Chapter 25: Work together, seek common ground while reserving differences

The matter of the Single Whip Law was discussed in the morning court for a whole morning.

Finally, a chapter was taken out.

The memorial submitted by the Cabinet only said whether it was possible to give some grace to officials with good performance on the original basis.

The pilot matter, the final ticket was Shuntian Prefecture, Nanzhili, and Fujian Administration Commission.

All parties were not very satisfied, but they all reluctantly agreed, which can be regarded as the result of the game between all parties.

When the memorial was reported to Imperial Consort Li, there were two more changes.

Imperial Consort Li asked Feng Bao to return the memorial to the Cabinet for re-discussion and approved two places.

One is that the 100,000 taels owed by the Ministry of Revenue to the inner court does not need to be returned after entering the summer, and can be used as a reward for the Single Whip Law, which will be distributed by the inner court at that time.

The other is to include the Needlework Bureau in the scope of the Single Whip, and Zhang Hong will lead this errand.

The former is not wrong, but Feng Bao's attitude towards the latter is very fierce, insisting on excluding Zhang Hong.

Imperial Consort Li is a person with soft ears.

Who she listens to depends on who is the last one to speak.

Finally, this matter was led by Feng Bao's godson.

When Zhu Zhu Yijun heard the wind and rushed to Imperial Consort Li's bedroom, Feng Bao was walking out of the hall.

"The inner official pays homage to Your Highness." Feng Bao took the lead in saluting.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at the stack of memorials held by the eunuch behind Feng Bao and knew he was late.

He sighed in his heart. After all, it is a master-servant of many years, not something that can be explained in a few words.

He suddenly thought at this time, historically, didn't Li move into the Qianqing Palace to accompany him?

After his operation today, will she move?

If she moves into the Qianqing Palace, he will guard Imperial Consort Li every day to speak, and he doesn't believe that this kind of thing will happen again.

This thought flashed in his mind, and he was gentle on the surface: "Zhang Daban, please get up."

"Zhang Daban serves me and Mother, it is really hard work."

Feng Bao smiled flatteringly: "Your Highness is folding this inner official. The Noble Consort and Your Highness can use this humble body of the inner official. The inner official is too happy to be too late."

"Your Highness, the Noble Consort ordered the inner official to do some things, the inner official will go first, and will come to the Qianqing Palace to accompany Your Highness to read and practice calligraphy later."

These big eunuchs have some knowledge—they can't be big eunuchs without some knowledge, and they can't do it without rolling.

Feng Bao is a leader among eunuchs, quite familiar with scriptures, and his handwriting is also good.

On weekdays, Zhu Zhu Yijun reviews his homework in the afternoon and practices calligraphy, Feng Bao will come to serve for a while.

Recently, Zhu Zhu Yijun intentionally revealed his intelligence and didn't give Feng Bao any chance to teach and correct, but Feng Bao still insisted on coming to serve.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded gently: "Zhang Daban, go ahead."

Feng Bao saluted again, bent his waist and walked out, his posture was extremely low.

Just when the two passed by, they didn't agree to restrain their smiles, and their expressions were different.

Zhu Zhu Yijun stood in place, turning his face sideways, looking at Feng Bao's shadow gradually moving away.

Stood for a while.

Zhu Zhu Yijun then took a step and walked coldly to Imperial Consort Li's residence.

Relying on Li and Gao Yi to exert influence, just set the general direction of the Single Whip Law, and after just one turn, it changed its appearance.

Not only did the pilot place add a capital and a province, but Zhang Hong's peach was also picked by Feng Bao.

It is worthy of being a capable person who climbed up by himself, not a puppet on a string.

. C〇

Forget it, the general direction is not wrong, it can be regarded as achieving his goal.

How big is the stomach, how much to eat.

With such emotion, he walked to the outside of the hall.

Seeing that Imperial Consort Li was not dealing with official business, she was actually doing needlework.

Seeing her son coming, Imperial Consort Li hurriedly greeted: "Just right, come, come, come, Mother see how tall you are."

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't understand the situation, so he was stripped and folded by the palace maid for a while, and measured.

After finishing, he remembered that this was what Imperial Consort Li promised him before, to make him a new padded jacket.

