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

Chapter 307 The Grand Secretary is Concerned About the World? When there are no other variables, Zhang Yunxiu is the biggest variable!
"Salad~"

Heavy snow covered the streets of the capital. Although the Five City Garrison Commands often came to clear the snow, they could not cover everything. The snow accumulated to ankle height and reached knee height in some places.

During the Great Snow season in the ninth year of the Wanli reign (1580).

An elderly man with a hunched back appeared on Qipan Street.

He wore cloth boots and a blue Taoist robe, which rustled in the cold wind.

Amidst the pristine white snow, his hair, white as snow, was held in place only by a wooden hairpin. He would occasionally raise his head to gaze at the snow-covered road ahead, his face filled with sorrow.

This scene moved many passersby.

They gathered in twos and threes to discuss.

"Who is this person? He looks to be of advanced age, and wearing a Taoist robe, he must be a scholar."

"Where is this old man going in this freezing weather?"

"It looks like they're heading towards Dong'an Gate. They must be going to pay their respects to some important official. It's freezing cold; it would be such a tragedy if they got frostbite!"

Whenever this happens, someone will come over and explain it carefully.

"You all don't know yet, do you? I've heard that this person is Grand Secretary Xu from the early years of the Longqing reign."

"Who is Grand Secretary Xu? How does he compare to Grand Secretary Zhang?"

"You don't know Grand Secretary Xu? He's the Grand Secretary who brought down Yan Song and his son; he's done quite a few good deeds!"

"That's right. Grand Secretary Xu cares about the people. Although he has long since retired and returned to his hometown, he now sees the world in chaos and that Xishan is promoting the way of merchants, bewitching the emperor and poisoning the people."

This time, Grand Secretary Xu intends to personally visit and thoroughly question Zhang Juzheng, the current Grand Secretary.

In ancient society where entertainment was extremely scarce, watching a spectacle was definitely something most people enjoyed.

Most of the common people had little education and did not understand what new policies the imperial court and Xishan were implementing. They only had a simple concept: those who overthrow bad people are good people.

Yan Song's crimes were heinous and he was despised by everyone. Xu Ge Lao, who brought Yan Song down, was naturally a great person who served the country and the people.

On the contrary, the scholars and common people of the Ming Dynasty had a fixed idea that anyone who flattered the emperor instead of pointing out his faults must be a great traitor.

How much silver did Zhang Shiyuan earn for the emperor? Isn't the Zhang family no different from the Yan family father and son?
Human thinking has inherent inertia; people tend to compare what they see with the past, and if there are some similarities, they will stubbornly apply them.

Yan Song and Yan Shifan faced off against Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Shiyuan, just as they were at that time.

In less than an hour, many people in the capital were telling the story of "Grand Secretary Xu walking on Chessboard Street in the snow".

During this period, they would always spread certain opinions.

"The various workshops in Xishan are a disastrous move that harms the country and its people. A massive amount of silk and coal have flowed into the market, which will inevitably lead to low prices and cause many people to lose their livelihoods."

And the futures market was even more of a pretext for the Zhang family to exploit the people, leaving countless people bankrupt!

If the Zhang family father and son are not eliminated, our Great Ming Dynasty will be in grave danger!

Of course, the reputation Zhang Yunxiu had built up during his efforts to control the plague still played a role.

Many people also raised questions at the same time.

"With prices so low, it's the merchants and gentry who benefit, while ordinary people are the ones who are actually profiting."

"Those who enter the futures market are either rich or powerful, and most of their wealth is ill-gotten gains. What does it have to do with us if they go bankrupt?"

"Why did Grand Secretary Xu choose to come at a time when futures commodity prices are falling, rather than earlier or later?"

However, rational voices are always in the minority; most people judge things based on emotions and impressions.

Indeed, this winter there have been far fewer people starving or freezing to death in Beijing, and the number of homeless people and beggars on the streets has visibly disappeared.

But who cares about these people on a regular basis?
It's common to see situations like a neighboring merchant going bankrupt, or a once-wealthy gentryman in a back alley becoming increasingly destitute.

Others raised questions.

“If even the gentry and gentlemen are in such dire straits, what about the common people? They have all suffered calamities, so what kind of miserable lives must the people be living?”

One pass to ten and one hundred to pass.

Within two hours, the news of the "elderly minister visiting the snow-covered chessboard street" attracted much attention, and opposition to Xishan and the Zhang family father and son intensified.

