My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 25 Promotion

The study was where scholars in ancient times handled official business, and it was also the most heavily guarded place in the entire house.

Correspondence between scholars, account books of family properties, and even lists of bribes given and received would all be kept in the study.

The study of important officials like Gao Gong may also contain sensitive documents such as draft memorials and decrees to be implemented by the cabinet.

Some officials even restricted their children and nephews from entering their study.

The outsiders who could be seen in the study were all close confidants. In a sense, Su Ze was really Gao Gong's follower.

After Su Ze entered the study, Gao Gong put down the letter in his hand and looked at Su Ze.

Su Ze also looked at this Lord Gao.

Among the four cabinet members, Xu Jie was a typical scholar-bureaucrat. He looked like the president of Suze University and spoke in a gentle manner.

Zhang Juzheng was a technocrat who acted decisively and had a sharp eye for human nature. In front of him, one would feel like one was being evaluated and scrutinized.

Chen Yiqin is introverted and steady. Because he has been in and out of the palace for a long time, he seems to be very scheming and has also secretly tricked Su Ze.

Gao Gong was a completely different person. His likes and dislikes were all written on his face. He would express his disgust towards those he disliked without hesitation, but he would express his admiration for those he respected without reservation.

Among the former ministers of Prince Yu's Palace, Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng also fought against Yan Song, but it was always Gao Gong who rushed to the front.

When the current emperor was still Prince Yu, Gao Gong openly supported and protected Prince Yu at the expense of offending Jiajing and Yan Song. Therefore, among the old ministers in the palace, he had the closest relationship with Longqing, and the two were true teachers and friends.

Su Ze greeted Gao Gong, and Gao Gong's first question was about the "Imperial Mirror Illustrated Book" that Su Ze had proposed to compile. Gao Gong asked:

"I have read your memorial, 'Imperial Mirror Illustrated Explanation,' which compiles 'Fine Rules of Sages and Sages,' describing the diligent efforts of emperors throughout history to govern the country. I didn't have such ambitions when I was your age. You are truly to be feared by the young."

Gao Gong had a majestic round face and a goatee, which was popular among scholars and officials at that time.

Su Ze didn't know how he managed to combine majesty and a round face, but standing in front of Gao Gong, people would feel unconsciously nervous.

Su Ze had also seen such a leader in his previous life. This kind of leader often has extremely strict requirements on his subordinates, but if you can meet his expectations, he will also promote you in an unconventional way.

In the final analysis, politics is a game between people. When it comes to the struggle at the level of cabinet ministers, subordinates who betray you will ruin your political career, while subordinates who are capable can help you make progress. These political experts know best what is more important.

Fan Zhongyan's New Policies of the Qingli Period failed because his idiot teammate Su Shunqin gathered people to drink, which was discovered by the conservatives. Ouyang Xiu, this idiot teammate, then submitted a treatise entitled "On Factions", which directly touched upon Song Renzong's fear of ministers forming factions. All the gentlemen of the Qingli Period were exiled from the capital, and the New Policies failed.

Although Gao Gong and Su Ze had no personal relationship, the political proposition of "starting the new policy of Longqing" expressed in Su Ze's memorial was exactly the same as Gao Gong's political proposition.

As they were fellow travelers in politics, the quality of Su Ze's three memorials also made Gao Gong see a rising star.

He recalled that when he first entered the Hanlin Academy, he couldn't even write a good memorial, but Su Ze had already become famous with just three memorials.

But seeing such a young Su Ze, Gao Gong still asked a question:
"Zilin, who do you think is the most superior emperor throughout history?"

what is this?
Does Lord Gao also like to read novels that review the emperors of all dynasties?

This question became a controversial topic in later generations, but there was no doubt about it in the Ming Dynasty.

Su Ze said without hesitation:
"Naturally, it's our dynasty's Taizu. He rose from humble beginnings and embarked on a journey of arduous struggle, the most arduous undertakings of any dynasty. He drove out the Tartar invaders and restored China, his achievements unparalleled in history."

Gao Gong stroked his beard. Su Ze's answer was quite standard and could be considered a standard answer.

