March twenty-sixth.
This was Zhang Zhou’s first day of work as a Hanlin scholar. As an ordinary Hanlin scholar, Zhang Zhou was allowed to sit in on the Meridian Gate meeting. Of course, the content of the meeting had nothing to do with him. The emperor asked him to It seems that there is "another purpose".
On the same day, a court meeting on who would succeed Cheng Minzheng as a Hanlin scholar was also in progress.
The civilian faction recommended two people.
One was Liang Chu, the imperial scholar, and Yang Tinghe, the imperial lecturer. The civil servants deliberately skipped Li Jie, Jiao Fang, and Wang Hao, who were now academicians or lecturers, as if they wanted to launch new forces in the Imperial Academy system. , obviously different from the emperor's opinion on this point.
The emperor's own intention was kept secret, but Xu Qiong still recommended a third candidate who was different from the orthodox Hanlin system.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Zhang Yuanzhen, the Nanjing Hanlin Lecturer, should be transferred to the Imperial Academy. This man is known for his filial piety. He has been in charge of the affairs of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy for many years and is quite experienced."
As the Minister of Rites, Xu Qiong was not tolerated by Liu Jian and other forces. His selection was more based on using his power to fight against the most powerful system of civil servants in the imperial court.
As for Zhang Yuanzhen...
Zhang Zhou, who listened to the court, was very aware of this person's abilities. He was that kind of person...neither strong nor weak, but he stayed away from the officialdom of the capital all year round and was always in a state of semi-idleness in Nanjing. Historically, he was probably It was the emperor who was deeply worried about the death of Cheng Minzheng, and the position of Hanlin bachelor remained vacant for more than a year. Until April of the 13th year of Hongzhi, Zhang Yuanzhen, the Nanjing Hanlin lecturer, was appointed as a Hanlin bachelor. In October of that year, he was added He married a Hanlin bachelor, Liang Chu, who was a Hanlin scholar at that time.
As for Yang Tinghe...
Sorry, Yang Tinghe started to observe the system from the time his mother died in April of the 12th year of Hongzhi, and did not return to the court until he served for 27 months in the 14th year of Hongzhi.
Although Yang Tinghe was impressive during the transition period from Zhengde to Jiajing, the problem is that in terms of seniority in the Hanlin Academy, Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu are not at the top. There are also Jiao Fang, Wang Hao and Li Jie. Historically, no more candidates were added to the cabinet during the Hongzhi period.
Until October of the first year of Zhengde, Jiao Fang was an ally of Liu Jin, then the leader of the Eight Tigers, and became the fourth person in the cabinet besides the three giants. Then in December of that year, Wang Hao entered the cabinet.
As for Yang Tinghe's entry into the cabinet, it was already October of the second year of Zhengde.
Now just discussing who will succeed Cheng Minzheng as Hanlin bachelor, the smell of gunpowder in the court is very strong. Zhang Zhou feels that this is more resistance than pushing himself to be a minister, because this Hanlin bachelor has stirred up the traditional civil servants in the court. basic disk.
At the court, there was a heated debate about who should be the Hanlin bachelor. Each one stated the pros and cons of these candidates, while Zhang Zhou was thinking: "Old Cheng, Old Cheng, how unlucky do you think you are? If not Because you are in this position, maybe even if you are taking bribes and counting money at home every day, no one will care about you, but it is a pity that you have no political consciousness."
…
…
Ting pushed for a long time, but there was no result.
But no matter how come or go, they are still among these three people, and Xu Qiong has gradually fallen behind.
Zhu Youtang finally said: "I think it is not a bad idea to use the family of Wang Hao and Wang Qing, who are studying as bachelors, as Hanlin bachelors!"
Only now did the courtiers understand the emperor's preferred candidate.
We fought over our feelings, but none of them met His Majesty's expectations. It's no wonder that His Majesty's face has always been gloomy from the beginning to the present.
Some ministers are also thinking that if they want to choose Hanlin bachelors now, why not choose from the bachelor's degree and the bachelor's degree? The only bachelor's degree in lectureship is still the bachelor's degree in Nanjing Hanlin... This intention is a bit unusual.
"Dear gentlemen, Wang Qing's family has served as an official in the East Palace for the past two years. He has been able to do his job conscientiously and has made many achievements in the imperial edict. I think he also has his own opinions and judgments in selecting talents. Why? Don't you recommend it to him?" The emperor asked directly.
I like such a good person very much, why do you always mention some "marginal characters"?
Even if you don't mention Wang Hao, you can just mention Jiao Fang and Li Jie.
