Because the post station shoulders important tasks such as document transmission, military intelligence transmission, and cargo transshipment.

Therefore, the post station has always been highly valued by the rulers, and the Taizu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, in the month of the founding of the country, ordered the rebuilding of the post stations throughout the country during the Yuan Dynasty.

Post stations can be roughly divided into three categories, namely water horse posts, express shops, and delivery stations.

Its responsibilities are different, after hundreds of years of construction and improvement, in the Ming Dynasty in various traffic arteries, there are post stations.

If there is a local riot, then the local officials can send the news to the capital thousands of miles away as quickly as possible by simply passing through the post station.

With the passage of time, the system of the post station has gradually eroded, and in Zhang Juzheng's view, the system of the post station has reached the point where it must be changed.

First of all, because the expenses of the post station are apportioned by the imperial court to the officials at all levels, and the officials at all levels also forcibly apportioned the expenses of the post station to the heads of the people, which has caused a great burden on the people.

Secondly, there are many postmen, who wantonly loot the wealth in the hands of the people under the pretext of apportionment, and many officials, in the name of making tolerances, go to the post station to fight the autumn breeze and wantonly extort money from the postmen.

Once the desire could not be satisfied, the horses were deliberately pawned, destroyed, and forced the coachmen to pay for the disaster.

After thinking about it for a long time, Zhang Juzheng looked at Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain at the moment, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have three major conscriptions in the Ming Dynasty, namely Lijia, Zafan, and Junyao!" ”

"Among them, Lijia and Junyao are the main sources of post station service, when His Majesty Emperor Taizu personally issued an edict in the twenty-seventh year of Hongwu, the post station service was filled in turns."

"The people take turns to serve as errand servants for three, five, and ten years, respectively, which is intended to combine work and rest, be fair and just, and do not harm the people's strength."

"But according to Weichen's investigation, officials in various places have almost no compliance with this regulation, and the people who serve as errand servants at the post station have served for a long time that even far exceeds the time stipulated at the beginning!"

"Therefore, Weichen implores Your Majesty to temporarily abolish some of the post stations with remote roads and low utilization rate, and then transfer the management rights of the post stations in various places to the central government."

"It is strictly forbidden to apportionment privately, and the imperial court will allocate funds to these post stations in a unified manner, and those officials who go to the post stations to fight the autumn wind will be severely punished!"

"Appropriately reduce the time that the people serve as errand servants, so that the burden on the people can be reduced, and there is no need to waste the people's strength in vain!"

After Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, he sat back in his place and did not say a word.

……

"This Zhang Juzheng is really not simple, not only did he do a good job of investigation in advance, but he also had a clear and feasible solution."

"Sure enough, it's still young people who have the courage!"

Thinking of this, Yan Song looked at Zhang Juzheng with a hint of appreciation.

After all, Zhang Juzheng is only thirty-six years old now, and he is in the prime of life, and I am afraid that he will have to sit on this chair of the cabinet head assistant in the future.

After this, I saw that Yan Song suppressed all the thoughts in his mind, and he decided to push the boat down the river and help Zhang Juzheng.

Anyway, this matter was not poked out by himself, and the anger of those officials could not be burned on himself, so he should be a favor.

Then, I saw him get up from the seat, look at Jiajing sitting behind the bead curtain, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that this strategy is feasible and can eliminate the drawbacks of the post station as much as possible!" ”

When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued to add: "Your Majesty, the post talisman issued by the imperial court at the moment, because it does not indicate the user and the period of use, has caused the post talisman to be regarded as a tool to usher in!" ”

"Those who hold post charms take this opportunity to eat for nothing at the post station and squander it wantonly, and in the long run, it has caused a great burden on the finances of the post stations in various places."

"Weichen proposes that from today onwards, all the original post talismans will be invalidated, and then a new version of the post talisman will be used that indicates the user and the period of use, and those who issue post talismans without authorization will be severely punished and will be removed from their official positions!"

When Yan Song's words fell, I saw movement behind the bead curtain, and after a while, I saw Jiajing wearing a blue-gray robe, walking out slowly from behind the bead curtain.

Seeing this, everyone hurriedly got up from their seats, bowed to Jiajing, and said, "Your Majesty! ”

When Jiajing heard this, he responded imperceptibly.

Then, I saw Jiajing looking in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, nodded, and said encouragingly: "Well, the public is loyal to the country, and he is dedicated to state affairs, yes, he is worthy of being my minister of the humerus!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, his face was full of humility, he arched his hand to Jiajing, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty has praised it falsely, Weichen just did what he did!" ”

Jiajing was noncommittal to Zhang Juzheng's words, and then, after looking around, he withdrew his gaze, and then said: "Aiqing doesn't have to be humble, the solutions you proposed have been repeatedly considered, and they are indeed extremely feasibility!" ”

"In that case, how about I leave this errand to you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Weichen will definitely live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Zhang Juzheng, who was not far away, with a grim expression and a deep voice.

