After hearing Chen Hong's words, Sun Chengzong looked indifferent and did not show any happy expression.
Sometimes, congratulations may not necessarily be a good thing for you. Especially at such a critical moment, the slightest disturbance will cause some unnecessary unrest.
"Thank you, Eunuch Chen." Sun Chengzong bowed politely and said, "I wonder why I am so happy?"
After hearing what Sun Chengzong said, Chen Hong couldn't hide his joy. He raised his left hand to the air and said with a smile, "Your Majesty has issued an order. Lord Sun will be promoted!"
As Chen Hong spoke, he took the imperial edict from the hand of the little servant who was following him.
Sun Chengzong did not dare to delay and quickly lifted his robe and knelt down to listen to the order.
Seeing this, the people around also knelt down.
There are several types of imperial edicts in the Ming Dynasty.
One type is the emperor's order, drafted by the cabinet. This is considered a true imperial edict, the will of the entire court. No one can refuse this imperial edict, regardless of where it is received. Disobeying it is punishable by death.
In addition, there are also Zhongzhi (imperial edicts). These are imperial edicts written by the emperor himself, bypassing the cabinet and civil officials. They usually have supreme power, especially over eunuchs, Jinyiwei (guards of imperial uniforms), or the military.
However, imperial edicts sometimes proved ineffective for civil officials. These were privileges created by the civil servants themselves, a form of restriction on imperial power. However, these restrictions were perverse, serving the interests of the civil servants and increasing their power. Whether their influence was greater was unclear.
The imperial edict that Chen Hong read out this time was naturally the imperial edict.
Although the authority of a Zhongzhi (zhongzhi) is not as high as that of an imperial edict, it still depends on the circumstances. As the saying goes, times change, and following the trend is the right path. Currently, Emperor Zhu Youxiao is enjoying great prestige and power, so few dare to refuse his Zhongzhi.
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Since the Three Sovereigns ruled the world, and the Five Emperors took over, the Emperor has been responsible for shepherding the people and protecting the country. War is a matter of great importance to the state, a matter of life and death, a road to survival and destruction, and must be carefully considered.
"Cabinet Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong is well-versed in military texts and tactics, and often offers advice. He is truly the most knowledgeable military official in the court. I cherish and love him, and will certainly use him with respect. I am promoting Sun Chengzong to the position of Chief of Staff of the General Staff Office, and he will take up his post immediately.
"Granted by the Emperor."
After the imperial edict was read, Chen Hong folded the edicts together and said with a smile, "Your Majesty values Lord Sun very much. Lord, please thank him and accept the edict."
Even if the people present racked their brains, they would never have imagined that the decree would be like this.
Your Majesty actually transferred Sun Chengzong directly to the General Staff Office?
This operation really makes people speechless.
Sun Chengzong is now in charge of the Ministry of War. If Your Majesty wants to promote the status of the General Staff Office, the biggest obstacle will naturally be the Ministry of War.
Sun Chengzong, the Minister of War and Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, was in a very difficult position. If he disagreed with the promotion of the General Staff Office, it would surely cause contradictions and conflicts, and he might even be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
However, if they agreed, it would be difficult to explain to the Ministry of War, and it might even cause a backlash from the civil servants, which would make them unpopular both inside and outside. A veteran like Han Yu would be very likely to take advantage of the situation.
Under such circumstances, it would be difficult for Sun Chengzong to hold this position.
Now that Your Majesty has transferred Sun Chengzong directly to the General Staff Office, there will naturally be no problem for Sun Chengzong himself. He has left, so the promotion of the General Staff Office cannot be blamed on him.
As for the issue of resistance from the Ministry of War, that naturally disappeared. Without even an official in charge, who do you expect to step up?
The other officials in the Ministry of War? Are they qualified?
Whether it is the Left Vice Minister or the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, they can only obey at this time.
Your Majesty's move can be said to be like a ling hanging on a horn, leaving no trace and reaching the target in an instant.
Once the Ministry of War is without a Minister, it will naturally be in disarray. Judging from the current situation, His Majesty is unlikely to appoint a Minister of War in the short term.
Everyone's eyes fell on Sun Chengzong.
If there is any room for maneuver now, it is that Sun Chengzong refuses to accept the order.
But everyone knew what the consequences would be if they did not accept this imperial edict. Sun Chengzong would probably offend His Majesty deeply.
Some people couldn't help but shudder. Perhaps this was also a calculation of His Majesty.
If Sun Chengzong refused to accept the imperial edict, His Majesty would probably send him away on this charge instead of implicating the Ministry of War and the General Staff.
If Sun Chengzong accepted the imperial edict, it would naturally be good for everyone.
"I thank you and accept your order." Sun Chengzong said solemnly, stretching out his hands to take the imperial edict.
Among the people present, some immediately showed disappointed expressions, and were thinking in their hearts whether to spread some rumors to damage Sun Chengzong's reputation.
But after thinking about it, I let it go because it wasn't worth it. The bigwigs in the court all knew that as long as the emperor trusted them and they held power, losing a little reputation was nothing.
Besides, His Majesty must be keeping an eye on this matter at this time, and whoever shows up to cause trouble first will definitely be dealt with by His Majesty. To damage Sun Chengzong's reputation a little bit and then end up hurting himself is really not worth it.
"Congratulations, Elder Sun." Chen Hong smiled and bowed, saying, "I have something else to do at home, so I'll take my leave now."
"Send Eunuch Chen out." Sun Chengzong did not try to keep him. He said with a smile and made a gesture of invitation, sending Chen Hong out.
After Chen Hong left, Sun Chengzong put away his smile, and without paying any attention to the compliments and congratulations from those present, he went straight back to his duty room with the imperial edict.
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