() Zhou Yanru walked to Wen Tiren’s office desk, bowed to him, and then softly called: “First Assistant.”
When Wen Tiren heard someone greeting him, he looked up and saw that it was Zhou Yanru, the youngest assistant minister in the cabinet. So, he asked: "Jade rope, is there anything wrong?"
Several cabinet members heard the commotion, looked up at the situation, and then lowered their heads to review the memorials sent by various ministries.
Zhou Yanru cupped his hands to Wen Tiren and said, "I have something that I have been holding back in my heart for a long time. I hope my chief assistant can answer it."
"Oh, I don't know what's going on with the jade rope, but that's what it sounds like." Upon hearing this, Wen Tiren put the brush in his hand back on the pen holder and listened intently to Zhou Yanru's words.
"Chief Minister, these days, I see that you often discuss matters with the emperor alone. As a member of the cabinet, we have no idea. Isn't it inappropriate?" Zhou Yanru deliberately spoke louder.
When other ministers heard the commotion, some raised their heads and began to pay attention to the development of the situation, while others just raised their heads and continued to do their work.
"What do you want to know about what Yusheng said?" Wen Tiren was sophisticated and noticed Zhou Yanru's obvious little move, but asked Zhou Yanru calmly.
"Excuse me, Chief Minister, what's going on with those row houses outside the Meridian Gate? What's the point of the factory guards surrounding the former ceramics factory?" Zhou Yanru asked Wen Tiren two obvious but not very sensitive things in succession.
"Don't worry about the jade rope, the emperor will announce it soon. It's a good thing. There's no need to worry." Wen Tiren replied kindly.
Several cabinet ministers who raised their heads to watch the excitement stopped paying attention when they heard that it was no big deal and lowered their heads to work.
"I would like to ask the chief minister, is it a good thing for factory guards to run amok in the capital and disturb the officials?" Zhou Yanru's voice became louder as he spoke, with a trace of doubt in his words.
When the other cabinet ministers heard something was wrong, they all paid attention. Several ministers put their pens on the pen holder, ready to come over and persuade him if the situation went wrong.
There are also several ministers who are secretly happy. Zhou Yan is the first scholar in the Confucian Academy, and he is the first scholar. He is in the cabinet at a young age and is very popular. Wen Tiren is sitting in the position of the first minister, which makes people jealous. If there is a conflict between the two at the moment, they will only
It will be cheaper for them.
There were several cabinet ministers who had communicated with Zhou Yanru in advance and would speak out to support him when the time came. However, they did not make any move at this time and were quietly observing the changes.
Zhou Yanru began to directly question Wen Tiren: "The chief assistant is the head of all officials, why can't he bear to watch the factory guards wreak havoc, not speak to the emperor, and ignore the fear of all officials?"
Several cabinet ministers who had communicated with Zhou Yanru saw that he raised this topic and wanted to agree. However, when they saw that Wen Tiren was still unhurried and calm, they did not want to be rash for fear of being in the wrong team, so they
No sound was made.
The assistant minister Qian Xiangkun was Wen Tiren's mentor. He always admired his disciple who was better than his predecessors. If the position of first assistant was ranked according to seniority, he would also have priority. However, he took the initiative to give way to Wen Tiren to avoid gossip.
, I rarely talk at ordinary times.
Now when he saw a junior talking to the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty like this, he couldn't help but feel a little angry and stood up from his seat.
When Wen Tiren saw Qian Xiangkun standing up, he shook his head slightly, and then asked Zhou Yanru quietly: "I wonder how the factory guards are rampaging the capital and wreaking havoc? I hope Yu Sheng can tell him."
"That's it..." Zhou Yanru opened his mouth to say, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he suddenly found that the reason was a bit hard to explain. It can't be said that the factory guards were corrupt and corrupt, causing panic among the officials in the capital.
"The lower officials are worried that the factory guards will fabricate evidence and blackmail all officials at will, causing loyal and upright people to be falsely accused and have their homes confiscated and exiled." A common problem among officials is that when they can't find a suitable reason, they will resort to trumped-up trump cards.
.
This move can be used when the strong suppress the weak, but now Zhou Yanru obviously used it in the wrong place.
"The jade rope refers to the case of the censor who accepted bribes from the former Marquis of Baoding? Are you confident that the factory guard framed the case? Why don't you tell us before the case is closed. Since you can guarantee that the two censors were indeed wronged, I can go to court for the jade rope.
God, would you like to retry this case?" Wen Tiren said with a smile, showing the responsibility of the chief minister.
When Zhou Yanru heard this, he was shocked. He had no evidence to prove that the two censors were wronged, and he had no interest in getting involved in this mess. He was just talking in general, but was dragged into it by Wen Tiren. He wanted the emperor to
If you ask questions and you can't speak out, the consequences will be serious.