Zhu Zhu Yijun said helplessly: "Mother, winter is still far away."

Imperial Consort Li glared at him: "You don't understand needlework, what are you talking about? The padded jacket will be too late to make in winter. Mother is doing it now, and the size is made larger."

Zhu Zhu Yijun pouted and didn't continue to argue.

Imperial Consort Li said casually while doing needlework: "I heard that you said in the daily lecture this morning that you want the teachers to check your learning with Mother?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded and joked: "That's not because Mother suspected that I didn't study hard last time. This is to let Mother check it on time."

To make interpersonal relationships appear close, you have to make some intimate jokes.

Pure and serious obedience will never be able to get close to the leader.

Imperial Consort Li knew that her son was teasing, and glared at him: "No big or small."

Zhu Zhu Yijun leaned over: "Mother, my son has studied hard, so naturally he wants Mother and teachers to see the effect, otherwise, isn't it like wearing brocade at night?"

He looked like he wanted to show off in front of people, and didn't mention standing for the Single Whip Law at all.

If you say too much, the traces of the axe will be too obvious.

Imperial Consort Li said: "That's also true. It's a good thing that you have confidence in learning. I allow it."

"However, the teachers just check it. Mother doesn't understand these Four Books and Five Classics."

Zhu Zhu Yijun explained: "Just recitation and explanation, Mother just check it against the book."

"Furthermore, there is still the Empress."

This matter must be handled by the two palaces, otherwise the specifications are not enough, and the singing is not enough.

Only with the words of the lecturers, some people will always feel whether the lecturers, as ministers, cover up and fool things.

Moreover, the two palaces check, and watching his learning progress in person, isn't it a kind of moistening things silently.

It doesn't matter if Imperial Consort Li doesn't understand much, at least Empress Chen is a qualified examiner, which is conducive to promoting his reputation for studying hard.

Although this is the case, when Imperial Consort Li heard this, her face suddenly turned cold.

She turned her face away and said unpleasantly: "Then go and ask your Empress, Mother doesn't have any knowledge, just fill in a scene at that time."

After saying that, she used the excuse of rushing to do needlework, had no time to pay attention, and let Zhu Zhu Yijun return to the Qianqing Palace to review his homework.

Facing Imperial Consort Li's sudden change of color, Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned.

When he reacted, he had already been invited out by the palace maid, standing outside the hall alone and messy.

It wasn't until he paced and pondered for a long time on the road that Zhu Zhu Yijun reacted—his mother and concubine seemed to have some grudges with Empress Chen.

He remembered that on the first day he crossed over, he mentioned that the two palaces should supervise his studies, and Imperial Consort Li was noncommittal.

Since then, every time Empress Chen was mentioned, it was a bit indifferent.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's expression was strange. Did he encounter some old grudges in the harem?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it tasted right.

The main palace was driven to another palace, but the concubine was honored by her son and became the mother of the harem. It would be strange if there were no grudges between the two.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was annoyed. It was also to blame that his personal style in his previous life was too good, and he was not sensitive to things in the harem, so he realized it late.

Sure enough, there is no end to learning.

It's a pity that he was driven out too quickly, and the matter of the Needlework Bureau's performance hadn't been mentioned yet.

Forget it, it was originally a dead horse as a living horse doctor. After all, Feng Bao took the memorial to the Cabinet, and the chance of letting Imperial Consort Li change her mind is not great.

Let Feng Bao lead this matter. When he catches the mistake, he will have to play it.

If he dares to violate the order, it is a good thing. This will consume Imperial Consort Li's trust.

Instead of struggling with this matter, it is better to think about how to overthrow Feng Bao.

Thinking of this, he turned his head and signaled Jiang Jiang Keqian not far away.

Jiang Jiang Keqian got the signal and ran over: "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun asked: "What movements does the Senior Grand Secretary have recently?"

A bare-handed monarch has no foundation to dismiss the head of the Ceremonial Seal in one word. To overthrow Feng Bao, he can only wait until he has prestige, and then he will push the boat along the river.

This matter still has to fall on Gao Gong.

Why haven't the two fought yet

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked up, struggling to hold back a laugh.

