For the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, he was willing to meet a Hanlin lecturer and invited him privately, which was already a great honor. No matter how determined Yang Shen was in the ceremonial discussion, at least when he met Zhang Zuo, he still seemed very respectful. During the Ming Dynasty,
The status of the eunuchs in the court was outstanding, and the eunuch in charge of the ceremony was the most noble. Even his father didn't look coldly on Zhang Zuo, so he was even less qualified.
"Master Yang, please have tea." Zhang Zuo was very polite to Yang Shen. "I don't dare to take it seriously."
Originally, Zhang Zuo was going to pour tea for Yang Shen, but Yang Shen quickly took the teapot and poured himself a cup.
Zhang Zuo smiled and said: "Your Majesty has always cherished talents since he came to the throne. Yang Shishuo is the son of the chief minister. He is talented and is a leader among young scholars. In the previous banquet lectures, Yang Shishuo had many talents.
Excellent performance, Your Majesty also hopes to promote Minister Yang so that you can serve the imperial court better."
Yang Shen lowered his head and did not look at Zhang Zuo.
At this time, he was still wondering in his mind, what role did Zhu Hao play in this matter? Since it was a negotiation and an exchange of interests before, it is impossible for Zhang Zuo to say nothing, right?
Zhang Zuodao: "Actually, Your Majesty asked Xuexue Shi and Xuexi Feng early in the morning about asking Yang Shi to go further, but there was no follow-up at that time. It was also because there were many things in the court. His Majesty did not forget your talents and abilities, but some things still need to be done.
It’s better to make it clear once and for all.”
Yang Shen finally raised his head and said in a slightly stiff tone: "Is Your Majesty still annoyed by the previous performance?"
"No, please don't misunderstand, Minister Yang. It is only right for ministers to express their opinions. Your Majesty will not blame your ministers for fulfilling their duties. Your Majesty is also cautious about discussing etiquette. For Minister Yang, it is important to discuss etiquette."
We have no intention of correcting your opinion on the matter, but... we need mutual trust."
Zhang Zuo went around in circles, probably asking for something similar to a "guarantee" from Yang Shen.
We can't just give up temporarily and give you a bachelor's degree. After you get the official position, you turn your face and go against the emperor. How can we maintain trust between people?
Yang Shen frowned: "How can we trust each other? Does Eunuch Zhang think that I will break my word?"
Zhang Zuo said with a smile: "Then let's make it more clear... I heard that someone in the capital has recently published books about Yili. Some support Yili, and some are against it. No matter what their stance is,
Are all these printed books trying to guide public opinion and go beyond the duties of a scholar?"
"Huh?" Yang Shen was somewhat confused.
He remembered that the last time he met Zhu Hao, Zhu Hao gave him a book printed by the Yili Sect. He was too lazy to take a look at it at the time. Why did Zhang Zuo suddenly mention this matter?
Zhang Zuo continued: "One of them is Hou Tingxun, who is a member of Nanjing's officialdom. His opinions have been very active in the capital recently. Originally, his support or opposition was approved by His Majesty, but he published books in the capital...
··This goes against the duty of a minister, what do you think, Minister Yang?"
Only then did Yang Shen know why Zhang Zuo mentioned publishing books on rituals.
People at Zhang Cong's side were publishing books, but they did not do so under their own banner. Instead, they were organized and printed by private people, but it was different at Hou Tingxun's side.
Among conservatives, Hou Tingxun became famous for his book "Dali Bian". He openly published books in his own name and directly challenged the emperor. Didn't he hit the muzzle of the gun?
Zhang Zuodao: "We want Minister Yang to express his attitude on this matter. No matter what the outcome of the discussion of etiquette is and how the minister supports it, he cannot blatantly influence the discussion among the scholars by publishing books, no matter how supportive he is.
, no matter whether you object to it or not, as long as all books are published and punished, it shouldn’t be difficult for Shi Yang to give such a memorial, right?"
"Eunuch Zhang, is this what you need me to do?" Yang Shen was a little unhappy.
If such a memorial were issued, although it seemed that he was standing on a neutral position, in fact, Hou Tingxun was deceived. This was betraying his comrades.
Zhang Zuo said with a smile: "This Lord Marquis lives in Nanjing, but he is very concerned about the affairs of the capital's officialdom. As far as our family knows, he is from the same hometown as his minister Zhang Cong. When Zhang Cong went to Nanjing, he even wanted to pay him a visit, but he didn't
Zhang Cong was negligent and even
Only when he becomes angry out of shame will he vehemently oppose the discussion of etiquette. Although such a person also stands on Yang Shishuo's position, his intentions are not sincere and he can be said to be a villain without a position."
Yang Shen continued to frown.
As for why Hou Tingxun wrote "Dali Bian", Yang Shen really didn't know the details, but Hou Tingxun and Zhang Cong were from the same hometown, so Yang Shen had heard about it.
In the past year, both of them were officials in Nanjing. Hou Tingxun went to visit Zhang Cong but was ignored, and then came out to oppose Zhang Cong's ideas. Even if Yang Shen didn't know what was going on, he still felt that this made sense.
Zhang Zuodao: "Shi Yang only spoke with a fair attitude and objected to the world's scholars participating in the discussion of rites by publishing books. It was to bring order to the chaos, and he did not mean to target anyone specifically... Could it be that for this small matter, Shi Yang
Are you unwilling to do what you say?"
Yang Shen nodded: "Okay."
