In the Nuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in the Imperial City of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen made the final decision. It can be seen that his excitement has not yet completely calmed down.
The ministers and eunuchs present were also happy, especially eunuchs such as Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua. They had been with Emperor Chongzhen for the longest time, regarded him as their master, and were the most loyal to him.
But among the cabinet ministers, their performances were different, and each of them was different. On the contrary, Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War, who was born in Juren, was probably the most truly happy person.
But even so, he did not dare to accept Emperor Chongzhen's words easily. He still had to wait and listen to the attitude of the first minister, second minister and other cabinet ministers.
But all of these people were sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai, but no one uttered a word. At this moment, everyone became mute and said nothing.
Zhou Yanru, in the 41st year of Wanli's reign, was the first scholar in Lienzhong Huiyuan, the number one scholar, and served successively as editor, right Zhongyun, Zuo Shuzi, Shao Zhan Shi, Zheng Zhan, right minister of the Ministry of Rites, etc.
He was good at catering to Emperor Chongzhen's will. In December of the second year of Chongzhen, he entered the cabinet as Minister of Rites and Bachelor of Dongge University.
In February of the second year, he was granted the title of Crown Prince Taibao, and was promoted to Bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion. In September, he was promoted to Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, and was granted the title of Shaobao, and was promoted to Bachelor of Wuyingdian. In February of the fifth year of Chongzhen, he was promoted to Shaofu and Crown Prince Taifu. He was changed to Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and became a bachelor of Jidian Jidian University.
However, the good times did not last long. In June of the sixth year of Chongzhen, he was forced to resign after being revealed by Chen Zanhua, the minister, that he had secretly called Emperor Chongzhen "Sir Emperor Xi".
However, God is not willing to let Mr. Zhou Da have a good rest.
In May of the 14th year of Chongzhen, Fan Fucui, the then Chief Assistant to the Cabinet and the Crown Prince, resigned from office after taking advantage of Emperor Chongzhen's general amnesty to release many imprisoned officials. Return.
As early as April, before Emperor Chongzhen agreed to the resignation of his chief assistant Fan Fucui, he had already issued an order to summon three former academicians, including Zhou Yanru, Zhang Zhifa, and He Fengsheng, to join the court.
On August 12, Zhou Yanru and He Fengsheng were summoned to Beijing, but Zhang Zhifa was unable to be summoned to Beijing because of his old age and illness.
The day after Zhou Yanru and He Fengsheng arrived in Beijing, they were immediately summoned by Emperor Chongzhen. They immediately joined the cabinet. Zhou Yanru not only resumed his official position, but also directly became the chief minister of the cabinet, replacing Fan Fucui. s position.
In fact, Zhou Yanru's comeback had been foreshadowed for a long time. Wu Changshi, a member of Fushe's Rites Department, had previously written to Zhang Pu, Zhou Yanru's protégé and leader of Fushe, urging him to encourage Zhou Yanru to come back.
For this reason, during the Wuchang period, Zhang Pu and others spent 60,000 taels of silver and made every effort to make friends with the eunuchs Wang Dehua, Wang Yumin, Wang Zhixin and others around Emperor Chongzhen, and devoted themselves to promoting Zhou Yanru's comeback.
Of course, the final decision always rests with Emperor Chongzhen himself, but he also intended to appoint Zhou Yanru to the cabinet again, so Zhou Yanru could successfully come back and join the cabinet to worship the prime minister for the second time.
Zhang Pu, the leader of Fushe, had already given Zhou Yanru a secret guide on the ten things to do to save him before he came back. He told him that if he really came back as he wished, he must follow these instructions. Zhou Yanru naturally agreed.
By the way, the ten things mentioned by Zhang Pu are indeed good strategies to deal with the current shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty, and they are indeed important codes for governing the country.
Just yesterday, when Zhou Yanru paid his first visit to Emperor Chongzhen after entering Beijing, he put the ten things Zhang Pu said into his own words and made a concise statement to Emperor Chongzhen.
Among them are such things as releasing households with grain arrears, exempting people from long-standing tax arrears, exempting and exempting soldiers from this year's land tax in deserted areas, leniently pardoning garrison crimes for the following people, reinstating people who were mistakenly promoted, taking a wide range of scholars, and summoning back those who were demoted because of their speeches.
officials, etc.
Emperor Chongzhen also agreed without hesitation and gave him a banquet to wash away his dust. After Zhou Yanru resigned and left, Emperor Chongzhen was even more delighted and said: "It's still him!"
It can be seen that Emperor Chongzhen still had high hopes for Zhou Yanru, and he also very much hoped that with his assistance, he could create a scene of Ming Zhongxing.
It was precisely because Zhou Yanru fulfilled many of his original promises after his comeback, promoted a group of prestigious scholar-bureaucrats, and achieved some political achievements that he was praised as a wise prime minister both inside and outside the court.
Emperor Chongzhen highly respected him and always called him "Yuan Fu" or "Sir", but never called him by his first name. During every pilgrimage, he frequently offered him seats, meals, and favors.
