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

Chapter 334 Your Majesty! Hosokawa wants Lord Zhang Shiyuan!
Hosokawa Iya's words shocked everyone present.

Many court officials were astonished, while others were secretly gloating.

You, Zhang Yunxiu, are usually so arrogant and domineering. Now that a Japanese woman has her eye on you, let's see how you handle this situation.

Zhang Yunxiu's mind went blank for several seconds. Then he couldn't help but glance at Hosokawa Iya, and their eyes met. Her affectionate gaze made Zhang Yunxiu shudder, and he quickly turned his head away.

Honey trap?
He couldn't help but wonder, this was very much in line with the traditional methods of the Japanese, who even more than two hundred years later dispatched and used many female spies and agents.

However, with Japan still in turmoil, Oda Nobunaga's primary goal is to unify the country. Whether this "female spy" is acting out of genuine motives or has other intentions remains to be seen.

Zhang Yunxiu was cautious, but the Wanli Emperor was unaware of history and did not take the Japanese seriously, instead finding them amusing.

He leaned slightly forward on the dragon throne, looked at Hosokawa Iya, and said with a half-smile.

"Hosokawa Iya, you keep saying you want to learn the way of poetry. Shiyuan is a pillar of our Ming Dynasty and can be called a first-class master in the world in various studies, but his attainments in poetry are not obvious. How about I introduce you to another great literary master?"

"Your Majesty," Hosokawa Iya said, his eyes filled with hope, "the so-called literary and poetic way is not just about being confined to the Four Books and Five Classics, poems, songs, and prose. There are also principles of literature and poetry in vernacular novels, and there are great masters among the Noh actors in the marketplace."

Han Yu once said, "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me." In my opinion, Lord Shiyuan is well-versed in all kinds of miscellaneous knowledge and founded the new scientific learning, which means he understands the way of the world.

Since it is the way of the world, then the way of poetry is naturally included within it.

She glanced at Zhang Yunxiu, then at the other ministers, bowed, and said.

"Forgive me for speaking frankly, but learning from others is merely seeing the whole picture through a tube. If you truly wish to learn the profound truths of your country, you must seek out the talented Master Shiyuan."

Upon hearing this, the court officials, who had initially been pleased, all lost face.

Good heavens, this Japanese woman is spouting nonsense. Doesn't she mean that compared to Zhang Yunxiu, everyone else's knowledge is far inferior?

For the ministers who considered themselves literary masters and who always thought Zhang Yunxiu was unorthodox, this was tantamount to being slapped in the face in public.

"Bold Japanese woman!"

Just as some upright officials were about to step forward to reprimand them, they were interrupted by the voice of the Wanli Emperor.

"What a simplistic view!"

Emperor Wanli slammed his hand on the table, exclaimed "Good!" repeatedly, and laughed heartily as he spoke.

"The Japanese woman's reputation as a talented woman is well-deserved! You are a discerning person. Shi Yuan's talent in poetry and prose is not obvious, but he can quote classics without hesitation. He has a wide range of knowledge in various fields, including philosophy, science, medicine, engineering, and mechanics."

"You have a discerning eye, selecting the most talented person in our Great Ming Dynasty at first glance. It's just a pity that he is extremely busy and finds it difficult to find the time."

Hosokawa Iya saw a glimmer of hope and quickly bowed.

"Your Majesty, I dare not hope for anything more. If I could receive some guidance from Lord Shiyuan, I would be overjoyed."

"In that case."

Emperor Wanli turned his head and glanced at Zhang Yunxiu, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

Zhang Yunxiu shuddered and quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject..."

But before Zhang Yunxiu could finish speaking, the Wanli Emperor interrupted.

"Since that's the case, then I will allow you to study under Shiyuan. However, you must remember your identity. My Great Ming has a number of confidential matters. If I discover that you have any intention of investigating, you will be severely punished!"

After saying this, Emperor Wanli winked at Zhang Yunxiu, giving him a look that said, "I've got it all sorted out, brother, don't worry."

Hosokawa Iya knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming! Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming!"

Apart from Zhang Yunxiu, it seems that no one else objects to this matter.

For the Qingliu faction who still secretly disliked Zhang Yunxiu and Xishan, having the Japanese woman become Zhang Yunxiu's disciple was entirely beneficial.

If something were to actually happen between the two, it could be publicized and used to ruin Zhang Yunxiu's reputation.

Even if nothing happens between the two sides, they can secretly spread rumors and fabricate a charge of colluding with Japanese pirates, which would be enough to give Zhang Yunxiu a headache.

