Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 908 Duning's Choice

Zhu Qiyu who was sitting on the throne naturally had a full view of the changes in the expressions of the ministers below.

He even saw clearly the subtle rivalry between the Ministry of Officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

The case of the imperial examination involves a huge amount, and everyone wants to profit from it. Dali Temple, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Officials, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and even the cabinet all have their own plans.

In addition, it is also related to the status of Qingliu, the clarification of the court atmosphere, and the stability of the political situation.

It can be said that, as the emperor, Zhu Qiyu has much more worries than the ministers below.

But no matter what, things still need to be understood.

Seeing Chen Yi's heavy face below, Zhu Qiyu sighed, and immediately, a decision was made in his heart, he pondered for a moment, and then continued to speak.

"The imperial examination case can be called the first case of imperial examination fraud in this dynasty since the North and South List case!"

"The ministers of the cabinet colluded with the Hanlin scholars as the mastermind, and the other officials who read the papers knew that they violated the rules, but they still kept silent and regarded the country as nothing."

"The atmosphere in the court is so, it really makes me very sad."

"In this matter, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is responsible for improper supervision, and the Ministry of Officials is responsible for improper selection of personnel and ignorance of people. They should be punished. Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu, will be fined for half a year, and Wang Wen, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, will be fined for three months. as a punishment."

What most courtiers didn't expect was that the emperor put down the half-finished palace examination and didn't continue to talk about it. Instead, he took charge of the Ministry of Officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate first.

Speaking of which, the two elders are scrambling to admit their mistakes, and now, they are asking for punishment and getting punished.

However, what surprised them was that Wang Tianguan was punished more lightly, but the old man seemed to be even more aggrieved, and gave Chen Yi a vicious look, and then the two came forward and spoke.

"The minister leads the decree to thank you!"

At the same time, a group of bigwigs kept their eyes straight, but they couldn't help but a strange look flashed in their eyes, as if they remembered something...

Then, after the two retreated, the emperor did not hesitate too much, and continued to speak.

"As for the remaining eight examiners, although they are not the masterminds, they are also guilty of dereliction of duty. Considering that they did not do it intentionally, and they have no mistakes or omissions, I will give them mercy, but they must be punished."

"Decree to remove the cabinet ministers Zhu Jian from the titles of Prince Shaoshi and Zhang Min from the titles of Prince Shaofu, keep the official position unchanged, degrade the rank, and the salary will be regarded as the third rank, and will still be dispatched by the cabinet. First-class, no promotion and transfer within three years, to see the effect later, if there is a re-offender, it will be dealt with severely!"

Ah this...

A group of courtiers present were stunned, they didn't expect the emperor to deal with it like this, because there was really no such precedent before.

But after thinking about it, they also understood.

This case involved too much. If the emperor really dealt with it severely, then the whole court might be in a vacuum.

But it's not appropriate not to deal with it, so I can only think of such a compromise.

This way of handling not only taught these ministers a lesson, but also maintained the stability of the court, so that there would be no problems with the operation of government affairs.

It's just that many people still secretly feel a little regretful in their hearts. After all, although the possibility is very small, once the emperor is really angry this time and demotes or even dismisses these ministers, then the vacant seats will be A large number of...

But now it seems that it is impossible!

But anyway, the matter is finally settled.

All the ministers present breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts, feeling a little sore in their brains. What happened today was too twisted, and they had to review it carefully after they went back.

Logically speaking, what the court discussed today was the palace examination fraud case. Now that this case has a result, the court should be dismissed.

However, the emperor unexpectedly mentioned another matter.

"Dali Temple has worked hard this time, and it is considered meritorious. Du Siqing, Xiao Yi has now been dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. The position of Hanlin Bachelor is vacant. Are you willing to succeed?"

???

Looking at the gentle face of the emperor, Du Ning couldn't help being a little dazed.

What does this mean?
Not only Du Ning, but the other ministers were also very surprised.

Indeed, now that Xiao Ying was officially dismissed from office and Wang Ao handed over his job in the Imperial Academy, the imperial court must select capable ministers to take charge of the Imperial Academy as soon as possible.

Du Ning was born in Qingliu, his character and reputation are good, and his qualifications are sufficient. In addition, he has handled such a case today. In theory, it is no problem for him to take over as the Hanlin Bachelor.

However, this is only theoretically speaking. If the Son of Heaven didn't ask, Du Ning would have a good chance of competing for this position.

