Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 54: Perhaps we can make a fortune off the emperor?

The study in the Han residence.

Han Zhang, Jiang Zhao, Wang Yaochen, Zhang Fangping, Zhang Heng, Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Zeng Bu gathered together to discuss calligraphy and painting.

Among them, Han Zhang, Wang Yaochen, and Zhang Fangping are core figures of the older generation in the Han faction.

The so-called key figures often refer to officials of the third rank or above.

Seven core figures from the older generation of the Korean faction have all been demoted due to the Qingli Reforms.

Since Han Zhang entered the cabinet, the others have also successively entered the capital.

Just like the position of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief that was left vacant after Jiang Zhi's retirement, it was filled by an elderly man from the Han faction named Wu Zhongfu.

This man was also a former censor who was demoted for impeaching Liu Hang and Liang Shi.

Jiang Zhao, Zhang Heng, Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Zeng Bu are all from the younger generation.

Among them, only Jiang Zhao can be considered a core figure, as he is being groomed as the next party leader.

The rest are barely considered "semi-core" figures, belonging to the group of young people that the Korean system is focusing on cultivating.

These individuals, including Su Shi and Su Zhe, were recommended by Zhang Fangping and thus joined Han's faction.

In the first year of the Jiayou era, Zhang Fangping was still serving as the prefect of Yizhou.

At that time, Su Xun had taken Su Shi and Su Zhe to visit Zhang Fangping. The two had been recommended by Zhang Fangping and had some contact with him since then.

After Su Shi and Su Zhe passed the imperial examinations, and were recommended by Zhang Fangping to meet Han Zhang, they became members of Han Zhang's faction.

Zhang Heng's success was due to his uncle, Zhang Dexiang.

The six chairs in the Bianjing cabinet were all inherited from the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong.

Yan Shu and Han Zhang both inherited their lineage from the famous prime minister Kou Zhun.

Zhang Heng's uncle, Zhang Dexiang, also came from the lineage of the famous prime minister Kou Zhun and was once a party leader.

In other words, Zhang Dexiang, Yan Shu, and Han Zhang were all from the same lineage.

However, Zhang Dexiang was not a particularly strong advocate of politics.

Neither conservative nor reformist.

Before the Qingli Reforms were officially launched, the new political party had cracked down on officials with conservative views, including Zhang Dexiang.

At that time, officials of the new government said that "Zhang Dexiang's entire clan and relatives were suppressed and not allowed to advance."

As time went on, Zhang Dexiang faced increasingly severe suppression, and gradually withdrew from officialdom.

With Zhang Dexiang gone, Yan Shu took over.

They were in a sequential relationship, and even internal party struggles occurred.

Of course, internal party struggles rarely go too far and usually stop at the transfer of power.

People may have different political views, but Zhang Dexiang's experience did not prevent Zhang Heng from being recognized by the Han-Zhang lineage.

The remaining one was Zeng Bu.

Compared to the recommendations Su Shi and Su Zhe received, and the influence of Zhang Heng's uncle, Zeng Bu entered the Han faction through the recommendation of Jiang Zhao.

Originally, Zeng Bu was not a member of the Han faction.

His elder brother Zeng Gong was a disciple of Ouyang Xiu, the Minister of Justice, who in turn was a disciple of Fu Bi, the Grand Chancellor, and was a descendant of the famous Chancellor Lü Duan.

In theory, due to the influence of his elder brother Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu had no right to choose a faction and could only blame the lineage of Fu Da Xiang Gong.

However, this is only in theory.

In fact, Zeng Bu had a choice.

This is because Zeng Gong was not a core figure in the lineage of Fu Da Xiang Gong!

Generally speaking, key figures are subject to a principle of "implicate".

That is, the fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews and nieces of the core figure, who are relatively closely related by blood, will be influenced by the core figure and have no right to choose a faction. They are born to belong to a certain faction.

Marriage, for example, is a derivative of the principle of "involvement".

If the sons or nephews of a key figure in a faction are successful and intend to pursue a career in government, they must never marry the daughters of key figures in other factions.

This is because marriage alliances are also a form of factional choice.

Influenced by their elders, they were born with a faction to choose from. If they then chose another faction through marriage, it was inevitable that they would try to please both sides. In the end, they were disliked by both sides and their careers were ruined.

Of course, if one doesn't care about their career, then it doesn't matter.

Originally, if Zeng Gong had been a junior scholar, he would have been one of the key young men cultivated by the lineage of the wealthy and powerful.

