Ming politicians

Dangerous signs have appeared.

After Zhou Yanru became the chief assistant of the cabinet, Zhu Youjian really wanted to relax. The Houjin Tartars expressed their submission. Huang Taiji's Concubine Zhuang and her son Fulin became hostages and stayed in the capital, regardless of whether the Houjin Tartars were It's not really surrender, but after making such a gesture, the civil and military ministers in the court are all satisfied, and everyone keeps submitting memorials, praising the emperor's wise and holy martial arts. In fact, Zhu Youjian's heart is not good, and all the credit is basically They all belonged to Su Tiancheng, and had little to do with the imperial court, and it seemed that he was no match for Zhu Youjian.

Su Tiancheng began to show signs of rebellion, and this was what Zhu Youjian was most worried about, because Su Tiancheng was too wise, and because of the incomparable strength of Jiang Ningying, Zhu Youjian still had basic self-knowledge. Everyone knows the depression of the imperial court, even the ginseng in the palace was sold, and the prosperity of the imperial court after that almost all depended on Su Tiancheng, and it was precisely because Su Tiancheng was too capable, Zhu Youjian couldn't be relieved.

As for the civil and military ministers in the imperial court, there are too many factions on the wall, many of them are looking at their own interests, and they don't care about the development of the court situation at all. If Su Tiancheng really rebelled and confronted the imperial court openly, it is conceivable Well, the imperial court must be full of verbal criticism, but if anyone really wants to stand up and confront, I am afraid they will hide away. Moreover, the party disputes in the imperial court have never subsided, and mutual intrigues abound.

It is precisely because of these circumstances that Zhu Youjian feels disheartened. After years of hard work, he may be making wedding clothes for others. He really feels exhausted and doesn't want to worry about it anymore.Therefore, after Zhou Yanru became the chief assistant of the cabinet, Zhu Youjian entrusted many major affairs to Zhou Yanru, and the court was temporarily calm.

The Jiangning battalion sent troops to Zhejiang and Fujian, which broke the superficial tranquility and made Zhu Youjian see great danger.What's even more exasperating is that Su Tiancheng actually wrote a memorial to cover up this naked rebellion. Zhu Youjian really wished to immediately remove Su Tiancheng from all his titles and announce his rebellion against the Ming court. Unfortunately, at present Not yet able to do so.

Zhu Youjian had to cheer up, but unfortunately at this time, he found out that the ministers in the imperial court were truly trustworthy.Not too many, let’s just say that in the cabinet, apart from Zhou Yanru, Fan Jingwen is the one he trusts the most. As for Qian Qianyi, he is actually a pedantic scholar with a cheerful and righteous indignation on the surface.

some things.Zhu Youjian has to decide for himself, and he has to rely on the eunuch.Relying on Jinyiwei and Dongchang to accomplish many things, at least weaken Su Tiancheng's strength in the places that can be imagined.

Zhu Youjian would never have imagined that it was precisely because of his decision that the situation had undergone huge irreversible changes in a short period of time.

Zhou Yanru left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.Secretly heaved a sigh of relief, he originally thought that the emperor would be furious. For such a simple matter, the opinions discussed by the cabinet did not have any immediate plans to attack.This is unjustifiable, but Zhou Yanru, who has learned Su Tiancheng's methods, is the biggest worry at the moment, that is Zhou Kang's contact with Su Tiancheng. If this matter is exposed, according to the current situation, I am afraid that I will was thrown directly into the prison.

For the rest, Zhou Yanru couldn't think of so much for the time being, so he went directly to Fan Jingwen.

Fan Jingwen was actually well prepared. Ever since he voiced his opinion during the cabinet discussion, Fan Jingwen felt rejection from Qian Qianyi and others. This was also because he had told the truth and directly exposed the hypocrisy of Qian Qianyi and others. However, for such an important matter, Fan Jingwen had to tell the truth, it was related to the stability of the court, the split of the Ming Dynasty, or the change of the dynasty. If you still think about your own reputation, Still so bookish and pedantic, what hope can there be for this imperial court?

Fan Jingwen can be sure that the suggestions he put forward will definitely be adopted by the emperor. Fan Jingwen never thought of or prepared for being able to enter the cabinet. The so-called scholar dies for his confidant. Of course, Fan Jingwen did his best to trust the emperor so much. , you don't need to think about anything else.

Seeing Zhou Yanru, Fan Jingwen had a smile on his face.

Zhou Yanru also breathed a sigh of relief, he knew Fan Jingwen, he would do what he said, or he would not say it.

"Master Fan, the emperor agrees that you go to Shandong to find Su Tiancheng. This task is very heavy, and I am worried about the safety of Lord Fan."

"Your Excellency, don't worry, I have made all the preparations, and I will leave the capital tomorrow."

"I'll just wait and see. The emperor has a lot of things going on these days, and it's too late to see Mr. Fan. Mr. Fan's trip to Shandong this time is no small matter. I think the emperor must have ordered it."

