Chapter 10 Chapter 8 Preliminary Construction (Part 1)

After June of the sixth year of Longqing, the power fell into the hands of Juzheng.His wish is to dedicate his whole life to the country.He still remembered that in the winter of five years, when the struggle in the cabinet was intensifying and his political life was in jeopardy, he once had two verses: I would like to serve Chensha with a deep heart and not seek benefits for myself. His understanding of politics is only sure, not giving up; only moving forward, not retreating; only sacrificing, not flinching.Now is his time.In the first year of Wanli, he once talked about his mental state at this time:

Last year, when the Lord Shaoguo was in doubt, he used a contemptuous body to overcome the changes in the world. Compared with the time, he only knew how to deal with this deep heart, and no longer considered his own. (Letter 5 "Answer to Li Zhongxi Youdao Respects His Teacher") He believed that the crux of all the slack during the Jiajing period and the chaos during the Longqing period was Ji Gang's weakness.So the strategy he started with was to rectify Ji Gang.The weapon of those in power in the Ming Dynasty was the Jingcha. With the power of the Jingcha in hand, it was possible to clarify the administration of officials and clean up the bureaucracy.In July of the sixth year of Longqing, Ju Zhengzuo invited a Beijing inspection. Those below the fifth rank were jointly inspected by the Ministry of Officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and those above the fourth rank were ordered to report themselves.At the end of the Beijing inspection, on the 16th, Shenzong issued an edict to all the ministers. This is Ju Zheng's handwriting:

As a young child, I won the heir Piji, and I was trembling day and night, as if I were in the abyss, I relied on the civil and military officials, who worked together and worked hard, to be ignorant, and to achieve peace together.Since recent years, scholars have been accustomed to pouring water, official slandering, digging into gaps, skillfully acting as a matchmaker, inciting friends, and crowding out the public. For talent.Love and hate are intertwined, grievances and hatred are intertwined, so that the handle of the court's majesty is only a reward for the rewards of the ministers, and the four dimensions are almost weak; why are the nine virtues so salty.I first inherited the Great Order, and I am deeply aware of the source of disadvantages. I desperately want to get rid of major events and use it to clear up the turmoil. If it is too much, it will be punished lightly, and the rest will be given to Jinyuan to start with it. Doesn't "Book" mean it?No party, no party, kingly way, no party, no party, kingly way.My Fangjia and my subjects will return to the road of the emperor, and all your subjects should also suffer from the old dirt, and help the success of the king's way together.From now on, it is the heart to be pure and white, and the duty to be respectful. Don't be selfish to be superior, don't hold a salary to support friends, don't rely on Ah Huo to be at any time, and don't be arrogant to mess with the government.Those who serve as prime ministers should be respectful and sincere, and should not be compared to prostitutes, so as to plug the road of justice.Dianquan weighers should appreciate things with an open mind, and don't allow emotions to like and dislike, so as to open the door of evil and wrong.There are officials and guards, whether inside or outside, each should be divided into plans to relieve difficulties.Those who are responsible for speaking are right and wrong, and everyone should stand up and listen to them.Ministers should be respectful and respectful, and have the style of standing upright; small ministers should be honest and honest, and have the festival of retreating and self-serving.In several dynasties, the Qing government was austere, the Tao was prosperous and the time was healthy, and the rest of the good teachers were used to help them, and they returned to the realm of turmoil and mediocrity.If you indulge in the old ways, stick to the old ways, regard the court as the must, and regard the law as the must, then the constitution of my ancestors is very strict, and I dare not forgive it.Baier has a position, you should know my bosom, Qin Zai's old advice! (See Zoushu No.2 "Commitments to the Officials")

During the inspection ceremony, Juzheng did go to a few people who used words to do politics. He himself said that Zhilan was in the way and had to be hoeed.But when it comes to execution, Juzheng has his own sense of propriety, so in the book to comfort Zhang Jiayin, he quoted Han Yu and Cai people as me; Zheng (Gao Gong)'s party should not be kept.In other words, a certain one was entered by Xinzheng, so it is not suitable to use it.Borrowing one after another, the sun leads to the moon, it is very meaningless!At that time, he once talked about his views with Yang Bo; later he said to Li Jian'an:

A talent born for a lifetime is self-sufficient for a lifetime. Gu Quanheng always miscellaneous it with selfish intentions and holds it with prejudice, which leads to mixed grades and improper handling.Although the servant's superficiality is not enough to know people, he has nothing to do with the thought of being the father of the country.Therefore, since the incident, I have earnestly informed Quancao with this intention. I don’t ask who is the party in my hometown, and I don’t know what I have done and managed. But those who can manage state affairs and are polite to the emperor will be recorded.Use three drives to show the comparison, hang a mirror to illuminate the virtual, so there is a group of talents at a time, and there is the wish of emperors and ministers.Now that the deployment has been decided, we will still comprehensively verify the names and facts in the future, and blow them out one by one.For fear of confusion between people and music, there must be someone who thinks that the core will be engraved.Of course, it's not because there is no test result to make the sky work. (Book 5 "Response to Jiongqing Li Jian'an on the use of talents")

It is for the country, but it is not for the scholar-bureaucrats.But from the perspective of the group of people who can't do things, walk forward and back, and sit back and forth, it's just very serious.Until the fourth year of Wanli, Juzheng had been in power for five years, and the public could not understand. Juzheng once said: I want to be the country, the heart of the scholar-officials, self-examination, sincerity and single-mindedness, and its role, or those who do not conform to the prevailing customs, want to become my country and the heart of the scholar-bureaucrats.The servant once said that I will be an executioner, and I will not leave the place of practice to prove Bodhi.Another verse says, the tiger in Gaogang is angry, the python in the deep forest is angry, there are no strays in the world, and it will not hurt people in the end.Zhang is deeper than a Buddhist scholar, don't you know this opportunity? (Letter 8 "A Reply to Changlu Wutai on Governance Style and Power")

Although the scholar-bureaucrats in the sixth year of Longqing could not understand, and the scholar-officials in the fourth year of Wanli could not understand, and they would never be able to understand, but Juzheng was determined to shoulder this important responsibility for the country.His way of dealing with others is to seek sages from others, and he was recorded by Emperor Xi, (Book 4 "Answer to Du Qingjiang"). He claims to have no other talents, but he is patient and patient. (Same volume "Answer to Ling Yangshan, Governor of Yunyang") Patience, patience!This is the secret he learned from Xu Jie: Xu Jie endured dealing with his seemingly incompatible colleagues, and Juzheng endured dealing with the intricate political situation.The Jingchao will be held in July, and the titles of Empress Dowager Rensheng and Empress Dowager Cisheng will be honored.Muzong was buried in September, and Juzheng rushed to Dayuling again to watch the situation of mountains and rivers. (See Zoushu No. 2 "Shanling Licheng Consolation Shu") The annoyance is so annoying that Juzheng is still enduring it.

