Zhu Youtang stepped forward to make the decision for Zhang Zhou, which is equivalent to saying that anyone who wants to implicate Zhang Zhou with a vendetta now will be subject to strict scrutiny.
Zhang Zhou has never met anyone in person and has never discussed any test questions. Who would risk being tortured in prison to slander him?
It seemed like he could really get away with the whole thing.
Hua Chang was taken down by Jin Yiwei.
Zhang Zhou was still standing in the Fengtian Hall, seemingly waiting for Zhu Youtang to arrange a place for him, or to find someone to take him away.
Li Wen, the Minister of Taichang Temple, came out and said: "Your Majesty, if you use the official to report something, and you have to go to jail for accountability, I am afraid that the official will not report the matter, and the people will not be able to complain when they are aggrieved. This will block the way for speech. Also, Please forgive Hua Chang and send someone to find out the whole story."
There are currently two ministers of Taichang Temple in the Ming Dynasty. One is Li Wen, who is in charge of Taichang Temple affairs. The other one is currently the only minister of Taichang Temple. In the 17th year of Hongzhi, he became the Minister of Rites as a Taoist priest. Cui Zhiduan, who is also the Minister of Taichang Temple and is in charge of Taichang Temple affairs.
From Emperor Chenghua to Emperor Hongzhi, the respect for Taoist priests increased day by day.
It sounds nonsense to use Taoist priests to govern the country, but it was the right time to govern the Hong Dynasty.
Of course, Taichang Temple is a special yamen in the Ming Dynasty. It employs many strange people and is also the hardest hit area for officials. Qin Tianjian Zheng Wu Hao is the young minister of Taichang Temple, and he is not from a regular imperial examination. Probably because of this, he is a Jinshi Li Wen, who was born in China, would have more opinions on Zhang Zhou.
Maybe Zhang Zhou came to the court as a scholar or a Taoist priest, and he was promoted to the minister of Taichang Temple or something like that.
The emperor's trust in Zhang Zhou was much stronger than that of Cui Zhiduan.
Zhu Youtang said: "We are criticizing the Rites Examination, but there are no witnesses or material evidence. The officials are relying on hearsay, why shouldn't they investigate clearly first?"
Li Wen hesitated for a moment, then shrank his head and retreated into the courtroom.
"My lords, do you have anything else to say about Zhang Zhou's scandal? If there is no substantial evidence in the future, I will no longer be polite to anyone who slanders him, and civil servants are no exception."
Zhu Youtang was still angry.
He just wants Zhang Zhou to distance himself from this matter, even if he uses some unconventional means.
Although the civil servants present were also angry at the emperor's favoritism towards Zhang Zhou, as the emperor said, they had no evidence, so even if they were dissatisfied, they could only endure it for now.
Many people are also thinking that the law does not punish the public. If those scholars and scholars just want to discuss, what else can't you do, Your Majesty?
Zhu Youtang added: "I have not yet made it known to the public about the treatment of acne and epidemics, the prediction of the Qingning palace disaster, and the preparation of mighty gunpowder to help Wang Weining achieve great achievements in the northwest. Today, Zhang Qing's family is here. In the court, I drafted an edict and announced this matter to the world!"
The ministers could only stare at each other now.
Just now I was thinking about how the emperor could calm down the external discussion about Zhang Zhou.
But if the emperor made all Zhang Zhou's previous actions known to the public... the scholars outside would also know that this is a person who cannot be offended...
Who dares to speak ill and slander casually under strict orders?
Zhu Youtang was almost telling the people of the world that Zhang Zhou did not need to use any inscriptions to obtain fame. With his merits, I cannot overuse him. Why do I care about the title of a Jinshi? You finally know why he dared to tell Tang Yin that if he failed to pass the Jinshi exam this time, he would not take the exam again, right? Because there is no need to take the exam again.
