Chapter 045 Listening to the Court in the Square
The Great Court Meeting held on the first and fifteenth day of every lunar month is equivalent to a national conference. Of course, there are no representatives from various provinces attending the meeting, but only officials from the capital and officials summoned in Beijing.
The most important reason why Chen Cao followed Xu Xianchun into the Taihe Gate in a grand manner was because the crimson flying fish robe he was wearing was particularly eye-catching when standing among the crowd.
"Hey, isn't this Brother Chen Cao Chen?"
The emperor has not yet arrived, and the officials in the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony are huddled in groups and chatting according to their fixed positions. Some of them are even secretly eating hot buns bought from Bandao.
Chen Cao turned around and took a closer look. The guy in front of him was wearing the same crimson flying fish robe as himself. He thought he was a royal guard. He thought this guy looked familiar, but he couldn't remember it. He handed over his hands very politely and said: "You're welcome. Now, don’t you know this brother?”
The young man approached Chen Cao, pointed to a person in the distance and said, "That old man is Taichang Shaoqing Yang Dongming. Last time, Brother Chen said he had a horse face."
"Oh..." Chen Cao suddenly realized that the guy in front of him asked him if he hated Wei Zhongxian. Looking at his Feiyu suit again, he handed over his hand: "Brother, what do you call him?"
The young man said very familiarly: "Brother Chen, you're welcome, I'm working in the field..."
"Tian?" Chen Cao's tongue was a little knotted, and then he stared at the smiling young man in front of him: "My brother's name is Tian Ergen?"
Tian Ergen raised his eyebrows: "What? Does Brother Chen know me?"
Who doesn't know you?
Chen Cao cupped his hands and smiled and said, "I've heard about my name for a long time. My brother's ancestor, Mr. Shangtian, was the Minister of the Ministry of War. Is that right?"
Tian Ergeng was a little proud, but he didn't show it. He handed it over humbly: "Brother Chen, you're welcome. My father is Tian Chang, the commander of the Datong Guard."
Chen Cao deliberately showed an expression of surprise, and then repeatedly raised his hands: "I have admired you for a long time..."
"Brother Chen, can you..."
"Hey..." Chen Cao blocked Tian Ergen's words: "Brother, I am just twenty this year. I wonder how old Brother Tian is?"
"Brother, I am twenty-seven this year..." Tian Ergen said with cupped hands.
"You are older than me, so you call me brother."
Unexpectedly, Tian Ergeng said very sincerely: "In the Ming Dynasty, seniority was very important. Brother Chen entered the officialdom before my brothers, so naturally he is my eldest brother. From now on, you will be my eldest brother, and we will treat each other as brothers."
Chen Cao's mouth trembled a little, but judging from the current situation, it was indeed the case, so he handed over his hand: "I will be disrespectful, Brother Tian."
"Brother Chen..."
The two of them chatted for a long time behind the crowd as if they had met late. Not long after, three whips sounded and the emperor went to court.
After saying "Long Live the Mountain", the memorials from various ministries began. Chen Cao found it very boring. The only valuable thing was the memorial from the Ministry of War.
"I have something to report from the Ministry of War..." Huang Kezan stepped out and handed over his hand.
"Ai Qing, please speak..." Zhu Youxiao raised his hand in the air and said.
"Your Majesty, the civil unrest in Shaanxi continues. The two guards of Shaanxi Xingdu Division have failed in their encirclement and suppression. The rebel kings and second class have occupied Wei County. I would like to mobilize troops from all departments in Shanxi to encircle and suppress the rebels in order to prevent the rebels from gaining power."
Zhu Youxiao stood up straight: "In the past few years, after the civil unrest in Shaanxi was pacified, didn't you report to the state and the people? Why did the two guards fail to encircle and suppress them? The Ministry of War and the commanders of the two guards were all dismissed from their posts for investigation. They cannot be tolerated. According to your words, the transfer Shanxi soldiers and horses went to quell the rebellion."
"Yes, I will definitely do as I am told. In addition, I plan to transfer Yongping Deputy Commander-in-Chief Ma Shilong to go to Shaanxi to quell the rebellion."
"But the one who put down the civil unrest in Shaanxi a few years ago?"
"Exactly..."
"Accurate performance..."
"Your Majesty, I still have something to report," Huang Kezan continued: "Yuan Chonghuan, the Supervisor of the Liaodong Army and the Minister of War, requested to deploy the Hongyi cannon made by the Capital Firearms Bureau to defend the city in Guangning, and requested a military expenditure of 300,000 taels."
