Chapter 12 Chapter Ten After the First Strike

In the third year of Wanli's reign in Liaodong, before Zhang Xueyan, the governor of Liaodong, made a report, the governor of Liaodong, Liu Tai, arrived in Beijing first.From a procedural point of view, this is a formality error.Yet not only was it wrong, it was ultra vires.The inspector can exceed his authority, and the governor can shirk his responsibility. Of course, it will have a bad impact on the major event of border closure.From the standpoint of comprehensive verification of names and facts, this is an unacceptable mistake.Therefore, Juzheng drafted an edict and severely reprimanded him.Juzheng remembered that in this year, Shi Maohua, the governor of the three sides, once fought too hastily and recklessly entered the army because of the censor, so he suffered a lot of setbacks.I also wrote to warn: Today's current affairs are different from previous years.The public is sent by the division of Shaanxi, and everything should be cheap, and it will be done after making a decision, and there is no need to seek solutions to the group discussion. (Letter 7 "Answer to Shi Yi'an, Governor of Shaanxi") Juzheng believed that the governors and governors of the frontier should not be restrained by the censor.

Liu Tai also has Liu Tai's views.The censor of the Liaodong patrol is certainly the censor, but Zhang Xueyan is the censor of the right deputy capital, the governor of Liaodong, and is also the censor.The evolution of the official system in the Ming Dynasty formed a state where the power of supervision was above everything else.Among the local governors, there are chief ministers, chief ministers, and chief ministers right; for military officials, there are commanders of the capital, commanders of the capital, and general officers who guard the key points.This was the original official system, but later added patrols, governors and governors.Although inspectors, governors, and governors have their own territories, they are only officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, not local officials.Their official ranks are not necessarily high, but local officials cannot escape their restraint, which is the authority of supervision.Liu Tai saw that the central government officials who also represented supervisory power, why one can dispatch the army, and the other can't even report victories?So his melody was still sent out.

But in terms of the legal system, the patrol and the governor are different.Yingzong’s orthodox four-year tour according to the censor’s tour has such regulations. The commander-in-chief and town guards are appointed by the court to prevent rape and insults.Therefore, there were express regulations that patrols should not interfere with the military.The full title of governor of Liaodong is governor of Liaodong, and he is in charge of military affairs. Therefore, it is the governor's power to dispatch the army.Everything has a legal basis.In the Ming Dynasty, the functions and powers of governors and inspectors were the most easily confused. Regarding this point, Juzheng always felt the need to correct it.In the ninth year of Wanli, he said:

Stealing means caressing, according to different positions, the political system is also different.Vigorously raise guidelines, inspect and raise frauds, pluck hair and hide away, and correct corrupt and disabled people with ropes, such as wind and thunder, those who pass by without leaving, are also the duties of patrolling.To deal with money and food, to mediate taxes and labor, to reorganize military equipment, to appease the army and the people, like mountains and rivers, to moisten one side without obstruction, and to be the governor.Recently, the princes who caress and follow each other don't think about their respective positions, and they get mixed up every time.As for directing envoys, they often give up their duties and invade the governor's affairs. It is against the Tao to gain reputation, and to favor one's favor to support friends. This is a big fallacy. (Letter Thirteen, "Answer to Su Songxun according to Zeng Gongshi's Chu Yan, and his duties are different")

Juzheng believes that the big officials in the border should not be restrained. There are rules in the legal system and grounds in the affairs, so he can't help but think it is correct.If we think of the fact that in the forty-seventh year of Wanli, when Yang Gao was in charge of Liaodong, because he was forced by Zhao Xingbang to supervise the battle with the red flag in the incident, he rushed into the army in a hurry, resulting in an unprecedented defeat in Liaodong, we have to admit Juzheng's proposition. Liu Tai was full of resentment after this strict reprimand, so he impeached him on the first month of the fourth year of Wanli.This is the first blow that Ju Zheng has suffered since he was in the country, and it is also the biggest blow he has suffered in his life.The original sparse is as follows:

Those who heard the words of the ministers all hoped that His Majesty would use Yao and Shun, but did not hear the responsibility to assist the ministers with Gao and Kui.who?Your Majesty has the wisdom to accept advice, but the assistant ministers have nothing to say.Emperor Gao learned from the mistakes of his predecessors, he did not set up a prime minister, and affairs belonged to the Ministry and the court.Emperor Wen began to set up a cabinet and participate in the maintenance. At that time, the official rank was not high, and there was no pretentiousness.In the past two hundred years, there have been those who are good at being a blessing, but they still avoid the name of the prime minister and dare not live in it, and they follow the law of their ancestors.It was Zhang Juzheng, a scholar of the University, who was expelled from his high arch, and he was good at power and blessing for three or four years.When the admonisher talks about the matter, he must say, I abide by the law of the ancestors!Please use the ancestral law to rectify it.

The ancestors were not the founding fathers of the country, they were born unfairly, and they were not kings when they died.Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Cheng, was not born with extraordinary achievements. He lived in Zhengzhou and violated the precepts of his ancestors, so he presented him with a prince.During the incident, Chen Wude moved out with a word, but the doctor Chen Younian fought and reprimanded him.The ministers are afraid that the prince's family will give generously and generously, and there will be no bottom.What if the law of renting the clan? In the ancestral dynasty, the use of the cabinet and the tomb must be pushed by the court.Now Ju is privately recommending Zhang Siwei and Zhang Han.Siwei is in Hanlin, and there are countless people who have been commented on, and he has just left, and he does not teach and learn from scholars.Siwei is a human being, and he is familiar with it. Knowing it and taking care of it, the husband also uses Siwei's good opportunity to take advantage of it. Almost!Han has no good deeds in his life. He was the governor of Shaanxi. He was in a mess of stolen goods and bribes.What is quoted is not the knowledge of the relatives of the Chu people, so it is quoted by the relatives.Han Wei day-to-day takes petty officials from all over the world and gives them the power to bribe them, while the others are in vain.It is known that Ju Zhengyi threatened Zhao Jinshu, the censor of the capital of Nanjing, and that there was no discussion about Taiwan's admonishment and the tomb slaughter, so Ju Zhengzhi coerced the officials in the court.Is the law of the ancestors so?

In the ancestral dynasty, the edict was inconvenient, and the ministers still told the cabinet that they would not try the draft.Now that I have a strict decree, Juzheng said: I will try my best to adjust it, so I will stop it;Therefore, those who are afraid of being upright are more afraid of His Majesty, and those who feel right are more than feeling Your Majesty.Weifu himself has no court, what if the law of the ancestors? In the ancestral dynasty, all political affairs, Taiwan and provincial memorials, ministries and courts answered questions, asked and followed, and no cabinet ministers were heard of impeachment.Juzheng Lingfu, Press Examination into chapters, each with two volumes, one to the cabinet, one to the six subjects: the ministers will rectify if the verdict is delayed, the ministers will correct the six subjects if they are hidden, and the cabinet will correct the six subjects if they are concealed.The Husband's Ministry is divided into state affairs, and the Kechen seals refutation memorials and impeaches his duties.The cabinet ministers are ranked in the Imperial Academy, and they are only prepared to be consultants, just to think calmly.Ju Chen's creation means that he wants to coerce Ke Chen and obey orders.What if the law of the ancestors?

