Chapter 604: The Sword Attacks the Emperor
The second year of Longqing.

early summer.

May, Gengwu day.

Gao Gong, the Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Palace, in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, submitted a memorial to the emperor outlining five urgent matters for the new policy.

According to the rules and regulations, the memorial was presented to the emperor.

Xiyuan Wanshou Palace.

Today, the Wanshou Palace in the Longqing Dynasty has no traces of Xuandao compared to the previous Jiajing period.

In less than two years, everything in this palace that had carried the late emperor who had reigned for forty-five years had quietly disappeared.

In the inner hall.

The stringed instruments are continuous, the music is subtle and the dance is brilliant.

Six blond-haired, blue-eyed Western women had changed into the palace costumes of women from the Central Plains, and were dancing in the latest dance moves trained by the Jiaofang Bureau.

On the throne, two other Western women were serving the ruler of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor Longqing of the Ming Dynasty.

Teng Xiang slowed down his pace, fearing to disturb the emperor's interest, and held up the memorial he had just received in both hands and presented it to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the latest memorial from the Prime Minister."

"Um……"

"Yeah... okay, okay..."

From the throne, came the emperor's frivolous response.

Teng Xiang raised his head slightly and saw the emperor looking up. A Western woman was holding a crystal glass and pouring the red wine into the emperor's mouth.

Zhu Zaiqi glanced at Teng Xiang, stretched out his hand and gently pressed the wrist of the Western woman serving wine: "Read it."

Teng Xiang bowed and accepted the order.

He opened the memorial carefully and glanced at it subconsciously.

After a few breaths, Teng Xiang's face was full of shock.

He looked up again at the emperor who was drinking his second glass of wine.

The eunuch, who had already secured the position of Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, showed hesitation on his face.

But soon.

Teng Xiang lowered his head and silently read the contents of the memorial without changing a word.

"Your Highness, Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Palace, in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and Chief Minister of the Cabinet Gao Gong, will report five urgent matters concerning the new policy."

"One is: The emperor hears government affairs at his gate. All government offices must follow the old rules of our ancestors and the emperor must answer them personally. This shows that government orders come from the emperor and the ministers dare not interfere."

Although not a single word was changed, it was read verbatim.

But Tengxiang felt his throat become dry for no reason.

He looked up at the emperor who was whispering with the Western woman, and his throat moved.

There was nothing unusual about the emperor.

Teng Xiang continued to read: "Second, after returning from court, according to the old rules of our ancestors, the emperor must report the matter twice, and after reviewing it, he must issue all the draft bills for approval. After reviewing it and finding it to be complete, it can be issued. This way, the situation below can be known, corrupt officials can be lured, and the emperor can also know what is going on in the world." {Note 1}
Gao Gong is really brave!
Teng Xiang muttered silently in his heart.

"Third, matters must be reported in person, so that the truth can be fully understood. I hope that after the court session, you will occasionally go to the Wenhua Palace and allow me to come in and report what needs to be reported. If there are urgent and important matters, you can also allow me to ask for an audience from time to time, or report them after the lecture. In this way, the matter can be fully understood and the truth will not be obstructed. Not only will the wisdom be enlightened day by day, but it will also not be transferred to the lower levels."

"Fourth, if things are not discussed, there will be mistakes. The emperor has set up cabinet officials to review and draft proposals, which is the purpose of discussion. I hope that the emperor will send all memorials to the cabinet for review and submission. If they do not meet your expectations, send them to the cabinet for further review. If there are any memorials that have not been reviewed and approved by the cabinet, let us make them clear before we implement them. In this way, things can be settled and mistakes can be avoided."

Even though he was only one step away from the position of Internal Minister, after Teng Xiang finished reading these two memorials, he still felt his thighs trembling, his legs going weak, his throat becoming increasingly dry and hot, and he felt uncomfortable all over.

This is really deceiving God!

