Pan Cheng's resignation didn't cause much of a stir. After the initial shock, the officials didn't pay much attention to it. The cabinet comforted him symbolically before Zhu Yijun approved Pan Cheng's resignation.
Of course, it was impossible for Pan Cheng to leave now. He had to wait for the imperial court to appoint a new Minister of the Ministry of Rites. The cabinet had to hand over the work to the other ministers.
In fact, Zhu Yijun didn't care much about the position of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Zhu Yijun cared more about the departments with real power in the imperial court than the Ministry of Rites. However, the Ministry of Rites would still be of great use in the future.
As for the candidate for the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the cabinet quickly made a few choices. However, they didn't promote him on the spot.
Fang Fengshi, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, became the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. As for who would become the Minister of the Ministry of Works, they didn't say anything.
However, Zhu Yijun could also see the benefits of doing so, as well as Shen Shixing's intentions.
The officials of the six ministries hadn't been changed all these years. The shortest one had been in office for five or six years. Wang Guangguo had been in office for more than ten years.
If the imperial court wanted to appease the local officials, they had to give them a chance to be promoted.
Among the six ministries, the Minister of the Ministry of Works was the easiest to be promoted. After all, it was ranked last among the six ministries.
There were precedents for a local governor to become the Minister of the Ministry of Works. This was what Shen Shixing and the cabinet wanted.
As for Fang Fengshi becoming the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, it was also a promotion for him. After all, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites was ranked higher than the Minister of the Ministry of Works.
Of course, there was another explanation. Fang Fengshi was getting old.
He was sixty-five years old. How many years could he live?
In addition, his health had always been poor. He had been working at the northwestern border for many years and had suffered a lot.
It was reasonable for him to be transferred to the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Zhu Yijun didn't want to object to this suggestion. However, if he only transferred Fang Fengshi to the Ministry of Rites, he would think too much.
People in this era were like this. Once they thought too much, they would resign. This wouldn't be good for him to appease the old officials.
If the old officials misunderstood that he looked down on them, it would be troublesome.
It was even possible that other officials would say that he was harsh and ungrateful, which would be even more troublesome.
"It's not that I can't go to the Ministry of Rites. Why don't I join the Cabinet?" Zhu Yijun thought about it and felt that it was a good idea.
Fang Feng would be the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and then enter the Cabinet. This would save him the trouble of looking for a new Cabinet Grand Secretary.
According to Fang Fengshi's age, he wouldn't be a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet for long. When he resigned, Ceng Shengwu would be back from Xuan University.
It was a good arrangement, but Fang Fengshi was not from the Hanlin Academy. If they wanted Fang Fengshi to enter the Cabinet, they would have to break the rule that only those from the Hanlin Academy could enter the Cabinet.
Of course, Zhu Yijun naturally didn't care about conventions. Compared to ministers in the cabinet, Zhu Yijun preferred practical officials who had worked at the local level.
In addition, Fang Fengshi was on good terms with Wang Guoguang and did not get along well with Shen Shixing. This was also beneficial for him to control the cabinet.
A single Grand Scholar of the Cabinet might seem weak, but it would be a different story if he had the support of the Minister of Appointments.
The Cabinet soon received a note. Fang Fengshi became the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Cabinet.
This matter was surprisingly smooth, and no one told the emperor that those who were not from the Hanlin Academy were not allowed to enter the Cabinet. Everyone understood in their hearts that their emperor did not care about many rules, so how could he care about the so-called "those who were not from the Hanlin Academy are not allowed to enter the Cabinet" in the officialdom? If they really said it, they would be suppressed and scolded, and it would be useless.
Fang Fengshi was powerful, Wang Guoguang was watching over him, and he had the support of the Emperor. The rule that only those from the Hanlin Academy could enter the Cabinet couldn't stop Fang Fengshi at all.
Besides, it had happened before. Yang Yiqing in the Zhengde Era was not from the Hanlin Academy.
In fact, many people had already associated the current Emperor with the Zhengde Emperor, because they did many things in the same way.
However, there was a difference. The Emperor didn't like to play around, nor was he extravagant. He also managed the eunuchs well, unlike Liu Jin.
However, no one dared to say that. After all, the Emperor of Wuzong died very early!
In Fang Fengshi's mansion.
Taking the imperial edict from Zhang Jing's hand, Fang Fengshi said with a smile, "Eunuch Chang, please come in and have some tea!"
Zhang Jing smiled and waved his hand, "There's no need for tea. I'm in a hurry to go back to the palace. I need someone to serve the Imperial Majesty.
But before I leave, I have a few words to say to you. This is the Emperor's order. "
Hearing this, Fang Fengshi hurriedly bowed and said, "Sir, please go ahead!"
"The Imperial Majesty said that you're not from the Hanlin Academy, so you should do your best. If others underestimate you, they will say that I don't know you well."
Fang Fengshi hurriedly bowed and said, "I understand. Please tell His Majesty that I'll do my best!"
After Zhang Jing left, Fang Fengshi turned around and entered the room. Glancing at the memorial he had written, he shook his head with a bitter smile and threw it into the brazier. It was useless now, and it wouldn't be useful in a short time.
He was a Jinshi in the twentieth year of Jiajing.
He first served as the magistrate of Yixing County, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, the magistrate of Ning Country, the Minister of Works, the Deputy Minister of War, and so on.
In the early years of Longqing, he became the Right Deputy Imperial Censor and the Governor of Liaodong.
In the first month of the fourth year of Longqing, he moved to Datong and became the inspector-general of Datong.
Later on, he became the Grand Governor of Xuan Fu. He was in charge of the military affairs of Datong and Shanxi. Later on, he became the Minister of Works. Originally, he wanted to work for another two years before returning home. He didn't expect that he would enter the Cabinet and be placed high hopes on by the Emperor. Speaking of which, it was really fate making fools of people.
"Grandfather!"
Just as Fang Fengshi was pondering, a man in his thirties ran in from outside. Although he was suppressing his emotions, one could still tell that he was unusually excited.
This person was none other than Fang Fengshi's grandson, Fang Kan. His career as an official had been blocked. Even though he had entered the Imperial College, he still had no way out.
"Why are you so impatient?"
Glaring at his grandson, Fang Fengshi couldn't help but reprimand him, "You're already so old.
Fang Fengshi had already given up on the idea of his grandson taking the Imperial Examinations. It was basically hopeless.
His son couldn't do it, and his grandson couldn't be counted on either. Therefore, Fang Fengshi didn't have any temper on this matter.
However, seeing his grandson like this, Fang Fengshi couldn't help but lose his temper.
Fang Kan didn't take it seriously. After bowing and apologizing, he couldn't wait to say, "I heard from the housekeeper that you've been promoted.
You've entered the Cabinet? "
Glancing at his grandson, Fang Fengshi scolded with a smile, "If you like to be promoted so much, why don't you take the Imperial Examinations yourself?"
Fang Kan paused and didn't know what to say. He knew his own character very well. When it came to eating, drinking, and playing, no one would be convinced. Zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting were fine too. But when he thought of eight-legged essays, Fang Kan felt a headache coming on.
It wasn't that he hadn't taken the Imperial Examinations before. After obtaining the title of Xiucai, he failed several times in the provincial examinations.
Seeing that his grandson didn't say anything, Fang Fengshi sighed. He also knew his grandson's character. After thinking for a while, he said, "If you want to be an official, you can be a civil servant. If you don't want to, you can stay at home and study!"
Hearing his grandfather's words, Fang Kan was relieved. As for becoming a civil servant, it was not within his consideration at all.
His grandfather was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. Naturally, his status would rise.
Maybe he would pass the Imperial Examinations in the next one.
This was the Shun Tian Prefecture, and the examiners had to show some respect to his grandfather.
"Alright, you can leave now!" Fang Fengshi sighed helplessly, "Don't go out these days."
Many people were dissatisfied with Fang Fengshi taking over the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and entering the Cabinet. They impeached Fang Fengshi, but several big shots acquiesced, so the impeachment didn't cause any trouble. Therefore, many people focused their attention on the vacant Minister of the Ministry of Works.
However, smart people knew that the Minister of the Ministry of Works wouldn't be selected from the officials in the capital city, nor would he be promoted directly from an assistant minister. Instead, he would be promoted from a local governor. Therefore, no big shots participated in the election.
This caused many people to jump up and down as they felt that they had a chance.
Zhu Yijun took a look at the filthy memorial in front of him and threw it aside. Rubbing his swollen head, Zhu Yijun smiled bitterly and said, "It seems that it's urgent to clean up the Imperial Censor. If this goes on, I'll die of exhaustion."
"Where's the memorial from the Cabinet about the Minister of Works candidate?" Zhu Yijun turned to look at Zhang Jing and asked.
"Imperial Majesty, this is it!" Zhang Jing said as he handed a memorial to Zhu Yijun.
After receiving the memorial, Zhu Yijun couldn't wait to open it. He just wanted to end this matter as soon as possible.
Looking at the person on the memorial, a smile appeared on Zhu Yijun's face. In fact, he should have thought of it.
Among the local governors, there weren't many who were qualified to be promoted to the Minister of Works.
In the memorial from the Cabinet, Liang Menglong, the Governor-General of Ji Liao, was ranked first. Compared to the others, he had more qualifications and contributions.
There was another thing that made Zhu Yijun pay attention to Liang Menglong. Liang Menglong supported shipping.
At that time, Liang Menglong and Wang Zongmu were the ones who tried shipping. Both of them were important people.
However, when he saw Liang Menglong's age, Zhu Yijun felt a little helpless. He was 59 years old, which wasn't young anymore.
Hopefully, he could live for a few more years. However, it was time to bring him to the capital. It wouldn't be appropriate to leave him in Ji Liao.
Zhu Yijun quickly circled Liang Menglong's name on the memorial. As for the other names, Zhu Yijun didn't even look at them.
The memorial was quickly sent back to the Cabinet. The storm of Pan Cheng's resignation had finally come to an end.
Fang Fengshi took over as the Minister of Rites and joined the Cabinet. Liang Menglong, the Governor-General of Ji Liao, was promoted to the Minister of Works. The dust had settled.
After this dispute, everyone in the Imperial Court realized one thing. The big shots in the Imperial Court were getting old.
This was an opportunity for the officials, but it was a pressure for Zhu Yijun. He had relied on these old fellows for the past few years. While they were still around, he had to speed up the delivery!
At the same time, he had to train new people as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would be in trouble.