Chapter 59 The thirty-second Ministry of Rites invites officials with ulterior motives to participate in gambling to relieve the country's worries

Jin Xue once followed Si Wu through the double courtyard to Dao Wang Guoguang's housekeeping, crossed the threshold and bowed his head.Before entering the door, he was sweating all over due to the exhaustion of the fight, so he casually pushed up the black gauze cap on his head in order to wipe the sweat from his forehead.Unexpectedly, something went wrong when he kowtowed, because he knelt down too quickly, and the black gauze hat that was not tightly worn rushed out and fell to the ground.Jin Xuezeng looked at the hat and didn't dare to reach out to pick it up, so he slowly stretched his head forward like a black-eyed chicken, trying to pick it up.Stretching his neck and doing this, he sang aloud:

"Nine grades of low-ranking officials and gold scholars once kowtowed to Mr. Zhang, the chief assistant, and Mr. Wang." After reporting to the house, the black gauze hat was pushed further and further away by his head.That funny look made the two ministers couldn't help laughing out loud.Wang Guoguang said: "Stop present Shibao, quickly pick up your hat and put it on." "Master Xie Butang." Jin Xuezeng quickly picked up his hat, put it on straight, and stood up straight to his knees.Wang Guoguang saw that his official robes were so rotten, he lowered his face and asked:

"Why fight?" "The purpose is to vent the anger of the Ministry Lord." "What did you say?" Wang Huaguang asked in surprise.Looking intently, I saw Jin Xuezeng's thin white face was tense, so he reprimanded, "What anger is there in this department? I want you, Jiupin Guanzheng, to help vent it." "The ministries can disdain the humble staff, but the humble staff can not help but relieve the ministries' worries." "Ah, it seems that you are still plausible." Wang Guoguang glanced at Zhang Juzheng who was listening intently to the conversation, and asked again, "Who did you fight with?"

"Ministry of Rituals Sixth Grade Secretary Ji Yougong." "Why do you want to fight?" "He came to our household department to ask for money." "Why does he want money?" "Say it's urgent, but ask for five hundred taels of silver." "What does it matter to you that he wants money?" "Although it has nothing to do with lowly positions, lowly positions cannot help but be angry." Jin Xuezeng continued without caring about the faces of the two ministers. It hanged a sixth-rank principal there, and Wang Xilie, the assistant official of the Ministry of Rites, made an excuse to provoke trouble. In fact, the main reason for Tong Liben's death was not the loss of pepper and sumac. But...

"Wait," Zhang Juzheng interrupted Jin Xuezeng, and asked, "Is there another reason for Tong Liben's death?" "Yes. Before class ended on the day Tong Liben hanged himself, Wang Xilie had a conversation with Tong Liben, and returned Tong Liben's confession of Chen's incompetence to him. He said that he violated the holy will in the matter of going to the two palaces, and insisted on refusing to give it to him. Empress Dowager Li added the word Cisheng, and this should be included in the post. Tong Liben was anxious at the time, and stated that this was the meaning of your Lord Wang. He was only following orders, so how can he be used as a scapegoat now. Later I don't know what he said, Tong Liben came out of Wang Xilie's room, his face was ashen, and he hanged himself that night."

This is Tong Liben's new theory about the cause of death. Zhang Juzheng was interested and asked: "Where did you hear about this?" "Master Si Lang of the Ritual System Department of the Ministry of Etiquette is a humble fellow from his hometown. As mentioned above, he personally informed him." "Okay, just sit down and continue talking." "Thank you, Mr. Shoufu," Jin Xuezeng got up from the ground, found a stool and sat down, and continued, "Just now, when we talked about the Ministry of Rites, they used the death of Tong Liben to make trouble, and they pointed the finger at our household department. , just blindly provoking troubles. Second, half of the Taishan incense tax silver collected by the officials of the Ministry of Rites has been slashed for no reason. Thirdly, Ji Yougong asked for five hundred taels of silver today, saying that the Ministry of Rites needed it urgently. His arrogant appearance seemed to be a creditor, and the Ministry of Households owed him. Therefore, the lowly position is really embarrassing, and the verbal dispute A few words, this Ji Yougong rushed forward to seal the collar of the humble official, and the humble official was unwilling to show weakness, so he scuffled."

