In the eyes of many people in the Song Dynasty, Gao Qiu and Cai Jing were actually "the same party", called the party of traitors and sycophants.
In fact, in recent years, Gao Qiu and Cai Jing have often acted in collusion with each other.
However, the political situation is changing rapidly and involving top-level power disputes, many simple things will become very complicated.
Most people can't understand it.
For example, Cai Jing has experienced ups and downs four times in the past few decades.
Zhao Ji, including Zhao Xu, Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty before Zhao Ji, both relied on and feared Cai Jing, so they secretly supported Gao Qiu. Only then did Gao Qiu, who rose rapidly, take charge of the military power in the capital camp and exist as a countervailing force to Cai Jing in the government and the public.
Therefore, strictly speaking, Gao Qiu was Emperor Zhao Ji's personal assistant.
Cai Jing knew very well the official's purpose of cultivating Gao Qiu. Over the years, the two parties had lived in harmony and maintained a superficial harmony.
As long as it does not involve the strictness of the imperial authority or touch Zhao Ji's bottom line, Gao Qiu will generally support Cai Jing's political stance.
On the other hand, Cai Jing will also moderately give some benefits to Gao Qiu.
However, something happened to Gao Qiu today, which is equivalent to breaking the delicate balance.
Cai Jing decisively took the opportunity to take action, making it clear that he wanted to put Gao Qiu to death because he knew that no one in the court could effectively restrict him from now on.
As for the official family... Cai Jing sneered in his heart. When his power expanded to a certain height, the chair sitting on his head was so within reach. He may not have the intention to rebel, but he really gradually gave up on sitting on it.
The person on that chair took notice.
Cai Jing's people shouted loudly and looked like they were forcing the palace.
Gao Qiu fell to the ground and wailed, and Zhao Ji was upset for a while.
If Gao Qiu is dismissed from office, who will check and balance Cai Jing in the future?
But in today's situation, if Gao Qiu is not severely punished, Cai Jing and others will definitely not give up.
Thinking of the overwhelming impeachment calls from both North and China civilian officials, Zhao Ji felt his head growl.
"Retreat! Let's discuss it another day!"
Zhao Ji hesitated for a long time and had no better way. In the end, he had no choice but to cheat and directly announce his resignation.
Cai Jing didn't take it seriously either.
As a cunning and cunning person like him, he knew that defeating a minister like Gao Qiu could not be achieved by just one or two concerts. This was just the first wave.
Subsequently, more than half of the officials in the DPRK went to court to impeach Gao Qiu, and public sentiment was aroused.
Among them, most of them petitioned to remove Gao Qiu and make Liangshi a Taiwei under the Huainan Festival, and also be in charge of the troops and horses of the Beijing camp.
Who is Liang Shicheng?
Cai Jing's hardcore, one of the Tokyo Six Thieves.
Interestingly, this man claimed to be the illegitimate son of the great scholar Su Shi.
I wonder if Su Shi will be so angry that he will come to life.
…
While Zhao Ji was upset, Wang Lin came to say goodbye.
He is a commoner and a man, so it is definitely not a problem for him to stay in the palace for a long time, and he can easily get into trouble.
Hearing that he was leaving, Zhao Ji frowned and waved his hands and said, "Wang Lin, you should stay in the palace. The palace examination will be held the day after tomorrow. I don't want anything to happen before that."
Wang Lin fell silent.
He heard from Xiaohuangmen Huang Kun that Cai Jing and others launched an attack on Gao Qiu at the court meeting today, but the emperor did not give permission. This showed that Gao Qiu had not lost power yet. He wanted to leave the palace, and there was no guarantee that Gao Qiu would not attack him.
Zhao Ji sighed again: "With what Gao Qiu has done, I should really chop off his head and kick him, but I'm worried..."
Wang Lin said lightly: "Are the officials worried that if Gao Qi is removed, Grand Master Cai will become even more dominant?"
Zhao Ji nodded: "This is not a secret. To be honest with you, this is what I am worried about."
"In the official family, the crimes of Gao Qiu and his son are so heinous, and the public resentment is boiling, it is impossible to describe! This time they have attacked the emperor's concubine. If the punishment is not clear, I am afraid that not only will the people of the world be dissatisfied, but the royal family will also be disgraced."
