Chapter 59: Thunderous roars, rolling up sleeves

"The 'ought-to-be' belongs to the Sages; the 'is' belongs to the Emperor."

This sentence was destined to be written in bold in the annals of history.

On this day, the Emperor, Zhu Yijun, took advantage of the Court Deliberation to declare that he would govern in parallel with the various Sages.

The extension of the spirit could be left to the Sages Kong or Wang to delve into as they pleased; but as for the operation of nature, the Emperor stated clearly that he had doubts in his heart, and only empirical proof could resolve them.

He further proposed that through donations from the Daoist sects, leadership from the Inner Court, cooperation from the Ministry of Rites, and labor from the Ministry of Works, an academy should be prepared, dedicated specifically to philosophical inquiry—for instance, the causal relationship between claims and empirical proof, the standards for empirical proof, and the methods for obtaining such proof, and so on.

At the same time, it was provisionally decided that the first Chancellor would be concurrently held by the Vice Minister of Rites, Ma Ziqiang, and the provisional Left and Right Vice Chancellors would be held by the Left Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Li Youzi, and the Libationer of the Imperial Academy, Tao Dalin, respectively.

The Minister of Works, Zhu Heng, whose hair was gradually thinning, promised that the academy would certainly be completed within one month as a celebratory gift for the change of the reign title.

The first day of the eleventh month.

There were still ten days until the Winter Solstice.

The weather had already turned gradually cold, and a light rain last night made the wind this morning exceptionally biting.

If the late Emperor were still alive, at this time of year, the court officials would gradually begin to arrive late, or even stop attending court altogether.

Unfortunately, two months ago, the Method of Evaluation had descended like a mountain, forcing people to crawl out of their warm beds.

After secretly cursing Zhang Juzheng twice, they would dress properly and enter the Imperial Palace to sit for their duties.

On the first and fifteenth of every month, there should have been a Grand Court Assembly to meet the Emperor, but both the two palaces and the Cabinet believed that the new Emperor's studies were heavy, and he needed to listen to government and cultivate himself, so it was truly difficult to add any more burden, and they discussed restarting the Grand Court Assembly after the change of the reign title.

Since the Grand Assembly was not being held, naturally, small meetings had to be held.

The Court Deliberation proceeded as usual.

The people participating in the Court Deliberation today seemed to have agreed upon something; the moment they stepped into the Wenhua Hall, their gazes were drawn to a single figure for a moment.

As for why one could see this figure the moment one looked up? Naturally, it was because the gathered officials seemed to be avoiding them, moving away by half a body length, to the point that a small empty space had opened up around this figure.

The one being ostracized by the court officials in this manner was, naturally, Seeing Hai Rui.

After Seeing Hai Rui had settled his elderly mother yesterday, early this morning, he went to report to the Censorate, and was subsequently brought to the Court Deliberation by Ge Shouli.

Today's Court Deliberation time was tight and the tasks were heavy; the gathered officials and the Emperor went through the motions with each other, and then began the real business.

First was the memorial from the Viceroy of Grain Transport, Wang Zongmu.

The Minister of Revenue, Wang Guoguang, stepped out and said: "The Grain Transport Prefectural Yamen has submitted a memorial; the Ministry of Revenue cannot decide this alone, let everyone deliberate on it."

"Viceroy of Grain Transport Wang Zongmu's articles on grain transport affairs: Relieve the heavy burden on distant lands. Grain transport is extremely distant and dangerous for the four prefectures of Yongzhou and Hengzhou in Huguang, Changsha, and Ganzhou in Jiangxi; it is proposed that the 104,783 shi and 8 dou of grain transport be converted to silver payments annually."

"The grain amounts for the five prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, and Changzhou in Zhili, and Jiaxing and Huzhou in Zhejiang are excessive; it is proposed that 100,000 shi be converted to silver payments annually based on the amount of white grain. As for Henan and Shandong, the guard stations without vouchers or boats should be assigned to take turns resting the transport, to show preferential relief."

In short, it was to change the grain tax of the four inland prefectures to silver payments, no longer requiring the payment of actual grain, and the missing portion of actual grain would be supplemented by the five prefectures of Lianghuai.

As soon as these words fell, the gathered officials looked at each other in dismay.

Physical goods were physical goods; at most, one could only skim a little off the top to account for losses.

But if it were paid in silver, the common people would have to handle the money again, and the profit to be made in between would be different.

Changing the silver payment quota of Lianghuai into actual grain was clearly encroaching upon the interests of Lianghuai!

