I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 101: Host Selection! Wang Xijue or Shen Shixing

On the third day of September, early in the morning, the sky was just getting light.

The Huangji sect holds court meetings every day.

The young Wanli sat high on the throne, with Empress Dowager Li behind the curtain, and civil and military officials standing on both sides.

Hai Rui stood behind Chen Zan, the Left Censor-in-Chief.

Wang Jiaping, as the record-keeping officer, stood southeast of the throne, while Shen Nian stood among the editors.

After the official on duty at the Tongzhengshisi read the memorial that needed to be announced to the ministers, the young Wanli looked up and asked, "Where is Hai Rui, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate?"

Hai Rui, wearing a brand new fourth-rank scarlet robe with a cloud-goose patch, strode out and saluted the young Wanli.

"Your Majesty, Hai Rui, your honored minister, wishes you the best of health!"

As soon as Hai Rui spoke, almost all the officials straightened up, including the three cabinet ministers standing in the front.

Many officials may not like Hai Rui's way of doing things, but they respect him very much.

There is only one such official in the Ming Dynasty.

"Hai Qianyuan, please stand up!" Little Wanli said with a smile, "I heard that Hai Qianyuan started reading documents related to Shanxi's military, political and civilian conditions on the day he arrived in Beijing. Such diligence is very gratifying to me!"

Little Wanli slowed down, looked around, and raised his voice.

"I would like to reiterate my position here. The Haiqianyuan's inspection of Shanxi is carried out under my orders. My attitude is to investigate thoroughly and show no leniency. Anyone who dares to interfere or cheat will be spared!"

We will investigate thoroughly and show no leniency.

These eight words are exactly the attitude of the court.

This sentence will also be Hai Rui's amulet. Anyone who stops Hai Rui will be going against the court.

When cabinet minister Zhang Siwei heard this, he straightened his chest and raised his head, completely ignoring the gazes of those around him.

Followed by.

Little Wanli continued, "Hai Qianyuan, I want to keep you in Beijing for half a month to participate in the political discussions. What do you think?"

Hearing this, all the officials looked at Hai Rui who was standing in front of them.

The fact that the young Wanli could say this clearly showed that the cabinet had already discussed it, but the meaning of these words coming from the young Wanli's mouth was completely different.

The emperor's personal invitation was to ask Hai Rui to support the new policy on the premise of defending the imperial power; the cabinet's invitation was simply because Zhang Juzheng wanted Hai Rui to support him.

All officials knew that Hai Rui had no faction, no private party, and even no friends in the court.

He only recognizes ancestral rules, laws and morals.

With him around, the political discussions among the various schools of thought will inevitably become more intense.

"I am grateful that Your Majesty does not despise my slowness. I will do my utmost to prioritize the greater good and live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

Little Wanli nodded with satisfaction.

Zhang Juzheng standing by also nodded slightly. What he wanted to hear were Hai Rui's five words: "Put the overall situation first."

The young Wanli continued, "My Lords, the Hundred Schools of Thought Forum is about to begin. I hope everyone understands that the purpose of holding this forum is not to pit official and private schools against each other, nor to determine a single victory or defeat. Instead, it is to allow the people of the world to understand the sincerity and determination of the court to strengthen the country and enrich the people, and to explore more new policies."

"The result I want to see is that after this political discussion, more scholars will support the court's new policies, focus more on practical matters, and be more inclined to work for the court and the people with their own actions, rather than just talking about governing the country or lecturing on it, which will lead to the proliferation of heresy in the Ming Dynasty!"

……

"I obey your command!" All the officials bowed in unison, the sound was deafening.

Behind the curtain of the throne.

Empress Dowager Li looked at the thin back of little Wanli and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

She suddenly realized that the little emperor, who had always attended to government affairs and memorized speeches in advance in preparation for regular court sessions, already possessed the aura of an emperor who could issue orders to his ministers.

……

After the regular court.

Hai Rui strode towards the Censorate, his steps were so fast that no one was within two meters of him.

This is how the censors are. If they are clean, they have no friends and most of them keep to themselves.

At this time, Yao Bin, the Imperial Censor of the Ministry of Personnel, came trotting up to Hai Rui.

He will also accompany Hai Rui throughout his inspection tour of Shanxi.

"Hai Qianyuan, I am Yao Bin, a member of the Imperial Censorate of the Ministry of Personnel. I have recently compiled a lot of documents regarding the situation of Shanxi officials and merchants. Could I discuss this with you later?"

Hai Rui sized up Yao Bin and said, "You're brave enough to impeach the current cabinet minister and the Minister of Justice, and you're not just speaking on hearsay. Well done! Come see me this afternoon!"

"As you command!" Yao Bin bowed heavily.

At this moment, Yao Bin looked up at the sky.

Suddenly, I felt that the sky in the capital, which had been gray for the past few days, was so blue and clear, and the white clouds were like cotton and snow.

And he is full of energy and fighting spirit.

……

The next morning.

The Hanlin Academy announced the list of 300 people who would attend the imperial court for the Hundred Schools of Thought and the list of 1,000 observers.

Both lists were selected by the Hanlin Academy based on the content categories of the political proposals after the various schools of thought recommended themselves.

No favoritism or oppression towards anyone.

Even all influential representatives of heretical doctrines were given the opportunity to speak.

Try to allow all scholars with meaningful and reasonable opinions to express their views as much as possible.

Also.

Anyone who is dissatisfied with the list of those who attended the imperial court or the list of those who attended the court as observers may appeal to the Hanlin Academy with his or her own proposals for political consultation.

The court's practice of "respecting all doctrines and respecting everyone's freedom of speech" won praise from many scholars.

This has never happened in the Ming Dynasty!
The scholars and literati in the society also knew that this might be the only opportunity to express their dissatisfaction or offer suggestions to the court.

