Chapter 73: We Jin Party Members Must Carry the Banner of Respecting the Master

The spear and the shield are not always correct on one side. If one side were always correct, the spear would never be able to pierce the shield, and the shield would never be able to defend against the spear. Then there would be no sparks, no great doubts of the nation, and no progress to speak of.

Taking the Great Ming's "Eunuch Party" as an example: in the Hongwu reign, the Taizu Emperor established an iron tablet saying eunuchs were not allowed to interfere in politics; in the Yongle reign, the Directorate of Ceremonial was officially established; in the Xuande reign, the eunuchs gradually faded away; in the Zhengtong reign, Wang Zhen was in power; in the Jingtai reign, the eunuchs were inactive; in the Tianshun reign, the eunuch Cao Jixiang could even lead troops to rebel;

In the Chenghua reign, Wang Zhi established the Western Depot, and everyone was in danger; in the Hongzhi reign, "all the upright" filled the court, and the eunuchs could not stretch themselves; in the Zhengde reign, Liu Jin led the Eight Tigers to establish the Inner Factory, and people called him the "Standing Emperor"; in the Jiajing reign, Lu Bing controlled the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the eunuchs were subordinate to the Embroidered Uniform Guard;

In the Longqing reign, the eunuch Chen Hong colluded with the Chief Grand Secretary Gao Gong; in the early Wanli reign, the eunuch Feng Bao was still prominent; after the fifteenth year of Wanli, the eunuchs began to be quiet.

If one only observes the eunuchs, one will find that the politics of the Great Ming, the conflict between eunuchs and civil officials, was not that the eunuchs were always powerful, but that the tide rose and fell, one after another.

This rising and falling of the tide is a process of dialectical progress.

Zhang Juzheng pondered for a long time and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, why not look at the *Illustrated Mirror for Emperors*?"

Zhang Juzheng had gained some insights, but he still hadn't figured it out, so he could only let His Majesty wait a little while. After he figured it out completely, he would clear His Majesty's doubts.

"Then let's look at the *Illustrated Mirror for Emperors*." Zhu Yijun did not blindly seek speed, but chose to wait for Zhang Juzheng to think.

During the lecture in the Wenchang Pavilion, Yang Bo, Wang Chonggu, and Zhang Siwei gathered in the study of the Quanjin Guild to discuss matters in the court.

"Yuanfu is bullying people too much! Using the inspection of construction as an excuse, he dismissed ten of our Company Commanders. What else does he want! When we were fighting for our lives against the Tatars in Xuanfu and Datong, where was he?! Now that the pursuit is getting worse, what does he want to do?!" Zhang Siwei stood up and cursed after hearing about the court affairs.

Ten Company Commanders were not enough, and he even wanted to extend his supervisory power to the border grain and pay!

Yang Bo raised his hand to signal Zhang Siwei to calm down and said, "You haven't fought for your life against the Tatars either. Ma Fang has the qualifications to say this. Have you shed blood? Don't you feel ashamed?"

"Yuanfu did not extend his supervisory power to the tribute and trade. The Li Le affair is enough of a lesson. If we block Yuanfu this time, I'm afraid he will extend his hand into the tribute and trade. Whether it is construction or grain and pay, these are not the fundamentals."

The Li Le affair was enough of a lesson. If they provoked Zhang Juzheng's retaliation, once there was a problem with the tribute and trade, and Altan Khan's tribute was problematic, the Jin Party would truly be in danger.

"The in-law is right." Wang Chonggu thought very seriously and agreed with Yang Bo's statement. Zhang Juzheng was a person who would retaliate for the slightest grievance. Don't provoke him. Everyone could still talk things over. If they really had to provoke him, his retaliation would be like thunder, and they wouldn't be able to fight back at all.

Everyone's level of political struggle was not on the same level. There was no need to go against Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Siwei looked at the two elders, who chose to be timid in the face of Zhang Juzheng's offensive, and said with some dissatisfaction, "Then what does my uncle say we should do?"

Wang Chonggu looked at Yang Bo and said, "I think it's better to follow the old precedent of military agricultural colonies. If we have to give them food, we give it."

Since the "silver-paying opening-center method," the farmland for merchant-military agricultural colonies in the past had been abandoned. Leaving the land barren was also barren. Giving the garrison soldiers some land to farm and feeding the soldiers was also a good thing.

Wang Chonggu had lost his nerve. He was truly afraid to provoke Zhang Juzheng.

