Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 161 Chapter Shocking changes in the court!

For five or six days in a row.

The tall warships covered in iron armor were wandering around the coastal cities of the Mori family like a ghost. Just as Zhang Yunxiu expected, these cities were almost deserted.

The Ming army captured these cities with ease.

The sea seems sunny and calm, but undercurrents are surging, and a more thrilling force is quietly brewing.

The decisive battle is coming!

However, the arrival of an uninvited guest instantly shattered Zhang Yunxiu's plan.

At noon that day, Zhang Yunzheng was standing on the deck, directing the Ming army to gather their armaments. Suddenly, hundreds of tall warships surged behind the fleet, covering the sky and the sun, with white waves flying.

Zhang Yunxiu looked back.

I saw a big red flag hanging high on the big ship, with a big word "戚" written on it.

Is this the Qi family army coming?
Zhang Yunxiu was stunned at first, then his pupils suddenly dilated and a look of ecstasy surged across his fair face.

He quickly ordered his men to move the warship forward, and the troops on both sides followed.

Without waiting for Zhang Yunxiu to speak, Qi Jiguang said in a heavy voice, "Something happened to the Prime Minister. Is the Emperor urgently calling for his nephew to return?"

Zhang Yunxiu's heart skipped a beat, and with trembling lips, he looked at Qi Jiguang and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Stroke." Qi Jiguang said, and a few turbid hot tears squeezed out of the corners of his eyes.

Zhang Yunxiu stood there like a log, as if struck by lightning. After a long pause, he finally managed to utter, "Marshal Qi, I'll leave the matter of Japan in your hands."

"Well, don't worry, nephew. I will definitely bring these people back safely."

Half a month later.

The dawn broke over Beijing, the city gates were about to open, and several fast horses suddenly galloped into Beijing.

The one leading the group was Zhang Yunxiu, who looked exhausted.

At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, his face was haggard, and he looked depressed.

Zhang Juzheng had suffered a stroke. According to the news sent by Feng Bao, the stroke was extremely serious and he might not be able to function normally for the rest of his life.

Now, Emperor Wanli has let the second assistant Zhang Siwei take over the position of the first assistant.

This is a very bad sign.

Although he had a good relationship with Wanli, who could guess what the emperor was thinking?
Thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu rode his horse at full speed and headed straight for the Grand Secretary's residence.

When he arrived at the mansion, he dismounted and rushed to the inner court in a hurry.

It was very quiet inside. Compared to the bustling crowds of the past, there were few visitors to the Grand Secretary's Mansion recently.

I don't know whether it's out of kindness or caution.

The emperor issued an order that no one was allowed to disturb the prime minister's recuperation.

When Zhang Yunxiu walked into the meeting hall, his four brothers and their families were running around anxiously.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu coming back, Zhang Jianxiu, who had the best relationship with him, immediately stepped forward and said with a sigh of relief: "Yunxiu, you are finally back. Father is clamoring to see you."

The other three also nodded.

"Thank you for your hard work, brothers." Zhang Yunxiu nodded heavily, bowed to several people, and ran to Zhang Juzheng's inner bedroom.

Zhang Juzheng was lying on the bed, his face twisted, his mouth crooked, and drooling. Yuqin, who was standing beside him, looked distressed, wiping his drool with a handkerchief while wiping away his tears.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yunxiu's nose suddenly felt sore and his eyes turned red.

The love between father and son, and the earnest teachings.

All the events of the past came to mind one by one.

The man who always had a stern face, often scolded him, and was extremely proud.

Now lie on the bed, just lie on the bed, and let others move your body.
Zhang Yunxiu's knees softened, and he straightened up and knelt on the ground, dragging his knees forward, sobbing, "My child, my child is unfilial. My father is seriously ill and I can't stay by his side for long."

"woo woo woo woo"

When Zhang Juzheng saw Zhang Yunxiu coming in, he immediately became excited.

His eyes were wide open, his cheeks were red, and he pointed at him with a trembling finger. Because of the stroke, he could not speak and could only make inarticulate sounds.

"Master, master, please don't be excited. The doctor said that you need to rest." Yuqin on the side became anxious and hurriedly advised.

Zhang Yunxiu knelt before Zhang Juzheng, gave Yuqin a grateful smile, and then held his father's hands tightly: "Father, I know everything, I know everything. New policy. New policy."

