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

Chapter 308 Why doesn't Master Xu come and visit me at my home?
The crowd gathered outside the Zhang family mansion was unusually large today.

It had already gotten dark.

The scholars around them held torches or kerosene lamps, which barely illuminated the road.

In the cold wind, a pair of lanterns in front of the Zhang family's house swayed violently, but the light they emitted was limited.

The curfew drum was about to sound, but the group of commoners, students, and scholars showed no sign of dispersing.

"If Lord Xu doesn't leave, we'll stay here and see how Zhang Jiangling responds!"

Shouts occasionally erupted from the crowd.

They wouldn't dare to storm the imperial city, nor would they dare to come alone. But today they are in front of Zhang Juzheng's gate. They have the numbers and the power to uphold "righteousness," so naturally they have nothing to fear.

Amidst the howling wind, Xu Jie, draped in a cloak, stood alone in front of the Zhang family's gate.

Many civil and military officials of the imperial court lived near Dong'an Gate, and they all came to visit after hearing the news.

Some acquaintances mustered up the courage to try and dissuade him, but to no avail.

Xu Jie had only one request.

“If it weren’t for Zhang Jiangling coming, I would never have left. I’ve come today to demand an explanation from him. If Zhang Jiangling has a clear conscience, why won’t he see me?”

People passing by sighed repeatedly.

"Zhang Jiangling is utterly depraved!"

Immediately, some students in the crowd waved their arms and shouted loudly.

“How can such a disloyal and unfilial person be allowed to serve as the chief minister? We must bring him down.”

Outside the Zhang family mansion, more than a dozen servants stood ready, fearing that these people might cause trouble and directly break down the gate.

In contrast, Xu Jie had a resolute look on his face, his posture was even straighter, and he stared straight ahead without blinking.

On this day, Xu Jie truly stole the show.

Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue hid among the crowd, keeping a close eye on the movements and exchanging pleasantries from time to time.

"Have you contacted Minister Chen yet?"

"It seems they are unwilling to take the lead."

"It's a waste that Master Xu cultivated him so much in the past. In this disaster in Jiangnan, the Chen family also lost a lot of land and shops. How can he swallow his anger like this?"

"I suppose Master Xu's hand warmer is getting cold. Send someone to talk to him and encourage him to move around a bit."

As darkness fell, the curfew drums sounded.

Many soldiers from the Five Cities Garrison stood guard to the side; they were supposed to drive away the rioting crowd, but they dared not step forward.

This place isn't just for ordinary people; it also includes many students, scholars, and other learned individuals, as well as some retired officials.

If we act rashly and injure a few scholars, it would be a huge problem.

Even with their confidence, as darkness fell and the cold wind grew stronger, the biting chill proved too much for many to bear.

Wang Xijue grew anxious: "Would Zhang Jiangling really just sit idly by? Is he really going to risk the wrath of the world and watch his former mentor die right at his doorstep?"

Respect for teachers and the Way was an inviolable ironclad rule in the intellectual society of the Ming Dynasty.

In the past, Zhang Juzheng's mere act of "seizing the opportunity to mourn" caused a huge uproar.

According to Confucian ethics, officials were required to observe a three-year mourning period after the death of their parents. However, there were exceptions, such as when the emperor issued an edict to "reinstate them after the mourning period" in order to prioritize national affairs.

In the "dismissal of mourning" incident in the fifth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, Zhang Juzheng repeatedly petitioned the Wanli Emperor to allow him to observe the mourning period, but all his petitions were rejected. In the end, he "had no choice" but to accept the decision to be reinstated after the mourning period.

Even so, many scholars were still dissatisfied, accusing Zhang Juzheng of being "unfilial" and "greedy for power," among other things.

“It shouldn’t be,” Wang Shizhen said, frowning. “This matter is of great importance. If Xu Gongzhen really falls at the Zhang family’s doorstep, Zhang Jiangling will be unable to atone for it even if he dies a hundred times. Can he still hold onto his position as Grand Secretary? How can the new policies be implemented?”

Those within Zhang's party are all learned men, how could they tolerate his perverse actions?

Even so, Wang Shizhen was not very confident. After all, if Zhang Juzheng kept making excuses about being too busy with official duties and didn't care about morality, there was really nothing you could do about it.

Wang Xijue lowered his voice: "His Majesty should already know about this, shouldn't he?"

Logically speaking, in order to win over the hearts of scholars across the land, the emperor should have made some gesture, such as sending someone to offer his condolences or inviting Xu Jie into the palace. These were all reasonable considerations.

But today, there seems to be no movement at all in the capital.

Wang Shizhen said with a hint of helplessness, "I just heard that His Majesty is studying opera in the Western Hills today, completely oblivious to what's going on outside. This matter is probably being kept out of reach of His Majesty."

"The Zhang family, father and son, have deceived the Emperor!" Wang Xijue said angrily. "If this continues, how are they any different from Jie and Zhou?"

Wang Shizhen shook his head: "Zhang Jiangling holds power, and he and his son are highly valued by His Majesty. The current situation is exactly the same as that of Yan Song and his son in power."

He looked at Xu Jie, whose body was already somewhat stiff, not far away.

"From noon until now, Master Xu has not eaten or drunk a drop of water, which shows that he has put life and death aside."

However, we are not pedantic; we had previously sent someone to inform Lord Xu that if we truly could not hold on, we should feign fainting.

He gritted his teeth: "When the time comes, we'll contact the Gyeonggi Daily and make a big fuss about it, and then we'll see how Zhang Jiangling handles it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jie's body actually swayed from side to side.

"Master Xu!"

Many students gasped in surprise, their resentment towards Zhang Juzheng growing even stronger.

But when it comes to actually asking them to step forward and help, they're having second thoughts.

After all, if you hide in the crowd, no one will know you, but if you go up and make a scene, you'll definitely be noticed.

Fortunately, Wang Shizhen and the others had made arrangements in advance, with servants already on guard around them, ready to strike if the situation turned against them. This proved to be a perfect opportunity.

Before Xu Jie's servants could catch up, a young man suddenly rushed forward and firmly supported Xu Jie.

"Lord Xu, it's getting late. Let me take you for a bowl of hot soup. We can discuss the matters of the court later, can't we?"

This young man was handsome and had an extraordinary bearing. He possessed a heroic spirit, yet also a scholarly air.

Upon seeing this person make a move, the students of the Imperial Academy immediately burst into cheers.

The leading student, Zhou Yingbin, looked ashamed and couldn't help but sigh.

“He is truly a role model for us all, unafraid of power and daring to follow the righteous path in his heart! What is his name? Does anyone know him? I, Zhou Yingbin, must befriend him.”

"Uh~"

Xu Jie slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, raised his lowered eyes, and grabbed the young man's hand.

"Thank you very much. May I ask your name, young friend?"

Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat surprised, because Xu Jie had been standing in the wind and snow for so long, and his hands were not only not cold, but even hotter than his own.

He peered inside the other person's clothes and immediately noticed something amiss. It wasn't very clear from a distance, but he realized it when he got closer.

Our Minister Xu appears to be standing in the biting cold wind, but in reality, he has a hand warmer in his arms and a small, tall stool under his bottom for support.

It must be because of this chair that he was able to stand so resolutely.

Thanks to the dim light and the disguise provided by the cloak, no one could tell.

Unfortunately, the students and scholars were so moved that they didn't understand why they had to endure the cold wind with Xu Jie, and several of them even froze to death. Xu Jie, on the other hand, felt quite warm here.

Coming to his senses, Zhang Yunxiu met Xu Jie's lowered eyes and said with a smile.

"Master Xu has been standing here for a long time, wanting to see my father and me. Now that I, Zhang Yunxiu, am standing before you, Master Xu does not recognize me?"

There was a bang.

Xu Jie's mind went blank, and his scalp tingled. He shook off the other person's hand, took two steps back, and even the hand warmer and chair fell to the ground.

His eyes widened, and he pointed with a slightly trembling hand.

"You are Zhang Shiyuan!"

Xu Jie had imagined Zhang Yunxiu's appearance and the scene of meeting him in his mind.

But the other party made an unexpected appearance, and even seemed to have a righteous air about them?
"It is indeed you, young man."

Zhang Yunxiu bowed slightly and said with a smile.

"I was farming in Xishan today when I was unexpectedly visited by Minister Xu. I was delayed for a while and was impolite. I hope Minister Xu will forgive me."

Speaking of which, I should call Master Xu "Grandmaster"!

Zhang Yunxiu appeared relaxed and at ease, as if he were talking to an elder he hadn't seen in a long time.

But the people around him didn't seem as relaxed as he was.

In the crowd, Wang Xijue gritted his teeth, his eyes practically spitting fire.

"That is Zhang Shiyuan! Brother Yuanmei, don't stop me, watch me go up and eat his flesh raw."

No one present harbored as much resentment towards Zhang Yunxiu as Wang Xijue. Others might have only lost money, but he had lost both money and his person.

The eldest son, Wang Heng, joined the other side, and the shops and fields in Jiangnan were also destroyed.

Wang Shizhen quickly pressed him down: "Calm down! Brother Yuanyu, calm down! Let's see what his purpose is in coming here. We must not act rashly, or we will be doing something undignified."

In contrast, the commotion within the crowd was even more intense.

"He's Zhang Shiyuan! How could he be Zhang Shiyuan!"

