Chapter 24

The sixth year of Longqing, June 8th.

……

The halls of the Forbidden City all have red walls and blue tiles, flying eaves and upturned corners; if each hall has several entrances, it is layered, and the corridors are winding, focusing on grandeur.

The Cabinet in the east, by contrast, seems a bit petty.

The Cabinet hall is located on the east side inside the Meridian Gate, not far south of the Wenhua Hall, with only a few low pavilions.

But it is such a slightly petty hall that is the place where the power of the Great Ming Dynasty is gathered today.

On the Cabinet gate, the imperial edict left by Emperor Shizong is hung high, saying: "This is a confidential place; all officials and idle people are not allowed to enter without permission; those who violate it will be punished without mercy."

In the middle of the Cabinet, the statue of Confucius and the four companions is respectfully set up; the four side rooms are separated from each other, and the doors open to the south, serving as a place for Cabinet ministers to handle affairs.

In the past, the three Grand Secretaries each guarded one room.

Early this morning, each of the duty rooms was empty, but one public room was tightly closed, and the voices of the three people came out from time to time.

"So, my meaning is, now that the new and old are alternating, it is not appropriate to move too much; it is most stable to try it out in Shuntian Prefecture first."

"A nine-story platform starts from a pile of soil."

"After it is done in Shuntian Prefecture, then push it to various Administration Commissions, and it will be a matter of course."

"Moreover, in this way, the resistance in the two palaces and among the officials will also be smaller."

Gao Yi said, sipping tea.

He had been floating in the officialdom for many years and knew how to get things done; he naturally wouldn't tell everything about the matter discussed with the Crown Prince yesterday.

He only described Imperial Consort Li's concession as his own consideration.

He lied that in order to facilitate the Examination Method, he had to make some concessions to push it forward as soon as possible.

The so-called "performance" is to unite the hundred officials, and the so-called "piloting" is to persuade the women of the two palaces.

Proceeding slowly in this way is for the sake of major policies, enduring for the country.

Gao Yi raised his eyes and looked at the two colleagues.

He saw Gao Gong frowning in thought and Zhang Juzheng looking sideways at the roof beam.

He waited patiently for the reply of the two colleagues.

In this regard, he was quite confident; he estimated that this matter should be stable after reading the note the Crown Prince passed to him yesterday.

Imperial Consort Li was afraid of causing trouble and proposed this so-called "piloting" method, which really surprised Gao Yi; it was hard to believe that this was the insight of a woman in the deep palace.

As he said just now, although it took a longer time, it was indeed more stable.

It was easy to handle and convenient for learning from strengths and avoiding weaknesses later.

And this "performance" matter also had a bit of benevolence; although he, Gao Yi, was used to being poor and happy, he had to thank the honest officials of the world on behalf of the Crown Prince.

I don't know how the Crown Prince persuaded Imperial Consort Li to concede; this effect actually had the feeling of reconciling yin and yang inside and outside.

After this set, Gao Yi felt that it was more perfect than the Examination Method they had discussed before, and he was confident that he could persuade the two Cabinet colleagues.

He just thought of this……

"This 'performance' thing, this Cabinet does not agree." Gao Gong suddenly said.

"The 'piloting' matter, I fear, is worth discussing." Zhang Juzheng said slowly.

The two opened their mouths at the same time, denying these two things one after another, and couldn't help but look at each other, then separated their gazes.

Although Gao Yi was confident, he also knew it wouldn't be so easy, so there was no extra expression on his face.

He asked calmly: "Why is this? Where is it inappropriate?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded, signaling Gao Gong to express his opinion first.

Gao Gong was not polite and said bluntly: "What is the difference between your move and bribing colleagues?"

"If new policies all rely on the method of bribing colleagues, wouldn't it become bribery politics!?"

"Furthermore, where does the Ministry of Revenue have so much silver?"

"Last year's 3.5 million taels of silver salary, only 1.1 million could be taken out!"

"You are still doing performance now; it's not the time when the regular officials were no more than 2,000 in the Hongwu reign; now there are 28,000 mouths; can you feed them!?"

"What kind of benevolence and virtue, it's just an excuse; haven't I also lived for decades on this meager salary?"

"Anyone who is corrupt is deceiving heaven and abusing the people, and is contrary to the ethics of ministers; why do we need to spend money to appease them!"

Gao Gong spoke in a series without breathing, his voice was very loud, and his attitude was very firm.

Then he snorted coldly: "You, don't make mistakes and speak for corrupt officials."

Gao Yi knew Gao Gong's stinky temper and didn't care about it.

Discussing matters always requires discussion to be called discussion.

For this, he was well prepared.

