In the fourth year of Jiajing (1525), when Zhang Juzheng was born in the home of a scholar in Jiangling, Jingzhou (now Hubei), the shadow of his ancestors could not care for him for a long time, and he was only greeted by a white turtle dream of his great-grandfather. In my dream, the moon falls in the water jar, and it shines all around, and then a white turtle floats leisurely from the water. Great-grandfather decided that the white turtle was the little great-grandson, so he casually named him "Bai Gui", hoping that he would honor his ancestors in the future.
Bai Gui is really brilliant, and he became a prodigy in Jingzhou Prefecture at an early age. In the fifteenth year of Jiajing, Bai Gui, a 12-year-old candidate, won the love of Li Shi 'ao, the magistrate of Jingzhou. He told Xiaobaigui to aim high from childhood and serve the country faithfully when he grew up, and renamed him Juzheng. This year, Juzheng Bufu students. Four years later, Zhang Juzheng, who was only arrogant, successfully passed the provincial examination and became a juvenile juren. Gu Lin, the governor of Huguang, was very appreciative of him. He once told others that "this son will be talented" and took off his rhinoceros ribbon and gave it to Ju Zheng, saying, "I hope you will set up lofty ambitions, be Yi Yin and Yan Yuan, and don't just be a celebrity for a teenager." Jiajing twenty-six years, 23-year-old Zhang Juzheng Zhongji Jinshi, awarded Jishi Shu.
Jishi Shu is a trainee official. As a rule, he will study in the Imperial Academy for three years, and he can be edited after the expiration. Zhang Juzheng was elected to Jishi Shu, and Xu Jie, a cabinet minister, was included in his teaching. Xu Jie attached great importance to the knowledge of saving the country and helping the world. Under its guidance, Zhang Juzheng worked hard to study the cultural heritage of Chaozhang, which laid a solid foundation for him to step onto the political stage in the future.
in the early Ming dynasty, in order to strengthen centralization, the prime minister was abolished and a cabinet was set up, whose function was equivalent to the secretary's office of the emperor. The bachelor of the chief cabinet is called the records, which is actually the prime minister. When Zhang Juzheng entered the academician courtyard to study, there was a fierce political struggle in the cabinet. At that time, only Xia Yan and Yan Song were cabinet college students, and they competed for the position of records. As a result, Xia Yan was the record, and then Yan Song was killed, and Yan Song was the cabinet record.
As a newcomer, Zhang Juzheng naturally has no say in the cabinet struggle. However, through several years of cold-eyed observation, he had an intuitive understanding of the political corruption and border defense laxity of the imperial court. For this reason, in the 28th year of Jiajing (1549), Zhang Juzheng systematically expounded his views on political reform with On Current Affairs and Politics (The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong, Volume 15), which was the first disease of "qi and blood stagnation", followed by the five diseases of "bloated and flaccid paralysis". And these naturally did not attract the attention of Ming Shizong and Yan Song. Since then, in the Jiajing Dynasty, Juzheng has never played again, except for routine chapters.
in the thirty-third year of Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng left the capital for his hometown of Jiangling on the pretext of taking time off for illness. During his three-year vacation, he still remembered the state affairs and personally contacted the peasants. The family is poor and upright, and I have experienced the hard work, hunger and pain of the people in the countryside. He said in the Inscription of Jingzhou Mansion (Volume 9 of Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong): "The land tax is uneven, the poor are unemployed, and the people suffer from mergers." All this can't help but make him feel excited, and the sense of responsibility makes him return to politics.
in the thirty-sixth year of Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng still returned to the Imperial Academy. At this time, he gradually matured in his depressed thinking. In the political storm, he imitated his teacher Xu Jie's "not embracing the group inside, but wanting to be confused outside" and moved with the camera. In the forty-third year of Jiajing, Juzheng entered the palace, right in Chunfang and right in Yude, and Xu Jie, who was far-sighted, recommended Juzheng to serve as an assistant to Zhu Zaihou, the king of Yu. Yuede is only a virtual title, but because King Yu is likely to inherit the throne, it is not an idle job to attend Yu Di's lecture and reading. During his stay in Yudi, "Wang was very good at it, and there was no one in the palace who was not good at living upright" (Biography of Zhang Juzheng in Ming Dynasty). Forty-five years, Juzheng was in charge of the Imperial Academy.
