Chapter 259: The Final Battle at Wanshou Palace

The capital was just about to celebrate the completion of this year's palace examination, as the court had gained a large number of new talents.

The memorials from Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng were also submitted at this time.

For a moment, the festive atmosphere suddenly turned cold to the extreme.

Although recently, officials of all ranks in the court have been caught up in a great debate among the six counties over the silk tax levied on the population of Huizhou Prefecture.

Countless memorials poured into the court like snowflakes.

But the status and influence of these people naturally cannot be compared with Yan Shaoting or Zhang Juzheng.

Moreover, the sharp words in the memorials of Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng are unmatched by others.

then.

This time, the imperial examination turned out to be the coldest subject in this dynasty.

The imperial banquet ended hastily amidst an undercurrent of turmoil.

However, three people who ranked first in this exam were selected as Shujishi.

This was naturally obtained by the loyal and selfless Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty, who acted impartially and made recommendations to the emperor on behalf of the three top-ranked officials.

The next day.

Officials of all ranks in the capital got out of their beds early in the morning according to the time of the court meeting.

Although the emperor had not held court for many years.

But everyone knew that there would probably be a fierce fight in the Western Garden today, and one could never tell if an imperial decree would be issued to summon these minor officials to the palace to participate in the discussion.

On the cabinet side, Yan Song, Xu Jie, Gao Gong and Yuan Wei, led the officials from the six ministries and five temples and waited outside the Wanshou Palace in the Western Garden early in the morning.

The palace gate slowly opened to the sound of morning bells from Taoist temples and monasteries of all sizes in Beijing.

The Lieutenant General of the Beijing Camp, Guo Yuchuang, dressed in military uniform and in high spirits, led a group of officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp, who were now the emperor's close troops, and marched out in a line.

The officers and soldiers held weapons that were more like ceremonial weapons, such as golden gourds.

After the officers and soldiers.

Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, walked slowly to the palace gate.

He raised his eyebrows and looked at the officials who had been waiting for a long time, smiling: "This year's imperial examination is over, and the court has gained a group of talented people to serve the country. You have reviewed the examination papers of the students in recent days and selected talents for the country, which is a contribution to the continuation of the Ming Dynasty."

Talking.

Lu Fang had already walked up to Yan Song and four other cabinet ministers.

He smiled and said, "At the Imperial Examination Banquet held in the palace yesterday, Your Majesty originally wanted to go and take a look at the successful candidates of this year's imperial examination, but he wanted to be pure and clear, and pray for the protection of the heavens for our Ming Dynasty. He did not go just to play it safe, but the master is still happy to see that the court has a new group of talented people."

This is the second time Lu Fang mentioned this matter.

It was obviously a warning to the officials waiting here not to displease the emperor on such a happy day.

Yan Song smiled and nodded, saying, "In the court, the old are replaced by the new. I am already over eighty years old. Looking at those talented people yesterday, I feel that I can resign and go home to enjoy my old age."

Lu Fang stepped forward, held Yan Song's arm, and the two of them walked in front towards the Wanshou Palace.

He said, "Lord Yan, you can't say that. It is said that the wise are the ones who plan for the country. Our Ming Dynasty cannot be without a minister in charge. The newcomers in the court should also be led by you, the ministers. You should teach them how to share the worries of His Majesty, solve problems for the court, and benefit the people."

Gao Gong looked up at the two people walking in front, savoring what Lu Fang said.

obviously.

Xiyuan hopes that the cabinet can control the discordant voices in the court.

We should think about helping the emperor solve his problems instead of fighting and arguing with each other all day long.

Yan Song seemed to be completely unaware and nodded, saying, "Now that Lord Xu has returned to the court to work, the court's affairs can always be handled one by one. I also believe that with Lord Xu and his men around, they will naturally be able to lead these newcomers in the court, help your majesty and the Ming Dynasty solve problems, and benefit all people."

The effort of speaking.

