The Prosperous Era of Longwan

After sending Feng Bao away, Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng returned to the first assistant's duty room.

"Our internal minister is a bit reluctant to be lonely."

Wei Guangde said directly.

"In this matter, we must join forces to cut off Feng Bao's claws extending outward."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and replied.

Although Feng Bao didn't say anything, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde were no longer brothers in the officialdom. From his words and actions, we could roughly guess that Feng Bao had bad intentions.

Is the Ministry of Rites a yamen that can be controlled by a eunuch?

Of course not. Forget it if you are the minister of a government office such as Taichang Temple or Guanglu Temple. The Six Ministries are the real institutions with real power.

The Ministry of Rites does not have many responsibilities, but it is in charge of the imperial examination. If Feng Bao gets it, the imperial examination in the future may become a financial examination, and it will be reduced from selecting talents for the country to a tool for some people to enrich their own pockets.

Moreover, Feng Bao's status as a minister who cares about life has already made hundreds of officials uneasy. If he really gets a certain say in the outer court, the cabinet will be overthrown by officials.

Moreover, Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng tacitly understood that since Feng Bao had no influence in the outer court, there would naturally be more things to ask of them.

After all, although Feng Bao was working in the palace, his family members were not eunuchs, and it was impossible for him to make his nephew a eunuch and work in the palace.

"What will he do next?"

Wei Guangde asked.

"He should extend an olive branch to the outside world and recruit officials who are willing to join him."

Zhang Juzheng said, "If it's a deputy position, we can discuss it and give him some. Forget about the principal position."

Wei Guangde nodded with deep understanding, "But we have to insist on the matter of Lu Shusheng, otherwise Feng Bao really thinks that controlling the Chief of Ceremonies can threaten the cabinet's decision."

"There are only a few people who are qualified to compete for the title of Minister of Etiquette. Find someone to send a message to them and let them retreat."

Zhang Juzheng spoke again.

"That's right. I think they are all people who understand the general situation and will never destroy their own future. Zhang Cai is a lesson for them."

Wei Guangde said.

This also requires giving both kindness and power, so that they can use Zhang Cai as a warning.

Zhang Cai, whose courtesy name was Shangzhi and whose nickname was Xilu, was born in Anding County, Gongchang Prefecture. He was a Jinshi in the third year of Hongzhi's reign and was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Prince Shaobao.

Zhang Cai is good at discussing and sharp-tongued, but he has evil intentions. He clings to the eunuch Liu Jin, accepts bribes, and likes beauty.

Liu Jin was executed, and Zhang Cai, as an accomplice, died of illness in prison. His bones were crushed and ashes were thrown into the market. His family was expelled and his family was exiled to Hainan.

There is a precedent of Zhang Cai, which is a huge deterrent for officials who want to take shortcuts by relying on eunuchs.

After all, in this era, home and family are very important.

Zhang Cai was not only deprived of his property and exiled by his family when he joined Liu Jin, but also brought shame on his family. At least, it was impossible for any of the family members who could study to pass the imperial examination in those years.

The official who dared to point out Zhang Cai's clansman would probably be sprayed to death by other colleagues.

After discussing the matter, Wei Guangde left Zhang Juzheng's duty room, but within a few steps he saw a chamberlain rushing over.

As soon as Feng Bao left, someone from the palace came to send a message. Wei Guangde was slightly shocked, so he simply stood there to see what was going on.

After the chamberlain saluted Wei Guangde, he said: "According to His Majesty's order, I will summon the two elders of the cabinet to summon them."

"Your Majesty's will?"

Wei Guangde asked in surprise.

"yes."

The waiter replied.

"Okay, go and deliver the message, I'll be waiting here."

Wei Guangde replied.

After Zhang Juzheng and the chamberlain came out, the three of them walked towards Jianji Hall one after another.

In the Ming Dynasty, the emperor and officials discussed government affairs mainly through the imperial gate and the platform.

