Chapter 3: Manipulating power and putting the overall situation first
"Gao Gong, what a great Gao Gong, what a great chief minister of the cabinet, what a great pillar of state!"

After listening to the eunuch's report, Concubine Li did not express her opinion. She just read Gao Gong's name twice, then turned around with a grim expression and pulled Zhu Yijun and continued to go to Wenhua Palace.

Naturally, the rest of the people did not dare to say anything.

Apart from the presence of a eunuch holding a lantern, which provided brighter light, there seemed to be no change in the group.

But anyone with a discerning eye could see that Concubine Li was really angry.

Zhu Yijun took a look at Concubine Li's ugly face and sighed in his heart. It turned out that his adopted mother was born a palace maid. Not only was she easy to sow discord, but she also showed her emotions on her face.

With his experience, he could naturally see that Feng Bao was trying to trip up Gao Gong, the chief minister of the cabinet.

Maybe this person really has some interesting words, but he is definitely not so domineering.

Feng Bao knew that Concubine Li had no political experience, and that it was impossible for her to question her in person because of the distance between the inside and the outside. That's why he dared to do so.

But Zhu Yijun knew some history and had rich experience in struggle, so he was well aware of such matters.

Now that the previous emperor has passed away and the successor is young, what is the main political environment?
Naturally, it is because of the absence of imperial power, and the wolves are all around!

I can't wait to bite off a piece of meat!
Among them was Feng Bao, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, who attempted to isolate the inside and the outside and act as Concubine Li's agent.

There were also people like Gao Gong, the chief minister of the cabinet, who took the opportunity to use the cabinet to erode the imperial power, hoping that the emperor would rule the country without doing anything, in the so-called way of making the king as good as Yao and Shun.

There is a basis for cooperation between the two, but who can blame them for having a grudge against each other?
At that time, Gao Gong obstructed Feng Bao's promotion twice!
Now adding fuel to the fire, it will be a life-and-death battle.

Feng Bao's method was to isolate the inside and outside and to sow discord between Gao Gong and Li Guifei, the so-called "Gao Gong threat theory."

I just don't know what other tricks Gao Gong has, but it seems that Feng Bao still has the upper hand now. After all, he is an eunuch. As long as he can hold on to Concubine Li as his base, he will be invincible.

When Zhu Yijun successfully ascended the throne, Concubine Li became Empress Dowager Li and was legitimately the regent. She could dismiss and expel Gao Gong with just one word.

but……

Zhu Yijun shook his head in his heart, this was not in his interest.

As the saying goes, one's father's death means one will not change his mind for three years.

The previous emperor had only been dead for a few days? How could he disgrace the elders of three dynasties just because he ascended the throne?
You know, who is Gao Gong?

He is the mentor of the late emperor, a senior minister of three dynasties, and now the chief minister of the cabinet. He presided over the New Deal of Longqing and helped Altan Khan to quell border troubles with tribute, so he has a remarkable reputation.

The late emperor even rarely took care of state affairs, leaving most of them to Gao Gong, so that whenever he was wronged, he would run to him and cry, "Someone bullied me!"

Before his death, he held his hand and said, "I am a burden to you, sir."

He is just short of calling him godfather, which shows how much trust he has in him.

To dismiss such a person is a matter of a word, but this will consume the political credit of the new emperor!
The exercise of power always comes with a hidden price, and he doesn't want to bear this price for Feng Bao.

Zhu Yijun followed Concubine Li closely, wondering whether he should lend a hand, or at least let him retire with dignity.

He also felt a little regretful. Unlike Feng Bao, who stole the imperial power just for the sake of power and enjoyment, Gao Gong took on power and responsibilities with the intention of revitalizing the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, he lacked the ability.

If Gao Gong really had both ideas and means, he could entrust the government to him. After all, the ten-year-old emperor was still immature and needed a spokesperson no matter what.

