Chapter 295

201. Chapter 195: See the Subtle to Know the Significant, Employ All One's Resources

The issues with land survey and household registration are numerous and not confined to just one or two places in Shuntian Prefecture.

The problems with pastures are likewise widespread, not limited solely to Wanping County.

Over several days, the emperor's party traveled from Wanping through Liangxiang, Fangshan, Gu'an, and on to Yongqing—yet not a single county they visited had a pasture that was clean and intact.

Either the land had been encroached upon for farming, or the registered acreage did not match reality, or the pastures had simply been sold to wealthy households, leaving ownership unclear.

Pastures could be converted into farmland; the price differential was collected by the Ministry of War and the Imperial Horse Bureau—this had long been official policy: "Pastures already converted into farmland shall pay annual rent; in times of disaster or famine, the revenue shall be used to assist in purchasing horses; compensation and conversion payments shall be remitted to the Ministry of War as horse funds."

The current problem is: why were these conversions never reported? And where did the price differential go?

Why did the Imperial Horse Bureau remain silent? Why was the Garden Horse Bureau completely unaware? Where were the pasture overseers and the Ministry of Household's pasture supervising clerks?

…

Dong'an County pasture.

Zhu Yijun stood atop the slope, gazing out: "To which guard does this pasture belong?"

Each pasture had a designated guard unit assigned to its use; under normal circumstances, they did not share pastures indiscriminately.

Zhang Yixin, the magistrate of Dong'an, reluctantly replied: "Your Majesty, this pasture serves the garrison units stationed in the capital."

This answer was absurdly off-topic; Chen Jingbang, the Vice Minister of War standing nearby, who had been somewhat uneasy, could not help turning his head away.

Zhang Yixin was a jinshi of the fifth year of Wanli, ranked 218th in the second division.

Over the past two years, he had not stood out—he was neither transferred to a censorial post nor promoted to prefect, merely remaining stuck as county magistrate.

Zhu Yijun clearly grew displeased, frowning: "I asked you specifically which guard!"

Zhang Yixin wiped sweat from his brow and hesitated: "Your Majesty, this pasture was opened during the Hongzhi era, has long been used for grazing, and has been properly supervised by both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household, providing horses for the capital garrisons' spring and autumn defenses."

Fan Yingqi and Xu Guo exchanged glances, silently mourning his fate.

Who is this hermit, bringing his old tricks for evading superiors to deceive the emperor?

He's bound for a seat in the Censorate.

As expected, Zhu Yijun turned around with an expression of furious rage.

Zhang Mengtong, the Wanping magistrate who had exposed this matter and was ordered by the emperor to accompany the inspection, quickly pushed past Zhang Yixin and interjected: "Your Majesty, this pasture is designated for the Yan Mountain Right Guard's horse grazing; the original registered area was fifteen hectares and eighty-one mu."

The Yan Mountain Guard was stationed in Beijing, part of the capital garrison forces, whose duties included guarding the Forbidden City.

Wang Xijue, who walked closely behind the emperor, shook his head at this—this was precisely why pasture encroachment was so thorny.

Before and after the late emperor's death, Ming military officers capable of inciting mutinies over pay were not to be lightly provoked; even after years of reorganization, caution remained paramount.

"Yan Mountain Right Guard… fifteen hectares and eighty-one mu…" Zhu Yijun murmured, his expression softening slightly—then suddenly sneered: "By comparison, the Wanping magistrate seems remarkably well-informed—as if he were also serving as magistrate of Dong'an."

That sneer was aimed at no one in particular—or perhaps everyone.

Zhang Mengtong lowered his head: "Your Majesty, had the evidence not been overwhelming, I would not have dared to expose it."

His exposure was well-prepared—he naturally knew these details, or rather,

Otherwise, after the Emperor inspected Wanping, he wouldn't have casually taken this county magistrate along for consultation.

Zhu Yijun skipped over this point and turned again to Zhang Yixin, the County Magistrate of Dong'an: "Magistrate Zhang, is this pasture still fifteen qing in area?"

The group stood atop the hill, with a decent view.

Looking out, the grassland didn't even have half of fifteen qing, let alone the full amount.

Zhang Yixin evaded: "Though below the quota, it's not far off."

