In the twenty-fifth year of the Ming Dynasty, it was rare or even never happened that more than a dozen clan princes appeared in the court at the same time.
After the emperor threw out the main or only topic of the day, all the civil and military officials in the hall had to look up and see the princes standing at the front.
Behind them are the prince and grandson, and behind them is the emperor.
A very meaningful picture.
So much so that the officials forgot that they had entered into the topic at this time, and were instead speculating on the meaning of the scene in front of them.
To protect the king?
Or should I say to protect the monarch?
Legend has it that in the pre-Qin period, during the process of conquering and unifying the six kingdoms, King Qin was assassinated many times, hundreds of times in his life.
The most dangerous one was probably the assassination attempt by Jing Ke from the year before last. Because Qin Wuyang was a coward, the assassination plan ultimately failed.
However, most people never remember that there was also a man named Gao Jianli who, after being blinded by the First Emperor, took the opportunity to hit the First Emperor on the head with a building while still playing music.
There is no need to guess the ending of the story, it has already been recorded in the history of Zhaozhao.
But from then on, no one was allowed to approach within thirty steps of the First Emperor.
And within these thirty steps, although no one was seen, as long as an assassin approached, countless men would rush over from the surroundings.
At this moment, the capital of the Ming Dynasty was in the Zhongji Hall of Yingtian City Palace.
In the eyes of hundreds of officials, these dozen clan princes were like the thirty steps in front of the First Emperor.
They can use their lives to resist all invading enemies for the sake of the grandson, prince, and emperor behind them.
Smart people will appear in Zhongji Hall.
Undoubtedly, these people have guessed the meaning of the scene in front of them today.
Then, someone started to cough lightly.
Before anyone on the civilian side could come out, Cao Zhen, the Marquis of Jingchuan on the military general side, tilted his head and waited for the civilian officials.
There was a look of disdain on his face, and he hummed twice: "Which adults have caught a cold in this summer day? Later, we will bring a few carts of herbs from the camp and deliver them to your house."
Several censors who were about to go out to report could not help but turn their heads and look angrily at Cao Zhen, the Marquis of Jingchuan who was shouting, and were very angry at his inexplicable squeeze.
Standing next to Cao Zhen, Zhang Wen, the Marquis of Huining, secretly pulled the old man and asked in a low voice: "We have nothing to do today, why are you shouting?"
Cao Zhen raised his chin at the censors who were glaring at him, and then turned to look at Zhang Wen: "This court does not belong to their civil servants, so can't we speak?"
Zhang Wen rolled his eyes and felt that what Cao Zhen said made sense.
Then he stretched out his head and looked at the censors whose eyes were as wide as lanterns.
"If there are not enough herbs in Jingchuanhou's camp, there are herbs in the general's camp. It's enough!"
As a result, these censors became increasingly angry.
Several people came out hand in hand, bowed to the emperor, and then waved their hands directly at Cao Zhen and Zhang Wen.
"Your Majesty, I want to report on state affairs, but Marquis Jingchuan and Huining are arrogant in the court, talking nonsense, and disrupting the order of the court. I ask your Majesty to punish these two people!"
Without waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang to speak.
Zhan Hui, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, who was standing at the front of the civil service train, silently shook his head and bumped his shoulder against Ru Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of War beside him.
Wait for Rujun to look over.
Zhan Huicai curled his lips and said: "These idiots are very angry when they are squeezed by others. They will be led away by the nose if there is no reason to do this today."
Ru Yun smiled, turned the wat tablet in her hand, and whispered: "You are the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and we are the Minister of the Ministry of War. Today's matter is none of our business."
Zhan Hui was a little surprised: "You don't want to fight?"
Ru Yu curled her lips and said, "What are you fighting for? Are you fighting for more harvest from those acres of land or less harvest from a few buckets of grain? There were some people in Hengshan County who instigated my family members to send letters to Beijing, but I reprimanded them and sent them back."
Zhan Hui looked surprised and glanced at the emperor on the throne. He seemed to be asleep. He did not interfere in the disputes in the court and left the censors on the court.
He then said in a low voice: "Your Majesty really did not misjudge you as a wise gentleman. It is no wonder that in the early years, His Majesty said that you are one of the best in China and abroad, and the mainstay."
Rujun looked at Zhan Hui happily and asked, "Why doesn't Zhan Shangshu fight?"
"We?" Zhan Hui smiled, turned around and glanced at the emperor on the throne, and then said leisurely: "We are ministers of the Ming Dynasty. We should bear the emperor's salary and share the emperor's worries."
Ru Yu smiled and nodded: "You are still able to speculate on the holy will. You deserve to be favored and trusted by His Majesty."
Zhan Hui asked back: "Aren't you the same?"
Ru Yu shook her head: "It's different."
When the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Minister of the Ministry of War were whispering to each other.
Next to him, Zhao Mian, the Minister of Household Affairs, was dozing off.
