Mandarin Palace.

The eunuchs were serving breakfast to the Son of Heaven.

I don't know which emperor of the Ming Dynasty started, the rice of Guanglu Temple, which was called boiled meat in white water, was tired of the Son of Heaven early.

Therefore, the emperor decided not to eat the 'canteen', and the imperial food was served by the close stalls.

The big file knows the emperor's taste preferences, so he naturally does everything he likes.

But how difficult it is to satisfy the emperor's food, the delicacies of the mountains and the sea are indispensable, and you have to work hard to change the tricks.

Today's imperial meal, of course, is arranged by Zhang Whale, the first fortunate minister at present.

Zhang Whale served diligently and served the Son of Heaven with vegetables.

Zhang Whale knows how to bother very much, he knows that the Son of Heaven likes to be extravagant, and he is worried about waste.

So nearly 100 dishes are listed each time, but each dish is a loss, enough for the emperor to hold a few chopsticks. But in fact, even this is not cheap, and the labor cost is not a hundred taels of silver for a meal.

In the past, when Zhang Juzheng was in power, Zhang Whale didn't dare to do this, and he didn't even dare to be seen by the Empress Dowager Li, but now who can take care of the emperor?

Of course, Zhang Whale can come as much as he wants.

As for why Zhang Whale made so much effort to serve the Son of Heaven, of course, after having this name, he could accept bribes from hundreds of officials more blatantly.

Among the eunuchs who are close to the Son of Heaven, Zhang Hong, Chen Ju, and Chen Cheng have a good reputation among the hundred officials, but Zhang Whale is really very popular. It's just that people still control the East Factory, Jinyiwei, if you scold others at home, you will be blacklisted the next day.

Now the Son of Heaven is reading the book and eating at the same time, and Zhang Whale keeps putting the dishes that the Son of Heaven likes with imperial chopsticks and putting them on a small plate in front of him.

The Son of Heaven put down the music, ordered the dishes in the distance with chopsticks, and then said to Zhang Whale, who was holding the dishes: "You are now a factory official, so leave these things to Gao Huai and them." ”

Zhang Whale said with a smile: "Slaves love to do this, that is, they like to serve the Long Live Lord." Long live the Lord, you can taste this Yunnan tribute chicken trace dish. ”

The Son of Heaven took a bite and tasted it, nodded and said, "It's okay." ”

Zhang Whale clipped another chopstick and said, "Long live Lord, you can taste this steam-pot chicken in Yunnan again......"

"Slightly older."

The Son of Heaven finished eating the chicken and said, "Speaking of Yunnan, I think that the son of Mu Guogong also entered Beijing." ”

Zhang Whale said: "Back to Your Majesty, there is nothing to hide from Your Majesty, this Mu family has been in Beijing for a while." ”

The Son of Heaven thought for a moment and said: "I wonder, why are there several Yunnan dishes on the imperial meal today, and how many benefits have been sent to you in this Muguo Mansion?" ”

Zhang Whale said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty ......"

The Son of Heaven looked at Zhang Whale and asked, "Zhang Changgong, I asked you, the princes and princes, to come to Beijing, do you want to pay homage to the prince of Changgong first, and then come to see me?" ”

Zhang Whale hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, this prince of Muguo had some friendship with the slave in the past, and this time he found the slave in order to intercede." But the minions don't dare to follow these princes on weekdays, let alone fake tigers. ”

The Son of Heaven snorted and said, "You should be more restrained in the future, don't make trouble for me, otherwise I won't be able to protect you when the imperial history impeaches you in the future." ”

Zhang Whale got up with a thousand thanks, and then asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, what about Mu Guogong?" ”

The Son of Heaven glanced at Zhang Whale, and Zhang Whale hurriedly lowered his head.

