Soon after Huang Zan left, Gui E arrived at Zhang Cong's house.
"He actually has the nerve to come to you?"
Gui E was surprised when she found out the purpose of Huang Zan's visit to Zhang Cong.
When Zhang Cong and Gui E were still minor figures, Huang Zan was already the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. After they were promoted to the capital due to great courtesy, Huang Zan held the position of Hanlin bachelor, and later became the third-ranking figure in the cabinet.
, almost a banner-like presence among the Yili Sect.
But the good times did not last long. As Zhu Hao left Beijing, Huang Zan was suddenly brought back to his original form.
Without Zhu Hao's help, no matter how rich his political experience was, Huang Zan would not be able to become a core figure around the emperor.
Zhang Cong said with a smile: "Huang Gongxian attaches great importance to fame, wealth and status. Even though he has outstanding abilities, it is a pity that without channels for contact with His Majesty, he will still be burdened by external affairs after all."
"Then...are you really going to help him?"
Gui E frowned, "Contacting with middle officials also involves the appointment and dismissal of court personnel. It is known to outsiders and can easily be criticized. Besides, there is really no need for you to get too close to Huang Gongxian. In the future, when Zhu Jingdao returns to the court, Huang Gongxian will stand.
Where can I say it’s not certain?”
Now the person Zhang Cong and Gui E are on guard against is Zhu Hao.
Because there are currently three Hanlin bachelors in the court, the main competitor for the two of them to join the cabinet in the future is Zhu Hao, and even if Zhu Hao joins the cabinet later than them, they are not sure they can suppress him. The key is that Zhu Hao has the emperor's trust.
, no one can replace this advantage.
Zhang Cong put down a prepared memorial and said coldly: "I want to make Zhu Jingdao an object of contempt for everyone before he returns to the capital. He will have no place in the court! At his age, even if he does what he does for His Majesty,
No matter how troubled he is, as long as he cannot gain the understanding and trust of his colleagues after returning to court, and no one will cooperate with him in doing things, how can he show his ability?"
"That's true, but..."
Gui E wanted to say, are you so sure that you can suppress Zhu Hao with your own strength?
You are not even a cabinet bachelor now. Just as a Hanlin bachelor, I'm afraid you don't have that much energy.
Zhang Cong seemed confident: "Yang Yingning and I had gone through the wind and joined forces to deal with Zhu Jingdao. No matter how good others are, Yang Yingning should know that it has nothing to do with the overall situation of the court. Only Zhu Jingdao may become the future because of the favor of the saint."
The nightmare of everyone in the court... Aren't they afraid that in the future Zhu Jingdao will turn his hands into clouds and rain in the court, with power covering the sky with one hand, and controlling the courtiers at will?"
Gui E didn't say anything else.
In the past, Zhang Cong always wanted to use some tricks to form an alliance with Zhu Hao, but Gui E always felt that it was not necessary. Judging from the results, he was often teased by Zhu Hao and treated like a monkey.
But now... Gui E feels that Zhang Cong has taken precautions and at least let everyone in the court know about the "incompatible" relationship between Zhang Cong and Zhu Hao. Now even Huang Zan, who previously wore the same pants as Zhu Hao, has taken the initiative to come.
The officials in the DPRK and China who knew Zhu Hao was powerful and chose to protect themselves gradually began to lean towards Zhang Cong...
Zhang Cong became a Hanlin bachelor twice, and almost finally became a "daughter-in-law." Now he said that he wanted to contact someone to make an enemy of Zhu Hao. Gui E felt that Zhang Cong already had this kind of strength.
Zhang Cong said: "Zishi, we are not yet sure when Zhu Jingdao will return, but we must contact the courtiers in advance. From Fei Ge Lao to the six ministers, and then to colleagues in the Hanlin Academy, we must make it clear that Zhu Jingdao will not be allowed to return to Beijing and disturb the normal order of the court.
"
Gui E asked: "Aren't you afraid that after Zhu Jingdao falls, it will be our turn next?"
On this matter, Gui E is still relatively sober.
Why do you, Zhang Bingyong, think that there is an essential difference between us and Zhu Jingdao in the eyes of those courtiers? While they were on guard against Zhu Jingdao, they would not attack us easily?
If you shoot the first bird with a gun, when Zhu Hao falls, we will become the first bird.
"Different."
Zhang Cong smiled and said: "Don't even think about it. We are all orthodox civil servants, so who does Zhu Jingdao mean? He is a bookboy in Prince Xing's Mansion, how can he have the same relationship with His Majesty? And what have we done after entering the court? What did Zhu Jingdao do?
What's wrong? Don't those civil servants know that Zhu Jingdao is a different kind of person?"
Gui E really wants to say, don’t be too optimistic. In fact, we are also different species.
We offended a lot of people with the Dali discussion.
When we have great power, others will not let us go easily.
"That's it, the Hanlin Academy and the Sixth Section are entrusted to you. You have been walking around with them more recently, especially during official business, to gather some people who are willing to come forward to my side." Zhang Cong said calmly, "
As for Mr. Fei Ge and the others, I will go and see them personally."
…
…
Zhang Cong began to be active in the court again.
The first relationship that Zhang Cong had was with Zhang Zuo, the chief minister of rites. He wanted to help Huang Zan get promoted to the official minister because he could see that Huang Zan had already been separated from Zhu Hao before, and it was impossible for him to stand with Zhu Hao again.
This is also the reason why Zhang Cong dared to cooperate with Huang Zan.
After Zhang Zuo learned of Zhang Cong's intention, he was very surprised and asked in surprise: "Scholar Zhang, what does this have to do with you?"
