Chapter 1256: Prime Minister Retires

After reading the paper, the next step is to follow the etiquette process step by step.

On March 18th, the list of winners was announced. A few days later, the top scholar was paraded through the streets, thanked the emperor, was released from prison, and the Imperial College erected a monument with his name on it. He was also given a banquet at the Imperial Academy. It is really said that the filthy past is not worth boasting about. Today, the desire for sex is endless. I am riding a horse at full speed in the spring breeze, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day.

This series of grand ceremonies gave the imperial examination a sacred cloak, which could inspire the enthusiasm of the new scholars to be loyal to the court and also attract scholars from all over the world.

After the noisy celebration, the cabinet and the Hanlin Academy will jointly hold a selection to select 36 Shujishi to study in the academy. Those who are not selected as Shujishi will wait for the selection of the Ministry of Personnel, or be observed by the six ministries, or be employed by the Ministry of Personnel, or go to the provinces to wait for vacancies in prefectures and counties.

No matter where I go, I am always doing odd jobs...

The six ministries and provinces all welcomed these scholars who were observing politics and alternate county magistrates. The reason for this was that fresh blood brought new vitality.

The low EQ argument is that of course the more free labor there is, the better, as it allows people to work hard and do not have to pay for themselves in order to fill vacancies as soon as possible.

Basically, without a particularly strong connection, no one can escape the fate of working for others for free.

Of course, there are also people like Jin Xuezeng who can directly become county magistrates, or who can take office right after a symbolic internship. I can only say that maybe this is life...

~~

After the examination, the court's operations returned to normal.

All matters that had been put on hold because of the talent selection ceremony were also rushed into action.

On March 25, Emperor Longqing finally accepted the resignation of Li Chunfang, the chief minister of the cabinet, due to illness.

"The emperor said: You are a loyal and diligent minister who is trusted by me. How can you retire just because of a minor illness? You should take good care of yourself and return to work when you recover. I will also send officials from the Imperial Hospital to diagnose you and give you pigs, sheep, wine and food."

When Meng Chong, who came to Li's house in person to convey the emperor's will, read out the decree of Emperor Longqing, Li Chunfang officially became the former Prime Minister.

"Get up quickly, old man," said the fat Meng Chong, who had a kind face. He handed the decree to Li Chunfang, and helped him up from the ground, saying, "Tomorrow His Majesty will send another reward. In addition, His Majesty understands that you are not in good health, and said that he is very sorry for making you work hard during the palace examination a few days ago. Anyway, you will come back after you recover, so you don't need to go to the palace to thank him again."

Li Chunfang's expression froze when he heard this. Although he had refused three times and kept three times, it was decent enough. But the emperor did not see him for the last time, which obviously meant that he insisted on resigning and angered Longqing. He knew that in Longqing's plan, Gao Gong was appointed as the second assistant and the official in charge of the power, and he, the harmless first assistant, was a little check and balance, which should be a combination that the emperor could rest assured.

Now that I insisted on giving up, the emperor was naturally unhappy. But this kind of unhappiness was also a good thing, because it showed that the emperor sincerely hoped that I could come back. After all, it was hard to find an honest and sensible prime minister like me.

After expressing his gratitude, he sent Meng Chong away with the help of his son. He then ordered Li Maocai to go to the cabinet to collect all his belongings and invite the three university scholars to come to his house tonight.

Gao, Zhang and Zhao naturally agreed readily. Since they had worked together, they had to say goodbye.

So Li Chunfang ordered the cook to buy fresh ingredients and prepare a table of authentic Huaiyang cuisine to entertain the three university scholars.

At dusk that day, Zhao Zhenji arrived first.

Zhao Ge Lao's face was naturally not happy when his backer left. But when he saw that Li Chunfang was wearing a brown Taoist robe, his hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin, and he had a pair of soft-soled cloth shoes on his feet, he looked like a retired cadre. What else could he say?

"Mr. Yuan, what are you doing..." Zhao Zhenji held his hand tightly, his eyes red, and he tilted his head to one side and said, "Alas!"

"Lord Dazhou, there is no need to be like this. All good things must come to an end." Li Chunfang smiled and invited him to sit inside, saying, "How many people have scolded me for being idle over the years? If I give them a seat now, I will get less scolding."

"It's all Gao Huzi's gang, Han Ji, Song Zhiwen and the like who are behind this!" Zhao Zhenji gritted his teeth and said, "They just want to drive us all away so that their leader can unify the martial arts world for eternity!"

"Calm down, calm down." Li Chunfang smiled and comforted him. He also knew that if he left, Zhao Zhenji would no longer be there to protect him, and the Gao Party could focus on dealing with him. "The late emperor once hung a scroll in the West Garden, which contained Laozi's words, 'I have three treasures, namely kindness, simplicity, and not daring to be the first in the world'. This is the late emperor's way of being a monarch. The late emperor was wise and wise, and we, the ministers, can never catch up with him. But I also have my own way of being an official."

"What?" Zhao Zhenji asked.

"Think of danger, think of retreat, think of change." Li Chunfang said lightly.

"Think of danger, retreat, and change?" Zhao Zhenji repeated softly, and then sighed: "Weng Yuan is reminding me that I am in a dangerous situation. Should I also take the initiative to retreat?"

"There is another thing I want to change." Li Chunfang smiled faintly: "After retiring, I can think clearly about how to change in the future. When I come back, I can become stronger."

"Mr. Yuan, do you still have thoughts about Xie Anshi?" Zhao Zhenji looked at him steadily and asked.

"I don't even know whether it will be sunny or cloudy tomorrow." Li Chunfang smiled vaguely, "How can I predict the future?"

"I knew it would rain tomorrow," Zhao Zhenji said firmly.

