The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

In the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang held in his hand a memorial that had just been submitted by Xiao Jing. It was a list of left ministers recommended by the Ministry of Personnel, as well as some official vacancies in Nanjing.

"Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs..."

Zhu Youtang seemed to be deep in thought.

Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel only mentioned it in general terms during the selection. There are six or seven normal candidates. If it is discussed by the court, others may be selected. This position is still relatively important. of."

"Don't I know this position is important?"

Zhu Youtang looked unhappy.

The previous two left ministers of the Ministry of Civil Affairs were Cheng Minzheng and Lin Han. First, Lin Han became the Minister of Rites, and then Cheng Minzheng entered the cabinet.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the emperor was very strict about the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He used "Zhang Bingkuan's party members" for two consecutive terms, so traditional civil servants will inevitably compete for this position.

Zhu Youtang put down the memorial and said in a cold tone: "Go back and ask Bingkuan to see what he means."

When Xiao Jing heard this, even though he knew it would offend the emperor, he still said boldly: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is... inappropriate?"

"I can even ask him about the candidates for ministers, and I will also adopt his opinions on the candidates for cabinet and ministerial posts. Why can't I ask his opinion privately for the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? Besides, it's not necessary. It’s decided, do you want to object?”

The cold tone of Zhu Youtang's tone made Xiao Jing feel a biting chill.

"I don't dare, this slave." Xiao Jing said hurriedly.

"Then it's up to you to ask. If he thinks anyone is suitable, he will report it. I just don't know whether Wang Qiong is suitable for this position..."

Zhu Youtang stood up and seemed to be leaving Qianqing Palace.

Xiao Jing was slightly startled when he heard this.

Then Xiao Jing was thinking that Wang Qiong was the one whom His Majesty relied on the most among the able ministers around Duke Cai. He transferred the three sides to the general system and asked him to concurrently serve as the left minister of the household department or the left minister of the official department. There doesn't seem to be much difference.

……

……

When Xiao Jing returned to the supervisor's room, only Wei Bin was still waiting anxiously.

"What's up, has your Majesty decided?" Wei Bin saw Xiao Jing coming back and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Xiao Jing closed his eyes slightly, even rolling his eyes, and said: "It's not decided yet. But the direction is roughly decided, it's Cai Guogong's people."

"Oh! I had expected it a long time ago. Otherwise, Mr. Xie Ge and the others wouldn't care so much, and would go out of their way to make the selection in the court. They do things as if they are afraid that others will not know."

Wei Bin has been very "on the road" with Xiao Jing recently.

Perhaps Xiao Jing saw that the emperor twice appointed eunuch Bingbi, the chief eunuch of the ceremonial department, both "by air". First, he airborne the old eunuch Li Rong, and then he airborne Li Rong's fellow eunuch Li Zhang.

This clearly indicates that the emperor is not satisfied with the current ranking of the eunuchs who are the eunuchs. Chen Kuan, who was originally ranked after Xiao Jing, is equivalent to being excluded by the emperor from the candidates who can succeed the eunuchs of the eunuchs. .

Therefore, when Xiao Jing knew that he would not last long in the Li Prison and still wanted to cultivate his comrades, he could only settle for the next best thing and hope that Wei Bin, who had never shown off before, could do more.

Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty asked our family to ask Cai Guogong for his opinion."

Wei Bin said helplessly: "Then whoever Cai Guogong calls will be chosen?"

"Yeah." Even though Xiao Jing didn't want to admit it, he had to nod.

Even though the emperor had said that he was just going to ask Zhang Zhou for his opinion, Xiao Jing seemed to know very well that the emperor wanted to leave this position to the people Zhang Zhou "needs".

"But Eunuch Xiao, judging from the current situation, even if Cai Guogong is in power, if you ask him about the candidate for Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he may not actually give the candidate. He seems to cherish feathers very much. "

Wei Bin suddenly seemed to think of something again and reminded him with a smile.

"What should I say?" Xiao Jing frowned slightly.

Although it was very slight, his face was already wrinkled, which also indicated that Xiao Jing seemed to be no longer young.

Wei Bin said with a smile: "In the case of Yongping Mansion, even if His Majesty leaves everything to him, he still retreats behind the scenes and lets Dongchang and Jinyiwei deal with it. Young Confucian scholars like him always need to Do you care about the opinions of the world?"

"Humph!"

Xiao Jing snorted, "You're wrong about that. Seeing how aggressive he is every time, do you think he looks like the kind of person who shrinks from things?"

"This……"

"In the case of Yongping Mansion, if he hadn't set the tone at the court, how could the case be so clear? Even the ministers in the court and the central government didn't object! His words are more effective than what others say for ten years, even if he retreats behind the scenes now So what? Doesn’t the case belong to him?”

