Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"Vice President Xie, the Imperial Master has called you over if I have something to do."

In the yamen, Xie Jin was repeatedly scribbling and modifying Ming Pao's final report on the Annan war on a large piece of paper. Suddenly Guo Jing knocked on the door and spoke to him through the door.

"Okay, let's get over it."

Xie Jin was a little puzzled for a moment. He didn't know what Jiang Xinghuo wanted to do with him. Recently, after Wang Jing's downfall, the Ministry of Justice replaced Ma Jing, the left minister, and then the government and the public became quieter, and the first batch of people to leave the cabinet , and they are all working hard in their new positions, but there is no new disturbance.

"National Master, are you looking for me?"

"Yes." Jiang Xinghuo raised his head, asked Xie Jin to sit down, and then handed Xie Jin something.

"This is?"

Xie Jin looked at something that looked like an old almanac in his hand and studied it further.

Soon, he discovered the difference from the old almanac. This was a simple phonetic calendar.

"This is……"

"Take it back and study it slowly first. Remember to check it out in the next two days. This will be sold cheaply among the people in the future, which can improve the literacy rate of the people."

The phonetic calendar is a popular product that is paired with the Chinese pinyin dictionary. It makes full use of people's daily concerns to improve their literacy level. After all, you always have to look at the day every day, and there are some commonly used words written on the calendar. The pronunciation is all done, and as long as you look at it carefully, you can still get away from the level of pure illiteracy.

The selling price of phonetic calendars will be further depressed because of the large production volume.

It is definitely unrealistic to solve the problem of people's literacy rate in a short time. However, through various methods, it can still be improved a lot over time. At least in twenty or thirty years, people will be able to read a newspaper by themselves. , there should be no problem, and it won’t be like now, when many people read newspapers and need help from scholars to read them.

Seeing Jiang Xinghuo's serious expression, Xie Jin immediately realized that this object must be of great importance, so he put it away, planning to observe and study it in detail later.

"Um...is there anything else?"

"have."

Jiang Xinghuo asked: "How is the progress of the Yongle Ceremony now?"

"It's very stable. It won't be completed in a few years or even more than ten years, but the first volume is almost completed."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded. According to his idea, the Yongle Dadian is an encyclopedia-like existence. It needs to be revised slowly one volume at a time, almost like a serial. In this process, the final draft of each volume is They will all be printed out and discussed by people all over the world.

At the beginning, it was still a traditional subset of classics and history, which was fine. But as time went by, some content about various schools of thought and science would be added later. In this way, once the reading habit is developed in the first part, then the following content will be included. , will naturally trigger huge discussion and far-reaching influence in society.

"The Ming Pao newspaper office will finish its work and write about Annan's affairs to boost the morale of the people. After all, the war has been going on for so long. Now that the Hu family and his son have surrendered and Annan has destroyed the country, we can publicize it how we want. , to agitate.”

After saying this, Jiang Xinghuo finally told the reason why he called Xie Jin here: "It's almost the end of the year, the verification of the first year of legal examination, and the review of the entire legal system framework such as the "Da Ming Law" at Shenfa Temple I have to keep an eye on the reconstruction, so I will leave it to you to go to the Lianghuai Salt Farm to further rectify the salt affairs. Are you confident?"

Xie Jin was overjoyed when he heard this. Of course he knew that after Zhuo Jing was promoted to Minister of Etiquette, he, the vice president, was actually a trick, and his position was not stable. He was usually mainly responsible for the writing and writing of "Ming Pao", but now it has been a few months. During the inspection period, Jiang Xinghuo was already relieved of him and planned to entrust him with important tasks.

"Please rest assured, Imperial Master! I promise to complete the task of rectifying the salt affairs of the Huaihe River!" Xie Jin bowed his hands and saluted.

"Well, then you should finish the matter at hand first. When you get there, if necessary, please cooperate with Yangzhou Magistrate Wang Shijie."

After sending Jie Jin off, Jiang Xinghuo stood at the window, looking out the window and lost in thought.

There was no need for him to make a special trip to rectify the Lianghuai salt affairs. It was enough to let Xie Jin go. With the help of Chen Ying from the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Wang Shijie, the local Yangzhou prefect, he could not have done any worse. , which can be regarded as giving Xie Jin a chance to exercise.

In addition to the current economic work in taxation and currency, Jiang Xinghuo is most concerned about the progress of the legal system and the reform of the entire legal system.

