Yu Shiyue pasted the note he had just written on the memorial and folded it, put down the brush in his hand, rubbed his temples, and sighed inwardly.
The imperial court has been experiencing a lot of troubles recently. In the capital city, the Ministry of Punishment is investigating a corruption case that occurred in a major plan. According to the emperor's imperial edict, the Imperial Guards are also involved. In the past two months, as many as six officials have been arrested.
Since this period of time, there has been an endless stream of memorials impeaching the Ministry of Punishment and the Jin Yiwei for arresting people indiscriminately, and pleading for mercy for the officials who were imprisoned.
Locally, the drought in Henan and Huguang has not subsided, followed by the rain in Henan and Shandong. The relief efforts in various places are mixed. In the past few days, as many as 12 officials have been dismissed, including some.
One chief envoy from the second rank and three prefects from the fourth rank.
On the Japanese side, after the last time they captured dozens of heads, more than half a month had passed without any movement. The last time they went up early in the morning, although the emperor suppressed the discussion below, the army was exhausted.
Success has always aroused discussion. Over the past few days, officials have been reporting intermittently that they should urge the army to fight quickly.
All these things add up to a myriad of things, which has really increased the workload of the cabinet. If the emperor had not issued an order to add three cabinet ministers, Yu Shiyue and Zhang Min alone would probably have to do a lot of work.
Extremely busy.
Speaking of the three newly promoted cabinet ministers, they have been in the cabinet for more than half a year. Needless to say, Luo Qi is a Beijing official. He was promoted for his contribution to the restoration of the Supreme Emperor and was later elected to the cabinet. From the surface,
, Luo Qi is more like a replica of Zhu Jian.
But in fact, the two are very different. Zhu Jian's qualifications and abilities are real. In fact, if Zhu Jian had not been willing to transfer back to Beijing and serve as the envoy of the mission, then he would have endured
In a few years, it is entirely possible to transfer directly back to the central core.
Therefore, even if Zhu Jian has done so many stupid things since then, and his reputation in the court has dropped drastically, at least his connections and abilities are still there. This is accumulated over many years and cannot be shaken in a moment.
Even though he was transferred to Fujian this time, there were still people in the DPRK who complained about him.
But Luo Qi is different. His qualifications are more junior. However, he is a fellow villager of Jin Lian, the Minister of Punishment. Luo Qi was recommended by Jin Lian before he was sent as an envoy. Moreover, unlike Zhu Jian, Luo Qi rarely expresses his feelings.
When revealing his views on the Supreme Emperor and the Prince of the East Palace, most of the time, he adopts a stay-out attitude.
In addition, Luo Qi was born in Ke Dao, and most of his connections were in Ke Dao. He had a good reputation as a scholar and was always known for his integrity and outspokenness. However, he had a close relationship with Chen Yi, the current leader of Ke Dao.
There is a festival.
Although Chen Yi is now ill at home, judging from the rejection of his several resignations by the emperor, the emperor still relies heavily on this veteran minister. At least in the short term, Chen Yi's influence on the court will still be there.
Therefore, Luo Qi's situation in the cabinet is quite special. He has Jin Lian as his backer, so he does not have to rely on others. However, because of Chen Yi's relationship, it is not easy for him to get close to other ministers.
Then there is Xiao Han. This person’s resume is much simpler. He was a Jinshi in the second year of Xuande. He successively served as the head of the Nanjing Civil Service Department, the doctor of the Nanjing Criminal Department, the deputy envoy of the Yunnan Inspectorate, and the Zuobuzheng Envoy of Huguang. He has a good reputation in the local area.
Outstanding political achievements.
However, he is a bit introverted and taciturn, even after joining the cabinet. His usual style is a bit like Zhang Min before.
Xiao Han's grades in the imperial examination were not very good. He was born in the same class as a Jinshi. Because of this, since he became an official, he has been serving as an official outside the country and has never been to Beijing. He has basically no connections in the court.
However, in the same year of his term, many people hold high positions, such as Du Ning, the current right censor of the capital, governor of Shaanxi Province, Zhang Feng, governor of Nanjing grain reserve, deputy minister of household affairs, and Ma Jin, governor of Henan Province, the right deputy censor.
, they all took the mid-level examination in the second year of Xuande year like him, but there are basically none in Beijing.
Of course, just because there is basically none does not mean that there is really none. Xiao Han has very few connections in Beijing, but among them there is an important minister of the Qi Qing, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Chen Xun!
Xiao Han and Du Ning are from the same class. Although they have never been in Beijing, they can still be regarded as Chen Xun's students. In addition, more importantly, Xiao Han and Chen Xun are from the same hometown. They are not the kind of people who are separated by hundreds of miles.
