Traitors of the Manchu dynasty, why do you make me an emperor through the ages Chapter 177 Li Gan: This old horse of mine doesn't know where to go, I must eradicate this villain!
Chapter 177 Li Gan: This old horse of mine doesn't know where to go, I must eradicate this villain!
As soon as Sima Guang heard Cai Jing's words, he stopped nagging and turned around to leave.
The registration for the general examination gradually started. He was so busy every day that he had to go out soon. How could he have time to write with Cai Jing here?
Unexpectedly, he was so rude. The smile on Cai Jing's face froze slightly, and he hurriedly reached out to hold him again: "Sima Budang, come too, I have something to tell you."
Sima Guang was startled, then nodded: "Okay, Mr. Cai."
The two came to Wang Mang's room. Wang Mang was obviously taken aback when he saw Cai Jing.
"Master Cai? Please sit down."
"Jujun, I haven't seen you for a while." In the warm room, Cai Jing took off his mink, sat on a chair, and looked at Wang Mang with a smile.
Wang Mang, also known as Jujun.
The two ministers, Pu She, are the highest officials of the Shangshu Province. The six ministers are responsible to them, and these two ministers are responsible to the emperor. Among them, the left and right servants also have their own division of labor.
He Shen was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Industry, while Cai Jing was in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Punishment.
But now He Shen is not in the capital, so Cai Jing has taken over the matters of the other three departments.
Therefore, now Cai Jing is Wang Mang's boss. When his boss directly said that he hadn't seen him for a few days...
That probably means some accusation.
You haven't come to report to work lately? Are you just a busy person?
But Wang Mang didn't seem to understand, and said with a smile: "It's approaching the end of the year. After the new year, I will take the exam. I've been a little busy recently."
Cai Jing smiled and nodded: "I came to the Ministry of Etiquette today because of the examination. The examination is approaching, and it's time for you, deputy examiners, and co-examiners to start considering the places."
Wang Mang was startled: "Mr. Cai, is it too early now? The candidates for deputy examiner and co-examiner are usually decided after the new year. Now it's almost a month before the new year!"
"I don't want to settle now."
Cai Jing shook his head with a smile: "I just wanted to ask, Jujun, what are your ideas and candidates?"
"Choose..."
Wang Mang pondered for a moment. The candidate for deputy examiner is actually very important. This is a very, very awesome job that everyone covets.
After the results of the examination are released, the first-place Huiyuan, third-place, fifth-place...and so on odd-numbered candidates are all students of the examiner, and they must recognize the examiner as their host.
The second, fourth, and so on even-numbered candidates are the students of the deputy examiner, and they must recognize the deputy examiner as their host.
The relationship between the disciple and the master is almost the most stable and strongest relationship in the officialdom. It is almost impossible for the disciple to betray the master, and the master also has to rely on many disciples to gain a greater say.
In the same position, there is a huge difference in strength between officials who have presided over the general examination and those who have a group of disciples and those who have no disciples. It is similar to "if the staff does not have a leader, the fart will not make a sound." Without disciples, ministers and prime ministers, let it go.
The fart is not loud enough.
Moreover, under the same conditions, ministers with disciples are more likely to be promoted to ministers or other positions.
Because I have disciples, I can speak forcefully and do things better in various places.
Now, the deputy examiner can share half of the students with the chief examiner, which is actually a very advantageous thing. This kind of good thing is related to promotion, wealth, and power. Every year, the competition is very fierce.
.
The waiters who had no disciples were jealous, and the waiters who had disciples became even more jealous after they tasted the benefits.
So Wang Mang thought about it for a moment, and then said cautiously: "I really haven't thought about this before I went to the official position. If Mr. Cai has any ideas, why not tell him?"
Cai Jing chuckled, then turned to look at Sima Guang on the side: "Sima Bu Tang, what do you think?"
Sima Guang was already busy with trivial matters and was in a hurry to get things done, and the choice of deputy examiner was not something he could decide at the moment.
