Chapter 625: Eliminating the New and the Old [Epilogue 1]

The child's voice ended with the two words "Qinci".

Xu Yuanchun put away the official report she brought from the instructor of the provincial school after school and placed it on the desk next to her grandfather.

He looked at his grandfather lying on a rattan chair under the porch in the courtyard, and could not help but think of his old home in Jiangnan.

Xu Jie, lying on the rattan chair, looked at the sky with layers of clouds with a long gaze.

The past scenes seemed to be replayed in this white sky.

That was his brilliant life.

This is how he rose step by step from the son of a minor official to the position of Deputy Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet.

In those pictures, there are the voices of his classmates reciting to him when he was in school, the cheers of his relatives and friends in his hometown when he just passed the imperial examination, and the splendor of Beijing when he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. There is also the increasing number of compliments from his own side as he rose step by step in the court.

Finally, one day.

In the Golden Palace, the ministers were making impeachments, and the emperor delivered his holy words.

he.

A lifetime of hard work in the Ming Dynasty officialdom is over.

Xu Yuanchun looked at his grandfather with some confusion, feeling that his grandfather was a little different today.

"grandfather……"

The call of his grandson pulled Xu Jie back from his memories of the past, and a trace of regret appeared on his face.

"Yuanchun."

Xu Jie glanced at his grandson.

The regret in his eyes grew stronger.

He had three sons in his life, but the eldest son was the most knowledgeable, but he died while serving as the prefect of Shuntian.

now.

This grandson was also diligent in study and was even better than his father.

Many times, I can even see my past in this grandson.

pity.

The nine members of the Xu family cannot hold official positions for three generations.

This meant that his grandson would never be able to pass the imperial examination and become an official in his lifetime.

When he grows up and faces the hardships of reality, his knowledge will certainly be wasted.

Then, among the next generation of the Xu family, there will probably be few people who are capable of studying and learning.

Maybe I should have bowed my head?

Xu Jie felt a sense of regret for no reason.

Xu Yuanchun asked curiously, "Grandfather, when can we go back home?"

In Xu Yuanchun's view, Leizhou Prefecture is not his hometown, and this house outside the city is not his home either.

Xu Jie opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain.

Xu Yuanchun looked at his grandfather's reaction and smiled. "Grandfather, did you hear the court report just now? My classmates in the prefectural school said that the court was a bit too much, but on the way back, I saw some soldiers announcing it in the village. The villagers were very happy, and many of them started crying while laughing. I couldn't hear it clearly from a distance, but when I got closer, I realized that they were saying that the court and the emperor were good."

Xu Jie was stunned for a moment.

He wanted to glance sideways and reach out to pick up the official newspaper that his grandson had placed on the table beside him, but suddenly found that he could not move.

Xu Jie's face showed a panic, and he opened his mouth and said, "Take it... take it for grandfather."

Xu Yuanchun took a look, stepped forward respectfully, and handed the report to his grandfather.

Xu Jie's face flushed slightly as he raised his head and looked down at the official report in his hand.

Xu Yuanchun was standing by and gently fanning his grandfather.

There are many things recorded in the court bulletin.

There are various decrees recently issued by the court, the transfer and promotion of central and local officials, and also the most important imperial edicts printed on it.

Xu Jie read it at a glance.

There were waves in his eyes.

"A new dynasty uses new methods?"

"The news spread throughout the world..."

Xu Jie murmured in a low voice.

His chest rose and fell slightly.

Xu Jie was silent for a long time and let out a long sigh.

"I lost completely..."

"They are really going to be asked to carry out the reform..."

"political reform……?"

"..."

At the turn of summer and autumn, the remaining heat is scorching.

The autumn breeze blows gently, bringing with it the salty smell of the sea water of Leizhou Bay.

The last few summer cicadas on the branches gave their final chirps, protesting the departure of summer in dissatisfaction, but they could not catch it no matter what, and could only let the seasons pass by and gradually enter deep autumn.

Ding.

His arm drooped limply, carrying the official report with it, and fell to the ground.

Xu Yuanchun was stunned.

He stepped forward hesitantly and called softly, "Grandfather?"

There was no response.

Xu Yuanchun's face showed timidity and uneasiness. He reached out and pushed Xu Jie's shoulder: "Grandfather!"

