Chapter 128

128. Chapter 127: Looking at the Wind and Pointing, Replacing the Prince with a Civet Cat

Is this heaven's doing, or man's?

Zhu Yijun was naturally asking what he already knew; why Zhang Siwei could not exert his talent, how could he not know?

The person who bullied Zhang Siwei knew best where Zhang Siwei was most frustrated now.

Even Zhu Yijun asked such words openly, Siwei, you say who is to blame for this?

Because of heaven's will?

The Ming Dynasty only has one heaven, and that is me! Heaven's will, isn't it the holy will?

So, what you mean, Zhang Siwei, is that you are blaming me?

Isn't this harboring resentment, what else is harboring resentment?

Executioners, serve!

Because of man's will?

Your father violated the national law, so he was executed according to the law.

Zhang Siwei didn't reflect well, and actually blamed others.

Harboring resentment, executioners, serve!

Zhu Yijun quietly watched Zhang Siwei, waiting for his response.

After a long while, Zhang Siwei kowtowed again and slowly said: "Your Majesty, this is both heaven's heart and man's will!"

"Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs; everyone's life path has bumps and obstacles, and I am no exception."

"Mencius said, when heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it must first suffer his heart and will; if I want to fully display my talent, I must have the test of heaven's heart."

"It is generally like this; this is truly what is called heaven's heart."

"As for man's will..."

Zhang Siwei sighed, facing the Emperor, seemingly revealing his true feelings.

He choked: "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

"I was born in a merchant family, although I learned the Sage's learning and felt Your Majesty's virtue, I still have a vulgar heart."

"Greedy for the view of the sect, and busy with the separation of the party."

"My villainous heart inadvertently bewitched my father. In order to satisfy my private desires, my father seized wealth on a large scale, which led him astray, communicating with the Tatars, and violating the national law."

"Your Majesty! I am unworthy as a subject, unworthy as a son!"

After speaking, tears flowed, and he cried bitterly.

A loyal subject and a filial son, nothing to criticize.

Even when he kowtowed again, the lowered eyes were clear, as if they came from the bottom of his heart!

After Zhang Siwei received the news that his father had been framed and killed by Tan Lun, for the first few days, he just felt unbelievable.

In a trance, his thoughts were calm, even like a spring breeze, and he dealt with his colleagues with a calm expression.

Until a few days later, Zhang Siwei's emotions finally came back.

The grief was like a broken dam, suddenly surging, and tears flowed down in an instant, crying heart-rendingly.

It was also in these few days that he harbored resentment toward the Emperor, pondered how to retaliate against Tan Lun, and even toward his own uncle Wang Chonggu, he harbored a trace of hatred.

He cried all night and was unscrupulous during the day.

Whatever the Emperor meant, he firmly opposed; whatever the Cabinet drafted, he firmly obstructed.

He gathered colleagues from the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and the censors, and gathered like-minded people from various schools and parties.

Zhang Siwei didn't know what he was doing either.

Perhaps it was to numb his grief.

Or perhaps, it was to alleviate the powerlessness of his father's unjust death.

He tossed and turned like this for several days.

Until Shi Mao Hua and Huo Ji personally visited to persuade him tactfully; until Wang Chonggu warned him to think twice; until Yang Bo's letter arrived, saying that he had collected his father's corpse and hoped he would return home early to preside over his father's burial.

Even more, his uncles, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, and friends in Shanxi all wrote letters, urging him to return home early.

At a certain moment, Zhang Siwei finally came back to his senses.

He seemed to have realized something.

He closed his door and refused guests.

He no longer gathered students, old friends, or scholars, but sat alone in his mansion for several days, without sleep or food, meditating.

It was also at this time that Zhang Siwei realized a truth—within the Emperor's rules, he was helpless.

The party will be persuaded by profit, and the in-laws will be divided and disintegrated by the Emperor.

Now, whatever he wanted to do, he was completely powerless.

