The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The Imperial Palace, inside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang sat behind the desk with two memorials in front of him. One was a battle report on Liaodong, and the other was a memorial on that year's imperial examination, which involved the list of winners. It was already the end of February, and the results of the imperial examination would soon be announced.

Chen Kuan served carefully by the side, sometimes helping to grind ink, sometimes helping to deliver memorials.

But for a long while, Zhu Youtang just looked at the two things in his hands without saying a word.

"Your Majesty, it is almost time for dinner. You may put your work aside and have dinner. There will be a court meeting tomorrow morning." Chen Kuan said.

Zhu Youtang said: "Don't worry."

As he spoke, he suddenly put the examination report downstairs, picked up the Liaodong war report, and wrote a few words on it.

Just when Chen Kuan wanted to see clearly what Zhu Youtang wrote, Zhu Youtang had already finished it and closed the memorial.

Chen Kuan was not in a hurry because he knew that when he came back to execute it, he would know the specific content.

He was also thinking that since the war in Liaodong was not going well, someone must be held responsible. It could be Tang Yin, the governor-general of Ji-Liao, Yang Yiqing, the governor of Liaodong, or the generals of various armies or the eunuchs guarding the garrison... Even Zhang Yong, his biggest concern, might be implicated.

Not bad news.

"The Jurchens still have something to offer," said Zhu Youtang.

Chen Kuan thought to himself that no matter how powerful the Jurchens were, they were not a threat to the Central Plains dynasty. They could still cause several bigwigs to suffer setbacks in Liaodong, which was a bit like losing the rice while trying to gain the chicken. Why was the Duke of Cai so obsessed with the Liaodong issue?
Zhu Youtang asked, "We will go to court tomorrow. What are the officials in the court discussing now?"

Chen Kuan thought, shouldn't he ask Yang Peng about this? After all, Yang Peng was the commander of the East Factory, and he was in charge of intelligence.

But then I thought about it, Yang Peng was not here today, and the emperor was just asking casually, and he might not really want to get a definite answer, because what was discussed or what the intention was would be clear at the court meeting tomorrow.

Chen Kuan said, "Your Majesty previously asked me to inform the cabinet of the personnel changes, especially those in the ministries and halls, and also informed the officials in the court. They had no objection to this. But it brought about some changes, and the most noteworthy one was the selection of the three general governors."

"Three borders... Alas! The battle in the northwest seems to have been won, but it also relied on Wang Shouren's surprise attack tactics. This kind of thing that depends on luck cannot be expected that the Tatars will always be prepared, but at least it can make them look ahead and behind." Zhu Youtang said.

Chen Kuan smiled and said, "Yes, we did win this battle, and the report now is a great victory. There are more than a thousand Tatars captured. The Marquis of Pinglu and the young master of the Duke of Ying... have made great contributions."

Zhu Youtang ignored Chen Kuan's topic and continued to ask, "Tell me, who do the people in the court think is more suitable to take charge of the military affairs of the three borders?"

This question hits the nail on the head.

Chen Kuan immediately thought that this was the time when he played the role of the emperor's close minister. He had just established a not very solid alliance with Lu Wan. If he said something to the emperor now, it would be equivalent to indirectly helping Lu Wan and making Lu Wan realize how important it was to have him, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, as a backer.

Chen Kuan said: "As the commander of the three frontier military affairs, the responsibility is heavy, and I dare not speak rashly."

Zhu Youtang said: "I just want to know who they think are the candidates. I want to hear it."

Chen Kuan thought, Your Majesty, don't you know who the candidates are? Didn't the Duke of Cai really make any suggestions to let the emperor have a rough idea?

It would be fine if they didn't specify a specific candidate, but how come they don't even have a rough range?

Chen Kuan was a little curious, so he said respectfully: "I just heard it from others."

"Then tell me what you heard from others." Zhu Youtang said.

Chen Kuan said: "The two most popular people in the court right now are Xinjian Bo and Lu Wan, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Yes." Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "They are all people that Bingkuan admires, have made contributions on the battlefield, are well-known in the northwest, and can support the affairs."

Chen Kuan then said, "But according to the previous rules, the person in charge of the Northwest Military Affairs should have experience as a minister in the court, and Xinjianbo is at a disadvantage in this regard."

This was a tactful way of telling the emperor that Wang Shouren was not suitable as he had no experience as a minister in the court. Although Lu Wan had only been a minister for a little over a year, after all, Lu Wan had been an official longer than Wang Shouren and had experienced more.

Once people grow old, they appear to be steady, do things more steadily, and are adept at dealing with the ways of the world.

