The news that Cheng Minzheng was about to join the cabinet quickly spread throughout the DPRK.
I don’t know where it started. Once word spread, even Cheng Minzheng himself was a little confused. Zhang Zhou had just mentioned it to him in person before, but now it seemed to be implemented.
After the morning court that day, Zhu Youtang specifically asked Chen Kuan to call three cabinet ministers to the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang mentioned to the three of them face to face the matter of Cheng Minzheng joining the cabinet.
"Cheng Qing's family has been in the government for a long time, and he is reliable in his work. Now he can fulfill his duties in the Hanlin Academy. My intention is to let him share some errands with you, so that you can It can also be easier, what do the three Qing family think?"
The emperor seemed very polite.
I took the initiative to ask the three people for their opinions, but it seemed that they were not willing to refuse the three people, or that the three people could not refuse the emperor's "good intention."
Liu Jian took the initiative to express his position on behalf of the cabinet, "Old minister seconded the proposal."
It would not work if he did not second the proposal. Who told him that Liu Jian was already accused of occupying the latrine and not shitting as a great Ming Dynasty? As a cabinet minister, Liu Jian actually had to relax a lot of times. Given his age, he mostly relied on Xie Qian and Li Dongyang to handle daily official affairs, or even let people from Zhongshu She and others do it for them.
In the middle and late period of Hongzhi, the atmosphere within the Ming Dynasty officialdom was actually a stagnant water, especially at the decision-making level represented by the cabinet.
Zhu Youtang did not expect Liu Jian to agree so readily. He smiled and nodded and said, "I think that after Bachelor Cheng joins the cabinet, he can help you. Then I will raise this matter in the court tomorrow. ”
It means that the cabinet itself will propose it.
The proposals for candidates to join the cabinet, as well as the details such as court recommendation, are all based on rules and regulations, but it is not always the minister who comes forward to propose. The key point depends on who the emperor approves.
Afterwards, Zhu Youtang simply asked a few questions about cabinet affairs, and then asked Chen Kuan to send the three of them out of Qianqing Palace and go to the cabinet for duty.
After the three of them went back and finished their work, they didn’t say they were particularly worried. After all, Cheng Minzheng was considered an “old acquaintance.” If it hadn’t been for that incident, Cheng Minzheng would have joined the cabinet long ago and become one of their colleagues. .
"Is Keqin really suitable?" Xie Qian asked.
Li Dongyang said, "Everyone thought it was Wang Jizhi, but from the beginning of the rumor, we knew that someone deliberately spread the rumor."
Xie Qian said, "Could it be that His Majesty let the rumor spread? , to test the reaction of the government and the public."
Li Dongyang shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so roundabout when doing things, or there may be others who can't tell."
"Haha."
Xie Qian smiled.
The so-called "others", if you think about it with malicious intent, it should be Zhang Zhou. Apart from Zhang Zhou, there seems to be no one else.
But if you think about it with good intentions, besides Zhang Zhou, there may be someone who wants to give the people in their cabinet a chance to know this in advance.If something happens, be mentally prepared in advance.
Li Dongyang looked at Liu Jiandao and said, "Now that Cheng Keqin has entered the cabinet, how will the errands be distributed or should we say that everything is business as usual?"
Liu Jiandao said, "You shouldn't ask me."
Meaning Yes, it would be too deliberate if we discuss how to exclude Cheng Minzheng now.
The emperor just wanted to strangle people in the cradle after just giving him a message. Isn't he a little too impatient and doing so shows too much private interests of civil servants, and can even be said to be party politics.
"I understand." Li Dongyang nodded.
Xie Qian glanced at the side with a slightly puzzled look in his eyes, as if asking, what do you understand?
Wait for Liu Jian to go back to rest early and wait for his return in the evening. On duty at night, Xie Qian raised the issue.
"You don't have to do it when you think about it, just know it in your heart." Li Dongyang was still hinting.
Xie Qian understood immediately.
Cheng Minzheng still needs to be squeezed out, but he can't say it openly, not even between three people.
After all, the three of them may not always be in power at the same time in the future. After one or two people retreat
and a new faction is formed, the matters discussed by the three will still be It's possible that one of them might poke him out.
No matter how much achievements the Cabinet has made, Yu Qiao, when he comes, you will give him more advice."
Li Dongyang began to entrust errands.
Bring "newcomers".
Although Cheng Minzheng followed the rules of the officialdom, he already knew the rules of the officialdom. He even knew what the cabinet did and the daily errands.
But after he actually joins the cabinet, someone still needs to guide him, and Xie Qian, as the lowest-ranking among the three people in the cabinet, seems to be the most suitable person to guide Cheng Minzheng.
"Yes."
Xie Qian nodded.
