Chapter 318: A Friendship Between Grandfathers

Xu Xi understood Zhang Weixian's words perfectly well—talk of "when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact" was nothing more than a refusal to let these people off, a way to force them to hand over their money.

As for why Zhang Weixian was doing this, Xu Xi understood that perfectly well too.

A man's thoughts follow his position. Now that the Staff Office had been established and was showing signs of growing large, having won His Majesty's trust, who wouldn't want to grab more power at a time like this?

From the Staff Office's founding to the present, there had been a persistent rumor that it would establish a Chief Staff Minister, similar to the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat.

Now that the candidates for entry into the Staff Office had been confirmed, the establishment of this Chief Staff Minister post was probably not far off.

Of the men in the Staff Office, Sun Chuanting could never become Chief Staff Minister—his seniority was too shallow. His very entry into the Staff Office this time was already an act of His Majesty's grace, and everyone had done His Majesty a face by allowing Sun Chuanting in.

Aside from Sun Chuanting, there was Chen Sihai. Chen Sihai was His Majesty's confidant, but anyone could see that His Majesty had sent him to head the Military Justice Office. A man like him could not become Chief Staff Minister—he wasn't a suitable candidate.

Apart from him, that left only Duke Cheng Zhu Chunchen, Yuan Keli, and Duke of Ying Zhang Weixian. These three were all fairly competitive for the Chief Staff Minister position.

But Xu Xi also knew that Zhu Chunchen had no chance of getting the post. Everyone knew perfectly well how he had risen. He had gotten his Staff Minister position because of his contributions over the previous period—it was His Majesty rewarding him.

But having reached this position, Zhu Chunchen's contributions were just about spent. If he wanted to take another step forward, these contributions wouldn't be enough, so he couldn't possibly obtain the Chief Staff Minister seat.

Aside from these men, the most competitive were Yuan Keli and Zhang Weixian.

Yuan Keli had deep seniority and great achievements, and he also had the support of the civil officials. Never mind that the civil officials fought among themselves—once it came to competing with the hereditary nobility, they would inevitably unite as one and all support Yuan Keli.

Under such circumstances, Duke of Ying Zhang Weixian found himself at a disadvantage. If he hadn't entered the Staff Office, if he'd had no chance to contend for the Chief Staff Minister post, perhaps Zhang Weixian wouldn't have any ideas. But with the opportunity right before his eyes, giving it up wasn't so easy.

When a man can't see something, he doesn't dwell on it; but once he sees it close at hand, within reach of his grasp, no one will let it go.

Under these circumstances, it would be strange indeed if Zhang Weixian had no ambitions.

But for Zhang Weixian, getting this position was no easy matter. The pressure Yuan Keli put on him was simply too great, so he needed achievements—he needed to prove that he was useful in that seat. Not just useful, but more useful than Yuan Keli, and only then could he obtain the position.

So Zhang Weixian urgently needed an achievement—first, to establish his authority, and second, to demonstrate his ability and loyalty to His Majesty.

From this perspective, a small achievement certainly wouldn't do. Zhang Weixian needed a great accomplishment, solving a major problem for His Majesty.

To earn merit and solve a major problem, there were only a few avenues.

One was military achievement—that is, the Staff Office's political record. But there was no war at present, so this record was hard to earn. Even if war did break out, whether they'd win or lose was still an open question. If they lost, Zhang Weixian wouldn't just fail to get the position—he might lose the opportunity before him as well. The risk was too great; he wouldn't do it.

Since military merit was out of reach, he needed to earn merit through other means, and money was an unavoidable topic. Especially with Zhu Chunchen as a precedent, it wasn't hard to understand Zhang Weixian following suit.

Once Zhang Weixian touched the salt trade, he would offend a group of people while demonstrating his loyalty to His Majesty.

How much money the salt trade involved—probably no one in the Great Ming could say for certain. But even someone like Xu Xi knew perfectly well that if one could get hold of the salt profits, it would be an enormous sum. At that point, how would His Majesty view Zhang Weixian?

Loyal in handling affairs, and capable to boot—the Chief Staff Minister position wouldn't escape Zhang Weixian.

In fact, Xu Xi could also see that His Majesty had not yet appointed a Chief Staff Minister, not because His Majesty hadn't made up his mind, but because His Majesty was watching—watching to see who was willing to do things, watching to see who was capable of doing things.

