The heavens begin with the Dharma of absorbing power.

Chapter 403 Murong Xian: Should I call you Meng Lang, or...brother-in-law?

"Wang Shouren, a bachelor's degree student at the Hanlin Academy, is proficient in ethics and moral conduct, and has always behaved prudently. He entered Wenyuan Pavilion to participate in aircraft maintenance."

In the first month of the first year of Hongzhi, during the first morning court session, as the loud voice of Cao Zhengchun, the eunuch delivering the decree, sounded in the Fengtian Hall, Xu Xin walked out of the ranks of the fifth-rank officials, and countless eyes focused on him.

Participating in aircraft maintenance, these four simple words represent the pinnacle of civil power in the Ming Dynasty. Cabinet ministers are known as the "hidden ministers" and are goals that countless people can't achieve in their lives. The boy in front of him is only sixteen years old. But he entered the cabinet.

Although there is an ancient legend that Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve, it is not as outrageous as the current scene.

Many officials had objections to this appointment, but in the end they all died down.

The late emperor passed away in August of the 23rd year of Chenghua. It has only been more than four months since then. However, it was these four months that allowed Emperor Hongzhi to establish his authority. During this period, there were many bloody turmoils, and most of the suggestions were made by Xu. mentioned in the letter.

Most of these "dressed beasts" in the court are smart people. They know that this sixteen-year-old boy is not easy to mess with, he is not lacking in wisdom and skills, and he is still in the heart of the emperor. What can they fight with?

Moreover, there is no precedent for joining the cabinet from the fifth rank. Most of them are not cabinet ministers, so why should they object?

Mr. Liu, the current chief minister of the cabinet, "Liu Mianmian", looked at Xu Xin, but with a kind smile on his face and bowed his head to say hello, obviously not wanting to cause trouble.

The matter of Xu Xin's entry into the cabinet was just settled. There were some minor disturbances, but nothing important.

In fact, in real terms, his joining the cabinet is not a big deal, because he did not join the cabinet as a Liubu Hall official, but joined the cabinet after becoming a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He has no real power in his hands, only the right to control. The emperor's right to make suggestions and what he can do depends entirely on the emperor.

This situation is acceptable to many mature and prudent people.

Xu Xin also likes this status. He is not a person who likes to take power and do things. Real power means having to do things, and doing things... means there is no free time. He doesn't have enough time to practice martial arts every day, so why does he need so much power? Making yourself uncomfortable?

"Lord Wang, Your Majesty invites you to Wuying Hall!"

After the morning court ended, Xu Xin was stopped by someone who was still an acquaintance. The current governor of Dongchang was only Cao Zhengchun and Eunuch Cao who were in charge of Dongchang.

Last year, during the imperial rescue battle with Liu Xi, Eunuch Cao gained a lot of limelight, so he was naturally reused, especially after Emperor Hongzhi succeeded to the throne, he became the head of the Royal Horse Supervisor and the Governor of Dongchang.

Although Emperor Hongzhi trusted Cao Zhengchun very much, he also had restrictions and precautions against his power. The main reason was that Liu Xi and Yuhuatian, the two great eunuchs during the late emperor's period, caused outrageous things.

Liu Xi killed the thirteenth prince, and Yuhuatian poisoned the imperial concubine. These were all very taboo things. Zhu Youtang, the Hongzhi Emperor, had gone through all this and was already very rational without beating all the eunuchs to death with a stick. How could he reuse eunuchs without restrictions?

The great eunuch of the Chenghua Dynasty had indeed too much power. He supervised the two power agencies of Dongchang and Xichang. He not only supervised all officials and localities, but also collaborated with the Jinyiwei. When he was powerful, he could find reasons to kill low-ranking officials at will. Officer, this is too much.

After Zhu Youtang took office, the disbanded West Factory personnel were temporarily merged into Jinyiwei. The East Factory was controlled by Cao Zhengchun, but he was determined not to reach out to Jinyiwei.

