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

Chapter 118 Call me the Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! (8400)

"Erotic paintings!"

Since arriving in the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Yunxiu had been eating vegetarian food for a long time, but he hadn't seen any erotic paintings presented as tribute for a long time.

He couldn't help but glance at it a few more times before finally looking away, staring at the Wanli Emperor with considerable shock.

"Did His Majesty paint all of these?"

The Wanli Emperor looked smug and examined the "erotic picture" again and again, as if admiring his own masterpiece.

"I have put in a lot of effort to paint this complete version of 'Jin Ping Mei.' The book is well written, but it is not detailed enough. I had to personally take charge of many details to learn how to paint them."

He added with great regret, "Alas, it's a pity that I can only enjoy it in private. I trust you, which is why I'm sharing it with you. Shiyuan, you must never spread this around."

After painstakingly completing a work of art, one naturally needs feedback from the audience, and even the emperor is no exception.

But he still had to maintain his status and consider the emperor's reputation.

Even emperors have their pride!
Zhang Yunxiu's lips twitched slightly, and he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your subject will certainly keep his mouth shut!"

He looked at the book cover again, at the flamboyant words "Yongle Encyclopedia," and for a moment he was speechless.

I wonder what kind of expression Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), the fifth-generation ancestor of Emperor Wanli, would have on his face if he knew that his proud "Yongle Encyclopedia" was being used by his descendants to insert erotic pictures.

Would he pick up a slipper and beat Wanli, that unfilial descendant, to death?

As he looked, another possibility suddenly popped into Zhang Yunxiu's mind, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Emperor Wanli said that he "personally took part" in completing this erotic painting. How exactly did he "personally take part" in this?

The women in these erotic paintings are so lifelike, could it be that he painted them based on women's bodies?

Who else could the Wanli Emperor have access to besides the empress and concubines in the palace?
Subconsciously, Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the erotic picture again, then immediately looked away.

He caught a glimpse of the Wanli Emperor's smug expression out of the corner of his eye, clearly unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

If the Wanli Emperor were to find out this, wouldn't he be in trouble?
Seeing that Zhang Yunxiu did not respond for a long time, Emperor Wanli became somewhat displeased and frowned as he spoke.

"What's wrong? Zhang Shiyuan, you don't seem to like this portrait of me very much?"

Do I dare to like it?
Zhang Yunxiu screamed inwardly, but couldn't help glancing at it again, wishing he could slap himself.

But he still maintained a smile as he spoke.

"Your Majesty misunderstands. I think this portrait is extremely well painted. The figures in it are incredibly lifelike. Your Majesty's painting skills have improved once again!"

The Wanli Emperor looked at him with suspicion: "But you don't seem too keen to look."

Zhang Yunxiu's expression froze, and he said helplessly.

"Your Majesty, I am still young, only fourteen years old. How could I possibly be qualified?"

Emperor Wanli was taken aback for a moment, and immediately realized the problem.

Zhang Yunxiu was so quick-witted and mature that even the emperor forgot he was only a fourteen-year-old boy.

Although it was not uncommon for people to start a family and career at the age of fourteen in ancient times, in the general understanding during the Ming Dynasty, one was considered an adult only after the age of sixteen.

"Hahaha!"

The Wanli Emperor burst into laughter, clutching his stomach and repeatedly saying...

"Oh dear, my mistake, I almost forgot that you are not yet an adult!"

But as he laughed, the emperor looked at Zhang Yunxiu with some suspicion.

"But... you're still a virgin? That doesn't seem right."

People in ancient times matured early. Ordinary families might not have the means, but a young master like Zhang Yunxiu was actually a child.

Zhang Yunxiu blushed and immediately put on a stern face.

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? I am still young, how could I act recklessly? I should preserve my health and strength, otherwise, if I become frivolous in my youth, I will regret it in my old age."

He said earnestly, "To be young and frivolous is to destroy one's foundation; it must not be done!"

The Wanli Emperor looked doubtful: "You've never resolved this on your own?"

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the emperor with utter disdain and spoke with righteous indignation.

"What are you saying, Your Majesty! Since ancient times, the union of Yin and Yang has been a process of balance and harmony between heaven and earth. If one were to frequently and rashly expel these elements, it would lead to a deficiency of kidney Yin, and when Yin is deficient, Yang becomes excessive."

