Manchu traitor, how can you let me be the emperor of the ages

Chapter 180 Did Mr. Cai get dirty?

Now that He Shen is not in the capital, Cai Jing alone holds the power in Shangshu Province, but now he only has a title, but no real power.

In a practical sense, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Industry are still in charge of He Shen, and there are many things that would never come to him, the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, to report.

But now this turmoil is an opportunity for Cai Jing to gather real power.

As long as he uses this concerted effort to fight against the Ministry of Central Secretariat, he will extend his hand into the other three volumes and gradually control the discourse power of the other three volumes. In the end, he may be able to truly control the entire six volumes of Shangshu.

The sedan chair swayed, and the silver charcoal in the brass charcoal basin burned quietly.

Cai Jing's eyes became brighter and brighter, and he felt that this idea was very wonderful.

"When misfortune comes, happiness rests on it, and when blessings come, misfortune rests on it..."

He stroked his beard, with a slight smile on the corner of his mouth: "The ancients never deceived me."

When they arrived at the imperial city, a group of five people were all dressed in scarlet robes, and they had an extraordinary bearing. When the little eunuchs on the road saw such a big battle, they all held their breath and walked away with their tails between their legs. They didn't even think of going up to say hello. Dare to have.

When they came to Shangshu Provincial Yamen, Cai Jing brought the other four people to a larger value room.

The yamen in the imperial city has always been luxuriously decorated, so naturally there is no shortage of meeting rooms and the like.

"Go to the Sixth Ministry and tell the ministers and ministers that I have something to discuss."

The little official who got the order ran out quickly, and sent someone to spread the news to the six yamen.

Ministry of Rites.

Looking at the little official in front of him, Wang Mang frowned.

"You said, Master Cai invited you?"

"Yes, Wang Zongbo." The little official said with a chuckle, "I heard that the Song Department Hall of the Ministry of Rites is also there."

"Oh?" Wang Mang stood up, and while tidying up the documents on the table, he pretended to be casual and asked, "Apart from Song Shilang, who else is there?"

The little official was a little dumbfounded, and said with a dry smile: "Wang Zongbo, you are in a dilemma. I have also heard the words from others, and I don't know how many ministers are there."

Wang Mang was startled, and nodded thoughtfully: "It's okay."

The little official smiled flatteringly and said: "However, when entering the Shangshu Provincial Yamen, many people saw Mr. Cai going in together with the Song Department Hall of the Ministry of Rites, the Han Department Hall of the Household Department, and the two Department Halls of the Ministry of Punishment... ..."

Wang Mang gave him a deep look, then nodded: "I see, let's go."

"Okay, I will lead you the way." The little official nodded and walked in front, and the two of them headed towards the Shangshu Yamen...

When Wang Mang came here, both sides of the huge long table were already full of people.

"Jujun is here?" Cai Jing, who was seated at the top, looked at him with a smile: "You are the only one missing, come and sit."

As he spoke, he pointed to the vacant seat on his left.

This time is also particular.

For the Six Departments of Shangshu, if the military officers were to rank them, they would rank the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of Industry in the first, second and third places.However, according to the practice of civil servants, they are generally officials, households, rituals, soldiers, punishments, and workers.

The Ministers of the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Household Affairs were absent, so naturally Wang Mang, the Minister of Rites, sat in the second chair, Li Jing, the Minister of the Ministry of War, sat in the third chair, and Yu Wenkai, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, sat in the fourth, followed by the six seats in order The servants are gone.

"Yes, Master Cai." Wang Mang glanced at the people present, and was surprised that all of them had arrived.

He walked over to sit down, and imitated the others, turning his head to look at Cai Jing who was sitting in the first place.

A clerk closed the door for them outside, the duty room was quiet for a while, and the atmosphere gradually calmed down.

Cai Jing glanced at the crowd with a smile, all the seats were full of nobles, with an extraordinary demeanor.

"My colleagues, I won't say anything else today, I just want to ask you, have you received any documents from the Ministry of Education?"

The voice fell, and a needle could be heard in the value room.

The eyes of many ministers gradually became more subtle.

Cai Jing waited for them to think for a while, and then said: "Xin Weike's examination will be held in March next year, and the deputy examiners of the examination have always been selected from the ministers of the sixth department of my Shangshu."

