It should be said that Hu Xi, the Minister of Rites, has the least sense of existence among the six ministers and seven ministers.

He is neither as strong as Wang Wen of the Ministry of Personnel, nor as scoundrel as Shen Yi of the Ministry of Revenue, nor as daunting as Yu Qian or Chen Yi, nor as Chen Xun, who has disciples all over the government and the public.

Hey, I seem to have missed something... Forget it, it's not important anyway, continue...

In short, although this eldest uncle has profound qualifications and various honorary titles, he is far less popular in the court than others.

Even some of the affairs of the Ministry of Etiquette itself were usually not taken care of by the old man, and they were basically handed over to the two ministers.

When he went to court, he squinted his eyes most of the time, as if awake but not awake, and smiled when he saw people, like a kind and generous elder, far more like an unattainable old man.

Therefore, his old man's reaction this time indeed surprised everyone in the court.

But, soon after, they understood what the prestige of the Five Dynasty veterans was!

After Hu Xi finished speaking, the first person to stand up was Wang Ao from the cabinet. This chief minister who had been silent from beginning to end stepped into the palace and said.

"Your Majesty, I think what Hu Shangshu said is reasonable. In the eighth year of Xuande's reign, Li Shilang was promoted to Jinshi. A third-grade minister actually lacks experience in handling general affairs."

"Now that the country is stable and the court is full of talents, it is time for Li Shilang to go to Beijing to gain experience. The post of Guangxi's right chief envoy is still vacant. I recommend Li Shilang to go to Beijing to serve in Guangxi to govern the government and calm the people."

Li Xian's face suddenly turned dark.

How did he offend this chief minister, so much so that he wanted to send him to Guangxi as soon as he opened his mouth?

Of the thirteen Ming Dynasty governors, the three that were notoriously desolate were the Guangxi Chief Executive, the Guizhou Chief Executive and the Yunnan Chief Executive.

Anyone who goes to these three places will lose a layer of skin.

When it comes to personnel issues, the one that cannot be avoided must be the personnel department.

As a result, the eyes of the officials all fell on the Heavenly Official Wang Wen.

Mr. Wang's face didn't look very good at the moment. Looking at the high-sounding chief assistant, he sighed in his heart.

Bah, old man, don't think he doesn't know that there is no good thing in the cabinet even if there is one in it. Every one of them, when they get an opportunity, want to compete with the officials for power.

Li Xian should be transferred to the outside world, but where should he be transferred to the outside world? It is your turn as a cabinet minister to say?

With the same calm face, Wang Wendao strode into the palace.

"There are rules for the selection of officers. The Minister of Rites is a third-rank official, but the Chief Envoy of Guangxi is a second-rank official. Since Li Xian was transferred due to incompetence, is there any reason to promote him?"

"Currently, Guizhou is experiencing Miao chaos and peace. It is time for ministers to go to pacify the people. Therefore, according to the wishes of the Ministry of Officials, Li Xian can be appointed as the right deputy capital censor to patrol Guizhou."

Wang Wen's words were as sharp as ever, almost saying that your cabinet is too unprofessional and it's better not to get involved in this matter.

but……

Who is this unprofessional person, Mr. Tianguan?!

When did official positions in the Ming Dynasty start to be based only on rank?

In fact, if you were someone who didn't understand the official system of the Ming Dynasty, you would definitely think that Wang Ao was defending Li Xian and Wang Wen was suppressing Li Xian.

But in fact, it's just the opposite!

Although the Administrative Affairs Department is nominally the highest governing body of a province, since Xuande, the power of the Administrative Affairs Department has been greatly reduced. The main reason is that each province began to set up governors, which were originally only temporary. It was a sexual position, but later it gradually became a permanent official position.

Strictly speaking, the governor is an official dispatched by the central court. He is usually concurrently appointed by the deputy capital censor or the censor of the capital. He has the power of supervision. At the same time, most governors have "errands" granted by the court, such as assistant governor. In charge of military affairs, he was also in charge of food and wages, in charge of salt law, governor-general of water transportation, etc.

As a result, the functions and powers of the Administrative Envoy Department were divided into a large part, and relatively speaking, it was the most important part.

Gradually, the governor became a local feudal official, while the Administrative Envoy Office was reduced to an agency that handled some daily local affairs. Really important matters had to be handed over to the governor or reported directly to the court.

The most obvious point is that in both the Hongwu and Yongle dynasties, the chief envoys were directly transferred to the six ministers.

However, since Xuande, it has basically been reversed.

Not to mention being transferred to the position of Minister of the Six Ministries, the chief envoy was promoted to the position of Minister of the Six Ministries.

Therefore, the plan mentioned by Wang Ao is the real relegation.

As for what Wang Wen said, it can only be regarded as a neutral statement.

After all, although the minister of the Ministry of Rites is noble, he has no real power after all. The governor is a feudal official who oversees the local area on behalf of the imperial court. A powerful governor can even intervene in military affairs. Although his rank is limited, he is usually only the third-rank right deputy and censor. title.

However, if one is strong enough, it is not impossible to be promoted to the position of censor and governor of the right capital.

Therefore, Wang Wen's words are obviously to express his anger with the cabinet.

