Chapter 34: Stirring the muddy water, stirring the situation

Lv Lu Diaoyang stood in place, speechless for a moment.

He didn't know whether the Emperor was having a flash of inspiration or was deliberately testing him.

Seeing the Emperor looking at him, he could only push back: "Censors report matters based on hearsay; I am not a censor and have not gone through the regular court deliberation, so I dare not say much."

This was also helpless; he was going to impeach Gao Gong later.

Now that the Emperor asked, no matter how he expressed his stance, it wouldn't be appropriate.

But Zhu Zhu Yijun insisted that he open his mouth.

He insisted: "What kind of deliberation is needed? I am just asking for Minister Lv's opinion."

"Didn't you just tell me that this violates the ancestral system?"

Lv Lu Diaoyang had no choice, and seeing that he couldn't hide, he had to be ambiguous: "The impeachment by the censors has its reasons; this position held by Director Feng does indeed violate the ancestral system."

"However…… Meng Chong died suddenly, and there were expedient needs, so it's not impossible."

"In the end, it still depends on the wishes of the Holy One and the Empress Dowager."

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head with a laugh, classic enthusiasm and politeness, but no point of view.

He quietly released the bait and said: "Then what about what Minister Lv said just now, that the Senior Zhang Gelao holds the position of Minister of Personnel concurrently?"

Lv Lu Diaoyang was stunned.

He had just mentioned it casually, and it was actually heard by the Emperor.

But he wasn't so upright as to slander behind his back.

Not sure of the Emperor's attitude, he could only probe carefully.

Looking at the Emperor from time to time, he said cautiously: "The Senior Zhang Gelao is virtuous and respected, and the public expectation……"

Zhu Zhu Yijun interrupted him: "Minister Lv, although I am young, I know what the way of ruler and subject is; how can you bear to speak falsely to me?"

Unfortunately, this set was useful for someone like Gao Yi, but it didn't mean that all court officials ate this set.

Lv Lu Diaoyang came from a background of being a circulating official, and his magic resistance was still quite high.

He sorted it out and deliberated: "Your Majesty, it is not that this humble subject is speaking falsely."

"The Senior Zhang Gelao is different from Feng Bao."

"Holding the position of Minister of Personnel was a need of the court situation at that time, determined by the late Emperor, an expedient measure."

"Since then, the Senior Zhang Gelao has repeatedly requested to resign from the position of selecting officials, but because the late Emperor had no one else to replace him, he never agreed, and it is not that the Senior Zhang Gelao is clinging to it."

These words were full of protection on the surface, but they were hinting that this was indeed an expedient measure at the time, a last resort.

If the new Emperor felt there was a suitable candidate to take over, then the excuse of the ancestral system could also be used.

This was a test.

Zhu Zhu Yijun understood, but took a detour: "So that's it…… then what Minister Lv said just now, that the Senior Zhang Gelao was impeached, what was the reason?"

If Gao Gong didn't have the intention of clinging, why would he attract impeachment?

Lv Lu Diaoyang explained unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, it was just the nonsense of the Censor of the Household Circuit, Cao Danye!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun signaled him to elaborate.

Lv Lu Diaoyang recalled and said: "In the third month of this year, Cao Danye impeached the Senior Zhang Gelao for ten major crimes."

"Saying the Senior Zhang Gelao formed a party for private interests, was corrupt and derelict in his duties, blocked the path of remonstrance, and appointed people based on favoritism."

"Among them, he said the Senior Zhang Gelao 'promoted and dismissed people as he wished,' and wanted to impeach the Senior Zhang Gelao's position in the Ministry of Personnel."

Zhu Zhu Yijun asked curiously: "Was it truly nonsense?"

Lv Lu Diaoyang looked at the Emperor secretly.

He had carefully selected a few of the ten major crimes, naturally doing so on purpose.

At the moment, the censors were all gathered under Gao Gong, and his old students were all in important positions; coincidentally, Feng Bao was saying Gao Gong was forming a party.

But as long as the Emperor compared these charges with the current situation, he should be suspicious of Gao Gong.

If he had a bad impression of Gao Gong to begin with, he would be able to see it from his expression.

Only then would it be time to consider whether to further influence the Emperor.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to see any suspicion or disgust on the young Emperor's face.

Perhaps, this new Emperor had a good impression of Gao Gong.

This made it even harder for him to target him directly.

