Chapter 637 Chapter 636 Dim Resignation

In the workplace, old people bullying newcomers seems to have existed since the Ming Dynasty.

News leaked from Wang Ting's office that Qi Kang, the imperial censor, might be released, so the censors in the Procuratorate who thought they were relatively familiar with Wei Guangde sent notes to Wei Guangde one after another, with only one purpose, which was to demote him. .

From observing politics to being transferred to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Qi Kang's time in the Metropolitan Procuratorate was too short, and he did not have a good relationship to help him navigate this environment. I don't know who started it. Everyone was a little uncomfortable with just being transferred to the outside. Convinced, I want to lower his grade.

Well, in their view, this is an act of clearing up the door between officials and officials.

After Wei Guangde was promoted to the right minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Metropolitan Procuratorate finally took away the censor's seal from his hand and relieved him of his duties.

But as a former scientific expert, Wei Guangde seems to have contributed to it.

What is Kedao?

Mad dog.

Wei Guangde was afraid of this group of people from the bottom of his heart and couldn't afford to offend them.

He was one of them before, so naturally he had to be conceited.

Now that I have left the Metropolitan Procuratorate, I did not expect that this group of people would still want to interfere in the official affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.

However, Wei Guangde knew that if he did not meet their demands, he would be regarded as a high-profile party member, at least by some of them, and then some people might be confused and impeach him too.

In order to avoid such a situation and protect himself wisely, Wei Guangde chose to take a step back and Qi Kang was demoted and released.

Qi Kang is a seventh-rank censor, so it is definitely inappropriate to be demoted three levels to a junior eighth-rank censor.

After comparing the notes received, Wei Guangde estimated that this group of people might not be satisfied with the downgrade.

Then there was a compromise, so Wei Guangde chose to demote Qi Kang by two levels and release him.

As an eighth-grade official, Wei Guangde chose to assign Qi Kang an official position with government experience.

Government experience, in charge of the Government Experience Department, was the direct affairs officer under the prefect, in charge of transfers, cashier documents and other matters, and was roughly the secretary-general of the city government in later generations.

Being awarded such an official position as a Jinshi is actually a bit humiliating.

However, Wei Guangde would not take his feelings into consideration. Letting him go and letting him disappear in the eyes of the officials was actually a kind of protection for him.

If he doesn't leave now, if Gao Gong leaves in the future, Qi Kang will most likely be punished more severely, and it is not impossible to even be deprived of his official status.

The procedures for Qi Kang's release were completed very quickly, and no one spoke for him. Guo Pu thought that he was incompetent and had brought such trouble to Gao Gong. Gao Gong, who was busy writing his self-defense and resignation at home, naturally had no time. Take care of his disciple.

Qi Kang quietly received the official document and seal of appointment from the Ministry of Personnel, and left the capital quietly. Even his hometown and the same year did not know about him, so he set off alone on the road.

Perhaps, at this time, he also knew that his political immaturity had brought great trouble to his teacher Gao Gong, and he was too embarrassed to see other people.

In the capital, at Chen Yiqin's house.

After disbanding the government, Wei Guangde made a special trip here to understand the reaction of his second assistant, Li Chunfang.

"You said Mr. Li is still unwilling to return to the cabinet immediately? Didn't His Majesty issue a decree to comfort him?"

Wei Guangde heard Chen Yiqin say that after Qi Kang was demoted and released, it was strange that Li Chunfang, who was supposed to go back to the cabinet along the steps, chose to stay at home.

"I just came back from Duke Li's house. I guess he suspected that Qi Kang was instructed by the Prime Minister to write that memorial. Alas."

Chen Yiqin sighed and said: "Before, he was in the cabinet watching the struggle for power between Gao Gong and Xu Chief Fu. With his uncontested temperament, he was probably worried that Gao Gong would seek revenge on him and Xu Chief Fu again after his comeback, so I insist on wanting it.”

Chen Yiqin did not finish what he said, but the meaning of his words was very clear. Li Chunfang did not want Gao Gong to continue to stay in the cabinet.

"Reason? What reason did he use to refuse duty?"

Wei Guangde said strangely.

It is normal to avoid suspicion when being impeached.

However, after the emperor issued a decree to comfort him, it stands to reason that he should return to the court and take duty. If there is no other legitimate reason, this is not avoiding suspicion, but absenting himself from work.

"Sick."

Chen Yiqin glanced at Wei Guangde and said in a low voice: "It's because he feels dizzy from time to time and can't do anything."

Wei Guangde opened his mouth, but finally said nothing.

As soon as you hear this disease, you will know that it is an excuse, because even if Hua Tuo is reincarnated, it cannot be cured. These so-called lesions may not be real at all. How can they be cured?

After all, it’s just a matter of heart.

If heart disease is not cured, it will be difficult to cure it.

Wei Guangde and Chen Yiqin looked at each other, and they both knew what the other's eyes meant, that Gao Gong was finished.

