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

Chapter 310 Scraping the oil from Jiangnan? I'll just shoot those upright gentry!

Logically speaking, Zhang Yunxiu shouldn't be causing these kinds of trouble, but if he didn't cause trouble, he wouldn't be Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Juzheng could also guess his youngest son's thoughts, which were nothing more than wanting to promote his theory of practical application in governance.

It must be said that since the Qin and Han dynasties, the imperial system has undergone constant changes, all in the final analysis, in order to make the regime more stable.

Whether it was the Han and Tang dynasties or the Yuan and Song dynasties, the fundamental laws governing the evolution of the world have never changed.

It was simply that Liu the landlord came, and Liu the landlord gradually became corrupt and unsustainable, plunging the world into strife, and a new landlord emerged to rule the world.

If the fundamental system remains unchanged, the course of history will be difficult to alter.

Wang Anshi's reforms during the Northern Song Dynasty were a grand and vigorous undertaking, but in the end, they could not prevent the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Zhang Juzheng was certainly aware of whether the Ming Dynasty would repeat the mistakes of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Zhang Yunxiu's various ideas were indeed refreshing and might truly bring a new look to the Ming Dynasty.

Ultimately, Zhang Juzheng was still influenced by the classics and historical texts he studied from a young age. How easy was it for him to transcend his past understanding?

Zhang Juzheng's gaze grew increasingly serious, and he narrowed his eyes as he said, "If you are not confident, then do not bring this matter up again. I will make my own decision."

When it comes to the general trend of the world, it's not shameful to go back on your word.

Xu Jie and others were still in the capital. If Zhang Juzheng was willing to loosen his grip and give the Jiangnan gentry a way out, the former might struggle a bit, but they would eventually agree.

Zhang Yunxiu raised his eyes and said, "It seems Father doesn't have much confidence in me?"

Zhang Juzheng shook his head: "It's not that I lack confidence in you, but Xu Zisheng is no ordinary person. He has been immersed in officialdom for many years and has become very shrewd. His thoughts and methods are immeasurable."

You're young and fearless, and you certainly have a knack for debate. But if you were to actually hold a 'lecture' and gather people from all over the world to discuss it, could you really guarantee a sure victory?

It is actually a risky issue. If holding a lecture can completely expose Xu Jie's hypocrisy and let the world know the rationale behind the court's new policies, it would certainly be twice as effective.

But there are no invincible generals in the world. If Zhang Yunxiu is defeated, or if public opinion develops in an uncontrollable direction, then all the gains will be in vain.

In Zhang Juzheng's view, this move was nothing short of a gamble. But why take the risk when he could win with certainty?
Zhang Yunxiu, however, seemed unconcerned, and said with a slight smile.

"Father should know about my eloquence. I have debated with you many times in the past, and I suppose I have already mastered it. Now, dealing with Xu Zisheng can be considered a test of my skills."

"you!"

Zhang Juzheng was both angry and amused.

This brat is using our daily arguments as a way to cultivate his character?

"That's it!"

He turned and left, seemingly unwilling to linger with Zhang Yunxiu, leaving behind a single sentence.

"You're responsible for cleaning up this mess."

He said this, but after turning around and going inside, a look of worry immediately appeared on his face.

Can Zhang Yunxiu, who is usually "arrogant", really win against Xu, the former powerful prime minister?

This "lecture" may seem like a battle of egos, but it is also a battle of ideologies.

This is the first time in history that the direction of the court's governance has been put on the table for the world to judge.

Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Sighing alone in his dark study, Zhang Juzheng picked up his letter again and began to write.

December.

In the cold winter winds of the East China Sea, a fleet of ships quietly sailed to the vicinity of Jinshanwei in the gray early morning.

The guards on duty at Jinshanwei panicked upon seeing the menacing fleet. Just as they were about to sound the horn to signal for battle, they suddenly caught a glimpse of the large ships through the clouds.

"Isn't this the blessed ship of our Great Ming Dynasty?"