Whoever wants to provoke him can go ahead; just don't drag me, Wang Chonggu, into it.

"Minister Wang Guoguang specifically came to talk to me about this matter. The Ministry of Revenue's intention is not to cut off the silver, but after issuing military pay in physical goods, the imperial court will convert the silver for the border towns. If you want to understand it, the imperial court's silver is the salt permit of the past." Only after Wang Chonggu loosened his mouth did Yang Bo reveal a little bit of news.

Wang Guoguang changing silver to physical goods did not mean that the imperial court would no longer support the border areas, but using physical goods as supervision to verify the issuance of silver. Military agricultural colonies changed from merchants to local military towns, restoring the military agricultural colonies of the military towns and garrisons to a certain extent.

Zhang Siwei tasted it carefully. The silver reaching Xuan-Da was still the same amount. He said with great confusion, "If it is like this, why didn't Wang Guoguang say so earlier?"

"If Minister Wang hadn't mentioned military agricultural colonies, I wouldn't have said this." Yang Bo said very definitely.

Information gap.

Yang Bo was still in his position, so he was still the party leader. He just knew more than Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei. If Wang Chonggu didn't mention the military agricultural colonies, Yang Bo wouldn't tell him the Ministry of Revenue's conditions. If they wanted to toss, let them toss.

Yang Bo didn't believe that Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei could beat Zhang Juzheng.

If they lost, they would return in a dejected manner and beg for mercy. If they lost too much, the Jin Party would naturally disappear.

"Isn't this quite good?" Wang Chonggu's expression finally relaxed. He had lost some interests, but compared to losing everything, partial loss was immediately acceptable.

Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei finally compromised, and this matter was no longer a conflict.

"Then this matter of Beijing Camp military talents still needs to be discussed in detail." Wang Chonggu mentioned the Beijing Camp. He was the Viceroy of the Beijing Camp, but for the Beijing Camp military talents, Zhang Juzheng used the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Wu Baipeng, and Yang Wen, one of the "six tigers of Taizhou" who fought against the Japanese pirates.

"You want to imitate the Li Le affair and force Wu Baipeng and Yang Wen to submit? When the time comes, if you anger the Chief Grand Secretary, I can't guarantee what will happen." Yang Bo became impatient when Wang Chonggu mentioned the Beijing Camp military talents.

Success is difficult, and failure is easy. The matter of Beijing Camp military talents was a major event that Zhang Juzheng had requested the Emperor to preside over in person.

The conflict between the Jin Party and the Zhang Party was, in the final analysis, a game and struggle between ministers. Zhang Juzheng requested the Emperor to preside over the major event of Beijing Camp military talents, and the Jin Party's destruction from within was offending imperial power.

Yang Bo sat up straight, looked at Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei, and said, "Besides, Li Le was just a Supervising Secretary who had just entered the officialdom. He hadn't seen extravagance, and you couldn't deal with him."

"Wu Baipeng fought against the Japanese pirates in Yangzhou, Qianzhou, and the three nests, and Yang Wen is the head of the six tigers of Taizhou. They are all people who have killed on the battlefield. Will they be afraid of you?"

"What can you use to force or lure the two of them? Do you have to force Tan Lun, Wu Baipeng, and the others to go to the Quanchu Guild to receive waist tags before you are satisfied?"

"If you add yourselves together, can you be as terrifying as Bai Gui?! Heh."

"That is also true." Wang Chonggu agreed very much with Yang Bo's statement. Last time, they messed up a Li Le, which led to Zhang Juzheng throwing four punches, making Wang Chonggu still a bit dazed until now.

If they caused trouble again in the matter of Beijing Camp military talents, it wouldn't be as simple as four punches.

Zhang Juzheng was truly not to be trifled with. As long as it didn't involve tribute and trade, Wang Chonggu felt there was no need to have a conflict with Zhang Juzheng. If there was another conflict, he was afraid he would have to enter the Jiekuyuan.

Zhang Siwei was still extremely unwilling and said, "Just let it be? Just let it be? I thought we were afraid of Zhang Juzheng!"

Yang Bo tapped the table forcefully with his index finger and said, "You are not afraid? Then you do it."

"Zhang Siwei, I remind you, Zhang Juzheng is not only the Chief Grand Secretary now, but also someone supported by His Majesty. Ge Shouli impeached Zhang Juzheng several times, and His Majesty blocked Ge Shouli's impeachment in the Zhao Wenhua Hall. Zhang Juzheng was difficult to deal with in the past, but now with the Emperor's support, Zhang Juzheng will only be more difficult to deal with!"

