The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 109

After the court meeting the next day, three cabinet ministers were called by Zhu Youtang to the Qianqing Palace to speak.

What was discussed was the candidate for the main examiner of the next year's general examination, and they didn't decide directly. They just asked the three of them to go back and think about it, and then discuss it in detail later.

The three returned to the cabinet to check the room.

Xie Qian said: "Your Majesty has been uncharacteristically this year, and there are still more than two months before the exam. Why did you decide the main exam so early?"

Li Dongyang analyzed: "Will it be related to His Majesty's eagerness to select talents? His Majesty has recently reviewed the promotion records of the six ministers, Yuanwai Lang and chief officials in the past few years. It may also be related to Li Guang's suicide. There are much more intervening in court affairs than before."

After Zhu Youtang's health improved, he seemed to have more energy to ask about the affairs of the court. The emperor specially asked about many things that he didn't ask about before, and even sent someone to look them up.

Those who have the most stable grasp of the emperor's movements are the three members of the cabinet.

Liu Jian sighed quietly: "Maybe it's also related to that Jie Yuan in Jiangnan..."

During Liu Jian's conversation, he brought up an "unspeakable" topic.

In the DPRK, the status of Zhang Zhou is still a closely guarded topic.

There are not many people in the know, and even fewer people know the basics. Only those who have contact with the inner court officials will know some details. But at the court level, it is necessary to avoid the relationship between internal and external officials, and it is impossible for anyone to openly talk about Zhang Zhou.

Li Dongyang said: "Until now, Jizhi has not seen this person. After the other students arrived in Beijing, they all eagerly wanted to meet the teacher, but he was different. It is useless to send someone to invite him."

Xie Qian changed the topic and said: "Wang Shichang, there are memorials for impeachment, and they have been kept by His Majesty recently. There is also nothing to do with the previous proposal to increase the number of Hanlin bachelors. Now Zhan Shifu, Hanlin Academy The matter and the imperial edict are all in the hands of Keqin alone, will he be a little overwhelmed?"

Cheng Minzheng is now under the cabinet, and he is vaguely regarded as half a cabinet elder.

The edicts to be drafted by the cabinet, the affairs of the Hanlin Academy and the Zhan Shifu are all in his hands, and there is no second Hanlin Bachelor in Ming Dynasty, and several Bachelors of Attendance and Bachelor of Attendance are all in charge of their own duties.

Today's Hanlin system, except for the three members of the cabinet, no one can compare with it.

Liu Jian did not answer this question.

Because in the past, when the topic of Cheng Minzheng was mentioned in front of the emperor, the emperor would not talk about it directly.

Everyone could see that the emperor intended to make Cheng Minzheng the fourth member of the cabinet.

Li Dongyang seemed to have thought of something, and suggested: "Maybe I can suggest to Your Majesty that Keqin will take the exam next year."

Xie Qian said with a smile: "According to His Majesty's wishes and the usual rules, there will be two examiners this time, and the cabinet must have one person. It is the most suitable one for you."

Vaguely, it seems that the two candidates for the main examination in February next year have been decided.

……

……

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Xiao Jing is reporting on Wang Yue's situation after returning to Beijing.

The emperor was very concerned about Wang Yue's movements in Beijing. Since Wang Yue's leading general was dismissed and returned to Beijing, and he was a well-known marshal, he specially sent people from Dongchang to investigate secretly to see who Wang Yue usually interacted with, and who Whether it has complaints and changes, to determine whether it has a different heart.

"...Does it mean that after Wang Yue returned to Beijing, he went to visit Bingkuan? He is well informed, did he give you a gift?"

Zhu Youtang heard that Wang Yue went to see Zhang Zhou, so he asked interestingly.

Xiao Jing thought to himself, Wang Yue is not well-informed, and I let him be well-informed.

I was also the one who directed him to see Zhang Zhou.

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Yes, the gift is very rich, but after nightfall, Mr. Zhang sent someone to send it back, and he also said that he is not Li Guang, and only accepts the gift that should be received. If someone else gave it to him, he would not even dare to touch it." Touch, and tell Wang Shilang not to think about giving gifts in the future."

"Ha ha!"

Zhu Youtang heard it was very interesting, so he smiled and said, "It's fine if he accepts it. It's good to know more about Wang Yue. If he doesn't send it away, he will not be able to calm down. He thinks what I will do to him."

Xiao Jing heard that the emperor felt that it was only natural for Zhang Zhou to accept Wang Yue's gift.

If Zhang Zhou didn't accept it, it would make Wang Yue think more, thinking that the emperor might dismiss his position or kill him.

In addition to liking to make friends with internal officials, Wang Yue is also suspicious.

Xiao Jing asked: "Then do you want to inform Mr. Zhang?"

In fact, Xiao Jing also understood that the emperor wanted to appease Wang Yue through some methods. If Zhang Zhou accepted Wang Yue's gift, so that Wang Yue could stay in the capital with more peace of mind, it would be considered Zhang Zhou's bribery. The emperor not only didn't care, On the contrary, it will support it.

"No!" Zhu Youtang said, "Is Bingkuan in the East Palace today?"

"Yes. Mr. Zhang will be speaking today."

Zhang Zhou had already started giving lectures before he passed the Jinshi exam, but he still came when the Imperial Academy was not giving lectures. In name, he came to check for omissions and fill in vacancies for after-school tutoring, but in fact, he had faintly become the main source of Zhu Houzhao's knowledge. point.

Zhu Youtang said: "Ask Bingkuan to see what his impression of Wang Yue is. I want to give Wang Yue the post of Secretary of the Ministry of War, and let him retire. He is old and frail, so he can go back to take care of himself."

