Although Zhang Juzheng is still underqualified, his political achievements are not obvious, and he is usually taciturn, many people have no specific impression of him, but after thinking about it, there is nothing strange about it.

After all, he is Xu Jie's beloved apprentice, and Xu Jie's treats him as a disciple, even better than a real disciple...... This is no exaggeration, Xu Jie's younger brother and Zhang Juzheng were promoted together, but for 20 years, Xu Ge Lao has not taken care of him, and he is still in an idle position in Nanjing. Xu Jie's eldest son, Xu Jie, entered the office with grace, Xu Jie's never gave him preferential treatment, and he was always placed in an idle position. A waiter of the Ministry of Works, Xu Jie, also said first, and accepted this position only to supervise the convenience of two palaces and two views, and when the project was completed, he immediately resigned, which made his son depressed.

But Xu Jie's attitude towards Zhang Juzheng is completely different, not only sparing no effort to cultivate, but also protecting like a hen protecting the chicks, even if the struggle with Yan Song is white-hot, and all the soldiers who can be used are gone, when he himself rolls up his sleeves and goes into battle, he is reluctant to send this 'proud protégé' to fight.

This is all obvious to all. It's no wonder that some people will write jokes and arrange, saying that Zhang is Xu's long-lost illegitimate son Yunyun, which is interspersed with famous ji, elopement, chaos and abandonment, and other popular tunes, which are still very popular in Jiangxi.

So it was easy for everyone present to think that it seemed that Xu Ge Lao was loving again, and wanted to push his good protégé into the cabinet while he was in chaos, after all, he was just a cabinet member who entered the cabinet to do things, and it was not surprising that many people became the beauty of Yuanfu's face.

Just when everyone was about to accept this candidate, someone suddenly spoke up: "Ladies and gentlemen, there are objections to the lowly position" Everyone followed the voice, but it was not a member of the ministry who participated in the court push, but a petty official wearing a seven-grade official uniform. But no one dared to underestimate him, because this person was a giver.

Although it is recommended by senior officials of the ministry, the six departments also have the right to attend the matter, on the one hand, to supervise whether the whole process is illegal and whether there is favoritism, and at the same time, they can also put forward opinions on candidates. Because of its unique monitoring status, people are not lightly spoken, and what they say is very valued.

Today's Tingtui University Scholar is a very important matter, and of course they have to attend the matter, but because many section chiefs and staff members are still in prison, they can be counted on two hands when they appear in the Purple Light Pavilion.

Xu Jie looked at the person, it was Sun Yun in the matter, and said, "What is the objection?" ”

"Hui Yuanfu, Zhang Juzheng, the left servant of the household department, is currently under investigation," Sun Yun bowed his hand and said: "According to the "Da Ming Law", officials must be innocent before they can discuss promotion. Therefore, he thought that before the problem was clarified, he should avoid the promotion. ”

Zhang Juzheng, who had been sinking like water, had a somewhat embarrassed expression.

"If that's the case?" Xu Jie frowned and said, "Why didn't you report it to the cabinet?" ”

"Because the stakes are important," Sun Yun said: "The head of the department decided to wait for the investigation to be clear before reporting, but then he was imprisoned, and the imperial court has not sent a new capital, so the investigation has been stalled for a while, and it was not completed until a few days ago. As he spoke, he really took out a notebook from his sleeve.

Xu Jie looked at the notebook, and then looked at Zhang Juzheng, and groaned a little for a while.

Zhang Juzheng's expression changed, and he recovered from embarrassment to normal, and said with his hand: "Pavilion Elder Mingjian, according to the law, the lower officials should indeed be avoided. As he spoke, he said to the on-duty Si Naolang, "Please remove the name below." ”

Xu Jie pondered for a moment, Fang nodded a little heavily, and said to Sun Yun again: "After the next court, send the recital to the cabinet." ”

"Yes......"

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After an interlude, Zhang Juzheng's name was taken down, and Tingtui started as usual.

After a secret ballot, the results came out quickly, and as expected, Yang Bo's name topped the list, followed by Gao Gong, Guo Pu third, and finally Li Chunfang.