Zhu Youxiao didn't have much internal money left, so he immediately turned to Li Changgeng, the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu: "The Ministry of Hubu, immediately send 300,000 taels from the national treasury to Liaodong for military expenses."
Li Changgeng looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, the summer grain has not been harvested yet, and the available silver in the treasury is less than 100,000 taels. If your Majesty really wants to use it, I can only collect 100,000 taels for you."
Zhu Youxiao's face turned green, and he stared at Huang Kezan and said: "The Ministry of War, send a letter to Yuan Chonghuan. Give him one hundred thousand first, and give him the rest one after another."
"Brother Chen, why do you think His Majesty is so concerned about Yuan Chonghuan's affairs? Disasters are happening everywhere now, and some chief ministers can't even send out disaster relief funds?" Tian Ergen lowered his head and talked to Chen Cao.
Chen Cao also lowered his head: "I heard that Yuan Chonghuan, who was recommended by Jiang Ricai, and the Liaodong Question Policy that Yuan Chonghuan recommended to Your Majesty are very popular with Your Majesty, so no, I have to satisfy Yuan Chonghuan no matter what. .”
"You two, now in the imperial court, whispering in front of His Majesty in the Square of the Palace of Supreme Harmony, are really lawless. As the censor of the imperial city, how can I let you get away with it like this?"
When Chen Cao and Tian Ergeng were talking, the censor of the Imperial City, who was walking back and forth to inspect official etiquette, happened to catch the two talking and immediately revealed it loudly.
Tian Ergen clasped his fists towards the censor: "Censor, please calm down. We are not talking privately. We are just talking about what our Jin Yiwei should do at the moment."
Tian Ergeng meant to remind the censor that the two men standing in front of him were imperial guards, but the censor was not afraid at all. He raised his head and chest with dignity and said: "No matter who you are? Even if you are a minister of the court, that's not the case." We have to do business properly.”
After saying that, the censor stood in the center of the royal road and saluted Zhu Youxiao on the high platform: "Your Majesty, the two guards in Jin Yiwei have no regard for the emperor. At the time when the great dynasty is discussing important matters, they are whispering in the audience. , are not doing their job properly, and the humble minister wants to impeach the two of them. If things continue like this and everyone follows suit, how will our Ming Dynasty develop in the future?"
An old man...
Chen Cao cursed angrily in his heart. Seeing that all the officials around him were staring at him, he immediately lined up and saluted on the high platform: "I, the commander of the Fusi Department in Nanzhen, Jinyi, and my colleague Chen Cao, have met your majesty, long live my emperor..." ."
"I, Jinyiwei, Tian Ergeng, the envoy of Fusi Town, North Town, have met Your Majesty, long live my emperor..." Tian Ergen also stood up and saluted in line.
Zhu Youxiao frowned and said, "Are you two just as Yushi Li Qi said?"
Chen Cao's heart tightened, and he looked around with his eyes lowered. He became anxious at the moment, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Li Yushi framed him, so let's beat him up."
As soon as Chen Cao finished speaking, Li Qi turned around and glared at Chen Cao and said, "Wufu, how dare you slander me?"
Tian Ergeng raised his head and his eyes lit up, and he looked at Chen Cao with some admiration. Chen Cao said loudly: "Your Majesty, yesterday Wei Chen and Tian Zhenfu were drinking together at Jinxiang Tower in Bada Hutong, and Mr. Li held him in his arms. ..hug..."
"Your Majesty, don't believe this guy's nonsense." Li Qi became anxious...
Gentlemen usually act eagerly when being framed, and Li Qi is no exception. The officials watching the excitement stared at Li Qi with strange smiles.
"Your Majesty, Chen Cao is your Majesty's personal soldier after all..." Wei Zhongxian said casually in front of the court.
Zhu Youxiao knew what was going on and said, "Be quiet, Chen Cao, and tell me carefully."
Chen Cao bowed and said, "Tian Zhenfu and I ran into Master Li hugging... hugging..." Chen Cao bumped Tian Ergen who was next to him with his elbow.
Tian Ergeng, the thief, reacted immediately, raised his hands and interrupted: "Your Majesty, Li Yushi is holding the concubine of Taichang Shaoqing Yang Dongming."
"Hahaha..."
This was so incredible that the whole hall burst into laughter, and even Zhu Youxiao on the high platform couldn't help laughing.
Ye Xianggao stood out of the queue and scolded the crowd, and then said seriously: "You two, don't talk nonsense."