As for the investigation according to the minister's return, Gou Fei has a big scum, and often does not hold it, because he does not want to be frustrated.Recently, Yushi Yu has always been transferred to Nanjing because he refused to listen to instructions. Because of the shortness of breath in the patrol, he dared not spread it.Fear of being alone in Kechen's ears, living in Kechen's position, not only eating it with the speed of transfer, but also fearing that it will be too late to pass the exam, who would give up the convenience, and be willing to do nothing to talk about it?In previous years, Zhao Shenlu was moved by admonishment, which was still called a foreign appointment; Yu Maoxue was dismissed by admonishment, which was still called imprisonment;Is it true that the law of the ancestors is true for destroying officials and hating righteous men?

As far as it is for the purpose of solid favor, offer white lotus and white swallow, send an imperial edict to relinquish, spread and laugh everywhere; regulate the fields and houses, falsely accuse the Liao king of felony and seize his mansion, and now the king of Wugang has offended him again; for his children To plan for the township examination, Xu Yushi Shu'ao used the capital as the capital, and the governor of the government Shi Yaochen as the governor. He set up the first place in Jiangling, and the fee was 100,000. He planned to ban officials and sent Jinyi official schools to supervise the governance. If the evil Huangzhou Confucianism discusses that his children are lucky to sell, he will pretend to be the county magistrate to do other things, and the poor governance will be exhausted;Gai Juzheng's greed is not in civil officials but in military officials, not in the interior but in the border areas.Otherwise, after a few days of assisting the government, you will be rich and full of Chu, so why?The palace, the horse, the concubine, and the emperor are all the same as the king, so what is the reason?In the courtiers, everyone sighed indignantly, but no one who dared to speak out for His Majesty would be a calamity of accumulating prestige.

The minister promoted Jinshi, and Juzheng became the president; the minister served as the minister, and Juzheng recommended to change the censor: the minister accepted Juzheng's grace, and it is also generous, but now those who dare to sue and attack, the monarch and ministers are very friendly, and private favors are ignored. .May your majesty check the foolishness of the ministers, restrain the power of the prime minister, and prevent the country from being wronged, and the ministers will die and be immortal. Liu Tai's memorabilia went up, and Juzheng remembered that in the 200 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there had never been a story about a disciple impeaching the seat lord, but the Jinshi he had obtained in the fifth year of Longqing actually proposed impeachment against himself, which was an unusual stimulus.In the past three or four years, Liu Tai may not understand the hardships of running the country, but since Liu Tai asked the emperor to curb the power of the prime minister, what will he do in the future?What made Juzheng most distressed was that the points raised by Liu Tai were not necessarily correct, but they were not necessarily completely unfounded.Is it Liu Tai's slander, or is he inconsiderate?My own disciples, people who have been single-handedly promoted, still can't be considerate, so what will I do in the future?As a minister himself, of course he couldn't argue with Liu Tai. He told Shenzong: According to the law, the censors are not allowed to report military merits; last year, in Liaodong's great victory, Liu Tai played in violation of the system, and the law should be demoted.Later, Fu Yingzhen, the censor, lied about being imprisoned, and asked for an order to interrogate the party. At that time, he didn't know that Liu Tai and Fu Yingzhen were close to each other and presided over it.For two hundred years, there have been no stories of disciples impeaching the head of the throne, and now the minister has only one to thank Liu Tai. Shenzong saw Juzheng kneeling in front of the throne, tears streaming down his face, he had to help him up, and said to him: Sir, I shall take the blame to thank Mr. Juzheng still asked for his post, and Shenzong issued an order to comfort him: Qing Chi is loyal to the country, not only in my heart, but also in the prison of the ancestors of the world. He slanders the villain, and he has a serious purpose. The emperor's kindness is obvious, but Juzheng still feels the difficulty in doing things, he begged again: The minister praised Enlun, and his tears and embarrassment intersected. Nianchen was entrusted by the late emperor, and he repaid it with death.Today, the emperor's sacred learning has not yet been completed; all the ceremonies have not yet been restrained; the common affairs of the court have not yet been well-off; How dare you go?There are many sages and heroes in ancient times who lost their talents and virtues and did not meet the time. Today, they are lucky to meet the holy master who is not born in the world.The emperor's favored ministers treated the courtiers as guests and teachers, and treated the ministers with the trust of brothers and sisters. They were close to each other, and they were still amiable. How dare you go?However, the minister must take it as a request, and it is a last resort!Gai Chen is in a dangerous place, he is dealing with the emperor's affairs, and he is acting for the emperor's words.Now the speaker thinks that ministers are good at doing prestige and blessings, and the reason why ministers act on behalf of the king is that they are blessed if they are not prestige.From now on, if the envoys change their ways, and encourage them to be obedient and obedient, they will not be guilty of committing the crime of invading the country; In order to escape the ridicule of being good at it.What's more, today's slanderous and evil party is really numerous and has followers. It has been practicing evil for a long time, and if the ministers don't go for a day, it will be inconvenient for this