Before the court meeting the next day, most of the ministers had just heard that Zhang Zhou had returned to the capital the day before.
"He's back? Why don't you see him coming to court? Or..."
"Perhaps he is in the palace now?"
When people in the court mentioned Zhang Zhou, they were a little evasive, but they were still very envious. After returning to the capital, he held a small meeting with the emperor before the court meeting, and even went to the court meeting with the emperor.
Others really don't have this kind of treatment.
Many people also went over to ask Ma Wensheng and the three cabinet members about Zhang Zhou's return to Beijing.
The four of them have also never met Zhang Zhou. They don't know where Zhang Zhou is now. Naturally, they don't know Zhang Zhou's arrangements after returning to Beijing, especially those involving Zhang Zhou's official position.
Until Zhu Youtang appeared at Fengtianmen and the court meeting began, Zhang Zhou was nowhere to be seen.
Everyone began to wonder again, was the news about Zhou returning to Beijing just based on rumors?
"Dear gentlemen, Bingkuan returned to Beijing yesterday, and I have announced that I have met him." Zhu Youtang took the initiative to bring up the topic of Zhang Zhou during the court meeting.
Everyone held their breath and concentrated, knowing that they might soon get to the point.
Zhu Youtang said: "I originally wanted to make him the Duke of Lai. This matter has been made clear in the court, but in his opinion, he also wants to do more things for the court. He is not in a hurry about the title."
Can it still be like this?
If you have a title, you don’t need it, so you’re not in a hurry? So when to be anxious? Wait until he gets old? Or is he preparing for the next military exploit?
Zhu Youtang added: "What I told him was the title of Duke Lai. I wrote it down for him first, and then I will add the title to him at some time in the future."
"ah!?"
The ministers present were in an uproar.
Previously, the emperor said that Zhang Zhou would be given a knighthood for his contribution to the battles at Piantouguan and Ningyuan. It was agreed at that time that the title should be written down first, which was the result of separate internal discussions with the cabinet ministers and others.
Nothing was said publicly like today.
When the ministers heard this, they realized that the emperor was clearly treating Zhang Zhou as a special person. He would not reward him for his meritorious service, just to let him harm us in the civil service system, and then give him a title after he was done with the harm... How could it be possible? Such?
Xie Qian came out and said: "Your Majesty, you will be rewarded for your merits. If he makes any mistakes in running the army in the future and has to be punished for this, I am afraid that it will be difficult to maintain his current title."
"What Mr. Xie Ge said is absolutely true."
Immediately some officials came out to echo.
Zhu Youtang said: "What do you mean, if Bingkuan makes any serious mistakes in the future in the court, he will not be rewarded with this title? Otherwise! No matter whether I trust him in the future or not, even if I suddenly come one day He will go to the west and the prince will ascend the throne. Today's discussion should also be concluded."
Xie Qian listened.
Good guy, the emperor used his own life as an analogy. Do you want to say next that even if the Ming Dynasty dies and changes to another dynasty, today's deliberations will count?
What's the use of just talking here?
Zhu Youtang saw that these ministers had opinions on this, and his attitude gradually turned tough: "Although most of the use of troops in the northwest relies on Qin Hong, who is in charge of trilateral military affairs, it involves future plans and policies. Everything depends on Bingkuan. I keep him at court instead of running the army in the governor's mansion. Is there anything wrong with this?"
Xie Qian lowered his head and returned to his seat after hearing this.
"I made him a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. This was a decision I made after the "Da Ming Huidian" was written. In this way, he can often come in and out of the East Palace to teach the prince, and there is no need for him to attend the banquet. He said that he should teach the prince; I should serve as the governor of the rear military governor's house, and ask more questions about military affairs; as the minister of Taichang Temple, it is a part-time job. If there are changes in the heavens and other things, he will do more. To advise the imperial court and me, as the left minister of the Ministry of War, he will be responsible for the daily affairs of military affairs, and there is no need for him to supervise the affairs of the ministry, but he can go in and out of the court."
"The Yanwu Hall was founded by me, with him as the left minister of the Ministry of War, and also the Yanwu Hall teaching and other matters, in order to promote the Ming Dynasty's artillery and firearms, as well as the daily dispatch and training of the Shenji Battalion."
A series of emperors arranged many positions for Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou himself had never heard of many of these positions, and it was the first time for the ministers present to hear about them. Especially when they heard that Zhang Zhou wanted to hold official positions in the three major yamen of the Hanlin Academy, the Governor's Office, and the Ministry of War, the ministers present were immediately upset.
