For a Ming emperor who often lived deep in the palace, he often couldn't remember so many officials. Most of the ministers might just be names on the memorials.
If you can clearly understand the cabinet, Hanlin ministers, and ministry officials, you will be a very good emperor!
Most ordinary people may not even remember the names of several high-ranking officials who have appeared in this election.
Letting such an emperor single-handedly appoint all the ministers, even the senior ones, feels like asking someone to correctly assemble hundreds of unfamiliar parts, which is really embarrassing.
So it's not that the emperor doesn't want to completely centralize personnel, but that he really doesn't have the energy to personally control the continuous chain changes of hundreds of positions at the same time.
Hence the emergence of the collective court recommendation system for courtiers. The selection of middle and low-level officials is authorized by the Ministry of Personnel, and the selection of court officials above the third rank is authorized by the court.
In addition, the governor of border towns is recommended by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, and the governor of inland areas is recommended by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Husbandry.
Hanlin and the cabinet formed another system.
Anyway, no matter what, the final selection will be reported to the emperor, who is responsible for approval or rejection.
Generally speaking, if there is no particularly annoying person, the emperor will not be too lazy to find fault. In the eyes of the emperor, they are all parts, and it seems that no matter who is in what official position, they are the same.
There are only three positions closest to the emperor, cabinet ministers, Hanlin officials, and Tianguan officials. The emperor can decide on the candidates and issue decrees in one sentence.
As for other situations, if the emperor particularly admires someone and wants to promote him, he must first issue an order to the staff and go through the process before appointing him. Of course, the staff will generally not resist the order.
The above is a brief description of the high-level personnel system in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. It is not like in movies and TV shows, where the emperor seems to have direct control over everything.
If you understand the meaning of Tingtui, you will know what the great Tingtui in April of the 15th year of Jiajing means.
At this time, the real main course began to be served.
As long as he has not been approved by the emperor, Zhou Yong will still be the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel and continue to preside over court promotion.
According to the procedure, we began to consult the courtiers who participated in the nomination for candidates to be recommended by the Minister of Rites.
This time it was Wang Tingxiang who spoke first, and he said with emotion and clearly: "I recommend Yan Song, the former Minister of Rites of Nanjing."
As expected, everyone turned to look at another Mr. Wang.
During the last nomination, Mr. Wang, who was labeled Master Qin Dewei, was like a fairy from heaven and nominated Huo Tao, which shocked everyone.
Even Huo Tao himself was staring closely at Wang Yiqi.
He knew that others did not have the guts to cause trouble, and his opponent Xu Zan would not break the rules. Only Master Qin Dewei was an unsettling factor!
The king looked at his nose and his heart with his flag eyes, and kept quiet. In such public places, he should always observe some political ethics and not violate any rules.
Just now, Huo Tao agreed to recommend himself as Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which was regarded as responding to the request for "more money" and reaching an agreement on exchange of benefits.
Then he should stop now and not force Huo Tao to become the Minister of Rites.
Xu Zan looked at Wang Tingxiang and agreed: "I heard that Yan Song is very talented and has a high reputation as a scholar. It's a good time to go to the Ministry of Rites."
Huo Tao didn't say anything. It was impossible for him to directly sing praises to Xia Yan's fellow countryman. But he didn't object, and that was enough.
One after another, people agreed, and although some people came out to object, they were completely weightless and were refuted in just a few words.
The third result of the court's recommendation came out today. The court officials recommended Yan Song as the Minister of Rites.
So far, the three results that have emerged seem to be going well, a bit unlike the usual quarrel-style promotions.
This made everyone feel very strange, but they also vaguely felt as if there was an invisible hand setting the rhythm here.
Then comes the final finale of the day, who will be the alternate Tianguan?
There was no surprise at all. Someone nominated Xu Zan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Huo Tao, the Yushi of Zuodu.
In addition, there was a tacit understanding that there were no other candidates, so the situation was determined to be one of two.
It's still the old rule, the "Qiqing" level boss speaks first.
However, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites were absent, and the Minister of Hubu and the Yushi of Zuodu were nominated, so there were only three ministers of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Industry among the "Seven Qings".
