Chapter 496: The King of Ideas in the Sixth Department Gallery

On the west side of Guiji Gate in the imperial city.

In front of Wuying Hall is the Six Departments Corridor.

As the office of the six censors, this place has always been coveted by many upright officials and feared by ministers.

The Qingliu people hoped that one day they would be promoted to the Six Departments, serve as the Six Departments Censors, and take charge of the censors in the court.

However, the ministers were deeply afraid of the power of impeachment held by the Du Shizhong and the Shizhongs.

Clear stream.

In fact, it refers more to the six department officials who work in the Six Departments Corridor.

The official position is low but the power is great.

In fact, at the beginning of the country, the Six Departments of the Imperial Censorate were ranked fifth, and were considered the backbone of the court. Later, in the sixth year of Hongwu, the number of Imperial Censors was changed to twelve, with a rank of seventh rank, and they were divided into six departments, with two people in each department, reflecting the six ministries.

In the tenth year of Hongwu, the six departments were under the management of Chengcijian. In the twelfth year of Hongwu, they were changed to be under the jurisdiction of Tongzhengshi Yamen.

Although there were many changes in affiliation later, they were all abolished.

So strictly speaking, the six departments should be under the management of the Tongzhengshi Yamen, and serve as subordinate offices of the Tongzhengshi Yamen.

Just like other government offices in the court, they are all under the management of the Nine Ministers' Office. This is a rule. Regardless of the actual situation, all government offices in the court have a nominal management office.

but.

As I said, the censors of the six departments have low positions but great power.

Therefore, up to now, it has continuously encroached upon the authority of the Tongzhengshisi Yamen and gradually became a separate organization independent of the Tongzhengshisi Yamen.

As a result, the six departments were no longer under the management of the Ministry of Public Security, and were also independent of the six ministries and the Censorate.

In one hand he holds the power to refute, and in the other hand he holds the power to impeach.

The power of the six censors is unmatched!

Today is just like any other day.

The Six Departments Corridor in front of the Wuying Hall appears quiet and extremely dignified.

Early.

The censors of the six departments would enter the palace and walk into the six department corridors according to the schedule, report for duty and go to the yamen to do their work.

According to the power of "whenever the imperial edict is promulgated, major matters will be reported back, minor matters will be issued; if there is any error, it will be sealed and returned to the emperor."

Early.

Someone would bring the memorials and edicts drafted by the emperor and the cabinet from the Huiji Gate on the east side.

Then the censors from the six departments who came to the yamen would select the memorials and imperial edicts corresponding to the tasks of their respective departments and begin to check and review them.

If it is correct, it will be approved and sent to the Ministry of Public Security, which will then pass it on to various ministries and government offices for execution.

However, the censors from the six departments felt that there were problems with these memorials and imperial edicts.

Sorry about that.

However, the seventh-rank officials could directly report it back to the cabinet or even the emperor.

In this way, the right to seal and refute is exercised.

in short.

We, the Six Departments' Secretaries, think this is not feasible. No matter if you are a cabinet minister or the emperor, if this matter is not approved by us, you should revise the plan and send it back for our review. Only after it is approved can it be sent to the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Public Security will distribute it to various departments for specific implementation.

of course.

This is theoretically the normal office procedure of the imperial court.

But most of the time.

Even though the six censors have low positions but great power, they cannot offend anyone casually.

Especially the will of the cabinet.

For example, now the court is implementing a new policy. Naturally, this was the emperor's idea at the beginning, but now Gao Gong is the prime minister, and he also has to implement the new policy and reform it.

Even if some of the six censors opposed the new policy, they would not openly oppose the prime minister.

It doesn't matter if you offend the emperor.

But if you offend the Prime Minister, you will be in real trouble.

The Prime Minister may not be able to deprive them of the right to refute, but he can dismiss them from office.

If a censor is dismissed by the emperor, he can become famous and respected.

But if you are dismissed by the Prime Minister, then you will have nothing.

"This is one of the new policies decided by the cabinet yesterday. It was signed by Lord Zhao, and the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to issue a document to all government offices across the country to measure land."

An official from the Household Department held up the document he had just reviewed and looked at his colleagues present.

"Are you really going to conquer the world?"

Someone put down the memorial in his hand and looked at the document that was held up, asking the Ministry of Revenue to carry out the land measurement order, with a look of worry on his face.

in the corner.

A young censor from the Sixth Department looked silently at his colleagues opposite him.

He was one of the 35th Jinshi in the second class in the 41st year of Jiajing, and his name was Cao Zideng.

He just wasn't selected as a scholar in the academy, but had been working in the six departments.

natural.

He also has a seat master.

His name is: Yan Shaoting.

Under Cao Zideng's gaze, his colleagues from the six departments immediately gathered around from all corners of the room.

These people began to rummage through the pile of memorials that needed to be processed.

soon.

