Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 906

To be honest, Wang Ao and Chen Xun have been feuding for a long time.

You know, before Wang Ao was parachuted into the cabinet, Chen Xun was the second assistant of the cabinet, and the position of the first assistant was still uncertain. Many people thought that Chen Xun hoped to be the first assistant. During that time, including Chen Xun himself , is also actively fighting for it, showing its edge in the court.

But later, Wang Wen and Wang Ao came back from Liaodong. Wang Wen took over Wang Zhi's official minister, and Wang Ao became the chief assistant as soon as he entered the cabinet. From this point of view, Wang Ao blocked Chen Xun. way.

Later, the two were even more contradictory.

At that time, in the cabinet, Chen Xun and Gao Gu's family was the dominant family. Although there was a hidden tendency to fight against each other, the arrival of Wang Ao united the two of them again.

Although Wang Ao is single and weak, but after all, as the first assistant, he will not be manipulated by others. The two sides have been fighting openly and secretly for a long time.

There were countless incidents in the middle, the most typical ones being Jing Yanshi's talk about Shang Qingliu's collective isolation of Wang Ao, and the fact that Wang Ao joined the Ministry of Officials to introduce cabinet ministers.

As a result, the two parties almost tore their faces apart. In the end, the emperor personally came forward to mediate. On the one hand, he approved Wang Ao's memorial to recommend the cabinet ministers, and on the other hand, he appointed Chen Xunsheng as Minister of the Ministry of Industry. The turmoil finally subsided.

However, although the situation is calm on the surface, the beams between the two sides must have been formed.

Of course, at their level, personal grievances are certainly one aspect, but there must be a deeper reason for the two sides to fight.

The reason why from the very beginning, Wang Ao and Chen Xun had constant conflicts. It seemed that they were fighting for the control of the cabinet, but in fact, they were fighting for the control of Qingliu.

After all, the nature of the cabinet is special. At that time, the momentum of the emperor's suppression of Qingliu was not obvious.

As the chief assistant, Wang Ao will be gradually eliminated if he cannot expand his influence in Qingliu.

However, in his capacity, to occupy a place in Qingliu was equivalent to competing with Chen Xun and Gao Gu for the position.

This is basically an irreconcilable contradiction, so the two sides dislike each other.

Of course, this kind of contradiction was gradually weakened as the emperor broke the convention and introduced Feiqing into the cabinet, and promoted Xiao Yi, who was not from Chen Xun's line and had no deep friendship with Wang Ao, as a Hanlin scholar.

However, fading does not mean disappearing. Although Wang Ao and Chen Xun seldom had disputes on weekdays, so many people forgot that such a fierce conflict had occurred between them, Wang Ao never forgot.

Therefore, he has always been vigilant about Jiang Yuan's refuge.

Especially in the matter of the palace examination, he was always uneasy, but unfortunately, like Xiao Yi, Wang Ao could not withstand the temptation of interests and let Jiang Yuan go.

In fact, after Tianzi Lei Ting was furious, Wang Ao realized that he might have made a big mistake, so he was always worried about it.

However, the day finally came.

With his gaze fixed on Chen Xun, Wang Ao's face became gloomy for a while.

Sure enough, this group of people from Qingliu is a good player when it comes to political struggle.

The current situation is already very clear. Chen Xun probably didn't have to prepare for the early morning court in a day or two.

From letting Dali Temple snatch the presiding judge's power at the beginning, to falling out with Jiang Yuan in the court meeting and estranged himself, and then trying to face-to-face again and again.

This old fellow is indeed very scheming...

In the current situation, even if Wang Ao saw everything clearly, he could only seek to protect himself first.

He knew that Chen Xun was behind this matter, but he knew even more that the other party had already picked him clean.

No matter whether he can keep himself or not, he has already lost this court meeting.

Because, he knew who was plotting against him, but he couldn't fight back.

With Chen Xun and Jiang Yuan's falling out before, no matter what, he couldn't get involved with Chen Xun. All he can do now is to protect himself.

But looking back at Chen Xun, no matter whether Jiang Yuan can overthrow Wang Ao in the end, he will remain invincible.

Good intentions!
With a sneer in his heart, Wang Ao let out a long breath.

Today's big gift, he remembered it.

Since Chen Xun can spend such a long time planning and planning, why should he be in such a hurry?
Turning his eyes away from Chen Xun's body and falling on Jiang Yuan's body, a trace of pity flashed across Wang Ao's face, this Jiang Yuan was really unclear.

No wonder he was regarded as an abandoned son by Chen Xun early on.

Under the eyes of everyone, facing Jiang Yuan's accusation, Wang Ao didn't make any movement except for a slight change in his face, as if Jiang Yuan was not talking about him.

Until a moment later, the first emperor asked and said.

"Shoufu, Jiang Yuan said that you were behind the palace examination fraud case, what do you have to say about it?"

