In reality, although Zhao Lian hadn't collapsed yet, he wasn't far from collapsing.
When he found out that he was being transferred to the Right Imperial Censor, Zhao Lian was very excited.
This wasn't just a noble yamen, but it was also a yamen with real power.
Although he still wasn't one of the nine ministers, he was only one step away from it.
In comparison, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing was far behind.
It was very difficult for the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing to be transferred to one of the nine ministers in the capital. Basically, he needed to be sent out and then transferred back to the capital.
The Right Imperial Censor didn't have this concern and could directly go one step further and become one of the nine ministers.
But after he arrived in the capital, Zhao Lian's mood wasn't good.
When he found out about the responsibilities of the Right Imperial Censor, he didn't feel good.
Although the Right Imperial Censor had a high position of power and was in charge of the Law Enforcement Bureau and the Corruption Bureau, the two major yamens, these two yamens were like hot potatoes.
However, these two yamens were like hot potatoes. It was not easy to take them over.
In addition, after hearing about his reputation, Zhao Lian's heart skipped a beat. The Emperor was going to use him as a knife.
In history, no cruel officials had a good ending. What should he do?
If he became an official, his future would be bleak. If he didn't become an official, his family would be ruined. If he didn't become an official, his family would probably be ruined now.
The Emperor trusted him very much and gave him the Law Enforcement Bureau and the Corruption Bureau. If he didn't do it, it would be like slapping the Emperor in the face and making him lose face.
If he slapped the Emperor in the face and made the Emperor lose face, how could he feel good?
On the way to the palace, Zhao Lian was in a dilemma. What should he do?
What was Zhu Yijun doing at this time?
He was playing with a bird.
The parrot that had been sent as a tribute a few years ago was now old and basked in the sun every day. However, it had been taught by the eunuchs to suck up to the Emperor. It shouted 'Long live the Emperor, Long live the Emperor' and tried its best to flatter him.
Zhu Yijun quite liked this old bird. He teased it every day and his mood improved a lot.
"Imperial Majesty, Zhao Lian, Lord Zhao is here!" Zhang Jing stood behind Zhu Yijun and bowed.
Nodding his head, Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Let him in!"
As for Zhao Lian's arrangement, Zhu Yijun only felt that he was suitable for that position.
As for the cruel officials, Zhu Yijun could only say that Zhao Lian was overthinking things. Everyone in this era was overthinking things.
Zhu Yijun would never nurture cruel officials, nor would he use cruel officials to clean up the bureaucracy.
Who was the most famous person in history who used cruel officials?
Of course it was Wu Zetian.
In the end, Zhou Xinghe's name as the ruler and minister shocked many people.
But what kind of situation was Wu Zetian in?
As a woman, she ruled the world. Internally, there were ministers who harbored evil intentions. Externally, there were relatives of Lee Myung-bak plotting for the throne.
Under those circumstances, Wu Zetian had no choice but to use cruel officials.
What kind of situation was he in?
With military and political power in his hands, the Daming Zhu family was in the prime of his life. How could he use cruel officials?
What he wanted was a system, a systematic anti-corruption system. He wanted to set new rules for the Daming officials.
Raising the status of the Corruption Department and the Law and Discipline Department, and promoting the officers in charge of the Corruption Department and the Law and Discipline Department was what he should do.
After the Corruption Bureau and the Law and Discipline Bureau absorbed all kinds of imperial messengers and officials, Zhu Yijun was prepared to make the Imperial Censorate the Left Imperial Censorate take charge and make the Imperial Censorate the Daming's supervisory organization.
At that time, the Left Imperial Censorate would not only become one of the nine ministers, but also a scholar in the cabinet.
There were no rules for other government offices, but the Imperial Censorate's Left Imperial Censorate had to be in the cabinet.
No matter who sat in this position, they had to have a position in the cabinet. This way, the Imperial Censorate's status would be raised.
This was the path that Zhu Yijun had arranged for Zhao Lian to be the foundation for the Daming officials.
If he did well, Zhao Lian would be the first person to enter the cabinet with such a status. He would definitely be remembered in history.
Of course, this depended on Zhao Lian's attitude and performance.
Zhao Lian did not know what Zhu Yijun was thinking. After walking in, he was very nervous.
"Your subject, Zhao Lian, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
After Zhao Lian walked in, he respectfully knelt on the ground and bowed to Zhu Yijun.
Zhu Yijun turned around and said with a faint smile, "Rise!"
In reality, this was the first time the two of them had met. Zhao Lian had been an official for many years and had always been outside. He had never seen the Emperor before.
Although he had seen him in the capital, he had stood far away and could not even see the Emperor's face.
