I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Datong Town is about 900 li away from the capital.

Traveling entirely by official roads, without being in a particularly hurry, would take at least ten days.

Shen Nian plans to arrive in the capital before April 25th.

Unfortunately, it started raining as soon as he entered Hebei Province. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was continuous, making the roads extremely slippery and unsuitable for travel.

Shen Nian and her group had no choice but to stay at the East Gate Post Station in Huai'an City.

We will set off after the rain stops and the roads are dry.

Huai'an was an important transportation route connecting Datong and Xuanfu. The land was relatively barren, and a large number of government troops were stationed there.

In recent years, due to the booming trade in the north, the number of merchants in Huai'an City has gradually increased, forming many markets.

With the increase in markets, the demand for labor increased, and many local people from the lower classes gradually improved their income by working as laborers and doing small businesses.

The local people were overjoyed to hear that Third Sister had pledged her loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and promised to continue guarding the border for it.

The people here do not like war.

Once the Mongol cavalry breaches the Great Wall, this will become the second line of defense for the interior, and they will be conscripted unconditionally, with everything they possess potentially becoming military supplies.

……

On April 19th, after resting for four days in Huai'an City, Shen Nian and his party continued their journey.

One day later.

Shen Nian and his party passed through Xuanfu Town and then continued eastward, spending the night at Jimingyi.

Three days later.

Shen Nian and his party entered Huailai, crossed the Taihang Mountains, and arrived at the strategic pass leading to the capital.

April 26th, afternoon.

Shen Nian and his party arrived at Juyong Pass, only a day's journey away from the capital.

Shen Nian ordered everyone to rest at the post station and wash up properly. Tomorrow they would travel on the smooth official road, riding horses, and would easily reach Andingmen in the capital before sunset.

That evening, Shen Nian organized his memorials regarding his northern tour at the post station. He planned to submit them to the Forbidden City the next day so he could go home.

……

April 27th, near dusk.

Shen Nian and his party rode their horses into Andingmen, crossed Andingmen Street, and arrived at Chang'an Street from the northeast corner of the imperial wall.

At this moment, it was dark.

After Shen Nian ordered someone to deliver the memorials from the Northern Tour to the Forbidden City, he heard that Yin Zhengmao was still in the Cabinet, so he went straight to the Cabinet.

Zhang Jingxiu went straight to the Zhang residence to visit his father, Zhang Juzheng.

……

A moment later, in the cabinet office, Shen Nian met Yin Zhengmao.

"Elder Yin, how is my mentor... how is he now?" Shen Nian asked.

"Ugh!"

Yin Zhengmao sighed deeply and said, "I'm afraid... I'm afraid it is..."

Yin Zhengmao hesitated, but Shen Nian already knew what he meant.

"Ziheng, Uncle has instructed you not to visit him immediately after you return to the capital. Tomorrow, you should first meet with His Majesty to report on the Northern Inspection Tour. After that, I will call Rumo and Yuanyu, and the four of us will visit him together tonight. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Shen Nian nodded.

Everyone knew that Shen Nian would be Zhang Juzheng's successor.

If Zhang Juzheng were to meet with Shen Nian privately, some people would think that Zhang Juzheng would hand over his power and connections to Shen Nian.

No one wants Shen Nian to become the second Zhang Juzheng.

Immediately, Yin Zhengmao punched Shen Nian in the chest and said, "Well done on the Northern Frontier!"

……

After a while.

As soon as Shen Nian stepped out of the inner cabinet, she saw Zhang Cheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Palace Attendants, come out to greet her.

Zhang Cheng was not only not punished for his involvement in the selection of officials, but was also favored again, showing a clear trend toward becoming the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

"Grand Secretary Shen, His Majesty has issued an imperial edict!"

Shen Nian immediately knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

"Minister Shen has worked hard on his northern tour and has successfully completed his mission. I hereby bestow upon him one hundred taels of silver, two boxes of pastries, and two boxes of sweets. In addition, I order the eunuch Zhang Cheng of the Directorate of Palace Attendants to escort Minister Shen back to his residence in a carriage within the Forbidden City!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Nian said loudly.