Just catch up to the original Yang Sichang.
However, what Emperor Chongzhen didn't know was Zhou Yanru's request for bribes.
Zhou Yanru, the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, used the Ten Things reported by Zhang Pu to win the favor of Emperor Chongzhen and control the government. Then he used cronies such as Dong Tingxian in Wuchang to make friends with internal servants while asking for bribes, which in turn exacerbated the corruption of the Ming Dynasty.
However, these things have only just begun. Not to mention that Emperor Chongzhen doesn't know about it yet. Even the courtiers in the capital, the ministers of the border areas, the ministers of Fu, as well as the local magistrates, magistrates and other officials, there are only a few who have benefited.
Only then did I know.
Since Zhang Cheng traveled through time, he has always had the habit of "burning a cold stove"!
Having lived in two lifetimes, he naturally understands the truth. If he is really wealthy, he will continue to bet on both the old and the hot while burning the cold stove.
But today, although Zhang Cheng has a big business, sufficient money and food, and a lot of income every month, his expenses are also very huge.
Not to mention that there are nearly 30,000 soldiers under his command, as well as how many war horses, mules and horses need to be raised. Moreover, all the Xuanfu soldiers under Zhang Cheng are fully paid soldiers.
Furthermore, the Yunzhou Workshop worked day and night, working overtime to produce the armor and weapons, guns and artillery, chariots and carriages needed for the army. At the same time, it also spent various resources on endless production every day.
Improvement and R&D testing.
Even if he had Yunzhou cigarettes, burning knives, fine salt, sugar, glass and other rare goods, he basically wouldn't have to worry about selling them, but he would just worry about not being able to keep up with the production speed. But even if he made money like this, he couldn't withstand Zhang Cheng's huge expenses.
The main reason why it can still maintain and develop well in Xunzhen is that silver stamps, food stamps, cloth stamps, and silver coins are recognized and widely used.
Perhaps to outsiders, Zhang Cheng has no shortage of ways and means to make money, but they don't know that in fact these silver, grain, and cloth coupons are the basis for supporting Zhang Cheng's huge expenses.
When Zhang Cheng started his business in Xuanbei, he only had less than 20,000 taels of silver in total. It was precisely because of the forced use of banknotes and food stamps that he was able to maintain the expenses of recruiting soldiers and camp training in the early stage.
Therefore, Zhang Cheng's money was spent on the cutting edge, and there was no extra money to spend everywhere, and "burning the cold stove" would save a lot of money!
After all, they are still in the stage where they have not yet reached the stage of success. Some of them are not even as powerful as Zhang Cheng in terms of status and power, so their appetites are not very big and they are easier to feed.
"Use the least amount of money to do the greatest thing!"
This is the principle of doing things that Zhang Cheng believes in.
However, this cold stove is not so easy to burn. After all, even if Zhang Cheng is an outlier from later generations, he does not know everything about the successive chief ministers of the Ming Dynasty.
But there is one thing that Zhang Cheng is indeed familiar with, and that is the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty in the Chongzhen Dynasty. It seems that except for Wen Tiren, there is no one who can last long.
Therefore, when Fan Fucui was still serving as the first assistant, Zhang Cheng had already begun to cling to the next chief assistant of the cabinet. However, he did not expect that Zhou Yanru, the outgoing first assistant, would actually come back, score twice, and ascend to the throne again.
Therefore, the cold stove he burned was Chen Yan, the Second Assistant to the Cabinet. However, even as smart as Zhang Cheng, he did not calculate that Chen Yan, the cold stove, was really cold!
Sure enough, if you don't pay tribute, there will be no good words.
Emperor Chongzhen couldn't bear it any longer. His face darkened and he asked, "Yuanfu, what do you think?"
After being named by the emperor, Zhou Yanru knew at this moment that he could no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb. However, Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War, had always been solely responsible for the military affairs in Liaodong, and everything had been planned before he resumed his duties as chief minister.
Nowadays, even if he has great achievements, it is difficult for him to get a share of the benefits. Even if he does get a share of the benefits, how can he compare with his own soldier Chen Xinjia, who has worked hard day and night for this?
Although he seemed harmonious on the surface, in his heart Zhou Yanru, like everyone else, looked down on Chen Xinjia, who was born in Juren.
Moreover, he was even more jealous and wary of Chen Xinjia, because he had heard some news before that Chen Xinjia was also extremely favored by Emperor Chongzhen and was often summoned alone.
Now Zhang Cheng, the deputy commander-in-chief who has made brilliant achievements in Liaodong, is a direct lineage cultivated by Chen Xinjia. If he continues to be allowed to develop freely, he may threaten his position in the near future.
After Zhou Yanru thought for a while, he leaned forward and exposed a corner of the wool cushion on the seat. Looking at the ministers in the Qianqing Palace, he was the only one who received such treatment.
I only heard Zhou Yanru echoing softly: "Your Majesty, I have just returned to the central government. I don't know much about Liao affairs. I would like to hear the opinions of all the cabinet elders first."
