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

Chapter 177 Zhang Juzheng's Art of Compromise
Surprisingly, Zhang Yunxiu's rude remarks did not anger Zhang Juzheng; instead, Zhang Juzheng remained calm.

He sighed heavily, his gaze towards his young son filled with helplessness.

"Shiyuan, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but the general trend is unavoidable."

He gently put down the memorial at hand and began to analyze it slowly.

"Throughout history, even those with extraordinary talent have needed to follow the trend of the times."

The Records of the Grand Historian states that Xiang Yu was arrogant and self-reliant, went against the tide of history, released Liu Ji at the Feast at Hongmen, and let the tiger return to the mountain. He ruled the world by force, but ultimately ended up being surrounded at Gaixia and committing suicide at Wujiang.

For example, Wang Mang in the Book of Han disregarded the times and the general trend of the world, and forcibly implemented the well-field system and the Five Equalizations and Six Controls policy, ultimately losing his life in the chaos of war.

This serves as a further example.
The saying goes, "Victory and defeat are unpredictable in war; enduring shame and humiliation is the mark of a true man." Enduring hardship is never wrong.

Zhang Juzheng's erudition left Zhang Yunxiu completely bewildered.

What is all this about? Xiang Yu and Wang Mang have both arrived?
In his father's eyes, was he already no different from these two?
It seems they've heard some rumors again.
With a sense of inquiry, Zhang Yunxiu picked up the copy of the "Gyeonggi Daily" and glanced at it briefly, reading the articles inside.

The collapse theory of Xishan is evident between the lines.

He said it with a hint of disdain.

"It's nothing more than a poor imitation. These analyses seem logical, but they are actually full of arrogance and prejudice. They seek evidence based on results and reverse cause and effect."

Zhang Yunxiu scoffed and casually tossed the newspaper aside.

"As for the water seepage at the Xishan Coal Mine, if the ancients couldn't solve it, why can't I? Father, aren't you having too little faith in me?"

Zhang Juzheng frowned deeply, seemingly somewhat angry.

"This Jingji Daily is not prominent in the capital, but in Beizhili it is already showing signs of surpassing your Wanli Xinbao."

It has been said before that newspapers are a powerful tool for educating the masses. If the *Gyeonggi Ilbo* gains the upper hand, the balance of power will shift. Are you aware of this?

Upon hearing the news from the Gyeonggi Daily, Jang Yoon-soo felt somewhat helpless.

However, he did not feel that the Gyeonggi Ilbo posed a significant threat.

Zhang Yunxiu said nonchalantly.

“Father, once the trend of newspapers takes hold, it’s hard to stop the trend of others following suit. It’s inevitable that other people will start newspapers.”

He had foreseen that once he started publishing a newspaper, it would be difficult to monopolize the market, and the emergence of competitors was inevitable.

From Zhang Yunxiu's perspective, with his hundreds of years of experience and the vast knowledge base in his head, it didn't matter if others followed suit.

From Zhang Juzheng's perspective, however, such an innovative object as a "newspaper" was a once-in-a-century phenomenon.

Once something is stolen and imitated, it undoubtedly loses its competitiveness.

In ancient society, new things came too infrequently, which is why some people would pass down their unique "crafts" as family heirlooms.

This was precisely what Zhang Juzheng was worried about.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head helplessly and said.

“Even if the Jingji Daily is not a concern, you will have trouble dealing with the Emperor.”

He stared intently at his young son.

"You know the Emperor's temperament better than I do. He is an eccentric man who is greedy. In the past, when Renmin Medical Hall made a profit, everyone was happy. But if something goes wrong at Xishan Workshop this time, it will definitely displease him."

"Ok?"

Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat surprised that his father, Zhang Juzheng, would one day discuss the Wanli Emperor in private.
But thinking about it, it's not surprising. Over the past few months, even if Zhang Juzheng still harbored the ideas of a wise and virtuous ruler, he should have gradually come to his senses.

But Zhang Juzheng continued his analysis.

"Those who follow the righteous path will find many supporters, while those who stray from it will find few. In the past, you had Huizhou merchants supporting you, but now Xu Guo is constantly complaining that you cheated him out of his money."

Upon hearing the name Xu Guo, Zhang Yunxiu said with some disdain, "Just a short-sighted old dog."

In his view, not only the Xu Kingdom, but also the Hui merchants under the Xu Kingdom were a bunch of good-for-nothings.

Seeing his youngest son's sharp and ambitious demeanor, Zhang Juzheng became increasingly worried. He sighed and gave a vague reply.

"The Cining Palace has made some arrangements with Prince Lu."

Other news was fine, but upon hearing this news, Zhang Yunxiu's pupils immediately contracted, and he said in a low voice.

"As expected, the Cining Palace couldn't resist taking action after all?"

In the past, the situation in the imperial court was relatively balanced.

When Zhang Juzheng became Grand Secretary, he reached a certain compromise with the Shanxi merchants and gained the support of Empress Dowager Li and Feng Bao, which enabled the new policies to be implemented forcefully.

But that was when Zhang Juzheng held absolute power; there are no permanent allies in the imperial court.

After Zhang Juzheng fell ill, his own power waned, and surrounding forces began to stir.

However, no one could have imagined that the Shanxi merchants' scheme to rise to power would ultimately be thwarted by Zhang Yunxiu, the troublemaker.

Seeing the heavy losses suffered by the Shanxi merchants, the Empress Dowager Cining Palace naturally would not sit idly by.

Clearly, the Prince of Lu was a pawn they put forward to charge into battle.

"At fourteen, young and impetuous, having lived with praise since childhood, arrogant and conceited, he is clearly the best choice as a pawn to charge into battle!"