"Have I recruited you two?"
Yang Dongming's eyes widened with anger, and when he was about to take action, Tian Ergen turned his head and said innocently: "Master Yang, how dare I talk nonsense in front of all the officials in the Palace of Supreme Harmony Square, your new concubine? Your surname is Liu? Are you twenty?"
"Hmph..." Yang Dongming puffed his beard and stared with joy: "If you can't explain it to me, I will definitely unite the censors from various subjects to read a book for you."
Tian Ergen said sincerely: "Master Yang, your concubine named Liu went to Daxing County to visit relatives three days ago? Did you agree to come back today?"
Yang Dongming was shocked, and Tian Ergen said again: "Is there a small red spot on your lower back?"
Yang Dongming glared at this: "Dog thief..."
Chen Cao quickly added to his jealousy: "Mr. Yang, where do you think the Jinxiang Tower is? We didn't know it intentionally. It was Li Yushi who drunkenly told others after he came out."
"Ah..." Yang Dongming shouted: "I'll beat you to death, you bastard."
Chen Cao and Tian Ergeng both took a step back and cleared the way for Yang Dongming to run past.
"Brother Tian, if just him is not enough, add another one, otherwise we will not be able to escape." Chen Cao whispered in Tian Ergen's ear.
Tian Ergen nodded: "I know."
Tian Ergeng then came to another official, cupped his hands and said: "I'm not talking nonsense, I just want to tell Mr. Sun..."
"Hey..." Old God Ruhua, the Prime Minister of Dali Temple, blocked Tian Ergen's speech with his hand: "I know that you are from Jin Yiwei, and your investigation is first-class. Don't tell me, I will not participate in your messy affairs."
"Hey, forget it if you don't listen. The news about your third concubine's left Yumen has long been spread in the alley..." Tian Ergeng said with great regret.
"Ah..." Sun Ruhua's body began to tremble. If no one brought up such secrets in the boudoir, who would know: "Tell me quickly, who said it?"
Chen Cao jumped away, and the royal road was already in confusion: "Master Sun, what do you think? Li Yushi's reputation as a romantic master of the capital is not fake."
"I want... to..."
Sun Ruhua was trembling with anger, and Chen Cao sighed deliberately: "Hey, I think back then Li Dongyang used a golden melon hammer to chase Shouning Hou in the Qianqing Palace, so that his name was recorded in history..."
Before Chen Cao finished speaking, Sun Ruhua ran to the imperial platform and snatched the golden melon hammer from the hands of a Han general on duty. The old guy turned a hammer with his right hand, pointed the sword in his left hand, shouted "dog thief", and headed towards He killed Li Qi who was running away with his head in his arms.
The scene was chaotic for a time, and all the officials watched the excitement the most. Even Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but laugh out loud, and then watched the farce in the audience with interest.
Ye Xianggao, the chief minister, couldn't stand it at the moment, frowned and said: "Your Majesty, today's imperial court, it will damage the majesty of our country, and those envoys from foreign countries are all here."
"Ahem..." Zhu Youxiao calmed down and said, "Someone, stop them."
After receiving the order, the Han general immediately took action, pulling the angry Sun Ruhua and Yang Dongming away, and one person came to report: "Your Majesty, Yushi Li Qi was knocked unconscious and passed away."
Ye Xiang said directly with cold eyes: "Hurry up and the imperial doctor will come for diagnosis and treatment."
"yes..."
Tian Ergen looked at Chen Cao with an expression of admiration and said: "Brother Chen, you are really amazing. My admiration for you is like a torrential river, endless..."
Why did Chen Cao feel that this line was so familiar, so he and Tian Ergen said together: "It's like the Yellow River flooding, out of control..."
Tian Ergen took Chen Cao's hand and said, "My younger brother wants to become brothers with Brother Chen."
Chen Cao's mouth trembled. At this point, he couldn't agree even if he didn't agree, so he said: "After the great dynasty, we will cut off the chicken heads and bake them in yellow paper."
"good..."
Chen Cao and Tian Ergen escaped because of the sudden chaos, and the dynasty ended hastily. However, Chen Cao later learned from Tian Ergen that Zuo Guangdou had written a book about them, saying that they were instigating discord among officials. relation.
Of course, this is like a stone sinking into the sea.
...
"You have gone too far. You dare to say things that are not true. You are collaborating with Na Tian Er Geng Hang, which not only confirms your reputation as a sycophant, but also the title of the eunuch." Zhang Wenda hates the fact that iron cannot be transformed into steel. Staring at Chen Cao.
