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

Chapter 138 Someone's been assaulted! Your Majesty, I impeach the officials of the Qingliu faction! (Large Chapter)
The Analects, Yong Ye: "The virtue of the mean is indeed supreme! Yet it has been rare among the people for a long time."

Throughout history, whether scholars, officials, or ordinary people, there has always been a desire for compromise.

This was even more pronounced among the scholar-official class.

For example, if you say that this policy has a very bad influence and should be resolutely resisted, there will inevitably be people who disagree.

However, if you lower some of the conditions and advocate suspending the government order first, and then conducting an investigation and handling the matter, many people will agree.

If there were other objects, such as the "Book of the Peoples," that could serve as proof, it would further deepen the understanding of the ideas.

Those who are undecided will also receive the same support.

Once the decree is suspended, it can be gradually phased out, and the resistance will be much less.

The same applies to the way of being an official.

It's too much trouble for these court officials, both civil and military, to investigate whether the decree is beneficial.

It would be better to follow the so-called "the virtue of moderation." As long as one is moderate, one can be neither wrong nor right. Isn't that wonderful?
If it were someone else, they would probably compromise; it's human nature to do so.

Zhang Yunxiu didn't care about any of that. He felt angry just looking at those officials and military officers in the court who were all incompetent and pretentious.

When receiving advanced medical care from Renmin Medical Hall, these people, despite their seemingly honest and upright nature, all flocked to it.

But when the time comes, a single petition from the people is enough to shake their resolve.

Everyone in the imperial court was thinking about protecting themselves and going with the flow, but no one ever considered whether this thing was right or wrong.

Therefore, Zhang Yunxiu's thinking was very simple: since you bunch of dogs wouldn't say a single good word for the clinic or the new policies.

Then I'll flip the table! Everyone stop playing, and stop suspending the clinic's operations. Let's abolish the clinic and all related policies!
"Zhang Shiyuan!" Shen Shixing was the first to lose his composure. "What are you talking about?"

How much did he sacrifice for this clinic and this plague prevention plan? And this kid just abolished it with a single, simple sentence?

"I've made myself perfectly clear."

Zhang Yunxiu acted as if he were a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.

"So I just shut down the clinic. Anyway, I, Zhang Yunxiu, am still young. I'm not afraid of any plague or disease."

At the age of fourteen, I exercise diligently every day, so I am naturally in good health.

Since all the officials in the court think that clinics are bad, then let's just shut them down.

I think if we're going to ban them, we should ban them completely. We should close all the Renmin Medical Halls inside and outside the capital, so that allicin will no longer be produced, and then we won't need acupuncture or enema therapy anymore.

And those face masks? Aren't they the stuff of the White Lotus cult? They should all be banned!

The research institute is a place of unorthodoxy, so we're not offering VIP monitoring services or those so-called exclusive health programs anymore!
"Whatever! I, Zhang Yunxiu, am not doing this anymore! Wouldn't it be better to go back and be a carefree young master?"

These words immediately froze the faces of the ministers who had been smiling, leaving them completely dumbfounded.

What is Zhang Yunxiu trying to do? He's doing such inhuman things!

One of the ministers who had invested several thousand taels of silver immediately stepped forward and advised, "Why is Magistrate Zhang so resolute? The matter can still be discussed. It hasn't come to the point of no return yet."

Others might not care, but he couldn't afford to; that was over four thousand taels of silver!
All of this money was hard-earned!

I thought that Renmin Medical Clinic was thriving and had the emperor's backing, so it must be a sure-fire way to make money.

But why did Zhang Yunxiu quit?

His words stirred up a huge uproar, and the ministers, who had been silent until now, suddenly erupted in a frenzy.

That's right! The money is still in Zhang Shiyuan's hands!

Xu Guoli, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, immediately stepped forward and offered his advice.

“Zhang Tongzhi, you cannot be so reckless. This clinic is related to the livelihood of the people in the capital. How can you just close it down like that?”

