Chapter 11 Chapter IX Preliminary Construction (Part 2)

In the first year of Wanli, Ju Zhengjin entered "Di Jian Tu Shuo", which became effective in the second year.Shenzong was only twelve years old at the time, and he, Zhang Han, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Ge Shouli, the left capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, said that they would summon honest and capable officials and reward them face-to-face.Immediately, Juzheng asked Lian Nengyi to make a face-to-face comment. He said in the book: ministers and others are the only way to make sense, and don't be in a hurry to ensure the livelihood of the people;The rulers of the previous dynasties wanted to prosper the Tao and lead to governance, and there was no one who did not pay attention to this. (Zou San "Please set a face to reward Lian Nengyi Notes") In the first month of the second year, Shenzong summoned Lian Neng officials, Zhejiang Chief Envoy Xie Pengju and other 25 people at Huiji Gate, and gave special rewards and gold coins to each of them. result once.

In September, during the autumn trial of the Ministry of Punishment, all prisoners who were judged to be sentenced to death were reported.It was a matter of routine, but difficulties arose from within the palace. The Empress Dowager Cisheng ordered that the sentence be suspended. Shenzong told Juzheng in the Wenhua Hall, what do you think, sir? Spring birth and autumn killing are the norms of heaven. Juzheng said that after the emperor ascended the throne, the sentence has been suspended more than once: if the weeds do not go away, it will harm Jiahe; if the evil does not go away, it will harm the good.From Yu Chen's point of view, there is no need to stop.

After hearing this, Shenzong told the Empress Dowager that all those who should be sentenced to death were allowed to execute. This point involves the political and ideological issues of the ancient ruling class.The irresponsible often advocate leniency, but the responsible see it as a problem.When Zheng Zichan was about to die, he said to Uncle Zi: After I die, the state affairs are your business.A virtuous person may be able to convince the people with leniency, followed by fierceness.Everyone is afraid of the flames of fire, so not many people are burned to death; water is cowardly, everyone thinks it is cute and approachable, but many people die in water.So leniency is not an easy task.

After Zichan's death, power fell to Zitaishu, a bureaucratic ruler.The oppressed masses are given this opportunity to mobilize and fight for their freedom.Uncle Zi was very remorseful, he thought that if he had listened to Zichan's words earlier, he would definitely not have come to this point, so he mobilized the army to suppress the uprising people, and continued to follow the old path of a reactionary ruler. Juzheng advocates fierceness. He once said: Let me be an executioner, and I will not leave the law field to realize Bodhi.He saw that the great turmoil at the end of the Yuan Dynasty turned into an uncontrollable tragedy entirely because of the leniency of the authorities.Therefore, he believes that a gentleman is a country, and he must strengthen its roots, strengthen its discipline, and follow it thickly. It's hard to figure out. (Anthology Eleven "Miscellaneous Works") He also said:

Those who steal will be captured, and if they are captured, they will be punished, so people dare not do it. (Booklet 8 "Answer to the General Constitution Wu Gong") Regarding the arrest of robbers, there are also express regulations in the examination law.Later, in the seventh year of Wanli, because of the escape of the robbers, he said: In the early March of Zhang Guoyong's investigation, he had been released by the chief of Shuntian Prefecture, but he has not arrived yet, so he must flee with bribes halfway.The chief arrester of the government has been ordered to release the family members from the prison, and they will be investigated one by one, where they escaped, to see their whereabouts.If this time has not yet arrived, the deacon should also go to the confession and ask for an order to arrest him, so that he can be convicted and punished.If it has arrived, it will be dealt with according to the regulations in Beijing, and it cannot be ignored. (Letter 11 "Answering the River Caojiang Press Courtyard")

Juzheng's proposition is that whoever steals will be caught, and if he gets it, he must be punished. This is a stipulation of the established law.However, as recorded in "History of the Ming Dynasty", when the country was in power, there was a fixed amount of punishment for each year. "History of the Ming Dynasty" volume｜29 "Biography of Ai Mu"), it is inevitable that there are some rumors.There must be a certain number of places for the death penalty every year. At that time, it was not considered an incredible thing.However, "Ai Mu's Biography" stated that Ai Mu was a member of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. When it came to the retrial in Shaanxi, Ai Mu decided that only two people should be sentenced to death. The people who were interrogated with him were afraid that they would be punished by the government if they were too light. Ai Mu said generously :

I wouldn't risk someone else's life for my own status. When Juzheng is in power, it is inevitable for local officials to go too far. In October of the second year, Liaodong was victorious. Except for Li Chengliang, Liaodong's chief military officer, who entered the Zuodu Governor, the governor of Jiliao and all the ministers in the cabinet gave their blessings. An imperial edict to Yuanfu Zhang Shaoshi: I will take the throne as a young child, Mr. Lai Kuangbi will enlighten Wo, the four directions will be safe, and the nine sides will be peaceful.My ancestors are saints, and they also know the achievements of Mr., so it is not an exaggeration to add honor.He has repeatedly resigned from his favor and is the only one who sincerely assists the country.Since ancient times, loyal ministers, such as the gentleman, are rare.Now that I know that Mr. Shen Cheng has a solid heart and is no longer strong, he bestows a robe of sitting python and fifty taels of silver to show his superiority to his family. Mr. Shen Cheng's virtues are inherited by him. (Zuan Shu 4 "Rewards for Royal Letters")

Since Alda's tribute was settled, the center of the war has gradually moved eastward.The Tatars in the east, under the leadership of the barbarians, continued to fight against the imperial court. The most difficult problem was to belong to the barbarians.There are Duoyan guards outside Xifengkou and Xuanhua, Taining guards outside Jinzhou, Yizhou, and Guangning, and Fuyu guards outside Shenyang, Tieling, and Kaiyuan. These are the so-called three guards of Daning;In name they all belong to China, so they are called barbarians, but in fact Taining ministers Su Bahai and Chaohua, Duoyan ministers Dong Huhu and Chang Ang, and Jianzhou Weidu Commander Wang Gao are all similar to native barbarians , has become a border trouble in the Jiliao area.To deal with the barbarians, the first thing to do is to deal with the barbarians. Therefore, in the first year of Wanli, Juzheng decided that the policy of dealing with the barbarians was a major national event, and it was urgent to manage it. (Book 5 "Discussion on the Great Politics with Wang Jing") This time Li Chengliang killed more than 1,100 people from the Jianzhou tribe, and later even Wang Gao, which was of course a success against the barbarians.

