Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 723: Suppressing him will not affect targeting you

Fengtian Temple.

The court meeting scene.

The ministers seemed to know that the military parade that day was inevitable, so no one mentioned the matter again. Instead, they debated on the compilation of the "Veritable Records of Emperor Xianzong", especially the group of officials who were exiled during the Chenghua period and whether Li Dongyang, who was in mourning, should participate in the compilation of the book.

Liu Ji seemed very excited.

When the Ministry of Rites reported that Xu Pu should be the chief editor and Liu Jian and Li Dongyang should be the vice-chief editors to compile the Veritable Records, he felt that this was a conspiracy among the civil officials to target him.

As for the matter of recruiting all the Hanlin Academy in Nanjing to come to Beijing to compile the "Veritable Records", he came forward to argue for it, as if everyone was only opposing him today.

"… Your Majesty, the people in the Hanlin Academy have been idle for a long time. I have heard that some people have not stepped into the Hanlin Academy for many years, not to mention that everyone, from top to bottom, regards themselves as noble and never does worldly affairs. Now that I am old and weak, I may not be able to help the court, but I ask Your Majesty to urge the people in the Hanlin Academy to improve their work style and do their best for the court, instead of just collecting salaries and doing nothing…"

Liu Ji's words offended everyone in the Hanlin Academy.

However, Liu Ji was very confident in his argument, and acted as if he was afraid of no one because he was right.
Didn’t we agree to deal with Zhang Luan and Li Zisheng together?
Why did you target me first?

As the chief minister, shouldn't I be the first one to be included in the compilation of the "Xianzong Shilu"? Why did they exclude me so openly and even said that the court was short of people and wanted to transfer people from Nanjing?

What? I'm not a human being, right?

You officials in the Hanlin Academy are usually lazy and do nothing. Now you don’t have the little prince to teach you. The imperial lectures and spring lectures haven’t even started yet, and you’re crying about not having enough staff to revise a book?

Do we have to transfer it from somewhere else?

When those Hanlin officials from Nanjing are transferred to the capital, many of them were banished by me in the first place. Won’t they seek revenge on me when they come back?
With this situation going from strength to weakness, how can I still be the Prime Minister?
I'd better step down early and make way for you, right?
No way!
Of course, the prerequisite for Liu Ji to launch a map cannon is that he must bring Zhang Luan in a little to show that he still takes the overall situation into consideration.

Zhu Youtang seemed to be very interested in recalling the people from the Nanjing Hanlin Academy to the capital... After all, in his opinion, all the people in the Hanlin Academy were loyal and upright ministers, and many of them had been his teachers or his teacher's friends.

No matter how much he trusted Zhang Luan, he believed that his teacher and his teacher's friends would not harm him and were people who could help him.

This is also related to Xu Pu's usual "forbearance".

In order to gain the emperor's support and transfer some capable ministers back to the capital, Xu Pu maintained a superficial harmony with Zhang Luan, even though he believed, like Huai En, that foreign relatives should not interfere in politics. He did not do what Liu Ji did and impeached Zhang Luan for no reason.

However, in several major conflicts, Xu Pu still quietly stood on the opposite side of Zhang Luan. However, because Zhang Luan was always able to turn decay into magic, the conflicts were resolved before they arose, and the contradictions did not appear as serious as they appeared.

Zhu Youtang asked Huai En who was standing beside him, "Huai Daban, the Hanlin Academy is short of staff now, right?"

Huai En first glanced at the ministers present, and then said seriously: "There are always people. No matter what you do, you can transfer people. At most, you can transfer them from other government offices to help. There will be no delay. But there are indeed many capable people in Nanjing Hanyuan, but they were transferred far away for various reasons. Now that we are going to compile the "Records" for the late emperor, we may invite these people back."

He did not give a firm opinion.

Just a suggestion that you might be able to go back.

Zhu Youtang asked: "How many people are there?"

