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

Chapter 289 Father, the winner is outside the chessboard

Inside the Zhang family mansion.

Today was a day off, and Zhang Juzheng finally had a chance to catch his breath. He set up a chessboard in the backyard garden and dragged Zhang Yunxiu over to play a game together.

It wasn't that he was particularly fond of this youngest son; it was just that all his sons were extremely busy.

The eldest son, Zhang Jingxiu, was so engrossed in mathematics that he could not extricate himself from it. All he talked about all day long were things like "systematic data collection," "standardized measurement," "risk assessment," and "linear programming."

The second son, Zhang Maoxiu, was a bit better off, teaching at the Xishan Academy, which was a respectable job. However, according to Zhang Juzheng's understanding, due to being "bewitched" by Zhang Yunxiu, the second son was now spending his days researching things like chemistry and gunpowder.

Zhang Juzheng was initially strongly opposed to it, as he saw that "chemistry" was no different from alchemy.

But it is precisely this chemistry that has recently developed an improved version of gunpowder for the Ming Dynasty. Judging from the report sent by Qi Jiguang from the South China Sea, this gunpowder is incredibly powerful.

This alone greatly increased the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing such results, even though Zhang Juzheng was extremely unwilling, he had no reason to object.

As for the third son, Zhang Jianxiu, his trip to Jiangnan was to assist the court in controlling the affairs of Jiangnan.

Zhang Juzheng trusted his third son, Zhang Jianxiu, the most. After he went to Jiangnan, he was free from worry and trouble, as long as the boy didn't cause any trouble.

Finally, Zhang Juzheng turned his gaze to his youngest son, Zhang Yunxiu.

In just over half a year, Zhang Yunxiu's face appeared much more mature, and his once youthful round face began to have more defined features.

Especially his physique; he's grown so tall that he's now eye-to-eye with me.

His eyes looked very clear, but to Zhang Juzheng, those seemingly harmless eyes seemed to conceal a cunning little fox.

It was autumn, but the weather in the capital was as cold as winter.

Zhang Juzheng had already put on a cloak. He casually picked up a chess piece, rubbing it with his fingertips; the piece felt cool yet had a warm, jade-like texture.

After a moment's thought, he made his move and joined the fray in the southeast corner of the chessboard.

"The battles on this chessboard are just like those in Jiangnan."

Zhang Juzheng placed the white piece at the 3-3 position, his voice carrying the bleakness of autumn wind.

"What appears to be a piece of fat meat is actually full of hidden dangers. If we go all out, it seems we can take it all. But whether these things will affect the whole game is something we must be very careful about."

It is important to understand the saying, "Those involved are often blinded by their own perspective."

Zhang Yunxiu's black-handled fingers trembled slightly. He glanced at his father, his eyes seeming somewhat weary.

Old Deng really has to bring up politics all the time.

In the autumn wind, fluttering leaves occasionally landed on Zhang Yunxiu, and some also drifted and settled on the chessboard.

Zhang Juzheng looked at his young son, who was deep in thought, and continued to remind him, just like an old father constantly urging his child to study.

"Look at this game of chess. By giving up half a piece here, you are essentially letting the Jiangnan gentry exploit the people. You think that by giving up half a piece, you can stabilize the situation and make other plans. Little do you know that they will take advantage of you and gain even more benefits."

After saying that, he raised his hand and placed a piece back into the original battle on the board, speaking leisurely.

"The accumulated problems of the dynasty over the past two hundred years are like a chessboard full of pieces. If one thing is moved, the whole thing will be affected. How can we improve the game by making small moves?"

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said, "Father, this reform is like slaying a dragon with a sword and axe. The white dragon is deeply rooted and its defenses are impregnable. How can we win by following the usual methods? It's just following the pattern of losing a game, and in the end we can only resign."

After saying this, he suddenly picked up a black stone and placed it on the center point, a position isolated in the middle and completely unrelated to the surrounding board position.

"Tian Yuan!"

Zhang Juzheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and he looked quite incredulous.

"You're being ridiculous again. How can you possibly follow the Heavenly Origin?"

But Zhang Yunxiu simply crossed his arms, a harmless smile on his face that sent chills down Zhang Juzheng's spine.

Zhang Juzheng knew that this kid had another trick up his sleeve. He stared intently at the chessboard and discovered that this seemingly impolite move actually matched a variation of the "reverse boot removal" move in the chess manual.

Simply put, it means first sending several pieces into the game, and then launching a counterattack after the opponent captures all the pieces.

However, this tactic has always been considered insidious and deceitful, and is despised by most people, let alone among the self-proclaimed benevolent and righteous scholar-official class.