"I had previously asked the Imperial College to make a recommendation for tribute. Zhang Qing's family used the first name in the tribute recommendation for reference. If he is not admitted to the undergraduate examination, I will use him as a tribute and appoint him to the Hanlin Academy. After reviewing this matter, I have already discussed this matter with Mr. Liu Ge and the others, and there is no need for you to discuss it further in the court."
Zhu Youtang told another piece of news that made the civil servants present collapse.
They seemed to finally know why the emperor did not believe that Zhang Zhou would participate in the vendetta.
It's really not necessary.
Even if Zhang Zhou was not selected as a Jinshi scholar, even if he was just a candidate, the emperor could arrange for him a position that could only be appointed after he was selected as a Jinshi scholar, selected as a Shujishi, and stayed in the imperial examination for three years.
So why is there any need to cheat?
Originally, when the emperor said this, there were people present who objected. But the problem was that even Liu Jian, the chief minister, agreed with it. What qualifications did they have to object?
And according to the emperor's opinion, this time he was selected to the court by paying tribute, which was for a reasonable and clear purpose. That was really... a mess.
"Zhang Qing's family must serve the court diligently when they enter the court." Zhu Youtang seemed to have high hopes for Zhang Zhou's appointment as an official.
Zhang Zhou cupped his hands and said, "I would like to obey your Majesty's teachings."
The civil servants in Dongban were almost gnashing their teeth, wishing they could skin Zhang Zhou and tear him apart. They hate others and hate themselves. Why does this guy get this kind of treatment, but we don't? When he enters the dynasty, will he not disrupt the order of the civil service? Is he a Taoist priest or a Confucian scholar?
"Zhang Qing's family, please stay aside and go to Qianqing Palace after the court affairs are over. I still have something to say to you."
Zhu Youtang is not finished yet.
He also told the ministers present in public that I believe in Zhang Zhou and would like to see him alone. His opinions can be heard directly from Heaven. I would like to ask you what your temper is?
Zhang Zhou looked at both sides, which side should he stand on?
Originally he was Wen Chen, but Wen Chen didn't seem to have any intention of giving up his position to him. If he had to lean over, it would be like having a wart on his body. If it had to stick out, it would be boring. If he stood back, he could only stand in front of Hua Chang. The location is not a good choice either.
Zhang Mao then took a step away with a smile and said: "Zhang Gongsheng, please come and stand with me."
Wu Xun was very understanding and took the initiative to step back and make room.
This group of people seemed to be saying, please come to our bowl.
Zhang Zhou did not follow Zhang Mao's invitation. He raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, I have not yet been selected as a Jinshi, nor have I entered the court. I am not qualified to attend the court proceedings. Now that my affairs have been discussed, I will please leave."
Wen Chen was somewhat surprised.
This kid... now he knows his stuff again.
"Yes." Zhu Youtang nodded, but did not issue an order.
Zhang Zhou looked sideways at the group of civil servants on the left and said: "My colleagues, I know what you are thinking, and I am indeed not qualified to be on par with you today. I am not ignorant of etiquette, but if someone wants to deliberately frame and slander me, I will come forward no matter what. Defend."
"If others make groundless accusations, I will suffer unjust injustice. This is not what I want."
Just now, the civil servants felt that Zhang Zhou knew the etiquette of Confucian scholars, but after hearing Zhang Zhou's words, many people looked at him angrily.
what is this?
Victory speech?
After showing off to Hua Chang, how about showing off to us again? Do you still want to be our minister in the future?
Xie Qian said with a smile: "Zhang Gongsheng, don't take advantage of me and act like a good boy."
Everyone else was too smart to say anything at the moment, but Xie Qian was not afraid. With his mouth, he could criticize anyone in the world or the emperor. Moreover, everyone knew his character. Even the emperor was jealous of him because of his past. He is the emperor's teacher without blaming him.
At this time, it seemed that he was the only one who dared to come out and mock Zhang Zhou like this.
