The Wenyuan Pavilion in the Donghua Gate of the Imperial Palace was the place where the royal books were collected and where the emperor gave lectures. In addition, it was also the office building of the cabinet, the most powerful department of the Ming Dynasty.
The cabinet, a unique power organization of the Ming Dynasty, was first established by Zhu Hongwu in the early Ming Dynasty. At that time, it only served as a secretariat. By the time of Zhu Di, it had become a formal institution of the country. The cabinet officials were getting higher and higher in rank and had more and more power, surpassing the six ministries. On top of that, some cabinet members even work part-time as six ministers.
As the power of the cabinet became more and more powerful, it could even reject the emperor's imperial edict and refuse to implement it, which seriously threatened the imperial power. It can also be said to have checked and balanced the imperial power to avoid the emergence of a dictator, but it also made the emperor feel rebellious, and even For hundreds of years, the imperial power and the cabinet have been at arm's length.
For example, Emperor Zhengde supported Liu Jin and gained the upper hand in suppressing the cabinet. Emperor Jiajing defeated his chief minister Yang Ting. The cabinet became his plaything and posed no threat to the imperial power. However, during the Jiajing period, when his sons failed to live up to expectations, they were basically suppressed by the cabinet. Then, Mu Zong wanted to buy some jewelry for his wife, but the cabinet did not agree. This was already a matter of housework and bullying, and the imperial power was suppressed. When he arrived at Shenzong, Zhang Juzheng was appointed in the cabinet, and he did not care about the little emperor. In eyes.
It was not until Wei Zhongxian took action during Zhu Youxiao's reign that he beat up the Donglin Party in the cabinet and the imperial power gained the upper hand. Unfortunately, when Emperor Chongzhen arrived, he killed Wei Zhongxian and the Donglin Party entered the cabinet. The two parties distrusted each other and fooled each other, and finally Ming Dynasty was destroyed.
Fortunately, Chang Yu was born a few months before the demise of the Ming Dynasty. He secretly chopped off the big bosses in the court who were eating corpses, such as Chen Yan, Li Jiantai, Wei Zaode and others, and killed them. After being killed, although it cannot be said that the situation in the court is immediately clear and clear, there is also a lot less smog.
At this time, the cabinet included the first assistant Li Banghua, the second assistant Wu Zong, Qiu Yu, Fang Yuegong, the Minister of Industry Fan Jingwen, the Ministry of War Shi Kefa, the Ministry of Household Ni Yuanlu and others. Although it cannot be said that the monarch and his ministers are united, they must have taken some responsibility as usual. At least I am much more pragmatic and can do practical things, and there is less waffling and dawdling around.
In the past few months, fighting has been raging near Gyeonggi. Although the cabinet did not make any great efforts, it did not make any obstacles. It assisted Emperor Chongzhen to deal with it calmly and finally calmed down the war. The thieves were defeated and fled the Tatars. It was a long-awaited event. It was a great victory that relieved the hatred and was very proud. The people cheered and the cabinet ministers also breathed a sigh of relief. They even felt complacent and felt that they had done their best.
But no matter what, this is an event worthy of celebration from both the government and the public, but at this moment, the people in the cabinet are not happy!
It was because Emperor Chongzhen wanted to hold a grand military parade to commend the soldiers who participated in the war.
This is destined to be a grand event and the best opportunity to inspire the morale of the military and the people.
There was no reason for the cabinet not to support it, but Emperor Chongzhen decided the matter directly without any discussion with them. He decreed that the Jin Yiwei, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Husbandry, and the Ministry of Rites would be responsible for the matter.
From beginning to end, the cabinet was completely blown away!
A few days ago, the eunuchs and military governors violated regulations and even emptied the Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Commander's Office, which caused dissatisfaction among the officials in the court. However, because at that time, except for the young eunuch who was good at fighting and put out the fire, we tolerated it.
After that, in the past few months, all matters related to military affairs were almost entirely left to the decision of the young eunuch, and the court had almost no intervention or even say. This kind of behavior of monopolizing power and favoring eunuchs not only violated the ancestral laws, but also violated the rules of the court. The slaps in the face also made them think that the eunuchs were about to resurrect, but at this moment, apart from using the little eunuch to get on the line of fire, who else would they choose? Well, we can bear it!
