Although Guo Dan doesn't know much about history, he has been in the Ming Dynasty for some days, has also been in contact with the emperor and the cabinet, and knows the political system of the Ming Dynasty, however, he has actually only seen the tip of the iceberg of Ming Dynasty politics, and it can even be said that he does not understand it at all.

Because the system of the Ming Dynasty has begun to be a little difficult to function, the state apparatus has begun to decay, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty have taken care of the meaningless internal friction.

In other words, it is one set on the surface, but in fact it is another, and only when you are in it can you fully understand.

A very important reason for all this is Zhang Juzheng.

This cabinet chief assistant is not the prime minister, and he cannot exercise the power of the prime minister, and the officials will not say that they respect the cabinet chief assistant like respecting the prime minister, but there is a Zhang Juzheng, Zhang Juzheng is the only prime minister of the Ming Dynasty, such as Yan Song and others, can not be compared with Zhang Juzheng.

Now that Zhang Juzheng is dead, those officials and imperial historians don't want another Zhang Juzheng, when Zhang Juzheng was walking, they were walking on thin ice, so they have been asking the emperor to weaken the power of the cabinet.

Shen Shixing was forced to fight with them, and with those red tape, how could he still have the energy to govern the country.

After getting off Aunt Xu's carriage, Guo Dan immediately rushed to the palace, this matter really can't be delayed, it will be very troublesome to make trouble later.

As soon as he arrived in the imperial city, he met Xu Meng, who came in a hurry.

"Uncle?"

"I just sent people everywhere to look for you, where are you going?" When Xu Meng saw Guo Dan, he immediately sprayed him with a face of spittle.

"I'm with ...... Liu Xinmou in the gambling house. ”

"What do you do in the gambling house?"

"Learning Experience."

“……。”

Xu Meng was stunned for a while, and said, "Okay, okay, let's go in." ”

"What are you doing in there?"

"Didn't Your Majesty summon you?"

Guo Danzhi shook his head and asked, "What happened?" ”

"Let's go, talk as we go."

After entering the imperial city, Xu Meng said: "You may not know that after the news of the horse gambling came out, the member of the Ministry of Rites and the director of the Criminal Department jointly played, requesting that the cooperation between the Taifu Temple and you be stopped immediately, and at the same time, you and I will be taken down for questioning." Not long after, His Majesty has issued a decree to suspend the cooperation between Taifu Temple and you. ”

Guo Dan was surprised: "Your Majesty is so cowardly, no, I mean, these are only two small officials, why would Your Majesty let go so easily." ”

Xu Meng sighed: "Of course things are not so simple, although there are only two people playing, but many ministers are resolutely opposed, the reaction is extremely fierce, if Your Majesty does not say it, they will unite and play together, and the cabinet is wavering, and the most important thing is. ”

Speaking of this, he said in a low voice: "I heard that Dongchang may have established a tacit understanding with them, and I think it is likely that the governor will tell His Majesty about the movements of the court, and Your Majesty is naturally unwilling to bear their responsibilities for you and me." ”

Because this matter was not decided by the emperor, it was the Taifu Temple that was authorized, if they made dozens of concerts at the beginning, it would be clear that they were going to the emperor, and of course they would not be so stupid. They just played two or three times to see the emperor's attitude, and if the emperor ignored it, then continued to play, and if the emperor opposed them, it would be bigger.

For your sake, don't pull me in. Guo Dan nodded slightly, and he probably understood a little in his heart.

Xu Meng saw that Guo Dan was not too anxious, so he asked, "By the way, since His Majesty didn't summon you, why did you rush to the imperial city?" ”

Guo Dan glanced at him and said with a smile: "I'm here to solve this matter." ”

Xu Meng hurriedly said: "Have you already thought of a way?" ”

Guo Dan did not admit it, but directly told him Aunt Xu's plan.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! It's a brilliant plan. ”

Xu Meng, the old fox, understood as soon as he heard it, and immediately laughed heartily and said, "Guo Dan, you are really a genius!" ”

Guo Dan hesitated for a moment, and then said: "This plan was not mezzarising, but was given by a master." ”

"Superior?" Xu Meng was taken aback, and asked again: "I don't know where it is sacred, can the old man know it?" ”

"Uncle should know, this person is also surnamed Xu, and his name is aunt."

