Chapter 321 The Left Minister of the Ministry of War

Author: Silent

Chapter 321 The Left Minister of the Ministry of War

Before the court meeting the next day, most of the ministers had just heard that Zhang Zhou had returned to the capital the day before.

"He's back? Why don't you see him coming to court? Or..."

"Perhaps he is in the palace now?"

When people in the court mentioned Zhang Zhou, they were a little evasive, but they were still very envious. After returning to the capital, he held a small meeting with the emperor before the court meeting, and even went to the court meeting with the emperor.

This kind of treatment is really not available to others.

Many people also went over to ask Ma Wensheng and the three cabinet members about Zhang Zhou's return to Beijing.

The four of them had never met Zhang Zhou, and they did not know where Zhang Zhou was now. Naturally, they did not know Zhang Zhou's arrangements after returning to Beijing, especially those involving Zhang Zhou's official position.

Until Zhu Youtang appeared at Fengtianmen and the court meeting began, Zhang Zhou was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone began to wonder again, was the news about Zhou returning to Beijing just based on rumors?

"Dear gentlemen, Bingkuan returned to Beijing yesterday and I have announced that I have met him." Zhu Youtang took the initiative to bring up the topic of Zhang Zhou during the court meeting.

Everyone held their breath and concentrated, knowing that they might soon get to the point.

Zhu Youtang said: "I originally wanted to make him the Duke of Lai. This matter has been made clear in the court, but according to his intention, he also wants to do more things for the court. He is not in a hurry about the title."

Can it still be like this?

If he has a title, he is not in a hurry. Then when will he be anxious? When he is old? Or should he prepare for the next military exploit?

Zhu Youtang added: "What I told him was the title of Duke Lai Guo. I wrote it down for him first, and then I will add the title to him at some time in the future."

"ah!?"

The ministers present were in an uproar.

Previously, the emperor said that Zhang Zhou would be given a title because of his contribution to the battles at Piantou Pass and Ningyuan. It was agreed at that time that the title should be written down first, which was the result of separate internal discussions with the cabinet ministers and others.

We didn't talk about it publicly like today.

When the ministers heard this, they realized that the emperor was clearly treating Zhang Zhou as a special person, and would not reward him for his meritorious service, just to let him harm us in the civil service system, and then give him a title after he is done with the harm... How could it be possible? Such?

Xie Qian came out and said: "Your Majesty, you will be rewarded for your merits. If he makes any mistakes in running the army in the future and has to be punished for this, I am afraid that it will be difficult to maintain his current title."

"What Mr. Xie Ge said is absolutely true."

Immediately, some officials came out to echo.

Zhu Youtang said: "What do you mean, if Bingkuan makes any serious mistakes in the future in the court, he will not be rewarded with this title? Otherwise! No matter whether I trust him in the future or not, even if I suddenly come one day He went west, the prince ascended the throne, and today's discussion should be concluded."

Xie Qian listened.

Good guy, the emperor used his own life as an analogy. Do you want to say that the next step is that even if the Ming Dynasty dies and changes to another dynasty, today's deliberations will count?

What’s the use of just talking here?

Zhu Youtang saw that these ministers had opinions on this, and his attitude gradually turned tough: "Although most of the use of troops in the northwest relies on Qin Hong, who is in charge of trilateral military affairs, it involves future plans and policies. Everything depends on Bingkuan. I keep him at court instead of running the army in the governor's mansion. Is there anything wrong with this?"

After hearing this, Xie Qian lowered his head and retreated to his seat.

"I made him a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. This was a decision made after the "Da Ming Huidian" was written. In this way, he can often come in and out of the East Palace to teach the prince, and there is no need for him to attend the banquet. He said that he should teach the prince; I should take him as the left governor of the rear military governor's house, and ask more about military affairs; as the minister of Taichang Temple, it is a part-time job. If there are any changes in heaven's destiny, he will do more. To advise the imperial court and me, as the left minister of the Ministry of War, he will be responsible for the daily affairs of military affairs, and there is no need for him to supervise the affairs of the ministry, but he can go in and out of the court."

