Noon Gate.

It was still dark, and the darkness before dawn was the worst, as thick as ink.

If it weren't for the brilliant lights on Miyagi, it would have been difficult to walk at all.

At this moment, if they were elsewhere, the people were still asleep. Although the ancients had the habit of going to bed early and getting up early, it was only four o'clock in Beijing time in later generations. Even if you have to get up to do something, you have to wait until the light of day.

However, this habit of life was not suitable for the officials of the Ming Dynasty and the Gyeonggi region. Because, according to the system, they will come to gather in front of the noon gate every day, and then participate in the morning pilgrimage. Of course, the 15 days of the Spring Festival and the first and 15th days of the first month of each month are not included, and these days are the legal holidays of the state.

The square in front of the noon gate was already boiling, and there were horse-drawn carriages and official sedan chairs coming over continuously, and then officials in various official uniforms came over in a disorderly manner, some shouting and drinking, and some silently bowing their heads and moving forward.

The two side doors of the noon gate were opened, and only the main gate was still closed. The main gate is the passage for the Son of Heaven to travel, and it is rare to open it several times a year.

"Jingyuan, Jingyuan." As soon as Sun Dan got out of the carriage, he heard an old man's voice calling out to him.

He hurriedly turned his head to look over, it was the master who could only try the time, and the current secretary of the Criminal Department, Zhao Jian.

Zhao Jian still looked so kind, and when he saw his proud protégé, he couldn't help but smile on his face. He was wearing a new second-grade official uniform, and the golden pheasant complement on it was lifelike, as if he wanted to spread his wings and fly. Zhao Jian wore a flower rhino belt around his waist and thick-soled official boots on his feet, and he walked steadily and looked quite energetic.

Sun Dan bowed his hand: "It turned out to be the teacher, and the student Sun Dan has seen the teacher." ”

"No, no, no." Zhao Jian helped Sun Dan up and said, "Above the court, you and I are ministers in the same hall, and we are colleagues." ”

Sun Dan said: "Yes, Xiaguan has seen Lord Zhao." ”

Zhao Jian smiled and asked, "Jingyuan, this is the first time you have been to the early dynasty." ”

"Exactly." Sun Dan didn't have enough grades in the past and was not qualified to come here, but now he is the editor of the Hanlin Academy, but he can't escape this task.

"In fact, the early dynasty is a ritual, just look at it. This is still the beginning, and I will come over every day from now on, and I don't feel surprised. Zhao Jian smiled and said some precautions, and instructed him: "After the order is finished in Fengtiandian Square, the officials below the fourth rank will go back to their respective yamen to do things, and the officials above the fourth grade will enter the palace to discuss with His Majesty." You are also qualified to enter the temple now, but you must remember that you should see more and think more about everything than you say. ”

This is Zhao Jian's experience as an official for many years, Sun Dan also understands this truth, and nodded: "My lord is right, Sun Dan's qualifications are shallow, so he naturally focuses on learning." ”

"In that case, I have nothing to worry about." Zhao Jian stroked his beard and smiled with relief: "Let's go, as soon as we get in, the people from the Inspectorate should also order." ”

While talking, the two entered the noon gate.

This is also Sun Dan's first early dynasty, and everything is fresh to him. To be honest, he really didn't know what the rules of this early dynasty were, but fortunately, with Zhao Shangshu, an old horse with a good sense of knowledge, there was a lot less trouble.

After entering the noon gate, there is a wide square, and on the opposite side of the square is the Fengtian Gate.

At this time, a loud bell rang, and the Fengtian Gate slowly opened.

Sun Dan and Zhao Jian did not delay, and went straight through the square and entered the Fengtian Gate.

Along the way, there were more and more officials, and the total number reached an astonishing thousand, which shows how heavy the financial burden of the Ming Dynasty was, and the silver of the Ministry of Finance was enough to have a headache for the household department just to be responsible for so many Beijing officials.

There are many acquaintances in the crowd, such as Zhai Luan, Yang Tinghe, Yang Shen and others.

Because everyone was entering, no one spoke, and Sun Dan was embarrassed to go up and talk.

Just like this, I walked a few hundred steps, passed through the Fengtian Gate, and was greeted by a cool breeze blowing in the morning, and the sound of hunting in official uniforms all over the world.

The eyes suddenly opened up.

I saw a larger square appear in front of me.

The width of the square was a few points larger than that of the Wumen Square outside, and more than 1,000 officials were in the square, and it suddenly seemed sparse.