The guards looked incredulous, never expecting to see the Ming Dynasty's navy ships in the open ocean.

In particular, the ship's hull bore numerous patched-up wounds and signs of fighting everywhere. Such frequent battle damage was completely unseen on the Ming Dynasty's long-peaceful naval ships.

They were more like a pirate force than a Ming Dynasty navy.

But ironically, this ship was genuine and even flew the flag of the Ming Dynasty navy.

The guards were at a loss for what to do, so they jogged to find Deputy Commander Hou Jigao to report and make a decision.

"Lord Qi".

Hu Shouren's armor didn't seem to fit him well; it hadn't been worn for a long time, and it creaked as he moved.

He looked at Qi Jiguang at the bow of the ship and said.

"Is that Longquan's garrison ahead? He's really enjoying himself now, having become the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Jiangnan, the number one person in charge of water affairs in Jiangnan under the governor."

To be honest, even I, a pirate, would tremble in fear if I saw him.

Hehe~"

Hearing this, Hu Shouren, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but chuckle. He looked at Qi Jiguang's increasingly dark face and asked him.

"Has Lord Qi received an imperial decree? We were doing just fine at sea, why are we suddenly being forced to return?"

There was even a hint of regret in his words.

Just a few months ago, Hu Shouren was quite reluctant to go to sea.

Qi Jiguang was so angry he laughed. He slapped the other man on the back of the head and said, "You reckless bastard, do you really want to be a pirate for the rest of your life?"

Hu Shouren scratched his head, a rather embarrassed smile on his face.

"Life at sea is tough, but there are always battles to fight. And the pay for everyone in Qi Family Army is generous. Who in our Qi Family Army doesn't want to earn more money?"

Qi Jiguang glared at him and said, "You've all earned at least three or four thousand taels of silver, haven't you?"

Hu Shouren smiled and said, "Who would complain about not having enough money?"

If you really think about it, the four or five hundred men under Qi Jiguang had already earned enough money to make a living.

Those poor soldiers of the past made a living by sailing the sea, which also enabled their families to live a prosperous life.

But life at sea is still something to cherish.

Ultimately, life on land was not as enjoyable as life at sea. After going ashore, returning to one's hometown or garrison meant repeating the same monotonous life every day, receiving a meager salary, and even suffering oppression from civil officials and contempt from gentry and common people.

But things are completely different at sea. At sea, might makes right. Qi Jiguang's army had logistical support from Xishan, including vegetables and fruits for food, guns and gunpowder, and various navigation technologies.

Xishan was teeming with all sorts of novelties, which were tested and proven in the naval battles of the Qi Family Army, making the Qi Family Navy increasingly powerful.

A single telescope can sometimes be enough to traverse the seas, not to mention various improved gunpowder firearms.

"These days of robbing things at sea are indeed exhilarating. We're robbing those foreign tribes, the Japanese, the Portuguese, and the people from Southeast Asia. How they used to rob our Great Ming, they all have to give back to us now."

Qi Jiguang let out a sigh, his gaze gradually sharpening.

“But we can’t keep fighting forever. Our Ming Dynasty needs to do business. Nowadays, the Japanese and Portuguese are all vying to come to Jiangnan for maritime trade, and the flow of goods in Yuegang has decreased a lot. It’s not convenient for us to keep fighting.”

"That's a pity," Hu Shouren sighed heavily. "We still have many brothers from Qi Jiguang's army who haven't even had a sip of hot soup yet. There are too few ways to make money."

"Are you worried about not making money?"

Qi Jiguang stared wide-eyed as he spoke.

“My nephew Zhang Shiyuan is the best money-maker in the world. He may be a little dim-witted, often disobeys his father, and is sometimes a bit immoral, but following him will definitely bring you money.”

Helpless, Hu Shouren was about to be flattered by Qi Jiguang again. He asked, "So, our arrival in Jiangnan is just to make money? To rob the Jiangnan gentry?" Qi Jiguang snorted and said, "You scoundrel, what are you thinking about? Robbing foreign lands is one thing, but robbing our own people? We'll really become pirates!"

