Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 558 This hat is so big!
"It's good that you didn't participate!" Zhou Yunsong took a sip of the tea to warm himself up. Zhao Gongqing hurriedly picked up the teapot and poured him tea again.

Zhou Yunsong said softly, "Your Majesty still trusts Marquis Jing'an very much. When Shangwu Temple was first built, Your Majesty intended to let Marquis Jing'an serve as the temple minister, but Marquis Jing'an refused. At the beginning of the year, when the Navy Commander's Office was established, Your Majesty also intended to let Marquis Jing'an serve as the Left Commander, but Marquis Jing'an also refused!"

"It is precisely because of this that Your Majesty has become more trusting of Marquis Jing'an. A general who does not fight for power or cling to power is undoubtedly the one that Your Majesty can trust the most!"

"And Marquis Jing'an is also a smart man. The Martial Arts Pavilion may seem unimportant, but this year its disciples have been sent to the army one after another. As time goes by, the disciples of the Martial Arts Pavilion will be spread all over the Darong Army, from the border troops to the imperial army, from the Shangwu Temple to the garrisons in various places. Everywhere will be filled with Marquis Jing'an's disciples!"

"Marquis Jing'an is now cultivating his reputation. The longer time passes, the higher his prestige in the army will be. Perhaps in the future he will be the number one in the army!"

"So offending Marquis Jing'an now is really not worth it!"

As a veteran official who has experienced ups and downs in officialdom for decades, Zhou Yunsong has a clear understanding of everything going on in the court.

He actually knew what Yang Zhengshan was doing and what he wanted.

And what he said was not wrong. Yang Zhengshan had always deliberately avoided seizing power in order to avoid the suspicion of Emperor Yanping.

He even left Kyoto to send Yang Wanqing off for marriage, and traveled outside for more than half a year, all in order to eliminate the fame brought by his previous expedition against the Xingyue Sect.

Zhao Gongqing also understood this. He asked softly, "What should I do? I am really a little afraid of Marquis Jing'an!"

He smiled bitterly. He had never met Yang Zhengshan before and never cared about Yang Zhengshan's temper, but Yang Zhengshan's performance today really made him feel frightened.

Strong, arrogant, unscrupulous and without any scruples.

These are the impressions Yang Zhengshan left on him today.

Zhou Yunsong felt his body warmed up a lot. He put down the tea bowl and said with a smile, "It's okay. If Marquis Jing'an is angry, then let him calm down. Tomorrow morning, if Marquis Jing'an impeaches you, you can take the initiative to plead guilty. Just plead guilty to not being strict with your subordinates!"

He felt that no matter what Yang Zhengshan did, it would not affect him. As for Zhao Gongqing, this matter had nothing to do with Zhao Gongqing anyway. As long as Zhao Gongqing took the initiative to apologize, there would not be too much trouble.

"The students are afraid that Marquis Jing'an will make trouble!" Zhao Gongqing was still a little worried.

"He's a smart man, he knows when to stop!"

Zhou Yunsong smiled nonchalantly, "Let's go, since you're here, why don't you stay for dinner?"

As he said this, he stood up and walked towards the backyard.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gongqing put aside the matter of Yang Zhengshan and followed Zhou Yunsong with a faint smile on his face.

……

There was no conversation all night, and the next day dawned.

Yang Zhengshan came to the door of Taiji Hall with his memorial in his pocket and wrapped in a thick fur coat.

Damn it, attending court early in the morning in the middle of winter is such a torture!
In fact, Yang Zhengshan is not afraid of the cold. He has eaten the Bingxin Fruit. Let alone the winter in Kyoto, even in the winter in the snowy land, he can run around shirtless.

However, not being afraid of the cold does not mean that you can't feel the cold. It is uncomfortable to feel cold all over, so it is better to wear warmer clothes.

The appearance of Yang Zhengshan surprised many people. Some officials didn't even recognize him. If you count carefully, he hadn't attended the morning court for more than a year. The last time he attended the morning court was when he was ordered to form the Four Seas Navy.

