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

Chapter 122 I want to live to be eighty!
"What is there to fear, even among ten clans?"

These shocking words struck Zhang Juzheng like a thunderbolt, resounding in his mind.

He remained frozen in power.

He never imagined that his youngest son would utter such disobedient words.

He struggled to get up from the bed, his legs were a little weak, and he stumbled again, but he still held on and shouted sternly.

"You unfilial son! Have you gone mad?!"

In contrast, Zhang Yunxiu remained calm and composed, scrutinizing Zhang Juzheng with an indifferent gaze, seemingly unaffected.

Zhang Juzheng clutched his chest, hating himself for the words he had once used to praise the other party, which now felt like a slap in the face!

Consumed by rage, he staggered up from the bed again, trembling, and managed to stand up while holding onto the bed frame, shouting hoarsely.

"How could my Zhang family produce such a rebellious and madman as you!"

In his anger, even the Grand Secretary was at a loss for words.

Zhang Yunxiu, the madman who uttered such "crazy" words, had a calm and composed face, but Zhang Juzheng was truly on the verge of madness.

Who could have imagined that this genius, who could eloquently argue and cite classical texts, founded a newspaper to promote government policies, meticulously compiled effective epidemic prevention measures, and saved countless people from suffering?

He turned out to be a "madman" who attempted to overthrow the imperial system!
His youngest son, whom he once regarded as a prodigy, has now become a "madman" who terrifies him.

He actually wanted to abolish the imperial system!
This is even more chilling than plotting to usurp the throne, which is merely about seizing power for one family or clan.

But Zhang Yunxiu was attempting to completely break down the system that had existed for thousands of years!

Zhang Juzheng's reforms, though they certainly affected the interests of the gentry and powerful, were merely cutting away the rotten flesh and removing a chronic disease.

The attempt to find a way to save the people is to make patch things up within the framework of the old system.

However, this kid misinterpreted "When the Great Way prevails, the world belongs to all" and wanted to hand over the emperor's power to all the people!
Isn't this digging up the roots of the gentry and powerful families across the land?

Not only the gentry and powerful, but also the civil officials, scholars, and military officers and nobles—these cornerstones that maintain the operation of the dynasty—will be recast and completely reshaped in his vision.

This extremely forward-thinking idea nearly blew Zhang Juzheng's mind out of its depth.

His gaze toward Zhang Yunxiu grew increasingly cold, and his lips trembled as he continued speaking.

"How dare you, you brat, distort the profound meaning of the Book of Rites! The emperor, by the mandate of heaven, governs the nine provinces, and scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants each occupy their proper places—this is the foundation of the state! Do you want to make the Zhang family a sinner for all time?"

Yeah!

It really worked.

Seeing his father, who was on the verge of death, suddenly get out of bed in a fit of anger, Zhang Yunxiu's eyes widened in surprise.

Wouldn't you call this a miracle in the medical field of the Ming Dynasty? Should we ask that kid Luo Xian from the research institute to do a proper research record?

Feeling a surge of excitement, Zhang Yunxiu crossed his arms and said, "Father, aren't you about to pass away? Go in peace. I, Zhang Yunxiu, will lead the Zhang family to achieve great things!"

"You brat! You unfilial son!" Zhang Juzheng stomped his feet in anger.

Zhang Yunxiu then spread his hands and continued to add.

"Father is certainly right, but I have already shown my talent in the court. Today, His Majesty even bestowed upon me the title of Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which is a third-rank official position. Father, do you think that with my abilities and skills, I am not capable of holding a first-rank position?"

Zhang Yunxiu revealed a look of longing.

"Father should know that the emperor is mediocre and has many bad habits. He was somewhat restrained by your discipline and guidance before, but if you pass away, do you think the emperor will become like a wild horse, acting recklessly?"

As he spoke, a sinister look appeared on his face.

"And I added fuel to the fire, using novels and stories, playful games, and bewitching them."

