Wang Xijue resigned and returned to his hometown, and Emperor Wanli angrily dismissed Gu Xiancheng

Wang Xijue, the first assistant of the cabinet, has been criticized and impeached repeatedly, from the 21st year of Wanli to the 22nd year of Wanli, there are impeachments every day, and they want to push government affairs out of ten out of six obstacles, fighting with each other, Wang Xijue has remedied and dredged up many times, but has already become a deep see, Wang Xijue gradually feels powerless, and his reputation gradually declines and retreats. Many resignations were retained by Emperor Wanli. This time, Wang Xijue resigned again, and Emperor Wanli summoned him.

Emperor Wanli was relieved: "Why should the elder of the pavilion be so obsessed, everything has my own I am in charge of you, the elder of the pavilion is a genius and is deeply entrusted by me, how can he be gossiped and leave?" So where do you still look like a leader, or do you have suspicions about me? ”

Wang Xijue replied on the ground: "The old minister never dares, the minister always thinks of the emperor's kindness to the minister, and it is difficult to repay it in his life." The emperor has no permission to ask the ministers, and the ministers can only serve wholeheartedly and retire until they die. It's just that the ministers are negligent and inconsiderate, and the officials have seen the ministers deeply, which affects the emperor's holy name. The minister saw that the emperor was a minister everywhere and opposed to the official, and the minister really couldn't bear it, and he couldn't bear the emperor to be criticized by the history books. The minister has been thinking hard for many days, and only when the minister leaves can he have both. ”

Emperor Wanli painstakingly persuaded again: "I also want to hand over my prince to the elder of the pavilion for counseling, hoping that the elder can cultivate a holy monarch for me, and then produce a Ming monarch after a hundred years of me." I need a minister who can carry on the past and forge ahead into the future, and be of the same heart as me. I thought that Ge Lao was such a person, but now he is leaving me, which makes me have mixed feelings. ”

Wang Xijue replied: "The minister knows that the emperor loves the third son of the emperor, and the minister does not want to see the emperor and the ministers make enemies because of this, and the minister also hopes that the emperor will one day change his mind about the eldest son of the emperor." The eldest son of the emperor was kind-hearted, behaved appropriately, and was not guilty. At the beginning of the year, the eldest son of the emperor finally came out of the cabinet to study, and the Manchu Dynasty congratulated. People's hearts are irreversible, the emperor can approve the minister's invitation, and the minister feels it in his heart. ”

Emperor Wanli heard Wang Xijue mention the abolition of the eldest and younger, and was unhappy, and the intention of retaining suddenly disappeared, and said sharply: "I have never favored any prince, I favor Zheng Guifei, so I believe that I favor the third son of the emperor, and I rarely see the eldest son of the emperor on weekdays, and I think that I want to abolish the eldest son of the emperor if I am not registered." Who really knows why? As long as it is not in accordance with the etiquette system, I will be punished, and I will not care about Kyushu in all directions, and they will intensify it. The elder has been criticized so far, and I wanted to protect the elder again, but since I have made up my mind to go, I am not reluctant, does the elder have anything else to say to me? ”

Wang Xijue said: "The minister had previously advised the recruitment of talents and the appointment of Thai personnel, and hoped that the emperor would be allowed to play. In this way, the sins of the ministers can also be holy, so that the government can avoid pointless verbal battles, isolate party strife, the monarch and the ministers are harmonious, and the talents are all obtained by the emperor, and the people make the best use of their talents and materials, which is the luck of the world. The prosperity of the Ming Dynasty can last forever, and the emperor has no borders. If the minister continues to be here, the minister's wish is nothing but a phantom. After the minister left, he prayed for the emperor every day, offered advice and advice to the emperor, and asked the emperor to remember the king who had been dedicated to the old minister for many years, and please allow the old minister to return to his hometown. Wang Xijue kowtowed again and again, and Emperor Wanli personally helped him up, comforted him with kind words, and ordered Wang Xijue to be sent out of the palace.

