从“方献夫入阁”看明代中后期官场变化

On Change of Officialdom in the Middle and Late Ming Dynasty from "Fang Xianfu Entering the Cabinet"

方献夫在明嘉靖时期由吏部尚书进入内阁,并且以阁臣身份兼署吏部尚书之职两月左右,这是其与嘉靖帝“讨价还价”的结果。其入阁的过程也反映出明代中后期官场的一些变化:首先,其中掺杂着方献夫的私心和欲望,从而可以略微窥探到明代中后期官员在官场上谋私利已成普遍风气;其次,其由吏部尚书入阁也反映出当时内阁的地位已经开始超过,甚至完全在六部之上。

Fang Xianfu was appointed to the cabinet in the capacity of Minister of Ministry of Personnel in the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, and managed to keep the Personnel Minister and Cabinet Minister simultaneously for two months. It was the result of his " bargaining" with Emperor Jiajing. The process of his entering the cabinet helps us to understand the changes in the officialdom of the middle and late Ming Dynasty. The process, first of all, is mixed with Fang Xianfu"s selfishness and desire, so that we can slightly understand it is a common trend for officials in the middle and late Ming Dynasty to pursue personal interests in the officialdom. Secondly, it also reflects that the position of cabinet began to surpass or even completely exceeded the six ministries.