"The key is the army?" Qiao Yingjia responded quickly, "As long as the army is there, there will be no danger in the army."
Qi Yongtai shook his head, "Zhisheng has been in the Ministry of War for a long time and has no problem with command and strategy, but he has never really mastered the army. There is still a difference between sitting in command and leading the troops in battle personally. He is different from warriors such as Feng Tang, Wang Ziteng, and Niu Jizong. In comparison, it’s still a bit worse.”
"Chengfeng, are you a little unfounded?" Qiao Yingjia disagreed, "There are only these armies in the capital, the Jingying, the Shangsanqinjun, the Wucheng Army and the Patrol Battalion. They are all under our control. Who can turn over Can you survive the storm?"
What Qiao Yingjia said was correct. After Feng Ziying vigorously purged the three major battalions of the Beijing Camp and the Shangsanqin Army during his tenure as Minister of War, they were basically under the control of the cabinet and the Ministry of War.
Neither Emperor Wan Tong nor King Niu could have much involvement. Even if they both served as military governors of the capital, they would not have much of their direct lineage left after going through many ups and downs.
"Maybe I worry too much, but I always feel a little uneasy in my heart. Daofu is not willing to be lonely. We originally agreed to serve together, but now that I am not in good health, I have to retire early. Will he agree? I was originally resentful for not being a junior assistant. I'm full, and now I have to ask him to retreat with me, I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble."
Qi Yongtai also had a headache. His body couldn't keep up. If he wanted to come down, many of the original arrangements would be disrupted. "There are also guests. He can't stay in the cabinet, otherwise Liuji will be unable to suppress him, but let him come down." , I’m afraid it still has to be done, I feel it’s difficult now.”
Originally, I considered letting Tang Binyin resign from the cabinet after serving a full term, but it has only been more than two years. Tang Binyin will definitely not agree. But if he is allowed to continue to stay in office, Gu Bingqian will definitely not agree. The two are sworn enemies. If Tang Binyin stays, In the cabinet, Gu Bingqian absolutely cannot control the cabinet.
Thinking about this, Qi Yongtai felt a big headache.
"Chengfeng, the situation is indeed a bit complicated and tricky, but we must first determine a goal and then solve it one by one. You can tell us your thoughts first." Qiao Yingjia said thoughtfully.
Although Li Sancai is from the north, he has been excluded from the orthodox northern scholars. This guy is friendly with the Jiangnan scholars, has unstable integrity, and even entered the cabinet with the support of the emperor at a critical moment. It is difficult to win over Qi Yongtai and Qiao Yingjia. recognition.
In addition to Qi Yongtai, the current leaders of the northern scholars are Qiao Yingjia, Cui Jingrong, Sun Chengzong, Han Jing, Wang Yongguang, Sun Juxiang and others. Cui Jingrong's character is too modest and lacks leadership temperament, and Sun Chengzong is more obsessed with military affairs, so Qiao Yingjia , Han? These two Shanxi scholar leaders gradually became the northern scholar leaders after Qi Yongtai.
Han Yu's qualifications are slightly lower than Qiao Yingjia's. Qi Yongtai's idea is that if he really wants to retire due to illness, Qiao Yingjia must take over.
"My idea is that if I come down, you must join the cabinet, and Daofu and the guest will also come down. In this way, Liuji will be the first assistant, and he can be the second assistant from tomorrow on, and Dongxian and you, if possible If so, I want Ziying to come back..."
Qiao Yingjia was surprised, "Let Ziying come back and join the cabinet?"
Of course, Qiao Yingjia was also happy to see Feng Ziying come back and join the cabinet. After all, Feng Ziying was considered the leader of the young scholars in the North, and he had recommended him first-hand. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she was his benefactor. She was also a disciple of Qi Yongtai and Guan Yingzhen, and they had a close relationship. close.
If Feng Ziying joins the cabinet, it will not only help to strengthen his voice, but also further coordinate the relationship with the Huguang scholars. Qiao Yingjia himself has a normal relationship with the Huguang scholar leaders such as Guan Yingzhen, Chai Ke, and Yang He. , it would be much easier to handle it if Feng Ziying came to help.
But Feng Ziying can come back, and even arranging a minister is not a problem, but it is a bit difficult to directly join the cabinet. He is too young. Even if he has made countless contributions, this era still emphasizes qualifications. If Feng Ziying wants to join Ge, I'm afraid that people like Han Jing, Cui Jingrong, Wang Yongguang, and Sun Juxiang will feel very uncomfortable.
Qi Yongtai understands Qiao Yingjia's worries, but he needs Feng Ziying to join the cabinet, even if there will be many difficulties and resistance.
"Rujun, have you read the test method?" Qi Yongtai asked.
Qiao Yingjia was silent. He knew that Qi Yongtai valued the first draft of the test method that Feng Ziying came up with. For more than a year, Qi Yongtai's main focus was on further improving and enriching the structure of Feng Ziying's first draft. It can be said that now he has passed the test The details of the law are quite rich, and trials have even begun in Xianghe County of Shuntian Prefecture, Tongzhou of Xi'an Prefecture, and Xuzhou of South Zhili Prefecture.