Zhang Yunxiu glared and said, "But that's not what you gentlemen said just now! Since you believe that the clinic is harming the people, what harm is there in me closing it down?"

Xu Guo's face contorted in disbelief. "We can discuss it further, we can discuss it further."

Zhang Yunxiu stared intently at the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, knowing all too well the man's background.

This Xu Guo was the second son of Xu Fu, a merchant from Huizhou. He had close ties with the Huizhou Merchants Guild Hall in the capital and could even be said to be one of the pillars of those Huizhou merchants.

It should be noted that the merchants in the Huizhou Merchants Guild Hall had been half threatened and half misled into investing a large sum of money in this Renmin Medical Hall.

Subsequently, Hui merchants such as Wang Shishun watched as Renmin Medical Hall became the most authoritative medical hall in the capital.

They even stopped pursuing the previous tens of thousands of taels and invested another forty or fifty thousand taels of silver, just to own a share of Renmin Medical Hall!
Now that Zhang Yunxiu has flipped the table and is going to close the clinic completely, how can Xu Guo not be anxious?
"Nephew Zhang."

Yang Wei, who was also a vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said in a trembling voice.

"Look, if the clinic really closes down, could we get some of the money we paid back?"

Yang Wei was considered an incorruptible official, and a bitter expression involuntarily appeared on his face.

"This is all my retirement money, my dear nephew Zhang."

Renmin Medical Clinic originally promised to provide health guidance for about five years, with discounts available for all subsequent services and medications.

Yang Wei did the math and then gritted his teeth and handed over several thousand taels of silver.

But Zhang Yunxiu actually flipped the table?
"Withdraw?" Zhang Yunxiu said irritably. "Withdraw my ass!"

They didn't give Yang Wei a friendly look at all.

He stood with his hands on his hips, looking like he was saying, "What can you do about it?"

“I’ve spent all that money. The medical clinic needs money for all kinds of research, treating people’s illnesses also costs money, and I often have to invest a lot in research.”

The accounts at Renmin Medical Clinic are all clear and transparent. You are all welcome to check them. Anyway, I, Zhang Yunxiu, don't have a single penny on me!

If you want your money back, go inside the clinic and take everything you see that's valuable to make up for your losses!

I don't have a single penny left~
These words kept echoing in the minds of the civil and military officials in the court.

Many people's eyes immediately went blank, and they felt a throbbing sensation in their temples.

Zhang Yunxiu is clearly in debt, so why is he so arrogant?

But then, their expressions suddenly turned as if they had eaten shit.

Since the outbreak of the plague, Zhu Yinghuai, the young master of the Duke of Cheng's mansion, has miraculously recovered.

Many of the ministers' elderly parents, children, and nephews who were feeling unwell were sent to the VIP care service at that medical clinic.

Zhang Yunxiu would charge several thousand taels of silver at a time, and even required a contract to be signed, but he genuinely treated people's illnesses!
At first, the court officials were not very trusting, but after Renmin Medical Hall truly cured many patients, they flocked to it like moths to a flame!
In the past, even emperors who wished to prolong their lives had to seek immortality and medicine.

But now, as long as you go to Renmin Medical Hall and pay a few thousand taels of silver, someone will help you study your illness, relieve your pain, and develop a plan for your recovery, and may even extend your lifespan.

What could be a better deal than this?
All things considered, nearly 60% of the civil and military officials in the court had some connection with medical clinics.

As a result, Zhang Yunxiu said he was going to close the clinic completely, and even spent all the money!

Previously, the court officials were shocked by the "anti-Zhang faction's" petition to the people, but now that they have come to their senses, they realize that they have become somewhat dependent on this Renmin Medical Clinic!

Allicin is a good thing; it can be used almost anytime a child in the family has a headache or fever.

Although allicin is subject to a quota system, high-ranking officials and nobles can still buy it by spending a lot of money.