Still no answer.

at last.

The child understood what was happening.

There was a bang.

The child's legs went limp and he fell heavily to his knees on the ground.

The howling sounded immediately.

……

Outside the Cabinet compound.

The crowd was crowded and bustling, and everyone had a genuine joy on their face.

Feng Bao, leading a group of eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department, looked at the central government officials headed by Gao Gong, the chief minister of the cabinet, with extremely strict rules.

Feng Bao also had a smile on his face and stretched out his hand to take an imperial edict.

"Prime Minister."

Gao Gong was also beaming with glory. He first looked at his colleagues around him, then took a step forward amid their congratulatory gazes: "Thank you, Eunuch Feng."

Feng Bao nodded, spread out the imperial edict, and coughed lightly.

Today is a big day.

It's a good day.

The Ming Dynasty was a rare dynasty in which central power was able to be smoothly transferred, and this is something that will go down in history books.

Feng Bao began to recall the contents of the imperial edict, making sure that he would not interrupt his reading.

Then he began to read it in a majestic voice.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and Zhi said:"

"I have inherited the Baoli era and have made great achievements in the imperial throne. Only ministers who are close to me are the tools of the country. Gao Gong, the former Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace, is loyal and bright, and has excellent economic talents. He assisted the previous emperor in the palace and proposed ten things to consolidate the foundation of the country. Later, he was at the center of the Longqing period and formulated three strategies to calm the border. Although he was slandered from time to time, he did not change his mind and still submitted "Six Essentials for Border Defense" to express his sincerity."

"Today I specially promote you to the rank of Earl Shunyi, grant you a dragon robe and jade belt, and increase your annual salary by 800 dan of rice, as a token of my special favor."

"The imperial edict says: I grant you a residence outside Xi'an Gate, and I order the Ministry of Works to build a mansion for the Earl on fifty acres of auspicious land in Shunyi. In the front hall hang a plaque with the words 'Harmonizing Yin and Yang' written by me, and in the back garden, set up a 'Pavilion for Border Planning' to store the 'Nine Border Maps' you presented. I also allow you to set up a screen wall and a halberd stand in the style of a prince, but I will remove the lions and beasts to show the difference between the monarch and his subjects."

"The imperial edict for asking questions on government affairs says: I will follow the example of Empress Dowager Xuanren and grant her a royal horse in the Forbidden City and a seat in the Wenhua Palace. For all meetings of the Nine Ministers, urgent matters in the border garrisons, and the imperial examinations, the Imperial Household Department will submit a summary to the Bo's Mansion every day. On the first and fifteenth day of each month, I will go directly to the emperor's presence, following the example of Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty asking questions of government affairs in the painting studio with Huo Guang."

"The imperial edict says: Your eldest son Gao Wuguan was promoted to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and your eldest grandson Gao Chengzong inherited the title of a thousand-householder of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and studied at the Imperial Academy. Your native place, Xinzheng County in Henan, was exempted from taxation for three years. You set up three memorial archways in Gaolaozhuang Village: "Your Career is Great and Prominent", "Your Ethics is Great", and "Your Aid to the Country is a Good Minister". I order the Imperial Academy to write a stele to commemorate your achievements."

"In the past, Zhang Liang was granted the title of Marquis of Liu after receiving the shoe, and Xie An was promoted to Grand Tutor after playing chess. Today, I treat you with much more kindness than in previous dynasties. I only hope that the people of the world will follow your example, be as cautious as Xiao He, hold the integrity of Wei Zheng, embrace the world day and night, and forever consolidate the foundation of the country."

"The announcement will be made to the whole world so that everyone will know about it."

"Your Majesty!" Gao Gong, who was kneeling on the ground to receive the imperial edict, was moved when he got the imperial edict that brought great glory to himself and the Gao family.

Gao Gong turned his head and looked at Yan Shaoting behind him.

This guy really gave me a decent retirement without any compromise.

At this time, Feng Bao walked forward with a smile, bent down and stretched out his hand to help Gao Gong up.

"Grandmaster, His Majesty remembers your hard work over the years and has bestowed upon you this special honor. However, this does not mean that you are to return home to enjoy your retirement. If the court needs you, you will still have to contribute more to His Majesty and set an example for the civil and military officials of the world."

