"Well, it seems that Gao Ge Lao is the same as I thought, this is His Majesty paving the way for the inventory of acres and the suppression of land annexation!"

When Zhang Juzheng's words fell, he saw that Gao Gong's face on the side was full of horror that could not be concealed.

Subsequently, I saw that he hurriedly got up from the seat and motioned for Zhang Juzheng to silence, and only then did he relax after repeatedly confirming that the partition wall had no ears.

"Shhh

"In this way, isn't it tantamount to letting His Majesty's hard work go to waste?"

When Gao Gong said this, he paused for a moment, looked in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, and asked rhetorically: "What do you think Your Majesty asked our cabinet to come forward to rank according to the performance and efficiency of various departments in the past year?" ”

"This high arch is really not simple, and I can actually perceive His Majesty's true intentions!"

Zhang Juzheng sighed with emotion, then came back to his senses, put on a look of hindsight, and responded respectfully: "Thank you Gao Ge Lao for reminding me, I understand!" ”

Gao Gong took in the expression on Zhang Juzheng's face, stroked his beard, and a hint of relief flashed on his face.

If you have to use one sentence to describe Zhang Juzheng at this time, Gao Gong will prefer to use the sentence "The gentleman hides the weapon in his body and moves when the time comes".

Although the current Zhang Juzheng has great ambitions, he is determined to get rid of maladministration like his idol Zhang Xuan and let the people of the world live a good life.

But now that its strength is weak, it still needs to continue to lie dormant and accumulate strength in the shadows, and when the time is right, it will be able to soar into the sky.

"Elder Xu Ge has promised that he will personally recommend Zhang Juzheng to His Majesty as the same examiner when the court holds Enke next year!"

"With the importance that Your Majesty attaches to Zhang Juzheng, he will naturally readily agree, and at that time, Zhang Juzheng will be able to take this opportunity to vigorously encircle those new science and technology scholars, and the power under his command will also skyrocket!"

"Reform is not something that can be brought about overnight, and in the future, the reform measures I have set will have to be continued by Zhang Juzheng!"

……

Just when Gao Gong thought of this, he only heard Zhang Juzheng's voice without a trace of emotion sounded: "Gao Ge Lao, I dare to ask you, in your opinion, where is the disadvantage of my Ming Dynasty now?" ”

Gao Gong saw that Zhang Juzheng asked himself unabashedly, and he didn't mean to hide it, and after thinking for a while, he followed and spoke.

"Since Your Majesty lifted the sea ban and vigorously developed sea trade, most of the emptiness of the treasury that plagued my Ming Dynasty before has been eliminated!"

"Nowadays, the biggest drawback of my Ming Dynasty is that there are serious redundant officials, officials at all levels are greedy and corrupt, and the situation of land annexation is serious!"

In my opinion, it is necessary to implement a set of effective methods to rectify the rule of officials, and the remaining ills can be summed up as nothing more than "bad laws", "bad goods", "meanness", "jealousy", "prevarication", "party comparison", "reluctance", and "superficial rumors". ”

"If you want to change, you must start with the legal system, first of all, you need to supervise the law, know the legal system, you need to start with the new science and technology jinshi, and assign it to various yamen, set the curriculum, add the examination to the school, and use the results of the assessment as the basis for selection."

"Secondly, the criminal department is the department of the people, and the criminal department, as the general of the criminal department, has the court official at the top, and the division of the subordinates at the bottom, if the criminal officer cannot serve for a long time, then the experience is not deep, and he is not mature, so how can he talk about the people's decision?"

After listening to these measures proposed by Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng's face was full of excitement that could not be concealed, in his opinion, Gao Gong's understanding of the current shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty was very unique and comprehensive.

Then, only to hear the voice of Gao Gong sounded again: "In addition, in terms of employment, there is also an urgent need for reform, let's take the military as an example, the military department is currently a monk and two servants, if there is a war on the frontier, and there happens to be a servant on the left and right, won't it delay the warplane?" ”

"Therefore, on the side of the Ministry of War, a few more squires should be added as appropriate, so that even if there are officials in the Ministry of War, the impact can be avoided to the greatest extent."

"In addition, for those civil and military officials who guard the border and prepare for war, they need to be given more care, and at least they should be given priority in promotion!"

"The army should also enforce military discipline, train a large number of people, and promote grass-roots and middle-level officers who are brave in combat, so that the combat effectiveness of our Ming army can be improved!"

"Political performance should be the basis for the evaluation of officials, not the qualification of the imperial examination, or the ranking of the examination, as the main basis for evaluating officials, even if he is a jinshi, as long as the political performance is not up to the mark, he still cannot be promoted!"