Lv Lu Diaoyang nodded affirmatively: "It was the nonsense personally approved by the late Emperor, saying it was full of untrue words!"

"For example, saying the Senior Zhang Gelao embezzled tens of thousands of gold, but when discussing where the silver went, he could only say it was stolen by bandits."

"He also said that all the officials of the Six Offices were the Senior Zhang Gelao's confidants; the late Emperor asked him, aren't you a court official? He stammered and couldn't say a word."

"As for saying the Senior Zhang Gelao cultivated confidants and promoted party members, including students Song Song Zhihan, Han Ji, etc., the late Emperor directly said he was climbing and pulling indiscriminately."

"Also, saying Zhang Zhang Siwei's attendant position was obtained by bribing the Senior Zhang Gelao to squeeze Wang Wang Xijue out; the late Emperor personally said Zhang Zhang Siwei's scholarship was not bad, and it was his instruction."

"All kinds of things like this show it is nonsense."

Zhu Zhu Yijun listened absent-mindedly.

He could see Lv Lu Diaoyang's behavior of deliberately putting eye drops.

After all, Song Song Zhihan and Han Ji were being accused of forming a party; if it were an ordinary person, it would be hard not to be suspicious.

The truth and falsehood of these impeachments.

He didn't even need to listen to nonsense like tens of thousands of gold.

But the fact that the court officials were all confidants…… it was very obvious now.

And Zhang Zhang Siwei's matter, he knew that Wang Wang Xijue refused to give up his position for Zhang Zhang Siwei because he was unconvinced, which was why he was thrown to Nanzhili.

But this was not the time to distinguish these things.

He knew what Lv Lu Diaoyang was thinking.

Lv Lu Diaoyang probably wanted to stir the water and protect Feng Bao.

But the outcome Zhu Zhu Yijun wanted was not this.

He suddenly sighed: "I originally thought my great companion was a eunuch and was hated by the censors, which was why there was this impeachment."

"But I didn't expect that even the Senior Zhang Gelao had suffered this grievance."

"I suddenly understand what Zhang Gelao Zhang meant that day."

Lv Lu Diaoyang looked at the Emperor suspiciously: "Zhang Gelao Zhang?"

But he sighed in his heart.

What did Zhang Zhang Juzheng tell the Emperor, that he didn't even communicate with him.

Now that he had no bottom in his heart, he was so passive.

Although spying on the imperial ears was against the way of a subject, it was good to be flexible for the sake of major events.

How could he not mention a word to him.

He inexplicably remembered the persuasion on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, when he persuaded Gao Yi not to make the sacrificial text too obscure, so as not to make the Emperor unable to understand and provoke Zhang and Gao to shake their heads and laugh.

At first, he didn't understand, but now hearing the young Emperor's daily lecture progress was improving by leaps and bounds, looking back, he realized—whether or not one entered the Grand Secretariat made an incomparable difference in the understanding of the Emperor.

A natural chasm.

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't sell it, and continued to deceive Lv Lu Diaoyang: "That day, Zhang Gelao Zhang discussed the Kao Cheng Fa with me."

"When discussing the point of corresponding power and responsibility, he said, if the ruler cannot make the minister's power and responsibility correspond, at best it will be corrupt, and at worst the government will be in chaos."

"The Zhang Gelao said, if it weren't for Feng Bao being indispensable, the concurrent holding of the Director and the factory supervisor would have great hidden dangers."

"I didn't understand at the time, but now after hearing Minister Lv's words, I understand the truth."

"The Senior Zhang Gelao and the great companion both suffered this attack; it is my crime."

Lv Lu Diaoyang's breathing slowed down, fearing that the Emperor would delve into what 'indispensable' meant.

Fortunately, the Emperor was young and not very suspicious.

This made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Lv Lu Diaoyang now believed that Zhang Zhang Juzheng and the Emperor had a consensus.

Or rather, the Emperor's attitude toward the new laws was already very clear.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng's words were reasonable; if it weren't for the need for Feng Bao, he, Lv Lu Diaoyang, wouldn't have sat by and watched him hold the Director and Eastern Depot positions concurrently.

Alas, it was just indispensable.

Supporting the new laws inevitably required the New Party to hold absolute power.

This point couldn't be without the support of Empress Dowager Li and the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Zhu Zhu Yijun turned to the side and looked at Lv Lu Diaoyang: "Minister Lv, I have listened to your advice and also think that Feng Daban's position as Eastern Depot factory supervisor should be removed!"