Gao Gong, the prime minister of the current dynasty, is clearly deceiving God now.

Even Zhu Zaigui, who was originally indulging in pleasure, stood up and looked sideways at Teng Xiang.

The emperor's eyes moved.

Finally, he said calmly, "I'm done."

Teng Xiang bent down again, but did not dare to stand up again.

He just held the memorial and recited it in a low voice.

"Five...Five: Officials and civilians should stop writing when they should, and there is no reason to keep it in the palace without publishing it. Moreover, once the original is in the palace, it is impossible to verify whether it has been read by the emperor. In addition, if the matter is urgent and urgent, wouldn't it be wrong to submit it again? I hope that all original speeches will be published in the future. If there are any that have not been published, please submit the original version. If there are any that have not been published by the Tongzhengsi, the officials will report and discuss them clearly. In this way, there will be no gaps in the affairs, and it can also avoid suspicion from the internal officials and dispel the confusion of the outer court."

"Your Highness... I humbly ask for Your Majesty's approval."

Finish reading the last sentence.

Teng Xiang acted decisively, raised the memorial with both hands, and knelt on the ground.

"ah!"

A cry of surprise.

Zhu Zaigui had already pushed away the woman he had in his arms, and then looked gloomily at Teng Xiang who was kneeling on the ground.

He almost squeezed the voice out of his throat, a hoarse and dull growl.

"Stay in the middle!"

"Keep it here and don't send it out!"

Bang.

Zhu Zaigui picked up the wine jug on the imperial table and drank madly.

The bright red wine flowed down the corners of his mouth, across his chin, and along his neck.

The bright red wine is incredibly clear.

It looked extremely ferocious.

……

"The sky is falling!"

"This time the sky is really falling!"

"What should I do now..."

Cao Zideng, the Six Departments Censor, kept muttering to himself with a tense face as he left the palace from the Six Departments Direct Room in front of the Meridian Gate and rushed to the Imperial College located in Chongjiaofang, southeast of Andingmen in the north of the city.

Ever since the former Minister of Justice Yan Shifan asked to resign from the Ministry of Justice, he has been in charge of the academic affairs of the Imperial College.

It can be said that this young cabinet minister is really capable.

This happened in less than a year, and the Imperial College, which had been in decline, actually showed signs of regaining its glory during the time of Emperor Taizu Gaozu.

In the present Imperial College, there are no more those scholars who spend all their time in the south city seeking pleasure, nor are there those playboys who neglect their studies and only care about playing games.

The Imperial College today.

Even outside the courtyard wall, you can hear the sound of reading.

When you enter the Imperial College, you will hear the sound of students debating on scriptures under the eaves of every courtyard.

The academic atmosphere has been completely changed.

Even now several teachers of the Imperial College have announced that they will compete with Changping Academy in the next imperial examination.

That's right.

It was during the spring examination at the beginning of the year.

In the palace examination of the second year of Longqing, the imperial court selected a total of 403 third-class Jinshi.

And there are as many as fifty-seven people from Changping College!

Of course, these people have different origins and places of origin.

But looking at the whole world, being able to use an academy to provide a base for the imperial court to select 57 top-ranking Jinshi is the first in the country.

This is why the teachers of the Imperial College said that they would compete with the Changping Academy in the next moment.

Cao Zideng came all the way.

From time to time, I would meet students holding scrolls or books under their arms, and they were in a hurry. Even if they saw me wearing official robes, they would just slow down their pace, bow and continue on their way. This really improved the style of study.

Cao Zideng couldn't help but nodded.

But because he had something on his mind, he did not slow down his pace and walked all the way to a courtyard behind the Imperial College where apricot trees were planted during the time of Emperor Chengzu.

Two hundred years.

The apricot trees that were originally moved from the mountains by order of Emperor Chengzu had already covered the entire courtyard with their crowns, like a canopy.

At this time of year, the branches and leaves are lush and green, creating a cool shade for the courtyard.

