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

Chapter 376 The Ming Dynasty Has the Might of the Tang Dynasty! Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Yunxiu's Farewell Gift?
When it comes to spreading Confucianism to various countries, every Confucian scholar talks about it with great enthusiasm. Even the most pedantic Neo-Confucian scholar would stroke his beard and admire it.

But when it came time for them to set off, the thought of the hardships and dangers along the way, and the thought that they might never be able to return to the Ming Dynasty in their lifetime, filled them with immense difficulty, and they burst into tears.

The court still gave these aristocratic families dignity. Serious criminals like Wang Xijue and Wang Shizhen were not only not shackled, but were also dressed in dignified manners, wearing Confucian robes, and allowed to travel with the main force.

As the group traveled to the post station, they inevitably encountered some old friends who came to see them off.

Just like Wang Shizhen, he would often encounter old friends or students on the street, and would burst into tears upon seeing them.

“Brother Wang! This journey will surely be fraught with peril. You must not dare to complain about the court. His Majesty’s kindness is boundless and he has treated us with great favor. How can a subject not be moved to tears of gratitude?”

The two spoke with great emotion, seemingly with a sense of fearlessness in the face of death.

Unaware of the situation, the common people thought that "scholars were going to war."

Wang Xijue, standing calmly among the crowd, spoke to his eldest son, Wang Heng.

"Your grandmother is not well, so don't let her go back to her hometown in Jiangnan. Instead, let her stay in the capital with you. Renmin Medical Hall's medical skills are now unparalleled in the world, so staying in the capital will allow her to recuperate."

He noticed the commotion Wang Shizhen was making not far away, and couldn't help but sigh before continuing to speak to Wang Heng, who was beside him with tears streaming down his face.

"Don't hold any grudges against your master. They were all working for the Ming Dynasty; it's just a matter of different stances."

Wang Xijue knew that his eldest son was torn between two things: on one hand, there was his mentor who had taught him and helped him realize his ideals and ambitions; on the other hand, there was his father and family who had given him a great debt of gratitude.

He would also find it difficult to make a decision.

This trip to Annam was the best possible outcome; he didn't want his eldest son to have any worries.

"Daddy."

Wang Heng wiped away his tears, bowed deeply before him, and said...

"Please take good care of yourself on this journey, Father. The people of Annam have always been hostile to our Great Ming. I hope you will be careful in your actions. If there is an opportunity, I will definitely go to Annam to reunite with you."

Wang Xijue patted Wang Heng's head, shook his head, and said.

“Foolish child, don’t talk about reunion. No matter how dangerous Annam is, there was Mr. Yangming who quelled the rebellion in Guangxi and had a lot of dealings with the people of Annam.”

Even Master Yangming was able to educate the people in Nanning and spread his philosophy of mind to various parts of Jiaozhi.

"How could I, Wang Xijue, not do it?"

He looked energetic and stroked his beard as he spoke.

"We should follow the example of our predecessors and create another great story!"

Although the situation in Annam is complex today, it still upholds Confucianism.

As early as the Ly Dynasty, the Annamese people changed their emphasis on Buddhism and began to continuously elevate the status of Confucianism.

Five hundred years ago, Annam had already established the Imperial Academy and held imperial examinations to select officials.

It can be said that the history of the Annamese is a history of continuous absorption and learning, and profound influence from the Central Plains dynasties.

Even now, despite the division of Annam into North and South, with the Mạc Dynasty in the North and the Later Lê Dynasty in the South constantly at war, the importance attached to Confucianism remains undiminished.

While the Annamese may indeed be uncivilized, their admiration for Confucianism far surpasses that of the Japanese.

In comparison, Wang Xijue went to Annam, and even though the court was now tense about the situation in Annam, he remained completely calm.

After all, the Annamese knew that these missionaries, though ostensibly preaching, were actually carrying the implication of exile.

How could the Annamese not treat a great Confucian scholar exiled by the Ming Dynasty with courtesy?
The Japanese, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. Compared to Annam, Japan is separated by the sea, and although it has paid tribute to Annam for thousands of years, the influence it has received has been limited.

Even though Japan is on good terms with the Ming Dynasty and the two sides are exchanging goods, it is clear that Wang Shizhen and his group will not have a good time there.

For this reason, Wang Shizhen's somewhat manic mental state becomes easier to understand.

Inside the procession, the Annamese envoy, Nguyen Van Trung, lay in the carriage. Even though his wounds had not yet healed, he was still groaning and making noises.

"The Ming emperor and his ministers have gone too far; Annam has been wronged!"

He shouted desperately, but his cousin Ruan Wenyuan looked helpless.

Even the most "unruly" Annamese were powerless against the Ming Dynasty's sweet-coated bullets.

Ruan Wenzhong was all talk and no action, signing a letter of intent at the Ministry of Rites.

As an envoy, one naturally has no power to make decisions for the country.

However, Ruan Wenyuan knew very well that he would bring back a whole host of goods from the Ming Dynasty, such as silk, porcelain, soap, briquettes, and various medicines.

