Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 203 Self-Report

New Year's Eve of the 13th year of Wanli.

The last night of the 13th year of the Wanli Emperor was about to pass slowly amidst the sound of cheers and joy. In the dining hall of Grand Secretary Zhang's residence, Zhang Juzheng was seen sitting in the main seat with a cheerful look on his face.

On the other two sides, the Zhang brothers stood on both sides.

The eldest grandson Zhang Chonghui stood beside his father Zhang Jingxiu, turning his big black eyes and looking at his grandfather with curiosity.

Today, Zhang Juzheng changed from his usual stern demeanor and always kept a warm smile on his face.

Seeing Zhang Juzheng like this, Zhang Yunxiu and others also relaxed their expressions and behaved in a cheerful manner.

This scene lasted for a quarter of an hour.

At the beginning of the banquet, Zhang Jingxiu raised his teacup and said to Zhang Juzheng, "Father, you have just recovered from your illness and should not drink alcohol. Today, let me and my brothers drink tea instead of wine to wish you good health."

Zhang Yunxiu and others stood up in unison, raised their glasses and pointed them towards Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, stood up tremblingly, looked around, looked at Zhang Jingxiu and said: "You are the eldest brother, you should take care of your brothers in the future."

"I will follow my father's teachings." Zhang Jingxiu replied hurriedly and respectfully.

Then, Zhang Juzheng turned his gaze to his second son and said to him, "Sixiu, you are too honest and loyal. The intrigues and deceptions in the officialdom are not suitable for you. You should study instead."

Zhang Sixiu nodded in agreement and quickly bent down to agree.

"Maoxiu, you are too arrogant. You can't stay in this officialdom." Zhang Juzheng glanced at his second son in disappointment, then walked sideways to Zhang Maoxiu and joked, "You can be a playboy and a womanizer, but it's hard to be an official."

Zhang Maoxiu looked unconvinced and opened his mouth to refute, but when he saw his father's eyes, he finally chose to swallow the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

He paused, then changed his words: "Thank you for your teachings, father."

"Jian Xiu, you have to treat Ling'er well. It's me who let Gao Ruo down."

"Yes."

Watching Zhang Juzheng walking towards him.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but feel nervous. What was wrong with the old man today? He said such disgusting and sour words. In the past, he hated people who acted like a little woman.

Just as he was thinking about it, Zhang Juzheng came up to him.

The two men looked at each other, and Zhang Juzheng's turbid eyes suddenly flashed with a gleam of light. Then he sighed, patted his son's shoulder heavily, and said nothing.

Everyone's eyes were cast over.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled with relief, as if he understood something.

"Okay, let's eat." After walking around, Zhang Juzheng dragged his tired body back to the main seat.

When the banquet started, Zhang Juzheng took a few bites and left the table on the pretext of being tired. When Zhang Juzheng left, the brothers felt as if they had been freed from their shackles and felt an indescribable sense of freedom.

Zhang Jianxiu poured a glass of wine for Zhang Yunxiu, curled his lips, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, you will be a hot figure in Beijing when you graduate next year."

Zhang Yunxiu took the wine glass, drank it in one gulp, and replied with a smile: "What do you mean by popular? I'm just an errand boy. When the time comes, won't I still have to rely on you brothers to take care of me?"

"Just pretend." Zhang Jianxiu and Zhang Yunxiu had the best relationship, so he didn't hesitate to expose his past. "Can you find where the Hanlin Academy is? You are probably the first Hanlin scholar who was kicked out without ever entering the academy."

"Hahahaha" Zhang Yunxiu laughed out loud.

When the other three brothers saw this, they smiled bitterly and shook their heads.

Then, the brothers had a few drinks, and before they knew it, it was already midnight. The night was getting darker and darker outside. A sharp cold wind blew into the dining room, and the palace lanterns in the hall swayed.

Only then did everyone realize that it was already late.

So they each returned to their bedroom to rest with the help of their maids and servants.

"I, Zhang Juzheng, declare myself:
I have neither the reputation of a famous family nor the descent of an emperor or noble. I was born in Jiangling in the winter of the Yiyou year. When I was born, there was neither purple air filling the room nor rosy clouds filling the sky.