"The Yanwu Hall was founded by me, with him as the left minister of the Ministry of War, and also the Yanwu Hall teaching and other matters, in order to promote the Ming Dynasty's artillery and firearms, as well as the daily dispatch and training of the Shenji Battalion."

A series of emperors arranged many positions for Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou himself had never heard of many of these positions, and it was the first time for the ministers present to hear about it. Especially when they heard that Zhang Zhou wanted to hold official positions in the Imperial Academy, the Governor's Office, and the Ministry of War, the ministers present immediately exploded.

Min Gui, the censor of Zuodu, came out and said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. Even though Zhang Zhou had military exploits, his time as an official was still short and he had no achievements or merit in managing the ministry. He even has no experience in overseeing the administration of the Six Ministries, so to promote him to the rank of Left Minister of the Ministry of War will inevitably cause turmoil in the hearts of the people in the court."

Zhu Youtang said: "The turmoil you are talking about means that people's hearts are not convinced, right?"

Min Gui gritted his teeth, raised the wat board and said, "Exactly."

I am really dissatisfied. It’s not that I don’t accept Zhang Zhou’s merits, but that I am dissatisfied with a new scholar. In just half a year after entering the court, he has already become the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, with so many additional official titles.

Bai Ang, the Minister of Punishment, also came out and said: "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with being given a title based on military merit, but there is no precedent for being promoted to a ministry based on military merit."

This means that we have no opinion on how much merit he should have and how much title he should receive.

Whether it was the founding of the country, or the subsequent civil war, or border affairs, there were precedents for meritorious generals or officials to be awarded titles. Among the civil servants who were awarded titles, there were two people, Wang Ji and Wang Yue.

Zhu Youtang said: "There is no precedent? Previously, Marquis Jingyuan was awarded the title, and because of his success in seizing the door, he also took charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War. You will not have any impression of this, right?"

This brings us to Wang Ji. At first, he won the title as the Minister of the Ministry of War by conquering the south and the north, and retired as Uncle Jingyuan. He indulged in sensuality, but in fact he was wise and wise in protecting himself. Later, because of his meritorious service in seizing the door, he also took the title of Uncle Jingyuan. The Minister of the Ministry of War means that after Yu Qian was killed, Shi Pu was transferred out, and Wang Ji came out to take charge of the Ministry of War.

But soon Wang Ji took the initiative to hand over power, completing the transition and retiring.

The matter of expediency was used as a precedent by Zhu Youtang, but it was still quite convincing... Zhu Youtang was probably reminding the ministers present that I did not let Bingkuan directly use Lai Guogong as the military department. Minister, I have given you face, if you keep beeping, believe it or not, I will break up with you?

…

…

There was a deadlock in the court hall.

The emperor seemed to be angry, and the ministers were dissatisfied, but they could not refute the examples given by the emperor, and it was also because Zhang Zhou's military achievements were not easy to refute. Meritorious service is meritorious. The emperor did not give him a title, but directly wanted to give him a knighthood. The position of the Left Minister of the Ministry of War is neither reasonable nor unreasonable, but there is nothing wrong with it even if it is reasonable.

It just depends on the emperor's mood.

Now the emperor just wants to support Zhang Zhou... What can they do?

The most embarrassing person present was Wang Zongyi, the left minister of the Ministry of War.

Ever since he became the minister of the Ministry of War, he has been living in the shadow of Zhang Zhou and Wang Yue. Even Ma Wensheng, the minister of the Ministry of War, had nothing to do with Zhang Zhou and Wang Yue, let alone him.

Liu Jian came out and said: "Your Majesty, it is acceptable for Zhang Zhou to be the left minister of the Ministry of War. But he does not care about the affairs of the Ministry. I don't know who should take care of it? It is better for him to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War and the Hanlin Academy." .”

meaning is.

The left minister of the Ministry of War should be the left minister of the Ministry of War. We have no objection, but the problem is that he, the left minister, is best part-time. Didn’t your Majesty say that he should continue to be a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy and give lessons to the prince? Then take that as an example His official job.

Zhu Youtang got a little angry when he heard this.