"That is."

Qi Jiguang, hands on his hips, said, “We are the navy of the Great Ming Dynasty, and it is our duty to guard the sea frontier for the court. It is a foregone conclusion that the court will lift the sea ban in the future, and the navy will definitely be of paramount importance.”

"If we were to establish a full-fledged Ming navy, would you still worry about not having enough money?"

"Silver?" Hu Shouren lowered his voice. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate? This Xishan is the property of His Majesty and the Zhang family, as well as many nobles in the capital. If we try to take advantage of it, wouldn't we be like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth?"

"Who said we were going to take advantage of you?"

Qi Jiguang removed the telescope from his eyes and looked at his deputy general beside him.

"This time I came to Jiangnan, naturally I was going to teach those little brats who wanted to cause trouble a lesson and confiscate some of the people who were exploiting the common people. It's not robbery."

"what?"

Hu Shouren was completely bewildered.

Xishan Greenhouse.

A round, yellow ball squatted in the melon patch, its eyes shining as it watched the thriving watermelons grow.

"Eating cold melons in winter? I've never heard of such a thing."

This large yellow ball is, of course, the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty—the Wanli Emperor.

His buttocks were sticking up high, and the way he turned his head to talk to Zhang Yunxiu was quite comical.

If it weren't for the fear of being executed along with his entire family, Zhang Yunxiu would have had the urge to kick that big buttock.

He coughed twice and said.

"Your Majesty is making a fuss over nothing. Growing fruits and vegetables in warm cellars has been a long-standing practice. Your Majesty possesses the entire world; how could you possibly be unable to enjoy them?"

The phrase "possessing the wealth of the entire nation" struck a nerve with Emperor Wanli.

The young emperor pouted and said with a sense of grievance, "I have been frugal and thrifty since I was a child. If I were to do something like growing vegetables in a heated cellar during the winter, I would surely be impeached by my teacher and the censors."

Zhang Yunxiu was stunned for a moment, almost forgetting about this matter.

Emperor Wanli was raised from childhood to be a wise ruler. Just as children in later generations compare themselves to a prodigy or academic genius, he was raised to be a wise and virtuous ruler like Emperor Taizong of Tang and Emperor Wen of Han.

Then the upright officials had something to say: "Your Majesty is the ruler of all under Heaven. If you wish to become a wise and benevolent monarch, how can you allow people to eat melons and fruits in winter and grow vegetables in heated cellars? This is a waste of resources and manpower!"

Such a "foolish" thing could not be done by the emperor; it could only be done by the upright officials who dared to speak out.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at him with pity, but remembering that the instigator was his own father, Zhang Juzheng, he immediately changed the subject.

"Oh dear, Your Majesty, that's all in the past. Now, hundreds of acres of greenhouse fruits and vegetables are grown in Xishan. Your Majesty can eat as much as you want. In the future, we can also implement a reward and punishment system. At the end of the year, all ministers who have rendered meritorious service to the court will be rewarded with some delicious fruits and vegetables from the Xishan greenhouses."

The Wanli Emperor narrowed his small eyes: "Shiyuan, are you thinking of relying on me to sell your greenhouse fruits and vegetables?"

Zhang Yunxiu's face stiffened, and he said with obvious distress, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? This Western Mountain is also Your Majesty's property. I am merely trying to share your burdens!"

He casually picked up a large watermelon and started patting it.

"Your Majesty, please look at this cold melon. It is entirely green and is a naturally sweet variety! Through my improvement and hybridization, this melon is much larger than the previous cold melons, the flesh is sweeter, and it is less prone to disease and insects."

Zhang Yunxiu did not shy away from his uninhibited behavior in front of the Wanli Emperor, as well as his exaggerated performances.

In a sense, this was precisely a means for him to gain the emperor's trust.

"Hybridization?" The Wanli Emperor had grasped an interesting word, but then felt that it was too vulgar and unbecoming of a ruler, so he turned his attention back to the watermelon.