"But now the Ministry of Zhongshu has issued another edict, saying that Zhongshu Shilang and Menxia Shilang will be added. Do you think this strategy is reasonable?"

The room was still quiet, but the eyes of many servants had become restless.

Especially some assistant ministers who are expected to be elected as deputy examiners this year, they don't want to see four more competitors for no reason!
Seeing that no one spoke, Cai Jing turned his head and looked at Wang Mang with a smile: "Wang Zongbo, the Ministry of Rites will preside over the examination. What do you think about the candidate for this examiner?"

Wang Mang felt bitter. In front of all his colleagues, of course he couldn't betray the organization by saying that he supported Zhongshu and his servant's appointment.

Otherwise, the big guys could spray him to death with one mouthful of saliva.

"My lord, I feel that the servants of the six departments have participated in the examination for many years, so naturally they have more experience."

Wang Mang's words stopped short, and he didn't say whether he supported or not.

Even Cai Jing looked at him in surprise, his brows sank slightly.

What a slippery old loach.

Rich in experience, this is irrefutable, no matter where you get it, you can say it.

Later, if he wanted to support the servants of the Sixth Department, he could naturally use this as a basis, but if he supported the selection of Zhongshu and the servants under his sect, he could naturally throw out another argument.

Although the servants of the Sixth Department of Shangshu have rich experience, the servants of Zhongshu and the two provinces deal with more documents every day, so they should be more familiar with this kind of thing...

Cai Jing glanced at the many ministers present, and regardless of whether they understood the meaning, he said with a smile, "It seems that Wang Zongbo also thinks that our Minister of the Sixth Department of Shangshu is more skilled and should be the deputy examiner. "

"As for Zhongshu and the servant under the door...it's still a bit inappropriate."

Cai Jing walked down the Huatou, directly blocking Wang Mang's words.

Now it is time to determine the candidate for the deputy examiner of the general examination, the attitude of the Ministry of Rites is especially important, and they cannot be allowed to sit on the wall again.

Wang Mang's face twitched, but looking at the eyes of many servants present, he still couldn't open his mouth to refute.

Cai Jing looked at Li Jing again: "What does Da Sima think of this matter?"

Li Jing frowned slightly: "Since it is a test, it is natural that the decision of the Ministry of Rites is the most important."

Cai Jing nodded slightly, then looked to the left: "What's Da Sicheng's opinion?"

Yu Wenkai, with a white beard, nodded lightly: "Xiaguan and Da Sima have the same opinion."

"Um……"

Cai Jing nodded lightly, this is the benefit of being the first to deal with the Ministry of Rites.

As long as he gets through with him, the rest of the people will have no resistance.

"Presumably the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Households also think so?" Cai Jing looked at the servants below with a smile.

Wang Quanwang, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, and Wu Shenglan, the servant of the right, looked at each other, and after a while the former said: "The Ministry of Officials still needs to intervene and ask for your opinion."

Wu Shenglan added: "But there should be no problem."

The smile on Cai Jing's face froze slightly, then he nodded and looked at Hubu.

With the Ministry of Officials at the beginning, Guan Penglian, the left servant of the household department, and Han Mulu, the right servant, did not confirm it, so they said directly: "The household department also has to ask Prime Minister Yan for advice."

Cai Jing chuckled twice, revealing a meaningful smile.

At the same time, the eyes of the other servants looking at Hubu also changed.

The Hubu Shangshu is held concurrently by Zuo Chancellor Yan Song, who is also in charge of Menxia Province. That is to say, Yan Song's attitude may be very vague, and he will even support the selection of the two servants of Menxia Province.

It's just that no matter what, Guan Peng's expression remained the same, and he didn't care about other people's eyes at all.

Beside him, Han Mulu looked a little embarrassed, looking up at Cai Jing, not knowing what to do.

Cai Jing glanced at him expressionlessly, and Han Mulu was stunned for a moment, so he braced himself and had to say: "Actually, Prime Minister Yan probably wouldn't agree to let Zhongshu and his subordinates..."

"shut up!"

Guan Peng suddenly shouted loudly, interrupting Han Mulu's words directly, he stared at Han Mulu sternly, and said coldly: "What Yan Xiang does is his own reason, and it is not up to others to do it for him. Make a decision."