By then, the emperor will have gradually lost the support of the people and will also lose patience with exercising imperial power. If I want to seize power over the world, wouldn't it be easy for me?
There are so many examples in history books that we can learn from!

Zhang Juzheng, no longer holding onto the bed frame, took several steps forward, grabbed a stack of memorials from the table, threw them at Zhang Yunxiu, and said angrily.

"You are a demon star descended to earth! Your father will kill you with a single stroke!"

As he spoke, he suddenly shouted outside.

"You Qi! You Qi! Quickly bring me my sword, I'm going to kill this rebellious son!"

Zhang Yunxiu sneered, without even moving, and raised his eyes to remind her.

"Father, if you kill me, who will protect the Zhang family? Aren't you afraid of the emperor's retribution? Aren't you afraid that with your death, the regime will fall apart?"

"I"

These words left Zhang Juzheng speechless.

Now that things have come to this, how could he not understand that his mere serious illness has attracted countless attacks from those who uphold righteousness?

If he were to truly pass away, and his faction of upright officials were to rise up again, without Zhang Yunxiu's protection, wouldn't the entire Zhang family become victims of court intrigues?

Zhang Juzheng understood this all too well, which is why he always hoped that one of his sons would emerge as the one to take charge of the overall situation.

Therefore, now that things have come to this, the Zhang family really can't do without Zhang Yunxiu.

"you"

Zhang Juzheng rested his hands on the table, his face regaining some color from his anger. However, this emotional outburst only intensified the unbearable pain in his anus, causing his body to arch like a shrimp.

A fleeting look of concern crossed Zhang Yunxiu's face, which quickly turned cold and devoid of emotion as he spoke.

"So... Father still refuses to treat the illness?"

Zhang Juzheng's forehead veins bulged as he gritted his teeth and spoke.

"You brat! Don't try to fool this old man!"

"So what if I lied?" His face was full of provocation. "Father, do you dare to bet? After you pass away, I will devise a thirty-year plan of concealing my true intentions, emulating Sima Yi's step-by-step strategy, and finally achieve great things!"

"Sima Yi betrayed his lord and usurped power; he was a traitorous minister! This villain is despised by the world!" Zhang Juzheng said excitedly.

Zhang Yunxiu sneered and said, "So what? Since the Qin King became emperor and Emperor Wu of Han centralized power, the imperial system has been in place for more than 1,300 years. During this time, kings, nobles and generals have appeared on the stage, but the common people have been suffering."

When prosperity reigns, the people suffer; when ruin reigns, the people suffer.
If I can overthrow the imperial system, I, Zhang Yunxiu, will not only avoid being infamous for eternity, but will instead be revered as a pioneer by future generations!

"You!!!" Zhang Juzheng was so angry that his voice was almost cut off. He stomped his foot despite the excruciating pain, took a few steps forward, and angrily shouted with a trembling finger.

"Zhang Shiyuan! This must not be done! I will never let you realize your wolfish ambitions! Even if it costs me my last breath, I will nip this evil thought in the bud!"

After a pause, Zhang Yunxiu observed his father, whose body had become remarkably agile again, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"So, does Father still want to die?"

Zhang Juzheng was struck by lightning, and his body froze.

The wheels rolled on, and the carriage drove across the dilapidated cobblestone road, kicking up a cloud of dust that floated in the air.

The people counted down the days, and finally May arrived.

The sun in the capital city is hanging high for longer and longer during the day, bringing a long-awaited warmth.

The carriage sped along and stopped directly in front of Renmin First Medical Center.

Upon hearing the news, the clinic was thrown into chaos as a group of doctors in white protective suits rushed out carrying stretchers.

The local people who came for medical consultation all turned to look, and judging from the size and luxury of the carriage, they figured that some important person must have arrived.

envy?

Nowadays, the people of Beijing are not so envious, since seeing a doctor and getting medicine at a clinic doesn't cost much.

