prosperous age

Chapter 827 916 takes the lead

Wei Guangde was dragged towards the dock by Eunuch Tian. Wei Guangde had no choice but to call two servants and asked Zhang Ji to quickly pack his luggage and follow him. Also, don't forget to send a message to Jiujiang.

The group of people headed outside Bengshan Castle, attracting the attention of countless fortress residents along the way.

At first, the military households of Bengshan Fort thought that the eunuch was going to do something to their own Wenquxing, so they all stepped forward to stop him.

They didn't recognize any eunuchs or royal guards, although they thought their clothes were a bit special.

Wei Guangde had no choice but to briefly explain to them that these people were nobles from the capital, angels delivering orders, and it was said that those behind them were escorts in royal robes.

The common people were naturally afraid of the Jin Yiwei. As soon as they heard about the Jin Yiwei, the people who were blocking the road just dispersed and hid on both sides of the street.

After the farce ended, the group quickly left Bengshan Castle and headed towards the dock.

In Bengshan Fort, news quickly spread among the people.

Wei Guangde was betrayed by the emperor and wanted to return to the capital to become an official.

They didn't understand what robbing love meant, but they knew that Mr. Wei was going back to continue serving as an official.

What kind of official was Wei Guangde? He was the biggest official in the Ming Dynasty.

As this news spread, Wei Guangde asked Eunuch Tian at home, "How is the emperor's health?"

The emperor is ill, so he wants Mr. Wei to return to the capital. Is this asking him to be an orphan?

At this time, the intelligence of the soldiers and civilians of Bengshan Fort was running rapidly, and they actually guessed the truth almost exactly.

In fact, as long as they knew that the emperor had a physical problem, they would think so if they urgently summoned ministers back to the capital. This is why Eunuch Tian Yitian pulled Wei Guangde away in such a hurry and angrily.

The people of Bengshan Fort were probably the first people in Jiangnan to know that the emperor was dying.

The news spread throughout Pengze County in just two days and began to spread outwards.

At this moment, Wei Guangde, with two servants, had followed Eunuch Tian on the post boat.

As soon as the people got on the boat, they immediately asked the soldiers on the dock to untie the cable, and the post boat went down the river to the east.

After temporarily settling on the ship, Wei Guangde finally asked about the recent situation in the capital. He learned that after the emperor fainted at the court meeting, his body was not getting better no matter how he nursed him back to health.

Wei Guangde fell silent after Tian Yi finished explaining the situation.

In the past, it was only speculation that the emperor knew that the emperor was ill through letters, but in fact Wei Guangde did not feel deeply.

But now that he knew the details of the palace from the eunuch, Wei Guangde couldn't help but sigh.

Similar to Gao Gong's thoughts at this time, these cabinet ministers were responsible for the death of Emperor Longqing.

Although they had long realized that the emperor's lustful behavior was not good for their health and had taken some measures to dissuade him, once they encountered the emperor's strong orders, they all chose to retreat and obey the orders.

Thinking about it now, at that time, they didn't have the idea of ​​letting the emperor stay comfortably in the harem and enjoy themselves, while leaving the power in the hands of ministers like them.

However, this is just a subconscious idea, and no one expresses it verbally.

They were all at fault for Emperor Longqing becoming what he is now.

Unlike other officials, Wei Guangde and Gao Gongke were both old men who had lived in Yuzhuan for many years, and their feelings for Emperor Longqing were much deeper than those of other ministers.

Originally, if everything went well, Prince Zhu Yijun should have gone out to study this year, and his child also found a well-known teacher in Jiujiang Prefecture to start his education last year, so he was not with him to teach him personally.

Wei Guangde stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the mighty river without saying a word.

Now that the time has come, we can only arrive in Beijing to see the emperor as soon as possible to determine what to do in the future.

But he didn't know that the capital was already in a different state at this time. By the time he arrived in the capital, the sky had changed.

Emperor Longqing died a little too quickly, and Gao Gong was not fully prepared.

But before Emperor Longqing's bedside, he also heard with his own ears the emperor's last words to appoint several ministers who would take care of his life.

Wei Guangde is still in Jiangxi, so there is no need to worry about him for the time being, and Gaoyi has just returned to the capital, which is also out of date, so naturally the only target he needs to pay attention to is Zhang Juzheng.

After experiencing the ups and downs of his career, Gao Gong has become much more cautious, and he will not let go of any possible opponents.

In Zhang Juzheng's daily life these two days, he also keenly discovered something that made him uneasy, that is, a few days before Emperor Longqing's death, Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao actually got together.

In fact, Gao Gong knew this news before, but didn't pay much attention to it.

After all, at this time, there were eunuchs in the palace who had similar status to Feng Bao, and even slightly higher ones. Feng Bao was not included in the list of eunuchs he needed to win over from the beginning.

When Feng Bao first entered Yuzhuan, Gao Gong had already gone to work in the Ministry of Rites.

If you have little contact, you will naturally not have a deep understanding.

