Cabinet value.
After Liu Jian and Xie Qian came back, they had just sat down when the eunuch from the study room was sent by the Supervisor of Rites to bring further details about the court discussion, which involved two aspects. One was to have the Ministry of Rites and the Dongchang Xiechao try to discuss the matter. question, another thing is to ask the cabinet to work with the Hanlin Academy to issue imperial edicts to highlight Zhang Zhou's several achievements.
It is tantamount to saying that the imperial court wanted to endorse Zhang Zhou's achievements in order to quell unfavorable rumors about him among the people.
It was not just a matter of rhetoric, the emperor was also afraid that public opinion would regard Zhang Zhou as a treacherous figure like Li Guang, so he first wanted to tell the world that Zhang Zhou had made many contributions to the Ming Dynasty.
"With Keqin gone, is it the cabinet's turn to get involved in this kind of thing?"
Xie Qian directly put the two notices aside.
Cheng Minzheng, a Hanlin scholar, should be responsible for imperial edicts. Most of the imperial edicts were made by people from the Hanlin Academy. It was only because Cheng Minzheng became the examiner that it also involved edicts, so the emperor handed the matter over to the cabinet for communication. In fact, this also reflects the emperor's reliance on cabinet ministers during the Hongzhi Dynasty.
Liu Jiandao: "Yu Qiao, do you have any prejudice against Zhang Zhou?"
Earlier in the court, Zhang Zhou contradicted Xie Qian in front of so many people, and Liu Jian was afraid that Xie Qian would be resentful.
He also wanted to hear Xie Qian's views on Zhang Zhou.
Xie Qian smiled and shook his head: "I don't have any prejudice, but I think he is eloquent, which is very different from those recent sycophants who are clever and charming. I almost thought he was a censor, but in comparison, Hua Chang seems to be poor at eloquence. "
A young man who has not yet entered the officialdom seems to be more capable than a seasoned official, so Xie Qian probably finds it interesting.
"you do not mind?"
Liu Jian frowned.
You are a cabinet minister. Zhang Zhou is in front of so many people, which is a bit embarrassing for me. Even I think this guy is too arrogant. How can you still laugh?
Xie Qian said: "I usually argue with people countless times in the court. If I don't fight for reasons and reasons but just for the sake of temperament, I will lose my duty as a benevolent minister. Think of what Zhang Zhou said in the court. , and they are all about things rather than people, which is quite to my liking, and suddenly I felt like I saw myself twenty years ago."
Liu Jian sighed helplessly and shook his head.
Liu Jianxin said, "Thank you, Yu Qiao, for your brilliant mind, which is just different from others."
It may also be because Xie Qian himself is the kind of "especially talkative" person. Not only does he have no prejudice against those who are good at verbal battles, but he also feels extraordinarily kind.
"I'm afraid he won't be a good person after entering the court."
Liu Jian made a prediction.
Xie Qian smiled and said: "It seems that it is indeed difficult for him to get along with us, but even if he joins the court, what future will he have? The court will not change just because of him. If he cannot integrate into it, he will have no choice but to A bleak ending.”
According to Xie Qian's intention, Zhang Zhou was so high-profile before that he would definitely not be able to prepare for the imperial examination with peace of mind, and he would be more likely to enter the court as a tribute.
And the court is right there. No matter how flamboyant you are, you can't let the court revolve around you, and you can't let the courtiers change their personalities because of you. Either you follow the crowd and fall into moderation, or you You were pushed to the margins, and in the end the emperor still wanted to arrange for you to go to Taichang Temple. The result was no essential difference.
Do you alone have the ability to change the order of the entire court?
"Yeah." Liu Jian understood what Xie Qian meant and nodded.
Then I thought about it.
If Zhang Zhou is that kind of thorny person who can't blend in with the secular world of civil servants and is rejected by his colleagues, isn't this what they want?
If Zhang Zhou was a well-behaved person, it would not be a good thing.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang talked a lot with Zhang Zhou, and when it was finally time to leave, Zhu Youtang gave Zhang Zhou two things before asking Xiao Jing to send Zhang Zhou out of the palace.
"Take it and have a look."
Zhu Youtang said with a smile.
Zhang Zhou opened it, but there were two things similar to edicts. They were edicts to confer Wang Yue as Marquis of Weining and Zhu Feng as Anbian Bo. However, they were not formal edicts.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "They got their current fame and fortune because of you. You are the first to do it, but I can't reward you for the time being. I have asked people to tell the cabinet, the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy to draft an edict." , announce your meritorious deeds to the world. Send these two things to the Wang family and the Duke of Chengguo, and let them accept your favor."
"Your Majesty, isn't this bad?"
Zhang Zhou didn't want to take this job.
Whether I go to deliver these two things or not, both the Wang family and the Zhu family will remember my kindness, and delivering orders is not my responsibility. I am neither a minister nor a eunuch, so what if I am asked to deliver the orders? What do you mean?
"Bingkuan, this is not an edict. I will send someone to send the edict to Wang Yue and Zhu Feng to Pianguan tomorrow. You can take these two things to their house in advance and inform them of the news. I will ask Xiao Jing to Go with you and ask him to tell the two families that this is what I mean, and they will understand what is going on."
Before the emperor formally issued the edict, he specifically asked Xiao Jing, the admiral of Dongchang, to accompany Zhang Zhou to the two houses to inform them.
Even the most stupid person will understand that the emperor wants the two families to know who your merits and titles come from, and who I reward you for.
Zhang Zhou thought about it.
It would be okay if Xiao Jing went with him. He was the one who went along to make soy sauce, so he became familiar with them.