generation.If the envoys do what they do, that is, they discuss it similarly, then everything can be used as an authority, and everything can be used as a blessing, and the slander of the scorpion is loud in the ears, even though the emperor is wise, he must not vote for it Zhu, and envoys often blame him with doubts and slanders, is it appropriate for ministers to be chaste?The reason why this minister tosses and turns is that he has to be vigilant.Looking forward to the emperor's ambition to pity his ministers, and his ignorance, he gave them a special gift and let them go back to solve the group's discussion: "If you seek extensively from the temples, mountains and forests, there must be talented people with complete morals, who are beneficial to the country and do no harm to the public. , in the emperor's office.The minister has repeatedly read Chen Yan, and there is no trembling to the extreme. (Zou 4 "Begging to Hurt by Words") Shenzong immediately issued another decree; Qing's sincerity can penetrate the sky, even though he is burdened and in danger, ghosts and gods should still protect him, how can he go to heaven if he slanders evil schemes.I also know that Qing's heart is unwavering, and it cannot be shaken by public opinion. I have sent the supervisor of ceremonies along with the court officials to inform me of my intentions. You should come out to see the matter immediately, and encourage the late emperor to take care of you and not to resign. This is the twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month.Shenzong was still not at ease, so he sent the eunuch Sun Long, the supervisor of ceremonies, to comfort him, and issued an order; Yu Yuanfu: The first emperor entrusted me to my husband because I was young.Mr. is devoted to assisting me with all his loyalty. He does not spare labor, does not avoid grievances, and does not claim credit.This beast alone, mourning for the party, speaks out madly, shakes the country, and has its own ancestral law.Don't worry about it, sir. I just think that the late emperor took care of his life. I rely on him. The security of the country is the most important thing, so I will serve as an assistant.I am really waiting.A special gift of burning and cutting, two pairs of hand boxes, and ten bottles of Changchun wine, as a show of affection, sir, I will accept it, please be careful not to say goodbye. Under such circumstances, Juzheng had no reason to resign, he had no choice but to come out again to assist in state affairs.Juzheng has his own ideals and aspirations for politics; political power is a tool to implement this ideal and aspiration, and he will never give up political power easily.When he believed that Shenzong's trust in him was not only unshakable, but even more firm, he said with emotion; It is appropriate for a husband to seek all the principles, but the heart must be fully understood by others.Kuangchen's mere fool, since he is special in Zhaojian, all the gossips are really insignificant.I would like to look up to the sacred bosom, benefit the naked, and protect myself with ice and frost. Although I feel resentful and ridiculed, the country is a picture, so why dare to cherish it. (Zou 4 "Xie Enshu") The power is in his own hands, and Juzheng is going to continue to implement his ideas.Whether you understand or not, my behavior naturally has my standards, he thought. When Shenzong talked about Liu Tai, he had his own ancestral law, so he sent Qiu Deyong, a clerk, to pass on the imperial decree: Liu Tai, this guy, slandered the government and wanted to beat a hundred people into the army and draw up tickets to do it.It is the job of the cabinet to draft the purpose, but it is somewhat difficult to deliver the imperial staff.As a result, Liu Tai was removed from the imperial staff and had to be dismissed as a civil servant.At that time, some people thought it was Ju Zheng's magnanimity.But Juzheng firmly denied it, saying: The ancient sages met at different times, and the way of dealing with them was also different. "Easy Big Mistakes" Dongradi. "彖" said, just beyond the middle.When there is a big mistake, for the big mistake, it is inevitable to have the disease of just passing; otherwise, it is not enough to stabilize the country, and the foundation is weak.When Yi and Zhou made a big mistake, it was a big mistake, and the careers of Shang and Zhou depended on it for their survival.The servant is a Confucianist, has a young master of more than ten years old, and stands above the subjects of the world. His mighty virtue has not been established, and he has a playful heart.Since Jia and Long, there have been a lot of discussions, state affairs have been settled, records and guidelines have been upside down, and names and facts have been confused.Serve as a servant, start proclaiming the great duke, show the great faith, cultivate the ancestral law, open the way of righteousness, and eliminate the gates of the vain. Everything is done to respect the Lord and protect the people, and to lift up the decadent. The world knows that there is a king.But those who are ill advocate a different theory, wanting to suppress the authority of the ruler and shake up the government, so they have to deal with one or two people, to determine the state, and to use one person's heart. The time is also.But Zhang thought that he had lost the heart of a scholar, and he was mistaken.I just want to stabilize the country and stabilize the society, so what is the point of resentment!When is the servant now?The lord lifts a difficult task and entrusts it to his body. Now he is in charge of the nobles, obeys the law and obeys the order, bows his head and sticks to his ears but does not dare to act rashly, cunning barbarians and strong captives, offering tributes and tributes, judging the head and fearing the latter , I only use the servant's ear to hold it, and its source is gone, how shallow is the connection?The slanderer is not afraid and worthy, his position is disorderly, and his intentions are deep, his schemes are very cunning, he is not as good as the master, and he is not as good as the nobles, but he is alone in the body of the servant, and he has no