Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 100 My brother also got dysentery! (5600)

Inside the study in the backyard.

Zhang Maoxiu frowned in thought, his heart unable to find peace for a long time.

Finally, Zhang Juzheng, who had been leaning against the headboard, spoke up.

"But do you understand now?"

Zhang Maoxiu tensed up. Over the years, he had studied the Four Books and Five Classics diligently and had also observed his father handling state affairs, so he had learned a lot from what he saw and heard and considered himself not a pedantic person.

He was at least more agile than his eldest brother Zhang Jingxiu, and more knowledgeable than his fourth brother Zhang Jianxiu. As for his fifth brother...
He had considered all sorts of things, but he never expected to be rendered speechless by his fifth brother, Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Maoxiu had to admit that these words had touched him and even made him realize something.

In Buddhist terms, could this be called "enlightenment"?
For a moment, the image of the child who used to run behind him happily when he was little came to mind, but Zhang Maoxiu could not reconcile the two.

He turned to look at his younger brother, finally sighed, and nodded to Zhang Juzheng.

"I only have a superficial understanding."

He finally understood why his father, Zhang Juzheng, had told him to go back and study the matter carefully; it seemed he wasn't joking.

Is this younger brother really a monster?

Zhang Juzheng continued to instruct his three sons, saying, "At that time, it is certainly good that you usually study the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections. However, now that you are training in the Hanlin Academy, you must not forget the principle of applying knowledge to practical use in governing the world."

Go forward, learn more from your younger brother.

In the past, people could say that Zhang Yunxiu was all talk and no action, but now that he has established Renmin Medical Hall and helped the people of the whole city, who can still say that he is all talk and no action?
To be honest, Zhang Juzheng secretly felt a sense of satisfaction.

He used to be completely refuted by Zhang Yunxiu, losing face in front of his sons.

Seeing the third son, who was once the top scholar, in such a state, I have an indescribable feeling.

As a father, I am not one to gloat.

Seeing Zhang Maoxiu's distraught appearance, Zhang Juzheng gently waved his hand and said.

"You should go back first. I'll talk to your younger brother about something else."

"Yes." Zhang Maoxiu bowed respectfully as if by instinct.

As he passed by Zhang Yunxiu, Zhang Maoxiu paused slightly, raised his hand and gently patted his younger brother's shoulder, sincerely praising him.

“My brother is the splendid son of the Zhang family.”

These words were spoken very sincerely and from the bottom of their hearts.

"???"

But to Zhang Yunxiu, it sent chills down his spine, as if a thousand-pound burden was pressing down on him.

After Zhang Maoxiu left, Zhang Juzheng glanced at his youngest son, who was standing in the hall looking somewhat uneasy, and said something.

"Come and sit down."

Zhang Yunxiu sat obediently on the edge of the bed. When he saw the memorials by the bedside, he couldn't help but frown and say something.

"Why doesn't Father take this opportunity to rest for a while? Grand Secretary Shen is there to maintain order in the court. The sky won't fall even if Father is gone."

The plague treatment plan has been in effect for more than half a month, and the opposition that existed earlier has gradually subsided under Zhang Juzheng's various methods.

At least on the surface, everything seems to be stable.

More than these things, Zhang Yunxiu was concerned about Zhang Juzheng's health.

Historically, Zhang Juzheng's health began to decline in the ninth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, and he finally passed away after the tenth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign.

Clearly, this entire year can be made up for.

But it seems that Dad has a strange confidence in his own body.

"Don't mention these things. I know my own body is in good condition. Right now, there are more important matters to attend to."

After speaking, he turned slightly to the side and pulled out a book from under his pillow. The book was a little old, with the edges slightly curled up, indicating that it was frequently read.

Zhang Juzheng gently opened it, handed it to Zhang Yunxiu, and said.

"Take a look at this."

Zhang Yunxiu looked puzzled, reached out and took the book. When he saw the title on the cover, his brows furrowed even more.