This time, three scholars will be elected to the cabinet, so the first three people are the main promoters, and Li Chunfang is the escort, and his name will also be written into the recital submitted to the emperor, which can be regarded as giving the emperor a choice, which is called 'all grace and power out of the self'. But unless the emperor is extremely disgusted with which of the three main pushers, it is impossible to choose Li Chunfang, otherwise what is the point of the court push?

And even if he is elected, the elected official will insist on not being ...... Although most of the officials are black-skinned and thick-skinned, but in secret, on the surface, decency is greater than everything, and no one can afford to lose that person.

So it is almost certain that Yang Bo, Gao Gong, and Guo Pu are about to become cabinet members.

No matter what they thought in their hearts, everyone stepped forward to say hello to the three of them, and Xu Jie was no exception, but Lord Shoufu had to be reserved, so he stopped at the point and said: "The Holy Dragon Body is against harmony, so don't celebrate, so as not to provoke discussion." ”

The three of them hurriedly responded.

"Let's go down first." Xu Jie bowed slightly, and said with a pleased smile: "The old man is going to go back to the emperor." ”

The three of them quit the hall, and a few of Yang Bo's friends came over to say goodbye and wanted to give them a wine to celebrate. Yang Bo has been a long-cherished wish for many years, and once he got it, he has long left Xu Jie's words behind, and he is happy to go, and he does not forget to ask Gao Guo and the two: "The two of you are going together?" ”

Gao Gong didn't say anything, but Guo Pu squeezed out a smile and politely rejected the group.

When they hugged Yang Bo and walked away, Gao Gong's face was completely gloomy, and he said, "The old man dares to play us"

Guo Pu knew that he was not talking about Yang Bo, but Xu Jie, and the two thought that as long as they agreed to enter the cabinet, Xu Jie's way would be able to stop Yang Bo, but who knew that he was selected with a high vote without any suspense. Not only did he not succeed in driving the wolf, but he would have to dance with the wolf in the future, which is really the worst situation imaginable. He looked at Gao Gong a little helplessly, hoping that the fellow would come up with an idea.

"Lao Tzu wants to sue for illness" Who knew that Gao Gong held back such a sentence, and said: "Anyway, I have already returned the favor, and I will go to the old man tomorrow to ask for leave, and see if he is embarrassed not to agree"

"Ah......" Guo Pu couldn't imagine that this old brother had nothing to do, so he actually played a trick. Crying and laughing, he said, "I can't also ask for leave, right?" How can it be so coincidental? ”

"You just stay here and serve him tea and pour water" Gao Gong had such a temper, and he was so anxious that he didn't give anyone face, and went straight away.

Looking at the back of his persuasive departure, Lord Guo could only shake his head and smile bitterly, he didn't think so, after all, it is the dream of every scholar to enter the cabinet to worship the prime minister, regardless of whether he wants to be a maid or not, but it is considered a cabinet entry, and it is also a great achievement in life, so Guo Pu is still very happy. The heart said, let's not be public, go home and let the old woman fry a side dish and drink a little wine.

This is the gap in life goals, and often it will also be the gap in life pattern......

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Early the next morning, Gao Gong really came to the Wuyi Palace, but he pounced, and asked, it turned out that Xu Ge Lao went to Shengshou Palace to play right, he could have handed over the leave to the cabinet members to the first assistant, but he wanted to question Xu Jie in person, even if he couldn't change the result, he also showed the evil anger in his heart.

didn't take out a note, sat outside the first assistant duty room and waited, those Si Zhilang knew that he had entered the cabinet, and they came over to flatter. Gao Gong was not in the mood to entertain them, and his reaction was extremely cold. With a keen look at his words, he said: "Gao Ge is tired, let's not make noise and disperse." "This was supposed to relieve him, just waiting for the high arch to go down the steps.

Who knew that Gao Gong said with a dark face: "What pavilion elder? Did the emperor approve it? ”

"Ge Lao...... Uh, no, you've always learned the truth," the man was immediately discouraged, and quickly admitted his mistake, "It's a lowly and abrupt job." Seeing that his colleagues were scattered, he also retired in disgrace.

Gao Gong didn't care about these 'miscellaneous fish' at all, he sat there with his eyes closed, and waited for an hour before he saw Xu Jie's figure.

