Chapter 602: Fierce Fight in Front of the Palace

The emperor was completely indulged in sensual pleasures.

Ever since the court meeting in Wenhua Hall that day, when the emperor frivolously agreed to Li Chunfang's request to marry and leave Beijing, he suddenly seemed like a different person.

On the second day of the court meeting, when officials from the six ministries of the cabinet gathered in the Wenhua Hall waiting for the emperor to attend the court, when he was late again, the officials only received a sentence from Teng Xiang, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Silijian, saying that the emperor was unwell.

The emperor is unwell, to put it bluntly, the emperor is not feeling well.

But he was fine the day before, but something went wrong the next night. No one would believe it if I told you!

What is worth mentioning is that Teng Xiang, who was originally just the eunuch in charge of Silijian, became the eunuch in charge of Silijian overnight, ranking only below Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of the seal of Silijian.

If we look at past experience.

Soon, this newly promoted eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department may soon be the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Depot and the inspector of the Imperial Uniform Guard.

A rising eunuch in the inner court.

However, the cabinet and the six ministries did not say anything about this. The emperor had complete control over the inner court and the power to appoint and dismiss personnel. Since Lu Fang, Huang Jin and others did not say anything, then they, the ministers of the previous dynasty, naturally would not interfere.

As for the emperor not coming to court, it’s okay if he does it once in a while.

Just think of it as giving the emperor a holiday.

but.

The next day, the emperor still did not attend court.

On the third day, it was still the same.

On the fourth day.

Teng Xiang, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, didn't even bother to put on an act. He just stood in front of the cabinet and the six ministries officials. He looked respectful, but his expression was arrogance as he stared at everyone.

"Prime Minister, all the ministers and chancellors."

Outside Wenhua Hall.

Teng Xiang stopped Gao Gong and others who were finally unable to bear the emperor's repeated resignation and were about to go to the Qianqing Palace in person to get the truth.

He said with a smile: "Your Majesty has instructed that the ministers in the court are the country's capable people. The new policies are stable and the military and national affairs are in your hands. I am safe. Today's court meeting will be cancelled. All matters will be submitted to the various ministries and the cabinet will approve them according to the rules."

The emperor is not even willing to pretend!

Gao Gong was so angry that his face turned red, his eyes glared, and the acupuncture points on his forehead bulged.

A few days ago, the emperor would use poor health as an excuse to avoid court meetings, but now he doesn't even give such reasons and directly entrusts state affairs to the various ministries and the cabinet.

Yuan Wei also frowned slightly: "Eunuch Teng, is His Majesty still ill today? If so, let the Imperial Hospital come to the palace to check His Majesty's pulse."

Although Yuan Wei knew in his heart that the emperor was probably simply unwilling to attend court, he still held on to a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps the emperor really is ill?

Teng Xiang immediately refused: "Thank you, Mr. Yuan, for your concern for His Majesty's health. Although His Majesty did feel unwell a few days ago, he is much better today."

After being rejected directly, Yuan Wei opened his mouth, which finally turned into a sigh.

Gao Gong snorted coldly, "Your Majesty has not attended court for several days. Normally, we should ask for an audience with Your Majesty in the Qianqing Palace. Thank you, Eunuch Teng, for reporting on our behalf. We, the officials, wish to see Your Majesty."

Teng Xiang's eyes twitched, and he turned to look at Gao Gong, finally showing some hesitation on his face: "Prime Minister... His Majesty has already made an oral order today, I hope that Prime Minister will put state affairs first and take the ministers to handle state affairs."

He knew the temperament of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, and was reluctant to anger him.

Gao Gong did not give in and spoke again: "I am the chief minister of the cabinet, and those present today are also ministers of the cabinet or ministers of the six ministries. According to the rules, we all have the right to ask for an audience with Your Majesty! I hope that Eunuch Teng will report to you. If not, we will personally write a petition to request an audience with Your Majesty!"

The emperor hasn't attended court for three consecutive days.

If the emperor was really ill, Gao Gong could tolerate it at that time, and even urged the Imperial Hospital to make the emperor recover as soon as possible. But now it is obvious that the emperor himself is unwilling to attend court, and he has used the excuse of the emperor's illness for three consecutive days. Today, he also knows that if he uses this excuse again, there will be slander in the court, so he changed his statement and did not explain the reason, and only let the cabinet and the six ministries handle state affairs.

Gao Gong repeatedly asked for an audience with the emperor.

Teng Xiang's heart was also ablaze with anger, and his voice became cold: "Prime Minister, the Emperor has already issued an oral order, so you and the others should obey the order."

I think His Majesty has already rushed from the Qianqing Palace to the Western Garden.

It can be said that the birds are singing and dancing already.

Although he had been castrated for decades, he still found the eight Western women fascinating.

The emperor needs me right now.

