The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

As mentioned earlier, there are actually not many views within the walls of the capital, and most of the views are within the imperial city, especially Xiyuan.

Because when the capital was built at that time, it was entirely from the political and practical perspectives, and not much free space was reserved for landscaping.

On this day, the young Emperor Wanli and his favorite concubine, Zheng Shi, caught the tail of late spring and went boating on the Taiye Pond in Xiyuan.

Concubine Zheng is nineteen years old and has a bright appearance, but her popularity is not just based on her appearance.

The system in the palace is strict, and most women are very reserved, especially in front of the emperor, and they dare not take one more step or say one more word.

However, Zheng had a very lively temperament, and she dared to talk, laugh, and play with the emperor, so she had a unique sense of humor and was deeply loved by the young Emperor Wanli.

"My dear emperor! What can you do if you give me the number one scholar?" On the royal boat, Concubine Zheng stood behind and said, wrapping her arms around Emperor Wanli's shoulders.

Emperor Wanli pretended to be serious and said: "How can exams be so easy?

Over the years, the martial arts department has always assumed that the final result is the first place in the martial arts test, and the people regard the first place in the martial arts test as the number one scholar.

The new palace examination this year is just a formality in the eyes of others, giving the first official title to the martial arts examination.

Your brother is only second in the martial arts test. If you want to surpass the first and become the number one scholar, no one else will be convinced. "

Concubine Zheng said: "Who will be the number one scholar? Isn't that just a matter of your words, Your Majesty?

If there is no capable mother's family, who can speak for my son in the future? "

Last month, Concubine Zheng accompanied the emperor to worship at the Fengxian Hall. The emperor promised in front of the ancestral tablets that her son, the third son of the emperor, would be crowned prince.

But for the matter of abolishing the elders and establishing the younger ones, no one from the foreign ministers would support it, so it was necessary to support the Zheng family.

Emperor Wanli said again: "Don't think that I don't know everything. Is it true that your brother has the ability to get the second place in the martial arts examination? Isn't he using some means?"

Concubine Zheng was not unreasonable and said directly: "Even if a clan member is used to take the exam, the benefits will not go to outsiders, and the benefits will be in the hands of one's own family."

Emperor Wanli snorted coldly: "It's okay if I can't see it. It's just an ordinary fraud. It doesn't matter if someone discovers it.

But when it came to the palace examination, your brother still cheated in front of me. If he was exposed again, it would be an irrefutable crime of deceiving the emperor!

Haven't you ever thought about the consequences of the crime of deceiving the emperor? Even I myself cannot openly condone the crime of deceiving the emperor. "

"If it doesn't work, forget it! My family deserves to be denied fame." Concubine Zheng said angrily.

Seeing that his beloved concubine was acting petty, Emperor Wanli said with a smile: "I'm not saying there's nothing we can do, so why are you so anxious.

There are two types of palace examination regulations submitted by the Ministry of War. The first one is for me to personally read the ink scrolls of the top twenty people's strategies; the second one is for the martial arts examination with one or two people competing in front of the emperor.

In fact, just use the first type of regulations. I read the ink scroll on military examination strategies and selected your brother as the number one scholar.

Then your brother claimed that he was ill and could not come out, so he asked your father to appear in court instead.

As long as your brother doesn't appear directly in front of me, I won't consider him guilty of deceiving the emperor.

After winning the first prize, your brother hid at home and waited a year before appearing in front of others. "

Concubine Zheng immediately turned her anger into joy, "Your Majesty is very talented, and he indeed has a good idea! In this case, it is better to pass the examination."

Grading can also allow the father to attend the ceremony in place of the elder brother. If it is replaced by a royal competition, the father cannot be allowed to take the place of the elder brother and take action, right?

The next day was supposed to be the Jingfeng Day, which was the time when the emperor gave a lecture.

But because Emperor Wanli was diligent and inquisitive, he successfully turned what should have been a classroom time into a small court meeting.

This saves you from having to find time for additional meetings and gives you a lot more free time.

One of the topics discussed today is the issue of the martial arts examination. Although the imperial court does not attach great importance to martial arts, the martial arts examination is nominally the highest level martial arts examination in the world, and it is worthy of discussion during the temple meeting.

Ministers of the third rank and above in the cabinet, bachelors of the Hanlin Academy, chief ministers, dukes, and military attachés above the governor and magistrate will all be present.

Chief Assistant Shen Shixing came out of the cabinet and strolled across the road to the Wenhua Hall on the opposite side.

At this time, most of the ministers had arrived, but the emperor did not have his palace yet.

Shen Shixing found Wang Zhiyuan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, in the crowd waiting for the court, and took the initiative to talk: "What's the problem between your Wang family and Lin Tailai?"

Wang Zhiyuan asked in surprise: "Why did Prime Minister Shen say this?"

Shen Shixing replied: "In the past two days, I saw that Lin Tailai did not leave the house. He drank and had fun with the famous actors in the capital all day long, indulged in seeking pleasure, drunken life and dreams, and completely ignored worldly affairs."

Wang Zhiyuan explained: "Our Wang family has done nothing, and there is absolutely no problem with Lin Tailai."