They are not from the same hometown, but they truly come from the same place.
The two of them are both from Taihe County, Jiangxi Province. It is said that the two families are prominent local gentry families and have always been on good terms. Before Xiao Han passed the exam, Chen Xun returned to his hometown to visit relatives and once gave him guidance.
He is considered to be half of Chen Xun's descendants. This relationship is much stronger than other official relationships.
The last one, Sun Yuanzhen, was specially admitted to the cabinet by the emperor, and he was also a foreign official. Although he had been a capital official, that was more than ten years ago. After so many years, things in the capital have changed, and he is no longer the same as the first two.
For example, Mr. Sun Ge is well versed in military affairs and has a straightforward and neat style of acting. Moreover, he has an old relationship with Yu Qian.
Although it is said that Yu Qian was demoted from Beijing after Sun Yuanzhen came to Beijing, but with this relationship, he and Yu Shiyue are much closer to each other.
Therefore, generally speaking, the situation in the cabinet today is not much different from before. It is still a situation where multiple forces are independent of each other, but also unite and confront each other.
Zhang Min and Yu Shiyue originally had a loose alliance. However, after the last incident, although the two did not fall out on the surface, their relationship had actually broken down.
Now Zhang Min is the chief assistant, but he does not have enough foundation and prestige. Although he has status, it is difficult to overpower Yu Shiyue, the second assistant and the prince's palace official. The two can only be regarded as being in conflict with each other.
The remaining three newly promoted people have their own connections behind the scenes and can be regarded as a self-contained entity. It is impossible to really belong to any of their factions. From this perspective, the five ministers in the cabinet have different influences.
, but they are independent in their positions.
However, regardless of the connections behind the cabinet, the government affairs of the cabinet are complicated. In the daily handling of government affairs, although everyone is independent, they inevitably have to join forces with each other sometimes.
At present, because of Yu Qian's relationship, Sun Yuanzhen and Yu Shiyue are closer, while Xiao Yan and Luo Qi are closer to Zhang Min, tending to be a loose alliance between the two parties.
This situation is somewhat similar to when Jiang Yuan, Zhu Jian and others were still in the pavilion, but it is not the same.
In general, everyone is more independent, and more importantly, today's cabinet has formed a delicate balance with the six ministries and seven ministers in the outer dynasty.
Zhang Min was promoted by Wang Ao, the Minister of War, Luo Qi was friendly with Jin Lian, the Minister of Punishment, Xiao Huan was from the same hometown of Chen Xun, the Minister of Industry, and Yu Shiyue and Sun Yuanzhen were friends with Yu Qian, the censor of Youdu.
The remaining official minister, Wang Wen, had the support of the emperor, the minister of rites, Hu Ming, was a lonely and important minister, and the minister of household affairs, Shen Yi, seemed to have no help, but successive catastrophes made the entire court almost rely on the minister of household affairs. Operation.
Chen Yi, the imperial censor of Zuodu, was ill and unable to leave the hospital, but Wang Hong was at the front desk to support him. The emperor now showed vague signs of supporting Ke Dao again.
Whether looking at the entire court, the cabinet, or the outer court separately, all parties are making great efforts...
Yu Shiyue speculated to himself that this may be the situation that the emperor has always wanted, with all parties checking and balancing, but not restricting each other. The parties are independent but united with each other. The situation seems complicated, but in fact it is all in the hands of the emperor.
The so-called emperor's mind is nothing more than this...
It was pattering outside and it seemed to be raining lightly. I wonder if it was affected by the influence of various places in Shandong. It has been raining in Beijing recently, and it is rare to see sunny days. Listening to the sound of raindrops, Yu Shiyue gathered his thoughts and took it again. Start with the memorial at hand.
However, before he could even lift his pen, someone from Zhongshushe came in to report.
"Master Cifu, Xiao Ge is old enough."
Xiao Yan?
Yu Shiyue frowned, not expecting that it would be him visiting.
After thinking for a moment, Yu Shiyue did not rush to invite the people in, but asked.
"Come directly to my place?"
The implication is, have you ever been to a certain chief assistant office?
The person from Zhongshushe below had also been following Yu Shiyue for a long time, so he naturally understood the hidden meaning in his words and bowed his head.
"Sir, I think you came directly and didn't go anywhere else first."
Is this so...
Yu Shiyue's eyes flashed with thoughtfulness, nodded and said.
"Please come in, Mr. Xiao Ge."
"yes……"
Not long after, an old man in scarlet robe appeared outside the public house.
