The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Capital.

Zhu Youtang has not come to court for a long time, but the order of the court is in order. What follows is a big issue about who should join the cabinet. Although the emperor has not publicly discussed it in the court, this matter has already reached the point between the Shangting Department and the cabinet. A critical period of mutual competition.

In the eyes of Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, this is a dispute between the cabinet and Zhang Zhou, but in fact it has become a dispute between the Shangting Office and the cabinet over who can lead the government. After all, at the beginning of the year, it was related to Xie Qian and his participation in the impeachment of Zhang Zhou. It sounds like he has the upper hand everywhere.

The reason why the cabinet did not seem to be defeated was mainly because the emperor gave him face and did not let the conflicts become public.

"I've talked to Shuhou and Jiefu, and I've even gone to see Dehui. In their personal opinion, in terms of qualifications, they are still not as good as Jizhi. If I want to push them to become bachelors, I'm afraid the government will object. There are many voices, and His Majesty has every reason to ignore them. When the time comes, Jizhi or Zhang Bingkuan will still be admitted to the cabinet. "

Li Dongyang analyzed the current situation to Liu Jian.

Liu Jian had a sullen face and said coldly: "Do we have to watch the court being harmed by some people?"

Li Dongyang said: "Before Keqin entered the cabinet, we were also more vigilant, but you see now... he is also calming down and not saying how much conflict he has with us."

"No." Liu Jiandao, "If Keqin hadn't joined the cabinet, perhaps nothing would have happened to Yu Qiao. The root of everything is that His Majesty wants to erode the influence of the few of us in the cabinet in the court. Keqin is just the beginning, not the end. "

"That……"

Li Dongyang hesitated slightly and said, "If you really want to compete with Wang Jizhi or Zhang Bingkuan in terms of reputation, there is only one Jiao Mengyang. Do you think he is suitable? But besides this, there are also Zhang Tingxiang and others, but they don't seem to agree either. ”

From the Ming Dynasty to the fifteenth year of Hongzhi, in addition to Yang Tinghe, a Hanlin scholar who gained power through Zhang Zhou, there were also Zhang Yuanzhen and Wang Hao.

At the same time, there are also Jiao Fang, who was born as a bachelor and is currently the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, as well as Liu Ji, a bachelor who served as a scholar, Zhang Rui and Wu Wei, a bachelor who served as lecturer, and another one who is about to end his military service and will return to the court in February. Bachelor Jiang Lan.

However, because Yang Tinghe, Liang Chu, Liu Ji, Zhang Rui, Wu Wei and Jiang Lan were all Jinshi in the 14th year of Chenghua, their qualifications were inferior to Wang Hao, who was the Jinshi in the 11th year of Chenghua. Shang Wang Hao is more famous in the academic world. Before becoming Zhang Zhou's advisor, he was also listed as a candidate to join the cabinet, which made Wang Hao himself have a higher status in the Hanlin Academy system.

To sway Wang Hao to join the cabinet, only Zhang Yuanzhen, who was a Jinshi in the fourth year of Tianshun, or Jiao Fang, who was a Jinshi in the eighth year of Tianshun.

In Li Dongyang's view, choosing someone with higher qualifications than Wang Hao may not pass the emperor's test. If he had to forcefully recommend several people with lower qualifications than Wang Hao, the emperor would not agree.

Liu Jiandao: "Does this have to be the case? Can't we make other choices? Do we have to be controlled by others?"

Li Dongyang said helplessly: "This is the current situation. There are many available people in the Hanlin Academy, but Wang Jizhi's reputation is growing. The last time he competed with Keqin, in fact, Keqin may not even be able to match him. Nowadays, perhaps only Zhang Bingkuan, who is more accomplished, It is possible to be even better. If you have to find someone else, the most difficult thing is His Majesty's."

The only person who could defeat Zhang Zhou's party member Wang Hao was Zhang Zhou himself.

Liu Jian couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this.

There is a feeling of being manipulated.

"There has been no movement in Liaodong recently. Just like the battle in the north a few years ago, there was no news in the capital." Li Dongyang knew that the matter of joining the cabinet was actually a difficult problem, so he simply put it aside On the other hand, he mentioned the Liaodong War to Liu Jian.

It's not that he wanted to change the topic, but he was following his usual thinking and wanted to find the flaw in Zhang Zhou's work.

Look at what you are doing, and you don’t even have the intention to report it to the court. How can we trust and support you?

Liu Jiandao: "If we were still at war with the Mongolian Tatars before, the victory or defeat of the DPRK and China would have a great impact. How much impact will this battle in Liaodong have on the imperial court? I heard that they even lured wolves into the house and lured Korean soldiers to us. In Liaodong, this is a problem caused by raising tigers.”

Li Dongyang's eyes became a little more eager as he said, "Then let's... take this as the title?"