But what is surprising is that Wang Ao did not persist. After being in court for so long, senior officials like Wang Ao have basically become immune to Wang Wen's verbal attacks.

He cupped his hands and said: "Why should Chief Otsuka be angry? Selection is the responsibility of the officials. I can only recommend one or two. If it is not appropriate, the officials will discuss it later."

After saying that, Wang Shoufu Shi Shiran returned to the court, but there was an inexplicable smile on his lips.

Wang Wen was not a fool after all. Seeing Wang Ao let go so easily, he immediately realized that he had taken all precautions, but still fell into the trap of this old thief.

From the beginning, this guy had no intention of really suppressing Li Xian. After all, a minister with a clean background like Li Xian had deep connections in the court.

The cabinet relies on interpersonal relationships to coordinate internal and external affairs. How could he be the first sinner to appear so short-sighted?

Wang Ao's move was nothing more than taking advantage of the Ministry of Personnel's sensitivity to the power of election and recommendation to give Li Xian a good deal!

The transfer from the Minister of Rites to the Right Chief Envoy of Guangxi obviously had the connotation of demotion, which posed a problem for Wang Wen.

In theory, the transfer of third-rank officials should be nominated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and reported to the emperor for approval. If the emperor hesitates, he will issue a court decision.

As a result, now, the cabinet has taken the lead and taken away the power of nomination.

If Wang Wen does not stand up to stop it, then the cabinet will definitely follow this example and find ways to erode the power of the Ministry of Personnel.

They have done this kind of thing before.

However, if he wanted to speak, he would be unable to do so. If he just spoke to agree with Wang Ao's opinion, there was actually no need to speak at all. Instead, it seemed that the Ministry of Personnel could only follow the footsteps of the cabinet.

Therefore, when Wang Wen speaks, his opinions must be different from those of the cabinet.

Then, either he should be demoted further and Li Xian be promoted to the local magistrate or to the rank of inspector.

However, this is equivalent to being demoted two levels in a row. Although Li Xian made a mistake, he had just gone to welcome the Supreme Emperor back to the court. Even if Hu Hui came forward to punish him, he would not be so harsh.

Therefore, Wang Wen actually had no other choice but to give Li Xian a relatively good way out by sending him out of Beijing, but without suppressing him too much.

Thus, the current situation emerged...

Wang Wen took a deep look at a certain chief minister and secretly cursed the old fox in his heart. He was indeed the boss of the cabinet. His timing was so wonderful.

When he said this, no matter what Wang Wen did, the cabinet would benefit.

If Li Xian is demoted according to the cabinet's plan, the cabinet will be involved in the election, and it will definitely take further measures in the future. If it refutes the cabinet, then Li Xian escapes again, and it will definitely feel sorry for them. It is simply a sure thing. A profitable business.

Of course, there may be other meanings. Wang Wen's eyes faintly glanced at one or several people in the cabinet, but in the end, he didn't say much, he just said.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued a memorial requesting that Li Xian, the Minister of Rites, be appointed as the Censor of the Right Capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, to be the governor of Guizhou and to assist in military affairs. Please give your permission."

This can be regarded as a formal statement on behalf of the Ministry of Personnel.

Zhu Qiyu sat on the throne and had a panoramic view of everything happening below.

Naturally, he knew Wang Ao's intentions, and he even saw more.

However, he had no intention of interfering.

For Wang Wen, he gave enough trust and power. If under such circumstances, the cabinet still usurps the power, it can only be said that Wang Wen's ability is insufficient.

Excessive maintenance and emphasis are sometimes not a good thing.

On the contrary, Wang Ao was quite satisfied this time.

Although the incident happened suddenly this time, what the cabinet often needs most is the ability to handle emergencies.

To reconcile internal and external affairs and smoothen the situation of the government, it is not only about forming parties to force one way, but also taking advantage of the situation and maneuvering around. It is also a method available to the cabinet.

Therefore, although Wang Wen, as his confidant, was put in a position, Zhu Qiyu did not intend to find a place for him. On the contrary, after he came to court, he might need to give some rewards to the cabinet.

Thoughts were swirling in his mind, but Zhu Qiyu did not nod directly, but said to Hu Hao.

"Uncle Da Zong, do you think this proposal from the Ministry of Civil Affairs is appropriate?"

Mr. Hu had finished showing off his majesty, and when the two kings were quarreling, he had returned to his old and sleepy look.

At this moment, the squinted eyes opened, the great uncle cupped his hands and said.

"The selection is under the control of the officials, and Lord Tianguan is also a veteran. I have no objections. Everything is at your Majesty's discretion."

So, the emperor on the throne nodded, finally cast his eyes on the person involved, and asked in a gentle voice.

"Li Shilang, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has proposed to transfer you to be the governor of Guizhou. Are you unwilling?"

I……

Li Xian wanted to cry but had no tears.

Your Majesty, you, Master Tianguan, and Uncle Da Zong have already made a decision. Why do you still ask me?

Will you stop adjusting if I say no?

Sighing, Li Xian cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best to provide for the government and the people, and live up to the great trust of the imperial court."

Thus, this matter was completely settled.

Mr. Hu returned to court and continued to sleep. Mr. Wang from the Ministry of Staff began to hold grudges on his wat board. Mr. Wang from the Cabinet was proud of himself.
To be continued...