Chapter 003: Learning Governance

Therefore, Zhu Yijun can only observe for now, at most questioning Zhang Juzheng about certain proposals, that is, decision-making, regarding why he has taken such actions during the Mingri Wenhualou, and then offering his own opinions

Sun Hai commanded the inner servants of Wei Chao, saying: "Kneel!"

The Wei Dynasty responded.

To be honest, Zhu Yijun actually feels somewhat apprehensive about managing such a vast empire.

The management difficulty involved here is not insignificant

Come in

Feng Baotou did not raise his head, but continued to wave the vermilion brush in his hand, asking: "Has Your Majesty accepted the cricket?"

Although it can only be a mere glance, Zhu Yijun still intends to take a serious look

Moreover, Zhang Dashou was personally introduced to Feng Bao.

Zhu Yijun then received the greetings from these people: "Rise!"

The memorials and petitions are often collectively referred to as "zhangzou".

Zhu Yijun, however, maintained a calm expression and extended his hand: "Give it to me, there is no need to open it."

Wei Chao replied: "Yes, ancestor!"

Because he had also been a small leader managing people in his previous life, he naturally understood the difficulties of managing others

Zhu Yijun, with a mindset of learning, attentively examined these memorials while also taking out a blank imperial notepaper to jot down notes

Zhang Dashou smiled and said: "This is all due to the wisdom of our ancestors. In the past, they often advised the Emperor with the teachings of the sages, which is why the Emperor understands the importance of propriety and diligent study"

Repeat it again

As a person from the twenty-first century, the forms of entertainment he has experienced are entirely incomparable to those of this era. Therefore, playing the game of cricket cannot possibly reach the threshold that would lead him to lose himself in play.

Zhu Yijun was also aware of this

The so-called memorial is equivalent to an official's private suggestion to the emperor, while a general private suggestion to the emperor can encompass not only matters within one's own scope of duties but also various other issues such as military affairs, governance, and so on. For instance, Hai Rui once privately memorialized to Emperor Jiajing about the excessive exploitation of the common people by Jiajing.

Wei Chao said: "My son understands!"

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It is evident how much Zhang Juzheng was later despised by the bureaucratic group

It is known that the land measurement policy implemented by Zhang Juzheng alone, according to historical records, measured over one hundred million acres of land. How much tax revenue would this add to the Ming Dynasty

This high-ranking official is also a trusted confidant of Feng Bao, and is in charge of the most critical document office for communication with the outer court

Because Empress Dowager Li did not directly govern behind the curtain, Zhu Yijun, strictly speaking, cannot be considered a completely manipulated puppet

The reason is mhetushucom.com, as he wants to see how Zhang Juzheng governed the country and how he made decisions

Feng Baoze left his post at the Imperial Ceremonial Office and came to see Empress Dowager Li

Sun Hai saw Wei Chao trying to please Zhu Yijun with a cricket, and for a moment, he furrowed his brows before turning his gaze towards Zhu Yijun

As soon as Wei Chao entered, he directly knelt down before Feng Bao and said: "I pay my respects to the ancestor!"

Nominally, he remains the highest ruler of the Ming Dynasty

Sun Hai and others agreed and stood up

As he spoke, Feng Bao instructed Zhang Dashou, "You go and inquire about what the officials in the Wumen have to say. Have there been any idle remarks from these civil officials that concern our family?"

Therefore, the memorials and petitions will still be sent to him by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices

Therefore, Zhu Yijun is indeed planning to learn from this ancient renowned theory of physiognomy, studying how to utilize only official documents and then execute a grand reform akin to the Wanli Reforms through the diverse and numerous civil officials and bureaucrats, both wise and foolish.

Moreover, it has emerged very successfully

There are two types of memorials submitted to the imperial court. One type consists of the memorials and petitions recently received from the left shun gate and the Grand Council by the Document Office, which have not yet been invoiced; these are the memorials sent for drafting by the Cabinet. The other type consists of the memorials that have already been drafted by the Cabinet

The Wei Dynasty and the return of books.

