After the government offices were closed, government affairs basically stopped, and all kinds of overt struggles also pressed the pause button with a tacit understanding. After all, everyone has to celebrate the New Year.
In the last few days of the end of the year, there is only one thing left for each government office, and that is the year-end banquet.
The officials gathered together to drink and chat, and the hottest topic was the selection of the three new cabinet ministers.
It is expected that the three elders Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Wang Jiaping will recommend newcomers after the new year to highlight the newcomers and new atmosphere.
It seems like everyone can make a few guesses about who the three lucky people will be.
However, it is generally believed that the person to be elected should be an official with a former career as a CI minister.
After all, the three front cabinet ministers are all beneficiaries of the Hanyuanfang Bureau Ci Minister System, and they will definitely continue to maintain this system. They will not be as wild as the foreign court officials and make gimmicks that are not limited to capital.
In this case, the scope of candidates will be much smaller, not to mention the current situation where ministers who are former officials are always in short supply.
Among the three people, the candidate Shen Shixing will recommend is the easiest to guess.
Originally, Shen Shixing should have recommended Shen Yiguan, but Shen Yiguan was still in Dingyou, so the candidate was probably Zhang, the bachelor of the Hanlin Academy.
Three months ago, Shin Shi-hyung, to everyone's surprise, took over Zhang Wei, who had been idle at home.
In charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy, it can be seen that Shen Shixing has a special favor for Zhang Wei.
This time, it is probably a matter of course that they will get on the horse again and recommend Zhang Wei to the cabinet. It is harder to guess who Wang Xijue and Wang Jiaping have in mind.
It is more difficult to guess the candidate in Wang Xijue's mind, because Wang Xijue's tendencies are usually vague.
Some people also speculate that Wang Xijue may recommend Zhao Yongxian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites. Although the two are from different camps, they are both from Suzhou and came from the same year in the township list. They have a good personal relationship and can be entrusted with "future matters".
When Zhao Yongxian objected to Zhang Juzheng's love, Wang Xijue went to Zhang Juzheng's house to plead for Zhao Yongxian's love, which made Zhang Juzheng so anxious that he almost committed suicide with a knife.
However, Zhao Yongxian's reputation was ruined after causing a stir due to the historical issue of his daughter's break-up of the engagement. This is a problem.
At the same time, public opinion also believes that Wang Jiaping may also recommend Zhao Yongxian, because the Qingliu forces and the Shanshan-Shaanxi Alliance camp really do not have many available officials with former rhetoric ministers.
Liu Yukui, a descendant of Wang Jiaping's hometown, was the most suitable in terms of qualifications, but Liu Yukui had two problems.
Firstly, he was too young, and secondly, he was serving as the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel and could not leave the key position of the Ministry of Personnel.
As for Shen Li, the founder of the Qingliu force, although he has excellent qualifications, he was previously rejected by the foreign court and it is difficult to be recommended again.
Otherwise, it will be easy for someone with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation and accuse him of ignoring "public opinion"; at the same time, it will appear that Shen Li is eager for wealth and power, which will damage Shen Li's reputation.
Therefore, after excluding Shen Li and Liu Yukui, it seems that Wang Jiaping can only choose the general from the shortest and recommend Zhao Yongxian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Because of the "break-off" scandal, Zhao Yongxian, who had been keeping a low profile for nearly two years, suddenly attracted attention again.
Ci ministers are in decline, and there are few available people. At the same time, he may be recommended by two former cabinet ministers. Even if Zhao Yongxian is saddled with a scandal, he has a high probability of joining the cabinet.
In addition to the above-mentioned candidates, Huang Fengxiang, who was second in the list in the second year of Longqing, Wu Zhongxing, who together with Zhao Yongxian took the lead in opposing Zhang Juzheng's love affair, Li Chun, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Shao Bi, the right minister of the Ministry of Punishment, who were also former ministers, were also considered
Someone who is likely to be recommended.
The Hanlin Academy banquet at the end of this year seemed to be more lively than in previous years. Many other yamen officials mingled in, perhaps taking this banquet as a bellwether.
Those officials who were originally Ci ministers but had moved to other yamen also actively returned to the Hanlin Academy to participate in activities.
Those who were likely to be elected to the cabinet became stars at public banquets and were more or less popular.
Now there is only Zhao Zhigao in the cabinet, so Zhao Shoufu can only represent the cabinet to attend the Hanlin Academy banquet.
Of course, Zhao Shoufu is also very willing to participate. For Zhao Shoufu, this is like returning home in glory.
At that time, Zhao Shoufu was the first person in the Three Tripods, but he was regarded as a marginal character. He was once an official and a member of the government, and he was so shameless that he couldn't bear to look back.
Especially when they also opposed Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Yongxian and others became famous, and then gained both fame and fortune;
But he, Zhao Zhigao, was unknown and gained nothing. If it were not for the support of noble people, he would have gone home to retire.
Now that Old Man Zhao has ascended to the position of Chief Assistant, it is only human nature to want to go back to the Hanlin Academy to show off.
