Capital, Cabinet.

There was already a small servant who burned the fire vigorously, and the flames in the stove kept jumping, bringing bursts of warmth.

It's just the beginning of spring, and the weather hasn't fully warmed up.

The cabinet ministers are all old, so their bodies are naturally not as good as those young people.

In the summer, the cabinet is stocked with ice cubes from the winter cellar.

In winter, the smokeless charcoal in the cabinet is naturally burning.

At this time, Zhang Julu, the first assistant minister of the cabinet, the deputy assistant of the cabinet, and a number of auxiliary ministers were working in the cabinet.

The reign of Emperor Taizu, the founding of the Dasheng Dynasty, and the dynasties that preceded it.

The Central Plains Dynasty basically adopted the prime minister system, the prime minister had real power and decision-making power, and the prime minister could open the government and set up subordinate members to form his own set of senatorial and executive bodies.

In contrast to the prime minister's system, the cabinet system is a group decision-making body, which is itself a senatorial and executive body.

Later, in order to centralize imperial power, Emperor Taizu, the founder of the country, directly abolished the prime minister.

At this point, all major government affairs in the country were decided by Ming Taizu.

Although Emperor Taizu was an energetic person, he once reviewed more than 200 pieces of music and handled more than 400 state affairs every day on average in eight days.

But even so, Emperor Taizu still felt deeply powerless, so he set up the Imperial Court University as an advisor to help him deal with many government affairs.

Few of these scholars were able to participate in political affairs, and all major affairs were still presided over by Emperor Taizu himself.

When Chengzu was in power, he selected officials of the Hanlin Academy as scholars of the palace, entered the Wenyuan Pavilion in the palace, served the emperor, and began to participate in the decision-making of confidential affairs, and the "cabinet" also appeared.

Later, the status of the cabinet was increasingly improved, and the scholars had the right to draft the emperor's reply to the ministers' recitals, and the first assistant who presided over the cabinet affairs had the power to suppress the ministers.

The current cabinet minister Zhang Julu can be said to be the power of the ministers, and he has become the prime minister in the de facto sense.

During this period, all the power was vested in the cabinet, and the six ministries almost became subordinate organs of the cabinet, and scholars could write chapters and do things in the name of the emperor.

Of course, the chief assistant of the cabinet of the Dasheng Dynasty was not the de facto prime minister, because the cabinet of the Dasheng Dynasty was never a statutory administrative or decision-making body at the central level, but only an internal service body that provided advisers to the emperor.

The promotion and promotion of cabinet ministers is decided by the emperor, and the size of the power depends on the emperor's will, and whether the vote is adopted ultimately depends on the emperor's approval.

Therefore, the power of the cabinet ministers is closely related to the emperor.

In addition, the cabinet ministers were also important figures in maintaining the relationship between the courtiers and the royal family.

In order for the emperor's decrees to be issued and implemented smoothly, cabinet ministers played an extremely important role.

This is also at the point of Zhang Julu, even if the little emperor wants to easily remove his mentor Zhang Julu, it is actually a difficult thing to do.

As a result, the power of the first and auxiliary ministers of the Dasheng Cabinet has also reached its peak.

"Lord Shousuke, this is a song from the Gongyuan!"

The one who started the first assistant was from the Hanlin Academy.

This person is the champion of the imperial examination hall, and the bachelor of the Hanlin Academy is noble, and he is a candidate for the prime minister.

Let them work for cabinet ministers in the cabinet to familiarize them with the operation of the cabinet.

Be prepared for a possible entry into the Cabinet in the future.

After hearing this person's words, Zhang Julu nodded and said, "I know, you can put the fold here!" ”

"Yes!"

The man respectfully bowed to Zhang Julu, the first assistant minister of the cabinet, and then slowly withdrew.

After Zhang Julu replied to the other folds, he summoned the eunuchs on duty to hand them over to the little emperor.

