"Master Wei, let me think about it again, I'll go out first." Li Limin didn't dare to listen to Wei Bao's persuasion anymore, for fear that if he heard two more words, he would grit his teeth and agree to Wei Bao.

Wei Bao was anxious to do ideological work again, and felt that Li Limin had begun to loosen, "Lord Li, you have a bit of a big man's temperament, okay?" Such a little thing is still grinding and chirping, we are friends, I can use character to vouch, the official you bought in my hands, at least within 3 years, will be as stable as Mount Tai! Of course, you don't want to commit murder and arson, you can do things that violate the king's law. ”

"This matter is too big, Lord Wei, I can't think about it for a while, let's talk about it tomorrow. Can I go home? Li Limin said: "I want to discuss it with my family." ”

Wei Bao smiled, knowing that Li Limin wanted to discuss with other backers, "No, everyone is only allowed to enter and not to leave, you can write a letter, I will send someone back to bring you silver, people can't go out." ”

Li Limin sweats, isn't this captivity? I was angry, but I didn't dare to say anything, so I bowed my hand to Wei Bao and walked out of Wei Bao's official hall quickly.

Wei Bao was not discouraged, the children of the Yamen, the new science and technology scholars, and the neutral officials like Li Limin, who were already in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, combined with thousands of people, and the number of incumbent Donglin Party and Eunuch Party officials combined was half and half, and there were many people who could do their own work.

Wei Bao then took turns to find someone to talk to according to his familiarity.

The children of the Yamen, the new science and technology scholars, and the neutral officials like Li Limin, who are already in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, these three kinds of people, Wei Bao took turns to find people and talked one by one.

The first Yamen disciple failed, and Wei Bao found a new branch jinshi.

This Jinshi is quite familiar with Wei Bao, he has drunk several times together, and he lives in Wei Bao's Tiandi business.

This Jinshi's family has a little money, and he is a rich man in Henan.

It took Wei Bao less than half a pillar of incense to move the man, and the man didn't have to write a letter to ask someone to bring the silver, and he himself carried three or four thousand taels of silver on him at any time.

"I'll pay the money now, and I'll just get a Dali Temple commentator." That man's name was Yang Shuo.

"Good, happy, refreshing! Lord Yang, then I'll congratulate you first! Wei Bao smiled and said: "Dali Temple is a good errand, I think the imperial history of the Imperial Court is a little stronger, this is you bought early, a little later, there will definitely be no more, I am optimistic about you, so I let you be the first to come in, and then you will go out and help me talk to the same year, so that everyone is enthusiastic." ”

"Okay, Master Wei's business, we will definitely support it." This Yang Shuo's family is also in business, and his speech is very in tune with Wei Bao.

Wei Bao is very satisfied, he is not only a new science and technology jinshi, these people have little experience in officialdom, even if many people are inclined to the Donglin Party, but after all, they have not officially entered the officialdom, from Donglin's students, it does not mean that they must also vote for the Donglin Party after entering the officialdom, as long as they are promoted by themselves, then they have to be branded with my Wei Bao!

Wei Bao is worried that he can't get too many new science and technology scholars to come in, and he is afraid that others will talk about it, at least this time he can't get too many new science and technology scholars to come in, and if he gets thirty or forty people, it is not a big problem, and if he gets hundreds of people, it will definitely not work.

However, there are not so many people in this group of new science and technology scholars who have this economic strength, Yang Shuo is rich in the family, and a small half of them are children of poor families, and some of them, although they are also young masters and sons of landlord families, but the capital is far away, and Wei Bao has prepared so much silver.

After Yang Shuo went out, Wei Bao recruited a neutral official like Li Limin, who was already in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, to come in and talk.

This person, like Li Limin, is also inclined to eunuchs.

For neutral officials, Wei Bao also treats them differently, giving priority to eunuchs, preparing to find a way from the Donglin Party when the final number is not even, if the conditions allow, he does not even want to recruit a member of the Donglin Party.

Wei Bao mixed in the Ming officialdom, acting completely from the perspective of serving his personal interests, and did not focus on the interests of the Ming court and the interests of the people at all.