slander, and he is alone. Said Zhuanshan, Zhuanshan and so on, wanting to move the young master with a scorpion, left and right in the underworld, and doubted me in the upper ear.The spirit of Lai Tiandi's ancestral temple silently enlightened his heart and strengthened his trust.Otherwise, wouldn't it be chilling for the affairs of the world!Since this happened, the Lord was unwilling to eat, sleep restlessly, hated those who were jealous, covered Shun's slanderous deeds, and Confucius' evil words to restore the country, so he left this person to make his servants safe and the country safe.Li Mingyun judges, sincerity, reason and law are upright, but the servant is so earnest to save him, to cover up and answer the grace of the saints, and to lay down the ears of Ming officials, not just for the sake of fame. (Letter 8 "A Reply to Changlu Wutai on Governance Style and Power") In the same period, Juzheng also wrote a letter to Xu Jie, (Book 15 "The Nineteenth Master Xiang Xu Cunzhai") in reply to Hu Bangqi's book; (Book 8 "Answer to Lian Xian Hu Gong Bangqi") he said: Zhuanmeng's view, the result He is self-confident, but he knows that if he dies loyally, he can serve the country, let alone think about himself. ("Shang Cun Zhai") He also said: Gai Pu always treats people with sincerity, and never hurts himself. ("Answer to Hu Bangqi") After three or four years of political situation, Juzheng is full of confidence in himself. He believes that only himself can take on the great responsibility of the country.Therefore, from the perspective of Juzheng: to attack Juzheng is to attack the country; to destroy Juzheng is to destroy the country.This is inevitable logic.Juzheng said: "It's just where it comes from. How shallow is it?"The expansion of self-confidence has reached an astonishing level, but if we compare the political situation of Ju Zheng's ten years with that of Wanli ten years later until the end of Ming Dynasty, we have to admit that Ju Zheng's views are correct. Juzheng's resentment towards Liu Tai was really profound.The matter of saving the imperial staff is just the use of political tactics.He was unwilling to give strong stimulation to ordinary people, so Liu Tai was spared the punishment of the court rod.In the eighth year of Wanli, Zhang Xueyan was the secretary of the household department and exposed the fact that Liu Tai had accepted bribes in Liaodong. After a thorough investigation by Liaodong inspector Yu Yingchang and Jiangxi governor Wang Zongzai, Liu Tai was finally punished by exile in Xunzhou.The shadow of suspicion casts on Ju Zheng again.Juzheng said: "Gu Yun, it's better to be blamed by others than to be blamed by others. What's more, relatives and relatives are equal, and it's all an illusion. Now that I'm looking forward to it, it's become a thing of the past, so what's the point of holding it in my arms?" ("Answer to Hu Bangqi") Although the words are indifferent, in fact Juzheng is not an indifferent person.Confucius said: Repay grievances directly.What is it to complain directly? "Book of Rites.Notes also records the saying of Confucius: Repay virtue for virtue, and the people will persuade them; repay grievances for complaints, and the people will punish them.Straightforwardness is only the value deserved, so repaying grievances with grievances and repaying grievances with straightness are suitable to become synonymous sentences.Maybe Juzheng thinks that Liu Tai only gets what he deserves!From the perspective of modern political demeanor; it cannot be regarded as something to be regretted. Liu Tai's attack on Juzheng's corruption is not groundless slander.After living in the country, he once said: "Since the servants have been involved in the matter, they have kept the door behind closed doors, and the scholar-bureaucrats have not talked with each other except for the official words." (Book 5 "Answer to Sima Wang Jijin") also said: Servants have been dealing with people recently. A word of exchange means that there are one or two relatives, and a passing time, but it is just an old friend and a friend, and nothing about the current affairs. (In the same volume, "Answer to Liu Gongboxie, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, who employs people to criticize his reputation") Juzheng is not unsure about his own life.In terms of ethics, because of Juzheng's enthusiasm for political power, we can even imagine his indifference to money.In the era of freedom of speech, once corruption is well-founded and denounced by others, it will not only become a lifelong insult, but will also cause the shake of the regime.This is what a person who is passionate about political power is unwilling to do.However, the atmosphere of corruption in the Ming Dynasty has already permeated. The forces of corruption erode everything and cover everything. What's more, a chief assistant with full power is more likely to become the target of corrupt forces.Beijing is just Juzheng's residence, and his home is in Jiangling; Juzheng can clean himself up, but Juzheng has servants, fellow clansmen, sons, younger brothers, and fathers.The forces of corruption, if they can't find a target in Beijing, they will find Jiangling.Maybe Juzheng can still control his children, but can he control his father?Especially Zhang Wenming's bohemian form would not give a son who hadn't seen him for more than ten years a chance to speak. The politics of the Ming Dynasty were full of numerous corrupt factors.The fact that modern times think it shouldn't exist was just a habit at the time.The most painful thing is that when there is no criticism, although it is considered a habit, once it is criticized, it immediately becomes corruption again.Therefore, people engaged in political life are subject to material temptations anytime and anywhere, and they will also be accused by the enemy anytime and anywhere.This is the trauma of political life.In the sixth year of Longqing, the governor and inspector of Huguang proposed to build a square for Juzheng.It was only a common thing in the Ming Dynasty for a university scholar to build a workshop, but all the materials for building a workshop fell on the people of