Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 183 The Prime Minister is in Charge

Zhang Yunxiu walked out of the room disappointedly and gently closed the door for his father.

It was the first time he heard Zhang Juzheng say such depressing words as "old". In an instant, the anger that had just been aroused in him was mostly extinguished by this basin of cold water.

If he is afraid, then I should be more afraid.

After thinking it over, Zhang Yunxiu returned to the small hall with a defeated and dejected look on his face and sat down.

Inside the house, Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes slightly, and his wrinkled face was gloomy as water, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

He had been in power for many years and had a good understanding of the harms of the imperial examination system.

Take the scholar for example, many people can only pass the college entrance examination in their entire life.

In the days that followed, he did not work, but racked his brains to study for the imperial examination. In the end, he was beaten to a pulp, his hair turned gray, and he never passed the examination to become a juren.

There are quite a few people like this.

My father, Zhang Wenming, is such an "old scholar".

He had long wanted to reform the imperial examination system, but unfortunately he had never found the right opportunity. When he learned that his youngest son had come to report something, he suddenly felt that the opportunity had come and was ready to make some changes to the imperial examinations in various provinces.

Thinking of this, he ordered someone to call Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang.

After a while, Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing hurried over.

As soon as the two entered the bedroom, they first bowed to Zhang Juzheng who was lying on the bed, and then each found a chair and sat in front of him.

Zhang Juzheng pulled himself together and stood up.

Before he could say anything, Wang Guoguang at the side pursed his lips and said, half complaining and half caring: "You, you insist on holding on to that power, and don't even look at your own health."

The two have been friends for many years, so they speak without any scruples.

Zhang Juzheng smiled carefreely, shook his head and replied: "There are some things that I have to do while I can still do them, otherwise I will harm future generations and my conscience will be uneasy."

After these words were spoken, Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang became nervous.

Generally speaking, when a prime minister says such words, the importance of the words is self-evident.

This matter is most likely to be earth-shattering, a major event that can break the sky of the capital.

Shen Shixing swallowed his saliva, bent his waist, and cautiously asked: "Please teach me, Yuan Fu."

"This matter is really related to your Ministry of Rites." Zhang Juzheng nodded at him and said, "You two are both gifted talents, both of you are successful candidates in the imperial examinations. You certainly don't understand the difficulties faced by these scholars."

"Some students just don't have the brains to make sense. They can't even pass the exam to become a scholar when they are in their forties or fifties. Yet they still want to immerse themselves in the books of sages and become bookworms who nitpick over words. Some people, after passing the exam to become a scholar, have no ambition to make progress and stay in the government school all day. They take the rations from the court but have no intention of serving the country. They just vent their frustrations all day long."

"What does Yuan Fu mean?" Shen Shixing heard that something was wrong and his voice became more cautious.

"What I mean is, change it!" Zhang Juzheng's eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, and he once again resumed his arrogant appearance as the Prime Minister. "Examine all the students in the prefectural schools in the country, and those who fail will be expelled."

"As for those who are in their forties or fifties and still don't understand, they should all be eliminated."

"From now on, the number of students in county and prefectural schools must be strictly controlled. It is better to have too few students than to have too many."

The voice echoed in the room.

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were startled. They looked at each other and clasped their fists together to persuade him: "Prime Minister, this matter is of great importance. If you do this, you will end the hopes of these scholars. Ruining their future is like killing their parents. How can they let it go?"

"I have made up my mind on this matter. You two don't need to persuade me anymore." Zhang Juzheng replied flatly, "Since we have to start, let's start from Huguang, so that others won't accuse me of abusing my power for personal gain." Wang Guoguang opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but thinking of his old friend's temper, he finally swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Shen Shixing on the side was trembling all over, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Although this matter was ordered by the Prime Minister, he will most likely be the one to execute it.

He has always been a good guy in official circles. How could he be willing to do something that would ruin someone's future?
After thinking for a while, Shen Shixing was about to find an excuse to refuse, but Zhang Juzheng changed the subject and dropped another bombshell: "The Kong family has been a bit arrogant in Qufu in recent years. Since we want to fight, let's kill the rabbit while we can, and give the Kong family a beating as well."

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were so shocked that they stood up suddenly and stared at Zhang Juzheng in amazement.

After a long while, Wang Guoguang came back to his senses from the shock, spitting and saying: "Uncle, the Kong family is not a rabbit, but a giant python that swallows people. If you dare to touch them, you will be counterattacked."

"Yes, Yuanfu, you and I have both made progress by reading the books of sages. Now that you behave like this, how will the scholars in the world view you and the dignitaries in the court like us?" Shen Shixing echoed.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and motioned for the two to sit down.

Afterwards, they told the story of what the Kong family had done. The two of them had heard some rumors, but they were not very angry.

Everyone knows about this matter tacitly. They keep it in their hearts but pretend to do so.

If it is exposed.

Nothing happened, and the matter was not resolved. It would not look good for the court and the emperor.

Looking at the two people's worried and reserved expressions, Zhang Juzheng suddenly burst into laughter.

This smile left the two of them completely confused.

Wang Guoguang exchanged glances with Shen Shixing, then calmed down and advised again earnestly: "Uncle, you have to listen to me on this matter. The complexity of this matter is no easier than measuring the land."

Zhang Juzheng was of course aware of the difficulties involved, but once the arrow was shot, there was no turning back.

He had made up his mind, and even ten oxen could not pull him back. So he smiled at the two of them and said casually, "I have already chosen someone for this matter. If he comes to investigate, these people will not be able to hate me."

"Who?"

"Hai Rui!"

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were both stunned when they heard the name.

This man had an upright character and always hated evil, but unfortunately he offended too many of his colleagues, so he had no choice but to resign and return home.

On several occasions, Hai Rui made subtle requests to the new Prime Minister.

I still want to be an official again.

Zhang Juzheng never agreed.

Firstly, Zhang Juzheng felt that if he was given a small official position, it would be better not to give him one. If he was given a high-ranking official position, given his hatred of evil, he might cause a big mess.

Considering that he had many things to do, the matter of Hai Rui was put on hold.

Things were different now, as he had completed all the important tasks he wanted to do. This last task should be done by this brave and fearless person who dared to carry the coffin to meet Emperor Sejong.

"Yuanfu." Thinking of Yuanfu's hard work, the two of them couldn't help but have red eyes.

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand and pointed out Jiangshan, saying, "Go down and prepare. The Ministry of Personnel will send a letter tomorrow to summon Hai Rui to serve as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Rites will also send a letter to all prefectures and cities, saying that the imperial examination system should be changed."

(End of this chapter)