Chapter 235 The Negotiation Between the Internal and External Ministers
Chapter 235 Negotiations between the Internal and Foreign Ministers
Author: Silent
Chapter 235 Negotiations between the Internal and Foreign Ministers
After a simple inner court meeting, no one even explained Ningyuan's next military move to Liu Jian and others.
After the three cabinet members return to the check-in room.
Xie Qiancai finally seemed to open up his conversational box and sighed: "I can't stop it."
Both Liu Jian and Li Dongyang could understand what he meant.
If it were just a single battle at the head-off position, Zhang Zhou's achievements would not be obvious. After all, Wang Yue was there, and Zhang Zhou was just a helper at most. The civil servants were more likely to promote Wang Yue to Weininghou or Weiningbo after the fact.
While they were fighting, Zhang Zhou was not worried about giving him a title.
But this time it's different.
It was Zhang Zhou who planned it from the beginning, and he used a few "wine sacks and rice sacks" like virtuous ministers. What's even worse is that Zhang Zhou used two powerful weapons one after another.
If once was a coincidence, then twice...it became inevitable.
Liu Jian looked at Li Dongyang and said, "Binzhi, can you still restrain him now?"
Li Dongyang thought for a while and shook his head helplessly: "With his achievements, if he really wants to be promoted to uncle, I'm afraid it won't be easy to stop him. Your Majesty trusts him too much. But speaking of it, the honorable ministers in the Governor's Mansion are now fawning over him.
, do you all want him to have a title so early?"
A very real problem.
The civil servants now feel that Zhang Zhou is a "hidden danger". Do Wu Xun and others regard Zhang Zhou as a "sage"?
If Zhang Zhou was just a sycophant who made suggestions in front of the emperor, it would not affect the interests of the people in the Dudu Mansion. They could try their best to curry favor with Zhang Zhou, but once Zhang Zhou got the title, the people in the Dudu Mansion would become Zhang Zhou.
Zhou's "comrades" are all said to be peers and enemies. By then, Zhang Zhou may be disliked by both civil servants and military officials.
Let's just talk about Zhang Mao... Isn't Zhang Mao worried that after his death, Zhang Zhou will have all the power in the capital?
A capable person is one who is always in the opponent's camp.
If it comes to your side, you will become your enemy.
Xie Qian smiled and said: "Binzhi, hearing what you mean, you want to keep him in Hanyuan? What are you doing?"
Xie Qian is more practical.
Since this new No. 1 scholar is not under our control, why don't we push him into the Wuxun camp and let him harm the other side?
Let those honorable ministers always like to compliment this Zhang Bingkuan when they have nothing to do. Now you ask for mercy and you will be rewarded. Zhang Bingkuan has sent it to you and asked you if you are happy?
Liu Jian obviously had a better view of the overall situation than Li Dongyang. He nodded and said: "After Zhang Zhou entered the Governor's Mansion, he no longer had the rank of a civil servant. There is no need to worry about him messing up the rules of the officialdom. He won the title based on meritorious service. It can be considered that he got what he wanted.
. But it does not affect his interference in government affairs in the future. He may even intensify his interference, and... it is not within our limits. In the long run, it is really not what we want."
Li Dongyang said: "I am also worried that if he goes to the Governor's Mansion, it will disrupt the balance between the civil and military ministers of the DPRK and China."
"hehe."
Although Xie Qian did not participate in this discussion, he was laughing.
He understood very well what Li Dongyang and Xie Qian were worried about.
He pushed people to the opposite camp of Wu Xun to harm Wu Xun, but he was also afraid that Wu Xun would get Zhang Zhou's "strong support" and break the so-called balance.
To put it nicely, it’s called “balance.”
It is simply a matter of emphasizing civil service over military service, and the situation in which civilian officials overwhelm military officials may be broken.
Therefore, Liu Jian here felt that it was actually quite good to keep Zhang Zhou with the civil servants. Even if Zhang Zhou was only known as a civil servant, it would make the emperor feel that Zhang Zhou was always a civil servant, and it would also make the world
You know, the Ming Dynasty still valued civil rule but not martial arts. It can even be said that... there will be opportunities to slowly deal with Zhang Zhou in the future and bring Zhang Zhou into the "right path".
If someone else suggested this.
Xie Qian will definitely say, are you cheap? I don’t want it for you. Now he is going to be a martial artist, but he wants to bring people back?
"I will go to court tomorrow, but I don't know what to say." Li Dongyang was at his wits' end.
Whether Zhang Zhou should be a civil servant or a military officer, now even the cabinet seems to have no way to interfere. As long as the emperor says something about giving Zhang Zhou a title, who in the court will object? There is no way to object!
If he were directly promoted to a marquis, there might still be some minor disputes, but for them, would it make a big difference whether Zhang Zhou was an uncle or a marquis?
