Zhu Yijun was trying to think of ways to provide help to Xiao Ruxun, so that his prestige could rise to a higher level, and to accumulate prestige in the various armies, so that it could play an unexpected role when necessary. Right now, just when he was looking for a pillow to doze off, the Cabinet handed it over.
Shen Yichuan seemed to be quite capable. He was able to suppress Shen Li so quickly.
Zhu Yijun had complicated feelings for Shen Li. After all, she was the teacher who taught him how to read. But later on, she stood on the opposite side of him. She relied on the officials to go against him and took advantage of her seniority. She didn't consider his feelings at all.
He didn't want such a person!
So, Zhu Yijun began his plan.
On one hand, he sent the Imperial Bodyguard to Shanxi to help Xiao Ruxun confiscate his property. On the other hand, he asked Wang De to select the smart and loyal eunuchs in the inner palace to prepare for the mining in Shanxi to seize the first opportunity. On the other hand, he approved the Cabinet's petition to appoint Xiao Ruxun as the Governor of the four regions. Then, he issued a decree to the Cabinet's First Assistant Zhao Zhigao and Second Assistant Shen Yicheng.
This decree was because the Emperor took into account Zhao Zhigao's old age and lack of energy, so he decided to add more Cabinet Ministers to help Zhao Zhigao and Shen Yicheng deal with the Cabinet's affairs.
Zhu Yijun didn't have any good intentions. At this juncture, he asked the Cabinet to add more Cabinet Ministers. His purpose was to let the major factions in the court start fighting each other. When they fought each other, it would be time for him to achieve his goal.
At that time, he would have to use the decree to let some people enter the Cabinet, increase the number of people who would take the bullet for him, and muddy the waters.
In this way, his real purpose would be hidden in the political struggle. The officials would be busy fighting for power, and who would have the time to consider the Emperor's intention? When the Emperor's intention was revealed to the world, it was already too late.
With full malice, Zhu Yijun wrote the decree to add more Cabinet Ministers and asked the eunuch to send it to the Cabinet to Zhao Zhigao and Shen Yicheng.
Therefore, with most of the officials in the Cabinet gathered, the eunuch read the Emperor's decree.
Firstly, allow the request of the cabinet to make an exception and promote the Marquis of Zhennan, Xiao Ruxun, to the position of Governor of the Four Borders, replacing Wang Shiyang. She will purge the northern invaders of Shanxi, Datong, and pacify the war as quickly as possible. Wang Shiyang will be dismissed from his post and brought back to the capital by the Brocade Guard.
This memorial was approved by the Emperor, and Xiao Ruxun was promoted to the position of governor. She became the first military general to obtain the position of governor after the Tumu Castle incident, and since the establishment of the Inspector-General system and the system of civil officials leading troops. In a sense, she had also created history, and was the only person recognized by the civil officials in the court.
This historic significance was significant. Everyone now found it inconceivable, but this truly was the highest position a general had reached after the Tumu Fort Incident. Even though it had been achieved under these circumstances, the Daming Wanli number one general, Xiao Ruxun, seemed to be working even harder to create more glory.
This sort of glory seemed like a minor miracle at the moment, a sudden exception in a generally depressed situation. But every coincidence had its own inevitability, and this was also inevitable.
But at present, the officials simply did not care about this matter. Even though this matter had an enormous impact on the generals, how could these civil officials care about a general when it was a matter of state?
Everyone was more concerned about the problem of Wang Shiyang. This Governor of the four regions that everyone had placed their hopes on had committed a grave error, causing the loss of Taiyuan and the collapse of the war. The Imperial Court had to make an exception and appoint a general as governor to salvage the situation. This was no small crime, and logically speaking, this person did not have long to live. But this imprisonment …
The cabinet's opinion was for the Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, and Inspectorate to jointly investigate and decide on a fair crime before dealing with it. But the Emperor directly threw him into the Imperial Prison. Why was this? The Imperial Prison was a special place the Emperor had prepared for high-ranking officials who had committed crimes. It was managed by the Imperial Bodyguard. It was a hell on earth with an illustrious reputation.
Was Wang Shiyang's mistake enough to anger the Emperor to such an extent?
The officials were uneasy. They did not know what the Emperor meant, but the Emperor's following edict caused the officials' breathing to suddenly quicken.
The Emperor's edict said, "The Prime Minister is old and the Cabinet officials are busy. We pity the officials' fatigue and allow the Cabinet to add three more officials. After the Cabinet and the officials discuss, we will come up with a list of qualified officials for the Emperor to choose. The Emperor will use his discretion."
The officials suddenly widened their eyes. Then, the atmosphere in the Cabinet hall changed.
Many people looked at each other as if they already had their own calculations.
For example, Shi Xing's breathing suddenly quickened. He suddenly realized that this was an excellent opportunity. If he didn't take advantage of this opportunity to show off, he might not have such an opportunity in the future. After all, he wasn't young anymore, and his disadvantage was so obvious.
Song Yingchang frowned. His heart suddenly beat violently. It took a long time for it to calm down.
He also felt the opportunity, felt that the opportunity was waving at him. After years of waiting and lying low, there had to be a return. As for how to use this return, Old Song indicated that he still needed to think about it.
His disadvantages were as obvious as Shi Xing's.
If it was to promote a Cabinet member this time, the first candidate would definitely be the Minister of Rites, Yu Jideng. Yu Jideng came from Hanlin Academy. First of all, he followed the unspoken rule that those who were not from Hanlin could not enter the Cabinet after Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty. He was also the Minister of Rites.
In the Ming Dynasty, the members of Hanlin Academy were generally called "Ministers" because only those who came from Hanlin Academy could become Cabinet Ministers. Therefore, Hanlin officials were especially noble.
And Hanlin officials basically had to drink tea in Hanlin Academy for several years, even more than ten years. After wasting their youth, their temperament became stable and they could soar after leaving Hanlin Academy.
Those who came from Hanlin Academy were promoted quickly, and the most promising person to enter the Cabinet must have been the Minister of Rites. Generally, when the court wanted to promote someone to the Cabinet, they would let him be the Minister of Rites. He would familiarize himself with the country's rites and rules in advance before entering the Cabinet. Therefore, compared with Hanlin officials, the Minister of Rites was the real Minister.
Naturally, there were many officials who entered the Cabinet by not being the Minister of Rites. There were even people who entered the Cabinet without Hanlin, such as Zhang Cong. But not every emperor was Jiajing Emperor. Not every official could run into the Great Ceremony and support Jiajing Emperor despite the criticism. Therefore, they naturally did not have Mr. Zhang Cong's fortuitous encounter.
But it had to be said that the current emperor, Wanli Emperor, was really like his grandfather. They were both not easy to fool, but his methods were a little worse. Otherwise, the Daming would have had another Yan Song.
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