Chapter 417 Misunderstanding caused by Zhang Juzheng
Duan concubine's father, Cao Cha, is now the governor of Huguang.
As luck would have it, when the letter from the capital was delivered to Fei Maozhong, he was inspecting and supervising the autumn grain matters in Jingzhou Prefecture with Cao Cha.
Huguang wants to become a granary, and the area where Jingzhou is located is nourished by two large rivers, the Yangtze River and the Han River, and the land is flat, so naturally it is the top priority of this work.
Because it was Yu Xin, Fei Maozhong did not dare to neglect at all, and immediately opened it solemnly.
Then Cao Cha saw Fei Maozhong's face solemn and confused.
In addition to the direct performance of the secret box, there are still some people in the local area who are qualified to believe in the new rules of the imperial court. A provincial leader like Cao Cha feels quite helpless.
Although to write a letter to the emperor, you must go through the Tongyi Bureau, the General Affairs Department, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and the Imperial Study Room. In terms of confidentiality, there is absolutely no reliable secret box. But after all, it is a letter presented to the emperor. How many letters are there?
Do people dare to open it in advance?
But this is, after all, an invisible constraint on the governor of a province.
Fei Maozhong didn't say anything now, and it was inconvenient for Cao Cha to directly ask what Yu Xinli said.
He simply said: "If Your Majesty has any instructions, Fei Shenzheng should go and do it first. The purpose of ordering Fei Shenzheng to accompany the governor on grain inspection is to allow Fei Shenzheng to get familiar with Huguang as soon as possible."
Fei Maozhong immediately collected his attention, bent down and said: "This matter is not urgent. What your Majesty ordered your officials to do is in Jingzhou Mansion..."
Accompanying Cao Cha and continuing to walk on the field ridge, Fei Maozhong slowly told the whole story.
There is no need to hide anything about this. He did pass by Jingzhou to visit Fei Maoxian on his way to office. When he summoned Zhang Baigui, the news must have spread in Jiangling County.
As he spoke, Cao Cha couldn't help but pause in his steps, and asked in shock: "Prince, are you accompanying me in reading?"
Fei Maozhong nodded, with a wry smile on his face: "I can't understand how your Majesty could have such thoughts."
The two continued to pace, but now Cao Cha's expression was gloomy and uncertain.
He is the governor of Huguang, and his daughter is Duan Concubine. Duan Concubine has only given birth to an imperial daughter.
The Huguang Leftist Political Consultant sent a nine-year-old child's talent name to Datian. He had just arrived, how could he dare to do such a thing?
The cause of the matter is not important, it is more important now that the emperor throws out the four words "Prince Accompanying Reading".
Why should local officials' congratulatory statements praising the emperor's new cultural and educational achievements be linked to the prince? Is it because he, Cao Cha, was the governor of Huguang?
The capital has already taken advantage of the re-planning of the imperial city to ask the East Palace to open a government office. Could it be that the emperor had some thoughts about the prince because of Fei Maozhong's behavior?
He could imagine what kind of turmoil this would cause among the important officials in the court if this child was really sent to the capital, and the emperor personally took the test and selected a private child to be the prince's companion.
Does the emperor really have this intention, or does he want to use this incident to remind his ministers: I am not thirty yet, are you a little anxious?
The establishment of a government office in the East Palace means that the struggle between the current imperial power and the next generation of imperial power will inevitably begin to grow.
There were indeed several emperors in the Ming Dynasty who did not live past the age of forty, and the emperor at that time liked to conduct military campaigns in person, so it seems that it is indeed a prudent move to open a palace and build a government office for the East Palace now.
But the emperor had already officially appointed the crown prince the year before last, and the child was only ten years old. Why did the important ministers in the court ask the East Palace to open a palace and build a government office at this time?
The more Cao Cha thought about it, the more he felt that he couldn't wade through this muddy water. He said, "Min Shou, you are now in a dilemma about this matter."