But the more he thought about the things at hand and future plans, the more Jiang Xinghuo felt a little bored.

He seemed to be trapped in an invisible cage and could never relax.

I don’t know when this strange feeling started.

Maybe life is like this. At the beginning when you do something, you are always full of enthusiasm, but as time goes by, it starts to become more decadent and numb.

"Maybe it's time to write something."

Jiang Xinghuo wrote an article, then sent someone to hand it over to Xie Jin, and finally to the cabinet and the emperor for review before it could be officially published.

But despite this, Jiang Xinghuo still felt that it was unclear.

"Damn it, since we have made up our minds to change the dynasty in the future, what is there to be afraid of? Since there are no enemies and they are all hiding in their turtle shells and dare not show their heads, why not shock them all out this time? After all, before this , I have been being challenged all the time, and now it can be said that the offensive and defensive momentum is different, why can’t I take the initiative to challenge?”

As soon as this idea came up, Jiang Xinghuo suddenly felt that the mountain that was weighing on his heart was lifted.

Yes, they have been passively fighting back, from Jingqing and Meiyin to Huang Xin and Baozhao, and then to Wang Jing and Ma Jing. Now it is time to take the initiative. Why have they been passively beaten?

"But how do you launch a challenge, how do you challenge the enemy, and how do you take the opportunity to expand your influence in the temple?"

Jiang Xinghuo looked at what was written on the table and began to think.

After a while, Jiang Xinghuo suddenly felt enlightened.

He found a way.

Exam into law.

Jingcha.

——————

"People's joys and sorrows are not the same. I just think they are noisy."

While Jiang Xinghuo was sulking, the entire city of Nanjing was plunged into an atmosphere of excitement as the additional issue of Ming Pao officially announced the end of the Annan War.

"We really won! I didn't expect that after two months of stalemate on the Furian River, we finally won!"

"What? Isn't it you who said you would fight until next year?"

"Hey, who would have thought that there would be people going around the back?"

"Tsk, tsk, soldiers are treacherous. The front is all about containment. Don't you understand this?"

In the shops on the street, in teahouses and restaurants, countless people gathered together, excitedly discussing the victory of this war, and some even started quarreling directly.

Someone was yelling on the street. People around them looked sideways and quickly squeezed past. When they saw this new version of the newspaper, they were even more excited.

The Ming Dynasty has not launched a foreign war for a long time. This kind of military operation far away from the mainland to attack an unsubordinate country can undoubtedly greatly demonstrate the military power, and the people will also be proud of it.

In particular, the Ming Dynasty was a unified Han dynasty established after expelling the Huru and experienced the humiliation of being ruled by the Mongols. This feeling that the country is getting stronger can greatly unite people's hearts.

At this moment, they felt their blood boiling, as if they were back in the history books when the Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty conquered the world with the power of military revolution. At that time, all the nations came to court! China is the center of the whole world!

It has only been thirty-six years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. There are still many middle-aged and elderly people who have personally experienced the era of Mongolian rule. After learning this news, they were filled with emotion.

Back in their hometown, they all witnessed how the Mongols showed off their power, and some witnessed their homes being destroyed. Some even left their homes and lived in foreign lands. They were displaced all the way and suffered a lot. The people finally survived until today, and finally saw When the country is peaceful and the people are safe, we see that the Han Dynasty is no longer bullied by others, but can strike hard anytime and anywhere when its dignity is offended.

"Read us what is written in this newspaper."

Dong Lun, the former left minister of the Ministry of Rites who became an official at home, has never appeared in public since he served as a referee in the last debate competition. Now that his eyes are dim, he can only read to his children and grandchildren. Dong Lun is still very happy. He likes to listen to others read "Ming Pao" to him, because the editor-in-chief of "Ming Pao" is his most admired disciple Xie Jin.

"You are stupid and fierce, and you have accumulated evil like a mountain. The world will not tolerate you, and gods and men will be angry.

It's sad to say this, but I have no choice but to use Xingshi.

In order to punish the people in the early period, the generals will rise and fall and continue to die. He ordered the general military officer to conquer the Yi general Cao Guogong Li Jinglong and others, and led an army of 800,000 to attack them.

My great army of tomorrow flies across Fuliang and penetrates deep into adversity. The Huanhuan Tiger Brigade is as powerful as thunder.

The evildoers of the industry were so powerful that the seven million people were wiped out in an instant, and the country of two thousand miles was leveled.