However, having said that, there are people in the current cabinet who have both ideals and abilities. He has been a spiritual friend for a long time...

I just don't know what role he played in this game.

Before they even got on stage, the characters on the stage had already demonstrated their presence.

Zhu Yijun glanced at the gradually receding solar eclipse.

The sun rose in the east, but because the solar eclipse had not yet completely gone away, it was covered with a cloud, making the sky even darker.

He couldn't help rubbing his eyebrows. It was true that a storm was about to come.

……

Inside the Wenhua Hall.

"Prince, please do not lose the courtesy of a minister."

Gao Yi, who was already old, sighed lightly and spoke earnestly to Gao Gong.

Although both of them have the surname Gao, they are not from the same family.

However, whether Gao Yi was reinstated or entered the cabinet, he was recommended by Gao Gong, and the relationship between them was extraordinary. Therefore, only he could speak up for such advice.

Of course, there is friendship, but since he has entered the cabinet, the so-called sponsor-sponsor relationship has naturally faded tacitly.

Now there are only two high officials and Zhang Juzheng in the cabinet, a total of three people.

The death of the previous emperor and the transition to the new is the time when the overall situation needs to be taken seriously. However, the temper of this cabinet chief is hard to describe.

It would be fine if he was stubborn, but he was also very straightforward. He even repeatedly said things that undermined the dignity of the heir. The other day, he was in the cabinet and lamented the current situation, saying that how could a ten-year-old child govern the country? Gao Yi could only pretend not to hear it.

Today, in front of many court officials, he acted arbitrarily and recklessly, attempting to manipulate the Eastern Palace.

This forced Gao Yi to step forward and stop the official that Gao Gong had ordered to go to the Eastern Palace to seek instructions.

Otherwise, it would be disgraceful, but if it got to the ears of the two palaces, it would probably cause suspicion between the two palaces and the cabinet, and shake the foundation of the country.

Gao Gong obviously didn't take Gao Yi's admonition to heart. His face was solemn, but his tone was extremely domineering: "Zi Xiang, as a minister, how can you care about your reputation to the extent you do?"

Zixiang was Gao Yi's courtesy name, and Gao Gong showed no mercy when he spoke.

He continued, "The most important thing now is the continuation of the great dynasty. Since I have been trusted by the late emperor and entrusted with assisting the country, I naturally have to be bold in taking on the responsibility."

"This is about persuading the emperor to ascend the throne. If the successor emperor doesn't come, how can I just sit there and wait like nothing happened, like you?"

"I have made up my mind. If the Crown Prince doesn't come again in a while, I will send this letter of persuasion to the East Palace and ask the Crown Prince to reply orally and end today's matter!"

"Please distinguish between the urgent and the unimportant, and don't delay important matters."

The implication was that if Gao Yi tried to stop him, it would delay the new emperor's ascension to the throne and would be detrimental to the overall situation.

Gao Yi shook his head helplessly.

Is this because he cares about his reputation? He is clearly afraid that Gao Gong will be so arbitrary and manipulate the successor, which will cause great harm!
How can someone take care of such a thing as persuading someone to join the army? ?
The prince is young and ignorant, but you, Gao Gong, are also ignorant? If the prince doesn't come, won't you report the truth to the two concubines?

As a minister, you should not make decisions based on your own ideas. Once you do, no matter how big or small the matter is, you will inevitably be criticized for your actions, and it is hard to predict whether it will be a blessing or a curse.

He knew the prime minister's temper very well, and no matter how much he said, it would be useless.

Thinking of this, he looked for help at the last of the three people in the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng felt Gao Yi's gaze and nodded calmly: "The late emperor instructed the prime minister and me to urge the prince to study and be sensible. Now the prince is trapped in the East Palace and alienated from the officials. The cabinet has no shirking its responsibility."

"Now that the ascension to the throne is a big deal, the Ministry of Rites has already drafted the rules and regulations, and there is no time for delay. The cabinet should not sit idly by. I agree with the decision of the Prime Minister."

