Chapter 146: Complicated and intricate, sincere and unadorned

On the tenth day of the eleventh month, a court deliberation was held in the Wenhua Hall.

A group of court officials held their tablets and stood in two rows.

Above the imperial steps, the little Emperor sat solemnly behind the imperial desk, reading the memorials.

Influenced by the Chief Minister's son's imperial examination incident over the past two days, the Chief Minister did not come to the court deliberation today.

But even though the person involved was not there, the tense atmosphere in the court caused by this matter had not diminished at all.

Everyone exchanged glances from time to time.

Occasionally, someone was eager to try but held back.

Zhu Yijun closed the memorial, looked around below the imperial steps, and frowned: "Why? When I was studying and cultivating virtue in the Wan Shougong, you officials submitted memorials as eagerly as bamboo shoots after rain. Today, I have come specifically to ask in court, and you are all as silent as winter cicadas?"

He looked at Chen Wude, the Right Hai Yushi of the Ministry of War, and pressed the memorial on the desk with a slap: "Minister Chen, you scolded the hardest; you say it."

On the sixth day, Zhang Juzheng requested to retire as usual.

This was a perfectly normal thing. According to reason, it should have stopped here, either waiting for the Emperor or the two Palaces to express their stance, or Zhang Jingxiu would withdraw from the exam.

But things always went against wishes; the censors of the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits still came smelling the scent.

Some impeached, some scolded in court, all saying that the Chief Minister was advancing by retreating, using the excuse of shirking state affairs to coerce the Emperor—if he didn't let his son take the imperial examination, he would quit; wasn't this naked coercion?

It was also implicitly mentioned that before the Emperor personally governed, the great affairs were manipulated by cliques, which had this hidden danger.

Among them, Chen Wude, the Right Hai Yushi of the Ministry of War, scolded the hardest.

After the court deliberation, this person submitted two more memorials, advising the Emperor and the two Palaces to prioritize the big picture and invite the Chief Minister back.

One was sent to the Tongzheng Office according to the system and handed over to the two Palaces, saying that the new policies were now entirely in the hands of the Chief Minister; if Zhang Juzheng were annoyed and abandoned state affairs, the infamy of future generations would still be borne by the Emperor, so one must be cautious.

What's more, the great governance of the country lies only in personnel and finance.

The current Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Revenue all followed the Chief Minister's lead; if the Emperor and the two Palaces acted on impulse and accidentally annoyed the Chief Minister, I fear the selection and the national treasury would be turned upside down.

For the sake of state affairs and starting from the big picture, it might be better to swallow one's pride and respectfully invite the Chief Minister back.

Then grant a special favor to allow the Chief Minister's noble son to participate in the imperial examination; compared to the big picture of state affairs, even if he were designated as a first-rank scholar, it would be a small price to pay.

This would maintain the superficial harmony of the court; wouldn't everyone be happy?

The hidden meaning in this memorial could be said to have reached its peak.

As soon as the memorial was submitted, it was immediately rejected by the two Palaces, and they tactfully reminded him to pay attention to the decorum of a minister.

As for why they were so polite...

Chen Wude was a man of virtue.

In the fourth year of Longqing, he remonstrated with the late Emperor about the solar eclipse, advising: "Your Majesty should screen out all playthings and respond to Heaven with reality."

Later, he directly scolded the late Emperor: "At that time, the treasury had been empty for a long time, and the people's livelihood was exhausted, while those in charge of the treasury were worried day and night. How could Your Majesty spend hundreds of thousands of taels of wealth on playthings!"

Then came the familiar court beating, imprisonment, and dismissal, followed by a series of restorations and promotions after the late Emperor passed away.

In addition, this person had spoken for Empress Chen when she was sent to the cold palace, and had also contributed to Zhu Yijun's reading in the palace.

He was truly a man of reputation and virtue.

The two Palaces could not scold him directly and could only persuade him.

Unfortunately, for people like Chen Wude, whose political philosophy was like this, he simply couldn't listen.