As for that rookie, no matter how capable he is, he is only suitable to live in his small circle.

Zhu Youtang did not comment on the question of who was better between Wang Shouren and Lu Wan, but asked again: "Does everyone in the court think that these two people are suitable, and there are no other opinions?"

Chen Kuan knew that the emperor wanted to ask who the traditional civil officials supported.

Chen Kuan said, "Of course there are, but some information is not disclosed to the public. But according to the clues I have obtained, some people are discussing in private, who else is suitable besides these two. The main person recommended is Shi Lin, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Works. He has been in charge of border affairs many times during the Chenghua period. It can be said that he has both experience and connections, and he is more mature."

Zhu Youtang shook his head directly this time and said, "Shi Lin is too old-fashioned. If it was ten years ago, someone recommended him to take charge of the military affairs of the three borders, I think he would be very suitable. But now, if such a pedantic old minister were to go, it would only make the military affairs of the northwest fall into a stagnation."

As soon as Chen Kuan heard it, he knew that the emperor viewed the views supported by the traditional civil officials with contempt and rejection.

That's a good thing for him.

Because the person he liked was Lu Wan, who was nominally a member of Zhang Zhou's faction.

Chen Kuan said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand why the current commander of the three borders is not doing well. If he stays in the northwest, he may be able to stabilize the morale of the army."

At this time, Chen Kuan knew very well that he must not arouse the emperor's suspicion.

Even if you support someone, you must say it in the opposite direction.

It is very pleasing to say that Wang Qiong is more suitable to stay in office.

Firstly, this person was from Zhang Zhou's faction and did not disgust the emperor. He was also suitable for the job, otherwise the emperor would have let Wang Qiong take on this task.

And there is no need to worry that the emperor will really consider this person. After all, the premise for someone to take the position is that the emperor really wants to replace him. Since the emperor has made up his mind, he can't take it back... He can't just change someone halfway and then tell the people in the court that he doesn't want to change him, right?

Even if he really doesn't change, Chen Kuan will have the credit of stabilizing the morale of the army, and it will be easier for him to report to Lu Wan.

Look, the emperor hasn't changed yet, how can I recommend you? And I also tell you that it was me who asked His Majesty to consider keeping Wang Qiong. The emperor believed me so much, so next time the emperor really wants to find someone to replace Wang Qiong, will you come to curry favor with me?
Zhu Youtang didn't think so much. He just shook his head and said, "It's time to change him back. He did a good job in some areas, but he still lacks the enterprising spirit." When Chen Kuan thought about it, the word "enterprising spirit" sounded very harsh.

But he didn't take it too seriously.

He thought, if this person is to be replaced, he will definitely find fault with you, but because you haven't torn your relationship, so he will only find a relatively good excuse for you, without the ambition to make progress, it is a very reasonable excuse without hurting others.

Zhu Youtang said: "Let him come back to preside over the affairs of the Censorate, and it is also time to sort out the government. Some places need to make some changes."

At this point, Zhu Youtang wondered again, "Are there no other candidates? Aren't these the only ones?"

Chen Kuan was also thinking.

Is it because the emperor continued to ask because the question did not mention the candidate he preferred, or is it because the emperor wanted to know who else the civil officials would recommend so that he could make some preparations so that he could easily deal with it at the court meeting tomorrow and refute the candidate?

Chen Kuan said: "Your Majesty, in fact, there are very few people who are qualified to be the commander-in-chief of the three border military affairs. After all, according to the previous conditions, there are only a handful of people with qualifications in the court. Even if you add virtue and reputation, it is sometimes difficult to pick out a few. If you must recommend, perhaps some retired old officials are suitable..."

"Yes." Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Qin Hong was previously elected from among the old officials to be in charge of the Three Borders. The effect was quite good at the time. Now it seems that during the time when Qin Hong was in charge of the Three Borders, all aspects of the Northwest were quite good. At least the situation was stabilized, which paved the way for the later march to the grassland."

Chen Kuan wondered, is there any possibility that Qin Hong would be recommended again or even elected?

"Forget it." Zhu Youtang said, "I'll think about it again."

As he said this, Zhu Youtang really wanted to get up, as if he was going to eat.

At this time, Chen Kuan was still concerned about the war report on Liaodong and wanted to know what the emperor had instructed, but he saw that the emperor had put the memorial into his arms, as if he had no intention of leaving it for him to read.

Chen Kuan asked, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to ask Duke Cai for his opinion in advance?"

