Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 171 The battle in court is about to spread

The tree wants to be still, but the wind does not stop.

In the next few days, the matter of Wang Hua's deduction of military pay quickly fermented in the capital, and the official household department Jiangxi Division Lang Zhong of the capital also submitted impeachment memorials.

"Governor of Nangan, why have you never heard of it?"

"This is a new post established by His Majesty, but it's a pity that this time it's entrusted to someone else!"

"Wang Hua is too young after all. How can he serve as the governor of a place after only a few years in his official career?"

"Who says it's not? The imperial court has always had rules and regulations for appointing talented people, but now... all courtiers are in power!"

"The governor should not have been appointed by a Beijing official, not to mention that he is not familiar with the local situation, and all want to make money to pave the way!"

……

At first, the officials and people in the capital only focused on the embezzlement of military pay itself, but gradually the direction of the wind changed, and they pointed the finger at the imperial court's employment of local personnel.

According to the consistent practice of the Ming Dynasty officialdom, important positions in the imperial court were all based on seniority. In particular, in the selection of local governors, local inspectors or political envoys were usually selected, and officials selected by the capital yamen were rarely appointed.

Zhu Youtang broke the usual routine this time. The candidate for the governor of Nangan did not choose a virtuous minister who was highly respected in the local area, but a small one who was compiled from the sixth-rank Imperial Academy and directly appointed to the local area.

Who is Wang Hua?

A 17-year Jinshi in Chenghua has only been an official for seven years, and has been drinking tea in the Imperial Academy. How can he compare with a virtuous minister with dozens of resumes?
It's just that changing the rules of officialdom can easily bring bad consequences.

No, something happened to Wang Hua.

He couldn't bear the temptation of money and embezzled the local military pay, and the emperor's unconventional appointment brought bad consequences.

In May, the capital city of Boyun is treacherous, and no one knows when a big storm will suddenly come.

Hour Yongfang, Xu Mansion.

Before dawn, the lights of the house were turned on, and the servants in the house were already busy. A rooster full-time caller was imitating the sound of a rooster crowing outside the window.

"Master, it's time to get up and go to bed early!" The butler came to the bedside and called softly to Xu Pu who was lying on the bed.

Xu Pu had actually been woken up by the rooster man, and now he pulled off the quilt and got up, but the little concubine next to him who was still in a dream had a good time, and couldn't help but exclaimed.

goo...

The butler couldn't help swallowing, but he liked the generous style of his master, whether it was a concubine or a bed warmer, it seemed to be just an object.

Although Xu Pu doesn't enjoy himself like an emperor, he has four maids to take care of his daily life every day. He only needs to cooperate with the maids to finish washing and dressing.

In this era, status not only brings power, but also a super high quality of life.

Thinking of his embarrassing position now, and thinking of being teased by fate, Xu Pu actually felt uncomfortable.

Let alone entering the cabinet to worship the prime minister, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the current emperor is alienating himself, and has even secretly started to get rid of him.

It's just that he doesn't intend to resign, nor can he resign.

Although the court has been completely controlled by the emperor, the Ming Dynasty not only has a capital city, but also manages two capitals and thirteen provinces.

Although he was no longer favored in the Hongzhi Dynasty, he was still a high-ranking official left minister after all, and he still had a relatively large influence in the local area, and his disciples still held important positions in the local area.

Take Jiangxi, which has been relatively lively recently, as an example. The governor of Jiangxi, Li Ang, and himself were friends in the same year, and it was he who promoted Li Ang to the important position of governor of Jiangxi.

If we really want to talk about local influence, the current Hongzhi Dynasty has to continue to call himself a master.

Xu Pu gargles with West Lake Longjing, which is a gift from his proud disciples, but he knows better than anyone else the subtlety of controlling the place.

Although it was difficult to enter the cabinet again in the Hongzhi Dynasty, no one knew what kind of changes would occur next. Only by gathering more officials under one's command was the real hard power.

As for the emperor in the Forbidden City, it is easy to control the capital under the feet of the emperor, but it is too tender to point out the place and extend his tentacles to the land of the thirteen provinces.

Xu Pu touched the rhinoceros belt that can only be worn by the second grade, and thought that he was still the emperor's teacher who was the left servant of the official department, so he walked out of the room with his head held high and his chest held high.

"Greetings to Daddy, baby!" Xu Yuangai, who was in the courtyard outside Hou, saw Xu Pu coming out, and immediately greeted him with a smiling face.

Affected by the last Jiaofang Secretary’s prostitute Lanxiang incident, although it was later confirmed that the official prostitute Lanxiang committed suicide, both Xu Yuangai and Yang Tinghe were affected by this incident, and the Zhongshusheren obtained by Guanyin has been dismissed by the court .

