The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

Chapter 663: A Show of Strength

The Spring Festival in the capital seems to be similar every year. For the common people, it is visiting relatives and friends, temple fairs, and lanterns; for officials, it is sweeping the streets and sending cards to people's homes. What is flying in front of them are all New Year greetings.

Although the form has not changed much, it is the people who have been changing. It can be said that "the flowers are the same year after year, but the people are different year after year".

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, all government offices began to resume work in full, and various government affairs began to operate again.

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Wang Jiaping, three former cabinet ministers, submitted memorials at the same time, and each recommended the candidates for the new cabinet ministers.

Then the three former cabinet ministers set off to return home, expressing their attitude of not being greedy for power.

The suspense that had kept the court officials guessing for a month was revealed, and the members of the new cabinet team were settled.

Shen Shixing recommended Zhang Wei, the Minister of Rites and the President of the Hanlin Academy, a person with a strong personality and shrewd and daring.

Although many people guessed that Shen Shixing would recommend Zhang Wei, they still don't understand the reason and can't understand why Shen Shixing recommended Zhang Wei.

The candidate recommended by Wang Xijue was Zhu Geng, the former Minister of Rites and Hanlin Academician. He was in mourning in the 16th year of Wanli and has now ended his mourning.

This recommendation was beyond everyone's expectations. No one could see any relationship between Zhu Geng, who was still living in his hometown of Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, and Wang Xijue.

If we really talk about relationships, Zhu Geng and the chief minister Zhao Zhigao may be closer. The two were born in the same year and lived in the same province next door. They entered the Hanlin Academy together and had similar personalities and tempers.

As for the candidate recommended by Wang Jiaping, it was also surprising that it was Li Chun, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites.

This person did not have many distinctive features. His stance was originally centrist. Most of the time, he followed the crowd or followed the chief minister.

But last autumn, Li Chun offended Lin Tailai because he missed the literary conference.

At this time, Li Chun was suddenly recommended by Wang Jiaping. Everyone could guess that he had joined the Qingliu forces, but they didn't know how he was persuaded.

From this, we can also see that the Qingliu party is weak in the circle of poets. Except for Shen Li, Liu Yukui, and Zhao Yongxian, who are not very suitable, there are almost no people available.

After all, the Qingliu party is a force that has risen in the past ten years, and now the people who are qualified to be recommended to the cabinet must have been in the court for at least twenty years and have already had their own mountaintops and ideas.

Moreover, the anti-authority and unyielding temperament of the Qingliu party are completely incompatible with the poet system that relies on the high-level path.

As for the previous hot candidate Zhao Yongxian, he fully implemented the law of the hot must die, and was bitten to death by Zhou Yingqiu, the first running dog of the Lin family.

Two days later, Emperor Wanli approved these three recommendations, so the new cabinet team was composed of the chief minister Zhao Zhigao, Zhang Wei, Zhu Geng, and Li Chun in no particular order.

Looking at this list, the court officials suddenly discovered that all these cabinet ministers were Jinshi in the second year of Longqing, and they remembered that Yu Shenxing of the Ministry of Revenue and Chen Yubi of the Ministry of Works were also Shangshu who passed the imperial examination in the second year of Longqing.

Unconsciously, the stage of the great era seemed to have changed again, and the people who passed the imperial examination in the Jiajing Dynasty had begun to withdraw from the stage.

These new cabinet ministers were all the same year as the chief minister Zhao Zhigao. From seniority and qualifications to prestige and ability, Zhao had no obvious advantages.

I am afraid that it will be difficult for Zhao to maintain the same strength as the previous chief ministers in the cabinet in the future.

Then another new problem arose, who among the three newcomers will be the second assistant?

Otherwise, the open and secret struggles in the court are like the waves of the sea, one wave after another, and it seems that it will never stop.

Under normal circumstances, who will be the second assistant is not a problem. The cabinet ministers are ranked according to the order of entering the cabinet. Whoever enters the cabinet the second earliest will be the second assistant.

But this time the situation is special. The cabinet changed three people at the same time. Three new people entered the cabinet at the same time. Who will come first and who will come later?

In fact, in terms of functions and power, in the current system, the first assistant is the only one among the cabinet ministers. The other cabinet ministers are similar. There is no essential difference between the power of the second assistant and the third and fourth assistants.

So if we only look at it from the perspective of power, it is not cost-effective to spend a huge price to fight for the second assistant.

However, the second assistant has a big advantage, which is that he is the first candidate for the position of the first assistant. If the first assistant dies, is dismissed or retires, the second assistant can naturally succeed the first assistant.

Especially the current first assistant Zhao is already 68 years old, no, he is 69 years old after the Chinese New Year.

So everyone feels that the gold content of this second assistant is very high! The probability of Zhao Laotou easily succeeding the first assistant is very high, so it is still worth fighting for.

Even if the cabinet elders themselves do not have the intention to fight for the second assistant, their relatives and friends behind them will push him to fight for it.