The calmness of this question seemed to be no different from the tone of Jiang Yuan's question just now.

However, Wang Ao's reaction was completely different from that of Jiang Yuan who was at a loss. He looked calm and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, what Jiang Yuan said is just that the trapped beast is still fighting and biting you indiscriminately."

"It's a common practice to recommend cabinet ministers to read the papers for the palace examination. I have not violated the rules. After the palace examination fraud case, it is urgent for the Imperial Academy to select a good scholar. The minister recommended Jiang Yuan, also following His Majesty's will, thinking that Jiang Yuan is clean, simple and diligent. , has never done bad deeds, and as for the final temporary management of the affairs of the Imperial Academy, it is not the minister who asked His Majesty for it."

"I don't know why Jiang Yuan wanted to accuse me of slander, but the case of the imperial examination has nothing to do with me. Please learn from me!"

After all, as the chief assistant of the cabinet, Wang Ao also has his own strength.

Before Chen Xun made a move, he felt uneasy, but after the opponent made a move, he actually calmed down.

He is not a clean stream like Jiang Yuan who regards fame as his life.

The reason why Wang Ao was able to become the chief assistant of the cabinet was not because of his connections or seniority, but because he guarded the border with his sword. He went to Liaodong with Wang Wen, persuaded Tuotuo Buhua to withdraw his troops, and established the turning point of the entire war in Oiratia.

If you want to bring him down, do you rely on Jiang Yuan's unsubstantiated words?

How naive!

Chen Xun didn't want to go into battle himself, but planned to drive Jiang Yuan to a dead end, because he was not absolutely sure.

Therefore, in the whole chess game, only Jiang Yuan is an abandoned piece.

Why did Chen Xun plan to deal with Wang Ao for so long, but conversely, did he really have no preparations for Wang Ao?

There is no strong refutation in these words, the core meaning is just one sentence... This matter has nothing to do with me!

But on the contrary, it was this kind of attitude that caused the officials to become hesitant, and began to wonder if Jiang Yuan was dying, grabbing and biting randomly...

Seeing this situation, Jiang Yuan was also a little flustered.

He is very clear that his accusation is actually just like what Wang Ao said, it is biting. In this case, the more intense Wang Ao's reaction is, the more guilty he will appear, but the calmer he is, the more Jiang Yuan will appear. Like a clown.

However, up to now, he has no other way, he can only bite Wang Ao tightly, and Jiang Yuan opened his mouth and said.

"Your Majesty, the case of the imperial examination is indeed an obsession with ghosts, but how can an ordinary cabinet minister have the guts to deceive the saint?"

"If there is no suggestion from the chief assistant, I will definitely not dare to do this. Please learn from your majesty!"

This is killing my heart!
There is no evidence, only inferences, and the purpose is to stir up doubts in everyone's hearts.

However, for Wang Ao, this kind of method is really not a difficult thing to deal with.

Of course, in the face of Jiang Yuan's continuous attacks, Wang Ao obviously couldn't deal with it with the attitude just now, so he turned to Jiang Yuan and asked.

"Mr. Jiang Ge, you keep saying that I hinted that you cheated in the imperial examination, so I want to ask you, why do you listen to what I say?"

"Your Majesty has already said that there is no top or bottom in the cabinet. They are all ministers. They are called first and second ministers, but they are in different positions. Since you know that I have the intention of manipulating the imperial examination for personal gain, why haven't you informed Your Majesty?"

"This... This is of course because you control the cabinet and restrain me with the right to share votes, so I..."

Jiang Yuan's forehead was constantly sweating, and his speech was a little incoherent.

Of course he could hear the purpose of Wang Ao's words, because the real answers to these two questions were very simple.

That is Jiang Yuan's own desire to seek the expansion of power, and to get the job of being in charge of the Imperial Academy.

But can this be said?
Of course not!

Once he admitted this, then, in the eyes of the courtiers, he became a villain through and through.

Now he has no evidence at all. If the officials have such an impression of him, then his accusation will naturally lose the slightest credibility.

Therefore, he can only pull out this excuse, but the problem is that only the truth is invulnerable, as long as it is a lie, there will inevitably be flaws.

Before Jiang Yuan could finish speaking, Wang Ao snorted coldly and interrupted him, saying.

"Elder Jiang Ge means that this official is in the cabinet, and he is already covering the sky with one hand and has unparalleled power. Can he order the cabinet ministers at will? Just rely on the power to divide votes?"

Jiang Yuan was speechless after asking a single sentence.

After those words were spoken just now, he also realized the problem.

Although the right to share votes is unique to the chief minister, but to say that the cabinet can be completely controlled by virtue of this, I am afraid that the institutional role of the cabinet is too underestimated.

Different from other yamen, the ministers of the cabinet are independent, and all have the power to draw up their own votes, submit their own performances, and even draw up their own imperial edicts based on their own wishes.

