I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 141 Shen Nian Promoted! Hai Rui: On the Correct Way to Submit Memorials
March 23rd, early in the morning.

Prince Lu first went to the Cining Palace and Kunning Palace to pay his respects to the two empress dowagers, and then went to the Huangji Hall to pay his respects to the young Wanli Emperor.

Subsequently.

Prince Lu went to the cabinet office and handed Zhang Juzheng the second list of assignments that Shen Nian had prepared for him, solemnly promising that he would use it as a daily routine thereafter.

At last.

Prince Lu then personally went to the Hanlin Academy to apologize to Chen Jingbang, a Hanlin Academy reader, and earnestly requested that he continue to serve as his lecturer.

His attitude was very sincere, as if he had grown up overnight.

This series of actions.

Officials familiar with Prince Lu's character felt as if the sun had risen in the west.

They are very curious.

How did Shen Nian manage to train the "unbeatable and fearless Prince Lu" into such an obedient person in just three days?

soon.

They found out what Shen Nian had been doing over the past three days.

First, let Prince Lu play and make a fuss as he pleases, and then tell him that if he continues this unconventional and willful lifestyle, after the wedding, the officials will surely petition him to leave the capital and take up his fief.

Prince Lu had a very close relationship with Empress Dowager Li and the young Wanli Emperor.

That's what I'm most afraid of.

If the court officials, as the upholders of the Ming Dynasty's etiquette, all had a bad impression of him, they certainly had the ability to make him leave the capital and take up his fiefdom quickly after his marriage.

Even the young Wanli Emperor and Empress Dowager Li could not stop it.

The imperial clans had different customs in the capital and in their fiefdoms.

In short, Shen Nian found the Prince of Lu's weakness.

Some officials could think of this, but they wouldn't dare to treat Prince Lu in this way.

Because Shen Nian possessed the teaching talent that made it difficult for both the young Wanli Emperor and the Prince of Lu to leave.

Shen Nian's reliance.

It was the trust of the young Wanli Emperor and the trust of Zhang Juzheng.

If it were someone else, they might have been impeached or stopped on the first day when they took Prince Lu to the elephant house for a visit.

That's Shen Nian's ability.

After Empress Dowager Li learned of this, she did not think that Shen Nian was threatening Prince Lu. On the contrary, she felt that Shen Nian was genuinely good to Prince Lu.

at the same time.

Shen Nian also became Lu Wang's tutor, and had to give Lu Wang five lessons every month.

……

The next day, it was nearly noon.

Daily lectures at the Wenhua Hall.

Shen Nian stood aside recording the daily events, while Wang Jiaping, a Hanlin Compiler, earnestly lectured the young Wanli Emperor on history.

at this time.

Shen Nian suddenly couldn't help but yawn, making a soft sound.

These past few days, he's been keeping up with the Prince of Lu's antics and playing with his son, Xiao Yanche, in the evenings, so he's a bit tired.

Because he was standing opposite the preacher.

Everyone was quite sensitive to royal etiquette, so at that moment, everyone looked at Shen Nian.

this moment.

Shen Nian suddenly perked up.

If a person misbehaves during a lecture before the Emperor, the penalty starts at half a month's salary; if they misbehave during a lecture on the classics, the penalty starts at three months' salary.

At the same time, the young Wanli Emperor also noticed this.

The moment he turned to look at Shen Nian, Wang Jiaping also stopped lecturing.

Shen Nian quickly walked from beside the throne to below it, then bowed to the young Wanli Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I have been disrespectful before you. I humbly request Your Majesty's punishment!"

A faint smile appeared on little Wanli's face.

"I know that Compiler Shen has been working very hard for Prince Lu lately, and it seems he needs a rest. I will not punish him this time, but this will not be a repeat of the offense!"

Upon hearing this, all the lecturers were very envious of Shen Nian for having such treatment.

This is what a favored minister looks like!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Nian said, bowing.

at this time.

Shen Yiguan, a compiler of Hanlin Academy, quickly stepped forward after a quick glance around.

"Your Majesty, Compiler Shen has been working too hard lately. In addition to his duties as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, he is also compiling history, recording daily events, and serving as a lecturer at the Imperial Lectures and as a tutor to Prince Lu. No compiler in our dynasty has ever shouldered so many responsibilities as Compiler Shen. I humbly request that his burden be reduced. Other compilers in the Hanlin Academy can share some of the work with him!"

Upon hearing Shen Yiguan's words, the Japanese lecturers Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, Wang Jiaping, and others standing to the side couldn't help but laugh.

Shen Yiguan's little scheme was too clever for its own good!

He clearly saw that Shen Nian had a lot of good jobs and wanted to get Shen Nian to take on a few so that he could take one himself.

What he longed for most was, of course, to record the emperor's daily activities, so that he could often stay by the side of the young Wanli Emperor.

However, he wasn't wrong.

Shen Nian did indeed have more responsibilities than a typical compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

These words were taken to heart by the young Wanli Emperor.