In addition, Cao Zhengchun was only the head of the Royal Horse Supervisor, not the most powerful eunuch among the eunuchs. This important position was given by Zhu Youtang to Huaien who was recalled from the Fengyang Imperial Tomb.

This series of decentralization methods was not taught by Xu Xin. It was entirely Zhu Youtang's own idea. It can be said that he has grown a lot in the past few months as emperor.

"His Majesty!"

Xu Xin entered the Wuying Hall and saw the current Hongzhi Emperor Zhu Youtang. The girlish Queen Zhang was also there, delivering sweet soup to the emperor.

"Shouren is here, let's have a bowl together!" When the emperor saw Xu Xin, he happily invited him to drink soup with him. Empress Zhang helped fill the bowl with great discernment, and Xu Xin took it with both hands. With a signal, he sat down in front of him, and the two of them drank and chatted, as if they were really close friends.

"Shouren, I have read various treasury records these days, and now I know that my dynasty's finances are shocking..."

Zhu Youtang complained bitterly to Xu Xin, but the core meaning was one, that is, Ming Dynasty had financial problems, and the emperor felt that he had not enough money to spend.

Xu Xin glanced at Queen Zhang next to him and had some guesses in his mind. He probably knew a little bit about the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty. There were problems but they had not yet reached the point of collapse. There was not enough money to spend... It was probably because the emperor did not have enough money for his own personal use.

"Your Majesty, financial matters are nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Reducing expenditure... Cleaning up redundant soldiers and officials is the best way, but this matter cannot be done arbitrarily. As for increasing revenue, overseas trade is an excellent way."

"For example, Songjiang cotton, Suzhou and Hangzhou silks, Jiangxi porcelain, and Fujian tea have always been coveted by Westerners, and they have spent thousands of dollars to get them. If they can ensure smooth maritime trade, they can earn millions or even tens of millions a year. By the way..."

"what!"

Zhu Youtang was shocked when he heard what Xu Xin said. Overseas trade could actually be so profitable, so why did his father abandon the voyage to the West?

"The ban on overseas voyages is because we haven't found the right solution..."

Xu Xin briefly talked to Zhu Youtang and tried to find a way to make the emperor interested. He must do it to open the sea and go to the Western Ocean. Zhu Yuanzhang did a lot of stupid things, not to mention the military and craftsmen households, but he just imposed a sea ban because of maritime dangers, which is simply ignorant.

"This matter goes against the rules of our ancestors!"

The emperor finally said very seriously that the word "ancestral system" was a big mountain pressing on the Ming Emperor's head, and it was difficult to shake him.

"You can try it secretly first and let the queen marry her..."

Xu Xin said and looked at Queen Zhang. After having contact with the young queen several times, he knew Zhang's character.

How should I put it? She is not a "virtuous queen". Not to mention her skills and methods, she can't compare with Concubine Wan Gui. She can't even compare with the Empress Dowager Zhou who no longer dares to get power. She is still a demon who conquers both her father and her younger brother. The Zhang family The most important thing is interests, and it is easier to find a good method.

"let me consider it!"

The emperor did not relent in the end, but Xu Xin could see that Queen Zhang was already interested.

He didn't say anything more, just said goodbye and left the palace.

However, at night, another man in black sneaked into the harem. He did not steal the concubines of Emperor Hongzhi. Emperor Hongzhi only had a queen. To steal the queen... The current difficulty is quite high. It is better to go to the harem of the late emperor, Concubine Shu. Bedroom.

Xu Xin entered the palace and found that there were already people inside. Besides Concubine Shu, there was also someone else, her sister, the little fairy Murong Xian.

"stop!"

Xu Xin didn't hide it when he came. After Concubine Shu found out, she said it again, and the little fairy came closer, stared at him and said faintly: "Should I call you Menglang, or...brother-in-law?"

(End of this chapter)