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

Chapter 303 One wave subsides, another rises! I've earned so much silver?!
But it's winter.

Xu Jie, an octogenarian, actually decided to travel through mountains and rivers to reach the capital in the dead of winter.

It's really quite unbelievable.

Zhu Yaoying returned to the house, took off her wool cloak, and then brought her fair, green hands close to the stove.

She then spoke to the maid beside her.

"What was Grand Secretary Xu thinking? How could he possibly travel to the capital in this freezing weather? Or is it that he's lost his mind by losing so much money in the futures market?"

"Many people are talking about it! Everyone in the capital is talking about it now—it's causing quite a stir!"

Liu Wan'er also brought her small hand close to the stove, emitting wisps of white smoke. She smiled, revealing two dimples.

"But that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that Commander Zhang has won a great victory this time, so we don't have to worry about the clinic going out of business."

What Liu Wan'er was most worried about was that Renmin Medical Clinic would be affected and unable to continue operating. She used to be very resistant to coming to the clinic, but over time, she also realized how meaningful it was to save lives.

When this was mentioned, Zhu Yaoying smiled and said, "He is certainly capable."

Looking at the princess's face, which was almost dripping with water, and her gentle and graceful demeanor, Liu Wan'er couldn't help but open her mouth wide and point at her.

"Your Highness! You're too attached to appearances!"

Zhu Yaoying blushed to her neck and raised her hand to hit him, saying as she chased after him.

"How can it be considered attachment to form if one learns a word from somewhere and then uses it indiscriminately? How can it be considered attachment to form?"

Liu Wan'er giggled as she ran around the room.

"I won't tell you anymore."

Tired from chasing, Zhu Yaoying turned her head away and sat back down in front of the stove. Then her gaze fell on the snowman in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, the snowman with a carrot as its nose, dressed in a robe resembling a flying fish, and with an embroidered spring knife at its waist, stood majestically amidst the swirling snow.

The Nanjing Governor's Office.

Yin Zhengmao has been extremely busy these past few days. He is cooperating with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to send officers to investigate and shut down merchants who hoard goods and engage in speculation. He is also strengthening city defense patrols to prevent anyone from causing trouble. In addition, he is allocating grain from official granaries and charitable granaries to distribute to starving and displaced people who cannot survive the winter.

Occasionally, he even had to deal with merchants who came seeking his help, which was quite a hassle.

Even so, Yin Zhengmao was still happy to do it, and always had a smile on his face.

He spoke very casually during today's meeting.

"Calamity arises from evil intentions, and evil intentions are tempted by desires. These people wanted to profit from the suffering of others, but they did not expect to bring retribution upon themselves. The law of cause and effect is inescapable. Those who are triumphant at the time will eventually have to pay the price."

Yin Zhengmao picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and shook his head repeatedly.

"Grand Secretary Xu has been shrewd his whole life, serving three emperors from the Jiajing era to the present. Yet he can't see the situation clearly and now he's thinking of going to the capital to plead for leniency. It's utterly ridiculous!"

During the nearly six months of confrontation, Yin Zhengmao had long known that the person behind Jiangnan was Xu Jie, and he hated him to the core.

If it weren't for Xu Jie's mediation, would things in Jiangnan have fallen into such a life-or-death struggle?
Zhang Jianxiu toyed with a samurai dagger in his hand, then threw it on the table and said.

"I predicted it long ago, there's always a way out, my little brother is invincible!"

He would curse Zhang Yunxiu behind his back all day long, but in public he would boast about him.

"but."

Then Zhang Jianxiu narrowed his eyes and looked at the two local officials in the hall.

“Then Sun Piyang, the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, almost caused a major disaster. You two should be careful in the future.”

Sun Piyang's sudden defection caught Yin Zhengmao and others completely off guard. After all, he was an extremely capable person when he was implementing the new policies, but he turned around and imitated Hai Rui, submitting a passionate memorial entitled "Jia Dao Shu" that shook the world.

Fortunately, the aristocratic families had made a mistake from the very beginning regarding the price of goods in Jiangnan, and Sun Piyang's actions only accelerated the collapse.

