The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao have been allies for many years. Zhang Juzheng controls the outer court and Feng Bao controls the inner court. They have always been a golden partner in Ming Dynasty politics.

Once Zhang Juzheng becomes Dingyou, the original power structure will inevitably change suddenly, which is obviously not in Feng Bao's interests.

This is why Feng Bao hoped that the emperor would "seize love" more than Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng also knew the seriousness of the matter. You must know that at this time, the new policy of "Examination for Entrance Examination" led by him has been implemented in its fifth year. It is a critical stage for the initial results of the Examination for Entrance Examination and the continuous deepening of various fields.

Zhang Juzheng knew very well that if he returned to his hometown Dingyou, he would lose his position as chief assistant. It would be difficult to return to the peak of power.

Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, Yan Song, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, none of the prime ministers who had resigned before could return to the position two years after leaving office.

To ensure that one's political ideals continue to be implemented, there is no other way but to seize the opportunity.

Zhang Juzheng actually didn't want to return to his ancestral home in Dingyou, but he couldn't say it.

Since ancient times, loyal ministers have been filial sons. He is a loyal minister and a filial son, and he is also a moral model of the Ming Dynasty. He can only keep filial piety.

Now it is naturally the best choice for Feng Bao to handle these matters.

"I have asked Li Youzi to submit an invitation. Tomorrow Censor Zeng Shichu and Li Ke will also submit an invitation to Chen Sanmo."

Feng Bao told Zhang Juzheng his arrangement, firstly to let him see if there were any omissions, and secondly to let him prepare in advance.

At this time, the reaction of the DPRK and China is unpredictable.

"Li Youzi?"

At this point, Zhang Juzheng also gave up his original hesitation.

He must win his love, stay in the court, and continue his ongoing work.

He has offended many officials with his previous actions. He would not be reconciled if the great reform project was abandoned halfway.

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and then asked: "Brother Shuanglin, have you ever asked the Minister of Rites?"

"Ma Ziqiang? I asked him about it, but he didn't agree and thought it was against etiquette.

But I have already told him that this is what the Queen Mother and the Emperor mean. I think he should understand what I mean. "

Feng Baole said cheerfully.

"As long as the Ministry of Rites remains silent on this matter, there will be no big problem."

Zhang Juzheng thought of the cabinet and the six ministers. Apart from his people, they were also Wei Guangde's people.

Wei Guangde actually hopes that he will make the Ming Dynasty make changes, so he should not unite with others to oppose the seizure of love.

Regardless of Wei Guangde's performance in the past two days, the government and the public have seen that without Zhang Juzheng, the cabinet can still operate smoothly.

But after more than ten years of friendship with Wei Guangde, he thought he already knew enough about him.

Wei Guangde, like him, comes from the middle and lower classes of society. He has enough knowledge about the city, countryside and countryside of Ming Dynasty and knows the sufferings of the people.

Although the introduction of the law has hurt a few people, the reforms he is implementing are still good for most people and will reduce their burdens.

Zhang Juzheng made a clear distinction between the minority and the majority, which was more important.

If Wei Guangde really couldn't wait to replace him, after the launch of Kaochengfa and Qingzhangtiandi, as long as he raised his arms, countless people would gather around him.

But Wei Guangde did not do this. He still only focused on the affairs of the Ministry of War and Ministry of Industry assigned to him by the cabinet.

Although Wei Guangde has now begun to intervene in the personnel and affairs of other yamen, that is what every cabinet minister will do. He just did not have the guidance of a teacher, so he did not know these things at the beginning.

Yes, the simplest way for cabinet ministers to influence the court is to place their own people in various yamen, and through them they can quietly implement their ideas.

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng gently stroked his beautiful beard under his chin and smoothed out the messy beard.

Zhang Juzheng's beard was considered to be the best in the imperial court, and no one had a beard as long as his.

"That way, I feel relieved."

The smile on Feng Bao's face did not change and he continued: "Uncle, you should do something unknown.

This afternoon, Li Youzi's memorial should be sent to the palace. "

"Um."

Zhang Juzheng just nodded slightly without any smile on his face.

After all, his father died and Zhang Juzheng was still in the period of filial piety.

In the Forbidden City, the cabinet, Wei Guangde is in charge of the house.

At this time, Lu Bu was whispering in his ear the news coming from outside.

"Eunuch Feng first went to the Ministry of Rites, then to the Ministry of Husbandry, and then summoned the censor."

After Lu Bu whispered the news from Zhang Ji, he stepped aside.

Wei Guangde was still looking at the memorial in his hand intently, and it didn't seem to have any impact on him at all.

"Is he still in the Zhang family now?"

Wei Guangde just asked casually.

Although he seemed to be reading the memorial, he actually did not read a single word of the content in the memorial.

