The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The news that Cheng Minzheng was about to join the cabinet soon spread throughout the court.

I don’t know where it started. Once word spread, even Cheng Minzheng himself was a little confused... Zhang Zhou had just mentioned it to him in person before, so why did it seem to be implemented now?

After the morning court that day, Zhu Youtang specifically asked Chen Kuan to call three cabinet ministers to Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang mentioned to the three of them face to face the matter of Cheng Minzheng joining the cabinet.

"...Cheng Qing's family has been in the government for a long time, and he is reliable in doing things. Now he can fulfill his duties in the Hanlin Academy. My intention is to let him share some errands with you so that you can relax a little bit. , what do the three Qing family think?"

The emperor seemed very polite.

He took the initiative to ask the three people for their opinions, but it seemed that the three people were not willing to refuse, or they could not refuse the emperor's "good intention."

Liu Jian took the initiative to express his position on behalf of the cabinet: "The veteran seconded the proposal."

It doesn't matter if he doesn't second the motion. Who told him that Liu Jian was already accused of occupying the latrine and not shitting? As a minister of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Jian actually had to relax a lot. Given his age, he mostly relied on Xie Qian and Li Dongyang to handle daily official affairs, and even asked Zhongshu Sheren to wait. Do it for you.

In the middle and late period of Hongzhi, the atmosphere within the Ming Dynasty's officialdom was actually a backwater, especially at the decision-making level represented by the cabinet.

Zhu Youtang did not expect Liu Jian to agree so readily. He smiled and nodded: "I think that after Bachelor Cheng joins the cabinet, he can help you. Then I will raise this matter in the court tomorrow."

It means that the cabinet itself will propose it.

The proposals for candidates to join the cabinet, as well as the details such as court recommendation, are all in accordance with the rules and regulations, but it is not always the minister who comes forward to propose. The key point depends on who the emperor approves of.

……

……

Then Zhu Youtang simply asked a few questions about cabinet affairs, and then asked Chen Kuan to send the three of them out of Qianqing Palace and go to the cabinet for duty.

After the three of them went back and finished their work, they didn't say they were particularly worried. After all, Cheng Minzheng was considered an "old acquaintance." If it hadn't been for what happened at the beginning, Cheng Minzheng would have joined the cabinet and become one of their colleagues.

"Is Keqin really suitable?" Xie Qian asked.

Li Dongyang said: "Everyone thought it was Wang Jizhi, but from the time the rumors started, we knew that someone deliberately spread the news."

Xie Qian said: "Could it be that His Majesty let people spread the word and test the reaction of the government and the public?"

Li Dongyang shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so roundabout when doing things, or maybe there is someone else who can tell."

"Ha ha."

Xie Qian smiled.

The so-called "others", if you think about it with malicious intent, it should be Zhang Zhou. Apart from Zhang Zhou, there seems to be no one else.

But if you think about it with good intentions, besides Zhang Zhou, there may be someone who wants to give the people in their cabinet a chance to know about this in advance and be mentally prepared in advance.

Li Dongyang looked at Liu Jian and said: "Now that Cheng Keqin has entered the cabinet, how will the errands be distributed? Or should we say... everything remains as usual?"

Liu Jiandao: "You shouldn't ask me."

It means that if we discuss how to exclude Cheng Minzheng now, it would be too deliberate.

The emperor just wanted to strangle people in the cradle after just giving him a chance. Isn't he a little too impatient? Moreover, doing so shows too much self-interest of civil servants, and can even be said to be party politics.

"I understand." Li Dongyang nodded.

Xie Qian glanced at the side with a slightly puzzled look in his eyes, as if asking, what do you understand?

After Liu Jian went back to rest early and returned for night duty in the evening, Xie Qian raised the issue.

"You don't have to think about it, just know it in your heart." Li Dongyang was still hinting.

Xie Qian understood immediately.

Cheng Minzheng still needs to be squeezed out, but he can't say it openly, not even between three people.

After all, the three of them may not always be in power at the same time in the future. After one or two people retreat and form a new faction, the matters discussed by the three of them may still be exposed by one of them.

Xie Qian was even thinking, isn't this just to guard against me?

"Keqin's bookish temperament may not last long after he joins the cabinet. His Majesty probably doesn't intend for him to make much achievements in the cabinet. Yu Qiao, after he comes, it's up to you to give him more guidance."

Li Dongyang began to entrust errands.

Bring "new people".

Although Cheng Minzheng followed the rules of the officialdom, he already knew the rules of the officialdom. He even knew what the cabinet did and the daily errands.

But after actually joining the cabinet, someone still needs to guide him, and Xie Qian, as the lowest-ranking among the three people in the cabinet, seems to be the most suitable person to guide Cheng Minzheng.