When Chen Cao went to court, he was invited to Zhang Wenda's house as a guest. However, he was scolded before the meal was finished.
"Uncle Zhang, you have also seen that before His Majesty went to court, Tian Ergeng and I were just chatting, and that guy kept holding on to him. I have too many people like him in the Ming Dynasty, so I just want to teach him a lesson." Chen Cao put down his chopsticks and said righteously.
"Nonsense," Zhang Wenda scolded Chen Cao: "Do you know that those officials and censors are the most difficult to offend? If you punished Li Qi today, didn't you directly offend Zhao Nanxing?"
"Hey, Uncle Zhang is here to help, what are you afraid of?" After Chen Cao finished speaking, he picked up a glass of wine and drank it.
"Don't think about me anymore," Zhang Wenda waved his hand and drank a glass of wine alone: "After the summer grain is harvested, I will beg for an official position and return to my hometown to retire..."
"puff..."
Chen Cao spit out the wine he drank in one sip: "Uncle, are you a Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Personnel?"
"What Heavenly Official is, that's just what the world says," Zhang Wenda shook his head and said: "Now that Wei Zhongxian's eunuch party has formed a climate, I will not retreat at this time. If I was framed and lost my reputation at that time, how could I leave my name in history? Even if I don't retreat, how can I leave my name in history? No, and we won’t be harmed.”
Chen Cao really wanted to tell what happened to him, but he certainly couldn't say it directly: "Uncle Zhang, as long as I'm here, you can be your minister of officialdom with peace of mind. No one dares to touch you."
"No one?" Zhang Wenda raised his eyebrows: "Do you know my position in the Donglin Party?"
Chen Cao only knew that Zhang Wenda was a member of the Donglin Party, and he had not studied his status carefully: "I would like to ask my uncle for advice."
"Now that we have talked about it, why don't I have a good talk with you today," Zhang Wenda put down his wine glass and said a little drunkenly: "Qian Qianyi founded Donglin Academy again to spread Zhu Xi's knowledge. Go on, but things go counterproductive, some people just don’t think so;
After young people Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian came to power, their methods of doing things were not as good as before. They secretly said that I and Sun Chengzong were the two leaders of the moderate faction. It was a joke. It was inevitable that the eunuch party would form a climate, otherwise the Hakka family He will not help Wei Zhongxian rise to power;
Of course, I also have my own thoughts. Think about it, my family of more than seventy people, if they fall into the hands of the eunuchs, can you save it? Everyone covets this position in my official department. Ye Xianggao and others have discussed it privately and asked me to step down and let Zhao Nanxing take over. I can hang around for a few more years and face Wei Zhongxian in the future. I have nothing to do without me. Let’s see. It's just a storm. "
Zhang Wenda said a lot in one breath, but in Chen Cao's view, it was all nonsense. People said that Zhang Wenda was the shrewdest person in the late Ming Dynasty. It was true, but in the end he was taken care of by the eunuchs. Chen Cao couldn't bear it. , and said: "Uncle Zhang, don't worry, I will protect you in the future, you will be safe."
"Take care of yourself," Zhang Wenda waved his hand: "I also have many disciples and former officials, so I can only protect myself..."
Why is this old guy so arrogant? He really takes himself seriously.
Zhang Wenda got excited as he spoke. He looked at Chen Cao and said seriously: "Today I treat you as a confidant. With your knowledge and talent, I would like to ask you a few questions."
Chen Cao sat up straight: "Uncle Zhang, please."
"What do you think of the party strife that occurred during Wanli's reign?" The first question was very constructive, and Zhang Wenda was not out of touch.
There are many answers to this question. Chen Cao thought for a while and said: "The former chief minister Zhang Juzheng is not an upright official. The source of the party struggle must be his fault. The goals of the three parties in Qi, Chu and Zhejiang are very clear, but the Donglin Party is not to be far behind. It’s just,” Chen Cao stared at Zhang Wenda’s piercing eyes: “It’s all Master Wanli’s method behind this. Otherwise, how could he not go to court for decades and still treat you people obediently?” Three battles?”
Zhang Wenda nodded, indicating that he agreed with Chen Cao's view, and then asked: "What do you think of the three major cases?"
"Three major cases?" Chen Cao finally realized what was going on, but then he thought of the meaning of Zhang Wenda's words "old" a few days ago, and said: "Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and others are just for It is just to allow the Donglin Party to take control of the government after the new emperor ascends the throne, of course, this was indeed the case in the past few years."
