If even Shi Xing and Song Yingchang had such thoughts, then there was no need to mention Yu Jideng.
He was the true Crown Minister. Although he was only acting, he was still closer to the position than the others. He was also more legitimate. He had reason to believe that when the officials decided on the list of nominees, he would definitely be at the top of the list.
For this reason, he decided to immediately go back and mobilize his own forces to help him build up momentum. Once this momentum was formed, the matter would be in the bag.
Shen Yicheng did not move, waiting for the eunuch to finish reading the Emperor's edict. Zhao Zhigao took the edict, and everyone discussed what to do next. Then they bid each other farewell and prepared to go back to work. This time, they had to make a big news.
Shen Yicheng returned to his own duty room, ate a cup of tea, and made some pastries to fill his stomach. Then he thought of something and ordered his confidant to send a letter to Shi Xing and Song Yingchang, asking them to come to his house for a chat after they were off duty. His intention was very obvious.
And Shi Xing and Song Yingchang were both veterans in the officialdom, so they knew this very well. Their hearts beat violently.
At this sensitive time, what Shen Yicheng wanted to do by looking for them, Shi Xing and Song Yingchang had already vaguely sensed, but they still had some doubts. They did not know what medicine Shen Yicheng was selling, or if this matter was true, what method did Shen Yicheng have to help them realize their dreams?
After the two returned home, they changed out of their court clothes and changed into ordinary clothes. In order to conceal themselves, they deliberately left from the side door of the house, sat in an ordinary small sedan, and carefully arrived at the Shen residence.
When they arrived at the Shen residence, the two looked at each other, and then with great tacit understanding, they took out Shen Yicheng's letter together. The two understood something, nodded together, and entered the Shen residence hand in hand.
Shen Yicheng warmly received the two of them and prepared a table full of delicious dishes to entertain them. During the banquet, they only talked about Moon Breeze and did not talk about national affairs, which made the two of them very awkward. They did not know whether they should talk about it or not. All in all, they did not eat well and did not have a good time talking about Moon Breeze. However, Shen Yicheng did not seem to care.
After three rounds of drinking, Shen Yicheng asked his family to remove the dishes and replaced them with tea and snacks.
Shi Xing and Song Yingchang immediately realized that Shen Yicheng was about to get down to business.
"The country is in a lot of trouble, with wars happening one after another. As the second assistant, I am deeply ashamed that I can't do my job. I can't eat well, and I can't sleep well. Every day, I am deeply worried, worried that I can't do what I should do. My days are getting worse day by day."
Shen Yicheng seemed to be mocking himself. Shi Xing and Song Yingchang were mocking him on the surface, but in their hearts, they could not stop complaining about the meal just now. Shen Yicheng ate a lot, but the younger Shi Xing and Song Yingchang ate very little.
However, it was obvious that Shen Yicheng had not finished his words.
"Fortunately, the country is full of talented people from generation to generation. Xiao Zhennan came out of nowhere and won three battles for the Daming in a row. Oh, no, it's four battles. The battle in Ningxia, the battle in Korea, the battle in Dongwu Country, and the crusade against Luzon and Frangjiyi. He is really an indispensable general for the Daming.
This time, we are going to Datong in Shanxi. With Xiao Zhennan, I am not worried about the war in Datong at all. Shi Butang, I want to thank you for promoting Xiao Zhennan. Song Butang, I also want to thank you for promoting Xiao Zhennan in Korea. Both of you are his talent scouts! "
Shi Xing and Song Yingchang hurriedly said that they did not deserve it.
"What's there to be afraid of? If you dare to do it, you must dare to take responsibility! Now that Xiao Zhennan has made such a great contribution to the country, you also have credit. After Xiao Zhennan quells the rebellion in Datong in Shanxi, you will be even more honored. His Majesty likes Xiao Zhennan very much. This is all your credit! "
Shen Yicheng looked at Shi Xing and Song Yingchang with a slightly meaningful look.
Shi Xing and Song Yingchang immediately realized what Shen Yicheng meant, but before they could speak, Shen Yicheng spoke again.
"This time, His Majesty asked the court officials to recommend candidates for the Cabinet. That is also because Grand Secretary Zhao is old, and Minister Shen and I can't handle the affairs of the Cabinet, so he asked the Cabinet to add more Cabinet members. But this is also His Majesty's intention. Can you two see it?"
Shi Xing and Song Yingchang looked at each other, as if they did not see anything.
"On this side, we petitioned His Majesty to make Xiao Zhennan governor, with full authority to manage the war in Datong in Shanxi. On the other side, His Majesty issued an edict to add more Cabinet members. This meaning could not be clearer. His Majesty is very satisfied with the matter of the Cabinet pushing Xiao Zhennan to become governor, so in return, he allowed the Cabinet to add more Cabinet members.
After Minister Chen passed away, the number of people in the Cabinet has always been small. Grand Secretary Zhao is now old and seems to be lacking in energy, but His Majesty has never issued an edict to add more Cabinet members. But now he has issued an edict. It is all because of Xiao Zhennan. His Majesty's favor for Xiao Zhennan is not ordinary. "
Shi Xing suddenly understood and said, "Minister means that His Majesty's actions this time are all because of Xiao Zhennan?"
Shen Yicheng nodded.
"What else? Why did His Majesty summon Xiao Zhennan from Burma to lead the war in Datong in Shanxi? That is because, in His Majesty's eyes, no one can be trusted except Xiao Zhennan. I heard that Xiao Zhennan was able to become the main general in the war in Korea because of His Majesty's favor? "
Shi Xing nodded. "At that time, the struggle between Xiao and Li was very intense. The Ministry of War did not know how to choose until His Majesty issued an edict and named Xiao Zhennan. Presumably, His Majesty was more satisfied with Xiao Zhennan, so Xiao Zhennan was able to go to Korea."
"That's right. The struggle for the nation's foundation is like the Great Ceremony Conference back then. It hurts the relationship between the emperor and the ministers. Most of the current officials have offended His Majesty in the struggle for the nation's foundation. His Majesty does not like these people. Now in the Cabinet, including this old man, are people who did not have a firm stance at that time. Shen Zhonghua is different. He was once His Majesty's teacher.
I won't lie to you. Back then, those who were too intense in the struggle for the nation's foundation had no chance of entering the Cabinet. His Majesty will definitely choose people who are not unyielding. Also, if they have a good relationship with Xiao Zhennan, it will be even better. Shi Butang, Song Butang, you are both in the list. "
Shi Xing's and Song Yingchang's hearts were beating fast.
Shen Yicheng actually had such intentions!
Song Yingchang immediately reacted.
"Then, you mean, Yu Butang, he …"
"That's right. Yu Jideng definitely has no chance of entering the Cabinet. I can clearly tell you that the people His Majesty wants to choose are people who are willing to give up some of their reputation for His Majesty. They do not have a good reputation among the officials. They might even have some grudges. For example, this old man has a very bad relationship with the group of imperial censors."
Shi Xing and Song Yingchang finally understood Shen Yicheng's meaning and the Emperor's careful thoughts.
They would never have thought that their decision and actions would actually bring about such a turnaround!
However, the problem remained.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
