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

Chapter 85 I'm Sick Too!

Emperor Wanli sat upright in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but his eyes were squinted, clearly indicating that he had been working late into the night again.

These sounds startled him. He opened his eyes abruptly and looked at the censors who were impeaching him.

His gaze fell on the censor named Yang Keli, and he was surprisingly calm.

"Imperial Censor Yang must be mistaken. When did I appoint Zhang Shiyuan to take charge of the Five Cities Garrison and the Imperial Hospital?"
Have any of you visited the Renmin Medical Clinic? As far as I know, Zhang Shiyuan's methods for preventing and controlling the plague are remarkably effective. What's wrong with the court implementing these methods to control the plague?

Yang Keli was stunned. He didn't expect that the emperor would not only not get angry, but would also argue with him.

"Your Majesty." Just then, one of the court officials stepped forward.

"Minister Xu, do you also have something to say?" Emperor Wanli spoke these words with great emphasis, as if he were gritting his teeth.

Xu Xuemo, however, showed no fear. He bowed respectfully to the emperor and continued speaking.

"Is Your Majesty aware of what happened outside the Daming Gate today?"

"Outside the Great Ming Gate?" Emperor Wanli had obviously just gotten up and had no idea about the turmoil outside today.

"Exactly."

Xu Xuemo recounted everything that happened outside the palace gates.

Before he could finish speaking, the Wanli Emperor slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"These Confucian scholars have some nerve! They dare to discuss state affairs outside the palace gates! Commander Feng, hurry!"

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Xuemo suddenly knelt down with a thud and said with great sorrow.

"Your Majesty! This cannot continue! The epidemic is raging, and the people of the capital are filled with fear. At this critical time, Your Majesty is still indulging Zhang Shiyuan's reckless behavior!"

The lockdown of the capital has deprived countless people of their livelihoods! The confiscation of medicines has caused immense suffering for many! Who will profit from these secrets?

Emperor Wanli narrowed his eyes, seemingly somewhat angry. It was one thing for ordinary censors to impeach him, but for him, the Minister of Rites, to join in the fun was something else entirely.

"Minister Xu, this matter has already been settled, there is no need to mention it again."

"No! This shouldn't be!" Xu Xuemo exclaimed, seemingly in great pain. "Emperor Taizong of Tang was able to broaden the channels of communication and accept advice from the public. How can Your Majesty not admit your mistakes? If this continues, the country will cease to exist!"

"Xu Shuming! Are you trying to force me to abdicate too?!" Emperor Wanli glared angrily.

At that moment, Wang Guoguang, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward. He was old and spoke in a slow, deliberate manner.

"Minister Xu, you are mistaken. As far as I know, although the treatment methods of Renmin Medical Clinic are somewhat strange, it is widely known that Renmin Medical Clinic's prices are much lower than other medical clinics, and many people have been cured there."

"Minister Wang!" Xu Xuemo exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Rumors circulating among the people? I haven't heard that from them. The refugees hate Zhang Shiyuan to the bone, and the Confucian scholars are heartbroken by his corruption of the court. How can that prove anything? Even now, Minister Wang, are you still trying to curry favor with the powerful?"

There is no specific number, yet everyone in the court claims to be speaking up for the people, and everyone says what is being said in the streets, but who is really right?

Minister Xu Wang Guoguang wanted to say something more, but his words immediately stirred up a hornet's nest.

One after another, the court officials, having heard Xu Xuemo's words and witnessed the changes outside the palace gates, seemed to have gained confidence and stepped forward to offer their advice.

"Has Your Majesty forgotten the Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty? Emperor Taizu Gao once said that all emperors, even in times of peace, must always be vigilant. If they dare not be negligent day and night, they will not be spied on and the country will not be lost; if they rely on peace and forget to be vigilant, then treacherous people will take advantage of their schemes, and they will not be able to protect themselves and the country."

Does Your Majesty favor treacherous officials and disregard the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty"?

"Your Majesty's favoritism towards treacherous officials has already stirred up public opinion. I have recently heard rumors that many displaced people wish they could eat Zhang Shiyuan's flesh and drink his blood!"

"Zhang Shiyuan's actions harmed the Imperial Medical Academy, preventing the Huimin Pharmacy from providing disaster relief to the victims. The so-called 'miracle drug' was nothing more than a tool for profit!"

For a moment, some people became indignant.

