I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 230 The Mastermind! The Ming Dynasty can do without Zhang Juzheng, but it cannot do without the law (Seeking monthly votes)

November 20th, the eighth day after Gao Gong's "Last Words on His Sickbed" went viral in the capital.

In the streets of the capital, people were discussing the matter extensively.

Scholars and literati in Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing and other places expressed their opinions through local tabloids, and these opinions even reached the capital.

Some people strongly supported Gao Gong, believing that the court should immediately suspend Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao from their posts and order the three judicial departments to thoroughly investigate the matter and give the people an explanation.

Some criticized Gao Gong, arguing that his will overemphasized his personal achievements and portrayed him as a loyal and capable minister, when in fact it was all self-justification and a distortion of the facts.

Some people strongly support Zhang Juzheng, believing that Gao Gong's expulsion was entirely his own fault, and that Zhang Juzheng's contributions to the Ming Dynasty far exceeded those of Gao Gong.

Some people criticize Zhang Juzheng, taking articles from a few years ago that criticized Zhang Juzheng for his autocratic rule, making slight modifications, and then they can gain the resonance and promotion of many "like-minded people".

……

Before the imperial court could find out who was behind printing "Last Words on My Deathbed," the people were already in an uproar, and more than ten fights had broken out in teahouses and restaurants in the capital because of it.

When it comes to Zhang Juzheng, even the smallest matter becomes a big deal.

However, the vast majority of people do not speak out for the sake of truth and justice, but are driven by self-interest.

With Zhang Juzheng's downfall, a large number of his "Zhang faction" members will fall, giving other unsuccessful officials the opportunity to be promoted and take power.

Recently, Zhang Siwei, the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, even secretly sold a batch of valuable calligraphy and paintings from his family collection in order to bribe some tabloid workshops to print in large quantities "Last Words from His Sickbed" and articles by scholars criticizing Zhang Juzheng.

Other enemies of Zhang Juzheng, as well as officials, gentry, merchants, and princes who opposed the new policies, all contributed money and effort, using various methods to attack Zhang Juzheng.

For a while.

The impact of this matter is growing, and some local provincial officials have also submitted memorials to report the situation and express their opinions.

but.

Feng Bao, who was most likely to forge the imperial edict and manipulate the palace guards to infiltrate the palace, was rarely criticized.

On the one hand, Feng Bao represents imperial power, so criticizing him is not profitable; on the other hand, the Imperial Guards are ruthless and have various means to make troublemakers disappear instantly.

……

Near noon.

While recuperating at home, Zhang Juzheng, under pressure from public opinion, submitted a memorial to the court refuting Gao Gong's "Last Words on His Sickbed" and requesting to resign and return to his hometown.

Zhang Juzheng stated in his memorial to the throne—

First of all, the claim of usurping power by forging an imperial edict is pure fabrication. The edict was dictated by the late emperor and read by Empress Dowager Li and the young Wanli Emperor. He and Feng Bao had no opportunity to tamper with it, let alone could have done so. The Veritable Records of the late emperor clearly state this. Gao Gong's last words are purely conjecture and fabrication.

Secondly, the case of Wang Dachen breaking into the palace was jointly tried by the three judicial departments, and all the procedures were documented in the case files, which the court could review, rather than listening to Gao Gong's one-sided account.

Then, regarding the matter of accepting bribes, he admitted that he had received some tonics from border generals due to his poor health, but it was just normal social interaction. He returned the gifts, which were of almost equal value. Moreover, he never promoted anyone because of personal relationships. For this reason, Zhang Juzheng even listed Qi Jiguang's military achievements.

Later, regarding the accusation that he was using the name of the new policies to exercise autocracy, he directly presented a chart showing the growth of the treasury's revenue since he became the Grand Secretary.

Finally, Zhang Juzheng stated that in recent years, he had neglected his filial duties, lost his reputation, and ruined his health due to the new policies of the court. He was exhausted both physically and mentally, and his health was also failing. He said that after the court had investigated the matter, if he was guilty, he could be punished; if he was innocent, he would like to resign and return home to retire.

