Chapter 127: The Cat and the Mouse

Is this caused by heaven or by man?
Zhu Yijun naturally asked the question even though he knew the answer. How could he not know why Zhang Siwei could not display his talents?
Those who bully Zhang Siwei know best where Zhang Siwei is feeling most aggrieved right now.

Zhu Yijun even asked this question openly. Siwei, who do you think should be blamed for this?
Is it God's will?
There is only one sky in the Ming Dynasty, and that is me! Isn't the will of heaven the will of the saints?

So, you, Zhang Siwei, mean to blame me?

If this isn't holding grudges, then what else is holding grudges?
The executioner is waiting!
Is that human will?

Your father broke the law and was executed.

Instead of reflecting on himself, Zhang Siwei blamed others.

If you harbor resentment, you will be attacked by executioners!
Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Siwei quietly, waiting for his response.

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

"Heaven and earth are not kind, and treat all things as straw dogs. The fate of all people in the world is full of ups and downs and hardships, and I am no exception."

"Mencius said, 'When Heaven bestows a great responsibility upon a man, it must first make him suffer. If a minister wishes to display his talents to the fullest, he must be tested by Heaven's will.'"

"This is what is called the will of heaven."

"As for people's will..."

Zhang Siwei sighed and seemed to reveal his true feelings when facing the emperor.

He choked up and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

"I come from a merchant family. Although I have learned from the saints and feel the kindness of Your Majesty, I still have a crude heart."

"The strife of factions divides people according to their own views."

"My petty mind has inadvertently deceived my father. My father, for my own selfish desires, seized a lot of wealth, which led him astray and colluded with the Tatars, thus violating the law of the country."

"Your Majesty! I am unworthy of being your subject and unworthy of being your son!"

After saying this, tears streamed down his face.

Loyal ministers and filial sons are beyond reproach.

Even when he bowed his head again, there was a clarity in his lowered eyes, as if it came from the bottom of his heart!
After receiving the news that his father was brutally murdered by Tan Lun, Zhang Siwei found it hard to believe for the first few days.

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

It was not until several days later that Zhang Siwei finally came to his senses.

The grief was like a dam bursting, suddenly surging, and in an instant tears flowed like rain, crying heart-wrenchingly.

It was also during these few days that he began to feel resentful towards the emperor and thought about how to take revenge on Tan Lun. He even harbored a bit of hatred towards his own uncle Wang Chonggu.

He cried bitterly at night and acted recklessly during the day.

He firmly opposed all the emperor's wishes and resolutely blocked all the cabinet's proposals.

He connected with colleagues from the six ministries, the Ministry of Rites, and the Censorate, and gathered colleagues from various schools and local communities.

Zhang Siwei didn't know what to do.

Perhaps he was numbing his own grief.

Or perhaps, it is to alleviate the feeling of being powerless over the unjust death of his father.

This went on for several days.

It was not until Shi Maohua and Huo Ji came to him in person to give him gentle advice; it was not until Wang Chonggu warned him to think twice before acting; it was not until Yang Bo's letter arrived, saying that he had collected his father's body and hoped to return home as soon as possible to bury his father himself.

What's worse, his uncle, father-in-law, uncles, and good friends who were still in Shanxi all wrote to him, urging him to return home as soon as possible.

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

He seemed to have understood something.

Thank you behind closed doors.

He no longer contacted his students, old friends, and fellow villagers, but instead sat in his house for days, neither sleeping nor eating, meditating and practicing Zen.

It was also at this time that Zhang Siwei realized a truth - he was helpless within the emperor's rules and regulations.

The villagers will be informed of the benefits, and the in-laws will be divided and disintegrated by the emperor.

Now no matter what I want to do, I am completely powerless.

Yang Tinghe had extensive connections in the court and the support of the empress dowager, but when faced with the young emperor who was succeeded by a vassal prince, he still could not win the debate on ceremony and was finally demoted to a commoner.

Xia Yan was the Prime Minister, but Emperor Shizong ordered him to be executed. Even a high-ranking official did not have the dignity he deserved.

Gao Gong was once so powerful, but with just one imperial edict, he was sent to Nanzhili to be a pawn by the emperor who had just ascended the throne a few days ago. Now he is still guarding the Shanghai Maritime Customs, reduced to a dog guarding a household.

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

Now the emperor has a deep prejudice against me, and in order to prevent me from entering the cabinet, he even frames and kills loyal officials.

What could Zhang Siwei do against such a vicious emperor even if he had connected with his students, old friends, and fellow villagers?

The reason why the emperor was slightly wary of him at the beginning was that the soldiers of Xuanda were favored by his uncle, and the third wife of Tuman Khan also had a close relationship with his uncle.

Now that he, the chief of the Jin Party, had been humiliated, his uncle, who was in charge of military affairs, remained indifferent.

