The emperor arrived at Yikun Palace at noon, which lasted less than an hour. After returning to Qianqing Palace in the afternoon, he asked the Chief of Ceremonies to draft an edict and pass it to Gao Pingshi. After some gentle words of comfort, he ordered him to go out and take care of the matter.
Gao Pragmatic naturally declined as always, so the second imperial edict came later, and Gao Pragmatic continued to decline.
When the third imperial edict came down, according to the previous rules, Chen Ju, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, and Zhang Cheng, the governor of the Dongchang, came hand in hand. This time, the edict was not an ordinary imperial edict, but a system. Gao, also known as Gaoming and Gaofeng.
Under the Ming system, officials of the first to fifth ranks and their wives are canonized and given imperial orders; officials of the sixth to ninth ranks and their wives are canonized and given imperial orders.
There was a lot of information in this imperial edict. The emperor directly ignored the fact that Gao pragmatism was still behind closed doors and directly spent money. There are several items in total:
First, the official rank of a highly pragmatic prose official was promoted from a senior official to a senior official.
The system of casual officials in the Ming Dynasty was different from that in the Tang and Song dynasties. It was based on the ranking of officials. Therefore, the status and role of casual officials declined somewhat. In line with the official rank, the casual officials in the Ming Dynasty were also divided into nine grades and eighteen grades, from ninth grade to From the fifth grade to the first grade, there are initial awards, promotion awards, and two promotion levels at each level from the first grade. From the fourth grade to the second grade, there are initial awards, promotion awards, and additional three levels.
The method of conferring casual officials is as follows: first-time or promoted officials of a certain grade will be awarded first-time casual officers when they are in charge; when they are qualified in the initial test, they will be promoted to casual officials; those who have outstanding achievements in the second test will be awarded additional casual officials. If it is an assessment If it is normal, no promotion or promotion will be given or a casual official will be granted.
In addition to casual officials, civilian officials with grades one to five, and military officers with grades one to six, after reexamination, can be awarded with the rank of Sanggong at the same time. Therefore, rank of casual official and rank are both additional official titles and can be regarded as a supplement to the assessment system. , but it has nothing to do with actual position and salary.
Gao Jingshi was the new Minister of Household Affairs only last year. He has been in office for less than a year. Normally speaking, he would not be promoted to the rank of civilian official, so this is a typical exception.
Second, the high and pragmatic rank was promoted from the political minister to the pillar state.
Ranks, as mentioned above, are not a big deal in themselves, but they are generally not given indiscriminately, so if they are given in advance, it is no small honor.
In politics, the rank of Shangqing is the second rank, and Gao Wuchen is currently in this rank, but the Zhuguo has the rank of first rank, second only to the Shangzhuguo in the entire rank system (note: it was called in different periods) Different, Shangzhu Kingdom is sometimes divided into "Left Pillar Kingdom" and "Right Pillar Kingdom", the meanings are basically the same).
There are strict restrictions on the officials who can obtain the rank of Minister of Administration. There are only the following people in total: Prince Shaoshi, Prince Shaofu, Prince Shaobao, Six Ministers, Du Cha Yuan, left and right censors, and Yanshenggong. Real person.
The standard of Zhuguo obviously needs to be raised to the next level, which is Young Master, Young Master, Young Protector, Crown Prince Taishi, Crown Prince Taifu, and Prince Taibao. Although Gao Jingshi was already the Crown Prince Taishi before, at that time, he considered Gao Pragmatic's age and qualifications pushed him down a bit in rank, but this time the emperor made up for it.
Thirdly, perhaps in order to cooperate with the first two favors, the emperor directly promoted Huang Zhiting from a third-grade lady to a first-grade lady in the imperial edict. This promotion obviously directly skipped Gao Pangshi's current actual official position. He is a minister of the Ministry of Finance, and according to the crown prince and grand master, it is also a typical promotion.
