Back then, when Liang Zhirui was the Grand Secretary, Xia Qing was the Vice Minister.
The power of the Grand Secretary was the greatest, overseeing the Cabinet's state affairs, especially holding the authority to draft policies, which the Vice Minister dared not challenge. Drafting authority meant formulating major policies, then submitting them for the Holy Emperor's approval.
If you don't enter the Hanlin Academy, you can't enter the Cabinet. The Cabinet is a place that every civil servant aspires to; it's the center of power.
"Teacher, what is your conflict with today's Chief Minister Xia? If you tell me, it will help me understand better."
Gu Chengyu certainly needed to understand the details thoroughly so that if anyone really came after him, he could find ways to respond.
