Putting down the memorial in his hand, Zhang Min gently rubbed his forehead.
He had long expected that it would not be a simple matter for Yu Shiyue to come over in person, but he did not expect that it would be so difficult.
Wang Hong's status in the court is quite special. In terms of power and qualifications, there are many people who are better than him. However, because of his previous incident with Zuo Shunmen, his reputation among scholars is very good.
.
This puts him in an awkward position, that is, if something happens to him, a large number of people will help him speak, but few people are willing to sincerely speak for him.
For most officials, they help Wang Hong wave the flag and shout out just to show that they are also people who dare to speak out and serve the country and the people.
However, if you really have to put in any effort or pay any price to help him, then I'm sorry, the friendship is not that deep.
This point can be clearly demonstrated by what happened in Wuying Palace just now.
The cabinet can be said to be the most well-informed place in the entire imperial court. Zhang Min and Yu Shiyue are also the most senior people in the cabinet today, so they naturally know this very well.
so……
"Master Cifu, how do you think this memorial should be reported to His Majesty?"
Looking up at Yu Shiyue, Zhang Min was the first to ask.
After all, this memorial was handed into the hands of Yu Shiyue, so Zhang Min, as the chief assistant, would definitely not be able to escape. However, Yu Shiyue had to give an attitude on what to do specifically.
Yu Shiyue naturally understood this in his heart, and after thinking for a while, he said.
"The censor of Youdu is a second-rank official in the imperial court, and Wang Hong is not qualified enough."
This was not meant to belittle Wang Hong, but the truth.
To put it bluntly, the path Wang Hong has completed in the past two or three years should be a position that others could reach in more than ten or twenty years.
Now that the government is at peace, it is not like the civil war period when it might be in danger of overthrowing. Naturally, it is impossible to promote such a person to the position of the Seventh Minister for no reason.
No matter how meritorious and famous he is, he cannot violate the rules of selection in this way.
Hearing this, Zhang Min also nodded and said.
"Although Mr. Chen is ill, the Metropolitan Procuratorate still has Yu Shaobao as the right censor of the capital. Although he is not in the capital now, it may not be appropriate to promote Wang Hong to the throne again."
Therefore, in fact, there is no difference between the two people regarding the conclusion of this memorial. Wang Hong will definitely not be able to participate. The question is, what kind of reasons can be used to legitimately reject this proposal.
After all, Wang Hong has a good reputation in the court, and the person who recommended him this time was Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu. Of course, there will definitely be a large number of people in the court who oppose this proposal, but if they handle it improperly, there is no telling.
, these people will talk about them in turn.
So, one of the two people mentioned his qualifications, and the other brought Yu Qian out. The two looked at each other and reached an agreement.
Without further ado, now that they had a unified opinion, the two sent people from Zhongshushe into the palace to hand over signs to invite them.
Not long after, someone from Zhongshushe came in and reported.
"Lord, First Assistant, Second Assistant, news just came out from the palace that His Majesty has driven to Kunning Palace."
"Kunning Palace?"
Yu Shiyue was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, he realized that Wang Hong's words in Wuying Hall just now might have made the emperor very angry, and it was normal for him to return to the harem in anger.
However, since the emperor is in the harem, it seems that they will not be able to see him for a while.
Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue stopped staying at Zhang Min's place, stood up, saluted, and prepared to go back to continue handling government affairs.
However, before he could walk out the door, someone else came in to report.
"Your Majesty the First Assistant, Your Excellency the Second Assistant, Eunuch Huai'en has arrived and said he has a decree to convey."
???
Yu Shiyue turned back and glanced at Zhang Min. Both of them felt a little confused. Isn't the emperor in Kunning Palace? How could he send Wynn to deliver the order at this moment?
Frowning, he stepped out of the door, only to see Wynn already waiting in front of the door, and the other cabinet ministers had also arrived.
So, the two of them stepped forward one after another, Zhang Min said.
"Eunuch Huai'en has arrived, and I'm waiting to welcome him from afar."
"It doesn't matter. Our family is here in a hurry. We have an edict to deliver. Please accept it."
Wynn didn't talk nonsense and spoke directly.
As a result, everyone quickly fell to the ground, and then Huaien stood solemnly and said.
"I have issued an edict to Wang Hong, the Vice-Censor of the Zuo Dudu, who is naturally upright and has often been effective in admonishing and stopping. I confer on his wife, Mrs. Li, the title of a third-grade lady. It is my honor."
