First Minister of Ming Dynasty

The core ruling area of ​​the Central Plains dynasties in all dynasties is only that big, and there are several insurmountable obstacles involved in it.

First of all, the terrain must be suitable for farming, and it must be easy to communicate, be able to issue orders smoothly, and also have a suitable climate and sufficient water sources... Calculated from this circle, it is suitable for the Central Plains dynasty to establish a country. It is such a large place, and it is basically pushed northward. It will be difficult to continue to expand to the front line of the Great Wall, to the south, to the south of the Lingnan.

In fact, some people have also said that places such as Annan and Champa are not suitable for farming, and the grain production is not bad?

Why can't it rule for a long time?

The reason is that it is too far away from the core area. In order to maintain order, it is necessary to send troops and arrange officials. The cost of governance is much more expensive than that of the Central Plains.

And as civil and military officials became more greedy and incompetent, Wen Tian and Wu Xi, the soldiers lost their combat effectiveness, and they became even more uncontrollable, and it was only natural to adopt a shrinking strategy.

There are other places that are very close, but they are too barren and the output is limited. If you annex it, you will save him. Believe it or not, they will eat you up and become a burden for the dynasty... That's right, say Goryeo!

Even though they were kneeling and licking so much, they wanted to be a big boy in the Central Plains, but that's all.There is really no way, the place is too poor, annexing them can bankrupt the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Therefore, the extent of a dynasty’s territory depends on the method of controlling these territories, the choice of economic model, and the country’s financial resources... In the middle, find a balance.

After all, people 600 years ago, there is no need to cut off their belts for the sake of their grandchildren 600 years later, to expand the territory and maintain it painstakingly!

You are too embarrassing for your ancestors.

A huge territory is not easy to maintain.

The territory of the Yuan Dynasty looks so big, but in fact there are many rule vacuums, and the Yuan Dynasty also adopted a system of enfeoffment outside the provinces.

For example, in the Shaanxi-Gansu region, there were many Mongolian kings, and Yunnan also belonged to Zarawarmi... The area that the Yuan Dynasty really held in its hands was far from that huge.

In addition, as we all know, Daiying used to be an empire on which the sun never sets before it became an empire on which the sun never sets.What maintains the huge empire is not only the roar of the steam engine, but also has something to do with the ruling methods of the British.

They are known for their proficiency in stirring shit, but if they want to stir shit well, they need profound skills.Coincidentally, Daiying is a country that can bend down, carefully study the cultural background of the colonies, and look for opportunities to stir up shit.Guja

If you think of Daiying as a colonial empire with a bunch of colonies underneath, then it is too simple to see Daiying. You must know that there are many colonial butlers under Daiying!

For example, the third brother is the one who contributed the most and contributed the most.

Daiying relied on India's financial resources, and even military strength, to launch a war and knock on the door of the East...

Zhang Ximeng once imagined with Zhu Yuanzhang that they would build up a vast territory beyond that of the Yuan Dynasty. Only in this way can they be worthy of China's third rise... The words have been spoken, but when it comes time to implement them, if you rely on foreign troops to attack the city, then I'm sorry , even if you try your best, you can't do it or you can't do it.

If there is no systematic innovation, the upper limit is the Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties, and there will be no surprises.

"Brother Li, in my opinion, in fact, many barbarian lands look desolate, but they are not useless. Since some people can still maintain the rule, it means that they can be included in the territory... The question is what method we use, Only in this way can these places be successfully controlled. If it is only the set of things in the Central Plains, it will definitely not work. I hope Zhu Ying can experiment in Lingnan, just to find a new model. After the experience of Lingnan, we are in the Western Regions, in the Mobei, or even further places, can find a suitable way to smoothly integrate the local area into the territory. All in all, this is a place that we need to work hard to explore."

Li Shanchang frowned, and said in confusion: "Master Zhang, I understand your reasoning. But I don't understand, since you think so, why can't you do this under the superior rule? Tian, ​​can’t you follow the meaning below and find a different way?”

"No!" Zhang Ximeng said: "In the Central Plains, there are only so many people and so much land... For thousands of years, what can prosper a country and what will ruin it has been clearly written! If you don't suppress annexation, you will die. Any new If it is not handled properly, the world will be in chaos! In fact, I still agree with the wisdom of scholar-bureaucrats. They pay attention to guarding the family with their roots and getting rich through business. That is to say, farming and reading are fundamental. What I think is that the land equalization model in the Central Plains is the foundation and our basic market.”

"Keeping this system ensures that the lower limit of the country will not be too bad. On top of this, we explore other paths, and every path we take will have a huge impact. As for failure... there is no It will affect too much, but it can be cleaned up easily. What does Brother Li think?"

Li Shan was speechless for a long time, and his heart was surging.

The overall picture outlined by Zhang Ximeng is really eye-catching. His approach can be regarded as a model of seeking the country, and he is convinced.Li Shanchang suddenly realized something, "Zhang Xiang, you said that in Lingnan, you need to verify a new method, can you tell me a thing or two, what do you plan to do?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "There's nothing to say! I'm still asking for Brother Li's help. I'm thinking about how to develop more industries and industries in Lingnan, where there is free land, and things other than food can be grown, as well as foreign trade...Anyway. As long as it’s right, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Li Shanchang's eyes flickered, and soon turned into a round square hole... He already understood that Zhang Ximeng was planning to make a fortune in Lingnan!

