Chapter 29: Controlled by Emperor Yu
"Second brother, what do you think of the current political situation?"
Emperor Yu held the teacup, his tone seemed nonchalant, but his eyes were always watching Ning Fan's expression.
"Political situation?"
"Father, you are making things difficult for me!"
"If you ask me which of the most beautiful courtesans in Beijing is the most beautiful, and which one sings the best, I can really tell you, but if you ask me about governing the country..."
"Ahem!"
After hearing what Ning Fan said, Emperor Yu was choked by the tea. After a violent cough, there were several black lines on his forehead.
"This little beast is still pretending to me!"
"If I hadn't heard his high-sounding speech in the mansion with my own ears, I'm afraid I would have been fooled by him!"
"Hmph, since you want to act, I will act with you!"
Seeing that Emperor Yu was angry at first, but did not get angry, and gradually regained his calm, Ning Fan couldn't help but secretly admire him. He is worthy of being the ruler of a country. Just this skill of nourishing qi, I'm afraid he can't reach this level even if he is given ten years!
"Second brother, do you know how dangerous the situation of Dayu is now?"
"The borders are always in war. The eight tribes in the northern desert have been plundering the northern border of our dynasty for years. Now, Duke Jingguo and Princess Changning have fought for three years and driven them into the northern desert!"
"Dayan in the western border is dominating one side, like a tiger lying on the bed, ready to pounce on us at any time and bite a piece of our meat!"
"The barbarians in the southern border are sharpening their knives, claiming to have millions of bows and arrows, and may attack Dayu at any time!"
"The battlefield in the eastern border is even more at the moment of life and death. Once defeated, the hinterland of Dayu in the eastern border will face the iron hoof of Donghuai!"
When Emperor Yu talked about this, he sighed and said, "Not only that, although the foreign threat is strong, Dayu has loyal and brave soldiers. The most hateful thing is these thorns in the court!"
"Eating for a living, taking bribes and perverting the law, it is simply a crime worthy of death! "
Emperor Yu seemed to be really angry. He slammed his chopsticks on the table and looked at Ning Fan: "Have you ever heard of the four great families?"
"Chen Shu in Jiangnan, Hu in the border, Changyan Shuilu, the four great families!"
"Of course I have heard of them!"
"Yes!" Emperor Yu nodded slightly and said in a concentrated voice: "Everyone knows that the Chen family of Shuzhou occupies the rich land in Jiangnan and is said to be rich enough to rival a country, but they don't know that the Chen family's horse farm is the main source of my Dayu war horses. They occupy the largest iron mine in Jiangnan. Every year, the court buys pig iron from them at a cost of one million taels of silver!"
"Although the border Hu family is not as rich as the Chen family, they control 30% of my Dayu's salt mines, and even the local government has become their vassal!"
"The Changyan Shui family has a deep influence in Jiangbei and controls They control the main ferry crossings on both sides of the Li River, and even official ships have to pay them fees! "
"Seventy percent of my Dayu's business dealings are inseparable from the water transportation of the Shui family!"
"As for the Lu family, their ancestors were once the founding heroes of our dynasty, and they were granted the title of hereditary marquis. The title of marquis was passed down from generation to generation. They had a profound influence in Jiangdong, and even interfered with the court's control over the local area! "
"The most terrifying thing is that they monopolized my Dayu grain store and manipulated the price of grain!"
Emperor Yu exhaled deeply and said in a deep voice: "Since the founding of our dynasty, we have suffered from wars. The previous emperors of all generations have been committed to defending the land. When the previous emperor was in power, he devoted the whole country's strength to flatten the Great Zhou, which is your mother's dynasty!"
"So far, my Dayu has barely defended the four directions. Although there have been wars for many years, the flames of war have never burned to the people of our dynasty. "
"My Great Yu has established the country for more than a hundred years. Although there has never been an emperor who has made great achievements, every generation of emperors has made achievements. In foreign wars, I, Dayu, have almost never suffered losses! "
"But for internal administration, it is a mess!"
Emperor Yu also showed a deep helplessness on his face, and pondered: "Since I ascended the throne, although I have been determined to weaken the aristocratic families, the situation is unstable, even if it is me, I dare not act rashly!"
"However, to this day, all the civil and military officials in the court are the henchmen of the four great families. I have no way out!"
"If it is allowed to develop, Dayu will be in turmoil within 30 years, and even in danger of national destruction!"
After hearing what Emperor Yu said, Ning Fan really understood how terrible the four great families are. You know, salt mines and water transportation are the lifeblood of a country's economy, and iron ore and military horses are strategic materials!
And food is the foundation of a country. It is not an exaggeration to say that if the Lu family is willing, they can completely strangle the court!
Food, minerals, water transport, and military horses are all so important strategic materials.
They are all controlled by the aristocratic families, and their scale is even far greater than that of the imperial court. How terrible is this?
"I have only heard of the four great families before, and they are famous all over the world, but I never thought that their foundation is so terrible!"
"Second brother, I have been thinking about it for a long time, and finally figured out a plan. You come and plan it for me!"
After Emperor Yu regained his composure, he looked at Ning Fan with a smile: "I am going to set up a secret agency, which will only obey me. In the name of protecting the palace, it will be given the power to patrol and arrest, guard the ceremonial guard, conduct external intelligence, conduct investigations, interrogations, and arrests!"
"Monitor all officials internally and spy on military intelligence externally. You can kill first and report later. The imperial power has granted it!"
"What do you think?"
As soon as Emperor Yu finished speaking, Ning Fan was like being struck by lightning, and he stood there in a daze, with disbelief in his eyes.
Could it be that Emperor Yu is also a time traveler?
Isn't this the Jinyiwei!
"Hmm?"
After seeing Ning Fan's expression, Emperor Yu also showed a hint of amusement on his face: "Is this plan feasible?"
"Yes... feasible!"
"Father, you are wise and brave, I admire you!"
"But..."
Ning Fan tried to calm down and whispered: "Father, this matter is of great importance, we should take a long-term view!"
"Yes!" Emperor Yu nodded in agreement: "I naturally know the pros and cons. Once I release this news, the civil and military officials in the court will definitely do their best to stop it!"
"But how many of the civil and military officials in this court are clean?"
"I have ordered people to find a group of corrupt officials. Tomorrow morning, I will use thundering means to intimidate the court officials and take the opportunity to propose the establishment of a secret service agency. , the court officials naturally had nothing to say! "
"Do you think it's feasible?"
There was a hint of teasing in Emperor Yu's eyes. Ning Fan's forehead was already sweating coldly, and he couldn't help cursing in his heart: "Emperor Yu, this old fox, actually sent someone to monitor himself?"
"It must be like this!"
"My conversation with Jia Xu yesterday was eavesdropped by someone!"
"I must find this bastard out after I go back!"
Seeing Ning Fan's face change, Emperor Yu smiled playfully: "Are you thinking that I sent someone to monitor you by your side, and I will find that person out after I go back!"
"Fuck? ? ? "
"Father, can you read minds?"
"Do you have a system too?"
...