Hearing this remark, and thinking about the storage warehouse incident, Wang Guoguang had a good impression of this unattractive Jiupinguan political contestant in front of him, and his tone of speech eased a lot unconsciously: "Roaring to the court, beating the officials who came to the yamen, no matter what, it's all your fault. The department affirms the discipline and wants to punish you with a three-month salary, will you accept it or not?" "Not convinced." Jin Xuezeng replied decisively. "Why don't you accept it?" "It was Ji Yougong who came to hit me first."

"That's because you teased him with your hurtful words." "A gentleman uses his mouth but does not move his hands. It is an old saying. A humble person respects the ancient teachings and only uses his mouth. What is wrong?" The two put up the cow.Seeing Jin Xuezeng's rooster contest, Wang Guoguang was annoyed and funny, and said to Zhang Juzheng who was sitting beside him: "Shoufu, the department has no way to govern the department, and there is such a rooster in the competition." Zhang Juzheng smiled slightly, and asked Jin Xuezeng: "Just now you said what is the name of the official from the Ministry of Rites who came to ask for money?"

"Ji Yougong?" "Why does he want money?" The Ministry of Rites collects it on behalf of the passing money, which can be spent first.This time Yang Yongcheng acted exactly like this, so he didn't need to talk about his humble position.If these two incomes have to be handed over to the state treasury, and there are still scruples in doing things, then the third income is completely out of control and has become his private money of the Ministry of Rites. " Speaking of this, Jin Xuezeng only felt his mouth dry, and he stretched out his tongue to lick his dry lips.Wang Guoguang ordered the book office to bring him a cup of herbal tea, and he drank it in one gulp, then continued:

"The third item is the flower donation. At the beginning of the founding of the country, Emperor Hongwu established the official prostitute system. In addition to the sixteenth floor of light smoke and light powder, there are also a large number of happy households. The happy households have to pay taxes every year. Donation. The flower donation is collected once a month, and it is also collected by the Ministry of Rites. The original intention of Emperor Hongwu to create this system is to use the money from the flower donation to settle the cost of the examination every three years. A thousand taels of silver. And the three-year examination fee is exactly about 30,000 taels of silver. If there is a loss in two taels, the Ministry of Rites will apply for a supplement. Since the Zhengde Dynasty, after each examination, there has been almost no The Ministry of Rites does not apply for a supplementary quota, ranging from one thousand and two thousand to as many as three thousand and five thousand. The Ministry of Households thinks that it is not easy for scholars to take the exam, so it approves it without careful review every time. In this way, the Ministry of Rites I found a trick to play tricks. On the one hand, no one has ever seriously checked the amount of flower donations collected every year; on the other hand, it is a clear account that every time I try the silver. Whether it is a loss or a profit, the past century I have always been confused. The last time I took the exam was the fifth year of Longqing, and now a year has passed, the Ministry of Rites has accumulated at least tens of thousands of taels of money in donations. However, the officials of the Ministry of Rites are putting this large sum of money away for use. On the contrary, the Ministry of Finance and Accounts applied for 500 taels of silver to entertain North Korean ceremonial officials. This is like a rich man begging a beggar for money. What is it if it is not ulterior motives? Now, if someone is sent to the Ministry of Rites to check the accounts and finds no problems, he will be relieved of his lowly position. head!"