"Aunt Xu?"

Xu Meng frowned and thought for a while, and said, "The old man has never heard of this person. ”

Guo smiled lightly: "Uncle, think about it again, you must have heard it." ”

Xu Meng thought about it again, and suddenly his old eyes widened, and he said, "What you said ...... Is it a little girl? ”

Guo Dan nodded.

Xu Meng's face suddenly changed, and he didn't speak with a gloomy face.

Guo Dan said curiously: "Uncle, Aunt Xu saved our lives this time, and it's your daughter again, you should be happy." ”

Xu Meng snorted: "No matter how smart you are, you are a woman, what's the use." ”

Guo Danzhi rolled his eyes and said, "Then let's not use this trick and find a way ourselves, so as not to embarrass the man." ”

Xu Meng glanced at him a little embarrassed, waved his hand again, and said, "This is the old man's family matter, and it has nothing to do with you." ”

"That's right." Guo Dan nodded, and said, "I'm just curious to ask, and I don't mean anything else." ”

This Qing official is difficult to decide family affairs, Xu Meng is reluctant to say it, and Guo Dan naturally will not force it.

But should this matter be told to Wanli, or how to tell Wanli later.

While discussing, the two came to the Wuying Palace.

Zhang Whale and Zhang Cheng were not there, only Li Gui was waiting on the side, Wanli first glanced at Guo Dan, and then said, "You should know why I summoned you here." ”

Guo Dan and Xu Meng glanced at each other.

Wanli said: "Although your original intentions are good, many ministers in the court are against this matter, and since ancient times, all dynasties have banned gambling, and the consequences are unpredictable, and what they said is not unreasonable!" ”

From the beginning to the present, he doesn't plan to carry this pot, so he won't go to those ministers for this matter, after all, he is also doing this kind of thing for the first time, taking the money to do business, if this is spread, it will be embarrassing.

Xu Meng immediately saluted and said: "It is the minister who has affected Your Majesty, and the minister deserves death." ”

Wanli waved his hand and said: "Qing is also thinking about the country, what is wrong, but this matter is relatively special, Aiqing should also consider it carefully!" ”

This is nothing more than a hint to Xu Meng, I don't blame you, but you also have to find a way to settle them.

Xu Meng said: "Your Majesty is magnanimous, the minister is grateful, the minister will never dare to worry about Your Majesty again, the minister is willing to take on this matter, Fang Caichen has already mentioned to Guo Dan to terminate the contract, and Guo Dan also agreed." ”

Wanli looked at Guo Dan in surprise.

Guo Dan said: "Your Majesty, the grass people originally helped Xing Anbo think of this way in order to repay their kindness, and now Xing Anbo has decided to withdraw, and he also supports him." ”

This.......

Wanli glanced at the two of them and thought, could it be that he thought of a better move? So he asked: "Breaking the contract, that's just a matter between you, and it can't solve Ma Zheng's problem." ”

Xu Meng hurriedly said: "What Your Majesty said is that the minister is shallow and powerless, but the minister knows that Scholar Wang has always paid attention to Ma Zheng, why didn't Your Majesty ask him." ”

It's not like a joke! Wanli was really stunned this time, and couldn't help but glance at Guo Dan quickly, seeing Guo Dan blinking quickly, he knew that there must be a reason, after thinking about it carefully, he suddenly understood, coughed lightly, and said: "Aiqing is reasonable, since this is the case, then I will not force Aiqing, you can retire." ”

"The minister retired."

As everyone knows, Wanli's small actions were seen by Xu Meng, and his heart was full of anger.

He was already sure that the two men were in cahoots.

But Xu Meng is a little good, he clearly knows that what he wants is to keep the Xu family's foundation, he is angry, but he is just angry, and he will not do what he thinks, because Xu Meng needs them more at this time.

But Xu Meng felt that Guo Dan and the emperor joined forces, he only had to be played, he would admit it this time, there could not be a next time, he had to find a helper, but unfortunately he had a grandson, and this grandson was definitely unreliable.

