The Qianqing Palace was brightly lit and looked lively, but there was no sound. The emperor sat on the dragon chair with a cold face, and two rows of ministers knelt in front of him.
It is important to pay attention to what these elders and ministers say, especially people like Wang Hao and Han Wen. How could they complain about the emperor to Liu Jian? Even Zhu Houzhao still wanted to know from their mouths what Qingliu in the court said in the Liu Mansion.
But it's not easy to talk about others.
Moreover, there are so many people and so many mouths, and it is not a tight-knit organization with a highly unified ideology. After some threats, nothing can be hidden.
After a while, three royal guards entered one after another. The leader was Mao Yuwen. After he knelt down, he raised his hands high, and what he held up were a dozen documents.
Zhu Houzhao raised his eyebrows. Liu Jin understood it and immediately bowed to take it and presented it to him.
The emperor took a book and held it in his hand. He turned sideways and faced the important officials of the imperial court. He had to say something first, "Today, I am sending a supervisor to ensure that Duke Xixian will not be hindered by the intrigues in the officialdom." , Liu Jin is just a eunuch in the eyes of you civil servants, but what he said was rough and unreasonable! It is impossible for the imperial court to send an important official to a place and let his own people restrain him everywhere. But tonight's gathering What about the people in the Liu Mansion? Are there words that truly consider the common people in these documents? Among the important officials in the capital who can join the Liu Mansion, some of them say they are serving the country and the people, but what they care about in their hearts is Official position, power. I'm afraid there are still many people waiting to see who will be lucky enough to join the cabinet!"
After saying this, the emperor took a deep breath, and then his tone softened slightly, "I read the "Book of Rites of the Great", and I also know that if the water is clear, there will be no fish, and if the people are clear, there will be no disciples. This document I don’t know what is written in it, but you know it. I didn’t want to open it, but there are some people who are not good at politics and are talking nonsense behind my back! I really don’t know what made my ancestors and God angry. In less than three months, these kingless and fatherless ministers who were full of complaints against me and indifferent to the people appeared! After a while, I opened it, and if it was full of complaints against me, it was a pity that Duke Xixian was demoted to a local place. I really should abdicate and give up this throne to a virtuous person!"
"What makes me even more distressed is that Duke Xixian went to Shandong. Did the ministers in the DPRK consider the problems of the people of Shandong that I considered? I often say that the fatal threat to the Ming Dynasty lies at the border. My dear friends always say that it is scabies. Ringworm disease, this cannot be said wrong, because the Ming Dynasty is very big, the border battles are bloody, and the capital is singing and dancing. The real threat to the Ming Dynasty is actually in the Forbidden City! Tonight, none of these people are entrusted with important tasks by the imperial court Chief?! If one of these people forgets the people, the Ming Dynasty will be ruined. If they all forget, there will be uprisings all over the Ming Dynasty! Let our monarchs and ministers die without a burial place!"
Zhu Houzhao stepped on the floor hard and threw the memorial to Feng Xi who was kneeling aside, "Read it!"
Fengxi's face was calm, and he turned to the front and opened it, "This document contains the words of Feng Shen, the young minister of Guanglu Temple. On the evening of March 28, the eighteenth year of Hongzhi, Feng Shen, together with Cheng Qishen, the censor of Qiandu of the Imperial Procuratorate, and Dali Yan Shang, the young minister of the temple, went to the Liu Mansion together. During the period, everyone in the house talked about the discussion of sacred learning. Xixian Gong studied under Xue Hedong. After the Hedong School was founded in the north, its disciples spread all over Shaanxi, Henan, Guanlong, and so on. He has become a great master. Feng Shenyan admires Duke Xixian's knowledge in his heart, and on the occasion of leaving Beijing, he invites his friends to go with him. That's all, I hope your majesty will see clearly!"
After reading these words, the emperor did not have to speak himself. Liu Jian couldn't help it anymore, "Your Majesty, today's events all started because of my ministers, and they should end because of my ministers. Feng Shaoqing's reply this time must be a moment of confusion. The crime committed is the fault of the humble minister!"
Zhu Houzhao frowned, Liu Jian still wanted to sell this favor at this time.
He didn't care about it for now. Anyway, Liu Jian has good connections in official circles, so the situation will be better in Shandong.
"What did Cheng Qishen and Yan Shang say? Keep reading!"
It's a coincidence that the order in which Mao Yuwen placed these documents happened to be immediately below that of the Imperial Examiner and the Imperial Censor Cheng Qishen.
What's even more coincidental is that the words Cheng Qishen told made people sweat at the beginning: "... Duke Xixian served the country for seven years, and he can be called a wise prime minister. The ministers in the court have received many favors, and he has been transferred to this position. The governor of Shandong, many ministers in the government felt sorry for him, and even the young minister of Dali Temple, Yan Shang, said that although Mr. Xixian was humiliated, he was still willing to take office. He truly did not care about personal favors or disgraces, and only served the people of the world!"
