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

Chapter 124 Zhang Shiyuan Nongdie Zha Chilao!

Upon hearing Zhang Siwei's words, Xu Xuemo, lying on the bed, couldn't help but show a pained expression.

He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but still couldn't stop the tears from welling up. He leaned forward and almost fell off the bed. He lay on the edge of the bed and said with a touch of sorrow.

"I am not bitter, but I regret that I cannot bring the Zhang family father and son to justice. I hate that treacherous officials are in power and the righteous path is in turmoil."

Your Majesty has also been deceived by these two men, and has even colluded with them. If this continues, where will our Great Ming Dynasty go?

"Cough cough cough~"

Before he could finish speaking, he coughed heavily.

“Shuming, you mustn’t do that. Your most important task right now is to take care of your health.”

Zhang Siwei quickly stepped forward, helped the other person up from the bedside, and offered some words of comfort, somewhat moved.

"The fact that His Majesty did not kill you means there is still a chance for this matter to turn around. Zhang Shiyuan was prepared, but we are not entirely without support!"

"Hey~"

Xu Xuemo also sighed and said.

"Who would have thought that Shen Shixing, who is always so cautious, would actually outmaneuver us?"

During the court meeting a few days ago, the "anti-Zhang" faction was full of confidence.

Seeing the emperor's collapse, they concluded that without Zhang Juzheng's presence, the puppet emperor Wanli would inevitably succumb to the overwhelming public pressure.

Does he really dare to dismiss all of the dozens of court officials, from top to bottom?

It is likely that among the emperors since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, only two emperors dared to do this: Emperor Taizu Gao, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Emperor Chengzu Wen, Zhu Di. Which emperor after that did not follow the trend?

The world was in turmoil, and even the emperor, who held divine power, could only compromise.

Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn at the last minute.

Did the emperor suddenly become a different person overnight?
This is still solvable. After all, how can the emperor's experience compare to that of these "veterans" who have been immersed in officialdom for many years?

Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn when Shen Shixing suddenly appeared and pulled out some kind of "chart method".
After an unprecedented analysis, the political climate in the court took a sharp turn for the worse, developing in a direction unfavorable to the "anti-Zhang" faction.

The court officials were not a monolithic group. In the past, seeing that Zhang Juzheng's power was waning and that Zhang Shiyuan was "acting perversely," they were naturally indignant and did not mind lending a hand.

However, the situation reversed, and Shen Shixing used charts to analyze and demonstrate to his ministers the true effectiveness of plague prevention and control, as well as the so-called "modern medicine".

These people then fell silent and stopped readily expressing their support.

Zhang Siwei looked extremely annoyed and sighed.

"This matter is my fault. I failed to win over Shen Shixing in the Wenyuan Pavilion and underestimated his power, which gave him an opportunity to take advantage of the situation!"

At this point, Zhang Siwei's expression turned somewhat sorrowful.

"This is my fault, which has caused you, Shuming and Ziyu, to suffer such a calamity. I am truly ashamed to face you both!"

"Mr. Ziwei, you mustn't speak like that. We are both serving the court, and even if we die, we will still regret it!"

Xu Xuemo burst into tears, genuinely feeling a sense of loyalty being sacrificed.

He raised his eyes and said with concern.

"How is Brother Ziyu?"

Ziyu is the courtesy name of Yang Keli.

"Sigh~" Zhang Siwei sighed, saying with a touch of sadness.

"Yang Ziyu was ultimately a man of strong character. He still dared to defy Feng Bao outside the Meridian Gate. Although he only received five more strokes of the cane than you, the officers, in order to curry favor with Feng Bao, used heavy blows."

After being flogged in court, Yang Ziyu fainted before even returning home. He sought out many doctors in the capital, but all the doctors there were Zhang Shiyuan's subordinates; how could they possibly treat him?

Zhang Siwei sighed repeatedly and said, "When I heard about this, I was filled with mixed feelings. So I found Gong Tingxian from the Imperial Medical Academy for him. Nowadays, in and around the capital, it is almost impossible for the officials in the court to avoid Zhang Shiyuan if they want to get medical treatment. Fortunately, there is still Imperial Physician Gong who upholds the bottom line of a doctor."

"That Zhang Shiyuan is truly despicable! He is a scourge that will bring chaos to the world!"

Xu Xuemo appeared indignant, but inwardly he felt somewhat uneasy.

After all, he had just used the medicine from Renmin Medical Hall and even felt that the effect was excellent.

Xu Xuemo coughed twice and couldn't help but share some "experience" with her.

“I do have something to say. While Zhang Shiyuan is certainly despicable, his medicine is quite good. After using it on my sores, the effect was much better than the medicine from the Imperial Hospital.”

Actually, there was something he didn't say aloud.

Why not trust Gong Tingxian? It's not just the "Zhang faction" that understands this; even the "anti-Zhang" faction understands it clearly.