"Therefore, if the officials do not punish Gao Qiu, they may not be able to convince the public, and they will not be able to face the ministers of the DPRK. Why not dismiss Gao Qiu from office, drive him back to his hometown, and then support others to take over, so as to resist the Cai clique."
Zhao Ji smiled bitterly: "It's easier said than done. If I agree to remove Gao Qiu, Cai Jing and others will definitely make a noise and force me to replace him with Liang Shicheng. Then I won't be able to stop."
Wang Lin was silent for a while.
He knew that the power of the emperor of the Song Dynasty was restricted by the scholar-bureaucrats and that he was not as omnipotent as the people of the world imagined. In many cases, he had to be controlled by important ministers in the court.
Especially when it comes to major personnel appointments.
Wang Lin added: "For officials, it is better to let His Highness the Prince replace Gao Qiu, and then choose capable ministers and generals to assist him. In time, the Prince will be able to stand on his own."
Zhao Ji made a sound, thought about it for a while, and suddenly laughed and said: "Brother Lin, this is a good idea! The prince is in charge of the Taiwei, and is also in charge of the military power of the Beijing camp. He is the head of the military attache. I am afraid that Cai Jingdu would not dare to openly oppose it.
Otherwise, he has no royal eyes and is treasonous!"
"It's just that the prince is not familiar with military affairs...who should he ask to assist him?"
Zhao Ji was actually not asking for Wang Lin's opinion, but talking to himself.
But Wang Lin took the opportunity to say something: "The officials and the common people heard that there is a man named Zhang Shuye beside the officials, who is both civil and military, virtuous and loyal, so they will definitely share the worries of the officials!"
Zhao Ji suddenly stood up and said, "Yes, it's Zhang Shuye! Someone's coming, call him, and order Master Cai to come to the palace to see him!"
Zhang Shuye has been acting as a supporter at Zhao Ji's side, and he has gained a lot of trust recently.
…
Wang Lin quietly retreated.
He knew that the emperor summoned Cai Jing into the palace in order to negotiate and reach a mutual compromise. Without Cai Jing's consent, it would be difficult to complete the appointment and dismissal of such important positions in the court.
But I believe Cai Jing will compromise.
After all, for Cai Jing, overthrowing Gao Qiu is more important than anything else.
As for Zhao Ji's intention to let Zhao Huan replace Gao Qiu, Cai Jing probably wouldn't take it to heart. After all, in his eyes, Zhao Huan was just an ignorant boy.
Prince Zhao Huan occupies the position of Taiwei. To put it bluntly, it is equivalent to the vacancy of the position of Taiwei.
It was just that when Zhao Ji proposed to appoint Zhang Shuye as the commander of the three yamen, including the palace chief, and the deputy commander of the Beijing camp, Cai Jing was somewhat repulsive.
He originally wanted to arrange for his eldest son Cai You to occupy his position, but seeing how determined the emperor was, he knew that if he did not give in this time, he would definitely force the emperor to treat Gao Qiu lightly and protect Gao Qiu in disguise.
Cai Jing must not leave any hidden dangers to himself if he kills the snake but suffers its consequences.
After repeated weighing, Cai Jing gave in.
Wang Lin was too lazy to care about these complicated processes, and Zhao Ji did not agree to let him out of the palace. He could only live with the internal prisoners such as Xiao Huangmen Huang Kun, and began to prepare for the martial arts examination the day after tomorrow.
In the evening, Huang Kun hurried over and gasped: "Master Wang, that Gao Qiu..."
Wang Lin raised his head sharply: "How about Gao Qiu?"
"The official issued an order to remove Gao Qiu from office, demote him to a commoner, drive him back to his hometown, and never be allowed to be employed."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took over the command of the Taiwei, commanded the imperial army in Tokyo, and commanded the three yamen. In the event, Zhang Shuye promoted him to the direct bachelor of Longtuge, moved to the front office of the palace, commanded the guards and soldiers, and also took charge of the prince's guests."
Wang Lin felt relieved.
At this point, Gao Qiu is truly finished.
A treacherous minister like him has offended countless people. Once he loses power, he is a dead dog. There are countless people who want to take his life.
It is almost conceivable that Gao Qiu will probably die on the way back home.