I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 19: Applause! Shen Nian's perfect explanation
Inside the Huangji Gate.

All the officials looked towards the Hanlin reviewer Shen Nian who was sitting in the southeast corner of the throne.

Whether to hold court meetings on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month or three times every ten days depends entirely on which side Shen Nian takes.

Shen Nian slowed down.

After a moment's thought, he strode towards the left side of the hall.

This means: Shen Nian agrees to maintain the old rules of three court sessions in ten days and nine court sessions in a month.

Suddenly——

Some censors who were ordered to attend the court, as well as some officials who preferred to hold court on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month or twice a month, all curled their lips.

I cursed in my heart: This servile and fawning official!

And on the left side.

There were also some officials who looked down on Shen Nian, thinking that he had chosen the left side in order to curry favor with Zhang Juzheng, Lu Diaoyang, and Ma Ziqiang.

This is not Shen Nian’s fault.

Instead, he was pushed into this position and was destined to offend a group of people.

now.

The young Emperor Wanli was also a little unhappy.

Originally, he had the opportunity to get up extra early only twice a month.

But now it is still nine times.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his long beard lightly, with a faint smile on his face.

At this time.

Shen Nian bowed to the young Wanli and said, "Your Majesty, I am not a minister who attends the court. My participation in such an important decision is purely coincidental. Could you please allow me to explain why I agree to maintain the old rules? I have a different idea from my colleagues just now!"

Little Wanli looked at Zhang Juzheng below and saw Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly. He said, "Shen, review it!"

Shen Nian took two more steps toward the center, then straightened his chest.

"Those who advocate holding court meetings on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month all believe that the current regular court sessions are a waste of energy and a mere formality. I agree with this, but the reason the regular court sessions are devoid of any real action is not that all matters, big or small, are handled through ballots and approval, with the cabinet dominating everything, but rather the inaction of all the officials currently attending court!"

"In short, it's not that the court has no use, but that the officials don't know how to use it, and don't dare to use it!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!
The officials turned to look at Shen Nian with an expression of disbelief.

Some even thought he was crazy.

Everyone thought that Shen Nian asked for an explanation in order to remove the suspicion of flattering his superiors.

did not expect--

He actually turned the regular court sessions into a formality and blamed the fault on all the officials who attended the court.

This knocked down all the court officials in one fell swoop!

Shen Nian continued, "The reason I say this is because at court, there is Your Majesty, the cabinet ministers, officials from the six ministries, and censors. At court with so many officials participating, all matters under heaven can be resolved!"

"Some officials believe the cabinet's power is overbearing. Some believe the six ministries are partial to certain officials in handling public affairs. Some believe the current new policies have many loopholes. Some believe they have plans to enrich the country and strengthen the military, but their ambitions are difficult to achieve..."

"If you have any demands or questions, speak up! Isn't Changchao the best place to express them?" Shen Nian suddenly raised his voice.

"In the court, all officials are present. Who dares to be partial? Who dares to dominate? Who dares to silence those who speak?"

"I believe that regular court sessions can help the cabinet rectify shortcomings in its governance. They are the most selfless place in the world for upholding justice. They carry the last traces of fairness and justice in the Ming Dynasty. All matters can be handled more fairly here. Therefore, I advocate maintaining the old system and not reducing the frequency of regular court sessions!"

……

Shen Nian's voice was clear and loud, and it was heard directly outside the hall.

He expressed his true thoughts.

The reason why there is no real work in the regular court.

It is because the officials dare not speak out and are accustomed to being puppets of the cabinet.

After Shen Nian finished speaking, there was complete silence inside and outside the hall.

At this moment, three words popped up in the minds of all the officials to describe what Shen Nian had just said.

"A full house."

Shen Nian regarded Changchao as the last place for debate and justice in the Ming Dynasty, and it could also limit the power of the cabinet.

This is what the regular court is used for.

But all officials dared not use it and did not know how to use it.

If these remarks were made in private, they would be seen as a mockery of the cabinet.

But it is just right and appropriate to say it here and now.

Shen Nian's remarks.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of all the sleepy officials on a hot summer afternoon.

Immediately.

Left Censor-in-Chief Ge Chengli stepped out again, slowly knelt on the ground, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I agree with Shen's review. The use of regular court sessions is huge and should not be reduced!"

"I withdraw my statement about the lunar and full moons, and support the three lunar and ten-day periods!"

If an official has something to say about injustice, but the cabinet does not accept it or is not fair enough, the regular court is the home ground of the censors and the best place for them to demonstrate their functions.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

The officials on the right side of the hall came out one after another and voted to maintain the old system.

At this moment, little Wanli was also happy.

According to Shen Nian's explanation, holding thirteen court sessions in ten days would help enhance his imperial power.

The Ming Dynasty had two capitals and thirteen provinces, and there were many official duties.

If the young Wanli had done everything himself, he would surely have died young.

But if he could control all major events in the regular court and use the power of all officials to pressure the cabinet, he would naturally want it.

He has the greatest power above all the officials in the court.

Thinking of this, little Wanli suddenly didn't hate Chang Chao so much anymore!

at the same time.

A smile also appeared on Zhang Juzheng's face.

He also felt that Shen Nian's reasons made sense.

Since Zhang Juzheng became the Prime Minister, many officials have accused him of being autocratic and calling him Cao Cao and Wang Anshi.

He was unwilling to explain, and he couldn't explain it.

now.

During the regular court sessions, he hoped that officials could be more proactive and consider more practical matters.

He is not afraid of officials finding fault with the cabinet.

Because he is upright and has nothing to fear from his own shadow, he is dedicated to his country and can withstand all kinds of tests.

As for whether the power of the cabinet would be reduced, Zhang Juzheng didn't care at all.

Before the young emperor took power, no one in the Ming Dynasty could pose a threat to his power.

Zhang Juzheng's realm of thought was far higher than that of ordinary officials.

All my thoughts are on the new policy.

By resolving the doubts of his ministers in a unified manner during regular court sessions, he was also able to better implement new policies.

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Shen Nian with admiration on his face.

Shen Nian gave lectures in the inner study hall, without discussing current affairs, and his teaching was very pure.

Shen Nian took notes in front of the king, strictly abided by the duties of a historian, and wrote history in a very pure way.

Regarding today's matter, Shen Nian improvised and said things that others dared not say. He was wholeheartedly for the public good and showed his purity.

Zhang Juzheng is a very pure person, so he is very optimistic about Shen Nian.

Today, Shen Nian's words made everyone feel that they made sense and were very satisfied.

This is something that ordinary people cannot achieve.

Immediately.

Young Wanli looked at Zhang Juzheng, who nodded slightly.

The young Wanli shouted, "In the future, the old system will still be maintained for regular court sessions. Anyone who is late will be fined one month's salary. Anyone who is late or asks for leave more than twice a month will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane!"

"Also, if anyone is dissatisfied with the cabinet's draft or my approval in the future, you can speak up at the regular court session and we will resolve it through public discussion!"

All of a sudden, all the ministers bowed their hands, and were very happy.

The meeting is over.

Shen Nian let out a long sigh; the inner shirt inside his official robe was completely wet.

Fortunately, I improvised and saved myself just now.

Otherwise, after leaving the court, who knows how many people will point at his spine and scold him, and make things difficult for him in the future!
(End of this chapter)