On October 29, the fifteenth year of Wanli, Zhang Siwei made his first imperial dynasty after leaving Beijing. Pan Sheng, acting prime minister, with the cooperation of the censor, led the ministers to arrange their duties.
After going to the Imperial Palace, all the ministers bowed politely. After the ceremony, he looked at the ministers and said: "Mr. Fengpan praised his hard work, loyalty and dedication to his duties. However, he had no choice but to resign because of his weak health. The day before yesterday, Mr. Shu'an reached his age, and I was reminded to allow him to become an official - I Already approved.”
"Now that the cabinet is suddenly missing two people, and there is no one to take the lead, the state affairs cannot be delayed. Well, please discuss these two matters, and I will listen."
After hearing this, all the ministers looked at each other. Pan Sheng bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, the "Edict on Reform" stipulates that the prime minister shall be nominated by the emperor, recommended by the court, and then appointed or dismissed by your majesty. Now your majesty does not nominate but discuss it with the court." At this point, He stumbled involuntarily.
The emperor smiled and interrupted: "Didn't the Great Edict say that no discussion can be made before the emperor nominates?"
Pan Sheng stumbled again, thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty is right. As for the selection of additional cabinet members, I thought it would be done after the prime minister has been selected. Previously, the King of Zhongxing County had ordered the cabinet members to nominate two cabinet members each. All ministers of rank and above who enter the cabinet will be selected by His Majesty and then recommended by the court - I think this method is very good and there is no need to discuss it further."
Zhu Yijun listened and pondered without answering. Shen Shixing on the side hurriedly said: "I think Mr. Shui Lian's proposal is inappropriate. Since the beginning of Xianzong in our dynasty, the system of tingtui has been complete." After saying this, Zhu Yijun immediately knew that this guy was going to change the ancestral system.
Sure enough, Shen Shixing went on to say: "The Huidian stipulates that all ministers, ministers, imperial censors, general envoys, and Dali ministers who are in vacancy will have officials of the third rank or above from the six ministries, the Du Chaoyuan, the General Affairs Department, and Dali Temple come to the court for recommendation. ; The selection of cabinet ministers and the two ministers of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of War are all made by 'imperial recommendation', that is, the emperor 'orders the court to recommend'. This method has the same general meaning as the "Edict on Reform", and I believe that it cannot be changed lightly."
"In the past, the prince of Zhongxing County led the cabinet to recommend candidates first, and then recommended the candidates to the court. He used the power of the cabinet to replace the emperor's imperial selection. Because the prince of Zhongxing was seriously ill, he just obeyed the power. I thought it was not allowed to be the normal law. In addition, Zhongxing When the king of the county was in power, the officials and ministers and below were mostly recommended by the officials and decided by the cabinet. The court meeting was just a formality, and the ministers' wishes cannot continue like this."
After Shen Shixing finished speaking, all the cabinet ministers were secretly upset, while the ministers below the minister were happy and excited. Although some people think that Zhang Juzheng's method of letting cabinet members nominate cabinet ministers may not be an expedient measure when he is seriously ill, everyone is happy to hear that Shen Shixing took back the appointment power below the minister from the cabinet to formal nomination. So when he finished speaking, there was already a chorus of agreement in the hall.
After hearing this, Zhu Yijun had no expression on his face, but he had mixed feelings in his heart. The system of Tingtui first started in Yongle and Tianshun, and was basically complete during the Xianzong period. By the Hongzhi and Jiajing periods, it had been well-written and well-written—the result of constant compromises between monarchy and civil officials.
After Zhu Yijun traveled through time, he and Zhang Juzheng carried out the great cause of reform. In order to unify the administrative powers, the detailed Tingtui was in vain when the "Chu Party" occupied the court. After Zhang Juzheng passed away and Zhang Siwei took over, the cabinet nominations for ministers and below were not vetoed by the court council. In fact, because Zhang Siwei was willing to be the minister who carried out the decree, for Zhu Yijun personally, the cabinet nomination reflected his His own will, so he did not make any changes.
