Chang Feng came to Li Dongyang's mansion excitedly and shared the good news of Li Ping'er's pregnancy.
Chang Feng wants to be his grandfather, and Li Dongyang wants to be his maternal grandfather. Both of them were happy, and Li Dongyang forced Chang Feng to stay at home for dinner.
Under the candlelight in the dining room, Li Dongyang suddenly discovered that the forty-two-year-old Chang Feng was no longer the high-spirited young man he used to be. There are wrinkles on his forehead.
Chang Feng also sighed in his heart: Fifty-nine-year-old Li Dongyang is no longer the young talent in the Imperial Academy.
This is really like water, time flies. Time passes and can never be returned, the past can only be recalled.
Li Dongyang suddenly mentioned something: "The civil servants below really have a deep hatred for the Chang family. Recently I received another memorial."
Chang Feng asked: "If there are too many lice, they are not itchy, so why do they interfere with me?"
Li Dongyang smiled bitterly: "This time it's not you, but your sister, Princess Wanping. The memorial says that your sister is not the daughter of the royal family, but a relative of the late emperor. Her surname is 'Chang', not 'Zhu'. Since the Yongle Dynasty After that, where could there be a princess with a different surname in the Ming Dynasty? I advised the emperor to immediately take back the title of Princess Wanping and transform Chang Tian into a commoner."
Chang Feng asked: "Where is the memorial?"
Li Dongyang replied: "Let me detain it in the cabinet."
Chang Feng thought for a long time and said: "My relatives, do me a favor and hand the memorandum to the emperor. What I said in the memorandum is right. Tangtang has a different surname. How can he be so shy as the princess?"
Li Dongyang was greatly surprised: "Are you going to ask your sister to give up the title of Princess Princess?"
Chang Feng had such considerations.
Emperor Zhengde had just ascended the throne for a year. He was obsessed with cleaning the court. When a group of people are kicked out, a group of people must be re-employed to make up for the vacancies.
In a word, it is now the time for Emperor Zhengde to employ people.
Chang Tian's husband, Huang Yuan, had already been ranked among the top two Jinshi in the ninth year of Hongzhi. However, due to his status as the princess' guest of honor, he could not hold any actual position.
If Tangtang is no longer the princess, Huang Yuan can become an official.
Chang Feng's brother-in-law and Emperor Zhengde's god-uncle, Emperor Zhengde must regard him as one of his own and treat him with great importance.
In this way, the Chang family not only had Chang Ponu as a nail among civil servants, but also gained another Huang Yuan.
Although the position of princess is good, it is still an empty title, and it cannot be passed down from generation to generation, and cannot be hereditary, and the children do not have any title.
It would be very different if Huang Yuan entered the officialdom and was promoted to a feudal state or a ministry in the future.
Chang Feng expressed his thoughts to Li Dongyang.
Li Dongyang thought for a while and said, "That's right. It's a pity that your brother-in-law is a second-class Jinshi, but he can't be an official. It's better to use this memorial to follow the trend and find a real job to serve the court."
Chang Feng smiled and said: "Don't Liu Jian, Xie Qian and the civil servants always say that you are hooking up with the factory guards, which is quite irritating? I will do this to you tomorrow morning."
The next day, Yumen went to court early in the morning.
Liu Jingang shouted "discuss" at the top of his lungs.
Li Dongyang immediately went to work: "Your Majesty, Gao Qingxiang, who was involved in the matter, was informed by the Etiquette Department that Chang Tian, the princess of Wanping County, is neither the concubine of the prince nor the legitimate daughter of the prince. She has a different surname and is just a relative of the former emperor." It is really inappropriate to occupy the position of princess."
"I am deeply convinced by this memorial. The title is a famous weapon of the country, how can it be granted at will? I suggest that the emperor should give Gao Qingxiang the memorial and abolish the title of Princess Wanping."
Emperor Zhengde's first reaction was: You Li Dongyang turned against you and attacked the Chang family!
Liu Jian and Xie Qian were puzzled: Could it be that Li Dongyang wanted to return to our powerful civil service group and was submitting his name?
Emperor Zhengde was about to object sternly. Liu Jin reminded in a low voice from the side: "Your Majesty, if Princess Wanping is deposed, her husband Huang Yuan can become an official."