You know, in the past, childbirth was a life-or-death struggle for women, and children also faced a life-or-death struggle when they fell ill. But with allicin, everyone can feel that the mortality rate has been greatly reduced!
And that Xu Xu Shangshu hemorrhoid ointment is really effective!
Even many ministers who opposed Zhang were secretly trying to obtain various medicines from Renmin Medical Hall.

The old officials who were about to retire were all thinking that they could recuperate for a few years at Renmin Medical Hall in the capital and perhaps live a little longer!
But now, this kid wants to cancel everything!

"So what if they ban it? They'll ban it then!"

Seeing the reactions of the court officials, Zhang Siwei felt a surge of anger and glared at Zhang Yunxiu.

"Zhang Shiyuan, don't think that such words can absolve you of your crimes! This clinic must be shut down! This new policy must also be abolished! Only in this way can we rectify official corruption and restore a bright and just world to the Ming Dynasty!"

Before Zhang Yunxiu could answer, Yang Wei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said in a pitiful tone.

"No, that's impossible, old man."

Yang Wei, who is nearly seventy years old, almost cried when his mouth twisted.

But Zhang Yunxiu wouldn't let him off the hook, continuing to provoke him.

“I, Zhang Yunxiu, have neither money nor life. My Zhang family has no assets. If you want money, ask His Majesty. His Majesty is the largest shareholder of this clinic!”

"Your Majesty"

With tears streaming down his face, Yang Wei glanced at the emperor but dared not ask for money. He prostrated himself before the imperial steps and wept bitterly.

For other ministers, several thousand taels of silver was indeed painful, but not devastating. However, for an honest official like Yang Wei, losing that amount of silver was like the sky falling and the earth cracking.

Emperor Wanli's lips twitched uncontrollably. He never expected that Zhang Yunxiu would actually flip the table!

Can't this kid do something a normal person would do?!
What does flipping the table mean?

But after being reminded, he suddenly realized.

Damn it, my money is also in Renmin Medical Clinic!
Having witnessed the effectiveness of the medical clinic firsthand, Emperor Wanli impulsively invested nearly 50,000 taels of silver.

Seeing the suffering of the people in the capital, he invested another 50,000 taels of silver to keep the clinic running.

The whole transaction amounted to a total of 100,000 taels of silver!

Therefore, Emperor Wanli was the largest shareholder of Renmin Medical Hall!
For a moment, even the emperor's body trembled slightly.

That's a full 100,000 taels of silver, all of it my own money! It wasn't easy to save it all up!

They had to constantly evade the investigations of officials from the Ministry of Revenue, avoid the discipline of Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, and also endure the gossip of the Qingliu faction.

In the eyes of the Wanli Emperor, the silver in the imperial treasury was more important than anything else.

He even tried to hide money from Empress Dowager Li when she asked the emperor for it.

It can be said that this 100,000 taels of silver was already the limit for Emperor Wanli.

Previously, he had hoped that Zhang Yunxiu could squeeze some money out of the powerful and wealthy to make up for his losses.

结果
Emperor Wanli's expression changed repeatedly. He wanted to reprimand Zhang Yunxiu, but upon seeing Zhang Yunxiu's "unyielding" demeanor, he hesitated.

The Wanli Emperor, who knew the other party quite well, instantly realized something.

This kid.
"Cough cough~"

The Wanli Emperor coughed and then spoke.

"Minister Yang's plight is truly moving. It seems this clinic is not as bad as described in the petition. We must not act rashly. Closing the clinic prematurely is not advisable, I believe."

However, before he could finish speaking, another clueless person interrupted him.

Seeing that the wind was about to change again, Yang Sizhi, the supervising censor of Shaanxi Province, was unwilling to let go of the "opportunity" that was about to be seized, and immediately stepped forward to advise the emperor.

"Your Majesty! We cannot delay any longer! The bloody handprints on this petition are already shocking, and the people of the capital are filled with resentment. Just a few days ago, there were still people outside the clinic who were crying and wailing, denouncing the atrocities committed inside the clinic!"

