Chapter 882 Why Not Hou
Lu Song seemed calm these days, but he was quite uneasy inside.
Clearing the fields is like cutting the flesh of the meat-eaters; resistance is inevitable sooner or later.
"Kindness does not command the army, and righteousness does not command the money." Lu Song stood outside the imperial city, watching the officials file in. They would glance at him as they passed by.
The eyes are quite complicated.
"What is Minister Lu looking at here?"
someone asked.
Lu Song didn't look back, "I am reading people's hearts."
"People's hearts are unpredictable."
“But people also have passion in their hearts.”
"How passionate is it? Are there fields, houses, and beauties that are tempting?"
"To the world, nothing!"
"So, why persist?"
"To carry on the legacy of the saints!"
"A young man once told me that we should not try to catch up with the saints of the past, but should keep pace with the times."
"Why can't I pursue you?"
"What he said is quite interesting." The man beside him laughed and said, "No matter how grand and correct the truth may seem at the time, it will become outdated, backward, and inappropriate the moment it is spoken.
People today can learn from history and mirror the past. But Confucians take the past as their teacher, and their every word and action is based on what the past said, just like zombies. If zombies rule the country, it will definitely remain unchanged for a thousand years. "
"The tone of this sentence sounds familiar to me." Lu Song thought for a moment, "That young man seems to be an old acquaintance of mine. Xin'an Lane?"
The man beside him clapped his hands, "It is indeed Minister Lu."
Lu Song turned sideways and asked, "Mr. Jing Chuan?"
He was a little surprised, thinking that this mysterious person was elusive. Many people wanted to recruit him and recommend him for official positions, but he always ignored them.
"Minister Lu." Tang Shunzhi bowed.
"Mr. Jingchuan is preparing to..." A strange light flashed in Lu Song's eyes. He knew that Tang Shunzhi was dissatisfied with the corruption and darkness in the officialdom and deliberately resigned.
Tang Shunzhi came to see me. Could it be that he is interested in the new policy and wants to assist me?
Tang Shunzhi is a great talent. If he were here...
Even someone as cunning as Lu Song was still secretly delighted when he thought of this possibility.
"I cannot stand the corruption in the government, but I know I can't change it alone. If that's the case, I'd rather not see it. When I learned about the new policy, I returned from the south."
Tang Shunzhi did not tell Jiang Qingzhi that he was preparing to go out to sea to visit Malacca, as Jiang Qingzhi called it, to see how powerful the Portuguese were.
Just as he was about to take a boat to Quanzhou, he learned that Emperor Jiajing was going to implement a new policy. At the time, he thought it was unreliable... What Emperor Jiajing did when he ascended the throne was actually no different from the new policy.
But it failed miserably.
A friend told him in a letter that if nothing unexpected happened, Jiang Qingzhi would become a leading figure in the new policy.
At least one of the leaders.
Tang Shun got off the boat, wandered around the seaside for a few days, and then returned to Beijing.
Ministry of Revenue, in Lu Song’s duty room.
"I heard that Minister Lu intends to reform Confucianism and Confucianism?" Tang Shunzhi asked.
Lu Song nodded, "I'm busy with many things right now and can't spare any time."
If we have this assistant, we will have a better chance of success... Lu Song looked at Tang Shunzhi eagerly. "Mr. Jing Chuan, will you travel around when you return to Beijing this time?"
"It will probably stay for some time." Tang Shunzhi said with a smile: "Maybe several years."
"Oh!" Lu Song's eyes lit up. He knew that Tang Shunzhi was a hero with a broad mind, so he used the new policy to attract this man. "The land investigation is in full swing. The capital seems calm, but there are undercurrents underneath."
"Yes." Tang Shunzhi nodded. "I came here to ask, if there is another war next year, will the Ministry of Revenue be able to provide food and grass?"
"Hmm?" This question was not asked in Tang Shunzhi's tone. Lu Song frowned and said, "It's difficult."
"Yes." Tang Shunzhi nodded, and Lu Song asked, "Whose words?"
"Long Wilbur!"
"what for?"
"If your majesty starts cutting taxes on grain, there will be resistance everywhere. Long Wilbur said that there is no need to hold back on conflicts in the country. Taking a step back will open up new horizons."
