Chapter 929 Apart from the big ceremony, it’s time to talk about something else
During the second half of the journey out of the palace, Sun Jiao deliberately moved closer to Zhu Hao, but after Zhu Hao saluted him, he did not say a word.
No one else is surprised.
In the eyes of outsiders, Zhu Hao's suggestion probably came from Sun Jiao. Otherwise, how could a young man like Zhu Hao, who had no backers and no background, be able to contradict the emperor in such a big scene?
Moreover, Sun Jiao's subsequent performance was quite interesting. As soon as Zhu Hao said that Emperor Xingxian should be given a "Ban Sheng Imperial Examination", Sun Jiao immediately came out and agreed.
You also said that you, Sun Zhitong, were not the mastermind in this matter?
After leaving the palace gate, Sun Jiao asked Zhu Hao to get on his carriage.
"No need to look around, I will take you to the Hanlin Academy." Sun Jiao said.
Zhu Hao thought to himself, when did I look around?
"Mr. Sun, I didn't say I was going to the Hanlin Academy, why did you send me there?"
Zhu Hao looked innocent.
Sun Jiao finally no longer had to pretend in such a private situation. After taking off his guard, he seemed to have shed a layer of skin. His body shriveled down and he seemed very relaxed, but his words were unforgiving: "
From the very beginning, your purpose with His Majesty was to take the 'Japanese Imperial Examination', right? Why didn't you tell me in advance? Do you know that if I hadn't come out to speak for you earlier, things would definitely be a big deal today."
Zhu Hao said: "There are some things that don't have to be forced. If something should cause a big problem, it will happen sooner or later, isn't it?"
"you……"
Sun Jiao immediately understood that the so-called "emperor's examination in his own lifetime" proposal was just a temporary compromise. The young emperor would still have to take the imperial examination for his biological father, and Xiaozong would still have to take the imperial examination.
In the past, Sun Jiao might have scolded Zhu Hao, but now he has understood that it is useless to talk more.
"I'm tired and want to return home before the end of the year. You mentioned it before and His Majesty has agreed. It should be okay, right?"
Sun Jiao is like bringing up old things again.
Zhu Hao nodded and said, "I will definitely help Mr. Sun handle the matter of returning home before the end of the year."
Sun Jiao originally thought that Zhu Hao was just asking him to leave the court and not leave the capital. Now Zhu Hao gave a direct answer and told him that he could return to his hometown. Sun Jiao was somewhat surprised.
But then I thought about it, if I retire from the court, I will be at best the former Minister of Household Affairs. How can I help these two young men if I stay in the capital? Do I take myself too seriously?
"If you don't go to Hanyuan, where are you going?"
Sun Jiao was silent for a moment and then asked again.
Zhu Hao said: "Why don't Mr. Sun just let me go here... I will walk the rest of the way by myself."
Sun Jiao suddenly thought of something. He immediately turned around and looked out from the transom window at the back of the car. He saw a group of people following the carriage. He immediately understood that Zhu Hao's identity and status were different now. Just as Zhu Hao got into his carriage.
Something that originally seemed trivial may make many people improve their mental capacity to deal with it.
"Then go down and remember not to force anything."
Many preaching words finally turned into this indifferent admonishment. Sun Jiao asked the driver to stop, and then let Zhu Hao do his own thing.
…
…
Zhu Hao does not need to report to the Hanlin Academy. Even if he returns to the Hanlin Academy to work as a editor, it does not mean that he has to go back to work.
From Zhu Hao's point of view, whether he is a doctor in the Ministry of Justice or a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, it is just a part-time job. It is best that the matter that the emperor raised in the court today would be forgotten by others, or no one would mention it.
Take it seriously, and then he can fly the kite again.
The purpose of being an official is not to make any special contributions in one's position, but more importantly, to be able to kill both big and small outside the officialdom.
Zhu Hao went to see Tang Yin.
The Tang Mansion in the capital.
Zhang Zuo arrived early and talked with Tang Yin while waiting for Zhu Hao to arrive.
Knowing from the servants that Zhu Hao had arrived, Zhang Zuo and Tang Yin went to the door to greet him personally.
"...Mr. Zhu, thank you for your hard work." Zhang Zuo looked at Zhu Hao this time, not only with reverence, but also with extreme compliments.
Zhu Hao easily understood Zhang Zuo's mentality.
In the past, Zhu Hao had always worked behind the scenes, and others were doing the work on the front desk. Zhu Hao usually acted as a consultant and staff, appearing as a shadow in everything big and small, but today Zhu Hao did something
To stand out, to officially change from working in secret to doing things in the open.
Zhang Zuo has always been relatively accurate in grasping the direction of the wind. At this time, he realized that it might be time for Zhu Hao to officially take over.
…
…
In Tang Yin's study.
All three of them were seated, and no one else was allowed to approach the study.
Zhang Zuoxian expressed the emperor's attitude towards this matter.
"...His Majesty is still very satisfied with the current results. The ministers compromised and also gave explanations to the Queen Mother. However, the Queen Mother is still dissatisfied. Your Majesty is still unable to inherit the Xingwangfu Ancestral Hall..."
This reflects Empress Dowager Chiang's lack of support.
But there’s nothing wrong with that.
What does it mean that a biological son still regards others as his mother, but he is just a "native mother"?
Who are you looking down on?
Old lady, I live in the palace, receive treatment like the Queen Mother, and can see my son every day. Why should there be a "third party" between me and my son?
Before Zhu Hao could say anything, Tang Yin explained for Zhu Hao: "Don't be too hasty when doing things, but proceed step by step."
Zhang Zuo smiled and said: "Your Majesty understands and has told the Queen Mother, but the Queen Mother still urges the matter to be settled as soon as possible. Mr. Zhu, you don't have to think too much. In fact, the Queen Mother also knows that if the matter is pushed forward too hastily, the ministers will riot."
