Residence of Grand Secretary Shen Shixing.
For Shen Shixing, his position as the Prime Minister of the Cabinet was very stable. However, his days were not too good. After all, he encountered an emperor who often caused trouble. This was something that could not be helped.
Fortunately, the emperor had a sense of propriety, and there was nothing too troublesome.
"Minister, the matter in the northwest has blown up. Shouldn't we do something about it?"
Yu Youding looked at Shen Shixing worriedly.
Among the four Grand Scholars of the Cabinet, Yu Youding had the closest relationship with Shen Shixing.
It was not because the two of them had similar ideas, but because the two of them were in the same year. Both of them were Jinshi in the 41st year of Jiajing.
Back then, Shen Shixing was the Zhuangyuan, while Yu Youding was the Tanhua. One was first and the other was third.
The second ranked eye was Wang Xijue, who was also the current assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites.
The two most popular candidates for the new Grand Secretary of the Cabinet were Wang Xijue, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Zeng Shengwu, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War.
If Wang Xijue could enter the cabinet, then the top three of their subjects would all enter the cabinet.
The Daming Empire had been established for so many years, but this was something that had never happened before.
Because of this, the relationship between Yu Youding and Shen Shixing was very good. This time, Yu Youding also strongly supported Wang Xijue to enter the cabinet.
However, Shen Shixing hesitated. Although Ceng Shengwu was only the Left Assistant Minister of War, Ceng Shengwu was a capable general of the Jiangling faction.
When Zhang Juzheng was still alive, Ceng Shengwu was deeply trusted by Zhang Juzheng. However, at that time, Ceng Shengwu did not have the qualifications to enter the cabinet.
If Wang Xijue entered the Cabinet this time and Ceng Shengwu couldn't become a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, it would definitely have a negative impact on the relationship between Shen Shixing and the Jiangling clique.
The Minister of Personnel, Wang Guoguang, strongly supported Ceng Shengwu to enter the cabinet. Although the two sides were not at daggers drawn, they had begun to fight for the position.
This kind of thing was unavoidable in officialdom. There were no eternal friends, and there were no eternal enemies.
Under such circumstances, Shen Shixing had no choice but to be cautious about the matters in the northwest. He also did not dare to offend the emperor excessively.
Yu Youding was also worried about this, so he came to Shen Shixing to ask for advice.
The key was that the matter in the Northwest was too big. No one was stupid. The textile industry had a lot of profits, but looking at the intention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was clear that they were letting the nobles off easy.
Honours were everywhere except for the three textile mills in the northwest.
Everyone could see that the three Northwestern families were mainly trying to appease the local tyrants in the Northwest. However, the Sales Union was still among the Honours, which made many people unable to tolerate it. Among them, the ones who could not tolerate it the most were the civil officials.
"A lot of people found you?" Shen Shixing looked at Yu Youding and asked.
Yu Youding didn't refute. He nodded and sighed helplessly. "There must be quite a few people here, right?"
Shen Shixing did not answer Yu Youding, which meant that he had tacitly agreed to this point. In fact, the number of people looking for Shen Shixing these days almost broke the threshold of the Shen residence.
Money could move people's hearts. This was the truth at all times.
"Yeah!"
Shen Shixing sighed and said, "The world is bustling for money, and the world is bustling for money. These people only see money, but the matter in the Northwest is not just about money!"
Yu Youding was silent. Of course, he understood this logic. These people were after the profits of the Northwest.
"But you and I both know that the matter in the Northwest is not just about money, right?"
Shen Shixing sighed and said, "His Majesty's actions are partly to reward the Honours, and partly to arouse the Honours's desire for martial arts."
"From His Majesty's actions in the salt administration, it seems that His Majesty has always wanted to teach the Honours a lesson!"
Yu Youding nodded. "What the Minister said is correct. The Honours have indeed changed a lot from before. In this war in the Northwest, many Honours have already made contributions. It is clear that His Majesty's actions are effective."
"Actually, there is one more point. Compared to the gentry and merchants, the Honours are easier to control."
Shen Shixing sighed and said, "The matter in the Northwest is in the Wa La, and the Wa La matter is in the wool industry. His Majesty chose the Honours because the Honours are easier to control.
By handing the wool industry to the Honours, His Majesty will be able to hold the wool industry in his hands. "
"But once it is distributed to the gentry of the world …" Shen Shixing smiled helplessly at this point.
Yu Youding was also silent, but he still raised his head and said, "But the Honours are greedy!"
Shen Shixing did not say anything. Instead, he raised his head and looked at Yu Youding with a faint smile on his face. After a while, he slowly said, "It seems that the person who found you this time is quite capable!"
Yu Youding shook his head helplessly. His words were actually a bit against his will.
Yu Youding and Shen Shixing were not pedantic scholars and could see many things very clearly. Honours were greedy. This was what scholars often said, but was there anyone in this world who was not greedy?