The right to share votes can only determine which affairs they deal with daily, and it is impossible to pose a substantial threat to a cabinet minister.

Seeing that Jiang Yuan was speechless, Wang Ao shook his head, ignored him, turned around and wanted to make a final decision on the matter, but just as he turned around, before he could speak, he heard a voice behind him.

"Master Shoufu, don't you have one?"

As soon as this voice came out, there was a wave of waves in the court. Obviously, his appearance surprised many ministers.

Wang Ao frowned, turned his head to look at the person who spoke, and couldn't help feeling awe-inspiring.

"Your Majesty, I have impeached the chief minister of the cabinet Wang Ao, bullied the cabinet ministers, and acted recklessly. As a minister of the cabinet, I don't know how to be smooth inside and out. Instead, I have repeatedly set off court disputes. I really owe your majesty's trust. I implore your majesty to choose another virtuous minister to be the chief minister." position!"

All the ministers looked at this minister who had been silent in the court hall for a long time, with different expressions.

Zhu Jian!

No one thought that he would intervene at this time...

Wang Ao stared at Zhu Jian closely, and then he looked at Chen Xun and Du Ning beside him. Seeing that they were not surprised, he knew that he still underestimated the leader of Qingliu.

Since he chose to attack today, how could he only rely on Jiang Yuan?
Facing everyone's gaze, Zhu Jian stepped forward and said calmly.

"Your Majesty has clearly learned that the cabinet has long been customized, and all the ministers have the right to vote to prevent tyranny. However, since Wang Ao became the chief minister, he has used the name of the cabinet to take charge of major affairs inside and outside the court. Although he is called the cabinet minister This is one of the draft proposals, but it has actually stolen the right of the cabinet ministers to draft proposals."

"Since entering the cabinet, Wang Ao did not think of serving the country with all his loyalty, but formed cliques and eliminated dissidents. He had many conflicts with his former assistant Chen Xun and former cabinet minister Gao Gu. Mr. Jiang Ge, Mr. Zhang Ge and his ministers entered the cabinet. After entering the cabinet, he borrowed the right to divide the votes to divide and suppress."

"Those who agree with Wang Ao at the cabinet meeting will get the key government affairs of the court when the votes are divided, and those who disagree with them will be ignored. This situation is not a day."

"The ministers in the current cabinet are all afraid of Wang Ao like a tiger. This generation only knows how to exercise power. How can you bear the name of the leader and assistant? Please learn from your majesty!"

As soon as these words came out, all the ministers present immediately discussed.

Even Wang Ao clenched his fists!

So, is this the real killer move?

The difference from Jiang Yuan is that Wang Ao did not really intervene in the palace examination case. Although Wang Ao finally got the power of the Imperial Academy, as Wang Ao himself said, this job was given to him by the emperor. Yes, not what he asked for.

If the normal steps were followed, it would be Jiang Yuan who would benefit in the end.

Therefore, it is not particularly difficult for Wang Ao to get rid of his suspicion in the palace examination case.

However, who would have thought that what Chen Xun really calculated against him was not the crime of manipulating the palace examination, but suppressing cabinet ministers, controlling the cabinet, and monopolizing power.

After all, Wang Ao is the chief assistant of the cabinet, and the crime of the former is too great. Jiang Yuan accuses him in this situation, and there is no evidence, which is really unconvincing. What he counts on is nothing more than the emperor's suspicion. Very calm.

However, now that Zhu Jian stepped forward, the situation immediately changed.

In the palace examination case, even if Jiang Yuan's accusation was confirmed, Wang Ao only hinted that who is really responsible for the crime still needs to be discussed, not to mention, under the current circumstances, it is simply not true.

However, Zhu Jian's impeachment was different.

Not all of what he said were true, but at least nine were true and one was false.

Wang Ao never thought of deliberately crowding out and suppressing the cabinet ministers, but there is no doubt that, as the chief assistant, he was directly promoted from the local government and entered the cabinet directly. In order to maintain his authority, he must use some means.

Cabinet meetings are the most important means for him to control the cabinet!
Now, Zhu Jian insisted that he had seized the right to draft votes from other cabinet ministers through cabinet discussions. He couldn't be right, but he couldn't be wrong either.

In addition, the fight between him and Chen Xun, Gao Gu and the others was indeed a big one.

More importantly, although he didn't deliberately suppress the cabinet ministers, sometimes, it is inevitable to do something that goes along with the flow.

Just like Zhu Jian who stood up now, he failed in the battle with Yu Shiyue before, and he was squeezed out in the cabinet, not to mention everyone screaming, but it is not an exaggeration.

Under such circumstances, it is definitely impossible for Wang Ao to get close to him, so it is not surprising to use the power of splitting votes to set him aside.

However, under the current situation, his previous actions have all turned into examples for Zhu Jian to impeach him!
(End of this chapter)