The chief minister of the cabinet, Zhang Fu, had a smug expression on his face. The scene before him was somewhat beyond his expectation.
In this battle for the No. 1 Scholar, it seems to be a battle between Chen Shi and the young master, and it seems to be a battle between Chen Tang and the civil and military officials. But in fact, it is his chief assistant Zhang Fuzheng who controls the situation!
He is the one who really controls the situation.
He openly supported Chen Shi and Chen Tang in their bid for the top prize, provoked the young master to have the courage to fight Chen Shi, and facilitated this duel. Chen Shi and Chen Tang will not guard against him, allowing him to approach the Nine Palaces of the True King at any time.
At the same time, he mobilized the Nine Palaces to prevent Chen Shi from killing the young master at the last moment, thus fulfilling the interests of the Thirteenth Family.
In this way, no matter Chen Shifang, Gongzi Fang, or the Thirteenth Family, they will become fearful because of his actions.
He is the backbone of this decisive battle, he is the pillar of the Ming Dynasty, and he is the elder who carries the fifty provinces of Xiniu Xinzhou on his shoulders!
Because of the arrival of Xiao Wu, the former cabinet boss, Yan Xianzhi resigned from the position of chief assistant. He avoided disaster and waited for a comeback, and was eyeing the position of chief assistant. Zhang Fu took over the position when he was in crisis, but he had insufficient qualifications, insufficient connections, and lacked Yan Xianzhi's majesty and prestige. It would not be troublesome for Yan Xianzhi to regain his position.
But in this battle for the No. 1 Scholar, he, Zhang Fuzheng, handles the three forces with ease. All officials, including civil and military officials, Chen Shi, and young masters, all look up to him!
His majesty and prestige are bound to reach its peak, and Yan Xianzhi will never be able to regain his position as chief minister! The only problem now is that he failed to grasp Chen Shi.
The young master is dead.
The moment Zhang Fuzheng activated the power of the Zhongji Palace and shouted "Stop it!", Chen Shi wiped out the young master under the power of the Ten Jue Formation!
Zhang Fuzheng felt as if the sky was falling.
In order to assist a true king who can take control, it is not easy for the Thirteenth Family. They carefully selected and cultivated them twenty or thirty years ago. Today, when it comes to flowering and bearing fruits, they suddenly die.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his heart felt cold.
His move seemed clever, and it still stabilized his position and enhanced his majesty and prestige, but he knew that he had made a mistake.
At this time, the sky suddenly turned red, and the two suns slowly closed their eyes. The blazing flames in the eyes of the True God outside the sky were squeezed out by the eyelids, forming a sea of fire that stretched for tens of thousands of miles in the sky eighty miles above Xiniu New Island, burning like the sunset.
"It's getting dark, and it's a moment earlier!" Si Tianjian's Wugan Lingtailang hurriedly came to report, which seemed to be ominous.
May 26th, although it is a hot summer day, it does not feel like a scorching heat at all.
There is a chariot parked outside the Chenxi Teahouse on Wuchang Street. It is extremely gorgeous. Various flying talismans and seals are painted on the carriage. In addition to the traditional divine talismans and armor-horse talismans, there are also dragon patterns, phoenix patterns and thunder patterns. The canopy is also extremely luxurious, with pearls hanging from it, and the sun, moon and stars painted on it.
The legs that pull the cart are also of the dragon breed. They are two dragon horses. Their bodies are green and red, and they have grown wings. They are extremely powerful horses.
When this thing runs, it will soar into the clouds, speed through the air, and travel thousands of miles a day.
Xiao Wangsun walked around the chariot for four or five times and left reluctantly.
In the teahouse, Yan Xianzhi and Zhang Fu were sitting face to face. The two old men looked at Xiao Wangsun who was dragged away by Jin Hongying, but they did not speak for a long time.
After a long time, the tea was a little cold, and Zhang Fuzheng said calmly: "Old Yan Ge, I won this battle between you and me. Do you admit it?"