Zhang Julu only then had time to pick up the fold left by Fang Cai's champion.

"It turns out that the new scientists are making trouble again?"

"Since ancient times, there has been no trivial matter in the imperial examination, and this matter should be taken seriously!"

Just when Zhang Julu wanted to give instructions on this excerpt, he seemed to suddenly think of something, and the brush in his hand also paused for a moment.

"Hey, this person's name is so familiar!"

"Huang Tinghui!"

"I seem to have heard this person's name from Mingyang, he is a talented little guy!"

Zhang Julu has a lot of opportunities, so naturally he will not keep the name Huang Tinghui firmly in his heart.

However, he has a little impression of Huang Tinghui.

As soon as he recalled this time, Zhang Julu immediately remembered who Huang Tinghui was.

"That's not right!"

"According to what Mingyang said, this person is first-class in terms of knowledge, literary brilliance and practical learning!"

"He seems to be the Duke of Xie Yuan of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Mansions, such a talented person, how can he pass the examination by cheating in the imperial examination?"

Zhang Julu lives by himself, he doesn't think that such a smart person has a great confidence that the talent who has passed the examination will achieve his goal by cheating in the imperial examination.

In this case, it is not good to hand over the matter to the relevant departments for investigation.

After all, even if Huang Tinghui and Tang Zihu are innocent, this matter is big, and it will not be good for their reputation.

Zhang Julu is a person who thinks through the process, and he thinks that it would be better if this matter was handed over to the little emperor to deal with.

A character like Zhang Julu, how could he not know the character of the little emperor.

As for some of the things that the little emperor did, Zhang Julu mostly opened one eye and closed one eye.

Of course, he knew that there was a celebrity beside the little emperor, and Zhang Derong, the deputy governor of the East Factory, had money to pay tribute to the emperor, and the source of this money seemed to be related to Huang Tinghui.

In this way, how the little emperor makes a choice is not something that Zhang Julu can manage.

After all, in a sense, this kid surnamed Huang can be regarded as the person who is today.

The double-entry bookkeeping, if you calculate it carefully, is also a gift from Huang Tinghui to the little emperor.

This imperial examination, the little emperor attaches great importance to it.

Presumably, the little emperor can investigate this matter thoroughly, and this person can also work more carefully for the little emperor.

In the final analysis, Zhang Julu is the teacher of the little emperor.

He also knew that he might not be able to serve as the first and auxiliary minister for long.

But worrying about the country and the people is a problem that wise men like Zhang Julu have been thinking about all their lives.

Regarding Wang Mingyang's words, Zhang Julu is naturally convinced.

And if this talented little guy wants to develop smoothly in the future, getting the emperor's appreciation and even becoming the emperor's intimate person is tantamount to the biggest gain.

That's why Zhang Julu decided to hand over this matter directly to the little emperor.

It can be regarded as pulling another line between Huang Tinghui and the little emperor.

If Huang Tinghui can get through this matter safely, then he will have the opportunity to take the lead in the next palace test.

As the saying goes, "Misfortune and fortune are relied upon, and blessing and misfortune are lurking", which is the truth.

I saw Zhang Julu draw up a few votes on this fold at random, and then he put this fold on the top of a large number of folds.

When the time was most right, he asked the little eunuch who was guarding the door to send the piece to the palace.

……

"Xiao Ningzi, the weather has gradually warmed up a little bit recently!"

"What's new, fun to show the town?"

The little emperor lying on the chair looked at his favorite eunuch boredly and said.

"Your Majesty!"

"Recently, a stone came out of the Huguang area, and the stone is so wonderful, it seems like an immortal guiding the way."

"It is said that this stone was left by the gods!"

"The local magistrate transported this stone to the palace, and he wanted your majesty to take a look at it!"

"It's a novelty!"

The big eunuch said to the little emperor with a smile.

The stone he said was found by the general judgment of Huguang Mansion, and I don't know if it's true or not.