Shen Shixing nodded: "I believe you, but Lin Tailai has become like this. In the eyes of others, it's hard to say."

Wang Zhiyuan thought about it carefully, it was really hard to explain this matter clearly.

After all, the younger sister Wang Shiwu went to Lin Tailai's flower wine scene to cause trouble before, and his nephew Wang Yushi arrested Lin Tailai for interrogation.

Wang Situ quickly asked again: "He looks like this. He doesn't even care about the palace examination? He doesn't want to be the top scholar in the martial arts?"

Shen Shixing replied: "Maybe I really don't want to be the top scholar in martial arts. I just received the good news two days ago that he has entered school in Wu County and has won the title of scholar, so he may want to go back to study."

Wang Zhiyuan: "."

Damn it! If Lin Tailai was only one step away from becoming the top scholar in martial arts, but gave up the imperial examination, what would others think? Do you think it was the Wang family that made Lin Tailai frustrated?

can not be like this! The Wang family is a family with a legacy of benevolence and righteousness. We cannot let the world think that the Wang family is ungrateful!

"Can Prime Minister Shen give me some advice? What exactly is Lin Tailai thinking?" Wang Situ asked again.

Shen Shixing shook his head and sighed: "To be honest, I don't know what Lin Tailai was thinking. He didn't say anything to me."

"He didn't tell you about Prime Minister Shen?" Wang Situ said in disbelief: "Going alone?"

But Shen Shixing said as usual: "Just like the last time I helped you seek the Minister of Household Affairs, you also didn't disclose the method to me in advance.

But I conclude based on experience that if Lin Tailai wants to do something, there will definitely be a spokesperson standing here. "

So Shen Shoufu and Wang Situ looked back and forth in the crowd. If there really was such a spokesperson, who could this person be?

But after looking around, Shen Shoufu and Wang Situ were still confused. After all, Lin Tailai knew too few people in the court.

Besides the two of them, there was Zhang Jiayin, the Minister of War, but Zhang Da Sima obviously couldn't be Lin Tailai's spokesperson.

Could it be that Lin Tailai really gave up martial arts to pursue literature and planned to return to his hometown to study?

At this time, Wang Xiangmeng, the supervisory censor of Jiangxi Province of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the acting censor of Xicheng City, appeared dangling outside the Wenhua Hall.

"Well, uncle." Wang Xiangmeng saluted Wang Situ.

Wang Situ shouted softly: "You have to claim your position here!"

Wang Yushi curled his lips and looked left and right as if looking for someone.

Wang Situ asked strangely: "Why do you appear here?"

Wang Censor replied: "Today I am going to report the outcome of Lin Tailai's case, but the Censor in charge is ill, so he entrusted me to take his place.

So I had no choice but to bite the bullet and come to Wenhua Temple.

Speaking of which, this is my first time going to the palace to participate in a court meeting. How can I pretend to be familiar with it? "

"Your cynical and dissolute tone is just like Lin Tailai!" Wang Situ reprimanded unbearably.

Wang Xiangmeng was shocked. Is it really so obvious? Wouldn’t uncle realize that it was Lin Tailai who taught me?

When Wang Situ wanted to ask more questions, Wang Xiangmeng strode away and came to Shen Li, the Minister of Rites.

This Minister Shen is no ordinary person. He is the core of today's Qingliu. Historically, he is also the future leader of the Donglin Party, and he has also served in the cabinet in the future.

Wang Yushi said directly: "Uncle Zong! Are we going to discuss the martial arts examination today?

If the court is not thoughtful, it will be up to the great uncle to correct it! "

Shen Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites asked in confusion: "Who are you?"

There were so many officials inside and outside the imperial court, and it was impossible for Shen Li to know them all. He really had no impression of Wang Xiangmeng, who was so transparent.

Censor Wang then introduced himself: "I am the nephew of Chief Situ of the Ministry of Household Affairs, supervising Censor Wang Xiangmeng."

Upon hearing the origin of this identity, Shen Shangshu understood instantly. In a nutshell, this censor must be the one sitting next to Lin Tailai!

In politics, it is always the butt that decides the position. If you know where the opponent's butt sits, you will know more about it.

As for why Wang Yushi was talking to him, Shen Shangshu guessed a little bit and sneered: "What? You want me to pull chestnuts from the fire for Lin Tailai?"

Wang Yushi quickly denied it and said, "No, don't get me wrong, Uncle Zong! In my opinion, it is not important whether Lin Tailai can win the top prize in martial arts. What is important is that Zheng Guotai cannot win the top prize in martial arts!"

Shen Shangshu only felt that the other party was trying to cover up and block Zheng Guotai, wouldn't it be equivalent to paving the way for Lin Tailai?

"It's ridiculous! Are you saying you're not trying to get something out of the fire for Lin Tailai?"

Wang Xiangmeng used his poorest acting skills and said the most heartbreaking words: "I am really saying this for the sake of Uncle Zong!

The imperial ritual and music systems are all the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites, and the palace examination system is no exception. The Grand Master cannot shirk his responsibility. "

Shen Li said calmly: "The Military Academy examination is mainly conducted by the Ministry of War, and our Ministry of Rites is only the counselor."

