Court meeting.
On this day, the emperor finally made a positive reply to the memorial that he had previously left unpublished regarding his participation in the impeachment of Wang Yue.
As a result, Wang Yue was "taken away from his job and lived idle".
Wang Yue in the court did not react too fiercely, because he knew that this was just a cover for the outside world. He was about to take orders to go to the northwest. The Ministry of War, the Governor's Mansion, and even the lords on the three sides would cooperate with him.
Only the North Korean and Chinese civil servants were concealed.
After the court meeting, the ministers just walked out of the Meridian Gate.
Xie Qian said: "His Majesty had promised not to investigate Wang Weining thoroughly before, so why is he so uncharacteristic of himself today?"
The civil servants who can best grasp the emperor's thoughts are naturally the three people in the cabinet.
They had the most contact with the emperor, and almost watched Zhu Youtang grow up. When Zhu Youtang was the prince, they began to study the character of this seemingly cowardly prince.
Li Dongyang shook his head: "It shouldn't be as simple as just taking over the position. If there is still war in the northwest, His Majesty will definitely still think highly of him."
Because there is no equal access to information now, Li Dongyang cannot analyze the emperor's intentions from the situation he knows in front of him. He only feels that the emperor is unwilling to let Wang Yue leave the capital and allows him to live in the capital. He probably wants to call him at any time.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang sent someone to call Zhang Zhou. After they arrived, not even Dai Yi, Xiao Jing and others were allowed to stay, only Zhang Zhou was left.
He wanted to have a private talk with Zhang Zhou.
Dai Yi and others were naturally a little dissatisfied. Even though the emperor summoned Zhang Zhou before and gave Zhang Zhou his trust, he did not say that he would drive them out during the conversation. Today it seems that the emperor just wants to find someone to talk to, even the eunuchs like them They were all treated as outsiders.
"His Majesty……"
"sit!"
Zhu Youtang also walked out from behind the desk and sat down on the chair in front of Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou looked at Zhu Youtang and felt that the emperor was very emotional today.
"I have left Wang Weining free at court today. When I get back, I will ask the British Duke to send a message. I will grant an audience to Pingjiang Bo Chen Rui, Xiangcheng Bo Li Ao, and Wu Ping Bo Chen Xun to coordinate with him in the northwest battle. These two We’ll be leaving tomorrow…”
Zhu Youtang first told Zhang Zhou about the military arrangements.
Because Zhang Zhou was the mastermind of the whole thing, it meant that the news was only spread within a small area to avoid being discovered by the Tatars.
So even the civil servants didn't know.
Because Wang Yue went to the northwest in secret, if the northwest army generals saw Wang Yue rashly, they might think that Wang Yue was going to rebel, which would require the cooperation of the governor's office.
Uncle Pingjiang, Uncle Xiangcheng, and Uncle Wu Ping were not ordinary relatives of noble origins, but were martial artists capable of fighting tough battles.
"In addition, I plan to send an internal officer to supervise the army. Who do you think is suitable?"
Zhu Youtang asked seriously who should be the eunuch to supervise the army.
Zhang Zhou said: "How am I qualified to propose this?"
"You can do it." Zhu Youtang said, "If you just find the eunuch guarding the northwest, I'm still a little worried..."
The implication is that he only wants to find trustworthy eunuchs in the palace. Although those guarding eunuchs who have no contact with him usually are more knowledgeable about military affairs than the ones in the palace, and they also know better about socializing in the northwest officialdom, Zhu Youtang is not familiar with strangers. It is difficult to generate trust when people are conflicted.
Zhang Zhou tried to ask: "What about Zhang Yong, Eunuch Zhang?"
"Oh? Zhang Yong?"
Zhu Youtang was surprised that Zhang Zhou would mention the unknown Zhang Yong.
Zhang Zhou said: "I am just making suggestions based on my own ideas."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "I thought you would recommend Xiao Jing and the others. When I talked about Zhang Yong, it seemed that he really knew something. I agreed."
Zhang Zhou thought for a moment, is this looking for trouble for himself? Zhang Yong later made some achievements in the military, but he was still only a middle-ranking officer. It is not necessarily said that he knew much about marching and fighting.
Moreover, starting from the Zhengde period, Zhang Yong first worked for the Eight Tigers, and then followed Qian Ning and Jiang Bin to work for the Tigers.
It's not a positive role either.
"Alas! Bingkuan, I came to you this time. Actually, I mainly want to talk to you about the prince. You don't know, but he has a map of the northwest you drew in his hand..."
Zhu Youtang, as if pouring out bitter memories, told Zhang Zhou about the difficulty of disciplining the prince.
It was obvious that he had never mentioned these words to anyone else.
This was probably the reason why he rejected Dai Yi and others. It seemed that he was only willing to say these words in front of Zhang Zhou, which was considered a kind of sharing.
After Zhang Zhou heard what the emperor said, the emperor was probably worried about the fact that the prince ignored his studies but was very interested in military affairs.
"The Ming Dynasty was founded on culture, and things on horseback are a long time ago." Zhu Youtang said, "Even before the late emperor passed away, he told me that we should not use force in the future."
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, Emperor Chenghua also told you this?
It seems that the emperor also understands that if the status of military generals is raised, there will be situations like the Sui and Tang Dynasties when guards from various places rebelled in turn. Only by suppressing the military power of military officers and letting civilian officials govern the country can the stability of imperial power be generally guaranteed.
But if a country is founded on culture, there will be a shortage of military equipment.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, the prince is interested in military affairs and has a certain talent. It seems that I should not stop him blindly. There is nothing wrong with letting him learn something."
Zhu Youtang nodded.