Jiajing took in the expression on Zhang Juzheng's face, and after bowing slightly, he turned around, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and said slowly.

"Yan Ge Lao's proposal to abolish the original post talisman is also right to the point, and after it comes down later, it will be officially announced by the cabinet!"

Regarding Jiajing's words, Yan Song naturally didn't dare to disobey the slightest, and then, I saw him trembling and getting up from his seat, and said in response: "Obey, Your Majesty, Weichen will definitely announce this matter as soon as possible!" ”

Then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, Jiajing followed up and added: "By the way, I suddenly remembered, didn't Elder Yan Ge say just now that he would severely punish those officials who issued post charms without authorization?" ”

"I think that it is better for the six departments to supervise those officials who issue post charms without authorization and fight the autumn breeze in the post station, and once such a situation is found, it will be reported to the imperial court and severely punished, what do you think of Aiqing?"

……

When Jiajing's words fell, the scene suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

The reason why the scene fell silent was not because there was anything wrong with Jiajing's proposal, but because it was only fitting that the emperor would leave this matter to the six branches.

As we all know, those who can become speech officials must have a different kind of persistence in some aspects, most of them are honest and self-controlled, speak up, and are not afraid of the powerful.

And this also means that once the incident happens, there will be no room for maneuver.

If the case is handled by an official from the Inspectorate, if the relationship is in place, there is a possibility that one eye will be turned a blind eye.

And that group of speech officials are all a group of guys who admit to death, once something similar happens, they will definitely bite to death until they completely crush each other.

"This Yan Song, it's not good to mention anything, just mention this matter, and make trouble for yourself for no reason, it's okay now, everyone will not be useful in the future!"

Thinking of this, Xu Jie glanced at Yan Song rather indignantly.

Subsequently, I saw Xu Jie reining in his thoughts, taking the lead in standing up, and expressing his attitude: "Your Majesty Shengming, Weichen feels that it is most appropriate for the six departments to be in charge of this matter!" ”

At this time, Xu Jie also gradually reacted to the emperor's intention to hand over this matter to the six departments.

"Because that group of speech officials have repeatedly disobeyed the holy will before this, not only did they ask Your Majesty to postpone the examination for the clan and nobles, but also asked His Royal Highness King Jing to leave Beijing immediately in front of His Majesty, so that His Majesty could not come to the stage."

"Therefore, Your Majesty moved to beat their minds, and then acquiesced to me and Yan Song to clean up that group of speech officials by taking advantage of the matter of the departmental ranking!"

"After that, when the group of officials are suspicious and their vitality is greatly damaged, then Your Majesty will personally come forward and give them an important errand."

"In this way, we can not only supervise those officials who issue post charms without authorization and fight the autumn wind in the post station, but also control this uncontrollable force in our own hands!"

"Your Majesty, this is clearly a slap, and then a sweet date!"

Thinking of this, the expression on Xu Jie's face became extremely ugly.

You must know that not long ago, with the acquiescence of the emperor, he and Yan Song took revenge on that group of speech officials by taking advantage of the departmental ranking.

Although from beginning to end, there was no substantive evidence from that group of officials, Xu Jie's heart knew very well that Ouyang Yijing would definitely settle the account on himself and Yan Song.

"It's troublesome now, it's not a good thing to be targeted by that Ouyang Yijing!"

As soon as he thought of the possibility of being targeted by Ouyang Yijing, Xu Jie couldn't help but feel palpitations.

Ouyang Yijing not only speaks sharply, but also scolds people with extremely unique kung fu, which can be said to be unmatched in the Ming Dynasty.

Just when Xu Jie was worried about the days to come, he only heard Hu Zongxian's voice ringing in everyone's ears: "Your Majesty, Weichen also feels that it should be supervised by the Six Branches, those officials who issue post charms without authorization, and fight the autumn breeze in the post station!" ”

"As we all know, the vast majority of the officials of the six departments are speech officials, and most of these people are honest and self-controlled, not afraid of the powerful, and rarely receive entrustment."

"In addition, as Yan Ge Lao Fang Cai said, right now, there are many people who use the post talisman issued by the imperial court as a tool to usher in and send it!"

"With just a small post talisman, you can not spend a penny, in my Ming Dynasty's post stations, eat for nothing, cause a great burden to the people, such a crooked wind, must not be long, must be stopped!"

