The question of whether a chief minister of the cabinet should go or stay was not a trivial matter in the Ming Dynasty. Even the emperor had to carefully consider whether a chief minister should go or stay.
Zhu Houzhao should have thought carefully about such a big matter, and even discussed it with important officials in the court before he could finally make up his mind.
But at this moment, Zhu Houzhao asked Li Huan for his opinion, which made all the officials stunned.
Even though they had known for a long time that Li Huan was deeply favored by the emperor, they did not expect that the emperor Zhu Houzhao would ask Li Huan for his opinion on the issue of a chief minister.
This was no longer a simple favor. This kind of treatment only made all the civil and military personnel present jealous.
Some officials who had already taken refuge with Li Huan, or were planning to take refuge with Li Huan, were naturally very excited when they saw this scene.
Since Li Huan's emperor has such trust, it means that if they vote for Li Huan, they will surely be able to rise to great heights and be promoted to noble positions under Li Huan's protection in the future.
Of course, there are also many officials who have always been hostile to Li Huan, or officials who have relatives and friends who were harmed by Li Huan. Now their hatred of Li Huan is even stronger, and at the same time they have made up their minds to do it no matter what.
Try every means to eradicate Li Huan.
If a favored minister like Li Huan is not restrained, especially if he is still so young, who knows what kind of existence he will become in the future.
I'm afraid that when Li Huan comes around, life for these people will not be easy.
Li Huan was just slightly stunned after hearing Zhu Houzhao's words. Although he was a little surprised, he did not lose his composure. He just bowed to the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, for such a big matter, I am just a warrior, how dare you
Random remarks."
After listening to Li Huan's words, some officials glanced at Li Huan. Just by looking at the expressions on these people's faces, they could tell what they were thinking. Apparently they thought that Li Huan was somewhat self-aware and knew who he was.
However, Zhu Houzhao smiled slightly and said: "What Li Qing said is different. The Qing family is in charge of the Jinyi Guards for me. They are also the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Army. The mighty general is ordered to govern the world's troops. I once named the Qing family Taifu. Li
Qing Yun, Wen Yun and Wu, are talented generals and prime ministers. If the Qing family is not qualified to comment on such military and state affairs, I really don't know who else is so qualified.
As soon as Zhu Houzhao said these words, the expressions of many officials immediately changed, especially the cabinet ministers Yang Tinghe and Wang Ao.
Even the senior officials from the Liubu Hall, Dali Temple, Duchayuan, Kedao Yamen, Imperial College, Zongren Mansion, etc. all changed their expressions when they explained.
Listening to the meaning of the emperor's words, he actually had the intention of promoting Li Huan to the cabinet. What does it mean to make a general into a prime minister? Looking at the past, it means that Li Huan can command the army when he mounts his horse, and he can govern the people when he dismounts.
But what is Li Huan's identity? He was just a member of a military household in a local guard station. Even if he was a hereditary official of hundreds of households in the guard station, in the eyes of the Manchu civil servants, his background was nothing.
If such a murderous warrior enters the cabinet, how will he deal with someone like them who has studied hard for many years and relied on their own efforts to take the right path of the imperial examination and step by step to a high position?
Besides, in the cabinet, only literati or Hanlin scholars with Jinshi qualifications had the opportunity to enter the cabinet. Li Huan, let alone Jinshi qualifications, was not even a literati, so what qualifications did he have to enter the cabinet.
In an instant, gloomy eyes were cast on Li Huan. Almost 70% to 80% of the civil servants, no matter what faction they were in before, looked at Li Huan with the same hatred and hatred.
Even if the emperor just said it unintentionally and showed some signs, they would definitely not allow such signs to happen. Otherwise, if one day, the emperor really pushes Li Huan into the cabinet, then how can they have the face to face the world?
Shilin, how do you want to be explained to the world's literati?
Mao Kan, the Censor of Guizhou Road, looked serious and stepped forward, bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, the Chief Assistant is a veteran of several dynasties and a lonely and important minister entrusted by the late emperor. If Your Majesty allows the Chief Assistant to serve, wouldn't it be possible?"
You have lost your Majesty’s reputation as a wise king, and besides, how can you ask the general about this matter?”
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Mao lightly and said, "Oh, Li Qing is also an important minister in the court, and it is related to important affairs of the court. Why don't I ask Li Qing?"
As soon as this statement came out
, Mao couldn't help but look stagnant, was he going to tell the emperor that the departure and stay of ministers in the cabinet had always been controlled by their civil servant group. As for Wu Xun, he could just watch from the sidelines, and he had no right to intervene.
However, these are just unspoken rules in the court. There is only a tacit understanding between the civil servant group and the noble group. Although it is not explicitly stipulated, both parties are well aware of it.
When the emperor spoke, Mao was speechless, precisely because unspoken rules were only unspoken rules after all and could not be brought to the surface at all.