Zhang Cong said: "This is not Huang Butang. I mentioned it in front of Mr. Zhang before. Today, Mr. Zhang met with Eunuch Zhang, so he asked about it."
"hehe."
Zhang Zuo smiled. Although he was not as knowledgeable as Zhang Cong, his experience in dealing with people was not bad at all. Of course he could see Zhang Cong's purpose, so he said, "Scholar Zhang, I am not telling you that it is not me who is responsible for your Majesty's employment."
Waiting for anyone who can interfere? Do you know how His Majesty and Huang Butang get along?"
Zhang Cong said hurriedly: "I don't know, I hope Eunuch Zhang can give me some advice."
Zhang Zuodao said: "Things in this world, especially official positions, can only be obtained by your majesty if they are given by your majesty. If your majesty does not give it, you cannot be demanding. This is the rule. Huang Butang seems to have never understood this truth. Aren't you also confused?
"
"How is that possible? I understand very well."
Zhang Cong knew that these were just words for the occasion.
What the emperor will not give to you, why not see who can give it to you in the end?
Now that Zhu Jingdao is no longer in court, who does the emperor really trust?
"You want to buy a minister of the Ministry of Personnel for thirty thousand taels? Isn't this Huang Butang just a fledgling boy? Haha."
Zhang Zuo's next words made Zhang Cong startled.
The reason why the Emotional Emperor did not place Huang Zan in the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was not because Huang Zan had a strong ability to handle government affairs in the Ministry of Household Affairs and was reluctant to let him leave, nor was it because the emperor broke his promise, but because... the money Huang Zan gave was not enough?
Thirty thousand taels?
Is this selling an official position?
Even though Zhang Cong was determined to stand by the emperor's side, he couldn't help but tremble when he heard this.
Today seems to be a very bad start, asking Huang Zan to give enough money to be promoted? What is the difference between that and the imperial court selling officials and getting titles?
"Huang Butang has the ability to do things, but His Majesty wants ministers who can really help the court, such as Mr. Zhu... Do you know how much money Mr. Zhu can bring to the court in a year?" Zhang Zuo asked.
One sentence.
Zhang Cong finally opened his mind.
It does not mean that if everyone unanimously deals with Zhu Hao, Zhu Hao will lose power. The biggest problem here is that Zhu Hao can bring money to the court and provide huge support to the emperor's small treasury, so that the emperor can escape from the control of the court at any time.
, accomplish whatever it wants to do.
This ability...who among the traditional civil servants can possess it?
Working hard to make money?
Just listening to it is incredible.
Zhang Zuodao: "Huang Butang is already the best among so many officials in the court, but there is still a big gap between him and Mr. Zhu. What your Majesty means is that thirty thousand taels at a time is not enough. You have to have it every month every year.
It’s best to give 30,000 taels per month…”
These words made Zhang Cong's eyes widen, feeling very incredible.
Thirty thousand taels a month?
That's 360,000 taels that year?
Even if Huang Zan's entire family fortune was wiped out, it would still not be enough to pay for one year.
Besides, how could Huang Zan be worth as much as three hundred thousand taels of silver?
Zhang Cong asked: "I dare to ask Eunuch Zhang, how much extra income can Mr. Zhu... bring to the court every year?"
"More than you can imagine."
Zhang Zuo sighed, "In the past few years alone, His Majesty's private expenses have been no less than five hundred thousand taels per year. This does not include the expenditure on shipbuilding, train building, etc. Now His Majesty wants to repair the palace and expand the Prince Xing's Mansion in Anlu."
, patchwork here and there, many times are stretched thin, relying on the income from Xishan and Yongping Mansion to balance, do you think His Majesty can not rely on Mr. Zhu?"
Zhang Cong said: "Eunuch Zhang, you..."
Zhang Zuo smiled and said: "Our family has nothing to do with Mr. Zhu. Our family is only loyal to His Majesty. Mr. Zhu is capable, and of course he will be recognized by the court. If you want to replace Mr. Zhu, you must completely replace him. You can do it."
Are you here?"
Zhang Zuo is an open-minded person.
He doesn't want to offend anyone.
You want to fuck Zhu Hao, right?
Okay!
If you have the ability, our family can support you.
The question is, can you do it?
If it doesn't work, you are still here babbling, uniting this, and doing that. Just to contribute to the court every year, which one of you has Zhu Hao's ability?
It’s not that I look down on you. Zhu Hao’s ability is not limited to making money. His Majesty needs someone to make suggestions at critical moments. Who among you can step in?
"Xueshi Zhang, do you know where you went wrong? You were too impatient. From the very beginning when you fought with Mr. Zhu to when you turned against Mr. Zhu, His Majesty saw it all.
"Your Majesty actually has no objection to you. You are loyal and can do things. But have you ever thought about it, if you let Mr. Zhu go down, who will take Mr. Zhu's place and help His Majesty deal with all the troubles?"
After Zhang Zuo said this with a smile, Zhang Cong was very embarrassed.
Zhang Zuo was trying to teach him a lesson: You don't have a good vision. You just think about political struggle, but in the end you don't have Zhu Hao's diamond.
In this case, what if you win for a while? When the emperor needs money and people later, he will still promote Zhu Hao to a high position when he thinks that no one can replace him.
No matter how arrogant Zhu Hao is now, or how delicate his relationship with the emperor is, you, Zhang Cong, cannot replace him.
"It's better to work with your heart than to always strive for fame and profit. Or if you can't do it alone, you can find a few more helpers. It doesn't take much. I can earn three hundred thousand taels for His Majesty a year, and it can relieve His Majesty's worries.
"Although not everyone in this world can be Mr. Zhu, it doesn't mean that we can't live without anyone. Bachelor Zhang, think about it clearly, find the person, and then come and talk to our family!"