"This old minister is terrified!"
Yan Song knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Sharing the emperor's worries is the duty of a minister. I have only written a few poems, yet Your Majesty has refused to eat meat or drink wine, and has not slept in the inner chambers for several days. How dare this old minister mention the word 'hardship' in front of Your Majesty?"
What Emperor Jiajing admired was Yan Song's obedience.
No matter what the occasion or situation, Yan Song would never be arrogant in front of him, but would behave very humbly.
The king is the king, and the minister is the minister.
"Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yan Song stood up tremblingly and stood respectfully by the side.
"What does Lord Yan think about the Southeast affairs?"
Emperor Jiajing asked the question suddenly, and Yan Song was not mentally prepared.
However, when the emperor asks a question, you cannot say you don't know.
Yan Song gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, the key to stabilizing the southeast lies in both suppression and appeasement. If we only suppress without appeasement, the Japanese pirates will surely bear a grudge and fight to the death. If we only appease without suppression, the bandits will become emboldened and become even more aggressive."
This kind of statement is the safest one. It is the same as not saying anything, but it won't cause any major mistakes.
Yan Song couldn't guess what Emperor Jiajing was thinking, so he chose to be safe.
In fact, he now particularly hopes that his son Yan Shifan can be by his side, so that no matter what Emperor Jiajing asks, he can give a better answer.
Yan Song himself was not a quick-witted person, and without Yan Shifan, his answer seemed a bit mediocre.
Emperor Jiajing showed no emotion and continued to ask, "What does Lord Yan think of Zhu Wan?"
Yan Song wondered what was wrong with His Majesty today and why he suddenly asked so many questions about the southeast.
Zhu Wan was not recommended by Yan Song and had nothing to do with Yan's party.
Yan Song was neither in a position to praise him too much nor to criticize him directly, so he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Zhu Wan is quite talented, but a little stubborn."
Emperor Jiajing suddenly stood up and paced around the hall.
Yan Song couldn't figure out Emperor Jiajing's thoughts, so he had to wait quietly.
After a long pause, the Jiajing Emperor sighed and said, "Ever since the tribute dispute in the second year of the Jiajing reign, the southeastern coast has been in turmoil. The Japanese pirates have been running rampant, plundering the people along the coast at will. As a king and father, I am deeply saddened."
Yan Song quickly said, "Your Highness, we are incompetent and cannot help you share your worries."
The Jiajing Emperor shook his head and said, "It's none of Lord Yan's business. I'm wondering if this is really all the fault of the Japanese pirates? Not entirely, is it? The waters in the southeast are too deep and too muddy, so deep that no one dares to touch them, and so muddy that no one can see clearly. They are in cahoots with each other, like snakes and rats in the same nest, deceiving their superiors and hiding the truth from their subordinates, and they have no respect for the emperor or their fathers!"
Yan Song broke out in cold sweat on his back and neck.
He thought that although His Majesty the Emperor was not in court, his mind was as clear as a mirror.
"I employ Zhu Wan because he dares to make a difference and speak the truth."
Emperor Jiajing said leisurely, "If the situation in the southeast is like this, then the court is also like this. If everyone in the court is of one mind, like a monolith, then it will be disastrous."
hiss!
After hearing this, Yan Song finally understood.
Is your Majesty implying that his behavior during this period has been excessive?
As soon as Xia Yan fell from power, Yan Song was busy eliminating dissidents and replacing all positions in the court with his own people.
This behavior is too hasty and too fast, and the eating method is too ugly.
Finally, the emperor expressed his dissatisfaction.
This is to use the situation in the southeast to warn him and make him restrain himself!
Yan Song was a shrewd man, and he quickly followed the Emperor's lead, saying, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. This world is your Majesty's world, the Ming Dynasty is your Majesty's Ming Dynasty, and the court is naturally your Majesty's court. Although the court officials come from the two capitals and thirteen provinces, they are all your Majesty's subjects in the final analysis. The former Prime Minister Xia Yan has been corrupting the government for a long time, and many officials in the court dare not speak out. Now is the time to eliminate the long-standing problems and usher in a new era."
Yan Song put the blame on Xia Yan in a few words, and said that he was very different from Xia Yan. Not only would he not go against Emperor Jiajing, but he would also allow the court to allow a hundred flowers to bloom.
Emperor Jiajing liked to talk with smart people, and Yan Song could guess his intention with just a little hint.
He had almost finished beating, and seeing Yan Song's understanding, he smiled and said, "The one who understands me is Lord Yan."
Yan Song quickly knelt on the ground and cried out in fear.
The emperor hated his ministers guessing his thoughts the most, and he was even more afraid of his ministers guessing his thoughts.
If this is the case, how can the emperor exercise imperial power and establish checks and balances?
Yan Song certainly knew this truth.
Emperor Jiajing might have just been joking, but Yan Song couldn't take it that way. He had to express his attitude immediately.
"I just said it casually, and you see how frightened Lord Yan is. Stand up."
Emperor Jiajing had been on the throne for twenty-seven years, and the temperament he had developed over the years in high office made him awe-inspiring without even getting angry.
Yan Song stood up cautiously. Emperor Jiajing walked over to his side and said calmly, "Lord Yan, you haven't eaten yet, right? I will serve the meal after the fasting and prayer ceremony is over. Lord Yan, please join me for dinner."
Yan Song quickly said, "This old minister thanks your Majesty for your grace."
...
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Capital, Hanlin Academy.
After some thought, Zhang Juzheng decided to visit his mentor Xu Jie.
Xu Jie’s current official position is Hanlin Bachelor and Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Although there are rumors that Xu Jie will take over the position of Minister of Rites, it has not been officially announced after all.
The Hanlin Bachelor was the most powerful official that Zhang Juzheng could come into contact with.
Those who know me say that I am worried, and those who don’t know me ask what I am seeking.
He firmly believed that the teacher understood him.
Although the Hanlin Academy is a leisurely government office, as the head of the academy, the Hanlin Bachelor still has a lot of daily government affairs to deal with.
In addition, Xu Jie now also has a job in the Ministry of Personnel, so he only spends half a day in the Hanlin Academy every day.
Zhang Juzheng arrived on time.
When he arrived at Xu Jie's office, Xu Jie was handling official business.
"Students pay their respects to their mentors."
Zhang Juzheng bowed deeply to Xu Jie with a very respectful attitude.
Seeing Zhang Juzheng coming, Xu Jie put down his pen and paper and said with a smile, "Why is Uncle here?"
Zhang Juzheng had thought it through before he arrived, so he mustered up the courage to speak: "Dear teacher, Mr. Zeng was loyal and devoted to recovering the Hetao region, but he was framed by treacherous officials and ended up in this situation. All the loyal and good people in the court are heartbroken. Now Mr. Zeng has been imprisoned, and his life or death is uncertain. I have decided to write a letter with my colleagues in the Hanlin Academy to defend Mr. Zeng."
Xu Jie became furious after hearing this.
"Nonsense! Just a scholar's opinion!"
He shook his head repeatedly and said, "Zeng Xin was imprisoned just because he wanted to retake Hetao? It's because he and Xia Yan have a close personal relationship! This is a taboo for His Majesty, and no one can touch it. What's the point of your joint petition? It won't achieve anything other than getting a beating in court."
Zhang Juzheng clenched his fists and asked, "Are we just going to watch Zeng Gong being murdered by treacherous officials?"
"Uncle, this officialdom isn't black and white. You have to adapt!"
Xu Jie sighed and said earnestly, "If you want to eradicate the treacherous and treacherous, you must learn to endure."
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