Chapter 957 Who is that monkey?
After entering Nanjing, Jiang Qingzhi looked at the bustle around him and said to Xu Wei, "Once the maritime ban is lifted, the development of the entire South will enter a new era. Before that, we must win over the people's hearts. Otherwise, we will be making wedding clothes for those people."
Historically, the opening of the Longqing Port made the southern scholars and wealthy merchants rich, but the court did not benefit much.
The development of the South thus entered a fast lane, which seemed to be a good thing, but it also made the ambitions of the southern literati expand to the extreme.
When people become rich enough, they will consciously or unconsciously look down on the world and begin to covet power.
In history, the southern scholars and officials influenced the government by supporting officials, which later evolved into the Chu Party and the Zhejiang Party...
Xu Wei said: "The Songjiang incident was an opportunity. I think those people also think so."
Jiang Qingzhi nodded. "How to undermine the new policy? I think those people have thought of many ways, but the most important thing is public opinion and people's hearts. After the Songjiang incident, those people made a fuss about it, which was their intention."
There were many talented people among the southern literati. They saw an opportunity to rally people's hearts in the Songjiang tragedy, so they began to create public opinion with Songjiang Prefecture as the center.
The public outcry in Songjiang Prefecture was a test.
Judging from the information obtained by Ye Bushu, these people's plan was successful.
"The way those accompanying officials looked at us earlier was not right." Xu Wei whispered, "They were even hostile. It's obvious that they have won over the people."
Jiang Qingzhi nodded. "They turned the South into a den of dragons and tigers, just waiting for me to jump into the pit. These people are really calculating. But, it's exactly what I want!"
"What Uncle meant was..."
"Confucian scholars in the world are one family, and as a family we should be united and harmonious." Jiang Qingzhi smiled.
Jiang Qingzhi's residence was a wealthy merchant's house, decorated quite solemnly, with a large back garden. Chen Ji took people to check it out and came back saying, "My Lord, that back garden is quite interesting."
Jiang Qingzhi asked: "What's interesting?"
"extravagant."
Jiang Qingzhi asked: "Who built this house?"
"Wei Guogong."
Jiang Qingzhi thought of the old dude's explanation.
——Xu Chengzong was a cautious person, and even in his letters one could not find any trace of his opinions on the political situation.
Why did this cautious person leave such a loophole?
The only way to break the impasse this time is to start from Nanjing.
Before leaving, the staff team analyzed for a long time and felt that Songjiang Prefecture was a huge pit at the moment. Those people must have prepared various means to deal with Jiang Qingzhi, and even trap him to death in Songjiang.
But Nanjing is different.
The three-way power defense system made it impossible for Nanjing officials to form a united force. Even if someone wanted to connect with them, they could not become a united force.
Let’s start with Nanjing!
Jiang Qingzhi narrowed his eyes, wondering who to deal with first.
Most of the six ministries in Nanjing are useless, and only the Minister of War can enter the decision-making level.
Today, Jiang Qingzhi deliberately embarrass the Minister of War Lin Zhian just to see the reactions of Duke Wei Xu Chengzong and Wang Yan.
Wang Yan was gloating, which made Jiang Qingzhi feel relieved.
Among the three parts of power, the garrison eunuchs did not join, which is a cause for celebration.
Then, it depends on Xu Chengzong's attitude.
Cooperation or fence-sitting?
Xu Chengzong was walking in circles in the duty room. Sun Qi was fanning himself and shaking his head, saying, "Nanjing was prepared to be harassed by Lord Changwei, but who would have thought that this Lord Changwei would not only harass us, but also slap everyone in the face as soon as they met. Isn't he afraid that we won't cooperate?"
Xu Chengzong stopped and said, "Wang Yan has lost face today."
"Why is he doing this? To show his power? Or is he furious after learning about Songjiang Prefecture's attitude and is venting his anger on us." Sun Qi shook his fan, "In any case, Duke, we need to take the initiative in this matter."
"What do you mean by that? Jiang Qingzhi slapped me in the face, and I have to go to him to be humiliated? I won't do that, my Lord!"
Xu Chengzong, the cautious Duke of Wei, finally lost his temper.
Think about it, he has been pampered since he was a child, whether in the Duke's Mansion or outside, even before he inherited the title, who in the whole south did not give face to him, Xu Chengzong?
Being cautious is the choice to preserve the family, but it does not mean that Xu Chengzong is a good person.
"I took the initiative to smile at Jiang Qingzhi, but he turned a blind eye to it." Xu Chengzong breathed rapidly. This was a great humiliation!
"Please be patient, Duke." Sun Qi narrowed his eyes. "Jiang Qingzhi brought cavalry with him this time... He traveled very fast and didn't prepare us for anything. What is he going to do? Why is he so anxious? Could it be..."
Xu Chengzong was still furious. "After the incident in Songjiang Prefecture, the land reclamation in the entire south came to a halt. Everyone was watching Songjiang, Nanjing, and the people coming from the capital..."
The officials from the Ministry of Revenue heading south also stopped.
They actually set fire, that's so fucking creepy!
We are all raised by our mothers. After knowing this, who wouldn’t be afraid?
Clearing the land is the top priority of the current new policy. If it stops, the entire new policy will be stopped.
The bad influence brought about... Sun Qi thought of this, "I think that Long Wei Bo's attitude is intentional."
"Hmm!" Xu Chengzong was stunned. "Are you deliberately trying to irritate us?"