In my opinion, this…

However, before Yang Sizhi could finish speaking, someone suddenly rushed out from the queue and kicked him hard.

"Fuck you!"

Xu Guo, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, disregarded his breach of etiquette before the emperor and was kicked in the buttocks of Yang Sizhi.

"Hey! You little rascal!"

Yang Sizhi fell flat on his face, and in a fit of rage, he wanted to look up and argue with the other party.

But as soon as he looked up, he saw a huge boot sole right in front of him. "Whoa!"

Yang Sizhi let out a scream, a dark shoe print left on his face, and he collapsed onto the floor tiles.

Xu Guo was still not satisfied, so he threw away his official tablet and smashed it directly in Yang Sizhi's face.

They cursed at the same time.

"You filthy scoundrel who brings disaster to the country and its people, you're always making baseless accusations and acting like a mad dog, biting anyone you see!"
Deceiving the emperor is already a serious crime, but to go and disrupt the court is even more outrageous!
Renmin Medical Clinic widely distributes herbal medicine to relieve people from suffering, which is a great thing that benefits the country and the people.

For your own selfish reasons, you have gone to such lengths to denigrate others; you are truly heartless and despicable!
Today, I, an old man, will act on behalf of Heaven to uphold justice!
You want to close your clinic? You'll have to step over my dead body first!

Listen up, everyone—even if the sky were to fall, this clinic would not close down in the slightest!
Closing down the clinic? Close your mother's legs!

"Xu Guo! You—" Zhang Siwei hurriedly stepped out of the queue, wanting to stop Xu Guo, but when he met Xu Guo's fierce eyes, he was completely stunned.

Xu Guo glared at Zhang Siwei, who immediately retreated, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

However, despite being beaten and bearing a black shoe print on his face, Yang Sizhi still didn't back down verbally.

He lay on the ground, raised his head, and spoke.

"Xu Weizhen!!! You sycophants! This clinic must be closed! Even if you kill me, it must be closed today!"
"Waaah~ You vulgar scoundrels~ I'm going to impeach you, I'm going to impeach you severely!"

It's fine if you don't say anything, but saying this has stirred up a hornet's nest.

"You scoundrel! The clinic must not be abandoned!"

An official suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and took the lead, rushing up and kicking Yang Sizhi on the ground again.

"Traitor!"

"You worthless bastard!"

"You scoundrel! Are you going to abandon the people?"

The situation quickly escalated into a one-sided brawl, with a group of angry old ministers, eager to protect their money and health, surrounding Yang Sizhi and beating him mercilessly.

Even the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet dare not strike, yet you, Yang Sizhi, a mere censor, dare to act so recklessly here?

Yang Wei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, walked up with trembling steps and used a ivory tablet to hit the other man on the head twice.

Completely different from his previous statement, he said angrily.

"Old dog! This clinic must not be abolished! Do you want to ruin the country?"

Initially, some members of the "anti-Zhang faction" tried to step forward to stop him and protect Yang Sizhi.

As more and more ministers in the court began to fight, even Zhang Siwei and Xu Xuemo became so afraid that they kept their distance, fearing that one of the retired ministers might punch them in the face.

"Fuck!"

Zhang Yunxiu stood to the side, stunned.

Upon seeing Xu Guo's heroic figure, he couldn't help but think of it.

He truly deserves to be called a civil official with military achievements in history; his skills are truly remarkable!
It's just that my language isn't very polite. Even though I, Zhang Yunxiu, am still young, I wouldn't use such vulgar language!
Wow~ I learned something new~
In Zhang Yunxiu's view, this was much more exciting than watching the court arguments in the old TV dramas.

Most importantly, Ming Dynasty officials came from all over the country, so their accents and dialects were naturally very different.

In court, people naturally speak in official language, but when they start arguing, they can say all sorts of things.

This Xu Guo was from Shexian County, Huizhou. He spoke with a strong Huizhou accent, and even had the air of a military officer. He was incredibly brave!
But Zhang Yunxiu also understood that this man had not been close to his father, Zhang Juzheng, before. His rise to prominence was solely for one word—"money."

Others may not know, but Zhang Yunxiu knows all too well.

Ordinary court officials only lost a few thousand taels of silver, but the Huizhou merchants under Xu Guo's command invested a total of over ten thousand taels of silver!
They staked everything on Renmin Medical Clinic.

These tens of thousands of taels of silver are all working capital. Some large merchants can afford a portion of it, but small merchants will really be ruined!
At that time, the Huizhou merchants' layout in Beizhili will be completely disrupted, and all their business will be handed over to the Shanxi merchants!

At first, Xu Guo still had the idea of ​​appeasement, but when he flipped the table, he immediately understood.

These upright individuals are determined to fight to the death with the medical clinic!

The Wanli Emperor, who was standing on the steps, had already risen from his throne.

He widened his beady eyes, straining to open them as he searched for Yang Sizhi's figure in the crowd.

Surrounded by eager courtiers, he couldn't see anything; all he could hear were pitiful cries and the sounds of fists pounding flesh.

Feng Bao frowned before the Emperor and looked at the Wanli Emperor, asking a question.

"Your Majesty, should we stop them? After all, they are in front of the Emperor."

"Stop them?" the Wanli Emperor said matter-of-factly. "Why should we stop them? These Han generals are too rough; if they injure these veteran officials, who will bear the responsibility?"

Feng Bao's expression was strange, but he didn't say anything more. After all, he was also the one who hoped that the Qingliu faction would suffer a terrible death, but he just couldn't show it in court.

The old ministers burned incense for almost the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and seeing that Yang Sizhi was no longer human, with his head swollen like a pig, the old ministers reluctantly dispersed.

At this moment, Xu Guo stepped out from the crowd, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed heavily to the Wanli Emperor.

"Your Majesty! Yang Si knows this man is a treacherous villain! You must not listen to his nonsense!"

This book of ten thousand people represents the will of the people, but it cannot ultimately represent all the people in the world. To judge based on this is truly biased!
This clinic is a valuable resource that benefits the country and its people. If it were to be closed prematurely, how many patients would be left without access to medical care?
Now that the plague has just subsided, there are still patients, and these people are clamoring to close the clinic. How is this any different from treating human life like dirt?
Today, I am so enraged by this treacherous villain that I have lost all composure before Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I will have no complaints.

"But if Your Majesty still wishes to close the clinic, then let this old minister be beaten to death right here in court!"

Xu Guo started the fight, and the other veteran ministers, who were still enjoying themselves, quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, please do not close the clinic!"

"Your Majesty, this old minister is suffering greatly! This Wang Sizhi is truly going too far!"

"Your Majesty, please accept my advice."

Then came a series of pitiful cries.

These veteran officials who took action actually cried even more miserably than Yang Sizhi, who had been beaten earlier.

Of course, at this moment, Imperial Censor Yang was on his deathbed, and his fate was unknown.

Emperor Wanli was enjoying himself immensely when he saw these old ministers kneeling before him, and his expression became quite interesting.

These people are really...
Previously silent and even ambiguous, they became agitated like roosters with their feathers bristling the moment Zhang Yunxiu mentioned closing the clinic.

Is it even absolutely necessary to save the clinic?
Surprised as I was, this clearly met Emperor Wanli's expectations.

Not to mention Xu Guo's fury, even the Wanli Emperor wanted to kick Yang Sizhi a couple of times.

My money is in there too!
But the Wanli Emperor still had to put on an air of imperial majesty. He sighed heavily and said in a deep voice.

"My esteemed ministers, you have acted far too impulsively! How can one fight with another in the imperial court? It is utterly unbecoming!"

"I am waiting for death!"

These old ministers of Xu Guo are very savvy about the court. They were arrogant when they were beating people, but now they will definitely be crying and pleading guilty.

