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

Chapter 320 Grand Secretary Xu's Soul Dies in the Capital! Emperor Wanli Paints Another Erotic Picture?

The next day.

Tianjin Wei.

Even as evening fell, the Baochuankou Wharf was still bustling with boats coming and going. However, compared to places like Sanchahe and Dazhigu, the boats coming and going at Baochuankou were mostly smaller and were mostly private boats.

A group of people, hidden among the crowd, haggled at the dock and finally managed to charter a cargo ship to be used as a passenger ship.

After a long and tiring journey, Wang Shizhen finally let out a long sigh of relief and slumped into a chair in the cabin.

"This journey has been quite arduous, but thankfully we've escaped unscathed. By the time Zhang Shiyuan realizes what's happening, we should have already arrived in Jiangnan."

Wang Xijue, however, looked gaunt and listless. He held a copy of the "Gyeonggi Daily" in his hand, flipping through it over and over, seemingly looking at something with great anxiety.

"It is highly inappropriate for us to leave Lord Xu in the capital."

Wang Shizhen shook his head: "Brother Yuanyu, you are too worried. Lord Xu has his own way of making decisions. He is able to stabilize the situation in the capital. Without Lord Xu's mediation, how could we leave the capital smoothly? How could the plans in Jiangnan be implemented?"

Wang Xijue sighed and lamented, but then his face turned ashen.

"That rebellious son Wang Chenyu actually insists on opposing me!"

When he left the capital, he naturally sent a letter to Wang Heng. However, Wang Heng was engrossed in his studies at Xishan Academy and oblivious to the world around him. After finally receiving the letter, he wrote a lengthy reply to Wang Xijue, admonishing him to reform and not to be prejudiced against the new learning.

After all that, Wang Xijue was almost driven mad with anger.

"Fine, Brother Yuanyu, you may leave now." Wang Shizhen sighed helplessly, "We don't have this son, do we?"

"But!" Wang Xijue still looked unwilling, his eyes seemed to be spitting fire, but in the end he lowered his head and sighed repeatedly.

Just as the two were talking, a commotion broke out on the deck.

Wang Shizhen frowned and quickly called over the hired crew members.

"This gentleman comes from the capital, yet he knows nothing about yesterday's news from the capital?" the crew member said in a low voice.

"News?" Wang Shizhen looked puzzled. They had only been in the capital for about a day and a half. What major event could have happened in the capital in such a short time?

He immediately pulled the crew member aside and asked.

"What exactly happened?"

The crew member, looking excited, said mysteriously, "News just came from our shipping guild: Xu Jie, the Grand Secretary who caused such a stir in the capital a few days ago by bringing down Yan Song and his son years ago and who was now at odds with the Zhang family, has passed away at the post station!"

In an instant, Wang Xijue's face turned pale.

He rushed over, glaring at her angrily, and said, "Where did you get this news! How dare you spout such nonsense! Grand Secretary Xu is still in good health, how could he have suddenly passed away!"

The crew members were terrified and quickly backed away, muttering something under their breath.

"Xu Jie was almost eighty years old; wasn't it only natural that he would pass away?"

"What did you say!" Wang Xijue's eyes widened, and he grabbed the crew member, his face filled with murderous intent.

"Brother Yuanyu, don't be anxious."

Wang Shizhen quickly pulled him back, and smiled as he looked at the crew member.

"My brother here has always admired Grand Secretary Xu. I hope you can understand."

As he spoke, he secretly slipped a small piece of silver into his sleeve.

The sailor immediately beamed with joy, stuffed the loose silver into his pocket, and grinned, revealing a set of black and white teeth.

"It's alright, it's alright. You two are gentlemen, scholars, so naturally your ways are different from ours, who make a living."

However, this news is guaranteed to be true. How could the news from our Canal Gang be wrong? Besides, it has already spread throughout the capital. You two gentlemen can easily find someone to ask about it.”

Wang Shizhen's expression was somewhat stiff, but he still forced a smile and said, "Please, sir, explain in more detail."

The crew member perked up and chuckled, saying, "Then you two have really come to the right person. Everyone else only has a vague understanding, but I have information about the brothers in the Grand Canal Gang, and I even know exactly how that Minister Xu died."

Upon hearing this, both Wang Xijue and Wang Shizhen immediately turned their gazes to him.

This greatly satisfied the crew member's vanity, and he continued vividly.

