However, even though Jiao Jing was Empress Dowager Sun's confidant, there were some things that should not be said but it was better not to say them.
Therefore, Jiao Jing thought for a while, decided to swallow what he had just eaten, and then said.
"Even so, Holy Mother need not worry. Although I don't have much contact with Zhu Jian, I can see that he is a person who takes the overall situation into consideration."
"In the Wuying Palace at that time, since the emperor asked, he gave Zhu Jian the opportunity to refuse. If he was unwilling, he would naturally find a reason why Datong had heavy military affairs and it was not suitable to be transferred rashly, or it was difficult to complete the peace talks by himself. This matter is declined."
"After all, there were so many ministers watching at that time, and Zhu Jian did not make any mistakes. If he was unwilling to such an abnormal transfer, the emperor would not force him to be transferred back to the capital."
"However, since Zhu Jian has accepted it, it means that the Supreme Emperor is still the most important thing in his heart. There is no need to worry that he will not do his best in this matter."
Although he was not present at the scene, Jiao Jing could easily deduce the situation at that time.
You must know that, in essence, this is a transfer of official positions in the imperial court and falls within the scope of political affairs.
But Queen Mother Sun is a member of the harem after all. Her words are somewhat effective in royal matters, but in real government affairs, she actually has no power to intervene.
Perhaps some middle- and low-level officials will be confused.
But an official at Zhu Jian's level would not agree to such a request just because he was afraid of offending a harem queen.
What's more, in front of so many ministers at that time, the emperor's questions did not have the slightest intention of forcing him.
It can be said that it is not difficult for Zhu Jian to find a reason to reject the matter and go back to be his governor of Shanxi.
However, he finally went ahead, which showed that in his heart, he still felt that welcoming back the Supreme Emperor as soon as possible was more important than his own official position.
After hearing this, Queen Mother Sun felt a little relieved.
However, she still frowned with some regret: "That's true, but..."
Seeing Queen Mother Sun's expression, Jiao Jing smiled.
"I know what the Holy Mother is thinking. If the Supreme Emperor can come back successfully, he will also need help in the court. Zhu Jian is just the right person. But now that there is such a commotion, even though he can still focus on the overall situation, he will inevitably have a grudge. "
Empress Dowager Sun nodded, sighed, and said: "It is indeed the Ai family's failure to consider this matter. Can you think of a way to make up for it in the outer court?"
Jiao Jing thought for a while and said: "I dare not deceive the Holy Mother. Zhu Jian has not been in Beijing often in these years, and I don't have a close relationship with him. However, it is not impossible to do something."
"In the early years when the late emperor was here, Duke Xiancheng recommended many people to the late emperor, including civil servants and military generals. I wonder if any of these people have a close relationship with Zhu Jian and may be able to give it a try. "
"But I'm just guessing. I'll have to ask the young master after leaving the palace."
Rubbing her forehead, Empress Dowager Sun said: "That's all we can do. Now, the priority is to welcome back the Supreme Emperor. By the way, you said before that above Tingju, Xu Bin and others have been sentenced to beheading?"
When this matter was mentioned, Jiao Jing couldn't help but sigh.
As soon as this bad thing comes out, it will happen one after another.
Time was tight before, so he didn't tell Empress Dowager Sun about Tingju's situation in detail. Now when she asked about it, Jiao Jing carefully explained everything that happened in Tingju.
"That's it. Yuan Bin was taken to Fengtian Hall as soon as he arrived in the capital. Without knowing anything, he took out the golden sword. Then, Lu Zhong sent the golden sword and Yuan Bin to Xu Bin and others. Zhang Fu can’t stand the deception anymore.”
"When Zhang Fu retracted his confession, Xiao Weizhen also collapsed. The three of them admitted the matter. They thought they had the will of the Supreme Emperor to protect them. However, in the end, they were defeated by Yu Qian and Wang Wen, and they finally paid compensation. By killing his wife and losing his troops, Xu Bin and others were not saved, but the reputation of the Supreme Emperor was probably also damaged."