Huai En said, "The Ministry of Rites has submitted a memorial requesting the transfer of Nanjing Hanlin Academy's attendants Zeng Yan and Yang Shouzhi, the left eunuch Lin Han, the attendant Xie Duo, the editors Zhang Yuanzhen, Jiang Lan, the right eunuch Lu Jian, as well as the editors Liang Chu, Liu Zhong, Deng Yan, Zhang Tianrui, and the reviewers Yang Shichang and others... and also requesting the attendant scholar Li Dongyang, who is in mourning, to return to the court!"

Every time Huai En mentioned a name, Liu Ji felt as if someone was stabbing him in the heart.

Looking at the list on the Ministry of Rites, almost no one listed has no conflicts with Liu Ji. As the saying goes, when I was in power, I drove away those people I disliked, and now it is finally their turn to come back and take revenge on me.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "The return of these capable ministers to the capital can indeed bring some changes to the court. However, Mr. Li is still in mourning. Is it necessary to call him back as well?"

Li Dongyang's father, Li Chunyu, died in December of the 22nd year of Chenghua. According to the 27-month mourning period, Li Dongyang would have to wait until the spring of the 2nd year of Hongzhi to complete the mourning period. However, the Ministry of Rites does not seem to care about this at the moment, believing that if the court summons him, Li Dongyang must come back.

But as an emperor, Zhu Youtang was a filial son after all, and he thought it was inappropriate to openly label the teacher as unfilial since he had taught him this.

Huai En said: "Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents, and Teachers, government affairs always come before family affairs."

Zhu Youtang nodded: "I think it is indeed possible to arrange a job for Mr. Li, but he still has to wait until he returns to Beijing before he can officially take up the post. As for the others, since they can all help compile my father's "Veritable Records", let's call them back to the court..."

Liu Ji could not help but protest, "Your Majesty, if you call all these people back, there will be no one left in Nanjing Hanlin Academy! Even if you want them to participate in compiling the Veritable Records, can't they still work in Nanjing? Why do they have to come back to Beijing?"

Huai En said in a mocking tone: "Lord Liu, compiling the "Records" of the late emperor is such a big thing, it must be time-consuming and laborious. Some records are even unique. Do we have to send them back and forth between the two capitals of the north and the south? How can we achieve coordination and consistency between the two sides?"

Zhu Youtang asked, "Is the Nanjing Hanlin Academy very busy right now?"

"Your Majesty, all the officials in the capital are very idle."

Huai En said bluntly, "The Nanjing Hanlin Academy has not had any assignments for a long time. The former president of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy, that is, Minister Xu, is now in the capital. After him, Nanjing has no president for the time being, and there will be nothing to do after the new year."

Previously, Xu Qiong was transferred to the capital to serve as the Minister of Personnel. A year has passed, and the Nanjing Hanlin Academy still doesn't even have a manager. The group of people are free and undisciplined, with no one to restrain them.

According to Huai En, even if it was not out of consideration for political games, these people should be transferred back to the capital to do things. Just because they are hated by the old forces such as Liu Ji, should they be left in Nanjing to eat and wait for death?
Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "In that case, let's call them all back!"

……

……

The emperor issued an edict.

Except for Liu Ji who was anxious and wanted to jump up and down, all the ministers present were happy to accept it.

Normally, the emperor did not consult with his ministers and made decisions directly. Many people present would glare at the emperor, thinking that he was so willful and self-righteous at such a young age, and a complete tyrant.

But if the emperor decided something they approved of, then even if it was a bit arbitrary, they would not have any objections, and instead would think that the emperor was wise and powerful.

So the key lies in whether the emperor's decision is consistent with their position.

The meeting ended.

Many ministers were preparing to leave the palace to attend the subsequent military parade.

This was also the first large-scale event held by the court after the emperor ascended the throne, so the court from top to bottom seemed to attach great importance to it. They closed the streets early and dispatched a large number of palace guards to escort along the way.

