Chapter 536: Long planned

Fengtianmen, court meeting.

The morning court started relatively late that day, also because Zhu Youtang had been very slack on court affairs recently. Zhang Zhou was not in the capital, and Zhu Youtang didn't even have the thought to deal with government affairs. His mind was probably wandering to other places. The town's battlefield went.

Although there was no particularly exciting news for him from any of the border towns, this battle was like an anti-aircraft cannon shooting mosquitoes, only hearing movement but not gaining anything.

At the court meeting, Zhu Youtang stated that Wang Qiong would be transferred to replace Qin Hong. The candidate would be nominated by the emperor himself, which was different from the previous tripartite system where ministers were recommended and discussed by the court. , this time the emperor seemed to have made the decision early on, without giving the ministers a chance to refute.

There are still many people in the court who have opinions on this matter.

With Ma Wensheng as the main minister, the ministers naturally had to make their own resistance when the emperor recommended the officials of border towns and border towns. The person recommended by Ma Wensheng was none other than Liu Daxia, the governor of Xuanfu. This was Ma Wensheng is the most promising among the governors of various border towns.

Zhu Youtang said, "Someone still needs to take care of the Xuanfu's food, grass and baggage, especially those who are familiar with the household affairs. It is better to retain their original position. I think that after Wang Qing's family moves to the three sides, , someone needs to come forward to take over the responsibilities of the listening office. In addition to Bingkuan, there are several people who should be recommended by the superiors. You should also discuss it more."

It seems that the emperor has given the minister a chance. , but in fact, they were not given the slightest chance. Even if they were officials in the court who were inexperienced in worldly affairs, they knew that the emperor had already decided on the candidates for high-level positions, and any recommendation by the ministers was just a pretense.

Liu Jian came out and said, "Your Majesty, the war in the northwest is still ongoing. Should we wait until it calms down before discussing the change of commanders?"

Zhu Youtang said, "Qin Hong, please His resignation has not happened once or twice, and at his age, leading such a war is also very laborious. Do I not trust him? Now I have arranged the path for him to take in the future. After returning to the court, I will also Why not treat him with courtesy?"

Liu Jian then asked for instructions, "If Qin Hong is not qualified to handle the military affairs of the three sides of the general system, he should return to his fields instead of returning to the court."

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Youtang was also a little surprised.

He thought Liu Jian was fighting for Qin Hong, but now he, as an emperor, felt that Liu Jian felt that Qin Hong was not a traditional civil servant, and he was afraid that he would take away the power of traditional civil servants when he returned to the dynasty. To divide, Qin Hong must be driven out once and for all.

"Qin Hong has dedicated his life to the imperial court for many years. I chose him when the northwest magistrate was vacant, and he fulfilled his duties. Although he did not personally appear in the previous battles, he was behind the scenes. He should also have a share of the military achievements. Returning to the imperial court to assist me can be regarded as my appointment of merit. I don't think there is any problem with this."

Zhu Youtang decided that he would continue to use Qin. Tell me your reasons.

Liu Jian did not fight anymore, but wisely retreated to the court.

Zhu Youtang saw that Liu Jian did not object anymore, and he had basically confirmed that Wang Qiong would be the trilateral president, and he was in a very good mood.Joy, after all, the people employed in each border town are following the emperor's vision. In the past, these divisions of power were discussed among civil servants, and he, the emperor, was more of a bystander.

But it’s different now. When the emperor is appointed, he only uses the people he wants to use, or in other words, they are all Zhang Zhou’s people, which is in his interest.

There is a sense of security that the military power is firmly in hand.

"Retreat from the court. I have been feeling unwell these past few days. If I can't come, I will let you know in advance. I have been feeling physically and mentally exhausted recently." Zhu Youtang didn't seem to be sick yet, and he was actually there I called in sick for myself in the court.

In the past, the minister would definitely come out and say something about governing the country diligently, or conversely, tell you to take care of yourself.

But at this moment, the minister seems to be choosing neither.

Xie Qian seemed not to have heard the emperor’s words. Even when the emperor clearly stated that he wanted to retire and take sick leave, he still came out to slander the emperor. He said, “Your Majesty, the affairs of the Ministry of War are now due to the Minister Since I am not in the capital, many affairs have been delayed. Please recall the Minister of War to the capital as soon as possible."

