Generally speaking, when the first assistant and the second assistant jointly submit a proposal, the emperor rarely directly vetoes it. But the specific matter of requesting additional cabinet ministers is different.
Without any surprise, Zhu Yijun directly rejected it. The reason was: "The three assistant ministers such as Qing are clear in their administration, loyal to their duties, handle everything clearly, and the cabinet is running normally. There is no need to add more. The request is not allowed." At the same time, he also issued a decree. To the three assistant ministers in the cabinet, "the silver coins and brocades have their own differences."
There is no doubt that the emperor did not have any objections to the cabinet, but it was the lack of objections that led to his approval and handling. Because generally speaking, adding cabinet ministers means that the emperor feels that the cabinet's current ability to do things is lacking and needs to add more people. If the emperor immediately agrees to the cabinet's request for additions, it will be a bit embarrassing for the cabinet - it means that you It's not working well.
So normally, the emperor must first "deny the request". This is normal operation. As for rewards, in fact, the emperor often rewards cabinet ministers and other ministers, but this time the rewards are slightly different. They represent the emperor’s affirmation of the cabinet’s work. Not only do I recognize the current work of the cabinet, but I also think the cabinet has done a very good job. So I will give you another wave as a reward.
Next, Guo Pu needs to write an essay alone. The meaning in the essay is very sincere, saying that he is getting older. Although Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing are both pillars of the country and will definitely be able to take on big responsibilities in the future, the cabinet ministers choose It's a matter of great importance, and it especially requires training. It's like taking the exam to be a good scholar after winning the Jinshi. It's very particular. Therefore, I request the emperor to plan for the future and allow two additional cabinet ministers to join the cabinet to participate in machine operations and lay the foundation for assisting and managing the government as soon as possible. In the future, if the veteran ministers are no longer around, they can take over the important responsibilities without any hindrance. The government affairs of the imperial court were delayed, so it was necessary to add two cabinet ministers.
This memorial was not only a statement of truth, but also a heartfelt statement. The emperor had to consider it. Therefore, while issuing an edict to appease Guo Pu, the last veteran minister who cared about his fate, the emperor also humbly asked which ministers he could consider adding to the cabinet.
Guo Puyou then went to Shu again and recommended four candidates. These four people were Yu Youding, Pan Sheng, Wang Xijue, and Xu Guo.
Guo Pu’s recommendation is very interesting. He said that two cabinet ministers would be added, but he recommended four candidates, and they were not recommended in order of seniority.
Ranking first in his recommendation list was Yu Youding, courtesy name Bingzhong, nickname Tonglu, and a native of Yinxian County.
When Yu Youding was young, he had a reputation for studying hard. In the 40th year of Jiajing's reign, the Shuntian Provincial Examination was held. In the 41st year of Jiajing's reign, he ranked third in the first class of Jinshi, that is, Tanhua, and was awarded the title of editor and editor of the Hanlin Academy, and was responsible for drafting imperial edicts. In the early years of Longqing's reign, he made a full list of usurpation officials and moved him to the crown prince Xi Ma to also compile essays. He was one of the second batch of princes who were appointed as daily lecturers, following Zuo Yude of the Jin Dynasty and also served as an attendant. He asked to return due to illness, but was not allowed to do so, so he changed his official position to Nanjing. When he got it, he often returned to his hometown, bought a mountain by the Dongqian Lake, and built pavilions to end his official career.
In the first year of Wanli, he was appointed as the new emperor to talk about official qualifications, and he was changed to the right concubine to lead the Nanjing Hanlin Academy. In the second year of Wanli, he served as the Imperial Academy to offer wine and made great achievements. Most students of Shitai like to hang out together and are lazy in studying. After Yu Youding was appointed to the Imperial College, he felt that the academic atmosphere in the Imperial Academy was poor, so he strictly prohibited such activities and ordered all students to supervise and report each other. If there were violations that were not reported, they would be punished together, and the academic atmosphere improved.
In the sixth year of Wanli, he entered the Ministry of Official Affairs as Zuo Shilang. At this time, Guo Pu concurrently served as Minister of Civil Affairs, so Yu Youding, the Zuo Shilang, was considered a close confidant of Guo Pu. But because Yu Youding himself is from Ningbo, Zhejiang, he is also regarded by many as a member of the Xinxue lineage.
