The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 398
Court meeting.

As the Minister of Dali Temple, Wang Shi didn't even get a nomination when he was promoted as a new candidate for Zuodu Yushi. God please resign and prepare for returning home.

As a result, after Zuodu Censor confirmed that Dai Shan was the Shangshu of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, he then appointed Tu Xun, the left servant of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, to succeed him as Shangshu of the Ministry of Criminal Justice... Wang Shi was then elected as the candidate to succeed Bai Ang as Shangshu of the Ministry of Criminal Justice...

Still the only one.

Things changed so fast that Wang Shi was unexpected.

I didn't even get the nomination of the Zuodu Yushi, and I was actually asked to be the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment?

In fact, I am very satisfied to be the left servant of the Criminal Department.

Zhu Youtang did not directly decide the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, but first decided on the candidates for the two servants of the Ministry of Punishment in the court: "According to the list recommended by the Ministry of Officials before, and the discussion between me and the families of the ministers, I will use the Ministry of Punishment The right servant, He Jianjin, is the left servant, and the right servant of the Ministry of Punishment is Li Shishi, the governor of Yunnan and the right deputy capital censor."

He Jianjin Zuo Shilang is reasonable, and Li Shishi also belongs to the faction of foreign officials. Li Shishi's ability to govern one side is recognized by the court, so he will be recommended.

Of course, Li Shishi is the most famous person in history not because he was the right servant of the Ministry of Justice, but because...he is from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, and was also the military advisor of the later Ningwang Rebellion. Wet shoes.

After the positions of the two servants of the Ministry of Punishment were confirmed.

Zhu Youtang looked at the people beside him who were still a little dazed, and Wang Shi, who had no idea what was going on, said: "The former Minister of Dali Temple, Wang Qing's family, will preside over the affairs of the Ministry of Punishment."

"The old minister...has meager abilities. I hope His Majesty will choose another good minister. The old minister dare not take on this position."

Wang Shi also has to be ignorant.

Knowing that being a censor of Zuodu is easy to be criticized by others, how dare I jump directly to the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment?Those who are blocked by me in their official careers will definitely use me as a target!

Zhu Youtang said: "This is the result of careful discussions between me and the Qing family. You don't have to refuse Wang Qing's family. The Ministry of Officials sent a letter to Nanjing earlier to let Dai Shan, the secretary of the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment, go to Beijing to take up his post earlier. The affairs of the capital’s procuratorate will be temporarily handled by Gu Zuo, the imperial censor of the capital. Recently, there have been frequent transfers of officials between the northern and southern capitals, and all the noble families must fulfill their respective responsibilities and serve the court with heart and soul.”

"I would like to obey the imperial edict." The ministers present quickly echoed.

Zhu Youtang sighed: "There is another matter about the Minister of the Household Department. We will talk about it tomorrow. Zhou Shangshu has worked for the country for many years. I have specially allowed the addition of Shaobao, a carriage, four servants, six pieces of silk, and 160 taels of silver. Zhou Qing Be careful on your way home."

It's fine for Zhou Jing to return to his hometown, but he even reminded Zhou Jing to be "careful" on the way back to his hometown, so the ministers have to think about it, what does the emperor mean by these words?
Then someone thought of...

Zhou Jing is from Yangqu, Shanxi, but after all, Zhou Jing doesn't have to pass through a dangerous place like Datong when he returns to his hometown. Could it be that the regional situation in Shanxi is very dangerous now, with bandits everywhere?

……

……

After the court meeting ended, Wang Shi felt his head was still buzzing.

Many people came to him to congratulate him, and he didn't know what to say... He didn't hear the slightest word in advance. He thought that he was a minister from heaven, but others would think that he deliberately concealed it, and the words of the people who came to congratulate , more or less with a little sourness.

In the past few years, Daming has almost not had any transfers to the position of Shangshu.

There are too many people who can't climb up to the position of minister, and in the end they can only be transferred to Nanjing to be named Shangshu, and then they become officials.

How many people are envious and envious of Wang Shi, who was born as a foreign official and does not belong to the Beijing official system, and directly obtained the position of Minister of Criminal Affairs.

Before everyone left Fengtian Hall, Chen Kuan came to inform the emperor's oral order, and invited the cabinet to follow up with the members of the listening office to go to the Qianqing Palace, and by the way, Wang Shi was also called to meet in the inner court.

Not to mention Wang Shi's promotion, he was summoned by the emperor, and suddenly he felt like a pheasant turned into a phoenix.

In the sound of emotion and blessing, everyone sent him out of the palace gate.