"As for the future, I have reorganized the curriculum and selected lecturers to teach the classics to the prince and correct his behavior."

Zhang Juzheng's speech was even more important, and it made Gao Yi's brows furrowed into a shape of a "川" (river).

Not only did he confirm that the Crown Prince had misbehaved, he also used the Cabinet's supervision of the Crown Prince's studies to educate the heir apparent.

What is Zhang Juzheng going to do?

It also reminds me that Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were both reformists who strongly advocated new policies and reforms.

Could it be that...these two seem to have reached a consensus, and are consciously trying to help the cabinet, in order to make the new emperor sit back and do nothing, and are planning to use the cabinet's arbitrary decision to implement the reform? ?
His sponsor didn't tell him anything!
Gao Yi looked at Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng in disbelief, as if he wanted to see tears on their faces.

Looking at the calm expressions of the two, the idea of ​​retiring had already begun to arise in his mind.

If it's really as he thought...

Gao Yi couldn't help but shudder. Even if he was dead, his coffin would have to be opened and his body would have been mutilated!

Gao Gong saw this and said at the right time: "Okay, Zixiang, I will take care of this matter myself, you don't have to worry about it."

After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at Zhang Juzheng. Coincidentally, Zhang Juzheng was also looking at him, and their eyes met and then separated.

Gao Gong secretly felt emotional. He had never revealed his thoughts to Zhang Juzheng, but Zhang Juzheng could actually see the clues from the traces and immediately agreed with him. He understood him better than Gao Yi, who was closer to him. He was worthy of being his close friend of many years.

The three cabinet bosses were chatting in a circle, and no one else dared to come over.

At this moment, a person near the door happened to see what was happening outside the hall.

He immediately apologized, moved to Gao Gong's ear and whispered something.

Gao Gong's expression changed and he waved it away casually.

Gao Gong then clapped his hands and laughed, and said to Gao Yi and Zhang Juzheng: "Zi Xiang, Shu Da, Concubine Li has finally 'invited' the Crown Prince to come out."

“It’s really not easy.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he went out to greet him.

Gao Yiben had guessed something when he heard someone whispering just now, and when he heard these words, he immediately felt relieved.

As for the usurpation in Gao Gong's words, he just pretended not to hear it.

His tone also turned relaxed, and he nonchalantly probed Zhang Juzheng, who was left with the task, "Your Excellency is still young and immature, but you are responsible for a great undertaking. You two have a heavy responsibility and a long way to go."

Zhang Juzheng raised his head slightly and glanced at Gao Yi, nodded slightly without saying anything, just stood up and followed Gao Gong to greet him.

Gao Yi looked at Zhang Juzheng's back and sighed in his heart. Zhang Juzheng had been famous as a child prodigy since he was young. He was well-read and knowledgeable. He must have known the source of these words and heard the temptation and exhortation in his words, but he remained indifferent. It was obvious that he had made up his mind to do something.

Alas, these two people.

Wouldn't it be nice to be a paperhanger quietly and wait until retirement?

Just like the previous cabinet chief Xu Jie after his retirement, he owned fine wine, beautiful women, and hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile land.

Or like Li Chunfang in the cabinet, he continued to study after retirement.

Even go back to support your parents.

Does the Ming Dynasty have to be saved? Is there any dynasty in the world that will last forever?
Is the Ming Dynasty worth dying for? Isn’t Yu Shaobao’s fate chilling?
Sadly, he could only think about these words in his heart. He had been in the cabinet for less than half a year and lacked experience. All matters were decided by Gao and Zhang. Naturally, he had no ability to change their minds at this time.

Well, well, since Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng are willing to do something, let them do it. The country has been in existence for 200 years, and there are already signs of overthrow. It is time for people with lofty ideals to emerge.