After all, the general judge of Huguang Mansion had honored himself with a lot of silver, so of course he had to say more good things about that person in front of the little emperor.

"It's a stone again, and it's auspicious again!"

"I'm bored!" What people didn't expect was that this time the little emperor didn't eat this set.

He even complained about this cookie-cutter trick.

Xiangrui, also known as "Furui", refers to auspicious signs.

It is considered by Confucianism to be a natural phenomenon that expresses the will of heaven and is beneficial to people.

For example, colorful clouds appear, the wind and rain are smooth, the grass grows double spikes, the ground comes out of the sweet spring, and strange birds and beasts appear, etc.

In order to curry favor with the emperor, some officials curry favor with some powerful ministers.

often artificially create some so-called auspicious rui, just to coax the emperor and coax the ministers to be happy.

It is said that when King Wu of Zhou attacked the Shang Dynasty, a white fish jumped into the boat, and flames descended to the roof of King Wu's house, and then turned into a bird.

These auspicious rays are considered to be a symbol of the appointment of King Wu as the Son of Heaven by God.

As for Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, it is said that when he was emperor, the five planets appeared in the sky in a row, and there were many other auspicious stars.

Since then, almost every emperor has ascended the throne, and some auspicious rui has appeared.

The courtiers, who were mainly Confucianists, also reported the discovery of auspiciousness as a manifestation of their political achievements. As a result, there have been many cases of fraud.

Obviously, the little emperor is already a little numb to this kind of auspicious practice.

Zhang Derong has always been observant of the little emperor, and he understood it from the impatient look of the little emperor.

The opportunity I was waiting for had finally arrived.

"Your Majesty, the little one has recently gotten a gadget from a Westerner!"

"It's so ingenious, it's fun!"

"I heard that it can also exercise people's brain power and make people's thinking more agile."

"If Your Majesty wants to try it, the small one will be sent to Your Majesty!"

Hearing Zhang Derong say this, the little emperor immediately became interested.

"Oh?"

"What kind of good thing, get it, go get it!"

"Take a look at me!"

Although the current little emperor is almost at the age of pro-government, he is still a child in the final analysis.

The child's heart still can't get rid of it, and after hearing that there are interesting things, he immediately asked Zhang Derong to send it over.

In this regard, Zhang Derong has also been prepared.

After all, Zhang Derong followed the little emperor's side, and he couldn't understand the little emperor's temperament anymore.

If you can't control the little emperor's preferences, then what does Zhang Derong compare with the other big eunuchs?

"Your Majesty, wait a moment!"

After speaking, Zhang Derong asked people to bring up the things he had already prepared.

It turned out that the gadget turned out to be a Rubik's cube.

Speaking of this Rubik's Cube, it was Huang Tinghui who brought it to the capital.

In order to please the little emperor, Zhang Derong naturally tried his best.

But there are so many things, how can you always please the little emperor?

At this time, several of Huang Tinghui's ideas came to the fore.

Huang Tinghui was originally ready to play cards, but he thought that the little emperor was already fooling around enough now, if he handed him playing cards.

In the future, this little emperor must not become a gambler?

As the saying goes: up and down.

If it is something that the little emperor does, it is known to the subjects.

Then the whole atmosphere of society must be completely corrupted.

Huang Tinghui doesn't want to bear this charge, even if there is such a crime in the future, it shouldn't be now.

So after thinking about it, Huang Tinghui gave Zhang Derong a Rubik's cube and asked Zhang Derong to use this thing to please the little emperor.

handed over the Rubik's Cube to the little emperor, and Zhang Derong said a few words to the little emperor.

The little emperor began to fiddle with it.

This novelty really aroused the little emperor's great interest.

The little emperor fiddled with this thing, and it came to the point of "not thinking about tea, not wanting to eat".

Seeing this scene, the big eunuch who was originally in the first and second positions in the little emperor's mind gritted his teeth.