Xiao Jing obviously did not agree with Wei Bin's statement.

"In addition, you must not take it lightly and think that Cai Guogong only cherishes feathers and will not fight with you. On the contrary, he is the person who least cherishes feathers. There has never been a Confucian A top-ranked scholar will behave like him. He can obviously advance to a high position through talent, but he must follow the path of sycophancy. It seems that sooner or later, his followers will be everywhere in the government and the public!"

When Xiao Jing said this, his expression became a little sad.

Mainly because he, Xiao Jing, was not Zhang Zhou's "fellow party". Even the emperor regarded him as a traditional civil servant.

Even among eunuchs, this is considered to be on the wrong team.

……

……

Zhang Zhou met Xiao Jing first that day, but as Wei Bin analyzed, he did not recommend a candidate for Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

It's not that Zhang Zhou is avoiding something, but Zhang Zhou really didn't expect who he could recommend.

If the emperor had a suitable candidate, he would not have to ask him. Even the emperor mentioned Wang Qiong... This can only show that among Zhang Zhou's party members in Beijing, except for Lin Han and Cheng Minzheng, who are more senior, the rest are Too "immature", even Wang Qiong lacks experience, and it seems inappropriate to be placed in the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

After all, this is a position prepared for promotion to the Six Ministers.

"Haha, rare."

After Zhang Zhou sent Xiao Jing away, he came back and received an invitation from Zhu Feng in person.

It was Zhu Feng who was about to get married. He arranged a banquet and invited Zhang Zhou to come over.

Zhu Feng sat there, looking a little depressed, and said: "I can't push it away, the matter is settled like that."

Zhang Zhou said: "Let me ask, are you still with Uncle Ping Jiang?"

"Yeah." Zhu Feng nodded, "I think it's the same as everyone else. I don't like it anyway."

Zhang Zhou waved his hand and said: "Political marriages, alliances between families, even if Ping Jiangbo is now in a weak position, at least he has kept his title, and his influence in the military is not small. Your family may value this, This arrangement is only given to you in order to recover the results of Uncle Jiang's departure from the northwest military affairs."

Originally, Chen Rui, the uncle of Pingjiang, was scheduled to be demoted after his poor performance in the first battle of Ningxia and the inability to rush for reinforcements.

But maybe the emperor gave Zhu Feng face, so he reserved the title for the Chen family.

That's just the surface.

Zhang Zhou knew very well that in the battle in the northwest, the emperor placed the main responsibility on Zhu Hui, the protector of the country. In order to avoid instability in the hearts of the military, the emperor could only "allow one side" to others. The Chen family was in disgrace. He kept his title, but basically lost his military position. It is also related to the death of Chen Rui on his way back to Beijing.

Once a person dies, let the past be forgotten. Anyway, you Chen Rui also has a son in your family, so let your son continue to be Ping Jiang Bo. Anyway, he will not give you important errands.

Unlike ordinary men who have to observe mourning for three years after their parents die, women do not have this restriction. And Chen Rui's daughter was originally a "second marriage", so there seems to be less such taboos.

Zhu Feng was not happy about his marriage. For Zhu Feng, it was the source of disaster.

"Brother Zhang, you know me. I don't want to stay in the army at all. If possible, I would rather...forget it! Ping Jiangbo's lineage is now in decline. Even my grandmother told me that I will marry someone in the future. You don't have to give too much face to this young lady from Pingjiang Uncle's Mansion, just do whatever you want." Zhu Feng finally felt a little relieved when he mentioned this.

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Silly boy.

Your grandmother said this just to make you let down your guard.

Don't you know why your grandmother asked you to marry a wife? That’s what makes you have babies!

Even if your eldest brother doesn't have children, you don't have children either... Your family is really going to be cut off because of you two brothers. The old lady is worried about your family lineage issue, which is also concerned about the future rise and fall of the entire family.

Zhang Zhou said: "Didn't you go to Uncle Pingjiang's house to ask?"

"What are you asking?" Zhu Feng asked curiously.

"Of course it's about the details of this marriage, and how much 'dowry' they can bring you. In the future, if you have more contacts with the Chen family, you will inevitably have to work with them. Do you want to use your relationship? , help the Chen family?"

Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.

It means asking Zhu Feng, do you want to help your brother-in-law? From now on, when he is in the army, he can rely on your face and I will arrange better errands for him.

"No... no need."

Zhu Feng shook his head and said, "Grandma said that I hope you can help my eldest brother make arrangements. He has nothing to do in the capital recently."

Zhu Feng means, how can we casually give away the favors that our Zhu family has not received to outsiders?

At this point, Zhu Feng is somewhat "selfish", but it is all for the benefit of each family.

"Brother Zhang, I hope you can go to this wedding banquet. Grandma said that my family will treat you well. I have made some preparations for you individually so that you can be there in person. go."

