Chapter 496: Criticizing Dragon Scales and Demoting Officials
When the position of Censor was vacant, the court would choose some young people to take over because of their youthfulness and outspokenness.
Fan Zhong is in his forties. At this age, he should have changed his job long ago.
But no one knows who has the support of this man, but he actually stayed in the position of censor for more than ten years.
Some people say that this guy is a mad dog who bites whoever he catches.
Some people say that he is a dog of the Yan Party, but upon closer inspection, they find that it is not true... Fan Zhongda once impeached Zhao Wenhua and had a conflict with Zhao Wenhua during his reign.
Zhao Wenhua was a vengeful person, but he stopped afterwards and let Fan Zhongda get away with it, which made many people speculate about Fan Zhongda's true background and backers.
In the duty room, Cui Yuan heard the news and asked, "Who does this Fan Zhong belong to?"
Yan Shifan said: "Who else could it be? It must be the dog raised by the nobles."
The nobles and relatives also need spokespersons in the court. This is a tacit understanding between the monarch and his subjects.
Cui Yuan said, "So that's how it is. But why is he so obsessed with this scholar?"
Yan Shifan sneered, "Confucianism and Mohism are now on the verge of a war, and the nobles also want to take sides. Fan Zhong impeached Zhang Juzheng just to show them."
"Tsk!" Cui Yuan said, "This is an attempt to isolate Jiang Qingzhi in the court."
Yan Shifan nodded, "Not only Jiang Qingzhi, but also Wang Yiqi and others will be isolated by those people. But it is easier said than done. For example, Wang Yiqi is in charge of the Ministry of War. If they really want to isolate him, the Ministry of War will become their opponent. Those people are probably in a dilemma."
"And Duke Cheng." Cui Yuan thought of the old dandy's ruthlessness and his occasional flashes of brilliance, "He's not someone you can easily mess with."
The key is that Zhu Xizhong has his own group of people. If you want to isolate him, you will force those people to get closer to the Mohist school.
Therefore, those who planned this behind the scenes were also in a difficult situation...
"So those people want to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys." Yan Song looked up, "Use a Shujishi to shock the tiger."
"Poor thing." Cui Yuan expressed sympathy for Zhang Juzheng, but his expression was quite happy.
For those people in the temple, the Shujishi who are envied, jealous and hated by the outside world are nothing but ants in their eyes.
But the ant outside is no ordinary person!
Zhang Juzheng watched Fan Zhongda's performance with cold eyes. After Fan Zhongda finished speaking, he asked, "May I ask, Censor Fan, where did this information come from?"
The Hanlin Academy was like an independent kingdom, and ordinary people were not in the eyes of the Shujishi, including Fan Zhongda, who was still an imperial censor at such an old age.
Moreover, most of the crimes that Fan Zhongda accused Zhang Juzheng of came from private conversations, so who leaked the information? How did Fan Zhongda know these words?
buy?
If a Shujishi is bribed by someone, his reputation will be ruined in an instant.
Then it must have been done on purpose, that is, someone took the initiative to pass the message to Fan Zhongda.
"Zhang has never offended Censor Fan, and has never been an enemy to anyone. It would take at least half a year to obtain these private matters! May I ask Censor Fan, why did you plan to impeach Zhang half a year ago?"
——You are deliberately trying to find something to hold against the Shujishi!
What is the purpose?
"Besides, the so-called evidence you have is not just about Zhang, right?"
The Shujishi are the reserve of important officials. If someone deliberately tries to find something to hold against them...
What the hell!
What is this for?
rebellion!
what is this else?
"The boy is really sharp." Cui Yuan couldn't help but laugh as he listened to his follower's retelling: "His sharp teeth and fangs remind me of Jiang Qingzhi. They are almost cut from the same mold."
Fan Zhongda sneered outside, "Half a year ago, you, Zhang Juzheng, repeatedly criticized the government. I have been watching you for a long time."
Zhang Juzheng was suddenly startled. "Yes, that time I spoke up for Chang Wei Bo and had a fight with my colleagues. I think it was from that time that I was targeted by you guys."
