Chapter 419: Gao Gong's Overthrow
Bus, the signature of the official responsible for receiving petitions and conscriptions from the subjects in the Han Dynasty, and later also referred to the people who came to Beijing to take the exam.
The Imperial College students who submitted the letter this time, as well as the three hundred scholars in Beijing, are all scholars with great reputations.
Five hundred Imperial College students and three hundred distinguished scholars knelt in front of the Zuoshun Gate in darkness. The officials of the General Affairs Department were so frightened that their legs trembled.
Any student here standing in front of him, he can scold or even beat him at will, but eight hundred people are different!
In the past, there were only a dozen or twenty people in the Yanguan Fugu Palace. A few dozen people would be a large-scale organization.
But this time, a total of eight hundred people crowded in front of Zuoshun Gate. The dark crowd made the officials of the General Affairs Department feel scared.
Not only the officials of the General Affairs Department felt fear, but even the imperial guards guarding the palace looked down nervously. The eunuchs in the palace all took their weapons and looked nervously at the dark crowd outside the door.
The General Affairs Department official looked at the young scholar who took the lead and knelt in front.
It has started to snow in the capital in November. The snow last night has not melted away yet, and there are still snowflakes falling this morning.
Tong An and his companions from the study group held a long memorial in their hands. On it was a phalanx of their advocacy of imperial reform, as well as densely packed signatures and red handprints.
These red handprints stand out in the snow, like plum blossoms blooming in the snow.
Tong An raised his head and glanced at the palace. He could see the imperial guards holding muskets and bows on the palace. He suppressed the fear in his heart and continued to hold up the letter in his hand.
The Zuoshun Gate suddenly opened, and three ministers wearing scarlet official robes walked out of the Zuoshun Gate.
The first assistant in the cabinet is Yang Bo, the second assistant in the cabinet is Gao Gong, and the fourth assistant in the cabinet is Li Chunfang.
Yang Bo seemed to have a hint of relief in his heavy expression.
Shandong was defeated and a letter was sent to the public. His cabinet was completely overthrown.
The imperial court needs a responsible chief minister, and Yang Bo has also discovered that the Ming Dynasty court is already a pit of fire.
It is my blessing to be able to escape unscathed at this time.
Yang Bo's attitude was very kind. He comforted everyone, and personally helped Tong An and others who were the first to submit the memorial. He also took their memorials and said they wanted to present them to the emperor.
Compared to Yang Bo, Gao Gong's face was ugly.
After the defeat of Shandong, Xu Wenbi was impeached by officials in Shandong and the capital. As the person who recommended Xu Wenbi as minister of the New Army, Gao Gong must bear the main responsibility.
The main demand of the letter is to restore the prime minister system. Who is the formal prime minister in the Ming Dynasty today?
Isn't he just a cabinet minister?
And who is the most powerful among the cabinet ministers now? Isn't it because he has high arches?
Another request made by these scholars asked the emperor to recall the mine supervisor. Isn't this what Gao Gong had been writing to Longqing to advise?
Gao Gong knew very well that this bus letter had already buried a deep rift between him and Emperor Longqing.
Gao Gong had just arrived at the palace and asked to see the emperor but was not allowed in. Gao Gong's guess had already been verified.
The emperor must have felt that he was behind the bus letter!
I can't be a minister in the cabinet for long.
Gao Gong has realized this, but he can't be as relaxed as Yang Bo.
The New Affairs Movement was only halfway advanced, and there were still many things that had not been done. Without himself as a powerful promoter in the court, could the Ming court continue to implement the New Affairs?
Gao Gong looked around. Yang Bo was old and had long wanted to retreat. He would definitely step down with him.
Li Chunfang?
This guy is a scheming villain. If he were in the cabinet, he would definitely obey the emperor for the sake of his status.
Zhang Juzheng?
After much deliberation, Gao Gong concluded that only Zhang Juzheng was suitable to be his successor.
He has means, ideals, and tact. The key is that Zhang Juzheng is now the third assistant in the cabinet, but he is not involved in the defeat of Shandong and the public letter.
Can Zhang Juzheng be pushed to the position of chief minister of the cabinet with just his influence in the emperor's heart?
Being called the cabinet, how should we respond to the petition from this group of scholars?
In fact, Gao Gong also supported their demands. Restoring the power of the prime minister and promoting ministers were what almost all civil servants dreamed of.
You no longer have to worry about eunuchs and relatives, you can even bypass the emperor and take charge of the court.
However, based on Gao Gong's understanding of imperial power, the emperor could make concessions on other things, but on the matter of restoring the power of the prime minister, it was impossible for the emperor to make concessions under any circumstances.
Zhu Yuanzhang relied on those major cases in the early Ming Dynasty to finally abolish the prime minister system. After that, Emperor Zhu Ming had monopoly power.
Jiajing, a political genius, took imperial power to the extreme.
Relying on etiquette and personal power, a mere vassal king who came to Beijing to succeed the throne easily defeated the important minister Yang Tinghe who had entrusted him to assist the government.
This was almost impossible in previous dynasties.
Emperor Longqing felt that the cabinet and the six ministries were restricting him from spending money properly, so he sent a mine supervisor to collect money for him.
Gao Gong looked at these young faces. Although he had no hope in their loyalty, he also felt that these people might be the last hope of the Ming court.
Yang Bo accepted the joint petition from the scholars in front of Zuo Shun's gate, and then persuaded everyone to return to their residences and wait for the court's reply.
Some young scholars who were kneeling in the snow and freezing their bodies stood up one after another when they found the steps.
Only Tong An and others in the first row remained motionless, still kneeling in the snow.
Yang Bo sighed and ordered the officials of the General Affairs Department to bring fox furs and personally put them on the students kneeling in the snow. Then he said: "
I will enter the palace right now and present your petition."
The scholars dispersed, leaving only a few stalwarts still here.
Yang Bo and other cabinet ministers took the petition and came to the Wenhua Hall to ask for an audience with the emperor.
Emperor Longqing immediately opened the door of Wenhua Palace.
Yang Bo held the letter from Tong An and others and said:
"Your Majesty, most of the scholars outside Zuoshun Gate have dispersed. This is their letter. Please accept it." Feng Bao
finally wrote a thick letter, only Feeling heavy, I sent it to the emperor's imperial case.
Opening the petition, he saw the request to withdraw the mine supervisors, restore the power of the prime minister, recommend ministers, and comprehensive new affairs. Emperor Longqing, who had always been mild-tempered, became furious and said: "Rebel! Feng Bao, send Jin Yiwei to investigate the person who led the petition
. Those few! Are they the details planted by the southeast to deliberately confuse the court?"
Yang Bo and Gao Gong immediately said: "Your Majesty, you must not do this!"
Gao Gong said bravely: "Your Majesty, these scholars are not just supervisors. Scholars, behind them are the world's gentry, the world's scholars."
Emperor Longqing also calmed down.
He looked at his teacher with mixed emotions.
Gao Gong was responsible for making the decision. At that time, Gao Gong proposed to leave the Western Hunting Team and go to Xuan Mansion to gather the border troops to regain the capital. Later, Gao Gong led him to persuade him to ascend the throne.
Originally, Emperor Longqing had great trust in Gao Gong and entrusted him with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Jingcha Bureau.
But this time the bus letter made Emperor Longqing suspicious.
Isn't the position of cabinet minister not enough? Gao Gong also needs to be prime minister?
What about becoming prime minister? Is it possible that he still wants to be the emperor?
The imperial power was so cold and exclusive, and the little affection Emperor Longqing had for Gao Gong had long since been worn away.
Emperor Longqing gave up the idea of punishing those who took the lead in writing books, and planned to leave it to settle accounts in the future.
Yang Bo added: "Your Majesty, it is a small matter for scholars to submit letters. They also care about the imperial court." "The
most urgent task now is the war in Shandong."
Gao Gong looked at Yang Bo in confusion, why did the clay sculpture pavilion master suddenly change his gender? ? That’s a lot to talk about all of a sudden. There must be something abnormal in this!
Yang Bo continued: "I believe that Xu Wenbi is unworthy of his responsibilities and has betrayed His Majesty's trust, so he should be dismissed immediately and returned to the capital." Emperor Longqing immediately nodded. It is indisputable that
Xu Wenbi was the one who took the blame for the defeat of the front line this time. Something happened.
"If Xu Wenbi can be withdrawn, who should be in charge of the overall situation of Shandong?"
Yang Bo continued: "Shandong was defeated, but luckily among the misfortunes, the commanders of the new armies of the three towns were cautious and did not follow Xu Wenbi's plan. It was the elites of the three towns that prevented a catastrophe."
Emperor Longqing nodded quickly. When he first received the news of Shandong's defeat, Emperor Longqing was almost frightened to death.
Later, when he learned that the Shandong local army and rural regiments had been damaged, the emperor breathed a sigh of relief.
Now Yang Bo mentioned the problem in Shandong, which made Emperor Longqing nervous again.
I only heard Yang Bo say:
"Now the new armies in the three towns are dissatisfied with Xu Wenbi. Wang Bengu, who resigned before, also listed Xu Wenbi's crimes in the newspaper. The Shandong local army and the township regiment also blamed Xu Wenbi for the defeat. , the top priority is to dismiss Xu Wenbi immediately."
Emperor Longqing nodded quickly, but he added:
"But if Xu Wenbi is dismissed, who can serve as the minister of the new army and command the troops of Shandong?"
This time Yang Bo did not act as before. The clay sculpture did not speak, but immediately said:
"I think that Li Chengliang, the New Army Academy's wine sacrificer, is worthy of a big job."
Gao Gong almost blurted out: "No!"
Gao Gong stared at Yang Bo, Yang Bo must have been with Li Chengliang What kind of secret agreement was reached to recommend Li Chengliang before he resigned?
Gao Gong suppressed Li Chengliang for so long because he didn't want him to get involved in the military power.
If Li Chengliang really went to Shandong, then Gao Gong's efforts to suppress the newly rising military forces would be in vain.
