On New Year's Eve, it was the last day of the government offices in the capital before the New Year. Zhang Yuan went to the Ministry of Personnel to find Chen Xi early, but was told that Chen Xi had not come to the yamen.

Zhang Yuan wanted to wait a while, but saw Wang Chang, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, coming in and quickly went over to say hello. After learning about Zhang Yuan's purpose, Wang Chang couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Shangshu Chen is going to take a break today. All the matters before the New Year have been dealt with, so he will not come to Yingmao of the Ministry of Personnel again. Could it be that Eunuch Zhang doesn't know?"

Zhang Yuan asked strangely: "Isn't the assessment of the Ministry of Personnel not yet completed?"

Wang Chang smiled and said, "If you don't finish it, you will be put until after the New Year. You have to take a breath... The assessment will be held on the third day of the New Year. This time, Shen Shangshu will face-to-face assessment. Is Eunuch Zhang coming for this matter?"

Originally, Zhang Yuan did not come for the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. He was looking for Chen Xi purely to ask about some things in the court. It was a private meeting between eunuchs and foreign ministers. It was not in accordance with the rules, so how could he dare to report to the truth?

"Um."

Zhang Yuan nodded. He didn't find an excuse, but Wang Chang helped him figure it out first.

Wang Chang said: "If I come here for this, I might have to go to Chen Mansion... At the end of this year, all families are very busy, and there are more relatives and friends. It is hard to say whether Chen Shangshu stays in the mansion..."

When Zhang Yuan heard this, his face was not very good-looking, so he smiled and thanked Wang Chang, then turned around and left the gate of the Ministry of Personnel.

...

...

Not long after Zhang Yuan left here, Chen Xi appeared in the front yard of the Ministry of Personnel, which surprised Wang Chang a little.

Wang Chang, who received the news, came to the courtyard and asked Chen Xi who was walking in a hurry, "Zhihou, didn't you say that the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War Ying Mao were not here today? Why did you come here? The Chief Secretary of the Sili Dynasty visited Eunuch Zhang, saying that he would ask you to discuss the matter of completing the exam after the New Year, do you know?"

Chen Xi frowned and said, "Your Majesty has not arranged anything, why should Eunuch Zhang consult with me? When will the Ministry of Personnel be involved in the Sili Supervisor?"

Wang Chang was stunned, and then seemed to understand one thing, that is, Zhang Yuan came to the goal of assessing the Ministry of Personnel. He immediately patted his forehead:

"Oh, look at my brain. I'm afraid I've missed something important. Why don't you go to the Sili Supervisor to find Eunuch Zhang?"

“No need.”

Chenxi Road, "It's very troublesome to enter the palace. Besides, if he has important official duties, he will definitely leave a letter, and it has not been left, which means it is not an imminent matter."

Wang Chang nodded relievedly, and then said, "Zhihou, are you here in the government office? Is there any important matter that needs to be solved immediately?"

Chen Xi waved his hand: "Old Wang, let's go in and talk. It's too cold outside and it's hot inside."

The two of them entered the office room together. Although it was not a day of rest that day, because the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel before the New Year had been basically completed, there were very few officials who came to the Ministry of Personnel that day. When they saw Chen Xi and Wang Chang coming in, everyone knew each other and went to the back yamen.

After only two people were left in the office, Wang Chang said: "What's wrong with Zhihou? Just tell me. If I'm not suitable to stay here, I won't disturb you much."

Wang Chang knew the current affairs very well. He knew that although he was the Minister of Personnel, he had no right to inquire about the core decisions in the court. Chen Xi's current position in the court is no longer as simple as the Minister of Personnel.

Although the power of the six ministries was invaded by the cabinet after entering the middle of the Ming Dynasty, in terms of institutional regulations, the cabinet did not have the power to interfere with the six ministries, which was determined by the profound difference between the cabinet and the prime minister system. Although the cabinet gradually established its advantages over the six ministries in terms of power and status, it could not directly control the six ministries, and the six ministries still enjoy independent administrative power. The cabinet could only use its relatively favorable position in government affairs and decision-making to achieve the purpose of interfering with and restraining the power of the six ministries.