Zhu Houzhao ordered again, "Open Yan Shang's documents."
The next step was a joke. Yan Shang concealed what he said and explained what Cheng Qishen said: A eunuch dares to talk nonsense about the world and the people here!
Although 'a eunuch' is a fact, just like if you say that a person with hair loss is a bald donkey, people must be unhappy in their hearts. Because Liu Jin was in front of you, his eyes only trembled slightly, but he felt he had a grudge in his heart.
After that, his expression returned to normal, and he made eye contact with Mao Yuwen, which meant: Mao Tongzhi's arrangements for this time were in place, and he had completely figured out what His Majesty needed.
Mao Yuwen looked calm. It was a basic skill to fiddle with the order of documents. If he didn't have this ability, he was still making a living in the Forbidden City?
Zhu Houzhao actually knew it in his heart. How could he remember such a coincidence and make these three people so dramatic? Someone must have tampered with it somewhere, and he basically guessed that it was Mao Yuwen.
This person has been working for so long and was promoted quickly because he is easy to use.
If you don't understand the emperor's thoughts clearly and understand the situation in the DPRK, you can't do this kind of "hands and feet" so perfectly.
"Your Majesty, these three people have been taken into custody on the spot. They are now outside Qianqing Palace, waiting for your Majesty's summons at any time!"
Beside Mao Yuwen, a group of literati heard this and their hearts shivered. This guy was flattering to the extreme and cruel to the extreme in order to please the emperor.
Although I don’t know why Mu Bin’s position has not been moved, judging from the holy favor, it is almost certain that Mao Yuwen will succeed Mu Bin. Now this holy king has actually slightly amplified the power of Jinyiwei compared to the previous emperor. .
Among several fortresses, there are also figures of Jin Yiwei.
What will happen next is hard to say.
"First tell them to stay, freeze outside, let their heads clear up, and think about what they said tonight!" Zhu Houzhao is now glad that he made this matter a big deal tonight.
Otherwise, this group of people would be sour and bitter. In the end, they really thought that all the people in the court were moral gentlemen, and the emperor forcibly demoted an honest minister out of lust for power.
“Mr. What others say has nothing to do with you, so you don’t have to say anything. As for these three people..."
At this time, he had just ascended the throne, and the affairs of Liu Daxia and Liu Jian were ahead of him. It was really not appropriate to depose officials on a large scale at this time. Fortunately, this time the emperor and his ministers fought for the right to speak.
The emperor's face was filled with frost. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Copy the documents of these three people in the imperial newspaper and make them known to the world! If the rest of the people are in a similar situation, they will all do it accordingly. I have said long ago that if they are the imperial court If he loses his face, I will lose his face!"
Anyway, we must take off the moral cloak of these people. If we don’t take off their coat, what will the emperor wear?
"Also, I announced that Duke Xixian was going to Shandong as chief envoy that day. I announced it in public at noon. I didn't say it at the time, and now I say it behind my back. I didn't say it even when someone from the Supervisor of Ceremonies was around. What do you want to do? Bully me. Jun!"
Although these words are a bit unreasonable, after all, who would jump out to defend Liu Jian at noon? At that time, Min Gui only mentioned it a little, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.
At first glance, Liu Jian was going to be dismissed from his post and sent to his hometown. Wouldn't it be good to have him as a chief envoy?
It was only later that people started to react.
Because the objects of comparison are different. At the time of the incident, it was the difference between a commoner and the chief envoy. Afterwards, it was the difference between the cabinet chief and the chief envoy. These are different emotional directions.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Li Dongyang reported: "Now that the matter has been found out, let's do it according to your Majesty's will. I will supervise the general affairs envoy and print the imperial report to the world tomorrow."
The ministers are now gradually understanding that when Emperor Long Yan is angry, it is better to listen to him as long as the matter is not particularly egregious, otherwise it will be another storm.
"May I ask Your Majesty, how will the court deal with these people involved?"
What Zhu Houzhao wants is his reputation. If the action is violent, it will actually be detrimental to him. "I will be fined three months' salary as a warning. If I commit the crime again, I will not be lenient!"
】
People who don't understand the key points may think that the thunder is louder than the raindrops, but smart people know why these people were punished.
In fact, this incident can clearly show the emperor's reverse scale.
The emperor and ministers began to compete for fame.
Of course literati have the same name, but they cannot harm the emperor's name.
"Since everyone is here today, let's discuss the major affairs of the imperial court. There are only two people left in the cabinet. In your opinion, who is the most suitable person to fill the cabinet?"
…
…
When Yang Yiqing arrived at Baoding Prefecture, he suddenly heard news from the capital that the cabinet chief Liu Jian had been demoted to Shandong as the chief envoy!
This is still relatively rare in Ming Dynasty.