Therefore, Sima Guang bowed his hand and replied meticulously: "Sir, I think that I can serve as the deputy examiner of this subject."
The smile on Cai Jing's face froze, and he didn't know how to continue.
"Jun Shi, Mr. Cai and I will consider your idea. You can go back first." Fortunately, Wang Mang gave him a step up.
"Thank you, Sir." Sima Guang bowed his hands with satisfaction: "Uncle Zong, Sir Cai, I have taken my leave."
After he left, Wang Mang smiled, shook his head and said, "This Junshi is good at everything, but he's too straightforward."
Cai Jing also came back to his senses, as if nothing had happened, and said with a chuckle: "It's better to be more straightforward, it's better to be more straightforward. Sometimes what you say is too convoluted, and people don't understand."
No matter what, he did not comment on Sima Guang's words.
"Master Cai, who do you think is more suitable for the position of deputy examiner?" Wang Mang looked at him and asked.
Cai Jing returned to his smiling look: "Actually, I don't have any suitable candidates, so I came to discuss it with Jujun."
He smiled and said: "But I do feel that in recent years, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites have proctored exams a bit too often. For the sake of fairness, it is time to let other ministries try more."
Wang Mang frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and nodded: "What your Excellency said is absolutely true. If the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites continue to take charge, the ministers in other departments will complain."
Cai Jing smiled and nodded: "Among the remaining Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Ministry of Punishment, and Ministry of Works, which one does Wang Zongbo think is more suitable?"
Wang Mang thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know, but I think it's best to wait until next year to decide on the candidate for deputy examiner."
"First, according to the usual practice, the candidates for the examiner are decided after the new year. It is not yet the end of the year, and the ministers of various ministries are not prepared. If the news is announced rashly, it will inevitably cause complaints from other ministers."
It is the custom of ministers to make connections during the Chinese New Year, give gifts, show loyalty, and at the same time flirt with other competitors.
You made the decision in advance, and they didn't even get a chance. Are you going to be so angry?
Wang Mang glanced at Cai Jing, and then said in a deep voice: "The second is to announce the news in advance. If it spreads to the capital, it will attract the candidates in the capital to wait for the opportunity. If there is another scandal, it will be too ugly.
."
Cai Jing was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then nodded: "That's what Ju Jun said."
"But I came here this time just to have a chat with you, and I didn't think about making a decision directly."
"Today's selection is only known by heaven and earth. You know it and I know it."
Wang Mang was so angry that he was itching his teeth. This was because he wanted to make an internal decision!
But the key point is, you don’t know whose benefits you are taking, and you want to help him make an appointment, so you just come over and have sex for nothing?
Just don’t share it at all???
But Cai Jing is his direct superior. Usually in this kind of workplace bullying, subordinates are always in a weak position.
Cai Jing said with a smile: "There are frequent military affairs this year. The two ministers of the Ministry of War are busy dealing with the war in Wu. Naturally, they are not suitable to take on the important task of being an examiner."
"The Punishment Department has been very busy lately, and they are very busy. In addition, they are my direct subordinates. In order to avoid suspicion, it is natural that they are not suitable to be deputy examiners again."
This is indeed true. Cai Jing is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. According to the principle of avoidance of imperial examinations, the minister of the Ministry of Punishment can no longer serve as the deputy examiner.
Wang Mang didn't know how to react, so he could only nodded silently.
Cai Jing smiled when he saw this: "The work of the Ministry of Industry is the most messy. It has been dispatching craftsmen to work on disaster relief."
"This winter, we have to build shacks for the victims. Even Zuo Shilang said that he would rush to the disaster area in person. This winter, the victims cannot do without them."
He sipped the hot tea in the pure white porcelain cup and shook his head with emotion: "At the moment, the only one who can help is the Ministry of Finance."
Wang Mang knew that this analysis seemed reasonable, but in fact it was nonsense.