The others were also taken aback, and then looked at this scene with eyes of watching the show.

Making key decisions for a boss who is not present is actually very taboo.

What's the matter with Han Shilang?Don't want to hang out in the household department? ?
But what made everyone even more surprised was that Han Mulu, who had been scolded, didn't even dare to fart. He just moved his butt back with a embarrassed expression, which surprised all the ministers and servants present. .

You are the dignified right servant, only half a rank lower than Guan Peng!You are not his grandson, why are you so cowardly?
When Cai Jingwang saw Han Mulu's reaction, his face was on fire, and his complexion was not very good-looking.

After all, this is his brother-in-law of Cai Jing, everyone knows the relationship between Han Mulu and Cai Jing.

Now being trained as a dog in public, not only Han Mulu's company, but also Cai Jing's face will be lost.

But fortunately, after what Han Mulu said, the Ministry of Accounting has opened up a crack.

Cai Jing's face was serious, and he said to everyone: "It seems that most people think that Zhongshu and the servants of the two provinces should not be involved. This is what everyone expects..."

The five ministries have already expressed their views, and you are the only household department left, so you don't have to care so much.

This is the trend!
Cai Jing said in a deep voice: "In this case, please ask the Ministry of Rites to reject the document from the Ministry of Education and refuse to accept it!"

Everyone present was taken aback, and turned to look at Wang Mang in front of him.

Wang Mang was already stunned, and after waking up, he turned his head to look at Cai Jing: "My lord, the Ministry of Rites has no right to seal and return documents from the Ministry of Education."

He's not stupid either, Cai Jing could be confused about what happened just now, but now the matter of returning the paperwork is too involved, but he can't do it.

"Why not?"

Cai Jing laughed and said: "In the past, during the reign of Emperor Dezong, Liu Zongbo granted and returned the imperial edict, and later, during the reign of Emperor Guangzong, Zhang Sima granted the imperial edict to return Zhongshu..."

The seniors are so good, you can't lose your share.

Of course Wang Mang knew about these precedents, and he could have given more examples than Cai Jing.

It's just that it's not the same thing at all.

What's the situation when people seal it back?It was a time when the whole court was united in resisting the faint emperor or treacherous prime minister, and what was sealed and returned was an extremely important edict. Once it was implemented, the country would not be a country.

At that time, forcibly sealing and returning the imperial edict is called a righteous act, and it will be praised by everyone, and it will be famous in history and will last forever.

What time is it now?
It's just a document for a candidate who will be an assistant examiner.

If the Ministry of Rites even exceeded its authority and gave it back, then Wang Mang would also be famous in history, but what he left would be a bad reputation, and he might be called a traitor.

"Master Cai."

Wang Mang would not do such a thing even if he was beaten to death. He stuck his neck and said, "The sages had their own principles, and now they have their own principles."

"The Ministry of Rites does not have the right to seal and return the documents of the Zhongshu Province. The officials dare not exceed their authority and do it by force."

The atmosphere in the duty room suddenly became solemn, and the cold wind hit the window, making a whistling sound.

The windows of the duty room should be repaired, and the air is almost leaking... Many people are thinking about it.

But no matter what they thought in their hearts, the waiters still subconsciously slowed down their breathing, watching this scene quietly, everyone was afraid of getting burned.

Only Sima Guang, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, spoke up: "Master Cai, what Wang Zongbo said is also the truth. In the past, the imperial edict was granted and returned by the Minister, because the sages had courage, righteousness, and stability of the country first."

"Nowadays, future generations do not have the courage and righteousness of the sages, so naturally they cannot imitate the sages and perform such righteous deeds."

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere here suddenly became more dignified.

Is it possible that the entire Ministry of Rites is going to confront Mr. Cai, the servant of the minister, with open swords and guns?
Cai Jing glanced at Sima Guang again, the atmosphere in the duty room was terribly oppressive.

After this depressing atmosphere lasted for a while, Cai Jing smiled lightly at Wang Mang: "It turns out that there is such a reason for it, but this official is ignorant of his knowledge."

"In that case, it's okay to accept this document."

