Chapter 345 The Turmoil Continues, the New Look of the Cabinet

Just when Zhu Youtang was enjoying his imperial holiday, the outside world was not calm.

He Qiaoxin, the Minister of Punishment, was one of the banners of the civil service group. He was known for his integrity, and his image of "not taking a penny" after decades of building up was well known.

This year was obviously the year of the Beijing Inspection, and officials from all over the country came to Beijing to manage their relationships before the Spring Festival, but He Qiaoxin did not accept any money from any officials.

Recently, He Qiaoxin violated the will of the treacherous minister Wan An on the issue of national debt, causing Wan An to be angry to death, and resolutely became one of the leaders of the Qingliu.

What was the result?

For the sake of a treacherous minister, Emperor Hongzhi deliberately retaliated against an honest official who did not take a penny, and even ordered the Censorate to put He Qiaoxin, who was preparing for the New Year, in jail on New Year's Eve.

Faced with such injustice, many scholars or officials who claimed to be knowledgeable people stood up and denounced it.

Although no one dared to speak in the Fengtian Hall at the New Year's Day meeting on the first day of the new year, the seeds of resentment had already been planted.

Even though it is still the Spring Festival holiday, a rescue operation for the Minister of Justice He Qiaoxin has quietly begun. They are determined to rescue the virtuous minister He Qiaoxin from prison.

"This move is clearly a retaliation!"

"If you retaliate against honest officials because of treacherous officials, the country will no longer be a country!"

"Since the Zhou Dynasty, how could the emperor favor villains and distance himself from virtuous officials?"

...

Officials led by Qiu Jun, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, quietly launched a public opinion offensive, secretly encouraging virtuous people to complain for He Qiaoxin, causing public opinion in the capital to turn to He Qiaoxin.

"Tea and wine are ordinary gifts. The distinction between noble and humble is due to the merchants' desire for profit and momentum!"

"China has always valued interpersonal relations. How can we not accept some vulgar gifts?"

"If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext. Minister He has never accepted a penny since he was an official. He is the most honest official!"

...

Even though the news about He Qiaoxin accepting gifts worth 100,000 taels came out, the public opinion did not change because of this. Instead, they still tried their best to clear He Qiaoxin.

Their public opinion offensive was very clever. They deliberately included the real objects worth 100,000 taels, and silently devalued those things that were more valuable than gold.

As for ambergris, which is a hundred times more expensive than gold, they did not even mention it.

In theory, this kind of public opinion attack would not affect the overall situation, but as more people said it, more and more people believed that He Qiaoxin was really wronged.

On the third day of the Chinese New Year, a group of people came to visit He Qiaoxin in prison but were rejected. As a result, a large group of young scholars ran to the gate of the Censorate to make trouble the next day.

"You are just a lousy soldier, not even worthy of carrying my shoes!"

"Do you think you are great for killing a few barbarians on the battlefield? My words can defeat a million soldiers!"

"Now the villains are in power, making the court a mess, and you are helping the tyrants to do evil. You are ashamed of your parents!"

...

Most of these scholars are children of wealthy families in Beijing, and many of them are even related to He Qiaoxin. This time they all accused Hu Jun and others standing in front of the door.

Now the public opinion in Beijing has been rising. If this trend is not curbed, it will not only be detrimental to the prestige of the Ming Dynasty court, but it is also likely to create greater disasters.

From ancient times to the present, scholars have indeed been unable to rebel successfully, but they are actually quite capable of making trouble, especially their ability to curse.

In this era, those who can study in Beijing are not ordinary people, and they look down on such reckless men from the bottom of their hearts, so that their spit flies to the faces of those who stop them.

"I want to see if your mouth, which can resist a million soldiers, can withstand this punch!" A sturdy man took action and immediately clenched his fist and hit the young man who was shouting the loudest.

Puff!

The fist seemed very solid, and hit the young man's face hard, which immediately made his face crooked and even spit out a bloody tooth.

When the scholars saw this, someone immediately said, "Kill these stinky soldiers!"

"Brothers, let him see what a passionate man is!" Wang Yu and Hu Jun were already furious, and when they saw a group of scholars surrounding their companions, they also joined the battle without hesitation.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

This was a one-sided fight. The scholars who were powerless could only be beaten, while the people led by Wang Yu and Hu Jun punched the flesh and beat the group of people to the ground.

Because the situation was serious, especially since some officials had already filed a complaint, the news of this incident reached the emperor, and the time had quietly come to the fifth day of the New Year.

The sky was blue, as if it had been washed by water.

Most of the areas in the Western Garden were still covered with snow, and the Yangxin Palace was already burning with curling sandalwood.

"This can help He Qiaoxin clean up, it's really shameless!" Zhu Youtang couldn't help but laugh after learning the whole story of this incident.

Although the Ming Dynasty law did not define the real objects, there was only the "over 800 guan beheaded" which existed in name only, but the real objects He Qiaoxin received could be beheaded 800 times.

Now this group of people are actually crying out for He Qiaoxin against their conscience, but I don't know if these people think highly of themselves, or they think that the emperor is dead.

Just based on He Qiaoxin's corruption and abuse of power, and now Wang Yue has collected all the evidence, what reason do I have to forgive this hypocrite who doesn't take a penny?

Although Wang Yue is over 60 years old, his back is still straight and his eyes are bright. Because he insists on boxing every morning, his body is still strong and he retains the demeanor of an old general.

Due to the wounding incident in front of the Metropolitan Procuratorate just now, he also took the initiative to come to the palace to be a saint.

Wang Yue knew that the emperor in front of him was a rare wise king, and responded seriously: "The relationship between teachers and students, fellow villagers and classmates among scholars is complicated. Some senior scholars can often respond to everything at once. They must be behind this matter!"

After experiencing so much, he also saw clearly the true face of scholars, and even more understood that there were actually various circles of scholars.

Although they shouted to love the country and the people every day, when He Qiaoxin, who was related to their interests, was imprisoned, the so-called justice was also forgotten.

Because of this, he knew that the most hateful people were not the group of scholars who made trouble, but the group of Confucian scholars who hid behind and fanned the flames.

"Wang Qing, can the Metropolitan Procuratorate handle the nonsense of these scholars?" Zhu Youtang knew that the scholars in the capital had a huge network of connections, and looked at Wang Yuedao seriously.

Wang Yue knew that Zhu Youtang didn't want to alert the enemy, so he smiled and said: "Although this group of scholars is really making trouble, the sergeants in the search hall have all been on the battlefield!"

"If you use the knife, it will not end well, you have to restrain the sergeant in the search hall!" Zhu Youtang reminded him immediately, not wanting to make the matter too big.

Wang Yue was a measured person and immediately nodded gently: "I have told them earlier! If they really can't bear it, they can use their fists. Anyway, they have the strength to fight one against a hundred!"

"You did the right thing this time! Let's do this. As long as they only use their fists, I will cover them if anything happens!" Zhu Youtang not only did not intend to punish the search sergeants of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but also made his position clear.

Originally, it was difficult for him to deal with the troublemaking scholars, but now that these fearless soldiers can take action at any time, things have become easier to handle.

Wang Yue was stunned for a moment, then asked softly in confusion: "Your Majesty, what does the cover mean?"

"If something happens, I'll take care of it!" Zhu Youtang glanced at Wang Yue, who was not very smart, and explained.

Wang Yue was secretly happy, but he knew that his grandson was going to be overjoyed, and he said respectfully: "Your Majesty, you are wise!"

It was at this time that Liu Jin came over carefully holding a tea cup.

"Wang Qing, if you don't enter the palace today, I will actually summon you!" Zhu Youtang's face straightened and he said very seriously.

Wang Yue knew that it would be a big deal for Zhu Youtang to find him. He couldn't help but think of the provocation of the Haixi Jurchen tribe, and immediately raised his hand seriously: "Please give me your Majesty's orders!"

"Mr. Wan Ge has passed away, and now only Mr. Liu Ge is left in the cabinet, so I plan to arrange for a few people to join the cabinet! You will put your name in the cabinet, and your main job will still be in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate!" Zhu Youtang picked up Liu Jin and sent it to him. The tea cup that arrived looked light and authentic.

Although I am saddened by Wan An's death, there have been major changes in the cabinet now, so it is natural to make adjustments, especially the cabinet layout.

In the past, Wan'an was completely devoted to him, so he naturally didn't need to arrange personnel to come in and add extraneous details, but now that only Liu Ji is left in the cabinet, he has to make other arrangements.

Liu Ji's loyalty is less than Wan'an, but Liu Ji is a scheming cabinet minister. In order to prevent him from taking charge of the cabinet alone and to prevent the cabinet from getting out of control, it is natural to increase the number of cabinet ministers.

Although Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites, is still loyal to him, his ability is too poor, and he is likely to be eaten to death by Liu Ji. After much thought, he decided to bring Wang Yue into the cabinet, creating a multi-party situation in the cabinet.

Of course, Wang Yue is a minister worthy of training, and even an ideal candidate for the first assistant in the future.

