Zhan Hui passed the imperial examination and became a scholar in the 15th year of Hongwu, and was appointed Chief Censor in October.

In June of the 16th year of Hongwu, he was appointed as the trial left assistant censor-in-chief, and in October of the 16th year, he was actually appointed to the position.

In the first month of the 17th year of Hongwu, he was promoted to the position of Zuodu Yushi, the highest official of the Supervisory Office. In the sixth month of the 23rd year of Hongwu, he was concurrently appointed as the Minister of Personnel.

This resume is absolutely unmatched even in any dynasty, and can be described as a meteoric rise.

He was a favorite of Zhu Yuanzhang. In just over a year, he was promoted from the seventh rank to the second rank. Such a speed of promotion, and he was just a scholar, was almost an exceptional promotion.

The Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Six Ministries, is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of officials throughout the country.

It has four departments under it: the Department of Selection of Officials, the Department of Verification of Seals, the Department of Inspection of Merits, and the Department of Examination of Merits.

Wenxuansi: in charge of the promotion and transfer of officials’ ranks.

The Department of Verification and Conferment of Titles: in charge of the matters of conferring titles, hereditary ancestral favors, commendations and gifts, etc.

The Ministry of Honors: in charge of government affairs concerning honor ranks, lists, death, birth and raising.

The Ministry of Examination was in charge of the government affairs of official assessment, promotion and demotion.

From this we can see that officials throughout the Ming Dynasty, even the nobles, had very deep relations with the Ministry of Personnel.

Now that there is no prime minister anymore, the Minister of Personnel can be said to be the most authoritative minister in the entire Ming court.

Zhan Hui's father, Zhan Tong, was once the Minister of Personnel.

It would not make sense for Zhu Yuanzhang to let both father and son serve in such an important department, as this would greatly affect the appointment and dismissal of officials.

If the father and son were to appoint people based on personal connections, wouldn't they be able to win over many officials and exert great power over the government?

Given Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicious character, such a situation was simply a miracle in the Ming Dynasty today.

However, in fact, this has a lot to do with the political inclinations of Zhan Hui and his son.

Zhan Hui, also known as the cruel official.

In terms of personality, he especially likes severe punishments and is rather narrow-minded.

When Zhan Hui's colleague Ling Han was promoted to Right Censor-in-Chief, Zhan Hui was Left Censor-in-Chief. When they had different opinions, Ling Han often criticized Zhan Hui in person, making him lose face. Zhan Hui held a grudge against him.

Later, Ling Han was impeached by Zhan Hui and demoted to Zuo Qiandu Yushi. Later, Zhu Yuanzhang took pity on Ling Han's age and allowed him to return home.

Such a character made Zhan Hui have almost no cliques, and coupled with his good abilities, he was favored by Zhu Yuanzhang.

But he was later killed by Zhu Yuanzhang.

In the Lan Yu case in history, Zhu Yuanzhang appointed the crown prince Zhu Yunwen and the Minister of Personnel Zhan Hui to interrogate Lan Yu. Lan Yu refused to accept the question, so Zhan Hui rebuked him: "Tell the truth quickly and don't implicate others in vain."

Lan Yu shouted that Zhan Hui was his accomplice, and the Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen immediately ordered the arrest of Zhan Hui, who was subsequently executed.

In fact, Lan Yu didn't really say this.

The position of Minister of Personnel was not someone that Zhu Yunwen, who had only been in the position for a year, could execute at will.

Zhu Yunwen himself was not a bloodthirsty person. After all, he grew up under the influence of Confucian culture. Even if he wanted to deal with Zhan Hui, at most he would dismiss him from his post, not kill him.

This was naturally the instruction of Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, everything that happened later has nothing to do with the current Zhan Hui.

After get off work, Zhan Hui returned home and drank tea and read in his yard.

"Master, this is new tea from our hometown, specially sent by the elders of the clan." The housekeeper came over with the servants and a large box and reported.

Zhan Hui put down the book and frowned, "Didn't I tell you not to do so many things in the future?"

Zhan Hui was of course well aware of the meaning of this to his clansmen in his hometown, and every time new tea came out, he would give them large quantities as gifts.

Even though Zhan Hui really loves to drink tea from his hometown, his house is almost full of all the tea he receives as gifts.

"Ask the tribesman who delivered the tea to tell me that I am not a person who forgets my roots. There is no need to do this. If there is new tea, there is no need to send so much. A few kilograms will be enough." Zhan Hui ordered.

The housekeeper nodded quickly, asked the servants to deliver the tea to the warehouse, and then went out to give instructions.

Seeing this, Zhan Hui continued reading.

In ancient times, officials like Zhan Hui did not actually have any entertainment activities. No matter what rank they were, they basically went home to read.

