I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 15: The Emperor's Court! Overbearing President Zhang Juzheng

May 5th, early morning.

Street rumor: More than 300 Confucian scholars want to discuss academic matters in the Confucian Temple and debate the current academic style, suspected to be resisting the court's efforts to rectify the academic style.

For a while.

This attracted many people to go to the Confucian Temple to watch.

At noon, more than 300 Confucian scholars were supposed to arrive, but only 17 actually showed up, but they left quickly after arriving, and not a single one of them was interested in discussing academic style.

The incident quickly spread throughout the city and became a laughing stock.

This is the ability of the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei. A single imperial edict to decide whether to send someone to prison or not can frighten countless people.

At present, the Jinyiwei is under the charge of Feng Bao.

He strongly supported Zhang Juzheng's new policies and measures and did a lot of dirty work for him.

Perhaps Zhang Juzheng had no idea about the Confucian scholars' discussions in the Confucian Temple, and was easily dealt with by Feng Bao's men.

Feng Bao was well versed in dealing with scholars.

The best way to deal with this group of Confucian scholars is to suppress them violently rather than reason with them.

As for those with strong bones, there are very few of them, and you can always find their weaknesses.

……

On the sixth day of May, the day when the young emperor held court, Shen Nian was on duty to record the emperor's daily life.

The so-called court viewing.

That is, to attend court and attend to government affairs, with the key word being "listen".

In the Huangji Palace.

Empress Dowager Li sat behind the throne behind a curtain, while the chief minister Zhang Juzheng and the second-in-command Lu Diaoyang stood in the front.

Feng Bao stood aside, waiting for approval.

Shen Nian was the historian who recorded daily life.

In order to observe the little emperor's words and actions more easily, he stood in the southeast of the throne, very close to the little Wanli, Zhang Juzheng and Lu Diaoyang.

This was the first time he participated in the regular court in this way.

After the officials bowed once and kowtowed three times to the young Wanli, they began to report on their affairs.

Officials from various government offices took turns to explain the situation.

There were civil matters, fortifications, military matters, and sudden events in various places. Some were answered by the six ministers and vice ministers, and some were answered by Zhang Juzheng and Lu Diaoyang.

The atmosphere was very serious.

Zhang Juzheng never showed his emotions on his face, and he often had a stern face in the court.

When happy.

At most, he would stroke the black beard that grew to his abdomen.

But his efficiency in doing things and the various details that come out of his mouth are admirable.

He has indeed done a lot for national affairs, which is difficult for others to match.

Little Wanli sat very straight, with his hands on both sides, motionless.

Since he ascended the throne, the words he said most often while sitting on the throne were: As the Prime Minister said, the Prime Minister is right, I understand, and I have no objection.

But since this year, he has been talking more.

Empress Dowager Li ruled the country from behind the curtain, but she did not say much or interfere in state affairs. She sat behind the curtain more to urge the young Wanli to become a successful person.

……

About half an hour later.

Just when Shen Nian thought the court meeting was about to end, a clear voice instantly made him energetic.

"Your Highness Zhou Ziyi, the Director of the Imperial College, has a report to make!"

A loud sound often represents a big event.

Zhou Ziyi, whose courtesy name was Yifang, was 46 years old. He became a Jinshi in the 44th year of the Jiajing reign and was well-known for his learning and conduct.

not far away.

Wang Xijue, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, couldn't help but open his eyes wide.

Siye was the adjutant of the Imperial College, and as the chief officer, he had no idea what Zhou Ziyi was going to report. Right now, the Imperial College needed to keep a low profile.

He had a vague feeling about it.

Zhou Ziyi shouted, "Your Majesty! I've heard that over 300 Confucian scholars in the capital wanted to go to the Confucian Temple to discuss the current academic style, but they were privately intimidated, beaten, and forcibly stopped by the Jinyiwei!"