How could the king not be tempted when all these products were presented to him?
Anyone with eyes can see that if we want to become wealthy, trading with the Ming Dynasty is the only option.

If we don't cooperate now, are we going to wait until the Ming Dynasty's iron cavalry and ships arrive at Thang Long (the capital of the Mạc Dynasty) before we open the city gates and surrender?

Ruan Wenyuan fiddled with a string of glass beads in his hand and couldn't help but sigh. Even the Annam delegation couldn't resist buying countless Ming Dynasty goods and spending countless amounts of silver. If Ming Dynasty goods really entered Annam, what would the situation be like?
All the Annamese envoys understood this, which is why Ambassador Nguyen Van Trung resisted so much. But in the face of absolute power, all resistance was futile.

"The benefits that can be obtained in the short term are obviously more fascinating than the long-term gains."

Amidst the crowd, Hosokawa Yusai rode his horse slowly forward. Looking at the scene before him, he couldn't help but speak to his daughter, Hosokawa Iya, beside him.

Hosokawa Iya said, "But who can see the future? Our country is constantly in turmoil, and even our lord cannot be sure that we will dominate the world in the future."

Hosokawa Yusai narrowed his eyes and said, "If we can rely on the great tree of the Ming Dynasty, we can naturally be assured."

From the moment he arrived in the Ming Dynasty until his departure, his state of mind had undergone tremendous changes.

Hosokawa Iya's expression darkened slightly. She glanced around but still couldn't see that figure. She sighed and said...

"It's all my daughter's fault."

Hosokawa Yusai sighed and said, "Forget it, we can't force this matter. In the end, I was thinking too simply. Compared to our ambitions in the Ming Dynasty, we should first take care of the situation at home."

He spent a fortune in the Ming Dynasty, and it all went down the drain.

In retrospect, this amount of silver would have been better spent buying more goods from the Ming Dynasty.

If one day Oda Nobunaga were to dominate Japan, it wouldn't be too late to discuss negotiations with the Ming Dynasty.

Hosokawa Iya lowered his voice with some doubt and said, "Father seems to have no more attachment to Ming, so why did he buy so much farmland and real estate a few days ago?"

This matter was clearly known only to the father and daughter and their confidants.

“Everything in the world is about going with the flow,” Hosokawa Yusai said leisurely. “If we try to go against the flow, we will surely be defeated, but if we can go with the flow, we might be able to achieve amazing results.”

After the Ming Dynasty's New Year, it permitted tributary states to moderately buy and sell land and property. My actions are not only for the sake of the nation, but also for the sake of our own family.

Hosokawa Iya was slightly taken aback, then nodded obediently.

Hosokawa Yusai continued, "If one plan fails, a father will devise another."

"Father?" Hosokawa Iya asked, somewhat puzzled.

Hosokawa Yusai shook his head and said with a smile, "I plan to suggest to the lord that we follow the Tang Dynasty's practice of sending envoys to Tang China and find noble ladies from various places to come to Ming China for marriage alliances. Zhang Shiyuan may be able to remain unmoved by such a thing, but what about the other young masters of Ming China?"

"This"

Hearing this, Hosokawa Iya felt a little relieved, but then felt a little sad. It seemed that in Hosokawa Yusai's eyes, women were an indispensable tool in the struggle between Japan and Ming.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but touch a small booklet in her arms, which Zhang Yunxiu had asked someone to give to her before she left.

She has made up her mind to return to her country to preach.

A grand procession of carriages and horses passed through the capital in an endless stream. This time, it was not only envoys from vassal states leaving the capital, but also many families of convicted officials.

Even some Confucian scholars who harbored resentment towards the imperial court packed their bags and set off to follow these disgraced officials.

Of course, few people are willing to go to countries like Japan, Tibet, Hami, and Ma'erhan; ​​most people go to places like Annam and Korea.

The travels of these Confucian scholars were naturally accompanied by many unpleasant noises, such as...

"The Ming Dynasty is no longer the same as it used to be. With such wicked people in the court, it will surely bring disaster. Our purpose in coming here is to protect the flame of Confucianism and Taoism, so that we can return to the Central Plains in due time."

Such treasonous words spread throughout the capital.

Zhang Juzheng did not show himself, but he was observing silently in the crowd.

He has never cared about rumors and gossip, but there are some things he has to pay attention to.

The Ming Dynasty might be able to send convicted officials to various vassal states, but would it be willing to allow Confucian scholars to go there as well?
The actions of the court have dealt a heavy blow to the gentry. Given this context, how many people will want to flee the Ming Dynasty?

If this continues, how will the imperial court select officials? And how will the Ming Dynasty position itself?

The Grand Secretary worries about the Ming Dynasty all day long, but there is someone who always seems carefree and irresponsible. Zhang Yunxiu said with a smile after learning about his father's concerns.

"My father is getting old, but he is becoming more and more cautious."

Governing the world is like tidying up a yard. If you want the yard to be clean and tidy and be able to rearrange things, you must first remove some unnecessary waste.

Items that have been piling up in the past, items that are no longer needed, or items that have become moldy and rotten.