The Son of Heaven said: "It's not that you haven't seen the impeachment of Mu Guogong on the case of the Qianqing Palace." The civil officials of this dynasty hate the military generals the most, and those impeached imperial historians are unreasonable and still make three points, and even I am afraid of them when they occupy the reason. ”

"The Mu family is the hero of Taizu Shiconglong, and they have made great contributions to the town of Yunnan for the imperial court, and this time they have made great contributions to quelling the chaos in the southwest. I'm not a Goujian, I can't cook a dog, I can't do a good bow, but the Mu family is a border minister, and when the court is the most jealous of it, you should go and beat them. ”

Zhang Whale said: "Your Majesty Shengming, the minister will go back and tell you." ”

The Son of Heaven wiped his mouth and asked, "Is Banzhou Yang Yinglong ready to move again?" ”

Zhang Whale said: "Back to Your Majesty, the governor of Sichuan came to report that Yang Yinglong repeatedly attacked the frontier, plundered Tunbao, and colluded with Miao soldiers. ”

The Son of Heaven nodded and said: "Banzhou is steep, the Yang family has been operating in the local area for many years, and it is not easy to enter the army, and the imperial court has just pacified the border chaos in Yunnan, and Henan is in a big flood, and there is no money in the treasury." Tell Sichuan that as long as the Yang family can accept the court's appeasement, even if it is on the surface, the court can temporarily ignore it. I put up with Bozhou first, and sooner or later I will clean him up. ”

Zhang Whale said: "Your Majesty, wise. ”

The Son of Heaven pushed away the food, got up from the table, and then said: "As soon as the ministers of the court heard that I was going to use soldiers, they all said that they should appease the four Yi with benevolence and virtue, and not use the sword lightly, but learn to capture Meng Shu seven times!" One by one, they all thought that they were Zhuge Kongming. ”

"Speaking of side affairs, how is Lin Yanchao? Thinking about it, I've been cold to him for a long time, how is he now? ”

Zhang Whale replied: "According to the eyeliner report of the minions below, Lord Lin has been closed from the time he arrived in Beijing and then to the face of the saint, and he has not gone anywhere, except for Mr. Shen, he has not walked around anywhere. ”

The Son of Heaven nodded: "So many pieces of impeachment against him, he can also be a car?" ”

Zhang Whale said: "That's not true, a few days ago he wrote an article, called 'Ten Years of Trees, One Hundred Years of Trees', the article is written well, the slave has not read it, but as soon as this article came out, several imperial historians in Beijing were masked every day, and they were afraid of being recognized." ”

The Son of Heaven smiled and said: "This is like what Lin Sanyuan did, I want to take a look at this article, you can find it immediately." ”

Zhang Whale gave an order, and soon presented it to the Son of Heaven.

After reading it, the Son of Heaven nodded slowly and said: "As soon as this article comes out, no one in the court will dare to attack the matter of righteousness again." ”

Zhang Whale said: "Your Majesty, the slave thinks that Lord Lin is avoiding the important and light, the Yellow River is the most important, it is related to his reputation, and it is an irrelevant matter to set up a righteous school." ”

The Son of Heaven smiled and said, "Zhang Whale, you don't know what he is like. This matter of establishing a righteous school is his political authority, and the matter of the great water of the Yellow River is related to his clear hope. But for Lin Sanyuan, he can be scolded or even not an official, but things must be done. ”

"So he doesn't care if these imperial histories impeach him, but when it comes to attacking righteousness, he Lin Sanyuan is like a cat with his tail stepped on, playing with you."

Listening to the parable of the Son of Heaven, Zhang Whale couldn't help laughing.

Zhang Whale smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't you want to use an official like Lord Lin who dares to do things?" ”

Hearing this, the Son of Heaven smiled and said: "Lin Qing is a loyal minister, I have never doubted this, but I want an obedient official, not a self-asserted one." ”

Zhang Whale said with a smile: "The slave only knows that Lord Lin can run again, and if His Majesty doesn't let him go, he will go wherever he goes, and Sun Monkey can't jump out of Wuzhi Mountain." ”

Zhang Whale's words went to the bottom of the Son of Heaven's heart. The Son of Heaven nodded and said, "Lin Yanchao has been cold for so long, I think he knows my decision." It's not cool, I don't know up and down, I thought I couldn't live without him. It's been cold for a long time, and I'm afraid of resentment in my heart. ”

After that, the Son of Heaven walked from the apse of the Wenhua Hall to the front hall, passed by the West Pavilion, saw that there were people in the curtain, and walked over at the moment.