Juzheng is preparing to implement great policies, and ordinary ministers also expect him to implement great policies.They have read the books of sages, hoping to be Confucius and Mencius, and they want to be kings.They still remember that when Emperor Jianwen was in power, the flames of war had already spread all over the southern and northern capitals, and the emperor discussed with Fang Xiaoru and his group the systems of Zhou Li Yingmen and Gaomen: Although it still failed that time, but now is the Taiping era, Why can't we try again?However, Juzheng's behavior disappointed them again, and they even openly said:

We thought that when Duke Zhang was in power, he should act like an emperor.Looking at his comments now, it is nothing more than a rich country and a strong army. Just like this, it is really disappointing. After hearing this, Juzheng just smiled and said: This is too polite, how can I make the country rich and the army strong? In the seventh year of Wanli, with some confidence in this aspect, Ju Zhengcai said: When Confucius talked about politics, he said that there is enough food and enough soldiers.Shun ordered the twelve shepherds to say, "Food is time-keeping."The Duke of Zhou established a government: his Keqier soldiers!Why don't you want the country to be rich and strong?Later generations are ignorant of academics, high-spirited without substance, plagiarized benevolence and righteousness, called kingly way, and only involved in wealth and power, just like tyranny.I don't know the distinction between kings and hegemons, between righteousness and reason, whether it is in the heart or not, Xi must be benevolent and righteous be the king, and be rich and powerful be the overlord?Since the servant has been in power, in addition to keeping secrets and cultivating morality, the order he spreads is nothing more than these two things.It has been seven or eight years now, and the sighs of sorrow in Luli have not stopped, and the hasty and unexpected changes may still be difficult to support, because they are rich and strong! (Letter 11 "Answer to Governor Geng Chutong of Fujian on the Distinction of Kings and Hegemons")

Juzheng's understanding of state affairs is to make the country rich and the army strong, but this group of people want to run the king's government, talk about Yao and Shun, and talk about Zhou and Confucius.Juzheng put forward the arguments of Yao, Shun, Zhou, and Confucius and distinguished them.Sometimes when they talked about the propositions of Zhou, Cheng, Zhang, and Zhu in the Song Dynasty, Juzheng unceremoniously thought that they were all traitorous ministers and traitors in the Song Dynasty, and old Confucians were talking about them.But Juzheng is a politician, he didn't call out publicly, he just said, this is too polite, how can I make the country rich and the army strong?

In fact, Juzheng still felt very difficult.Where is the difficulty?The difficulty is that since Jiajing and Longqing, the accumulated weakness has become a trend.Don't worry about the sluggishness in the Sejong era; in the Muzong era, because of the struggle in the cabinet, the power of several famous ministers was wasted in a situation where positive and negative cancel each other out.Ju Zheng said; The trend of the world is most affected by success, and if it is not successful, it can be reversed suddenly.The momentum of governance is successful, but chaos is difficult if you want to change; (Anthology Eleven "Miscellaneous Works") If the power of the country is strong, it will be inauspicious, and if the power of the country is weak, the power of the country will not be harmful.For example, if a person is full of vitality, young and strong, and occasionally has diseases, heals with rotary therapy, decoction and needles are degraded, and the salty work is received; the vitality is weak, and the energy is exhausted. In vain, although there is Bianlu, there is nothing to do! (same as above) Fortunately, Longqing's weakness in the last years has not yet reached the point of being incurable. This is a key point, and Ju Zheng must not let it go.He is preparing to realize his proposition: take the gentleman as the country, strive to strengthen its foundation, strengthen its discipline, follow it thickly, don't let there be provocations, get out of danger, take advantage of the subtleties, and extinguish it quickly, although it is expensive Don't hesitate, don't let the vine grow, the vine is hard to figure out. (same as above) Enriching the country and strengthening the army is actually just one thing: making the country rich is an intermediate process, and strengthening the army is the ultimate goal; only with a good economic foundation can we talk about national defense construction.At the beginning of the country, in terms of military affairs, the children of Guangdong and Guangxi and the people of Fujian continued to revolt. The situation is quite serious, but these have nothing to do with national defense.The focus is only on the north side, which is the defense against the Tartars.In the fifth year of Longqing, the matter of paying tribute to Alda had been confirmed, and after that, the tribute city of Ji Neng and Qiejin Taiji, a group of western leaders, succeeded again.The north is quiet, but Juzheng always thinks that this is a truce, not peace.He always advocates showing restraint externally and practicing war defense internally.He believes that the Tatar's strategy is to beg for mercy, but it can be thrown to the bone. (Letter 3 "Answer to Wu Huanzhou Ce Yellow Chief") The staff should always be held in hand.His plan is to have enough food and soldiers.He and Wang Chonggu also said: The five natural talents are born, and the people use them together. Who can go to the army?Confucius said he had to leave.At the present time, if there is no other choice, but instead of strengthening the army, the task is to get rid of the army, and Tang Jishi will do it.However, sufficient food is the foundation of a sufficient soldier. If you want to have sufficient food, then there is no way to let go of it.Sincerely let the land of frontier administration flourish with tens of thousands of mu, and it will not be harmed for three o'clock, but