The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 142

the end of the first month.

In the afternoon, Dai Yi and Chen Kuandao carried the memorabilia and went from the ceremonial supervisor's room to the Qianqing Palace.

After seeing Zhu Youtang, Dai Yi asked people to put the memorabilia aside first, and then divided them into six wooden trays, each of which held memorabilia of varying importance, and the last wooden tray had the most memorabilia.

When Dai Yi arrived, Xiao Jing, who arrived one step earlier, was reporting the results of the interrogation of Jiang Rong to Zhu Youtang.

"...Jiang, a Gongsheng, did not get it because he paid homage to Li Dashi. Later, because of jealousy, he drafted a memorandum to impeach his cabinet ministers to block the way of speech. No one instructed him. Dongchang inquired about Jiang's family. People, etc., have not found any in-depth contacts with anyone, and have not found any requests for gifts..."

Jiang Rong's participation in the impeachment of three cabinet ministers had a very bad influence on the court.

Liu Jian did not avoid suspicion. Recently, he has been fighting for Jiang Rong in the court to let the emperor release him.

Report me, and I speak for him...

This reflects the magnanimity of the chief minister of the cabinet.

Zhu Youtang casually picked up a memorial and looked at it, then asked, "Where's Peng Quan?"

Xiao Jing said: "It is already on the way to the capital under escort, and it is estimated that it will arrive in the capital after the middle of February."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang took the most memorials on the wooden tray first, and these memorials were almost the same.

Participate in the impeachment of Wang Yue, and the impeachment of the Zhang family brothers...

The emperor had spoken earlier in the court, so whoever has any opinion on the Northwest, feel free to raise it.

The official censor could not directly express too many opinions on the situation in the northwest, otherwise no one would be able to afford anything that happened in the northwest. The best way is... to take Wang Yue to the knife.

As for the impeachment of the two brothers Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, it was purely a gift.

"Did anyone make irresponsible remarks to Bingkuan?"

Zhu Youtang read a few copies and found that there was nothing new about the content of the impeachment, so he asked one more question.

Dai Yi said: "Yes."

As he spoke, he picked out two copies from another tray, saying that the emperor believed the alchemist's words.

After Zhu Youtang finished reading it, he didn't get angry and put it aside.

"Bingkuan hasn't said what the other two things are?" Zhu Youtang looked up at Dai Yi, "In less than ten days, he will be admitted to the Gongyuan."

Xiao Jing replied: "The maidservant went to ask the day before yesterday, and Mr. Zhang said that before he entered the house, he would list two things in detail."

"Okay, with his words, I can rest assured."

Zhu Youtang breathed a sigh of relief.

Now Zhu Youtang doesn't care too much about the ministers and the situation in the northwest.

What is remembered is only the three hexagrams calculated by Zhang Zhou.

……

……

Zhang House.

Zhang Zhou has almost never left home recently.

On this day, Wang Yue's eldest son, Wang Chun, came to visit.

When Wang Chun came to see Zhang Zhou, he not only asked his father about prophecies, but also informed Zhang Zhou about the affairs of the court... Wang Yue had a great influence in the court, and he was also afraid of people in the court. The impeachment of him affected his performance in the First World War in the Northwest, so he was always looking for someone to watch.

At the same time, Wang Yue also wanted to be bound with Zhang Zhou.

Wang Chun's words were more or less provocative: "...Recently, some officials have slandered you a lot, sir. I'm afraid that after you enter the court, it will be difficult for you to integrate into your colleagues."

Wang Chun was here to deliver a message for Wang Yue.

Do you think that you can get along with court officials in peace because you are a Jieyuan?

It's better to concentrate on being a courtier, and don't even think about taking the Jinshi exam.

We old brothers can still support each other.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Your father has been often impeached recently, right?"

Wang Chun looked a little embarrassed.

"Your father could have been a civil servant with peace of mind, and even a great minister, but do you think he is focused on this?" Zhang Zhou smiled.

Wang Yue was clearly able to be a minister of the Ministry of War with peace of mind at the beginning, and even being the left servant of the Ministry of War is not bad this time, but Wang Yue knew that it would be easy to be criticized for making friends with close friends, but he still enjoyed it.

Wang Chundao: "Or, sir and my father are similar in terms of being officials."

"Yes." Zhang Zhou smiled, "Like my father, I don't want to be a civil servant with mixed qualifications at ease. If you don’t even come out, and if you don’t know your destiny, it may be difficult to be recognized by others, it’s tantamount to looking for a fish on a tree.”

Wang Chun was puzzled and said, "Since you already knew all this, why did you still have to take the imperial examination to become an official?"

Yes.

Zhang Zhou felt that Wang Chun's question was too direct.

If you have the opportunity to find another way, why do you have to go back to the imperial examination?

So what if he wins the top prize in the exam?After nine years of writing and writing exams in the Imperial Academy, he was promoted to be a servant and a lecturer. After completing the two nine-year exams, he has the opportunity to be promoted to a bachelor's degree, a bachelor's degree, and even a chance to join the cabinet...jumping through meritorious service?How can this credit be established?Relying on military merit like Wang Yue?Or relying on being effective in assisting the emperor and prince?

