Chapter 616 Let me show you what a powerful official is!
Meridian Gate.

as time flows.

It's noon now.

Summer came early this year, and the weather is getting hotter day by day. At this time, it is already scorching hot outside.

The Right Vice Minister of Rites, Lu Shusheng, who was lying limp on the ground, made a mess on the ground, and the smell was so pungent that it made people feel sick.

Gao Gong was extremely helpless.

He is very clear.

Yan Shaoting is forcing himself to express his position.

He really has the confidence to compete with me...

Gao Gong couldn't help feeling a sense of vicissitudes of life. Although he had a strong character, he was not a fool. How could he possibly come into direct conflict with Yan Shaoting, who was in charge of the military power inside and outside the capital?
At this time, Zhu Yijun stuck his head out from behind Yan Shaoting, tilted his head, blinked his big black and white eyes, and asked: "Prince, Master Yan is asking you."

God!

Gao Gong let out a long sigh in his heart, feeling more and more helpless.

He knew that the prince had been well trained by Yan Shaoting in Changping Academy in recent years, and that he had good conduct, was talented, and extremely intelligent. But a person of this status actually had such a close and deep relationship with Yan Shaoting.

Even between myself and the emperor, this has never happened.

Quietly.

Gao Gong felt a little jealous and envious.

He twisted his stiff neck and looked at the Minister of Personnel Guo Pu and the Minister of Justice Wang Zhigao who were present.

"Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Justice."

Guo Pu and Wang Zhigao frowned, knowing that the Prime Minister wanted to divert the blame, but they could only step forward.

"The subordinate is here."

Gao Gong frowned slightly and glanced at Yan Shaoting, who looked calm as usual, and Lu Shusheng, who was limp on the ground. "According to what Junior Master said, if the court officials are indeed as he said, what should be called? And are they guilty?"

Guo Pu and Wang Zhigao looked at each other.

Yuanfu, there is something else behind your words.

Yan Shaoting also glanced sideways, looking at Gao Gong with some consideration in his eyes.

He wants to make a big thing small.

But before the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice spoke.

Zhao Zhenji suddenly stood up, coughed lightly to attract everyone's attention, and then slowly spoke: "Although there has always been a convention in the country that the cabinet, six ministries and six departments have the right to reject. However..."

The old eunuch, who had always acted in a slippery manner in the court, turned his head and looked around, then his face became serious and he said in a deep voice: "But now your majesty is ill, and the palace has been invaded by Zhurong. This happened suddenly, so we should act according to the circumstances. Your majesty issued the imperial edict for the sake of the country. I think that as ministers, we should know that your majesty is fair and just in governing the country. It is reasonable."

Nothing was said explicitly.

After finishing speaking, Zhao Zhenji retreated.

But Gao Gong's brows were already furrowed and his expression changed slightly.

Guo Pu said immediately: "The state affairs are in turmoil, and the inner court has been violated. All the ministers should have worked together to overcome the difficulties. However, some officials do not understand the will of the emperor, do not understand the court, do not care about state affairs, do not care about the country, disobey the emperor's orders, do not live up to the king's rule, speak cruelly, and hurt important officials. They should be punished severely for the crime of rebellion and arrogance!"

As Guo Pu, the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, spoke.

Wang Zhigao, the Minister of Justice who was also named by Gao Gong, changed his expression.

He glanced at Guo Pu, who had already agreed with Yan Shaoting, and quickly glanced at Gao Gong, whose face was gradually turning pale, with thoughts racing through his mind.

At this time, Yan Shaoting also whispered to Zhao Zhenji, Hu Zongxian and others around him: "According to the court's intention, Zhang Juzheng should return to the capital earlier to take on some responsibilities."

Zhao Zhenji smiled and nodded: "Why do you mean that?"

Hu Zongxian also said: "The central government needs capable people to fill the vacancies."

The two of them were in tandem.

Finally, someone's in-laws made a decision.

Wang Zhigao immediately said in a deep voice: "According to the criminal law and the laws of the country, Lu Shusheng and others are arrogant and domineering! They are paid by the emperor, how dare they disobey his orders, question the emperor, and attack the ministers? How dare they hold a tablet and talk about killing people in front of everyone? They have no respect for the law and moral principles. This department believes that they are guilty of treason and should be punished and executed!"

