Huangming

Chapter 39: The Power-Driven Cabinet, a Legal Debate

“Yu Chen, Ji Hui, aren’t you two a bit too hasty? Jing Wen and Mao Fu haven’t even discussed it yet, and you’ve already jumped the gun.”

Yu Chen and Ji Hui were the courtesy names of Han Kuang and Liu Yijing, while Jing Wen and Mao Fu were the courtesy names of Sun Ruyou and Li Ruhua.

The cabinet's rules of procedure stipulate that the chief minister presides over the meetings, and the order of speaking is based on seniority from lowest to highest, in order to avoid suppressing younger members.

Han Kuang spoke hastily, clearly breaking the rules.

"It doesn't matter."

Sun Ruyou waved his hand, his old face showing no displeasure.

He used to stand here and report on matters concerning the Ministry of Rites, but today he has a chair to sit on.

It is thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence that his grandson Ruyou is able to live like this today.

What are the Donglin Party, Zhejiang Party, Hubei Party, and Qi Party?

What does it matter?
I, Sun Ruyou, am a subject of Your Majesty!

Taking a deep breath, Sun Ruyou slowly began his first speech in the cabinet: "When Xiong Tingbi was in Liaodong, although he was impeached, the soldiers on the border praised him. The Jurchens were terrified at the mere mention of his name, which proves that he still had his merits. Yuan Yingtai is now replacing Zhou Yongtai as the governor of Liaodong. Although he is shrewd and capable, he is good at water management, not military strategy. When Xiong Tingbi was on the border, he enforced the law strictly and the troops were disciplined. It is inappropriate to replace him now."

Sun Ruyou took a breath and said, "Therefore, I personally believe that Your Majesty's actions are not inappropriate."

"What does Maofu think?" Fang Congzhe turned his gaze to Li Ruhua.

Li Ruhua remained calm and collected, showing no interest in factional strife whatsoever. His only concern was ensuring the continued operation of the Ming Dynasty.

He immediately said, "In my opinion, what Minister Sun said is absolutely right."

Finally, Fang Congzhe turned to Zhu Guozuo, the only one present who had not spoken.

At this moment, Han Kuang said meaningfully, "Zhu Xiushui is known for her integrity and prudence, and she is a person of principle. She is worthy of being called an elder. Do not tarnish her good name in the face of matters of principle."

Zhu Guozuo could not possibly fail to understand the implied meaning in Han Kuang's words.

He had a good relationship with Han Kuang and Liu Yizhu, but kept his distance from them, not wanting to join the so-called Donglin Party.

He acknowledged some of the Donglin Party's national policies and ideologies, but did not agree with factional strife.

"What does Zhaolong think?" Fang Congzhe asked.

Zhu Guozuo said, "Issuing an imperial edict so abruptly does indeed violate the system. However, His Majesty is not an incompetent ruler, but a capable and ambitious new emperor. If we overreact to his first imperial edict, might it dampen His Majesty's interest in handling state affairs? If our Great Ming Dynasty were to repeat the mistakes of Emperor Shenzong, who did not hold court for more than ten years, I fear..."

Zhu Guozuo's words were left unsaid, but his meaning was quite clear.

Everyone expressed their opinions, and Fang Congzhe said, "Now that there are six cabinet members, Yu Chen and Ji Hui believe that the imperial edict should be sent back to Cining Palace, while Zhao Long, Jing Wen, and Mao Fu believe that it should be sent to the Sixth Department. The ratio is three to two."

"What does the Grand Secretary mean? Does he want His Majesty to disregard the Grand Secretariat?" Han Kuang asked anxiously, trying to persuade Fang Congzhe.

As the Grand Secretary, Fang Congzhe had veto power; if he didn't approve, the imperial edict couldn't be issued.

"I am an old man named Fang, and I have been holding the position of Grand Secretary for too long. I dare not neglect the affairs of the state."

Fang Congzhe's meaningful remark caused Han Kuang's expression to change drastically.

Fang Congzhe's words were all the terms used by the Donglin Party members to impeach him.

"The rift between us is minor; how can we allow it to escalate into a major conflict? I hope Your Excellency will understand."

Now, it seems like moral blackmail has started again?

Fang Congzhe tried his best to suppress the corners of his mouth from turning up too much, but in the end he still failed.

"Cough cough."

Fang Congzhe coughed, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Most of the cabinet ministers agree with His Majesty's first imperial edict, and I dare not object. Today, I will issue the edict to the Six Ministries."

Han Kuang's face turned ashen, and he stormed off.