Lv Lu Diaoyang's heart jumped!

Bad thing!

Don't look at the young Emperor not managing affairs; if these words were released, Feng Bao wouldn't even be able to keep the Directorate of Ceremonial, let alone the Eastern Depot.

This made him wish he could return to the court deliberation immediately, throw out the memorial impeaching Gao Gong, and tie Gao Gong and Feng Bao to the rope of court stability!

Don't wait for Zhang Gelao Zhang to return from inspecting the imperial tombs and find Gao Gong still the Senior Zhang Gelao, while Feng Bao had been kicked out!

He hurriedly opened his mouth to persuade: "Your Majesty, be cautious! For the important positions inside and outside, why not consult the regent?"

It was almost saying, you are young, don't mess around.

Zhu Zhu Yijun wanted precisely this reaction from him.

He still had a compliant appearance: "Minister Lv, you worry too much; I ascended the throne at a young age and do not understand political affairs, so naturally I must listen to my mother."

"But the reasons submitted by the gentlemen are reasonable, and I think my mother will likely accept the old and mature words of the gentlemen."

"I will only persuade my mother to make a decision early to prevent court turmoil."

Lv Lu Diaoyang took a deep breath, trying to keep himself from fainting.

He was still waiting for tomorrow's court deliberation to save Feng Bao.

The Emperor's move clearly wanted Empress Dowager Li to make a decision today.

If there was no New Party intervention, Empress Dowager Li might really compromise under pressure.

Lv Lu Diaoyang stood firm and didn't move forward: "Since Your Majesty has already understood, you can explain it to the Empress Dowager yourself; this humble subject will not go."

He had to return to the court deliberation! Impeach Gao Gong immediately! Otherwise, it would be too late!

Only by stirring the water could he protect Feng Bao's position in the Eastern Depot.

If Feng Bao was truly removed from office…… Lv Lu Diaoyang felt bitter in his heart at the thought of Feng Bao perhaps venting his anger on him, or even the new policy.

He had just bowed to the Emperor and agreed.

Zhu Zhu Yijun grabbed his wrist; today, he wouldn't let Lv Lu Diaoyang go back no matter what.

He smiled and said: "Minister Lv, don't be polite with me; I still have things to ask you, let's talk as we walk."

He held Lv Lu Diaoyang's wrist with one hand and added: "Not just Feng Daban, the Senior Zhang Gelao's position in the Ministry of Personnel should also be removed!"

"Since you have advised, why not, reluctantly, build a ladder for me."

Lv Lu Diaoyang was stunned, and the step he took was pulled back, and even his mind was hooked back.

He asked in surprise: "Your Majesty wants me to impeach the Senior Zhang Gelao!?"

This…… wasn't this exactly what he wanted!?

The young Emperor didn't understand political affairs and wanted to remove the positions of the inner and outer prime ministers at the same time, which was truly a bit ridiculous.

If the ancestral system shook the status of the inner and outer prime ministers at the same time, then there was a problem with the ancestral system.

Instead, it would only let both of them land safely.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Lv Lu Diaoyang frankly: "Minister Lv, I am not disgusted with the Senior Zhang Gelao and the Great Companion, but rather for their own good."

"It

"Just because I was driven by the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and had to hold two posts, I must suffer these baseless slanders; how can my heart bear it?"

"Now that the court is filled with upright officials, we should follow the established laws of our ancestors, clearly distinguish between the Jing and Wei rivers, and each perform our own duties, so as to preserve our reputations."

"The Great Companion is a eunuch, so that is fine, but the Senior Zhang Gelao is my late Emperor's teacher; he is venerable and respected, has worked diligently for many years, and is nearing the age of retirement. We must also consider the Senior Zhang Gelao's reputation in history."

He led Lu Lu Diaoyang into the trap step by step.

Originally, the New Party was going to backstab and impeach anyway, so he did not need to persuade him.

The point was, do you, Lu Lu Diaoyang, want to reach a tacit understanding with me in this impeachment?

If you are willing, then I will let you first join me in stripping Feng Bao of his post, and then wait a while before impeaching Gao Gong; dare you disobey?

If you are unwilling... I discussed it with you and you did not agree, and if you go to my mother and talk nonsense later, I will have to shout about treacherous officials in the Qianqing Palace.

To put it plainly, it was to block his mouth; either don't speak, or speak exactly what I tell you to speak.

Lu Lu Diaoyang did not know the Emperor's thoughts.

