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

Chapter 331 Filial Piety Dies for One's Father? Princess, Look at the Fireworks!

"The 'Moon Worship at the Altar of Evening Moon' and the 'Ancestor Worship at the Hall of Ancestral Worship' are both important matters. The 'New Year's Day Court Greetings' and the 'Lantern Festival' are also important matters. The Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices still have a lot of things to deal with. The envoys from Korea, Annam, and Ryukyu, whom we are to meet at tomorrow's court meeting, have also arrived in the capital one after another."

Shen Shixing continued to remind him from the side.

Even the emperor had to personally attend the ceremony, so Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary, naturally had no free time at all.

But Zhang Juzheng ignored him, staring intently at the bustling crowd in the market below.

By this time, the sky had darkened and dusk was deepening.

However, the bonfire in the center of the square was still burning brightly, and the kerosene lamps hanging everywhere illuminated the road as if it were daytime.

The nobles departed in sedan chairs, but the common people were clearly unwilling to let go of this hard-won opportunity of the curfew being lifted, and continued to gather in the market, reluctant to leave.

The area in front of the stage was packed with people, and cheers mixed with the sound of the piano carried far and wide.

Steam rose from the food stall, and groups of two or three men sat around the table, eating steamed buns with braised meat and bursting into laughter.

There were also women leading bouncy children, picking and choosing coins in front of the grocery stalls.

This peaceful and harmonious atmosphere even made Zhang Juzheng, who was usually diligent in his political affairs, linger.

Finally, his gaze fell on a small stage not far away. On the stage, two people dressed in exaggerated costumes were singing at the top of their lungs. Their singing was really not flattering, so there were not many common people around, but many scholars were cheering.

The more Zhang Juzheng looked, the more uneasy he felt. He took out a telescope from his sleeve, looked at the stage, and his face instantly darkened.

Good heavens, those people dressed up, with their faces painted black and red, looking like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, aren't they my two unfilial sons—Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Jianxiu!

Looking around the stage, a group of people were drunk and staggering, some clapping drums and others banging bowls.

Others would lift up their fellow disciples, spread their legs, and slam them against pillars.

This chaotic and erratic behavior nearly made Zhang Juzheng faint with anger.

"That unfilial son!" Zhang Juzheng gritted his teeth, looking as if he was about to explode.

Shen Shixing quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and approached to comfort him, saying, "Your Excellency, why get angry over such a small matter? Today is a festival, and the market should be bustling with activity. Zhang Zhangwei has been working hard for the court and the people all year, and it's rare for him to have a moment to relax. Let him be a little more relaxed."

He noticed that Zhang Juzheng still had a furrowed brow, so he quickly reminded him.

"Zhang Zhangwei is a bit eccentric, but he is truly a genius."

The soap that just appeared is probably unmatched anywhere else in the world; it truly benefits the people.

If this policy can be successfully implemented, it will be a powerful tool that benefits all people, and the imperial court can also earn a considerable amount of money from it.

For some reason, Shen Shixing felt like he was getting used to saying the phrase "a genius of unparalleled talent."

However, he did not feel that it was biased.

After all, even the most righteous officials who opposed Zhang Yunxiu had to admit the changes he brought to the Ming Dynasty.

Take, for example, the "New Year's gifts" that the imperial court distributed to officials in Beijing at the end of this year.

In previous years, there was always the problem of short weights and inferior products being sold as superior ones, but this year not only are all the items in stock, but the variety of items is also double that of previous years.

Among those New Year's goods were many sought-after items from Xishan, such as newly improved briquettes, fine and high-quality Jiangnan silk fabrics, kerosene lamps that were popular in the Ming Dynasty, and leafy green vegetables from Xishan greenhouses, all of which were practical and presentable good things.

The officials in Beijing looked at the extensive and varied list of New Year's goods, grumbling and complaining, but in their hearts they were truly overjoyed.

Now that things have come to this, the imperial court cannot do without Zhang Yunxiu, and many officials in the capital have long been tied to him.

Even Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary, sometimes couldn't compare.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juzheng's expression softened slightly, and he nodded slightly.

"This lad has indeed temporarily relieved our Great Ming from its financial straits, at least for the next four or five years we won't have to worry about money. However..."

He changed the subject.

"His merits and demerits balance out, and the future is long and uncertain. How far he can go and how much he can accomplish remains to be seen."