The content was very simple, but after listening to it, the cabinet ministers below felt confused.
What kind of charter is this?
Just now in the Wuying Palace, the emperor was so angry, why did he turn around and give Wang Hong a commendation?
You must know that imperial edicts are not easy to obtain. In addition to the regular imperial edicts granted to dukes, marquises and uncles, among civil servants, they generally have to be at the level of the second rank or above before they can be granted imperial edicts.
As for officials below the second rank, if they want to grant imperial orders to their wives, there are generally three ways.
One is a reward for having made great contributions to the country, and the other is a special honorary reward given by the court to reward the person for his hard work for the country before taking office. However, both of them are very difficult, and the former will not be mentioned.
Well, for the latter, if you want to be granted a imperial edict, you must be at least fifth grade or above.
It is not easy for an official of this level to be able to serve safely.
In addition to this, the last relatively stable way is to obtain a superior evaluation in the Ministry of Civil Service or the Great Plan. As a favor, the court will also grant you a imperial edict.
No matter which way it is, it can be summed up in one sentence: imperial edicts are the embodiment of the emperor's favor.
But this time, what kind of credit does Wang Hong deserve to receive this imperial favor?
After receiving the order, Yu Shiyue and Zhang Min looked at each other, and then Yu Shiyue stepped forward and asked.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Huai'en, the decree will be prepared and sent to the palace for seal later, but..."
At this point, Yu Shiyue stopped talking, as if he didn't know how to speak. Seeing this situation, Wynn understood what he wanted to ask, and a smile appeared on his face, Wynn said again.
"I wish you all know that the Queen Mother just issued an edict and gave Li Shuren ten husks of pearls and a jade head and face. In a few days, she will be summoned to the palace for a palace banquet to express her gratitude."
The queen?
As soon as these words came out, not only did they not solve their doubts, but they made them more doubtful. However, Wynn did not continue to say more, smiled and cupped his hands, and then left and returned to the palace.
After sending Huai En away, Yu Shiyue and Zhang Min returned to the public room. They looked at the memorial in front of them and looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment.
If there was no such decree, they would definitely have entered the palace immediately if they refused the proposal. But now that there is this decree, they don't know what the emperor is thinking in his heart.
Therefore, the two of them tacitly put down the memorial first, and then sent people to the palace to find out the news.
It didn't take long for someone to report the details, and Yu Shiyue also understood the whole story...
It turned out that after discussing matters in Wuying Hall, the emperor went to Kunning Palace in a rage. Later, when the Queen asked the emperor why he was angry, the emperor told Wang Hong what he said and said...
"This man, thanks to my reputation, will definitely be thrown into jail and held accountable if the court does not show his kindness!"
After hearing this, the queen did not follow the emperor, but stood up and knelt down and said:
"Having such a good minister is a blessing to the country. Why is Your Majesty so angry?"
Later, the emperor calmed down his anger and realized that he should not be angry. Therefore, the queen suggested that the emperor should reward Wang Hong to show his path. This was the decree before them.
Ah this...
When Yu Shiyue heard the news, he was still in Zhang Min's apartment, worrying about how to draft Chen Yi's memorial.
After listening to the report of the people below, the expressions on their faces were a bit wonderful.
Both Yu Shiyue and Zhang Min are well-read people, so they are naturally familiar with many allusions.
If nothing else, why does this story sound so familiar?
"Lord Chief Assistant, this..."
Yu Shiyue gave a wry smile and looked up at Zhang Min, only to see that the expression on the other side was exactly the same as his.
Isn't this a replica of Empress Changsun's advice to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty?
What happened again in the Ming Dynasty?
"In that case, this memorial is of great importance. How about I submit it to Your Majesty and discuss it at court?"
Looking at the memorial in his hand, Zhang Min pondered for a moment and then spoke cautiously.
Yu Shiyue thought for a moment and nodded.
It should be said that going to court to discuss this matter is simply making a fuss out of a molehill. After all, it is not like the Metropolitan Procuratorate does not have an officer in charge now. There are just such a recommendation memorial. I don’t know how many there are every day. The emperor approves it, so how can it be paid for?
It is used for discussion between the upper and lower levels.
However, these two cabinet ministers unanimously chose this method. The reason is that the emperor's thoughts are really too unpredictable now.
This imperial edict seems to be praising Wang Hong, but in many cases, matters above the court cannot just be taken at face value. For example...
Returning to his office, Yu Shiyue called over the person from Zhongshushe who came to report just now, and interrogated him in detail.