Emperor Wanli was startled and stared wide-eyed as he spoke.

"How could he still have kidney deficiency at this point?"

"It's natural."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded seriously, as if he had never done it before.

But this frightened the emperor, who became quite worried for a moment.

After thinking it over, the emperor rolled up the portrait on the desk and handed it to Zhang Yunxiu.

"In that case, I will bestow this holographic image upon you. Go back and study it carefully."

Zhang Yunxiu was startled. Good heavens, the emperor himself doesn't plan to use it anymore, so he's handing it over to me?
He quickly waved his hand and said.

"Your Majesty, I have no need for this."

"Hmm?" Emperor Wanli seemed to have made up his mind, and frowned as he spoke.

"You must accept what I say; otherwise, you will be harming me!"

What the hell!

Zhang Yunxiu had a curse in his heart, but he didn't know whether he should say it or not. He regretted mentioning "kidney deficiency" because he felt like he had shot himself in the foot.
He would have been fine with erotic pictures given by other people, but he would never dare to accept a picture from the emperor.

In desperation, Zhang Yunxiu had no choice but to bring in his father to save the day.

His mouth twisted, he raised his hand to cover his eyes, and immediately burst into tears.

"Your Majesty, it is not that I am disobeying your decree, but my father is currently lying on his sickbed, his life hanging by a thread. He has worked tirelessly day and night for the country and the family, and I heard that he vomited blood yesterday. I simply have no mind to think about these things."

These words immediately silenced the Wanli Emperor. Upon hearing that Zhang Juzheng had vomited blood, he couldn't help but feel anxious and asked, "What is it?"

"How is Mr. Yuanfu doing?"

He still had some connection with Zhang Juzheng.

"I have been busy with matters at the medical clinic lately and have not yet been able to go back to visit him," Zhang Yunxiu said, sounding quite aggrieved.

Seeing this, Emperor Wanli felt somewhat embarrassed, put away the scroll, and couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

"Your Zhang family is truly a family of loyal martyrs!" He used to have some resentment towards Zhang Juzheng, but true friendship is revealed in times of trouble. Emperor Wanli now realized that compared to the purists in the court who spouted benevolence and morality, Zhang Juzheng and his sons were actually very loyal ministers.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunxiu cried even harder, saying between sobs.

"The Zhang family enjoys His Majesty's favor, and naturally must serve His Majesty with utmost devotion, even unto death."

"I"

Emperor Wanli was also somewhat saddened for a moment.

He still had some affection for Zhang Juzheng after all, and thinking about it, he felt extremely guilty towards Zhang Yunxiu.

Why don't we reward him with something?
Zhang Shiyuan has recently made several meritorious contributions, and if the emperor doesn't reward him with something, it would really make him seem stingy.

A monarch must use both kindness and severity! This is how it is written in "The Cases of Judge Dee of the Tang Dynasty".

Thinking of this, Emperor Wanli immediately made the decision.

"Your Zhang family has served the country loyally, and I will certainly treat loyal subjects well. Shiyuan, don't be sad. I will appoint you as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, this humble subject," Zhang Yunxiu said, wiping away tears, though he couldn't stop sobbing.

"Hey~"

When Emperor Wanli thought of Zhang Juzheng, who was seriously ill, the images of his days and nights with the Grand Secretary Zhang came to mind, and his eyes even reddened.

He sighed and said.

"Alright then, you can go back and take care of the Grand Secretary. I will give you the position of Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Once this matter is resolved, I will bestow upon you the title of Grand Tutor, and you will also receive other rewards. What do you think?"

In reality, it wasn't that Emperor Wanli didn't want to bestow a title; it was simply because Zhang Yunxiu was too old. Otherwise, he would have already granted him the title of Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Now, the emperor felt increasingly indebted to Zhang Yunxiu, and since he needed him to investigate the case, he was no longer afraid of any criticism from his ministers. So he decided to promote Zhang Yunxiu to this position.

As for Zhang Juzheng's position as Grand Tutor, to be honest, Emperor Wanli had already made up his mind about it.

"The Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhang Yunxiu was startled, and though she was still sobbing, she instinctively asked.

"That's a third-rank official position!"