The platform call in the Ming Dynasty was equivalent to a State of the Nation consultation. It was a place where the emperor consulted ministers on government affairs, especially local feudal officials, and called on government affairs.

On the platform, the Jianji Hall is in the middle and backward, high above the Sanlin white jade railing. Opposite the Qianqing Gate is the Yuntai Gate, facing the latter on both sides. It is called the rear left gate in the east and the rear right gate in the west, that is, the left and right sides of the Yuntai Gate. The door is also called the "platform".

Whenever summoning cabinet ministers and other officials, it is usually on the platform, which is the back left door.

The rule is that the ministers stand in awe, and the emperor sits there. When there is a question, he calls the official's name. The official goes forward and kneels there to answer. When the emperor approves, he can also stand there and say it, which is to call the right person for the platform.

In the imperial court, the emperor personally went to the Huangji Gate to preside over the court meeting, listened to the reports or speeches of the cabinet and ministers of various ministries, held discussions, made decisions, issued edicts, and implemented them.

This time the little emperor only summoned Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde, who naturally seemed a little deserted when they came here.

But what was actually more strange to the two of them was why the little emperor called them.

"Master Zhang, Master Wei, please get back on your feet quickly."

The young emperor Zhu Yijun said hurriedly when he saw Zhang Wei saluting him.

After the two of them saluted and stood up, they then said to Wei Guangde with a smile on their faces: "Master Wei, you are finally back. I miss you so much these days."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am very sensitive."

Wei Guangde said hurriedly and respectfully.

Now Zhu Yijun has become the emperor and is no longer the kid like Yu Zhuan, so Wei Guangde can't show anything else, especially in front of Zhang Juzheng.

The two talked for a while, and the little emperor Zhu Yijun chatted with Zhang Juzheng for a few more words, and soon got on track, explaining the reason why he called them here this time.

"The reason why we summoned two masters here this time is because of the honorific titles of the two palaces."

As the Little Emperor started, Wei Guangde knew what was going on.

In fact, Wei Guangde didn't know it at first, but after seeing the note given to him by Feng Bao, he realized that Zhang Juzheng gave Feng Bao the idea of ​​canonizing Empress Chen and Concubine Li as queen mothers.

If it were anyone else, they might frown and object, but after all, Wei Guangde knew about the Eastern and Western Empresses of the Qing Dynasty. This was how Cixi rose to become the Empress Dowager, so although he realized in his mind that there seemed to be no precedent, he was not very resistant in his heart.

Both the aunt and the biological mother want to be named Queen Mother, so let's do it. It's not a big deal anyway. After all, both of them can actually have the title of Queen Mother.

It's just that under normal circumstances, the aunt is granted the title of aunt's mother when she is still alive, and the biological mother is granted the title of aunt when her aunt is no longer alive.

Little did he know that this was the old example that the Qing Dynasty looked for at that time.

"Your Majesty, this matter can only be decided by the Ministry of Etiquette after examining the old documents. It is difficult for the cabinet alone to decide this matter."

Wei Guangde said.

Zhang Juzheng also smiled and nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty, the canonization of the Queen Mother is a matter for the Ministry of Rites. Our cabinet can discuss this matter with the Ministry of Rites and facilitate it as soon as possible."

The idea he came up with was to please Concubine Li, so he would naturally not object.

"That's very good. The two masters please consult with the Ministry of Etiquette as soon as possible to finalize the regulations."

The little emperor spoke, and then asked the eunuch beside him to take out two memorials and handed them to Zhang Juzheng, and then said: "I am sure that the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites will submit a memorial to the late great scholar Gaoyi. I will follow the wishes of the two masters." , give Zhenyi one hundred taels of coins, four meters and fifty stones, as well as fragrant wax, oil, tea, salt, firewood and other items."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde both bowed slightly to thank them.

"There is also a report by Zhu Heng, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, discussing the mausoleum of the Daxing Emperor. I am very satisfied.

