Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 1 Zhang Juzheng's Foresight

The ninth year of the Wanli reign.

March.

At dawn, the morning bell tolls at Zhengyang Gate in the capital, the ice floes in the moat begin to melt, and one or two willow trees can be seen turning green and yellow by the roadside.

The lanterns of the government offices on both sides of Qipan Street were still lit when a clerk carrying a register of official documents hurried into one of the offices.

At Dong'an Gate, there is a grand mansion with the words "Zhang Residence" hanging on its gate.

A young man with clear eyes was deep in thought, his eyebrows furrowed together, staring at the Xuan paper.

"The handwritten copy format of the *Beijing Daily* is good; it's conducive to dissemination in this era."

"Pirating prints is a problem. Falsely attributing them to famous people, arbitrarily cutting and altering the text—this kind of thing was already very common in the Ming Dynasty. But my father is Zhang Juzheng. Anyone who dares to pirate prints will have the emperor break their legs!"

"Working in isolation is not advisable. The printing industry was very prosperous during the Wanli era. We can seek cooperation with merchants from Jianyang, Jinling, and Huizhou."

"Many works can be plagiarized, such as the 'Detective Dee's Cases of the Tang Dynasty' and 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,' which are both excellent works."

After thinking for a long time, he threw the brush on the inkstone and said helplessly.

"There are still some difficulties. How did we get to this point in the year?"

The young man's name was Zhang Yunxiu, the fifth son of Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty.

Logically speaking, during the Wanli reign, Zhang Juzheng's position was comparable to that of a regent, ruling the country on behalf of the emperor. As his son, he should have enjoyed endless wealth and honor.

But damn it is that it is now the ninth year of the Wanli reign. Even Zhang Yunxiu, who doesn’t know much about history, knows that his cheap father will pass away in just a year and a half.

At that time, the young Emperor Wanli, who had been suppressed by Zhang Juzheng, will launch a vigorous counterattack.

The once respected "prime minister" is no longer the backbone of the country, but has become a treacherous minister who "controls officials who speak out, deceives the emperor, and acts arbitrarily."

Since the first year of the Wanli reign, all the achievements of reform accumulated will be completely overturned.

Subsequently, the Zhang family was completely destroyed. Zhang Juzheng's wives and concubines were sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), his eldest son committed suicide, his second son was exiled to the army, and his third son was sent to the frontier.
Just thinking about Zhang Yunxiu sends chills down my spine. You've just been reborn and know that your family is going to be destroyed. How does that feel?
Although I was Emperor Wanli’s study companion and we had some affection for each other since childhood, that was four years ago. Besides, in the face of imperial power, even fathers and sons can turn against each other, let alone study companions.

In the decades that followed, factional strife within the court intensified. The following year, Nurhaci launched an uprising in the north, becoming the Ming Dynasty's greatest enemy. Land annexation led to peasant rebellions, the Little Ice Age, and the army's moral decay.
How can we break this deadlock?

Should we directly advise Zhang Juzheng?
Zhang Yunxiu shook his head.

I am still young and insignificant, and my words carry little weight; I fear few will believe me.

There's still a year left. The most crucial thing is to let Zhang Juzheng see our strength.

They also had to deal with the power struggles and intrigues at court, and the delicate relationship between their father and the young emperor...

Zhang Yunxiu pulled out the plan he had been working on these past few days from a crack in the drawer, glanced at it again, and then threw it into the incense burner next to him to destroy it.

Despite all the complexities, it's essential to stay grounded and practical.

Starting a newspaper was the first step in Zhang Yunxiu's entire plan.

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Then came a series of knocks on the door.

"Fifth Young Master! Fifth Young Master! This is bad! The Master is looking for you again!"

Zhang Yunxiu put away the manuscript papers on the table.

"Come in."

A middle-aged man who looked like an old scholar pushed open the door and entered, bowing to Zhang Yunxiu.

"Master."

Zhang Yunxiu took one look and recognized the middle-aged man as You Qi, the steward of the manor.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Yunxiu knew that nothing good was coming.

"What is Dad going to scold me about this time?"

You Qi whispered a reminder, "Perhaps it's because of your newspaper business, young master, that's why the master is angry right now."

"Newspaper?" Zhang Yunxiu frowned.