Why can't the Ministry of Works do it? Spring will naturally start next spring. The victims can't live without them in winter. What does spring have to do with it?
What other excuse is there for the Ministry of War to be busy? Could it be that the Ministry of Household Affairs is not busy?
Every Chinese New Year is the busiest time for the household department!
After thinking for a moment, Wang Mang did not refute his words, but followed him and said: "Master Cai, do you think Guan Peng, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is suitable for the position of deputy examiner?"
He frowned slightly: "It's just that this person has served as deputy examiner twice. If he is allowed to continue...will other people suffer from inequality instead of scarcity?"
Cai Jing was startled, as if he had just thought of this question.
"This...that's what Jujun said."
He shook his head and said with emotion: "I didn't think carefully and forgot this."
"Since Guan Peng is not suitable, why not let Han Mulu, the right minister of household affairs, take over?"
Wang Mang's face turned dark: "Master Cai, should Han Mulu be like the Ministry of Punishment and avoid you?"
"No, no need."
Cai Jing said with a smile: "I remember that in Fanxiang, the examiners of the joint examination, the same examiners, the supervisors, the tribute judges, the supervisors, the sons of the promoted and the candidates of the clan, those who are actually from the same clan need to avoid it, and those with the same surname but different clans do not need to avoid it.
.'In addition, there are in-laws' sons-in-law and nephews who need to be avoided."
"The same is true between candidates and examiners, and the same is true between examiners."
"I don't have the same surname as Shilang Han, nor are we the son-in-law, so there is no need to avoid it."
"Furthermore, I am upright and have no personal relationship with Minister Han, so I won't care about the rumors outside."
Han Mulu's sister is Cai Jing's wife, which really happened to avoid the "son-in-law, uncle-nephew" in the marriage relationship, and got into the loopholes of the court system.
Wang Mang was helpless. If the person who said this was a subordinate, he would have been able to refute it on the spot.
But now this is the boss saying that he has both the boss's "authority" and the legal "system".
He really couldn't argue with that.
Even so, Wang Mang still made a last-ditch effort. He said helplessly: "Master Cai, if you say you support Minister Han so early, will it make other people think that this is an unofficial decision? Are you trying to harden him?"
"Of course not, there is no such meaning."
Cai Jing waved his hand and explained: "This is a deputy examiner who is selected according to the laws of the imperial court and the current situation of the six departments... Of course, the decision-making power of me and your Ministry of Rites is also very important."
Wang Mang was a little helpless: "But Mr. Cai..."
"Of course!"
Cai Jing said seriously: "I came to the Ministry of Etiquette today just to discuss with you, Jujun. I am not going to confirm the candidate now, nor am I going to appoint Han Shilang as the deputy examiner for the current scientific examination."
"After today, no news will be spread."
Wang Mang sighed, nodded and said, "I understand."
Cai Jing then smiled and nodded: "That's right."
He picked up the tea cup on the table, took a sip carefully, and then continued: "Jujun, today I am not a boss, but as an elder, I will teach you some life experience."
"As for the examination, it is best to keep it completely confidential. No information should be leaked before the seventh day of February."
"Prudence is the best way."
"Only by adhering to the court's laws can we be safe and sound."
Wang Mang nodded, he had understood the intention of the words.
Cai Jing smiled again and said: "By the way, Jujun, do you think there are any candidates with real talent and learning recently?"
"Every time the imperial court held a ceremony to promote talents, the scholars selected were getting worse and worse than before."
Wang Mang was disdainful in his heart, but he still cupped his hands and said: "Master Cai, my official has been busy preparing for the examination in the Ministry of Rites recently, and has not paid much attention to things in the capital."
Cai Jing nodded: "If there are any in the future, you can come to me and talk to me. This can be regarded as helping the court to recruit talented people!"
Wang Mang nodded: "Yes, Mr. Cai."
The two talked for a while, and then Cai Jing stood up and left.
