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Wanli probably didn't expect Min Xi to ask so directly. After all, the appointment of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet was such an important matter that it was not something that a seventh-rank Censor like him could interfere in. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.

Yun Ji quickly added to Min Xi: "Your Majesty, Lord Min means that the selection of the cabinet's prime minister is related to the future policy direction of the Ming Dynasty and whether the reform can continue to be implemented."

Wanli then spoke: "My dear ministers, do you want to select someone who supports the reform to serve as the chief minister of the cabinet?"

Min Xi nodded hurriedly: "That's what I meant. When Zhang Ge Lao was alive, he tried his best to promote reforms. His tough tactics offended countless dignitaries and vested interests, which led to sharp conflicts between the reformists and conservatives. He obviously realized this problem, so he recommended the more moderate Lord Pan to take over the position of Prime Minister, probably wanting him to mediate the conflict between the two sides. Who would have thought that Lord Pan was unable to handle the heavy responsibility and failed the high hopes of Your Majesty and Zhang Ge Lao. Now that the Prime Minister is undecided, I am worried about the court situation. I implore Your Majesty to select a minister who supports reforms to take the position."

Wanli tapped his hands on the table and sighed, "What Min Qing said is what I am worried about. Pan Sheng is really hateful and has failed me and my teacher's expectations. I feel that the people in the cabinet are not suitable. Minister of Revenue Zheng Tuo lacks flexibility, Minister of Personnel Wei Zhan is too smooth, Minister of War Weng Ji lacks financial ability, and Hanlin Bachelor Fang Wenxuan has little experience. Pan Sheng is the most suitable, but he is not up to the task! None of these people can match the courage and talent of our teacher."

Min Xixin said, throughout the history of China, how many people can surpass Zhang Juzheng? It is normal that those few can't compare with him, so he said: "Zhang Ge Lao is extremely talented, and few people can match him. Your Majesty does not need to worry, just choose someone who shares the same ideas as Zhang Ge Lao and continue to promote the reform. In my humble opinion, I don't seek merit but avoid mistakes."

A gleam of brilliance flashed in Wanli's eyes: "What a man who doesn't seek merit but only avoids mistakes!"

"I wonder which minister Your Majesty would like to take over as Prime Minister?" Min Xi knew that he had overstepped the boundaries, but since he had come here, he had to get to the bottom of it.

Wanli did not show any impatience this time. He drummed his fingers on the table, obviously thinking about this question. After a while, he said, "With Pan Sheng gone, there are only four people in the cabinet now. We need to promote another one to the cabinet. At present, the choice of the Prime Minister can only be between Zheng Tuo and Wei Zhan. Which one do you think is more suitable?"

The two people he selected did not surprise Min Xi and Yun Ji. When Wanli asked this question, they would definitely choose Zheng Tuo. After all, Yun Ji was a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, and his uncle Tao Lizhi also worked in the Ministry of Revenue. Zheng Tuo was their immediate superior and had always supported Zhang Juzheng's reforms over the years.

Although Wei Zhan seemed to support the reform, he was promoted by Zhang Juzheng. Min Xi and Yun Ji did not know Wei Zhan very well, but from the information obtained from various sources, they could see that this person was extremely smooth, like a slippery loach. He not only got along well with Zhang Juzheng, but also with the conservatives. This made people feel that he was too good at taking advantage of opportunities and it was difficult to see his true position.

"Since Your Majesty has asked me, I will dare to express my personal opinion. I hope that Lord Zheng will be the Prime Minister." Min Xi spoke frankly.

Wanli raised his eyelids and looked at him: "Why? I think Wei Zhan's situation is similar to Pan Sheng's. He can reconcile the contradictions between the reformists and the conservatives. He seems to be more in line with the teacher's requirements."

Min Xi said: "I am not very familiar with Lord Wei, nor do I know his position very well."

"He was promoted by the teacher, so there shouldn't be any big problems with his position. What do you think, Yun Qing?"

Yun Ji said: "I also support Zheng Ge Lao as the Prime Minister. Although Wei Ge Lao was promoted by Zhang Ge Lao, his position is not very clear. This is his cleverness, but also his smoothness. People can't see his true position. It is still risky for the reform."

Wanli nodded, then waved his hand gently: "I understand, you all can leave."

Min Xi added, "Your Majesty, the reform is related to the fate and future of the Ming Dynasty. Before the reform, the treasury was empty and there were financial difficulties everywhere. Your Majesty, even a good cook cannot cook without rice. After the reform, these difficulties have been alleviated. The cabinet chief minister is of great importance, so please be cautious!"

"I will!"

The two of them then said goodbye and left the Qianqing Palace.

When they were alone, Min Xi spoke up, "Seventh Brother, do you think His Majesty will appoint Zheng Ge Lao or Wei Ge Lao?"

Yun Ji shook his head: "It's hard to say, the emperor's mind is hard to predict. We have tried our best."

"That's right. This is something we have no say in. By the way, the Zhang family has to urge them to make a choice. Now that Pan Sheng has stepped down, there is no guarantee that the Zhang family will not be liquidated. I will not go to the Censorate today. I will report to the Honglu Temple, and then go directly to the Zhang family to persuade them to get out of this as soon as possible." Min Xi felt that the Zhang family's affairs could not be delayed any longer.

Yun Ji said, "I'll go after I report to the government office. You go back to the Censorate and see what the Censorate's attitude is."

Min Xi felt that it was necessary to go back to the Censorate to inquire. For example, he had not heard any news about the impeachment of Pan Sheng today. This was really unusual. This impeachment case was either a temporary decision or extremely confidential. It was not his turn to participate in the impeachment, which also showed that the conservative faction was powerful.

"Okay, then go ahead and try to persuade them to make a decision as soon as possible. The sooner the better," said Min Xi.

"Don't worry. Although I'm not as eloquent as you, I can still explain the pros and cons. With what happened with Pan Sheng, I don't think they will dare to take chances."

"Then I'm waiting for your good news."

The two of them had breakfast at a breakfast shop outside the palace gate, and then took a carriage back to their respective yamen to report for duty.

When Min Xi returned to the Censorate, he heard his colleagues there discussing the impeachment of Pan Sheng. Min Xi was the only one in their room who went to court, so he was asked by his colleagues to tell them in detail what had happened in the morning meeting.

After finishing speaking, Min Xi couldn't help but sighed: "The confidentiality measures in our hospital are too good. We didn't hear any clues before. Not to mention that Lord Pan was surprised, even we were completely unaware of it. What surprised me was that Lord Pan did not deny it at all, nor did he seek justice, but directly resigned!"

A senior censor lowered his voice and said, "It's obvious that someone is setting this up, and the young master of the Pan family has already joined the game. It's obvious that Lord Pan is also aware of this, so he can't deny it."

This statement was exactly the same as Min Xi's guess. Even if he knew that he was ambushed, he had fallen into a trap and the harm had already been done. There was no way to seek justice and he could only blame himself for his bad luck.