After Hu Zongxian, the rest of the people also expressed their attitudes one after another.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, then Jiajing nodded, faced everyone, and said in a deep voice: "Since this matter has been decided, let's continue to discuss next year's expenses!" ”

After Jiajing finished speaking, without waiting for everyone to respond, he returned to the dragon chair behind the bead curtain and sat down.

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Lu Fang and Yan Song leaning down and saying respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

……

After this, I saw Zhang Juzheng stand up, face everyone, and said in a deep voice: "This year's expenditure on the side of the military department is 12,263,290 taels, and in the spring of next year, the imperial court will officially start a war with Altan Khan on the grassland!" ”

"Right now, Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou are responsible for training more than 25,000 soldiers, plus the cost of building chariots, the daily cost is an astronomical amount."

"In addition, there are still two sailors under construction in the imperial court, and when these two sailors are completed, the salaries, daily training, wear and tear of the officers and soldiers on the ship are also a lot of expenses!"

"Therefore, on the side of the military department, the estimated expenditure for the coming year is seven million taels!"

Yan Shifan on the side heard this, and he also reacted suddenly, Zhang Juzheng said so much, and it was nothing more than two words to sum up, asking for money!

You must know that not long ago, Zhang Juzheng put forward the idea of cutting expenses in front of His Majesty.

And His Majesty did not raise any objection to this, that is, His Majesty agreed with Zhang Juzheng's idea of reducing the expenses of the imperial court.

Since it is a foregone conclusion that the imperial court will cut its expenditures, then under the condition that the overall expenditure of the imperial court remains unchanged, if your military department takes a little more, then the other departments will inevitably take a little less.

"This Zhang Juzheng, if you want to eat more and occupy more, you alone have a military department, and you will apply for an expenditure of seven million taels, which is really unreasonable!"

After perceiving Zhang Juzheng's intentions, Yan Shifan began to rack his brains to think about how to get more funds for the Ministry of Industry.

"This year, the imperial court has allocated special funds to reinforce and build the embankments along the Yellow River, and the embankments in the other provinces have also undergone some repairs, and there is no excuse for the time being."

"In the past year, the imperial court has not built a large number of buildings, and His Majesty has no intention of repairing the Wanshou Palace, so he just put it there, trying to find a suitable excuse to ask for silver for the Ministry of Industry, but it is really difficult!"

"Why don't you just start with the flood season?"

Just when Yan Shifan was still thinking hard and lonely, how to get more funds for the Ministry of Industry.

I saw that after thinking about it for a long time, Xu Jie stood up and agreed to Zhang Juzheng's proposal: "There is a way, the major affairs of the country are in worship and Rong!" ”

When Xu Jie said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "When next spring, my Ming Dynasty will finish its work in one battle and officially start a war with Altan Khan of the Tumut Department, and when Altan Khan is eliminated, there will be no more war on the frontier!" ”

"Therefore, I agree with the expenditure of seven million taels of silver reported by the Ministry of War!"

After Xu Jie, Gao Gong also followed closely to make his position clear: "I also agree with Xu Ge Lao's statement, and agree with the expenditure of seven million taels of silver on the side of the military department!" ”

Then, I saw Yan Song pick up the teacup soaked in wolfberry water on the table, take a sip, and said slowly: "Well, I also agree with the expenses of the military department!" ”

After that, everyone expressed their attitude one after another, and on the side of the military department, the expenditure of seven million taels of silver was also successfully confirmed.

Seeing that the expenditure of seven million taels of silver on the side of the military department was so easily confirmed, Yan Shifan's heart became more and more urgent.

This year, the total expenditure of the Ministry of Industry is 5,675,329 taels.

In Yan Shifan's opinion, even if the imperial court does not have a plan to build a large number of civil works this year, as the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, he must have at least four million taels of funds for the Ministry of Industry.

After all, the only way for a department to expand its influence is to have more officials and get more funding.

After thinking about it in his mind for a long time, he saw Yan Shifan get up from his seat, face everyone, and then speak: "Ladies and gentlemen, the estimated expenditure of the Ministry of Industry for the coming year is four million taels, in order to predict the flood prevention period......

After a period of verbal warfare, the cabinet has finally decided on the expenses for the coming year.

"Taking into account the unexpected situation, therefore, on the originally expected situation, plus five million taels for the imperial court's expenses in the coming year, the imperial court is expected to spend three hundred and sixty-eight thousand taels in the coming year."

"Among them, the Ministry of War is expected to spend 7 million taels, the Ministry of Industry is expected to spend 3.2 million taels, and the Ministry of Household is expected to spend ......."