When Liu Sanwu, a member of Zhongshushe in the train at the back, quietly violated the rules and sneaked up behind him, he was hit in the back, and then he slowly opened his eyes.
Looking back, Zhao Mian saw that Liu Sanwu was not in his position, and Zhao Mian immediately looked at the censor on the civil official side who was responsible for supervising the discipline of the court.
I felt relieved when I saw that the other party was with my group.
"Liu Sheren shouldn't be here."
Liu Sanwu snorted coldly: "Your Majesty hasn't spoken yet, and those idiots have been left alone for a while."
Zhao Mian turned his head and whispered: "It's time for Liu Sheren to return to his place."
Liu Sanwu looked at Zhao Mian's back with a hint of anger in his eyes. However, the censor on one side had already begun to look at him, asking him to return to his position on the train belonging to Zhongshu Sheren.
He could only wave his sleeves and quietly retreat to his position.
At this moment, someone else walked out from the civil service train holding a wat board.
It's from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Affairs Department!
After just one glance, Liu Sanwu recognized this person as Zhao Mian's.
I saw Hu Bu Qi Shizhong holding the wat board, bowing and saying: "Your Majesty, today is to discuss the selection of examiners for the Enke Examination in the 20th year of Hongwu. This matter is to select talents for the court, and it is for the country. It was a major event for the country. The whole world paid attention to it, and thousands of scholars rushed to the capital.
Your Majesty also has something to say about today’s discussion. Marquis Jingchuan and Marquis Huining disturbed the court and were suspected of interfering with the country, the state, and the country. They should be ordered to review their words and deeds. "
Zhan Hui and Ru Yu, who were originally prepared to stay out of the incident, both looked sideways at Hubu Gishizhong who was leaving work.
There was a wave of excitement in their eyes at the same time.
At the same time, they turned to look at the emperor on the throne in tacit agreement.
Finally, I saw Zhu Yuanzhang, who was still squinting his eyes, now opening his eyes and staring sharply at Hu Bu Qi Shizhong who was leaving work to speak.
He hummed.
Zhu Biao, below, moved his left foot slightly, about to take a step forward.
However, Zhu Yunxi was one step faster.
He stared gloomily at the member of the household department who had begun to enlarge the business.
"There is a decree this year. The impeachment of censors and officials requires evidence and cannot be presumed on your own!"
Zhu Yunxi scolded the household minister in a cold voice, then turned sideways and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang on the throne, then waved his robe and looked at Cao Zhen and Zhang Wen, who had become honest.
"The Marquises of Jingchuan and Huining, whose words and deeds in court are not correct, will go back to camp and pick up thirty military sticks themselves!"
Cao Zhen and Zhang Wen hurriedly left work, bowed and clasped their fists.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled silently: "My grandson's words are my will."
Cao Zhen and Zhang Wen immediately accepted the order: "I obey the order."
The household clerk who left the shift was shocked. He gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and silently retreated to the train.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the censors who had been waiting for a long time, and said in a deep voice: "Do you have anything else to report?"
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
At that moment, someone spoke up: "Your Majesty, I think it is inappropriate for the Ministry of Rites to select candidates for the current examination."
As soon as these words came out, there was a commotion in the court.
Everyone knows that this year's selection of examiners will not be peaceful, but when the original rules were directly broken, people were still keen to discuss and watch this matter.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't show any further reaction, just hummed indifferently.
Therefore, the emperor's calm reaction gave the censors the fighting spirit to continue their attack on the Ministry of Rites.
"I know that according to previous years, the chief examiner of the general examination will be the Minister of Rites, or the left and right minister of the Ministry of Rites, who will select talents for the imperial court."
"However, this year, the Ministry of Rites has many things going on. Although everything was cleared up afterwards. However, I believe that such a solemn matter as Enke should not be slacked off. This year, the Ministry of Rites has many reasons. Although the innocence has been cleared, the people's hearts are not enough. , I and others believe that this year Enke should choose candidates for the examination from outside the Ministry of Rites."
Although these censors only talked about the Ministry of Rites and did not name anyone.
But in the court, everyone silently looked at Ren Hengtai, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, who was behind the Six Ministers.
According to the rules, for this year's Enke examination, the candidate for the examiner can basically be Ren Hengtai, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites.
But the things that happened in the past few days include the impeachment of the Ministry of Rites because of the appearance of two envoys from Japan last year, and the rumors caused by Ren Hengtai himself.
This makes Ren Hengtai and the Ministry of Rites less clean.
Even now their innocence has been cleared.
But after all, you have to carry what happened, and it’s really not shit but shit.
Immediately, all the officials silently raised their heads and looked at the emperor.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned to his grandson and asked, "What do you think, grandson?"
Zhu Yunxi immediately turned around and said: "I believe that Ren Hengtai, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, is of high moral character and outstanding knowledge. He was also the first Enke Jinshi in the 21st year of Hongwu. In both sentiment and reason, Ren Hengtai, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, should be the examiner of this examination. "
Liu Sanwu stood in the crowd and couldn't help but groan when he saw that the emperor's grandson recommended Ren Hengtai as the examiner of the current examination as he expected.
