Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

When Huaien was escorted to Beizhen Fusi and Ni Yue was escorted to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, Wan An finally walked into the Forbidden City again, his eyes full of nostalgia.

Although it was only half a day later, when I walked through the deep Meridian Gate and looked up at the majestic Fengtian Gate opposite the Jinshui Bridge, I suddenly felt like I was in another world.

If Hongzhi Emperor Zhu Youtang hadn't judged that Huaien's edict yesterday was a false edict, he would never have the chance to enter this door again in his life, and it would be impossible for him to return to the throne of the chief minister of the cabinet.

Although it is said that "thunder and rain are all the grace of the king", everyone wants to be the high-ranking chief minister of the empire, instead of being a countryman who is demoted to his home for retirement.

The sun, which had been missing all morning, finally appeared. As the clouds in the eastern sky dispersed, rays of radiant autumn light fell on the straight palace road.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am here! I am here!"

Wan'an is an old man in his seventies, his face is covered with age spots, and the black hair on his head "turns into snow", but at this moment he seems to be glowing with a second spring, lifting the covering knees of his official robe, running along the palace road and shouting loudly road.

Zhu Youtang was already preparing to announce his resignation from the court, but after hearing this eager voice that was filled with sadness and joy, he sat back down from moving his buttocks.

Although Wan'an was notorious in history, judging from what he did, he actually did not commit too many sins. The main reason was that the chief assistant implemented the thoughts and actions of loyalty to the emperor, so he got the title of "Paper Pavilion Elder" title.

Zhu Youtang knew that this chief minister was not a piece of paper, but a capable minister who could diligently assist him in handling government affairs, so he watched the figure running towards him with interest.

A 70-year-old man is running wildly. This is a very rare scene, and it also demonstrates a kind of sportsmanship.

More than a thousand civil and military officials were separated on both sides. When they heard Wan An's voice, they turned to look around. However, they always felt that Wan An's flattering behavior was embarrassing to Qingliu, so many Qingliu officials rolled their eyes.

At this time, Liu Ji was still staying on the high platform on the left side of Fengtianmen. He turned around and saw Wan An running towards this direction, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

After seeing Wan An being driven out yesterday, his second assistant naturally became the chief assistant of the cabinet without any controversy. Last night, a large number of officials came to congratulate him with gifts.

Even this morning, he woke up from a sweet dream. Before going to court, he was undisputedly at the forefront of the thousands of officials. He was already the chief minister of the cabinet in charge of the thousands of officials.

It's just that good dreams are easy to wake up from. It turned out that everything was a beautiful misunderstanding. Now that Wan'an has returned to the throne of chief minister, he is still the "second child in a thousand years" in the eyes of others.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Holy Peace!!" Wan An came to the Holy Spirit and knelt down with great excitement.

Perhaps it was through experiencing loss that he learned to cherish things more. Ever since it was reported yesterday that he had been dismissed from his post because he had presented a book on the art of Fang Zhong to the late emperor, he had come to appreciate the harshness of the world in officialdom.

Yesterday was originally the birthday of his new wife, and he had planned to hold a lively celebration. However, as the news of his dismissal spread, the officials who originally came to offer gifts turned around and went to the homes of Xu Pu and Liu Ji.

He was not far from Xu Pu's home, and when he heard the firecrackers going off on the other side of Xu's house, he felt like he was being cut by a knife. Now that he came to the emperor, he was really excited at the moment. He only hoped that the emperor in front of him would never abandon him.

Zhu Youtang didn't know what Wan'an had experienced in just half a day, but he clearly felt the loyalty shown by the old man: "Honor, Holy Gong!"

"Your Majesty is well. Although I died without regrets, your Majesty, please forgive me!" Wan An immediately burst into tears, and then even took the initiative to plead guilty.

Zhu Youtang saw that the old man's tears came at his will, and secretly admired his acting skills. He looked very puzzled and asked: "What's wrong with Mr. Wange?"

Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and other officials all looked at Wan'an in confusion. They also didn't know which song the old chief minister was singing. Could it be that this old guy really wanted to confess to His Majesty the crime of stealing?

"Old minister should not have been deceived by Huaien's edict yesterday. If...if a traitor really took over the door today, old...even if the old minister died for his country, he would not be able to repay the kindness of the emperor. I would have no shame to see the late emperor again!" Wan An is sad and mournful.

this……

Yu Zijun, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, and other officials looked at each other. There was no trace of the incident of seizing the door. How come it seems to be real in Wan'an?

Zhu Youtang couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly. He looked around at the civil and military officials present and deliberately raised his voice and said: "Seize the door! The country is still there, but I am not here. There is no need for the old chief minister to die for the country!"

