Chapter 633 Chapter 632 Li Chunfang Resigns

Wei Guangde did not consider banning trade with the Japanese at the beginning, because he knew that Japan seemed to have mountains of gold and silver, as well as a large amount of copper and even saltpeter. Almost everything the Ming Dynasty lacked, Japan had.

Of course, due to productivity, the Ming Dynasty's demand for iron at this time was far less than that of later generations, so domestic iron ore could also be supplied.

Since the problem of material shortage in the Ming Dynasty could be solved through Japan, why should trade with Japan be banned?

However, sometimes the account is not calculated in this way, and political factors must be considered.

The Ming Dynasty fought against the Japanese pirates for so many years, and both the officialdom and the people hated Japan to the extreme. Xu Jie's proposal to ban trade with the Japanese just scratched everyone's itch.

I give my good things to others, but not to you, the Japanese.

I emphasize this point in particular, because it will be easier to pass when implementing this policy, at least the Ming people from top to bottom will not be so resistant.

It has to be said that "old ginger is still spicy" is not wrong. Wei Guangde only thought about the benefits, but did not know how to get the policy first.

However, after Zhang Juzheng emphasized the trade with Japan and prohibited trade with Japan, Wei Guangde also wanted to understand the benefits.

As for the final trading partner after the ship went out to sea, it was out of the control of the Ming Dynasty. The only thing that could limit them was the time of going out to sea.

The so-called trade with Japan by the Ming Dynasty actually refers to the trade between Korea, Ryukyu and other countries. If it is trade with Japan, the time is very tight, or even too late.

However, the Chinese are really good at taking advantage of loopholes. Almost in an instant, Wei Guangde thought of trading with Japan through Korea or Ryukyu. It was just a change of trading location. Both parties chose to trade in the ports of these two places, naturally avoiding this policy.

It’s not that Wei Guangde wanted to do business with Japan, but it was really profitable and could supplement the domestic needs of the Ming Dynasty.

As for whether to use the powerful strength of the Ming Dynasty at this time to teach Japan a lesson, Wei Guangde vaguely remembered that many years later, the Ming Dynasty and Japan had their first fight on the Korean Peninsula.

If he could live to this time, he wouldn’t mind contributing.

While Wei Guangde was lying there thinking about it, Zhang Juzheng had finished his words.

"The Prime Minister believes that the policy of maritime ban is the ancestral system and cannot be shaken. Your Majesty is a benevolent monarch and should be more sympathetic to the suffering of the people. Opening a port for the livelihood of the people in a place will not fundamentally shake the ancestral system of maritime ban. This is the only way he can think of to barely have the best of both worlds."

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng also lay on the ground, waiting for Emperor Longqing to make a decision.

"Xu, the Prime Minister, is an old minister who is planning for the country. His method has inspired me a lot."

Xu Jie took the lead in proposing to open a port, and at the same time emphasized that other coastal prefectures and counties should continue to implement the policy of maritime ban. In fact, it coincided with Wei Guangde's idea, and Emperor Longqing was not too surprised.

Because he was surprised when Zhang Juzheng said some things that needed to be paid attention to before.

However, he did not agree immediately. It was because Wei Guangde mentioned that if the court opposed too strongly, the inner court would control the matter, which was too attractive.

The inner court was short of money, and the opening of the sea only sent people to collect taxes according to the ships. That was real money, not the taxes and labor services collected in the local area. The difference was not a little bit.

Wait a little longer and see how the ministers in the court responded to Xu Jie's proposal.

Emperor Longqing only had money in his mind at this time, so he looked at Gao Yi.

He was the main person who opposed the opening of the sea this time, and his attitude would also greatly affect the people behind him.

"Lord Gao, what do you think of Xu Shoufu's proposal?"

Emperor Longqing said with a pleasant face. He had mastered the point that the emperor's joy, anger, sorrow and happiness were not on his face after half a year of study. At this time, his expression and tone of voice made people unable to see his mood at all.

The ball came to Gao Yi, and he was actually in a dilemma now.

The attitude of Yu Ji's old man made his initial analysis wrong. He thought that this matter was Gao Gong's personal proposition and irrational behavior because of the opposition between him and Xu Jie.

But now it seems that this is not the case.

Even Xu Jie, the old sly guy, kept expressing his attitude, which was sympathy for the difficult life of the people in Fujian. If he really wanted to strongly oppose it, his reputation would be ruined.

People in the camp knew what was going on, but others would not think so. They would think that Gao Yi disregarded the lives of the people, was a beast, and stole the position of Minister of Rites.

Thinking of this, Gao Yi felt cold in his heart.

If the Minister of Rites had a bad reputation, he would not be in this position.

