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

Chapter 132 Court Assembly! Zhang Yunxiu's First Time Attending Court!
Forbidden City.

As dawn broke, before the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), a group of court officials had already gathered outside the Meridian Gate. They were gathered in twos and threes, wearing official robes of either scarlet or blue, and were very conscientiously arranging their procession to enter the court.

Compared to the early Ming Dynasty, the court ceremony etiquette was not as strict during the Wanli period. Although many officials lined up in the order of their ranks, with civil officials on the east and military officials on the west, they still whispered to each other.

Today, the most eye-catching person outside the Meridian Gate is Zhang Yunxiu, the newly appointed Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He stood tall and radiant in the ranks of military officers, his face showing a hint of youthful innocence.

How could one not be envious of someone who holds a third-rank official position at the age of fourteen?

Yang Wei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, spoke first: "Prefect Zhang has an extraordinary bearing, no less than his father in his prime!"

He was nearly seventy years old, which was considered long-lived for people in ancient times, and his whole body was hunched over.

In recent days, there has been constant turmoil in the court. Although Yang Wei wanted to help Zhang Juzheng, his frail and elderly body made it difficult for him to even speak properly, let alone argue with the censors.

Zhang Yunxiu looked up at the old man, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your praise, Vice Minister Yang. I am only honored by His Majesty's grace."

The two became increasingly close as they talked, like uncle and nephew.

Inside the procession, Imperial Censor Yang Sizhi couldn't help but grit his teeth at the sight, especially when he saw Zhang Yunxiu standing at the front of the procession, his anger gradually rising.

"Let's see how long you can be so arrogant!"

He held a ivory tablet in his hand, and had already prepared a memorial of impeachment inside his robe. Naturally, he would be at the forefront of the court assembly today.

However, Yang Wei and Zhang Yunxiu continued their conversation in the crowd as if no one else was around.

Yang Wei said with emotion, "Zhang Tongzhi's clinic is really something. I have suffered from diabetes for many years, but I didn't know it was related to refined rice and pastries. Recently, I have been eating more Ophiopogon japonicus, Polygonatum odoratum, and kudzu root, and I also practice the Five Animal Frolics regularly. I have really felt much better."

Zhang Yunxiu explained with a smile: "These are not my original creations. Renmin Medical Hall never works behind closed doors. These methods all come from ancient books, but we are not bound by them."

The *Huangdi Neijing Suwen* records that those suffering from diabetes invariably consume frequently sweet and fatty foods.
The "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces" also mentions that one should walk immediately after eating and avoid lying down after a full meal.
This is a gift from our ancestors; how can we discard it like worn-out shoes? We should cherish and inherit it!

I, Zhang Yunxiu, love ancient books and traditions the most!

Upon hearing this, the surrounding courtiers all wore strange expressions, because it was this very young man who had recently instigated the emperor to abolish the Imperial Medical Academy and persecute all the doctors in the city, claiming that these people only knew how to recite from the book.

In the end, it was Zhang Yunxiu who was quoting classical texts.

Most importantly, this kid is even better at quoting classical texts than the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy.

How could the latter possibly defeat him?
"Crack squeak~"

A grinding sound came from the front row of civil officials; anyone who didn't know better would have thought a rat had entered.

"Shuming, calm your mind," Zhang Siwei said, glancing at Xu Xuemo.

The latter walked with a slight limp, clearly his hip was not fully healed. Logically, he shouldn't have come to the court assembly, but he had a reason to come today.

Xu Xuemo looked at Zhang Yunxiu with eyes that seemed to want to devour him alive.

He exhaled a heavy breath and said, "Master Xu is right. I am a little confused because of the injury from the caning."

Zhang Siwei nodded: "Let it be. We'll decide what to do at today's court meeting."

But before he could finish speaking, he heard a commotion coming from Zhang Yunxiu's direction.