Gao Yi took a stack of manuscripts from his sleeve, stood up, walked to Gao Gong, and handed over one.

He also sent one to Zhang Juzheng.

Only then did he return to his seat and say slowly: "This is what I sorted out from the official documents stored in the Ministry of Revenue; the two of you should take a look."

The memorials and official documents of various departments are usually filed in the Cabinet and the Six Offices.

The two saw that Gao Yi had done the work and browsed very carefully.

While the two were reading, Gao Yi continued: "This is the salary of the nine ranks and eighteen levels of our dynasty, and the officials of the local government."

"The Chief Grand Secretary just said that relying on the salary is fine, which is naturally correct."

"However, apart from the Chief Grand Secretary's moral integrity, you must know, the Chief Grand Secretary is the Junior Tutor, the position of the Three Solitaries, and the first-rank official status."

"The annual salary is 252 shi, which is 151 taels of silver; even if it is owed, half of it was issued last year, and there are occasional examples of rewards from the palace."

"Naturally, it is enough."

"But what about low-rank officials? The two of you might as well take a look."

Gao Gong's face gradually became ugly, but he still followed along.

Zhang Juzheng also followed suit.

Only hearing Gao Yi continue: "Not to mention the ninth rank, just look at the seventh rank of our dynasty, the county magistrates."

"The annual salary is 31 shi, which is no more than 19 taels of silver! Last year, the salary was owed; the local seventh rank issued 60%, and the capital officials only issued 30%; the two of you might as well calculate how much there can be."

"Not to mention that it is not the actual color issued, and it has to be cut by a large chunk for the treasure notes."

"This is what we issued; after turning around, how many taels of broken silver are in hand?"

"The butcher Zhang across the street sells meat for three taels a month, and has more than thirty taels a year!"

"Chief Grand Secretary, where are there so many great Confucian saints in the seventh rank?"

"The magistrate of a county has almost no constraints in the county, but is not as good as a butcher; the daily food and drink are not enough; isn't this forcing people to reach out?"

"If this Examination Method goes down, various prefectures will either continue to open one eye and close one eye, or most of the officials in the territory will be dismissed, and this new law will be ruined."

Gao Yi's words were earnest.

Gao Gong was silent for a moment and finally revealed his heart: "You, no need to say more."

He sighed and finally revealed his heart: "I am the Minister of Personnel; how could I not know what you said?"

"It's really…… no money."

"The tax collected this year, Nanzhili kept 30% to resist the Japanese in the southeast; the tax of Shanxi Administration Commission was all transported to the Ningxia border town; the late Emperor wanted to repair the mausoleum; the Yellow River flood season is coming; and Xuanda is waiting to be fed; there are so many places that need money that I can't count them!"

"The Great Granary Treasury is almost empty!"

"Otherwise, how could even the inner treasury's money be misappropriated?"

"You, good words can be said, but we need to be practical; this precedent cannot be opened."

After Gao Gong took off that tough shell, this Chief Grand Secretary who had power over the court also seemed so powerless.

If you don't reach his position, you don't know how hard it is to manage this family.

There are 28,000 officials registered in the Ministry of Personnel; even if only half can be paid performance, if each person has ten taels, it will be nearly 200,000 taels.

Where can he find so much money? Great Ming treasure notes? That has become toilet paper!

Do you really think the national treasury is inexhaustible?

In the first year of Longqing, Ma Sen, the Minister of Revenue, took office and found that the silver in the Great Granary Treasury was only enough to maintain for three months, and the grain in the capital granary was only enough to maintain for two months, which scared him into wanting to resign.

Zhang Shuzhi was appointed as the Minister of Revenue, and after totaling it up, he found that the annual income of the imperial court was only 2.3 million taels, while the expenditure was as high as 4.4 million taels.

He even couldn't help but say "the national plan is like this, everyone is cold-hearted".

When the late Emperor asked the Great Granary Treasury for money, the officials repeatedly submitted memorials to persuade him; was it just prevarication?

At the beginning of this year, Yin Zhengmao of Guangdong asked for military pay; Gao Gong promised 200,000 taels, but it hasn't been given yet!

With the financial situation like this, how could he still increase the salary of officials?

Gao Gong only felt that Gao Yi was whimsical.

If the Examination Method has to rely on bribery politics to be pushed, then it is better not to push it.

Gao Gong's attitude was very firm—suffer the hundred officials, and he will bear the bad name.

Gao Yi was well prepared for Gao Gong's stinky attitude.

He didn't mention who would pay the money, just to understand the truth of advancing two and retreating one.

If he directly mentioned that the inner treasury would pay, he was afraid that Gao Gong would suspect that the inner court wanted to intervene in the salary and financial power of officials.

