The emperor arrived at Yikun Palace at noon, which lasted less than an hour. After returning to Qianqing Palace in the afternoon, he asked the Chief of Ceremonies to draft an edict and send it to Gao Pingshi. After some gentle words of comfort, he ordered him to go out and take care of the matter.
Gao Pragmatic naturally declined as always, so the second imperial edict came later, and Gao Pragmatic continued to decline.
When the third imperial edict came down, according to the previous rules, Chen Ju, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, and Zhang Cheng, the admiral of the Dongchang, came hand in hand. This time, the edict was not an ordinary imperial edict, but a system. Gao, also known as Gaoming and Gaofeng.
Under the Ming system, officials of the first to fifth ranks and their wives are canonized and given imperial orders; officials of the sixth to ninth ranks and their wives are canonized and given imperial orders.
This imperial edict contains a lot of information. The emperor directly ignored the fact that Gao pragmatism was still behind closed doors and directly spent money. There are several items in total.
First, the official rank of a highly pragmatic prose official was promoted from a senior official to a senior official.
The system of casual officials in the Ming Dynasty was different from that in the Tang and Song Dynasties. It was based on the award of ranks according to officials. Therefore, the status and role of casual officials declined somewhat. It matches the official rank. Ming casual officials are also divided into nine grades and eighteen grades. From the ninth grade to the fifth grade and the full grade, from the first grade, each level has two grades: initial award and promotion. From the fourth grade to the second grade, there are There are three levels of initial award, promotion award and additional award.
The method of conferring casual officials is as follows: first-time or promoted officials of a certain grade will be awarded first-time casual officers when they are in charge; when they are qualified in the initial test, they will be promoted to casual officials; those who have outstanding achievements in the second test will be awarded additional casual officials. If the assessment is normal, he will not be promoted or promoted to a casual official.
In addition to the casual officers, the rank of civilian officials from the first to the fifth rank and the military attachés from the first to the sixth rank can be awarded at the same time based on the rank of the San Palace after reexamination. Therefore, casual officials and honorary ranks are both additional official titles and can be regarded as supplements to the assessment system, but they have nothing to do with actual duties and salaries.
Gao Jingshi was the new Minister of Household Affairs only last year. He has been in office for less than a year. Normally speaking, he would not be promoted to the rank of civilian official, so this is a typical exception.
Second, the high and pragmatic rank was promoted from the political minister to the pillar state.
Ranks, as mentioned above, are not a big deal in themselves, but they are generally not given indiscriminately, so if they are given in advance, it is no small honor.
The rank of Shangqing in politics is the second rank, and Gao Wuchen is currently in this rank, but the Zhuguo has the rank of first rank, second only to the Shangzhuguo in the entire rank system (note: it was called in different periods) Different, Shangzhu Kingdom is sometimes divided into "Zuo Zhu Kingdom" and "Right Pillar Kingdom", the meanings are basically the same).
There are strict restrictions on the officials who can obtain the rank of Minister of Governance. There are only the following people in total: Prince Shaoshi, Prince Shaofu, Prince Shaobao, Six Ministers, Du Cha Yuan, left and right censors, Xiefeng Yanshenggong, Real person.
The standard of Zhuguo obviously needs to be raised to the next level, which is the young master, the young master, the young protector, the crown prince Taishi, the crown prince Taifu, and the crown prince Taibao. Although Gao Jingshi had already been the crown prince and grand master before, considering Gao Jingshi's age and seniority, the rank was pushed back a bit. This time the emperor made up for it.
Thirdly, perhaps in order to cooperate with the first two favors, the emperor directly promoted Huang Zhiting from a third-grade lady to a first-grade lady in the imperial edict. This promotion obviously directly skipped Gao Jingshi's current actual official position as Minister of Household Affairs, and according to the crown prince and grand master, it was also a typical promotion.
