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

Chapter 120 Old Deng! Are you still going to remain stubbornly ignorant?

After these words, Zhang Juzheng sounded like a staunch and upright official giving advice in the imperial court.

All that's missing is reciting Yu Qian's poem "Ode to Limestone".

Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes, quietly watching his hysterical father, seemingly understanding the change in him.

At first, he didn't understand. Zhang Juzheng was clearly a pragmatic, decisive, quick-witted, and meticulous person in the court.

The implementation of the performance evaluation system and the strict review of the administration of the Six Ministries and other departments were carried out with swift and decisive action. Which official dared to delay or shirk responsibility?

When employing people like Qi Jiguang and Li Chengliang, they still possessed keen insight.

The decision to adopt the "epidemic prevention and control plan" and the endorsement of the "chart method" can be considered as following good advice.

Yet this very same Zhang Yunxiu, a renowned minister whom later generations admired greatly when they looked back on history, would lose his composure so easily when faced with a mere "hemorrhoid".
After several encounters, he seemed like a pitiful old man with no one to rely on.

Now Zhang Yunxiu understood a little. Even someone like Zhang Juzheng would grow old, and when people get old, they are more likely to become confused and stubborn.

But now, Zhang Yunxiu seems to have realized that even someone like Zhang Juzheng has his vulnerabilities. He was tormented by hemorrhoids, unable to eat or sleep, and even ashamed to mention it in front of his sons.

However, the others in the room became somewhat anxious upon hearing Zhang Juzheng's words.

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu finally lost his confidence and softened his tone as he spoke.

"Father, your health can't continue like this. Your sons wouldn't harm you. There are still some successful cases in our clinic, and the success rate should be quite high."

Third Brother Zhang Maoxiu quickly said, "Father, please don't get agitated; you'll harm your health."

He was terrified that the other person would get so angry that they would die.

You Qi said with great hesitation, "Master, the young masters are all doing this for your own good, so please..."

Zhang Juzheng ignored all their advice and turned his attention to Zhang Yunxiu.

A smile, which hadn't appeared on his face in a long time, finally appeared.

"You all should stop talking. I used to worry that after I left, the Zhang family would have no one to rely on. With my death, the family's power would be gone."

Now Shiyuan has shown his talent, and his insight, courage, and strategy are the most outstanding among you brothers.

With Shiyuan here, I can rest assured about matters of the court and the household."

These words were clearly addressed to the three brothers, but the more they listened, the more uneasy they felt.

This sounds a bit like entrusting an orphan to someone, doesn't it?
A more treasonous statement would be: "Looking at my son Zhang Shiyuan, since he began his studies, he has shown remarkable intelligence, a gentle yet decisive nature, and possesses both virtue and talent. He is also benevolent and kind-hearted. Therefore, I have decided to pass the throne to my fifth son, Zhang Shiyuan, so that he may succeed to the throne."

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu and Third Brother Zhang Maoxiu looked at each other, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes, and for a moment they didn't know what to say.

But You Qi burst into tears and knelt down in front of the bed with a thud.

"Master! You mustn't say such things! You are still in the prime of your life, and this is just a minor ailment. If you were willing to accept treatment, it would surely be cured! Why go to such lengths! Why go to such lengths!"

As You Qi cried, the Zhang brothers, Jianxiu and Maoxiu, also turned their heads away, their eyes reddening.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head repeatedly: "You Qi, I am already exhausted and can no longer endure such pain."

For a moment, the master and servant felt as if they were about to burst into tears.

The study was noisy and filled with the smell of medicine.

He had felt some sympathy just now, but Zhang Juzheng's words made Zhang Yunxiu increasingly irritable.

In the past, before he had shown his talent, Zhang Juzheng worried that the emperor might purge him. But now, it seems that such trouble is indeed gone.

With Zhang Yunxiu leading the way and enjoying the emperor's deep trust, and with the support of a group of "reformists" such as Shen Shixing and Zhang Juzheng's former protégés and officials in the court, the new policies seemed to be able to be implemented smoothly.
Zhang Juzheng was tormented by illness and aged prematurely, and his thinking began to become extreme.

However, Zhang Yunxiu remained sober.

He knew very well that he was far from being ready to take over.

Even if we take a step back and say that this mess is a hot potato to handle, wouldn't it be like taking over a hot potato?
Can any official in the country truly respect Zhang Yunxiu?
Why bother going to the front lines? Wouldn't it be better to teach the imperial physicians a lesson in the clinic from time to time, thus promoting the stable and sustainable development of science and thought in the Ming Dynasty?
Why must we engage in infighting in the imperial court?

Why would I choose a narrow bridge when there's a wide, smooth road ahead?

Thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu became somewhat indignant. The emperor wanted to quit, and you, Zhang Juzheng, also wanted to quit? No way!

This is the Ming Dynasty, with its two capitals and thirteen provinces! If you, Zhang Juzheng, don't take responsibility, how can I, Zhang Yunxiu, be content to be a minor Grand Secretary and cause trouble everywhere?

So he kicked over the shelf next to him and shouted angrily, "Enough!!!"

A roar echoed throughout the study, silencing You Qi's sobs.

The third brother, Zhang Maoxiu, looked at his younger brother with some surprise, as if afraid that he would anger Zhang Juzheng again, and quickly comforted him.

"Shiyuan, don't be impulsive. Father, let's take it slowly and plan gradually. There's always a way."

If this drags on any longer, Zhang Juzheng will be utterly ruined and die!
Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the people in the hall and immediately found them an eyesore. He spoke in an undeniable tone.

"Everyone, please leave. I want to speak with my father alone."

"But..." Third Brother Zhang Maoxiu hesitated.

However, Zhang Juzheng, who was on his sickbed, also spoke up.

"You may all leave now. I'd like to speak with Shiyuan a little longer."

Since Zhang Juzheng had spoken, the three men naturally had no objections and rose to bow and take their leave.

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu looked hesitant, glancing enviously at his younger brother. But after looking at their father lying on the bed, he let out a heavy sigh, patted Zhang Yunxiu on the shoulder, and then went out with Zhang Maoxiu.

Before leaving, the butler, You Qi, turned back with some concern and looked at Zhang Yunxiu, lowering his voice to say something.

"Master has been in a bad mood lately. Young Master, remember, you must never lay a hand on him, you must never anger him, you must never..."

Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand impatiently and said, "Uncle You, don't worry. Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Yes, that's you!
You Qi glanced at Zhang Juzheng with great concern, then turned to look at Zhang Yunxiu, and finally sighed before carefully closing the door behind him.

As the study gradually quieted down, Zhang Yunxiu turned his gaze to Zhang Juzheng.

On the bed, memorials were scattered about. Zhang Juzheng was wearing a thin nightgown, his hair disheveled, with white, gray and black strands mixed together.

His face was completely bloodless.

Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and steeled himself to speak.

"Old Deng! Are you still going to remain stubbornly ignorant?"

　Next chapter at 8 PM

　　
　
(End of this chapter)