I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 270 Officials Go to Imperial Academy
Cai Maochun, wearing a green official robe and a black gauze hat, came out of the sedan chair and looked up at the plaque on the archway. It was the inscription of Emperor Xuanzong - "Imperial Academy Palace".

It really makes people miss those good times when there were benevolent and wise rulers, people respected heaven and followed their ancestors, and many wise men and upright people emerged in the court.

Cai Maochun glanced and saw Ding Shimei, the top scholar in the same exam, walking with Zhang Siwei, Wang Lin and others, looking very proud and arrogant. He clearly saw him, but pretended not to see him.

I heard that he had climbed up the ladder of power through Wang Lin and became a member of the Gao Party, one of the three major forces in the court. He had already embarked on a path to fame, which was completely different from myself, a lonely ghost.

Instead, it was Shen Shixing, the number one scholar in the 41st year of Jiajing, who came over with the second place winner Wang Xijue, the third place winner Yu Youding, and Gao Yongchun, who were all from the same exam, and saluted the second place winner in the 38th year of Jiajing.

"Student meets senior."

"You're welcome."

Looking at their backs, Cai Maochun felt a little envious.

In the 41st year of Jiajing's reign, this group of people prospered because the top three shared the same ideals and worked together, thus bringing their department together as one.

When there are many people and their hearts are united, their voices become louder.

My subject is a mess.

Just as he was thinking about it, Shen Li, Xu Guo and others, who had become Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing, walked into the Imperial College from the other side of the road with their heads held high.

The seniors in front are still occupying high positions, while the juniors behind are already becoming more aggressive. There are tigers in front and wolves behind, and the career path is difficult.

Cai Maochun looked up and saw Pan Sheng, Zeng Shengwu and Wang Zhuan walking in front of him. He had an idea and lifted the front of his official robe and took a few quick steps to walk beside them.

"Student Cai Maochun has met the teacher."

"Cai greets Senior Sanxing and Brother Ruwen."

"Oh, Hua Qiu is here." Pan Sheng nodded kindly.

Among the three, Pan Sheng had the highest official rank. He was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College in Nanjing. Now he has been recalled to the capital and is holding a sinecure in the Ministry of Rites.

He had the longest seniority, having become a Jinshi in the 20th year of Jiajing's reign. What's more coincidental is that he, together with Zhang Juzheng, had served as an examiner for the palace examination in the 38th year of Jiajing's reign.

In that palace examination, Pan Sheng noticed the paper of Cai Maochun, the top scorer, and singled him out. But for some reason, after it was presented to the emperor, he was only ranked fourth in the second class by the late Emperor Jiajing.

But no matter what, Cai Maochun could barely call Pan Sheng teacher.

Zeng Xingwu was a Jinshi in the 35th year of Jiajing. He is currently the Right Censor of the Censorate and a fellow townsman of Zhang Juzheng.

Wang Zhuan is older than Cai Maochun, but he was a Jinshi in the 41st year of Jiajing. He is currently the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel and is also a fellow townsman of Zhang Juzheng.

The three of them were the backbone of the Chu Party headed by Zhang Juzheng.

Zeng Xingwu and Wang Zhuan also bowed in return: "Brother Hua Qiu/Senior Hua Qiu."

"Teacher, today the prince summoned all officials above the sixth rank to the Imperial Academy. What's the matter?" Cai Maochun asked.

Pan Sheng smiled and shook his head: "We are also confused."

Cai Maochun continued: "This matter is somewhat sudden and unprecedented. The students and others are at a loss as to what to do."

Pan Sheng said meaningfully: "New dynasty, new atmosphere, everyone needs to get used to it slowly."

Seeing how respectful Cai Maochun was, Pan Sheng knew that he was looked down upon by his colleagues because he married into the Zhao family, and his career was difficult. Even Wang Zhuan, who was one year younger than him, had surpassed him.

Wang Zhuan was already a Langzhong in the Ministry of Personnel, while Cai Maochun was still a Yuanwailang in the Ministry of Works.

It just so happens that apart from marrying into Pan Sheng's family, Cai Maochun's literary talent, ability, and conduct are all first-class. At least in Pan Sheng's heart, he is better than Ding Shimei, the top scorer in the same exam.