Teng Xiang knew very well what enabled him to sit in the position of the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

He also understood that only by serving the emperor well could he go further and gain the power to supervise the Eastern Factory and inspect the Imperial Uniform Guard.

even.

If one day I could serve an emperor who was pleased with me, it might be my turn to take over the position of the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department under that old dog Lu Fang.

Until then.

I am the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty!

Hold the power to approve documents.

Even if it was Gao Gong in front of him now, even if the entire cabinet was added, even if the memorials on state affairs were drafted perfectly, as long as he didn't move his pen, they would be unable to accomplish anything!
However, when Gao Gong saw that Teng Xiang rejected him again and again, he finally became completely angry.

He immediately shouted coldly: "Teng Xiang! Are you trying to stop us from seeing the emperor? As an eunuch, do you want to separate the inside and the outside so that you can steal the country?"

Say it.

Gao Gong had already tightly grasped the tablet in his hand.

Notice.

Even in the Fengtian Hall back then, the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty were able to turn the tablets in their hands into swords!

He saw that Gao Gong not only scolded him for isolating the inside and the outside, but also accused him of stealing the country.

Teng Xiang also got angry instantly: "What are you talking about, Mr. Gao? This is what His Majesty has said. His Majesty will not see you today. If you have the guts, Mr. Gao said he would personally write a memorial to His Majesty, then go ahead and write it!"

Although he saw Gao Gong holding the tablet with his backhand, Teng Xiang remained fearless, and even had a hint of provocation in his eyes.

If I were beaten by Gao Gong, I might get an unexpected reward today.

Seeing that Teng Xiang, a eunuch and a dog slave, dared to speak to him like that.

Gao Gong was so angry that he was fuming. He raised the tablet in his hand and pointed at Teng Xiang with his other hand: "What a dog slave..."

despair.

Just when the prime minister of the Ming Dynasty was about to strike the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, Yan Shaoting, who had been watching everything silently, suddenly stepped forward from behind Gao Gong and grabbed the opponent's arm that was about to strike.

The killing move was interrupted by someone.

Gao Gong immediately turned around and glared at the person who came.

When he saw that it was Yan Shaoting, a strange look flashed in Gao Gong's eyes.

Yan Shaoting's face was tense, and he said in a low voice: "Prime Minister, the new policy is the most important thing, please don't lose your manners."

He didn't talk about state affairs or rules.

He only mentioned the new policy. Gao Gong's eyes were full of complexities again, but the anger on his face did not diminish.

Yan Shaoting had already passed Gao Gong and looked at Teng Xiang in front of him.

He was thinking that according to the current situation, Emperor Longqing might have really returned to his true nature.

This is the real case of a piece of rotten wood that cannot be helped.

He cannot be supported by just a college and a group of Yan faction new party members.

Then this Teng Xiang, the newly promoted eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, was probably the one that Longqing brought forward to compete with the ministers of the previous dynasty.

In this case, it probably won’t be long before Lu Fang, Huang Jin and others leave the inner court.

Logically speaking, he should cooperate with Teng Xiang, or rather, cooperate with Emperor Longqing behind him, so that he can continue to enjoy himself and do what an imperial party should do.

But you have to know that the current Yan family is no longer the Yan family of the Jiajing Dynasty.

The proper positions still need to be clearly distinguished.

The Yan family can make friends with the eunuchs in the inner court, but they must never collude with them.

In this way, one would lose dignity and propriety in the previous dynasty.

Looking at Teng Xiang who was looking at him with a puzzled look.

Yan Shaoting's face was a little colder. "Eunuch Teng, since His Majesty has already given an oral order today, we naturally dare not disturb His Majesty. But we are ministers of the previous dynasty, eating the salary of the emperor, and we should take on state affairs and assist the country. The memorials to His Majesty will be submitted, and we will not make it difficult for Eunuch Teng."

Teng Xiang saw that Yan Shaoting had a cold expression on his face but spoke with discretion, and muttered in his heart that the Yan family was still more inclined towards the palace.

But the next moment.

Yan Shaoting snorted coldly: "But shouldn't Eunuch Teng have thought clearly about what to say and what not to say before speaking? Don't you understand the rules of the palace after so many years?"

Gao Gong, who originally thought that Yan Shaoting was going to represent the Yan family on the side of the palace, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Teng Xiang's expression changed drastically.

But Yan Shaoting continued to scold, "We are all appointed officials of the court! All of us are officials in charge of the six ministries and ministers in the cabinet. Gao Ge Lao is the chief minister of the cabinet, the chief of all officials. Since Emperor Taizu, every document in the court has clearly stated the authority of officials like us. It is our duty to ask for an audience with His Majesty, and there is no need for Eunuch Teng to say that if you have the ability, you can go and ask for it!"

At this point, Yan Shaoting's face was already gloomy, and his eyes were extremely cold.

