I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 144 Negotiations Collapse! Wang Chonggu, Pillar of Shanxi: I am innocent.
April 10th, near noon.

At the age of 63, Wang Chonggu, the Minister of Justice who was in charge of military affairs in Shanxi and also in charge of grain and provisions, arrived in the capital.

As usual.

Wang Chonggu, greeted by the official on duty at the Court of State Ceremonial, entered the inner city through the Chongwen Gate. He first submitted a memorial requesting an audience, then checked into lodgings to wash up and await an audience with the young Wanli Emperor.

In general.

His unusual method of returning to Beijing, which was not a "fast courier service," meant he wouldn't be summoned that same day.

In addition, Wang Chonggu also held the position of Governor-General of Shanxi.

After arriving in the capital, he was not allowed to leave his residence to meet with officials in the capital, nor was he allowed to hold private banquets in his residence to invite officials to discuss government affairs.

He had private visits and exchanges with officials in Beijing.

It is necessary to report to the cabinet in advance, and then have an audience with the emperor before it can begin.

Those who violate this rule will be punished for the crime of "forming a faction".

……

now.

Under the protection of more than twenty close guards, Wang Chonggu rode a silver-saddled steed, less than eight hundred paces from Chongwen Gate.

As a civil official, he could have traveled by sedan chair.

However, his achievements were almost entirely military merits, and in order to demonstrate to the court that he was still in good health and could still serve the country, he chose to ride back to the capital.

at this time.

One of Wang Chonggu's close attendants came to him from the front.

"Minister, in addition to the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial, Grand Secretary Lü is also here to greet you at the gate!"

Hear this.

Wang Chonggu couldn't help but puff out his chest, feeling quite pleased with himself.

He gripped the whip tightly and said, "Let's speed up, don't keep Grand Secretary Lü waiting!"

The reason Wang Chonggu returned to the capital this time was to discuss border strategies and seek advice from the emperor.

But he knew it must be related to Hai Rui's impeachment.

He returned to the capital empty-handed.

The emperor's order for the second-in-command of the cabinet to greet him at Chongwen Gate was already the highest form of etiquette.

If one has military merit, he will surely be personally welcomed by the Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng.

If someone achieves great military merit, they might even be personally greeted by the emperor. However, the emperor would at most go to the Meridian Gate, rather than to the Chongwen Gate.

Wang Chonggu was a supporter of the current new policies and had a fairly good relationship with Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang.

Due to border affairs, Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang had communicated with Wang Chonggu privately many times and were quite familiar with each other.

A moment later, at Chongwen Gate.

When Wang Chonggu saw Lü Diaoyang, the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who came out to greet him, he quickly dismounted, cupped his hands, and said, "Wang Chonggu greets the Grand Secretary. Your personal welcome is too much for me!"

Lu Diaoyang reached out to help Wang Chonggu up and said with a smile, "His Majesty said that Minister Wang is a pillar of the frontier with meritorious service, and it is only right that the cabinet ministers go to welcome him."

"Your subject, Wang Chonggu, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!" Wang Chonggu bowed deeply towards the imperial city.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two...

Lu Diaoyang said to Wang Chonggu, who was a year older than him, "Brother Xuefu, you should first go to the Shuntian Prefecture Huitong Hall to rest, and then go to the Grand Secretariat in the afternoon. Grand Secretary Zhang and I both want to have a chat with you, which is also His Majesty's decree."

Wang Chonggu looked puzzled, then suddenly realized, and immediately said, "I will follow Elder Lü's arrangements!"

He knew that what Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang had discussed with him must have been about Hai Rui's impeachment.

Some things have completely different outcomes depending on whether they are discussed openly or privately.

he wondered.

This is because in the past, when he returned to the capital, he would stay at the Taiping Guild Hall.

He then realized that the Taiping Guild Hall was built by Shanxi officials and merchants, and at this time, he should be far removed from Shanxi merchants and officials.

Lü Diaoyang personally welcomed him.

