Four hundred and seventieth IX refers to a deer as a horse
In fact, Qin Dewei was really not motivated this time. If Xia Yan hadn't taken the initiative to ask for help, he would have continued his vacation at home.
He knew the general direction of history. With or without his help, in the post-Zhang Fuking era, it was only a matter of time before Xia Yan entered the cabinet or even became the chief minister.
Even if it doesn't work this time, there will be a next time. Just let nature take its course, so why bother putting in the extra effort?
Besides, for Qin Dewei, there is really not much difference between Xia Yan joining the cabinet and continuing to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. In fact, it is even better to continue to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Don’t forget, there is a forbearing traitor Yan Song behind him!
The chain reaction after Xia Yan entered the cabinet was that he would definitely try his best to transfer his "younger brother" Yan Song back to the capital to fill the vacuum left by the six foreign ministries.
Thinking of this, Qin Dewei lost his enthusiasm to help. Xia Yan might as well continue to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
But these predictions about the future cannot be revealed. I can only watch Master Xia jump up and down in order to join the cabinet.
According to the system, every second day is the day of the Jing Feast. With the intense heat in June, it is logical to stop the Jing Feast to avoid heatstroke.
But after Qin Dewei inquired about it, Emperor Jiajing issued an edict saying that the feast would still be held on June 12, but the time would be changed to the coolest time in the morning.
This is a very unusual thing, so anyone who is a little sensitive to politics can understand the connotation.
On that day, Qin Dewei got up before dawn. He sneaked into the imperial city and then into the Meridian Gate with the help of the dental plaque compiled by the Hanlin Academy.
After passing through the Zuoshun Gate, we arrived at the Wenhua Hall. Then Qin Dewei discovered a problem. He didn't know where he should stand.
The ministers present in the palace are all arranged in order of rank, but Qin Dewei has never participated in the court ceremony before and does not know the details of the court ceremony.
Even in historical data, it is not detailed enough to tell readers where to stand at this time.
Fortunately, at this time, Teacher Zhang Chao Zhang appeared and saw Qin Dewei, and asked in surprise: "How did you get here?"
Qin Dewei replied cryptically: "I have no choice but to do it."
There was nothing he could do. Although he didn't want to participate, Xia Guan insisted on letting him come, so he could only attend for his own sake.
Academician Zhang is speechless. He has never seen you, the number one scholar, go to the Hanlin Academy to apply for admission. You are quite active in running to the Wenhua Hall.
In the end, he couldn't help but lecture: "Today's big matter is decided by the Sacred Heart! It's not yours to mess with, you are not allowed to be presumptuous!"
This means, don't rush into battle and be used as cannon fodder.
Qin Dewei responded: "Teacher, don't worry! I know the pros and cons, and I will never say a word today!"
Then Teacher Zhang pointed out that the Hanyuan Ci Minister should stand on one side, the Cabinet Minister should stand on the other side, and Qin Dewei could find a seat in the middle and back among the Ci Ministers.
Tired of waiting, Qin Dewei couldn't help but try to figure out the emperor's thoughts.
Speaking of the appointment procedures of important ministers of the Ming Dynasty, they can be divided into two categories.
The first category is the cabinet bachelor and the official minister. The appointment of these two important ministers can be decided by the emperor Qian Gang without having to greet the ministers.
This symbolizes the emperor's absolute control over state affairs and personnel administration. As the saying goes, the whole world is not the king's land, and the shores of the land are not the king's ministers.
The other category is important ministers in other ministries. The procedure requires ministers to recommend candidates and then report to the emperor, who will approve and appoint the candidates recommended by the ministers.
For such ministers, if the emperor casually issues decrees and appoints them, it is called a central decree and is regarded as an illegal imperial decree.
So Qin Dewei thought that Emperor Jiajing could appoint bachelors directly without ministers, but today he still had ministers to discuss (quarrel) in public. This was probably an application of imperial skills.
The emperor's purpose was definitely not to delegate power, but to observe with his own eyes the situation of the various forces in the court.
Qin Dewei arrived early, and after that, the big shots gradually arrived. There were about seventy or eighty people in total, including cabinet ministers, Hanyuan Ci ministers, and chief ministers.
Then, taking advantage of the coolness of the morning, the emperor ascended to the throne, and the ministers danced and paid homage to the mountains. There was a set process.
The eunuch read out the edict and comforted the former Shaobao (additional title), the Minister of Rites (virtual title), and Zhai Luan, the great scholar of Wuyingdian, who were no longer in the court.
Then Emperor Jiajing opened his mouth and asked his chief assistant Li Shichui: Mr. Li, are you tired of being in the cabinet alone? Who do you think would be better to help you?
Li Shoufu was not fooled and replied: Your Majesty, it will be whatever you say. I, the Shoufu, just obey the Holy Order and will never form cliques.
After that, Emperor Jiajing sent another message, asking Xia Yan, Minister of Civil Affairs and the recognized top candidate for a bachelor's degree: Lao Xia, you are in charge of personnel work. What do you think of the empty cabinet?