I also know that Jiao Fang has a bit of an eccentric personality and you look down on her, but what about Li Jie? They are both the current pillars of the Hanlin Academy. Why do you insist on promoting Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu?
Liu Jian heard the urgency in the emperor's words, and he was almost about to appoint the emperor directly. He said: "Your Majesty, regarding the appointment of Hanlin bachelors, we might as well wait for a long time to discuss in the next few days. It is best to select the selected candidates. Should we not add others?" "
Now the emperor is a little paranoid, Xu Qiong also likes Zhang Yuanzhen, and has some disputes with traditional civil servants.
Liu Jian felt that since we couldn't decide for the time being, we should first determine a direction, and then we would do something to build momentum for Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu, and these two people would be promoted.
Zhu Youtang said: "Four alternatives are a bit too much. If we want to decide, we will make it three."
This means that Zhang Yuanzhen and Wang Hao are no longer moving, and your faction of cabinet ministers must also make sacrifices to remove one of Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu. This matter will be expressed by the chief minister.
Liu Jian heard this intention and said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Yang Jiefu."
"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "Then let these three people be the candidates. Let's discuss it later."
…
…
The three candidates for Hanlin bachelor's degree are Yang Tinghe, Zhang Yuanzhen and Wang Hao.
It seems that this court discussion will take some time to come to an end, and the candidate to succeed the Hanlin bachelor is not very urgent. The cabinet has actually taken over the imperial edict for Cheng Minzheng, and the Hanlin Academy will also be in charge of the bachelor. The errands of Zhan Shi's house were divided with Zhan Shi's.
The errand is not important, but the cabinet candidates hidden behind this errand have become the focus of the dispute between the top and bottom of the DPRK.
Even the traditional civil servant factions are divided into small factions, and many people are jealous of this job. In the Hanlin system, people such as Wang Hua, Liu Ji, Zhang Bing, Jiang Lan, Wu Wei, Bai Yue, etc. are also jealous of Hanlin bachelors. The position is very eyeing, but they are not enough to be recommended as candidates at this time.
In the court, everyone seemed to have forgotten that Liaodong was still preparing for war.
Only Zhang Zhou said that the three guards of Duoyan would come again. The ordinary ministers thought that Zhang Zhou was suffering from hysteria. Even if the three guards of Duoyan were crazy and poor, they would not dare to run wild in Ming Dynasty and Liaodong again, right? Besides, the Ming Dynasty still has famous generals like Wang Weining. Are they not afraid that they will be Wang Weining's first stop on the grassland?
Now it is more in their interest to focus on who will become a Hanlin bachelor.
…
…
After the meeting.
Zhang Zhou did not leave, but followed Xiao Jing to Qianqing Palace. However, before he took a few steps, he saw Zhu Youtang waiting for him there.
"... Bingkuan, you have also seen that I actually want to recommend Wang Jizhi, but there are many objections."
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, Your Majesty, why do you insist on going against the civil officials?
But think about it.
Now the emperor may feel that his "wings have become stiff".
Zhu Youtang said: "Do you know why I want to use Wang Jizhi?"
Zhang Zhou smiled bitterly and said, "Isn't it because of me?"
"Haha." Zhu Youtang said with a smile, "You are right, it is because of you. What I think is that if he becomes a Hanlin bachelor, there should not be so many barriers between him and you. Today you will also When I took up my post at the Hanlin Academy, I had someone say hello to Wang Jizhi. Regardless of whether he is a Hanlin bachelor or not, you must cooperate fully when you give lectures in the East Palace."
"This... is difficult to cooperate with. Your Majesty should know that I am a newcomer, and no matter how polite Bachelor Wang is, he will only treat me as a handyman."
Zhang Zhou knew very well how much he weighed.
If he were to teach the prince in the traditional way, Wang Hao would definitely not accept him.
He didn't expect Wang Hao to change some of his prejudices against him. So what if he was a master? Wang Hao still has the airs of a traditional civil servant. Zhang Zhou discovered when the emperor arranged for the candidates from Jiangnan to visit his teacher that the arrogance in Wang Hao's bones would not allow newcomers to escape.
Zhu Youtang said: "If he can cooperate with you, you should cooperate with him. If you can't cooperate... I have an idea for you to talk to the prince alone. You will know the details after you go there."
"..."
Zhang Zhou was also a little speechless.
You also said that promoting Wang Hao to Hanlin Bachelor is helping me? As soon as I turned my face, I was going to be put in a position of opposition to Wang Hao.
Your Majesty, we don't mean what we say.