Yang Tinghe had deep roots in the court and had the help of the Empress Dowager, but facing the young Emperor who succeeded to the throne, he still couldn't win the Great Rites Controversy and was finally demoted to a commoner.

Xia Yan was the Chief Minister, but the Shizong Emperor executed him as soon as he said so; he didn't even have the dignity he should have had as a high official.

Gao Gong was once so prominent, but with an edict, he was sent to Nanzhili to be a vanguard, and now he is still guarding the Shanghai Customs, reduced to a watchdog.

If the Chief Minister is like this, what about him, Zhang Siwei?

Now the Emperor has a deep prejudice against him, and in order to prevent him from entering the Cabinet, he even framed and killed a loyal official.

Such a vicious Emperor, even if he, Zhang Siwei, gathered students and old friends, what could he do?

At the beginning, he could make the Emperor slightly afraid because the soldiers in Xuanda received the grace of his uncle, and the San Niangzi of the Tumet Khan also had a close relationship with his uncle.

Now that the big manager of the Jin Party was humiliated, but his uncle who held military power remained indifferent.

The money bag and the sword were separated, so wouldn't he, Zhang Siwei, be at the mercy of the Emperor?

Whether it is the central government or the Cabinet, how can you play against the dealer in someone else's game?

After thinking about this layer.

Zhang Siwei was like seeing the sun through the clouds, suddenly enlightened.

He also immediately made a decision.

The next day, he washed his face, shaved his beard, put on his clothes, and walked out of the Zhang mansion.

Zhang Siwei personally visited Wang Chonggu.

He apologized for his previous rudeness with sincere feelings and repaired the rift between him and Wang Chonggu as much as possible.

Then he took the initiative to mention his mother, Wang Chonggu's sister, and her grief after becoming a widow, and urged Wang Chonggu to write a letter back to comfort her.

After Wang Chonggu agreed, Zhang Siwei grabbed his uncle's wrist and sighed, stating his grief, and the two families sympathized with each other.

Finally, when Zhang Siwei left, he bowed down sadly—the so-called uncle is like a father; now that his father is dead, he only has his uncle to entrust his feelings to.

Every word "uncle" was sincere.

Seeing his nephew cast aside the rift with his family and return to good terms, Wang Chonggu was relieved and kept Zhang Siwei to sleep together that night.

The next day, Zhang Siwei visited Shi Mao Hua, the Minister of War, Huo Ji, the Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief, Luo Fengxiang, the Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and even Wang Jiaping, the compiler of the Hanlin Academy, in turn.

He scattered his floating wealth in the capital and entrusted everyone to expand the All-Jin Guild Hall, so as to provide accommodation for the candidates from the three Jin who would come to the capital for the examination next year.

Even in his resignation memorial, he was still praising Tan Lun for enforcing the law impartially and asked the Emperor not to reprimand him.

Since Zhang Siwei had done this, how could he show any resentment?

At this moment, he briefly forgot what he looked like before.

When he entered the palace to see the Emperor, he only had the Emperor in his heart, and only the country and society of the Ming Dynasty; he, Zhang Siwei, was a loyal subject!

"Zhang Qing's words are heavy."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Siwei's loyal and patriotic appearance and was surprised for a while.

It seems that his actions have brought about some changes.

It's just that I don't know if Zhang Siwei's change is a change of heart, or if he has become stronger by turning black.

At least judging by Zhang Siwei's attitude and behavior at this time, it was really impeccable.

Zhu Yijun wondered in his heart, but signaled Zhang Siwei to stand up on the surface.

He instructed Zhang Siwei not to be too sad; although his father was gone, he still had his wife and children to support, and he must take care of his body, and he must pay attention to safety on the way back to Shanxi, and so on.

Whether there was any other meaning, I don't know, anyway, Zhang Siwei was simple and ignorant and didn't hear it.

He just thanked him a thousand times: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care. My eldest son still wants to study in the capital, so he will not return to his hometown with me."

"I have already entrusted my wife and children to my uncle's care, so there will be no hindrance."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Siwei even more deeply.

