The days when I ransacked the house in Jinyiwei

Chapter 355 Three new substitutes for Emperor Zhengde

The civil servants of the Ming Dynasty were like the Internet trolls and keyboard warriors of later generations. I never use my brain to think about right and wrong, I just want the pleasure of being slapped with a hat.

They all have the same mentality: How is your official career? How about great merit? I sprayed you and trampled you under my feet. Oh, look, how great I am?

Li Dongyang tolerated it for several years, and finally joined forces with his in-law Chang Feng to bring down Liu Jin, so that civil servants would not become Liu Jin's slaves. He is the benefactor of civil servants.

However, only two or three months had passed since Liu Jin was imprisoned, and the trend of public opinion in the capital's official circles had changed.

Jinyiwei, always in charge of the room. Chang Feng is discussing matters with Qian Ning, You Jingwu, Basha and Wang Miaoxin.

Detecting public opinion is Jin Yiwei's job. You Jingwu said: "In recent times, civil servants in Beijing have been quite critical of Li Shoufu."

"Civil officials said that he was only obedient to Liu Jin when Liu Jin was in power. He was a disgrace to civil servants and a scum of scholars. He had completely lost his character as a scholar."

"They also said that despite the fact that a large number of eunuchs were arrested, the biggest eunuch was arrested. That person was Li Shoufu."

"What's even worse is that there are crow-talking officials in the Liu Ke Gallery who secretly want to write a memorial to impeach Li Shoufu for colluding with Liu Jin to control the government."

Qian Ning has been submissive to Chang Feng since he escaped from death. When he learned that the civil servants had said bad things about Chang Feng's family, Qian Ning suddenly slapped the official: "Rebellion, rebellion!"

"What the heck are these noisy civil servants? They are just dogs wagging their tails and begging for mercy when Liu Jin is in power!"

"They are now filled with righteous indignation. It seems that they want to label everyone in the capital as a 'remnant of the eunuch party'."

"But when Liu Jin gained power, why didn't we see them imitate Mr. Wang Shouren, imitate our Mr. Chang Shuai, denounce Liu Jin, and become enemies of Liu Jin?"

Basha agreed: "Yes, in my opinion, Jin Yiwei is going to arrest a group of civil servants with long tongues! Lock them up in prison for a few months and see if they still dare to talk nonsense!"

Chang Feng waved his hand: "There is no end to this group of civil servants who want to make trouble even if they have nothing to do. After arresting a batch, another batch will come up, and they will still be willing to repay kindness with hatred and bite like crazy dogs!"

"The ancients said that those who are pure are themselves pure. Whether the in-laws are eunuchs, he knows, I know, the emperor knows, heaven knows, and the earth knows. Officials like to talk nonsense, just let them talk nonsense."

"Anyway, no one can take the position of the first and second-in-command of my father-in-law."

You Jingwu added: "Not only civil servants. Literary people in the south and north of the Yangtze River also criticized Li Shoufu. Li Shoufu in many places wrote poems and articles, satirizing Li Shoufu for having no backbone and being swayed by powerful officials. They were subservient to the emperor. .”

"Many of these literati are disciples of Liu Jian and Xie Qian."

Chang Feng frowned: "Oh? Liu Jian and Xie Qianjing are extremely tempted? Send people out of Beijing to beat these two people."

You Jingwu said: "Xie Qian is easy to talk about. Since he returned to his hometown, he has taken care of his maritime business with peace of mind. But Liu Jian complained when he was back in his hometown in Luoyang. He said that when he was forced to become an official, it was the joint efforts of Li Shoufu, Liu Jin and your adoptive father. To.”

Chang Feng said: "I remember that Liu Jian's second son Liu Dong was a foreign minister in the Ministry of War? Find an excuse to invite him to the imperial prison and beat him a few words. He is a smart man. For the sake of his son's safety in the capital, he also Will keep his mouth shut."

Wang Miaoxin coughed: "Our Nanzhen Fusi recently discovered the important movements of a little Tatar prince."

Chang Feng said: "The civil servants and Liu Xie are talkative, but in fact they are just trivial matters. The Tatar movement is the big deal. Brother Wang, please speak up."

Wang Miaoxin smiled and said: "That's good news. It also includes the contribution of Master Chang. Master Chang ordered us to spread false news everywhere, saying that tens of millions of taels of silver were seized from the hands of the eunuchs. All of them were passed off as the Ming army's. Military spending.”