This meant that the late Emperor's wisdom was unfathomable; even before he issued instructions, his subordinates had already begun acting swiftly. Words did not need to be spoken, yet his influence was like thunder.

To put it bluntly, it meant he was a bit dim, didn't manage affairs, and let his subordinates do as they pleased.

These scholars were articulate; at the very least, their ability to be sarcastic and cryptic had reached its peak.

Looking at it this way, Tao Tao Dalin seemed to look down on the late Emperor somewhat, believing he had not fulfilled his duties as Emperor. Does that mean he hopes the new monarch will strive to govern well?

Zhu Zhu Yijun pretended not to hear it.

He looked at Zhang Zhang Siwei again: "Scholar Zhang, what do you say?"

Zhang Zhang Siwei did not hide anything and spoke bluntly: "The late Emperor was especially able to honor his assistants, trust the experienced, gather the strength of the masses, collect the wisdom of all, uphold the laws of the ancestors, and avoid the trouble of constant changes. He truly possessed the style of the ancient sage kings and was a sage monarch."

Honoring assistants and trusting the experienced meant delegating power to the ministers; upholding the laws of the ancestors was easy enough to understand.

So this was the good emperor in the eyes of the Jin Party? No wonder Zhang Zhang Siwei's uncle named him "Wang Chonggu" (Revering the Ancient).

Zhu Zhu Yijun appeared ignorant on the surface, but sighed inwardly. Sure enough, the praise of bad people only makes one feel uncomfortable.

The style of the ancient sage kings? Hah, the holy deeds of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have deceived countless travelers; do they want to deceive him now too?

He was about to continue asking.

He heard Yu Youding take the initiative to pick up the conversation: "Your Highness, I believe the late Emperor put an end to all the inappropriate affairs of the Shizong era and redressed unjust cases."

"He swept away the decadence of the military, established tribute relations with Altan Khan, and pacified the border."

"He also adapted to the times, did not stick to old ways, and lifted the maritime ban."

"He rectified the customs of scholars, corrected corrupt officials, reorganized the administration, and investigated the fields and estates of the imperial family and nobility."

"With such actions, he should be called a monarch who brought forth the new by weeding out the old!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Yu Youding in surprise; he had not expected the third-place scholar to be part of the reformist faction.

The dead are used to speak for the living.

What kind of person the late Emperor was is not important; what is important is what kind of person everyone needs him to be.

Zhang Zhang Siwei said the late Emperor governed by doing nothing, followed ancestral laws, kept to established precedents, and had a style of revering the ancient.

Yu Youding immediately opened his eyes wide, saying the late Emperor brought forth the new and had the heart to reform.

This is the struggle between the old and the new.

Zhu Zhu Yijun naturally would not expose this layer; he just pretended to be thoughtful.

Ma Ma Ziqiang, however, reminded him at the right time: "Mind the decorum; do not recklessly discuss the Shizong Emperor."

Even if one should avoid speaking ill of the exalted, one shouldn't say such things in front of the new monarch. After all, they are grandfather and grandson; don't make it too obvious.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand generously: "I already said this is a scholarly discussion; it is fine."

"In any case, I can still manage to open the channels for advice; there is no need to fear being punished for one's words."

From the words of these few people, one could still clearly read their inclinations.

Whether it is reform or upholding ancestral laws, one must at least be good to the civil officials for everyone to approve.

Shizong beat court officials to death with staves; he was vilified to no end.

Therefore, regardless of whether Zhu Zhu Yijun will suppress the civil officials after taking power, he must now release the news and show some characteristics of being open to advice and benevolent.

The several lecturers bowed in unison: "There is no sage wisdom greater than Your Highness'."

Besides that...

Zhu Zhu Yijun put on an appearance of a sudden thought: "I have heard recently that the Cabinet is discussing the Examination and Assessment Law?"

The lecturers were confused.

Zhang Zhang Siwei, the leader, could not avoid it and had to take the lead: "Your Highness, that is indeed the case."

Zhu Zhu Yijun said "Oh," and smiled: "The late Emperor's evaluation of merits and demerits, isn't that like an examination and assessment?"

Discussions on temple names and posthumous titles are generally based on merits and demerits.

After the merits and demerits are discussed, one then decides whether to give an evil or a beautiful posthumous title.