This move not only maintained the relationship with Wang Chonggu but also showed his loyalty to the Emperor—everyone outside spread that Zhang Siwei harbored resentment, but now Zhang Siwei left his wife and children at the Emperor's feet, which shows his simple heart.

If this were changed to before, it wouldn't look like something Zhang Siwei could do.

Zhu Yijun pressed the thoughts in his heart and slowly said: "It is a good thing that the Kirin child wants to take the imperial examination. However, Zhang Qing has many children, and he may not be able to take care of them all."

"For more than a year, Qing has been compiling the Veritable Records of my Imperial Father, working diligently, and it is about to be completed."

"I will use this merit to shade one of Zhang Qing's sons as the Minister of the Court of Imperial Regalia."

Zhang Siwei bowed without hesitation: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Your Majesty treats me like a heart, which makes me feel ashamed!"

"This time my father violated the national law and was involved in a wide range of cases. The iron smelting plant operated by my father in Yangcheng County has an annual output of nearly 100,000 catties, and I don't know how much of its output flowed into the hands of the Tatars."

"I request to hand over this iron smelting plant to the Xuanda Viceroy's Office, to be counted and investigated by Viceroy Tan, so as not to miss the enemy situation!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Yijun sat up straight and leaned forward subconsciously.

This is not handing it over to Tan Lun, this is bribing the court!

What is the concept of an annual output of nearly 100,000 catties?

The country's iron quota in Shanxi is 1,146,917 catties.

This means that Zhang Siwei's iron smelting plant alone is worth one-tenth of the iron tax of Shanxi's official property!

It is worthy of being a private iron smelting plant, it is truly prosperous.

Zhang Siwei, oh Zhang Siwei, if you had been so sensible earlier, there wouldn't have been so many incidents.

After Zhang Siwei finished speaking, he lowered his head and waited for the Emperor's reply.

His face was calm, but his heart was uneasy.

He felt the murderous intent in the Emperor's question just now!

The dialogue in the hall today, if one step goes wrong, it will likely be a disaster.

In order to show that he had no resentment, he was earnest in his remonstrance and analyzed himself.

Even standing from the Emperor's perspective to examine himself for several days, he was able to say that he, Zhang, was "greedy for the view of the sect, and busy with the separation of the party," such insincere words.

In order to respond to rumors and appease the Emperor's murderous intent, he even left his wife and children in the capital, under the Emperor's nose.

Even when the Emperor used the grace of shade as an excuse to leave another son, he pretended to be ignorant and agreed without hesitation.

In order to express his submission to the Emperor, he almost begged to give an iron plant with an annual output of 100,000 catties to the Emperor.

A little floating wealth is a drop in the bucket for him, but at this moment, it might save his life!

He had done this to this point.

If the Emperor still insisted on killing him for no reason, the price he would pay would certainly not be small!

He believed that the Emperor would not do this; this is also the truth he realized by standing from the Emperor's perspective to examine everything recently—as long as the price of tearing his face is greater than the price of maintaining stability, no ruler will choose the latter.

Sure enough.

After a brief silence in the hall.

The little Emperor finally opened his mouth: "Qing has pleaded again and again, I have understood your loyalty, and I will issue a note to the Ministry of Revenue and the Hai Yushi of Shanxi Road later to return to Shanxi with you to count the assets of the iron smelting plant."

Zhang Siwei's heart, which was hanging, finally slowly relaxed.

He took a deep breath, maintained his final calm, and acted out the final play: "Your Majesty's permission for me to atone for my father is truly a great grace, and I am deeply grateful!"

This time, the Emperor did not speak again.

He just waved his hand, signaling the end of today's conversation.

Zhang Siwei thanked him and resigned, bent his waist to face the Emperor, retreated slowly, and left the hall.

When he reached the hall entrance, he straightened up, turned around, and left Wan Shougong.

Until he was dozens of steps out of Wan Shougong, he heard the sound of a copper chime from the hall, distant and crisp, with an unclear meaning.

Zhang Siwei stopped to listen for a moment, and there was no turning point like "stay."

