On October 29, the fifteenth year of Wanli, Zhang Siwei made his first imperial dynasty after leaving Beijing. Pan Sheng, acting Prime Minister, with the cooperation of the Censor, led the ministers to arrange their duties.
After going to the Imperial Palace, all the ministers saluted as expected. After the ceremony, the superior looked at the ministers and said, "Mr. Fengpan praised his hard work, loyalty and dedication to his duties. However, he had no choice but to resign because of his physical weakness. The day before yesterday, Mr. Shu'an had no choice but to resign due to his age.
When he arrived, I was reminded to allow him to become an official - I have already approved it."
"Now that the cabinet is suddenly missing two people, and there is no one to take the lead, the state affairs cannot be delayed. Well, please discuss these two matters, and I will listen."
After hearing this, all the ministers looked at each other. Pan Sheng bowed and echoed: "Your Majesty, the "Edict on Reform" stipulates that the prime minister shall be nominated by the emperor, recommended by the court, and then appointed or dismissed by your majesty. Now your majesty does not nominate and discuss
"Yu Chao" said this, he couldn't help but stumble.
The emperor smiled and interrupted: "Didn't the "Great Edict" say that no discussion can be made before the emperor nominates?"
Pan Sheng stumbled again, thought for a while and said: "That's what your Majesty said. As for the selection of additional cabinet members, I thought it would be done after the prime ministers have been selected. Previously, the Prince of Zhongxing County had ordered two cabinet members to be elected each.
All ministers of rank and above who are to be admitted to the cabinet will be selected by His Majesty and then recommended by the court - I think this method is very good and there is no need to discuss it further."
After hearing this, Zhu Yijun pondered and did not answer. Shen Shixing on the side hurriedly said: "I think Mr. Shui Lian's proposal is inappropriate. Since the beginning of Xianzong in our dynasty, the system of court promotion has been complete." After saying this, Zhu Yijun knew immediately.
, this guy is going to change the ancestral system.
Sure enough, Shen Shixing went on to say: "The Huidian stipulates that all ministers, ministers, imperial censors, general envoys, and ministers of Dali will all have orders from the six ministries, the imperial censorship, the general administration department, and officials of the third rank or above of Dali Temple to come to the court for recommendation.
And the selection of cabinet ministers and the ministers of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of War are all made by 'imperial recommendation', that is, the emperor 'orders the court to recommend'. This method has the same general meaning as the "Edict on Reform", and I believe that it cannot be changed lightly."
"In the past, the prince of Zhongxing County led the cabinet to recommend candidates first, and then recommended the candidates to the court. He used cabinet power to replace the emperor's imperial selection. Because the prince of Zhongxing was seriously ill, he just obeyed the power. The ministers thought it was not allowed to do so. In addition, Zhongxing County
When the king of the county was in power, most of the people below the ministerial level were recommended by the officials, and the cabinet decided. The court meeting was just a formality, and the ministers' wishes cannot continue like this."
After Shen Shixing finished speaking, all the cabinet ministers were secretly upset, while the ministers below the minister were happy and excited. Although some people felt that Zhang Juzheng's method of asking cabinet ministers to recommend cabinet ministers may not be an expedient measure when he was seriously ill.
Everyone was happy to hear that the power of appointment was returned from the cabinet to the official court. So by the time he finished speaking, there was already a chorus of agreement in the palace.
Zhu Yijun had no expression on his face after hearing this, but he was really filled with mixed emotions. The system of Tingtui was basically complete during the Yongle, Tianshun and Xianzong periods. By the Hongzhi and Jiajing periods, it had been well-written and well-written - it was the continuous transfer of monarch power to civilian officials.
The result of compromise.
After Zhu Yijun traveled through time, he and Zhang Juzheng carried out the great cause of reform. In order to unify the administrative power, the well-written Tingtui had become ineffective when the "Chu Party" occupied the court. After Zhang Juzheng died and Zhang Siwei took over, the cabinet began to control those below the minister.
The nomination was not rejected by the court committee - in fact, because Zhang Siwei was willing to be the minister who carried out the decree, for Zhu Yijun personally, the cabinet nomination reflected his own will, so he did not make any changes.
