The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Starting from the beginning of the third year of Longqing's reign, with the launch of the imperial investigation, the official positions of officials in the capital have been constantly changing.

There were not many changes in the upper-level officials, after all, it required Emperor Longqing's nod.

As long as they do not lose their grace, their official positions will certainly not change.

However, among the officials below, some have been promoted, some have been promoted, and even more have stayed put. Dozens of officials have been dismissed.

Originally, this kind of adjustment was coming to an end, those who were supposed to leave had already left, those who were to be promoted had already moved on, and their relationships had been sorted out, and they were about to take up their posts just waiting for the official documents from the officials and subordinates.

But at this moment, the official position of a third-rank official suddenly became available in the imperial court, and all the people in the imperial court who were qualified to compete for this official position became excited.

Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Punishment, a third-rank official in the imperial court.

Although the Ministry of Justice seems to have less power than the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Household Affairs, it is a third-grade official position after all.

In the Ming Dynasty, there were only a few fourth-grade official positions, and they were like a carrot and a pit. Whenever an official position became vacant, it would attract countless people to compete for it.

If someone is promoted to Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Justice, there is a high probability that a fourth-grade official position will be available.

Everyone is paying attention to who will be promoted, and whether they have a chance in the vacant position. As for which unlucky guy will be picked up by the Beijing Police, who will care.

People who lose their official positions are no longer the same people as them.

Officials who were deposed are different from those who offended the emperor and were deprived of their official positions.

Not all the officials who impeached Yan Song and accused Emperor Jiajing because of the memorial were now rehabilitated, and the dead were posthumously rehabilitated, while the living resumed their official positions.

But the situation is different for those who were deposed in the capital. They were considered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Metropolitan Procuratorate to be unqualified to continue holding official positions. This was actually detrimental to their reputation.

Few officials who were dismissed could return to court.

Generally speaking, if someone knows that his future is hopeless, the court will choose to let him step down in a dignified way, that is, take the initiative to resign, so that there is still a chance to return to the court.

But this time, it didn't happen. He directly used Jingcha Supplements to give a comment of failing the assessment, which almost directly ended the hope of reinstatement.

No one knew how Hong Chaoxuan felt when he received the document. The people from the Criminal Department just looked at him with sympathy.

I just came back from a business trip to Huguang a few days ago, and I didn't record the capital accumulated for promotion, so what I got was the document of being dismissed.

They just quietly made way for him and watched him walk out of the Penal Department Yamen in despair.

When he walked out of the Criminal Department, his family didn't know that he had been deposed, so he went back after being sent to the Yamen in a sedan chair. He would not come over until close to noon to wait for orders.

Hong Chaoxuan did not stay in the Yamen and wait for the sedan to come. He really had no shame to stay there now.

He was a person who failed the assessment and was dismissed. His future was ruined. If he stayed, he would only make others laugh.

Early in the morning, people who went to the city to go to the market saw a senior official in a scarlet robe walking lonely on the street, his eyes dull, like a walking corpse.

The people were all pointing around him and saying anything.

You know, although the common people can't understand the patches on the official uniforms and don't know how big an official this person is, they still know that he is wearing red. That is a color that only the big shots with the highest official positions in the court can wear.

After Hong Chaoxuan's death, the people in the capital were talking a lot, and soon the news came out from unknown yamen.

The gossip about Hong Chaoxuan's "swaggering through the market" has become a topic of conversation for people in the capital today.

A few ordinary people have seen such adults. In the past, they would pass by in cars and sedans and would not be seen at all.

Of course, the cabinet was the first to know the news of Hong Chaoxuan's dismissal. From the time he was approved by the palace to the time he returned to the cabinet, there was a delay of one day before the news was released.

Wei Guangde was also reading the imperial decree at the moment, after returning from the palace.

The Supervisor of Ceremonies also has to go through a process for the decree of restitution. Like the cabinet, memorials are also prioritized.

Urgent documents will be dealt with specially and will be delivered as soon as possible so that they will not be delayed in your hands. As for ordinary documents, especially routine documents, as long as they do not delay the matter, they can be delayed as long as possible.

Errands are never done.

"Gao Yi, the Minister of Rites and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, Huo Ji, the Minister of War, Mao Kai, the Minister of Punishments, Zhu Heng, the Minister of Works, Wan Shihe, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lu Tiaoyang, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites and a bachelor of the Imperial Academy. Hong Chaoxuan, the left minister of the Ministry of Punishments, Zheng Shiwei, the right minister, The left minister of the Ministry of Industry, Xu Gang, the Imperial Academy, offered sacrifices to the wine king Xilie, and the ministers and bachelors of the Hanlin Academy each inspected and presented themselves. After receiving the decree, he became an official with world prestige, and the rest of them served as before."

A very ordinary document was written by the Supervisor of Rites, based on the decision made by Emperor Longqing after reading the self-reports of six major officials.

