GBP Chapter 676 Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures
Chapter 676 Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures
It turns out that Emperor Zhu's IQ was probably not very high, probably about the same as Seven's.
Or rather, Emperor Zhu always underestimated his eldest son and overestimated the bottom line of Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen.
Just as Emperor Zhu was secretly rejoicing that he had a capable son in Ningyang County and in the capital to handle state affairs for him, Zhu Biao, far away in the capital, was holding a meeting with Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen to discuss the aftermath of the child case and the ironware case.
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."
Li Shanchang, formerly the Left Chancellor of the Ming Dynasty's Secretariat and now the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty's Cabinet, was stroking his beard with a smile as he offered advice to Zhu Biao, the Executive Vice Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
"The current shortage of several hundred officials cannot be filled in a short period of time."
"Even if we can transfer officials from other places, we will have to find a way to fill the vacancies later."
"In my opinion, it would be better to place the hundreds of newly selected scholars under the Imperial Examination into the service of the Imperial Son-in-Law, allowing them to assist him while learning how to be officials. Once this case is over, they can be directly appointed to official positions, filling the vacancies of those officials who have been transferred."
Liu Bowen nodded in agreement: "Your Highness knows how useful the officials from Ningyang County are. Although these newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are not as good as those officials from Ningyang County, as long as they can learn some skills by following the Prince Consort, they will be qualified to be county magistrates."
Zhu Biao glanced at Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen, thinking to himself, "You two are so clever?"
How could I not want to put someone's hand under my brother-in-law's hand?
The problem is, how easy is it to stuff someone into a fold?
Zhu Biao sighed softly and said, "My brother-in-law is already busy enough. Do you think he'd be happy if we stuffed hundreds more Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) under his command?"
At the very least, the Dragon Team needs to clear the way.
"Most importantly, my brother-in-law is the type to pluck feathers from every passing goose."
"It's easy to get these people under his control, but it's not so easy to transfer them back."
Let's not say it's like throwing a meat bun to a dog; we can only be prepared for nine out of thirteen to return.
If you put three hundred scholars under his command, it's hard to say whether two hundred will actually come back.
Zhu Biao reached out and rubbed his forehead.
Li Shanchang stroked his beard and said, "Your Highness, I have a plan. Send three hundred scholars, and at least three hundred will return."
Ok?
Do you want to listen to what you are saying?
If three hundred scholars go, at least three hundred will come back, and there's even a possibility that a few more will return.
Li Shanchang stroked his beard again, his face full of smugness, and said, "May I ask Your Highness, these three hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were originally intended to be sent to serve as officials in other regions to fill those vacant positions, right?"
Zhu Biao nodded, and Li Shanchang continued, "Sending them to fill vacancies in other places is one thing, but filling vacancies in Dengzhou Prefecture and Ningyang County is also a form of filling vacancies, isn't it?"
As soon as Li Shanchang finished speaking, Liu Bowen immediately shifted his body, trying to get away from that old scoundrel Li Shanchang.
Good heavens, so your so-called "drawing officials from other places" means you started by drawing them from Dengzhou Prefecture first?
Yang Dianfeng transferred three hundred officials from Dengzhou Prefecture and then sent three hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) there. The time it took for Yang Dianfeng to train them determined when they could take up their posts as officials, right?
When it comes to the skill of fleecing others, I'm willing to admit that you, Li Shanchang, are second to none!
Zhu Biao's eyes lit up as well.
This is a good idea!
These official vacancies were created by my brother-in-law, so what's wrong with me transferring officials from Dengzhou Prefecture to fill them?
Moreover, I specifically selected assistant officials and clerks to fill these positions.
If two assistant officials and eight clerks are drawn from each county, he can draw a hundred people from the ten counties of Dengzhou Prefecture.
At least twenty can be transferred from the Dengzhou border market.
Ningyang County will select another ten.
Dengzhou Prefecture itself will transfer another twenty.
That makes a total of one hundred and fifty.
The transferred assistant officials were directly promoted to chief officials, and the clerks were directly promoted to assistant officials.
If we find another 150 literate young men from Ningyang County to work as clerks, wouldn't that make a total of 300?
But then Zhu Biao thought about it again and felt that something was not right.
Who says I can only find 150 literate young men in Ningyang County?
Can't I find two hundred?
Exchanging 300 for 350 is a huge win!
The more Zhu Biao thought about it, the more reliable it seemed. He immediately made a decision: "Let's do it this way. I'll have someone bring two jin of Xiaolongtuan to my brother-in-law later."
After a slight pause, Zhu Biao continued, "Next up are the matters concerning the Buddhist and Taoist Registries."
Upon hearing the names of the Buddhist and Taoist Registries, the smiles on Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen's faces slowly faded.
As their names suggest, the Senglu Si (僧录司) was in charge of monks, while the Daolu Si (道录司) was in charge of Daoist priests.
However, it is clear that the work of the Sangha Registry was not done properly.
The issue of Monk Shih Hang's ordination certificate alone is unacceptable.
Who issued the ordination certificate to Monk Shih Hang?
Of all the monks in the world, how many are like Monk Shih-Hang?
If Monk Shih-hang is involved with the White Lotus Sect, are there any other monks who are members of the White Lotus Sect?
If the Buddhist Registry failed in its duties, what about the Taoist Registry?
Zhu Biao gave a slight snort and said, "Transfer the existing officials of the Buddhist and Taoist Registries to other places, and also transfer a few people from the Censorate."
"First, investigate the land holdings of all temples and Taoist monasteries in the land, then investigate the ordination certificates of monks and Taoist priests."
"Those who should be arrested should be arrested, and those who should be ordered to return to secular life should be ordered to return to secular life."
"Entering the Buddhist order is not the same as escaping the Three Realms."
"Trying to escape legal punishment by becoming a monk?"
"dream!"
Li Shanchang nodded in agreement, and then said, "I believe that it is not enough to just target monks and Taoists. The most important thing is to target those who form societies, such as so-called poetry societies, calligraphy societies, and especially Buddhist chanting societies."
Societies were very common during the Song Dynasty.
There were various troupes, including the "Feilu Society" for performing variety shows, the "Qiyun Society" for playing football, the "Eyun Society" for singing, the "Jiaodi Society" for sumo wrestling, the "Jinbiao Society" for shooting crossbows, the "Yinglue Society" for wielding sticks, the "Xiongbian Society" for storytelling, the "Huige Society" for performing shadow puppetry, the "Jingfa Society" for barbers, and the "Yunji Society" for performing magic tricks.
Those who enjoy tattoos and embroidery have a "Jinti Society," and even prostitutes can form a "Cuijin Society."
The origins of the White Lotus Sect can be traced back to the White Lotus Society founded by Huiyuan in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It officially rose to prominence in the third year of the Shaoxing era and was a product of "forming societies to recite Buddhist scriptures".
There are also societies in the Ming Dynasty, and they are just as free and widespread.
There are several poetry societies and book clubs of all sizes in the capital alone.
Of course, Li Shanchang did not intend to target the poetry societies and book clubs, but rather he was eyeing the local gentry groups behind them.
I heard that someone else, during their confession, mentioned the six characters "Left Chancellor of the Secretariat"?
So, don't blame me for being ruthless, you all, with all this and that society.
If you want to blame someone, blame those bastards! They were the ones who made fun of my entire family first!
Thinking of his wife from nine generations of his family, Li Shanchang turned his gaze to Liu Bowen.
They've harmed Old Liu far more times than they've harmed me.
Why didn't Lao Liu jump out this time?