Gao Gong tightly grasped the imperial edict and nodded: "Your Majesty is so gracious, how dare this old minister slack off? I will serve the Holy Dynasty until my death."

Feng Bao nodded, then smiled and said, "Before I came to deliver the decree today, His Majesty also said that after leaving the court today, he would give a banquet to the Grand Tutor and the Cabinet, and tour the West Garden at night. The Grand Tutor does not need to rush out of the palace, even if it is late, he can stay in the West Garden."

This is another grace.

After retirement, he was granted a banquet by the emperor and the privilege of a night tour of the Western Garden.

Gao Gong no longer knew how to express his feelings.

No matter what he thought, even if he was greedy for power and didn't want to leave the court, when power was dispersed in the future, he might not receive such overwhelming grace as today.

At this time, Yan Shaoting also came forward with Zhao Zhenji, Gao Yi and others.

"Qi Jiguang and his men are planning to once again sweep the grasslands once the situation in the country stabilizes in the next few years. Military operations will be carried out in Jizhen, Xuanda and other places. The court still cannot do without the prime minister."

Gao Gong noticed the words Yan Shaoting used, his eyes sparkled, but he said quietly: "How can the state's affairs and personnel be corrupt? Now that I have been honored to leave the court, it is time for you to take on the responsibility of the central government."

Although 100% to 20% of them received retirement benefits.

But the Prime Minister still has some tsundereness.

Yan Shaoting curled his lips.

I originally thought that this old man was a very particular person.

Now that I've just retired, I'm starting to become less of a human being.

The people around looked at Gao Gong and Yan Shaoting with smiles.

On the other side, Feng Bao coughed lightly and looked at Yan Shaoting.

Everyone understood it instantly.

Gao Gong represented the former Prime Minister and he had retired, but someone still had to take the position of Prime Minister and someone still had to take charge of state affairs.

Yan Shaoting was not timid or ashamed.

He knelt down in front of everyone.

Since it was an imperial decree, everyone could only kneel down on the ground together.

Feng Bao raised his hand, and another imperial edict was delivered to him.

At this time, Feng Bao's smile became even wider.

The imperial edict was announced to Gao Gong, as he had retired. A good attitude was a way of showing respect to a retired official.

But Yan Shaoting is an important official who holds great power.

Don't be slow.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

Feng Bao recited for a long time, and the scene immediately became quiet.

"I have observed that since the Three Dynasties, the rise and fall of a country has depended on the prime minister. In the past, Duke Zhou spit out food to feed his guests and the people were loyal to him; Kong Ming established a government and the Han Dynasty was revived. Now we have Yan Shaoting, the Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Palace. He is as magnanimous as Xie Anshi and as far-sighted as Wang Jinglue. Since he entered the court, he has cleaned up the salt administration and filled the treasury, opened up the sea route and made the public treasury sufficient, reorganized the military and stabilized the nine frontiers. All these merits have benefited the people. Such achievements are no more than those of Xiao He who pacified Guanzhong and Yao Chong who governed the source of income."

Outside the Cabinet compound.

Silence and peace.

Only the sound of Feng Bao's imperial decree continued uninterrupted.

The beginning of this imperial edict elevated Yan Shaoting's merits and abilities to the level of ancient wise ministers.

Then Feng Bao's voice sank.

"I am hereby promoted: I am granted the title of Special Advancement and Honorary Official, Right Pillar of the State, and I am in charge of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, and the Six Ministries. I am above the princes in the court. I am also granted the title of Minister of Personnel and concurrently in charge of the Five Military Commandery. The selection of civil and military officials and the dispatch of troops are all from you and the Cabinet. I am granted a red-lettered iron certificate, and I am ordered to build the 'Xieyuanfang' at Dong'an Gate, with the nine-bay and three-entry structure. I am also granted the gold medal of 'As if I were here in person', and in case of military and national emergencies, I can issue a written order first and then report to the emperor."

However, although.

Everyone present knew that after Gao Gong retired, Yan Shaoting took charge of the government.

Everyone was also prepared for Yan Shaoting to take charge of the central power.

But he never expected that the emperor would give him such great power.

Not to mention that the Wensan rank and Wenxun ranks had reached the first rank, let alone such empty titles as the court meeting ranks.

