A moment of silence followed.
Zhu Mo reread Xu Wei's strategy twice, pondering. He felt that Xu Wei's insights were indeed profound.
The root of all problems,
indeed lay with the漕运卫所 (Caoyun Weisuer).
However, the current state of the 漕卫 (Caowei) reminded him of Datong and coastal garrisons like Taizhou and Zhenhai. There were quite a few similarities—
In Datong, the household troops were comprehensively replacing the garrison soldiers, while in the coastal garrisons, the soldiers were directly eliminated. Without Wang Rulong and Chen Ziluan's household troops, there would have been no manpower even for resisting the Japanese pirates.
The 漕卫 (Caowei), on the other hand, was somewhere in between. After private exchanges replaced official ones, the Yan faction's powerful families and grain officials, along with exchange merchants, engaged in large-scale substitution of inferior goods and shortchanging. The grain transported to the capital was not only of the worst quality but also far from meeting the required quantity. For years, such severe malfeasance had not been taken seriously by the court, indicating that no one dared to offend the Yan father and son. This led to continuous decay, resulting in the current situation.
Since the 漕运卫军 (Caoyun Weijun) lacked strong leaders, they were completely controlled by the Ministry of Revenue. Even if an investigation into the embezzlement of grain transport were to occur, the 漕运卫军 (Caoyun Weijun) would become scapegoats. Over the years, many 漕运卫军 (Caoyun Weijun) generals had been dismissed, while those powerful families, grain officials, and exchange merchants not only remained unscathed but also prospered due to the grain transport, becoming local magnates.
Xu Wei's strategy proposed two methods: First, it would be best to transfer the grain transport from the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of War. If this were not possible, then a new Commander of the Grain Transport must be appointed, restoring the situation to that of Chen Xuan, the Earl of Pingyuan during the Yongle reign, serving as Commander. Only then could authority and responsibility be properly aligned, and the official exchange of grain transport could be resumed.
Zhu Mo naturally agreed with this strategy, but the question was, on what grounds should he approach Xu Jie? How could he compel him to agree?
Thinking of this, he casually asked,
“Brother Ziwen, what are your thoughts?”
How could Zhang Han not understand the implications?
With a wry smile, he said,
“Chancellor Zhu, I am merely a Provincial Governor, how can I manage such a massive undertaking as the grain transport? Even if, as Wen Chang suggested, a new Commander were appointed, that would still require the Emperor's decision… As for transferring it to the Ministry of War, Gao Yao, recommended by Grand Secretary Xu, has barely settled into his position, how could he agree?”
Hearing this, Zhu Mo couldn't help but fall silent—
Indeed,
Commanders of the grain transport had always been imperial kinsmen, making it inconvenient to recommend candidates. Since the Yongle reign, perhaps only Yan Song had recommended Guo Cong, but Guo Cong was, after all, a descendant of the Marquis of Wuding, and his words could be reasoned with… How could Xu Jie, who was so cautious, step forward? As for transferring responsibility to the Ministry of War, let alone Xu Jie's refusal, any official who depended on the Grand Canal for their livelihood would object.
He hesitated for a moment, thinking: To pry open this situation, there must be a very strong reason…
At this very moment,
he looked at Zhang Han and then at Xu Wei, and a sudden thought flashed through his mind—
Wasn't the reason already there?
The grain exchange households in Qiantang were colluding with Japanese pirates and the Portuguese to assassinate him, the Imperial Commissioner!
This was a rare occurrence in the two hundred years of the Great Ming, wasn't it?
And it wasn't a reason?
Could Xu Jie avoid submitting a memorial?
Since trouble was bound to occur sooner or later, it was better to take the initiative and deal with both matters at once! While suppressing Suo Zha, he could also pressure the Grand Secretariat to change the Governor or Commander of the Grain Transport, and test the extent of the collusion between some imperial kinsmen and the Yan family.