Zhu Youtang had already walked out a few steps, and waved his hand behind him, saying, "No need, Bingkuan will not attend the court tomorrow. I have approved his leave. The selection of the general commander of the three frontier military affairs is closely related to him as the Minister of War, so let him avoid suspicion for the time being."

Chen Kuan was stunned.

Not coming again?
Is the court of love your Zhang family's? You can come whenever you want and not come whenever you don't want? And the emperor always lets you do whatever you want?
Even if you really think you have the right to speak, shouldn't you show it in the court? Every time you go to the court, you are the one that everyone is looking at, and you are the one who steals the show. How can I say... don't you want to be in the spotlight?
……

……

Chen Kuan, full of doubts, took the memorials that had been reviewed and returned to the duty room of the Silijian.

The emperor would not review memorials that night as he was preparing for the court meeting the next day.

Wei Bin had been waiting there. When he saw Chen Kuan coming back, Wei Bin hurried over to him and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want to continue to light the candles tonight?"

Chen Kuan said, "Your Majesty has not given any instructions, so I guess he won't. The virtuous concubine is not in the capital now, so Your Majesty doesn't have too many concerns."

"That's not right." Wei Bin said, "Just because the virtuous concubine is not here, shouldn't Your Majesty be more diligent in government affairs?"

Chen Kuan frowned and said, "From what you said, you want to advise His Majesty? If you have something to say, go to the emperor and say it. Don't complain here."

Wei Bin looked embarrassed and said nothing more.

Chen Kuan said: "Today, His Majesty did ask a question about the selection of the three-side general. It seems that His Majesty has not yet decided and is still seeking our opinions."

Wei Bin became concerned again and asked, "What did you say?"

"Tell the truth." Chen Kuan said, "There are only a few people who can be selected now. Either Wang Shouren, Lu Wan, or Shi Lin. These three are the final candidates. Choose from them. Do you have any other ideas?"

Wei Bin shook his head and said, "If it were that simple, His Majesty wouldn't have asked. I think those ministers are interested in Shi Lin, but he has no experience in commanding troops in the northwest in recent years."

"Haha, His Majesty said the same thing. You really are a worm in His Majesty's stomach." Chen Kuan sneered.

Wei Bin said, "You are joking. His Majesty rejected this person because he could see his weaknesses. Also, this person was not sincerely recommended by the ministers of the court. He was chosen just for the sake of choosing."

Chen Kuan nodded and said, "That's true, but if they don't choose Shi Lin, who else can they push? In the past few years, among those who have made contributions in the northwest, except for Yang Yiqing who is still in Liaodong and is not completely a man of Duke Cai, who else is not a direct descendant of Duke Cai in the eyes of outsiders?"

Wei Bin asked, "Could it be that tomorrow, Elder Liu and his men will only push Shi Lin out, and not have any other candidates as backup?"

"This..." Chen Kuan thought for a moment and said, "Maybe there is, but no matter what, it can't be compared with Lu Wan and Wang Shouren. These two have made great contributions."

Wei Bin laughed and said, "Lu Wan? Haha, his contribution is still not enough. Otherwise, why is he only a minister now, while that Wang Junmen is already the earl of Xinjian?"

Chen Kuan frowned and said, "From what you said, you have a candidate in mind and want to make a recommendation tomorrow?"

"No, the Imperial Household Department will advance and retreat together. We will listen to you, Eunuch Chen." Wei Bin said hurriedly.

Chen Kuan snorted lightly, which was a warning to Wei Bin. He said, "We know that you have a high reputation in the army. Many people have secret dealings with you. I wonder if Xinjian Bo has given you any gifts recently?"

As soon as Wei Bin heard this, he knew that the person Chen Kuan was interested in was Lu Wan.

Otherwise, why just single out Wang Shouren?
"No." Wei Bin said, "Since the incidents in Liaodong and Jizhou, the generals and governors-general of various places have no contact with this side. You really misunderstood."

Chen Kuan said, "If there is none, that would be the best. Think about it, Duke Cai doesn't seem to have recommended anyone in this matter, so why are you trying to show off your abilities here? There is one more thing I can tell you in advance. Duke Cai will not attend the court meeting tomorrow morning."

"Are you sick?" Wei Bin asked.

"No." Chen Kuan thought for a moment and shook his head, "I don't know. No one told us. His Majesty only said that he would not attend the court, but he didn't know the specific reason. If he doesn't come, there will be no one to make the final decision on this matter."

Wei Bin smiled and said, "Isn't there still His Majesty? That matter must be decided by His Majesty."

Chen Kuan nodded and said, "That's probably it." (End of this chapter)