Zhu Youtang said, "Xie Qing, are you serious?"

Thank you. Qian was also startled, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I naturally speak from the bottom of my heart, and there should be no slack in court affairs."

Zhu Youtang frowned and said, "Bingkuan's errands in Yongping Mansion have not yet been completed. , let him stay a few more days, don’t work too hard, just leave it like this.”

After saying this, the emperor stood up and left without waiting for any further feedback from the minister.

The ministers hurriedly saluted and sent him off respectfully.

The meeting ended.

Originally, there was not much serious matter in the court meeting that day. It was just to draft a candidate for the trilateral system. It was not too surprising to let Wang Qiong go. After all, Wang Qiong's ability still won the majority of people. For sure.

It’s just that the ministers don’t seem to understand why the cabinet represented by Liu Jian and Xie Qian, who are also the leaders of civil servants, actually made two uncharacteristic decisions in the court, and the same two The next emperor did not adopt it.

One is Qin Hong's return to the dynasty, and the other is Zhang Zhou's return to the dynasty.

After the court meeting, some people wanted to take advantage of the way out of the palace to go and talk to the cabinet people. Naturally, they wanted to ask Xie Qian, who was usually more talkative.

But this time Xie Qian was also very secretive, waving his hands in silence, as if he had nothing to discuss with the people present.

When they returned to the cabinet for duty, the three cabinet members seemed to be relieved. They sat down to discuss the gains and losses in the court, or the "test results."

Li Dongyang concluded: "His Majesty seems to be particularly resistant to what we say about border affairs. It seems that His Majesty will not accept anything we propose, and will do the opposite." "Come." How many days, this is not clear with meAre we going against the grain?"

"Be careful," Liu Jian reminded with a sullen face.

What is your identity as Xie Qian, and why do you think the emperor is deliberately targeting you?

Xie Qian looked indifferent and said with a smile, "Then in the future, we can also deliberately misunderstand some things like today." To put it another way," Li Dongyang said, "Once or twice is okay. You haven't seen that so many people were confused about our attitude after the end of the dynasty. However, what we proposed was not Going beyond the fundamentals of the court order is not pointless, and sometimes it may really be considered. ”

Within a reasonable range, he used the emperor’s resistance to civil servants and said some irony to achieve his own goals.

Liu Jian seemed to be optimistic about Li Dongyang and Xie Qian Feeling annoyed, he said, "Now that you have lost His Majesty's absolute trust, this has become something you can exploit."

At this time, Li Dongyang and Xie Qian were speechless.

We are civil servants, and we are top civil servants. We are so unpopular with the emperor. Whatever we say will be criticized by the emperor, we actually want to make an issue out of this matter

First of all Talking about the issue of being thick-skinned, just talking about the right to speak among civil servants in the future will definitely be greatly reduced.

How can we lead this team?

Liu Jiandao, "You haven't noticed that recently. His Majesty did not mention anything about the new cabinet candidates."

Xie Qian didn't understand why Liu Jian mentioned this.

Li Dongyang, on the other hand, had a sharp mind. He nodded and said, "That's right. It seems that we should take the initiative to propose new candidates for the cabinet. This can not only show His Majesty that we have no intention of being arbitrary, but also ease the relationship with His Majesty. Kill two birds with one stone. "

While showing that we are not obsessed with power, we are making peace with the emperor and maintaining a harmonious relationship.

It seems that adding a cabinet minister who is not our direct descendant will lead to We have lost power, but if the new person who joins the cabinet is originally ranked last, then his influence on the court will be very limited, but it will make the emperor feel that we have divided up our iron circle of influence, allowing the emperor to let go of us. The greatest vigilance.

Xie Qian said angrily, “It’s all Zhang Bingkuan’s rise in the past two years that forces us to do things that go against our true intentions. "

Li Dongyang said, "Yu Qiao, your idea is a bit dangerous. The selection of the cabinet is originally decided by His Majesty. After eleven years of Hongzhi, although the three of us have done our duty, many times the cabinet will also Due to lack of manpower, official duties have been slackened. The establishment of the Shangting Office is a supplement to this. If His Majesty proposes another candidate for the Shangting Office, why don't we also promote the new people who join the cabinet?"

