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

Chapter 197 Invite Hai Rui to Come Out of retirement! I want to make a fortune from the auction!
The 45th year of the Jiajing reign.

Hai Rui bought a coffin and presented Emperor Jiajing with a memorial entitled "Memorial on Governance," which enraged the emperor.

From then on, Hai Rui became an overnight sensation, and his Qingming Festival was admired by scholars all over the country.

It even became a moral benchmark for the Ming Dynasty's bureaucratic system.

So much so that when Hai Rui was serving in Nanjing, some local officials came to the Nanjing government office just to see for themselves the "upright and incorruptible" Hai Gangfeng.

You can say Hai Rui was good at cooking, but you absolutely cannot say he was greedy.

If Hai Rui were to continue his corrupt practices, then there would be no honest and upright officials left in the world.

However, why didn't Zhang Juzheng give such a morally perfect person an important position?

Shen Shixing frowned deeply and asked again, "Your Excellency, didn't you once say that although Hai Rui has a reputation for virtue, he doesn't assess the situation, doesn't consider the consequences, and only seeks a good reputation? That's why you didn't give him an important position?"

This is Zhang Juzheng's assessment of Hai Rui since he took over as Grand Secretary.

Shen Shixing knew Hai Rui all too well; he had heard Zhang Juzheng's evaluation of Hai Rui more than once.

It can be said that in Zhang Juzheng's previous understanding, Hai Rui was only a person who could serve as a "censor," rather than a regional governor who could handle local affairs!

"That's what I used to think."

Zhang Juzheng was somewhat helpless.

"Na Haibijia served as the governor of Yingtian in the third year of the Longqing reign. He was indeed honest, upright, and impartial in enforcing the law."

However, too much of a good thing can be bad; it can be too rigid and inflexible.

The powerful and influential families of Jiangnan have long been entrenched and have been embezzling farmland for a long time. How could this problem be solved in a short period of time?

Just like an elderly patient with a deeply ingrained illness, who is already beyond saving, yet he is given strong and drastic medicine.

Water that is too clear has no fish. Zhang Juzheng wanted to address the ills of the entire Ming Dynasty and bring it back to life.

But Hai Rui clearly saw things differently; he focused on a festering sore and insisted on removing it.

Shen Shixing was even more puzzled: "If that's the case, why did the En family bring up the Fuhai Pen Holder again?"

After being dismissed from his post as governor of Yingtian, Hai Rui was transferred several times before finally resigning due to illness and returning home.

Over the years, there were occasional recommendations from officials to reinstate Hai Rui, but Zhang Juzheng never used him.

"Times change."

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said.

"The sea pen holder is a potent poison. When the country is still able to recover, it should naturally not be used again. However, if the country is deeply entrenched in its problems and has reached a critical moment of life and death, then it must be used as a severe measure to govern in times of chaos!"

Zhang Juzheng clearly took the conversation with Zhang Yunxiu that day very seriously.

The other party's words, such as "the Ming Dynasty will only last forty or fifty years," really stung his nerves.

"but."

Zhang Juzheng squinted his eyes and said thoughtfully.

"We can't let Hai Bijia run wild this time. We must keep him in check and rein in this runaway horse."

Is the Ming Dynasty facing a life-or-death crisis?

Shen Shixing's mind went blank for a moment.

Although there have been more disasters lately, it shouldn't have come to this extent, right?
But seeing that Zhang Juzheng had already made his decision, he could no longer object.

Besides, letting Hai Rui try it isn't a very serious matter.

After all, this person has a reputation, so it might actually have a miraculous effect.

Shen Shixing thought for a moment and said, "That's easy to handle. There is also a position of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief in Southern Zhili, who has the duty of inspecting all officials in Southern Zhili. This can help Yin Yangshi thoroughly investigate the 'bow measurement' case."

"Wonderful!"

Zhang Juzheng praised it.

This arrangement suited his wishes perfectly. Making Hai Rui a regional governor was not feasible, but having him investigate all officials would be a piece of cake.

He couldn't help but sigh.

"I was a bit too old-fashioned before. Just as that rebellious son said, we should make the most of everything. Although Hai Rui has no ability to be a prime minister, he can handle such a sordid matter as 'measuring a bow' with his reputation for integrity. He will surely be successful in everything he does!"

Seeing Zhang Juzheng's appearance, Shen Shixing couldn't help but show a look of suspicion. He had recently become increasingly convinced that the other party was deeply influenced by his youngest son, Zhang Yunxiu.

Perhaps it was Zhang Yunxiu's idea to reinstate Hai Rui?

After thinking for a moment, Shen Shixing spoke again.

"Reinstatement is no easy task. In the early years of the Wanli reign, the court sent an imperial censor to investigate, but he was ultimately rebuffed. It is likely that Hai Bijia will not accept reinstatement now."

"This matter couldn't be simpler."

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said.

"Find a trustworthy person to visit Hai Bijia and show him this letter. I guarantee that not only will he not refuse, but his desire to return to the court will become even more urgent!"

Shen Shixing took the letter and immediately understood Zhang Juzheng's meaning.

This is the whole story of the "Bow Measurement Case".

"The so-called Yin-Yang measurement method is actually a fraudulent scheme. It uses large bows to reduce the amount of land owned by powerful and wealthy families, while using small bows to increase the amount of land owned by ordinary people that should not exist."

Upon seeing these words, Shen Shixing gasped and exclaimed, "If Hai Gangfeng saw this, he would have no reason to retire to his hometown!"

