I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 911 Zhang Siwei's Ambition
Zhang Siwei finally kept his composure and did not lose his composure.

But the changing expression on his face and the flickering eyes still made Yang Jinshui smile in his heart.

The Emperor asked me to pass on a message. As for how to pass the message, as long as the purpose is achieved, the Emperor will not pursue what method is used.

Feng Bao has his own way of conveying messages, and I, Yang Jinshui, have my own way of conveying messages.

"Eunuch Yang, I have been walking on thin ice and trembling with fear in my position as the director of the Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee, fearing that I would fail the emperor's grace. Now that a talented person has taken over, I feel relieved.

Eunuch Yang, may I ask who recommended Wang Yuanmei (Wang Shizhen) to take over the duties of a student? "

Yang Jinshui smiled mysteriously and did not answer.

"Eunuch Yang, it is the student Meng Lang who is wrong." Zhang Siwei smiled awkwardly, "It's just that the student is a little worried. Although the Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee is a leisurely government office, it shoulders the important task of educating the Ming Dynasty, and the emperor has high expectations for it.

Students are worried that Wang Fengzhou will not be able to handle the heavy responsibility.”

Yang Jinshui leaned forward and asked with great interest, "Mr. Feng Pan, what do you mean by that?"

Zhang Siwei was secretly delighted that things were taking a turn for the better.

“Wang Yuanmei is very talented and her students admire her immensely.

Yuan Mei was rich in talent and knowledge, and his influence spread across generations.

He was a man of extraordinary talent, and could write thousands of words at a time, which were full of twists and turns. He also liked to discuss the ancients, and was well-versed in history. He was also proficient in calligraphy, painting, poetry, music, gambling, and chess.

He is regarded by the world as the first of the Seven Sages of Jiajing, and he deserves the title.

However, his outstanding talent does not mean that he is a trouble-solving talent.

Eight pecks and five carts are not enough to handle all the daily chores.

He is naturally intelligent and cannot handle complicated matters.

It is elegant and beautiful, but it cannot be left without any record.

Leaders in poetry cannot reconcile yin and yang.”

Zhang Siwei talked eloquently, and as he spoke, he found a clear idea.

"Moreover, Wang Yuanmei is a man who is proud of his talent and likes to comment on state affairs.

In recent years, he has been making outrageous remarks in newspapers and periodicals such as "Ci Lin", making veiled criticisms of the Wanli New Deal, especially of the Prime Minister Zhang Xiang, to whom he has made sarcastic remarks and indirect accusations.

The Committee for the Construction of Spiritual Civilization once jointly issued letters with the Taichang Temple and the Governor of Jiangsu Province, twice ordering the suspension of publication of "Ci Lin" for several months, and also criticized the Suzhou Opera Research Institute by name.

Dedicate yourself to the development of literature and art in the Ming Dynasty, and stop making irresponsible comments on political affairs."

Yang Jinshui looked at Zhang Siwei and smiled faintly: "Allow different voices to appear in the court and the public, release public opinion, and use the news to supervise government administration. This is also the national policy designated by the emperor and has been issued to all places."

“Eunuch Yang, the national policy set by the emperor is naturally correct and wise, but the premise is that you have to care about the Ming Dynasty and be loyal to the country.

If your heart is right, your words will be straight.

But Wang Yuanmei's heart is not right, Eunuch Yang."

"Oh, what's wrong with your heart?"

"Eunuch Yang, this person's usual trick is to stand on a moral high ground, strict with others and lenient with himself. He looks fair and just, but in fact he is right. The emperor once rebuked some celebrities for playing double standards.

What he does must be just and selfless.

Others do similar things, but because they are not in the same group as him, they are either corrupt or have evil intentions.

Eunuch Yang, I have also heard that some illegal pamphlets are secretly circulating in Jiangnan, which contain content that attacks and defames Prime Minister Zhang.

It is said that when Zhang Xiang inspected Luanzhou, Northeast China, Henan and Shandong, he sat in a sedan chair carried by sixty-four people. It was equipped with not only a desk, a toilet, and a bed, but also two maids to serve him.

This is ridiculous and nonsense!
Nowadays, everyone takes trains and horse-drawn carriages. Who still rides in sedan chairs?
Some people just write such nonsense with their eyes open.