He was holding a big watermelon, feeling its warm, cool texture, and his mouth watered.

"Is it really that delicious?"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled sheepishly: "There's some exaggeration involved. Greenhouse melons do taste a bit worse, but they're still much tastier than the winter melons of the past."

"I will certainly have a good taste then. I suppose there shouldn't be any flies buzzing around my ears now."

"Not always."

"Why?" Emperor Wanli frowned, somewhat displeased.

Zhang Yunxiu reminded him, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Today is my 'Xishan Lecture' with Grand Secretary Xu. People from all walks of life will be present. If I lose, that's fine, but if I fall from grace, it will be difficult to recover."

"Your use of idioms is truly unique."

Emperor Wanli's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but complain.

He then became somewhat annoyed and pointed at Zhang Yunxiu, cursing angrily.

"You compromiser! Why don't you prepare executioners in your mansion so that Xu Jie can be killed with a single blow when he enters? Why do you have to argue with that old scoundrel?"
If you lose, don't even think about touching my sister!

Zhang Yunxiu was also somewhat angry: "Your Majesty, what makes you say such a thing? When did this humble subject ever lay a finger on Her Highness the Princess?"

In all honesty, he only occasionally visited Renmin Medical Clinic to teach Princess Yongning some medical skills.

"Do not speak further."

The Wanli Emperor said with his hands behind his back.

"This battle is one of absolute victory; defeat is not an option. If you win, you'll marry the princess and reach the pinnacle of life. If you lose, you'll be stuck in the Western Hills researching firearms and cold melons from now on!"

Zhang Yunxiu, with an air of utter indifference, spread his hands and said...

"If Your Majesty so desires, then this humble subject will have no choice but to live out his days in solitude in the Western Hills, which will be a pleasant and leisurely existence."

"You!" Emperor Wanli was furious. Zhang Yunxiu was even more shameless than him. He sighed and said.

"Very well, how could I not help you?"

Zhang Yunxiu exclaimed with delight, "Your Majesty has a brilliant plan?"

Emperor Wanli squinted and said, "I have sent five hundred imperial guards to infiltrate the Xishan Theater. As soon as they see the opportunity, they will suddenly attack and cause chaos in the Xishan Theater. You can then take the opportunity to end the debate and escape from the lecture."

Once things have calmed down, you and I will use the firearms of Xishan to establish a Divine Machine Battalion and chop up all those bastards from Jiangnan to feed to the dogs!

When the emperor said this, he was seething with hatred. Clearly, the Jiangnan gentry were making a fortune while opposing the opening of the sea, and preventing the emperor from making a fortune. These petty things had touched a nerve with him.

Zhang Yunxiu knew he wouldn't get any good strategies from the emperor, and said with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Then I, your humble servant, should still win."

The Wanli Emperor patted his good friend on the shoulder and said, "I have high hopes for you!"

After saying that, he prepared to leave on his own.

Zhang Yunxiu said with some surprise, "The lecture will begin in an hour. Doesn't Your Majesty intend to go and watch?"

The Wanli Emperor calmly replied, "What's the point of listening to your empty talk? I now believe that political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. I'm going to go and see how the muskets are being developed in the workshops. When that happens, I'll wipe out all those Jiangnan gentry, and then there will be less strife in the world."

Watching the Wanli Emperor's departing figure, Zhang Yunxiu rubbed his forehead, feeling a little dizzy.

It seems that, under his own influence, the Wanli Emperor had thoroughly learned "unorthodox" methods through what he heard and saw.

Weapon improvement is very important. With Zhao Shizhen's extraordinary talent, he had already developed the Xunlei Gun, which could fire eighteen shots in a row, in just a few months. However, if he wanted to invent the flintlock musket, it would not be something that could be done in just a few months.

Compared to the lengthy transformation of weapons, the transformation of people's hearts and minds is the most important thing right now.

It was against this backdrop that the "Xishan Lectures" officially began.

(End of this chapter)