Seeing Yang Ling's stunned expression, Liu Jin felt even more proud. In all fairness, a treacherous official was just someone else's evaluation of his actions. The treacherous official himself did not think so. How could Liu Jin not want to make a career? It was just that …
Yang Ling took Liu Jin's thick book of memorials and opened it to take a look. Liu Jin's memorials didn't have the problem of being long and boring. The memorials went straight to the point and mentioned that the government was overstaffed, that government decrees were ineffective, that the government was abusing its power for personal gain, and that the government was breaking the law. She also proposed reforms to address the current problems.
For example, the phenomenon of appointing private officials and nepotism for promotions was very serious. The old system of officials not working in the original province had long been disobeyed. After Zhengde ascended the throne, he reiterated this matter according to Liu Jin and Yang Ling's suggestion and sent it to the Ministry of Appointments to implement. Liu Jin was very proud of this measure. This time, he proposed to make the old policy into the imperial court's law as a system to evaluate officials.
Another example was that the imperial court's inspection of local money and grain had not been very detailed, so a strange phenomenon appeared. Ming Destiny's taxes were very light, and the national treasury's income was very small. However, the people of the lower class suffered unspeakably. Because of the imperial court's poor supervision, the lower class increased their exploitation. Therefore, Jin decided to change the system of the Ministry of Revenue's temporary inspection of local money and grain stocks, and the inspection would be done as many as twelve times a year.
In addition, re-measuring the fields, cracking down on smugglers, rectifying the salt law, using torture to punish corruption, reducing taxes and labor for farmers, civil officials managing the army, and so on. Not only did it raise problems, but there were corresponding solutions for each one.
Yang Ling looked at it carefully and could not help but be surprised. Many of the viewpoints were negative and to the point. Perhaps it was because Liu Jin himself was born in a poor family and his think tank was a small scholar who failed to pass the imperial examinations. Many problems that were covered up in the imperial court could not be hidden from their eyes.
Liu Jin smiled and sipped his tea. He patiently waited for Yang Ling to finish reading before asking, "Mr Yang, do you think these policies are feasible?"
Although he was asking Yang Ling, he was already full of success and waiting for Yang Ling's praise. Many of his strategies were correct, but if they were to be implemented, the officials themselves would be a big problem.
For example, the harsh punishment to punish corruption. When Yang Ling saw it, he wanted to laugh. After Liu Jin became the Minister of Internal Affairs, he had received many gifts. Just like the outer court was suspicious of the inner court, Liu Jin also did not trust the outer court. If this matter was clearly stated in the rules that Dongchang would be the one to carry it out, what effect would a bunch of extortionate ruffians have on the law to eliminate corruption?
Yang Ling was in favor of re-measuring the land and paying taxes according to the amount of land. He had encountered such a strange thing when he was at the Chicken Cry Inn. Ming Destiny was a landlord at the beginning of the country's founding. Now, he had become a poor farmer, but the official records of the number of acres of land were from over a hundred years ago. Paying taxes according to this had almost forced that family to hang themselves.
As for civil officials leading troops, Yang Ling was firmly against it. However, Liu Jin was doing this in order to protect the authority of the emperor. Yang Ling was no longer the young boy who had just entered the capital. He would not childishly argue to the death with others on official articles. Hearing Liu Jin's question, Yang Ling thought for a moment and sighed. "Eunuch's theory is very reasonable, but … it will be very difficult to implement."
Liu Jin saw that he agreed and was overjoyed. As for the difficulty … Liu Jin was very optimistic. He said with a smile, "Sir, do you think it is feasible for me to present it to the Emperor like this?"
Yang Ling hurriedly said, "Uh … there are some small problems. For example, eunuch thinks that the Ministry of Revenue should inspect the money and grain of the various regions once a month. This … is too frequent. The carriage and saddle horses are too tiring. When one batch of officials leaves the capital, before they can return, the second batch has to leave. Besides, most grain taxes are based on annual harvests. There are frequent inspections, and the local officials have to greet and send people back. How would they have the time to deal with government affairs?"
