Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 573 The Way of Governing the Country
In the court, many ministers put this matter on the heads of Dongchang and Jin Yiwei.

After all, these two big yamen are sharp weapons in the hands of the emperor to spy on intelligence and monitor officials.

But to be honest, in this matter, they really wronged Dongchang and Jinyiwei.

The factory guards did have a lot of information channels, but they didn't have the time to manage a juren who hadn't yet entered the official position.

Even if they found out the relationship between Zhou Jian and Peng Hua, they would not bother the emperor with such trivial matters for no reason.

The reason why Zhu Qiyu knew about this was because... Zhou Jian was telling the truth!

At this point in time, the relationship between Peng Hua and Zhou Jian was brought to the fore, and everyone would think that Zhou Jian chose his teacher to become an official because of favoritism.

However, Zhu Qiyu knew that was not the case.

Peng Hua is indeed a man of real talent and learning.

Speaking of the relationship between the two, it is actually very interesting.

You know, Zhou Jian is 49 years old this year, but Peng Hua is only 19 years old.

The age gap between the two is so large, Peng Hua is instead Zhou Jian's teacher.

This strange relationship naturally has other secrets.

Zhou Jian's family background was not considered good. His grandfather Zhou Fu was forced to live in a local rich family's family, so that the whole family had to change their surname to Ouyang.

In the first half of Zhou Jian's life, he was called Ouyang Jian.

Ouyang Jian was young and talented, and he won the imperial examination at the age of 20, but his talent only stopped there.

After winning the exam, he participated in the general examination eight times and failed eight times. Under depression, he had already started to find reasons in various strange aspects.

At that time, he asked someone to make a fortune, saying that it was because his whole family entered into a family and humiliated his ancestor's surname, so God punished him, making it difficult for him to make achievements.

Therefore, in order to be able to ascend the rank, Ouyang Jian began to think of ways to change his surname.

However, it was his grandfather who joined him, so many years had passed, and if he wanted to change his surname back, the old people of the Ouyang clan would definitely not agree.

Depressed, Ouyang Jian went to Jiangxi for a study tour and met Peng Hua, who was just 15 years old.

Unlike the Zhou family who came from a poor background, the Peng family is a family of officials and eunuchs.

Peng Hua's great-grandfather, Peng Fu'an, was a well-known Confucianist.

His grandfather, Peng Tong, was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Rites. His father, Peng Guan, was a Jinshi in the first year of Zhengtong.

In addition, Peng Hua also has a cousin named Peng Shi, who is the No. 13 scholar in Orthodoxy for [-] years!

Therefore, after getting acquainted with Peng Hua, on the one hand, Ouyang Jian deeply felt Peng Hua's outstanding talents and learning, on the other hand, he also wanted to borrow the power of the Peng family.

Not only to change the surname, but also to take a fancy to the years of experience accumulated by the Peng family in the imperial examination.

So, he lowered his old face and performed the disciple's ceremony to Peng Hua, and even performed the teacher's ceremony in a serious manner.

Then, using the teacher's order as an excuse, he changed back to Zhou's surname smoothly, and tried to learn a lot of skills in the examination in Peng's family history. Finally, four years later, in the ninth examination , Successfully passed the Jinshi examination.

Therefore, it is watery to say that Peng Hua is Zhou Jian's mentor, but the status of master and apprentice is real, and Zhou Jian has indeed borrowed Peng's years of accumulation, otherwise, he may not be able to enter the school smoothly. official career.

The people in the court did not know these inside facts, but in fact, if they knew, they would doubt Zhou Jian even more.

After all, although the age gap between Peng Shi and Zhou Jian is not small, it is impossible to teach him anything, but Peng Shi's kindness to Zhou Jian is real.

Who knows for sure, will Zhou Jian do something to repay his kindness...

In fact, in the previous life, Peng Hua was selected as Yayuan by Zhou Jian in the provincial examination, which did not cause much trouble.

What really made their relationship known to the court was that Peng Hua became a blockbuster in the general examination later. He entered the imperial examination with the No. out.

However, at that time, their relationship became a positive example.

