On the morning of July 28, three days after Li Dongyang was buried, a court meeting officially began in Fengtian Hall.
Different from the past, there were not many people attending the court meeting this time, only a few dozen people. However, these dozens of people were all important figures in the court. The six ministers and left and right ministers representing the outer court, and the Duyu of Yushitai
The historians. Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and others representing the inner court. The British grandson Zhang Lun and several princes representing the nobles.
Of course, the two cabinet ministers Yang Tinghe and Jiao Fang were also among them.
This court meeting was held suddenly, and many people were notified to participate in the court meeting in the early morning. So they rushed there in a hurry, and their clothes were a little disheveled. There were also heavyweights of the Xungui Group, Xu Guangzuo and his son, and the group.
The deputy governor of the camp, Zhang Yanling, Marquis of Jianchang, did not attend.
Zhang Yanling gave birth to his son last night, and Xu Guangzuo and his son stayed up until midnight in Jianchang Houfu. After the child was born, the three of them drank until the fourth watch, and they were all very drunk. In the morning, the palace people went to send word that they would go to court.
By that time, these three people were so drunk that they were unconscious and unable to attend. So they had to take leave.
The court meeting has not yet begun, and many people have already vaguely realized that this court meeting must be related to what happened after Li Dongyang's death. Rumors about the adjustment of cabinet personnel have already begun, and officials in the court have already spread it privately. This matter is indeed
It's time to put it on the agenda.
However, it seems a little wrong to talk about this matter in such a small-scale court meeting, even in the absence of important ministers.
Everyone stood quietly in the main hall, waiting for the emperor to come to court. Jiao Fang, Zhang Cai, Liu Yu and others looked very calm. Their eyes were full of confidence and expectation.
The timing of today's court meeting was great. Originally, Liu Jin hoped to hold the meeting immediately after Li Dongyang's funeral. However, Zhu Houzhao was not feeling well, so it was delayed for a few days. This made Jiao Fang and others very anxious, worried that Yang Tinghe would recover.
Come, I am worried that Zhang Yanling and others are secretly causing trouble.
Liu Jin and others had no choice but to wait. However, they soon got a better opportunity, that is, Zhang Yanling's wife was about to give birth. Moreover, it was said that she did not give birth after a day of hard work.
At first, this group of people hoped that a death from the Marquis of Jianchang would kill two people, and then things would be easier to handle. Zhang Yanling and Xu Guangzuo probably didn't want to care about the affairs of the court. That would be an excellent time.
Although the injustice was not realized in the end, Liu Jin keenly seized another opportunity. When the Zhang family sent people to the palace to report the news of Zhang Yanling's successful birth to the Empress Dowager Zhang who had been paying attention to the birth of Mrs. Jianchang Hou, Liu Jin also received the report at the same time.
.
In the middle of the night, although she was a little depressed when she heard the news that Zhang Yanling had given birth to a son, Liu Jin immediately realized that if a court meeting were held early this morning, Zhang Yanling, Xu Guangzuo and Xu Yande would not attend. Isn't this a must-have celebration all night? Xu Guangzuo, his son and Zhang Yanling also
She loves to drink, and the Princess of Dingguo Palace had to struggle all day before she gave birth to a child, so shouldn’t she have a wedding banquet?
Liu Jin immediately decided to ask the emperor to attend the morning court immediately, because Xu Guangzuo, his son and Zhang Yanling were likely to miss the morning court. This was the best time.
Of course, Liu Jin did not dare to make his own decisions and force Zhu Houzhao to go to court. Then he could only carry out a surprise attack. He ordered Gao Feng to leave the palace, notified Jiao Fang, Zhang Cai, Liu Yu and others to take action, and asked the emperor to go to court early in the name of the three of them.
Discuss important matters.
In this way, Zhu Houzhao would not blame himself for forcing him to go to court. If Zhu Houzhao was not willing to go to court, he would advise him to put state affairs first, say that the country has lost important ministers, and go to court to appease the ministers and mourn.
As long as Zhu Houzhao is in court, he will not be able to discuss anything. Jiao Fang and others will raise it, and he will agree with it. The emperor will have to let everyone discuss the addition of the cabinet and the selection of the chief minister.
Because of this, today's morning meeting was convened in such a hasty manner.
After a long wait, no one spoke in the hall, and the atmosphere was very depressing. Yang Tinghe stood there quietly, lowering his head and thinking deeply. In the past three days after Li Dongyang's death, Yang Tinghe also took leave at home, and only today he stood in front of everyone again.
In front of him, what the officials saw on his face was an unusual calmness, rather than an indelible sadness.
"The Emperor has arrived!" a shout sounded, the side curtain was lifted, and Zhu Houzhao walked in. There was no escort of the big Han general in the imperial guard, and there was no pomp and circumstance. Zhu Houzhao didn't even change his clothes. He was wearing
Regular clothes, just a crimson robe.
