Ming politicians

Zhou Yanru is not an ordinary person, he worked his way up to the position of the chief assistant of the cabinet step by step, the crown prince was less protected, the court has reached the peak from a first-rank official, and he has experienced many ups and downs in the officialdom.

It has been three years since Chongzhen became the chief assistant of the cabinet in September of the third year. There are too many things in the court, and Zhou Yanru is also a little exhausted. In the past few years, so many big things have happened, but the key point is still the lack of money.If there is silver, the rogues will not cause trouble. If there is a famine, they will take out the silver for relief, and nothing will happen. As for the contest with Houjin, the battle will be supported by silver. Kim's harassment.

Prince Taibao and Household Minister Bi Ziyan took office in the first year of Chongzhen. Until now, that is, in December of the third year of Chongzhen, he proposed to increase Liao's salary. There is no other good way to increase fiscal revenue.

Zhou Yanru and Bi Ziyan also discussed many methods, but unfortunately, these methods involved all kinds of interests, and they were all unsuccessful, and it was impossible to propose them.

The emperor summoned him alone. This is something Zhou Yanru should be wary of. He is the chief assistant of the cabinet and the chief examiner of the examination. If it is only for the examination, the emperor does not need to ask. They are all big things, and there must be other reasons for just asking about the test.

Zhou Yanru still has people in the palace, otherwise he should not think about securing his position as the chief assistant of the cabinet, although the eunuchs in the palace have been implicated a lot because of Wei Zhongxian's affairs, and the emperor hated the eunuch's monopoly, so he purged the eunuchs The team, the father-in-law in the palace is much more cautious, but the twelve eunuchs have tens of thousands of eunuchs, and the team is huge, especially the eunuchs of the Si Li Jian, Yu Ma Jian and Shang Bao Jian, who often serve the emperor and the empress. Knowing the emperor's preferences, he also knows a lot of secrets in the palace, and occasionally passing some small words is enough for the ministers outside to drink a pot, so the power of the eunuch cannot be ignored.

In September of last year, the emperor reactivated the Zhongguan Supervisor Army, which indicated that the power of the eunuchs had started to become stronger again.

As for the eunuchs who hold the pen and the eunuch who print the palm, the cabinet ministers dare not offend them.

There is not much skill in making friends with eunuchs, it is nothing more than respecting them and trying every means to donate gold, silver and jewelry. Zhou Yanru has been in the court for so many years, especially after experiencing Wei Zhongxian's domineering during the Tianqi period, of course he understands the truth.

Of course, in his heart, Zhou Yanru looked down on eunuchs, after all, he was the chief assistant of the cabinet.

By the time of Xiumu, Zhou Yanru had already learned the real purpose of the emperor's summoning, which was to try to solve Yuansu Tiancheng in Shanxi Township.

Zhou Yanru had noticed Su Tiancheng a long time ago. He wiped out three hundred bandits, Jie Yuanlang in the township examination, and wrote poems like "Mulan Flower Order" and "Butterfly Love Flower". Everyone will pay attention to such a talent.

Because of the extermination of three hundred bandits, the emperor specially issued an order to reward Su Tiancheng, such a situation is rare.

He had inquired about Su Tiancheng's situation a long time ago, he was from a merchant's family, and he was a son of a concubine. How could such a young man have such amazing talents.

Weng Tongzhang, the former magistrate of Pingyang Prefecture, was appointed as the right-signed capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate because of his meritorious service in eradicating bandits. He is Su Tiancheng's mentor, so he must know the situation.

Reminiscing that after the early dynasty ended, the emperor specially summoned Weng Tongzhang, Zhou Yanru vaguely understood.

The examination is coming soon. As the chief minister of the cabinet, the chief examiner of the examination, he presides over the examination on behalf of the imperial court. , compared with the provincial examination, it is much larger, but the candidates who take the examination are all scholars with a lot of knowledge, and the overall quality is much higher, which also makes the admission work a lot more difficult. Under the circumstances, the fight is the power behind it.

The general examination is much simpler. It is divided into nine days, and there is one test in three days. After the general examination is over, one month later, it is the palace examination. More than 300 tribute students admitted to the general examination will participate in the palace examination after the re-examination. , [-]nd and [-]rd grades, and the next step is the official position conferred by the Ministry of Officials.

As for the failed candidates, they can go to the Imperial College to study, or they can wait for the appointment of officials by the Ministry of Rites, but they are all small officials of the eighth and ninth ranks. Most of them go to the county to work, and very few can stay in the capital.

Among the official ranks, the emphasis is on Jinshi, and Gongsheng is also good. The status of juren is relatively low. Therefore, the candidates who take part in the general examination are all full of energy and must be thinking about high school.

