Ming politicians

Zhu Youjian has read Su Tiancheng's article three times. The more he read it, the more he feels that this article is good. He didn't care too much about the previous part. He heard too many flattering words. Feel it, the key is the last part.

Su Tiancheng was able to mention the three major problems facing Ming Dynasty, and put forward his own views, especially the idea that giving money is worse than giving policy, which shocked him. out of the built.

It goes without saying that Su Tiancheng's literary talents are top-notch in his articles and poems, and he has also experienced fighting in the battlefield. Now, it is indeed not easy to come up with refreshing political suggestions.

Zhu Youjianxi made up his mind and hand-picked Su Tian to become the No. 1 champion, that is, the number one scholar, so that Su Tian's achievements are three yuan and the first.

What Zhu Youjian didn't expect was that his ideas encountered strong rebuttals, and the strength of the opposition was unusual. Sometimes, the emperor didn't do whatever he wanted, especially in an era like the Ming Dynasty.

The biggest objection came from Zhou Yanru, the chief assistant of the cabinet.

Zhou Yanru believes that Su Tiancheng is still too young. If he reaches the third grade, he will inevitably be swayed, which is not good for his future growth. A 19-year-old young man needs to calm down and temper himself.

On the surface, Zhou Yanru cared about Su Tiancheng, but Zhu Youjian knew that Zhou Yanru strongly recommended another tribute student, Chen Yutai, as the number one scholar.

There is an in-law relationship between Chen Yutai and Zhou Yanru.

Zhu Youjian was a little angry, saying that Su Tiancheng was young, and when he was 16 years old, he was already the emperor, why no one said that he was young, Su Tiancheng was 19 years old, and he became the number one scholar, what's so great about it.

Zhu Youjian trusts and respects Zhou Yanru very much, and regards him as his greatest reliance. Zhou Yanru is young, 37 years old, knowledgeable, energetic and enthusiastic. The state treasury and the bank were appeased. Zhou Yanru resisted all opinions, thinking that some arrogant military officers in Jinzhou took the opportunity to make trouble and blackmail Yuan Chonghuan, then governor of Jiliao. Facts have proved that Zhou Yanru was right.

Zhu Youjian was only 17 years old at the time, and he had just ascended the throne not long ago. When he encountered such a major event, panic was unavoidable. Zhou Yanru comforted him to the greatest extent.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian hesitated. Although Zhou Yanru's meaning was very clear, he was actually thinking of Chen Yutai as the number one scholar.

Almost all the cabinet ministers agreed with Zhou Yanru's opinion, Zhu You checked his anger and simply stood up, left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and walked outside alone.

Wang Chengen followed.

"Father-in-law, what do you think of today's matter, Chen Yutai is not as good as Su Tiancheng, I wanted to make Su Tian the No. 1, but so many ministers objected, I was very hesitant."

Seeing Zhu Youjian whose face was still a little flushed, Wang Chengen spoke readily.

"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that it is not bad for His Majesty to appoint Su Tian to be No.2 in the first class."

Zhu Youjian looked at Wang Chengen, a little strange. Wang Chengen had never spoken so frankly, and he had to think about it. Could it be that there was any connection between Wang Chengen and Chen Yutai, or even with Zhou Yanru, the chief assistant of the cabinet? , Is there a private agreement?

Zhu Youjian's face darkened.

Of course Wang Chengen knew what Zhu Youjian was thinking, and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, the servant has not finished."

"speak."

Zhu Youjian's tone was already very bad.

"The servant girl thought that Su Tiancheng didn't want to be an official in the capital. If he was No. 1 in high school, he must have stayed in the Imperial Academy and sent him out by force. Because of the disagreement with the ancestral system, the ministers of the court objected, causing a commotion. The emperor is worried, but if Su Tiancheng is No. 2, he can be sent out. The emperor feels that he treated Su Tiancheng badly during the palace examination, so he can take care of Su Tiancheng when he is conferring an official. Chao Wenwu also has nothing to say."

Zhu Youjian's face has eased down. What Wang Chengen said is indeed reasonable, but he still has a little lump in his heart. He wants to see what Wang Chengen will say later.

"If you have any other ideas, say them together."

"If the emperor handpicked Su Tian to become No. 1, it wouldn't be a big deal, but Su Tiancheng might really not be able to bear it. He will take the provincial examination for Jieyuan, and he will take the Huiyuan examination. While causing a sensation in the world, it also aroused the courtiers' comments. The tree is beautiful in the forest, but the wind will destroy it. The emperor loves Su Tiancheng's talent, and the slaves think that hand-picking Su Tian to be No. 2 will protect Su Tiancheng very well. Yes, this is what I think in my heart, please ask the emperor to make amends."

A smile appeared on Zhu Youjian's face.