Yan Xianzhi used his magic power, warmed the tea, picked up the teacup, and said solemnly: "I don't show off my skills on weekdays, but I didn't expect that you would be a hundred times better than me when you have a full stomach. I also didn't expect that you would actually be able to move among the three forces with ease. If it hadn't been for Chen Shi's last move. It's beyond your expectations, and you can win! I'm not as good as you, and I'm convinced of the defeat!" Zhang Fuzheng picked up the herbal tea and said with a smile, "It's enough for me to be praised like this by Brother Xian." The two of them drank tea instead of wine.
Yan Xian ordered the waiter to change a pot of hot tea, pour tea for Zhang Fuzheng, and said: "However, Chen Shi's murder of the young master is closely related. How to solve it later is a big problem, which tests the ability of the chief minister. The Ming Dynasty is riddled with holes, and the chief minister of the cabinet would have collapsed long ago without the skills of a paper framer. Can Fuzheng teach me?"
Zhang Fuzheng said with a smile: "Brother Xian has been a cabinet minister for so many years, so he must have some ideas. But since brother Xian has asked, let me just say something."
He paused and said: " The young master is dead, the tree has fallen, and everything is over. Don’t worry about him. The various forces that the young master has installed in the court and local areas should be removed and collected. After all, it is a big fortune. "
Yan Xianzhi nodded slightly.
Zhang Fuzheng continued: "Chen Shi was given the title of Number One Scholar without any punishment. One is to show the justice of the court, the other is to block Chen Shi and Chen Tang's mouth, and the third is the accumulated accumulation of three generations of the Chen family. The number of people is small, but the strength is already comparable to that of the famous family. The court must maintain a certain degree of respect for the powerful force." Yan Xianzhi said: "I am afraid that the young master will not give up."
"That's a matter between them and Chen Shi, and has nothing to do with the court. The court still treats Chen and his son with kindness."
Zhang Fu was drinking tea and said, "As for the third thing, we have to explain how the Thirteenth Family has worked hard over the years. Those who caused this situation must face punishment."
Yan Xianzhi sighed: "This is the most difficult thing. "One point."
Zhang Fuzheng nodded lightly: "This is indeed difficult. Brother Xian, you've invited me to have this tea." Yan Xianzhi said, "I'll do it."
Zhang Fuzheng stood up, walked down the teahouse, stopped again, turned around and said, "You didn't do anything, I did everything. I win everywhere, I beat you everywhere, I can't understand, I really can't understand."
Yan Xianzhi smiled and said: "In the Ming Dynasty at this time, sometimes if you don't do something, you will win. If you do something, you will be wrong and you will lose."
Yan Xianzhi waited for a while, came to the window, and looked down from a high position. He saw the coachman opening the door of the chariot, and Zhang Fu was walking in with his waist bent.
The chariot set off and left Xijing.
This morning, Zhang Fuzheng's resignation has been submitted to the cabinet.
Zhang Fuzheng did everything and Yan Xianzhi did nothing. However, Zhang Fuzheng did something wrong and had to give an explanation to the Thirteenth Family and resign as chief assistant.
Yan Xianzhi once again became the chief assistant.
When Yan Xian went downstairs, the storyteller in the teahouse was still talking about the battle between Chen Shi and the young master. He burst into tears and described Chen Shi, the number one scholar, as heinous and extremely evil.
Yan Xianzhi stood in the crowd and listened for a moment, shook his head, and thought to himself: "What these ordinary people know is just superficial, one-sided, and emotional behavior."
He walked out of the teahouse and walked slowly towards the inner city.
The streets and alleys were also talking about the battle between Chen Shi and the young master, describing Chen Shi's killing of the young master vividly, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.
All kinds of rumors are flying all over the sky, some are extremely ridiculous, and some are very clear and logical. "When people leave, the tea cools, and the trees fall down, and the hozens scatter. These criticisms will all subside in a month. People, what should they do or what they should do, what is right and what is wrong, what does it have to do with firewood, rice, oil and salt?" He said silently in his heart.
