Eight hundred and ninetieth eight chapters back waves beat front waves
At this time, Wang Tingxiang began to regret it. He suddenly realized that maybe he shouldn't talk too much!
When Yan Song was drafting the list of bachelors in the palace, he intentionally or unintentionally ignored Qin Dewei, so Wang Ting felt unhappy about this and couldn't help but make it clear.
However, Wang Tingxiang only considered the issue from Qin Dewei's point of view, and temporarily ignored the special relationship between Qin Dewei and Zhang Chao.
As a result, Yan Song took advantage of him and created a "master-disciple competition" gimmick.
It would be okay if Qin Dewei were present, maybe master and apprentice could form a tacit understanding on the spot based on mutual trust.
But now that Qin Dewei is three thousand miles away, it would be bad if something went wrong due to poor communication, causing the master and apprentice to become separated.
Seeing that no one spoke for a while, Yan Song took the initiative again and suggested: "Then I will make a statement first. I think Qin Dewei's class order should be ranked second in the list of cabinet ministers who will present to the Holy Mother."
There has never been a precedent in the Ming Dynasty for the cabinet to draw up a list of bachelors on its own, and it is absolutely impossible to do so legally.
But the current situation is really special. If we still ask the emperor to issue orders for everything, the court will be paralyzed and nothing can be done.
Then Yan Song said to Zhang Chao: "What do you think?"
Zhang Chao couldn't help but laugh bitterly. What else could he say? Could he still recommend himself and say, "If Qin Dewei is not good enough, I will be second"?
From top to bottom in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, there was no mechanism for recommending oneself to a higher position, and it was not allowed morally.
But if Qin Dewei is really allowed to become second best and "steal" the teacher's position, I'm afraid it will also arouse moral criticism from outsiders.
Therefore, Zhang Chao could neither agree nor deny the proposal of "Qin Dewei second", and could only be speechless.
Yan Song looked at Zhang Bi, the new member of the cabinet, and asked skillfully: "What do you think of Qin Dewei?"
Zhang Bi was also a senior minister and had his own opinions on etiquette issues, so he replied: "The direct purpose of discussing the names of cabinet ministers and the order of classes here today is to cope with the various New Year ceremonies!
Qin Dewei is far away in Zhejiang and will definitely not be able to attend the court ceremony, so studying Qin Dewei's class order is meaningless!
I think we’ll put Qin Dewei on hold first, and just arrange the other people’s classes! Let’s talk about Qin Dewei’s issue when he returns to the DPRK!”
Zhang Bangqi, the leader of the Zhejiang Party, still hoped to see the drama of "civil war between master and apprentice", but he could not let it go easily, so he said to Zhang Bi:
"If the name is incorrect, the words will not be correct. Why is the class sequence meaningless? Can Qin Dewei be outside the Five Elements? I think it is very appropriate to clearly rank Qin Dewei as the second cabinet minister."
Zhang Bi might have some respect for Yan Song, the first assistant, but he was rude to Zhang Bangqi, who was ranked lower than him, and shouted: "The issue of class order is meaningless to Qin Dewei, so why bother with it!
As long as Qin Dewei is willing to wear a first-class robe, he will definitely be the first among all civil servants!
You, Zhang Bangqi, are just a newcomer who got into the cabinet by chance, so what qualifications do you have to draw up the class order for Qin Dewei here?"
Zhang Bangqi: "..."
Qin Dewei had so much glory that he almost forgot that he was a first-grade doctor in Guanglu.
Indeed, as Zhang Bi said, as long as Qin Dewei is willing, he will directly be the head of the civil servants in the class, higher than the chief assistant of the highest rank.
So what is the etiquette significance of drawing up a class sequence for Qin Dewei and ranking him?
Yan Shoufu also figured this out, and suddenly felt uninterested. As long as Qin Dewei didn't overturn, it would be useless to struggle with these little tricks.
Zhang Bi first finished spraying Zhang Bangqi, who was better than him, and finally said: "So there is no need to discuss the class order at all, just decide on the name!"
The first assistant will be promoted to the Grand Scholar of Jinshen Palace, and Zhang Chao and Qin Dewei will both be promoted to Wuying Palace. There is no order of priority for the time being, so that's all.
In the history of this dynasty, there are no precedents for two people to share the same title.
Moreover, the master and apprentice are both Grand Bachelors of Wuyingdian, so it can be regarded as a great story of this dynasty!"
Zhang Chao glanced at Zhang Bi gratefully. It was really difficult for him to speak out on this issue. Today, it was all up to Zhang Bi to deal with it here.
Zhang Bi's proposal temporarily alleviated the problem of who was older and who was younger between Zhang Chao and Qin Dewei.
Let both the master and the disciple take the title of Bachelor of Wuyingdian first, in no particular order, and let Qin Dewei discuss future issues when he returns to the court.
Yan Shoufu no longer had much interest in continuing to struggle with this issue. The idea of using etiquette issues to deal with Qin Dewei was simply ridiculous, so he directly said: "Just report as Zhang Bi said!"
