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

Chapter 6 You wouldn't want Xiang'er to be ridden by someone, would you?

"Hey! Fifth brother, you stole Dad's immortal painting? You're going to be the death of Dad! Then even your four older brothers won't be able to plead for you!"

Upon learning the truth, the fourth brother, Zhang Jianxiu, was filled with remorse and regret, as if he himself had committed a terrible crime.

Zhang Yunxiu ignored him and said with a sharp look in his eyes.

"Stop arguing, Fourth Brother, just tell me if you're willing to do it or not. As long as you help me sell this painting, we'll split the profits 30/70, and you'll get 3,000 taels, enough for you to go to the brothel and have a good time."

He squinted, knowing that his fourth brother, though outwardly very proper, actually spent most of his monthly allowance on the pleasures of the women in the brothel.

"No! Young man, this is utterly disrespectful, the behavior of a spendthrift!"

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu shook his head repeatedly.

“That’s ten thousand taels of silver!” Zhang Yunxiu emphasized.

"No way!" Zhang Jianxiu declared, his expression one of unwavering defiance.

Zhang Yunxiu lost his patience and slammed his hand on the table, saying, "Zhang Sizhe, don't think I don't know that you and Xiang'er from the Jiaofangsi are deeply in love. You often patronize her business and still owe my elder brother a hundred taels of silver! Believe me or not, I will tell Father about this and make sure you lose both your money and your lover!"

"Hey!"

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu jumped up like a rooster with its feathers standing on end. He had practiced martial arts since childhood and was burly, looking like the crowing Zhang Fei from the play.

"Fifth brother, if you dare to do this, we will no longer be brothers!"

Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and said, "Fourth brother, think about it. Father has been busy with state affairs and hasn't been to that study for years. It's always been us brothers who have been using it. If we secretly replace it with a fake, who would know?"

"But."

"There's no 'but' about it. Fourth Brother, think about Xiang'er from the brothel. Don't you want to redeem her? Do you want to watch her being ridden by other men every day?"

"You guy!"

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu almost lost his temper again; the phrase "being ridden by other men" really pierced his heart.

Although Xiang'er was a prostitute, Zhang Jianxiu still was.
Zhang Yunxiu stopped wasting words, pushed the painting of immortals aside, and said with a forced smile.

"I'll leave everything to Fourth Brother. I'll take my leave now."

Regardless of whether his fourth brother Zhang Jianxiu agreed or not, he left the calligraphy and painting on the table and walked outside on his own.

Just as Zhang Yunxiu reached the door, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"and many more!"

At this moment, Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu had changed his expression. He walked out with his hands behind his back, rubbed his nose, and said somewhat awkwardly.

"Fifth brother, we are brothers. How could I, as your elder brother, not help you when you're in trouble? Right? Of course, I will help you with this calligraphy and painting."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded: "These paintings and calligraphy were bought by chance on the street and have nothing to do with the ones in the study."

"Alright, alright!" Zhang Jianxiu let out a dry laugh. "Fifth Brother has a discerning eye, so I will certainly help you, hahaha~"

The deal is done.

Both sides reached a win-win situation and were in a very good mood.

Zhang Jianxiu chatted with his younger brother as he saw him off from the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) office.

The two seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"Brother, you must remember to keep this a secret. Xiang'er is an exceptionally good girl."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded helplessly, "I know, I know."

It seems I need to develop antibiotics like allicin and penicillin quickly, otherwise this cheap fourth brother might also fall ill and die.

As they walked, just before they were about to leave, Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu suddenly patted his head and said...

"Ah! Right! I almost forgot, didn't you ask me to find that Yu Xiangdou from Jianyang Bookstore? I've found him for you. He's an honest merchant. You two shouldn't resort to violence over your grudges. I'll mediate for you and get him to pay you some compensation."

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu rambled on and on, while Zhang Yunxiu only heard that one name.

"Yu Xiangdou is here?"

“Of course,” Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu said with some pride. “You want me to find some thousand-year-old ginseng? I can’t find it. But finding someone in the capital is a piece of cake for the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

Zhang Yunxiu's eyes immediately lit up.