The center of the battle has reached Jiliao, but Jiliao's biggest regret is the lack of terrain.The entire Sanwei, occupying the west of Rehe and Liaoning, and the two towns of Jizhou and Liaodong, have lost their due connection.Juzheng's plan was to abide by Yang Bo's legacy of guarding the side wall, while tidying up the side wall around Jizhou (Book 6 "Answer to Governor Wu Huanzhou of Ji Liao") to prepare for the Tatars' attack; Plan a counterattack.He contacted the three towns of Liaodong, Xuanfu, and Jizhou, and advocated that Jizhou should stick to it, and that Liaodong and Xuanfu should attack.He told Fang Fengshi:

Compared with Liaozuo's meritorious service, it is indeed amazing, and the imperial court's rewards for meritorious service are also extremely grand and generous, but I am here with deep intentions, and I would like to announce it to the public.In the land of nine borders today, Jimen is the most important, and it is regarded as the hall of the country.Since Jiajing Gengxu, the calamity of the captives has been in Jiji day by day, and the power of the nine borders has been exhausted to serve it, and the interior is also poor.However, those who caused this disaster are all razed.At the beginning of the country, the land of Daning was abandoned and given to it, hoping that it would be our fan screen, and it is so now!Therefore, if the barbarians are not here, there will be endless troubles.However, if he wants to deal with it without imposing prestige, he is not willing to bow his head and obey.Now that the captives in the west are under the custody of Gongshi, they will not dare to move. They are alone and barbaric, with weak strength and few support, so it is easy to control them.Now it is planned to train 20,000 fighters in Shanggu and 20,000 in Liaodong, and prepare more firearms, but the people of Ji will repair and strengthen the castles in the interior at ordinary times.As the morale of the three towns has been boosted, and if it is available, it is a barbarian who asks for rewards, and everything will be dealt with with justice; anyone who asks for extra begging, or captures the army and wants rewards, will be treated according to military law.If he fails to do what he wants, he will gather captives to invade, and I will defend the tower and block it from the outside, so that he cannot ride in. Although I have nothing to gain, but he has already lost, it is also the best strategy.If the thieves break through the wall and enter, don't act in a hurry, but order Ji Jiang to collect 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers from all walks of life, and occupy key points, and order all counties, towns, and villages to be protected from the wild, and not to fight with him.As for Shanggu and Liaozuo, there is no need to wait for their orders, that is, ten thousand people will be dispatched each, and all the barbarians, old and young, will be wiped out from outside the border. Fell in the thief's way out.Although he has already entered the interior, he will not dare to rob me if he sees that I am not moving. After four or five days, the spirit of the prisoner has weakened.If it declines, it must escape, and then the Jiren will be chased by the whole formation, while the Xuan and Liao armies join forces to attack.They are both hungry and tired, and they each protect their own gains, and they will not rescue each other when they are defeated. But I will attack them with all our strength with three towns, and we will surely break them.If one battle is won, the morale of Jizhen will be doubled, and the chiefs of Tu and Su will not dare to watch again, and the barbarians will be able to threaten and caress them for their own use.If this matter is raised, the tribute city of the Western Captives will become stronger, and the number of reinforcements can be gradually reduced, and the nine borders will be safe and sound.This is a foolish trick, let's try it in Liaozuo first, the Gai Liao people are known as brave fighters, and General Li is also loyal and brave, so he is rewarded generously to persuade him, and he is willing to wait for him, which also means that the soldiers start from the beginning. (Letter 6 "Answer to Fang Jinhu's plan to subdue the three guards belong to barbarians")

In the first year of Wanli, Juzheng and Liu Yingjie, governor of Jiliao, said that it is necessary to discuss with an open mind, think of a long-term strategy, and make a real rectification, which is a long-term solution. (See above) This is Juzheng's long-term strategy.But this strategy has never been used in Juzheng's hands.The center of the war gradually moved eastward, and Liaodong became an important city in China. This is a funeral.In the first ten years of Wanli, Qi Jiguang was stationed in Jimen, which was the first layer of protection at that time. The local barbarians did not dare to invade the south, not necessarily because of this.Juzheng is facing the three guards, always trying to restrain them.The method he used, he himself said: it should be dealt with according to the situation.For example, when a dog wags its tail, it will be thrown at the bone; if it barks wildly, it will be hit with a whip;There was a book with Fang Gong before, and Fang replied to the book saying: "Patience is the word, and the border ministers should write to all gentry."True. (Booklet 8 "Answer to Wu Huanzhou") Juzheng has big sticks and bones in his hands. This is his method of restraining the barbarians.As for the Duan cloth rewarded to the barbarians, it is the same as the Duan cloth rewarded to I Da. Juzheng has seen it one by one, and they are all beautiful and durable. This is the bone.Ministers of Duoyan, Dong Huli, Chang Ang, and Qingba are all relatives. Juzheng ordered Xuanfu governor Wu Dui: Xinggong signaled Qing Chief to convey the message to Chang Ang, not to do evil again, and bring about his own destruction. (Book 6, "Answer to Wu Huanzhou in Jizhen". The title of Jizhen is wrong, and Wu Huanzhou is Wu Dui.) This is a big stick.This year he said again: It is Yuan Zai's words to insult and show the feelings of Jizhen captives.It is already a secret word for the princes who are involved in it, so that you can know what you are doing.If the barbarians are properly dealt