Of course, there is only one important point, and that is, how did they find out about this harem matter in such a short period of time.
The result is also very simple...
"Back to Mr. Cifu, the Empress sent many people to Mr. Wang's residence to give gifts. Several maids who left the palace told such a scene when they left the palace. Now, many people in the palace know about it.
.”
As soon as these words came out, Yu Shiyue's expression suddenly changed. He waved his hand to dismiss the man from the middle school, but his brows furrowed.
From this point of view, the emperor intended to do this. As for the purpose, I am afraid that he wanted to encourage people to speak out, but due to human feelings, he could not put down his dignity and come forward in person, so he imitated the story of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.
However, although this explanation is quite reasonable, Yu Shiyue always feels that something is wrong...
At the same time, this question also appeared in Kunning Palace.
"Your Majesty, the news has spread. I think the cabinet has got the news now. In two days, it will spread to the court. When the servants came back, several elders wanted to ask the emperor why he wanted to go down.
Regarding this edict, according to your instructions, I only said that it was the empress who persuaded me, and did not say much else."
Hearing Huaien's return, Zhu Qiyu nodded with satisfaction and said nothing more. Seeing this situation, Wang on the side couldn't help but ask.
"Your Majesty, I don't understand. If you want to reward this Lord Wang, that's all. Why do you say it was my concubine who persuaded me?"
The Wang family was not considered a small household, and naturally they were well-educated, so of course she also knew the story of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.
However, the Ming Dynasty was not the Tang Dynasty, and the Wang family knew very well that her husband was not someone who was obsessed with saving face. If what Wang Hong said was really true, the reward would be that he had to make such a big detour.
"I am not Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and Wang Hong is not Wei Zheng..."
After hearing this, Zhu Qiyu shook his head and said.
"The Ming Dynasty needs Wei Zheng, but I don't need it..."
Just as everyone guessed, Zhu Qiyu was indeed imitating Tang Taizong's story in this matter, but it was not entirely true.
After the incident at Wuying Hall, Zhu Qiyu calmed down and remembered the scene in Chen's mansion that day.
At that time, Zhu Qiyu asked how to solve the problem of speech. Chen Yi's answer to him was that you might gain something by observing the actions of the virtuous kings in the past.
Zhu Qiyu didn't react at that time, but the Wuying Palace incident made him suddenly think that Chen Yi was referring to the incident between Tang Taizong and Wei Zheng, wasn't it?
The rule of Zhenguan and the prosperous Qing Dynasty are inseparable from this pair of monarchs and ministers. Stories about them are still widely circulated in the government and the public.
Whether it was Emperor Taizong's beloved little harrier being muffled to death or Empress Changsun's advice, it has become a story that people can talk about.
So what Chen Yi wants to say is very simple, that is, if you want an environment where people dare to speak up, then either give them a relaxed environment so that they will not be punished for what they say, or create an environment like
Someone like Wei Zheng came out.
The former is obviously not what Zhu Qiyu wants. After all, the Ming Dynasty's science and technology are already arrogant enough. If they are given unlimited remonstrance rights, then what else did he bother with before?
In this case, there is only the second way left, to find a benchmark and create an atmosphere that seems to encourage speaking and doing.
Therefore, Zhu Qiyu said that the Ming Dynasty needed a "Wei Zheng", but from another aspect, it was the Ming Dynasty that needed Wei Zheng, not Zhu Qiyu himself.
This is why he insists on imitating the story of Tang Taizong and Empress Changsun.
Wei Zheng is a famous minister throughout the ages, and the reason why Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty accepted his advice was not only because he was broad-minded, but more importantly, Wei Zheng himself was knowledgeable, and most of his advice was correct.
of.
The combination of both contributed to this good story about the emperor and his ministers. However, in Zhu Qiyu's view, Wang Hong obviously could not reach the height of Wei Zheng. Although this person was upright, he was too pedantic.
If Zhu Qiyu comes forward to reward him, then a big problem arises, that is, since he has rewarded him, it is equivalent to admitting that he is right. Since it is a right suggestion, as a monarch, there is nothing he will not accept.
reason.
However, what Zhu Qiyu needed was a minister who had the name of Wei Zheng but not the actual status of Wei Zheng.
In this case, the only choice is to have the Queen come forward to 'admonish'. In this way, both parties can have a way out, and...
Zhu Qiyu looked at Mr. Wang who blinked and was obviously a little confused, but he didn't say much and just said:
