The Prosperous Era of Longwan

After the Beijing inspection, it is already an established fact that Wang Ting, the censor of Zuodu, will petition again for mercy.

Therefore, even though Wang Ting is still in interrogation with Gao Gong, Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin have already begun to compete for the position that will be vacant after he leaves.

Gao Gong recommended Wang Ziqiang, the censor of the right capital of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate, to take over, while Chen Yiqin recommended Zhao Zhenji, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, to take up the post.

Wei Guangde, who was closer to Chen Yiqin, analyzed this atmosphere from the perspective of Emperor Longqing and believed that the emperor would not give up this position to someone recommended by Gao Gong or Chen Yiqin, but would rather balance the power of the court, so it was very difficult for him to do so. May choose to support third party recommendations.

At this time, the people in the cabinet were roughly divided into two categories. One was the ministers of King Yu Qianchuan. However, this supposedly united group had split into three forces due to various reasons.

Among them, the one who had the greatest influence on the emperor was undoubtedly Gao Gong. Although he was the only one in this force, he was able to overwhelm others.

Moreover, because of his relationship with the emperor and the fact that he had many old disciples, many high-ranking officials in the court took the initiative to lean on him after he returned to the court, hoping to use this opportunity to achieve success.

Therefore, in a very short period of time, the power of the Gao Gong faction has grown rapidly, and it already has considerable say in the court.

The other one is a small circle of three people composed of Chen Yiqin, Yin Shizhen and Wei Guangde. In fact, it is because of Gao Gong's headstrong and vengeful character that they are gradually pushed together to keep each other warm and guard against Gao Gong's possible plot.

After all, they are individuals, so they must have their own agenda, and Gao Gong often sacrifices them for his own interests. If they have different ideas and do not work together, it is only a matter of time before they split.

The last one is naturally Xu Jie's student Zhang Juzheng. He was forcibly sent to the cabinet by Xu Jie. He is also Xu Jie's successor and can ensure the stability of the Xu family after he takes office.

However, although he inherited most of Xu Jie's political legacy, he was always at a disadvantage in cabinet battles because he did not have enough influence in front of the emperor.

As for those who were not from Prince Yu's palace, the only one was Li Chunfang, the chief minister of the cabinet. However, this person did not fight or grab, was wise in protecting himself, and spoke fairly. Therefore, although Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin both wanted to replace him, they were unable to do so.

Although the small circle composed of Chen Yiqin, Yin Shizhen, and Wei Guangde had their own thoughts, they also knew how to compromise with each other. That is, if someone clarified the candidate for a certain official position, others would not compete for candidates, and at the same time they would also Joint support, so the circle is considered stable.

"Shandai, please ask again when you have time. I have recommended candidates, so it's really hard to ask."

Chen Yiqin gave Wei Guangde the task of spying on Zhang Juzheng, and Wei Guangde nodded and agreed after thinking about it.

"Although my uncle didn't say anything, it doesn't mean that he doesn't have anyone to recommend. I'll go to his room tomorrow and ask."

Wei Guangde said.

"There are a lot of people there, and it's not like no one wants to be promoted. I guess they saw Su Qing and Yifu both recommending candidates and knew they were hopeless, so they didn't say anything.

Even if you ask Zhang Juzheng about his feelings, at least he can't really let Wang Ziqiang move to Beijing.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate is in charge of the way of speech and cannot be taken lightly. "

Yin Shizhen said.

The purpose of letting Zhang Juzheng participate in this competition for the censor of Zuodu is naturally to muddy the water, and he does not want Gao Gong to win the position in the six departments.

Gao Gong has personally taken charge of a department, and he is still a powerful official. His power to destroy middle and lower-level officials is huge. If the Metropolitan Procuratorate cannot be controlled, other forces will basically be eliminated.

Although the people with the right to speak in the court are high-ranking officials, after all, they have all climbed up the ranks step by step from the middle and lower-level officials, and no one can directly reach a high position overnight.

Even with the emperor's favor, it was just a job with a low position and high power.

The next day, Wei Guangde entered the cabinet, and not many memorials were delivered in the past two days, so those few memorials were finished over a cup of tea.

At this time in the past, Wei Guangde would simply choose to go home. Even if something big happened, he would just send someone from the cabinet to call him. Anyway, his home is not far from the imperial city.

But today, Wei Guangde got up, wandered out of the gate of the duty room, strolled along the corridor seemingly casually, and inadvertently walked outside Zhang Juzheng's duty room.

After looking at the clerk at the door, Wei Guangde smiled and said, "Is Mr. Zhang here?"

The New Year has just passed, but the holiday atmosphere has not dissipated, especially since there is not so much government affairs. Wei Guangde doesn't know if Zhang Juzheng is leaving now, so he asks first.

"For Mr. Wei Ge, my master is working in the duty room."

The scribe immediately smiled and said.

"Oh, uncle, do you have many memorials to read today?"