According to the imperial edict of the Ministry of Rites, Emperor Mu Zong, Emperor Xiaozhuang, the mountain tomb was named Zhaoling. "

The little emperor said again, but there was a slight pause when he said the last part, as if he was reminiscing.

Wei Guangde had a guess in his heart that these words were probably taught by Empress Chen or Concubine Li. Maybe he didn't know what he was talking about.

However, facing the young emperor Zhu Yijun at this time, Wei Guangde would not interrupt, and would just follow what he said.

If it is a bad one and makes the little emperor forget what he should say next, that would be bad.

After all, it is Empress Chen and Concubine Li who really make the decision now, so how much does Zhu Yijun know.

There was a moment of silence, and the little emperor seemed to be still thinking about whether there was anything he had forgotten.

However, when his clear eyes saw the two memorials held in Zhang Juzheng's hand, he was suddenly convinced, as if he had said all he needed to say.

After the platform summons was over, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde sent the young emperor Zhu Yijun back to the Qianqing Palace opposite, and then turned back to the cabinet.

The first thing to do was naturally to summon Lu Tiaoyang, the Minister of Rites, to the cabinet.

"Will Shandai object to the canonization of the two palaces?"

After Zhang Juzheng and others went down to spread the news, he said to Wei Guangde.

"During the reign of Emperor Xianzong, there were two empresses who opposed this matter."

Wei Guangde smiled bitterly.

In fact, when emperors after the Ming Dynasty encountered similar situations, they generally would not use Xianzong's old events as an example, because it was not a good sign.

Xianzong Zhu Jianshen was also Emperor Chenghua. After he came to power, he named his aunt Qian as the Queen Mother, and his biological mother Zhou Guifei was also named the Queen Mother.

However, Emperor Chenghua, the biological mother, was not a worry-free person. She repeatedly violated the etiquette and laws and the Yingzong's last wishes, and excluded and attempted to replace Queen Qian's status as the direct descendant.

It can be said that Queen Mother Zhou had a very bad reputation and was looked down upon by all the officials behind her back.

"Then we should refer to Xianzong's old rules?"

Zhang Juzheng said.

Zhang Juzheng thought Wei Guangde would object at first, but he didn't expect Wei Guangde to accept it so calmly.

"It seems that both the aunt and the biological mother can be granted the title of queen, not to mention that neither of the two empresses object to it."

Wei Guangde said.

When Lu Tiaoyang came to the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng handed him the memorials from the palace. One of them was about giving honorary items to the late scholar, and the other was the decree that Emperor Longqing's mausoleum be designated as Zhaoling. .

After that, Zhang Juzheng told Lu Tiaoyang about the titles of the two palaces, and Lu Tiaoyang was not very satisfied immediately.

The distinction between concubines and concubines is a matter of etiquette. How could the emperor do this and break the etiquette for the sake of his biological mother? Concubine Li should be given the title of Crown Princess.

"Shandai and I have already discussed this matter."

After Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, he glanced at Wei Guangde, and when he nodded, he told Lu Tiaoyang about the previous agreement between the two.

"The titles of the two palaces are based on old scriptures, but Emperor Xianzong respected his direct mother, the empress, as Empress Dowager Ciyi, and his biological mother, the Imperial Concubine, as the Empress Dowager. This is exactly the same as today, but today the Queen Mother and the Imperial Concubine are not as virtuous as each other. If there is time, why should we be different in respecting the etiquette?

Moreover, the ministers respectfully followed the instructions and wanted to be respectful of the ceremony. All the officials were happy to look up to him and express his filial piety. For the general, he added two characters to the empress dowager's name to express his respect.

The common people have no guilt in the ancestral system, but they are also comforted by the sacred heart. "

"this"

After hearing Zhang Juzheng's words, Lu Tiaoyang was a little embarrassed. He glanced at Wei Guangde next to him, and when he saw him nodding, he naturally knew that the two cabinet ministers had reached an agreement.

