The rise of the poor

The turmoil in the West Garden brewed for a few more days. The memorials impeaching Zhu Ping'an disappeared, but the memorials impeaching Zhang Jing increased significantly. Papers flew into the West Garden like snowflakes, piling up into a thick stack.

However, Emperor Jiajing only had Zhao Wenhua's impeachment memorial discussed in the Wuyi Hall, but nothing came of it.

The atmosphere became strange for a moment.

Xu Jie's residence, study.

Xu Jie was writing a poem at his desk, while Zhang Juzheng ground ink for him, the faint scent of ink wafting through the study.

“Master Xu, the Yan faction has been attacking Lord Zhang relentlessly recently, their intention to seize military power is obvious. If they succeed, the Yan faction will truly have absolute power. We must find a way to protect Lord Zhang.”

Zhang Juzheng said softly.

"Uncle, the only one who can protect Zhang Jing is Zhang Jing himself," Xu Jie said slowly as he wrote the memorial.

"How can Lord Zhang protect himself?" Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment, not understanding.

“I have already sent a message to Tingyi through Fei Nu. As long as he does as I say, he will surely be able to turn danger into safety,” Xu Jie said slowly.

Zhang Juzheng's face was full of incomprehension and curiosity.

Seeing the confusion and curiosity on Zhang Juzheng's face, Xu Jie smiled slightly and put down his writing brush. "Actually, there's nothing mysterious about it. He just needs to submit a memorial to the Emperor, truthfully reporting what he has done since assuming the post of Governor-General. Tingyi is a capable and efficient official. He must have worked tirelessly day and night to suppress the Japanese pirates. The Emperor appointed him as Governor-General because he values ​​Tingyi's ability and sense of responsibility. As long as Tingyi reports truthfully to the Emperor, the Emperor will understand after seeing his report, and Tingyi's crisis will naturally be resolved."

"Tingyi has been in office as governor for eleven months, yet he has not fought a single battle, nor quelled a single Japanese pirate, nor even submitted a single memorial to the emperor. Zhao Wenhua and others have repeatedly impeached and attacked him. It should be known that three men can make a tiger, and many mouths can melt metal. His Majesty's trust in Tingyi has been shaken."

"However, as long as Tingyi can submit a memorial to the emperor as soon as possible to report on his actions since taking office and his strategy for eliminating the Japanese pirates, he can still regain the emperor's trust."

"In this respect, Tingyi is far inferior to Zihou. Zihou has only been the governor of Zhejiang for a little over two months, but he has already submitted three memorials, not to mention the secret memorials he submitted. Besides Zihou's continuous reports of victories, this is also the reason why the emperor trusts him. Therefore, those memorials impeaching Zihou were kept in the emperor's hands and not issued. Even those who maliciously attacked Zihou were investigated by the secret police. If Tingyi had half of Zihou's ability, no, even thirty percent, he wouldn't be in this crisis today. In this respect, Uncle, you should also learn from Zihou."

Zhang Juzheng and Zhu Pingan were both students whom Xu Jie greatly admired, which is why Xu Jie explained things to Zhang Juzheng.

"I see, thank you for your guidance, teacher." Zhang Juzheng suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly, thanking Xu Jie profusely.

Xu Jie smiled and waved his hand, pointing to the half-finished poem on the table, "Hehe, if Uncle wants to thank me, why don't you help me with this poem? Poems are all-encompassing; if you study them carefully, you will benefit immensely."

"I'm glad you don't mind, Master Xu," Zhang Juzheng said, stepping forward.

Emperor Jiajing was fond of Taoist alchemy and the pursuit of longevity. He frequently held religious ceremonies in the palace, and on each occasion, he would order court officials to draft sacrificial texts, known as "qingci" (青词). Emperor Jiajing favored officials skilled in writing qingci, and many officials gained favor and rose through the ranks because of them.

Yan Song is a typical example. The fact that Yan Song was able to hold the position of Grand Secretary for so many years was largely due to the contributions of the Qingci (a type of official document) written by him and his eldest son, Yan Shifan.

