The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 383

The next morning at court, Jiang Mian stood up directly.

"Your Majesty, I feel that I am getting old and my health is deteriorating. I wish to retire and return to my hometown."

Jiang Mian spoke earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing felt a headache coming on. Since he ascended the throne, Jiang Mian had offered his resignation several times, which he had refused outright each time. He never expected that Jiang Mian would bring it up again now.

Before Jiajing could speak, cabinet member Mao Ji stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, it is true that Lord Jiang's health is not very good. We understand Your Majesty's feelings for Lord Jiang. The relationship between ruler and subject is harmonious, and I believe Lord Jiang understands this as well. However, it is just that Lord Jiang has reached the age to enjoy his retirement."

As a member of the cabinet, Mao Ji has always been a representative of the Jiangnan faction. However, since Yang Tinghe was overthrown and Yang Shen was no longer on his side, Mao Ji has kept a low profile and tries not to express his opinions as much as possible.

However, Yang Yiqing had informed Jiang Mian of his retirement, as well as Xia Yan.

Xia Yan naturally understood Yang Yiqing's intentions in promoting him to the cabinet; it was simply because he was getting old and timid, and wanted a safe and secure place to settle down.

Even Mao Ji is now over sixty years old. Given the current situation in the court, Mao Ji's ambitions are not that great anymore, after all, his age is a factor.

But Xia Yan is different. He is only in his forties and has a long way to go in his official career. In the officialdom, if you don't take the initiative to strive, you will be ostracized by others and replaced by the interest groups behind you.

As the saying goes, if you don't advance, you'll fall behind. Xia Yan and Mao Ji are now the representatives of the entire Jiangnan gentry group. Mao Ji doesn't have much say in the cabinet, nor does he have much ambition. However, if Xia Yan is promoted to the cabinet, that would be a different story.

If Xia Yan were to be hastily promoted to the cabinet, the emperor would be unlikely to agree. After all, the sudden appearance of two cabinet members from Jiangnan would maintain balance, but given how Jiajing had dealt with Jiangnan before, Yang Yiqing felt that the emperor would not easily let Xia Yan join the cabinet.

That's why Jiang Mian needed to retire to make room for Xia Yan.

With one person leaving and another entering, it was only natural that someone should be brought into the cabinet after Jiang Mian left.

In the current court, there are only a few people qualified to join the cabinet. Han Jie's foundation is still shallow, and he has only been the Minister of Rites for a short time, so he is naturally not qualified to join the cabinet.

The ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War are both getting old and have long since given up on the idea of ​​joining the cabinet. Their thoughts are similar to those of Jiang Mian. Faced with the current turbulent political situation, the first few years after the new emperor's ascension to the throne are often a time when many veteran officials think about retiring.

"Your Majesty knows that you are reluctant to part with Jiang Jingzhi, but all good things must come to an end, and Jiang Jingzhi is indeed getting old."

Yang Yiqing also stepped forward.

When Jiajing heard the two say this, he raised an eyebrow and almost cursed them out.

You two have the nerve to say Jiang Jingzhi is old? Don't you even look at yourselves? Which one of you is younger than him? Why don't you retire and go back to your hometown?

However, Jiajing only thought about these words once and didn't say them out loud. Since Yang Yiqing and Mao Ji both said these words, this matter seemed unusual.

It seems that the weighing instrument was right; as soon as something happens to him, some people can't help but step forward.

In that case, let's wait and see.

After making up his mind, Jiajing looked at Jiang Mian.

"Jingzhi, I am truly reluctant to see you leave the court. I know your abilities, and many things in the court cannot function without you."

Jiajing said with a pained expression.

Jiang Mian was deeply moved upon hearing this. Regardless of whether the words were true or false, even if they were false, not all officials deserved such praise from the emperor.

"I have long known of Your Majesty's feelings for me. However, the Grand Secretary is right. All good things must come to an end. I am getting old, while Your Majesty is in the prime of life. We, as ruler and subject, will eventually part ways."