with, the true love of the barbarians can be obtained, and the tribute city of the two towns will be stronger. Today's border affairs should not be based on this.The public is in Shanggu, internally repairing the war defense, externally exploring the captives' feelings, controlling the east and west, and has its own magical effects, so why worry about servants. (Letter 6 "Answer to Wu Huanzhou") Juzheng once claimed that he has no other strengths, but he can be patient. This is a humble statement, but patience is indeed a quality that can make Juzheng successful.A patient person has arrangements and procedures for all affairs.He won't go through a cold storm, but he doesn't want to do it once and for all. He just does it step by step and down-to-earth.What we are dissatisfied with is that Juzheng does not have a correct understanding of the uprising people, so he does not know how to suppress them; similarly, he did not take any further methods of approaching and winning over the minority nationalities on the border except for coercion and coercion. As for the administration of personnel, he also worked step by step.In April of the second year of Wanli, the law of long-term tenure was implemented, which he had already said in "Chen Liushi Shu" in the second year of Longqing.In December, the cabinet was promoted to official Shuping.Right above the sparse: I look up to the emperor, who is very wise and bright, and strives hard to govern. This spring, he made a pilgrimage and inspected, and personally rewarded honesty and ability;Gu went to Xinjiang today, but he didn't know yet, and he was not yet fully familiar with the duties of the various divisions. Although he wanted to judge them, there was no reason to do so.Ministers and others think so that they promote morality and wisdom, and those who are well-developed and wise belong to Zhang Han, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Tan Lun, Minister of the Ministry of War. For reference, the two capitals and foreign civil and military officials. qualifications.It was built as an imperial screen, with three leaves in the middle depicting the territory of the world: six on the left, listing the titles of civil servants; six on the right, listing the titles of military officials; each is a floating post for easy replacement.Every ten days, the Ministry will promote, transfer and change officials, send them to the cabinet, and the ministers will order the Zhongshu officials to write and change them again.Its screen is set up behind the Wenhua Hall, where the emperor speaks and reads the characters, so that he can read it day and night.If there is a lack of a certain official in a certain yamen, and the department recommends a certain person, it is known that the person was originally a certain official. Is he worthy of this position now?If there is something going on in a certain place, even if you know that someone has seen it, can you do it now?The ministers wait around every day, and the emperor can personally ask questions and discuss them in detail. If the ministers know something, they have to face their ignorance in order to wait for the holy decision.One refers to Gu Jian, while the principles of the four directions are dangerous and easy, and the duties of a hundred departments are complicated and simple.Not only does it outline the outline, it is easy to read, but also makes it known to those who are in charge of the court that their names are always around the court, and everything they do can be achieved by Gao Cong: the sages will work diligently and strive to see each other Knowing the superior, those who are not talented will also fear the superior knowledge and dare not do wrong.The emperor alone exercised his mind and wisdom, sitting to illuminate it, hanging down his arch, and the world was governed. (Zue Shu 3 "Ping Shu of the Book of Officials Entering the Job") In terms of official positions, after the capital of Beijing was established in the Ming Dynasty, the six temples in Nanjing actually became superfluous.Jiajing and Longqing have already begun to cut leather.Nanjing officials were laid off in February of the third year of Wanli, and after nine years of layoffs, almost all adjustments have been made except for the high-ranking officials and necessary subordinate officials. In April and May of three years, Juzheng published "Please orderly study and politics", which was a great reform.Under the educational system of the Ming Dynasty, the Liangjing Guozijian is a national university directly under the central government and has nothing to do with the local government.Each prefecture, state, and county has prefectural schools, state schools, and county schools, all of which have a certain number of places, which are under the jurisdiction of the provincial education officials.There are also social schools in the villages, and folk children are free to enroll without restrictions on the number of places, but there is no compulsory enrolment.The problems at that time were concentrated on the prefectural, state, and county schools with a local educational system. Taizu Hongwu ruled that forty people from prefectural schools, thirty from state schools, and twenty from county schools should be given granary meals every day, and they were called granary students.In the fifteenth year of Hongwu, it was decreed that each of the granshan students should receive one stone of rice per month, and fish, meat and salt should be provided by the officials.In the third year of Emperor Xuanzong's Xuande regulation, prefectural, prefecture, and county schools each set up Zengguang students, with the same number of places as nanshan students. They do not have the right to receive rice, but like nanshan students, within a family, except themselves , You are exempted from Erding servants.In other words, as long as one person in the family enrolls, three people can be exempted from military service.In addition to the expansion of students, students were added in the future. The modern term is called special students. Of course, they can't even talk about rice, but the right to immunity is still the same.Linshan Shengyuan, Zengguang Shengyuan, Fushengyuan, referred to as Linsheng, Zengsheng, and Fusheng; sometimes it is