"On that day, Grand Secretary Xu was alone in the post station, with only his old servant by his side. As the ancients said, once you lose power, you're worse off than a dog. How glorious Grand Secretary Xu used to be, yet he ended up in such a state. It's truly a pity."

"Not a single official, high or low, in the capital dared to visit him; even Xu Ge Lao's own apprentice abandoned him—it was truly a tragedy of human relations."

"Strangely enough, none of the civil and military officials in the entire capital dared to go, except for Zhang Shiyuan, the bodyguard who was at odds with Grand Secretary Xu, who went to visit him, but Grand Secretary Xu was unmoved."

The crew's descriptions were somewhat hearsay, but the details were largely accurate. However, compared to the actual events, the oral accounts were more dramatic.

The crew members were gesturing wildly.

"The head guard shouted loudly, exposing that Grand Secretary Xu was faking illness. Grand Secretary Xu was trying to cover it up, but who was Li Shizhen? He was a world-renowned physician! He could tell at a glance that Grand Secretary Xu had overdosed on aphrodisiacs and actually had no illness at all!"

"Nonsense! Nonsense!" Wang Xijue went berserk and went up to grab the crew member by the neck.

But the crew member was agile and dodged the attack with a sidestep.

He was so frightened that he wet himself and hurriedly bowed and apologized.

"This is all hearsay; it's just what others have said, and it has nothing to do with me whatsoever!"

As he spoke, he scrambled out of the cabin.

After the other party had gone, Wang Shizhen frowned and said, "The news about the canal transport is indeed undeniable. If it were fabricated, it wouldn't be described in such vivid detail. It seems this is indeed true."

"Master Xu!"

Wang Xijue was sobbing uncontrollably, his face contorted with grief.

"It's the student's fault for letting you down!"

Wang Shizhen turned his head away, his expression growing increasingly serious. Suddenly, he remembered something and rushed onto the deck without a second thought.

"Brother Lin! Brother Lin!"

He called out the crew members' names, but as soon as he stepped onto the deck, his body stiffened.

Nearly a hundred Imperial Guards had arrived on the deck at some unknown time. The leader was a commander of a thousand men, who had his embroidered spring knife slung over his shoulder. Upon seeing Wang Shizhen, he stepped forward and saluted.

Why did Mr. Yuanmei leave in such a hurry?

A slight smile appeared on the lips of the commander.

"As you may have just learned, Grand Secretary Xu passed away in the capital yesterday. As his students, it is only right that you go back to handle his funeral arrangements."

The head of the guards said that the two gentlemen have made great contributions to the court and should not shed blood unless absolutely necessary.

I hope you won't make things difficult for me.

"You lot. You lot."

In an instant, Wang Shizhen understood something. He stumbled backward and fell heavily onto the deck with a thud.

Xu Jie has passed away.

This should have been a very exciting piece of news, but to the people of Beijing, it seemed to be something that was taken for granted.

"Grand Secretary Xu is dead."

"I heard that he died from an argument with Zhang Zhangwei, which led to him taking too much aphrodisiac and suffering a heart attack from anger!"

"Tsk tsk tsk~ Even in his old age, Grand Secretary Xu still can't forget that matter. He deserves what he got~"

"Don't say too much. If the scholars hear you, they'll definitely get angry with you."

Overnight, news of Xu Jie's death spread to every household in the capital.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Renmin Medical Hall took the lead in joining forces with officials from the Ministry of Rites to seal off the post station where Xu Jie died and to guard Xu Jie's body under strict surveillance.

Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, Zhang Juzheng was ashen-faced. He couldn't concentrate on the official documents all morning and had questioned Shen Shixing for the umpteenth time.

"Have the investigations by the Ministry of Rites and the medical clinics been completed?"

Shen Shixing had just rushed back from his journey and, upon hearing this, quickly cupped his hands in response.

“The En family has arrived.”

He felt the description was not accurate enough, so he handed a document to Zhang Juzheng.

"Please take a look at this coroner's report."

Zhang Juzheng took the document, unfolded it, and frowned even more deeply. He looked at Shen Shixing and said...

"Is this autopsy record genuine? Is it unaffected by the influence of Xishan?"

Shen Shixing knew very well that Zhang Juzheng was worried that his youngest son, Zhang Yunxiu, would kill him, so he quickly explained.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, this time it was a trusted official from the Ministry of Rites who went to assist, and Li Dongbi was there to testify. I believe this will convince the people of the world."

Zhang Juzheng seemed relieved, but sighed helplessly.

"I never imagined that the calming and tranquilizing pills would turn out to be a poison."

The thought that the entire royal family used this medicine in the past sent chills down Zhang Juzheng's spine.

Shen Shixing explained, "Your Excellency may not know, but this calming and stabilizing pill is indeed toxic. It is not fatal to ordinary people, but it has a very serious effect on the elderly, weak, women and children."

I've heard that for the past six months, Grand Secretary Xu has been suffering from insomnia, and it's only this medicine that has brought him stability. Later, the dosage was increased, but Grand Secretary Xu is already elderly; how could he possibly withstand that?"

Zhang Juzheng squinted and said, "Looking at it this way, the rumors about aphrodisiacs outside do seem to have some merit."

Shen Shixing paused for a moment: "The rumors among the people are all exaggerated, but Your Excellency can rest assured. The sweet potato roots that Zhang Zhangwei sent still have some residue, but after verification by the clinic and the Ministry of Rites, there is no poison."

"As long as it's non-toxic."

Zhang Juzheng was finally relieved. Xu Jie had stuffed that beard into his mouth before he died, which was likely not only out of resentment, but also because he wanted to frame Zhang Yunxiu.

Fortunately, medical skills in clinics and medical schools have become increasingly advanced, and they can still identify common poisons.

"I don't want to." Shen Shixing's expression was somewhat strange. "Did Zhang, the head guard, really find the grain seed that yields forty shi per mu?"

"Let him be."

Zhang Juzheng clearly still couldn't believe the claim about the grain seeds, and instead gave instructions.

"Release this coroner's body record and publish it in all kinds of newspapers, especially the Wanli Xinbao. Distribute it widely throughout the country and make sure the people know the truth!"

Rumors and gossip continued to spread among the people, with some even implying that Zhang Yunxiu had poisoned Xu Jie.

The people of the capital may have felt relieved, but the accusation of poisoning an old man, especially one who was once a high-ranking official, is unacceptable. The court must first clarify the matter. Shen Shixing deeply agreed and nodded, saying, "This is the proper course of action."

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment, then summoned a junior eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial and handed him a memorial, saying, "Please, Your Excellency, present this matter to His Majesty."

It is unclear when it started, but Emperor Wanli rarely met with his ministers. In fact, a few days ago, due to the large number of ministers impeaching and arguing, the court had not held a court session for nearly two months.

All the memorials were submitted to the emperor by the Directorate of Ceremonial, who extracted the important parts through Feng Bao. For ordinary political matters, Emperor Wanli would simply glance at the drafts and have Feng Bao approve them.

After all, with Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng supporting the court and Zhang Yunxiu helping to make money outside, Emperor Wanli naturally had more important things to do.

This morning.

"My beloved concubine, move a little more this way. Ah, yes, yes, that's the posture. The expression must be one of fear, regret, and terror, otherwise it won't capture the essence of Chang'e flying to the heavens!"

"This veil is still too thick, which is really affecting my performance. If I want to paint an excellent picture, I must strive for perfection and not be careless in the slightest."

"Someone come here! Help Consort Zheng remove another layer of her veil!"

As early as one or two months ago, the former Consort Zheng had already been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Zheng, but this title was not given for nothing.

Compared to the rule-abiding Consort Wang, Consort Zheng was clearly more willing to "go all out" to please the emperor.

For example, if the officials outside the capital saw Consort Zheng's attire today, they would surely jump up and angrily denounce it as immoral and immoral, and condemn Emperor Wanli as licentious and immoral. It would be a foregone conclusion for them to issue another memorial on maintaining order.

Consort Zheng stood barefoot on a high table, wearing only a few thin, peach-colored gauze garments that barely covered her vital parts.

All the lights in the hall were extinguished, leaving it pitch black.

Only around Consort Zheng were dozens of lamps lit, like a sun, clearly illuminating her body outline.

Consort Zheng was quite flexible. Standing on the table in a one-legged stance, with one hand raised high and the other leg naturally swinging back, she truly looked like a woman about to ascend to heaven.

The Wanli Emperor was a very large man. He leaned over the desk in front of him, glancing up every now and then, and then lowering his head to paint with ink and brush, creating a painting of Chang'e flying to the moon. Soon, the painting was completed.

This painting has a unique artistic conception, especially the use of lamplight as the sun, which further highlights the flowing hem of Chang'e's dress.

Consort Zheng's looks were slightly lacking, but after Emperor Wanli's embellishment, she was immediately transformed into a stunning beauty.

However, the only problem is that Chang'e's clothing in the painting is too thin, making her look somewhat... suggestive.

"Ah! Thanks to my beloved concubine's assistance! This masterpiece has finally put my mind at ease!"

After much difficulty, the painting was finally completed. Emperor Wanli held the erotic painting of Chang'e flying to the moon, and he was quite fond of it.

Consort Zheng had just stepped down from the table, panting and her face flushed. She stood beside the emperor, but Emperor Wanli was completely absorbed in his art and couldn't pull himself away.

Even though she was exhausted and sweating profusely, and was not valued, Consort Zheng still flattered her with a smile.

"It is Your Majesty's painting that is so excellent. Look at the brushstrokes, the lifelike depiction. Even Cui Bai and Ma Yuan of the Song Dynasty would probably have to admit their inferiority. It's as if I were truly Chang'e, who accidentally ascended to heaven!"

These words of flattery made Emperor Wanli feel very comfortable, especially the comparison with Cui Bai and Ma Yuan, which was a compliment that touched his heart.

Consort Zheng seized the opportunity and practically clung to Emperor Wanli.

"Your Majesty, Chang'e accidentally ate the elixir of immortality and ascended to the moon, forever separating her from Hou Yi. But I wish to stay with Your Majesty forever."

Emperor Wanli paused for a moment, then subconsciously adjusted his belt and said with a rather unnatural expression.

"Ah~ well~ isn't living forever pretty good too~"

The way he shook his head.

"Back in the day, Emperor Jiajing wanted to refine an elixir of immortality. If you, my beloved consort, were to consume such an elixir, that would be more than I could ask for. But don't forget to save a portion for me!"

Seeing Emperor Wanli's evasive behavior, Consort Zheng became anxious. If things continued like this, when would she be able to give birth to a prince and become empress?

Consort Wang will be giving birth next year. If she gives birth to a prince, her dream of becoming empress will be shattered.

"Your Majesty~"

Consort Zheng pounced like a hungry tiger, trying to get close to the emperor, but little did she know that Emperor Wanli was a nimble fat man who dodged her clutches with a mere sidestep.

The Wanli Emperor held the painting in his arms like a precious treasure, and said with a face full of apology.

"My beloved concubine, I am feeling rather unwell today, so I will return to Qianqing Palace to rest first. This painting still needs repair, and I will seek out Shiyuan to give it a proper appraisal!"

Consort Zheng was anxious, but before she could speak, she saw the emperor dash out of the house, but she was in a position that made it inconvenient for her to leave the palace.

After realizing what she had just said, she blushed and stamped her feet repeatedly.

"Your Majesty! This painting must never be circulated!"

Emperor Wanli clearly ignored his shouts and ran out of the palace. Once outside the palace, he felt the cold air and shivered.

He muttered to himself, still shaken.

"so close."

Feng Bao had been waiting outside for a long time. He quickly came up to drape the emperor in a cloak and handed him a hand warmer.

He glanced at the Wanli Emperor's expression and knew what had happened, then said with a slight smile.

"Your Majesty must be tired. This servant has prepared a sedan chair for Your Majesty. Would you like to return to Qianqing Palace to rest?"

"Let's go back then." Emperor Wanli let out a heavy sigh. "Help me summon Shi Yuan to the palace and tell him I have important matters to discuss in detail."

Feng Bao glanced at the painting in Emperor Wanli's arms, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural, and he quickly reported it.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but it seems that Zhang, the head of the guards, will not be able to come."

"Can't come?" Emperor Wanli frowned, somewhat displeased. "Is he in Xishan? Or at the Medical Academy? He must be at a crucial stage of his research. Prepare the carriage for me; I must go there immediately."

Feng Bao glanced at the heavy snowfall. Why was the Wanli Emperor in such a hurry to share this painting with Zhang Yunxiu? For an emperor to have such a peculiar hobby—was the Ming Dynasty truly safe for the future?
His mind was racing, but his mouth didn't stop moving as he spoke in a low voice.

"Your Majesty is unaware that news just came from Wenyuan Pavilion that Grand Secretary Xu Zisheng passed away at the post station last night. It is likely that Chief Guard Zhang is still handling some matters at the Ministry of Rites."

Xu Jie is dead!

Emperor Wanli's eyes widened as if he had suddenly woken up, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"He just died like that out of nowhere?"

Feng Bao quickly recounted the contents of the memorial to Emperor Wanli, especially the outlandish schemes of the Jiangnan gentry and the cause of Xu Jie's death.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Wanli was not much surprised by the news of Xu Jie's death. He nodded slightly and said...

“These Jiangnan gentry are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Xu Zisheng seems to deserve to die. Your Excellency, you must pay close attention to this case and make sure to get to the bottom of it.”

Feng Bao bowed and said, "This servant would dare not fail to do her best."

After this little incident, Emperor Wanli seemed to lose interest and waved his hand, saying...

"Let's go back to the Qianqing Palace."

Rumors were rampant in the capital, but all doubts were put to rest after the Wanli Xinbao and Jingji Ribao published the news of Xu Jie's death.

In the heavy snow of December, many scholar-officials in the capital hung white banners in their homes.

Especially the students of the Imperial College.

In fact, just yesterday, the imperial court had already issued a decree that all the students who had caused trouble at the Imperial Academy in the past would be punished, especially Zhou Yingbin, the ringleader, who would likely be expelled from the Imperial Academy soon.

Many students changed their views on Zhang Yunxiu's new policies after returning from Xishan.

After all, it is an indisputable fact that the people of Xishan live in peace and contentment.

Even so, many students and scholars still regarded Zhang Yunxiu and the new policies as a monstrous threat.

Zhou Yingbin was so grief-stricken that he lay on the table and wept bitterly, cursing as he cried.

"Heaven is unjust! Heaven is unjust! Mr. Ziwei was misled by Zhang Shiyuan, and now Master Xu has been harmed by Zhang Shiyuan. Is there any justice left in this world?"

Regardless of Zhou Yingbin's mourning, the downfall of Xu Jie and the Jiangnan gentry is an indisputable fact.

In the Cining Palace of the Forbidden City, Empress Dowager Li let out a heavy sigh and said to her father, Li Wei, with a sigh.

"We didn't lose unjustly. From now on, we should just lay low and stop fighting. Why bother shouting for war?"

Xu Jie's death truly left her with a strong sense of defeat. These days, she had been fighting openly and secretly with the Zhang family father and son, but not only had she not achieved anything, she had also fallen out of love with the emperor and his mother. It was really a losing proposition.

Li Wei gritted his teeth and said, "But it's not over yet. Let's see how the Zhang family will clean up the mess in Jiangnan."

Empress Dowager Li sighed repeatedly, seemingly exhausted.

Far to the west in Datong Prefecture, Li Mingxing and Fan Yongdou had already gathered their families and decided to hide further west.

Unexpectedly, just after leaving Datong Prefecture, a group of Imperial Guards blocked their way.

Thus, all the Shanxi merchants in Datong Prefecture were captured.

Three days after Xu Jie's death.

In a residence in the capital, the imperial court hastily arranged a funeral.

Although the Ministry of Rites provided some assistance, no one dared to come to pay their respects. Only some obscure scholars and gentry from the capital came to the mourning hall to pay their respects.

Before the mourning hall, Xu Ying was already crying his eyes out. He prostrated himself before Xu Jie's memorial tablet, looking at the cold and deserted mourning hall, and a sense of sorrow arose in his heart.

Xu Jie had hoped that someone would come to mourn him after his death, but even after his passing, the civil and military officials of the capital remained indifferent.

Even the students of the Imperial Academy who once supported Xu Jie have now disappeared.

As soon as Xu Jie's funeral was over, a team of Imperial Guards arrived on horseback.

They rushed into the mourning hall and surrounded Xu Ying. Xu Ying was startled, but he showed no arrogance. He asked in a trembling voice.

"What crime have I committed?"

The head officer squinted and said, “His Majesty has ordered that the Xu family of Jiangnan has been inciting the people, manipulating the market, and deceiving the farmers for grain. Now, 211 members of the Xu family have been arrested for attempting to defect and collude with the Japanese. I request that Vice Minister Xu come with me to the Northern Garrison Command for trial.”

With a thud, Xu Ying's legs went weak, and she knelt down stiffly.

He had expected this, but his face still showed deep sorrow.

"Have my eldest and second eldest brothers both gone to the capital?"

The officer glanced at the other person and said, "They have already been escorted to Tianjin."

He added coldly.

"If I had known this, why did I do it in the first place?"

(End of this chapter)