It is said that Wang Yuanmei was behind the scenes, instructing his disciples to secretly write and print these pamphlets.

Speaking of this, Zhang Siwei's face was filled with grief.

"Prime Minister Zhang has worked so hard for the Ming Dynasty and the New Deal for ten years, and he is so exhausted that it hurts to see him like this.

"But there are evil people who wantonly attack and slander him. Whenever I think of this, I sit up in the middle of the night and cry sadly for Zhang Xiang!"

A few tears rolled down Zhang Siwei's eyes.

He took out a handkerchief from his sleeve pocket and wiped it gently.

Yang Jinshui watched Zhang Siwei's performance quietly, and after a while he spoke again: "Mr. Feng Pan's words are very touching. If Prime Minister Zhang knew about this, he would definitely take you as his confidant.

If what you just said is true, then Wang Fengzhou is indeed not suitable to take over as the director of the Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee. "

At this point, Yang Jinshui said meaningfully: "Mr. Feng Pan, you are the only one who can stop this from happening now."

Zhang Siwei's eyes twitched slightly, and he quickly bowed and said respectfully: "Eunuch Yang, please give me some advice?"

"Lord Feng Pan is the most brilliant scholar in the Ming Dynasty. He and Wang Fengzhou are known as the two phoenixes of the north and south. I am a crude and shallow person, how dare I ask for your advice?"

Yang Jinshui leaned forward slightly and asked, "Mr. Feng Pan has been in charge of the Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee for several years. What are your thoughts and opinions on this spiritual civilization construction?"

Zhang Siwei's heart moved, knowing that the main part of the play was about to begin.

"I am not a talented student, but I have some experience. I think the construction of spiritual civilization should be divided into cultural education and ideological education."

Zhang Siwei began to talk about his "work experience" over the past few years one by one.

Yang Jinshui listened very carefully. The more he listened, the more he felt that the emperor was wise and it was absolutely right to arrange Zhang Siwei in this position.

Yang Jinshui knew that what Zhang Siwei said was his speculation on the emperor's intentions regarding the construction of spiritual civilization.

However, his speculation and the "mysterious truth" that the emperor told him not long ago in the Zi Guang Pavilion in the Western Garden, although the wording was different, were essentially five or six points similar.

This is very rare.

Let’s not talk about anything else. If you ask Wang Shizhen, who has served as the director of the Committee for Spiritual Civilization Construction for several years, about his speculation, he will definitely say something completely irrelevant.

Yang Jinshui said with admiration, "Eunuch Fengpan, the emperor really made the right choice by employing you. I think the emperor should continue to let you lead the Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee instead of that flashy Wang Yuanmei." Zhang Siwei said modestly, "Eunuch Yang, you are too kind. I am a shallow student and cannot fully understand the emperor's will."

"No, no, Feng Pan's words are the closest to the emperor's will that we have ever heard."

Zhang Siwei keenly sensed the key point, "Eunuch Yang, have you heard of the emperor's words on the construction of spiritual civilization?"

Yang Jinshui said calmly: "I am the emperor's servant. My job is to serve the emperor. I am lucky to hear a few words."

Zhang Siwei suppressed his excitement and asked in a trembling voice, "Eunuch Yang, can you tell me about this?"

He immediately added: “Students know that revealing the Holy Spirit privately is a great sin.

It’s just that students only want to serve the emperor, do a good job in spiritual civilization construction, and share the emperor’s worries.

Whenever I see the Emperor worrying about state affairs, I feel worried.

The master is worried about the ministers' humiliation, and the students are ashamed to be their ministers."

Speaking of this, Zhang Siwei burst into tears and sobbed.

Yang Jinshui sighed inwardly, Zhang Siwei is really a character, his scheming and tactics are comparable to Zhang Juzheng among the officials in the court.

Although he did not have the same perseverance and courage as Zhang Juzheng, he was quick-witted and flexible in his methods, and most importantly, he was shameless!

Yang Jinshui went with the flow and sighed, "Mr. Feng Pan has such a pure heart, how can we be the bad guy?"

So he repeated what he had heard Zhu Yijun say not long ago, with some minor modifications.