After a few steps, I saw that the people in Wei Wei immediately got up and said through the curtains: "The minister knocks to see Your Majesty." ”

The Son of Heaven walked into the curtain and saw Shen Shixing and said with a smile: "I can hear the sound of my feet, and there are few people in the court except Mr. Shen." ”

Shen Shixing stood respectfully to the side.

The Son of Heaven motioned for Shen Shixing to sit down and asked, "Didn't I let a few ministers not need to be attendants, why is Mr. Shen still there?" ”

Shen Shixing said: "The minister sees that His Majesty has not left yet, and thinks about what His Majesty has to say to the minister in a while." Just waiting here. ”

The Son of Heaven smiled and said: "Coincidentally, I also have a matter to discuss with you, just now I chatted with Zhang Whale, talking about the appointment of officials in the imperial court, I plan to discuss with Mr. Shen you." ”

Shen Shixing said with a smile: "Coincidentally, the minister also wants to tell His Majesty about this matter. ”

"Mr. Nashen said first."

Shen Shixing said: "The cabinet has complied with the order, and the vote is to make Li Zhi the servant Shaoqing, the Guanglu Shaoqing of Jiangdong, and the Yang Keli Shangbao Shaoqing." ”

The Son of Heaven nodded when he heard this, and he had made a decree to promote Li Zhi and them, but as a result, Yushi Cai Department Zhou beat him and said.

Li Zhishu said: 'The Supreme calls me a son, and every time you don't enter the treasure to play, you like me.'

What does this mean, Li Zhi said to people several times that the Son of Heaven simply treats me like a son, and (every time he visits the minister's house) sees the confiscated treasures, he will be grateful to me.

Because of this matter, the government and the opposition were in an uproar.

But Shen Shixing was still unmoved, and promoted Li Zhi to the Shaoqing of Taifu Temple.

The Son of Heaven said: "Okay, I will talk about me, I want to discuss it with you." ”

Shen Shixing immediately said: "The minister doesn't dare, His Majesty tells the minister." ”

The Son of Heaven said with a smile: "The Ministry assesses Lin Qing as the first in the world, and I know that he has outstanding political achievements, but I am worried that the courtiers will say that it is unfair to Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei." ”

"I've thought about it, how about giving him a six-part official? Or return to the Hanlin Academy as the original official. Which do you think is more suitable? ”

The six Lang officials are Langzhong, and the Beijing is the fifth grade.

When he returned to the Hanlin Academy, Lin Yanchao was still the attendant of the Hanlin Academy, and the Zhan Mansion Zuo Zhongyun was still the sixth grade.

At this time, at first glance, Lin Yanchao has returned to the starting point three years ago, but compared to Zhao Zhigao, Zhang Wei and them, from degrading officials to being released, to Ren Jingqing, and finally returning to the Hanlin Academy, this is a very good result.

Shen Shixing said: "Although Lin Zonghai is a protégé of the minister, he is also a minister of His Majesty. His Majesty let him go out of Beijing to experience training, and promoted him to the prefect, but now he has been transferred back to Beijing, which is at the discretion of His Majesty. I have never heard of His Majesty's concern for the future of the Sipin Prefect, and His Majesty's cultivation heart for Lin Zonghai has long been a sacred heart. Ministers can be put into words. ”

The Son of Heaven said happily: "Mr. Shen still knows my heart deeply. ”

As he was talking, the sound sounded outside the hall, but he saw the second assistant Xu Guo, the third assistant Wang Xijue, and the fourth assistant Wang Jia inside.

As soon as the three ministers saw the Son of Heaven, they said, "The ministers will knock on Your Majesty." ”

The Son of Heaven asked, "Several ministers are here, but what's the matter?" ”

Second assistant Xu Guo said with a happy face: "Your Majesty, this is the governor of the river, Pan Shangshu, who has just presented the water situation of Henan. ”

After speaking, Xu Guo presented the recital.