And right under the tree, Yan Shaoting was sitting next to Yan Shifan, the current chief academic officer of the Imperial College.

In front of them, in addition to the Dean, Supervisor, Doctors, and Assistant Teachers of the Imperial College, even Su Yu, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat who worked in the Imperial Edict-Drafting Room, sat casually among them.

Cao Zideng came hurriedly. Su Yu, who was also his fellow apprentice, looked up at him, nodded, and then stretched out his hand to make a gesture of silence.

Seeing this, Cao Zideng immediately slowed down and approached quietly.

I just heard the gentleman talking with a smile on his face.

"The Imperial College's academic reform has achieved results, and subsequent academic reforms are inevitable."

"Now that the court is implementing a new policy, if we want all industries in the world to prosper, we cannot be confined to the study of classics. There are thousands of students in the world, and the same question still applies. Should all of them become officials?"

"Since we are teachers, we must serve our students and students and teach them all kinds of trades. If they are qualified to be officials, we should appoint them. If they are qualified to be self-reliant, we should learn all kinds of trades."

Yan Shaoting, who is now the Minister of Rites and the one in charge of education for the whole country, naturally received nods of agreement from the teachers and heads of the Imperial College present while he was speaking.

But in fact, in addition to the fact that he was the Minister of Rites who was in charge of education for the whole country, it was more because Changping Academy was built by him.

There are thousands of truths in the world.

Only the principles gained from practice remain unchanged.

Changping Academy is now a clear proof in the eyes of the teachers of the Imperial College.

An assistant teacher of the Imperial College who was present smiled and said, "What Shao Bao said is true. Not only did Changping Academy have 57 students who passed the imperial examinations this year, but many new officials in various ministries and government offices in the capital also came from Changping. Those who are good at math are in the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Imperial Households. Those who are good at law are in the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Even those who are keen on carpentry, bricklaying, iron smelting, river repair, road paving, and bridge building can become new officials in the Ministry of Works. It is truly a way for students all over the world to make a living, and the merits of education will benefit future generations."

A doctor of the Five Classics who had worked in the Imperial College the longest frowned for a while, but then his brows slowly relaxed.

The old doctor coughed lightly, his face stiff, but he said: "A few days ago, I went out to visit schools in the capital to inquire about academic studies. I was near Changping and suddenly found out that many people who are now working in other industries near Changping were educated in Changping Academy. I returned to the capital and inquired about the shops in the north and south cities. There are also many people who learned from Changping and are making money in them. I have studied Confucian classics all my life, and I have been studying the Five Classics for a long time. I am knowledgeable but difficult to govern. Now I have seen it with my own eyes, and I feel that the world can do without officials, but not without careers. Years ago, I had a lot of complaints about the young guardian in my heart, but now I think like a frog in the well, and I don’t realize that the young guardian’s great contribution to education is really due to my stupidity and short-sightedness."

Say it.

This elderly official, who had been serving as a Doctor of the Five Classics in the Imperial College even after entering the officialdom, actually stood up in public and bowed respectfully to Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting quickly raised his hand and said, "Dr. Fang, your courtesy is so great, how can I accept it?"

After he finished speaking, Su Yu, who was beside him, stood up, walked to Dr. Fang, who was nearly 70 years old, and bent down to help him sit down.

Yan Shifan, who was sitting next to Yan Shaoting, had a smile and a proud look on his face.

I really have a good son!
When I first came to the Imperial College, I suffered a lot of trouble from this old Doctor Fang.

If I hadn't made great efforts to rectify the academic atmosphere in the Imperial College, Dr. Fang would probably still not talk to me.

But his own son was able to completely convince the other party.

What does it have to do with my son's honor?

Yan Shifan said immediately, "In that case, let's settle it. I will also report to the cabinet tomorrow, asking the Imperial College to study with Changping Academy. I request that the head teacher of the various trades of Changping Academy be transferred to the Imperial College to recruit students from the capital and the country to learn various trades in order to strengthen themselves."