At this time, Zhang Juzheng had fully understood Gao Gong's idea, and summed it up, it was nothing more than starting with the legal system, attaching importance to the law, and serving as a criminal officer for a long time.

On this basis, a set of effective methods should be implemented for supervising and evaluating officials.

"I remember that in the past, the little cabinet elder seemed to have proposed a set of examination methods for supervising and evaluating the clan and nobles in front of everyone at the cabinet meeting, and that set of methods could be applied to this!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng's face couldn't help but flash a trace of excitement, and then, I saw him look at Gao Gong, and then said: "By the way, Gao Ge Lao, I don't know if you still remember the set of assessment methods proposed by Xiao Ge Lao in public?" ”

Gao Gong obviously had an impression of this, and after thinking for a moment, he asked tentatively: "You mean, the set of examination methods specifically for the clan and nobles proposed by the little pavilion elder before?" ”

Hearing this, Zhang Juzheng nodded, and replied in a deep voice: "Well, exactly!" ”

"Didn't Your Majesty send those clans and noble sons and daughters who passed the exam to Banshu to serve?"

"I think so, since this set of test methods will work in the clan and the nobles, then it will naturally work in the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty!"

When Gao Gong heard this, the whole person instantly realized.

Then, I saw him slap his thigh violently, and said excitedly: "Yes, we just need to wait with peace of mind to see how effective this set of examination methods specifically for the clan and honorable people will actually be!" ”

"Then, on this basis, those unreasonable clauses should be appropriately deleted and modified!"

"After the examination law is extended to the whole country, the imperial court will be able to take advantage of the situation to take the inventory of acres as a political achievement, include it in the assessment of officials, and impose heavy taxes on those wealthy gentry who annex a large amount of land, so as to suppress land annexation!"

Gao Gong subconsciously clenched his fists when he said this, and his breathing became rapid because he was so excited.

"Yes, as long as the test method is successfully implemented, then many problems will be solved!"

Then, I saw Gao Gong supporting his chin with one hand, and began to think about how to promote the test method to the whole country and implement it at that time.

"Today's right capital of the Inspectorate, Yu Shi Hairui, is a person who is honest and upright, jealous and hateful, and may be able to use the power of the Inspectorate to supervise the specific implementation of the examination law, and the other six departments are ......."

Zhang Juzheng on the side saw this situation, and did not bother, and after Gao Gong came back to his senses, he got up from the seat and said goodbye to Gao Gong in a timely manner: "Gao Ge Lao, it's not too early, I'll leave first!" ”

After this, Zhang Juzheng refused Gao Gong's request to send him off in person, and left on his own.

……

After Zhang Juzheng left, I saw Gao Gong happily preparing paper and pen, burying his head in the bookcase, and began to further sort out the thoughts in his mind.

"In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, the floods of the Yellow River cannot be ignored, and the imperial court has to invest a lot of silver in this every year.

"I heard that Pan Jitao, the left Shaoqing of Dali Temple, has the talent to manage waterways, and I can go to inspect it another day, and Li Yan, the governor of Liangguang, is also an old man who has followed me for so many years......"

Soon, Gao Gong wrote a whole article with gusto, and the content on it was all the things he believed needed to be reformed, and the people who should be used.

Time passed slowly, and I don't know how long it was, but I saw Gao Gong get up from behind the bookcase and withdraw his gaze from the paper in front of him.

"Alas, it's easy to say, but if you want to really implement the test method, it's not easy to talk about it!"

Gao Gong knew very well in his heart that the implementation of the examination method would inevitably touch the interests of the vast majority of officials, and the attacks he would receive at that time would be unimaginable.

"Gao Gong, are you really ready for this storm?"

Thinking of this, Gao Gong couldn't help but have a trace of entanglement on his face.

After a long time, I saw that he suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, clenched his fists, slowly got up from the seat, and said to himself silently: "Change is clear, change is strong, change is prosperous, change is decay, change is life, change is death!" ”

"Now Da Ming, has reached the point where change is indispensable, since someone has to start this, then let me bow high!"

"No matter whether it is success or failure in the end, right or wrong, there will be posterity to comment!"

After this, Gao Gong stretched out his hand, picked up the paper that had written the things that needed to be reformed, and the people who should be used, and brought it close to the candle.

The paper gradually burned under the licking of the orange candle flame, and Gao Gong watched as the paper in his hand burned and gradually turned to ashes.

And in the process, Gao Gong's inner thoughts became more and more firm.