Zhang Juzheng said this.

Shen Shixing, standing to the side, could see it clearly. Based on his experience, and looking at the curve of Zhang Juzheng's lips, he could tell that Zhang was already overjoyed.

Most fathers in the world are like this; no matter how happy they are inside, they always put on a stern face.

Zhang Juzheng was even worse.

After taking a few light steps, Zhang Juzheng carefully put the bronze telescope back into the brocade bag. This item was obviously a gift from Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Juzheng then put his hands behind his back and said as if nothing had happened.

"Let's go to the Wenyuan Pavilion. The imperial court is so large that it's never idle, even during festivals."

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

"There are still some differences. A few days ago, that unfilial son insisted on preparing food for Wenyuan Pavilion, saying that he must eat something good when staying up late on New Year's Eve."

"Let's go there together, and tonight we'll try his cooking from the Western Hills."

Shen Shixing looked delighted: "I've heard that the food at Xishan is famous in the capital, and many restaurants go there to learn from its culinary expertise."

He smiled and sighed.

"Zhang Zhangwei is so filial, I'm really benefiting from your kindness!"

"Filial piety?"

Zhang Juzheng paused slightly, his expression quite strange, and suddenly said something.

"He was incredibly filial."

Shen Shixing chuckled to himself.

When this man from the En family spoke, he even picked up Zhang Yunxiu's temperament.

During the year-end period, Zhu Yaoying returned to Jingyang Palace with Consort Wang.

Fortunately, Consort Wang was pregnant, at most seven months along, which, according to the Renmin Medical Clinic, meant she was in the second trimester, a relatively stable period.

Returning to the palace to participate in some ceremonies at the end of the year will be good for Consort Wang in the future.

Zhu Yaoying's medical skills have improved significantly recently, and she often provides medical consultations for ordinary people at her clinic. However, she is clearly not satisfied with this. Once she returns to Jingyang Palace, she spends all her time in her study, organizing notes and studying medical books day and night.

Today is New Year's Eve. After accompanying Consort Wang through all the formalities, Zhu Yaoying returned to her study and began to peruse Li Shizhen's daily medical records. Compared to ordinary medical books, these were clearly more valuable for reference and study.

As Zhu Yaoying perused the text, she discovered that Li Shizhen's medical skills were indeed unparalleled, yet even he was helpless when faced with certain illnesses.

Of the patients who come for consultation, aside from some minor ailments, it's considered lucky if five or six out of ten recover completely.

This was even after the discovery of "garlicin" and a number of medical devices.

Whenever they encountered a problem they couldn't solve, whether it was Li Shizhen or the doctors at Renmin Medical Hall, there was only one solution—to find Zhang Yunxiu!
The notebook would occasionally contain phrases like "Shiyuan mentioned if..." or "My mentor reminded me that if..."

These tips often point to the right direction for solving problems and diagnosing ailments.

As Zhu Yaoying read these records, she felt more and more that she would never be able to catch up with Zhang Yunxiu's medical skills in her lifetime.

He is a genius, yet he has a knack for everything.

Zhu Yaoying's mind wandered for a while, and before she knew it, her attention was focused on Zhang Yunxiu again.

"I wonder when penicillin will be successfully developed? And what about surgery and anesthetics? If all these studies are successful, I wonder how many more people will be saved?"

At that time, Zhang Shiyuan will be the greatest physician of all time, and I, Zhu Yaoying, will be the greatest."

At this point, images involuntarily appeared in Zhu Yaoying's mind.

It is unknown which dynasty or era Zhang Yunxiu was a divine physician who practiced medicine and cared for the world, traveling the world with a medicine box on his back.

Zhu Yaoying, on the other hand, was a princess from a royal family who secretly ran away from the royal residence and became Zhang Yunxiu's apprentice.

The young apprentice, Zhu Yaoying, has countless questions every day and often makes some silly mistakes.

At this time, Mr. Zhang Shiyuan would affectionately tap her head and say something in a gentle tone.

“Ying’er, didn’t I tell you this last night? How could you forget? You deserve to be punished.”

Just as Zhu Yaoying was lost in the beautiful fantasy of the storybook, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

The little maid Liu Wan'er was not tall, but her voice was surprisingly loud. She stumbled and staggered towards the bedchamber with her short legs, almost falling over.