Zhang Zhou had suppressed Hua Chang with his momentum before, but now he was not afraid at all when facing Xie Qian.
He spoke righteously: "Mr. Xie Ge, justice does not depend on the human heart but on the will of God. I have no hope of being able to disassociate myself from the case. It is difficult to silence the world's mouth. But in order to convict someone, at least there must be evidence of guilt." , if there is really evidence of guilt in front of you, I will not mind accepting a strict interrogation. Please also thank Mr. Ge, do not regard the most basic justice of the court as a bargain, and do not have justice in your heart, but the law of heaven exists. "
As soon as this statement came out, the court was in an uproar.
In front of the emperor and his ministers, Zhang Zhou not only responded to Xie Qian, but also seemed to be educating the ministers present.
How can you, Zhang Zhou, be so virtuous?
Just because you are someone trusted by the emperor, do you think you represent justice?
"Crazy life!"
Immediately there were scolding sounds from the crowd of civil servants.
Zhang Zhou didn't seem to mind at all.
Zhu Youtang is also a little confused about Zhang Zhou’s approach. He promised to clear your suspicions, let you establish a good relationship with civil servants, and help you become an official in the court in the future. You have been doing this before... How come at the end of the story, you took the initiative to change into a suit of burrs and start a fight with Xie Qian, who represents the civil servants?
Let’s look at Xie Qian, another party involved in the incident.
At this time, Xie Qian was also a little confused.
I thank you for having been quarreling with others in the court for so many years. Even the emperor had to give you some face when I was quarreling with you. It would be better for you to just not give me any face.
Just like that, do you still want to be a good civil servant in the future?
"Uh... Zhang Qing's family, what you said makes some sense. In the final analysis, the topic is just a rumor, and there is not enough evidence of guilt yet. If you come, please send the Zhang Qing family out of the palace first, and wait for the Qianqing Palace to be summoned..."
Zhu Youtang could only come out quickly to smooth things over.
Before the situation worsens, let Xiao Jing take Zhang Zhou out of Fengtian Palace and wait to meet him in Qianqing Palace.
…
…
"Mr. Zhang, what is going on with you? The matter has been settled. After listening to Mr. Xie Ge's words, you pretended that you didn't hear it. This is the case with others. Why bother with him?"
Xiao Jing also felt that Zhang Zhou was a bit "arrogant and proud".
You can't just stop giving each other steps just because the emperor trusts you, right?
Aren’t we going to pave the way for you to enter the DPRK?
You are not leaving yourself a way out.
Can you blame His Majesty for not helping you?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Eunuch Xiao, have you forgotten what I asked you before?"
Xiao Jing almost wanted to ask, which sentence?
When he came back to his senses, he probably realized that it was Zhang Zhou who said "If I say this, will they really let me go?" when the two of them were on their way to the palace.
He also realized that no matter whether Zhang Zhou resented Xie Qian or not, or how sincerely he dealt with the civil servants, or whether Zhang Zhou was a successful Jinshi, or whether he was not a Jinshi, he just paid tribute and entered the court, Zhang Zhou and The civil servants could no longer play happily, and Zhang Zhou was destined not to be recognized by the civil servants.
"Mr. Zhang, it seems that from the beginning, you thought that the civil servants of the DPRK and China would not let you go, and you made plans to compete with them from the beginning?"
Xiao Jing was speechless.
She thought to herself that no wonder this boy acted like an aggressive rooster on the way to the palace, showing an attitude of not being afraid of trouble.
Here's the reason.
Zhang Zhou smiled: "With my background, I can't do anything if I don't compete. If I'm not strong, then when I enter the court, I'm afraid everyone will treat me as a soft persimmon and pinch me one by one, right? This is exactly like I am Xie Yuan, and everyone among the scholars wants to compete with me. If I have to find someone to compete with first, I’d better start with Xie Ge Lao. Who asked him to pinch me first?"
(End of chapter)