Was this Wang Zongmu starting this, or was the Emperor about to start?

Ever since Seeing Hai Rui returned to the capital, there had been repeated rumors about moving against Lianghuai. Today, upon arriving at court, one saw Seeing Hai Rui standing there like a pole, and now came such a memorial; no matter how one looked at it, it seemed a bit coincidental.

It was unknown which people exchanged glances.

After an exchange of opinions, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Bi Qiang, stepped out and said: "I have worked in the localities before, and have some qualifications in places like Huguang and Nanzhili; it just so happens that I have some understanding."

"This matter is absolutely not feasible."

Bi Qiang was a Jinshi from the twenty-third year of Jiajing, and subsequently served as the Vice Commissioner of Education for the Zhejiang Surveillance Commission, Right Assistant Administration Commissioner of Guangxi, Surveillance Commissioner, Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang, and Left Administration Commissioner of Huguang.

And later served as the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture in Nanzhili.

His claim of having worked in the localities naturally carried weight.

"Wang Zongmu says that the grain in these five prefectures is excessive; that is because he does not understand local affairs. While these five prefectures indeed produce a lot of grain, their consumption is also high."

"Besides self-use, there is also government requisition for brewing, trade with overseas, and so on; the actual remaining grain is fundamentally not much!"

His words were firm and decisive, and coupled with his actual local experience, his persuasiveness was extremely strong; the crowd nodded one after another, showing their approval.

The Supervising Secretary of the Office of Personnel, Li Zaiting, suddenly asked a question: "Vice Minister Bi is from Nanzhili, right?"

As soon as the words fell, Bi Qiang's face immediately flushed red, and he turned his head to question: "What does Supervising Secretary Li mean!"

Li Zaiting lowered his head, as if he had never said those words.

Wang Guoguang came forward to take over the conversation: "Alright, let us discuss the matter as it stands."

The Supervising Secretary of the Office of Works, Zhang Daoming, also stepped out and said: "It is better not to set a precedent for this matter, otherwise it is easy to exacerbate the opposition between the North and the South."

These words stopped at the point, but the meaning was very clear.

Zhu Yijun, with great interest behind the screen, began to flip through this person's file.

Zhang Daoming, a native of Yuyao, Zhejiang, was a fellow Presented Scholar from the second year of Longqing.

This matter of transfer payments was naturally a way to test the waters, to see how loud the voice of Nanzhili was in the court.

To move against Lianghuai, it was inevitable to offend Nanzhili.

What were the two capitals? To put it bluntly, they were two sets of central leadership teams.

Setting aside their high status in administration, in terms of finance, Nanzhili also occupied the majority of the world's financial taxes.

Apart from military power, it was no different from a number-two court, just like the Northeast division, the kind that could add a piece of clothing whenever the weather turned cold.

Even if there were no ulterior motives.

Its power was still too vast, making Beizhili wary of the consequences.

Right now, he wanted to move against Lianghuai, and he had to adopt the posture of suppressing a rebellion just to dare to let Seeing Hai Rui go out.

With such a behemoth lying beside his bed, Zhu Yijun didn't know how the previous emperors had been able to sleep at all.

The court deliberation continued.

Besides these two, four more people stepped out one after another, stating why Wang Zongmu's memorial was flawed.

Unsurprisingly, the matter was rejected by the court, and the memorial was sent back.

But since the atmosphere had reached this point, there was naturally more to follow.

Minister of Works Zhu Heng stepped out and said: "Grand Coordinator of Water Transport Wang Zongmu reports: Sea transport has reached the shore."

Having said this, he prepared to return to his rank.

Zhu Yijun supported his forehead with his hand; were technocrats really this difficult to communicate with?

Helpless, he could only remind him from behind the screen: "Minister Zhu, you might as well explain more clearly."

Only then did Zhu Heng react, hurriedly adding: "Wang Zongmu says that sea transport has not been viable for over one hundred and sixty years."

"Previously, when Wang Zongmu served as Left Administration Commissioner of Shandong, due to the Jiao River proposal, he studied the history of past dynasties in detail and submitted twelve benefits of sea transport to the Grand Secretariat."

"He stated that sea transport is an inevitable necessity!"

"After it was rejected by the court deliberation, the late Emperor learned of it by chance and planned to open sea transport this year to test it out and observe the results."

"After Wang Zongmu became Grand Coordinator of Water Transport, he personally tested six ships crossing the sea, which have recently arrived at the shore one after another."