Of course, it is not particularly urgent. After all, although the Prime Minister is old, he is currently healthy and does not look like he will die in a few months.

If you act too hastily, you may get backlash from the Prime Minister.

Zhang Wei, Zhu Geng, and Li Chun, three "newcomers" who are ranked in no particular order, face this huge test as soon as they enter the cabinet.

But the Prime Minister Zhao Zhigao believes that he should be the one facing the huge test!

Who in the history of the Ming Dynasty has just become the Prime Minister and faced a group of people "hoping" for his death?

Lin Jiuyuan has encouraged himself to work for the health of the Ming Dynasty for another ten years, and you are nothing!

It is the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar again. Zhang Wei recommended by Shen Shixing and Li Chun recommended by Wang Jiaping entered the Wenyuan Pavilion to work. As for Zhu Geng, he is still on his way from Zhejiang.

They all first "entered the Wenyuan Pavilion and participated in machine maintenance", and they had not yet added the official title of Grand Master.

Because there are high and low rankings among the military ranks of Diange University. For example, Zhao Shoufu was unexpectedly promoted to the rank of Wenhuadian Grandmaster at the end of last year, and then the Wuyingdian Grandmaster was the rank of the second assistant.

Now that the order of the newcomers has not been determined, it is naturally difficult to award them with the rank of sergeant in Diange University.

But Zhang Wei and Li Chun entered the middle hall of Wenyuan Pavilion and found that the chief assistant Zhao Zhigao had not arrived yet.

Logically speaking, today should be hosted by the Chief Assistant, and a meeting between new and old ministers should be held in the middle hall.

Communicate with each other and get familiar with each other, and then the new cabinet ministers will officially enter their roles and start handling official business.

But Zhang Wei and Li Chun waited all morning and did not see Zhao Zhigao.

The two newcomers could not throw away and leave, nor could they start taking over official duties. They could only sit and wait uneasily in the nave. In the eyes of the people in Zhongshushe, it looks like a new daughter-in-law is being "kept at a distance" by her mother-in-law.

It wasn't until three o'clock in the morning that Zhao Shoufu arrived belatedly.

However, the chief assistant's attitude was very amiable, and he took the initiative to apologize to the two newcomers, and then sat down to talk.

Holding the teacup, Chief Zhaofu said calmly: "Both of you are already experienced veterans of the imperial court, so there was no need for me to mention anything else.

But there are some things that I think still need to be reminded. "

Then Zhao Zhigao looked at Zhang Wei and said, "Let me talk about you first. Within a few months, the Shenwu Clan recommended you twice, first to the President of the Hanlin Academy and then to the Cabinet.

But do you know that Lin Jiuyuan had other ideas at first and firmly opposed your taking charge of the Hanlin Academy in front of Shen Wumen. "

Zhang Wei's face was expressionless, and although he was slightly disturbed in his heart, he was not panicking. There is no shortage of opponents to any personnel issue, so there is no need to make a fuss about it.

Seeing Zhang Wei's lack of reaction, Zhao Zhigao continued: "Actually, there is a little episode about how you returned to the court. I wonder if you have heard of it.

Before Shen Wumen recommended you to return to the imperial court to take charge of the Hanlin Academy, I never told anyone.

But Lin Jiuyuan made a bet with Shen Wumen at that time. If Lin Jiuyuan could guess the candidate in Shen Wumen's heart, then Shen Wumen would stop recommending people.

In the end, Lin Jiuyuan actually guessed you, but later Shen Wumen went back on his bet and recommended you even though he was against Lin Jiuyuan. "

Zhang position: "."

A few months ago, I was just a low-key person living in my hometown. Even I didn't expect that Shen Shixing would recommend me.

Moreover, he had never had contact with Lin Tailai before, nor had he been an official in the same court before, so there was no connection between them.

So how could Lin Tailai guess something that he didn't even expect about himself, a stranger?

Thinking of this, Zhang Wei suddenly shuddered. Could it be that Lin Tailai had been secretly watching him in the past few years? Like a poisonous snake lying in the grass?

After all, he was considered a competitor before Zhao Zhigao, whom Lin Tailai strongly supported, entered the cabinet.

Finally, Zhao Zhigao reminded him very kindly and sincerely: "At that time, Shen Wumen broke his word, which made Lin Jiuyuan very angry. No one can say whether he will express his anger.

As for Lin Jiuyuan's character, you must have heard a lot about it.

As a fellow on the list, I have to remind you not to take it lightly! "

Zhang position: "."

My dear eldest brother of the same year, is this a friendly reminder or a well-intentioned threat?

After reminding Zhang Wei, Zhao Zhigao looked at Li Chun again, sighed deeply and said:

"Your problem is more serious. At the Capital Literary Forum last autumn, you first agreed to attend, but then you were absent.

This made Lin Jiuyuan, who was at a low point at the time, very angry. You are probably still on Lin Jiuyuan's blacklist.

As a fellow on the list, I have to remind you not to take it lightly! "

Li Chun: "."