He only served as a student of the Imperial Academy for two months, and then he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Magistrate of the Third Rank? Doesn't this completely solidify his reputation as a treacherous minister?
It should be noted that Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth brother, was only a fourth-rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

As soon as I became an official, I became my brother's superior.
"So what if I'm a third-rank official?" Emperor Wanli said with a smile.

"With your patronage and achievements, it is more than enough. Besides, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor's personal guard. Do you think I can't make a decision? Do the Qingliu faction dare to utter a single word of dissent?"

He imitated Wu Zetian from the storybook, putting his hands behind his back and speaking with an air of righteous indignation.

"Shiyuan is my trusted minister. Without you and your group of upright officials, who knows how arrogant and domineering you would be! In governing the country, you are a hundred times better than those who seek fame and fortune. In my opinion, it is only right and proper for you to be promoted to Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet!"

When they returned to the Zhang residence, the tears on Zhang Yunxiu's face were still wet.

Only after he stepped into his home did he truly relax.

It is truly like serving a tiger; a careless move by the Wanli Emperor almost caused Zhang Yunxiu a great deal of trouble.

If that picture were actually taken, wouldn't that be tantamount to cuckolding the emperor?

It may be fine now, but it would be very awkward if Emperor Wanli realized this in the future.

At that time, Zhang Yunxiu would have no choice but to go to Southeast Asia and start anew overseas, which was obviously not as quick as developing his business in the Ming Dynasty.

However, other reasons cannot be ruled out; Emperor Wanli simply had this particular predilection.
Of course, the most crucial thing was obtaining the official position of Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard is now controlled by the Eastern Depot, the most crucial element is the group of people under its command.

With the assistance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhang Yunxiu's actions would naturally be twice as effective.

Unlike Lu Bing of the Jiajing era, Liu Shouyou, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was not a powerful commander who held great authority. He was a law-abiding and obedient commander.

With myself and my fourth brother Zhang Jianxiu as the two of us, one a deputy prefect and the other a vice commissioner, wouldn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard be their domain from now on?

However, I wonder how the older brother will react when he finds out that his former younger brother has become his boss.
With his mind wandering, Zhang Yunxiu decided to head towards the study in the backyard.

After the last conversation with Zhang Juzheng, my father's condition not only did not improve, but worsened.

Zhang Yunxiu knew that, apart from himself, no one in the family could persuade Zhang Juzheng, who was so stubborn.

For the sake of the Zhang family's future, he had to come today and properly punish his father, who was reluctant to seek medical help!

But after entering the house, before he had taken two steps, he saw someone rushing over recklessly.

"Fifth brother! We've finally been waiting for you to leave the palace! Does His Majesty have any orders?"

Zhang Yunxiu stopped and immediately recognized his fourth brother, Zhang Jianxiu. Remembering that he had just been promoted to Tongzhi, he frowned and coughed.

"Si-cheol! Use your job title when you're at work!"

Zhang Jianxiu was stunned for a moment, not knowing what his younger brother was talking about, and said with a puzzled look on his face.

"What job? What position? Fifth brother, what are you talking about?"

Zhang Yunxiu suddenly straightened his back, his face serious: "Call me Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Zhang Jianxiu was completely stunned, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Commander-in-Chief? Zhang Yunxiu? He couldn't possibly connect these two things.

Zhang Yunxiu was only fourteen years old, while the Commander-in-Chief was a third-rank official!
Even Zhang Jianxiu's position as a commander was only granted after he came of age at sixteen, thanks to the favor of Zhang Juzheng.

I guess Zhang Yunxiu is going to lie to me again.

Zhang Jianxiu was a little angry, and he said indignantly.

"Fifth brother, you think you can fool me with such tricks?"

"Fourth Brother, do you not believe me?"

Zhang Yunxiu deliberately dragged out his words, wanting to tease Zhang Jianxiu.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps were heard from inside the mansion, and in the distance, the steward You Qi could be seen running towards them, stumbling and staggering.

Zhang Yunxiu had a bad feeling and frowned, saying, "Uncle You, what's the matter that you're so panicked?"

You Qi was panting heavily, and his words were incoherent and he spoke intermittently.

"Young Master, Young Master, you're finally back! Quickly go and see the Master, he's about to die!"

　Thank you so much to reader "DD头子a" for the 500 Qidian Coins reward!
　　I slept for a while and it got a little late.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)