On that occasion, Jiang Qingzhi won a great victory in a debate with a group of scholars in the Hanlin Academy. Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong spoke up for Jiang Qingzhi and were beaten up.
Zhang Juzheng suddenly realized, but he was too arrogant to defend himself.
In history, he studied and observed politics in the Hanlin Academy for several years, and noticed the various shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty, so he made suggestions. However, his suggestions were ignored by the emperor and his ministers.
From then on, apart from routine matters, Zhang Juzheng never submitted any memorials until the death of Emperor Jiajing.
At this time, someone came out and said, "Shujishi should talk less and watch more, talk less and do more, but you, Zhang Juzheng, have repeatedly criticized the government, which shows that you are quite dissatisfied with the government..."
Shujishi can discuss state affairs, but you cannot make personal attacks...that is, you cannot fire at the emperor and his ministers.
It's like a newcomer joining a company for internship. During the internship, you can criticize the company's management, but you cannot criticize the general manager or chairman.
This is the unspoken rule.
When Zhang Juzheng first entered the Hanlin Academy, he was full of vigor and vitality, so it was inevitable that he would give advice on state affairs, write inspiring articles, and occasionally comment on the emperor and his ministers in the court.
I spoke too quickly then, but now I have to pay for it.
"This person should go to the countryside to hone his skills for a few more years." Someone said.
These officials were secretly delighted to see a promising scholar fall into misfortune.
Aren’t you a Shujishi who is awesome?
Isn't he some important official in the reserve?
Isn't that arrogant?
Come.
Show me some pride.
Fan Zhong bowed to the people around him, "As you all have witnessed today, Zhang Juzheng learned that I impeached him, so he deliberately retaliated..."
He pointed at his waist and said, "He hit me so hard that I almost broke my waist. I won't bother with him about it. But this guy is narrow-minded. I think he can't be reused."
Once Zhang Juzheng's reputation as a narrow-minded person was established, he would never have the chance to enter the government again in his life. Moreover, every promotion or every job change would be deeply affected.
This is clearly intended to destroy people!
Zhang Juzheng was extremely angry, but he knew that no matter how he defended himself at this moment, it would only add fuel to the fire and make the matter worse.
Looking at the coldness in Fan Zhongda's eyes, it was clear that he was waiting for him to speak and then escalate the matter.
Since we want to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, the chicken should be big enough, one Shujishi will be just right.
And we must be ruthless and let those people know that anyone who gets close to the Mohist School and Jiang Qingzhi will definitely have a bad ending!
"It's so early in the morning. Has the Ministry of Personnel moved its yamen to Zhilu?" A lazy voice came.
Fan Zhong said: "Who is talking?"
"I!"
Fan Zhong, who was full of high spirits, turned around and saw Jiang Qingzhi coming towards him.
He subconsciously took a defensive posture, but Jiang Qingzhi didn't even look at him and said to Zhang Juzheng: "This is the court, this is the officialdom, what do you think?"
Zhang Juzheng said: "The human heart is hard to predict."
Jiang Qingzhi sensed some frustration in his voice, thinking about how this fellow had kept silent throughout the entire Jiajing period, which showed how arrogant he was.
Jiang Qingzhi thought of Xia Yan, who was equally aloof, but Zhang Juzheng was more capable than Xia Yan.
The officialdom is a training ground. Zhang Juzheng in history went through countless hardships before he became the reformer who overlooked the Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, he still seemed a little immature, and seemed particularly helpless under the attacks of Fan Zhongda and others.
Jiang Qingzhi asked, "Why did they impeach you?"
"Criticize the king and criticize the government." Zhang Juzheng said calmly.
Jiang Qingzhi saw a hint of determination and thought, would this guy learn from Tang Shunzhi?
Tang Shunzhi's pride was in his bones and could not be seen on the outside, while Zhang Juzheng's pride was exposed on the outside, which was much worse than that of Tang.
But both of them are talented, and Tang Shunzhi is proficient in both literature and martial arts.