With so many officials standing in the square in a disorderly manner, it was obvious that there was a loss of face for the imperial court, so officials from all ministries and yamen came to greet the officials of the headquarters to form a team.

According to the rules of the queue, the civilian officer is on the left and the military attache is on the right. Sun Dan naturally went to the left with Zhao Jian.

No one spoke the whole time, and there was rustling footsteps everywhere.

When he arrived at the square on the left, Sun Dan had a very important question. There was no one in the Hanlin Academy to follow the standing order, and he didn't know how to stand and where to stand.

Zhao Jian saw that Sun Dan was a little dazed, and said with a smile: "Jingyuan, you Han Linyuan's compilers and editors are in a good position, you don't need to line up alone, you can just be with the Shangshu of the six departments and the cabinet ministers." Come with me. ”

Sun Dan: "Thank you for your advice." ”

So, Sun Dan came to the front of the team with Zhao Jian, and happened to see Yang Shen and Wang Yuanzheng, two other colleagues from the Hanlin Academy. They were accompanying the three elders of the cabinet and the six Shangshu and the Shuntianfu Yin to form a small phalanx in front of the square. This small phalanx consisted of only eleven people, but it was a core component of the entire Ming Dynasty bureaucracy.

It was also said that these eleven people were very familiar with Sun Dan, and when they saw Sun Dan coming, they all nodded their heads.

Standing among them, Sun Dan suddenly realized that he didn't know when, he had unknowingly walked into this core decision-making layer. It feels weird, and I can't tell you what it feels like.

As soon as they stood still, the envoys of the Inspectorate began to roll call, and the loud voices of the envoys were everywhere.

Although these envoys have low positions, they have great power and a very bad attitude, and sometimes they are even suspected of being unkind.

"Lord Huang, what is the matter with you, you actually coughed loudly in the early court?"

That Lord Huang was a fifth-grade official, probably suffering from the wind chill and coughing badly, but he was reprimanded by the imperial envoy of the seventh-grade, and he didn't dare to reply, and said again and again: "Xiaguan, Xiaguan suffered a cold, and he endured it just now...... Can't help it...... Ahem, ahem. ”

The imperial envoy was even more annoyed: "Lord Huang, the imperial court has a system, and if an official of the early dynasty suffered from the cold, tuberculosis or other serious diseases, he was not allowed to go to the court." Otherwise, if you give your illness to other officials, or even to Your Majesty, can you afford to suffer the sin? ”

The official surnamed Huang vigorously covered his mouth with his hands and explained: "The lower official is just suffering from a cold, not an infectious disease, cough cough ......."

The imperial envoy Tie Qing's face was blue, and he was about to teach the official surnamed Huang a lesson again, at this time, he saw an official who bowed his head and spit, immediately let go of the official surnamed Huang, strode in front of the spitting official, stretched out his foot and wiped it vigorously on the phlegm a few times, and scolded: "Pay attention to your official etiquette, spit in the Fengtian Palace, what kind of system is it?" ”

The envoy reprimanded the officials who had broken the discipline as he wrote down their names on the tooth board and waited for the council to be decided.

Sun Dan was surprised in his heart, he had already heard of the supervision department of the Ming Dynasty, and he also knew how powerful they were. But Sun Dan didn't listen to the people of the Inspectorate on weekdays, and he only knew one Sun Yingkui in the six departments, as far as this Sun Yingkui was concerned, he was still a good person, and he was also familiar with Sun Dan. can look at today's situation, this is how powerful the imperial envoy is, this is a powerful political force!

It's still early, but fortunately, it's early summer, and the weather is not cold, so I can stand up after standing here for a long time.

No one spoke, just stood silently.

But Sun Dan still sensed that something was wrong, and several officials in the small phalanx he was standing in were making eye contact, and they also fell on themselves intentionally or unintentionally.

Sun Dan suddenly thought in his heart, could it be that these old monks had something to say to themselves, otherwise, it would be impossible for them to run into Zhao Shangshu so coincidentally?

Sure enough, after a while, Zhao Jian suddenly opened his mouth and whispered, "Jingyuan." ”

Sun Dan: "The lower officials are here." ”

Zhao Jian: "Jingyuan, this time I took the Queen Mother into the palace for a reunion, and it was nearly a month. Beijing and Tongzhou run at both ends, and the situation is also very familiar. In your opinion, is it appropriate to add an imperial character to the queen mother's honorific title? ”

He was testing Sun Dan's political attitude.