"If you tell!"

Gao Gong's face changed immediately and he shouted out Wang Zhigao's words in an anxious tone.

But Wang Zhigao's eyes were clear and his face was serious. He looked back at Gao Gong and said, "Prime Minister, this is a time of great upheaval both inside and outside the country. Your Majesty is ill. As ministers, how can we still argue with the emperor's will? Shouldn't we, as ministers, work harder to govern the country and help the country?"

This is the obvious truth and reason.

But logically, Wang Zhigao was waiting for his father-in-law Zhang Juzheng to return to Beijing as soon as possible.

Now, Yan Shaoting is seeing that Jian is favored by the emperor and is in charge of both internal and external power.

And it seems that he would not really do something to steal the country as Lu Shusheng and others said.

Well, based on the other party's past experience working in the court and his relationship with his father-in-law, when his father-in-law returns to Beijing, Yan Shaoting will definitely help and bring his father-in-law into the cabinet.

Helping Yan Shaoting to suppress Lu Shusheng at this time is to do him a favor in advance and earn more favor for his father-in-law.

really.

As Wang Zhigao began to condemn, a look of satisfaction flashed in Yan Shaoting's eyes.

However, Gao Gong was greatly shocked.

But the voice of Chen Ju, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department, also reached his ears.

Chen Ju raised his eyebrows, swept his eyes across the room, and said loudly: "Minister Guo and Minister Wang are fair! Now that His Majesty is ill, the court needs steady people like you two. When I return to the palace to report to His Majesty, I will report today's events truthfully to His Majesty."

Chen Ju never mentioned Lu Shusheng and other upright officials, nor did he promote Gong, the Prime Minister.

But Gao Gong was almost injured from anger.

Chen Ju's words can be said to be extremely sarcastic.

Guo Pu and Wang Zhigao were fair, so does that mean Gao Gong was unfair?

But nowadays, the situation is stronger than people.

Gao Gong could only snort coldly, and turned back to look at Lu Shusheng and others with cold eyes: "Since both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice have made their opinions, they are fair and just. Now that the palace is in turmoil, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and others have failed to understand the emperor's will and fail to observe state affairs. They should be severely punished according to the law."

After saying this, Gao Gong waved his sleeves, turned his head sideways, unwilling to look at Lu Shusheng and the others anymore.

After hearing what Gao Gong said.

Yan Shaoting immediately bowed to him with a smile on his face: "Prime Minister, since the cabinet and the six ministries have reached a conclusion, let's ask the East Factory to arrest those who are interfering with the court and hindering the government."

After saying this, he looked at Chen Ju and Lu Yi without waiting for Gao Gong to say anything.

The two men nodded at the same time and gave orders to their respective Dongchang guards and Jinyiwei riders.

As soon as they received the order, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who were like ferocious minions, rushed into the crowd like wolves and tigers, and arrested Lu Shusheng and others. They did not allow these people to beg for mercy, cry, or curse. Regardless of age, they gagged them all and dragged them out of the Meridian Gate.

This commotion made the remaining civil and military officials in front of the Meridian Gate panic-stricken. They felt as if they were seeing enemies everywhere, and they all lowered their heads and kept a distance from the front.

Wait until Lu Shusheng and others were all taken away.

Only then did Yan Shaoting look at Gao Gong again with a deep expression.

He said, "Since these minor matters have been dealt with, and His Majesty has ordered it, we can now take advantage of the fact that all the civil and military officials in the court are here to finalize all the matters in and outside the capital. This way, we can avoid being alienated from state affairs. All the ministers will be informed of military and state affairs, so as to fully support the country with one heart and one mind."

This is what today should mean.

Just now, Gao Gong was forced to speak out and express his position. Taking down Lu Shusheng and other upright officials in the court was just a side job.

Gao Gong became increasingly unhappy.

In his eyes, Yan Shaoting's words and actions now seemed to show that he really regarded himself as the Grand Secretary of the Huangji Palace and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

That's why he didn't say anything.

Instead, Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian spoke up to second the motion.

Guo Pu, Wang Zhigao, Yang Bo and others from the six ministries also agreed.

Things quickly moved on to the next item.