……

……

Wang Shi was not a member of the Shang Hearing Office, so his visit to Qianqing Palace this time did not involve discussing state affairs. It was just that after he became Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, the emperor summoned him to give him some instructions.

When Wang Shi appeared in Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang had just finished talking to Xiao Jing, and Wang Shi didn't know what they were talking about.

"Wang Qing's family." After seeing the ceremony, Zhu Youtang looked at Wang Shi with a smile, and he was full of expectations for Wang Shi during the conversation, "After you are in power and prison, you have a heavy burden on your shoulders. National law comes first, don't be partial."

This expectation is very official.

Wang Shi only thought that this was the emperor's expectation for the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and hurriedly saluted: "What your majesty said, I will remember it in my heart. It's just that my ability is not as good as it is."

"You don't need to talk about this." Zhu Youtang said, "In fact, I have one more matter. It involves the illegal activities of foreign suzerains and vassals for many years. Some people even have the heart of disobedience. After there are clues, the Ministry of Punishment will deal with it impartially."

Wang Shi's head seemed to be hit violently by someone, and he was on the spot in a daze.

Feelings let me be the secretary of the Ministry of punishment, and there are "special missions" entrusted?

Wang Shi was stunned for a while, not knowing how to respond.

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Don't worry about Wang Butang. The Ministry of Punishment just wants to deal with it impartially, and it doesn't involve bending the law for personal gain. Your Majesty doesn't want anyone to bend the law for personal gain. As for how to investigate the royal family, suzerain and other matters, someone will give you a template , right now it’s just a breather, don’t be in a hurry.”

Wang Shi hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, is the Ministry of Punishment going to send someone to investigate thoroughly?"

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "You don't need to worry about the thorough investigation. I have already sent someone to go, and I will not hide you. It is Bingkuan. He went south this time, and he had to investigate the crimes of the royal family and vassals. It’s better to let him handle such troublesome things, and the Ministry of Punishment can do its job well.”

Let Zhang Zhou do the offending, and the criminal department is only responsible for helping to clean up.

No matter what Wang Shi heard, he felt as if he was tied to the same boat with Zhang Zhou.

But Wang Shi didn't think about it, even if those suzerains and vassals always violated the law, saying that they have "disobedience", and even asked the emperor to pay special attention to a thorough investigation, is it really necessary?
However, Wang Shi's political awareness is also there. He thought to himself, after His Majesty cleaned up the situation in the northern frontier, he immediately drew a knife and slashed at the clan. Fan, will he be backlashed?If I were to get involved, wouldn't I become an accomplice to the internal turmoil in Daming?
Wang Shi was not very successful before, but it does not mean that he is willing to be involved in the whirlpool.

Zhu Youtang said: "Recently, there have been many changes in the staff of the upper listening office. If you are interested in Wang Qing's family, I will let you walk in the upper listening office as appropriate, so that you can make more suggestions for me. Alright, you can write down the specific matters." Don’t worry about it, just preside over the prison affairs.”

"Yes."

Wang Shi understood.

Good job, get promoted, if you don't do it well... get out early.

Why did the emperor break the rules and promote you?It's not because you are more capable than others, but because you know that promotion is not easy, you also know how to do things, and understand what your position should be.

The emperor seems to trust and admire him very much, but in fact, this is based on his ability to handle affairs and conduct himself. If he is obsessed with obsession and adopts the attitude of a traditional civil servant who disturbs the water, then he is estimated to be the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. He won't stay for too long... Just a case involving a royal family member can make him shed a layer of skin.

……

……

After Wang Shi left the Qianqing Palace, the members of the cabinet and the hearing office entered the Qianqing Palace and entered the stage of the inner court discussion.

The thing that was discussed was just one...

Tatars violated the border.

Xiao Jing explained the urgent reports from various places in front of several people: "...the little Tatar prince used Hetao many times in the next year, and competed with Huozhai's Mengguoljin tribe, and then Huozhai led his troops to continue to move westward. , the little Tatar prince went south from Hetao many times, plundering Yansui, Pianguan, etc., and there were many losses of people and animals..."

"Qin Hong, who was in charge of the three-sided military affairs, sent out three thousand troops from Yulin Guards to fight back. There was a brief battle with the Tatars in Hetao, and they suffered mutual injuries. They did not make any first achievements. They got sixty horses, cattle and sheep, After the two sides moved their camps, the little Tatar prince used tens of thousands of cavalry to harass Ningxia West Road and other places, cutting off the route between Ningxia and Hami. It is not clear how Hami's military situation is..."