Since relying on assisting the emperor and the prince, why not just take a shortcut and enter the Imperial Academy?

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "As a literati, what can I do if I don't become an official? Civil servants and military generals, which one am I good at? Or Daolu Division to be a Taoist priest by name? I don't understand Wang Qianhu's words."

That's how it is sometimes.

Maybe taking the imperial examination is really a bit useless, but Zhang Zhou came to Daming to experience the imperial examination, and he wanted to take this road where thousands of troops cross the single-plank bridge.

If you are not a civil servant, should you be a general?
Without official status, relying on the emperor's trust alone, he is only a courtier after all, and relying on the title also needs to be convincing.

"You can tell your father, don't worry, this battle may start when I enter the Tribute Academy, and it's up to him to seize the opportunity!"

……

……

The first day of February.

That day was the day when Liu Jian interpreted Confucius on behalf of the imperial court.

Inside the Confucian Temple.

After the ceremony, Lin Han came over to invite him to have dinner in the Imperial College next door, but Liu Jian refused.

Lin Han apologized somewhat to Liu Jian: "What Jiang Rong, a Beiyong student, has done, has caused the old man to worry."

Liu Jian said, "It's okay."

Originally, Jiang Rong's participation in the impeachment of the three cabinet ministers might damage the reputation of the three cabinet members, but after this incident, Liu Jian, on behalf of the cabinet, has been sparing no effort to rescue Jiang Rong, which backfired, making the three cabinet members the most popular among literati. Reputation increased.

Many people originally thought that the official system in North Korea and China had been solidified, and there were no upward channels.

After this incident.

The literati can also see that even if it is hardened, there is still a way to build a good relationship with the civil service system headed by Liu Jian.

Since you can't change it, join it.

Liu Jian left the Confucian Temple and was about to take a carriage back to the cabinet to check in, but before he could leave, he saw a carriage escorted by Dongchang Fanzi.

The carriage stopped, and Xiao Jing got off the carriage.

"Old Liu Ge."

Xiao Jing was very respectful to Liu Jian.

Liu Jian said: "The ceremony has been completed, does Eunuch Xiao have any orders?"

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "It's a decree. Jiang Rong, the supervisor, has sent an order from Dongchang to the Ministry of Punishment. After redeeming his sentence, he can return to Beiyong to continue his education."

Lin Han next to him heaved a sigh of relief.

A stunned student under his command insisted on impeaching three cabinet ministers, but it ended up in Dongchang's hands. Although he hasn't seen what it looks like yet, he probably lost half his life, right?
Liu Jian looked cautious.

The emperor arrested Jiang Rong to give their cabinet face, and now releasing Jiang Rong is also to give their cabinet face, and when he released him, he specially asked Xiao Jing to notify... This is enough face.

"Where is Peng Quan, commander of Jianchangwei?" Liu Jian asked.

Jiang Rong is now released.

Should Peng Quan be released?

Xiao Jing shook his head: "You haven't arrived in the capital yet, how to deal with it depends on His Majesty's instructions. Mr. Liu Ge shouldn't ask any more, our family also knows that the life and death of a supervisor is not that important after all."

Liu Jian took a breath.

Xiao Jing had warned them sternly before, but this time Xiao Jing came, it was almost the same as coming to warn him.

Jiang Rong participated in the impeachment, you guys, if someone is arrested and then released, if you save face, then you should reciprocate, don't mention Peng Quan's participation in the impeachment of Zhang Yanling.

Xiao Jing specifically mentioned "the life and death of the supervisor", which is clearly implying it.

If you keep pestering him, there is no guarantee that Jiang Rong will not be taken back by Dongchang after he comes out from the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Whether he can come out alive from Dongchang next time is just a question.

If Jiang Rong participated in the impeachment of the three ministers of your cabinet and died in the imperial prison, then no matter how hard you worked, the blame would still be pinned on the heads of the three of your cabinet. Do you think literati will respect you as much as they do now? You three, say you are high-spirited?
Everyone has been rescued, let's forget about it!

How could Liu Jian not understand that this was threatening him?
But people had to bow their heads under the eaves, he nodded and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Xiao, I won't ask any more questions."

In this way, it is tantamount to Liu Jian giving up the rescue of Peng Quan first.

……

……

Liu Jian returned to the cabinet from the Confucian Temple to be on duty, with a serious face, and told Li Dongyang and Xie Qian that Xiao Jing threatened him when he saw him.

Both of them are smart people, and they immediately understood the emperor's intentions.

Xie Qian smiled wryly and said, "If the guilty are not prosecuted, those who sue the officials will be brought to justice first. It's really unreasonable."

Li Dongyang glared at him, as if to say, are you implying that Jiang Rong will report us and be brought to justice?
Liu Jian said: "I have thought about it. In the past few years, Your Majesty has gradually relied on the cabinet, and the proposals are mostly adopted. If this blocks the way of speech, then it will be difficult for us to stay out of the matter."