At this time, Yan Shaoting looked down at the little brat Zhu Yijun beside him, and then looked up at Chen Ju: "Your Majesty is ill now and cannot participate in state affairs. Although the Crown Prince has no power to supervise the country before, in order to prevent the separation of the inside and the outside, and the ministers ruling alone, please ask Eunuch Chen to order people to move tables and chairs, and respectfully invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to take the seat and observe the government from the sidelines, to show the loyalty of the ministers and the emperor."

When Chen Ju heard this, he immediately arranged for someone to get tables and chairs.

Feng Bao, who was standing by and now commanded the Imperial Stables and the Tengxiang Four Guards, had his eyes widened.

I seem to have learned something real.

However, the civil and military officials in front of the Meridian Gate fell silent again, their thoughts in disarray.

Let the crown prince, who had no imperial decree to govern the country, take the throne and observe government affairs from the sidelines.

This is unprecedented.

But by doing this, Yan Shaoting seemed to be silently responding to the accusations made against him by Lu Shusheng and others.

You say that I stole the country and held the power, but even though I hold the power now, I still let the prince observe the whole process of government from the sidelines. Right and wrong, justice is in the hearts of the people.

Not long after.

Palace servants have already brought in tables and chairs.

In front of everyone, under the gaze of everyone, Yan Shaoting took Zhu Yijun's hand, looked at the nervous look on the little brat's face, smiled, and whispered: "Your Highness, do you remember what I said in the academy before?"

Zhu Yijun nodded, then shook his head.

He felt that the master seemed to be doing something that was not quite in line with the rules, but it seemed very important and the master had to do it.

Yan Shaoting smiled and pulled Zhu Yijun to the chair that had been set up. "A king is not born naturally. Even if he is naturally intelligent, he still needs to be diligent and watch the people. He needs to know the people and supervise the officials before he can accomplish things. If everyone knows, then everyone will be in control. When orders are issued from one place, everything will move forward."

He didn't care whether the little brat could understand these things now, but he had already made it clear what he wanted to express to Gao Gong and others present.

He had no intention of stealing the country.

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting gently pressed the little kid onto the chair.

"Your Highness, please watch and listen carefully. If there is anything you don't understand, I will explain it to you in person later."

Another reminder.

Yan Shaoting finally stood beside Zhu Yijun who was already sitting in a chair.

However, this scene made everyone in front of the Meridian Gate have complicated expressions.

The emperor was ill, the crown prince was observing the government, and Yan Shaoting stood beside the crown prince.

The meaning is already obvious.

Gao Gong's heart was bleeding.

"Everyone, today's court and today's Ming Dynasty are already prosperous. I believe that this is all due to your hard work and diligence in the court."

After standing still, Yan Shaoting finally spoke.

The sound is loud.

In addition, there are towering palace walls on both sides of the Meridian Gate, so the sound can be heard far and wide, reaching everyone's ears.

As soon as these words were spoken, the officials who were originally uneasy about the punishment of Lu Shusheng and others were instantly relieved, and many of them even smiled.

Look at what the young master said.

We all have contributions!

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Although I have been away from the court for four years due to an old injury from the war, I have long heard that the court's policies are in effect, all for the benefit of the country and the people. I am ashamed to be on the sidelines of the emperor's salary. Please accept my greetings, my noble friends."

The words are spoken.

He then bowed with a solemn posture and clasped his fists.

All the officials at the scene were shocked.

Everyone looked surprised, and then hurriedly bowed in return.

learnt!
learnt!
Feng Bao, who was present, widened his eyes and felt his breathing quicken.

Looking at Gao Gong, he felt that something was moving away from him quickly.

However, Zhao Zhenji, Hu Zongxian and others had smiles on their faces.

Even though Yan Shaoting had been away from the court for four years, he returned today and won over all the court officials with just a few words.

This level of skill was something he didn't have four years ago.

Then think back to the brutal attack on Lu Shusheng just now.

It can be said that he prioritized everything and handled everything calmly and without any rush.

And he thought of the good things of the officials in the court.

Yan Shaoting, however, had already restrained his expression, clasped his fists and bowed in the direction of the West Garden, and said in a deep voice: "Today, I have been ordered by Your Majesty to handle state affairs and participate in the cabinet. The emperor has shown such grace, and I have no choice but to fulfill my duty. From today on, I will also work with the cabinet to pacify the country and share the prosperity."

After saying this, he quickly glanced at Gao Gong.