After the paper was burned and completely turned into ashes, I saw Gao Gong's face full of inexplicable expressions, and muttered to himself: "Now, it's not the time!" ”

……

The end of the year is approaching, except for a very small number of officials who are still working for the last remaining affairs, the vast majority of officials in the capital are already looking forward to the arrival of the holiday.

Soon, the cabinet also announced this year's holiday time, starting from the Lantern Festival and until the twentieth day of the first month.

Upon learning of this notice, the officials shouted long live with gratitude.

This means that officials who have been trembling on thin ice for a whole year can also seize this opportunity to take a moment of respite.

Not long ago, along with Feng Lu, there was also a year-end bonus issued together according to the ranking of various departments.

Many officials have received a large year-end bonus, plus a shortly increased salary, and their pockets are gradually broadening, so they no longer have to be stretched as in previous years.

Once the hand is broadened, the mind will naturally be much more active, so there is an endless stream of banquets and drinking activities among officials, and many incidents have also arisen.

For these incidents, Yin Ding Shichang of Shuntian Mansion also felt quite a headache, and in desperation, he had to adopt a peaceful attitude and strive for both sides not to be offended.

In the palace, I saw Ding Shichang pick up the teacup soaked in wolfberry water on the side, take a sip, and then said to himself: "According to the guys in Liuxinju, those pavilion elders drink this kind of wolfberry, and now it seems that there is nothing special about it?" ”

At present, in the officialdom of the capital, a new trend has gradually become popular, that is, using wolfberries to soak in water and drink.

Since the elders of the cabinet are all using wolfberries to soak in water and drink, it should be good for the body.

With the idea of catching up with the trend, many officials, as well as wealthy gentry, even did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to buy wolfberries to soak in water and drink.

The purpose is to experience the feeling of the elders by the way, but it's really not good, it's good to have a common topic.

And wolfberry has gradually become a gift for officials, and the price of wolfberry has risen all the way, but even so, there is an endless stream of officials who go to buy it.

Beijing, Yanfu.

At this moment, in the room, Yan Shifan looked at the letter sent by Boss Zhao of Liuxinju, and his face was full of excitement that could not be concealed.

Recently, in the capital, the rumor that the elders of the pavilion used wolfberries to soak in water spread under his instructions.

And he asked Boss Zhao of Liuxinju to hoard a large amount of wolfberries in advance to sell.

The result of the matter also made Yan Shifan quite satisfied, and the wolfberries he had hoarded earlier were sold out in less than half a month.

Moreover, the rich gentry who came to buy wolfberries in the follow-up were endless, and the price of wolfberries also rose all the way.

Subsequently, I saw Yan Shifan put down the letter in his hand, and said with emotion: "This silver is really easy to earn, just a short period of effort, it will be 100,000 taels of silver, not to mention the follow-up dividends......"

Just as Yan Shifan was still thinking about the follow-up, he heard a slight knock on the door outside the door, and then only heard the butler's voice sound: "Little Pavilion Elder, the master asked you to go over immediately!" ”

"Well, got it, I'll go right over!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, got up from behind the bookcase, and commanded.

"My father came to me, could it be that he had something to explain?"

With such doubts, Yan Shifan did not hesitate at all, and immediately set foot on the road to Yan Song's room.

……

After taking a deep breath and calming down his good mood, he saw Yan Shifan knock on the door of Yan Song's room: "Father? ”

Then, I only heard Yan Song's voice in the room: "Come in!" ”

When the words fell, Yan Shifan did not hesitate at all, and immediately stepped into the room.

At this time, the charcoal fire in the house was burning brightly, and as soon as he entered the door, Yan Shifan felt that most of the chill on his body was dispelled.

At this moment, Yan Song was lying on the Hu bed without any image, holding an unknown book in his hand.

Seeing Yan Shifan coming in, I saw Yan Song take his eyes off the book, then stretched out his hand, pointed to the vacant seat on the side, and commanded: "Sit down!" ”

"Yes, Father!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he did not make the slightest excuse, and after responding, he sat down on the vacant seat on the side.

Seeing that Yan Song didn't mean to speak, he saw Yan Shifan looking in the direction where Yan Song was anxious, and asked, "Father...... Father, do you have anything to do with your child? ”

When Yan Song heard this, he just glanced at Yan Shifan quite indifferently, and asked, "The rumors about wolfberries in the capital recently are related to you, right?" ”

Seeing that Yan Song's tone was firm, Yan Shifan had no intention of concealing it, nodded and admitted the matter quite cleanly: "Yes, father, this matter was sent by the child to add fuel to the fire!" ”

"In less than a month, the child earned 100,000 taels of silver, not to mention the follow-up dividends!"

When Yan Shifan said this, his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide.

