The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

In addition to Wang Hao who had concerns about joining the cabinet, Cheng Minzheng also had concerns.

On this day, Zhang Zhou went to the Hanlin Academy and took advantage of his lunch break to help proofread the "Da Ming Huidian". Cheng Minzheng was still discussing with several editors and editors about adding and modifying the catalog. When he heard that Zhang Zhou was coming, Cheng Minzheng As the executive editor, I had to come over to meet Zhang Zhou.

"The manpower is small, the work is busy, and it is even a bit overwhelming. Speaking of which, Jie Fu will return to the court soon. I heard that he is already on his way back. When he comes back, the manpower will not be so tight."

Cheng Minzheng brought Yang Tinghe up in front of Zhang Zhou without any ambiguity.

In Zhang Zhou's view, Yang Tinghe was a hard-working and capable person among the middle-level officials of the Hanlin Academy. This probably explains why he, Yang Tinghe, and not others, will rise in the future.

Zhang Zhou said: "I heard that you, Bachelor Cheng, have met many visitors recently. Don't you have any worries?"

"Haha, it's just my nature. If a visitor comes to see you, if you don't come to ask for something, I always feel bad if you don't see me. As an official in Beijing, it is unrealistic to completely distance yourself from the people in the officialdom. What do you say about visits between colleagues? , I should give you some face, right?"

When Cheng Minzheng said this, he didn't feel that he had done anything wrong at all.

Zhang Zhou also has nothing to comment on.

Cheng Minzheng was originally an outgoing person, and he was free-spirited. It would not be wrong to say that Cheng Minzheng was obsessed with official positions. This kind of person could give up his career at any time.

But it is impossible to say that he does not want to be promoted at all. Who among the officials does not want to be a higher official and hold more power?
  Not everyone is Tao Yuanming.

Moreover, even those who aspire to the mountains, rivers and countryside often do so as a last resort due to officialdom. It sounds nice to say that they don't care, but in fact, most of the time they pursue it but fail.

"There are four to five hundred books that can be referenced today. Many of the compiled books are actually difficult to continue because there are too many orphan copies and collectors don't know where they are. Some even know where they are but can't because of the long distance. He likes to ask for visits, but often he doesn’t get them.”

Cheng Minzheng is also an academic elite. In terms of compiling books in the Hanlin Academy, Cheng Minzheng is also relatively conscientious in his duties.

Recently, I thought that I was going to compile "Compilation of Comprehensive Reviews of All Dynasties", which involved many ancient books, and Cheng Minzheng was also worried about this.

Zhang Zhou said: "How are you doing with the official errands lately?"

"It's not bad." Cheng Minzheng said with some lack of confidence, "It's all the same, it's all the same."

In fact, Zhang Zhou had known for a long time that after Cheng Minzheng was transferred back to the Hanlin Academy, Cheng Minzheng's concurrent appointment as Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs was very slack in his duties. This was also because Ma Wensheng, the Minister of Civil Affairs, refused to delegate power.

As a person who had "stains" as an official, Cheng Minzheng will no longer be regarded by traditional civil servants as an indispensable pillar of the imperial court in the future. The alienation from him is from point to point.

Perhaps it was because Cheng Minzheng knew that he was not appreciated by traditional civil servants and that he was somewhat frustrated that he devoted his attention to book editing and proofreading in the Hanlin Academy. And because he was knowledgeable, at least no one here would look down upon him.

……

……

The two of them arrived at the tea room together.

No one else was present. In name, we were talking about book repairs, but in fact we were talking about Cheng Minzheng's future.

"Bachelor Cheng, your Majesty recently intended to let the people in Hanyuan nominate new cabinet candidates. Have you heard about this?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Cheng Minzheng smiled slightly, but seemed to have an old face, and said: "I heard about it, but it doesn't seem to have much to do with me. The things people care about when they get older are different from when they were young. In fact, it's pretty good now."

Indisputable?

Zhang Zhou felt that Cheng Minzheng knew he couldn't fight, but deliberately refused to fight.

"Do you know, Bachelor Cheng, who is the person with the highest demand to join the cabinet now?" Zhang Zhou asked a very sensitive question.

Logically speaking, it is always taboo to evaluate "teammates" within the Imperial Academy system or in front of colleagues.

You say he has a loud voice, but I also think another person has a loud voice. What do you mean by that? Are you deliberately stirring up trouble?
  If others asked Cheng Minzheng this question, he could choose to avoid answering, or others would not ask this question. Only Zhang Zhou would ask such a question that made Cheng Minzheng feel uncomfortable.

Still had to answer.

Because Zhang Zhou often represented the emperor, and Zhang Zhou was kind to Cheng Minzheng.

Cheng Minzheng asked tentatively: "Is it Wang Jizhi?"

"Yes." Zhang Zhou's answer was straightforward.

"Yes. Wang Jizhi is very talented and capable, and he knows how to be patient. But no one in Hanyuan can do everything like him. I feel ashamed." Cheng Minzheng was not so reserved at this time. It seems to be saying, as long as it's not me.