After Wei Guangde quickly browsed it, he planned to call someone from the Central Secretary's office to take it down and draft the decree. There were too many people to get the decree this time, and Wei Guangde didn't want to waste time doing this, so he asked the Central Secretary in the cabinet to do the best.

They all have fixed templates. If you change the office and name, they are general and can be sent directly.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, Wei Guangde closed it again, looked at the official document again, and looked at the time, and sure enough, there was a flaw.

Hong Chaoxuan, the left minister of the Ministry of Punishment, had been deposed by Emperor Longqing, but this official document still ordered him to remain in office.

This was a coincidence of timing. As soon as the Chief of Ceremonies drafted this document in accordance with the emperor's wishes, he was dismissed there.

Lift up the ink pen and write the word "deposed" next to Hong Chaoxuan's name, and look at the end. Emperor Longqing asked Zheng Shiwei, the right minister of the Ministry of Punishment, to serve.

"hehe."

Smiling softly, Wei Guangde shook his head. It was a coincidence that Emperor Longqing chose to change people. Coincidentally, they all ended up in the Ministry of Justice. Now it's better. The left and right ministers are gone.

It is estimated that Mao Kai will soon beg for his memorial. Although Hong Chaoxuan and Zheng Shiwei may not be his people, the signs are very bad.

Feeling that it was almost done, Wei Guangde called Zhongshu to give instructions on this matter, and reminded him emphatically about the Ministry of Punishments, so that he would not make mistakes.

As soon as the person left, someone came looking for him outside.

"Mr. Wei Ge, the Chief Assistant has invited me."

The person who came was Li Chunfang's room attendant, and Wei Guangde had seen him before.

"What's going on with Mr. Chief Assistant?"

Wei Guangde asked casually. He had just finished handling the matter and wanted to rest for a while, but unexpectedly something happened again.

"The villain doesn't know."

The scribe bowed and replied.

Wei Guangde nodded. If you don't know, just don't know. He stood up and followed the man towards Li Chunfang.

Not long after entering the duty room, Wei Guangde held his hands to Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin and was about to speak when the sound of footsteps came from behind him.

After staying here for a long time, Wei Guangde knew it was Zhang Juzheng by feel. Not long after, Yin Shizhen also came over. It seemed that it was another cabinet meeting, but he didn't know what it was for.

"Ma Sen, the Minister of Household Affairs, once again petitioned for mercy."

When Li Chunfang saw that everyone was here, he directly threw out the memorial he had received from Ma's family today.

"Why?"

Yin Shizhen asked, but his expression was not surprised.

Ma Sen begged to return home more than once or twice. However, the cabinet has not found a suitable replacement, so the cabinet has not given any opinions despite repeated reports. Emperor Longqing saw that the cabinet could not discuss a replacement, so he naturally refused.

"Ma's mother is getting older, and she may not have long-term illness due to the disease she suffered at the end of last year. Ma Shangshu is worried and his own health is not good, so he asked the official to go home to support his mother."

After Li Chunfang finished speaking, Chen Yiqin continued: "Yesterday, the family members of Ma Shangshu's house came to my place and delivered a letter. His mother was sick, and the doctor gave him advice for at least half a year. This time, Ma Shangshu said he was leaving.

You said before that you were looking for a replacement, is there anyone available now? "

When Wei Guangde heard this, he shook his head slightly. None of the people on his side were suitable to be the ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs, but the newly vacated left and right ministers of the Ministry of Punishments could compete for it.

I thought that the Beijing inspection was over and that would be it for this year. Unexpectedly, the positions of a minister and two ministers were suddenly vacant.

Wei Guangde looked at Yin Shizhen, and when he saw the look in his eyes, Yin Shizhen shook his head slightly.

The two of them actually entered the court not long ago. Yin Shizhen was earlier, and Wei Guangde spent a lot of time copying books, which affected his speed in gathering his wings in the court.

For officials who can reach the third or fourth rank, it takes a long time and cannot be completed in a few years. Therefore, for them who have only been in the court for a short time, it is difficult to find the right person. Take over from Mason.

Perhaps, only Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng are better, and Gao Gong may also have candidates.

Somehow, Wei Guangde thought of Gao Gong.

Wei Guangde didn't have a good impression of this person, and he was pretending to be a snake when he was with him.

"Is there really no suitable candidate?"

Li Chunfang frowned slightly and said, obviously he did not have a suitable candidate to recommend as the Minister of Household Affairs.

After all, the Ministry of Revenue has a heavy responsibility. In the past few dynasties, it was because the imperial court had abundant finances, so it would be natural for the Minister of Revenue to be a good person. But the current situation is that sitting on the official chair of the Minister of Revenue is like sitting on the crater of a volcano, which is very hot.

"How about Liu Tiqian, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing?"

At this moment, a voice came and everyone looked over involuntarily.

