In the history books of later generations, Zhou Zhi actually knows a lot about Xu Pu. Xu Pu can be described as "great achievements" in Hongzhi. For such a big man, Zhou Zhi is full of reverence.

Zhou Zhi just stood up, and hurriedly knelt down and saluted Xu Pu.

Xu Pu's face was as usual, and he said, "Get up, the old man also saw you just now." Don't talk about anything else, the old man will ask you a question in front of the emperor today. ”

Zhou Zhi was stunned for a moment, and said secretly, this Xu Pu is really a strange old man. The first time I met, and it was in front of the emperor, I actually had to test myself.

This is a very critical time. If he successfully answered Xu Pu's question, it would be fine, but if he couldn't answer, he would lose face in front of the emperor and leave a very bad impression on the emperor.

Alas! What a strange old man!

It's no wonder that a big man like Xu Pu may be very weird. Yes, there is no weird temper, no weird personality, and like ordinary beings in the world, he will not do great things in the Ming Dynasty and leave his name in history.

Thinking like this, Zhou Zhi just stood up, he was neither humble nor arrogant, and said very steadily, "Please ask the elder pavilion, Zhou Zhiding will do his best." ”

Yes, that's all I can say, and that's how confident I am.

If he confidently said that he could answer Lao Xu Pu's question, and he couldn't answer it when the time came, then I am afraid that the impression he left on Hongzhi today would be even worse.

"Zhou Zhi, although you are a talented person in the countryside, but if you want to do something for the Ming Dynasty, the so-called ambition in your chest, then you should know some things in the court.

The so-called "family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, everything cares." "This is what a great genius should have.

There were four people in the cabinet of the dynasty, and the old man Xu Pu was ashamed to be the first assistant, and there were three more people below. As you can see, the old man is already old and can't do it anymore. Then the old man will ask you, after the old man becomes a minister, who is more suitable to hold the post of first assistant to the cabinet? ”

When Zhou Zhi heard this, he was immediately stunned.

The appointment of the first assistant of the cabinet is the emperor's business, and Xu Pu actually let himself say it with a little show. And in front of the emperor, what is the reason? Could this be Xu Pu's test of me?

Alas! I really don't understand, why did he ask me such a question?

Isn't it just thoughtful? Even Emperor Hongzhi was stunned for a moment. Xu Pu, what's the matter, how did I tell Zhou Zhi what I told him just now, and I also asked Zhou Zhi who was the most suitable?

A talented man in the countryside, how can he have a good opinion on such a major issue as the government and politics?

However, then Emperor Hongzhi understood Xu Pu's good intentions. It is very appropriate for Xu Pu to use this question to be more thoughtful. Xu Pu is right, family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, and everything is concerned. If Zhou Zhi is just studying and doesn't care about the affairs of the court, then even if a person like him is admitted to the Jinshi in the future, how can he be a good official who recognizes the situation and cares about the government and the people?

Thinking like this, Emperor Hongzhi focused his attention on Zhou Zhi and observed the change in Zhou Zhi's expression.

At first, Zhou Zhi's face really changed slightly, and he returned to normal in an instant. With a calm face, he said very sophisticated and calm, "Elder Xu Ge, this issue is a major matter of the imperial court and the emperor, and Zhou Zhi should not intervene.

But since Ge Lao asked about Zhou Zhi, although Zhou Zhi is a country talent, as Ge Lao just said, he must care about the world's major affairs.

Needless to say, in the cabinet, in addition to Xu Ge, there are three adults. These three adults are thoughtful and courageous, which can be summed up in a few simple words. ”

Zhou Zhi said this, paused slightly, Xu Pu seemed to be very interested, and immediately asked, "Say, which words to use?" ”

"Li Gongmou, Liu Gongju, Xie Gongyou Kankan!" Zhou Zhi said.

A few simple words describe the characteristics of the three adults in the cabinet. Emperor Hongzhi, who listened, immediately looked at the sky and said, "Good Li Gongmou, Liu Gongju, Xie Gongyou Kankan." Well said, that's great. I didn't even think of these words! ”

Xu Pu was also surprised, he didn't expect Zhou Zhi to have such insight.

Hehe! In fact, where is this thoughtful insight? "Li Gongmou, Liu Gongju, Xie Gongyou Kankan." This is the record of later history books, and it is an accurate evaluation of Li Dongyang, Liu Jian, and Xie Qian.

Even in the Zhengde period, such a generalization actually existed for a long time.

But now Li Dongyang, Liu Jian and Xie Qian, although they are cabinet members, their true talents have not yet been displayed. After all, the current cabinet chief assistant is Xu Pu, and with Xu Pu, a respected old cabinet elder, in front of him, it is not the turn of the three of them.

Xu Pu and Emperor Hongzhi actually knew the personalities and characteristics of the three of them very well. It's just that there is no accurate judgment and accurate statement like Zhou Zhi.

Although Zhou Zhi did not say who would be the most suitable first assistant to the cabinet next, Emperor Hongzhi and Xu Pu actually had a position in their hearts. Yes, who will be the first assistant, it depends on whether the current Ming court needs more "planning", "breaking", or "kan".

Xu Pu said, "The future is terrifying, your answer is very satisfactory, and it can be regarded as a pass." But the old man still has to tell you a few words.

The old man heard that you are a good learner, and you are also very smart and witty, but you should not be arrogant and arrogant. In the future, I will humbly seek advice, read more, care more about major events, and care more about the suffering of the people, so that I can do more beneficial things for my Ming Dynasty in the future.

"Zhou Zhi respectfully obeys the teachings of the elder pavilion!" Zhou Zhi was very grateful and humble.

You must know that Zhou Zhi and Xu Pu are not related, and they are the first acquaintances, Xu Pu taught Zhou Zhi like this, which undoubtedly shows that he is very optimistic about Zhou Zhi, and undoubtedly shows that Xu Pu really cherishes talents very much.

Emperor Hongzhi briefly asked some about the situation at Zhou Zhi's family, which naturally showed his concern. Then he waved his hand lightly to let Zhou Zhi step back.

In fact, according to Zhou Zhi's performance today and his previous help to the crown prince, Emperor Hongzhi should give Zhou Zhi some rewards. But Hongzhi thought that Zhou Zhi was just a showman, and it was not appropriate to give him any kind of reward.

After Zhou Zhi left, Emperor Hongzhi looked at Xu Pu, and Xu Pu smiled, "This Zhou Zhi, hehe!" Yang Yiqing accepted a good student! ”

Hongji said, "Today, after hearing Zhou Zhi's answer, the question that has been bothering me for a long time finally has an answer. Hehe! Xu Qing can go home with peace of mind.

Tomorrow morning, I will issue a decree to allow Xu Qing to serve as the first assistant to the cabinet. ”

"The Emperor Shengming!" Xu Pu finally knelt in front of Hongzhi and said happily. Letting Liu Jian be the first assistant of the cabinet is actually Xu Pu's inner thoughts, but he doesn't dare to say it. Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhi helped him today.