cannot be lenient! The Hanlin Academy's review of Shen Nian's assault is also true. This is a flaw in personal morality. Such officials must never remain by Your Majesty's side!"

Yang Shencheng is a person who likes to nitpick and get stuck in a rut.

Swish!
After Yang Shencheng finished speaking.

Liu Kezhen, who was reviewing in the Hanlin Academy and spoke official language very unfluently, suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, I, Liu Kezheng, a reviewer of the Imperial Academy, cannot agree with what Director Yang said!"

"I come from a humble background and have seen the faces of many evil businessmen. They will do anything to drag officials into trouble. Young officials, new to the officialdom, are inexperienced and have feelings and righteousness, so they are often easily deceived."

"This regulation is a manifestation of the court's benevolence. If things were to be done according to dogma, who knows how many talented officials would be buried."

"Take the Hanlin reviewer Shen Nian, who took action to resist corruption. I believe that not only was he not at fault, but he is a role model for today's young officials!"

"Just ask yourself, how many young officials today would dare to do this? If they were caned for doing so, it would be considered a flaw in their personal ethics, which would inevitably make bribe-givers even more rampant and bribe-takers even more afraid to speak out for fear of being framed!"

"Master Yang's words may seem fair, but they are actually pedantic. Under the new imperial policies, we should act according to common sense, rather than standing on a moral high ground and delving into corrupt practices!"

……

After Liu Kezhen finished speaking, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

last night.

He predicted that some officials might make such a move, so he prepared such a speech and practiced it diligently.

Wang Zudi, Zhao Yongxian and Liu Chuxian all looked surprised.

I didn't expect that Liu Kezhen, who has always been unable to speak straight, could speak official language so straight today, and his refutation of the other party's reasons was sufficient and powerful.

"I second the motion!" Hanlin scholar Ma Ziqiang strode out.

"I second the motion!" Shen Shixing, a bachelor of the Imperial Academy, strode out.

"I second the motion!" All the compilers, editors, and reviewers from the Hanlin Academy stood up.

The officials of the Hanlin Academy are quite united.

Just when an official was about to step forward to impeach the officials of the Hanlin Academy for suspected faction, he suddenly heard a loud voice coming from the front.

"I second the motion!" The speaker was the cabinet's deputy minister, Lu Diaoyang.

Then, Zhang Siwei also bowed and said, "I second the motion!"

Immediately afterwards, the officials from the six ministries all bowed and said loudly, "I second the motion!"

Finally, Zhang Juzheng slowly took two steps forward, bowed, and said, "I second the motion!"

This...this...this, who dares to refute?

Suddenly.

Yang Shencheng was dumbfounded. He lowered his head and quickly returned to his seat.

At this moment, any official who speaks out against this would be saying that he thinks his career is going too smoothly.

……

After a few breaths, Zhang Juzheng looked at the little emperor on the throne.

"I wonder if Your Majesty has any objections?"

Little Wanli puffed out his chest and said with a smile: "I have no objection. I am very pleased. This is the way the court should be!"

Zhang Juzheng added, "Your Majesty, the cabinet's drafting of this regulation is invaluable to the officials of the Hanlin Academy. I request a reward for them!"

"Approved!" Little Wanli said, "According to the merits of their advice, we will reward them according to the usual rules. In addition, Shen Nian and Liu... Liu Kezheng, the reviewers of the Hanlin Academy, will be rewarded with an additional twenty taels of silver!"

Young Wanli was very generous.

Zhang Juzheng continued, "Your Majesty, Shen Nian, the Imperial Academy Reviewer, refused a bribe and assaulted someone. This is quite typical of officials during the reign of Emperor Taizu. This is very rare in our dynasty. I suggest that, as an exception, Shen Nian be appointed Imperial Academy Reviewer and concurrently serve as a daily lecturer!"

"allow!"

As soon as Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, young Wanli agreed.

What he liked most was Shen Nian's history telling, and he was afraid that someone would object. But at this moment, no one dared to speak nonsense.

Afterwards, he withdrew from the court.

……

The officials of the Hanlin Academy walked towards the Hanlin Academy together, all with bright smiles on their faces.

Especially Liu Kezheng.

He didn't expect that the emperor would personally read out his name, he didn't expect that the emperor would specially reward him, and he didn't expect that the cabinet elders and officials from the six ministries would agree with his words.

This is something that could only happen if smoke were to rise from one's ancestral graves.

If this matter were to spread to his family, he would immediately become the pride of the entire clan.

All the officials in the Hanlin Academy were very grateful to Shen Nian.

Without Shen Nian, they would never have been able to show off their prowess in public this time and prove to everyone that the Hanlin Academy is the most important government office in the capital.

A moment later, in the review room.

Through Liu Kezhen's narration, Shen Nian knew everything about Wu Chao.

In his eyes, the "Young Officials Anti-Corruption Ordinance" is like a "newbie protection period" provision.

In this kind of social atmosphere, it is indeed possible to protect officials with decent moral character.

He also understood that the current Ming Dynasty was not suitable for implementing comprehensive anti-corruption measures.

This time, he turned a disadvantageous situation into a winning one.

What surprised him most was that he finally became one of the daily lecturers in the Imperial Lecture Hall. In his old profession, he was no worse than anyone else.

After a while, Ma Ziqiang came over.

He looked at Shen Nian, who was standing at his workstation, holding his waist and not daring to sit down, and said, "Prime Minister Zhang wants to see you alone!"

Ma Ziqiang emphasized the last four words.

The reviewers standing by were all very envious.

Zhang Shoufu's fellow townsman Liu Chuxian had never enjoyed such a private audience.

Shen Nian thought to himself, "I've finally caught the eye of Prime Minister Zhang!"

……

Note: Beijing debt refers to the high-interest loans borrowed by newly appointed foreign officials in Beijing before taking up their posts, which are used to purchase luggage, etc. It also refers to the money owed by some officials when they studied and lived in the capital before becoming officials.

　Dear book friends, Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in the new year, just like Shen Nian, achieving success at a young age, having a smooth career, being rich, beautiful, and having a lovely wife, being able to show off your abilities in front of others without getting embarrassed, rising to a higher position without any setbacks, and having everything go smoothly, soaring to the sky!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)