Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 553 Comments
Zhang Mansion.

Facing Huai En's doubtful look, Zhang Luan said, "I can't make an accurate judgment on whether Wang Shu is good or bad, and whether he is suitable for the position of Minister of Personnel. If it really doesn't work, it should be okay to use an old man from the Ministry of Personnel to take up this position."

"You mean..."

"I mean Geng Yu. Wasn't he the Minister of Personnel before? Someone else recommended him to me. I thought there was nothing wrong with it, so I included him in the candidate list."

Zhang Luan replied.

"Someone else? Is it your son?"

Huai En asked immediately. After he asked the question, he realized how presumptuous the question was. He quickly said, "I'm sorry, this is a very personal topic. I shouldn't ask too much..."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "Eunuch Huai, you are being polite. There is nothing to hide... Actually, it was Li Zisheng who recommended Geng Yu to me. He said that if anyone asked about the candidate for the Minister of Personnel, I might consider Geng Yu."

Huai En was greatly surprised and asked in disbelief: "It was Li Zi... Shangshu who proposed this? Then do you know that there is an old grudge between these two people?"

"I know."

Zhang Luan seemed very casual when answering this question. He waved his hand and said, "I really didn't know before. It was Li Zisheng who told me. He told me that he and Geng Yu had many conflicts in the past, but he must not let me mind it. I should strongly recommend talented people. At least Geng Yu did a good job as the Minister of Personnel in the past."

"Did Minister Li really say that?"

When Huai En heard this, he was a little confused.

I was thinking, are you telling the truth?

Li Zisheng would never say this, and even if he did, how could Zhang Guozhang tell me all this? Didn't he know that I had a great grudge against Li Zisheng, and that we were even incompatible?

Zhang Luan said: "That's roughly what he meant... My understanding is that he is now focused on seeking a smooth transition and also wants to help Your Majesty consolidate his rule as quickly as possible, so he recommends talented people and no longer hesitates to consider whether there is any previous grudge."

Huai En smiled and said, "After what you said, it's true."

Although he said this, what he was thinking in his heart was...you are really good at making excuses for Li Zisheng.

If Li Zisheng was really such an open-minded and selfless person, he would not have offended so many court officials, leading to the current situation where everyone is calling for his death. Or maybe he is just pretending to be righteous and performing for you?
Zhang Luan said, "That's all I have to say. Geng Yu is the first choice. If that doesn't work, then Wang Shu will be added. Of course, I recommended Wang Shu more because of his high reputation. I don't know enough about either of them. This is just my personal opinion. Whether I mention it to Your Majesty or not... It all depends on your decision, Eunuch Huai."

Huai En said quickly: "Since His Majesty asked me to ask, and now that everything has been clarified, how can I not report the truth? Geng Yu, Wang Shu... Mr. Zhang, you should know what kind of people these two are, right?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I said, I don't know."

"Then you should understand what their attitude towards you is, right?"

Wynn asked again tentatively.

It's so abnormal.

You said that you, Zhang Luan, recommended these two people. In the eyes of outsiders, they are both upright ministers who cannot tolerate any grain of sand in their eyes.

You don't think they will be as easy to deal with as Li Yu and the other six ministers, do you?

When they return to the court and want to establish their authority, they will definitely start with you.

What kind of favor is this... For the sake of so-called justice, they don't bother to care about it.

How could he be like an honest person like me, who is polite to you because of your kindness and has never even thought of bringing you down?
Zhang Luan said, "I know. Anyway, my time in the court will not be too long. Even my son said that my personality is suitable for serving in the Five Military Commandery. I can just eat and wait for death all day long."

"You can't say that." Huai En smiled and waved his hand, "Capable people should be placed in the most suitable positions... Your Majesty thinks so too."

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, "I don't deserve it... I'm just an ordinary person, a mere student, and I haven't even finished my studies yet. Let those who are more capable assist in the government. I... will just be an idle person."

……

……

The inner hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Zhu Youtang was sitting at his desk, with a mountain of memorials in front of him, while Tan Chang and Tan Ji beside him were helping to sort them out. Even the assistant officials who had just entered the Imperial Household Department were busy.

The emperor is diligent in his work, and the people working under him have to be extremely attentive.

"Your Majesty, the person recommended by Zhang Guozhang is Wang Shu, the former Nanjing Minister of War."

Huai En, who came to report, said respectfully.

"Wang Shu?"