Arriving at the Hanlin Academy, Zhao Shoufu sat in the chief chair, accompanied by Zhang Wei, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He and Zhao Shoufu were also of the same year.
Then there were two junior figures, Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang, waiting behind the chief minister, showing their special close relationship with the new chief minister in public.
Zhang Wei, the academician in charge, was expected to be elected to the cabinet by Shen Shixing. Of course he would not offend Zhao Zhigao at such a critical moment, so he catered to him and said:
"I heard that Brother Zhao was appreciated by the emperor with a New Year's poem at the Hanlin Banquet, and then he was promoted to the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It became a good story.
As for the poem to be written for today’s banquet, I also asked Brother Zhao to come up with the title to start the elegant affairs at the banquet.”
Zhao Zhigao said with a smile: "I have a set of spring greeting poems by Lin Jiuyuan here, and I invite you to write poems enthusiastically. I will select the outstanding ones and recommend them to the emperor for viewing."
Everyone: "."
At the end of the year before last, Lin Tailai went back and forth to visit relatives in his hometown. At the end of last year, Lin Tailai was in the northwest. At the end of this year, Lin Tailai was still visiting relatives in his hometown.
So at the end of the past few years, Lin Tailai was not at the Hanlin Academy. Why is it that Lin Tailai can't be avoided at every year-end banquet?
Last year, we asked everyone to write poems about the frontier fortress and send them to Lin Tailai. This year, we asked everyone to compose poems. We couldn’t celebrate the New Year without Lin Tailai, right?
The chief assistant and the master of the college have obviously been replaced, but it seems that the replacement is still in vain!
Faced with cultural hegemony, most people can only choose to endure it, but at this moment, someone in the hall suddenly laughed "hahahaha".
Those who could sit in the hall were all dignitaries. Everyone looked at the laughter and saw that it was Zhao Yongxian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Someone next to me asked: "Why is Uncle Zong laughing?"
Zhao Yongxian replied loudly and somewhat tit-for-tat: "I laugh at ridiculous things and laugh at ridiculous people!
I just want to see how many ridiculous people are out there doing ridiculous things!"
Zhao Yongxian's performance was beyond most people's expectations.
First, because in the past two years, Zhao Yongxian, who has been involved in scandals, has kept a very low profile, contrary to his past flamboyant temperament and sharp-edged acting style;
You must know that fourteen or fifteen years ago, Zhao Yongxian dared to take the lead as a student in fiercely opposing the teacher Zhang Juzheng's love.
After being beaten with a cane, he immediately made bacon out of the scraps of meat and publicized his achievements, which made him famous all over the world.
Second, other people who may be elected to the cabinet have been cautious in their words and deeds recently for fear of being caught.
How dare you laugh and ridicule tit-for-tat with the chief minister in public like this? It doesn't give the chief minister any face at all.
Zhou Yingqiu stood behind Zhao Shoufu and said tentatively: "Zhao Yongxian did everything he could to get into the cabinet."
Zhao Zhigao looked back at Zhou Yingqiu and said with some expectation: "If such a perverse, arrogant, and eccentric person enters the cabinet, I'm afraid the cabinet will never be in peace."
Although it was to express his attitude, it was indeed what Zhao Fu said in his heart. He did not like people like Zhao Yongxian appearing in the cabinet.
With Zhao Yongxian's character and style, if he enters the cabinet, he will definitely become a troublemaker.
Who would want to work with such a person who can even use his teacher's face as a stepping stone, and even make bacon out of his skin that fell off from the imperial cane?
Zhao Shoufu is a very loyal person and doesn't like people who are too ambitious for fame and fortune and do anything unscrupulous, except of course the Nine Yuan True Immortal.
After Zhou Yingqiu learned about Zhao Shoufu's thoughts, he walked up to Zhao Yongxian and said:
"Those who are masters of poetry and literature come first. Lin Jiuyuan is the leader of today's literary world and a great poet of his generation, and he is also a student at the Hanlin Academy.
Therefore, it is a matter of course that the Hanyuan Literary Collection revolves around Lin Tailai, so why not?
If it doesn't revolve around Lin Jiuyuan, should it be centered on you, Zhao Yongxian?
I really don’t know what you are laughing at, I must be deliberately trying to please others.”
They were really upset at the beginning, because according to Hanlin rules, Zhou Yingqiu should call Zhao Yongxian "senior" on this occasion and regard himself as a junior.
So Zhao Yongxian sneered unceremoniously: "Isn't this the number one lackey of the Lin family, Zhou Shuchang?
I heard that you make it a habit to cater to Lin Tailai every day, and do everything you can to be servile and humble. You only ask Lin Tailai for a little help, is that true?"
Zhou Yingqiu said without changing his expression: "Why are you making fun of me? There is no essential difference between you and me. We are of the same mind, so why should we laugh at a hundred steps?"
Zhao Yongxian seemed to have heard the funniest joke and scolded him with disgust: "Who is in the same camp as you? A flattering and shameless person like you is worthy of being in the same camp as me!"