if there is no open land in the wild, do not compete with the small people for profit, and the unemployed people in the distance will all come here. The family fights for itself, and the people for themselves Guard, do not ask for soldiers, but soldiers are enough.This remark seems roundabout, but in the past there was no time for sincerity, but now it is the right time, so I hope the public will pay attention to it. (Letter 3 "Answer to Wang Jianchuan's Yanbian Tun") This is still the fifth year of Longqing.Juzheng never let go of the defense of the north.But he still can't rest assured about ordinary people's plans to defend the border and set up risks.In the early years of Longqing, someone proposed to plant trees along the border. Juzheng said that planting trees to create danger was an important task for border guards, but as the proponents said, it was absolutely useless.At that time, everyone didn't think so, but even though the trees had been planted for many years, none of them grew up.Juzheng can only honestly say: Is there anyone in the world who can benefit if he does not follow the hard work! (same volume as "Answer to Lingyang Mountain's Borderlands to Plant Trees and Set up Dangers") These are also the words of Longqing five years.Just this year, Ju Zheng said: Next year, it is planned to send ministers to read it, and reward and punish it.If it's still hard to get excited, then the servant invites himself to go to the story first, and patrol the border with a stick and axe.It is not righteous for people and ministers to receive the country's great kindness, sit back and enjoy the benefits, and do not think about repaying them. (same as above) In October of the sixth year of Longqing, all the troublesome things had a clue, and Ju Zheng implemented the plan of sending ministers to patrol the border: first, Wang Daokun, the left servant of the Ministry of War, inspected Ji and Liao; second, Wu Baipeng, the right servant of the Ministry of War, inspected Xuan, Da, Three towns in Shanxi; third, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Lin, the assistant minister of the Jingying Rongzheng, inspected four towns in Shaanxi.These three were all Jinshi in the 26th year of Jiajing, which happened to be the same year as Juzheng.The results of the viewing this time were not very satisfactory, and there were not small cracks in the personal friendship between Juzheng, Baipeng, and Wang Jin. Wang Daokun went to Ji and Liao, the matter was very simple.Before leaving, Juzheng wrote Qi Jiguang a letter: Wang Sima knows that he has a deep understanding of his feet, and the courtesy he treats each other must be generous.But keep your feet on your own, and respect modesty, don't insult yourself.In the past, Li Yan belonged to Li Jian and paid homage to Pei Du in Taoism, which was beautiful in Tang history.Gai Zhong ordered the envoy, so he respected the court.Sima's trip has a lot to do with Ji, so I'm lucky to pay attention to it. (Letter 4 "With Qi Jiguang") After Daokun left, everything went smoothly. After the matter was completed, it was a routine matter to discuss the salary and increase the piers.Juzheng wrote to him and said: "The performance is clear and clear, and the diction is beautiful. If you read it again, you will be full of sighs." (Book 5 "Answer to Wang Sima Nanming") Dao Kun was originally a literati, and his talent can only be seen in diction; fortunately, Ji Liao is a situation managed by Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, so he has nothing to worry about. Wang Lin and Ju Zheng did not get along very well. After going to Shaanxi, he completed the inspection work and returned home shortly after he was ill. Of course he was a little dissatisfied with this. Ju Zheng wrote to say: In the age of Tang and Yu, there were nine officials and twelve shepherds, teachers and teachers, each contributing to his ability, how could it be necessary for people to be Yuji, all of whom are in a hundred positions, and then feel comfortable?Sincerely appreciate the encounter of the times.Now that Yao and Shun are at the top, they belong to Ren Zhongxian, and they are servants who walk through the fish, sleep hard, use the sages in the world, and follow them to the top.Scholars are born today, and there is no escape from righteousness, but it can be done at the time.Gong is alone proudly leading far away, admiring Chaoyou, mocking Yuqi, wanting to surpass the inevitable point, but it is not easy to get back, this ignorance is incomparable.Although, people have their own ambitions, how can they be strong?Talking about it is so mere, but Gao Ming judges it. (Book Five "Discussing the Righteousness of Monarchs and Ministers with Wang Jijin") Difficulties arose when Wu Baipeng went to Xuanda and Shanxi.Wang Chonggu, governor of Xuanda, was afraid that Baipeng would come to hinder him, and Baipeng's friends thought it was a kind of relegation, so he had no choice but to explain to both parties; For example, I was taught by Han, and Bo Ruan couldn't answer immediately, but all the people who asked for it were like respected fingers, and they belonged to the division and resumed their work.When the Young Sima (Wu Baipeng) of Yaoshan was on his way, he had repeatedly told him: "It is different from other towns to announce the big things. There is Kou Gong at the north gate. Those who have nothing to worry about will come back but they will be successful."There is no trouble and hard core, it just messes people up.However, this man is bright and generous, and he will surely succeed. (Letter 4 "Answer to Wang Jianchuan") Insulting the teaching is full of words of medicine and stone, but it is not dare to say that the servant is arrogant and resists, and abandons the soldiers of the world. However, it is necessary to be more vigilant because of this.Wu Yaoshan was ordered to read and inspect Xuanda. He has been a servant for several years and has spent a lot of effort in managing the place. (same volume as "Answer to Councilor Wu Daonan") After Baipeng left, he really made some achievements.He used (1) food and salaries, (2) dangerous passes, (3) soldiers and horses, (4) equipment, (5) garrisoning fields, (6) salt