"Although the Confucian scholars may be opposing the imperial court's efforts to rectify academic trends, this method is too extreme. I believe that the handling is inappropriate and the Jinyiwei on duty should be severely punished!"

Zhou Ziyi continued, "Yesterday, some Confucian scholars were beaten black and blue, some had their families threatened, and some fled the capital overnight. After this ordeal, they must be resentful of the court. I don't oppose rectifying the academic atmosphere, but court affairs should be handled openly, not with such violence. If this continues, it will inevitably lead to resentment from the people of the world!"

Hearing this, Feng Bao frowned slightly.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng.

He was clearing obstacles for Zhang Juzheng. Although his actions were a bit violent, he felt that Zhang Juzheng would definitely speak for him.

At this moment, little Wanli puffed out his chest.

"Mr. Zhou is right. I also think this method is too harsh and extreme!"

"Cough cough!"

As soon as the young Wanli finished speaking, Empress Dowager Li behind the curtain suddenly started coughing.

cough.

This means that she thought the young Wanli said something wrong.

Little Wanli's eyes rolled, and he immediately said, "Of course, such matters depend on the specific circumstances. Yuanfu, what do you think?"

Zhang Juzheng walked out slowly.

"Your Majesty, I am not aware of this matter, but after hearing what Minister Zhou said, I do not think the Imperial Guards are at fault. The Imperial Guards have the responsibility to discipline those who speak nonsense in the capital, and there is nothing wrong with their actions."

Then, Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhou Ziyi.

"Zhou Siye, you just said that this matter should be resolved openly."

"Then answer me, if the Jinyiwei knew about the Confucian scholars' nonsense and ignored it, allowing them to talk nonsense in the sages' place, instigating bad people to spread words that harm the country, and even gathering people to cause trouble, causing unrest among the people and disrupting the new policies, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, wouldn't the court execute a group of them to set an example?"

"What's wrong with the Jinyiwei nipping the hidden danger in the bud? Some things can only be dealt with in secret. If you put them out in the open, you'll get a lot of beatings and a lot of heads chopped off, and sometimes it's difficult to resolve them."

"My Lord, doing this will...will arouse public resentment!" Zhou Ziyi said.

Zhang Juzheng puffed out his chest and said loudly, "This official is dedicated to public service, busy with state affairs, and loyal to the court. I have no regrets and am not afraid of people's gossip or public resentment!"

Zhang Juzheng has a very strong aura.

Zhou Ziyi was speechless all of a sudden, and he retreated angrily.

Little Wanli said, "What Yuanfu said is absolutely right."

Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly.

He looked at the young Wanli and said with a folded hand, "Your Majesty, as a ruler, whether standing in the court or in the inner court, you must think before you speak, and be cautious in everything you say!"

"Your Majesty's words are of the highest order. Every word concerns the well-being of the Ming Dynasty and the people. Your Majesty, please do not speak carelessly..."

Little Wanli curled his lips.

Prime Minister Zhang took advantage of the opportunity to teach him a lesson again.

"I was rash. I will listen carefully to the Prime Minister's teachings in the future and be careful in what I say and do!" Little Wanli said submissively.

It was common for Zhang Juzheng to teach the young Wanli in the court.

Shen Nian was watching the show with great interest.

Zhang Juzheng suddenly shouted, "Who's on duty today to record your Majesty's words and actions?"

"Hanlin Reviewer Shen Nian, you are on duty today!" Shen Nian stepped out quickly, looking a little confused, not knowing why Zhang Juzheng called him.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Shen Nian.

"Shen Jiantao, how should you remember what just happened?"

Shen Nian was stunned.

Doesn't this allow him to speak frankly about the little emperor's mistakes?

Making a mistake in court speech is not a big deal, but if it is recorded in the diary, it is equivalent to being recorded in the history books.

To be honest, the young emperor might hold a grudge; if you try to smooth things over, Prime Minister Zhang might be unhappy.

Another fatal question.

(End of this chapter)