Chapter 329 Zhang Juzheng: Danger!
Inside the main hall of Wanshou Palace.

Gao Gong's burly figure stood upright and unyielding.

He stood still like a mountain.

His eyes were as calm as water.

But my heart was filled with excitement.

Let Yan Ne join the cabinet and then promote Li Chunfang to the Ministry of Rites?
You, Lord Xu, really have a good plan!

In fact, if it were in the past, Gao Gong might not have cared about Xu Jie's plan this time.

But what time is it now.

In particular, when Xu Jie was doing this matter and planning it, he did it silently, bypassing the cabinet and quietly submitted it to the emperor.

Although you, Xu Jie, are the second-in-command, and I am only a minister in the cabinet.

But if you do this, what is the use of a cabinet?

It would be better for Yuan Wei, the Prime Minister and I to go home and retire together!
and this.

That is why Gao Gong, contrary to everyone's expectations, spoke out against Xu Jie's plan today.

Since Xu Jie wanted to plot against the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites.

Then he would take advantage of the situation and let Li Chunfang join the cabinet, while suppressing Yan Ne.

in this way.

Not only would Xu Jie's plan fail, but it might also create a rift between Li Chunfang and Yan Ne.

At this moment, Xu Jie was full of surprise and stared at Gao Gong's back in confusion.

Yan Ne widened his eyes.

He never expected that, without the Yan family saying anything, it was Gao Gong who came forward to oppose his entry into the cabinet.

It was just because this matter involved discussing his own entry into the cabinet, Yan Ne could not speak even if he was present.

otherwise.

He just broke the rules.

There was no need for anyone else to say anything, he immediately lost the opportunity to enter the cabinet again.

However, the fact that Yan Ne himself cannot speak does not mean that there is no one left on Xu Jie and Yan Ne's side.

After all, those present included not only the cabinet and the six ministries, but also the other members of the Nine Ministers.

Dali Temple Judge Chi Fengxiang immediately stood up.

"Your Majesty, Minister Yan has been in the court for many years. He was a Jinshi in the 20th year of Jiajing. After passing the Jinshi exam, he was selected as a Shujishi and appointed as a Hanlin Editor in the Hanlin Academy. He has been diligent in the court and has been in charge of rituals and politics for many years. He appoints people based on their merits. The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was a Jinshi in the 26th year of Jiajing. Although he has also been in the court for many years, he has less experience than Minister Yan.

Moreover, the Cabinet is the central government, in charge of the government on behalf of the emperor, and in charge of the six ministries, five temples and three judicial departments of the court. It would be more appropriate and more in line with the country to appoint more experienced and stable people to this position. "

Gao Gong, who fired at Xu Jie today, immediately turned around and looked at Chi Fengxiang with deep eyes.

Just a glance.

Chi Fengxiang panicked and wanted to lower his head, but he forced himself to keep his neck straight.

however.

Gao Dapao snorted in public: "Since when did the Dali Temple start to practice seniority?"

Chi Fengxiang's face suddenly turned red.

Because what he just said, in fact, was based on seniority, just as Gao Gong said.

Gao Gong then fired back: "The imperial court has always carefully considered the selection of talented people. If it is all based on seniority, should I also resign from my position as a cabinet minister?"

That's what has come to this.

Chi Fengxiang could only lower his head and clasp his hands together: "That is not what I meant."

Gao Gong was relentless: "Then tell me, is Li Chunfang younger and more energetic? Does the court need an official like him to take on important responsibilities and take care of the affairs of the Ming Dynasty?"

Chi Fengxiang lowered his head, clenched his hands into fists in his sleeves, and after a long while he said in a deep voice: "What I meant is that Minister Yan has more experience as an official and is more suitable to serve in the cabinet, which is not what Mr. Gao meant."

This is a light explanation.

But Gao Gong would never let it go.

As for the fact that he would become enemies with Xu Jie today because of this incident?

Don’t you see what Xu Jie has been doing in the court these days for his own ambitions?

These days, no department or government office of the imperial court has escaped Xu Jie's rebuke.

What do you mean?
The imperial court had begun to rectify the administration of officials at the beginning of the year, and he was in charge of it personally.

Was Xu Jie's action an allusion to his own lack of diligence in rectifying the administration of officials, which resulted in some officials slipping through the net?

