My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 328 The Position of Director of Ceremonial Affairs Becomes Vacant

These days, when Fatty Pigeon isn't on missions, he seems to be wandering around somewhere, but as long as Su Ze sprinkles some fine rice, Fatty Pigeon will definitely show up on time.

Su Ze was also speechless. This fat pigeon's appetite was getting more and more picky. It only wanted the finest rice grown on the [Family Planting Mat] to be satisfied.

I have no idea what it eats when it's outside.

Su Ze slipped the letter he was writing to Zhang Cheng, the eunuch of the Dengzhou-Laizhou Maritime Trade Office, into the letter cage. He had informed Zhang Cheng in advance that Li Fang was going to leave the palace. As for whether Zhang Cheng could successfully enter the Directorate of Ceremonial, that depended on his own abilities.
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Just as the capital was discussing the change of the Grand Secretary, another shocking piece of news arrived.

Su Ze submitted a memorial requesting permission to provide for the elderly palace women. After the emperor approved the memorial, Li Fang, the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, requested that Su Ze leave the palace to retire.

This is another important position vacant after the position of Grand Secretary.

In the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet was called the "Outer Minister," and the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was called the "Inner Minister."

The Grand Steward of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was the chief steward of the inner court and the emperor's closest confidant.

Currently, there are only two chief scribes in the Directorate of Ceremonial: Feng Bao and Chen Hong.

With Li Fang's departure, another power struggle will erupt within the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Throughout the capital, from nobles and high-ranking officials to ordinary peddlers, everyone was enthusiastically discussing this momentous upheaval in the court.

The flourishing of tabloids in the capital also fueled various conspiracy theories.

Besides the four major newspapers, there were also many underground tabloids.

These tabloids originally intended to replicate the development path of the three major civilian newspapers, gradually growing from underground tabloids into major newspapers.

However, the number of literate people in the capital can only accommodate four newspapers at present.

In order to survive, these tabloids either published obscene and erotic articles, attracted readers with sensational and terrifying stories, or catered to rumors and published conspiracy theories.

Zhang Jingxiu returned to the capital from Dengzhou and Laizhou, but did not go straight home.

Feeling apprehensive as he approached his hometown, Zhang Jingxiu abandoned everything to go to Dengzhou and Laizhou, a decision that required considerable internal struggle.

He was also afraid that once he saw his younger siblings, he would never want to leave home again.

He came to the capital on official business.

Since taking on the role of Dean of Students at the Penglai Naval Academy, Zhang Jingxiu has been extremely busy.

In order to recruit teachers for the naval academy, Zhang Jingxiu had no choice but to write to his father, a high-ranking official, for help.

Zhang Jingxiu was initially a little apprehensive, but his father quickly replied, promising to help him find a good teacher in the capital.

However, news soon came from the capital that the Qing Dynasty's Beijing Garrison had saved one million silver dollars from its budget.

Su Ze submitted a memorial to the imperial court, requesting that officials of the fifth rank and above jointly discuss the distribution of this money.

When Li Chao, the naval commander of Dengzhou and Laizhou, heard the news, it was too late to return to the capital.

So Li Chao sent Zhang Jingxiu to the capital to inquire about how much money the court had allocated to the navy, and also to handle the enrollment of students at the naval academy.

Recruiting qualified officers is not enough if it is only done in Dengzhou and Laizhou.

Moreover, Admiral Li Chao was also worried that too many officers from Dengzhou and Laizhou would cause factionalism within the navy in the future.

In order to attract more talent, Li Chao decided to send Zhang Jingxiu to the capital to recruit students.

Where in the whole world can one find as many talented people as the capital?

Thus, Zhang Jingxiu arrived in the capital with a dual mission. After much deliberation, he decided to ask his father, a Grand Secretary, for help with both matters.

Zhang Jingxiu was unwilling to go straight home. Instead, he sat in a teahouse in front of the Zhang residence, drinking tea and reading the newspaper while waiting for his father, Zhang Juzheng, to finish his official duties.

When Zhang Jingxiu saw the newspaper brought to him by the waiter at the teahouse, he casually flipped through a few pages and immediately felt irritable.

Because most scholars in the capital read the four major newspapers, teahouses would subscribe to some smaller newspapers to attract customers and help them pass the time.

The tabloid in Zhang Jingxiu's hand was called the Daily Times.

This newspaper originally only collected news from the capital, but because it was published daily, it was more timely than the four major newspapers, so its sales were decent.

Later, for some reason, the newspaper began to change its approach, publishing various conspiracy theories about the capital in addition to news reports.

As a result, newspaper sales increased significantly.

A few days ago, Grand Secretary Li Chunfang resigned, and now Li Fang, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, has also resigned. It is a time when all sorts of conspiracies are brewing.

The Daily Times saw a surge in sales, even rivaling the four major newspapers at one point.

The largest article in the newspaper was about how, after Gao Gong was appointed Grand Secretary, the Second Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng lost his temper at home and berated his servants.