"That's right." Sun Qi's eyes were clear. "The Songjiang tragedy happened. As the leader of the new policy, he must make a gesture. If it is peaceful, then the entire South will be relieved."
"If he was smiling and talking today, Nan Fang would think he was compromising. Tsk!" Xu Chengzong's anger gradually dissipated, "Then, he deliberately embarrassed us, which was... Hey!" "We only thought that Nan Fang was a big pit for Jiang Qingzhi, but forgot one thing. Once the Songjiang incident happened, the impact on the new policy was beyond imagination. Jiang Qingzhi must show a gesture!" Xu Chengzong covered his forehead, "He is giving an explanation to the new policy."
"The new policy has shocked the world, but now it is stagnant. People all over the world, whether they support or oppose the new policy, are waiting for Jiang Qingzhi's gesture!"
Sun Qi asked quietly, "War or peace?"
Xu Chengzong raised his head and sighed, "He chose... to fight!"
……
"Long Wilbur is bringing shame to the southern scholars!"
Wang Yan was laughing, and looked very happy.
Wang Yan's ability was beyond doubt as he was chosen to be in charge of Nanjing. Today, he was angry at first, but then he suddenly realized something. Seeing Xu Chengzong and others being slapped hard by Jiang Qingzhi, he immediately forgot his previous anger.
"This shows that they are unwilling to give up." Li Xin said: "Eunuch Wang, once the news spreads, Nanjing will probably become the center of the vortex. We must be careful!"
"It's not just Nanjing, Songjiang Prefecture is the most important." Wang Yan said coldly: "It will become a vortex for the entire Ming Dynasty! Let's see who will slip into it... Jiang Qingzhi, or those scholars and officials."
……
The six ministers gathered in the lobby of the Ministry of War.
Teacups and tea have important significance in official dealings.
For example, when serving tea to guests, or how much tea is poured - a full glass of wine is a sign of respect, a full glass of tea is a sign of insult.
At this moment, each of the six ministers in Nanjing held a teacup in his hand, and five of them were looking at the tea, as if there was a hole leading to another world.
Only the Minister of War, Lin Zhian, who was also the initiator of this meeting, was drinking tea.
Real tea drinking!
He sipped his tea and sighed, "Everyone, we discussed this many times earlier, and those people in the south also discussed this many times. They all said that Jiang Qingzhi would most likely use both hard and soft tactics. However, he must make a conciliatory gesture in Nanjing. But today he slapped us in the face and caught us off guard. How should we respond?"
The four ministers looked up at the Minister of Justice Zhang Quan.
Minister of Rites Wang Hui said: "It seems that Chang Wei Bo is looking for trouble, and the first target will be the Ministry of Justice. That case...Does Minister Zhang have any clues?"
The Minister of Justice Zhang Quan sneered, "That is Songjiang Prefecture's business. I am just following the rules. We will investigate the case when necessary and supervise when necessary. I will ask myself... I have a clear conscience."
"Whether he has a clear conscience or not, that Lord doesn't know." Wang Hui said calmly, "His behavior today is like a slap in the face to the entire South, and it is also a notice that he is not here with good intentions. What will happen next? Do you remember the fate of the great scholar Wang Qing in the capital?"
Lin Zhian nodded. "Chang Wei Bo first used Yan Song to attack the officialdom. Then he dealt with the literati. The first one to strike was the great scholar Wang Qing... This man is very good at using troops. When it comes to clearing the land, he used the method of killing a monkey to scare the chickens. This time he went south with the Tiger Guards and Left Guards as a deterrent... He probably also wanted to kill a monkey to deter the south."
Who could be that monkey?
Zhang Quan looked over slowly, and saw that the five ministers were all looking at him with pity.
That look clearly said: You are the monkey.
……
"Your Excellency's actions today have made the entire Nanjing uneasy." Xu Wei said with a smile.
The study is very elegant, with several calligraphy and paintings from previous dynasties on the walls, and the vase on the desk also looks like a noble item.
Jiang Qingzhi took a puff of herbal medicine cigarette, "I killed the monkey to warn the chickens in the capital. When I arrived in Nanjing, those people dug a big trap for me. They probably thought I would change my ways. But how can I let them do what they want?"
Xu Wei laughed and said, "Is this also a military strategy?"
Jiang Qingzhi nodded. "The highest realm of military tactics is that even if the opponent knows your means and purpose, they are unable to stop you. That kind of despair of knowing that you will lose but being powerless to turn the tide... I gave it a name."
"What's it called?"
"Monkey show!"
Xu Wei was startled, "Monkey show?"
"Yes, it's just monkey show." Jiang Qingzhi smiled, "The people from the East Factory should be here, right?"
"Why doesn't your Excellency look for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" Before the people arrived in Nanjing, Jiang Qingzhi sent someone to contact the Dongchang's spies in Nanjing.
"Lu Bing has many connections in the south, and they are intertwined. Old Xu, you can be confident, but you can't be arrogant."
You can despise your opponent strategically, but you must take him seriously tactically.
"Master, someone from the East Factory wants to see you."
The man who came was a businessman. When he saw Jiang Qingzhi, he stood still for a moment, and then said, "My Lord, you are so majestic. When I saw you, I actually thought of my father and brother."
This is a flattering shot!
Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "Tell me! Among the six departments in Nanjing, who is the most corrupt?"
The merchant said, "The Minister of Rites, Wang Hui!"
Jiang Qingzhi took a puff of the medicinal smoke.
"Monkey!"
(End of this chapter)
