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

Chapter 145 The Fate of Abandoned Pawns?
Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Yunxiu waited anxiously in the imperial study, and his eyes fell on a book on the bookshelf called "Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang".

This medical book contains the standards for prepared medicines promulgated by the Song Dynasty court. Under the iron heel of the Yuan Dynasty, many classic books of the Song Dynasty were burned and lost, but the medical book was preserved intact.

What could be found in the emperor's study was certainly not a copy.

Upon seeing this book, Zhang Yunxiu naturally thought of Li Shizhen, the "Sage of Medicine".

To be honest, Zhang Yunxiu went to great lengths to cure his father's dysentery, even bringing up the treasonous act of rebellion.

Am I, Zhang Yunxiu, plotting a rebellion? I, Zhang Yunxiu, am a loyal subject!

It's nothing more than my father being too useless, nothing more than my father refusing to seek medical help!

Therefore, in order to treat his father's dysentery, as soon as the epidemic prevention and control was coming to an end, Zhang Yunxiu allocated manpower and resources from the clinic to study a cure for the disease.

In fact, even in later generations, the only way to cure hemorrhoids is through surgical removal.

Did the Ming Dynasty have any precedents for surgical procedures?

Indeed, such practices existed, including incision and drainage of carbuncles, amputation of toes for gangrene, and castration of eunuchs entering the palace.

However, the technology itself is less than impressive.

Even in this era, the most skilled doctors are extremely rare when it comes to performing surgery.

Therefore, unless there was no cure, people in ancient times would not undergo surgery.

No surgery?
The methods used by doctors in the Ming Dynasty to treat hemorrhoids mainly involved applying herbal poultices and using a sclerotherapy method.

This method of drying hemorrhoids was the very treatment that led to the death of Zhang Juzheng, Zhang's father, in history.

Applying arsenic to the affected area makes it clear that there's little chance of survival.

The lack of precedents and the high mortality rate led to problems during the research process—no doctor dared to treat Zhang Juzheng.

Putting aside Zhang Juzheng's position as "Grand Secretary" in the imperial court, what would be the consequences of killing him?

The fact that the other party was Master Zhang Yunxiu's father had already silenced many doctors.

It was simply that Zhang Yunxiu's reputation was too great; the whole capital knew that he was a vengeful person.

Have you not seen how anyone who offended him in the imperial court met a good end?
Zhang Yunxiu was saying something incredibly blasphemous: "Even if you all kill my father, I won't even flinch. I'll be overjoyed."

But which of Zhang Juzheng's disciples or followers would dare to actually lay a hand on him?

This led to a dead end in the treatment of Zhang Juzheng.

However, Zhang Yunxiu's father, Zhang Juzheng, had a hidden illness that couldn't be left untreated, since he still needed his father's help to continue his schemes in the court.

If he suddenly kicks the bucket, where will he find a father as reliable as Zhang Juzheng?
After much thought, there was only one way: to find Li Shizhen to remove Zhang Juzheng's hemorrhoids!
On the one hand, Li Shizhen, bearing the title of "Sage of Medicine," was already famous throughout the world, so he naturally had the confidence to treat Zhang Juzheng.

On the other hand, Li Shizhen traveled and practiced medicine among the people for many years, accumulating experience in treating various difficult and complicated diseases.

For example, his record of the datura flower in the "Compendium of Materia Medica".

"Gather these flowers in August and hemp flowers in July, dry them in the shade, grind them into powder. Before cutting sores or applying moxibustion, take this powder first to avoid the bitterness."

Clearly, Mr. Dongbi has extensive relevant experience; otherwise, why would Zhang Yunxiu have inquired about his understanding of anesthetics beforehand?

Most importantly, even though he caused Zhang Juzheng's death, Zhang Yunxiu did not dare to offend Li Shizhen, which would be a great disgrace to the world.

Only by entrusting his own father's genitals to Li Shizhen could he feel at ease!

Just as Zhang Yunxiu was lost in thought in the imperial study, footsteps finally came from outside.

Emperor Wanli hurried into the imperial study and was overjoyed to see Zhang Yunxiu.

He walked straight to the throne above, and couldn't help but praise it.

"Zhang Shiyuan, Zhang Shiyuan! I have always thought you were clever and quick-witted. Now it seems that you not only have a little cleverness, but also a talent for solving cases, which is no less than that of Di Renjie!"

Emperor Wanli praised it highly, but Zhang Yunxiu stepped forward to pay his respects and sighed helplessly.

"Unfortunately, in the end, justice could not be served for the people."

The Wanli Emperor's expression darkened, and he responded helplessly.

"I am not Wu Zetian, and Shiyuan is not Di Renjie. The court is not so simple, and we cannot act recklessly. There are reasons for this."

The emperor was unwilling to discuss the details, but what he did say was from the bottom of his heart.

Of course, Zhang Yunxiu did not intend to rely on the Wanli Emperor. If he were reliable, he would not have been hiding in the deep palace and neglecting his duties for so many years.

For an emperor who tends to run away from problems, achieving this level of accomplishment is, in a sense, quite a challenge.

As they were talking, the Wanli Emperor handed a document to Zhang Yunxiu.

"Shiyuan, take a look at this."

Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat prepared, but he was still startled when he saw the document.

The document was very simple; it was a "report" from Liu Shouyou, the Vice Commissioner of the Northern Garrison Command and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, asking for forgiveness.