Think again, why did you send Zhu Ying there?

Li Shanchang seems to understand... This matter is Zhu Ying to do, so that there will be no misunderstanding, and only then can he be free to do anything, and other people can't do it all!

Because this is what created the world!

Only like Zhu Ying, with Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and Zhang Ximeng standing behind him at the same time, with the presence of the Sanqing Tianzun, Zhu Ying can rest assured and boldly toss, even if there is one less!

And there is a high probability that the trip to Lingnan will not only make a fortune, but also gain a bright future.

Li Shanchang's heart was beating wildly.

Lao Li is now successful and famous, and his hereditary title ranks first among the nominal officials.He has nothing left to ask for.

Li Shanchang doesn't care much about leaving a name in history.

What he cares more about is his son. Li Shanchang really hopes that his son will have a bright future and live a better life.He also knew that if his son could only rely on his own shadow and become a prince, he wouldn't have any great achievements, at least he wouldn't have to think about becoming a general.

Therefore, it is necessary to let the son have a future, at least he can meet a group of friends, and he can help each other in the future, so as to continue the glory of the Li family... Coincidentally, the trip to Lingnan is a good thing for both fame and fortune.

"Zhang Xiang..." Li Shanchang couldn't wait to say: "As the adopted son of the upper class, Xipinghou can lead the troops to Lingnan without avoiding dangers. I also intend to let the dog pass. I don't know what Zhang Xiang wants to do?"

Sure enough, he is a smart man, and Lao Li is really good at it.

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Brother Li, why don't we let our nephew take the special criminal law exam? Don't you think so?"

"Yes... yes yes yes!" Li Shanchang smiled openly, with his heart in his stomach, he smiled and pulled Zhang Ximeng, and said in a low voice: "I know that the Du Branch Bureau has been checking the household department, but I am also checking here. It's hard to say about Ruan Hongdao, after all, he is an old minister before crossing the river, so I don't dare to do it casually if I'm not sure. But Zheng Shiyuan, the servant, has always been bold, and his reputation is not very good."

Li Shanchang stopped abruptly, but there was no need to waste his saliva.

The deal was concluded, and Lao Li began to sell it off.

Zhang Ximeng smiled and returned to the mansion, and then called Guo Ying, and asked Jiang Nan to work hard, go to Zheng Shiyuan's house, and see how much the servant of the household department has been greedy!

Chapter 416 Big Greed

Fang Keqin is a native of eastern Zhejiang, his ancestors have been Confucianists for three generations, and he is an outstanding town writer.

When he was eight years old, he took part in the provincial examination to discuss the general trend of the world and the gains and losses of the government. Due to his fierce words, the examiners did not dare to admit him, but he became famous all over the world because of it.

Since then, Fang Keqin has been studying in his hometown, took time to marry a wife, and gave him a son. This son is exactly the same as his father. He is smart and good at reading. Fang Keqin likes it very much. It's called Fang Xiaoru!

Seeing the chaos in the world, Fang Keqin has never had the opportunity to display his ambitions, and he is also depressed.

The world is so big, who is the wise master worth relying on?

While Fang Keqin kept observing and searching, Zhu Yuanzhang sent his army into Hangzhou.

It's not that the former Red Scarf Army has never been here, such as Monk Peng.

Burning, killing and looting, the military discipline was corrupted, and what they did was comparable to that of the Yuan army.

Fang Keqin looked down on these thieves and bandits very much, and it seemed that Zhu Yuanzhang was not much better...but something happened that he didn't expect. Zhu's army entered Hangzhou. What was jaw-dropping was that Zhao Gou actually made a kneeling statue!

The shock Fang Keqin received can be imagined.

He remembered that he had visited Yue Fei's tomb in the early years. Facing this great hero who had suffered injustice, Fang Keqin burst into tears, hating the injustice in the world in his heart.

Compared with Yue Fei, there is a difference of tens of millions.

Compared with the Song Dynasty, the Yuan court is probably tens of millions.

If he enters the officialdom, his fate will be even more miserable.

It was also the trip to Hangzhou that made him give up his plan to become an official.

But who would have expected that there would be a monarch who could correct this centuries-old mistake and set up a kneeling statue of Zhao Gou, so that those who were willing to come out to do things would not be disappointed.

Fang Keqin went to Yingtian almost without thinking, and passed the exam smoothly. With his talent and ability, it is still very easy to be a petty official.

Fang Keqin is an official in the local area, mainly to appease the people and implement the equalization of land.

The most important thing in this work is to be fair and to gain the trust of the people.

Especially in many remote villages, the people there have been controlled by a few big families for generations. They don't know what the imperial court is, and they instinctively resist people from outside.

And even if they were given the land, these people did not dare to take it, for fear that they would be snatched away by the masters again. In the end, the bamboo basket fetching water would be useless, and they would be beaten or even killed.

