Xia Yan, who was about to become the former chief assistant, was a little lost. He lowered his head silently, not wanting to grovel and defend himself shamelessly.
Ten years ago, he began to gain favor for his work on ritual matters, and within a year and a half, he was promoted from being a minister to the Minister of Rites, setting a record for promotion in the Ming Dynasty.
I was so proud at that time that I would never have imagined that today, ten years later, the emperor would directly depose him because of a little suspicion.
When the chief assistant Zhang Fujing and others looked at me back then, did they feel the same way as I look at Qin Dewei now?
In fact, among the people present, in addition to the four monarchs and ministers, there were also eunuchs waiting nearby, including some close eunuchs like Huang Jin.
But none of the eunuchs helped Xia Yan to reconcile, because Xia Yan usually relied on his status and treated the eunuchs too arrogantly. He was not as good at conduct as Yan Song, and he would give small gifts to the eunuchs from time to time.
At this time, Yan Song, who was ordered to draft the imperial edict, lay on the brick floor, calmed his mind, and wrote the draft of the imperial edict to remove Xia Yan in one breath.
Mr. Yan Ge was a little excited. Ever since he and Xia Yan parted ways, they had had an incompatible relationship. Each wanted to expel the other from the court completely.
If it weren't for Qin Dewei who has been taking part of the two people's energy in the past two years, the two would have been at odds with each other long ago.
Yan Ge always dreamed of defeating Xia Yan and then taking the position of chief minister. However, the time was not ripe yet, and the emperor was not completely tired of Xia Yan yet.
But Mr. Yan Ge did not expect that Qin Dewei would suddenly fulfill his wish today and eliminate Xia Yan, the chief assistant of Xia.
After you sit on the throne of chief minister, you can concentrate on encircling Qin Dewei with all your strength in the next step! Only when Qin Dewei is cleared out can you be considered accomplished and truly feel at ease!
Emperor Jiajing became even more annoyed when he saw that Xia Yan remained silent and didn't even show any sign of submission.
He handed the draft of the edict to Huang Jin beside him and shouted: "Take it and publish it!"
Eunuch Huang glanced at Xia Yan and left as ordered. Regardless of whether Xia Yan would be reinstated in the future, at least today, things were irreversible.
No matter the reward or punishment, it is the king's favor. Xia Yan took off his hat, kowtowed and thanked him, and then walked out of the palace.
I don’t know what others think, but Qin Dewei’s heart is calm, and he feels that this is not a big deal.
In the original history, Xia Yan, like his former chief assistant Zhang Fuking, had three ups and downs and was dismissed three times.
After waiting for a while, maybe a few years, maybe a few months, or even a few days, Emperor Jiajing's mood passed and he would often call people back.
Being the chief minister under the hard-to-serve Emperor Jiajing was like this, with ups and downs. Even Yan Song, who was the best at flattering, was dismissed and mistrusted.
And no matter what, it would be better for Master Xia to be deposed and provide for his retirement than to be executed in the West Market.
After Xia Yan exited, Emperor Jiajing turned his attention to Yan Song again and said, "As for the chief minister of the cabinet?"
Even though he has been sophisticated for a long time, Yan Song's heart is still beating uncontrollably, and the top position of civil servants seems to be within reach!
He just didn't know what Emperor Jiajing was thinking about, but he still wanted to test Yan Song, so he stopped mid-sentence.
At this time, Qin Dewei suddenly said: "Your Majesty! Yan Song cannot be the first assistant!"
Mr. Yan Ge suddenly became angry. What does it have to do with you, Qin Dewei, as the first assistant? Is it possible that you, a parallel importer, still want to be the first assistant?
A half-time member of the cabinet who does not plan maintenance has no right to covet the position of chief assistant!
Then I heard Qin Dewei continue to say: "According to the cabinet rules, the positions are generally arranged in chronological order, and the person who joins the cabinet first is the first and assistant. This is the etiquette of the cabinet!