Zhu Yaoying was jolted awake from her dream, feeling quite annoyed. But when she saw Liu Wan'er, who was covered in sweat from running, her heart softened immediately.

"You little maid, I told you not to be so loud and boisterous. It's not urgent at all; I just asked you to deliver a message. If you fall and hurt your face, how will you face anyone?" Liu Wan'er chuckled and said, "Wan'er isn't in a hurry, but I'm afraid His Highness is!"

Zhu Yaoying blushed immediately and slapped Liu Wan'er's bottom, saying something.

"You little brat, you're making fun of me again!"

But she said it with some eagerness.

What did Zhang Shiyuan say?

Liu Wan'er lowered her head and said with a somewhat gloomy expression.

“Your Highness, Zhang, the head guard, was busy selling soap earlier. I finally managed to find him, but he said that Consort Gong’s condition was fine. Your Highness, your medical skills are now excellent, so you must be very thorough. It is inconvenient for him to enter the palace at this time.”

"Fool!" Zhu Yaoying stomped her feet in anger. "I brought him into the palace to treat Consort Gong's illness!"

Zhu Yaoying racked her brains and finally came up with the excuse that "Consort Wang was unwell" in order to meet with Zhang Yunxiu.

But this clueless man actually turned around and said that his medical skills were superb. Did he even care about such praise?
“Your Highness,” Liu Wan’er couldn’t help but remind him. “Zhang Zhang is right. Today is New Year’s Day, and it is indeed inconvenient for him to enter the palace. Besides, there are still some matters to attend to at the Xishan Sales Promotion Association, and he probably can’t get away from them.”

"It is precisely because it is New Year's Eve that we must hurry. After today, I will be..."

Zhu Yaoying looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Liu Wan'er asked with concern, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Has something happened in the past day or two?"

"Alright," Zhu Yaoying waved her hand and said. "You can go out now, I'm a little tired."

Liu Wan'er only suddenly remembered after she left the study.

A worried expression involuntarily appeared on her small face.

"I almost forgot, Your Highness will be of marriageable age next year, and I imagine the Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor will be looking for a husband for her."

"Zhang, the head of the guards, is the son of a court official. It seems unlikely that he can be chosen as the prince consort. What should Your Highness do?"

"No way!" Liu Wan'er exclaimed, slapping her thigh. "I have to go and inform Commander Zhang about this!"

The etiquette of the Ming Dynasty was extremely complicated. Zhu Yaoying wore a nine-phoenix crown, a phoenix robe, and a shawl, and followed behind the Wanli Emperor like a wooden figure.

All members of the royal family were present. Emperor Wanli, standing at the very front, received the congratulatory text handed over by Yu Youding, the Minister of Rites, and read it aloud.

"On the eve of the ninth year of the Wanli reign, the year of Xin Si, the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaoxuan, Zhu Yijun, dares to make this announcement to Emperor Taizu Gao and Empress Xiaoci Gao..."

After the prayer was read, Emperor Wanli led everyone in performing the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

Following this was a family banquet held in the Qianqing Palace, where a dazzling array of dishes were served, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard sporadically outside the palace gates.

Although it was called a "family banquet," there were actually quite a few rules and regulations. Everyone was saying polite words, and there were various blessing ceremonies during the meal. The etiquette was very festive, but Zhu Yaoying could not feel any warmth at all.

Emperor Wanli, however, valued loyalty and affection. He put aside his usual carefree attitude and acted like a patriarch, handing a gold-leafed paper with the character "福" (fortune) written on it to Zhu Yaoying.

"My dear sister, cherish this good fortune. When the tenth year of the Wanli reign arrives, I will find you a suitable husband. For the past six months, Consort Gong has relied entirely on your care, and as her elder brother, I certainly cannot mistreat you."

Zhu Yaoying's face stiffened, but she still managed a forced smile and said.

"Yao Ying thanked her elder brother for the reward."

Emperor Wanli, with dark circles under his eyes but a smiling face like Maitreya Buddha, lavishly bestowed titles and rewards upon his royal family members.

At 3:45 PM, the New Year's Eve vigil ceremony began.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau official announced the time loudly outside the palace, and bells and drums sounded simultaneously inside and outside the Qianqing Palace.

Every twelve strikes, the eunuch would shout "Farewell to the old year!" and the palace servants would respond in unison.

Emperor Wanli held a peach wood sword and made three feinting strikes at the palace gate, an ancient ritual to "exorcise evil spirits."