This court has been rotten like this, not to mention that he is just a 15-year-old young man who has just entered the officialdom, in terms of qualifications, it is a leap, and in the three years that Chongzhen has been in power, it is impossible to climb to the top of the three grades and become a feudal official.

In that case, who can I take care of? Who can take care of me?

Moreover, the problem of the Ming Dynasty is very complicated, and a long-term problem cannot be solved by a small number of people, let alone a problem that can be solved by one or two Qing officials.

Wei Bao is so blatantly buying and selling officials, there is another meaning, the people he picks out are not only rich, but also people with active minds, and the people who buy officials in his hands are originally people with guts, and they are people who look up to him Wei Bao, these two items alone are enough.

It's a pity that this neutral official like Li Limin, who is already in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, Wei Bao's ideological and moral education work has also failed.

The man also politely said that he would consider it.

Wei Bao sighed, "The incumbent officials are trouble!" ”

But Wei Bao was not discouraged, and in one morning, he got more than ten new science and technology scholars, as well as two children of the yamen, one is the son of the yamen of the Metropolitan Inspection Yuan, and the other is the son of the yamen of Dali Temple.

The son of the Yamen of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, his grandfather originally did the right to the imperial history, belonging to the rank of a senior member, after he was admitted to Xiucai, he has not been able to pass the exam, he is a lone seedling in the family, and he has found many ways, but he can't find a channel to buy an official, Xiucai's fame is too low, otherwise he would have bought an official a long time ago, this old brother is a little stunned, and he dreams of buying an official.

As soon as Wei Bao said a few words, he immediately said that he would write a letter and ask his family to collect money and send it over.

The other is the son of the Yamen of Dali Temple, his father was originally the deputy of Dali Temple from Liupin Temple, died two years ago, and he is now serving as a small official in Dali Temple.

Wei Bao put Guo Wenliang's example to the brother, and he said that he wanted to buy it, and immediately took a pen and wrote a letter to ask his family to get the money.

At noon, Wei Bao collected more than 80,000 taels of silver.

These people who first bought officials from Wei Bao have one of the most significant common characteristics, that is, they are all relatively young, generally not more than 30 years old, and some of them are only in their early thirties.

If you are young and have less experience, you will not have so many scruples, and there is another one, the entire Yamen of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Yamen of Dali Temple are now closed, and there is nowhere to discuss if you want to discuss.

The compound of the Duchayuan and the compound of Dali Temple are interconnected, and people on both sides can move around each other, but the front and back gates outside the two yamen are guarded, and they can only enter but not exit.

Now Wei Bao is happy, and it's not so difficult to secretly think!

In the afternoon, neutral officials like Li Limin, who were already in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, also showed signs of loosening, and one of the incumbent officials said that he would buy the position of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and be willing to pay 4,000 taels of silver.

Originally, it was all a one-on-one conversation, and Wei Bao was going to make a deal with that person.

Li Limin hurriedly yelled outside and begged to see him, "Lord Wei, Lord Wei, can I come in?" ”

In the past three days, Wei Bao told Luan Ruping and Zhou Yingqiu that the eunuch Metropolitan Procuratorate and the senior officials of Dali Temple had said that they would not have to worry about anything, rest in peace for three days, and do not have to come to the yamen.

They all knew that Wei Zhongxian didn't want to get involved in this matter, and they didn't know what tricks Wei Bao was going to do, so they naturally didn't bother to come to the yamen to cause trouble.

Therefore, at present, the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple are the situation of Wei Bao's dominance.

Wei Bao likes to cut, just like doing mathematics, no matter how complex the situation is, cut it into pieces to facilitate problem solving.

Completely isolating Dali Temple and the Metropolitan Procuratorate from the outside world, he only had to face more than 2,000 people.

"Master Li, I have something to do, you can wait." Wei Bao laughed.

"I can't wait, I'm going to see Master Wei now! I know that Lao Wang is in it, and he wants to buy my position! In vain I took him as a friend! Li Limin said angrily.

Wei Bao smiled and glanced at the official named Lao Wang standing beside him, this person was indeed Li Limin's friend.