"Zhao, I have heard of you for a long time!" Zhu Yijun said with a smile.
"Whether it is Xu De or the Duke of North Placating, they all have many praises for you."
"I am afraid!" Zhao Lian hurriedly bowed.
Zhu Yijun smiled. "For capable officials, I am not stingy in rewarding them, nor am I stingy in entrusting them with important tasks.
I value the Imperial Censorate, the Law Enforcement Bureau, and the Corruption Bureau very much. "
"I believe that you have the ability. Are you confident that you can take on these tasks?"
Zhao Lian smiled bitterly. He knew that he could not avoid this. He gritted his teeth. Since he could not avoid it, he might as well go all the way.
Without any hesitation, Zhao Lian bowed and said, "I am confident!"
Nodding, Zhu Yijun praised, "Very good!"
"Then go and do a good job for me. Don't let me down."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint Your Majesty!" After saying this, Zhao Lian said, "I will take my leave!" Then he bowed and retreated.
People had no choice in the officialdom. Even the Emperor was like this, not to mention Zhao Lian.
He did not have the capital to refuse.
Zhu Yijun would not give him a chance to refuse. Thunder and rain were all favors from the Emperor. If he said it, he had to do it.
"I have to take this opportunity to do something else!" Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and said lightly, "Has Wang Yongji gone to the Tax Bureau?"
Ever since Wang Yongji returned from Nanjing, he had been resting. Zhu Yijun had given him a long vacation.
Ever since the government and the gentry started collecting grain, Wang Yongji had been busy.
Now he was in Northern Zhili, then Shandong, and finally Nanjing. Not only did he run all over the place, he did not rest.
After returning this time, Zhu Yijun arranged for him to have a good rest and sent people from the Imperial Academy of Medicine to take care of his body.
The Tax Department couldn't do without Wang Yongji right now. Zhu Yijun relied on him greatly, so he couldn't be crippled.
However, it was about time for him to rest and the Tax Bureau to work.
As a yamen that had been in the limelight for Daming, it was not good for the Law and Discipline Department to steal the limelight.
Now was the time for the Tax Bureau to act. At the same time, it was time for him to earn money.
"Replying to Your Majesty, Lord Wang returned to the Law and Discipline Department three days ago," Zhang Jing hurriedly said.
Zhu Yijun nodded and directly ordered, "Send it over!"
Wang Yongji had rested well these days. He was full of energy when he returned to the Tax Bureau.
The Tax Bureau was basically on the right track, so Wang Yongji didn't have as many things to worry about as before.
After receiving Zhu Yijun's summons, Wang Yongji immediately went to the Imperial Palace.
After seeing Wang Yongji, Zhu Yijun waved his hand to have him dispense with the formalities. As one of Zhu Yijun's trusted officials, Wang Yongji was definitely one of the first to follow him and had made outstanding contributions.
Glancing at Wang Yongji, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Seeing your expression today makes us feel very gratified."
"Many thanks for Your Majesty's concern. This subject is ashamed. The medical skills of the Imperial Academy of Medicine's imperial physicians are superb, and with the various tonics Your Majesty has bestowed upon this subject, this subject's body is already much better." Wang Yongji hurriedly bowed.
Zhu Yijun nodded and then said with a smile, "This time, there is a vacancy for the Minister of Revenue. We originally wanted you to fill it."
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Wang Yongji immediately stilled and didn't quite understand.
In reality, there was no one who didn't know that Zhu Yijun valued Wang Yongji, and there was no one who didn't know that Zhu Yijun had nurtured Wang Yongji.
Many people saw Wang Yongji as a candidate for the position of Minister of Revenue, but this time, he wasn't promoted.
It was impossible to say that he wasn't disappointed. Putting aside the fact that he had been so busy, just his position had been reached.
Assistant Minister of Revenue, Manager of the Tax Bureau, and then Minister of Revenue was something that should be expected.
However, Wang Yongji felt that this matter was over. He hadn't expected the Emperor to bring it up again.
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Yongji and said with a smile, "You are still young. Don't fight with others for now."
In reality, Wang Yongji also knew that he had no chance of winning against Ceng Shengwu.
Whether it was prestige or experience, Ceng Shengwu crushed him in all aspects. There was no way they could compare.
In terms of contributions, Ceng Shengwu had been an official for so many years and had made many contributions.
This time in the northwest, Ceng Shengwu had pioneered Daming's military reforms. He had worked hard and made great contributions.
Although he had been making contributions, the time was short.
As for the Emperor saying that he was young, Wang Yongji didn't know what to say.
He was already 60 after the New Year, and he was still young?
