My father is Jiajing

Chapter 473: East Factory Secret Agent
Gao Gong's worry stemmed from his fear of imperial power. He was afraid that if Zhu Zaigui's words were spread out without restraint, Emperor Jiajing would be unhappy and think that Zhu Zaigui was not content to be just a prince and wanted to go further. That would be bad.

You have to know that in history, in order to get that position, not to mention father and son and brothers, even one's own father and mother would not be let go. This shows how strong the exclusivity of imperial power is. It can be so powerful that it can turn people into ghosts and turn those who possess it into its slaves.

Now that Zhu Zaigui has said that he wants to recommend a candidate for the new Minister of Personnel, this is actually no different from trying to interfere in the imperial power.

If Emperor Jiajing's emphasis on and obsession with power reached a point of madness, Zhu Zaigui would not have a good ending even if he was his own son.

After all, since ancient times, there have been few cases of sons killing their fathers, but there have been many cases of fathers killing their sons. Moreover, when they start to act, they are so straightforward and will not give the sons any chance to survive.

Therefore, Gao Gong was really afraid that Zhu Zaigui might get carried away and do something to disobey Emperor Jiajing and interfere with Emperor Jiajing's power. That would be disastrous.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Gao Gong who was so panicked, and he also laughed and comforted him: "Mr. Gao, you are worrying too much. I will not do such a stupid thing. It's just that the opportunity is rare, and I can't let those who are idle occupy the high position. That's why I have something to say. You don't have to worry about what I will do."

Zhu Zaigui comforted Gao Gong, which made Gao Gong feel relieved. He was afraid that Zhu Zaigui would do something irrational in his passion. You know, the current emperor has two sons, and Princess Jing is about to give birth. What if the baby is really a prince?

Then the Ming Dynasty might as well choose King Jing's lineage as the successor.

After Zhu Zaigui comforted Gao Gong, he also took a sip of tea from the cup in front of him. He then asked, "If Mr. Gao were to be appointed as the official in the Ministry of Personnel, how would Mr. Gao manage the civil service?"

Gao Gong, who was about to drink tea with Zhu Zaigui, couldn't help but choke on the tea he hadn't finished drinking after hearing Zhu Zaigui's words, "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!"

Zhu Zaiqi laughed and said, "I am just asking casually."

Gao Gong put down his teacup and said nervously, "Your Highness, this is not something we can discuss. I cannot answer."

Zhu Zaigui saw that Gao Gong was still so nervous, and couldn't help but sigh, "Then Mr. Gao, go back and think about it carefully, and come to see me when you have figured it out."

After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, Gao Gong also stood up and bowed, "I will take my leave."

This time when Gao Gong took his leave, Zhu Zaigui did not stand up to see him off. Gao Gong left Zhu Zaigui's study courtyard anxiously, his heart still in turmoil. But deep in his heart, he couldn't help but have ambitions.

"If I were the Minister of Personnel, what would I do?"

This question was like a weed that had sprouted, growing uncontrollably in Gao Gong's heart.

Originally, he thought that after his term as the Chairman of the Ming Federal Reserve ended, he would either be transferred to the Ministry of Rites or other ministries as a minister, or he might be given an idle position in one of the six ministries in Nanjing to allow him to transition.

But now Zhu Zaigui made it clear that he wanted him to compete for the soon-to-be-vacant position of Minister of Personnel. How could Gao Gong not be frightened and excited at the same time?

So at this moment Gao Gong couldn't help but imagine that if he was really promoted to the Minister of Personnel, how should he do this job?

Just when Gao Gong was daydreaming, he met Huang Jin who came to Prince Yu's mansion.

The two met in front of the gate of Prince Yu's Mansion. Huang Jin looked up and saw Gao Gong, who was still in a trance while walking. He greeted him cheerfully, "Chairman Gao, long time no see."

When Gao Gong heard Huang Jin's voice, he was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses, and then quickly bowed to Huang Jin and said, "Greetings, Eunuch Huang."

Huang Jin smiled and said, "What are you thinking about? I see you are not paying attention when you walk. Aren't you afraid of tripping over the door sill and falling?"

Gao Gong certainly didn't dare to tell the truth, so he quickly found an excuse and said, "Excuse me, sir. I was just thinking about how to write the annual summary of the Ming Federal Reserve. After all, your majesty also attaches great importance to this annual summary."

Huang Jin hummed and said with a smile: "This is indeed a big deal. Now your Ming Dynasty Federal Reserve is more prosperous than the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue now has to look at your face. Every now and then, it has to ask you for loans to make up for the lack of silver in the treasury. It's really a changing world."