The rebels Hu and his son were captured alive, and they established the Commanding Envoys' Department, the Proclaiming Envoys' Department, the Punishment Envoys' Department, and the military and civilian yamen. "

"Well, it was written by Jiang Xinghuo? I thought it was Jie Jin's handwriting, but I didn't expect that after a few months, Jiang Xinghuo's articles have improved again, which is more consistent with his status as a Confucian master."

Dong Lun lay on the rocking chair, looking at the lively scene outside, and sincerely felt a sense of comfort.

The country is getting better and better now.

Although some people in the city still don’t know the specific story, from various channels and word-of-mouth from neighbors, the vast majority of the people in Nanjing still know what happened in this battle, especially when Annan University After the defeat and the capture of Hu and his son, the people felt the glory of victory.

The king of Annan was captured and was about to be escorted to Nanjing for a prisoner dedication ceremony. It was a certainty and there would be no changes.

The cheers filled the sky, and the streets and markets were crowded with people, and there were celebrations everywhere.

At this moment, everyone's faces were filled with smiles, even some diehards couldn't help but celebrate together.

On the palace wall near Taiping Street, Zhu Di, Jian Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Ru Ru, the Minister of the Ministry of War, also watched this scene silently.

As the Minister of the Ministry of War, Ru Yu reported: "The statistical results from Annan have come out. According to Annan's household registration, there are currently 48 divisions at the state level, 186 divisions at the county level, and the population is It was 3.12 million people. In terms of the results of the war, the local Annan army captured more than 87,500 people, seized 13.6 million stones of grain and grass reserves, and a total of 235,900 elephants, horses and cattle. A total of 8,677 large and small ships, bows and arrows, shields, and armor were seized. , spears, broadswords and other weapons, a total of 2,539,852 pieces."

"Um."

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, and then ordered: "The Ministry of War has drafted a document for the Governor's Office of the Fifth Army. I plan to set up three Jiaozhou guards, left, middle and right, in the Jiaozhi Xingdu Division to protect the headquarters. In addition, the Jiaozhou avant-garde will be set up on the north bank of the Fuliang River. , Changjiang, Qiuwen and other key points have one guard each, Polei Pass, Ailiu Pass, Jiling Pass each have a thousand households, and Shiqiao Bridge is guarded by two troops."

"Then since the Chen Dynasty has been restored, how should the Ming Dynasty arrange its garrison in Annan?" Ru Jin asked for instructions.

Zhu Di said: "Leave part of the garrison to help Chen Tianping stabilize the situation, lease Thanh Hoa Port as a base, and withdraw the rest back to the country."

Ru Yu understood in an instant that she had learned the tactics of cross-sea landing from the national division. As long as they had a port in their hands and the Ming army's combat power wanted to defend it, even if the Annan people really dared to rebel, they would not be able to do anything to the Ming army. When the time came, they would be able to defend For ports and reinforcements, it is not possible to bring in as many reinforcements as you want from the sea, so it is unnecessary to maintain a large-scale garrison in Annan.

"According to His Majesty's wishes, how many people should be left? The Ministry of War can also make a plan."

"Three to forty thousand people, maybe. We have to consider Annan's domestic support capacity, right?"

As soon as Zhu Di said these words, Jian Yi shook his head and laughed. His Majesty is really becoming more and more rogue as he follows the imperial master.

Obviously, it was impossible for the Ming Dynasty to pay for the garrison, so Chen Tianping had to pay for it.

Rujun has a strong business ability, but she just made a little calculation in her mind and came up with a result.

"Guangxi Dusi has 2,500 people, Guangdong Dusi has 4,750 people, Huguang Dusi has 6,750 people, Zhejiang Dusi has 2,500 people, Jiangxi Dusi has 1,500 people, and Fujian Dusi has 3,000 people , Yunnan Dusi has four thousand people, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

Zhu Di was not good at mathematics, but he also estimated that the total number would be about 35,000, so he nodded and agreed to Ru Yu's plan. This plan was basically based on the actual number of troops sent by each capital division and then in equal proportions. The plan was still Fairer.

"Then, remember to move the warehouses in Annan back and let General Han Guan and Guangxi Commander Ge Sen supervise the local officials in Guangxi, and lead the local soldiers to transport the goods to the forts in Annan. If the number of local soldiers is not enough, you can also The civilian men have been recruited to participate in the transfer, but it is winter now, and even though it is warm in the south, some roads are not easy to travel, so we have to estimate the manpower based on the weather and do not overwork the sergeants."