"What about number two?"

Su Ze said without hesitation:
"It is naturally Emperor Taizong of Tang, who promoted the Zhenguan Reign, clarified the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, and achieved great success in both civil and military affairs, making him the best emperor of all time."

"And then?"

Su Ze looked at Gao Gong and said, "I thought it was Duke Xiao of Qin."

This answer was so bizarre that Gao Gong looked at Su Ze and asked doubtfully:
"Why?"

Su Ze said:

"Since ancient times, when a new dynasty was first established, although starting a business was difficult, governing a country in its early stages was the easiest. Generally speaking, as long as one does not make any fuss and allows time for recuperation, the country will generally get better."

Gao Gong nodded. What Su Ze said was indeed correct. Although the Ming Dynasty scholars and officials did not understand the dynastic cycle, those who played politics knew that when the country was first established, the political groups had not yet solidified and the people had just recovered from the war. Moreover, at this time the dynasty also had an army that had fought in many battles. The pressure on national defense was the smallest, and various problems were easy to deal with.

Su Ze said:

"Since ancient times, starting a business has been difficult, and reviving it has been even more difficult. I believe that this system, like people, will also age and decline. The system established when the country was first established will no longer be effective after a certain period of time, and may even drag down the country."

"Duke Xiao of Qin was able to appoint Shang Yang as prime minister and carry out reforms. Regardless of the final outcome of the reforms, they provided a path for future generations: the path of reform and change."

Su Ze raised his head and looked at Gao Gong, only to see a glimmer of satisfaction in Gao Gong's eyes.

Gao Gong looked at Su Ze and said with satisfaction:

"Zilin's talent has already caught the emperor's eye, but I've still recommended you to His Majesty. After the Zhanshi Mansion is established, you can compile the 'Imperial Mirror Illustrated Explanation' while lecturing the Crown Prince. Sooner or later, the burden of the Ming Dynasty will fall on young people like you."

Gao Gong continued:

"When Zhang Shuda (Zhang Juzheng) and I were lecturing at Prince Yu's Mansion, I was about the same age as you."

Gao Gong changed the subject and said, "I heard that you are friends with Shen Shixing. This time he was recommended by Uncle Zhang to join the Imperial Household Department. He was the top scholar in the 41st year of the Jiajing reign. You should get closer to him."

Su Ze was a little confused. Why did Gao Gong suddenly mention Shen Shixing?

Su Ze suddenly remembered the words in the short video of his previous life. When the leader suddenly mentioned irrelevant people and things, there must be hidden meaning.

Make yourself close to Shen Shixing?
It was you, Lord Gao, who wanted to communicate with Zhang Juzheng, right?
That’s right, Zhang Juzheng was Xu Jie’s disciple and could not openly oppose Xu Jie and Xu Jie’s line.

However, Zhang Juzheng's political ideas were actually similar to Gao Gong's. The two of them secretly formed an alliance, so he asked himself to communicate with Shen Shixing?

That's probably what it means.

Su Ze felt mixed emotions.

What made him happy was that General Gao entrusted him with such a confidential matter, which meant that he regarded him as his confidant.

What worries me is that you, Gao Gong, will fall from power when Emperor Longqing dies. Even if you cancel the morning court session and let Longqing live for half a year, you, Gao Gong, will only be able to serve as the Grand Secretary for more than four years at most.

As for using a portable imperial court to change the will?

Su Ze didn't think he could accumulate so much prestige in four years.

But after Gao Gong said this, his promotion was a foregone conclusion. After thanking Gao Gong, Su Ze returned home with peace of mind.

As expected, on June 9th, the ministers wrote to the emperor requesting to establish the foundation of the country. Emperor Longqing issued an edict to establish a crown prince, making his third son Zhu Yijun the crown prince, and established the Zhanshi Mansion to provide lectures for the crown prince.

Su Ze was appointed Zuo Zanshan of Zuo Chunfang, a sixth-rank official, in charge of recording, compiling and revising documents.

After being promoted, the system also popped up a prompt:

[The mission has been completed, and the purple item lottery opportunity*1 has been issued.]

(End of this chapter)