After Liu Jin was executed, the structure of the court changed rapidly.
Jiao Fang, a scholar in the cabinet, was dismissed from his official position, demoted to a civilian position, confiscated his family property and returned to his hometown.
Zhang Cai, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, was dismissed from his post and imprisoned, and died of illness in prison soon after. But even so, Yang Tinghe ordered Zhang Cai's ashes to be crushed, his family property was confiscated, and all his family members were exiled to Hainan.
Xu Jin, Minister of the Ministry of War, was dismissed from his post and imprisoned. He lost his property and was exiled to Lingnan.
Wei Bin, a high-ranking official in the inner court, and Liu Jin's accomplices had their property confiscated and were executed at the Meridian Gate.
All the eunuchs were liquidated and either died or were exiled and dismissed.
As the saying goes, watch him build tall buildings, watch him entertain guests, and watch his buildings collapse. The ups and downs of life are so sudden and unpredictable. The arrogant Liu Jin eunuch and his like have disappeared in the long river of history.
When someone falls, someone will take over.
In early July, Yang Tinghe proposed that Fei Hong, the minister of rites, should be replaced as an assistant minister in the cabinet to fill the vacancy left by Jiao Fang. Zhu Houzhao approved the proposal and added Fei Hong, the title of bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, to join the cabinet.
At this point, the cabinet was controlled by Yang Ting and Liang Governor Fei Hong, and there was no more noise.
The six ministers also had a major change. After Jiao Fang, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, was deposed, Liu Ji, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, took over the post of minister of the Ministry of official affairs. Gu Zuo, the minister of the Ministry of household affairs, became official, and Yang Yiqing, the governor of Ningxia, went to Beijing to take over as the minister of the Ministry of household affairs.
Xu Jin, the Minister of the Ministry of War, was dismissed from his post and imprisoned. Cao Yuan, the Minister of the Ministry of War, was appointed as the Minister of War. Fei Hong was appointed as the Minister of Rites to replace Li Jie. Liu Jing was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment on behalf of Wang Jianzhi. Li Sui was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Industry on behalf of Zeng Jian.
Liu Yu and Tu Yong were all dismissed from the Yushitai, leaving only Zuodu Yushi Hongzhong to take up the post as the head of the Yushitai.
The list of appointments and dismissals was compiled by Zhu Houzhao one by one. Zhu Houzhao also had no energy at all during this period. He did whatever Yang Tinghe said. The young emperor did not dare to do anything out of the ordinary for the time being, because in the case of Liu Jin,
He felt very guilty.
The Xungui Group represented by Zhang Yanling did not raise any objections. It was not that Zhang Yanling did not dare to confront Yang Tinghe, but that for Zhang Yanling, instead of arguing over the candidates for the outer court, it was better not to interfere in exchange for other aspects.
interests.
This benefit is the candidate for the supervisor of the inner court.
It is actually the most convenient way to create an inner court to balance the strength of the outer court. But this time, the people of the inner court must be in their own hands. Zhang Yanling and others suggested that Zhang Yong had meritorious service in the rebellion, and he should serve as the eunuch in charge of the ceremony. Inner Court
After Liu Jin's party members were purged, the leaders of each supervisory department naturally had to be Zhang Yong's people.
Zhang Zhong, the eunuch in charge of the Empress Dowager's palace, finally made his mark and became the eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch responsible for etiquette, and took charge of the East Factory. The remaining eunuchs were appointed by Zhang Yong.
Regarding the appointment and dismissal of the Inner Court, Yang Tinghe and others also wisely chose to acquiesce. Didn't they know that Zhang Yong and Zhang Yanling had a good relationship, the Inner Court actually became Zhang Yanling's confidant, and the Inner Court and the Xungui Group would form an alliance.
However, Yang Tinghe knew that he was not yet able to fully control the situation. If he had any say in the selection of candidates for the inner court, Zhang Yanling would definitely find trouble in the appointment of the outer court and interfere in the affairs of the outer court. This was something he absolutely did not want to see.
After the chaos, the court should calm down for a period of time and not form a situation of open confrontation. It will also take time for the outer court to regain the emperor's trust and restore its previous atmosphere.
At this point, the inner and outer courts took on a new look and formed a new structure. Both parties were very satisfied because they both got what they wanted.
However, Zhang Yanling was very unhappy about one thing. He originally wanted Zhang Yin to be transferred to the Jinyiwei general office and take up the post of commander of the Jinyiwei capital after the purge. But it turned out to be the opposite. When Zhang Yanling made this suggestion, Zhu Houzhao said that he had already decided
Jiang Bin was appointed as the commander of the Jinyi Guards, and he was asked to personally concurrently serve as the commander of the guards of the Han Dynasty General Camp, responsible for the safety around him.
This decision caught Zhang Yanling off guard. This must be the result of Jiang Bin's own pleading. This time, he knew that Jiang Bin would make a lot of money, but he didn't expect that he would not only make a lot of money, but he would be stuffed to the point of bursting.
.
Zhang Yanling originally wanted to tell Zhu Houzhao that Jiang Bin was not useful.
This man is cunning and treacherous, and he adapts to the circumstances. He is Liu Jin's adopted son. It is a great blessing to escape responsibility this time. How can he be reused? His performance in counterinsurgency is also lackluster. He is a complete opportunist.
But seeing that Zhu Houzhao had lost his temper at this moment and looked pitiful, he couldn't bear to let him lose face anymore, so he gave up.
However, Zhang Yanling told Zhu Houzhao that she would keep an eye on Jiang Bin. If he misbehaves and the Jinyiwei Yamen behaves the same way as before in his hands, he will get involved with him.