Fei Maozhong smiled bitterly: "What the governor said is correct. If I had known this would happen, I would never have done such a reckless move. But now that your majesty has your fate, this child must be sent to the capital."
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"I am the father of the concubine, and I must avoid suspicion." Cao Cha said slowly, "No matter what happens to the child after he enters the capital, I will report it to Your Majesty. I really didn't know anything about this matter in advance. People will accept it.
You need to be considerate of me."
"...it was originally inspired by Xiaguan's surprise at his talent, so Xiaguan naturally has to shoulder the full responsibility."
Fei Maozhong's mood was bitter.
I have an uncle who was the Prime Minister and Minister of State, and his political acumen was never lacking. Even back then, he was someone who could see the dangers of His Majesty asking how to make the country rich, and made a smooth and balanced plan for the Imperial Examination.
You knew how to avoid the whirlpool at that time, but how could you expect that you would be selected as the number one scholar in the strange atmosphere of the court at that time?
And now, Fei Maozhong originally thought of just forming a good relationship, so how could he expect that the emperor would throw the words "Prince Accompanying Reading" over his back?
The Fei family was already prominent enough in this dynasty, and Fei Maoxian was well aware of the dangers. He gave up the idea of taking the imperial examination again and decided to end his life with his family background.
Fei Maozhong himself has no hope and will even resist re-entering the center, otherwise the Fei family will be feared by many people.
That's why he thought it was just a matter of supporting the underachievers and creating more good karma.
But now, it's self-defeating.
Fei Maozhong did not dare to ignore the emperor's clear order, but there were many ways to buffer it.
He was still accompanying Cao Cha on his food inspection, and he had to do his official business first.
The first response was to send someone back to the Zhang family in Jiangling County to convey the order, asking Zhang Baigui to fast and study hard. What a big deal it was to go to Beijing to meet the saint? The necessary preparations must be made.
During this period, a letter was given to Fei Maoxian, explaining the situation in detail and asking him to send a horse to Nanchang immediately and ask Fei Hong at Jiangxi University in Nanchang to help him come up with an idea.
The conversation was divided, and the Zhang family was naturally surprised when they heard the news from Fei Maozhong.
Zhang Baigui's grandfather, Zhang Zhen, went to visit his father's grave first without saying a word. He said with tears in his eyes, "You are really foresighted," and so on.
To the Zhang family, Fei Maozhong naturally just said that the emperor had given him great grace and wanted Zhang Baigui to come to Beijing to take the test in person.
The words "The Prince reads with me" are something I would never dare to say.
It's too sensitive. What should I do if it spreads to ordinary people?
Zhang Baigui himself was quite confused. He never expected that more than two months ago, the senior official called him to take a test, answered a question to celebrate His Majesty's birthday, and then got such a result.
Want to meet His Majesty?
Young Zhang Baigui is not very scared now, but feels very nervous.
The Zhang family has gone through a lot over the years and their life has been difficult. Needless to say, his father, Zhang Baigui also knew that this was smoke coming out of his ancestral grave.
If the emperor appreciates him, not only will his own academic path and future achievements be unimaginable, but the Zhang family will also be highly regarded by people in Jiangling County and Jingzhou Prefecture.
The entire Zhang family did not know how afraid the Governor of Huguang and Fei Maozhong himself were.
At Jiangxi University in Nanchang, Fei Hong is sixty-six years old.
In fact, he already wanted to return to his hometown, but he had the same idea as Fei Maozhong: the Fei family was already too conspicuous at this time. It would be good for the Fei family and the country to support more of the younger generations and form more good relationships.
Why was Yang Yiqing able to be buried by the prince? Because he died in office. It was a difficult period for the Ming Dynasty to prepare for the Northern Expedition after the First World War in the sixth year of Jiajing.
Wang Shouren, who almost died once, had to stay in the Xuan Mansion, and Yang Yiqing, who was almost 70 years old, also had to devote himself to the position of general staff.