Min Gui, the censor of Zuodu, came out and said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. Even though Zhang Zhou had military exploits, his time as an official was still short and he had no achievements or merit in managing the ministry. He even has no experience in overseeing the administration of the Six Ministries, so to promote him to the rank of Left Minister of the Ministry of War will inevitably cause turmoil in the hearts of the people in the court."
Zhu Youtang said: "The turmoil you are talking about means that people's hearts are not convinced, right?"
Min Gui gritted his teeth, raised the wat board and said, "Exactly."
I am really dissatisfied. It is not that I am dissatisfied with Zhang Zhou's merits, but that I am dissatisfied with a new scholar. In just half a year after entering the court, he has already become the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, with so many additional official titles.
Bai Ang, the Minister of Punishment, also came out and said: "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with being given a title based on military merit, but there is no precedent for being promoted to a ministry based on military merit."
This means that we have no opinion on how much merit he should have and how much title he should receive.
Whether it was the founding of the country, or the later peace and border affairs, there were precedents for meritorious generals or officials to be awarded titles. Among the civil servants who were awarded titles, there were two people, Wang Ji and Wang Yue.
Zhu Youtang said: "There is no precedent? Previously, the Marquis of Jingyuan was awarded the title, and because of his success in seizing the door, he also took charge of the Ministry of War. Won't you be unimpressed by this?"
This brings us to Wang Ji. At first, he won the title as the Minister of the Ministry of War by conquering the south and the north, and he retired as Uncle Jingyuan. He indulged in sex, but in fact he was wise and wise in protecting himself. Later, because of his meritorious service in seizing the family, he also took the title of Uncle Jingyuan. The Minister of the Ministry of War means that after Yu Qian was killed, Shi Pu was transferred out and Wang Ji came out to take charge of the Ministry of War.
But soon Wang Ji took the initiative to hand over power, completing the transition and retiring.
The matter of expediency was used as a precedent by Zhu Youtang, but it was still quite convincing... Zhu Youtang was probably reminding the ministers present that I did not let Bingkuan directly use Lai Guogong as the military department. Minister, I have given you face, if you keep beeping again, believe it or not, I will break up with you?
…
…
In the court, there was a deadlock.
The emperor seemed to be angry, and the ministers were dissatisfied, but they could not refute the examples given by the emperor, and because Zhang Zhou's military exploits were indeed not easy to refute. Meritorious service is meritorious. The emperor did not give him a title, but directly wanted to give it to him. The position of Minister Zuo of the Ministry of War is neither reasonable nor unreasonable, but there is nothing wrong with it even if it is reasonable.
It just depends on the emperor's mood.
Now the emperor just wants to support Zhang Zhou... What can they do?
The most embarrassing person present was Wang Zongyi, the left minister of the Ministry of War.
Ever since he became the minister of the Ministry of War, he has been living in the shadow of Zhang Zhou and Wang Yue. Even Ma Wensheng, the minister of the Ministry of War, had nothing to do with Zhang Zhou and Wang Yue, let alone him.
Liu Jian came out and said: "Your Majesty, it is acceptable for Zhang Zhou to be the left minister of the Ministry of War. But he does not care about the affairs of the Ministry. I don't know who should take care of it? It is better for him to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War and start the affairs of the Hanlin Academy." .”
meaning is.
The left minister of the Ministry of War should be the left minister of the Ministry of War. We have no objection, but the problem is that he, the left minister, is best part-time. Didn’t your majesty say that he should continue to be a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy and give lessons to the prince? Then make that his official job.
Zhu Youtang got a little angry when he heard this.
If it's a part-time job, why should he also serve as the left minister of the Ministry of War? In the northwest, he concurrently served as the Minister of War and the Censor of Zuodu!
When he returns to the imperial court, he will be given the title of Zuo Shilang. Of course, he will be the real one.
The Bachelor of Attendant is a full-time official, the Minister of Taichang Temple is also a full-time official, the Zuo Governor of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion is also a full-time official, and the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War must also be a full-time official! What I am telling you is that you need both. Otherwise, what else would I tell you?
Zhu Youtang said: "Does Mr. Liu Ge think that he is not qualified?"
Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, I don't understand what this veteran means. Since he is the left minister of the Ministry of War, why can't he take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War?"
According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, Zuo Shilang is responsible for the main affairs of each ministry. The minister is more responsible for coordinating the overall situation. Ask the minister for major matters, and Zuo Shilang basically takes the decision for small matters. The minister is also responsible for dividing the left and right. Let’s talk about priorities.
After all, Zhu Youtang had made it clear before that Zhang Zhoulai was not needed to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War, so Liu Jian proposed to use him as a part-time job.