Xu Pu sized up his dispirited son, and immediately said with a straight face: "This year's Enke Township Examination is coming up, don't just spend time and wine, stay at home and study more when you have time!"

"Father, I don't play with Zhu Qi and his gang anymore. Recently, some of my new friends are going to Qufu, Shandong to pay respects to saints, so I want to buy a BMW!" Xu Yuangai observed Xu Pu's reaction, and immediately Be careful and authentic.

Xu Pu was quite helpless towards this old-fashioned son, but he never cared about this kind of small request: "Go to the warehouse to get it, and come back and read it for me at home!"

"Definitely!" Xu Yuangai was overjoyed when he found out that there was still a powerful old man who could be trusted.

It's just that he also understands that compared with the filial piety of his father's local disciples and old officials, no matter how much he asks for money, it is impossible to make his father poor.

Xu Pu didn't have the habit of eating in the early court. After all, it was impossible to provide a hut in the early court, so he went straight to the front yard.

The three well-dressed concubines were already waiting here, even if they politely sent Xu Pu away.

"Get up the sedan chair!" The housekeeper hurriedly ordered when he saw Xu Pu getting into the sedan chair.

Xu Pu sat in the sedan chair and closed his eyes to rest his mind. While feeling the constant changes in the outside environment, he also began to think about some things that might happen this morning.

If the current court is handed over to me, it will definitely become better, but it's a pity that I misjudged it and fell into the hands of a student who I can't see through more and more.

Obviously as long as you choose to be patient with Mongolia, you can share the blessings of Daping, and you don’t need to send so many supplies to the Nine Sides through the Opening of China. As a result, the emperor has long forgotten his teachings in the East Palace.

Now I only hope that Zhu Youtang's nine-sided soldiers will be defeated, countless soldiers will die tragically on the Mongolian cavalry, and then I will save Daming whose building is about to collapse.

Perhaps, some people really have to suffer so much that they know that seeking peace is the best way out for the Ming Dynasty.

Since today is a rare morning court and the strict attendance system is implemented in the morning court, officials from the capital came to the square in front of the Meridian Gate early in the morning.

"The next official pays homage to Li Shangshu!"

"Your Majesty invites Jia Shangshu Jun'an!"

"Your Majesty, honor Yuanfu-sama Xunan!"

……

It was just dawn in the east, and nearly a thousand officials had already gathered in this square. Seeing the important officials from the court and central government coming one after another, they immediately saluted respectfully.

Today, the court situation has been stabilized.

The flattering parties Wan An and Liu Ji of the Chenghua Dynasty continued to sit firmly in the cabinet, and the sect party headed by Minister of Officials Li Yu, Minister of Household Li Si, Minister of Rites Xu Qiong, Minister of Criminal Justice Du Ming, and Minister of Industry Jia Jun controlled the six ministries .

The old man in the East Palace, who was thought to be a dignitary, turned out to be unsatisfactory.

The most honored Xie Qian and Zhang Sheng were overthrown, but the Hanlin Shidu Bachelor and the Hanlin Shishang Bachelor did not have real power after all; the Hanlin Bachelor Cheng Minde sought the right servant of the Ministry of Rites, but Qiu Jun, who was not from the Eastern Palace, took the lead; Although Xu Pu and Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, held important positions, they were not favored.

Just like this, Qingliu did not advance but retreated in the new dynasty, the Mei Party still occupied the cabinet, and the sect party headed by the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Li Yu, was the most in power.

Xu Pu came late, but when many officials saw Xu Pu appear, they pretended not to see it.

Recently, there has been a rumor in the capital: when he was in several banquet halls last year, Xu Pu suggested to Zhu Youtang to recall Huai En, and even spread rumors in front of Zhu Youtang that the former emperor abolished the prince.

At the moment Wynn was convicted, Xu Pu undoubtedly made serious political mistakes.

For this alone, the emperor could dismiss Xu Pu from office.

When Xu Pu claimed that he was ill a few days ago, everyone thought that the left servant of the official department was going to hand in his resignation, but they didn't expect to return with a face.

After all, the position of Zuo Shilang in the Ministry of Officials is too fragrant.

It's just that everyone knows in their hearts that Xu Pu has completely lost his holy family, and now that Xu Ming can stay in the position of the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, it may be the emperor's need to check and balance the forces of all parties.

Just like this, the middle and lower level officials all intentionally alienate Xu Pu, and they have changed from being extremely optimistic about Xu Pu's future to now being pessimistic about Xu Pu's future.

"Later, your Ministry of Rites is going to invite you to sacrifice the mausoleum, right?"

"That's exactly the matter. Your Ministry of Industry must be asking for the repair of the embankment!"

"Our household department is going to ask for funding, and the Ministry of Industry is naturally asking for the embankment!"