Zhang Weixian wanted to prove himself through exactly this kind of method. But this matter was too big—he needed helpers, men to charge ahead for him, and someone to take the blame when things went beyond salvaging.

And right at that moment, Xu Xi had delivered himself to the door. He was a duke of the Great Ming—even if something did go wrong, he wouldn't lose his title or see his family exterminated. Moreover, his status was high, his words carried weight, and so he became the best candidate in Zhang Weixian's mind.

Now Zhang Weixian had thrown this topic at him—it was a way of forcing him to act. If he backed down now, he wouldn't be able to account for himself before Zhang Weixian, and probably not before His Majesty either.

His Majesty had never thought well of him, Duke of Ding, to begin with. If he refused to act and word of it reached His Majesty, what would His Majesty think?

His Majesty would think that he, Duke of Ding, not only was unwilling to do anything, but was a mere sinecure holder, unfit for great responsibility. At that point, his situation would certainly be worse than it was now.

Zhang Weixian was forcing him forward!

Having thought all this through, Xu Xi sighed inwardly, a thick wave of regret flooding his heart.

Why had he come looking for him at all?

If he were still at home right now, having never met Zhang Weixian, he wouldn't have gotten mixed up in all this mess. Even if His Majesty was displeased with his family, he could have found another way.

But now there was no retreating.

Slowly opening his eyes, Xu Xi glanced at Zhang Weixian, resentment stirring in his heart. When it truly came down to it, no one spared a thought for old friendships.

Looking at Zhu Chunchen, then at Zhang Weixian before him, Xu Xi suddenly realized something: the Great Ming was no longer the Great Ming of old, and the hereditary nobility was no longer what it had been. They were no longer all on the same side. For the sake of power, many things could be cast aside and sold out.

The times had changed. If he still acted according to old ways of thinking, he would probably end up the one suffering in the end. Since there was no road back, he might as well charge forward.

Having thought this far, Xu Xi gritted his teeth and steeled his heart, saying: "May I ask what Your Grace wishes me to do?"

Zhang Weixian looked at Xu Xi, sighed, picked up his tea and took a sip, then said slowly: "The matter is too complex. I can't sort out a clear thread at the moment, nor think of any good solution."

"But His Majesty is anxious right now, and the court has no money. We who serve as ministers naturally ought to share His Majesty's burdens. We hereditary nobles, who have received imperial grace for generations, truly should do something. Do you have any ideas? What I said just now was nothing more than grumbling between us—don't take it to heart."

Hearing Zhang Weixian's words, Xu Xi smiled.

The smile on his face was radiant, but in his heart he felt colder than ever.

This old fox had no intention of taking the blame himself—he wanted Xu Xi to stick his neck out directly.

Xu Xi gritted his teeth and said: "Indeed! At a time like this, if we don't do something, we ministers would be failing His Majesty. So I think, since the salt trade is in such chaos, let's start with salt. The court is plagued by hoarding of salt franchises—why not begin the investigation with the franchise hoarding?"

After saying this, Xu Xi raised his head to look at Zhang Weixian and said: "When I return, I'll write a routine memorial and send it into the palace. I'm willing to champion this matter. However, my learning is shallow and I haven't read many books over the years—I fear there will be many oversights in the memorial."

At this point, Xu Xi slowly stopped, turning his head to look at Zhang Weixian.

By now Zhang Weixian had grown tense. They were at the final step, yet this Xu Xi had stopped—clearly not by accident. This was definitely a deliberate pause.

So Zhang Weixian sighed and said: "Indeed, we were all foolish in our youth, relying on our ancestors' grace, spending our days riding horses through the streets. We didn't read many books. Truly, it's only when using one's knowledge that one regrets having learned so little."

"But this matter is of great importance—it can't just be shown to anyone or drafted by anyone. We must find someone trustworthy, of high moral standing, and loyal to the court to review it. Do you have such a person by your side? If there's someone suitable, speak up freely. Even if you're not familiar with him, I can plead with him on your behalf."

Xu Xi looked at Zhang Weixian and said with a bitter smile: "Your Grace, please don't decline this matter. In terms of seniority and prestige, who can compare with you?"

"And in terms of learning, you're the best among us. In loyalty to the Great Ming and to His Majesty, those who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you are few indeed. Once this memorial is written, I humbly ask Your Grace to correct it."

