Of course, Jiang Tian said he wanted to go out, but he still spent the entire day exploring the external environment between the south gate of the East Palace and the front court, as well as multiple alternative routes suitable for passage. At one point, I went into the gate guard room of the prison guard and Jinwu Guard to check the order of the shifts.
He even sneaked into the office of the former Zhongshumen and secretly tasted the food specially provided for the ministers; he casually observed for a while the daily office work of the two prime ministers on duty, Xiao Dezhao and Zhang Wenguan. I also learned about the different styles and methods of these two prime ministers.
The political affairs hall in the early Tang Dynasty was not a fixed place and name; rather, it was located somewhere in Zhongshu Province or Menxia Province, depending on the heads of the three provinces who were responsible for initiating the hall meeting, such as Zhongshu Ling or Shizhong/Da Nayan. It needs to be carried out; therefore, the office space with the title of Tong Zhongshu's third rank is not fixed.
Especially after the prince Li Hong, who was in charge of supervising the country, went to the Eastern Capital, the two remaining prime ministers took turns sitting in the Zhongshu Province and the Menxia Province to handle the general affairs arising from the daily operations of the Baiguan Office, as well as some emergencies around Gyeonggi Province. It is an emergency and will not be posted unless signed by a co-signer.
Under Jiang Fang's observation, Xiao Dezhao was a person with a rich and solemn appearance, and his well-spoken words made people feel like a spring breeze. Even if he was the most junior official in the palace, he could speak harmoniously and softly; but no matter how much he said, he would not leak anything. It makes it impossible to find fault and to figure out the real intentions.
Zhang Wenguan, on the other hand, was stern and unsmiling, and spoke concisely and to the point; he was intolerant of red tape and redundant politeness. Therefore, when they first meet, people feel that it is difficult to get along with them, and they are especially respectful and inferior. But when it comes to official matters, what he says is always meaningful and convincing;
However, before Jiang Tian had enough and left, he accidentally bumped into Di Huaiying, who had been summoned by Zhang Wenguan to give him a private warning. Zhang Wenguan Rijin had just been promoted to the position of Shizhong, that is, the head of the province. He was responsible for reviewing and refuting the edicts drafted by the Zhongshu Sheng and the emperor issuing internal edicts;
He also had to sit in the hall to discuss matters with the other three high-ranking officials, as well as the prime minister who was given the title of "Tongzhongshumen's third rank" based on his position; in fact, he could no longer concurrently hold the original duties of the minister of Dali Temple. However, he has held the position of Minister of Dali Temple for many years, and he feels that his responsibility is important and he is quite emotional...
Therefore, he did not know when to target this person who had only been in office for less than two years. In the series of reform and elimination measures in the East Palace, he had performed outstandingly and solved many old palace scandals. Di Huaiying, the left prime minister of Zhan Shifu, intended to recommend him to be transferred to Dali Temple.
Although he cannot become a principal minister due to his official position, the power leader Shaoqing, who is responsible for presiding over practical affairs, can still operate a little. But fortunately, Di Huaiying was still clear-headed and knew where his roots were in the capital. In the end, he declined the kindness of the then right minister.
Despite this, Zhang Wenguan did not express any dissatisfaction or dissatisfaction; instead, he once again made another proposal, which was to invite him to participate in the "Prime Minister's Prison" at the turn of the Spring and Autumn Period every year. This was also a special system created by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.
Based on the ancient allusion of "Spring and Autumn Judgment", the emperor personally re-tried and reviewed the felons awaiting trial every year to reflect the emperor's authority and wisdom. One of the most famous political shows was that Emperor Taizong once allowed hundreds of feudal lords to go home to visit relatives and then returned on their own.
Taizong was so moved by virtue and education that he specially pardoned these prisoners and allowed them to live in the capital; this is also the origin of Zuofang and Youtufang. The worst example of a "prison trial" was when Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty pardoned a defeated general named An Lushan on a whim during a routine prison sentence.
Despite the advice and rejection of Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling, he was still given the opportunity to redeem himself before the battle; what happened next is known to everyone. But not everyone is an involutionary workaholic like Taizong. In addition to daily hard work, he still has enough energy to "organize prisoners and solve prisons."
Therefore, later on, the prison management and judgment at the turn of the Spring and Autumn Period basically became a fixed patent of the prime ministers; and most of the time, the emperor only participated symbolically. Since Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty had been troubled by wind and dizziness for many years, he had to be accompanied by the Queen of Heaven even when he went to court, so he naturally couldn't care less.
Therefore, almost all the responsibilities of prison management and prison execution have been handed over to the prime ministers; as Zhang Wenguan, the minister/right minister, actually does not have that much time and effort to participate in prison execution; but he does not want it to become an ordinary person. It was just a formality, so a small team was recruited to take charge of this matter.
But this time, it was obvious that the young Di Huaiying had no reason to refuse. However, he still took advantage of the situation and made a small unkind request; he said that there was an eldest son in his family who had been friends for many years. He had admired the majesty of adults in judging cases since he was a child, and hoped to watch and observe.
But what is even more outrageous is that Zhang Wenguan also meaningfully agreed to this request, which was also outrageous. Until this moment, why didn't Jiang Tian understand what was going on? Obviously in the days since he left, the girl had already formed an unexpected relationship and friendship with this man.