Upon seeing this memorial, Emperor Wanli's eyes filled with tears. He immediately replied to Zhang Juzheng with a handwritten edict, expressing his belief in Zhang Juzheng and promising to give him justice. He then spoke of Zhang Juzheng's achievements in the new policies and hoped that he could continue to assist in the government for another ten years.

at the same time.

Empress Dowager Li, who had not been involved in the affairs of the previous dynasty for a long time, also issued an imperial edict, praising Zhang Juzheng's merits in assisting the government and saying that Gao Gong's slander was completely unfounded. She also stated that the current court and the young Wanli Emperor could not do without Zhang Juzheng.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor issued an edict at the same time, praising Zhang Juzheng's achievements and hoping that he would continue to assist in governing. This undoubtedly silenced some fence-sitters.

Afterwards, the young Wanli Emperor sent an imperial physician to visit Zhang Juzheng and inquire about his condition.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

After learning that Zhang Juzheng's health had improved, the young Wanli Emperor issued an edict ordering Zhang Juzheng to immediately return to the cabinet to handle state affairs, without needing to avoid suspicion at home. If Zhang Juzheng did not return, the young Wanli Emperor would personally go to Zhang's residence to invite him.

For a subject, this is an immense trust and honor.

Zhang Juzheng was deeply moved and then replied to the young Wanli Emperor with a heartfelt message.

"Over the years, I have made many enemies throughout the land! These treacherous and wicked people have openly plotted against me, never forgetting me for a single day! I have already forgotten my family and sacrificed myself for my country, caring nothing for anything else! Even if traps are laid before me and arrows are aimed at me, I will not be afraid!"

To put it bluntly—

Over the years, Zhang Juzheng had made many enemies among the people. Some treacherous individuals openly ostracized him and secretly framed him, plotting against him every day. But Zhang Juzheng sacrificed his family for the country. Even if he was surrounded by traps and countless arrows were aimed at him, he would never be afraid!
This is Zhang Juzheng's statement: What doesn't defeat him will only make him stronger.

At noon that day, Zhang Juzheng returned to the cabinet to work under immense pressure, and the young Wanli Emperor also had Zhang Juzheng's words spread.

……

at this time.

Gao Gong's wife, Zhang, and Gao Gong's adopted son, Gao Wuguan, were detained in the imperial prison in the capital.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard found the original copy of Gao Gong's "Last Words on His Sickbed," which was almost identical to the version circulating in the capital.

This proves that the "Last Words on My Sickbed" was indeed written by Gao Gong.

Gao Gong had no children.

Gao Wuguan is his stepson, who has just turned twenty-five this year. He has not yet entered officialdom and is an honest and simple man.

According to his confession, after Gao Gong returned to his hometown, he stayed at home writing books, and neither he nor Zhang knew of the existence of "Last Words on His Sickbed".

Before his death, Gao Gong instructed Gao Wuguan to compile his collected works and print them into a book after his death. However, Gao Gong was busy with the funeral arrangements and planned to compile them after the funeral.

During the mourning period, a middle-aged man of about fifty years old with refined manners came to the Gao family late at night, claiming to be an old friend of Gao Gong, and hoping to stay in the Gao family's study for the night to read the old man's articles.

Gao Wuguan, seeing that he spoke with great refinement and must be of very high status, immediately allowed him to stay in the study.

Then the next morning, the person disappeared.

Later, when Gao Wuguan was tidying up Gao Gong's study, he saw "Last Words from His Sickbed".

After reading its contents, he was horrified and immediately hid the manuscript, not daring to proofread or print it.

As for Gao Gong's wife, Zhang, she was completely unaware of his "Last Words on His Deathbed." She kept crying and was still hoping that the court would hold a memorial service for Gao Gong!

This middle-aged man is very likely the mastermind behind it all.

However, the Gao family connection had been severed, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard could only pin their hopes on finding a breakthrough through the printers of those private academies.

While the Imperial Guards were busy investigating the mastermind behind printing and promoting "Last Words from the Sickbed,"

The mastermind behind it all suddenly revealed himself.

