Preface
Zhang Juzheng, as an outstanding politician and reformer of the Ming Dynasty, not only left many political achievements in his life, but also showed his unique wisdom in handling interpersonal relationships.
In the face of villains and predicaments, Zhang Juzheng did not blindly follow the "benevolence of women", but took decisive action. He once had the decision to ask for directions and show a resolute attitude towards villains.
This kind of mind, which is not afraid of hardships and dangers, makes people fall in love with it, and also triggers us to think deeply about human nature and morality. Today, let's walk into the Ming Dynasty together and witness how an informal reformer Zhang Juzheng opened up a new channel in this vast ocean?
1. The dilemma of the Ming Dynasty
At the beginning of the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, there was once a beautiful scenery. But as time passed, the national power of the Ming Dynasty began to deteriorate. Officials are corrupt, and officials are mercenary and have no interest in the development of the country.
Officials at all levels only know about corruption and bribery, and live a life of luxury. However, the state's fiscal revenue is stretched to the limit, and it cannot make ends meet. Even the emperor was helpless, and the Ming Dynasty gradually declined in chaos. The entire government and the opposition were shrouded in a haze.
Second, Zhang Juzheng's superiority
Just when the Ming Dynasty was in trouble, one man began his path of reform. He is Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng is a person who dares to act. He knew that in order to save the Ming Dynasty from danger, it was necessary to fundamentally solve the problem. As a result, he introduced a reform known as the "Examination Method".
The core of the examination method is to conduct a strict assessment of officials at all levels. Zhang Juzheng set detailed work goals and deadlines for each official, and sent special personnel to supervise them. Those who do well will be reused, while those who do nothing will be dismissed.
This reform measure has undoubtedly annoyed many officials, who are accustomed to a life of ease and ease, and now they are subject to such strict supervision. However, Zhang Juzheng doesn't care about any of this. He is well aware that in order to carry out reforms, it is necessary to have courage and determination.
Third, the policy of "discounting".
While purging the government officials, Zhang Juzheng did not ignore the country's financial problems. The Ming Dynasty was unable to make ends meet, and it had reached the point where it could not be increased. So, Zhang Juzheng came up with an unexpected idea - "folding". The so-called "discount" is to use goods instead of money to pay the officials' salaries.
This practice has undoubtedly aroused strong resentment among officials. They are accustomed to squandering money with money, but now they can only receive some useless physical goods, and naturally they are full of complaints. However, Zhang Juzheng doesn't care about this. He clearly knew that in order to save the Ming Dynasty, it was necessary to fundamentally solve the financial crisis. Even if this approach offends some people, he will not hesitate to do so.
Fourth, Feng Bao's intervention
In the process of implementing reforms, Zhang Juzheng is not alone. He had an important assistant, and that was the eunuch Feng Bao. Feng Bao is a sinister and cunning person. He is greedy and mercenary. However, he is also well aware that only by attaching to power can more benefits be obtained. Therefore, he did not hesitate to choose to cooperate with Zhang Juzheng.
Under Zhang Juzheng's instructions, Feng Bao did a lot of dirty things. For example, when Zhang Ju was about to bring down the high arch, Feng Bao was secretly working for him. After Mingshenzong ascended the throne, Feng Bao became the right and left hand of Shenzong, manipulating the entire government.
Feng Bao's intervention provided an important boost to Zhang Juzheng's reform. With the help of this "villain", Zhang Juzheng can concentrate on formulating reform guidelines and leave some dirty things to Feng Bao to do.
5. Resistance to reform
The implementation of reform is bound to encounter many obstacles. Zhang Juzheng had expected this for a long time. The first to oppose it were naturally those officials who were affected by the "examination law".
They are accustomed to a carefree life, but now they have to accept strict supervision and assessment, and they are naturally full of complaints. Some people even openly called out Zhang Juzheng in an attempt to obstruct the progress of reform.
However, Zhang Juzheng is not afraid of these. He knew very well that the road to reform was destined to be full of thorns. As long as you are determined, you will be able to overcome all difficulties.