Liu Jin listened and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. I forgot that the official granaries are not in the capital. This needs to be changed. Change it to twice a year."
He took the memorial and marked it. He asked again, "What else is wrong? Please advise me, Sir Yang. "
Yang Ling pointed to the article about civil officials leading the army and said, "When we were at Chicken Cry Inn, the imperial messenger was a scholar and did not understand military affairs. He interfered with the army's formation and caused the army to be trapped in Gourd Valley. In the end, they were buried in the chaos. Eunuch also suffered greatly.
Look here, it says that civil officials will be in charge of the nine borders. Everything below the level of Zhen and Patrol will be under control. If the Tartars attack the borders again, and a civil official is allowed to talk nonsense, won't it spoil the whole thing? "
Liu Jin listened and blushed. At that time, he was also one of the people who talked nonsense, but in the end, General He was the scapegoat. In his heart, he also knew that there were many disadvantages to a layman's blind command. This article was originally meant to show his loyalty, but that Xiucai Gong took the initiative to add it on his behalf.
Liu Jin picked up his brush and crossed out this article. He asked, "Sir is right. Is there anything else?"
Yang Ling pointed to the "rice penalty" and said, "This rice penalty, Yang is worried …"
Liu Jin disapprovingly said, "This is still necessary. During the Hongwu era, if you embezzled more than 60 taels, you would be skinned and stuffed with grass. Using rice and silver as a punishment is already considered light. The corruption of the officials must be punished severely."
Yang Ling said with a smile that was not a smile, "As for the rest, there is nothing else. But … eunuch, you should not be too hasty."
Liu Jin thought that Yang Ling had the intention to compete with him for credit and was afraid that his governance would be effective. So, he only smiled and did not take it seriously. Yang Ling knew that Liu Jin was a new official and that he would not be able to dissuade him from his enthusiasm. Moreover, Liu Jin was now in charge of the center of the internal court and had much more power than Yang Ling. If Yang Ling had not spoken in front of the emperor, perhaps Liu Jin would have been even more disapproving.
Yang Ling thought of the pitiful end that Huang Qiyin had suffered when he proposed to reduce the number of officials. He could not help but look at Liu Jin with pity. Although this person could not be compared to Huang Qiyin, a small imperial messenger, his radical methods were bound to offend countless officials. Even if those people did not dare to oppose him directly, after a long time, loose sand would condense into gravel. At that time … Yang Ling gently shook his head.
Liu Jin looked appreciatively at the memorials in his hands and then asked, "By the way, why did you come to find me?"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "Yes, Yang found two foreign crops. Compared to Ming Destiny's current species, they are drought-resistant, high-yielding, and much less pests and diseases. However, to spread them, we must first try to plant them everywhere. At the same time, we must cultivate a group of farmers who can grow crops and teach a group of farmers who can plant.
I have chosen a county in Hunan, Suhang, and Jingshi to try it. In fact, I know the effect of this crop. This is just to give the officials in the court a reassurance. At present, the corn seeds are only enough to be planted everywhere. However, the sweet potato vines are very easy to reproduce. A sweet potato can be planted with a number of vines.
Shaanxi is barren, and there are nine droughts in ten years. Every year, there are people who starve to death. Therefore, I want to discuss with Eunuch Liu. First, we will plant the crops in Shaanxi. Other than those first and second class good fields, we can plant the crops in the barren land, hillsides, and newly cultivated fields. At that time, the people will no longer have to suffer from hunger. They will definitely be grateful to Eunuch Liu's kindness. What does Eunuch Liu think? "
Liu Jin's heart palpitated when he heard this. If it really has such a miraculous effect and can save countless people in my hometown, won't I become the Buddha of all people? If I go back to my hometown to visit my relatives …
Liu Jin thought for a while and then cautiously said, "Mr Yang, is this crop really suitable to be planted? If it can't be harvested, planting other crops by then would have already missed the season. The people of Shaanxi province … why don't we choose a place to plant it? It won't be too late to spread it when the effect is confirmed. "
Yang Ling explained, "What you said is not wrong, but I understand this crop very well. If we have to wait until the year after next, not only will there be a lot of common people suffering, our great plan to lift the ban on trade will be affected.
