Jinyi champion

Liu Chun is very troubled recently.

There were too many people who came to visit him, no matter if they were old disciples, or those who just met once, and they couldn't even name them, they all came to visit him, as if they thought he could join the cabinet and came to make connections.

Rich families and representatives of merchants from all over the country in Beijing also came to give money and goods, but he turned them away.

It's not that he refuses everyone, some people really can't refuse, he is the second place in the [-]rd Palace Examination of Chenghua, he has been working in the Imperial Academy for more than [-] years, and has organized township examinations and hospital examinations many times. How can I refuse to order a gift?

"You don't need to come here again, the old man has no expectations for his official career...Let's say it clearly, the old man has absolutely no chance of joining the cabinet."

Liu Chun met everyone who came to visit him, and almost said the same thing over and over again.

It's not about how humble he is, or how he creates a low-key image to facilitate his future success, but that he really doesn't want to make any achievements in his official career, and he doesn't even think that he has the slightest chance of becoming a leader.

Although he, like Yang Tinghe, is from Sichuan, his relationship with each other is not harmonious. No one in the cabinet has asked his opinion on the matter of electing someone to the cabinet. That is to say...he is not in the cabinet system, and everyone If you didn't treat him as one of your own, even if you got in by chance, what's the point?Was it used as a gunman?

I, Liu, have been in the court for half my life. I have served as an official. I have even been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for three years. What more can I expect?Do you have to join the cabinet to reflect your own value?
……

……

That night, when Liu Chun returned home, he had dinner and was about to rest. His family members came to inform him, and another visitor came to the door.

Wishing he could keep the guests away, but after all, he couldn't be too rude. Liu Chun took the invitation card and looked at it, and found that it was Sun Jiaoda, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, who came to visit at night.

"Really... why is he here? Making fun of me?"

Liu Chun was patient and invited Sun Jiao into the mansion.

When the two arrived at Liu Chun's study, there were piles of books everywhere, but no one cleaned them up.

Sun Jiao said with a smile: "Like me, when I was in Anlu in the past, there was always someone to help tidy up, and the study was fairly tidy, but when I arrived in the capital, there was no one to take care of it, and my surroundings seemed disorganized... Fortunately, I have moved my family here. Life is finally much easier.”

"Brother Zhitong, I am different from you."

Liu Chun reminded Sun Jiao: "I don't allow my servants to touch my things, otherwise why would this happen?"

You old fellow, when the Empress Dowager Jiang brought you to the capital, you didn’t plan to live for a long time, and now you think about moving your family to your side. You must have suffered a lot before coming here... and I, Liu, have been in court for as long as you It's grown a lot, and there is no shortage of people around to take care of it.

"If you have something to say, talk about it. If it involves joining the cabinet, don't talk about it."

Liu Chun has a bad temper.

Seeing Liu Chun's distraught appearance, Sun Jiao knew that his old friend had suffered a lot when it came to joining the cabinet recently.

Obviously someone wants to join the cabinet, but if you don't flatter me, what's the point of coming to my place to heat the cold stove?When the court pushes candidates for the cabinet, I don't even have a nomination here. Are you going to make fun of me?

Sun Jiaodao: "You are really worried about joining the cabinet!"

"you……"

Liu Chun glared at Sun Jiao, as if to say, you really can't open which pot and which pot to carry.

Sun Jiao said solemnly: "You can come to my house to talk about what you have and what you don't have, but I can't come to you to have a heart-to-heart talk with you? Others don't know your state of mind, so I don't know your attitude towards joining the cabinet?"

Liu Chun thought about it, and Sun Jiao knew very well that he didn't want to join the cabinet, so it would be wise to make a special trip to visit him.

"Go ahead."

Liu Chun waved his hand.

You, Sun Zhitong, came to me on your own initiative, so you should start first. What do you want to say, or what do you want to know from me? You can’t let me talk to myself, right?

Sun Jiaodao: "Your Majesty's move may not be for the purpose of finding someone to join the cabinet. I found out that His Majesty summoned four cabinet members and told them that he wanted to let Bohu enter the Imperial Academy and refused for the four cabinet ministers. , and only then did His Majesty propose
Add candidates to the cabinet. "

"Hey, where did you hear that?"

Liu Chun asked.

Sun Jiao shook his head, expressing that he could not speak.

Liu Chun squinted his eyes: "Your Majesty summoned the cabinet ministers, except for the person concerned, or only the seal of the ceremonial supervisor, the pen or the servant... Zhitong, the source of your news is not simple. You are not here to show me that you are in the palace. Is there anyone?"

"Cut, what are you talking about? When did I get complacent about getting to know the palace man? Don't you know what I am?" Sun Jiao said angrily.

Liu Chun nodded.

Sun Jiao understood his attitude towards joining the cabinet, and he also knew Sun Jiao's attitude towards the new emperor.

And both of them knew that the attitude of dealing with it was not hypocrisy, but that they really didn't want to get involved in the court's grievances and grievances.

"Say it straight, don't talk to outsiders, it was Zi Chong who told me."

Sun Jiao exposed Fei Hong.

Liu Chun nodded. He didn't have a deep friendship with Fei Hong, or... After Fei Hong returned to the court this time, he didn't have much contact with him. In fact, Liu Chun also knew how much pressure he would bear when joining the cabinet as someone outside Yang Tinghe's faction.

This is not the first time Fei Hong has joined the cabinet. With his reputation in the past, it is reasonable to share power from Yang Tinghe, but in fact, this time Fei Hong has been completely reduced to a marginal man.

