At the very beginning, the status of the cabinet was not as prominent as it is now. It was just an ordinary organization that assisted the emperor in handling government affairs and provided advice. It did not have much autonomy itself and could be ups and downs based on the emperor's words.
The appointment and dismissal of members all came from the emperor's decision.
It can be said that at the beginning of the establishment of the cabinet, the cabinet ministers did not have any ability to resist the imperial power, nor did they have any thoughts of resisting the emperor. They were all die-hard "imperialist" officials and the strongest supporters of the imperial power. Otherwise,
The emperor will not arrange for them to join the cabinet to assist him.
However, as the status of the cabinet became higher and higher, its authority became stronger and stronger, and it even became a representative institution of the Ming Dynasty's ministerial power. This situation quietly changed. With the continuous improvement of status, power and influence,
The cabinet ministers became the leaders of hundreds of officials and the leaders of the major factions in the court. Then the cabinet ministers discovered that their own interests were irreconcilable with the emperor's interests. Many of the emperor's actions would infringe on their interests.
Their followers also constantly encouraged them to stand up against the imperial power, so they naturally became the natural check and balancer of the imperial power!
In the end, those cabinet ministers who originally supported the imperial power most firmly, either actively, passively, or unknowingly, stood on the opposite side of the imperial power. They had their own interests, their own positions, and their own identity.
idea.
Interests determine stance, stance determines ideas, everything is doomed.
After all, when the ministers of the cabinet became the spokesperson for the interests of the officials, they were destined to stand on the opposite side of the emperor. It became their natural obligation to check and balance the imperial power and fight for the interests of the officials.
Therefore, Zhou Shangjing did not have any worries about Emperor Deqing's plan to install the trilateral governor Liang Fuchen into the cabinet and intervene in cabinet affairs through Liang Fuchen.
Although Liang Fuchen is now a die-hard member of the "Imperial Party", the moment Liang Fuchen enters the cabinet, his position, interests, ideas, etc. will undergo subtle changes. He will find that his interests are in conflict with those of Emperor Deqing.
When there is a conflict of interest, he will find that his loyal service will always result in the loss of his own interests. He will find that his cronies continue to encourage him to fight against the emperor... In the end, Liang Fuchen will be like those cabinet predecessors a hundred years ago.
Gradually becoming the opposite of imperial power, and Emperor Deqing's plan to intervene in cabinet affairs through Liang Fuchen would eventually end in failure!
If after Liang Fuchen enters the cabinet, he is still foolishly loyal to Emperor Deqing and does not have any own positions or ideas, then it means that Liang Fuchen will become an accomplice of Emperor Deqing and help Emperor Deqing continue to infringe on the rights of officials. Such a cabinet
Auxiliary ministers will never gain the support of hundreds of officials, and they will never be able to stay in the cabinet for a long time, let alone affect the operation of the cabinet. At that time, Emperor Deqing's plan to intervene in cabinet affairs through Liang Fuchen will still end in failure.
Zhou Shangjing knew well how to benefit people's hearts, so Zhou Shangjing believed that Emperor Deqing's plans and efforts were all in vain. It might be beneficial for a lifetime, but in the long run, this plan would inevitably fail.
That's why Zhou Shangjing said, "Since ancient times, have you ever seen someone rebel against you? No matter who he is, no matter how loyal he is to Your Majesty, once he enters the cabinet, his position will quietly change."
Like Zhao Junchen, Zhou Shangjing was not as worried about Zhongzhong as the officials were about Emperor Deqing's attempt to interfere with the cabinet. Compared with this matter, Zhou Shangjing was more concerned about the gradual easing of the relationship between Emperor Deqing and Prince Zhu Heyu.
matter!
Zhou Shangjing also believed that this incident would have a profound impact on the structure of the imperial court.
At this time, Zhou Shangjing looked a little tired due to the long court meeting. He was sitting in the sedan chair with his eyes closed and fell asleep, but his brain was still extremely clear and he was constantly thinking.