After returning home, Xu Meng immediately approached Xu Mao and asked, "What has Feng'er been doing lately?" ”

Xu Mao was stunned for a moment, and then said: "After the eldest lady returned to Beijing, she has been sitting and discussing with everyone in Shilin, advocating Yangming Learning. ”

"What does a woman know, the old man sees that she is doing this useless thing, a woman should be at home with her husband and children, if she is not in the capital, the old man is out of sight and out of mind, but she is here, how can the old man let him come nonsense. You ask Rong'er to tell her that if she wants to come back to live, then come back to live. ”

Xu Mao sneered: "Master, you know the temper of the eldest lady, if you teach her a lesson, I am afraid that she will leave the capital again." ”

Xu Meng said: "Who said that the old man wanted to quarrel with her, don't worry, the old man just wants her to stay at home this time, don't walk outside all day." ”

Xu Mao was stunned, this old man didn't look like he was going crazy!

Seeing that he didn't answer, Xu Meng sighed: "Do you understand?" ”

Xu Mao was slightly stunned, could it be that the old man wanted to ...... Thinking of this, a flash of joy flashed in his eyes, and he hurriedly said: "The villain understands, the villain will go to the eldest lady tomorrow." ”

Xu Meng said: "Why not today? ”

Xu Mao hesitated and said, "Master, it's dark this day." ”

"That'...... Then tomorrow. ”

On the second day, Wanli summoned Wang Jiaping and asked Ma Zheng, but this time Zhang Jing and Zhang Cheng were there.

Wang Jiaping is an ambitious and very talented person, but he does not live in a good environment, but now, since the emperor took the initiative to ask, he said his thoughts without reservation, he knows that if he doesn't say it now, he may not have a chance to say it in the future.

His method is a very traditional political reform, unlike Guo Dan, who takes the sword sideways.

First of all, to rectify the rule of officials, any reform should start from here, because it is not a society with a legal system, and no matter how good the method is, it will definitely fail if it is handed over to inappropriate people to do.

Secondly, to streamline the organization, they believe that the four departments are in charge of the Ma Zheng, each in charge of its own affairs, and do not manage each other, from the point of view of implementation, this is certainly not possible.

Finally, recalculate the pasture, raise horses in line with the concept of seeking truth from facts, raise as many horses as you have on the pasture, and if you are swallowed, you will admit it, if you don't admit it, this thing will definitely not be done. In addition, the tea and horse trade should be reorganized and those corrupt officials should be eliminated, because it is true that the cost of buying a horse is much lower than raising a horse.

Wanli nodded frequently, greatly appreciating this, and asked Erzhang: "Minister, minister, what do you think?" ”

Zhang Jing immediately said: "Back to Your Majesty, the minister thinks that although the plan of the scholar Wang is very good, but ...... The imperial court has finally restored calm and political peace, and if it wants to reform again, I am afraid that it will cause an uproar again, and it may be a big loss because of a small loss. ”

Wanli said: "But I don't want to wait any longer, I have been in power for some years, but none of this matter has been done, and the problem of Ma Zheng must be solved." ”

When Wang Jiaping heard this, he was immediately excited, the emperor was finally going to work hard, and he could finally show his ambitions, and saluted: "Your Majesty has this heart to make great efforts, it is really my blessing to the Ming Dynasty!" ”

Wanli said: "But if you want to succeed, you still can't do without Aiqing!" ”

"Your Majesty has a good reputation, and the minister will never dare to be it, but the minister is willing to do his best for His Majesty and me, and then die."

"With Aiqing's words, I am relieved, the next court meeting, I must settle this matter, and I can't delay it any longer."

"Your Majesty."

Wang Jiaping shouted loudly from the bottom of his heart.

After Wang Jiaping left, Zhang Whale immediately said: "Your Majesty, this matter is very important, and it is not appropriate to rush too much. ”

"I've already decided, and you don't have to say more."

Wanli waved his hand, sighed again, and said: "But the Xu family has been loyal to martyrs for generations, and this matter is not entirely his fault, and he is not young, so let him go back to live for the rest of his life." ”

A flash of surprise flashed in Zhang Whale's eyes! Zhang Cheng, who had been silent, suddenly said: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, in order to be able to saddle the horse for Your Majesty, but I am the blessing of my courtiers!" ”

Zhang Jing also hurriedly agreed, but there was a sigh in his heart, Guo Dan's kid was really cunning, and he actually came up with such a trick.