Then the cabinet office meeting broke up, and Wang Tingxiang left Wenyuan Pavilion and returned to Xiyuan Military Aircraft Department for duty.
In the afternoon, Wang Tingxiang left the Military Aircraft Office early and waited for Zhang Chao, the great scholar, outside the Meridian Gate.
"Do you have something to say?" After Zhang Chao walked out of the Meridian Gate, he was a little surprised when he saw Wang Tingxiang coming up to him.
Wang Tingxiang bowed his hands and said, "I was careless today and said the wrong thing, which almost led to a dispute between master and disciple. It is really a sin!"
Zhang Chao sighed, waved his hand and said, "To tell you the truth, I had expected such a day!
So I really don’t blame you, even if it doesn’t happen this time, there will be another time, and problems will definitely arise.”
Wang Tingxiang could understand Zhang Chao's mood very well. First, he didn't know what to say.
Zhang Chao continued: "In the final analysis, it is because I, the teacher, blocked Qin Dewei's way and prevented Qin Dewei from continuing to rise.
If we were on different roads, maybe we could stagger them, but Qin Dewei and I were walking on the same road.
Although I had a premonition, I didn’t expect this day to come so quickly. I originally thought that it would not develop to this extent before I took up my official position.”
The order of words spoken by Zhang Chao is very confusing, but it can also reflect his complicated mood.
No matter who finds out that they are the one blocking the road, they will probably feel a little hurt in their self-esteem, right?
Wang Tingxiang advised: "At this age, you should be more open-minded! Look at me, now I can only count on Qin Dewei to write a tombstone for me?"
Walking outside the right gate of Chang'an, when the two separated, Zhang Chao said again: "If it weren't for Qin Dewei, I might still be just an old minister who suffered a cold reception, so what else would I be dissatisfied with?
In fact, I thought about it today, and when Qin Dewei returns to the court, I might consider becoming an official, so as to avoid Qin Dewei's difficulty in doing so."
The next day, all the cabinet ministers went to Wenyuan Pavilion to work. In fact, everyone had no other intention to work, and they were just waiting for the new palace title to be awarded.
Although the title of palace is just a name and cannot change the issue of actual power, everyone has vanity, and civil servants who are keen on leaving a name in history are indispensable for vanity.
The title of palace and the title of palace protector are probably one of the highest vanities of civil servants, and it is also a good thing to write on the tombstone.
It’s not like everyone is Qin Dewei, with a lot of official titles and countless vanities.
As the chief assistant, Yan Song went to Cisheng Palace on behalf of the cabinet to meet the regent, Queen Mother Zhang.
After receiving the decree from Empress Dowager Zhang, everyone's new names will be announced to the world, which also symbolizes the formal formation of the new cabinet team.
However, when Yan Shoufu stepped into the central hall of Wenyuan Pavilion again, he was empty-handed.
Everyone, including Wang Tingxiang, who came over to watch the excitement, looked at Yan Shoufu in surprise. It was just a matter of procedure, so how could there be any reason to come back empty-handed? What about the Queen Mother's decree?
Yan Song said expressionlessly: "The Holy Mother felt homesick again and instructed the cabinet to urge Yousi to release Zhang Yanling from the prison."
Everyone was speechless. They didn't expect that the old queen would fall ill again!
As we all know, Empress Dowager Zhang had two major worries. One was that she had lived in seclusion in the cold palace for the past ten or two decades and was treated poorly by the palace officials. The other was that her brother Zhang Yanling had been imprisoned in the sky prison and could not be killed even if she said he wanted to.
Don't let go.
After deposing Zhang Zuo, the former Chief of Ceremony, the first worry was almost eliminated, although the Qin eunuch who replaced him did not seem to have the same heart as the Empress Dowager Zhang.
But the old queen mother had been talking about her second heart problem for a long time, but the ministers pretended to be deaf and dumb and didn't hear it at all.
First of all, when the Zhang family ran rampant in the capital and destroyed countless families, it was obvious to all, and the evidence of the crime was conclusive during the interrogation. The ministers who cared about feathers a little were not willing to protect Zhang Yanling.
Secondly, Zhang Yanling was sentenced to death by the emperor, but he was always in a state of waiting to be executed. Without the emperor's will or an order equivalent to the emperor's will, it was not legal to release him.
Thirdly, the Empress Dowager Zhang had just taken over as regent and her position seemed unstable, so the ministers could not commit the crime of releasing Zhang Yanling just to please the Empress Dowager Zhang.
Before anyone else could say anything, Wang Tingxiang said angrily: "What does Zhang Yanling's matter have to do with conferring the title of non-commissioned officer at Zhugong Diange University? Your Majesty is really Hu Tu!"
It’s not like Empress Dowager Zhang Lao Hutu has been around for a day or two. If he was really that shrewd, he wouldn’t have been unable to deal with even a sixteen or seventeen-year-old young emperor.
