Chapter 985 The Effect of Public Opinion

Listening to his granddaughter's inquiry, Taishi Ning was stunned and looked at her with burning eyes. He did not expect that his good granddaughter would have such insight into court affairs.

It's a pity that women can't serve as officials in the court, and such talents can only be buried in the backyard.

Otherwise, with his good grandson's ability, he will surely become a pillar of the imperial court.

"My dear grandson, just go ahead and do it. Grandpa will take care of you if anything happens." Taishi Ning stroked his beard, his whole body was full of pampering, and his eyes were so kind that they could overflow with water.

If they were seen by those old fritters in the court, they would definitely be shocked.

"That's right. Our Ning family has never suffered the disadvantage of being dumb in these years. If you want to treat me like a fool, you have to see if they are qualified." Mrs. Ning snorted softly and patted her granddaughter's hand. "Do you have enough manpower? Grandma has someone who can call you directly?"

"Grandma, no need, I have enough people. Besides, I don't need to go on stage personally."

Princess Hehui walked out of the courtyard and returned to her Qingyan Pavilion. She leaned on the beauty's couch, leaning on her temples with one hand, her eyes cold, and the corner of her mouth raised a hint of ridicule.

"Xia Lian, find a few reliable people to go to Jinqiu Tea House..."

As the princess's personal maid, her big eyes were full of excitement when she heard the order.

"Don't worry, Princess, I will go now."

The next day, new rumors began to cover again, this time it was no longer in the streets, but in teahouses and restaurants, especially the Golden Autumn Teahouse.

The Jinqiu Tea House recruits all students from Kyoto and noble men from aristocratic families.

Here, you can talk about someone's romantic affairs, criticize the government, or put forward your own opinions based on something. No matter what the result is, you will not get yourself into trouble.

Because of this, many people were curious about the owner behind Jinqiu Tea House, and sent people to investigate. Unfortunately, nothing was found in the end, and it remains a mystery.

But just because of this, the students are even more convinced that a master who hides such a secret must have power behind it that no one else can touch.

"Have you heard? The old prime minister is retiring."

"My dear friend, Prime Minister Mu is old and will soon reach the age of retirement. This is no secret at all."

"Of course I know this. People are rare in the past seventy years. The old prime minister is already sixty or eighty. He has long been deaf and dazzled, and he has struggled to go to court. Ordinarily, he should have abdicated long ago, but he has always persisted. Do you know why? Guanqiao?”

"Ahem~, people have been in high positions for a long time, so their ideas are naturally different from ours... But I have also heard many rumors in private, saying that the old prime minister is greedy for power and is reluctant to let go."

"I have also heard that the old prime minister has been in charge of the government for many years. It is supposed that he should retire and enjoy the happiness of his children and grandchildren long ago. It is not that he is unwilling to give way to talents, but that he wants to recommend his disciples to succeed him."

"It's normal to have this idea. The old prime minister has the right to recommend people. Recommending talented people to officials is also a loyalty to the country. Don't avoid relatives, as long as they are the pillars of the country, there is nothing wrong with them."

"That's what I say, but the Mu family has always held the position of prime minister, which is always inappropriate. Officials have always been based on talent, and only the Holy One has the right to decide on the candidate for prime minister. No matter how the old prime minister recommends it, if the officials do not recognize it, it is also no good."

"So, if the official doesn't like the talent recommended by the old prime minister, he can't withdraw. Once he leaves that position, the position of prime minister will not be preserved."

"..."

In the teahouse, the students talked in low voices and argued with each other.

Fortunately, freedom of speech was allowed in the Song Dynasty. As long as one did not maliciously belittle or insult someone, one could speak freely.

Especially when they gather at the Golden Autumn Tea House, they can speak freely and have no inhibitions.

"In the next literary editorial, we might as well discuss the topic of not avoiding relatives. Then invite all the learned people to come and sit down. If any of you want to compete in the ring, you can prepare when you go back."

"Aren't you avoiding relatives? Good topic. I will definitely come as promised."

Listening to this suggestion, everyone's eyes burned.

Being able to gather together with other students to analyze the situation in the court and debate important issues in the court is the favorite program for all students.

At this time, the official family would always send censors to sneak in secretly, record the topics debated by the students, and listen to the students' voices. If you meet someone with great talent, you can make an exception.

For this reason, Jinqiu Tea House has almost become a tea house exclusively for students.

As soon as these remarks came out, everyone was in an uproar. What positions the Mu family occupied in the court were picked out by the students and analyzed one by one.

In a corner where no one was paying attention, the two censors sat together, listening to the students' remarks with their ears bent, and looking at each other from time to time, their eyes bright and bright.

At the court meeting the next day, five copies of the impeachment papers were sent to the officials by the chamberlain.

The impeachment memorial unanimously held that the old prime minister was old and could no longer solve the problems of the court, so he should abdicate in favor of talents, instead of holding on to the prime minister's position, preventing truly talented people from being reused, and causing the court to lose talented people.

Prime Minister Mu, who was standing at the top on the left, was furious, but his expression showed a hint of fear, and he walked out of the queue tremblingly.

"I am afraid, and I ask the Holy One to punish me. I am indeed old, but I am not blind and deaf yet. I let people make up lies at will to entertain people, and I ask the Holy One to judge."

"Don't be angry, Aiqing. These are just the words of some young students and cannot be trusted. I understand that Mu Aiqing is loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and dedicated his whole life to his work."

Emperor Cheng Xuan looked at Prime Minister Mu who was almost unsteady on his feet, waved his hand, exempted him from kneeling, and softly comforted him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but what they said is not wrong. I am indeed old and slow in my movements. I guess I can't relieve your worries. I am willing to resign and return home. Please make the decision."

"Don't worry, my dear minister. You are the pillar of the court and my loyal minister. The court cannot do without the prime minister."

Emperor Chengxuan waved his hand and comforted him softly.

It is unreasonable to ask someone to return home because of a few impeachment memorials. If he agreed, it would seem heartless.

"Thank you for your approval, your old minister requests to retire and return home."

"My dear minister Mu, it's just a few impeachment memorials. You don't have to take it to heart. Just be loyal to the court." After saying this, Emperor Chengxuan glanced at the eunuch next to him.

Wang Deren received the signal and immediately stepped forward and chanted loudly,

"If you have a memorial, please report it. If you don't, please leave the court."

Emperor Chengxuan stood up and left. The ministers in the hall looked at each other and turned away.

Prime Minister Mu turned around slowly, squinting his eyes and looking at Bai Ansheng who was leaving with the others, his face solemn.

Xiao Wu walked out with his hands behind his back, his back felt like a thorn, how could he not feel it?

He frowned and pulled the corner of his mouth, the Mu family regarded him as a strong enemy, which just happened to be what the emperor wanted.

As a loyal old minister, the emperor would naturally not easily nod and let him go.

So many years have been spent, so these two years are not bad. (End of this chapter)