"After the little Tatar princes heard the news, they gathered together a few cheaters and opened a sweat account to discuss the matter. In the end, the group of cheaters analyzed it and said that tens of millions of taels was an exaggeration. Ten million taels It is still reliable. It also shows that the army can rely on these ten million taels of silver to expand the frontier army by 800,000."

"This gang of traitors frightened the little prince into confusion. The little prince ordered that the Tatar tribes should not intrude on the borders of the Ming Dynasty for five years to avoid triggering a large-scale northern expedition by the Ming army in retaliation."

Chang Feng smiled and said: "I hate traitors the most in my life. But this time I have to thank those two-handed traitors."

Wang Miao thought: "No matter what, the five years of peace at the border of Ming Dynasty are all due to Chang Shuaiye's strategizing."

The weather is getting colder, and the leaves of the poplar trees in front of the Jinyiwei lobby have turned from green to yellow, and all the yellow leaves have fallen, and the white snow has arrived.

The spring breeze blows, the snow melts, and everything revives. In the blink of an eye, it is the spring of the sixth year of Zhengde.

In the back garden of Chang Mansion. Li Dongyang and Chang Feng sat across from each other and drank tea.

Li Dongyang said: "In the past six months, everyone in the officialdom has scolded me for not being a scholar. I once committed myself to Liu Jin. It's so crushing under my tongue. I really don't want to be an official anymore."

"I have thought it over carefully. I will work for another year to help Yang Tinghe become the chief assistant, and then return to his hometown as an official."

Chang Feng said: "Do you care so much about what others say?"

Li Dongyang nodded: "You Jinyiwei people don't care what others say. I can't. I am a scholar, and the most important thing for a scholar is reputation."

"My reputation is now in disrepute. No one understands the painstaking efforts I put into it. Alas."

Chang Feng said: "Well, I can't change your mind. If you really become an official one day, don't worry, I will be in charge of Jinyiwei for one day, and I will ensure that you can live peacefully in your hometown for one day."

Li Dongyang said: "Then I'll thank my in-laws first. Oh, by the way, the doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs is vacant. This is an extremely important position."

"If you choose a wise person, you can make the rewards and punishments of the officials in the world clear."

"If it were a greedy and mediocre person, the imperial court's reward and punishment system for officials would become a piece of paper."

"I plan to recommend someone to the emperor, Wang Shouren."

The doctor of the Literary Selection Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the doctor of the examination and examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the doctor of the martial arts examination and examination department of the Ministry of War, and the doctor of the examination and merit examination department of the Ministry of War are known as the four most fertile vacancies for officials in the capital.

Because these four official positions control the promotion, appointment and removal of civil and military officials all over the world, and the assessment of their merits and demerits.

Although the doctors of these four divisions were only of the fifth rank, they claimed that they would not change even if they were given to the governor.

Chang Feng said: "You want to use Wang Shouren? Forget it. I think the emperor is right. By appointing Wang Shouren, the Ming Dynasty will only have one more wise official. But China will lose a great scholar."

Li Dongyang waved his hand: "My brother-in-law made a mistake! Whether Wang Shouren is needed or not is up to the two of us. It depends on whether Wang Shouren himself is willing to do things."

"I have written to Wang Shouren. I just got a reply two days ago. Wang Shouren is willing to do things. He said in the letter that the Yangming Mind Theory he created is originally the knowledge of doing things."

"Knowing is not enough, you also need to do it. This is called the unity of knowledge and action."

Chang Feng said: "I was too abrupt. Wang Shouren's own opinion should indeed be respected."

Li Dongyang said: "As for the emperor, I will persuade you. There are always people who say that literati can't do things and can only make noise. Wang Shouren will refute this view."

Chang Feng said: "I haven't seen brother Shouren for two years. I'm really looking forward to meeting him again in the capital."

Li Dongyang hesitated to speak.

Chang Feng said: "What do you want to say?"

Li Dongyang said: "I also heard a rumor from the civil servants. It's really hard for me to talk about such a heinous rumor."

Chang Feng asked: "What can't be said between us? Just say it."

Li Dongyang said: "Civil officials are spreading rumors. They say that my sister is not a woman and has an affair with Wang Shouren."