In fact, the power struggle between the cabinet and the six ministries is mainly concentrated on personnel appointments.

According to the court's regulations, the promotion of officials below the fourth rank is directly decided by the Ministry of Personnel. Only officials above the fourth rank need to discuss with the Ministry of Personnel. Officials of the fourth rank are middle and senior officials, and some important prefectures or Taoist officials are fourth rank officials. However, small officials such as county magistrates and prefectures are just a number for the Ministry of Personnel, so officials dare not offend the Minister of Personnel at all, because once they are offended, the Minister of Personnel can transfer them to some remote places within their power to suffer.

The important officials of the Daotai and the governors are generally discussed by the Ministry of Personnel and the cabinet. The cabinet's grand sect is very powerful, but there are other bachelors in the cabinet. Their power is not necessarily as great as the Minister of Personnel. Therefore, if the general Minister of Personnel is not the chief or secondary assistant of the cabinet, he generally does not want to enter the cabinet. It is better to continue to control other people's official hats.

In fact, many cabinet chiefs in the history of the Ming Dynasty gained power by controlling the Ministry of Personnel. Otherwise, it would be difficult to say which of the chief minister or the Minister of Personnel is greater. In this way, Chen Xi is another banner to compete with the cabinet chief minister in the court, which is almost the same as half of the prime minister.

Chen Xidao: "At the end of the year, we received news that some officials from Nanzhili and Fujian and Zhejiang were involved in the Japanese pirate case. Many people used their power to fill their pockets and even condone Japanese pirates to do evil. As the Minister of Personnel, I will naturally report this matter to Your Majesty as soon as possible."

Wang Chang was stunned at first, thinking that Chen Xi was talking about something, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt something was wrong, and thought: "Don't the news in this place be sent to the cabinet by Tongzhengsi? How could he know it? Or was it said that this was what Mr. Xie said, and the news could not be conveyed to Your Majesty by relying on the rank of the Secretariat?"

According to the Ming Dynasty system, local officials should submit memorials to the capital city, and follow the procedures of the government and the cabinet to the official affairs department, rather than being directly investigated by Shen Xi, the Minister of Personnel, which is also something that Wang Chang was puzzled.

However, because the matter is of great importance, Chen Xi personally proposed it and started writing the memorial, so Wang Chang didn't ask much.

But Wang Chang still had many questions in his heart. In addition to the questions about the local presentation process that he had thought before, he was also thinking: "If you have any questions, Zhihou could complete the memorial at home and submit it to the Tongzheng Department. He went directly to the Ministry of Personnel to write this memorial, but why? Could it be that the matter was hasty, and he came to write the memorial temporarily, and he had not even returned home?"

Here, Chen Xi buried his head in writing and stopped talking, so Wang Chang did not disturb him.

After waiting for Chen Xi to finish writing the memorial, Wang Chang looked at it, but could not see what Chen Xi had written specifically.

Chen Xi raised his head and said, "I'm going to go to the leopard room. Mr. Wang, are you here with me?"

Wang Chang knew how much he was. Even if the position of the Minister of Personnel was prominent, he was not qualified to meet the saint. Moreover, who would go to the saint at this critical moment and would become the target of public criticism. He waved his hand and declined: "This matter is of great importance. Zhihou, please go to the leopard room to ask for your Majesty, or do you need me to help you convey it to whom?"

Wang Chang is an old fox. He wants to know if this matter is known to Xie Qian. If he doesn't know, does Chen Xi want to reveal the news?

Chen Xidao: "Mr. Xie Ge learned about this, so you don't need to convey it to me... I'm going now and say goodbye."

Chen Xi stood up and left. The words he said before leaving made Wang Chang breathe a sigh of relief.

Wang Chang said in his heart: "It's good that Yu Qiao knows it. Now it seems that there is a harmonious group within the civil servants. Don't always fight in the internal struggle like before, so that the eunuch party has an opportunity to take advantage of it, so it's not what the court officials want."

...

...

On New Year's Eve, not only are the powerful ministers in the capital busy celebrating the New Year, but the Leopard Room is also preparing for the dinner that day.

Because Zhu Houzhao did not issue an order to give a banquet, that is, there should not be any New Year's banquet routinely held during the Hongzhi period. However, even if the emperor did not invite ministers, he would still call on his favorite ministers to hold an internal banquet. Logically speaking, close ministers such as Jiang Bin, Qian Ning, Xu Tai and Sima Zhenren could all attend.

Chen Xi suddenly arrived at the Leopard Room that morning, which was unexpected by everyone in the Leopard Room.

Xiao Guoziben was still discussing the cost of leopard houses with Li Xing and others from the Silijian at the beginning of the year. Suddenly, an eunuch came in and came to him to talk about Shen Xi coming to ask for a meeting.

"You talk first, our family has important things to do." Xiao Guozi was very anxious and hurried out from a side yard next to the landlord of Bao and headed towards the main entrance.

At this time, Zhang Yuan also received news to come to the Leopard Room, but he did not set out from the palace or private residence, but came from the Shen family's residence.

Zhang Yuan was looking for Chenxi this morning, but unexpectedly, the people of Chenxi had already arrived at the leopard room.

As soon as Xiao Guozi arrived at the door, he saw Chen Xi enter the main entrance of the Leopard Room accompanied by Jiang Bin.

Xiao Taozi glared at Jiang Bin, but Jiang Bin didn't take it seriously at all. Xiao Taozi stepped forward to stop the two of them: "Mr. Shen, it's New Year's Eve today, and the family is reunited to celebrate the New Year. What do you need to see Your Majesty?"

"There is really something important to be heard."

Chen Xi had no more words, so he replied lukewarmly.

Xiao Tiaozi frowned slightly, as if wondering why Jiang Bin didn't stop Chen Xi, but thinking that Zhu Houzhao ordered Chen Xi to come to the leopard room and could travel freely, he realized that even Jiang Bin, who was usually unaware of his relationship, began to curry favor with Chen Xi, an important official in the court.

"Is it okay to twist my father-in-law?"

Jiang Bin asked with a smile beside him.

Xiao Tiaozi made way for the two to continue to go to the leopard room, while Xiao Tiaozi followed Shen Xi, wanting to ask clearly what was going on.

However, Chen Xi didn't have the heart to answer Xiao Tiaozi's question, but instead asked: "Dude Tiao, is your Majesty resting now, or is he doing something next to you?"

Xiao Guozi was stunned and said, "Your Majesty has already rested earlier. Now... I don't know what the situation is. If things don't matter, you can actually wait in the afternoon... Could it be that things are really urgent?"

He immediately realized that if Chen Xi wanted to talk to Zhu Houzhao, he would be the one who disturbed Zhu Houzhao's sleep. However, Xiao Tiaozi was not very worried about this, because he could send some eunuchs in to wake Zhu Houzhao up, and even if Zhu Houzhao got angry, he would not be angry.

Chenxi Road: "It is related to the national system, and you need to meet the saint as soon as possible."

Xiao Twist took a breath and his expression became nervous, thinking that things might be really important.

Jiang Bin casually said, "Since Lord Shen's affairs are so tight, please report to Your Majesty. Please tell Your Majesty. Please tell me."

Xiao Guozi said coldly: "How do we do things in our family? You, Lord Jiang, you, Lord Shen, it's not that I don't want to go in and report, it's really... Your Majesty is too tired these days... it's all trivial matters. In fact, you can wait, or..."