Speaking of which, Zhang Zhou had not yet met his "new father-in-law", Wang Mingshan's father, Wang Yue's second son Wang Shi.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself that even though I haven't consummated our marriage with my gymnast yet, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take her on a three-day trip with her in advance.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for thinking about me. In fact, I... haha, I don't have much desire for fame and profit..." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.
Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded: "Now it's not whether you want to fight, but it must be given to you, otherwise you can't legitimately work for the court. Marquis Weining and Duke Chengguo will remember your kindness and will work more carefully for the court and me. .This is not for your personal honor or disgrace."
The emperor's meaning was obvious.
It seems that I am paving the way for you, but in fact I am trying to win people's hearts for myself.
The Wang family and the Zhu family will appreciate your favor and understand that with you as the go-between, our two families have become the emperor's confidants, and Wang Yue, Zhu Fu, and Zhu Feng will work harder in the northwest.
"yes."
The emperor had said so, so what else could Zhang Zhou say?
This time I thought I was going to ask for a fee.
Accepting bribes can be said to be helping the emperor win people's hearts. This job... Zhang Zhou felt that it was to his liking.
…
…
Zhang Zhou and Xiao Jing came out of Qianqing Palace, Xiao Jing kept smiling there.
Zhang Zhou also understood. He, Zhang Zhou, would get benefits from going to the Wang family and the Zhu family. As the emperor's special envoy, what could Xiao Jing not do without?
It was true that the two brothers went together to ask for bribes, and they went there under orders. The bribes did not have to be given immediately, but in the future, "filial piety" would be indispensable for both families during New Years and holidays.
"Mr. Zhang, it seems that His Majesty wants to push you towards the Governor's Mansion." Xiao Jing said with a smile.
Zhang Zhou pretended to be a political novice and asked with a smile: "How do you say this?"
Xiao Jing analyzed carefully: "You see, in the court, the civil servants still have opinions on you, but everyone in Wu Xun highly praises you. Even the British Duke does not shy away from praising you. I guess His Majesty thinks that you might be more successful in the Governor's Mansion."
"hehe."
Zhang Zhou is laughing.
Xiao Jing's words didn't sound wrong at first glance.
The emperor originally wanted Zhang Zhou to become a civil servant and assist in government affairs.
But it turned out that Zhang Zhou was not getting along with the civil servants.
It’s not that there are many thorns in Zhang Zhou’s body...
Even if Zhang Zhou was a condescending and strict Confucian official, the civil servants could not tolerate him because of what he had done before.
The emperor would think that since he was cultivating Zhang Zhou as a civil servant because he knew it was impossible, why not push Zhang Zhou into the martial arts camp of the Governor's Palace?
It seems that Zhang Zhou entered the court as a Taoist priest and a near-sycophant, but in fact Zhang Zhou had many merits and blessings, and Zhang Zhou already had military exploits in the northwest. The merits were all agreed upon with Liu Jian and others, and were recorded later. The title of nobility was given to Zhang Zhou, and Zhang Zhou could help the country even if he became a military officer.
The emperor will also assess the situation and will not go astray on the same path.
As he was walking, a group of people appeared in front of him. It was Zhu Houzhao who was waiting to intercept Zhang Zhou on the way out of the palace.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."
Xiao Jing was a little shocked when he saw the prince.
Shouldn't the prince attend the lecture at the Wenhua Hall now? Why are you here? And let me run into you? How can I tell His Majesty this time?
Zhu Houzhao came over with a dark face and waved his hand to Xiao Jing: "I want to talk to him alone."
"this……"
Xiao Jing took a look and saw that the prince looked bad. Who had offended him?
There was no other way, so Xiao Jing could only walk a few steps forward to Liu Jin and others' side, and wait until the conversation was over before taking Zhang Zhou out of the palace. He hoped in his heart that the conversation would not last too long or something would happen.
"Zhang, why are you like this? Liulizhu, just give it to my imperial sister. You gave her so much, but you were not so generous when you gave it to me. I was just about to set a rule with my imperial sister, and you just made trouble like this. Are you sincere?"
Only then did Zhu Houzhao reveal his purpose of blocking Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou couldn't help but frown after hearing this.
I always treat Zhu Houzhao as a little adult, but in fact, Zhu Houzhao is essentially a naughty child, and it is difficult to escape from his childish thinking.
You are a half-grown boy, and the person who will rule the world in the future is actually angry with your sister? Still making rules? Make some shitty rules.
What you call rules are you giving them so that others can have them?
It just so happens that I want to set some rules for you!
"That's what the prince said. I'm sorry. It's His Majesty's will to give the princess the glass beads. I have to obey. Why don't you go talk to His Majesty?"
Zhang Zhou's attitude was "This is the glass bead your father begged for your sister. If you have any objections, please tell me." He did not show any dignity to Zhu Hou.
"You, you, you..." Zhu Houzhao didn't know what Zhang Zhou went through today, but he just frowned and said, "Did you take gunpowder? How come your words today are more disturbing than the sound of smashing cannons?"
Zhang Zhouxin said, if everyone wants to coax this kid, he will be in trouble in a few years.
"His Royal Highness, I don't know what you mean by establishing rules. I guess it's the kind of thing where you give something to others and don't give it back. But having said that, isn't what the prince received also what I gave you? The thing is in the hands of the minister, and I can give it to whomever I want, unless the prince makes a decree in the name of the king. Prince, can you bring the decree?"
Zhang Zhouzhou stretched out his hand.
Zhu Houzhao lowered his head and looked at his hands. He seemed to be dumbfounded and stood there in shock.
(End of chapter)