Xu Jie also saw him, and said loudly: "Su Qing, what's the matter with you?" ”

Gao Gong had been waiting for a long time, Huo De got up and said, "I want to take leave"

"Oh......" Xu Jie was a little surprised, stretched out his hand to push open the door and said, "Talk inside"

Gao Gong wanted to reason with him, so naturally he couldn't be in the corridor, so he followed in.

"Sit." The waiter served tea, and Xu Ge Lao took off his official hat, rested it on the small table upright, and sat down on the Taishi chair.

Gao Gong was not polite, he sat opposite Xu Jie, and said angrily: "Xia Guan is not in good health, so he has to recuperate for a while." ”

"Look at your body." Xu Jie looked at him and said with a smile: "The old man is envious when he looks at it." ”

"The illness on the inside, you can't see it from the outside." Gao Gong said in a muffled voice.

"Hold on...... Xu Jie said in a consultative tone: "The burden of the cabinet is too heavy, and a talent like you is needed to help the old man share it." ”

"It's enough to have Yang Wei." The high arch was ready to fire.

Who knows, but seeing Xu Ge Lao sighing faintly, he said with a regretful face: "It's a pity, he can't enter the pavilion this time." ”

"What?" Gao Gong thought he had misheard.

"The result of the court push was vetoed by the emperor." Xu Jie said slowly: "Yang Bo is down, Li Chunfang is up." As he spoke, he took out the notebook presented to the emperor from his sleeve.

Gao Gong took it over and saw that among the four names listed, only Yang Bo did not have a red circle on it, but Li Chunfang's name was circled.

"How is that possible?" The high arch is still unbelievable.

Xu Jie said with a distressed face: "The old man doesn't know either, and he doesn't know how to tell Yang Weiyue." Saying that, he looked at Gao Gong and said, "Su Qing is tired to go and help the old man once." ”

Coming out of the first assistant duty room, Gao Gong was still a little dizzy, and connecting the events of the past few days, he vaguely felt that everything was in Xu Jie's calculations. Wouldn't even the emperor be playing with him? Gao Gong didn't dare to think down. went straight to Yang Bo's mansion and did his drudgery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What happened was a few days ago......

At that time, everyone's attention was still focused on the upcoming debate on the three public acacias. Xu Jie, however, found Zhang Juzheng at home and discussed with him about the matter of entering the cabinet to worship the prime minister.

Zhang Juzheng was still calm and deep in front of the teacher, and said: "Gao Xinzheng, the student has already been there, he doesn't want to enter the cabinet at this time, I don't know what the teacher's plan is?" ”

Xu Jie was not surprised, and said: "Gao Gong is there, the old man will go and say it in person." After a pause, he said, "It's Yang Bo, I'm a little worried...... I heard that they spent a lot of money to make sure that nothing went wrong...... Shanxi people's methods, you know. ”

Although Xu Jie's words were vague, Zhang Juzheng knew in his heart that Shanxi people were well versed in the way of making friends, and for those ministers who were related to Tingtui, they had done their homework on weekdays, and recently invested a lot of money, plus Yang Bo's prestige was there, and it was not Xu Jie's ability to influence it.

Therefore, Xu Ge was a little worried, afraid that he would not be able to stop Yang Bo.

"Teacher, students have a plan," Zhang Juzheng said suddenly: "But some are not heroes, I don't know whether to talk about it or not." ”

"Speak." Xu Jiexin said, when did your teacher and I become heroes?

"Teacher, when you push it, add the student's name as well." Zhang Juzheng said.

"Yours?" Xu Jiedao: "You are the head of the household, of course you have the right to be promoted, could it be that Taiyue is confused?" ”

"No, what the student meant," Zhang Juzheng said in a deep voice, "list me as a candidate......"

"Oh......" Xu Jie pondered for a moment, and said to Zhang Juzheng in a warm voice: "With the old man's private wishes, it is naturally intended for Taiyue." However, with your prestige and current status, it has not yet been completed, so you must not be in a hurry. As if worried that he would misunderstand, Xu Jie said gently: "Taiyue, don't worry, this day will not be far away." ”

"The teacher misunderstood," Zhang Juzheng said with a dumb smile: "Is the student the kind of person who can't do what he can't do?" I want to be a candidate, not to be selected. ”

"Why is that?" Xu Jie asked with interest.

