Chapter 880: Against the Sky (I)

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On the first day of August in the sixth year of Longqing, Pingdan.

As soon as the sky was bright, on the streets leading to the imperial city in various parts of the capital, official sedan chairs of various sizes were hurriedly carried one after another. The people of the capital who have been disturbed by their dreams know that today is the day of the Hundred Officials.

By the time the silent official sedan chair landed in front of Zuo'an, hundreds of officials had already arrived first. Today is the first great dynasty after the new monarch ascended the throne, and as a rule, officials from all yamen in Beijing, regardless of rank, must come to participate...... Of course, most people can only kowtow to the emperor outside the noon gate, and they can't enter the Forbidden City.

As soon as they saw that Shen Ge was old, the crowd that had been talking to each other and had a slightly strange atmosphere suddenly fell silent. For a large number of middle and low-level officials, this famous Taibao of the dynasty is really too lofty, and over the years, his presence in the imperial court is slightly weaker, so it is inevitable to give people a sense of strangeness. No one dared to come forward to greet him, except for old acquaintances such as Tang Ruji, Chu Dashou, and Xu Wei.

"I thought you wouldn't be here today." Xu Wei was full of complaints about Shen Mo, and he had been living or dying in the Guozijian for his education over the years. Who knows that when things come to an end, Shen Mo is a shrunken turtle, how can this not make them chill the guys who pinned their hopes on him.

"I'll come back when I'm done." Shen Mo touched his nose and said with a wry smile: "You're here, can I not come?" ”

"I'm here to see the fun, and so are you?" Xu Wei is in his fifties, and he can't change that snarky problem.

Tang Ruji on the side couldn't stand it anymore, and said for Shen Mo: "It's really a little weird today." Because of yesterday's day, inside and outside the imperial city was like a pot, Feng Bao, who had been in office for four days, was impeached, and those officials were connected everywhere to put pressure on hundreds of officials, and Feng Bao was brought down today. There is no one in the yamen who does not let this matter stir up his mind. ”

Shen Mo nodded, just about to speak. There was a commotion in the crowd, and Lord Shousuke's official sedan chair arrived, only to see Gao Ge Lao appear in front of them with a mixed expression of excitement and anxiety. Needless to say, the impeachment of Feng Bao is in the right place at the right time, and it is a good time to complete his work. As for the anxiety, it is mainly due to the fact that after the impeachment was sent to the palace, there was no news feedback. After being the prime minister for so many years, Gao Gong naturally had a few eyes and ears in Ouchi, but soon after the chapter was handed over, it was forbidden to the palace, and no one was allowed to enter or leave, and he couldn't even say a word.

Therefore, for the whole night, the restless Gao Gong did not close his eyes, but he could not pass on this worry to the soldiers who were ready to fight, so he could only pretend to be relaxed and greet everyone.

It is fair to say that in front of the hundred officials, compared with Yang Bolai, who has few achievements in the capital, the prestige of Gao Gong is indeed much higher, and the officials around him all look at the sixty-year-old cabinet chief assistant with respectful eyes.

Gao Gong saw his protégés, his subordinates, and his cronies among these people. More people is power, which makes him feel full of victory. He nodded silently, and Gao Gong was surrounded by a circle of cronies.

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Zhang Ju is stepping on a little bit, and on this occasion today, it is really embarrassing for him to appear, although the officials impeached Feng Bao, but who inside and outside the government and the opposition does not know, the two of them are wearing a pair of pants? How could he not be present at such a crucial decisive moment? Although there is news from the palace that the victory is already in hand. But before the dust settles, who dares to say that it will win? In particular, Shen Mo's sudden return to Beijing last night made him feel very uneasy...... According to common sense, if Shen Ge really wants to avoid right and wrong, he should return to Beijing after the court meeting, and no matter which side wins, there will be a way to deal with it calmly. But if he is present, whoever wins or loses will be detrimental to his reputation.

Does he want to intervene? Last night, Zhang Juzheng also stayed awake all night, and by dawn, the worry in his heart became more and more intense. But from beginning to end, he has always chosen the way of hiding behind the scenes and fueling the troubles, which has the advantage of getting rid of the aftermath of the troubles, but it is also flawed...... Those actors in front of the stage are not completely controlled by him, and even many people are just coaxed and deceived and tied to the chariot.

Now that the storm has passed, everyone is in character, and no one can control the development of the situation, so he must be on the front line in case of the unexpected......

As soon as Zhang Juzheng arrived, Zuo'anmen opened. Under the watchful eye of the supervising imperial history, thousands of officials entered Chang'an Avenue in a whole team and walked towards the noon gate.