Zhang Zhou said: "But Academician Wang seems to have deep concerns and is full of entanglements about joining the cabinet. Even if His Majesty asks him to join the cabinet, he may refuse."

"what?"

Cheng Minzheng frowned.

Is Wang Hao such a hypocritical person?

He refused to join the cabinet?

Wait, why are you saying this to me?

Under Cheng Minzheng's puzzled gaze, Zhang Zhou also continued the topic: "So even His Majesty is considering it, or it is not appropriate at the moment for Academician Wang to join the cabinet."

"It hasn't changed?" Cheng Minzheng's question means that the matter of finding someone to join the cabinet has just stopped halfway?
  Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "What your Majesty means is that the three ministers in the cabinet are busy with work every day, and sometimes they slack off on some things because of too much pressure. Someone must be able to help them directly. Instead of having to leave some errands to many people outside the cabinet like now."

Cheng Minzheng didn't want to say anything now.

He seemed to hear some clues.

Zhang Zhou said: "Scholar Cheng, do you think that as a member of the Hanlin Academy, I shouldn't know so much, and I shouldn't tell you this?"

"Yeah." Cheng Minzheng was more straightforward and nodded, meaning you shouldn't know what you shouldn't say.

Zhang Zhou said: "But His Majesty just mentioned it to me, especially asking me to recommend new candidates for the cabinet. Don't worry, this was proposed during the Qianqing Palace discussion. I can be regarded as a worthy person, and sometimes give Some of His Majesty’s advisors’ opinions are not considered arrogance.”

"Uh……"

Cheng Minzheng still didn't know how to proceed.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Of course Academician Wang is good, but since Academician Wang is too resistant to joining the cabinet, then all I can think of is Yang Hanlin who has not returned to Beijing, and then Liang Hanlin and others. I heard that Jin Hanlin’s knowledge and ability are also good, and there is also Bachelor Wang Hua and Wang..."

Cheng Minzheng listened to Zhang Zhou's talk and mentioned Yang Tinghe, Liang Chu, Jin Gui, and Wang Hua, but Cheng Minzheng was not mentioned. Even he himself was a little anxious.

"Actually, there are a few more people." Cheng Minzheng reminded.

Of course he wasn't reminding himself.

In Cheng Minzheng's view, the ones mentioned by Zhang Zhou seemed to be a bit "biased", because now the Hanlin Academy's bachelor's degree students and bachelor's degree lecturers are not these people, but several others.

The people mentioned by Zhang Zhou are more likely to be mid-level officials of the Hanlin Academy.

For example, Jiao Fang, Zhang Yuanzhen, Zhang Bing, Liu Ji, Jiang Lan and others, these people are also considered to be elders in the Hanlin Academy. Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "But in terms of bachelor's degree and ability, it seems that they are inferior to you, Bachelor Cheng."

"what?"

When Cheng Minzheng heard this, he realized that Zhang Zhou was waiting for him here.

He smiled awkwardly and didn't know how to continue speaking.

Zhang Zhou said: "His Majesty also specifically mentioned to me the matter of Bachelor Cheng, and asked me what I thought about your joining the cabinet. I said, Bachelor Cheng, you can be regarded as a highly respected person. In terms of ability, looking at the entire Hanyuan, you are one of the best." People, not to mention that Bachelor Cheng has the most seniority in Hanyuan and it is difficult for others to match him."

"I don't dare to take it." Cheng Minzheng was clear-headed after all.

Now the cabinet is considered to be a solid piece of the Iron Triangle, and no one who gets in will be in trouble. Even if he, Cheng Minzheng, gets in, he will only be punished.

If the officials don't give him face, will the three cabinet members delegate power to him?

When the time comes, all the proposals he writes will be scrutinized, and even the memorials on many important matters will not be shown to him, and his opinions will not be asked. If he is so depressed, it is better to stay in the Hanlin Academy and be a bookworm.

Zhang Zhou said: "But His Majesty is quite optimistic about Bachelor Cheng joining the cabinet. Of course, this is not a formal communication. I just mentioned that there is such a thing. Bachelor Cheng will take it to heart and don't take it too seriously."

When Cheng Minzheng heard this, he thought, "Are you kidding me?"
  It's better if you don't say it. If you say it, how can I not think about it?
  Not being able to advance or retreat... This feeling seems to be exactly the same as that of Wang Jizhi. He, Wang Hao, has concerns about joining the cabinet. Do I have less concerns?
  "Scholar Cheng should also think about this matter. There is a matter of book repair. We might as well discuss it. I have less free time recently, so I may not be able to come here often. I have to rely on you, Bachelor Cheng." Zhang Zhou smiled and looked at Cheng Minzheng, probably with a thought. It feels like digging a hole for him on purpose.

……

……

Room for the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Xiao Jing hurried in from outside, while Chen Kuan and Wei Bin were still dealing with Zhu Pi's affairs, while Li Zhang was outside dealing with Dongchang's matters.