Now Shen Shixing proposed that in accordance with the provisions of the "Edict of Reform", the court council should return to the court and the imperial council should return to the imperial council. The taste is very complicated: First, Shen Shixing clearly opposed the method of recommending cabinet ministers by the cabinet and transferred power to the cabinet. Although the emperor had reasons to stick to the ancestral system, his more intention was to weaken the power of the prime minister; secondly, the power of appointing people below the minister was separated from the cabinet. On the surface, it weakened the power of the cabinet, but in fact it was beneficial to the cabinet ministers. Forming a party - completely consistent with Zhang Juzheng's original judgment of him.
After pondering for a while, Zhu Yijun waited for someone to refute the shortcomings of Shen Shixing's views. However, although the faces of several cabinet ministers were ashen as water, no one in the palace spoke to refute. There were a few people below the minister's rank who came out to support Shen Shixing, and it seemed that the meeting was about to reach an agreement.
Among the remaining cabinet ministers, Pan Sheng thought that if the emperor wanted him to be prime minister, there would be no need to make such an announcement - after Zhang Siwei and Wang Guoguang retired, he was already ranked first, and the emperor could just nominate him directly. . Since there is no hope of reaching the top, why should we arouse the wrath of heaven and earth in the remaining five years of our term?
In the past two years, Xu Guo had experienced a lot of bullets. If he hadn't been protected by the emperor, he would have been ejected long ago. Therefore, he knew that he had no hope of reaching the top, so he didn't want to wade into troubled waters. Moreover, Shen Shixing's words were full of emotions and legal principles, and he couldn't think of any words to refute for a while.
The remaining two people are Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua, Zhu Yijun's secret favorites. Both of them had expressionless faces and lowered their heads in silence. Zhu Yijun looked at the two men and said with a thought: "If the Prime Minister cannot see what Shen Shixing wants, then he is politically unqualified; if he dare not beat the gongs and drums in person, then he is not qualified He doesn’t have the courage to lead his ministers - in this case, it’s not bad to take Shen Shixing as a test question.”
After waiting for a while, the two of them were still motionless. Zhu Yijun was secretly disappointed and thought: "It seems that none of them are as capable as Mr. Zhang." With a smile on his face, he said: "It seems that everyone thinks what Mr. Yaoquan said is reasonable. , that’s what we’ll do?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua came out at the same time and said, "I have something to say."
Zhu Yijun was stunned and looked at the two of them. Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua were also stunned at the same time and looked at each other. Luo Wanhua pondered for a moment, bowed to Liang Menglong and said, "Mr. Mingquan, let's talk first."
Liang Menglong was not polite when he heard the words, and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I think Mr. Yaoquan's words are inappropriate. There are serious disadvantages in the matter of court promotion!"
Zhu Yijun perked up after hearing this, nodded slowly and said, "Mr. Mingquan is here to play."
"Yes. The recommendation of our court began with the court meeting. And the court meeting began in the 24th year of Hongwu. Taizu decreed: "In the future, there will be orders and distributions in the Beijing Yamen as an example and the most important matters. There will be more meetings. The official plan is prepared and then implemented.'"
"There are eleven items in the court affairs, and the term 'minister discussion' has been around for a long time. However, during the time of Chengxuan, the method of recommendation was mostly used to select candidates. The nine ministers protected the most important ministers, and the emperor chose the best ones to use. If the recommended minister committed an offense, the recommender would sit down together. !”
"At that time, the government was in full swing, and the Ming Dynasty's national power was at its peak, which was closely related to the law of recommendation. However, when it came to Chenghua, Xianzong handed over his clothes and ruled the world calmly. Later, the eunuchs believed in partial beliefs and 'passed on' the Tai Trouble, the method of protecting important ministers is gradually being abolished. There are also Xichang who are arrogant and steal authority. Even those who have clear judgments like Xian Zong are deceived. Although they realize it after a long time, the flaws in the ruler and bi are enough to tarnish the emperor's virtue!"