Besides, we are only choosing some barren land with a very small harvest, as well as hillsides and uncultivated land that originally could not be planted with crops. The impact on Shaanxi province will be very small. I have already estimated the harvest of these new crops. If Eunuch Liu agrees, I can buy the corresponding grain from other places and ship it to Shaanxi. I will deliver it to the common people first. This way, they won't have to worry about the future, nobody will object. Next year, after the good harvest, we can return the grain. What do you think? "
As soon as Liu Jin heard that there was such a way to guarantee a harvest in drought or flood, he immediately said, "Very well, it's a deal. Since that's the case, I will ask Daren to prepare as soon as possible. I will go back and inform the administrative envoy of Shaanxi, Cao Yuan. After Daren sends the seeds and the planting master, I will ask him to cooperate fully."
While the two of them were discussing, a little eunuch outside called out, "Which palace is this Jiejie from? How can she just casually barge in … Aiyo, my God, your servant pays his respect to Your Majesty!"
Outside, there was a 'puchi' sound. Immediately after, the curtain on the door was lifted and a woman in red strode in. She stood in the middle of the hall, her hands on her waist and her chest puffed out as she said, "Zhen is so angry. I really can't stay in this Imperial Palace for another day. Whoever looks at zhen is not pleasing to the eye. Whoever zhen looks at … is still not pleasing to the eye."
When the beauty saw Yang Ling, she finished complaining. She flicked her sleeve and said in a coarse voice, "Yang is here? Why didn't you ask the chamberlain to tell zhen? "
Liu Jin's face was as if nothing had happened. He nimbly slid down to his knees and said, "Your servant pays his respect to Your Majesty."
Yang Ling stared at the beauty in the red palace dress in a daze for a long time. This girl had a pair of shiny black eyes, pink face and rosy cheeks, a nose that was like a hanging gall, a waist that was tied very thin, and her full and beautiful breasts were raised high. When she spoke, her fine black hair swayed with phoenix hairpins. She looked sixty percent like Princess Yongfu.
Seeing Yang Ling in a daze, the beauty couldn't help giggling. She twisted her slender waist and raised her sleeve to cover her mouth. Bashfully, she said, "Mister Yang is too rude. Why are you looking at this servant like that?"
Yang Ling felt a chill run down his spine. Only now did he recognize that this twisting girl was Emperor Zhengde in disguise. It seemed like he had put some effort into it. With a wave of his sleeve and a flirtatious look, he stepped on the stage … ugh …
Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He bowed and said, "Subject Yang Ling pays his respect to Your Majesty."
At this moment, the curtain was lifted and another person barged in. Her voice was like the chirping of a yellow oriole. She anxiously called out, "Imperial Older Brother, Imperial Older Brother, you changed your clothes …"
Presumably, that person also saw that there was a foreign official present and immediately stopped talking. Yang Ling quietly raised his head and saw a light yellow palace dress fluttering on the ground. In front of him, a pair of delicate boots could be faintly seen. His nose could already smell a faint fragrance of high quality.
Yang Ling secretly thought, "Imperial Older Brother? Which Princess is this? "
Zhengde snorted and said, "What change? Occasionally singing for fun, what's so shameful about it? In the Twenty-Four Filial Piety, there are people who wear colorful clothes to entertain their relatives. Aren't I just acting for the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager to make them happy? Yang Qing, get up. This is Imperial Sister Yongfu, there's no need to stand on ceremony. "
Yang Ling quickly kowtowed and said, "Subject Yang Ling pays his respects to Your Highness the Eldest Princess!"