Teng Xiang was also in complete confusion.

Yan Shaoting went a step further and said, "I hope that Eunuch Teng understands that this is not because we doubt whether the Prime Minister is capable or not, but because of our duty and our rights as ministers of the Ming Dynasty!"

"it is good!"

"Runwu is well said!"

When Yan Shaoting said these words, Teng Xiang's face changed drastically.

Yuan Wei and others immediately cheered.

The deputy minister said directly: "Please trouble Eunuch Teng to take some time later. We will submit a petition to His Majesty, requesting an audience with Him. If we know that the petition for an audience with His Majesty has not been submitted to His Majesty, don't blame me for using the law of our ancestors to punish those treacherous villains who separate the inside and the outside!"

Gao Yao, the Minister of Revenue, followed closely behind him: "Not only do I want to see your Majesty, I also want to report this year's summer tax and the land measurement in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This is a matter of state. If anyone deceives your Majesty, I will also petition to punish the treacherous villain!"

Soon, the Minister of Rites Guo Pu stood up.

"All the laws and decrees of the country are subject to the duties and powers of the ministers."

He didn't say much, but as the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, this sentence provided absolute support for what Yuan Wei and Gao Yao said.

all.

All of this is permitted by national law.

Teng Xiang used to be just an invisible figure in the palace. He had only heard and witnessed from afar the fierceness of the civil servants of the previous dynasty. Now that he had just taken the position of the chief writer of the Imperial Household Department, it was the first time for him to face these angry civil servants directly. How could he resist?

Facing rebukes from the cabinet and six ministries.

Teng Xiang retreated repeatedly, his face flushed and he was extremely angry.

But he didn't know how to respond for a moment, so he could only blush and shout, "Okay! Okay! I will report everything that happened today to you, Your Majesty!"

Say it.

He didn't care about etiquette and rules, turned around and left with his men.

Everyone stood in front of the Wenhua Hall, watching Teng Xiang leave, and several sighs were heard.

Zhao Zhenji looked at Gao Gong and Yan Shaoting and whispered, "I'm afraid this fellow will slander us when he goes before His Majesty."

"so what!"

Gao Gong shouted coldly, his face turned pale, and he was obviously very angry.

A mere eunuch is now so arrogant in front of him. He really doesn't know how powerful the prime minister of the cabinet is.

After a few years of good life, they forgot about the bloody storm in the court.

Zhao Zhenji shook his head: "Prime Minister, you should calm down. Why bother getting angry with this eunuch? No matter what, we have a grudge against this man. It is better to sort out the memorial as soon as possible and explain to His Majesty what happened here today."

Yuan Wei nodded and said, "You still want to see the emperor, regardless of why His Majesty has not been to court for several days. If the emperor is really ill, we can arrange for the imperial hospital to check his pulse as soon as possible. If not..."

Gao Gong snorted coldly and waved his sleeves fiercely: "I see that you are not sick! You can't pretend to be sick for three days in a row. Now you cancel the court meeting with an oral order. You are really not doing your job!"

Everyone's eyebrows twitched.

Several people looked at Gao Gong with surprise.

Everyone knew that this person had a bad temper, but this was the first time he had spoken so openly about the emperor.

Gao Yi hurriedly spoke up and said, "Prime Minister, be careful with your words!"

"How can I be careful with my words when things are like this?" Gao Gong stamped his feet in anger. He turned around and glanced at everyone present, then pointed in the direction of the Palace of Heavenly Purity: "Our current ruler probably thinks that the world is peaceful, the treasury is full, the internal money is sufficient, there are no Japanese threats in the south, and no Mongols in the north, so he wants to start enjoying himself. But he doesn't know that the country is in turmoil and the new policy is difficult. Under such circumstances, he still doesn't attend court for days. Isn't this not doing his job properly?"

Gao Yi stepped forward.

Gao Gong spoke first: "I think not only is he not doing his job properly, but he has also forgotten the aspirations of his ancestors! He has also forgotten the two capitals and 13 provinces of the Ming Dynasty with hundreds of millions of people!"

This was already an open criticism of the emperor.

Gao Yi, who was about to step forward and hold Gao Gong, had to stop.

No one dared to speak.

Gao Gong looked at Yan Shaoting again, frowning: "Just now that eunuch was so arrogant and domineering, as if he had the support of the sky. I wanted to teach him a lesson, why did Runwu stop me?"

Although he asked a question, Gao Gong still restrained himself at this moment.

After all, apart from him, Yan Shaoting was the most harsh in scolding the dog slave Teng Xiang.

Yan Shaoting chuckled and shook his head.

"Yuan Fu, your Majesty is the sovereign after all."

"Now I hope the Prime Minister will focus on the new policy of state affairs, and not lose sight of the big picture and delay the new policy."

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(End of this chapter)