Gao Yi paused and pretended to hesitate: "Chief Grand Secretary…… in my opinion, after the summer tax is collected, don't return those 100,000 taels to the inner treasury."

Gao Gong frowned: "How to solve it?"

Gao Yi's expression was quite hesitant: "My meaning is, please ask the two palaces to use this silver as 'performance', how about it?"

Gao Gong heard this and laughed at himself.

He waved his hand: "The women of the two palaces are stingy, and there is Feng Bao obstructing it; not to mention not returning it, even if it is a quarter late, they hate to eat me; you are daydreaming."

Gao Yi was about to speak.

Zhang Juzheng suddenly interrupted: "Chief Grand Secretary, in my opinion, it may not be impossible."

Gao Gong turned his head in confusion and looked at Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng laughed: "Gao Yi is quite favored by the Crown Prince; Gao Yi might as well explain the pros and cons to the Crown Prince and ask the Crown Prince to blow some wind for the two palaces; the inner treasury is ultimately just managed by the two palaces for others."

After saying that, he looked at Gao Yi helplessly.

Just now, when Gao Yi said that the inner treasury would pay, he immediately knew whose idea it was.

He had heard about Gao Yi being invited to participate in the meal yesterday.

It was just that he didn't know what kind of words the "wise monarch" used to deceive this Cabinet minister.

Fortunately, there were no words of chaos; otherwise, he would have to open the classics lecture early and restrain him well.

Judging from the current observation, this imperial son has some benevolence and some insights, but his machine heart is too heavy and he doesn't follow righteousness, so he still needs to be taught well.

He rarely improved his attitude toward that machine-hearted child—an emperor willing to take money from the inner treasury is truly unique.

Zhang Juzheng silently pressed down the idea of removing Zhang Hong and opening the classics lecture early, and decided to wait and see.

? ￠o

Gao Yi looked at Zhang Juzheng with surprise.

The fact that he was favored by the Crown Prince had spread among the ministers; it seems that in time, it might not be a good story between monarch and minister.

Gao Yi was a little proud.

With an assist, he added two points of confidence and looked at Gao Gong confidently: "Chief Grand Secretary, the Left Minister is right; the inner treasury is ultimately the Crown Prince's."

"Yesterday's daily lecture, I had already probed the Crown Prince's tone; I am confident that I can persuade His Highness; Chief Grand Secretary, why not let me try."

Seeing Gao Yi's confident appearance, Gao Gong just thought he was being sentimental; there are few emperors who don't take money from the Ministry of Revenue, and those who pay are even rarer.

However…… this gave Gao Gong an inspiration.

Isn't Li clan afraid of hurting holy virtue? Then pay!

If you don't pay and don't let people do things, then this crime of ruining the world, doesn't it hurt holy virtue?

He wanted to see if Li clan was afraid of corrupt officials scolding, but not afraid of honest officials crying at the gate.

People like to compromise; presumably Li clan will not be an exception—it is difficult to agree to the Examination Method directly, but waiting for the Cabinet to let Li clan pay to push the Examination Method, the former seems not so difficult.

Thinking of this, Gao Gong's attitude changed, and he accepted Gao Yi's proposal, saying: "Since Gao Yi said so, then try it."

"Discuss a note first, and then see the reaction of the two palaces; we can't be enduring for the country while they are stingy, right?"

It seemed that he had passed his level.

Gao Yi saw Gao Gong loosen his mouth and nodded.

And remembering another matter, he turned to Zhang Juzheng: "The Left Minister just said 'piloting', what does it refer to?"

He really didn't think there were difficulties here.

After all, no matter how you look at it, it is very feasible, or even an excellent method; sensible people should recognize it, so why is there an objection here in Zhang Juzheng's place.

Zhang Juzheng didn't answer directly.

Instead, he stretched out a pair of palms covered with wrinkles and somewhat dry, and turned them back and forth in Gao Yi's gaze.

He said slowly: "Gao Yi is 55 this year, right?"

Gao Yi didn't know why, and nodded in confusion.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Gao Gong again: "I remember the Chief Grand Secretary is almost 60?"

Gao Gong said "Hmm": "There are still six months."

Zhang Juzheng sighed: "I am almost 50 too."

"Recently, when I was free, I read Han Changli's 'Sacrificial Text to the Twelfth Nephew' and couldn't help but feel emotional."

He turned to chant: "Since this year, the gray ones may have turned white, the shaking ones may have fallen off, the hair and blood are declining day by day, and the ambition is becoming weaker day by day."

After chanting, he looked at the two Cabinet colleagues with his eyes.