This man, accompanied by twelve scholars aged seventeen or eighteen, arrived at the most crowded place outside Zhengyang Gate. He claimed that he was the one who printed the "Last Words on My Deathbed," and that he had also arranged for academies in various places to print the book and distribute it extensively in Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, and other places, intending to let the people of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty know about these last words.

He claimed that he was doing it for the sake of justice.

He shouted: The Ming Dynasty can do without Zhang Juzheng, but it cannot do without justice!
This man's words were extremely persuasive, and soon he attracted a large audience. When he revealed his identity, the scholars and literati who were watching bowed and shouted "Master!"

This middle-aged man was none other than Wang Shizhen, Zhang Juzheng's contemporary, old acquaintance, former colleague in the court, and now the leading figure in the literary world of the Ming Dynasty.

Wang Shizhen was a well-known figure in the anti-Zhang faction.

He was once famous for opposing Yan Song, and later became famous for his writing. He was Confucian and led a literary revival movement. He once served as the Right Provincial Governor of Guangxi, a second-rank official.

Given his abilities, if he had made a little more effort and had a better relationship with Zhang Juzheng, he might have already entered the cabinet.

However, he believed that Zhang Juzheng wielded too much power and was not suitable for governing the country. He repeatedly criticized Zhang Juzheng, citing local earthquakes and events in Zhang Juzheng's hometown.

In addition, Wang Shizhen often failed to achieve good political results, his heart was in nature and poetry rather than politics, and he liked to make remarks criticizing the court, which led to his being impeached by officials on multiple occasions.

He is currently suspended from his duties and awaiting further instructions.

Although he currently holds no official position, he is the leading figure in the literary world of the Ming Dynasty and has a very strong appeal.

His relationship with Gao Gong was not good. The reason he went to pay homage to Gao Gong was that his current ambition was to compile history. He wanted to see Gao Gong's articles, and then he accidentally saw "Last Words on His Sickbed". Then he planned this scheme to overthrow Zhang.

After recording the contents of his "Last Words on His Sickbed" at the Gao family home in Xinzheng, he did not rush to disclose it. Instead, he waited until Zhang Juzheng returned from his early mourning period, then printed it out and circulated it in Suzhou and Hangzhou before sending it to the capital.

The intention was to use public opinion to force Zhang Juzheng to step down.

Wang Shizhen had a very strong appeal, with acquaintances throughout the court and the public, and his personal influence was enormous.

He led twelve young students to Beijing, determined to ruin Zhang Juzheng's reputation, even at the cost of his own life.

His approach of leading young people was very clever.

If the court were to kill him and his students, it would almost certainly confirm the authenticity of Gao Gong's dying words, and Zhang Juzheng would be infamous for eternity.

Wang Shizhen did not believe that he was settling a personal score.

He believed he was eliminating treacherous officials, seeking justice, and restoring normal order to the Ming Dynasty court.

soon.

When the Imperial Guards arrived, they arrested Wang Shizhen and his twelve students and imprisoned them in the Imperial Prison.

However, Wang Shizhen's actions quickly spread throughout the capital, and countless scholars greatly admired them.

To risk one's life to report to the Grand Secretary—this kind of scholarly heroism is admired by countless scholars and intellectuals.

Many people believe that Wang Shizhen was doing something that would go down in history.

Some scholars even took to the streets and shouted like Wang Shizhen: "The Ming Dynasty can do without Zhang Juzheng, but it cannot do without justice!"
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Juzheng was once again in the eye of the storm.

……

Inside the Wenhua Hall.

When the young Wanli Emperor learned that the mastermind behind it all was Wang Shizhen, the leading figure in the Ming Dynasty's literary world, he was so angry that he wanted to overturn the table.

Whether Gao Gong's words are true or false is a matter of whether to believe them or doubt them.

The court's final judgments cannot be overturned, such as: Was the imperial edict forged? Were the ministers instructed by Feng Bao? And did Zhang Juzheng actually embezzle funds?
The young Wanli Emperor was considering the overall gains and losses.

Regardless of whether Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao were at fault, they must be investigated and found innocent.

Because the current outer court cannot do without Zhang Juzheng, and the inner court cannot do without Feng Bao.

Now, public opinion is raging both in and out of government.