The pasture operates under a triple leadership system: administratively under the Ministry of War, financially supervised by the Ministry of Revenue, and by territorial principle, each county's magistrate has annually reconciled its acreage with the Pasture Director and recorded it.

Zhang Yixin's flustered obfuscation is understandable.

Yet this dead-pig-unfazed-by-boiling-water demeanor nearly made Zhu Yijun laugh in anger.

Not far off? If there were seven or eight qing here, he wouldn't be this furious.

Historically, this man always drifted through his duties: as County Magistrate of Huojia in Henan, during land survey, he didn't budge an inch, copying the old registers word-for-word without change—until caught by Censor Yao Xuemin, who impeached him and reduced his salary two ranks.

It can only be said that not everyone changes when the Emperor strives.

Zhu Yijun nodded, repulsed: "Take him to the Censorate and interrogate him strictly."

This tour through Shuntian Prefecture revealed countless corrupt practices; incompetent and lawbreaking officials were too numerous to count.

He no longer had any extra expression left.

Incompetent ones? The Censorate has them. Lawbreakers? The Northern Military Police Court takes them. Zhu Yijun had developed muscle memory in handling them.

Hearing this, Zhang Yixin's face turned pale; in panic, he corrected himself: "Your Majesty! I remember now! There are currently five qing, ninety-five mu, three fen, three li!"

Though fifteen qing had shrunk to five, Zhu Yijun was too weary to argue further.

He waved his hand dismissively: "Interrogate him thoroughly—and meanwhile, search his residence."

Saying this, he ignored the man's pleas and signaled his attendants to take Zhang Yixin to the Censorate.

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Once the pig-like screams faded, the Emperor walked down the hill without looking back, stepping onto the pasture itself.

The court ministers averted their eyes; they had seen too much already.

Even the most rigid Minister of Rites, Wang Zongyi, followed calmly behind the Emperor, as if he had endured something beyond words.

Zhu Yijun stepped onto the pasture and sighed: "Shuntian Prefecture had originally 1,846 qing, 44 mu, 4 fen, 6 li, 1 hao of pastureland. Now, it may not even reach eight hundred qing—let alone what's happening in Jizhou and elsewhere."

This was less than a fraction of the original.

The encroachment of pastureland had become impossibly complex.

Involving the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and local county offices was still within expectation.

After pastures were converted to farmland, ownership became wildly varied: merchants bribed for it, peasants leased it, guard units operated it privately—it was a complete tangle!

This mess, at its root, was simply because profit was to be had.

The land was the same, but farmland was worth far more than pasture.

Once pasture became farmland, if they could conceal it, the profit gap flowed into the hands of officials and soldiers—of course, if soldiers didn't get their share, the horses wouldn't stay quiet; if soldiers didn't get paid, how could they stay silent?

The central government never intended this.

The grass was meant for feeding horses.

Pasture may be less valuable than farmland, but its purpose was always military—not profit. After suffering so many defeats at the hands of nomadic peoples, when was the time to calculate profit in horse breeding?

Unfortunately, to some, the horses starved while men ate well—and the latter mattered far more.

If horses grew weak and border troops lost cavalry battles… then that would be the border troops' own fault—for being poor fighters.

All of the central government's benevolent policies that granted benefits worked this way.

Hence, the imperial retirement homes were built with extreme simplicity; hence, during famine relief, many local officials mixed bran into the rations to make them less palatable.

Wherever profit exists, someone will seek it.

"Your Majesty, the abuses of the pasture system extend far beyond encroachment." Zhang Mengtong, who exposed this matter, spoke again, as if to show his preparations ran deeper: "Since Jiajing 43, the pasture deficit has grown increasingly severe; whenever the Ministry of War requires grass, the Ministry of Revenue orders county offices to organize merchants to trade with the pastures."

"In past years, both ministries issued orders for new grass procurement on the eleventh day of the second month; now, the orders are delayed until April, even May."

"April and May are summer months, rainy—grass easily rots and prices rise, yet autumn defenses are urgent, pastures are empty, and no one dares delay, forcing them to accept merchant price hikes."

"The gap in prices represents massive losses to the state treasury…"

Zhang Mengtong was still denouncing these abuses when his words were cut short.