"This old fox is so cunning!"
Chen Xinjia still had his head lowered and his eyebrows lowered, but in his heart he had already greeted all the eighteen generations of Zhou Yanru's ancestors.
Emperor Chongzhen did not make things difficult for Zhou Yanru, but turned his head to look at Chen Yan, his second assistant, with a slightly cold look in his eyes.
Chen Yan was also dissatisfied with Zhou Yanru in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face at all. He also knew that he had to express his position at this moment, and he stopped writing.
He slowly stood up and bowed down and said: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, our Ming Dynasty has such a fierce general as Zhang Cheng, who can defeat the thieves and regain Liaodong. It will be just around the corner!"
Chen Yan was worthy of being an old man. In the name of congratulations, he exaggerated Cheng's bravery. Although he did not express his support for making Zhang Cheng his uncle, the underlying meaning of his words had already made clear his intentions.
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, and then moved his gaze downwards to look at He Fengsheng, who was also a new member of the cabinet.
"Your Majesty, I don't think it's appropriate to make Zhang Cheng an earl."
He Fengsheng stood up and knelt down and continued: "Although Zhang Cheng has made great contributions to the country, he is still young after all. I am afraid that if he receives this great favor, he will become arrogant and lose his enterprising spirit. This will harm the country."
Bad luck.
I think it is enough to first confer Zhang Cheng with the post of Chief Military Officer of Xuanfu Town and worship him as General Zhenshuo. After his final achievements in the Liao Dynasty, he will be rewarded with the title of Gaotang and his wife at home so that it can continue.
Serve His Majesty.
Although his loyalty and bravery to our Ming Dynasty is commendable, after all, he has not lived up to the age of his establishment. With his ability today, he will definitely make outstanding contributions in the future. If he is given an excessive reward today, how can he be given a reward in the future?
In my opinion, for today’s meritorious service, Zhang Cheng should be regarded as a general. Only when he performs special meritorious service in the future can he be awarded the title of Lord.”
Emperor Chongzhen was slightly unhappy after hearing He Fengsheng's words, but then he thought about it, He Fengsheng was also motivated by public interests and was thinking about himself, and he was relieved.
Next, all cabinet ministers expressed their opinions. Among them, Zhou Yanru was the last one to express his position. He fully supported He Fengsheng's opinion. Chen Xinjia, as a soldier, originally wanted to fight for Zhang Cheng and could also show his goodwill towards Zhang Cheng.
However, in the end, the opinions supporting He Fengsheng prevailed, and after Emperor Chongzhen calmed down, it seemed that he no longer insisted on conferring an earl title on Zhang Cheng, so he remained silent and became the only person who said nothing during the court meeting.
Before the ministers withdrew, Emperor Chongzhen sent another message: "Chen Xinjia, the Ministry of War has urged Zhang Cheng to transport the bodies of slave chief Duduo and others to the capital as soon as possible. I want to sacrifice to the Ancestral Temple to comfort the spirits of our ancestors in heaven."
"I obey the order." Chen Xinjia hurriedly knelt down to receive the order.
…………
After all the cabinet ministers had retired, Emperor Chongzhen asked Wang Chengen, the eunuch who was close to him: "Wang Chengen, what do you think of the appointment of Zhang Cheng as uncle?"
After Wang Chengen heard this, his face turned pale instantly. He knelt on the ground and recited: "Old slave, you don't dare to discuss state affairs arbitrarily."
Emperor Chongzhen looked at Wang Chengen who was kneeling on the ground, shaking like chaff, and nodded with great satisfaction, but he was still a little unwilling in his heart, and then said: "I will pardon your innocence."
Although Emperor Chongzhen said this, Wang Chengen still did not dare to discuss the government affairs arbitrarily. He kowtowed hard and said: "I am stupid and don't know how to reply."
He paused for a moment before adding: "Zong Kuang has taught that ministers should not discuss political affairs arbitrarily."
"I want you to tell me!"
Emperor Chongzhen had clearly expressed his dissatisfaction, and his words were extremely cold.
When Wang Chengen heard this, he couldn't help but trembled. He had been with the emperor for a long time, so he naturally knew the moodiness of Emperor Chongzhen. He did not dare to refuse at the moment, so he could only reply softly: "I think that Mr. He Ge is a minister who seeks the country."
Emperor Chongzhen didn't say a word when he heard the words. He was stunned for a moment and then said calmly: "I'm tired, please retreat."
The eunuchs and maids in the Qianqing Palace were all waiting in front of Emperor Chongzhen. Naturally they understood that the emperor wanted to be quiet, so they all quietly left the Qianqing Palace.
After the eunuchs and maids retreated, Emperor Chongzhen stood up. He came to the carved window and closed his eyes, letting the sunset shine on his face, and felt very comfortable.
After a while, Emperor Chongzhen actually said quietly: "If the merits are high and the rewards are low, will Zhang Cheng be dissatisfied?"
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