While we were worrying here, we heard footsteps outside. It was Dai Yi, Xiao Jing, Chen Kuan and Wei Bin, four eunuchs who were in charge of rituals, who came to the cabinet together.
This battle still leaves the three cabinet members a bit confused.
…
…
Dai Yi and four others arrived and both parties met with each other.
As the top "advisory group" of the Ming Dynasty, these seven people can be said to account for more than 90% of the daily decision-making of Ming Dynasty affairs. In name, the emperor governs the country, but it is better to say that these seven people support the government of the Ming Dynasty.
.
After all, the matters discussed in the court are only a small number, and most matters are reviewed through official documents. These seven people are responsible for this.
Moreover, even in court meetings, the proportion of emperors adopting their opinions is very high, and everything must be approved by them.
"Three pavilion elders, we won't hide it anymore. We are bringing them here on behalf of His Majesty to discuss something with you. Your Majesty hopes to seek your opinions first."
After the two sides sat down, it was like negotiating, with Dai Yi making the opening remarks.
Liu Jian nodded.
He knows that in this matter, the cabinet is actually very passive. Just like when it comes to making decisions on internal affairs of the government, the cabinet only has the power to consult and does not have the power to make the final decision. In fact, the four "internal ministers" have greater power.
Some.
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty previously discussed with Mr. Zhang, also known as Zhang Zhuangyuan, his future direction in the court, and he made a proposal to Your Majesty."
Liu Jian and the others understood immediately.
Perhaps it was only because of Zhang Zhou that the emperor could organize such a big battle and let the internal and external ministers negotiate?
You, Zhang Bingkuan, have a lot of face.
Xie Qian asked with a smile: "What is his plan?"
Dai Yi looked at Xiao Jing and said, "Eunuch Xiao will tell you."
Like the emperor, Dai Yi seemed to have learned to put on airs. This change actually made Liu Jian and the others a bit intolerable.
Although these internal ministers have the power to make decisions, they usually don't have many ideas. Most of the time, they still have to adopt the cabinet's votes, because there are many things that cannot be handled by these four eunuchs alone. To put it bluntly...
Their level is not good.
Therefore, despite the great power of the eunuchs and eunuchs, they still have to be polite when meeting cabinet ministers.
But it seems to be different now.
Is it possible that Dai Yi was so arrogant because of the rise of Zhang Zhou and the fact that the emperor no longer simply relied on the cabinet?
The three ministers of the cabinet can be said to be the best among the officials in the Ming Dynasty. Their political acumen is very high.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty mentioned this in advance and wanted to make Mr. Zhang a marquis, at least on par with the Marquis of Anbian."
The three cabinet members looked at each other.
It sounds reasonable.
Even the idiot Zhu Feng was about to be promoted to Anbian Marquis after two battles. There was nothing wrong with Zhang Zhou's promotion to Marquis of Anbian.
Even if this matter is mentioned in court and civil servants come out to protest, it seems that the final result will not change. Zhang Zhou will still get the marquis.
Xie Qian smiled and interrupted: "What did Bingkuan say?"
Instead of calling him "Zhang Jinshi" or something like that, he directly changed his name to "Bingkuan", as if the civil servants had accepted Zhang Zhou and were very familiar with Zhang Zhou.
Xiao Jing said: "Mr. Zhang said that he doesn't want to go to the northwest to lead troops, and he doesn't want to be the governor. He just wants to stay in the capital and live a peaceful life for a few days, admiring flowers, shopping, going in and out of the palace to teach the prince...probably.
These are Mr. Zhang’s exact words.”
Xie Qian smiled after hearing this.
Want to hit someone.
This boy is really pretending. What you mean by saying this is actually telling the emperor that you don’t want to get a marquis, but you want to continue to compete with us civil servants in the capital for a three-quarter acre of land in the court?
Flower viewing and shopping?
When you are a playboy, do you think you have enough to feed the whole family? What about social responsibility?
Liu Jian took the conversation and said, "So what arrangements are your Majesty going to make?"
Xiao Jing shook his head and said: "Your Majesty has not made a decision, but has discussed with Mr. Zhang that even if Mr. Zhang is given a title, he will not be allowed to leave the capital. Instead, he can be temporarily held a position in the capital camp to assist the British public.
People will take good care of the capital camp."
"Very good." Liu Jian nodded.
In his heart, he clearly wanted to tie Zhang Zhou to the Hanlin Academy, but when faced with Xiao Jing's words, he easily did not reveal his intentions.
Because he knew Xiao Jing hadn't finished speaking yet.
If this is the final result, then what kind of closed-door meeting should the four eunuchs, Chief Li, hold with their cabinet?
Xiao Jing said: "But Mr. Zhang also mentioned that he currently does not want to take up an actual position in the Governor's Office."