But if he agreed to this matter here, how would he explain it when he went back? Would they understand his difficulties?

As for Huang Guangsheng beside him, he was in a similar mood at this time.

Originally, Huang Guangsheng should support opening the sea in Fujian, but his family lived in Quanzhou for generations and had inextricable ties with local maritime merchants.

Opening the sea in Fujian had both advantages and disadvantages for his family. The advantage was that he could start a maritime trade business in an open and aboveboard manner, but the disadvantages were also not small. The previous exclusive business would increase many competitors, which was also unacceptable to the old generation of family elders who sought stability in everything.

Therefore, the news he received was also to try his best to oppose this matter, and he must not let the court pass the proposal to open the sea.

However, when all this became the emperor's decision, how much effect would their opposition have, and there was also the statement of the first assistant, and the second assistant had the same position as Xu Jie before.

That is, their opposition to opening the sea remains unchanged, but there is one thing that has not been said: if the emperor insists on opening the sea, they will not oppose it fiercely, but will accept it.

Gao Yi and Huang Guangsheng both glanced at the old people of Yu Ju next to them. They all thought of delaying it for a while and discussing it later.

Xu Jie's idea does not seem to be unacceptable, but should there be some more clauses?

For example, it is best to limit the number of import and export merchant ships according to the current number of ships of Fujian sea merchants. This is nothing more than paying some money to the court, but whitewashing the original illegal transactions.

These words cannot be said in the court, but someone should be found to say it privately to several cabinet ministers, so that everyone knows it.

With this idea, Gao Yi immediately said: "Your Majesty, I have some insights after listening to the advice of Lord Xu, but I can't think it through for the time being. Please allow me to think about it and then submit it to Your Majesty for your review and decision."

"It's good to have some insights, and I can think of the people of Fujian."

Emperor Longqing nodded slightly, then looked at the Minister of Punishment Huang Guangsheng and asked: "What do you think, Mr. Huang?"

"Your Majesty, I and Minister Gao have the same idea. We need to think about it again, especially since Lord Xu has added many revisions. I think this matter is of great importance. It is best to list the relevant clauses one by one to discuss the pros and cons, and then decide whether it is feasible."

Huang Guangsheng also echoed, but he did not express his agreement with Xu Jie's suggestion. Instead, he said that Xu Jie's proposals should be listed one by one, and then the court officials should debate and analyze the pros and cons, and then decide whether to open a loophole for Fujian.

Nodding, Emperor Qianlong was too lazy to ask other people's opinions, and this should be his rhetoric.

"Since everyone attaches great importance to the opinion of Prime Minister Xu, this matter will be handed over to the cabinet to handle. According to the terms proposed by Xu Ge Lao, they will be listed one by one, and then the opinions of various ministries will be sought, and finally handed over to the Silijian."

Emperor Longqing felt that the attitude of the officials was not as fierce as he had imagined when opening the sea.

Looking at the reaction of the court after someone proposed opening the sea several times in the previous dynasties, he couldn't help but wonder if he was a little paranoid.

However, when his eyes fell on the large group of officials who were still kneeling below, Emperor Longqing suddenly realized something.

As the court meeting ended, the officials left the Huangji Hall in an orderly manner, and Emperor Longqing had already left on the dragon sedan chair.

Along the way, the officials gathered together and whispered about what happened at the court meeting.

Supporters and opponents are still clearly divided, and the fence-sitters also have independent small circles. The atmosphere between them is relaxed and they talk and laugh.

"Thank you for your help today."

Outside the hall, the cabinet ministers, the six ministers, and the Zuodu Yushi did not leave. They will jointly ask to see Emperor Longqing in a while.

However, this did not prevent Gao Gong from delaying for a while, and pulled Yin Shizhan and Wei Guangde aside to talk about the matter.

"Brother Suqing, don't say that. I have carefully thought about the issue of opening the sea, and I think that brother Suqing's opinion is very pertinent. For the sake of the people of Fujian, we should also support Governor Tu's proposal to open the sea."

Wei Guangde continued.

Although he was the man behind the scenes, the only people who knew about this matter in the capital were Emperor Longqing, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shizhan. Others might have doubts, but after all, they had not been confirmed by their own mouths, so Wei Guangde naturally would not confirm anything.

As for Tu Zemin and Tan Lun, Wei Guangde did not think they would betray him, because although they served in coastal areas, they were not from these provinces.

Tu Zemin was from Sichuan, and Tan Lun was his fellow villager in Jiangxi. When the news from the capital was passed on, they would naturally know how to deal with this matter.

"Shandai is right. Opening the sea in Fujian is beneficial to the country and the people. At least I think so."