Even if Emperor Longqing had some health problems, he still didn't think the emperor would die so soon, and he was lucky enough to delay it for another year and a half.

Meng Chong's health was actually not good, so he hoped to delay for a while and look for opportunities to push Chen Hong to the top.

At the same time, Gao Gong did not do anything during this period. He was also trying to build a good relationship with Meng Chong.

However, before his death, Emperor Longqing actually made Feng Bao an assistant minister. His words that he wanted the cabinet and the Supervisor of Ceremonies to assist him wholeheartedly made Gao Gong feel a hint of danger.

If Zhang Juzheng and Feng Baozhen colluded, even if he could control the cabinet, all the memorials would have to go through the Supervisor of Ceremonies, which meant that his power had been constrained by Feng Baozhen, which he could not tolerate.

Even if this is Emperor Longqing's arrangement, it won't work.

In fact, letting eunuchs become auxiliary ministers was also a choice that Emperor Longqing had to make.

Gao Gong was more domineering, and Emperor Longqing was worried that no one would be able to check him in the future. After all, when Gao Gong was brought back to the court, he was in good health, and he always thought he could outlive Gao Gong.

As long as he is here, he will naturally not be afraid of Gao Gong causing trouble, but the situation is different now.

No one in the outer court could check Gao Gong, so he could only restrict it through the inner court. Feng Bao, who was loyal to the prince, was naturally valued by him.

Emperor Longqing always wanted to imitate his father, Emperor Jiajing, but he always fell short in selecting and employing people.

It is not that the Jiajing Dynasty did not have capable ministers like Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, but the Jiajing Emperor did not choose them to entrust the government with the government, but chose Yan Song.

With Yan Song, he can rest assured.

And if Emperor Longqing chooses Xu Jie, he can actually use it with confidence, because Xu Jie and Yan Song are essentially the same kind of people.

Unfortunately, because of his grievances with Gao Gong, he disliked Xu Jie.

Although Li Chunfang, who was chosen later, could be used with confidence, he was not capable enough, had a weak personality, lacked decisiveness, and could not hold up the Ming Dynasty.

After he recalled Gao Gong, he discovered that although Gao Gong was good, he was not easy to control.

In fact, when he was dying, what he regretted most was not choosing Chen Yiqin but using Gao Gong.

If he could come again, he would prefer that the head of the Gu Ming Minister be Chen Yiqin.

Gao Gong had a high self-esteem and naturally did not consider this, but he was determined to get rid of Feng Bao to avoid future troubles.

It's not that he doesn't want to deal with Zhang Juzheng, but he actually wants to deal with a civil servant, and he is still a cabinet minister. If he is not fully sure, he cannot easily succeed.

In Gao Gong's view, although Feng Bao was not yet the Chief of Ceremony, he was regarded as the great companion of Crown Prince Zhu Yijun, and he had been entrusted by Emperor Longqing on his deathbed. It was only a matter of time before he became the number one person in the inner court. I believe there would be changes soon. The emperor had just gained great power, and it was a bit worrying to take action to get rid of the ministers at this time, but he had to consider limiting the rights of the Chief of Ceremonies first, even though Meng Chong's palm was still there.

Just as he was thinking about this, a scribe quietly entered the room outside the door and handed him a note.

Gao Gong took it casually and opened it. His face became a little ugly at first glance.

The note was written by Meng Chong, saying that his man was captured by the Ministry of Punishment officers and wanted him to issue a note asking the Ministry of Punishment to release him.

It would be fine if he was an ordinary person, but unfortunately this time the person caught by the Punishment Department was not someone else, but a Taoist priest named Wang Jiusi.

Wang Jiusi, a Taoist, was similar to the group of alchemists favored by Emperor Jiajing in the previous dynasty. He was also an expert in refining medicine. He presented to Emperor Longqing a pill that was as soft as amber, as soft as persimmon, and had no peculiar smell. It was called "Yin Yang Great Tonic". "Dan", you will know its purpose just by looking at the name.

In fact, the Ministry of Punishment arrested him to find out that he had donated medicine to Emperor Longqing. After all, the emperor died after taking tonics. These alchemists who had donated elixirs or prescriptions were naturally the culprits of the emperor's death.

That's it for other people, but this Wang Jiusi was found by Meng Chong, so he was naturally worried about bringing him along with him.

Recently, I saw that Gao Gong was interested in harmonizing the relationship, so I raised this matter with Gao Gong.

Punish the alchemist?

After the death of Emperor Jiajing, the remaining alchemists were also imprisoned. They were originally going to be sentenced to exile, but in the end they were all released, and the person who released them was none other than Gao Gong.

In fact, it was not that Gao Gong did not want to punish them severely, but because the proposal of severe punishment was proposed by Xu Jie.

At that time, Gao Gong's only thought was to go against Xu Jie, so he opposed Xu Jie's support and used his close relationship with Emperor Longqing to persuade the emperor.

Unexpectedly, today, Meng Chong would have his mind set on him.

In Meng Chong's view, since Gao Gong could let him go once, he could naturally let him go the second time.