Zhang Siwei was so excited that his whole body was shaking, and he pulled out several strands of his beard when he stroked it with his right hand.

After Yang Jinshui finished speaking, he swallowed hard and asked carefully: "Eunuch Yang, what should I do next?"

Yang Jinshui smiled and said, "Of course, you should write a petition to the emperor with your ideas that coincide with his. The only difference is how to write it."

Zhang Siwei quickly replied: "Don't worry, Eunuch Yang, I know the importance of this.

I will polish all the words carefully. Your Majesty is a scholar of heaven and man, and has a comprehensive understanding of the past and present. If my humble opinion can be even 50% in line with Your Majesty's will, it is already a merit that I have sought for ten lifetimes.

I will also leave a few key points, please guide me, Your Majesty."

Yang Jinshui laughed loudly and said casually: "Mr. Feng Pan is so talented and sensible. I think the fifth advisory minister position newly appointed by the emperor should be yours!"

A bolt of lightning exploded above Zhang Siwei's head. The muscles on his face kept twitching. He wanted to laugh but couldn't.

The voice became dry, then very hoarse, and then inexplicably became higher and higher.

"Eunuch Yang, I feel guilty for what I said. I cannot take the responsibility."

Yang Jinshui looked at Zhang Siwei's loss of composure and sighed inwardly.

The emperor is very clever.

He continued, "Mr. Feng Pan, you can't just talk and not do anything."

Zhang Siwei stood up and bowed, "Please teach me, Eunuch Yang."

Yang Jinshui gave him a false support and said, "Mr. Feng Pan, you are too polite.

Lord Feng Pan held an important position and presided over the construction of the spiritual civilization of the Ming Dynasty in a vigorous and colorful manner. Naturally, he knew the beauty of seeing the big picture from the small and achieving great things through accumulation of small details.

Recently, we heard that Anhui Huangmei Opera is very popular in Beijing.

The emperor also praised Huangmei Opera, saying it is down-to-earth and a good art form that is popular among the people.

Mr. Feng Pan, why not start with this and use the art form that the people love to see and hear to start a new stage in building the spiritual civilization of the Ming Dynasty! "

Zhang Siwei bowed deeply, "Eunuch Yang is as kind to his students as a second parent."

Standing at the gate of the mansion and watching Yang Jinshui's carriage leave, Zhang Siwei turned to his trusted steward Zhang Pian and said softly, "Let's go to South City tomorrow morning to find out what happened to the Huangmei Opera Troupe in Beijing during this period."

"Yes, Master. I will go to South City tomorrow morning."

Back in the study, Zhang Siwei spread out the paper, picked up the brush, and wrote more than 4,000 words with his thoughts flowing like a spring.

After some consideration, Zhang Siwei wrote the title of the petition: "A Memorial on Correcting the Tasks and Objectives of Spiritual Civilization Construction."

He heaved a long sigh and decided to put it aside. He would have a good sleep the next morning, review and revise it when his mind was clear, then transcribe it and submit it to the Imperial Household Department.

The memorials from the governor, the ministers of the imperial court, the advisors and the grand secretaries could be submitted to the Imperial Household Department and directly presented to the emperor.

I turned around and looked at the clock. It was already past one in the morning.

Zhang Siwei leaned back in his chair tiredly, gently pressing his temples with his thumbs.

In fact, he had only chatted with Yang Jinshui for less than four or five minutes when he realized that the other party was delivering a secret message.

It’s just that the way of conveying the message is rather special.

Zhang Siwei also knew that Yang Jinshui knew that he already understood his true intentions.

The two of them performed a play together.

Zhang Siwei was physically and mentally exhausted, but he was still very excited and had no desire to sleep at all.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, put his left index and middle fingers together to form a sword finger, tapped the table lightly, and sang a clear song.

"Deep in the night, the moon is cold and the frost and dew are condensed, and the wild geese can't bear to hear in the frost."

Zhang Siwei had also listened to several Huangmei Opera performances.

Moreover, he had an extraordinary memory. After singing a play on stage once, he could remember most of it.

"My heart is drawn to the imperial capital, and I am afraid to hear the whistling wind and the wailing cranes."

As Zhang Siwei sang, tears quietly flowed down his wrinkled face.

(End of this chapter)