"Ge Lao..." Li Dongyang couldn't listen anymore.

Now the emperor doesn't think that we are blocking the way of speech, and the ministers below didn't say that, so why should we ask ourselves to reflect on ourselves?
"Since last year, His Majesty has stopped relying too much on cabinet proposals for matters, and no longer summoned alone for opinions. This is a bad omen. If we don't want to change, this situation will only intensify."

Liu Jian still has a sense of crisis.

Jiang Rong's report on them was not groundless.

Many people are afraid of the three members of their cabinet. No matter whether they serve the country and the people, or whether they can have a clear conscience, at least they have the temperament that civil servants are closest to the prime minister after the Ming Dynasty deposed the prime minister.

The Ming Dynasty abolished the prime minister because he was afraid that civil officials would take power.

And they are developing step by step in the direction of covering the sky with one hand.

Li Dongyang said: "If because of this, you can't even keep a military general who denounced the lawlessness of his relatives, I'm afraid it can't be justified?"

Liu Jian shook his head: "Your Majesty has given you room to change, and you can no longer just advance but not retreat."

The advancement of civil servants is the retreat of imperial power.

Liu Jian doesn't talk much, but the truth is clear.

Li Dongyang and Xie Qian looked very serious, and seemed to understand that Liu Jian was not scaremongering.

Xie Qian said: "Then, who does your Majesty listen to more on this matter? Lord Yin, Lord Factory? Or the Queen? Or... Zhang Bingkuan?"

According to Xie Qian, since we can no longer meddle in the military affairs of the Northwest, and we can no longer mention Peng Quan's participation in the impeachment of Zhang Yanling, we should also know what the emperor plans to do next, right?
On this matter, the emperor should not have to decide the countermeasures by himself, and always ask others for opinions.

So whose opinion is more important than ours?

Li Dongyang further analyzed Xie Qian's question: "Zhang Bingkuan is always a literati. If he intends to intercede for Peng Quan, he can still deliver the truth. But I am afraid that the queen will put pressure on your majesty."

If the Korean and Chinese officials report the Zhang family brothers, they will still be punished by the factory guards, let alone a general with no status?

Peng Quan did this, whether he was called straightforward or stupid, in short, he committed a crime.

Now, in order to protect his brother-in-law, the emperor even threatened the chief minister of the cabinet, not allowing this matter to be mentioned again.

In this case, relying on Zhang Zhou's words, what's the point?
Liu Jian looked at Xie Qian and said, "Yu Qiao, can you go see Zhang Bingkuan?"

"what?"

Xie Qian was taken aback.

At this time, you actually asked me to see Zhang Zhou?

I'm a cabinet minister, so I just went to meet a Gongsheng?Besides, I'm not good at communicating with young scholars like Xie, so why don't you find Li Binzhi?
Li Dongyang said: "I'll go."

Liu Jian shook his head: "It's most suitable for Yu Qiao to go. There is no need to visit the house, and don't send someone to invite him. Find a reason to meet him. If he wants to become an official in the future, he will still be able to deal with him. If you ask him anything, he will answer."

At this time, all Liu Jian could think of was to take a slightly different path.

Not to mention the inconvenient communication with people like Dai Yi and Xiao Jing, there are also suspicions of collusion between foreign ministers and middle officials.

Instead, he asked Zhang Zhou directly. It was simple and clear, and he might be able to find out different news.

……

……

Xie Qian went to see Zhang Zhou that day, and the method he used was very simple, that is, he sent one of his own coachmen to deliver a greeting card to Zhang Zhou's mansion.

Then he didn't come to the door, and sat down in a teahouse nearby, drinking tea while waiting for Zhang Zhou to come.

In his opinion, Zhang Zhou knew that he was going to meet each other, so he wanted to save face no matter what.

result……

Zhang Zhou didn't come in person, but just asked his servant Jia Laoshui to send a letter.

"What do you mean?" Xie Qian sat there, looking at the silly Jia Laoshui, still a little confused.

Zhang Bingkuan.

Who gave you the courage, even if the cabinet ministers came to see you in person, you wouldn't come out?

You have to come to the door and wait at the door to see you, and you are willing to see me if you have done enough courtesy?

Jia Laoshui didn't quite understand these politics, he said: "This old gentleman, my master said that even if you come, he is not convenient to meet. My master said, everything you want to know is in this letter." List them out, and if you have any questions, he won’t be able to answer them.”

When Xie Qian heard this, he thought that this kid was mysterious enough.

Knowing I'm coming, knowing what I'm going to ask, and listing my concerns on it.

Xie Qian opened the letter immediately, and couldn't help wondering what was on it.

two sentences.

The first sentence: "There must be a way for the car to reach the mountain, and the soldiers will block the water and cover it with soil."

The second sentence: "Good and evil will be rewarded in the end. People who are good and others deceive the sky are not deceived."

Xie Qian frowned slightly, as if he roughly understood the meaning of the two sentences.

The first sentence refers to the situation in the northwest, and the second sentence refers to Pengquan.

(End of this chapter)