"I know that I am loyal and will not serve the two masters. How can I become a king because of glory and wealth? If I don't die for the country, I will die for the king!" Wan An immediately expressed his loyalty.

Zhu Youtang naturally did not think that Wan'an could be loyal to this level, but he also praised: "Throughout the entire dynasty, I have seen that Wan Ge Lao is loyal to me, I am very pleased!"

"Your Majesty, as long as I am here, I will not allow traitors to seize the door even if my body is shattered to pieces!" Wan An was greatly encouraged and immediately vowed.

"Even if I am torn to pieces, I will not allow traitors to seize the door!" A group of political speculators exchanged glances and immediately knelt down together.

The eyes of Chen Kun, the doctor from the Ministry of Finance, also suddenly lit up. He immediately knelt down and at the same time reached out and tugged on Liu Zhong's official robe next to him.

Although everyone with a discerning eye knows that the matter of seizing the door is completely false, His Majesty undoubtedly needs such a reason, so that he can use this reason to consolidate the imperial power as he should.

What is a loyal minister now? Naturally, a loyal minister must "guard the door" for His Majesty like Wan An. As for whether anyone will come to seize the door in the future, or whether anyone will dare to seize the door, is this important? In fact, it’s not important at all!

Although Liu Zhong didn't understand the mystery, he was filled with the idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor in his bones. If someone tried to seize the door, it would be of no concern to the two masters, and he would resist to the death, so he chose to kneel down and express his stance.

this……

Xu Pu and other officials looked at more and more officials kneeling around them. It was obviously out of place to stand now. They hesitated for a while, and finally had to kneel down.

Zhu Youtang looked at the dark crowd of officials in front of him, but suddenly realized that he might be able to create a "protecting sect". He commended Wan An for his hard work and loyalty and said: "I am safe with Mr. Wange in office! Mr. Wange Because of his increased loyalty, he was granted the title of Young Master and fifty taels of gold!"

In fact, the official positions of the cabinet ministers in the Ming Dynasty were all the bachelor of Huagaidian, the bachelor of Jinshen, and the bachelor of Wenyuange. They were only the fifth rank, but why could they wear the official uniform of the first rank? It is precisely because of the addition of the false titles of "Three Solitaries" and "Three Masters".

Wan'an is now a bachelor of Huagaidian, but this dynasty does not have a bachelor of Fengtian Palace, so he can only make a fuss about his false title. Therefore, it is the best choice to promote Wan'an from young master and crown prince to young master.

In fact, there is another advantage of virtual titles. Everyone knows that the salary of the Ming Dynasty is not high, and it is inappropriate for cabinet ministers to receive the salary of a fifth-rank official. Therefore, it is standard for cabinet ministers to be equipped with virtual titles.

"Your Majesty, I dare not accept the reward!" Wan An rolled his eyes and immediately refused.

As soon as these words came out, Lian Liu Ji looked at the old guy in surprise. He knew that what this old guy cared about most was the false title of Three Solitaries and Three Masters.

Even though there has been no living Third Duke since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, if His Majesty really gave the title of Third Duke to this old guy, he would definitely accept it shamelessly.

Zhu Youtang knew that Wan An had become a mature man, so he asked with great interest: "Why?"

"It is my duty to be loyal to Your Majesty, and it is also my honor, so it is not a reward!" Wan An said sternly.

this……

Chen Kun, a doctor in the Guangxi Division of Hube, watched Wan An's performance from a distance and felt that he had been taught a wonderful lesson by Wan An.

"With Wan Ge Lao at the court, I can sleep in peace and reward you!" Zhu Youtang naturally would not be stingy with such a reward, and immediately gave Liang Fang next to him a wink.

Liang Fang nodded understandingly, also arranging the reward.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Wan An would not refuse, so he thanked him respectfully.

The officials present couldn't help looking at each other when they saw that Wan An had been promoted to the rank of young master. Many officials turned their attention to Xu Pu.

With the death of Emperor Chenghua, everyone expected that the civil and military officials of the new dynasty would be led by Xu Pu, and the Mei Party led by Wan An would surely fall into disgrace.

But who would have thought that Wan'an, the old man in the paper palace, who was obviously in his 70s and 80s, not only was not dealt with by Hongzhi in the new dynasty, but instead ushered in the second spring of his official career.

At this moment, what I regret most is Yu Zijun, the Minister of War and others who originally belonged to the Mei Party. They were originally on the right team, but they foolishly ran to Xu Pu's side.

"Retreat!"

Following Liang Fang's singing and the sound of whips, all civil and military officials immediately knelt down to send Zhu Youtang away.

The morning court was finally over, but the Qianqing Palace looked dazzling in the golden sunshine, and the Twelve Cavalry had broken into the Twelve Battalions at this moment, and the originally lifeless empire seemed to suddenly glow with life.