Zhu Hengjia's small court controlled more and more territory, and the number of bachelors in the cabinet also increased, reaching seven.
Zhu Hengjia thought, he must rank them to avoid chaos.
Normally, the Ming Dynasty had its own rules for ranking bachelors, and it was easy to arrange. But in practice, Zhu Hengjia was worried.
It’s a long story,
After Taizu killed Hu Weiyong and abolished the position of prime minister, the Ming Dynasty no longer had a prime minister. At first, the academicians were just like the emperor's secretaries. Later, slowly, they became more and more powerful, participating in confidential matters and drafting edicts.
Order, comment and answer memorials on behalf of the emperor, and actually control the power of the prime minister, called "auxiliary minister".
These bachelors are all ranked when they go to office. The first-ranked chief bachelor is called "Shou Fu", also known as "Shou Kui" and "Yuan Fu"; the second-ranked chief bachelor is called "Second Fu".<
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In the early years of Jiajing, Longqing and Wanli dynasties, the boundaries between the first assistant and the second assistant were strict. The first assistant had the most power and presided over the cabinet affairs, especially the power of voting, and the second assistant did not dare to compete with it.
In the middle and late Wanli Dynasty, Emperor Wanli did not want a second powerful prime minister Zhang Juzheng to appear in the Ming Dynasty. He was very powerful and weakened the power of the first and second assistants, allowing the first and second assistants to restrain each other in the cabinet, so that his imperial power would be permanent.
So, how are these bachelors ranked? Four rules:
First look at the official addition
Although the academicians are equivalent to prime ministers, their ranks are not high. Taizu stipulated that no matter what the pavilion or the palace, the academicians should be of the fifth rank.
The question arises: bachelors have small ranks but great power. How can the fifth-rank officials subdue the local officials of the first, second, third, and fourth ranks?
It’s easy to handle, add officers to the bachelor’s degree.
Generally, the first rank of left and right pillars will be increased, and the first rank of Zhuguo and other honorary titles will be increased; for those who are more advanced, the first rank of three male (grand master, Taifu, Taibao) will be increased, and the first rank of three orphans (young master, young master, and Shaobao) will be promoted.
Such false positions.
For example, Zhang Juzheng, a great scholar of the Wanli Dynasty, was so good that he was promoted to the Grand Master among the Three Dukes.
Everyone, don't mess around. Line up and compare the size of the official positions you have added. I am from the first-rank Zhuguo Kingdom; you are from the first-rank Youzhuguo. If the official you add is a big one, stand in the front; if I add a small official, stand behind.<
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Look at the palace again
What should we do if two bachelors have exactly the same official qualifications, for example, they are both from the first-grade Zhu Kingdom?
It’s easy to handle, let’s look at the palace.
The Ming Dynasty academics were divided into four halls, two pavilions and six levels.
The palace is not a formal official position, but more of a qualification. From low to high: Dongge - Wenyuan Pavilion - Wuying Hall - Wenhua Hall - Jianji Hall (formerly Jinshen Hall) -
Zhongji Hall (originally Huagai Hall).
When a newcomer enters the cabinet, he is usually promoted to the Grand Bachelor of Dongge Palace first. After a few years of work, when he gets older, he is promoted to the Grand Bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion. After a few more years, he is promoted to the Grand Bachelor of Wuying Palace. After that, he is promoted to the Grand Bachelor of Wenhua Palace.
The last two poles: Jianji Hall and Zhongji Hall. Generally, it is difficult to live to such an old age, so they are reserved for the purpose of granting titles after death. For example, in history, when Du Yinxi, the great scholar of Dongge, died, Emperor Yongli granted him the title of Zhongji Hall.
Scholar.
Grand bachelors with the same official rank should not be confused. Everyone should line up according to the palace. I am a bachelor of Dongge, and you are a bachelor of Wuyingdian. You stand in the front, and I stand in the back.
Secondly, look at the order of appointment
If everyone has the same official rank, for example, both of them are first-grade Dongge bachelors, how should they be ranked?
Easy to handle, arranged in order of appointment.
You are the first to be promoted to a first-grade official, or you are the first to be granted the title of Grand Bachelor of Dongge University. You move forward and I stand behind.
Again, look at the order of listing
If everyone has the same official title and even the same tenure, for example, if two people hold the title of Zhengyipin Dongge Grand Bachelor at the same time, how should they be arranged?
It’s easy to handle, just look at the order of listing.
Your Majesty the Emperor, listen to the opinions of the ministers and list your names. Those at the front of the list should stand in the front, and those with the last name should stand at the back.
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According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, the cabinet of Zhu Hengjia's small court was well arranged, clear, clear, and clear at a glance.
The seven cabinet members are as follows:
He Tengjiao, a first-grade Taibao, a bachelor of Wuying Palace
Guan Shou Zhen, from Yipin Zhuguo, Dongge University Bachelor
Sun Jinding, from Yipin Zhuguo, Bachelor of Dongge University
Du Yinxi, from Yipin Zhuguo, Bachelor of Dongge University
He Wuzuo, the second-grade Zhengzhi Shangqing, a bachelor of Dongge University
Su Guansheng, the second-ranking official of the Zhengzhi Shangqing, and the bachelor of Dongge University
Zeng Daowei, the second-grade Zhengzhi Shangqing, a bachelor of Dongge University
Let’s first look at the official additions. Zhu Hengjia’s chief minister in the cabinet is well-deserved to be the first-grade Taibao, Mr. He Tengjiao He.