But this time Yang Bo did not flinch, but looked at Gao Gong and asked:
"Master Gao, besides Li Chengliang, who else can be the minister of the new army? The defense of Shandong is related to the safety of the capital. What if the southeast thieves take advantage of the chaos and go north? What to do?"
When it came to the safety of the capital, Emperor Longqing immediately gave up.
Gao Gong hesitated to speak. He was going to recommend Zhang Juzheng in Huguang to be the minister of the new army. However, Zhang Juzheng might not be willing if there was no ventilation.
Secondly, Gao Gong also wanted to recommend Zhang Juzheng to replace him in the cabinet and continue to promote new affairs.
When he looked up and saw the look in Emperor Longqing's eyes, Gao Gong's heart froze again.
I have already lost the emperor's trust, and recommending Zhang Juzheng at this time may be counterproductive.
Gao Gong could only swallow his words. Now it seemed that no one in the capital was suitable to be the minister of the new army.
In this way, Li Chengliang's appointment as Minister of the New Army and went to Shandong to reorganize the Shandong defense line was approved.
Li Chunfang came out and said:
"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about the scholars outside the door. Just use the minister's method and they will be dispersed soon."
Li Chunfang said his method, and Emperor Longqing nodded quickly and ordered to follow his method. .
Gao Gong came out of the Wenhua Hall in a daze, looked up at the falling snowflakes, and suddenly felt a sense of relief that he had given up on himself.
Li Chunfang immediately went to Zuoshunmen and announced the court's handling of the matter.
The emperor accepted the scholar's suggestion and "considered" political reform.
Immediately afterwards, Li Chunfang announced another major event. The Spring Festival Ceremony will be held in advance after the New Year. This time, the scale of the imperial examination will be larger than before, and the number of Jinshi will be greater than before!
After the Spring Festival, there will be an additional rural examination in Shuntian Prefecture. All scholars with the title of student, regardless of whether they are from the capital or not, can participate. The number of people admitted to the provincial examination this time is also far higher than in previous years.
Those scholars who stayed outside Zuoshun Gate became excited.
Several readers from the reading club who attended the book together with Tong An also raised their heads.
Tong An sighed, knowing that this petition was a failure.
Aren't these scholars with great reputations just for the sake of becoming officials in the imperial examination?
The Ming court directly wanted to hold the imperial examination and dismissed the scholars.
Of course we are not afraid if we all submit a letter together, but if we continue to stay here, what will happen if we are recorded by the court and our qualifications for the imperial examination are cancelled?
It would only be enough to cancel one's qualifications for the imperial examination. It might also affect three generations of descendants, relatives and friends, and then the entire family would be cast aside.
Tong An and others had no choice but to stand up, look at the tall palace gate and sigh.
While his companions were happily discussing next year's imperial examination, Tong An suddenly had an idea. He had been pursuing the imperial examination for his whole life, so what else could he take?
Is it possible that he really wants to die with Daming?
When Zhang Juzheng of Huguang and Hanyang received the news, it was already December.
Zhang Juzheng not only received the changes in the Ming Dynasty, but also received news of the convening of the Constitutional Convention in Nanjing.
Delegates to the Constituent Assembly from counties in the southeast, selected through various methods, have gathered in Nanjing.
It is said that in order to hold this constitutional meeting, Southeast also specially renovated the Ming court palace, demolished part of the palace wall, and built a conference hall.
Only then did everyone in the Southeast realize that this Constitutional Convention seemed to be the most important part of the political reform in the Southeast.
Zhang Juzheng, who has been paying attention to the political reform in Southeast China, also carefully studied the contents of this constitutional meeting.
"Using the Constituent Assembly to restrict civil servants? Isn't it too idealistic?" "
Let the Constituent Assembly decide tax rates? This is too much fun."
"At least Su Rulin is not crazy enough to let the Constituent Assembly choose him as a prime minister. Governor."
Putting down the information about Nanjing, Zhang Juzheng looked at the information about the capital again.
After the letter was written on the bus, Yang Bo's cabinet began to resign collectively.
Even Zhang Juzheng, who was in Huguang, was listed on several dictionaries in succession.
The emperor refused to accept the four people's speeches, and also issued an order to comfort Yang Bo, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Li Chunfang.
However, the four people continued to submit their lists, and finally Emperor Longqing accepted the lists of words given by Yang Bo and Gao Gong.
Zhang Juzheng's official position remains unchanged and he is still in charge of Huguang.
Li Chunfang remained in the cabinet and became the biggest beneficiary of this political turmoil.
Although the emperor still asked Yang Bo and Gao Gong to stay in the cabinet until after the Lantern Festival, this also meant that Gao Gong's cabinet had collapsed.
Li Chunfang?
There was a sneer on Zhang Juzheng's lips. Even if Gao Suqing was in power in the capital, who was Li Chunfang?
Zhang Juzheng looked at the "New Commentary on the Three Classics" on his desk and thought, "Go to their heavenly right of kings." Since the court did not want to change it, it could only let others force it to change it.
(End of chapter)