The VIP services that these distinguished guests requested could easily cost hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver.

If one had that money, wouldn't it be better to eat more meat and buy some land and property? It is precisely because nobles cherish their lives so much that ordinary people are content as long as they can survive.

A moment later, an elderly man dressed in a blue robe with wide, flowing sleeves stepped down from the carriage.

His brows were furrowed, his face was meticulous, and his steps were slightly unsteady.

It was naturally Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary, who ultimately compromised.

Zhang Juzheng looked up at the plaque in front of him. The gilded characters of the plaque, "The First Medical Hall for Benevolent People," looked very glaring and very familiar.

He recognized at a glance that the calligraphy must have been written by the emperor.

During the seventh or eighth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, Zhang Juzheng was able to discern the truth even when the professor wrote with his left hand.

Thinking of this detail, Zhang Juzheng's brows furrowed even more deeply. He slowly exhaled and, enduring the excruciating pain, walked into the clinic.

Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth son, quickly stepped forward to help his father up, and said with some concern.

"Father, you have difficulty moving around. Lie down on the stretcher and let the doctors carry you inside. We need to go to the research institute, which is quite a distance."

Although he didn't know exactly how Zhang Yunxiu had persuaded his father to come, Zhang Jianxiu instinctively felt that it was definitely not through any legitimate means.

Otherwise, why would Zhang Juzheng always carry a murderous aura?
Zhang Jianxiu had only ever sensed this menacing aura from generals on the battlefield.

Zhang Juzheng was a civil official!

Zhang Juzheng looked up at the stretcher in front of him, shook his head with great certainty, and said...

"No need. I'll walk in myself. I'm fine, just a minor ailment. Why would I need to be carried in?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jianxiu's face twitched involuntarily.

Dad, that's not what you said before!
His spirits lifted and his will to live surged, but Zhang Juzheng's dysentery was still quite severe, and he could barely walk.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on his face, but his expression remained resolute.

For a moment, the onlookers were all moved.

This man has an extraordinary appearance, with a long, flowing beard; he must be a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

Looking at his resolute expression, he must be suffering from some serious illness, but even so, he remained extremely determined to go into the clinic by himself.

How can such a spirit not be admirable?

This old gentleman must be an upright and incorruptible minister in the imperial court!
But Zhang Yunxiu had a completely different understanding of this scene. He leaned against the door frame, watching his father's arduous and determined appearance, while he himself remained leisurely.

"You have to live to save face and suffer the consequences."

The cold words made Zhang Juzheng sway, almost tripping over himself.

The leading doctor, Luo Xian, was the chief medical officer of the clinic. He quickly stepped forward to support Zhang Juzheng and said with great concern.

“Grandmaster, you should lie on a stretcher and let your disciples take you to the intensive care unit. It’s quite a distance from the front yard to the research institute. If your hemorrhoids rupture again, it will be troublesome.”

The word "Master" made Zhang Juzheng stagger even more, and he turned his head to glare at the other person.

But then he thought that all the doctors in and around the capital had now taken Zhang Yunxiu as their master.

His use of the term "Master" sounded very strange, but Zhang Juzheng couldn't really find anything wrong with it.

Feeling Zhang Juzheng's murderous gaze, Luo Xian shrank back, cold sweat breaking out all over his body.

He lowered his voice and asked hesitantly.

"Lord Yuan Yuanfu?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng suddenly grabbed Luo Xian's shoulder.

A resolute expression appeared on his face as he lowered his voice and spoke.

"You were once a member of the Imperial Medical Academy, and you should shoulder the heavy responsibility of saving the world."

Zhang Juzheng's hand almost pressed into Luo Xian's flesh.

"Now that I am the chief minister, my life is no longer just my own, but the life of the nation!"

Times have changed. To prevent the world from collapsing, you must remember to do your utmost!

He made a sound from his throat.

"I want to live! I want to live well! I want to live until I'm eighty!"

(End of this chapter)