Wang Mang paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "It's not that you are lacking in talent and learning, but that adults care about the exam and care about thousands of underachievers, so you should be more serious."

Cai Jing chuckled and nodded slightly.

The others looked at this scene, but they were a little surprised, and only a few people could guess what Cai Jing was thinking.

Beating Wang Mang was to warn him of his behavior of sitting on the wall just now, but he couldn't make the relationship between the two parties too rigid. After all, Cai Jing had to rely on the Ministry of Rites to cooperate in the subsequent test, so he lowered his figure and took the initiative to admit his mistake , it seems that he is more courteous and corporal.

"But as long as you accept the documents from Zhongshu Province, Zhongshu and the four servants under the door will be elected as the deputy examiners of Chunwei."

Cai Jing shook his head lightly, looking at the many servants present: "You are all people with real talents and learning. If it is really a fair competition, you must not be inferior to the other four servants."

The servants of the six departments looked at Mr. Cai calmly, obviously not drinking his ecstasy soup.

Cai Jing frowned, and said again: "It's just that the document from the Ministry of Education is strange, it came suddenly, and I don't know what will happen next..."

None of the people present were human beings, and they suddenly understood the deep meaning of Cai Jing's words.

This means that Prime Minister Qin may have secret operations, behind-the-scenes transactions!

Lu Yin, the right servant of the Ministry of War, frowned: "Lord Cai, the examiners of the imperial court elections have always acted impartially. Even the servants of Zhongshu and the two provinces under the door should follow the regulations, right?"

Lu Yin had never served as an assistant examiner for the examination in previous years, so he cherished the opportunity of this examination very much, and had already started preparing for it.

Now that I suddenly heard some conspiracy theory, I was naturally nervous.

Yan Lide, the left servant of the Ministry of Industry, also frowned and said: "Even if Zhongshu and the servants under the door want to come in to run for election, then we can't just give them the opportunity."

Shangshu Yu Wenkai is about to reach the age of becoming an official, and he has high expectations for him. After the old Shangshu retires, he, the left servant, is the most likely to take over the position of Shangshu.

If he can be appointed as the deputy examiner this time, he will have a group of disciples in the court, and he will be sure to succeed the position of Shangshu.

"We have twelve servants in the Six Departments of Shangshu, and there are only four of them under Zhongshu's sect. Even if we can't compete with us, it is reasonable!" Song Qiaonian said loudly, "No one can gossip!"

Deng Xunwu also nodded, and said with approval: "Since this matter is what everyone wishes, we must not lose the word fairness!"

"There are many people in the six departments of Shangshu, and there are many colleagues who have participated in the examination. If you are not selected, it will be the biggest injustice..."

Under the leadership of several people, the people in the duty room were about to become angry.

Even the other servants who didn't speak frowned tightly.

As long as they are qualified, who doesn't have any idea about the position of deputy examiner?Naturally, everyone does not want to see Zhongshu Sheng and Menxia Sheng being too strong.

Cai Jing also showed a bit of solemnity on his face, and said frankly: "Now that the situation is unclear, the six departments of Shangshu must naturally unite as one, and the position of deputy examiner cannot be left alone."

"Even if the paperwork from the Ministry of Public Affairs arrives, so what? As long as the minister of the Sixth Department is still capable, the candidate for the deputy examiner cannot be left alone!"

"I'm going to invite Your Majesty right now, and I must choose the candidate for the deputy examiner carefully."

At this moment, many servants thought of the efforts and hardships of the seniors of the sixth department when they took the candidate of the deputy examiner from the Imperial Academy, and felt a little more grateful in their hearts.

How can the privileges gained by the predecessors who were exposed to frost and thorns by cutting thorns be shared with others for nothing? ?

Thinking about it this way, when everyone looked at Mr. Cai Jing again, they would naturally be a little more pleasing to the eye.

Well, not bad.

Cai Jing, he is really interested in something, and he wants to go to His Majesty the Emperor to wrestle with him.

Who didn't know that Prime Minister Qin would run away from Ziwei Hall every three days?The relationship between him and His Majesty is very close!
And according to the gossip, His Majesty the Emperor doesn't seem to be very friendly to Mr. Cai.

With such a bad prospect, Master Cai still has to go to this muddy water?Isn't this entering the dragon's pond and tiger's lair...