Fang Keqin worked tirelessly, went deep into the local area several times, investigated the evil deeds of big households, encouraged the people to stand up, and made a promise with the people that he would be the master for the people.

With his hard work, the Juntian matter went much smoother.

Because of this, he was quickly promoted and appointed as the prefect.

Then he was transferred to Yingtian, and after the assessment by the Ministry of Officials, he could be promoted one step higher... According to the plan of the Ministry of Education, some provinces were to be established. If there is no accident, Fang Keqin is one of the candidates for the chief envoy .

Fang Keqin was very happy, and wrote a letter to his family, telling his wife that he must teach his children well and be loyal to the Ming Emperor in the future.

Before the letter was sent, the door of the residence was knocked suddenly.

"Is the prefect Fang here?"

Fang Keqin was taken aback, and hurried to the door, "Where are you from?"

"It's from the Ministry of Rites. I have some things to explain, so please ask Fang Zhifu to open the door."

Fang Keqin looked through the crack of the door and saw that there was indeed a scribe in a green robe outside, so he opened the door.

At this moment, several big men rushed out from both sides and directly held Fang Keqin down!

"do not move!"

Fang Keqin turned pale with shock, what's going on?Why are you catching yourself?

"I, I am the court order officer, you, you can't arrest people for no reason?"

Baihu, the leader of the guard department, sneered, "Arrest people innocently? Fang Zhifu, are you really good at pretending to be confused? Let me ask you, did you buy officials for the Ministry of Industry and open a blank official document?"

Fang Keqin was taken aback, it seemed that there was such a thing... But isn't this a habit over the years!

"I, I did not break the king's law, it has always been like this!"

"In the past? It won't be the case from now on!" Baihu sneered, "Take it away!"

Fang Keqin was dragged away by several guardsmen.

On this day, hundreds of officials were taken away!

There are foreign officials like Fang Keqin, officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, and even the Ministry of War... Zhu Yuanzhang's first large-scale anti-corruption operation since he took the throne, the Gongwei Division and the Du Branch Bureau jointly took action.

In an instant, the government and the public were shaken, and all the officials in Beijing were shocked!

Many people were even more frightened and panicked.

what's the point

The superior has just been enthroned, and on our civilian side, Li Xiang and Zhang Xiang have become hereditary dukes.

We are all heroic servants, even if we don't give titles, we can't just arrest people like this, right?

It makes no sense!

Was the superior confused, or was he bewitched by treacherous ministers?

"Does it need to be said! Guo Ying of the Arch Guard Division is a villain! Jiang Nan of the Du Branch Bureau is a woman! Confucius said it well, only women and villains are difficult to raise! There are two traitors in the court. Don't think of peace!"

"Well said! Then, what shall we do?" Gu snorted

But hearing this, everyone who was aggressive just now was a little speechless.

Not to mention that the Gongwei Division is directly under the emperor, Guo Ying's younger sister even entered the palace and became a concubine, Guo Ying is also Zhu Yuanzhang's uncle, will he act easily?

As for the branch office, they are the ones responsible for settling accounts.

Moreover, the Du Branch Bureau is still under the provincial management, that is to say, Zhang Xiang is implicated behind it.

In other words, this matter was ordered by Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Ximeng at the same time, so it's over, don't say anything, just wait for the result!Don't even look for Li Shanchang, Li Xiang can't control this matter!

Just when all the officials were terrified, Li Shanchang, who was out of control, came unexpectedly. With a sullen face, he glanced majestically at Bailiao, and then said in a deep voice: "The superior has an order, all of them go to the house of Zheng Shiyuan, the minister of household affairs!"

After finishing speaking, Li Shanchang turned around and left. As for the rest of the officials, they were terrified!

Zheng Shiyuan is hardly a corrupt official.

He is strict, serious, and does not show favoritism. He often quarrels with his colleagues. He can entangle to the end for a little bit of accounting discrepancy, and he will never give up until the truth comes out.

In the entire household department, he is considered the most difficult to deal with.

It may be more credible to say that Ruan Hongdao, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, corrupted the law by corrupting the law!

Speaking of Zheng Shiyuan, I am afraid that he has been wronged?

Everyone trembled and had to follow Li Shanchang to Zheng Shiyuan's mansion.

To say it's a mansion is really an exaggeration, it's just an ordinary small courtyard, it's not spacious, it's even a bit cramped.

There is a huge pagoda tree in the yard, with luxuriant branches and leaves, covering half of the small courtyard.

Sophora japonica, bosom also!

People who are familiar with Zheng Shiyuan often hear him say that being an official is not as good as Bao Longtu, and one should follow Tao Yuanming's example and not bow down for five buckets of rice!This Guohuai is a witness!

It really rings in my ears!

Would such a person be greedy for ink?

Jiang Nan was standing next to Zhang Ximeng. With a sullen face, she could still vividly recall the process of raiding Zheng's house.

When she came, she saw Zheng Shiyuan eating alone at home, with a plate of dried tofu, a plate of broad beans, and nothing else.