Li Limin couldn't find anyone to discuss, so he told this old Wang that Wei Bao was selling his official position, and Lao Wang told Li Limin not to buy it, but he moved his mind and took the initiative to find Wei Bao's official hall.

Li Limin disappeared from Lao Wang, he was also exquisite, and immediately thought that Lao Wang might have fallen in love with his position, and he was in a hurry to chase after him.

Lao Wang looked at Wei Bao and saw Wei Bao's contradictory look, so he said to the outside: "Lao Li, since you have decided that it is not cost-effective, you are afraid of this and that, you will take the risk, I am not afraid, I am optimistic about Lord Wei, I will do it with Lord Wei!" ”

"I buy it! I buy! When Li Limin heard Lao Wang say this, he almost fainted in a hurry, and yelled: "Lord Wei, I want to buy it!" ”

Many people in the compound of the Metropolitan Procuratorate already know what Wei Bao is doing, and they are talking about it, and they hear that Li Limin, the secretary of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, is shouting to buy officials, and they are all secretly thinking, this world is really not saved, is buying officials so publicized now? Why are you shouting so loudly?

Moreover, Li Limin is quite a dignified person in the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, and there are many people who know him, and he has a certain leading role.

Wei Bao sighed and smiled apologetically at Lao Wang: "Lord Wang, otherwise, you can wait for a while, right?" Let Master Lee in, right? If he can't say it clearly, you won't be able to live in the future. ”

Lao Wang understood this truth and agreed.

Li Limin was put into Wei Bao's official hall, and the first thing he said was: "You haven't bought it yet, have you?" ”

Lao Wang smiled: "If your brother figures it out, can I take your position?" ”

Li Limin glared at Lao Wang, "I estimate that I am half a step late, and I have been taken away by you!" ”

After Li Limin finished speaking, he immediately said to Wei Bao: "Master Wei, it's 3,000 taels of silver, right?" I immediately wrote to my family to send me the money. ”

"5,000 taels of silver, no one is missing, and there are already two people who have said that they want to buy the position of the capital! I told you 3,000 taels of silver before, completely for the sake of our friendship. Lord Wang is willing to pay 4,000 taels of silver, and the other two adults are willing to pay 5,000 taels of silver, and they will have to pay the silver soon. Wei Bao smiled: "Don't hesitate, you can ask Lord Wang yourself." ”

"Lao Wang! That's how you are friends? You told me that it wasn't cost-effective, and you ran over by yourself, and added 1,000 taels of silver? Li Limin's anger almost didn't smoke.

"Haven't I been able to do it? Didn't you listen to Lord Wei, and the two adults both came out with 5,000 taels of silver! Your position in this capital can help the experienced adult in charge of affairs, just the annual errand service of the yamen has a lot of people back and forth, as well as the yamen's repairs, food, and arranged travel for tolerance, and get a lot of silver every year. Lao Wang settled the account.

"Phew, that's not what you told me! You said at most 2,000 taels, good you old king, you are too cunning. Li Limin said angrily, and then changed his flattering expression to Wei Bao and said, "Master Wei, do you think this will work?" Reading our friendship 3500 taels! I'll add 500 taels of silver! ”

Wei Bao sighed and said, "Lord Li, why are you suffering? I just gave you 3,000 taels, you don't want it, you want it now? 5000 taels, no way! ”

"5,000 taels is enough to buy a five-grade official, right?" Li Limin said painfully, "Then I'll buy higher, I don't want a position for everything." I'll come to the right temple of Dali Temple! The position is now vacant. ”

"That's 20,000 taels of silver!" Wei Bao has a face of a profiteer who sits on the ground and starts to raise prices, he didn't open the sales channel just now, and now the sales channel has been opened, according to this trend, he will definitely be able to sell the official position short tomorrow, where is there still a discount? There are very few official positions in Dali Temple, and the right temple of Dali Temple is second only to himself in the left temple of Dali Temple, where can I sell it casually? At least 20,000 taels to start.