When cleaning up, you must not be reluctant; you should be determined to get rid of everything.

Finally, all the accumulated dust and trash in the house were swept away.

"We need to clean the yard thoroughly before we can redecorate and invite in new friends, Father, don't you think?"

Upon hearing this "novel" statement, Zhang Juzheng was taken aback.

Is it a bit too much to compare Confucian scholars to rotten garbage?
But after thinking about it carefully, he found himself agreeing with what Zhang Yunxiu said.

He even felt a little sad, as his grasp of the situation seemed to be getting worse and worse than that of his "rebellious son".

Although he was resentful, Zhang Juzheng had to admit that as he grew older, he became increasingly exhausted.

He used to be very stubborn, almost never listening to anyone's advice, and only wanting to do things his own way.

After being repeatedly "punished" by Zhang Yunxiu, his mindset changed again. He became more and more cautious and even often doubted his own judgment.

However, after getting used to it, Zhang Juzheng seemed quite open-minded, and he said leisurely with his hands behind his back.

"However, I am indeed getting old. When I have some free time, I should perhaps go to your Xishan Peiwen Academy to review some knowledge so that I can be able to govern the country."

Zhang Yunxiu felt that his father had a somewhat sarcastic and unsettling air about him.

But then the image of Zhang Juzheng studying in school flashed through his mind, and he immediately shivered.

The child prodigies and geniuses are getting old, not stupid.

Given Zhang Juzheng's learning ability, if he were to systematically learn the knowledge of later generations, I would probably be far inferior to him.

Just as the father and son were exchanging a few words, someone recognized the two men in disguise.

He first stopped in the crowd, then slowly approached, and even through the masks, he recognized the father and son.

Wang Xijue, dressed in white, bowed respectfully to Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Juzheng and spoke.

"This guilty subject, Wang Xijue, pays his respects to Commander Zhang and His Excellency the Grand Secretary."

Behind Wang Xijue, his eldest son Wang Heng accompanied him all the way, his tears having dried along the way.

When Zhang Juzheng saw Wang Xijue, there was no resentment on his face. He wanted to speak, but he didn't know what to say.

In the end, we were just colleagues.

In the past, Wang Xijue opposed him in every way, to the point of being irreconcilable, but in the end, he was the one who had the last laugh.

But if you really think about it, did Zhang Juzheng have any deep-seated hatred for him? It seems not; it was merely a disagreement over court politics.

Thinking back to when we worked together, we were quite compatible and shared similar interests. I never imagined it would end up like this.

Now things have changed, and this mortal enemy has finally lowered his proud head.

With tears welling in his eyes, Wang Xijue clasped his hands together, bowed to Zhang Juzheng, and said...

“Your Excellency, I am deeply grateful for your appreciation of me in the past. However, I have gone astray. I have no regrets about my current predicament. I only ask that Your Excellency take good care of your health and support our Great Ming for a few more years.”

If it weren't for the persuasion of his eldest son, Wang Heng, and his eventual change of heart, Wang Xijue would truly have no face to stand here and speak to Zhang Juzheng today.

Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes, shook his head, and said.

"Let bygones be bygones."

The two stood there, one slightly bowed, the other with a somewhat hunched back.

After a long while, Zhang Juzheng took out a peace charm from his pocket and handed it to the other party.

Wang Xijue took the amulet with some surprise.

"Uncle...this..."

Surprised, he subconsciously addressed Zhang Juzheng by his courtesy name.

Zhang Juzheng smiled, a relieved expression on his face, and said with his hands behind his back.

"We've worked together for a while, and we've developed a bond. The journey to Annam is long and fraught with difficulties. Please keep this amulet with you, and I hope it will ensure your safe and smooth journey."

Wang Xijue's pupils dilated. As someone in the imperial court, he was naturally extremely skilled at reading people's expressions and discerning the meaning and underlying principles of various matters.

Especially after the Jiajing reign, the ministers could be described as "psychologists" on a perfunctory basis.

How could he not understand the meaning behind Zhang Juzheng's gift of the peace charm?

This amulet truly protects you!

Wang Xijue's eyes welled up with tears, unsure whether he felt regret or gratitude.

"Uncle!"

His cry was filled with sorrow, and he was about to kneel down.

Zhang Juzheng, however, helped him up and patted him on the shoulder.

"take care."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Wang Heng, who was standing at the back, was also somewhat pleased. He took two steps forward and looked at Zhang Yunxiu.

"Thank you Master!"

Zhang Yunxiu spread his hands and said, "Don't thank me, this was my father's idea."

In reality, he didn't quite agree with this way of "winning people's hearts," but it seems that for Zhang Juzheng, the result wasn't very important; the only thing he wanted was to win people's hearts.

Wang Xijue wiped away his tears, his gaze towards Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat complicated, and finally he sighed and said.

"Commander Zhang, this humble subject will now set off on my way."

Zhang Yunxiu stopped him, and said with a smile.

"No rush, no rush. Since my father has given me such a generous gift, I, as his son, cannot be stingy."

As he spoke, he pulled out a book as thick as a brick from somewhere.

(End of this chapter)