Huguang.Juzheng tried his best to resign. He said: "Our county has been suffering from floods and droughts for many years, and the people have no means of living, so we put more emphasis on labor and labor, so that all the surnames will be cursed and complained. Will the servants be honored?"humiliated?It’s okay not to build a workshop, so they prepared to discount the work and materials and give it to the Zhang family. This can be regarded as whimsical, but Juzheng didn’t think it was weird, he just said: If you want to give a discount, especially dare not.The family has several mu of Susukida, which is enough to support them, and the servants come in with their salary from time to time.And what the lords have given, the baht and the two are all anointed by the people, how can a servant deserve it, and how can he enjoy it?There is already a book pleading against Er Gong, I'm afraid I won't forgive you.I hope that you will continue to ask with contempt, and you will surely stop sleeping and see true love.If it can't be stopped, as in the case of the face-to-face, the price paid by the government will be abolished, and the storehouse will be counted, and the servants will also benefit a lot.Although the servant is not virtuous to the villagers, he is also afraid of resentment and accusations of my mistakes.Those who love me sincerely should give them what they don't have, so as to benefit what they have and nourish poison to their servants.Relying on justice and friendship, love of flesh and blood, so he dares to exhaust his liver and gallbladder, and expose his stupidity.If it is called a servant's heart or desire, but the aunt pretends to be a name, then the so-called wearer can't be listed in the forest of gentlemen. (Letter 4 "Response to Jingzhou Daofu Ci and the Construction of the Two Courts") We can't see Juzheng as a cloak, but we don't see firm refusal either.He just didn't want to build a workshop, and he didn't want to discount the price, but hoped that with the fee for building a workshop, the price paid by the government would be nullified.In terms of application, even though they are different, acceptance is just acceptance, isn't it the same people's fat and people's anointing?The abolished mansion is the Liao Wangfu. After Liao Wangxian was abolished in the second year of Longqing, the Zhang family took it for themselves. It was not until the sixth year of Longqing that the matter of paying the price was thought of. Volume 61 of "The Chronicle of Ming History" and the original "History of Ming Dynasty" are said to be in the first place, referring to this.Juzheng’s great-grandson Zhang Tongkui’s denial of this matter (see Appendix II of “The Complete Works of Zhang Wenzhong” “The First Six Reports”) was just groundless remarks. Later, the “History of Ming Dynasty” was deleted and edited according to Tong Kui’s remarks, and there was a major when. Building a square is not only building a square, the price of the square is sent to the Zhang family, and the mansion is immediately built, and the construction workers are arranged by the soldiers of Jinyiwei.This was originally a common practice in the Ming Dynasty, but at this point, Ju Zheng didn't seem to find it strange.He said; The accountant of the Third Hospital wants to help with the new construction of a dwelling.Don't you know the kindness of the gentlemen, but the servant has the heart, and he dare not use one rafter and one tile to pay for the company, so even though he supervises the manufacture of brocade clothes, he only uses them for borrowing, and he is sincerely afraid of disturbing the local area.Today, embankment construction is booming, and the tired people are at a loss for what to do. The public and private are screaming, and the poverty is so desolate. How can there be more envy to serve as a servant and run a private house?Although servants are not virtuous to the villagers, they dare not burden the family with complaints.In addition, the price given by the princes last year has been paid to the craftsmen immediately, which means that there is a shortage. In the future, the responsibilities will be given year by year, and the salary will be included in the land rent, and they will be made up one after another.It takes two or three years, and it will be over.If the princes create this idea, then those who are officials in Chu will definitely admire it. If a servant runs a private house to open the door for bribes, the crime will be more serious.Wanwang forgave his contempt, and urgently stopped his previous life. Serving servants would not be evil to the villagers, and would not be tired of clear discussions. Then hundreds of friends would not be important, and Guangsha would not be safe. (Letter 5 "And Chuzhong Futai Ci Jiandi Assistant Worker") This is the first year of Wanli.The scale of this mansion is really not small.Juzheng said to himself: "The small house was originally planned to be given to Jin Gou as a book she'er."Unexpectedly, Mr. Pang in Jinyi imitated the mansion of the capital, and made great achievements, which cost a lot of money.Repeatedly thinking, giving frequently, not only obedient to the original picture, but also recovering from the crime, the embarrassment of the heart is beyond words. (Letter 5 "Please entrust Yan's family and Fan Jin with Zhao Ruquan, governor of Chu") In the mansion, there are halls and buildings. One thousand taels. (Zoushu 3 "Xie Tang Lou's Name and Bestowing Gold" has two large characters: one is the minister of the country, the other is the assistant of the stock and arm, and the joint is said to be righteous forever and rest for a hundred years. See Wang Shizhen's "Shoufu Biography" Volume 7.) This time The plan of building a square and a building was initiated by Wang Daokun, the governor of Huguang, and completed by the successor governor Zhao Xian (that is, Ruquan) who just became an official in Chu Those who must admire it.The frequency of giving and giving is suitable to become a footnote for the private sector to open the door to bribery.In the sixth year of Wanli, someone proposed to create a mountain victory for the Zhang family; (Letter 10 "Answer to Jiqing Liu