Everyone has arrived at the temple gate.

Lu Fang let go of Yan Song and looked back toward the outside of the palace gate.

The only things to be discussed today are the memorials of Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng, and behind them are the issue of silk and satin for the people of Huizhou Prefecture that has been discussed in the court recently, and the case of false accusation in the Spring Examination in Shuntian Prefecture which is a re-emergence of the old issue.

Each case is separate.

There doesn't seem to be any connection.

However, the two people who submitted the memorial had a close relationship.

Yan Song and others had already entered the hall. They looked at the empty throne behind the pearl curtain and stood according to their seats.

And outside the temple gate.

Lu Fang had also seen the figures of Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng outside the palace gate, so he nodded, turned around and entered the hall, heading towards the inner hall to report and ask for instructions.

And outside the palace gate.

Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng came together and winked at Guo Yuchuang who was guarding the palace gate.

Guo Yuchuang coughed lightly.

There are outsiders here.

How could Yan Shidu be so unconcealed?

Zhang Juzheng had sharp eyes and quickly glanced between the two of them, thinking secretly in his heart.

However, at this time, Yan Shaoting's voice came to his ears.

"Brother Taiyue, do you want to have a bite?"

"My cook made it early in the morning. You won't find another place in Beijing that tastes as good as this."

Zhang Juzheng lowered his head and saw Yan Shaoting handing a big, white and tender meat bun to him.

This bun is still steaming.

Zhang Juzheng looked Yan Shaoting up and down, and had no idea where this guy had hidden the meat bun.

Yan Shaoting, however, looked calm and at the sight that Lao Zhang didn't say anything, he stuffed the meat bun into Lao Zhang's hand and then started to eat the meat bun in his hand.

While eating, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

Zhang Juzheng was a little hesitant, but since he had gotten up early and had not eaten yet, he had no choice but to put the meat bun into his mouth.

After all, today is the day for the two of them to launch a counterattack.

You still need some physical strength.

As soon as the bun entered his mouth, Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes.

It’s beef buns!
The buns entered my mouth, filled with gravy and aroma.

Yan Shaoting had already quickly finished a bun by this time, and glanced sideways at the hesitant Zhang Juzheng with a smile on his face.

“You don’t ask where a hero comes from, and you don’t ask where the beef comes from.”

"Brother Taiyue, please feel free to eat it. If you think it tastes good, I will cook more and send it to your house."

Seeing Zhang Juzheng's sullen face, Yan Shaoting could only shake his head and explain, "Please don't worry, Prefect Zhang. This meat is not farm beef, but yak beef raised in my Changping farm. The quantity is not much, but if Prefect Zhang likes it, I can negotiate and give Prefect Zhang a low price."

This is the official answer and explanation.

When he heard that the animals were raised in a farm in Changping, Zhang Juzheng's expression relaxed a little, and he ate the meat buns faster.

After eating.

Zhang Juzheng even had a look of being unsatisfied.

Yan Shaoting just smiled slightly, and like magic, two meat buns appeared in his hand.

After stuffing one into Lao Zhang's hand, Yan Shaoting launched a fierce attack on the second meat bun in his hand.

Zhang Juzheng was not anxious to fill his stomach at this time, but said: "The breeding farm in Changping should also belong to Shuntian Prefecture."

"Uh-huh... okay... no problem..."

"Zhang... um... the prefect wants... Changping... then give it to me..."

Yan Shaoting's mouth was stuffed with food and he responded with a few words with a smile on his face.

After getting what he wanted, Zhang Juzheng smiled and started to attack the meat bun in his hand.

And in the Wanshou Palace.

Towards the inner hall.

The crisp sound of footsteps came slowly.

A Taoist robe fluttered, and the emperor's voice was heard.

"The feast of the Han emperor and his ministers has ended."

"High Council discusses military exploits."

Inside the hall, everyone bowed their heads slightly and nodded.

The emperor recited the last of the four poems in "Youth" written by Wang Wei of the Early Tang Dynasty.

