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

Chapter 53 A Casual Talk on Curing the Plague
Zhang Cheng's throat moved slightly, and he swallowed.

He knew perfectly well that the emperor loved to hear about this, and he had a thorough understanding of the situation, explaining the whole story after the publication of this issue of the newspaper.

"Since the publication of this issue of the Wanli Xinbao, this newspaper has become an indispensable item for the people of the capital. It is published every three days, and each issue costs only five copper coins. Ordinary people can afford to buy a copy if they save up. It is said that this newspaper has now sold out of the capital and is very popular in various parts of Beizhili. Even in Nanzhili, people often mention it."

Seeing the emperor's eyes grow brighter, Zhang Cheng stopped trying to keep him in suspense, smiled, and continued speaking.

"This issue also includes a section called 'Plague Removal Stories.' Gennu and his eunuchs inquired around and found that the people initially didn't care much about this section. After all, no one had ever seen a 'Plague Removal Stories,' and the people preferred to read about the imperial calendar, prices, and storybooks."

"Is that so?"

A hint of displeasure flashed across Emperor Wanli's face.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng quickly continued.

"But not long after, the situation changed drastically. The illustrations in these anti-plague comics, featuring a lovable raccoon dog, were so charming that even illiterate people could understand their meanings at a glance, such as washing hands frequently, covering the mouth and nose, and isolating patients."

"What else? Keep telling us!"

Emperor Wanli was in high spirits, even happier than if a hundred courtiers were praising him, but he still had to pretend to be reserved.

Zhang Cheng's smile grew even brighter.

"Furthermore, although the people have doubts, they ultimately love the illustrations, especially many children in the neighborhood who often use twigs to trace them on the ground after school."
The servant asked many people, and they all said that these illustrations were far better than the imperial court posting notices and writing articles to educate the people. Over time, these people came to believe the content of the illustrations and began to follow suit.

He glanced at the Wanli Emperor out of the corner of his eye again, and then continued speaking.

"I wonder where Zhang Shiyuan found such a master painter, who can draw illustrations so lifelike. Zhang Shiyuan must have a discerning eye. The Wanli Xinbao will probably become even more popular in the future."

Zhang Cheng knew perfectly well that the illustrator was none other than the Wanli Emperor standing before him.

But he dared not expose the emperor, nor would he do so. Instead, he pretended to be completely unaware and tried his best to flatter the emperor.

As expected, Emperor Wanli was overjoyed upon hearing this and exclaimed loudly.

"Great! Great! Great!"

He then burst into hearty laughter.

“You’re right. Zhang Shiyuan has a keen eye for talent, and the Wanli Xinbao will become even more successful in the future.”

However, the emperor still pretended to be serious and cleared his throat before speaking.

"The Wanli Xinbao is ultimately a business for merchants, so let Zhang Shiyuan do what he wants. What I care about is the benevolent governance that the newspaper can bring to the people. If the newspaper can be used as a supplement to educate the people and prevent my people from suffering from ignorance, and if fewer people die from the epidemic, I will be very pleased."

Zhang Cheng quickly replied, "Your Majesty governs the world with benevolence, bringing blessings to all people; this is a blessing for all!"

The Wanli Emperor was in a great mood, pacing back and forth in front of his desk, muttering something to himself.

"Newspapers are truly beneficial to the country and its people! They should be promoted and vigorously promoted!"

Zhang Cheng saw through the emperor's thoughts and immediately spoke tentatively.

"Your Majesty, should we summon Zhang Shiyuan and question him thoroughly before the Emperor?"

Emperor Wanli was taken aback, but immediately nodded and said.

"Excellent, excellent! Go and do it. You'll be rewarded handsomely in the future!"

Zhang Cheng was immediately overjoyed and bowed respectfully.

"Your servant obeys!"

Zhang Yunxiu had just stepped out of the Imperial Academy gates and was thinking of getting into a carriage to return home when he encountered Zhang Cheng, who was rushing over.

"Oh my! Isn't this Eunuch Zhang? What brings you here to see me again? Have the writings on your arm faded yet?"

Zhang Cheng was in a good mood after receiving the emperor's promises, but his face immediately fell upon hearing Zhang Yunxiu's words.

The grotesque scribbles on his arm, resembling tattoos, were Zhang Cheng's eternal pain. Damn Zhang Yunxiu, he must have used some kind of ink; even after seven or eight days, the marks were still there.