After learning the news from Yan Shifan's mouth, I saw Yan Song caressing his forehead rather helplessly, and then commanded: "Okay, if you make this money, just stop it, don't continue!" ”

"Yes...... But father, the price of wolfberry is rising now, and there will be many dividends in the future! ”

When Yan Shifan heard this, his face was full of surprise, and then, he plucked up his courage, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and admonished him like this.

When Yan Song heard Yan Shifan's words, a look of hatred for iron and steel appeared on his face.

After that, I saw Yan Song sit up from the Hu bed suddenly, looked in the direction where Yan Shifan was, and reprimanded: "What is not a product, are you a businessman, or am you the secretary of the Ministry of Industry of the Ming Dynasty?" ”

When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "If you take out some of the thoughts of making money and use it on the right path, are you still the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, you look at Hu Ruzhen......

After being reprimanded by Yan Song, I saw Yan Shifan bow his head and respond respectfully: "Yes, father, the child knows!" ”

Seeing this situation, Yan Song looked Yan Shifan up and down, and the anger in his heart disappeared a lot.

Then, I saw him withdraw his gaze from Yan Shifan's body, and commanded: "Hand me the teacup!" ”

When Yan Shifan heard this, he didn't hesitate at all, stepped forward with great eagerness, handed the teacup not far away to Yan Song, and said respectfully: "Father! ”

"Hmm."

When Yan Song heard this, he glanced at Yan Shifan, and answered imperceptibly, and then, I saw Yan Song take the teacup from Yan Shifan's hand.

Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan's whole person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, he knew that Yan Song had already lost his anger.

In Yan Shifan's hand, he took the teacup soaked with wolfberries, and after taking a sip, he saw Yan Song put down the teacup in his hand.

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Yan Song looked in the direction where Yan Shifan was, and asked, "By the way, didn't I ask you to stare at Xu Jie's side before, is there any movement?" ”

Yan Shifan heard this, and after thinking for a while, he responded: "Father, there hasn't been any movement on Xu Jie's side recently, but his eldest son Xu Fan suddenly fell ill and returned to his hometown!" ”

"Oh, Xu Fan reported illness and returned to his hometown, is the news reliable?"

After learning the news from Yan Shifan's mouth, the expression on Yan Song's face suddenly became extremely serious, and he asked in a word.

Facing Yan Song's gaze, I saw Yan Shifan nodded, and swore with a swear on his face: "Father, this news is true, Xu Fan had already left the capital yesterday and returned to Songjiang Mansion!" ”

"Father, why are you paying so much attention to this Xu Fan, is it possible, is that Xu Jie behind his back, and has there been any action?"

At this time, Yan Song didn't mean to answer Yan Shifan's doubts, he just waved his hand casually and said slowly: "It's not a big deal, it's just that I'm more curious!" ”

After that, I saw Yan Song's words change, and he continued: "Okay, it's nothing for you, let's go down first!" ”

"Yes, father, the child will leave!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he didn't hesitate at all, and immediately got up from the chair and bowed to Yan Song.

After Yan Shifan left, I saw Yan Song retract his gaze and say to himself silently: "Xu Jie, Xu Jie, you finally listened to me, it seems that I, the head of the cabinet, can continue to be the assistant!" ”

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, listening to the report from Lu Fang.

"Your Majesty, the slave maid has found out, many rumors about wolfberries in the capital recently are all from the hands of Xiaoge Lao, and together with Boss Zhao of Liuxinju, he hoarded wolfberries in advance and made huge profits from them!"

After Lu Fang finished the report, he immediately lowered his head, stopped speaking, and quietly waited for Jiajing's decision.

"This Yan Shifan, his brain is quite lively, he can actually think of making money from this aspect!"

After listening to Lu Fang's report, I saw a hint of surprise flash on Jiajing's face, gently rubbing the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, and said with a smile.

At this moment, I saw Lu Fang raise his head, look in the direction where Jiajing was, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, do you want to go and warn you, after all, this is really ......"

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, after pondering for a while, he waved his hand and commanded: "Okay, it's a trivial matter, there's no need to go online, let's see if they have any other moves next, if not, forget it!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, the slave understands!"

When Lu Fang heard this, he immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.

After that, I only heard Jiajing's slightly emotional voice sound: "Lu Fang, it looks like the New Year is coming, and you have been tired for a year, I will allow you to take a few days off, take this opportunity to take a good rest!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

As soon as he wanted to say something, Jiajing seemed to guess what he was thinking, and took the first step to speak: "Okay, you're welcome, just do what I say!" ”

Seeing Jiajing's resolute attitude, Lu Fang couldn't refuse, so he had to nod his head and say: "Obey, Your Majesty!" (End of chapter)