Zhu Hao's political thinking does not stop at a simple level. Zhu Hao found out that the Confucian officials and the party had taken great pains to recruit him. Considering that his value in the court is not that great, there is only one explanation... Some people want to speculate.
He came out to be cannon fodder.
And in what capacity can he become the candidate for "chief cannon fodder"?
In addition to being born in a family of thousands of Jinyiwei families, he is now the number one scholar.
Thinking of the conflict between the emperor and the ministers this morning about welcoming Princess Jiang, I put myself in Yang Tinghe's shoes and thought about the problem. The best way to dissuade him was not to have the ministers jointly sign the memorial, but to let the new scholars charge into the battle. At that time
As the leader of the new department, Zhu Hao can legitimately act as cannon fodder.
Zhu Hao thought to himself: "This also explains why I receive such attention. It turns out that he wants me to take this year's Jinshi to directly remonstrate and offend the king. The new emperor does not want to train a group of people by personally presiding over the palace examination.
Are you disciples of the emperor? Yang Tinghe is going to let the new emperor know in this way that all your so-called disciples consider issues from a civil official standpoint and are alienated from you, the emperor."
So cruel!
Even though Zhu Hao was not sure whether Yang Tinghe would use such tricks, he could still feel the substantial harm caused to the little emperor Zhu Si by his murderous intentions.
Zhu Si expected that these Jinshi people he had appointed would be able to take the lead on the ceremonial debate. As a result, Yang Tinghe had already arranged everything and let these Jinshi people be the first ones to persuade the emperor to turn around. This was not considered murderous and heart-breaking.
Can it be counted?
"I would like to thank Yu Hanlin for waking me up. I will know what is going on in the future... Since there is nothing in Hanyuan, I will take my leave first!"
Zhu Hao got up and left.
Yu Chengxun was startled.
Don’t you understand, kid? If you did, you would know that I am trying to solicit you. I’ll talk about it for a long time, okay, but you can say the right thing?
But Zhu Hao's ability to pretend to be confused is not comparable to ordinary people, and his level is beyond the understanding of "celebrities" like Yu Chengxun who hang out in Hanyuan. To put it bluntly, Yu Chengxun's rank is not enough, and Yu Chengxun wants to test Zhu Hao.
Little did he know that in disguise, Zhu Hao came back to find out more information.
"Yu Hanlin, I'll talk to you tomorrow if I have something to do."
After Zhu Hao finished speaking, he left the Hanlin Academy without looking back.
…
…
In the afternoon, Zhu Hao saw Zhu Si and hurriedly called Zhu Si into the study. Zhang Zuo and Tang Yin followed.
"Zhu Hao, I still want to watch the show... Didn't you say that Gong Yeling has arrived in the capital? I want to hear her sing White Snake. She sings better than anyone else."
Zhu Si came to meet his childhood idol today.
Zhu Hao said: "Your Majesty, please do not talk about anything else. I have an important matter to discuss with you."
Upon hearing what Zhu Hao said, Zhang Zuo and Tang Yin hurriedly approached, wanting to know what the urgent matter was.
When Zhu Hao told Zhu Siyi his analysis, Zhu Si frowned: "No way? Xinke Hanlin wants to advise me not to take my mother and concubine to Beijing? Why do they stand up for Yang Ge? Aren't they my disciples?
?”
Zhu Hao sighed: "I talked a lot with Hanlin editor Yu Chengxun today, and one of his words touched me very much. The logic of a person's work is not to look at the long term, but to focus on the present. Who can pull yourself up to the next step?
This person's opinion must prevail.
"Your Majesty, do you think that the career prospects of new Jinshi scholars in the court are better given by His Majesty, or by Yang Ge Lao, or people from Yang Ge Lao's faction?"
Zhu Si understood it as soon as he heard it and looked extremely depressed.
Zhang Zuo said anxiously: "Now the government and the public are all members of Mr. Yang Ge. Even the officials are under the control of Mr. Yang Ge. They will do whatever they say. Then the new Jinshi will naturally..."
There were some words that even Zhang Zuo didn't dare to say casually, for fear that speaking out would hurt the little emperor's self-esteem.
"Then... do I have to watch them do this? I just want to bring my mother and concubine to the palace, but I can't even fulfill the most basic filial piety?"
Zhu Si felt aggrieved when he spoke, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Tang Yin comforted: "Your Majesty, this is just Zhu Hao's guess. It cannot be done accurately. Maybe things will not develop like this."
Zhu Si shook his head: "I believe what Zhu Hao said, because if I were Mr. Yang Ge, I would do the same thing, so that these new scholars can fight against me with him and turn the court into the Yang family's court.
What reason does he have for letting me gradually win over people's hearts and cultivate his own people?"
Tang Yin couldn't help but sigh.
The little emperor has completely put himself and Yang Tinghe on opposite sides, using a lot of extreme words, and even mentioned that the emperor needs to win people's hearts, which shows that Zhu Si really has no sense of security.
Zhu Hao said: "Actually... His Majesty said something very right, and it is also the best solution at the moment."
Zhu Si's eyes widened and he said: "Yes, Zhu Hao, since you have understood Mr. Yang Ge's intentions in advance, you should have thought of a solution, right?"
While speaking, Zhu Si casually wiped the tears and snot on his sleeves, and looked at Zhu Hao with eyes full of expectation, as if he saw hope again.
I have a trusted general on my side who is capable of maneuvering and infiltrating the enemy's camp. Why should I be so discouraged? Isn't it just a matter of following Zhu Hao's arrangements?
Zhu Hao's face was full of enigma: "Your Majesty, do you remember that I told you before that I wanted to bribe the Minister of Rites with money? Your Majesty will use this method to divide and disintegrate Yang Ge's old camp, and at the same time, you can reveal some unpleasant things to them intentionally or unintentionally.
