Zhu Si once again summoned ministers in the inner court. This time he only summoned Qiao Yu, the Minister of Personnel, Wang Jun, the Minister of Rites, and four cabinet ministers. The topic of discussion was very straightforward, which was to continue to fight for Zhu Youqi's status as an imperial examiner. And completely gave up on himself to inherit Xiaozong's lineage.
Qiao Yu seemed very excited: "Your Majesty, the matter has just calmed down, why should we bring it up again? I'm afraid it will make people uneasy... His Majesty has only been on the throne for a short period of time, so he should prioritize the rectification of the government and restore the power of the people. Why should we do this? Are you constantly making waves regarding etiquette?"
Zhu Sidao: "I lost my father in my early years, and I feel grateful to my biological parents. This is the ultimate filial piety in Confucianism, but it depends on whether the throne is available or not. I have always believed that filial piety should come first in everything. Now that my biological mother is still here, you are Have you ever considered how I feel about letting my only son be adopted into someone else's name?"
"His Majesty"
Wang Jun, the Minister of Rites, immediately came out to argue the case.
Zhu Si raised his hand to interrupt Wang Jun's words, with a decisive attitude: "I will mention this matter again in the court tomorrow. Whether you support it or not, I informed you in advance, which can be regarded as the most benevolent and righteous thing." If you don’t agree, then all of you should stand down and let’s talk tomorrow.”
Several top civil servants were confused.
The emperor summoned us here just to give us an advance notice so that we can be mentally prepared for the emperor's repeated offer of gifts in the court hall tomorrow? Is it really that simple?
However, the emperor issued an order to expel guests and clearly did not want to listen to their views on "succession to the throne", so they had no choice but to go back to discuss countermeasures.
Several ministers left Qianqing Palace.
After Zhang Zuo went to the door to look, he came back and said to Zhu Si: "Your Majesty, he has left."
Zhu Si smiled and said: "Do you think, as Jingdao guessed, they will discuss it after they return and threaten me by asking for my resignation in the court tomorrow?"
Zhang Zuo hesitated and said: "But Your Majesty... there are so many civil servants, if they all resign at once, I'm afraid..." "It's okay."
Zhu Si seemed very calm, "They will only bring trouble to me if they stay in the court. Do you think they will help me wholeheartedly? It would be better if they left. And Jingdao has analyzed it, as long as Fei Gelao and Liu Ge are left. The old two will complete the transition between the old and the new. Whether the others can leave or not is actually not that important!"
"Then... this slave doesn't know what to say." Zhang Zuo was indeed in a dilemma.
As the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, although his heart is towards the emperor, but seeing the emperor fighting with the ministers, he actually still has the idea of mediating between them, but the current situation does not allow it.
Originally, Zhang Zuo expected Zhu Hao to be "merciful" to those civil servants, but now it seems that Zhu Hao wants to help the emperor drive away Qiao Yu, Jiang Mian and others.
If Zhu Si and Zhu Hao join forces, then Zhang Zuo's opinion will be insignificant. Who will care what he thinks?
·····
Zhu Si informed the civil servants in advance that the grand ceremony would be held again in the court hall the next day. As soon as this news came out, the whole court was in an uproar.
In the Hanlin Academy, discussions have resumed on the proposal, and Yang Shen has not changed his original intention. On the issue of the Dali Discussion, the emperor and Zhang Zuo have not put pressure on him to change his views. He can still mobilize his colleagues to submit a petition to refute the emperor's Dali Discussion. decision.
Zhu Hao was compiling some books in his study at home that day. In the early winter, he took a writing brush and wrote some stories, plays, etc. for the emperor to pass the boring time...
Now the business is doing quite well, and he doesn't have to worry about mining for the time being. He doesn't have to go to the Hanlin Academy to attend classes. Zhu Hao feels relaxed and at ease. Just at this time, Su Xigui came to visit.
Zhu Hao asked someone to take Su Xigui to his study.
"Dr. Su, you are such a rare guest. How did you know that I stayed at home and didn't go out?" Zhu Hao asked with a smile.
Su Xigui was a little restless, so he took the tea from the servant and said with a slight embarrassment: "The court officials are spreading the word that the ceremony will be resumed at the court meeting tomorrow."
Zhu Hao nodded: "That's true..."
This morning, His Majesty summoned the Ministry of Personnel, two members of the Ministry of Rites, and four cabinet ministers to raise the matter with them, and the news naturally spread."
Su Xigui asked tentatively: "At the meeting tomorrow, something bad will happen?" "Huh!?"
Zhu Hao sat back at his desk, looked at Su Xigui who looked cautious, and asked in confusion, "Why did Su Dongzhu say this?"
Su Xigui said: "After Huang Gong heard about this, he met me and said that maybe your Majesty wanted to use the discussion of etiquette to force the ministers and ministers to retreat in the face of difficulties, or just... to withdraw from the court. I don't know.
Does Your Majesty really mean this?"
Zhu Hao smiled. He didn't expect Huang Zan to see this matter so thoroughly. This is exactly what Zhu Si and Zhu Hao did.
I tell you in advance just so that you can threaten the emperor and tell you to get out of here.
In history, this is how Jiang Mian and others retreated. Zhu Hao was just following the trend of history. Even if it happened a little earlier than in history... Zhu Hao thought it was nothing. The emperor and his ministers were in conflict over the issue of the ceremony.
It is irreconcilable in the first place, is it so important to be earlier or later? "What did Huang Gong think?"