Therefore, Zhou Yanru quickly said: "This is not what I mean, the chief minister has misunderstood."
On the other side, Qian Xiangkun saw that his disciple was eating Zhou Yanru to death, so he felt relieved and sat back in his seat.
Seeing that Zhou Yanru was too young, those ministers with evil intentions were suppressed by Wen Tiren from the beginning and led him by the nose. Knowing that there was no chance, they gave up their intention to speak out for him and thought of going back to warn their disciples.
Family, please stay safe during this period and don't offend the factory guards.
"Young man, think carefully before speaking. Don't take it for granted. If you have nothing else to do, go back to work. I still have a lot of things to deal with." Wen Tiren did not blame him for this, and picked up the phone again as he spoke.
The brush placed on the pen holder was dipped in ink on the inkstone, ready to deal with the memorial at hand.
Zhou Yanru was very unwilling to do so. He originally wanted to use two public-related events to gain publicity in advance, recruit other cabinet ministers to help, and then ask what he was most concerned about.
Logically speaking, it would be best for Zhou Yanru to go back to work obediently while Wen Tiren is not angry now.
But he was under pressure and had to ask about the third thing. Moreover, the reason why he came forward today was also for the third thing. He was a little hesitant to ask directly now.
Wen Tiren frowned when he saw him hesitating, wanting to leave but not leaving, wanting to say but not saying anything. Why is this jade rope not finished yet? I can't wait to use it from one quarter of an hour to two quarters of an hour. Then
I had time to chat with him. So, he asked expressionlessly: "Is there something wrong with the jade rope?"
When Wen Tiren asked this question, Zhou Yanru was no longer entangled. He bowed to Wen Tiren and then said: "Chief Assistant, I wonder what the court's plans are for the salt policy. Why didn't they discuss it in the cabinet in advance and hastily summoned all salt officials from across the country?
The transfer envoys and Yanke Tiju gathered in the capital?"
"This is the emperor's wish. The salt administration is going to be overhauled. As for the content, I see that the transfer envoys and promotion officials have all arrived. Tomorrow the emperor will convene all members of the cabinet and the six ministers to discuss the matter. You will know then.
There is no rush today."
"Can't you say it first today? Do you think you don't believe our other ministers?" Zhou Yanru said while pointing to the other cabinet ministers working around him.
When the cabinet members heard that the smell of gunpowder was coming again, they all looked up.
Zhou Yanru's words went too far. Wen Tiren is a clay Bodhisattva who also has fire energy. He shouted with a stern face: "I said it was the emperor's wish. Is it you or the emperor who makes the decision in court affairs? All political affairs have their own decisions.
As for the division of labor, I have to let you know everything. Can I ask for your instructions?"
As soon as Wen Tiren's big hat was put on, Zhou Yanru couldn't bear it. No matter how brave he was, he didn't dare to say clearly that it was not the emperor who made the decision, and he had to ask himself for instructions. This was a heartbreaking statement!
Zhou Yanru was so frightened that his face turned pale and he was speechless for a moment.
The quarrel was too tense, and everyone was in trouble. He Juchong, the closest assistant minister, stood up and tried to persuade him: "First Assistant, Yusheng is still young and his work is rough. He should be criticized. But he also wants to do things, not the chief minister.
That’s what Fu said. Yu Sheng, Mr. Shofu has a lot of them, and he won’t argue with you, so why don’t you apologize quickly.”
Zhou Yanru, who still had the charm of a young man who had achieved success, bowed to Wen Tiren as he was told and said, "I am impulsive and have been rude. I hope that my chief assistant will forgive me."
Wen Tiren glanced at the other members of the cabinet and found that they were all looking at how he had defeated Zhou Yanru. After thinking for a moment, he had just become the chief minister of the cabinet and still needed to gain popularity. Besides, Ming Dynasty wanted to do a good job in government affairs and move towards the sea.
, to compete with the real enemy, you need the help of talented people. This time Zhou Yanru can become a member, the number one scholar, and he has the talent. As long as he is not impulsive in the future, forget it this time.
So Wen Tiren calmed down a little and said to Zhou Yanru: "For the sake of Marquis Kang, forget it this time. It is the duty of a minister to do the job at hand well."
Zhou Yanru did not dare to speak, bowed again and returned to his seat.
The cabinet ministers were doing what they were doing seriously, and the cabinet was quiet again.
In the evening, when Zhou Yanru left the palace and returned home, his family's personal servant Zhou Daijin caught his master. While helping him get into the sedan, he asked in a low voice: "Master, the family is impatiently waiting, is there any news?
"
Zhou Yanru looked at him with a sullen face, and then said, "We'll talk about it when we get back." After saying that, he got into the sedan, lowered the curtain, and ignored Zhou Daijin.