Chapter 204: Self-Account Memorial

New Year's Eve of the thirteenth year of Wanli.

The final night of the thirteenth year of Wanli was about to slowly pass amidst cheers and jubilation. Inside the dining hall of the Grand Secretary Zhang Mansion, Zhang Juzheng could be seen sitting upright in the main seat with a spring-like breeze on his face.

On the two sides, the brothers of the Zhang Family stood in their respective places.

The eldest grandson, Zhang Zhonghui, stood beside his father, Zhang Jingxiu, rolling his large, pitch-black eyes as he curiously sized up his grandfather.

Today, Zhang Juzheng had cast aside his usual sternness, his face maintaining a warm smile throughout.

Seeing Zhang Juzheng like this, Zhang Yunxiu and the others also relaxed their expressions, their manners becoming lively.

This scene lasted for a quarter of an hour.

As the banquet began, Zhang Jingxiu first raised his teacup, aimed it toward Zhang Juzheng, and proposed: "Father, your health has just recovered, so it is not suitable for you to drink alcohol. Today, let me and my brothers use tea in place of wine to wish you good health."

Zhang Yunxiu and the others stood up in unison, raised their wine cups, and turned toward Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, stood up shakily, and after looking around the circle, he looked at Zhang Jingxiu and said: "You are the eldest brother; you must take good care of your brothers in the future."

"I will strictly follow Father's teachings," Zhang Jingxiu replied hurriedly and respectfully.

Next, Zhang Juzheng let his gaze fall upon his second son and consoled him: "Sixiu, you are too honest and kind-hearted. The deceit and treachery of the officialdom do not suit you; you had better go pursue your studies."

Zhang Sixiu nodded submissively and hurriedly bowed to accept the instruction.

"Maoxiu, you are too arrogant; you will not be able to stay in the officialdom either." Zhang Juzheng glanced at his second son with disappointment, then turned to stand before Zhang Maoxiu and teased: "You, being a romantic talent who chases flowers and asks for willows is fine, but being an official—that is difficult."

Zhang Maoxiu's face was full of defiance; he opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but upon seeing his father's gaze, he ultimately chose to swallow the words that had reached his lips.

He paused and changed his words: "Thank you for your teaching, Father."

"Jianxiu, you must treat Ling'er well; it is I who have let Gaoruo down."

"Yes."

Watching Zhang Juzheng walk toward him.

Zhang Yunxiu could not help but feel nervous in his heart. What has happened to the old man today, saying such mushy, sentimental things? In the past, he was the one who hated it most when others acted with such feminine affectation.

Just as he was thinking this, Zhang Juzheng arrived before him.

The two looked at each other, and a flash of brilliance suddenly shot from Zhang Juzheng's clouded eyes. Then, he let out a long sigh, patted his son's shoulder heavily, and said nothing.

Everyone's gaze turned toward them.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled with relief; he seemed to have understood something.

"Alright, let's all eat." After making his rounds, Zhang Juzheng dragged his weary body back to the main seat.

Once the banquet began, Zhang Juzheng tasted a few bites before excusing himself on the grounds of fatigue. With Zhang Juzheng gone, the brothers felt as if they had shed their shackles, feeling an indescribable sense of ease throughout their bodies.

Zhang Jianxiu poured a cup of wine for Zhang Yunxiu, the corners of his mouth curling up as he said with a smile: "We congratulate you. Next year, when you finish your term at the academy, you will be a red-hot figure in this capital."

Zhang Yunxiu took the wine cup, tilted his head back, and drank it down, responding to them with a smile: "What red-hot figure? I am nothing more than an errand boy. When the time comes, won't I still have to rely on you brothers for care?"

"Stop pretending." Zhang Jianxiu had the best relationship with Zhang Yunxiu, so he did not stand on ceremony and directly exposed his bottom line: "Can you even find where the Hanlin Academy is? You are likely the first Academician of the Hanlin Academy to finish his term without ever having entered the academy."

"Hahaha," Zhang Yunxiu laughed out loud.

The other three brothers saw this and shook their heads with bitter smiles.

Following this, the brothers drank a few more cups, and before they knew it, it was already the Hour of the Bo (9:00 PM to 11:00 PM). The night grew heavier, and it was pitch black outside. A biting cold wind blew into the dining hall, causing the palace lanterns inside to sway.

Only then did everyone realize that it was late.

Thus, each of them, supported by maids and servants, returned to their bedrooms to rest.

"Your subject Zhang Juzheng submits this memorial: I possess neither the prestige of a noble clan nor am I a descendant of imperial royalty. In the winter of the Yiyou year, I was born in Jiangling; at my birth, there was neither purple vapor filling the room nor clouds of light covering the sky.