Even when Zhang Fujing entered the cabinet, he had to wait until Yang Yiqing took office, and when Xia Yan entered the cabinet, he had to wait until Li Shi died in office before he could take over as chief minister.
Among the current ministers, Zhai Luan should be above Yan Song, so according to etiquette, the new chief minister should be Zhai Luan!"
Yan Song: ""
At this time, Mr. Yan Ge felt as if he had found a dead fly in a plate of delicious food. He was so disgusted!
In my excitement, I almost forgot that in the list of cabinet bachelors, there was also the goddamn Zhai Luan!
Although Zhai Luan was burdened with Tian Ri Zhao Zhao's taint, although Zhai Luan repeatedly resigned from office and was left by the emperor as a punching bag for Qin Dewei, even though Zhai Luan was extorted by Qin Dewei to become a bachelor of Dongjuan Peng, claiming to be ill at home every day, and became a member of the Manchu Dynasty
A laughing stock, but he is still a senior cabinet minister after all.
Zhai Luan joined the cabinet as early as the sixth year of Jiajing reign, while Yan Song in this time and space only joined the cabinet in the seventeenth year of Jiajing reign, so the qualifications are quite inferior.
The scheming and forbearing Yan Song also broke his guard, but he had no other choice but to pray to the emperor for mercy. He called "Your Majesty" affectionately, and then said heartily:
"When it comes to talent, Zhai Luan is far inferior to Chen Ye! When it comes to loyalty, Zhai Luan is far inferior to Chen Ye!"
Etiquette is etiquette, but if there is a system, there will be exceptions. So why not make an exception for Yan Song again?
Anyway, Zhai Luan was not welcomed by the emperor, and he was only admitted to the cabinet because of the political compromise between the emperor and his ministers.
However, Qin Dewei told Emperor Jiajing: "Zhai Luan entered the cabinet in the sixth year of Jiajing. He had four chief assistants, Yang Yiqing, Zhang Fjing, Li Shi, and Xia Yan. The last three were all later than him, and as a result, they were all ranked behind him.
Front.
If we want to make an exception for Yan Song and let Yan Song surpass Zhai Luan, it would be too much if four people in a row surpass Zhai Luan.
Even if Your Majesty does not like Zhai Luan, it is better to have a certain limit in everything, otherwise it will be doubted by future generations."
Mr. Yan Ge did not dare to look directly at Jiajing Emperor Long Yan, but he stared at Qin Dewei. If Qin Dewei were not young and strong, Mr. Yan Ge would have wanted to hit him.
Emperor Jiajing frowned. To be honest, he really had no feelings for Zhai Luan, otherwise he would not have made Zhai Luan his chief minister for more than ten years.
Qin Dewei continued: "If His Majesty wants to use Yan Song as his first assistant, it is not impossible. After all, Zhai Luan is burdened with some suspicions.
Shi Dao, the former governor of Datong, and Wang Sheng, the commander-in-chief, are all in prison, and they will definitely implicate Zhai Luan. Once Zhai Luan is removed, we can justifiably appoint Yan Song as the chief assistant."
Yan Song, who was in a state of confusion, was puzzled as to why Qin Dewei suddenly changed his tone again?
"But" Qin Dewei really lived up to expectations and had a turning point.
Yan Ge Lao wished he could rush up and block Qin Dewei's mouth so that Qin Dewei could stop talking.
"After deposing the chief minister, he successively dismissed the grand master. The movement is too big and too shocking. Your Majesty, please think again!"
Emperor Jiajing also realized that if two cabinet ministers were dismissed in succession, only Yan Song would be left in the cabinet, which might not be a good thing. Then he said with some hesitation: "Can we only use Zhai Luan?"
Qin Dewei added: "If there is a better candidate in the future, Zhai Luan will be easier to replace! And the change will have little impact on the court!"
After hearing this, Emperor Jiajing suddenly became enlightened.