law, (7) fanning horses, and (8) rebelling against the party, a total of eight assessment items minister.He pointed out the merits and demerits of Wang Chonggu, the governor of Xuanda, Wu Dui, the governor of Xuanfu, and Guo Hu, the general soldier of Shanxi, and asked him to be promoted.At the same time, he seriously impeached Ma Fang, the commander-in-chief of Datong.He decided that Ma Fang had bribed, of course he had to be severely punished.Bai Peng is the Minister of Reading and Watching, and there is nothing wrong with this; but Ju is the chief assistant, so he inevitably has infinite hesitation. The army of the Ming Dynasty has long been a corrupt institution, with layers of exploitation from the bottom to the top.The commander-in-chief is the top one, and he will distribute the exploited income to the officials in Beijing.Ke Dao accepts bribes, the Ministry of War accepts bribes, and sometimes university scholars also accept bribes.Fraud and corruption have become a general trend.When encountering a senior officer in Qingming, if there is no talk of bribery, the commander-in-chief will contact the officer's servant, and the senior officer will inevitably be suspected.After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the status of warriors in society was declining day by day.When they went to the Ministry of War to receive official documents, the commander-in-chief of the three armies would kneel down. They were slaves, not officers.He has already acquired the status of a slave, so it is just right for him to contact the servants of the high officials. Entrusting the fate of the entire country to this group of people cannot be regarded as a major concern for the future.Juzheng saw this, so in the first year of Wanli, he had the idea of ​​using scholars as generals in the northwest. (Book 5 "Discussing Great Politics with Wang Jing") Scholars have been educated more, so they will naturally pay more attention to fame and integrity.This is something.But in the sixth year of Longqing, Juzheng still hesitated.The memorial for Wu Baipeng's impeachment of Ma Fang has arrived, and the officials are impeaching Zhao Qi, the chief soldier of the Xuanfu. Juzheng just said: The servant, Ma and Zhao never knew each other.At the same time, the slaves of the people who were in charge of the country, led the sworn brothers with the border generals, and seldom did not suffer from them.Since the servant took office, he has been isolated from the inside and outside, fortunately, the door is closed, the court room accepts public visits, and the gates and alleys can be opened up.That is to say, the cunning of these two people is invisible, does the servant not know?The first is that he is a veteran general, and his subordinates are too rough and few. The generation may not be able to control them, even if there are scars, they can still be used to drive them.The captives in Gongshi are hard to rely on for a long time. They are urgent and urgent, and there is no messenger.Scholar-officials are the only ones who don't forgive contempt, so why call it that! (Letter 5, "Answer to Governor of Ji Town's Proposal for False Generals") But Juzheng is very safe.Wu Daonan is attacking Juzheng, believing that he is covering Ma Fang and ignoring Wu Baipeng.what to doMa Fang was dismissed, and at the same time Juzheng wrote to Baipeng: Ma Shuai dismissed his post, and the law of the country has been enacted.The servant is superficial and shoulders heavy responsibilities, although it is not enough for the day-to-day affairs, but if he thinks about being fair and honest, he can sue the spirits of the ancestors in the world, and he dare not take any selfish intentions in it.But yesterday Wu Shaoshen (referring to Wu Daonan) had a book, which was very unfair, and his words were embarrassing and resentful.Today's affairs on the Nine Frontiers, publicity is the most important thing, and those who don't pay others but entrust the public, because they know the public as their heart.I also invite you face to face, and give orders to be obedient and pamper him. Why do you think this servant is so kind!He regards his servants as thick, cunning and handsome, but ignores the old ones. Doesn't he slander me?The hearts of the districts are only a lesson from the public. (The same volume as "Answer to Sima Wu Yaoshan") Juzheng's painstaking efforts were not forgiven by his colleagues, but he has always been unremitting in the arrangement of the north.For the important towns in the nine borders, he sent people to patrol; for the governors of the nine borders, he paid attention to the candidates: this is an internal matter.His external strategy is also to keep raising money.The Tatars in the north, except for the barbarians, the Alda system has passed the tribute procedure and is in a state of armistice with the Ming Dynasty.I answer that several important leaders, such as his younger brother Kundu Liha, his nephews Yong Shaobu, Jineng, and his son Huang Taiji, could have commanded them, but because Tatar at that time was an organization Unhealthy tribes cannot actually cooperate.Juzheng's plan is to separate them into as many units as possible, the increase of units means the decrease of strength.The Tatars do not have the ability to jointly attack the north, which adds another layer of protection to the country's security. In the fifth year of Longqing, it was rumored that Kundu Liha (that is, Badu) and Ji Neng were dead, and Juzheng was going to support Qingtaiji, the son of Badu, to fight against Huangtaiji.He said: The son of the chieftain, I don't know what to do.The servants of the Yellow Chiefs must think about merging the East, and now we should support the Qingbadu to make it resist the Yellow Chiefs.If the Yellow Chief has the ambition to join the East, he can only be blamed with righteousness, and there is no need to forbid it.Wait for the two of them to belong to me. (Letter 4 "Governor Wang Jianchuan's plan to deal with the Yellow Chiefs") Badu and Ji Neng all perished at once, and the Yellow Chief also fell ill. The death of the sky is here to see you.But in my case, we must be kind and trustworthy.But his son can control his tribe, so he ordered Yu Shunyi to ask him