I suddenly felt compassion and love for talented people.

"Hua Qiu is originally from Fuzhou, Fujian?"

"Yes, teacher."

"Fujian is a land of talented people. Not only does it have a talent like Hua Qiu, but it also has a great man like Mr. Zhuo Wu." Pan Sheng sighed, "Mr. Zhuo Wu was recently promoted to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Hua Qiu is from the same hometown, but didn't he go to congratulate him?"

Cai Maochun's heart moved, and he quickly replied: "In reply to the teacher's question, I did go to Mr. Zhuo Wu's house to congratulate him, but the Li's house was full of guests and friends at that time, and I couldn't find a moment to chat with Mr. Zhuo Wu for a while."

Pan Sheng shook his head. "Hua Qiu, this won't do. For a great man like Mr. Zhuo Wu, it's a luxury for others to ask for advice. But you are his fellow countryman. Hua Qiu, you must seize this great opportunity."

Cai Maochun understood that this was guidance.

Li Zhi was originally just an ordinary assistant teacher at the Imperial Academy, and was well-known among scholars for his radical academic ideas. In the 44th year of the Jiajing reign, he suddenly caught the eye of the Crown Prince and became his staff member.

Then he became the Director of the Imperial College, the Deputy Director and Director of the Ministry of Rites, and now the Junior Secretary of the Taichang Temple. His speed of promotion is comparable to that of Xu Wei.

Xu Wei's achievements were based on real military merits, while Li Zhi's were based on his knowledge.

In this case, Li Zhi is deeply trusted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If I can follow Li Zhi's path, it means I will directly become a member of the Crown Prince's party. It's exciting just to think about it!
Cai Maochun knew that he had a bad reputation and the Chu Party headed by Zhang Juzheng was reluctant to accept him, but they had no shortage of support.

All in all, Li Zhi's place turned out to be a good place to go.

Li Zhi and Xu Wei, one a juren and the other a student of the imperial academy, one a propagator of academic heresy and the other a former staff and advisor, were a perfect match for his son-in-law. They were both highly valued by the crown prince, which showed that his highness was not picky about who to hire.

Thinking of this, Cai Maochun's heart warmed up, and he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

Seeing that he had understood, Pan Sheng nodded and said no more, and continued walking forward with Zeng Shengwu and Wang Zhuan.

"Uncle Shi!"

Cai Maochun turned around when he heard the voice and saw it was Lu Yi.

He is the third son of Lu Bing, the former commander-in-chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Earl of Loyalty.

Lu Bing's eldest and second sons died young, and Lu Yi is now the head of the Lu family. Lu Bing's second wife is Zhao Zupeng's eldest daughter. Cai Maochun married Zhao Zupeng's youngest daughter and had to call Lu Bing his brother-in-law.

In terms of seniority, Lu Yi has to call Cai Maochun uncle, but the relationship between them and his second wife is a bit distant, so he can call him uncle.

"Yucheng, you guys are here too?"

"All civil and military officials above the sixth rank, as well as the nobles in the capital, have been summoned. How can we be left out?" Lu Yi complained.

Cai Maochun, Pan Sheng and the other two bowed and apologized, and spoke softly to Lu Yi.

Zeng Xingwu turned his head to look at Cai Maochun who was slowly falling behind, and said with a smile: "Does Mr. Pan have a desire to appreciate talent?"

Pan Sheng replied slowly: "Cai Huaqiu is more practical than Ding Bangyan."

Zeng Shengwu nodded.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince values ​​substance over vanity. Ding Shimei has a good reputation and is well-educated, but he is not in the Crown Prince's eyes. Cai Chunmao has a bad reputation and is slightly inferior in knowledge, but he is smart and capable, and is good at practical work. Such a person is likely to be valued by the Crown Prince.

Pan Sheng is selling a good thing and keeping a favor.

Cai Maochun asked, "Yucheng, I heard that you were transferred to the Jinwu Guard?"

Lu Yi looked a little frustrated, "Yes, uncle. Xiyuan issued an order to restructure the Jinyiwei. All the Jinyiwei who are not holding real positions will be transferred to Jinwu and Qianniuwei. Now my nephew is the commander of the left Qianniuwei."

Cai Maochun continued to ask curiously: "I heard that your Five Military Commanders' Office has also been changed?"