This report, presented with great seriousness and in the tone of an "insider," vividly described the scene of Zhang Juzheng losing his temper, scolding his servants, and taking his anger out on them.

The article vividly describes the scene, making the reader feel as if they are in the Zhang mansion, witnessing Zhang Ge Lao's temper tantrum.

What angered Zhang Jingxiu even more was that the article also subtly mentioned that Zhang Juzheng had helped his mentor Xu Jie in his dismissal from office, and originally wanted to become the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet because of this. However, the emperor saw through his treacherous scheme and invited Li Chunfang to serve as the Grand Secretary.

Now that Li Chunfang has resigned as prime minister, Zhang Juzheng thought he could take over smoothly, but Gao Gong snatched the position of chief minister.

These kinds of open and covert struggles among the Grand Secretaries were most interesting to ordinary people in the capital, and the Daily Times used such news to boost sales.

After reading it, Zhang Jingxiu almost tore the newspaper to pieces and went to confront the Daily Times.

However, Zhang Jingxiu quickly calmed down. These kinds of tabloids were all run underground, and there was no one to talk to about them.

Moreover, given the nature of these tabloids, if I were to actually visit them, they would undoubtedly write countless articles to slander me and my son.

Zhang Jingxiu felt like he had stepped in dog poop on the roadside.

Just then, there was a commotion outside the teahouse. Hearing the sound of a gong clearing the way, Zhang Jingxiu knew that his father had returned.

So early?

When Zhang Jingxiu was at home, his father would always come home very late.

It's not even dark yet, and Father has already returned home?

As Zhang Jingxiu left the teahouse, he indeed saw his father's carriage and entourage in front of the Zhang residence.

In Zhang's study.

Zhang Jingxiu lowered his head, carefully observing his father Zhang Juzheng's expression.

He still had that serious face, only he looked a bit thinner. It seemed that his father had been under a lot of pressure lately.

"You didn't go to see your mother and younger siblings?"

Zhang Jingxiu lowered his head and said:
"Father, I've come back on official business. I'm afraid I won't be able to bear seeing you again."

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his son's attitude, but he did not mention the matter. Instead, he listened to Zhang Jingxiu explain his purpose.

Zhang Juzheng said:
"His Majesty has already approved the navy's budget, and the Ministry of Revenue will not shortchange you. Go back and reassure Admiral Li that you can prepare to build the naval port on Jeju Island."

"As for the naval academy, I can't help you with that."

Zhang Jingxiu was somewhat disappointed.

However, Zhang Juzheng said:
"But there is someone who can help you."

"Please enlighten me, Father." "Your tutor for the provincial examination."

Zhang Jingxiu thought of his tutor in the provincial examination, Shen Shixing, who was his father's disciple.

Back then, because Shen Shixing insisted on taking him as the top scholar in the imperial examination, a lot of trouble was caused. In the end, Zhang Jingxiu gave up continuing to take the imperial examination and went to Dengzhou and Laizhou.

When Zhang Jingxiu heard that Shen Shixing had gone to Zhigu to serve as the military commissioner, why did he say that Shen Shixing could help him?
Zhang Juzheng said:
"Your mentor is going to be transferred to the position of Military Selection Officer."

The Director of the Military Selection Division of the Ministry of War was an important position in charge of the assessment of military officers, just as important as the Director of the Civil Selection Division of the Ministry of Personnel, and was also known as the "Military Selection Director".

This civil official and this military official were roughly the most important fifth-rank officials in the Ming Dynasty.

According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, officials from the capital who were appointed to posts outside the capital would be promoted three ranks, but those who returned to the capital would be demoted three ranks.

Shen Shixing was transferred from the Zhigu Military Commissioner back to the Ministry of War to serve as a Military Selection Officer, which was considered a lateral transfer in terms of rank.

However, in terms of power, the position of Wuxuanlang, who was in charge of selecting military officers nationwide, was much more valuable than that of Zhigu Military Commissioner.

My father told me to ask Shen Shixing for help, and it turned out that he could actually solve the problem of recruiting students for the Naval Academy. Isn't the Military Selection Division in charge of talent selection?

Zhang Jingxiu was overjoyed, and Zhang Juzheng said:
"Since you don't want to see your mother and younger siblings, then we won't keep you at our house for dinner."

Zhang Jingxiu looked at Zhang Juzheng, composed himself, and cautiously asked:

"Father, how are you after Grand Secretary Li resigned?"

Zhang Juzheng looked at his son and said:

"Are you asking what I think about Gao Xinzheng being appointed as the chief minister?"

Zhang Jingxiu nodded quickly.

Zhang Juzheng said:
"Gao Xinzheng is the popular choice, and it is normal for him to be appointed as the chief minister."

"As for the relationship between your father and Gao Xinzheng, it was just a difference in political views. When Yan was overthrown, your father fought alongside Gao Xinzheng."

Zhang Jingxiu breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Zhang Juzheng also said:

"But it would be a lie to say that I, as your father, have accepted this."