only called Lin, Zeng, and Fu.Usually, people use the different titles of Han Dynasty Keri Xiucai, and they are called Xiucai.These scholars, who can receive rice, are exempt from military service; those who are fluent in arts and sciences and have excellent knowledge, of course, can also be admitted to Juren or Jinshi, and do things for the country; The head of the county school, who was exempted from military service, became a local privileged class.This group of privileged class figures has many people, and they have joint relations, and they have gradually become a kind of power in the local area. They can bully ordinary people and oppress local officials in the same way.Although they talk about Confucius, Mencius, the Bible, sages, and talk about morality and benevolence, they are actually just local disasters.This is the so-called academic master.The tenth year of Jiajing's question standard: Among the students, there are unruly and shameless people, known as academic masters, who will do anything wrong, and who are promoted to the school, or visit and dismissed, who act recklessly and slander, who go to Beijing to harass, and write a poem If the case cannot be filed, the censor will still be inspected and asked. (Volume 78 of the "Minghuidian" in the Wanli version) refers to these people. In the second year of Wanli, the Ministry of Officials carefully selected academic officials, and those who were dissatisfied were asked to change and dismiss them.It's been a year now, but I haven't seen the results yet.Juzheng believed that the only way to control the students was to control the promotion of academic officials in the provinces, and said: When I was young, I still saw that there were many famous people in the country who were promoted to academic officials. They were able to respect themselves in the way, and they were not partial to others, and no one dared to do anything for selfishness.In recent years, this official has been regarded as a little light, and people rarely have self-respect.Neither have excellent practice and practical learning, but they want to subdue the hearts of many scholars, so they should do nothing but sell the law to support friends; .Taking the old scholars to be poor, the people's puppet to grow, to rush for a good plan, to plagiarize fishing and hunting as a shortcut, to be ordinary, to have no reputation for virtue, to be an official, to be ineffective, the meaning of the ancestors to be officials, In order to lose, there are a few members of the ear.Last year, he paid homage to the Holy Ming of He and ordered the Ministry of Officials to carefully select and promote academic officials. If there are any dissatisfied ones, they should be ordered to change and dismiss them.The reason for advocating education and emphasizing talents is of great significance.Now and one year has passed, ministers and others have visited various officials, but the death has not been changed, and the Ministry of Officials has not seen a single person changed.It is good to accumulate habits for a long time, it is difficult to invigorate Gu, it is difficult to use a cold face, and you can be afraid of false words. Those who obey the law may not know it immediately, but they have been hurt by everyone. : Therefore, it is better to resist the imperial edict than to slander the common customs, and to destroy the law and discipline of the public than to violate the entrustment of private sects.Most of today's politicians are like this, and it's not just about schools. (Zoushu 4 "Applying to the old chapters to order education and politics to revitalize talents") Eighteen paragraphs are attached at the end of the list, all aimed at revitalizing the style of study at that time, and four paragraphs are listed below: 1. The sages are taught by the scriptures, and the country is based on the scriptures. If you can recognize the scriptures, you are explaining the knowledge.From now on, all academic officials and supervisors will lead the instructors to learn Confucianism, and they must pay attention to the principles of the classics and books they study on weekdays, practice them, and use them in the future; they are not allowed to create other academies, gather gangsters, and call on local wanderers. , Empty talk and waste business, thus opening the door of competition and opening the road of entrustment.Violators: mentioning the censor, listening to the investigation and dismissal by the Ministry of Officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate; . 1. My holy ancestor set up a lying stele to benefit the sick all over the world. Everyone is allowed to speak frankly, but the students are not allowed.From now on, students will abide by the Ming prohibition, except for their own affairs. Xu's family will sue, and some officials will interrogate them. Those who are worthy or not, Xu should be in charge of the department and submit to the academic officer, so that they will be dismissed if there is a loss.If there are more than ten people to correct the crowd, they will scold the officials and act rudely; the leader will be asked and sent as usual; 1. There used to be fixed quotas for granary food and Zengguang, but after that, additional academic names and colors were added, and most of them were indiscriminate.In future exams, we must strictly review them.If there are those who are desolate, mediocre, and unbearable to support, they will be dismissed immediately and will not be tolerated; those who fabricate rumors and want to take revenge will visit the facts and ask them, and they will be dispatched as usual.Children must choose those who have mastered all three fields before entering school. There should be no more than 20 people in big houses, and no more than 15 people in Dazhou and counties.If the local eunuch is powerful, fails to do so, and secretly slanders the wounded, Xu Jing will hear about it and treat it. 1. Those who do not know the arts and sciences in the examination of students: if they have served for more than ten years, they will be sent to a nearby place to serve as officials; for more than six years, they will be sent to serve as officials in their own office; For the people. This is Juzheng's plan to rectify the style of study; he wants