He finally closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Today, he took the most difficult step and was finally able to return to the three Jin safely!

At this moment, he only felt like a rebirth!

If the Emperor's game is in the central government, then his game is in Xuanda!

As long as he sits in Xuanda, relying on the Chamber of Commerce that wraps the three Jin, and relying on the relationship between Wang Chonggu in the Cabinet and Shi Mao Hua in the Ministry of War, Tan Lun, this Viceroy, will be driven away or sidelined sooner or later!

And little by little, like what Wang Chonggu did at the beginning, turn Anda Khan into his own use and lead him as an arm.

Even raising dead soldiers.

Even recruiting and training Jurchens.

Even holding literary alliances and poetry clubs, secretly forming cliques...

Doing business, forming societies, raising bandits, raising tigers, none can be missing!

At that time.

Whether it is the little Emperor falling into the water and he making a comeback—he doesn't believe the Emperor can hide in the West Garden for a lifetime.

Or being an uncrowned king in Shanxi, waiting for the time—the country has been around for more than two hundred years, and there are only a few decades left.

Zhang Siwei will no longer have his life at the mercy of others!

He can also sit on the chessboard!

Zhang Siwei looked back and took a deep look at Wan Shougong.

He waved his sleeves, strode forward, and turned away.

At this moment, it was like a bird returning to the forest, no longer bound by nets and cages!

After Zhang Siwei left.

Zhu Yijun looked at the direction Zhang Siwei left, slowly stood up, and waved away the inner officials and Zhongshu Sherens.

He paced lightly, walked to the center of the hall, stood in the position where Zhang Siwei had just stood, and said softly: "Zhang Siwei's character and behavior in such a short period of time really make me look at him with new eyes; he is truly like a rebirth!"

The little Emperor stood in the empty hall, standing with his hands behind his back, seemingly talking to himself.

But clearly not.

Abruptly, an old voice sounded behind the little Emperor: "Your Majesty doesn't believe Zhang Siwei's fake appearance, right?"

Xu Jie slowly walked out from behind the screen, stood behind the Emperor, and reminded him.

Zhu Yijun didn't look back and shook his head: "Not really, just feeling emotional."

"Not taking him down directly, it's really not easy to kill a heavy official for no reason, otherwise I wouldn't have started with his father."

Hearing the Emperor's words, Xu Jie's face inexplicably revealed a trace of grief, seemingly thinking of his second son.

The little Emperor is truly ruthless.

Fortunately, he has a good disciple, otherwise his end would be about the same as Zhang Siwei's.

Xu Jie thought wildly for a while, and then restrained his expression: "That's true, Zhang Siwei has been looking for Wang Chonggu to plead guilty these days, and he has scattered his floating wealth, and he has been to all the prefectures, clearly guarding against the Emperor turning his face."

Zhu Yijun sighed: "Mainly Wang Chonggu."

"He was indifferent to Tan Lun killing Zhang Yunling, but he must not accept me killing Zhang Siwei."

"If this knife goes down, I will be happy, but the three Jin will really be in chaos."

The Jin Party is connected by interests, and these things are calculated clearly.

What things have benefits in compromise, what things have long-term interests damaged in compromise, they all have a scale in their hearts.

Otherwise, outsiders would really think Wang Chonggu is honest, can't see Zhang Siwei's little thoughts, and honestly sleep with him?

It's for the Emperor to see!

Not just Wang Chonggu, once he really makes a move that violates political rules like killing ministers,

Minister of War Shi Mao Hua, Minister of Rites Ma Ziqiang, Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Huo Ji, these people will turn against him for the first time.

Even the rest of the Nanzhili party, the Qin party, and so on, will all have different hearts.

The situation of mutual tolerance for the country that has been painstakingly created will be separated and alienated in an instant.

The situation is intertwined, and one hair affects the whole body.

Xu Jie naturally understood this truth, but couldn't help but feel a pity: "If he goes, I'm afraid there will be no shortage of right and wrong in the land of the three Jin."