Once all the ceremonies were completed, the royal family members could finally breathe a sigh of relief before midnight.

Zhu Yaoying sat in the chair, seemingly lost in thought, staring blankly at the starry night sky.

Fireworks occasionally lit up the night sky. Zhu Yaoying used to love fireworks, but today she found them utterly uninteresting.

Why haven't they set off the fireworks in the Western Hills yet?

Emperor Wanli sat high on the steps of the palace, and couldn't help but look curiously at the night sky.

He was exhausted after a long day, but he hadn't forgotten about the fireworks made by the weapons workshop.

"Zhang Shiyuan said that these fireworks are quite different from the usual ones. Could something go wrong?"

Feng Bao smiled and reminded him, "Your Majesty has forgotten that Xishan has also reported to the Ministry of Rites that they will set off fireworks at midnight to bring good luck."

"When will it be midnight? This time is really unbearable."

While Emperor Wanli muttered to himself, Zhu Yaoying felt as if each day was an eternity. She couldn't help but stand up and bow to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Yaoying's health today..."

But before she could finish speaking, a loud bang suddenly came from the distant sky, startling almost everyone.

Consort Zheng, in particular, felt her chair shaking and almost cried out.

"Protect the Emperor."

But before she could finish speaking, the Wanli Emperor leaped up from his chair and shouted.

"Set them off! Set them off! They are truly magnificent! Countless times larger than ordinary fireworks! Hahahaha! I participated in these fireworks as well!"

The Wanli Emperor's most frequent visitor to the Western Hills was the weapons workshop, which can be said to have witnessed the birth of fireworks in the Western Hills. How could he not be excited to see it now?

Zhu Yaoying subconsciously turned her head. The light from the fireworks illuminated her face, making it appear and disappear. Even outside the Forbidden City, colorful fireworks filled almost half the sky, and this magnificent sight attracted almost everyone in the capital.

Consort Zheng, who had been looking pale, finally came to her senses and couldn't help but lean on Emperor Wanli and say something.

"Your Majesty, these fireworks are terrifying!"

But Emperor Wanli pushed him away.

"Noisy!"

Emperor Wanli stared intently at the sky, but soon frowned.

"Something seems off about the pattern on these fireworks."

Only after the emperor's reminder did Zhu Yaoying notice that the fireworks in the sky not only resembled blooming bouquets, but also contained writing.

The words "Angelica sinensis" and "Scutellaria baicalensis" can be faintly seen, which seem to be the names of medicinal materials.
The Wanli Emperor said with some displeasure, "Shiyuan is making trouble again. Why put medicinal herbs on such a joyous occasion? Isn't that cursing someone to fall ill?"

Feng Bao chuckled and said, “Your Majesty almost forgot that Angelica sinensis is a sacred medicine for women. Consort Gong is pregnant, and the word ‘Angelica sinensis’ on this is a prayer for the Consort and the imperial heir to have a long and healthy life.”

Many things are understood through interpretation. After Feng Bao explained it this way, everyone present seemed to suddenly realize the truth.

Empress Dowager Li nodded approvingly and said, "He is very thoughtful. May Heaven bless Consort Gong and her child so that they may be safe and sound in the spring."

After saying that, she turned the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist again.

For Empress Dowager Li, nothing was more important than royal offspring.

Zhu Yaoying ignored the sounds around her, completely absorbed in the dazzling fireworks in the night sky. Her eyes were somewhat vacant, and she kept repeating two words.

Scutellaria baicalensis.

"Angelica sinensis".

These two medicinal herbs didn't seem as simple as Feng Bao had explained, but Zhu Yaoying couldn't figure out their deeper meaning.

At that moment, a childish female voice came from beside me.

"Your Highness has forgotten this? Angelica is a sacred medicine for women's health, but its relationship with Scutellaria baicalensis is not clearly defined."

Zhu Yaoying turned her head abruptly and couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

"Wan'er? When did you get back?"

Liu Wan'er said helplessly, "Just now, with so many people around, it was really difficult for me to remind Your Highness to send a reply from Zhang, the head of the guards."

Zhu Yaoying frowned deeply: "What reply?"

Liu Wan'er sighed repeatedly and said, word by word.

"The combination of Scutellaria baicalensis and Angelica sinensis has only one meaning, which is 'eternal peace'."

(End of this chapter)