Those people who jumped up and down were also doing this for the benefit of the Northwest.
Yu Youding looked at Shen Shixing and slowly said, "Then what does Minister plan to do?"
Shen Shixing said matter-of-factly, "Of course I will submit a petition!"
Yu Youding was stunned. Shen Shixing didn't seem to mean this!
Seeing Yu Youding staring at him, Shen Shixing smiled and said, "Of course I am not doing this for the benefit of the Northwest. I am doing this for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot be underestimated now. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has shares in the Yangzhou Salt Administration."
"In the future, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will have a large amount of money in their accounts every year. Including the benefits of the Northwest, I am afraid that they will have millions of taels of silver every year."
"This money is now in His Majesty's hands. This is not a good thing. The court is so big and there are so many places that need money. Of course, this money should be placed in the national treasury." Shen Shixing looked at Yu Youding and said, "Don't you understand this?"
How could Yu Youding not understand? He just didn't think that Shen Shixing would be so bold as to take money from His Majesty's mouth!
"Don't look at me like that!"
Shen Shixing took a sip of water and said with a smile, "The annual income of the court is insufficient. Every year, they are struggling to make ends meet. Such a large amount of money must be used for national affairs. We cannot let His Majesty keep it in the palace treasury."
"If a large amount of money is saved every year, then the country will have no money in the future."
Yu Youding hesitated for a while and then said, "But I am afraid this matter will not be easy to handle, right?"
"That is why we are going to submit a petition to impeach the Ministry of Internal Affairs!"
Shen Shixing smiled and said, "Submit a petition to His Majesty to abolish the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When the time is right, we will propose that the money of the Ministry of Internal Affairs be placed in the national treasury."
"The money from confiscating property is split 30 to 70. This money should also be split 30 to 70!"
Yu Youding finally understood what Shen Shixing meant. He had to admit that Shen Shixing played this hand beautifully.
Following everyone to impeach the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the impeachment was very intense. They asked for the abolition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This way, they would not offend the officials who were jumping around.
When things got out of hand, they gave such a suggestion to the Emperor.
They could sell it to the Emperor, and then the money could also be placed in the national treasury. This was killing many birds with one stone.
"Minister, you are really good!"
Yu Youding thought for a long time but could not think of a suitable word to describe it. He could only say with a wry smile, "I admire you. It is really an eye-opener for me!"
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun looked at the sparse raindrops outside and was a little lost in thought.
"Imperial Majesty, it is getting cold. Don't stand here, lest you catch a cold!" Zhang Jing stood behind Zhu Yijun and said carefully.
These days, the Imperial Majesty was in a bad mood. Of course, Zhang Jing knew this. The atmosphere in the palace was a little low.
Zhang Jing also knew it was because of the matter of the woolen mill. These days, the memorials sent in were carried in baskets.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs seemed to have become a rat on the street overnight. It could be said that everyone wanted to beat them.
This had never happened before. Even when Zhang Juzheng seized the love, the Ministers of the Six Departments and the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet all supported Zhang Juzheng.
Although the public was angry, the central power did not strongly oppose it.
This time was different. The Ministers of the Six Departments and the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet all submitted memorials to impeach the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, opposed it very strongly. Together with several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, all the officials in the imperial court impeached the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Chen, who had no position?
Stop?
Jihuan Chair with Fine Roast?
Zuo Chun? ∑
Arrogant Fool?
Hey?
Pai's Small Mansion
Zhu Yijun closed the window in annoyance. He did not understand why things had come to this point.
There were voices of opposition and impeachment. Zhu Yijun could understand it, but it should not be to this extent.
Especially Shen Shixing and the others. Did they take the wrong medicine?
Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, had never been involved in these matters, but this time, he was the most excited.
Wang Guoguang, the Minister of Personnel, even submitted a memorial. His words were very fierce.
Zhu Yijun did not understand. What was going on?
When he pushed for the salary, these people did not jump up and down like this.
When the salary policy was passed, these officials had been scolded a lot. Although it was easier to pass the policy than to put it into effect, it meant that these people still had a conscience.
Now they were all firing at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If it was said that it was purely against their interests, Zhu Yijun did not believe it.
"Any news from Dongchang?" Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Jing and asked.
"In reply to Imperial Majesty, no!"
Zhang Jing hurriedly shook his head and said, "The spies from Dongchang have been asking around these days, but they have not found any useful information. Old Slave is useless. Please punish me, Imperial Majesty!"
Zhu Yijun waved his hand. There must be something wrong when something was out of the ordinary. Zhu Yijun did not believe that there was no other reason behind this.
If the officials objected, it would be difficult for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to handle. If they forcefully pushed it, things would become very troublesome!
In fact, it was not only Zhu Yijun. Many people did not expect things to develop to this point. The unprecedented unity of the civil officials shocked many people.
The Honours, who were originally filled with righteous indignation, also became cautious. The fire of making a fortune in the Northwest had been poured with a bucket of cold water.