"He therefore proposes to the Ministry of Works that sea transport and river transport be used simultaneously, as it is truly an endless benefit for the nation for ten thousand generations."

Zhu Heng finished in one breath and returned to his rank with composure.

But the court officials were like a boiling pot, whispering to each other; it was only after the Hai Yushi of Ceremonies shouted a reprimand that everyone stopped their whispering.

This was coastal sea transport.

To put it plainly, it meant relying on maritime routes to meet the demand for inland cargo transport.

From the southeast, by sea to Zhejiang, entering the two Huai regions, and even from the sea to Shandong, entering Tianjin Guard.

While called sea transport, it was actually competing in the same lane as river transport!

It was a naked attempt to steal people's livelihoods.

Wang Zongmu's previous "Twelve Benefits of Sea Transport" had already discussed this matter in detail.

Everyone had read it; what was the reaction?

In Wang Zongmu's own words, it was "the masses heard it suddenly and looked at each other in suspicion and fear," and the volume of opposing voices was endless.

And now, this again?

Many were itching to act.

Someone took the lead; Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue Jia Daiwen stepped out and said: "I have heard of this matter; the Nanjing Office of Revenue happens to have a memorial on this."

Everyone looked toward him.

Jia Daiwen was a Jinshi from the second year of Longqing, having served as Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works, only being promoted to Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue in the eighth month.

Although he was not a native of Nanzhili, his two sons had respectively married the granddaughter of the former Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Hall, Nanzhili native Li Chunfang, and the daughter of the Nanjing Minister of Revenue Cao Bangfu.

His own daughter had also married into Nanzhili.

It could be said that Jia Daiwen was the spokesperson for Nanzhili.

Jia Daiwen took out a memorial, handed it to the others, and spoke himself: "Nanjing Supervising Secretary Zhang Huan has submitted a memorial refuting Grand Coordinator Wang's report."

"Grand Coordinator Wang Zongmu reported that 120,000 piculs of sea-transported rice departed from Huai'an, arrived at Tianjin in sequence, and finally reached the port without losing a single grain."

"But in reality, rumors in the streets claim that eight ships carrying 3,200 piculs of rice encountered a storm and were completely lost, with no news since!"

"It is said that Wang Zongmu anticipated such potential losses and sent people carrying 30,000 taels of silver to purchase grain as a supplement."

"This is a heinous crime of deceiving Heaven!"

Another burst of commotion followed.

Suddenly, the screen on the imperial steps was removed, and the officials were not surprised.

The Emperor looked at Jia Daiwen with a disappointed face: "Rumors in the streets?"

"It is said?"

"Minister Jia, I was just pondering this kind of matter; when there is a discrepancy between two memorials, what should I take as the primary source?"

"Grand Coordinator Minister Wang says 120,000 piculs without losing a grain, because there are 120,000 piculs of grain on the ships as 'clear evidence'."

"Supervising Secretary Minister Zhang says 3,200 piculs were completely lost, but it is only 'street rumors' and 'it is said'."

"What am I supposed to follow?"

Jia Daiwen's expression changed.

He hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, censors have the right to report based on hearsay!"

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Minister Jia, I have not forbidden censors from reporting, but since I cannot reach such local matters, can you not show some consideration for your sovereign and father, and investigate the 'clear evidence' before submitting a memorial?"

It was unclear if these words reminded someone.

Li Zaiting suddenly stepped out and said: "That's right, Supervising Secretary Jia, how is it that Grand Coordinator Wang's and Supervising Secretary Zhang's memorials arrived at the same time, yet Supervising Secretary Zhang could still refute Grand Coordinator Wang?"

"Is it precognition, or did he peek at the memorial? Or perhaps, is there simply someone unclean around Grand Coordinator Wang?"

"Are the high officials of our dynasty so nakedly exposed?"

Zhu Yijun cast an appreciative look at Li Zaiting.

He would let it slide in the open, but he still had to reward him with something in secret.

The matter of coastal sea transport was not without foundation.

Although the risks of storms and hitting reefs were extremely high, one could not give up eating for fear of choking.

Previously, when Gao Gong was in power, he was determined to open the sea and took the opportunity to handle the matter of coastal sea transport as well.

Thus came Wang Zongmu's "Twelve Benefits of Sea Transport," and later, instructing Wang Zongmu to test it was also a decree Gao Gong requested from the late Emperor.

Now that Zhu Yijun had inherited Gao Gong's political resources, he naturally took over this matter as well.

Continuing to attempt sea transport was both a demand of the times and preparatory work for moving the water transport system.