The main content is that Xu Xuemo, the former Minister of Rites, who was a wanted criminal for colluding with the White Lotus Rebellion, hanged himself in prison yesterday out of fear of punishment!

Liu Shouyou, the Vice Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, explained the matter and asked the emperor for leniency for failing to properly oversee the situation.

Although Zhang Yunxiu was the Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he did not hold any "administrative position." The affairs of the Northern Garrison were mainly handled by Liu Shouyou. The report also mentioned that before Xu Xuemo, the former Minister of Rites, hanged himself, he wrote a confession in blood on the prison wall, admitting to a number of crimes, including colluding with the White Lotus Rebellion and inciting refugees.

Xu Xuemo actually took all the blame?
Zhang Yunxiu frowned deeply, and a possibility suddenly came to mind. He looked at the Wanli Emperor and asked directly.

"What does Your Majesty intend to do with the Xu family?"

He naturally thought that Xu Xuemo and Zhang Siwei, as well as the group of upright officials, gentry and Shanxi merchants behind them, had reached some kind of agreement!
He sacrificed his own life to ensure the safety of his family.

Such practices are commonplace, both in ancient and modern times.

But I never expected that.
"Humph!"

The Wanli Emperor snorted coldly, his eyes blazing with fury.

"He thought that death would end everything? He colluded with the White Lotus Rebellion, embezzled public funds, disrupted the court, incited displaced people, and may even have been the leader of the White Lotus Rebellion. He should have been beheaded and his head displayed to the public!"

Clearly, Emperor Wanli's anger towards the Qingliu faction had been entirely transferred to Xu Xuemo.

Zhang Yunxiu's gaze hardened as he asked, "Then what does Your Majesty mean?"

"Copy the house!"

The Wanli Emperor's eyes revealed ruthlessness.

"The rest of the family members were either exiled to the frontier or forced into prostitution by the brothels!"

Emperor Wanli still seemed unsatisfied with this punishment.

Clearly, this decision was made by the imperial court, and the joint trial by the three judicial departments was merely a formality.

Zhang Yunxiu looked somewhat surprised.

In fact, based on the evidence he possessed, it was still inconclusive whether Xu Xuemo was the leader of the White Lotus Rebellion.

Even the "Vajra Pestle" and "Scriptures" found by the Xu family seemed too deliberate, unlike something someone like Xu Xuemo would leave behind.

On the contrary, it seems like...
Despite being somewhat prepared, Zhang Yunxiu still got goosebumps all over.

These supposedly upright people are really ruthless!
Xu Xuemo's willingness to commit suicide in the imperial prison must have been due to some kind of deal he made with them, or perhaps he was misled by them.

However, what he did not expect was that if he had not died, the blame could not be easily determined, but once he died, everyone would inevitably place all the blame on him.

That's fine, at least he managed to save his family, so he died a worthy death.

But now it seems that not only has Xu Xuemo become a pawn of the Qingliu faction, but the Xu family has also become their pawn.

Otherwise, who will bear the emperor's suppressed, overwhelming rage, and the public outcry after all these cruel acts have been quelled?
Only Xu Xuemo would naively believe that Zhang Siwei, who was barely able to protect himself, and the self-proclaimed righteous and morally upright officials, would actually help him save his family.

For a moment, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.

After this case, Minister Xu Xuemo, who was once praised by scholars, will be criticized and discredited, and will even leave a bad name in history books.

After all, no one had any motive to speak up for Xu Xuemo and get justice!

In comparison, unintentionally associating Xu Xuemo with hemorrhoid cream could actually be said to have given him a good reputation.

History can be quite absurd at times.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu's complicated expression, Emperor Wanli couldn't help but mention it.

Zhang Ziwei

He let out a heavy breath, his voice tinged with helplessness.

"I intend to approve his retirement and return to his hometown; after all, he is a man..."

The emperor looked up at Zhang Yunxiu and couldn't help but sigh.

"Shiyuan, I was forced into this situation!"

The Ming Dynasty generally treated officials who entered the cabinet with preferential treatment.

During the Ming Dynasty, the person who was punished most severely was Xia Yan during the Jiajing reign.

In the twenty-seventh year of the Jiajing reign, Xia Yan was attacked by Yan Song for accepting bribes, interfering in market affairs, and other crimes. He was eventually beheaded in the West Market, his wife, Su, was exiled to Guangxi, and his descendants were stripped of their official positions and reduced to commoners. He was the only Grand Secretary in the Ming Dynasty to be beheaded.

In contrast, other high-ranking officials who were convicted, such as Yan Song, were generally dismissed from their posts and had their property confiscated.

Even the later Chongzhen Emperor only gave poisoned wine and white silk to people like Xue Guoguan and Zhou Yanru.

Given this prevailing atmosphere, and with the strong support of Shanxi merchants behind Zhang Siwei, even the emperor couldn't bring himself to deal with him.

Retiring and returning to their hometowns was a way for both sides to leave each other with a sense of dignity.

Seeing the Wanli Emperor displaying an extremely indignant expression in front of him, Zhang Yunxiu had reason to suspect that the young emperor was starting to go astray.

This damn emperor looks like he's pointing fingers at himself.

If it were a lackey like Lu Bing, seeing the emperor so angry, he would definitely send someone to ambush and kill Zhang Siwei on the way, thus getting himself into trouble.

Zhang Yunxiu certainly didn't want to let Zhang Siwei go, but he wouldn't resort to such a flawed method as ambush.

After thinking for a moment, he gave his earnest advice.

"I do have an idea."

(End of this chapter)