"Hey~"

Emperor Wanli sighed again, looking quite troubled.

"Most of you are veteran officials who have served through the Jiajing and Longqing reigns. I truly cannot be too harsh on you. However, the laws of the court are in place. Considering this is your first offense, I will fine you a year's salary, and this will not be a repeat offense!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! We, your humble servants, could never repay your kindness, even with our lives!"

The dozen or so veteran officials knelt before the imperial steps, wiping away tears with their sleeves.

Emperor Wanli glanced again at Yang Sizhi lying on the ground, who was no longer human, and a sorrowful expression appeared on his face. He then spoke to Feng Bao and the others.

"Yang Yushi unintentionally misspoke and got into a fight with the senior officials, so he will also be fined one month's salary."

Xu Xuemo, standing to the side, had his lips tightly pursed and his face was deathly pale, as if he had just walked out of a graveyard.

His lips were trembling slightly, perhaps from fear, as he reminded the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Censor Yang has fallen into a coma. Should we summon a doctor to treat him?"

Emperor Wanli then realized what was happening, patted his head, and said...

"I had forgotten about that."

If someone dies, this will be a real problem.

He then spoke to Feng Bao.

"Feng, quickly carry the person away for treatment. Remember, don't send them to Renmin Medical Clinic; Imperial Censor Yang doesn't like medical clinics. Just send them to Imperial Physician Gong's clinic."

Feng Bao felt that the emperor was becoming increasingly wicked, but a smile still appeared on his lips as he spoke.

"As you command!"

Emperor Wanli glanced at Zhang Siwei and asked meaningfully.

"Mr. Ziwei, Minister Xu, is there anything else you would like to say about this clinic?"

"Your Majesty."

Zhang Siwei looked unsteady on his feet, and he subconsciously glanced at Xu Guo.

Not only Xu Guo, but also a group of veteran officials slowly turned their heads.

Those bloodshot eyes really startled Zhang Siwei, and he didn't dare to say a single word of dissent.

Zhang Siwei was also afraid that he would be beaten to death in the court by this group of reckless old ministers!
He let out a heavy sigh, his voice filled with resentment.

"Your Majesty, I have no objection. Let's make a decision on all matters after the investigation is completed!"

Along with Xu Xuemo beside him, he also lost his edge at this moment, like a deflated balloon, and raised the ivory tablet that the emperor had just smashed in a fit of rage, and said with his head down.

"I have no objection!"

Won!

A smile appeared on the lips of Emperor Wanli, and he felt an indescribable sense of comfort, his whole being radiant with health.

This was the first time he had ever made a Grand Secretary and a Minister bow their heads before him!
He exhaled and said.

"Since that's the case, then let's do it that way! Feng, you may leave the court."

After all this commotion today, Emperor Wanli was truly exhausted.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he frowned and looked at Zhang Yunxiu who had come out.

"What? Does Magistrate Zhang have something else to say?"

There was a hint of weariness in his speech, but also a sense of anticipation.

"It's natural!"

Zhang Yunxiu certainly wouldn't let this excellent opportunity slip by.

He had painstakingly investigated and patiently waited until now, when Qingliu was most vulnerable and he was caught off guard, so he struck them hard!

Zhang Yunxiu wanted to provide timely assistance to these people!
He raised his ivory token high and spoke in an extremely loud voice.

"Your subject, Zhang Yunxiu, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hereby denounces Zhang Siwei, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and Xu Xuemo, Minister of Rites, and their cronies for forming cliques, colluding with White Lotus Rebellion bandits, harming innocent people, and deceiving the Emperor!"

　Note 1: Xu Guo was impulsive. See Biography 107 of Volume 219 of the History of Ming: "Xu Guo was stubborn and quick-tempered, and would often act rashly. He frequently made things difficult for those who spoke to him, lacking the demeanor of a high-ranking official, and therefore, scholars did not support him."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)