Therefore, Fei Hong had already made preparations, fearing that he might not be able to pass away peacefully in his hometown of Qianshan, and his bones would inevitably be bumpy after death.
Moreover, if he wanted to be worthy enough to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Hall of Heroes, Fei Hong also needed to promote the new learning well in Jiangxi, a great province of old Neo-Confucianism.
As a result, in Fei Maoxian's letter, they sent Fei Hong a bolt from the blue.
"It's so stupid!" Fei Hong's hands were trembling a little.
The congratulatory note was given by my nephew, but his son also participated.
A child prodigy was born in Jingzhou Prefecture. They claimed that it was due to His Majesty's new study of literature and education, but who was the scholar in Jingzhou Prefecture? It was Fei Maoxian.
The Fei family has produced its first Prime Minister and Minister of State, so what more credit is there? How many more suggestions are needed?
It is enough to have someone in the court in every generation.
It is naturally good to have more important ministers, but that will have to wait until the next emperor succeeds to the throne!
What now? The emperor said: "The prince reads with me."
Look at how many powerful families the emperor has done in the past ten years!
The Fei family has already established a good relationship with their nine-year-old child? What do you want to do?
He knew that time was tight, so he wrote a reply quickly.
In this matter, what the two cousins Fei Maoxian and Fei Maozhong do next is important, as is what happened in the court.
The emperor acted like this because of the child prodigy mentioned in a congratulatory form. He was definitely trying to do something by using small things to see big things!
One stone stirs up a thousand waves, and everyone knows that "a man's talents are exhausted". Even an important minister like Fei Hong would not think about this matter in its simplest and simplest terms.
Even if the emperor really looked at someone differently, at least it shouldn't be a nine-year-old child.
The Ming Dynasty has a lot of outstanding people, is it that it lacks about twenty talents?
Everyone only sees the word "Prince" and doesn't think much about the companion reading.
The prince's tutors are all dignified ministers, and not many people want to be the prince's tutor, but does the prince need a real reading companion?
If he is a descendant of a noble family, he is just a book boy and a slave who is busy carrying bags.
But it is unheard of for a young child to be chosen by the people to read to the prince!
Therefore, this matter cannot be true. Your Majesty’s move must have a deeper meaning!
They just didn't know that it was Zhang Juzheng!
…
Zhu Houcong naturally did not expect that they would distort this move to such an extent. Before Zhang Baigui arrived, Cao Cha and Fei Maozhong's "pleasure" memorial came in advance.
He was speechless.
In the capital, the news was not known at first.
At that time, apart from Huang Jin, only Hai Rui was present.
How could Hai Rui be so big-mouthed and talk about it?
But now, many people in Beijing must know the news.
Because although Fei Maozhong's apology memorial did not mention anything about "accompanying the prince to read", Fei Maozhong expressed the attitude that "culture and education have not yet prospered, and the ministers should continue to work hard." He should not be so frivolous, singing
Gongmei is written all over her face.
Cao Cha, on the other hand, said that he was glad to hear this and found out that the new learning had begun to bear fruit in Huguang. He apologized for not paying enough attention to culture and education in the past. He then reported on the autumn grain affairs in Huguang, and then said that the people of Huguang all felt the kindness of His Majesty. This year,
Everyone is praying for your majesty for a good harvest. I wish your majesty a long life.
Both of their memorials went through the General Affairs Office. They both mentioned the young boy's entry into the capital, and then both apologized. Why is this?
Isn't it bad if there are geniuses among the new generation of children?
Isn't it a good idea for the emperor to express his concern for culture and education by summoning this child to Beijing to take the exam?
Such a big reaction between the two people is naturally due to other more sensitive reasons. Since there are other reasons, with the connections and official qualities of these second- and third-grade officials, how can they not communicate with their friends inside and outside the capital?
Would you like to exchange information and opinions?
Zhu Houcong couldn't help but ask Xu Jie: "Didn't the State Council say that the candidates for the officials of the East Palace will be submitted within this month? Have you received them?"