Zhu Hao did not deny it, which was equivalent to indirectly admitting it.
Su Xigui sighed: "Huang Gong's intention is that if several ministers in the cabinet retire, there will be no guarantee that there will be no trouble in the court in the future. Huang Gong himself is afraid that he will not be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of joining the cabinet."
Zhu Hao said: "It seems that Mr. Huang wants to join the cabinet when Mr. Jiang Ge is the chief minister, instead of waiting for Mr. Jiang Ge to retire before joining the cabinet. Is this what you mean?" "Ah?"
Su Xigui was startled, but after thinking about it carefully, the fact was so undeniable that he nodded, "That's probably it."
"But the current situation does not allow it. The matter of Mr. Huang entering the cabinet has not been approved by Mr. Jiang and others. There was a deadlock on the issue of nomination of candidates for cabinet. You should know this. How can we ensure that Mr. Huang
Can he join the cabinet in the shortest possible time? Is it too late for him to join the cabinet after Mr. Jiang Ge and Mr. Mao Ge retire?"
Zhu Hao's tone turned cold.
Huang Zan was unable to complete the matter of joining the cabinet as early as possible. To put it bluntly, Huang Zan, an old cunning man, was not firm enough in his position on the ceremony.
If you support the emperor, then support him to the end, instead of trying to speak out from the emperor's point of view at the ceremony, and also thinking about trying to please civil servants on other issues. The result is that both sides are not on good terms, even Jiang Mian
, Mao Ji and others looked down upon him.
You, Huang Huang, were originally a "sycophant" left over from the previous dynasty. It was only because of your outstanding abilities and Yang Tinghe's endorsement that you achieved your current status. Why do you think you are a member of the traditional civil servants?
Who gave you the courage?
Su Xigui saw that there seemed to be anger in Zhu Hao's tone and hurriedly defended: "My dear, forgive me, my question may be a bit blunt. I want to ask for Huang Gong. It means that only Mr. Jiang Ge and Mr. Mao Ge have retired. Mr. Huang
Only then can you join the cabinet?"
Zhu Haodao: "It's a little early for you to ask me this. The meeting has not yet started, and it is still uncertain how civil servants will support or oppose it. No matter how good the plan is, there will be times when there are gaps. How can you let me know?
How should I answer you?"
Even though he said this, Su Xigui seemed to be relieved.
Although Zhu Hao did not explicitly say that he wanted Fei Hong and Liu Chun to stay, since Zhu Hao had only mentioned that Jiang Mian and Mao Ji would withdraw, the emperor's idea was to firmly press the relatively neutral Fei Hong and Liu Chun.
Complete a smooth transition in your current position.
At that time, when Huang Zan entered the cabinet, he would enter as the third assistant minister.
Zhu Hao said: "Nowadays, the official positions in the government are almost like a carrot and a pit. The cabinet now has four cabinet ministers. It doesn't matter if there is one more or one less. They will make things difficult for the new cabinet candidates in every possible way, and the opportunity for Your Majesty to speak out is very small.
Mr.... In this case, it is better to wait until there is a shortage of cabinet members and then propose someone to join the cabinet, and then it will be a matter of course."
"understand."
Su Xigui felt tremendous pressure coming towards him.
Zhu Hao reminded: "Dongzhu Su, don't always approach court affairs with a business mentality. If it's just a small favor, it will be of no use to you."
No problem, but what is involved now is the issue of the retention and retention of the top civil servants of the Ming Dynasty. In many cases, the choice is not based on the business world."
"Yes Yes."
Su Xigui took out his handkerchief and began to wipe away the sweat.
Zhu Hao said: "Okay, I'll have someone take you out, and then I'll go see Sun Butang. Sun Butang is quite firm about leaving the court this time. If Mr. Huang has no intention of joining the cabinet, prepare an account for him."
He can choose to take over the position of Ministry or Minister of War at any time."
"No...it's not necessary."
Su Xigui's voice began to tremble when he spoke.
The general meaning is that since there is an opportunity to join the cabinet, who will strive to be a minister? Huang Zan once served as the minister of Nanhubu, and has passed the addiction of being a minister. Now he wants to join the cabinet and become a minister. I am a merchant.
But I am not qualified to decide the future for my brother-in-law who is an official fan.
In the afternoon, Zhu Hao and Sun Lan took a carriage to Sun Jiao's house.
It's almost time to say goodbye to Sun Jiao.
There will be a fierce debate about the ceremony in the coming court meeting. Even if Jiang Mian and others do not threaten the official position, Sun Jiao will jump out and do so. This does not mean that Sun Jiao wants to be the first to discuss the ceremony. He
He was only responsible as an excuse, and he really didn't want to do it anymore.
"Ms. sir, are you saying that my father is leaving?"
Sun Lan heard some different meanings from Zhu Hao's previous description.
Zhu Hao nodded: "Your Majesty is getting old and has been telling me that he is unable to do what he wants and wants to go back to Anlu to live a quiet life. Perhaps he will beg his old age to return to his fields recently. Your Majesty will then reward him with a lot of land and wealth so that he can enjoy his old age in peace.
.”
Sun Lan looked sad.
When she came to the capital, she was kidnapped by the Empress Dowager Chiang like her father. Now when she leaves, her father returns to Anlu with his whole family, while she will continue to stay in the capital.
Originally, father and daughter were one family, but now they are talking about two different families.
Zhu Hao consoled him: "Don't worry too much. As a minister, you will always come and go. There will be times when you get together and leave. It's time for the court to change."