The rise of the poor

That evening, in Xu Jie's study, Xu Jie was discussing the current political situation with Zhang Juzheng, who had come to pay him a visit.

“Master Xu, I don’t understand why you recommend Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan. The Yan faction is eyeing the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan, plotting to seize military power and consolidate their faction’s position. If they get their way, the Yan faction’s power will be even greater than before, and they will be able to control everything. At that time, we upright officials will probably find it even harder to stand firm.”

Zhang Juzheng asked, puzzled.

At today's court assembly, Xu Jie surprisingly recommended Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan, which greatly puzzled Zhang Juzheng.

If Xu Jie privately expressed to Yan Song and others that he supported Zhao Wenhua's succession as Governor-General of Jiangnan, that would be fine.

Alternatively, it could be that it wasn't Xu Jie who recommended Zhao Wenhua, but rather someone from Yan's faction who recommended him to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan, and Xu Jie then echoed and supported him; that would also be understandable.

However, before Yan's faction could even speak, Xu Jie took the lead in recommending Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan. Zhang Juzheng was puzzled by Xu Jie's enthusiasm and could not approve of his actions.

"Hehe, Uncle, who decided on the successor to the governor?" Xu Jie chuckled and asked.

"Of course it's His Majesty," Zhang Juzheng replied without hesitation.

Xu Jie then asked, "Then let me ask you again, if I don't recommend Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan, will Yan Song and others recommend Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan?"

“They will naturally recommend Zhao Wenhua to succeed him. They want to seize military power, and this is the best opportunity.” Zhang Juzheng replied without hesitation. This was beyond doubt; the Yan faction would definitely push Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan.

"Hehe, Uncle, do you believe it or not? If I recommend Zhao Wenhua to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan, then Zhao Wenhua will definitely not be able to succeed."

Xu Jie said with a confident expression.

"what?"

Zhang Juzheng opened his mouth in surprise. What did Xu Shi mean? Why did Xu Shi say that if he recommended Zhao Wenhua to succeed as governor, Zhao Wenhua would definitely not be able to succeed.

"Why?" Zhang Juzheng asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, Uncle, you need to think about the reasons carefully. Once you've figured them out, then tell me."

Xu Jie smiled slightly, but did not give Zhang Juzheng an answer. Instead, he told him to go back and ponder it slowly. Once he figured out the answer, he could come back and explain it to him. This was to train Zhang Juzheng's political sensitivity and political analysis ability.

“Yes, Master Xu.” Zhang Juzheng understood that this was Xu Jie’s good intention, so he nodded in agreement.

Zhang Juzheng poured Xu Jie a full cup of tea and then asked with a humble expression, "Master Xu, if Zhao Wenhua cannot succeed him, then who will succeed him as Governor-General of Jiangnan? The Japanese pirates in Jiangnan are becoming increasingly serious. It is impossible to suppress them without the Governor-General of Jiangnan. This position is of utmost importance. Jiangnan cannot be without a Governor-General for even a day."

"It depends on the game theory, but one thing is certain."

"Master Xu, what point can be confirmed?"

"That means the successor to the Governor-General of Jiangnan cannot be a member of the Yan faction, but it also cannot be a member of the Qingliu faction. The Yan faction is powerful, while the Qingliu faction is weak. This successor is most likely a centrist who leans towards the Yan faction."

"Why couldn't it be the Yan faction, or the Qingliu faction?"

"You need to carefully consider this point, to understand the thoughts of those in power, and to grasp the strategy of checks and balances. This will greatly benefit you in the future."

"But, Master Xu, if he is neither a member of the Yan faction nor a member of the Qingliu faction, what support will he have in the court after he takes office as Governor-General of Jiangnan?! He is not a member of the Yan faction, so the Yan faction will not support him; he is not a member of the Qingliu faction, so the Qingliu faction will not give him their full support. With neither side supporting him, how can he secure the position of Governor-General?! Even if he takes office, with obstacles on both sides and no strong support, how can he fulfill his responsibilities as Governor-General?!"

“Indeed, it is commendable that you can see this point. Therefore, this successor will inevitably be a sacrifice, unable to hold the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan, and will be dismissed within a few months of taking office due to his lack of achievements.”

In a question-and-answer session, Zhang Juzheng and Xu Jie predicted the successor to the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan in just a few words.

"Then the next governor-general can't possibly be someone who isn't a member of the Yan faction or a member of the Qingliu faction, can he?" Zhang Juzheng sighed.

Neither a member of the strict party nor a member of the upright faction, such a governor-general cannot effectively exercise his power and wastes his time.

"That's hard to say. It depends on His Majesty's decision. However, at most, there will be another selection of centrists. If that fails, in order to advance the overall campaign against the Japanese pirates, the successor will inevitably be a member of the Yan faction or a member of the Qingliu faction. It depends on the power struggle. The Yan faction is powerful, so a member of the Yan faction is more likely to succeed him." Xu Jie narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly.

"Master Xu, I wonder if Zihou has a chance?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

After Zhu Ping'an was demoted to Jiangnan, Zhang Juzheng felt sorry for him. However, Zhu Ping'an was not defeated, but rose to higher positions step by step based on his merits.

Now, Zhu Ping'an is the governor of Zhejiang. The day before yesterday, he presented the emperor with two white turtles and ambergris as auspicious gifts.

The Emperor was overjoyed. Having not left the Western Garden for a long time, he specially took two white turtles to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer incense and comfort his ancestors. Not only that, the Emperor also held a special fasting ceremony to appeal to Heaven.

Zhu Ping'an has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and presented auspicious omens. Does he have a chance to succeed Zhu Ping'an as the highly coveted Governor-General of Jiangnan?
Zhang Juzheng's feelings were complex; he felt envy, even jealousy. After all, Zhu Ping'an had entered officialdom later than him, making him his junior. Yet, Zhu Ping'an's achievements far surpassed his own. Moreover, Zhu Ping'an's victories in eliminating Japanese pirate strongholds in southern Zhejiang and his presentation of auspicious omens had clearly earned him considerable favor with the Emperor. Zhu Ping'an was certain to advance further, and it wasn't impossible for him to become the Governor-General of Jiangnan. If Zhu Ping'an were to ascend to the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan, how could Zhang Juzheng, as his senior, not feel envy and jealousy? After all, he was not the Emperor.

Of course, if one had to choose between Yan's faction and Zhu Ping'an to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan.

Zhang Juzheng was more inclined to support Zhu Ping'an.

If Zhu Ping'an succeeds as Governor-General of Jiangnan, Zhang Juzheng will be envious or even jealous, but if Yan's faction succeeds as Governor-General of Jiangnan, Zhang Juzheng will hate him.

When Yan's faction succeeded him as Governor-General of Jiangnan, they extended their reach into military power. With military power, Yan's faction was invincible.

The Yan faction already wielded considerable power; if they were to gain military control, they would truly be all-powerful.

The Yan faction, with its absolute power, was unimaginable. One dared not imagine how arrogant they would be, how they would eliminate dissidents, how they would disrupt the court, how they would frame loyal officials, how they would sell official positions, or how chaotic and corrupt they would become in the Ming Dynasty. (End of Chapter)