“Exactly.” You Qi nodded and said. “Now the scholars outside are spreading the word that the young master is usually unlearned and incompetent, but he imitates others by writing books and establishing his own school of thought. Running a newspaper is a business for merchants, and people outside are saying that you are really disgracing the family.”

Zhang Yunxiu's face twitched. He hadn't even been "outrageous" yet, so how did his reputation start to be ruined?
He waved his hand and said, "These corrupt officials know nothing. They talk about classical Chinese all day long but can't do anything practical. What did my father say?"

You Qi hesitated for a moment and said, "Master said that you are neglecting your duties and that if you continue to act recklessly, the Zhang family will be ruined by you."

"WTF?"

Zhang Yunxiu jumped up from the chair, furious.

"That old bastard Zhang Juzheng is so muddleheaded. I'm just running a newspaper, how come the Zhang family is going to be ruined by me?"

I'm the fifth child in my family, and I haven't bullied men or women. Will the sky fall down if I start a newspaper?

You Qi was terrified: "Young Master, watch your words!"

In the present Ming Dynasty, the only one who dares to say that the Grand Secretary is incompetent is this young master.

“It’s not just about running a newspaper, young master, have you forgotten?”

You Qi reminded him.

"A few days ago, didn't you send the Imperial Guards under the Fourth Young Master to search for some ancient Western ginseng?"
Yesterday you even sent your servants to find sick people on the street and bring them to your residence to be tortured.

And the other day, the master also found out that you borrowed one hundred taels from the second young master.

……

Going back to when you were a child, you accompanied Wansui in his studies and almost caused him to fall into the water.

besides"

"Alright, alright." Zhang Yunxiu felt a chill run down his spine.

The original owner was a whimsical person.

Of course, I'm not bad myself.

These recent attempts are perfectly reasonable for modern people, but they would be absurd for people in ancient times.

But he also had his own reasons for having to do it!

The ancient Western ginseng was the sweet potato that Zhang Yunxiu wanted to find. According to his memory, sweet potatoes should have been introduced during the Wanli period. With this, his father's reforms would be greatly enhanced.

And then there's the matter of finding patients to conduct experiments on—good heavens, he's trying to prolong Zhang Juzheng's life! How could he do it without conducting some experiments?

But Zhang Yunxiu couldn't explain so much to the ancients.

As for the emperor falling into the water, what does that have to do with me? I hadn't time-traveled yet back then!
Seeing that the young master still had a carefree attitude, You Qi reminded him.

"Young Master, you should calm down and not cause trouble for the Master. He's currently preoccupied with matters of state."

Zhang Yunxiu said unhappily, "Uncle You, what are you saying? Are you implying that I don't understand filial piety towards my father?"

You Qi's face showed a look of doubt. Isn't that so?
The main hall of the Zhang residence.

A black lacquered table with upturned ends is placed in the center, on which a bronze incense burner and scholar's objects are displayed.

In front of the desk, there are huanghuali official hat chairs and square tables on both sides.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng sat upright on the official hat chair on the left.

He was thin, with white hair and many wrinkles on his face, and exuded an aura of authority.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Juzheng looked at the two brothers standing in front of him and said in a slightly hoarse voice.

"Which of you two wants to start first?"

Standing in the center of the hall, this was the first time Zhang Yunxiu had faced Zhang Juzheng directly since his time travel, and he couldn't help but admire his demeanor.

Is this the majesty of becoming the Grand Secretary?
He glanced at his older brother, Zhang Jingxiu, who was standing next to him.

Zhang Jingxiu, who is nearly 30 years old, appeared to have trembling legs.

Seeing that neither of them answered, Zhang Juzheng looked at his eldest son and said, "The eldest brother is like a father. If the younger brother makes a mistake, you, as the older brother, cannot escape responsibility. You tell me."

Zhang Jingxiu stammered, "My fifth brother is young and has been weak and sickly since childhood. He even caught a cold a few days ago. He can't concentrate on his studies. Perhaps he's a bit absurd, but he's not irredeemably wicked."

I am willing to take the punishment for my fifth brother.

Zhang Juzheng snorted coldly and glanced at his eldest son: "You certainly have a deep brotherly affection."

The eldest son, Zhang Jingxiu, lowered his head and remained silent.

But after hearing these words, Zhang Juzheng's anger subsided somewhat.

He looked up and said, "I showed you some memorials a few days ago, how's your study going?"

This is to test Zhang Jingxiu.