So at this moment, the emperor just glanced at Mao Kan, looked at Li Huan and said: "Li Qing, I have said that you are an important minister of the imperial court, and you can comment on all matters in the imperial court."
Li Huan slightly arched his hands towards Zhu Houzhao and looked at Li Dongyang. At that moment, Li Dongyang also looked at Li Huan.
The two looked at each other, and Li Huan only saw a calmness in Li Dongyang's eyes. He could see that Li Dongyang's words about becoming an official were really from the bottom of his heart, rather than forcing the emperor to retreat in order to advance.
Li Dongyang also looked at Li Huan. Although he already had the idea of becoming an official in his heart, Li Dongyang was also very curious about what kind of advice Li Huan would give the emperor.
In other words, Li Dongyang also wanted to know whether Li Huan wanted him, the chief assistant, to stay or go.
This position of chief minister is not easy to fill, especially since the young emperor ascended the throne, there have been endless battles between the DPRK and the Central Government. First, there was a battle between the civil servant group and the eunuch party, and there was also the potential for the rise of the nobles represented by Li Huan. In the future,
I'm afraid it will be even more uneasy in this court.
In the past few years, he, the chief minister, had been caught between the emperor and the officials. He had really spent all his energy and worry to barely maintain the stability of the court.
It's just that in the past two years, he has clearly felt that the emperor has become more and more powerful. If he, the chief assistant, is caught between the emperor and the officials, he may end up being a human being.
In this case, it is better to retire as soon as possible.
Because of this, Li Dongyang seemed very calm at the moment. He just looked at Li Huan with slight curiosity.
Although Li Huan said he didn't know what Li Dongyang was thinking, he could still see the determination in Li Dongyang's eyes and knew that the chief assistant really had the idea of leaving.
If in the past, Li Dongyang begged the emperor for his bones and prayed for an official position, Li Huan would definitely persuade the emperor to keep him.
Because of Li Dongyang's good-natured character, whether facing the emperor or officials, he was a good buffer between the two.
Without Li Dongyang's change of direction, there would have been a lot of turmoil in the court in recent years.
Li Dongyang gave a slight salute, and Li Huan bowed to the emperor with a serious look on his face and said: "Your Majesty, I think that the chief assistant has worked hard for the Ming Dynasty in this province. It can be said that he has worked hard and achieved great results. Now since the chief assistant is begging for the bones of your majesty, so
In order to pray for a peaceful life, I believe that Your Majesty should respond to this request, so as to show Your Majesty's benevolence in treating others and showing consideration for the kindness of old ministers."
Li Huan's words made all the officials present twitch their mouths. Many people opened their mouths, but they didn't know what to say.
Because what Li Huan said was reasonable and well-founded, and he also directly gave the emperor the name of benevolence and righteousness for the emperor's promise to Li Dongyang to be an official.
Now looking at Li Dongyang's white-haired, rickety old appearance, combined with Li Huan's words, even they all felt that if the emperor did not agree to Li Dongyang's appointment, then he was really not a benevolent king.
What you did.
Li Dongyang couldn't help but sigh after hearing Li Huan's words. Li Huan's advice to the emperor to agree to his appointment was unexpected, but if he thought about it carefully, it was reasonable.
Even with Li Dongyang's sophistication, he already had some guesses about Li Huan's next move.
If nothing unexpected happens, once he, the chief minister of the cabinet, takes office, the position of the chief minister of the cabinet will definitely be vacant.
Although the Ming Dynasty has no prime minister, the authority of the chief minister of the cabinet is not much different from that of the prime minister. For such an important position, Li Huan will most likely push Wang Yangming to take over.
Originally, with Wang Yangming's qualifications, it would take at least many years before he was qualified to sit on the position of chief minister of the cabinet.
Although Wang Yangming has already entered the cabinet, from a cabinet minister to the chief minister of the cabinet, the threshold is not something that can be crossed casually.
Without sufficient qualifications, it is the cabinet
Cabinet ministers cannot easily cross over and then sit in a high position that is below one person and above ten thousand people.
Under normal circumstances, Wang Yangming did not have anyone sitting in the position of chief minister of the cabinet, but as Wang Yangming led the army to defeat the Tatars, the military exploits of this single battle suddenly cast a golden statue for Wang Yangming, and his contribution was so important
, completely erasing the so-called lack of qualifications.
As long as the emperor is willing, he can definitely promote Wang Yangming, a cabinet minister with outstanding military achievements, to the position of chief minister of the cabinet.
In Li Dongyang's view, this was the reason why Li Huan did not hesitate to suggest that the emperor allow his chief minister to serve.
Thinking of Wang Yangming, Li Dongyang couldn't help but flash a strange light in his eyes. To be honest, Li Dongyang admired Wang Yangming's abilities from the bottom of his heart.
