Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-Four. Each has a plot, who is the fisherman? (Part 2).
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Emperor Deqing was the first to ask Shen Changmao for his opinion, which was actually very particular.
First of all, Shen Changmao appears to be tough on the surface, but in fact he is a tough-tempered person. Over the years, he has become accustomed to the repeated suppression of him by Zhou Shangjing and Emperor Deqing. All his ambitions have been exhausted, even if he opposes Prince Zhu Heyu's proposal would not be too drastic.
Secondly, compared with Zhou Shangjing, Shen Changmao is much inferior in terms of scheming and means. If Shen Changmao's objections can be refuted, then Emperor Deqing's plan to change "Ting Tui" to "Te Jian" will undoubtedly be the beginning. On the other hand, if you ask Zhou Shangjing first, you may run into a tough problem and get off to a bad start.
Finally, after all, Shen Changmao is the chief minister of the current cabinet and the leader of the officials. If he can be made speechless, the officials' opposition to "special simplicity" will be hit again.
This is the brilliance of Emperor Deqing. He may not be as cunning as Zhou Shangjing, but his every move also contains profound meanings. He is always good at using his status as emperor to quietly change the direction of the situation in the temple.
On the other side, after hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Shen Changmao stepped out and replied: "Your Majesty, I really disagree with His Highness the Crown Prince's proposal."
Shen Changmao's attitude did not surprise Emperor Deqing.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing's expression remained unchanged and he just asked: "Oh? Shen Shoufu, what do you have to say?"
Shen Changmao looked serious and said slowly: "I believe that the prince's various bases may seem reasonable, but in fact they cannot stand up to scrutiny at all, because all of the prince's views are based on a rather absurd The premise is that all the conflicts among officials in recent days are all caused by the vacancies in the cabinet! But the veteran does not dare to agree! According to the veteran, all colleagues in the court are loyal to the country, otherwise With Your Majesty's wisdom, why should you entrust them with important responsibilities? In recent times, the situation in the temple has indeed been a bit chaotic, and there have indeed been more cases of officials impeaching each other. However, the veteran believes that the officials' impeachments are all done impartially. , it is a sign that they cannot tolerate disdain in their eyes, are impartial and selfless, and are dedicated to serving the court. It is by no means the officials fighting each other for vacancies in the cabinet. His Highness the Crown Prince actually understands the behavior of the officials so much, which is a bit chilling. .”
As Shen Changmao finished speaking, there was an immediate response.
"Your Majesty, what Shen Chieffu said is reasonable. The various impeachments in recent days are all out of public concern among colleagues and are definitely not for the purpose of competing for vacancies in the cabinet. If this is used as a reason to change 'Ting Tui' to 'Special Jane', So how can officials dare to speak impartially in the future? Please ask the Holy Spirit to give you a clear warning!"
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince's misinterpretation of the actions of the officials is really chilling to our hearts!"
"Your Majesty, the matter of changing 'Ting Tui' to 'Special Jane' is really of great importance. The cabinet is the foundation of the temple, and the rules cannot be changed lightly. I hope your Majesty will consider it in the long term!"
"His Majesty……"
Immediately, not only officials from the "Shen Party" immediately expressed their support, but also officials from the "Zhou Party", "Zhao Party", and even some "Prince Party" officials also came out to express their support!
This does not mean that Shen Changmao's reputation is really so high, and a few simple statements can arouse the intentions of hundreds of officials, but that the officials really do not want to see Emperor Deqing directly appoint cabinet ministers!
After all, ministerial power and imperial power are in opposition to each other, with a relationship of ebb and flow, and the cabinet is the embodiment of the highest will of the ministerial power, which plays the role of checking and balancing the imperial power. It is not only the highest ambition of the officials in life, but also the ministerial power. core interests!
Prior to this, the powerful ministers of the Ming Dynasty spent countless efforts to create the "ting recommendation" system, and finally wrested the power of appointing cabinet candidates from the hands of the emperor. From then on, the situation of mutual checks and balances between the monarch and his ministers was established. How could the officials allow Emperor Deqing to intervene again?
Even if it is not a routine, but just a special case, it is absolutely not allowed! This is related to the principles and bottom line of the officials! It is also related to the fundamental interests of the officials.
Once their own interests are involved, although the officials are ministers of Emperor Deqing, they will never betray Prince Deqing's face.
Therefore, not only the "Shen Party", "Zhou Party", and "Zhao Party" expressed their support for Shen Changmao, but even many "Prince. Party" officials could not help but express the same attitude. After all, "Prince. Party." Among the "Party" people, only Prince Zhu He and Yu Ma took the lead. They were first and foremost officials of the imperial court, and the proposal of "special slips" also violated their interests!
At the same time, seeing all the officials supporting him, Shen Changmao's eyes flashed with a hint of relief and relief.
Although his opposition stance offended Emperor Deqing and Prince Zhu Heyu, just like his opposition to the rectification of business and taxation, it gained the support of hundreds of officials and once again increased his reputation. From this perspective, this adventure is not a bad one.
However, Shen Changmao didn't know that these days were destined to be his "Good Friday". Not only Zhou Shangjing wanted to suppress him, Zhao Junchen wanted to use him, but some people in the "Prince Party" were also secretly plotting. he.
Without the strength and means of the chief assistant, but sitting in the position of the chief assistant, it is inevitable that he will become the target of public criticism.