The forces that had previously ceased their activities are now stirring again.

The students of the Imperial Academy were the first to receive the news. They kept a close eye on important court affairs every day, and would discuss any slight movement, let alone such an important matter.

Zhou Yingbin, a student of the Imperial Academy, stood on the high place. He was born in Yin County, Zhejiang Province, and his family had also suffered "disaster" this time, so he was naturally very angry.

"Our Great Ming Dynasty has always governed the country with filial piety. Respect for the elderly is a consensus of the whole country. In villages and clans, the elderly can sit in the seat of honor. Local officials treat them with courtesy, and the imperial court even bestows rice wine and food upon them."

But now we see the collapse of morality and social order.

The court was ruthless and oppressed the people. Even an old minister like Grand Secretary Xu could only express his resentment by stepping on snow.

But what about Zhang Juzheng? He used his power to threaten officials in the capital to visit him, but when he saw Grand Secretary Xu freezing in the snow, he remained unmoved!

To deceive the emperor is disloyalty; to disrespect one's elders is unfilial piety. Such disloyal and unfilial individuals deserve to be punished by everyone!

"Everyone who gets it will be killed!"

A thunderous shout erupted from the crowd.

Inside the Imperial College, a group of students with more progressive ideas had already devoted themselves to the Western Hills, either to participate in research at the Medical College, to carry out inventions at the Mechanical Engineering College, or, at the very least, to study and teach at the Western Hills Academy.

The remaining students were mostly those who adhered to Confucianism and Taoism and advocated benevolence, righteousness, and propriety.

They had long been indignant about the court's actions, and this incident only ignited the powder keg.

Someone shouted something from the crowd.

"We'll also go to Qipan Street and follow Grand Secretary Xu to find Zhang Jiangling and demand an explanation. Let's make a show of force and see how Zhang Jiangling manages to cover up the truth!"

Upon hearing this, countless students responded immediately, and they all disobeyed and ran wildly outside.

Yu Youding, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, rushed over upon receiving the news, only to find the school hall empty and the students in large groups.

He stamped his foot and said, "What are you all doing? Trying to rebel? Go back and study!"

But the students, their emotions running high, wouldn't listen and kept running outside.

Enraged, Yu Youding stomped his foot and yelled, "They've rebelled! They've all rebelled! Go and get them back!"

Even the academic directors and professors of the Five Classics at the Imperial Academy harbored sympathy for Xu Jie and resentment towards the Zhang family, so how could they be expected to do their best?

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Yu Youding hurriedly said something.

"Quickly prepare the sedan chair! No! Prepare the carriage and horses! This official is going to the Wenyuan Pavilion to pay homage to the Grand Secretary!"

The people of the capital city were accustomed to calling the section of road from Zhengyangmen in the south to Damingmen in the north "Chessboard Street," which was also known as "Heavenly Street."

Today, on this very street, amidst the heavy snowfall, an ever-growing crowd has gathered.

Xu Jie walked eastward, and crowds of people gathered along the street, all wanting to see this elderly man slowly making his way through the snow, a feat intended to persuade the court.

Many gentry and merchants, upon hearing of Xu Jie's identity, felt a sense of shared sorrow and sympathy. They also came to Qipan Street, some even stepping out of their shops to kowtow and pay homage to Xu Jie.

They cried out loudly, tears streaming down their faces.

"We beg you, Grand Secretary Xu, to do us justice!"

Moved, kneeling, weeping, reverent—the Qipan Street was bustling with activity for a time. Xu Jie, as if the will of the people were on his side, became the focus of the capital that day.

Seeing Xu Jie, an octogenarian, strolling in the snow, many people couldn't bear it and went to dissuade him, including some court officials, but Xu Jie refused them all.

"I must go and see Uncle Da. I think there is still a chance for things to turn around. If I can awaken the people of the world, I will not regret dying."

His voice was hoarse, and his face was a little blue from the cold, but he still had a smile on his face.

Seeing this scene, countless scholars sighed with regret.

However, there are inevitably some scholars who "cannot stand it".

A scholar suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking Xu Jie's path and questioning him.

"Old man, why are you parading around here? You have been retired for many years, and the affairs of the court are no longer your concern. Aren't you afraid of being punished by the court for causing such a mess?"

Seeing that Xu Jie did not answer, he said with a cold smile.