"Fourth Brother, bring him to see me quickly."

Zhang Jianxiu couldn't help but be suspicious. He frowned and said, "Just who is this Yu Xiangdou that you, Fifth Brother, would go to such lengths to find him?"

"Fourth Brother, you may not know this," Zhang Yunxiu said with a smile. "This man comes from a family of bookstore owners. Their Jianyang Bookstore can be found almost everywhere in the Ming Dynasty. If I want to start a newspaper, I certainly can't do without him!"
Most importantly, he's also very rich.

Zhang Jianxiu's eyes lit up immediately: "How rich?"

Forbidden City.

Kunning Palace.

Compared to the Qianqing Palace, where he was often at work and under constant surveillance, Emperor Wanli clearly preferred the Empress's quarters.

He arrived here with his men right after the morning court session.

Upon entering the Kunning Palace, Emperor Wanli seemed to have shed a heavy burden, swaggering around and shouting wildly.

"Empress! Empress! I'm here!"

If the scholars of the Hanlin Academy and the officials of the court saw this, they would surely write lengthy memorials to admonish the emperor to maintain his "imperial demeanor."

Fortunately, there was no one to restrain the emperor here.

"I'm here, Your Majesty."

Empress Wang hurriedly came out from inside, and just as she was about to bow, she looked up and saw that the emperor was already leaning lazily against the bed.

The bed, made of rosewood and covered with yellow brocade, was pressed down by the Wanli Emperor, creating a large arc.

Emperor Wanli opened his eyes halfway: "Empress, I reviewed 120 memorials today, all of them trivial matters like 'land surveying' and 'single whip law.' I'm exhausted." Empress Wang, who was gentle and dignified by nature, sat down beside the emperor and began to massage his shoulders.

"Your Majesty's busy schedule is a blessing to all the people."

Before he could finish speaking, Wanli suddenly grabbed the Empress's fair wrist.

"Empress~"

Empress Wang panicked for a moment, her ears turning red instantly. She lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, it's not sunset yet."

"Hey~ what are you thinking?" Emperor Wanli said in a low voice, his eyes gleaming. "Do you still have the 'Detective Dee's Cases of the Tang Dynasty' that I left with you? My eyes are getting tired, quickly read it to me."

It was a false alarm. Empress Wang regained her composure and then offered her advice.

"Your Majesty is the supreme ruler; how can you emulate those idle commoners who indulge in storytelling?"

She picked up the book "Zhenguan Zhengyao" from the table, gently opened it, and said...

"Or, Your Majesty, may I read aloud the 'Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era'?"

Emperor Wanli was getting impatient: "It's that Li Er again, that 'Illustrated Explanation of Imperial Admonitions,' I'm so tired of hearing it."

When Empress Wang heard Emperor Wanli refer to himself as "Li Er," she frowned.

Where has Your Majesty learned such vulgar language these past few days?

But her eyes still revealed pity: "His Majesty is diligent in governing and loves his people, which is known throughout the land."

Emperor Wanli, sensing something was amiss, immediately rose, embraced Empress Wang, and said, "Do you know what to do?"

Empress Wang nodded: "We will certainly not let the Grand Secretary and the court officials know. Your Majesty, rest assured, Kunning Palace is very safe."

Emperor Wanli nodded in agreement. Not only did he have to be wary of Zhang Juzheng and his ministers, but he also had to be wary of his chief attendant Feng Bao and his birth mother, Empress Dowager Li. It would be quite difficult for him to do something "outrageous".

"Come, come," the Wanli Emperor beckoned. "You and I will lean together on the couch, and we'll see together how this great Tang Dynasty Judge Dee truly upholds justice for the people. It's not much different from the 'Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era,' is it?"

Empress Wang could not refuse the emperor, so she took out a book wrapped in blue cloth from the bottom of her dressing case, opened her red lips, and began to read it to the emperor attentively.

Emperor Wanli closed his eyes, one arm around the fragrant Empress, while listening to the dramatic story. This kind of happiness was something even the gods wouldn't trade.