"Your Majesty, not yet." Xu Jie replied as expected.
Zhu Houcong looked at him and was silent for a moment.
Xu Jie's heartbeat accelerated and he tried hard to restrain himself.
"You are the chief of the imperial study. Someone asked you in a roundabout way." Zhu Houxuan withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "I want to ask the Jin Yiwei and the inner factory who you have met after being on duty in the past few days."
Xu Jie immediately left the desk where he was sitting and knelt down. Gao Gong and another bachelor in the imperial study also followed suit.
"I don't know what your Majesty means, but I would like to ask your Majesty to make it clear."
Zhu Houcong gradually felt the difference between him and Yan Song.
Compared with Yan Song, who never needs Zhu Houcong's explicit instructions for everything, Xu Jie is more non-stick.
It is true that Zhu Houcong did not ask explicitly, but didn't he just read the memorials of Cao Cha and Fei Maozhong?
Looking at the three of them, Zhu Houcong slowly spoke: "After reading the congratulatory form for Huguang Zuo's participation in politics, I was also surprised by the literary talent of a nine-year-old child, so I ordered him to be sent to Beijing to take a test. If he is really talented
Extraordinary, you can choose to read to the prince. Many important ministers in the capital already know about this, right? You can go to the Wenhua Palace to urge you, and the candidates for the East Palace officials should be submitted as soon as possible."
"I accept the decree." After Xu Jie finished speaking, he still did not stand up, and then said, "Since this is the case, I can report back to Your Majesty. In the past few days, Chongxiang State Affairs, Yan Shangshu, and Yang Shangshu have indeed asked me about this matter.
I have never heard His Majesty mention it in the royal study, and I dare not say anything on my own."
"I have indeed not mentioned this matter these days, and you are right." Zhu Houcong nodded, "This makes it even more obvious that I have other plans or strict orders, so that all the ministers have nothing to do with it.
I'm uneasy because I don't know. Forget it, you go to the Wenhua Palace to urge you, Gao Gong, you go to the Ministry of Culture and Education and ask Yan Song to come, and I'll ask about the Imperial Academy."
"I accept my order." Gao Gong was also very shocked.
He is not the chief, and he is only a Jinshi in the eleventh year of Jiajing. No one has asked him about this matter, so he really just found out about it.
Now, on the one hand, the emperor asked the State Council to come up with candidates for the East Palace subordinate officials as soon as possible, and on the other hand, he asked himself to call Yan Song.
Xu Jie is Yan Song's disciple! Since he has to go to the State Palace, why not let him just walk a few more steps to the Ministry of Culture and Education?
Both of them could tell that the emperor's face was not very good-looking. Just staring at Xu Jie and asking him to answer something on his own initiative revealed that he was actually a little angry.
The emperor is getting older, his achievements are extraordinary, and his majesty is now increasing.
During the period when Xu Jie served as the chief of the imperial study, the atmosphere in the imperial study was actually relatively solemn. The emperor's attitude towards Xu Jie always seemed to have some admonishment.
In this regard, Xu Jie felt psychologically balanced after listening to Yan Song talk about his previous experience as the chief of the royal study. According to Yan Song, he was also like this at that time.
But when Zhang Bi chatted with him two days ago, it was not like this. Could it be because Zhang Bi and the emperor were fellow villagers?
Xu Jie arrived at the Wenhua Hall, where state ministers all work when state meetings are not held.
When Xu Jie arrived in front of Zhang Fujing, he just said solemnly: "Chief Assistant, Your Majesty is asking about the candidates for the East Palace officials. I wonder when they can be submitted?"
Zhang Fujing looked at Xu Jie's expression and spoke slowly: "Please Zisheng, please report back to Your Majesty. I will definitely present it to the Emperor within the month."
Xu Jie came here just to ask this question, and then left and returned to the imperial study.
Zhang Fujing walked out of the main hall where he, the Prime Minister and Minister of State, worked, stood under the eaves and looked to the northwest.