Zhu Youtang thought about it carefully and asked, "Is it Wang Shu, Wang Jie'an, who has a good reputation among the people and is even praised by officials in Beijing?"

Huai En smiled and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, even you know this person?" "I heard from the gentleman in the East Palace before that even though he was in Nanjing, my father still attached great importance to his memorials. Sometimes even when his memorials did not come, everyone was waiting, and even used the content of his memorials to determine whether things could be implemented, which shows that he is quite capable."

At this point, Zhu Youtang said, "But if I remember correctly, he should be quite old, right?"

Huai En said: "Yes, Your Majesty, he is over 70 years old."

"Then why hasn't he come to Beijing to take up his post? His career in the ministry is basically in Nanjing." Zhu Youtang asked a question that seemed tricky, but in his opinion, it hit the nail on the head.

Huai En had no answer for a while.

Zhu Youtang asked, "Then... Huai Daban, what do you think of my father-in-law's recommendation of this candidate?"

"This……"

Huai En still maintained a cautious attitude, "It's hard for me to say. If Your Majesty thinks this person is useful, or wants to know whether he can be used, you can bring it back to the court for public discussion, and when the court recommends him, you can bring him up at the appropriate time."

"it is good."

Zhu Youtang nodded.

Huai En suddenly thought of something and said, "Oh, by the way, Zhang Guozhang also mentioned another candidate."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Zhu Youtang had already picked up his pen and was about to review the memorials, but upon hearing this, he looked back again.

"It's the former Minister of Personnel Geng Yu." Huai En said.

"Geng Yu? I remember that he had served as a lecturer in the Imperial Lecture Hall for a long time and had worked in the Imperial College for many years. Later, he was disliked by my father when he was the Minister of Personnel and was expelled from the capital. He had just been transferred to Nanjing as the Minister of War. This person..."

Zhu Youtang wanted to make a few comments, but then waved his hand and said, "Let's bring it up at the court meeting. It seems that my father-in-law really put his heart into it. I just thought of this matter temporarily, and he was able to give me a good candidate for reference. It seems that if there is anything in the future, I can really ask for his opinion more often."

……

……

The emperor's unintentional words made Huai En feel uncomfortable.

Even on the most pressing matters of employing people, Your Majesty will ask Zhang Luan for his opinion from now on! ?
Isn't that the same as what happened to Li Zisheng back then?

It is true that what kind of father you have, what kind of son you will have.

"Eunuch Huai, that Zhang Guofu is really unconventional. He actually thought of re-employing Wang Shu, the former Minister of War of the Southern Region... What do you think he was thinking?"

Qin Chang went back to the Silijian duty room with Huai En. On the way, Qin Chang asked bluntly.

Huai En looked very normal: "Zhang Guozhang has an open mind, so why not recommend a virtuous person?"

Qin Chang smiled and shook his head, saying, "He has never met Wang Shu, so how can he know that this person is virtuous? Reputation is something that cannot be accurately judged."

Huai En's face was a little gloomy: "Actually, Zhang Guozhang himself said so."

"What did he say?"

Qin Chang was now curious.

"According to what Zhang Guozhang said, he didn't know enough about Wang Shu either. He recommended him because he had a high reputation. I guess it was because the previous emperor used Li Yu, but secretly gave priority to Li Zisheng's opinions on personnel selection, which led to a serious situation of requests for favors in matters such as promotions and appointments in the court.

"So in Zhang Guozhang's opinion, finding someone who does not accept requests and is selfless to serve as the Minister of Personnel will have a very good effect on promoting the clean and stable administration of the Ming Dynasty."

Huai En gave an analysis.

After hearing this, Qin Chang was stunned and asked, "Is this Zhang Guozhang's purpose?"

"What if?"

Huai En did not stop at all, but just tilted his head to look at Qin Chang, and said, "There is no personal relationship between him and Wang Shu. I am afraid they have never even met, let alone private communication. And Wang Shu hates others asking for favors the most. He would never ask a relative to help him get to the capital to be a minister."

Qin Chang smiled bitterly and said, "That's right. He has already retired and is so old that he doesn't even have time to enjoy his retirement. Why would he ask for trouble?"

Huai En asked meaningfully, "Then what do you think was Zhang Guozhang's purpose in proposing to appoint Wang Shu as the Minister of Personnel?"

"This……"

Qin Chang was speechless for a moment.

(End of this chapter)