to attack him, and he didn't have to choose a good man.If we want to make its power split and attack, then I can control it because of its mechanism, and it will be beneficial for decades. (Same volume "Answer to Wang Jianchuan on the Decline of the Eastern Games") The problem I answered was solved, but a rebellious Huang Taiji couldn't do anything even with my answer.The wife of Kundu Liha contacted Yongshaobu again and refused to pay tribute. The matter was a bit tricky.After the sixth year of Longqing's reign, he said: Kun's women are stupid and fierce, and they seem to have no future. Although Yong Shaobu is attracted, she will eventually be greedy for property in the Guan market. It is enough to make Donghe soil barbarians do harm to Ji. (The same volume "Speaking of Wang Gongshi with Wang Jianchuan") In this year, Kundu Liha made a request, and he wanted to be crowned king just like Alda.Feng Wang is just a name, and there is nothing to lose in China, but China cannot be threatened by him.Juzheng understands that this is not the era of Sejong, and China has plenty of preparations.So he said to Wang Chonggu again: It has been said before that the matter of humiliating Kunduli and Huangtaiji two chiefs.The yellow chieftain is arrogant, honest and difficult to tame, but he is stubborn and unscheming, his subordinates complain a lot, and he is not at peace with his father, so it is difficult to succeed alone. In the future, there may be minor conflicts on the battlefield, but even if he handles it well, it will eventually belong to me Jail also.Kundu is old and treacherous. Over the past few years, the native barbarians in the east and the chieftains in the west are all created by this person. Compared with the yellow chieftains, it is difficult to control.However, since my answer has been accepted, Huang Qiusu does not attach it.Yesterday I ordered the people of Ji to spread rumors outside the border that Kundu and I have an agreement to join forces to attack the barbarians.Captives are suspicious by nature and must be suspicious of each other, so the chieftain is also isolated and powerless.If you talk about the matter of becoming a king again, you can speak well. I answer you brother, the order of ethics is the best, and the end of the first surrender, but also insists on my traitor, and obeys my restraint. Wang Zhi.You have been troubled for many years, and you have not made great achievements in China, so how can you wait with your brother?My majesty is both inclusive and compatible, so why not give you the title of a king, but in terms of the matter, it is not pleasing to the ears.If you can follow your brother's words, abide by the restraints, and stick to the oath of the alliance, two or three years later, you will hear about the court with you, and you will be crowned king and Jialai together.If I want to use this matter to start a quarrel, I can only fight one ear.Hearing this, he would not dare to move.To measure this lonely captive, the soldiers of Shanggu and a town should serve as him, and Yunshuo is connected to the east. Even if he enters, he will not be afraid. (Letter 4 "Response to Governor Wang Jianchuan's plan to deal with Huang Kun's two captives") Juzheng's plan to deal with the Tatars is to enrich the frontier defense and be ready to attack at any time, and at the same time use every opportunity to split the Tatars.In this way, the enemies in the north are just scattered tribes rather than the entire collective, which invisibly reduces the threat from the north, and the army in the north has the possibility of a decisive victory at any time.In this regard, it is somewhat similar to the imperialist policy of dividing and destroying, but there is one major difference.The goal of imperialism is to enslave or destroy the enemy; the real goal is to allow the existence of the enemy and eliminate the threat of the enemy.Imperialism is offensive, but it is defensive; imperialism only hopes for one-sided victory, but it hopes for coexistence on both sides.When China was strong, the strategies it adopted abroad were often consistent with Juzheng's views. This is the difference between Chinese culture and modern imperialism. Six years passed in Longqing, and the next year was changed to Yuan Wanli. It was Gengzi in the first month of the year, and the prison of the king and minister occurred. Things should have been simple.On this day, Shenzong was in Qianqing Palace, and saw a man walking by in a panic, and ordered his left and right to take him down.After interrogation, it was found out that this was Minister Wang, a deserter from Jizhou.Punishment for deserters is still simple, but when the news reaches Feng Bao, it is not easy.Feng Bao decided that this was an opportunity.When he thought of Gao Gong, he really hated him.Gao Gong has resigned and returned home, but Feng Bao's resentment has not disappeared.Only blood, blood, blood can wash away Feng Bao's resentment.Minister Wang was sent to the East Factory. After the search and inspection of the East Factory, a knife was found on Minister Wang's body.With the evidence, this must be an assassination, and walking outside the Qianqing Palace, who is not assassinating the emperor?Who is in charge?In the confession recorded by Dongchang, it is clearly stated that it was the envoy of Gao Gong.There is a murderer, a murder knife, and a mastermind. Feng Bao decided to thoroughly investigate this case. What about a thorough investigation?The authority of Dongchang is in the hands of Feng Bao. Isn't it easy to kill Minister Wang and Gao Gong?However, the East Factory in Feng Bao's hands is far from the West Factory in the hands of Wang Zhi in the Xianzong era, and the Dongchang in the hands of Wei Zhongxian in the Xizong era.I don't know how Feng Bao's character is compared to Wang Zhi and Wei Zhongxian, but the court in the early years of Shenzong was indeed better than that of Xianzong and Xizong.Juzheng once said that there are many elders in the court.Under this environment, even if Feng Bao has the will to do evil, he has no chance to do evil.For many elders, everything is arranged by Juzheng, and the role of Juzheng is even more evident here. Unfortunately, the relationship