I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 900: Old friends still have a tacit understanding!

After a while, Zhang Juzheng was seen leading an old man into the moon gate of the courtyard and walking along the stone path.

The old man was wearing a dark blue robe and a square scarf on his head, and followed behind Zhang Juzheng.

The two of them walked one after the other, talking softly, like old friends who had suddenly met again after many years.

When he slowly walked to the door of the study, the kerosene lamp in the room shone on his face. Everyone was shocked when they saw his face clearly.

Feng Bao!

Feng Bao, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Depot, was the number one eunuch in the inner court who was always trusted by the emperor despite the ups and downs during the Wanli Dynasty!
Why is he here?

Without time to think, the four of them bowed and said, "Students greet Eunuch Feng!"

Feng Bao's attitude was gentle, and his words were warm and friendly, like the spring breeze and the sun. "Oh, everyone is here."

After the greetings, the six people sat down and the servants of the Zhang residence brought tea cups and placed them at each person's table.

Pan Sheng said, "Eunuch Feng has something important to discuss with Prime Minister Zhang, so we'll take our leave first."

Zhang Juzheng did not comment and looked at Feng Bao with a smile.

Feng Bao waved his hand nonchalantly, "It's strange!

In this case, wouldn't we become the rude guests who disturb us rudely? There is no reason to be a guest like this.

It’s okay, it’s okay. My family and Uncle Da have been old friends for many years. This time we came here just to catch up, there’s nothing important.

You are my good friends, so you are not strangers. You can sit together and reminisce and chat. There is no need to be distant. "

As he spoke, he pointed to the eunuch standing outside the study and said, "We brought two boxes of good tea, which were sent by Sichuan Governor Yin to bring us the Golden Needle Tea from Mount Emei.

Mount Emei is blessed with natural beauty and gathers spiritual energy from the southwest. It is also the dojo of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the Buddha's light shines everywhere.

The tea produced there is not only delicious, but also refreshing and cleansing. It is a rare high-quality tea.

I am offering this flower to you, uncle, please enjoy it."

Zhang Juzheng smiled and replied, "Then I will respectfully obey your command."

Feng Bao waved his hand, and the young eunuch followed the steward of Zhang's mansion and left, closing the door behind them.

There was a temporary silence in the study. Pan Sheng, Zeng Shengwu, Fu Zuozhou, and Wang Zhuan didn't understand what Feng Bao was up to and didn't dare to speak easily.

Feng Bao picked up the teacup on the table beside him, took two sips, his eyes suddenly became dazed, and then he turned to look at Zhang Juzheng, filled with emotion.

"My uncle knows me well enough to know that I cannot drink tea at night and can only drink ginseng soup.

I am old and I am not very sleepy. I cannot fall asleep after drinking tea at night. "

Zhang Juzheng said at the side: "Yes, Shuanglin, we are all old."

Feng Bao put down the ginseng soup, looked at Zhang Juzheng and continued, "Uncle, you are getting old faster than me. The emperor often told us that Zhang Xiang has been burning himself for the Ming Dynasty in the past ten years.

Burn yourself! Your Majesty is wise! "

Zhang Juzheng clasped his fists and faced the West Garden, and said with a sigh: "I have no regrets even if I die nine times, as long as I can hear your words."

Zeng Xingwu, Fu Zuozhou and Wang Zhuan were moved.

Feng Bao suddenly came to visit Zhang Xiang at night, was it just to say this?
Now the court is in constant turmoil and undercurrents are surging, and most of the criticism is directed at Prime Minister Zhang.

The emperor is wise and has noticed all this, so he asked Feng Bao to come to Zhang's house and say this in front of everyone, to reassure Prime Minister Zhang and the Chu party that is attached to Prime Minister Zhang, and to let all court officials understand the emperor's attitude?

Thinking of this, the three of them felt something in their hearts.

It was so good!

Why did the court, which had always been calm, suddenly become turbulent in the tenth year of Wanli's reign?

Because Zhang Xiang's ten-year term has expired, he will have to step down as Prime Minister and retire in the near future.

The reason for this is that the emperor had already set a rule that one term is five years, and one can be re-elected for two terms.

The Grand Secretary, the Prime Minister, the Chief Military Officer of the Military Government, the Chief Censor of the Censorate, as well as the six ministers of the six ministries, the chief ministers of the various temples, the governors of the five prefectures, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and the chief inspector of the Central Procuratorate and Justice. These important positions can only be held for a maximum of ten years. This was an iron rule that the emperor gradually made clear to his ministers when he began to implement the Wanli New Deal in the first year of the Wanli reign.