He was appointed as the Minister of Personnel and concurrently in charge of the Five Military Commandery, which put all the power to select civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty in Yan Shaoting's hands!

Not to mention that I have been granted a golden medal as if I were here in person, so that I can make decisions first and report later.

This Emperor's Trust...

It is truly a fate that only Liu Chan and Zhuge Wuhou in the late Eastern Han Dynasty could have!
However, the imperial edict did not end here. Feng Bao was still reading the imperial edict, and everyone was not in a position to discuss anything.

"The reform edict says: I follow the example of King Cheng of Zhou entrusting the government to Duke Zhou, and follow the example of Duke Xiao of Qin bestowing the sword on Shang Yang. In all matters concerning the review of laws and regulations, tax reforms, and the replacement of garrisons, if the Nine Ministers and the Ministry of Justice have any objections, you may bring the Great Edict of Emperor Taizu and punish them in court. I will follow the example of the old Political Affairs Hall of the Tang Dynasty and set up a 'Dingxin Hall' in the Cabinet. From now on, all officials below the fourth rank and nobles below the super rank will be directly approved and punished. Selected military officials will be on duty to prepare for questioning by the central cabinet."

"The military and political edict says: Approve what you have suggested, recruit border talents to supervise the garrisons throughout the country. Jiliao, Xuanda, Shanxi and Shaanxi are all under your control, and can mobilize troops from all over the country in case of enemy alarm. Also, imitate the six-point edict of Yuwen Tai, and approve the issuance of the "Twelve Suggestions on Qing Army Reform" to all garrisons throughout the country. Anyone who dares to say that "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed" will be arrested by the Jinyiwei and brought to the capital."

"Alas!"

"Zhuge Wuhou's "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" says: 'Since I received the order, I have been worried day and night.' You should understand my heart. From now on, all memorials in the outer court and notices posted in the inner court should use the small title of Wanli Reform to show the intention of reform. If anyone dares to undermine the reform, follow the old system of Taizu and peel the daylily and hang it on the gate of Chang'an. Announce it far and wide, and urge everyone to reform!"

"Appreciate this."

at last.

Feng Bao finished announcing the decree.

Everyone looked puzzled.

Zhang Juzheng and others let out a breath of foul air silently.

really!

The young emperor regards himself as Liu Chan and Yan Shaoting as Zhuge Wuhou!
However, Feng Bao was quicker in helping Yan Shaoting up.

In the eyes of everyone.

Feng Bao first glanced at everyone, and then looked at Yan Shaoting.

"Prime Minister."

"Originally, His Majesty wanted to approve the edict drafted by the Imperial Household Department, but a few days ago, His Majesty thought about it and felt that the edict drafted by our group of Imperial Household Department was not very good, so he asked us to bring people to look through the pile of old books."

"This decree was thought out word for word by His Majesty himself."

"A lot of ink was wasted."

After saying this, he glanced at the people around him again before stuffing the imperial edict into Yan Shaoting's hands.

Everyone was stunned again.

But Yan Shaoting looked surprised.

Then his eyes tightened.

No wonder that boy has been doing his schoolwork so sloppily lately.

I thought it was because there was too much homework and the kid was tired of studying.

I didn't expect that he was secretly preparing the imperial edict behind my back.

However, after Feng Bao's explanation, everyone present understood that this imperial edict, which almost entrusted the entire Ming Dynasty to Yan Shaoting, did not have any secret support behind it.

Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The emperor trusts him and entrusts him with important tasks, and entrusts the country to him, so it is not scary to have a powerful minister.

If Yan Shaoting, as a minister, wanted to be a powerful official, that would be a problem.

Yan Shaoting also understood what was happening, and immediately turned around with the imperial edict in his hand and looked at everyone.

A smile appeared on his face.

"Although your majesty has entrusted the affairs of state to me, if you are not at the center, I am afraid that state affairs will not go smoothly and the new government will not be stable."

"Although there will be many new laws and decrees from now on, you will still have to work hard. Let's work together to achieve prosperity."

This is now open.

Yan Shaoting did not want to be a powerful official, but people in the central government also had to cooperate with the new policy reforms.

Everyone looked a little more relaxed.

"Only the Prime Minister can give orders."

…………

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(End of this chapter)