"Ah."

Xie Qian nodded.

He seemed to understand that to exclude Cheng Minzheng, he had to start with Xie Qian.

As for Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, they had to keep a straight face and show a sense of arrogance. The cabinet's reputation depended on these two people, and Xie Qian was the one who did the dirty work.

……

……

Morning next day.

First, Liu Jian resigned because of his old age, which meant that at his age, he could no longer bear the heavy responsibilities of the court.

Zhu Youtang expressed some relief: "...for so many things in the government and the public, I still cannot do without capable ministers like Mr. Liu Ge, but I can't just ignore your hard work and ignore it. What I mean is to add one more person. , I have mentioned it before, but it has never been implemented, so I will not postpone it today, so I will bring it to the court and say, who do you think is more suitable?"

The ministers present immediately felt as if they had been tricked.

The emperor and Liu Jian were obviously playing a double act.

Does the emperor really not know who to choose?

Or...are you deliberately trying to make us think that the candidate was actually recommended by everyone and was not a behind-the-scenes operation?

"I recommend Bachelor Cheng."

Just when everyone was still speechless and had nothing to say because of their embarrassment, someone suddenly spoke up from among the ministers.

When everyone felt that something was wrong, they remembered that this damn voice was actually Zhang Bingkuan's...

Zhang Zhou is actually among the ministers class today?

Why so low-key?

It was as if he didn't exist. Every time he came here before, he had never been so low-key.

Zhu Youtang said: "Scholar Cheng is of high moral character and is indeed the best candidate. Is there anyone else?"

Zhang Mao said: "Returning to your majesty, the veteran believes that Zhang Zhou, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, can share the worries of your majesty and the court. He is an unparalleled capable minister. If he can join the cabinet with him and assist in the government, he will definitely become a good news for a while. Recommended by the veteran he."

At this time, Wu Xun actually ran out to join in the fun. Civil servants will inevitably think, what does this matter have to do with your surname Zhang?

Don't think that we don't know your thoughts. If you let Zhang Zhou join the cabinet, he will be a civil servant from now on, so we won't take the title of the first martial arts family from you. In this way, you will continue to be the admiral of the capital camp and continue to be the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The highest officer of the garrison!

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "Bingkuan is still young and may not be suitable to join the cabinet at this time."

These words also have some hints.

The ministers were all discerning, so they could certainly tell that the emperor had already planned Zhang Zhou's entry into the cabinet, but it was just not time to put it into practice.

After that... Zhang Zhou's entry into the cabinet was almost a certainty.

"Mr. Liu Ge, what do you think?" Zhu Youtang meant to ask Liu Jian to recommend candidates for the cabinet.

Liu Jiandao: "The old minister believes that Wang Hao, a bachelor of the Imperial Academy, is also suitable for this job."

Not to recommend Cheng Minzheng, even if your emperor said this, I agreed at the time, but in order to form a fair and just competition, I should propose another candidate.

and……

I do think Wang Hao is more suitable. I am just discussing the matter, and you, Your Majesty, cannot interfere with my thoughts.

Zhu Youtang didn't feel upset after hearing this. He had long been used to this kind of fake fairness.

Zhu Youtang said: "Scholar Wang is also diligent and self-restrained in teaching the prince's knowledge. I also approve of him. Is there anyone else?"

Then the ministers present came out to make selections.

In the past, when selecting ministers, most people would act according to the prevailing circumstances, but when it comes to selecting cabinet ministers, everyone is afraid of falling behind.

The reason is that they all know that the cabinet ministers are equivalent to the prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty and are the leaders of civil servants. Each faction has relatively powerful figures, and the ministers in the Hanlin Academy system also have very close contacts with the ministers of the DPRK.

If the person you elect really becomes a cabinet minister, or even a chief minister in the future, wouldn't your future official career be bright?

So much so that after a round of selection, almost all bachelors from the Hanlin Academy participated.

Many people come out to recommend them because they have personal relationships with these people, but on the surface they won't admit it. It sounds like they are working together as a group, but in fact they put their personal thoughts first.

"Then let's give it a public recommendation first."

Zhu Youtang said, "At the same time, we also need to ask the opinions of the people who are recommended. Bingkuan, you go first."

Zhang Zhou was a bachelor's degree student no matter what.

And in the list of electors, the voice was originally acceptable, but the emperor had something to say first, and Zhang Zhou was not suitable to join the cabinet at this time.

Zhu Youtang's words actually changed the meaning of the matter. He asked Zhang Zhou to give an example to the people present and tell them how to refuse the matter...until they refused one by one and Cheng Minzheng reluctantly accepted it, and then this matter Everything was happy.