He listened to people's discussions all the way, and then calmed down a bit when he entered the inner city. He came to Wenyuan Pavilion, entered the cabinet, and sat down.
At this moment, the other twelve ministers of the cabinet were already waiting for him, with their eyes focused on his face.
Yan Xianzhi smiled slightly and said: "Gentlemen, the name of the number one scholar has been decided." "Mr. Ge, Chen Shi killed the young master..."
"In the battles for the number one scholar in the past dynasties, casualties are inevitable. This is an unfortunate thing. The cabinet expresses condolences to Ren Mu's family and the court shows some sympathy."
Yan Xianzhi said, "Also, Ren Xiao, Minister of the Ministry of War, lost his son. He is grieving in his heart and he is getting older. The court should not delay his retirement. Tomorrow morning, persuade him to retreat."
The twelve ministers nodded silently.
Xia Canghai asked: "So, where is Mr. Chen Tang and Chen? The right minister of the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of eight warehouses and four warehouses. He has probably made a lot of money in these years, right?"
He couldn't help but feel a little angry and said: "Master Cui, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, is like a fool. He has no idea how much Chen Tang has been greedy!"
Cui Baihe was known as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and was also a cabinet minister. He was in the Wenyuan Pavilion. When he heard this, his face turned red and he slapped the table and said angrily: "Xia Canghai, if you go to the Ministry of Revenue to be the Minister, you will be deceived like a fool by him! Who here doesn't think that Chen Tang is a minister? Who doesn't think that he is a pillar? Who finds out? He stole the secrets of the thirty-seven Talisman Gods? You all think he is a great talent!”
Ma Lishu Lord Ma was a little unhappy: "What does it mean that the Ma family's ancestor had his legs broken? The Li family's ancestors didn't have their legs broken? The Li family's ancestor was bullied by Chen Wu and was beaten seriously. He was injured just a little bit, and was beaten seriously by the fairy in white. He was just a little bit injured, and was beaten seriously by Chen Tang. I can't afford it..."
Li Xiaoshuang Mr. Li slapped the case and said angrily: "Ma Lishu, what do you mean? Thirteen aristocratic families are in the same spirit. Which ancestor has not been beaten by Chen Wu? Which ancestor has not been beaten by the female fairy in white? If they had not left early, they would have been beaten by Chen Tang this time!"
The twelve ministers quarreled and almost got into a fight.
Yan Xianzhi left them to argue, feeling quite helpless: "The Ming Dynasty's paper makers only paper these things."
When everyone was tired of arguing, Xia Canghai asked: "Mr. Pavilion, Chen Tang has done many evil things and is corrupt and bending the law. How should we investigate and deal with it?" Sir, do you want to check? Or do you, Mr. Ma? What does it mean to be greedy? Isn't the Ministry of Finance still running smoothly? Is it you, Mr. Li, who has not been greedy? Or Mr. Gao, Mr. Fei?"
Everyone stopped talking.
Xia Canghai couldn't help but said: "Then we can't let him continue in this position. Over the years he has served as the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he has been able to acquire thirty-seven talisman secrets. If he sits down again, I can't even imagine how many talisman secrets he can accumulate! How about putting his position down?"
Yan Xianzhi He shook his head and said, "You are not afraid of his thirty-seven Talisman Gods, Tianji. I am still afraid. Mr. Chen Tang works hard in the household department and has made great contributions. How can he be demoted? He should be promoted! Why not be promoted to Ronglu doctor, with an official position of the first rank. What do you think?"
The twelve ministers smiled knowingly and nodded in praise. This move rises and falls secretly.
The right minister of Hubu, the third rank, and the official rank of Ronglu doctor, from the first rank, seem to have been promoted two levels in a row, but the right minister is in charge of eight warehouses and four warehouses, and the Ronglu doctor has a false name but no real power. It is considered that Chen Tang has been isolated after being promoted, so that he has no access to any resources.
