Because of this kind of morbid shrew morality, the last few emperors of the Daming Dynasty were really miserable, very miserable.
They couldn't kill people when they were scolded, and they couldn't fight back when they were scolded. Otherwise, they would boost their reputation for free, making them more famous and happy.
They couldn't fight or scold. Were they emperors?
They were just punching bags.
Compared to these Emperors, the Manchurian Qing Emperors were practically living in heaven, because their ears were only filled with flattery and flattery, and they were only willing to hear flattery and flattery. Scolding them, not to mention promotion and riches and fame, even the lives of their entire clan, even the three clans, six clans, nine clans were in danger.
Shen Li seemed to see power waving to him. He had lost power for some time, and the feeling of powerlessness in his hands was like that of death.
Yu Jideng seemed to see the position of the Cabinet waving to him. He was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the real Prime Minister. With this, it was not a problem for him to enter the Cabinet.
Then they happened to bump into the person who was going to deliver the memorial.
"Wait a minute. Did Minister Shen ask you to send this to His Majesty?"
Shen Li stopped the person who was going to deliver the memorial.
"Yes."
"What did Minister Shen say? Does he agree or disagree with this? "
"Minister Shen drafted a draft edict in favor of conferring Xiao Zhennan the title of Duke Qin. Please read it, Your Majesty."
After that, the official bowed and hurried to the palace, leaving Shen Li and Yu Jideng looking at each other in dismay.
Shen Yicheng, he … he really …
Did he really not care about his integrity?
This was really hard to say. This was not the first time that this old fellow had done something unexpected. Was he really not afraid of being condemned by others in both words and in writing by greeting them like this? Was he really not afraid of being scolded by the most powerful group of the Daming Dynasty?
The old guy might not dare to do that.
Yu Jideng was a little panicked.
Four of the six ministries had sided with Shen Yicheng, and he … still had the Ministry of Works …
Seeing Yu Jideng's face, Shen Li suddenly realized that his chance had come.
"Yu Butang, don't panic. It's not easy for Shen Yicheng to do such a perverse thing. Let's go to the Imperial Censorate right now!"
Shen Li pulled Yu Jideng.
When Yu Jideng heard that, he was shocked and came to a sudden realization.
"Indeed!"
If there was anyone in the Daming who could create miracles, it would be the Imperial Censorate, the strongest group in the Daming. They could destroy anything with their mouths. Take note, anything that they did not like.
Now, the only ones who could turn the tide were these mad dogs who fought for their own interests.
Shen Li finally found an opportunity in this crisis.
When Shen Yicheng's ticket was sent to Zhu Yijun, Zhu Yijun smiled proudly.
"In the end, I'm still convinced. This old guy has been eyeing the position of the Prime Minister for a long time. In order to become the Prime Minister, he has no choice but to lean towards me. In order to become the Prime Minister, he has no choice but to offend those who oppose him. Offending Shen Li, offending Yu Jideng, offending the Imperial Censorate is his nightmare!"
Zhang Cheng immediately said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Zhu Yijun looked at the memorial and nodded. "Take it and approve it, then issue it. Tell the cabinet to prepare for the triumphant return ceremony. Send an edict to Minister Xiao. He can bring people back to hold the triumphant return ceremony. It's time to prepare for our big event."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor's edict was quickly sent back to the cabinet. Before the Imperial Censorate could react, Shen Yicheng had informed the Six Ministries of the matter at lightning speed, letting all the officials know that the most honorable title of nobility in the Great Ming Dynasty had appeared and had an owner.
To be honest, Shen Yicheng was really looking forward to the reaction of Duke Dingguo and Duke Yingguo in the capital. Not to mention Duke Chengguo, his family had no one to inherit the title, so there was no one in charge.
But what would Duke Zhang Weixian of England, who was in charge of the Commander-In-Chief's Office and the military in the capital, and Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi of England, who was in charge of the Commander-In-Chief's Office, think about this?
In the Ming dynasty, there were many nobles who were equal to the country.
For example, Xu Da's Duke Wei and Duke Dingguo, Zhang Yu and Zhang Fu's Duke Yingguo, Zhu Neng's Duke Cheng, and Mu Ying's Duke Qian. These five dukes were the top nobles in the Daming dynasty. They were equal to the country and had a transcendent status. The civil officials could not touch them and the eunuchs did not dare to touch them.
Among the five hereditary dukes, Duke Wei's family was permanently stationed in Nanjing for historical reasons, Duke Qian's family was permanently stationed in Yunnan, and only three were permanently stationed in the capital Beijing.
But this was only a transcendent status. In terms of real power, there was really nothing. Compared to these five families, the other dukes were either conferred posthumously or obtained through family relations. They were all lowly nobles and could not be inherited. They were not valued and could even be easily ridiculed.
In this generation, the previous Duke of Cheng committed suicide in the 14th year of Wanli. This generation's Duke of Cheng had yet to grow up and could not inherit the title of nobility. The Duke of Cheng had no one in charge for the time being and could not be ignored. However, the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Dingguo both had adult heads.
This generation's Duke Zhang Weixian was in charge of the Central Military Governor's Office in the Military Governor's Office of the Five Armies. He was in charge of the military in the capital and commanded the military in the capital. He was a leading figure in the circle of Daming nobles. Because he was in charge of the military in the capital, he played a pivotal role in political struggles and had always been valued by the civil officials.
Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi was a cautious person and often met the Emperor. The civil officials deliberately befriended him and had a good relationship with the civil officials. Basically, he was a mascot held up by the civil officials. As one of the leaders of the noble families, he actually joined the civil officials to request Zhu Yijun to appoint him as the Crown Prince and to dismiss the mining tax.
If ordinary civil officials did this, they would have been hated by Zhu Yijun. However, Xu Wenbi was cautious and was a top noble, so Zhu Yijun was more lenient to him. He only said a few words and did not blame him deeply.
Originally, the interests in the noble circle had almost been divided. It was actually not a big deal to add Xiao Ruxun. Xiao Ruxun's fief was in Burma, which was far away from the capital. There was no conflict of interest.
However, if Xiao Ruxun was promoted to Duke Qin, the situation of the two sides might have some subtle changes.
No one knew how the Emperor planned to use Xiao Ruxun after he was promoted to Duke Qin. Would he stay in the capital or go back to Burma?
Everyone thought that it was unlikely that he would go back to Burma. It was more likely that he would stay in the capital. Then what could he do in the capital?
People diverged their thoughts.
Three years ago, during the debate about whether Xiao Ruxun should stay or leave, many people suggested that Xiao Ruxun should be in charge of the military in the capital and train the military in the capital. This proposal was supported by many people at that time. However, because of the strong resistance of the noble circle and the activities of Li Chengliang, the proposal was dropped. Xiao Ruxun asked to stay in Burma and the storm ended.
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