He seemed to understand that to exclude Cheng Minzheng, he had to start with Xie Qian.
As for Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, they need to keep their composure first and show a sense of arrogance. The cabinet's face depends on these two people, and Xie Qian is the one who does it. The sloppy one.
The morning of the next day.
First, Liu Jian resigned because of his old age, which meant that at his age, he could no longer bear the heavy responsibilities of the DPRK.
Zhu Youtang gave some comfort, "With so many things in the government and the public, I still cannot do without capable ministers like Mr. Liu Ge, but I can't watch you suffer.
My intention is to add one more person. I have mentioned it before, but it has never been implemented. I will not postpone it today. I will tell you in court who you think is more suitable."
The ministers present immediately felt as if they had been tricked.
The emperor and Liu Jian were obviously playing a double act.
Does the emperor really not know who to choose?
Or is he deliberately setting this up for us to make us think that the candidate is actually recommended by everyone and is not a behind-the-scenes operation
"I recommend Bachelor Cheng."
Just when everyone was still speechless and had nothing to say because of their embarrassment, someone suddenly spoke up from among the ministers.
When everyone felt something was wrong, they remembered that the damn voice was actually Zhang Bingkuan
Zhang Zhou was actually among the ministers today
< p>Why is it so low-keyIt's as if he doesn't exist. Every time he came here before, he had never been so low-key.
Zhu Youtang said, "Scholar Cheng has high moral character and high prestige. He is indeed the best candidate. Are there any others?"
Zhang Mao said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Zhang Zhou, a scholar at the Hanlin Academy, He is a capable minister who can share the worries of His Majesty and the imperial court. If he can join the cabinet and assist in the affairs of the imperial court, he will be a favorite among the old ministers."
At this time, Wu Xun actually did the same. Run out and join in the fun.
The civil servants will inevitably wonder, what does this matter have to do with your surname Zhang?
Don’t think that we don’t know your thoughts. If you let Zhang Zhou join the cabinet, it will be the same from now on. People of the same lineage as civil servants will not steal your title as the number one martial arts family. In this way, you will continue to supervise the capital camp and continue to be the top officer of the Ming Dynasty’s capital garrison.
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "Bing Bing Kuan's qualifications are still relatively young, so he may not be suitable to join the cabinet at this time."
This also contains some hints.
The ministers were all discerning, and of course they could tell that the emperor had already planned Zhang Zhou's entry into the cabinet, but it was just not time to put it into practice.
After that, it was almost certain that Zhang Zhou would join the cabinet.
"Mr. Liu Ge, what do you think?" Zhu Youtang meant to ask Liu Jian to recommend candidates for the cabinet.
Liu Jiandao, "The veteran believes that Wang Hao, a Hanlin scholar, is also suitable for this job."
If you don't recommend Cheng Minzheng, even if your emperor said this, I agreed at the time, but In order to create a fair and just competition, I should also propose other candidates.
And
I do think Wang Hao is more suitable. I am just discussing the matter, and your Majesty cannot interfere with my thoughts.
Zhu Youtang was not upset after hearing these words. He had long been used to this kind of fake fairness.
Zhu Youtang said, "Xueshi Wang is also diligent and self-restrained in teaching the prince's knowledge. I also approve of him. Are there any other candidates?"
Then the ministers present came out one by one. Recommend.
In the past, when selecting ministers, most people would act according to the prevailing circumstances, but when it comes to selecting cabinet ministers, everyone is afraid of falling behind.
The reason is that they all know that the cabinet ministers are equivalent to the prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty and are the leaders of civil servants. Each faction has relatively powerful figures, and the ministers in the Hanlin Academy system are not as good as the ministers in the court. coming and goingVery close too.
If the person you elect really becomes a cabinet minister, or even becomes a chief minister in the future, then your future official career will not be bright.
So much so that he will be elected in one round. , several bachelors from the Hanlin Academy were almost all involved.
Many people come out to recommend because they have personal relationships with these people, but on the surface they will not admit it. It seems that they are all working together, but in fact they are putting their personal ideas first. .
"Then let's make a public recommendation first."
Zhu Youtang said, "At the same time, we also need to ask the opinions of the people who have recommended it. Bingkuan, you go first."
p>Zhang Zhou is a bachelor's degree student no matter what.
And in the list of electors, the voice was originally acceptable, but the emperor had something to say first, and Zhang Zhou was not suitable to join the cabinet at this time.
In fact, Zhu Youtang’s words were changed to ask Zhang Zhou to give an example to the people present and tell them how to refuse the matter until they refused one by one, and Cheng Minzheng reluctantly Accept it, and everyone is happy with it.
Zhang Zhou said, "I am not qualified enough and am not qualified for many things in the court. Now is the time when the war in the north is stalemate, so I have no time to do other things."