When Seeing Hai Rui moved the two Huai water transport systems, it was inevitable that trouble would arise; at that time, sea transport could at least serve as a temporary backup.

To avoid being coerced by the "big picture."

After Li Zaiting's assist, Jia Daiwen prepared to refute.

But Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng suddenly stepped out and took over the conversation: "I also remember this matter; when the late Emperor issued the decree to test it, the Ministry of Works should have been ordered to accompany it, right?"

Zhu Heng was suddenly pointed out and was somewhat stunned.

After thinking for a long while, he said: "Two officials followed the whole way, but I have not heard of any capsizing."

He hesitated and said: "However, I believe that even if there were capsizing, we should continue to explore sea transport..."

The officials glanced at this technocrat; did he still not understand what they were arguing about?

This was not a technical problem; this was a political problem.

If sea transport were used, what would happen to water transport?

This was the livelihood of millions of water transport workers; it could not be decided just by whether it was feasible or not.

Wang Zongmu was truly unfilial; a perfectly good Grand Coordinator of Water Transport, digging up his own foundation.

Minister of Rites Zhang Siwei stepped out and smoothed things over: "Implementing sea transport now is like trying to grow rice in the north; initially, one should test it in small quantities, observe whether it adapts to local climatic conditions, and then gradually promote it."

"By the same token, the long-term and short-term strategies for river and sea transport should also be flexibly managed according to actual circumstances."

Zhu Yijun looked deeply at Zhang Siwei.

He praised: "Minister, your words are steady and prudent."

But inwardly, he was secretly vigilant; currently, the regional faction of Jin was the most prominent.

But the Nanzhili faction could not be underestimated; the later Zhe Party and Donglin Party were all branched off from the pan-Nanzhili faction, showing their massive influence.

If the pan-Nanzhili faction were to merge with the Jin faction now, things would not be fun.

Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Guoguang again: "Minister Wang, what does the Ministry of Revenue think?"

Wang Guoguang was well-prepared and pondered for a moment before saying: "When the censor officials previously proposed commending the achievements of sea transport, we pointed out that in the long run, relying on river channels is fundamental, while sea transport is a means to deal with current emergencies."

"We believe that given the unpredictable risks of sea transport, we should first become familiar with this route to prepare for unexpected needs."

"Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue proposes that we might as well moderately increase sea transport trials in the first year."

Zhu Yijun nodded without expressing his stance.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng with a gentle expression: "Chief Grand Secretary, what does the Grand Secretariat think?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at the Emperor.

He still spoke: "What the Nanzhili censors said is only hearsay and difficult to investigate deeply, but for officials who dare to take responsibility, we should handle it leniently and observe their future performance."

"Moreover, sea transport involves a large number of people, including manpower from several provinces, lasting several months and crossing three provinces; with hundreds of officials, garrison commanders, and sailors involved, if there were a shipwreck, it is unlikely that only the censors would mention it."

"Those 30,000 taels of silver came from the Huai treasury and can be checked in the accounts, and the hired manpower and ships also have clear records; Your Majesty, why not order the Ministry of Revenue to coordinate with the Censorate and conduct an investigation through the patrolling censors."

"As for the matter of sea transport, I believe what Minister Wang said is a plan for the country, and the Grand Secretariat seconds it."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "Then Minister, draft a memorial and send it to the Directorate of Ceremonial later."

The two of them settled the matter in a few words.

Jia Daiwen's face was gloomy; this Emperor was much harder to fool than the late Emperor.

That was bad enough, but there was also the Chief Grand Secretary aiding the tyrant; the country was truly on the verge of collapse!

He returned to his rank and glanced at Zhang Siwei without leaving a trace, only to receive a shaking of the head in response.

Bah! Taking benefits and only putting in symbolic effort; sooner or later, your Jin faction will have to taste this too!

After venting in his heart, he had no choice but to exchange glances with several colleagues, signaling to discuss it at length.

Jia Daiwen had originally thought that things were enough at this point.

Repeatedly targeting the two Huai regions; since things shouldn't happen more than three times, there shouldn't be anything for them to do next.

But...

Second Grand Secretary Gao Yi stepped out and said: "The Grand Secretariat has received several impeachment memorials, with both human and physical evidence, and proposes that the Three Judicial Offices try them together."

He took out several memorials for the court officials to circulate.

He himself looked at Minister of Justice Wang Zhiyuan, Hai Yushi-in-Chief Ge Shouli, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yisong.

