Appendix 1: 'Here, Xianggong' - Lin Dengwan at the beginning
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As the Empress Dowager of Dayan wiped away her tears, put on her unique black-rimmed glasses again, and agreed to the reasonable request of the ministers, His Majesty, the second emperor of Dayan, after decades of being the crown prince
Later, he finally ascended the throne and became emperor.
Although the Empress Dowager is over ninety years old, she is in good spirits and in good health. Every time there was a court meeting before, the ministers always shouted, "Your Majesty has a long life, and the Queen Mother has eternal health." Now it seems that Emperor Daxing may not be able to live a long life.
But the Empress Dowager seemed to be always in good health. So much so that the rebels in Yingchuan even tried to smear the Empress Dowager and spread rumors that she used witchcraft to take away her life. Why did the late Emperor Kao die young and Emperor Daxing abandon him long ago?
In the world, there are even nonsense stories such as Fan Yang, Lu Gong, and the former Han Ling Emperor...
However, after all, His Majesty was raised by the Empress Dowager herself, and he received many favorable favors. Soon after he ascended the throne, he was able to remove many trustworthy people. Of course, the Prime Minister's son Bo Gong, whom the Empress Dowager has always trusted, was personally trained by the Daxing Emperor.
Right Prime Minister Zhongda Gong, the status of these two people cannot be shaken by your Majesty in any way.
As a result, Zhuge Liang, the prince-in-law, who was accepted by the Empress Dowager and Her Majesty, was elected as the left prime minister, Gongsun Xu of the clan was appointed as the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, and Wang Can, who followed His Majesty to farm in Shu with the first two, took over as the Minister of Banyin Temple. These are all consistent.
Everyone expected that although the speed of promotion of relatives and clan members was slightly contrary to the promise made by the late emperor to all the ministers on Tongquetai.
But for Wang Zhuo, who has been the deputy envoy of Jing'an station for many years, the selection of the new envoy of Jing'an station really surprised him (for an old Jing'an, it is extremely easy to learn the life story of each minister).
).
The person who was proposed as the official envoy of Jing'an was Liang Gong, who was from a poor family and was nicknamed Mr. Nanhai. This man was the cook offered by the scholar family of Jiaozhou when they surrendered to the late emperor. Unexpectedly, when he met the Empress Dowager, he told Jiaozhou that he was false and true.
, thus gaining recognition and enrolling in Ye University. After graduating from Ye University, Liang Gong squatted in the Yushitai for decades. No one could have imagined that after the new emperor ascended the throne, he suddenly became the envoy of Jing'an, and a dignified minister and minister.
(However, it is somewhat embarrassing for a person who was promoted by the Empress Dowager and mediocre for many years to be suddenly promoted to a high position by the new emperor.)
But that's fine, Wang Zhuo thought to himself. After all, an envoy who has never been exposed to serious practice, especially the Jing'an Taiwan affairs, and whose position is ambiguous and embarrassing is easier to manipulate (and even less likely to shake the power of Deputy Envoy Wang).
.
Thinking of this, Wang Zhuo readjusted his expression, and an elegant and charming smile was put on his face - he had the grace of a descendant of a noble family, the gentleness of a learned man from Ye, and the look of a capable minister and official.
Shrewd and capable. Then, he walked to the front of the Jing'an Taiwan Department and waited for the new chief officer to arrive.
Mr. Liang, the newly minted official of Jing'an station, sat down in high spirits on the main seat in the hall of the Yamen Office of Jing'an. Wang Zhuo, the deputy envoy of Jing'an, stood respectfully in the hall and waited for instructions.
Prime Minister Liang said publicly: "Deputy Envoy Wang has been with us for a long time and has rich experience. I have just arrived here, and I need Deputy Envoy Wang to do his best to help me with everything. Only in this way can I live up to the trust entrusted by the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."
"No, Mr. Xian! Zhuo's duty is to try his best to assist Mr. Xian, Mr. Xian."
"Ms. sir, sir?" Liang Jia was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, and said with a smile: "Deputy envoy Wang doesn't need to be so formal."
"No, sir."
"..."
"Oh, by the way. When I was at Yushitai, I once investigated the distribution of personnel in Jing'an Station..."
"Ah, no matter where my husband holds office, he is dedicated and devoted to his work. This is something everyone knows. I am ignorant and ignorant, so I know a little bit about it."
Liang Jia, who was interrupted, opened his mouth and thought, did the deputy envoy of Jing'antai also claim to be ignorant? But Wang Zhuo did not stop and had to continue listening.
"Ru Zhuo remembers correctly, Xianggong sent a memorial to the late emperor in the 20th year, saying that all the officials from Jing'an and Taiwan gathered in the capital, and there were too many inland."
"Deputy Ambassador Wang actually remembers it so clearly?! But wasn't my memorial at that time flooded?"
"Your Majesty, Jing'an Station has the right to read all official documents. Of course, it will pay attention to any matters mentioning our station."
