I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 24: Devoted to Selfishness, Yan Shenggong Resigns as Prime Minister Zhang Taiyue (Seeking Follow-up Monthly Tickets)

After the meeting.

The court's punishment of Hou Donglai's son for violating the "Regulations on Postal Transportation" quickly spread to various government offices in the capital.

There are many happy people.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng was still sleeping soundly in the house.

He is so tired!

I felt hot all over in the second half of last night. I drank two bowls of medicine soup and fell into a deep sleep at five o'clock in the morning.

If nothing unexpected happens, it will be at least afternoon when I wake up.

at the same time.

Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian took the free bus from the post station and entered Beijing.

He is not a reckless person.

After arriving in Beijing, he first reported to the Ministry of Rites, and then inquired about the attitudes of the officials in the capital towards the "Regulations on Post Stations".

soon.

He heard the light punishment of "this won't happen again".

Kong Shangxian was overjoyed.

The emperor had issued the decree, and all the officials in the court had no objection. Even if Zhang Juzheng opposed it, it would be powerless to change the situation.

The outcome of this matter is a foregone conclusion.

He may no longer need to find someone to transport goods through the back door.

He thought about it.

He felt that he should also contribute to the quick abolition of the "Post Office Regulations" which hindered his wealth.

……

It was noon and the sun was scorching.

Hanlin Academy, Review Hall.

Shen Nian was busy when Ma Ziqiang strode over.

"Liu, Shen, the Duke of Yansheng will come to the library to review books later. You can accompany him to look around and have lunch with him in the official kitchen at noon. In the afternoon, you can go to the Imperial College."

"As you command!" Liu Chuxian and Shen Nian bowed at the same time.

All the descendants of the Kong family served as doctors of the Five Classics in the Hanlin Academy. In addition, during the reign of Emperor Yansheng, the Duke of Yansheng and the scholars of the Hanlin Academy stood together. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Hanlin Academy is the mother's home of the Kong family.

It was common practice for Duke Yansheng to inspect the Hanlin Academy.

This is a great job.

When Duke Yansheng comes to Beijing, he must meet the emperor. If he does, he will be rewarded, and those who accompany him will also benefit from it.

Also.

If Duke Yansheng can say a few good words in front of the emperor, the people accompanying him will also be rewarded.

The reason why Ma Ziqiang asked Shen Nian and Liu Chu to accompany him first.

On the one hand, it was because the two were young and handsome, and they could be regarded as the face of the Hanlin Academy; on the other hand, it was because the two were outstanding in talent, and Ma Ziqiang wanted them to show their faces more often.

He did not send Wang Zudi and Zhao Yongxian.

This is because these two people are too old-fashioned in the way they speak, act and look.

As for Liu Kezheng.

His biggest shortcoming is that he can't speak fluently in Mandarin.

If there are officials in Guangdong who need to be accompanied, he can be considered the first choice.

Because of the memory of the past life.

Shen Nian did not have much awe for Duke Yansheng. He thought that he was just a lucky guy who had successfully reincarnated.

He also knew that this Duke Yansheng smuggled contraband into Kyoto every year, used the post station operators for free, and made a fortune.

However, since it was official business, Shen Nian naturally had to greet him with a smile.

Liu Chuxian is the best in this area.

In terms of interpersonal communication.

Liu Chuxian can be said to be the leader of the entire Hanlin Academy.

In various government offices in the capital, there are classmates, peers, fellow townsmen, and like-minded colleagues.

Always able to establish connections.

……

A quarter of an hour later.

Liu Chuxian and Shen Nian met the 32-year-old Kong Shangxian, the 64th generation grandson of Confucius, the contemporary Duke of Yansheng, and the spokesperson for the etiquette and morality of the Ming Dynasty.

Kong Shangxian at this moment.

She wore a red robe, a seven-beam crown on her head, and jade ornaments on her waist.

Although he had no power, he enjoyed the treatment of a first-rank civil servant.

After a few polite words between Ma Ziqiang and Kong Shangxian, he handed the matter over to Liu Chuxian and Shen Nian to accompany him.

Liu Chuxian was more articulate than Shen Nian. Furthermore, when Kong Shangxian learned that he was from Jiangling, a fellow villager of Zhang Juzheng, he naturally made Liu Chuxian the main host and Shen Nian the secondary host.

