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

Chapter 30 My Good Child

"You are not Zhang Shiyuan!"

"???"

Zhang Yunxiu's confident expression almost crumbled at those words.

Has their identity been discovered?

Zhang Juzheng, who had been a powerful figure in officialdom for many years, saw through me in just a few meetings.
But I was a transmigrator, and my appearance and various habits are almost identical to the original owner.

Even though I've done many things lately that were hard for people in ancient times to understand, they still fit in with the original owner's absurd nature.

In addition, there was the sudden enlightenment from Yangming's "Record of Learning".

The concepts of "child prodigy" and "sudden enlightenment" were not uncommon in ancient times.

Zhang Yunxiu's expression began to change, and even his palms couldn't help but sweat. He began to understand that time travel was by no means easy.

But is he really going to reveal his identity like this? Zhang Yunxiu would never do something so pointless unless absolutely necessary.

Just as he was struggling with this, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a piece of paper in the corner. It was a copy of "medical common sense" that Zhang Juzheng had helped him transcribe.

The handwriting is neat and tidy, with elegant and upright strokes, far superior to the finely printed versions of later generations.

In an instant, Zhang Yunxiu suddenly realized something.

The ancients never had the concept of time travel; at most, they explained it as possession by ghosts or the work of demons.

The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits!

As a staunch practitioner of traditional Confucianism, Zhang Juzheng always believed in practical application of knowledge, so how could he believe in ghosts and gods?
Having figured this out, Zhang Yunxiu was no longer afraid and gained some confidence.

He took a deep breath, and without intending to lie, spoke in a very sorrowful tone.

“The old Zhang Yunxiu is dead, and now there is a new Zhang Yunxiu.”

Zhang Yunxiu was telling the truth, but Zhang Juzheng interpreted it differently.

"Hmph!" Zhang Juzheng snorted coldly. "I knew it! How much longer are you going to hide it from me?"

Zhang Yunxiu lowered his head slightly, trying to squeeze out a few tears, but found that he couldn't squeeze any out at all, so he had to give up.

But he still said with deep emotion, "My child... my child wants to become like his father!"

"you!"

Seeing a face that still looked childish and a pair of slightly moist eyes, Zhang Juzheng's heart softened.

After all, he was his most beloved youngest son. His gray and white beard trembled slightly, but he still gritted his teeth and said.

"You really shouldn't have kept it from me!"

Zhang Yunxiu did not answer, but instead asked, "Why am I like this? Doesn't Father know?"

"you!"

Zhang Juzheng took a step back, and some doubts in his heart gradually dissipated, as memories flooded his mind.

I finally remembered something from the past that could explain my youngest son's recent changes.

Why was Zhang Yunxiu chosen to accompany Emperor Wanli in his studies?
If he were truly a carefree and irresponsible person, would he have been sent to accompany Emperor Wanli in his studies?
When Zhang Juzheng recalled his early childhood education, his youngest son was an extremely intelligent and well-behaved child. Compared to his older brothers, Zhang Yunxiu displayed extraordinary talent.

That's why he had Zhang Yunxiu accompany Wanli in his studies.

But later
Whether it was the young Emperor Wanli or the infant son, their personalities seemed to undergo tremendous changes as they grew older.

The young emperor grew increasingly rebellious, unwilling to adhere to the conduct expected of a wise ruler, and the youngest son also...
He wants to be like me.

These words suddenly echoed in Zhang Juzheng's mind.

Which father doesn't hope that his son will say, "I want to be like my father"?
For a moment, a touch of warmth arose in Zhang Juzheng's heart, something he had gradually lost over the years of ups and downs in his official career.

He sighed and said, "Why do you have to do this?"

From Zhang Juzheng's expression and fragmented memories, Zhang Yunxiu quickly grasped the outline of events.

Zhang Yunxiu, somewhat emotional, began to fabricate a story: "When Father was implementing the new policies, it was a time of great enthusiasm. He had his son accompany His Majesty in his studies, which was intended to cultivate his son."

But the father overlooked one thing: the more outstanding his son became, the more people became wary of him.

If a dragon has a unicorn offspring, wouldn't that attract unwanted attention?
Therefore, rather than becoming an arrogant 'child prodigy,' keeping a low profile is the best way to assist one's father in his new policies!
The Zhang Yunxiu of the past was one who concealed his abilities and bided his time, but the Zhang Yunxiu of today no longer wishes to hide.

This statement was somewhat far-fetched, but it aligned with Zhang Juzheng's expectations and provided him with an explanation for the changes in his youngest son.

If it's not that reason, what else could it be?
Would someone impersonate your own child?

A person like Zhang Juzheng, living in this era, would not only not believe in ghosts and gods, but also would not believe in concepts such as rebirth or time travel.

So, besides the youngest son biding his time and concealing his abilities, what other answer is there?
After eliminating all impossible answers, the one that remains, however unreasonable, is the true answer.

In an instant, Zhang Juzheng's mind was flooded with endless memories.