"This is a trick!"

Zhang Juzheng was somewhat annoyed, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the chess piece tightly. He narrowed his eyes and said.

"Isn't your unorthodox methods no different from those corrupt officials and grain merchants who hoard goods for profit?"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said, "Father, what is the truth in this world? Might makes right. No matter how upright a gentleman is, he is still a loser."

Does the process really matter if the goal is achieved?

Zhang Juzheng's face flushed slightly again. He drank the now-cold Biluochun tea in one gulp and then placed his piece on the board again.

"Unorthodox methods will never amount to anything. I am a great dragon; let's see how you break this deadlock."

Zhang Yunxiu, however, seemed quite content. To be honest, the amount of data stored in his head, combined with his ability to retrieve and process data, made him almost indistinguishable from a future artificial intelligence.

Putting everything else aside, having an ancient person compete in chess against artificial intelligence is like a strong man playing against a three-year-old child.

Within half an hour, after a series of long deliberations, Zhang Juzheng's chess game couldn't hold up, and his buttocks couldn't hold up either.

He suddenly stood up, but still pretended to be nonchalant, unwilling to look at the great dragon that had been killed and was now in ruins.

"Cough cough~" Zhang Juzheng twisted his waist strangely, obviously his old problem had flared up again, but he said very seriously. "I am tired. I was careless today and fell into your trap. I will rest first and have a good spar with you tomorrow."

He still seems a bit unwilling to admit defeat.

Zhang Yunxiu, however, showed no mercy and said, "Why is Father in such a hurry? The game is not over yet, a little longer won't make a difference."

Zhang Juzheng said with a tense face, "The weather is cold today, and I am feeling quite unwell."

Zhang Yunxiu flashed a smile and said, “Find two servants to move this chessboard to the study. The briquettes stove from Xishan is very useful; it’s smokeless and waterproof, perfect for the study.”

"In this game of chess, I see there are still many points I can discuss."

Zhang Yunxiu became increasingly arrogant, which infuriated Zhang Juzheng, who was furious but powerless to do anything about it. If pushed too far, Zhang Juzheng would eventually find something to argue with.

Zhang Juzheng pointed to the southeast corner of the chessboard and said, "Although you have won this game, the situation in the southeast is already in ruins. In terms of the whole game, although you have won, how can you remedy the ruin in the southeast?"

A game of chess is ultimately just a game of chess, and there is still a significant gap between it and reality, especially when it comes to the situation in different regions.

On the chessboard, every move is important at the beginning, and their importance is close to equal.

But in reality, it's not like that. Northern Zhili and Southern Zhili are of paramount importance to the Ming Dynasty. If these two territories are lost, then even winning is tantamount to losing. Zhang Yunxiu, reminded, looked at the situation on the chessboard, was somewhat stunned at first, and then smiled and said.

"Father is overthinking things."

After saying that, he placed a chess piece outside the chessboard, as if there were grid lines outside as well.

"This chessboard is quite restrictive, but if we step outside the chessboard, wouldn't the situation be completely different?"

Zhang Juzheng looked down at the chess pieces outside the chessboard, and finally fell silent.

"Jiangnan! We can't wait any longer!"

Walking through Nanjing, Yin Zhengmao saw nothing but decay and desolation, and couldn't help but sigh with regret.

He sat in the carriage, slowly lowered the curtain, and spoke to the aides beside him.

"Since the beginning of this month, prices in Nanjing alone have risen by 30%. There are fewer people doing business in the markets and more people begging on the streets. Many people in the workshops have lost their livelihoods and have come out to cause trouble."

Petty thieves within the city, bandits outside the city, and pirates at sea.

The Jiangnan region is now like a bundle of dry firewood, dried and cracked by the scorching sun.

If even a spark were to ignite, we would all be doomed!

Yin Zhengmao has always been a straightforward person. His military background makes him decisive and efficient in his work, but it also makes him increasingly impatient.

Seeing the decadence in Jiangnan was both distressing and worrying.

Those Jiangnan gentry families had been operating locally for generations. They could influence the imperial court by entering officialdom through the imperial examinations, and all the officials in the government offices were members of their clans.

The common people in the countryside were all held hostage by the powerful families of Jiangnan. Anyone who dared to disobey was despised by everyone around them.

Powerful clans hoarded goods and drove up prices. Those who did not align themselves with them had to endure ever-increasing prices, while those who did align themselves with them could enjoy affordable rice, flour, and cooking oil within their clan.

If this continues, the common people will not think that the powerful families are wrong; on the contrary, they will think that the powerful families are the benevolent saviors, and the imperial court will become the target of public criticism.

