The villa is as old as ever, and the capital is turbulent.
Royal Palace, morning court.
The first thing the emperor on the dragon throne did when he started his reign was to seize Shen Tu Gang's official position, which was considered a formal procedure.
No one came out to stop it, everyone understood it tacitly.
Let’s not talk about the inside story, just the result. It was the emperor’s own troops who Shen Tu Gang wanted to “frame”, not other courtiers.
To be pro-military is to be the emperor's dog-legger. The imperial court has no right to participate in this kind of thing. It is a challenge to the authority of the emperor. The emperor on the dragon throne can make a decision with one word. This is the right of the old man.
Boss Zhou was quite kind and did not implicate anyone else. Then he asked the Ministry of Punishment about Shen Tuming's case.
Chen Yongzhi, the left minister, came out and verified that Shen Tuming had indeed tarnished the innocence of the two great men. According to the law, he was sentenced to prison.
Boss Zhou was full of emotions and forced many people to blame him. It was not easy for Shen Tu Gang, and he could not tolerate the separation of father and son at such an old age.
Just when everyone thought that Boss Zhou was being open-minded and didn't want Shen Tuming to be assigned, Lao Ba said, let Shen Tugang accompany him to avoid the separation of father and son.
The courtiers had no objection. They had seen many living Bodhisattvas. This was their first time seeing the living King of Hell pretending to be a living Bodhisattva. He was already so old and would probably be dead before he went anywhere.
However, the courtiers still had no objections. One carrot and one pit. Without Shentu Sizheng and Situ Wufang, since he is no longer the prime minister, he should leave quickly to make room for others. In addition to the prime minister, there are also many ministers in the province. Fat vacancies need to be replaced.
The dynasty was over, and the matter was a foregone conclusion. The old ones were gone, and the new ones were bound to come up. The emperor left the two ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel behind.
This move undoubtedly sent a signal to the outside world that Zaifu wanted to choose from these two people.
When the courtiers left the hall, they couldn't help but look at Zhou Zhenghuai, the minister of the Ministry of Industry. It seemed that Lao Zhou had no chance.
Unexpectedly, instead of being discouraged, Lao Zhou was full of joy. He felt that the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry was quite good. If he became the Prime Minister, he would not be able to stand up at all and would harm the country.
I don’t talk about Lao Zhou who is awake in the world, but only Lao Ba.
Zhou Laoba sat on the dragon chair and did not leave. Standing beside him was Eunuch Suan, and the two ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites stood at the foot of the steps with different expressions on their faces.
Zhao Tai, the slightly younger Minister of Civil Service, tried his best to conceal his inner joy.
Although he knew that he had the strength and qualifications to compete for the position of prime minister and assistant, there was no "official announcement" after all. Now that he was retained, it was considered semi-official. How could he not be happy.
As for the expressionless Mr. Qian Jiqian, the Minister of Rites, his sparse eyebrows were slightly wrinkled. He didn't know whether he didn't want to be the Prime Minister or felt that Zhao Tai was not worthy of being the Prime Minister.
After going to court, if the emperor wanted to have a duel with his ministers, he would usually take them to the side hall, that is, Jingzhi Hall.
Now the emperor is sitting on the dragon throne, and the two ministers have no embroidered pillars, which looks very formal.
"My dear friends."
Boss Zhou sat up straight and said expressionlessly: "What do you two think about Shen Tu Gang?"
This question was very confusing, but just asking it like this made the two ministers look thoughtful.
During this process, Boss Zhou's eyes kept wandering over the two of them.
Zhao Tai is forty-eight this year. He is not old for being in a high position. He is still in his prime.
Qian Ji is fifty-eight, and can be called a veteran of three dynasties. Despite his age, he is in great shape, but he is also a hero in the underwater world. For future generations, he will definitely be the chocolate master of Jintangqiao.
Where the two ministers went, they gave people completely opposite feelings.
The slightly younger Zhao Tai stood there, his waist straight, his official robes arranged meticulously, and every move he made showed the demeanor of a top aristocratic family.
Looking at Qian Ji, who is about to run to sixty, it gives people an unsteady feeling. At that station, he can't be said to be nervous, nor can he be said to be relaxed, it is as if he is just standing there normally.
Everyone is standing, and they stand in front of different people.
Standing in the Taiqian Palace is different from standing outside the palace. Standing in front of the emperor is also different from standing in front of ordinary people.
But Qian Ji gave people the impression that he was just standing like that, standing like that wherever he stood, and standing like that with everyone he saw.
Looking at Zhao Tai again, the way he stands can be said to be a model of a courtier. Whether it is his posture or facial expression, he is impeccable and gives people a very reliable feeling.
"His Majesty."
Qian Ji was the first to speak, and he was actually happy: "My old minister advised you before, saying that Mr. Shentu was narrow-minded and that the so-called Founder minister was just a tool for him to seek power and gain fame. You still don't believe it."
"Bold!" Wen Wu said coldly: "Master Qian, you..."
Boss Zhou: "Shut up."
Wenwu: "Yes."
It's not that Mr. Suan has no eyesight, this is his job.