Reading is the only pastime.

Just when Zhan Hui was immersed in the atmosphere of reading, a loud noise came from the front yard, which immediately interrupted Zhan Hui's interest.

The housekeeper also hurried over.

"Master, Master, something bad has happened. Something terrible has happened."

Being interrupted, Zhan Hui was furious: "What happened in the front yard? Why is there so much noise?"

"It's the Duke of Liang. He, he brought..."

Bang!

Before the butler could finish his words, a figure suddenly appeared behind him and kicked him in the back, knocking him to the ground.

Zhan Hui looked and saw that it was Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang.

"Duke Liang, what are you doing? Who gave you the courage to cause trouble in my mansion? Why don't you leave immediately!"

Upon seeing this, Zhan Hui stood up and shouted loudly.

Others are afraid of Lan Yu, but he is not.

As the Minister of Personnel, Lan Yu was his rival, especially in the appointment, dismissal and impeachment of officials related to Lan Yu.

It has always been the focus of Zhan Hui's attention.

"I have disliked you for a long time. Now that you touch my brother, I will make you pay!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Yu rushed forward with more than a dozen brothers.

Zhan Hui was just a scholar and had no chance to resist at all.

…

In Suzhou city.

Lantian was in the public security office, looking at the hundreds of brothers under his command, feeling quite proud and satisfied.

"My brothers, this is my first day in office. Today is a great day, and I'm going to prepare a banquet. Let's have a good meal at the best restaurant in Suzhou City."

"Starting tomorrow, everyone will officially settle down in Suzhou City. Let me make it clear in advance that everything must be done in accordance with the requirements of our Public Security Bureau."

"Let me tell you something. The requirements and rules for handling cases in our Public Security Department were all decided by His Royal Highness the Grand Prince Chang Sun himself."

"As the first batch of veterans to retire from the army, we naturally have to set an example for the brothers who will come later."

"If anyone dares to use his status to seek personal gain and damage the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, I will not tolerate any mercy from him."

Lantian, wearing a black hat and official uniform, stood in the lobby and spoke loudly.

As soon as these words were spoken, those who had followed him and retired from serving as yamen runners cheered loudly.

Whether it is the official uniforms of the Public Security Bureau or the Sheriff's Office, or the clothes of the yamen runners, they have all undergone some modifications.

Especially the official uniform of Lantian, unlike the long and wide sleeves of other officials, it is more tight-fitting and more similar to military uniforms, which is convenient for hands and feet.

Including the clothing of yamen runners, there have been great changes, becoming much simpler.

As the nephew of Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang, Lantian obviously has a very deep background in the Ming Dynasty.

After entering Suzhou City, without any hesitation, he directly seized the military power from the county magistrate.

Of course, Yang Youwen, as the prefect of Suzhou, had no intention of resisting, and the handover went smoothly.

After several days, the city of Suzhou has been under the control of Lantian.

However, in the past few days, nothing seemed to have happened in the entire city.

"What's going on? Is Suzhou so peaceful that there isn't even one citizen filing a complaint? Is everyone so friendly?"

Lantian said unhappily.

As the saying goes, a new official starts with three things to do when he takes office, not to mention that this Public Security Bureau is newly established and urgently needs to do something to establish its prestige.

However, the public security in the entire city of Suzhou seemed to have improved greatly.

Even petty thefts did not occur and the market was peaceful.

You can't even see hooligans on the streets. Some local gangs that used to bully people in the market are all law-abiding.

"Sir, in my humble opinion, this must have been deliberately done by the wealthy families in Suzhou City."

Deputy Commander Wang Ming said.

Wang Ming was also a general under Lan Yu before, and this time he came with Lan Tian.

"Humph, the people should not fight against the officials. Do you really think that I am a vegetarian? Do you think that if you suppress all the problems, I will be unable to do anything to you?"

"Deputy Commander Wang, tell the brothers to first find out the details of the big families in the city, and then find the blind ones and arrange for the people to file a complaint directly."

"I just don't believe it. This can be difficult for me."

Lantian said with a cold snort.

After all, he used to be a street bully in Beijing, and he was very familiar with those little tricks.

Wang Ming was a little hesitant when he heard this, and said, "Sir, regarding the rules of the Public Security Bureau, they were all decided by His Royal Highness Chang Sun, this..."

Currently in the military, everyone has great respect and gratitude for His Royal Highness Chang Sun.

The existence of the Public Security Department means that many veterans have the possibility of resettlement after retirement.

Although he was just a small yamen runner, he was still employed by the government. He was not poor and destitute, nor did he fight in wars for half his life and still have to dig in the dirt for food in the end.