"Hey, why are you here?" Liang Chu asked in surprise when he saw Yang Zhengshan.

Before Yang Zhengshan could speak, Lu Baishu came over and interrupted, "I know, is Lord Yang going to impeach the Ministry of Personnel today?"

After saying this, he winked at Yang Zhengshan.

"Impeach the Ministry of Personnel? What's going on? Did the Ministry of Personnel offend you?" Liang Chu said in astonishment.

Yang Zhengshan put his hands in his sleeves and said lazily, "Well, I will definitely make the Ministry of Personnel look bad today!"

Liang Chu looked him up and down with a strange look, "Do you really want to impeach the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Can't you?"

"It's not that I can't do it, I just don't think it's necessary!"

"Why?"

"Lord Zhou!" Liang Chu nodded in the direction of Zhou Yunsong.

Yang Zhengshan glanced at Zhou Yunsong, who was also wearing a fur coat and taking a nap under the eaves.

Liang Chu's meaning is very clear, that is, your impeachment is useless, and with Zhou Yunsong's protection, His Majesty will not do anything to the Ministry of Personnel.

How could Yang Zhengshan not know this, but today he was determined to embarrass the Ministry of Personnel.

A moment later, ceremonial music sounded and the ministers entered the hall.

Yang Zhengshan mixed in with the military officers and entered the palace, but after entering, he felt embarrassed.

Where should he stand?

I haven't attended the morning court for a long time, and I don't even know where I should stand.

In the morning court of Darong, there were three rows of civil officials on the left and three rows of military officials on the right, arranged in order of rank.

But there are many overlaps in ranks. He and Liang Chu are both first-class marquises, so who should stand in front?

If one attends the morning court regularly, the position will be fixed and generally will not be changed, and people will not care much about an insignificant order.

The last time Yang Zhengshan came to court, he was going to lead the army to war, so he stood in the front row, right next to Duke Ningguo. But this time, he obviously couldn't stand next to Duke Ningguo.

Just when Yang Zhengshan was thinking about where to stand, Liang Chu said with a smile: "Lord Yang, this way, you stand in front of me. It's rare for Lord Yang to come to court. My colleagues, please make room for our Lord Yang!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers couldn't help laughing.

"Please come in, Lord Yang!" Lu Baishu also liked to join in the fun, and invited Yang Zhengshan to come forward.

"Ahem, I haven't been to court for a long time, so I'm a little uncomfortable. I'm sorry to have made a fool of myself in front of you all, haha~~"

Yang Zhengshan smiled awkwardly and bowed repeatedly to the military officers in the hall.

As soon as he stood beside Liang Chu, he heard a eunuch shouting, "Your Majesty has arrived!"

All the ministers immediately fell silent and waited with serious expressions for Emperor Yanping to enter the palace.

After Emperor Yanping ascended the throne, there was another round of bows, and then the formalities began, with all the ministers starting to make their reports.

Most of the content of the morning court was actually discussed in advance, and the ministers' submission of reports was just a formality to make the matter public.

For half an hour, they were all about some small and some minor things, and Yang Zhengshan felt like dozing off.

This is why he was reluctant to attend the morning court.

Most of the things happening in the court had nothing to do with him. When he came to the morning court, he was just like a pillar standing next to someone, standing there doing nothing.

Just when Yang Zhengshan was daydreaming, Liang Chu, who was standing next to him, reached out and poked him.

"What's wrong?" Yang Zhengshan came back to his senses.

"Aren't you going to make a report?" Liang Chu's beard trembled. He wanted to laugh but couldn't, so he had to hold it back.

Because Yang Zhengshan's voice just now was too loud, his cry of "What's wrong" was heard by all the emperor and his ministers in the hall.

Everyone cast their eyes over.

"Oh, Marquis Jing'an has also come to the morning court!" Emperor Yanping said in surprise.