He looked at Shen Nian and asked, "Editor Shen, have I given you too many tasks? Are you capable of handling them right now?"

Shen Nian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern. I am still young and do not feel tired at the moment. The reason I yawned is because I spent too much time with the children last night. I will pay attention to this in the future."

The young Wanli Emperor thought for a moment and looked at Shen Shixing.

"Scholar Shen, you are currently in charge of the Hanlin Academy, and Compiler Shen has many responsibilities. I almost forgot what you should have reminded me of. Explaining the classics and history to members of the royal family is the duty of a lecturer and reader, not something a mere compiler can undertake!"

Shen Shixing was taken aback at first, then instantly understood what the young Wanli meant.

"Your Majesty, Compiler Shen holds many positions and is very busy. Recently, he has also been assigned to lecture for Prince Lu. I believe that Compiler Shen should be specially promoted to the position of Lecturer in the Hanlin Academy!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yiguan felt an urge to slap himself.

Unexpectedly, instead of relieving Shen Nian of his duties, it actually made Emperor Wanli consider promoting Shen Nian.

A lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of sixth grade.

If Shen Nian is truly promoted, it would mean that she has completed a three-level jump in less than two years.

Furthermore, this sixth-rank official was not an ordinary sixth-rank official.

The gold content is extremely high.

Its value far exceeds that of the position of a sixth-rank official in the Six Ministries.

In general.

If a Hanlin Academy reader or lecturer is promoted further, they will become a fifth-rank scholar or lecturer.

The Attendant Reader and Attendant Lecturer could concurrently serve as Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries, holding the rank of Third Grade.

Even if someone is replaced due to their lack of seniority, they will be appointed as the fourth-rank Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, rather than as a fifth-rank official in one of the Six Ministries.

Once Shen Nian becomes a Reader or Lecturer, he will be trained to become a Grand Secretary of the Six Ministries and a Hanlin Academician.

Promotion will be very fast.

Zhang Juzheng rose through the ranks in just one year, from a fifth-rank scholar in charge of the Hanlin Academy to the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and concurrently a scholar of the Hanlin Academy.

Apart from Shen Yiguan, all the lecturers felt that Shen Nian deserved this.

Shen Yiguan opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. It was only after he listed out all the official duties Shen Nian had performed that the young Wanli Emperor had the idea of ​​promoting Shen Nian.

The young Wanli Emperor smiled and said, "I'll leave this matter to you and the Ministry of Personnel. Everything will be done according to the rules!"

As long as Zhang Juzheng doesn't stop it, this matter is a foregone conclusion.

Then, the lecture continued. Shen Yiguan's face looked like a wilted eggplant, while Shen Nian was no longer sleepy at all.

A promotion means he can participate in more government affairs and have more say.

This is exactly what he wants.

……

Afternoon, Cabinet.

Minister of Personnel Zhang Han appeared before Zhang Juzheng with a document written by Shen Shixing requesting a special promotion for Shen Nian.

"Your Excellency, what do you think? Should we give Shen more experience, or should we promote him as His Majesty wishes?"

The reason for promoting Shen Nian was very easy to find. The fact that Shen Nian was concurrently serving as the Prince of Lu's daily lecturer was enough to promote him by one rank.

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and stroked his beard.

"As Your Majesty wishes! Furthermore, if any dissenters are dissatisfied, tell them that whoever can write an article better than 'On the Prosperous Era' will be exceptionally promoted three ranks by the court!"

Zhang Juzheng's words were clearly intended to silence those who questioned him.

In addition, Zhang Juzheng also wanted officials to understand that as long as they had the ability, they could be promoted through special exceptions.

"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhang Han replied, cupping his hands in greeting.

The following day, around noon, Shen Nian was promoted to the rank of sixth-grade lecturer in the Hanlin Academy.

This promotion has given Shen Nian her own public housing unit, which, although small, brings her great joy.

This was specially arranged for him by Shen Shixing.

Officials who repeatedly bring honor to the Hanlin Academy should be given the best treatment.

If Shen Nianru wants to take charge of the Hanlin Academy before the age of thirty, she will need to achieve even greater accomplishments.

……

At dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Inside a post station in Taiyuan Prefecture, Shanxi Province.

Hai Rui handed a wax-sealed letter to Yao Bin, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel.

"Yao Bin, you must personally deliver this memorial to His Majesty. If you cannot do so, you may give it to Shen Nian, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Do not give it to anyone else, including Grand Secretary Zhang, Grand Secretary Lü, and the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial!"

"The student understands, and the student will definitely complete the task!" Yao Bin said with a serious expression.

Hai Rui nodded, then looked at the two Imperial Guards standing behind Yao Bin.

"My lords, remember this: the memorial to the throne is of utmost importance!"

The two Imperial Guards quickly clasped their hands in greeting and said, "Rest assured, Vice Director Hai, we will protect this memorial to the death!"