Before leaving, he turned around and looked at Wang Mang with a smile: "It is better to put stability first in this trial. Just prepare slowly, but don't create any more complications."
Wang Mang was startled for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Cai Jing nodded, picked up the mink fur cloak, and turned away.
Amidst the greetings from many clerks, Wang Mang escorted him to the door, and then returned to the duty room, thinking thoughtfully of Cai Jing's last words.
Don't create any more complications...
This sentence is probably the meaning of his visit today.
This means that if someone else comes again and seeks the position of deputy examiner, don't let him go.
The benefits all belong to Cai Jing, but he is promoted as the Minister of Rites to reject others, offend others, and only give him a few Jinshi places...
As a minister of the Ministry of Rites, I am short of your three melons and two dates.
This was the first time for Wang Mang to have such in-depth dealings with Cai Jing. He thought that with so many party members and influence, Mr. Cai Jing must be a very open-minded person.
But why are you so picky about Sosou now?
Wang Mang thought for a moment and then shook his head slightly.
No matter what, this kind of loss-making business cannot be done.
But Cai Jing is the boss, and when subordinates go against their boss, there will never be any good results... unless they can borrow some stronger power.
Subconsciously, Wang Mang raised his head and looked north.
The doors of the buildings in the imperial city and the palace city all open to the south, but the ministers who work in these buildings all sit facing the north. At most, they sit facing the east or west, but there is no one who sits facing the south.
Only the emperor's dragon chair and the chairs in the emperor's palace faced south.
This is what is said about being called an orphan to the south and a subject to the north.
Wang Mang has always been very cautious in this kind of thing, and has always followed etiquette. All the chairs in the room of the Ministry of Etiquette, none of them face south or north.
He stood up, thought for a while and put a bookshelf under his arm, then strode out of the check-in room, walked out of the yamen of the Ministry of Rites, and headed towards the palace city in the north.
The cold wind blew on his face on the road, and the steel-like iron whiskers under Wang Mang's jaw swayed slightly.
He walked as fast as a tiger, not caring about the cold wind, and soon arrived in front of the palace gate.
"Wang Zongbo, you are here." The eunuch guarding the gate was wearing a green robe with a cotton coat underneath. He looked familiar and said with a flattering smile: "Wang Zongbo has been here recently. Our family also specializes in I have left a private room for you to rest, would you like to have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up before going there?"
"Thank you, no need." Wang Mang shook his head, then passed the eunuch and walked towards the palace...
Ziwei Hall, Dongnuan Pavilion.
At the beginning of the Chinese dynasty, Emperor Taizu did not think about heating in the winter when he built the Ziwei Palace. Emperor Daqian at that time only had to light up the heating cage in winter and deal with it casually.
But when reviewing memorials, my hands and feet are inevitably cold.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Ruizhong, the Ziwei Hall suffered from a fire due to improper heating in winter and was completely burned down.
When the Ziwei Hall was rebuilt, skilled craftsmen combined the fire pits of ordinary people's homes with the flues of wealthy families, and installed similar things, namely two warm pavilions in the east and west, which was deeply loved by Emperor Ruizhong.
The principle is similar to the floor heating in Li Qian's previous life, except that there is no electric floor heating in Daqian. The water floor heating is a "flue" or "earth dragon" like a fire kang, but it is also extremely warm when burning.
The weather has been getting colder in the past few days, and Li Qian has no problem with it, but if he can't live with the floor heating, he will have some problems if he endures it for a long time.
Moreover, even if he could endure it, Wu Meiniang and Lu Pheasant could not, so Li Qian moved his usual place of reviewing memorials to Dongnuang Pavilion.
The small study here is a little cramped compared to the Ziweidian Zhengshi Hall, but this is understandable. A large space dissipates heat quickly, so it is not as warm as a small space.
Dongnuan Pavilion, small study room.
The door was closed tightly, and only the window was opened a small crack, allowing fresh air to constantly come in.