Although he very much hoped that Zhang Juzheng would seize his love and continue his reform cause, Wei Guangde instinctively hoped that Zhang Juzheng would leave and take over himself.

Even though he knew that serving as the chief minister of the cabinet was definitely not an easy task for him at this time.

In fact, even if Wei Guangde chose to live in seclusion, Tan Lun, Jiang Zhi and others would come to his house to talk about this matter in the past two days.

Seeing Wei Guangde reach the top in one step, the people behind him were naturally unable to sit still.

Since the fall of Yan Song, this is the first time that a Jiangxi fellow is so close to the position of chief minister.

Once Wei Guangde takes office, although it is impossible for them to follow him into the cabinet, they can pave the way for others.

In fact, after Yan Song fell, it was difficult for Jiangxi officials to enter the cabinet because Yan Song's fall was hasty and there was not much preparation.

Most of the Jiangxi officials during Yan Song's time were too old and weak to continue to be active in the court.

And other Jiangxi officials were liquidated by Xu Jie because they were too close to the Yan family.

At that time, Wei Guangde was still an idle position and had no way to deal with it, so he could only let it go.

When he came to power, the high-ranking officials in Jiangxi were either sent out or retired, and the rest were not familiar with him, so he could only start to cultivate those who passed the imperial examinations in recent years.

The higher the position, the fewer people are left.

"I heard that Eunuch Feng said that he was representing the palace to express condolences before, and today he is representing himself."

Lu Bu took over Wei Guangde's words and answered immediately.

Wei Guangde just nodded slightly, and then said: "I know, go down, and report any news in time. ’

After Lu Bu walked out of the duty room, Wei Guangde stopped pretending and threw the memorial in front of him and started thinking.

This scene was also happening in Zhang Siwei's duty room not far away.

Although Zhang Siwei seemed to be close to Zhang Juzheng, he had the strength to become a school of his own at this position.

Relying on the connections and relationships left by relatives such as Yang Bo, plus his early friendships, the political theories he mastered were actually not inferior to Wei Guangde.

It's just that he usually doesn't show off, and even if he does something, it is considered to be arranged by Zhang Juzheng.

For Zhang Juzheng's mourning, Zhang Siwei can take advantage of the situation to become the second assistant. Although there is still Wei Guangde above him, he is still a minister of life. Before Wei Guangde makes a fatal mistake, Zhang Siwei can't replace him.

But like Wei Guangde, he instinctively wants to fight.

Not only him, but also the people behind him hope so.

The third person in the cabinet can only be a cabinet minister, and the second person is the second assistant, and the right to speak is much more important than that of a cabinet minister.

Feng Bao has been very active these two days, and Zhang Siwei has more or less guessed what they want to do.

Although Zhang Juzheng has not met him in the past two days after leaving the cabinet.

Zhang Siwei still can't take the initiative to contact Feng Bao to show goodwill.

Feng Bao's activeness now should make many people in the court and the public keep an eye on him.

Once the news of his contact with Feng Bao spreads at this time, let alone whether he can get in touch with Feng Bao, if Feng Bao still chooses Zhang Juzheng, then all his previous efforts will be in vain.

"Is there any action from the second assistant?"

Zhang Siwei asked in a low voice.

The clerk beside him immediately replied: "No, some people went to his house last night, and the second assistant went back to his house directly after the court was dismissed.

This morning, he entered the cabinet and stayed in the duty room to deal with memorials."

"I know, you go down first.

Ask the people outside to keep an eye on the adults in the court, and I want to know their every move."

Zhang Siwei nodded slightly. He more or less guessed Wei Guangde's intention and responded to changes with the same attitude.

After everyone left the duty room and he was the only one left in the room, Zhang Siwei showed a scornful smile on his face, and murmured, "It's so easy to seize the love."

Zhang Siwei's eyes could not help but stare in one direction, which was Wei Guangde's duty room.

"If Zhang Juzheng wants to seize the love, then can Wei Guangde be involved? He also seized the love and returned to the court, so he should have a year of mourning period."

But soon, Zhang Siwei shook his head. Wei Guangde's mourning period had long passed, and it was useless to bring up the old things now.

Moreover, it was easy for Wei Guangde to notice him and guess who was behind the attack.

"Forget it, do what you have to do, and don't act rashly.

No matter whether the matter can be accomplished in the end, you must first ensure that you are clean."

Zhang Siwei made up his mind to remain silent on the surface and do his job carefully. Like Wei Guangde, he would sit firmly in the position of cabinet minister.

Privately, he still had to use officials in Jiangnan to prevent the "seizing love" incident from happening.

On the surface, Zhang Siwei was backed by a faction of Shanxi officials.

But in fact, there were many Jianghuai officials standing behind him. They were officials supported by gentry who had business ties with his family, but Zhang Siwei had nothing to do with them on the surface.

This time, Zhang Siwei planned to let them be the main force to oppose the seizure of love.