But right now, I don’t even think about holding a big military parade. Chongzhen, you want to do it!
Do you still have our cabinet in your eyes? Are there any more imperial courts and courtiers? Why do you want to jump away from us and play by yourself?
So, on this afternoon of universal celebration, the cabinet ministers in Wenyuan Pavilion held a meeting, but Shi Kefa and Ni Yuanlu were absent because they were busy with the military parade.
"In the more than ten years since Wei Ni, the eunuch party has been in a state of decline. The court affairs have been clear and the officials of Ming Dynasty have never formed any clique for private purposes. However, after this little eunuch appeared out of nowhere, the eunuch party has revived in just a few months and is getting more and more fierce. The more violent it becomes, if Li Xiangruo doesn't take advantage of its unstable foundation to use thunder, he will be afraid that he will turn back and harm him in the future!" Wu Zong, the second assistant, was worried and shook his head repeatedly.
It was obvious that the cabinet wanted to compete with the emperor, but it wanted to throw dirty water on Chang Yu. Moreover, this time Dongchang did not participate in the military parade at all to avoid suspicion.
However, the battle between the prime minister's power and the imperial power is actually a battle between the cabinet and the Dongchang. No matter how hard Chang Yu tries, he can't stand alone unless he doesn't work for Emperor Chongzhen.
"What Prime Minister Wu said is absolutely true." Fang Yuegong sighed at the side: "The little eunuch has made great achievements in battle in the past few months. He has been at the height of his power. There are already ministers in the court who are clinging to him, not to mention his deep-rooted connections in the army. I am afraid that in the future..." Li quite planned this already! The words naturally allude to Shi Kefa, Wang Jiayan, Ni Yuanlu and others.
Qiu Yu and others echoed.
The chief assistant Li Banghua was silent while holding the tea cup and looking at the water in the cup. As a civil servant, he had a natural hostility towards Chang Yu, but as a loyal minister who shared the emperor's worries, he had great appreciation and admiration for the young eunuch, who could serve as the head of the cabinet. Boss, he also understands that he will be incompatible with the little eunuch!
No reason, as they are inherently hostile.
The civil servant group and the eunuchs can never coexist peacefully. Either you die or I live!
"The eunuchs have always caused great harm. We have learned from the past and must not repeat the same mistakes. It is imperative to suppress the small eunuchs. However, the time is not right now. An inadvertent act will backfire." Li Banghua sighed slightly, and everyone frowned.
Because they all know very well in their hearts that if it hadn't been for the little eunuch's efforts to turn the tide in the past few months, the Ming Dynasty might have been destroyed by now. Now both the government and the public are claiming credit. If they take the opportunity to impeach, they will be scolded and become a street rat. This is for This is very unacceptable to civil servants who cherish their reputation.
"But the military parade is the best time. If you don't grasp it, you may just leave immediately." Wu Di raised his eyebrows: "How about we use a roundabout tactic?"
Everyone was stunned and didn't know what was going on.
"We will not impeach or suppress the eunuch for the time being. We will attack the emperor first." Wu Di smiled slightly, and Li Banghua raised his head and glanced at him: "That's fine!"
As the sun sets and the lanterns begin to turn on, the entire capital is still silent in the midst of singing, laughter and dancing. In the past few months, the Ming army has achieved a record that has been rare in more than ten years, making the common people feel proud and proud. In the streets and alleys, in the teahouses and restaurants, countless street vendors, literati and poets are spitting. Fei talked about all kinds of news he heard from nowhere.
In the imperial city, the first assistant Li Banghua and the second assistant Wu Zong asked to see Emperor Chongzhen, and then there was a huge quarrel.
In the Waidongchang Yamen, the young eunuch was sleeping as fast as a pig.
More and more soldiers and horses gathered outside Desheng Gate in the capital, and they were ordered to camp on the spot and rest without disturbing the people. On the bank of Tonghui River in the east of the city, Gao Jie, Liu Zeqing, and Huama Liu heard the spies' reports and learned that Li Yan's main troops had returned to Beijing one after another, but still no one greeted them.
Forgot us?
The three of them looked at each other.
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