Moreover, it was obviously far deeper and closer than she expected; so much so that Madam Zheng had to ask Concubine Pei for help and try to find an excuse to ground her. After skipping this episode, Jiang Tian visited the nearby palace provinces, secretary provinces, and internal chamberlain provinces one after another.
Because the Second Saint moved to the Eastern Capital for a long time, the people left behind in the three inner provinces are now led by deputies/young prison guards, mostly the old, weak, sick and disabled; they were previously arrested several times by the prince who was responsible for staying in the capital to supervise the country. The cases were severely rectified and purged, and a group of people were arrested and killed.
Theoretically, he doesn't have much ability and motivation to find trouble; especially for the people in the East Palace who are not under each other's control, and he is still the Crown Princess's highly valued right-hand man. Unless there is some kind of instruction and endorsement from a higher level, even from Dongdu.
In the same situation, there are also the left-behind Shangshu Province, including Zuocheng, Zuo Shilang, Shaoqing, and deputy eunuchs, as well as the six ministries and the fifth eunuch of the Nine Temples; Zuo Yushi Zhongcheng of the Third Courtyard of Yushitai; Zhonglang of the Sixteenth Guards of Nanya Generals, the left and right Yulin/Beimen Tunjun of Beiya and the left and right Lang generals of Tuenmen Feiqi Camp.
You must know that the East Palace affiliation in this era, instead of declining like in later generations, has reached its peak; just the ten guards of the East Palace who serve as internal confinement and entrance and exit ceremonial guards number three to four thousand people; plus six of them Each leader leads three or five military offices; in theory, there are as many as 10,000 people.
This is also an important proof that the East Palace led by Prince Li Hong can sit in the capital and supervise the country's affairs. Although this power cannot be used easily, basically every time it is used, it is related to major changes in the world, or palace coups or political struggles involving the succession of the throne...
But the prince Li Hong used to do something in small batches, such as conducting training in batches in the name of safari; or participating in maintaining security and patrols on the streets of the capital, cleaning up illegal households and dead people in the east and west cities; Directly confirming the facts, or arousing the fear and suspicion of the reigning emperor.
Even in the former Baiguan Office, there were some relatively hidden key points and gated garrison points; Jiang Tian also saw some standing guard with the prison gates and Jinwu guards, obviously coming from the exclusive uniforms of the East Palace guards. It is said that it was to strengthen the security around the prince when he was in power.
Finally, after Jiang Tian explored several safe routes within the scope of the previous dynasty, he slowly and slowly moved along the double eaves of the palaces and pavilions like a gentle breeze. He flew past without even being startled. Any nest of wild birds came to the former Taichang Temple.
Taichang Temple, where the Zhangzong Temple mausoleum is enshrined, is located at the southernmost end of the front court of the imperial city, in the middle of the Suzaku Gate and on the right side of the palace wall. On the left is across the street from Honglu Temple and its hotel area; on the right is the Ancestral Temple across the long street and its many temple buildings, only a hundred steps away.
As Madam Zheng's eldest brother and one of the few elders in the world, the current Taichang Temple Shaoqing Zheng Xiuyuan is among them. Of course, this is actually a very noble idle position; because there is nothing else to do except prepare for the four-season suburban festivals and the ancestral temple offerings during the New Year.
That is to say, when the emperor occasionally needs to enshrine Mount Tai or offer sacrifices to Hou Tu in Fenyin, he will be slightly busier and more responsible. However, now the emperor and the queen are far away from the Eastern Capital, and even the prince of the prison country has gone to congratulate Qianqiu; it is difficult for people to make mistakes with the step-by-step daily sacrifices.
Although it is a sinecure of noble rank, the underground leadership of the mausoleums, Taimiao, Taile, clothing, propaganda, Taizhu, Taishi, Taiyi, Linxi, Taizai and other departments; the preparation of a large number of attached personnel and materials, let the inherited tradition For example, there are many other kinds of oil and water.
Therefore, this is usually a transitional position used to give preferential treatment to ministers; it does not require any diligence in official duties. Most of the time, it is just a matter of nodding your arms and showing your face to show your presence every now and then. His predecessor, Taichang Qingdong, used illness as an excuse to recuperate at home for several months, but nothing happened.
However, Zheng Xiuyuan, the young minister of Taichang Temple who stayed in Beijing, was actually a bit too diligent in the eyes of his subordinates; because except for the routine ten-day holidays and New Year holidays, he came to the office to report almost every day; even if there was nothing to clear up , we should also go to the Ancestral Temple, side halls, and suburban sacrificial altars.
It was almost rain or shine, cold or hot; it also made those subordinates who were used to having nothing to do and looking for some fun in private but he caught him in the act, unavoidably disturbed and complained secretly. But because of the proximity to the water and the tower, he was able to continue to keep in touch with Lady Zheng in the East Palace.
Therefore, Jiang Tian could easily find the official office of his daily director in Taichang Temple. However, unexpectedly, he was absent from work these two days; it was as if he felt guilty or speechless. However, this is not a problem for Jiang Tian. He naturally has a way to get the other party to come to his door.
Just find an insignificant corner in a side hall dedicated to the concubines of the past dynasties, push down a half-burned candle on the old table dripping with wax oil, and leave another one specially caught. , the bat with a broken wing is fine. Then thick smoke billowed out of the room.
Among the buildings inside and outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it looked particularly unsightly; with the sound of the gold plate being knocked out quickly, the Taichang Temple across the street suddenly exploded.