Since it was you, Xu Jie, who did it first, don't blame me, Lao Gao, for opposing you.

At this moment, Chi Fengxiang was still quibbling.

Gao Gong sneered, "Let me ask you, how did Zhang Juzheng enter the cabinet? He was also a young man, and he was also appointed to the cabinet by the court. If it wasn't for what happened last year, Zhang Juzheng was summoned to Beijing to work in the cabinet. How could there be a new cabinet member being appointed by the court today?"

This was said even more openly.

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but give Lao Gao a thumbs up in his heart.

Chi Fengxiang is now full of regret.

Lord Xu hasn't even opened his mouth yet, so why am I speaking so suddenly?

Everyone knows that Zhang Juzheng, who was then a cabinet minister, was a student of Xu Jie.

Not to mention.

Zhang Juzheng was also a Jinshi in the 26th year of Jiajing.

Li Chunfang and I were classmates in the same year.

And if Chi Fengxiang's opinion was followed, Zhang Juzheng should not have allowed him to join the cabinet in the first place.

Since Chi Fengxiang and others had no objection when Zhang Juzheng entered the cabinet, how could they oppose Li Chunfang entering the cabinet today?

At this moment, Xu Jie was very upset.

Not to mention that my plan might not succeed today.

Yan Ne might also feel resentful and develop a grudge against Li Chunfang because of this.

And what happened in the palace today must have reached Li Chunfang's ears.

Wouldn’t Li Chunfang know what Chi Fengxiang said at that time?
He had considered everything this time. Even if the Yan family opposed it, the spearhead would be directed at the Yan family.

But now, after Gao Gong's commotion.

The Yan family has nothing to do with anything.

On the contrary, people like Li Chunfang and Yan Ne might develop resentment and dissatisfaction with each other.

Yuan Wei, who had been playing a supporting role in the cabinet most of the time, also stood up when he saw the opportunity.

"Your Majesty, I second what Mr. Gao said."

"I am in the cabinet and feel that the current government affairs are complicated. Although Minister Yan has more experience as an official, he is involved in many cabinet affairs. In the past two years, I have been working in the cabinet. Minister Yan has become older and older, and he was ill last year. Minister Xu was also ill and stayed at home.

Publicly, there is nothing wrong with Minister Yan's joining the cabinet, but it is inappropriate to let Minister Yan be burdened with state affairs and suffer from health problems. The court should also be considerate of the hard work of its ministers when employing people. Although the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is younger and less experienced than Minister Yan, he has also worked in the court for many years and his service in the Ministry of Personnel is obvious to all. He was even recommended and promoted to Minister of Personnel last time, which shows that his talent is recognized by everyone. "

Different from Gao Gong.

Yuan Wei is quite good at dealing with people.

After he said this, Yan Ne couldn't have the nerve to say that he could still work for the court for another 500 years, right?
That's shameless.

The way you eat is ugly.

What's more, Yuan Wei also cleverly mentioned the court discussion last year about the promotion of Guo Pu and Li Chunfang to the Minister of Personnel.

Since Li Chunfang was able to participate in the competition for promotion to the position of Minister of Personnel, it is enough to show that he is quite talented.

Now, he is fully qualified and capable of serving as a court councilor and entering the cabinet.

And under this subtext, it is pointing to Xu Jie.

When the court was discussing the candidate for the Minister of Personnel, it was you, Lord Xu, who proposed Li Chunfang.

Today you also included Li Chunfang in the list of candidates for cabinet appointment under discussion. Now that everyone agrees with Li Chunfang, you can't say that he is not good enough.

If you say he can't.

Then may I ask why you put him on the list of candidates for cabinet appointment?
This is not just slapping yourself in the face.

At this moment.

Yan Song, who had been dozing off for a while, finally raised his head slowly.

"Your Majesty, this is what I think. Since both the Ministers of Rites and Personnel were proposed by Elder Xu, they are naturally qualified for the cabinet."

When Xu Jie saw Yan Song speak, he immediately turned and looked at him.

He frowned slightly. Could it be that Yan Song would also agree to Li Chunfang joining the cabinet after Gao Gong and Yuan Wei?
only.

However, Yan Song said something completely different from what Xu Jie was thinking at the moment.