"Before this, the relationship between His Majesty and the Crown Prince was full of conflicts and misunderstandings. Although they were father and son, they were restrained by each other and were unable to exert their full strength. Several powerful officials in the court took advantage of the opportunity and gained a lot.
Benefits... But if the relationship between His Majesty and the Crown Prince gradually begins to ease, or even moves towards cooperation, things will be a little troublesome... His Majesty's power means, imperial power and justice, coupled with the reputation of the Crown Prince, once the two are combined, even if it is
I don’t dare touch the edge easily…”
"In addition, I have been keeping a low profile during this period. Not only have I repeatedly shown weakness to Your Majesty, but I have also often taken the initiative to cooperate with Your Majesty. I want to reduce Your Majesty's suspicion and vigilance, no longer regard me as a major enemy, and also let my family
The power can be spread and prosper for hundreds of years... At that time, your majesty's confidence in the prince was shaken, but he had not yet considered the candidate for the new crown prince, so your majesty did not know whether my existence would be a benefit or a disadvantage to the continuation of the Ming Dynasty.
In this way, my strategy may still be successful... But if His Majesty re-firms his determination to support the prince, and the prince has always regarded me as an enemy, once the prince succeeds to the throne, there will most likely be a conflict.
In this way, in order for the prince to successfully ascend the throne and control the situation in the temple in the future, my presence will be even more annoying to your majesty..."
"Therefore, the relationship between His Majesty and the Crown Prince must not be harmonious! It is best for the two of them to continue to conflict... They must find some way... Maybe they will temporarily join forces with Zhao Junchen..."
"In addition, the vision and methods shown by the prince this morning were quite superb and very different from those in the past. It seems that there is an expert behind the scenes, so we must pay attention to this..."
Thinking of this, Zhou Shangjing suddenly sat up straight, opened the sedan curtain, and asked Zhou Lu, the elder who was accompanying him outside the sedan: "I heard that Zhao Shancai was dismissed from his official position and took away his fame, and he has been temporarily living in the Prince's Palace.
In the East Palace?"
Zhou Lu is the intelligence chief under Zhou Shangjing. She has always been well aware of the big and small developments in the capital. After hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, she rushed to the sedan chair and replied: "It is true. According to the information collected by the villain, Zhao Shancai is now
He has become the head of the staff in the Prince's East Palace, and is deeply trusted by the Prince. His Highness the Prince accepts all his suggestions, and even treats him as a teacher! That Zhao Shancai is only twenty-six or seven years old now, but he can actually
It is a strange thing to receive such courtesy from the prince."
After Zhou Shangjing heard Zhou Lu's answer, a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes, and he thought to himself: "Speaking of which, the change in the prince's methods and style started after Zhao Shancai entered the East Palace. It seems that the master behind the prince is There is no doubt that Zhao Shancai is... This Zhao Shancai is young, but his mind and strategy are so extraordinary. We really cannot underestimate these young people..."
While thinking deeply, Zhou Shangjing said slowly: "Don't underestimate Zhao Shancai just because he is younger. Zhao Junchen is one or two years younger than Zhao Shancai. Isn't he still toying with old guys like Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, and Wen Guanliang?" In the palm of your hand? How intelligent a person is has nothing to do with age..."
Having said this, Zhou Shangjing's expression became a little more cautious, and he ordered: "Next, send someone to closely inquire about all the news about Zhao Shancai. Don't neglect it."
Seeing that Zhou Shangjing valued Zhao Shancai so much, Zhou Lu quickly nodded solemnly and said: "I understand, I will immediately order someone to pay close attention to Zhao Shancai's every move after I return. Once I find anything, I will report it to the master immediately!"
Speaking of this, Zhou Lu seemed to have thought of something. After hesitating for a moment, she added: "Actually, our people have always paid attention to the Prince's East Palace. Although they mainly pay attention to the actions of His Highness the Prince, they also pay attention to Zhao Shancai. By the way, pay attention! A few days ago, I received some news about Zhao Shancai, but I didn’t pay much attention to Zhao Shancai at that time, so I didn’t inform the master in time, and I asked the master to punish me!"