Wei Guangde pretended to be surprised, and then walked inside.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, he saw Zhang Juzheng coming towards him. He cheerfully said to him, "What kind of wind has brought you here? Come in and sit down."

Wei Guangde was not polite, he bowed his hand to Zhang Juzheng and went inside with him.

The next moment, the clerk had brought tea in, put it away and immediately left the room.

"I just heard that you were still at work, so I came in to take a look. I have already taken care of some of the memorials over there."

Wei Guangde smiled.

"It's actually pretty much the same here. I was just saying that I would go home and rest after reading it."

Zhang Juzheng smiled and echoed.

"I guess it will be busy again in half a month. Now I just want to take some time off, haha."

Wei Guangde said.

"By the way, I received an impeachment memorial here today, and I don't know how to deal with it."

Zhang Juzheng looked at Wei Guangde who was smiling and said.

"Impeachment? Is it related to the Beijing Police?"

Wei Guangde just chatted casually and didn't want to know about Zhang Juzheng's memorial about the Beijing inspection, so he became curious.

For officials below the fourth rank, the Beijing Inspectorate is handled by the Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, while for officials of the fourth rank and above, they report themselves to the emperor. Generally, they will modestly say that they have little talent and limited knowledge, and then ask the emperor to remove them.

However, if someone files an impeachment report at this time, it is usually against an official of fourth rank or above, so he cannot help but pay attention.

"wait."

Zhang Juzheng stood up and returned to the desk. He picked up an open memorial and came back. He handed it to Wei Guangde and motioned for him to read the contents of the impeachment.

Wei Guangde took it and looked at it, frowning slightly, but didn't say anything.

Because of this memorial, he heard the news beforehand that it was Hu Ke who impeached Yang Rong during the incident, Huo Ji, the Minister of the Ministry of War, and Xu Gang, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, were corrupt and neglected their duties.

Yang Rong, named Defu, was born in Rong County, Jiading Prefecture, Sichuan. He was a native of the Book of Songs. He was twenty-nine years old and the 144th Jinshi of the Yichou Branch in the 44th year of Jiajing.

Wei Guangde somewhat understood why Zhang Juzheng showed him this memorial, probably because he was guessing whether the matter had something to do with Chen Yiqin.

However, Chen Yiqin really did not instigate this matter, but someone within the Kedao was dissatisfied with the Ministry of Works' inability to control the water, but somehow he also brought in the Minister of War, Huo Yi.

"Haha, why do the people in Huko always have trouble with the Ministry of War?"

Wei Guangde laughed happily and said, "Si Zhi was like this before, but your Majesty directly transferred him to the Military Department."

Zhang Juzheng stared at Wei Guangde for a long time and found nothing unusual, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been speculating before that Chen Yiqin was instigating this matter, targeting Huo Yi, the Minister of War, and Xu Gang, the Minister of Industry, was just a dazzling way to clear himself of suspicion.

After all, who doesn't know that the one-third acre of land owned by the Ministry of Industry is Wei Guangde's territory.

With the relationship between Chen Yiqin and Wei Guangde, they would not do such a thing. Even if they had to expel people, it would be done by the Ministry of Works.

"This kind of memorial is easy to approve. It's just a matter of having the supervisor check it."

Wei Guangde put down the memorial, took a sip from his tea cup, and said casually, "Yao Feng should be fine. The Ministry of War is under his management pretty well. As for that person, it's hard to say. After all, there is indeed a big problem with flood control. "

"So what are Master Zhu's plans? Flood control should be the top priority at the beginning of the new year."

Zhang Juzheng asked casually.

Wei Guangde glanced at Zhang Juzheng and said with a smile: "I had discussed with him before and planned to use Pan Jixun, the former deputy flood control envoy, but he and Mr. Zhu had different opinions.

Now it seems that Mr. Zhu's method has not fulfilled its purpose, so we have to change our thinking and see if the method of dredging the river and strengthening the dam advocated by Deputy Envoy Pan is feasible. "

"I see, I was worrying too much."

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly when he heard Wei Guangde's words. What he had thought before was very different from Wei Guangde's.

Of course he remembered what happened in the forty-fourth year of Jiajing. The ministers had a big debate about water control, but in the end, Zhu Heng's idea prevailed, which was to dig a new river.

It's just that the new river that was excavated was filled in after a flood in the Yellow River. Now it seems to be a waste of people and money.

"By the way, uncle, the prince is about to resign. As you know, brother Suqing recommended Liu Ziqiang of Nanjing to take over as the censor of Zuodu, while brother Yifu recommended Zhao Zhenji, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites. Do you have anyone to recommend?"

Wei Guangde pretended to be casual and stated the purpose of coming today.

"The Metropolitan Procuratorate?"

Zhang Juzheng was a little surprised when he heard Wei Guangde's words, and thought a lot in his mind for a moment.

"Do you have anyone you would like to recommend for Shandai?"

