Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 169: The cards that have not been played are the most intimidating

During these days, Zhang Juzheng's followers kept coming to visit Zhang Juzheng's residence. Some were concerned, some were worried, and some were afraid.

Yuanfu is sick, can this illness be cured?
When is good?

These officials are in a state of panic.

In order to ensure that Zhang Juzheng would not be disturbed and prevent panic from spreading, Zhang Yunxiu declined to see any guests.

It was quiet for two or three days.

That morning, a four-passenger sedan chair with an apricot-yellow brocade fence slowly drove into the sedan chair hall of the residence of Grand Secretary Zhang.

As soon as he got off the sedan chair, an old man in his sixties walked out from inside, bending over.

He was of medium build, with full chins and a slightly overweight body, but his noble appearance could not be concealed.

That was the Minister of Personnel, Wang Guoguang.

A few days ago, Wang Guoguang heard that Zhang Yunxiu had captured Wang Dehan, tortured him severely, and obtained a list of names. He knew that this was of great importance, and had been looking for an opportunity to remind him.

But I haven't found any opportunity yet.

Firstly, he did not want to frustrate the passion of this young man. Secondly, the capital city was already in a state of panic, and he did not want the situation to escalate further.

With two complex contradictions intertwined, he was somewhat hesitant.

He only felt a sense of fellowship with Zhang Siwei, the acting Prime Minister.

Compared with his long-term friendship with Zhang Juzheng, Wang Guoguang naturally preferred the Zhang family. Especially as soon as this acting prime minister took office, he immediately promoted several people who had been demoted to Nanjing by Zhang Juzheng.

In such a turbulent time, Wang Guoguang naturally became alert.

Yesterday, the news of the emperor's marriage granting spread throughout the official circles of the capital.

This is tantamount to giving the Zhang family and the officials close to the Zhang family great confidence and courage - the Zhang family is still in the emperor's heart.

At the same time, Wang Guoguang also knew that the time had come to talk to Zhang Yunxiu.

Led by You Qi to the study, Wang Guoguang looked inside and saw Zhang Yunxiu already standing there waiting. When the two of them met, Zhang Yunxiu clasped his fists and bowed, inviting Wang Guoguang to sit down.

After sitting down with the etiquette of host and guest, Wang Guoguang said without further ado, "My dear nephew, it is good that you are willing to help the country, but sometimes you have to be careful when doing things. In such a troubled time, it is better to stay calm."

"Uncle, are you here to plead for those officials?" Zhang Yunxiu asked, turning his body sideways.

Wang Guoguang waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, I also know the malpractices of this officialdom. Although you, my dear nephew, have the emperor's favor, in terms of status, you are just a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. How can you take on such an important task?"

Even Zhang Juzheng had to be extremely cautious when handling such matters.

Didn’t Zhang Juzheng know about corruption?
Eighty percent of them know.

So why not?
Wang Guoguang also served as an official for nearly forty years, and served under five prime ministers, namely Xia Yan, Yan Song, Xu Jie, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng.

How could he not know that if the officials in this world were really investigated thoroughly, no one would be able to withstand the scrutiny.

Take Yan Song for example, everyone says he is a corrupt official.

However, the wealth seized from the property was far less than that of Zhang Juzheng's teacher Xu Jie.

Therefore, Wang Guoguang concluded.

The young man in front of me is trying to play a trick on someone.

"Why not?" Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said, "Besides, what does this have to do with me? I have not left my house these days and have been serving my father. The Jinyiwei is under the jurisdiction of the emperor, and I cannot control what they want."

Zhang Yunxiu's meaning was also very simple, this matter has nothing to do with me. "My dear nephew, you are confused!" Wang Guoguang glared and blamed, "Everyone in the capital knows that Han San is your underling, and his move represents your intention. To put it more deeply, it represents the intention of the Prime Minister."

At this point, Wang Guoguang swallowed hard and continued, "Just think about it, if all the people you arrested are Zhang Siwei's followers, and this gets out, how will those upright officials and officials in the world view the Prime Minister?"

If many people push a wall, it will collapse.

If he really did this, Zhang Yunxiu would become the target of public criticism.

Zhang Yunxiu was not in a hurry. He smiled at the old minister first, then said, "Don't worry, uncle. I'm getting married soon, so I won't make a big fuss during this period. We can talk about anything later."

"It won't work later. Only the Prime Minister can do this."

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said nothing.

After thinking about it for a few days, he felt that Wang Dehan's list had great potential.

At the same time, he also realized a truth: the trump card that is played out is not called a trump card. It is only called a trump card when it is held in your hand.

When masters fight, whoever reveals his cards first will be the passive party.

He just holds on to this list tightly, neither saying he will check it nor saying he won't check it.

This is a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of these officials, making them tread on thin ice every step they take.

Before Wang Guoguang could speak, Zhang Yunxiu spoke first, "Uncle, do you still remember that when Hai Rui carried a coffin and insulted Emperor Jiajing, the emperor flew into a rage and ordered his men to put this upright person in jail?"

Hearing this, Wang Guoguang was obviously stunned.

Hai Rui was in the imperial court at the time, so how could he not know about it? When Hai Rui spoke out for justice, Emperor Shizong was furious and immediately ordered Hai Rui to be thrown into death row.

If it weren't for the officials under him who used the tactic of "delay", Hai Rui would have been in great danger.

etc.
The tactic of procrastination?

Wang Guoguang thought of something. He slowly raised his head, and a gleam of light suddenly shot out from his old eyelids as he looked at Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and replied, "My nephew said that he is getting married soon and doesn't want to bother with this dirty matter anymore. As for when he will bring up this matter again, I don't know."

Wang Guoguang nodded and gave Zhang Yunxiu a complicated look.

It contains both praise for Zhang Yunzi's mature political means and dissatisfaction with being deceived.

His previous look was that of a complete fool, and he was clearly determined to fight to the death. But today he suddenly made a 180-degree turn, which made his whole trip in vain.

However, if Zhang Yunxiu knew what Wang Guoguang was thinking, he would cry out that he was wronged.

He made this decision only after the Emperor and the Empress Dowager granted him the marriage yesterday. There is still a long way to go. He is only in his twenties, and so is the Emperor.

Zhang Siwei is already very old, so why should he compete with him for this moment?
The two of them had their own thoughts. After a few seconds of silence, Wang Guoguang glanced at the sky outside.

But seeing that the weather was fine, he smiled and suggested: "Today's weather is nice, my nephew, why don't you push the Yuanfu out to bask in the sun?"

"Thank you for your concern, uncle."

Zhang Yunxiu clasped his fists and bowed, then returned to Zhang Juzheng's bedroom with Wang Guoguang.

On the big bed inside, Zhang Juzheng was lying with his eyes wide open, and his fifth concubine was sitting next to him.

Zhang Yunxiu spoke briefly to the Fifth Aunt, who nodded.

Everyone worked together to carry the immobile Zhang Juzheng out.

(End of this chapter)