Jinyi champion

Fengtian Hall, the scene of the court meeting.

A court meeting about the emperor's initiation of a ceremony and the courtiers' fierce opposition started in the early morning of this day with advance warning.

The emperor made an opening statement first, and the eunuch Zhang Zuo, the eunuch, was in charge of the chief of ceremonies, and his decision was made public. in principle.

No surprises.

First, Wang Jun, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, came forward to argue with the emperor, citing the precedents of dynasty changes since ancient times, and showed Zhu Si that there was no precedent for emperors to say that Xiaozong only inherited the throne and not Dazong.

The person who came forward to defend the emperor was Huang Zan, a scholar of the Imperial Academy.

What Huang Zan quoted was also an old-fashioned argument, that is, when Zhu Si was the heir of Xing Wangfu, he was not established as the crown prince one day, and adhering to the principle of "brothers end up with brothers", it was not reflected in Zhu Houzhao and Zhu Sijian. Clearly, and put forward the principle that Zhu Youzhu only has Zhu Si as his son, and the eldest son cannot be an successor...

The two sides argued hard.

But in the final analysis, the leader of the court is Zhu Si.

Hearing the quarrel for a long time, Zhu Si seemed to make a decision and said: "I have made up my mind, I will issue an imperial edict to the Imperial Academy, and I will issue an edict in ten days to sacrifice to the world!"

The ministers actually expected such a violent reaction, after all, the emperor asked them to give an early warning yesterday.

At this time, Jiang Mian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, came out, and as the head of civil servants, he knelt down directly and asked Emperor Jiajing on the throne to take back his order.

The matter dragged on until noon, and the two sides were still in a stalemate.

……

……

In the Imperial Academy, people kept inquiring about the news in the palace.

But even though the ministers were all in the palace at this time, there was still a lot of news that the emperor wanted someone to release it.

Yang Shen, as the newly-appointed Bachelor of Attendant, was also the core figure of the previous great ceremony. At this time, most people in the Imperial Academy still followed his example. It is impossible for an official like Yang Shen who has a strong appeal among the middle and lower literati to come forward.

If the emperor breaks up with the top civil servants, there will be troubles in Ming Dynasty.

But if it was just a group of middle- and lower-level officials fighting, the emperor would be under pressure, and the conflict between the monarch and his ministers would not deteriorate to the point of uncontrollable.

"Yongxiu, although the situation in the palace is not clear, it seems that His Majesty is serious this time. Maybe we should take the last step at this time!"

Yu Chengxun, Ye Guizhang and others went to ask Fengxi about the situation in the palace. Fengxi did not enter the palace to participate in the court meeting that day. When they came back, Yu Chengxun directly gave Yang Shen a suggestion.

It was also what they discussed a long time ago, and they went to the palace to kneel and remonstrate.

In the past, Yang Shen would have pulled people away without hesitation, but because of the experience of colluding with the emperor's faction secretly, Yang Shen had some concerns this time.

Yang Shen said: "Since you all know that the situation is still unclear, if we take that step at this time, we must not turn back! Let's see what the outcome of the debate in the palace is!"

Although some people think that Yang Shen is a little too conservative, but at any rate, his starting point is to take the overall situation into consideration. In addition, Yang Shen has not changed the direction of the ceremony, so others can't say anything.

……

……

At this time, in the palace, a resignation campaign initiated by the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Sun Jiao, officially began.

Sun Jiao also waited until the heat was almost fermented before coming out, and handed over his head the resignation note he had prepared long ago: "Your Majesty, I am old and frail, and want to go back to my hometown to take care of my old age. Please allow me your Majesty's permission."

Sun Jiao's appearance was quite unexpected to many people.

The reason is that many ministers felt that if the emperor really wanted to force some civil servants in the court to retreat in this way, then Sun Jiao must have a vested interest, and it could even be said that Sun Jiao could win an all-round victory.

Some people think that Sun Jiao is hypocritical.

It is the time for the emperor to employ people. If Jiang Mian and others retire, the emperor will definitely value you. Even if your resignation is sincere, the emperor will not take your resignation seriously.

Zhu Si sat on the dragon chair.

He has been confronted with the ministers all morning, and they have no intention of giving in to each other.

It is also because there is no way to retreat this time.

Last time, there was Zhu Hao who came out and suggested that Emperor Xingxian be posthumously named "Junsheng Huangkao". Now even this move can't work, so why should Zhu Youzhu be posthumously named?
Asian father?

Or Zhu Youtang and Zhu Youtang are both imperial examinations?
One son and two fathers?

Even if someone had such thoughts, they would not say them under such great pressure as Zhu Hao.

The two sides had no way out, so they could only stand still for a while, and Sun handed over his resignation, he was the only person who came out to say something about "mediation" in the confrontation between the two sides.

Zhu Si frowned, and asked: "Sun Qing's family, you have been asking for resignation since you returned to the court. Now you have asked for more than ten times?"

Sun handed back: "Yes."

"Could it be that I'm not being polite enough? Or do you think I owe something? I hope that there are veterans from the former court who can stand up to serve the country, set things right, and let the court go on the right track. Did I do something wrong?"

With Zhu Si making such a statement, he probably still disagrees with letting Sun Jiao become an official.

Sun Jiaodao: "The old minister is old and frail, so he really can't persevere."

"Is that so..."

Zhu Si pondered for a long time before saying, "Sun Qing's family, don't say that I don't understand. It was really difficult for you to let you go back to the court. At your age, you still have to work day and night for the court's big and small affairs. , I am grateful for your contribution to the court, so I agree with you to return to your hometown. I will give you the title of Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and I will retire in the future."