Zhu Houzhao agreed wholeheartedly. The reason why Zhu Houzhao appointed Jiang Bin by his side was actually dictated by the situation.
Liu Jin died, and he certainly deserved his death. But he had to have people around him who were completely obedient to him and did things for him that he couldn't do. He had to find a caring person to take Liu Jin's place.
Zhang Yong obviously cannot treat him the same as Liu Jin, but Jiang Bin behaves very satisfactorily with him. This time he has proved his loyalty to Liu Jin, and he is also attentive to himself, which is quite Liu Jin's style. This way
As long as you give a person power, he will be loyal.
As for his character and ability, that comes second.
Sometimes the more capable a person is, the harder it is to control him. Although Zhang Yanling is very capable and she trusts him, it is still inappropriate to surround herself with people arranged by him.
People's hearts are apart, Liu Jin, this bitch, gets along with me day and night, and I completely trust him and protect him in every possible way. Who would have thought that he would be so ambitious and the person who killed his father. In the end, he would become malicious and want to hold her hostage.
Although Zhang Yanling may not be such a person, he must be wary of others. It is better for the people around him to use mediocre people like Jiang Bin who can be controlled. At least, he will be grateful to him and be like his boss.
In any case, for more than half a month after the fall of the Eunuch Party, the structure of the Ming Dynasty court was reshuffled and took on a completely new look. The court also quickly issued a decree to abolish all the new land policies and other policies proposed by Liu Jin.
policy.
Everything has come full circle and is back to where it started.
Zhu Houzhao also restrained himself for the time being. He went to the palace on time in the morning court and attended the Sutra banquet on time. His attitude towards Yang Ting, Liang Chu Fei Hong and others also became more and more respectful. He was quite like the former emperor.
But Zhang Yanling knew that with Zhu Houzhao's temperament, he would not last long. He was just licking his wounds, waiting for time to pass, everything would fade away, and he would return to his old ways.
…
At the end of July, Zhang Yanling was also busy running back and forth between the Xishan Manor in the capital and preparing for a major event.
On the night of July 27th, Zhang Yanling and Tan Ruqing had just done some vigorous exercise before going to bed and were so sleepy that they were sleeping with Tan Ruqing in their arms, but Zhang Lun sent someone to invite him. Go to the British Duke's Mansion in Zhengnanfang. He says that the British Duke Zhang Maoming wants to see him.
British Duke Zhang Mao has been lingering in bed since he contracted a cold six months ago. Even after consulting famous doctors, he failed to cure his illness. He relied on various tonics and rejuvenation pills to barely breathe, and he has been suffering until now.
Zhang Yanling saw him twice. Zhang Mao was in a semi-conscious state and couldn't speak at all. Today he said he wanted to see him. Could it be that he was cured of his illness?
After arriving at the British Duke's Mansion in Zhengnanfang, Zhang Lun was waiting for him in the hall. Before meeting the British Duke, Zhang Lun whispered to Zhang Yanling: "I'm afraid the old man will die. Today he suddenly woke up from a coma and drank a bowl. Ginseng soup. I thought he had recovered from his illness and got over it. But the doctor said it was a sign of returning to the light. I guess it will be tonight."
Zhang Yanling was shocked and asked: "How could this happen? What did the old man ask me to do?"
Zhang Lun spread his hands and said: "I don't know, I guess I'm asking about Liu Jin. I told him. Just say a few words to him. I'm sorry to call you here in the middle of the night. I'm busy."
Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said: "Brother, why are you saying this? Am I not always here for your business? Besides, the old man is also someone I respect, how can I not come?"
Zhang Lun sighed and nodded, and took Zhang Yanling into Zhang Mao's courtyard.
British Duke Zhang Mao was sitting on the bedside. When he saw Zhang Yanling and Zhang Lun coming in, a smile appeared on his old face.
Zhang Yanling came forward and knelt down to salute. Zhang Mao stopped him with a smile: "Don't kneel down. Congratulations to the Lord Protector. It's really not easy. You have been granted the title of Lord Protector. I heard what Zhang Lun said. I really deserve the name." Go back. You are also the Duke of the country. We are equal and have the same title. You cannot kneel down and worship."
Zhang Yanling said hurriedly: "I'm ashamed. This is the title I'm coming for. It's just the emperor's grace. How can I be on par with the old man? Zhang Lun and I are brothers. As juniors, it is right for us to kneel down and worship."
The British Duke stared at Zhang Yanling and said with a smile: "The Protector is too polite. I heard about Liu Jin. The Protector is really wise and brave. Liu Jin should have died long ago. Apart from him, the court will be safe. The Protector did something It is important to benefit the country and the people. I am not as good as you, and your husband is not as good as you. From now on, our Ming Dynasty will have to rely on people like you to maintain it. With you here, there should be no big mistakes. I feel extremely ashamed. , I have read countless people in my life and have never made a mistake, but I once misjudged you, Zhang Yanling. I am extremely ashamed."
Zhang Yanling said hurriedly: "Old man, don't say such things. Yanling was ignorant back then. I don't blame the old man for looking at me so much. I even looked down on myself at that time. Old man, how are you doing? You look well."
Zhang Mao chuckled and said in a deep voice: "Hello? Don't you know what's going on? I'm returning to my former glory. I'll see the King of Hell soon."
Zhang Yanling was stunned, she didn't expect Zhang Mao to understand so well.
"Duke Protector, I asked Zhang Lun to invite you here because I have something to tell you and something I want to entrust to you. I don't have much time left, so I won't talk nonsense. I will just tell you directly. If there are any inappropriate words , please bear with me." Zhang Mao said slowly with a calm expression.