Everyone knows that this is the emperor's way of preventing powerful ministers from usurping power or one party from becoming too powerful. It is a clearly drawn bottom line that no one dares to cross.

Second, Zhang Xiang had given too much in the past ten years, and his body was almost exhausted and he could no longer hold on.

But many people don’t see it, or pretend not to see it. They only see the fate of Xia Yan, Yan Song, and Xu Jie, and think that the Wanli Dynasty is essentially the same as the Jiajing Dynasty and the Longqing Dynasty.

When people leave, the tea gets cold; when the party disbands, the government ceases.

So they couldn't wait to jump out and take advantage of the situation.

Pan Sheng, who was sitting on the other side, had different ideas.

He holds a higher official position and is a solid ally of Zhang Juzheng. He stands high and sees far, knows a lot of inside information, and is very clear about the current situation in the court. Not only do some people want to fish in troubled waters, but there are also people who want to take advantage of the good opportunity to muddy the waters and then fish in troubled waters.

There is a big difference between the two.

In the eyes of the emperor and Prime Minister Zhang, those who want to take advantage of the situation are not worthy of being mentioned in public and are not a threat.

They are concerned about those who actively muddy the waters.

What do these people want to do and what are they planning!
This is what the Emperor and Zhang Guan care about.

Feng Bao continued Zhang Juzheng's words and said, "Yes, Uncle, we are highly valued by the Emperor and have been entrusted with important tasks. We have worked diligently and have done our duty for the Ming Dynasty.

Now that we are all old, we should let go and enjoy life as it is.”

Feng Bao bent his waist slightly, leaned his head forward, and glanced at Pan Sheng, Zeng Shengwu and the other three.

"Huangmei Opera is popular in the capital recently. Have you listened to it?"

Zeng Shengwu and the other two looked at each other quietly and exchanged glances.

What did Feng Bao mean by this? Why did the topic suddenly turn to Huangmei Opera?
Zhang Juzheng did not say anything, and Pan Sheng replied calmly: "Eunuch Feng, I know Huangmei Opera. It was discovered by chance when Master Zili went south to inspect military affairs, and he strongly recommended it after returning to Beijing.

It soon became popular in Gyeonggi Province.

Well, Mr. Pan has heard it a few times, and it does have a unique charm." Feng Bao pulled back and said happily: "Mr. Pan is the Minister of Rites, in charge of the education of the world, so he must have heard it. What you said is very pertinent.

The emperor has always said that the literature and art of the Ming Dynasty should let a hundred flowers bloom. We don't care about vulgarity or elegance. That is just something made up by some literati who have nothing better to do.

We only care about whether the people like it or not! Anything that the people like to hear and see, that praises truth, goodness and beauty, and that guides people to be positive and optimistic, is good stuff. "

Pan Sheng laughed, "Eunuch Feng, you are more suitable to be the Minister of Rites than me. Your awareness and understanding are higher than those of us present here."

Feng Bao also laughed, "Haha, Mr. Pan is flattering me.

My family is a disabled person, very vulgar, and only knows how to serve the emperor. It's just that I have been around the emperor for a long time, and I have learned a lot.

In the final analysis, it is because the emperor is wise and knowledgeable, like the sun of the Ming Dynasty, that he has also let a speck of dust like ours get some light."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Feng Bao continued, "We really love to listen to Huangmei Opera and never get tired of it.

What a coincidence, today a troupe was ordered to enter the Pear Garden in the Western Garden to perform for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, concubines, and the princes and princesses.

One is "The Female Prince Consort" and the other is "Meng Lijun", both are soul-stirring and leave a lasting impression."

As he spoke, Feng Bao began to sing, "Your Majesty has granted me a painting of mountains and lakes, and I shall report to you that all families will enjoy peace and happiness without worries."

I have to say that Feng Bao's voice is very shrill, so shrill that it makes people feel a little cold on the back, but his singing style, rhythm and transitions are all very good, and he sings out the unique charm of Huangmei Opera.

After Feng Bao finished singing a song, Zhang Juzheng took the lead and everyone applauded.

"Eunuch Feng sang well," Pan Sheng praised. "Huangmei Opera is very charming, and Eunuch Feng sang it to 80% of its original flavor."

Feng Bao's face was wrinkled with laughter, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Pan Gongmu praised it, I was just singing nonsense!"

After Zhang Juzheng finished clapping, he stroked his beard and suddenly asked, "Brother Shuanglin, what is the name of the Huangmei Opera troupe that entered the Xiyuan Liyuan today?"

Feng Bao blinked and answered, "Qing Meixi, the most popular Huangmei Opera troupe in the capital."

"Brother Shuanglin, I know that Xiyuan will not easily invite a troupe from the market to enter the garden. Do you know who recommended this Qingmeixi troupe?"

