My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 388 "Memorial Requesting Reforms to the Examination and Appointment of Jinshi Graduates"

Zhang Yuanbian looked at Su Ze excitedly!

This is Su Fangshi teaching me how to draft memorials to the emperor, step by step!
Moreover, upon comparison, Su Fangshi's memorial was indeed far superior to his original version!

First, a plan was proposed, but the interests of the junior scholars were also taken into account.

The junior scholars were to participate in the selection process for the Imperial Academy, and naturally they did not want to leave the Academy and disturb their preparations for the selection.

Therefore, Su Ze proposed a compromise: the junior scholars could choose not to observe politics, but he also suggested adding practical content to the selection examination to guide them to observe politics.

In addition, Su Ze proposed extending the observation period, which would also please the other Jinshi graduates from the same cohort.

Normally, the period of observation for Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) is only about half a year. When the time comes, they have to participate in the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel. From then on, many people never have the opportunity to return to the capital again.

Moreover, the observation period is too short to really see a person's ability and character. In addition, the Jinshi who were observed tended to flock to departments such as the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, and the Censorate, while no one paid attention to other government offices. Those who were assigned there did not do their jobs well and felt that they had no future.

Su Ze's system of "extending the observation period" and "rotating the observation period among different departments" was indeed beneficial to both the newly appointed scholars and the imperial court.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Su! I will return to the Hanlin Academy immediately and revise the memorial!"

Su Ze said:
"Wait a minute, just write it here."

After speaking, Su Ze pulled out a blank memorial and handed it to Zhang Yuanbian.

Zhang Yuanbian did not hesitate and immediately picked up his pen, quickly writing a new memorial.

Su Ze took the memorial again, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction.

No wonder he's the top scorer! He's truly a promising talent!

Zhang Yuanbian's handwriting is a very standard official script, which shows that he has worked hard at it. Just looking at his handwriting is pleasing to the eye.

The wording is also very comfortable, and there are no problems with the format and taboos of the entire memorial.

Su Ze finally understood why the big shots appreciated promising young talents so much; Zhang Yuanbian was such a pleasure to teach! He grasped things so quickly!
Su Ze said to Zhang Yuanbian:
"Zijin, you don't mind if I sign my name on your memorial, do you?"

But Su Ze immediately shook his head and said:

"No, no, this is your first memorial. If I sign it, I'll be stealing your thunder."

"Zijin, you submit your petition first, and then I'll submit mine to petition on your behalf. What do you think?"

Zhang Yuanbian was overjoyed.

He had only wanted verbal encouragement from Su Ze to help him review the problems in the memorial.

Unexpectedly, Su Ze personally instructed him on how to write a memorial to the throne and even offered to help him petition.

In supporting a person's memorial to the throne, in addition to joint signatures, there were also individual memorials petitioning for support.

This usually occurs after high-ranking officials submit a memorial to the emperor, and their students and disciples then submit separate memorials to petition for support, creating considerable public pressure on the court.

Or, a lower-ranking official might submit a letter, and then a higher-ups would submit a letter of support to express their agreement.

Su Ze was clearly also taking care of Zhang Yuanbian.

If Su Ze were to sign his name, given his prestige in the court, everyone would surely assume that the memorial was orchestrated by Su Ze.

If it was a petition for support, then it was a memorial led by Zhang Yuanbian, and Su Ze merely expressed his approval.

This was also Su Ze's way of paving the way for Zhang Yuanbian to become famous.

Zhang Yuanbian's gratitude towards Su Ze was overflowing, and he quickly said:
"Please, my esteemed teacher, sign this memorial. This memorial is mostly thanks to you, my esteemed teacher. I dare not take credit for it!"

Su Ze shook his head and said:

"This reform of the political observation system was your idea; I merely refined it and offered suggestions."

"This is your first memorial since you entered the court, so I will leave it unsigned."

Su Ze's emotions were genuine, so Zhang Yuanbian didn't try to persuade him further.

Su Ze then taught him the procedure for submitting memorials to the Ministry of Justice. After Zhang Yuanbian left, Shen Yiguan said:
“Brother Zilin, Zhang Yuanbian is indeed a promising talent.”

"But what will happen to Grand Secretary Zhang if you do this?"

Luo Wanhua also cast a worried glance his way.

Zhang Juzheng was the chief examiner, and also Zhang Yuanbian's mentor.

Now that Zhang Yuanbian is calling Su Ze his mentor, how will their seniority be determined in the future?
Moreover, Zhang Yuanbian was the top scholar in the imperial examination, which naturally carried a political significance.

If he sides with Su Ze, what will the others think?
Will this provoke Zhang Juzheng's suppression?

Su Ze sighed and said:

“Zhang Zijin came here on his own, so I had no choice. If Elder Zhang is angry, then I will have to go to his door to apologize.”

Shen Yiguan and Luo Wanhua exchanged a glance, both feeling helpless, but given the current situation, it was indeed beyond Su Ze's control.
-
On March 19, Zhang Yuanbian submitted a memorial to the Office of Transmission, entitled "A Memorial Requesting Reform of the Examination and Appointment of Jinshi (Imperial Scholars)."