If the mastermind behind it all was an ordinary person, the court could first convict them of "plotting rebellion, disrupting the court, and spreading rumors." Then, the young Wanli Emperor could order a reinvestigation of the events of that year, and Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao could be exonerated quickly. Such an investigation result would at least convince most people, and with some effort, it could at least end in a respectable manner.

However, Wang Shizhen was a leader in the literary world and also held considerable prestige in officialdom.

He has now stirred up a storm of discussion in both capitals and thirteen provinces. Unless Gao Gong is resurrected and claims he was talking nonsense, or Wang Shizhen is willing to bow down and accept the court's investigation results, there is no way to resolve this matter.

Otherwise, even if the court's investigation results come out, many scholars will still be skeptical.

They believed that a leading figure in the Ming Dynasty's literary world would risk his life to spread this story, so he must not be lying.

Emperor Wanli could not possibly search Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao's homes and bring Qi Jiguang back to the capital for interrogation over this matter.

Some things may seem insignificant on the scale, but can weigh a ton even on a scale.

Even the descendants of sages are greedy for money, let alone the many scholars.

Zhang Juzheng was not a saint and certainly had his flaws, but at this moment he absolutely could not be defeated by these people.

Emperor Wanli thought for a moment and looked at Shi Qing, who had come to report the news.

"Shi Qing, have Wang Shizhen read through all of the records of the late emperor compiled by the Hanlin Academy History Office, the case files of the Wang minister's palace intrusion, and the memorial written by the Grand Secretary. At this moment, the only way to quell this chaos is to make him bow his head, accept the court's decision, and write a confession!"

"Yes!" Shi Qing bowed deeply.

Emperor Wanli paused for a moment, then said, "Tell Cao Wei and Lü Hai that they must not torture anyone involved in this matter. If they do, those scholars will probably curse even more fiercely. These people have very foul mouths. I should have agreed to the Grand Secretary's decision to ban all academies in the country!"

Emperor Wanli was furious.

He's now at a loss as to how to resolve this situation.

The young Wanli Emperor then looked at Feng Bao.

"Daban, neither you nor Yuanfu should go to the imperial prison or see Wang Shizhen. If you do, this matter will only become more complicated."

"This old servant obeys!" Feng Bao bowed.

If the young Wanli Emperor hadn't said this, he would have gone to the imperial prison, first scolded Wang Shizhen, and then had his godson Lü Hai give Wang Shizhen a good beating.

After thinking it over carefully for a moment, the young Wanli Emperor looked at the eunuch beside him and said, "Summon Grand Secretary Shen!"

Emperor Wanli planned to send Shen Shixing to the imperial prison to negotiate with Wang Shizhen, to gauge the other party's opinion, and then to consider how to get him to compromise.

The reason why Shen Shixing was the first choice was.

This is because people who act during the Shen hour (3-5 PM) are easygoing and never speak with aggression.

The reason for not choosing Yin Zhengmao and Shen Nian was that the two had too good a relationship with Zhang Juzheng. If they got into a heated argument, Yin Zhengmao might dare to draw his knife and attack someone, thus escalating the conflict.

As for Shen Nian, ever since Shen Nian killed someone with a dagger in Qufu, all the officials in the court felt that Shen Nian had been corrupted by Yin Zhengmao.

When Shen Nian gets anxious, she can also resort to various forms of violence.

"If it is difficult to make him compromise, I will have him beaten to death and all his books with Gao Gong will be confiscated. Disobedient ministers should be beaten to death. What my grandfather had the courage to do, I dare to do too!" the young Wanli murmured.

……

At this moment, Shen Nian also realized that Wang Shizhen was the mastermind behind it all.

He only had one feeling: a headache.

In his eyes, Wang Shizhen was a typical example of someone who had a small sense of justice but no sense of righteousness. He was willing to let the Ming Dynasty decline and let this bloodbath happen, but he was determined to bring down Zhang Juzheng and ruin his reputation.

"Sigh, wouldn't it be better to prosper together? Why insist on internal strife? If this matter cannot be resolved, the Ming Dynasty will probably decline again. This time, how can I... turn the tide?" Shen Nian sighed deeply, feeling utterly exhausted.

(End of this chapter)