Chapter 221 Reputation
It took Su Fengzhang a full ten days to come up with an open plan based on the current situation of the Ministry of Revenue. With a specific plan, the rest became much easier.
He also has to thank Minister Xu for giving him convenience, otherwise it would not be easy to do things in such a high-profile manner.
Compared with the complexities within the Ministry of Revenue, the emperor was easier to talk to. Su Fengzhang's memorial was approved within a day of being submitted, with the word "approved" written on it in a straightforward manner.
Su Fengzhang also understood the emperor's temperament very well. As long as it was not an impeachment of a certain person, or in other words, it was not an impeachment of the emperor's favorite person, no matter what the ministers raised, the emperor would generally not reject it.
Especially the "small matters" of money and grain in the Ministry of Revenue. In the past, the emperor generously allowed Xu Shangshu to manipulate them, and now it has Su Fengzhang's turn and he does the same. It seems that as long as no big problems arise, he doesn't care. Of course, the premise is that there is no shortage of silver for the royal family.
Orders came out from the Ministry of Revenue one after another. Su Fengzhang now discovered the benefits of centralization. Almost no one would doubt the decisions of the superiors, or even have doubts in their hearts. But as long as Minister Xu did not object, no one in the Ministry of Revenue dared to go against him.
What Su Fengzhang didn't know was that the subordinates who received the order were even more surprised than he was. What surprised them was certainly not the strange relationship between this person and Minister Xu, but the detailed nature of the order.
Looking at the thick plan in his hand, Lord Ding couldn't help but ponder it, whispering to others, "I've never seen Su Fengzhang handle things this way. He's set up so many rules and regulations, as if he's afraid his subordinates won't get the job done."
The subordinate looked at the plan and smiled, "Sir, this isn't a bad thing. We just need to follow the rules. If it works, the people who did it will get credit. If it doesn't, it's all because Sir Su gave the wrong order. We're just following the rules."
Lord Ding thought about it and agreed, but he still said, "I just feel that Su Fengzhang is so domineering despite being so young that he doesn't even let others speak."
His subordinates advised him, "Sir, now that Minister Xu is on Lord Su's side, there's absolutely no need for us to go against him. He has the support of Prince Cheng, and His Majesty also has a favorable eye for him. Who in the court would dare not give him face now?"
Lord Ding said awkwardly, "It's because he's young and good-looking that he has the upper hand."
After saying that, he couldn't help but complain: "The Qin family is really something, how come they only look at one face."
"Sir, I dare not say this." The subordinate said hurriedly.
Lord Ding knew that he had spoken out of turn and immediately stopped talking about it.
After coming out of Lord Ding's room, the subordinate looked at what Su Fengzhang had instructed again and thought that this method was very good. He didn't know how much effort Lord Su had put into it.
In this way, as long as the subordinates follow the rules, there will be no major chaos. For Su Fengzhang, who has not yet fully controlled the Ministry of Revenue and is eager to make some achievements, this is indeed the best choice.
In fact, Su Fengzhang had no choice but to do so. If he had available people, he wouldn't have to spend so much time and effort to come up with such detailed daily schedules.
Even though he holds a high position in the Ministry of Revenue, his subordinates are actually still Shangshu Xu's men. Although they won't make things difficult for him, it's difficult to get them to work wholeheartedly.
Precisely because of this, Su Fengzhang must control these people to the greatest extent possible and prevent them from causing trouble.
When he has his own people in the future and knows everyone's strengths, he can just make a rough outline and give orders. Only then will he be able to save time and effort.
The detailed schedule is also very useful. Su Fengzhang relied on it to study for the imperial examination and made rapid progress. Now he also relies on it to advance his plan step by step.
If the Ministry of Revenue wants to increase revenue, it cannot do without the help of the Ministry of Works. Fortunately, Su Fengzhang can use the banner of the Emperor and Prince Cheng to force them to cooperate, and they will cooperate willingly under coercion and inducement.
When the plan was first implemented, Su Fengzhang adopted a close and strict approach, demanding thorough examinations on every matter, to the point that everyone in the Ministry of Revenue complained, thinking that Lord Su was too powerful.
But people's adaptability is infinite. After a period of time, they actually adapted to Su Fengzhang's way of doing things, which was completely different from the original Lord Xu. However, he dealt with things based on the facts and was not stingy with praise and sharing of credit when things were done well.
Gradually, they began to reap the benefits. Minister Xu liked to employ his own people and was very considerate when promoting people, but Su Fengzhang was different. He employed people without any restrictions and promoted people only based on their talents and character.
As a result, some officials who wanted to be promoted rushed to please Su Fengzhang and took the initiative to report without waiting for Su Fengzhang to ask. For a time, the atmosphere in the Ministry of Revenue changed drastically, and there was less bureaucratic negligence.