Chang Feng laughed out loud: "Don't say it yet. This rumor was not made by civil servants, but by my sister-in-law herself."

"In the fourth year of Zhengde, Liu Jin sent factory guard killers to kill Brother Shouren and then quickly. In order to protect Wang Shouren, his sister-in-law claimed to Liu Jin that she and Wang Shouren had an affair." "Liu Jin then lifted the order to kill Wang Shouren. Wang Shouren was able to Arrive at Guizhou Longchang smoothly and settle down."

"If it hadn't been for this rumor created by my sister-in-law, with Liu Jin's power at the time, Wang Shouren would not be alive today. There would be no Yangming Xinxue that is now widely circulated in Jiangnan Shilin."

Li Dongyang suddenly realized: "That's it."

Chang Feng said: "Let them spread rumors. My sister-in-law doesn't care, and Wang Shouren won't care about mere rumors."

"Besides, since ancient times, literati have been romantically involved. A few more fictitious romances might be a good story."

The two chatted for a while. Liu Xiaoyan came over: "It's noon, I told you two old immortals, the food has been prepared a long time ago. If you don't eat it, it will be cold."

Chang Feng and Li Dongyang came to the dining room.

Li Dongyang said: "The Ministry of Civil Affairs said that Ponu did a good job as magistrate of Daxing County. Shuntian Prefecture and Beizhili Division all said that Ponu was an upright official and handled all government affairs properly."

Chang Feng smiled and said, "Didn't those people say that because he has a father-in-law who is the chief minister of the cabinet and a father who is a butcher in the royal guards?"

Li Dongyang said: "Of course there is a reason for this. But Po Nu is indeed a good material to be an honest official and a capable minister."

Since ancient times, it has been a smooth road for the second generation of officials to become officials. Everyone will praise him for his ability.

In the Leopard Room, Emperor Zhengde was summoning Jiang Bin, Qian Ning, and Gu Dayong.

Emperor Zhengde first praised Gu Dayong and Jiang Bin: "Gu Dayong, you commanded the troops of the 'Four Outer Families' and contributed greatly to quelling the rebellion of Liu Liu and Liu Qi. You have gained face for the palace and for me!"

Gu Dayong kowtowed quickly: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. It is the duty of the old slave to put down the rebellion."

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "Quickly get free. If you have merit, you will be rewarded. The palm seal of the Supervisor of Ceremonies is Zhang Yong. Below are your five Bingbi. I have never set up a chief Bingbi. I think you will be the chief Bingbi." Pen!"

Gu Dayong shouted: "Thank you for your grace!"

Emperor Zhengde praised Jiang Bin again: "As the commander-in-chief of the 12th Regiment Battalion, you have achieved great results in training the soldiers of the Beijing Camp in recent months. You have also made great achievements. You have the ability to lead troops. From now on, I will lead hundreds of thousands of border troops." I’ll leave it to you.”

Jiang Bin kowtowed quickly: "My dear father, thank you very much for your love."

At this time Emperor Zhengde looked at Qian Ning. He looked dissatisfied: "Qian Ning, I want to ask you. Jin Yiwei's surname is Chang. When did this become known?"

Qian Ning replied: "Your Majesty, this statement was made during the Hongzhi Dynasty."

Emperor Zhengde was furious: "Fart! Jinyiwei has always been the emperor's Jinyiwei. There is only one surname, and that is Zhu! Zhu from the Zhu Ming royal family! When did he become a member of the Chang family?"

"After Liu Jin was executed, I retained your official position as the commander of the Jinyi Guards, not to make you Chang Feng's follower, long-term follower, or reminder! It was to allow you to check and balance the Chang family's power in the Jinyi Guards."

"What about you? I wish I could be Chang Feng's dog! You have to make it clear that your master is me, not Chang Feng!"

Qian Ning was confused: The emperor has not shown any dissatisfaction with Mr. Chang Shuai recently! Mr. Chang Shuai is still favored. Why did the emperor suddenly say this?

If you don't understand, you still have to admit your mistake. Qian Ning knelt down and kowtowed: "I am confused, I am guilty!"

Emperor Zhengde added: "His adopted son You Jingwu is in charge of Beizhen Fusi. I am in charge of Jinyiwei, and my son is in charge of Beisi. How can this happen? Jinyiwei is really run by the Chang family!"