Master Xia was not fooled and replied: "We are stupid and don't know what to say. We are just waiting for the emperor to give us advice."
The others listened without any hesitation, but Qin Dewei was the only one who was interested. After all, it was the first time for him to witness such a scene where the king and his ministers played tricks on each other.
After that, Emperor Jiajing looked at Gu Dingchen, the representative of literary officials, the Minister of Rites, and the recognized second candidate for bachelor's degree, and asked cordially: Lao Gu, what do you think?
Gu Dingchen didn't know whether he was fooled or not, so he replied: We, the Minister of Rites, have no opinion, but we have to tell the emperor something.
There are rumors in the court that it is the turn of Jiangxi people to be ministers. We also think it makes sense. Your Majesty may wish to consider it.
Hearing this recital, the entire ancient well in the palace suddenly became slightly ruffled!
How come an accident happens when you are doing such a good job? As expected of you, Gu Dingchen, you are always capable of unexpected tricks.
Qin Dewei, who was standing in the team of CI ministers in Hanyuan, was even more astonished. Wasn't the statement "people from Jiangxi should be used" a rhetoric devised by him in order to deal with Master Xia's inquiries?
Why did it come out of Gu Dingchen's mouth? And the timing of saying it was very wrong!
Qin Dewei's original intention in designing this rhetoric for Master Xia was to allow Master Xia to communicate privately with Emperor Jiajing, so that he could express his feelings directly and speak straightforward words to directly impress the Emperor.
Instead of saying it in such a public place, let alone "rumors".
Qin Dewei looked at Xia Yan across from him suspiciously. Could it be that Master Xia was so anxious that he let out these words in private in order to gather people's support?
Or was it that during the discussion in the study room of the Xia Mansion that day, there was a traitor among the people present and this was leaked?
But Qin Dewei thought suspiciously for a while and then gave up temporarily.
Anyway, the responsibility for the leakage of these words lies with Xia Yan, and it is also directed at Xia Yan. If he has a headache, it is also Xia Yan's headache. Why should he worry about this?
Emperor Jiajing also felt a little surprised. He probably didn't expect that he would actually come up with something after trying some tricks.
He stared at Xia Yan, a native of Jiangxi, and thought for a moment, then asked Huo Tao: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate is supposed to hear what is said, but have you heard anything about it?"
Huo Tao, the censor of Zuodu, who was also at the front of the class, said: "I have indeed heard such rumors, but they are not considered illegal, so I have never reported them."
When everyone in the hall heard Huo Tao's performance, they were each thinking deeply.
First, Huo Tao is Xia Yan's mortal enemy, the kind that cannot be resolved; second, Huo Tao helped Gu Dingchen prove the rumors so straightforwardly.
What does this mean? Have Huo Tao and Gu Dingchen united?
After such an accident, the palace was completely silent. No one dared to speak nonsense before guessing the emperor's thoughts.
In other words, everyone was secretly watching Emperor Jiajing's reaction.
Qin Dewei also wondered whether Emperor Jiajing would become rebellious again because of this rumor and deliberately exclude Xia Yan?
Before the last examination, in order to influence the selection of examiners, didn’t I take advantage of the emperor’s mentality? Could someone want to learn this trick this time?
If this is true, wouldn't it mean that Gu Dingchen got an advantage? And did Gu Dingchen and Huo Tao collude?
We can't blame Qin Dewei for having too many mental activities. He was standing here unable to move or speak. He had nothing else to do except think in his mind.
But Huo Tao, the imperial censor of Zuodu, had not yet finished his confrontation with Emperor Jiajing. He paused for a while and then continued:
"I dare not hide anything. It is said that it is the turn of the Jiangxi people. Such words first came from the mouth of Qin Dewei."
Wucao! Qin Dewei suddenly raised his head unexpectedly and looked at Huo Tao across two rows of people.
Is there something wrong with Huo Tao's mind? Just target Xia Yan at this time. Why did he say Qin Dewei?
The person who wants to join the cabinet is Xia Yan, not Qin Dewei. Can't you, Huo Tao, distinguish the priorities?
Others in the hall were also surprised. Generally speaking, the source of rumors cannot be found at all, but this time, it is strange that an "original work" can be pointed out.
Moreover, it is even more interesting that he is Qin Dewei, a Jiajing boy who is "famous in the court".
The most interesting thing is that Huo Tao even ignored Xia Yan for Qin Dewei
The mystery of the Ming Dynasty court and who is Huo Tao's favorite can probably be concluded.
The eunuch who was serving Emperor Jiajing got the order and shouted to the minister: "Is Xiuzhuan Qin Dewei here?"
Qin Dewei was really caught off guard at this time, and it was impossible to pretend not to be there. He could only curse in his heart and move out of the queue honestly.
Speaking of which, this was the first time Qin Dewei had such a close conversation with Emperor Jiajing since he traveled through time.
When the number one scholar in the junior high school thanked him, it was in the vast Fengtian Hall. He was far away from the lofty throne of the emperor, and the scene was just ceremonial and clichéd, and there was no talk of a monarch and his ministers playing each other.