Wanli looked back at Zhang Cheng, Tian Yi, and Chen Ju and said: "Look, even Wang Xijue is not worthy of impeachment, compared to them, I am the most impeached, and my courtiers can retreat one after another, seeking Mingzhe to protect themselves." But I still have to face the storms of every day. ”

The celebrant Zhang Cheng led Tian Yi and Chen Ju to kneel and persuade: "The master is angry, please take care of the dragon body, how dare the courtiers insult the monarch's father, occasionally a few people have no courtesy of the monarch and the ministers, and there is no need for the master to be angry, and the world will not tolerate him." The master is a benevolent man, and what the old man of Wang Ge said is also a way to live in harmony with the court. ”

Chen Ju said: "The slave and maid also agree with Gonggong Zhang, even if Wang Ge Lao has the talent to help the world, how can he compare with the master's temperament, Wang Ge Lao has been impeached repeatedly, and he has been sparse for a year, but he can still seem to be calm and dedicate himself to state affairs, and it is not easy for ordinary courtiers to reach this realm." ”

Tian Yi told Wanli about another matter: "Master, there is a word from Cining Palace that the Queen Mother has invited Concubine Wang Gong, Concubine Zheng Guifei, the eldest son of the emperor, and the third son of the emperor to meet in Cining Palace, saying that there is nothing to chat, and ask the master to go later." Emperor Wanli was shocked when he heard this, thinking that the queen mother must have considered bringing together the biological mother of the emperor's eldest son Zhu Changluo and the third son Zhu Changxun, and Emperor Wanli was worried about Zheng Guifei's mother and son, so he hurriedly went to Cining Palace to greet the queen mother.

Emperor Wanli hurried to Cining Palace to greet Empress Dowager Li. Empress Dowager Li is amusing the two emperors and grandchildren. After seeing Emperor Wanli coming, Empress Dowager Li said: "The emperor sits, there is nothing to do today, but I only remember when I see that there is nothing to do, I should always meet and chat, otherwise every festival, red tape will not be able to say a few words." Physically and mentally tired, it is better to talk together when they are usually free, and the emperor can also relieve his fatigue. This emperor and grandson can accompany the mourning family. ”

Emperor Wanli replied: "What the queen mother said is very true, once the ministers have leisure time, they will come to serve the queen mother, and let the emperor and grandson be their companions on weekdays. Concubine Zheng can also wait by her side. Empress Dowager Li said: "The emperor has every day to take care of everything, and it is enough to remember to come and see the mourning family." After being tired on weekdays, Concubine Zheng is driving with her, and Concubine Zheng has worked hard and has made great achievements, so she doesn't need to come to the mourning family again. The mourning family has two grandsons and Concubine Wang Gong to accompany her, this Concubine Wang Gong is the biological mother of the emperor's eldest son, but she has not yet become the imperial concubine, there are always people gossiping, the mourning family has already made it clear that in the palace, the emperor has his own plans, how can he ignore the etiquette system. The mourning family also told Concubine Gong that this imperial concubine would be sooner or later, and she would already be in the heart of the mourning family. ”

Concubine Wang Gong thanked: "Thank you for the love of the Queen Mother, the emperor has not treated me badly, please don't take the rumors to heart, the eldest son of the emperor has been studying for a long time, and please ask the emperor to inspect his homework." Concubine Wang Gongfei then asked the emperor's eldest son Zhu Changluo to recite the chapters he had learned, and Wanli said after listening: "It can be seen that the study is hardworking, but the first learning is not long, and it needs to be consolidated more, and it is not too late for me to investigate my studies next year." ”

Concubine Zheng Guifei praised it: "The eldest son of the emperor is really hardworking, it is really rare to be able to recite such a long chapter, and the emperor should be rewarded." But this Chang Xun has always wanted to learn from his brother, and he just came to me and said that he would also memorize a few words. Your Majesty, the Queen Mother might as well listen to it and treat it as a pleasure. ”

Wanli was surprised, so he immediately asked Zhu Changxun to recite it, Zhu Changxun did not work as hard as Zhu Changluo, and he was so young that he could only recite five or six sentences. Wanli was overjoyed: "Such a young * child can write shorthand on the spot, it is really talented and intelligent, and he has extraordinary ability!" It should be rewarded. ”