In addition to the opposition of officials, Mr. Zhang also faces another thorny problem — a fiscal crisis. The Ming Dynasty's treasury was long gone, and officials at all levels were extravagant and wasteful, unable to maintain the normal operation of the country.
It was in this situation that Zhang Juzheng came up with the idea of "folding the money". In this way, he hopes to reduce the financial burden on the country. However, this practice has caused strong resentment among officials.
In the face of such resistance, Zhang Juzheng has never wavered. He knows that only by persevering can he finally overcome everything. So, he gritted his teeth and walked on firmly.
6. Feng Bao's dark side
In the process of implementing reforms, Feng Bao is undoubtedly Zhang Juzheng's most important assistant. However, the inner world of this "villain" is far darker than it seems on the surface.
Feng Bao is a greedy person. He is mercenary and unscrupulous. In his view, power is everything. As long as he can get more benefits, he is willing to do anything.
It is precisely because of this mentality that Feng Bao will not hesitate to choose to cooperate with Zhang Juzheng. In his opinion, Zhang Juzheng is a person who can be exploited. As long as he can gain Zhang Juzheng's trust, he will be able to get a piece of the pie.
So, Feng Bao began his conspiracy. He secretly manipulated the Divine Sect to make the young emperor obey him. At the same time, he was secretly doing things for Zhang Juzheng and doing some dirty things.
It can be said that Feng Bao is a living "villain". He is insidious and cunning, mercenary. And Zhang Juzheng is just a tool for him to cling to power.
7. Advancement of reform
Despite the resistance, Zhang's reforms are progressing steadily. First of all, he strictly implemented the "test method". Officials at all levels were included in the evaluation list, without exception. Zhang Juzheng personally set the work goals and deadlines for each official, and sent his cronies to supervise the implementation.
For those officials who worked diligently and fulfilled their duties, Zhang Juzheng gave them reuse and reward. Those officials who were lax and perfunctory and did nothing were dismissed from their posts and investigated.
In this way, the rule of officials in the Ming Dynasty began to change. Those officials who used to be mercenary now have to roll up their sleeves and work hard for fear of being punished.
At the same time, Zhang Juzheng also implemented the practice of "discounting money", using goods instead of silver money to pay officials' salaries. This practice, while causing resentment among officials, has resulted in significant savings for the state.
In this way, with Zhang Juzheng's efforts, the situation in the Ming Dynasty began to improve. Despite the obstacles, he never gave up. It was this indomitable spirit that allowed him to achieve victory.
8. Zhang Juzheng's means
Looking back on Zhang Juzheng's life, we find that he is an informal person. In the process of implementing reforms, he adopted many tough measures, and even did not hesitate to use "villains" to achieve his goals.
For example, the "examination method" he implemented seriously offended many officials. And his policy of "compromising money" has aroused strong dissatisfaction among officials. However, Zhang Juzheng has never wavered because of this. He is well aware that in order to carry out reforms, it is necessary to have courage and determination.
What's more worth mentioning is the cooperation between Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao. Feng Bao is a sinister and cunning "villain", but Zhang Juzheng did not hesitate to take advantage of him. It was with Feng Bao's help that Zhang Juzheng was able to concentrate on formulating reform policies and leave some dirty things to Feng Bao to do.
It can be said that Zhang Juzheng's success is precisely because he is unruly and does whatever it takes. He is well aware that in the process of implementing reforms, he is bound to encounter many obstacles. Only by taking decisive measures can all difficulties be overcome.
It was this uncompromising spirit that made Zhang Juzheng eventually a generation of reformers. His story will forever be engraved in history.
epilogue
Zhang Juzheng's life is a model of informality. He dared to challenge authority and push for reforms. In his opinion, those who achieve great things should be like this, and cannot be bound by some small sections.
It was with this courage and determination that Zhang Juzheng was able to finally reverse the decline of the Ming Dynasty and revitalize this once glorious dynasty. His story will forever inspire future generations to bravely pursue their ideals and ambitions.
So, don't be discouraged when you also encounter a lot of resistance. Like Zhang Juzheng, we must go on resolutely and use our wisdom and courage to overcome everything. Only then can you truly become an informal person.