Qian Ji was even more amused and even laughed at Wen Wu.
"Qian Aiqing is a quick talker. I remember what you said to me back then."
Boss Zhou said nonchalantly: "Yes, as you said, Shen Tu Gang is too greedy for power. Now he is playing with fire and burning himself."
Zhao Tai saw that these two people were chatting, and the emperor was happy, so he had to say: "Sir Qian, although Shen Tu Gang took away his official position, your actions are not what a gentleman does."
Qian Ji curled his lips and said, "I said the same thing to Mr. Shentu in front of him."
Zhao Tai did not say a word, but looked at the emperor's face.
When Boss Zhou announced that the two were staying, Zhao Tai had already regarded Qian Ji as his only competitor. Seeing that he had entered the finals, he was inevitably a little anxious, and he lost his bearings and said too much.
What he meant was that Qian Ji said behind his back that he was not a gentleman, and he had no other meaning. He just told Boss Zhou from the side that Zhao Tai could be upright. OK.
The performance of the two people was noticed by the emperor. Boss Zhou smiled and said: "Shentu Gang controlled the Shangshu Province for a full year. During this period, he promoted and selected many officials from all walks of life to join the Shangshu Province. I am very surprised. Since Shentu Gang promoted them, why did no one in Shangshu Province intercede for him? That's all. It was a matter of great right and wrong. But I heard that no one went to look for Shen Tugang yesterday. On weekdays, those officials in Shangshu Province called him their mentor. Since he is I sympathize with the master and disciple, so why don’t you go and visit? Are these officials in the Shangshu Province all flatterers, trying to climb high and try to push down the low?”
A strange look flashed across Zhao Tai's eyes, and he said impatiently: "The Ministry of Secretariat is the center of all ministries. Although the selection of officials is done through the ministers and officials, the officials have no right to evaluate. This will inevitably lead to the suspicion that Shen Tu Gang formed a party for personal gain. If Your Majesty agrees, and I and the officials are willing to take the exam in person."
Boss Zhou showed a satisfied look and looked at Qian Ji: "What do Qian Aiqing think?"
"Your Majesty can make the decision with just a word. I also believe that the Minister of Finance should not be careless."
"Okay, then I agree. The scientific examination at the end of the year is coming soon. The Ministry of Rites will hand over the regulations to my desk in the next few days. Please step aside."
The two of them said "I obey" in unison, bowed, took a few steps back, and then turned around and left.
This is the correct way to start a conversation in the court. If Han You is straight forward, he is the only one in the court.
Boss Zhou told Shen Tu Gang to get out, and he must be replaced by someone in Shangshu Province, but he can't say who he is, so he can find someone to replace him with.
So Lao Ba pretended to be confused, eh, that's not right, Shen Tu Gang promoted so many people during his tenure, and those people looked up to him as if they were their own fathers. Now that Shen Tu Gang is done with his son, these godsons will not He didn't even bother to make a sound, he didn't even pay a visit. Isn't this just a bunch of flattery? It's so strange.
So Zhao Tai, who is also a smart person, will of course take the initiative to ask for help. In a few days, he will be replaced by Shangshu.
In fact, it is not important whether anyone saw Shen Tugang yesterday. What is important is that Zhao Tai seized the opportunity. He can let people who are close to Shen Tugang go away, and he can also let people who are close to him enter the Book of Secretaries. Province.
But this is in order, one carrot and one pit, people leave first, then people can come.
There are so many officials in the Shangshu Province. In addition to Shen Tu Gang's men, many of them are also key trainees of other aristocratic families. In this process, Zhao Tai will inevitably offend others. Now it depends on whether he dares to gamble. If he wants to be the butcher If he wants to be the assistant, he must offend someone and exchange blood for the minister. Of course, even if he succeeds, he may not be the prime minister, he just has the ticket.
Because Boss Zhou mentioned the scientific examination, which was his first scientific examination since he ascended the throne.
There are scientific examinations every year, but this year is the first year. The scientific examinations of the previous dynasty were criticized. This year, we must do a good job in making it fair, just, open, and of great significance. This important task is left to Qian Ji.
The Shangshu provincial exchange and the scientific examination are both very important to Boss Zhou, so whoever of the two Shangshu can submit a satisfactory answer sheet will be in charge of the seal.
After the two of them walked away, Boss Zhou showed a smile that he thought was evil and arrogant, but was actually a little bit Der.
"Civil and military."
"The old slave is here."
"Don't call yourself that when there's no one around." Boss Zhou said with disgust on his face: "Aren't you easy to do?"
Wenwu said cheerfully: "Students are doing well."
"You said Qian Ji..." Boss Zhou stood up and said uncertainly: "Is he really unwilling to be the prime minister, or does he have concerns?"
"Students don't know, but Mr. Qian is indeed a minister with both political integrity and talent. He can serve the public even if he holds the position of prime minister."
It can also be seen from the conversation between the two that Boss Zhou prefers Qian Ji because he hates the noble family.
Qian Ji is also a son of an old aristocratic family, but he is an old man who fucks other sons of aristocratic families every day. Boss Zhou appreciates this very much. He likes this kind of young man, just like himself.