Empress Dowager Li asked Xiang the two imperial grandsons who she thought should be rewarded. Zhu Changxun replied: "My father just said that he would reward me!" But I don't know what to reward? Why don't you just reward me with a big fish! "Wanli wonders why he wants to enjoy big fish? Concubine Zheng replied: "Some time ago, I always heard that the concubines would have the virtue of a good life in heaven, and there was always a move to release the life. As soon as he listened to the concubine's talk about releasing big fish, it was vivid and interesting, so he had been thinking about releasing big fish for the past few days, but how could there be such a big fish for him to release for a while, and it happened that there was a reward today, so it was better to ask the emperor to reward a big fish and let Zhu Changxun release it into the water. ”

Wanli was delighted: "The descendants of the heavenly family should have this benevolence, it is really rare to understand these at a young age, and God will also pray for the Ming Dynasty, I will reward you with a big fish!" Concubine Zheng and Zhu Changxun immediately knelt down to thank him. Empress Dowager Li asked Zhu Changluo if he also thought that Zhu Changxun should be rewarded, and Zhu Changluo replied: "Back to the emperor's grandmother, the grandchildren think that how to reward is not for the grandchildren to be the master, nor for the grandchildren to mention, no matter who the father and emperor reward, it is also a gift from heaven." ”

Empress Dowager Li asked Concubine Wang Gong's opinion again, Concubine Wang Gongfei only replied but with Wanli in charge, Empress Dowager Li smiled: "This matter does not need the emperor to call the shots, if you want to reward the two together, the grandchildren of the mourning family are so good, how can you favor one over the other, and this eldest grandson still knows how to be humble, this book is good to read, and the masters should also be rewarded tomorrow." Emperor Wanli immediately summoned the celebrant to prepare to give the reward.

Empress Dowager Li asked Zhu Changluo and Zhu Changxun if they knew the meaning of Luo and Xun, Zhu Changxun replied with the meaning of sincerity, Zheng Guifei said: "Xun is affectionate, Xun is beautiful and different, these are all chapters and sentences in the Book of Poetry, take righteousness and Xun enough, it can be seen that the emperor is really a hard worker." ”

The Queen Mother looked at Zhu Changluo again, Zhu Changluo replied to take the name of Luoshui, and the Empress Dowager Li said: "The land of Heluo is the origin of China, and Luoshui is a branch of the common people who are gradually spread all over the world, and the shore of Luoshui also has the god Luo to protect the world. Your Majesty, do you think there is such a meaning? ”

Concubine Wang Gongfei was worried about Wanli's displeasure, and hurriedly said: "The Queen Mother is serious, as long as the eldest son of the emperor can grow up safely, there is nothing else to ask for." Emperor Wanli said: "What the queen mother said is exactly what the name Luo said at that time is exactly what it means, and I hope that Luo'er can live up to the ancestors of the past dynasties." ”

Empress Dowager Li was extremely satisfied with this, but Concubine Zheng Guifei was displeased, and then looked at Concubine Wang Gong's expression gradually uneasy, and although Emperor Wanli was expressionless, his heart was also mixed. Later, Empress Dowager Li continued to let Zhu Changluo perform his homework, but Zhu Changluo behaved well, but it was still difficult to change Emperor Wanli's indifference to him.

Outside the palace, Wang Heng, the son of Wang Xijue, saw that his father had resigned and retired with great determination, so he immediately wrote a book hoping to solve the contradiction between the cabinet. At this time, Gu Xiancheng was entertaining Sun Piyang, the imperial history of Zuodu, in the mansion, Gu Xiancheng read the letter written to him by Wang Heng, the son of Wang Xijue, and said to Sun Piyang: "Wang Heng defended his father, saying that the cabinet and the ministry are not the opposite of good and evil, and the estrangement between the cabinet and the ministry stems from irritation and misunderstanding. Avoid the important and deal with it. ”

Sun Piyang said: "When I was the secretary of the Criminal Department, I was also indignant at Li Shida's injustice and powerless to rescue him, and since I was appointed as the imperial history of Zuodu, I am always ready to fight for all fairness. At this time, the first assistant resigned, if the uncle wants to take action and needs to be cautious in words and deeds, then how is this handwritten letter of the assistant son ready to reply? ”