Now Shen Shixing proposes that in accordance with the provisions of the "Edict on Reform", the court council should return to the court council, and the imperial council should return to the imperial council. The flavor is very complicated: First, Shen Shixing clearly opposes the method of recommending cabinet ministers to the cabinet, and transfers power to the cabinet.
Although the emperor had reasons to adhere to the ancestral system, his more intention was to weaken the power of the prime minister; secondly, the power of appointing people below the minister was separated from the cabinet, which superficially weakened the power of the cabinet, but in fact it was beneficial to the cabinet ministers
Forming a party - completely consistent with Zhang Juzheng's original judgment of him.
After pondering for a while, Zhu Yijun waited for someone to refute the shortcomings of Shen Shixing's views. However, although the faces of several cabinet ministers were ashen, no one in the palace spoke out to refute. However, a few people below the minister came out to support Shen Shixing.
Yes, we are about to reach an agreement in this meeting.
Among the remaining cabinet ministers, Pan Sheng thought that if the emperor wanted him to be the prime minister, there would be no need to make such an announcement - Zhang Siwei, after Wang Guoguang retired, he was already ranked first, and the emperor could just nominate him directly.
.Since there is no hope of reaching the top, why bother to cause anger and resentment in the remaining five years of the term?
In the past two years, Xu Guo had been bombarded with bullets. If he had not been protected by the emperor, he would have been ejected long ago. Therefore, he knew that he had no hope of reaching the top, so he did not want to wade into muddy waters. Moreover, Shen Shixing's speech was full of emotions and principles, and he could not do it in a short time.
I can't think of any words to reply.
The remaining two people were Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua, Zhu Yijun's secret favorites. Both of them had expressionless faces and lowered their heads in silence. Zhu Yijun looked at the two people and said with a thought in his heart: "Whoever wants to be the prime minister can't see it."
If he does what he wants when he goes out to apply, then he is politically unqualified; if he dares not beat the gongs and drums in person, then he does not have the courage to lead the ministers - in this way, it is not bad to use Shen Shixing as a test question
."
After waiting for a while, the two of them were still motionless. Zhu Yijun was secretly disappointed and said to himself: "It seems that they are not as capable as Mr. Zhang." With a smile on his face, he said: "It seems like,
Everyone thinks what Mr. Yaoquan said is reasonable, so what should we do?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua came out of the classroom at the same time and said, "I have something to say."
Zhu Yijun was stunned and looked at the two of them. Liang Menglong and Luo Wanhua were also stunned at the same time and looked at each other. Luo Wanhua pondered for a moment, bowed to Liang Menglong and said, "Mr. Mingquan, let's talk first."
Liang Menglong was not polite when he heard the words, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I think Mr. Yaoquan's words are inappropriate. There are serious disadvantages in the matter of court promotion!"
Zhu Yijun perked up after hearing this, nodded slowly and said, "Mr. Mingquan is here to play."
"Yes. The recommendation of our imperial court began with the court meeting. The court meeting began in the 24th year of Hongwu. Taizu decreed: 'In the future, there will be orders and distributions in the Beijing Yamen as an example and the most important matters, and there will be more meetings.
The official plan is discussed and then implemented.'"
"There are eleven items in the court affairs, and the term 'minister discussion' has been around for a long time. However, during the time of Chengxuan, the method of recommendation was mostly used to select candidates. Nine ministers protected the most important ministers, and the emperor chose the best ones to use. If the recommended minister committed an offense, the recommender would sit down together.
!”
"At that time, the government was prosperous, and the Ming Dynasty's national power was at its peak, which was closely related to the law of recommendation. However, when it came to Chenghua, Xianzong handed over his clothes and ruled the world calmly. Later, the eunuchs believed in it and 'passed on' the Tai
"Trouble, the method of protecting important ministers is gradually being abolished. There are also Xichang who are arrogant and steal authority. Even those who are as clear-minded as Xianzong are deceived. Although they will realize it after a long time, the flaws of the ruler and the jade are enough to tarnish the emperor's virtue!"