For a high-ranking official like Shen Mo, before entering the noon gate, he is free, but he is unwilling to break the rules, and he also wants to line up to enter, but he is stopped by an old voice: "Jiangnan, help the old man." ”

Shen Mo looked back and saw that it was the white-haired old Yang Bo. Life is rare for seventy years, Yang Bo is really old, the once straight waist is obviously bent, and his face is full of the gray color of his twilight years. Even without Zhang Siwei's support, he couldn't stand.

"Where's Brother Ziwei?" Shen Mo hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Old Yang Bo's arm.

"I let him stay." With the silent support, Yang Bo felt much more relaxed, and took a breath and said, "Let's talk alone." ”

Shen Mo nodded, then took Yang Bo out of the team, and slowly walked on Chang'an Street, Gao Gong glanced at them from a distance, hesitated, and did not come up.

"If he comes." Looking at the back of the high arch, Yang Bo said leisurely: "Will you say something to him?" ”

"No, it won't." Shen Mo shook his head slightly.

"Neither will I." Yang Bo smiled and said, "It seems that you are ready." ”

"I'm not sure I'll do anything." Shen Mo said softly.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you do it, it's my share." Yang Bo said lightly: "Although I can't guess how you won, I am willing to bet on you to win." ”

"Maybe it's Zhang Taiyue." Shen Mo laughed.

"Without you, he won." Yang Bo's answer was very idealistic: "But when you come back, everything must be very different." ”

The two fell into silence for a while, and when they were about to reach the noon gate, Shen Mo suddenly burst out without a head and a sentence: "Tianguan and the second assistant? ”

"Deal." Yang Bo bowed slightly, and there was no joy or sorrow on his old face.

At this time, Zhang Siwei came over, replaced Shen Mo, and took him away, before asking softly, "What did you talk about?" ”

"Reward for not making trouble." Yang Bo saw that Zhang Siwei's face was full of melancholy, patted his hands, and said softly: "This is not your stage yet, put away those unnecessary worries, keep your eyes wide open, and learn a little more - see how a top master of scheming can turn over the clouds and rain without getting wet." If you can understand and learn, then I have nothing to worry about. ”

"Yes......" Zhang Siwei nodded in response, but he was a little unconvinced. This man who is as gentle as jade actually has a temper that hides needles in his mouth, and he has always felt that he is no worse than anyone else, including silence. The reason for today's difference is that the opportunities and qualifications are not as good as others.

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As soon as the hour arrived, the melodious bell sounded on the upper floor of the imperial city, and the noon gate slowly opened.

The majestic and powerful, brightly armored Imperial Forest Army, holding a long ge, walked out of the door and stood on both sides of the road. The officials of Honglu Temple began to form a team, and the imperial historian on duty reported in with a yellow book in his hand. Officials of sufficient grade are waiting for Xuan to enter the face of the saint, and those who are not of sufficient grade can only wait to kowtow at the noon gate.

After a while, a eunuch stood on the tower of the Wumen Gate, shouting at the throat of a male duck: "There is a decree -- summon the cabinet, the five governments, and the six ministries -- and even let all the officials in Beijing be present.

Upon hearing this will, the officials present couldn't help but be secretly surprised, but now that the early dynasty ceremony has begun, whoever dares to talk to each other will be impeached with a warning from the imperial historian on duty. Therefore, with a stomach full of doubts, the fish ran through the noon gate and entered the Forbidden City.

Because there were too many officials in the previous court, they could only stand in the wide square in front of the palace, and the ministers and dignitaries naturally stood at the forefront. On the left is the high arch of the first assistant, and behind him is the silence of the second assistant; On the right are several princes, and the two ministers and the Great Nine Secretaries are lined up behind them......

The location of the high arch is only a stone's throw away from the emperor's golden platform. At this moment, he saw that the dragon chair was empty, and the golden umbrella, the group fan, and the brocade wrestler who was guarding His Majesty did not appear, so he was a little uneasy, and said silently to his side: "The matter of the Kedao performance book in the past two days will definitely be resolved today." If the emperor and the two palaces ask anything, I will deal with it. Of course, I have to be based on legal principles, and what I say may offend the royal family, but with you in the cabinet, I will be fine even if I am expelled."

Shen Mo didn't want to come to see this scene, but the plan had been decided, and he couldn't change it, so he could only sigh lightly: "Yuan Weng, where are you talking about the merits of this, everyone has a scale in their hearts." At the beginning of the young master's ascension, you want to try to create good governance in the general regent's discipline, this Manchu Dynasty civil and military, except for a few unscrupulous people, who else can not support it? ”

Gao Gong listened to his words, his mood was much better, and he was about to say a few more words to Shen Mo, when he suddenly heard three crisp whips in front of the temple door, and then there was a long voice of the decree: "Saint-will-to---"

The voice of the eunuch was specially trained, and these three words could cover the entire audience, even the farthest officials could hear them. So in an instant, in the square in front of the entire Imperial Palace, more than a thousand civil and military officials knelt down together. The sun also happened to rise at this time, shining on the glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace, which symbolized the supremacy of imperial power, reflecting a dazzling light. The kneeling officials couldn't see anything clearly for a while, only heard the sound of 'tu, tu, tu' footsteps, and a figure appeared on the danqi.