Zhu Feng is not very suitable for complimenting others.

Originally, he wanted to compliment Zhang Zhou, maybe because he was too familiar with it, but later on, Zhu Feng just told Zhang Zhou in a natural tone.

This is all arranged by the family. I don’t know why the family takes it so seriously.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "If it were anyone else, I would definitely not go to such a thing. But if it were you, I would go even if the weather is not good that day!"

Zhu Feng said: "It's best...to take Tong'er with us."

"What did you say?"

Zhang Zhou frowned.

What do you mean, kid?

Let your friend take your ex-wife to your wedding?

Do you want to be angry with your friend, your ex-wife, or make yourself unhappy?

"Tong'er is lonely and helpless. No one can help her except Brother Zhang. From now on, I can't help him anymore. It's all up to you, Brother Zhang." Zhu Feng looked at Zhang Zhou eagerly.

There is a strong sense of trusting his wife and children.

Zhang Zhou said: "Thank you for thinking about it. If she wants to go, she can go, but you have to send me the invitation letter. This marriage can also be regarded as your second growth. Don't always have such a bitter face. Look back and do some business." Yes, you have to stimulate your own interest.”

"Business? Can it still be done?"

When Zhu Feng heard about the business, his eyes became slightly brighter.

Obviously, in Zhu Feng's opinion, doing business is much more interesting than being an official now.

"Well." Zhang Zhou said, "Look, when I'm in court, I'm not doing business and planning for His Majesty at the same time? The business of the mine is business, isn't it the shipyard? There are also salt fields, foundry workshops, etc... I need it here. We have purchased a lot of things, so you can help me out recently. The Ministry of War also has some errands that need someone to take over, and there is currently not enough manpower, so I will transfer you here."

"But I'm from the Governor's Mansion." Zhu Feng said.

"It's okay, as long as I say something, is it possible that if you are temporarily assigned to work by my side, can others disagree or what?" Zhang Zhou said.

"Oh."

Although Zhu Feng didn't know what Zhang Zhou was going to do, he still nodded in agreement.

But before leaving, Zhu Feng couldn't help but remind him: "If my eldest brother can do it, Brother Zhang will leave the job to him. I believe he can also do it well."

……

……

The capital is the official residence of Chengguo.

Mrs. Cheng Guotai, Mrs. Zhu Hu, called her eldest grandson Zhu Lin and gave detailed instructions on how to receive Zhang Zhou.

"Grandma, it's just my second brother's wedding, a banquet for guests, don't you need to pay attention to Cai Guogong alone? He is busy with things, so it would be great if he can come, and he doesn't know how long he can stay. If he leaves once he comes, then everything will be in vain. Yet?"

Zhu Lin is the kind of person who is easy-going and seems to have nothing to do with the world.

Zhu Hu said: "Your father said that you like to make trouble when you have nothing to do. You are really like this! As the eldest son and direct grandson, don't you know what Cai Guogong can bring to the Zhu family now?"

Zhu Lin just looked away and didn't answer.

No matter how important it is to the Duke of Chengguo, it's not Zhu after all, so what's the use?

"I have thought about it," Zhu Hu said. "After becoming the Duke of Cai, we will completely rely on Duke Cai's Palace. Then we need to establish a deeper connection. I am going to send the beads to Duke Cai's Palace."

"what?"

When Zhu Lin heard this, his eyes widened immediately.

"Your sister is just a concubine. Why do you still care about it? If you had had the courage to give birth to a daughter earlier, you would have been married by now." When Zhu Hu mentioned this, she became furious again.

Zhu Lin asked: "Grandma, Xiaozhu is only eleven years old. Why did you send it here? Is it prepared for... Cai Guogong, or is it for Cai Guogong's eldest son?"

"Humph! Are you pretending to be confused?" Mrs. Zhu Hu looked at her grandson with a sneer.

The family has known for a long time that Zhu Lin usually likes to cause trouble. He seems to be involved in everything in the family, but he seems to do nothing.

You can't do it, but when it comes to words... you can really be called a sharp-tongued person.

Zhu Lin said: "Does that mean I'm going to be a concubine?"

Zhu Hu said: "This is natural. If there is no connection like marriage, I'm afraid everything will be just a mirror. It's hard for your brother to achieve great things, and you don't have the luck of your brother... What's more, you can't achieve great things either. Only Only when we get closer to each other can we have a chance to change everything. It's a pity that this girl hasn't grown up yet...I've been looking for a adopted daughter recently!"

Zhu Lin sighed: "If I send my adopted daughter away, then... I will respectfully call Duke Cai my uncle."

"Humph!"

Mrs. Zhu Hu glared at her grandson fiercely, not even bothering to argue with him. (End of chapter)