Upon hearing the "Phoenix Seal Case," Emperor Wanli couldn't help but sigh.

"Zhang Shiyuan (Yunxiu) is a genius. How could he combine historical materials to write such a dramatic and interesting story? I wish I could arrest this kid and have him do nothing all day but write the sequel to this story."

Empress Wang covered her mouth and chuckled: "Your Majesty would not dare to do such a thing. At that time, the Grand Secretary and the ministers of the court will have to risk their lives to persuade Your Majesty."

Emperor Wanli sighed softly, his hand wandering restlessly down the empress's shoulder.

"This Grand Secretary is good in every way, first-rate in both politics and scholarship, but he is too serious and inflexible. Unlike his youngest son, who is a very capable and adaptable person."

Empress Wang blushed to her neck, but she still sensed the political disputes in the emperor's words. Instinctively, she did not want to get involved, and simply said...

"Your Majesty studied with Zhang Shiyuan when you were young, and you naturally have a bond of friendship as classmates."

Emperor Wanli shook his head: "It's not just about friendship; Zhang Shiyuan is a wise man who appears foolish. If only the Grand Secretary could be like him."

Empress Wang covered her mouth and laughed, "How can a father be like his son?"

"You don't understand." The Wanli Emperor sighed, as if he had something difficult to say.

Empress Wang remained silent and did not ask any further questions.

As I continued reading "The Cases of Judge Dee of the Tang Dynasty," when I came to the part where the Guanlong aristocratic forces, led by Changsun Qing, wanted to use "heavenly fire" to forge the will of Heaven in an attempt to completely suppress the new policies in order to oppose Empress Wu.

Empress Wang couldn't help but sigh.

"Changsun Qing and his ilk are far too audacious. Since ancient times, the world has been defined by Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher; how dare they try to suppress the Empress?"

Emperor Wanli gritted his teeth and said, "They are all traitors and rebels. The new policies are for the country and the people. They have only touched some of their interests. The people can't even survive. These people are unwilling to give up their piece of meat. They even dare to oppose the Empress for this. The Guanlong aristocratic families should all be executed!"

But as they were talking, the Wanli Emperor suddenly realized something was wrong. He narrowed his eyes, seemingly beginning to ponder a deeper issue.

"Yes," Empress Wang said with a sigh. "Compared to the infighting in the court, these powerful clans that can influence the government are the biggest parasites on the country."

But halfway through the conversation, Empress Wang noticed that the emperor was frowning and silent.

She suddenly realized that this seemed to be a reflection of the current political situation.

He immediately stopped talking and did not continue.

She then turned a few pages, exclaimed "Wow!" and pointed to the pictures, laughing as she spoke.

"Your Majesty, look at this. In the end, Prime Minister Di exposes the conspiracy of Minister Changsun and others, and there is also a complete picture (plot illustration), which is drawn very vividly."

Emperor Wanli glanced at the painting and immediately burst out laughing.

It turns out that at the climax of the plot, Zhang Yunxiu had drawn a scene from the story on a blank page next to him.

This is not unusual in storybooks, but the characters drawn by Zhang Yunxiu are small and exquisite, with exaggerated proportions, heads as big as buckets, and bodies as short as children.

It's peculiar, yet it has a lively feel to it.

"Zhang Shiyuan is truly amusing." The Wanli Emperor shook his head with a laugh. "If only I could be as optimistic as him."

Empress Wang said, "I don't think so. Your Majesty is responsible for the country, while Zhang Shiyuan is the youngest son in his family and does not have to carry the burden of his family. Naturally, he is happy."

She thought for a moment and then said, "There are also full-view paintings, which are interesting, but they are still far inferior to His Majesty's brushwork."

Emperor Wanli was very fond of calligraphy and painting, but last year, he was advised by his ministers, led by Zhang Juzheng, to practice less.

Emperor Wanli shrugged and said, "That's true. Zhang Shiyuan has a certain talent, but I'm not incapable of doing it either. If I were to paint this complete portrait, I would definitely do a better job than him!"

"Why don't you give it a try, Your Majesty?"

"Yes!" Emperor Wanli's eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

(End of this chapter)