The ancestors said, strive to make the Emperor happy, without worrying about the displeasure of the two Empresses. Even if the son is heavily punished by the ancestors, in the future, the Emperor will surely remember the son's merits and will feel guilty for not being able to protect him. Thus, after taking power, he will naturally favor the son. This is the opportunity given by the ancestors for the son to gain the Emperor's favor in the future

As the Chief Eunuch of the Grand Council and the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, Feng Bao wielded significant power, controlling both the authority to apprehend criminals in the Eastern Depot and the power to approve documents in the Grand Council.

Zhu Yijun naturally did not dare to act in this manner, for Empress Dowager Li favored Zhang Juzheng as the chief minister. Once he offended Zhang Juzheng, it would be tantamount to offending his own mother.

Sun Hai smiled as he reported to Zhu Yijun: "Because His Majesty completed today's imperial lecture successfully, the Empress was very pleased upon learning this and rewarded us with gold leaves. However, we understand that this is also a grace bestowed by His Majesty. Therefore, we, who serve His Majesty closely, have decided to wait here for His Majesty to express our gratitude."

Zhang Dashou responded with an acknowledgment

However, when Wei Chao arrived at Feng Bao's place, Feng Bao did not meet him; instead, he first met another eunuch named Zhang Da Shou

Therefore, Zhu Yijun merely dealt with the cricket appropriately, and then proceeded to the study to review the memorials and the titles of the books.

Feng Bao is currently reviewing the draft memorials sent from the Emperor's Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Feng Bao put down his brush after Zhang Dashou arrived and said, "In the past, His Majesty always required us to personally wake him up, and sometimes even shouting wouldn't suffice; we had to pick him up and shake him awake. Moreover, on particularly cold days, he would stay in bed until the Empress herself came to coax him out. Why is it that today he has gotten up by himself? Could it be that His Majesty is aware that today is the day of the imperial lecture, a crucial day for appearing in the outer court?"

While Zhu Yijun was carefully reviewing the memorials, his chief eunuch Wei Chao, after presenting him with a cricket, hurriedly made his way to Feng Bao at the Palace of Ceremonial Affairs

At that time, Wei Chao took out a small bamboo jar from his sleeve, walked up to Zhu Yijun, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the other day you asked me to find a good cricket. I happened to come across one while I was out shopping. Would you like to take a look?"

Feng Baoyin said quietly to Zhang Dashou, who was his trusted aide, "It is just that this has suddenly become too sensible! During the banquet, he is much more attentive than he was in the past at the Wenhua Hall, and his demeanor has become excessively dignified and proper! As a result, many of the civil officials have red eyes."

The Wei Dynasty then presented the jar to Zhu Yijun with both hands

is not

After Feng Bao gave such instructions, he allowed Zhang Dashou to leave the Court of Ceremonial, and then mhetushu.com summoned Wei Chao to enter.

Zhu Yijun took it and then entered his own palace.

Zhu Yijun naturally had already reviewed the memorials drafted by the Cabinet.

Zhu Yijun naturally does not find any pleasure in playing cricket

The subject matter is a report from the official office regarding the affairs for which this office is responsible, equivalent to a work report to the Emperor in the name of the institution

Feng Bao smiled and said a few words

Because if Zhu Yijun personally forced himself to use the imperial brush to review memorials, it would signify that he, as the emperor, did not trust the Chief Minister Zhang Juzheng, which would leave Zhang Juzheng with no choice but to resign from his position

Ah!

Feng Bao smiled after hearing this: "That's good. Do you remember what our family told you?"

Very well! We shall go to the Empress Dowager's place now. You must keep your mouth in check, or what awaits you will not be merely being driven out, but rather a coffin!

However, Zhu Yijun can only review these memorials for the time being and is not yet able to approve them according to his own wishes. He can only follow Zhang Juzheng's drafts and have the Grand Council review them.

Remember

Indeed, it was precisely because Zhang Juzheng implemented the Wanli Reforms so effectively that later, when the civil officials were ordered to confiscate his family's property, they showed no regard for the class sentiments shared among the gentry. They directly imprisoned and starved over twenty members of his family, forcing his eldest son to commit suicide