Zhu Youtang nodded. He said, "Your errands at the Shangcheng Office have kept you busy enough. Moreover, Tang Qing's family recently went on a diplomatic mission to North Korea, and few people can help you. If you need any more manpower, just ask me and I will allocate it to you." ”
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, “I can still barely complete the task at hand.”
“Yes.”
Zhu Youtang looked sideways at Wang Hao.
Just when everyone thought that the emperor wanted to ask Wang Hao for his opinion, the emperor suddenly said, "I also think that Bachelor Cheng proposed by Bingkuan is a good candidate. I will regard him as the Grand Bachelor of Wenhua Palace. What do you think?"
The people present were a little confused.
Why did the emperor go off topic?
The decision has to be made
Li Zhang next to him said, "Your Majesty, there are rumors in the government and the public recently that There were a lot of private discussions about adding new cabinet ministers, with the most discussion involving Bachelors Cheng and Bachelors Wang. They both believed that the two of them were more suitable, and that they were both capable in their respective errands, including book editing and lectures in the East Palace. You must fulfill your duties diligently."
Zhu Youtang said, "You can take on the book repair work concurrently, but you still have to pay attention to the lectures in the East Palace. I don't think that Bachelor Wang is incompetent. But I also attach great importance to the prince’s studies.”
The implication is that you, Wang Hao, want to teach my son and cannot leave your post without permission for the time being.
Li Zhang said, "The voice of Bachelor Cheng is the loudest."
Having the boss of Dongchang come out to talk about this matter seems to be conveying public opinion. After all, Dongchang monitors the world. People's responsibility, they say that Cheng Minzheng's voice is loud, that is, Cheng Minzheng's voice is loud. Anyone who has an opinion should submit evidence, otherwise he will be imprisoned for talking nonsense.
Zhu Youtang said, "Why didn't Bachelor Cheng come today?"
"I'm sick." Li Zhang said.
"Well, it's time to take a good rest. Autumn is about to get colder, so it's time to take good care of it. In a few days, it will be the time of the Autumn Palace Competition. I have decided that Bingkuan and Wang Xueshi will be the main ones. What do you think about the Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination?"
What Zhu Youtang said means that Cheng Minzheng will be the cabinet minister to supplement the matter, even if it has been officially decided.
There is no need to delay it. Anyway, it has been rumored for more than a year. There have been discussions in the court, but they are always unresolved. The pool of water among the civil servants' influence will always be stagnant.
Liu Jiandao said, "Replying to Your Majesty,
I believe that the matter of taking the Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination still needs to be considered."
Zhu Youtang frowned.
He was also wondering, Liu Jian had no objection to Cheng Minzheng joining the cabinet, so how could he oppose so much to Zhang Zhou being the chief examiner?
"Mr. Liu Ge "The exam is about to start in a few days, shouldn't we let them prepare for it? Who else do you think is more suitable?" Zhu Youtang looked obviously unhappy.
If you oppose Cheng Minzheng’s entry into the cabinet, I will not be so embarrassed.
But if you stop me from letting Bingkuan be the examiner, I want to skin you and cramp you.
I don’t know that I want Bingkuan to accumulate more reputation in academia
Liu Jian said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "Zhang Zhou is the examiner, and I have no objection, but Bachelor Wang teaches the prince every day." He is very knowledgeable and busy with official duties. He shouldn't have to take on multiple roles. It's better to leave it to others."
"Then who do you think is more suitable?"
Zhu Youtang didn't agree. When he opposed Zhang Zhou, his attitude immediately improved a lot.
"I believe that Yang Tinghe, the minister, should be the main test."
Liu Jian recommended Yang Tinghe unceremoniously.
Zhu Youtang asked, "Has he returned to the capital?"
Li Zhang said, "Your Majesty, according to the schedule, he will return to the capital today. He has been very hard on this journey. But I finally came back in time."
Yang Tinghe had just returned to the capital from Sichuan and Sichuan. Before he even entered the city gate, he was recommended by Liu Jian to be the chief examiner of Shuntian Prefecture. It seems to be helping Zhang Zhou, but it also means to supervise Zhang Zhou.
Don’t let Zhang Zhou mess around.
If Zhang Zhou wants to mention some people he wants to mention and plays tricks in the examination room, someone must stand up.
Otherwise, count on Wang Hao
An old fox like Wang Hao can easily find a way to compromise, or turn a blind eye.
But Yang Tinghe is a young and cutting-edge group.
It just so happens that I am looking for an opportunity to train Yang Tinghe and let Yang Tinghe and Zhang Zhou take opposing positions. If Yang Tinghe cannot do this, then future promotions will have nothing to do with Yang Tinghe. Please remember to bookmark this chapter after finishing it. The latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft