My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 374 It's Time for a Promotion
Zhang Juzheng said:
"A few days ago, Southern Zhili and Shandong mobilized laborers to start the Yellow River flood control project."

"The court's finances are currently strained, and it is really not appropriate to spend silver dollars on this matter."

Gao Gong frowned and said:

"Su Zilin just wants to set up a private postal service between the two capitals, North and South, right? How much would that cost?"

When Zhang Juzheng started talking about water conservancy, Lei Li also chimed in:

"Chief Minister Gao, water conservancy was also proposed by Su Zilin, and it is related to the livelihood of the people, so it is an important task of the court."

“Constructing water conservancy projects not only consumes the imperial budget, but also requires a lot of energy from officials at all levels. At this time, the imperial court is not capable of carrying out postal reforms in the private sector.”

Gao Gong squinted. Since the autumn harvest, the Yellow River management project had started, and Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li had begun to work together on many issues.

Every time Zhang Juzheng brought up water conservancy issues, Lei Li would jump out and agree.

For Gao Gong, an old minister who had experienced the brutal struggle to overthrow Yan Xishan during the Jiajing reign, Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li had already quietly formed an alliance.

The current cabinet system is as follows.

Gao, Zhang, and Zhao are full-time cabinet ministers. Like the former chief cabinet ministers, they can express their opinions on all issues and have the power to vote on proposals.

Lei Li and Yin Shidan were cabinet ministers, and under normal circumstances, they were not allowed to express their opinions unless the topic involved their areas of jurisdiction.

They only had the right to draft memorials related to the areas under their jurisdiction.

However, Zhang Juzheng seems to have recently found a loophole.

Whenever the cabinet discussed something, he would bring up the budget and water conservancy issues, and then Lei Li would jump out to agree with Zhang Juzheng's statement.

Through this method, Zhang Juzheng suppressed Gao Gong's opinions on many issues.

The alliance between Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li was a done deal, and Su Ze's memorial was Gao Gong's way of testing the attitudes of the cabinet ministers.

What Gao Gong needs to ascertain is other people's attitudes.

Gao Gong looked at Zhao Zhenji and asked:
"What do you think, Grand Secretary Zhao?"

Zhao Zhenji hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to get involved in the struggle between the two sides.

He said:
"I think Su Zilin's proposal is very good, but since Grand Secretary Zhang said that the court is short of manpower and resources, let's wait until after the New Year to discuss it again."

The old fox with the high arched secret passage.

Zhao Zhenji became increasingly neutral in the cabinet, maintaining a neutral stance on several conflicts between Gao and Zhang.

Gao Gong also felt the pressure.

Although he was the Grand Secretary, it would be difficult for him alone to deal with the combined forces of Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li.

In recent days, Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li have joined forces to oppose many of his decisions.

After all, Zhang Juzheng and Lei Li also had a strong influence on the emperor, and the Longqing Emperor had to consider their opinions when the two joined forces to oppose him.

This is also a significant blow to Gao Gong's political prestige.

It seems that Zhao Zhenji cannot be won over, and he is not prepared to take sides in this cabinet struggle. Gao Gong's gaze is now fixed on Yin Shidan.

In fact, Gao Gong and Yin Shidan had only a so-so relationship.

Especially after Gao Gong promoted practical learning, Yin Shidan, a master of the School of Mind, also had huge academic differences with Gao Gong.

However, after the last Shaanxi-Gansu education discussion, Yin Shidan clashed with Zhang Juzheng, and Gao Gong also tried to win over Yin Shidan.

Gao Gong also used Zhang Juzheng's method.

Gao Gong cleared his throat and said:
“Establishing a private postal service requires literate personnel, and building a postal system also requires professional personnel. Minister Yin, would you like to say a few words?”

Gao Gong's transition was more abrupt than Zhang Juzheng's, but what could he do when he was the Grand Secretary?
Gao Gong's words drew Yin Shidan into the discussion as well.

All eyes fell on Yin Shidan.

Gao Gong's decision to bring Yin Shidan into the discussion was clearly an attempt to curry favor with him.

Zhang Juzheng also looked at Yin Shidan.

After Yin Shidan promoted the Shaanxi-Gansu education issue, Zhang Juzheng naturally suppressed Yin Shidan.

The most typical example is that the Ministry of Rites' budget is now more difficult to approve.

Yin Shidan naturally understood that this was the consequence of his forceful promotion of the Shaanxi-Gansu education proposal, but he still pushed the Ministry of Rites to advance the preparatory work for the Shaanxi-Gansu primary school.

Of course, Zhang Juzheng understood that the overall situation was more important, and the funding for education in each province had already been determined, so the Ministry of Revenue couldn't hold back for too long.

After expressing their stance, the relationship between the two temporarily eased.