After the memorial was rejected by the two Palaces, he sent it to the Wan Shougong, begging the Emperor to open it personally.

Similarly, the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits never fell behind in such matters and submitted memorials to the Wan Shougong one after another, hoping the Emperor would attach importance to the malpractice in the examination field.

Thus, there was the scene of today's court deliberation, where Zhu Yijun came out to "preside over justice."

Chen Wude, the Right Hai Yushi of the Ministry of War, was pointed out by the Emperor, but he was not afraid at all, or rather, he had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Majesty, I was restored to office this year, and I have no cliques in the court. I know nothing about the posters in the city, and I am not involved in the current disputes over new policies. I am just speaking for the justice in my heart!"

Chen Wude's expression was firm, and he bowed to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the children of auxiliary ministers should not take the imperial examination! This is the justice of the examination field; I ask Your Majesty to examine it clearly!"

Zhu Yijun looked at Chen Wude's expression, discerning his motivation.

After a long while, he nodded slowly, noncommittally.

He looked at Liu Buxi, the Left Hai Yushi of the Ministry of Revenue: "Minister Liu, you were the first to initiate this; you say it too."

Although it could be confirmed that the posters had nothing to do with him, the memorial was always initiated by him.

Upon hearing this, Liu Buxi stepped out of the line with small, hurried steps, somewhat flustered, and hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, I have already explained in the memorial that the children of auxiliary ministers taking the imperial examination goes against the ancestral precedents, violates the justice of the examination field, and hinders the reputation of the Chief Minister."

The Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits were a very special group in the Great Ming Dynasty.

Their rank was not high; the Censors and the Thirteen Circuit Censors were only seventh-rank officials.

But at the same time, this group of people held a unique position in the power system of the central government.

Their status was noble, often compared to auxiliary ministers.

Being able to participate in court deliberations as seventh-rank officials was proof—"Only auxiliary ministers can discuss the affairs of the world, and only remonstrating officials can speak; although remonstrating officials are lowly, they are equal to auxiliary ministers."

This group of people had the complete authority of court officials to set agendas and influence decisions, and their power could not be said to be heavy.

And for agendas they were dissatisfied with, their opposition votes were more direct than other officials.

That was impeachment!

From the gentry and common people down to the Emperor himself, everyone was within the scope of impeachment by this group of people—for the Emperor, it was called remonstrance.

As for any major flaws in the impeachment?

Then sorry, hearing things and reporting them, even if it was made up by oneself, one could claim "some say."

It could be said that while possessing extremely high authority, they also possessed incomparable immunity.

Discipline inspection was one thing, but personnel appointments were also within the scope of the authority of the Censors.

For example, the selection: "Officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital, as well as Censors and Circuit Censors, shall each recommend those they know to serve as county magistrates."

Or the assessment: "When ministers resign, their stay or leave is decided, and those who have misconduct while in office are impeached by Censors and Circuit Censors, which is called 'picking up the omissions'."

Even the power to exempt taxes followed the regulations of high-ranking officials in scarlet robes—"All Hanlin, Ministry of Personnel officials below the fifth rank, and the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits. All are exempted from 5,350 mu of land according to the fourth rank."

They had real power and noble status.

Added to the total number of 150 people, calling them "Great Ming Parliamentarians" was the most appropriate.

As everyone knows, the presence, power, and even political achievements of parliamentarians almost all come from setting agendas, and the Censors were no exception.

For Liu Buxi, he was a Jinshi of the second year of Longqing, and he would be fifty in two years.

At his age, if he wanted to make a name for himself in his official career, nothing was easier to achieve than doing something big.

The agenda concerning the Chief Minister was thus brought to the table by this person in a grand manner.

After Liu Buxi spoke, his subsequent train of thought gradually became clear.

His tone became more composed, and his speed gradually slowed down: "I know deeply that Your Majesty does not like us speaking without substance and talking about empty things."

"But I submitted this matter because it is a major event of fairness that 8,000 candidates are concerned about, a past event that has had precedents in the country for 200 years, and a major event for the country to select talent and cultivate seedlings for new policies. It is practical, so I ask Your Majesty to examine it clearly."