Chang Feng had informed Liu Jin of his thoughts overnight.
Emperor Zhengde was just wondering why Li Dongyang suddenly suggested that Chang Tian's title of princess should be revoked. Chang Feng, the eldest brother, still has a calm and unconcerned expression on his face?
Emperor Zhengde understood Liu Jin's reminder instantly!
Hey, Li Dongyang is contributing to my group of trusted retainers! Huang Yuan is Chang Feng’s brother-in-law and my god-uncle. He was awarded the second-level Jinshi ten years ago.
If he is allowed to become an official, I will have another confidant.
Liu Jian and Xie Qian didn't know the inside story.
Liu Jian came out and said: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Li Ge said is absolutely true. How can a princess be granted a title inappropriately? If the royal family accepts a goddaughter or sister in the future, the title will be given to the princess or county chief. The Ming Dynasty I don’t know how many more female clan members will be needed to support me!”
Xie Qian agreed: "That's right! It's really a big disadvantage to marry into the female sect!"
Emperor Zhengde followed suit and said, "Well, what the three gentlemen said is reasonable. I have always been a good person who accepts good advice and follows the good deeds. Just follow what the three gentlemen said and abolish the title of Princess Wanping."
Liu Jian and Xie Qian were very proud.
Chang Feng secretly laughed in his heart: Do you think you won this round? But I don’t know that I just let it go on purpose.
After discussing the matter of revoking Chang Tian’s title. Emperor Zhengde couldn't wait to ask the Ministry of Etiquette about the preparations for the six wedding ceremonies.
The Minister of Rites was transferred to Jinling by Emperor Zhengde to worship Taizu, but he has not yet returned. The Ministry of Rites is headed by Zuo Shilang Wang Hua.
Wang Hua said: "The gift of selection has been prepared. The Qintian Supervisor has read the almanac and found that the eighteenth day of this month is an auspicious day of the zodiac, so it is appropriate to accept the selection. Please appoint the envoy for the selection."
Emperor Zhengde said: "Let Wang Qing be the envoy of Nacai."
Liu Jian and Xie Qian did not know that Xia Dongyue was Chang Feng's adopted daughter. Therefore, they raised no objection.
After the dispersion of the dynasty, Emperor Zhengde returned to Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhengde ordered Liu Jin: "Let Chang Feng and Huang Yuan enter the palace to see me."
Half an hour later, Chang Feng and Huang Yuan knelt down in front of Emperor Zhengde.
Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "This time I need another capable minister in the court! Huang Yuan, now my aunt is no longer the princess. You are not the honored guest of the clan. I can use you to take up actual duties. .”
Emperor Zhengde and Chang Tian grew up together. When he was a little prince, he followed Aunt Tangtang all day long, shooting birds and flying kites. He had never met his godfather.
Emperor Zhengde didn't know Huang Yuan's talent and learning. Asked him some questions.
Huang Yuan was quite insightful and answered them one by one. Emperor Zhengde was extremely satisfied.
Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "My aunt did not choose the wrong person. Huang Yuan, you have become the 95th Jinshi in the second grade in the ninth year of Hongzhi. Your qualifications in the examination room are acceptable."
"But you have never held an official position. I can't give you a regular position when I come here."
"Let's do this. You go to Shuntian Mansion to be the governor first. If you do a good job, I will promote you to the Prime Minister of Shuntian Mansion within three years, and to the Yin of Shuntian Mansion within six years!"
Chang Feng and Huang Yuan were overjoyed! Busily kowtow to express gratitude.
Shuntian Mansion has one person, Fu Yin, who is of the third rank. There is a man named Fu Cheng, who is of the fourth rank. If one person is cured, he will be in the fifth grade.
Zhizhong is in charge of the financial affairs of Shuntian Mansion and has a heavy responsibility.
For ordinary Jinshi to enter the officialdom, the starting point is only the seventh rank civil servant, and at most the sixth rank.
The starting point for Huang Yuan to become an official was the fifth rank!
The Chang family now has two upstarts with promising careers in officialdom. One is Chang Ponu and the other is Huang Yuan.
Emperor Zhengde said: "Let's settle down. I have been in Dabao for the first year and I am in urgent need of people. But there are not many people I can rely on. Now that my god-uncle has become an official, I have another arm!"