Yin Zhengmao said with some shame, "This matter is due to my lax management. Who would have thought that the upright and incorruptible Sun Piyang would do such a thing?"

As he said this, he subconsciously glanced at Hai Rui beside him.

This Hai Gangfeng seems to have set a bad precedent.
Hai Rui remained silent, while Zhao Rui, who was in charge of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau, couldn't help but show a simple and honest smile.

"My lords, the recent drop in commodity prices has little impact on our weaving bureau. Firstly, our prices are already set low, and we believe in small profits and quick turnover. Secondly, overseas trade is now unimpeded, and the Portuguese, Japanese, and Southeast Asia are all good destinations for our goods. I expect the year-end accounts will look very good."

Over the past few months, Zhao Rui, who was originally overweight, has become much thinner. However, today, he has a smile on his face and his expression is no longer tense.

The pressure on the Jiangnan Textile Bureau has eased. With the prices of goods plummeting, the gentry and merchants are too busy to do anything but criticize the bureau for opening up the sea to the market.

Zhao Rui, who carried the heavy burden entrusted to him by Zhang Yunxiu, has now had his burden lightened considerably.

The group spoke freely, and even Wang Shishun, a merchant from Huizhou, mentioned with a smile that the prices of various goods had fallen, which in turn led to a drop in land and farmland prices in Jiangnan. Xishan Money Shop could take this opportunity to make some acquisitions in Jiangnan.

Holding a large amount of silver in hand is as stable as Mount Tai.

Despite the heated discussion, one person remained silent for a long time.

Yin Zhengmao looked at Hai Rui with suspicion and asked, "Does Magistrate Hai have any concerns?"

He could tell that Hai Rui's brows were tightly furrowed, and he didn't look happy.

Before this, on the contrary, Hai Rui was the most supportive of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau and Zhang Shiyuan. Even when his own brother Zhang Jianxiu wavered, Hai Rui still chose to believe in him.

Today is the day to celebrate our great victory and reward our achievements, so why do you look so cold and indifferent?

Hai Rui paused for a moment before looking at Zhang Jianxiu and speaking.

"Has Vice Commissioner Zhang received a secret order?"

Zhang Jianxiu paused for a moment and said, "It's nothing serious. News came from the capital, presumably from my younger brother. He said that the price of goods can drop so that the gentry of Jiangnan are left with nothing, but it can't drop too drastically, lest the common people lose their livelihood. We need to try to maintain a balance."

He shook his head and said, "Shiyuan doesn't understand how difficult things are in Jiangnan. How can he fall without falling too hard? It's really hard to understand how he can grasp the right measure."

Hai Rui slowly spoke up and said, "Grain prices cannot remain low for too long, otherwise it will surely cause trouble."

The aristocratic families, driven by their own selfish desires, raised the prices of goods, which was undoubtedly a disastrous act that brought disaster to the country and its people, causing countless people to suffer from hunger.

But now that commodity prices are getting lower and lower, and even grain prices are cheap, that's not necessarily a good thing.

The more local Hai Rui served, the more he felt that being an official was like being a patriarch distributing food to a dozen children.

If you take better care of people here, they'll have to suffer some injustices there.

The poor may have benefited, but there are still millions of middle and rich peasants in the world.

They were neither gentry nor landlords, and after this battle, it is unknown how many people will be affected.

This is what Hai Rui was worried about.

It is true that the poor have gained a livelihood, but the collapse of prices will create a continuous stream of poor people.

Hai Rui didn't understand before, but now, after seeing Xishan's actions and learning some economic principles, he has begun to understand.

All of these factors make it truly difficult to choose.

As a merchant, Zhao Rui immediately understood Hai Rui's meaning and made a suggestion.

"If we purchase more grain and supplies to provide disaster relief for the imperial court next year, it will not only help stabilize prices but also give the imperial court more confidence."

He gave a simple, honest smile.

"The good news is that we have plenty of money on hand, a lot of silk and cloth, and grain is much cheaper in the market. It won't be difficult to stabilize prices."