"I dare to ask Your Majesty to issue a clear decree to prohibit the children of auxiliary ministers from taking the imperial examination!"

Zhu Yijun listened quietly to Liu Buxi's plea.

But his mind was filled with thousands of thoughts.

Things are always two-sided.

His own excellent quality of reasoning was now gradually revealing its drawbacks.

Are these censors all dedicated to the public?

Hard to say.

Otherwise, why didn't anyone expose the official year incident before?

You, Liu Buxi, a forty-year-old Jinshi, were thirty-four in the record of successful candidates, and you used this to fill the good position of Hai Yushi; why didn't you have "great fairness" in your heart then?

But now you are standing on the justice of the examination field and speaking.

It was because you saw that the Emperor is reasonable and would not learn from Jie or Zhou to use a cannon to warm the hearts of his subordinates.

Sure enough, everyone has to be responsible for their own workplace persona.

Zhu Yijun thought of this, couldn't help but shake his head, and reached out to signal Liu Buxi to stand up.

He turned to look at Ma Ziqiang, the Minister of Rites, who was standing in the third row with his head down and a pure heart: "Minister Ma, you are the Great Minister of Rites, in charge of the rituals of the country; how do you think this should be handled?"

To tell the truth, this matter could not be considered tricky.

Whether it was demoting the censors and forcibly suppressing this public opinion, or using Hai Rui's reputation to act as a friendly invigilator to gain the trust of the scholars, it was not a big deal.

After all, in history, Zhang Juzheng's son had to take this exam, and it was also noisy, but didn't he take it in the end?

Even the subsequent Chief Ministers Shen Shixing and Zhang Siwei's descendants took it one after another.

What happened when the censors impeached Shen Shixing? Just demotion.

The matter was not difficult to handle.

But it didn't stop there.

The problem was that there were bad people among the officials!

The memorial was clearly left without being issued by himself, but it was still copied into posters and made the whole city full of them.

Zhang Jingxiu hadn't taken the exam yet, just signed up, and was immediately written into a memorial by Liu Buxi.

Especially Zhang Juzheng.

Now there was clearly no situation of excessive power as in history. In order to avoid suspicion, even the Minister of Personnel was still an empty shell, letting the Cabinet remotely control the Vice Minister to work.

But Zhang Juzheng still encountered the same impeachments one after another.

Except for the well-known reasons—the officials' dissatisfaction with the new policies.

I fear that, more or less, it was mixed with the Cabinet-Ministry struggle that had lasted for nearly a hundred years!

From the dictatorship of the treacherous ministers in the Jiajing reign to the power-grabbing of the auxiliary ministers in the Longqing reign, until now, the power of the Cabinet could be said to be expanding day by day.

Following this, the competition for power between the Cabinet and the Six Ministries inevitably arose.

Gao Yi wanted to use Pan Jixun, but he had to look at the face of the Minister of Works, Zhu Heng.

Zhang Juzheng wanted the Ministry of Personnel to cooperate with the Cabinet, so he had to let Lu Shusheng, who was unwilling to take office, be a facade.

Zhu Yijun wanted to control the Beijing Camp, but he also had to leave the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in charge of military affairs vacant, and had to borrow Wang Chonggu's prestige to suppress the dissent of the Ministry of War.

When he wanted to reform the vassal states, if the Minister of Rites, Zhang Siwei, didn't nod, he couldn't make any progress.

This is the scale of the Six Ministries!

Even, in history, the Cabinet without the Emperor's support was completely at a disadvantage, and the Six Ministries handled affairs directly bypassing the Cabinet, and even the Emperor could be kept in the dark.

Now that the Cabinet members were gradually standing with the Emperor, this Cabinet-Ministry struggle that had lasted for nearly a hundred years was becoming increasingly intense.

Therefore, the lack of smoothness these days.

Interwoven with the struggle between the new and the old, the Cabinet-Ministry struggle, the factional struggle, the North-South struggle, and the school struggle (mentioned in Chapter 103, Wang Yangming entering the Confucius Temple), the situation became particularly complicated.