Your Majesty, you are flirting with an official.
Looking at Wang Yongji's embarrassed face, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "The Minister of Revenue is a good position, but I don't want to give it to you. Those who have made contributions for me should be rewarded. How can a Minister of Revenue reward you?"
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Wang Yongji's face changed. Could it be?
No way!
He was a Jinshi in the second year of Longqing and ranked third. His first official position was Huai An Prefectural Judge, which showed how low his results were.
It could be said that he was the last in that year's examination.
Sometimes when he thought back, Wang Yongji felt that it was amazing that he had become the Assistant Minister of Revenue.
In Wang Yongji's mind, if he could become a Minister of Revenue, it would be enough for him.
But from the Emperor's words, was he going to enter the Cabinet?
"Do you know the name of this hall?" Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Yongji and said with a smile.
How could Wang Yongji not know that this was the Hall of Civil Brilliance!
Originally, the Hall of Civil Brilliance was only the Emperor's study, a place to study. But now everyone in Daming knew how important this place was to the Emperor.
When the Emperor ascended the throne at a young age, Minister Zhang studied in the Hall of Civil Brilliance.
After the Emperor took over the government, he basically worked here and stayed here. Because of this, he didn't go back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Minister Zhang had placed a screen in the Hall of Civil Brilliance with the names of all officials above the seventh rank in Daming. These screens were still there, which meant that the Hall of Civil Brilliance had a special meaning for the Emperor.
Wang Yongji suddenly thought of a possibility. Was the Emperor going to make him a Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance?
In Daming's cabinet, the Grand Secretaries were all named after halls, such as the Hall of Huagai, the Hall of Jin Shen, the Hall of Imperial Knowledge, the East Hall, and so on. But the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance was a very special existence.
Although the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance was also a Grand Secretary, it had a very special place. The Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance had the responsibility of assisting and educating the Crown Prince, so his status was very special.
Thinking that he was going to be a Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance, Wang Yongji was a little excited.
Although the Emperor was young and the Empress didn't have a legitimate son, it was said that the Empress was pregnant and was likely to give birth to a prince.
Now it seemed that he was a little embarrassed to be a Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance.
But once the Empress gave birth to a prince and made him the Crown Prince, it would be different for him.
Maybe he couldn't teach the Crown Prince, but he would have a title and status.
At his age, even if he became the Minister of Revenue or the Cabinet, he would probably be the lowest-ranking Grand Secretary in his life.
Not to mention other things, he would have to wait in line for a long time.
Now the Emperor gave him the position of Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance, which was obviously a special reward for him.
Thinking of this, Wang Yongji was a little excited and couldn't control himself.
Although Fang Fengshi entered the Cabinet without being a Hanlin, Wang Yongji never thought that he could also enter the Cabinet and become a special Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance.
"Your Majesty, this is the Hall of Civil Brilliance!"
Although he tried to suppress it, Wang Yongji's voice was still a little shaky.
Zhu Yijun nodded with a smile and said, "Yes!
The Hall of Civil Brilliance!
I want to appoint you as the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance. Don't let me down and do a good job! "
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Wang Yongji directly knelt down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Yongji was so excited that his body was trembling.
Wang Yongji was not good at the imperial examinations. When he passed the imperial examinations, he was already 40 years old and thought that this was the end of his life.
Everyone in the officialdom knew that passing the imperial examinations at the age of 20 meant that one would have a bright future.
Passing the imperial examinations at the age of 30 was considered a bright future, but passing the imperial examinations at the age of 40 was just so-so.
If one passed the imperial examinations at the age of 40 and did well, it would be fine. But for someone like him who passed the imperial examinations at the age of 40 and was ranked at the edge of the top three, it was already a miracle that he could reach his current position.
Now, not only was he able to enter the cabinet, but he was also a Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance. This was no longer enough for him to live a peaceful life, but to ascend to the peak of his life.
Zhu Yijun walked to Wang Yongji's side and reached out to help Wang Yongji up. He said with a smile, "I never treat meritorious officials unfairly. It is all thanks to you's strategy that the officials and gentry pay taxes as one."
"Daming, you have also contributed greatly to the Tax Bureau's success. You are worthy of my reward."
Zhu Yijun said this and then said with a smile, "But you can't be complacent. You have to make new contributions!"
Zhu Yijun gave Wang Yongji the position of the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Civil Brilliance. On one hand, it was to reward him. On the other hand, it was to show others that if he did a good job, he would be willing to reward him. On the other hand, it was to encourage Wang Yongji.
Before doing big things, he had to give Wang Yongji some benefits. If he wanted a horse to run, he had to feed it well.