The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Chenhao not only wants silver mines, but also iron mines.

This touched Tang Hao's bottom line.

You can do whatever you want with silver mines, and I'll give you a few more.

But iron mines are definitely not allowed, as they are on the list of Emperor Zhu Houzhao.

Tang Hao didn't want to dance on the ropes and make himself unhappy for nothing.

"Iron mines are definitely not allowed!"

"The silver mine can be discussed!"

Hearing this, Zhu Chenhao's eyes lit up immediately.

Of course, he knew that iron mines were unlikely, and the reason he said so was nothing more than bargaining.

Secondly, he also wanted to test Tang Hao. Zhu Chenhao wanted to see if this Zhongshan Marquis was really loyal to His Majesty the Emperor as rumored.

But now it seems that this is not the case.

Tang Hao took Zhu Chenhao to the study, and the two had a secret talk.

In the study, there was a Japanese geomancy map, which clearly marked the location of Japanese gold and silver mines, and of course the area where the iron mines were located, but this had nothing to do with Zhu Chenhao.

"These are the gold and silver mines of Japan."

"The Iwami Silver Mine is too big a target, and too many forces are paying attention to it."

"Your Majesty also intends to arrange people to mine it personally, so it is unlikely that what you want will be possible."

Tang Hao pretended to be a rational analysis, and Zhu Chenhao frowned when he heard it.

The Iwami Silver Mine, which has hundreds of millions of silver, is undoubtedly the best target.

If he, Zhu Chenhao, can get it, the silver mined every year is enough for him to win people's hearts and bribe court officials.

But Zhu Chenhao had to admit that what Tang Hao said at this moment was the truth.

After all, he, the Prince of Ning, was preparing to rebel, so he should act cautiously instead of taking such a risky move with such a big target.

"To put it bluntly, even if this marquis really gave you the Iwami Silver Mine, would you dare to take it?"

Tang Hao looked at Zhu Chenhao with a smile, and the latter had sweat on his forehead.

He really didn't dare to take it, and he really didn't dare to do so.

"So, choose a few other smaller mines that are easily overlooked by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Now all the forces are focusing on the Iwami Silver Mine, which is a good opportunity for Prince Ning."

"For example, this Sama Silver Mine, for example, this Bezi Silver Mine, in fact, compared with the Iwami Silver Mine, there is only less silver, but it is more convenient to mine, and it will not attract attention."

Zhu Chenhao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Tang Hao with conviction.

"Tang Hou is really wise!"

"In that case, then this king wants this Bezi Silver Mine!"

As expected, Zhu Chenhao has a lot of problems, but he has one advantage, that is, he listens to advice.

Of course, Tang Hao can't give him a Japanese silver mine for nothing.

"It's okay, but what can I get?"

Zhongshan Hou asked with a smile, which made Zhu Chenhao unable to deal with it.

What he can get is actually asking for benefits.

Zhu Chenhao tentatively gave his price.

"30% of the silver mine's annual income?"

Hearing this, Tang Hao's face suddenly darkened.

"Prince Ning, I agreed to sit down and talk with you for Guli's sake!"

"But you don't seem to be sincere at all!"

Tang Hao put the teacup heavily on the table.

"To put it bluntly, I personally mined this Biezi Silver Mountain, isn't the income all mines?"

"You, Zhu Chenhao, used what I gave you, and divided a small 30% profit as a bargaining chip. Are you humiliating me?"

You use the things I gave you as a bargaining chip?

When Zhu Chenhao heard this, he immediately realized his problem.

Seeing that Tang Hao was furious, Zhu Chenhao immediately changed his words: "Lord Tang, calm down, I didn't think clearly!"

"Let's put it this way, Lord Tang, just speak up, as long as I can do it, I will never say no!"

Well, this is the so-called sincerity.

Tang Hao smiled when he heard this and picked up the teacup again.

"It's actually simple."

"I can give you the Biezi Silver Mountain."

"But you must help me in the court tomorrow!"

"If tomorrow's matter is accomplished, then the Biezi Silver Mountain will belong to you, Zhu Chenhao. Otherwise, forget it, and you will get nothing in Japan!"

When these words came out, Zhu Chenhao was stunned at first, and then looked at Tang Hao deeply.

This Zhongshan Marquis attached so much importance to the matter in the court tomorrow, it is obvious that he is going to do something big!