Wei Guangde also spoke at this time: "The emblem title of mother in the first dynasty was added to four characters, six characters, and eight characters, all because of the celebrations in the court, which gradually became more prosperous. At first, it stopped at two characters and was custom-made.

Today, Our Lady's blessings and longevity are boundless. Your Majesty's Royal Calendar will continue for ten thousand years. In the future, there will be many auspicious and joyful events, and the Supreme Lord will be called you.

The Ministry of Rites should decide on the honorary title as soon as possible, and the posthumous title of Queen Xiaoyi should also be decided and presented separately. "

Empress Xiaoyi was Emperor Longqing's original wife, Princess Li, who was posthumously named empress in the first year of Longqing's reign. Naturally, the empress dowager was also added this time.

"My lords, Concubine Li cannot locate the empress dowager. She has to deal with empress Chen."

Lu Tiaoyang understood that Concubine Li's Queen Mother should also have a two-character title. Empress Chen and Concubine Li were treated in the same way.

If Zhang Juzheng said that according to Xianzong's old affairs, Empress Chen should be the empress dowager with respect, while Concubine Li was just the empress dowager.

But after Wei Guangde added, Lu Tiaoyang knew that both of them were going to be honored.

"The Ministry of Rites decided on the title as soon as possible. They said it was the intention of the cabinet and the palace and asked them not to question it too much. Empress Chen agreed."

Zhang Juzheng said again.

If Wei Guangde might have doubted Zhang Juzheng's words at first, but today when he saw that the person serving the little emperor was Wang Zhen, Wei Guangde knew that Queen Chen had already nodded, otherwise he would never be allowed to accompany the little emperor at this time. The emperor met them.

Some words don’t have to be spoken personally, just by sending the right person, others will know what they mean.

Empress Chen's move was probably because she wanted to avoid the incident during the Xianzong period and embarrass the young emperor, so she took the initiative to give in.

After repeated persuasion by Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde, Lu Tiaoyang walked out of the cabinet unwillingly, and the opposition from the Ministry of Rites asked him to persuade him.

No matter what method Lu Tiaoyang used to return to the cabinet, in the afternoon of the next day, the cabinet received a memorial from the Ministry of Rites, requesting that the two palaces be given the title of Queen Mother.

Empress Chen's honorary title is Empress Dowager Xiao'an, while Concubine Li is the Empress Dowager Cisheng.

At the same time, the posthumous title of Empress Xiaoyi was also handed over, which was newly added as Empress Xiaoyi Zhenhui Shunzhe Gongrenli Tianxiang Shengzhuang Empress.

"Uncle, what does the Datong contract say?"

Wei Guangde asked, holding a copy of the Ministry of War Memorial.

This memorial was just seen by Wei Guangde today. It was written by Shi Maohua, the left minister of the Ministry of War, about the prevention of autumn.

Wei Guangde didn't have time to read the contract signed by Ming Dynasty and Anda Khan in detail after he came back. However, he remembered it after seeing the memorial today, so he took the memorial and went to Zhang Juzheng directly.

"I have read your memorial."

Zhang Juzheng stood up, walked to sit next to Wei Guangde, and said.

What Zhang Juzheng said was naturally Wei Guangde's secret message to Emperor Longqing. It is believed that after he saw it, he discussed it with the then cabinet ministers.

Agreements are inherently profitable and must be abided by. If they are inappropriate, they must be abolished. You can find them at random.

"To put it bluntly, I just give you some money and do nothing else."

Zhang Juzheng added, "As for this memorial, those who are not of my race will have different opinions. Although Ada Khan has been named King of Shunyi, the court has to be on guard against Tatars raiding the capital.

Therefore, the Ministry of War will still issue autumn defense orders as usual, but because there is no war, some guest troops have been transferred back, so the military pay is reduced.

All in all, the court could still save hundreds of thousands of taels of silver every year. "

"The autumn defense is still there?"

Wei Guangde asked.

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly.