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

Chapter 314 What did Xu Gong do? I have it all in Xishan!

These words came at Xu Jie like a barrage of bullets.

Xu Jie gritted his teeth, trying to speak several times but being interrupted each time. His eyes widened, bloodshot, as if he had almost lost his mind.

"Zhang Shiyuan! Enough! Do you think you can do better? Things in this world are never that simple; there are always advantages and disadvantages."

But before he could finish speaking, he saw the mocking expression on Zhang Yunxiu's face and was immediately stunned.

Xu Jie realized he had said something wrong, but he didn't know exactly what he had said wrong.

“Heh~” Zhang Yunxiu’s lips curled up. “Master Xu asked me what I did? Then I will tell you everything for Master Xu.”

He narrowed his eyes.

"What I, Zhang Yunxiu, advocate is not the way of commerce, but the way of practical application. Science never argues with people about superiority or inferiority; science only speaks of facts and reason."

Does it really matter who is right and who is wrong, whether it's Yangming's philosophy of mind or Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism?
What's useful is what matters most!

"Let's take a look at Renmin Medical Clinic."

Zhang Yunxiu pointed in the direction of Renmin Medical Hall, as if inspecting it. Doctors, led by Li Shizhen, stood up, their white uniforms standing out conspicuously in the theater.

"If Master Xu is to investigate things and seek knowledge, then there is the Renmin Medical Clinic that works day and night to save the lives of the people!"

Zhang Yunxiu pointed in the direction of the Daming Mechanical Academy. Zhao Shizhen was absent, but countless research students stood up proudly.

"If we need to put knowledge into practice, Xishan has a mechanical engineering college to thoroughly study theory and create more efficient machines!"

He then turned his head and pointed to his apprentices behind him.

"If we are to teach without discrimination, Xishan is even more open to all. As long as one has talent, all schools of thought can come under my wing!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiancheng and the others immediately regained their composure, their previous dejection and disappointment vanished instantly, leaving only their admiration for Zhang Yunxiu!

Finally, Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and pointed in the direction of the people who had settled in Xishan.

"If Lord Xu wants to see how to educate the people, then look at the people of Xishan. Education is not just about words. If we can give the people a full meal, then there will be no shortage of people coming and going!"

With a whoosh, a huge crowd of people in the theater stood up. These ordinary people had a gleam in their eyes. They didn't understand the nuanced meaning of the words spoken by both sides, but they felt a simple, genuine emotion.

Zhang Zhangwei is on our side! He gave us a full meal! That makes him the most righteous person in the world!
With a loud thud, Xu Jie felt as if he had been struck on the head with a blunt object. He staggered back several steps and then collapsed to the ground with a thud.

But Xu Jie was unwilling to admit defeat, and he pointed at Zhang Yunxiu and cursed.

"Deviating from the norm! This is nothing but a disguise! It's all about deceiving the world!"

"Who exactly is the heretic?!"

Zhang Yunxiu no longer concealed his anger. He grabbed Xu Jie's arm, pulled him in front of him, and said with bloodshot eyes.

"Xu Jie! You preach benevolence and righteousness, yet you've turned Jiangnan into a chaotic mess!"

"Xu Jie! You once held a high position! Your protégés and former officials were all over the country, yet instead of thinking about relieving the people's suffering, you seized tens of thousands of acres of fertile land in Jiangnan. How many people have been separated from their wives and children and displaced because of you!"

"Xu Jie! You are eloquent, yet you only engage in empty talk! You preach benevolence and righteousness, but in reality you manipulate power, form cliques for personal gain, and disregard the safety of the nation and the suffering of the people!"

With a snap, Zhang Yunxiu knocked Xu Jie's square scarf away, and Xu Jie's hair bun was also knocked off, revealing his bald head and sparse white hair to everyone.

His age spots, especially, combined with the bumps on his head, made him look even more terrifying.

Xu Jie shuffled backward on the ground, his eyes filled with panic, and said in a trembling voice.

"Zhang Shiyuan! What are you trying to do? You can't kill me! This is only one side of the story! Your sophistry will not convince the people of the world!"

His voice was choked with sobs, much like that of a helpless old man.

These words reminded Zhang Yunxiu. He slowly shifted his gaze to Xu Jie's back, where Wang Xijue and Wang Shizhen had red eyes. If they weren't wary of the large number of people behind Zhang Yunxiu, they would have already rushed forward.

There were also students from the Imperial Academy. If it weren't for the presence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they would have rushed up long ago and torn Zhang Yunxiu, the one who had bullied the old man, to pieces.

Even the court officials were all gritting their teeth. Those who had previously supported Zhang's faction now felt that Zhang Yunxiu had gone too far.

A lecture is a lecture. You, Zhang Yunxiu, already have the upper hand. Why force an old man in his twilight years to this point?
"Hey~"

Zhang Yunxiu revealed a cold smile. Facing the condemnation of thousands, he seemed to show no anger or shame whatsoever.

He shook his head repeatedly as he spoke.

"Master Xu's words have reminded me. No matter how I reason with you, you will not be convinced. After all, you already have the answer in your hearts, so why would you listen to reason?"

Xu Jie lay on the ground, panting heavily, and it took him a long time to finally manage to utter a single sentence.

"Shiyuan, if you continue to act so stubbornly, you will surely reap the bitter consequences in the future!"

"Then this junior will await the bitter consequences for Master Xu!"

Zhang Yunxiu squinted his eyes and smiled.

He then stood up and looked at the scholars and officials present.

"Since you are all unconvinced, I, Zhang Shiyuan, will give you a chance to investigate."

Today, except for the secret areas, all places in Xishan are no longer restricted, and you are free to explore them to your heart's content in one day!

I'll go to West Mountain and see for myself if what I, Zhang Yunxiu, said is true!

A smile appeared on Zhang Yunxiu's lips.

"If you all truly have the heart to investigate things and seek knowledge, you can also help the people in Xishan to plow the fields, carry water and irrigate the vegetables, and experience what the real hardships of ordinary people are like."

“Zhang Yunxiu has done these farm chores, and so have the students from Xishan.”

His expression was almost entirely sarcastic.

"You all can't possibly not do it, can you?"

After saying this, he waved his sleeve and walked away as if no one else was around, even straightening his table and chairs as he passed by.

Zhang Yunxiu took a few steps and stopped in front of Gu Xiancheng and the others.

The disciples looked excited and bowed respectfully to Zhang Yunxiu.

"gentlemen."

Zhang Yunxiu, hands on his hips, lectured him.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry back and continue your studies! Do you want to become like the scholars here, rigid and useless?" "We will obey your teachings, sir!"

And so, Zhang Yunxiu, along with a group of apprentices, leaving behind a mess and the stunned audience of the theater, walked out the door with an air of indifference.

"Zhang Shiyuan!"

Wang Xijue's facial muscles twitched incessantly, and he looked as angry as a demon.

Wang Shizhen sighed and turned around to see Xu Jie lying on the ground, barely alive. He rushed over and cried out.

"Master Xu!"

At the same time, after a brief silence, thunderous cheers erupted in the theater.

"We won! Commander Zhang won! We won!"

The cheers came from the people of Xishan, who were once refugees on the outskirts of the capital, worse off than dogs. Today, no one was anything but grateful to Zhang Yunxiu for being able to sit here.

"Village elder! I don't understand the old man's reasoning, and I don't understand some of Lord Zhang's reasoning either, but I just feel it's right!" Zhang Hangzi wiped away his tears, this big, burly man crying like a little wife.

Zhang Sishu was wearing the official uniform of the military settlement and smiled, revealing a missing front tooth.

"Fool! This is the principle the commander taught us, a principle unique to us soldiers. From today onwards, we soldiers can also speak to the gentry and officials of the court!"

"What kind of logic is this! Zhang Shiyuan has such popular support! It's truly admirable!"

Duke Zhu Yingzhen's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets; the development of events was completely beyond his imagination.

To the average person, a "lecture" is supposed to be a forum that quotes classics and discusses the past and present using historical texts and philosophical works.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yunxiu was able to find a different approach, using the practical achievements of Xishan from the perspective of ordinary people as his own citations and arguments.

If we're talking about quoting classical texts and using Confucian and Taoist arguments, a hundred Zhang Yunxius wouldn't be as good as Xu Jie.

But when it comes to practical matters, even a thousand Xu Jies couldn't keep up with Zhang Yunxiu.

That's the reason.

Duke Zhang Rong of England was stunned on the spot. More than the victory, he was surprised by Zhang Yunxiu's firm and clear will, the cohesion of the people of Xishan towards him, and the unwavering loyalty of Zhang Yunxiu's disciples.

This cannot be achieved simply by bestowing favors.
For a moment, Zhang Rong felt a sense of crisis, but when he felt a dull pain in his chest, he felt that the world was no longer in the hands of Zhang Yunxiu.

"Your Highness! We won! The head of the guards won! We won! Yay!"

The maid Liu Wan'er hopped and skipped around the private room like a little rabbit, her face beaming with joy.

Princess Yongning, Zhu Yaoying, scolded her in an annoyed manner.

"You brat, you're usually so quiet, why are you being so unruly today?"

In an instant, Liu Wan'er's fair face turned red, but she was somewhat unconvinced. She pounced on Zhu Yaoying, straddled her, and stared into Zhu Yaoying's eyes with her big, bright eyes.

"Is Your Highness unhappy? Commander Zhang has won! He's a great hero who spoke up for millions, yet Your Highness remains unmoved? Don't you feel any attraction?"

"What nonsense!"

Zhu Yaoying turned her head away and said, feigning composure.

"I am a princess, how can I be easily swayed by a man? That would break the royal rules!"

"Heh~" Liu Wan'er pouted, "His Highness doesn't talk like this when he's sleeping at night~"

She swung her short legs, shook her head, and spoke in a high-pitched voice.

"Zhang Lang~ Zhang Lang~ Don't go~"

Zhu Yaoying blushed instantly, and said angrily, "Fine! You little maid, how dare you make fun of Her Highness the Princess! I think you've gone too far! Take this beating!"

Zhu Yaoying was much taller than Liu Wan'er. She pressed Liu Wan'er onto her lap and began to "knock" on Liu Wan'er's pert buttocks.

He knocked on Liu Wan'er until she begged for mercy repeatedly.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I'll never dare to do it again!"

Compared to the bustling atmosphere at Zhu Yaoying's place, Zhang Juzheng's place was rather somber.

It took Shen Shixing a long time to recover from his shock.

"The Enen Manor," he stammered. "What is Chief Guard Zhang trying to do?"

Zhang Juzheng's hand hovered in the air, the cup of tea had been at his lips for who knows how long, and it had even spilled onto his clothes, making him look quite disheveled.

It took him a long time to recover from his panic, straighten his clothes, stand up, cough twice, and say something.

"That rebellious son Zhang Shiyuan is still as mischievous as ever."

As he spoke, a strange smile appeared on Zhang Juzheng's lips.

"It turns out that even Xu Zisheng couldn't withstand this kid's verbal attacks."

Shen Shixing couldn't help but chuckle.

The way you said that, Mr. En, made it sound like you were actually quite relieved, like someone who had been stumbling around for years and felt a sense of schadenfreude seeing others stumble as well.

“But,” Shen Shixing couldn’t help but remind him, “this will definitely cause a lot of trouble. Xu Zisheng has indeed lost, but Zhang Zhangwei has been a bit too overbearing.”

Zhang Juzheng's expression also turned solemn, and he sighed slightly.

"Everyone says being a father is hard, and I wholeheartedly agree. What else can I do? As a father, how can I not clean up my son's mess?"

He flicked his sleeve and walked towards the door.

"Is His Majesty still in the Western Hills? Come with me to pay my respects to His Majesty and discuss the principles of governing the world."

Shen Shixing paused for a moment, glancing at the chaotic theater.

The ordinary people, like a victorious army, launched a grand celebration in the theater.

The gentry and scholars, like defeated roosters, were all in despair; some wept bitterly, some gritted their teeth, and some shouted angrily, but none dared to truly stand up.

Another group of people were eager to see what the idyllic paradise that Zhang Yunxiu had described—Xishan—was really like.

Shen Shixing sighed heavily, his expression complex.

He knew this was not the end; the real struggle had just begun!
(End of this chapter)