Now, Zhang Juzheng regained his composure.

The two looked at each other, and Zhang Juzheng stretched out his dead wood-like palm, intending to pat his son's shoulder, but he couldn't lift it up.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Zhang Juzheng's cheeks turned red and sweat broke out on his forehead.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled bitterly, grabbed his father's hand and put it on his shoulder. The father and son just looked at each other without saying a word.

In that instant, it seemed as if time had stopped.

I don’t know how long it took, but Zhang Juzheng’s eyelids drooped and he slowly closed his eyes.

Zhang Yunxiu let out a long sigh, slowly put down his hand on his shoulder, and then pulled the quilt to cover his father's body.

That evening, Feng Bao came to visit.

Zhang Yunxiu met him in the small hall. The two sat opposite each other. Feng Bao said with some concern: "Young Master Zhang, many people in the court have been concerned about the Prime Minister's condition recently. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have even asked about it personally."

"but."

"But what?" Zhang Yunxiu asked in a calm voice.

Feng Bao struggled for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and said what he was thinking: "Although the Queen Mother and the Emperor both care about the Prime Minister, their concerns are different."

Empress Dowager Li was extremely anxious. She burned incense and prayed to Buddha every day, secretly praying for Zhang Juzheng's health to get better.

The emperor seemed overly concerned, and it was more like a feeling of relief and joy than concern.

He felt that the emperor had changed since he came of age.

In the past, whenever the emperor encountered something he was unsure about, he would choose to discuss it with him.

Now the emperor deliberately avoided him and asked for his advice on all matters, big or small. As a person who had been in the deep palace for more than 50 years, Feng Bao knew his situation well.

It's just that he still retains this fantasy in his heart.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded, indicating that he would take note of this matter, and then said, "I will go to the palace to see the emperor tomorrow. Empress Dowager Li also asks Eunuch Feng to visit more often, so as not to make things awkward."

"Let's save it."

Feng Bao responded in a low voice.

The key issue now lies in whether the emperor and Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng can wake up.

If he could live another ten years, he, Feng Bao, would still be as stable as a rock.

If not
He could only run back home in shame like his predecessors, Chen Hong and Meng Chong.

Now his future depends entirely on the Zhang father and son.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Zhang Yunxiu carefully.

This person whom he originally regarded as a junior has now become the person he relies on. Feng Bao finds it somewhat ridiculous when he thinks about it.

"Eunuch Feng." Zhang Yunxiu shouted.

"Ah?!" Feng Bao exclaimed in response.

"We have something to discuss with Eunuch Feng."

"Mr. Zhang, please speak."

Zhang Yunxiu made a plan in his mind, then stared into Feng Bao's eyes and said, "No matter whether my father can regain the position of prime minister this time, Eunuch Feng should retreat while the tide is at hand."

When Feng Bao heard the sound, he felt as if he was stung by a wasp and looked at Zhang Yunxiu with disbelief.

"Eunuch Feng, you are over 50 years old and have stayed in the inner palace for more than 50 years. It is time for you to leave the palace and enjoy your remaining years." Zhang Yunxiu ignored the surprised look on Feng Bao's face and spoke to himself.

Having said that, how could Feng Bao not understand?

"Young Master Zhang wants Wei Qing to replace me?" Feng Bao asked through gritted teeth.

"Eunuch Feng, this is the emperor's intention, not mine."

"He can't."

"Why?"

"He has too little experience, but if Young Master Zhang agrees to our two conditions, we can let him supervise the East Factory as the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department."

"What conditions?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"Protect us and allow us to enjoy our old age." Feng Bao said with his lips slightly moving.

"What kind of condition is this? Just rest assured, Eunuch Feng. We have agreed to it."

"There is one more. We need you to take care of Feng Bangning. We also need to recommend a eunuch to be in charge of the Qianqing Palace."

"Eunuch Feng, the eunuchs in charge of the Qianqing Palace are extraordinary. They are all appointed by the emperor. How can we help him?"

"Hahaha, Young Master Zhang doesn't even take the seal of the Imperial Household Department seriously. He is just a steward of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. I'm sure Young Master Zhang will have a way to deal with him."

Feng Bao said this, laughed, stood up and left.

A look of loneliness.

(End of this chapter)