Yin Shizhan also whispered.

"When the matter is over in the next few days, I will invite you to my house for a banquet. We will not return until we are drunk. I will go to see His Majesty with several adults later, so I will leave first."

Although Emperor Longqing did not give a clear result at the court meeting today, it is a good thing that the emperor supports his opinion in general.

But after he turned around, his previously calm expression became serious.

Of course, he knew that the memorial submitted by Qi Kang at this time made his situation worse, and he had to think carefully about how to say it in front of Emperor Longqing to avoid today's trouble.

Watching Gao Gong walk back to the ranks of cabinet ministers, Yin Shizeng whispered to Wei Guangde: "Shandai, do you think Gao Suqing can survive this time?"

"It's hard to say, it depends on Xu Jie's determination."

Wei Guangde shook his head and answered in a low voice.

At this time, they were outside the Huangji Hall, and there were eunuchs and Han generals everywhere, so they dared not speak louder.

"Xu Jie should not let him go, alas."

Yin Shizeng sighed.

Wei Guangde thought about it but didn't respond. He shook his head, "We can only blame Gao Suqing for not controlling his subordinates strictly. If Qi Kang hadn't interfered, it wouldn't have come to this."

"Do you think he was the one who ordered it?"

Suddenly, Yin Shizhe asked in a low voice.

Wei Guangde frowned and shook his head, "Gao Suqing is not that unwise. Even if he wants to mobilize his disciples, it will definitely not be Qi Kang, the idiot. Think about what he said in his memorial. It's extremely stupid."

Yesterday's incident had already won Xu Jie sympathy from both the government and the public. Qi Kang pushed him from behind, and even the old hands would be dissatisfied.

Why, you look old, and you can kick any youngster?

If you don't nip this tendency in the bud this time, who knows if they will be kicked next time.

After leaving the palace, Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhan went back to their respective offices to do their work.

An hour later, Lu Bu suddenly ran into the duty room in a panic and whispered in his ear: "Master, it's not good. I just heard that the cabinet's deputy assistant Li Chunfang just resigned from His Majesty and went directly back to the mansion after leaving the palace."

"I know."

Wei Guangde was not surprised, just nodded slightly and continued to deal with the documents on the desk.

Seeing that Wei Guangde was not surprised, Lu Bu just thought that Wei Guangde had known the details for a long time, so he quickly left the duty room.

After the people left, Wei Guangde put down the documents in his hand and sighed.

Today, Li Chunfang has done everything that the deputy assistant should do. In the memorial of Qi Kang, he accused him of being lured by Xu Jie, relying on him for power and monopolizing power.

Although it was Xu Jie who was impeached, he was actually impeached as well.

However, if the first and second assistant ministers did not attend the grand court meeting today, it would be a big scandal in the Ming Dynasty court.

You know, there are still many foreign envoys living in the Huitong Hall in Beijing.

If it was reported that the first and second assistant ministers of the Ming Dynasty cabinet were impeached and had to be absent from the grand court meeting today, it would be a big joke to spread the news to the foreign vassal.

Li Chunfang read the memorial today, but he was like nothing happened. He passed the court meeting first and then resigned to Emperor Longqing, at least avoiding this embarrassing scene in the court.

At noon, the news spread throughout the officialdom of the capital. At this time, no one could cover up the news, and it could not be covered up.

The first and second assistant ministers of the cabinet were impeached together. The first assistant was fine. He asked to return home due to illness the day before, and was impeached again the next day. In fact, it was the same, but Xu Jie had to "sick" to submit a memorial to defend himself.

Li Chunfang was different. His return really irritated many officials.

Li Chunfang was always a good guy as an official. He never argued or argued. Even if some officials thought he was irresponsible and unqualified for the position of deputy assistant, they would never agree that he was in the same group with Xu Jie.

When the cabinet's first and second assistants were not in the cabinet, everyone knew that Gao Gong and Guo Pu were now the ones in charge of the cabinet. Chen Yiqin and Zhang Juzheng, who had just entered the cabinet this year, had little say based on seniority.

Suddenly, everyone seemed to know Qi Kang's intention in this memorial, or understood Gao Gong's calculation.

At the same time, Xu Jie and Li Chunfang were eliminated, and he and Guo Pu took over the positions of first and second assistants.

Gao Gong, is he worthy of being the first assistant of the cabinet in the Ming Dynasty?

Wei Guangde knew that he could only hide himself as much as possible at this time, otherwise if the outside world knew that he was the one who made the opening of the sea, they would even suspect that he and Gao Gong planned everything.

He keeps a low profile and only speaks out when it comes to maritime affairs. He tries not to get involved in other matters.