Speaking of which.
Liu Jian and the other three immediately realized Zhang Zhou's "brilliance".
The three of them were vaguely thinking that although this boy was favored by the emperor now, if he entered the Governor's Mansion, he would no longer face a group of honorable ministers who fawned over him, but a group of jackals who were his enemies.
, so he did not give up his position in the Governor's Palace, but he did not want to take a "real job" for the time being, which was equivalent to asking the emperor to reward him with a "post-remuneration officer" and wait until the time was right to get a real job.
Since you have taken credit for your own efforts, you are not offending anyone at the moment.
Kill two birds with one stone.
"His Majesty has said that no matter what the outcome of the court's decision on his meritorious service tomorrow is, the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion will be in his name."
The post of Commander-in-Chief of the Houjun Dudufu was basically the position held by the Marquis of the Ming Dynasty after he entered the Dudufu.
The military position, the first rank of the official rank, is second only to the left and right governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion. Those who usually hold the title of governor are mostly the Dukes of the Ming Dynasty, and the governor's fellow magistrates can already handle government affairs.
In other words, Zhang Zhou Wuxun has been able to ensure that he has a first-rank governor and co-knowledge, but the title is still uncertain, and the civil servant should resign...because Zhang Zhou's position as editor of the Hanlin Academy History Museum is only a sixth-rank officer.
It was just a civil service. There was a big difference between the two. Moreover, in view of the Ming Dynasty's principle of giving up low-level positions when receiving high-level positions, Zhang Zhou should not also receive the civil service title at the same time.
Just like Wang Yue, now he is only the Marquis of Weining, and his positions such as Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War and Zuo Du Censor have been relieved of his duties.
Li Dongyang heard some key factors of the problem and asked: "Does that mean that he just holds the position of the Governor's Office and is still working in Hanyuan?"
"Yes." Xiao Jing said, "This is what His Majesty wants, and it is also Mr. Zhang's own wish."
Li Dongyang said: "What's the explanation?"
Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Your Majesty hopes that Mr. Zhang can teach the prince knowledge. If he is given a military position that is actually lacking, Mr. Zhang will have to be distracted. If he waits until the prince reaches adulthood in the future, and then gives it to him... it will not violate your majesty's meritocracy."
That’s the original intention.”
Meritism is useful...
This word somewhat hurt the hearts of the three cabinet members.
"But everything must be explained clearly to the ministers of the court." Xiao Jing said, "Since he wants to stay in the Hanlin Academy, if he continues to write in the History Museum, it will not be consistent with his status. Your Majesty's intention is to be promoted to the Imperial Academy today.
In order to make it easier for Mr. Zhang to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War on casting artillery and other matters, we are also going to entrust him with the post of Langzhong of the Qingli Division of the Arsenal of the Ministry of War. This is a concurrent post and there is no need to take care of the affairs of the public hall. The post of the Governor of the Rear Army is not
Change."
The Dudufu of the Later Army of the Ming Dynasty mainly took charge of the military affairs of the garrison and military affairs in various parts of the Xuanfu from the capital to Shanxi.
Letting Zhang Zhou take this position seems to be an unqualified one, but in fact the emperor wanted to use this to tell the people in the guard posts near the capital that Zhang Bingkuan is my close minister.
In charge of the military affairs of the guard station, he can be deployed to lead troops into battle at any time.
Li Dongyang said: "If a doctor from the Ministry of War concurrently holds the position of co-president of the Governor's Mansion, it would be...unreasonable."
The civil and military positions were shouldered by Zhang Zhou, which was equivalent to Zhang Zhou being both the commander and commander of the troops, and he also acted as the referee. In this way, the Ming Dynasty separated the authority of commanding troops and troop deployment, and its meaning was destroyed by Zhang Zhou.
Xiao Jing didn't say anything.
Dai Yi on the side said: "That's why your Majesty sent our family and others to discuss with all the ministers to see if this can be the first of its kind. Your Majesty also made it clear that all the positions listed, except for the position of Imperial Lecturer, were awarded for real vacancies.
Except for this, all other positions are held without going to court. They do not care about official affairs while on the job. Everything is just for the convenience of scheduling. If the three cabinet elders feel that it is inappropriate, perhaps your majesty can only promote Mr. Zhang to the rank of marquis."
A or B.
Now the emperor's intention is to let the three cabinet ministers choose for the civil and military ministers of the DPRK.
A is to promote Zhang Zhou to the rank of Marquis, and give him the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion. It is likely that he will also be given the real power to lead troops, allowing Zhang Zhou to "huohuo" the Governor's Mansion.