Who is the Son of Heaven?The emperor with the constitution in his mouth and the law in his words!

The old man asked Du Ning to be transferred to the Hanlin Academy because of God's grace, how could he have heard that the emperor's order is still discussed?
So, the emperor didn't want Du Ning to take over?
The ministers below speculated a lot, and all looked at Du Ning at the same time.

At this moment, Du Ning's expression was also very complicated.

To take, or not to take?

For him, the position of Hanlin Bachelor has extraordinary significance. It can be said that it has entrusted his ideals since he became an official.

Back then, he was even almost pulled in by Jiang Yuan because of his position as a Hanlin Bachelor.

Although later, under Chen Xun's reminder, he finally saw through Jiang Yuan's sinister intentions, but his desire for a Hanlin scholar did not weaken in the slightest.

It's just that, compared to Jiang Yuan, Du Ning can still be upright and won't engage in such behind-the-scenes methods.

However, because of this, for him, this opportunity is even more precious.

Since the emperor Jinkou opened, it means that in a sense, the decision-making power is now in the hands of Du Ning.

No matter what the emperor's intention was, as long as Du Ning asked to continue, then under the current situation, it would be difficult for the emperor to refuse.

But if this opportunity is missed, it will not be easy to seek the position of Hanlin Bachelor.

You know, with Xiao Yi, if the Hanlin scholars have problems again in a short period of time, the face of the court and the face of the emperor will have no place to put it.

Therefore, at this moment, Du Ning was struggling in his heart.

He raised his head and looked at his teacher Chen Xun, wanting to get some pointers from him, but unfortunately, Chen Xun stood where he was, like a clay sculpture or wood carving, without the slightest expression on his face.

So, after struggling for a moment, Du Ning sighed softly and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty has learned that this minister has little talent and virtue, and was ordered by His Majesty to personally try the case of the imperial examination. Now that Xiao Xueshi has been dismissed from office and returned to his hometown, if I take over as a Hanlin Bachelor, it may cause criticism from the government and the public."

"So please be considerate, Your Majesty, and choose another virtuous minister to take charge of the Imperial Academy."

After all, Du Ning is not a person who hesitates. After making up his mind, his attitude becomes firm.

As soon as he opened his mouth, the reason he threw out was real, and it was obvious that it was a real resignation, not that kind of false resignation.

Although many people had expected it, Du Ning's resolute attitude still aroused a murmur of discussion in the court.

However, for Du Ning, after these words were finished, not only did he not feel the regret as he imagined, but he felt a little relaxed as if he had lost some burden.

Moreover, I don't know if it was an illusion, but Du Ning always had a feeling that after he finished speaking, the emperor looked at him with a little more approval.

Pausing for a moment, the emperor glanced down, as if hesitating, said.

"It's a good thing for the Qing family to have this kind of heart. However, all the affairs of the court are complicated. Since the Qing family is a pillar of ministers, they should not be afraid of difficulties and avoid them."

"A few days ago, I just received a report that Jin Shangshu encountered a lot of difficulties in organizing the army on the border. He needed a capable minister to help him."

"I don't know Du Qing's house, would you like to go?"

Ask again this time, obviously different from just now.

If it was said that there was a bit of temptation just now, then this time, it obviously carried a taste of "entrusting a heavy responsibility".

Rectifying the military settlements has been a major policy of the imperial court recently. For this matter, the emperor has devoted countless efforts, and even sent Jin Lian and Yu Qian, two ministers at the level of six ministers, to go directly to the local government to preside over it, one from the south and the other from the north. Take it seriously.

At this time, asking Du Ning to assist Jin Lian at least proved that in the heart of the emperor, Du Ning was already a minister who could be reused.

But anyone who winks at him will not think about it at this time.

Du Ning is not stupid, so he naturally knows how to express his position now.

"Your Majesty has an order, and the imperial court has entrustments. I will go through fire and water, and I will die!"

Seeing Du Ning's swearing appearance, the emperor didn't continue to say more, but said.

"Du Qing is so courageous. However, even though that is the case, the position of Hanlin Bachelor should not be kept for a long time. Ladies and Gentlemen, can anyone recommend?"

Although the question was about the officials, the emperor's eyes fell on Chen Xun, intentionally or not.

Seeing this situation, Wang Tianguan curled his lips, but he didn't say anything after all.

At the same time, Chen Xun frowned slightly, as if he was thinking about something, and after a while, he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have a candidate for this position!"