When leaving the palace, Liu Ji got angry directly at Xu Pu.

"You must have arranged all of this in advance. You are the instigator of this, right?"

Liu Ji scolded angrily.

Facing Liu Ji's overwhelming anger, Xu Pu shook his head helplessly and asked, "Mr. Liu, have you investigated the details? You said this matter is related to me, what evidence do you have?"

Liu Ji sneered and said, "If it weren't for you, how could so many people say the same thing? Those who were called back all have prejudices against me to some extent..."

Xu Pu almost wanted to roll his eyes. This time the imperial court almost moved the entire Nanjing Hanlin Academy to the capital. From what you said, everyone in the Nanjing Hanlin Academy is against you?
Shouldn't you examine yourself?

"Also, I must be the chief editor of the Veritable Records!"

Liu Ji was completely done pretending now, and said, "As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, you didn't even have a name in such a major event. How can this be disgraceful? And you are only the Second Prime Minister, but you were nominated as the Chief Executive Officer. How dare you say that this matter has nothing to do with you!?"

Only then did Xu Pu realize that this was what made Liu Ji most angry.

Xu Pu asked, "Then... Lord Liu, do you think you are capable of participating in the compilation of this book? I don't want to take on this task at all. It's a thankless task... In my opinion, it must be completed by someone who has free time outside of official duties..."

Liu Ji frowned and asked, "What do you mean? Do you think Zhang Laizhan, the president of the Hanlin Academy, is the most suitable person to be the chief executive? Do you know what you are talking about?"

"That is not my intention."

Xu Pu said, "I just think that many things should be handled with caution. Just like today's matter, you have opposed it many times, but it was still implemented. If you want to stop your majesty's decision, you must have the strength to do so, otherwise it will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

After hearing this, Liu Ji's face turned dark, and he felt that Xu Pu had openly broken off relations with him.

Just as he was furious and ready to start a conflict and curse, Liu Jian, who was following closely behind him, quickly caught up with him.

"Both of you."

Liu Jian greeted, "February this year is a little late, I wonder if I should remind Your Majesty early to complete the land borrowing ceremony early?"

Liu Ji frowned and said, "The revision of the book has not been finalized yet, and you want to bring up the land loan? You have a lot on your mind."

Liu Jian ignored him.

Although I asked "you two", who am I actually asking? Don't you, Liu Ji, know the answer?

Although you are the Prime Minister, in the eyes of other ministers, you are just a person who is just waiting to die. Calling you a human being is already giving you face. Many things you do are worse than those of an animal.

Although Xu Pu also felt that Liu Jian was going too far in looking down on Liu Ji, he still offered a very pertinent suggestion: "We can wait until the end of the month to discuss this matter. This year's land-borrowing ceremony will be postponed to early February. If the so-called inspection and military review today do not go smoothly, someone will have to advise Your Majesty. Are you prepared for this?"

Liu Jian said: "Yes, more than a dozen censors have jointly written a memorial, and they will advise Your Majesty immediately after the incident."

When Liu Ji heard this, his anger subsided a little.

After all, this military parade was an action taken by the civil officials to unite against Zhang Luan and his son.

No matter what, we should put the overall situation first at this moment.

Liu Ji said: "Where is the little Tatar prince? He has not paid homage to His Majesty yet! If he embarrasses himself in front of them during the military parade later, the Ming Dynasty will lose face! Zhang Laizhan is really good at making trouble for the court!"

……

……

Three miles outside Dongzhimen.

The final preparations before the military parade have begun in a temporary training ground set up in an open space.

Yang Shouchen, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, accompanied by officials from the Honglu Temple, and the Tatar prince and his entourage headed towards the east of the city.

Because the position of Minister of the Honglu Temple was temporarily vacant, even though the person responsible for welcoming the envoys should be someone from the Honglu Temple, the person who actually accompanied Yang Shouchen that day was Hu Gong, the Minister of Guanglu who was in charge of banquets and sacrifices at the court.