between Juzheng and Feng Bao is too close, and Gao Gong's dismissal, Juzheng is the biggest beneficiary.Feng Bao's conspiracy, did he participate in Henan?He might even be the mastermind!Expulsing Gao Gong is already too much, now I want to kill Gao Gong again!The suspicions of ordinary people focused on Juzheng.Since Xia Yan was killed in the 27th year of Jiajing, those who held power have ended up endangering their wealth and lives.Yan Song was in power and killed Xia Yan, Xu Jie was in power, and Yan Shifan was killed. Yan Song, who was in his eighties, was also forced to death for no reason;Twenty five years of tradition.Only blood is the price of regime, and now it is roughly time for Gao Gong to pay the price again.This tradition is really cruel and brutal.The public pointed to Ju Zheng, believing that he was about to oppress Gao Gong and pay the final blood debt. Among the ministers, Yang Bo and Ge Shouli were the most prestigious and bold.Shouli asked Yang Bo to visit Juzheng together. Already told him, Yang Bo said. The general opinion is on Duke Yang, Shouli said, and he believes that only Duke Yang can not kill people and seduce people.Things are getting more serious now, I can't talk about it already, so it's inconvenient to say it again. They visited Juzheng together.They defended Gao Gong. They pointed out that Dongchang had no conscience. They were afraid of offending the public. They even used their whole family to guarantee Gao Gong's innocence. Maybe they talked a little too eagerly, and Juzheng got a little angry.He doesn't expect the understanding of ordinary people, but he can't imagine that the people he admires in his life will doubt him. Do you two think I am willing to do the same?he said angrily. No, Yang Bo said, but only a husband can have the power to recover. Juzheng decided on a method. The interrogation in Dongchang was only the first trial. Juzheng played Ming Shenzong and handed over the Jinyiwei Zuo Dudu Zhu Xixiao, Zuo Du Yushi Ge Shouli and Feng Bao for retrial.Ge Shouli and Feng Bao are of course duty bound.Xixiao is the younger brother of Zhu Xizhong, the sixth Duke of Cheng after Zhu Neng, the second Duke of Jingnan.Since the Ming Dynasty became the ancestor, it paid special attention to the heroes of Jingnan, and the descendants of Qiu Fu, Duke of Qi, the first Jingnan hero, were eliminated, so Duke Cheng was the first family at that time.Jia Xizhong and Xixiao, since Sejong, have been Temengsi's favored ministers, and Juzheng proposed Xixiao because he valued his qualifications.But things stumped Xixiao, he discussed with Xizhong.Follow Feng Bao's plan, they don't want to offend literati; follow their conscience, they don't want to offend Feng Bao.Xixiao recognized the difficulty of the matter, so he asked Juzheng for advice, and Juzheng taught him to discuss with Yang Bo and Ge Shouli.The course of the interrogation was quite complicated, but the result of this matter was very simple.In the second year of Wanli, Xixiao passed away, and there is an inscription on his Shinto stele: Today, in the first year of Shangjianzuo, a thief came to the official gate with a knife, and he was shocked.Captured, go to Dongchang to rule, the thief hopes to slow down his death, and those who lie that they have masters.So the inside and outside were stunned, and the thief was very anxious.However, I knew in my heart that he was slandering, so I saw the above, saying that this is a serious matter, please order Jin Yiwei and Dongchang to deal with it.Shang said: Yes.Since the Duke was ordered to live alone in a foreign house, he lived in a secluded house and studied deeply. He set up more strategies and secretly investigated him.At that time, Wei Gong, a gentry, was in danger and unexpected, and his survival was nothing less than hundreds of thousands of people. (Collected Works 4 "The Monument to Zhu Gong, the Left Governor of the Rear Military Governor's Mansion") Minister Wang drank a glass of raw lacquer wine and became dumb; he could not falsely accuse Gao Gong of instigation, nor could he state Feng Bao's abetment, so he was handed over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice for a crime and beheaded.Minister Wang's innocent blood cleared away Gao Gong's accusation, but not Ju Zheng's suspicion.Juzheng said in a letter to Prime Minister He Dao Wangong: Yesterday at the meeting, Mr. Xishi said: "The inner prison has risen in a short time, and people's emotions are raging. Dugong thinks that there are people in the court, and there is nothing to worry about."This is enough to see how deeply the public knows me.Today, the scholar-bureaucrats see their servants doing things in person, and no one knows about it, and the public is obtained from outside, so it is not far away for people to go. (Letter 5 "Answer to Sima Wan Liangxi") Juzheng was really angry at the ignorance of the scholar-bureaucrats at that time.He is for the high arch.It's not that he doesn't hate, but he has no intention of putting him to death.He once said to Wu Baipeng in this year: "I have loved many scholars and bureaucrats in my life, and there are also many who have seen their backs, but in the end I don't think so and change my heart to be a virtuous person. That is to say, what is happening in the inner prison today can be seen." (The same volume "Answer to Wu Yaoshan's Great Wish to Help the World") These few words revealed his resentment towards Gao Gong, but he had no intention of killing Gao Gong.In Juzheng's "Miscellaneous Works" (collection 11), he blamed Wang Meng for his mistake of trapping Murong Chui.He said: Meng Gai thinks of his talents and can't control the vertical, so he tries to get rid of it, thinking that it will be enough to eliminate future troubles, but it is out of the sinister plan of the villain, like a villain and a woman who is jealous of a capable person. What Zhuge Kong Ming said was that he knew that Gao Gong had fallen, and he had the power to control him, so why bother to offend Qing Yi and reveal his inability to hold things.Juzheng's self-confidence is growing day by day. In June of the first year of Wanli, please pass the exam at any time on the cabinet.In Juzheng's life, this was an important