Everyone listened to his comments about Xianzong, which were almost outspoken. They were all dumbfounded. They all thought to themselves: "Liang Mingquan is so courageous!" "Liang Menglong is brave enough to scold his ancestors in front of the emperor!"
Zhu Yijun was also shocked by what Liang Menglong said. His face was serious and he sat up and listened quietly. Liang Menglong's face turned slightly red and he continued: "After Xianzong, Xiaozong denounced evil spirits, eliminated redundancy, stopped collecting and offering, stopped passing on promotions, and dismissed Cangchai
, are drawing points, and various conclusions are made - the emperor's career is almost prosperous. There are many talented people, and they are appointed appropriately. The discussion in the pavilion is especially good. In order to avoid future generations being unworthy, the method of "huitui" was re-established to make it
Articles are prepared in detail, imperial recommendations, imperial recommendations, general elections, and general elections are all made in meetings with ministers - in fact, I think it is just a matter of seeking the best talents and getting the best ones."
"So during the reign of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Shizong, even though they were wise and intelligent, there were Liu Jin, Yan Song and others who were loyal and upright and could not get through. Of course, the affairs of the state were in trouble, but it was left to the late emperor and his majesty to correct the chaos and make great achievements," Ting Tui
'The merits are evident."
Everyone heard Liang Menglong first talk about the recommendation and sitting method, and thought that he was going to restore the ancestral system until he became the ancestor. Unexpectedly, he changed the subject and talked about the Zhengde and Jiajing dynasties, saying that the two successive rulers were incompatible, but the state affairs were not completely finished.
Fortunately, we have the support of this system.
Zhu Yijun listened to his comments on the Ming dynasties, linking their rise and fall with the method of selecting materials. Although it was just a family comment, it was not unreasonable. It sounded heart-warming. He couldn't help but comment on Liang Menglong in his heart: "This person is really knowledgeable about time changes.
Be generous and speak out!”
Liang Menglong commented on Zhengde and Emperor Jiajing, and said in a louder voice: "However, whether it is 'Ting Tui' or 'Recommended and Sitting', if the saints in future generations can be as handsome as your Majesty, ministers, open up roads, and use lovers sparingly, the prosperous age will be prosperous.
Why! If not, why would the imperial court recommend and recommend it to stop the propagation and enshrinement, and curb the treacherous and sycophantic people?"
After saying this, Liang Menglong couldn't contain his excitement and said loudly: "Since your Majesty has been practicing his profession, those who are near you have been singing and enjoying it, while those who are far away are flocking to you! Diligence and love for the people, virtues that shine brightly in the sky and leak down below.
Quan. People all over the world say that Wanli is prosperous. Even though it is written in Chinese and Song Dynasty, how can it be added to that!"
After hearing this, all the ministers were stunned. Zhu Yijun's face was slightly red, and he thought to himself: "This guy is so flattering." Although he was secretly happy, he still sat upright and tried to hold back his smile.
After Liang Menglong flattered the emperor, he put forward his own argument: "To govern a country, the first thing is to recruit people. The advantage of recommending continuous sitting is that the recommender does not dare to take the risk of "sitting consecutively", and the disadvantage is that it is easy to succeed.
The disadvantages of "lord" and "subordinate"; the advantage of being promoted by the imperial court is that it is easy to obtain highly popular talents, but the disadvantage is that there is the fear of forming a clique for personal gain - why not combine the two?"
"I believe that in order to unify the power of receiving affairs, the prime minister can be used to appoint cabinet ministers, the cabinet ministers can be promoted to ministers in charge, and the ministers can be promoted to ministers of the headquarters, and they can be promoted by the court. If the minister cannot be promoted, he will be punished with a salary; if he commits adultery and commits crimes after taking office,
And so on, follow the method of sitting together according to the severity!"
"If the minister is guilty, he will be exempted from being appointed as the minister; if the minister is found guilty, he will be exempted from being appointed as the minister; if the minister is guilty, the prime minister will resign!"
"Is there anyone who dares to form a clique for personal gain and harm the state affairs like Yan Song's story? Will His Majesty sit back and watch?"
"As for the Prime Minister, please ask Your Majesty to act decisively!"