The student Zhou Yingbin was furious. In his eyes, Zhang Yunxiu was a heinous criminal who should be like Yan Song's son, Yan Shifan, a one-eyed man with a "short neck and fat body".

People in the Ming Dynasty were accustomed to judging others by their appearance, and this was even more pronounced in officialdom. Yan Shifan was even impeached because of his appearance.

This person has such an air about him, and he's actually Zhang Yunxiu?
"It's definitely just an act!" Zhou Yingbin said through gritted teeth. "Classmates, don't be deceived by his appearance. This man is a wicked villain. Come with me to protect Master Xu."

With his shout, the crowd stirred again, but it was all bark and no bite; they just kept cursing, but no one dared to step forward and take the lead.

Zhang Yunxiu had a "bad reputation," but also a fearsome one.

A few months ago, he killed a Grand Secretary and a Minister of Rites, which was still the talk of the town in teahouses.

Zhang Yunxiu may be young, but he is not someone to be trifled with.

Just as he was about to have a proper conversation with Xu Jie, Zhang Yunxiu became annoyed by the noise around him. He turned his head and glared at the group of students.

"You are students of the Imperial Academy, yet you are so ignorant of etiquette. I am having a heart-to-heart talk with my tutor, why are you disturbing me here!"

Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand, and immediately a swarm of Imperial Guards rushed up behind him, each carrying a sword and armor, looking fierce and menacing.

One of the commanders shouted loudly into the crowd.

"The curfew has been imposed in the capital. All unauthorized persons must leave immediately. Violators will be punished for 'night owl'!"

Everyone knows that Zhang Yunxiu was Zhang Juzheng's son and the founder of Xishan, but some people forget that Zhang Yunxiu was also the de facto commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in charge of supervising all officials.

The Five Cities Garrison couldn't deal with these students and scholars, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard could arrest even high-ranking officials, let alone a mere student like you.

In an instant, many of the people who had been dragged along scattered and fled, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

But the students refused to back down, and Zhou Yingbin, hiding in the crowd, shouted.

"Fellow students, don't be intimidated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We have official titles and have the right to speak out for the court. Do you think the Embroidered Uniform Guard would dare to arrest us all and imprison us?"
We will never agree to using force to oppress others! We will never agree to being misled!

He would say a few words and then move to a different spot, as if afraid of being found.

After some maneuvering, many students reluctantly stayed, waving their arms and saying...

"We are determined to live and die with Lord Xu!"

This scene left even the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in a dilemma. Without a pretext, they dared not easily draw their swords unless someone was willing to take the responsibility.

He turned his gaze to Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the students, who were startled and retreated in surprise.

A hesitant voice from the crowd demanded, "Zhang Shiyuan! Do you really intend to arrest a student of the Imperial Academy in broad daylight? Has His Majesty granted you that authority?"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled slightly: "The Imperial Academy is where the court cultivates scholars. I am an official appointed by the court, so how could I easily resort to violence?"

"Then why don't these people retreat immediately?"

“No.” Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said. “The curfew is also a law of the court and must not be violated. How can the Embroidered Uniform Guard sit idly by? We must find a foolproof plan.”

He pretended to be thinking, and finally slapped his palm with his fist.

“I’ve got it. It’s not a good idea for you all to stay here. We’ll have to investigate your crime of ‘breaking the night’. It’s getting late, and you must all be cold and hungry. It’s not good for you to get sick.”

Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and said, "My Zhang family is not wealthy, but we still have hot soup and food. Why don't you all come in with Master Xu? We will naturally treat you to the best wine and dishes. How could we possibly mistreat you?"

He emphasized the word "mistreated".

Among the crowd, the student Zhou Yingbin's expression changed drastically, and he spoke angrily.

"Wouldn't that be like walking into a dragon's den or a tiger's lair? At your mercy?"

Zhang Yunxiu lost his patience, his face immediately turned frosty, and he said sternly.

"This won't do, that won't do! Do you really think you can do whatever you want just because you're students? Arrest them all! Register their names and backgrounds!"

Upon hearing this, many students were terrified, and those who still tried to resist were captured by the Imperial Guards.

Seeing how things had developed, Xu Jie could no longer remain silent.

"Zhang Shiyuan!"

His eyes were piercing, and he spoke in a hoarse voice.

"What exactly do you intend to do?"

Zhang Yunxiu turned his head, his face showing a docile expression, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Master Xu, you must be frightened. Why don't you come into my home with me? The food here is excellent; even the Drunken Immortal Restaurant in the capital has come to ask for its expertise."

He looked up and smiled.

"If Master Xu wishes to discuss the rise and fall of the nation, then I will have a good talk with Master Xu about the rise and fall of the nation."

Xu Jie trembled, glanced at the panicked students, and then fixed his gaze on Zhang Yunxiu, his eyes growing increasingly profound.

(End of this chapter)