Liu Jin patted the dragon's butt on the side and said: "The emperor knows how to recognize and employ people. All the people he employs are brave and loyal people. Huang Yuan is talented and has great talents in politics. He will definitely do many great things for the emperor in the future."
Liu Jin and Chang Tian are called aunt and nephew, and they share the same affection as father and daughter. In Liu Jin's view, Huang Yuan was his son-in-law.
With the son-in-law joining the officialdom, the Eight Tigers will have another trustworthy civil servant in the future.
Emperor Zhengde told Huang Yuan: "Don't think that governing Shuntian Prefecture is an easy task. Shuntian Prefecture is the capital of the Ming Dynasty, but the taxes and expenditures over the years have been a bad debt. You have to take care of it for me."
Huang Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I must live up to the emperor's orders."
Emperor Zhengde said again: "Oh, I haven't personally taken charge of the government yet. When I appoint you to be the governor, I just give the decree, which is not enough. I have to get the nod from the Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to hang a sign for you and open the committee letter. Chang Feng, you are on good terms with Ma Wensheng. You can lead Huang Yuan to handle the matter. Ma Wensheng will always give you some thin noodles."
Chang Feng led Huang Yuan to the Ministry of Personnel.
Ma Wensheng, the Tianguan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is an upright and selfless man. Despite Emperor Zhengde's will and Chang Feng's face, he still raised questions and investigated Huang Yuan.
The examination room is the official hall.
Ma Wensheng asked: "Huang Yibin, oh no, Huang Jinshi. What do you think is the financial difficulty of Shuntian Mansion?"
Huang Yuan thought for a while and planned to sell two acquaintances to gain Ma Wensheng's appreciation.
Huang Yuan replied: "There are more than two in Shuntian Prefecture, with many honorable royal relatives and many Zhuangtian. The merger of Zhuangtian is rampant. And once you enter Zhuangtian, the tax will be reduced by 70% or directly exempted. Even if the remaining 30% of the tax is The royal family is always in arrears."
"Therefore, the difficulty in sorting out Tianfu's financial affairs lies in restraining the royal family and collecting taxes."
"As far as I know, the dignitary in Shuntian Prefecture who owns the most farmland and has the largest number of mergers is Shouning Marquis Zhang Heling and his brother. Previously, the officials in Shuntian Prefecture have never dared to take care of the Zhang brothers."
"What others dare not take care of, subordinate officials dare to take care of it."
Ma Wensheng thought to himself: I am afraid that only the late emperor's sworn sister's husband dares to control the two big brothers of the Zhang family. Not to mention, Huang Yuan is really suitable to serve as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture.
Thinking of this, Ma Wensheng nodded: "What Huang Jinshi said is absolutely true. Come on, call Zhang Cai to the lobby."
Not long after, Zhang Cai, a doctor in the Literary and Selection Department of the Ministry of Official Affairs, entered the lobby.
Zhang Cai is an old friend of Chang Feng. He is not only a well-rounded person, but also quite capable of getting things done.
And on the surface, he is a promising young talent in the civil service group, but secretly he has taken refuge with Liu Jin.
There are rumors in the court that within a year, Zhang Cai, the "little minister" of the Literature and Selection Department, will be promoted to minister and become the real minister.
Ma Wensheng ordered: "This is Huang Yuan and Huang Jinshi. You should immediately put a sign on him that he is in charge of Shuntian Prefecture and open a committee letter."
Zhang Cai cupped his hands and said, "I will obey your orders."
After passing the official level, Huang Yuan officially became the fifth-rank official of Shuntian Prefecture.
Chang Feng followed him out of the staff hall and said with a smile: "Hey, you plan to punish Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling to establish their authority after taking office. Anyway, these two kings of hell have been doing whatever they want in Shuntian these years, and someone should punish them. They're both gone."
Huang Yuandao: "Even if they don't give me face, they should still give it to the princess, oh no, my wife and brother-in-law, how much face do you have."
Chang Feng nodded: "Only you can control this and dare to control them."
Let's say that in the afternoon of that day, the Eight Tigers had a secret meeting in the palace.
