The autumn wind blows and the drizzle falls.
In an ancient pavilion on the outskirts of the capital, Yu Shiyue looked at Yu Qian in front of him, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked.
"Tingyi, are you still unwilling to tell me your mission for this trip?"
Directly opposite him, Yu Qian was wearing an official robe and a cloak. He shook his head slightly and said.
"Brother Shichao, you are too worried. I am going to the border fortress just to deal with the surrender of Bodu. In addition, I am also inspecting the resumption of farming in the military villages along the border. There is nothing else..."
Yu Shiyue looked helpless and sighed silently in his heart.
The matter of Bodu's surrender finally came true. The emperor issued an imperial edict. Even if Wang Ao, Shen Yi and Yu Qian went to the palace to advise, nothing changed. Of course, Yu Shiyue had expected this.
However, what he didn't expect was that the minister responsible for handling this matter, the Emperor, would actually assign Yu Qian to go there.
You know, Yu Qian had just returned from Fujian to suppress the Japanese. He was sent to the capital again before he even had time to express his merits. He stayed in the capital for less than a month.
This situation has already caused a lot of rumors in the court. They all said that Yu Qian lost his sacred heart because of the incident at the imperial village last time. Therefore, as soon as he returned to the capital, he was expelled by the emperor to the border for inspection.
Yu Shiyue is in the cabinet and is always at the emperor's side. Logically speaking, he should laugh off such rumors. However, it has to be said that in recent days, the emperor's thoughts have become more and more unpredictable. Even Yu Shiyue temporarily I'm not sure how much of these rumors are true and how much of them are false.
But this time Yu Qian was unusual. Yu Shiyue was very clear about Yu Qian's attitude towards Bodu's surrender and was firmly opposed to it.
However, since entering the palace that time, Yu Qian never mentioned it again when he came back. Moreover, when the emperor asked him to patrol the border, he did not refuse and just accepted it silently.
Although it is natural that Yu Qian's temper should have calmed down after what happened last time at Huangzhuang, this change was a bit too fast. At least, Yu Shiyue could see that Yu Qian himself was not concerned about this border patrol. There is no resistance or dissatisfaction.
Therefore, Yu Shiyue could only guess that the emperor asked Yu Qian to go to the border for other important matters. Maybe he was afraid that Bodu would have other intentions and wanted to watch him.
But if that's the case, it's not a secret. Why would Yu Qian keep silent about him?
Yu Shiyue couldn't help but shook his head. He knew that if Yu Qian didn't want to speak, no one could force him, so he could only turn around.
"Recent rumors in the capital say that you have lost your favor... I know that you have always dismissed these gossipy words, but there are always young people in the court who like to add insult to injury."
"Your previous actions in the Ministry of War also offended many people. When you were prominent, they did not dare to take any action. But now that rumors are spreading between the government and the public, some people can't sit still."
Therefore, this is the benefit of the cabinet. If we want to talk about the most powerful yamen or ministers in the court, there will naturally be disputes. However, if we want to say that the most well-informed person is definitely the cabinet.
As one of the most senior ministers in the cabinet, Yu Shiyue naturally knows the best about the various trends in the court.
Relatively speaking, as the person involved, Yu Qian was very calm and asked with a smile.
"Oh? Does Brother Shichao know how these people plan to add insult to injury?"
Looking at Yu Qian with a relaxed look on his face, Yu Shiyue couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and said.
"Tingyi, I'm not kidding you. There won't be any big obstacles for you to make new achievements now, but these people may not necessarily come directly to you..."
As he spoke, Yu Shiyue glanced around, then lowered his voice and said.
"In recent days, the cabinet has received many memorials, all of which are directed at the confidants you once promoted. Three of them are to impeach Fang Gao and others for forming a clique in the Ministry of War for personal gain, and several others are to impeach Wang Yuechao. , and it was made by Ni Quan, and there was also a copy in it, which was submitted by Luo Qi. He recommended Zhang Rui, the censor of Youqiandu, to be the prefect of Zhangzhou. You should understand what this means, right?"
Hearing this, Yu Qian narrowed his eyes. Of course he understood what it meant.
During the opening of the sea, apart from the many officials transferred by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the capital, the only two officials promoted by the emperor personally were Yu Zijun and Wang Yue.
Among them, Yu Zijun was appointed as the magistrate of Funing Prefecture, and Wang Yue was appointed as the magistrate of Zhangzhou Prefecture. The biggest reason why these two young men were able to stand alone was that they had backers in the court.