After this incident, Su Fengzhang relaxed a little and stopped keeping an eye on people every day. To be honest, such a high-intensity work state also made him very tired. If his body had not been strengthened by the spiritual spring, he would probably have collapsed within a month.
On this day, Su Fengzhang did not go home directly after leaving the yamen, but went directly to Prince Cheng's mansion.
Prince Cheng was also a very busy man, but he was at home that day. Seeing him, he smiled and said, "Master Su, what east wind brings you here? I heard that everyone in the Ministry of Revenue has been very busy recently, busier than in previous years."
Su Fengzhang looked at him with a smile: "If Your Highness thinks it is the east wind, that's fine. If you think it is the west wind, then I have to leave quickly."
"Since you're here, come and eat hotpot with me." Prince Cheng invited him to sit down with him, adding, "It just so happens that the venison given by the emperor today is perfect for hotpot."
Su Fengzhang also missed this taste. It was pitiful to say that he was so busy recently that he didn't even have time to eat properly. He always just dealt with it perfunctorily. "Then I will take advantage of it."
Prince Cheng laughed at him: "You, always speak politely, and always eat the most."
The venison gifted by the emperor was indeed good. The meat was delicate and tender. After boiling it, it was tender and delicious. Su Fengzhang couldn't help but praise it, "It tastes really good. I must eat more today."
"There's plenty of venison. When you leave later, bring some for the old lady and your sister to try." Prince Cheng said with a smile, and picked up a piece of cooked venison for him with his chopsticks.
Su Fengzhang took it and ate it naturally, then said, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Revenue has almost finished processing it. We estimate that there will be results by the middle of next year, and by then the national treasury will be more replenished."
Prince Cheng nodded and said, "Lord Su, what's wrong with your brain? How come you have so many crazy ideas?"
Su Fengzhang said nonchalantly: "Books contain a thousand bushels of grain, and books contain a house of gold."
Prince Cheng raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to come up with such a solution. I was planning to find other ways to deal with the emergency, but now it seems that I underestimated you."
Su Fengzhang smiled and asked, "Your Highness, why do you seem so disappointed when I don't need your help?"
Prince Cheng did not deny it and nodded, saying, "Lord Su is so capable. I feel useless."
Su Fengzhang actually laughed: "That's not true. Without the prince's words, Minister Xu would never have allowed me to stir up trouble in the Ministry of Revenue, and His Majesty would not have let it go either."
Prince Cheng took a bite of the vegetables and said with a smile, "It seems that I am still somewhat useful. At least I can carry the banner."
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "That's right. Thank you, Your Highness, for the flag."
The two of them smiled at each other in tacit understanding, both finding it quite interesting.
When they had almost finished eating, Su Fengzhang suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, how is His Majesty's health lately?"
Prince Cheng said calmly, "It's about the same as before."
That means your health is still not very good, but nothing will happen to you for a while.
Su Fengzhang nodded and suddenly said, "In that case, I have something to ask Your Majesty for help."
Upon hearing this, Prince Cheng became interested. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at Su Fengzhang: "Oh, you actually have something to ask me for help. What is it? Even if it is difficult, I will do my best to help you."
Prince Cheng's words were sincere, especially since Su Fengzhang had been extremely busy during this period. After reading the detailed plan, Prince Cheng felt quite emotional.
Su Fengzhang knew that he had misunderstood, and said with a smile: "It is indeed a bit difficult."
"Your Highness, I would like to ask you to leave the capital before the New Year and go to Qingzhou. At the beginning of the next year, you should pay a visit to the students who were ordered to manage the river in Qingzhou that year, under the pretext of paying New Year's greetings."
"What?" Even Prince Cheng couldn't help but be surprised. "Did I hear it wrong?"
Su Fengzhang continued, "Your Highness heard correctly, but I don't know if Your Highness can help me."
Prince Cheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he quickly guessed what Su Fengzhang meant by this move. He rubbed his brows and asked, "Sir Su, since we have reached an agreement to support the Ninth Prince to ascend the throne, does it still matter how I am regarded by the literati?"
Su Fengzhang insisted, "Of course it's important."
"Your Highness, although it is said that scholars cannot succeed in a rebellion within ten years, the governance of the Great Zhou relies on scholars."
"I'm sure you know your reputation among the literati, and I understand why you were like that back then, but things are different now."
"Not to mention the present, many things we need to do in the future will also require the help of scholars. It is too risky to rely on me alone. In their eyes, the prince and I represent different things."
"Your Majesty, no matter how capable I am, I cannot replace you. You are the one who belongs to the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Prince Cheng sighed and asked again, "What do you want me to do?"
"In ancient times, people would carry a thorny branch on their backs to apologize for their crimes. Although Your Highness was a bit rude and overbearing at the time, it wasn't this severe." Su Fengzhang said with a smile, "However, Your Highness, if you could personally visit those students, talk to them, and apologize, they would surely be able to wash away their memories of that time."
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