Zhang Jingxiu was a mild-mannered and honest man who had been a diligent student since childhood. He looked up and answered.

"Father, I finished my studies a few days ago."

"Finished learning? Good, then I'll ask you some questions."

Zhang Jingxiu did not react to Zhang Juzheng's sudden question, which clearly indicated that such tests were common.

Zhang Yunxiu, who had been in a daze, looked up, curious about what Zhang Juzheng would ask.

But then he said, "The Ministry of Revenue has drafted eight measures for land surveying and will issue them nationwide. Do you understand the responsibilities of the officials conducting the surveys and how to implement them nationwide?"

The new land survey law has been in effect for over a year, and this is a test of understanding the new policy.

It seems to imply the training of a successor?
Zhang Yunxiu pondered to himself.

At this moment, the eldest son, Zhang Jingxiu, was no longer nervous; he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Father, since the beginning of the year, I have been studying the land survey method and have gained some insights. The so-called land survey is combined with the performance evaluation system to ensure that taxes do not increase, the collection of national taxes is smoother, and the common people are no longer burdened with additional burdens."

The answer was standard, but there were no obvious mistakes.

But Zhang Juzheng was not satisfied: "This is something that was in the memorial I submitted to you. Do you have your own interpretation of it?"

"This"

The sudden question caused Zhang Jingxiu's mind to go blank.

He stammered for a moment, then quickly tried to fill in the gaps.

"The memorials submitted by Father and the officials of the court are already perfect, and I really have no other thoughts."

Zhang Juzheng stood up and paced back and forth, turning his head with a piercing gaze as he stared at Zhang Jingxiu and said.

"If everything were perfect, how could the imperial court have encountered so many difficulties in implementing the performance evaluation system, the land survey system, and the subsequent Single Whip Law? You haven't understood the reasons behind it, and you're just blindly reciting from the book. That's just bookishness!"

"Son. Son"

Zhang Jingxiu was startled, his face showing both anxiety and fear.

Goodness~
Zhang Yunxiu stood to the side, his eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought.

Old Zhang is really strict.
At the same time, he also confirmed one thing.

Zhang Juzheng definitely had the idea of ​​grooming a successor.

In reality, how could Zhang Juzheng not know about the past affairs of Huo Guang and Wang Anshi?

He understood the principle of "the end of a regime when its leader dies" all too well.

Zhang Juzheng also considered retiring while he was still at the peak of his career, but the reforms had progressed to this point and could not be stopped for even a moment longer.

Even knowing he might be purged, Zhang Juzheng still did it without hesitation, driven by his passion for the common people!

But it was Zhang Yunxiu's godson who suffered the most.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at his older brother.

It seems my brother is out of luck; he may have to rely on himself.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but start to ponder.

Measurement method?
The land survey method implemented during the reform had several problems. One was that the measuring tools were primitive, using bows and arrows, which lacked precision. Another was that each province set its own standards for the measurement of green land, causing confusion in the calculations.

Other issues included grassroots corruption, resistance from local powerful clans, and opposition from regional princes.

These are all headaches.

In fact, both the land survey method and the Single Whip method may have many drawbacks from the perspective of later generations, but for the scholar-officials of the Ming Dynasty at that time, they were already the best solution.

However, the demise of the Ming Dynasty was systemic. Even if Zhang Juzheng, this patchwork maker, tried his best to promote reforms, it was merely a matter of how many years the Ming Dynasty would perish later.

To truly solve the problem, we still need to
Wait, do I have this much historical knowledge in my head?
I haven't studied history either.
Something is wrong!
In the hall, Zhang Juzheng sighed and looked at his eldest son.

"You are the eldest son in the family. There are dozens of people in the family who will rely on you in the future. You must live up to their expectations."

Zhang Jingxiu respectfully replied, "May Father live a long and healthy life. With Father at home, the Zhang family's sky will never fall."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juzheng's eyes swept over the other person, clearly filled with disappointment.

At that moment, a childish voice suddenly rang out.

"Um, Dad~"

Zhang Juzheng frowned and noticed his youngest son, who was the only one in the family who dared to call him "father."

He was still angry and scolded her impatiently: "What's the rush? It's not your turn yet, but you won't escape your ridiculous deeds either!"

But Zhang Yunxiu blinked and said in an innocent tone.

"No, Dad, what I meant was that I can also answer the question you asked my older brother earlier."

(End of this chapter)