Fourth, if the above three items are all more famous than actual, then this one is beyond everyone’s expectation and is extremely shocking:
The Southern Protectorate was set up in the southern city of Siam, and a first-class yamen was established. Its task was to control the Tibetans, appease the conquerors, narrate merits and punishments, and defend China.
The prince's grand master Gao was pragmatic and led the first-rank Dingnan Protector; the first-rank wife Huang Zhiting resigned from the post of Annan Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief and was promoted to the first-rank Dingnan Deputy Protector-General, with the right to know the affairs of the governor. The official rank of Dingnan Duhufu's Yamen is descended from the Chief and Deputy Dufu, etc. The official titles, positions and other matters shall be formulated by the Duhufu within one year and submitted to me for approval.
The Dingnan Protectorate has jurisdiction over Annan, Siam, Bago, Burma, Nanzhang, Cambodia and other "all the areas south of Yunnan and Guangxi". The areas under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate are allowed to establish trade customs cities and open official and private ports. The land and customs tariffs shall be negotiated between the Ministry of Revenue and the Protectorate within one year and submitted to me for approval.
Because the military system of the Dingnan Protectorate is "different from that of the Central Plains", the Protectorate is allowed to decide on its own. However, the types of troops, personnel, equipment and other matters need to be reported to the Ministry of War. The customization is reported every three years. "I and the Ministry of War will not control it remotely." ".
The military personnel affiliated to the Duhufufu, military pay and weapons, and other needs are all raised by the Duhufufu itself. All armies must comply with the imperial conscription. If there is a conscription by the imperial court, the system of mobilization of southern troops will be used to calculate their food, salary, merit rewards, and pensions, and the rest will not be considered.
…
All in all, the chapters related to the Dingnan Protectorate accounted for the vast majority of this edict. Not to mention Chen Ju and Zhang Cheng who came to deliver the edict were so shocked that their voices changed their tone when announcing the edict. Even Gao Pangshi himself listened. shocked.
what's the situation? Did the emperor officially recognize Beijing's actual rule over southern Xinjiang? This is impossible. Doesn’t the cabinet object to such a big thing?
After reading the imperial edict, Chen Ju urged Gao Jingshi three times to accept the order. Only then did Gao Jingshi take it in his hands and look at it with suspicion.
It was okay not to look at it, but upon looking at it, I became more suspicious: this imperial edict was said to be an imperial edict, but there was only the emperor's treasure at the signature, but there was no cabinet signature.
The so-called "If it doesn't go through Fengge Luantai, how can it be called an edict?" In the same way, in the Ming Dynasty at this time, if there was no cabinet attachment, how could it be called an "edict"?
In other words, this decree may seem shocking, but in terms of the current system, it does not actually have legal effect.
Gao Jingshi immediately returned the imperial edict and said to Chen Ju: "The emperor's relatives trusted me, and I am deeply grateful. However, the order to issue the imperial edict needs to be signed by the cabinet. Since this imperial edict has no cabinet, I cannot abide by the holy will." one.
The establishment of the Protectorate in Dingnan is of great importance and reaches the whole world. I have not heard of the emperor's discussion with the ministers, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to obey the people. This minister cannot obey the second part of the holy will.
Even if it is necessary to set up such yamen and such officials, the responsibilities of the Dingnan Protector are so important, why should he take charge of his duties remotely? I have the emperor's trust and trust, and I am a minister of the central government. I am also in charge of the world's finances. I already have little virtue and little talent, and I have no skills at all. How can I manage the affairs of Tiannan from afar? Therefore, if the minister's virtue is not worthy of his position and his talent is not worthy of his position, he cannot obey the third order of the Holy Will.
I ask the Second Duke not to relay these three things to the Emperor, and to pass down my feelings to Heaven. I hope the emperor will be more careful and take back his orders, but I will not be very grateful. "
Zhang Cheng must be very happy to do what Gao Pragmatic said, but Chen Ju was a little embarrassed and hesitated: "Da Situ once wrote the "Huidian". You should know that edicts can be rejected, but orders cannot be rejected..."