At the same time, this would also preemptively resolve the grain crisis. This year, they would rely on Wang Ruxian to purchase grain to stabilize prices. By next year, when the屯垦卫 (Tunkaiwei) also produced grain, the combined output, along with the rectification of grain transport to make them yield their ill-gotten gains, would largely suffice. This would also help lower grain prices somewhat…
With this thought,
he couldn't help but smile faintly and say,
“Ziwen, Wen Chang, I have an idea—
Those exchange households colluding with Japanese pirates and the Portuguese to assassinate me, the Imperial Commissioner, indicates a major problem with the private exchange of grain transport. This is essentially long-term aid to the enemy…
For the sake of the greater situation in Jiangnan, we should also request Grand Secretary Xu to take charge and consider whether the positions of Commander and Governor of the Grain Transport should be changed?”
Xu Wei pondered for a while and felt it was feasible. After all, this was a grave crime of colluding with Japanese pirates, and the Yan faction was currently at its lowest ebb. If they didn't seize the opportunity now, it would be difficult later.
However, Zhang Han was more cautious and murmured,
“Our request to the Grand Secretariat to rectify the grain transport based on the smuggling of grain by Japanese pirates and grain exchange households is certainly not improper… However, the crux of the grain transport issue, as Wen Chang stated, is actually Guo Cong's inaction. This involves quite a bit… Uh… I think we shouldn't explicitly point this out for now. If we are to impeach someone, let's impeach the Governor of Grain Transport, Hu Zhi…”
He finished and looked at Zhu Mo, still wanting to say more.
Zhu Mo couldn't help but smile, thinking: His timidity is understandable. Impeaching imperial kinsmen, especially those colluding with the Yan family, is no small matter… In the past, let alone you, Zhang Han, even Grand Secretaries in the cabinet would be put in a difficult position…
He immediately nodded and said,
“Good! Brother Ziwen's point is valid… Uh, Brother Wen Chang, perhaps you could write this memorial?”
Xu Wei immediately sat down and began to write. Indeed, he was incredibly fast, finishing the draft in a few strokes—
“Memorial:
There are things in the world that must be prepared for, food and security. Now, the grain transport has been lax for a long time. The Imperial Commissioner fears that the grain from the Japanese pirates at Zhoushan may have been obtained through smuggling. Upon slight investigation, he was subjected to assassination by bandits. The officials of Jiangnan conducted a thorough search, and the true situation discovered must be reported. It is reported that the bandits are the treacherous subordinates harbored by the Qiantang exchange households, the leader Wang Chun, formerly a subordinate of Xu Hai and Wang Zhi, frequented Ryukyu and Zhoushan. He is now hired by Suo Zha, the Governor of the Portuguese, to relieve the siege of Lixiangang.
Furthermore, in this year of great conflict, grain prices in Jiangnan have risen by thirty percent. We, the ministers, believe that the granaries of Jiangnan can still be sold to meet the demand. However, if the grain transport is once compromised, it will inevitably lead to collapse. Therefore, we request the Grand Secretariat to dispatch a Censor of Grain Transport to investigate the various instances of laxity in the grain transport and order the Governor of Grain Transport, Hu Zhi, to submit a detailed report.
Minister, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, Zhu Mo
Jiangnan Provincial Governor, Zhang Han.”
Zhang Han read it twice and nodded, “Good, good, it hits the key points… Zixuan, I think this is feasible.”
Yes,
The key point of this document is to state that the grain transport has become involved with Japanese pirates, and the several hundred thousand troops in the capital's garrisons face the danger of starvation. The reason for the deterioration of the grain transport is known to all: the decline of the 漕运卫所 (Caoyun Weisuer), which is essentially a military issue. Xu Wei only alluded to it vaguely, but then turned to investigate Hu Zhi, the Governor who is only in charge of administration, implying that they are only reprimanding the imperial kinsman Guo Cong for now and do not intend to act against him yet.
Thinking of this,
Zhu Mo nodded and said, “Shall we submit it as soon as possible?”