She objected, but the Queen Mother always wanted Prince Xing’s Mansion to continue.”
Zhu Hao nodded: "Understood."
Zhang Zuo smiled shamefully: "We are just expressing some personal opinions. You two don't have to take it seriously. Your Majesty is also very concerned about placing more people in the court... You two have also seen it. Today's court meeting, the courtiers
If you stand on the opposite side, there will be very few people in the court who are willing to stand up for Your Majesty. For this reason, Your Majesty is very worried!"
Zhu Hao said: "There are many ministers who are coerced by the mainstream will of the civil servants. They do not really want to go against His Majesty. At least there are people in the cabinet who are willing to come forward to calm things down. This is a good performance."
Zhang Zuo smiled and said: "Doesn't this further reflect the importance of the two of you holding important positions in the government?"
Zhu Hao looked at Tang Yin: "I also hope that Mr. Tang can occupy a high position in the court as soon as possible. While advising His Majesty, he can also stand up and speak out for the power of justice at critical moments. I just don't know what Mr. Tang thinks?"
"hehe."
Tang Yin rolled his eyes at Zhu Hao.
Zhang Zuodao: "Your Majesty's intention is that Mr. Zhu and Mr. Tang will have to carefully consider the selection of Hanlin bachelors and cabinet candidates. Your Majesty does not want today's situation to occur the next time we discuss the ceremony."
The emperor finally had some demands.
If you lose in the field of public opinion this time, you lose. I won’t say that I will definitely win next time, but I can’t lose so ugly again.
The emperor almost went against the entire court in order to pursue the title of imperial examination for his biological father. Moreover, "the imperial examination in his own life" was not the emperor's ultimate goal. If he wanted to pursue the imperial title next, he would have to do it in one step and in the field of public opinion.
Win back a victory.
…
…
After Zhang Zuo finished explaining Zhu Si's appeal, he hurriedly returned to the palace.
Zhu Hao and Tang Yin saw him off, and then the teacher and student did not go back to the study room. Instead, they found two bamboo chairs in the front yard and sat across from each other.
"Did you hear that? His Majesty seems not very satisfied with you."
Tang Yin winked at Zhu Hao as if he was making sarcastic remarks.
Zhu Hao shrugged: "So what if you are dissatisfied? The Great Ceremony Discussion cannot be accomplished overnight. If the stalemate continues in the court today, the conflict between the monarch and his ministers will evolve to the point of becoming tense or even irreconcilable. The ministers will kneel down and remonstrate to the death, causing a huge disturbance.
, the public opinion guided by scholars will be even more unfavorable to Your Majesty... His Majesty’s time on the throne is short, how can he win people’s hearts? It’s better for everyone to take a step back!”
Tang Yin sighed softly: "You don't need to explain too much to me, I just want to remind you, you can listen or not."
Zhu Hao took out a brochure from his arms and handed it to Tang Yin.
Tang Yin took it and looked at it, curiously asking: "What is this?"
"Is it difficult to understand? It is a memorial regarding the continued construction of the railway from Xishan to Xuanfu. It is most appropriate for Mr. Tang to submit it," Zhu Hao said.
"Send the train to Xuanfu Town? Isn't it Juyongguan?" Tang Yin was a little discouraged.
Tang Yin felt exhausted physically and mentally, mainly because he was dragged down by the construction of the railway. He thought Zhu Hao would ask him to take charge of the construction of the railway again.
Zhu Hao said: "To achieve strategic intentions, trains must be timely. Xuanfu is the place where grain and grass supplies are stored in the northwest. The Ming Dynasty's Beiguan border defense is the top priority. If we can form a close connection with the capital,
, then it will be easier to transport troops, food or luggage, and the connection between the northwest and the capital will be closer."
Tang Yin shook his head: "Juyongguan Mountain is so dangerous, how can we build the railway across it?"
Zhu Hao pointed at the thing and said: "The list above is very clear. We need to dig a tunnel or blow up the mountain to make a flat road. In short, we have to overcome difficulties, and the main source of funds is, in addition to the existing mineral harvests.
In addition, it is also time to raise the previously discussed mining tax."
"you……"
Tang Yin suddenly realized, "You kid, you've been talking about big rituals lately, and you've forgotten that you initially advocated for the court to collect mining taxes, and you still want to open a new mining kiln in Xishan?"
"Of course not. There are only so many coal mine reserves in Xishan. In fact, there are more coal mines in Yongping Prefecture and Shanxi. We need to choose the opportunity to explore and develop them. In the future, mining will be opened in various places in the Ming Dynasty, but eunuchs cannot be responsible, and local governments cannot
Involved in this, the mine must be commercialized. The so-called commercialization means mining by private forces, and then the court will tax it.
"Then the imperial court used the increased funds to build railways, and at the same time, it also wanted to add arsenals in the capital and northwest. The shipyards along the coast also needed a large amount of money and food supplies. They were all asking for money. I had no choice.
"If this round is completed, results will be achieved within two or three years. From now on, Your Majesty will no longer have to look at the faces of civil servants when it comes to enriching the country and strengthening the army.
"To put it bluntly, now even His Majesty can only rely on the power of civil servants. The root cause is that the money and food in the treasury are controlled by others. Whoever has money has the right to speak. In the future, if you can't use money to throw money at it, you can still gather it.
support."
Tang Yin really couldn't listen any more, and stretched out his hand to interrupt Zhu Hao's words, and said coldly: "Ask your majesty to bribe the ministers, you can think of it! I can help you with this thing, but I will not pay attention to anything that follows.
...I’ll say hello to you in advance. If you don’t agree, then go back to where you came from and I’ll pretend I’ve never seen this thing!”