Yan Song smiled and said, "They are all capable ministers of the court. As the saying goes, the back of the hand and the palm are all flesh, but the cabinet members must be decided after all. As for who should enter the cabinet, I think it is better for Your Majesty to make the final decision."

In a word.

Yan Song then handed the decision-making power on the selection of cabinet members to Jiajing.

As he said this, Xu Jie frowned even more.

Instead, Yan Ne's heart was slightly moved.

The person most likely to oppose him did not oppose his entry into the cabinet.

Although Yan Ne already knew in his heart at this moment that after Gao Gong and Yuan Wei clearly supported Li Chunfang, the emperor would most likely choose to agree to this candidate.

Yan Ne could only express deep regret about this.

can only say.

It is no longer possible to tell what is true and what is false in the current political situation.

Jiajing smiled.

Gao Gong and Yuan Wei argued about the purpose of nominating Li Chunfang, but he actually didn't care.

Although Xu Jie seemed to be just making a suggestion, he recommended Yan Ne first. So why didn't he care?

This time. In fact, from the very beginning, Jiajing had made up his mind that as long as the person was recommended by Xu Jie, he would agree to join the cabinet.

Lei Li declined.

Now only Yan Ne and Li Chunfang are left.

Xu Jie's first choice was Yan Ne.

But Gao Gong and Yuan Wei strongly advocated Li Chunfang.

Xu Jie didn't say anything.

So how I choose is, as the Prime Minister said, all up to me.

Under the gaze of everyone.

Jiajing looked at Xu Jie and spoke slowly, "Lord Xu, this time in the court discussion, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Chunfang, was also recommended by Lord Xu. Lord Xu is also in charge of the Ministry of Personnel in the cabinet. I think he recommended Li Chunfang because he knows him well."

As soon as these words came out.

Xu Jie lowered his head and closed his eyes.

Jiajing said in a clear voice: "You all recommend talented officials for the country because you care about the country and the people of the Ming Dynasty. I will follow your advice."

Yan Shaoting laughed in his heart.

If you, old Taoist priest, really mean to obey everything, then you should follow Xu Jie's wishes and let Yan Ne join the cabinet.

But logically speaking.

Li Chunfang was also recommended by Xu Jie.

Even if it was decided that Li Chunfang would join the cabinet now, it would be in line with Xu Jie's wishes.

Naturally, Li Chunfang had to owe Xu Laogou a favor in order to join the cabinet.

However, as for what Li Chunfang was thinking after he knew what happened in the Wanshou Palace Hall today.

Then the benevolent sees benevolence and the wise see wisdom.

As a few words came out.

Jiajing finally said: "Draft an imperial decree to summon Li Chunfang, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, to take part in the cabinet from today and do his job with all his heart and effort."

"I'm waiting for the order!"

Everyone bowed and spoke.

Just when everyone thought that it was time to end the day.

Gao Gong, however, once again coughed lightly in front of everyone.

Xu Jie raised his eyebrows.

In the past, Yan Shaoting and the Yan family were against him and constantly causing trouble.

Now does it mean that you, Gao Gong, are going to cause trouble with me?
In his puzzled look.

Gao Gong said, "Your Majesty, today's court discussion on the appointment of new cabinet members is for the purpose of assessing the government affairs of the court. At this time, I think we should discuss the long-standing vacancy of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice is in charge of the criminal cases of the country, and it cannot be without an official for a long time. The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Yan Shifan, has been more and more diligent recently. He has done his job well and is concerned about the country. I think he is qualified for the Ministry of Justice!"

After saying that.

Gao Gong finally glanced sideways at Xu Jie for the first time today.

Not only will I ruin your plan today, Lord Xu, but I will also disgust you again.

As Gao Gong spoke and recommended Yan Shifan to be promoted to the Minister of Justice in public, a sound of surprise was heard in the hall.

I have really seen this a long time!
Gao Gong actually recommended Yan Shifan!

But Gao Gong had a different idea in mind.

Just as he said when he recommended Yan Shifan just now.

The reason why he recommended Yan Shifan today was only because of the concern for the country and the people expressed in that long paragraph.

What country and society did Yan Shifan care about?
Naturally, it was the clear-cut request to enthrone Prince Yu as the crown prince.