In the following two days, although Qi Kang was demoted and released, the officials in the capital still stared at Gao Gong closely and ignored this fool's intentions.

The memorial to impeach Gao Gong is like snowflakes floating into the palace, and it is bound to beat the dog in the water to the end.

In everyone's opinion, with Hai Rui speaking for Xu Jie and Yang Bo and others speaking outright, senior officials such as the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers supported them. Therefore, the northern and southern science and technology forces worked together, and they all took it as a pleasure to attack the arch. .

"Sir, twenty-two memorials to impeach Mr. Gao Ge were sent to the palace today. This is the catalog."

When the Ministry of Personnel was on duty, Wei Guangde took a note from Lu Bu, which recorded the names and official positions of the officials who submitted the impeachment memorial today.

By this time, Wei Guangde no longer wanted to read those memorials and accused Gao Gong of making any mistakes.

He just asked Lu Bu to count the number of impeachment memorials every day, and he was indifferent to the rest.

"In the past two days, Mr. Gao Ge has not defended himself again?"

Suddenly, Wei Guangde thought of Gao Gong again. Some time ago, he made a self-defense and responded to the impeachment of hundreds of officials. It seemed that he had not heard Lu Bu mention this matter in the past two days.

"In the past two days, Mr. Gao Ge has not submitted a self-defense statement. Yesterday, he submitted a memorial requesting for official appointment. Today, there is nothing."

Lu Bu replied.

"Is it the memorial about illness?"

Wei Guangde had some impression that Lu Bu had mentioned it yesterday.

"Yes sir."

Lu Bu replied.

"I know, you just pack these official documents, I'll sit down for a while and then leave."

It was almost time for office dismissal, and Wei Guangde was not interested in official matters.

Watching Lu Bu put away his books, Wei Guangde sat there and only drank two sips of tea, thinking about the current situation.

To be honest, he could feel that Gao Gong should have seen the situation clearly and knew that his situation was on the edge of the cliff, and that it would be useless to continue to hold on.

So I haven't written a self-defense in the past two days. Yesterday I made a memorial about my illness and asked to resign, but I didn't write another one today. It is estimated that I will write another memorial tomorrow for this reason.

Arriving at Chen Yiqin's house again, Wei Guangde found that someone had already arrived before him.

"Brother Zhengfu, I should be very free from work in the Ministry of Etiquette."

After the funeral of Emperor Daxing, the work of the Ministry of Rites became easier. Apart from some normal ceremonies, there was basically nothing to do.

Days like this will continue until the end of the year. After the winter solstice, the next half year in March will be busy again.

As for what he was busy with during this period, it was naturally the first talent promotion ceremony of the Long Qing Dynasty.

"Well, of course the Ministry of Rites is not as powerful as your Ministry of Officials."

Yin Shizhen smiled and said casually.

It doesn't matter to him whether he is busy or not. Anyway, he just has to do his best to do the errands arranged by His Majesty.

In the Ministry of Rites, I was busy for almost half a year and didn't even take a break for two months. As a result, I encountered conflicts in the cabinet. I didn't have much to worry about.

However, when Emperor Longqing put him in the Ministry of Rites and Wei Guangde went to the Ministry of Personnel, Yin Shizhen was still a little jealous.

As Wei Guangde said, the Ministry of Rites is too busy.

The official documents that were dealt with were actually some notes. They were copied according to the previous notes, with the time and name changed.

After they signed, the next step was to follow the instructions and everything was done.

"Okay, let's get down to business. I'm here to find you guys because His Majesty summoned me today and asked about some information."

Chen Yiqin, who was sitting on the main seat, spoke and began to describe to the two of them the situation in which Emperor Longqing summoned him today.

At this time, in the Qianqing Palace, Chen Ju knelt down in front of Emperor Longqing, lowering his head and not daring to speak.

"Have you seen Mr. Gao? Is he seriously ill?"

Emperor Longqing on the throne was already speaking with a hint of anger. Yesterday he was hesitant in answering, but today he still hasn't given him an accurate answer.

Yesterday, Emperor Longqing was shocked when he saw Gao Gong's illness report in the Qianqing Palace. He immediately sent his servants and people from Taiyuan Hospital to Gao Mansion to diagnose and treat Gao Gong.

And today, someone was sent to visit again, and by the way, they wanted to know about Mr. Gao's condition.

Well, this unfortunate job somehow fell on Chen Ju, and he actually felt very unjust.

Everyone with a discerning eye knows that Gao Gong's memorial is just an excuse for Gao Gong to underestimate the current situation and know that there is no way to save the situation.

What is serious is that Gao Gong knew that everyone would betray his family and his reputation would be ruined. He knew that continuing to entangle in this way would not help at all, it would only implicate more, and even the emperor who protected him would suffer from the loss of his reputation, so he had to make a compromise.

Yes, Gao Gong already understood it when Hu Bu went to Bai Toushu to denounce him.

The ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, one from his hometown and the other from the same year as him, both chose to betray him and stabbed him. What is even more unacceptable is that the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Ge Shouli, refused to sign, but the memorial was still sent to the cabinet.

This humiliation made it difficult for him to have the dignity to stay in the court.

That's why there was that memorial. He no longer made any excuses for the various crimes he was accused of. He only said that he was seriously ill and asked to resign.

He knew that Emperor Longqing was weak by nature and would not be stern with ministers who had different opinions. Although he wanted to retain his ministers, his weak approach was unable to stop the noise.

If it were Emperor Jiajing, he would never let his ministers manipulate him like this. I am afraid that by this time, countless people would have been punished by imperial rods and imperial edicts.

Not to mention anything else, just one charge of "forming a clique" can shut up this group of people.

But he knew that he could not let Emperor Longqing do this, as it would make him lose the support of the people.

At this time, Chen Ju, who was kneeling below, gritted his teeth and thought of what Gao Gong had said to him alone in Gao Mansion. He finally looked up at Emperor Longqing and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Gao Ge is very ill. "

Hearing Chen Ju's words, Emperor Longqing showed a sad look on his face and said: "Please ask the imperial doctor to treat you.

In addition, you will report Mr. Gao's condition to me three times a day from now on without any mistakes. "

In the past, Chen Ju would have been very happy to get such an errand, because it meant that he could talk to the emperor at least three times a day.

For a chamberlain, the more contact he has with the emperor, the more opportunities he will have.

However, Chen Ju really wanted to say no to taking over Gao Gong.

Because that is deceiving you.

Although Chen Ju knew that Gao Gong had an extraordinary status in Emperor Longqing's mind, he really saw through it this time.

Xu Jie and Li Chunfang claimed to be ill, and Emperor Longqing also asked the imperial physician to treat them, but he only asked once and that was it. I'm afraid he had already forgotten about it.

When Gao Gong claimed to be ill, Emperor Longqing not only sent eunuchs and imperial physicians to visit and treat him for two consecutive days, but also asked him to be responsible for this time and report to him regularly. The treatment was very different.

He wanted to tell the truth, but Chen Ju didn't dare.

He was not stupid. He knew that Gao Gong's departure was the best choice in the current situation.

Emperor Longqing was not stupid. Even if he didn't think about it for a while, he would have come to his senses after two days.

When he knew Gao Gong's intentions, he would make a decision.

As for whether Chen Ju was worried that Emperor Longqing would pursue him for deceiving the emperor later, he didn't have to be afraid, because he knew that Emperor Longqing was a reasonable person.

It was rare for an emperor to be reasonable, but Longqing was like that. He could understand the difficulties of his subjects, so sometimes he would rather wrong himself.

These were all the effects of the experience in Prince Yu's Mansion.

"Tomorrow you will go to Mr. Gao's residence and bring two trays of jewels with you. Go down and prepare them."

Emperor Longqing watched Chen Ju leave the hall, and a trace of sadness appeared on his face.

"Li Fang."

"Yes."

"Is Li Chunfang still unwilling to leave the palace to do his work?"

Li Fang stood in front of Emperor Longqing and lowered his head, whispering: "Lord Li has had a headache these days, and he feels dizzy from time to time. The Imperial Hospital believes that he needs to rest for a while after diagnosis."

"It's similar to Xu Jie's condition."

Speaking of this, the hand hidden in the sleeve couldn't help but clench, and then loosen.

"You go down, I want to be quiet."

The eunuchs in the hall filed out, leaving Emperor Longqing alone sitting on the throne.

He really couldn't understand why this happened.

The rift between Gao Gong and Xu Jie actually existed during the time of the previous emperor, but it was not obvious at that time because he might have been cautious.

After that, Gao Gong and the generals in the palace were obviously alienated. Emperor Longqing could feel that Yin Shizhan, Wei Guangde and others seemed to dislike Gao Gong, but he just hid it.

When he ascended the throne, he thought they would work together and help him govern the country, but he didn't expect that in less than half a year, it would become what it is now.

From the note handed in by Wei Guangde, he understood that Wei Guangde did not intend to protect Gao Gong with all his strength. As for those seemingly reasonable reasons, what did they count in front of the emperor.

If he really wanted to do it, he could just find some reasons to praise Gao Gong's goodness and praise him here, and the meaning would be conveyed.

But no, Wei Guangde did not do so.

The situation was similar when summoning Chen Yiqin.

Thinking of this, Emperor Longqing couldn't help but close his eyes.

On the second day, Gao Gong, as expected, submitted another memorial, claiming illness and resigning, the same reason as Xu Jie at the beginning.

It seemed that he was already a little impatient, or worried that Emperor Longqing would vent his anger on others, Gao Gong began to submit memorials to resign continuously.

Finally, Emperor Longqing realized that he could not be retained, and finally approved Gao Gong's resignation on May 23. In total, he submitted twelve resignations.