The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Zhang Sixiu asked this because Yun Ji didn't often come to visit his home when his father was alive. But now that his father had just passed away, they had come twice. It must be that they didn't come for no reason.

Yun Ji stood up and greeted him: "Brother Siyong, my brother and I are here to bother you again today."

Zhang Sixiu hurriedly asked, "Brother Minglang, are you here to see us brothers? Is there something wrong?"

Yun Ji and Min Xi looked at each other. Min Xi nodded slightly, and Yun Ji said, "Someone in the court recently impeached Lord Zhang. Have you heard about this?"

Zhang Sixiu nodded: "I have heard a little bit about it."

"What do you think about this?" Yun Ji continued to ask.

The three Zhang brothers looked at each other, and the eldest brother, Zhang Jingxiu, spoke up: "Father worked tirelessly for the court. He just passed away, and someone is already taking advantage of his misfortune to frame him. It's really impatient and chilling. Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and has not listened to the slander."

Min Xi sighed, "We all saw that Zhang Ge Lao spent his whole life serving the country and the people. But he also harmed the interests of too many people and made too many enemies. As soon as he left, some people couldn't wait to add insult to injury. Your Majesty did not pursue the matter this time, but no one knows whether it is temporarily or in the future. I am afraid that Zhang Ge Lao's former political enemies will not give up. They will continue to impeach Zhang Ge Lao and you tirelessly. It is possible that one day your Majesty will be upset and directly approve an investigation. What will you do then?"

The three Zhang brothers all lowered their eyes and said nothing. They were also officials and knew that the emperor's mind was unpredictable. No one knew what the young emperor would do in the future. Moreover, although their father was powerful, his relationship with the emperor was not good. Their family was not as solid as an iron barrel, but like a sieve with many holes. In the past, with their father's support, no one dared to say anything. Now, if someone with ulterior motives wanted to catch the mistakes and punish them, it would be easy.

The Zhang brothers are a few years younger than Min Xi and Yun Ji. Although their experience is far less rich than theirs, they are by no means naive. After being reminded by Min Xi and Yun Ji, they naturally thought about what might happen.

Zhang Sixiu asked: "According to your two gentlemen's opinions, if Your Majesty investigates our family, how will you punish us?"

Min Xi hesitated for a moment and shook his head: "It's hard to say. At the very least, he will be dismissed from his post and investigated, and at the worst, his property will be confiscated and he will be exiled."

Mrs. Gao, who had been silent the whole time, exclaimed when she heard this: "Search the property? Why do you have to go to this extent?"

Min Xi looked at her and said, "Madam, don't panic. This is just a possibility. We should plan ahead and take the worst-case scenario into consideration so that we can come up with a plan to deal with it."

Mrs. Gao listened to Min Xi's words, thinking of Zhang Juzheng's body, tears rolled down her cheeks like beads from a broken string, and she sobbed, "My master is still lying in the front hall, and they are so eager to throw dirty water on him."

The Zhang brothers finally came to their senses. Their mother was still there. Zhang Jingxiu stood up and said, "Mother, please go back to your room and rest first. We brothers will take care of this matter. You don't have to worry." He called the maid and helped Madam Gao out.

Zhang Jingxiu sent Madam Gao away, and when he came back, he bowed to Min Xi and Yun Ji and said, "You two adults came here today to give us brothers some advice. I believe you have a plan to deal with this. Please give us your advice!"

Min Xi said, "It's not really about giving advice! It's just that I'm now working in the Censorate, and I've heard a lot about your father's impeachment. My brother and I have always respected Mr. Zhang and admired his ability, so I wanted to give him a heads up. Please don't blame us for overstepping our bounds."

"Lord Min, you are too kind. My Zhang family is in the center of trouble right now, and others are trying to avoid us. You two are willing to come to your house to remind us. This friendship is precious and there is no reason to blame you! If you have any ideas, just tell us directly. We brothers will be very grateful!" said Zhang Jingxiu.

Zhang Maoxiu, who had been silent the whole time, asked, "Sir, if our family is investigated, will our house really be confiscated?"

The Zhang family has four Jinshi (imperial examination candidates) in its family. Their father was the chief minister of the cabinet, and their three brothers were also Jinshi candidates with a promising future. Their family was once so glorious, but now that their father has just passed away, their family is in a state of desolation and ruin. It would be a lie to say that they are not sad about this kind of disparity.

Min Xi shook his head: "Not necessarily, I'm just considering this possibility."

"In your opinion, sir, what should we do?" asked Zhang Maoxiu.

"What do you think?" Min Xi was not in a hurry to throw out his ideas, letting the brothers figure it out themselves first.