Put this way, it is indeed quite similar, except it happens once in a lifetime.

But how would the lecturers dare to answer this?

Assessment? Civil officials assessing the Emperor? Even if they had such thoughts, they wouldn't dare admit it.

Ma Ma Ziqiang hurriedly said: "Your Highness, the Book of Rites says, 'Rites begin with the capping, are rooted in marriage, and are emphasized in mourning and sacrifice; these are the fundamentals of rites.'"

"Posthumous titles and temple names belong to mourning and sacrifice; they are not assessments, but the fundamentals of great rites."

No wonder these lecturers were so nervous.

The rite of posthumous titles began in the Zhou Dynasty but was abolished during the Qin Dynasty, simply because the First Emperor of Qin believed that posthumous titles carried the suspicion of "a son discussing his father, a subject discussing his ruler." It was not until the Western Han Dynasty that the discussion of posthumous titles was restored.

By the Ming Dynasty, although there was much covering up of faults, it remained a sharp weapon for civil officials to restrain the ruler—few people do not care about their reputation after death.

Now that the Crown Prince compared the discussion of posthumous titles to the Examination and Assessment Law, they didn't understand what he was thinking, and it truly scared them.

If the law of posthumous titles were to be discussed out of existence by them today, Ma Ma Ziqiang feared he would be subjected to the verbal abuse of all the civil officials in the world.

Zhu Zhu Yijun sneered inwardly at Ma Ma Ziqiang's reaction.

He had no intention of moving the law of posthumous titles; he was still using the topic to make a point, or rather, he said so much just to lead to the Examination and Assessment Law.

Now that the Cabinet is charging ahead, he shouldn't hold them back.

Fighting is fighting, but one cannot neglect state affairs.

Zhu Zhu Yijun said: "I understand what Scholar Ma said."

"It's just that seeing you gentlemen evaluate the gains and losses of my late father, I suddenly felt some emotion. In the future, I will still need you pillars of the state to supervise me well."

"If I make mistakes and receive an evil posthumous title, it will not only be my regret but also your dereliction of duty."

"If I can achieve half the merits of my late father, I will be able to receive a beautiful posthumous title, so that I can go to the underworld to pay respects to him."

The lecturers had different thoughts and bowed one after another: "We are terrified."

Seeing that the timing was about right, Zhu Zhu Yijun said: "Gentlemen, the so-called unity of knowledge and action—since you all agree with my words, you must put them into practice."

"How about this: for my daily lectures, let you gentlemen and the two palaces assess my progress!"

"Do you agree?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun used his good learning progress to put on a show of wanting to express himself.

But in reality, he was openly supporting the Examination and Assessment Law.

I, a dignified Emperor who will ascend the throne in two days, am humbling myself to be assessed; what else can those officials who are unwilling to be assessed say?

What? Are they more precious than the Emperor?

Once this matter spreads, whether it is in the Cabinet or the pilot implementation in the inner palace, the resistance will be much smaller.

For many things, when those at the top take the lead in enduring hardship, the efficiency of implementation is incomparable.

As for whether he will fail? I can only say that in his two lifetimes, he has never failed an exam.

The several lecturers looked at each other.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was not in a hurry; he smiled: "Gentlemen, I am not joking."

"The Analects say, 'I examine myself three times a day.' Since I am the one everyone expects, how can I be lazy? This is also to spur myself on."

"You gentlemen might as well wait for Grand Secretary Gao to return, discuss it with him, and then submit a memorial together."

"As for the two mothers, I will go and talk to them myself."

The few remained hesitant.

Chen Dong suddenly stepped out: "I accept the decree!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned; it was rare to see this person take the initiative to speak.

Coming back to his senses, he couldn't help but smile slightly, grabbing Chen Dong's hand and shaking it gently: "Then I will trouble you, gentlemen."

"Alright, let's stop here for today. You gentlemen may return to your offices."

After saying this, he turned and entered the warm pavilion.

Until his figure was completely out of sight, Chen Dong didn't greet anyone and went straight out of the hall.

The others then followed, walking in groups of three or five, burdened with worries.

Yu Youding looked back once more at the direction the Crown Prince had left—compared to the late Emperor, this is the true appearance of a sage monarch.