Looking in the direction of Zhang Derong, he was full of jealousy.

I don't know how long I played, until my stomach "growled".

The little emperor remembered that he hadn't eaten yet.

He could only eat two bites of food hastily, and then he remembered to get down to business.

At this time, the little emperor's desk was filled with a memorabilia sent from the cabinet.

"It's a headache to have so many twists and turns!"

That being said, the little emperor also knew that it was his right to approve these folds.

If you give up this power, isn't that tantamount to giving away your power?

Although the little emperor is greedy for money and playful, he still understands this truth.

Soon, the little emperor reviewed the recital.

"Huh!"

"I think I've heard of this person!" When the little emperor saw the name written on the first fold, he said in surprise.

"Little Dezi?" The little emperor called out to Zhang Derong, who was standing not far from him.

"Your Majesty, the little one is here!" Zhang Derong responded immediately.

"Look at this recital, is this person's name familiar?"

With the acquiescence of the little emperor, Zhang Derong dared to lean over and take a look or two.

"Huh?"

"Your Majesty, isn't this the little one who gave you that double-entry bookkeeping?"

"Your Majesty, this person is extremely talented, and the villain heard that he later won the Xie Yuan of the township test!"

"Such a talented person, he won't cheat in the imperial examination!"

"With his talent, he can be admitted to the exam, something that can be done without taking shortcuts."

Seeing Huang Tinghui's name appear on the fold, Zhang Derong was shocked.

However, he quickly covered up some of his unnecessary emotions, and then said this to the little emperor.

"This person's talent, of course, I also know, is a rare talent!"

"It looks very strange now!"

"It's weird!"

The little emperor's brows furrowed tightly, and he said to Zhang Derong.

From Zhang Derong's mouth, the little emperor has long known that a lot of the annual income in his private treasury is inseparable from a person named Huang Tinghui.

Now this person's name has actually appeared on the cantata, and it has even been involved in such serious things as fraud in the imperial examination.

The little emperor was naturally a little unhappy.

"Your Majesty, I think this kind of thing should be strictly investigated!" Zhang Derong immediately understood the little emperor's thoughts, and he said to the little emperor.

"Oh?"

"Strict investigation, if this is true?"

"Doesn't this person violate the king's law?" The little emperor looked into Zhang Derong's eyes and asked.

"Your Majesty, this matter is related to the imperial examination that you attach so much importance to!"

"I have to investigate strictly, only when the imperial examination is stable, can the scholars of the world be convinced by His Majesty."

Zhang Derong said to the little emperor without a trace of partiality.

"If you really find out what is wrong with this person?" The little emperor asked again.

"Your Majesty!"

"This person is talented, and it is impossible for him to do such a stupid thing as cheating in the imperial examination because of a small mistake!"

"If he really does it, it will be impossible to argue with death, and His Majesty will deal with him with the laws of the imperial court, and it will also be able to make the world's scholars wake up!"

"If there is nothing wrong with this person, then someone else is framing this person and slandering this person!"

"This is also someone who is challenging the imperial examination system of my Dasheng country, and is provoking the majesty of His Majesty!"

"In this case, it is necessary to investigate thoroughly!"

"Lest some people's reputations be tarnished, and some people will take advantage of the loopholes!"

Zhang Derong's words were leaky and impartial, and even the little emperor nodded unconsciously and agreed.

However, Zhang Derong and Huang Tinghui's friendship is not bad, and there have been a lot of correspondence over the years.

Of course, he knows Huang Tinghui's personality and character, and with Huang Tinghui's personality and character, he will not do anything to cheat in the imperial examination.

In this case, someone must be framing and framing Huang Tinghui.

Zhang Derong said so hard that Huang Tinghui could get rid of and wash away this inexplicable crime as soon as possible.

If Huang Tinghui really has no brains and is involved in such stupid things as fraud in the imperial examination.

