Prime Minister

Chapter 1301: Decision

Chapter 1301: Decision

History has proven that it is safest to entrust the credit for establishing the country to the civil service group, while entrusting it to royal family members, relatives, military generals, eunuchs, and concubines is a bit unsafe.

However, the civil service is the weakest among the above because the civil service group is the most distant from the imperial power, and the essence of imperial power is violence.

This problem occurred in the Southern Ming Dynasty.

After Chongzhen hanged himself, the Minister of War Shi Kefa originally planned to make Lu Prince Zhu Changxun the emperor, but the four Jiangbei generals Gao Jie, Huang Degong, Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo went to welcome Fu Prince Zhu Yousong to become the later Hongguang Emperor of the Southern Ming Dynasty.

Shi Kefa had no choice but to agree, but this also led to a rift between the Southern Ming civil service group and the Hongguang Emperor.

Because the credit for establishing the emperor was not in his hands, the civil officials were all worried and unwilling to serve the Hongguang Emperor. In the chaotic times, Shi Kefa did not have any decent military power, but he followed the Ming Dynasty's succession system, in which the civil officials elected the emperor. This was a failure to understand the changing situation.

In the end, the emperor did not trust him, and the civil officials did not support him. Shi Kefa's loyalty is commendable, but it is a pity that he only knew the system and not how to make adjustments.

The inheritance system in prosperous times is different from that in troubled times.

In times of chaos, the one with the strongest military force will become the emperor.

The Golden Casket Alliance's succession strategy was also a succession strategy in troubled times. However, the Zhao and Song dynasties had been peaceful for a long time, and after years of training by the eldest and second Zhao, Han Qi, the civil servant group, had become established.

After Han Qi, Zhang Yue had no intention of giving up power, but instead wanted to go a step further.

At this moment, in the Funing Palace, countless bright candles surrounded the emperor's tent, but when they shone on the emperor's face, it felt like the light was uncertain.

The palace maids and medical officers far outside the tent also felt an inexplicable oppression in the palace.

The government remained silent and did not express its position. Not expressing its position is also an attitude.

As the emperor's trusted confidant, Shi Deyi had to step out to defuse the situation, and he said repeatedly: "My lords, how is this happening? We can talk about the matter of establishing a crown prince later."

Zhang Yue raised his head and stared at Shi Deyi. Even Shi Deyi, who usually thought he was on good terms with Zhang Yue, had to back away at this moment.

Zhang Maozhe came forward.

Zhang Maoze was an old man during the reign of Emperor Renzong. Empress Dowager Cao and Empress Dowager Gao both trusted him. He also had a say in the civil service, and Zhang Yue also had a close relationship with him. But now all this was useless.

Zhang Maoze said: "The previous emperor also ascended the throne from a prince, so there is nothing wrong with that."

Zhang Yue said: "Of course it is inappropriate. The previous emperor ascended the throne as a prince, and Your Majesty ascended the throne as the crown prince."

In a nutshell, there is a difference between a prince ascending the throne and a crown prince ascending the throne.

In history, among the nine emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty, only the current emperor followed the procedures without any objection. The others had certain problems with the procedures or some unexpected things happened in the process.

Because Shenzong ascended the throne as the crown prince, he was the eldest son in name and had no rivals.

So you don’t even need curtains!

Zhang Maoze said: "Your Majesty was the eldest son and inherited the throne of our ancestors. Have you ever heard of anyone in the world saying anything different?"

Zhang Yue said: "It is indeed the system of our ancestors to establish the eldest son as the heir. Since ancient times, it is natural for the son to inherit the father's business. But the secrets are so secretive, I am afraid there are things I don't know."

Zhang Maoze was speechless when he heard this, and even Shi Deyi beside him didn't dare to say anything. Wang Gui was also surprised. Zhang Yue said this, he was really not afraid of offending people, it seemed that he was determined to do it.

Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, please give orders as soon as possible to calm the people of the world."

When Empress Dowager Gao heard this, she looked strange. She certainly understood what Zhang Yue meant.

Once the civil service group has achieved success, the words of the concubines in the harem will be of no use.

Isn’t this the Queen Mother’s greatest asset in ruling the country?

Why did Han Qi dare to remove the curtain of Empress Dowager Cao?

Behind the curtain, Empress Dowager Gao looked at Wang Gui who was beside Zhang Yue, and slowly said the number "stupid and incompetent". In the past few days, Prince Yong had been coming to the palace frequently, and Wang Gui and Xing Shu had also inquired about her attitude through their nephews and nephews.

Although she had no such intention, she would not let go of the opportunity to control someone.

However, such an important matter as choosing a crown prince was taken control by Zhang Yue, the prime minister who was about to retire.

Little did people know that Zhang Yue had experienced the accession of Emperor Yingzong to the throne and of course knew all the details.

At the beginning, Yingzong was a prince, not a crown prince, so Feng Jing urged the emperor to write a document on his deathbed.

At this point, even the life and death of the emperor and the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects were no longer taken care of.

Why did Empress Dowager Cao and Ren Shouzhong both remain vague on the question of establishing Emperor Yingzong? Why did Fu Bi, who represented Empress Dowager Cao's faction, mention the "Yi and Huo affair" to Emperor Yingzong, who was disrespectful to Empress Dowager Cao, when he returned to the court?

What is the dispute behind this?

But the emperor is of course angry. All this happened under his nose, but I am still alive!

"What a great way to share weal and woe! You have lived up to my trust in you!"

Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, we are willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of the country."

The emperor looked at the seven ministers and smiled bitterly, wondering what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.

Once you make a statement about this, you can't take it back. You can't say I support you to be the emperor today and I support him to be the emperor tomorrow.

From then on, these seven people and the sixth prince were in the same boat.

The government cannot deny the ministers it has chosen at the same time, unless it is prepared to dismiss them all.

The emperor closed his eyes for a moment, knowing that the matter was irreversible, and said slowly: "I know what you have said. In fact, I have already made up my mind. When I attended the banquet, I had the idea of ​​building the East Palace next spring!"

The prime ministers were immediately delighted and said in unison: "It turns out that your majesty has already made a plan, and it is us who are meddling."

The emperor said, "You are all loyal and trustworthy. I am very pleased that you have stood firm in the face of great events."

After the emperor finished speaking, Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty's move really comforts the people of the world. But there have always been many rumors about the succession system of this dynasty. Please set up a system, Your Majesty!"

Wang Gui kept looking at Zhang Yue, saying, "Just stop while you're ahead." But the other ministers once again looked at the emperor with expectation.

The emperor thought for a moment, and finally said, "If there is a legitimate heir, the heir shall be the heir. If there is no legitimate heir, the eldest son shall be the heir."

That’s right, it’s the system of primogeniture, not the system of the eldest son.

Zhang Yue said: "I have received your Majesty's order to make the heir the heir, and if there is no heir, the eldest son will be the heir."

Zhang Yue knew that it was almost time. It would be unrealistic for the emperor to issue an edict to establish a crown prince.

Things have to be done step by step, not all at once.

Even if I do it right in one go, the emperor will regret it. So I might as well take the initiative to leave you room for regret.

Zhang Yue said: "The eldest son is chosen based on age, not virtue, and the son is chosen based on status, not age. With your Majesty's words, the people of the world now have a system to follow."

"Now that your majesty has a son, Qi Yi, we, the ministers, will die before you, and we should repay your majesty with our own death!"

The official's face was indifferent. There was no movement behind the curtain.

When Zhang Yue said this, all the ministers completed their mission and withdrew from the Funing Palace together.

Zhang Yue also knew that today's incident had offended both the Emperor and Empress Dowager Gao, but it didn't matter since he was about to leave anyway.

