Chapter 659 Chapter 658 Retreat

The streets of the city of Beijing, which was shrouded in darkness, were still bustling.

The so-called city of Beijing was actually the layout of the capital when Zhu Di moved the capital, that is, the four gates of the imperial city and the nine gates of the inner city.

However, during the Jiajing period, part of the outer city was expanded and seven new gates were built.

However, in the eyes of ordinary people, Beijing was still a city of Beijing.

As we all know, ancient China has always had a tradition of "night ban".

Every dusk, the city gates were locked, and the various markets were also closed. If there was no important matter, people were not allowed to walk on the streets, otherwise it was called "night violation" and they would be punished.

However, few people know that in fact, night markets began to form in some big cities very early in ancient times.

Night markets, as the name suggests, are markets that do business at night.

The earliest document that clearly recorded night markets was "New Theory" by Huan Tan, a famous thinker during the Han Dynasty. In "Departure Eleven", he described it as follows: "The Binting of Qi County, Fufeng... The people meet on the day of the night market..."

The "night market" here refers to the night market.

By the middle and late Tang Dynasty, the records of night markets were very clear.

For example, the poet Wang Jian once described it in his poem: "Thousands of lights in the night market illuminate the blue clouds, and the red-sleeved guests in the tall buildings are everywhere." "The tea merchants are busy at the water gate in the evening, and the wine customers are busy at the bridge market all night."

In the Tang Dynasty, residential areas and commercial areas were strictly separated. "Li" and "Fang" (residential areas) and "Shi" (markets and commercial areas) were surrounded by high walls, with Limen and Shimen, and were managed by officials and city magistrates.

Trading is not allowed in "Li" and "Fang"; trading can be carried out in "Shi", but there is a strict opening and closing system.

The real opening and scale of the night market was in the Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty first broke the Fangshi system, and the Fangshi was integrated, such as some small supermarkets and small stores today, selling goods in the front and living or producing in the back.

In order to prosper the market and increase tax revenue, the Song Dynasty government encouraged people to engage in commercial activities and extended the night market time to the third watch, and the morning market could be opened at the fifth watch.

Before the night market ends, the morning market opens, with "ghost markets" and even "flea markets" in between, all of which provide convenient conditions for the development of the night market.

The Yuan Dynasty that followed was short-lived, and the sea ban closed the country, and the curfew system was re-implemented, which greatly suppressed the night market and almost disappeared.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the country was newly established and still imitated the Yuan Dynasty, with strict enforcement of the night ban, but in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the world was stable and the night market was restored.

Although the night market in the Ming Dynasty was not as prosperous as that in the two Song Dynasties, the night market in Jiangnan was still very prosperous.

Especially in Yangzhou, it is said that since the middle of the Tang Dynasty, with the relaxation of the night ban system, it was the first to cancel the night ban and became a "city that never sleeps".

There are still people coming and going on the street market, and in a mansion in a certain market, several elders with extraordinary temperament also gathered in front of a table of wine and food, enjoying fine wine and food while chatting.

"Sir, the Ministry of Personnel has issued an order today to send Bu Xiang, the head of the Ministry of Justice, Ma Mingmo, the censor, and others to other places. Yin Zhengfu insisted on doing so, and we have caught some evidence against them, so we really can't stop him."

The person who spoke was Yang Bo, the Minister of Personnel, who was telling about what happened in the Ministry of Personnel today.

Yin Shizhen really went against Xu Jie openly. He killed all those who were obviously Xu Jie's followers. He had some evidence in his hand. If he didn't deal with them and send them to other places, he would have to bring them to justice.

Sending them to other places was also a way to turn over a chapter on the mistakes, and it was a punishment.

Yang Bo wanted to withhold the official document, but he knew that he could stop it for a while, but he couldn't stop it forever.

What should we do if the Ministry of Personnel didn't approve it and Yin Shizhen directly submitted a memorial to the cabinet?

If it was exposed, everyone would look even more embarrassed.

"Wei Yue, you should approve all these directly in the future, don't worry about me."

Sitting opposite was the prime minister Xu Jie, who had been in the court for more than 20 years and had seen all kinds of storms, but he still looked calm and measured.

The guests at the same table with them were naturally all dignitaries in the court, including Zhang Juzheng, a cabinet minister, and Huo Yi, the Minister of War.

"They made mistakes on their own. If it were normal times, I would help them. Now it is obviously because of that incident, and the palace has already had a grudge against me."

Speaking of this, Xu Jie just shook his head lightly.

"Then how does the old man plan to deal with it? It's not a solution to keep going like this."

Yang Bo said again.

"I know it, but what can I do? Haha"

Xu Jie chuckled twice, and then said: "I have no regrets in my life. I have overthrown the father and son of the Yan family, and restored order and eliminated bad policies after the death of the previous emperor. I am satisfied."

Hearing Xu Jie say this, Zhang Juzheng and Huo Yi couldn't help but look at Xu Jie's old face.

