Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 601 Teacher's Advice

After all, the matter of Wen Zhengming was not the focus of discussion between Chen Ce and Tang Yin. It was just something Tang Yin mentioned casually, and Chen Ce gave Tang Yin some advice.

"Teacher, the purpose of the prince asking me to come back this time is not just to be a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works, right?"

At this time, Zhu Houzhao transferred Tang Yin back. If he was just a Deputy Director of the Ministry of Works, Tang Yin felt that it was unnecessary. After all, there was no shortage of talents in the capital. Originally, Zhu Houzhao wanted to transfer Tang Yin to the Ministry of Rites, but was obstructed by the Ministry of Personnel. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Works.

The prince was determined to transfer me back, and he definitely wanted to do more than just make me a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works.

Chen Ce nodded and asked Tang Yin, "You should know that the Crown Prince and the civil officials have been arguing about the establishment of the Newspaper and Periodical Department recently."

“Now that the Newspaper and Periodical Department is under construction, the selection of personnel within the department has become a top priority.”

Tang Yin asked, "The prince asked me to come back and take up the post of an official in the Newspaper and Publication Department?"

Chen Ce said: "It may be the Supervisor of the Newspaper and Publication Department. The Newspaper and Publication Department now controls the public opinion of the Ming Dynasty. Whoever controls the Newspaper and Publication Department can gain the power of public opinion in the world. The prince must want to control this part of power in his hands."

"The last time Ma Qi and other officials forced the Crown Prince to abdicate, I'm afraid it dealt a heavy blow to the Crown Prince."

Tang Yin hesitated for a moment and asked, "Teacher, this is a struggle for power between the civil officials and the prince! The civil officials will definitely not give up this power easily."

"They will definitely find a way to get their people promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Newspaper and Publication Department. Can I fight against so many civil servants?"

Tang Yin was a little unconfident. Although he was also worried when he was in the southwest, Chen Ce could still cover him if anything happened. Seeing that his teacher's condition was getting worse day by day, he really didn't want his teacher to worry about him anymore.

But with his current abilities, it doesn't seem so easy for him to fight against so many civil servants and firmly sit in the position of Director of the Newspaper and Publication Department.

Chen Ce was also thinking about how to ensure that Tang Yin could keep his seat firmly in the position of Director of the Newspaper and Publication Administration. There would definitely be another contest between the civil servants and Zhu Houzhao.

Compete for candidates for the Press and Publication Department.

Even if Zhu Houzhao won, this position would be like an ant on a hot pot, and anyone who sat on it would feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, Chen Ce not only had to find a way to get Tang Yin to the position, but also had to make sure that Tang Yin could sit firmly in this position, which was very difficult.

Chen Ce pondered for a moment, while Tang Yin waited quietly, occasionally adding tea to Chen Ce and coal to the brazier in the house.

Chen Ce finally spoke, and he said to Tang Yin: "The Crown Prince will let some people support you, and of course the civil officials will nominate another official. The Grand Court Meeting may not be able to determine the candidate, and in the end, I am afraid that the nine senior officials of the Cabinet, the Six Ministries and the Provincial Censorate will decide the result."

The so-called court recommendation means that when discussing the appointment of a vacant official, if the officials disagree, the highest officials of the cabinet, six ministries, and the Censorate will be required to vote anonymously in front of the emperor.

There are six ministers in the six ministries, one in the Censorate, and two in the cabinet, for a total of nine senior officials to be elected.

There is no doubt that Fei Hong and Hong Zhong definitely favor Zhu Houzhao.

Although the highest official of the Censorate is the Left Censor-in-Chief, the current Left Censor-in-Chief is old and seriously ill, and the real power of the Censorate is in the hands of Hong Zhong. Hong Zhong will definitely vote for Tang Yin.

The Minister of Revenue Qin Hong and Chen Ce were close friends regardless of age difference, and he would definitely support Chen Ce's student Tang Yin.

In other words, three votes are now a done deal.

It’s a pity that the Minister of Works Xu Guan passed away, otherwise the Ministry of Works would still have a vote.

There are still two votes short, but the remaining six senior officials will undoubtedly stand on the side of the civil service group. Although there will be disputes within the civil service, when facing the confrontation between civil service power and imperial power, they will definitely side with the civil service.

Tang Yin said, "Teacher, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to win over the other six senior officials." Chen Ce nodded and said, "Yes, it is difficult to win them over, unless we use extraordinary means."

"You don't need to think about these things. You should first think about how to gain a firm foothold in the newspaper department in the future. Even if you win, I'm afraid the difficulties will just begin."

"You go back and do your work step by step, and I'll help you with the rest."

Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, and said: "Teacher...if your body is not working, don't worry so much. I will find a way myself."

Chen Ce smiled and said, "Bo Hu, you have grown up. You have improved a lot in your view of people and things. You are no longer an angry and arrogant scholar. You also have your own views and methods of dealing with politics."

"But you still have a shortcoming. You still have the air of a scholar, and lack some ruthlessness... There are some things you can't do. Don't worry, go back."

Tang Yin didn't quite understand what Chen Ce meant by these words, but he still kept them in mind silently, then bowed and said, "Then teacher, I will come to see you in two days."

"Ah."

After Tang Yin left, Chen Ce narrowed his eyes and said to the servants in the mansion: "Go to the palace and call Liu Jin to me."

"Here!"

Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Liu Jin is now the de facto boss of the Imperial Household Department, and all eunuchs follow his lead.

In fact, the political structure of the Zhengde period had already been fully formed at this time.

When Liu Jin heard that Chen Ce wanted to summon him, he hurriedly put down the memorial he had approved, and walked out of the palace with several eunuchs. They stepped on the snow and hurried to Chen Ce's house.

Liu Jin casually threw his coat stained with snowflakes to the eunuch, dodged his snow-covered boots, and then entered Chen Ce's study, breathing heavily.

"It's so cold today. Many people have frozen to death outside."

"Mr. Chen, what is it that made me come here?"

Liu Jin kept rubbing his hands together and squatting around the brazier, warming himself by the fire.

Chen Ce said, "Go and kidnap the families of a few people, Xie Qian, Ni Yue, Xu Qiong, Min Gui, Zeng Jian, and Ma Wensheng."

Liu Jin's body trembled suddenly, and he looked at Chen Ce in horror, blurting out: "Ah?"

Are you crazy?
These people are the highest-ranking officials in the six ministries of the cabinet. You want me to kidnap their families?
Liu Jin said with a sad face: "Master Chen, what did I do that you are not satisfied with? If you want me to die, just let me speak up, why are you beating around the bush like this!"

If I really kidnap the families of these people, will I still be able to survive?

Chen Ce said speechlessly: "If I really wanted to die, I wouldn't have summoned you here."

"As for the candidate from the Newspaper and Publication Department, do you think Tang Yin can win for sure?"

Liu Jin shook his head. This was also what his prince was worried about. Even if the prince wanted to directly promote Tang Yin to the position of Director of the Newspaper and Publication Department, the civil servants would not agree. Without the seal of the Ministry of Personnel and the Cabinet, no one would recognize the legitimacy of Tang Yin's position as Director of the Newspaper and Publication Department.

Chen Ce spread his hands and said, "That's it. In the end, there is a high probability that they will support Tang Yin, so I want you to kidnap at least two of these six people, find evidence of their illegal activities, and force them to vote for Tang Yin!"

(End of this chapter)