Gao Gong smiled and said, "You are too kind, eunuch. The Ministry of Revenue controls the taxation of the entire Ming Dynasty. It's just that sometimes the money and property that need to be escorted to the capital from various places need time to turn around, so they temporarily pass through the Ming Dynasty Federal Reserve. How can this be done at our expense? Besides, I am also the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue now. I can't just sit back and watch when something happens in the Ministry of Revenue. Otherwise, how will my colleagues and officials in the Ministry of Revenue look at me?"

Huang Jin laughed and said, "Look how modest you are. How can the Ministry of Revenue control you? When you were reporting to the Emperor, you always spoke before the Ministry of Revenue. Now your Ming Federal Reserve is more popular than the Ministry of Revenue."

Gao Gong smiled modestly and immediately changed the subject, "Are you looking for the prince too, eunuch?"

Huang Jin said: "Yes, the prince is still the regent, and the emperor sometimes asks about the prince's views on political affairs, so we have to run back and forth between the palace and the mansion to serve as a bridge for communication between the emperor and the prince."

When Gao Gong heard this, he quickly said to Huang Jin: "Thank you for your hard work, eunuch."

At the same time, Gao Gong couldn't help but recall what Zhu Zaigui had just said in the study and tea room.

It seems that the prince's question just now was not aimless, but was asked with confidence.

So during this time Gao Gong seemed to have figured out a lot of problems. He said to Huang Jin, "Then I won't bother you anymore. You can go see the prince first. I also need to go back and sort out this year's annual summary."

Huang Jin saw Gao Gong was so anxious, so he waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. Your job is also very important. Every year, the Emperor will regard your annual summary as the highlight, and let the other six departments learn from it. This move of yours is really in the Emperor's heart."

After Gao Gong and Huang Jin chatted for a while in front of Prince Yu's mansion, they said goodbye.

Gao Gong hurried back to his own Ming Federal Reserve headquarters, while Huang Jin swaggered into Zhu Zaigui's mansion.

The moment Huang Jin entered the mansion, Zhu Zaigui had Meng Chong greet him in front of the mansion, and took Huang Jin to a more private warm room to meet him.

When Huang Jin saw Zhu Zaigui, she also bowed and greeted him with a smile: "Your servant greets the prince."

Zhu Zaigui laughed and said, "Don't be so polite, eunuch. It's just like your own home here. Meng Chong, go and bring the warm ginseng lemon tea." When Huang Jin heard that Zhu Zaigui asked Meng Chong to bring ginseng lemon tea, the smile on his face became even more friendly. He liked it right now. The sour and sweet taste made him happy.

Zhu Zaiqi looked at Huang Jin so happy and asked, "What is the purpose of your visit this time, eunuch?"

In front of Zhu Zaigui, Huang Jin did not beat around the bush or hide anything.

Huang Jin sighed and said, "Isn't it because Minister Wu is going to retire? Although Minister Wu has no remarkable achievements during his tenure, he is still considered an old minister. The emperor is still a little reluctant to see such an old minister retire."

"But all good things must come to an end. Since Minister Wu is old and is about to retire, the Emperor must also consider the candidate for the new Minister of Personnel. So I came to discuss this matter with Your Highness, and see what Your Highness thinks of the current court."

Zhu Zaigui chuckled, "What do I think? Minister Wu's retirement is like the sky is about to rain and the girl is about to get married. We can't stop him, so we can only let him leave in a dignified manner. But the court has its own system. For an important position like the Minister of Personnel held by Minister Wu, if we want to select a new person, there must be a court election."

"And this is a major policy of the court. Although I am the regent, how can I speak lightly about such a major matter? So how can I have any idea?"

Zhu Zaigui was reluctant to accept the challenge directly, as this would give people a bad impression and make them think that he was overreaching and wanted to directly interfere in state affairs.

This is just as Gao Gong had shown before, if you are not careful you will end up in an irreparable situation.

After all, no one could predict how strong Emperor Jiajing's desire for power was. If Zhu Zaigui had no awe or awareness and directly expressed his thoughts and opinions, wouldn't this be evidence that Zhu Zaigui was bent on getting his hands on imperial power?

Huang Jin listened to Zhu Zaigui's answer and said quickly, "Your Highness, there is no need to be so self-deprecating. You are the regent prince appointed by the emperor, so you naturally have the right to inquire about the important affairs of the court. Moreover, the Ministry of Personnel is related to the promotion, transfer and recommendation of officials throughout the country. Your Highness cannot but pay attention to it."