Zhou Shangjing's gray eyebrows raised slightly and asked: "Oh? What's the news?"
Zhou Lu replied: "It is said that Zhao Shancai's physical condition has suddenly taken a turn for the worse in the past few days. He seems to have a stomach problem. It was not obvious at first, but now he has sudden stomach pains from time to time, which is quite severe and unbearable." , I heard that Zhao Shancai is also a determined person, but whenever he suffers from stomachache, his face will turn pale, his body will be stooped, he will sweat profusely, and he will even exhale in pain, which seems to be very serious."
"oh?"
After hearing Zhou Lu's report, Zhou Shangjing's old eyes flashed slightly, then he put down the sedan curtain and sat back in the sedan, deep in thought.
Zhou Shangjing has rich experience and has seen too many conspiracies. After hearing Zhou Lu's report, he immediately realized that this matter did not seem to be that simple.
…
While Zhou Shangjing was secretly paying attention to Zhao Shancai, Emperor Deqing and Prince Zhu Heyu were also talking about Zhao Shancai in the imperial study room in the Forbidden City.
However, he said that immediately after the morning court ended, Emperor Deqing summoned Prince Zhu Heyu in the imperial study.
After meeting Prince Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing first warmly praised Prince Zhu Heyu and expressed deep praise for Prince Zhu Heyu's actions in court this morning. Prince Zhu Heyu also showed due humility. With Xiaoyi, there was a rare harmonious atmosphere between father and son.
But at this moment, Emperor Deqing suddenly changed the subject and asked: "You performed very well today, but your various statements were not your idea alone, right? But who gave you advice behind the scenes? "
As the saying goes, a son is better than his father. Although Prince Zhu Heyu's own tactics have been improving, they are just barely doing it now. Emperor Deqing naturally understood it very well, so he asked such a question.
After hearing the inquiry, Prince Zhu Heyu did not hide anything. In fact, even if Emperor Deqing did not ask, Zhu Heyu would take the initiative to explain for the sake of Zhao Shancai's future career, so Zhu Heyu immediately replied: "Hui father.
The emperor's words, and the various performances of my ministers in court this morning are indeed due to the guidance of an expert. This expert has superb strategies, unparalleled intelligence, and admirable character. He is a rare and strange person in the world."
"Oh? Who is this master?" Seeing the prince's praise, Emperor Deqing asked curiously.
"Father, you have also heard of him. He is Zhao Shancai, who is ranked second in the current exam. Unfortunately, due to some things, he has been deprived of his official position and fame by his father. Now he is serving as an aide in the East Palace of my son."
"Zhao Shancai?" Emperor Deqing thought thoughtfully: "Isn't he a distant relative of Zhao Junchen? I see that he has a close relationship with Zhao Junchen. Is this person trustworthy?"
Zhu Heyu quickly replied: "Father, please rest assured. Zhao Shancai has always been of noble character. He is also a close disciple of the Crown Prince and Grand Master He Ming. He is definitely not the same person as Zhao Junchen. He has met Zhao Junchen several times.
But it’s just to find out Zhao Junchen’s truth.”
Emperor Deqing nodded slowly and said: "I see. In this way, this Zhao Shancai can be a great help to you, but the punishment I gave him was a bit harsh..."
Seeing Emperor Deqing say this, Zhu Heyu was very happy.
After all, with Emperor Deqing's words, it means that Zhao Shancai's career has regained hope!
However, Prince Zhu Heyu suddenly remembered Zhao Shancai's recent physical condition, and a shadow cast over his heart.
In recent times, Zhao Shancai's stomach disease has become more and more serious, which has seriously affected Zhao Shancai's physical condition. However, even the imperial doctor in the palace is helpless and cannot find any cause, so he can only keep dragging...
"Perhaps the famous doctor in Zhao Junchen's mansion will have a solution..."
At this time, Prince Zhu Heyu suddenly thought of it.