"As Su Zilin said, our Great Ming Dynasty is in a 'great era of contention' that is unprecedented in a thousand years. In such a prosperous age, there is only one person who can control the court's struggles."

"Regardless of the personal relationship between Gao Xin and Zheng He, they will definitely try to exclude their father from the power circle."

"In other words, if I were in your father's shoes and he were the prime minister, I would definitely exclude Gaoxinzheng."

"This has nothing to do with morality or personal likes and dislikes; it's simply a matter of necessity."

"If I want to realize my ambitions, I must take the position of Grand Secretary."

Zhang Juzheng continued:
"However, there is still a long time to come, and it is not yet time to see who wins or loses."

Zhang Jingxiu immediately understood his father's strategy: to bide his time and conceal his abilities.

This wasn't the first time Zhang Juzheng had used this tactic. When Yan Song was in power, Xu Jie, along with Gao and Zhang, surrounded the Prince Yu's residence and dealt with Yan Song in the same way.

No wonder Father returned from the cabinet so early today; it turns out he was making a show of force for Gao Gong.

But this made Zhang Jingxiu even more worried. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. He knew his father's personality well, and the other chief minister's personality was just like his father's; once he made up his mind, he would never turn back.

If this kind of conflict continues, who knows what will happen to the political situation?

But Zhang Jingxiu's worries were useless. He was just the headmaster of the Penglai Naval Academy, a sixth-rank military officer. These important matters of the court were still too far removed from his life.

In the end, Zhang Jingxiu refrained from seeing his younger brother and sister and went directly to see Shen Shixing.

Shen Shixing presided over Zhang Jingxiu's provincial examination. He insisted that Zhang Jingxiu be the top scholar, not because he was Zhang Juzheng's son, but because he appreciated Zhang Jingxiu's writing.

Therefore, when Zhang Jingxiu visited, Shen Shixing warmly welcomed him.

After listening to Zhang Jingxiu's words, Shen Shixing pondered and said:
“This matter is not difficult. When I first took office as the Director of the Martial Arts Selection Department, Su Zilin came to me and said that he was planning to establish a system for elementary martial arts students throughout the country.”

"A novice in martial arts?"

It's normal for new terms to appear when it comes to Su Ze, but how exactly are the words "children" and "martial arts" connected?
Shen Shixing said:
"The martial arts students are selected from the common people who are fourteen years old, strong and healthy, and able to read and write, just like the students in the Imperial Academy's preparatory course. They are then recruited to study in the Imperial Academy's preparatory course."

“Your naval academy could also set up a preparatory class, starting with students aged fourteen.”

Zhang Jingxiu was dumbfounded. He had only planned to come to the capital to recruit a group of trainees, conduct some short-term training, and fill the shortage of ship positions.

However, Shen Shixing directly proposed a plan to start teaching martial arts to children as young as fourteen.

Zhang Jingxiu quickly understood the benefits of this.

Starting to teach at the age of fourteen is precisely when a person is most receptive to new knowledge.

In reality, there is still a lot for naval personnel to learn.

The current naval academy is actually just a short-term intensive course for officers, breaking down the many skills of navigation into several parts and training them for specific professional positions.

Such a crash course might be able to train a navigator or a gunnery officer, but it can't train a captain who can command the entire ship.

Moreover, with the development of navigation technology, the training time is getting longer.

These are just navigation techniques; naval tactics and naval warfare training take much longer to learn.

A fourteen-year-old child can learn everything from scratch.

Zhang Jingxiu's eyes lit up.

As the head instructor of the naval academy, the prospect of personally training a well-rounded naval officer is undoubtedly a huge temptation!

"Master, can the Naval Academy also accept children learning martial arts?"

Shen Shixing nodded and said:
"Of course. The Ming Dynasty's navy is now under the Ministry of War. The naval academy, like the military academy, is a military training school established by the imperial court."

Zhang Jingxiu asked again, puzzled:
"What are the selection criteria for this young martial arts student?"

Shen Shixing said:
"They were also selected by local education officials based on the standards for preparatory students of the Imperial College, and were outstanding in both character and academics, as well as physically strong young men."

"After the assessment by the Military Supervisor and the Naval Academy, it will be decided whether or not they can stay."

Zhang Jingxiu then asked, "What about their tuition fees?"

Shen Shixing said:
"Just like the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy, the imperial court provides them with a monthly stipend so that they can study with peace of mind at the school."

"According to Su Zilin's plan, after completing two years of preparatory studies at the Military Supervisory Bureau and passing the examination, one can be promoted to the Military Supervisory Bureau. The same applies to your Naval Academy's preparatory program."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingxiu showed a look of surprise and delight.

If that were to happen, the Naval Academy would be able to recruit a group of students who would be entirely trained by the academy.

It is conceivable that these students will become talents for the Ming Dynasty's navy in the future.

Zhang Jingxiu looked at Shen Shixing excitedly and said:

"Master, when will Su Hanlin submit his memorial? I'll go and persuade my father to support him!"

(End of this chapter)