In such a complicated situation, distinguishing positions is the most important thing.

After Ma Ziqiang became the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yijun frequently tested his attitude.

He just wanted to see what his position was among the new and the old, the Cabinet and the Ministry, and the factional struggle.

Today was no exception.

Ma Ziqiang was named by the Emperor and walked out without hesitation.

First, he saluted, and then replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I think Minister Liu's words are reasonable. As an auxiliary minister, even if it is unintentional, I fear that there will be no lack of flatterers, shaking the fairness of the examination field."

Many court officials nodded one after another.

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang with great interest, waiting for his follow-up.

Only to hear Ma Ziqiang pause, and then continue: "Not only auxiliary ministers, I think that we, the Six Ministries, the Three Courts, and the Two Temples, and the hall officials of each ministry, are also in high positions and have great power. During our tenure, we should also be subject to this restriction, prohibiting children and nephews from taking the exam!"

As soon as this was said, a group of censors praised it one after another, and their hearts were filled with admiration.

Only the hall officials of each ministry twitched their eyelids, their expressions awkward and uncomfortable.

Ma Ziqiang took in the expressions of everyone and couldn't help but snort coldly.

Ma Ziqiang took in the expressions of everyone and could not help but let out a cold snort.

His words were nakedly supporting it on the surface, but opposing it in secret.

Just kidding.

His eldest son Ma Yi and youngest son Ma Zao would start taking the Jinshi exam in these two sessions.

Ma Ziqiang was only one step away from being a Cabinet Minister at this time; what if he pitted his son?

Taking a step back, Wang Chonggu was his own party member, and his two sons also had to take the meeting exam; as an uncle, how could he be embarrassed to hold them back—if the censors said only the Chief Minister was prohibited from taking the exam, he would still hesitate.

While everyone's expressions were different.

Wang Zhihao, the Minister of Justice, suddenly spoke: "Now we are only discussing the descendants of auxiliary ministers; the Great Minister of Rites should not expand the scope randomly."

"Once the scope of prohibition is large, it is not only contrary to human feelings to implement it, but also unrealistic."

"If the Great Minister of Rites wants to oppose it, he might as well oppose it openly, which is also frank. You must know that His Majesty dislikes people who speak without substance the most."

The Emperor's boomerang came.

Everyone's expressions were strange.

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but cough lightly, drawing everyone's attention back.

He waved his hand, letting Ma Ziqiang return to the row first.

Instead, he looked at Gao Yi, who was the leader today: "Teacher, you are the Right Minister; what do you think about this?"

Court deliberation, the people who should speak naturally have to express their stance one by one.

Everyone looked at Gao Yi one after another.

Gao Yi hurriedly stepped out: "Your Majesty, I am an auxiliary minister; I should avoid suspicion in this matter."

After speaking, he bowed down.

At the same time, the auxiliary ministers Lu Diaoyang and Wang Chonggu stepped out and bowed down, expressing their stance.

This was also the reason why the three of them didn't speak during the whole court deliberation.

After Gao Yi removed the two colleagues, he paused and continued: "But since Your Majesty asked..."

"I have no brothers or nephews, I am alone, so I can just say a few words."

This is an invincible person.

Not only no nephews, but also an old bachelor, obviously there will be no nephews in the future, so there is no risk of a boomerang.

There is no suspicion, so there is nothing to avoid.

Zhu Yijun signaled Gao Yi to continue.

Gao Yi coughed lightly and said slowly: "Your Majesty, Minister Liu's words are reasonable. As your auxiliary ministers, we revolve around the sun and moon and accompany the stars."

"Whether it is the examiner, the classics, or the policy, we are more or less influenced by us, and it is hard to guarantee that there is no bias."

"Children and nephews taking the exam, I dare not say that it is definitely fair."

"Especially since we borrow Your Majesty's power to hinder the fairness of the examination field, it is truly disloyal."

This is a fair word, but all the ministers looked at Gao Yi quietly, waiting for that turning point.