Shen Nian didn't care about this.

Not long after.

The three of them appeared in the library of the Hanlin Academy.

With the attitude of a superior inspector, Kong Shangxian gave important instructions on the display of books in the library, the types of books, and how to write the catalog.

The clerk on the side nodded repeatedly and kept thanking Kong Shangxian for his guidance.

These are what Kong Shangxian is good at, and only these.

After a while.

The three of them took a rest in the tea room next to the library.

Kong Shangxian looked at the two of them and asked, "What do you think of the Regulations on Post Offices?"

Liu Chu was the first to respond, "Your Majesty's lenient punishment of the son of the Governor-General during today's regular court session clearly demonstrates the court's intention to reduce the severity of this regulation. It's likely that before long, this regulation will become increasingly relaxed and eventually abandoned!"

This is exactly what Kong Shangxian likes to hear.

Kong Shangxian nodded slightly and turned to look at Shen Nian.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "I believe that the Regulations for Post Offices are a policy that addresses current problems. If implemented, it will be of great benefit to the country. Unfortunately, there are too many opponents, making it difficult to implement this good policy!"

After hearing what Shen Nian said, Kong Shangxian's face darkened.

After Shen Nian finished speaking, he looked at Shen Nian.

"Shen, our dynasty governs with leniency and benevolence, and treats officials with great kindness. Your idea is a bit radical. I suggest you read more of the Analects."

"I will not be going to the Imperial College this afternoon. I plan to write a memorial of gratitude in the Hanlin Academy and present it to Your Majesty, expressing my gratitude for the court's kindness to the Kong family and many officials over the years."

When he mentioned the court's great favor at this time, it was obviously referring to the "Regulations on Postal Provision".

The biggest dissatisfaction of those who opposed this regulation was that they believed the court was ungracious.

"Duke Yansheng is right." Shen Nian had no intention of arguing with him.

Shen Nian listened to the rebuttal of Duke Yansheng's words, which was suspected of insulting Confucius, but he just had to not change it.

……

And this moment.

Inside Prime Minister Zhang’s mansion.

Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei sat in the front hall, waiting for Zhang Juzheng to wake up.

The two were worried that Zhang Juzheng would be furious, so they prepared to explain the situation to him.

About half an hour later.

Zhang Juzheng woke up, his face pale, and he walked slowly to the front hall.

Lu Diaoyang handed the briefing of today's court meeting to Zhang Juzheng.

When Zhang Juzheng saw the young Wanli say "this will not happen again", he became angry on the spot.

"This...this will not happen again? How can such a crime not be punished?" Zhang Juzheng glared.

"Uncle, don't worry! This is the result of a regular court meeting. Gansu is the land of defense against the Tatars. If this sparks dissatisfaction among Gansu Governor Hou Donglai and he does something extreme, we will regret it!"

"Hou Donglai is dissatisfied? If he dares to complain, I will remove him immediately!"

"Cough...cough..."

Because Zhang Juzheng spoke too harshly, he couldn't help coughing violently.

Zhang Siwei quickly patted him on the back.

Lu Diaoyang said slowly, "It's not that this regulation can't be implemented, but it must be implemented slowly and the punishment must be weakened. Otherwise, local officials will complain and chaos will inevitably arise!"

"Yes! Yes!" Zhang Siwei added.

Swish!
Zhang Juzheng stood up.

"Serious illnesses require strong medicine. Once you give in, it will be impossible to implement this strategy again!"

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng was about to walk forward.

"Uncle, you are not well yet. It is not appropriate for you to meet the emperor now. Think about it again. Let's discuss it in the long run!" Lu Diaoyang stopped Zhang Juzheng and said.

"Yes! Yes!" Zhang Siwei added.

"Humph!"

Zhang Juzheng snorted coldly and said, "Who said I was going to see the emperor? I'm going back to my study to write my resignation!"

When they heard the word "resignation", Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei's legs went weak.

present.

If Zhang Juzheng gave up, the Ming Dynasty would at least collapse halfway.

Swish!
Zhang Juzheng flicked his long sleeves, swung his beard to the left, and walked towards the study.

At the same time, without turning his head, he said, "Show me away!"

This time, Zhang Juzheng was not only angry, but also a little disappointed.

(End of this chapter)