At five, I began my education; at six, I understood the great meaning of the Six Classics, and I thought that the talents of the world were nothing more than this. At thirteen, I passed the Provincial Examination, and it was only through the guidance of Governor Gu that I realized the talents of the world were vast." "In the twenty-sixth year of Jiajing, I was honored to pass the Imperial Examination and was selected as a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. At that time, the Shizong Emperor was obsessed with the arts of alchemy, and the Yan Party held monstrous power; among all the high officials in the court, those who dared to speak of their faults were few and far between.

I knew that I was small and weak, so I had no choice but to hide and lie low. When the Yan Party failed and the Muzong Emperor ascended the throne, and with Lord Xu in charge of the government, I was fortunate to receive the trust of the Muzong Emperor and was appointed to the position of Assistant Minister."

"In the sixth year of Longqing, the Muzong Emperor passed away and entrusted me with the great affairs of the state and military. I was grateful for this and felt that I could not repay him without sacrificing my life. Upon the start of the Wanli reign, I was honored to become the Senior Grand Secretary. At that time, the world was exhausted, the treasury was in distress, and border defenses were lax. Every time I thought of the heavy trust placed in me by the Muzong Emperor, I knew the gravity of my responsibility, and I sighed day and night, not daring to slacken even by half."

"Thanks to the brilliance and martial prowess of Your Majesty and the protection of the emperors of previous generations, for fourteen years, the nation has enjoyed peace, and the country has been strong with the people in support. I know that I am old and frail, and I fear I am no longer fit for the position of Prime Minister. Today, I specifically submit this memorial to beg for my retirement, and I humbly request Your Majesty's approval."

At the desk, Zhang Juzheng wrote in one breath up to this point, only to feel his arm aching.

His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

He exercised his wrist, picked up his brush, and continued to write: "Zhuge of Nanyang once said: 'Draw close to virtuous officials and keep away from petty men; this is why the Former Han flourished. Draw close to petty men and keep away from virtuous officials; this is why the Later Han declined.' I humbly hope Your Majesty will remember the hardships of the ancestors in founding the dynasty and be diligent in government affairs, and not be tempted by momentary pleasures."

"."

The night was very deep.

Zhang Juzheng finished writing the memorial and placed it back into the folder.

He let out a deep breath, closed his eyes slightly, leaned back, and lay supine on the yellow pear-wood carved Grand Tutor chair.

Released.

Finally, he was released.

In an instant, he felt his whole body was light.

The things he had to do were finished.

Reforming the tax laws, surveying the land, rectifying border defenses, reforming the Imperial Examination... one by one, each and every task had left him exhausted and treading on thin ice.

Now, he no longer had to worry about those troublesome matters.

Just as his youngest son had said to him some days ago: trust in the wisdom of those who come after.

He had always wanted to achieve everything in one step, but instead, he had fallen into a lower path... While he was lost in thought, Yuqin, draped in a cotton robe, pushed the door open and entered from outside the study. A wisp of cold wind blew in, and Zhang Juzheng shivered, coming back to his senses.

Yuqin had already arrived at the doorway without him knowing.

He looked at the delicate and charming Yuqin, and a warmth surged in his heart.

Yuqin smiled faintly, two beautiful dimples appearing on her plump, fair cheeks. Immediately, she moved with lotus steps, came gracefully to Zhang Juzheng's side, took his face in her hands, and kissed him.

Zhang Juzheng hooked his arm around the beauty's slender waist and acted like a spoiled child, saying: "One is not enough."

Yuqin giggled, slowly moved her red lips, and kissed Zhang Juzheng's cheek.

Zhang Juzheng was immediately amused and laughed out loud. Taking advantage of the mood, Yuqin tentatively asked: "My lord, have you really thought it through?"

"Fame, wealth, and status are like floating clouds to me." Zhang Juzheng gently lifted Yuqin's chin, his face full of affection.

Now, he could truly understand the free-spirited nature of Tao Zhugong retiring with a beauty by his side.

With such a beauty to accompany him, his wishes for the rest of his life were fulfilled.

"Master!" Yuqin's eyes turned red, and she buried her head into Zhang Juzheng's chest, "Yuqin is merely a woman of the dust; how could I be worthy of such deep affection and love from Master?"

Having said that, she began to sob, "Ying ying ying."

Zhang Juzheng slowly lifted her cheeks and used a gesture to comfort her: "Yuqin, I am not afraid of you laughing at me. From the very first moment I saw you, I felt that you were different from ordinary women."

"Master." Yuqin called out timidly, her tears once again threatening to break through the dam.

"Today is a joyous day, let us not speak of these things." Zhang Juzheng waved his hand, his gaze burning as he looked at the beauty in his arms.

The beauty's snow-white neck turned red, and she slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

(End of this chapter)