Lu Song's eyes narrowed, "Outward?"
"Yes." Tang Shunzhi greatly appreciated Jiang Qingzhi's idea, "Use external enemies to divert the conflict."
"where?"
"North, or South."
"Altan Khan in the north, and Japanese pirates in the south?"
"Exactly."
"Is he preparing for a big fight?"
"Long Wilbur said that since we have to do it sooner or later, we might as well get some benefits while we're at it."
"The government will rise up in opposition, and even use this incident to attack the new policy."
"He said he had a way to convince those people."
"What method?"
"I didn't ask."
You are such a wonderful person!
If it were someone else, Lu Song would be able to drive him out, but at this moment he could only smile bitterly, "To use conquest to divert the internal conflicts of the Ming Dynasty, there must be benefits as bait, and that benefit must satisfy those whose flesh is being cut, otherwise... all this will be of no use."
"He said that Japan has huge interests that cannot be refused by the Ming emperor and his ministers."
"Isn't this just keeping people on suspense?" Lu Song gnashed his teeth in hatred.
"Uncle." Lu Ping came in, his face flushed. "Something happened."
"Where?" Lu Song stood up suddenly.
"The servant of Guangning Earl Yang Xiao seriously injured an official from our Ministry of Revenue."
Lu Song raised his eyebrows slightly, and Tang Shunzhi saw it and knew that it was a sign of regret.
What does he regret?
No one died?
Tang Shunzhi sighed inwardly, thinking that compared with Lu Song's decisiveness, his younger brother Jiang Qingzhi was a little more gentle and had a more worldly feel.
It also has a bit more human touch.
Those in power, especially those who hold great power, least need the worldly and human touch, as that would stop them from wielding a knife.
But Tang Shunzhi felt inexplicably comfortable.
Lu Song asked solemnly, "Where is Chang Wei Bo?"
"Zhilu."
"Pass the message immediately, and inform the Prime Minister."
"Yes." Lu Ping went out.
Lu Song turned around and looked at Tang Shunzhi, his eyes piercing, "Mr. Jing Chuan, do you have a place to stay in the capital?"
This is a sign of recruitment. Tang Shunzhi nodded, and Lu Song felt disappointed. "Whose house?"
"Xin'an Lane!"
……
Zhilu, Jiang Qingzhi had just arrived, and Yan Song had just arrived as well, but one came from home after eating and drinking, and the other came from the Taoist priest.
"Prime Minister!" Jiang Qingzhi smiled very kindly.
"Qingzhi!" Yan Song smiled like the old grandfather next door.
The two actors were just about to hug each other and slap each other until they bleed.
"Yuan Fu has big dark circles under his eyes, and big bags under his eyes." Jiang Qingzhi said with concern, "You need to rest more."
"Long Wilbur's face is pale, and you can see his health... Be careful!"
Yan Song was smiling, and Jiang Qingzhi was smiling.
Xu Wei and Zhang Juzheng were watching this scene outside Jiang Qingzhi's duty room. Xu Wei asked, "Who do you think is more real?"
Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard, "My Lord, this is more true!"
Yan Song entered the duty room and saw Yan Shifan taking a nap. Yan Song waved his hand, signaling his followers to go out. He picked up the cloak and gently covered his son's back.
Yan Shifan moved a little, and Yan Song quickly stopped, standing still like a sculpture.
Yan Shifan smacked his lips and fell asleep again.
Yan Song smiled and sat down opposite him, then gently picked up the brush.
"Motosuke!"
Yan Song sighed, "Come in."
Yan Shifan sat up and turned his eyes, "Dad, you're back."
"Well!" Yan Song said, "Go back and rest first."
"I won't rest. I'll go out after His Majesty falls asleep. Dad, you should go back quickly." Yan Shifan stood up and stretched. Seeing that it was Lu Ping, the nephew of Lu Song, who came in, he asked, "What's the matter?"
"The slaves of Guangning Marquis Yang Xi seriously injured our Ministry of Revenue officials." Lu Ping said hatefully.
"Have you informed Chang Wei Bo?" Yan Shifan asked.
"I've already told you." Lu Ping knew the meaning of these words.
Should you report this to my father and me first, or to Jiang Qingzhi?
This is just like arranging seating arrangements at a meeting, there can be no confusion.