"Criticizing the king?" Jiang Qingzhi frowned. He knew the Taoist's temper. If he knew about this, he would most likely put Zhang Juzheng on the blacklist and would not use him in the future.
Zhang Juzheng's failure in his career was not a bad thing for Jiang Qingzhi. He was in need of such a sharp young man. With just a few years of training, he could become a general of the Mohist School, or even the helmsman of the Mohist School in the future...
What the hell!
I'm still young, why do I have to start thinking about my successor?
Jiang Qingzhi put aside this thought and said, "Just be patient."
Zhang Juzheng smiled and nodded.
Jiang Qingzhi glanced at Fan Zhong and asked, "Fan Xie?"
Fan Zhong sneered, "What do you think, Chief Wilbur?"
He was the censor, and it was his job to report rumors. Jiang Qingzhi had no handle on him and could only sigh helplessly.
"It is the job of the censor to report on things that he hears, but you are also trying to find out what others have said in private. Isn't that excessive?"
Jiang Qingzhi said.
Fan Zhong said: "I will eat your salary and share your worries."
The tall and fancy shield is erected in front of him. If you have the ability, Jiang Qingzhi, come and try it.
Jiang Qingzhi laughed, "Uncle, are you going to see His Majesty?"
"Yes." Zhang Juzheng nodded.
"Together?" Jiang Qingzhi didn't wait for his answer and laughed again, "Forget it. Now in the eyes of many people, I am a disaster star. Whoever gets close to me will be unlucky."
But after walking a few steps, Jiang Qingzhi heard footsteps. He turned around and saw Zhang Juzheng following him.
He couldn't help but laugh... the method of provoking someone actually worked on Xiao Zhang?
The two walked in silence until they reached the outside of Yongshou Palace. Jiang Qingzhi saw Zhang Tong and said, "Come here."
Zhang Tong came over with a smile, "Chief Wilbur."
"Here." Jiang Qingzhi handed him an oil-paper bag. "Don't keep it. Eat it when you need it. Eunuch Huang doesn't need it."
"Oh!" Zhang Tong took the oil-paper bag and glanced at Zhang Juzheng, "Chang Wei Bo, His Majesty was angry before!"
"Why?" Jiang Qingzhi asked.
"It is said that it is him..." Zhang Tong glanced at Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Juzheng felt very disappointed.
"You wait outside first." Jiang Qingzhi said.
Zhang Juzheng stopped and watched Jiang Qingzhi enter the hall.
The Taoist priest seemed to be in good spirits. When he saw Jiang Qingzhi, he said, "We must hurry up and take care of the issue of offspring."
"Yes." Jiang Qingzhi thought to himself, I have seized the opportunity once early in the morning. If I continue to do this every day, I will die sooner or later.
At this time, a eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty, the memorial from Zhilu has been delivered."
This is the second batch of memorials today.
The Taoist flipped through the book and suddenly sneered, "Who gave him the courage to criticize the emperor?"
The incident involving Zhang Juzheng broke out.
Jiang Qingzhi leaned over and took a look with a lecherous look. It was indeed a memorial impeaching Zhang Juzheng.
Emperor Jiajing closed the memorial and said, "Let him go."
Since those people regarded Zhang Juzheng as a chicken to be killed to scare the monkeys, one can imagine the situation Zhang Juzheng faced after arriving at the local place.
……
While Zhang Juzheng was suffering, Fan Zhong was explaining things to someone.
"The ministers who criticized Your Majesty were either demoted or dismissed. Zhang Juzheng's words were quite disrespectful to Your Majesty. He said that hiding in the Western Garden was just an act of impulse. This was accusing Your Majesty of not daring to face the ministers and using the Yan Party to block himself... He is asking for his own death, and I just gave him a push..."
"Mr. Fan is too modest. Mr. Fan seized the opportunity quite cleverly. Zhang Juzheng was conspiring with Jiang Qingzhi outside the city just as Mr. Fan filed a petition for impeachment. This move really impressed me..."
(End of this chapter)