Chen Xi's face darkened slightly, and his eyes glanced at him like a sharp sword. Xiao Tiaozi's heart seemed to be hit by a heavy hammer, and his face turned pale.

Just at this moment, a young eunuch came to report: "Grandpa, Eunuch Zhang brought people over and said he wanted to meet His Majesty."

Xiao Taozi was stunned at first, and then realized that the "Eunuch Zhang" mentioned by the eunuch was Zhang Yuan.

Apart from Zhang Yuan's ruthlessness, others do not have the qualifications to worship the king, even the eunuchs in the leopard room need to be properly polite.

Xiao Taozi understood that with his current identity and status, it was difficult to stop Zhang Yuan, so he could only look at Chen Xi with his help and said, "Mr. Shen, look..."

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Eunuch Zhang came to the Leopard Room to ask for the Saint to meet him. You should ask Your Majesty for instructions. What should I do with me?"

Xiao Guozi sighed and was about to send someone to inform him of the release, but he saw that Zhang Yuan was already anxious and brought someone in from outside, staring with great momentum, as if he was paying the score with someone.

Xiao Guozi immediately turned his head and avoided Zhang Yuan's gaze, pretending that he didn't see it.

"Mr. Shen, it's the end of the year today. You are not working in the yamen. Why should you come to the Leopard Room?" As soon as Zhang Yuan arrived, he ignored Xiao Taozi and Jiang Bin and attacked Chen Xi directly.

Just like a question, his tone was very tough.

Jiang Bin clasped his fists as a salute, but Xiao Twisted Zi didn't say anything. Chen Xi said: "I have important matters. Do you still have to ask Eunuch Zhang for instructions?"

Zhang Yuan said: "Our family is not questioning whether your behavior of facing the saint is correct, because Your Majesty is resting at this time, so you shouldn't be disturbed rashly."

Jiang Bin asked back: "Why did that father-in-law Zhang come here?"

Zhang Yuan glanced at Jiang Bin coldly: "Our family is here to meet the saint. There is an important matter. Just like Lord Shen's purpose, why, Lord Jiang has any objection to this?"

Zhang Yuan's words are contradictory, but no one questioned them.

Jiang Bin would not have a conflict with Zhang Yuan directly. Before he gained power, he really needed to curry favor with these eunuchs. That's what he did when he was in Zhangjiakou.

But now is different from the past. He has already gained a foothold in front of the emperor and does not belong to anyone. Even if Qian Ning, the commander of the Jinyiwei, swung his way around and for these eunuchs, Jiang Bin did not want to be humble and cling to the relationship. As for the fact that he recognized the eunuch as his adoptive father, he regarded it as a nonsense that had never been changed before.

Chen Xi smiled faintly and said, "Since the purpose is the same, we will not distinguish right from wrong. If you ask Your Majesty for instructions, you will say that I and Eunuch Zhang will come to meet the saint."

Xiao Tiaozi looked at Zhang Yuan and said, "Eunuch Zhang, you are the chief etiquette supervisor. You should do this kind of thing yourself to disturb Your Majesty's rest. This is a serious crime."

Zhang Yuan did not respond to Xiao Guozi's suggestion, looked at Chen Xi and made a gesture of invitation: "Mr. Shen, why don't we go in and meet the saint together? They all come with the same purpose, and do not distinguish between each other, and should bear the responsibility together when disturbing the saint, right?"

Jiang Bin, however, came forward to stop him: "Mr. Shen is a foreign minister and cannot step into the inner courtyard of the leopard room directly. What Eunuch Zhang said is probably not in accordance with the rules."

"What rules? The biggest rule is that Your Majesty asks Lord Shen to come and see you at any time. Can you, Lord Jiang, have such preferential treatment?" Zhang Yuan was aggressive, but his attitude finally softened, and he said, "If you don't want to report to Your Majesty, then let's go in person. Lord Shen just come with our family... I won't bother you, Lord Shen."

...
To be continued...