Jin Xuezeng wrote this long discussion with great vigor and insight into the subtleties, which made the two ministers applaud in their hearts.On the one hand, Wang Guoguang hated the Ministry of Rites so much, on the other hand, he was thinking about how to collect the money donation to solve the urgent need.Zhang Juzheng's anger, which had been suppressed for many days, was even more agitated by this one blow, and he was focused on how to give Wang Xilie a blow.At this moment, the secretary came in and reported: "Master Shoufu, Lord Minister, Yang Yongcheng's post has been written, how should I send it?" As the secretary spoke, he handed over three undone postings.Zhang Juzheng took over the case and put it on the table, and ordered: "Go and bring Yang Yongcheng here. Jin Xuezeng, you go to the ear room to avoid it temporarily." Jin Xue once went to the ear room, and before he had exchanged a few words with the book office, he saw Yang Yongcheng walked into the duty room with his head drooping along with the secretary.At this time, Zhang Juzheng was staring at him with sharp eyes, so that Taishan Tiju knelt there and did not dare to lift his head. "It's good that you, Yang Yongcheng, can't be called away by people, but run away by ghosts. You have violated the rules of heaven, and you dare to come to the Ministry of Households to yell and gamble. If you are so arrogant, you will be punished!" Zhang Juzheng gave him a serious meal first. Stick, and then asked, "Can you clarify the whereabouts of the five thousand taels of tax money in the posted post?" "I, I understand roughly." Yang Yongcheng sweated profusely. "It's roughly clear, hum! It's really easy to say. Let me tell you, the whereabouts of the five thousand taels of silver must be explained clearly. The Ministry of Households will appoint a special person to review. Behavior, even if it is a tael of silver, will definitely be severely punished." "Yes Yes." Yang Yongcheng was submissive, his complexion was sallow like thorns on his back, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, Zhang Juzheng stared at him with contempt, and said again: "Go back now, don't leave the capital, and wait to listen." Yang Yongcheng was about to get up from the ground when Zhang Juzheng called him back and asked, "When did you come to Beijing?" "The third day of August." "Ah, I've been here for four days. Why did you only arrive in Taicang yesterday to deliver the silver taels? What did you do two days ago?" "This, the humble job will meet friends." "It's true, you went to meet friends," Zhang Juzheng said with a sarcasm with a sneer, "What gifts did you give your friends?" "No, no, ah, no, no, I sent some local products." "What kind of local product, Shi Gandang made of Taishan Muyu stone, isn't it?" Yang Yong was startled intentionally: How could the chief assistant know about such a trivial matter? Love and knowledge can't be deceived, so he had to admit it.Zhang Juzheng bluffed his face and continued to reprimand: "I see that you, Yang Yongcheng, are really tired. You have traveled thousands of miles from Mount Tai to the capital, and you have worked so hard to escort a whole load of stones into Beijing. I heard that your family sent one to you if you are above the official of the Ministry of Rites. This kind of favor is done. Home. Now tell me honestly, did you pay for this batch of Shi Gandang yourself?" Yang Yongcheng muttered and didn't dare to say a word. This batch of Shi Gandang was originally spent from the five thousand taels of incense tax silver. How dare he say it? Fortunately, Zhang Juzheng just stopped and waved him back. Seeing Yang Yongcheng stepping out of the moon gate like stepping on cotton, Wang Guoguang, who had been silent all this time, said: "Uncle T, just as Jin Xuezeng said, this Ministry of Rites must be a bad book. If we want to investigate severely, we will definitely dig out a nest of corrupt officials." "That's right," Zhang Juzheng replied, "Since Lu Tiaoyang entered the cabinet, this Wang Xilie has made a mess in the Ministry of Rites.The servant recently recommended Lu Shude to be in charge of the Ministry of Rites, but the emperor has not yet approved the decree. " "Can the emperor approve the decree?" "There should be no problem." Zhang Juzheng's tone was not sure, "However, you can send someone to the Ministry of Rites to check the accounts first." "Wang Xilie's reign will definitely obstruct it." "Just go to the Ministry of Rites to check the accounts, and the servant will ask for an order today." "With the imperial decree, I won't be afraid of Wang Xilie making trouble." Zhang Juzheng thought for a while, and then said: "Ru Guan, I think Jin Xuezeng will be responsible for the people sent by the Ministry of