Marginal people also have their own network, but most of the time Fei Hong needs to contact with someone secretly, this is also to avoid being gossiping or being suspected by Yang Tinghe, which will make it difficult for him to deal with himself in the cabinet in the future.

Sun Jiao continued: "Your Majesty's intention is actually to secure more people in court. From outsiders' perspective, you and Jiefu appear to be at odds, so it is impossible to join the cabinet, but in my opinion, the more you are, The easier it is for His Majesty to push you out."

"so……"

Liu Chun looked at Sun Jiao with doubts in his eyes.

Sun Jiaodao: "So my suggestion is, if you are afraid of being targeted by Yang Jiefu, you can simply go to the table and beg for old age and return to the land, and forget it."

As soon as these words came out, Liu Chun was stunned for a moment.

Sun Jiao's "upright" suggestion was really unexpected.

But thinking carefully about Sun Jiao's words, Liu Chun felt that these words were very kind and pleasing to the ear. In his opinion, those who persuaded him to quit were really thinking of him, while those who persuaded him to enter were really hurting him.

"There is some truth to it, but with the old man's current state, he can still stay in court for a few years, why should he retire early?"

Liu Chun gave an answer that surprised Sun Jiao too.

You old man Sun is very interesting.

I'm saying I have no ambitions for a career, but I'm not saying I'll just retire.

It's good for you to retire at this age, anyway, you have been away from court for a long time, and you are used to the life of idle clouds and wild cranes, so you can spend the rest of your life in your hometown.

and I?
I am much younger than you. I have lived through the four dynasties of Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde, and Jiajing. Except for going back to my hometown to guard the system, I have never left the court. You can live a clean life in the Hanlin Academy. Isn’t it good to be a monk for a day?
Am I going to retreat if I don’t advance?

There is no option to take an intermediate value and not advance or retreat?

Sun Jiao said with a smile: "So, you still have an idea..."

"Hey, brother Zhitong, I regard you as a bosom friend, don't you treat me as a stick!"

Liu Chun raised his hand to interrupt Sun Jiao's words.

Sun Jiao smiled again, this is only a joke among friends, if it were someone else, I am afraid that he would have turned his face.

Liu Chun sighed: "It's not that I didn't think about retiring, but in fact, life in Hanyuan is good. I can do something for the court and win something for future generations. It's not too bad. In fact, I think you are the same , why do you always want to retreat? Stay in court for a few more days, let people remember, it’s not too bad.”

Sun Jiao nodded.

The two have similar ideas, so there is no need to get entangled in this, Sun Jiao turned around and said: "Then... if you have a chance to join the cabinet, even if it's only for a year or so, wouldn't it be okay to strike the bell in another place?" ?”

"Um?"

Liu Chun suddenly realized that Sun Jiao's coming to him was not simply a matter of persuading him to join or quit.

"Renzhong, I didn't deliberately make arrangements for you. You are now over sixty years old. If you just retire, it is good in my opinion, but if you stay in the court and enter the cabinet, it is much better than staying in Hanyuan. .” Sun Jiao said.

Liu Chun curled his lips: "Zhitong, I need you to say this? Who doesn't want to join the cabinet? Let me ask you, if you are given the opportunity to join the cabinet, would you not join? But when is now, you know better than me , in the important position of Minister of the Household Department, you are no longer a person inside and out, the cabinet...is it really accessible to ordinary people? Can you gain a firm foothold after entering?"

Sun Jiao nodded repeatedly, so far he finally grasped Liu Chun's mind.

Liu Chun has no ambitions anymore, but it doesn't mean that the fire in his heart is completely extinguished.

In other words, after Liu Chun experienced a narrow escape, he began to re-examine his life, and tried his best to suppress his ambitions for official career. It doesn't mean that Liu Chun really looks away or something, given a chance, Liu Chun can still burst out for the first time. Second spring.

This is also the reason why Sun Jiao can't persuade him to quit, and why he can't do anything to persuade him to advance.

Because Liu Chun did not completely give up on Chaotang like him.

"Okay, Renzhong, with your words, I will understand. If someone really asks my opinion in the future, then I will tell the truth..." Sun Jiao got up and wanted to leave.

Liu Chun hastily stopped him: "What do you mean by that?"

Sun Jiaodao: "Let's put it this way, Your Majesty has sent Eunuch Zhang, the supervisor of ceremonies, to send me a message that I will go to the inner hall to discuss matters after the court tomorrow morning. I guess the matter of candidates for the cabinet will probably be mentioned. At that time... I may ..."

"Hey, don't mess around, I didn't say I wanted to join the cabinet, so don't trick me."

Liu Chun heard some clues and hurriedly refused.

Sun Jiao smiled and waved his hands.

I already know what you mean, what are you still pretending in front of me?
No matter what Liu Chun said, Sun Jiao was determined to promote this old friend.

……

……

The next morning after the court, when Zhu Si summoned Sun Jiao alone, he really mentioned the question of candidates for the cabinet.

"Mr. Sun, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?" Zhu Si asked.

Sun Jiao would not just mention Liu Chun when he came up, but said in a business-like tone: "This kind of matter should be put in the court meeting, and the result of the court's decision should be the main thing."

"Before Ting Tui, can't we have a private communication first? As far as I know, in the past, Ting Tui was often just a formality, and I was just used to decorate the facade and let people manipulate it. It’s all about agreeing. The personnel matters were really negotiated by the court? Didn’t someone decide it first?”

Zhu Si was very aware of the embarrassing position he was in.

Sun Jiaodao: "If Your Majesty insists on choosing someone, then the old minister will propose one person, that is Liu Dongchuan, a scholar of the Imperial Academy. He has been in the court for a long time, has the most prestigious reputation, and may be the best candidate for the cabinet."