Di Ming

Chapter 260 Imperial Decree!
Zhu Yin completely disregarded this eloquent official from the Ministry of Personnel.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't dislike this person.

Zhu Yin didn't dislike the suggestion itself; he wasn't that narrow-minded. He disliked the person's motives for making the suggestion.

If this person acted out of public interest, Zhu Yin felt that he was simply fulfilling his duty by offering his opinion, which was commendable.

However, this Geng Suilong was secretly a member of the Zheng family's maternal relatives. He made this suggestion at the behest of Zheng Guowang, out of partisan strife and personal motives.

That's the most annoying part.

Its heart is awkward!

The censors and officials in charge of remonstrance have always been a powerful tool for politicians to vie for power and engage in factional infighting. Especially after Zhang Juzheng's death, Emperor Wanli became passive and negligent in his duties, and the struggle over the succession intensified, further reducing the censors and officials to mere tools for factional strife.

The power of national oversight is being abused by these officials who dare to speak out.

If the officials who wear the Xie Zhi crown and robes and are supposed to be the most impartial and strict supervisory officials are all self-serving, how can the court be clean and honest?
The censors Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai present couldn't help but smile.

Hao Yunlai thought to himself, "Child Tiger, haven't you always been so smug? Don't blame me for impeaching you this time; I'm doing it for the sake of the country."

At this moment, even cabinet minister Shen Yiguan could not stop Geng Suilong from jumping out to disgust people, and could only sigh.

Although Zhihu had a good reputation in the court and was well-liked in official circles, he also had many political enemies as the tutor of the eldest prince.

Anyone who sided with the Zheng family and hoped to establish the third prince, Zhu Changxun, as emperor would dislike Zhihu and consider him their enemy.

They were few in number and far from the mainstream in the court, and their official positions were not high, but they were very united and tenacious. They not only had Consort Zheng in the palace supporting them, but the emperor also secretly supported them.

Geng Suilong then said, "As an official responsible for remonstrating with the emperor, it is my duty to speak frankly and honestly." After saying this, he bowed deeply and calmly returned to the ranks of the censors.

Minister of Personnel Sun Long said sarcastically, "Geng Sijian is indeed meticulous. No one else has mentioned this matter, but you have, which shows that you have put thought into it."

He used the phrase "thoughtful" and his tone was slightly more forceful. Everyone knew what he meant, but Geng Suilong pretended not to know and simply cupped his hands in greeting.

Sun Long did not indicate that he would adopt Geng Suilong's suggestion. Instead, he looked at Li Shida, the Left Censor-in-Chief, with a half-smile and stroked his beard, saying:
"Grand Censor, Censor Geng said that the impeachment petition against Vice Censor Zhu should be discussed in court first, and then a decision should be made on whether to proceed with the impeachment. Both of these matters are governed by imperial decree. If the Grand Censor also believes that the impeachment petition should be discussed in court first, then let the Grand Censor preside over the impeachment discussion in court first."

He may seem to be passing the buck, but his attitude is actually quite clear: he opposes Geng Suilong's so-called suggestion and blames Geng for meddling. However, as a powerful figure, he makes his point perfectly.

Li Shida, the Left Censor-in-Chief, was also a powerful figure, and immediately echoed the Grand Chancellor's words. He calmly stroked his imperial tablet and said:

"Both matters have imperial decrees. The imperial decree recommending Zhu Qianxian for promotion based on his merits came first, while the imperial decree ordering his impeachment and return to court for deliberation came later. Logically, the imperial recommendation should have come first. But let's keep things separate, since Zhu Qianxian is currently innocent and has rendered meritorious service."

After speaking, he turned to look at Xiao Daheng, the Minister of Justice, and asked, "What does the Grand Minister of Justice think?"

Xiao Daheng smiled slightly, "Since the imperial decree for recommendation was issued first, it will naturally be recommended first. Whether a minister of the state is guilty or not cannot be determined by a few impeachments; otherwise, would there be any need for court deliberation?"

At this point, he turned his head to the right and asked Sun Piyang, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review beside him, "What does the Grand Minister of Justice think?"

Sun Piyang, as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, one of the heads of the Three Judicial Offices and also one of the Nine Ministers, naturally had a great deal of authority to speak on this matter. He pondered for a moment and then said:

"While Geng Sijian's words have some merit, state ministers have their own dignity. Zhu Qianxian's promotion was a reward from the Emperor to his ministers, and it is also the court's way of rewarding meritorious officials. If the procedure is reversed because of impeachment, then it would be biased. Whether Zhu Qianxian has committed any wrongdoing should be discussed in court. Although the Emperor has issued an edict to discuss the impeachment in court, he has not said that Zhu Yin should be interrogated."