Sun Dan immediately understood that this early dynasty was the time for the final showdown between the courtiers and the emperor, otherwise it would not be possible to get all together. Sun Dan is now the emperor's royal private secretary, in charge of confidential information, and sometimes can also represent the emperor's views. Although Yang Shen and Wang Yuanzheng were also the emperor's secretaries, they were only responsible for drafting edicts, and because they had a special relationship with Yang Tinghe, they did not have contact with important affairs.

Sun Dan also knew that Zhao Shangshu's question was very fatal, and if he didn't answer well, he would become the enemy of the entire civil and official system. He played his head: "Lord Zhao, Sun Dan is just a deputy envoy, you can ask Mao Shangshu about this matter." ”

Mao Cheng was also standing in the phalanx, and he turned his head to look at Sun Dan: "Lord Sun, Mao Cheng will definitely not agree to this kind of thing, the issue of the imperial examination is related to the country, and there is no compromise at all." ”

Sun Dan was helpless, so he had to reply: "Actually, there is still a certain reason for respecting King Xing to dedicate the emperor to Xing. As for adding an imperial character in front of the emperor...... The elders and lords of the cabinet should consult with Your Majesty again, and we will finally be able to reach a consensus. ”

"Well said." Yang Tinghe, the cabinet assistant who had not spoken, suddenly turned his head and said to Sun Dan: "Sun Dan, you are right, you can always reach a consensus after discussion." If you just add a dedication to the Xingwang honorable number, it is not impossible. He let out a long sigh: "This matter has been entangled for too long, and it is time to settle it." As for adding another emperor character, I also checked it down, it was completely Huang Jin's own opinion, and he wanted to invite His Majesty to favor him. National affairs are actually used for bargaining, and they must not be done. ”

"Yes, villain Huang Jin, the state affairs of my Ming Dynasty are about to be bad to this shameless eunuch." Several Shangshu also nodded at the same time, and scolded in a low voice.

"There must be no compromise this time." Qiao Yu's voice became louder, "We should fight on the basis of reason, and we must ask Your Majesty to dispel this idea." ”

"Yes, yes, this matter can no longer be discussed, and the princes should stand firm." Zhao Jian also nodded at the same time.

But Yang Tinghe sighed and shook his head again and again.

Yang Shen was a little unhappy, and couldn't help but say: "Fu, the matter of the big gift is a big matter of right and wrong, and you can't back down an inch!" Although he and Yang Tinghe are father and son, they only call each other by their titles on formal occasions.

Yang Tinghe said to his son in a soft voice: "Lord Yang, blindly using strength, of course, can show our backbone, but also has the effect of purifying the source. It's a pity that the major affairs of the country have a huge stake, and some things cannot be explained clearly by saying which is right and which is wrong. You are not at the age of my position, and when you get to my point, you know how difficult it is to maintain this situation. Times are difficult, do your best to support it. Everything must be done on the good side, the truth is right and wrong, black and white, but it may not be the blessing of the country and the court. ”

Yang Tinghe's words were clearly a lesson to his son, but in fact, he meant to say it to all the second-grade adults.

No one felt like they were nodding their heads.

But Yang Shen still felt that his father's words were wrong, and opened his mouth to say something more, but when he saw Yang Tinghe waving his hand a few times, he had to close his mouth.

After a long time, he sighed: "Yang Shen also understands what Master Fu means, but now he ......"

Mao Cheng suddenly interjected at this time: "Actually, it is not unacceptable to offer a word at the head of King Xing, but it is not worthy of enjoying the Taimiao, and it can be sacrificed at the fourth time of the new emperor's tomb in An6." What Master Fu said is, if this matter continues to be discussed, when will it be a game? ”

Mao Shangshu is the representative of the court, and he has the most resolute attitude against the emperor's desire to give King Xing the title of honor, and some time ago he and Huang Jin completely turned their faces in Tongzhou. When he said this now, it was a little unexpected for Sun Dan.

It seems that these grandmothers have reached a consensus, and now they are testing their opinions.

Because, Sun Dan is the emperor's confidant, perhaps, only he knows the emperor's true thoughts.

Yang Shen said: "Mao Shangshu's words are also the words of Lao Cheng to hold the country, but it's a pity, but now Huang Jin has proposed to add an imperial character to the Xingwang Zun, although we have agreed to add the word, I am afraid that Huang Jin will think that we are weak and will force each other step by step." Jingyuan, you have been by Your Majesty's side all the year round, what do you think? ”

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes fell on Sun Dan.

