Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 108 Wanli Abandoned His Duties!

After listening briefly to his elder brother Zhang Jingxiu's description, Zhang Yunxiu's first reaction was...

"Have these people gone mad with greed and loss?"

He said, his brows furrowed tightly.

"What good does it do them to drive the emperor to such a dead end?"

An emperor is an emperor after all. When the emperor is angry, millions will die. If you really push Emperor Wanli to the limit, he can risk his reputation and cut down these people in droves.

Zhang Jingxiu sighed and said, "Perhaps they want to emulate the old story of Yang Tinghe and others forcing the emperor to abdicate during the reign of Emperor Shizong, and they just want to make the emperor compromise."

They figured the memorial was just a bluff, and they were just waiting for the emperor to relent. Whether he elected Zhang Siwei as Grand Secretary or temporarily suspended the new policies, it would be to their advantage.

"What are they relying on?" Zhang Yunxiu asked, squinting his eyes.

"It's nothing more than Father's serious illness."

Zhang Jingxiu sighed and continued.

"In the past half month, scholars have been causing trouble in various places in both North and South Zhili, and some have even gone so far as to 'cry at the temple.' Ordinary people have also been incited by them, and the public sentiment is surging. Moreover, gentry and powerful figures from various places have offered their support. How could they not have the courage?"

As a principal officer in the Ministry of Rites, even when processing data in the medical clinic, he still had to go to the ministry's office to perform his duties, so he was naturally very knowledgeable about these matters.

The emperor, wielding the supreme power of the realm, was a man of absolute authority.

However, even so, given the limited information dissemination in ancient times, the problem of "imperial power not reaching the countryside" could not be solved.

This is why people often say that "the emperor and the scholar-officials jointly govern the country." In the traditional view of the ancients, without these local gentry, how could the emperor govern the local areas?

Even county magistrates sent by the imperial court to local areas still needed to pay their respects to the local officials, let alone the emperor in the capital.

If an emperor loses the hearts of the scholar-officials, he loses the hearts of the people. How can he then govern the country?

The founding emperor may have had a group of nobles supporting him, but by the Wanli era, neither nobles nor military generals were a match for the civil service group.

This is what people like Zhang Siwei and Xu Xuemo rely on.

Zhang Yunxiu said somewhat speechlessly, "These people are taking advantage of the emperor's temperament, thinking he wouldn't dare to overturn the table. They're trying to intimidate the emperor and gain personal benefits from it!"

The Wanli Emperor was unlike his grandfather, the Jiajing Emperor. The Jiajing Emperor, who was born into a princely family and inherited the throne, was able to manipulate his ministers at the young age of fifteen, making him a born political genius.

But the Wanli Emperor was clearly completely different.

Even though he received a traditional royal education, after the death of Emperor Longqing, he was burdened by three great mountains from a young age, and was taught by Zhang Juzheng to become a wise and benevolent ruler who "accepts advice readily".

As he was taught, the Wanli Emperor's temperament became increasingly skewed.

On the one hand, he aspired to become a wise ruler, but on the other hand, he disliked the tedium of handling political affairs.

On the one hand, he wanted to turn the tide, but on the other hand, he was indecisive and lacked the courage to break with the old and establish the new.

If he had truly been determined to fight against the ministers who opposed him to the end, history would not have shown him hiding in the deep palace for decades, ignoring state affairs.

Zhang Jingxiu sighed and continued, "Xu Xuemo also brought a lot of reports from Beizhili, saying that people in various places have suffered heavy casualties due to the plague, and there have been many disturbances even in the capital. It must be due to your misdeeds!"

Whether ten thousand or a thousand people die, it's still death. As for the merits and demerits, right and wrong, the upright officials can use all sorts of rhetoric to distort the truth.

Zhang Yunxiu was not a true deity, and given that plague prevention and control measures were difficult to extend to all parts of Beizhili, a high death toll was inevitable.

But this became the reason for the upright officials to attack him.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but feel angry: "Damn it! I went through all the trouble of saving people in the capital, and they actually stabbed me in the back!"

Seeing his younger brother in such a state, Zhang Jingxiu was startled, fearing that he would act impulsively again, and quickly waved his hand and said.

"Fifth Brother, you must not act rashly. They have planned this for a long time. We need to think this over carefully."

Zhang Yunxiu took a deep breath and continued to ask.

What was His Majesty's reaction?

Zhang Jingxiu seemed somewhat helpless.

"His Majesty was furious. He said whatever he wanted, 'Let them make a scene, let them turn the world upside down, I don't care anymore, they are all traitors.' Then he retreated back to the inner palace."

Zhang Yunxiu looked as if he hadn't expected it. That was just the emperor's nature; in his eyes, escapism was the only solution to problems.

Zhang Jingxiu added, "His Majesty seems very downcast, as if he has made up his mind to no longer concern himself with state affairs, and even Empress Dowager Li's attempts to dissuade him have been to no avail."

"Fuck!"

Zhang Yunxiu was startled; he hadn't expected the emperor to actually abandon his post!
For a moment, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Zhu Yijun can't just abandon his post!

If you want to abandon your responsibilities, don't wait for me. After spreading my ideas and developing the Industrial Revolution, I'll bring the bourgeoisie to the Ming Dynasty, establish a proper parliament, transition from feudalism to capitalism, and finally achieve an even higher level of development.
These things need to be sustained by the Wanli Emperor for a while, right? Then you can finally focus on being a master painter. Isn't that better?
Now that you, Zhu Yijun, have abandoned your post, where am I supposed to find such a "good" emperor?

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu's anxiety, his elder brother Zhang Jingxiu became even more pessimistic and continued speaking.