That pair of boots took a small step back and hid in the light yellow palace dress that was like rippling lake water. Then a light and gentle voice came, "Rise."
This was the first time Yang Ling knelt so close to her. Usually, when he knelt with the Emperor, it was like he was putting on a show for others and was very casual. But in front of a princess, he did not dare to neglect this etiquette. Yang Ling awkwardly stood up and quickly swept a glance at her. After not seeing her for a few months, Yongfu was like a willow branch that had sprouted buds and her figure seemed even taller.
She seemed to like wearing yellow clothes and today, she was still wearing a light yellow palace dress. Her black hair was like a bun, her eyebrows were like a painting, her almond eyes were like stars, and her face was like a painting. It was just that her expression and temperament were more reserved than when they first met.
She was holding the dragon robe and golden crown in her hands and her eyes suddenly moved away the moment they met Yang Ling's. She tactfully persuaded Zhengde, "Imperial Older Brother, the Empress Dowager has good intentions. You are the ruler of a country and it's fine if you go on stage to entertain yourself. After all, you are in the palace, but you insist on dressing up as a woman. Not only does the Empress Dowager find it unpleasant, can't you see that Imperial Mother is also unhappy?"
Zhengde snorted, "What bad luck. Next time I sing, I won't invite them. Also, the Empress and Imperial Consort, I won't invite any of them." As he spoke, his anger still hadn't subsided. He pulled the silk belt around his waist and took off the pink palace dress. Liu Jin hurriedly crawled up from the ground and went over to help him put on the dress.
Yang Ling saw that Zhengde had used multicolored silk thread to tie two lumps in front of his chest. When they were propped up, they looked like towering breasts. He couldn't help coughing twice in amusement. He advised, "Your Majesty, you are just looking for a game to relieve your boredom. Naturally, it isn't much, but you are the high and mighty Son of Heaven. If this gets to the ears of the court, it will shock the world and betray the orthodoxy.
Your Majesty, think about it. Not to mention you, if this official dressed up as a woman and held a court meeting at home to sing a play, I'm afraid that the hundred officials would immediately hand over a report of impeachment. It would be strange if they didn't remove me from office. "
Zhengde gave a laugh and looked him up and down. He smiled and said, "If you dare to do that, Young-niang … it would be strange if your wife wasn't angry. But … your appearance definitely isn't as handsome as mine. "
Princess Yongfu glanced at Yang Ling. Imagining him in women's clothing, she couldn't help but let out a laugh. Then she felt a bit lacking in manners and blushed.
Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he said, "Yes, yes, yes. Of course it's because Your Majesty is handsome … uh … you are handsome and confident, isn't that so? You also know that my wife will be angry. Think about it, didn't the Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, and Imperial Consort all do it because they cherish your reputation?"
Zhengde thought about it and revealed a smile as he said, "En, thinking like this, zhen won't be angry anymore. He he, Liu Jin, later tell Ma Yongcheng to give the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager a hundred bolts of tribute silk and ten catties of tribute tea. As for the Empress and Imperial Consort … … also give them some, just half."
Yang Ling saw that Zhengde had changed back into his dragon robe and Liu Jin had helped him sit down on a chair. He was currently deftly smoothing out his hair. The rouge on his face was still there. He took out a handkerchief from his bosom, but just as he stretched it out, he suddenly pulled it back as if he was on fire. Only now did he remember that this handkerchief belonged to Princess Yongfu.
Princess Yongfu's eyes were sharp and saw his movements. At the corner of the silk was a plum blossom shaped Yongfu Xiuning, how could she not recognize it? The little princess's heart instantly jumped. If this was discovered by imperial older brother, what would happen? How could she explain it clearly? This Mister Yang is really … … why is he still carrying it on his body?