Zhu Yijun laughed: "His thoughts, how can I not know."

"Just seeking his own death."

Just kidding, you Zhang Siwei are playing with development with me, who are you playing with?

Zhu Yijun doesn't mind tolerating Zhang Siwei for the time being and favoring the Jin Party to win time for dissecting the ox.

Not to mention the empty talk of the transmigrator's destiny, he is the dignified master of ten thousand, the Cabinet is increasingly concentric, the Six Ministries are gradually tolerating each other for the country, and the Beijing Camp is increasingly prosperous.

Not to mention the distinction between monarch and subject, as long as he catches Zhang Siwei's criminal evidence and can block Wang Chonggu's mouth, he can punish him according to the law.

Taking a step back, you Zhang Siwei don't live as long as I do.

In short, the advantage is with me!

Zhu Yijun shook off Zhang Siwei in his mind and looked at Xu Jie: "Let's talk about business, has the official system of the academy been finalized?"

Xu Jie bowed and took out a memorial from his sleeve: "According to the Emperor's previous suggestions, I have revised a version, please take a look, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun nodded and took it from Xu Jie.

While moving his waist and shoulders, he read it quietly.

The little Emperor was halfway through when the silence in the hall was broken again.

Li Jin walked in hurriedly from the outside.

Xu Jie did not retreat, but stood beside the Emperor and looked curiously.

Zhu Yijun did not look up and said lightly: "Is there a result in the court deliberation?"

Ma Ziqiang entered the Cabinet in history, clearly not a person who is indifferent to fame and wealth.

Now that a Minister of Rites has been promised, he must take the benefits and do things.

However, unexpectedly, Li Jin shook his head and took out a memorial: "Your Majesty, it is not the court deliberation, it is the memorial of Hai Rui and Li Zaiting from Huguang."

After speaking, Li Jin added: "The secret memorial of the Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the capital and was sent directly to the palace."

Zhu Yijun was startled, put Xu Jie's matter aside, and took the memorial from Li Jin's hand.

Through the secret memorial of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it is clearly an inconvenient matter to see people.

At this time, I am afraid it is only the matter of the Chu fief.

He opened the memorial, and the first few large characters that caught his eyes tightly attracted his gaze.

Xu Jie leaned on the side and followed to look.

The old man is now spoiled and arrogant, and he has a bit of a style of not sticking to small details in the palace.

As soon as Xu Jie saw the first glance, he was stunned: "Replacing the Prince with a Civet Cat?"

Zhu Yijun glanced at him and didn't say anything to him.

He turned to the next page and murmured: "I thought Zhang Chucheng offended the clan because of the mining tax; these people are lawless and wanted to kill to vent their anger."

"Who knew it was because of this kind of thing!"

Then he said in an exclamation tone: "Actually, they were all used as knives by the Prince of Dong'an! Truly, old and not dying is a thief!"

Xu Jie choked, seeing that the Emperor was not targeting him, and felt relieved.

He was also unbelievable: "I said, half a year before the late Prince of Chu died, he couldn't even get out of bed."

"Within half a year after this person died, five posthumous sons were born one after another!"

"At that time, there were embarrassing rumors in the marketplace, saying that these posthumous sons might not be the Prince of Chu's, and the Chu Prefecture even caught people to refute the rumors several times."

"Now it seems... refuting the rumors makes it true!"

Zhu Yijun read ten lines at a glance and finished quickly.

He closed the memorial.

Xu Jie was still savoring this big play and couldn't help guessing: "I don't know which one is the Prince of Dong'an's."

He said meaningfully: "All five are posthumous sons, so it's hard to distinguish. For the purity of my Zhu family bloodline, let's reduce them all to commoners. I have no choice but to abolish the Chu fief for this kind of thing."

Xu Jie looked at the Emperor and reminded: "After all, it is a fief established by the Founding Emperor's descendants."

Zhu Yijun echoed: "Yes, the Prince of Dong'an is truly guilty of heinous crimes and deserves to die!"