The recommendations will be completed after the chief executives have listed them on the table one by one.

The list of candidates for power presented to Zhao Xu and the two palaces included Pu Zongmeng, Han Zhongyan, Deng Runfu, Zeng Xiaokuan, Lu Dafang, Fan Chunren, Wang Cun, Li Chang, Zeng Bu, etc.

Then, of course, it’s time to vote.

Zhao Xu had already discussed a solution with the two palaces.

According to the agreed method, Liang was ordered to get the prepared white linen paper from the government, and on the spot, he ordered the ministers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to copy the titles, names, places of origin, and ages of the ministers mentioned in the report onto the corresponding forms.

Then, it is distributed.

The governors, ministers and senators present were all astonished when they got these white linen papers.

Many people couldn't help but raise their eyes and glance at the palace.

Because this operation is too Zhao Family!

On the white linen paper, there is a line of words: The court recommends voting, no names are recorded, no names are recorded, no names are called, it is equal to the list of ministers, and the circle is checked, which is a vote.

In other words, even if I jump back, no one will know.

What's even better is that it also says that each of the ministers can elect three ministers.

This will make voters even more invisible in the vast crowd.

Who chose whom? Who didn’t choose whom?

It's simply impossible to find out.

Originally, the ministers thought that when it came to quarreling with different opinions, the late emperor was considered the master of all things.

Unexpectedly, now the youth is better than the youth!

This person today is even more proficient in using this method of confusing different opinions.

The reason is very simple.

When voting becomes a highly personal and private choice, many politically correct considerations such as stance and principles take a back seat.

Now, ministers of the new party can vote for the old party, and ministers of the old party can also vote for the new party.

Moreover, no one can tell clearly who betrayed the ancestral law (the new law).

For officials, this is certainly a good thing.

even……

Wen Yanbo held the white linen paper in his hand and looked at Zhang Fangping.

These two were both roly-poly figures in the political arena of the Song Dynasty.

They knew all too well the lethality of this move.

Therefore, after looking at each other, the two elders looked away from each other, saying nothing.

The two of them almost immediately thought of a possibility.

Could this white linen paper have been marked in advance?

If this is the case, it is indeed difficult for ministers to understand who voted for whom?

But the officials definitely know!

In this way, wouldn't the officials be able to screen out potential betrayers in their respective camps from those who voted?

You know, provoking infighting among factions has always been the specialty of the Zhao officials.

So, the two senators looked at the white linen paper in their hands, then picked up their pens and carefully circled three circles on it.

And the choices they made were almost exactly the same.

Pu Zongmeng, Fan Chunren, Zeng Xiaokuan.

The purpose of choosing Pu Zongmeng is to show goodwill. If the officials really make a mark, they can tell the officials that we, the veterans, firmly support the officials in employing people.

Anyway, they felt that no one else would choose Pu Zongmeng except them.

I chose Fan Chunren based on my own considerations.

Fan Zhongyan's son had to help out no matter what.

Besides, this young man is really good. Even if he cannot be appointed Prime Minister this time, he should be able to do so in two or three years.

As for why you chose Zeng Xiaokuan instead of Han Zhongyan?

These two old foxes certainly have their own ideas.

For one thing, Zeng Xiaokuan was the son of Zeng Gongliang.

As for Zeng Gongliang, during the Xining period, he was one of the few elders in the court who supported Wang Anshi's reform.

He was kind to Wang Anshi and Zeng Gongliang for supporting, protecting and escorting him.

Choosing him also meant a subtle expression of allegiance to the officials.

Secondly, they have quite a lot of conflicts with Han Qi.

If it were a public vote, then these two elders would definitely vote for Han Zhongyan hypocritically.

But since it's anonymous, it's natural that he has a grudge to seek revenge.

After checking the boxes, the two men still pretended to stand there, looking like they were thinking hard and having trouble making a choice.

In fact, their eyes and ears are always observing other people.

When the ministers came forward one after another, they put the white linen paper in their hands into a wooden box held by the ministers.

Other waiting ministers also began to step forward. The two men walked forward slowly and handed in the white linen paper in their hands.

…

The voting went quickly.

In just over a quarter of an hour, the voting was completed.

The wooden box containing the ballots was immediately delivered to Zhao Xu. Zhao Xu handed it inside the curtain and said, "Please, my mother-in-law, please open it."

The two palaces took it with a smile, but did not open it immediately. Instead, they said to the ministers in the palace: "Thank you for your hard work, please go back and wait for the results."

The ministers paid their respects again, and then, led by Left Prime Minister Han Jiang, gradually withdrew.

Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping, and Sun Gu also wanted to retreat.

But he was stopped by the Queen Mother.

"Grand Master Wen, Zhang Jiedu, Sun Xueshi..." The Empress Dowager said, "Please stay with the three elders."

"I, the Queen Mother, and the official family would like to consult three elders."

This shows respect for the elders and is also customary.

"No!" The three veterans bowed to accept the order, and then returned to their respective seats.

By the time the ministers in charge all left the Zichen Palace.

The Queen Mother asked aloud: "I and the Queen Mother are just women. They don't know much about national affairs. They are young officials and are not familiar with ministers."

"The three elders are all veterans of three dynasties. They are familiar with the affairs of the scholar-bureaucrats in the world. There must be someone who can teach them."

"I would also like to invite the three elders to express their opinions. Are there any inappropriate ministers among the ministers recommended by the Prime Minister today?"

Wen Yanbo was the first to stand up, and said with his hand in his hand: "I am telling you that the ministers recommended by the governors are all quite suitable. They are all chosen at the moment and are famous ministers in the world."

Zhang Fangping also held his hand and said: "Old minister seconded the proposal."

Sun Gu opened his mouth. He actually had some objections, but when he saw Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping said he had no objections.

If he expresses his opinions again, doesn't this offend others for nothing?

Besides, Wen and Zhang are both ministers who have always been trusted and relied upon by emperors of all generations since they were active in the Ren Temple until now.

It's definitely true to follow them.

So, he also said: "Old minister, I second the proposal."

The Empress Dowager immediately laughed and said: "Thank you to the three elders for your hard work."

"Liang joined the government and gave me a gift for the three elders."

"No!" Liang Congzheng bowed and accepted the order.

At this time, Zhao Xu stood up and said to the two palaces inside the curtain: "Mother, Queen Mother, I will personally go and see off the three elders."

"It has been a long time since I asked the three elders for advice on how to govern the country."

"I am terrified!" Wen Yanbo and Zhang Fangping bowed quickly. Sun Gu was stunned for a moment and then immediately bent down.

Zhao Xu had already walked down the palace steps and came to the three elders surrounded and protected by the guards.

"Three senators, will you come with me for a walk?" He raised his head and looked at these three veterans, each of whom was old enough to be his great-grandfather.

"I am so grateful that I am so grateful for this favor, and I would like to obey the imperial edict!" the three people said immediately.

At this time, Sun Gu finally came back to his senses.
To be continued...