"That's not it"

Xie Qian was about to complain, but he restrained himself and looked back at Liu Jian.

What Xie Qian didn't finish was probably "Raising a tiger brings trouble." "This kind of thing.

Let him join the cabinet. The cabinet ranks fourth.He himself has little influence, but we insist on letting this cabinet minister enter the hearing room, so the weight of his words in the court will be high, which is tantamount to us cultivating a big hidden danger.

Li Dongyang shook his head and said, "Now we are asking His Majesty to set the rules for the Supervisory Office, just like the rules set when the cabinet was established. Cabinet ministers will also be responsible for the errands of the Supervisory Office. This will also allow us to Keep abreast of the situation there at all times, and at the same time, those who join the cabinet in the future will be on duty at the Shanting Department, which can be regarded as a training for people. Anyone who will be a secondary assistant in the future can also have the qualifications to join the Shanting Department. In the end, the Shanting Department is the best. , the cabinet should come first."

When Li Dongyang said this, Liu Jian just listened and did not object.

Obviously, the two had discussed this matter early in the morning, but Xie Qian didn't know about it.

, to set a "rule", that is, the person with the lowest ranking of cabinet ministers should also take charge of the errands of the minister.

This ensures to the greatest extent that there is no separation between the cabinet and the department, so as to ensure the reputation and status of the cabinet ministers in the government.

The priority is to maintain the stability of the court. The most important thing about this order is not our attitude, but your Majesty's attitude. How can we make progress if we don't retreat?"

"Alas"

Xie Qian is usually optimistic and cheerful, but at this moment he seemed to feel a great sense of mission.

That is an insistence on the traditional civil servants presiding over court affairs, or an insistence on the concept of Confucian officials governing the country.

In the end, Xie Qian just nodded in agreement.

Originally, the planning of this matter did not go through him. He was only the last person in the cabinet to know about the matter. Now for the benefit of the overall situation, he can only sacrifice his personal interests. This matter has great consequences for the cabinet. The person who has the greatest influence is probably Xie Qian.

His ranking in the cabinet is third, and now he is the fourth, who directly concurrently serves as the Minister of Administrative Affairs, so his status in terms of Xie Qian may not be as good as that of the new cabinet member.

Even after Liu Jian and Li Dongyang retire in the future, he may not be able to become the chief assistant. He may have to retire together, because Xie Qian may have to give up to this person in terms of qualifications and reputation. The "younger generation" carrying shoes is really like finding someone to sit on your head and shit.

After the three cabinet members agreed on the strategy, they immediately submitted a petition for instructions, proposing that the emperor's court should discuss new candidates for the cabinet.

In the Qianqing Palace.

Xiao Jing stood respectfully beside the desk, waiting for the emperor to finish reviewing the cabinet report.

Zhu Youtang said, "Why are you asking me to return to my hometown now? Didn't I tell you? With the contribution Liu Ge and the others have made to the court and their abilities, I am Won't let them go back to their hometownof. ”

Although in his heart, Zhu Youtang had classified himself and Zhang Zhou as one party and opposed the courtiers, Zhu Youtang had always been generous and kind, and he respected the traditional civil servants. He also knows that the mainstream forces in the court now support and respect the three cabinet members, so he will maintain the status quo and gradually promote Zhang Zhou's people on this basis.

Xiao Jing will try not to go. Mentioning his own opinions, he just expressed his attitude according to the words of Liu Jian and the others: "Your Majesty, according to what Liu Ge and the elders said, their abilities are limited now, especially with military affairs. Where they can't help, they will not be able to help." There are many, and given the current situation in the court, more young factions should be cultivated. ”

“Young and strong factions. Since ancient times, when there are young and strong factions in the court to assist the government, there will be chaos. "

When Zhu Youtang said this, he seemed to think of something, and changed the topic, "Except Bingkuan.