He only suddenly remembered why Zhang Zhang Juzheng had told him some time ago that it was best to transition smoothly and not be too radical—the message from the palace was that Empress Dowager Li was prepared to let Gao Gong retire with dignity.

All along, the information Feng Bao gave was that Empress Dowager Li detested Gao Gong and would dismiss him once she oversaw the state.

But a few days ago, she acted contrary to her usual behavior, leaving Lu Lu Diaoyang confused, and he could only attribute it to women being fickle.

At this moment, he finally had the answer.

The new Emperor was so grateful for Gao Gong's contributions, and mother and son were of one heart; it was normal for Imperial Consort Li not to want to make things too ugly and cause her son to harbor resentment.

Combining this with the matter, he could also be certain that the Emperor truly had Gao Gong's best interests at heart, which was why he asked him to impeach him and remove Gao Gong from his post in the Ministry of Personnel.

However.

Reputation in history...

To have a ruler consider a minister to this extent truly made Lu Lu Diaoyang sigh in his heart.

Zhang Cong and Emperor Shizong could already be considered a harmonious ruler and minister.

When Zhang Cong fell ill, Emperor Shizong even prepared medicine for him personally; after he retired, Emperor Shizong sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to visit him many times, showing concern and preventing others from counterattacking, and he issued several edicts summoning Zhang Cong back to the capital to resume his post, bolstering his influence.

Even so, Zhang Cong still had to take the blame for many things on Shizong's behalf.

Shizong had never considered this man's reputation in history.

On the contrary, was this new Emperor today actually benevolent to this extent?

Gao Gong had merely received the late Emperor's legacy and was treated with such generosity.

He did not even dare to imagine what kind of glory Gao Yi would have in the future.

It would be a lie to say he was not envious; Lu Lu Diaoyang truly felt it was quite unpleasant.

However, having reached this point, he finally understood the Emperor's position and thoughts.

He was also certain that the Emperor asking him to impeach Gao Gong was neither a child's game nor a test of his schemes.

Lu Lu Diaoyang's reply this time was somewhat submissive: "Your Majesty's benevolence and virtue are the good fortune of your subjects."

"How could this subject dare to refuse Your Majesty's intentions."

"This subject will impeach the Senior Zhang Gelao before the Empress Dowager later, to fulfill this bond between ruler and minister for Your Majesty!"

He naturally had to go with the flow.

He was going to do this anyway, and now he could do it under the banner of the young Emperor.

Although bypassing the Grand Secretariat to impeach was not quite in accordance with ritual, it was, after all, the Senior Zhang Gelao, so it was understandable out of a desire to avoid suspicion.

Seeing that Lu Lu Diaoyang had finally been set up by him, Zhu Zhu Yijun finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He could not help but grin: "Minister Lu, do not be in a hurry!"

Alright, now this matter was not a tacit understanding within your New Party, but a tacit understanding between you and me.

As for the timing, it was naturally up to me!

The psychological burden of not agreeing and then going back on one's word after agreeing were not to be spoken of in the same breath.

Seeing Lu Lu Diaoyang look over in confusion.

He then thoughtfully explained: "How can there be a reason to impeach both the Inner Minister and the Outer Minister at the same time? That would easily cause unrest in the country; naturally, we should wait until after stripping the Great Companion of his post before talking about it."

"You may follow me to see the Empress Dowager, and just explain the precedents of the dynasty."

"As for impeaching the Senior Zhang Gelao, we will wait until after the matter of the Great Companion is settled."

Lu Lu Diaoyang's eyelids twitched.

He began to react and suspect that he had fallen into a trap.

Lu Lu Diaoyang's expression began to show some panic: "Your Majesty, this subject..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun suddenly turned cold.

He raised his hand and interrupted Lu Lu Diaoyang: "Minister Lu, I know you are the Minister of Rites, that ritual is in your heart, and that you know and act as one."

"I have already listened to your advice and am prepared to strip the Great Companion and the Senior Zhang Gelao of their redundant posts."

"Does Minister Lu have to be in such a hurry to cause turmoil in the court?"

Lu Lu Diaoyang's bowing body stiffened completely.

What do you mean you listened to my advice!

Now it was fine; not only was he set up, but he was also going to be saddled with a black pot.

What was fatal was that he had just agreed to the Emperor's face.

Was he supposed to turn around and deny it, leaving the young Emperor with the impression that he was deceiving the ruler?