Household Affairs to check the accounts at the Ministry of Rites. What do you think?" "This is a shit-stirring stick," Wang Guoguang laughed kindly, and continued, "However, he is a suitable candidate." After the two discussed it and made a decision, they called Jin Xuezeng out of the ear room again.Wang Guoguang told him about sending him to the Ministry of Rites to check the accounts, and Jin Xuezeng agreed without thinking.Said: "Master, please allow me to send a few clerks who are proficient in accounting from the Duzhi Division to go together. The Ministry of Rites is a hornet's nest, and I will stab it." Wang Guoguang nodded in agreement, and then took care of him and said: "Remember, you are here to check the accounts for the court, not to help someone vent their personal anger. What else can the chief assistant order?" "I give you eight words, to act impartially, without showing favoritism." After receiving Wang Guoguang's words, Zhang Juzheng said, "As long as you follow these eight words, if you encounter any obstacles, the assistant and the Ministry will help you." support." "Thank you for the cultivation of the first assistant and the department hall. I have gone to the Ministry of Rites for a humble job, and I must pay every penny to handle this errand well." Jin Xuezeng said that he was gearing up, wishing he could go to the Ministry of Rites immediately.Seeing his demeanor, Zhang Juzheng said again: "It seems that you are a person who is willing to do things. It is very good to have this. If young people have less romantic habits and more practical spirit, the affairs of the court will be much easier to handle. " Jin Xuezeng vaguely heard the expectation from Shoufu's words, and couldn't help feeling hot, and immediately pulled out a bank note from his sleeve, stepped forward and handed it to Wang Guoguang with both hands, saying: "My lord, I just took the teaching from the chief assistant, and I will keep it in my heart. This is a ten thousand tael bank note. I donate it to Taicang, which may solve the urgent need." Wang Guoguang took it and saw that it was a huge bank note issued by Baoxiang, the largest bank in the capital, which was redeemed at sight. He couldn't help being surprised, and said: "I can't tell, you kid is so rich?" "A lowly job is actually a pauper." "Then how did you get the ten thousand taels of silver notes?" "It's a gamble." "Did you bet?" Wang Guoguang's eyes were as big as copper bells, as if he didn't know Jin Xuezeng, he looked him over carefully, and asked again, "What did you bet?" "cricket." "Ah, you went to Jizhi Street?" "Yes. Last night, I entered Qiukui's mansion in a humble position, and won the 10,000 tael silver ticket in a game with King Zhuzhi, who dominates the capital." Although Wang Guoguang didn't know how to promote weaving, but he knew that Bi Lianzi's reputation was like a thunderbolt, so he couldn't help asking in surprise: "Can you beat him?" Jin Xuezeng replied with a look of disdain: "Bi Idiot is only mediocre, how difficult is it to win him?" "I think you have the problem of bragging." Wang Guoguang couldn't believe that this humble Jiupin Guanzheng was so capable.Then he reprimanded, "Tell me the truth, where did this bank note come from?" "Wang Butang don't need to be angry, this silver ticket was indeed won by Jin Xuezeng from Bi Lianzi." Zhang Juzheng, who had been listening intently to the conversation, interrupted with a smile at this time, "However, you, Jin Xuezeng, still told lies .” Jin Xuezeng replied in astonishment: "Looking back at Mr. Fu, I have never told a lie in my humble position." "Just now you told the minister that you are a pauper, this is a lie." "The humble job is really poor. I live in a rented house in the capital, and I still have three or five taels of silver in my luggage." "Is that true? Then where did you get the three thousand taels of money for gambling last night?" When Zhang Juzheng asked such a question, Jin Xuezeng's heart went down to Goden, and he thought to himself: just now the chief assistant was chasing Yang Yongcheng and brought a carload of Taishan Shigandang to the capital to give gifts, and now he is asking about the three thousand taels of silver from the lowly position, why did these trivial things happen just now? You know? I often hear people say that the East Factory in Beijing is run amok by spies, and that the actions of ministers and ministers are under control. It seems that this statement is true.It can also prove that the new chief assistant must do his best in person.Fortunately, Jin Xuezeng did not do anything wrong, so he looked calm and respectfully replied: "Looking back at Mr. Fu, is the three thousand taels of silver note for the humble job a fake?" "fake?" "Yes," Jin Xuezeng