"Oh?" Li Chunfang was stunned.

"Because I'm in severe pain here." Zhao Zhenji patted his waist and sighed, "It's an old problem I got from the Gengxu Rebellion. I feel sore and swollen when it's cloudy or rainy."

Li Chunfang knew that he was referring to the 29th year of Jiajing, when Altan Khan invaded the capital and sent a letter asking for tribute.

At that time, Jiajing ordered all officials to discuss the strategy of repelling the enemy in the court. Unexpectedly, no one spoke when it was almost noon. Only Zhao Zhenji rolled up his sleeves and said excitedly: "The Spring and Autumn Annals shamed the alliance under the city. Since they promised to pay tribute, they must enter the city. If they want to demand more, what can we do?"

Xu Jie asked him: "You must have a good plan?"

As a result, the fool said: "For now, please ask Your Majesty to go to the main hall as soon as possible and issue an edict to take the blame..."

Emperor Jiajing was very moved after hearing this and said that he was a good minister. He then hinted to Yan Song, the scapegoat, to find an excuse to impeach him, and then he was beaten with 40 canes in the court and exiled to Libo, Qingyuan, Guangxi.

On his way to exile, Zhao Zhenji was infected with malaria and was left with only skin and bones. He and his wife cried and thought they were going to die. Fortunately, he was rescued by his fellow students of the Taizhou School and survived, but he also suffered from many illnesses.

This is also the reason why he strongly opposed Altan Khan's tribute last year...

"I am sixty-four this year, and I have no chance to make a comeback." Perhaps thinking of his past experience, the frustration on Zhao Zhenji's face disappeared. He said calmly: "I have been beaten to death once, and now I am lucky enough to be the prime minister. How can I let the younger generation say that I, Zhao Mengjing, am getting more and more timid as I get older, and I no longer have the courage of my youth?"

Zhao Zhenji raised his eyebrows and said proudly, "I was not afraid of Yan Song back then, so why should I be afraid of Gao Huzi? I can't let them do whatever they want. As long as I am alive, I will fight Gao to the end. Even if I end up in disgrace, I am willing to do it!"

"That's an exaggeration. Not really." Li Chunfang's face flushed. No matter what he said, the way to go was to 'retreat at the height of the storm and protect oneself'...

The hall fell into silence. At this time, the doorman came in and reported that Lord Gao and Lord Zhang had arrived together.

Li Chunfang stood up and said to Zhao Zhenji, "Let's go and welcome them. I will also try my best to persuade them one last time."

After that, he said helplessly: "But can you listen? I don't think so."

"No, I'll go out the back door." Zhao Zhenji snorted and said, "I have nothing to discuss with him."

He said to Li Chunfang apologetically, "I'm afraid we'll start arguing after just three sentences, and Mr. Yuan's banquet will end in displeasure."

"Oh, okay..." What else could Li Chunfang say? She could only nod and watch him leave.

~~

"Mr. Yuan, we are late and have been waiting for a long time." Having been automatically promoted to the prime minister of the cabinet, Gao Gong was naturally in a good mood. He bowed with a smile on his face.

Bu Gu also followed suit and bowed, what a perfect couple they were... Oh no, they were in cahoots with each other... Oh no, they were a perfect match.

"It's okay, it's okay. You are busy people. It's really wrong for you to waste your time for a commoner like me." Li Chunfang said with a smile.

"What are you saying, Mr. Yuan? You are just going back to your hometown to recuperate for a year or so. When you are well again, you will come back." Gao Gong laughed and said, "Am I not an example? So we will meet again in the world of martial arts in the long run!"

Only Gao Gong could say this. If it were someone else, even if it was Li Chunfang, Gao Huzi would definitely change color, so Zhang Juzheng just smiled and nodded, and did not join in the fun.

"Alas, I don't have the good health of Mr. Xuan. Even if I recover from this illness, I don't have the energy to handle state affairs." Li Chunfang smiled and stretched out his hand, saying, "Please come inside and talk."

The main room was brightly lit. On a sandalwood eight-immortals table, Huaiyang cuisine with delicate knife work and fresh dishes had been laid out. Even the plating and tableware were perfect, showcasing the elegant style.

"Please, let's start the feast." Li Chunfang invited Gao Gong to take the seat of honor, and she herself took the host's seat.

"Hey, isn't Zhao Dazhou coming?" Gao Gong asked as he took the wet handkerchief offered by the maid and wiped his hands.

"Oh, he's temporarily not feeling well and said he can't come." Li Chunfang explained.

"Really? He was still full of energy when he quarreled with me in the afternoon." Gao Gong said with a teasing smile.

"Alas, both of you have the same hot temper." Li Chunfang smiled helplessly: "Can't you both speak calmly?"

"Haha, it's easy to change the country but hard to change one's nature." Gao Gong laughed and picked up the wine glass and said, "Come on, uncle, let's borrow flowers to offer to Buddha. Let's toast to the prime minister first."

"Okay." Li Chunfang smiled and clinked glasses with the two university scholars.

After three rounds of drinks and a reluctant farewell, he got down to business and said, "It is said that one should not meddle in government affairs if one is not in a position to do so. As a retired cabinet minister, I should not be saying anything more about government affairs. But there are some things I have always wanted to say to Mr. Xuan. If I don't say it today, I will never have the chance to say it again in the future."

"Mr. Yuan, please speak. I am all ears." Gao Gong quickly put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and pretended to listen.

Li Chunfang asked slowly, "Excuse me, Mr. Xuan, what are the duties of the Prime Minister?"

p.s. My child finished his exam today and will start his winter vacation tomorrow. I have to adjust my biological clock and follow his schedule. So I can't write at night anymore. I will only update once today and start writing in the morning tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)