Your Majesty, you might as well keep silent! Yang Zhengshan suddenly felt like he was caught by his boss for slacking off at work.

But he is thick-skinned and doesn't care even if he is caught.

He took a step forward, stepped out of the queue, took out the memorial, saluted and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Emperor Yanping raised his lips slightly. He glanced at Zhou Yunsong, then looked at Yang Zhengshan and said with a smile, "Approved!"

What happened in the Ministry of Personnel yesterday had already spread, and Emperor Yanping naturally received the news.

In fact, he had already seen Yang Zhengshan, but he just pretended not to see him.

He has been waiting to see the show.

Ah!
Yang Zhengshan impeached the Ministry of Personnel, isn’t this a good show?

When Zhao Gongqing, who was standing in the team of civil officials, saw Yang Zhengshan step out, he felt depressed and helpless, but he was ready to apologize.

As soon as Yang Zhengshan finished his report, he would immediately stand up and apologize.

But Yang Zhengshan's next words completely confused him.

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"I impeach the Minister of Rites Zhou Yunsong for failing to strictly control his subordinates, failing to supervise them properly, and condoning officials of the Ministry of Personnel who sold official positions and titles, usurped power, formed cliques for personal gain, and failed to live up to their mission."

Yang Zhengshan said in a clear voice.

Before he finished speaking, the hall fell into silence, with only his voice echoing in the hall.

The civil and military officials looked at him with disbelief.

Even several cabinet ministers, Duan Rui, Zhou Mao and others could not help but look back at him.

Selling official positions and titles, forming cliques for personal gain!
This hat is so big!
Perhaps the Ministry of Personnel really has such a problem, but who in the court dares to break this window paper?
Zhou Yunsong closed his eyes slightly, but his hands were shaking slightly, proving that he was extremely uneasy at the moment.

Zhao Gongqing looked at Yang Zhengshan in amazement, and even wondered if he was dreaming.
Isn’t he just a supervisor of the Martial Arts Pavilion?
The Ministry of Personnel should just transfer Bao Lang back, why should they impeach Lord Zhou for this?
He couldn't figure it out and couldn't understand it!
Liang Chu looked at Yang Zhengshan, his eyes flickering, but with a smile on his lips.

Emperor Yanping, who was sitting on the dragon throne, squinted his eyes and looked at Yang Zhengshan, his expression becoming increasingly calm.

After Yang Zhengshan finished speaking, he glanced at Zhou Yunsong in front of him, then reached out and handed over the memorial.

Impeach the Ministry of Personnel?

What a joke!
Who are we impeaching when we impeach the Ministry of Personnel? There must be someone to impeach!

Zhao Gongqing obviously should not be the target of his impeachment. Only Zhou Yunsong was worthy of his coming to impeach him early in the morning.

When he attacks someone, he always hits the vital parts, either the heart or the neck. Even if he can't kill you, he will scare you to death.

It is obvious that petty quarrels are not in line with his temperament.

Since you want to make a fuss, then make a big one. Since you want to stir up the muddy water in the court, then put in some effort. Otherwise, do you really think that he, the Marquis of Jing'an, is just there to eat for nothing?
Zhang Mingzhong came over and took the memorial from Yang Zhengshan's hand and presented it to Emperor Yanping. Emperor Yanping opened the memorial, glanced at it, and then closed it.

This memorial actually doesn't have much content. Apart from explaining the matter of Sun Anyang and Bao Lang, the rest of the content was fabricated by Yang Zhengshan. After all, he had not conducted any specific investigation and had no evidence in his hands.

"Lord Zhou, do you have anything to say?" Emperor Yanping looked at Zhou Yunsong who was resting with his eyes closed.

Zhou Yunsong opened his eyes, stepped out of the line and said calmly: "This old minister is guilty, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

He was straightforward and admitted that he was guilty right away.

"Oh, tell me what crime you have committed?" asked Emperor Yanping.

