Li Yiqi's family was poor. His father had died when he was young, and only his widowed mother brought him up.
Luckily, his widowed mother was strong-willed and wanted Li Yiqi to study hard so that he would be successful in the future.
Li Yiqi worked hard and became an Elementary Scholar at the age of 21. However, after taking the exam twice, he still failed.
This year, he was 26 years old. After marrying a wife and having children, his family's life became even more difficult.
Seventh Uncle was the head of the village and took good care of them. At the same time, he hoped that Li Yiqi would be able to pass the exams.
If a village produced a High Scholar, the whole village would have a better life.
Whether it was becoming an official or farming, the benefits to the village were self-evident.
"Have you heard about the Imperial Court recruiting civil servants?"
Seventh Uncle looked at Li Yiqi and drank the wine in his mouth. He then smiled and said: "Have you thought of giving it a try?"
Li Yiqi paused. Of course, he had heard about this news. Although it had not been long, it had spread far and wide.
Li Yiqi understood what Seventh Uncle meant. He wasn't asking him, but he wanted him to give it a try.
Which scholar didn't want to become a High Scholar? Although he knew that not everyone could become a High Scholar, Li Yiqi wasn't willing to give up just like that.
"I've often heard scholars say that studying makes one wise. I don't know what you scholars think, but to me, studying is for the sake of becoming an official."
"Regardless of whether it's to bring glory to your family or to your ancestors, it's all about being an official.
In the past, High Scholars could become officials, but there was no one in the court and no money. High Scholars couldn't become officials, but they could at least become rich. "
"If you want to change your life, you have to become a High Scholar. But it's not that easy."
Hearing his Seventh Uncle's words, Li Yiqi was speechless. Of course he knew that his Seventh Uncle was speaking the truth. Forget about becoming a Grand Scholar, he had taken the exams twice and had not even managed to become a High Scholar, let alone become a Grand Scholar.
"What is a civil servant? Seventh Uncle doesn't know, but I do know that it's for officials."
"It's good that you can become an official. It doesn't matter if you're a little younger, you can slowly rise up. If you can become a County Magistrate, then our Li family's ancestors will be blessed." Seventh Uncle said and drank another cup of wine.
Li Yiqi was speechless once again. He really didn't know how to tell Seventh Uncle.
"Your mother is getting older and older, and so are our children. Our son is also getting married, and all of this requires money.
If you become an official, things will be different. Next door, High Scholar Zhao's daughter can be arranged for your son. "
"If you don't go, don't even talk about High Scholar Zhao's daughter, I'm afraid you can only marry the daughter of Carpenter Wang from the neighboring village."
Although he was an Elementary Scholar, Li Yiqi was a poor Elementary Scholar. Perhaps in the eyes of the commoners, he had a halo. But for those who had seen the world, they would look down on him.
Furthermore, he was not a scholar, but the son of a scholar.
"It would be great if your son can pass the exam, but if he doesn't …" Seventh Uncle stopped and didn't continue.
Li Yiqi took a sip of wine for the first time, then said with a smile, "Seventh Uncle, actually, even if you didn't say it, I would also like to give it a try."
"Then why didn't you say so earlier!" Seventh Uncle glared at him and said loudly.
"Your nephew saw that you were enjoying yourself, so I'll let you say more!"
Li Yiqi smiled as he picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for Seventh Uncle. Then he said, "Thank you, Seventh Uncle!"
Seventh Uncle took the wine cup, smiled and took a sip, then said, "Work hard, strive to be a successful person, and don't bring shame to our Li family village."
Forbidden City, Wenhua Palace.
Ever since the news of the civil servants spread, there was a lot of discussion outside. Naturally, the imperial court was not calm either.
These days, Zhu Yijun had received many memorials. Some were in favor of it, and some were against it. For a while, it was lively.
Putting down a memorial to impeach Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, Zhu Yijun rubbed his forehead.
Although he had already expected this situation, when it really happened, Zhu Yijun still had a headache.
Glancing at Zhang He who was standing at the side, Zhu Yijun sighed helplessly. This was why the people around him were not considerate!
If it were Zhang Jing, he would never bring so many memorials to him.
At most, he would choose some representative ones. However, Zhu Yijun couldn't blame Zhang He, who had followed him for too short a time.
Picking up another memorial, Zhu Yijun found that it was still impeaching Zhang Xueyan. It seemed that his words not only didn't have any effect, but also gave someone an opportunity. There were many provocative words in the memorial!
Obviously, someone had their eyes on Zhang Xueyan's position and thought that this was an opportunity.
The content of the impeachment was also very simple. The Minister of Revenue was in charge of the financial affairs of the country, how could he force the Emperor with the "lack of money"? This was not the way of an official, so he wrote a lot of words.
The purpose was also very simple, to get Zhang Xueyan away.
Whether Zhang Xueyan resigned in anger, or the Emperor dismissed him, as long as the position was vacated, it would be fine.