Always deal with villains first and gentlemen later.

Don’t be afraid of offending people, because it’s better to say it now than later!

Looking at the history of Zhezong's accession to the throne, it can be seen from historical records that Gao Taotao never thought of replacing his grandson Zhezong with Prince Yong. However, in this process, Gao Taotao made full use of his right to choose in exchange for concessions from the civil service group.

During this period, Cai Que showed great loyalty and bypassed Wang Gui to push for the establishment of a crown prince. When Zhezong ascended the throne, Cai Que stayed in Zhisu Palace for seven days and was relieved only after confirming that the other party had officially ascended the throne.

Cai Que returned home and cried to his family, "I have finally lived up to the late emperor's trust."

However, Cai Que's move also led to the worst move in history by Empress Dowager Gao, who wanted to demote Cai Que to Lingnan.

Why did Empress Dowager Gao do this even if it meant breaking the rules?

Because Cai Que and Empress Dowager Gao were arguing over the credit of establishing the emperor.

Where there is merit, there must be fault.

Planning is the first merit, and the greater the merit of planning, the greater the fault of hindering the planning!

Moreover, given Cai Que's personality, if he were not demoted and returned to power one day, the consequences would be disastrous.

Because Wang Gui was inclined towards Empress Dowager Gao's manipulation, he was deprived of everything by the New Party several times after her death.

Therefore, Zhang Yue had to confirm the system with the emperor.

Once the system is in place, no one will argue about it anymore, and no one will have any credit for establishing it. We should just do everything according to the rules.

If we follow the rules, the credit will go to the civil service group.

After Zhang Yue left the palace, he apologized to Wang Gui and said, "Teacher, I was careless in what happened in the palace. Fortunately, the matter has been decided. Let's make a decision today. If there is any mistake in the future, I will leave the important responsibility to you."

"I am old now and I am afraid I can no longer take care of life."

Wang Gui also knew his own limitations and knew that the government would definitely not entrust him with any responsibility.

He said: "If the important matter of appointing a crown prince is decided by public opinion rather than private discussion, it will be a great public benefit."

Zhang Yue said: "Teacher, whether it is public opinion or private discussion, as long as it is good for the world, it can be done!"

"Of course, the most important thing is to protect us from harm."

Wang Gui nodded and said, "You can never know what will happen if you don't try it. I am too cautious."

Zhang Yue smiled and agreed with a few words but said in his heart.

Serious? You are obviously having second thoughts.

Zhang Yue thought, but it's good to be prudent. If you are not prudent, how can I appear to be decisive?

Just like climbing a mountain, Zhang Yue likes to walk with people who are physically weak. This way, he can appear to be able to do it with ease and also gain a reputation for taking care of others.

If I walk with Cai Que who walks as fast as he does, not only will I not be able to keep up, but I will also have to suffer.

However, what Cai Que and Wang Gui did not know was that Zhang Yue was actually saving them by this action. However, whether they would have the same fate in history depended on their luck.

Wang Gui said, "Yes, Duzhi, what do you think of Bangzhi (Li Qingchen) being appointed as the Deputy Privy Councilor?"

Zhang Yue found it funny when he heard it. You really know how to take advantage of any opportunity.

"Deputy Privy Councilor?"

"Yes." Wang Gui and Zhang Yue have discussed this many times.

Zhang Yue said: "Why not the two chancellors?"

Wang Gui was overjoyed and asked, "Left and right chancellors? Are you saying that Cai Zhizheng wants it?"

Zhang Yue nodded slowly and said, "It's just one job for one person."

Wang Gui immediately looked at Zhang Yue with new eyes. When it came to rewarding people based on their merits, Zhang Yue was absolutely generous.

After careful treatment by the Imperial Hospital, the emperor recovered from his illness after a month.

Soon, the seventh year of Yuanfeng arrived.

Ps: This was written in the early morning, and the next update will be the day after tomorrow.