"If you don't even understand this, I would rather give the Jin Party leadership to Ge Shouli than to you. Ge Shouli is a bit stupid, but he has some loyalty. When His Majesty grows up, he will remember the loyalty of our Jin Party in limiting the Chief Grand Secretary from going any further."

Ge Shouli was honest and stubborn, but Ge Shouli was loyal. As long as Zhang Juzheng forced the Emperor to do things, Ge Shouli would stand up and angrily scold the Chief Grand Secretary for intimidating his master. This was unique in the court.

If Zhang Siwei didn't even have a bit of loyalty, the day His Majesty came of age would be the day the Jin Party was subverted.

"What does the Grand Guardian think of Ge Shouli?" Yang Bo didn't look at Zhang Siwei, but asked Wang Chonggu.

"Uncle, what do you mean!" Zhang Siwei was immediately angry. He had agreed to let him take over the Jin Party, so why was it choosing Ge Shouli again?!

Ge Shouli was a man from Shandong! Not a man from Shanxi!

Wang Chonggu hesitated and said, "What is the reason?"

Wang Chonggu had been beaten four times and finally cleared his mind a bit. If the Jin Party continued like this, he was afraid they wouldn't last until the young Emperor took personal control or until Zhang Juzheng died, and the Jin Party would be subverted.

The Jin Party had to change its fighting style, but Wang Chonggu didn't quite understand how to fight.

"We should change our thinking. Now that Bai Gui is powerful, we should unite with Tan Lun, Wu Baipeng, Qi Jiguang, and others in the name of supporting the Emperor's authority, and resist the Chief Grand Secretary's intimidation of his master. In this way, Bai Gui will not dare to commit treason. Ge Shouli is undoubtedly an excellent candidate." Yang Bo gave his reasons.

Ge Shouli was not good at other things, but in impeaching Zhang Juzheng, Ge Shouli occupied the righteousness of loyalty to the monarch, and Zhang Juzheng really had no way to deal with Ge Shouli. Zhang Juzheng would not deal with Ge Shouli either; otherwise, it would confirm that Zhang Juzheng was truly intimidating his master.

Starting from this line of thinking, changing the Jin Party's platform became reasonable.

"The in-law's words make sense." Wang Chonggu pondered again and again and agreed with Yang Bo's statement, which was agreeing that after Yang Bo retired, the Jin Party leadership would be handed over to Ge Shouli.

Zhang Siwei's expression changed several times. He never expected that his own uncle would not support him to be the party leader. He had already prepared to move to the Quanjin Guild, so how could it change again? He said very unwillingly, "No, I don't agree!"

Wang Chonggu slapped the table, stood up abruptly, pointed at Zhang Siwei's nose and cursed, "You don't agree? We listened to your confused words in the Li Le affair, and it turned into this mess. Do you know how that eunuch thief Feng Bao humiliated me? Twenty-seven court officials, ritual officials, and eunuchs were all mocking me! They were laughing at me, not you, right!"

"You don't agree? Since when is it your turn to disagree! If we listen to you again, I will be dragged to the vegetable market to be beheaded tomorrow!"

"This matter is settled!"

Wang Chonggu was truly beaten until he was in pain. After thinking about it, he found that Yang Bo was right. If they didn't provoke Zhang Juzheng, Zhang Juzheng wouldn't be so cruel.

Zhang Juzheng had been in power for almost ten months. Because the Emperor was young, Zhang Juzheng's methods had never been so intense.

Zhang Siwei was still extremely unwilling and said, "Zhang Juzheng's 'Assessment Law' is unpopular. If we grasp this point, we can grasp all the bureaucrats. Then what can Zhang Juzheng do to our Jin Party!"

Wang Chonggu said impatiently, "Zhang Juzheng is using the late Emperor's last orders to conduct assessments on the Emperor. His Majesty doesn't even agree to cheating on the unspoken rules and wants to stand up for the Assessment Law. Think clearly about who is promoting the Assessment Law! Confused!"

"With you like this, handing the Jin Party to you is planning to let Zhang Juzheng step on our Jin Party to establish his prestige whenever he has nothing to do!"