"There are also Duoyan and other remnants of the guards, who moved their tents to Daning and other places, disturbing the border of Jizhou..."

……

Xiao Jing summarized the information from all parties.

Roughly speaking...

Except for Datong and Xuanfu, which are still relatively calm, there is no rest in the rest of the place. Even Liaodong, where the Ming Dynasty focused on using troops, has been harassed again by the Eastern Mongolian tribes, especially the Duoyan Sanwei who have not been able to eradicate the roots before.

Of course, except for the little Tatar prince, the rest of the harassment was only superficial, and did not directly pose a direct threat to Ming Dynasty's border.

The little prince Batu Mengke is different, because in the past two years of war, the main losses were the vital forces of Huoshai, Duoyan and other departments. On the contrary, the losses of the Chahar Department of Dayan Khan's headquarters are very small. Up to now Batu Monk showed his ambition of being the lord of the grassland and began to repeatedly violate the border.

After Xiao Jing finished the general battle report, Zhu Youtang seemed very angry and said: "I didn't understand it, could it be that Guochao's forging ahead in the frontier in the past few years could not bring about the tranquility of the border? We must go to Taping Will they be willing to surrender at the moment of grassland?"

Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, the drought in the Central Plains has been severe in the past two years, and so has the northern grasslands. The drought in the Mobei grasslands has caused the Beiyuan forces to continue to invade the south. Now it is necessary to strengthen border guards and increase salt tax revenue to prevent occupation. We will fill our pockets, reduce extravagance, and increase military expenditures in the Northwest."

The minister actually has no good ideas about governing the frontier.

Taking the initiative to advance troops is unacceptable in the eyes of traditional civil servants, and because the grasslands are barren, even if they are defeated, it is not easy for the Central Plains dynasty to control them.

Therefore, after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the idea has always been to stick to the frontier. Even Zhu Di's Northern Expedition was often criticized, let alone Emperor Hongzhi, who was known for his success.

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "I will do what you say, but I also think that it is the right way to find a way to make the little Tatar prince feel timid and to maintain the prestige of the country. Marquis Anbian intends to go south, and now I want to use Marquis Anbian to transfer to Ningxia, and then use the new governor of Ningxia to cooperate with the dispatch of troops, do you have any good recommendations?"

The emperor is no nonsense.

I came to you not to discuss how to stick to it.

I just want to send troops and fight hard.

Only when the Tatars' throats are strangled with the tip of a knife, will they know how to be afraid, so they dare not invade the Ming Dynasty... As for the military leaders who lead the soldiers, I have already found them for you, that is the awesome Zhu Zhijie , As for the governor who leads the troops, I will not make my own decisions. I will directly ask you who is suitable, and pick someone out, and I will let him cooperate with Zhu Feng in using troops.

Liu Jian hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, using troops so hastily will cost a lot of money, and it is not easy to make progress."

Zhu Youtang said in a cold tone: "Heavenly gunpowder and new cannons, I have already cast them everywhere. If there is no progress in the past two years, wait until the Tatars learn these technologies secretly, and then compete with them. Will it be too late? You always say that I believe in Bingkuan too much. This time when Bingkuan went south to Nanjing, Diyi in the north immediately provoked the frontier. It is clear that he does not pay attention to the governors and generals other than Bingkuan. , is it tolerable or unbearable?"

Several people exclaimed.

I go!

Can you still understand this?
If Zhang Bingkuan was in the capital, the Tatars would not dare to commit crimes?Then last year, Batu Monk still played in Ningxia?
Now it seems that the Tatars have also noticed that the defense weakness of the Nine Frontiers of the Ming Dynasty is in Ningxia, that is, in the west, so Batu Mengke also focused on the target and fought hard, and the results in Ningxia were good every time.

Zhu Youtang said: "Could it be that there is no one to recommend to me, gentlemen? Do I have to ask Yu Bingkuan every time?"

The emperor was very anxious, even with an unquestionable urgency.

Ma Wensheng said: "The minister still recommends Liu Daxia, the former servant of the household department."

For Ma Wensheng, he believed that Liu Daxia was the most capable soldier. Only when Liu Daxia transferred to Ningxia would he have the chance to confront Batu Monk head-on.

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "Didn't Liu Qing's family decide to restore the Governor-General's military affairs in Guangdong and Guangxi? It is really unnecessary to transfer him to the north like this. I also want to find civil servants in the court who can forge ahead. The most important thing... is to be responsible. , so that every time the Tatars invade, they will stick to it with a high profile and cannot confront it head-on.”