After all, even if Zhou Jian could fiddle with the provincial examination, he would definitely not be able to interfere with the general examination hosted by the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, Peng Hua's ability to win the first place in the general examination is enough to prove that his provincial examination Yayuan is worthy of the name.

In this way, Peng Hua is Zhou Jian's mentor, Zhou Jian is Peng Hua's teacher, and the two are mentors and apprentices to each other, which became a good talk for a while.

However, today's Peng Hua, after all, has not had time to participate in the test!
Therefore, even if Zhou Jian is open-minded at the moment, he cannot stop other people from questioning.

All of a sudden, the courtiers looked at Zhou Jian with more ambiguity. At the same time, several officials who wanted to stand up like Zhou Jian also hesitated.

Although the relationship between Zhou Jian and Peng Hua was not deliberately concealed, the Son of Heaven can clearly understand such small details, so how much should the Son of Heaven know about them?

The officialdom is a big dye vat, who dares to pat his chest on it, because he has never done a single unruly thing in his life?
It's nothing to question the emperor, it's the duty of officials of science and technology.

However, if the emperor exposes the mistakes he has made in front of all civil and military officials, small mistakes may become big mistakes in the court.

Just like the current Zhou Jian, although he may really be using his talents for the country and not playing for his own interests, how can he be stopped just because he has a clear conscience in a small incident?
Someone can stop it!

Amidst the suspicious eyes of the ministers on Zhou Jian, Zhu Qiyu stood on the imperial steps and said.

"I believe that Zhou Ji did not seek personal gain in this matter!"

After the words fell, Zhou Jian, who was questioned by everyone but could not speak clearly, suddenly raised his head with a very complicated expression.

Zhu Qiyu continued with a calm face.

"Peng Hua's test paper, I have read it, but he has talent and learning. It is indistinguishable from this year's Jiangxi Xie Yuan. The name of Ya Yuan is well deserved."

"so……"

Zhou Jian felt that the eyes of the emperor above fell on him, and then the voice of the emperor sounded again, and the old man asked.

"During Zhou's affairs, tell me, do you mean that if Peng Hua becomes an official one day, he will be awarded the Yayuan because you have served the country, and he will obey you?"

This……

Zhou Jian was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

After a long while, he said: "Your Majesty is wise, it's my minister who was reckless, please forgive me."

Looking at Zhou Jian who was kneeling on the ground, Zhu Qiyu sighed softly, and immediately, he cast his eyes on the officials and said solemnly.

"My dear friends, forming a party for private interests is a disaster for the country. I know this, and you also know it. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, there were factional disputes. They did not care about the pros and cons. They disregarded the society. They changed orders day and night, wasting the country's power. This is a disaster for the society, and we should be vigilant against it."

"But what I want to warn you today is that it is not allowed to form a party, but it is not advisable to go too far. The disaster of party disputes lies in the people and in the heart. The atmosphere in the court is not correct."

"If you can keep your minds upright, promote talents only to the virtuous, put the country first, and the livelihood of the people as the most important thing, then you don't have to avoid relatives in internal promotions, and you don't have to avoid enemies in external promotions. The so-called gentlemen are harmonious but different, and Zhou does not compare. I hope you will keep in mind the principles I uphold in promoting officials."

At this time, of course there will be no winking people coming out to continue to contradict the emperor.

So, the officials bowed their heads and said in unison.

"Your Majesty's instructions must be kept in mind."

However, this is the truth after all, so what should be the standard for the so-called "holding a righteous heart" and "recommending talents on their merits"?What if someone uses this banner to really promote his cronies for personal gain?
Although the bosses didn't say it out of place at this time, they still had doubts in their hearts.

With such a look, Zhu Qiyu naturally saw it.

So, immediately after, he continued to speak.

"Where are the officials?"

So, Wang Wen immediately stepped forward and said.

"The minister is here."

"From now on, those who are recommended by the ministers will not be subject to the three-year examination limit. The examination will be conducted by the Ministry of Officials for a period of one year. Go back to the original level and re-elect an official position."

After Zhu Qiyu's words fell, all the officials gasped, but Wang Wen's face was completely darkened at the meeting, and he immediately smiled and cupped his hands.