The slightly dim light reflected the thick red pillars, painted withered beams, dim crane copper stove, and rows of voluminous books on the bookshelf.
There was no carbon fire in the copper stove, but the temperature in the small study was already very high.
Li Qian was sitting here wearing only an undershirt, and it was even a little hot.
But Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi beside him always felt cold for some reason, and habitually clung to Li Qian to keep warm.
With two warm and soft bodies leaning on the left and right sides, Li Qian suppressed his thoughts and worked hard to focus on the memorial...
In fact, Li Qian's efforts have had some effect, but how big the effect is...it's hard to say.
Bang bang~
Following the knock on the door, the old eunuch's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, Wang Mang, the Minister of Rites, wishes to see you."
Li Qian raised his head, and Wu Meiniang and Lu Zhi also stood up hurriedly, arranging their scattered clothes. Some were charming or innocent, with a little moisture in their eyes, and their fair and tender faces were as red as ripe peaches... Of course, this is It's so hot that I almost cry.
Sitting in a floor-heated room every day, getting angry and having a red face should be normal, right?
"Your Majesty, I'll go to the side first." The two women stood up with blushing faces and walked towards the side door.
Li Qian also packed his clothes and then said outside: "Come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The old eunuch responded and looked like he was about to turn around and leave.
Li Qian was a little helpless: "Dad companion, I want you to come in."
"Ah?" The old eunuch was stunned, then hurriedly turned around and pushed open the door of the small study, leaned halfway in, and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty?"
"How did Wang Mang come here?"
"Back to Your Majesty, he came here with a book, just like when he came to His Majesty for lectures on scripture before."
The old eunuch bowed and replied: "But you guys just saw that Cai Jing went to the Rites Yamen and sat in Wang Mang's room for a while. He must have left now."
Li Qian took a sip of warm tea to relieve his dry mouth.
"Invite him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The old eunuch responded and hurriedly turned around and walked out.
Li Qian was arranging the table while thinking about the old eunuch's words.
Cai Jing went to find Wang Mang, what did he say? Wang Mang turned around and came to find him?
Cai Jing...Wang Mang...
Wang Mang is the Minister of Rites. When Li Qian thought of the Ministry of Rites, he subconsciously connected it with the recent popular examination.
Could it be that Cai Jing wanted to know how to try? Or maybe he didn’t know how to try?
What is he going to do proactively?
While thinking about it, the eunuch who came in from the door refilled the cup with tea, and Li Qian picked it up and drank it down. Well, it's a bit hot here... it's hot, so drink more water to suppress the heat.
There was a sound of footsteps approaching from outside the study, and with a creak, the door was opened.
"Your Majesty, Wang Mang, is here to see you."
"Sit down, Wang Zongbo."
Li Qian pointed to the soft stool in the study with a smile, and said to the eunuch: "Serve Wang Zongbo tea."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After the young eunuch made tea, he went out obediently and closed the door behind him.
Li Qian looked at Wang Mang and sat down with a smile, and then said: "Uncle Wang Zong, are you here to tell me the ancient rituals again today?"
Wang Mang smiled: "Your Majesty, today I am not here to talk about ancient rituals, but to ask about the examination."
"Can you take the test?" Li Qian became interested, but his face remained calm: "Wang Zongbo, please tell me."
Wang Mang nodded and continued: "Your Majesty, I think it is time to decide on the candidates for the chief examiner, deputy examiner, and many co-examiners."
"Decide now?"
Li Qian pretended to be surprised: "Uncle Wang Zong, why are you so anxious?"
"How about we let you examiners spend the New Year outside first? What do you think?"
Wang Mang was stuck for a moment and almost lost track of his thoughts.
"Your Majesty, the selection of examiners is now decided, and it is not intended to be announced immediately."
He had to explain: "Now that it has been decided, it will be announced in early February as usual."
The imperial examination regulations in Daqian are still very strict. The imperial court will announce the list of examiners to the candidates in the capital through the Ministry of Rites more than a month before the examination begins.