Ranked second in Guo Pu's recommendation was Pan Sheng, Minister of Rites. Pan Budang's qualifications are very impressive. He was the third-ranked scholar in the Jiajing Dynasty for 20 years. He was also a Tanhualang. He was awarded the title of Hanlin Editor and assisted in the compilation of the "Da Ming Huidian".
In the thirty-third year of Jiajing's reign, he was promoted to Shidu with full rank. In the thirty-fourth year of Jiajing's reign, he and Yan Na jointly presided over the Tianfu Rural Examination. In the 35th year of Jiajing's reign, he was promoted to Nanjing Imperial College Jijiu.
In his later years, Emperor Shizong Jiajing specialized in quiet photography and ignored government affairs. He often held memorial ceremonies in the palace. Ci officials mostly wrote "Qing Ci" in order to advance in officialdom, but Pan Sheng disdained this and "resolutely refused to do anything" so he returned from officialdom. Later, he briefly revived and served as the Minister of Rites for two years before resigning due to circumstances. After Gao Gong's death in the sixth year of Wanli, Pan Sheng was reinstated by Guo Pu and still served as the Minister of Rites.
Then there is Wang Xijue. Brother Wang Xijue is also a top academic figure. He has won many first-class exams at all levels since he was a child. In the 37th year of Jiajing, he took the Nanjing Yingtian Provincial Examination and got the first place in the Provincial Examination in Nanjing, which has a strong academic atmosphere. four.
In the 41st year of Jiajing's reign, he took part in the examination and got the first place in the examination, that is, he became a member. However, he "only got" the second place in the palace examination, so he became the second place in the examination - the number one scholar that year was Shen Shixing.
Wang Xijue was born in the Wang family of Taiyuan and had a very high family background. In addition, he was also a top student, so he had a relatively big temper. He once offended Gao Gong, but fortunately it was not a big deal. Gao Gong just wanted to temper him, so He was transferred from You Yude of Zhan Shifu to Nanjing Hanlin Academy to take charge of affairs.
Later, Longqing died and Wanli ascended the throne. Wang Xijue was transferred back to the capital and served as the vice president of the compilation of "Mu Zong's Records". In the second year of Wanli's reign, the records were compiled. Wang Xijue was promoted to a bachelor's degree and to the Imperial Academy. In the sixth year of Wanli, Wang Xijue was promoted to a bachelor's degree in Zhanshi Mansion and a bachelor's degree in the Hanlin Academy. But the problem is that his father died of illness this year, and Wang Xijue returned to his hometown Dingyou, but he has not come back yet.
As for Xu Guo, this one actually appeared on the scene. He was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing period, and Gao Gong was his teacher and benefactor. He has been on a smooth journey in the past few years. He has no place to go outside. He has been working in Zhanshifu and Hanlin Academy. It was not until the fourth year of Wanli that he was transferred to the right minister of the Ministry of Rites. Gao Gong died in the sixth year of Wanli. Shortly after Guo Pu took over as the first assistant, due to the vacancy of the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, he was successfully promoted to the left minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Xu Guo was one of Zhu Yijun's first batch of crown prince officials. It is not surprising that he was promoted like this. Moreover, his age is relatively suitable. He is fifty-two years old this year, neither too old nor too young.
After Zhu Yijun got this recommendation, he thought about it and crossed out Pan Sheng's name first - since Guo Ge is always worried about his old age and nurturing future generations, then Pan Butang should not join in the fun. Although you, who was a Jinshi in Jiajing for 20 years, are indeed "younger" in front of Mr. Guo Ge, we also have to look at the situation of the other three. Which one is not several years behind you?
Then Zhu Yijun hesitated for a while and crossed out Wang Xijue - this person's situation was actually very suitable, but Zhu Yijun noticed that he returned to his hometown Dingyou last year and had to give up with regret. Wang Xijue, it’s not like he was allowed to issue an order to seize love. Besides, Wang Xijue has a very bad temper. If someone refuses to win his love, Zhu Yijun will look a bit ugly.
In fact, there is no choice, only You Ding and Xu Guo are left. Zhu Yijun thought for a while. Both of them were from his background as officials. They had no problems and had good knowledge. So it would be better for them.
[Youyue Bookstore is a free source-changing APP software for reading books. Android phones need to download and install from Google Play. Apple phones need to log in to non-Mainland China accounts to download and install.]
