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

Chapter 152 Zhang Shiyuan! What have you taught my son?
From the very beginning, even the Duke of England, Zhang Rong, scoffed at Zhang Yunxiu's idea.

If it weren't for the successful precedent of Renmin Medical Clinic, Zhang Rong might not have had the patience to listen to Zhang Yunxiu's explanation.

Not to mention these refugees.

They already distrusted the imperial court, and the White Lotus Rebellion was also interfering.

You need to explain to that group of soldiers that everyone should go to Xishan, that the government is doing this for your own good and would never deceive you, and that there will be food and drink for you there.

Can they believe it?
Some people, incited by the White Lotus Rebellion, even considered using a rebellion within the military camp to force the court to retain the Anping Army's organizational structure, so that they could continue to make a living.

"The previous mutiny in the camp was probably instigated by the White Lotus Rebellion. The rift between the refugees and the court is deepening. How can you convince them without causing them to rebel? A slight misstep could lead to disaster!"

Thinking about this gave Zhang Rong a headache, and he waved his hand and said.

"In my opinion, there is no need to promote any more 'crosstalk'. I request Your Majesty to dispatch three battalions of 10,000 men to escort these refugees to Xishan. It would be simple and straightforward. Once they have some benefits, they will surely work hard."

Zhang Yunxiu was speechless. Was this how military officers solved problems in such a simple and brutal way?

He shook his head and said.

“It won’t work. Uncle’s move might be useful, but if the refugees don’t go willingly, they will definitely cause trouble.”

"Cause trouble?" Zhang Rong glared and said. "Then we'll kill them without mercy!"

Zhang Yunxiu quickly comforted him, saying, "Uncle, you're always fighting and killing; you're being far too impulsive."

Zhang Rong squinted and said, "If you are always so womanly and act coyly, how can you accomplish anything? You scholars are used to using all sorts of tricks, but you don't know the principle that the greatest truths are the simplest."

Is this how the saying "the greatest truths are the simplest" is explained?
Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat helpless, but still explained with a smile.

"Why mobilize troops when a problem can be solved by planning? Deploying the three major camps would waste a lot of manpower and resources."

My nephew isn't being overly sentimental; he genuinely believes that all the refugees are promising individuals. If they are properly settled in Xishan, they will surely create immense value!
Therefore, instead of suppressing the indiscriminate killing, we should protect them.

If we provide the refugees with a means to make a living, they can then support the workshops, improve production, and the workshops will earn money from the officials and nobles in the capital, relieving His Majesty and Uncle's predicament. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

As expected of Zhang Juzheng's son, he speaks with great eloquence.

Zhang Rong's lips twitched. What does "sleepy" mean?
My predicament is all caused by you, Zhang Yunxiu!

Zhang Rong was very dissatisfied, but she still asked aloud.

How can you get them to do it willingly?

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and gently pointed to the two people on the stage.

"Uncle, you'll know at a glance."

"You're keeping us in suspense again!"

Zhang Rong said this, but her actions betrayed her words as she turned to look at the performance on stage.

At this moment, the first "crosstalk" performance in the Ming Dynasty has reached its climax.

With the groundwork laid by the previous skits, Zhu Yinghuai and Zhang Yuanhao gradually got into the swing of things, even performing better than during rehearsals. They came up with all sorts of impromptu performances, making the audience below the stage laugh uproariously.

The mountain of various kinds of dry food piled up beside the stage was proof of the duo's excellent performance.

In fact, Zhang Yunxiu did not intentionally provoke Zhang Rong by finding the two of them and having them perform this "crosstalk".

In a way, these two frequented teahouses, taverns, and brothels, hearing stories of extraordinary people and witnessing all sorts of events, so they could be considered "well-informed" in a certain sense.

He can be considered the best candidate to teach "crosstalk".

Besides, compared to street storytellers, these two young masters received a far superior education from a young age. They were familiar with the classics, history, philosophy, and literature, and were also quite adept at various language skills.

Finally, these two men were usually idle and had a great interest in the "storytelling" profession, spending their free time preparing various crosstalk routines.

A combination of factors led to their outstanding performance today.

But then a new topic was raised on the stage: an extension of the story of Guan Yu fighting Qin Qiong.

Zhang Yuanhao then spoke with great emotion.

"Speaking of which, there is also a general in the capital, my father. He was skilled in archery and horsemanship from a young age and strived to serve the court, but ultimately he never had the opportunity."

Zhu Yinghuai: "He truly is a righteous man."

Zhang Yuanhao: "He is a wonderful person. He has always doted on me since I was a child, but unfortunately, I haven't lived up to his expectations."

This segment is a personal reflection of Zhang Yuanhao's own experience, vividly recounting his genuine feelings since childhood.