Late July of the ninth year of the Wanli reign.

This is a moment worthy of being recorded in history.

Xianyifang in Beijing has been bustling with activity lately.

The original "Renmin First Medical Hall" expanded its area by merging several houses on the left and right sides and then splitting them into two storefronts.

Daming Medical College

Daming Mechanical Engineering College

The two plaques, wrapped in vermilion silk, were placed securely on the gate by the Imperial Guards.

Golden gourds and axes stood in rows on both sides, accompanied by chime bells played by officials from the Ministry of Rites.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and other departments attended the event.

Shen Shixing presided over the completion ceremony today. He was dressed in court attire and glanced at the Wanli Emperor, who was sitting on the steps, and Consort Zheng beside him.

Since entering the palace, Consort Zheng has been deeply favored by the emperor, to the point that they are inseparable.

There was some worry in Shen Shixing's eyes.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

With a loud shout from Feng Bao.

Shen Shixing had no choice but to pull himself together, turn to look at the officials who had come to attend the ceremony, as well as the members of the medical school and the mechanical engineering school, and began to speak.

"The Emperor decrees: Medicine is a benevolent art. Since Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, the art of medicine has continued for thousands of years. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic says, 'Those who speak well of Heaven will surely have their words verified by people.' Now, our Great Ming Medical Academy is established to gather the wisdom of physicians from all over the world, to refine medical skills, and to relieve the people from suffering."

After this speech, Li Shizhen, the dean of the medical school, dressed in the official robes of a fifth-rank official, led a group of doctors and researchers from the medical school to step forward and bow.

"We will certainly do our utmost!"

After finishing his studies at the medical school, Shen Shixing turned to the mechanical engineering department and spoke.

The Emperor decrees: "As Zhuangzi said, 'Those who possess machinery will inevitably have scheming affairs, and those who have scheming affairs will inevitably have scheming minds.' Therefore, the Great Ming Mechanical Academy is established. Machinery is nothing more than ingenuity. I hope all scholars will strive diligently, using the methods of machinery to accomplish great tasks, save manpower, and achieve twice the results, thus becoming an essential technique for nourishing the people."

The Mechanical Engineering Department had a small number of staff, led by Zhao Shizhen, who brought along a group of craftsmen and some students who had defected from the Imperial Academy and wanted to study mechanics. Together, they bowed to the emperor.

Zhang Yunxiu stood beside the emperor, looking at the group of people. Although it seemed like a makeshift operation, the basic structure had been established.

Modern medicine and scientific theories have only been available in the Ming Dynasty for a few months, and he is already very satisfied that he was able to discover these people.

Immediately afterwards, the emperor stepped forward to speak, which consisted of nothing but platitudes and official jargon.

"Now I have received the Mandate of Heaven and reign over all nations. I am mindful of the suffering of the people and consider the foundation of benevolent governance. Medicine is a matter of life and death for the common people, and ingenuity can bring prosperity to the nation and all industries."

The establishment of the Great Ming Medical College and the Mechanical Engineering College originally required significant assistance from the capital, but since the ore incident, all of these problems have been resolved.

Zhang Yunxiu is currently enjoying great popularity, and his clinic and workshop are indeed producing tangible results.

It not only increased the emperor's income, but also brought benefits to the people of the capital.

After a while, even the most pedantic and conservative intellectuals had no choice but to accept it.

After mechanically reciting the standard lines, the Wanli Emperor hurriedly ended the ceremony, as if something urgent had happened.

Upon entering the main hall of the Great Ming Medical College, Zheng Mengjing, who was standing beside the emperor, couldn't help but speak in a sweet voice.

"Your Majesty, please be careful. I have heard that there are many strange diseases in the medical academy. I fear that Your Majesty's health may be harmed. It would be best if you returned to the palace as soon as possible."

Her eyes were alluring.

"A new version of 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' has recently been published, adapted from the original. Your Majesty and I will enjoy it together."

Upon seeing Zheng Mengjing's alluring appearance, the Wanli Emperor felt a surge of desire, but then, as if remembering something, he turned his head and said...

"I have important matters to discuss with Shiyuan, so you should go back first. I will come to find you later."

"His Majesty."

Zheng Mengjing looked surprised, but the emperor ignored her and walked straight to the hall.

"How did the glass auction go?"

The Wanli Emperor gulped down the tea on the table and said with a gleam in his eyes.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, everything has been arranged. It will be held at the Xishan Theater."

Emperor Wanli: "Xishan Theater? Can that run-down place even work?"

Zhang Yunxiu: "Your Majesty, that's ancient history. The Xishan Theater has been renovated over the past month or so. You should know that crosstalk has become increasingly popular in the capital recently."

Emperor Wanli: "Have the people from Korea, Annam, and Portugal, as well as the wealthy merchants from Beizhili, all been invited to attend?"

Zhang Yunxiu said confidently, "With the reputation of Xishan Workshop, they will naturally flock to it!"

"Okay, okay~"

Emperor Wanli slapped his chubby hand on the table and said with great enthusiasm.

"This time, I'm going to make money! Make a lot of money!"

　Note 1: Wang Shizhen's "Biography of Zhang Juzheng": "Hai Zhongjie was admired by the world for his integrity and frugality. However, when Zhang Juzheng was in power, he never summoned him to serve, probably because he knew that their strengths and weaknesses could not complement each other."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)