I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 384: Lao Gao, don’t do anything stupid!

At the Nanhua Gate of the Western Garden, a group of officials in scarlet robes were checking badges and credentials. They quickly entered the garden and waited in the court room next door.

A group of people surrounded Gao Gong, clasped their hands and said, "Congratulations, Lord Xinzheng!"

"Mr. Gao, you must prepare yourself well after entering the cabinet!"

"Mr. Gao, I finally got what I wanted this time!"

Gao Gong had a serious look on his face, but the smile on the corner of his mouth was like a white cloud in the clear sky, visible to everyone.

"It's too early to say this. It hasn't been discussed by everyone yet, and it hasn't been finalized by Your Highness. It's hard to say, hard to say."

Everyone laughed: "Mr. Gao is too modest!"

The three elders headed by Li Chunfang sat on the other side, looking at this side with a smile.

Cao Bangfu and Zhao Zhenji leaned their heads together and talked in low voices.

Li Zhi sat upright with his eyes slightly closed. It was unclear whether he was meditating or just thinking that if he couldn't see, he wouldn't be bothered.

Cai Maochun was sitting next to him, a little excited, and talking to two Shaoqings from other temples.

Taifu Temple Minister Wang Guoguang and Shuntian Prefecture Governor Liu Yingjie were discussing something with serious expressions, as if they were arguing about something.

Zhang Rong and several other nobles formed a circle, chatting and laughing.

Feng Bao, dressed in a bullfighting suit, came in with four eunuchs, and greeted them with a smile, "All the gentlemen are here!"

Hearing the voice, everyone turned around, nodded with a smile, and greeted him.

When Gao Gong saw him, his eyes flashed with a strange color and shone brightly.

"Gentlemen, the time is almost up. His Highness has asked me to come and pick you up. Please!"

Three cabinet ministers, several nobles and assistants from the Supervisory Office walked in front, Gao Gong followed closely behind with his head held high, and no one else tried to compete with him for the seat.

Behind them were Gao Yi, Ge Shouli and other ministers, as well as Zhao Zhenji, who was smiling among them.

Gao Yi bowed to Zhao Zhenji and said, "Zhao Zhongcheng, congratulations on this time."

Zhao Zhenji laughed and said, "Minister Gao, you are wrong to congratulate. You should congratulate the Duke of Xinzheng."

"Zhao Zhongcheng is also on the list this time."

"Scholar Gao, there have to be some names on the list, and red flowers need green leaves to match them."

Gao Yi looked at Zhao Zhenji, and seeing that he was so tactful, he smiled and stopped talking.

Ge Shouli came over and said, "Zhao Zhongcheng, I think the new law you drafted to rectify the various vassal clans and royal families has appropriate punishments and pardons, and it couldn't be more appropriate.

Unfortunately, there are still people in the court and the localities who are still pursuing this matter, vowing to completely eradicate the bad policies of the various vassal clans. How can two hundred years of bad policies be eradicated so easily? "

Gao Yi said somewhat displeasedly: "It is precisely because of the malpractices of the past two hundred years that we must have great determination and extraordinary courage to eradicate them in one fell swoop, so as to completely eradicate the malpractices that are harming the country and the people."

Although he and Ge Shouli were both allies of Gao Gong and often sat together to discuss important matters, the relationship between them was lukewarm.

On the one hand, there are differences in their ideas, and on the other hand, the two people's knowledge and abilities are similar, so neither of them is willing to give in to the other.

Gao Yi and Ge Shouli looked at each other, snorted slightly, and he went on the left and I went on the right.

Zhao Zhenji walked in the middle, slightly behind, looking at the backs of the two people and smiling gently.

Everyone entered the Taiji Hall, and Zhu Yijun sat in the chair at the top and waited.

"I will pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

After everyone had completed the ceremony, they were seated as usual.

The three cabinet ministers and the five assistant military directors were given seats, while the rest of the ministers, vice ministers, senior officials, junior officials, and the left and right censors all stood.

Zhu Yijun walked down the steps and paced back and forth in front of the crowd.

“Some people say that when a business or store wants to change its owner, it must gather all the employees to discuss the matter and elect a person who is highly respected by the public.

Now that the court wants to add a cabinet minister, why not let all officials discuss and nominate him publicly?
What you said makes sense, which shows that some officials have a strong sense of ownership, unlike some officials who say that according to the official system established by Emperor Taizu, all civil and military officials are long-term workers of my Zhu family. "

Everyone was silent. Everyone was used to the Crown Prince's frequent shocking remarks.

“I’m just a little curious about what the criteria are for the collective nomination.

One of them wanted to recommend Gao Shangshu, and the other wanted to recommend Zhao Zhongcheng. Some said that Zhang Zhangyuan of the Hanlin Academy was extremely talented and knowledgeable; others said that Zou Zhengqing of the Dali Court was impartial, selfless, upright and just.

I heard that those people argued for several days and nights but there was no result.

I am very curious, what criteria were used to select these candidates? Loud voices? Or the number of people? Haha."