Xiaolu's Words to Stop Creating a Mountain Victory") in the eighth year of Wanli, it was proposed to build Sanzhao Pavilion; (Letter 12 "Answer to Huguang Tour In the ninth year of Wanli, it was proposed to re-build the square and watch houses (Book 13 "Answer to Yang Ben'an, governor of Yunyang"), and all construction was carried out without the consent of Juzheng.Therefore, no matter whether Juzheng acquiesces or not, this bribery door was never closed when he was in power. Of course, bribery is not only here.The beach by the Jingzhou River came out of the water, and the Jingzhou Mansion ended up being a favor, so they urged the Zhang family to come out and claim it.Juzheng himself said: "Yesterday Wang Tai often said that there is a silt island in the mansion. The public wants to be cold and the family leads him, and he knows the public's kindness very well. But where the benefits lie, people compete for them. If they are good at what everyone wants, grievances will accumulate. A few acres of Susukida can avoid hunger and cold. The old relatives are old and the children are poor. (Book Six "And Jingnan Daofu Ergong") Juzheng's words are not wrong, but the accumulation of wealth in Guangdi is still going on.After Juzheng's death, Fu Wang Changxun played begging for Juzheng's property, ("History of Ming Dynasty" Volume 120 "Fu Wang Changxun Biography") just confirmed Juzheng's achievements in accumulating property. The most direct way is to send the bribes all the way to the Zhang family in Jiangling.It is mentioned many times in Juzheng's books. (Letter 6 "Reply to General Constitution Liu Zishan", Letter 7 "Reply to Chief Constitution Liu Hongchuan", Letter 9 "Reply to Director Xiang", "Reply to Liu Caotang, General Soldier of Sichuan", "Reply to President Wu.) Most The rich one is the chief of Guangdong and Guangxi.In the seventh year of Wanli, Juzheng once said: "Since the government has not treated crimes with grain, until now, but the donations from the princes of Guangdong and Guangxi, I would rather stop ten thousand gold. If I only receive it as usual, I can become a rich man." (Book 11 "Answer to Liangguang Liu Ningzhai's Discussion on Strict Acquisition") Generally speaking, the corrupt atmosphere in Guangdong and Guangxi was very strong in ancient times, so when Cen Shen saw his friend go to Guangdong to be an official, he told him carefully that this town has many precious jades, and be careful not to be tired of poverty. . ("Send Zhang Ziwei to the South China Sea") The atmosphere of corruption in the Ming Dynasty was very prosperous, and the most prosperous was in Guangdong. (See "Answer to Liu Ningzhai Book") The corruption of officials certainly affected the lives of the people and local security.Guangdong and Guangxi are the most turbulent, and this is one of the biggest reasons. In the process of bribery, there are also several special interesting incidents.A bribe from a magistrate came, but Juzheng refused. The magistrate thought it was too little, so he tried to increase it.Unable to bear another rejection, he simply borrowed a jade belt and presented it together.Ju Zheng replied: In the past, when he was farewell, he used to respect himself and love the people. Therefore, he dared not accept the humiliation and favors repeatedly, for fear that he would recite the usual words of the rules, and he would be indebted to the deacon for keeping himself.But the deacon keeps on repeating, the thicker the thicker, how can it be added because it is too small?As for the white around the waist, it is very different, considering where to get this treasure, I am afraid that it is not suitable for the county magistrate to have it.I would like to still Bi all the messengers.If it is someone else, he can be ordered to return to Zhao.From then on, the deacon should also think about why he is self-motivated. (Letter 7 "Reply to Fu's Advice") This is just a small caveat.Not serious yet.The most bizarre one is a governor of Yunyang.After he was dismissed from office, he was active everywhere, and his reputation was not good, but he happened to be active again at the main gate.This is a clumsy matter, how does Juzheng propose it?He only made a joke once, saying that he had already mentioned it to the official department, but the official department had to try their best to avoid suspicion and dare not use it because of the unfavorable atmosphere.After saying that.Juzheng taught him a serious lesson: A servant seeks scholars more than a scholar seeks himself. Even if he is far away from the thousands of miles away, he sinks under the bureaucrats, or his body is covered with filth and dirt, and everyone refers to him as jealous. Conspiracy also works for self-conspiracy.Isn't it true that people who have been in contact with each other have heard of it?Hu Nai does not treat himself as a sage, but waits for his servant's request, but uses the way of the market to give him a generous gift, and he must obey what he wants, but entrusts him to a private person, and it is difficult to get rid of it. Very much.The ancients said.Giving it without righteousness is like putting it in a beggar. I sincerely don't want a public servant to be a beggar!With the ambition of Gongsu, and when he is in his prime, he will use it when he is in his prime. From then on, he will close the door to take care of him, and wait for it quietly. The call of the bow and Jing will come without asking.If you want to follow the custom, abandoning the great way and taking the crooked path, abandoning the friendship and using generous bribes, the servant has no choice but to publicize his words in the court to show his selflessness, then the servant will be trapped in poor virtue, and the public will never die The road to use is to lose each other.It is very fortunate that he dares to expose his stupidity, but he is forgiven by the public. (Letter 7 "Answer to the General Constitution of Liu Hongchuan") This time Juzheng's position is really embarrassing, so I can only be blamed happily.The so-called entrusting it to a private person may mean sending it to Jiangling Zhang Wenming, but this is just a suspense and there is no proof. Civilization