They had heard the meaning behind Xu Jie's words, and Yang Bo frowned even more. He seemed to understand that Xu Jie wanted to retreat at the height of his career.

Yes, after offending the emperor, Yu Ji and his people were targeting him everywhere. If Xu Jie continued to sit in the position of the Prime Minister, his life would not be easy.

Now, the emperor has not turned against him yet and is still friendly, but what will happen after Yu Ji and his people cut out Xu Jie's followers?

Change of face?

Although Xu Jie was the Prime Minister, it seemed that Emperor Longqing would not tear his face and punish him, but if he was dismissed and sent back to his hometown, it would be a real loss of face.

For no reason, Yang Bo suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Perhaps, after Xu Jie left the court, the storm would subside.

To be honest, if the court continued to toss like this, he didn't know whether he would be labeled as a member of the Xu Party in the end.

After all, he often chose to stand on Xu Jie's side, starting from when Yan Song was in power.

"Prime Minister, why don't we test it out first?"

Although he had this thought in mind, Yang Bo would not show it at all, but said it in a low voice.

"Test it out? How to test it out?"

Xu Jie raised his head, looked at Yang Bo with cloudy eyes, and said in surprise.

At the same time, Zhang Juzheng and Huo Yi also turned their heads to look at Yang Bo.

Under the gaze of everyone, Yang Bo glanced around before saying, "Let Yao Feng submit a resignation memorial first."

When Huo Yi heard that he was asked to resign, he was actually a little uncomfortable. In his understanding, testing the emperor's attitude towards Xu Jie, letting Zhang Juzheng do this should be the most suitable person.

However, Huo Yi never thought about who among them could stay in the cabinet if Xu Jie left the court.

Although Zhang Juzheng is now the last in the cabinet, he is a cabinet minister after all, and is naturally closer to the emperor than the Shangshu.

But everything he had was given by Yang Bo. Since it was Yang Bo who proposed it, he naturally could not object.

After a brief surprise, Huo Yi nodded and said, "Then I will write some memorials overnight."

"No hurry."

Unexpectedly, Yang Bo waved his hand and said.

Just when Huo Yi was suspicious, Yang Bo explained, "Today I met Shangshu Lei and talked with him for a few words. I know that he has the idea of ​​asking for resignation today."

At this point, Yang Bo looked up at the roof unconsciously, and said as if reminiscing, "Lei Li is worried that the capital is thousands of miles away from Jiangxi, and he can't return to his hometown alive. He is afraid of repeating the mistakes of Yuan Wei and Yuan Maozhong."

Yuan Wei's resignation was rejected by Emperor Jiajing several times because of his illness. As a result, when he saw that there was no hope of recovery and allowed him to return to his hometown, he died on the way.

"Maozhong"

Xu Jie was also very emotional when he heard Yuan Wei's name. At that time, he and Yuan Wei cooperated to manage the cabinet. It should be the most relaxed time for him to preside over the cabinet in all these years.

Yuan Wei is capable of doing things and does not fight for power. The two of them discuss things.

"After Lei Shangshu asks for retirement, you can submit a self-reproach memorial to resign."

Yang Bo is not a fool. He asked Huo Yi, who was supported with great difficulty, to submit a resignation directly. What if Emperor Longqing loses his mind and approves it directly?

Let Lei Li submit a memorial first. Whether it is approved or not, at least at that time, Huo Yi will submit it again, and the probability of Emperor Longqing directly retaining him is greater.

Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng both nodded knowingly, thinking that this treatment seemed to be the most appropriate.

Two days later, Wei Guangde received a note sent by Zhu Dashou in the duty room of the Ministry of Rites. There were only names on it.

Wei Guangde knew that these people were the Shujishi selected in the imperial examination in the second year of Longqing.

After a quick look, Wei Guangde nodded with satisfaction.

For this imperial examination, the Hanlin Academy will add 30 Shujishi, including Xu Xianqing, Chen Yubi and others.

Wei Guangde wanted to protect Wang Jiaping, Yu Shenxing and others, and Li Weizhen and Fan Qian, two fellow Jiangxi people, were included in the list.

After the joint examination, Wei Guangde regretted not leaving one or two connections for Jiujiang students, which led to the complete defeat of Jiujiang candidates.

For this imperial examination, Wei Guangde would naturally not make such a mistake again.

He looked through the palace examination results early and checked the top two candidates. After understanding their knowledge and family background, he arranged to meet several people.

Li Weizhen and Fan Qian were the candidates Wei Guangde finally decided to protect as Shujishi.

Although he didn't know whether they would have the opportunity to enter the cabinet in the future, he had to arrange some helpers for himself.

You know, the Yan family was so crazy about selling official positions in the capital, but they would help their fellow Jiangxi people if they could, and they didn't necessarily care whether they gave money.

Why?

It's because they hope to have the help of their fellow villagers so that they can help speak in the court in the future.

If Wei Guangde had not taken refuge in Prince Yu's mansion, but chose not to help either side, he might have secretly provided help when Yan Song fell and Yan Shifan was tried.