On the one hand, it represented the court's affirmation of his achievements on the border, and on the other hand, it allowed him to stay at the Shuntian Prefecture Huitong Hall instead of the Shanxi Taiping Guild Hall.

If it were an arrangement made by officials of the Court of State Ceremonial, Wang Chonggu would most likely not obey.

……

afternoon.

After finishing his meal and washing up, Wang Chonggu, dressed in the official robes of a second-rank official, went to the cabinet office east of Huiji Gate.

He had already planned in his mind to rely on his political achievements and status in Shanxi to get the cabinet to agree to a lenient punishment for the Zhang and Wang families, so that there would be fewer scapegoats.

On this point, his thoughts were completely opposite to Zhang Siwei's.

Zhang Siwei advocated severely punishing the scapegoats from the Zhang family to demonstrate his selflessness and build a reputation for future promotion.

Wang Chonggu, now over sixty, considers the family's honor and disgrace above all else.

……

Cabinet value.

Tea room.

Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang sat upright in front.

"Your humble servant Wang Chonggu greets Grand Secretary Zhang and Grand Secretary Lü!" Wang Chonggu said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Minister Wang, there's no need for formalities. Please sit down!"

After Wang Chonggu sat down, the clerk serving him quickly brought him a cup of tea.

Followed by.

Zhang Juzheng, Lü Diaoyang, and Wang Chonggu then began to discuss border affairs.

Wang Chonggu looked proud.

First, the bustling prosperity of the northern border trade is described, followed by the arduous and difficult task of building the border wall.

This fully demonstrates his personal border defense skills.

About fifteen minutes later, Zhang Juzheng mentioned Hai Rui's memorial.

"I wonder what Minister Wang thinks of the 'Memorial on the Disorderly Governance of Officials and Merchants in Shanxi Province' submitted after the Vice Commissioner of the Imperial Secretariat's inspection of Shanxi?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

Currently, the "Memorial on the Disorderly Conduct of Officials and Merchants in Shanxi Province" has spread throughout the capital and beyond.

Even if Wang Chonggu was busy traveling, he couldn't possibly have missed this memorial when passing by a post station.

Wang Chonggu straightened his chest.

"The memorial submitted by the Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy is exaggerated and smacks of sensationalism. Of course, there is indeed a problem of collusion between officials and businessmen in Shanxi. If it is found to be true, no matter who he is, he should be severely punished. I will not show favoritism or cover up any wrongdoing!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang already knew Wang Chonggu's attitude.

The other party first accused Hai Rui of "exaggerating and seeking attention," clearly trying to downplay the matter.

Lü Diaoyang looked at Wang Chonggu.

"Minister Wang, there are rumors circulating among the people that the Zhang and Wang families have started doing business with the Mongols and Jurchens in private, and that as long as you have money, you can buy and sell any kind of goods. Is this true?"

"This is pure rumor! Merchants in Shanxi conduct business in accordance with the trade regulations between our Great Ming and Mongolia. There is absolutely no collusion between them. I and Feng Pan are paid by the Emperor and will never allow such a thing to happen within our clan!"

Wang Chonggu was somewhat agitated, clearly feeling deeply hurt.

He is extremely protective of his family.

They couldn't stand anyone saying anything bad about the Zhang and Wang families.

Zhang Siwei was his nephew, and they relied on each other in the court, so he never forgot to protect Zhang Siwei's family.

Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly.

The reason he chose to meet with Wang Chonggu first was...

This was because if Wang Chonggu made any concessions, he could help the court persuade Zhang Siwei, and if the two were to become adversaries, Zhang Siwei would be much easier to deal with.

But now...

Wang Chonggu, relying on his merits, spoke only to protect his family's interests, and implied that the court should punish the Wang family leniently, considering his numerous military achievements in Shanxi.

Immediately, Zhang Juzheng looked at Lü Diaoyang.

Lü Diaoyang immediately understood, and pulled out Hai Rui's copy of "Memorial on the Corruption of Officials and Merchants" from the side, ordering a clerk to hand it to Wang Chonggu.

"Minister Wang, please read this memorial before you speak."