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but complain in his heart, and even felt a little sympathy.

He's a kid just like me!
This group of people will stop at nothing to gain profit and power.

Unlike Zhang Yunxiu, who still had the mind to make jokes, Zhang Juzheng's face showed even greater worry.

He looked at his young son as if he were a naive and impulsive child, and couldn't help but lecture him.

"In the imperial court, one must strive to be harmonious and indistinguishable from the crowd."

The dragon lies dormant at the bottom of the pool for thousands of years. During thunderstorms, it must suppress its urge to break free of the pool and seek the general trend of the world before it can break through the water and soar straight to the heavens.

Do you understand this principle? He looked complicated and earnestly tried to persuade him.

"Shiyuan, yielding is not a loss of integrity."

The current crisis in Xishan is difficult to resolve. As your father, I can still help you with some things. I can allocate a sum of money from the Ministry of Revenue to temporarily alleviate the predicament and allow the Xishan workshops to survive for a few more days. But what about in the long run?

Are you going to resort to your old tricks again, relying on deceiving His Majesty and scheming against the nobles to get by?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunxiu was quite unconvinced. He said righteously, "Father, what are you saying? When have I, Zhang Yunxiu, ever tried to deceive or cheat?"
Every penny I earned was clean!

Seeing his youngest son's condition, Zhang Juzheng shook his head repeatedly and helplessly offered a reminder.

"At the court assembly two days from now, you must not act as recklessly as before. Your father has already made some plans."

Zhang Yunxiu found it amusing and couldn't help but ask.

"What does Father mean?"

"Retreat to advance!"

Zhang Juzheng said resolutely.

"Xishan has become a mess. Tens of thousands of refugees have gathered here, which is like a hot potato. Your intention to bring a peaceful life to the refugees is beyond reproach."

You have done a great job in this regard, and your merits are immeasurable. As your father, I am very pleased.

However, human resources have their limits. The imperial court cannot support so many refugees, nor can you, Zhang Shiyuan.

After a brief pause, he continued his analysis.

"It would be better to send the refugees to coal mines in various places. With the skills they have learned in Xishan, they can go to the mines in Beizhili to make a living. They will probably be able to eat a meal and not suffer from hunger as before."

With the deficit in Xishan gone, the displaced people had a livelihood, and the business could continue.

This dilemma can be resolved on its own!

These words made Zhang Yunxiu laugh in anger, and he retorted with a question.

"Father's idea is indeed very good, but what will be the price?"

Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment, then sighed.

"After the refugees from Xishan are dispersed, the mining techniques of Xishan will inevitably need to be passed on. I'm afraid you can't keep your mining skills to yourself."

Suddenly, a fire ignited in Zhang Yunxiu's heart, and he said angrily.

"Old man! Do you know how much effort I've put into this mining technique?"

"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan!" Zhang Juzheng slammed his fist on the table. "The imperial court is never a place to show off one's bravery! Head-on confrontations will only result in mutual destruction. The only way to survive is to assess the situation, retreat in order to advance!"

From Zhang Juzheng's perspective, the Xishan workshop was already on the verge of collapse.

Rather than struggling on like this, it would be better to compromise and cooperate with the Shanxi merchants to survive.

In this way, the confrontation with the Shanxi merchants was temporarily put aside, while the interests of the emperor, court officials, and nobles in the Xishan workshops were preserved.

It can be said to be the best of both worlds.

The only frustration was that things in the court were never as one wished. Could one always act as one might, like a wandering knight-errant?

Even those in high positions sometimes have no choice but to compromise.

Zhang Juzheng reiterated this point.

"Those Shanxi merchants are all over the world, holding many businesses such as border trade and people's livelihood. How can they be easily brought down?"

One must endure a moment of anger to achieve great things!
"How can I, your father, entrust the family business to you with such recklessness?"

The family business he mentioned was almost entirely linked to the "Wanli New Deal".

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said, "And then what? What are Father's plans?"

"As your father, I don't want you to suffer alone."

Zhang Juzheng exhaled and said.

"His Majesty still has a relationship with you. If I, as your father, were to mediate, our Great Ming Dynasty still has many official kilns. If they all adopted your method, coal production would surely surge."

At that time, relying on the official kiln, you can still earn money by running your ore business and selling winches, mining equipment, and other tools.

"Damn old man!"

Zhang Yunxiu was so angry he laughed.

But then he realized that what the other party said was indeed the optimal solution under the condition of "Xishan collapse".

By sharing technology, Shanxi merchants can be drawn into a shared interest group, eliminating the tense atmosphere between them, and then gradually working towards their goals.

This can be considered a rather sophisticated form of political wisdom.

But for Zhang Yunxiu, even if Xishan were to collapse, there was absolutely no reason to compromise with the Shanxi merchants.

These people are nothing short of traitors to the nation. As time travelers, the only thing we can do is crush them into the annals of history. There is no other way.

On the other hand, this law does take into account the interests of all parties, but one party has been sacrificed.

The refugees had just settled into a stable life, but then they were forced to do hard labor in illegal kilns.
Suffering from the exploitation of merchants who are obsessed with money?

Zhang Yunxiu had already sown the seeds of revolution in Xishan, and he would never do something so perverse.

So Zhang Yunxiu asked in return.

"You old geezer, all of this is based on the premise that Xishan will collapse. What if Xishan thrives?"

Zhang Juzheng frowned, his words filled with disappointment: "Even now, you still want to deceive your father?"

"Father underestimated Xishan!" Zhang Yunxiu said, head held high and eyes gleaming. "The other day I created a 'Dragon Suction Water Machine,' which will solve the coal mine's water seepage problem!"

(End of this chapter)