"20,000 taels of silver?" Li Limin's head was full of sweat, "Lord Wei, are we brothers?" Can you not do this? The price has risen so much in a while? You just said that the seven-grade official has 3,000 taels of silver, so you can't use 20,000 taels of silver for the fifth grade, right? ”

"There are many people and few positions, I have already sold more than 100 positions, and there are less than 300 left, if you don't hurry, there is nothing left." Wei Bao also looked helpless.

"4,000 taels of silver, I still want my experience to do things." Li Limin said helplessly.

"5,000 taels!" Wei Bao insisted, "Lord Li, don't say that I don't miss the old love, Lord Wang said he wanted to buy it before you, he gave 4,000 taels of silver, and I took care of him in it, why did you open your mouth later, but you also want to buy it at the same price?" ”

This time, Li Limin's intestines almost regretted it, and he secretly wondered if he was not a fool? Just now, I only needed 3,000 taels of silver to take it down, but now it has become 5,000 taels of silver.

"Master Wei, what kind of friendship do we have? Don't you have the final say? Let me be a little bit, Brother Wang, he won't mind, isn't it Wang? ”

Lord Wang was noncommittal, "If you Lord Li want to return to your position, I naturally can't rob you." ”

"5,000 taels of silver, this is a matter of rules, not a matter of friendship, it is your Lord Li who did not seize the opportunity, after today, it will definitely be doubled tomorrow!" Wei Bao is a very ruthless person and will never regress.

This is a problem of the system, not a problem of people, although Wei Bao is not yet proficient in these things in the Ming officialdom, but the essence of things, he can see it clearly.

Li Limin: They began to procrastinate and refused to pay for it, but they were still afraid in essence!

I'm afraid that he Wei Bao is useless to speak, and his backing is unstable.

It's not that he doesn't approve of his act of selling official positions.

What is the difference between them collecting the usual silver from top to bottom, scavenging dirty silver, and giving gifts, and directly buying and selling officials?

"4500 taels of silver, okay? Master Wei. Li Limin pleaded.

Wei Bao sighed: "If it weren't for our brother's feelings, 5,000 taels would be indispensable." You, Lord Li, have to remember that you owe me this love, this is 500 taels! I didn't take it for myself! Therefore, everything has a first strike and then a second strike, and there is no such shop in this village. ”

"Yes, yes, brother is grateful." Li Limin really realized it. He didn't blame Wei Bao for pretending, knowing that Wei Bao was telling the truth, no, isn't Lord Wang, who is willing to pay 4,000 taels of silver to buy the position of the Metropolitan Procuratorate? People pay 4,000 taels, why does he also pay 4,000 taels? I've got to add a little bit of it.

Wei Bao originally thought that everything was going to be so logical, and when he continued smoothly, something happened.

The two groups quarreled.

This time it was not the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party that quarreled.

To be more precise, the incumbent officials who have not yet bought official positions quarreled with those who have already bought official positions.

The cost of governance in a unitary absolute monarchy.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, information and organization have costs, and corruption is one of those costs.

Talking about system building and an independent judiciary is empty talk that is divorced from the times and the social production conditions of the time, and the traditional authoritarian society does not have no system, but has a highly complex political and legal system.

It is only that the system cannot transcend the specific conditions of production of the times.

One of the most important problems in a centralized state with an absolute monarchy: taxation, how to transfer tax revenue to the central government to maintain the operation of the country, needs information, needs organization, and all this has a cost.

Focusing on the issue of taxation, we can explain the basic context of the changes in the three major empires of the Qin and Han dynasties, the Tang and Song dynasties, and the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The rise and fall of an empire is always accompanied by the rise and fall of a fiscal and taxation system.

In a traditional agrarian society, it is impossible for the central government to understand the specific situation of each village and each farmer, and information asymmetry will inevitably bring a lot of agency costs, that is, official corruption.

Compared with the group of people who have just bought officials, the incumbent officials must know more about corruption, are more greedy, and have more opinions on corruption.

They can't see it, how many official positions has Wei Bao sold? It is said that it is three days, where to get three days, tomorrow will definitely be sold out.

Moreover, most of the officials who buy officials are not the current officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and Dali Temple, so why can those children of the Yamen buy officials casually?

Why can the new science and technology scholars buy officials casually?

For every additional position they buy, they lose one less position.