Well-known news..."
…
…
Zhu Hao could tell from Yu Chengxun's simple words of coaxing what tactics Yang Tinghe's camp would use.
Know things first.
Will the initiative be given up?
Zhu Hao asked Zhu Si to return to the palace that day. Before sunset, he summoned Mao Cheng, the Minister of Rites, to the palace. They talked for more than half an hour and begged Mao Cheng to help welcome Princess Jiang...
Don't mention the great rituals, just mention the matter of supporting your mother.
Mao Cheng's words were so sincere that he couldn't find any fault with him.
Even if a Confucian official wants to restrict the new emperor with the moral norms considered by Confucianism, he cannot help but follow the basic Confucian norms of filial piety, righteousness, etiquette and law, right?
Moreover, Zhu Si also revealed some information to Mao Cheng intentionally or unintentionally based on Zhu Hao's words. Before Mao Cheng left the palace gate, Zhang Zuo went there in person and asked Jin Yiwei to pick up three loads of money, which totaled two hundred taels of gold.
, as well as many valuables such as silk and satin...
It means bribing Mao Cheng to deal with him.
This move immediately made Mao Cheng lose his ability to behave.
Zhang Zuo had a sad look on his face: "Mao Butang, you should know that the late king passed away early. Your Majesty was lonely since childhood and depended on the princess... Your Majesty has been thinking about Anlu's mother since he arrived in the capital. Every time he mentions it, he becomes sad.
I shed tears, and even have trouble sleeping and eating because of this. I hope you can understand His Majesty’s painstaking efforts and help Your Majesty to be a filial son. Who in this world is not the mother’s child?”
Mao Cheng felt very uncomfortable after hearing this.
…
…
When Mao Cheng left the palace, the first thing he did was to quickly ask to see Yang Tinghe.
Apparently Mao Cheng also understood that the emperor summoned him alone instead of Yang Tinghe because he saw that he did not have Yang Tinghe's influence in the court, and knew that the new emperor was trying to alienate his relationship with Yang Tinghe in disguise.
The news of his entry into the palace may soon reach Yang Tinghe's ears. Even if no one passes the news, the emperor will probably find ways to let Yang Tinghe know.
In this case, it is better to take the initiative to find Yang Tinghe and tell the whole story about the conversation with the new emperor when he entered the palace, so that Yang Tinghe can understand the new emperor's position.
The two met alone at Yang's house.
Mao Cheng made it clear why he came, and at the same time told him a piece of news he heard in the palace that shocked him extremely.
"... Jiefu, your Majesty accidentally revealed that someone was secretly collaborating with him, and the cabinet will use the form of a memorial jointly signed by new scholars to persuade your Majesty to change his mind and stop mentioning the matter of bringing the princess into the palace. Is this possible?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Tinghe's expression suddenly changed, he glared at Mao Cheng and asked: "Your Majesty, if you have anything to say, who did you hear it from?"
Mao Cheng shook his head: "How could Your Majesty mention it to me? Could it be that... this is really happening?"
Even Mao Cheng didn't know about it beforehand, and Yang Tinghe didn't know how to explain it to him. Could it be that you told him that your position is different from mine, or that you are not my direct descendant, so there are some things that I can't tell you clearly?
Yang Tinghe looked sternly: "There is only one intention in this matter. Some Hanlin officials want to jointly submit a petition to ask Your Majesty to withdraw the order. Didn't you also return Your Majesty's imperial edict to Xingwang Palace before? This matter needs to be discussed in the long term..."
After Mao Cheng heard this, he immediately felt a sense of betrayal.
Talking about the Imperial Academy's joint memorial, I think it was you, Yang Tinghe, who secretly instigated those new scholars to cause trouble, in order to pit these newcomers in the court against the new emperor.
It's a shame that I obeyed your orders, but you didn't tell me about such a big matter. You simply didn't take me, the Minister of Rites, seriously.
Mao Cheng was very unhappy in his heart, but did not show it on his face. He shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty gave me gold and silk, and also mentioned the etiquette of filial piety and righteousness in front of me. Before leaving, Eunuch Zhang, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, mentioned that Your Majesty always falls down when he thinks of the princess.
Tears, sleepless nights, wanting to reunite mother and son... It seems that some changes should be made in this matter. From a moral point of view, His Majesty will not be allowed to see his biological mother for a long time..."
Yang Tinghe suddenly frowned: "Xianqing, have you been persuaded by His Majesty?"
Mao Cheng knew that Yang Tinghe suspected that his position might waver, but he was embarrassed to say it.
As the Minister of Etiquette, in charge of etiquette education, how can it be that when the Emperor mentioned to me that he wanted to honor his mother, he came to talk to me in such a low voice, and even used his status as the Emperor to bribe his officials, and why should I be so rigid that I refuse people thousands of miles away... You let me
How can I stand up as a minister?
If it were you, Mr. Yang Ge, I would naturally disagree with you and even teach the new emperor a lesson in person. You have that status and ability, but I don’t have such prestige in the court. I am just an ordinary minister who just wants to balance.
Maintain a good relationship between ruler and minister, and be a person who upholds morality, etiquette and law.
You can't ask me to go against the new emperor in everything!
"The middle hall..."
In his desperation, Mao Cheng did not discuss the matter on the basis of personal relations, but discussed the matter on a case-by-case basis, "Your Majesty has not mentioned the matter of revisiting the gift at present. If even the most basic wish of supporting the biological mother cannot be fulfilled, it will be of no use to educate, and it will even chill your Majesty's heart.
The Ming Dynasty desperately needs a new emperor to eliminate bad governance and maintain and consolidate its foundation. Now the court is much better than when the previous emperor was..."