Discourses on Salt and Iron.

Zhang Juzheng said somewhat abruptly: "In the first year of the Tianhan era, Emperor Wu of Han followed Sang Hongyang's theory and implemented the policies of state monopoly on salt and iron and equalization of transport and price levels, which earned the Western Han court a large amount of revenue. Only then was Emperor Wu of Han able to conquer all directions. This book fully describes the principles of governing the world and benefiting the people, and is an important reference for the new policies and reforms."

"What does Father mean?" Zhang Yunxiu was still a little confused.

“A few days ago I sent my annotated edition of the ‘Discourses on Salt and Iron’ to the palace but received no response,” Zhang Juzheng said, squinting his eyes.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but chuckle. If this were in later generations, he would think Zhang Juzheng was being overly sensitive, like a "resentful woman." The emperor was just "reading but not replying," why was he overthinking it?

However, things are very different in the court now, and I wonder if it was the bad precedent set by the old Taoist Jiajing.

In today's imperial court, every word and action between the emperor and his ministers is over-analyzed.

Just two months ago, when Emperor Wanli only showed a slight resistance and aversion to Zhang Juzheng, some people in the court seized the opportunity to take risks.

Therefore, when Zhang Juzheng sent him the "Discourses on Salt and Iron," the fact that Emperor Wanli had read it but not replied was, in Zhang Juzheng's view, a very important signal.

Zhang Yunxiu frowned. He quickly flipped through the "Discourses on Salt and Iron" and noticed some notes. He realized that Zhang Juzheng seemed to have a rather profound understanding of economics.

It makes sense. If Zhang Juzheng was completely ignorant of the principles of governing the country and benefiting the people, how could he have implemented policies such as land surveying and the Single Whip Law?
The ancients were much smarter and more capable than later generations imagined; they simply lacked a systematic methodology and a correct research direction.

Seeing his father's notes, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but have a bold idea: perhaps he could get his father to study economics?

It's not the right time yet; perhaps we can try it once the plague is over.

But Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Have you and His Majesty become as close as brothers lately?"

"What do you mean by that, Father?"

Zhang Yunxiu said with an embarrassed expression.

"I merely offered His Majesty some insignificant advice, in a rather tactful manner."

Zhang Juzheng stared intently, then sighed, shook his head, and said.

"I understand you young people even less now." Zhang Juzheng used to think that he had everything under control, whether it was the emperor or his son.

The emperor will eventually become a wise ruler and continue the cause of new policies and reforms.

His son will also become a virtuous and learned scholar-official, continuing to contribute to the Ming Dynasty.

Unexpectedly, things didn't go as planned. He could control the opposition in the court, but he couldn't teach a single good student.

Zhang Juzheng was originally full of confidence, but after Zhang Yunxiu suddenly appeared and the emperor rebelled by "neglecting his duties", he slowly began to doubt himself.

Zhang Yunxiu raised an eyebrow: "Father is worried that His Majesty will not support the subsequent reforms?"

Even in times of peace, one should be mindful of potential dangers. With the situation in the capital improving somewhat, Zhang Juzheng began to think about what would happen after the plague was resolved.

"Hmm?" Zhang Juzheng looked at his youngest son, knowing that there was something more to his words.

“Don’t worry,” Zhang Yunxiu said, patting his chest. “His Majesty has already found the true meaning of his life through me. The implementation of the new policies will not be hindered. The only variable is that you, Father, need to take good care of your health.”

Zhang Juzheng did not notice the warning in his youngest son's words, but shook his head and said.

"You do not understand emperors."

Zhang Yunxiu's eyes shone brightly: "Father doesn't understand His Majesty."

If we were to say who understood the Wanli Emperor best in the world, besides himself, it would be Zhang Yunxiu.

"you"

Zhang Juzheng was taken aback, but didn't know how to refute the other party, so he could only say something meaningful.

"Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish, and so is assisting an emperor. You must be cautious and meticulous."

Now, in front of the Wanli Emperor, it was clear that Zhang Yunxiu's words carried far more weight than those of the Grand Secretary Zhang.

However, Zhang Yunxiu ignored Zhang Juzheng's words and changed the subject.

"The noble families and officials are getting restless, but Father doesn't seem worried at all?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at his young son, shifted his position almost imperceptibly, exhaled a long breath, a ferocious expression flashed across his face, and he spoke in a low voice.

"It's nothing to worry about; compared to the disputes in the court, it's nothing but fleeting smoke."

His Majesty's wishes are of utmost importance; there is no need to worry about them.

His voice revealed a calm and composed demeanor honed through years of experience in officialdom.

They're very good at grasping the main contradictions.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but mutter a few complaints to himself.

It's likely that Zhang Juzheng, this "old monster" who had been navigating the officialdom for many years, had already made arrangements to deal with it.

Thinking this way, he temporarily put aside his doubts.

As he was about to leave, Zhang Yunxiu looked at the area under his father's body with some suspicion, and tried to speak with concern in a serious tone.

"Father, has your dysentery recovered?"

Zhang Juzheng's face stiffened for a moment: "Don't mention this matter again. The gallnut soup you mentioned a few days ago did have some effect. I have been cured by the medicine."

Instead of worrying about these trivial matters, you should help more people in the capital. This would accumulate good karma for the Zhang family and do your part for the court.

Zhang Yunxiu silently complained to himself, "It was this 'minor illness' that cost you your life in history."
Faced with Zhang Juzheng's stubborn temper, they could only nod helplessly.

"Father, please take care of yourself. I'll be heading back to Renmin Medical Clinic now."

Zhang Juzheng sat up straighter and said with a stern expression.

"Go."

After leaving the study, before he had taken two steps, a person darted out from the courtyard.

"Third Brother, you haven't left yet?"

Zhang Yunxiu looked at Zhang Maoxiu with some suspicion. He was hiding furtively in the bushes, covered in grass clippings, and looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Fifth Brother, how did your talk with Father go?"

"How did the conversation go?" Zhang Yunxiu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes... has my brother mentioned anything to Father about taking care of his health?" Zhang Maoxiu's expression was as if he were constipated.

He wanted to tell Zhang Yunxiu the truth directly, but Zhang Juzheng repeatedly warned him against it.

He even told Zhang Maoxiu that if he dared to tell Zhang Yunxiu, he would disown him as his son.

Given Zhang Maoxiu's rule-abiding nature, it was truly difficult for him to disobey his father's instructions.

But he was also extremely anxious about Zhang Juzheng's condition.

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the other person with increasing suspicion, frowned, and deliberately said, "If there is nothing else, brother, I will take my leave first."

This statement made Zhang Maoxiu even more anxious.

In desperation, he suddenly came up with a solution that satisfied both sides. He gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and spoke up.

"I've heard that you are a skilled physician, my brother. I have recently been suffering from dysentery, and it is even more severe than when my father was sick. I wonder if you have any effective remedies to cure me and relieve my suffering?"

Zhang Yunxiu, who had already turned around, suddenly stopped. His head turned back mechanically, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Zhang Maoxiu as if he were a monster.

He looked her up and down, his eyes full of suspicion.

Zhang Maoxiu blushed and hurriedly defended himself, saying, "Since ancient times, scholars who spend long hours at their desks have often suffered from this ailment, so it is not a strange thing for them to get it."

Zhang Yunxiu knew exactly what was going on, but he didn't expose it. He suppressed his laughter and said in a serious tone.

“Dysentery is difficult to cure. In that case, brother, please tell me what symptoms you usually have, so that I can prescribe medicine for you.”

"I"

Zhang Maoxiu was speechless for a moment.

　One more chapter

　　
　
(End of this chapter)