For other court officials, the fact that a Japanese woman came to the Ming Dynasty seeking enlightenment was meant to promote the prestige of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Juzheng was somewhat wary, but considering that the court was recently going to promote Confucianism to various countries and open up the seas for trade, this Japanese woman's apprenticeship could obviously serve as a typical example for envoys from various countries.

The Wanli Emperor was even more pleased to see this.

After the court ceremony ended, the emperor returned to the Qianqing Palace and cheerfully spoke to Zhang Yunxiu.

"This time, Shiyuan, you must give me a proper gift. That Japanese woman has a unique charm. Don't let my efforts go to waste. Make this fleeting romance a success."

He raised an eyebrow.

Zhang Yunxiu said speechlessly, "Your Majesty, when did I agree to have a casual affair with that Japanese woman? This Japanese envoy has ill intentions. I suspect that seeking knowledge is just a pretext, and he may have other motives."

But Emperor Wanli, in a nonchalant manner, waved his hand and said...

"It's just a tiny country. Japan is in turmoil right now, so they have no time for anything else. Shiyuan, you're overthinking it."

That Oda Nobunaga, it seems, wants to befriend my Great Ming.

"Shiyuan, with your extraordinary talent, why don't you just marry that Japanese woman? From then on, our business dealings with the Japanese will be much more efficient!"

He raised his eyebrows.

"Hosokawa Iya said he wanted to become a disciple, but his eyes and brows were full of admiration, which I could see."

You don't need to marry her. Taking a concubine would make things much easier if we wanted to go to Japan to earn money.

Emperor Wanli, seemingly enjoying the spectacle, insisted on showing Zhang Yunxiu some erotic pictures.

Upon hearing the words "erotic pictures," Zhang Yunxiu was very agitated and immediately claimed to be uncomfortable and fled from the Qianqing Palace.

Having just come out of the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Yunxiu encountered his father, Zhang Juzheng, outside the Wenhua Gate.

Zhang Juzheng wore a Liang crown and a red robe. His back was slightly hunched, but his tall figure still exuded majesty.

Upon seeing Zhang Yunxiu, he waved his hand, and the eunuchs and guards standing outside the Wenhua Gate tacitly withdrew.

Zhang Yunxiu was stunned when he saw this scene.

My father's involvement is a bit too deep. Could it be that one day he'll stage a palace coup and kick the Wanli Emperor off the throne?

At that time, he would not be going to carry out any revolutionary coup, but would be fighting with his brothers for the throne and the position of crown prince.

The wild thoughts that had been swirling in his mind vanished instantly upon seeing Zhang Juzheng's tall, stern face. If Zhang Juzheng had truly harbored rebellious intentions, with his intelligence and talent, he wouldn't have met such a disgraceful end in history.

At that moment, Zhang Juzheng, the father, coughed softly and said something.

"They're out? What does Your Majesty mean?"

Zhang Yunxiu was unaware of his father's thoughts, but since his father hadn't stepped forward to object during the court ceremony, he couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

"His Majesty instructed me to take good care of that Japanese woman, and ideally, to have a brief affair with her. If this can be achieved, it will be much easier to implement our Ming Dynasty's national policies in the future."

When Zhang Yunxiu proposed exchanging goods with the various vassal states, spreading culture, and opening up maritime trade, he never expected that this would backfire on him, leaving him in a difficult position.

"Nonsense!"

Zhang Juzheng frowned, clearly displeased with the vulgar language used in their conversation.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but feel hopeful and said, "Father, you think so too, right? This is a matter of national importance, how can it be entrusted to me alone? If that Japanese woman intends to assassinate me, I am powerless to even kill a chicken. It doesn't matter if I die, but the most important thing is, how should we proceed with the opening of the sea in the future?"

Zhang Juzheng looked very serious.

"This matter is of great importance, and you must act with utmost care. First, you must maintain your integrity and never be seduced by Japanese women. Second, you must be wary of rumors and ensure that our Great Ming maintains good relations with foreign lands. Opening up the seas is a national policy of our Great Ming for the next few decades, and we must not act carelessly."

"I have learned from the Ministry of Revenue that trade between Jiangnan and the Japanese has already reached a staggering one million taels of silver. This revenue will be of paramount importance to the court and the people in the future."

Zhang Yunxiu was speechless. So after all that talk, even his father, Zhang Juzheng, wanted him to "submit to a Japanese woman"?
He couldn't help but remind him, "Father, aren't you worried about my safety?"

Zhang Juzheng looked at his youngest son with a puzzled expression and said, "Isn't your arrangement complete enough? With the Jinyiwei guards on weekdays, the muskets you've hidden on your person, and all sorts of strange and unusual objects, that Japanese woman probably won't be able to handle it."