All the memorials and approvals concerning the new policy and involving the six ministries and nine government offices in the court were found out.

Then there was another sound of flipping pages.

Not long.

I don't know who it was, but a long sigh came out.

"Is the urgency of the new policy really this urgent?"

Everyone's faces didn't look very good.

Only then did Cao Zideng slowly put down the work in his hands, walked over, and looked down at the memorials and approval documents spread out on the table.

Soon he understood why his colleagues from the six departments made such exclamations and why they all looked so unhappy.

It’s all because the new policy led by the Prime Minister was too hasty.

For example, this approval document to be issued to the Ministry of Revenue requires that all prefectures and counties across the country should measure the land from now on, and complete the measurement after the summer grain harvest next year, so that when the autumn tax is collected next year, the new land measurement figures can be used for calculation.

Although it looks like a year.

However, the world is so vast, the fields are so numerous, and the difficulty of measuring the fields is so great that the Prime Minister of the Cabinet did not take it into consideration at all.

It was as if he had dropped a task or issued an order, requiring his subordinates to complete everything according to his requirements.

But it's okay.

Lord Zhao, who was in charge of the finance, taxation and population affairs of the new policy, added an extra sentence in the document, saying that he would do his best to handle the matter according to the local regulations.

Although this statement did not say anything explicitly, it did leave some room for the local authorities.

If the time comes and I really fail to complete the task of managing the land, I can also excuse myself by saying that I have done my best.

Another person picked up a petition and frowned, "Why do they want to complete the investigation within next year? If this continues, how can we complete everything well when there are so many other things to do locally?"

Cao Zideng stood on tiptoe and took a look.

The approval document still had a note from Lord Zhao saying "do your best to work hard".

"I guess this is what Yuanfu meant..."

Cao Zideng said this in a low voice, which immediately attracted the attention of his colleagues around him.

Ever since he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi in the 41st year of the Jiajing reign, Cao Zideng has been working in the Liuke Gallery. He is usually calm and hardworking, and is usually the last person to leave the Liuke Gallery.

He is not combative or aggressive.

He only took care of his own affairs. Except for the days when he had nothing to do, he would go to Changping Academy to study and play. When he came back, he would definitely bring some Changping delicacies to give to other people in the Six Departments Gallery the next day.

This went on for several years.

Cao Zideng was quite popular in the Liuke Gallery, and everyone was friendly to him.

"Yi Jian is right. You don't need to think about it to know that this is all from the prime minister's idea."

Yijian is the courtesy name of Cao Zideng.

An official looked around silently, and then suggested: "How about... sending these two matters back to the cabinet?"

This man chose his words carefully.

There was no word for rejection, just that it was returned to the cabinet.

But the meaning is almost the same.

Sending back memorials that have already been approved by the cabinet is essentially about asking the cabinet to redefine them.

Several officials in charge of the Ministry of Revenue's Department immediately looked at each other.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

"Who will deliver it?"

They don't want to go anyway.

They didn't know Gao Gong's temper. If the new policy was just approved by the emperor and the cabinet started to implement it in a big way, they would seal and reject the approval document and return it.

One can easily imagine how angry Gao Gong, as the prime minister, would get.

The words "Who sent it?" immediately quieted down the Sixth Department Corridor.

suddenly.

Someone in the room's eyes lit up, and he slowly raised his arm and extended a finger.

obviously.

This person must have thought of something.

Whether it is good or bad, we don’t know yet.

"Everyone..."

The Idea King stretched out his finger and gently called out to his colleagues around him.

King Dot probed: "How about... we just drag this matter out?"

He just opened his mouth to suggest.

Someone immediately narrowed his eyes and said, "The Prime Minister is impatient, but the new policy is what this dynasty should do. It is our duty to review memorials and approve documents. But delaying the new policy is not what we should do. Are you trying to stop the new policy because your family has many farmlands?"

Although the six departments all have censors, they are not the same entity.

Just like in the court, there are people who support the new policy and naturally there are also people who oppose it.

Obviously, the person who spoke last thought that Idea King was on the side that opposed the new policy.

The King of Ideas’ face immediately turned red.

"Yes!"

"My family does have a lot of land, and my relatives and friends are considered wealthy in the village."

King Dianzi truthfully admitted that his family was wealthy, but he quickly added, "But my family is not a wealthy family, and the fields are all cultivated by my family members. The tenants of other wealthy families only get 30% to 40% of the grain. The few tenants in my family can get 60% to 70% of the grain. The roads and bridges in the village are all paid for and provided by my family. Every year, the canals are cleaned and the rivers and ponds are excavated. How can I oppose the new policy?"

"If not, just send the rejection back to the cabinet and ask the cabinet elders to re-draft a relaxation of the deadline. How can you say you want to delay the new policy?"

The man still looked thoughtful.