Fourth, if the above three items are all more famous than actual, then this one is beyond everyone’s expectation and is extremely shocking:
The Southern Protectorate was set up in the southern city of Siam, and a first-class yamen was established. Its task was to control the Tibetan people, comfort and conquer, narrate merits and punishments, and defend China.
The Crown Prince and Grand Master Gao is pragmatic and leads the first-rank Dingnan Protector-General; the first-rank wife Huang Zhiting resigned from the post of deputy governor of the Annan Governor's Department and was promoted to the first-rank Dingnan Deputy Governor, with the right to know the governor's affairs. The Dingnan Protectorate's Yamen is an official rank
They will be ranked in the order of Chief and Deputy Protector, etc. The official titles, positions and other matters shall be drawn up by the Protectorate within one year and submitted to me for approval.
The Dingnan Protectorate has jurisdiction over Annam, Siam, Bago, Burma, Nanzhang, Cambodia and other "all the southern borders of Yunnan and Guangxi". The area under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate is allowed to establish customs cities for trade, and is allowed to open official and private ports.
1. The land and customs duties shall be drawn up through consultation between the Ministry of Revenue and the Governor's Office within one year and submitted to me for approval.
Because the military system of the Dingnan Protectorate is "different from that of the Central Plains", the Protectorate is allowed to decide on its own. However, its types of troops, personnel, equipment and other matters need to be reported to the Ministry of War. The customization will be reported every three years. "I and the Ministry of War will not control it remotely."
”.
The military personnel of the Duhufu Mansion, as well as military pay and weapons, and other needs are all raised by the Duhufu Mansion itself. Each army must comply with the imperial conscription. If the imperial court calls for conscription, its food and salary, merit rewards, and pensions will be calculated according to the system of southern military deployment.
Don't care about the rest.
…
All in all, the chapters related to the Dingnan Protectorate accounted for the vast majority of this edict. Not to mention Chen Ju and Zhang Cheng who came to deliver the edict were so shocked that their voices changed their tone when announcing the edict. Even Gao Pingshi himself listened.
shocked.
What's going on? Has the emperor officially recognized Beijing's actual rule over southern Xinjiang? This is impossible. Doesn't the cabinet object to such a big thing?
After reading the imperial edict, Chen Ju urged Gao Jingshi three times to accept the edict. Only then did Gao Jingshi take it in his hand and look at it with suspicion.
It was fine not to read it, but upon looking at it, I became more suspicious: this imperial edict was said to be an imperial edict, but there was only the emperor's treasure at the signature, but there was no cabinet signature.
The so-called "If it doesn't go through Fengge Luantai, how can it be called an imperial edict?" In the same way, in the Ming Dynasty at this time, if there was no cabinet attachment, how could it be called an "edict"?
In other words, this decree may seem shocking, but in terms of the current system, it does not actually have legal effect.
Gao Jingshi immediately returned the imperial edict and said to Chen Ju: "The emperor's relatives trusted me, and I can't thank you enough. However, the imperial edict needs to be signed by the cabinet. Since this imperial edict has no cabinet, I can't abide by the holy will."
one.
The establishment of the Protectorate in Dingnan is a matter of great importance and reaches the whole world. I have not heard of the emperor's discussion with the ministers, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to obey the crowd. I cannot obey the second part of the holy will.
Even if it is necessary to set up this yamen and this official, the Nandu Protector's responsibilities are so important, why should he take over his duties remotely? I have the trust of the emperor, and I am a minister of the central government.
How can you manage the affairs of Tiannan from afar? Therefore, if the minister's virtue is not worthy of his position, he is not in his position. This minister cannot obey the third order of the Holy Will.
I ask you not to tell the emperor these three things, but to pass down your feelings to heaven. I hope that the emperor will take it seriously and rescind the order, otherwise I will not be very grateful."
Zhang Cheng must be very happy to do what Gao Pragmatic said, but Chen Ju was a little embarrassed and hesitated: "Da Situ once wrote the "Huidian". You should know that edicts can be rejected, but orders cannot be rejected..."