In addition to the two sentences that the emperor just recited, there are two other sentences at the end of the entire article.

The emperor bestowed the marquis seal upon the general in front of him, and the general wore it as he left the Minguang Palace.

The meaning of the whole song is very simple.

After the celebration banquet, the emperor and his ministers discussed the military achievements on the high platform. The emperor bestowed the seals of marquises on the meritorious ministers, and the generals walked out of the palace contentedly wearing the seals.

This is very consistent with the recent imperial spring examinations and palace examinations, as well as the Enke Banquet that just ended yesterday.

The only difference is that the generals were replaced by new scholars.

The credit goes to the ministers present today.

But the emperor recited this poem today.

What does it mean?
The people present naturally had different opinions and speculations in their minds.

But that did not prevent Jiajing from sitting on the throne in Taoist robes, looking like a Taoist master.

"I will see you, Your Majesty."

In the main hall, in front of the pearl curtain.

Yan Song led everyone present in bowing and saluting.

Jiajing raised his lips slightly and waved his hand: "Everyone stand up, Lord Yan will give you a seat."

Lu Fang moved the stool and placed it behind Yan Song.

Yan Song bowed his hands to express his gratitude as usual, then slowly sat down.

Jiajing narrowed his eyes and said, "This year's imperial examination is over. Lord Yan has been in the court for many years and believes that young talents should be encouraged. This year, three people in the first place are all awarded the title of Imperial Academy Scholars. Lord Yan and I hope that they can work hard, observe politics and learn, and in the future they can serve the Ming Dynasty like you and benefit the people."

There is something sarcastic about this statement.

We have all known each other for many years, who doesn’t know who?

Among those present, who is serving the Ming Dynasty, and who is serving as an official to benefit the people.

Everybody knows it.

Jiajing changed the subject and said, "You serve in the court to serve the Ming Dynasty and benefit the people. At this time, two people outside the gate of my Wanshou Palace also said that they wanted to be loyal to the court and the people of the Ming Dynasty, so they submitted petitions, hoping that I would approve their requests."

This brings us to the main topic of today.

A war without the smoke of gunpowder slowly unfolds along with the emperor's narration.

Yan Song immediately cupped his hands, smiled slightly and said: "We are all your Majesty's subjects, and what we request is naturally for your Majesty and our Ming Dynasty.

“However, the court officials are of all kinds and have different talents and intelligence, so it is inevitable that some of their reports may not be reasonable.

I think that if Your Majesty feels that the requests made by the ministers below are not appropriate, then just reject them. "

Xu Jie, Gao Gong and others present glanced at Lord Yan who was frantically patching the clothes.

Several people have different thoughts.

Jiajing smiled faintly.

After all, he was the Prime Minister he had employed for many years. By giving the two people outside a way out, he also left a way out for himself.

This is what a prime minister should be like!
He smiled and waved his hand: "Let the two people outside come in."

Lu Fang immediately walked to the palace gate.

"Announcement, Zhang Juzheng, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and Governor of Shuntian, enter the palace to make a statement."

"Announcement, Yan Shaoting, the Imperial Academy Attendant, the Right Junior of the Right Spring Office of the Chancellery, the Langzhong of the Zhejiang Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Director of the Changping Public Security Division, enter the palace to make a statement."

outside the temple.

A young eunuch passed Xuan Jin's words all the way to the outside of the palace gate.

In front of the palace gate.

Yan Shaoting smiled and glanced sideways at Zhang Juzheng, who had a serious expression and was slowly suppressing his fighting spirit and murderous intent.

"Brother Taiyue?"

"Shall we go in?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded, then glanced sideways at Yan Shaoting and walked towards the Wanshou Palace first.

Yan Shaoting smiled slightly and shook his head.

He then followed Lao Zhang and looked up at the Wanshou Palace Hall which was getting closer and closer.

…………

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

(End of this chapter)