After a while, he spoke: "Please come over with all the ministers of state."
After he finished speaking, he waited at the door, his brows knitted together.
He had received Fei Hong's letter a long time ago, so he naturally knew what Xu Jie's unusually serious expression meant: His Majesty was unhappy.
Is it true that as Fei Hong said, the prince is still young and your majesty chooses to read with you, so that means you are paying more attention to the prince's studies and just concentrate on studying?
But Zhang Fujing also had his own thoughts. In the process of going up, he really killed too many people.
If during his tenure, a government office was established in the East Palace, how much would the prince care about his contribution after he ascends the throne?
Zhang Fujing was confused. Based on his understanding of the emperor, His Majesty should not be unhappy about this matter.
Isn't it the proper meaning to open a palace and establish a government office in the East Palace after appointing a prince?
Don’t your Majesty understand your own difficulties?
Or does it mean that with His Majesty’s current achievements and prestige, he also needs to worry that in many years the power of the Eastern Palace will become stronger and stronger, and he will definitely coerce the Prince into doing something?
Isn't that the case?
Already at a sensitive moment, Zhang Bi and the others soon came out of the side hall where they were, and Zhang Fujing came down the steps to greet them.
"Let's talk about it here. Your Majesty sent the chief of the royal study to come and ask about the candidates for the East Palace officials."
His face was as solemn as Xu Jie's, and everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
At this time, Gao Gongcai had just arrived at the Ministry of Culture and Education and found Yan Song to tell him that the emperor wanted to see him.
"Qing Su, do you know what's going on?" Yan Song asked with a smile.
Gao Gong felt much more relaxed. Anyway, Yan Song would know it immediately when he arrived at the imperial study room.
He even felt that since the emperor sent him to find Yan Song, he wanted Yan Song to be prepared first. Anyway, His Majesty had clearly stated that he was asking for help from the Imperial Academy.
So Gao Gong said: "It's for the imperial education."
The Imperial Academy needs to be more standardized and find a wider place. This is something that the Ministry of Culture and Education is planning.
"Thank you so much, Sir Su." Yan Song bowed his hand to him.
It would naturally be better if we could know what happened earlier.
Speaking of which, this is also the benefit of setting up an imperial study room. After all, the accompanying bachelors in the imperial study room are no better than eunuchs. They only listen to the emperor. If an important minister asks about anything in daily life, obscure words and body cues can convey the information.
With His Majesty's intelligence, he will not fail to understand this.
However, the existence of the Royal Study Room to this day actually has two wonderful advantages.
First, His Majesty is wise and has acquiesced to this, so that there will be less suspicion between the monarch and his ministers and more information transparency.
Second, if it is just acquiescence, then if the imperial study and the courtiers cross the line, they are also overstepping the bounds.
Whether or not this is an issue, the initiative still lies with the emperor.
Gao Gong was the one who accompanied the emperor on his northern expedition. He felt that he understood the emperor's temperament better than Xu Jie.
So he figured out on the way here that the emperor asked him to come to Yan Song because he wanted to handle this matter as official business. Since the courtiers mentioned that they were uneasy and privately inquired about the emperor's attitude, it was obvious that it had already been done.
There was some suspicion.
The emperor was probably unhappy because of this suspicion, so he first told Gao Gongming that it was for imperial education.
This means that he can talk to Yan Song first.
Sure enough, after arriving at the imperial study room, the emperor spoke directly: "I want to choose some reading companions for the prince who are from the people and know the sufferings of the people. It just so happens that we are meeting. What are you thinking about in private?"
Yan Song immediately knelt down: "I am ashamed..."
"It's a joke." Zhu Houcong looked at Xu Jie again, "It's natural to open a government office in the East Palace. You people don't spend too much time on official duties, so what do you think of me? What if?
I thought it was not the right time yet, so I would have refuted it at that time. Could it be that when the foreign troubles have calmed down, you will feel that the world is at peace, and it is time for the monarchs and ministers to only look at ten or twenty years from now?"