This year, Sejong died, and Yu Wang ascended the throne for the sake of Ming Muzong. Zhang Juzheng's chance came. In the first year of Qin Long (1567), as an old minister of Yu Wang, he was released as the left assistant minister of the official department and a college student of Wenyuange, and entered the cabinet to participate in state affairs. In April of the same year, he was appointed as Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites and a university student of Wuyingdian. Zhang Juzheng is forty-three years old this year. At this time, he probably won't forget the poem "Feng Mao Cong Jin Jie, straight to the end of the pole" written by himself at the age of thirteen. Thirty years later, he finally "went straight to the end" in the secret contest.
"Taking pictures of barbarians' riots and weeding out Lu Zhilan"
After joining the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng was not complacent about his personal promotion. At this time, in the Ming dynasty, land was annexed, refugees were scattered, grass translation was in trouble, the state treasury was empty and the cost was scarce; Outside, the northern Tatars invaded the Central Plains, creating a "change of Geng", while the southern Tusi fought for power and profit, especially the fierce rebellion, and the "two rivers were shocked", and the southeast pirates harassed the coastal areas, making people miserable. In the face of these, Zhang Juzheng can't relax.
What worries Zhang Juzheng more is the increasingly heated political struggle within the cabinet. Since the fall of Yan Gan in the forty-first year of Jiajing (1562), Xu Jie succeeded the records. He and Zhang Juzheng * * * drafted Sejong's testamentary edict, which corrected the disadvantages of repairing Zhai and building large-scale buildings during Sejong's period, and restored the palace duties for diligent courtiers convicted of unjust cases, which was widely welcomed by the people in and out of the government. But not long after, in the second year of Qin Long (1568), in July, Xu Jie was finally forced to return to the field because of his old age and illness. The following year, Xu Jie's old rival Gao Gong returned to the cabinet and took charge of the official department, taking control of the cabinet power. During Gao Gong's administration, a group of talents were employed, and the road to success was a little clearer.
Zhang Juzheng used to be a bosom friend of Gao Gong, and then there was bad blood. Gao Gong was at odds with Feng Bao, the right official. In the sixth year of Qin Long, Mu Zong was dying, and Shenzong, who was only in his teens, succeeded to the throne. Gao Gong touched the queen mother's nerves because of his outspoken words, and Feng Bao fanned a jack-o'-lantern, so the queen mother returned Gao Gong to her original place for the crime of "dictatorship and power". (It was Zhang Juzheng who got in the way) In this way, Zhang Juzheng became the records, and from then on, he was in charge of state power for ten years.
In all fairness, Xu Jie and Gao Gong were both very capable records. They made a lot of concrete and partial efforts to consolidate the rule of the Ming Dynasty. However, due to the lack of foresight and the talent and boldness to reform the malpractice, when Zhang Juzheng succeeded the records, the Ming Dynasty was still in crisis. Zhang Juzheng is soberly aware that minor repairs and minor repairs can no longer save the clear ruin. Only by carrying out drastic and comprehensive reforms can the country really get out of the predicament. As early as August of Qin Long's second year, he put forward a political reform plan from six aspects, namely, discussing the province, strengthening the discipline, strengthening the reputation, consolidating the country, and preparing for war. The core of this plan is the official management of put in order and the rich country of Qiang Bing. He criticizes those who argue for Wang Ba "don't know Wang Ba's argument and the relationship between righteousness and benefit is absent", and mistakenly thinks that "benevolence and righteousness are king, and prosperity and prosperity are hegemony" (The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong, Volume 31, Answer to Fujian Governor Geng Chudong's Argument about Wang Ba). Clearly take solving the country's "financial shortage" as its own goal of governing the country. To achieve this goal, we must first consolidate national defense and rectify official management.
During Qin Long's reign, Zhang Juzheng, who had just joined the cabinet, presided over the border defense work of Gugong with the support of Xu Jie, the first official of the cabinet, and Gao Gong, an important minister of the cabinet.
In the fourth year of Qin Long, Tatar leader An Dan Khan attacked Datong and planned to become emperor. Juzheng heard that Anda's grandson asked Han Naji, his wife Biji and his nurse's husband Alige for attachment, and the governor of Datong Fang Fengshi and the governor of Xuanda Wang Chonggu decided to surrender. In view of the seriousness of this matter, Zhang Juzheng wrote a letter to "reveal" the details to him immediately. It turned out that Anda's third son left a child when he died, that is, Han Naji, Han Naji grew up to marry Biji, and then fell in love with his aunt's daughter Sannianzi and remarried. However, as a grandfather, Anda also fell in love with Sannianzi. Therefore, between the grandparents and grandchildren, there was a grudge against a little girl, and a scene of a lovelorn young man leaving home for Han was performed.