"The Benbutang is naturally aware of this matter, but this imperial edict has not been approved by the cabinet, so it is not qualified." Gao pragmatically said resolutely: "The Benbutang does not dare to accept the edict, so please return it to Mr. Chen."
"Then... okay." Chen Ju sighed and added, "However, this is a serious matter. Could you please ask Da Situ to reply in a written form to show his solemnity?"
Gao Pingshi said in a deep voice: "Okay, sir, please wait a moment, the main hall will be drafted immediately."
Chen Ju and Zhang Cheng naturally had no choice but to agree. Gao Pragmatic did not go to the study, but directly ordered his servants to bring in the writing desk, prepare all pens, ink, paper and inkstones, write a line of remarks on the spot, and refuse to receive the imperial edict.
After the two elders got the manuscript, they did not dare to delay at all, and immediately bid farewell to Gao Qingshi and left.
When the emperor issued an edict, he could not just notify the officials concerned. The cabinet, the six ministries, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, etc. all received the news at this time, and countless jaws dropped on the spot.
The reaction of the cabinet was the greatest. Wang Xijue said excitedly in the chamber of duty: "The country has not set up a protective governor for two hundred years. Now the emperor not only wants to set it up in violation of regulations, but he has not informed the cabinet of it in advance.
What’s the use of such a cabinet!”
Shen Shixing looked around at the cabinet ministers. Xu Guo and Wu Dui were all silent. Looking at Wang Jiaping again, he saw Wang Jiaping slowly getting up and said calmly: "What Mr. Jing Shi (Wang Xijue's nickname is Jing Shi) is exactly what I want.
Since the emperor's decision on the affairs of the world does not require the participation of the cabinet, there is no need for the cabinet to exist anymore! This plan can only go away."
After a short pause, he cupped his hands to the other four pavilion elders and said, "Jia Ping will go ahead and draft a few words. Please forgive me and take my leave."
Wang Jiaping's temper was indeed upright. He was not even as upright as Wang Xijue, who was concerned about face, but as long as his principles were touched, he would be forthright. So once he felt that the emperor's behavior did not respect the cabinet, he would be direct.
Go ahead and write a poem.
But when he did this, he also put Wang Xijue on the receiving end. Although Wang Xijue didn't think the matter was so serious, he was the first to speak. Since the person who "seconded the proposal" had gone to write a speech, he
Is there any reason not to write?
Therefore, he had no choice but to bow his hands and said: "Xi Jue greatly admires Nan Gong (Wang Jiaping Dui Nan) for his upright and upright ministers, but I can only do his best. Lords, take your leave."
The two left one after another, and Shen Shixing stood up and said: "Shi Xing has been in the cabinet for many years. He has never accomplished any big things and has always been ashamed and helpless. If the emperor is dissatisfied now, the crime is Shi Xing's fault.
, Duke Jingshi may not necessarily resign, but Shi Xinggu should resign. From now on, I will entrust Yingyang, Huanzhou and Xinzhai Gong to do all the affairs of the cabinet."
Shen Shixing's words seemed to only represent himself, but in fact they were spoken from the standpoint of the entire cabinet. Xu Guo had no choice but to advance and retreat together. He stood up and said: "This matter of the world and the cabinet does not belong to Du Yuanfu alone. Ruo Ci,
Please allow me to obey."
When the matter reached this point, Wu Dui could not stand alone, so he also stood up and said: "The cabinet is one, how can Dui be alone? I would like to follow the example of all the princes."
Shen Shixing didn't say much, just nodded solemnly and went straight away.
As soon as he left, only Xu Guo and Wu Dui were left in the meeting hall. Wu Dui was about to leave, but he was stopped by Xu Guo.
Xu Cifu looked solemn and asked: "Brother Huanzhou, have you ever heard of the emperor's actions today?"
He said "senior brother" very well. Wu Dui and he were both disciples of Gao Gong. The difference was that Wu Dui and he were from different disciplines. They were Jinshi in the 38th year of Jiajing. At that time, Gao Gong's status was not too high.
