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

Chapter 10: The Reformers Have No Way Back

The Grand Secretary's official residence.

Tonight, guests have arrived at the Zhang residence, and they are no ordinary guests.

One was the second-highest-ranking official in the court, and the other was the Minister of Personnel.

These two would be figures who could easily be trampled on and shaken outside, but in the Zhang family mansion, they could only consider themselves inferiors.

This trip to the Zhang residence was relatively discreet; it was not carried out with great fanfare, and only a small number of servants knew about it.

You Qi led the two into the back hall, where Zhang Juzheng was waiting. A pot of warm yellow wine and several small dishes had already been prepared.

"Motosuke."

“The En Mansion”.

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing bowed respectfully outside the hall.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Juzheng immediately stood up and came out to greet them, saying, "Oh dear, Brother Ruguan, Rumo, why are you being so polite? It's cold outside, come in and warm yourself by the charcoal fire."

Wang Guoguang was, in a sense, Zhang Juzheng's political ally, while Shen Shixing was Zhang Juzheng's protégé, so the three of them naturally visited each other frequently.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them went into the hall together and sat down around the charcoal fire.

With the warmth of the fire, Wang Guoguang felt he regain some strength and couldn't help but sigh, "Sit around the charcoal fire, I can't help but think of Bai Juyi's poem 'The Charcoal Seller,' which says, 'I worry that charcoal is cheap and I wish for cold weather.' It perfectly expresses the suffering of ordinary people, which is truly pitiful and lamentable."

Zhang Juzheng nodded: "These days the weather is getting colder and colder. Even in late spring, it is still like winter. We are fed by the emperor and supported by the people. We can only rely on these charcoal fires for warmth. But the people in the city are having a hard time."

Wang Guoguang was particularly sensitive to issues concerning people's livelihoods, and he lamented: "Ultimately, it is a case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer."

The corrupt practices surrounding land taxation in our dynasty are just like the lines from Du Fu's poem: "Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the road lie the bones of those frozen to death."

The powerful and wealthy concealed their land holdings, while ordinary people paid for them; this situation must be changed!
Unfortunately, the implementation of the new policy faces numerous obstacles, making progress extremely difficult for us.

Shen Shixing hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "In recent years, the voices of opposition have grown stronger. Your Majesty's new policies are certainly good, but we must proceed slowly and not be too radical. Your Majesty must not forget the past deeds of Shang Yang, Huo Guang, and Wang Anshi!"

He had kept these words to himself for a long time, and with only three people present today, he could finally speak his mind.

But did not expect
“Radical?” Zhang Juzheng abruptly stood up, the candlelight flickering on the table. “Do you know, Ru Mo (Shen Shixing's courtesy name), how empty was the national treasury before the new policies?”
Last month, Qi Jiguang, the governor-general of Jiliao, petitioned to build more defensive platforms, which would require 200,000 taels of silver. If there is no land survey to increase taxes, where will this silver come from?
Furthermore, there was General Li Chengliang of Liaodong fighting against the Tatars, and the rebellions of the southwestern chieftains for years. Where did they not need silver?
The imperial court is in a precarious situation. If severe measures are not taken, the country will descend into chaos within a few decades!

This is not the time for me to play it safe!

Shen Shixing hadn't expected Zhang Juzheng to be so agitated, and immediately backed down. "Please calm down, Your Excellency."

Looking at Shen Shixing, who was as docile as a submissive wife, Zhang Juzheng sighed and waved his hand.

"It's not your fault. It's just my own obsession. Those gentry in the dynasty say that the court should not compete with the people for profit, but in reality, their homes are filled with mountains of silver!"
When the wealthy and powerful gentry are oppressive and the common people are forced to live a life of meager survival, chaos is inevitable.

The new policy must be implemented!

Wang Guoguang looked somewhat dejected and comforted Shen Shixing, saying, "Don't take it to heart, Rumo. If the Grand Secretary wants to implement the new policies, he will inevitably offend countless people. First, there was Censor Liu Tai who impeached the Grand Secretary for 'disrupting the ancestral system,' and then yesterday a scholar in Suzhou made a fuss, saying that the new policies would only bring new harm. How could we possibly know the hardships they are going through?"

Shen Shixing sighed and suddenly said.

"I wonder what Your Majesty means? Regarding the dispute at the last court assembly, I wish to see Your Majesty."

Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes and said, "His Majesty has grown up and will naturally assume personal rule, but new policies must be implemented, which is a difficult problem to solve."

These words are simple, yet they seem to express countless sorrows.

"Last time, His Majesty seemed to be protecting Yang Sizhi?"

Wang Guoguang saw some of the tricks, but not the whole picture.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head: "Yes and no."

He paused for a moment before explaining.

"Before reciting the Great Proclamation, His Majesty was angry; after reciting the Great Proclamation, His Majesty became meticulous in his thinking."

Wang Guoguang did not ask the emperor why he was angry; he only grasped one piece of information: the emperor and Zhang Juzheng had always harbored a antagonistic attitude towards each other.

A sense of sadness inevitably welled up in my heart.

After much deliberation, Wang Guoguang finally said, "Prime Minister, do you still remember when Shang Yang moved a log to establish trust, only to be torn apart by chariots in the end..."

Shen Shixing's words were not without reason. The new policies were too swift. In just ten years, how easy was it to restore order to the Ming Dynasty?
Throughout history, those who reform dynasties have rarely met a good end. Could Zhang Juzheng have avoided this fate?
This is something that neither Wang Guoguang nor Shen Shixing wanted to see.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head, staring blankly at the flickering candlelight, and said in a daze.

"I have no way out, and I only hope that Your Majesty will become the restorer of the dynasty."

A pot of yellow wine, warmed over the charcoal fire, had already boiled, but no one bothered to pick it up.

For a moment, only the sound of boiling rice wine and the aroma of wine filled the room.

I do not know how long it has been.

Wang Guoguang broke the silence, saying, "Today is a day off, so let's not talk about state affairs anymore. Let's talk about something more refined."

"Refined and elegant?" Shen Shixing asked, somewhat puzzled.

Wang Guoguang stroked his beard: "I heard that a few days ago, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion acquired a painting of immortals. This painting of immortals is quite remarkable. It is a masterpiece by the painting sage Wu Daozi. The immortals in the painting seem to descend gracefully from the clouds, their robes fluttering. It is truly enviable."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "Wu Daozi's painting skills are exquisite, and his extraordinary and refined charm is truly admirable."

Wang Guoguang smiled and said, "I've heard that the Prime Minister's residence also has a painting of immortals, which he obtained many years ago. I wonder if we two will have the opportunity to see its true form today?"

Since the Duke of Dingguo was not on good terms with the reformists, Wang Guoguang could not visit him directly, so he could only turn to Zhang Juzheng.

"A painting of immortals?" Zhang Juzheng suddenly remembered that he did indeed have such a painting in his residence.

In recent years, he has been busy with state affairs and has not had time to admire any paintings of immortals.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "Since we have nothing to do, you two will come with me to the study in the back hall for a look."

"Speaking of this painting of immortals, it's quite old." Zhang Juzheng said as he led Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing toward the study.

Wang Guoguang smiled and said, "I heard that this painting was given to the Grand Secretary by Qi Yuanjing (Jiguang). Governor Qi is a rough man, but he also understands such elegant things as paintings of immortals. It is really rare."

“It’s not that surprising. The so-called self-cultivation, calming the mind and understanding principles cannot be obtained or changed by a painting. Ultimately, one must look inward for the answer.” Zhang Juzheng seemed somewhat indifferent.

In reality, Zhang Juzheng was not a completely clean official like Hai Rui; once he reached his position, he was bound to be far from clean.

Historically, after Zhang Juzheng's home was searched, it was discovered that "his sons and brothers had hidden 10,000 taels of gold and over 100,000 taels of silver."

For ordinary people, this was a huge sum of money, but for Zhang Juzheng's power, it was considered a small amount.

When Yan Song's home was searched, more than three million taels of silver were found.

Xu Jie, the Grand Secretary who prided himself on being a man of integrity, owned a full 600,000 mu of land in his hometown of Songjiang Prefecture, making him the largest cotton cloth merchant in the prefecture.

Zhang Juzheng wielded far more power than these two men. If he truly wanted to amass wealth and surpass them, it wouldn't have been difficult for him.

But he didn't do it.

Shen Shixing followed behind, looked around the study in the side courtyard, and couldn't help but laugh and say, "How could the En family hide a painting of immortals worth a thousand gold pieces in such a humble place?"

