In less than half an hour, Zhang Cong appeared in the theater.
After he came out of the palace, he was in a depressed mood. He wanted to see Zhu Hao but didn't know where to meet him, but he didn't know that Zhu Hao had arranged a way for him and asked the Jin Yiwei to escort him directly to the theater.
When seeing Zhu Hao and Tang Yin sitting together, one can imagine the depression in Zhang Cong's heart.
"Brother Bingyong, today you went to the court to negotiate for His Majesty, fought with the Confucian scholars, and made a great contribution. Thank you for your hard work." Zhu Hao smiled and exchanged greetings with Zhang Cong.
Zhang Cong couldn't help but glance at Tang Yin.
It seems to be asking, of course my hard work is hard work, but the question is why I did not share the fruits of victory despite my efforts, but was easily picked up by the person next to you?
Zhang Cong first handed over to Tang Yin: "I've seen Scholar Tang." "This..."
Tang Yin wanted to explain. He really wanted to say that I didn't want the post of Hanlin bachelor.
The words are on your lips, but you don't know how to say them out. The position that belongs to Zhang Cong falls on you. Your explanation can easily be interpreted as sarcastic remarks. Do people like to hear it?
Zhu Haodao: "I just learned that Mr. Tang succeeded Huang Xueshi as Hanlin bachelor... Come, come, sit down and talk."
Zhang Cong and Tang Yin looked at Zhu Hao at the same time. Zhang Cong's eyes were full of disbelief. Did you just know?
As the number one think tank around the emperor, you initiated the great ceremony. How could you just know about it? Do you dare to say that you were not behind this incident?
Tang Yinze understood why Zhu Hao said this, because Zhu Hao had previously said that he would cultivate political enemies for himself. If he deliberately pretended to have just known about it, wouldn't he be acting coquettishly in front of Zhang Cong and causing Zhang Cong to hate him?
This is clearly playing with fire.
Tang Yin did not want to make any political enemies in the court, and he had nothing to persuade Zhu Hao now.
They have already reached such a stage, and it is useless to say anything unless he takes the initiative to resign his position as a Hanlin bachelor.
But I have already obtained the high position...why should I give it up?
The three of them sat down, and Zhang Cong tried his best to maintain his demeanor, making it appear that he had no pursuit of fame, fortune, and status, and expressed congratulations to Tang Yin for his promotion to the imperial bachelor's degree.
that is because……
He knew that he didn't have the strength to fight against Zhu Hao now. Since Zhu Hao could promote Tang Yin to the position of Hanlin Bachelor, it would be easy to promote others. Maybe Tang Yin would join the cabinet or retire, leaving the Hanlin Bachelor vacant, and he would be the next vacation.
Let him take over? If Zhu Hao doesn't value him, why do he still need to see him?
"...Today's discussion on etiquette still failed, which is inevitably frustrating. However, public opinion in the DPRK and China is now more and more favorable to the discussion on etiquette."
Zhu Hao commented on the current situation.
Zhang Cong asked for advice: "Mr. Zhu, when will the ceremony be finalized?"
Zhu Hao smiled and said, "Brother Bingyong, why do you ask so directly? If you can give an accurate time, what are we fighting for now?"
Zhang Cong was no longer polite, and immediately said: "If you want to get the officials in the court to relent and agree to discuss etiquette, no matter who you change as the chief minister, or who you appoint as the minister of rites, you will not be able to achieve your goal. If there is an accident, it will still happen.
Come out. For the current plan, the only way is to let His Majesty issue the edict decisively and catch the officials by surprise. Such a great thing can be accomplished."
Tang Yin on the side listened and sighed in his heart. No wonder Jingdao wanted to cultivate Zhang Bingyong as a political enemy.
There are so many people in the court. When it comes to decisiveness in doing things and ruthless vision, few can compare with them. Even Huang Gongxian was afraid and had to stand aside. Zhu Hao said: "Brother Bing Yong is right.
But this is not the first time that His Majesty has issued an edict forcefully. As you can see, the results of the first two times were not very good. This is why the power of the Yili faction should be cultivated in the court. "Brother Bingyong is now serving as a scholar in the Imperial Academy.
, we should use our own influence to mobilize more in the Hanlin Academy to strengthen the momentum of our Lili faction. Otherwise, on the day when His Majesty issues the edict, will there be a backlash in the Hanlin Academy? By then... it will not end well.
ah."
Zhang Cong seemed to disagree with Zhu Hao's statement and said in a very irritable tone: "How can just a few Hanlins change the general situation in the DPRK? Since Mr. Zhu is His Majesty's adviser, he should speak out and ask His Majesty to issue an edict decisively instead of
As indecisive as I am now, I can’t put it off for a long time.
Decision."
Seeing that there seemed to be a dispute between the two parties, Tang Yin quickly reconciled and said, "Bingyong, please be patient. Things are going on step by step. It's not a good thing to rush things."
Zhang Cong looked down upon Tang Yin, although on the surface he was more respectful to Tang Yin than to Zhu Hao.
He didn't want to take Tang Yin's words to heart.
Zhu Hao said with a smile: "Brother Bing Yong has any opinions on the ceremony. In fact, he can report it alone. He does not necessarily need to listen to Mr. Tang and I on everything. Your Majesty will adopt the strengths of each family and make decisions for the ceremony."
After a few words, there was already a gap between the two sides.
Tang Yin couldn't help but wonder, Zhu Hao's trick of "borrowing a knife to kill" was really effective. Borrowing him the knife that Tang Yin promoted to a Hanlin scholar made Zhang Cong hate them. On the surface, Zhang Cong was respectful to them, but in fact, he had a rebellious mentality in his heart. It is estimated that next
I have to stand alone and work alone.
