Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 738 Watching the Sea Together on Labor Day

It is true that Chen Xun's character is not strong enough, and he will often compromise due to the situation, but the prerequisite for being able to do so is that he can see the situation clearly.

Among the seven ministers, in terms of practical affairs, compared with the other ministers, Chen Xun is indeed slightly insufficient. However, in terms of grasping the people's hearts of the court, as he has been immersed in the cabinet for many years, he can definitely be ranked first. front row.

In addition, both Jiang Yuan and Du Ning were his students, and Chen Xun knew them well, so as Jiang Yuan talked more and more, Chen Xun quickly deduced that there was still someone behind Jiang Yuan. give pointers.

Therefore, the identity of this person, naturally, points to Wang Ao, the chief minister of the cabinet today!

These speculations are not groundless.

The cabinet holds the power to draft proposals, and the cabinet ministers are also given the title of minister. They have both power and rank. Logically speaking, it is entirely possible to overwhelm the six ministries and leap to the top of the group of ministers.

The reason why there is not is very complicated, but the most important thing is the institutional reason. The emperor delegated power to the cabinet, but he gave it a lot of shackles.

For the six departments, the Shangshu is in sole control of the power, and the servants are assistants, while the power of drafting votes for the cabinet is shared by the cabinet ministers. The cabinet ministers have rankings, but there is no distinction between primary and secondary. The minister has the effect of containment, but it cannot form a substantial suppression.

What's more, if several cabinet ministers join forces to fight against the chief minister, then the right to share votes will be in vain. This is a completely possible and legitimate situation in the cabinet.

However, among the six, it is almost impossible.

The ministers in the cabinet have the same powers and ranks. Although they are ranked first, they are still at the same level in essence. However, among the six ministers, the Shangshu is the largest, and the relationship with other officials is superior and subordinate. If it is reprimanded and punished, it will be handed over to the court for disposal.

Based on this special system, the relationship between the cabinet is doomed to be extremely complicated. To put it too much, the cabinet is like a small court, and the relationship between several cabinet ministers is like the relationship between the six ministries of the court.

Just like now, the Ministry of Officials is certainly the most powerful among the ministries, and the Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Officials is known as the head of a hundred officials, but it is impossible to truly overwhelm the officials and outshine all officials, let alone rely on one's own strength. Let Liu Bu obey him.

If this kind of situation really happened, if it was in the imperial court, it would be a powerful minister who monopolizes the power to steal the country;

Therefore, due to institutional restrictions, it is doomed that although the power of the cabinet is heavy, it is difficult to unify it in the hands of one person.

In addition, although the emperor relies on the cabinet to reduce the pressure on government affairs, he obviously still relies more on the six ministries.

In terms of grades, the five ranks of the cabinet university scholar and official are added the title of the second rank Shangshu, which shows their respect. In the current court, in terms of rank alone, the six ministers will overwhelm all the cabinet ministers.

Also, Wang Ao, the chief minister, had his own problems.

The cabinet and the Hanlin Academy were originally in the same line, and they were the transfer of Qingliu, but Wang Ao was not from Qingliu. By chance, he became the chief assistant of the cabinet. He has always been criticized.

It was later that the emperor promoted the cabinet minister again, and did not pay attention to Qingliu's background, so the criticism on him gradually subsided.

However, even so, Wang Ao's congenital deficiencies are still difficult to cover up.

You must know that most of the cabinets are promoted from Qingliu. First, because most of Qingliu's ministers are close servants. Among them, they have a wide range of friends and deep connections, and they are more handy when resolving many conflicts.

However, for Wang Ao, he does not have these two points.

He is neither a close servant, nor a confidant of the emperor, nor does he have contacts in Beijing all the year round. He has experience in local administration and even in fighting and defending the city.

But these are of no benefit to him as the chief minister of the cabinet.

Therefore, for a long time, although Wang Ao's status in the imperial court was not low, he never had a strong sense of presence.

What's more, he, the first assistant, is not as active in the hearts of the officials as Yu Shiyue, the second assistant who also serves as Zhan Shi of the Prince's Mansion.

However, this was obviously not what Wang Ao wanted.

During this period of time, although he didn't seem to do anything, he was always waiting for an opportunity.