When all the attendants were secretly worried, Cai Jing said again: "Of course, Prime Minister Qin may have other ideas, so this trip may not be fruitful."

"But this matter cannot be given up."

Cai Jing said in a deep voice: "The efforts of the seniors of the six departments cannot be wasted."

"At that time, you will need the cooperation of adults. As long as they are not allowed to choose this year, their confidence in the next subject will be much weaker."

"If you fail in the next subject, these people will be embarrassed to mention it again."

"Otherwise, I will be sent away as a deputy examiner today, and tomorrow my sixth department will be the next Hanlin Academy!"

"Everyone, it's time to defend Liubu! It's not about the officials, but everyone who is doing it, everyone in Liubu!"

Cai Jing looked serious, stood up solemnly, and looked at many ministers and servants.

Suddenly, he bowed slightly and bowed to everyone present.

A group of ministers and servants were startled and hurriedly stood up, and there was a messy sound of chairs rubbing against the floor in the duty room.

"Lord Cai, how could this be?" Song Qiaonian was extremely anxious, and rushed forward to hold Cai Jing's arm.

"Lord Cai, the six books are everyone's six books. Everyone has an obligation. This matter cannot be left to Master Cai alone!" Deng Xunwu said sternly.

Lu Yin also clenched his fists and said, "That's right, we should work together, and we must not let the position of examiner be taken away by Zhongshu and his subordinates..."

Master Cai is like this, and the rest of the servants, whether they are sincerely moved or false, all applaud for Master Cai.

Looking at this scene, Cai Jing was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes...

It has to be said that Mr. Cai was able to sit in the seat of Shangshu Pushe, which is quite extraordinary.

At least this ability to cry when you say it, many people can't learn it...many men can't learn it.

Cai Jing tried his best to keep his eyes open, as if to keep the haze in his eyes from flowing out. He looked around the many ministers and servants present, as if he wanted to remember everyone's appearance.

"Everyone, I'm leaving."

After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for anything else, turned around and walked towards the door. His back still carried a heroic atmosphere, which caused everyone to be stunned.

"Lord Cai!" Song Qiaonian hurriedly followed, and the others also came to their senses and hurriedly followed.

A group of senior officials in scarlet robes rushed out of the duty room, startling the small officials in the corridor.

They had been sent to the door of Shangshu Provincial Yamen, and they dispersed under Cai Jing's strong request.

A group of servants separated and went back to their respective homes, walking towards their own yamen.

Walking on the road, Su Ling'a quietly glanced at Yu Wenkai in front of him. Although the old Shangshu is old, his physique is not weak at all, and he walks vigorously, and he left the two middle-aged people behind in a short while. .

"Oh? Yan Butang, what do you mean by Master Cai?" Su Ling'a quietly pulled Yan Lide's sleeve, frowned and asked in a low voice.

Yan Lide was stunned, and glanced at the old Shangshu's back from afar, then lowered his voice and said, "What do you mean? Isn't what Master Cai said very reasonable?"

"Oh no!"

Su Ling'a hurriedly said: "Didn't you see him like that in the end? He stared wide-eyed, as if he was going to eat someone, it's too fierce..."

"That's right, I was shocked..." Yan Lide touched his chest subconsciously, as if he was also awkward.

In fact, Mr. Cai's last heroic performance is indeed a bit superfluous.

It may be that he is old, or it may be that he has not used this trick for too long, resulting in a little decline in skill.

The tears he thought were welling up in his eyes were not actually there, at least no one could see them except himself. There were tears, but not many.

Therefore, the scene that Mr. Cai imagined, holding back the tears with his eyes open, turned into simply staring at the big bull's eyeballs, looking at everyone.

It's shocking, it doesn't look shocked at all, it's glaring, it doesn't look like...

In short, it is a very, very strange, very awkward feeling, which makes people panic. Just now, Yan Lide thought that Mr. Cai was bewitched by something unclean... I heard that Mr. Cai is relatively weak. , Yanghuo is not strong, this possibility is not impossible.

Fortunately, this is the imperial city, the place where the world's dragon energy gathers, and there are so many third-rank and second-rank officials here. The yang energy is extremely strong, and they are not afraid that they will not be able to suppress any monsters and ghosts. This gave Yan Lide great confidence. He didn't jump up and run on the spot.