After the discussion of the Hundred Schools of Thought is over.

Whether the court will continue to ban academies and prohibit students from speaking out on politics depends entirely on the outcome of this political discussion.

The court officials were also preparing their own speeches.

At this time, the busiest people were not the councilors.

But the Ministry of Revenue.

Because the politicians all know that if they want to put those "good national policies" floating in the clouds on the ground, they cannot rely on eloquence, but must rely on detailed data and examples.

This resulted in the officials of the Ministry of Revenue being busy almost all day and all night long.

……

Afternoon, Hanlin Academy.

Shen Nian took August's daily records and walked towards the room of Hanlin scholar Ma Ziqiang.

As soon as I reached the door, I heard Ma Ziqiang's angry voice coming from inside the house.

"Don't give me any excuses. Come up with a conclusion within a cup of tea, or I'll impeach both of you!"

Shen Nian leaned over and took a look.

Then he saw Ma Ziqiang getting angry at Wang Xijue and Shen Shixing.

At this moment, Ma Ziqiang's face was as black as the ash at the bottom of a pot, and he was obviously very angry.

Just when Shen Nian was about to come back later, Ma Ziqiang saw Shen Nian.

"Ziheng, come in!"

Shen Nian had no choice but to quickly walk into the house and then bow to the three of them.

At this time.

Shen Shixing's eyes lit up and he said, "Master Ma, why don't you let Ziheng be the presiding officer?"

"I think it's a good idea too!" Wang Xijue immediately agreed.

Ma Ziqiang shook his head decisively and said, "No, you two don't have to participate in the political discussion, but Ziheng must participate."

Then, Ma Ziqiang looked at Shen Nian with a puzzled look on his face.

"Ziheng, Elder Zhang has ordered me to decide on the candidate for the presiding officer of the Hundred Families' Political Consultative Conference today. Who do you think is suitable between the two? I will appoint whoever you think is suitable!"

At this moment, Shen Nian realized that the three of them were discussing the candidate for the presiding officer of the Hundred Schools of Political Affairs.

The so-called presiding officer.

Similar to the ceremonial officials during the imperial court's sacrifices, their main task is to lead the process of political discussions among the various schools of thought, ensure that the discussions are carried out efficiently and orderly, and be able to quickly resolve sudden unexpected situations.

This position is naturally selected from officials in the Hanlin Academy, Imperial College, and Censorate who are familiar with the government affairs.

It also requires a high level of physical and mental strength.

An official as old as Ma Ziqiang, who is 64 years old, obviously does not have the physical strength to do the job.

Shen Nian thought about it and felt that both the 43-year-old Wang Xijue and the 42-year-old Shen Shixing were suitable for this position.

But he saw that both of them seemed reluctant.

Wang Xijue saw Shen Nian hesitate, and he puffed out his chest and said, "Ziheng, I am the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, the head of the official school. I should participate in government affairs, so how can I be the presiding officer?"

Shen Shixing raised his chin and said, "The Imperial College can represent official learning, but it cannot represent the new policies. This is a political discussion, not a discussion of learning. I have already prepared my remarks on politics, so how can I serve as the presiding officer to balance the two sides?"

Both of them wanted to discuss politics but were unwilling to preside over it.

"Ziheng, who do you choose?" Ma Ziqiang asked.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "I think Minister Shen is more suitable."

"Why?" Shen Shixing glared at Shen Nian. He was Shen Nian's direct superior, and he didn't expect Shen Nian to choose him.

"The presiding officer needs an official with a calm personality and good temper. In this regard, Shen Shijiang is far superior to Wang Jijiu."

Hear this.

Wang Xijue smiled and said, "Did you hear that? Even Ziheng knows you're good at smoothing things over. As for the political discussions, we have Elder Zhang, Scholar Ma, the Haiqianyuan, and Ziheng and I. It's not that we can't do without you. It's the same as handing over the prepared political speeches to me."

Shen Nian smiled helplessly.

Wang Xijue expressed the same idea as he did, but the word "compromise" sounds much more unpleasant.

The two of them have such a good relationship that they always speak harshly to each other.

Shen Nian quickly added, "Minister Shen, although the presiding official doesn't participate in political discussions, he can control the direction of the discussions and let the world's famous scholars know your fairness and impartiality. Of all the officials in the capital, you are the most suitable for this position!"

After hearing Shen Nian's words, Shen Shixing's expression became better.

Seeing Ma Ziqiang glaring at him, he immediately stopped being arrogant and said, "Master Ma, I am willing to serve as the presiding officer."

Hearing this, a smile immediately appeared on Ma Ziqiang's face.

……

On the sixth day of September, there are still three days left until the Double Ninth Festival when hundreds of schools of thought will discuss government affairs.

The capital suddenly became quiet.

In restaurants, teahouses, streets and alleys, you will never see scholars debating with saliva flying.

Everybody is serious!

Those who came to the palace were perfecting their speeches in the house, while others were also writing political proposals and handing them over to those who supported them.

The vast majority of people.

Some hoped that the ban on private academies would be lifted, some hoped that students would be able to participate in politics, some hoped that their political ideas would be noticed by the court, and some hoped that the Ming Dynasty would change.

There are those who are crazy, those who are paranoid, those who are too idealistic, those who are too negative, and those who are full of chivalrous spirit...

But they actually all wanted to do something for the Ming Dynasty and fulfill their life ambitions of governing the country and saving the people.

The purpose of this Hundred Schools of Thought Conference.

It is to eliminate the barriers between official and private education, learn from each other's strengths and overcome their weaknesses, unite scholars from all over the world, and turn the New Deal into a reform movement governed by both officials and the people.

(End of this chapter)