"I don't know what the teacher is." Zhang Juzheng told the story: "The student encountered some trouble a while ago......

"What's the trouble?" Xu Jie lovingly blamed: "Even I am hiding it? ”

"It's not a big deal." Zhang Juzheng said softly: "Besides, it has been solved, so I didn't say it." ”

"Let's talk about it." Xu Jie regained his composure and said, "What is so mysterious? ”

"More than ten years ago, when the horse market was opened, it was directly sent by the household department to trade with the Mongols, and later, the horse market was closed, and many materials were piled up in the warehouse of Xuanfu, because it was not a valuable thing, and after a long time, no one remembered. The year before last, Yang Bo was appointed as the governor of Xuanda, and when he counted the materials, he found these things. Zhang Juzheng said softly: "I wrote to the household department and asked for the requisition of this batch of materials." The ministry left the matter to me. ”

"What does he want these things for?" Xu Jie frowned and said, those crude things, the Chinese people don't look down on them, only the Mongolians need them, but who will be rare with the cloth and tea bricks that have been put for more than ten years?

"I also wrote to him to ask why." Zhang Juzheng said: "He only said that it was for military use, and did not say what he was doing, but when I contacted the situation at the border pass, I could guess a rough idea, so I was happy and confused and agreed to his request." He sighed lightly and said: "As a result, at the end of last year, the household department routinely checked the accounts, and I don't know why it was so inch, but I turned over this old account, and traced it all the way, and it turned out that I took it away." ”

"So they asked me why I didn't have the approval of the Cabinet and the signature of the Ministry of Households." He seemed to be talking about someone else's business, so calm that it was uncomfortable: "I told them that it was requisitioned by the governor of Xuanda, and the formalities should be complete, and it may not have been filed." ”

"I asked them for a few days, went back and looked carefully, and found it." Zhang Juzheng said: "But I caught up with the seal of the Yamen for the New Year, so I had to wait for the New Year to be handed over to them...... Who knew that so many things happened on New Year's Day, and their section chief went to prison, and I estimated that there would be changes later, so they didn't urge it, and I didn't pay it. ”

"Haven't handed it over yet?" Xu Jie, who is a person, after listening to it for so long, he already understands.

"Well, right here." Zhang Juzheng took out an envelope from his sleeve and said, "Teacher, please take a look." ”

Xu Jie took it, took out the official paper inside, and sure enough, it was Yang Bo's handwriting, and asked the household department to agree to the Governor's Mansion to requisition the inventory of the horse market, with the signatures of Yang Bo, Gao Yao, and Zhang Juzheng on the back, but the seal of the cabinet was missing. Even if you want to blame it, you can only blame it on Gao Yao, the head of Shangshu, no wonder Zhang Juzheng can be peaceful.

There were still some things that Zhang Juzheng didn't say, but Xu Jie had already guessed that Gao Yao felt that with the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and him, the first assistant, there was no need to worry about the formalities of the cabinet, so he used the seal first. And Zhang Juzheng didn't ask the cabinet for instructions, so he allocated the things.

"You're too vain" Xu Jie said with some displeasure: "Why don't you tell me first"

"Because if you talk to the teacher, it will only cause trouble for you, so let the disciple take responsibility." Zhang Juzheng said softly: "You haven't guessed what this batch of materials is for?" ”

Xu Jie was silent when he heard this, and after a long time, he said softly: "It's used to ...... Is it peaceful? ”

"Yes." Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "Last year, the Duoyan Department teamed up with Huang Taiji and them to attack me from Liaodong in Gyeonggi. Why I didn't take the opportunity to send troops was because of Yang Bo...... bribed them. ”

"I see, it's ......" Xu Jie immediately understood the stakes, and looked at Zhang Juzheng with a relieved face: "Taiyue, it's not in vain that the teacher treats you like this." "At that time, the imperial court sent heavy troops back to the Beijing Division, and the Xuanfu side must not start a war again, so Xu Jie also had to agree, but in this way, the notoriety of 'the peace prime minister' fell on him, and it must be very uncomfortable.

"I've always been protected by my teacher, and I've never done anything for you." Zhang Juzheng said softly: "Let the disciple share your worries for you this time." ”

"It's just like this, I have to be wronged by Taiyue." Xu Jie gladly accepted.

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