to overthrow the gossips, so he forbids the establishment of academies; However, Juzheng has a well-tested method in hand, and everything has to be implemented. Therefore, even though it is just an old saying, the old saying that is repeated has a new meaning in the early years of Wanli, and it can no longer be treated as a formal text.On the one hand, the academies were destroyed in the seventh year of Wanli, and the deduction of the situation became more active: in terms of the number of places, because of the relationship between the examination results, there are divisions, which are also very strict. "History of the Ming Dynasty" (Volume 69) and "Electoral Records" said: In the tenth year of Jiajing, he tasted the life of a member of Shatai, and Yushi Yang Yi fought to stop it.At the time of Wanli, Zhang Juzheng was in the country, so he reduced the number of students from all over the world. The inspectors went too far, and when children entered school, only one student was enrolled in one state and county.Generally speaking, this is not a slanderous statement. If Juzheng is planning for his own political future, he may have to reconsider the matter of rectifying the style of study.Every era has its own leadership class, and if you offend this class, great turmoil will often occur.Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed Gao Qi and unified the north. Chen Guo in the south could be wiped out at any time. It was only because Shatai Shamen offended the leadership at that time. This group of monks resisted passively. In the hands of a mediocre Yang Jian, the intellectual class never raised a voice of resistance.Since the Ming Dynasty, scholars have become the leading class at that time. Government officials were born in this class, and local public opinion was also manipulated by this class.It is true that they oppressed the general public; however, the general public had neither the opportunity nor the ability to voice their resistance, and the outstanding members of the public were often absorbed by the leadership at that time due to the development of knowledge; However, it was unexpectedly supported by the people.Before the public's awareness has not improved, sometimes they will regard the bully riding on the head as a leading figure, let alone in the era of judgment!Before Juzheng, Sejong advocated that Shatai should give birth to members, but there was no Shatai after all.After Juzheng, during the time of Sizong, the academician Wen Tiren put forward the same idea again, and the criminal department immediately proposed impeachment to Fu Chaoyou, and proposed to cut down Maocai (i.e. scholars) in a sparse manner. , Once it is broken by the benevolent hands, it is said to offend the sages. ("History of the Ming Dynasty" Volume 258 "The Biography of Fu Chaoyou") Although Wen Tiren is a mediocre person, but he advocates reducing the number of students, so how can he offend the sages?Confucius tasted as Chengtian and commissioned officials, and Yuzi also talked about past service and righteousness.Confucius and Mencius did not create a privileged class, nor did they ask for rice exemption. Why do they advocate reducing the number of students, reducing the burden on the people, and working equally for the public, even if they offend the sages?Fu Chaoyou's argument is just to support the vested rights of the privileged class and refuse to give up. Juzheng put forward the plan to rectify the style of study, it is with the greatest determination.In the eighth year of Wanli, he once said: Enforcing the law impartially is not what one expects from a deacon. If he wants to claim his post, it is enough to practice these four words.As for nonsense and private discussions, human feelings are unavoidable.Although, there is no room for illness!It is not allowed to see a gentleman later.Bu Gu abandons his family and forgets his body in order to favor the affairs of the country, and those who discuss it may or may not agree with it.At the critical moment of gain, loss, reputation, if it cannot be broken, nothing in the world can be done, and I hope that I will encourage it. (Letter 12 "Answering Li Gongyan's Pros and Cons of South College") This letter is roughly about rectifying academic affairs. Juzheng has a purpose and breaks the juncture of gains and losses, so he can have success that day. It is also because he disregards human feelings and material opinions that he will inevitably incur slander behind him. In May of the third year of Wanli, there was another incident of calling the police in Liaodong.According to the news from the barbarians, the Tatar warriors were dispatched again.This time the mastermind was Tuman. He gathered Qingbadu and led more than 200,000 knights to develop into Liaodong.The news is extremely tense.The governor of Liaodong immediately declared to the Ministry of War. The enemy had already moved to Daning, so there was no delay in calling for troops and food.Tan Lun, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, played immediately.Although Shenzong was only thirteen years old, he could not be indifferent to state affairs.Terrified, he asked Ju Zheng what to do. Please the emperor rest assured, Ju Zheng said.Summer is not a time when the enemy is rampant, so there will probably be no major incidents. Although Juzheng comforted Shenzong in this way, the officials were already alarmed.One gave advice on the matter, advocating the defense of the capital, dredging moats, and digging war pits: he could not wait to declare martial law immediately.Juzheng leisurely recalled the panic and loss of Li Chunfang and Zhao Zhenji in the fourth year of Longqing.He sighed, but at the same time he ordered Qi Jiguang of Jizhen and Wu Dui, the governor of Xuanfu, to inquire about the facts.Soon, Jiguang's report came. It is said that the chiefs of the Tatar tribes had been disbanded for a long time, and there was no action to gather.Wu Dui even said that the Qing Badu had never been dispatched, let alone marching into Liaodong.Ju Zheng's estimate was not wrong, everything was just a false report.But the air in Beijing has been tense for a long time since May.Autumn is here, and it's time to prepare for autumn defense again.Ju Zhengshang's "On Border