"Elder-in-law, get up quickly, what are you guilty of? These words have reminded me that if I insist on going my own way, I might harm Su Tiancheng. No matter what, it's No. 2 in Yijia. When I was appointed as an official, In the next imperial decree, the No. [-] scholar will be the second in the list, and they will be of the same rank when they are awarded an official. If there are still ministers who talk too much, I will not be polite."

Seeing that Zhu Youjian's attitude had changed, Wang Chengen simply said something more profound.

"Your Majesty, this servant feels that Su Tiancheng is young and wants to practice abroad and make real achievements. This is a good thing. If all the ministers in the court have such thoughts and want to do things in a down-to-earth manner, this is a good thing. The emperor's great blessing, Su Tiancheng should understand the emperor's love for talents, and he will definitely do his best to serve the emperor. Su Tiancheng is only 19 years old, and he has been honed in other places. Back in the capital, at that time, I may be able to play a greater role."

"Well, what you said is very reasonable. I have already understood it. What is annoying is that these court ministers are full of benevolence and morality, but they are actually thinking of their own interests. Don't you think I don't understand?"

Seeing Zhu Youjian talking about the ministers in the court, Wang Chengen shut up knowingly. At this time, if he continued to speak, Zhu Youjian would really fly into a rage.

The emperor went out in anger, and Zhou Yanru was also a little uneasy. The position of the chief assistant of the cabinet is not so easy to sit. There are so many battles within the court, facing the invasion of the late Jin and the harassment of bandits, and suffering from famine for several years in a row. There is a serious shortage of treasury and silver in the household department, and many things are simply impossible to do.

Of course, Zhou Yanru had his own thoughts on this test. Chen Yutai and him are relatives by marriage, and his elder brother Chen Yuting is the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. This is a powerful force. As for the rising When Su Tiancheng visited him, he seemed a little lukewarm, which made him a little uncomfortable.

Zhou Yanru is the chief assistant of the cabinet. In many cases, his opinions represent the opinions of the cabinet and even most officials of the court. The emperor trusts him very much. Although some things have happened in these years, the emperor still has not changed his original intention.

Problems still exist. From the end of last year to this year, Wen Tiren was eyeing him, always looking for trouble, and Wen Tiren's actions were also very terrible. Thinking back, Wen Tiren was able to enter the cabinet because he relied on his own help.

Wen Tiren's power should not be underestimated, and the emperor also trusted Wen Tiren.

There are various indications that the emperor's thinking is slowly changing. At this time, Zhou Yanru needs to strengthen his own strength.

The ranking in the palace examination refers to the results of the general examination.

Determining the ranking of the candidates was first agreed upon by the cabinet, and after clarifying the opinions, it was submitted to the emperor for approval.

Zhou Yanru was a little worried, if the emperor insisted on insisting, wouldn't it mean that his status had already begun to waver.

Seeing the emperor coming in, everyone stood up.

"I went out for a walk just now, and thought that what the Qing family said is also reasonable. All the Qing family are important ministers around me. I am very pleased to be able to consider for me."

When Zhou Yanru saw the emperor saying this, a stone fell from his heart, which meant that the emperor had accepted his opinion, and he did not expect the emperor to change his mind so quickly.

"I have decided, Chen Yutai will be No. 1 in the imperial examination, Su Tian will be No. 2, and Wu Weiye will be No. 3..."

After Zhu Youjian announced the top rankings in the palace examination, the second and third rankings were basically determined by the reviewing ministers. As long as the emperor had no opinion, it was fine. Of course, the emperor still cared about No. 1. of.

Once the emperor appoints the first, second and third grades of the palace examination, he will immediately draft the imperial edict. Next, he will summon the tribute students who participated in the palace examination again to go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City to listen to the emperor's personal announcement. To a certain extent, the 375 people are the disciples of the Son of Heaven. As for the Enrong Banquet, it was held just after the edict was announced. This year’s Enrong Banquet will be held in the Ministry of Rites, and the emperor will attend it. The embodiment of intellectuals.

A coincidence of historical heights.

In Chongzhen's four-year imperial examination, the champion was Chen Yutai, the second place was Su Tiancheng, and the candidate was Wu Weiye.

According to the previous historical development, Chen Yutai was the number one in the palace examination, and Wu Weiye was the second place in the palace examination.

Wu Weiye would have been hand-picked as No. 1 in the palace examination, but because of Zhou Yanru's interference, he would have been placed second in the palace examination. If Zhu Youjian hadn't insisted on reading his examination papers, he would have even been ranked third.

This time, it was Su Tiancheng who encountered the unspoken rules, but the reason was different.

Wu Weiye, nicknamed Wu Meicun, is truly knowledgeable, probably because of his experience in the palace examination, he took the imperial examination a little lightly, so that he also had this view of officialdom, but it doesn't exist now.

He had experienced Su Tiancheng's ability, and thought to himself that he was not as good as Su Tiancheng. If Su Tiancheng was ranked second, he would be ashamed to say that he became the champion. He was convinced after ranking behind Su Tiancheng.

As for the ownership of the champion, he naturally thought less about it.