political undertaking.Ju Zheng usually said that he followed his ancestors to form a constitution; if we want to explore the behavior created by Ju Zheng, then we can only find his method.The full text is as follows: The ministers and others eavesdropped on Yao's order and said to Shun, to inquire about things and test their words, which can be achieved at the end of their words.Gao Tao's theory of governance said that if you take the lead to promote things, you will succeed after repeated provinces.The affairs of the world are not difficult to legislate, but difficult to enforce the law; not difficult to listen to words, but difficult to enforce the words.If one inquires about a matter without examining its end, promotes a matter without repeatedly examining it, has no comprehensive knowledge of the above, and has a mind of lingering, even if Yao and Shun are made kings and Yugao is the assistant, it may be difficult to achieve success. . The ministers and others have secretly seen that in recent years, there have been many chapters and memorials, and each yamen has answered questions, and there is almost no time for them.However, although the performance is diligent, the actual effect is fresh.The officials suggested a law, and the imperial court said it was possible, and sent it to the four directions by mail, then the responsibility of the officials was over, and it was not necessary to use the results of the law.If the ministers discuss a certain disadvantage, the court says it is possible, and post it to the four directions, then the responsibility of the ministers is over, and there is no need to determine whether it is the result of the disadvantage.A certain crime should be questioned, or it will be postponed because of the privacy of the entrustment;The collection and issuance period meeting, after a long period of time, urged the supervisors to inspect, and took blank papers.Although the decree has been repeatedly followed, it is not said that it will be held in practice, but it must be recorded in the subject. Although those who care about the supervisors are earnest, those who listen to them will always be contemptuous.As the old saying goes, the aunt's mouth is stubborn but the woman's ears are stubborn. Today's politicians are almost like this.Isn't it difficult to achieve success with the end of desire? When the minister was the first emperor, he once published "Six Cheap Things", and included a section of "Chong Zhao Ling", which he also tried to say, and followed the inscription of the official department. According to the officials, they all clearly set the time limit and ordered to complete the report, but I have never heard of anyone who actually responded to the order as scheduled.What's more, the sleeping pattern is the same as before.I have encountered the emperor's inexhaustible capital and made great efforts to govern. All the deacons are also working hard to cultivate their careers. No one dares to play with them; There are also unfinished.I found a section in the "Da Ming Hui Dian", which states that all the six departments receive the inscriptions inscribed by the yamen every day, and those who receive the imperial decree, each has a memorandum, which will be handed over to the Supervisor of Rituals; the records are also set up, numbered one after another, and issued The original form will be sent to the supervisor for delivery.There is another section, where all the yamen have written the inscriptions, and they will be accompanied by a writing book. In the next five days, each yamen will have the date of issuance, and they will go to the department to cancel it.There is another one, where all the sales in the foreign department and the government office are transferred to the six departments of the two capitals for reconnaissance and reconnaissance every year, fill in the bottom book, and send them to each department for storage for future reference.And check the practice cases, in the six subjects, the first and second half of the year, still have the manuscripts and hand in the book;Therefore, knowing the chapters of the inspection, the ancestors made the constitution, and followed it for a long time, which is regarded as the ear of the story. Please affirm the old chapters from the beginning of this day. All the six departments are procuratorates. When they meet each chapter, they will either write a decree, or replay the Qin Yi, and switch to each of the yamen. The documents are kept in the document book and will be canceled at the end of each month.Except for those who do not need to check the general chapters, the manuscript will be issued as usual, and there are items such as changing careers for review, questioning and discussion, urging supervision and checking, etc., and making two separate booklets, each paying close attention to key points, and the original schedule limit , one sent to the department for cancellation, and one sent to the cabinet for review.According to the previous items in the register, the department attached the books one by one to be checked, and they will be canceled one after another next month.If there is a delay in stopping the court, a list of questions and decrees will be issued, and each yamen will be asked about the law and ordered to respond.In the spring and summer of the following year, the book will be paid at the end of the year, and the investigation of the previous year is still incomplete.The same goes for autumn and winter.He will still be inspected again next year.It must be sold out as soon as it is finished. If everyone should be appeased, appointed as an official, and act in accordance with the rules, if there is a delay in the court, the Ministry will raise it.All ministries and courts cancel the documents, and if there is room for concealment and deception, the ministers will recommend them.The six subjects are handed over and played, and those who are tolerant of concealment and deceit, the ministers and others will list them. In this way, the month is tested, and the year is judged. Not only must the sound be true, and the matter can be ordered, but also refer to the strictness of the comprehensive review, that is, those who make suggestions and legislation will also consider the ineffectiveness of the end, and dare not be careless in the beginning. carry on.There is nothing more important than this.Fu Wei Shengming made the judgment and implemented it. (Zou San "Please check the Zhang Zou and pass the test to revise the real political book") After the memorial went up, according to the imperial decree: What Qing and others said is that if you don't succeed in the exam, why the bottom line?All these plays are in accordance with the plan.If the unfinished events of the festival are urgent, the ministry and the court shall set a separate deadline and order them to be completed.If it is not important for money and food, and the year is far away, please expel if you understand it, and don't bother me. (same as above) 居正曾經說過：法之不行也，人不力也，不議人而議法何益？