It's important to understand that this isn't just a matter of "sticking to old ways." Many court officials also own businesses in the capital. How many people's interests will be affected by Zhang Yunxiu's "Emergency Plan for the Prevention and Control of Plague"?
Merchants in the city were all waiting to hoard goods and speculate, hoping to make a fortune. But how could these merchants dare to do such a thing if they didn't have powerful ministers behind them?
Not to mention the Renmin First Medical Clinic, where a consultation only costs five coins. Zhang Yunxiu is recklessly extravagant, but the high-ranking officials and nobles behind the city's medical clinics need to make money!

Zhang Yunxiu's actions were utterly outrageous, not to mention his past misdeeds, such as clashing with the Imperial Hospital and assaulting censors.

But Zhang Juzheng not only did not stop it at all, but also indulged his young son.

Even with Zhang Juzheng's immense power, he couldn't withstand the overwhelming public outcry. Such perverse actions would surely be digging his own grave!

Surprisingly, the Wanli Emperor, sitting on his throne, was not as furious as before.

In the past, if his ministers had tried to force him to abdicate in this way, he would have been furious and impotent in the main hall.

Today, although Emperor Wanli's face showed anger, he seemed quite calm and composed.

He stared intently at Xu Xuemo and said, "Minister Xu, what do you suggest?"

Xu Xuemo, exuding an air of noble character, was already imagining in his mind how his advice to the emperor would be recorded in history. He cupped his hands and said, "Abolish the policy of sealing off the city, shut down the Renmin Medical Hall, order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate this scoundrel Zhang Shiyuan, and reprimand the Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng. Only in this way can we restore order to the chaos and restore a bright and clear world to the capital of our Great Ming!"

Xu Xuemo did want to suggest dealing with Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, but Zhang Juzheng had deep roots and could not be easily brought down.

However, as long as the tide of power in the court is overwhelmingly in their favor, it's only a matter of time before Zhang Juzheng falls from power.

"Is that all?" Emperor Wanli laughed in exasperation.

Xu Xuemo said firmly, "Only in this way can the people's anger be appeased!"

"But..." Emperor Wanli found it somewhat amusing, glancing at the two empty seats at the head of the officials' queue. "Both the Grand Secretary and Mr. Shen have requested leave today. This matter is of great importance, and I truly find it difficult to make a decision!"

When Xu Xuemo went to court, he noticed that Zhang Juzheng and Shen Shixing were not there. He thought he could take this opportunity to launch an attack and catch the "Zhang faction" off guard, but he did not expect that the emperor would use this as an excuse to make a fuss.

Xu Xuemo's facial muscles twitched as he said, "Your Majesty, since Emperor Chengzu established the Grand Secretariat, the scholars of the Grand Secretariat have not held the position of prime minister, but rather participated in state affairs. How can it be said that things cannot be done without the Grand Secretary?"

Moreover, the cabinet is not without capable ministers; Grand Secretary Zhang of the Wuying Hall is still in office and can assist in governing the country.

"I almost forgot." Emperor Wanli slapped his forehead and looked at Zhang Siwei, who was standing in the middle of the group. The latter was silent, but there seemed to be some expectation in his eyes.

But the emperor looked away again, shook his head, and continued speaking.

"Grand Secretary Zhang is acting steadily, and I should listen to him. Unfortunately, I have just ascended the throne at a young age and am not yet very familiar with the affairs of the court. In the past, my late father entrusted me with the care of only three ministers: Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Gao Yi. Before his death, my late father entrusted me with the assistance of these three ministers. This is my late father's will, and how dare I disobey it?"
"Oh dear, really, really... let's wait until Mr. Genbu arrives before we talk about it!"

???

The courtiers in the main hall were all shocked. When did the emperor become so shameless? Where did he learn such tricks from?

What's going on here?! You weren't like this before, Emperor. Didn't you complain about Zhang Juzheng's autocracy? Why are you suddenly acting like "I am still young and inexperienced"?

If Zhang Juzheng doesn't come to court, does that mean the matter is off? If Zhang Juzheng doesn't attend court for two months, what's the point of canceling it?
"Your Majesty..." Xu Xuemo stammered. How could he have imagined that the usually docile and easily bullied Wanli Emperor would become like this today, looking somewhat like a street ruffian?
Seeing that the matter was about to be brushed aside by the emperor, one person couldn't stand it any longer, and Grand Secretary Zhang Siwei stepped forward.