"The Benbutang is naturally aware of this matter, but this imperial edict has not been approved by the cabinet, so it is not enough." Gao pragmatically said resolutely: "The Benbutang does not dare to accept the edict, so please return it to Mr. Chen."
"Then...Okay." Chen Ju sighed and added, "However, this is a serious matter. Can I please ask Da Situ to reply in a written form to show his solemnity?"
Gao Pingshi said in a deep voice: "Okay, please wait a moment, Mr. Second, the main hall will be drafted immediately."
Chen Ju and Zhang Cheng naturally had no choice but to agree. Gao pragmatically did not go to the study, but directly ordered his servants to bring in the writing desk, prepare all pens, ink, paper and inkstones, write a poem on the spot, and refuse to accept the imperial edict.
After the two big brothers got the manuscript, they didn't dare to delay at all, and immediately said goodbye to Gao Qingshi and left.
When the emperor issued an edict, he could not just notify the officials concerned. The cabinet, six ministries, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, etc. also received the news at this time, and countless jaws dropped on the spot.
The reaction of the cabinet was the greatest. Wang Xijue said excitedly in the chamber of duty: "The country has not set up a governor for two hundred years. Now the emperor not only wants to set it up in violation of regulations, but also has not informed the cabinet in advance. What’s the use of such a cabinet!”
Shen Shixing looked around at the ministers, but Xu Guo and Wu Dui were silent. Looking at Wang Jiaping again, he saw Wang Jiaping slowly getting up and said calmly: "What Mr. Jing Shi (Wang Xijue's name is Jing Shi) said is exactly what I want. Since the emperor decides on the affairs of the world, there is no need for the cabinet to consult, so why should the cabinet exist anymore! This plan is all about leaving."
After a short pause, he cupped his hands to the other four pavilion elders and said, "Jia Ping will go and draft a few words first. I forgive you and I'll take my leave."
Wang Jiaping's temper was indeed upright. He was not even the face-conscious uprightness like Wang Xijue, but the kind of uprightness that would be straightforward whenever his principles were touched. So once he felt that the emperor's behavior did not respect the cabinet, he would be direct. Go ahead and write a poem.
But when he did this, he also put Wang Xijue on the receiving end. Although Wang Xijue didn't think the matter was serious enough, he was the first to speak. Since the person who "seconded the proposal" had gone to write a speech, what reason did he have not to write?
Therefore, he had no choice but to bow his hands and said: "Xi Jue greatly admires Nan Gong (Wang Jiaping Dui Nan) for his upright and upright ministers, but I can only do his best. Lords, take your leave."
The two left one after another, and Shen Shixing stood up and said: "Shi Xing has been in the cabinet for many years, but he has never accomplished any big things and has always been ashamed and helpless. If the emperor is dissatisfied now, the crime is Shi Xing's fault for one person. The two Dukes of Jingshi and Jingshi may not necessarily resign, but Shi Xinggu should. From now on, all matters related to the cabinet will be entrusted to Yingyang, Huanzhou and Xinzhai Gong."
Shen Shixing's words seemed to only represent himself, but in fact they were spoken from the standpoint of the entire cabinet. Xu Guo had no choice but to advance and retreat together. He stood up and said: "This matter of the world and the cabinet cannot be done by just one person. If you say goodbye, Please allow me to obey."
When things got to this point, Wu Dui couldn't stand alone, so he stood up and said: "The cabinet is one, how can Dui be alone? I would like to join all the princes."
Shen Shixing didn't say much, just nodded solemnly and went straight away.
As soon as he left, only Xu Guo and Wu Dui were left in the meeting hall. Wu Dui was about to leave, but was unexpectedly stopped by Xu Guo.
Xu Cifu looked solemn and asked: "Brother Huanzhou, have you ever heard of the emperor's actions today?"
He said "senior brother" very well. Wu Dui and he were both disciples of Gao Gongmen. The difference was that Wu Dui and he were from different disciplines and were Jinshi in the 38th year of Jiajing. At that time, Gao Gong's status was not too high, he was just a fellow examiner in that subject, so there were few people to recruit, and even fewer of his disciples were successful.