His embarrassment has just begun.
On the other side, Emperor Deqing was not surprised when he saw Shen Changmao's statement of opposition and all the officials agreed with Shen Changmao's point of view.
A sneer flashed across Emperor Deqing's lips, and he planned to instruct officials from the "imperial party" to go out and refute Shen Changmao's views.
However, at this moment, Prince Zhu Heyu came out to speak again.
Prince Zhu Heyu did not wait for his chief minister, Shen Changmao, to return, but he quickly stepped forward, forming a confrontation with Shen Changmao.
Then, Prince Zhu Heyu stared at Shen Changmao with a rather oppressive aura, and asked slowly: "Oh? Shen Chieffu thinks that this prince has wronged all the officials? Deliberately misinterpreted the actions of the officials to impeach each other? "
At this point, Shen Changmao finally gave up. Faced with the questioning from Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, he showed an unyielding attitude and replied: "It may not be intentional, but His Highness the Crown Prince has indeed misunderstood the officials. .”
Prince Zhu Heyu suddenly sneered: "Then, if I, Prince, can produce conclusive evidence that hundreds of officials secretly conspired with each other and conspired to attack political opponents for the sake of the cabinet vacancy, how are you going to explain it to Chief Shen?"
Upon hearing Prince Zhu Heyu's inquiry, Shen Changmao subconsciously wanted to confront him tit for tat.
But before he spoke, Shen Changmao suddenly recalled something!
Then, Shen Changmao suddenly broke out in cold sweat and turned pale!
Just a few days ago, Prince Zhu Heyu's staff Zhao Shancai suddenly paid a visit to Shen Changmao and proposed a plan that sounded very feasible. Once successful, this plan could greatly deal a blow to Zhao Junchen's power and prestige, and this plan is closely related to the cabinet vacancy.
Because this plan sounded very tempting, and the target was Zhao Junchen, whom Shen Changmao hated so much, Shen Changmao finally agreed to cooperate after serious consideration.
During this period of time, Shen Changmao has been preparing secretly based on this plan. There are naturally many things like secret connections. And because it is a cooperative relationship, Shen Changmao has also secretly contacted many "Prince Party" officials. , In this way, the "Prince Party" has conclusive evidence of Shen Changmao's secret conspiracy.
In fact, in the morning meeting yesterday, Shen Changmao did not react at all after seeing the "Zhou Party" constantly criticizing Zhao Zhenghe. This is also because if this plan wants to go smoothly, he must not offend the "Zhou Party".
After all, facing Li He, a bachelor of the "Zhou Party", and Liang Fuchen, the trilateral governor of the "Imperial Party", Zhao Zhenghe's competitiveness is not great, and the chance of joining the cabinet to assist the government is also very slim, so Shen Changmao simply He gave up this opportunity and just focused on Zhao Junchen wholeheartedly, hoping to usurp Zhao Junchen's power.
But now, after hearing Prince Zhu Heyu's question, Shen Changmao finally reacted!
Could it be that the cooperation between the "Prince. Party" and himself was just a cover from beginning to end? The real target of the "Prince. Party" is not Zhao Junchen at all, but evidence that he secretly colluded with officials? "The Prince. Party" "Everything you do is just to prepare for the promotion of 'Special Jane' today?"
Was he being plotted and used by the "Prince's Party"?
Thinking of this, Shen Changmao's face turned pale, and he completely lost the momentum to compete with Prince Zhu Heyu. Faced with Prince Zhu Heyu's question, he did not have any answer, but just lowered his head and remained silent.
However, although Shen Changmao did not have any answer, Prince Zhu Heyu did not intend to let Shen Changmao go.
I saw Prince Zhu Heyu reporting to Emperor Deqing: "Father and Emperor, there is now conclusive evidence in the hands of my sons and ministers that a certain important minister in the court secretly colluded with hundreds of officials in order to frame his political opponents because of the vacancy in the cabinet. I hope my father will understand clearly!"
After speaking, Prince Zhu Heyu took out a memorial from his sleeve and submitted it to Emperor Deqing through the eunuch Zhang De.
Seeing the performance of Prince Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing's eyes flashed with surprise.
Not only was he pleasantly surprised by the favorable change in the situation in the temple, but he was also pleasantly surprised by the change in Prince Zhu Heyu's methods.
However, Emperor Deqing had a cold expression on his face and hummed: "Ha! It's a certain important minister in the court again! What's going on these days? Everyone talks in circles?"
While talking, Emperor Deqing took the memorial from the eunuch Zhang De, but he did not open the memorial to check it. He just asked the prince Zhu Heyu directly: "Please make it clear to me, the important minister in the court you are talking about." , who exactly is it?”
Prince Zhu Heyu replied simply and neatly: "It is Shen Changmao, the chief minister of the dynasty!"
"Oh?" A strange look flashed in Emperor Deqing's eyes. He finally opened the prince's memorial and lowered his head to examine it in detail.
After a while, Emperor Deqing finished reading the memorial, with a strange expression on his face. He first looked deeply at the prince Zhu Heyu, then looked at the chief minister Shen Changmao, and finally his eyes turned to the low-key Mr. Zhao Junchen.
Then, with a half-smile, Emperor Deqing handed the memorial to Zhang De, the eunuch beside him, and ordered: "Give the Prince's memorial to Zhao Junchen, the Minister of Household Affairs, for a look!"
