From this, Zhu Yijun could see that the influence of the traditional farming and scholarly families was weakening. This was probably the main reason why they couldn't beat the Donglin Clique in the faction struggle. After all, who didn't want money?
Most of the traditional farming and scholarly gentry had turned to business because of the attraction of profits, and they were the shrewd ones.
The rest were conservative and conservative. In a situation where they were inferior in both quality and quantity, it would be strange if they could win.
As for the poor scholars, their path was almost blocked, and they had no right to speak.
Under these circumstances, it was normal for the country to be controlled by officials and businessmen.
Add to that the influence of Confucianism, and these people became one set in front of others and another behind their backs. They conformed to the old ways and didn't have the slightest bit of capitalist aggression.
This was because these people couldn't be considered capitalists at all. At most, they were bureaucratic capitalists.
Sighing, Zhu Yijun put down the documents in his hands and rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
He was now at the cusp of change, and how to guide and restrict it had become the most important thing.
Zhu Yijun pondered for a long time, constantly thinking in his heart, thinking about a complete grand plan.
Northwest, Datong Residence.
For Ceng Shengwu, the northwest was still a little cold. Although the capital wasn't warm right now, it was still much better than the northwest.
The wind howled, and Ceng Shengwu's face cracked the moment he stepped out of the door.
He had applied some marmot oil over the past two days to feel better. He didn't leave his room unless there was something important.
"Milord, Imperial Stables Supervisor Eunuch Chang and Head Steward Li from the Inner Yard are here!"
Ceng Shengwu wasn't surprised to hear his subordinate's report. In the days he had been in the northwest, he had interacted with these two the most.
Although he also had things to do, Ceng Shengwu clearly knew that what he had to do could only be done after they were done with their things.
Seeing the two walk in, Ceng Shengwu didn't stand on ceremony. He pointed at a stool and said, "Sit!"
The three of them met eight times a day. If they were to be polite, they wouldn't need to do many things.
Moreover, with Ceng Shengwu's status, such treatment didn't seem rude. On the contrary, it made people feel friendly.
Zhang Cheng and Li Zhonghang didn't stand on ceremony either. They sat down with smiles on their faces and put their hands on the brazier to warm themselves.
"What good news do the two of you have today?" Ceng Shengwu raised his head and looked at the two of them.
"Good news!"
Li Zhonghang smiled as he handed a parcel to Ceng Shengwu. "Your Excellency, please take a look. This is a woolen coat. It has already been made. This is the best one in this batch. It will help you keep warm."
Ceng Shengwu's interest was immediately piqued. He reached out and unfolded the coat, touched it, and said with a smile, "Very good. It's thick and warm. Good stuff!" As he said that, he put it on.
"Sir, look at this!" Li Zhonghang took a ball of thread, and behind it were two pieces of clothing.
"This is wool, and this is a sweater and trousers!"
As Li Zhonghang spoke, he showed it to Ceng Shengwu. "It's thick and warm. Put on this sweater and trousers, and put on a woolen coat. You won't feel cold at all."
Ceng Shengwu hurriedly took it and looked at it. Then, he frowned.
This thing was a pair of trousers and a hoodie. It had nothing to do with the long sleeves of a civil official's robe. It looked more like underwear.
However, Ceng Shengwu could understand that it was worn inside.
"In order to match it, our Ministry of Internal Affairs has also designed a new pair of trousers."
It was a set of grey trousers. It looked similar to a pair of wool trousers. There was a black belt on it, and there was a buckle at the front.
However, it was different from the belts that were commonly used. The buckle was not made of jade, but of iron.
Ceng Shengwu looked at the trousers and belt and asked hesitantly, "Will anyone buy this?"
Li Zhonghang did not care at all. He smiled and said, "This is not for Confucian scholars. It's for sale to generals and ordinary people." At this point, Li Zhonghang stopped talking and did not continue.
Although Li Zhonghang did not say anything, Ceng Shengwu naturally understood the meaning behind his words.
If civil officials like you don't like it, then don't wear it. The long sleeves would continue. Anyway, the inside could not be seen, and no one would care if you were naked.
However, it was necessary for ordinary people and martial artists to wear trousers.
Ceng Shengwu did not dwell on this issue. In any case, it was not his problem if he could not sell it. It was fine as long as the Ministry of Internal Affairs liked it.
"Is the Ministry of Internal Affairs ready?" Ceng Shengwu looked at Li Zhonghang and asked.
Li Zhonghang nodded and said, "I have an appointment with the stewards of ten firms. We will discuss it tomorrow."
At this point, Li Zhonghang turned to look at Zhang Cheng and asked, "Eunuch Chang, are your preparations almost done?"
Ever since he had followed Qi Jiguang to Datong Prefecture, Eunuch Chang of the Imperial Stables had not left.
Those who knew about him would think that he was the Army Supervisor. Those who did not know would think that he was going to be the Army Supervisor in the northwest.
However, Ceng Shengwu and Li Zhonghang knew that Eunuch Chang did not come to the northwest to starve.
"Everything is ready!"
Zhang Cheng looked at Ceng Shengwu and said, "Sir Ceng, I have brought the documents. Please take a look at them later."
Ceng Shengwu nodded and his expression became serious. He knew that his next test was coming.
There was no need for Li Zhonghang to stay any longer. He stood up and left after bidding farewell. He knew that what was going to happen next was not something he could listen to.
Ceng Shengwu and Zhang Cheng also knew this, so they did not ask him to stay.
The fire in the room was burning fiercely. Zhang Cheng sat quietly while Ceng Shengwu kept flipping through the documents.
"Eunuch Chang, isn't this a little too much?" Ceng Shengwu put down the documents in his hands and said hesitantly.
In Zhang Cheng's document, among the people to be dealt with this time, there were two Deputy Army Commanders, and under the Deputy Army Commanders, there were even more Qianhu and Baihu below them. In total, there were dozens of people.
Including the civil officials in the army, there were more than a hundred people. Removing so many people at once would easily cause trouble!
Zhang Cheng remained unmoved: "Sir Ceng, you should have seen the crimes on this document."
Ceng Shengwu sighed. Of course he had seen it. Embezzling military funds, raising a private army, reselling military equipment, and bullying men and women were all small crimes.
The key point was that the evidence was conclusive. If these crimes were confirmed, then these people would not be able to live.
Seeing Ceng Shengwu still hesitating, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "What is Sir Ceng worried about?"
Ceng Shengwu felt helpless. Obviously, the victory in the northwest had given a lot of people confidence. This Eunuch Chang should be one of them.
However, Ceng Shengwu also knew that this was the best opportunity to reorganize the Northwest Army.