The holy will was so resolute that the pilgrimage meeting naturally became held as scheduled.

Two days later, in front of the Emperor's Gate.

Wanli Gao sat on the dragon chair and said: "The last court meeting, in order to solve the matter of Ma Zheng, Xing'an Bo proposed to contract with businessmen, and Guo Dan, a tooth merchant who unveiled the list, proposed to hold a horse race to solve the crisis of Ma Zheng, at that time I felt harmless, so I agreed to give it a try, but I still have some lack of consideration, fortunately the criminal department of the head of the Sun reminded me that this sale can not be opened, because this will play a wrong example, bring unhealthy atmosphere to my Ming Dynasty, and the consequences are unimaginable." ”

"The old minister deserves death."

Xu Meng hurriedly stood up and knelt down.

Wanli glanced at Xu Meng, sighed, and was about to speak, when he suddenly heard a person: "Your Majesty." Chen felt that Guo Dan's suggestion was worth a try. ”

This person is the superintendent of the imperial history Li Zhi, only to listen to him said: "Although this law is a little bold, but in the eyes of the minister, it is a helpless move, there is no way, the facts have proved that no matter how severely the court punishes, the gambling house has always existed, and has been destroying social stability, since this is the case, it is better to be supervised by the imperial court, and Guo Dan is authorized to operate Marseille, and at the same time other gambling houses are strictly prohibited, so that the situation can be controlled by the imperial court." ”

Another person stood up in the middle of the matter and said: "The minister also heard that Marseille will donate 30% of the profits every year to help the people, which is really rare, it can be seen that Xing'an Bo and Na Guo Dan are both sincerely thinking about the country, not for themselves." ”

Wanli frowned and said, "But the impact of this sale is not good." ”

Immediately, a minister stood up, "Your Majesty, if you don't do this, the impact will be even worse, now that Taifu Temple has signed a contract with Guo Dan, if the court does not believe in its words, how can it serve the public in the future, and who dares to believe the court." ”

Black or white, they have the final say.

And they are one after another, speaking impassionedly, quoting scriptures, without exception, all asking Wanli to allow Guo Dan to hold Marseille.

And Sun Rufa, who played before, is now silent.

Xu Meng knelt on the ground, his body trembled slightly, and he was suffocating hard!

Wang Jiaping, who was ready to show off his skills, was suddenly stunned, what was the situation, how could they start to go from opposition to support in one day.

Shen Shixing said in a low voice: "Uncle Zhong, thank you so much!" ”

Wang Jiaping looked at Shen Shixing suddenly, and suddenly his eyes widened, and he muttered to himself, "I understand, I understand." ”

There was a sense of loneliness in his tone.

That's a 180-degree change.

It is surprising that Li Zhi, who was originally a staunch oppositionist, has now become staunch supporters. And the cabinet headed by Shen Shixing also stood up to express his support, and he must express his position now, because he has to tell everyone that our cabinet has absolutely no intention of expanding its power, so don't think about it.

Although Wang Jiaping's suggestions are very good, they are really too scary, especially the first one, rectify the rule of officials, and the ghost knows if you are using this to eradicate political opponents.

And the emperor also seems to intend to hand over the Taifu Temple to the cabinet, which is also very terrible, the cabinet originally controls the household department, if it controls the Taifu Temple, the money is in the hands of the cabinet, and the military has to curry favor with them.

Shen Shixing was also afraid that everyone would misunderstand, which would lead to the isolation of the cabinet.

And so it is!

For middle-level officials, no matter how hateful Guo Dan is, that is, hateful, it is impossible to threaten them, at best he is a fly. But if the cabinet is allowed to take further power, it will be to let the tiger out of the gate, and it will kill them. And Wanli released another rumor that Ma Zheng's matter must have a result, and if they don't have time to think about it, they can only make a choice quickly, in comparison, of course, it is better to choose Guo Dan.

Many centrist ministers also support Guo Dan for this reason, and they don't want the cabinet to have too much power.

All the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty agreed, what else could Wanli say, he could only reluctantly agree, and at the same time hinted to everyone very shamelessly, you have to agree, I actually still have doubts, if something happens in the future, don't blame me.

Wanli is undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary of this matter, obviously he is collecting money for himself, but he still has the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty to cover for him, which is really not too cool.