"Alright, let's set off!" Hai Rui said.

It was no easy task for Hai Rui to send the memorial from Shanxi to the capital and directly to the young Wanli Emperor.

First, it's difficult to leave Shanxi.

Hai Rui knew that someone in Shanxi had been watching him all along.

Once he makes a move, people will want to know what he's going to do. What officials and merchants in Shanxi fear most is Hai Rui's memorials.

Second.

Even if a memorial is sent to the capital, it may still be intercepted by the Office of Transmission, the Directorate of Ceremonial, or even the Cabinet.

Therefore.

Hai Rui ordered two Imperial Guards to escort Yao Bin, a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, back to the capital while he carried a memorial to the throne.

Because the Embroidered Uniform Guard was under the control of the Eastern Depot, it might be intercepted. As an official of the Censorate, Yao Bin had the right to submit memorials directly to the young Wanli Emperor.

As for Hai Rui...

He needs to stay in Shanxi. Once the young Wanli Emperor has read the imperial edict and determined how to carry out the affairs in Shanxi, he will make specific arrangements for him.

After a while.

Yao Bin and two Imperial Guards led their horses to the entrance of the post station.

Hai Rui walked up to Yao Bin, gave him a rare hug, and then whispered, "Remember, your life is the most important!"

“Students understand!”

Yao Bin pointed to his head with great confidence, then mounted his horse.

Immediately, Yao Bin, escorted by two Imperial Guards, ran towards the official road ahead.

At their speed, they could reach the capital in four days at most.

The three of them had not gone far.

Two men suddenly emerged from the woods outside the inn.

One of the men in gray said to another, "Quickly report to Third Master that Hai Rui has sent a memorial to the capital. We will take action as soon as they leave Shanxi."

This Third Master was none other than Zhang Siwei's third brother, Zhang Sijiao.

The current head of the Zhang Siwei family is Zhang Sijiao.

From the moment Hai Rui arrived in Shanxi, he had people keeping an eye on him.

He was waiting for the results of Hai Rui's investigation.

Zhang Siwei had already instructed that if Hai Rui's memorial entered the capital, it was not necessary to intercept it, but it was essential to know its contents.

Zhang Siwei is confident.

Knowing the contents of the memorial in advance allows one to respond accordingly.

As for foolish tactics like "murdering to silence witnesses and setting people on fire," they not only failed to work on Hai Rui, but actually allowed him to exploit more loopholes.

Their goal—

The memorial was seen without the knowledge of the person transporting it.

……

Two days later, night fell.

Yao Bin and two Imperial Guards appeared at a post station within the territory of Shuntian Prefecture.

Unbeknownst to the three, this post station had already been compromised.

Before long, the three of them finished their dinner and fell into a deep sleep.

Yao Bin kept the memorial under his pillow and never let it out of his sight, whether he was eating, drinking, or relieving himself.

It's almost midnight.

After the two Imperial Guards were knocked unconscious by the sleeping powder, the smell of sleeping powder also filled Yao Bin's room.

Soon, Yao Bin fell into a deep sleep.

The door was pried open.

The two masked men quickly found the wax-sealed memorial under Yao Bin's pillow and took it out.

After a while.

In another brightly lit room at the inn.

A middle-aged man, holding a small knife, skillfully broke the wax seal and took out the memorial inside.

The two young men quickly copied down the contents of the memorial, one at the beginning and one at the end.

After transcribing, quickly stuff it back into the envelope and reseal it with wax.

It looked as if it had never been opened.

Judging from their speed and skill, they were clearly not novices.

After doing all this, they put the memorial back under their pillows, removed the smell of the sleeping potion, and quickly left the inn.

……

The next morning, Yao Bin opened his eyes.

His first priority was to review the memorials.

He frowned slightly.

He immediately noticed that a hair he had placed on the memorial the night before was missing.

This indicates that someone has tampered with the memorial.

A smile immediately appeared on Yao Bin's face, and he murmured, "Hai Gong is indeed clever. The real memorial is actually in my mind. Now, we should be safe!"

Hai Rui didn't even trust the Imperial Guards who followed him; he only trusted Yao Bin.

After a while.

After having breakfast, Yao Bin and his two companions set off again, heading towards the capital.

And this moment.

The two men in gray who stayed behind to observe Yao Bin saw that the three of them did not have any unnatural expressions, and immediately determined that the three of them did not know that they had been drugged the night before.

And so, they left very happily.

This means they have successfully completed their mission.

That evening, inside a luxury mansion.

A middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to Zhang Siwei flipped through the memorials his subordinates had copied from Hai Rui, and couldn't help but slightly curl his lip.

"Little Hai Rui is nothing but a lot of noise and little action. He's not worth fearing! He's not worth fearing! No one can touch my Zhang family now. Even if the Ming Dynasty is gone, my Zhang family will still be here!" Zhang Sijiao put his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky.

(End of this chapter)