Guanglu Temple is the most expensive government office in the court, and its managers must be good at managing money. For example, officials like Hu Gong had to skillfully deal with bigwigs such as Wan'an, Liu Ji and Li Zisheng to survive. However, after the new emperor ascended the throne, he immediately jumped to the side of the civil service group headed by the lecturer of the Eastern Palace.

Perhaps in Hu Gong's view, the hope for the future court lies in this group of lecturers in the Eastern Palace.

Historically, Hu Gong was forced to retire from his position as Guangluqing in July of the second year of the Hongzhi reign, also because his accounts of money and other matters did not tally... As a result, less than a month after leaving his post, he was recalled by Emperor Hongzhi to continue serving as Guangluqing in the same month...

Until the sixth year of the Hongzhi reign, the deficit in the accounts of the Guanglu Temple became increasingly large, and Hu Gong became the scapegoat. He was demoted to the position of Tongzhi of the Shandong Salt Administration, and there is no historical record of him since then.

"I heard that at the court today, His Majesty mentioned transferring people from the Nanjing Library to Beijing to compile the late emperor's "Veritable Records". Among them was another scholar Yang?"

Hu Gong had a rare opportunity to come into contact with a "newcomer" like Yang Shouchen, so he quickly took the opportunity to approach him and get close to him.

Because Yang Shouzhi is an outstanding figure among the Yang family. Compared with his brothers from the side branches such as Yang Shousui and Yang Shouyu, Yang Shouzhi is Yang Shouchen's younger brother, and the two brothers were both admitted to the Hanlin Academy. Hu Gong meant that you two brothers can finally work together.

Yang Shouchen said: "My brother came from Nanjing, and this matter has not yet been officially implemented. The affairs of the court are complicated now, and his arrival can help a little. I just don't know if he can adapt to the current official environment in the capital."

Speaking of this, Yang Shouchen seemed a little regretful.

After all, both brothers were suppressed by Li Zisheng, Wan'an and others at the end of the Chenghua period.

Currently, Yang Shouchen has just settled down. He is also afraid that Yang Shouzhi has a bad temper and will not be able to adapt after returning, which will lead to a major conflict with the upstart Zhang Luan.

Wan'an has fallen, but the power of Li Zisheng and Liu Ji remains, and now there is another powerful official, Zhang Luan, in the court.

Hu Gong smiled and said, "Anyway, it's much better than before."

"is it?"

Yang Shouchen looked unhappy.

To a certain extent, a group of people who used to be lecturers in the Eastern Palace have been favored by the emperor one after another and are gradually coming to the fore.

However, due to the great uncertainty of the power of Zhang Luan, the foreign relative, many people were worried that Zhang Luan would plunge the court into disputes again in the future. Therefore, traditional civil officials like Yang Shouchen, who had experienced the test of wind and rain, did not believe that the situation would develop in a good direction.

Hu Gong said: "After today's drill, the court specially arranged a banquet in the palace, and a lot of animals were consumed. You see..."

In terms of official position, Yang Shouchen was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and also served as the Chancellery Affairs, specifically in charge of historians, etc.

Right now Hu Gong really hopes to get some policy support from Yang Shouchen, especially to make up for the many deficits at the end of the Chenghua period... Otherwise, no matter how capable he is, he cannot fill such a big hole, and he is very afraid that in the end he will have to bear all of this alone.

Yang Shouchen said: "You don't need to ask me about the Guanglu Temple. Just follow the rules. Hey, what's going on with the team in front?"

Perhaps Yang Shouchen was afraid that if the conversation continued, they would have to get to the real point, so he went there early, making an excuse to check out the reason for the team's slow progress.

At this time, the team had just left Huitong Hall not far away.

Because the road was not blocked for the little Tatar prince's travel, the first half of the journey progressed slowly. Yang Shouchen acted like a road-opener, stepping forward in his official uniform to calm the situation.

(End of this chapter)