Affairs": The most important thing for a military strategist is to know the enemy and himself, judge the truth and falsehood, and then be able to deal with the enemy and win.Listening to a false rumor for no reason now, suddenly panicking, arousing ninefold worries at the top, and horrifying the ears of the world, it is his own falsehood, ignorant of the truth, just listening to the rumors, how is it different from the wind and the cranes, and the grass and trees are all soldiers?How can such a move meet the enemy?Moreover, these days the captives are cunning, if he tries to frighten me with false voices, makes me panic, exhausted, and slack off for a long time, and then dies, and is caught off guard, it is because he has the first sound and then the truth, and uses many wrong strategies. And in the way that I don't know the enemy and I am defeated in every battle, the accidents of other ministers in the future must be due to this.Therefore, the ministers and others are not happy that the captives do not come, but deeply worry about the frontier ministers' ignorance of the captives' feelings.The Ministry of War is in the middle of dispatching. It is especially important to examine the opportunity and make decisive decisions. It is able to break the bottle and win the victory.Today, when I heard the report, Sui Er was flustered, and after the matter was over, he was silent, which only made the father of the emperor to work hard and worry about the four directions, and the Ministry returned the official documents with inscriptions, which was enough for the affairs of the Ministry. .The ministers and others said that Yi Te ordered the Ministry to interrogate the reasons for the false and true feelings of the captives, so as to make them aware of the police.Moreover, Qiu Fang is near, between Ji and Liao. Recently, he has been moved by false voices, and he is tired of recruiting, so he may be slack off, or he may be in danger, so he must be warned. (Zou 4 "On Border Affairs") In June of the third year of Wanli, the governors and censors of all provinces were ordered to recommend and impeach all the virtuous or not, and not to focus on Jiake.This is also a manifestation of rectifying the administration of officials.The system of employing people in the early Ming Dynasty was divided into three ways; the first was Jinshi, the second was Juren and Gongsheng, and the third was officials.This is the so-called combination of three ways.Later, because the chief officers were all Jinshi-born officials, officials with Jinshi-born backgrounds received special attention. Juren and Gongsheng were already discriminated against, let alone officials.Therefore, officials have no way to advance, and they are willing to give up. They will never take office easily even if they ask for tribute. Their only goal is to take the Jinshi examination. If they pass the examination, they will be born in Jiake. They plan to retake the exam three years later.Such one subject after another, spiritual ability, completely disappeared in the pile of old papers.Waste of energy and bury talents, the imperial examination system has become a great harm.During the Longqing period, Gao Gong suggested that in the early Ming Dynasty, there were many people who promoted people to be famous officials, but later on they favored Jinshi and despised juren.It was an insightful proposal, but it was not implemented.In the fourth year of Longqing, Jia Sanjin, the official department, said: "Fu, according to the ministers who meet the prefectures and county magistrates, the rate is heavy on the Jiake and the light on the township. For appeasement; the same strictness is shrewd in Jinshi, and harsh in Juren.It is thought that those who raise people are not Huadian and barren teeth, otherwise they will choose people, or bind their feet and ruin their clothes, and stop their careers.How can there be no talent in the husband's hometown, and it is the way to be encouraged, because it is encouraged. ("History of Ming Dynasty" Volume 227 "Biography of Jia Sanjin") Jia Sanjin's memorial was also approved by Mu Zong, but in fact this plan was not realized.Juzheng saw these two things during his tenure as a university scholar. Now that he is in charge of the country, he is more actively trying to realize it, but even during his tenure, there is no significant effect. arrive.The imperial examination system will always be an obstacle to the rectification of officials. After June of the sixth year of Longqing, there were only Ju Zheng and Lu Tiaoyang in the cabinet, and it has been three years now.In August of the third year of Wanli, Ju Zhengshu asked for more cabinet members.Imperial approval, Qing and so on can be regarded as arbitrary.Juzheng recommended Zhang Siwei, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, Ma Ziqiang and Shen Shixing to join the cabinet.The emperor approved Zhang Siwei to be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Rites and a scholar of Dongge University, and he followed Yuanfu and others to work in the cabinet. Therefore, Siwei's colleagues named Juzheng in the cabinet were actually just Juzheng's subordinates.The power of the first assistant has been raised by another level invisibly. Zhang Siwei, courtesy name Ziwei, was born in Puzhou and was a Jinshi in the 32nd year of Jiajing.He is Yang Bo's fellow villager, Wang Chonggu's nephew, and has a considerable relationship with Juzheng.This is a person who has methods, can endure, and is willing to spend money, so he has obtained many unexpected conveniences in his official career.During the Longqing period, it was a period of great talk about border affairs. Of course, Siwei was very clear about it. From now on, when I answered the tribute issue, the court discussion was still undecided.Gao Gong plans to introduce Siwei into the cabinet, which causes conflicts between Gao Gong and Yin Shidan.Later, Siwei also begged to leave home because of the impeachment of the official.But he and the dignitaries are still in constant contact.In the sixth year of Longqing, Gao Gong failed. This was the period of Siwei's latent period, but because of Wang Chonggu's relationship, he and Juzheng had contact again soon.Siwei knew about the political center, as well as Feng Bao