Suddenly, Wang Xijue, walking ahead, waved his sleeve and directly interrupted him: "Enough. Let the officials from the Temple of Horses, the Pastoral Horse Office, and the Ministry of Revenue's Pasture Director speak later."

When matters are still unclear, it's unwise to press too hard.

Monks, Daoists, masters, squires—even eunuchs and noble elites—their lives are cheap, unworthy of mention; dead, they're dead.

But now, with the Six Ministries and civil officials involved, caution is paramount.

Seeing the Minister of Personnel speak and the Emperor offer no objection, Zhang Mengtong obediently fell silent and withdrew gracefully.

He naturally understood Wang Xijue's concerns.

Among those encroaching on the pastures, beyond officials of the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War, there were deputy commanders and assistant regional commanders from the Beijing garrison units.

The Gold Guard Left and Right, the Yan Mountain Left and Right, the Divine Pivot Camp, the City Defense Camp—even the thousand-plus soldiers of the Divine Fire Corps trailing behind the Emperor—whether they shared in the spoils remains uncertain.

What if someone stabs the Emperor?

Common soldiers don't care. Back when Chen Jin, the Zhuangyuan of Jiajing's Gui-Chou examination, was in mourning at home, soldiers came demanding rations; Chen, proud of his status, refused—and was promptly hacked to death by them.

Other cases abound: soldiers killing imperial envoys in road disputes, company commanders stealing from princely treasuries and killing princes.

These central officials now maintaining calm show they are fully aware.

Awareness is good; without these central officials possessing some ability, he wouldn't have dared to bet on the New Policies and boldly expose the pasture encroachment.

"Magistrate Zhang, I recall you were promoted from the Salt Administration to Wanping?"

As he was pondering, Zhang Mengtong suddenly heard the Emperor speak.

He quickly gathered his thoughts, ignoring whether the Emperor was changing the subject, and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty's wisdom embraces heaven and earth!"

"I am a graduate of the Shandong provincial examination, appointed as Clerk of Jining Prefecture; in Wanli 2, promoted by the Performance Review to oversee Dengzhou Port."

"In Wanli 4, upon completion of the port, credited for maritime transport achievements, transferred to serve under the then Salt Transport Commissioner, Commissioner Yu."

"Last November, credited for achievements in salt administration, promoted to Wanping County."

The Ming officialdom underwent drastic change around Wanli 1.

New paths for advancement emerged.

Previously, it was said: "Career advancement requires meticulous scheming—constant communication with the capital, generous charcoal gifts; harmony among colleagues, unyielding diplomacy, unyielding humility."

Now it became: "Rush headlong to the Three Dukes—display extraordinary merit, proclaim unwavering loyalty; champion the New Policies, prove yourself a hero—whether posthumously titled 'Wenxiang' or 'Wenzhong'."

Thus, Zhang Mengtong, with his hard work in port construction and achievements in salt administration, had advanced with every step.

Zhu Yijun nodded and asked casually: "The salt administration reform has been seven years. In your view, how effective has it been?"

Though Salt Administration Director Yin Shidan reports to the capital annually, anyone who has long served as Emperor knows how precious the chance is to learn local conditions from different perspectives.

As Wang Xijue asked this, he turned to look at Zhang Mengtong—his fellow imperial examinee Yu Youding had been promoted to Provincial Governor of Shandong for his work on salt administration reforms.

Seeing all eyes fixed on him, Zhang Mengtong paused.

After careful consideration, he chose to give a brief, impartial summary of the salt administration reforms: "Your Majesty, in my view, the salt administration reforms have proceeded methodically and yielded considerable results."

"Since the salt offices of the Two Huais, the Two Zhes, and Shandong have come under unified control, efforts to crack down on smuggling, prevent southern salt from being transported north, and stabilize salt prices have all proven highly effective."

"Salt tax revenues have increased year by year, yet the people's burden has not risen; especially since the maritime transport route opened, salt prices in Jizhou and Liaodong have dropped sharply, and the people regard this as good governance."

The Emperor and his ministers listened in silence.

They all understood, to some degree, that some of this was flattery—if unification had made tax collection easier and smuggling easier to suppress, that might be true.