In an instant, even many of the displaced people in the audience were moved by this emotion.

How many of them are both fathers and children?
"Stinky boy!"

For a moment, even Zhang Rong, who had been looking serious, had tears welling up in her eyes.

He turned his head away, perhaps not wanting Zhang Yunxiu to see his loss of composure.

Zhang Rong let out a heavy sigh and looked at Zhang Yunxiu with a sense of gratitude.

"Nephew, please don't take my previous words to heart."

But before he could finish speaking, the following joke completely broke the Duke's defenses.

After the emotional segment, the conversation suddenly shifted to Zhang Yuanhao's father.

Without revealing his name, it was only said that Zhang Yuanhao's father was a famous "leukorrhea doctor" in the capital, specializing in treating women's menstrual disorders.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rong's expression froze, but what followed was even more explosive.

Zhang Yuanhao said with great emotion, "He is a well-known doctor in the market. My father is always happy when patients are young."

He sat down next to the patient and covered his face.

Hmph hmph hmph! Hmph hmph hmph!

Zhang Yuanhao stood on the stage, performing the appearance of a lewd old man, instantly making the refugees below laugh uproariously.

Zhu Yinghuai quickly added, "What's wrong with your father?"

Zhang Yuanhao said in a serious tone, "I'm too young to know. Anyway, my father was happy, and later someone even gave him a plaque."

Zhu Yinghuai: "Is that so?"

Zhang Yuanhao: "A skillful hand with a lustful heart."

Zhu Yinghuai: "Cough cough cough! You dare not speak such nonsense, how could it be lust?"

The performers on stage were very enthusiastic, and the displaced people in the audience were so happy that they bent over.

Even Zhang Yunxiu laughed out loud, but one person's expression grew increasingly ugly.

Zhang Rong's silver-white beard stood on end, his eyes were bloodshot, and his hand was on the sword at his waist, with veins bulging and his knuckles turning bluish-white.

His face flushed red with shame, and he let out a low growl of grief and indignation.

"Zhang! Yuan! Hao! How dare you, you brats, tarnish my reputation like this! This is intolerable!"

"You brat! Don't stop me, I'm going to chop this wretched creature up right now!"

"Zhang Shiyuan! What have you been teaching Yuanhao? And you're telling me this is what you call refinement?"

But Zhang Yunxiu showed no intention of stopping the other party. He crossed his arms and smiled as he spoke.

"Your Excellency, please calm down!"

The other party did not stop him, and Zhang Rong was left floundering on the spot, looking slightly embarrassed. He took a few steps forward and grabbed Zhang Yunxiu's collar, saying...

"You brat, how dare you slander me with such vulgar language? Do you really think that's elegant?"

“The most common is the most elegant.” Zhang Yunxiu remained completely calm. “Since ancient times, has the distinction between the common and the elegant ever been so clear?”
Uncle, do you know that to win the hearts of the people, one must share their joys, immerse oneself in the lives of ordinary people, and humble oneself to respect their customs and preferences?

The refugees were rough country folk, and naturally, they used a lot of vulgar and crude language in their daily lives.

Compared to what we just heard, that was already quite subtle. There are much more explicit raunchy jokes out there~

"You!" Zhang Rong's eyes were still wide with anger.

But then Zhang Yunxiu said, "Does Uncle not sometimes say anything crude when he reminisces with you nobles?"

Immediately, Zhang Rong's expression froze.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said, "Food and sex are human nature, Uncle, please don't take it to heart. It's just a performance on stage, not something you, Uncle, would actually do."

"Enough! Don't say any more!"

Zhang Rong slowly loosened the other person's collar, seemingly persuaded by the other person's silver tongue.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, Zhang Yunxiu's words echoing in his mind, seemingly lost in thought.

Zhang Rong looked at the group of vagrants not far away, filled with laughter and chatter, and the two playboys performing with great enthusiasm on stage.

He couldn't help but feel that there was a magical power within it that could change people.

And the origin of this power comes from the whimsical ideas of the clever young man beside him.
Can this kind of "crosstalk" really solve the problem? And better manage the displaced people?
Zhang Rong instinctively realized the importance of this and couldn't help but ask.

"Your 'crosstalk' is quite amusing and very engaging, but how can it possibly get the refugees to go to the Western Hills?"

"After watching this 'crosstalk' performance, the refugees will want to watch it every day from now on."

Zhang Yunxiu gave an answer, but then denied it himself.

"However, that alone is not enough. We used the jokes and stories we told earlier to capture the hearts of the refugees and gain their trust. Then, we can naturally guide them to yearn for Xishan."

After another rambling analysis, Zhang Rong only half understood what he was hearing, but still turned his attention to the stage.