However, Wang Yushi seemed to start rambling: "In previous years, the number one in the civilian martial arts test was awarded to the fifth rank, but this year the number one will only be higher and not lower.

Didn't Uncle Zong never think about what would happen if Zheng Guotai got the top prize in martial arts? "

What Wang Yushi said is correct. According to the system, Wu Zhuangyuan must be awarded an official, and his salary is much higher than that of other Wu Jinshi.

Shen Li responded nonchalantly: "What can you do if you are trying to make things mysterious and give him a military position?"

It's not that Shen Shangshu is arrogant, but under the current system of the Ming Dynasty, a military position cannot make much waves.

However, as usual, the first place in the martial arts test is very different from the others.

If you are a civilian candidate, the first place in the martial arts test can directly have the opportunity to stand alone. Other martial arts scholars can only start from the military position of one hundred households, as a staff member, and as a camp instructor.

Wang Yushi suddenly took out a piece of paper, looked at it for a few times, and replied: "Then it also depends on the position. What if Zheng Guotai, who won the top prize, is placed on the imperial ban?"

The capital's official and military system is very complex, but it is generally divided into three parts.

The first part is the Beijing Camp. There are three battalions, one is the 12th Regiment Battalion, and the other is the three battalions. The main task is to defend the capital.

The second part is the emperor's personal army, which is the twenty-two guards directly under the emperor's command, including the special imperial guards.

The third part is the imperial guards, commanded by the eunuchs and eunuchs. They are responsible for guarding the various gates of the palace. They are the most elite.

Wang Yushi continued: "For example, if Zheng Guotai wins the first prize and has to be given a real job, and the emperor lets Zheng Guotai be in charge of Donghua Gate, does the eldest uncle dare to imagine the consequences?"

Hearing this idea, Shen Li suddenly trembled!

Donghua Gate is the east gate of the Imperial Palace. Inside Donghua Gate is the Wenhua Palace, and to the north is the Prince's East Palace. They are all very close.

In the future, if the emperor's eldest son is appointed as the prince, and a person like Zheng Guotai, who is not kind to the emperor's eldest son, is in charge of Donghua Gate, the consequences will definitely be disastrous.

It's not that Shen Li is overthinking, it's mainly that there is a precedent for what happened at the Donghua Gate of the Ming Dynasty Palace.

More than a hundred years ago, the restoration of Yingzong led to the victory of Donghua Gate! This is a lesson learned from the past.

In fact, time-travelers can add another case. One of the three major court mysteries of the late Ming Dynasty was the Stinging Case. Someone entered the palace from the Donghua Gate with a wooden stick, and then rushed to the Prince's East Palace to beat people.

All I can say is that fortunately this person was not Lin Tailai, otherwise the prince might have been beaten to death.

Wang Yushi asked back: "Does the great uncle still think that the martial arts examination has little to do with the Ministry of Rites? Does the national issue have much to do with the Ministry of Rites?"

Shen Shangshu frowned and said nothing. Even if Zheng Guotai was not allowed to be in charge of Donghua Gate, it might be troublesome for such an uncle of the third prince to be in charge of any part of the palace.

As for saying that the emperor would do this? Shen Shangshu is sure that as long as there is a chance and a reason, the emperor will definitely do this!

Even if the emperor didn't think of it for a moment, someone would definitely remind him!

After all, the emperor's third son's intention to become the prince is already known to everyone in the court! If there is an opportunity to support the Zheng family, the emperor has no reason not to do it.

Wang Yushi struck the iron while the iron was hot and said with added jealousy: "Uncle Zong! You must know that history is as iron as iron, and you don't want it to be recorded in the history books of future generations. Because you did nothing in the position of Minister of Rites, your relative Zheng Guotai became powerful and affected the country, right?"

In addition to his official position, Shen Li, the Minister of Rites, also has an important political identity as the leader of Qingliu. This is a political force based on orthodox ethics and advocating morality.

If Zheng Guotai wins the first prize, it will cause endless troubles and affect the country's opinions. If no one says it, then that's it. Shen Shangshu can still pretend to be confused.

But today someone has clearly told what will happen to Zheng Guotai's first prize. If Shen Shangshu still deliberately ignores it, then it will be a huge moral stain for a clear figure who is the Minister of Rites.

You are a minister of the Ministry of Etiquette and you are a clean figure. You don't even take part in major ethical matters involving the country. So what use does Shilin need from you?

Looking at the Minister of Rites who fell silent for a long time and stopped speaking, Wang Yushi suddenly felt that politics was really fun.

And Wang Xiangmeng finally understood why Lin Tailai had been unwilling to reveal that Zheng Guotai had taken the exam.

Keeping Zheng Guotai, a foreign relative with excellent grades, can kidnap Qingliu, who was originally on the opposite side of Lin Tailai.

As expected, Lin Tailai had eighteen ways to get the top prize in martial arts. He said that if he didn't use the Wang family, he wouldn't use the Wang family. Now Wang Yushi really believed it.