"Good words for the libation!"

Everyone bowed and saluted.

Afterwards, they discussed together the details of the joint study between the Imperial College and Changping Academy.

At this time, Yan Shaoting had also seen Cao Zideng standing behind the crowd, and waved at him with a smile on his face.

Cao Zideng hurriedly took out a copied memorial from his sleeve and walked forward lightly.

"Sir, this is a copy of the latest report from the cabinet."

Yan Shaoting glanced at his student who was working in the Sixth Department before taking the copy.

Cao Zideng explained, "Sir, something is going to happen. This time it is really going to be a big deal. I dare not delay. After learning about this, I immediately rushed here with the manuscript."

Now that such a big thing has happened, how can I, a mere official in the Sixth Department, handle it well? I still have to ask my teacher for the decision.

Yan Shaoting had already lowered his head and looked over carefully at this time.

Su Yu, who was beside him, also leaned forward with curiosity.

Not long after.

Su Yu cried out in a low voice: "Oh my God! Something big is really going to happen!"

After saying this, he quickly looked up at Mr.

Yan Shaoting also had a gloomy look in his eyes and an inexplicable expression.

On the other side, Yan Shifan, who was originally discussing the matter of joint study with everyone in the Imperial College, was also attracted by the surprise of his son's students.

He took the manuscript from Yan Shaoting.

After taking a few glances.

Yan Shifan took a deep breath, his face full of doubt: "Did Gao Gong really submit this? Does he not want to live anymore?"

Everyone in the Imperial College who were discussing the matter stopped talking and looked over when they heard the voice.

Yan Shaoting looked at everyone and smiled helplessly.

He nodded and said, "It has already happened. The memorial of the Prime Minister has been submitted to the Emperor for review. I think there is no going back on this matter."

After finishing speaking.

He explained in a low voice under the curious gazes of the people around him.

"The first two of the five urgent matters in the new policy memorial issued by the Prime Minister are actually not that important."

"I am merely advising Your Majesty to be diligent in government affairs and not to delay the country."

After hearing Yan Shaoting's explanation, everyone in the Imperial College immediately understood.

The Prime Minister finally couldn't help but submit a memorial to advise the Emperor about his recent absence from court.

Seeing this kind of central battle, everyone instantly became curious.

Yan Shaoting continued, "I'm afraid these four or five points are what the Prime Minister really wants to do, and this is where big things will happen."

After saying this, Yan Shaoting was silent for a moment.

He also couldn't understand why Gao Gong chose to make such a request at this time.

He shook his head and said, "If it is really as the Prime Minister said, the Emperor will no longer be able to keep the memorials of the ministers in his possession, and he will not be able to make decisions on his own. Everything must be processed and drafted by the Cabinet. Otherwise, if the Emperor disagrees with something, it can only be sent back to the Cabinet for re-discussion. But what if the Cabinet still thinks that the original draft is correct? At that time, I am afraid that only the Emperor can agree to it, and then everything can be settled..."

This is the most cruel part of Gao Gong’s memorial.

Although it was slightly different from the original five-point memorial on the new policy that he knew, it was generally consistent.

And if Gao Gong really accomplished this task.

From now on, the emperor only needed to sit high on the throne and rule the country.

All that was needed was for the cabinet to vote on its opinions and then turn the Imperial Household Department into a machine that approved and stamped documents to agree to all the cabinet's requests.

Not only was the emperor only able to rule the country without doing anything, but the Imperial Household Department also became a machine.

The power of the country lies in the cabinet!
At this time, everyone present was passing the manuscript around.

Following Yan Shaoting's explanation, everyone took a deep breath.

This memorial from the Prime Minister is really going to pierce the sky.

How can this be considered a memorial?

This is clearly a knife aimed at the emperor!

…………

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(End of this chapter)