"Bingkuan, do you think Jizhi has a good chance of competing with the other two? If I persist, I should be able to get Mr. Liu Ge and the others to agree, right?" Zhu Youtang asked Zhang Zhou's opinion seriously.
Zhang Zhou wanted to say that when you become emperor, you must give priority to the person you choose.
But I am afraid that Wang Hao will be like Cheng Minzheng. Once he receives special attention, he will be unlucky.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "If it is these three people, then Bachelor Wang's chances are still very good."
"Alas!" Zhu Youtang sighed, "I think Yang Jiefu's ability is not low. In the past two years, he has been very good at teaching the prince and compiling books. It's just that his qualifications are lower. In fact, I still admire him very much, and if I didn’t have your relationship, I wouldn’t be able to promote him.”
The emperor's directness also made Zhang Zhou feel that he might also be deeply involved in the employment of the imperial court.
From the perspective of his own interests, it is indeed better to promote Wang Hao than Yang Tinghe.
Who among the traditional faction would take Zhang Zhou seriously?
Wang Hao has always been his mentor, and Wang Hao is not a core member of Liu Jian and other factions. When he encounters pressure in the court in the future, he will naturally want to ask Zhang Zhou for help.
Zhang Zhou said: "I have a bad premonition about Shi Yang. I'm afraid something will happen in his family in the past two months, which will delay his official career."
"Um?"
Zhu Youtang looked puzzled.
Dai Yi, who was standing next to him, asked hurriedly: "Mr. Zhang, are you saying that there might be an... accident in the hall where Master Yang is speaking?"
Zhang Zhou sighed: "I don't know the reason behind it, but I guess Yang Shidao's family members are all in Sichuan and Sichuan, and they can't withstand the bumps of the journey. As for whether his parents and relatives are well or whether they are sick, I can't say It can be speculated. All we can say is... it may be so."
"this……"
Zhu Youtang originally had no objection to Yang Tinghe.
In other words, Yang Tinghe was not qualified to arouse the emperor's resentment. Yang Tinghe's current status was only a "minor role."
Xiao Jing sighed with emotion: "It's a pity that we can't rescue Marquis Weining like Mr. Zhang did before..."
The speaker has no intention.
Zhu Youtang said: "Go, send someone to Yang Qing's official office in the capital to tell him about this and make him mentally prepared. If possible... give him three months' leave and let him go back and take a look. .”
"Your Majesty, this... I'm afraid it's inappropriate."
Dai Yi almost tried to persuade him.
Now it's just Zhang Zhou who said that Yang Tinghe's parents may be in danger, and Yang Tinghe himself is still competing for the candidate for the Hanlin bachelor's degree. Your Majesty, if you do this, you will not let the ministers of the DPRK think that you are using some unconventional means to catch up. Competitors for your recommendation?
Zhu Youtang said: "I know what you mean. I have no selfish motives in this matter. I just want Yang Qing's family to prepare early. Is this wrong? Let him go back to visit relatives and fulfill his filial piety. If they are If you feel that I am selfish, you can wait until he comes back and then give him a Hanlin bachelor's degree."
The emperor was also very angry.
Zhang Zhou has said that Yang Tinghe may encounter changes in his parents, and I will sympathize with him and let him go back and take a look.
Whether it's going back to serve your parents, or even just going back to see your parents one last time, it's still a great gift. For a Confucian official, who doesn't care about the name of filial piety and honesty?
Besides, there is no rule that Hanlin bachelors can only promote one.
If it doesn't work, I will promote these three candidates to Hanlin bachelor's degrees at once to see who dares to make irresponsible remarks!
…
…
Inside the Hanlin Academy.
Wang Hao is also sorting out some materials from the "Da Ming Huidian". Now that the Hanlin Academy is in charge, the "Xianzong Shilu" has already been compiled. In addition to the main tasks of teaching the prince and making imperial edicts, the main task of compiling the book is This administrative code, which collects the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty, can be said to be the greatest ambition of Emperor Hongzhi in governing the country, compiling books and leaving a name in history.
At this moment, Liu Ji brought news to Wang Hao.
"... Jizhi, at today's court meeting, the candidate for Hanlin Bachelor was discussed, and you were proposed by His Majesty."
As a bachelor, Wang Hao does not need to go to court every day. Generally, he only needs to go to regular court meetings or celebrations during festivals.
The court meetings of the Ming Dynasty emphasized the importance of official business. If there is something for your yamen, you can go, and if it is not available, don't go. Generally speaking, no matter how low the official position is, there is a place for it. Compared with the six ministers and ministers, they are basically required to be there, and the rest are Check to see if there are any relevant notes from the person in charge of the corresponding matter that day.