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "I just care about him. He cannot be permanently stationed in the Ministry of War, so I will hand over the affairs of the Ministry to others. It does not mean that he is not qualified for the job. And in order to control the surrounding areas With his prestige, he is the best candidate to coordinate and coordinate! As for Wang Zongyi, the left minister of the Ministry of War..."
"I'm here." Wang Zongyi finally walked out, feeling as if he was transparent.
There is obviously someone in the position, but you just replace me. Is it too disrespectful of my face?
Zhu Youtang said: "I will take you as the left minister of the Ministry of Industry and the admiral of Yizhou Shanchang. That's it!"
Everyone present looked at each other.
Admiral Yizhou Shanchang means responsible for raising firewood for the imperial court. Before Jiajing, one person was usually the Minister of the Ministry of Works or the Minister of the Ministry of Works to take care of this matter. It was equivalent to a part-time job. No one wanted to leave the leftovers in the cold stove. Went there... so much so that after arriving in Jiajing, he was managed by a doctor from the Ministry of Works, and later by the head of the Ministry of Works, which shows how unpopular this job is.
But now Wang Zongyi is clearly the official Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, but he is directly transferred to the admiral Yizhou Shanchang. It is no different from being left out in the cold.
The emperor probably seemed to be saying "canonize the queen and banish her to the cold palace". Wang Zongyi's state of mind instantly felt like falling into an ice cellar.
"I just want to find someone capable to take care of the Ministry of War affairs. Therefore... I hope all of you can understand me."
The ministers present heard this.
Perhaps the emperor felt that kicking Wang Zongyi into the ice cellar was not enough to relieve his anger, so he threw a few large ice cubes into it to freeze him quickly.
Those who are capable will take care of it. Does that mean Wang Zongyi is incompetent?
Wang Zongyi's face was green and red. Although they were both Zuo Shilang, he, the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Industry, was really part-time. It was impossible for Admiral Yizhou Shanchang to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of Industry. In other words, he would have to guard the affairs of the Ministry of Industry in the future. Those charcoal are living a good life... Even if I were allowed to go back and continue to be the right minister of the Ministry of Works, why would I still lead people to death?
…
…
Zhu Youtang's attitude was so firm that the ministers present did not know how to object.
Not to mention that there is someone in the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, even if it is vacant, the next candidate should be decided by recommendation. The emperor's move almost single-handedly promoted Zhang Zhou to this position.
But...even Liu Jian and other cabinet members couldn't come out to oppose it.
Regarding this matter, Ma Wensheng, Minister of the Ministry of War, even opened the door without saying a word.
The impression given was that the emperor had taken care of Ma Wensheng in advance, but the actual situation was that the emperor had not even said hello to Ma Wensheng in advance.
"Everyone, this is settled!"
Zhu Youtang's attitude was firm, "Actually, before Bingkuan returned to Beijing, I mentioned that I would arrange an official position for him, and you didn't raise any objections at that time. If only because I gave him the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, I would If he has any prejudice, I think those people are not taking the overall situation into consideration."
A hat?
The ministers all remained silent.
Wu Xun was gloating over his misfortune.
Let you civil servants keep reminding the emperor that Zhang Bingkuan should be the Duke of Lai. That's because you are blind. You didn't realize that the emperor used Zhang Bingkuan just to target you civil servants who were arrogant. We Wu Xun didn't provoke anyone. We were all beaten before. You are oppressing! How could the emperor regard us as an imaginary enemy?
"There is one more thing I want to mention right now, which is the candidate for governor of Liaodong. I asked you to consider the details before, but are there any candidates?"
Zhu Youtang no longer discussed with these ministers how to arrange an official position for Zhang Zhou, but instead directly discussed the more direct candidate for the governor of the border town.
Ma Wensheng finally came out and said: "The Ministry of War recommended the minister of Taichang Temple in Nanjing, Yang Yiqing."
Doesn’t the emperor like to hire new people?
Then our traditional civil service forces are no longer as step-by-step as before. We always have to bring out some capable people to compete, just like the previous selection of Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu for candidates for Hanlin bachelors. This is also to adapt to the trend.
"What else?" Zhu Youtang asked.
Tu Fu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, said: "There is also Hong Han, the former governor of Datong."
One is new and the other is old, one is capable and the other is experienced, it can be said that they complement each other.
Just when the ministers thought that the new governor of Liaodong would be elected from among the two, General Affairs Envoy Si Zuo Tongzheng Shen Lu came out and said: "I recommend Lu Wan, the censor of Shaanxi Province."
"Um?"