Therefore, it is most appropriate to use them to test the emperor's attitude.
Especially Wang Yue, this time he was not only promoted, but also received a special preferential treatment, that is, Zhangzhou Prefecture has not selected a prefect until now.
In the absence of a magistrate, it was customary for a fellow magistrate to take charge of the affairs temporarily. This was the biggest reason why Wang Yue was envied, jealous, and hated.
The reason why there was no selection and award was of course not because the officials forgot about it, but because Wang Yue was personally recommended by Yu Qian, and with Yu Qian's name in charge, no one dared to say anything about such treatment.
But now, rumors are spreading in the court that Yu Qian is about to lose power. Some people can't help but want to test him. This is naturally the best opportunity.
Yu Qian also has an impression of Zhang Rui. He was a Jinshi in the fifth year of Xuande's reign. He successively held the posts of Hu Ke to Shizhong, Li Ke to Shizhong, Tongzhi of Suzhou Prefecture, and Yushi of Youqiandu... He is a humble and low-key person, but he is vigorous and resolute in his work. Have talent.
The censor of Youqiandu was originally an official of the fourth rank, and Zhang Rui's reputation and political performance were very good. For such a person to be transferred to the governor of Zhangzhou Prefecture, who was also the fourth rank, logically speaking, he was overqualified, and it happened to be that he was overqualified. The reason why Yu Qian was impressed by him was because Zhang Rui had impeached him a few years ago because of his promotion of Fang Gao and others. The reason was that he took power for himself and was nepotistic.
So from this point of view, it is actually very clear that Zhang Rui is fully qualified to be the magistrate of Zhangzhou regardless of his official position, talent or conduct. If he goes to sit in the post, at least in the eyes of the court, he is better than Wang Yue, who has just entered the official career. The young boy is much more prudent.
The only problem is that Zhang Rui and Yu Qian are at odds, so naturally, if he becomes the prefect, Wang Yue will not have an easy life under his control...
Therefore, if Yu Qian's factors are not taken into account, then the emperor should have no reason to reject this candidate. Because of this, Yu Shiyue feels a little worried.
However, what made him really helpless was that Yu Qian still looked calm, but nodded and said.
"In terms of character and talent, Zhang Rui is indeed suitable to be the prefect of Zhangzhou. However, his character is still a bit old-fashioned. What this maritime trade requires is hard work and enterprising spirit. In this regard, Zhang Rui is not as good as Wang Yue..."
Yu Shiyue no longer wanted to complain about anything.
He was reminding Yu Qian to prepare early and not to be caught off guard. Why did he comment on it...
Shaking his head, Yu Shiyue said feebly.
"So, what are you going to do?"
In the overt and covert fights in the court, sometimes there is no way to retreat. If you take one step back, you will retreat step by step. People like Fang Gao, including Wang Yue, were promoted by Yu Qian. If they make mistakes and are caught, they will not be able to retreat. Forget it, they made no mistakes but were impeached for no reason, so Yu Qian, who was their backer, had to intervene.
Otherwise, everyone in the court will either feel that Yu Qian is incompetent and unable to protect these cronies, or they will feel that Yu Qian is a ruthless and unjust person. Either way, it is not a good sign.
Seeing Yu Shiyue's worried look, Yu Qian finally became serious and said thoughtfully.
"I know what Brother Shi Chao means, but now that I have been ordered to patrol the border, I am afraid that matters in the court are beyond my reach. However, Brother Shi Chao can rest assured that His Majesty is wise and can judge impartially. "
The certainty of these words made Yu Shiyue realize something. He looked at the serious Yu Qian in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and still couldn't help but ask.
"Are you sure you don't need to do anything?"
"Brother Shichao, please wait and see what happens!"
Yu Qian smiled, but didn't say much. Instead, he stood up, solemnly cupped his hands and said.
"It's getting late, and it's time for Yu to set off. Thank you Brother Shichao for coming to see me off. After returning to the court this time, Yu will have a banquet at his residence and get drunk together with Brother Shichao!"
Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue felt melancholy, but still showed a smile, stood up and cupped his hands.
"In that case, my brother is in the capital, waiting for you at Shaobao's banquet. It's bitterly cold at the frontier, so take care of yourself... have a safe journey!"
"Then I'll take my leave. Brother Shichao, please go back early..."