Besides, Cai Jing also said that he would enter the palace to face the saint, which made Yan Lide feel more at ease.

The Holy Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and if a real dragon descends to earth, no matter what unclean things are there, they should be wiped out in ashes after such a face-to-face encounter in front of the Son of Heaven... right?

Normal ghosts would not dare to see the Son of Heaven, so it means Mr. Cai was not possessed by ghosts.

After understanding this point, Yan Lide felt that it was really inappropriate to arrange Mr. Cai in this way, even in his heart.

Su Ling'a at the side was still thinking, talking to himself.

"Do you think Mr. Cai is about to lose his face?"

Su Langzhong rubbed his chin, still dutifully pondering Cai Jing's condition: "I heard that people are prone to this disease when they get old, their hands and eyes are crooked, and they keep drooling..."

"Huh? Yan Butang?" He quickly walked a few steps to catch up with Yan Lide: "Do you think Mr. Cai is a sign of illness?"

The corners of Yan Lide's mouth trembled twice, he hastily put on a straight face, and glared at Su Ling'a who was at the side: "Master Cai also went to intercede with His Majesty for the sake of our Shangshu Liubu, how can you talk about him like this behind his back?"

After speaking, he walked forward quickly.

"Huh? Huh? Yan Butang? Slow down?"

Su Ling'a hastily chased after him: "What's wrong with saying this? In case Mr. Cai is really sick, he can be cured in advance!"

"By the way, Yan Butang, have you heard about Bian Que? This is a cure, but it can't be terminally ill. You have to start taking medicine when the disease reaches the skin..."

While Su Langzhong was promoting his treatment ideas to Yan Lide, Cai Jing also rushed towards Miyagi.

Just a few steps away from the servants, Master Cai regretted it.

If I knew it earlier, I would put on a coat and go out, but at that time, I was only concerned about brewing the atmosphere in the check-in room, how could I have thought of this?

Besides, in such a heroic atmosphere at that time, it would have spoiled the atmosphere too much to wear a cloak before leaving.

"Xianmin and Lu Cai didn't hand it over either..."

Cai Jing secretly slandered in his heart, in fact, those few people were also frightened by Mr. Cai's last performance, three souls lost two souls, how could they still think about this?

It's already deep winter, and it's freezing cold in the capital, and everything is dead and silent.

Cai Jing had the urge to tremble after walking a few steps, but he forcibly endured it.

If you can't go back to get your clothes, then you have to rush to the Ziwei Hall and rub the warm pavilion of His Majesty the Emperor...

Ziwei Hall.

In recent days, Li Gan has been working in Dongnuange to approve memorials, and his efficiency is always a bit low, and he is always distracted by other things.

Li Gan naturally knew the reason for this, so today he left Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi in Dongnuan Pavilion, and returned to the Political Affairs Hall by himself.

It is still more important to criticize the memorials, first finish these memorials, and then go to Dongnuange to lie down for a while.

In the political affairs hall, only a pot of charcoal fire was lit in the corner, and above the charcoal fire was a window. At this moment, a gap was opened in the window inlaid with chiseled copper sheets, which ensured that His Majesty's precious life would not be threatened by carbon monoxide...

But the cold wind after another also took away most of the heat in the charcoal basin.

Sitting behind the table, Li Gan still felt a chill unavoidably even with his body that had been exercising for several months.

But it is precisely this kind of cold that keeps him from getting sleepy, and allows him to devote himself wholeheartedly to criticizing chapters as soon as possible to get rid of this coldness.

What is self-discipline! (Tactical back)
Li Gan rubbed his slightly cold fingers, picked up the pen and continued to write, only to find that the ink in the inkstone had begun to freeze and become stiff.

"Your Majesty..." The old eunuch hurriedly filled the inkstone with a hot water bottle.

Li Gan picked up the pen, dipped it in the vermilion ink, and while approving the memorials, he encouraged himself with the inspirational chicken soup of "It's cold, the ink stone is firm".

Just at this time, a rush of footsteps came from outside: "Your Majesty, the servant of the minister shot Cai Jing to see you!"

(End of this chapter)