"Mr. Ge, what should we do with Chen Shi, the number one scholar? He must also be given an official position." Cui Baihe said, "Chen Shi is serving as ambassador in Guangjiku. In my opinion, he is not much better than his father. Guangjiku may become Chen Zhuang. Yuan is in trouble."
Yan Xianzhi smiled and said: "Of course he should be promoted to an official. The ambassador can only be promoted to the third rank first, and go to the Hanlin Academy to be a historian and compiler. He will live up to his literary talent."
Everyone praised him.
At this point, the cabinet plan has been finalized.
The next day, the cabinet decree was promulgated in the court. A large number of officials were dismissed from their posts and investigated. Ren Xiao, the Minister of War, also begged for his bones and retired to his hometown.
In addition, the Fuzheng Pavilion was abolished and the officials of the Fuzheng Pavilion were no longer employed. This incident caused an uproar in the government and the public.
In addition, Chen Tang's promotion also caused a lot of uproar.
The Thirteenth Aristocratic Family was caused a headache by the Chen family and his son, but Mr. Yan Ge took action and calmed down the turmoil gently, which is admirable.
A few days later, the imperial court released the results. Chen Shi was ranked number one in Jinke, and Zhang You was ranked second.
The third winner caused quite a stir. She was a female Jinshi named Hu Feifei.
Because the children of the thirteenth aristocratic family suffered heavy losses, and the other children of the aristocratic family could not defeat Hu Feifei, and with the wind blowing on the pillow of the Fox clan, the third prize fell on Hu Feifei's head inexplicably.
After the top three, there will be two places for Jinshi, and three places for Jinshi. Hundreds of people are on the gold list.
Two days later, the imperial court arranged official positions. Many Jinshi were assigned official positions, either locally or as minor officials in Xijing.
Chen Shi's official position has also been reduced. It was compiled by the historian of the Hanlin Academy. From the sixth rank, he is already considered to be a big man. It is just a sinecure and has no real power.
Chen Shi didn't care about this. He went to the yamen of the Hanlin Academy to sign in, then went home to rest, enjoying his leisure time.
He took back Shiji Empress, Shencao doll and other elixirs from Chen Tang, and then took them back to Xiaozhutian. Empress Shiji entered his small temple again, feeling satisfied. When she saw that there was a woman in white on her shrine in the temple, her face suddenly changed and she was about to have a seizure.
However, she felt the breath of this woman and suddenly became much calmer, and sat obediently on the third shrine.
Chen Shi was also a little surprised, and thought to himself: "Has Empress Shiji changed her behavior these days? She didn't actually drive this female adjutant out."
He was also a little surprised. This female adjutant had been in a coma for a long time, and she could not wake up even after recuperating in his small temple for so long.
His soul is sitting on the central shrine, with "Nv Juren" and Empress Shiji on the left and right. The true energy becomes extremely pure, and the Taoist body is naturally achieved.
At this time, there was a noise outside the Chen Mansion. Chen Shi walked out and looked, but it was Hu Guanghan, Tian Yue'e and hundreds of other successful scholars who came outside the Chen Mansion to ask for an audience.
Chen Shi quickly invited them into the Chen Mansion, but there were too many people and the Chen Mansion was too small to stand apart, so they could only talk on Qianyang Street.
"My mentor, my students and others have been awarded official positions and are going to serve as local officials. Today I came to say goodbye to my mentor."
Everyone bowed down one after another.
Chen Shi hurriedly helped them and said with a smile: "You and I are both candidates in the same year, how dare we be your mentors?"
He asked these questions one by one. When it comes to promoting people as scholars, their official positions are not big. Most of them are county magistrates and chief registrars in local counties. The better ones are magistrates, governors, and governors in state capitals. They are all positions that do practical things, unlike him, a historian who compiles and composes.
Chen Shi asked them one by one if they had any problems in their practice, answered them on the spot, and left a message for everyone.
When it was time to say goodbye, everyone bowed down together.
"Teacher, we are traveling a long way and we don't know life or death. We bid farewell to our teacher now. I hope that one day we can come to our teacher again and ask for your advice!"