Now that the purse and the weapons are separated, doesn't that mean Zhang Siwei is at the mercy of the emperor?

Be it the central government or the cabinet, how can one beat the banker in someone else's game?
After understanding this level.

Zhang Siwei felt as if the clouds had cleared and the sun had come out, and everything was suddenly clear.

I made up my mind immediately.

The next day, he washed his face and shaved again, put on his clothes, and walked out of Zhang's house.

Zhang Siwei went to Wang Chonggu in person.

He sincerely admitted his previous rudeness and tried his best to mend the rift between him and Wang Chonggu.

He then took the initiative to mention his mother, Wang Chonggu's sister, and her grief after losing her husband, and advised Wang Chonggu to write a letter back to comfort her.

After Wang Chonggu agreed, Zhang Siwei still held his uncle's wrist and sighed, expressing his grief, and the two families sympathized with each other and mourned together.

Finally, Zhang Siwei bowed sadly before leaving - as the saying goes, an uncle is like a father, and now that his father is dead, his uncle is the only one he can place his emotions on.

Every time I call you uncle, it’s so sincere.

Wang Chonggu was very happy to see that his nephew and his family had put aside their estrangement and reconciled, so he asked Zhang Siwei to stay and sleep with him that night.

The next day, Zhang Siwei visited the Minister of War Shi Maohua, the Right Censor-in-Chief Huo Ji, the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple Luo Fengxiang, and even the Editor of the Hanlin Academy Wang Jiaping in turn.

He spent all the surplus wealth in the capital and entrusted everyone to expand the Quanjin Guild Hall so as to provide accommodation for the candidates from the Three Jins who would come to Beijing for the imperial examinations next year.

Even in his retirement memorial, he praised Tan Lun for his impartiality in enforcing the law and asked the emperor not to reprimand him.

Since Zhang Siwei has come to this point, how could he show any resentment?
At this moment, he briefly forgot what he looked like before.

When he entered the palace to meet the emperor, he only had the emperor and the Ming Dynasty in his heart. He, Zhang Siwei, was a loyal minister!

"Zhang Qing, you are too serious."

Zhu Yijun was a little surprised for a moment when he saw Zhang Siwei's loyalty to the country.

It seems that my actions have brought about some changes.

I just don't know whether Zhang Siwei's change is a change of heart or a stronger transformation to the dark side.

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

Zhu Yijun was amazed in his heart, and gestured to Zhang Siwei to stand up.

He told Zhang Siwei not to be too sad. Although his father was gone, he still had a wife, children and brothers to support. He must take care of his health. He told Zhang Siwei to be safe on the road as the whole family was returning to Shanxi.

I don’t know if there is any other meaning in it, but Zhang Siwei was so ignorant that he didn’t hear it.

He just kept thanking him profusely: "Thank you for your care, Your Majesty. My eldest son is still studying in the capital and will not return home with me."

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

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Siwei deeply.

This move not only maintained his relationship with Wang Chonggu, but also showed his loyalty to the emperor - it was rumored outside that Zhang Siwei was resentful, but now Zhang Siwei still placed his wife and children at the feet of the emperor, which showed that he had a simple mind.

If this had happened in the past, it would really be something Zhang Siwei would not have been able to do.

Zhu Yijun suppressed his thoughts and said slowly, "It's a good thing that Qilin'er is interested in the imperial examination, but Zhang Qing has many children and may not be able to take care of them all."

"In the past year or so, you have been compiling the records of my father with great diligence, and you are about to succeed."

"I will use this merit to reward one of Mr. Zhang's sons, and make him the Minister of Shangbao Temple."

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

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

"This time my father violated the law of the country, and it implicated many people. The iron smelting plant my father operated in Yangcheng County produced nearly 100,000 kilograms of iron per year, and I don't know how much of its output fell into the hands of the Tatars."

"I request that this iron smelting plant be handed over to the Xuanda Governor's Office, and that Governor Tan conduct a thorough inspection to avoid missing any enemy activity!"

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

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

What does it mean to produce nearly 100,000 kilograms per year?
The imperial court produced iron, and the quota for Shanxi was 1,146,917 kilograms.

This means that Zhang Siwei’s iron smelting plant alone is worth 10% of Shanxi’s government-owned iron tax!
It is worthy of being a privately owned iron smelter, and it is truly thriving.

Zhang Siwei, ah Zhang Siwei, if you were so sensible earlier, why would there be so many troubles?
After Zhang Siwei finished speaking, he lowered his head and waited for the emperor's reply.

He looked calm on the surface, but he was nervous in his heart.

When the emperor asked that question just now, he truly felt the murderous intent!
If I make even the slightest mistake in the interview today, I will be doomed.

In order to show that he had no resentment in his heart, he gave earnest advice and analyzed himself.