As Jiang Mian said this, tears naturally streamed down his face.

This wasn't acting. After all, Jiang Mian had served in the court for decades, and now that he was leaving, the emperor was trying his best to persuade him to stay. Jiang Mian was moved and didn't deliberately control his emotions. He shed some tears at the right time, which would leave behind a beautiful story of a ruler and his subject.

Jiang Mian's tears were heartfelt, but the other officials in the court were all skilled actors. Seeing Jiang Mian's tearful face, they also looked moved, seemingly touched by the harmonious scene between the emperor and his minister.

Mao Ji, Xia Yan, and others had red eyes.

"Alas! Jingzhi, since you are determined to leave, it would be inconsiderate of me to force you to stay. So be it! So be it!"

Emperor Jiajing was also a skilled actor; he spoke these words with a look of helplessness and sadness.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

Jiang Mian bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, Lord Jiang has retired. His vacancy needs to be filled, otherwise many things will go unattended."

Before everyone could finish being moved, Mao Ji stepped forward and spoke.

"Oh? Who do you think is suitable to fill Jingzhi's vacancy?"

Jiajing looked at Mao Ji and asked.

Mao Jizi Weizhi.

"I do have a candidate who is most suitable: Xie Qian and Xie Yuqiao. He was implicated by Liu Jin before, so it would be most appropriate to have him rejoin the cabinet."

Mao Ji did not recommend Xia Yan, and Xia Yan did not want to enter the cabinet at this time. He knew very well what Yang Yiqing was planning, so he had already discussed with Mao Ji that he would recommend Xie Qian to be reinstated.

If anything happens, let Xie Qian take the lead, while Xia Yan provides advice from behind. In this way, Xia Yan can advance or retreat as needed. Once he enters the cabinet, whatever happens will be irreversible.

Xie Qian is over seventy years old. Even if he rejoins the cabinet, it will only be to contribute his remaining energy, pave the way for Xia Yan and the others, and do some work. This would be entirely beneficial to Xia Yan and Mao Ji.

Xie Qian is now seventy-two years old, much older than Yang Yiqing. He is also from Yuyao, Zhejiang, and a fellow townsman of Wang Yangming, but he is a genuine official of the Jiangnan faction.

Jiang Mian was just over sixty years old when he requested to retire, citing his advanced age as the reason. However, Mao Ji then recommended Xie Qian, who was over seventy years old. This whole thing seemed absurd no matter how you looked at it.

Unfortunately, things in the imperial court are just that absurd. Everyone is a master at pretending to be confused, and no one will talk about it. Anyone who does will become the target of public criticism.

Yang Yiqing was somewhat surprised to hear this. He hadn't expected Xia Yan to recommend Xie Qian. It seemed that Xia Yan was much smarter than he thought and had a clear understanding of the situation. Entering the cabinet at this time was definitely not a good choice.

Yang Yiqing wanted a smooth landing, while Xia Yan pursued a meteoric rise to power. However, meteoric rises often come with a bottomless abyss, so Xia Yan was very cautious. He had plenty of time and was not in a hurry.

Since they had decided to recommend Xie Qian, Yang Yiqing was naturally happy to go along with it.

"I also think Xie Qian is suitable. He is very familiar with the affairs of the cabinet. Let him fill Jingzhi's vacancy for two years, and then we will find another good minister."

Yang Yiqing said.

"What do you think about using repair?"

Jiajing looked at Yang Shen, who hadn't spoken, and asked.

Now, when Emperor Jiajing attends court, he always asks Yang Shen for his opinion.

"I also think Mr. Mokusai is suitable. He served in the Cabinet for many years and is very familiar with Cabinet affairs. Although he is a bit old, he should be able to work for a few more years without any problem."

When Yang Shen said this, it was slightly sarcastic. He specifically mentioned that Xie Qian was old, but it was just a sarcastic remark, and he didn't mean to object.

"In that case, issue an imperial decree ordering Xie Yuqiao to return to the capital and resume his post."

Emperor Jiajing gave the final decision.