Yang Bo was amused. This conflict between uncle and nephew—Zhang Juzheng's four punches were accurate and ruthless, finally making Wang Chonggu understand some principles, instead of letting Zhang Siwei act recklessly.

Cycling forward, after the collision of contradictions, there are always some sparks and doubts that need to be solved. Clearly, contradictions also generally exist within the Jin Party, and they will also collide to produce sparks. The "Theory of Contradictions" that Zhang Juzheng obtained from his discussion with His Majesty was indeed the supreme truth of the world.

What is happening now is a living example.

Yang Bo, who had mastered the "Theory of Contradictions," finally became the leader of the Jin Party again.

Yang Bo did not get involved in the two people's quarrel. Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei, in-laws whose bones were broken but tendons were connected, wouldn't destroy their relationship by arguing a few words. Yang Bo said with a smile, "Minister Wang, the point you just made about Zhang Juzheng using the late Emperor's last orders to conduct assessments on the Emperor is a very good excuse."

"The nation has great interests, and the court has great treacherous villains. Our Jin Party is willing to offer unpleasant advice, so that the great treacherous villains cannot intimidate the master. What does Minister Wang think?"

"Reasonable!" Wang Chonggu raised his eyebrows, his eyes lit up, and his face showed joy. "The in-law still has a way. The party leader is the party leader; he really has a way."

From today on, the Jin Party will take Ge Shouli as the center and be the most loyal royalist party!

When Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei left, the look in Yang Bo's eyes at Zhang Siwei's back was a bit fierce. He was working in the Ministry of Personnel, and Zhang Siwei used his Quanjin Guild to coerce Li Le. At that time, Yang Bo didn't say anything, but it didn't mean he didn't hold a grudge. He hadn't left yet, and Zhang Siwei was already riding on his head.

How could Yang Bo let Zhang Siwei be so proud!

He was old and useless, but Zhang Siwei was not his son; he didn't need to be polite.

The Great Ming Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng was polite to Yang Bo, treating him with courtesy, calling him a "minister of great virtue" in every sentence. What kind of thing was Zhang Siwei!

At sunset, You Qi hurried to the Wenchang Pavilion and bowed his head to Zhang Juzheng, who was writing furiously, "Master, news came from the Quanjin Guild saying that Wang Chonggu scolded Zhang Siwei, and Ge Shouli is moving to the Quanjin Guild tomorrow."

"Hmm?" Zhang Juzheng stopped his brush, frowned, and then slowly relaxed and said with a smile, "I know."

Ge Shouli moving to the Quanjin Guild represented the appearance of the first party leader who was not of Jin origin, and represented that the Jin Party was going to change its fighting line. This was a good thing for the Great Ming, and Zhang Juzheng was very happy to see the Jin Party's change.

He continued to write furiously. There was nothing in the world that could make him feel embarrassed; the only thing that could make him scratch his head was the young Emperor.

He had to figure out the Emperor's question. When the lecture came, the young Emperor would ask, and Zhang Juzheng couldn't say: "Your Majesty, look at the *Illustrated Mirror for Emperors*."

There is a universal connection between the infinite things, contradictions are everywhere, and the interaction of contradictions—Zhang Juzheng had clearly understood this, but what is the relationship between the spear and the shield and the development of things?

The spear and the shield are not always on one side.

Zhang Juzheng wrote down the three words: Altan Khan, Xuan-Da Tianjin Tianjin Weisuo, and Jin Party, then drew a circle around the Jin Party, and then wrote down the three words: Eunuchs, Civil Officials, and Military Meritocrats. He pondered for a long time, his expression extremely annoyed.

"Where is the imperial decree to recall Hence Hai Rui?" Zhang Juzheng put down the pencil in his hand and asked You Qi.

"The envoy is almost in Fujian. It will take another month to reach Qiongzhou. It will take more than four months for Hence Hai Rui to return to the capital. Master, don't you dislike pure stream officials like Hence Hai Rui?" You Qi didn't make tea for Zhang Juzheng. At this hour, a cup of strong tea would mean staying up all night.

"I can't wait for him to come back sooner." Zhang Juzheng said somewhat helplessly.

The young Emperor was not easy to deal with. He needed reinforcements. It was time to take out the "Emperor-refuting treasure"—Hence Hai Rui, Hai Gangfeng—to give His Majesty a headache.

Zhang Juzheng, who had mastered part of the "Theory of Contradictions," already understood the truth that heaven constantly changes, earth constantly changes, and people constantly change. Would Hence Hai Rui returning to the capital really aim his gun at the Emperor?