However, receiving the emperor's praise made all of that less important.

He forced a smile and said, "Young Master Zhang, please don't joke with me. His Majesty is urgently looking for you. Please come to the palace with me quickly."

Zhang Cheng deliberately timed his arrival to catch Zhang Yunxiu just as the morning classes at the Imperial Academy ended.

"Your Majesty?" Zhang Yunxiu looked puzzled.

Zhang Cheng immediately understood and lowered his voice, saying, "It's the Wanli Xinbao." Zhang Yunxiu immediately recognized it and nodded.

"In that case, let your father-in-law lead the way."

Without another word, the two immediately boarded a carriage together and headed straight for the Forbidden City.

At this moment, inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Wanli was already extremely anxious.

He sat at his desk reviewing memorials, glancing at the newspaper every now and then.

Every time the emperor's gaze fell upon the newspaper, an uncontrollable silly grin would involuntarily appear on his face.

Even when no one is around, if he inadvertently catches a glimpse of his reflection in the bronze mirror, he will feel as if he has done something shameful and hastily raise his hand to cover it up, then pretend to be an emperor.

He focused intently on the memorial for a while, but his gaze drifted back to the newspaper.

The emperor idly flipped through the memorials, but after seeing one, the smile on his face gradually faded. He squinted as if he remembered something, and picked up the Wanli New Gazette again.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

Zhang Cheng led Zhang Yunxiu in.

"Your Majesty"

Before Zhang Yunxing could finish his ritual, the Wanli Emperor immediately interrupted him.

"No gifts, no gifts!"

Zhang Yunxiu looked completely bewildered.

But then the emperor said, "Shiyuan, come up and take a look at this memorial."

Weren't we here to talk about the newspaper?

Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat puzzled, but he did as he was told and stepped forward to take the memorial.

He was somewhat bewildered, but still looked down at the memorial, which read something like this: "Your subject, Zhang Guoyan, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, respectfully submits this memorial to report on the plague in the capital, humbly requesting Your Majesty's consideration. The plague has spread from Datong, Shanxi to the capital region. Now, the number of people infected in and around the capital is increasing by thousands every day. Some ignorant people are misled by ghosts and gods. Your subject requests that the Huimin Pharmacy widely distribute medicines."

On the cover of the memorial, there was also a draft written in ink.

"Upon reviewing the report on the plague from the Shuntian Prefecture, we, your humble servants, respectfully submit the following proposal: The Imperial Medical Academy shall dispatch twelve physicians. The Ministry of Revenue shall allocate funds from the Taicang Granary to urgently transport medicinal materials from Jiangnan."

The cabinet's draft was very detailed, basically covering most of the measures taken by feudal dynasties in ancient times to deal with plagues.

In recent years, the imperial court has had some money, and it is no longer as constrained as before in dealing with such incidents.

Zhang Yunxiu could also see that the Wanli Emperor had written a large red "Approved" character on it, which looked quite elegant among a bunch of densely packed tiny characters.

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the emperor, and as if it were a family trait, he subconsciously said, "Your Majesty's wisdom is profound and penetrating, and your judgment on the epidemic in Shuntian Prefecture is like the sun breaking through the clouds."

Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Wanli's face fell. Although he liked praise, he was tired of hearing such formulaic words and even felt that Zhang Yunxiu was mocking him.

"Don't say polite words. I'm tired of hearing them. I want you to be Wei Zheng, not a sycophant."

Wei Zheng?

Zhang Yunxiu thought to himself, "If Wei Zheng were really in front of you, Zhu Yijun, wouldn't he have been beheaded seventeen or eighteen times over?"

He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, please hear me out. What I have said must have been what the court officials told Your Majesty."

The Wanli Emperor felt he had been tricked, but having no evidence, he said somewhat awkwardly.

"Many ministers said the same thing during the morning court session, but they put it more elegantly than you."

Zhang Yunxiu was speechless. They had to be well-read Confucian scholars! Even with his own cheat-like abilities, he couldn't match their level of flattery!

He shook his head and said, "In my opinion, the cabinet members' handling of the matter is flawless, but it also has no real effect."

The Wanli Emperor was waiting for him to say those words.

His face showed anticipation, and he leaned forward as he asked.

"Can your previous 'casual talk' about the three-character classic for warding off plague really solve the stubborn problem of the current plague in the capital?"

He hadn't forgotten any of the boasts Zhang Yunxiu had made.

(End of this chapter)