"I see, then I don't need to say anything more. Since we are trusted by the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, we must carry out strict reforms, streamline our troops and streamline our administration, and put an end to the four bad styles that we have accumulated for many years!"
"Reforming the bad government is the common goal of the Yan government and the public. All officials in this station will definitely support the reform policy of the court and the father-in-law!" Wang Zhuo stood up straight, raised his hands to the north and said righteously, and then asked, "
Sir, what does this matter have to do with your previous memorial?"
"What? I don't understand what you mean..."
"I mean what I said... I mean what I said!"
"...Okay, let me put it bluntly! Jingantai is responsible for spying on intelligence, but its personnel are too concentrated in the capital, Ruying, Nanyang, and Hanoi. It is also obvious that the establishment is bloated and overstaffed. This is corruption!"
"Ah! My husband, you actually know that Jing'antai's job is to spy on intelligence. This really makes me overjoyed."
"ha??"
"May I ask, sir, do you know why your memorial was buried?"
"Why? Aren't you people obstructing it?" Mr. Liang became a little angry.
"Oh! This is such an injustice to us humble court officials. You need to know that spying on intelligence is a very dangerous job. Whether it is Zhicai Gong, Fengxiao Gong or Xu Hou, their experiences have proven this. So.
All affairs of our station are the highest secrets of the imperial court. If your memorial is discovered, someone with ulterior motives—and I’m not talking about you—is bound to be able to find a few words in it that may cause danger to the work of our station. Even if there are not these few words,
, it may also cause negative associations against our staff. However, in any case, the safety of our work cannot be relied on the negligence of others.”
"So, you are saying that these things are confidential, so in order to keep them secret, you drowned out my memorial?"
"Mr. Xian Gong Ming Jing!"
"But! Jingantai's budget can be found out by checking at the Ministry of Household Affairs! How is this a secret?! Everyone knows it!" Mr. Liang's face began to turn red, and his breath turned red.
Get thicker.
"Your Majesty! In fact, the requirement to keep court secrets is not to keep secrets, but to protect the court. As long as the matter is not brought to the table and no one talks about it, it means that no one knows about it. Even if
If there is any problem with the imperial court, no one can blame it!"
"Absurd! How unreasonable!" Liang Xianggong slapped the tables beside him with his palm, stood up, blew his beard and shouted with eyes wide open. However, it seemed that the force of the slap on the tables was a bit strong, and he couldn't help but rub it.
palm.
After calming down, Liang Jia felt that his reason suppressed his impulse, and then he spoke again: "Don't think that I don't know anything. To put it bluntly, no one wants to go to remote and difficult places like the Western Regions, Xianbei, and Southern Xinjiang. Stay here.
How wonderful the inland is! There are opportunities to promote the capital, Hebei is convenient for children to study, and Nanyang is rich and prosperous. Who wouldn't want to go? But to spy on intelligence, doesn't it mean going to the border or even going deep into enemy territory? Who are you to spy on in the inland?"
Wang Zhuo began to feel a little uneasy, as if his disguise had been exposed, but he quickly returned to his previous polite, friendly smile, and said: "My husband has just taken up his new post and is not aware of the general affairs of this station, so he has this question. Jing
The distribution of Antai personnel is consistent with the importance of the intelligence being detected! Of course, our station’s affairs focus on the mainland as the priority, and the border areas as the secondary priority.”
"What kind of absurdity is this!"
"I dare to ask my husband, among the countries in Xianbei, Southern Xinjiang, and the Western Regions, who is better than me, Dayan?"
"My great Yan is rich all over the world, and my white horse and cavalry are invincible. Naturally, I can reach far and wide countries."
"Who is the important minister and general of Yan and other countries?"
"We, Yan, have a great literary power of Ye, a military academy of military affairs, and have trained countless capable ministers and generals. Even though the Qin and Han Dynasties were as prosperous as the Qin and Han dynasties, they are still unmatched. How can we talk about Yi and Di?"
"That's right. Therefore, in the eyes of the imperial court, the biggest threat does not come from foreign countries, but is within the territory of Dayan! Now that there has been peace for many years, we must strictly guard against disasters and maintain peace and tranquility in the world. This will be the life of our colleagues in Jing'antai
As you wish!" Wang Zhuo said righteously.
"This..." Liang Xianggong instinctively felt that this kind of sophistry and nonsense was unreasonable, but the literal meaning was impeccable and there was no reason to refute it at all.
The awkward silence did not last long. Mr. Liang, who had been a censor for many years, immediately found a new direction of attack.