All three judicial departments shared this attitude, showing no intention of taking the lead in presiding over the court debate to convict Zhu Yin.

Zheng Guowang and the others immediately felt disgusted and were speechless at the slickness of these Nine Ministers.

Sun Long nodded and said, "In that case, let's proceed as usual. Censor Geng, do you have anything else to say?"

Geng Sijian's heart skipped a beat. He knew very well that he had left a very bad impression on the Grand Chancellor this time.

Hopefully, Zheng Guojiu will keep his word and ensure his career is not affected. Only if the Imperial Concubine values ​​him and speaks well of him before the Emperor can even the Minister of Personnel hinder his career.

Only by rising through the ranks can one bring benefits to more people. As for whether the means of promotion are honorable, that is not the most important thing.

Whether it's private or public, one can ask oneself honestly.

Thinking of this, Geng Suilong said without changing his expression, "Replying to the Grand Chancellor, this is merely a suggestion, nothing more."

Zhu Yin glanced at Geng Suilong with a nonchalant air, remembering this official from the Ministry of Personnel. Although he was disliked, he was a very shrewd and calculating person, not to be underestimated.

Wang Xijue frowned slightly. He hoped the court would first discuss Zhu Yin's crimes and agreed with Geng Suilong's proposal.

Although the Grand Secretary had a lot of say, he could not directly preside over court deliberations and recommendations. Naturally, he could not openly support Geng Suilong.

Sun Long didn't look at Geng Suilong again and continued, "Then let's continue with the court recommendation. What is the evaluation of Zhu Yin, the Grand Censor and Vice Censor-in-Chief? Does the Grand Censor agree to recommend him as the Right Vice Minister of War?"

This is the program.

The first step in the imperial recommendation process is to consult the Censorate, inquiring about the candidates' evaluations and reputation.

If the Censorate disagreed, it meant that a candidate's evaluation was unsatisfactory, making it difficult for that candidate to pass the selection process. This was also how the emperor used the Censorate to check the Ministry of Personnel's power in personnel matters.

Left Censor-in-Chief Li Shida glanced at Zhu Yin, nodded, and smiled:
"Zhu Qianxian only served as Vice Censor-in-Chief for five months and was still serving as Imperial Commissioner and Military Supervisor in the Northwest. However, he had a good reputation in the Hanlin Academy. Although he was young, he was highly respected and the Censorate had no objections, and thought: It is acceptable."

His predecessor was Hai Rui. Hai Rui greatly admired Zhu Yin, and he also had a good impression of Zhu Yin.

Sun Long said, "Since the Grand Censor approves, then the Ministry of Personnel should also express its opinion. Although the assessment period has not yet ended, we will make special arrangements. The Ministry of Personnel's assessment of Zhu Yin is: competent, top-class." "Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel intends to recommend Zhu Yin, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, with the additional title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince."

After speaking, he bowed to Grand Secretary Wang Xijue and other cabinet ministers, asking, "What does the Grand Secretary think?"

This is to consult the cabinet.

The Ministry of Personnel had the authority to oversee the selection and recommendation process. Whom to recommend and how many to recommend were indeed decided by the Ministry of Personnel. However, if the Cabinet disagreed, even if the recommendation process overseen by the Ministry of Personnel was approved, the Cabinet could still oppose it through a draft resolution.

Even if a memorial is opposed by the cabinet and approved by the Ministry of Personnel, it will most likely not be approved by the emperor.

Then the outcome of the court's decision would be meaningless.

Therefore, the cabinet actually has a great deal of influence over personnel appointments.

Even now, the Ministry of Personnel still holds considerable power over personnel appointments. In the past, during the eras of Yan Song, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng, the Ministry of Personnel's power over personnel appointments was far more complex.

Especially during Zhang Juzheng's reign, the Grand Secretariat held absolute power over personnel matters, and what was the Ministry of Personnel? It was just a government office that did odd jobs and stamped documents.

Therefore, Sun Long needed to consult the cabinet's opinion. According to convention, if the cabinet opposed a candidate, the court's recommendation would be of little significance, and the Ministry of Personnel would most likely not insist on it, unless they deliberately used it to challenge the cabinet.

However, Wang Xijue could not object, even though he desperately wanted to. But Zhu Yin's promotion this time was a recognition of his merits; the imperial recommendation was merely a formality. Although the emperor wouldn't bestow a title, Zhu Yin's significant military achievements warranted a reward and promotion.