"Before agreeing, I dare to ask Marquis Tang, what exactly do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Even if I want to help you succeed, at least I have to be mentally prepared, right?"

Tang Hao smiled and nodded, and then told his plan.

Zhu Chenhao was horrified when he heard it, and his brows were even more furrowed at the end.

"Marquis Tang, if you do this, the civil officials and gentry will definitely not agree!"

"No!" Tang Hao shook his head, "They will agree!"

Zhu Chenhao wanted to refute, but Tang Hao's voice suddenly sounded outside the door.

"My Lord, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet is here to visit."

When these words came out, Tang Hao and Zhu Chenhao's faces changed.

After a short silence, Tang Hao looked at Zhu Chenhao expressionlessly.

"Your Highness Prince Ning, did you come here on foot?"

"No... no..." Zhu Chenhao replied hesitantly: "I came here in a carriage!"

"Where is the carriage? At the front door of my residence?" Tang Hao asked through gritted teeth.

The latter laughed twice and did not dare to say anything more.

Seeing this situation, Tang Hao shook his head speechlessly.

"Prince Ning, teach you to be a good boy!"

"Since you want to plan something big, you should be cautious!"

"Otherwise, you will be like a child carrying money through the busy city, and your ambition will be obvious!"

Zhu Chenhao was startled when he heard this, and sweat overflowed from his forehead again.

"Thank you Tang Hou for reminding me, Xiao Wang understands."

"Get out!" Tang Hao urged impatiently, "Get out of the back door! Don't run into Yang Tinghe! Otherwise, you will wait for the civil servants and gentry to impeach you and me for colluding with each other tomorrow!"

Zhu Chenhao didn't dare to say anything and hurriedly slipped out of the back door under the leadership of Tang Ren.

After a while, Yang Tinghe entered the study, looked at the two teacups, and understood in his heart.

Recalling the fight with the thief Zhu Chenhao these days, Yang Tinghe couldn't help but feel a little angry in his heart, so he sarcastically said: "Tang Hou is really popular! Even the arrogant and domineering Prince Ning has to come to visit in person! "

"Yang Tinghe, if you fart, let it go. If nothing happens, get out!"

Tang Hao cursed impatiently: "I don't have time to talk nonsense with you here!"

He, the Marquis of Zhongshan, would never spoil these bitches.

Anyway, it’s not like I’m begging them now, why are I pretending to be a big-tailed wolf every day?

Yang Tinghe was choked to death. Seeing that Tang Hao was really not prepared to serve him tea, his heart became even more angry.

However, the situation was stronger than the people, and the Japanese situation was of great importance, so Yang Ting and the leader of the Jin gentry had to come in person.

"Marquis Tang, what arrangements are there for the Japanese country?"

"It's none of your business!" Tang Hao said harshly again, "I don't need to report to the chief minister what I do, right?"

"The country of Japan is now under wartime control. If you want to know anything, just ask Liang Chu, the minister stationed in Japan. I have no comment on all other matters!"

Well, Tang Hao has a very bad attitude.

Mainly because of Yang Tinghe's position.

The reason why this guy could enter the cabinet and become the chief minister was because of Tang Hao's recommendation and Zhu Houzhao's promotion, so he could become the chief minister of the cabinet at the age of forty.

But after that, Yang Tinghe chose to follow Liu Jian's old path, stabbing His Majesty the Emperor in the back and siding with the civil servants and gentry.

In other words, the Zhengde Emperor, who was originally dedicated to promoting reforms, felt urgently that the power of the civil servants and gentry was greatly damaged because Tang Hao and Zhu Houzhao introduced the clan princes into the dynasty, so he had to choose to protect the interests of the civil servants and gentry.

Even though Yang Tinghe lost the trust and favor of His Majesty the Emperor because of this.

Zhu Houzhao was too lazy to pursue Yang Tinghe because he was the emperor's master.

But Tang Hao was different. The reason why he chose to borrow Yang Tinghe's hand and hand over the "Emperor's Illustrations" was to support Yang Tinghe, urge him to enter the cabinet and take power as soon as possible, and then cooperate with him to implement the New Deal.

The political ally he chose betrayed him and chose to protect the interests of the gentry and the gentry. Tang Hao certainly had reason to be angry and had the right to be angry.

Yang Tinghe felt the full malice of Marquis Zhongshan, and for a moment he didn't know how to speak.

But now that he is here, he will not return without success.