Zhang Juzheng didn't think so.

It's on the shelves! Please vote for me! Awooooo!!!!!!!!! ===== CHAPTER 74 =====

"I don't know what to do. I cannot protect the interests of the Jin Party. The Grand Preceptor has seen it too; I have absolutely no way to deal with the Senior Grand Secretary." Ge Shouli chose to refuse with great conviction.

Yang Bo said very gently, "Chief Censor Ge, the Senior Grand Secretary is in power, the sovereign is young, and the court is suspicious. Facing the Senior Grand Secretary's authority, the civil and military officials are all mumbling and saying nothing, not daring to speak out for justice. Only Chief Censor Ge dares to stand up and denounce the Senior Grand Secretary's conduct!"

"Chief Censor Ge has loyalty; that is the reason I chose you. Now that you have become the party leader, whether or not you protect the interests of the Jin Party is entirely your own business."

Yang Bo repeated to Ge Shouli what he had said to Wang Chonggu about how to uphold the sovereign's authority and how to lead the Jin Party forward in earnest. Then, Yang Bo said, "Chief Censor Ge, do not be afraid. Bai Gui is in power, following the late Emperor's last wishes; it is only right that he gets things done."

"And Gao Gong has been dismissed and is living in retirement. Whatever we in the Jin Party do, we don't have to do better than Bai Gui. As long as we achieve some results, it will show that we are loyal to the sovereign and care for the state."

The task is not heavy. It is expected that Zhang Juzheng will do well, but if the Jin Party achieves even a little, it will be enough to show loyalty to the sovereign and be sufficient to remain in an invincible position.

"Bai Gui also has his weaknesses. He is skilled at plotting for the state but clumsy at plotting for himself. Since His Majesty is young, whatever Bai Gui wants to do will inevitably threaten the sovereign's authority. Chief Censor Ge, as long as you firmly grasp this point, combined with the results you achieve, you can make the Jin Party invincible." Yang Bo continued to instruct Ge Shouli.

It is not that Zhang Juzheng has no weaknesses. It is very difficult to topple him, but it is not difficult to counterbalance him. If the situation becomes unfavorable, immediately bring up the four words "threatening the sovereign's authority," and Zhang Juzheng will be unable to defend himself.

"Wang Chonggu may not be willing to listen to me." Ge Shouli thought for a moment and still chose to refuse. Even Yang Bo, the party leader, was acting so spinelessly; if Ge Shouli became the leader, who among Wang Chonggu, Zhang Siwei, or the border generals would listen to him?

Yang Bo said quite easily, "Chief Censor Ge, you are just a bit too upright. If Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei don't listen, just let Zhang Juzheng discipline them. Once they are hurt, they will naturally listen to you."

"If they are beaten to death by Zhang Juzheng, wouldn't you, as the leader of the Jin Party, then be the leader in name and in fact?"

"Ah?!" Ge Shouli stared at Yang Bo with wide, dumbfounded eyes. Are the minds of you scholars all dyed with coal? So black?!

Ge Shouli was stunned for a long time before saying, "By borrowing Zhang Juzheng's hand?"

Yang Bo said as a matter of course, "Yes, isn't this a very good method?"

"If Wang Chonggu and the others don't listen to you, you just stand by and watch. Once they are hurt, they will come back to you. A dog that gets kicked outside naturally won't roam anymore and will be willing to come back and cry. If Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei persist in their stubbornness, not only should you refuse to save them, but you should also kick them while they are down and finish them off completely. This is such a simple matter. Does Chief Censor Ge doubt that the Senior Grand Secretary can hurt them?"

"That is true, I suppose." Ge Shouli was shocked and dumbfounded, momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer.

Ge Shouli felt a sudden sense of dread and even felt that Yang Bo had become somewhat of a stranger.

He could only say that these scholars play truly dirty games!

How could a man of such great virtue speak such vicious words so calmly?

Yang Bo was teaching Ge Shouli how to be a party leader so that the Jin Party wouldn't be overthrown and everyone wouldn't end up in the Jiekuyuan (the "Dissection Court") having their hearts dug out.

Yang Bo continued, "Also, you must never fall for Bai Gui's trap. Do not take the job of the Lecture Hall! Absolutely not, you cannot handle it. I will show you the transcripts of the dialogues between His Majesty and Bai Gui, and you will understand."