after receiving the report, Ju Zheng wrote to Chonggu again, asking him to make proper arrangements to take Hanaji, and sent someone to inform Anda: "China's law won the prize of ten thousand yuan if the chieftain is the first of his descendants. I can't break your grandson's head for a reward, but he came because he wanted justice, and since you are your own grandson, you can't bear to kill him. " (The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong, Volume 22, The Beginning of Answering Jianchuan's Policy and Answering Anda) Then, he instructed the general plan to cherish the ancient times and play the emperor's surrender at every time. Many people in the DPRK strongly opposed it, thinking that the enemy's situation was unpredictable. Sure enough, Anda's cavalry was like a dark cloud pressing the city to the northern border. Chonggu had been prepared for the war at Juzheng's instigation and threatened his grandson, but Anda was finally forced to compromise. Juzheng pushed the boat forward at the request of Anda, and sent Shuangnaji back to his hometown as a gift, while Anda tied Zhao Quan and other traitors to the Ming room.
Take Hannaji back to the Tartar tent in the red silk robe given by the emperor. I was very moved when I saw it, and said that I would never infringe Datong again, and decided to ask for tribute and mutual market, and get along well with Ming.
in the fifth year of Qin Long, under the urging of Juzheng and others, Mu Zong made Anda king of Shunyi, and opened horse markets in three towns along the border to trade with Tatars. The consolidation of the northern border has enabled Zhang Juzheng to turn its attention to domestic issues.
"Serve the dust brake with your heart, not for your own benefit"
As a politician of great talent, Zhang Juzheng had a deep understanding of the problems faced by the Ming Dynasty. He believes that the lack of national strength and rampant thieves at that time were all caused by unclear official management. The corruption of officials and the annexation of landlords led to "private individuals getting richer and public offices getting poorer" (The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong, Volume 26, "Promising the Governor of Heaven Song Yangshan to have enough food for the people"), and the emperor's extravagant desires made the people hungry and cold, and became an outlaw. Because Zhang Juzheng objectively analyzed the social contradictions at that time and correctly grasped the essence and key of the problem, his reform was able to conform to the historical trend and was widely welcomed.
Based on the above views, Zhang Juzheng decided to start his reform by rectifying the official management. In November of the first year of Wanli (1573), Zhang Juzheng Shangshu implemented the "Examination Method" and defined its responsibilities. He controls six subjects with six subjects, and then controls six subjects with the cabinet. For the things to be done, from the cabinet to the six subjects, from the six subjects to the yamen, we should have a good idea of the exams. It has changed the procrastination in the past, that is, "those who are in charge of the above are eager, while those who listen to them are always reserved" ("The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong", Volume 38, "Please check the chapter and take the exam with the situation to improve the real politics"). The implementation of the examination method has improved the efficiency of all levels of departments, and made clear the responsibilities, rewards and punishments, thus making the decree issued by the court "although outside Wan Li, it is pursued in the morning and evening" (Biography of Zhang Juzheng in the Ming Dynasty).
The main purpose of Zhang Juzheng put in order's official administration is to "enrich Qiang Bing". This red line runs through his reform, and the biggest gain of implementing the examination method is here.
when Zhang Juzheng implements the examination method, it takes the posthumous payment as the standard of examination. In the fourth year of Wanli, it was stipulated that all local officials who failed to try out the levy were punished. In December of the same year, according to the report given by the household department, there were 17 local officials in Shandong and 2 in Henan. Two were dismissed from their posts in Shandong and nine in Henan. This makes officials at all levels afraid of reducing punishment dare not slack off, and supervises the heads of households to pay the taxes and grains of the year. As a result of changing the situation of defaulting on taxes and grain, the national treasury is increasingly abundant. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Household Affairs in the five years of Wanli, the annual income reached more than 4.35 million taels, which was more than 2.5 million taels per year (including discount, money, food and salt, stolen goods and redemption cases, etc.) in Qin Long, an increase of 74% (Volume 67 of Ming Tong Jian). The fiscal revenue and expenditure were balanced, with a balance of more than 85, taels, which reversed the long-term fiscal deficit. As Zhang Juzheng himself said in April of the 9th year of Wanli: "In recent years, the government has not lost money, and the treasuries have been enriched, all of which have been carried out by passing the examination, and the results have been solved as scheduled." (The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong, Volume 45) It can be seen that although the implementation of the examination method is a political reform, it has played a great role in rectifying land taxes and increasing national fiscal revenue.