Gao Gong thought for a while, put away the note and walked out of the check-in room. He went straight to the check-in room of Grohe not far away.

After entering the room and chatting with Grohe, Gao Gong asked for Grohe's opinion.

"Is it the demon that Meng Chong recommended to the emperor?"

After hearing Gao Gong's words, Gao Yi frowned and couldn't help but ask: "What does the chief assistant mean?"

"actually."

Gao Gong looked at Gao Yi and sighed before continuing: "After he fainted at the court meeting, I told His Majesty that I would deal with them, but His Majesty only said that it had nothing to do with them. If he didn't take those medicines, he wouldn't be like this. .

In the final analysis, it was actually because he was too greedy. Alas. "

At this point, Gao Gong let out another long sigh.

"Your Majesty has a kind heart, but it's a pity that the first assistant meant..."

After listening to Gao Gong's words, Gao Yi roughly guessed what he was thinking.

"His Majesty never wanted to punish him when he was alive, so why should we go against His Majesty's wishes once he leaves?"

Gao Gong said.

Gao Yi listened and nodded slightly.

Although he didn't like those alchemists either, knowing that they were all pretending to be gods and ghosts, but if the emperor himself wanted to believe it, what would be the point of saying nothing?

What's more, His Majesty finally came to his senses, but he never wanted to impose more crimes. If he was punished for this, it would really go against His Majesty's original intention.

In fact, there may not be any deception in this matter, but Emperor Longqing had such a need, and these alchemists had such medicine.

One wants, the other gives, each gets what he needs.

It's just that Emperor Longqing took too much medicine, which depleted his body to the point where it could not be replenished. He couldn't blame anyone, it was all his life.

Gao Yi nodded immediately, "I understand what the chief minister wants and I agree with him. His Majesty has just made a big move, so we can't go against his wishes."

Mentioning Emperor Longqing, Gao Gong couldn't help but feel sad and said: "The emperor died young and left the country to you and me, two ministers who care about life."

I don't know what came to mind when I said this, and sighed and said: "The way of heaven is reincarnated every sixty years. This statement is true."

"Why does the chief minister feel this way?"

Gao Yi asked.

"Sixty years ago was the early years of Zhengde. Liu Jin, the chief minister of etiquette at that time, won the trust of Emperor Wuzong. There were also three ministers in the cabinet at that time. One was Liu Hui'an from Henan, one was Xie Muqi from Zhejiang, and the other was Li Xiya from Chu."

Gao Gong said.

When Gao Yi heard what Gao Gong said, he still didn't understand what Gao Gong meant.

It's really hard to explain clearly what happened back then.

Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang were the three cabinet ministers of the Hongzhi Dynasty. "Li Gongmou, Liu Gongjuan, and Xie Gongyou Kankan".

The three of them cooperated very well there, but in the Zhengde Dynasty, Liu Jian and Xie Qian left the court one after another, leaving only Li Dongyang in the cabinet as the chief minister. There were many rumors about this.

One of them is that Li Dongyang hooked up with Liu Jin, squeezed out Liu Jian and Xie Qian, and dominated the cabinet by himself.

Now that Gao Gong said this in front of him, Gao Yi naturally wouldn't think that Gao Gong was just talking casually, and naturally he meant something.

Although Gao Yi has just arrived in the capital, he has been a minister after all, so how can he not have anyone under his disciples?

So these days, news of Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao getting closer has also been heard.

Naturally, he understood the reason why Gao Gong said this.

They are all human beings, and they know what they mean from the very beginning.

"Hey, the storm is about to come, Lord Chief Assistant, you need to make plans early."

Gaoyi said.

No matter where he stood, at least he was standing in front of Gao Gong, so he had to talk around Gao Gong.

"The position of chief minister is subject to internal and external constraints. It is inevitable that the power will be transferred to others, and it will be difficult to deal with national affairs. It is really meaningless to be an official like this. I really want to beg for my return."

Gao Gong sighed and said: "It's a pity that the late emperor has just conquered Bintian, and the young master has not yet ascended the throne. If he becomes an official at this time, he will fail the late emperor's trust. I..."

"The late emperor asked Feng Bao to assist the prince. It was indeed inappropriate. The ancestral system also stipulates that eunuchs are not allowed to participate in politics."

Gaoyi echoed.

"I want to make a statement. Except for the people, the Supervisor of Ceremonies and the rest should report to the cabinet for details."

Gao Gong finally revealed his purpose for coming to Gao Yi. Now there were only three people in the cabinet. If he wanted to push his memorial to be submitted to the palace in the name of the cabinet, he would no longer have to pressure Zhang Juzheng to sign, but Gao Yi's consent would have to be obtained.

Otherwise, if Gao Yi cannot be convinced, it will be difficult for him to push forward if both of them object.

Understanding that Gao Gong wanted to take the lead and limit the authority of the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Gao Yi only thought about it for a moment and agreed.

Ultimately, the matter is good for the cabinet.

(End of this chapter)