Qi Yongtai fell ill.

 After handling all of this and completely handing over the entire cabinet affairs, and after Gu Bingqian took office as the chief minister, Qi Yongtai fell ill.

When such a big incident happened, Qi Yongtai managed to hold on to the situation with all his strength. It was not until he completely resolved the military threats and internal disputes inside and outside the capital city, and really helped Gu Bingqian back on his horse, that he really fell. Got off.

 Looking at Qi Yongtai's thin face and slightly flushed cheeks, Feng Ziying also felt sad.

 He could feel that Qi Yongtai might not be able to survive this time.

Although it seems that he has not yet reached the stage of running out of gas, he is so seriously ill at his age and has encountered this turmoil that consumes his energy and energy, and has a great impact on him.

“Master Qi, you don’t have to be in such a hurry. We will have a long time to come...”

"Okay, don't I still know about my own body?" Qi Yongtai waved his hands and took a breath, "Now I am going to have a good explanation with you while my own energy is still barely able to cope with it. Mo If you think that once you join the cabinet, you can forget about everything..."

"Master Qi, don't you still know your disciple's temperament? How dare you be so presumptuous?" Feng Ziying quickly said with a smile: "Besides, there are officials and masters in the cabinet, so how can it be the disciple's turn to speak?"

"Hmph, if you don't say anything, what are you doing in the cabinet?" Qi Yongtai snorted, "Surviving qualifications and gaining connections? Are you that kind of person? I'm afraid that you are eager to achieve success, and haste makes waste. "

Feng Ziying calmed down, "But Master Qi, haven't you already handed over the final draft of the examination and the relevant implementation details to Mr. Liu Ji? Didn't he also make a good promise and push it forward as soon as possible?"

"Can he not agree to the things I entrusted to him as the first assistant? But when it comes to specific implementation, how can it be so easy? How many people's interests are involved, how many rules changes are involved, and you are the initiator , Don’t you understand?” Qi Yongtai sighed.

"I don't expect Liuji to be able to implement this term. Liuji's temperament is not the kind to insist on his own opinion to the end. What's more, this examination method may not be in line with his wishes. Now he just wants to make a good living with this chief assistant. Sit firmly, he probably won't be able to take into account other things, and the test method involves too many areas. However, he has just taken office, and due to my instructions, he may make a little move, but once he encounters resistance, I'm afraid he will He said he would take a long-term approach."

It should be said that Qi Yongtai had a good grasp of Gu Bingqian's character and mentality. Even if Qi Yongtai himself did not give him enough time to pass such a huge law as Kaochengfa, which would have huge changes in the entire Zhou Dynasty official administration and government execution system. Even if you push it with energy and energy, you won’t see much effect.

As for Gu Bingqian, it is commendable that he can make officials understand what the assessment regulations are like, but don't expect him to implement them in detail.

"In the final analysis, you have to do your own things yourself." Qi Yongtai looked at the silent Feng Ziying and said word by word: "You can't count on others for this kind of thing, let alone Liuji, even Dongxian, It may not be possible. From the bottom of my heart, I also hope that you can achieve it by yourself. When you achieve this goal, I believe that you are already a qualified first assistant."

 Qi Yongtai's high regard also made Feng Ziying feel more pressure. It was obvious that Qi Yongtai was not optimistic about Gu Bingqian's or even Guan Yingzhen's execution ability, or willingness to execute, in promoting the examination.

 When they reach their age and sit in the position of chief minister, they consider more personal interests and group interests. Really doing good for the country may come second.

This matter can only be put aside for the time being and discussed slowly, but there is another issue. Feng Ziying, as a member of the cabinet ministers and assistants, was entrusted by the current cabinet to seek Qi Yongtai's opinion.

“Master Qi, there are different opinions in the cabinet on how to deal with what the emperor did inside this time, so Duke Liu Ji wants to hear your opinion.”

"I have retired from official duties, how can I interfere in such important court affairs again?" Qi Yongtai shook his head repeatedly, "This matter should have been discussed and decided by your cabinet, and Liuji has done a bad job."

"But Liu Ji Gong probably didn't know what he was thinking. The officials, Ming Qi Gong and Qiao Shi also had different opinions. In addition, the personnel of the seven provincial procuratorates and local governments have not yet been completely finalized, so they are worried that this matter will cause disputes and affect the situation. Let’s move on to the next step of personnel negotiations…”

 Qi Yongtai can also understand Feng Ziying’s difficulties.

Now that Gu Bingqian has just assumed the position of chief assistant, he is in an awkward situation.

Now it is the Five Cabinet Ministers model, but Guan Yingzhen and Huang Ruliang are both leaders of Huguang and Jiangnan scholars with no less prestige than him, and Qiao Yingjia is now the leader of the scholars in the North, and he has a strong personality and is difficult to deal with.

Only Feng Ziying, the junior, has the lowest qualifications, and she also had the best relationship in the past. In addition, she has an unusual relationship with Huang Qiao, so she can be relied upon at this time.

 Feng Ziying feels that her current role is more like the role of secretary-general in later official circles.