Wang Yangming was able to govern the army with both civil and military support, and he was able to govern the people by dismounting the horse. The emperor praised Li Huan in this way before, but Li Huan was able to control the army, but he did not see his ability to govern the people. However, Wang Yangming was able to use both civil and military skills.
Has been tested.
If such a cabinet minister became the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, it would not be a bad thing for the Ming Dynasty.
Such thoughts flashed through his mind. When Li Dongyang looked at Li Huan again, his eyes couldn't help but reveal something strange. From the way he looked at people, he couldn't tell that Wang Yangming was definitely a determined person, and Wang Yangming
They are definitely not Li Huan's puppets. Li Huan and Wang Yangming may not even be considered allies. I just don't know how Wang Yangming will get along with Li Huan, the future powerful minister, when he takes office and becomes the chief minister of the cabinet.
I don't know why, but when he thought that he might see Li Huan and Wang Yangming fighting in the future, Li Dongyang looked at Li Huan more and more strangely.
Li Dongyang's eyes were naturally in Li Huan's eyes, but how could Li Huan know that Li Dongyang would think so much in a short period of time.
At this moment, Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up, he nodded slightly and said: "What Li Qing said is true. The first assistant has worked hard for our Ming Dynasty all his life. He has written several times to beg me to allow him to retire and return to his hometown to take care of himself. I have tried to persuade him to stay.
I only hope that the chief minister will do his best for our Ming Dynasty, but he has forgotten that this action is already a sign of the benevolence of a king. Today, Li Qing’s words are like a wake-up call..."
Listening to Zhu Houzhao's words, many officials sighed in their hearts. It seemed that the overall situation of Chief Assistant Li Dongyang's appointment was decided, and no one could change the emperor's decision.
As expected, the emperor looked at Li Dongyang with emotion and said tremblingly: "Today I have agreed to Li Qing's request, allowing the Qing family to retire and return to their hometown to take care of themselves.
When Li Dongyang heard this, he felt as if the burden on his body relaxed, as if the burden that had been weighing on him for many years was suddenly lifted. But then a faint feeling of reluctance surged into his heart.
Of course, this is human nature. After all, he has been in the officialdom for decades, and now he suddenly has to step down from his official position, retire and return to his hometown. It would be strange if there was no reluctance.
Suppressing the complicated emotions in his heart, Li Dongyang slowly bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, Li Dongyang, thank you."
Looking at Li Dongyang's head full of white hair, and thinking about the scene where the late emperor had left him alone before his deathbed, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but get up with emotion, stepped forward and helped Li Dongyang up.
"Li Qing's hard work and meritorious service earned him the title of Grand Master, a reward of a thousand taels, hundreds of bolts of silk, and a thousand acres of fertile land..."
A series of awards were given, which shows the emperor's great love for Li Dongyang.
Li Dongyang knelt on the ground. He burst into tears when he heard the emperor's reward. He burst into tears and said with tears of gratitude: "I am so virtuous and capable that I have received such favor from your majesty."
Zhu Houzhao looked at Li Dongyang, and then swept his eyes across the civil and martial arts people present: "The Qing family has worked hard for the country all their lives, and Li Qing deserves this reward."
As he spoke, Zhu Houzhao looked at the civil and martial arts disciples: "What do you think?"
The civil servant group was naturally not happy that Li Dongyang, the chief minister, would become an official. After all, in their view, the reason why Li Dongyang became an official was entirely forced by Li Huan and the emperor.
If Li Huan hadn't been so aggressive and impeached officials at this great court meeting, which involved key departments of the court such as the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Household Affairs, why would Li Dongyang, as the chief assistant, have to step forward and choose to replace the Ministry of Work and the Ministry of War by resigning?
, the Ministry of Household Responsibility bears some of the responsibilities.
But at this time, the overall situation has been decided. No matter what they think in their hearts, under the gaze of the emperor, all the civil and military officials
They all shouted to the emperor: "Your Majesty is wise."
I don’t know why, watching Li Dongyang take office, many officials felt a bit empty in their hearts. At this time, Li Dongyang slowly opened his mouth and said to the emperor with a somewhat solemn expression: "Your Majesty,
I have received your majesty's great love, and I have been promised to serve in an official position and to take care of myself in my old age. Before I leave, I have a few words to give to your majesty."
Zhu Houzhao looked at Li Dongyang and said, "Li Qing, please tell me if you have anything to say!"
Li Dongyang sighed softly, and looked at Zhu Houzhao and Li Huan with a slightly complicated expression: "Your Majesty is going to be a promising king of the Ming Dynasty. You must know and listen, and you will be enlightened and believe in secret."
Feeling Li Dongyang's glance at him, especially Li Dongyang's pointed words, Li Huan just glanced at Li Dongyang calmly.
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To be continued
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