Liu Yiju stood up and let out a long sigh.

When the late emperor ascended the throne, he appointed many capable ministers, and thought that the court was full of people.

But now that the late emperor has passed away and the new emperor has been on the throne for less than ten days, demons and monsters are running rampant in the court.

The cabinet has become a mere figurehead!

I originally thought that there was no need to rush to reverse the direction, but now it seems that it is inevitable!

If we don't replace the cabinet with a capable minister who is loyal and devoted to the country, our Great Ming Dynasty is doomed!

but
Do you think that once the imperial edict passes through the cabinet, it will be successful?
We need to ask the Six Ministries' censors if they agree!
Liu Yiju followed Han Kuang away.

After the two cabinet ministers from the Donglin Party left, Sun Ruyou and Li Ruhua also returned to their respective rooms.

Zhu Guozuo stood up, but was stopped by Fang Congzhe. "Zhaolong, wait a moment."

Zhu Guozuo turned to look at Fang Congzhe and found that the usually gloomy Grand Secretary was in an unusually good mood today.

"How can you teach me, Your Excellency?"

"I dare not presume to teach."

Fang Congzhe said, "Your Majesty is a wise and capable ruler who is good at getting things done, but unfortunately, I am no longer able to assist you."

As he spoke, Fang Congzhe sighed.

He acknowledged many of the impeachments leveled against him by the Donglin Party members.

He lacked Zhang Juzheng's iron-fisted reform resolve and compromised and appeased fundamental issues such as finance, military affairs, and officialdom.

He was further disgraced in the Red Pill Case, and his position as Grand Secretary will not last long.

However, he did not accept some of the impeachments made by the Donglin Party members.

Fang Congzhe was a capable official, and although he had the ambition to mend the heavens, how could he turn the tide when faced with an emperor like Emperor Shenzong?
He had already done his best to maintain the operation of the state apparatus and delay its collapse amidst the indolence of imperial power and the fierce factional strife.

"Your Excellency is mistaken. I believe His Majesty has no intention of dismissing him as Chancellor." Zhu Guozuo raised an eyebrow, as if he had a premonition of something.

"I am well aware of my situation, Zhaolong, there is no need to say more. I only hope that you will assist His Majesty well in the cabinet and correct his mistakes."

After speaking, Fang Congzhe looked as if he had aged ten years and slowly walked out of the council hall.

Zhu Guozuo looked at Fang Congzhe's retreating figure and seemed to understand something.

Cabinet Director
They arrived so quickly?

but.

This seat is not easy to sit in!

East room of Wenyuan Pavilion.

Sun Ruyou informed Wei Chao of every detail of what had happened in the council hall.

Wei Chao was utterly shocked upon hearing this.

It took him a moment to realize what was happening.

This was completely different from what he had expected. He had thought the cabinet would allow him to return the imperial edict unchanged, but to his surprise, the cabinet actually approved His Majesty's edict.

When did these civil officials become so easy to talk to?
But this idea quickly turned into seeking credit.

"I will now inform His Majesty of the good news!"

After saying that, he hurriedly ran back to Cining Palace.

Ciqing Palace.

In the Duanben Hall.

Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Zhiji practiced the Five Animal Frolics to improve their health.

Yesterday, Zhu Youxiao practiced several sets of the Five Animal Frolics, and he slept much better. The feeling of his body gradually becoming stronger was particularly intoxicating.

On one side, Zhang Zhiji, dressed in the imperial guards' uniform, and Luo Yangxing stood by.

Zhang Zhiji did not linger in the pleasure quarters yesterday, and his spirits were much better, while Luo Yangxing stood like a wooden statue, like a guard.

"Your Majesty, good news! Good news!"

Wei Chao entered the hall, panting as he spoke.

Even in late autumn, when the autumn wind is refreshing, his plump flesh is still covered in sweat.

"Has the imperial edict been passed?" Zhu Youxiao asked, glancing sideways.

Wei Chao immediately nodded and said, "Your Majesty's foresight is unparalleled; the Cabinet has approved His Majesty's decree."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, showing little surprise.

Before Shi Jixie, He Zongyan, and Ye Xianggao arrived in the capital, the Donglin Party members could not rule the cabinet with absolute authority.

Especially after Zhu Youxiao promoted Sun Ruyou and Li Ruhua to the cabinet.

This is the source of Zhu Youxiao's confidence in issuing the imperial edict.

But the real battlefield is not in the cabinet, but in the six ministries.

Zhu Youxiao's plan to seize full power has only just begun!
(End of this chapter)