"Did Cao Guobang return your things?" Jiang Cheng put down the list in his hand and looked surprised. At first glance, it seemed that Cao Guobang didn't need to be so careful to draw a line with the Black Flag Camp. He didn't even go down the steps that were handed to him. Are he preparing for a hard fight? But where did Cao Guobang get the confidence to confront Xuanqingwei Black Flag Camp? Do you think you have lived too long?
There was something wrong, Jiang Cheng also started to think about it in his mind.
"Yes, teacher, Cao Guobang is very determined to withdraw. It's not like he is dissatisfied with the amount, but simply refuses to accept it. Do you think this is Cao Guobang playing a "clean" game for himself? Or does he have other plans? "
Now that the conversation had reached this point, Shen Hao took advantage of the situation and asked what Jiang Cheng thought about this.
Jiang Cheng picked up the tea and took a sip, then put it down again, his brows slowly wrinkled. Shen Hao next to him didn't dare to disturb him. He knew that the other party was thinking.
After a while, Jiang Chengcai asked: "Do you think Cao Guobang was an honest official before?"
"Integrity? Teacher, these two words are a waste when used on Cao Guobang. Cao Guobang was born in a well-established family. He started as a clerk in the office of the local government, then climbed up to the position of chief officer, and finally changed his career through the interpersonal relationship of marriage. After entering the official school, I came out with a layer of gold. After returning to the official career, it was smooth sailing. With the name of "gold inspection official", I made great progress all the way to six ministers.
I remember that he seemed to be promoted directly to the position of left prime minister. In the end, he annoyed the late emperor because of his unclean hands, so he was sent to the position of right prime minister for retirement.
Such people cannot be considered honest either before or now. That's why the students were wondering whether it was because of his bad reputation that Cao Guobang took the lead in the Ye Lansheng case, and then separated himself from our Xuanqing Guards and acted incorruptible, just so that he could retire. Will he be able to live a stable life under His Majesty’s protection in the future? "
This is Shen Hao's guess, at least in his opinion it is still possible. It was precisely based on this that he did not take Cao Guobang's affairs too seriously.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Cheng shook his head and said: "Why do you think Cao Guobang is approaching old age? Do you think he is old? Isn't it difficult for you to find that Cao Guobang is in good spirits? Don't tell me, this old guy It's not difficult to live to be a hundred years old, right? Given the current situation in the country, isn't it safer for Cao Guobang to temporarily lead the civil service group than to promote a new one?
Moreover, Cao Guobang does not need to be in office for long, one or two years. As long as His Majesty puts forward the candidates in his mind so that the people below him can be mentally prepared before handing over, isn't that good?
Therefore, there must be a reason why Cao Guobang rejected you, but it was definitely not because he wanted to act "incorruptible" to find a way out for himself. "
Without waiting for Shen Hao to speak, Jiang Cheng continued to express his analysis: "Based on what His Majesty has done since he ascended the throne, he will not stick to the rules and rely too much on the ministers left by the late emperor. Even if they can now play important roles The position does not mean how long it can be done.
Unless you can stand before His Majesty before he ascends the throne like Bai Changqing did, it will not be that simple to gain His Majesty's trust.
Let’s not talk about the distance, let’s talk about our Xuanqing Guard. If Your Majesty had the temperament to accept everything as ordered, how could you allow your Black Flag Battalion to carry out such a large-scale internal purge? We are not washing people out so that others can come in.
The same principle applies to temples.
How long has it been since you saw that Ye Lansheng and others were captured? It has been several months, but so many important positions have been vacant. Isn't this why His Majesty is leaving a place for his own people? "
When Shen Hao heard this, he already understood what Jiang Cheng meant, so he said: "Teacher, do you mean that it is possible for Cao Guobang to move up a level?"
"That's right. Although Cao Guobang has many tricks, he is not outstanding in the temple. He relies mostly on luck. This can be seen from the fact that he can annoy the late emperor at critical moments.
However, Cao Guobang still has a good eye and is decisive in doing things. This time the Ye Lansheng case was in the limelight, and he came to His Majesty's side quite early.
Although the icing on the cake is not so popular, it is still better than doing nothing. Moreover, it is precisely because Cao Guobang is old and has poor abilities that it has become his advantage now.
Have you ever heard of "occupying a place"? "
"Students know that after the position is occupied, a new candidate will usually take over. Do you mean that Cao Guobang can be promoted to the position of left prime minister, and then retire and give way to his position after His Majesty's candidate wins the approval of the majority of people in the temple?"
Jiang Cheng smiled and raised his hand, nodded, and said, "That's right! That's what I meant. Cao Guobang got to the position of right prime minister by relying on his luck and connections. With his ninety-year-old age, the threat is very small and his qualifications are sufficient. It would be perfect to help someone occupy a spot.
So this time he refused your benefit, not because he wanted to play some "integrity" trick, but simply because he didn't want to have too much to do with your Black Flag Camp, so as not to arouse His Majesty's suspicion.
Understand? "
Of course Shen Hao understood everything after he said it so clearly. It's just that Cao Guobang didn't want to be related to Xuan Qingwei, or he deliberately kept a distance from Xuan Qingwei, so that he would appear more "pure", and the matter of occupying the seat would not cause any trouble.
In this way, not only Xuanqingwei, but also other people and things in the yamen. Cao Guobang should also try to avoid it during this period, otherwise it would be easy to become "impure".
It may seem like making a fuss out of a molehill, but Shen Hao doesn't think so. That was the position of left prime minister of the old Jing Dynasty! Let alone a year or two, being able to sit on it for a month or two is a big deal.
What happened to the placeholder? The benefits are immeasurable, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that Cao Guobang's official career has flourished again.
"Just think about it. Cao Guobang won't mess with you, and don't get involved with him. Wait a year or two for His Majesty's men to get up, and the matter will be over."
Out of curiosity, Shen Hao asked more: "Who do you think Cao Guobang is occupying a seat for?"
"Who are you helping?" Jiang Cheng tapped the table with his fingers, and after a moment of silence he said: "Many of the counselors before His Majesty ascended the throne are now in the Central Academy. The most outstanding one is Lu Liang, the current judge of the Central Academy.
Nowadays, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has penetrated into all aspects of the country, and Lu Liang is the pioneer among them. Therefore, if His Majesty wants one of his men to take the position of left prime minister, it is likely that it will be Lu Liang.
But I don’t recommend that you get in touch with this person, and you’d better not get involved in this matter. Although you are now the commander of the Black Flag Battalion, your status as Xuanqing Guard means that you cannot get close to various yamen. Otherwise, with His Majesty's temper, you will be in trouble. "
After a pause, Jiang Cheng smiled and dismissed the topic, put away the list, and then asked with a smile: "I heard that your new house is almost completed. Is your wedding date just around the corner?"