Sun Dan didn't expect that he was pushed to the cusp, he smiled bitterly and said: "Sun Dan is just a seven-grade editor, who is despicable and light-hearted, and I don't know whether to say something or not." ”

Yang Tinghe nodded slowly and encouraged: "Jingyuan, but it doesn't hurt to say it." ”

Only then did Sun Dan say the truest thoughts in his heart: "Actually, the key now is what honor guard the Queen Mother uses to enter the palace." Her old man can no longer stay in Tongzhou, and it is time to reunite with His Majesty, this is the principle of human ethics. If your mother has arrived at the door, but you can't get together, but you don't know what to think, how do you let the people of the world feel? ”

Sun Dan's words were reasonable, and everyone couldn't help nodding their heads.

Sun Dan: "If it is really according to what Mao Shangshu just said, respect the Queen Mother as the Emperor of Xingguo." According to the imperial ceremony, you can enter the palace from the Daming Gate, which should be no problem. ”

Several ministers and the six ministers made eye contact, and nodded at the same time: "How should it be." ”

Sun Dan breathed a sigh of relief: "In this way, Your Majesty can also rest assured." ”

Yang Shen asked Sun Dan rhetorically: "Jingyuan, what if Huang Jin refuses to let go and is bent on giving the emperor title to Xingxian?" ”

Sun Dan suddenly wanted to smile bitterly, he arched his hand and said to Yang Shen: "Brother Xiu, Sun Dan is just a small editor, and he is not Huang Jin, how do I know what he wants to do?" ”

Yang Shen suddenly smiled: "Actually, I think Huang Jin must want to go further." However, we also have countermeasures. ”

As he spoke, he took out a copy of Sun Dan's puzzled gaze and handed it to Sun Dan: "Jingyuan can take a look, if you have no opinion, sign it." ”

Sun Dan took it and only glanced at it, and was taken aback: "This ......" It turned out that this was a resignation note, which said that if the emperor was determined to give his father the title of emperor on the throne, all the officials of the Hanlin Academy requested to resign from all public offices and return to their hometowns to farm.

There are also a lot of names densely written on it, including Yang Shen, Wang Yuanzheng, and more than a dozen Hanlin.

When Sun was stunned, Yang Tinghe smiled and said: "Actually, this twist and turn was also written by the three auxiliary ministers of our cabinet and Mao Shangshu. He also took out the fold from his sleeve and raised it to everyone: "Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think? ”

With Yang Tinghe's action, the other two pavilion elders Mao Cheng also took out their heads.

Zhao Jian and Qiao Yu shouted at the same time: "Okay, quickly, I am willing to resign from the position I hold at the request of Lord Fu." ”

At this time, Sun Dan was in a dilemma, promise Yang Shen, it is not easy to explain in Jiajing, if you don't agree, you will have an unpleasant quarrel with the officials of the civil system.

In embarrassment, suddenly, an envoy walked over with a serious face. Regardless of the identities of these people standing in front of them, they just scolded: "Fu, Mao Xiang, Jiang Xiang, all the departments of the six departments, you are all second-class masters, why are they noisy here, and how can they set an example for hundreds of officials?" ”

Everyone closed their mouths at the same time.

Finally escaped from this embarrassing situation, Sun Dan secretly screamed that it was dangerous, and couldn't help but secretly gasp.

At this time, a group of eunuchs came out of the Fengtian Palace, carried a five-meter-long leather whip for the man, walked to the open space in front of the Fengtian Palace, and lifted the whip "Crack!" "It was pumped to the ground.

The sound was unusually loud, as if it had been pumped onto a person's vest. Everyone was refreshed and straightened up.

I don't know how many whips I drawn, but when the loud whip sound stopped, the door of the Fengtian Palace was wide open, and there was drum music. The great eunuch Huang Jin walked out and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived, and the hundred officials will bow down." ”

Then the emperor walked out.

As a result, more than 1,000 officials knelt down at the same time.

This was followed by the routine early court procedure, which began with the announcement of retirement and the names of officials appointed and dismissed from the provinces, and these officials who were named came forward to kowtow and thank them.

This set of procedures lasted for nearly half an hour, and it was finally finished, and then Huang Jin shouted again: "Officials above the fourth grade enter the palace to discuss matters, and the rest of the officials go back to their own posts!" ”

Then, the officials who retreated from the dynasty kowtowed again.

Sun Dan and a group of officials above the fourth rank walked towards the Fengtian Temple to participate in the first morning dynasty in his life.