and the Empress Dowager Cisheng, so he contacted Feng Bao and Empress Dowager Li's father, Wu Qingbo Li Wei.In the second year of Wanli, Siwei entered Beijing.The desire to be an official is of course satisfied.As for the struggle for power, Siwei is very clear that when he was in the country, he couldn't talk about fighting for power.Lu Tiaoyang has been in the cabinet for three years. What else is there besides the usual signing of the cabinet official book, and the regular promotion and rewards during every celebration?Siwei knew that he was just doing things with Yuanfu.This is an imperial decree, and it can also be said to be a condition.Although the bachelor is called a bachelor, it is actually just a tail of Juzheng.At this point, Juzheng and Siwei established a tacit understanding.But Ju Zheng didn't see the difference between a loyal person and a talented person.A loyal person like Lu Tiaoyang may be able to abide by this tacit agreement without feeling painful; a talented person like Zhang Siwei is completely different.He abides by this tacit agreement, but his heart is full of resentment.He is not willing to be a tail, but he can only be a tail.His respect can only increase his hatred.This became Zhang Ben who was behind Ju Zheng and Si Wei tried his best to retaliate.In the tenth year of Wanli, Juzheng passed away; in the eleventh year, his family ransacked, and his eldest son Jingxiu committed suicide. On the back of his blood book, it was written: You will tell Zhang Fengpan (siwei nickname) in Puzhou, Shanxi, about the affairs of the Zhang family (Jingxiu) Self-referencing) is over, may he assist the Holy Son of Heaven for hundreds of millions of years.Only then did Jingxiu know that Siwei was the great enemy of his family, but before Juzheng was alive, Juzheng only thought that Siwei was a respectful colleague. In the third year of Wanli, a small-scale international war broke out overseas in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.In the middle age of Jiajing, it was an era when Japanese pirates were rampant.After Tan Lun, Yu Dayou, Qi Jiguang, and Liu Xian were settled down, the overall situation became a little quieter, but a small group of Japanese pirates continued to disturb. During the Longqing period, there were also traces of Japanese pirates participating in the turmoil in Guangdong.China and Japan are close neighbors, and should have gotten along well, striving for peace for the world and happiness for the people, but the ruling classes of both sides at that time did not understand this truth.The emperor far away in Beijing, aloof, did not carry out the duty of defending the motherland; while in Japan, countless feudal lords, while leading the plundering warriors, colluded with the traitors along the coast of China, and continued to attack the mainland.This was the situation between China and Japan at that time.Ju Zheng also talked about the relationship between China and Japan: Japanese slaves have been suffering for China since the Yuan Dynasty.In Yuan Dynasty, 100,000 people were conquered from the sea, and the boats were moored in the territory. When the sea wind was strong, 100,000 people were lost in the sea.This dynasty has the world, the four barbarian monarchs are headed, and the wind is not in the wind. The only Japanese king does not pay tribute.In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, Emperor Gao ordered the Ministry of Rites to transfer the book and blamed his king.Because of his arrogance, fierceness and cunning, it is said that China is nothing like it.The invasion and insult gradually come and go. (Anthology Eleven "Miscellaneous Works") Juzheng saw the scourge of Japan, but Juzheng knew that the enemy of the country at that time was the Tatars in the north, so under the slogan of No. 1 in the north, there was no fundamental solution to the Japanese pirates, only the coastal governors, especially the Soviet Union and Zhejiang Provinces. , Fujian, and Guangzhu provinces should be constantly warned.His plan is to use warships to cruise the coastal waters and fight the Japanese pirates on the sea at any time.In the third year of Wanli, Japanese pirates went to the Heishuiyang area outside Jiangsu and Zhejiang.Song Yiwang, governor of Yingtian, mobilized troops to fight against him, and won a battle. Juzheng invited him to be promoted, wrote a letter of reward, and at the same time warned Xie Pengju, the governor of Zhejiang.He said: In recent years, the pirates have ceased the police, and the hearts of the people are quite slack, and the servants think they are worried, so last year they drew up an order to warn them.Lai Gongwei slightly, rise up and vibrate.Today, if we can win a battle and contain it abroad without landing, it is an extraordinary achievement.Things in the world are not expensive!very comforting.Since the vanguard is broken, he will not dare to look at Wu, and the disaster will be in Zhejiang. (Letter 7 "Promise to Tianfuyuan Song Yangshan to Prevent Japanese") There has been no Japanese problem in Zhejiang for a long time. Once the Lianzhou suddenly commits a crime, it must be seduced.And the place is safe and peaceful for a long time, and if you suddenly look for a war, you may not be able to wait for the bandits. Fortunately, with loyalty, rewards and punishments, and all efforts to create it, the common people will not dare to watch it again in the future.It is okay to urgently suppress this bandit, and then Xu investigates the source of his disaster and eliminates it.A native of Zhejiang Xianyun said: Xie Gong is not a talent for using martial arts, so I am afraid he will not be able to do this.The servant said: "Otherwise, Xie Gong Shen Yi has a long-term plan, and thieves are not enough to worry about."I hope that the public will encourage you to be honorable, and look down upon you. (same volume as "Answer to Zhe Fu Xie Songping's Words to Prevent Japanese") In the third year of Wanli, Juzheng was determined to rectify the post delivery, which was also a major event for Juzheng to complain. In the Ming Dynasty, there were post stations on the main traffic lines from Beijing to all provinces, and post stations were the only transportation system at that time.The station has officials in charge, horses, donkeys, and husbands; the water station has red boats and watermen: they are all complete.Where do horses and donkeys come from?Horses and donkeys come from the folk.Where did the ship come from?Ships also come from folk.The fodder for horses and donkeys, and the equipment for ships all come from the people.