He started learning at the age of five, and knew the principles of the Six Classics at the age of six. He thought he was just one of the most talented people in the world. At the age of thirteen, he took the provincial examination. Fortunately, the governor Gu Gong pointed out to him, and then he realized that there were many talented people in the world. "In the 26th year of Jiajing, he was awarded the title of Jinshi and was selected as a Shujishi. At that time, Emperor Shizong was obsessed with the art of medicine, and the Yan Party was powerful. Few officials in the court dared to point out their mistakes.

I know that I am a small and weak person, so I have no choice but to remain silent. When the Yan Party was defeated, Emperor Muzong ascended the throne, and Xu Gong took power, I was fortunate to be trusted by Emperor Muzong and was honored to be an assistant minister. "

"In the sixth year of Longqing, Emperor Muzong passed away and entrusted me with military and national affairs. I was grateful and would not repay him without my life. When the Wanli era was changed, I was honored to be the Prime Minister. At that time, the country was exhausted, the finances were in trouble, and the border defense was lax. Every time I think of the trust of Emperor Muzong, I know the weight of my responsibility, and I worry day and night and dare not relax even a little bit."

"Thanks to your majesty's wisdom and bravery, and the protection of the previous emperors, the country has been peaceful for fourteen years, and the country is strong and the people are loyal. I know that I am old and weak, and I am afraid that I can no longer serve as the prime minister. Today, I am writing this petition to request to retire. I hope your majesty will grant my approval."

Sitting at the desk, Zhang Juzheng wrote this in one breath and felt his arms sore.

There were beads of sweat on his forehead.

He flexed his wrists, picked up the pen and continued writing: "Zhuge of Nanyang once said: 'Be close to virtuous ministers and stay away from villains. This is why the early Han Dynasty prospered; be close to villains and stay away from virtuous ministers. This is why the later Han Dynasty declined.' I humbly hope that Your Majesty will remember the difficulties your ancestors went through in starting a business, be diligent in government affairs, and not be greedy for temporary enjoyment."

"."

The night is deep.

After Zhang Juzheng finished writing the memorial, he put it back into the notebook.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes slightly, leaned back, and lay on the yellow pear wood carved armchair.

Freed.

Finally I'm free.

In an instant, he felt relaxed all over.

What he wanted to do, he finished.

Reforming the tax law, measuring the land, rectifying the border defense, reforming the imperial examination... Each and every one of these made him exhausted and as if he was walking on thin ice.

Now, he no longer has to worry about those bad things.

Just as my youngest son said to me a few days ago: Believe in the wisdom of future generations.

He always wanted to achieve everything in one go, but ended up falling behind.
While he was in a daze, Yuqin, wearing a cotton robe, pushed the door open from outside the study. A wisp of cold wind blew in, and Zhang Juzheng shivered and came back to his senses.

Yuqin didn't know when she was standing at the door.

He looked at the beautiful Yuqin and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

Yuqin smiled lightly, revealing two beautiful dimples on her plump and fair cheeks. Then, she walked gently to Zhang Juzheng, hugged his cheek and kissed him.

Zhang Juzheng then hooked his arm around the beautiful woman's slender waist and said coquettishly like a child, "One is not enough."

Yuqin giggled and slowly moved her red lips to kiss Zhang Juzheng on the cheek.

Zhang Juzheng was immediately amused and burst into laughter. Taking advantage of the excitement, Yuqin asked tentatively, "Master, have you really thought it through?"

"Fame, wealth and honor are like floating clouds to me." Zhang Juzheng gently lifted Yuqin's chin with a look of deep affection.

Now, he could understand the carefree feeling of Tao Zhugong retiring with his beautiful wife.

Having such a beautiful woman by my side is enough for the rest of my life.

"Master!" Yuqin's eyes turned red, and she buried her head in Zhang Juzheng's chest, "Yuqin is just a prostitute, how can she deserve such deep love from the master."

After saying that, she started to cry.

Zhang Juzheng slowly lifted her cheek and said in a soothing way, "Yuqin, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. From the first time I saw you, I felt that you were different from ordinary women."

"Master." Yuqin called out timidly, and her tears were about to burst out again.

"Today is a happy day, let's not talk about this." Zhang Ju waved his hand and looked at the beauty in his arms with scorching eyes.

The beautiful woman's snow-white neck turned red and she slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

(End of this chapter)