"The minister leads the decree, and will live up to His Majesty's entrustment."

The Ministry of Officials is in charge of the power of election, and its weight is the first among the six ministries. This is recognized by the government and the public.

However, in fact, the Ministry of Officials cannot fully control the power of elections, because the honor and disgrace of officials is originally the right of the emperor, and the Ministry of Officials is only acting on behalf of them.

The power of election can be subdivided into two basic powers: transfer of official positions and evaluation of officials.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Officials cannot fully grasp these two powers.

Let's talk about the official assessment first, whether it is the Beijing inspection, the grand plan, or the full examination for ordinary officials, it is all presided over by the Ministry of Officials and assisted by the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Even in the large-scale assessment, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is directly involved throughout the whole process. Once the result of the examination is questioned by the supervisory censor, it needs to enter the stage of review.

As for the transfer of official positions, not to mention, it is impossible for the Ministry of Officials to grasp it.

In name, the promotion and removal of officials must be approved by the Ministry of Officials, but in practice, this is not entirely the case.

Because it is the right to elect the emperor on behalf of the emperor, it is a matter of course that its power itself comes from the emperor.

Therefore, in addition to the normal selection of the Ministry of Officials, it is completely reasonable and legal to directly transfer officials recommended by ministers and approved by the emperor.

Of course, the premise is to abide by the iron rules of the selection, for example, you can't let a military officer with no fame become the Minister of the Ministry of War, or just rely on the grace of the Holy Grace to promote a lucky person with no actual achievements .

Under such circumstances, the power of the Ministry of Officials has been repeatedly compressed, and those who can really control it are actually only those officials below the third rank who are not strong enough.

Most of the situations above the third rank require court discussion, or if Jane is directly in the heart of the emperor, and the family is strong, it is common to recommend the emperor directly beyond the official department.

Of course, the situation in the middle is very complicated. In many cases, the emperor will first consider the opinions of the officials.

But in the end, a considerable part of the power of the Ministry of Officials was taken away.

However, even so, relying on its incompleteness, the power of elections that is divided here and taken away there, the Ministry of Officials still ranks first among the six ministries.

However, Wang Wen, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, sometimes feels aggrieved. After all, the Ministry of Officials is in charge of selecting and appointing officials, but the feeling of anyone who has nothing to do to interfere is really not very good.

However, in the past, he had nothing to do.

Because, other people's memorials were handed directly to the emperor's desk, and after the emperor nodded, would the officials still dare not obey?

Therefore, even if you are a heavenly official, you still have troubles.

However, these words of today's emperor are tantamount to giving the officials a sword of Shang Fang.

Although it still cannot change the old habit of courtiers directly recommending over the official department, the official department finally has a restraining measure in their hands.

You must know that in the past, officials promoted by this kind of recommendation method, like other ordinary officials, are tested once every three years, and the test is completed in nine years.

But now, the Ministry of Officials has additional assessment rights, and the emperor made it clear that if he failed the assessment, he would not even have the chance to return to his original post, so he could only be degraded and wait for election.

In this way, the courtiers will definitely be more cautious when recommending or being recommended. If it is not true that the ability and character are the top choices, they will not recommend easily.

Therefore, Wang Wen, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, was naturally very happy.

Seeing Wang Wen's red face, Zhu Qiyu couldn't help being speechless, but he didn't say much. He paused for a while, and when Wang Wen stepped back, he shouted again.

"The Metropolitan Procuratorate?"

"The minister is here."

Chen Yi strode forward, clasped his hands in the hall and waited for the order, and there was also a faint look of expectation in his eyes.

Undoubtedly, the purpose of the emperor's granting of the new assessment power to the Ministry of Officials is to curb party disputes and prevent courtiers from unscrupulously promoting cronies who have no talent or virtue.

But, don't forget, it's the job of science to supervise the officials!

"From now on, Fengxian Yushi is allowed to impeach courtiers for the crime of forming a party for personal gain. In the imperial court, civil and military officials, whoever abolishes justice due to personal favors, flatters superiors, fights for power and seizes power to disrupt the government affairs of the court, right and wrong. Those who have been verified will be impeached for the crime of forming a party for personal gain."