Therefore, after a brief silence, Yang Tinghe took the initiative to speak: "Tang Hou, although the Japanese country was wiped out by the Ming Dynasty, it is not easy to develop it in a short period of time."

"Can't you just say that the gentry and the gentry want a piece of the pie?"

Tang Hao spoke impatiently, leaving Yang Tinghe speechless.

"What are you pretending to be?"

"If you become a bitch, you still need to build a memorial arch, right?"

"What I dislike the most is that you gentry and gentry look like this, it's disgusting!"

He wants benefits and covets the wealth of the Japanese country, but he doesn't speak directly. Instead, he expresses it in a subtle way to maintain his dignity as a scholar and a disciple of a famous religion...

How disgusting!

Yang Tinghe's face turned green and white, but he did not refute.

The gentry and Jin gentry really want the interests of the Japanese country, especially the Iwami silver mine. There has been a lot of rumors for a long time. Now that the Japanese country has become a slave state of the Ming Dynasty, these gentry and Jin gentry are even more ready to take a piece of the pie. .

However, the problem is that all affairs of the Japanese country are under the control of Tang Hao, the Marquis of Zhongshan.

Whether it is the Japanese garrison or the fleet heading to the Japanese country, they are all listening to the orders of Zhongshan Marquis.

Under this premise, the gentry and gentry could only bow their heads to this damned Marquis of Zhongshan. Yang Tinghe came with this purpose.

Instead of fighting secretly and wasting national power, it is better to cooperate and win-win. Let's work together to develop the resources of Japan and enrich the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible.

"If that's the case, then I'll open the skylight and speak out."

"The gentry and Jin gentry want the Shijian Silver Mine. They will be responsible for digging it. Once the mining tax is paid, they will pay a lot of money to the court. Marquis Tang can rest assured about this."

Since you want it, you want the biggest one.

The rest of the little gold and silver mines were not attractive at all.

What is the concept of hiding hundreds of millions of silver?

The gentry and gentry naturally set their sights on the Iwami Silver Mine.

Tang Hao looked at Yang Tinghe with amusement, and then sneered: "Yang Tinghe, Yang Tinghe, you have really become a yes-man for the gentry!"

"When His Majesty the Emperor promoted you to the position of Chief Minister of the Cabinet, he did not want you to follow Liu Jian's old path. Yang Tinghe knows very well what His Majesty wants!"

"If you continue to go like this, you will undoubtedly lead to your own death!"

Yang Tinghe had no expression on his face when he heard this, but remained silent.

Why doesn't he understand this?

Previously, His Majesty the Emperor directly sent his only son Yang Shen to prison because of Cui Xian's incident.

The unspoken rules of the imperial examinations, such as presiding over disciples, have been around for a long time and are well known to everyone. When did it become an act of cultivating party members?

Li Tang and other Jinshi scholars all regarded the examiner as their mentor, so "the favor was given privately, and no one knew it was the master anymore." Therefore, some people once said angrily that Li Tang died due to cronies.

For this reason, Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty issued an edict in the third year of Jianlong's reign prohibiting examiners and candidates from forming a master-student relationship, taking the first step in reforming the imperial examination system: "From now on, candidates who hold the position of examiner must not worship the examiner at will. If he violates this, the censor will be punished." "Play on the stage"; and you are not allowed to call the examiner "the disciple, the disciple, nor the disciple."

This policy was seriously implemented in the early days of the Song Dynasty, but it was in vain after that. The crony warfare in the former Song Dynasty was more intense and unscrupulous than that of Li and Tang Dynasty!

After all, the competition in the imperial examination is extremely fierce.

Even in most cases, the examiner will not show favoritism, because being an examiner is an honor and is sacred to civil servants. If you bend the law for personal gain, it is simply an insult to yourself.

However, since the number of admissions is limited, the examiner still has some room for maneuver for papers where the level difference is not particularly large. For example, a person's level is just on the passing line for admission to the last place, but the examiner can If you transfer a worse test paper to this one, the person will not be admitted.

In the same way, when Yang Tinghe became the examiner of the joint examination, it was indeed because of the recommendation of his son Yang Shen that he took a fancy to Cui Xian's good calligraphy and talent, so he named Cui Xian as the leader of "The Book of Songs", so Cui Xian was able to Jinshi in high school; and the reason why Liu Wuchen deposed Cui Xian was that he felt that Cui Xian's articles contained a strong style of cruel officials, which did not suit his own wishes. Even if Cui Xian was not inferior to others in his essays alone, he Just to depose Cui Xian, isn't this an injustice?

