Chapter Twelve: The Mysterious Case of the Lost Treasure

  A large group of officials all knelt in the Taihe Temple, not daring to breathe a word. No one expected that the gentle and elegant emperor would suddenly fly into a rage. Asking about this floating matter. There was even an extreme saying that floating was only 30% successful, which was really ridiculous. If according to the Ming Dynasty law, 600,000 taels of silver were enough for the people in this temple to skin and light lamps.

  Yang's reform has really gotten out of hand.

  A voice full of anger reverberated in the great hall, shaking the tiles so hard they almost flew off.

  "Tell me again what is called eating empty noise, drinking soldier's blood, what is called corruption, interception...". Yang Reform shouted loudly on the throne in the great hall for half a day, and finally he was really tired and ready to finish work.

  Looking at the anxious officials on the ground, Yang reform felt that he had given them a vivid anti-corruption lesson today and it should have some effect.

  He then put on another face and treated these ministers differently.

  "My dear officials, I am also aware that the salary of our great Ming dynasty is low, and it is difficult for civil and military officials to make a living. It is inevitable that there will be some unpleasant things happening, which are hard to mention. I don't blame you all, after all, this has always been the case. However, now we are facing continuous natural disasters, external threats from unloyal subjects, and internal troubles, which is exactly the current situation of our dynasty. It's a time for war and personnel deployment. So, I ask you to put the overall situation first, go back and discuss it thoroughly, when this batch of funds comes down, how much will be left in the hands of soldiers? You, civil and military officials, must have a number, don't cross the bottom line of discussion, also let ordinary soldiers have a full meal, so they can fight with energy. Otherwise, our national defense line will be like an empty shell, and we might become slaves to foreign tribes in the future. If you stay within this bottom line, I won't pursue it further. What do you think, my dear officials?"

  Yang Reform did not wait for the ministers to come back to their senses and continued: "Actually, it's always been a matter of drifting, filial piety, interception, corruption, and embezzlement. It's not a glorious thing. I plan to wait for two years, when national strength has recovered somewhat, gradually increase the salaries of officials and soldiers, let everyone enjoy what they deserve, and never collect that dirty silver again. What do you think, my dear ministers?"

  The officials on the ground, some with their mouths agape in shock and astonishment, others with an expression of incredulity, some with shame and embarrassment, and others numb and bewildered. The various expressions of the hundred officials were all reflected in Yang's reforming eyes.

  Yang sighed, today's meeting with the ministers had a confrontational tone, and it was unclear whether it was good or bad. However, in order for the military salary to reach the hands of the frontline soldiers, some action must be taken! He immediately turned around and left. The court session ended.

  The next morning, the whole city was discussing this matter. Discussing the emperor's words, which were also praised and criticized. Anyway, the whole city was boiling with excitement. Yang Reform threw a small stone into the entire late Ming dynasty, although it was small, but it stirred up waves upon waves.

  After the morning, Yang Reform realized that he might have made a big mistake. His own gun was not even hard yet, and he had to deal with the entire bureaucratic system, including the military. It was really foolish. The only cards in his hand were the Brocade Guard and the eunuchs. He had offended the entire bureaucracy, and relying on them alone was unreliable. He still had to think of a way out. Otherwise, he would be educated by those ministers, and later they would all rise up and attack him together. He really wouldn't have a good day, and his policies probably couldn't even get out of the Forbidden City.

  Thinking of this, Yang Reform recalled some "technical" posts he saw online in his early years about how to deal with and differentiate the bureaucratic class. After thinking for a while, he still thought of the Qing dynasty's Yongzheng's "secret memorial" system. This system was indeed a great treasure for differentiating bureaucrats and firmly grasping imperial power in one's own hands, but it also had its drawbacks. The drawback was that every day, one had to read an extra large amount of "secret memorials" and respond to them, which was exhausting. Yongzheng probably died from exhaustion as well.

  Yang thought for a moment, he was still young, and the first few years would probably be able to hold on, after that, he would gradually reduce the number of "secret reports", estimating that he could live relatively long, thinking about it, there really was only this one trick temporarily feasible.

  It is said that after the "secret memorial" appears, a small official who doesn't catch your eye will report some of your improper words and deeds to the emperor, and two months later, you will be mysteriously demoted or dismissed. Therefore, officials are quite fearful of this kind of "secret memorial", which can effectively differentiate the bureaucratic group.

  Yang reform fee painstakingly, began preparing for "secret report".

  However, Yang is neither a history expert nor Yongzheng, so he naturally cannot recall how the "secret memorial" was implemented, does not know this specific system, and does not know who to give the power of "secret memorial".

  After some thought, Yang reform still thinks that it's better to search on Baidu at night before going to sleep. Otherwise, just relying on oneself to think wildly here won't accomplish anything.

  At night, Yang Reform went to bed early and had a dream. In the dream, he searched for "secret memorial" on Baidu and found that it was one of Emperor Yongzheng's major political achievements. Yang Reform flipped through some pages.

  I have gained some understanding of Yongzheng's "secret memorials".

  One conclusion is that Yongzheng probably died of exhaustion. Just like in the 21st century, someone who stays online for over a dozen days in an internet cafe and suddenly dies from it. It's hard to live a long life this way.

  You think! So many officials, each submitting a "secret memorial" every day, how many officials must be submitting "secret memorials" to the emperor?! How much time would it take to read and respond to these "secret memorials"?! I reckon only those "water kings" who flood forums with posts could handle it. Even many writers at the starting point probably don't produce as much content as Yongzheng's daily output.