There was a look of unwilling weariness on his face, and his complexion was a little pale. Such an early morning meeting made him feel very uncomfortable. People who are used to getting up late, the most annoying thing is getting up early, especially in this midsummer.
It was a good time to sleep in the early morning. Therefore, Zhu Houzhao's face still showed traces of the struggle between tiredness and sobriety.
"I see you, Your Majesty. Long live my Emperor." The ministers knelt down and kowtowed in greeting.
"Everyone, get up." Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, and the waving hand fell to his mouth, covering a big yawn.
"I thank you!" Everyone stood up one after another.
Zhu Houzhao sat on the throne, looked at the people in front of him with sleepy eyes, and said: "My dear friends, I have nothing else to do in today's meeting. I want to talk to you about the sudden death of Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet. I originally wanted to spend some time.
Let me talk about this matter again, let me and you
Let me take a moment to calm down and suppress my sorrow, and then talk about this matter again, so as not to arouse sad feelings. However, several adults including Jiao Fang, the cabinet scholar, Liu Yu, the imperial censor of Zuodu, jointly submitted a petition, requesting a court meeting, asking me to appease everyone and pay homage to them.
I think it’s okay for the deceased.”
Everyone's eyes turned to Jiao Fang, Liu Yu and others. Only now did they know that this impromptu court meeting was organized by Jiao Fang and others.
"Jiao Fang, tell everyone." Zhu Houzhao said.
Jiao Fang bowed and went out to salute, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Li Shoufu died suddenly of illness, the government and the public were shocked, and everyone regretted it. Today is the seventh day that Li Shoufu drove Hexi to the west, which is what the people call the first seventh day. The first seven days
On the day, the soul returns, and after today, the soul will leave. From then on, there will be a real relationship between Yin and Yang.
In view of this, the old minister and several adults from the outer court discussed it. Today, it is most appropriate to invite the emperor to come to the court early to recall Li Shoufu's lifelong loyalty. While Li Shoufu's loyal spirit is not far away, he can also be comforted under the spring and feel that the emperor
The grace is so great that I can feel the remembrance and admiration of my fellow officials and the people."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "That's it. It's true, Li Shoufu has been dead for seven days, time flies so fast. I still vividly remember the scene when I visited him a few days ago. Unexpectedly, he has been dead for seven days. Hey!
"
Zhu Houzhao sighed, and Yang Tinghe stood there with tears streaming down his face, sobbing.
Jiao Fang looked at Yang Tinghe and said, "Master Yang, please forgive me. We are commemorating and paying homage today. We must not cry here. It will lose the dignity of the court."
Yang Tinghe wiped his tears and said nothing.
Jiao Fang turned to Zhu Houzhao and cupped her hands and said: "Your Majesty, Li Shoufu has been loyal and good throughout his life. He has dedicated his whole life to the court and has made great contributions through hard work. After discussion, the ministers and others felt that a monument should be erected for him to commemorate his achievements. In addition, the ministers and others also believed that
, the emperor can consider opening the temple of the late emperor, and agree that Li Shoufu deserves to enjoy the temple of the late emperor as a reward."
Zhu Houzhao was a little surprised and a little surprised. Other ministers were also surprised. Being able to enjoy the temple is the greatest reward for a meritorious official. It means enjoying incense and worshiping together with the late emperor's tablet.
Since Emperor Chengzu, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty no longer opened temples. No deceased official has ever enjoyed such an honor. It is really surprising that Jiao Fang and others brought this up. Li Dongyang actually did not have such an honor, and it was strange.
What's strange is that Jiao Fang and the others have always been at odds with Li Dongyang, so how could they suddenly be so enthusiastic?
"It's okay to erect a monument to show his loyalty, but opening a temple may be open to question. Let's do this. You erect a monument for him, and I will personally inscribe the inscription. I think this is enough. Li Shoufu has been indifferent to fame and fortune throughout his life, and has strictly abided by the rules of the court.
, His spirit in heaven is afraid of breaking the rules and arousing criticism. What do you think?" Zhu Houzhao said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty!" everyone said one after another. Many people expressed satisfaction with the emperor's handling for the first time.
Jiao Fang was not disappointed at all. This was just his excuse. If he didn't say it so solemnly, there would be no reason for the meeting to be held.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, this is a good solution. I actually think that it is a bit unusual to enjoy the ancestral temple. However, I still have one more point to make, which should be discussed today. That is, after Li Shoufu ascends the throne, the number of personnel in the cabinet will be increased, and
The matter of division of labor, I think it should be discussed as soon as possible," Jiao Fang said.
"Yes, yes, this matter should be discussed as soon as possible. The affairs of the imperial court are complicated, and the death of Li Dongyang cannot delay the important affairs of the imperial court."
"The cabinet must be stabilized, and the personnel should be supplemented and discussed. The chief assistant must also be finalized to facilitate the development of affairs. Li Chief Assistant is in heaven, and he certainly does not want his sudden death to cause chaos in the affairs of the court."