said, and took out a bank note from his sleeve, handed it to Zhang Juzheng, and said, "Please take a look at it." Zhang Juzheng picked up the two silver bills and looked them over and over for a long time, but he didn't see any flaws. He handed them to Wang Guoguang, and Wang Butang couldn't tell the real from the fake. Jin Xue once looked at the two adults and said proudly: "Looking at it this way, it is difficult for outsiders to see the flaws. This is thick mulberry paper, which has to be peeled off, and there is a secret bond hidden in the middle. You will find out. As long as you don’t exchange the money, you can deceive people if you take it outside.” "You also made this fake bank note?" Wang Guoguang asked. "No," Jin Xuezeng shook his head mysteriously, and replied, "Nowadays, there are many master forgers in the capital. First, they make fake antiques, such as Xia Ding, Shang Yi, Qin Ge and Han Mirror, which are almost fake. Then look for those The arty people took advantage of it and sold it for a lot of money. Later, these people made all kinds of fakes, ranging from imperial orders to seals and defenses, down to marriage contracts, and almost all useful evidence. Fake banknotes are made by them for a dime." Jin Xue once said that the two ministers had never heard of it, and Wang Guoguang sighed: "I didn't expect the world to be so chaotic." Jin Xuezeng went to Qiukui's mansion to gamble yesterday. It was Dongchang's "scraper face" who detected his true identity and told You Qi, and You Qi went home and told Zhang Juzheng.Out of curiosity, Zhang Juzheng wanted to ask this Jin Xuezeng while he was here for a meeting at the Ministry of Household Affairs.Now that this matter has been clarified, Zhang Juzheng wanted to get to the bottom of it, so he asked again: "You got a fake bank note. If you lose, you won't be able to exchange the money. How can you survive?" "Before taking part in the gambling, I went to Qiukui's mansion to watch a few games. I thought about Bi Lengzi's golden-winged general, and I'm sure the black widow raised by the humble job will definitely win." "How do you know this well?" "Humble job is a native of Zhejiang. Since Jia Sidao played fun and promoted weaving in the Southern Song Dynasty, there have been masters throughout Zhejiang. It is a family tradition to know how to cultivate and weave through humble jobs." "Officials should be punished for gambling, don't you understand that?" "The humble job knows. But the humble job is really a last resort." "How do you say this, is there still someone forcing you?" "It's not that someone forced me, it's because I saw the depletion of the national treasury, and wanted to use this move to contribute to the Ministry of Households' solution to the crisis." "What big problem can 10,000 taels of silver solve?" Wang Guoguang sighed. "The current financial situation is still very serious from a humble perspective. The summer camps in various provinces have not yet been released to Beijing, and nearly 600,000 soldiers on the Nine Frontiers have changed their clothing and armor for the season. Several governance projects in the Jianghuai River and Huaihe River, and the suppression of bandits in Guangxi, Sichuan and other places will cost a lot of money." A lot of money. Even if all the summer classes are collected in full, it is still not enough to make ends meet. Therefore, the humble official presumes that the monthly salary of Beijing officials next month may still be paid by pepper sumac. In view of the Tong Liben incident, although some people provoked trouble, But it also shows that there is still room for improvement in the implementation of the discounted salary. Therefore, I dare to suggest to the two adults that the discounted salary next month can be carefully checked by all yamen in Beijing. For those who really have difficulties with the officials of this department, the monthly salary will still be given to silver notes The ten thousand taels of silver obtained by the humble position may come in handy here." Jin Xuezeng came to the ministry's office early in the morning to ask to see Wang Guoguang, originally to make the above suggestions.Although this is a small matter, it is also related to the overall situation. It is difficult for Jin Xuezeng to be so intentional and rely on his own strength to plan ahead.The two ministers were very moved. Zhang Juzheng asked Wang Guoguang: "Master Wang, what does Jin Xuezeng suggest?" Wang Guoguang replied: "Under the circumstances, this is a good idea." Zhang Juzheng had been sitting for a long time, now he wanted to stand up and loosen his muscles and bones, he walked slowly to Jin Xuezeng, pointed to the big gap in his official robe and said: "You go home now and change this clothes."