But to claim salt prices had been suppressed? At best, prices had dipped slightly in certain places at certain times, since total production hadn't increased much.

When Zhang Mengtong finished, Zhu Yijun pressed with his most pressing question: "What of the salt certificates?"

The reputation of the salt certificates had been ruined by the nobility, imperial clans, and court officials.

Rebuilding trust would be a long process.

Seven years had passed; Yin Shidan had repeatedly claimed progress was just around the corner, but Zhu Yijun himself was uncertain of the actual state.

Zhang Mengtong carefully observed the Emperor's expression before speaking slowly: "Your Majesty, when the salt certificates were first issued, salt merchants did not trust them—but now their standing has improved greatly."

"In the second year of Wanli, the Ministry of Revenue issued the first batch of salt certificates, matching seventy percent of the salt stocks held in the salt depots of the Two Huais and Shandong. Even so, salt merchants still feared the Ministry would overissue or that the salt office would secretly print and sell them, and hesitated, watching cautiously."

"Fortunately, over the past four or five years, the Ministry of Revenue has adhered to proper principles, never overissuing or misusing certificates; under Director Yin's repeated orders, not a single certificate has gone unfulfilled."

"Moreover, with the covert assistance of relatives of Grand Secretary Wang and Vice Minister Xu, the salt certificates have gradually gained some credibility among merchants."

"Especially last New Year's Day, the Ministry of Revenue simultaneously redeemed, exchanged, or recalled the first batch and issued the second batch—merchants rushed to obtain them, vying eagerly."

These were all facts.

Primarily, both he and his patron Yu Youding had already left the salt office; he had no reason to speak well or ill of Yin Shidan.

But Vice Minister of Justice Xu Gu, upon hearing himself mentioned, instinctively flinched and cast two quick glances toward him.

Zhu Yijun's expression showed quiet anticipation: "Can salt certificates now be exchanged for equivalent silver in Shandong?"

Seeing the Emperor's demeanor, Zhang Mengtong knew exactly what he wished to hear.

This had long been a subject of speculation among officials in the salt office.

Yet after much deliberation, he chose to speak plainly: "Your Majesty, salt certificates are rarely used directly to barter for goods or silver."

"Only bankrupt families or those ignorant of affairs would attempt to exchange salt certificates for goods or silver."

"Last year, one merchant tried to sell his certificates, refusing the market rate of eighty percent and demanding full face value—he was publicly denounced as a Confucian fool, and ended up selling them at only seventy percent."

Compared to other regions bound by two-thousand-year-old traditions of the Yellow River floodplain, Jining's insults were more refined.

Zhu Yijun shook his head at this.

By this standard, salt certificates had returned to the status of assets.

Compared to worthless paper, this progress was not slow.

But to use them as banknotes? That would still require gradual, careful steps.

He asked a few more casual questions and gained a rough sense of the salt administration's condition.

Zhu Yijun nodded slowly, smiling at Zhang Mengtong: "That will do. Zhang Qing, return to Wanping, relinquish your post, and report directly to the Censorate."

This Wanping County Magistrate had accompanied him long enough—he had learned what he needed to know.

The aftermath of the pasture survey was no longer a matter for grassroots investigation.

Zhang Mengtong immediately knelt: "Your servant obeys."

His reporting to the Censorate was not the same as Zhang Yixin's.

This was a promotion to Censor!

Though both County Magistrate and Censor were seventh rank, their authority differed vastly!

Zhu Yijun did not wait for the former Wanping Magistrate to rise—he continued as the man stood: "Regarding the pastures of Northern Zhili, you will oversee the pasture supervisors, county offices, and military surveyors in the land measurement."

"First, establish the figures; then we will speak of the rest."

Zhang Mengtong immediately declared: "Your Majesty's grace is boundless! Your servant, undeserving as he is, will give his life without hesitation!"

A mere degree-holder with no family backing had, in seven years, risen from a lowly prefectural clerk to the Censorate.

In life, in the bureaucratic sea, one must gamble!

Surveying the pastures? He could not have wished for more!

Zhu Yijun waved his hand, signaling he could return to Wanping.

The latter, understanding, halted and bowed silently in farewell.