"Ahem! Deputy Ambassador Wang, I am indeed not very familiar with the affairs of Jing'an Taiwan. However, the Yushitai, in collaboration with the Finance Office and the Ministry of Household Affairs, have conducted a survey before. It is conservatively estimated that more than 60% of the personnel in Jing'an Taiwan are redundant. Even if Jing'an Taiwan is
Taiwan's work requirements are strict and require multi-party supervision, but 60% is too unacceptable. Both the Queen Mother and Your Majesty are very dissatisfied with this. Therefore, no matter what, this cabinet must take action to let the two
The Supreme Being knows that our station has the intention to improve it! Presumably Deputy Ambassador Wang doesn’t want to bear the power of Tianyan’s wrath, right?”
"Since the two supreme beings are so concerned, it must be the common goal of all the officials in this station. We will do our best to cooperate with the husband to complete this arduous task!" Wang Zhuo still spoke righteously, as if he didn't hear Liang at all.
Jia means to rebuke.
"Then immediately draft a document to comprehensively eliminate redundant personnel! I hope that this document can be placed in front of the Queen Mother and Your Majesty before the next court meeting!"
"No! Sir!"
The seven days passed quickly. Liang Hanmen covered his head and fell on the official case of Jing'an Taiyamen Office in frustration. Wang Zhuo walked into the hall as before with grace.
"My husband summoned my subordinates for something important?" Wang Zhuo still had an elegant smile on his face.
"Alas! Early this morning, I received an official document jointly signed by the Finance Desk and the Ministry of Household Affairs, questioning why the unplanned budget was suddenly increased. Then the Privy Council Desk and the Ministry of War also sent a captain to question why their communication channels were cut.
He actually threw my brush on the spot. There is a court meeting in two days. Am I going to be used as a target for attacks by ministers just after I join the cabinet?"
"Then Sir, why don't you write back to them and explain to them that we are implementing the reform plan of having better troops and simpler administration advocated by the two Supreme Beings. The unplanned expenses are severance pay for eliminating redundant personnel. This is a rule set by the late emperor and cannot be changed easily.
Cutting down the communication channels has actually optimized the communication paths for us and reduced the branch lines of little significance. The military's temporary inability to adapt is just the pain and the only way to go through the reform." Wang Zhuo seemed to make the suggestion casually.
At this moment, a messenger on a white horse suddenly rushed into the government office and shouted: "The Empress Dowager and Your Majesty have a decree. The chief envoy of Jing'an Tower, Liang Jia, and the deputy envoy Wang Zhuo, will come to the South Study Room immediately to pay their respects!"
The restless Liang Jia and the still graceful Wang Zhuo followed the white horse messenger to the palace. Then they were stopped by the white horse Yi Cong who was on duty and were waiting outside the South Study. At this time, the Right Prime Minister Sima Yi walked out slowly.
Outside the palace, I saw Liang Jia, patted him on the shoulder, shook his head and walked away.
Liang Jia seemed to have seen a savior, and hurriedly caught up with him and asked: "May I ask your right minister, why did the Supreme Lord summon the subordinates to come?"
"Alas! Prime Minister Liang, when you first assume an important position, you should put caution first. However, you... alas, to be honest, your redundancy plan should never include those lines jointly operated by Guitai and Amway.
Line. Now Tianyan is furious, and the Empress Dowager doesn't have a good face either. Prime Minister Liang, I'm afraid you will be the shortest-lived cabinet minister in this dynasty." Sima Yi patted Liang Jia again to express his comfort, and finally ignored him.
.
"Ms. sir, could you please consider drafting your resignation so that you can at least retain some dignity and respect?" Wang Zhuo came up and asked carelessly, completely ignoring Liang Jia's face.
"Wang, Deputy Envoy Wang, is there really no way to put this matter behind us now? If there is a glimmer of hope, please give me some advice from Deputy Envoy Wang! I beg you!" Liang Jia is now seriously ill and has sought medical treatment indiscriminately. However,
It seems that Wang Zhuo has been waiting for this discount for a long time.
"Actually, there is no room for recovery..."
"Really? Is it really true?" Liang Hanmen's heart ignited with hope, and his eyes flashed with light again.
"I was thinking just now that we submitted this memorial to reduce redundant personnel in Jing'an Station directly to the two Supreme Beings through the special channels of Jing'an Station and did not go through the three provinces. The various ministries and stations should have received it through unofficial channels.
Know about this memorial. Therefore, nominally, they are not aware of it. Therefore, you only need to explain to the two supreme beings that this memorial is just an immature idea presented to the two supreme beings for guidance. For other things,
The various ministries in Taiwan and Taiwan can respond that this is an internal communication between Jing'antai and Nanshufang, and it has been decided not to adopt it. According to Jing'antai's repeated request to keep the court secrets, no further discussion of this memorial is allowed. In this way,
This matter can be treated as if it has never happened. My husband, of course, there is no need to worry." Wang Zhuocheng kept talking.
Liang Jia took a deep breath and thanked him: "Deputy Envoy Wang, thanks to your presence, this pavilion can avoid this catastrophe! It is urgent, and we need to ask Deputy Envoy Wang to send a letter to all departments and ministries as soon as possible to cover this memorial."