民間還要按糧出夫，馬夫、水夫當然也來自民間，自備工食，三年一輪，周而復始。除開馬夫、水夫以外，各驛還有館戶，專為過往人等，治造飯食，不許片刻稽留：當然館戶也是來自民間，自備工食。最初的時候，夫役還享到免糧的特權，從嘉靖二十七年議准以後，連這一點特權也取消，於是夫役不僅沒有權利，只有義務，而且還要供給馬、驢、紅船以及其他必要的配備。交通幹線附近的人民，實際成為國家的奴役。 對於交通幹線附近的人民，這不能不算一種虐政，但是國家如此龐大，為維持中央和各省的交通起見，在交通工具尚未發達以前，驛站制度，縱是需要合理的調整，不是沒有存在的理由。一切全看這個制度的運用。太祖時代，關於使用驛站的規定，非常嚴密，非有軍國大事，沒有使用的權利，即是公、侯、駙馬、都督奉命出差的時候，也只許隨帶從人一名。所以驛站制度雖然存在，人民的痛苦，還得到一些緩和。有一次，吉安侯陸仲亨從陝西回京，擅行使用驛站車馬，給太祖知道了，太祖痛責道： 中原兵燹以後，百姓開始復業，買馬出丁，非常艱苦。倘使大家和你一樣，民間賣兒鬻女，也供給不起啊！ 太祖時代究竟是老遠的過去了。以後的條例，便逐日地寬大！太祖時代，給驛條例只有六條：到嘉靖三十七年，便擴充到五十一條。五十一條的使用者，都有勘合，現代稱為護照。勘合分為五等：溫、良、恭、儉、讓。北京的勘合由兵部發出，各省的勘合由巡撫和巡按發出。填發的機關，總算還有相當的限制；但是在填發的時候，便來一個寬大的作風！兵部可以填發勘合送人，各省也可填發勘合送人。領用勘合的人，沒有繳還的限期，一張勘合，成為終身的護照，而且自己不用，還可轉贈旁人，姓名不合，更不妨洗去重填。寬大之外，還有寬大！交通幹線附近的人民，真是民不聊生。領用勘合的官員，大都既不溫良，也不恭儉，更談不到讓；勘合的五個號碼，只成為刻骨的諷刺。官員到了驛站以後，百般需索。他們要糧食，要柴炭，要酒席，要疏菜，要夫，要馬。有時在拉到夫馬以後，人民也可按照道路遠近，講明價值，經過一番磋商，索性繳納銀兩，放走了事。於是官員們在沿站滋擾以外，連帶也成為擄人勒贖的強盜。這一點，官員們久已視為他們應有的特權。在寬大的政體之下，沒有人敢於侵犯他們的特權，以至引起自身的不利。 直到萬曆三年，居正提出整頓驛遞的計劃： 凡官員人等非奉公差，不許借行勘合；非係軍務，不許擅用金鼓旗號。雖係公差人員，若轎扛夫馬過溢本數者，不問是何衙門，俱不許應付。撫、按有違明旨，不行清查，兵部該科指實參治。若部、科相率欺隱，一體治罪。 撫、按、司、府各衙門所屬官員，不許託故遠行參謁，經擾驛遞；違者撫、按參究。 有驛州、縣，過往使客，該驛供送應得廩糧蔬萊，州、縣止送油燭柴炭，不許重送下程紙札，如有借此科斂者，聽撫、按官參究。 凡經過官員有勘合者，夫馬中火，止令驛遞應付，有司不許擅派里甲。其州、縣、司、府官朝覲，給由入京，除本官額編門皂，量行帶用外，不許分外又在里甲派取長行夫、馬，及因而計路遠近，折干入己。 凡官員經由地方，係京職方面以上者，雖無勘合，亦令巡路兵快防護出境，仍許住宿公館，量給薪水燭炭，不許辦送下程心紅紙札，及折席折幣禮物。 凡內外各官丁憂、起復、給由、升轉、改調、到任等項，俱不給勘合，不許馳驛。（萬曆本《明會典》卷一四八） 這年又規定自京往外省者，由兵部給內勘合；其中仍須回京者，回京之日繳還勘合；無須回京者，即將該項勘合，繳所到省分撫、按衙門，年終一併繳回兵部。自外省入京者，由撫、按衙門給外勘合，至京以後，一併繳部，其中有須回省者，另由兵部於回省之日換給內勘合。 居正的規定，較之太祖時代的給驛條例，已經太寬，但是從太祖到神宗，這二百年間，整個的時代變了，一切只能做到去泰去甚。就是這樣的規定，也還有成為具文的危險，嘉靖、隆慶年間，都曾有過類似的規定，其後只成一張廢紙！但是居正手中有的是考成法，他用六科控制撫、按，用內閣控制六科，章程、條例都要切實執行，不容成為具文，這是考成法的作用。 對於萬曆三年整頓驛遞的心情，居正自己說過： 近來驛遞困敝至極，主上赫然思以厘振之，明旨屢飭，不啻三令五申矣，而猶不信！承教，謂外而方面，內而部屬以上，凡得遣牌行者，有司不敢不一一應付。若如近旨，但無勘合者，皆不應付，則可盡復祖宗之舊，蘇罷困之民。夫有司官卑，豈敢與大官相抗，所賴以行法振弊者，全在撫、按耳。撫、按官狃於故常，牽於私意，而責有司以奉法令，抗大官，勢不能也。朝廷欲法之行，惟責之撫、按，不責之有司。異日倘有犯者，或別有所聞，則抗命之罪，必當有歸。（書牘九《答總憲李漸庵言驛遞條編任怨》） 丈田、賑饑、驛傳諸議，讀之再三，心快然如有所獲。蓋治理之道，莫要於安民。究觀前代，孰不以百姓安樂而阜康，閭閻愁苦而危亂者？當嘉靖中年，商賈在位，貨財上流，百姓嗷嗷，莫必其命，比時景象，曾有異於漢、唐之末世乎？幸賴祖宗德澤深厚，民心愛戴已久，僅免危亡耳。隆慶間，仕路稍清，民始帖席，而紀綱不振，弊習尚存，虛文日繁，實惠日寡。天啟聖明，雖在幼沖，留心治理。僕每思本朝立國規模，章程法度，盡善盡美，遠過漢、唐，至於宋之懦弱牽制，尤難並語。今不必復有紛更，惟仰法我高皇帝懷保小民一念，用以對越上帝，奠安國本耳。故自受事以來，凡朝夕之所入告，教令之所敷布，惓惓以是為務，鋤強戮凶，剔奸厘弊，有不得已而用威者，惟欲以安民而已。奸人不便於己，猥言時政苛猛，以搖惑眾聽；而迂闊虛談之士，動引晚宋衰亂之政，以抑損上德，矯扞文罔，不知我祖宗神威聖德，元與宋不同，哺糟拾餘，無裨實用，徒以惠奸宄賊良民耳。（書牘十二《答福建巡撫耿楚侗言致理安民》） 驛遞條例既經整頓，以後便是執行的事了。居正認定這是一件致理安民的大業，所以始終沒有放鬆。執行的時候，當然從自己做起。兒子回江陵應試，吩咐兒子自己雇車；父親過生日，吩咐僕人背著壽禮，騎驢回里祝壽。萬曆八年，居正次弟居敬病重，回里調理，保定巡撫張鹵發出勘合，居正隨即繳還，並附去一封信： 亡弟南歸，辱給勘合，謹繳納。禁例申嚴，頃有頑僕擅行飛票，騎坐官馬，即擒送錦衣，榜之至百，其同行者，俱發原籍官司重究矣。仰惟皇上子惠窮民，加意驛傳，前遣皇親於武當祈嗣，亦不敢乘傳，往來皆宿食逆旅，蓋上之約己厚民如此。僕忝在執政，欲為朝廷行法，不敢不以身先之。小兒去歲歸試，一毫不敢驚擾有司，此台下所親見，即亡弟歸，亦皆厚給募資，不意又煩垂憐也。此後望俯諒鄙愚，家人往來，有妄意干澤者，即煩擒治，仍乞示知，以便查處，勿曲徇其請，以重僕違法之罪也。前奉旨查朝覲官遣牌馳驛者，久不聞奏報，辱在知厚，敢以直告。（書牘十二《答保定巡撫張滸東》） 惟有始終不懈，從自己做起，才算得綜核名實，這是居正給我們的教訓。在整頓驛遞的當中，一切都從大官做起。外勘合由撫、按衙門發出，所以便先行整頓撫、按。甘肅巡撫侯東萊的兒子擅行馳驛，言官提出彈劾了。甘肅雖然不是最吃緊的地方，但是究在北邊，而且東萊是一個應付韃靼號稱得力的邊臣。居正確實感到一點困難，但是不能因為一個巡撫的原故，破壞國家的定法。沒奈何，把東萊的兒子應得的官蔭革去了，以後再慢慢地設法補救。保定巡撫張鹵奉到居正的催促，恰好保定正在交通幹線的要點，只得實行稽查。他發現違反規定的，一共十幾人，一齊都奏報上去。這一次太嚴重了，居正只得稍行容忍，先把太僕寺和太原府的官員處分一下。他和張鹵說： 兩承翰示，一一領悉。前奉明旨所查，惟朝覲遣牌馳驛者，即所參苑寺、太原二人，亦足以應詔矣。若概及其他，恐干連人眾，所傷者多。今姑為隱涵，後若再犯，即達官顯貴，亦不能少貸矣。舊染頹俗，久難驟變，彼頑梗玩肆之人，以為法雖如是，未必行也，今量處數人，以示大信於天下，庶幾有所憚而不敢犯乎！然惟在各撫、按以實奉行，不敢廢格詔令可耳。今台諫諸君屢奉嚴旨詰責，常慮無以塞明詔，苟搜得一事，如獲奇寶，一經指摘，聲價頗損，故願諸公之毋捨己以徇人也。至於三司官在本省地方，夫馬廩餼，用之自不為過，惟出境則不可。若宣大之於薊遼，則地隔兩境，各有軍門統屬，自難以相通。若奉敕者，則不在此例矣。（書牘十二《答順天張巡撫》） 這一次的處分，有一點出人意外的，是太原府知府上書兵部和都察院，聲明並非本人有意違例，因為山西巡撫派人護送，所以竟在省外使用驛站車馬。責任落到山西巡撫身上。居正當然犯不著因為這個問題，動搖邊疆大臣，所以只得去信加以嚴重的告誡： 太原守投揭部、院，自辯馳驛非其本意，悉由相知者差人護送。都台即欲據揭並參，不穀喻之乃止。原揭奉覽。蓋聞智者不先人而後己也，仁者不危身以邀恩也。夫各撫、按、司、道之公背明旨，而以傳驛徇人也，冀以避怨而施德也，今既不施德於人，而又有累於己，豈不兩失之乎？仁智者不為也。公嘗告我曰，今內之紀綱政事，已覺振肅，而外之吏治民風，尚未丕變，則諸大吏不以實奉行之故也。不穀深韙其言。今若此，未可謂之奉法也！以公之高明強毅，而猶若此，況其他乎？已矣乎，吾無望於人已！恃在知厚，直獻其愚。詩云：他山之石，可以攻玉。幸惟原諒。（同卷《答山西徐巡撫》） 整頓驛遞，當然不是一年的事。最感覺棘手的是內監和衍聖公。內監是宮內的親信，輕易干涉不得。居正只得吩咐他們的領袖去設法。（見書牘十二《答南京守備樞使喬誠齋》）衍聖公是孔子六十四代孫尚賢。大聖的後人，因此更應為世表率，偏偏尚賢忘去這一點。每年衍聖公自曲阜入京朝貢，沿途騷擾不堪。山東布政據實直告居正。居正說： 承示大監、聖公橫索驛遞。今內官、勳臣小有違犯，動被繩治，而聖公所過，百姓如被虜賊，有司亦莫之誰何，以其為先聖之後也。夫聖人秉禮為教，志在從周，假令生今之時，亦必斤斤守朝廷之法，不可逾越，況其後裔乎？後若再行騷擾，亦宜一體參究，庶為持法之公也。（書牘十二《答藩伯徐中台》） 這是萬曆八年的事。次年，衍聖公家庭發生風波，尚賢的庶母郭氏攻殲尚賢，朝廷派員查勘。一面由居正和山東巡撫何起鳴把衍聖公每年入朝的故事，重行商定。居正說： 中間處分孔氏朝貢一節，極為得中。然僕竊以為今親王俱不朝貢，孔氏何必親行？朝廷亦不必借此為重。渠每歲一行，族人佃戶，科派騷擾，不勝勞苦，沿途生事百端，軍民避之，無異夷虜，及至京師，淹留數月，待私貨賣盡，然後啟行，此豈為觀光修貢者耶？竊以為宜如王府例，每歲只差人進馬入賀，不必親行；或當朝覲之年，預期奏請，得旨而後行，亦為簡便。公如以為可，疏請之。若今歲，則彼聽勘未結，自不宜來矣。（書牘十三《答山東巡撫何萊山》） 商定的結果，衍聖公入朝定為三年一次。這樣一來，對於衍聖公的走私夾帶，當然不免發生稍許的不便，但是交通幹線附近的居民，卻減少了不少的驚惶。 萬曆三年，發生了水利問題；這一年舊事重提，再行發動疏鑿泇河和膠萊河，這兩件事，居正都盡了最大的努力，但是都沒有成功。本來明朝的水利問題，集中在黃河，這不是因為明朝人對於水利有特別的興趣，而是因為政治和軍事的關係，不能不著重漕運；著重漕運，便不能不著重黃河。明朝的京城在北京，整個的國防形勝，也著重在北邊，因此每年由南而北的漕運四百萬石，成為國家的生命線。隆慶六年，居正曾和港運總督王宗沐說過： 今方內乂安，所可慮者，河漕為最。茲賴公之力，經理十七，江、淮之粟，方舟而至，來歲新運，又已戒期，計三年之後，京師之粟，將不可勝食矣，欣慰欣慰。（書牘四《答河漕總督王敬所》） 萬曆元年，四百萬石又安穩地北上，居正又說： 四百萬軍儲江、海並運，洪濤飛越，若涉平津，自僕有知以來，實未見有如是之盛者。一日侍上，語及今歲漕事，天顏喜悅，殿上侍臣，咸呼萬歲。僕因推言，此皆督臣之功也，宜加懋賞，重任之。上深以為然。（書牘五《答河漕王敬所言漕運》） 次年，漕運還是如期北上，居正說起： 辱示知：運艘已於三月十一日，盡數過淮，無任忻慰。聞度江遇風，諒無大損，若前途通利，則額賦可以畢達，國儲可以日裕矣。今計太倉之粟，一千三百餘萬石，可支五、六年。鄙意欲俟十年之上，當別有處分，今固未敢言也。（書牘六《答河漕王敬所》） 居正方作國儲充實以後的計劃，就在這一年，黃河在邳州決口，淮河也決口。萬曆三年，黃河又在碭山決口，黃水不斷南流，一部分由淮安入運，直灌長江，淮、揚一帶因此發生極大的恐慌。但是當局的注意還是集中運道。這時從宿遷到韓莊的運河還沒有，從淮安到宿遷，再從宿遷到徐州茶城，黃河就是運河，明朝人稱為借黃為運，在借黃為運的情形下面，黃河的通塞，和漕運有關，也就和國防有關。明朝人治河有幾條牢不可破的原則。第一，黃河到開封以後，不許向北，因為向北便不能向南，淮、徐一線的漕運便發生問題。第二，黃河到徐州以後，不許向南，因為向南便影響明朝鳳、泗一帶的祖墓。第三，即使在這個範圍以內，也不許輕易改道，因為改道便會發生淺灘，必然妨礙糧艘向北，空船回南的路線。在這幾個原則之下，明人對於洪水橫流，挾沙俱下的黃河，只有夾岸築堤以防黃水的潰決。他們築堤的技術非常發達，單就堤岸的名稱，便有遙堤、縷堤、月堤、格堤的不同，但是最後總有橫潰的一日。黃河屢次決口，河水流入運河，復在高郵決口。事態嚴重極了，種種的主張都提出，一切等待居正解決。 居正只有給河道總督傅希摯去信。萬曆二年，他說： 近聞淮、揚士大夫言海口益淤，以故河流橫決四溢，今不治，則河且決而入於江，維揚巨浸矣。又有言前議築遙堤為不便者。其說皆信否？從未行此道，不知利害所歸，望公熟計其便，裁教。幸甚。（書牘六《與河道傅後川》） 希摯的復信來了，居正覺到遊移，又去一信： 辱示《治河議》，一一領悉，但據公所言，皆為未定之論。海口既不可開；遙堤又不必築；開泇口，則恐工巨之難；疏草灣，又慮安東之貽患。然則，必如何而後為便乎？願聞至當歸一之論，入告於上而行之。（同上《答傅後川議河道》） 最後希摯決定請求重開泇河。泇河二源，一出嶧縣，一出費縣，稱為東、西二泇河。隆慶四年，翁大立總理河道的時候，就提議開泇河，他主張上通微山、赤山等湖，中貫東、西泇河，下合沂水，過宿遷駱馬湖，再入黃河。在隆慶萬曆年間，稱為新水道，其實就是現在韓莊、宿遷間的運河水道。這一個計劃《明史》稱為引泗合沂，當然不是專指泇河本身。大立的計劃沒有實現，希摯重行提出。萬曆三年二月，希摯疏稱： 治河當視其大勢，慮患務求其永圖。頃見徐、邳一帶河身墊淤，壅決變徙之患，不在今秋則在來歲，臣日夜憂懼，悉心講求。禹之治水，順水之性耳；今以資河為漕，故強水之性以從吾，雖神禹亦難底績。惟開創泇河，置黃河於度外，庶為永圖耳。他提出工程計劃，最後說，若拚十年治河之費，以成泇河，泇河既成，黃河無慮潰決矣，茶城無慮填淤矣，二洪無慮艱險矣，運艘無慮漂損矣，洋山之支河可無開，境山之閘座可無建，徐口之洪夫可盡省，馬家橋之堤工可中輟，今日不貲之