Xiao Han is not too old. He is fifty-seven years old this year. Among senior officials of this level, he is considered to be in the prime of life. Looking at his appearance alone, even among civil servants who value appearance, Xiao Han is one of the most handsome. The hair on the temples is already a little gray, but it is combed neatly and meticulously.
We are all colleagues, so we must still work hard to save face. Seeing Xiao Xi walking in, a smile appeared on Yu Shiyue's face, he stood up and held his hands. After both parties saluted, they sat down with greetings. Then, Yu Shiyue asked. .
"How can Yangshan have any free time today to come to my place?"
"Excuse me, Mr. Cifu. Xiao came here today because he just received a memorandum. The content is a bit difficult, and Xiao is not sure how to draft it, so he wanted to ask Mr. Cifu."
Looking at the enthusiastic Yu Shiyue, Xiao Yan seemed a little uncomfortable. However, after all, he had been in officialdom for many years. He quickly got to the point, took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it over.
However, when Yu Shiyue looked at Xiao Yan's appearance, he did not get up to pick him up. Instead, he thought for a moment and said.
"You came just in time. I also have a memorial here. I am a little hesitant and am planning to go to the Chief Assistant to discuss it. How about you and I go together?"
this……
Xiao Yan was slightly stunned, obviously not expecting Yu Shiyue's attitude. However, since the other party said so, he couldn't refuse, so he had to nod his head and said.
"That's fine."
So, Xiao Yan took back half of the memorial and looked at Yu Shiyue who also took out a book from the table and put it away. The two of them got up and walked towards Zhang Min's office at the same time.
Zhang Shoufu was obviously very surprised that these two people arrived at the same time. After asking them to sit down, Yu Shiyue was the first to speak, saying.
"To be honest with you, Mr. Chief Assistant, Mr. Xiao Ge came to me today and said that there was a complicated memorial, so he wanted me to help with some ideas. It just so happened that I also had some things here that I wanted to discuss with Mr. Chief Assistant, so,
So we came together, I wonder if it disturbed the chief minister?"
After saying this, the atmosphere in the public room became a little awkward.
Zhang Min's expression was obviously not good-looking, but it was not towards Yu Shiyue, but towards Xiao Han.
Not to mention the current stance of everyone in the cabinet, just what Xiao Han did was unreasonable.
In any case, he is the chief minister of the cabinet. Although the cabinet system is special, there is still a ranking among the cabinet ministers.
That's all for ordinary government affairs. After all, each cabinet minister has independent power to draft votes. However, for such complicated and unresolved matters, you should ask the chief minister first. How can you go there first?
Yu Shiyue is the second assistant.
Of course, despite being in the officialdom for many years, Zhang Min was dissatisfied, but he did not show it. After all, many things cannot be taken at face value. Perhaps, this was Yu Shiyue's deliberate instigation.
However, looking at Xiao Han's appearance, it doesn't look like that...
Zhang Min's eyes narrowed and his gaze fell on Xiao Han. Thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he said with a smile.
"We are all colleagues. Whatever you are saying, Mr. Cifu, if there is any difficulty, just say it."
"Mr. Xiao Ge?"
Yu Shiyue glanced at Xiao Han next to him. Since the latter came in, he didn't say much except for a few words of greeting.
To be honest, although what Yu Shiyue just said is true, saying it like this will indeed have an impact on the relationship between Xiao Han and Zhang Min.
It was impossible for Xiao Yan not to hear this, but as usual, he did not explain at all. This made Yu Shiyue a little confused. He didn't know whether Mr. Xiao Ge was really not good at words, or there was something else.
reason.
Seeing that both of them were looking at him, Xiao Yan didn't say anything more, took out the memorial just now from his sleeve, handed it to Zhang Min's case, and said.
"Please take a look at it, Mr. Chief Assistant."
Later, Yu Shiyue also took out a memorial and handed it over.
Seeing this situation, Zhang Min nodded to the two of them, took the two memorials over, hesitated for a moment, opened Yu Shiyue's copy first, read it once, then closed it and said.
"This memorial will be drafted by me. What do you think, Mr. Cifu?"
The content of this memorial was actually very ordinary. It was just an ordinary disaster report in the state capital. After Zhang Min read it, he understood even more that this memorial was just a random excuse that Yu Shiyue found. Therefore, what happened?
Disposal, but it doesn't matter.
Not surprisingly, Yu Shiyue had no objection to this, cupped his hands and said with a smile.
"Excuse me, Mr. Chief Assistant."
Then, Zhang Min turned his attention to the copy that Xiao Han took over. This is the main topic of today...