Zhang Yunxiu: "."

He subconsciously pulled his sleeves up, an embarrassed expression on his face.

I never expected that my father would find out about all these secrets.

He's not stupid; the policies he's implemented, along with the various businesses in Xishan, will inevitably provoke resentment from countless people.

In ancient society, self-preservation was of utmost importance.

As the saying goes, "caution is the best policy." He now not only always carries a musket on his person, but also occasionally carries a few small grenades that Zhao Shizhen developed. Underneath his clothes, he often wears soft armor specially made by Xishan to prevent assassination.

Living in feudal society was truly difficult!

He boasted that all his arrangements were very well hidden, but he never expected that Zhang Juzheng would see through them.

Zhang Juzheng glanced at his youngest son and said with some heartache, "It's been tough for you; the path to renewal is fraught with difficulty. But you don't need to be overly cautious."

Zhang Yunxiu looked embarrassed, knowing that he couldn't reason with his father and that if he wanted to, he would inevitably fall into the "clutches" of that Japanese woman.

For some reason, he felt a deep-seated aversion to Hosokawa Iya.

Jingyang Palace.

Liu Wan'er stumbled and staggered as she ran from outside the hall to inside, skillfully stepping over the threshold, then avoiding the flowerpots and tables and chairs on both sides of the hall, and stopping precisely in front of Zhu Yaoying.

Zhu Yaoying was writing with a brush, but the paper was a mess, with no neat characters, just a bunch of incomprehensible scribbles.

Upon seeing Liu Wan'er, she looked somewhat anxious and quickly stood up to speak.

"What's the news outside? Did my brother personally agree to that Japanese woman's request?"

Liu Wan'er sighed heavily and said, "I asked several eunuchs and palace maids who attended court today, and they all said that His Majesty has personally agreed to Hosokawa Iya's request. Some ministers outside also praised the woman highly."

"What I'm saying is, her affair with Zhang Zhangwei will surely become a legendary tale."

"What nonsense!"

Zhu Yaoying panicked and threw away all the calligraphy brushes in her hand.

“Zhang Shiyuan is a pillar of our Ming Dynasty, how could he be compared to that Japanese woman? Is she worthy? Does she deserve him!”

The princess's reaction startled Liu Wan'er, who took two steps back and comforted her.

"Your Highness, it's nothing serious. That Japanese woman merely became Zhang the Guard's apprentice; how could the two sides possibly..."

"This is a female disciple! Zhang Shiyuan's first female disciple!"

Zhu Yaoying emphasized loudly, but then she felt she was being a bit pretentious, so she took a deep breath and said.

"Forget it! You wouldn't understand!"

Liu Wan'er frowned, seemingly also troubled by Zhu Yaoying.

As she was thinking, she suddenly mentioned it.

"Your Highness, the year-end is over, shouldn't we go back to the clinic?"

"The Lantern Festival isn't over yet," Zhu Yaoying responded instinctively, but then immediately realized what she meant and squinted her eyes, saying, "That's right! The New Year's Day celebrations are over! We should go back to the clinic!"

Liu Wan'er said with a radiant smile, "While family reunions in the palace are important, the imperial heir in Consort Gong's womb is of paramount importance. There are too many people and too many eyes in the palace, so it is safer to go to the clinic. If Consort Gong is unwell, Zhang Zhang, the head of the guards, and Li the physician can take care of her."

His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will surely agree, for the sake of Consort Gong's safety!

Zhu Yaoying's eyes lit up, and she hugged Liu Wan'er tightly, rubbing her head as she spoke.

"Wan'er! You truly are my wise strategist! We must leave the palace as soon as possible, lest that treacherous Japanese woman have any opportunity to take advantage of us!"

Liu Wan'er raised her head and reminded her.

"Your Highness, we still need to be careful, since it is not convenient for us to leave the palace and contact outsiders."

"I know, I know," Zhu Yaoying replied, but her eyes were practically spitting fire.

The Capital City Meeting Hall.

Envoys from Korea, Annam, Japan, and other countries were all stationed here.

According to past practice, after foreign envoys had an audience with the emperor, they were to return to their home countries to report back unless there were special circumstances. After all, for more distant vassal states, a round trip would take at least a month.

The envoys from Korea, Annam, and Japan were clearly more fluent in Chinese than those from other vassal states, and they gathered together quite tacitly as night fell.

With a loud "bang," fireworks exploded again in the sky outside, startling the three of them.

The Annamese envoy Nguyen Van Trung spilled the wine he was holding all over his pants.

(End of this chapter)