For a moment, all the eyes in the hall were focused on Qin Dewei.
Everyone understood that if Qin Dewei did not respond appropriately, Xia Yan, who was looking forward to joining the cabinet, would definitely be implicated.
Emperor Jiajing asked casually: "Did you say this?"
It's not that Qin Dewei never thought of denying it, but he didn't know how much Huo Tao had prepared.
If another personal ID comes out, wouldn't it be a bad debt?
No matter what, even if you are not punished, your impression score in the emperor's mind will definitely plummet, which means blood loss!
Thinking about Teacher Zhang who has been on the bench for ten years, this is a living example.
The crime of deceiving the emperor was forgotten. Qin Dewei gritted his teeth and admitted it: "It is indeed what I said!"
Emperor Jiajing probably didn't expect Qin Dewei to be so honest, so he asked again: "What's the point of saying such a thing?"
Qin Dewei felt helpless in his heart. Once he told a truth, he had to fill it up with countless truths.
He could only tell him honestly again, people from the north, people from the south, people from Zhejiang, people from Guangdong, people from the south, Zhili and so on.
The conclusion is that for reasons of regional balance, it is the turn of people from Jiangxi to represent southerners in the cabinet in provinces with major imperial examinations.
Emperor Jiajing did not make a final statement. Whether he wanted to add insult to injury or help Qin Dewei intercede, it was difficult to interrupt.
Only Huo Tao next to him said to Emperor Jiajing: "I want to know whether Qin Dewei thought of this by himself or if someone taught him."
This question is really tricky. If you directly say who taught me in front of you, then Qin Dewei will stop hanging around in the officialdom in the future.
If he thought of it himself, then Qin Dewei would have taken all the blame and forced himself into a blind corner with no room for maneuver.
Emperor Jiajing was also very interested in this answer. Qin Dewei said without hesitation: "It's all what I think!"
Xia Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that Qin Dewei wouldn't be able to hold on any longer and would blame him. If that were the case, today would be completely doomed.
Huo Tao's eyes flashed with excitement and he told the emperor: "Huo Tao, the imperial censor of Zuodu, impeached and compiled Xia Yan, the official secretary of Qin Dewei'a, and openly advocated for Xia Yan's entry into the cabinet. Some ministers formed a clique.
Reality!"
Wang Tingxiang, Zhang Chao and other ministers who were close to Qin Dewei were hurriedly thinking about how to exonerate Qin Dewei and plead for mercy.
This is also a technical job. Huo Tao's accusation is actually a bit "real" and it is not easy to get rid of it completely.
Before everyone could think of Ding Mao, they heard Qin Dewei shout loudly: "I am writing Qin Dewei to impeach Huo Tao, the censor of Zuodu, for referring to a deer as a horse and falsely accusing the minister!"
Wucao! Everyone forcibly interrupted their thoughts, focused their gazes again, and looked at Qin Dewei in astonishment.
This kind of hard-nosed approach is indeed Qin Dewei's style, but it is not wise to be so hard-headed now.
If Qin Dewei indeed encouraged people from Jiangxi to join the cabinet, then Huo Tao's accusation is actually reasonable and is not a frame-up, let alone calling a deer a horse.
When Qin Dewei said this, he seemed to be empty-mouthed and angry, almost as if he was throwing a tantrum.
This is a court, not a street. If you behave in front of the emperor, you are definitely asking for trouble!
Qin Dewei said to Emperor Jiajing again: "I would like to ask Huo Tao a few words to put things in perspective!"
After receiving permission, Qin Dewei turned to Huo Tao and asked: "May I ask Huo Zhongcheng, I said that people from Jiangxi should join the cabinet, why is it that Afu Xiazhong was slaughtered?"
Huo Tao sneered again: "If not Xia Yan, who is it? Is there a second Jiangxi person in the court who can join the cabinet?"
Qin Dewei sighed: "When I say this, what I miss in my heart is Master Fei, the chief auxiliary from Jiangxi ten years ago. He is still alive!"
Huo Tao: ""
Xia Yan: ""
The Master Fei mentioned by Qin Dewei, whose surname was Fei Minghong, was the number one scholar in the 23rd year of Chenghua. At the age of twenty, he was the youngest number one scholar in the Ming Dynasty before Qin Dewei.
In the third year of Jiajing's reign, Fei Hongguan was at least a master, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and a bachelor of Jinshen Palace. He was the chief assistant at that time.
Soon afterwards, Fei Hong returned to his hometown of Jiangxi as an official to make way for Zhang Fuking (Cong).
The key is that Fei Hong is still alive and may still be the oldest person in official circles today.
They have all gone through the four dynasties of Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde, and Jiajing, and it has been a total of forty-eight years.
The ministers were all stunned, and the palace fell into a confused silence. No one could keep up with Qin Dewei's thoughts, which were like those of a flying fairy from the sky.
Qin Dewei turned around and said to the emperor: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those who make false accusations will be punished! I would like to punish Huo Tao for the crime of joining the party and calling a deer a horse!"