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

Chapter 125 The Way of Officialdom? Since ancient times, emperors have been prone to suspicion!

"The one who tied the knot must untie it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuemo frowned deeply and said, clearly puzzled.

"Mr. Ziwei, are you suggesting I go and beg Zhang Shiyuan for help?"

“No, no.” Zhang Siwei shook his head and explained. “What I mean is that this situation was set up for you by Zhang Shiyuan, so naturally we can only start from his side.”

If the Zhang family father and son are brought to justice, restoring integrity and uprightness to the court, wouldn't the Renmin Medical Clinic be rendered powerless? Closing down the clinic and cutting off the source of the problem would easily solve this thorny issue.

He continued with a smile, "At that time, it won't be difficult for Uncle Ming to change the hemorrhoid cream to 'Zhang Shiyuan Hemorrhoid Cream'."

Xu Xuemo's eyes lit up, but he still sighed deeply.

"How could I not understand this principle? However, at this juncture, Zhang Shiyuan has already gained considerable influence, and the emperor is on their side. To restore order will not be achieved overnight!"

"Shuming's vision was ultimately too short-sighted," Zhang Siwei sighed.

Xu Xuemo asked in confusion, "Does Mr. Ziwei have a different opinion?"

Zhang Siwei said leisurely, "I wouldn't call it any insight, it's just a matter of assessing the situation."

In your view, the Zhang family, father and son, are riding high, possessing the effectiveness of their medical clinic, the support of Shen Shixing in the court, and the emperor's trust; they seem invincible.

"Isn't that so?" Xu Xuemo asked, puzzled.

“Not at all!” Zhang Siwei said with a smile. “This is a predicament, but also an opportunity! His Majesty has inherited the throne at a young age and has been disciplined by Zhang Jiangling since childhood. Zhang Jiangling’s strictness in his teaching is unprecedented in history!”
However, too much of a good thing can be bad. The emperor, who holds the reins of power, cannot tolerate even the slightest imperfection. Even a trusted minister like Zhang Jiangling, entrusted with the care of the young emperor, would still be viewed with suspicion by the emperor; how much more so would someone like Zhang Shiyuan?

"Does the gentleman mean to sow discord between the two?" Xu Xuemo's eyes widened, but he immediately shook his head and said.

“I understand what you mean, Mr. Ziwei. But Zhang Shiyuan has been the emperor’s tutor since childhood and has repeatedly helped the emperor deal with court officials. I think the emperor would find it hard to suspect him, right?”

"Hahahaha!" Zhang Siwei suddenly burst into laughter, making Xu Xuemo a little uneasy.

Xu Xuemo couldn't help but ask, "Why is Mr. Ziwei laughing?"

"I laugh at you for reciting the Four Books and Five Classics fluently, yet being ignorant of the nature of emperors throughout history!"

Zhang Siwei's eyes shone brightly, and a smile curved his lips.

"Since ancient times, emperors, who sit on the throne and hold absolute power, have always harbored suspicions! In the past, Zhang Yunxiu was not particularly outstanding, so the emperor may have trusted him greatly, but now, isn't he becoming a bit too high-profile?"

Upon hearing the other party's analysis, Xu Xuemo's eyes widened in astonishment.

But Zhang Siwei continued, "History records show that even close relatives of the imperial family are not immune to suspicion, let alone the son of a powerful minister like Zhang Yunxiu. Do you really think the emperor can completely trust him?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"Therefore, we don't need to exaggerate too much. We just need to slightly fuel the flames, and the rift between the emperor and Zhang Shiyuan will surely arise!"

These words immediately brightened Xu Xuemo's eyes, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Mr. Ziwei has a keen eye for people's hearts! Your flattery is far beyond my ability to match!"

“That’s still not enough,” Zhang Siwei shook his head again. “The emperor’s suspicion is an open attack, the infighting among officials is a hidden arrow, but what’s even more important is to use this plague as a pretext to stir up trouble among the people, so that the Zhang family father and son will be caught in a dilemma!”

Xu Xuemo supported himself with his arms, his body trembling slightly, and he said excitedly.

“Mr. Ziwei is right! Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it! How many families have been destroyed and people have died in this plague? Can Zhang Shiyuan save everyone? No matter how good Renmin Medical Hall is, there will always be criticisms from the public! If something happens, it will naturally cause him a lot of trouble!”

Zhang Siwei exhaled and said.

"At this point, there's no other way but for both sides to go down in flames."

He gave Xu Xuemo a meaningful look.

"All our previous plans can be implemented one by one."

"Sir, you mean..."

For a moment, Xu Xuemo thought of many things, but the hatred he felt for Zhang Yunxiu had reached its peak, making it impossible for him to remain calm. He gritted his teeth and said.

"Mr. Ziwei, please rest assured, we will definitely handle this matter properly!"

"That's good, but it still needs careful consideration."

Zhang Siwei got up and paced back and forth in the room, seemingly deep in thought. He then turned to remind her.

"You are still unwell, so you should know how to protect yourself. Remember not to leave any traces of anything, and leave some things to others."

Seeing that Zhang Siwei cared so much about him, Xu Xuemo felt a lump in his throat and struggled to get up, kneeling on the bed and kowtowing several times.

"I have no way to repay your kindness, sir. I will surely give my life for you!"

Zhang Siwei smiled gently and helped the other person lie down.

"Why are you and I saying such polite things?"

He thought for a moment and then said.