Yes, Zhai Luan should indeed be used as the first assistant at the moment, and there is ample room for regret. Anyway, Zhai Luan has little influence, and there will not be too many consequences no matter how hard you try.
If Yan Song is directly used now, if Xia Yan is wanted to come back and reinstated in the future, and then Yan Song is replaced, it will be a huge shock to the court.
"Then let Zhai Luan be the head of the cabinet first!" Emperor Jiajing made a decision that he thought was the best solution.
Yan Song wanted to go out and say a few words, but unfortunately, he was a candidate for the first assistant, and he wanted to "avoid suspicion", so he couldn't make unscrupulous comments like Qin Dewei.
So Mr. Yan Ge, who was full of expectations, fell into deep disappointment. Xia Yan's dismissal from office should have been a very happy thing, but why couldn't he be happy in the end?
Everything is Qin Dewei's fault!
However, what comforted Mr. Yan Ge was that even if Zhai Luan became the first assistant, he would have no favor from above and no one from below, and he would be nothing more than a decoration.
Therefore, Yan Song still has the final say in the cabinet from now on, just like when Li Shi was the chief minister, Xia Yan was the actual person in charge of the cabinet.
Then I heard Qin Dewei ask: "The cabinet has one minister less than usual, and it is still unstable. I wonder if your majesty will remove the minister personally, or will it be promoted by the ministers?"
Yan Song looked at Qin Dewei in surprise. This question is really unnecessary. His Majesty will naturally give instructions. Why do you need to deliberately ask?
In fact, Qin Dewei also had a little fantasy in his heart. What if the emperor had another convulsion and simply expelled Qin Dewei from half-into the cabinet to fully entering the cabinet?
No longer needing to avoid suspicion, Yan Song could finally express his opinions casually and told the emperor: "If you want to stabilize the cabinet, please stabilize Qin Dewei first, otherwise it will still be unstable after all! So there is no need to rush to add new cabinets!"
Yan Song really did not want to discuss the issue of adding bachelors to the cabinet in this situation, because no matter how the discussion was conducted, Qin Dewei would definitely take the opportunity to speak. In the end, he would probably insert Zhang Chao, the Minister of Rites, who had a high priority.
Once Zhang Chao, with Qin Dewei's backing, enters the cabinet, he will definitely be different from ordinary newcomers and will definitely be his strong rival. That's why Yan Song said there is no need to rush to recruit more ministers.
Emperor Jiajing also felt that this statement was quite reasonable. Although Qin Dewei was not in the cabinet, he was indeed the biggest instability factor in the cabinet.
So he casually asked Yan Song: "What do you think?"
Yan Song continued: "In my opinion, it is better to let Qin Dewei join the cabinet!"
Wucao! Qin Dewei also felt disgusted. Originally, there was a slight possibility of transforming into a full cabinet bachelor, but now there is no chance.
Even if Emperor Jiajing had a cerebral thrombosis and agreed to join the cabinet, wouldn't that mean that he was promoted to the cabinet by Yan Song?
If this is the case, he will always be under Yan Song from now on. According to the original history, Yan Song could live for more than 20 years!
After being beeped by Yan Song again, Qin Dewei decided to take the initiative and brought up the old matter again: "Your Majesty! The minister has just resigned from the post of Young Master Zhan and recommended He Ao as the guest of the crown prince. I sincerely ask for your permission!"
"
Emperor Jiajing nodded and said: "That's right!"
Qin Dewei was overjoyed and finally got rid of the burden of Shao Zhan's affairs.
In fact, this official position itself is a noble and beautiful position, but the officials in Zhan Shifu are too stupid. They are hot-blooded and childish. Qin Dewei does not want to be dragged down by them.
Then logically, he should replace him with an official. There are not many fourth-grade officials who are worthy of him. He can just replace him as a minister of any ministry. Qin Dewei won't pick him.
For Fengzhou Bo, the special Jin Guanglu doctor, rank no longer meant much, so Emperor Jiajing had no intention of suppressing Qin Dewei's rank.