What does Hai Xiantai think?

Hai Rui thought for a moment and said, "This can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause."

Stabilizing prices has been a common and effective tactic used by the imperial court since ancient times.

But Hai Rui clearly saw more.

"This won't work, that won't work, it's just not straightforward enough!"

Yin Zhengmao became increasingly irritated as he listened. Working with such a stubborn person was truly maddening.

Just when everyone was happy, he had to come out and pour cold water on things.

"This matter will be put on hold for now, and the officials in the court will make their own decision."

In Yin Zhengmao's view, Hai Rui's desire to solve the problem once and for all was nothing but wishful thinking. Such considerations of the bigger picture should be left to the emperor and Zhang Juzheng. He was already feeling physically and mentally exhausted, so he waved his hand and said.

"Everyone has worked hard these past few days. I will host a banquet tonight. Let's all have some drinks and relax. That's the way to conduct ourselves."

Yin Zhengmao tried to ease the tension, but Hai Rui didn't appreciate it.

“Time is of the essence,” Hai Rui said, rising and bowing slightly. “I plan to visit the countryside again to ascertain the situation and then write a memorial to report to the court and His Majesty.”

After saying this, Hai Rui remained expressionless, cupped his hands in greeting to Yin Zhengmao, and, as before, quickly left.

"ocean"

Before Yin Zhengmao could finish speaking, the other party had already turned and left.

He was a little angry, but he was used to it, and looked helplessly at the others.

Zhang Jianxiu looked strange as he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Governor Yin, the affairs in Jiangnan are almost settled, but I still have important responsibilities to bear and need to go to Guangdong and Fujian."

Zhao Rui quickly added, "The Jiangnan Textile Bureau still has many matters to attend to."

Yin Zhengmao looked embarrassed, but still waved his hand helplessly and said.

"Go, all of you, go!"

He then turned his gaze to Wang Shishun, who seemed hesitant to speak.

The Huizhou merchant Wang Shishun stammered, "A petty person... a petty person."

"Don't say too much."

Yin Zhengmao's expression left no room for argument.

"You may stay and have a drink with me."

Xishan Theater recently launched a new play called "The Battle of Chu and Han," which tells the story of Liu Bang, the King of Han, and Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, vying for supremacy at the end of the Qin Dynasty.

Compared to other plays in the theater, this production of "The Battle of Chu and Han" has fewer fictional and historical elements, but more of the conflicts between the people and the various literati at the end of the Qin Dynasty. It can be said that it was specially staged for the princes, nobles and officials in the capital.

Zhang Juzheng sat upright in his box, looking down at the performance on stage with a clear view. The distinctive characters and the clear, resonant lyrics were truly eye-opening.

"This 'openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang' plot is quite interesting. Han Xin was a man of great strategy."

Who wrote this play? Could it be that brat Zhang Shiyuan again?

Zhang Juzheng asked his third son, Zhang Maoxiu, who was standing beside him.

Zhang Maoxiu had the title of top scholar in the imperial examination, yet he found joy in teaching in Xishan.

He used to feel extremely guilty in front of his father, but now that he finally has the opportunity to take Zhang Juzheng to appreciate the beauty of Xishan, he is naturally doing his best.

He smiled and said with considerable pride.

"Father is overthinking it. Shiyuan has been busy researching his greenhouse vegetables and fruits in Xishan lately, so he probably doesn't have that much energy."

This whole affair was orchestrated by Shen Boying.

Zhang Juzheng said with some surprise, "Shen Boying? Is that the Shen Boying who served as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Father actually knows this person?"

Zhang Juzheng calmly said, "During last month's quarterly audit, this person received a 'not satisfactory' rating and is about to be demoted out of the capital."

He strongly advocated the performance evaluation system, so he naturally had to do it personally. In particular, Zhang Juzheng had some impression of the officials in the Six Ministries in Beijing.