After discussing military matters with the Ministry of War, Zhu Di turned to ask Jian Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs: "How did the Ministry of Civil Affairs arrange the interweaving of the three divisions? Did you refer to this year's examination results?"

Jian Yi nodded slightly and said: "For reference, in addition to the fact that the intersecting chief envoy will be appointed by the former Minister of Rites Li Zhigang, and the imperial envoy and inspection envoy will be appointed by the former right deputy imperial envoy Huang Xin, it is tentatively planned to be appointed by the end of ten The Fujian Chief Envoy with the best score in the legal examination in the month will appoint a left political advisor, the Henan Chief Executive with the second best score in the legal examination will select a right political advisor, and then the Jiangxi Chief Executive with the third highest score will select a left political advisor. , the last right counselor, a person who was attached to Annan, the former editor of "Ming Pao" Pei Wenli was appointed as the deputy envoy of the Ancha Division. He was transferred from the deputy envoy of the Henan Ancha Division, and the affairs of the Ancha Division were left to the Taiping Prefecture who had contributed to the preparation and logistics. Prefect.”

"That's fair enough."

Zhu Di nodded and didn't say anything. At present, the Ministry of Personnel has considered very carefully when selecting officials. Moreover, with the examination method, there is also a reference standard for promotion, and it also leaves room for demoted and meritorious civil servants. After finding the location, the officials had nothing to say.

"As for the warehouses, medical hall, monks' department, Confucianism hall, taxation department, river station, inspection department, and inns below, the officials will make their own selections, and I will not interfere."

Zhu Di thought for a while and then said: "In addition, we must pay close attention to the final results of this year's legal examination. Whether it is central or local, we must order them to report on time and in accordance with regulations. We must not tolerate delays."

Jian Yi also agreed: "The law of passing the examination has established limits on the things to be tested, and people should be held accountable for their actions. If they believe in rewards, they must be punished. Now, in less than a year, the culture of neglecting discipline and failing to comply with the law has been wiped out. Officials have adopted the law of passing the test." If you are under pressure, you dare not not pay attention to it."

At this moment, the eunuch came to deliver a message: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor wishes to see you."

"The Imperial Master wants to see you?"

Zhu Di was a little surprised. He had received Jiang Xinghuo's request to resign as vice principal of the military academy in the morning. He was very satisfied with Jiang Xinghuo's advance and retreat. Although there may be an old monk who came back to give advice, this It is undoubtedly a sign that the relationship between the monarch and his ministers is developing in a good direction of "water in the well does not interfere with the water in the river".

Logically speaking, Jiang Xinghuo should calm down for a while and not look for him.

"Why are the Imperial Masters here?"

The eunuch handed over a memorial. After reading it, Zhu Di looked slightly solemn.

"The Imperial Master really doesn't want to stop."

"What did the Imperial Master write?" Ru Yu, who was more respectable with the emperor, asked first.

Zhu Di directly handed the memorial to them to read together.

It doesn't matter if you don't look at them. When they look at each other, their eyes suddenly become a little awe-inspiring.

"Comprehensively revise the law, shorten the period of Beijing inspections, and change it back to once every three years. This year, Beijing inspections will be held under the test law."

Jingcha, as the name suggests, is to review officials in the capital.

The main assessment criteria are "four grids and eight methods". The four grids are "Shou, Zheng, Cai, and Nian". Each grid is ranked as competent, diligent, and service-oriented according to its performance. Those who rank first will have their names recorded and will be promoted. Priority of foreign officials.

Shou represents ethics and is divided into honest, flat and corrupt; Zheng represents government affairs and is divided into diligent, flat and lazy; talent is divided into long, flat and short; year refers to age and is divided into young, middle and old.

The eight rules are "greed, cruelty, inaction, carelessness, old age, illness, impetuousness, and weakness of talent". They will be punished by asking questions, being dismissed or demoted, and those who are old and sick will be retired.

The Beijing Examination was not a supporting measure for the imperial examination, but was created by Lao Zhu. At first, it was stipulated that the examination should be conducted every three years, but later it was changed to every ten years during the Jianwen Dynasty. Well, so during the Jianwen Dynasty, when civil servants were at their peak, "the public was in full swing" The kind of "North Korea" is really not something to brag about.

Jiang Xinghuo's unusual behavior made Zhu Di alert.

Zhu Di took back the memorial and said to the eunuch: "Forget it, go and tell the Imperial Preceptor to let him come into the palace to speak. I want to see what the Imperial Preceptor plans."