Zhu Yijun laughed a few times, but none of the ministers in the hall could laugh.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's words were still so sharp and penetrating, making people feel upset.

Zhu Yijun's clear voice continued: "It's just that you are discussing so enthusiastically that you haven't thought about what the duties of the elders are?
Participate in mechanical work, assist in government affairs, draft proposals, and draft imperial edicts upon orders. "

Zhu Yijun spoke word by word, his voice echoing in the Taiji Hall.

"Do you understand? The cabinet elders are the advisors to the monarch. Under the monarch's orders, they first read the memorials from the six ministries, five temples, two courts and local governments, and then give their opinions for your decision." Zhu Yijun's eyes swept across everyone's faces, and suddenly heaved a long sigh.

"You are just selecting one or two secretaries and advisors for me, but the whole court is in an uproar and arguing so much that people who don't know would think you are publicly selecting a prime minister!"

Publicly elected prime minister?

All the ministers seemed to hear the sound of bronze chimes in their hearts.

Your Highness, are you criticizing us or are you hitting us?

"Chen Ju, Nian Nian, who did the six ministries, five temples, two courts, and local governments nominate?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Chen Ju took out a petition and read aloud, "All officials have nominated twelve candidates for additional cabinet elders: Minister of Revenue Gao Gong, President of the Hanlin Academy Zhang Siwei, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Zhao Zhenji, Minister of Rites Gao Yi, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Zou Yinglong."

Zhu Yijun nodded, "Twelve highly respected candidates, but the cabinet doesn't need so many elders, there won't be enough seats, and I don't need so many advisors and secretaries, what should I do?
Do you want to discuss this further in the Taiji Hall?"

The ministers laughed in their hearts and thought, we will never be fooled!
Publicly elected Prime Minister!

Since you have said such things, do we still dare to hold a public meeting in the Taiji Hall to elect the leader?

I want to die!
Ancestral system!
This is the banner and reason we often use to "dissuade and regulate" the emperor. We will never let this boomerang hit ourselves!

Gao Gong stepped forward, clasped his hands and said confidently: "Your Highness, we ask Your Highness to make the decision!"

"Qian Gang Duduan? Now you finally remember to call me Gu Qian Gang Duduan?"

Listening to Zhu Yijun's sarcastic words, all the ministers murmured in their hearts, he is indeed worthy of being the late emperor's good grandson, his demeanor and tone of voice cannot be said to be very similar, but can only be said to be exactly the same as the late emperor Jiajing Emperor.

After Zhu Yijun ridiculed the ministers, he immediately said, "Okay! Then I will appoint Zhao Zhenji, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Gao Gong, the Minister of Revenue, to the cabinet, and they will not be relieved of their duties."

The ministers were stunned. The prince has chosen two people to join the cabinet?

Gao Gong's entry into the cabinet was the popular choice and was completely within everyone's expectations.

Zhao Zhenji's entry into the cabinet was unexpected to some people, but also reasonable.

This person also served as the Crown Prince's teacher in Xiyuan. Many ministers suddenly remembered that the previous Coordination Office was quietly built by Zhao Zhenji with the help of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yijun continued, "I would like to take this opportunity to adjust the division of labor in the cabinet. Li Chunfang."

Li Chunfang took a step forward, knelt down, and answered loudly: "I am here!"

"Appoint him as Grand Secretary of Zhongji Palace, and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and make him the Chief Assistant."

"I thank your Highness for his grace!"

"Zhao Zhenji!"

"Chen is here!"

"He was appointed as the Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace, and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. He was also appointed as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and was made the Second Assistant."

"I thank your Highness for his grace!"

"Zhang Juzheng!"

"Chen is here!"

"Appointed as Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace, Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Minister of Personnel."

"I thank your Highness for his grace!"

"Chen Yiqin!"

"Chen is here!"

"Appoint him as Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion and Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince."

"High arch!"

Gao Gong hesitated and didn't want to answer.

Now he is full of anger. He appointed me into the cabinet but put me last. What does that mean?
I entered the cabinet in the 43rd year of Jiajing, and my seniority is older than Zhang Juzheng and Chen Yiqin. Why do you put me last?
Since you want to use me, why humiliate me?
Gao Yi became very anxious when he saw Gao Gong hesitated to answer.

Although the ranking is not ideal, at least he has entered the cabinet. Let's enter the cabinet first and then figure out other things later.

He quickly poked Gao Gong with his finger from behind.

Lao Gao, don't do anything stupid!

The prince is not the emperor, he is not your student, he is the student of the late emperor, and he can change his attitude faster than turning the pages of a book.

When Gao Gong was poked by Gao Yi's finger, he instantly realized this point, as if a large basin of ice water was poured over his head, extinguishing his anger and making him sober instantly.

"Chen is here!"

Everyone in the palace breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly they heard Feng Bao shouting outside: "Your Highness, something happened!"

The ministers' hearts were lifted again.

(End of this chapter)