Besides, even if he objected, it wouldn't make a difference. Zhao Zhigao, Shen Yiguan, and Zhang Wei would all agree. If all three agreed, his opposition would only make him look like a villain.

Wang Xijue could only nod expressionlessly, "I have no objection. What do the three elders think?"

The three of them said in unison, "Yes."

Next, the ministers, including Yang Junmin, Minister of Revenue; Luo Wanhua, Minister of Rites; Xiao Daheng, Minister of Justice; Zeng Tongheng, Minister of Works; and Sun Piyang, Minister of Justice, cast their votes.

Of the Nine Ministers, only Shi Xing, the Minister of War, disagreed. Apart from Shi Xing, even those ministers who were dissatisfied with Zhu Yin did not object.

Shi Xing knew that his opposition was futile, but he still objected. His objection was simply to show that Zhu Yin was unsuitable to serve as the Right Vice Minister of War, and unsuitable to be his deputy.

Shi Xing opposed the plan because he disagreed with Zhu Yin's approach to recovering the Hetao region and was a staunch advocate of abandoning the region. He also did not fully acknowledge Zhu Yin's military achievements in the Northwest, believing that Zhu Yin had angered the Northwest Mongols and escalated the war, thus recklessly initiating border affairs.

Such a belligerent person is not suitable for a position in the Ministry of War.

Following the Nine Ministers, other officials of the third rank also expressed their opinions. The vast majority of them agreed.

Seeing that the vote had ended and more than 80% of voters were in favor, Sun Long immediately announced:

"The court has approved the selection of Zhu Yin, the Vice Minister of War, as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The Ministry of Personnel shall immediately submit a memorial to Your Majesty for approval!"

Sun Long took out the prepared document, and the cabinet immediately drafted its approval.

Next, the Ministry of Personnel's memorial was sent to the Qianqing Palace.

The court's investigation has now concluded.

In fact, everyone knew very well that if the emperor truly liked Zhu Yin, he wouldn't have recommended him in court; he could have simply issued an imperial edict appointing him directly.

The meeting did not proceed immediately because the Ministry of War also needed to recommend Qi Jiguang for the position of Left Commander-in-Chief and Grand Protector.

The transfer of a first-rank military officer naturally required the Ministry of War to conduct an imperial recommendation process.

This is just going through the motions.

This time, the host was Shi Xing, the Minister of War.

Shi Xing also disliked Qi Jiguang, but Qi Jiguang's promotion was in name only; although his title of Grand Protector was very prestigious, it was a title that should have been bestowed upon him, so Shi Xing naturally wouldn't object.

Thus, Qi Jiguang's recommendation to the emperor was successfully approved.

Next, the Ministry of War recommended high-ranking generals such as Li Rusong who had been promoted for their merits. As for mid-level generals like Xiong Tingbi, the Ministry of War could directly select and promote them based on their merits, without the need for recommendation by the Ministry of War.

The fact that the Ministry of War selected high-ranking generals through court recommendation demonstrates that the fate of military officers was entirely controlled by civil officials.

The Ministry of War's recommendation process had just concluded, and before the court deliberations could take place, news arrived from the Qianqing Palace.

The Emperor ordered the Directorate of Ceremonial to review the nominations submitted by the Ministry of Personnel, and the imperial edicts have been issued. Generally, for officials nominated by the court, the Emperor's edicts would be issued quickly and sent to the Wenhua Hall.

Soon, the imperial eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial arrived at the Wenhua Hall, carrying a brocade imperial edict.

"Imperial edict issued! Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhu Yin, receive the decree!"

Zhu Yin immediately knelt down, "Your subject Zhu Yin receives the imperial decree!"

The others stood up together, cupped their hands in respect, and stood at attention.

According to regulations, officials of the fifth rank and above were granted titles by imperial edict, while those of lower ranks were granted titles by imperial decree.

The imperial eunuch unfolded the decree and read it aloud:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhu Yin, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, is of outstanding talent and diligence in serving the country, and is well-versed in military affairs. He has lived up to my expectations in pacifying the Northwest. He is truly an honest and upright official. How could I not praise him? Therefore, he is promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, granted the title of Grand Master of the Palace, and promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. This is the imperial decree!"

With this imperial decree, Zhu Yin became the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince!
P.S.: Something came up today, so I can only stop here. I suffered huge losses today, I'm so upset... Goodnight!
(End of this chapter)