The Son of Heaven took the recital and said, "Oh? ”

The three ministers bowed down together and said: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty, the Yellow River has receded!" ”

"Withdrawn?"

Even Shen Shixing was pleasantly surprised: "Really? ”

"Qi Yu Yuan Weng is true, this is the piece that Pan Shangshu just sent." Xu Guo said.

The Son of Heaven was surprised and delighted: "In the past few months, I have not slept well and slept restlessly, because I am worried that I will wake up in the night and the water will burst the embankment, and Henan and Shandong will become a country. Now that the water has receded? This is the blessing of our ancestors and ancestors. ”

Speaking of this, the Son of Heaven was overjoyed, and then said: "Thanks to Mr. Shen for recommending Pan Jitao to me, Pan Qing has been the governor of the river for less than a year, but it is a great achievement to be able to calm the flood and ensure that the provinces in the lower reaches of the Yellow River are safe. I want to reward him, and I want to reward several ministers! ”

The Son of Heaven couldn't wait to watch the concerto.

Shen Shixing said on the side: "Where does Weichen have any credit?" Your Majesty has been fasting for a few days for this matter, and sincerely feels heaven and earth, for these months Your Majesty has been thinking hard about the matter of controlling the waters, and we and other courtiers dare not do their best when they see this. ”

The Son of Heaven looked up to the sky and laughed and said: "Mr. Shen, don't put a high hat on me, you will be rewarded for your merits, and you will be punished for your mistakes, otherwise it will not be enough to be a righteous court." ”

Shen Shixing pondered for a while and said: "Your Majesty, if Your Majesty really wants to reward it, it is better to reward Pan Shangshu, as well as Jingshi, this time it is the matter of the Yellow River, and he is in the middle of the cabinet." ”

Jing Shi is Wang Xijue's number, but when he came out of the class, he said: "The minister does not dare to take credit, this time the matter of water control depends on the emperor's grace, and there is also a Yuan Weng to co-ordinate, the minister is just obedient to the order, how dare he share the credit." ”

When the Son of Heaven saw Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue and the others were humble and said with a smile: "Mr. Shen, Mr. Wang, don't shirk and resign." The two of you are the same scholars, the same dynasty officials, and now you are cabinet ministers, and the major affairs of the country are handled by you through consultation, so I can rest assured. ”

"The reward of several of your ministers, I immediately ordered Zhang Hong and them to draw up a decree, and now I want to reward Pan Qing generously! Several of you ministers have a discussion, and I will issue an edict to the world and to the subjects! ”

Xu Guo smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Pan He has taken two concerts, one of which is self-humble and has no merit, and the other is the official who sponsored the meritorious work of governing the river this time, a total of seventeen people!" ”

The Son of Heaven nodded and said: "Pan Qing is really a pure minister, there are several gentlemen in the court, and Pan Qing is here, why don't I worry that the world can't be governed, take Pan Qing's recital!" ”

Xu Guo presented the chapter at the moment.

The Son of Heaven opened the chapter, and the seventeen people on the list were all erected.

After the Son of Heaven first glanced at it, he turned back and pointed to a name at the beginning of the chapter and said, "Who is He Runyao, who is the first place on this list?" Why haven't I heard of it? ”

Xu Guo said: "Your Majesty, this He Runyao is a jinshi in the second year of Longqing, and he has been a local official for more than ten years. ”

The Son of Heaven was surprised: "He was born in the first department, but he has been a magistrate for more than ten years, why didn't the officials select him before?" Let such talents be buried in the place? ”

Several cabinet ministers are silent, and Wang Jiaping, who entered the scholar in the second year of Longqing, has served as a cabinet scholar and a second-class prime minister. But his same year was only a six-grade drive before.

"How?"