If you want to bring down Zhang Zhou, you must persevere, find Zhang Zhou's faults, and impeach him again and again. Even if the emperor doesn't listen once or twice, you can't give up. Until the emperor becomes suspicious of Zhang Zhou, he will take advantage of Zhang Zhou's absence. When he was in the capital, he played the trick of three people becoming a tiger.

Civil servants are very good at this and believe that this is the best way to bring down the "giant beetle of the imperial court".

Liu Jian waved his hand and said: "For the current plan, we must first get the right to take charge of this session's examination. You have already taken charge of the examination once last time. I'm afraid that Your Majesty will appoint Keqin as the candidate for the examination from the cabinet this time. Next time One person is the one who joins the cabinet.”

"Isn't he also..."

Li Dongyang didn't seem to agree with this.

I was the examiner last time, couldn’t it be Cheng Minzheng? Moreover, Cheng Minzheng almost ruined his political career by being the examiner last time. Will the emperor let him be the examiner this time?
Liu Jiandao: "It's a pity that Yu Qiao is not here."

This sentence also made Li Dongyang understand that if the emperor does not choose Cheng Minzheng, he will choose him.

On the one hand, you always get up wherever you fall. On the other hand, the cabinet sends a chief examiner for the general examination, which is more symbolic. Just like last time, Li Dongyang was just going through the motions. Cheng Minzheng was responsible for the actual questions and other matters. host.

It is also because the chief minister of the cabinet generally does not serve as the examiner of the general examination. Otherwise, Liu Jian would rather choose to take it himself.

"Let's not compete for candidates to join the cabinet first. We should first compete for them through the examination chief, and strongly recommend Shuhou and Jiefu. If it doesn't work, then... Dehui..."

Li Dongyang has clear goals.

Try to find a way to get one of Yang Tinghe or Liang Chuzhong to join the cabinet next. If that doesn't work, let's push Wang Hua. Although Wang Hua has a son, Wang Shouren, who is now out of control, Wang Hua has always been considered a member of their faction before. If Wang Hua is The entry of a "neutralist" like Hua into the cabinet does not seem to have a major impact on the situation of the cabinet.

"Yes." Liu Jian nodded, seeming to agree to the proposal.

……

……

In addition to the cabinet trying to find ways to arrange for one of its own people to join the cabinet, there are many people in the DPRK who are also fighting for it.

Especially Jiao Fang, as he has seniority in the cabinet and has deep connections, he certainly wants to find an opportunity to join the cabinet, and he also knows that he is not trusted by the iron triangle of the former cabinet. He also knows that he is not Zhang Zhou. Factional people.

So he had to find another way.

Jiao Fang has always had a good relationship with Lin Han and Shen Lu, and because he is good at catering, she looked for an opportunity to find Shen Lu today.

And his intention is actually very simple, that is, he wants to be the examiner of this session of the General Examination, so as to accumulate reputation for himself, and he seems to know that if he goes directly to someone to build a reputation for himself, or even mentions joining the cabinet, Will be disgusted by civil servants.

"Xueshi Jiao, I don't understand what you are thinking. You want to select talents for the Ming Dynasty. Everyone has this idea. But look at me, I am just a person from one generation. How can I have the opportunity to give advice on such important matters? ? "It's not that Shen Lu doesn't want to help Jiao Fang.

For someone like Shen Lu who is good at interpersonal relationships, he feels that Jiao Fang is a "creatable talent", or at least someone who can be recruited.

If Jiao Fang joins the cabinet, if he has a relationship with Jiao Fang or even helps, Jiao Fang will establish a strategic alliance with him in the future. After all, Jiao Fang also needs his connections behind Shen Lu, especially with Queen Zhang. .

Jiao Fang said: "Have you heard any rumors? As far as I know, apart from Yang Tinghe, Liang Chu is the one who has been mentioned frequently in the court recently. They seem to be the best candidates to join the cabinet."

"Why are you talking about joining the cabinet again?" Shen Lu had a smile on his face.

Jiao Fang said helplessly: "Selecting talents for the country is just a pretense. I wholeheartedly serve the Ming Dynasty, but some people are not like that. It's also because I haven't been in the Hanlin Academy for the past two years, and maybe I haven't even set foot in the East Palace for a long time. Isn't that the case? Do you think I’m not even qualified to select talents for the country?”

"How is this possible? Academician Jiao is still highly respected by the officials in the court. I often hear them mention Academician Jiao's talent and character, which are unparalleled by others."

Shen Lu wanted to say a few words to Gong Wei, but felt that these words were very against his will.

Because Jiao Fang is indeed not a noble person in terms of character, but this is not what he cares about.

If Jiao Fang was really that kind of noble person, she wouldn't have established any deep friendship with him, Shen Lu.

"In the Ministry of Rites, I will also appeal to Minister Lin. I heard that he is likely to be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel recently. I am just doing this to plan for the future. At my age, how many years can I stay in the court? "Jiao Fang sighed.