Thus, Zeng Bu could only be "implicated" and become a member of the Fu Da Xiang Gong faction.

However, Zeng Gong did not perform well in the imperial examination.

The upper limit for the third-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) was almost fixed. Even with the kindness of being taught and mentored, Zeng Gong could not possibly be one of the core figures in the lineage of the wealthy and powerful.

Furthermore, neither Zeng Gong nor Zeng Bu had any particularly prominent ancestors, nor did they belong to any faction "predetermined" by birth.

In this way, Zeng Bu had more options. So, after consulting Zeng Bu's opinion, and through Jiang Zhao's recommendation to Han Zhang, Zeng Bu became a member of Han's faction.

It's practically BOSS Zhipin!

study.

The group nodded slightly as they looked at the calligraphy that Su Shi had written.

To be fair, Su Shi did indeed have the talent to become a "great Confucian scholar".

"Beautiful handwriting!" Jiang Zhao praised without reservation.

"Haha!" Su Shi laughed as he picked up his brush, then waved it away: "The calligraphy is not important; what matters is the commotion in the court."

These individuals were either top scholars or junior scholars, all of whom were being groomed as key members of the younger generation in the Korean system.

They were among the first to know about the advice given by the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Last year, the Emperor gathered congratulatory messages from all his officials to bring good fortune. Several Grand Secretaries tacitly chose to let the Emperor try to have another prince.

The usually taciturn Su Zhe shook his head and said, "It is said that Consort Rong is favored every day, but there is no sign of pregnancy in her womb."

"Six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are all offering their advice!" Zeng Bu said solemnly.

When the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are of one mind, it means that all officials are of one mind.

They can even sideline the government!

Storm is coming!

"Who would have thought it would come so fiercely?" Zhang Heng shook his head.

The officials advised against adopting members of the imperial family, and the group discussed and predicted the consequences, even considering the fate of the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

However, it was still surprising when all six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet appeared on stage without any warning.

“This has caused such a big commotion that it probably won’t end so easily.” Su Shi looked at the group and interjected, “The memorials of remonstrance have been blocked for so long. If we want to satisfy the people, the only way is probably to establish an heir.”

"Establish an heir?" Zhang Heng shook his head and said, "Let's not even talk about who to establish. If an heir is established, where will that leave the emperor?"

Once a crown prince is chosen, all the officials will rush to curry favor with him, and the emperor will eventually be sidelined.

Who would dare to follow an elderly emperor who has no son?
Wang Yaochen put his hands behind his back and sighed, "Officials want to be orthodox, but the emperor has concerns. How can we have both?"

From the perspective of the nation and its people, the minister's choice was undoubtedly the right one.

If something were to happen to the emperor suddenly, and there were no legitimate reasons for it, it could very well lead to a "Xuanwu Gate Incident".

It is even possible that members of the royal family in various regions could rise to power.

For the emperor, the lack of an heir caused him both grief and concern about the future of the monarchy.

If both sides are stuck like this, how can both sides achieve their goals?

"The emperor is the ruler, and the subjects are the subjects. It is quite normal for the ruler and the subjects to have different considerations."

Han Zhang stroked his beard and sighed, "For the sake of the country and its people, it is imperative to offer advice. I expect there will be more advice to offer in the near future."

"How should we persuade them?" Wang Yaochen asked, puzzled.

All six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet have already stepped in, but the Emperor is still mainly trying to stall. What other way can he persuade him?
“During the regular court sessions, all the officials offered their advice and remonstrances,” Han Zhang said without changing his expression.

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

To offer advice during the regular court sessions is tantamount to forcing someone to abdicate.

"Young Master Fu made a move?" Wang Yaochen nodded, though it was a question, his tone was one of certainty.

"Mm." Han Zhang nodded.

Only a wealthy young man with no children and no worries would dare to do something that is almost like forcing someone to abdicate.

Not for anything else, but to leave my mark on history!
Just then, an uncertain voice came from behind.

"Perhaps, it's not impossible to have both fish and bear's paw?" Jiang Zhao wrote the words "have both" with a pen and said somewhat hesitantly.

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at him.

"I haven't come up with a complete plan yet; I've only got some ideas."

"Let me think about it some more."

Jiang Zhao frowned slightly.

Perhaps, that method really works!
However, it needs to be changed to fit the new version.

Moreover, the timing of the performance must be carefully considered.

If the timing of the memorial is right, one might be able to make a fortune from the fact that the emperor has no son.

It's not impossible for them to push their teacher to the position of head of all officials!

(End of this chapter)