Gu Xiancheng said: "I have already thought about it, the people under the door have the heart of the world, and they think that the troubles of the past are the similarities and differences in the cabinet. Today's troubles are similar and different. The similarities and differences between the cabinets, the world is responsible according to its rights and wrongs, the similarities and differences between the kings, and the world gives up my monarch and blames me. ”

Sun Piyang asked: "Uncle Shi thinks that the emperor is not willing to surrender, but the ministers are swaying the holy will, and the world has accused Wang Xijue, although I feel the same way, but this is also suspicion." Gu Xiancheng analyzed Sun Piyang: "When Zou Yuanbiao returned, I had planned to stay, and the emperor had approved it. But Cai Shiding, the servant of the Ministry of Officials, told me that he heard from Wang Xijue that Zou Yuanbiao was resigned from the palace. There is also a secretary Chen Younian recommended Jiangdong, the emperor has been crowned as the Shaoqing of Guanglu Temple by the imperial pen, but only a few words of impeachment of the official will not be promoted. The holy will cannot be inconsistent, and the release of Zou Yuanbiao and the suppression of Jiangdong must be the obstruction of the cabinet. Not only that, but many officials of the Manchu Dynasty were unjustly deposed and exiled, and there are countless of them. If you think about it, how often did the cabinet not participate in all kinds of events? ”

Sun Piyang asked again: "Without real evidence, you must not talk about things, and you will bring disaster upon yourself." It is still necessary to raise the talents into the cabinet first, and then talk about the future. What do you think? Gu Xiancheng replied: "I also have this intention, the cabinet is vacant, and it will be pushed soon." In these days, I will make some preparations, and then let Jiuqing know about each case, and then the officials will summarize and submit a petition to the Holy Judge. ”

After the Wanli Emperor really issued an edict to push, Chen Younian and Gu Xiancheng of the Ministry of Officials summarized and reported that a total of seven people were elected Wang Jiaping, the former scholar of the Dongge University, Shen Li, the secretary of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, Sun Yan, the former secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and the former secretary of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites. Emperor Wanli said angrily after seeing it: "No one asked to keep Wang Xijue, and no one recommended Luo Wanhua into the cabinet. It's better for me to directly issue an edict to appoint. ”

Zhang Cheng, the master of ceremonies, persuaded him: "Think twice, this court push is very important, the last time Zhao and Zhang were elected to the cabinet, and finally the Shen Pavilion elder who was about to leave was charged with violating the system. The master must not make the saintly virtue lose, it is better to choose from these seven people first, and it is not too late to summon the elder of the Wang Pavilion in the future. ”

Emperor Wanli commented on his humanity: "Wang Jiaping, Shen Li, Sun Yan, and Sun Piyang are all upright and talented people. Wang Jiaping is good at planning the country's governance, Shen Li is good at supervising hundreds of officials, Sun Yan can raise ministers, and Sun Piyang is good at discerning, but it's a pity that these four people are too loyal, addicted to etiquette, pedantic, and unscrupulous, but Shen Li is better. Their talents are not the only ones in my Daming, and I will never let them enter the cabinet, and Shen has always had some skills, and some greed, they don't know, but I know. Greedy people can't be entrusted with state affairs, but they are also useful, especially at this extraordinary time, as for Deng Yizan and Feng Qi, they are mediocre and decrepit, how can He De enter the cabinet? Gu Xiancheng doesn't inspect either? ”

Zhang Chenglian asked to calm his anger and refute it. Wanli was extremely dissatisfied with this court push, because Wang Xijue left, and his heart exploded with anger: "It reminds me that when Lu Guangzu was the secretary of the ministry, he tried to use the court push to plot for his own use, how similar this meeting is to that time, and there are also the officials of the ministry and the imperial history of Zuodu, all of whom are people who have been in close contact with the officials, each with bad deeds, obviously favoritism, and the court push is negligent." With this purpose, Gu Xiancheng was demoted and transferred abroad and expelled from Beijing. Zhang Cheng led the order.