Xiao Jingxin said, this Wang Junmen has fought in wars all his life, with ups and downs, now the emperor seems to be very respectful to him, and wants to give him a minister of the Ministry of War before he becomes an official, but in fact he is worried about him.

Perhaps His Majesty also considered that Wang Yue was not willing to be under others. Even Tu Yu, who he recommended back then, is now the Minister of the Ministry of Officials. Would he be willing to be the left servant of the Ministry of War in the court?
……

……

Zhang Zhou gave Zhu Houzhao a class in the East Palace.

Zhu Houzhao seems to be a good student who listens carefully.

After class, Zhang Zhou went over to explain the situation, saying that he would not come again for a period of time before and after the year.

"why?"

Zhu Houzhao was still a little curious.

Obviously, Zhang Zhou has given him more and more lectures recently, and he likes to listen more and more. Why is he suddenly going to stop?

Zhang Zhoubai glanced at him and said: "The prince is really forgetful, forgot that I have to prepare for the national exam?"

"Tch, going to the palace once or twice will delay your exams? Where can I learn?" Zhu Houzhao said with disdain, "If you don't want to come, just say you don't want to come, and you have to make so many excuses."

Just as he was talking, Liu Jin on the side had already brought tea and prepared one for Zhang Zhou.

"His Royal Highness, Mr. Zhang, please drink tea." Liu Jin smiled.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Your butt is healed? I've seen you doing a lot of activities recently."

Liu Jin smiled and said, "Thanks to His Royal Highness, the servant's injuries are all healed, Mr. Zhang, you don't have to release it yourself, just leave it to the servant."

As he spoke, he took the tea bowl that Zhang Zhou took a sip of and slowly put it on the table.

Zhang Zhou said: "Eunuch Liu is being polite."

You are a servant of the royal family, but not mine. I don't even know how to talk to you because you are so respectful.

"Zhang Zhou, the exam is over next year. Remember to come back as soon as possible. I will be waiting in the East Palace to welcome you. It is best that you can pass the exam. If you fail the exam, I will look down on you."

Zhu Houzhao knew that he was going to part with Zhang Zhou temporarily, and the parting was still more than two months away, so he still felt a little sad about parting.

Zhang Zhou has taught him a lot recently, and he has also benefited from it.

The two are not teachers and students, but more like friends.

Forget the year.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I still remember doing business with the prince. The bookstore hasn't opened yet. It's in the market promotion stage. So far, the effect is not bad. Let's make a fortune together next year."

"Okay, getting rich is good, I like getting rich the most!"

……

……

Zhang Zhou came out of the Wenhua Palace, ready to leave the palace under the guidance of Liu Jin.

It was Xiao Jing who came in a hurry and told the emperor that he wanted to ask about Wang Yue.

"You don't need to face the saint?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"No, if you have anything, just tell our family, and our family will pass it on." Xiao Jing said.

Zhang Zhou nodded: "Wang Weining visited our mansion that day. Apart from the necessary gratitude for saving his life, he also asked me if there is a way to help him get back the title of Uncle Weining."

"what?"

Xiao Jing was shocked.

You Zhang Zhou are really straightforward.

Who asked you, why did you tell me this?
The emperor was very wary of Wang Yue. After you said this, why didn't the emperor drive him out of the court earlier?
Zhang Zhoudao: "But as I said, there is nothing I can do about it. Later, his gift was sent back to him."

"This...is what it should be." Xiao Jing blushed.

If you don't send it back, His Majesty and I can't do business yet. After all, Wang Yue's every move is being watched. Not only you, but even I dare not accept it for the time being. We will wait for the limelight to pass before we look again.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "But I told him that it's not impossible to win the title."

Xiao Jing smiled wryly and said: "Mr. Zhang, don't make fun of our family. Our family's mood is agitated by you. Can we finish talking at once?"

"Okay." Zhang Zhou nodded, "I told him that the Tatars might go south again, and they might go out in force and leave after a wave. He asked me if I could calculate the time, and said no. If I have other assistance, he can apply to His Majesty, lead his troops to fight a beautiful victory, and maybe he can get his title back."

"Eunuch Xiao, judge him, isn't he bragging?"

Xiao Jing's expression froze when he heard this: "It's really not bragging, he has such abilities, but Mr. Zhang, can this kind of thing... count?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "It's a bit difficult, but it's not impossible. Anyway, we should take precautions first? If you make a mistake, it's nothing more than a waste of manpower and material resources. After all, there is no big loss, and there is no need to make a big fuss to make everyone know..."

When Xiao Jing heard it, he immediately smiled and said: "If it can be calculated, it is really the case. Anyway, it is just internal preparations, and no one will announce it to the outside world. Then our family... will report back to His Majesty?"

Looking at Xiao Jing's reaction, Zhang Zhou probably understood.

For Wang Yue, this is an opportunity to regain his title, but for Xiao Jing, as long as things can be accomplished, just speaking is also a meritorious service.

"Is it really okay? I'm also afraid that this will bring some trouble to the court..."

Zhang Zhou also looked very afraid of trouble.

Xiao Jing said flatteringly: "If you can really figure out when the Tatars will come, you can expect the enemy to attack first, so that Daming's frontiers will be prepared, and then the Ming soldiers will have the opportunity to kill the Tatars with superior forces and boost the army's might. , such a good thing, how can it be troublesome? His Majesty is too late to be happy."

"Mr. Zhang, to be honest, if you really didn't have your words, maybe His Majesty would give Wang Shilang a Minister of War and let him retire. Now with you, he might have to stay in the court for a while longer." Two years, win this battle before leaving. Your Majesty also hopes to stabilize the frontier."

(End of this chapter)