Many people present were dumbfounded.

Sun Jiao resigned, is that all right?

Although adding the title of Minister of the Ministry of Officials sounds like a compliment to Sun Jiao, letting Sun Jiao retire as he wished shows that the emperor is still dissatisfied with Sun Jiao.

Let you old man Sun always like the neutral party to sit on the fence, isn't it a disadvantage?We don't want to see you, and the emperor doesn't treat you as one of his own!

Originally, if you survived today, you might be able to become a real minister of the official department, but at this time you jumped out to find a sense of existence, and you were finally deflated, right?
"Thank you, Your Majesty Ron."

Sun Jiao got his wish, he felt relieved, and a smile appeared on his face.

Zhu Si turned and glared at Wang Jun, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and asked, "Ministry of Rites, are you unwilling to carry out my decree and want to fight against me to the end? As a minister of the Ministry of Rites, don't you take me seriously?"

Looking at this posture, Wang Jun seemed to understand something.

In fact, not only did he understand, but those top civil servants who took the lead, such as Jiang Mian, Mao Ji and Qiao Yu, also understood.

Sun Jiao's resignation can be successful, that is to give them a proof.

Doesn't the emperor's rebuke to Wang Jun mean that the emperor wants Wang Jun to resign and leave?

Wang Jun said: "I can't do anything, please ask your majesty to be wiser!"

As he said that, Wang Jun also took out the resignation note he had prepared. Everyone had already discussed this thing, and almost all the civil servants present had a copy, but Sun Jiao took it out first.

Zhang Zuo hurried down and handed over the memorial of Wang Jun's resignation to Zhu Si.

Zhu Si took it over and looked at it, and said coldly: "Wang Shangshu devoted himself to the court and contributed a lot to discussing ceremonies, but he didn't understand my intentions, and always wanted to make some different choices with me...Okay, I don't make it difficult for you, you can also go back to your hometown to live your life."

This time the emperor was different from agreeing to Sun Jiao's resignation. His attitude towards Wang Jun was clearly to let Wang Jun resign voluntarily, and he had no feelings to speak of.

It can even be said that Wang Jun was driven out of the court.

"Your Majesty, please think twice before acting."

Although Jiang Mian knew that resignation was a means of coercion, but now that Wang Jun's resignation was really approved by the emperor, he still had to hurry up and fight for Wang Jun.

If the Minister of Rites can't do it anymore, then who will stop the progress of the emperor's ceremony?

Zhu Sidao: "Wang Shangshu took the initiative to resign, is it that I want to save his face? Or do you think that I and the Qing family should continue to be in such a stalemate?

"I put the words here. I insist on promoting the Dali Discussion. This is no longer a matter of me alone, but a matter that everyone in the Ming court should care about. If the Minister of Rites can't discuss it, then change it." A minister of the Ministry of Rites came up, do you have any opinions?"

"His Majesty……"

Jiang Mian couldn't stand it anymore.

The emperor just drove Wang Jun away, which meant that he was still not satisfied and wanted to continue to attack them veterans.

How aggrieved Jiang Mian and others were, they devoted themselves to Daming, but ended up being rejected by the emperor?

The civil servants could neither understand the emperor's thoughts, nor would the emperor have the same considerations with the civil servants. The two sides stood on their own positions, and it seemed that they could only make a difference.

Zhu Si sternly shouted: "My dear family, let's put aside the discussion of etiquette now. Tell me, who will be the minister of the Ministry of Rites and can promote my proposition? Let the court push it now!"

Before Wang Jun left, the tea was already cold. In front of Wang Jun, the emperor wanted the ministers present to recommend a new candidate for the Minister of Rites?
Huang Zan walked out unceremoniously, and said: "Xi Shu, the right servant of the Nanjing Military Department, is worthy of this position!"

"what?"

The civil servants present were in an uproar.

The emperor just said that he wanted to be promoted by the court, but you, Huang Zan, can't wait to transfer one of the core figures of the Yili School, Xi Shu, to the capital to be the Minister of Rites?

Is there any king law?
Is there any reason?
Zhu Sidao: "Xi Shu? Is it Xi Shu, the former governor of Huguang? I have seen his propositions, which can not only quote the old classics of the previous dynasty, but also have new ideas. It is most suitable for him to be the minister of the Ministry of Rites. What's your opinion? "

Jiang Mian refused politely: "Your Majesty, no!"

Zhu Si asked in a cold voice: "Mr. Jiang Ge, if there is a better candidate, you can just say it. What do you mean by just saying it?"

The smell of gunpowder between the monarch and his ministers is very strong.

Jiang Mian knew that he couldn't go on persuading, and the emperor would definitely not agree to recommend someone who criticized the Li faction, so he could only take the "last step" at this time, he held up his resignation note and said: "Your Majesty, old minister please resign! "

"No!"

Unlike the previous two who were allowed to resign on the spot, Zhu Si directly rejected Jiang Mian's resignation without even thinking about it this time.

Even Huang Zan didn't understand this for a moment.

Zhu Sidao: "I agreed to change the Minister of Rites to let you renegotiate the law of the great ceremony. If all of them were people like Mao Shangshu and Wang Shangshu before, wouldn't there be only one final result? Every time it is different from my appeal? Now I only use the position of minister of the Ministry of Rites in exchange for you to stay in the court with peace of mind, but you all want to resign to put pressure on me?"