After the early court, Li He and Zuo Lanshan entered the Imperial Study Room to meet Emperor Deqing respectively.
First it was Li He, then Zuo Lanshan.
Among them, the conversation between Emperor Deqing and Li He didn't last long and seemed to be just a passing scene, so Zuo Lanshan didn't wait too long outside the imperial study room when he saw Li He and Emperor Deqing ending their conversation and leaving the imperial study.
study, and informed Zuo Lanshan that he could enter the imperial study to meet Emperor Deqing.
Although Zuo Lanshan had been the Minister of the Ministry of Industry for seven or eight years before, he was just the shadow of the former cabinet minister Wen Guanliang. After joining Zhao Junchen, he became Zhao Junchen's yes man. In the temple
His presence has never been high, and Emperor Deqing's holy family members have never had his turn, so the number of times Emperor Deqing summoned him alone can be said to be very few. In this way, when Zuo Lanshan stepped into the imperial study, his mood
He was actually a little nervous.
"I, Zuo Lanshan, pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
Because he was a little nervous, Zuo Lanshan kept his head lowered after entering the imperial study. He did not dare to raise his head to look at Emperor Deqing's expression. He just saluted respectfully and said hello.
On the other side, seeing Zuo Lanshan's appearance, Emperor Deqing's eyes were a little complicated. He was satisfied with Zuo Lanshan's awe and respect for him, but also a little dissatisfied with Zuo Lanshan's restraint and timidity.
It is a good thing to know how to fear the emperor, but if the character is too timid and reserved, it will not be conducive to Emperor Deqing's plan to use Zuolan Mountain to split the "Zhao Party" and suppress Zhao Junchen.
However, Emperor Deqing did not express his thoughts, but said in a gentle tone: "Aiqing is now an assistant minister of the cabinet, and his status is very different from the past. He will meet me often in the future, but there is no need to do so.
If you are cautious, get up quickly."
Seeing that Emperor Deqing's attitude was so cordial and harmonious, Zuo Lanshan was quite flattered and said loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
However, after getting up, Zuo Lanshan still lowered his head and did not dare to raise his eyes at all.
Emperor Deqing shook his head secretly, but his tone became more gentle and said: "This time, you, Li He, and Liang Fuchen entered the cabinet together. Among them, you have the lowest voice among the officials and the least support. There are even many
People are firmly opposed to your joining the cabinet to assist the government. It can be said that the reason why you are able to join the cabinet now is all because of my arbitrariness of the Sacred Heart. Therefore, after you enter the cabinet, you must perform well and never let me lose face."
In a few words, Emperor Deqing took all the credit for Zuo Lanshan's entry into the cabinet, and also slightly narrowed the distance between the emperor and his ministers, as if Zuo Lanshan was a die-hard confidant of Emperor Deqing.
These beautiful words still have an effect.
At least, although Zuo Lanshan knew that he was able to join the cabinet this time only because of Zhao Junchen's planning and support, after hearing Emperor Deqing's words, he still couldn't help but feel some gratitude in his heart.
He expressed his love and promised loudly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will do my best and never let you down!"
Seeing Zuo Lanshan's appearance, Emperor Deqing finally nodded with satisfaction, and then asked: "So, according to you, after you join the cabinet, how can you make a difference and become a qualified cabinet minister?
?”
After hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zuo Lanshan was slightly stunned.
He is not a person with long-term vision, so he has not thought about these things yet.
But Zuo Lanshan was also somewhat quick-witted and did not directly answer Emperor Deqing's question. Instead, he said: "I am ignorant, so please enlighten me. Your Majesty, I will do whatever you say!"
Emperor Deqing shook his head and said: "In my opinion, a minister in the cabinet must first have his own temperament and opinions. The cabinet is the place where the court makes decisions, and it is most necessary for several cabinet ministers to work together and express their opinions.
, must not become anyone's talking point, and the cabinet ministers must not become anyone's yes man, otherwise the government and the opposition will be in chaos, you must keep this in mind!"