Then Huang Tinghui is not qualified to be his "friend" of Zhang Derong, and all the results will be Huang Tinghui's own doing.

It has nothing to do with Zhang Derong.

"Well, little Dezi!"

"You're right, this matter must be thoroughly investigated!"

"I also want to know who is right and who is wrong, if this Huang Tinghui is really cheating, I will definitely not let this person go."

"But if someone is making trouble, trying to benefit themselves from the imperial examination!"

"There is no room for sand in my eyes, and those people should be punished!"

The little emperor said hatefully, at this time he already had a trace of the posture of an emperor.

"Xiao Dezi, this matter will be handled by you!"

"You Dongchang must give me a clear answer in the shortest possible time!"

"Got it?" The little emperor directly threw this question to Zhang Derong.

Zhang Derong was not surprised by the little emperor's decision, he immediately kowtowed to the little emperor and said, "Your Majesty Shengming!" ”

After receiving the order of the little emperor, Zhang Derong supervised the case non-stop.

However, at present, Huang Tinghui and Tang Zihu are the key objects of suspicion, and Zhang Derong naturally cannot have contact with Huang Tinghui and Tang Zihu.

Otherwise, the gossip of those scholars will definitely pour dirty water on their bodies.

If this is the case, Huang Tinghui has not eaten the slightest bit of meat, but he has caused a commotion.

Zhang Derong naturally would not do such a thing.

He just investigated the case and found out the ins and outs of the whole matter.

The task was quickly assigned, and Zhang Derong didn't even have to be too distracted by himself, he just needed his own men to verify some things.

As for what Zhang Derong wants, it's just an answer.

As long as he got the answer, then he could immediately report the matter to the little emperor.

The errand was successfully completed.

The imperial avant-garde service is indeed synonymous with efficiency.

It's only been a few days, and they've already finished summarizing the information they've investigated.

Everything was just as Zhang Derong thought, Huang Tinghui and Tang Zihu did not visit the residence of the examiner during this time.

As for the examiner, the examiner has been stranded in the palace some time ago, teaching some royal reading and writing.

After the little emperor appointed him as the chief examiner of the examination, he lived directly in the tribute courtyard.

Except for some examiners, it is difficult for anyone to see the shadow of Pan Zhengguo, a former bachelor of Hanlin Academy, let alone get the test questions of this examination from the hands of Pan Zhengguo, a former bachelor of Hanlin Academy and the chief examiner of this examination.

All the evidence points to one point, that is, someone deliberately framed Huang Tinghui and Tang Zihu, and deliberately framed Pan Zhengguo, a former bachelor of Hanlin Academy and the chief examiner of this examination.

After getting the exact and reliable information, the Imperial Guard stopped pretending.

They don't do things like any criminal department, they are not efficient, and they are constrained by rules everywhere.

Even some scholars had just been caught by the guards in the cell where the guards were located, and the guards didn't do anything, so the scholars directly confessed everything they knew.

Also, these weak scholars were unscrupulous when they made trouble, but when they saw the gloomy torture instruments in the prison of the imperial avant-garde, there was a saying in the imperial avant-garde, that is, those who entered the imperial avant-garde were "standing and walking in, lying down and carrying out." ”

Not to mention any torture instruments, as long as those imperial guards coaxed them, some scholars poured out everything because they couldn't bear the pressure.

After the trial of the imperial avant-garde, the spearhead of all clues was pointed at a person named Ruan Dacheng.

Ruan Dacheng, who spread rumors, probably never dreamed that the imperial avant-garde would intervene in this matter.

And he followed some rumors and found him directly.

On that day, Ruan Dacheng had just washed up.

The inn where he was surrounded by a group of imperial guards.

The imposing Imperial Guard even kicked his door open and pressed him to the table.

Ruan Dacheng shouted frantically, "I am a lifter!" ”

But the leading imperial avant-garde sneered a few times, and he said to Ruan Dacheng: "What I arrested is you, a man!" ”

……