He said: "It is about the Salt Transport Commissioner of the two Huai regions, Wang Ruyan."

"Twelve charges including corruption, embezzlement, colluding with salt merchants, and withholding tax payments."

"The culprit has been imprisoned in the Water Transport Prefectural Yamen, and the human and physical evidence are all in the Northern Internal Security Division."

"The three of you, who do you think is suitable to handle this case?"

Jia Daiwen, Zhang Daoming, Bi Qiang, and nearly ten others looked at Seeing Hai Rui simultaneously, their expressions changing wildly!

Minister of Justice Wang Zhiyuan shook his head: "The two Huai regions are too far away, and the Ministry of Justice has many cases on hand, so we won't send anyone."

"Why not send it to the Nanjing Ministry of Justice to cooperate with the Censorate censors in the investigation."

Matters involving officials are generally led by the Censorate.

It was reasonable for the Ministry of Justice to authorize the Nanjing Ministry of Justice.

Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yisong had not yet spoken when Zhang Juzheng snatched the conversation: "Several people in the Nanjing Court of Judicial Review have retired and have not yet been replaced, so I am afraid it is not convenient."

Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Dong stepped out confidently: "Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Dong is willing to take this position."

The Emperor said with gratification: "Minister Chen is indeed worthy of the task, so let it be Minister Chen."

Like a play, everyone had their own lines, and in the blink of an eye, the matter was settled.

How could the court officials not understand what had happened.

They had been blowing wind about moving against the two Huai salt administration, and originally thought there was still time to prepare, but who knew the Grand Secretariat had quietly taken down a Salt Transport Commissioner of the two Huai regions!

This was premeditated!

It was clearly that the person had been taken down long ago, just waiting for Seeing Hai Rui to enter the capital; today, as soon as Seeing Hai Rui came up for court deliberation, they immediately brought this matter out to weigh it.

Everyone bypassed Ge Shouli, their eyes nailed to Seeing Hai Rui.

Sure enough.

They saw Ge Shouli also look at Seeing Hai Rui, nodding and saying: "Supervising the salt tax of the two Huai regions and managing the river channels is the duty of Assistant Hai Yushi-in-Chief Seeing Hai Rui."

Seeing Hai Rui stepped out, facing the Emperor with a firm and solemn face: "As it is my duty, I will surely handle this case well!"

There is one more chapter, will post later (need to revise).

Note 1: Grand Coordinator of Water Transport Wang Zongmu's proposal on four matters for water transport: First, show compassion to distant places. Water transport from the four prefectures of Yongzhou, Hengzhou, Changsha in Huguang, and Ganzhou in Jiangxi is extremely far and dangerous; it is proposed that 104,783.8 piculs of water transport grain be converted annually. For the five prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou in Zhili, and Jiaxing, Huzhou in Zhejiang, where grain amounts are excessive, it is proposed to distribute and convert 100,000 piculs annually based on the amount of white grain. As for Henan and Shandong, distribute the transport to guards without orders or ships to take turns, to show compassion...

Note 2: Grand Coordinator of Water Transport Hai Yushi-in-Chief Wang Zongmu reports: Sea transport has reached the shore. He said: "Sea transport has not been viable for over 160 years. When I was previously the Left Administration Commissioner of Shandong, due to the Jiao River proposal, I studied the history of past dynasties in detail and submitted twelve benefits of sea transport. At that time, the masses heard it suddenly and looked at each other in suspicion and fear. Later, the censor officials proposed it, and the governor tested it, all matching my words. The matter was indeed not wrong, and because it reached the Emperor, it was decided to open transport this year. I happened to be in charge of the water transport office again and planned the distribution. Now, six groups have arrived at the shore without loss. The subjects of the world finally believe that sea transport is feasible. Using this to transport simultaneously with river transport is truly an endless benefit for the nation for ten thousand generations." Reported and heard.

Note 3: Previously, Nanjing Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue Zhang Huan discussed the Grand Coordinator of Water Transport, Wang Zongmu, reporting 120,000 piculs of sea-transported rice in the sixth month, departing from Huai'an on a certain day, arriving at Tianjin, and reaching the bay without losing a grain. Later, rumors were heard, all saying that eight ships carrying 3,200 piculs of rice encountered a storm and were lost, with no news. Zongmu must have anticipated this and ordered people to carry 30,000 taels of silver to purchase grain as a supplement.

The above three notes — "Veritable Records of Ming Shenzong," the first is from the seventh month of the sixth year of Longqing, the latter two are from the tenth month.