After Zhang Yuanbian's memorial was sent to the Office of Transmission, Li Yiyuan, the Commissioner of Transmission, also sensed something was amiss. He looked at his Right Vice Director of the Office of Transmission, Su Ze, with a puzzled expression. Why did this memorial sound so similar to Su Ze's?

Li Yiyuan remembered that Zhang Yuanbian was the top scholar in this imperial examination, and like Su Ze, he studied the Book of Changes. In other words, Su Ze was his tutor.

Li Yiyuan thought about Su Ze again, then singled out Zhang Yuanbian's memorial and sent it to the cabinet.

This memorial indeed sparked discussion within the cabinet.

Gao Gong approved Zhang Yuanbian's memorial, but Yin Shidan, the minister in charge of education, objected.

Yin Shidan, who had once been in charge of the Hanlin Academy, said to Gao Gong:

"The Hanlin system is the foundation of our dynasty's civil service selection. Zhang Yuanbian has barely entered officialdom and yet he dares to criticize the court's major policies. Aren't we all from the Hanlin system?"

After Yin Shidan finished speaking, the cabinet fell silent.

Just as Yin Shidan said, everyone went through the training path of the Hanlin Academy.

Just then, another official from the Office of Transmission delivered a memorial.

Meanwhile, Su Ze, working in the Ministry of Justice, uploaded his memorial to the system.

"Secondly Proposes Reforms to the Examination and Appointment of Jinshi Graduates"

——[Simulation Start]——

The memorial entitled "Secondly Proposing Reforms to the Examination of Jinshi Graduates" was submitted to the Cabinet.

Gao Gong supported Zhang Yuanbian's and your memorial, but Yin Shidan, the minister in charge of education, objected.

Due to Yin Shidan's strong opposition, your memorial did not receive unanimous approval from the cabinet.

The Longqing Emperor accepted your memorial.

——[Simulation End]——

[Remaining Prestige: 890.]

[To approve your memorial, you need to pay 400 prestige points. Do you wish to pay?]

Su Ze felt that he needed more and more prestige points.

That's true. As reforms deepen, resistance will naturally increase.

Su Ze naturally chose "Yes" without hesitation. [Prestige points have been deducted; 490 prestige points remain. Please complete the memorial as soon as possible and await its effect.]
-
cabinet.

Gao Gong opened the memorial; it was Su Ze's memorial, supporting Zhang Yuanbian.

Gao Gong glanced at Zhang Juzheng beside him with a playful look, then passed Su Ze's memorial to the cabinet ministers and said to Zhang Juzheng:
"Grand Secretary Zhang, Zhang Yuanbian can also be considered your protégé. What's your opinion on that?"

Zhang Juzheng looked at Su Ze's memorial and a strange expression flashed across his face.

In response to Gao Gong's question, Zhang Juzheng said:
"I think Zhang Yuanbian's memorial is very similar to Su Zilin's 'Memorial Requesting the Cessation of Morning Court Sessions'."

When the memorial that made Su Ze famous was mentioned, everyone present showed strange expressions.

Then Zhang Juzheng said, "Since Grand Secretary Gao said that Zhang Yuanbian is my disciple, then I will not comment on this memorial."

Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng, then at Yin Shidan, and thought to himself that Zhang Juzheng was indeed a formidable opponent.

He knew in his heart that Zhang Juzheng probably also supported reforming the system of observing government affairs.

Although everyone came from the Hanlin Academy, Gao Gong was well aware of the irrationality of this system.

Very few people actually settle down and study diligently within the Hanlin Academy.

Most of the Hanlin scholars would try to make connections with powerful figures in the capital, waiting for opportunities such as compiling the national history, compiling the imperial encyclopedia, or serving as officials in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Those Hanlin scholars who couldn't rise to prominence ended up dying in the Hanlin Academy because of the empty title.

This system undoubtedly puts one's character to a very high test.

Indeed, the Hanlin Academy was a treasure trove, and the years Gao Gong spent there were also the period of his fastest political growth.

However, most of the Hanlin scholars did not share the same mindset as Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng.

Either they see themselves as future high-ranking officials, with unrealistic ambitions and a disregard for practical matters.

They either spend their days complaining and blaming others, lamenting that their talents are not recognized.

However, at this moment, Zhang Juzheng suddenly declared neutrality.

This essentially puts Gao Gong in direct confrontation with Yin Shidan.

Gao Gong understood Zhang Juzheng's plan: to break up his alliance with Yin Shidan.

In fact, after Lei Li went to Huai'an, the alliance between Gao Gong and Yin Shidan had already developed cracks.

The two have already disagreed on many issues.

If it were a Grand Secretary like Xu Jie, he might have temporarily backed down to maintain the alliance with Yin Shidan in order to unite the people.

But Gao Gong was not that kind of person.

He became Grand Secretary so that he could carry out reforms according to his political ideals.