It turned out that Zhang Yunxiu and Yang Wei's mention of "diabetes" and some health tips had immediately caught the attention of the court officials.

Those who could rise to the third rank or were qualified to attend court assemblies were mostly elderly. At that age, their greatest concern was naturally to live a couple more years.

Minister of Works Zeng Shengwu stroked his beard with a smile and said, "I am also quite ill. A few days ago, I went to the Renmin Medical Hall. The doctors who treated me were all imperial physicians. These imperial physicians are extraordinary. They are said to have miraculous healing skills and have devised a whole set of health preservation secrets for me." After learning the "chart method" last time, Zeng Shengwu would often go to Zhang Yunxiu for advice. The other party would promote some kind of health preservation plan, which he would consider as tuition fees.

He suffered from many difficult and complicated illnesses, which could not be resolved by consulting one or two famous doctors on a regular basis. However, when a group of imperial physicians consulted with him and devised a treatment plan, the situation was completely different.

Once Zeng Shengwu started talking, many of the court officials around him couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"I also bought a health and wellness plan from Tongzhi, and it's very useful. It's just a bit pricey."

"My nephew is still staying in Magistrate Zhang's VIP area. Magistrate Zhang must take good care of him. It's not easy for me to live in the capital, which I've paid for."

"Does Magistrate Zhang have any aphrodisiacs?"

"Does Magistrate Zhang still have any of that Xu Shangshu ointment? It's in very short supply. Remember to save some for me."

The old minister who said this glanced at Xu Xuemo at the front of the line, and lowered his voice.

But Xu Xuemo, with his sharp ears, suddenly turned his head and glared fiercely at the old minister.

The old minister, who was about to retire, shrank back and remained silent.

In reality, for the court officials, the rumors circulating in the streets meant nothing.

They dared not say it aloud, but in their hearts they were becoming increasingly reliant on Zhang Yunxiu's Renmin Medical Clinic.

Some ministers, even encouraged by Zhang Yunxiu, not only purchased health plans but also paid several thousand taels of silver to acquire some shares.

After all, they really can cure diseases!
Zhang Yunxiu colluding with the White Lotus Sect? Only commoners would believe that!
But what the upright officials rely on is this group of "loud" ordinary people.

Only after the censors arrived outside the Meridian Gate did the ranks of court officials quiet down.

Immediately afterwards, the Meridian Gate was slowly opened, and the officials filed in with the procession.

After crossing the Inner Golden Water Bridge and reaching the Huangji Gate Square, the ministers obediently lined up in formation, awaiting the emperor's arrival.

Today is the regular court session, which is usually held in the square outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and is commonly known as "the emperor listening to the government at the gate".

In many later TV dramas, the emperor's court assemblies are depicted as taking place inside the palace, which is not in line with reality.

Generally speaking, court discussions and informal court assemblies are held inside the palace, while regular court assemblies are held in the square outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Not long after, outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a great Han general stood on the steps, holding a golden mace.

The whip cracked three times, splitting the air.

As usual, Feng Bao uttered a sharp voice.

"His Majesty is holding court—"

With that sound, the chubby emperor walked unsteadily toward the throne, fortunately the journey wasn't too far.

The officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and everything proceeded as usual.

The Wanli Emperor feigned seriousness, glanced at Zhang Yunxiu standing in the queue, and couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved.

After Feng Bao finished reading the memorial, someone immediately stepped forward to report.

Minister of War Ling Yunyi knelt down abruptly on the floor tiles in front of the imperial court, ignoring the sharp pain in his knees, and slammed his forehead against the ground as he spoke.

"Your subject, Ling Yunyi, begs for forgiveness. I have failed in my duty to educate my son, which led him to be misled by the White Lotus Rebellion, causing harm to the people and inciting trouble. This is a crime deserving of ten thousand deaths. I have no face to hold the position of Minister of War. I beg Your Majesty to remove me from my post and punish me according to the law!"

(End of this chapter)