  Yang Reform thought of giving some "small officials" or influential idle personnel a "secret power" during the day. Now it seems that if Yang Reform follows Yongzheng's approach, he thinks he can get the title of "Great Ming Dynasty Water Emperor". Or get the glorious title of "Two Ten Thousand Days".

  Thinking about it, following Yongzheng's approach is definitely not going to work. I'm probably going to die from exhaustion before 1644 even arrives.

  After some thought, Yang decided to set a limit on the number of "secret imperial edicts" to no more than 200 copies. Any more would be too time-consuming and exhausting for him to review. He then distributed these 200 "secret imperial edicts" across the country, giving some to influential scholars, wealthy merchants, large landowners, important officials, mid-level bureaucrats, lower-level officials, and even some military personnel. This way, all levels of society in the Ming dynasty would have some, allowing him to control the entire empire more effectively.

  After making up your mind, it's time to start implementing it. Under what name will you implement it?

  Is the secret language leaked? Yang Reforms smiled wryly, this is indeed a good name, not many emperors have used it. According to this meaning, create a stolen secret language in the palace. Then issue "secret letters", first to some ministers, then expand the scope to mid-level officials, and further expand to various social strata. In this way, there will be no major obstacles.

  Understood, Yang reformed and went to sleep peacefully.

  The next morning.

  Yang Reform arrived at Wenhua Hall with a bitter face. This is where he usually discusses state affairs with his assistant ministers, and it's different from the "early court" of Taihe Gate.

  "We your subjects have come to pay our respects to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand more." Several of the assisting ministers together bowed to Yang and asked after his health.

  "Gentlemen, please rise. I've said it before, don't be so courteous. You are all assisting ministers, what I need is your assistance in governing the country, not bowing to me every day. Do you remember?"

  "We thank Your Majesty for your great kindness." Then several other officials also got up.

  Several officials saw Yang's reform with a bitter face, looking unhappy and puzzled. Did something else offend the emperor? One of them asked: "Your Majesty, is there anything unpleasant?" Yang's reform has been quite good to these officials recently, gentle and pleasant. So several officials are also used to it.

  "Prohibited from speaking out of turn." Yang said with a tone that neither confirmed nor denied.

  Several officials also took a cold breath, leaking the emperor's words is no trivial matter. It's a serious crime, exile and beheading are not out of the question. The consequences affect the fate of many people.

  "A trivial matter I mentioned to a few officials the other day, unexpectedly, the Imperial Guards reported that everyone in the capital knows about it. I don't know where the leak is. But I do know that if ministers are not discreet, they will lose their positions; and if rulers are not discreet, they will lose their country..."

  Several other officials were also prepared to kneel down and plead guilty.

  Yang reformed and stopped in time, saying: "The matter of leakage is just a small matter, otherwise it would not be like today when the monarch and his ministers are talking casually here. Today there is nothing to discuss, let the several assisting ministers discuss this matter of leaking confidential words, and again discuss how to write the word 'secret', and see what method can be used to avoid similar things from happening."

  Several officials soon discussed this matter and quickly came to a conclusion, which was to strengthen the management of the imperial palace, strictly train various officials, and pay attention to confidentiality.

  Yang Reform listened to the words of several assistant ministers, and then pulled out a folded paper from his sleeve, saying: "This is the method I have come up with. Secret Memorandum System. It can effectively avoid leakage of confidential information."

  Several officials received Yang's reform memorial, looked at it, and soon their faces changed. What is this about the emperor's words being stolen? It's clearly that the emperor wants to concentrate power in his own hands! Think about it, everyone uses secret memorials, all matters are approved and executed by the emperor in private, what do we officials need to attend court for?

  A minister thought for a moment, then stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I think it's not feasible. The governance of the court should be implemented openly and honestly, only then can it be justified. If we operate in secret, it will be too dark and not in line with the governance of our heavenly dynasty. It will also damage the national image."

  Another official also said: "I also think it's inappropriate, this behavior is too dark and sinister, and it's inevitable that someone will maliciously frame and harm others, causing good people to suffer and petty people to be rampant."

  Yang looked at the reform and found that two assistant ministers had already opposed it. If he allowed a few more assistant ministers to speak, he estimated that they would all be opposed. In this case, his own "secret memorial" would probably not work either.

  Then, under pressure from another assistant minister, he said: "I understand this matter. The governance will naturally continue on its current path and there will be no change. The implementation of governance is naturally upright and just, and it will not harm the national interest. As for malicious accusations and framing, I think that as long as one sits upright and acts correctly, they do not need to fear the slander of petty people, unless they have some shameful secrets."

  Several of his ministers heard the emperor say this and also stopped speaking.

  Yang Reform said: "My secret folding system is for the confidentiality of court affairs, not for framing and setting up specifically for villains. Moreover, I am prepared to give a few assistant ministers, departmental Shangshu, and senior officials the power of this secret folding system. Can you say that you are all villains among the several assistant ministers, departmental Shangshu, and senior officials who have nothing to do with framing others every day?"

  When Yang heard the reform say this, the face of the assistant minister who had just said that the secret letter would become a way for petty people to frame others immediately turned red. This landmine was really powerful, and it caught all the assistants, ministers, and high-ranking officials in the court at once. From now on, they probably won't dare to show their faces when going out.

  In this way, the small-scale "secret memorial system" was thus promoted. The scope is only among a few assistant ministers, a few Shangshu, and some senior officials, of course, the effect is another matter.