At this time, another official was on duty.
After bowing and bowing, he said: "Your Majesty, I think what the grandson said about Ren Shilang is true. However, people don't know about the scholars outside Yingtian.
If some time later, people from all over the country come to Beijing to take the exam, regardless of whether they are true or false, and hear the messages left in the city a few days ago, I am afraid that these people will think that the imperial court did not pay attention to Enke's matter, which will chill people's hearts. , It is also not conducive to the selection and appointment of talents by the court. "
In full view of everyone, Zhu Yunxi's face turned cold.
At this moment, Ren Hengtai, who was at the forefront of the storm, walked out with official steps, holding the wat board in his arms.
I saw him bowing and saluting the emperor with impeccable posture.
Then he stood up slowly and spoke in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am in ill health and feel that my knowledge is not perfect, so it is difficult for me to serve as the examiner of the current examination. Your Majesty, please choose someone else."
Ren Hengtai's departure was beyond many people's expectations.
At least, Zhao Mian, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, who had been pretending to be like Maitreya Buddha, could not help but turn his head to look at him at this time.
Liu Sanwu was even more puzzled. It was obvious that Ren Hengtai could not stand up, but he still chose to stand up.
However, since Ren Hengtai himself said that he was not willing to serve as the examiner of this examination, it naturally complied with his wishes.
Liu Sanwu hummed twice, and his eyes slowly sank. It won't be long before he can get the seat of the examiner for this year's general examination.
Zhu Yuanzhang said silently at this time: "In that case, can you be recommended by the examiner?"
At that time, a censor said: "I think that Xie Jin, who is walking in the Wenhua Palace and a bachelor of Hanlin, can serve as the examiner of the current examination."
"ah?"
When Xie Jin's name was mentioned, the entire Zhongji Hall fell silent for an instant, and then there was an exclamation.
Jie Jin, who had been squinting against the big red painted pillar, suddenly opened his eyes and looked blankly at the colleagues around him who turned to look at him.
Then Xie Jin looked fiercely at the official who nominated him as the examiner for the current examination.
He turned out to be the one taking the blame!
This guy is not a good person!
Jie Jin's eyes were filled with anger, and he remembered that person deeply in his heart. Then he raised his head and looked at the emperor's grandson on the steps.
Zhu Yunxi received the signal, smiled slightly, shook his head and took a step forward: "Xie Jin is not learned enough and is not old enough to be used in such a important way. I think your Majesty should think so too."
Zhu Yuanzhang repeated: "My grandson's words are my will."
So soon, the officials reported several names one after another.
However, without exception, they are all people in their twenties or thirties, or people with humble official positions.
After being repeatedly rejected by Zhu Yunxi as inappropriate.
Finally, an official from the Ministry of Rites came out.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Liu Sanwu, a member of Zhongshushe, can serve as the examiner of the current examination, regardless of his talent or qualifications. Your Majesty, please consider the decision."
With this advice issued.
Zhan Hui and Ru Yu looked at each other at the same time.
Zhan Hui whispered: "It turned out to be him."
Ru Yu smiled silently and slowly closed her eyes again.
Under the gaze of those civil servants, Zhu Yunxi hid the laughter in his heart and silently took a step back, indicating that he agreed with the recommendation.
So, Liu Sanwu left the office in a low voice, holding the wat board in his arms and bowing long: "I am old and faint, so I may not be able to shoulder this important task."
"Stand up again!"
Under a certain large red-painted pillar, the young Wenhua Hall walker and Hanlin bachelor Xie Jin opened his mouth silently, then folded his hands, tilted his head, leaned against the pillar and continued to fall asleep.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled softly, waved his hand and shook his head and said: "Liu Sheren is a real Neo-Confucian master in our dynasty. Looking around, it is difficult to find a person whose talents and learning can be comparable to Liu Sheren. Since The ministers are willing to recommend Liu Sheren, and we are obliged to do so. I will be the examiner of this subject, and Liu Sheren will need to work hard."
After refusing and persuading him again, Liu Sanwu bowed again.
"After receiving the decree, I will do my best to select talents for the imperial court."
Afterwards, most of the people in the entire Zhongji Hall smiled.
Liu Sanwu, who was the examiner of the Hongwu Enke Examination in the 25th year, lowered his head and smiled.
The corners of Liubu Shangshu's mouth rose.
The military generals showed very honest smiles.
The kings of the Ming Dynasty who acted as the First Emperor from beginning to end also smiled.
Even Zhu Yunxi was smiling silently.
It seemed that everyone was satisfied with today's meeting.
Until Sun Gou'er, the palace manager, walked from the darkness to the light with his head held high.
Looking at the court in front of him, Sun Gouer cheered up and spoke slowly.
"Retreat!"