The speaker is naturally Zhang Juzheng. Some time ago, when the Beijing inspection, the cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel were discussing the removal and replacement of officials, several forces were restraining each other and vying for some attractive official positions. Naturally, the Yin Shizhen and Wei Guangde factions won a great victory and won many positions. Few official positions with real power.

Zhang Juzheng, who had inherited most of Xu Jie's manpower, could only get some money because he did not have enough say in the cabinet.

In the past few days since then, the few people who met have said little other than polite greetings.

This time Zhang Juzheng came up to recommend candidates for the position of Minister of Household Affairs, Wei Guangde was not surprised.

Xu Jie has been in the court for many years, and many of the people he has supported are already in the fourth or fifth rank, or even higher. Of course, some of them have been selected into the household department.

However, after Wei Guangde heard Zhang Juzheng's words, his first thought was not about Liu Tiqian, but whether he could succeed.

Success naturally refers to Zhang Juzheng.

In the previous competition for official positions, Zhang Juzheng was at a disadvantage. Wei Guangde guessed that in the eyes of the officials on his side, the situation was over.

Under this situation, Wei Guangde felt that it was better to "use the remaining brave men to chase the poor bandits, and not to be a famous academic overlord", completely destroying the strength that Xu Jie had cultivated for many years.

As long as this force can be dismantled, Zhang Juzheng will truly return to the same starting line as them, and everyone will check each other to achieve a balance of power in the cabinet.

At that time, in order to reassure the one on the throne, he can gradually distance himself from Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen.

The three of them were united at this time. Although it was said that they were serving Emperor Longqing, they were mostly to resist the possible competition in the strength of Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng.

You must not have the intention of harming others, and you must not have the intention of guarding against others.

Ever since Gao Gong wanted to take him to Fujian, Wei Guangde had not dared to fully trust Yu Zhuan and the old people.

Although it seems that Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen are not opportunists like Gao Gong, and they put profit first, Wei Guangde is still on guard.

This time, it may not be a good thing for Zhang Juzheng if the person recommended by Zhang Juzheng takes the official position of Minister of Household Affairs.

"Liu Tiqian, courtesy name Ziyuan, was born in Dong'an County, North Zhili Province. He was a Jinshi in the 23rd year of Jiajing.

Li Xingren, Si Xingren, and the military department were given to Shizhong, and he was promoted to an official and political envoy. Later, he moved to the left minister of the Ministry of punishment, changed to the left minister of the Ministry of household affairs, and became the governor of Cangchang. He is currently the minister of the Ministry of household affairs in Nanjing. "

Zhang Juzheng laid out Liu Tiqian's qualifications. It was said that he entered the official career one term earlier than Zhang Juzheng, and he was considered his senior. He was obviously a network left by Xu Jie.

When it comes to qualifications, Wei Guangde had to nod. Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Governor Cangchang, and Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs in Nanjing were obviously qualified to serve as officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing. However, when Zhang Juzheng said this, Wei Guangde couldn't help but look at Chen Yiqin.

He didn't intend to stop him, but he still saw what Chen Yiqin said.

Ma Sen sent all the letters to his house. In fact, he was using his personal connections to hope that the cabinet could arrange someone to take over his official position as soon as possible. He really had no interest in taking up the position of Minister of Household Affairs.

The imperial court was in financial straits, and it had to face various demands from the palace from time to time. It was difficult to be an official, so it was better to return early.

Thinking of Gao Yao, Lei Li and others who had already become officials, Wei Guangde found that they seemed to have a lot of bad blood with the palace. Emperor Longqing became good at enjoying and spending money after he ascended the throne.

Finally, Chen Yiqin moved in Wei Guangde's eyes. He turned to Li Chunfang's side and whispered a few words to him.

However, Li Chunfang's reaction was just to shake her head, seemingly saying "no".

Shaking his head at this time may mean that there is no candidate to recommend, or it may mean that he has no opinion.

Wei Guangde knew that Chen Yiqin seemed to have no intention of stopping the people recommended by Zhang Juzheng.

Sure enough, Chen Yiqin quickly made his attitude clear, and only asked symbolically for his and Yin Shizhen's opinions.

"Liu Tiqian has been in the Ministry of Revenue for many years. He has rich experience and has the qualifications to be in charge of the southern department. He is indeed suitable for the northern transfer."

After seeing that no one had any objections, Li Chunfang made a summary and finally finalized Liu Tigan's proposal to move to the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing.

"In that case, let's draw up the votes and report Liu Tiqian, the left minister of household affairs Liu Ziqiang, and the right minister Zhao Kongzhao to your majesty, and your majesty will make the check.

If His Majesty does not allow it, we will consider the candidates recommended by the court. "

Li Chunfang said, and everyone nodded.

"The memorial ceremony for our late master Confucius is coming soon. Who do you think we will send this time?"

The cabinet had decided on the candidates for the Minister of Household Affairs for the emperor to choose, and Li Chunfang asked another question.