"Father's condition is getting worse and worse. No matter what my third brother does, he can't persuade him to take medicine. He's taken some garlic extract, but he doesn't use any ointment. Plus, he's been reviewing memorials all day long, and he's already bedridden."

Zhang Yunxiu frowned and said, "Didn't I suggest that he clean the patient's area?"

“Such a shameful thing, even my concubines and father won’t let me serve him.” Zhang Jingxiu’s expression was a little strange.

Zhang Yunxiu was quite helpless, but finally took a deep breath and said.

"Brother, don't worry, things haven't gotten to the worst yet."

Zhang Jingxiu looked at his younger brother with a puzzled expression.

Is this not the worst possible situation?
Zhang Yunxiu scrutinized his elder brother for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, has the Ministry of Rites done a lot this past month?"

This sudden remark caught Zhang Jingxiu off guard, and he frowned as he spoke.

"There are some sacrificial rites and prayers, but why are you asking about that?"

"How much silver did it cost?"

"It's about ten thousand taels. Whenever there's a major disaster, the imperial court uses this to stabilize the people's hearts."

"Stabilize public morale?" Zhang Yunxiu scoffed. "I've heard that the sacrificial ceremony and prayer caused quite a bit of trouble."

Zhang Jingxiu, the head of the Ministry of Rites, became somewhat angry at the mention of causing trouble.

"Perhaps it was the work of those White Lotus cult bandits. These people are hiding among the people, spreading all sorts of rumors every day, and even disrupting sacrificial rites and prayers. Their crimes are too numerous to count. Unfortunately, they are hiding everywhere and are very difficult to capture. Aren't the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Five Cities Garrison currently issuing warrants for their arrest?"

Zhang Yunxiu stared intently at the other person: "Brother, do you really think you can succeed with just the White Lotus Sect?"

"what?"

Zhang Jingxiu was caught off guard by the question. He frowned deeply, racking his brains to recall what he had asked before finally widening his eyes and answering.

Fifth Brother, do you mean this is possible?

But Zhang Yunxiu shook his head: "Don't talk nonsense. Minister Xu has always been honest and upright in his administration of the Ministry of Rites. Colluding with White Lotus rebels is a capital offense!"

You keep saying you shouldn't talk nonsense, but you clearly named names.
Zhang Jingxiu's expression was momentarily speechless, but upon closer reflection, the hairs on his body stood on end.

If what is said in the conversation is true, then it is terrifying.

After a while, Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice.

"Big brother, do you believe me?"

"Ah! Ah?" Zhang Jingxiu was startled and took a step back, suddenly having a bad feeling.

Zhang Yunxiu spoke in an unquestionable tone.

"Then from now on, you'll all follow my instructions!"

Forbidden City.

If Zhang Yunxiu wants to enter the palace now, it won't be so troublesome, as almost everyone inside and outside the palace knows him.

He told the guards outside, and soon a thin eunuch came running over.

Upon seeing the visitor, Zhang Yunxiu smiled and teased, "Eunuch Zhang, you seem to have looked rather haggard lately?"

Upon seeing the other person, Zhang Cheng's expression became even more bitter, and he sighed repeatedly.

"Young Master Zhang, please stop teasing me. His Majesty is in the Qianqing Palace today and will not see anyone else, but he will only grant me a meeting upon hearing of your arrival. You must take heed."

On the way to Qianqing Palace, Zhang Yunxiu noticed that all the eunuchs and palace maids looked serious and tense, clearly indicating that the events of yesterday's court were still unfolding.

He couldn't help but ask Zhang Cheng, "His Majesty hasn't seen anyone these past two days?"

Zhang Cheng said with a bitter face, "It's not that I don't see people; I still see the concubines and empresses in the palace, but I don't see the Empress."

The Empress Dowager also came to see His Majesty, and His Majesty naturally met with her, but they…

Zhang Cheng naturally couldn't reveal the conversation between Empress Dowager Li and the Emperor to outsiders.

Zhang Yunxiu added, "I suppose His Majesty didn't even listen to the Empress Dowager's words."

He could already imagine the Wanli Emperor's disheartened state after suffering a "huge blow" from his ministers.

Previously, Zhang Juzheng was still in the court, which helped him draw some attention to the emperor; now, all the criticism is directed at him.

Zhang Cheng remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Before long, we arrived at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Cheng cupped his hands and said, "His Majesty is in the East Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace. Young Master Zhang, please go in by yourself. It is not appropriate for us to go in."

He subconsciously touched his arm, clearly having inadvertently provoked the enraged Wanli Emperor.

"Just wait outside, Eunuch Zhang."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and walked straight into the Qianqing Palace alone.

As you approach the main hall, you can see scattered debris throughout the hall, suggesting that Emperor Wanli had been in a fit of rage.

This wasn't Zhang Yunxiu's first visit. He arrived at the entrance of the East Warm Pavilion with practiced ease, paused for a moment, and then announced loudly from outside.

"Your subject Zhang Shiyuan greets Your Majesty!"

A silence fell over the East Warm Pavilion, and after a long while, a slightly hoarse voice finally rang out.

"Zhang Shiyuan? Are you here to pressure me too?"

This ambiguous remark made Zhang Yunxiu frown.

The emperor already knew that she had entered the palace, so why ask such a question?
He respectfully cupped his hands outside the door and spoke earnestly.

"I have not come to force Your Majesty. No one in the world can force Your Majesty. I just thought that Your Majesty was troubled, so I came to find Your Majesty to relieve your worries and boredom."

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, the Wanli Emperor remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh.

"You come in."

(End of this chapter)