However, the income increased only by the examination method is still limited, and it is still far from satisfying the infinite profligacy of princes and nobles. Zhang Juzheng thinks that people "are the ancient financial managers, who get rid of the overflow but don't indulge in it, and save money but don't make profits". Financial management should still focus on saving money. Almost all the reforms he carried out revolved around this center.
For example, by strengthening the examination of officials, he reduced redundant staff and saved the salary expenses of the imperial court. According to the "two big and small nine Qing and their families, those who are heavy and indiscriminate will be cut off", and the competition will be "eliminating redundant staff 23". Similarly, Zhang Juzheng also cut the military expenditure of the imperial court through various channels. On the one hand, it was repaired with the Tatars, the tribute was exchanged, the border was stable, and the war expenses were reduced. On the other hand, it was also greatly reduced. By the second year of Wanli, in the north, "among the three towns and two years old, the cost was only over 1, yuan, but the province was over one million yuan". It also reduced expenditure by reducing the number of foreign soldiers and clearing the grain, "saving the year and getting tens of millions of children."
At the same time, Zhang Juzheng also asked the emperor, the supreme ruler of feudal society, to tighten his belt and live a tight life with everyone. Not only did he repeatedly propose to Shenzong that he should "save money and love the people" and "protect the country", but he also kept an eye on the extravagant expenses of the royal family. In the seventh year of Wanli, Shenzong asked for 1, gold from the Ministry of Finance to prepare for the royal meals of Guanglu Temple. He argued that the income and expenditure of the Ministry of Finance had been insufficient. "At present, it is hard to support it. If there is a flood and drought in all directions and the battlefield changes unexpectedly, how can we give it?" He asked Shenzong to save "all useless expenses". As a result, not only the expense of 1, taels of silver was exempted, but also the lantern and lantern fees in the palace were abolished. With Zhang Juzheng's efforts, he also stopped rebuilding Ciqing Palace, Cining Palace and Wuying Hall, stopped losing money for reward, saved the cost of service, reduced Su Song's weaving, etc., so that the phenomenon of luxury consumption of feudal rulers was restrained.
Zhang Juzheng also refrains from luxury when it comes to its own expenses. Compiling the record of the first emperor, you have to give a banquet. Zhang Juzheng participated in the seal repair of Mu Zong's memoir, and offered his resignation to avoid giving a banquet. He said: "A banquet costs hundreds of dollars, so it is not necessarily a way to save money." He also requested that the time for Ming Shenzong Day be put in the morning to avoid the cost of lighting at night.
in the process of rectifying official management and practicing economy, Zhang Juzheng is not only honest, but also strict with his family members. When his son returned to Jiangling to take the exam, he told his son to hire a car himself. On his father's birthday, he ordered his servant to take a birthday present and ride a donkey back to the village to celebrate his birthday. In the eighth year of Wanli, Zhang Jujing, the second brother of Juzheng, was seriously ill and returned to his hometown for adjustment. Zhang Lu, the governor of Baoding, made an exception and issued a "survey" (certificate of using the post office). Juzheng immediately returned it, and attached a letter saying that if he wanted to enforce the law for the court, he could not set an example. For the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Juzheng was indeed a rare talent for governing the country. As early as when the cabinet was in chaos and his political life was in jeopardy, he wrote: "I am willing to serve the dust brake with deep heart and not seek my own interests." He did do it.
"Use up all the mountains and paddy fields, leaving only the sea and the blue sky"
As an outstanding financial planner, Zhang Juzheng knows that saving money is not enough to solve the problem. In order to completely improve the national financial situation, it is necessary to further open up financial resources and increase income.
However, Zhang Juzheng is opposed to financial management through "opening up profit sources", because in his view, "there is only so much wealth generated by the husband and the earth, so we should try to make clever use of it and not increase it." In his early years, he had more contact with the lower classes and deeply understood the truth that the country will become rich after caring for the people. He pointed out: "The key to making sense by stealing information lies in caring for the people." So, how can we increase the national fiscal revenue? At that time, the huge machines of the Ming Dynasty were supported by land tax, and the income of land tax was difficult to increase due to land merger and uneven burden. To this end, Zhang Juzheng put forward three measures, such as punishing corruption, cleaning up the arrears and checking the fields, among which the field checking was huge.
in the sixth year of Wanli (1578), Zhang Juzheng took Fujian as a pilot and cleared the fields. As a result, "Fujian people thought it was convenient". So in the eighth year of Wanli, Zhang Juzheng was allowed to clear the land one after another throughout the country and redraw the fish scale atlas on this basis.
most parts of the country are promulgated by the Ministry of Housing.