That Dr. Gong Tingxian was eloquent in his diagnosis, but his medical skills were nowhere near as good as those of Renmin Medical Hall, and there were even frequent rumors of him causing deaths.

Instead of suffering for the sake of saving face, you might as well go and find Renmin Medical Clinic.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siwei frowned and said, "Shuming actually went to Renmin Medical Clinic to ask for medicine?"

Xu Xuemo quickly explained, "It was just a matter of having the servants in the mansion inquire about the medicine. In my opinion, we must not be too rigid in our actions. Using Zhang Shiyuan's medicine will not affect our ability to deal with the Zhang father and son. On the contrary, we will benefit from their influence."

A smug smile crept across his face.

"What kind of expression would Zhang Shiyuan have if he knew that the medicine he painstakingly developed was being used by us?"

Xu Xuemo seemed to have developed a "recommendation" mentality, as he picked up bottle after bottle of medicine from the bedside and said.

"This is allicin, an excellent medicine for dispelling evil, capable of killing hundreds of insects and warding off external pathogens."

"This is a peony and licorice decoction, which harmonizes the liver and spleen, relieves spasms and pain. I found it quite comfortable to use, and the pain in my groin area has been greatly reduced."

"And this Yunnan-Guizhou trauma medicine."

After the introduction, even Zhang Siwei was somewhat surprised. He frowned deeply and said in disbelief.

"Could Zhang Shiyuan's tricks actually cure diseases and save lives?"

Xu Xuemo looked helpless and sighed.

"Mr. Ziwei, you may not know this, but Zhang Shiyuan has come to the field of medicine by chance and has achieved some success. It's not unjust that we lost our last encounter."

Xu Xuemo was a smart man after all, capable of drawing inferences and making inferences, but he still dismissed it with disdain and said with a sneer.

"It's probably just luck. Zhang Shiyuan has gathered all the best doctors in the capital. If he can't come up with anything remarkable, that would be quite strange!"

Zhang Siwei nodded, expressing his great appreciation.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. We should not underestimate Zhang Shiyuan, nor should we forget that although Zhang Jiangling is seriously ill, even a centipede with a hundred legs will not die easily."

Shen Shixing's previous opposition to us must have had its own agenda; we must not let our guard down.

Xu Xuemo nodded and said, "Mr. Ziwei is right. We certainly cannot be too hasty. I have received news that Zhang Jiangling is seriously ill and has been admitted to Renmin Medical Hall. It seems unlikely that he will recover. It is only a matter of time before we are in a difficult situation."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Xuemo took out a small porcelain bottle from under his pillow and presented it to Zhang Siwei as if to claim credit.

"Please take a look, Mr. Ziwei. This is a good medicine for dysentery that Zhang Shiyuan developed for his father. It has a remarkable effect on dysentery."

Xu Xuemo had a smug look on his face.

"I've heard that Zhang Jiangling is already terminally ill, so this medicine is probably useless to him. However, it has benefited us doctors. It seems that Zhang Shiyuan is not good at being a physician since he doesn't concern himself with politics."

In Xu Xuemo's view, Zhang Shiyuan could do anything. If he had just been an honest physician, no one would have said anything. But since he insisted on getting involved in court affairs, they shouldn't blame him for being impolite.

"Intestinal obstruction?" Zhang Siwei stared at the small porcelain bottle, as if something had come to mind.

"Exactly!" Xu Xuemo seemed quite excited. "I wonder if Mr. Ziwei is troubled by dysentery? Such a difficult and complicated disease cannot be cured, yet it is extremely bothersome. This ointment will help once it is applied..."

Judging from his beaming face, I wonder if he's taken money from Zhang Yunxiu to help him sell his medicine.

But Zhang Siwei stared at the porcelain bottle, and the more he looked at it, the stranger it seemed. He took it and examined it for a while before asking a question.

Did this porcelain vase originally have a label or inscription?

"A signed letter?"

Xu Xuemo was a little confused. He took the porcelain bottle and looked at it. He found that there were indeed traces of labels that had been pasted on it, but they had been torn off.

He initially thought it was something a servant had accidentally lost, and in his good mood, he didn't think much of it. But after Zhang Siwei's reminder, he realized something was amiss.

Is there anything strange about the signed letter?

Xu Xuemo frowned deeply, sensing that something was amiss.

They even began to suspect that Zhang Shiyuan might have deliberately drugged them in retaliation.

However, Zhang Siwei's expression was not one of worry, but rather a strange one. If there really was a problem with the medicine, he would obviously not have this expression.

But Zhang Siwei sighed heavily and said, "I think Uncle Ming should stop using this ointment in the future."

"Why?"

Xu Xuemo was unsure and asked tentatively.

"Mr. Ziwei, do you know anything unusual about this ointment?"