He had even stood in the emperor's perspective and examined himself for several days beforehand, so he could say such insincere words as "Zhang is always concerned about his own factional views and is divided among his fellow villagers".

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

Even when the emperor wanted to keep another son as a favor, he pretended to be ignorant and agreed without hesitation.

In order to express his obedience to the emperor, he almost begged to give the emperor an ironworks with an annual output of 100,000 kilograms.

This little bit of wealth was a drop in the bucket for him, but at this moment, it might be able to save his life! He had already done this.

If the emperor still insists on his own way and kills people without reason, the price he pays will surely be high!
He believed that the emperor would not do this. This was also the truth he had learned from examining everything from the emperor's perspective in recent days - as long as the cost of breaking off relations was greater than the cost of maintaining stability, no ruler would choose the latter.

as predicted.

After a brief silence in the hall.

The little emperor finally spoke: "You have made repeated requests, and I have heard your sincere wishes. Later, I will send the Ministry of Revenue and the Shanxi Provincial Censor to go back to Shanxi with you to count the funds for the iron smelting."

Zhang Siwei's anxious heart finally relaxed.

He took a deep breath, maintained his composure, and acted out his final act: "Your Majesty, you have allowed me to atone for my father's sins. This is truly a great favor from heaven. I am deeply grateful!"

This time, the emperor said nothing more.

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

Zhang Siwei thanked the emperor and said goodbye, bending over to face the emperor, then slowly backed away and left the hall.

When he reached the entrance of the palace, he stood up, turned around and left Wanshou Palace.

It was not until I was dozens of steps outside the Wanshou Palace that I heard the sound of a bronze chime coming from inside the palace. The sound was distant, crisp, and its meaning was unclear.

Zhang Siwei stopped and listened for a moment, without any transition 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 safely to Shanxi!
At this moment, I just feel like I’m reborn!
If the emperor's farm is in the center, then Zhang Siwei's farm is in Xuan Da!

As long as he stays in Xuan Da, relying on the chambers of commerce that cover the Three Jins, and relying on the relationship between Wang Chonggu in the cabinet and Shi Maohua in the Ministry of War, it is only a matter of time before the governor Tan Lun is driven away or sidelined!

Then, little by little, just like what Wang Chonggu had done in the past, he turned Altan Khan into his own use and made him his assistant.

Even raising assassins.

They even recruited and trained Jurchens.

They even organized a literary poetry society and secretly formed a clique...

Doing business, forming associations, taming bandits, and raising tigers are all essential!

By then.

Whether the little emperor fell into trouble or he made a comeback - he didn't believe that the emperor could hide in the Western Garden for the rest of his life.

It is better to be an uncrowned king in Shanxi and wait for the right time - the country has been in existence for more than 200 years, and its reign is only a few decades.

Zhang Siwei’s life and death will no longer be in the hands of others!

He can sit on the chessboard too!

Zhang Siwei turned around and took a deep look at the Wanshou Palace.

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

At this moment, it is like a captive bird returning to the forest, no longer bound by the cage!
……

Wait until Zhang Siwei leaves.

Zhu Yijun looked at the direction Zhang Siwei left, slowly stood up, and waved away the eunuchs and the Secretariat.

He walked gently in the center of the hall, standing where Zhang Siwei had just stood, and said softly, "Zhang Siwei's character and behavior in such a short period of time have really impressed me. It's like he has been reborn!"

The little emperor stood in the empty hall, with his hands behind his back, and seemed to be talking to himself.

But apparently not.

Suddenly, an old voice sounded behind the little emperor: "Your Majesty, did you believe Zhang Siwei's hypocrisy?"

Xu Jie slowly walked out from behind the screen, stood behind the emperor, and gave a reminder.

Zhu Yijun shook his head without even turning his head: "No, I just expressed my feelings."

"It would be inappropriate to kill an important official without any reason if we didn't arrest him directly. Otherwise, we wouldn't have started with his father."

After hearing what the emperor said, Xu Jie's face showed a trace of sadness for some reason, as if he was thinking of his second son.

The little emperor is really cruel and ruthless.

Fortunately, he has a good disciple, otherwise his fate would be no different from Zhang Siwei's.

Xu Jie thought about it for a while, then he calmed down and said, "That's right. Zhang Siwei went to Wang Chonggu to apologize for his crime these days, and he also gave away all his wealth and went around various government offices. It's obvious that he was preparing for the possibility of your Majesty turning against him."

Zhu Yijun sighed: "It's mainly Wang Chonggu."

"He was indifferent to Tan Lun killing Zhang Yunling, but he certainly could not accept that I killed Zhang Siwei."

"I feel relieved after this blow. The Three Jins are really going to be in chaos."

The Jin Party is connected by interests, and they know all these things very well.

