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

Chapter 32 I Have Three Strategies
Is this kid keeping me in suspense again?
After waiting for a while, Zhang Juzheng noticed that his youngest son was still not speaking.

Helplessly, he added, "Tell me about it."

Zhang Juzheng spoke first, and Zhang Yunxiu then began to speak eloquently, gesturing and explaining as he wrote on the manuscript paper.

"One reason I started this newspaper is to unify public opinion and inspire the power of the common people to drive reform. The gentry and powerful will not support us."
Secondly, to develop productive forces, we must first expand the market, solve the problem of displaced people, and find new grain varieties. With more grain, the people will be well-fed, which will liberate productive forces. At that time, we can develop handicrafts, the farmers will be well-fed, and the country will also make money.”

Thirdly, "no destruction, no construction." Gradually discarding outdated conventions, and once productivity increases, the court will have the energy to develop commerce, and overseas trade will shift internal conflicts and economic crises to external forces.

Zhang Yunxiu said with piercing eyes, "In this way, it is not wishful thinking to recreate the Guangwu Restoration and extend the Ming Dynasty's reign for another two hundred years!"

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu's smug expression with his hands on his hips, Zhang Juzheng sighed, clearly losing interest, and said helplessly.

"Is it that same old idea of ​​opening up the sea for business and searching for ancient ginseng again?"

Zhang Juzheng felt it was impractical, which is a normal thought for someone from ancient times.

In his time, Zhang Juzheng was indeed a remarkable figure, but he was ultimately limited by the constraints of his era.

Tell him to use sweet potatoes to increase grain production, reduce famine, and stabilize farmers.

Using steam engines to drive industrial development, create jobs, develop the military, integrate displaced people to carry out economic colonization in the Northeast, Southwest and Southeast Asia, transfer land annexation conflicts, and dilute border power.

Use financial tools to improve public finances and support reforms.
Increase productivity, expand the means of production, and form a virtuous cycle.

Can he understand?

So Zhang Yunxiu didn't explain further, but instead cupped his hands and said.

"It's all up to human effort, Father. How do you know I can't do it?"

His only hope was to gain the other party's support.

Zhang Juzheng did not give a direct answer. His gaze was deep, as if he was thinking all the time. Finally, he exhaled, as if he had put down a heavy burden.

He said it somewhat abruptly.

"The Qingliu faction is not monolithic, nor are the gentry and powerful. Your newspaper will inevitably infringe upon their interests, so be careful."

Zhang Yunxiu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, realizing that his father was giving him some pointers.

"I know, kid."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes were lined with wrinkles as he looked at the flickering candlelight in his study and sighed.

"His Majesty is a man of great loyalty and righteousness. He intends to use the newspapers, but he also intends to cultivate you. Learn from my past mistakes, and you should pay close attention."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Juzheng continued.

"Write down what you said today in an article and show it to me."

"Don't worry, Father."

Zhang Yunxiu was overjoyed.

This clearly shows that Zhang Juzheng did not agree, but he also did not object to him trying!
"besides."

As he got older, Zhang Juzheng felt he was becoming more and more long-winded, but he still couldn't rest easy if he didn't say anything.

"The difficulty in governing the world lies not in enacting laws, but in ensuring their enforcement. I hope you will put your bold words into practice!"

"I will certainly live up to my father's high expectations."

Zhang Juzheng looked at his increasingly robust young son and a smile appeared on his lips.

The youngest son is somewhat absurd, and some of his ideas are far-fetched, but he is still young after all. The critical thinking ability he has shown in today's conversation far surpasses that of his older brothers.

Given time, he might really become a prodigy!
Zhang Juzheng made up his mind that he would definitely find time to properly educate his youngest son in the future.

A rare encouraging smile appeared on his face.

"From now on, the future of the Zhang family depends on you."

"That's enough for now. You should go back and rest. I'll handle some more official documents."

Zhang Juzheng was old and unwell. After speaking for so long, he was exhausted and immediately wanted to send Zhang Yunxiu away.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the table; it was the memorial that You Qi had just delivered. Historically, Zhang Juzheng was still handling state affairs even on his sickbed, which shows how diligent he was.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but offer some advice: "Father, your health..."

"Don't mention it again!" Zhang Juzheng said sternly, then waved his hand and said, "I will be careful. You can go back now."

"Alright." Knowing he couldn't persuade the other party, Zhang Yunxiu could only cup his hands in farewell and prepare to leave.

But just as he was about to leave, Zhang Juzheng called him back.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu's puzzled look, Zhang Juzheng smiled and pointed to the picture of immortals above his head.

"Take it; it's yours from now on."

"Father?" Zhang Yunxiu stopped and looked at the painting of the "Source of Evil," which hadn't even been warmed up in the hall yet.

Zhang Juzheng revealed a magnanimous expression and said, "Just as you said, this painting of immortals is useless in the study. It would be better to give it to you to start a newspaper for the benefit of the country and the people. You have done a very good job in the matter of newspapers."

This picture of immortals is the share of money your father mixed into that newspaper for you.

If you make any money in the future, don't forget to share it with me.

Wrong is wrong, right is right; there is punishment for wrongdoing and reward for rightdoing.

This has always been Zhang Juzheng's philosophy.

Zhang Yunxiu was overjoyed, delighted that the newspaper had gained Zhang Juzheng's approval. He patted his chest and said.

"Father, rest assured, my business is all about integrity, and you will receive what you are entitled to."

Zhang Juzheng felt that these words were strange, but he still didn't say anything.

Then, after thinking for a moment, he said with a rather mischievous expression.

"I heard your fourth brother also has some shares in the newspaper?"

Zhang Yunxiu paused for a moment, then stammered, "Fourth Brother... that..."

He can't lie; matters like phantom shares are easy to investigate.

"Humph!"

Zhang Juzheng snorted coldly and cursed.

"Zhang Jianxiu, that good-for-nothing rebellious son, is always acting ridiculously!"

Compared to Zhang Yunxiu, this fourth son is even more absurd and worthless.

Zhang Juzheng said without hesitation, "It would be a waste to leave these shares to him. You should also transfer his shares to my name, since these were originally my money."

I wipe?

Zhang Yunxiu was startled and immediately expressed sympathy for his fourth brother.

But there was nothing he could do; his father had spoken, and he could only sympathize with his older brother.

Just as he was about to leave, Zhang Yunxiu thought for a moment and turned back, looking intently at his father.

Zhang Juzheng had just picked up a memorial when he frowned immediately: "What is it now?"

Zhang Yunxiu was a little embarrassed and asked in a low voice.

"If I hadn't shown up today, how did Father intend to handle the events at court?"

The officials in the court were aggressive, especially Wei Yunzhen, who was willing to risk his life to bring down Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Yunxiu would never believe that his father, Zhang Juzheng, would be someone who would sit idly by and wait for his death.

Zhang Juzheng remained silent for a while before finally explaining to his youngest son: "Wei Yunzhen and even the ministers in the court are known for their erudition. Haven't most of them written books and expressed their opinions on state affairs? Obtaining this evidence is not difficult."

Zhang Yunxiu shuddered: "If I hadn't intervened today, what did Father intend to do?"

(End of this chapter)