Feng Bao sighed in his heart, old friend, we still have a tacit understanding!

"We know this. It was the imperial decree of Commander Chen, the second son of the Marquis of Gu'an, who recommended it to the Empress Dowager. Coincidentally, after listening to the opera today, the Emperor also asked about this matter."

Pan Sheng and the other three suddenly realized something and held their breath, not daring to breathe.

Zhang Juzheng asked calmly, "What did the emperor say?"

"The emperor smiled and said, it's interesting that a Shanxi person likes to listen to Huangmei Opera."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and agreed with a smile: "Your Majesty is right, it is quite interesting."

Feng Bao laughed: "What's even more interesting is the Huangmei Opera.

Uncle, we have plenty of free time in the future, so we should listen more. Huangmei Opera, Hui Opera, Kunqu Opera, Yue Opera, and by the way, I heard that Han Opera is also popular in your hometown of Hubei."

"Yes, nowadays, the opera and literature of the Ming Dynasty are flourishing, and this is what a peaceful and prosperous era should look like."

"That's right. This magnificent scene of flowers blooming is inseparable from Uncle Da, Mr. Pan, and the hard work of all of you." Feng Bao immediately added, "I didn't say this. I heard it from the emperor."

Zhang Juzheng, Pan Sheng and others hurriedly bowed and replied: "Shame on you! We are just fulfilling our duty as ministers."

After chatting for another half an hour, Feng Bao stood up and said goodbye.

Pan Sheng, Zeng Shengwu and other three escorted them to the study gate. Zhang Juzheng, as the host, escorted them directly to the mansion gate.

More than ten minutes later, Zhang Juzheng came back leisurely.

As soon as he sat down, Zeng Xingwu couldn't wait to ask: "Master, what is Eunuch Feng telling us? It's the Jin Party, the new Jin Party!"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at him, slightly dissatisfied, "Sansheng, calm down."

Pan Sheng said on the side: "I have heard that Wang Jianchuan (Wang Chonggu) and Zhang Ziwei (Zhang Siwei) have reconciled."

"They are uncle and nephew, real uncle and nephew. Blood is thick as water. Even if our bones are broken, the tendons are still connected."

Pan Sheng and Zhang Juzheng's words thoroughly enlightened Zeng Xingwu, Fu Zuozhou and Wang Zhuan.

"Master, Mr. Pan, Wang Jianchuan and Zhang Ziwei have connected with the new party, and we must win this time!"

"Yes, the New Party. There is also Wang Ruguan (Wang Guoguang). He is very close to Wang Jianchuan and is also a member of the New Party."

Zhang Juzheng glanced at them and continued, "Shanxi originally planned only one railway, the Guizhi Railway, which connects Datong and Taiyuan, passes Shangdang and exits Henan.

At the beginning of the seventh year of Wanli, Wang Ruguan took the lead and proposed to build a new Tongpu line on the grounds of the last wish of Mr. Sizhai (Huo Ji) to add another railway to Shanxi. Wang Xuefu (Wang Chonggu) and Zhang Ziwei and others responded at the meeting of the Advisory Bureau and then decided on the Tongpu line.

At that time, they also took the initiative to propose to move the Jiangbei end of the Guizhi Railway from Zhijiang to Jiangling to show their goodwill to me. "

Pan Sheng nodded. "So, the Tongpu Line was the first time they spoke out together. By then, the New Party had already become a force to be reckoned with."

Zeng Xingwu was anxious. "What do Wang Jianchuan and Zhang Ziwei want to do? What good will it do for them if they overthrow their mentor?"

Pan Sheng sighed, "Some people have lofty ambitions and want to leave their names in history, but they don't want to follow the rules of Cao and Xiao."

Zeng Xingwu, Fu Zuozhou and Wang Zhuan looked at each other and asked carefully: "Master, Mr. Pan, how should we respond?"

"Respond, why should we respond?" Zhang Juzheng replied leisurely, "Don't act rashly. The court is in a stormy situation right now, so you all need to be careful."

"Yes, Master." The three responded respectfully.

Pan Sheng suddenly asked, "Uncle, why did Feng Bao suddenly change his attitude towards you?"

"Oh, why does Siming ask that?"

"We all know the purpose of Feng Bao's coming tonight. He was to deliver a message for the Emperor and to show his attitude to the court officials. But for this purpose alone, there were some things he could have kept secret, but he said them anyway."

Zhang Juzheng looked up at the rooftop, which was magnificent with carved beams and painted rafters. His old, cloudy eyes were filled with desolation and sadness.

"Because I will soon retire and will no longer be Prime Minister."

(End of this chapter)