Everyone listened to his comments about Xianzong, which were almost outspoken. They were all dumbfounded and thought to themselves: "Liang Mingquan is so courageous!" "Liang Menglong is brave enough to scold his ancestors in front of the emperor!"
Zhu Yijun was also shocked by what Liang Menglong said. He looked serious and sat down to listen quietly. Liang Menglong's face flushed slightly, and he continued: "After Xianzong, Xiaozong denounced evil spirits, eliminated redundancies, stopped collection and offerings, stopped promotions, dismissed warehouses, and drew points, and made various decisions - the emperor's career was almost prosperous. The talents gathered together, and they were appointed appropriately, and the discussion in the pavilion was especially good. In order to avoid future generations being unfaithful, the law of "Huitui" was re-established and the provisions were carefully prepared. Chen—In fact, I think it’s just a matter of looking for the best talent, and then you can get it.”
"So during the reign of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Shizong, even though they were wise and intelligent, there were loyal and upright people like Liu Jin and Yan Song who might have blocked their way. State affairs were of course unsettled, but it was left to the late Emperor and His Majesty to correct the chaos and make great achievements," Ting Tui said. 'The merits are evident."
When everyone heard Liang Menglong's first words about recommending the Lianzu method, they thought he was going to restore the ancestral system until he became an ancestor. Unexpectedly, he changed the topic and talked about the Zhengde and Jiajing dynasties, saying that the two successive emperors were incompatible, but the state affairs were not completely finished. Fortunately, the system of Tingtui was supportive.
Zhu Yijun listened to his comments on the Ming dynasties and related their rise and fall with the method of selecting materials - although it is a family opinion, it is not unreasonable. It sounds heartwarming. I couldn't help but comment on Liang Menglong in my heart: "This person is really knowledgeable, generous and outspoken!"
Liang Menglong commented on Zhengde and Emperor Jiajing, and said in a louder voice: "However, whether it is 'Ting Tui' or 'Recommended and Sitting', if future generations of saints can be as good-looking as Your Majesty, they can open up a wide range of ideas, use their loved ones prudently, and have a prosperous age. Why! If not, why would the court recommend or recommend it to block the promotion and enshrine the traitor?"
After saying this, Liang Menglong couldn't contain his excitement and said loudly: "Since your Majesty has been practicing his profession, those who are close to you have been singing and enjoying it, while those who are far away are flocking to you! Diligence and love for the people, your virtues are shining in the sky and leaking down. Spring. People all over the world say that Wanli is prosperous, but even Hanwen and Songren, how can they be added to it!"
After hearing this, all the ministers fell down. Zhu Yijun's face was slightly red, and he thought to himself: "This guy is so flattering." Although he was secretly happy, he still sat upright and tried hard to hold back his smile.
After Liang Menglong flattered the emperor, he put forward his own argument: "To govern a country, the first thing is to recruit people. The advantage of recommending consecutive sittings is that the recommender does not dare to take the risk of "sitting consecutively", and the disadvantage is that it is easy to succeed. The disadvantages of "lord" and "subordinate"; the advantage of being promoted by the imperial court is that it is easy to obtain talents who are popular among the public, but the disadvantage is that there is the fear of forming a party for personal gain - why not combine the two?"
"I believe that in order to unify the administrative power, the prime minister can appoint cabinet ministers, and the cabinet ministers can appoint ministers in charge, and the ministers can appoint ministers in charge of the ministry, and they can also be promoted by the court. If the minister cannot be promoted, he will be punished with a salary; if he commits adultery after taking office, he will be punished. And so on, follow the method of continuous sitting according to the severity!"
"If the minister is guilty, he will be exempted from being appointed as the minister; if the minister is found guilty, he will be exempted from being appointed as the minister; if the minister is guilty, the prime minister should resign!"
"Is there anyone who dares to form a clique for personal gain or cause harm to national affairs, such as Yan Song's story? Your Majesty, will you just sit back and watch?"
"As for the Prime Minister, please ask Your Majesty to act arbitrarily!"
(End of chapter)