Cui Xian was able to go to high school, which meant that there was a scholar who could not go to high school and was taken away by Cui Xian.

In fact, during the marking and grading process, the clique atmosphere has already been formed. Selecting and cultivating talents you like, and deposing those talents who do not suit your wishes are all based on the personal wishes of the examiner, and no one can make any mistakes!

This has been true for the imperial examinations in all dynasties. This is a tacit consensus among everyone.

But when he arrived at Yang Tinghe's place, he just couldn't do it.

To put it bluntly, this is the warning and beating His Majesty the Emperor gave Yang Tinghe.

I asked you to be the chief minister of the cabinet because I wanted you to cooperate with me in implementing the New Deal, not to go against me!

Yang Tinghe understands these principles and understands them in his heart.

But what can he do?

Is it possible to just watch the civil servants and gentry lose their power and the clan kings to take charge of the government?

So is this kind of Daming still Daming?

It is wrong for the clan kings to take power!

Relying on the Marquis of Zhongshan, His Majesty the Emperor can now suppress these clan forces!

What about waiting a hundred years after His Majesty the Emperor, or when the Marquis of Zhongshan also dies of illness?

Can the newly ascended Ming Emperor really suppress these clans?

This is a hidden danger!

After all, the clan kings are the descendants of Emperor Taizu Gao. They should be locked in a cage instead of being released to show their teeth and claws at the civil servants and gentry!

Yang Tinghe took a deep breath and looked at the Marquis of Zhongshan in front of him.

"The reason why I choose to defend civil servants and gentry is not a matter of stance!"

"The clan kings cannot hold power, let alone the power of the government, otherwise the Ming Dynasty will sooner or later reappear in the Battle of Jingnan!"

"Actually, I have never understood. Doesn't the Marquis of Zhongshan know these truths? Since he knows, why do he still encourage His Majesty the Emperor to bring the power of the clan into the dynasty and lay hidden dangers for future generations?"

I see!

Yang Tinghe's position is indeed not that of Jinshen.

He just wants to drive out these clan kings as soon as possible!

Tang Hao restrained his disgust and his expression became quite serious.

"Who told you that these clan princes would take charge of the government?"

"Their only role is to make a transition and give time for the generals to rise."

"When the generals and nobles successfully rise and can compete with the civil servants and gentry, these clan kings will naturally be expelled from the court one by one. You can rest assured about this!"

Yang Tinghe was startled when he heard this, and then asked: "What are Tang Hou going to do?"

"Tomorrow is a great opportunity, an opportunity for military commanders to rise up!"

Tang Hao chuckled and said: "Now it seems that the goals of you and me are still the same. You want to drive the clan kings out of the court, and I want to support the rise of military generals. In this case, why not cooperate?"

"As for the Shijian Silver Mine, since the gentry and the gentry want it, it's okay to leave it to them. Your Majesty still has this tolerance."

The more Yang Tinghe listened, the more frightened and uneasy he became.

Would the Marquis of Zhongshan be so kind?

Is it just a trap?

But he doesn't care about the Iwami Silver Mine now. He only cares about the clan lord and when will he be liquidated and expelled from the court!

"This is actually quite simple."

"Isn't Zhu Chenhao the best excuse and reason?"

Tang Hao gave the answer directly.

"After our Prince Ning rebelled, His Majesty the Emperor put down his rebellion, and then he suddenly realized that the clan king could not be trusted, so he launched a large-scale purge, expelled all clan members from the court, and restricted their rights. Power, isn’t that the solution?”

Yang Tinghe looked at Tang Hao with shock.

At first, he just thought that His Majesty the Emperor was trying to kill Zhu Chenhao in order to use Zhu Chenhao's hands to clear out a group of worms in the court!

But it wasn't until this moment that Yang Tinghe finally understood that this was a trap from beginning to end!

From the time the clan lord entered the dynasty, it has always been a trap!

What the Marquis of Zhongshan and His Majesty the Emperor want is, first, to deal with the anti-king Zhu Chenhao, second, to suppress the civil servants and gentry, and third, to support the rise of military generals and nobles!

As for Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao, and Yang Tinghe, they all fell into the scheme of this pair of monarchs and ministers!

"The Marquis of Zhongshan..."

"Um?"

"You are such a thief!"

"???"