Everyone squinted hard, and saw that it was a high-ranking eunuch wearing a big red python and a forked hat. Very few people get it, this is Zhao Cheng, the chief bingbi of the celebrant supervisor, but everyone recognizes the bright yellow scroll in his hand, which is the decree of the great emperor.

"The emperor is not in court today, and he ordered the slaves and maids to come and deliver the decree." Zhao Cheng glanced at the officials kneeling on the ground and said expressionlessly.

"Father-in-law Zhao, why doesn't the emperor reign?" Gao Gong couldn't help but wonder.

Zhao Cheng glanced at Gao Gong with a strange expression, and then said with a straight face: "Hugh is going to say more, our family is going to announce the decree."

At such a time, the person who receives the order should naturally be the prime minister. Gao Gong didn't care about his disrespect, and habitually said in a loud voice: "The ministers take the order......

"It's not for you" The corners of Zhao Cheng's mouth hung a trace of cold sarcasm, his eyes crossed him, looked at Shen Mo and said, "Please Mr. Shen accept the order"

Gao Gong's face was flushed, and he moved his body back awkwardly, and the surprise in his heart was even more incomprehensible, which one was this play? Didn't you slap yourself in the face in public? A strong sense of foreboding welled up in my heart.

The hundred officials were also in an uproar, the first will of the new monarch after ascending to the pole was to bypass the first assistant and give the second assistant, what does this mean? What does that mean exactly?

"Quiet" Zhao Cheng shouted at the top of his voice, and said silently with one finger: "Mr. Shen, please step forward to accept the order." ”

Shen Mo had no choice but to step forward and said, "The minister silently accepted the order." ”

In the square, which was still noisy and ear-to-ear, it was quiet, and the officials held their breath lest they hear a word.

Zhao Cheng unfolded the holy decree of the yellow silk scroll and read it aloud:

"The Empress Yi's decree and the emperor's concubine's decree: said that with the ministers of the five palaces and six departments of the cabinet, the emperor of Daxing, Bintianxian, summoned the cabinet ministers in front of the imperial bed, and my mother and son personally received the will: 'The East Palace is young, and Lai Er counsels.'" Today, the university scholar Gao Gong is in power, and he is self-dictatorial in the court, and the emperor is not allowed to be in charge, and my mother and son are frightened day and night. Now Gao Gong is ordered to return to his hometown and stay idle, and he is not allowed to stay. You and other ministers have received great favor from the country, and they should think of serving the Lord with all their might. How to attach to the ministers and despise the young master? From now on, wash your mind and do things with your heart, and if there is anything like this, you will be punished. Chin this—"

Baiguan thought that this was the holy decree to expel Feng Bao, but the more he listened, the more wrong it became, it was not Feng Bao who reprimanded the edict, but the expulsion of the chief minister, the first assistant of the cabinet, and the two generations of emperors Gao Gong, and they left no room for mercy, and they immediately got out of the way and were not allowed to stay

The air in the square froze, and all the officials could feel that their breathing was getting heavier and heavier. And the expelled object Gao Gong was already as pale as ashes, sweat as rain as steep, and he could not get up on the ground...... A generation of powerful ministers was defeated in the hands of eunuchs who had no means to open and close.

After Zhao Cheng finished reading the holy decree, he stepped down and handed the yellow silk scroll to Shen Mo's hand. Only then did they realize that the two generations of emperors and elders who were in power had fallen from the pinnacle of power under one person and above ten thousand people in an instant...... The change came so suddenly that all the officials panicked and didn't know what to do. Zhao Cheng had finished his errand and was about to leave, but there was still a deathly silence inside and outside the Imperial Gate.

Everyone knew that Gao Gong was wronged, and this holy decree was an out-and-out disorder, but under the pressure of the sacred and inviolable imperial authority like the Imperial Palace, and under the thunderous thunderbolts of the inner court and the harem, everyone was deeply shocked, they shuddered, they were stunned, and no one dared to speak.

Except for the person who did not belong to this era - Zhao Cheng was just about to leave, but he was grabbed by the corner of his clothes, and he looked back in surprise to see that it was Shen Ge Lao who was still holding the holy decree in his hand.

Loyal people have their own heavenly help, and heaven does not help me