Zhang Zuo nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Then our family will wait for Shitou Yang's report. At that time, Shitou Yang will be promoted to Shitang Bachelor... This is not our family's decision, it is all a message for His Majesty.
, His Majesty also hopes that Yang Shitao will make a difference in the court in the future, become a famous minister, and help the country of Ming Dynasty. Yang Shitao, bid farewell!"
Yang Shen sent Zhang Zuo away.
Then Yang Shen himself took a carriage and left the meeting place. When he came out, Yang Shen felt a little regretful.
Yang Shen immediately went to find Zhu Hao, because he had made an appointment with Zhu Hao on the time and place in advance. After walking two blocks, he met Zhu Hao who was having lunch at a nearby restaurant.
"Brother Yongxiu, there's nothing to entertain you, let's come and use it together," Zhu Hao said.
How could Yang Shen be in the mood to eat? He stepped forward and said, "I went to see Eunuch Zhang earlier." Upon hearing this, Zhu Hao put down his chopsticks and asked cautiously: "Is there an agreement?"
"well!"
Yang Shen sighed, as if he had something unspeakable that he couldn't tell Zhu Hao in detail. After all, in the past period of time, Yang Shen no longer regarded Zhu Hao as a close comrade-in-arms.
But now Yang Shen wants to take advantage of the new emperor's relationship to serve as a lecturer, and this matter cannot be known to Yu Chengxun, Ye Guizhang and others. It seems that only Zhu Hao can express his unhappiness.
"Brother Yong Xiu, if you have anything to say, it doesn't matter. I will never tell anyone. You know that it's not good for anyone if this kind of thing spreads." What Zhu Hao means is that you are afraid of being known.
, I'm afraid too.
We are now grasshoppers on a rope.
Yang Shen then told Zhu Hao what Zhang Zuo had mentioned to him about the impeachment of those who participated in the publication of books.
Zhu Hao said: "Eunuch Zhang is targeting Hou Tingxun, or he is asking Brother Yongxiu to write a petition to dispel concerns about cooperation between the two parties." Yang Shen said coldly: "This is where I am reluctant, so
Once this happens, it means that I have already fallen into the hands of others."
Zhu Hao asked curiously: "What's the reason? In Brother Yongxiu's opinion, is it right for civil servants or scholars to publish books in the capital and discuss important affairs of the court without authorization? I think what Eunuch Zhang raised is nothing.
No, at least this Hou Tingxun is too radical in his actions, as if he is all focused on fame and fortune, right?"
"Um."
Yang Shen did not deny Zhu Hao's statement.
It is true that Hou Tingxun did something wrong, but it does not mean that Yang Shen needs to stand up and participate in the impeachment.
Zhu Haodao: "Actually, Eunuch Zhang didn't explain that the memorial should be written by you, or someone else should be the author and co-signed by you. As long as there is such a thing, wouldn't the result be the same?"
"You mean..."
Yang Shen heard some overtones in Zhu Hao's words.
Zhu Hao said with a smile: "It's better to let others submit the memorial, and you only co-sign in it, and the purpose of the memorial is to make it seem that it is only for ordinary scholars who discuss court affairs without authorization, especially those who discuss rites..."
·Since the main author is not you, Brother Yong Xiu, even if Hou Tingxun is implicated, others will not think that this matter was led by you, right?"
Yang Shen was frowning again.
"It's just a simple opinion. It doesn't matter if Brother Yongxiu doesn't adopt it. It's just a casual comment." Zhu Hao laughed and tried to cover it up.
Yang Shen squinted at Zhu Hao and asked, "
Jingdao, you want me to do things but also stay out of things, which is equivalent to saying that I won't stand up and take responsibility, right?"
"No, am I not giving you advice?" Zhu Hao said.
Yang Shen said: "Then if it's as you said, would you be willing to do the writing?" "Ah?"
Zhu Hao showed surprise on his face, but he was beating a drum in his heart. Sure enough, it was still you, Yang Yongxiu.
You seem to be sanctimonious and upright in your work, which makes people think that you are a clean figure in the Ming Dynasty, but you do such despicable things that are deceptive and without discussion. But since I told you this matter, I have long expected that you will make this choice.
Yang Shen analyzed: "Behind you is Sun Budang. It is most appropriate for Sun Budang to raise this matter with an impartial attitude. When the time comes, I will mobilize with you as a member of the Hanlin Academy to jointly sign the petition."
No one will doubt it."
In order to get out of trouble, you really do anything. "This..."
Zhu Hao looked embarrassed.
Yang Shen said: "I'm not asking you to help me in vain. If anything happens to you and me in the future, we can discuss it separately. I know that even if you have Tang Bohu as your mentor, you will not be able to help Xingwang's power. On the contrary, it is better to be like now, where you are needed.
And I can also be used by you. In this way... since you have value, you will have room for advancement in the court."
Zhu Hao understood what Yang Shen meant.
Yang Shen is saying that you are from a royal guard who specializes in monitoring Prince Xing's palace, so it is impossible for you to make a difference on the side of the new emperor. Now that the new emperor is using you, they also want to use you as a lobbyist.
But if I ignore you, you will fail as a lobbyist and you will become an outcast.
I will give you the opportunity now to be this lobbyist. In the future, if we form a small circle, you will be valuable to the new emperor, and I will not give up on you... you in the future
Being an official will have a future.
"Since Brother Yongxiu said so, what else can I say? It's my duty." Zhu Hao readily agreed.