And what about Gao Gong?
But he is Prince Yu’s tutor!
What he couldn't say was said by Yan Shifan. Although it was a bit inappropriate, Yan Shifan still stood on the side of Prince Yu's Mansion on the matter of the national capital.

Then we can be considered as one of our own in this matter.

By promoting Yan Shifan to the Ministry of Justice, he will have a helper in future matters concerning Prince Yu's Mansion.

Jiajing naturally kept this matter in mind.

At the beginning, Yan Shifan was the first to step forward and request that Prince Yu be appointed as the Crown Prince.

Today Gao Gong brought up this matter.

Jiajing immediately smiled and nodded: "Yan Shifan has been working diligently recently, and the Ministry of Justice, as Gao Ge Lao said, cannot be without an official for too long."

There is nothing wrong with saying the two sentences separately.

But putting it all together now, it means that the emperor agreed with Gao Gong's proposal.

But before Jiajing could finish his words to promote Yan Shifan to the position of Minister of Justice.

Yan Song stood up immediately.

Old Yantou clasped his hands and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works has been impetuous since he took office. Although he has been tempered recently, he is not fit to be a minister. He still lacks something. I think he should not be appointed to the Ministry of Justice!"

Opposition to the Prime Minister.

No one was surprised.

After all, it seems that the old Prime Minister is really thinking about abdicating and letting others take over.

Holding his son down might be the intention of waiting for him to really step down before he can untie the restraints.

Seeing Yan Song say this, Jiajing still wanted to object.

After all, in his opinion, no matter what Yan Shifan was like, he was loyal to his son in being appointed crown prince.

Employ people in the court.

The name I chose is just a word for loyalty.

But think about it.

Jiajing was about to say that he would appoint Yan Shifan as the Minister of Justice, but he changed his tone: "What Gao Gelao said makes sense, and what the Prime Minister said also makes sense. As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father. Since the Prime Minister said this, I think Yan Shifan still needs to be tempered before he can take on the important task.

but……"

Speaking of it.

Jiajing smiled slightly.

"Yan Shifan has been in the government for many years. He also resigned from the post of Minister of Justice last time. Now that Gao Ge Lao has recommended him, it can be seen that his actions have also been judged by the public."

Talking.

Jiajing looked at Yan Song with a smile in his eyes and said, "I decree that Yan Shifan, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, will be transferred to the position of left assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, and will be in charge of the Ministry of Justice's duties."

He was transferred from the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works to the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

That doesn't count as a promotion.

Just transfer.

However, in the absence of a minister in the Ministry of Justice, Yan Shifan was already the top person in the Ministry.

Yan Song sighed deeply.

But I also know that it cannot be done.

You can only bow your head.

"Thank you, old minister."

Although he often said that there was no father-son relationship in the court, Yan Shifan's transfer to the Ministry of Justice was still the emperor's grace.

And this imperial grace was also for the Yan family.

He thanked her, as a matter of course.

Jiajing smiled and waved.

"I still say the same thing. You ministers and officials of all ranks in the court, just do your job diligently and wholeheartedly. I will see it and reward and punish you clearly."

Everyone bowed and clasped their hands.

"Your Majesty is wise and unparalleled, and the prosperity of the country can be expected!"

The king and his ministers flattered each other.

Today's Wanshou Palace meeting has finally come to an end.

And outside the Xiyuan Imperial City.

Shuntian government office.

A low cry of surprise was heard from the prefectural government office.

"Oops!"

Looking at the complaint that had just been delivered to him.

Zhang Juzheng's face was gloomy and his brows were furrowed.

The lawsuit was filed by Shunyi County.

The things being said are very small.

Just because of the canal excavation, some people in Shunyi County were dissatisfied with the government's requisition and sued the clerks of Shunyi County Government for corruption and fraud.

In the past, cases like this would never have been brought to the attention of the prefectural government.

But now it has been delivered.

This shows that the Shunyi County magistrate and others are no longer able to handle this matter.

This small incident, which only involved corruption and fraud by clerks in Shunyi County, made Zhang Juzheng see a hint of danger.

Zhang Juzheng looked solemn.

If this matter is not handled properly, I'm afraid there will be a big chaos waiting for me.

His heart grew heavier.

Dangerous!
…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)