As for the reform measures of Zhang Juzheng, although they were beneficial to the court, it didn't matter if the court didn't do it.

It had been like this for many years, so what did it matter whether it was changed or not.

Besides, if the land survey really started, his family's land might be noticed by others.

The Zhang Siwei family not only had huge land in Shanxi, but also in Jiangnan, all of which were purchased with silver earned from business and salt.

The Xu Jie family had huge land, but the Zhang Siwei family, a merchant family that had been doing business for generations, was not much behind.

The Xu family had land and textile workshops, and his Zhang family had its own trade routes and salt roads. The Zhang family had much more money than the Xu family.

The Xu family got rich by taking advantage of the court, while the Zhang family took advantage of the court, which is much cleaner.

In the middle of the night, Li Youzi's memorial was finally sent to the Tongzhengshisi.

The officials of the Tongzhengshisi were all trembling when they saw Li Youzi's memorial.

It was because Li Youzi was from the Ministry of Revenue. Everyone knew that the Prime Minister of the current dynasty controlled the Ministry of Revenue. Did Li Youzi's memorial represent the Prime Minister's will?

The Tongzhengshisi did not dare to neglect it and immediately sent the memorial to the palace, handed it over to the Silijian for registration, and then sent it to the cabinet for cabinet ministers to draft.

Feng Bao was in the Silijian at this time. Seeing Li Youzi's memorial, he was very satisfied.

"The world cannot be without a prime minister for a day. I beg the emperor to give him a chance and allow him to stay in office to observe the mourning period."

Feng Bao held a copy of Li Youzi's memorial in his hand, and read the sentences on it softly and nodded.

This sentence is exactly what the emperor said, "The court needs Mr. Zhang."

He waved to call the trusted eunuch and whispered in his ear: "Spread the news. The emperor said in front of the two empress dowagers, 'The court needs Mr. Zhang.' I want this to spread throughout the officialdom of the capital tonight."

"Yes, grandpa."

The eunuch was Feng Bao's adopted son and adopted son. He valued his cleverness and ability and sent him here to train.

Now Feng Bao is the most powerful ancestor in the palace.

At this time, the news that the Tongzhengshisi received Li Youzi's request to the emperor to "take away the love" and let the chief minister stay in office to observe the mourning period spread rapidly throughout the government offices in the capital.

Many officials then realized what Feng Bao's activeness today was for.

He first went to see Ma Ziqiang, then went to the Ministry of Revenue to see Li Youzi, and finally Zhang Juzheng.

Although it seems that Feng Bao is pushing this matter, it is hard to guarantee that this is not Zhang Juzheng's intention.

After all, Feng Bao also went to see him the day before, and after some operations the next day, he went to see him again.

Feng Bao has completely revealed the cards in his hand, and then it depends on the reaction of the court officials.

"Go, send someone to inquire about the news of the cabinet and see how Wei Cifu will vote."

At this time, many people's eyes are looking at the cabinet, waiting for Wei Guangde's reaction.

Wei Guangde has been working diligently in the cabinet these two days, and I am afraid that he will not tolerate this happening.

Li Youzi's memorial is like a bomb, which stirs up a thousand waves and strongly shakes the court of the Ming Dynasty.

His memorial was also quickly registered by the Silijian and sent to Wei Guangde.

The matter was of great importance, so it was natural for him, the second assistant, to make a draft.

In fact, it was not uncommon to seize the feelings of the emperor in the Ming Dynasty.

For example, Yang Rong of the Yongle Dynasty, Yang Pu and Jin Youzi of the Xuande Dynasty, Jiang Yuan and Wang Wen of the Jingtai Dynasty, and Li Xian of the Chenghua Dynasty had all seized the feelings of the emperor.

When Jiang Yuan petitioned for Dingyou Shouming, Emperor Jingtai refused on the grounds that "the country is in need of people, so he was ordered to seize the feelings to serve the country."

When Wang Wen petitioned for Dingyou Shouming, Emperor Jingtai refused on the grounds that "I rely on your guidance. You should not abandon justice for personal favors. You should suppress your feelings and obey my orders, and achieve great filial piety."

Now the hot potato seems to have fallen into Wei Guangde's hands, and countless eyes are watching his draft.

Don't think that the cabinet's draft should be kept secret before it is released. In fact, the cabinet's Zhongshu Sheren has to register the memorials back and forth, so he can naturally see the contents of the cabinet ministers' draft.

There is a similar procedure in the Imperial Household Department, so the news can be easily found out before the approval.

Wei Guangde read Li Youzi's memorial and actually guessed the final result.

In response, Wei Guangde directly wrote a draft: This matter is of great importance. Although there are precedents, I dare not speak rashly. Please make a clear decision, Your Majesty.

Everyone can pass the buck. No one from the future generation can't pass the buck. (End of this chapter)