Zhu Hao said: "By the way, when Brother Jongyong was an official in various places, he seemed to have made some colleagues because of the rituals. Why not ask them to work with you and recommend them to Your Majesty? Please call them to the capital and assign them to various yamen for use.
.”
"Um?"
Zhang Cong was surprised when he heard this.
Zhu Hao actually knew that he had made many friends in the local area? But thinking about it carefully, this matter was not a secret. He mentioned it when he returned to Beijing to see Zhu Hao.
But what does Zhu Hao mean by saying this now? Will Zhu Hao help him sincerely?
Or is Zhu Hao warning that these people cannot be used? If you dare to report these people, I will send them to a place far away from the emperor, so that they will not be reused by the court for life?
Zhang Cong said: "I have been working hard to discuss etiquette, but now I am unable to do so. I want to get more... opportunities to work hard to discuss etiquette."
Zhu Hao smiled and asked, "Oh, do you want to take a further step in your official career?" "...Yes."
Zhang Cong hesitated a little, but then told the truth.
"Brother Bingyong, I can understand your feelings, but the problem is that you and I are Jinshi in the same discipline. For our Jinshi in this discipline, your official career is already the most prosperous. If His Majesty promotes you again, it will be very helpful to you in the future.
It may not be a good thing for an official in the court. After all...this court pays attention to seniority, so you still have to be patient."
Zhu Hao tactfully rejected Zhang Cong's proposal for promotion. Zhang Cong glanced at Tang Yin unconsciously.
It seems to be saying, I can't do it, so how come he can achieve the position of Hanlin bachelor in just a few years as an official?
Tang Yin originally felt pity for Zhang Cong, but seeing Zhang Cong's eager look, he felt that Zhu Hao had done something right.
Why are you, Zhang Cong, so clueless? Were you the first to initiate the Great Ceremony Conference? You are just a pawn used by Zhu Hao. If he doesn’t use you, he will use others. Even if you win over some comrades to support the Great Ceremony when you are an official in various places.
What positive impact did the discussion have on the outcome of the Dali Conference?
Why do you think you can compare with me and Zhu Jingdao?
Are you from Xingwangfu?
You should be very clear in your mind whether the purpose of doing all this is to rejuvenate the palace or for yourself.
You are different from us!
Zhu Hao said: "After the great ceremony is completed, your majesty will definitely reward you based on your merits. At that time, you will make appropriate official promotions based on today's achievements. At that time, brother Bingyong will definitely use this style of sharing to rise to the top.
"Brother Bingyong, I estimate that after the new year, when Mr. Jiang Ge and others retire, and the ceremony is completed, your opportunity for promotion will come. As long as you work hard for His Majesty, everything is possible."
Zhu Hao used a set of mandarin clichés to talk Zhang Cong back. Zhang Cong continued to be his Hanlin scholar, while Tang Yin became a Hanlin bachelor. The gap in status between the two parties was clear at a glance.
After Zhang Cong left.
Tang Yin said: "Actually, you don't need to keep me... Just tell him yourself..."
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Do you understand how to attract hatred? If you are not here, the resentment in his heart is not that deep, and the effect he wants to achieve is not that good."
Tang Yin rolled his eyes at Zhu Hao: "If I were him, I would feel that the future is bleak. First there was Huang Zan, and then there was me. I also knew that there was you behind the scenes. In other words, he wanted to be
Hanlin bachelor, I don’t know until when, if I want to join the cabinet again, it will be out of reach. Aren’t you afraid that he will make a stumbling block in secret and publicize your affairs to the outside world? "
Zhu Hao said: "Then let him show off. Anyway, I'm tired of hiding in the dark. Maybe it's time to move to the front desk."
"You...oh!"
Tang Yin originally wanted to have a serious talk with Zhu Hao, but at this time he chose to give up.
Zhu Hao said: "Mr. Tang, go back to your hometown quickly. The person who delivered the message to you is probably waiting impatiently... Remember that when His Majesty summoned you to the palace, you should be more humble and don't say anything about resigning and returning home.
You can grow peach blossoms anywhere, and we can prepare a few acres of garden for you in the capital. It’s near the capital, so it’s good to go and take care of it if you have nothing to do.”
"Um."
Tang Yin responded angrily, got up and left.
Zhang Cong walked out of the theater, feeling increasingly angry. The veins on his forehead were exposed. His hands were holding on to the wooden pole of the sedan chair so tightly that his nails almost scratched the palm of his hand.
"Sir, are you going back to the Hanlin Academy?" asked the bearer outside. "Go home!" Zhang Cong said angrily.
After Zhang Cong entered his house, he specifically asked no one to come and disturb him.
Zhang Cong entered the study directly, as if there was something important that he needed to deal with urgently.
Just at this time, a servant of the Zhang family came to report: "Master, Mr. Yan is here."
"Ask him to come over!"
A man of about fifty years old, who looked like a Taoist priest, walked through the main courtyard of Zhang Cong's residence in the capital, came to the study, knocked on the door, and entered.
This man's name was Yan Jiguan. He was originally a wandering Taoist priest who met Zhang Cong when he was an official in Shanxi. Later, he did not go to Yongping Mansion with Zhang Cong to take up the post, but helped Zhang Cong to travel after they reunited in Nanjing.
"Sir Zhang, I heard that there is already a candidate for Hanlin bachelor's degree in the imperial court, but I passed you by again?" Yan Jiguan was not polite and said bluntly when he came up.
Zhang Cong slapped the table: "Your Majesty is nepotistic and can't even find out who can help the country. It's really..."
"Master Zhang, be careful what you say!"
Yan Jiguan said with a smile, as if he already had a plan in mind.
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