Yang Bo took out the lecture transcripts copied by the Reader-in-Waiting and pointed out a few key points for Ge Shouli to see. Where Ge Shouli did not understand, Yang Bo personally provided guidance. Most importantly, regarding the part about the theory of contradictions, Yang Bo explained it very clearly.

"Chief Censor Ge, ask your conscience, can you handle it?" Yang Bo said with a face full of smiles.

Ge Shouli shook his head blankly and said, "I cannot handle it. A person should have self-knowledge. If I go, I will only be able to mumble and become a laughingstock. Better to let the Senior Grand Secretary do it."

"Let the Senior Grand Secretary do it!"

That is no lecture hall; it is clearly a den of dragons and tigers!

That question about the spear and the shield goes straight to the core of the Confucian contradiction of the Three Dynasties. Just looking at it makes one feel short of breath.

"Move to the All-Jin Guild Hall tomorrow." Yang Bo made the decision for Ge Shouli.

"I am not of the Jin Party; what would it look like for me to move to the All-Jin Guild Hall?" Ge Shouli waved his hands repeatedly.

Yang Bo laughed and said, "I have a daughter; wouldn't that make you a son-in-law of the Shanxi people?"

Yang Bo had finally married off that non-existent daughter of his to Ge Shouli, so that Ge Shouli could enter the All-Jin Guild Hall as a son-in-law of the Jin people, justified and righteous.

As for this non-existent daughter, she never existed; it was just a title.

"A gentleman can be deceived by what is right." Yang Bo said to Ge Shouli with a complex expression. Looking at the waning moon in the sky, he felt a bit emotional. His talk with Ge Shouli about counterbalancing Zhang Juzheng was actually centered around this one sentence.

Zhang Juzheng is a gentleman, so he can be deceived this way. If Zhang Juzheng were a villain, there would be no need to do this at all; he would have been won over long ago.

At nightfall, You Qi hurried to the Wenchang Pavilion, bowed to Zhang Juzheng, who was writing furiously, and said, "Sir, news has come from the All-Jin Guild Hall. They say Wang Chonggu scolded Zhang Siwei, and Ge Shouli is moving to the All-Jin Guild Hall tomorrow."

"Hmm?" Zhang Juzheng stopped his brush, frowned, and then slowly relaxed, smiling as he said, "I know."

Ge Shouli moving to the All-Jin Guild Hall meant the appearance of the first party leader not of Jin origin, and it meant the Jin Party was going to change its strategy of struggle. This was a good thing for the Great Ming, and Zhang Juzheng was very happy to see the change in the Jin Party.

He continued to write furiously. There was nothing in this world that could trouble him; the only thing that could make him scratch his head was the little Emperor.

He had to figure out the Emperor's questions so that when the little Emperor asked during the lectures, Zhang Juzheng wouldn't just be able to say: "Your Majesty, please look at the *Illustrated Mirror for Emperors*."

Zhang Juzheng already clearly understood that there are universal connections between all things and that contradictions are everywhere and act in opposition. But what is the relationship between the spear and the shield and the development of things?

The spear and the shield do not always have one side occupying the advantage.

Zhang Juzheng wrote down the three terms: Altan Khan, the Xuan-Da Guard Army, and the Jin Party. He then drew a circle around the Jin Party and wrote down the three terms: Eunuchs, Civil Officials, and Military Meritocrats. After pondering for a long time, his expression became extremely vexed.

"Where has the imperial decree to recall Hence Hai Rui to the court reached now?" Zhang Juzheng put down the pencil in his hand and looked at You Qi.

"The envoy is almost in Fujian. It will take another month to reach Qiongzhou. It will take more than four months for Hence Hai Rui to return to the capital. Sir, don't you dislike pure officials like Hence Hai Rui?" You Qi did not brew tea for Zhang Juzheng. At this hour, a cup of strong tea would mean burning the midnight oil again.

"I am now wishing he would return sooner," Zhang Juzheng said with a hint of helplessness.

The little Emperor is not easy to deal with. He needs reinforcements. It is time to bring out the ultimate weapon against the Emperor: Hence Hai Rui, Hai Gangfeng, to give His Majesty a headache or two.

Zhang Juzheng, having mastered part of the theory of contradictions, already knew the principle that heaven, earth, and man are constantly changing. When Hence Hai Rui returns to the capital, will he really aim his gun at the Emperor?

Zhang Juzheng did not think so.

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