The emperor didn't like Liu Daxia.

Because Liu Daxia represented a veteran of the conservative faction, all he talked about was the kind of steady defensive strategy, which couldn't impress him.

"I originally intended to transfer Xin Bo or Pianguan governor Wang Qiong, but they still have heavy responsibilities. If they are easily transferred to Ningxia, regardless of the battle situation in Pianguan and Liaodong, the military affairs in Ningxia and other departments will be affected. Internal influence is not what I would like to see. I hope to find a rising official with both ability and political integrity, rather than some old ministers who have already had a reputation on the battlefield. Not enough has been done."

Zhu Youtang spoke very euphemistically.

In fact, it means that the reason why I don't use Wang Qiong and Wang Shouren is because in the eyes of your traditional civil servants, the three sides are the territory of traditional forces.

The front line of Xuanda and Liaodong have been occupied by the people of Zhang Zhou's influence. If I let the people of Zhang Zhou's influence go to the three sides... the internal disputes alone may make this battle impossible.

Qin Hong seems to have no conflicts with Zhang Zhou, but Qin Hong is also from your traditional faction, and he also belongs to the kind of mature and prudent old minister. If Wang Qiong and Wang Shouren are sent, he may think that I look down on him, so he can only send "" It is best for those who are not well-known" to be recommended by civil servants of your traditional faction, so as to meet the expectations of all parties.

"Your Majesty, if you want to find a minister who is good at attacking and strategizing...it is not impossible, but...it needs to be recommended and selected."

This time, Xie Qian came forward to perfunctory.

Your Majesty, if you want someone from us, we will immediately recommend one to you. Isn’t this a big problem?
Why don't we go back and discuss it?

Zhu Youtang said: "The situation in Ningxia is changing rapidly. After the little Tatar prince breaks through the barriers and goes away, nothing will help. Ladies and gentlemen, you will not arrive at this time. You don't even have a ready-made candidate. Go back and think about it?"

The emperor was dissatisfied.

You traditional civil servants are always attacking Bingkuan.

Now I also understand you, there is no need for Bingkuan to preside over the military affairs of the three sides, at most Zhu Feng will be transferred, but Zhu Feng is always a martial artist, and he must obey the orders of civil servants when he uses troops. I can't even pick it out, this is not a slap in the face, it is a slap in the face of you.

Ma Wensheng said: "Xu Jin, the left servant of the household department, is qualified for this job."

Isn't your cabinet not sure who to recommend?Then I, the Minister of the Ministry of War, will come.

If Liu Daxia is not suitable, then send someone who is "highly respected" in the past. It's not enough to send a minister directly, but it's okay to send a servant, right?After all, Xu Jin is the left servant of the household department, and it is very appropriate to mobilize money and food while cooperating with the army.

Zhu Youtang said: "It's not right. I've said it all. It's the ministers who will advance in the future to lead the army. Why didn't you understand what I meant?"

Liu Jian was also very anxious at this time.

It is also necessary to find a rising star, someone who understands the situation in the Northwest, and someone who will not make Qin Hong feel disgusted... The most important thing is to recommend someone right now... This problem is too big.

Just when Liu Jian was anxious about who to choose, Li Dongyang said, "I believe that Yang Yiqing, Minister of Nanjing Taichang Temple, is qualified for this job."

"Oh?"

Zhu Youzhang was still a little anxious and annoyed.

After hearing the recommendation, he frowned slightly and did not comment.

Li Dongyang said: "Yang Yiqing has been in Shaanxi for many years, he is familiar with the military affairs of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and other places, and he is useful in military strategy."

Zhu Youtang looked at Liu Jian at the side and said, "What do you think, Mr. Liu Ge?"

Liu Jian said: "I also think it's acceptable."

"En." Zhu Youtang nodded, as if he was also thinking about whether this person was suitable.

At this time, Ma Wensheng objected to this: "Your Majesty, Yang Yiqing was mostly a school inspector when he was in Shaanxi. Even though he has the advantage of being familiar with the border areas, it is difficult to hide the disadvantage of not seeking a job in the military and government. Please Your Majesty choose someone else."

To put it bluntly, Ma Wensheng thought that Yang Yiqing was not qualified enough.

He was the governor of Ningxia when he first came up, and he was also in charge of leading troops to attack. Sending a minister may not be able to hold the place, so he found Yang Yiqing, who is not well-known?
Zhu Youtang said: "There is no more suitable candidate, and the situation is urgent. I agree to use Yang Yiqing as the right deputy capital censor to take charge of Ningxia border affairs."

(End of this chapter)