In order to save Gu Xiancheng, Chen Younian, the secretary of the ministry, took the lead in taking the lead in undertaking the fault of the court, and then the right of the household department gave Lu Mingsu in the matter, the right of the military department gave Lu Zhongzhong, and He Qiaoyuan in the Ministry of Rites led the defense for Gu Xiancheng, and a large number of officials followed the sparse to protect Gu Xiancheng.

Emperor Wanli saw that he was sparse, and smiled unconsciously: "I have long had doubts, why in the past few years, the courtiers have criticized me and the cabinet, and there has always been a trace of organization in the nonsense when hindering my decision, and I have been resurrected with a hundred punishments. Zou Yuanbiao, Zhao * Nanxing, Li Shida, Sun Yan, Lu Guangzu and others have never had so many people defend them before they left. With the officials and colleagues as shields, hiding their behaviors, and making suggestions behind the scenes, Gu Xiancheng must be the mastermind! ”

Zhang Cheng said: "Master Shengming, Dongchang has also received a lot of retribution, Gu Xiancheng's mansion often has guests coming and going, far more frequent than other officials in the ministry, but Gu Xiancheng's reputation is outside, this is not abnormal, but I don't know what kind of conversation he has to talk about, so I don't dare to report to the master." Emperor Wanli immediately ordered: "Now there is no need to check anymore, Wang Xijue can't keep it for the time being, so I can only end this farce." demoted Gu Xiancheng to a commoner, and strictly ordered Gu Xiancheng to leave Beijing on the same day. Chen Younian, the secretary of the ministry, neglected to let him die in old age, and Sun Piyang, the imperial history of the left capital, succeeded him as the secretary of the ministry. Lu Mingsu of the same party was given to Lu Mingsu in the right of the Household Section, Lu Zhongli was given to the right of the Military Section, He Qiaoyuan was demoted and transferred to the Ministry of Rites, and the rest of the officials who participated in the speech were fined for three months to warn him and hope that he would be clean and self-conscious. Then Chen Yuma, vice president of national history, and Shen Yiyi entered the cabinet, and worked with Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei, two cabinet ministers, and Zhao Zhigao was appointed as the first assistant of the cabinet. Remember it or not. Zhang Cheng led the order.

When Gu Xiancheng left Beijing, many officials in Beijing sent him off, and Gu Xiancheng said: "Please send it here, the mountain is high and the road is far away, and I will go by myself." I will meet with you again in the coming day. If you stay in Beijing, please devote yourself to state affairs, assist the emperor, and beware of traitorous ministers making trouble, and the country and society will depend on you. The crowd said goodbye again.

After Gu Xiancheng returned to his hometown Wuxi, because Gu Xiancheng was famous, local celebrities, Changzhou prefect, and Wuxi magistrate all came to condole. Gu Xiancheng replied one by one and said: "Since the ministers pleaded their defenses, the old man knew that this must be the result. It's just that the sincerity of his colleagues and his generosity to save him touched the old man. This will always be remembered. ”

When asked about his future plans, Gu Xiancheng said: "There is a Donglin Academy here, and Mr. Yang Shi, a master of the Song Dynasty, once gave lectures here. The old man wants to emulate his predecessors in Donglin Academy, educate people and give lectures, build the Donglin School, study integrity, advocate practical learning, reverse morale, teach students in the world to prosper and reform the disadvantages, and always serve the emperor and the people of the world. The old man wanted to invite Gao Panlong, Xue Fujiao, An Xifan, Qian Yiyi, Li Sancai, Zuo Guangdou, Zou Yuanbiao, Zhao * Nanxing and other colleagues who had been wronged and had real talents and real learning to come here to give lectures together. ”

Later, Gu Xiancheng and the local gentry began to discuss and prepare funds for the rebuilding of Donglin Academy, and invited virtuous people to discuss major matters. Gu Xiancheng also personally wrote the famous couplet for Donglin Academy: "The sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, the sound of family affairs, national affairs, and everything in the world are concerned." This joint spread all over the world, after the completion of the Donglin Academy, the world's scholars rushed to admire, to Wanli 32 years after the launch of the Donglin Conference, the Donglin Party also announced the momentum.