Then he asked Yan Song: "Is there any vacancy for the Sixth-level Minister or other third-level official positions? Or are there people who are old and should become officials?"
Yan Song wanted to reciprocate the favor and said: "Zhan Shifu, Zhan Shilu, is old and ill and cannot be in charge. Some time ago, he even went to Shu to resign. Qin Dewei can be used as Zhan Shishi."
There is also a tacit understanding between the king and his ministers, but they do not express it clearly. Xia Yan has been expelled, so why is Xia Yan's teacher Lu Shen still left in the East Palace?
So Emperor Jiajing made a direct decision and said: "It is very good that Qin Dewei is promoted to Zhan Shi. This is suitable! He will still serve as Chunfang official!"
Qin Dewei: ""
After leaving Shao Zhan Shi, another Zhan Shi came. What is the purpose?
Qin Dewei hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please tell me clearly that I am resigning from the position of Shao Zhan to avoid suspicion!
The first is to avoid the suspicion of He Ao, and the second is to avoid the suspicion of rumors. If it is also added to Zhan's affairs, then what is the point of avoiding suspicion?"
Yan Song accused Qin Dewei: "The emperor is so ambitious that he doesn't care about your suspicion. Why do you, Qin Dewei, refuse in every possible way? What are you guilty of?"
Then Yan Song told Emperor Jiajing: "The prince is young and needs long-term guidance. However, Qin Dewei is young and can tutor the prince for a long time in the future. This is also a good story."
Emperor Jiajing remembered again that Qin Dewei was unwilling to serve in Zhan Shifu from the beginning, which was really abnormal.
Puzzled, the emperor shouted again: "Qin Dewei, don't refuse any more!"
Qin Dewei was helpless. The emperor was so paranoid. Why did he have to tie himself up in the East Palace?
The emperor had spoken to this extent, and Qin Dewei could only hold his nose and accept it.
Zhan Shifu of the third grade Zhan Shifu is the top official position, the highest grade pure Ci Lin Qingliu official position, Hanlin bachelor is only the fifth grade, but it is indeed not what Qin Dewei wants!
But what he really wanted, he had never been able to get. Emperor Jiajing had always been very vague.
After looking at Yan Song again, Qin Dewei said to the emperor: "I am young and unstable in temperament and impatient. I am really not suitable for the task of extracting chapters and sentences, teaching and educating people.
Now that the central government has changed, Mr. Yan Ge is unwilling to add more cabinet ministers. If one person is in charge, he will only worry about one thing and lose another.
But I just want to contribute all my knowledge to the imperial court, to help His Majesty solve problems, and to assist the cabinet in doing some practical work!"
When Yan Song heard this, he felt that he was disgusted again! What does "unwillingness to add cabinet ministers" mean? What does "one person governs only care about one thing and lose another"?
This is clearly a hint to the emperor that no one in the cabinet can suppress Yan Song now, and from now on it will basically be Yan Song who has the final say!
Faced with the huge risk of someone having exclusive power, wouldn't your emperor consider the issue of checks and balances?
Remembering one of Qin Dewei's achievements, Emperor Jiajing nodded and said to Qin Dewei: "I also understand your thoughts, so I only allowed you to enter Zhiwen Yuan Pavilion earlier.
There has always been a proposal to establish a Military Aircraft Department in Wenyuan Pavilion. There was no objection to the meeting in the past few days. After careful consideration, I have decided to add a Military Aircraft Department to handle urgent official documents from all parties, and you will preside over it!"
This is what Qin Dewei wanted. After many twists and turns, he finally got it. It was not easy! He had to take advantage of the opportunity that Yan Song was about to take power to convince the emperor to make up his mind to grant it!
Yan Song was extremely speechless. He was really a dog emperor and a dog in the palace! He hadn't even gotten over the addiction to dictatorship, but these checks and balances came right after him!