Zhang Yunxiu liked to use overt strategies, and this time the Jiangnan gentry also used overt strategies, even overt strategies based on local blood ties, which were simply impeccable.

His advisor, who had followed him all the way from Beijing to Nanjing, was one of Yin Zhengmao's most trusted confidants, and he sighed heavily.

"In my humble opinion, the court's confrontation with the Jiangnan gentry is a terrible move. How many ministers in the capital are from Jiangnan? And how much tax does Jiangnan provide to the court every year?"
The imperial court intends to reorganize Jiangnan, but this should be done gradually. The Jiangnan Textile Bureau and the Xishan Money Exchange have essentially threatened the very foundation of the gentry; how can they not retaliate?

His advisor also came from a scholarly family, so he naturally had some sympathy for the gentry. At the same time, he analyzed things from the perspective of a traditional literati.

“Your Majesty and the Grand Secretary have been too hasty this time. Implementing new policies is certainly necessary, but if the steps are too big, it will have the opposite effect.”

"Have you not seen how Wang Mang usurped power during the Western Han Dynasty? His sweeping reforms backfired, plunging the country into chaos."

At this point, the aide realized he might be making a veiled reference and quickly shut his mouth.

"You may say this to me, but you must not say it to anyone else."

Yin Zhengmao stared at him and reminded him.

It's fine if outsiders are pessimistic, but if even your advisor, the governor of Yingtian, says such things, it will cause panic among the people.

"Your subordinate deserves to die!"

The staff members were usually quite clear-headed, but when they saw the Zhang family father and son directly targeting the aristocratic families, they naturally felt a great deal of resentment.

Yin Zhengmao had obviously thought of this as well. His eyes were somewhat cloudy, and he couldn't help but sigh.

“Your thoughts are also the thoughts of all the scholars in the world. This world belongs to the emperor, but in the end it must be governed by the scholars. Now the emperor is helping others to deal with the scholars.”

That would force these people to unite against a common enemy.

His words were tinged with sorrow.

“These days, I have seen results. The futures market has indeed attracted merchants from all over the country, and the Jiangnan Textile Bureau has indeed provided a livelihood for ordinary people.”

But it was still a drop in the ocean. This Jiangnan region belonged to the people of Jiangnan; the gentry, gathering their relatives and friends, and currying favor with the merchants—how could that possibly solve the problem?

Upon hearing Yin Zhengmao's words, the aide couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, and he offered words of comfort.

"The most crucial course of action now is for the esteemed gentleman to submit a memorial, earnestly persuading His Majesty and the Grand Secretary to change their minds."

"The affairs of Jiangnan are best handled gently and gradually."

In the minds of the staff, the situation in Jiangnan should return to the stage of the "Wanli New Deal" reforms.

It's strange, really. This advisor used to have some reservations about the "Wanli New Deal," but now he thinks it's very much in line with the principles of benevolence and virtue, and is a good way to govern the country. This change is quite significant.

But Yin Zhengmao didn't see it that way. He shook his head and said...

"Don't mention this matter again. I will never submit another memorial on this matter."

"Why?" the aide asked, puzzled. "Is Your Excellency afraid of His Majesty's and the Grand Secretary's wrath? In my humble opinion, there is no need to fear. We will report the situation in Jiangnan, outlining the advantages and disadvantages, and listing the relevant facts. I believe that with His Majesty's and the Grand Secretary's wisdom, they will surely be able to resolve the issue. I can write it down for Your Excellency."

He wanted to continue, but Yin Zhengmao interrupted him instantly.

“There’s no need for that.” Yin Zhengmao’s eyes seemed to grow even more determined. “I’ve long since lost the will to argue. Such flowery language is really unpleasant.”

"What does Your Excellency mean?" The advisor was completely bewildered.

"Hey!"

Yin Zhengmao sneered.

“You scholars are always full of arrogance and resort to all sorts of schemes and tricks. But in my opinion, Yin Zhengmao, things in this world are not that complicated. It’s simply a matter of who has the bigger fist.”

Uncle Da is hesitant and indecisive, and Shi Yuan is also shrewd and calculating; it would be better to listen to my advice.”

The staff had a bad feeling.

"Sir, what exactly is going on?"

"Hey!"

Yin Zhengmao chuckled again, a ruthless glint in his eyes as he spoke.

"In my opinion, things have already developed to this point, so let's not hide anything. There are many garrisons in Jiangnan. Let's select 10,000 elite soldiers and put them under my command."

Whether it's the "Loan Law" or the "Single Whip Law," with these ten thousand elite soldiers guarding the area, who would dare disobey?

(End of this chapter)