After sending Eunuch Chen away, Zhao Zhigao sat alone in the empty middle hall of Wenyuan Pavilion, looking at the tablet of the most holy master placed against the wall, and felt lonely.
He couldn't help but recite a poem to express his mood at the moment.
"Birds have disappeared from thousands of mountains, and people have disappeared from thousands of paths. A man in a boat with a coir raincoat fishing alone in the snow in the cold river!"
Zhao Zhigao also remembered that at the turn of summer and autumn six years ago, he was still sitting on the bench in Nanjing Imperial College, and his rank was only fifth grade.
A majestic and sturdy man walked into his apartment and lazily said to himself: "Old man! I see that you have wonderful bones and look like a leader. Do you want to hang out with me in the future?"
Three years after three years, how many six years can there be in life? But he can be promoted from the fifth rank bench to the first assistant, completing the fantastic journey of upgrading the officialdom.
Who could have imagined beforehand that he could join the cabinet at the age of sixty-seven and become the chief minister at the age of sixty-eight?
Having said that, Zhao Zhigao should really be considered the first assistant now, right? Zhao Si has been promoted to Zhao Da, right?
After all, he is the only bachelor left in the cabinet, and the first assistant cannot be anyone else.
Even if a newcomer comes, it is impossible for him to surpass himself and move to the front of the queue.
According to the cabinet system, the ranking of bachelors is based on first-come-first-served basis. Those who join the cabinet first are ranked first, and those who join the cabinet later are ranked behind.
Sometimes it happens that the first assistant is weak and the second or third assistant is strong. This is because the first assistant only joined the cabinet early but actually lacks prestige.
But even if the prestige is insufficient, under the system arrangement, he can still be the chief minister just by joining the cabinet early.
After confirming the identity of the chief assistant, Zhao Zhigao began to worry about gains and losses again.
Is it too radical and risky to be promoted from the fourth assistant to the first assistant this time?
I have only been in the imperial court for a few years, and my foundation is not that solid. Why can't I resist the temptation of becoming the chief minister?
Will it be possible to go too far, not to match morality, and suffer backlash?
After thinking wildly for a long time, Zhao Zhigao suddenly stood up with all his strength and shouted at the door: "Bring over today's memorial!"
He knew without looking that there must be a group of Zhongshushe people guarding him outside the door, because now he was the only one who could give orders in the cabinet, and of course only he could review the memorials.
Zhao Shoufu decided to use busy work to numb himself and free himself from the random thoughts of worrying about gains and losses.
If the resignations of the first and second assistants had been brewing for several days and everyone was mentally prepared, the resignation of the third assistant Wang Jiaping was like a thunderbolt from the blue.
It had only been two days since the announcement, which pointed directly at the emperor, was sent out. While everyone was still discussing it with great interest, the third assistant, Wang Jiaping, quickly confessed and resigned.
Amid the confusion among the entire capital officialdom, a drama that ushered in a new era suddenly came to an end.
People at home and abroad were shocked. A few days ago, the old man who was Zhao Si became Zhao Da in the blink of an eye. This transformation was too fast, and no one could react.
It was hard for the officials in various ministries and temples to imagine that old Zhao, who had always been submissive and a simple-minded fool, could become the chief minister. This world suddenly seemed unreal.
Although it is common sense in ancient and modern times that "people change", and cabinet teams always need to be replaced, the average age of Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Wang Jiaping is only fifty-six years old, which can be said to be in the prime of life for the position of bachelor.
As a result, now that the three prime men are gone, the cabinet is left with the old man Zhao, who is half buried at the age of sixty-eight. Who in the family always gets older with each passing generation?
Why? Just because Lin Jiuyuan has been supporting Old Man Zhao? But now that Lin Jiuyuan is no longer in the capital, can he still operate?
Another day later, the emperor issued an order to promote Mr. Zhao from the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs (virtual) and Dongge University Scholar to Prince Taifu, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel (virtual), and Bachelor of the Wenhua Palace to Zhiwenyuan Pavilion and the Imperial Academy.
Preliminary maintenance remains unchanged.
Then all the officials realized that Old Man Zhao's grade was only the third grade, and he had not made any achievements since he joined the cabinet last year.
Then the officials finally had to confirm, Mr. Zhao, no, Mr. Zhao Ge was really going to be the chief assistant.
The purpose of this promotion is obvious, which is to match Mr. Zhao Ge's formal official functions with his position as chief assistant.
Otherwise, if the chief minister is a minister with the title of minister without even being a palace protector, he will be laughed at by everyone in the world and there is no one in the court.
At this point, the officials had to psychologically accept the fact that the number one civil servant of the Ming Dynasty was replaced by Zhao Zhigao.
In front of the Zhao Mansion, there were also cars and horses like dragons, but Zhao Shoufu did not open the door to receive guests.
On the night when he received the imperial edict of promotion, Zhao Shoufu only had a secret gathering with comrades from the Update Society. This was a matter of attitude.