Wang Chonggu took the memorial with a puzzled look and began to read it carefully.

Before long, Wang Chonggu's expression changed. First, he was panicked, then angry, and finally he hid all his emotions.

this moment.

Wang Chonggu appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

He didn't expect Hai Rui to have a backup plan.

Unexpectedly, Hai Rui was able to uncover so many illegal acts committed by the Zhang and Wang families.

If we follow what this memorial says...

The Zhang and Wang families will suffer thousands of casualties, and hundreds of people may lose their lives.

even.

His uncles and cousins, as well as Zhang Siwei's uncles and cousins, will all face imprisonment.

Especially Hai Rui's line.

“Jin is not the Jin of the Ming Dynasty, but the Jin of Zhang and Wang; Zhang and Wang are not the Zhang and Wang of the Ming Dynasty, but the Zhang and Wang of the Mongols and Jurchens.”

This statement is equivalent to saying that the Wang Chonggu family and the Zhang Siwei family are suspected of rebellion.

This is something Wang Chonggu absolutely cannot accept!

With this charge pinned on their heads, the Zhang Siwei family and the Wang Chonggu family are finished.

"This...this...this...is this Hai Rui's memorial? This...this...this is utter nonsense!"

“How could my royal family seize military funds and fertile land, extort property from our vassal states, or smuggle grain and iron to the Mongols and Jurchens!”

Because the memorial listed too many crimes.

Wang Chonggu then chose these most fatal charges to refute.

Zhang Juzheng said calmly, "Minister Wang, don't worry, the court has already ordered people to investigate!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chonggu's heart pounded.

He immediately understood why Hai Rui had submitted two memorials, why the court had summoned him back to the capital, and why Zhang Siwei had been dismissed and left at home after feigning resignation.

It turns out it was for the purpose of better collecting evidence.

He had no idea what evidence the imperial court would uncover next.

Whether the memorial was true or false, and whether it had any basis, Wang Chonggu knew perfectly well.

But we absolutely cannot admit it.

Because Hai Rui's conclusions were too terrifying; they were meant to destroy the Zhang and Wang families, and ruin his and Zhang Siwei's careers.

At this time.

Lü Diaoyang looked at Wang Chonggu: "Minister Wang, there are no outsiders here, so I will get straight to the point."

"Once the charges in this memorial are verified, the Zhang and Wang families will surely be decimated, and the prisons of Shanxi will be filled to the brink of death. For the sake of border stability and to prevent the people of Shanxi from being implicated, Grand Secretary Zhang and I have discussed two countermeasures. Please consider them."

immediately.

Lü Diaoyang then handed over the two options proposed by Zhang Juzheng—"remove officials and retain merchants" and "retain officials and remove merchants"—to Wang Chonggu.

Wang Chonggu's face was gloomy.

Choose to leave officialdom and stay in business.

The Zhang and Wang families will lose their backers. Although there are scapegoats to take the blame for now and the court will not allow bloodshed in Shanxi, the decline of the two families is only a matter of time.

Choose to remain in officialdom and pursue business.

They will have to destroy their own thriving family with their own hands. They can save themselves for now, but the Zhang and Wang families will be destroyed within a year, and many family members will be severely punished.

Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang preferred to retain officials and eliminate merchants, which meant directly destroying the Zhang and Wang families.

He is so inclined to this.

Because Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei were still useful to the court, and both of them held positions in the capital, they could not cause any trouble.

Although Zhang Siwei was a cabinet minister.

But as long as Zhang Juzheng is in good health, he could very well hold the position of Grand Secretary for the next ten or even twenty years.

As the young Wanli Emperor said, Zhang Siwei could only ever be the one who "entered the cabinet and followed the Grand Secretary in his work."

As for Wang Chonggu, he was nearing retirement, and if he didn't go to Shanxi, his power would only diminish.

Wang Chonggu thought for a moment, then raised his head.

"You two elders, there's no need to go to such extremes! The Zhang and Wang families have indeed made some mistakes, but they were only the mistakes of some family members. Wouldn't it be enough to just punish them severely?"