Therefore, Wang Ming really memorized all the rules set by His Royal Highness Chang Sun himself.

Lantian was not angry when he heard Wang Ming's hesitation, but explained: "Don't be too stubborn. When I came here, my uncle taught me that I must completely control the power in Suzhou City."

"On this point, my uncle, the Duke of Liang, specifically consulted His Royal Highness Chang Sun. Although His Royal Highness Chang Sun did not say it explicitly, his meaning was that in extraordinary times, extraordinary things must be done."

"So you understand."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ming immediately replied, "I understand. I will arrange it right away."

Suzhou prefectural government office.

Yang Youwen feels that life has become much quieter recently.

Because of the transfer of military power, many yamen runners now have to report to the Public Security Bureau for duty.

Naturally, there were fewer people at the prefectural government office.

When Yang Youwen was handling government affairs, the judge Xu Zhen arrived.

"President Xu, how is it? Is there any movement at the Public Security Bureau recently? It has been three days, and apart from the banquet that day, there seems to be no movement at all."

When Yang Youwen saw Xu Zhen, he put down the government documents and asked hurriedly.

The changes brought about by the Public Security Department are their biggest concern at the moment.

In this regard, Xu Zhen, as a Tongpan, obviously had more opportunities for contact.

Xu Zhen replied: "The big families in the city have united with several chambers of commerce, including those gangs, and it seems that they have all reached an agreement. They just don't want to give the Public Security Bureau a chance to seize the opportunity."

"It seems that they are determined to confront the Public Security Bureau. Now they are like venomous snakes, trying to find out the details of the Public Security Bureau and then deliver a fatal blow."

Hearing this, Yang Youwen smiled.

He said disdainfully: "These people have been dealt with by His Majesty, and they really are not afraid of death. This was arranged by His Royal Highness Chang Sun himself. These people don't understand. This has already attracted great attention among the military households and the army."

"My friends in the capital sent me news that His Royal Highness Changsun intends to select a considerable number of people from the military households who have retired and returned to work in the Public Security Bureau."

"Haha, that's it. The military households' hearts have been won over by His Royal Highness Chang Sun. Anyone who attempts to resist is just trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm. They are just overestimating their own capabilities."

Yang Youwen, who came from the capital, obviously knew more inside information.

Therefore, there was no intention to stop the journey from Lantian to Suzhou City, and they quickly cooperated to complete the handover of military power.

Xu Zhen was obviously much less well-informed and had no idea about these news.

The remaining wealthy families in Suzhou City obviously have no way to get anywhere in the capital.

"In this case, sir, it is almost impossible for these big families and chambers of commerce to fight against the Public Security Bureau. It is just a matter of time."

Xu Zhen said in shock.

Yang Youwen nodded slightly, then after a moment's silence, he said, "Even if it's the Public Security Bureau, it's impossible to catch all the big companies and chambers of commerce in one fell swoop. After all, it's just killing some chickens to scare the monkeys."

“This is an opportunity for us.”

"Mr. Xu, I'll trouble you to go to a few families that have a good relationship with us and tell them what I just said so that they know what's right and wrong."

"We have to go there anyway, so let's take this opportunity to show our goodwill."

"Once these big chambers of commerce have finished talking, please take my invitation to the Public Security Bureau. I will set up a banquet and invite Commander Lantian and these big chambers of commerce to have a good talk together."

"If I am not mistaken, His Royal Highness Changsun arranged for the Public Security Bureau to come over and take charge. He certainly does not want to disrupt the prosperity of Suzhou Prefecture too much. It is very likely that he will provide some support in other areas."

Yang Youwen said thoughtfully.

After the documents regarding the Public Security Department came down, he initially believed, like everyone else, that the main purpose was to decentralize power.

But after careful consideration, I found that it was not just about decentralization.

The arrangement for the retirement of veterans won His Royal Highness Chang Sun the recognition of almost all the soldiers in the army.

And these soldiers who have benefited will definitely give strong support and advocacy to His Royal Highness Chang Sun when they arrive at the local areas.

Yang Youwen naturally also had a copy of the document regarding the operating procedures of the Public Security Bureau. In his opinion, the requirements in it were extremely benevolent.

One of the key points was the improvement of the Public Security Bureau's prison. The change from a dungeon to a prison shocked Yang Youwen.

You must know that the cells nowadays are extremely dark, with almost no light.

The new prison cells that will be built in the near future will be like a manor, with a large enough area, and even the requirements for the cells will be similar to those of ordinary people.

It was from this aspect that Yang Youwen saw the kindness of His Royal Highness Changsun.

Therefore, His Royal Highness Chang Sun would never try to secure the Security Bureau's position by completely destroying Suzhou Prefecture.