After returning home, Zhou Yanru didn't want to see guests for the time being. If there were always so many vehicles in front of the door, and those six subjects would have seen them, I don't know what kind of strange things he would say again. It's also strange, whoever catches them will bite them, relying on meeting with cabinet ministers once a year, thinking it's a big deal, they don't even look at it, which of the six subjects can be promoted in the matter, and those who can enter the cabinet, the full court The minister hated them to death, but he was only a seventh-rank official, and he didn't know how to restrain himself.

Two days later, word came from the palace.

Hearing the words from the palace, Zhou Yanru broke out in a cold sweat and almost couldn't control it. It turned out that not only the emperor paid attention to Su Tiancheng, but even the father-in-law Wang Chengen who was beside the emperor also paid attention to Su Tiancheng.

At this time, he began to pay close attention to Su Tiancheng. The news he got was absolutely accurate. That is to say, Su Tiancheng not only had to pass the high school exam, but also had a high possibility that the emperor would be the top one in the high school during the palace exam. He has made up his mind. After passing the examination, Su Tiancheng will be entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

There is a problem here, that is why Wang Chengen noticed Su Tiancheng.

It is normal for the emperor to pay attention to Su Tiancheng. It is a troubled time, the emperor is eager to seek talents, thinking that he can change the predicament in the shortest time, and often promotes some officials, but unfortunately the results are always not good. It made the emperor even more anxious.The emperor is not very old, and he always has the idea of ​​quick success and quick benefit.

But Wang Chengen's situation is quite different.

The eunuchs in the palace are ghostly and ghostly. They can see many things clearly. It is not easy to get their attention.

What kind of background does Su Tiancheng have?

After thinking for a while, Zhou Yanru calmed down and immediately called for the butler Zhou Kang.

"Go and find out about Su Tiancheng right away. This is the inn where Su Tiancheng lives. Remember, you go and find out the situation yourself. If necessary, you can reveal your identity. Don't let other people know about this matter, understand. ."

After Zhou Kang left, Zhou Yanru breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, I am the chief assistant of the cabinet. The best way is to recruit Su Tiancheng. After the test, I will also be Su Tiancheng's mentor. Since the emperor and Wang Chengen pay attention to people, they must be able to stand out.

If Su Tiancheng is savvy, he can also contribute to the flames. If this Su Tiancheng does not know how to flatter and find a way to deal with it in the future, the emperor will not be able to pay attention to Su Tiancheng for a long time. After all, Su Tiancheng is young and needs time to sharpen. It is possible to make a fuss about this aspect.

As for Wang Chengen, it is nothing more than contacting more and making some explanations.

It's impossible for Su Tiancheng to have such a powerful background, because he doesn't know it.

When Weng Tongzhang came to visit, Zhou Yanru had recovered his composure.

"Master Weng, you are still getting used to the Metropolitan Procuratorate."

"The next official has just arrived in the capital and has never had a chance. He made a special trip to visit your lord. He is not very familiar with the government affairs of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. I hope to get your lord's attention in the future."

"Hehe, we are officials in the same dynasty, and we are all loyal to the emperor. Your Excellency Weng, please be polite. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, we will discuss how to solve them. What do you think?"

"Your Excellency is sympathetic to the lower official, and the lower official is grateful. If there is something useful, your lord can tell you."

"You did a good job in Pingyang Mansion. The emperor appreciates it very much. Since last year, bandits have frequently harassed Shanxi, and Pingyang Mansion was almost plundered. This time you can wipe out [-] bandits. It is not a small contribution. If you The militia groups all over the country can do this, and the emperor will feel much more at ease."

Weng Tongzhang was very smart, and he could already hear the meaning from Zhou Yanru's words.

After the early court, the emperor summoned him alone and asked about Su Tiancheng's situation, and he became sensitive.

The general examination and palace examination will be coming up soon. Since the emperor pays attention to Su Tiancheng, there must be some arrangements. However, within a few hours, Zhou Yanru found himself, not for other things, most likely for Su Tiancheng.

Zhou Yanru also wanted to know something.

Of course Weng Tongzhang would not hide it anymore. Being able to climb up to the chief assistant of the cabinet will naturally have great benefits.

He introduced Su Tiancheng's situation in detail, which seemed a bit abrupt, but Zhou Yanru listened very seriously.

"Master Weng's student is really good. At such a young age, he can have such talents. Not only is he able to solve the country, but he is also familiar with farming. Please recommend it to the imperial court."

"Reporting these things to my lord is to recommend talents to the imperial court. My lord is thirsty for talent, and I am deeply touched by the unanimous praise of the courtiers."

Zhou Yanru was very happy. It seems that this Weng Tongzhang is still very good. Why didn't he pay attention to it before? He probably thought of it. Weng Tongzhang and the Donglin Party are inextricably linked.

"Master Weng recommended talents for the imperial court. This is a great achievement. The Metropolitan Procuratorate is responsible for evaluating officials. It not only checks the deficiencies of officials, but also considers those who recommend talents. It is a great achievement to find those who are loyal to the imperial court. On the one hand, the emperor has high hopes."