"You keep talking about serving the country and the people, yet you own thousands of acres of fertile land in Jiangnan. You amass wealth without restraint, yet you tell the people of the world to live a simple and honest life. How ridiculous!"

The book's author was extremely arrogant, which angered many people around him.

Xu Jie slowly raised his head and looked at the other person, saying, "With my frail and aging body, I am merely walking a short distance. How can I be expected to parade through the city in such a blaze of glory?"
Every citizen has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation. If even a street vendor can care about national affairs, I am deeply grateful to the country. How can I not speak out for justice?

"The paddy fields in Jiangnan belong to the clans and people of the prefectures and counties. Does that mean that all fields owned by people with the surname Xu belong to me, Xu Jie?" Xu Jie's answer was quite brilliant, and many scholars applauded after hearing it.

Many who still harbored doubts now looked at Xu Jie with even more reverence.

The scholar seemed speechless, his face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered.

"Then you shouldn't be here acting as if you're obliged."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Jie stuffed a cotton coat handed to him by someone else into their arms, then walked away on his own, leaving behind a single sentence.

"This time is left to you young people. Study hard, and the justice of the world will be left to us old folks. There is no need to feel sorry for us."

Upon hearing this, all the scholars around burst into tears.

"Grand Secretary Xu~"

They shouted loudly, as if they were pursuing the truth in their hearts.

The first to take action were the students of the Imperial Academy. They recorded Xu Jie's words and deeds along the way and rallied more people to support him.

Zhou Yingbin, a student from Zhejiang, shouted loudly.

"Fellow students, we scholars should strive to establish a moral compass for the people of the world. How can we ignore the injustices we see?"

"Now that Lord Xu has taken the lead, how can we ignore it? We must spread the word about today's events, so that more insightful people will join in, and let the court see the will of the people!"

As the news gradually spread, many officials in the capital who had previously been acquainted with Xu Jie were also moved.

Unexpectedly, Xu Jie remained so resolute even in his old age.

Ming Dynasty literati valued integrity and moral character, and Xu Jie's actions precisely aligned with the long-held beliefs of most scholars.

As Xu Jie continued his journey, it gradually grew dark as he approached the vicinity of Dong'an Gate. Many people had followed him from the afternoon until evening, and many were exhausted. However, seeing Xu Jie's perseverance, they couldn't help but admire him greatly.

Just as Xu Jie strolled to the outside of Dong'an Gate, a middle-aged man wearing an official hat hurriedly ran out of the market.

"Master Xu! Master Xu!"

He shouted loudly, his voice even sounding somewhat shrill.

Xu Jie raised his white eyebrows slightly, which were still covered with a few snowflakes.

"Who is this lord?"

The middle-aged man knelt at Xu Jie's feet, weeping bitterly, and said, "Lord Xu, I am Zhao Zhigao! I am your student, Zhao Zhigao!"

“Zhao Rumai?” Xu Jie exclaimed, his eyes wide. “Is that Zhao Rumai, the third-ranked scholar in the second year of the Longqing reign?”

"They are students! They are students!"

Tears streamed down Zhao Zhigao's face as he grasped Xu Jie's hand and spoke.

"Why is Master Xu putting himself through such hardship? The weather is cold; how much suffering must Master Xu endure walking all day?"

If Lord Xu is indignant, he can write us a letter or submit a memorial to His Majesty, and His Majesty will surely give him justice.

"Isn't this just causing pain to loved ones and joy to enemies?"

In fact, Xu Jie's letters had already reached every protégé and former official who held some influence in the court. As for why they had remained indifferent before, that was a matter of opinion.

At this moment, Xu Jie still wanted to continue this charade, so naturally he wouldn't expose it.

He held the other person's hand tightly and said emotionally.

"Ru Mai, you don't need to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up. If I don't see Zhang Jiangling today, I would rather die here outside Dong'an Gate than regret it."

As he spoke, he shook his right hand in his sleeve, and the latter immediately understood and handed him an exquisite hand warmer. Xu Jie then exchanged his cooled hand warmer for it.

All these subtle movements were difficult to see through the cloak Xu Jie was wearing, in the cold wind and dim light.

Those who witnessed this scene thought the two were reuniting as master and disciple, embracing each other and weeping bitterly, and were deeply moved.

The reporter from the Gyeonggi Ilbo has changed several times, but still managed to record this scene in the cold wind.