As for Gao Yi? He had been an official for decades and had submitted his resignation letter more than ten times. His heart had long been cold. Not joining the turbid current to form a clique for personal gain was already the limit of his personal ethics. He would never get involved in this matter.

After thinking this through, he suddenly understood why Gao Gong had said, "How can a ten-year-old emperor rule the world?"

If Gao Gong really wanted to reform and continue the country's prosperity, he could not expect such a drastic thing to be accomplished by a ten-year-old child who grew up in the hands of a woman in the deep palace.

Not to mention the talent of this heir apparent, it would be a good thing if he doesn't become a stumbling block!

There may be a glimmer of hope only when the emperor is in power and the cabinet is in charge of government.

This new emperor...

I'm afraid we can only put the overall situation first and make some sacrifices.

As he was lost in thought, Gao Yi got up a little late and went out to greet them.

……

As soon as Gao Yi walked out of the hall, he was startled to see Concubine Li's procession turning away in the distance.

He didn't even meet his ministers?
I was muttering in my heart, it seemed that this heir had made Concubine Li very angry.

He had seen how Concubine Li was furious with Zhu Yijun, and he knew that this time the Crown Prince was hiding in the East Palace and dared not be persuaded to come. Concubine Li was afraid that she would be angry and lose her composure again.

Perhaps Concubine Li didn't want to lose face for the heir at this time, so she left.

It is really hard to describe this heir to the throne. It is fine if he just hides in the East Palace, but he should not be like his grandfather who did not attend court for twenty years.

Having complained like this in his heart, he turned his gaze towards the heir apparent.

The successor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yijun, was followed by the newly appointed eunuch Feng Bao, who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department, and they walked slowly one after the other.

When the crown prince went out to give lectures, Gao Yi, as one of Zhu Yijun's attendants, naturally met the heir apparent quite often.

In his impression, to put it nicely, this heir to the throne has a pure heart and follows his nature. To put it bluntly, he is naughty and impetuous, with a below-average intelligence.

But today he felt something was different.

Regardless of anything else, just this demeanor made him secretly praise it in his heart.

Zhu Yijun was wearing mourning clothes, with a thin figure, straight back, and calm steps. He looked tired and sad, but solemn and upright. When he looked around at the ministers, he was reserved and modest, but also dignified. He greeted everyone meticulously.

"This is my first time in Wenhua Palace. I rely on you, my loyal ministers, for everything."
-
Note 1: The emperor said to me in anger: "My ancestors have ruled the country for years. The country has an old ruler and the country is blessed. How can we live in the East Palace?" He said this several times, pausing after each word and shaking my hand. I replied, "May the emperor live forever, why do you say this?" The emperor said, "Someone is bullying me." - "Last Words on the Sickbed".

Note 2: The Crown Prince went out to give lectures. Gao Yi, the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, the Minister of Rites and a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy; Zhang Siwei, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy; Yu Youding, the Xima of the Bureau of Classics and a Compiler of the Hanlin Academy; Chen Dong, the Right Praise of the Right Spring Office and an Editor of the Hanlin Academy, served as attendants. Ma Ziqiang and Tao Dalin, the Junior Secretary of the Chancellery and a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy; Chen Jingbang and He Luowen, the Editors of the Hanlin Academy; Shen Li and Zhang Zhi, the Reviewers, served as lecturers. Reviewers Shen Yuan and Xu Guo served as proofreaders and worked in the Imperial Edict Office. Ma Jiwen and Xu Jishen, the Left Chief of the Dali Temple, served as attendants. Earlier, Grand Secretary Gao Gong and others requested to select officials to assist the Crown Prince in the Crown Prince’s office and recommend them together with the Ministry of Personnel. It was decreed that the selection should be more cautious and that no necessary personnel were required. So Gong and others reported their names to the emperor, who agreed. Gong and Ju Zheng were also ordered to supervise the lectures of various officials. - "The Veritable Records of Emperor Muzong of the Ming Dynasty" Volume

(End of this chapter)