Lu Ping's attitude represents Lu Song's attitude.
This is a matter of new policy, so naturally we should report it to Chief Weber first.
Yan Shifan's eyes twitched slightly, "What does Lord Wei say?"
"Chang Wilbur has sent someone to ask His Majesty for instructions."
Is Jiang Qingzhi planning to make a big move?
Yan Shifan said calmly: "In that case, just say that my father knows."
Jiang Qingzhi takes over and we'll just watch the show.
Lu Ping left the duty room and sneered, "You have no sense of responsibility at all."
Daoye was about to go to bed. After hearing the news, he said coldly: "Inform Qingzhi and let him handle it."
"Yes." Huang Jin went out to reply, and when he came back, the Taoist priest had already laid down.
Huang Jin quietly went out and closed the door. Just as he closed the door, he heard Emperor Jiajing laugh from inside.
"That idiot is just looking for a monkey. Why is Guangning Earl... not Marquis?"
……
"Go and find out." Yan Shifan sent someone to stake out Jiang Qingzhi's place.
"Now everyone in the capital is watching this matter closely, wanting to see how the palace will deal with Yang Xiao. If this matter is not handled properly, it will lead to imitation in the future." Yan Song closed his eyes, folded his hands, and slowly rubbed his lower abdomen.
"If you act too harshly, it's inevitable that people will sympathize with you." Yan Shifan said with a smile: "The most difficult thing about this matter is to know when to stop."
Jiang Qingzhi waited for the news from the Taoist priest, stood up and said: "Mr. Jingchuan, please follow me. Old Xu and Uncle Da will be in charge at Zhilu..."
Hu Zongxian played the role of a behind-the-scenes military strategist in Xin'an Lane, coordinating according to the situation.
Jiang Qingzhi looked at the three men. Together with Hu Zongxian, he now had four of the most outstanding people of the time in his hands.
Four Diamond?
This thought flashed through Jiang Qingzhi's mind.
Xu Wei said: "My Lord, you must not be lenient."
"Are you going to take action?" Tang Shunzhi asked.
"Of course." Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "I've been looking for a monkey to kill, and Yang Xiao is just the right person."
"My spear is in the Taoist temple. You can send someone to get it." Tang Shunzhi said.
Uh!
Jiang Qingzhi said: "There is no need to shout for war and killing."
Tang Shunzhi felt quite regretful.
Jiang Qingzhi ordered someone to find out the character of Guangning Earl Yang Xiao, and then walked slowly with Tang Shunzhi and others.
At this moment, outside the Guangning Marquis's Mansion, an official fell to the ground, and more than ten soldiers from the Five Cities Army stood on both sides to maintain order.
The leader of the team was a general flag officer. He looked around nervously from time to time, "Why hasn't anyone come yet? We can't handle this situation. If no one comes, I'm afraid someone will die."
A sergeant said, "Let's ask a doctor to take a look at him!"
The general nodded and walked over to squat beside the official. "How about asking a doctor to take a look at you?"
The official looked at the dying man and shuddered, "No need."
The general flag tried to persuade him but to no avail, so he went back and said, "This is outrageous! When did the civil servants become so fearless and unafraid of death?"
Guangning Earl Yang Xiao was furious and whipped the slave who had started the fight, causing him to roll on the ground.
He asked his staff breathlessly, "What should we do about this?"
The aide smiled bitterly, "It depends on who it is. If it's someone from the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Earl can just cry out for injustice. And pretend to be injured and bring the case to the emperor."
"I'm afraid Your Majesty will..." Yang Xiao shook his head.
The staff sighed, "Once this matter becomes a big deal, countless people will stand behind Lord Bo. Your Majesty will have to be cautious. You must know that after Zuo Shunmen, the Ming Dynasty has been on a downward spiral. Your Majesty will not sit idly by and watch a second Zuo Shunmen Incident."
Yang Xiao nodded, feeling relieved.
"But." The staff scratched his head, "I'm afraid it's Jiang Qingzhi who's coming."
"he?"
"Correct."
"Uncle!"
Menzi rushed in. "Jiang Qingzhi is here."
Bah!
The aide's hand loosened and the teacup fell to the ground.
When Yang Xiao looked over, the aide's face was as pale as paper.
(End of this chapter)