If it is a part-time job, why should he also serve as the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War? In the northwest, he also served as the Minister of the Ministry of War and the Censor of Zuodu!

When he returns to the imperial court, he will be given the title of Zuo Shilang, and of course he will be considered the real one.

The Bachelor of Attendant is a full-time official, the Minister of Taichang Temple is also a full-time official, the Left Governor of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion is also a full-time official, and the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War must also be a full-time official! What I am telling you is that you must have both, otherwise I will still tell you say what?

Zhu Youtang said: "Does Mr. Liu Ge think that he is not qualified?"

Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, I don't understand what this veteran means. Since he is the left minister of the Ministry of War, why can't he take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War?"

According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, Zuo Shilang is responsible for the main affairs of each ministry. The minister is more responsible for coordinating the overall situation. Ask the minister for major matters, and Zuo Shilang basically makes the decision for small matters. The minister is also responsible for dividing the left and right. Let’s talk about priorities.

After all, Zhu Youtang had made it clear before that Zhang Zhoulai was not needed to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War, so Liu Jian proposed to use him as a part-time job.

Zhu Youtang said coldly: "I just care about him. He cannot be permanently stationed in the Ministry of War, so I will hand over the affairs of the Ministry to others. It does not mean that he is not qualified for this task. And in order to control the surrounding areas With his prestige, he is the best candidate to coordinate and coordinate! As for Wang Zongyi, the left minister of the Ministry of War..."

"I'm here." Wang Zongyi finally walked out, feeling as if he was transparent.

There is obviously someone in the position, but you just replace me. Is it too disrespectful to my face?

Zhu Youtang said: "I will make you the left minister of the Ministry of Industry and the admiral of Yizhou Shanchang. That's it!"

Everyone present looked at each other.

The admiral Yizhou Shanchang was responsible for raising charcoal for the imperial court. Before Jiajing, one person was usually the Minister of the Ministry of Works or the Minister of the Ministry of Works to take care of this matter. It was equivalent to a part-time job. No one wanted to leave the leftovers in the cold stove. Went... so much so that after arriving in Jiajing, he was handled by a doctor from the Ministry of Works, and later by the director of the Ministry of Works. This shows how unpopular this job is.

But now Wang Zongyi is obviously the official Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, but he is directly transferred to the admiral Yizhou Shanchang. It is no different from being left out in the cold.

The emperor probably seemed to be saying "canonize the queen and banish her to the cold palace", and Wang Zongyi's state of mind instantly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"I just want to find someone capable to take care of the Ministry of War affairs. Therefore... I hope all of you can understand me."

The ministers present heard this.

Perhaps the emperor felt that kicking Wang Zongyi into the ice cellar was not enough to relieve his anger, so he threw a few large ice cubes into it to freeze him quickly.

If you have the ability to take care of it, does that mean Wang Zongyi is incapable?

Wang Zongyi's face was green and red. Although he was both the Zuo Shilang, he, the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Works, was really a part-time job. It was impossible for Admiral Yizhou Shanchang to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of Works. In other words, he would have to guard the affairs of the Ministry of Works from now on. Those people are living a good life... Even if I were allowed to go back and continue to be the right minister of the Ministry of Works, why would I still lead people to death?

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…

Zhu Youtang's attitude was so firm that the ministers present did not know how to object.

Not to mention that there is someone in the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, even if it is vacant, the next candidate should be decided through court recommendation, and the emperor's move almost single-handedly promoted Zhang Zhou to this position.

But...even Liu Jian and other cabinet members couldn't come out to oppose it.

Regarding this matter, Ma Wensheng, Minister of War, even opened the door without saying a word.

The impression given was that the emperor had taken care of Ma Wensheng in advance, but the actual situation was that the emperor had not even said hello to Ma Wensheng in advance.

"Everyone, this is settled!"

Zhu Youtang's attitude was firm, "Actually, before Bingkuan returned to Beijing, I mentioned that I would arrange an official position for him, and you didn't raise any objections at that time. If only because I gave him the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, I would If he has any prejudice, I think those people are not taking the overall situation into consideration."
To be continued...