Shen Nian was very unhappy at this moment; the young Wanli Emperor was too petty.

This move was clearly intended to prevent Shen Nian from visiting Zhang Juzheng alone and to prevent the two from having private conversations.

"Lord Shen, please. It is my honor to escort you back to your residence!" Zhang Cheng said with a smile.

In his eyes, the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao would become the relationship between Shen Nian and him.

He thought Shen Nian would say something modest, but Shen Nian just smiled faintly, then flicked her sleeves and strode forward.

……

A moment later, on the carriage.

Zhang Cheng said, "Grand Secretary Shen, although Grand Secretary Zhang is bedridden due to illness, His Majesty has dispatched several imperial physicians to treat him. Now that the weather is getting warmer, Grand Secretary Zhang should recover in a while. Grand Secretary Shen need not worry too much. If Grand Secretary Shen is still concerned, you can go to the Zhang residence with the other grand secretaries tomorrow night to visit him!"

Zhang Cheng's words were clearly an implication to Shen Nian not to visit Zhang Juzheng alone.

Shen Nian glanced at him, said nothing, closed her eyes, and leaned against the window to take a nap.

Zhang Cheng looked embarrassed and stopped talking.

……

About fifteen minutes later, the carriage arrived at the Shen residence.

Zhang Cheng ordered several junior eunuchs to unload the imperial gifts. Just as he thought he had completed his task and was about to leave,

Shen Nian called out to the Su family steward from less than ten feet away, "Aji, I won't go inside yet. Prepare the carriage; I'm going to the Zhang residence to visit my mentor!"

These words startled Zhang Cheng so much that he trembled.

He didn't believe Shen Nian was unaware of the emperor's deeper meaning in sending him home by carriage, nor did he believe Shen Nian hadn't grasped the implied meaning in his words.

Isn't this going against the emperor?

Zhang Cheng quickly cupped his hands and said, "Grand Secretary Shen, it's getting late. Isn't it inappropriate to go to Grand Secretary Zhang's house at this time?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Shen Nian countered.

Zhang Cheng's eyes darted around, and he said, "How about... how about I accompany you?"

"Accompany me? As a eunuch, it would be inappropriate for you to visit a cabinet minister's residence late at night without His Majesty's decree! Do you have a private relationship with Grand Secretary Zhang?"

"No...no...no!" Zhang Cheng hurriedly shook his head, breaking out in a cold sweat from the shock of those words.

If an eunuch had a private relationship with a cabinet minister, he would be beaten to death.

Soon, the carriage arrived in front of Shen Nian. Before getting into the carriage, Shen Nian said to Zhang Cheng, "I wasn't planning to go tonight, but... I have no choice but to go now."

As she said this, Shen Nian glanced at the carriage in the Forbidden City.

"Open and honest!" Shen Nian uttered two words, then got into the carriage.

Zhang Cheng looked helpless and had no choice but to get into the carriage and return to the palace to report.

……

soon.

Zhang Cheng arrived at the Qianqing Palace and reported his conversation with Shen Nian to the young Wanli Emperor.

Emperor Wanli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "I shouldn't have sent you. I was being petty. I know Shen Qing's temper. I will explain to him tomorrow."

Emperor Wanli wanted Shen Nian to become a loyal minister, the sharpest sword in his hand, rather than the head of the civil officials who opposed him.

He believed Shen Nian was aware of it, but he overlooked Shen Nian's temperament.

If Shen Nianruo were to abandon his post now, neither he, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, nor others could shoulder the responsibility for the two capitals and thirteen provinces.

The young Wanli Emperor was full of expectations for ruling in his own right and had very strong political ambitions.

Zhang Cheng wanted to say a few bad things about Shen Nian, but seeing Xiao Wanli reflecting on his actions, he couldn't help but shut his mouth.