Zhu Yijun strolled across the pasture, gazing at the nearby farmland, and asked casually: "Who is the Ministry of Revenue's Superintendent of Pastures?"

The Ministry of Revenue's Superintendent of Pastures was the chief official of the Ministry, responsible annually for inspecting pasture conditions.

Logically, pasture encroachment could not have occurred without his knowledge.

Wang Xijue opened his mouth to speak, but Fan Yingqi preempted him: "Your Majesty, he is Gao Shi, a jinshi of Longqing's second year."

Zhu Yijun paused, his expression thoughtful, uncertain: "Gao Shi… was he formerly the Superintendent of the Dangan Kou Pasture in Jizhou?"

Since taking personal rule, he had handled many memorials.

His circle of acquaintance had expanded from the top ministers of the Six Ministries to include lower-ranking fifth- and sixth-grade officials.

Wang Xijue nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, it is he."

Zhu Yijun frowned: "I recall him. Two years ago, Minister of War Xiao Lin of Nanjing's Imperial Horse Bureau submitted a memorial stating that pasture lands were meant solely for horse breeding, yet were heavily occupied by powerful families—he requested I investigate the pasture allocations."

"I followed the Cabinet and Ministry of Revenue's advice and did not launch a full-scale investigation, only ordering a slow probe of Jizhou and Baizhou."

"Shortly after the edict was issued, a fire broke out at the Dangan Kou Pasture in Jizhou, destroying tens of thousands of bundles of hay—the matter was quietly dropped."

"At the time, I intended to punish him, but all sides claimed there was no evidence to convict him lightly; I was forced to demote him two ranks for dereliction of duty."

"That did happen, didn't it?"

Pasture encroachment had long been an issue; discerning officials had long noticed signs.

It was not only Xiao Lin who had submitted memorials.

Censor of the Ministry of Revenue Xiao Yan, Minister of Revenue Wang Guoguang, and Superintendent of Pastures Ren Kai had all petitioned for a land survey.

But at the time, the court deemed the timing inopportune and refused to provoke the sensitive issue of land measurement.

Yet Zhu Yijun still remembered vividly how his slight attempt had ended in fire and failure.

Wang Xijue, about to speak, fell silent.

He had only just arrived in the capital—he knew nothing of these old affairs.

Fan Yingqi resumed: "Your Majesty, it is true. At the time, the Chief Grand Secretary drafted the edict demoting Gao Shi to Jiangxi."

Zhu Yijun sneered: "I demoted him two ranks, and within days someone promoted him three—whose sense of justice is this?"

This was called vague promotion.

Every emperor lacking complete authority must endure this: the moment a demotion is issued, before the official even leaves the capital, a second appointment arrives.

No one knows who issued it—it's purely to erase the Emperor's punishment, a classic case of official protection, murky and vague.

Zhu Yijun now rarely saw it—once every one or two years, if that.

But historically, the Wanli Emperor faced it constantly: demoted one day, mysteriously promoted the next.

Wang Xijue offered a subtle reminder: "Your Majesty, Vice Minister of Personnel Chen Kai has retired."

This was certainly not Shen Shixing's doing.

But since Vice Minister Chen Kai had retired, it could no longer be pursued.

Zhu Yijun's smile was cold: "This matter cannot be separated from Gao Shi. Let's see who dares promote him vaguely this time."

Wang Xijue was energetic and would not, like Shen Shixing, be forced to delegate key personnel authority to his deputies.

In this regard, Wang Xijue was very useful.

The group walked from the pasture to the farmland, speaking intermittently of pasture affairs.

At that moment, Zhang Hong ran up from nearby.

All turned to look.

"Your Majesty, Minister of the Imperial Horse Bureau Zhao Tun and Superintendent of Pastures Ren Kai request an audience," Zhang Hong bowed.

Zhu Yijun frowned: "Only these two? Where are the Superintendent of the Imperial Horse Bureau and the Ministry of Revenue's Superintendent of Pastures?"

Zhang Hong hesitated, then replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, messengers from the capital report that Superintendent of the Imperial Horse Bureau Wu Shangxian and Ministry of Revenue's Superintendent of Pastures Gao Shi both slipped and fell at home last night, and died accidentally."