Looking back at Wang Ao's actions after he entered the cabinet, he first "drives" Chen Xun out of the cabinet, and then sits back and watches Gao Gu be demoted from Beijing. Lost his unshakable position in the cabinet.

Subsequently, through the cabinet meeting, the different voices of the cabinet were unified, and the voice of the cabinet in the court was uttered.

Although he didn't use direct means to enhance his influence, it did allow him to gain a firm foothold in the court.

Well, now that he has initially stabilized his position, the next step is naturally to strengthen his own strength and increase his influence in the court.

Among the six parts, it was difficult for him to get in. Not to mention, these officials in the six parts either have solid local experience, or have just been released from the Imperial Academy, no matter what the situation is, Everyone must have their own connections and background forces.

In this case, for Wang Ao, the best choice is those Shu Jishi who are still in the Imperial Academy and Jinshi who are about to enter the Imperial Academy.

They are both young and promising, and their net worth is clean. According to the way the emperor is doing now, if we talk about some operations, maybe these people will enter the science path in the future and become Wang Ao's solid mouthpiece, so that he can really be above the court. occupy a place.

With such an opportunity, why not do it?

Wang Ao had this need, and Jiang Yuan also hoped that he could go further. Naturally, the two hit it off and worked together to play tricks in the palace examination.

With this in mind, Chen Xun put on the whole thing.

If there is no accident, that Cheng Zong is just an ordinary top-ranking scholar who was used as a bait to lure Xiao Ying. Only in this way can it be guaranteed that no one can find any traces.

however……

"Ding'an, your thinking is too simple. Do you really think that His Majesty is easy to fool? How can His Majesty rub the sand in his eyes for such a big matter?"

"Do you think that if the old man came to recommend Du Ning and Wang Ao came to recommend you, if the two choose, His Majesty will let you take charge of the academy's affairs? How naive!"

Looking at Jiang Yuan who lowered his head, Chen Xun sighed and said quietly.

Now that the matter is over, Wang Ao and Jiang Yuan's calculations are already obvious. In today's court, there are only a few who can take over as Hanlin bachelors.

One is the few bachelors in the Hanlin Academy, but, to put it bluntly, those few people are all dedicated to studying the classics, and if they become the Hanlin bachelors, I am afraid that it is not necessary to teach these new scholars to become a group of scholars. Help the nerds.

This point, Chen Xun and the others can see it, and I believe the emperor will not be unclear.

Therefore, even if it is for the future of these new subjects, the emperor will not choose them.

Then the only ones who have not been dispatched to other places and who have Qingliu qualifications to take over are Du Ning and Jiang Yuan.

Originally, Du Ning must be more suitable. However, Chen Xun had recommended Du Ning to join the cabinet several times before, and the emperor refused to approve it because of the busyness of Dali Temple. , the emperor approved it instead, so there are obviously some inconsistencies.

Moreover, Chen Xun recommended Du Ning, Wang Ao recommended Jiang Yuan, and the memorials of the two were handed over at the same time. It is easy to make people feel that this is a struggle between the Qingliu lineage represented by Chen Xun and the cabinet.

Under such circumstances, given the emperor's political tendency to suppress Qingliu during this period of time, maybe he will really support Wang Ao.

After all, the chief minister of the cabinet was single-handedly promoted by the emperor.

After these words were finished, the ins and outs of it became clear. No matter how slow Du Ning was, he still realized that Jiang Yuan didn't really want to get him a job in charge of the Imperial Academy when he was pulled over today. Shen said coldly.

"Jiang Ding'an, Du treats you with sincerity, but never thought that you are so scheming, that you dare to plot against the teacher? What a villain!"

Facing the furious Du Ning, Jiang Yuan calmed down instead.

He raised his head and looked at Chen Xun, he didn't look weak and cowardly at all, instead he sighed softly and said.

"Master Chen, why do you need to pierce this layer of window paper?"

"It is true that doing so is good for me and Mr. Shoufu, but it can also be regarded as bringing the cabinet back into the hands of Qingliu's lineage."

"Although the students are not talented, they are also from Qingliu. You know, Master Chen, that the Hanlin lineage is on the decline. If you don't do something, it will be difficult for me to gain a foothold in the Qingliu lineage. land."

