Chapter 184: The Grand Secretary Plans the Strategy

Zhang Yunxiu walked out of the room in low spirits, gently closing the door for his father.

It was the first time he had heard Zhang Juzheng utter such disheartening words as "I am old." In an instant, the anger he had just stirred up was mostly extinguished by this bucket of cold water.

If even he was afraid, then he himself had even more reason to be afraid.

After thinking it over, Zhang Yunxiu returned to the small hall with a dejected face and sat down, looking utterly dispirited.

Inside the room, Zhang Juzheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his wrinkled cheeks as gloomy as water, making it impossible for others to see what he was thinking.

Having been in power for many years, he had also figured out some of the ways of the harm caused by this Imperial Examination.

Take these scholars for example; many people spend their entire lives just barely passing the Court Examination.

The days that follow are spent without engaging in production, racking their brains, and burying themselves in these Imperial Examination studies. In the end, they end up battered and bruised, with gray hair, and die without ever passing the provincial examination.

There is no shortage of such people.

His own father, Zhang Wenming, was just such an "old scholar."

He had long intended to reform the Imperial Examination, but unfortunately, he had never found the right opportunity. Today, upon learning that his youngest son had come to report matters, he suddenly felt that the opportunity had arrived and prepared to take a knife to the Imperial Examination in every province.

Thinking this, he ordered someone to call Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang over.

Before long, Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing hurried over.

As soon as the two entered the bedroom, they first bowed to Zhang Juzheng on the bed, then each found a chair and sat down before him.

Zhang Juzheng braced his spirits and propped his body up.

Before he could speak, Wang Guoguang at his side pursed his lips and said, half-complaining and half-concerned, "You, you insist on holding onto that power and won't let go, without even looking at how your own body is doing."

The two were old friends of many years, so naturally, they spoke without any reservations.

Zhang Juzheng gave a free-spirited smile, shook his head, and replied, "There are some things I must get done while I am still able to do them; otherwise, if they poison future generations, my conscience will truly be uneasy."

Once these words were spoken, Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang both became tense.

Generally, when the Grand Secretary said such words, the important implications were self-evident.

This matter was likely earth-shattering, a major event capable of piercing the very sky of the capital.

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Shen Shixing hunched his back and cautiously probed, "I ask the Grand Secretary to enlighten us."

"This matter actually has to do with your Ministry of Rites." Zhang Juzheng nodded at him and then said, "You two are heaven-sent talents, both having come from the two-tier examination system, so naturally you do not know the plight of the scholars below."

"Some scholars, their heads just 'won't open up,' and at forty or fifty years old, they can't even pass the Court Examination. Yet they insist on burying themselves in the books of sages, becoming bookworms who nitpick over words. There are others who, after passing the Court Examination, do not seek to improve, idling away their days in the Prefectural School. They take the court's rations but do not think of serving the country, spending their days venting their grievances."

"The Grand Secretary's meaning is?" Shen Shixing sensed that something was wrong, his voice becoming increasingly cautious.

"My meaning is, change!" Zhang Juzheng's eyes suddenly shot out a cold light, once again resuming the appearance of a Grand Secretary who looked down upon the winds and clouds, "Conduct an assessment of the scholars in the Prefectural Schools across the world, and clear out all those who are unqualified."

"And for those forty or fifty years old who still haven't opened their minds, dismiss them all."

"From now on, the number of people in the County Schools and Prefectural Schools must be strictly controlled; better to have a shortage than to accept the unqualified."

The sound of his voice echoed in the room.

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were startled. The two exchanged a glance and together cupped their hands to advise, "Grand Secretary, this matter is of great importance. Your actions this time would be cutting off the hope of these scholars. To cut off a person's future is like killing their parents; how could they let it go?"

"I have already made up my mind on this matter; you two need not persuade me further," Zhang Juzheng replied decisively. "Since we are to begin, then let us start from Huguang, so as to spare others from saying I am using public office for private gain." Wang Guoguang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but thinking of his old friend's temper, he ultimately swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

At his side, Shen Shixing was trembling, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Although this matter was ordered by the Grand Secretary, the execution would mostly fall to him.

He had always been a "good old man" in officialdom; how could he be willing to do such a thing that cuts off people's futures? After pondering for a moment, just as Shen Shixing was about to find an excuse to refuse, Zhang Juzheng changed the subject and threw out another bombshell: "The Kong Family has been truly too arrogant in Qufu these years. Since we are going to strike, we might as well kill two birds with one stone and take the opportunity to knock the Kong Family down a peg."

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were so shocked they stood up abruptly, staring at Zhang Juzheng in a daze.

After a long while, Wang Guoguang finally recovered from his shock and said with flying spittle, "Shuda, this Kong Family is not just a rabbit, but a giant python that swallows people. If you dare to move against them, you will surely face their counter-measures."

"That is right, Grand Secretary. You and I both attained our positions only after reading the books of sages. If we act this way now, how will the scholars of the world view you, and view us, the many officials in the imperial court?" Shen Shixing chimed in.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head, signaling for the two to sit down.

He then spoke of the Kong Family's actions; the two had heard some rumors, so they were not overly angry.

This matter was something everyone knew but did not speak of, buried deep in their hearts, so that things looked good on the surface.

If it were to be exposed.

Everything would be ruined, it would be impossible to clean up, and it would not look good for the imperial court or the Emperor.

Observing the worried and cautious expressions of the two, Zhang Juzheng suddenly burst into laughter.

At this laugh, the two were like monks in a fog—completely baffled.

Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing exchanged a glance, then composed their expressions and once again earnestly advised, "Shuda, you must listen to me on this. The complexity of this matter is no easier than measuring land."

Zhang Juzheng naturally knew the difficulties involved, but an arrow shot from a bow cannot be turned back.

Once he had made up his mind, not even ten oxen could pull him back, so he smiled at the two and said with feigned ease, "I already have a candidate for this matter. If he is the one to investigate, these people won't be able to hold a grudge against me."

"Who?"

"Hai Rui!"

Upon hearing this name, Wang Guoguang and Shen Shixing were both stunned.

This man had a straightforward temperament and had always been intolerant of evil, but unfortunately, he had offended too many colleagues and had no choice but to resign and return home.

Several times, Hai Rui had subtly petitioned this new Grand Secretary.

He still had the intention to serve as an official again.

Zhang Juzheng had never agreed.

For one, Zhang Juzheng felt that if he were given a small official position, it would be better not to give him one at all. If he were given a high official position, with his temperament of being intolerant of evil, there was no telling what kind of huge trouble he might stir up.

Concerned that he still had many things to do, the matter of Hai Rui was shelved.

Now it was different; the major tasks he had set out to do were all finished. This final matter should be handled by this pure official who dared to carry a coffin to petition the Shizong Emperor and was fearless of death.

"Grand Secretary..." Thinking of the Grand Secretary's painstaking efforts, the two could not help but feel their eyes redden.

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand and pointed out the direction, saying, "Go down and prepare. The Ministry of Personnel will issue a dispatch tomorrow to summon Hai Rui to serve as Right Vice Minister of Justice. The Ministry of Rites will also issue a dispatch to circulate throughout the prefectures of the world; this Imperial Examination must change."

(End of chapter)