Emperor Deqing's words are quite meaningful and suggestive. They seem to be suggesting that Zuo Lanshan should find ways to check and balance Zhou Shangjing after entering the cabinet, and they also seem to be bewitching Zuo Lanshan not to rely solely on Zhao Junchen in the future.
Look... For a while, Zuo Lanshan couldn't figure out the true meaning of these words, so he could only quickly reply: "Thank you for your advice, I will note it down."
Emperor Deqing said slowly: "I just hope you can truly understand what I said, and never let down my good intentions. My expectations for you are very different..."
At this point, Emperor Deqing changed the topic and said: "In addition to exchanging the views of the cabinet with you this time, I have called you to talk, and there is also the matter of the successor to the Minister of Industry! The former emperor once had
It is stipulated that after the ministers of the DPRK and Central Government enter the cabinet, they will be awarded the honorary titles of bachelor and three ministers, but they can no longer hold the actual posts of the six ministries. Now that you enter the cabinet, the position of minister of the Ministry of Industry will be vacant. Someone must take over, but I will
I don’t have time to think of a suitable candidate, but I want to hear your thoughts. You have served in the Ministry of Industry for many years, so you must know more about this than me."
Then, Emperor Deqing was still meaningful and continued: "Although the position of assistant minister in the cabinet is the most noble, it also needs the support of the important ministers in the court. Therefore, when you recommend the candidate for the minister of the Ministry of Industry, there is no need to be taboo.
There is a difference between closeness and distance. In my opinion, it would be a good thing if the new Minister of Works becomes a good friend of you. With the support of a Minister, it will be easier for you to show your strength in the cabinet in the future."
After hearing Emperor Deqing's speech, Zuo Lanshan's heart tightened.
Zuo Lanshan was not a novice in the officialdom, so he could naturally understand that Emperor Deqing was openly encouraging Zuo Lanshan to hand over the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry to one of his cronies and take the opportunity to build his own team.
Let Zuo Lanshan have the power to compete with Zhao Junchen.
After all, Zuo Lanshan was originally the number two figure in the "Zhao Party", and now he has become a cabinet minister. If he gets the strong support of another minister, then Zuo Lanshan's influence within the "Zhao Party" will not be
If he is inferior to Zhao Junchen, he will have the capital to compete with Zhao Junchen.
If it were normal, after Zuo Lanshan received the hint from Emperor Deqing, he might have been a little frightened and had some ambitions and dissent. However, the scenes in the Huangji Palace after the early dynasty had already turned Zuo Lanshan's uncut eyes.
All ambition and alienation have been eradicated!
At this time, Zuo Lanshan has deeply understood the fact that Zhao Junchen is the absolute leader within the "Zhao Party"! All "Zhao Party" officials have now been imprisoned by Zhao Junchen using various means.
Even those officials from the Ministry of Works are now assuming that Zhao Junchen is right. Without Zhao Junchen's consent, no "Zhao Party" official would take the initiative to support Zuo Lanshan!
It can be said that Zhao Junchen's leadership position in the "Zhao Party" cannot be shaken by Zuo Lanshan. Even if Zuo Lanshan elects his cronies to serve as ministers of the Ministry of Industry, there is no way he can compete with Zhao Junchen!
What's more, Zhao Junchen had already anticipated Emperor Deqing's performance at this time, and made arrangements in advance for Zuo Lanshan as the successor to the Minister of Industry.
Zuo Lanshan did not dare to disobey Zhao Junchen's instructions.
Therefore, after hearing Emperor Deqing's hint, Zuo Lanshan's mood was slightly shaken for a moment, and he followed Zhao Junchen's instructions and said: "I believe that there are not many ministers in the court who are familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Industry.
However, all matters in the Ministry of Industry are extremely important, so it is best to select a minister with relevant experience to serve as the Minister... I believe that Chen Dongxiang, the current left minister of the Ministry of Industry, is skilled in government affairs, has outstanding ability, and is shrewd and capable. He is the Minister of the Ministry of Industry.
The best candidate to take over.”
"Chen Dongxiang?"
Upon hearing this name, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but frown.