"Now the chief assistant of the cabinet is Lord Jiugao. Although he is not Qingliu, he is willing to train younger generations. This is also a good thing for my Qingliu lineage. The teacher should help him!"

Hearing Jiang Yuan's "worshipful words" (not Bilian), Du Ning was about to be blown up, he jumped up from his chair, pointed at Jiang Yuan and said.

"Jiang Ding'an, you are shameless!"

"How dare you mention Qingliu Yiyi, bah, it's an insult!"

"You and I……"

At the end of the conversation, Du Siqing was so angry that he was shaking all over, unable to speak coherently.

However, at this time, Chen Xun raised his hand and signaled Du Ning to sit down. Seeing this situation, Du Ning opened his mouth, but in the end, out of respect for the teacher, he still didn't say anything, and sat down with a livid face. go back.

Afterwards, Chen Xunfang turned his head to look at Jiang Yuan, and said calmly.

"Ding'an, although this old man is not your teacher, but since you call me teacher, I also regard you as a student."

"Today, since you begged me to come to the door, then, the old man will help you again this time."

"It's just that after today, the friendship between you and me ends here. You are not my student, and I am not your teacher. I will write the memorial, but you have to bear the result yourself!"

The implication is that the relationship between the two masters and apprentices ends here, and from then on, they are strangers!

Faced with such a result, Jiang Yuan was not surprised, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness floating on his face.

However, at the end, he didn't say much, he just got up and bowed his hands solemnly, saying.

"Thank you, Master Chen."

"Although Mr. Chen is no longer willing to accept students today, since Jiang Yuan was taught by you, he will never forget it for the rest of his life. After today, Jiang Yuan dare not call Mr. Chen outside, but he always regards you as his teacher in his heart!"

After finishing speaking, he saluted earnestly, then turned around, and left the Chen residence with strides.

After Jiang Yuan's figure completely disappeared, Du Ning finally couldn't bear it anymore and asked.

"Master Chen, you are really like this..."

However, before he finished speaking, he saw Chen Xun raised his hand to stop him.

Looking at the direction Jiang Yuan left, Chen Xun narrowed his eyes and said.

"Zong Mi, do you know why Jiang Yuan asked the old man to recommend you to be in charge of the Imperial Academy, instead of recommending him like Wang Ao?"

This……

Du Ning was stunned, but before he could speak, Chen Xun said.

"Although there is something strange about the palace examination, Xiao Yi is ultimately responsible. Even if His Majesty suspects that there is someone behind it, there is no evidence, and Jiang Yuan, as the most deeply involved and most important person in this matter, will definitely be suspected by His Majesty. .”

"At this time, if the old man seeks a job for you in the Imperial Academy, it will muddy the waters, making His Majesty uncertain whether Jiang Yuan did it, or was the old man instigated, or was there Wang Jiugao's shadow, or Simply put, we did it together.”

"Today he dragged you into my residence together, and stayed for such a long time, perhaps that's the purpose of him!"

Hearing this, Du Ning was taken aback for a moment, and then he was a little anxious, and said.

"Teacher, since you know, why don't you help him?"

However, Chen Xun shook his head, sneered, and said.

"You know, Jiang Yuan's biggest mistake, or the biggest mistake of Wang Jiugao behind him, is precisely that he underestimated the emperor."

"They thought that since the water was muddied and the emperor couldn't figure out the truth of the matter, he would wait and see what happened, let Jiang Yuan take over, so that he could see who was behind him and what benefits he wanted to gain."

"It is true that this is the best way, but the premise is that His Majesty has doubts about this matter..."

As he spoke, Chen Xun's expression was a bit complicated, he sighed softly, and turned his eyes to the direction of the imperial city, but when he looked around, there was only a dark night.

"But our Majesty, how can we be so easy to fool?"

"Look, the cocoon is bound to bind itself!"

Du Ning seemed to understand, but finally decided to believe in Chen Xun's judgment, and nodded slightly.

The spring night was neither too dry nor too cold, the teacher and the student wentssip again, and then Du Ningfang left.

The moonlight outside is bright and the breeze is pleasant. However, in the current capital city, there are many people who cannot sleep, and can only look up at the bright moon for peace of mind...

(End of this chapter)