現在他創制了，這是他的有名的考成法。事情真是簡單異常。他只要各衙門分置三本賬簿。一本記載一切發文、收文、章程、計劃，這是底冊。在這許多項目之中，把例行公事無須查考的，概行剔除以外，再同樣造成兩本賬簿：一本送各科備註，實行一件、註銷一件，如有積久尚未實行，即由該科具奏候旨；一本送內閣查考。居正的綜核名實，完成萬曆初年之治，最得力的還是這三本賬簿。 政治只是民族精神的表現。十六世紀的中國民族血液裡，已經滲入因循的成分，置郵而傳之四方，成為一切政令的歸宿。法令、章程，一切的一切，只是紙筆的浪費。幾個腦滿腸肥的人督率著一群面黃肌瘦的人，成日辦公，其實只是辦紙！紙從北京南紙店裡出來，送進衙門，辦過以後，再出衙門，經過長短不等的公文旅行以後，另進一個衙門歸檔，便從此匿跡消聲，不見天日。三百七十年了，想到已往的政治情況，真是不勝警惕。 居正是一個現實的政治家。他知道政務的辦不通，不是機構的缺乏，所以他不主張增加政治機構。他也知道公文政治不能打倒公文政治，所以他不主張提出新的法令、章程，增加紙筆的浪費。他只要清清白白的一個交代。辦法在紙上說過了，究竟辦到沒有？他要在各科的賬簿上切實注明。在內閣裡，他自己也有賬簿，可以隨時稽考。他以六科控制六部，再以內閣控制六科。這是居正的政治系統。 六科是明朝特有的政治機構。一切行政事務，分屬吏、戶、禮、兵、刑、工六部，各部行政長官，有尚書、左右侍郎。同時又有吏、戶、禮、兵、刑、工六科，各科有都給事中、左右給事中、給事中。尚書是二品，都給事中只有七品，但是對於六部的封駁、糾劾之權，完全在六科手裡。明朝的大官可以統率小官，但是小官同樣可以牽掣大官，這是明朝的立法精神。六科實際上是六部的監察機關，各科給事中分管各科的事，但是對於國家大事，同樣地可以建言；對於奉旨會推內閣大學士，吏、兵二部尚書，及在外總督、總兵的場合，各科都給事中同樣地可以參加；至於光宗逝世的時候，楊漣以從七品的兵科右給事中，和內閣同受顧命，更是特有的創例。 居正以六科控制六部，是明朝的祖制，但是以內閣控制六科，便是一種創制。內閣本來是皇帝的秘書處，事實上不負行政責任，更談不上監察責任，實施考成法以後，內閣實權顯然擴大，所以萬曆四年劉台劾居正疏，稱居正定令，撫、按考成，章奏每具二冊，一送內閣，一送六科。撫、按延遲則部臣糾之，六部隱蔽則科臣糾之，六科隱蔽則內閣糾之。夫部院分理國事，科臣封駁奏章，舉劾其職也。內閣銜列翰林，止備顧問，從容論思而已。居正創為是說，欲脅制科臣，拱手聽令。祖宗之法若是乎？劉台的言論其實沒有說錯。 考成法的實施，在整理賦稅的方面，發生的影響最大。中國人受聖經賢傳的影響太大了。孟子見梁惠王，第一句便是王何必曰利，亦有仁義而已矣。孟子又勸梁惠王，王如施仁政於民，省刑罰，薄稅斂，深耕易耨，壯者以暇日，修其孝悌忠信，入以事其父兄，出以事其長上，可使制梃以撻秦楚之堅甲利兵。政治家談到理財，好像做了一件虧心的事。漢武帝時代，桑弘羊領大農，在整個國家，因為對外戰爭，已經走上經濟崩潰的路線以後，居然靠著平準政策的運用，民不益賦而天下用饒。（《史記．平準書》）這是多麼大的貢獻，但是卜式對他的批評，只是烹弘羊，天乃雨。 其實一個有組織的國家，不能沒有國家的經濟政策。沒有經濟，便沒有政治。孟子的主張，是十分取一。白圭問道：吾欲二十而取一，何如？孟子說：子之道，貉道也。孟子是說無組織的民族，才能二十取一，有組織的國家，不能不十分取一。這是孟子的經濟政策。他那薄稅政的主張，用現代的術語，其實只是養稅源。國家對於人民的賦稅，不能太重，人民才可以謀經濟發展，人民的經濟發展了，國家便增加十分取一的機會。孟子的主張，其實不是崇禮義，退財利，復往古之道，匡當世之失（桓寬《鹽鐵論．利議第二十七》）那一套。 居正當國以後，他的主張是富國強兵。要強兵便先要富國。富國不外是開源、節流。在這兩方面，他都盡了最大的努力。考成法是開源，在考成法以外，當然還有節流。 隆慶二、三年間的預算，每年國家收入二百五十餘萬兩，支出四百餘萬兩。（見奏疏一《請停取銀兩疏》）這是一個岌岌可危的預算。當時沒有屋上架屋的構機，也談不到親戚故舊的汲引，所以要節流便不僅是裁減駢枝機關、閒散人員。隆慶年間的節流是從皇帝和國防入手。這是大處著墨的方法。所以隆慶三年穆宗向戶部索銀三十萬兩，內閣便把歲入、歲出的狀況奏明，請求停取銀兩，其結果穆宗只是說： 朕覽卿等所奏，戶部銀兩缺乏。內庫亦缺銀兩，朕方取。既這等說，且取十萬來。卿等傳示，不必再來奏擾。（附前疏） 這時的內閣大臣，真是負責任的大臣，穆宗的態度，有一些憊賴，但是皇帝索款，立刻打了三折，不能不算是好的。 隆慶六年居正當國以後，在節流方面，真是錙銖必較。神宗開館纂修《穆宗實錄》，居正上疏，請求免循舊例賜宴。He said: 臣等夙夜皇皇，方切兢惕，豈敢為此飲食宴樂之事，非唯於禮有不可，於心亦實有不安也。且一宴之費，動至數百金，省此一事，亦未必非節財之道。（奏疏二《辭免筵宴疏》） 這一年的冬天，居正在日講的時候，請求次年正月早開日講，不必設宴，並免元夕燈火。神宗真是一個聽話的孩子，他說： 早吩咐停止了。伺候聖母用膳的時候，都很簡單，逢到節期，只有果宴。 筵宴停止了，光祿寺春節的供應又省去七百餘金。萬曆元年十月，居正進講，言及宋仁宗不愛珠飾： 賢臣才是寶貝，珠玉有什麼用處！Shenzong said. 是呀，居正再說，明君貴五穀而賤珠玉；五穀養人，珠玉饑不可食，寒不可衣。 正是，神宗說，宮人們喜歡珠玉，但是朕在歲賜上，沒有一次不減省。 皇上說到這一點，真是社稷蒼生的福澤。居正切實感到少年皇帝的聖明，同時也替戶部寬心。他知道歲出方面，又省去一些不必要的開支。這年內承運庫太監崔敏上疏請買金珠，奏疏發交內閣，居正看到以後，立即封還，切實給他一個否認。 居正的對付韃靼，也隨時考量到國家的財政問題。宣大邊外，俺答的問題解決了。隆慶五、六兩年的撫賞，所費不過萬餘，而所省己百餘萬，居正在給宣大總督王崇古的信上，曾經說起：今所與虜者，國家不啻若九牛一毛，而所獲茲如此，若公與僕所為國謀者，忠乎否耶！ （書牘四《與王鑒川言虜王貢市》）他真有些自負。但是他對於薊遼，又是一種感想。薊遼邊外的屬夷請求加賞，他認為不值得。He said: 今戶、兵二部，已議為曲處。但此數一增，後來遂為歲例，帑藏之入有限，犬羊之欲無窮，歲賦增加，曷有紀極？此其弊源，必有所在，不塞其源而徒徇其欲，將不知其所終矣！薊門事體，與他鎮不同，僕日夜念之，未嘗少釋。凡有所求，所司未嘗不頻顣而語，屈意而從也。僕亦坐是，往往見惡於人，若僕有所私庇於薊者。然司農所藏，委為國乏，固亦無怪其頻顣也。幸僕今謬司國柄，俟邊警少暇，望公與鎮、巡諸君，虛心商量，思一長策，著實整頓一番，庶為經久之計。若但拆東補西，支持目前，費日增而無已，兵復弱而莫支，將來必有以為口實者，恐僕與諸公，皆不能逭其咎也。（書牘四《答劉總督》） 應當節省的錢都節省了：光祿寺採辦的錢，世宗末年，每年用十七萬，現在只用十三四萬，節約的力量，一直支配到皇上的御廚。但是節流只是一個方面，主要的方面還是開源。考成法實行了，開源便得到合法的立場。考成法是一根鞭子，它的目標是督促一切政務的進行。但是在財政方面，考成法的成績最顯著。居正說過：考成一事，行之數年，自可不加賦而上用足。（書牘七《答山東撫院李漸庵言吏治河漕》）這一句揭開居正的懷抱。 不加賦而上用足和桑弘羊的民不益賦而天下用饒，似乎神秘，實際上一點也不神秘。弘羊的武器是平準法，他打倒當時的富商大賈，把一切囤積居奇的利益，收歸國有，這樣應付了漢武帝時代的財政困難。居正的武器是考成法，他要實收糧賦，停止減免；這樣便可以摧殘當時的一部分大地主，維持國家的歲收。 明朝對於江南和浙西的稅額特重，尤其是蘇州府。明初蘇州府歲徵秋糧二百七十四萬六千餘石，和浙江全省相等，實在是一個駭人的數字。因此反而造成土地集中的情勢。貧農的生活困難了，田地賣給富家；富家的勢力擴大了，不但坐食田租的收入，而且因為地位優越，可以獲得減免的特惠。大地主的地位從此形成。大地主在減免的時候，可以優先享受；在科役的時候，可以設法避免；甚至在徵稅的時候，可以任意拖延。一切的利益都歸大地主；一切的負擔都歸貧農。到了貧農擔負不了的時候，於是便把田地賣給地主，從小農的地位，降為佃農。有的貧農索性連同土地和自由，一齊賣給地主，於是成為農奴；農奴對於主人，固然喪失平等的身分；但是對於國家，反而獲得意外的自由，催租科役的差人，從此不會上門。就是這一點，便可以引起小農的羨慕。有時小農的經濟狀況，還不十分困難的時候，自己也會到大地主家裡，請求收為農奴，這就是所謂投靠家人。 所以從經濟的立場講，國家和大地主顯然地成為對立的形勢。大地主的勢力愈擴大，國家的歲入便愈減少。因為大地主的拖欠賦稅，以及投靠家人的逃避徭役，於是國家不得不把賦稅徭役分攤到無力拖欠或逃避的小農。其結果更把小農驅入佃農或農奴的地位，越發增加大地主的勢力。國家的力量，只增加事態的嚴重。 這時是十六世紀，社會革命的呼聲沒有發動，平均地權的主張沒有提出。有心的當局只有從摧豪強，抑兼併的途徑入手。隆慶三年海瑞為應天巡撫，他的目的便是摧殘大戶。貧農的田產併入大戶的，海瑞設法替他們奪還，實行他所看到的社會政策。後來萬曆十五年海瑞在南京死了，小民罷市，當他的棺樞出城的時候，沿江號哭相送的人，百里不絕，但是隆慶四年，海瑞就因為魚肉搢紳，估名亂政的名義被劾，解除應天巡撫。這裡看出當時的地主利益和小民利益的衝突，而為了國家對付地主的大臣，又常常因為地主階級的勢力而終歸失敗。居正和海瑞的立場，本來不是絕對一致的，但是他對於海瑞的去職卻絕對同情，所以他說：至於海剛峰之在吳，其施雖若過當，而心則出於為民；霜雪之後，少加和煦，人即懷春，亦不必盡變其法以徇人也。（書牘十四《答應天巡撫朱東園》） 現在是居正的時代了。他用不到奪田還民，那些不易實行的政策；他有的是考成法，他發動政治的力量，增加歲入，打擊地主，同時也減輕貧民的負擔。他給應天巡撫宋儀望的信，是當時一篇有價值的文獻： 來翰謂蘇松田賦不均，侵欺拖欠云云，讀之使人扼腕。公以大智大勇，誠心任事，當英主綜核之始，不於此時剔刷宿弊，為國家建經久之策，更待何人？諸凡謗議，皆所不恤。即僕近日舉措，亦有議其操切者，然僕籌之審矣。孔子為政，先言足食，管子霸佐，亦言禮義生於富足。 自嘉靖以來，當國者政以賄成，吏朘民膏以媚權門，而繼秉國者又務一切姑息之政，為逋負淵藪，以成兼併之私。私家日富，公室日貧，國匱民窮，病實在此。僕竊以為賄政之弊易治也，姑息之弊難治也。何也？政之賄，惟懲貪而已，至於姑息之政，依法為私，割上為己，即如公言，豪家田至七萬頃，糧至二萬，又不以時納。夫古者大國公田三萬畝，而今且百倍於古大國之數。能幾萬頃而國不貧！故僕今約己敦素，杜絕賄門，痛懲貪墨，所以救賄政之弊也；查刷宿弊，清理通欠，嚴治侵漁攬納之奸，所以砭姑息之政也。上損則下益，私門閉則公室強。故懲貪吏者所以足民也，理逋負者所以足國也。官民兩足，上下俱益，所以壯根本之圖，設安攘之策，倡節儉之風，興禮義之教，明天子垂拱而御之。假令仲尼為相，由、求佐之，恐亦無以逾此矣。今議者率曰：吹求太急，民且逃亡為亂。凡此皆奸人鼓說以搖上，可以惑愚暗之人，不可以欺明達之士也。 夫民之亡且亂者，咸以貪吏剝下，而上不加恤，豪強兼併，而民貧失所故也。今為侵欺隱占者，權豪也，非細民也，而吾法之所施者奸人也，非良民也。清隱占，則小民免包賠之累，而得守其本業；懲貪墨，則閭閻無剝削之擾，而得以安其田里。如是，民且將尸而祝之，何以逃亡為？公博綜載籍，究觀古今治亂興亡之故，曾有官清民安，田賦均平而致亂者乎？故凡為此言者，皆奸人鼓說以搖上者也。願公堅持初意，毋惑流言。異時宰相不為國家忠慮，徇情容私，甚者輦千萬金入其室，即為人穿鼻矣。今主上幼沖，僕以一身當天下之重，不難破家以利國，隕首以求濟，豈區區浮議可得而搖奪者乎？公第任法行之。有敢撓公法，傷任事之臣者，國典具存，必不容貸。（書牘六《答應天巡撫宋陽山論均糧足民》） 居正對於江南的大地主，印象太壞了。他還記得徐階和他談起的話，異時每聞存翁言，其鄉人最無天理。及近時前後，官於此土者，每呼為鬼國，云他日天下有事，必此中創之。他說：蓋謂朝廷之政令，不能行於此地，而人情狡詐，能忍人之所不能忍，為人之所不敢為故也。 （書牘七《答應天巡撫論大政大典》）但是他對於他的辦法，具有信心；他不怕時人的攻擊，而且也相信終會得到大眾的諒解。He said: 吳中事勢已極，理必有變。今得丈稍稍振刷，使知朝廷法紀之不可干，上下分義之不可逾，汰其太甚，而無至於【足炙】盭橫決，而不可收拾，則吳尚宜尸祝公以報德，而可以為怨乎！嬰兒不剃頭則腸痛，不㨽痤則浸疾，然剃頭、㨽痤，固不能止嬰兒之不啼也。近來彼中人，不獨側目於丈，且推本於僕，造為橫議，欲以搖撼國是，如昨南餘云云，意皆有所由來，故不得不一創之。今上意已定，正論不搖，丈宜自審畫，無為山鬼所惑。（書牘七《答應天巡撫宋陽山》） 居正的時代，國庫的主要收人是田賦，惟有對田賦有把握，才談到整理財政，才談到富國。隆慶五年已經有過徵賦不及八分，有司停俸的詔令。（《明史》卷｜二七《蕭彥