Although Lin Jiuyuan is not in the capital, the Update Society is Lin Jiuyuan's spiritual projection and his eyes and ears.
The meeting place was in the west courtyard of Lingji Palace. When Zhao Shoufu arrived, about ten other people had already arrived.
Wang Xiangmeng, a member of the Literary and Selection Department of the Ministry of Personnel, was the first to shout: "Congratulations to Senior Zhao on your appointment as Chief Assistant, and may your future be prosperous!"
Chen Yunjian, director of the Civil Service Examination Department, followed closely and shouted: "Senior Zhao has been joining the Xinxin Society for six years, and through the strong support of the society, he is finally appointed as the first assistant!"
Finally, the others shouted together: "Left-hand society, right-hand politics, and society-politics both!"
The sixty-eight-year-old old man Zhao wanted to hide his face and leave in embarrassment. He didn't understand why Lin Jiuyuan insisted on implementing such embarrassing and childish internal etiquette.
After finally getting through the meeting ceremony, Dong Qichang, a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, shouted: "Senior Zhao, please give me a few words!"
Zhao Zhigao sat in the middle and said directly: "Lin Jiuyuan taught that contradictions have two characteristics, one is that they always exist, and the other is that they are constantly changing.
Therefore, we must always be prepared for danger in times of peace, we must not take it lightly when we gain power, and we must be prepared to face new problems!
Nowadays, the cabinet is empty and needs to be supplemented by two or three cabinet ministers. In addition, the Minister of Rites is also vacant.
Faced with this situation, what should we do? This is the most important problem we are currently facing!"
After everyone looked at each other, they didn't know what to say.
On other issues, Lin Tailai may be able to seek their opinions; but on personnel issues, Lin Tailai, who claims to be good at understanding people, has always been arbitrary.
So they were used to following Lin Tailai's arrangements, but Lin Tailai was not in the capital now.
Faced with such a major personnel deployment, without Lin Tailai, it seems that there is no backbone.
Zhou Yingqiu, another scholar of the Hanlin Academy, said: "Brother Jiuyuan has long foreseen that the imperial court will be violently shaken before the winter solstice.
However, Lin Jiuyuan still left the capital and returned to Suzhou to visit relatives. He seemed not to take this incident too seriously.
This is enough to show that Lin Jiuyuan may not care about this personnel deployment at all, or that he does not think it is very important, so it doesn't matter if we just do it casually."
So the question is, when faced with the vacancies of two or three bachelors and a minister of the Ministry of Etiquette, can we really treat them casually?
After everyone thought about it carefully, they found that they could indeed take it lightly.
Nowadays, in a broad sense, the Lin Party has mastered the chief assistant, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the minister of the Ministry of War. With this triangle, it seems that the selection of cabinet ministers and minister of rites does not have much influence.
Seeing that his point of view was recognized, Zhou Yingqiu proposed to Zhao Zhigao: "I heard that in order to dispel Wang Shanyin's fighting spirit, Senior Zhao suggested that Wang Shanyin recommend a cabinet minister.
Now we might as well expand it further and ask the emperor to ask the two seniors Shen Wumen and Wang Taicang who have resigned to recommend a cabinet minister each."
Wang Xiangmeng said doubtfully: "Isn't this against the rules? Is there any reason for a cabinet minister to recommend a cabinet minister?"
The only way to select a great scholar is through the recommendation of the ministers and the emperor's personal appointment. How can there be any suggestion of relying on the recommendation of other great scholars?
Zhou Yingqiu said with some disdain: "What are the irregularities? The cabinet itself is an unruly existence. The cabinet in the Ming Dynasty Huidian does not have a system to take charge of the government."
In Zhou Yingqiu's heart, Wang Xiangmeng, a "hothouse flower from a wealthy family", was always a bit pedantic, and was far less astute and flexible than Jiuyuan Zhenxian and Zhou Yingqiu, who came from humble beginnings.
"Wonderful!" Zhao Shoufu praised: "This proposal is feasible! It is enough for me to cope with the current situation."
As a person who has just become the chief minister, there are countless pairs of eyes watching him from both inside and outside. His actions have great symbolic significance and will be considered to represent his "political opinions".
Shangshu asked three former cabinet ministers to recommend new people. First, they could show the emperor that they had no dictatorial intentions. Second, they could show the world the magnanimity and tolerance of a winner.
Even if the memorial is not approved, it doesn't matter, since my attitude has been expressed anyway.
In addition, letting his three former colleagues Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Wang Jiaping recommend new people will not affect his power as the chief minister.
Anyone who understands the political rules of the Ming Dynasty knows that the power of a chief minister never depends on how other cabinet ministers are, but on the influence of the chief minister on foreign dynasties.
After understanding the reason, everyone looked at Zhou Yingqiu with a bit surprised and complicated look.
In everyone's perception, Comrade Zhou is a character who only flatters and flatters Lin Jiuyuan without thinking.
In fact, it is understandable, after all, every emperor needs to have favorites around him.