Zhu Hengjia also wanted to transfer He Tengjiao from Huguang to Guilin. Although He Tengjiao was a man of integrity and refused to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, he was selfish and lusty for power. He suppressed Li Chuang's old "loyalty camp" who was capable of fighting at every turn.
He recruited a large number of local military leaders for his own use. These military leaders were good at separatist rule and could not fight. They turned around and fled when they saw the Qing army. Historically, the Ming Dynasty lost Huguang, and He Tengjiao had to bear the main responsibility.
Zhu Hengjia wrote an emotional and touching letter to He Tengjiao. The main idea of the letter is: Bachelor He, your virtue moves God; your talent is admired by the whole world. As the chief minister of the lonely cabinet, only you are qualified.
Take responsibility. So please come to Guilin from Hengzhou to assist the orphan. We, the monarch and the minister, will work together to create a good story of recreating the Ming Dynasty.
The problem is that He Tengjiao has already regarded Huguang as his own private territory. When Emperor Longwu wanted to go to Jiangxi and asked him to send troops to escort him, he refused to send troops for fear that Emperor Longwu would be too close to him after he went to Jiangxi, which would affect his ability to exercise power in Huguang.
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It was a bit difficult for Zhu Hengjia to transfer such a governor who only wanted to be a local emperor in Huguang to Guilin!
He Tengjiao's reply came, equally affectionate and touching: Your Highness, I also want to come to Guilin and be your chief assistant. But the Tartars won't let me! Those three traitor kings of the Tartars are coming to attack Hunan.
I really can’t live without Huguang.
Zhu Hengjia did not give up, and wrote another letter to persuade him: You come to Guilin to be the first assistant, and I will let Du Yinxi take charge of the Huguang affairs.
He Tengjiao wrote back: The troops in Huguang are all the old troops of the minister. Du Yinxi is not familiar with the situation and cannot bear this heavy responsibility. It must be the minister.
Zhu Hengjia wrote again: If you don’t come to Guilin, who will be the chief minister of the cabinet?
He Tengjiao responded very coquettishly, not only expressing his eagerness to be the chief auxiliary and serving Zhu Hengjia, but also emphasizing again that the Tartar troops were pressing down on the territory and that he could not leave Huguang for a moment.
Zhu Hengjia thought about it carefully and came to his senses. This guy wanted to be the chief minister of the cabinet, but he was also reluctant to part with his Huguang territory. He wanted Zhu Hengjia to make him the chief minister of the cabinet and stay in Huguang to preside over military and political power.
How can this be done? The reason why I let you come to Guilin as the chief auxiliary is because Gu Xiang sent people to reorganize your army in Huguang. Huguang was in chaos and suffered an army of 200,000 people. It would not be effective in your hands, but in my own hands,
It will definitely become the mainstay in defending the country.
I want to separate one side from another, but also want to be the chief auxiliary. How can such a good thing be possible?
Emperor Longwu has no soldiers, money, or food. He leaves you alone with soldiers, money, and food. I can't get used to your bad habits.
Since you are unwilling to leave Huguang, well, don’t even think about it, the chief minister of the cabinet, and let someone else do it.
The remaining three bachelors, Du Yinxi, who had been promoted to the first rank of the imperial examination, wanted to keep him in Huguang to check and balance He Tengjiao.
, Dongge University Bachelor, they served for exactly the same time. I can only rank them in order.
Who should be appointed as the first assistant?
Guan Shouzhen has strong administrative ability and high prestige, but his ability to flatter is not as good as that of Sun Jinding. Sun Jinding is not as capable as Guan Shouzhen, but he is good at flattering and is more considerate to himself.
Now that there is a big enemy, it is better to choose someone with strong abilities as the first assistant.
Therefore, Zhu Hengjia was promoted to Guan Shouzhen, the first rank of Zuozhuguo, and the bachelor of Wenyuange, temporarily acting as the first assistant of the cabinet; he was promoted to Sun Jinding, the first rank of Youzhuguo, the bachelor of Wenyuange, and temporarily the second assistant of the cabinet;
He was promoted to Dr. Ronglu of the first rank, Grand Bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion; promoted to He Wuzhi, Su Guansheng, and Zeng Daowei from the first rank of Zhuguo; Zheng Feng was also added to the cabinet, promoted to the second rank of Zhengzhi Shangqing, and Bachelor of Dongge.
The reason why Guan Shouzhen was temporarily appointed as the first assistant was because he was afraid that He Tengjiao would be unhappy. Using the word "generation" would make Mr. He feel better. Zhu Hengjia also rewarded He Tengjiao with a python suit to show his favor.
After Guan Shouzhen became the chief minister, Sun Jinding was a little unconvinced and complained secretly to others and poured out bad news.
Zhu Hengjia was secretly happy: The way of the emperor lies in checks and balances. There are some minor conflicts between the chief minister and the second assistant in the cabinet, so he can be a reliable supervisor. If the first assistant or second assistant can only wear a pair of trousers, he will be in danger of being ignored.
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In order to make Sun Jinding feel less sad, Zhu Hengjia also gave Sun Cifu a python suit.
This chapter has been completed!