"What's the explanation?"
Chen Cao looked at Zhang Wenda seriously: "You just forgot Wei Zhongxian..."
"It's true, that guy also killed the Wei Dynasty. Although they were all eunuchs, I still looked away." Zhang Wenda sighed a little: "Everyone has their own ideas, just to escape. ..”
"It's not about getting away," Chen Cao emphasized: "It's about profit..."
Zhang Wenda rolled his eyes and did not answer Chen Cao's words, but said again: "Where's Yan Guan, what do you think? It's like you falsely accused Li Qi today."
"What false accusation?" Chen Cao defended: "I was just protecting myself... Hey, Yan Guan is a big cancer in the imperial court. Nowadays, the appointment and relocation of officials are basically controlled by Yan Guan. Uncle Zhang, I said Right!"
Zhang Wenda didn't answer, and Chen Cao continued: "Emperor Taizu established the Yanguan system to monitor the emperor's political affairs and the words and deeds of hundreds of officials. However, during the Wu Zong Dynasty, this well-intentioned system became a tool for people with ulterior motives. Means, the behavior of the officials during the Jiajing period was really disgusting. In order to get promoted, they made a dispensable matter darker and darker, and even escalated it to the level of national subjugation. I don't care about such alarmist villains. He knows how those officials selected him during the examination;
Just like Li Qi, the imperial censor who patrols the imperial city today, Tian Ergeng and I just chatted a few words. In order to be famous and promoted, that guy talked all kinds of nonsense in front of the emperor, arguing that the structure of the argument was extreme and exaggerated. Uncle Zhang, you know that if chatting can lead to the destruction of the country, the Ming Dynasty will have perished long ago. "
"Nonsense..." Zhang Wenda scolded Chen Cao: "Although Li Qi's words are indeed alarmist, you have gone too far. How old are Yang Dongming and Sun Ruhua? You stinky boy, what are you doing? Sun Ruhua made a bad idea and followed Mr. Dongyang's example of chasing him with a pumpkin hammer. If Li Qi is killed, you two will definitely be impeached to death by Zhao Nanxing and others. Do you believe it?"
"If he dies, it will be his own fault," Chen Cao said indifferently: "There are eighty or not hundreds of officials in the government. In order to be promoted, they rely on rumors and use harsh words to flatter the public. It is sensational. You are trying to become famous in one fell swoop by relying on an unreasonable thing. If you get hit by the imperial cane, hehe, you will make a lot of money. If you die, you will leave your name in history. If you survive, you will rise step by step. Uncle Zhang, my nephew, am I right?"
Zhang Wenda glanced sideways at Chen Cao: "Do you have a big prejudice against them?"
"Of course," Chen Cao said righteously: "What officials should do is to serve the people, not scheming in the court. What is the difference between your Donglin Party and the three parties of Qi, Chu and Zhejiang? The difference is that the Donglin Party won , the other three parties have just lost, now Fang Congzhe has asked Feng Quan to join forces with Wei Zhongxian, Uncle Zhang, it is better for you to draw a clear line with the Donglin Party as soon as possible, otherwise you will definitely be implicated in the future."
"I talked a little with you today and I have a lot of feelings. Chen Cao, I saw you right." Zhang Wenda nodded: "I will have to rely on you to take care of my family's affairs in the future."
"That's natural," Chen Cao clasped his fists: "Even if you don't say it, I will definitely do it."
"My eldest son is the Left Councilor and Associate Councilor in the Chief Envoy of Shaanxi Province. He only has one daughter in Beijing. He is very worried. If you find a good family in the future, remember to tell me about it."
Chen Cao felt that Zhang Wenda was really not a simple guy, so he explained the matter clearly to Chen Cao with a few words of gossip without losing his identity: "Hi, uncle, you are so polite. Your daughter must have a rich family to play matchmaker. Zhang Uncle, are you still worried about not being able to find your in-laws?"
Chen Cao still had something on his mind, so he asked: "Uncle, you are about to become an official. My nephew has a question for you. Please answer it seriously, Uncle Zhang."
"speak..."
"My nephew would like to ask, during the Japanese Rebellion in Zhejiang, you and the officials of the Third Division of Zhejiang discussed behind closed doors for a long time. What was the matter? Was it about the aftermath, or was it about the distribution rights of the Zhejiang coastal areas by the adults in the court?"
Zhang Wenda suddenly covered his forehead, then turned his head with difficulty: "Ugh..."
After drinking too much, I started vomiting...
An old thief...