If he dared to say anything bad about Shen Nian at that moment, the young Wanli Emperor would definitely slap him a few times.

……

Inside the residence of the Grand Secretary.

Led by Zhang Jingxiu, Shen Nian arrived at a bedroom and saw Zhang Juzheng lying on the bed.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng had a sallow complexion, gray hair, and was extremely thin.

His once-proud long beard, reaching his abdomen, was now withered and lusterless, a tangled mess.

He suddenly looked more than ten years older.

"My beloved teacher!" Shen Nian called out softly, her eyes immediately reddening.

Upon seeing Shen Nian, Zhang Juzheng's eyes reddened, and he said in a weak voice, "Ziheng, no... wasn't it... that I didn't want you to come?"

"It's alright!" Shen Nian smiled.

Zhang Juzheng waved to Shen Nian.

The moment Shen Nian walked to the bedside and took Zhang Juzheng's hand, Zhang Jingxiu immediately handed Shen Nian a stool.

Then, Zhang Juzheng glanced at Zhang Jingxiu. Zhang Jingxiu immediately waved for the maid to leave, and he also walked out of the room and closed the door.

Inside the bedroom, only Zhang Juzheng and Shen Nian remained.

Zhang Juzheng grasped Shen Nian's hand and said, "Ziheng, I may... I may not have much time left!"

"No...no! We'll find another renowned doctor. The two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty still need our mentor to lead the way. Our new policies have only just begun. The Ming Dynasty cannot do without our mentor, and the cabinet cannot do without him either!" Shen Nian comforted him.

"I can't do it anymore! I'm too old to hold a pen, and my mind isn't very clear either. But since you're here, I still have some things to say!"

"My dear teacher, please speak, please speak!"

"What I care about most is the new policy. Now that the new policy has just achieved some results, I am particularly worried that the policy will collapse after the person dies. And the only one in the entire court who can ensure the continued operation of the new policy is you, Shen Ziheng. For the sake of the new policy, you also need to restrain your temper. The two of us have offended too many people!"

"Given my current physical condition, even if I survive, I will certainly have to retire. After I retire, His Majesty will inevitably begin to rule personally. I have served three emperors, experiencing Emperor Shizong's diligence and laziness, and the late emperor's complete transformation before and after ascending the throne. If His Majesty rules personally, some changes are inevitable. Please try to be patient with him and do not resign in anger. In order for the new policies to continue, I can only ask you to make this sacrifice!"

"Furthermore, His Majesty hopes you will become a lone minister, but I do not wish for that. A chief minister without power or one who is sidelined will not have a good end. At present, you need to expand your power and promote more officials who are good at practical matters... During your northern tour, I have already spoken with the border generals such as Li Chengliang and Qi Jiguang. They will support you as much as they support me. Border military commanders all have some minor flaws. Please be patient with them. Without them, the border affairs will be difficult to resolve."

……

Zhang Juzheng spoke with Shen Nian for over an hour, as if he were entrusting his last wishes to her.

Shen Nian was very sad.

Without Zhang Juzheng in the imperial court, there will be no one to protect Shen Nian from harm, and Shen Nian's path ahead will be extremely difficult.

……

Late at night, Shen Nian left the Zhang residence and returned home.

Gu Yue'er, Shen Yanche, and Shen Zhiyi were all waiting for him in the front hall, and had even heated up the food for him.

None of the three complained that Shen Nian didn't go home after arriving at her door. Instead, they felt sorry for Shen Nian, who had been away on a business trip for more than three months and must have had a hard time.

……

The next day, it was nearly noon.

End of daily lecture.

Shen Nian was summoned to the Wenhua Hall by the young Wanli Emperor.

Shen Nian gave Xiao Wanli a detailed report on his inspection of military affairs in the northern border and explained San Niangzi's current stance towards the Ming Dynasty.

After praising Shen Nian, the young Wanli Emperor suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Minister Shen, I ordered Zhang Cheng to escort you home. I have no other intentions. Don't overthink it!"

"Your subject dares not!" Shen Nian said, bowing.

The young Wanli Emperor looked embarrassed, thought for a moment, and said, "Tonight, you and the other cabinet ministers should go and visit the Grand Secretary, and express my feelings. I pray for the Grand Secretary every day, and I hope that he will recover soon and return to court!"

"Your subject obeys!" Shen Nian bowed again.

"In addition, the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is also the Prime Minister's birthday. I will order the eunuchs to pray to Heaven for the Prime Minister on my behalf. You must be exhausted from this business trip. I will not assign you too many tasks these days, and you can hand over the drafting of documents to the other Grand Secretaries!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Nian bowed deeply, managing a forced smile.

Seeing that Shen Nian's expression had softened, Xiao Wanli immediately felt that Shen Nian wouldn't care about what happened yesterday and that there was still no distance between them.

……

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Dragon Boat Festival.

Emperor Wanli ordered his eunuchs to go to the altar outside the city to pray for Zhang Juzheng. In addition, because it was Zhang Juzheng's birthday, he also bestowed many gifts upon him.

On that day, Zhang Juzheng dictated the message from his sickbed, and Zhang Jingxiu wrote it down, submitting it to the emperor in gratitude.

……

For the rest of May, cabinet affairs were handled by Yin Zhengmao, Shen Shixing, Shen Nian, and Wang Xijue.

……

The fourth day of June.

As the pregnant Consort Wang of Cining Palace was growing larger and was likely to give birth in August, Emperor Wanli conferred upon her the title of Consort Gong and ordered the Ministry of Rites to select an auspicious day for the investiture ceremony.

June 9th.

News of a great victory over the invading Mongol army came from Liaodong, and the young Wanli Emperor was overjoyed, bestowing titles and rewards upon the five Grand Secretaries.

At the same time, Zhang Juzheng, whose health was deteriorating, submitted a memorial requesting to resign.

Zhang Juzheng said that his health was getting weaker and weaker, and he needed someone to help him get up. If he did not resign from his post, he would probably not be able to return to his hometown alive.

When the young Wanli Emperor saw the memorial requesting resignation, he naturally refused and then comforted Zhang Juzheng.

June 11th.

Emperor Wanli (Emperor Xiao Wanli) issued an edict to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, stating that the great victory in Liaodong was entirely due to the strategic planning of Zhang Juzheng, and immediately bestowed upon Zhang Juzheng the honorary title of Grand Tutor.

First he was appointed Grand Tutor, then Grand Preceptor.

Zhang Juzheng became the only official in the Ming Dynasty to receive two of the highest honors.

In addition to Zhang Juzheng retaining his other official positions, he received an additional 100 shi of rice per year, and his son's hereditary position as a centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard was changed to that of a deputy commander.

Such favor is reserved for only one person in the Ming Dynasty.

At this moment, no official objected to this favor, because everyone knew that Zhang Juzheng's days were indeed numbered.

June 12th.

Zhang Juzheng declined the imperial favor and requested to resign again, but the young Wanli Emperor firmly refused.

……

June 18th, afternoon.

Emperor Wanli inquired about Zhang Juzheng's health again. When he learned that Zhang Juzheng's condition had worsened and he could no longer eat even thin porridge, he had no choice but to reward him again and ordered his close attendant Fang Ping to go to Zhang's residence to deliver an oral message: "Today I heard that you are ill and cannot eat porridge. I am deeply worried. You should speak to me about this important matter of state."

These words were clearly meant to ask Zhang Juzheng to give his final instructions.

Five days prior, Zhang Juzheng had prepared his dying words to the young Wanli Emperor, which he immediately sealed and had the eunuch Fang Ping take back to the palace.

……

June 20th.

Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of Personnel, and Grand Secretary of the Hall of Supreme Harmony Zhang Juzheng died at his residence in Beijing at the age of fifty-eight.

Emperor Wanli was greatly shocked and immediately ordered a day's suspension of court.

In the cabinet duty room.