Xu Guodao: "I heard that he had angered the former Yuan Weng Zhang Fengpan before, but I don't know what the specific reason is." ”

Wang Jiaping glanced at Xu Guo when he heard this, but he didn't speak.

Instead, Shen Shixing said: "These are all false rumors in the officialdom, don't take it seriously, this matter will be asked by the ministers, and then tell Your Majesty." ”

The Son of Heaven waved his hand and said: "That's it, that's it, I don't care about this matter, Pan Qing will not be unreasonable to list this person first." ”

Then the Son of Heaven looked at the second person and said with a smile: "I know this person, Fu Zhiyuan, the political envoy of Henan, he was the one who was injured by Ma Yu back then, he forgot his life and forgot to die, and asked for his life for the people." His name is still written on the screen of the Wenhua Palace. ”

Wang Xijue said: "Among the provinces, Henan has the smallest disaster, and of course Master Fu has made a lot of contributions to the overall management of the river. Moreover, the minister heard that this person was very honest and honest, even if Pan Hedu did not say it, the minister also planned to recommend him to His Majesty.

The Son of Heaven said happily: "Even Mr. Wang said so, it must be wrong, it is really in vain, I appointed him as the political envoy of Henan." ”

All the ministers said in unison: "This is all Your Majesty's knowledge!" ”

The Son of Heaven Long Yan Dayue nodded, looked at the third person, and then asked, "Who is this Huang Yue?" ”

Wang Jiaping said: "Your Majesty, the current experience of the Guide Mansion. ”

"Fu experience, how many officials are these? Is it also responsible for water control? The Son of Heaven was amazed.

"Zheng Bapin, he is a lowly official under the government, and his job is to move the cashier from the palm of the book?" Wang Jiaping said.

The Son of Heaven questioned with a strange heart: "It is only eight products, and it is the cashier of the palm text, why can it be ranked third." ”

Xu Guo smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the minister has heard a little about this Huang Yue. He was born in Xiucai, and he worked under the supervision of Pan He, and later because of his meritorious work in water control, the imperial court promoted him to the county magistrate, and was later entrusted with the experience of returning to the Defu government, and overstepped his post to coordinate the water control. ”

Later, Master Pan was reappointed as the governor of the river, and he intended to transfer this person to the Ministry of Industry as an official, and the order was to be sent to the Ministry of Officials, but this person said that the prefect of the German Mansion knew the grace of him, and he wanted to govern the Guide Mansion well, so he refused, this matter was passed on as a joke in the officialdom, and the minister also listened to a few words at that time. By the way, His Majesty's return to the prefect of Defu at that time was Lin Yanchao. ”

The Son of Heaven was silent when he heard this.

Wang Xijue said: "Your Majesty, this time the flood is no less than the tenth year of Wanli, and all the prefectures and counties in the lower reaches of the Yellow River are in danger, and even the embankment is overflowing. Pan Hedu ordered three orders and five shen to supervise the effective situation, fortunately did not cause a catastrophe, he said that this time it was safe and sound, seven points relied on the emperor's blessings, and three points were in the people's plan. ”

"Among the various state capitals, the Guide Mansion, which used to have a lot of risky work, is safe and sound. Not a single dam, not a single acre of farmland was submerged, and not a single person was drowned. However, after Pan Hedu personally inspected the German Mansion, he also reported it, and we thought it was credible. ”

Several ministers were silent.

Xu Guodao: "Not only that, Pan Hedu also praised in the recital that His Majesty had dredged the Jialu River in the first place. He said that after dredging the Jialu River, the Yellow River was flowing down the Yangtze River, which reduced the water situation in the prefectures and counties below Guide. ”

"Guide Fu dug dams, cabinet gates, moon embankments, etc. along the Jialu River, not only dividing the river rapids, but also irrigating 300,000 acres of farmland, benefiting countless people.

Wang Jiaping said: "Your Majesty, so this time the three people who Pan Ji tamed and protected are all related to Guide Mansion, and I implore Your Majesty to reward you generously." ”

The Son of Heaven didn't know what to say at this time, but several ministers saw that he was full of shame.