It is no exaggeration to say that in the power center of the Jiajing reign, "qingci" (a type of official document) was the hard currency and the equivalent of the eight-legged essay.

If you can write Qingci (a type of lyric poetry), rising through the ranks is not a dream; if you write it well, Qingci can help you achieve great success.

Zhang Juzheng was also an ambitious man, and naturally he was very interested in writing Qingci (a type of petition for officials). He even tried writing Qingci at home in private.

While Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng were engrossed in writing the Qingci (a type of Buddhist prayer), a series of hurried footsteps could be heard outside.

"Dong dong dong."

Immediately afterwards, a knock sounded at the door, and the butler's voice came from outside, "Master, there is an urgent matter to report."

"Come in." Xu Jie put down his brush and told the steward to come in and report, upon hearing that he had something urgent to report.

"Master, Master, Zhang Jing's memorial has arrived and has been submitted," the steward reported as he entered.

This was an order from Xu Jie, instructing the steward to closely monitor Zhang Jing's whereabouts through various channels. Once any of Zhang Jing's memorials arrived in the capital, the steward was to report to him immediately. This matter was of great importance and could not be taken lightly.

Xu Jie was, after all, the second-ranking minister, and naturally he had his own information channels in the capital. Although he was not as well-informed, omniscient, or powerful as Yan Song, he could still keep out the slightest disturbance in the capital.

"Great!" Zhang Juzheng exclaimed excitedly, punching his fist in celebration when he heard from the steward that Zhang Jing's memorial had arrived.

Lord Zhang's memorial has finally arrived. Although it's a bit late, it's not too bad; it's still in time.

Lord Zhang had served as Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, suppressed the Yao ethnic rebellion, and even sent troops to punish Annam, forcing the Annamese prime minister, Mo Dengyong, who had murdered the king and declared himself emperor, to apologize to the court and pay tribute. After assuming the post of governor-general, Lord Zhang certainly did not fear the Japanese pirates as Zhang Wenhua and his ilk claimed, nor did he absurdly support them for his own gain or allow them to harm the country. To eradicate the Japanese pirate threat in Jiangnan, Lord Zhang undoubtedly worked tirelessly, day and night, devising strategies, training troops, and deploying resources.
As Master Xu said, once His Majesty reads Zhang Jing's memorial, he will surely understand Zhang Jing's actions and will not be deceived by Zhao Wenhua and others.

The great cause of suppressing Japanese pirates in Jiangnan could not have been accomplished without Lord Zhang.

Of course, we must not allow Yan's faction to gain control of the military, otherwise they would truly become lawless.

"It is indeed wonderful! Lord Zhang has achieved a great victory, a great triumph at Wangjiangjing. In one battle, more than 2,300 Japanese pirates were beheaded, and countless others drowned or perished. Only the Japanese chieftain Xu Hai led less than a thousand pirates and fled back to his lair in Tuolin in a sorry state," the steward recounted with great enthusiasm.

The small flags announcing the victory were carried out as people ran and shouted praises of the great victory at Wangjiangjing, which is why the steward was able to know what was written in the memorial.

"Excellent!" Zhang Juzheng was even more excited, repeatedly punching his fist in the face. "It's a report of a great victory! This is even better!"

at the same time.

"It's over!" Xu Jie's brush fell with a thud onto the half-written petition, his face showing a look of utter dismay.

"What's over?! What's wrong, Master Xu?!" Zhang Juzheng was stunned when he saw Xu Jie's expression of utter dismay.

what happened? !
What's wrong with Xu Shi?! Zhang Jing sent the news of the great victory at Wangjiangjing—isn't this great news?!

Didn't Zhao Wenhua say that Lord Zhang was afraid of the Japanese and refused to fight, wasting public funds and harming the people, and supporting the Japanese to increase his own power?!
Now, who is afraid of the Japanese and refuses to fight, wasting resources and harming the people, and supporting the Japanese to enhance their own power?! Lord Zhang has won a great victory!
But how did Teacher Xu finish speaking?!
Zhang Juzheng looked puzzled and incredulous, not understanding why Xu Shi was reacting this way with the good news so close at hand. (End of Chapter)