"The minister leads the decree, and will live up to His Majesty's entrustment."

Chen Yi arched his hands, with a firm expression on his face.

It has to be said that this edict is also good news for Ke Dao Feng Xian.

You must know that, unlike the annual examination power given to the Ministry of Officials just now, the emperor did not impose any restrictions on the imperial edict of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

In other words, all the officials of the imperial court are under the scope of supervision, not only those who are recommended for promotion.

As long as there is a person who fights for power, disrupts the government affairs of the court, or disrupts justice due to personal relationships, the officials of Kedao can participate in the impeachment.

For Ke Dao, who takes impeachment as his performance every day, it's like a cat smelling fish.

However, before Chen Yi was happy for a moment, the emperor added another sentence.

"Science and ethics, if you criticize others without authorization because of self-interest, or form a party to impeach ministers without permission, after verification, the crime will be aggravated."

Ok……

The officials breathed a sigh of relief, but Chen Zongxian's expression was somewhat resentful.

Your Majesty, why are you so distrustful of Ke Dao...

The emperor gave him a firm look.

As for!

There is no doubt about the importance of officials to the imperial court, so all the crimes committed by science and Taoism have always been strictly enforced.

The crime of "forming a party for personal gain" is difficult to grasp. If it is not restricted, it will become a means for the censors to attack courtiers.

Therefore, President Chen can only be wronged.

It should be said that the annual examination of the Ministry of Officials and the supervision of the censor are two-pronged, and the trend of party formation and party struggle should be restrained to a certain extent.

This is also the most practical way that can be implemented at present.

In fact, in addition to this, Zhu Qiyu also considered whether to hold the responsibility of recommending officials if they failed the annual examination.

But in the end, he gave up on the idea.

Above the court, there are many people who are qualified to recommend, and basically anyone can go to the book to recommend others.

However, those who are really important and can guarantee the success of their recommendation are actually very few, and they are all important officials in the court.

If this system of accountability is implemented, there will be too much commotion and it will easily cause turmoil in the court.

What's more, from a practical point of view, these ministers recommend others because they think they are suitable for this position, but no one can guarantee in advance whether they can really do a good job.

Therefore, it is not beneficial to the court to use this to hold the recommender accountable.

Taking the present as an example, could it be said that one of Fang Gao, Hong Chang, and Ju Shi did not do well, so Yu Qian should be dismissed?It is too harsh.

Therefore, in the end, Zhu Qiyu decided to only revoke the official position of the person who was recommended and let him return to the Ministry of Officials for election, without taking excessively harsh measures.

But in the final analysis, it is still the same sentence, the root of this matter lies in the atmosphere of the court.

The reason why the great principle exists is because it is indeed the way to get good results as long as you follow it, although it is not easy to practice the great principle.

Therefore, there must be measures of punishment, but the focus should still be on education.

If the ministers of the DPRK and China can really put the country first and recommend suitable officials for the country, and the officials who are recommended can also maintain integrity and not abolish official duties because of personal favors. Really put an end to.

Of course, Zhu Qiyu never thought that he could change the selfishness in human nature.

It is an inevitable phenomenon in the officialdom to support each other and support each other.

However, as long as the country can be put before self-interest, then even if there is selfishness, it is not unacceptable.

This is of course very difficult.

But, do it!

Starting from the emperor himself, only by being upright can one be upright.

Only when the monarch is upright can the court be clear.

Don't be pedantic in yourself, and you can make hundreds of officials imitate it. However, you shouldn't be superstitious about harsh punishments and harsh laws, and only use punishment to make hundreds of officials fear.

The combination of leniency and strictness, the combination of hardness and softness, the thunderous means are used as deterrents, and the enlightenment of benevolence and righteousness is used as a guide.

This is the way to govern the country!

　Regarding the relationship between Zhou Jian and Peng Hua, the results are recorded in the historical materials, but there is no detailed information. The age gap between the two is indeed huge, so I can only try my best to make it right.

　　After all, this is a novel. A considerable part of the background experience of the characters is fabricated by the author, and some of them have been modified to fit the plot. If there is any discrepancy with the official history, please understand and bow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)