B. Let Zhang Zhou continue to be a civil servant, and his main job is to be a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. He may be given an official position such as Chunfang Yude or Zhongyun in Zhanshifu, to teach the prince, and at the same time, he will be given a part-time job as a doctor in the Qingli Division of the Ministry of War Arsenal.
It is convenient to supervise the construction of artillery, and at the same time, the military post has the virtual title of Tongzhi of the Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army.
It sounds like B's position is too broad and difficult to control.
But in the final analysis, if B is chosen, Zhang Zhou will still be a civil servant and still under the "control" of the three cabinet members. More importantly, Zhang Zhou's authority will be greatly reduced.
The three cabinet members couldn't help but look at each other.
They know it very well.
It seems difficult to choose, and I don’t want to choose either side, but in fact, there is a second option, which is “lucky”.
According to general principles, or in other words, if the average person gets the credit for Zhang Zhou's work, he can just choose A, and there is no need to worry about choosing B.
Precisely because Zhang Zhou was the top scholar in the new Ming Dynasty subject, it took him only half a month to pass the exam, and Zhang Zhou still had the heart to be a civil servant... This is very important, and it is also related to Zhang Zhou's excellent ability to serve as a model for others, so that
The emperor felt that the prince's studies were indispensable without Zhang Zhou's teaching, so he came up with option B.
"It's a good thing to stay in Hanyuan." Liu Jian didn't need to discuss with Li Dongyang and Xie Qian.
He can directly make decisions on behalf of the three people and even on behalf of the civil servants in the DPRK and China.
Wu Xun probably also cheers for Liu Jian's wise decision...
Or Mr. Liu Ge, you understand the righteousness well and know that although we admire Zhang Bingkuan, we don’t want him to harm the Dudu’s Mansion. If he enters the Dudu’s Mansion and takes the real vacancy, Your Majesty will only know that Zhang Zhou is there in the Dudu’s Mansion from now on.
We, and we have formed a direct competitive relationship with Zhang Bingkuan.
Just like Wang Weining...Wang Weining who was still the Minister of War is the Wang Weining we admire. If he became Weining Hou...
It's better to die far away.
Dai Yi smiled and said: "Then Liu Ge always agreed to let Mr. Zhang continue to stay in Hanyuan and give him the position mentioned before? Or there will be some changes in it, mostly promotions. If he comes to the imperial court again in the future,
If you object..."
"Won't!"
Liu Jian also made it clear.
Since we have agreed now, we will follow this tomorrow. Even if someone is ignorant and objects, we can use our status as cabinet ministers to fight back against them.
Negotiation.
The most important thing is to do what you say, but please don't mess around. Just keep these positions as agreed and don't add too much.
Dai Yidao: "Having said that, I still want to remind the three cabinet elders that if His Majesty proposes to write down Mr. Zhang's contribution to this battle in the court tomorrow... Don't worry, it's not for promotion in the civil service, just for
If the title of nobility is given to him in the future, I would also like to ask the three cabinet elders not to object."
Regardless of whether you chose B instead of A, after the war in Piantou Pass ends, the rules of accounting will still be in place.
The emperor's current rhetoric is that the prince is still young, and he should wait until the prince succeeds in his studies before entrusting Zhang Zhou with important responsibilities.
But the three people in the cabinet knew that the emperor himself was reluctant to send Zhang Zhou elsewhere and always wanted to discuss things with Zhang Zhou. It was more convenient to keep Zhang Zhou as a consultant in the Hanlin Academy than to directly stuff him into the governor's office to fill the vacancy.
This time Liu Jian hesitated a little.
The compromise now allows Zhang Zhou to remain a civil servant, but it cannot prevent Zhang Zhou from being promoted to a noble title in the future. Liu Jian can feel that he is very passive on his side.
Because when the prince succeeds in his studies in the future, it is very likely that Liu Jian and others will have retired. Who can guarantee that the cabinet and ministers of the DPRK will still be able to limit the rise of Zhang Zhou?
What's even more remarkable is a result...
That is, Zhang Zhou himself was promoted to a high position from the Hanlin Academy, and he became a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and even entered the cabinet...
Judging from the current trust that the emperor has in Zhang Zhou, it seems that this will happen sooner or later. By then, Zhang Zhou himself will become a leader in the civil service. Do you expect Zhang Zhou to restrict himself?
Let him cut off his own retreat?
"Can!"
Liu Jian finally nodded.
This is a question of trade-offs.
What Liu Jian had to think about was whether to promote Zhang Zhou to Marquis now, which would cause too much damage to the court, or whether it would be better to give him a bunch of false posts and let him stay in the Hanlin Academy as a lecturer.
Dai Yi smiled and said: "Then this matter has been agreed upon. We will report it to His Majesty and also inform Mr. Zhang. Tomorrow, when the Liaodong generals are in court and Mr. Zhang discusses their merits, don't forget what we talked about today.