Zhang Zhou said: "I am not qualified enough, and I am not qualified for many things in the court. Now is the time when the war in the north is stalemate, so I have no time to do other things."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Your errands at the Shangcheng Department have kept you busy enough. Recently, Tang Qing's family went on a mission to North Korea, and few people can help you. If you need any more help, just let me know. I will transfer it to you."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I can still barely complete the task at hand."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang looked sideways at Wang Hao.

Just when everyone thought that the emperor was going to ask Wang Hao for his opinion, the emperor suddenly said: "I also think that the bachelor Cheng proposed by Bingkuan is a good candidate. Let's take him as the bachelor of Wenhua Palace. What do you think? "

The people present were a little confused.

Why is the emperor so off topic?

Is this the time to decide?

Li Zhang, who was standing next to him, said: "Your Majesty, recently there have been rumors in both the government and the public that new cabinet ministers are to be added, and there have been many private discussions. Among them, Bachelor Cheng and Bachelor Wang have been the most discussed, and everyone thinks they are more suitable. Moreover, both of them were able to fulfill their duties conscientiously in their respective errands, including book repair and lectures in the East Palace."

Zhu Youtang said: "You can take on the book repair work concurrently, but you still have to pay attention to the lectures in the East Palace. It's not that I think Bachelor Wang is not capable, but I also attach great importance to the prince's studies."

The implication is that you, Wang Hao, want to teach my son, and you cannot leave your post without permission for the time being.

Li Zhang said: "The voice of Bachelor Cheng is the highest."

For Dongchang Factory Manager to speak out about this matter seems to be to convey public opinion. After all, Dongchang has the responsibility to monitor the people of the world. They say that Cheng Minzheng has a loud voice, which means that Cheng Minzheng has a loud voice. Whoever has an opinion, please submit evidence, otherwise they are talking nonsense. He was ordered to serve in prison.

Zhu Youtang asked: "Why didn't Bachelor Cheng come today?"

"I'm sick," Li Zhang said.

"Oh! It's time to take a good rest. Autumn is about to get colder, so it's time to take good care of it. In a few days, it will be the time of the Autumn Palace Competition. I have decided that Bingkuan and Wang Xueshi will be the examiners of this Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination. , what do you gentlemen think?"

Zhu Youtang's words meant that it was officially decided that Cheng Minzheng would be the additional cabinet minister.

There is no need to delay it. Anyway, the rumors have been going on for more than a year, and there have been discussions in the court, but they are always unresolved. The pool of water among the civil servants' influence will always be stagnant.

Liu Jiandao: "Back to Your Majesty, I believe that the matter of taking the Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination still needs to be considered."

Zhu Youtang frowned.

He was also wondering, Liu Jian had no objection to Cheng Minzheng joining the cabinet, so why was he so opposed to Zhang Zhou being the chief examiner?

"Mr. Liu Ge, the exam is about to start in a few days. Shouldn't we let them prepare? Who else do you think is more suitable?" Zhu Youtang looked obviously unhappy.

If you oppose Cheng Minzheng's entry into the cabinet, I will not be so embarrassed.

But if you stop me from letting Bingkuan be the examiner, I want to skin you and cramp you.

I wonder if I want Bingkuan to accumulate more reputation in academia?

Liu Jian said with a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant: "Zhang Zhou is the examiner, and I have no objection. However, Academician Wang teaches the prince knowledge every day and is busy with official duties. He should not be responsible for multiple posts. It is better to leave it to others."

"Then who do you think is more suitable?"

When Zhu Youtang heard that he was not against Zhang Zhou, his attitude immediately improved a lot.

"I believe that Yang Tinghe, the minister, should be the main test."

Liu Jian recommended Yang Tinghe without hesitation.

Zhu Youtang said: "Has he returned to Beijing?"

Li Zhang said: "Back to Your Majesty, according to the schedule, he will return to the capital today. This journey... it was very hard for him, but he finally made it back."

Yang Tinghe had just finished his mourning and returned to the capital all the way from Sichuan and Sichuan. Before he even entered the city gate, he was recommended by Liu Jian to be the chief examiner of the Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination. It seemed that he was helping Zhang Zhou, but he had a sense of supervising Zhang Zhou. .

Don't let Zhang Zhou mess around.

If Zhang Zhou wants to mention some people he wants to mention and plays tricks in the examination room, someone must stand up.

Otherwise, count on Wang Hao?

An old fox like Wang Hao can easily find a way to compromise or turn a blind eye.

But Yang Tinghe is different...after all, he is a young and cutting-edge group.

It just so happened that I was looking for an opportunity to train Yang Tinghe and let Yang Tinghe and Zhang Zhou take opposing stances. If Yang Tinghe couldn't do this, then future promotions would have nothing to do with Yang Tinghe. (End of chapter)