Xiao Jing said, "Then we should add one or two bachelors to the cabinet as agreed before to share the pressure with Mr. Liu Ge and others." "

Zhu Youtang nodded, put down the memorial, and said with regret, "It seems that this is the only way. If there is one more person, I want Wang Hao to join the cabinet. If there are two people, the other candidate needs to be considered. ”

The compromise plan between Liu Jian and the three people is actually to add a new cabinet minister, and this person will also serve as the minister of the upper hearing.

But for Zhu Youtang , adding one cabinet minister is obviously not enough to satisfy him, so just add two more to revitalize the stagnant cabinet, so that even if one or two of them step down, the skeleton of the cabinet will still be there.

Xiao Jing understood the meaning as soon as he heard it. The emperor was a little dissatisfied with the current situation of the cabinet's iron triangle.

It can only be said that he has been holding back and did not propose a change. Now that the cabinet has taken the initiative to propose this matter. If there is a problem, then the emperor should be more ruthless in reform and arrange more people of his choice to preside over the affairs of the court. This is another way for the emperor to demonstrate his imperial power.

Xiao Jing took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty. , Now this slave is a little powerless."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Youtang frowned, "Even you say such depressing words"

Xiao Jing said, "Your Majesty, slave It seems that since the cabinet is about to add new people, if the Chief of Ceremonies does not make some changes, not only will the courtiers gossip, but also there will be some trouble in handling court affairs. Your Majesty should also take this opportunity to make some changes to the Supervisor of Ceremonies. ”

“It seems it’s time. ”

After hearing Xie Qian’s words, Zhu Youtang seemed to be a little satisfied with Xie Qian’s attitude.

You old boy finally got the idea and realized that you are not capable enough. Come on

It’s no use just trying to be a good old man, and your “goodness” is aimed at traditional civil servants. To put it bluntly, you value etiquette more than traditional Confucian ministers, but for those who want to reform the government But I have objections to this matter. With this kind of attitude, how can you expect to do big things for me

"I have to think about how to adapt it."Fan. Zhu Youtang said, "I think that if the cabinet wants to add ministers, Bingkuan can be considered." "

"Yeah"

Although Xie Qian was mentally prepared, he was still shocked after hearing Zhu Youtang's words.

Zhang Zhou is already the Minister of War. , concurrently Cai Guogong, also had the title of Left Governor in the Dudu's Mansion, which meant that he could handle government and military affairs in one hand, and take charge of all the errands of the Ministry of War and the Dudu's Mansion. It was also equivalent to mobilizing and commanding the troops by himself. Even if the emperor was not satisfied, he still had to let Zhang Zhou entered the cabinet as a bachelor after passing the examination.

If this is the case, what Zhang Zhou should have mastered should be the number of people in the entire Ming Dynasty since the founding of the country. Is this the power that people dream of?

Zhu Youtang said, "If he joins the cabinet, he doesn't have to be on duty in the cabinet every day. Just like now, he can put his name first and do it for the future." Some preparation. ”

Although the emperor did not clearly say what he was preparing for the future, Xiao Jing seemed to understand.

As long as Zhang Zhou joins the cabinet after the iron triangle of the cabinet, then the three elders will After the guy retires, Zhang Zhou can legitimately be the first and assistant minister. At that time, who will come to oppose Zhang Zhou? Zhang Zhouzhen is not only a thorn in the side of traditional civil servants, but also becomes the leader of traditional civil servants. At that time, the following scholars will probably Instead of thinking about how to belittle Zhang Zhou, he should think about how to write some articles to praise Zhang Zhou's abilities.

This is exactly what the emperor was pursuing.

Xiao Jing said, "Your Majesty, Cai Guogong holds many positions now. Even if he has outstanding abilities, I am afraid it will be difficult for him to succeed in this matter. "

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Why do you think I keep letting him keep the Hanlin Academy job?"

Xiao Jing was speechless for a moment.

But he was extremely shocked.

The emperor had been preparing for this day for a long time. It was no wonder that the emperor had always wanted to let Wang Hao enter the cabinet, but he had not done so.

That's why.

The emperor has been waiting for Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou now holds so many positions, the emperor still reserves a part-time job for him as a bachelor, and does not require him to work as an official in the Hanlin Academy. Isn't it obvious that the emperor wanted Zhang Zhou to join the cabinet and become the head of the civil service?

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