Fortunately Zhengde did not discover it. He slightly raised his head to let Liu Jin tidy his hair while he asked, "Yang, entering the Palace so late today, is there something you want to tell zhen?"
Yang Ling took a step forward and said, "Yes, subject has reported to His Majesty. There are two kinds of crops that are easy to grow, but out of caution, the officials in the Imperial Court suggested that we try to plant them in different places. Subject has chosen a few places before discussing with Liu Gong-gong … …"
While he was speaking, he put his hand behind his back and waved it. Princess Yongfu bit her lips and stood on her tiptoes. Her steps were light and graceful. Suddenly she stretched out her hand and quickly snatched the handkerchief back into her hand.
Yang Ling told Zhengde about his plans to plant the crops in different climates in the north and south, as well as concentrating on the barren lands and mountain slopes of Shaanxi. The inner factory would provide financial support. Later on, his finger felt a slight numbness as he felt the soft and smooth handkerchief was pulled away by someone. Yang Ling could not help but secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Immediately, he felt his heel being kicked by someone. Yang Ling was startled. A fragrant wind flashed by his side. Yongfu, the little princess, had already gracefully walked to Zhengde's side. She turned around and stood still. There was a faint smile on her face. Her pearly white teeth peeked out from between her cherry lips, her eyes were soft and charming, but she did not look at him.
A strange feeling flitted across Yang Ling's mind. He thought this little princess was gentle and refined, but it turned out all the young girls in the world had the same temperament, even if she was the Emperor's daughter.
Halfway through Yang Ling's story, Zhengde was already confused by breeding, planting seedlings, soil moisture, diseases and insect pests. Although he had followed the Emperor to the Temple of Heaven to do some farming, in fact, he could not even tell the difference between crops and weeds, how could he be interested in these things? However, he trusted Yang Ling and Liu Jin very much. Since these two had already agreed, what else could he say?
Zhengde waved his hand and said, "Very well, we'll do as you say. Let Liu Jin draft the edict and let the administrative envoy of Shaanxi handle it. If we hand it over to the imperial court, we will have to wrangle again."
Yang Ling was overjoyed. The Ministry of Revenue was changed to Zhang Cai, and the Ministry of Revenue's official was Yan Song. Once the imperial edict was issued, it would immediately be transmitted to Shaanxi. When the time came, the wood had already been turned into a boat, even forty horses would not be able to chase it back.
Seeing this, Liu Jin seized the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, your servant has put forward some proposals to deal with the corruption in the court. Just now I had Sir Yang look over them. Your servant wants to revise them a bit and then put them into effect. Your Majesty is ruling the country, there should be some new atmosphere."
Zhengde was very happy. He slapped the table and said, "Good, good, good, that's it. With you two sharing Zhen's worries, why would Zhen need to personally attend to everything?"
As soon as Yang Ling heard this, he was frightened. Liu Jin's reform policy was even more radical than his own. As soon as these forty something reforms were proposed, it would be strange if the court did not explode. It had only been peaceful for a few days.
Yang Ling hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this subject needs to prepare grain seeds and train personnel. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend court for a while."
Zhengde was a bit disappointed. Beside him, Princess Yongfu's eyes also flashed a trace of disappointment. Zhengde was just about to speak when Yang Ling said, "Your Majesty, the inner factory is currently developing a new type of firearm. If it is successfully developed, its firing range and speed will be much sharper than the previous firearms. This subject will definitely produce it as soon as possible. When the time comes, Your Majesty will personally test the gun."
These words once again aroused Zhengde's interest. He hurriedly said, "All right, then you go and do your own things. If you need to transfer manpower from the Bureau of Ordnance, just let Zhen know."
Yang Ling complied and smiled as he looked at the eager Liu Jin. He thought, "Liu Da Guang, you guys go and toss things around. It's still not the time for me to stand out. It's better to avoid calamity."
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