Qin Zhongtang, who successfully evaded Master Feng's pursuit and returned to Wenyuan Pavilion, received a definite message.
The people from Fangshe went to the Yinghe Gate of Xiyuan to inquire and learned that Emperor Jiajing was fasting today and would not see anyone else. He had decided to summon the ministers of Wuyi Hall to discuss matters before noon tomorrow.
Qin Zhongtang said: "It turned out to be postponed to tomorrow. This time is good!"
Fang Sheren was puzzled when he heard this. He couldn't figure out what the "good" thing was about it?
Qin Dewei casually said: "Because we can go to Xiyuan early."
After that, Qin Zhongtang stopped waiting and went home from get off work until the sun turned west.
Tonight is also the rest time for Yan Song, the scholar of Zhiwuyi Palace. After he returned home, before his seat was warmed, his son Yan Shifan blocked him in the study and scolded him, mainly because of his failure in the imperial examination.
Yan Shifan said angrily: "I told you before, don't think about anything else, just focus on Zhang Chao's recommendation! It's not easy for Qin Dewei to object openly, and Xia Yan can't compete with your father for Zhang Chao!"
When Zhang Chao is promoted to the pavilion as a decoration, there will be one more minister of the Ministry of Rites up for grabs!
Unfortunately, my father had too many ideas and asked for too much, and always wanted to keep an eye on the position of the official, which gave Qin Dewei an opportunity to move around!"
Yan Song felt that he was quite embarrassed in front of his son this time. Since the "incident of entering the temple as a tribute to the emperor" two years ago, he has embarked on the path of being a "treacherous minister". But if being a traitorous minister can't compare with others, then how can he be embarrassed!
Feeling a little unhappy, Mr. Yan Ge ended the conversation decisively: "I have to go to Xiyuan again tomorrow morning. I will go to bed early tonight!"
Yan Shifan asked in surprise: "It stands to reason that we can go in before dusk tomorrow. Why go early? Is there something going on tomorrow?"
Yan Song said casually: "The Northern invaders have invaded. Your Majesty will summon all the civil and military ministers of Wuyi Palace to discuss matters before noon tomorrow."
For Mr. Yan Ge, the discussion is not important, and whether there is a result is not important. What is important is not to miss any opportunity to contact the emperor.
In this regard, Mr. Yan Ge is said to be cautious. Maybe someone else will overturn him because of his absence!
Yan Shifan heard his father's words and said sensitively: "Is there a lot of movement in Beilu this time?"
In recent decades, northern bandits have been plundering every year, which is not unusual. The Ming Dynasty's border defense has a special term called "anti-autumn".
Yan Song replied: "The chief Anda led his troops to break through Ningwuguan and have entered the hinterland of Shanxi and arrived around Taiyuan."
Yan Shifan analyzed without any fluctuations in his mood: "Although the Northern Barbarians seem to be gaining momentum in recent years, I would like to say that Ji Nang and other chieftains are very powerful, but in fact they have no political goals and no ambition to build a country and compete for the world.
What they want is nothing more than to rob property and make the people in the border towns suffer a little, but it cannot shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. So father does not need to worry about this, so as not to be thankless!"
Yan Song agreed: "Of course I know!"
But thinking of another person, Yan Song asked again: "Will Qin Dewei interfere in side affairs?"
After Yan Shifan thought about it for a moment, he replied with certainty: "Qin Dewei will definitely take the opportunity to intervene! First, we can see the clues when he set up the Yiwu Yamen!
Obviously it was only a matter of paying tribute to Japan, but he insisted on calling the yamen "Yiwu". Everyone knew that Sima Zhao was aware that Beilu was also a Yiwu!
Second, it can be seen from the past that Qin Dewei is different from you and me, he is very keen on success, in fact, this may also be his biggest flaw!"
Then Yan Shifan said sadly: "Qin Dewei just wants to fight for power in barbarian affairs. If he still wants to fight for power through side affairs, he doesn't know how he will die!"
The words woke up the dreamer, and Yan Song suddenly realized that his son's words made sense.
People like Qin Dewei, who was the youngest number one scholar in history and wrote good poems, only needed to rely on his reputation and be a mascot to be a minister safely.
But Qin Dewei has a strong interest in all kinds of practical affairs and likes to point fingers even if he can't control them. Otherwise, Xia Yan, the chief assistant, wouldn't be able to bear it!
In fact, Yan Song can also understand that this is caused by the feelings of family and country and the concept of taking the world as his own responsibility. There are people in every era who act like such fools.
But whoever wants to do it can do it. Yan Song won't do it anyway, and even if he becomes the first assistant in the future, he won't be a fool.
No matter how great his achievements are, can he be as great as Yu Qian ninety years ago?
My son is right. The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Being keen on success may be Qin Dewei’s biggest flaw!
When he thought of this, Yan Song felt relieved. Qin Dewei was different from him after all.
Can a minister who relies on meritorious service to gain power be the same in the eyes of the emperor as a minister who relies purely on bottomless flattery to gain power? Which one is the emperor most at ease with?
Not to mention that border affairs are the biggest pitfall. If you do it well, it is a matter of course, but if you don't do it well, it will be a serious crime to kill everyone!
The next day, Yan Song got up early and entered Xiyuan through Xi'an Gate, fearing that he would miss the emperor's summons.
When he walked to the Yinghe Gate, Mr. Yan Ge saw Qin Dewei standing outside the gate. Could it be that this man on horseback left early, and there were also early travelers?
Smart people like Mr. Yan Ge probably understand what's going on without asking. This man named Qin must have come here with a shy face and asked to see the emperor!
Yan Song secretly scolded Qin Dewei for being shy, which was actually well-founded.
Nowadays, the operation of the Ming Dynasty in its mature stage is mainly based on the circulation of official documents, and even the court meetings in the traditional sense have become ceremonial forms.
If the subjects have something to say, they can just submit it to the emperor and wait for comments. They do not have the habit of constantly coming to see the emperor.
Today is different from ancient times. The bureaucracy has become very large. If everyone wanted to talk to the king, everything would be in chaos.
If you want to get the privilege of meeting the emperor at will, the most convenient way is to cut off the younger brother and enter the palace, and then become a eunuch, which is almost enough.
If you don't want to cut off your little brother, you can first get into the bureaucracy and become a cabinet bachelor and become an "auxiliary" minister.
In the officialdom concept, becoming a pavilion elder also has the qualifications to see the emperor at any time, but it is not as convenient as a eunuch.
Why in recent decades has the power of the cabinet gradually overtaken the power of the six ministries, and the level of authority has become the level of superior and subordinate. This is how it developed bit by bit.
And Qin Dewei is nothing. He is at least halfway to the position of the cabinet, but he dares to take the initiative to come and ask to see the emperor. What is he if he is not shy?
Yan Song was also secretly proud. No matter how thick-skinned you Qin Dewei was, you could only wait outside the Yinghe Gate, but Yan Song could go in without any hindrance!
Although Qin Dewei's power is expanding rapidly, Yan Song is closer to the emperor! And the officialdom also competes for patience, and the one who laughs at the end will laugh!
When Yan Song walked to Wuyi Hall, he suddenly realized that the timing of Qin Dewei standing here to ask for an audience was very delicate!
If the emperor has already summoned the ministers to discuss matters, and Qin Dewei comes over to ask for an audience, it will be as if he came by smell and forced himself on him.
But if Qin Dewei asked to meet the emperor at Yinghe Gate in advance, and the emperor happened to be summoning the ministers to discuss matters next, wouldn't it be a "coincidence"? They just happened to come in to talk.