Wang Hao said: "I have just been promoted to a bachelor's degree. How can I be qualified to be promoted to a bachelor's degree in the Imperial Academy?"
Liu Ji said with an envious look on his face: "Your Majesty appreciates you, are you not happy? Originally, the people recommended by Mr. Xie Ge were Jie Fu and Shu Hou. The person from the Ministry of Rites recommended Zhang Yuanzhen from Nanjing, and later I pressed Shu Hou and left three people as candidates. It seems that you have a good chance of being selected. After all, you were appointed by His Majesty."
Although Liang Chu was the first to become a Hanlin scholar in history, in terms of seniority, Yang Tinghe was actually higher than Liang Chu.
Just because Yang Tinghe Shouzhi missed the selection of Hanlin bachelors, Yang Tinghe was earlier than Liang Chu in the order of entry into the cabinet.
Before long, editor Liu Chun came over from outside and informed: "Scholar Wang, the Supervisor of Ceremonies is here. Please come over and have a talk. It's about the lecture in the East Palace."
Wang Hao frowned.
Why did you suddenly mention giving lectures?
Could it also be related to the fact that he was recommended by the emperor as a candidate for Hanlin bachelor's degree?
Liu Ji smiled and said: "Go quickly, I guess the matter can't be too small. From now on, you will be in full charge of official affairs in the East Palace, and you will not look for anyone else."
…
…
In the Hanlin Academy, three Hanlins in the new department, namely editor Zhang Zhou, editor Lun Wenxu and Sun Xu, accompanied by eunuch Xiao Jing, the eunuch Xiao Jing, came to the Hanlin Academy to report on their work.
This treatment...
It gives people a headache just looking at it.
No matter who saw this scene, they knew that Xiao Jing's arrival had nothing to do with Lun Wenxu and Sun Xu, it was all about Zhang Zhou's face.
After Xiao Jing met with the people from the Hanlin Academy, he didn't even leave Zhang Zhou alone, leaving Wang Hao alone to talk about the matter of entering the East Palace.
To put it more simply, he was representing the emperor to divide the "scope of responsibilities" for Wang Hao.
"...Your Majesty's intention is that from now on, the lecturers in the East Palace will be divided into two classes. The first class will still be led by you. Everything will remain unchanged. However, on the third, sixth and ninth day of each tenth day, or as otherwise notified At that time, the second group of people will go and give the lecture..."
Xiao Jing said very vaguely.
Wang Hao frowned and said: "There are already divisions in the schedule for the lectures on the banquet day, so why do we need to subdivide the lectures in the East Palace?"
Xiao Jing smiled and said nothing.
"Eunuch Xiao, may I ask how to divide the two groups?" Wang Hao just thought that the emperor wanted to divide the current lecturers in the East Palace into two groups.
Xiao Jing said: "The first class remains the same as before. As you know, there is a new addition, Mr. Zhang, who is the new champion Zhang Zhou. As for the second class, if Mr. Zhang is busy with official duties, it will remain the same."
"What?"
Wang Hao didn't understand.
Are you bringing Zhang Zhou out alone?
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "There is no need to hide anything. His Majesty's intention is to make Mr. Zhang the foreman of the second shift. As for how to proceed, it is up to him to decide."
This time it was Wang Hao's turn to frown.
Zhang Zhou, as a Hanlin editor, was a lecturer for the East Palace. He was just doing odd jobs, sorting out lesson plans, or even giving a lecture. There was nothing wrong with it.
Zhang Zhou was the number one scholar and a Confucian official who passed the traditional imperial examination, so he was naturally not weak in talent and learning.
But if Zhang Zhou is allowed to lead a group of people alone to give lectures to the prince...
Where will these people in the Hanlin Academy be placed?
"There is no way, Bachelor Wang. This Mr. Zhang is not only knowledgeable about ancient and modern times, but also stays up all night in astronomy and geography. He can also control the weather. If such ability can be granted to the prince... Of course, your majesty can't say that openly. , Just understand, don’t tell others... If the prince really learns this, wouldn’t it be... amazing?"
Wang Hao took a breath.
To put it bluntly, it’s because Zhang Zhou is so capable that all of us combined are not as good as him. Is that what you mean?
"But don't worry. Normally, Mr. Zhang will go with you when he gives a lecture in the East Palace. He will never overwhelm you. When he gives a lecture, he will never let you lose your prestige. They are all gentlemen from the East Palace, no matter what. Just be good to each other.”
(End of chapter)