But now that Gao Gong has extended his hand, Yin Shidan's attitude has become very important.

If Yin Shidan accepts Gao Gong's offer of a hand, the cabinet will become a two-against-two situation.

Gao Gong, who will hold the title of Grand Secretary, will regain the initiative and control the cabinet's discourse.

Yin Shidan was also hesitant.

In fact, his relationship with Gao Gong was not good either.

Gao Gong promoted practical learning, but Yin Shidan was a master of the School of Mind, and the two had great differences in their academic views.

However, the conflict between Yin Shidan and Zhang Juzheng was even greater.

Yin Shidan thought for a moment, and finally said:
"I believe that what Grand Secretary Gao said is appropriate. Water conservancy is an important matter for the court, but building postal services in the two capitals is also a matter that benefits the country and the people."

"Su Zilin only wants to try it out in the prosperous areas of the two capitals. The court can order the Office of General Affairs and Postal Service to try it out, and literate people can also be selected by the Ministry of Rites."

After Yin Shidan finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng lowered his head.

Gao Gong immediately said:
"What Grand Secretary Yin said is appropriate. Since that's the case, let each cabinet draft their own proposals, and Your Majesty make the final decision."

After the cabinet ministers wrote down their opinions, Su Ze's memorial was sent to the palace.

However, within the cabinet, two opposing factions have already begun to take shape.

Zhao Zhenji saw all of this.

In fact, when Emperor Longqing was in good health, the cabinet did not need to form such factions.

Although the Longqing Emperor was indecisive, he would eventually take the right advice to heart. When there were disagreements within the cabinet, he would summon the relevant ministers and listen to their opinions.

But all of this is based on the premise that the emperor is still in good health.

As the Longqing Emperor's health deteriorated, he stopped reading the memorials from the Grand Secretariat with seriousness.

The emperor only looks at the number of votes in the cabinet and implements the majority opinion of the cabinet.

This is also why Gao Gong and Yin Shidan were able to put aside their academic differences and unite.

Sure enough, by the afternoon, news came from the palace that the emperor had approved Su Ze's memorial.
-
Su Ze, sitting in the newspaper office, also saw the settlement report that popped up by the system.

The petition requesting the opening of convenient postal services in both the north and south has been passed.

[Minister of Education Eun Sa-dam ultimately supported your memorial; the Cabinet vote was two to two, with Jo Jeong-gil abstaining.]

The divisions within the Kochi cabinet have become apparent.

The establishment of a private postal system between the two capitals (North and South) was overseen by the Office of Postal Administration.

The civilian postal system absorbed some literate people, thus narrowing the gap between the north and south.

The Ming Dynasty's postal service marked the beginning of modern postal services. The stamps issued by the Tongzheng Postal Bureau became the world's first postage stamps, possessing immense collectible value.

The dynasty's fate remains unchanged.

[Prestige Value +200]

[Remaining Prestige: 1040]

Just as Su Ze finished reading the report, Shen Yiguan rushed into the newspaper office and said:
"Brother Zilin, your memorial has been approved!"

Seeing Su Ze's expression, Shen Yiguan couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Zilin, your memorial has been approved, so why do you still look so sullen?"

Luo Wanhua also cast a questioning glance at him.

Su Ze said:

"The divisions within the cabinet are growing."

Su Ze was also somewhat confused.

By using the system himself and forcibly passing these memorials, did he exacerbate the rifts within the cabinet?

Shen Yiguan also fell silent.

As a well-informed person, Shen Yiguan was naturally aware of the divisions within the cabinet.

The infighting within the cabinet would affect other government departments, and ultimately the entire officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.

The Court of State Ceremonial is one such example.

These days, there have been more and more impeachments concerning the Datong horse market.

The Datong Horse Market was a project spearheaded by the Court of State Ceremonial, and after so long, it naturally encountered many problems.

However, while in the past the attacks could be directed at specific issues, now the attacks have gradually shifted towards Wang Shizhen, the Grand Herald.

Shen Yiguan had speculated that the reason was probably because Wang Shizhen had supported Yin Shidan in the discussion on education in Shaanxi and Gansu.

These people may not have been personally instructed by Zhang Juzheng, but Zhang Juzheng would not have objected to the factionalism and the impeachment of Wang Shizhen as a show for other officials.

In this situation, there is no shortage of ambitious individuals who want to rise to power by charging into battle.

Thinking of Su Ze's identity, Shen Yiguan asked, "What does Brother Zilin think?"

Su Ze was also somewhat bewildered. Now, thanks to his cheat ability, he was still able to remain neutral and not get involved in the struggle between the two sides.

However, as factional strife intensifies, his mentor and minister Gao Gong will inevitably need to unite all forces. How could he allow himself to remain aloof?
Unable to provide Shen Yiguan with an answer, Su Ze could only remain silent.