After actually listening to the emperor's actions, even Yang Yiqing was a little shocked. A young emperor, faced with a highly prestigious elder from the Four Dynasties, could take care of three aspects: ousting him, stabilizing the court, and benefiting the people. Is this an ordinary skill?
More importantly, now that Liu Jian is gone, who will be next?
Although many people maintained their good looks on the surface and expressed various emotions about Liu Jian's departure, these were all just for show. The most important and intriguing thing was actually what happened afterward, which was the real thing. The rights and status of the Erba Jing.
For Yang Yiqing, this was actually even more torture.
The cause was what Zhang Yong said.
Yang Yiqing is old, mature, and loyal to the country. He has a special attraction for people like Zhang Yong. After spending a few days together, Zhang Yong already admired Yang Budang and talked a lot. A little more.
For example... after Zhang Yong learned the news in Beijing, he immediately said to Yang Yiqing: "Butang, maybe you have a chance to join the cabinet!"
Yang Yiqing listened at first, but he didn't believe it at all, "I don't know why Eunuch Zhang is full of confidence in me. Don't you know that there is no precedent in this dynasty for border ministers to directly enter the cabinet. Even if we don't talk about these, there are Wang Jizhi and Han in the dynasty. Guantong, Min Chaoying and other ministers trusted by His Majesty, even if they are arranged in order, I am afraid that it will not be my turn to take the lead."
Zhang Yong disagreed, "What the minister said are general ideas, but when choosing ministers, isn't it your Majesty's will that matters most?"
What do you mean by this? Did your Majesty say something to these father-in-laws? Yang Yiqing said nothing and only looked at Zhang Yong.
As for Zhang Yong, he has very few reservations about Yang Yiqing. "We remember that when His Majesty was still the crown prince, he said that the structure of the cabinet is too simple. Except for civil servants, they are civil servants, and except for great Confucians, they are great Confucians. This is wrong. Because in this way, Come on, don't civil servants have the final say on national affairs? Where can the emperor hear other voices? And it shouldn't be just Beijing officials, there should be some local officials who have a little bit of everything, so that the emperor can do it Listen and you will understand!"
If the palace's father-in-law hadn't told them these secrets in the palace, who would have known about them?
Yang Yiqing still had no expression on his face, but he thought, "...but I am still separated from His Majesty by Mr. Dongshan."
"So Bu Tang should stop interceding for Liu Daxia!"
This is easy to say.
"For the sake of the name of a cabinet minister, if you ask me not to do what I should do. Then I, Yang Yiqing, take my own future too seriously."
"It's not about seeking an official position, it's about seeking a job. If you want to seek a job, you must first seek a career. This is what civil servants say."
"What do you mean, father-in-law?" Yang Yiqing shook his head, "Replacing has entered your majesty's heart. Whether or not Yang Yiqing is in the court, as long as your majesty wants to do it, he will definitely do it."
"No, based on our family's understanding of His Majesty, it might still be up to the Ministry to do it. For others, how can His Majesty rest assured? This is a national policy! Can the Ministry not worry about it?"
The name of the cabinet minister, the strategy of retrieval, the benefit of the country, the name of the ages...
All these things added up and weighed heavily on Yang Yiqing's heart.
He remained silent for the next few days, until someone said that he could see the shadow of the capital city wall. Yang Yiqing opened the curtain and looked into the distance. With a frosty look on his face, he looked at the nearby majestic city and remained silent for a long time. .
Yang Shangyi patted his horse and approached, "Have you been coming to the capital for a long time?"
"No." Yang Yiqing's unique voice was magnetic and rich, "I have been here since July of the seventeenth year of Hongzhi. In just one year, this place has been transformed."
"How was it then? How is it now?"
"I was full of anxiety at that time, and now I am full of anxiety. General Yang, I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying, but with your talent, it is best to be an official on the frontier. In this way, the glory, glory and wealth will last for generations. By the way, it’s better not to enter this city.”
Yang Shangyi's eyes were complicated, "We obviously won the battle, is there anything unexpected?"
"You have won the battle, but my battle has just begun."
What Zhang Yong said frightened Yang Yiqing. If His Majesty really entrusted him with the important task of being a cabinet minister, how should he deal with it? If you happily accept something without saying anything, you are forgetting Liu Daxia's kindness. If you don't accept it, you are betraying the righteousness of the emperor and his ministers.
To choose between ungratefulness and ungratefulness is probably the most difficult thing in the world, even more difficult than defeating the sieve of fire.
Then the carriage suddenly stopped while walking. Someone came over and reported to Yang Yiqing, "Bu Tang, there is someone coming from the palace attendant's room."
Attendant's room? Yang Yiqing's eyes widened. Isn't that a new institution set up by the emperor?
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I’m too busy during the New Year. If I can write six thousand, I will write six thousand. If I can’t, I will try my best to write four thousand. It can still be updated on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but I'm not a kid who can just ignore everything... I am actually busier and more tired than working with relatives and friends. The update in January is a mess, I will correct the mistakes after the New Year.