Look at me, at such an old age, almost seventy years old, can I pose a threat to anyone?
If I join the cabinet, I must be a good and harmless person, so why aren't you considering me? You have to recommend your own people, but the key point is that your own people's political leanings are so obvious, don't you take into account the issue of the game between the two sides?

Shen Lu sighed: "That's true. After all, Academician Jiao has not offended anyone. He has such a high reputation in the court. It is indeed appropriate for you to be the main examiner in this examination. And after what happened in Ji Wei Nian, , It is estimated that not many people will compete for the position of chief examiner. It can be said that Bachelor Jiao is sharing the country's worries."

Jiao Fang said: "That's right."

Shen Lu thought about it for a while, then stood up and said: "Otherwise, I will try to clear things up and see if there is a chance to mention it. If there is really any discussion about this matter, I will definitely support you, Master Jiao." ”

"Okay." Jiao Fang also stood up and saluted, "Please."

"What are you talking about? Mr. Jiao, you are of high moral character and respect. It is my honor to condescend to my residence. I have specially prepared a little wine..."

Of course Shen Lu wanted to take the opportunity to have a good talk with Jiao Fang.

For an ordinary courtier, his invitation would have no practical significance at all. Most people would not stay and have a drink with him.

But Jiao Fang is not an ordinary person after all, Jiaofang said: "That would be disrespectful."

……

……

East Factory.

Yang Peng was listening to Mou Bin's report, and on the other side stood Wang Shi, the newly appointed envoy of Fusi Town, Jinyiwei North Town.

Yang Peng now brings Wang Shi with him every time there is a big event. It seems to be for advice, but in fact it is more to show that he is close to Wang Shi, and at the same time, he also wants Wang Shi to become his "one of them."

It was also Yang Peng who knew that Zhang Zhou was good to his father-in-laws. It was through Zhang Zhou's relationship that Wang Shi climbed to his current position. He was someone worthy of Yang Peng's support.

"The people have been sent east." When Mou Bin said this, he looked at Wang Shi specially.

Yang Peng probably understood what Mu Bin meant.

This is sending Ning Tong to the port. Not only is it a favor from Yang Peng, but it is also equivalent to telling Zhang Zhou that Yang Peng can handle anything that happens in the court.

But because it was a woman given to Zhang Zhou, it was difficult to talk too deeply in front of Wang Shi.

Yang Peng smiled and said: "Just send it over. It was originally a case made out of nothing, and people from the Tai Hospital made a fuss out of it. As for matters in the capital, we still can't just take it at face value."

Wang Shi stood by and looked like he was being taught.

In fact, he knew very well what Mou Bin was talking about, and he didn't dare to have any complaints in his heart.

This brings up the tradition of Lao Wang’s family. The decision to give Wang Mingshan to Zhang Zhou was originally made by his late father. When Wang Yue made this decision, he never considered what would happen to his son. Thinking about it, even the son will follow his father's wishes and think, this is for the sake of the family, what a reasonable thing, the father is smart...

Let alone someone else giving a woman to Zhang Zhou, even if Zhang Zhou asked Lao Wang's family for it again, Lao Wang's family would not hesitate to give it to him again.

Mou Bin said: "Recently, the DPRK and the Central Government have been discussing endlessly about the candidates for the Cabinet. It seems that the people recommended by the Cabinet are Yang Tinghe and Liang Chu. Others in the DPRK are also active, and some want to take the opportunity to enter the Shangting. But because the appointment was commissioned by His Majesty, there is no need for the court to recommend it, so..."

Yang Peng stretched out his hand to interrupt Mou Bin's words and said disdainfully: "What are those people arguing about? Isn't this a settled matter? Your Majesty has made it clear that Wang Hao, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, will join the cabinet. This matter is not negotiable."

Mou Bin sighed: "Maybe there are people who don't want to give up."

"Haha." Yang Peng said with a smile, "If you want to change this matter, no one's words will work. Even if Bachelor Wang comes out to say it, it will be in vain. Only His Majesty and Mr. Zhang, what they say is effective, the court Don’t you think you can even understand this? Thanks to those in the cabinet, they thought they were just ministers, but they didn’t realize they were all old Huang Li.”

Wang Shi said: "Then Eunuch Yang, should we do something?"

"No need to do it." Yang Peng said with a smile, "Others who want to fight for this candidate to join the cabinet and the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs are all doing futile things, they are just clowns. Your Majesty will announce it when it is time. It has been announced, and His Majesty is not going to court now, and those people still don’t understand what’s going on.”

Wang Shi cupped his hands and said, "With capable people like Eunuch Yang and Mr. Zhang here, your Majesty will know everything about the affairs of the court even if he does not go to court."

Yang Peng said hurriedly: "I don't dare to say that. The only one your Majesty can truly trust is Mr. Zhang. How can we people compete with the sun and the moon? Recently, I have a small matter, and I would like to ask you two to help me deal with it. Take a look..."

Mou Bin said hurriedly: "Eunuch Yang, just give me your orders." (End of Chapter)