But I didn't expect that Zhou Yingqiu actually had such insight? Is Comrade Zhou "also" a person who pretends to be a pig and eats the tiger?
At this time, Zhou Yingqiu faced strange looks and said to everyone sincerely:
"As long as we study Lin Jiuyuan's remarks carefully from the bottom of our hearts, truly understand their profound meaning, and then elaborate on our thinking, we will surely find the right direction.
Combined with practical work and comprehensive understanding, all problems will naturally be solved."
Everyone: "."
This taste is just right, Lao Zhou is still the same Lao Zhou.
As the end of the year approaches, the official duties of the court gradually decrease, and major events are basically ceremonial matters, such as the Winter Solstice Festival, the New Year's Day Festival, and sacrifices to the heaven and earth, ancestors, etc.
But if the emperor does not go to court, do not go to the countryside, and does not perform sacrifices, then it is not a big deal. The ministers can just do whatever they want.
So the real big thing at the end of the year is to complete the cabinet class before closing the office for the New Year.
As for the candidate for Minister of Rites, it is better to do more happy things as the Chinese New Year is approaching and not to cause trouble for others.
Given this situation, whoever is appointed as the Minister of Etiquette is probably in the same mood as "carrying a coffin to court".
Zhao Zhigao, the first assistant, asked the former first assistant, the first second assistant, and the first three assistants to each recommend one person to join the cabinet.
Regardless of whether he is sincere or not, he has established an image of a loyal elder who is tolerant and generous.
However, this proposal was fiercely opposed by Lu Guangzu, the censor of Zuodu.
If Wang Jiaping recommends one person, that's all. If three former bachelors recommend people, then what's the point?
The people recommended by Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue, in the current situation, still don't listen to Zhao Zhigao when they get to the cabinet?
Moreover, the memorial against Zhao Zhigao also to some extent undermined the prestige of the new chief minister, which was considered to be killing two birds with one stone.
Lu Guangzu's reasons were also hard-line. Shangshu said: "The assistant minister should be promoted by the court, and should not be surrendered, let alone be privately accepted by the first and second assistants!"
As Zhou Yingqiu said, the cabinet itself is an irregular existence, so there are no certain rules on how to select cabinet ministers.
The Ming Dynasty never had clear regulations on how to select bachelors. Anyway, all roads lead to Rome.
How to select cabinet ministers may be different every time, and it mainly depends on the strength of each party.
Emperor Jiajing personally promoted Li Chunfang all the way to the cabinet without going through any "procedures". Who can say anything?
As for other situations, sometimes it is recommended by the officials, sometimes it is recommended by the ministers, and sometimes it is recommended by the ministers themselves.
However, as Zhao Fu proposed this time, this is the first time that resigned cabinet ministers are allowed to recommend successor candidates, at least on a public level.
However, after seeing Lu Guangzu's objections, Emperor Wanli responded: "The two ministers of the Ministry of Education Ting Tui."
Asking foreign courts to recommend cabinet ministers is equivalent to throwing two bones into the pack of dogs.
When ministers fight over the chance to join the cabinet, they no longer have the energy to quarrel with the country.
In this way, I can at least have a peaceful year. After the year, there will be a new subject examination and the palace examination, so I can probably live in peace until April or May.
As for the other spot, Emperor Wanli still planned to let Wang Jiaping recommend it. After all, Wang Jiaping resigned from office to take the blame for himself.
Therefore, "recommending new people" is the reward Wang Jiaping deserves. It cannot make the heroes bleed or shed tears, and it can also ensure that at least one person in the cabinet can restrain Zhao Zhigao.
After considering these, Emperor Wanli felt that his imperial skills had improved again.
As the saying goes, literary style is getting newer every day, making a little progress every day!
He just didn't know what the results of Ting Tui would be. Emperor Wanli had a hunch that he was going to have a lot of fun.
If we talk about court recommendation, we must first look at the list of ministers who participated in the court recommendation.
Originally, in this year in history, the censor of Zuodu was Li Shida, the minister of official affairs was Lu Guangzu, the minister of household affairs was Yang Junmin, the minister of rites was changed three times, the minister of war was Shi Xing, the minister of punishment was Sun Piyang, and the minister of industry was Zeng Tongheng.
The vast majority of people are either Qingliu forces or allies of Qingliu forces. They can be said to be star-studded, and can also be called the "Zhongzhengying Dynasty". The purity of Qingliu is probably second only to the early Chongzhen Dynasty.
When I took a quick look at the list in the original history, I thought it was a list of enemies of the Nine Yuan True Immortal.
What Lin Tailai has been doing all these years is actually to seize positions from this group of people - this is probably the most essential reason why this group of people have become Lin Tailai's enemies.
So far, it has been quite fruitful, and Lin Tailai is very satisfied with his butterfly effect.
Single-handedly suppressing the Qingliu forces, the predecessor of the Donglin Party, to only one-third of their original historical power, who else would it be?