Wang Yue has always been away from the center of power. Even now, he cannot participate in the deliberations of the Supreme Council. He suddenly pointed at his nose in surprise: "Ah? I... I am not an imperial scholar, how can I join the cabinet!"

In the unspoken rules of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, non-Hanlin officials were not allowed to join the cabinet. This was almost an iron rule, so Hanlin officials seemed more and more aloof.

Wang Yue, an official who was not from the Hanlin Academy, never thought that one day he would join the cabinet and become the prime minister, but now the prime minister's position has hit him strangely.

"In my case, it is not true that non-Hanlin people cannot join the cabinet! What I want is cabinet ministers who can truly assist me in bringing the Ming Dynasty to power, unless you don't have this wish at all!" Zhu Youtang took a sip of tea and deliberately used irritating words. Dharma.

Wang Yue had never been a mother-in-law kind of person, so he immediately knelt down to express his gratitude and said, "I thank your majesty for your appreciation. I will definitely not disappoint you!"

But at this moment, he seemed to have had an incredible dream.

From the criminal minister who was exiled to Anlu to the powerful Zuodu Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, this has been a fantastic journey.

What's the result now?

Although he was not a Hanlin official, His Majesty actually broke the tradition for him, a man who had been relegated to exile, and promoted him to the cabinet that all officials dreamed of.

From being relegated to the imperial palace to becoming the Prime Minister, this is probably the first time since the Ming Dynasty that I have experienced this.

cough……

Guo Yong, who was standing aside, noticed that Wang Yue was a little absent-minded, and immediately coughed lightly to remind him not to lose his bearings.

"After the new year, I will hold a supreme meeting to discuss the posthumous title of Wange Lao. What do you think?" Zhu Youtang knew that he wanted to give Wan'an a posthumous title, so he asked seriously.

In the original history, because Wan'an was squeezed out by the civil service group, although he was not given a bad posthumous title, the posthumous title he received was actually very ordinary.

It's just that I'm in power now, and Wan'an has really been doing his best over the years. There's no reason for me not to fight for a good posthumous title for Wan'an.

Wang Yue didn't have much interaction with Wan'an. After a little thought, he said, "Wan Ge Lao was loyal to the previous emperor, and now he's loyal to Your Majesty. I think we can use Wen Zhong!"

Huh?

Guo Yong looked at Wang Yue in surprise when he heard this posthumous title.

The best posthumous title for civil servants in the Ming Dynasty was Wen Zhen, and Wen Zhong followed closely behind. Wang Yue's proposal of this posthumous title was undoubtedly a compliment to Wan'an.

But as far as he knew, Wang Yue and Wan'an had no friendship, but he didn't expect Wang Yue to fight for this top posthumous title for Wan'an, who was hated by the Qingliu.

"If Wen Zhong is used, I'm afraid those scholars will not be willing!" Zhu Youtang thought of those scholars who were afraid of chaos in the world, and shook his head bitterly.

Wang Yue's face straightened, and he said in a very serious manner: "Although the emperor and father should open up the channels for people to speak freely, the rise and fall of a family and a country are all determined by the emperor!"

He was not flattering Hongzhi, but this was his life creed.

In the march and war, if the commander-in-chief cannot issue orders and the generals under him can express their own opinions, it is impossible to unite them.

Like the surprise attack on Weininghai that year, it was he and Wang Zhi who suppressed all the noises of fear of the enemy and turning back and rushed all the way to Weininghai to achieve the results.

Now Wan'an's posthumous title is good or bad, but it is actually up to the emperor to decide, and there is no need to be influenced by those scholars.

The court is the same as the march and war. If you listen to this minister today and that minister tomorrow, you may seem to be a very open-minded king, but you can't get anything done at all.

Zhu Youtang nodded with understanding, knowing that he really needs to show more decisiveness, and now he doesn't need to look ahead and behind too much.

After sending Wang Yue away, he summoned Liu Ji who had already arrived.

Liu Ji was a Jinshi in the 13th year of Zhengtong, a native of Northern Zhili, and was selected as a Shujishi to study in the Hanlin Academy. After three years of examinations, he stayed in the Hanlin Academy as an editor because of his excellent grades, thus starting his career as a poet.

Because he was the emperor's teacher, and because he was taken care of by his teacher's former chief minister Gao Gu, his official career seemed very smooth, and he entered the cabinet and became a prime minister in the 11th year of Chenghua.

Now it can be said that the daughter-in-law has become the mother-in-law. With the death of the former chief minister Wan'an, he naturally became the new chief minister of the Ming Dynasty.

After Liu Ji respectfully saluted Zhu Youtang, he said in a shocking way: "I ask your majesty to forgive He Qiaoxin!" (End of this chapter)