In Qi Yongtai's own words, he may not be the first assistant, but the test method must be implemented. Even though the progress of this implementation may be quite long, Qi Yongtai thinks it is worth it, and Feng Ziying's entry into the cabinet is to ensure that this test will be successful. The law can be continued in the future without being abandoned.
Qiao Yingjia also recognized some things in the Kao Cheng Law.
He is a censor, so he is naturally familiar with many things in the examination method, and he also finds it quite rewarding.
However, he still believes that some things in the law are too idealistic, such as the system's anti-corruption resistance, some things are too biased, such as placing too much emphasis on economic affairs, and some things are too sensational, such as some measures on people's livelihood.
All in all, the idea is good, but it may not be truly implemented and needs to be discussed and repaired.
Qi Yongtai's words showed Qi Yongtai's attitude, which was to ensure that Feng Ziying entered the cabinet.
It is necessary to let Feng Ziying join the cabinet, and according to the originally set five cabinet ministers, Gu Bingqian will be the first assistant, and Huang Ruliang will be the second assistant. In order to exchange for the support of Jiangnan scholars, Guan Yingzhen will continue to stay in office, and he and Feng Ziying will join the cabinet. This way Jiangnan, Beidi, and Huguang formed a two-two-one pattern, but they had to pull Li Sancai and Tang Binyin out, and they also had to persuade the scholars in Beidi not to create discord among themselves.
This is not easy.
"Ru Jun, I know that the examination method is not perfect yet. If I retire and my body can still maintain my health, then I will spend the rest of my life studying how to improve the examination method. But I also know that once I step down, I must promote the continuation of the examination method. Implementation requires support. You have some prejudices against the examination method, but you can also accept some. I can understand it, so I need Ziying to join the cabinet to prepare for the promotion of improvement in the future."
Qi Yongtai did not mince words about Qiao Yingjia, an old friend for many years.
They are both Northland scholars and have known each other for many years, but this does not mean that they all have the same political views. Some differences in opinions are also normal and can be verified in daily affairs. There is nothing serious about it.
Qiao Yingjia did not mention the test method again, but went straight to the point: "How to deal with Li Sancai and Tang Binyin?"
"There is some trouble on Daofu's side, but I plan to find an opportunity to talk to him. On the other side of the guests, I think Liuji and Mingqi should be able to handle it. At worst, like Miao Changqi, they will be given to a minister and his proud disciple. Isn't Han Jing the most important to him? Entering the Hanlin Academy will give him a bachelor's degree." Qi Yongtai said calmly.
Qiao Yingjia was immediately impressed. Qi Yongtai, who had always been honest, could actually make such a compromise. It seemed that Qi Yongtai was really going to pave the way for Ziying.
Nodding, Qiao Yingjia pondered for a moment: "I'll go talk to Yu Chen and Bo Fu. Zhisheng may not care much about this. He has a good relationship with Ziying, so there's nothing wrong with self-improvement..."
Qiao Yingjia, Han Wei and Sun Juxiang are from Shanxi Province and have always had a close relationship. To unite the northern scholars, we must first stabilize the Shanxi scholars. Qiao Yingjia took the initiative to take on this important task, but it was much easier for others. Qi Yongtai Also relieved.
"Actually, these are easy to say. After all, they are our internal problems. Everyone has the overall situation in mind. Although Ziying is young, she is quite experienced in dealing with people. She has good relations with Gu Bingqian, Huang Ruliang and the scholars from Jiangnan and Huguang. I am more I'm worried about Li Sancai, this guy might not give up." Qiao Yingjia expressed his worries.
Qi Yongtai raised his head and thought for a while, "Daofu will definitely make trouble, but since I am still the chief assistant, he cannot cause trouble. If necessary, I will directly order him to resign..."
"But what if he doesn't accept it?" Qiao Yingjia asked.
"Don't accept it?" Qi Yongtai was startled, as if such a thing had never happened before.
If the cabinet ministers all agree that you should resign and make demands, but if you don't resign, what's the point of staying in the cabinet? The chief minister can directly deprive you of your right to direct the affairs of the court, and the seven ministries, the general affairs department, and even the provincial governors will no longer pay attention to you. Isn't this humiliating yourself?
"Isn't that true?" Qi Yongtai muttered, and then became stern: "Then he will be dismissed."
Removal is a little more complicated. The cabinet draws up votes, the emperor uses the seal, and is directly deprived. It is a political scandal, which will greatly damage the reputation of the person involved. It will be regarded as greedy for power and will be ridiculed among the scholars, and even affect the public. Among the descendants and descendants of the clan, almost no scholar would do such a bad thing.
Qiao Yingjia also felt that this possibility was too small, but he always felt that Li Sancai seemed a bit mysterious during this period, and he couldn't tell what if this guy really wanted to stiffen his neck and refuse, and wait for the cabinet to remove him. It is also a harm to Qi Yongtai, which will give the outside world the impression that Qi Yongtai cannot control the overall situation.
This is a lose-lose situation, but the problem is that Qi Yongtai is about to retire. Even if there is some damage, it has nothing to do with the overall situation for Qi Yongtai. He can afford it, but the impact on Li Sancai will be much greater.
Li Sancai should not dare to be so presumptuous.
Qiao Yingjia thought for a while, but couldn't think of anything wrong here.
