"Hasn't there been any news from Datong from Jin Yiwei?"
Zhu Youxiao was sitting behind an imperial table in the Qianqing Palace, holding a tureen in his hand and looking at Wei Zhongxian aside.
"Not yet." Wei Zhongxian said respectfully, "Do you want me to go to Master Luo's house to urge you?"
Zhu Youxiao casually put the tureen on the table, waved his hand and said, "No need. If there is news, Luo Sigong will naturally send it. Since there is no news, it means that the person sent to Datong has not returned yet."
"That's what the emperor said."
Wei Zhongxian followed the words, carefully picked up the tureen that Zhu Youxiao had placed on the table, and handed it to someone else to take it down for new tea.
At this moment, footsteps came from the palace.
"My slave, please pay your respects to your Majesty."
A great eunuch wearing a python robe knelt in front of Zhu Youxiao's imperial case.
"It's the eldest companion, please get up quickly." Zhu Youxu raised his right hand and then said, "When will the memorial from the Supervisor of Ceremonies be delivered? Is there anything important in it?"
"Replying to the Emperor," Wang An said respectfully, "The Chief Minister of the Cabinet has submitted a resignation letter. When I saw it in the Ceremony Supervisor, I hurriedly brought it to the Emperor."
As he spoke, he took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it over.
Wei Zhongxian came over, took the folder, and put it on the imperial case at hand.
"It's not the right time for Fang Congzhe's resignation document, so reject it." Zhu Youxiao did not touch the memorial, but reached for the tureen on the table, but found it empty.
When Wei Zhongxian saw it, he hurriedly said, "The tea before has gone cold. I have arranged for someone to replace it with a new one and it will be delivered immediately."
Zhu Youxiao nodded.
Wang An said, "Even if Fang Congzhe's resignation letter is rejected, the second resignation letter will be sent soon. After three consecutive times, Fang Congzhe will eventually resign from the position of chief minister. It is better to put his hand on Emperor Zhu Youxiao." Agree to Fang Congzhe's resignation and replace him with a new chief assistant to reassure people."
Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly.
At this time, the young eunuch brought freshly brewed hot tea. Wei Zhongxian took it and carefully placed it on the imperial desk.
Zhu Youxiao picked up the bowl, blew the hot air from it, and said, "My eldest friend wants me to accept Fang Congzhe's resignation."
Wang An bowed and said, "Nowadays, there are memorials to impeach the chief minister both inside and outside the court. Why don't the emperor just allow him and replace him with a chief minister who is recognized both inside and outside the court."
"Which senior member of the court do you think is suitable to take over the position of chief minister?" Zhu Youxiao put the lid on the cup and asked Wang An who was standing below.
Wang An said, "I feel that Dongge University Scholar Liu Yishen is the most suitable person to take over the position of chief assistant."
"Tell me."
Zhu Youxiao leaned back and leaned on the back of the chair.
Wang An continued, "Liu Yishen was a Jinshi at the end of the year of Wanli in the 23rd year of Wanli. After three dynasties, the late emperor promoted him as a bachelor of Dongge, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites. He assisted the late emperor in getting rid of bad government, abolishing mining taxes, negotiating taxes, rectifying chaos, and revitalizing the country. The court's discipline is deeply respected both inside and outside the court, so this person is the most suitable candidate for the chief minister."
Zhu Youxiao picked up the bowl and took a sip of tea, and immediately said, "Let me consider this matter again. As for Fang Congzhe's resignation, please reject it first."
"Your Majesty," Wang An said, "Nowadays, people inside and outside the imperial court are accusing Fang Shoufang. The Chief of Ceremonies has received memorials to impeach the Chief Minister. The blame for the incident in Liaodong is also on Fang Shoufang. I hope your Majesty will Make a decision early.”
Zhu Youxiao frowned, and the tureen in his hand fell heavily on the imperial table, and the lid was shaken.
Seeing this, Wei Zhongxian on the side took a step forward, faced Wang An directly, and said, "Eunuch Wang, please come back. Your Majesty is a little tired."
At this time, Wang An also realized that he spoke too harshly, which made Zhu Youxiao unhappy, so he hurriedly confessed, "I am doing this for the good of the emperor, and I ask the emperor to forgive me."
Hearing such a sincere apology, Zhu Youxiao became even more unhappy. He suppressed his dissatisfaction and said, "Well, I don't blame you, I just don't like that the imperial court has recently issued memorials to impeach the chief minister. You first Go down, let me think about the matter of the first assistant."
"Yes, slave, please leave."
Wang An knew that he had made Zhu Youxiao unhappy, so he did not dare to continue persuading him, so he resigned and left Qianqing Palace backwards.
As soon as Wang An left, Wei Zhongxian stood beside Zhu Youxiao and said, "Your Majesty, this Wang An is too ignorant. He doesn't even know who the emperor wants to appoint as his chief assistant because he is the eunuch in charge of printing and the chief eunuch in writing." He wants to intervene, he really thinks he is Feng Bao back then."
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand slightly and said, "Wang Daban is also dedicated to serving the public. I can understand that the Liu Yishen he recommended is indeed as he said, the most suitable candidate to take over as the first assistant, and I also like this person."
After hearing this, Wei Zhongxian stopped saying weird things about Wang An. He could tell that Zhu Youxiao still trusted Wang An.
Zhu Youxiao continued, "Wang Daban has to be in charge of both the Supervisor of Ceremonies and the East Factory. He is really busy. I will draft a decree later to promote you to the Supervisor of Ceremonies, so that Wang Daban can take care of his worries."
"My slave, thank you for your kindness." Wei Zhongxian hurriedly knelt on the ground to thank him.
After staying with Zhu Youxiao for so long, he finally got his wish and entered the Department of Ceremonies. More importantly, he felt a trace of Zhu Youxiao's dissatisfaction with Wang An from his reward.
"Okay, get up." Zhu Youxiao stood up and said again, "I feel a little tired after sitting for such a long time. Please accompany me for a walk in the Royal Garden."
"Yes, I am a slave to serve the emperor."
Wei Zhongxian raised his wrist, held Zhu Youxiao's hand, and walked step by step outside the Qianqing Palace.
Wang An left Qianqing Palace, summoned a young eunuch, and said in a low voice, "You use our family's badge to leave the palace, go see Mr. Wang, and say that the matter of the chief minister needs to be stopped for a while. It has already attracted the attention of the emperor." If you’re not satisfied, let’s settle the matter and talk about it later.”
The little eunuch nodded, took the badge, left the palace gate, and got on a small sedan.
Wang Wenyan's house is in the inner city. After leaving the palace, the young eunuch walked through two streets and walked to an alley before arriving at the courtyard gate of Wang Wenyan's house.
Wang Wenyan's house was a small house with no concierge. The young eunuch asked the bearer to wait outside and walked in himself.
There was a servant cleaning the courtyard in the courtyard. Suddenly he saw a eunuch coming in. He was startled and hurriedly came to greet him. He said respectfully, "I don't know what this is, father-in-law."
The little eunuch said impatiently, "We have been ordered by the prince to see your Mr. Wang. Go and inform our family immediately."
"Father-in-law, wait a moment, the little one will go right away."
After saying that, the servant dropped the broom in his hand and ran towards the backyard.
Not long after, the servant came back from the backyard and said, "Father-in-law, please come with me."
"Why didn't your husband come?" When he spoke, the little eunuch showed dissatisfaction on his face.
The servant hurriedly explained, "My husband is waiting for my father-in-law in the house. I also ask my father-in-law to come with me."
"Your husband is such a big deal," the little eunuch said dissatisfiedly, but still followed the servant and walked inside.