is an unrestrained person. After living in the country, of course, the prestige of civilization will increase.In the early years of Wanli, Li Yi, the imperial censor, went to Guangxi and passed by Jiangling.It's not that Juzheng doesn't know how to let go of civilization.He said: the old man is old, Su Huai is frank, and his family and servants are from generation to generation. He has heard that those who have the power to linger in the village and those who disturb the officials can't control them. (Document 5 "Ask for Yan's Family and Ban Ban with Chu Fu Zhao Ruquan") In a society where the son is the father's hermit, Ju Zheng can only say this, but the unrestrainedness of civilization is already obvious.Those who participated in all this were Juzheng's younger brother, his son Jingxiu, and his clan's children.In the second year of Wanli, Juzheng said: "Although my family members know how to abide by the law, there may not be all small disturbances, and the title is restricted, and they dare not release it in one day." (Letter 6 "Answer to the General Constitution Liao Chunquan") This reveals the mood of the clan.As for the wantonness of the servants, there are more than one places in the books. From these perspectives, Liu Tai's claim that Juzheng's corruption was not in civil servants but in military officials, not in the interior but in the border areas, and that Juzheng was not long in assisting the government, that is, rich and full of Chu, is not without grounds.But this is the fashion of the Ming Dynasty.In the corrupt atmosphere, Juzheng once talked with Liu Yaohui, governor of Guangdong and Guangxi: It is respected that inspectors and officials are governed, and the origin of the Qing Dynasty is valued. Sincerity is the key theory, and there are also those who are difficult to change in spite of the disadvantages of accumulated habits.The foundation of one party lies in the care, and the foundation of the world lies in the government.Since Bugu became involved, there has not been a single guest in the private house, no private letters for non-official affairs, the doors and alleys are quiet, almost like a monk's house, although relatives are old, communication is normal, and everything is forbidden. This is what people from all over the world have seen and heard, not fake also.Repeatedly drafting strict edicts, rewarding honesty and ordering greed, wanting to be a concubine and commanding the crowd with his body, they all became the wind of lamb and silk, and it was not easy in the end.It is the envoy of Baoju, which has never been exhausted; the door of the piercing has never been cut, although it is only a bitter ear, how is it good for governance?Although, Bu Gu does not dare to think that it is difficult for people to change, so he slackens his heart of rate, checks in the morning and evening, but uses the way of correcting himself and studying things, and is not afraid of everything. I also hope that the public will share this heart and persist Elegant exercise, earnestness to move it, there is obstinacy, and heavy punishment should not be loaned. As for slander and destruction, the imperial court has its own opinions, so don't be sympathetic. (Letter 11 "Answer to Liu Ningzhai of Guangdong and Guangxi on Strict Acquisition") After all, people are not immune to the domination of the environment.If Juzheng was not born in a corrupt atmosphere, or was born in this atmosphere without such a father, perhaps he will have greater achievements in rectifying himself and studying things. Since judging the country, it has made considerable achievements in rectifying its finances.When he was rectifying, he chased the land tax owed and charged 30% every year.The people who pay taxes, seeing the increase of 30%, of course think that the burden is too heavy.In the third year of Wanli, Juzheng's disciple, Yushi Fu Yingzhen, said that Xiaomin's one-year-old income was only enough for one year old, and he spared no effort to pay for it.In the near future, those who are determined to lose are not enough, press, caress and listen to corrections, and counties and counties listen to tunes.This is a false theory.When Yingzhen went to Shu, Juzheng was of course unhappy, but in the fourth year of Wanli, he knew that the financial aspect had been stabilized, and he also saw clearly that there was a need for reform in terms of taxation.Ju Zhengshu said in July: The ministers and others also found out a section of the edict in June of the sixth year of Longqing. Since the 43rd, 44th, and 45th years of Jiajing, and the first year of Longqing, the money and food, except for gold flowers and silver, have been exempted. For two, three, and four years, three-tenths of each amount will be exempted.As for Huai'an and Xuzhou due to floods and droughts, and Guangdong Hui and Chao prefectures due to military injuries, they will be spared in the second and third years of Longqing, and they will be spared.However, this place still could not recover the payment. By the second year of Wanli, the Ministry of Household Affairs proposed that among the seven cents in arrears, three cents should not be collected every year, and the people still felt miserable.Why?There are various officials in Gaiyuan who can't make arrangements for themselves and save troubles, and ask for too much without a name, so that the people are exhausted, and they can't finish the government's endowment.They are powerful and wealthy, aggressive and cunning, and they are afraid of indulging and dare not ask questions. Instead, they will send down households to poor people and order them to pay compensation.Recently, due to the method of passing the examination, some officials were afraid of imposing punishments, so regardless of priority, they all severely punished and pursued them. Ke is too anxious to be safe.Those who pay taxes to the superiors are the righteousness of the subordinates; those who pity the poor and do the amount to avoid them are the kindness of the superiors; in the midst of the unavoidable, but also humiliate them, this is the kindness of another kindness.If you don't know how to appreciate it today and go back too high, then there is a fault that the officials can't follow it.However, it is difficult for the foolish people to know, and the loss of the upper body can benefit the lower. It depends on the emperor to practice frugality, and the expenses are gradually reduced, and the money is paid by the northern captives.The Ministry of Household Affairs under the Ministry of Hewuzhi checked all kinds of money and food. Except for those who applied for the year, they were unavoidable. Those who were in arrears with the collection in the previous year, except for Jinhua Yinzun who still carried the collection, among the remaining seven points, the year was checked. The month is long and near, and the place is poor and barren, and then the points will be reduced or exempted. If the barrenness cannot be completed, it will be eliminated and the people of Su will be impoverished.