"At that time, I thought about blaming the matter on Yuan Bin, but the emperor saw the opportunity too quickly and did not give me a chance. Instead, I used it to build a good reputation."
After saying that, a trace of anxiety appeared on Jiao Jing's face as he said.
"Holy Mother, the development of this matter has indeed exceeded my expectations. Xu Bin and Xiao Weizhen are the only officials of third rank or above in our court, and Zhang Fu is the backbone of the British government."
"They were sentenced to beheading this time. Whether it is civil servants or senior relatives, our losses are quite serious. I am worried that if the emperor comes back and the emperor wants to do something to the emperor, we will be in the court. , even if you want to speak out to stop it, it will be a little difficult."
Empress Dowager Sun frowned and her face looked quite ugly.
The biggest reason why she has been trying her best to develop her power is that she does not want to pin her and her son's fate on the benevolent heart of the one on the throne.
But now, bad news comes one after another, giving Queen Mother Sun a headache.
After a moment, she rubbed her temples and spoke.
"As for the civil servants, didn't you say that there is some way for Zhu Yi? Let him find a way to contact us. In addition, if the court is gone, we can find local officials, like Zhu Jian, to find a way to bring them back."
Jiao Jing opened his mouth and wanted to speak but no words came out.
There are indeed some local officials who support the Supreme Emperor like Zhu Jian.
But the problem is that the current official department is controlled by that old guy Wang Wen.
Wang Wen could also detect the officials they could find who supported the Supreme Emperor. Not to mention suppressing these people to death, but letting them circulate around the place and not giving them the opportunity to enter the capital as officials was nothing. Difficult matter.
You must know that unless you reach the level of governor or governor, and your political performance is so outstanding that you must be promoted, there is no other way but to be promoted to the seventh minister.
For other officials, even if you reach the third rank or the second rank, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will still find ways to place you in your place.
It must be said that although the emperor was young, his methods were precise and ruthless. As soon as he came to the throne, he used Wang Wen to tightly control the staff.
With him as the Minister of Civil Affairs, at least for the civil servants, whether it is the Empress Dowager Sun or the Supreme Emperor who is about to return to the court in the future, it will be even more difficult for him to cultivate his own people.
However, although Jiao Jing did not say it out loud, Queen Mother Sun was not stupid. She obviously saw his concerns and continued.
"It doesn't matter if it's Zhu Jian or not. The Ai family knows that every time there is an examination, the nobles of each family will make more or less friends with new scholars. After so many years, no one in each family has some connections, but most of them are scattered in various places. That’s all.”
"Those people who are close to you, choose those who are reliable and use them, and spend some time to support them. These relationships are very complicated, and the officials cannot always figure them out."
"Also, people like Luo Tong, who have been protected by nobles and have the handle in their hands, can also be supported."
After saying that, Queen Mother Sun sighed and said.
"Actually, these people are reliable because they have something to hold on to, and most of the things that can be used as evidence are not publicized. Their relationships are also secretive and difficult to be investigated, so naturally they will not be stuck by the officials."
"Anyway, this is not something that can be rushed. After you go out, just be more attentive and pay close attention."
Jiao Jing thought for a while, then nodded and said.
"What the Holy Mother said is true. However, if this happens, I'm afraid we will have to rely on the British government."
Seeing that Queen Mother Sun was confused, Jiao Jing explained further.
"If you look for the people the Holy Mother mentioned, you can find them. However, we have too few people in the Central Yamen. It is not easy to support them."
"So, they can only rely on their own excellent political performance. It is also difficult in this regard, but there are still ways. Many of the British government officials are on duty at the guards in various places."
"If we let them cooperate, it will be much easier for local officials to manage things. This is the limit of what we can do."
In the final analysis, it is because there is no one in the central government office.
But after saying this, Queen Mother Sun's expression turned slightly cold and she said.
"When it comes to the British government, the Ai family has a question. After you leave the palace, ask Zhang Shi on behalf of the Ai family..."