The remote study was clearly in disrepair, looking dilapidated everywhere, but thanks to the repairs done by the servants, it was still relatively tidy.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head helplessly: "The court is busy with many affairs, and I haven't been to this side courtyard for a long time. I've forgotten to repair it."

As he spoke, he pushed open the creaking wooden door.

Upon entering the study, one is greeted by a scene of scattered manuscript papers.

Zhang Juzheng frowned, but still introduced the study to his colleagues: "This study is currently used by my two youngest sons. My fourth son, Zhang Jianxiu, got the position of Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard through his family's influence. My youngest son, Zhang Yunxiu, used to be a bit dissolute, but lately he has been studying diligently."

Speaking of Zhang Yunxiu, Zhang Juzheng recalled the scene of him answering questions fluently that day, and felt a little gratified.

Wang Guoguang nodded and said, "All of the Prime Minister's sons are outstanding. This youngest son was a bit wild in the past, but he has finally gotten back on the right track. Next year is the spring imperial examination, and he will surely pass with flying colors."

Shen Shixing thought of Zhang Yunxiu's recent "bad reputation" in the streets, but seeing the happy look on the Enfu's face, he ultimately remained silent.

"Enough of idle talk. You, my lord, will light the lamp for me, and I will take down this picture of immortals for you two to see."

Zhang Juzheng was in a much better mood and handed the lantern in his hand to Wang Guoguang.

"Be careful, Minister." Wang Guoguang helped him onto the chair and picked up the lantern.

"Don't worry. I..."

Zhang Juzheng's words came to an abrupt end.

Shen Shixing was somewhat puzzled and stepped forward to ask, "Is there a problem with the En family?"

Logically, it should have been Shen Shixing, the least senior official, who went up to retrieve the painting, but Zhang Juzheng went up first.

Zhang Juzheng's reaction immediately panicked Shen Shixing. What was on the roof beam?

He looked at the man's face, which was filled with disbelief, shock, and a touch of absurdity.

Wang Guoguang couldn't see the painting clearly, so he asked, "How is it, Grand Secretary? Can you take it down and let Ru Mo go up and help you take a look?"

Zhang Juzheng did not respond.

Shen Shixing squinted and saw that the lord of the En Mansion had his slender fingers pressed on the frame of the painting and calligraphy, and seemed to be trembling slightly.

"Let me take a look."

Unable to contain himself, Shen Shixing took the lantern from Wang Guoguang, stepped onto the table, and shone the light on the calligraphy and painting.

Upon seeing it, he immediately blurted it out.

"What is this?"

Then he saw Zhang Juzheng's face turn ashen, his neck mechanically turning around.

Shen Shixing, as expected of the top scholar, reacted quickly. He immediately added, "Hey! Your Excellency's copy is truly delightful! Look at this fox spirit on it; though it has no ears, its face is broad and endearingly clumsy, its eyes are like round beans, bright and piercing, its body is round like a ball, its limbs are short and stout, its upper limbs hang down at its sides, and its lower limbs are slightly longer, standing firmly as if it were a rock. It's truly delightful! Hahahaha!"

Then, Zhang Juzheng's expression turned even more unpleasant.

"Why did my celestial painting turn into a raccoon dog fairy?!"

After the scroll was taken down, the group examined it carefully under the lamplight, and Zhang Juzheng finally uttered this soul-searching question.

Where's the promised divine image? What the heck is this raccoon fairy?!

Wang Guoguang is still trying to find a solution.

"Hey, Your Excellency, this painting of the Immortal Cat is quite good. Look at his Taoist robe; it has the spirit of Wu Daozi! This painting may seem to be the work of a child, but it is actually a masterpiece that returns to simplicity!"

Shen Shixing glanced at Wang Guoguang, and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

It had to be Minister Wang, who had been immersed in officialdom for many years, whose ability to lie through his teeth was truly masterful!

I am no match for them!
But Zhang Juzheng wouldn't listen to reason; he had already guessed who was behind this whole thing.

"Don't try to cover it up anymore, I've already made my decision!"

Zhang Juzheng's lips twitched, as if he had never been so angry before, and he made a sound from his nose.

"Zhang Yunxiu!"

"Alas! Alas! Your Excellency, you must not act rashly!"

"It's just a child from the En family being mischievous; he's still very young!"

　During the new book release period, dear readers, please remember to check it out!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)