When gods fight, it's always the little monsters who suffer.

Luo Wanhua also fell silent.

These days, he has been studying politics for the newspaper, but even Su Ze and Shen Yiguan are confused about the future.

Luo Wanhua suddenly said:
"Why are you two thinking so much? The court always needs people to do things, so let's just do our own jobs well."

Shen Yiguan smiled bitterly and said:
“Brother Yifu, how easy is it to do things? If it were in the past, Brother Zilin’s memorial would not have encountered any resistance in the cabinet. This time, if it weren’t for Grand Secretary Yin’s help, His Majesty would not have approved Brother Zilin’s memorial.”

Luo Wanhua stubbornly insisted:
"What can we change by worrying about this and that?"

"At this point, all we can do is our own job."

Su Ze murmured:

"Doing good deeds without asking for reward."

Shen Yiguan chimed in, also finding the statement to be full of philosophical insight.

Su Ze also realized that the power struggle between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng was not a matter of right or wrong, but rather an inevitable clash between two political strongmen.

Even without myself in the original timeline, weren't the two sides locked in a fierce battle before and after the death of Emperor Longqing?

Since he had no intention of getting involved in the power struggle between Gao and Zhang, Su Ze decided to continue doing his own thing and gradually push forward the planned reforms.

Shen Yiguan suddenly said:
"Brother Zilin, in fact, there are quite a few officials in the court who do not want to participate in the factional struggles within the cabinet and only want to do practical work."

“For example, the Grand Herald was like that. He didn’t want to take sides, but he was coerced by the situation.”

"Brother Zilin, if we can win over a group of officials like this, and help each other, wouldn't that give us a chance to survive in the cabinet struggle?"

Is this an attempt to start a non-aligned movement?
Su Ze looked at Shen Yiguan. As expected of someone who entered the cabinet in the original timeline, Shen Yiguan had been experienced in officialdom for many years and indeed had political talent.

Su Ze nodded and said:

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Jianwu, to unite some lower- and middle-ranking officials who are unwilling to get involved in the cabinet disputes. We can help each other out."

Then Su Ze added:

"Brother Jianwu should select some officials who are serious about doing practical work."

Shen Yiguan immediately said:
"Don't worry, Brother Zilin! I understand this principle!"
-
On December 15th, the Longqing Emperor suddenly issued an edict to convene a grand court assembly on the first day of the following month, which is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The grand court assembly on the first day of each month is a grand court assembly held on the first day of the month.

During the Hongwu reign, this was equivalent to the monthly meeting of the Ming court. Zhu Yuanzhang would discuss state affairs and inquire about the specific work of various departments at the grand court assembly on New Year's Day.

However, from Zhu Yuanzhang onwards, the role of the New Year's Day grand court assembly was continuously weakened.

Especially after Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne, he was too young to participate in government affairs, so the agenda for the New Year's Day grand court assembly was limited to eight items, all of which were drafted by the cabinet ministers.

Successive emperors reduced the number of items, and by the time Jiajing ascended the throne, it had been reduced to five items, and the New Year's Day Grand Court Assembly had completely degenerated into a ceremonial performance.

Su Ze's first act after transmigrating was to cancel the New Year's Day grand court assembly.

The grand court assembly on the first day of the Lunar New Year had not been held for three years, but it was suddenly scheduled to be held this year, and Su Ze sensed something was amiss.

The holding of the grand court assembly on New Year's Day at this time was probably to deal with the rumors about the health of the emperor in the outer court. Emperor Longqing probably wanted to use this opportunity to stabilize the hearts of people inside and outside the court.

But the more this is the case, the more those shrewd civil officials will think.

Su Ze could only hope that Emperor Longqing would perform well at the New Year's Day grand court assembly and suppress those ambitious schemers.

Su Ze also began to think about what changes would occur in the court once the Longqing Emperor passed away.

In the original timeline, after the death of the Longqing Emperor, Zhang Juzheng, in alliance with Feng Bao, expelled Gao Gong, thus ushering in the Zhang Juzheng era.

This is clearly not a favorable outcome for Suze.

Regardless of the relationship between Su Ze and Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng's strong personality meant that he would inevitably carry out reforms according to his political ideals during his reign.

Even if Su Ze has a system, the cost of each memorial will inevitably increase.

The best outcome would be to maintain the current status quo and allow Gao Gong to remain in the cabinet.

However, if Su Ze were to interfere in such a major matter, he would have to change his position.

After all, with Su Ze's current position, he is still too far from the center of power.

If anything happens in the palace, he won't be able to find out immediately, let alone intervene or have any impact.

Looks like it's time for a promotion!
But what position could give one an advantage in the turbulent late Longqing reign?
Su Ze thought for a while and suddenly thought of a location.

This is a great location!
(End of this chapter)