However, Zhang Siwei looked like he had swallowed a fly and explained helplessly.

"Alright, I'll tell you, but don't get too angry."

Zhang Siwei had heard before that Zhang Yunxiu had invented a medicine specifically for treating dysentery, and in order to get revenge on Xu Xuemo, he named the ointment "Xu Xuemo/Minister Xu's Hemorrhoid Ointment".

Upon first hearing this, Zhang Siwei simply laughed it off, thinking that Zhang Yunxiu was just a child and would never amount to anything.

What's the point of using a hemorrhoid cream to attack a political enemy?

But now that I think about it, Zhang Yunxiu's methods were really quite annoying.

Those with short tempers can be driven crazy by him.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xu Xuemo turned bright red, like a roast suckling pig lying on the bed.

"Zhang Shiyuan, you filthy bastard! You're a damn scoundrel!"

Xu Xuemo was furious and even cursed out all sorts of vulgarities from his hometown of Suzhou Prefecture, which he had never been ashamed to mention before.

This Zhang Yunxiu is utterly shameless! He actually used such methods to slander himself; has he no shame at all?!

Xu Xuemo could already imagine that such an effective and easy-to-use hemorrhoid cream would surely be praised by the people.

This effective medicine is even more reliable and faster than newspaper advertisements. Within a few years, people all over the country will know that there is a miracle medicine for treating hemorrhoids called "Xu Xuemo Hemorrhoid Ointment"!
This hemorrhoid cream may be virtually unknown in historical records.

In the common people's hearts, this medicine will surely be widely circulated and may even continue to be circulated. After a thousand or a hundred years, this medicine will probably become a timeless medicine that is often praised, just like "Xiao Chai Hu Tang" and "Ma Huang Tang"!
Even though it is written in historical records, no one mentions it often, but this kind of medicine must have been mentioned day and night by someone, and applied to the affected areas.

While taking the medicine, one might feel its wonder and naturally become curious, wanting to learn about the origin of the medicine's name.

After some investigation, they found the joke that Zhang Yunxiu had made up for him, which said that Minister Xu was eccentric and irritable, that his immoral lifestyle led to severe dysentery, and that he sought out young boys and girls for medicine.
He will indeed be remembered in history, perhaps even more famous than those who are remembered in history, but he will be remembered for a bad reputation! He will be infamous for eternity, just like Qin Hui!
"I'll kill him! Mr. Ziwei, don't stop me! I'm going to kill this scoundrel!"

On the bed, Xu Xuemo let out a hysterical howl. He had never been so angry before. To have his reputation ruined like this was more painful than being killed.

Xu Xuemo wished he could die outside the Meridian Gate today, so that he could leave a good name in the history books!
Zhang Siwei supported the other man, sighing repeatedly, "Uncle Ming, please calm down. You must not get angry, or you will aggravate your injuries."

He seemed to have a conflicted expression on his face.

"Speaking of which, Zhang Shiyuan even composed a nursery rhyme that circulated among the people. I think it's better if Shuming doesn't know about it."

"What?!" Xu Xuemo's eyes turned bloodshot, and he grabbed Zhang Siwei like a demon with half his body paralyzed.

"Mr. Ziwei, tell me! Tell me quickly!"

Zhang Siwei sighed, but ultimately he still spoke out.

"In order to sell this medicine, that clinic spread a nursery rhyme with phrases like 'Minister, Minister, your rear is comfortable,' which is truly an insult to culture!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuemo's howling ceased. Zhang Siwei's heart skipped a beat, fearing that the other party had been angered to death.

But when he looked up at Xu Xuemo, he froze, unable to speak.

"Brother Shuming? Brother Shuming!"

Zhang Siwei shook the other person's body repeatedly, reached out to check his breath, and only breathed a sigh of relief after finding that he was still breathing.

She was still trying to dissuade him, but unexpectedly Xu Xuemo suddenly broke down again. He hugged the pillow next to him, looking helpless and pitiful, and burst into tears.

"Waaaah! Mr. Ziwei, what sins have I committed! That Zhang Shiyuan is going to humiliate me like this! Mr. Ziwei, I don't want to live anymore! This worthless life of mine has no joy in living!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siwei was terrified, fearing that the other person was about to commit suicide, so he quickly stepped forward, patted their shoulder, and comforted them.

"Uncle Ming, don't be too sad. It's just a title, what's there to care about?"

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Xu Xuemo cried even harder, his body trembling.

Zhang Siwei was a little anxious and quickly said.

"Shuming, don't be too sad. There's still a chance for things to turn around! There's still a chance!"

"Is there any hope?" Xu Xuemo lifted her head from under the pillow, her face a mess, looking as fragile as a young lady from a wealthy family. "Mr. Ziwei, is there any way you can save me?"

Zhang Siwei exhaled a breath of stale air and said.

"The trouble should end it."

(End of this chapter)