Upon hearing this news, Yin Zhengmao burst into tears and immediately submitted his prepared resignation memorial to the palace.

Without Zhang Juzheng in the cabinet, he wouldn't want to work even for a day.

Shen Nian, Shen Shixing, and Wang Xijue were also deeply saddened. After comforting Yin Zhengmao, the four of them submitted a joint memorial, praising Zhang Juzheng's achievements and earnestly requesting that Emperor Wanli bestow generous rewards upon him, thus demonstrating the court's consistent practice of treating veteran ministers with leniency.

After the young Wanli Emperor received the memorial.

Zhang Juzheng was immediately posthumously awarded the title of "Shangzhuguo" and the posthumous name Wenzhong. The court also ordered Zhang Cheng, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, to go to Zhang's residence to handle the funeral arrangements. All funeral expenses were to be borne by the court. After the mourning period in the capital was over, Zhang Juzheng's coffin was to be escorted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard back to Jiangling for burial.

At the same time, the two empress dowagers issued an edict to comfort the Zhang family and reward them handsomely.

……

When scholars and literati in the capital learned of Zhang Juzheng's death, many wept bitterly.

From the early years of the Longqing reign to the tenth year of the Wanli reign, it was this Grand Secretary who held up the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, military, commerce, and people's livelihood all saw significant improvements compared to the end of the Jiajing reign.

These changes were visible to the people of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty.

Some powerful and wealthy businessmen who suffered losses due to the new policies were very excited, but they dared not say a bad word about Zhang Juzheng in public.

Some aloof old scholars, with their hands behind their backs, said in a pretentious manner, "The weather in the Ming Dynasty is about to change, but we don't know if it will become sunny or cloudy."

……

On June 23, Chang Chao's schedule remained the same.

Emperor Wanli appointed Pan Sheng, the retired former Minister of Rites, to serve as Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and to work in the cabinet; he also appointed Yu Youding, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and in charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, as Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and to work in the cabinet.

Clearly, this was Zhang Juzheng's instruction, and the young Wanli Emperor followed it.

At the same time, Yin Zhengmao submitted three memorials requesting to resign, intending to accompany Zhang Juzheng's coffin southward.

Emperor Wanli, knowing his intentions, immediately agreed to his request.

With Yin Zhengmao gone, the position of Grand Secretary naturally fell to Shen Shixing based on seniority.

……

The next day.

Just when all the officials thought that the cabinet ministers would be fixed at five: Shen Shixing, Shen Nian, Wang Xijue, Pan Sheng, and Yu Youding, someone suddenly raised a question.

Eight officials, including Censor Lei Shizhen, Wei Yunzhen, and Wang Jiguang, submitted memorials in succession, impeaching Pan Sheng, saying that he was obsequious, had a history of corruption, and was greedy for honor and advancement, and should never be entrusted with important responsibilities.

It was very imposing.

Emperor Wanli was surprised that the censors dared to oppose Pan Sheng's entry into the cabinet in such an attitude.

After Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jing, the two newly favored eunuchs of the young Wanli Emperor, informed him that Pan Sheng had a close personal relationship with Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng and that they would continue Zhang Juzheng's intention to restrain the young Wanli Emperor, the young Wanli Emperor immediately began to waver.

At this time, Shen Shixing, who disliked Pan Sheng, submitted a memorial hoping that the young Wanli Emperor would release him and resolve the dispute.

Immediately, the young Wanli Emperor issued an edict ordering Pan Sheng to retire with a new title.

Pan Sheng was the first person to be forced to retire before even stepping into the cabinet.

This action by the young Wanli Emperor clearly violated the secret memorial left by Zhang Juzheng.

Shen Nian had a vague feeling that the Ming Dynasty was about to change.

After Zhang Juzheng's death, a number of officials will inevitably be dismissed, and a number of officials will be promoted.

Shen Nian had no objection to this situation.

But if anyone dares to slander Zhang Juzheng, criticize the new policies, or sabotage them, Shen Nian is absolutely willing to fight them to the death. (End of Chapter)