By saying this, I guess I am giving Old Gao some face.

Otherwise, with his current control over the military power inside and outside the capital, he could easily take control of the government.

Gao Gong, however, had an unclear expression and remained silent.

Yan Shaoting continued, "Now the new policy of Jialong has reached a critical point. The two capitals and 13 provinces are in a state of uproar over the land survey and the cleanup of the army. There are also noisy voices of resistance to matters that benefit the country and the people. The court must be aware of it, and all officials must be prepared. There is a change in the palace at present. In order to prevent the old incidents during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu from recurring, I, under the order of the emperor, hold the seal of the 24 gates of the capital and issue orders to the officials. From now on, I order the Marquis of Zhenyuan and the Governor-General of the Military Affairs of the Beijing Camp, Mr. Gu, to lead troops to garrison outside the city gates, and join the Five Cities Military and Horse Department to strictly guard the city gates. No one is allowed to leave without permission. All goods entering and leaving must be checked. All merchants and civilians going to Jizhen, Xuanfu, Datong and other border areas are prohibited. Only the money and grain of the court are escorted by the official army and supervised by the Jinyiwei."

Longqing has not much time left, so we must be on high alert for any news from the capital and not let those wolves outside the Great Wall get to know the news.

This is also what it should be.

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting glanced around and saw that no one objected, so he continued speaking.

"When the imperial court recruits people, all officials in the capital are not allowed to work unless they are sick or in mourning. They must report to the court on time. Anyone who does not comply will be dismissed and punished according to the law of performance."

"Send a letter to the royal family and vassal states to supervise their actions. They must abide by the law and not leave the royal city without permission. If there are officials in the royal city, they should report any disrespect to the central government."

"From now on, all the troops and horses in and outside the capital with more than 50 men must be dispatched by the Cabinet, the Ministry of War, and the Five Military Commands. Anyone who dares to dispatch them without authorization will be executed for plotting!"

"Issue the local military commanders and the garrisons. Apart from farming, all troops should focus on training. Anyone who dares to leave the camp without permission will be executed! Anyone who dares to use soldiers without permission will be executed!"

"I will inform the governor of Shuntian Prefecture that anyone who leaks information inside or outside the capital will be arrested, imprisoned, and charged. Anyone who dares to spread the information outside the border will be executed!"

"Know that any official in the six ministries and five temples in the capital who makes irresponsible remarks about the emperor or the inner court, or who speaks of the foundation of the country, will be punished and sent to prison!"

One decree after another came out of Yan Shaoting's mouth.

The atmosphere in front of the Meridian Gate was solemn.

All officials felt the pressure on their shoulders was getting heavier and heavier.

The officials, who had not thought too much about it at first, finally figured something out.

If only the emperor was sick, Yan Shaoting would only need to impose a strict ban on the capital.

But now, not only is the capital city under strict restrictions, but even the royal family and the garrisons throughout the country are under control. This can only mean that the emperor may not have much time left.

Yan Shaoting's decree almost put the entire empire in his hands.

This……

Then look at Yan Shaoting who is standing and the prince who is sitting beside him.

Ripples of emotion appeared in the hearts of all the officials.

However, after Yan Shaoting finished explaining all the current arrangements, he glanced sideways at Gao Gong.

"What do you think, Yuanfu and other ministers, is this arrangement appropriate? Is there anything that needs to be filled?"

Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian naturally had nothing to say.

Gao Yi looked at Gao Gong.

Gao Gong's heart was filled with turmoil.

In the end, he couldn't find the mistakes Yan Shaoting mentioned, so he could only point them out and whispered tiredly, "There's nothing wrong."

Yan Shaoting smiled slightly.

He turned to look at the officials present.

Since a long time ago, these people have often said that the Yan family is ruled by powerful officials.

Not long ago, Lu Shusheng and others also clamored that they wanted to steal the country.

now.

I'll let them see what a fucking powerful official is.

He immediately turned around and looked at Zhu Yijun who was sitting on the chair.

Then he smiled and said, "In that case, all departments and offices shall follow your orders."

Everyone bowed in unison to show that they accepted the order.

At this moment.

Yan Shaoting coughed lightly again and cleared his throat.

"The above matters have been completed without error."

"Please discuss another matter with me."

…………

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(End of this chapter)