The atmosphere in the room became tense.

Cao Zideng quickly spoke up: "Brother Junzheng, Brother Xiqiao is indeed not someone who opposes the new policy. Last time, the court issued an order for all officials to submit memorials to advise on the new law, and Brother Xiqiao also stayed up all night to write a memorial to the cabinet about the new policy."

The idea king Xiqiao bowed to Cao Zideng.

He said, "You will get to know me gradually! Zhang Junzheng, I, Cao Xiqiao, have my own evidence of what kind of person I am. I am definitely not someone who opposes the new policy as you said!"

Zhang Junzheng snorted: "If that's the case, why are you delaying this matter?"

Wang Xiqiao's face flushed, but he no longer looked at Zhang Junzheng, but glanced at the others present: "Everyone understands that the new policy of the court is imperative now. We eat the emperor's salary, are loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and we should know that we should support the new policy. But now the prime minister is anxious, and many laws are implemented at the same time, which will inevitably affect the local areas. When the local areas force the new policy, it will be aggravated layer by layer. I am afraid that the new policy, which was originally intended to treat the people well, will eventually become a law that harms the people."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present nodded silently.

This is the issue they are worried about.

Everyone knows that the time has come for the court and the world to implement new policies and laws, and they also know that such things cannot be done in a hurry.

Wang Xiqiao said, "But can we reject the cabinet's memorials and confront the cabinet and the prime minister in person? If we do so, won't outsiders think that we, the six censors, are against the new policy?"

Cao Zideng nodded and said, "Brother Xiqiao is right. I am afraid that our intentions are good, but they will be twisted by outsiders to sow discord between the six censors and the cabinet."

Wang Xiqiao looked at Cao Zideng gratefully, and then continued: "So, now we should put this matter aside for the time being, delay it, and use other things to make up for it. In this way, the court and the outside world can pay less attention to the new policy. And we can have time to calmly persuade the cabinet to give these new policies and laws more time, and carefully consider the ability of the local governments to follow the imperial edict and the court to write documents, and whether they can finish all the things at once, or whether things should be prioritized and handled one by one."

Seeing Wang Xiqiao say this, he made his thoughts clear.

Zhang Junzheng's face also turned red.

In front of everyone.

Zhang Jun was bowing and bending deeply towards Wang Xiqiao.

"It was me, Zhang Junzheng, who misunderstood. Please don't blame me, Xiqiao."

"When the salary is paid, I will treat Xiqiao to a drink to make amends."

This person was also a bright person. He knew that he had misunderstood the meaning, so he admitted his mistake and apologized on the spot.

Wang Xiqiao blushed and waved his hands: "We are all serving the country, nothing strange."

Cao Zideng smiled and asked, "Now that we know clearly, I wonder what the method that Brother Xiqiao is talking about is. How can we delay time so that we can lobby the elders to consider new policies?"

Wang Xiqiao pointed his finger, with a snicker on his face: "Actually..."

……

Xi'an Gate!
It’s Xi’an Gate again!
Ever since a certain retired Grand Tutor who was enjoying his retirement at home made a move.

Shuntian Prefecture and Wucheng Bingmasi actually set up a fence at the intersection of Xi'anmen Street, placed a square table in the aisle, and even put up a huge parasol.

daily.

There are people from Shuntian Prefecture’s Household Department in charge here.

Anyone who wanted to go to Xi'an Gate had to pay a copper coin before being allowed to pass.

As soon as this method comes out.

On that day, those officials who opposed the new policy and still wanted to continue kneeling in front of the Xi'an Gate to protest were forced to leave in anger.

It's so humiliating.

If they really had to pay this penny to kneel in front of the palace and make a protest, they would be completely disgraced.

then.

There was almost no fighting, and no officials knelt in front of Xi'an Gate to make remonstrations anymore.

to this end.

Hai Rui, the prefect of Shuntian, also received a reward from Xiyuan.

The emperor also knew that Hai Rui was honest, so the reward he gave was not something else. He asked Lu Fang to give him enough silver and cloth, as well as salt, meat, rice and fresh vegetables in season.

Of course, the reason for the reward cannot be that a household official in Shuntian Prefecture came forward to make Xi'an Gate peaceful and no more dismissed officials kneel down to make complaints.

And today.

Originally a welfare benefit for the Shuntian Prefecture's households, he was a clerk stationed at the fence at the intersection of Xi'anmen Street.

Looking at the groups of green-robed officials walking on the street ahead, his face turned pale instantly.

Looking at these officials in official robes, it was obvious that they were coming in groups towards Xi'anmen Street.

It was not easy for this clerk from Shuntian Prefecture to go out and relax, so he was very confused when he saw this scene.

"Is this another time to kneel down and make a protest?"

"Hurry up!"

"Stop them, stop them all!"

"No one can pass through here without paying!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)