That would be one thing; at worst, he would just sacrifice himself.

The problem was...

The Emperor seemed to highly esteem the New Laws and had an inexplicable tacit understanding with Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

If he messed this up and caused the Emperor to be hostile toward the New Laws, what would happen?

An Emperor who opposed the New Laws?

However, he did not dare to truly stand by and watch Feng Bao be stripped of his post.

This was not a question of whether it was worth it or not.

Trading Feng Bao's Eastern Depot for Gao Gong's position in the Ministry of Personnel was really not a loss.

The problem was, this was being generous at Feng Bao's expense!

When the time came, what would Feng Bao think? Would he vent his anger on him, Lu Lu Diaoyang, or even the New Policies?

He had no good feelings toward eunuchs and even felt the Emperor's consideration was correct.

If it were normal times, he would have agreed, but now... the so-called big picture comes first.

Feng Bao was a small matter, but the New Policies concerned the big picture; he was afraid that the New Policies would be ruined!

Now, he was truly riding a tiger and could not get off, and was not a person on either side!

Zhu Zhu Yijun had opened his perspective and also understood Lu Lu Diaoyang's concerns.

He continued to increase his efforts to untie Lu Lu Diaoyang.

He said nonchalantly: "I know the Senior Zhang Gelao is venerable and respected; even if it is for his own good, asking Minister Lu to impeach him must leave you feeling stifled."

"However... I will certainly not forget what Minister Lu has done; in the future, whenever Minister Lu has a request, I will certainly treat it as I do supporting Zhang Gelao Zhang and supporting the Examination of Merits Law."

Forget about Feng Bao, look at me.

Certified by Zhang Zhang Juzheng, a supporter of the New Policies, benevolent and virtuous.

Besides, Feng Bao might at most resent you for not handling the matter well, but that is only a possibility.

Who is to say Feng Bao isn't thinking that he has the Empress Dowager's protection and the Eastern Depot in his hands, and isn't taking it to heart at all?

But if you don't obey and are bent on muddying the waters, what will I, who have just opened my heart to you, think? How can I support the New Policies in the future?

Furthermore, wouldn't weakening both Gao Gong and Feng Bao at the same time be in the interests of the New Party?

Lu Lu Diaoyang only felt it was harsh—"will not forget what Minister Lu has done."

He was already hesitant, and now he was even more indecisive.

Now he had to weigh the attitudes of Feng Bao and the Emperor.

After thinking carefully, he suddenly realized that it did not seem impossible.

The weight of the Emperor's support went without saying...

As for Feng Bao, he, Lu Lu Diaoyang, had not kicked him while he was down; anyone with eyes knew it was Gao Gong's people who were impeaching him.

Although he had not helped in time, it could only be said that the incident was sudden, and Feng Bao might not necessarily blame him.

Furthermore, when the time came, he could make up for it, and it might not be impossible to appease Feng Bao.

What was important was that if he disregarded the tacit understanding just now and muddied the waters, he would inevitably offend the Emperor... and he couldn't leave anyway!

Thinking of this, Lu Lu Diaoyang finally reacted; he was riding a tiger and could not get off, and had already missed the opportunity to help Feng Bao.

He nodded listlessly: "Since Your Majesty has commanded, how dare this subject disobey? This is also for the sake of the Senior Zhang Gelao's reputation after death, so how could it be difficult."

Only then did Zhu Zhu Yijun relax; he had finally held Lu Lu Diaoyang down, so he didn't have to worry about him talking nonsense in front of Empress Dowager Li.

If Lu Lu Diaoyang played tai chi with him and insisted on standing up for Feng Bao, then he would only be able to let Zhu Zhu Xixiao accompany him alone later.

Fortunately, if he thought it through himself, it would look better for everyone.

He hurriedly grabbed Lu Lu Diaoyang's arm enthusiastically.

He said fervently: "Minister Lu is truly a pillar of the state; in the future, governing the country will still depend on Minister Lu."

"It is not just the Senior Zhang Gelao; when the time comes, if we can truly make the Great Ming flourish again, why wouldn't I be able to revive the Lingyan Pavilion and fulfill the posthumous reputations of you ministers!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun walked in front, holding Lu Lu Diaoyang's arm, almost with the implication of dragging him along.

As a result, once these words were spoken, he clearly felt that the old minister behind him had a much lighter step.

He even grabbed his hand in return and squeezed it tightly on his arm.

Tsk, people, it is always one thing after another.