Sure enough.

Gao Yi changed the subject and sighed: "But if the children and nephews have talent and have the heart to take the imperial examination, as parents, how can we bear to cut off their future?"

"Monarch and minister, father and son, it is truly difficult to have both."

"I only ask Your Majesty to make a holy decision."

These words were not nonsense either.

At least between monarch and minister, another layer of father-son affection was added, and there was a foothold in human feelings.

The ministers had different expressions and had their own thoughts.

After everyone had expressed their stance, it was finally the Emperor's turn to express his stance.

At this time, Zhu Yijun finally stopped pointing people out.

He pondered for a long time.

He said slowly: "I understand the meaning of all the ministers."

This is to make a conclusion.

The ministers looked at each other one after another.

The Emperor suddenly sighed: "Now everyone inside and outside says that I don't care about fairness and am wholeheartedly protecting the Chief Minister."

"Today I will tell you some heartfelt words."

Regardless of whether everyone believes it or not.

Zhu Yijun first looked at Liu Buxi, who initiated this matter: "Minister Liu, I know that your memorial was not sincere."

Liu Buxi's expression changed drastically, and he was about to step out to plead guilty.

Zhu Yijun raised his hand to stop him and continued to say slowly: "The reputation of a censor comes from impeachment, and his achievements come from offending his superiors. This is the custom of my ancestors, and I naturally know it."

As a discipline inspection department, the Censors have their own institutional progress.

But at the same time, the two-sided nature of things determines that a good system has its limitations if it wants to be properly exerted.

If there is no Emperor who is good at accepting remonstrance, independence from the cliques, and personal integrity that performs duties, the impeachment of the censors is difficult to be effective, let alone considering the big picture of the country.

Now, the biggest problem with the censors who care about achievements and fame is that they impeach for the sake of impeachment.

This is also why Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, who are willing to do things, look down on the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits—sluggish and without substance.

Although this is the case, the Emperor's words inevitably have the suspicion of maliciously speculating on the heart.

This is a symbol of not playing by the rules.

Liu Buxi's heart was shaken and terrified, and he began to sweat coldly for his wrong bet.

He stood stiffly on the spot, not knowing where to put his hands.

Fortunately, at this time, Zhu Yijun changed the subject.

The little Emperor's expression was sincere: "But you impeached this matter correctly, spoke with substance, and hit the current drawbacks. Even if you didn't care about the big picture, it was within your duty, and I have no reason to blame you."

Liu Buxi breathed a long sigh of relief.

However, the Emperor's malicious speculation before could not be admitted, so he had to salute and say nothing.

Zhu Yijun's tone became more emotional and continued: "You ministers may have already inquired that Zhang Jingxiu asked the Imperial Academy to submit a memorial the day before yesterday, requesting to withdraw from the exam."

He pointed to the Libationer Tao Dalin, who was in a daze, as if he hadn't heard.

The ministers also had no reaction to the Emperor's speculation about peeking at the memorial.

Zhu Yijun didn't care about the reaction of the ministers and continued: "But the Chief Minister assists in great affairs and has merits to the country. Whether it is letting the Chief Minister retire or letting his eldest son withdraw from the exam, I cannot bear it."

"I cannot allow Minister Liu's request."

Liu Buxi and Chen Wude looked at each other, inevitably a little disappointed.

Wang Zhihao, the Minister of Justice, shook his head slightly. The Emperor's move would likely be criticized by the scholars, and it was also a small blow to Zhang Juzheng's reputation.

If this continues, it will eventually become difficult to return.

At this time, Zhu Yijun looked at Chen Wude, the Right Hai Yushi of the Ministry of War: "Minister Chen, you were demoted for scolding the late Emperor for his extravagant spending in the inner court, and it was I who restored you after I ascended the throne."

"You said that you attached yourself to Minister Liu's memorial to speak for justice, and I believe you."

As soon as this was said, Liu Buxi's expression was inevitably resentful; why was there differential treatment?