Zhang Juzheng asked after being surprised. He thought Wei Guangde also wanted to recommend someone, but because Chen Yiqin named the candidate first, he wanted to get his help.

When Wei Guangde heard this, he just shook his head, "I have no one to recommend. I asked the Chief Assistant before, and he didn't have anyone to recommend, nor did Zhengfu, so I just asked casually here.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate has great powers and responsibilities, and of course it requires brainstorming. Although the two candidates are both good now, you might as well take a closer look to see if there is anyone more suitable. "

Of course Zhang Juzheng would not believe what Wei Guangde said, but he also had doubts in his heart, that is, whether there was some unknown gap within the small circles of Wei Guangde and Chen Yiqin.

Looking at Zhang Juzheng's good looks, Wei Guangde didn't think that way, but thought that Zhang Juzheng really hadn't considered the candidate because of Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin, so he smiled and said: "If my uncle doesn't recommend anyone, then I can only Choose between these two, if His Majesty asks who to support."

Du Cha Yuan, Zuo Du Yu Shi.

If Zhang Juzheng doesn't want to win this position, it is absolutely impossible. This is a position comparable to that of a minister, and he is a solid candidate for Jiuqing.

Of course Zhang Juzheng wanted to nominate one of his own, but he also knew that after Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin were selected, it didn't matter whether he did or not, and there was no way it would fall on him.

However, for a moment, he remembered another thing, which was what Yang Bo said to him before leaving Beijing.

At that time, Wang Ting's intention to leave had become clear, so Yang Bo specifically talked to him about the Metropolitan Procuratorate and suggested that he find a way to win this position. If Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin wanted to force someone to take the position, then they should find another candidate. , maybe it will work wonders.

The person Yang Bo was interested in was none other than Ge Shouli, the former Minister of Household Affairs.

At that time, Yang Bo told him in detail why he chose Ge Shouli to succeed Wang Ting, because he was a candidate acceptable to all parties.

First of all, Gao Gong. When the Manchu Dynasty was in favor of Gong, Ge Shouli was one of the few high-ranking officials who did not get involved. He even pressured the Ministry of Revenue not to get involved in the matter, and in the end he resigned because of it.

On Gao Gong's side, it was difficult to openly oppose Ge Shouli's choice.

Secondly, Ge Shouli did not belong to any faction in the court and was very neutral in doing things. Therefore, when it was difficult for the candidates proposed by Chen Yiqin to be promoted, they certainly would not hope that someone with a high profile would be selected.

The same reason also applies to Zhang Juzheng.

"Ge Shouli is also a person who has a solid body, a powerful wind and a strong spirit, and a good manner of service. He must obey the etiquette and law, and he will become an upright gentleman with age."

Zhang Juzheng said again, this was actually what Yang Bo said. This was his evaluation of Ge Shouli, an upright gentleman.

"Ge Shangshu"

Wei Guangde lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded and said, "Shang Shu Ge is also a good candidate. He is an upright person, and he is in charge of the affairs of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, which is reassuring."

Zhang Juzheng heard Wei Guangde's words and knew that Wei Guangde had agreed to the choice of Ge Shouli, but he was not very happy because this person was Yang Bo after all.

As for why Yang Bo recommended Ge Shouli, Zhang Juzheng knew very well because Ge Shouli and he were of the same age.

Although Ge Shouli did not follow the crowd, it was precisely because of this that Yang Bo felt that such a person would be fair and impartial in dealing with matters.

In other words, if the official position in the court cannot be decided for a long time, then Ge Shouli is the most suitable candidate, because he is a person that all parties can trust and becomes a product of compromise by all parties.

After knowing the candidate recommended by Zhang Juzheng, Wei Guangde happily said to him: "I also think Ge Shangshu is suitable. After Brother Zizheng leaves, I might as well recommend him."

Wei Guangde was smiling all over his face and seemed to be very supportive of Zhang Juzheng, but he was a little scared in his heart. When did Ge Shouli and Zhang Juzheng get involved together? Someone would have to look into the matter later.

He didn't know that Ge Shouli was brought up by Yang Bo to Zhang Juzheng and not from Zhang Juzheng's pocket.

But at this moment, Zhang Juzheng was actually even more frightened because of Yang Bo's judgment of the current situation. No wonder the teacher had been secretly suppressing Yang Bo and preventing him from joining the cabinet.

If such a person enters the cabinet, I am afraid that he will have nothing to do.

His insight into the current situation was so strong that Gao Gong had already guessed today's situation before he returned to the court.

After that, the two chatted a lot more, and unknowingly they talked about Yingtian. Wei Guangde also lamented Hai Rui's actions, while Zhang Juzheng could only say anything but a wry smile on his face.

It's not that he dared not talk about this kind of thing. After all, there was a time when he would become an official. Zhang Juzheng believed that Wei Guangde would not like people like Hai Rui. (End of chapter)