There were also people nearby who wanted to curry favor with Zhao Yongxian and said, "Young uncle shocked the world with his outspoken voice, and you, Zhou Yingqiu, are famous for your flattery. How dare He De dare to mess around with young uncle!"
Zhou Yingqiu ignored others and only said to Zhao Yongxian: "You said that I rely on Lin Jiuyuan to make progress. I admit this, but you are not the same?
Isn't it that you are making such nonsense here to show your firm stance against Lin Jiuyuan and establish an image of someone who dares to oppose Lin Jiuyuan?"
Anyone who can enter the Forest Academy is not a fool, and may even be the smartest person.
So Zhou Yingqiu simply said a few words, and everyone understood the meaning.
In other words, some people hope that there will be cabinet ministers who are firmly anti-Lin, and it is this ecological niche that Zhao Yongxian wants to grab.
That's why Zhao Yongxian suddenly showed his sharpness again and ridiculed Lin Tailai in public.
The purpose is to cater to some people's ideas and establish an image of someone who dares to oppose Lin in order to gain opportunities for advancement.
Zhou Yingqiu said eloquently: "You may think that maybe some people will see your courage to rebel against Lin and leave you a place to be elected to the cabinet.
So in the final analysis, you also want to rely on Lin Tai to make progress, but your method is different from mine, but it can be said that we have the same goal by different paths, why can't we be called the same path?"
Zhao Yongxian: "."
I really didn’t expect that a person who only knows how to flatter and have no bottom line would be so difficult to deal with!
Is your plot so obvious?
When everyone around heard this, they felt that this was not unreasonable.
Zhou Yingqiu did rely on Lin Tai to get along, but how could Zhao Yongxian's intention of opposing Lin Tai not rely on Lin Tai?
When Zhao Yongxian was thinking about how to cover up or beautify his thoughts, he might say a few cruel words such as "If there is a thief in the court, everyone will find it and kill him", but he was worried about being backlashed, so he hesitated for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yingqiu rushed on and continued: "What's even more ridiculous is that you are destined not to succeed, and no matter what you do, it will be in vain.
Because no one will elect you to the cabinet. If you look back, you will behave like a clown!"
The people who were around to watch the excitement suddenly became serious when they heard this sentence, and many of them were whispering to each other.
Everyone has a question, why do you, Zhou Yingqiu, dare to conclude that Zhao Yongxian will not join the cabinet?
Zhou Yingqiu mocked Zhao Yongxian and said, "Have you forgotten that you are from Changshu County, Suzhou Prefecture!
Back then, you were expelled back to your hometown because you offended a certain powerful person. The reason why you were able to spend a few years in peace in your hometown was because the capital was too far away from Suzhou and some people couldn't reach it.
I won’t say much about the rest of the truth, after all, some things cannot be explained in too much detail!
But I dare say that no one with any brains would recommend you, Zhao Yongxian, to the cabinet!
The more you show the courage to oppose Lin Jiuyuan, the less likely you are to be recommended to the cabinet, otherwise it will be a waste of a precious recommendation quota!"
Due to various reasons, it is not convenient for Zhou Yingqiu to go into too much detail, but the smart people here immediately understood the meaning after thinking about it for a while.
When you, Zhao Yongxian, were expelled back to your hometown for opposing Zhang Juzheng, you were still able to live a peaceful life. That was because Zhang Juzheng's power tentacles could not penetrate into the grassroots of society in a distant land and could not shake the foundation of your Zhao family in your hometown.
But Lin Tailai is different. As a local hegemon in Suzhou, he has the strength and means to torment your Zhao family.
In other words, some have the strength and means to find leverage from your Zhao family to deal with you, Zhao Yongxian.
Even if you, Zhao Yongxian, join the cabinet under the banner of opposing Lin Tailai, will you be able to sit in peace? I'm afraid that in a few days, you will be kicked out or forced to resign.
Therefore, no one with any brain would recommend you, Zhao Yongxian, to the cabinet. It is indeed a waste of quota.
It would be okay if Zhou Yingqiu didn't make the accusation publicly. But if Zhou Yingqiu still wants to recommend Zhao Yongxian when Zhou Yingqiu publicly points it out or makes a clear threat publicly, doesn't that mean admitting to the world that he is a fool?
It can be said that Zhou Yingqiu completely blocked Zhao Yongxian's hope of joining the cabinet with just a few words.
After understanding the key, many people were shocked. Is this the same Zhou Yingqiu who is only known for flattering people?
Only members of the Update Society like Dong Qichang were relatively calm. They had seen many times that when Zhou Yingqiu let himself go and talked endlessly, he could occasionally steal the limelight from Lin Tailai.
Unconsciously, the people surrounding Zhao Yongxian gradually dispersed.
Zhou Yingqiu retreated behind Zhao Shoufu and whispered: "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life."
Zhao Zhigao glanced at Zhou Yingqiu, thoughtfully, and seemed to have gained something.
When you encounter difficult people, can you just use Lin Tailai's name to suppress them?
I didn't know how to be a good chief minister, so I started practicing in the cabinet.