Chapter 218: The rectification of officialdom cannot avoid the Zhongshu Province and the Hu Weiyong case, and the Wuxiangshan water conservancy project has great potential
Previously, when completing the final work of the "Hu Weiyong Case" and the "Empty Seal Case", in order to avoid the hidden dangers of plague caused by concentrated killings, Zhu Gang came up with a transitional policy of "making meritorious service while serving punishment".

After all, even if 2000 prisoners were beheaded each year, it would take until the th year of Hongwu to deal with the prisoners involved in the "Hu Weiyong Case" and the "Empty Seal Case".

If we add the death row prisoners who need to be dealt with in the "Xiao Ming Wang Case", it will probably take even longer.

After careful consideration, Zhu Gang came up with the idea of ​​"waste utilization".

What Zhu Gang did not expect was that Zhu Gang took advantage of his trip to Quanzhou to directly load those officials with lighter crimes into the prison van.

In desperation, Zhu Gang was forced to begin investigating the administration of officials in various places.

Otherwise, if they brought thousands of prison cars to Quanzhou, several local civil and military officials would be scared to death.

"Your Highness, Prince of Jin, I have worked in the Ministry of Personnel before. According to relevant evaluations, Wang Chengji, the magistrate of Lishui, should be a talented person."

Zhu Gang came back to his senses and looked at Shang Hao who was standing not far away.

"In the government offices at all levels of the Ming Dynasty, the chief officials hold the power to evaluate their subordinates.

Whenever subordinates were assessed, the chief official would write out the assessment report and send it to the higher-level government office for assessment.

In addition, the chief official at the next level must be evaluated by the chief official at the previous level.

It will be reported step by step and finally submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for re-examination.

However, there is a big hidden danger here. I wonder if Mr. Shang has noticed it?"

When Shang Hao served in the Ministry of Personnel, he was not an ordinary official.

He knew very well that before Hu Weiyong and his cronies were defeated, the Secretariat and its subordinate Ministry of Personnel had participated in the assessment of civil servants.

At first, Shang Hao was worried that when Zhu Gang mentioned this issue, it would involve the follow-up of the "Hu Weiyong case."

After all, many local officials of the Ming Dynasty were evaluated by the Secretariat.

Right Prime Minister Hu Weiyong and Left Prime Minister Wang Guangyang must have played a crucial role in this.

However, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Guangyang has become timid and submissive.

This means that although he holds the title of Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat, he does not have the power that a Left Prime Minister should have.

Instead, he was firmly controlled by Hu Weiyong, and the Secretariat almost became his one-man show. This is the main reason why the "Hu Weiyong case" involved more than 30,000 people.

Fortunately, Zhu Gang did not link the rectification of official administration with the major case that shocked the court and the public, which made Shang Hao breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that Shang Hao was slow to answer his question, Zhu Gang's eyes gradually became profound.

Shang Hao said quickly upon seeing this: "In my opinion, the chief official has great power in assessing his subordinates, and there is a high possibility of mutual protection among officials.

We cannot just rely on the Ministry of Personnel’s assessment as the criterion for judgment. We also need to go deep into the people to learn more about the facts.”

Zhu Gang nodded slightly to show his agreement.

"Well, Lord Shang has a point."

At the same time, Zhu Gang thought that the Ming officialdom was indeed as treacherous as Shang Hao had said.

It would be difficult to fully understand the true situation of officials relying solely on the assessment of the Ministry of Personnel.

"Then let's leave this matter to Lord Shang."

Zhu Gang looked at Shang Hao, with a glimmer of trust in his eyes.

He said seriously: "This mission is extremely important, you need to treat it with caution.

You can select some trustworthy people and go to investigate among the people together.

The truth must be found out without any negligence."

Shang Hao bowed respectfully and accepted the order, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

He knew very well that this matter was of great importance. If it could be completed successfully, he would surely win Zhu Yuanzhang's appreciation and trust again.

At this time, Shang Hao secretly rejoiced that he could get such an opportunity and determined to give it his all.

After he turned and left, Zhu Gang suddenly frowned, with a worried look on his face. Zhu Gang whispered to himself: "Now the four major families in Jiangnan have been hiding in the dark, eyeing me covetously.

If we visit incognito, I'm afraid it will give them an opportunity to take advantage of us."

At this time, Lu Feng suggested: "Your Highness, why don't I lead the secret agents of the Royal Guards to go deep into the people and secretly investigate the reputation of Wang Chengji, the magistrate of Lishui County.

This way, you can avoid attracting unnecessary attention and get a better grasp of the real situation.”

Zhu Gang nodded to show his agreement.

He warned: "Be careful and don't reveal your identity.

In addition, we must ensure the safety of Mr. Shang and never allow those with ill intentions to take advantage of us."

After receiving the order, Lu Feng immediately led his men out of Wuxiang Temple and began to carry out the mission.

Zhu Gang continued to stay in the temple, thinking about the next course of action.

He remembered that the hilly area where he lived in later generations was planned by the Forestry Bureau as Wuxiang Mountain National Forest Park.

There are more than 10 ponds and dams of various sizes in the park, including Wuxiangsi Reservoir, Nüren Reservoir, Banshan Reservoir, Shengcun Reservoir, Maojiashan Reservoir, Tianchi and Xishatang.

This situation is enough to prove that the Wuxiang Mountain area has very rich water resources.

Before traveling to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gang had been to Leitan River, located on the edge of Lanzhou City.

Although the Leitan River had dried up at that time and became a lifeless river.

However, during the Hongwu period, the Leitan River was not only turbulent, but also had extremely abundant water resources, enough to nourish the people on both sides of the strait.

In later generations, this river has a famous name - Shuimogou, because there are dozens or even nearly a hundred water mills and water rollers distributed on both sides of the river.

Zhu Gang vaguely remembers that the water mill was mainly composed of upper and lower millstones, a rotating shaft, a water wheel, and a bracket.

The upper and lower grinding fans are engraved with spiral patterns rotating in opposite directions.

As they rotate they crush the wheat grains into powder.

Generally speaking, water mills are not built independently on the riverside, but a canal is led out.

It is mainly matched according to the size of the water mill and the kinetic energy of the water flow.

If the water flow is too large, it may destroy the water mill; if it is too small, it will not be able to drive the water mill.

Sometimes people make sure the water mill is running in order to make full use of water energy.

While constructing the water diversion channel, a water storage dam must also be built above it, and the gates will be opened to release the water when the water accumulates to a certain level.

In order to make full use of the kinetic energy of the water flow, water mills are often built on the slope below the dam.

Before his mind was racing, Zhu Gang had already presented the relevant design drawings of the water mill on the paper in front of him one by one.

At this moment, Feng Cheng walked in, reached out, picked up the tea bowl next to Zhu Gang and took a big sip.

“I have already placed the thousands of prisoners near the remains of the garrison of Du Fuwei, a rebel general at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

In addition, Jining Prefect Fang Keqin and Huguang Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Zheng Keyuan hope that Your Highness can meet with them. "

Zhu Gang looked at Feng Cheng with doubt on his face. "The two people you mentioned are important figures among the accomplices in the 'Empty Seal Case'. Are you trying to plead for them?"

Feng Cheng hurriedly shook his head and said in a terrified tone, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I am only responsible for delivering the message and have absolutely no other intentions!"

Zhu Gang smiled, with a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"I don't think you have the courage to do that."

He then fell into a brief contemplation, and after about half an incense stick of time, Zhu Gang finally spoke: "In that case, then you can make the arrangements.

I will meet Fang Keqin and Zheng Keyuan at Huancui Pavilion tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)