 It is not easy to help the first assistant coordinate the relationship between the secondary assistants and the group assistants, especially the relationship between a relatively weak first assistant and the relatively strong second assistants and group assistants.

How to do this must not only ensure that the prestige of the first assistant is maintained to a certain extent, but also implement his intentions. In addition, he must take into account the opinions of the second assistants and group assistants, and by the way, add his own private goods to it. This is quite complicated. Test your ability to strategize, coordinate and communicate in this role.

 Looking at Feng Ziying, Qi Yongtai raised his head slightly and said, "Ziying, what do you think? I mean, how do you consider this special and delicate relationship between the emperor and the cabinet?"

Feng Ziying was stunned, but in front of Qi Yongtai, he did not hide his views, "If it is a time of forging ahead and the emperor is a wise and powerful man, he should use imperial power to suppress the power of the prime minister, but if the era is stable and stable, then he should use the cabinet It is appropriate for the wisdom of the crowd to suppress the imperial power, but of course this is not static and depends on the times and circumstances.”

 Qi Yongtai nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

 In his opinion, the game of imperial power and power is actually not a good thing for whoever has the absolute upper hand.

 The power of the prime minister is originally to gather the power of the group, but the group is bound to have differences and constraints, while the imperial power alone will have the harm of being willful and unilateral. Therefore, how to balance it actually depends on the wisdom of both parties.

Whoever is more clever and effective will naturally have the upper hand, and can better make an empire dynasty prosperous and usher in a prosperous age.

This is also constantly changing over time. Maintaining this competitive situation, but not letting the game go off track, causing shock to the government and the public, and affecting the progress of the country, is the embodiment of the art of governance.

From Qi Yongtai's point of view, it is obvious that Feng Ziying has begun to get a glimpse of the door, which is what makes him most gratified.

"Well, now that you understand this truth, I have nothing to teach you. You can also give Liuji a message. Correct your mentality and don't have too many worries. As the chief assistant, you can't look forward and backward. As long as it helps To achieve the goals set by the cabinet, no matter what you do, it will not be too bad, and you must trust the determination and wisdom of the cabinet ministers."

Qi Yongtai pushed the problem aside with his eloquent words. Feng Ziying also knew that Qi Yongtai had made up his mind not to get involved in court affairs.

In fact, he also felt that this was the right thing to do. Since he had retired, he should not get involved anymore. Gu Bingqian and Huang Qiao were all old ministers who had been immersed in the officialdom for decades. How could they not have some? What are your own means and abilities?

The fate of Emperor Wan Tong is indeed a big issue, but it is not difficult for them to ask Qi Yongtai's opinion. In fact, it is just a gesture, and by the way, they also have a look at Qi Yongtai's thoughts.

Qi Yongtai also understands that everyone is happy if he is not in his position and does not seek his own government.

Coming out of Qi Yongtai's house, Feng Ziying sat in the carriage and watched the carriage slowly drive away from the gate of Qi Yongtai's house.

The carriages and sedans that used to be packed with traffic at the entrance of Qizhai and would reach the end of the street are no longer visible. There are only two or three cars left, which is less than one stop every ten stops in the past.

 This also marks the end of an era.

Since Qi Yongtai entered the cabinet, he has been one of the core members of the cabinet. Even though he was neither the chief assistant nor the group assistant at the time, as the leader of the Northland scholars, his right to speak was no less than that of Fang Congzhe, who was the second assistant, and could not do anything. Can't get around him.

But now that he has handed over the baton to Qiao Yingjia and himself, he still cannot deserve the title of Leader of the Northland Scholars, but he already deserves the title of Leader of the Young Scholars. He will assist Qiao Yingjia to play a role in the cabinet, and at the same time, he will also serve as a member of the cabinet. A coordinator was appointed to help Gu Bingqian communicate with all parties and promote the execution of government affairs.

 However, the issue of Emperor Wan Tong's fate is before his eyes, like a lump in his throat, and he won't spit it out.

Now Emperor Wan Tong is hunkering down in the palace and is silent. He will not ask any questions about any cabinet decisions. He even asks someone to tell him that as long as one of his sons is chosen as the prince, he can follow the cabinet's decisions at any time. Opinion inner Zen.

 In a word, he can do anything as long as he holds on to his lineage's right to inherit the throne.

 This question also failed the cabinet.

Gu Bingqian was inclined to accept such an opinion. The weakening of imperial power to the extreme would naturally be beneficial to the power of the prime minister. Huang Ruliang was also inclined to this opinion. However, Guan Yingzhen and Qiao Yingjia believed that doing so might create a bad situation and lack of The concentration of imperial power can easily make the government unstable, and even the legality and rationality of the cabinet's governance will be questioned. In particular, the criticism of the people and the reaction of the military need to be taken into account, and the public opinion cannot be underestimated.

According to the opinions of Guan Yingzhen and Qiao Yingjia, if there must be a change of people, the mistakes and fallacies of Emperor Wan Tong must be pointed out in an upright manner, and the replacement should be done openly and honestly. It is not appropriate to trade in this way.

 But in Feng Ziying’s view, this approach is more likely to cause instability in the hearts of the ruling and opposition parties. (End of chapter)