至於漕運糧米，先年亦有改折之例，今查京、通倉米，足支七、八年，而太倉銀庫，所積尚少，合無比照先年事例，將萬曆五年酒糧，量行改折十分之三，分派糧多及災傷地方徵納。夫糧重折輕，既足以寬民力，而銀庫所入，又藉以少充，是足國裕民，一舉而兩得矣。臣等待罪輔強，日夜思所以佐皇上，布德元元，輯寧邦本，計無便於此者。伏乞聖明採納施行，生民幸甚。 （奏疏五《請擇有司蠲逋賦以安民生疏》） 疏中所稱，除豁免積欠以外，還有漕糧改折的事。糧是實物的徵收，因為北京、通州一帶存糧已足，所以居正提議在漕糧定額太重和災荒的地方，折價收銀，減輕人民的痛苦，同時也增加銀兩的存儲。這一年積糧足支七八年，積銀四百餘萬，（《明史紀事本末》卷六十一）國家財政，遂造成不可動搖的基礎。 萬曆四年，在水利方面，也有相當的成績。當時管理水道的大臣，一位是河道總督，一位是漕運總督。漕督本來是管漕糧的，但是水道發生問題，漕船便無從北上，所以對於黃河和運河水利，都不容不過問。二月間漕運總督吳桂芳疏稱： 淮、揚二郡，洪潦奔沖，災民號泣，所在淒然，蓋濱海汊港，歲久道湮，入海止恃雲梯一徑，致海擁橫沙，河流泛溢，而鹽、安、高、寶，不復可收拾矣。國家轉運，惟知急漕而不暇急民，故朝廷設官，亦主治河而不知治海。臣請另設水利僉事一員，專疏海道，而以淮安管河通判，改為水利同知，令其審度地宜，講求捷徑，如草灣及老黃河皆可趨海，何必專事雲梯？ 雲梯關是當時黃河入海的海口，老黃河、草灣都在附近，是黃河屢次決口的所在。桂芳主張多開黃河入海之道，黃水去了，淮水隨同出海，高郵、寶應的水患，便可減輕。多開海口，不是整理黃河的根本大計，但是在當時淮、揚一帶民生痛苦的時候，不能不算救時的方法。居正沒有治河的經驗，但是他有治河的決心。在他看到吳桂芳的奏疏的時候，他決定發動整個的力量，做桂芳的後盾。He said: 淮、揚之民，歲苦昏墊，朝廷未嘗一日忘，顧莫有任其事者。茲讀大疏，明白洞徹，底績可期。夫治水之道，未有不先下流者。年來但講治水，不求治海，雖費何益？但海口之淤，當必有因，似宜視水必趨之路，決其淤，疏其窒，雖棄地勿惜，礙眾勿顧，庶幾有成也。設官及留餉諸事，一一如教，屬所司復允，惟公堅定而力圖之。（書牘八《答河道吳自湖》。按題銜誤。） 得到居正支撐以後，桂芳便開始做疏浚草灣的工作。這時議論來了，大家惟恐草灣一開，對於漕運發生問題。居正再給桂芳一度支持，他說： 淮、揚之民，方苦昏墊，被發纓冠而救之，猶恐不及，豈能豫憂運道之難處耶？今且拯此一方之民，從容講求平江遺跡，為國家經久之圖。今內外儲積，幸已漸裕，法紀漸張，根本漸固，此等事他日自有賢者任之，公毋慮也。（書牘八《答河道吳公桂芳》。按題銜誤。） 在疏浚黃河入海水道的當中，桂芳曾經有一個大膽的提議，他認為要救上游的水災，惟有犧牲安東縣城，（今漣水縣）他請求交工部議覆，疏中說道： 語云，救一路哭，不當復計一家哭。今淮、揚、鳳、泗、邳、徐，不啻一路矣。安東自眾流匯圍以來，獨文廟縣衙，僅存椽瓦，已不成邑，即使全河趨之，亦不過一家哭耳。況勢又不得不然耶？創始為作事所難，獨任乃人情共忌，乞下所司議。 工部尚書郭朝賓復奏：委一垂陷之安東，以拯全淮之胥溺，漕臣言可聽。上諭立即俞允。（《明神宗實錄》云報曰可。《明史．河渠志》言帝不欲棄安東而命開草灣如所請者，誤。）居正對於國家大事，只有果斷，沒有推諉；只有全力的推進，沒有兩可的遊移。在這個情形之下，桂芳當然可以放手辦事。萬曆四年七月，草灣功成；八月工部復奏。上諭賞吳桂芳銀幣，居正去信說： 海口疏通，淮、揚之間，歡聲雷動，從此人得平土而居，翳誰之力與？以此知天下無不可為之事。人存政舉，非虛語也。比者暫行薄賚，侯元圭既告之日，仍當有殊錫焉。（同卷《答河道吳自湖言蠲積逋疏海口》。按題銜誤。） 草灣功成以後，桂芳便進行修築高郵湖堤的工作。但是在工作進行的當中，淮水沖下來了，興化、泰州一帶，又是一片汪洋。居正說： 高郵堤工聞已告成，乃久未完報者，想以大工甫就，新水暴漲，慮有變態，欲俟其堅定，乃完報耳。但微聞興、泰之間，河塘潰決，復成巨浸，未審何以拯之？河流既自復故道，當無俟開浚。承教挽淮入河之策，甚善。考其泛地，多屬河道衙門，然公欲為國家萬年之計，救淮、揚目前之急，想當視為一家，同心共濟也。議定，幸即疏聞，此既關係來歲漕計，自不容不預圖也。年來方內乂安，庶幾小康，獨河漕一事，時往來於懷，而當事諸公亦既殫厥心力矣，乃竟不獲底於平成，豈所謂可能者人，不可能者天耶？奈何！（書牘九《答河道吳自湖。》按題銜誤。） 桂芳提議挽淮入河，牽涉到河道總督傅希摯身上來。居正再給希摯去信：河、漕意見不同，此中亦聞之。竊謂河、漕如左右手，當同心協力，以期共濟。如所見必不能合，亦宜各陳，以俟高斷，不宜默默而已。國之大事，不妨公議。事君無隱，豈為失忠厚之道耶？ （書牘九《答河漕傅後川》。按題銜誤。）這是萬曆五年的事。但是希摯和桂芳的主張，絕對不能融洽，到萬曆六年初，居正不得不出以斷然的處置，這是後話。關於淮水的問題，自從至元二十年，黃河改道以來，黃河奪了淮水出海的水道：在黃河水落的時候，黃、淮並流，一切沒有妨礙；但是到了黃河水盛的時候，淮水被逼，倒灌運河，再加以高郵、寶應諸湖的激盪，遂成淮、揚一帶的大禍。因此在萬曆五年便有兩派不同的主張。一派主張挽淮入河，吳桂芳便是其中的一個。萬曆六年潘季馴總理河槽，徹底貫徹這個主張。一派如給事中湯聘尹等，主張縱淮入江，他們要黃、淮分背而行，黃河不再妨礙淮河，淮、揚地方，便有相當的安全。在地方言地方，這個不失為一種有力的主張，但是黃、淮兩條水道，中間不能沒有運河。假如沒有運河，四百萬漕糧，怎樣北上？假如保留運河，即使築堤設閘，如何能使黃河在洪水期不至倒灌入運，重新破壞淮河的水道？居正真有些茫然了。他聽了淮、揚京官的主張，也認為縱淮入江，是一個方法。他立刻告給桂芳，但是他還是說：但僕自來未經此地，不悉其曲折，獨以意度如此，謾呈以備采擇。 （書牘九《答河道吳自湖計分淮導河策》。按題銜誤。）桂芳當然是明白情形的，他看到黃河洪水已退，淮水歸流，便據實見告，根本打銷縱淮入江之議。居正取消自己的動議，只提出治水的苦心。He said: 辱翰示，知淮已歸流，水勢漸退，慰甚。河患自古記之，有非人力所能勝者，但僕今謬當大任，一聞愁嘆哀號之聲，痛心疾首，雖智力短淺，濟時無策，然不忍坐視民之失所，而不思以拯救之也。淮水既已會河，則導江之說，無煩再議。（書牘九《答河道吳自湖》。按題銜誤。） 居正的負責和虛心，在這一次裡，完全表現出來。他不是水利專家，但是他能任用專家，並且發動政治的力量，做專家的後盾。因為不是專家，所以他的主張，不一定正確，但是在他發現錯誤以後，他立刻修正，這正是他的優點。關於黃、淮水利的事，萬曆六年，潘季馴提出他的定律。他說：淮清、河濁，淮弱、河強。河水一斗，沙居其六，伏秋則居其八，非極湍急，必至停滯。當借淮之清，以刷河之濁，築高堰束淮入清口，以敵河之強。使二水並流，則海口自浚，即桂芳所開草灣，亦可不復修治。到季馴手裡，理論方面有了根據，事業方面也有了成績，這才不愧為水利專家，而任用季馴的，也是居正。 萬曆四年十月，居正因九年考滿，奉旨加特進左柱國，升太傅，支伯爵俸。一切當然只是循例的升轉，但是居正四辭恩命，中間還曾一度奉到神宗手詔： 諭元輔，先生親受先帝遺囑，輔朕沖年。今四海升平，四夷賓服，實賴先生匡弼之功。先生精忠大勳，朕言不能述，官不能酬，惟我祖宗列聖，必垂鑒知，陰祐先生子孫，世世與國咸休也。茲歷九年考績，特於常典外，賜銀二百兩，坐蟒、蟒衣各一襲，歲加祿米一百石，薄示褒眷，先生其欽承之，勿辭。（見奏疏五《考滿謝手敕加恩疏》） 最後居正還是堅決地辭卻，他說： 緣臣前歲以遼東大捷，荷蒙聖恩，欲加升蔭，臣具疏辭免，中間引古俠士酬報知己之義，以及人臣敬事後食之心，每欲事過所受，功浮於食，犬馬之誠，於是乃安；自今凡非分之恩，逾格之賞，無復濫及，庶大義克盡，微志獲伸等因，已荷聖明，俯垂矜允，又特加綸獎，風勵臣工，是臣之微忱，既已仰孚於聖鑒，臣之愚忠，又已盟心而自許矣。乃今未有尺寸之效，以自副其功浮於食之心，而非分之恩，逾格之賞，又復濫及，則臣向之所以陳辭者，不過矯飾之虛言，而皇上之所以許臣者，亦未為相信之深矣。臣不敢自背其言，上以欺主，外以欺人，故不避煩瀆，瀝血陳誠，必望聖慈，特垂俞允。倘微志終伸，即通侯之爵未為榮，萬鍾之樂不為富矣。臣屢冒天威，無任戰慄隕越之至。（奏疏五《三辭恩命疏》） 經過這樣地懇切陳辭，神宗准予辭免太傅及伯爵俸，其餘特囑接受。這一次居正的奏疏，令人聯想到諸葛亮《與李嚴書》。諸葛亮的大志，是輔佐後主，討平曹魏，在大功沒有完成的時候，李嚴論為諸葛亮宜受九錫，封王。諸葛亮和他說道：吾與足下相知久矣，可不復相解。足下方誨以光國，戒之以勿拘之道，是以未得默已。吾本東方下士，誤用於先帝，位極人臣，祿賜百億，今討賊未效，知己未答，而方寵齊、晉，坐自貴大，非其義也。若滅魏斬睿，帝還故居，與諸子並升，雖十命可受，況於九耶？（《三國志李嚴傳注》）居正的屢辭恩命，也許不是模仿諸葛亮，但是也許竟是模仿。他們同樣地輔佐幼主，同樣地有絕大的抱負。在抱負沒有實現以前，他們同樣地拒絕過分的恩賜。假如居正竟是模仿諸葛亮，畢竟他找到一個絕好的榜樣。正因為自己力辭厚賞，始可以督促一般政府官吏的上進。在這一點，更發生政治的作用。居正曾因為宣府巡撫吳兌請求恩賜部屬，和他說起： 辱翰示，一一領悉，即囑本兵為之區處。但有功必敘，有勞必酬者，朝廷厚下之仁；敬事後食，先勞後祿者，人臣自靖之義。若銖銖兩兩，計功程勞，以責望於上，似非所謂懷仁義以事君者也。僕以菲薄，待罪政府，每日戴星而入，朝不逞食，夕不逞息，形神俱瘁，心力並竭，於國家豈無尺寸效？然自受事以來，力辭四蔭，獨守舊官，每一蒙恩，輒夔夔栗栗，不能自寧，非矯也，誠以國恩難報，而臣子雖鞠躬盡瘁，不過自盡其所當為，本無功之可言也。公所欲為諸君處者，自見鼓舞用人之道：而區區所云，似亦為人臣之所當知也。冒昧吐瀝，惟高明采之。（書牘七《答督撫吳環洲言敬事後食之義》） 在萬曆四年、五年的中間，國家大事須提及者尚有邊防和條編。 實際講，到了這個時候，邊防的局勢已經大定。韃靼首領俺答已經歸順了，因此北方減少一個最大的威脅。固然俺答部下不是沒有些少的侵擾，但是對於小小的出入，居正只是抱定耐煩的宗旨。他認為即在本國，不時還有盜賊突發，對於韃靼武士的小騷擾，他有時竟是置之不問，不過大棒還在手中，他準備隨時出擊，因此宣大北邊，永遠得到安寧。一切的勝著，都在把握之中；他和宣大總督方逢時說： 往時廟堂無定見，一聞浪語，即為之動搖，譬之低棋，隨敵嚮往，應手即下。今則不然，吾審勢已定，窺敵觀變，或無事而自補，或棄子而求先，此今日之局面也。諸公當事者，宜審計焉。（書牘八《與總督方金湖以弈諭處置邊事》） 但是儘管勝算在握，他對於俺答還是主張待之以誠。為什麼待之以誠？因為俺答已經不是明朝的敵人，所以居正主張開誠佈公。山西的窮民，逃到韃靼去了。山西巡撫崔鏞和居正說，要向俺答討回：他還豫備萬一俺答拒絕送回的時候，種種的對策。居正只和他說：蓋今之虜情，與昔不同。昔未臣服，故可用計處，今既為一家，又當待之以信，諭之以理。居正提出怎樣派人向俺答討回；他要通事對俺答說：王如曉事，宜將此人及其黨與，執送軍門。朝廷必鑒王之誠款，和好益堅，賜賚愈厚：何為納此無用之人，聽其妖妄之說，而壞已成之功，失永久之利哉？居正又說： 彼聞此言，勢必聽從。即彼不從，我常持此以責讓之，使曲在彼，則我之威信，亦無所失。量此么么幹得甚事！今板升之人如此輩者，何啻千萬，即索之而不得，亦惡足為輕重乎？彼雖犬羊，亦不可欺。用術以求之，或未必得，而彼反持此以誑我矣。（同卷《答山西崔巡撫計納叛招降之策》） 居正對於俺答，完全是一邊開誠，一邊佈置，因此在威德兼濟的形態下面，俺答和明朝，永遠處在和平相安的地位。至於他對整個韃靼的形勢，還是抱定分化的政策。他和方逢時說：大約虜情，只要渙之，無令得合而已。（書牘八《答薊遼總督方金湖》）萬曆四年，俺答和察罕鬧反了，居正便說：近聞虜酋與察罕，構隙日深，此正吾用奇之日，使之禍結而不可解，則薊遼之間，可以安枕，而西鎮之貢市愈堅矣。宜多方以間之，他日奇功偉績，必為公所收矣。（同卷《答方金湖》）總之韃靼部落愈加分散，每一部分的力量便愈加薄弱，而對於朝廷的依賴便愈加深刻。這是這一個時期中居正對外的政策。在執行這個政策的時候，他甚至吩咐沿邊督撫，遇到俺答和其他部落發生戰禍的時候，給他假道的便宜。（見書牘九《答甘肅巡撫侯掖川計套虜》） 居正感到棘手的，還是遼東。這方面的土蠻和中國處在敵對的地位，他們隨時可以聯絡俺答的部下，但是在韃靼可以並成大幫，進擊遼東的時候，薊鎮和遼東，因為三衛所隔，始終不能呵成一氣，這是地形上的劣勢。因此萬曆四、五年間，居正的目光，完全集中到遼東。他在隆慶初年注重薊鎮，隆慶中年注重宣大，現在注重遼東，一切都是時局的結果。在注意到遼東的時候，遼東巡撫張學顏