"Eunuch Xiao."

When Chen Kuan and Wei Bin saw Xiao Jing coming back from the meeting, they hurried over to ask for any new instructions.

"Your Majesty seems to have decided on the new cabinet minister." Xiao Jing said.

"Who is it? Wang Hao? Or Zhang Zhou?" Chen Kuan asked.

Several eunuchs had also heard a lot of rumors before. Probably Wang Hao and Zhang Zhou were the most popular candidates to join the cabinet. They didn't know before that the emperor actually wanted to pave the way for Zhang Zhou to join the cabinet, or Xiao Jing had found out from the emperor. I told them after getting word of it.

The government and the public were actually unaware of this matter.

Xiao Jing said: "It's Cheng Minzheng."

"he?"

As soon as this candidate was proposed, Chen Kuan and Wei Bin couldn't help but look at each other, with great doubts in their eyes.

It seems that they never imagined that such a good thing would happen to Cheng Minzheng, who had already lost power.

Wei Bin asked: "Why is it him? Is it just because when he was in Nanjing, he had contact with Cai Guogong, did a good job of flattery, and Cai Guogong recommended him? And I haven't heard that he usually How close we are to Duke Cai."

Cheng Minzheng, who had been alienated by the emperor before and was even sent to Nanjing, did not have a close relationship with Zhang Zhou and did not do much for Zhang Zhou.

He cannot even be called a member of the Zhang Party.

Why did Cheng Minzheng join the cabinet?
  Xiao Jing said angrily: "It's because of the qualifications. Is there anyone who doesn't accept it?"

"Ha ha."

Wei Bin laughed loudly on purpose, with contempt in his laughter.

Cheng Minzheng used to have very high qualifications, but after experiencing the examination fraud in the twelfth year of Hongzhi, he was almost a marginalized figure in the officialdom that no one cared about. Even if he was still the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he was almost ignored and could only hide in the background. Edited books in Hanlin Academy.

Who would believe this kind of person if he was said to be highly virtuous?

Xiao Jing said: "You guys, why didn't you consider everything completely?"

Wei Bin said: "I would like to go to him."

Xiao Jing sighed: "Oh! It was only on our way back that we thought clearly. Do you think it is a good time for Your Majesty to let Duke Cai Guo join the cabinet?"

"Of course it's not a good time, but Cheng Minzheng is not the only candidate in the cabinet who can join the cabinet. Aren't there Wang Hao and Jiao Fang? These people can also discipline and teach the prince in the East Palace. After the cabinet can continue to work for the court, why not choose them?"

As Chen Kuan spoke, he didn't seem to realize the crux of the problem.

Xiao Jing looked grim and said: "What is Wang Jizhi worried about?"

"he……"

Chen Kuan couldn't answer this time.

Wei Bin said: "If Wang Jizhi enters the cabinet first, then after Cai Guogong enters the cabinet in the future, he will have to succumb to others. He will not be able to climb up to the position of chief assistant and will have to be controlled by others. So he would rather not join the cabinet. Or wait until Cai Guogong enters the cabinet in the future. , if he comes in again, there will be no problem.”

"That's right. Since Wang Jizhi's entry into the cabinet is to pave the way for Cai Guogong to enter the cabinet. If he doesn't want to join, he must find someone who can enter the cabinet first to pave the way... and in the future, when Cai Guogong enters the cabinet, he will take the initiative to provide the possible first assistant position. Come on, who do you think is more suitable for this person?"

Xiao Jing is no longer a hint.

It's clear.

Cheng Minzheng joined the cabinet not only to break the current iron triangle structure of the cabinet, but also to serve as a pawn for Zhang Zhou.

And this pawn, after Zhang Zhou entered the cabinet, must complete the handover and retire on his own initiative to make way for Zhang Zhou to become the first assistant in the future.

It was precisely because Wang Hao saw this that he shied away from joining the cabinet.

Now this "good thing" has fallen to Cheng Minzheng, who was allowed to join the cabinet first and serve as cannon fodder.

Wei Bin smiled bitterly and said: "If this is really the case, will Cheng Minzheng really... accept it?"

Chen Kuan answered for Xiao Jing: "What is unacceptable to him? Apart from this method, is there any other way for him to enter the cabinet? After Cai Guogong and that Wang Xueshi enter the cabinet, what will happen to him? Can he After joining the cabinet and being a cabinet minister for a few years, it is considered a worthy entry into the officialdom, right?"

"Ah."

Now Wei Bin could only nod.

It seemed that Cheng Minzheng was being treated badly, but in fact it was a great convenience to him.

If he hadn't opened the way for Zhang Zhou, would the emperor have thought of letting you, Cheng Minzheng, join the cabinet?
  If it was before the twelfth year of Hongzhi, you Cheng Minzheng would be the best choice, but now you just have no chance...unless you have a special mission to help the emperor solve problems. (End of chapter)