They were just fellow examiners in that subject, so the number of candidates was small, and even fewer of the disciples became successful.
And Xu Guo himself was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing reign, two subjects later than Wu Dui. Gao Gong was the examiner in that subject, so he had the most students, which can almost be called a big explosion. Xu Guo's success here
The first subject was not originally the most outstanding, but his official career was so good that he surpassed everyone in his year and entered the cabinet early, thus improving his qualifications.
However, the Ming Dynasty had a habit of the Ming Dynasty. Under the sect of a certain benefactor, internal exchanges often looked not only at the official position, but also at the Jinshi qualifications, so it was okay for Xu Guo to call Wu Dui "senior brother".
What is the problem? There is an exception to the "official position". Even after joining the cabinet, you can also just look at the seniority in the cabinet.
Xu Guo was two years behind Wu Dui, and was six years behind in becoming a Jinshi. However, he was only two years younger than Wu Dui. Therefore, since both of them were in the cabinet, he never called him senior brother again. Today, "senior brother" is re-translated.
Calling out clearly meant that he was not talking to Wu Dui as a junior minister in the cabinet, but as a member of the Shi School and a disciple of Gao Gong.
Wu Dui knew what he meant and what Xu Guo was suspecting, but even Gao Pragmatic, the party involved, only found out about it today, so how did he know about it? So Wu Dui shook his head and answered formally: "This is
I didn’t know anything about it, and I find it unbelievable even to this day.”
Xu Guo didn't look very suspicious, he just frowned and seemed to be lost in thought.
Seeing this, Wu Dui added, "In my opinion, I'm afraid Rixin didn't know about this beforehand."
Xu Guo sighed and said with a wry smile: "To be honest with you, my younger brother, I also think so. It's just that I am stupid and really don't know the emperor's intention... Do you really want to change the cabinet from top to bottom?"
"How could it be so?" Wu Dui shook his head and said: "It should be noted that the reason for this matter is of no importance at all. It doesn't matter whether the north and south governors are crowned or resign. Taking over the internal affairs of Jin Yiwei, what does it have to do with my cabinet? As for Wudi
Removing the throne, renovating each day, and closing the door one after another in the heart are no more than the emperor's edict can solve the problem, how can it be justified!
I believe that the emperor’s move to set up the Nandu Protectorate must be false, but that it may be true. As for the cabinet... it may be an unintentional crime by the emperor, or it may be to warn certain people. In short,
, they shouldn’t really be here for the cabinet.”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Xu Guo was silent for a moment and said with a wry smile: "No matter what the emperor's intention is, we are no longer allowed to back down. I just want to resign.
"
Wu Dui was very open to this, and waved his sleeves and said: "If you want to resign, please resign. In the early years, I had a chat with Rixin, and he once mentioned: When the sun rises and the moon sets, there is no shortage of someone. Today is the same. In this way, it is beyond my power to comment on the cabinet. Whether the emperor retains it, withdraws it, or changes it, it all depends on the emperor's decree. All I can do is to express my determination."
Xu Guo smiled this time, nodded and said, "Senior brother, this is a great good thing, and the country also thinks so."
Although it was getting late at this time, the palace gate had not yet been closed. Several pavilion elders, all masters of calligraphy and calligraphy, quickly wrote the poems and went to the Qianqing Palace in person to submit them for reading.
Facing Chen Ju who was sweating profusely with anxiety, Zhu Yijun sat in front of the imperial desk in the Xinuang Pavilion study and asked without raising his head: "Except for Zhang Xueyan, are all the cabinet gentlemen here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, we are all here." Chen Ju swallowed and asked in a dry voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
Zhu Yijun finally raised his head, glanced at Chen Ju, and said calmly: "What should I do? It's getting late now, I'm tired, and the palace gate will be closed.
I think you gentlemen are all sensible people, and you shouldn’t regard the system of the second ancestors as nothing... In this case, gentlemen, please come back tomorrow."
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