"Yes, uncle," Lu Yi answered with all his strength, "According to the Xiyuan Order, the Five Military Commands were changed to the Five Military Command Offices, and the guards under the Five Armies and the Imperial Guards were also changed. Currently, only the Jinwu and Qianniu guards are retained.

Twenty-six new armies were also formed, namely Yulin, Konghe, Xiaoqi, Huqi, Yunqi, Fengxiang, Shenwei, Shenjie, Tiance, Longxiang, Huben, Baotao, Yingyang, Feixiong, Wude, Wusheng, Wuxiang, Weiwu, Guangwu, Xingwu, Yingwu, Shenwu, Xiongwu, Yongwu, Zhenwu and Xuanwu.

Duke Zhu of Chengguo was changed to the Grand Marshal of the Central Palace, Duke Zhang of Yingguo was changed to the Associate Marshal of the Central Palace; Duke Qi of Xinghua was changed to the Grand Marshal of the Left Palace, Duke Xue (Xue Lin) was changed to the Associate Marshal of the Left Palace, and Minister Xu was changed to the Assistant Marshal of the Left Palace.

Duke Daichuan (Liu Tao) was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Right Palace, Duke Beishan (Lu Tong) was appointed as the Associate Marshal of the Right Palace, and Duke Mingquan (Liang Menglong) was appointed as the Assistant Marshal of the Right Palace; Marquis Yangwu Xue Han was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Rear Palace, Duke Ma of Lanxi was appointed as the Associate Marshal of the Rear Palace, and Duke Yuxiu (Zheng Luo) was appointed as the Assistant Marshal of the Rear Palace.

Hu Bingbu concurrently serves as the Grand Commander of the Front Prefecture, Zi Ligong (Tan Lun) concurrently serves as the Associate Commander of the Front Prefecture, and Xiao Xiaqing (Xiao Daheng) serves as the Acting Assistant Commander of the Front Prefecture.

Cai Maosheng immediately understood that there were going to be major changes to the military system.

"Yucheng, is it possible that Xiyuan is going to change the military household system of the garrison?"

Lu Yi replied: "There is such a rumor. But we don't know how it will be changed, and not many people care."

They are all people who have been blessed by the emperor's grace. No matter how the changes are made, their salaries will not be reduced, nor will they be asked to guard the border and fight in wars. It is normal that they do not care.

Cai Maochun looked at Lu Yi's worried face and knew that his nephew was under even greater pressure than he was.

When Lu Bing was alive, he seemed to have offended the current emperor.

Lu Yi once again risked his life to protect Yan Shifan's second son, his brother-in-law Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shifan is the person the emperor hates the most at present.

Yan Shifan was beheaded at the end of the Jiajing period. The emperor held a grudge against Yan Shifan's son and grandson. In addition to Lu Bing's old grudge, some people who took advantage of the situation kept impeaching Lu Bing, demanding that he be held accountable, his posthumous title and posthumous honors be stripped, and that Lu Yi be impeached as well.

Fortunately, the Prince of Xiyuan kept these memorials, and the eunuch Huang Jin also remembered the old friendship with Lu Bing and secretly helped the Lu family.

In addition, the Lu family's marriage relationship is also strong. In addition to the second sister who married Yan Shaoting, Lu Yi's eldest sister married Zhu Shitai, the son of Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, the third sister married Xu Ying, the third son of Xu Jie, and the fourth sister married the son of Sun Sheng, the former Nanjing Minister of Rites. Both of Sun Sheng's sons were Jinshi.

The fifth sister married the son of Wu Peng, the former Minister of Personnel.

So everything has been safe and sound.

But the Lu family has offended the current emperor, and this sword hanging over their heads may fall anytime. Lu Yi is now the head of the Lu family, with a stepmother above him, and younger brothers, sisters, and nephews below him, who need him to protect them from the wind and rain.

Worried and anxious!
Cai Maochun knew Lu Yi’s troubles, but unfortunately he could not help. He could only sigh and comfort him.

The two of them walked inside as they talked.

They were all unpopular people, so they simply took a secluded road. However, as soon as they turned a corner, they ran into a group of people walking out from the side.

Cai Maochun and Lu Yi's faces changed immediately!
(End of this chapter)