At this time, Meng Chong also brought up the warmed ginseng lemon tea. Zhu Zaigui immediately said to Huang Jin, "Eunuch, this is lemon tea made from a hundred-year-old ginseng. Although it cannot be said to be rare in the world, it is also a rare good thing. Come and try it."

Huang Jin picked up the cup in front of her with surprise, took a sip while it was still hot, and praised: "Not bad, not bad, it tastes great! Thank you, Your Majesty, for the tea."

Zhu Zaiqi laughed and said, "If you like it, you can bring some back later."

Huang Jin waved his hands and said, "No, no, I still haven't finished most of the boxes that the prince sent me last time. If I bring more, it will probably go bad."

When Zhu Zaigui heard Huang Jin say this, he didn't force it.

Zhu Zaigui continued the previous topic and said, "Although I have been the regent for several years, I still know very little about the affairs of the court. Most of the time, I focus on the two areas of the Beijing Special District and the Ming Federal Reserve. I am still completely in the dark about other areas."

"Moreover, according to the court system, after Minister Wu, the imperial court must have recommended someone. I guess the cabinet must have recommended someone for the new Minister of Personnel at that time. What if the prince thinks things are simple and the person he recommends is different from the one the cabinet wants to recommend? Wouldn't that be troublesome?"

Huang Jin heard Zhu Zaigui's concerns and waved his hand, saying, "Your Highness, don't think so. There will always be different opinions on the recommendation of the new Minister of Personnel. Otherwise, wouldn't the imperial court's recommendation become a mere formality?"

"So, Your Majesty, just think of the candidate you want to recommend with confidence, and then I will help you communicate with the Emperor to see if the candidate you recommend can also be included in the court recommendation so that all officials can get familiar with him."

Zhu Zaigui pondered for a moment, "Well, I haven't thought about it yet. If I can think of a suitable candidate, I will let you know as soon as possible. How about that?"

When Huang Jin heard Zhu Zaigui finally let go, he was overjoyed. After all, this was the task assigned to him by Emperor Jiajing. If he failed to complete it, he would definitely make Emperor Jiajing unhappy when he returned.

So now that things have come to this, Huang Jin's mood naturally brightened up, and the ginseng lemon tea tasted better.

Huang Jin made small talk again: "Princess Jing is about to give birth, won't the prince go to visit her?"

Zhu Zaigui chuckled and cursed in his heart, thinking that he was really talking about something that was not relevant. Could he go to Prince Jing's mansion to join in the fun at this time?

Moreover, because of the Wang Zhi case, many things have not been settled yet. Going to Prince Jing's mansion now is just looking for trouble, isn't it?
Zhu Zaigui said, "With Prince Jing's brother looking after Princess Jing in the mansion, there won't be any problems. Besides, now is a sensitive time. Although on the surface the Wang Zhi case has been overshadowed by Wu Peng's retirement, who knows how big the undercurrents will be in secret?"

"So, it is better for me to be down-to-earth and stay in my own palace with my wife and children. This is the right thing to do."

Huang Jin smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. I was wrong. But this time I also have good news for Your Highness."

When Zhu Zaiqi heard Huang Jin's sudden lowered voice in the second half of the sentence, he immediately became curious, "What good news?"

Huang Jin whispered, "I heard that Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua had a falling out. Yan Shifan cursed Zhao Wenhua in the mansion and had the servants drive him away. Now, apart from the elderly Yan Ge Lao who can rely on him, it seems that the people on Yan Shifan's side don't like him anymore."

When Zhu Zaigui heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Although Zhao Wenhua is not a good person either, he is at least better than Yan Shifan. No matter how useless he is, he is a formal scholar and has real talent and knowledge.

Such people were scolded away by Yan Shifan, which shows that there is no unity within Yan's party!

And now is the critical moment in handling the Wang Zhi case. If Zhao Wenhua can be pulled over to deal a fatal blow to Yan Shifan, then won't all things go smoothly?
Zhu Zaiqi asked: "Really?"

Huang Jin said: "It is absolutely true. This is the news that the East Factory spy sent me when I was on my way to the Prince's mansion. I haven't had time to report it to the Emperor yet."

Zhu Zaiqi smiled and said, "Eunuch, you can't do this anymore. You should report such secrets to His Majesty first. Only with His Majesty's permission can you discuss it with me. Otherwise, wouldn't I be overstepping my authority?"

Huang Jin quickly replied: "Your Majesty is right, I know what you are saying."

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Asking for a monthly ticket~~
(End of this chapter)