Zhang Zan, Minister of War, said without hesitation: "Huo Zongxian is known for his uprightness and is suitable to be the chief of the tomb."
Wang Tingxiang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, looked between the two candidates, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "Xu Situ is an old man who seeks for the country. He is old and virtuous, and his conduct is balanced. He is the choice of the Prime Minister!"
In fact, for Wang Tingxiang personally, he was neutral between the two people. Xu Zan, Huo Tao and him had nothing to do with each other.
But considering the enmity between Xia Yan, Qin Dewei and Huo Tao, and Xu Zan's support for him just now, Wang Tingxiang could only turn against Huo Tao.
Xu Zan breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Tingxiang really spoke in support of him, otherwise there might have been a little embarrassment today.
Lin Ting, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, hesitated for a while in front of everyone, and then said: "Mr. Huo Xian stands solemnly, so that he can uphold the government."
Among the three first-level bosses, two support Huo Tao and one supports Xu Zan.
Fortunately, Wang Tingxiang was there, otherwise Xu Zan would have been embarrassed if no one among the "Seven Qings" supported him.
But the people present were not just a few big guys, but also many other third-level officials, as well as the forces of science and technology.
After a round of discussion, most people supported Xu Zan, while a small number supported Huo Tao. There are two main reasons for this phenomenon.
The first reason is the issue of qualifications. Huo Tao was only a Jinshi in the ninth year of Zhengde. He has only been in this top position for twenty-two years.
There were many people present who were more senior than Huo Tao, so their mood was naturally very delicate.
And Xu Zan was a Jinshi in the ninth year of Hongzhi, and has been for forty years now, so he is an absolute veteran.
Although Huo Tao wants to complain more, Xia Yan was born in the twelfth year of Zhengde, and he has already been in the cabinet for less than twenty years. Why don't you say it?
The second reason is that Huo Tao rose to prominence purely by relying on the rituals and sect. He is a meritorious figure of the so-called rituals faction, but he is not liked by mainstream public opinion.
At this time, many ministers had been punished and did not dare to directly confront Emperor Jiajing, but they did not mind opposing Huo Tao.
So now this situation has formed. Most of the top bosses support Huo Tao, and two of the three ministers are supporters.
But among the entire group of officials, the voices supporting Xu Zan are even louder.
Someone said: "Then I will present the emperor's decree!"
Someone else refuted: "The purpose of Tingtui is to publicly recommend virtuous people. If it troubles the emperor at every turn, what else should Tingtui do?"
Someone said before: "According to the system, the emperor should have decided on the civil affairs and heavenly officials, but this time it was just the emperor's special decree!"
The people behind continued to refute: "Since the emperor has specially decreed the court recommendation, then follow the rules of the court recommendation!"
Everyone knew that if he asked the Holy Judge now, he would definitely be helping Huo Tao. Because Huo Tao's great ceremony and meritorious deeds were closer to the emperor's heart.
Those who object to the memorial now and demand continued discussion must be from Xuzan’s side. After all, Xuzan’s “mass base” is better.
Comparing the two, the longer the quarrel lasts, the greater the pressure from public opinion Huo Tao faces.
Because according to the "moral standards" of the battle between gentlemen, if you know that you are "unpopular", you should show your disinterest in power and take the initiative to give way to someone who is worthy.
If you still insist on refusing to give up your position, new negative public opinion will double.
Therefore, Huo Tao's intention was to make a quick decision and bring the imperial power in to end the dispute, while Xu Zan wanted to fight a protracted war.
The two heroes faced off and the situation fell into a stalemate!
At this moment, another person suddenly stood out from the crowd and strode into the inner circle of several big bosses.
This move was so sudden that it immediately attracted everyone's attention. Everyone looked intently again, who is this if not the number three of Qin's class today?
No. 1, the town boss Wang Tingxiang, is responsible for strategic deterrence;
No. 2, Wang Yiqi, the target of great support, is responsible for being as beautiful as a flower and as clean as a white lotus;
Number three, the main attacker, Sancho Sancho, is responsible for tactical operations.