Liu Jin emphasized that the focus of the Eight Tigers' recent work was to cooperate with Wang Hua of the Ministry of Rites to complete the wedding of Emperor Zhengde as soon as possible.
After the wedding, Emperor Zhengde could legitimately take charge of the throne.
After saying this, Liu Jin said: "Oh, by the way, the title of Princess Wanping was taken away. Her husband Huang Yuan became an official and became the ruler of Shuntian Prefecture."
"I have something to say first, Huang Yuan is my little uncle. From now on, if he does any errands, you will help if you can, and if you can, help."
"Whoever dares to go against him, whether civil servants or eunuchs, will be my enemy!"
Zhang Yong said with a smile: "He is Chang Shuaiye's brother-in-law. That is our family. Of course, our family will help."
Liu Jin added: "I know that you all have various businesses in Shuntian and a lot of land. Huang Yuan has just taken office. You have to sell him, oh, and sell me to save face. The taxes and land taxes that should be paid are one or two. Don’t be bad.”
"Everyone, what do our eunuchs lack most? We lack trustworthy civil servants!"
"We help Huang Yuan in everything and let him achieve political achievements. If he can become a minister or even join the cabinet in the future, our strength will be even stronger."
Gu Dayong echoed: "I didn't say that. Even if there is more blood, it will be exchanged for Liu Eunuch's uncle and Chang Shuaiye's brother-in-law to achieve outstanding political achievements!"
When it comes to this, the other five tigers can only obey.
Liu Jin clapped his hands: "Wonderful, wonderful. We will have another strong supporter in the outer court from now on!"
Emperor Zhengde used Huang Yuan to take charge of the financial affairs of Shuntian Mansion. He really made the right choice!
Regardless of the nobles who owned many properties in Shuntian or the eunuchs, everyone was willing to sell Huang Yuan's face.
A month later, the main hall of Qianqing Palace.
Liu Jin came to Emperor Zhengde happily holding a book of accounts.
Emperor Zhengde asked: "What's the matter? You're grinning almost to your ears."
Liu Jin smiled and said: "Congratulations to the emperor, congratulations to the emperor. You have gained a great talent in political management!"
Emperor Zhengde asked: "Oh? Why do you say this?"
Liu Jin presented the account book: "Huang Yuan took office in Shuntian Prefecture for only a month. He recovered 60% of the taxes owed by Shuntian Prefecture to the Ministry of Household Affairs in the past ten years!"
Emperor Zhengde looked surprised: "It has always been difficult to collect the tax arrears of Shuntian Prefecture. The emperor is surrounded by relatives and relatives, and honors are connected with honors. Those people who used to be Shuntian Prefecture Yin, Fu Cheng, and Zhizhong Na Nothing can be done."
Liu Jindao: "After Huang Zhizhong took office, he was impartial and impartial, enforcing the law impartially, and was not afraid of the powerful. He showed that he would not give up until the tax arrears were recovered."
"If you are upright, you will be fearless and fearless. Those powerful people will be afraid of him!"
Emperor Zhengde took the account book and looked at the specific numbers: "Hey, I have hired the right person this time! Huang Yuan has the potential to be the Minister of Household Affairs!"
Liu Jinda said good things about Huang Yuan: "Your Majesty, it has only been a month, and there is already a jingle in the circles of powerful people. I am not afraid of heaven and earth, but I am afraid that Huang Yuan will come to collect the debt."
"The sky is not alarmed and the earth is not alarmed. I am afraid that Huang Yuan will stay in Beijing."
Emperor Zhengde laughed: "It is also a skill to be able to make people afraid! This is in line with the saying, integrity breeds wisdom, and justice breeds authority."
In life, there are gains only when there are losses.
Huang Yuan lost his status as the guest of honor of the princess, but embarked on a promising official career.
The Chang family lost the title of princess, but gained an additional position in the court.
The Ministry of Etiquette was responsible for the six wedding ceremonies. Wang Hua and Chang Ponu tried their best to plan it, and everything went smoothly.
The six rites have reached the fifth step, please wait.
Emperor Zhengde was full of expectations: he would finally hold his sweetheart in his arms!
Chang Feng is also full of expectations: My adopted daughter will finally become the mother of the Ming Dynasty!
And Liu and Xie finally took action and began to interfere in the wedding.
(End of chapter)