He didn't know that the Emperor's differential treatment was because Chen Wude was later demoted for offending Zhang Juzheng, and when he counterattacked, the central government restored Chen Wude, but he didn't take office.

To put it bluntly, he might be an old-fashioned person, but he was probably not someone who sought fame.

Chen Wude didn't know the inside story, but hearing that the Emperor believed in his public heart, his expression was complex, and he bowed to the Emperor: "I am a lowly person, but I am trusted by Your Majesty. I bow my head."

Zhu Yijun nodded and accepted the salute.

He continued: "You said this matter violates justice, and I admit it."

"But I cannot be fair in everything and have no selfishness."

"You ministers are fourth-rank officials, and your descendants can all be Yin students; even after retirement, you can be exempted from thousands of mu of taxes; even if you harm the people, you will at most be demoted or dismissed; how can we talk about fairness?"

"Now that things are difficult to have both, I prioritize the big picture, and fair things will come slowly."

"Can you understand?"

Speaking of reason, it is somewhat unfair for the second-in-command of the court to take the exam—because Xu Guo had a heavy accent, he replaced the candidates to read the test papers, which made people's rankings moved back, let alone other factors? The Chief Minister's son affecting the examiners is unavoidable.

But the problem is, how can Zhu Yijun guarantee absolute fairness?

Judging whether a team is good or not is not to see if it is perfect, but to see if its heart is striving forward.

If one class does better than another, that's enough; it's not too late to scold when it goes downhill.

So Zhu Yijun was not so idealistic, trying to give everyone fairness.

I don't know if Liu Buxi listened to this.

But Chen Wude saw that the Emperor's words were so earnest, and he was moved, bowing his head again and again.

For a time, he was choked and could not speak.

Zhu Yijun gently let him down and turned to look at Wang Zhihao: "Minister Wang, I know why you are resentful, but calmly speaking, can you really blame me for the reason?"

Wang Zhihao's knot had been discussed many times in private.

But he just complained about heaven and earth; since that was the case, there was no need to say too much good or bad words.

Today, Zhu Yijun brought it to the table simply to force him to retire.

Wang Zhihao was innocently scolded by the Emperor, suddenly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, stepped out, and bowed down: "I request to retire."

The Emperor's words were too heavy, and retirement was the last choice.

Zhu Yijun nodded and ordered Shen Shixing: "Let the Ministry of Personnel meet and recommend candidates."

Shen Shixing was in a trance for a moment before stepping out to receive the decree.

The people on the field looked at the Emperor's actions and felt caught off guard.

The power displayed in this lighthearted manner was really making people react uncomfortably!

For a time, the ministers were silent.

At this time, Zhu Yijun looked around at everyone.

He stood up slowly: "The matter of the posters has already been spread, and the scholars are making a lot of noise, all talking about fairness."

"I have no way to have both, so I have to grant a special favor."

He looked down at everyone from a high position.

"From now on, there are 31 hall officials of the fourth rank or above in the capital. For those whose children and nephews take the exam, increase the quota for the meeting exam according to the number of people."

"The test papers of the children and nephews of the hall officials in this subject will be read by me personally for the time being."

Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang: "Great Minister of Rites, is it okay?"

Ma Ziqiang was slow to realize and hurriedly bowed down: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Lu Diaoyang and Wang Chonggu also breathed a sigh of relief. The two looked at each other and hurriedly stepped out and said loudly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Following the three people's bowing, the ministers followed suit: "Your Majesty is wise!"

No one questioned the Emperor's attainments in classics.

Zhu Yijun scanned everyone and nodded: "This matter ends here; you continue to discuss affairs."

After speaking, he left the imperial desk and turned to leave.

Seeing that he was about to enter the side hall, Zhu Yijun stopped his steps, turned his head and said: "Now the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is vacant, and I didn't ask anyone to check who copied and spread the posters."

"Everyone, please think more about state affairs when you encounter things; I am very grateful."

These words fell into the ears of the ministers.

They bowed down to plead guilty one after another.

When they looked up again, they only saw that the Emperor's figure had disappeared. ===== CHAPTER 147 =====