"Your official understands that the emperor has a lot of important things to consider. I am going to Shandong, but I am trying my best. If the emperor has no time, I will never complain. As the chief assistant of the cabinet, my lord has a heavy responsibility. It is a pity. Officials can't share their worries."

Zhou Yanru's old face turned a little red. If you want to talk about the realm of being an official, he is incomparable with Fan Jingwen. Not to mention how he was before, at least he is not at the same level when it comes to treating Su Tiancheng.

In fact, Zhou Yanru also felt strange why the emperor didn't lose his temper. It is said that Su Tiancheng had already led troops to Fujian. He agreed to Fan Jingwen to go to Shandong, but did not mention the matter of summoning Fan Jingwen immediately. This is not in line with common sense.

The clever Zhou Yanru also thought about it, maybe the emperor had some arrangements in private, but no matter what the arrangement was, it didn't have a great relationship with him, so it's better not to inquire about it.

"Your Majesty Fan, don't worry. I think the emperor will definitely think about it. Such an important matter is in crisis to the foundation of the imperial court. The emperor needs time to think about it."

After resting and taking a bath, Zhou Yanru returned to the mansion. During this time, he had no visitors. No matter who came to visit, they were all received by Zhou Kang, and he himself would not show up.

Just after entering the study, Zhou Kang came in with a serious expression on his face.

Zhou Yanru looked at Zhou Kang, but didn't speak. Zhou Kang came in in a hurry, there must be something unusual.

"Master, Eunuch Qin from the palace sent someone here today."

"Oh, Eunuch Qin, what's the matter?"

The eunuchs in the palace have very clear functions and powers. The great eunuch Wang Chengen is not only the eunuch who holds the pen, but also in charge of the 24 eunuchs. He can be said to be the most powerful, followed by Qin Sande. He has done a lot of things, and stepped up to a high position step by step. Now he is the palm print eunuch, supervising the East Factory.Apart from Wang Chengen and Qin Sande, even Cao Huachun, the admiral of the Beijing camp, and Gao Qiqian, the chief eunuch of the Yuma Supervisor, Cao Huachun had a secret fight with Wang Chengen before, but was finally defeated by Wang Chengen, and then turned against Wang Chengen. Wang Chengen expressed his obedience, and he finally retained his position as the admiral of the Beijing camp. He has military power in his hands, which is considered good. As for Gao Qiqian of the Yumajian, he has been in the palace for a long time and has good qualifications. trust.

Zhou Yanru has long been aware of a possibility that the development of the court situation may eventually make the emperor start to trust eunuchs again. It is not impossible for someone like Wei Zhongxian to appear in the court again, so when Zhou Yanru served as the cabinet assistant, Zhou Yanru He got in touch with Qin Sande in secret and established an alliance with each other.

After becoming the chief assistant of the cabinet, Zhou Yanru paid more attention to this relationship. Wang Chengen, as the chief eunuch, was always by the emperor's side. He wanted to contact the emperor. The danger was too great. Qin Sande was different, so it was easier to get in touch with him. Besides, Qin Sande's biggest problem is love of money, and Zhou Yanru can think of a way in this regard.

In the Ming Dynasty, the emperor absolutely forbade the relationship between court officials and eunuchs to be too close. Special circumstances were very rare, such as the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao. It was because the emperor was still young and had not yet taken charge of the government, because the eunuchs were the emperor's Servant, everything must be obeyed by the emperor.

Zhou Yanru, who has experienced the ups and downs of the court, knows that it is very important to have a good relationship with the eunuch. As for Qin Sande, being able to have private contacts with the chief minister of the cabinet of the current dynasty is to lay a solid foundation for future development. good foundation.

Zhou Kang began to speak in a low voice.

Following Zhou Kang's narration, Zhou Yanru's complexion changed. After Zhou Kang finished speaking, Zhou Yanru was silent for a while, then raised his head and let out a long sigh.

"Zhou Kang, it seems that I need to be prepared. I didn't expect the emperor to make such an arrangement. I didn't notify the cabinet, and I didn't discuss it. I'm about to issue an order. There will definitely be trouble."

"Why did the master say that?"

"Zhou Kang, Su Tiancheng is thinking of rebelling, but I can feel that Su Tiancheng is not thinking of changing the dynasty, and I am afraid that he will not directly attack the emperor, and may even take the route of reconciliation, but many things the emperor has done It was decided that each of them was to force Su Tiancheng to go to extremes. If a war really started, the troops controlled by the imperial court would not be the opponents of the Jiangning Camp. The emperor should be clear about the performance of the army, even the Houjin Tartars suffered disastrous defeats in front of the Jiangning battalion, let alone the imperial army."

What Zhou Yanru thought was very correct. Su Tiancheng really didn't want to kill Zhu Youjian, and he didn't necessarily want to completely overthrow the Ming Dynasty. There are many ways to gain power. According to previous history, Zhu Youjian could be the Supreme Emperor, but it's a pity that Zhu Youjian Jian doesn't think so, it is doomed, the storm is bound to come.

Zhu Youjian can be said to have made the worst arrangement. (To be continued..)