Isn’t today a meeting between new and old cabinet ministers? What do you mean, Zhao Shoufu keeps talking about Lin Tailai?

Are you feeling guilty? Are you feeling guilty? If you have the ability, don't use Lin Jiuyuan to show off your power!

Looking at Zhang Wei and Li Chunshan who dared to be angry but dare not speak out, Zhao Shoufu secretly gave himself a thumbs up.

The sage said that among three people, there must be a teacher like me. The tricks I learned from Zhou Yingqiu are indeed useful.

Zhou Yingqiu, a common man, could kill Zhao Yongxian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, so could it be that Zhou Yingqiu himself was powerful?

These newcomers to the cabinet are all of the same age as him, and their resumes are richer than his own, who was wandering around in his early years. As long as he uses Lin Jiuyuan's name, can he suppress them firmly?

It seems that being the first assistant is much simpler than previously thought!

Thinking of this, Zhao Shoufu struck again while the iron was hot and said: "There are two relatively urgent matters at the beginning of the new year, and we can discuss them now.

The first thing is that there have been multiple large-scale riots and anti-tax incidents in Songjiang Prefecture. If they are not dealt with in time, it will affect the grain shipment this spring!

My opinion is that the culprit, Governor Yingtian Zhao Shenlu, should be removed, and another official should be selected nearby to calm the situation! "

Zhang Wei wanted to show his shrewdness and asked: "I heard that Yingtian Governor Zhao Shenlu only raised taxes in Suzhou. Why did the people of Songjiang Prefecture riot?"

Zhao Zhigao gave a little face and replied: "Suzhou and Songjiang have always had a bitter relationship. It is probably because Governor Zhao gathered in Suzhou that he made the people of Songjiang Prefecture fearful."

Li Chun thought of his position and camp and had to question: "Isn't this explanation too far-fetched? Removing the governor for this would be too childish."

Zhao Zhigao snorted coldly: "What other explanation do you want? Why did Zhao Canlu, as the governor of the ten prefectures in Jiangnan, only increase taxes on Suzhou after taking office?

However, according to your suggestion, Zhao Shenlu can continue to stay in office. But according to Lin Tailai, if the tax protest in Songjiang Mansion cannot be subsided within this month, whoever protects Zhao Shenlu in the court will be responsible! "

Li Chun: "."

It's just the first day of work at Wenyuan Pavilion. What responsibility can he bear?

Zhang Wei still wanted to struggle, and suggested: "You can order Zhao Shenlu to perform meritorious service and go to Songjiang Mansion in person to calm the situation."

Zhao Shoufu said, "What a coincidence. Lin Tailai also suggested the same thing. I didn't agree with it at first, but I didn't expect that you and Lin Tailai would coincide with each other."

Zhang position: "."

It’s really endless. Can you please stop mentioning this name? The chief minister of the cabinet is you, Zhao Zhigao, not Lin Tailai!

Zhao Shoufu said very generously: "Since you and Lin Jiuyuan think so, then I will accept it with all humility! Let Zhao Canlu stay in office for one month and go to Songjiang Mansion to calm down the storm in person!"

Li Chun couldn't tell for a while. Is it better to stay in office temporarily or to be dismissed directly?

Li Chun, who was not experienced enough, did not notice that Zhao Shoufu did not give Zhao Canlu any supporting support at all, such as the deployment of battalions and other measures.

Zhao Shoufu then talked about the second more important matter, "Recently, various provincial officials have had problems one after another, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate issued proposals two years ago.

Zhan Yangpi, who is currently presiding over the affairs of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, proposed a review and overhaul of the inspection and appointment of magistrates in various provinces in the past three years. "

Zhang Wei, who has a relatively strong personality, couldn't help but sarcastically said: "Does this matter have anything to do with Lin Jiuyuan?"

Zhao Zhigao replied seriously: "It does have something to do with it. After being inspired by Lin Jiuyuan, many officials in Henan, Huguang and other places woke up and took the initiative to expose the problem of the provincial officials to the court."

Li Chun still had to object: "How can there be any reason to check back several years and arbitrarily modify the conclusion without clear necessity?"

Zhao Zhigao patiently explained a few more words: "In order to encourage them to actively fight against the derelict Feng Xianguan, Lin Jiuyuan also put in a lot of effort.

If the imperial court was indifferent to this situation, it would be a waste of Lin Jiuyuan's hard work and a serious blow to the morale of provincial officials. "

Li Chun insisted: "If you want to conduct investigations wantonly, I'm afraid that officials will be panicked and unable to do their jobs with peace of mind!"

Zhao Zhigao said coldly: "Lin Jiuyuan's fellow villagers have a famous saying, if one family cries, how can one cry together!"

Li Chun: "."

Speaking of ancients, they are ancients, and those who ride horses emphasize that Lin Jiuyuan is an ancient fellow!

Without the words "Lin Jiuyuan", wouldn't your chief assistant be able to speak?

I want to resign on my first day at Wenyuange, what should I do?

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