At this moment, the two performers on stage were already covered in sweat. Zhang Yuanhao wiped the sweat from his head with a white towel, looking very tired but also very happy.

He then changed the subject and spoke to Zhu Yinghuai.

"I've heard that there's a top scholar in the capital named Zhang Shiyuan, and he's found a good business opportunity."

Zhu Yinghuai feigned surprise and said, "Oh? That Zhang Shiyuan is quite a remarkable figure. He is also on very good terms with His Majesty. For months, the plague has been raging, and it was thanks to Zhang Tongzhi who established the Renmin Medical Clinic that the crisis was averted."

The two of them took turns recounting Zhang Yunxiu's deeds, praising him to the skies.

Zhang Rong looked at Zhang Yunxiu with a hint of helplessness and said leisurely.

"Did you write all these jokes?"

Zhang Yunxiu blushed. Even someone as composed as him was a little embarrassed at this moment, and awkwardly added.

"A few minor artistic touches."

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Yuanhao was heard speaking on stage.

"I've heard that recently, Magistrate Zhang wants to build a workshop in Xishan. The workshop is desperately short of manpower. The wages aren't very high, but workers will have housing, clothes, and food."

Zhu Yinghuai said, "I've also heard about this. I heard that compared to businesses in the capital, this workshop doesn't require brokers to act as guarantors, so they take less money. It works out to five hundred copper coins a month, which is something to look forward to."

Then, the two of them took turns explaining how good the "West Mountain Workshop" was and what kind of benefits it could provide.

They even added a note reminding the refugees that this matter was approved by His Majesty the Emperor and guaranteed by Zhang Tongzhi, so there would definitely be no problems.

Zhang Rong frowned deeply, observing the changes in the faces of the refugees through his binoculars.

He found that the refugees indeed showed no signs of wariness, and even when they heard about the court and the emperor, they were no longer so resistant. They believed everything the two men said without a doubt.

Many of the displaced people even showed longing on their faces and hope in their eyes.

Was all of this because of the groundwork laid beforehand?

To avoid appearing too deliberate, the two on stage didn't say much, only briefly mentioning the joke.

The two were perfectly in sync and spoke very politely, showing no trace of the demeanor of noblemen. They were gentle and refined, like well-behaved scholars.

The refugees were still reluctant to leave, but they treated the two men with great respect, bowing and thanking them repeatedly.

It is truly touching that scholars are willing to lower themselves to amuse ordinary people like them.

As the refugees gradually dispersed, Zhu Yinghuai and Zhang Yuanhao, who had been smiling, panicked and ran away as soon as they saw the figures below the stage.

Even with such a quick reaction, it was still to no avail.

"You two! Stop right there!"

Zhang Rong, though nearly seventy, was still agile and easily defeated these two men, Xu Ge, who were known for their outrageous behavior.

In just a few steps, he "ambushed and killed" the two men inside the camp!

When Zhang Yuanhao and Zhu Yinghuai saw Zhang Rong, they were terrified, like mice seeing a cat.

The two turned to run away, but several of Zhang Rong's personal guards surrounded them. The deputy general had no choice but to dissuade them.

"Young master, please apologize to the Duke!"

Zhang Yuanhao, however, stuck out his neck, his face full of stubbornness.

"I have done nothing wrong! Why should I apologize to this old geezer? If you have the guts, then just chop me up with one blow!"

"You unfilial son! How long are you going to continue this nonsense?"

Zhang Rongbai's eyes widened in anger, his white beard fluttering, and with a roar, Zhang Yuanhao's legs went weak.

On the other side, Zhu Yinghuai had a big smile on his face, looking utterly disloyal as he tried to run away.

"Uncle, I have some troubles at home. My brother asked me to go home for dinner. Could you let me go back first?"

But Zhang Rong showed no mercy, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

"No way! If you two don't explain the whole story clearly today, I'll break your legs!"

Zhu Yinghuai and Zhang Yuanhao were terrified and retreated repeatedly, but they were no match for the military officers. It was clear that they were about to "confess their crimes and submit to the law".

Zhang Yuanhao, with his sharp eyes, spotted Zhang Yunxiu standing behind his father and waved loudly.

"Master! Master! Please save us! That old man wants to break our legs! Master, you promised to teach us how to be outstanding, rebellious sons!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rong abruptly turned his head, his eyes sharp and questioning.

He spoke through his nose.

"Master?"

Zhang Yunxiu had intended to sneak away, but he was caught red-handed and could only force a dry laugh.

"Um... Uncle, please allow me to explain."

　Note 1: This crosstalk routine is adapted from Guo Degang's "The Funeral Service".

　　
　
(End of this chapter)