"Speaking of which, isn't there an imperial censor named Yang Sizhi? He is a very loyal man, so let him handle it."

When Zhang Siwei returned to his residence, it was already getting dark. After a quick dinner, he went to his study alone.

The study in the mansion was elegantly furnished, with only one painting, "Five Oxen," by Han Huang of the Tang Dynasty, hanging prominently above it. Each ox was lined up in a row, each with a different posture and lifelike appearance.

Ordinary people wouldn't think much of it, but if an expert saw it, they would surely marvel at the fact that Zhang Siwei had this painting in his mansion, saying that it was priceless.

However, beneath this priceless painting, Zhang Siwei, dressed in a faded white Taoist robe, sat at his desk, appearing unusually earnest and unassuming, looking more like a schoolteacher.

"master."

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Zhang Siwei said without looking up, "Come in."

The man who entered was a middle-aged man of about fifty years old. He bowed and quickly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Sir, you wanted to see me?"

This man was one of the stewards in Zhang Siwei's household, and his name was Zhang Wu.

Zhang Siwei raised his eyes, glanced at Zhang Wu's weathered and rough face, and said with a hint of emotion.

"Zhang Wu, you have followed me since you were a child, for several decades now. Have you ever suffered any grievances in this mansion?"

Zhang Wu, unaware of the other party's question, quickly continued to bow and speak.

"In reply to your question, sir, I have never suffered any injustice in your household. Your kindness to me is like being given a second life!"

Zhang Siwei's face was ashen, showing no emotion whatsoever, and then he suddenly spoke.

"I remember you do have a son, who must be quite old by now?"

Speaking of his son, Zhang Wu smiled with pride: "Yes, I have one. He is now fifteen years old. Thanks to the master's care, he was able to attend a private school and has learned to read a few words."

"Ah."

Zhang Siwei nodded and said.

"I've met him once or twice. He seems to be very intelligent, but unfortunately he was born into a lowly family and can't take the imperial examinations. He'll only be able to serve others for the rest of his life."

These words struck a chord with Zhang Wu, yet he still spoke respectfully.

"It is a blessing for my father and me to be able to serve our master. We dare not have any other desires."

"Hey~"

At his desk, Zhang Siwei sighed heavily, seemingly with some regret.

He then continued speaking.

"Zhang Wu, how have I treated you all this time?"

This question really flustered Zhang Wu.

Thinking about it carefully, I haven't done anything wrong recently, so why does Zhang Siwei keep asking questions?
He immediately kowtowed repeatedly.

"My lord treats me like a brother! I could never repay even a fraction of your kindness, even if I were to serve you like a slave in my next life! I would never dare to do anything that disobeys my master."

But before he could finish speaking, he looked up and saw Zhang Siwei standing in front of him.

"Zhang Wu, we've been playing together since we were little, our friendship is something we've known since childhood, why be so formal?"

As they were talking, Zhang Siwei reached out and gently helped him up.

After getting up, Zhang Wu was still very flustered, not knowing what Zhang Siwei meant, and could only keep his head down.

"Your son is very bright; it would be a shame if he didn't study."

Zhang Siwei's deep voice came from beside me.

“I have a brother in my clan who has no son. I think your son is intelligent. If he is adopted, he can be included in the Zhang family genealogy of Pingyang. It will not be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination in the future.”

"Master!" Zhang Wu stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then tried to kneel, but was stopped by Zhang Siwei.

He smiled gently and said, "We are from the same family and have been included in my Zhang family genealogy, so your bloodline is not exactly severed, is that alright?"

"Okay! Okay!"

Zhang Wu was so excited that his body trembled.

"If my son can gain your favor, sir, it would be a blessing earned through countless lifetimes. Even if I were to give my life, I could not repay even a fraction of your kindness!"

"If we're talking about loyalty and righteousness, then of everyone in this mansion, only you and I can be trusted."

Zhang Siwei sighed, then casually pulled the other person to the desk. In a very ordinary manner, he took out a package and placed it in the other person's hand.

"I don't have any special requests. Just go to the Xu family mansion and deliver some medicinal herbs to Minister Xu in person."

However, this item was to be concealed, so a safe place was found within the Xu residence to hide it.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wu felt a chill run down his spine.

He stared wide-eyed at the package, not knowing what was inside, but he could guess what Zhang Siwei wanted to do.

However, the master and Xu Xuemo have always been close friends, and the two have worked together in the court.

Why is the master treating Minister Xu this way?

Zhang Wu couldn't know, nor dared he know, but after foreseeing his fate, his body began to tremble, and he was speechless.

Seeing Zhang Wu's hesitant expression, Zhang Siwei narrowed his eyes and said, "If you feel unwilling, I will not force you."

After saying that, Zhang Wu's legs went weak again. He understood perfectly well that he had no way out, and he gritted his teeth and said.

"I will do my utmost to repay your kindness in saving my father and me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siwei smiled gently again and patted Zhang Wu on the shoulder.

"Fifth Brother, don't blame me for being heartless. Everything in this world is preordained. As the Doctrine of the Mean in the Book of Rites says, 'If you are prepared, you will succeed; if you are not prepared, you will fail.'"

The officialdom is like walking on thin ice; to advance step by step, one must be meticulous and cautious.

His smile grew wider, and he even put his arm around Zhang Wu's shoulder, his words echoing in the study.

"Those who achieve great things are indifferent to right and wrong. Fifth Brother, you must remember this well from now on!"

(End of this chapter)