"Wei Bin, let the cabinet prepare the decree. After being promoted to Zhonglie, You Jingwu will be the commander of the Xianwu Camp, with a special reward of the second rank. Jiang Bin will also serve as the governor of Beizhen."

Wei Bin said: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Xianwu Camp is one of the twelve regiment camps. All the commanders and envoys of the regiment and camp are of the third grade. Emperor Zhengde gave You Jingwu a second rank, which was indeed a special reward.

This is not considered an ups and downs. After all, the commander of Xianwu Camp has more than 10,000 troops and horses with real power. The grade has also been upgraded by two levels.

But from now on, Chang Feng will lack an important helper in Jinyiwei. Emperor Zhengde also asked his adopted son Jiang Bin to serve as the governor of Beizhen. This is a common behavior in Ming Dynasty official circles, commonly known as "mixing sand".

Emperor Zhengde said again: "Qian Ning, I want to warn you. Don't obey Chang Feng in everything, and don't report everything to Chang Feng first. Otherwise, why would I use you as a commander? Why don't I have a dog sitting in the hall of the Imperial Guard? Same?"

These words are already very serious. Qian Ning kowtowed as if pounding garlic: "I remember the holy teachings. I will definitely change them."

Emperor Zhengde said again: "Wei Bin, you go out first."

After Wei Bin left, there were only four people left in the Baofang: Emperor Zhengde, Jiang Bin, Qian Ning, and Gu Dayong.

Emperor Zhengde said: "Let me tell you three tomorrow. Liu Jin is dead, and I will let you three do what Liu Jin did before."

"You three will be my most trustworthy confidants! You must not forget where your roots are!"

Gu Dayong is very good at talking: "Your Majesty, this old slave only has one root. The root is in the palace, in the Leopard Room!"

Emperor Zhengde nodded with satisfaction: "Well, Gu Dayong is still sensible. Qian Ning, you should learn more from him!"

Qian Ning held up his hand and said, "This is your Majesty. I will definitely learn more from Mr. Gu in the future."

Half an hour later, Zhang Yong and Wei Bin came to Jinyiwei to announce the decree.

Chang Feng and others knelt in the lobby to receive the imperial edict.

When the imperial edict came out, You Jingwuhai was first praised. It is said that he was a martyr for his country, but he was also shrewd and capable, making him a rare talent in the imperial court.

Then came the promotion order. He was promoted from the Jinyi Guard to the commander of the Xianwu Camp, with a special reward of the second rank.

Then there is the withering order. Jiang Bin was appointed as the governor of Beizhen. This is a typical high-level job with low allocation. Jiang Bin is now the commander-in-chief of Xuanda, the commander-in-chief of Xuanda. The governor of Jianbei Town obviously showed his talent.

The decree is announced. Zhang Yong said to Chang Feng: "Logically speaking, it is a good thing to respect the military and get promoted. But I always feel that there is something fishy about this imperial edict for promotion."

Chang Feng smiled and said: "Eunuch Zhang, can you lend me a moment to speak?"

Zhang Yong followed Chang Feng to a secluded place.

Chang Feng said: "This imperial edict is a lice on the monk's head, it's obvious. The emperor is dissatisfied with the Chang family's control of Jinyiwei."

Zhang Yong was dumbfounded: "Isn't it true that all the good birds are hiding in the air, and the cunning rabbits are dead and being cooked by lackeys?"

Chang Feng said: "Since ancient times, the art of emperors lies in balance. The emperor must balance the civil servants and eunuchs, and also balance the internal affairs of the Imperial Guard."

"He did this, and I have no complaints. Regardless, Jingshui Jingwu has indeed been promoted."

"From now on, the two of us have to respect Qian Ning more. We can't always treat him like a follower."

"In my opinion, the emperor wants to support Qian Ning and Jiang Bin and share my power in the Jinyi Guards."

"That's fine. If the ministers have more power, the monarch will be jealous. I wish they would come and share my power."

Zhang Yong said with a smile: "You are very optimistic."

Chang Feng smiled bitterly: "Don't think I live in eight seats now, but I am a military attaché. But in the final analysis, I am still the emperor's domestic slave. I am just a domestic slave, so what can I do if I can't think about it?"

(End of this chapter)