In her memories, the youngest son gradually transformed from a well-behaved and intelligent child into a rebellious and absurd one.

However, Zhang Juzheng, who was busy with state affairs, did not pay attention to this point at all, just as he never cared whether his education of Emperor Wanli was too strict.

While he was writing furiously in his study every day, his youngest son would also secretly hide in the study and study by himself.

Whenever his youngest son did something "outrageous," he would scold him severely without even asking what happened. Over the years, Zhang Juzheng felt guilty for neglecting his youngest son's care and discipline.

Amidst this intertwining of emotions, Zhang Juzheng's hardened heart gradually softened.

As people get older, they become more sentimental.

For a moment, his hands trembled slightly as he reached out to stroke Zhang Yunxiu's head.

But then I found that I couldn't reach it.

The youngest son has grown up and is now half a head taller than him.

He moved his lips: "Good boy! Good boy!"

But Zhang Juzheng still said with some sorrow, "You shouldn't have been so reckless today! Matters of the court..."

"Father!" Zhang Yunxiu said solemnly, his expression seemingly resolute. "Times have changed! A young man should act according to the times! Only then can he repay your kindness in raising him!"

He looked at Zhang Juzheng's hunched back and aged face, disguising his regret for history as concern for his elderly father.

"Your health is deteriorating, and the emperor is growing up. Can the new policies proceed smoothly?"
If one day…

Zhang Yunxiu wiped away non-existent tears with his sleeve.

"If one day you pass away, it will not only be a disaster for the Zhang family, but also a disaster for the new government and for the millions of people of the Ming Dynasty."

Couldn't Father have foreseen all of this?

Zhang Juzheng took two steps back, understanding his youngest son's good intentions, and thinking of the misunderstandings he had suffered over the years, he felt a little uneasy.

He recalled his scolding of his young son and the possible fate that might befall him after his death, and he was overcome with grief.

But since things had come to this point, Zhang Juzheng could only say one thing.

"With the new policies of the imperial court reaching this point, I have no way out!"

It's not that he doesn't want to, it's that he simply can't!

Retire gracefully while still at the height of his power? The emperor would not agree to that. He needs Grand Secretary Zhang to help him deal with the state affairs he wants to escape.

The newly rich, who have risen to power because of the new policies, will not agree either.

Officials and nobles who lost their positions due to the new policies will not let the matter rest easily either.

For the sake of the new policies and for the sake of so many years of hard work, this was the reason why Zhang Juzheng had to persist.

“No! You still have children!” Zhang Yunxiu said firmly. “We’ve been raising an army for a thousand days, but we’re only using it for one! Now there’s no time to lose. We can no longer afford to hide our strength. Your health is deteriorating, and there’s no one to carry on your legacy.”

I find my eldest brother Zhang Jingxiu indecisive, my second brother Zhang Sixiu lacking in wisdom, my third brother Zhang Maoxiu without strategy, and my fourth brother Zhang Jianxiu better left unmentioned!
If I, Zhang Yunxiu, do not stand up, who will protect my Zhang family? Who will safeguard my father's new policies?

Zhang Juzheng opened his eyes wide; in reality, how could he not understand?

Even a renowned minister as capable as Huo Guang ultimately met a tragic end, with his family destroyed and his life ruined.

He read the book "Zhenguan Zhengyao" repeatedly. Even Wei Zheng, who was known as the "Emperor's Mirror," was almost whipped by Emperor Taizong of Tang after his death.

Throughout history, what powerful minister has ever met a good end?

But he was ultimately a stubborn man. How could you convince Zhang Juzheng that the fourteen-year-old Zhang Yunxiu could save the new policies?

This is simply a fantasy!

Zhang Juzheng held back his tears, shook his head, and said, "You're a good child! What a pity."

Unfortunately, Zhang Yunxiu was still too young and too inexperienced in politics.

Zhang Juzheng today is somewhat obsessive, but he remains clear-headed.

Is it really necessary to rely on this young child to ensure the continuation of the new policies?

He was a little tired, so he pulled out a chair and sat down at his desk. As he looked at the "medical tips" written by Zhang Yunxiu, he sighed and said something.

"What I regret most is that I haven't taken good care of you all these years. If only I could have spent more time with you..."

He felt that his youngest son was talented, but had simply taken the wrong path.

Just like the Wanli Emperor, both of them were intelligent and well-behaved children from childhood. Why did they turn out like this?

Zhang Juzheng did not understand what educational psychology was; he only felt that his teaching was not "detailed" or "strict" enough.

This was true for both the Wanli Emperor and his youngest son.

If he were so meticulous, how could he not have noticed that his youngest son was hiding his talents and biding his time?

Seeing that Zhang Yunxiu still wanted to speak, Zhang Juzheng waved his hand, seemingly losing interest in continuing the discussion.

His gaze was sharp, and he looked at Zhang Yunxiu and said.

"You told me last time that the success or failure of the new policy could be determined by the publication of newspapers. Can we talk about that now?"

Zhang Yunxiu's heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, he still came.

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(End of this chapter)