Yu Qian straightened up, and without stopping for too long, turned back to the convoy and got on the carriage. As the bell jingled at the corner of the carriage, a gust of autumn wind blew, as if it was carrying people's melancholy and sorrow along with the fallen leaves. Flying into the sky...
In the Qianqing Palace, in front of the steps under the corridor, there was also Zhu Qiyu looking out of the capital.
Behind him, Shu Liang stood with his hands down and reported.
"...Yu Shaobao has left the capital. He and Bodu's delegation left the capital one day apart. During these days, Bodu has handed over all the men he can take orders in the Nangong to his slaves. This is The slaves have compiled their lists, positions and contact information, please take a look at them."
Zhu Qiyu had naturally known about the affairs of Bedu for a long time, but he didn't think too much about it. He took the secret note, spread it out, glanced at it, and asked.
"Before Bedu left Beijing, did he go to Nangong?"
"yes……"
Shu Liang nodded and explained.
"According to what he said, there are some Mongolian guards who need to be given instructions in person, so that they can obey His Majesty's orders and no longer obey his orders. Therefore, through the past few nights, he entered the Nangong Palace and walked through the Mongolian Palace. Jun's way, according to the emperor's previous instructions, the royal guards on duty at the gate did not conduct too many inquiries."
Zhu Qiyu frowned, seeming to be thinking about something.
Seeing this situation, Shu Liang on the side was a little confused. After hesitating for a moment, he asked tentatively.
"Your Majesty, what do you think is wrong?"
Zhu Qiyu shook his head slightly, his brows still furrowed and said.
"I just feel... a little uneasy. Shu Liang, do you think this Batu is trustworthy?"
Ah this...
Shu Liang hesitated for a moment and said.
"From the current point of view, I think there is nothing wrong with his statement. Now everyone in the imperial court is obeying the emperor's orders. Since Bodu wants to surrender, he must please the emperor and take out these people. It is only natural that we leave it to the emperor for deployment."
Zhu Qiyu pondered, but did not refute.
What Shu Liang said was what he had thought before, but now looking at the secret report in his hand, he always felt that he seemed to have overlooked something.
However, he had no clue for the moment, so he could only shake his head and said in the end.
"Perhaps I have overthought it, but Bedu is too deceitful after all. His actions this time have even disregarded the life of his own sister. Such a person should not be trusted too much. Therefore, on this list, People, please think of some ways in the past few days and test it again. If there is anything abnormal, report it immediately..."
"According to the order."
Although Shu Liang didn't know what the emperor was worried about, since there was an order, he naturally obeyed it and went to do it immediately.
At the same time, Zhu Qiyu looked at the drizzle falling in the sky and sighed again. He did not stay outside any longer, but turned around and entered the palace to prepare for the memorial.
Not long after he sat down, Wynn came forward with two chamberlains, placed a stack of memorials on the table, and said.
"Your Majesty, this is the memorandum just sent by the cabinet. The top one involves Zhangzhou Prefecture, so the cabinet does not dare to take charge of it and can only ask the emperor to handle it personally."
Although Yu Qian had already told Yu Shiyue to wait and see what happened, in the end, the second assistant still could not completely stand by and quietly made some small moves.
After all, he has been in the cabinet for a long time, and he has a good relationship with the chamberlains who deliver memorials. Therefore, it is not difficult to put a certain memorial at the top or at the bottom.
Sure enough, when he heard that it was related to Zhangzhou Prefecture, Zhu Qiyu frowned, raised his hand, picked it up, and opened it to look at it.
At this glance, his brows suddenly wrinkled. He was somewhat impressed by this Zhang Rui, but not deeply. But he, a fourth-rank censor of Qiandu, was recommended to be a prefect?
Even if Zhangzhou is at the forefront of the upcoming sea trade, it will be a great political achievement for the prefect to do it well, but it won't be like this...
Putting down the memorial, Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment and gave instructions.
"Go and summon the Minister of Civil Affairs."
No matter what this memorial is about, it can be regarded as a reminder to him. As the sea opening progresses, Zhangzhou will inevitably become a place of concern from the court. If Wang Yue, a relatively junior person, is always allowed to come, If you take charge of government affairs on your behalf, there will always be criticism.
Of course, it would be impossible to let Zhang Rui go there, otherwise, the point of sending Wang Yue would be gone...
With such thoughts in mind, Zhu Qiyu put the memorials aside and prepared to wait for Wang Wen to arrive before continuing the discussion. However, the next few memorials made his brows wrinkle more and more...