Everyone looked at him with puzzled eyes.
What does Shen Lu have to do with you at this time? Just come out and join in the fun, he was elected... who is this person?
Zhu Youtang said: "Okay, if you don't have any objections, then we will select the new governor of Liaodong from these three people. It will be decided in the next two days. Retreat from the court!"
The emperor was too lazy to discuss other matters with his ministers.
He did not directly decide to let Lu Wanlai be the governor of Liaodong. Regarding the issue of Zhang Zhou, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers was very tense, and the emperor had to give each other some leeway, although Zhu Youtang was also very good at appointing Lu Wan. Firm, but now he still wants to give the minister the illusion that everything is in accordance with the rules.
…
…
The court meeting was dissolved.
Unlike in the past when all the ministers left the court and discussed court affairs with righteous indignation, this time the ministers were relatively calm.
Mainly because the emperor's intention to reuse Zhang Zhou was too obvious. He had already had psychological expectations before, but now he was just fulfilling his expectations. Anyway, Wang Zongyi was the only one who suffered the loss. Is the impact on the rest... really that big?
To object?
How to object?
Didn't Bai Ang and Min Gui speak loudly enough in the court? From what angle can we evaluate Zhang Zhoude's lack of match?
The point is, it seems that the upper echelons of civil servants in the DPRK, especially the cabinet ministers and the Minister of War, seem to have acquiesced in Zhang Zhou's promotion to the left minister of the Ministry of War. Even if the remaining people have opinions, they will adopt a more tactful approach, such as the above Use the method of playing to persuade.
Just when the meeting was over...
Zhang Zhouren was at home and hadn't stayed yet.
It's just that a little separation is better than a new marriage.
A trip to the northwest can be regarded as an experience of life and death. When you come back and see your lovely wife and concubine at home, why don't you quickly show some tenderness?
Wang Mingshan is pregnant with Liujia so she shouldn't worry too much, but at least the first three months of pregnancy have passed...the first three months and the last three...women who have had childbirth experience all know the secrets, and even in these days, they will probably follow this principle. Come.
Zhang Zhou was still sleeping at home, but it was Xiao Jing who came to deliver the "good news" about his promotion, forcing him to get dressed and stay on the bed. He didn't even bother to wash up, and went out to meet guests while yawning.
"Mr. Zhang, you...this is?"
Xiao Jing was also surprised.
Why does Zhang Zhou look...more haggard than yesterday?
Zhang Zhou said: "It's been a hard journey, even Eunuch Xiao wouldn't believe it, especially when I was approaching the capital, I was traveling day and night..."
"Mr. Zhang's hard work for the country is really admirable." Xiao Jing sighed with emotion.
Do you work for the country?
Zhang Zhou thought for a while, and it might be okay if he had another son named with a Chinese character.
"Mr. Zhang, at today's meeting, Your Majesty has discussed with all the ministers that you will be appointed as the Left Minister of the Ministry of War. The official positions mentioned before, such as Minister of Taichang Temple, Assistant Bachelor, and Left Governor of the Rear Army Governor's Palace, will also be given to you at the same time. You are here to take up the post, and you are a second-rank official. Congratulations." Xiao Jing said with his hands in hand, and handed the official certificate to Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou asked curiously: "Isn't it a genuine product?"
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Isn't this based on your position as a civil servant? In fact, with your current status, what rank... does it matter?"
"That's right." Zhang Zhou nodded with a smile, "The most important thing for us working people is to have His Majesty's support."
"Yep."
Xiao Jing felt the same way.
No matter what rank or rank, the one who has the emperor's trust is the super rank. He Xiao Jing is not capable of suppressing the civil and military ministers of the DPRK and China by himself, but Liu Jin, one of his successors, has done it. Who said he should be a sycophant? Do we have to make peace with the civil servants?
If those who are close to sycophants were as "kind" as Zhang Zhou was to the civil servants, then there would probably not be so many cases of treacherous ministers in power in history.
"In addition, His Majesty mentioned that he recently asked you to arrange your marriage with the Lin family early. Because of your trip to the northwest, this matter has been delayed for a long time." Xiao Jing said with a smile, "Your Majesty also said that after the wedding, I will come in person on the next day.”
Zhang Zhou said: "How dare you do this?"
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, it's because of His Majesty's trust and reliance on you, and also to show that he values this marriage. Just think of it as giving Mr. Lin some face. What do you think?"
By marrying his daughter as a concubine, the emperor wanted to give Lin Han face, in order to win over the two ministers.
Zhang Zhou also felt that the emperor should also adopt a posture to win people's hearts.
(End of chapter)