Yan Song ignored Wang Tingxiang, an outsider, and continued: "The Holy Mother said that the decree granting you the rank of university sergeant is kept with her.
Anyone who is willing to support the release of Zhang Yanling can go to Cisheng Palace and receive the decree of granting official status alone!"
Zhang Bangqi himself had no idea, so he couldn't help but ask: "What do you think of Yan Ge?"
Yan Song smiled: "Who doesn't have any close relatives? Of course I support the Virgin Mary's appeal.
Besides, the Holy Mother is now the regent, but the Holy Mother’s brother is still in prison, which is really a disgrace to the country, what do you think?"
Everyone always felt that Yan Song must have other ideas, but no one could guess.
Zhang Bangqi completely followed Yan Song and replied: "Second the proposal!"
Another bachelor, Zhang Chao, felt that his brain was not strong enough. He thought about it for a while but couldn't think clearly.
But he can be certain that from the perspective of "justice", there is no reason to let Zhang Yanling out! It is a stroke of luck that Zhang Yanling can survive!
When Yan Song saw that Zhang Chao was silent, he turned around and walked out, "I have conveyed the Queen Mother's instructions, please do your own thing. I will go to see the Holy Mother again and accept the reward decree."
Zhang Bangqi followed Yan Song out without hesitation. He had no other choice but to stand on the same side as Yan Song.
Besides, since he joined the cabinet, he has not yet added the official title of Grand Master of the Imperial Palace, and he has been itching. If he agrees to release Zhang Yanling from prison in exchange for the official title, it seems acceptable.
After watching Yan Song and Zhang Bangqi leave, there were only three of them left in the central hall of Wenyuan Pavilion, and they became even more bold in speaking.
Wang Tingxiang frowned and said: "The Holy Mother is acting like a scoundrel! Is it unreasonable to use the important matters of court etiquette to blackmail ministers for their own private affairs?"
When Qin Dewei was still in the capital, he once privately scolded Empress Dowager Zhang for having the political level of a village woman. Now it seems that this is true.
Just because of a brother with a lot of misdeeds, using the official title of Grand Master of the Palace as a threat, is this really stupid or not?
Like Zhang Bangqi, newcomer Zhang Bize, who does not yet have a commissioned officer title at Diange University, was thinking more: "Is it possible that the Holy Mother Queen has stabilized the situation and wants to use Zhang Yanling to cultivate forces outside the palace?"
Wang Tingxiang said: "The Holy Mother is never a concern. Only when she is in the position of regent does she have the opportunity to make mistakes. The one who really needs to be worried is Yan Song. Who knows what Yan Song is thinking?"
Zhang Chao thought twice before speaking: "No matter what others are thinking, we must always stick to our true intentions based on the facts.
In my opinion, Zhang Yanling, who has been proven guilty after being interrogated clearly, cannot be released for no reason! Otherwise, it will be a huge violation of the law and discipline!"
Wang Ting was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and that was when Zhang Yanling was imprisoned.
Later, he was deeply involved in some of Qin Dewei's affairs, so he understood the grievances between Qin Dewei and Zhang Yanling very well.
Then he said worriedly: "Zhang Yanling really cannot be released. If this person is still in prison, he can still be restrained.
If he is released and has the support and protection of the Queen Mother Regent, and he starts to act recklessly, it will be difficult for any law enforcement agency to control him and control him!
Besides, Zhang Yanling has a deep grudge with Qin Dewei, and if he ignores it and starts messing around with the Qin family, I'm afraid it will be a headache."
Zhang Bi has been in the ivory tower for a long time and is not very clear about some things. "What can Zhang Yanling do to the Qin family?"
Wang Tingxiang said a little embarrassedly: "After the Zhang family was confiscated, a small part of the assets flowed into Qin Dewei's hands.
For example, the Zhang family was forced to deposit a large amount of money in the Yuanfeng account, but later the Zhang family disappeared after their home was confiscated, and it was Qin Dewei who suggested the Zhang family be ransacked."
Zhang Bi shook his head helplessly, it seemed that the "justice" of the Qin Party was not so pure.
On that day, two decrees from the Empress Dowager were transmitted to both inside and outside the imperial court: Yan Song added Shaobao, Jinshendian Grand Bachelor, Zhang Bangqi added Prince Shaofu, and Dongge Grand Bachelor.
As for the other two cabinet ministers, there was no movement at all, and no reward was issued. These signals made the whole court feel nervous again.
Originally, the end of the year has arrived, and everyone has become accustomed to lying down, whether they have money or not, they celebrate the New Year.
Even the cabinet adjustment did not cause too much trouble. The official title was just a formality and not worthy of too much attention.
But no one expected that the end of the year, which was thought to be calm, would suddenly cause waves again.
The courtiers who were forced to take sides again were shouting in their hearts, are these people tired? From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, the fighting was endless!
Too many things happened in the 20 years of Jiajing, why can’t we stop for a while?