Xu Guo himself was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing reign, two subjects later than Wu Dui. That subject had Gao Gong as the examiner, so it had the most students, and it could almost be called a big explosion. Xu Guo was not originally the most outstanding in this subject, but his official career was excellent. Instead, he surpassed everyone in the same year and entered the cabinet early, thus improving his qualifications.
However, the Ming Dynasty had a habit of the Ming Dynasty. Under the sect of a certain benefactor, internal exchanges often looked not only at the official position, but also at the Jinshi qualifications, so it was okay for Xu Guo to call Wu Dui "senior brother".
Where is the problem? There is an exception to the "level of official position". Even after joining the cabinet, you can also just look at the seniority in the cabinet.
Xu Guo was two years behind Wu Dui, and was six years behind in becoming a Jinshi. However, he was only two years younger than Wu Dui. Therefore, since they were both in the cabinet, Xu Guo never called him senior brother again. Today, he called "senior brother" out again, which obviously means that he is not talking to Wu Dui as the second minister of the cabinet, but as a member of the Shi School and a disciple of Gao Gong.
Wu Dui knew what he meant and what Xu Guo was suspecting, but even Gao Pragmatic, the person involved, only found out about it today, so how did he know about it? So Wu Dui shook his head and answered formally: "I didn't know anything about this, and I still find it incredible even now."
Xu Guo didn't look very suspicious, he just frowned and seemed to be lost in thought.
Seeing this, Wu Dui added, "In my opinion, I'm afraid Rixin didn't know about this beforehand."
Xu Guo sighed and said with a wry smile: "To be honest, senior brother, I also think so, but I am stupid and really don't know the purpose of the emperor's move... Do you really want to change the cabinet from top to bottom?"
"How could it be so?" Wu Dui shook his head and said: "It should be noted that the reason for this matter is of no importance at all. So whether the governor of the north and south is crowned or resigns, taking over the internal affairs of Jinyiwei, what does it have to do with my cabinet? As for Wudi? Removing the throne, Rixin, and Xinzhai have closed their doors one after another. This is nothing more than the emperor's edict that can solve the problem. What's the point?
I believe that the emperor's move to set up the Nandu Protectorate must be false, but the decree for Rixin Zhangmu may be true. As for the matter involving the cabinet...either the emperor did it unintentionally, or it was to warn certain people, etc. In short, they should not really come for the cabinet. "
Xu Guo was silent for a moment and said with a wry smile: "No matter what the emperor's intentions are, we are no longer allowed to retreat. We can only resign."
Wu Dui was very open to this, and waved his sleeves and said: "If you want to resign, please resign. In the early years, I had a chat with Rixin, and he once mentioned: When the sun rises and the moon sets, there is no shortage of someone. Today is also the case. In this way, it is beyond my power to comment on the cabinet. Whether the emperor retains it, withdraws it, or changes it, it all depends on the emperor's decree. All I can do is express my determination."
Xu Guo smiled this time, nodded and said, "Senior Brother's words are a great kindness, and the country also thinks so."
Although it was getting late at this time, the palace gate had not yet been closed. Several pavilion elders were all masters of calligraphy and ink. They quickly wrote the poems and went to the Qianqing Palace in person to submit them for reading.
Facing Chen Ju who was sweating profusely with anxiety, Zhu Yijun sat in front of the imperial desk in the Xinuang Pavilion study and asked without raising his head: "Except for Zhang Xueyan, are all the gentlemen of the cabinet here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, we are all here." Chen Ju swallowed and asked in a dry voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
Zhu Yijun finally raised his head, glanced at Chen Ju, and said calmly: "What should I do? It's getting late now, I'm exhausted, and the palace gate will be closed.
I think you gentlemen are all sensible people, and you shouldn't regard the system of the second ancestors as nothing... In this case, gentlemen, please come back tomorrow. "
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