"Your Majesty! You have already assumed personal rule, how can you say that you are still too young? The reins of the empire rest on Your Majesty alone, why must you require Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng to assist you? Without Zhang Juzheng, will our Great Ming Dynasty be unable to continue?"

The following sentence can be considered to have expressed Zhang Siwei's heartfelt thoughts.

Zhang Siwei spoke with absolute certainty, but Emperor Wanli simply did not accept his accusations.

"etc."

The emperor's face showed pain, and he suddenly clutched his chest, making faces as if he were laughing or crying.

"Oh dear~" he groaned. "My abdomen is cramping, I can't take it anymore, Consort Feng, quickly summon the imperial physician."

Seeing this, Zhang Siwei's facial muscles contorted, and he said with a livid expression.

"Your Majesty! This is no longer a trivial matter!"

Feng Bao looked somewhat embarrassed. He quickly jogged over and pointed to the spot, saying, "Your Majesty, your abdomen is here. Are you experiencing chest discomfort?"

"Huh?" Emperor Wanli was stunned for a moment before realizing that he had covered the wrong spot. He quickly corrected himself and said, "My heart hurts so much. I must have been working too hard on official duties lately. Oh no, I'm going to die. Quickly, summon the imperial physician."

"Your Majesty~" Zhang Siwei felt a lump in his throat, unable to utter a sound. He couldn't very well accuse the emperor of feigning illness in public.

But Emperor Wanli's performance didn't stop there; he covered his chin again and said...

"My cheeks are also a bit sore; I must have caught the plague. Consort Feng, quickly help me to the inner palace. The main hall is full of trusted ministers; we mustn't let the plague spread to them!"

Upon hearing this, some ministers in the hall were indeed startled and quickly stepped back.

Feng Bao was taken aback for a moment, then sighed and said, "This servant obeys the decree."

He then turned and gave Zhang Siwei a disdainful look, before speaking loudly to the court officials.

"His Majesty is unwell; all court officials may withdraw for the time being."

"Feng Bao! You, a mere eunuch, dare to meddle in court affairs?!" Xu Xuemo shouted, pointing his finger at Feng Bao's nose.

Feng Bao glared at him and said in an imposing manner.

“My family are eunuchs, but we are also the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. When the late emperor entrusted his son to us, we were also entrusted with this task. May I ask where Minister Xu was at that time?”

　Thank you so much to "Book Friend 150828230406862" for the 2000 Qidian Coins reward! Three chapters today!

　　Note 1: Zhu Di's temple name was "Taizong" before the seventeenth year of Jiajing's reign. After that, Emperor Jiajing changed it to "Chengzu" because he wanted to enshrine his father, Prince Xingxian, in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I wonder what Zhu Di would think if he met this filial son and grandson in the afterlife.
　　Note 2: The Veritable Records of Emperor Muzong of Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhuang's Last Edict: "On the day of Ji-You, the Emperor fell seriously ill and summoned Grand Secretaries Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng to the Qianqing Palace to receive the late Emperor's decree. Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng rushed to the palace and the attendants summoned the ministers. The Emperor sat on the imperial couch, with the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort beside him. The Crown Prince stood beside him. Gao Gong and the others knelt below the imperial couch and the Emperor proclaimed the late Emperor's decree: 'I have succeeded to the throne of my ancestors, and now, after only six years, I have suddenly fallen ill and am unable to rise. I have failed the late Emperor's trust in me. The Crown Prince is young, and I now entrust him to you three ministers. You should work together to assist me, uphold the ancestral system, and safeguard the imperial throne. Your contributions to the nation will be remembered for ten thousand generations.' Gao Gong and the others wept bitterly and kowtowed before leaving. At that time, the Emperor's illness was severe, and although he could not speak, he looked closely at the ministers and nodded in entrustment. This was the second time he had seen the Emperor since Emperor Xiaozong entrusted the three ministers to him.'"

　　Note 3: The Ming History records that Feng Bao was entrusted with the care of the young emperor as a forged edict. The Ming History, Volume 305, Biographies 193 states: "When Emperor Muzong had just died, Feng Bao spoke to the empress and concubines, rebuked Meng Chong and seized his position, and forged an edict to order him to receive the care of the young emperor along with the cabinet ministers."
　　
　
(End of this chapter)