"Yes, yes, it's time to finalize this matter. Important matters for the imperial court cannot be delayed."
A group of ministers immediately said.
Zhu Houzhao frowned and looked at Liu Jin. Didn't you mean that you just went to court to express your condolences to Li Dongyang and appease the ministers, so that the world could see it and let the world know about the relationship between the emperor and his ministers between you and Li Dongyang? How?
Are we going to discuss things again?
Liu Jin hurriedly said: "Master Jiao, the Emperor has not considered this matter clearly. Today is not a meeting of the imperial court, and many important ministers are absent. How about we discuss it later?"
Jiao Fang said in a deep voice: "Eunuch Liu, this matter cannot be delayed. Due to the death of Li Dongyang, the chief assistant of the cabinet, and Academician Yang sadly taking a leave of absence at home, I alone cannot decide anything in the cabinet. The cabinet has actually come to a standstill.
Many important things have been backlogged. Is this a long-term solution? How can the important affairs of the imperial court be stopped because of the death of one person?"
"Yes, there are many things that need to be dealt with, and many of them are urgent. If the cabinet cannot vote to prepare a memorial, the emperor cannot wear the honor. Wouldn't it delay the important affairs of the court?"
"That's it. We can't delay the important matters of the imperial court."
Xu Jin, Zhang Cai, Liu Yu and others all said.
Liu Jin looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, it seems that this matter really has to be done. Why don't we discuss it together today. Anyway, the people here are all important ministers and can represent the views of most of the courtiers. What do you think, Your Majesty?
Woolen cloth?"
Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and nodded: "That's all. Originally, I wanted to wait for some time for everyone to calm down before discussing the matter. Since this matter cannot be delayed, let's make the decision today."
Liu Jin was secretly happy that things were going smoothly in the direction he had arranged. Next, the emperor should ask about the candidates. Li Jie, the Minister of Rites, who had been settled by Jiao Fang in the past two days, would propose the candidates he had arranged.
.Recommend Zhang Cai and Liu Yu to join the cabinet, and recommend Jiao Fang as the chief minister. Then a group of people seconded their approval, and the addition of chief ministers and personnel to the cabinet was completed logically. They had the power to vote for the cabinet.
This will be a simple and quick negotiation among the cabinet members. Because others, including Yang Tinghe, have no fighting capacity. They cannot form an opposition force to change the facts at all.
Liu Jin was thinking about this and looked at Zhu Houzhao. He was waiting for Zhu Houzhao to ask, "Do you have any suggestions for additional candidates for the cabinet?"
Zhu Houzhao raised his hand and spoke as Liu Jin expected. But the words that came out of his mouth made Liu Jin almost faint.
"In the past few days, I have actually been thinking about this matter in my mind. To tell you the truth, I have already made a decision in my mind. I believe that Liang Chu, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is a wise man who seeks the country, is cautious, honest and honest, and can be admitted to the cabinet as an assistant minister.
.In this way, the cabinet has three assistant ministers, and the number is enough. As for
As the chief minister of the cabinet, I think Yang Tinghe is qualified. After the teacher passed away, it is only natural that the student will take his place. In addition, Yang Tinghe is knowledgeable and decisive. He was also my teacher and taught me how to read. No one will think that he is not qualified, right?
.What do you think?" Zhu Houzhao said solemnly.
Liu Jin, Jiao Fang, Zhang Cai, Liu Yu, Xu Jin and other party members were stunned and their minds were buzzing. Liu Jin never dreamed that the emperor actually made the decision himself and directly proposed the candidates without discussion. This made Liu Jin
He was shocked and shuddered.
This was the first time that Liu Jin felt out of control with the emperor. In the past, everything the emperor said and did was within his expectations, but now, it seemed that he was out of control.
"Hahaha, the emperor is wise, I think the emperor's arrangement is very appropriate. I second the proposal!" British Duke Zhang Mao laughed loudly.
"I second the proposal."
"I second the proposal."
A group of civil servants from the outer court had no idea that the emperor had made such a decision. They all woke up from a dream and loudly agreed. Not long ago, they were still confused and worried about the fate of the outer court. But the emperor proposed that Yang Tinghe should lead
They proposed that Liang Chu join the cabinet, which immediately gave them hope. Yang Tinghe was Li Dongyang's student, and for Li Dongyang's sake, they should support him. He may not be qualified to be the first assistant, but he is better than the eunuch.
The first assistant should be good.
"Your Majesty!" Liu Jin shouted hurriedly.
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Okay, since everyone agrees with my proposal, then the matter has been settled. From now on, Yang Tinghe will be the chief minister of the cabinet, and Liang Chu will be added to the cabinet. The imperial decree will be issued later to withdraw from the court."
Zhu Houzhao stood up, strode down the steps next to the throne, and left amidst the greetings of the ministers. Liu Jin, Jiao Fang, Zhang Cai and other people with pale faces were left waiting in the hall, staring at each other, at a loss.