Zhou Yunsong said: "I failed to discipline my subordinates strictly, which led to some officials in the Ministry of Personnel being blinded by greed and committing corruption and breaking the law! I have failed the grace of the emperor!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengshan smiled disdainfully in his heart.

If you only admit that you are not strict with your subordinates, then you will not admit to other crimes!

Yes, how could Zhou Yunsong admit to forming a clique for personal gain?
This old guy is very cunning. He said that some officials in the Ministry of Personnel were blinded by greed. This "some" is very interesting.

Although the Ministry of Personnel is Zhou Yunsong's base, not all officials in the Ministry of Personnel are Zhou Yunsong's people. When the time comes, Zhou Yunsong only needs to put forward a few scapegoats, and then his crime of not governing his subordinates strictly will not be established.

Zhou Yunsong could even use this opportunity to eliminate dissidents and kick out outsiders from the Ministry of Personnel.

But this matter will definitely not end so easily, the best is yet to come.

Yang Zhengshan glanced at Song Yuan Pavilion next to Zhou Yunsong.

Buddy, I've handed you the knife, and now it's up to you to kill the person!

Emperor Yanping looked at Yang Zhengshan again and said, "Lord Yang, how do you think we should deal with Lord Zhou?"

This statement is also very thoughtful. Although it seems that he is asking for Yang Zhengshan's opinion, Emperor Yanping calls Zhou Yunsong "Lord Zhou". Isn't the meaning obvious?

Yang Zhengshan said sensibly: "Everything is up to your majesty!"

Emperor Yanping's eyes flashed with a smile, but he said calmly: "Lord Zhou is not strict with his subordinates, he should be punished, and the officials of the Ministry of Personnel who accepted bribes should be investigated strictly!"

"Lord Zhou is dismissed from his position as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and fined for half a year!"

"The Censorate is strictly investigating the officials of the Ministry of Personnel!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Wenshuo, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, immediately stepped out and said, "I obey your order!"

Yang Zhengshan lowered his head and curled his lips. Emperor Yanping is trying to smooth things over!

This punishment did not hurt Zhou Yunsong at all and did not serve any purpose at all.

Zhou Yunsong was the second assistant of the cabinet, and concurrently the Minister of Personnel, the Prince's Grand Tutor, the Grand Tutor, and the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace.

Among the five official titles, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet and the Minister of Personnel are real official titles, the Grand Tutor and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince are honorary titles, and the Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Palace is the standard title of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Tai Shi is of the first rank, meaning the emperor's teacher; Tai Shi for the Crown Prince is of the second rank, meaning the crown prince's teacher. These honorary titles are merely to indicate the achievements and status of the holders, and they have no actual powers at all.

Although he was called the teacher of the emperor and the prince, it was actually just a title. Even the prince did not need to observe the respect of a disciple to Zhou Yunsong.

Therefore, removing Zhou Yunsong from the position of the Prince's Grand Tutor had no effect on Zhou Yunsong at all.

As for salary deduction, it will have even less impact. Among the officials of Darong, how many of them live on salary?
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Zhengshan praised.

Just try to smooth things over. Yang Zhengshan didn't expect Emperor Yanping to do anything to Zhou Yunsong. He had done what he wanted to do. After this blow, the rest of the matter would have nothing to do with him.

After saying that, Yang Zhengshan returned to the queue.

However, after he stepped back, his eyes were always fixed on Song Yuange, but Song Yuange did not show any expression. He looked calm and composed, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

"Okay, let's adjourn!"

Emperor Yanping stood up and walked towards the imperial study, but when he entered the imperial study, the smile on his face could no longer be concealed.

"Haha, this is interesting. I guess Marquis Jing'an knocked out quite a few people with this stick!"

Chen Zhongshu next to him frowned but didn't say anything.

He felt that the fierce fighting in the court was not a good thing, but as an eunuch beside the emperor, he was used to being cautious in his words and actions.

When the emperor asked him to speak, he would think before speaking, and when the emperor didn't let him speak, he would never say a word more.

(End of this chapter)