Every time something big happened, it would inevitably be accompanied by a struggle of personnel. Zhu Yijun had long been used to it.
"Tomorrow is the court hearing!" Zhu Yijun thought for a while and ordered Zhang He behind him.
At this point in the debate, it was time to make a decision.
In fact, Zhu Yijun did not intend to fully implement civil servants. If he really did that, he would not be able to bear it.
Just as Zhang Xueyan had said, other places were fine, but the finances of the imperial court couldn't take it anymore.
… … The next morning, the Grand Scholar of the Central Cabinet and the ministers of the six ministries gathered in the Hall of Literary Glory again.
Everyone's expression was very serious. Everyone knew that this was the crucial moment.
Many people looked at Cabinet Grand Secretary Chen?
Stop?
Are you worried about flirting with me?
Tuxi of Paohuai Commandery?
Mu?
Nao Yishu
Ninety percent of the memorials in favor were from his subordinates. Most of the others were silent.
When Zhu Yijun walked in, the atmosphere in the hall was very solemn. After greeting him, Zhu Yijun slowly said, "Regarding the matter of civil servants, there are many discussions in the court. It is time to come up with a decision."
"I have also read you's memorials. Some are against, and some are in favor."
"That's good. There should be different opinions. Everyone is working for the country. That's good.
As for the matter of civil servants, I think we should find a place to try it first! "
As he said this, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Some say it is good, and some say it is bad. Then let's find a place to try it."
"We will know whether it is good or not when the time comes. What do you all think?"
Find a place to try it?
Of course, it was much better than the full implementation. But the ministers were still worried. Shen Shixing said first, "Then where does Your Majesty think it is suitable to try it?"
"I have thought about it. A county is suitable!" Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "As for which county to choose, I think Daxing County is very good.
Daxing County belongs to Shun Tian Prefecture. It is under the feet of the Emperor and is close to the capital. "
"If there is anything wrong, it will be helpful for the imperial court to adjust in time."
Hearing the name Daxing County, Shen Shixing's heart skipped a beat.
Daxing County was originally nothing, but now it was something. Who was the county magistrate of Daxing County?
It was Hai Rui!
Some time ago, when Hai Rui was demoted, Shen Shixing thought that the Emperor was going to stir up trouble.
But after waiting for so long, the Emperor had not done anything. Now that Daxing County was mentioned, it was obviously not a coincidence!
All the ministers present knew about Daxing County. It was really because Hai Rui was too famous. There was something fishy about him going to Daxing County. Now that they thought about the civil servants, the answer was obvious. The Emperor had long been prepared!
"Your Majesty, Daxing County is under the feet of the Emperor. It is an important place. If something goes wrong in Daxing County, it will have a great impact!"
Shen Shixing did not want Hai Rui to do this. Because once this matter was handed over to Hai Rui, the cabinet would lose control. Everyone knew that Hai Rui was a stubborn donkey. He would not give face to anyone!
"Why don't the cabinet choose a suitable county to try it out? It will avoid causing turmoil."
Zhu Yijun glanced at Shen Shixing and said with a smile, "You are wrong. I think Daxing County is very suitable. I have carefully selected it.
Besides, Daxing County is an important place, but it is only one county. "
"It is under the feet of the Emperor. There is no such thing as being out of reach. It is decided!"
Regarding this matter, there was no room for negotiation. If it was not to let Hai Rui do it, he would not have spent so much effort.
It was very difficult to find an official like Hai Rui who dared to think and act without selfish motives!
Zhu Yijun did not care what they thought and directly decided this matter.
This was also the reason why Zhu Yijun chose Shen Shixing. In fact, Shen Shixing was really not considerate. Most of the time, he was not that capable.
Compared with his predecessors, he was not just a little bit worse.
However, this was what Zhu Yijun valued. He could not control the entire system of civil officials.
Once a strong and capable Cabinet Chief like Gao Gong or Zhang Juzheng appeared, it would be troublesome.
As for Zhang Siwei Chen?
Hunchback?
Zuo Chun?
Zuo Chun?
Quiet and vast?
Leech?
Skillfully playing tricks?
Slow Magnesium Fade Aperture Disorder Huan Xiang Yue Shu?
Yan Song was obedient enough, but he had done a lot of dirty things in private. In comparison, the harm was greater.
At this time, a Cabinet Chief like Shen Shixing was exactly what he needed.
The Six Ministers were also capable officials, and they were not so stubborn. For this, Zhu Yijun had to thank Zhang Juzheng.
After all, the ministers just now had basically been sent away by Zhang Juzheng. The current court officials were basically capable.
On the other hand, to a certain extent, they also supported the reform. They were not so rigid and pedantic.
Perhaps they had this or that problem. They loved power and money, but weren't all Daming officials the same?
It could be said that all officials had been like this. This was something that could not be helped.
To find a better substitute than them, Zhu Yijun did not have the ability.