We all have a scale in our hearts to judge what is beneficial when we compromise and what will harm long-term interests when we compromise.

Otherwise, would outsiders really think that Wang Chonggu was honest and could not see Zhang Siwei's little thoughts, and was so honest that he would let him sleep with his feet up?

Do it for the emperor to see!

Not only Wang Chonggu, but also if he really did something that violated political rules like killing a minister without authorization.

The Minister of War Shi Maohua, the Vice Minister of Rites Ma Ziqiang, and the Right Censor-in-Chief Huo Ji, these people were ready to turn against him at the first opportunity.

Even the rest of the Nanzhili Township Party, the Qin Party and other messy people began to have different ideas.

The situation of mutual tolerance for the country that was created with great difficulty can be turned into disunity in the blink of an eye.

The situation is intertwined and one move can affect the entire body.

Xu Jie naturally understood this truth, but he couldn't help but feel it was a pity: "If he leaves, there will be no shortage of disputes in the Three Jins."

Zhu Yijun chuckled: "I know what he is thinking."

"It's just a way to kill yourself."

Are you kidding? You, Zhang Siwei, are playing development with me. Who else can compare to us?

Zhu Yijun did not mind temporarily tolerating Zhang Siwei and leniently favoring the Jin Party in order to buy time to butcher the ox.

Not to mention the pretentious destiny of a time traveler, he is a dignified ruler, the cabinet is becoming more united, the six ministries are gradually getting along for the sake of the country, and the capital's army is prospering day by day.

What's more, there is a distinction between the emperor and his subjects. As long as he can find evidence of Zhang Siwei's guilt and shut Wang Chonggu up, he can carry out the punishment according to the law.

Even if we take a step back, you, Zhang Siwei, haven't lived as long as I have.

All in all, the advantage is with me!

Zhu Yijun shook off Zhang Siwei from his mind and looked at Xu Jie: "Let's talk business. Has the official system of the academy been drafted?"

Xu Jie bowed and took out a memorial from his sleeve: "According to your majesty's previous suggestions, I have revised it again. Your majesty, please take a look."

Zhu Yijun nodded and took it from Xu Jie.

He moved his waist and shoulders while flipping through the pages quietly.

The little emperor was halfway through reading when the tranquility in the palace was broken again.

Li Jin hurried in from outside.

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

Zhu Yijun did not even raise his head and said calmly, "Did the court discussion produce any results?"

Ma Ziqiang had already entered the cabinet in history, and it was obvious that he was not a person who was indifferent to fame and fortune.

Nowadays, if a Minister of Rites is allowed to go out, he must get benefits before doing the job.

But unexpectedly, Li Jin shook his head and took out a memorial: "Your Majesty, it is not a court discussion, but a memorial from Huguang Hai Rui and Li Zaiting."

After that, Li Jin added: "The Jinyiwei secretly reported it to the capital and sent it directly to the palace."

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

It is obviously not convenient to report secretly through the Jinyiwei channel in public.

At this point, I'm afraid it's only Chu Fan's business that matters.

He opened the memorial, and the few large characters on the first page caught his eye.

Xu Jie came over and watched.

The old man is now spoiled and arrogant, and is quite unrestrained in the palace.

As soon as Xu Jie took the first look, he was shocked and said, "A cat for a prince?"

Zhu Yijun glanced at him and said nothing.

He turned to the next page and muttered, "I thought Zhang Chucheng had offended the royal family because of the mining tax. These people are used to lawlessness, so they want to kill people to vent their anger."

“Who knew it was because of something like this!”

Then he said in an amazed tone: "They were all made into knives by King Dong'an! It's really true that those who are old and unwilling to die are thieves!"

Xu Jie choked for a moment, and then felt relieved when he saw that the emperor had no intention of targeting him.

He also couldn't believe it: "I said that the former King of Chu couldn't even get out of bed half a year before his death."

"When this person died, five posthumous children suddenly appeared."

"At the time, there were embarrassing rumors in the streets, saying that this posthumous child might not be the King of Chu's, and the Chu government even arrested people several times to dispel the rumors."

"Now it seems... the truth comes out only after the rumor is dispelled!"

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

He closed the memorial.

Xu Jie was still thinking about this drama and couldn't help guessing, "I don't know which one belongs to Prince Dong'an."

He said meaningfully, "All five are posthumous children, how can we tell them apart? For the sake of the purity of my Zhu family's bloodline, we should demote them all to commoners. I can do nothing about the expulsion of the Chu vassal state for such a thing."

Xu Jie glanced at the emperor and reminded him, "After all, this is the vassal of Taizu's descendants."

Zhu Yijun echoed, "Yes, the Prince of Dong'an is truly guilty of heinous crimes, and his death is not a pity!"

(End of this chapter)