Chapter Thirty-Seven: Preparations

  Merchants of this era are not simple merchants, they have land and mines. What's most infuriating is that those who open mines don't pay taxes. People in later generations all know how profitable mining is, yet these people don't pay taxes. On the contrary, they always advocate for taxing farmers. Those farmers with land can only sell their land to large landlords and rent it back to become tenants.

  Many people became vagrants due to lack of land or unbearable exploitation by large landlords, which is why Xu Hongru's White Lotus Rebellion had so many followers. Additionally, the Earth was in a Little Ice Age period at that time, with frequent natural disasters. The great drought in Shaanxi left countless people without land to survive, and the relief measures issued by the imperial court were all embezzled by Shanxi merchants and officials. In the end, the oppression of the people led to rebellion, giving rise to Gao Yingxiang, Luo Rucai, Zhang Xianzhong, Li Zicheng, and the peasant uprising in Shaanxi became the last straw that crushed the Ming Dynasty.

  Whenever Shaanxi's uprising is mentioned, it must be said that Jin merchants are a very large group, which emerged during the rise of the Silk Road. However, by the Ming Dynasty, the Silk Road had long been abandoned, and the Jin merchants who relied on the Silk Road for survival had no way out, they could only encircle land and buy land. Later, they simply did smuggling business, colluding with officials of the Ming Dynasty to sell weapons, military supplies, and grain to the Mongolian tribes and later the Qing Dynasty.

  On the imperial court, the faction representing Shanxi merchants was the Qin party. Originally, it was also a member of the Qi-Zhe-Chu party, but because of its low profile, many people were not aware of it.

  As for the Zhejiang Party, it represented the merchants and landlords of coastal provinces such as Shandong, Zhejiang and Fujian. They had many overlapping interests with the Donglin Party, including smuggling overseas, opening mines and enclosing land, so these two parties were also in fierce contention.

  In the end, the party struggle of the Ming Dynasty was a struggle between different interest groups or different populations within the same interest group. These large landlords and merchants and local officials colluded with each other to form the powerful and evil forces that plagued the local areas. And in the imperial court, they had parties like the Donglin Party backing them up, making them even more unscrupulous.

  In the imperial court, there are few people who truly want to do practical things for the people. Such people are attacked and slandered in the imperial court, and excluded and ostracized locally. In the end, they either go with the flow or are driven away. Moreover, during the Ming dynasty, those low-quality emperors and eunuchs who were no better than dogs made it impossible for the country to avoid collapse.

  Putting aside the thoughts in his mind, Yang Lian took up the list of rewards from the cabinet again. Yang Lian's reward, apart from material rewards, was to promote him as a member of the Board of War. The Tianqi Emperor was still very satisfied with such a reward.

  Yang Lian is highly evaluated in history, although he was also a member of the Donglin Party, but he aspired to struggle for the sake of the people all over the world. Going out to be an official, not seeking wealth, not seeking fame, not seeking power, such a person can naturally be trusted and used.

  Among the Donglin Party, there are indeed people who can get things done, but the majority are just fighting for power and profit. None of these people can be used. Another person who can be used is Zuo Guangdou, a close friend of Yang Lian. This man not only has a loyal heart, but also has great talent and achievements in developing the economy and water conservancy. In this era of frequent natural disasters, such a person must be reused.

  Apart from these two, there is another Donglin Party member who can be used, that is Yuan Keli. He and Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou are the same, having their own ideals to save the Ming dynasty which is about to collapse. Although Yuan Keli was called a Donglin Party member, it is still an unverified matter. During the reign of Emperor Tianqi, Wei Zhongxian held power, many people who disobeyed him were labeled as Donglin Party members, including this Yuan Keli.

  Yuan Keli's ancestors followed Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang to start the army, and after the establishment of the Great Ming Dynasty, the Yuan family also became hereditary nobles. By the time it was passed down to Yuan Keli, the Yuan family had already been passed down for eight generations. In the hope that the Yuan family could continue to be passed down, Yuan Keli's father gave him this name.

  Because of opposition to the Donglin Party and Wei Zhongxian's factional activities, he was reluctantly drawn into party struggles. However, he firmly believed that each party had people who could be used. He also considered things from the perspective of ordinary people, making him one of the few pragmatists in the Donglin Party during the late Ming dynasty.

  Apart from these three people, the Donglin Party must be carefully considered before being appointed. At this time, Emperor Tianqi's mind moved slightly and he thought of something. He said to Chen Hongshao behind him: "Bring Wei Chong and Luo Zhenyu to me."

  After watching Chen Hong leave, the Tianqi Emperor walked back and forth in the great hall, thinking about how to repair the dynasty. The current Ming Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, with a thousand holes and wounds, although he knew that reform was necessary, but no matter where he moved, it would involve enormous consequences.

  It wasn't long before Ruo Si Kong and Wei Chao arrived. Looking at the two people kneeling below him, Emperor Tianqi felt a sense of appreciation for the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards for the first time. With such departments, many things would be much easier to handle. He slowly walked behind the dragon throne and sat down. After sitting down, Emperor Tianqi said: "I have something to entrust to you! This matter is extremely confidential, you will assign capable people to complete it, if there is any leakage, you know the consequences."

  "Please instruct us, Your Majesty. We will definitely do our best." Lu Siguang was very excited at this time. The Imperial Guards had finally arrived at the moment to show their skills. During the Wanli period, Feng Bao held power and the Imperial Guards were cautious for so many years. Now they could finally make a comeback.

  Looking at Ruo Si Gong's appearance, Wei Chao's heart was filled with discontent. This newly appointed Eastern Depot Director still hadn't solidified his position and urgently needed a meritorious deed to stabilize it. At this moment, it was clear that he wasn't allowed to speak out, but he didn't say anything, only making up his mind in his heart to definitely handle this matter well.

  Seeing the two men, Tianqi Emperor's heart moved slightly. No wonder many people say that for a country, what kind of ministers are indispensable. Loyal ministers, treacherous ministers, clean officials, and corrupt officials are all essential, because only with checks and balances can there be stability.

  "You all know that at this time, the court is plagued by factionalism and infighting among officials. I need you to investigate the party affiliations of officials above the fifth rank. Those who have no affiliation or whose affiliation is unclear should be marked out. You two will handle this matter separately, and I give you one month to complete it. If you do well, not only will I reward you heavily, but I will also bestow upon you a python robe. However, there is one thing that must be kept strictly confidential.

  This matter must be handled as soon as possible. For a country, the most important thing is talent, and this is especially true whether in the past or at present."

  When they heard about the Emperor's decree, both of them were shocked and couldn't believe that things would turn out this way. They knew about the infighting on the imperial court, but they never thought that the first thing the Emperor would do after ascending to the throne was to crack down on factionalism.

  Chapter 3: Shameless vote begging! Don't be angry, everyone!

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