At least, when the Yan family was raided, Cheng Shoujie was quite polite to Yan Song. Wei Guangde only thought that his reminder had worked, but he didn't know that Emperor Jiajing had actually issued an oral order to Cheng Shoujie through the Jinyiwei.

After all, Emperor Jiajing really knew most of the officials' impeachment of the Yan family, and the rest of the officials didn't know, but they didn't dare to impeach.

Those were all unspoken rules, and they also hoped to reach out and get a piece of it when it was their turn.

What does this show?

This shows that the greater the power of the local party in the court, the greater the benefits for everyone.

Yan Song ruined the reputation of Jiangxi officials, and the Jiangxi predecessors before did sometimes eat ugly, which made officials from other provinces feel resentful and often suppressed Jiangxi officials secretly.

Beating down a Jiangxi official is equivalent to giving others an opportunity.

Wei Guangde already had this feeling in the Ministry of Personnel.

Some people in Huguang, Zhejiang and other places were targeting officials from Jiangxi, nibbling away at them step by step, trying to replace them.

The only position that Jiangxi officials could keep was the position of Minister of Works. He was just a figurehead, and he was really useless.

Stabilizing the base of Jiangxi officials was what he, Lei Li, Zhu Heng and others had to do.

Lei Li was going to retire, and Zhu Heng was going to take over the position of Minister of Works. It was basically a fait accompli. What remained was for Wei Guangde to stabilize the roots of Jiangxi officials. He had to ensure that Jiangxi candidates continued to enter the court to replenish fresh blood.

On the second day, the Hanlin Academy submitted a list of Shujishi, and Emperor Longqing approved it directly, ordering Yin Shidan, the Minister of Rites and Hanlin Academy Scholar, and Zhao Zhenji to manage the teaching.

Wei Guangde was a little surprised when he heard the news, but he didn't say anything. He just stood there for a long while.

He really didn't expect that the job of teaching Shujishi would not fall on him.

Among the 30 Shujishi selected this time, some of them will definitely become cabinet ministers. Without this job of teaching, it is actually equivalent to losing a group of helpers.

Fortunately, he had arranged for several people to go in privately. He asked Zhu Dashou to do this directly without informing Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhan.

Later that day, Wei Guangde went out of the city to welcome Zhu Heng back.

Zhu Heng had previously left Beijing to inspect the new river channel, which was the first major river project since the opening of the Longqing Dynasty.

After the opening of the new river, the canal transportation was restored.

Now that Zhu Heng has returned, it also means that it is time for Lei Li to ask for leave.

That night, Wei Guangde received a letter from the servant of the Lei Mansion at home. After Wei Guangde opened it, he knew that Lei Li planned to ask for leave tomorrow.

Sure enough, the next day, news came that the petition for retirement had been sent to the cabinet, and Lei Li did not go to the government office, choosing to rest directly at home.

Now that the weather is getting hot, some of the nobles without positions in the capital have left the capital in groups of three or two to find cool courtyards to escape the heat.

For the nobles' behavior, the officials are envious, but not jealous.

Lei Li's petition arrived very quickly, and the cabinet made special arrangements for it. It was sent to the palace on the same day. Before the court was dismissed, news came that the emperor "did not allow it".

Lei Li's first petition for retirement was rejected, but this matter had little impact in the court.

Officials have more or less heard about Lei Li's illness, and some people also know that Lei Shangshu is determined to return home.

The first petition was rejected, so let's continue. The real test for the emperor is the third petition for retirement.

Wei Guangde left the Ministry of Rites after the court was dismissed and drove directly to Chen Yiqin's house. In the afternoon, he received a note from Chen Yiqin, so he came naturally.

"You want to ask for leave?"

Well, Wei Guangde met Chen Yiqin, and after a few pleasantries, he was shocked by Chen Yiqin's words.

"To tell you the truth, I have not been in good health since the beginning of the year. The imperial physician said that it is best to rest and recuperate, otherwise it will be difficult to cure the root cause."

Chen Yiqin explained, "If I ask for leave, His Majesty should be able to add cabinet ministers, and will soon summon you and Zhengfu to the cabinet.

The imperial physician also said that my illness should be able to improve after a year or two of recuperation. After that, as long as I don't work too hard, I won't get sick again. Then I will come back."

Wei Guangde shook his head and said, "At this time, His Majesty may not agree."

Wei Guangde did not think that Emperor Longqing would let Chen Yiqin go at this time, because there was no one in the cabinet.

If Chen Yiqin left, even if Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhan were really added, they would only replace Zhang Juzheng at the bottom of the cabinet.

Chen Yiqin is the third most important person in the cabinet. If Xu Jie leaves, he can be promoted to the second assistant, and Li Chunfang will be the first assistant.

Chen Yiqin's position is too important. Wei Guangde believes that Emperor Longqing will never allow him to leave at this time.

"I will submit a memorial and talk to your majesty. If your majesty insists, then I will not submit it."

Chen Yiqin also understands the delicate personnel relationship in the cabinet, so he does not force it, but just says it casually. (End of this chapter)