Hearing Xu Xi's words, Zhang Weixian was startled, seeming somewhat taken aback—he hadn't expected Xu Xi to say such a thing.

Then Zhang Weixian shot up as if the chair had pricked his backside, waving his hands and speaking with urgent tone: "No no, how could that do? You know my learning well enough—it's nowhere near as good as you say."

"Besides, this matter is your achievement. Having me stick my hand in—that won't do, that won't do. Ours is a friendship between grandfathers; how could I do such a thing?"

"We brothers are of one heart and one branch—how can we distinguish yours from mine?" Xu Xi said with feigned anger on his face. "Besides, this time I've come begging Your Grace for help. Your Grace, in consideration of our grandfathers' friendship, please do lend a hand. If Your Grace won't help, then I simply won't leave today."

Watching Xu Xi put on this shameless act, Zhang Weixian smiled wryly and shook his head.

In the end, with no other choice, Zhang Weixian finally said: "You're right—ours is indeed a friendship between grandfathers, of the same breath and the same branch. If trouble came and I didn't help you, I'd be failing our ancestors. Very well then—after you finish writing, bring the memorial to me, and I'll see if there's anything improper and help revise it."

"Of course, these are only suggestions—whether to take them is your own decision. But rest assured, once your memorial is written, I'm willing to sign it together with you. If His Majesty summons us, I'll accompany you into the palace."

"Ours is a friendship between grandfathers—even if His Majesty grows angry, I'll bear it together with you. So, Duke of Ding, go home and write with confidence. No matter how those outside see you, in my heart you are the model of our hereditary nobility."

"With the Duke's word, there's nothing more to be said." Xu Xi stood up directly and said to Zhang Weixian, "I'll go back and write the routine memorial right away, and I'll ask the Duke to correct it when it's done."

"This time the Duke is also willing to help me, and I'll keep this favor in my heart. Please rest assured, Duke — if Your Majesty lays blame, I will bear it all myself and will never implicate the Duke."

"Look at the way you're talking," Zhang Weixian said with a stern voice. "Ours is a friendship of several generations — how could you have such thoughts? Rest assured, even if I lose my post at the Staff Office, I will absolutely not abandon you."

"The Duke is truly noble!" Xu Xi stood up and clasped his hands toward Zhang Weiquan, saying, "It's getting late. There's no time to lose, and the longer the night, the more dreams. I'll go back and write the memorial now."

"Good." Zhang Weixian said with approval. "I'll be waiting to see the Duke of Ding's routine memorial."

"Zhiji, see the Duke of Ding out for me." Zhang Weixian said with a smile to Zhang Zhiji, who was standing on the other side.

Zhang Zhiji hurried over with a smile as well. He went straight to Xu Xi's side, made a gesture of invitation, and said, "Duke of Ding, please."

Clasping his hands toward Zhang Weixian, Xu Xi turned and walked out.

After Xu Xi had left, the smile on Zhang Weixian's face vanished in an instant.

He slowly sat down in the chair, gently picked up his teacup, and took a sip. Tasting the tea in his cup, he wore a rather calm and detached expression.

Soon, Zhang Zhiji returned from outside and bowed to Zhang Weixian, saying, "Father, the Duke of Ding has been seen off."

Zhang Weixian nodded, smiled, and pointed to the chair beside him, saying, "Alright, sit down and speak."

After Zhang Zhiji sat down, Zhang Weixian slowly said, "Do you think your father is too despicable?"

"Your son does not." Zhang Zhiji quickly said, "Father must have his reasons for doing this."

Hearing his son's words, Zhang Weixian nodded with satisfaction and said, "The affairs of this world are chaotic and complicated. Some things can be done, some cannot; some you want to do, some you don't."

"But in the end, it all comes down to the same thing — will you do it, and can you do it? The Duke of Ding wants to squeeze his way in, so let's pull him deeper. If he just keeps hovering at the edge, what can he possibly feel?"

"Once he's inside, with both shoes caked in mud, pulling back out will be impossible. By that time, he'll have no choice but to stand on our side."

"Father, you want to consolidate the nobles and the imperial in-laws?" Zhang Zhiji stood up, eyes wide, staring at his father in disbelief — there was even a trace of fear in his eyes.