After Xu Jie's estimated expenses for the imperial court in the coming year were reported one by one, he asked everyone in front of everyone, "Do you have any other opinions on this?" ”

Seeing that no one objected to this, I saw Xu Jie close the account book in his hand, and then looked at Jiajing behind the bead curtain, and said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet has completed the discussion of the expenses of the imperial court for the coming year, and the imperial court is expected to spend 31,685,000 taels for the coming year!"

"Well, since the expenses for the coming year have been discussed, let's get here today, and after a while, your cabinet will sort out all the things discussed today, and then announce it!"

Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain, waved his hand after listening to Xu Jie's report and commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Jiajing's words fell, I saw everyone get up from their seats and say in unison.

After that, Jiajing did not stay in the cabinet for too long, but took Lu Fang and left the cabinet.

……

Soon after that, the Cabinet quickly sorted out the matters that had been discussed at today's Imperial Council and announced them one after another.

When those officials learned that the accounts submitted by various departments had been approved by the celebrant supervisor, the whole person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the heart that had been hanging was finally let go.

You must know that in the past, the master of ceremonies was not so happy, and if the accounts submitted were slightly wrong, then waiting for that department would be a disaster.

Before the officials could be happy, news came that the imperial court was going to cut expenses, abolish the post station, and abolish the original post charm.

These news, like dropping a bombshell on calm water, soon caused an uproar in the DPRK and China.

Many officials have been talking about this, and the vast majority of them are opposed.

For those officials, the fire of the imperial court's reduction of expenses and the abolition of post stations could not burn themselves for a while.

However, the fact that the imperial court was going to abolish the original post talisman really harmed the interests of these officials.

After all, with a small post talisman, you can be unimpeded in Daming, and you don't need to spend a penny on food and accommodation, all of which are reimbursed by the post station.

As a result, these officials, as well as their family members, often held post charms.

And the post charm as a gift, ushered in, in today's Ming Dynasty, is very popular, after all, this can not only indirectly show their own strength, but also show their sincerity.

With the post charm, you can be unimpeded in Daming, which is equivalent to getting a free meal ticket, and you don't have to worry about it for the rest of your life.

When you need to run around to do things, you can take the post charm, through the post stations along the way, to the destination, the whole process does not have to pay a penny, can maximize the cost savings.

Some officials have even developed new ways to play, often holding post charms, running to the post station to eat and drink for nothing, and even holding banquets from time to time.

In the real sense, I did it, spend the money of the imperial court and go through my own relationship!

At this time, the cabinet near the bulletin board.

Even though it was time to get off duty, a large number of officials still gathered near the bulletin board.

They all arrived in a hurry after learning that the imperial court was about to cut expenses, abolish the post station, and abolish the original post talisman.

"The law of the ancestors is immutable, the post station system, but the policy formulated by Emperor Taizu himself, the post station shoulders the heavy responsibility of military information transmission, cargo transshipment and other important tasks, if it is hastily abolished, it will do me a hundred harms and no benefit!"

"Ouch, what a sin, who proposed this bad idea of abolishing the existing post talisman to His Majesty, if this official knows who it is, he has to clean him up!"

"There are people who do such a thing that hurts others and is not beneficial to themselves, in order to please Your Majesty, they really do everything, isn't this clear that everyone will be cut off?"

"You see, it is clearly written on this that in the future, the management rights of the post station will be returned to the imperial court, and the six departments will supervise those officials who issue post talismans without authorization and fight the autumn wind in the post station, and once such a situation is found, it will be reported to the imperial court and severely punished!"

"Hey, it's actually the Sixth Branch that is in charge of this matter, those officials are a group of guys who are not easy to mess with, if anyone offends them, there will be no good end!"

"By the way, there is a grapevine that it seems that Zhang Ge Lao stated the various shortcomings of the post station in front of His Majesty at the imperial meeting, and asked His Majesty to abolish some of the post stations, and return their management rights to the central government, and abolish the post talisman, it seems that Yan Ge Lao proposed it in public!"

After that, many officials at the scene fell into varying degrees of silence.

And the official who had threatened to take revenge on the person who proposed to abolish the existing post talisman was now pale and trembling.

Most of the officials on the side also gloated at this person and quietly distanced themselves from him.

After all, what he offended was Yan Song, the head of the cabinet who is now in power and opposition, and has many henchmen!

Such a trivial matter does not even need Yan Song's orders, and those in the court who want to climb the high branches of the Yan family will definitely not let go of this opportunity.

Just take this person's head and show his loyalty to the Yan family, and the right should be to vote for the name! (End of chapter)