"Recently, gray hair has increased, heart palpitations are uneasy, and I can only sleep for less than two hours at night."

"People like you and me…… how much time can be left?"

The two Gaos were moved.

In this world, sixty is considered a long life; like Yan Song, who can live, is a minority.

The three of them are not young, and their bodies have long had signs.

According to the current speed of energy decline, it would be commendable to be able to handle political affairs for another six or seven years.

Gao Gong immediately understood Zhang Juzheng's meaning: "You mean……"

Zhang Juzheng nodded: "Too slow; one prefecture piloting, one province piloting, to the whole world, I don't know how long it will take."

"Moreover, clarifying the administration is just the beginning of a thousand-mile journey; the Examination Method is just paving the way; there are still many things for us to do for the new policy."

"I'm just afraid…… the middle way is ruined, and the person dies and the policy dies."

He said this without any avoidance.

What performance, what piloting, sounds novel; do you really think no one has thought of it?

It is really a clever woman who can't cook without rice; it is really time is running out.

There is no need! Wait until Imperial Consort Li becomes Empress Dowager, Gao Gong retires, and he, Zhang Juzheng, grabs the power, he has confidence that he can suppress the rebound.

He is confident that after returning the government, he will leave behind a new policy skeleton that will not fall; at that time, let people slowly plan it.

But if time is delayed now, it will be too late.

Gao Yi thinks that clarifying the administration is the end point, and Gao Gong believes that the court is full of upright people to recreate the Great Ming, not knowing that, in his view, it is far from enough!

He wants to clear the land!

He wants to improve the tax law!

He wants to calm the border!

Examination Method? It's just sweeping away pests before doing things; it's just the first step; how can he be willing to waste too much time.

You know, back then, the Founding Emperor measured the land, and it took more than ten years!

And he, Zhang Juzheng, how many more ten years does he have?

Now that he is counting the days, he must spend his time on the blade.

Gao Yi looked at Zhang Juzheng's expression and understood the meaning of this Cabinet colleague.

He had never thought of this layer, because he felt that each generation has its own responsibilities.

Human power has its limits; how can one finish the world's affairs by oneself.

Moreover, Gao Yi now thinks that there are successors.

He said slowly: "Left Minister, believe in the responsibility of later generations."

Judging from the Crown Prince's performance, he is willing to believe that his student has the heart to govern the country, and the new policy can naturally be entrusted to him.

But these words are the tacit understanding between teacher and student, not enough for outsiders.

Zhang Juzheng looked at him with surprise; this Cabinet colleague, has he trusted the Crown Prince to this extent?

Did he forget what Shizong and the late Emperor were like?

What kind of ecstasy soup is this.

He didn't change his words: "We must try our best first."

Zhang Juzheng understands that acting so fiercely will have endless troubles; he will either have a bad old age or be opened and whipped after death.

He doesn't care; when a person dies, the lamp goes out; when one can act, one must try one's best.

But today's Gao Yi is also different from the past.

He was particularly persistent: "If there is no concession at all, the two palaces are worried about holy virtue, and they may not nod."

"At that time, if they are in a stalemate, it will be a waste of time."

"This is also an expedient measure."

"Left Minister, think carefully."

How could Gao Yi bear to let his student's first participation in state affairs be in vain?

He didn't feel it was so urgent; if the matter couldn't be finished, he was willing to hand it all over to the new monarch.

Zhang Juzheng seemed to have a plan, and after Gao Yi spoke, he immediately said without hesitation: "Add Nanzhili's eighteen prefectures, add Fujian Administration Commission, how about it?"

Easy first, then difficult.

Land annexation and tax evasion are the most serious in these two places.

Whether it is measuring land or reforming the tax law, it must start from this capital and one province.

These two places take the lead in examination, so it won't affect the subsequent promotion so much; this can be considered his certain concession.

Gao Yi fell into hesitation.

Suddenly expanding from one prefecture to one capital and one province, this is different from the tacit understanding he had with the Crown Prince.

Now it was Zhang Juzheng's turn to persuade Gao Yi: "Gao Yi, we also need to clear the way for the new monarch as much as possible."

This remark scratched Gao Yi's itch; one capital and one province are indeed within the Cabinet's ability.

After thinking about it, he finally nodded.

Gao Gong saw that there was no disagreement in the general direction and finally made the decision: "Court debate."

"I will communicate with the Jin Party and the Censorate first."

"Shuda, you go and ask if the Chu Party has any other sayings."

"As for the honest officials, Gao Yi doesn't need to use much effort; let them fully support the Examination Method."

"Let's do this for now; we will discuss it in the court later; we can't count it just by deciding it ourselves; we still need the six ministries and various officials to nod, and the two palaces to agree."