"There's nothing to guess about. It's just a selection of important things to announce here. The early court is just a formality!"

"Fortunately, it's two or three times a month. There's really no point in coming to the morning court every day. It's a waste of so much time if you don't say it!"

……

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs and other officials gathered together, after experiencing a series of palace ceremonies with truthful words, now facing this early court that is only a formality, they couldn't help but shook their heads and belittled.

Just at this time, a discordant voice sounded: "Don't pay more attention to etiquette than to look at the court. If there is a chapter, you will know the internal approval. I don't know if the emperor's relatives will approve it, and suppress treacherous officials from taking power? What's more, it is the ancestral system for thousands of officials to listen to the government. In the long run, abolishing the Chang Dynasty will only abolish Gangji!"

Li Yu, Minister of the Household Department, and other officials looked for their reputation, and found that it was Xu Pu, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, who had returned from a slight health condition, and they couldn't help but looked at each other in blank dismay.

It's just that the other party brought up "rituals" and "ancestral system". Even if he still disdains this kind of formality in his heart, it's hard to refute Xu Pu's words.

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, took a deep look at Xu Pu. Seeing that Xu Pu was obviously different today, he faintly felt that today's morning court would not be peaceful.

"Hundreds of officials enter!"

The bells and drums of the Meridian Gate Tower rang together, and an eunuch suddenly said loudly.

More than 1000 civil and military officials who had been waiting for a long time rushed in from the left and right Yemen of the Meridian Gate, arranged their clothes in front of Jinshui Bridge, and then came to Fengtianmen Square.

Fengtianmen still stands majestically, representing the power of the emperor.

Not long after, with the sound of court music, Zhu Youtang wearing a dragon robe appeared from behind.

The emperor showed extraordinary ruling wisdom. Although the ruling idea of ​​strengthening the army was criticized by the conservatives, the effectiveness of reorganizing the salt administration was obvious to all.

Under the leadership of Chief Assistant Wan An, the officials present immediately shouted Long Live.

Now, the personnel power of the Jiuqing court that they stole earlier is slowly fading. This young emperor has firmly grasped the fate of all of them, and only by submitting to this emperor can he have a bright future.

Zhu Youtang sat on the throne, looking calmly at the crowd of officials below.

Although he wished that the morning court three times a month would be cancelled, he knew that it was very necessary to show his face in front of the officials in the capital once in a while.

After a system of etiquette, the play began.

"There is a report from the clan's mansion: The king of Han said that the salt purchased by the palace from a salt merchant is bitter and unbearable. Please allow the imperial court to accept the salt from the palace, and only a hundred quotations are enough!"

"Please do not allow, the Wangfu Salt case cannot be reopened!"

"There is a statement from the Ministry of Households: The Ministry of Accounting in Nanjing asks the Nanjing Neifu Shipping Depot to collect the summer tax and more than [-] taels of wheat and silver to give Yingtian and other six guards officers and soldiers a monthly salary!"

"If you don't agree, the southeast army's salary should be based on monthly rations!"

"There is a report from the Metropolitan Procuratorate: Guangxi bandits gathered more than [-] people to kill and plunder Yishan and other counties. If there are no guards, although there is little merit, there is no atonement, Wan Shao will be demoted one level, and Xi will be demoted to two levels!"

"If you don't agree, the crime is too light!"

……

Although the morning court was still to be held, Zhu Youtang deliberately chose some simple and clear things to put on top of the morning court, so that the efficiency of doing things was obviously improved to a higher level.

It's just that everyone has gradually become accustomed to the efficiency of Emperor Hongzhi, and as the representatives of various yamen went to the Ministry of War according to the matters designated by Zhu Youtang, they came to the Ministry of War in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Ying, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, was a native of Zhili in the south of Songjiang Prefecture. He had already served as Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, but was forced to leave the court and return home to observe filial piety because of Ding You.

Although Qi was restored to be Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, he had no outstanding military talent and basically wanted to retire in Nanjing. As a result, he was recommended by Wan An to become Minister of the Ministry of War.

Zhang Ying, Minister of the Ministry of War, came out and reported solemnly: "Your Majesty, I have something to play!"

"Please play?" Zhu Youtang knew that the Ministry of War was going to play the matter of building the city wall of Datong, so he said calmly.

Xu Pu, who had been keeping his eyes closed all the time, opened his eyes suddenly, but looked towards his fellow countrymen, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly.

Zhang Ying, Minister of the Ministry of War, took out a memorial from his sleeve, and said solemnly: "Wang Hua, the governor of Southern Jiangxi, owed a sacred favor. During his tenure as the governor of Southern Jiangxi, he withheld as much as a thousand taels of military pay. I implore Wang Hua to be removed from office. Released and sent to Beijing for trial!"

(End of this chapter)