"At that time, Xu Gong and Zhao Shidu became fast friends and wept bitterly in each other's arms outside Donghua Gate. During their conversation, Xu Gong listed the ten major ills of the world at that time and was willing to die to advise His Majesty and persuade his former student, the current chief minister Zhang Jiangling. The suffering of the people can be seen from this."

Wenyuan Pavilion.

Shen Shixing, by the light of the oil lamp, carefully read the contents of the report and said to Zhang Juzheng beside him with concern.

"Your Excellency, Xu Zisheng and his group have arrived at your gate. The students are being coerced by them and are shouting outside demanding justice."

The usually mild-mannered Shen Shixing finally started to get a little anxious.

"There are also many voices in the court, and many high-ranking officials have sent notes requesting that you, Your Excellency, meet with Xu Zisheng and treat him well."

This matter cannot be delayed any longer.

Zhang Juzheng was also holding a report in his hand, which was a recent memorial from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, containing data and charts about the changes in people's livelihoods in the Ming Dynasty since March.

He looked very carefully, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.

"Could the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs inform His Majesty?"

Shen Shixing sighed helplessly and said, "His Majesty spends all his time at the Xishan Theater, saying he wants to research some new type of opera, and he completely ignores the affairs of the court."

Zhang Juzheng remained expressionless, seemingly accustomed to such announcements, and spoke in a deep voice.

"It's nothing serious. They just want a way to survive. The court can't just kill them all, so they'll send some people to maintain order and prevent any trouble."

I will personally make the trip to see my former mentor. We must proceed with caution; the capital is in turmoil, and the most crucial thing is to quell public anger and maintain stability.

“If you go to the Ruo En Mansion, wouldn’t that be bowing down to them?” Shen Shixing was quite indignant.

Xu Jie caused such a huge mess in Jiangnan, but when he turned around and came to the capital, he began to pretend to be a righteous man, forcing Zhang Juzheng to go and greet him.

When the time comes, if we make some demands in the name of the "common people," will the court respond or not?

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "We must not be angry. My mentor risked his life to fight for a way out for the gentry in Jiangnan. We also need to stabilize the situation in Jiangnan. It is only right that we back down and bow our heads appropriately."

Let's prepare the carriages and horses and set off immediately.

"Alas!" Shen Shixing sighed deeply.

I felt angry, but then I thought about it and realized that this was the best choice. I wouldn't have to force myself to become enemies with some of my former friends.

The situation that had been so hard-won gave the people of Jiangnan a chance to breathe, but now they are about to make a comeback and allow the Jiangnan gentry to grow powerful again?
Even though Shen Shixing himself came from Jiangnan, he couldn't help but lament this historical trend.

Just as he was leaving Wenyuan Pavilion, a man stumbled in.

"Butler You?"

You Qigong cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Grand Secretary Shen."

After saying this, he rushed inside, and upon seeing Zhang Juzheng, he knelt down and reported, "My lord, something terrible has happened."

Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment. He had asked You Qi to calm the crowd outside the Zhang family mansion. Now that the other party had arrived, could something serious have really happened?
"How is Xu Zisheng?"

Zhang Juzheng's eyebrows stood up, and his face was as cold as frost.

What he feared most was that Xu Jie would collapse from exhaustion and die in front of his own house.

The Zhang family was truly speechless. With an accusation of disrespecting teachers and elders pinned on them, how could he continue to serve as the chief minister?
But You Qi shook his head and said, "That Grand Secretary Xu is still standing outside the door, guarded by servants. We invited him in, but he insisted on waiting until you arrived before he would come in. There's nothing else wrong with him."

"What exactly is it?" Zhang Juzheng glared angrily, losing his patience.

"Whoa!"

You Qi sighed heavily and said.

"It was the young master again. He was teaching medicine at Renmin Medical Hall today when he heard the news. He couldn't sit still and rushed home on horseback, saying he wanted to teach Xu Jie a lesson."

Zhang Juzheng's heart skipped a beat. He had taken most of the possibilities into account, but he had forgotten about this biggest variable.

He stared wide-eyed and questioned.

"Didn't I tell this unfilial son to stay put?"

You Qi shrank back: "Master, as you know, the young master isn't exactly obedient."

"not good!"

Zhang Juzheng could no longer maintain his composure. He threw down the documents beside him and hurriedly spoke to You Qi.

"Come back with me quickly, or this unfilial son will cause trouble again!"

(End of this chapter)