If one has to relinquish political dominance for the sake of factional struggles, then what is the point of being the prime minister?
Gao Gong's personality was naturally not that of someone who would compromise for the sake of unity.

This time, Zhang Juzheng abandoned his own stance and directly pitted Gao Gong against Yin Shidan.

However, Gao Gong was not prepared to back down.

As expected, the two had a big argument, and their eyes were both on Zhao Zhenji.

Zhao Zhenji looked at the two men and said, "You two Grand Secretaries, this matter concerns the Hanlin Academy. Shouldn't we listen to their opinion?"

Gao Gong and Yin Shidan nodded in agreement, and the two memorials were sent to the Hanlin Academy.

This caused quite a stir at the Hanlin Academy.

Most members of the Hanlin Academy were unwilling to leave.

Because as long as one can stay in the Hanlin Academy, there is a promising future.

Leaving the Hanlin Academy was tantamount to stepping into the bloody and treacherous world of officialdom; if you couldn't make it, then you really couldn't.

Staying in the Hanlin Academy at least provided shelter from the storms of life. At worst, when one retired, one could complain that one's talents were not recognized and that one had not received the support of a benefactor.

With his status as a member of the Hanlin Academy, it was actually quite convenient for him to handle matters in the capital.

However, if one gets caught up in the political struggles of the outer court, then life and death become uncertain.

Since the current emperor ascended the throne, the intensity of court struggles has decreased somewhat, unlike the late emperor who frequently executed people and carried out court floggings. However, many officials have still been demoted for their mistakes.

Zhang Yuanbian's memorial to the throne immediately aroused outrage, so much so that Zhang Yuanbian dared not go to work at the Hanlin Academy.

Among those who vehemently opposed the idea was Deng Yizan, the second-place finisher in this imperial examination.

Perhaps because he resented Zhang Yuanbian for taking away his title of top scholar, Deng Yizan launched a fierce attack on Zhang Yuanbian's memorial.

Moreover, Deng Yizan not only fiercely attacked Zhang Yuanbian's memorial, but also made sarcastic remarks about the cabinet.

In his memorial to the throne, Deng Yizan sarcastically remarked:

"Such absurd remarks are not worth discussing, even for us ordinary officials! The fact that senior cabinet ministers could not oppose and correct them in time, and instead issued the order to the Hanlin Academy, is enough to show their tolerance of such outrageous words!"

This time, Deng Yizan not only criticized Zhang Yuanbian, but also all the cabinet ministers who supported Zhang Yuanbian, and even Zhao Zhenji, who had expressed neutrality, because it was Zhao Zhenji who suggested sending the matter to the Hanlin Academy for discussion.

When Deng Yizan's memorial was delivered to the cabinet, Zhao Zhenji was furious after reading it!

Although Zhao Zhenji was a master of the philosophy of mind, he was not the kind of sycophant depicted in later TV dramas. On the contrary, when Anda's army besieged the city, he was able to go out of the city alone to reorganize the Beijing garrison, which showed that he was a man of courage and wisdom.

Zhao Zhenji remained neutral in the cabinet because he focused his energy on military reforms and was not interested in the debate between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng over their reform policies.

As a Grand Secretary of the court, Deng Yizan's memorial was practically a direct insult to him.

If we take into account the previous rumors in the capital, that Zhao Zhenji deliberately prevented Deng Yizan from becoming the top scholar, and Deng Yizan's attitude of not coming forward to refute and clarify the rumors.

Zhao Zhenji was now certain that Deng Yizan was targeting him!

Zhao Zhenji then looked at Zhang Juzheng.

His original stance was to remain neutral, and it would be best if Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng both suffered heavy losses.

However, Deng Yizan was a protégé of Zhang Juzheng. Did his memorial criticizing himself come at Zhang Juzheng's behest?
This also reflects a change in the political landscape.

If it were when Li Chunfang was in power, Zhao Zhenji probably wouldn't have thought this way.

However, the current power struggle has become extremely polarized, and the cabinet is like a dark forest where everyone distrusts each other and interprets every little thing as a partisan struggle.

This left Zhao Zhenji with no choice but to think that way.

Thinking back to his old grudges with Zhang Juzheng over military reforms, Zhao Zhenji became even more agitated.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Zhenji changed his attitude and supported Zhang Yuanbian's memorial, proposing reforms to the Hanlin Academy and the system of observing government affairs!

Seeing Zhao Zhenji suddenly change his mind, Zhang Juzheng could only sigh.

Deng Yizan's memorial went too far. He made a sweeping generalization, offended Zhao Zhenji, and ended up backfiring, forcing Zhao Zhenji to side with Gao Gong.

The only positive aspect was that this incident finally broke the already fragile alliance between Gao Gong and Yin Shidan.

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng decisively gave up resistance and chose not to express his opinion on Zhang Yuanbian's memorial.

With a two-to-one majority vote, the cabinet reached an agreement. After the memorial was sent to the palace, Emperor Longqing quickly approved Zhang Yuanbian's proposal to reform the Hanlin Academy and the system of allowing newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to observe government affairs.

(End of this chapter)