Zhang Zhou did not cater to him blindly, but put forward different opinions, which gave the dialogue between the monarch and his ministers a more deliberation flavor.
With reciprocity, this conversation can proceed.
Otherwise, what difference does it make if Zhu Youtang tells the eunuch, the minister, or Zhang Zhou?
The eunuchs and civil servants would never allow the prince to learn military tactics or establish a country through force.
"Do you think he should be encouraged?" Zhu Youtang asked seriously.
Zhang Zhou said: "It's not encouragement, but a little guidance. I gave the prince a plan before, just to let him understand the mountains and rivers of the Ming Dynasty and let him understand the importance of nine-border defense. In my opinion, if you are a prince, you can only Acquisition of the Four Books and Five Classics will inevitably lead to bias in assisting in governing the country, but one should be knowledgeable and knowledgeable. People say that if you read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles, a prince cannot travel in the world, but he should also have the mentality to travel in the world."
"Okay!" Zhu Youtang nodded with satisfaction, seeming to admire this very much, "You can't do it in the world, but you must have the heart to do it. I feel that you are the only one who can truly serve as the prince and the Ming Dynasty."
Zhang Zhou quickly saluted: "Your Majesty's words are serious, I just want to teach the prince what I know."
Zhu Youtang smiled.
A father's thoughts on educating his son will be different from those of a gentleman.
He also hoped that his son would develop in an all-round way morally, intellectually, physically, and artistically, instead of just being a nerd. As for following the requirements of civil officials, Zhu Youtang once firmly believed in being a king who valued literature over military affairs, but as he grew up, When He encounters more things on the road to governing the country, he will naturally no longer have the same cognitive bias as before.
Why didn't Zhu Youtang want to work hard so that Ming Dynasty could wipe out the grassland?
I just think about it and don’t dare to do it.
The ministers' intention was to curb the imperial power, standardize the emperor into the model they wanted, and put the people first and the emperor first.
If the emperor thinks the same way...unless the emperor has masochistic tendencies.
Who doesn’t want to speak out? It's just that sometimes I can't say anything.
"Bingkuan, there will be an exam next year... I don't know what to say now. Have you heard about Cheng Minzheng?" Zhu Youtang changed the topic again and began to discuss the almost ridiculous question with Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou nodded.
Zhu Youtang said: "I asked Xiao Jing to tell you, actually to let you know that what you are worried about, Cheng Minzheng is rejected by others, seems to be true, but I don't think that in the matter of taking the exam for the general examination In fact, I should tolerate it!"
What?
Zhang Zhou wanted to say.
Now that others are so resistant to Cheng Minzheng, you still insist on rising to the challenge and letting Cheng Minzheng be the examiner?
Are you abusing yourself? Or a tough guy?
"I think Cheng Minzheng is the most knowledgeable and talented person in the world. With his talent, he may be able to take charge of the Hanlin Academy. If he joins the cabinet... His way of conducting himself may be inappropriate." Zhu Youtang sighed.
Zhang Zhou nodded.
This is really to the point.
There is a fundamental difference between engaging in academic research and working in political circles.
Cheng Minzheng is only suitable to be a scholar, not an official.
Because Cheng Minzheng's political thinking is still stuck in the elementary thinking of "I can do whatever I want without considering other people's ideas." For ordinary people, you will take the exam next year and you may be the examiner.
Don’t you understand the most basic thing about avoiding suspicion?
If you are from the mainstream civil servant faction of the imperial court, it will be fine. The key is that you are a big influencer and are not on the same team as others, and you still want to be so successful...
Politics is a very mysterious thing, and even Zhang Zhou felt that Cheng Minzheng was not suitable for a high position.
The higher you climb, the harder you fall.
Zhu Youtang said: "I should leave it to him for this general examination. This can be regarded as telling you in advance who will be the chief examiner of next year's general examination."
"Your Majesty, it is not appropriate for you to discuss this with me." Zhang Zhou wanted to persuade him, but he didn't know where to start.
I am just an examinee, even the examiner has to discuss with me...
Is it a bit too trusting?
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "It's okay. If I don't discuss it with you, who can I discuss it with?"
As he spoke, Zhu Youtang was somewhat helpless.
Zhang Zhou was right when he thought about it.
The emperor lacked close friends.
There are some things you can't say to the eunuch.
I can't even talk to the ministers. Should I tell them that I just admire Cheng Minzheng and want to use him, so you should stop deliberately targeting him?
"Bingkuan, the new year is about to turn, and the examination is about to begin. My biggest hope now is that you can pass the Jinshi examination. Regardless of whether you are a Dingjia or not, I will let you enter the library and be a lecturer on the Jingyan Day. From now on, I will There is no need to summon you to the palace like this if something happens, you can come at any time."
Zhu Youtang had a conversation with Zhang Zhou and felt much better.
His expression was somewhat relieved.
Zhang Zhou said: "I am ashamed and can't bear it."
If you become an official in the East Palace, you can enter the palace at any time? Zhang Zhouxin said, don’t you have to be on call then? It’s just that I can’t use exam preparation as an excuse like now.
"For the selection of the Imperial College, I have already said hello to the people in Hanyuan and asked Xiao Jing to pass the message on my behalf. If they don't choose you, I will transfer some papers and I will make the selection myself...I heard that you are still Bet with Lin Jijiu?"
Zhu Youtang is well-informed.
Zhang Zhou said: "...Yes."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "You are just too casual and too flamboyant. It is easy to be targeted as an official. You are talking about Cheng Minzheng. Okay, I will help you. I actually want to take a look, Lin Ji. The way you lose wine to a young man is because he is too concerned about his face and can't afford to lose. Don't annoy him, after all, we will be ministers of the same palace in the future."
(End of chapter)