But don't think about cheating or anything like that. The list is not published just to get you into trouble.
At the same time as this list is announced, all examiners will be controlled and locked into the Gongyuan collectively. Someone will deliver meals and they are not allowed to have contact with any outsiders.
The reason why the list of examiners is released is not unnecessary, but because even if it is not released, people can tell who the examiners are by looking at which officials are missing in the city.
Instead of doing this, it's better to be more atmospheric.
After listening to Wang Mang's words, Li Qian frowned slightly: "Why is it decided so early in early February? What if the news gets out and the candidates rush to study?"
"this……"
Wang Mang seemed to be stunned by the question. He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, I actually don't know why I am doing this."
"It's just that Master Cai Jingcai suddenly came to the Ministry of Rites today and said that he wanted to ask the minister first..."
In the small study room, the green tea boy Wang Mang put a pot on Cai Jing's head in a different tone, solemnly and without realizing it.
"I think Master Cai's words are also a sound opinion."
He said with emotion: "Your Majesty, it is better to decide on everything sooner rather than later. It is better to make a decision as soon as possible before the New Year than to rush after the New Year."
"I see……"
Li Qian narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded slightly.
That old bastard Cai Jing must have been holding back nothing good.
Just now, Bao Zheng disgraced his servants in the guild hall, and he turned around and ran to the palace to talk about the trial. If you say this is not retaliation, who would believe it?
Li Qian didn’t believe it anyway.
"Does the Cai Qing family have any recommendations for examiners?"
Li Qian looked at Wang Mang with a sneer on his face: "He is so far-sighted, he must have some plans, right?"
Wang Mang's brows twitched, His Majesty's words were already a little too serious.
However, he thought for a while and replied: "Master Cai did not have any recommended candidates, but his colleagues analyzed the situation of the six departments and found that only the minister of the household department is suitable for the position of deputy examiner."
"Yes." Li Qian nodded, and the expression on his face returned to calmness, as if the sneer just now was just an illusion: "Who is from the Ministry of Finance? Is it the right minister of the Ministry of Finance, Han Mulu?"
"Your Majesty has seen thousands of miles."
Wang Mang sighed with emotion, and then said: "But I think Lord Cai may have just said it casually, and did not mean to force an internal decision."
"Um."
Li Qian nodded again: "I also thought that Cai Qing's family would not do such things that violate court laws and engage in malpractice for personal gain."
It would be strange if he didn't know how.
Li Qian felt that Cai Jing replaced the deputy examiner with one of his own, mostly to control the examination.
And as far as he knew, Cai Jingguang had invited a lot of people in recent days, and most of them went to the Cai Mansion. It was said that they had a "very happy chat" with Mr. Cai.
But there was a small group of people who still ignored his invitation.
Today, Bao Zheng's behavior was very bad. This indifferent attitude may have touched Cai Jing's bottom line.
The Lion King who is challenged must respond to all provocations with great strength!
If you don’t deal with your surnamed Bao today, tomorrow the next person surnamed Liu or Wang will jump out and repeat the path taken by this person surnamed Bao!
If I don't give you some clues, do you really think that God is the boss and you are the second child?
According to the preparations Cai Jing made today, there is no need to wait for the results to be released after the general examination. As soon as the list of examiners for the general examination comes out in early February, everyone will take a look. Cai Jing, the chief examiner, and Han Mulu, the deputy examiner!
This powerful lineup will immediately overwhelm all candidates! Overwhelm all those who dare to challenge Cai Jing’s majesty!
I am the one who supervises and marks the exams. What exam are you taking?
Are you still going to take the exam? Go home and roast duck!
However, Cai Jing held this idea, and Li Qian also held the same idea.
If I don't show your surname Cai, do you really think that the boss is the boss and you are the second child?
Li Qian's expression was not very good. Inexplicably, he thought of a sentence: I am an old horse that doesn't know its way home. I must eradicate you, a villain.