Chapter 403 Murong Xian: Should I Call You Meng Lang or Brother-in-Law?

Chapter 403 Murong Xian: Should I call you Meng Lang, or...brother-in-law?

"Wang Shouren, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, is proficient in morality and virtue, and has always been upright and prudent. He is appointed to Wenyuan Pavilion to participate in the affairs of the government."

In the first month of the first year of Hongzhi, during the first morning court session, as the loud voice of the eunuch Cao Zhengchun, who delivered the imperial edict, rang out in the Fengtian Hall, Xu Xin walked out of the team of fifth-rank officials, and countless eyes were focused on him.

Participating in the affairs of the government, these four simple words represent the pinnacle of the power of civil officials in the Ming Dynasty. Cabinet ministers are known as "hidden prime ministers", a goal that countless people have never achieved in their lifetime, but this child who is only sixteen years old has entered the cabinet.

Although there is a legend that Gan Luo became a prime minister at the age of twelve in ancient times, it is not as outrageous as this scene now.

Many officials had objections to this appointment, but they all died down in the end.

The previous emperor passed away in August of the 23rd year of Chenghua. It has only been more than four months since then. However, it was during these four months that Emperor Hongzhi established his authority. During this period, there were many bloody storms, and a large part of the suggestions were made by Xu Xin.

Most of these "beasts in human clothing" in the court were smart people. They knew that this sixteen-year-old boy was not easy to mess with. He was not lacking in wisdom and skills, and he was also in the emperor's heart. What could they use to fight?

Moreover, it was not without precedent for the fifth rank to enter the cabinet. Most of them were not cabinet ministers. What reason could they have to oppose it?

The current cabinet chief "Liu Mianhua" Lord Liu looked at Xu Xin, but there was a kind smile on his face, and he bowed his head to greet him, obviously not wanting to cause trouble.

Xu Xin's entry into the cabinet was decided in this way. There were some minor disturbances, but nothing serious.

In fact, if you really count it, his entry into the cabinet is not a big deal, because he did not enter the cabinet as a hall official of the six ministries, but entered the cabinet after being a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He had no real power in his hands, only the right to advise the emperor, and what he could do was entirely up to the emperor.

This situation is acceptable to many mature and prudent people.

Xu Xin also likes this identity. He is not a person who likes to take power and do things. Real power means doing things, doing things... means no free time. He doesn't have enough time to practice martial arts every day, so why does he need such a big real power? Make yourself uncomfortable?

"Lord Wang, His Majesty invites you to the Wuying Hall!"

After the morning court ended, Xu Xin was stopped by someone, and it was still an acquaintance, the current East Factory Supervisor, who only manages the East Factory Cao Zhengchun, Cao Gonggong.

Last year, when the emperor rescued Liu Xi in front of the emperor, Cao Gonggong made a big splash, so naturally he was reused, especially after Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne, he became the head of the Imperial Horse Administration and the East Factory Supervisor.

Although Emperor Hongzhi trusted Cao Zhengchun very much, he also had restrictions and precautions against his power, mainly because Liu Xi and Yu Huatian, two eunuchs from the previous emperor's period, had caused things that were too outrageous.

Liu Xi killed the thirteenth prince, and Yu Huatian poisoned the imperial concubine. These were very taboo things. Emperor Hongzhi Zhu Youtang had experienced all these, and he was very rational not to beat all the eunuchs to death. How could he reuse eunuchs without restrictions?

The eunuchs of the Chenghua Dynasty really had too much power. The two power agencies of the East Factory and the West Factory not only supervised the officials and the localities, but also colluded with the Jinyiwei. When they were powerful, they could find reasons to arrest and kill low-ranking officials at will. This was too much.

After Zhu Youtang came to power, the staff of the disbanded West Factory was temporarily incorporated into the Jinyiwei, and the East Factory was controlled by Cao Zhengchun, but he was determined not to reach out to the Jinyiwei.

In addition, Cao Zhengchun was only the head of the Imperial Horse Administration, not the most powerful eunuch among the eunuchs, the Silijian Pen Eunuch. Zhu Youtang gave this important position to Huai En who was recalled from the Fengyang Imperial Mausoleum.

Xu Xin did not teach this series of power-sharing methods. It was completely Zhu Youtang's own idea. It can be said that he has grown a lot in the past few months as emperor.

"Your Majesty!"

Xu Xin entered the Wuying Hall and met the current Hongzhi Emperor Zhu Youtang. The girlish Empress Zhang was also there, serving sweet soup to the emperor.

"Shouren is here, let's drink a bowl together!"

When the emperor saw Xu Xin, he was very happy to invite him to drink soup together. Empress Zhang helped to serve a bowl with great insight. Xu Xin took it with both hands and sat down in front of him at the emperor's signal. The two drank and chatted, as if they were really close friends.

"Shouren, I have read the treasury books of various places these days, and I know that the finances of our dynasty are shocking..."

Zhu Youtang complained to Xu Xin, but the core meaning was one, that is, there was a problem with the finances of the Ming Dynasty, and the emperor felt that he did not have enough money to spend.

Xu Xin glanced at Empress Zhang next to him and had some guesses in his mind. He had a general idea of ​​the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty. There were problems but it had not yet reached the point of collapse. There was not enough money to spend... probably because the emperor did not have enough money for his own private use.

"Your Majesty, the financial affairs are nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Reducing expenditure... clearing out redundant soldiers and officials is the best way, but this matter cannot be done arbitrarily. As for increasing revenue, overseas trade is an excellent way."

"Let me give you an example. Songjiang cotton cloth, Suzhou and Hangzhou silk, Jiangxi porcelain, and Fujian tea have always been coveted by Westerners, who often pay millions of gold for them. If we can ensure smooth sea trade, it is not a problem to earn millions or even tens of millions of dollars a year..."

"What!"

Zhu Youtang was shocked when he heard what Xu Xin said. Overseas trade could actually make so much money, so why did his father stop going to the West?

"Banning going to the West is not the right way..."

Xu Xin briefly talked to Zhu Youtang, trying to find a way to move the emperor. He must do this thing of opening the sea to the West. Zhu Yuanzhang did a lot of stupid things. Not to mention the military households and artisan households, it was simply nonsense to impose a sea ban just because of the sea disaster.

"This matter is against the ancestral system!"

The emperor finally said quite heavily. The two words "ancestral system" were a mountain weighing on the head of the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and it was difficult to shake him.

"You can try it secretly first, let the queen's relatives..."

Xu Xin looked at Queen Zhang as he spoke. After several contacts with this young queen, he knew Zhang's character.

How to say it, she is not a "virtuous queen". Her skills and tricks are not comparable to those of Concubine Wan, and even the Queen Mother Zhou who dared not to touch power anymore. She is also a demon who subdues her father and brother. The Zhang family values ​​interests the most, and it is easier to control them by finding a good way.

"I'll think about it!"

The emperor did not give in at the end, but Xu Xin could see that Queen Zhang was already moved.

He did not say anything more, but said goodbye and left the palace.

However, at night, another man in black sneaked into the harem. He did not steal the concubines of Emperor Hongzhi. Emperor Hongzhi only had one queen, and stealing the queen... was quite difficult at the moment, so he went to the harem of the previous emperor, the bedroom of Concubine Shu.

When Xu Xin entered the bedroom, he found that there were already people inside. In addition to Concubine Shu, there was someone else, her sister, the fairy Murong Xian.

"Stop!"

When Xu Xin came, he did not hide it. After Concubine Shu found out, she said something again. The fairy came close, stared at him and said faintly: "Should I call you Menglang, or... brother-in-law?"