"who?"

The emperor's voice was calm, and he asked a question.

Under the gaze of the officials, Chen Xun said in a leisurely manner.

"Gansu governor Yiming has both ability and political integrity, and has outstanding literary talents. This time the imperial court has rectified the army, Yiming has made great contributions. He has served as a bachelor in the Imperial Academy and is familiar with the situation of the Imperial Academy. Yiming will be in charge of the Imperial Academy. It's the most suitable!"

Hearing this name, many ministers who were recently promoted from the local area were a little unfamiliar.

However, the minister who entered the court a few years ago couldn't help squinting his eyes.

It is true that this Lord Yiming once served as a bachelor's servant, but the more shining layer of resume on his body is actually that he was the long history of the palace of Prince Yi!

The emperor never employs cronyism, so the subordinate officials of Prince Yi's mansion are basically sent to the sciences and even the localities to hone their skills.

Although Yi Ming was the chief history of the palace, he was not given too much preferential treatment. At first, he was only released as the magistrate of Fengxiang.

However, after all, he was a minister of the dragon, and Jane was in the Sacred Heart. In just over a year, he was promoted to be the governor of Gansu. History, but the power in his hands is real.

Now, less than a year before he was transferred to Gansu governor, he was recommended by Chen Xun and transferred to Hanlin Bachelor.

This promotion speed...

Tsk tsk, a group of ministers who knew the inside story smacked their lips, and they could only say that this Lord Yi is really lucky.

Yiming?

Zhu Qiyu's eyes flickered, Chen Xun's words were rather vague, but, in fact, this is not a secret.

At the beginning, the biggest reason why Zhu Qiyu transferred Yiming to Gansu was to learn about the series of crimes committed by Ren Li in Gansu.

So Yiming went to investigate Ren Li's case and collect evidence.

After Jin Lian arrived in Gansu, the reason why he was able to go so smoothly was inseparable from Yiming's adequate preparations in advance.

It's just that, when Jin Lian brought the matter up during the performance, Zhu Qiyu suppressed it and didn't show his role in it to the court.

But this point, many important ministers in the court are clear.

Of course, the reason why Zhu Qiyu did this was not because he wanted to take credit for Yiming, but because of his status, some things were not easy to bear.

There is nothing wrong with Ren Li. However, in addition to investigating the case of Ren Li in Gansu, Yiming also collected a lot of evidence of the honorable family's occupation of the army. Hou Fu.

It's fine for other honorable families, but Yangwuhou's Mansion is the husband's family of the eldest princess of Changde, and Zhu Qiyu always treats them a little more leniently because of the princess's face.

So this matter, can we not let them know who is the best to handle it, so as to avoid trouble...

Having said that, now that the case of Ren Li has come to an end, Yiming's mission has indeed been almost completed. After going out for more than two years, it is almost time to call him back to Beijing.

Nodding slightly, Zhu Qiyu asked Wang Tianguan as usual.

"What do the officials think? Did Yiming fail in the two-year evaluation?"

In this case, the emperor obviously needs the official department to endorse.

Therefore, Wang Wen naturally wouldn't say much, and bowed his hands.

"Returning to Your Majesty, Yiming's evaluations in the past two years are all in the upper middle class. The official department has already planned to promote him at the end of the year. Now Chen Shangshu recommends him to be a Hanlin Bachelor, and I think there is nothing wrong with it!"

The Hanlin bachelor said it was heavy, but said it was light. If he didn't have Qingliu's halo bonus, he would actually be a fifth-rank official, but usually he was also led by the Minister of Rites, so he could barely be regarded as a third-rank official.

With Chen Xun's six ministers, the leader of Qingliu personally recommended it, and the official department also nodded, so naturally there will be no problems.

What's more, anyone who knows Yiming's background knows the real reason for his promotion, so naturally no one will touch this bad luck.

So, the emperor nodded and said.

"Since this is the case, call Gansu governor Yiming back to Beijing, and be promoted to be the right servant of the Ministry of Rites, and take charge of the affairs of the Imperial Academy!"

At this point, the Son of Heaven seemed to be hesitant, and his eyes fixed on Chen Xun's body, with some inexplicable meaning, but at the end, his voice still dropped steadily.

"In addition, Du Ning, Minister of Dali Temple, was promoted as the censor of the right capital, and he was the governor of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Datong and other places, and assisted Jin Lian, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, to rectify the affairs of the border military settlements!"

(End of this chapter)