At this moment, Wang Chonggu still hoped to severely punish the scapegoats pushed out by the two major families.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said firmly, "Anyone involved in shaking the foundations of the Ming Dynasty will be severely punished, and no one will be spared!"

Wang Chonggu immediately became anxious.

"My two esteemed ministers, Shanxi is to the Ming Dynasty what a belt is to a person; if the belt breaks, the garment falls apart. Now, destroying the Zhang and Wang families is to destroy Shanxi's commerce, destroy the people of Shanxi, and even destroy peace on the border!"

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and questioned, "Shanxi was destroyed, but the court can rebuild it. However, the Ming Dynasty was destroyed. Who will rebuild it?"

At this moment, Wang Chonggu was speechless.

Currently.

Whether the Zhang and Wang families actually harbored rebellious intentions is no longer important. The key is to convince the court that the Zhang and Wang families are very important to the Ming Dynasty and have no intention of rebelling.

"I want to see His Majesty!" Wang Chonggu said after a moment's hesitation.

He hoped to persuade the young Wanli Emperor to grant the court leniency towards the Zhang and Wang families.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng already knew that Wang Chonggu would not compromise.

He nodded and said, "I will give you another chance. You can submit a memorial to His Majesty and wait for His Majesty to summon you. If you cannot persuade His Majesty and do not agree with the choice I have given you, then I will have no choice but to make this memorial public. If there is any chaos in Shanxi at that time, I will make you pay a heavy price!"

Wang Chonggu remained silent, but thought to himself: I bet you won't dare to risk a complete disaster for the sake of the Ming Dynasty!
A moment later, Wang Chonggu left the cabinet office.

Lü Diaoyang looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "I'll go to Feng Pan's house later!"

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

After leaving the cabinet, Wang Chonggu will not meet with Zhang Siwei, but he will definitely tell Zhang Siwei what just happened.

The two are of the same mind and will surely discuss countermeasures.

Therefore, there is no need to hide it from Zhang Siwei anymore.

Next, it's highly likely that this uncle and nephew will go against Zhang Juzheng, perhaps even to the death.

……

Night falls at the Shuntian Prefecture Huitong Hall.

Wang Chonggu leaned back in his chair, squinting. He had already instructed his attendants to inform Zhang Siwei of the matter.

Next.

They will face the biggest predicament yet for the Zhang and Wang families.

"This must be Zhang Juzheng's idea. Zhang Juzheng wants to destroy me and Zhang Siwei. The only chance right now is to gain His Majesty's support. And to gain His Majesty's support, we must make him aware of the harm that destroying the Zhang and Wang families will cause!"

"Shanxi cannot do without the Zhang and Wang families, and the imperial court cannot do without Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei!" Wang Chonggu murmured.

Meanwhile, Lü Diaoyang's attempts to persuade Zhang Siwei were unsuccessful.

Zhang Siwei was determined to climb the social ladder and could not tolerate any flaws in his career or the downfall of his family.

He insisted that Hai Rui was slandering him, completely denying the serious crimes committed by the Zhang family that were punishable by death, and even threatened to impeach Hai Rui for slander.

……

Early the next morning.

Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei's memorials of defense were then delivered to the young Wanli Emperor.

One person spoke at length about the importance of the Zhang and Wang families to Shanxi and the Ming Dynasty; another complained that Hai Rui was falsely accused and slandered, and hoped that the court would uphold justice for them.

The two men were lying through their teeth, betting that the imperial court would not dare to severely punish them, nor would it dare to severely punish the Zhang and Wang families.

The Ming Dynasty at that time could not withstand the damage caused by the chaos in Shanxi and the border regions.

After reading the memorial, the young Wanli Emperor chose to keep it in the archives without issuing it.

This already shows their attitude.

We are willing to suffer losses on both sides to eradicate this cancer.

Next.

Once the court published Hai Rui's memorial, there would be no chance to salvage the situation.

It all depends on whether the evidence against Hai Rui is strong enough, and how Zhang Siwei and Wang Chonggu try to exonerate themselves.

(End of this chapter)