"Father!" Zhang Maoxiu said anxiously, bowing respectfully. "Shen Boying is truly a man of great talent! Look at the plays he writes; his analysis of court affairs is incisive, often revealing insights that others have not. This quarterly investigation was 'insufficient,' which must be due to some oversight or error."

He was unwilling to see Shen Jing, the Assistant Minister, lose his job in the imperial court because of his part-time job at the Xishan Theater.

Zhang Maoxiu knew very well that the reason Shen Jing received the "insufficient" evaluation was most likely related to the fact that he put more effort into arranging the play.

"The laws of the court cannot be changed," Zhang Juzheng said firmly. "If I openly violate this performance evaluation system, how can any official in the country possibly abide by it?"

"Father~" Zhang Maoxiu wanted to say something more.

"Enough." Zhang Juzheng waved his hand, his face very serious. "This person will only cause trouble if he serves in the Ministry of Personnel. Since he loves drama, let him be transferred to the Ministry of Rites."

The world of opera is flourishing now, it's time to regulate it properly. The Ministry of Rites is about to establish a department to oversee it, so let him go there.”

"Father, please forgive me."

Zhang Maoxiu seemed hesitant to speak, but after hearing Zhang Juzheng's next words, he was completely stunned.

Transferring from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Rites, or even to a department equivalent to the Imperial Music Bureau, was considered a "demotion" according to the court's custom.

But who could say for sure, Shen Jing might be the best choice for him.

Scholars throughout the land clearly held some prejudices against departments involved in music, dance, and drama, but for Shen Jing, it was truly making the most of his talents.

Zhang Maoxiu's face lit up with joy, and he repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your son thanks Father on behalf of Shen Boying."

Zhang Juzheng stood up, waved his hand, and said, "This is only right and proper, yet you, the top scholar, don't even know it?"

There was a hint of disappointment in his words.

Zhang Maoxiu's face darkened. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhang Juzheng had already drifted away, leaving behind only one sentence.

“Take good care of the students at Xishan Academy. If you can teach a few promising talents for the court, then my efforts in your care will not have been in vain.”

The thought of this sentence filled Zhang Maoxiu with bitterness; he felt that it would have been better if he hadn't taken the exam at all, since he was a top scholar.

But when he turned his head, he subconsciously headed towards the direction of Xishan Academy.

"Next year is the provincial examination. There are three students in the academy who still have some gaps in their knowledge of the classics and history. They need to work on them as soon as possible."

Muttering to himself, he lowered his head and left the Xishan Theater, completely unconcerned about the commotion outside.

On his way back to Wenyuan Pavilion, Zhang Juzheng received a report from You Qi.

Inside the sedan chair, Zhang Juzheng used the light filtering through the curtains to clearly see the contents of the report and muttered to himself.

"Is Mr. Xu really coming to the capital? That's quite a plan indeed!"

Outside, You Qi listened carefully and quickly asked.

"Master, should we make some arrangements?"

Zhang Juzheng said leisurely, "There's no need to be too nervous; it's just a last-ditch resistance."

"Young Master is truly a genius." You Qi said with a sincere smile. "After this scheme, even someone like Xu Jie would have to bow his head."

Halfway through his sentence, You Qidun realized he had misspoke and quickly bowed his head to apologize.

"That despicable person deserves to die for speaking recklessly!"

Even if Xu Jie were down on his luck, he wouldn't be someone like him who could address him by his full name.

Surprisingly, Zhang Juzheng did not reprimand him, but instead smiled and said to himself.

"This unfilial son has done quite well."

You Qi could sense the genuine smile in those words, something that hadn't appeared on Zhang Juzheng's face in a long time.

For a moment, he felt much more at ease.

It seems I can hug this towering tree of the Zhang family for the rest of my life.

Qianqing Palace.

The Wanli Emperor leaned against the rosewood Luohan bed, holding the sheet of paper filled with numbers in his hand, trembling incessantly.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses and poked out a huge head from behind the paper. With red eyes and a rather hoarse voice, he glared at Zhang Shiyuan in front of him and said.

"Shiyuan! I actually made so much money this time? You're not lying to me, are you?!"

(End of this chapter)