The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

The three Zhang brothers looked at each other, obviously unable to make up their minds for a moment.

Seeing this, Min Xi stood up and said, "You brothers can discuss it first. My brother and I will go out for some fresh air first."

Yun Ji cooperated after hearing this, and the two of them left the hall and went outside to get some fresh air. It was still the coldest time of the year before the end of the first month of the year, and it was so cold that even talking could make one's breath come out white.

Fortunately, the weather was good, with a thin layer of winter sun, which dispelled some of the chill. The two stood in the sunshine in the courtyard to warm themselves, looking at the withered flowers and trees in the yard. It can be seen that the flowers and trees in the yard are carefully arranged, and they are all precious plants. The ground of the yard is also paved with extremely beautiful pebbles. These are not northern stones, but should be transported from Zhang Juzheng's hometown in Jiangling. In this era, even if it was transported by canal, the cost is ridiculously high.

Min Xi looked at the stone patterns on the ground and murmured, "The Zhang family is so particular, I wonder how much money they spent on building this courtyard."

Yun Ji said: "It is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. It may be difficult for them to give up such wealth and splendor."

Both of them fell silent, not knowing what to say.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Sixiu came out of the room and said, "Brother Minglang, we have discussed everything. Please come in and talk."

Min Xi and Yun Ji went back into the room and sat down. Zhang Sixiu poured tea for them: "Please have some tea."

Min Xi didn't beat around the bush and asked directly: "Any conclusion?"

The Zhang brothers were silent for a moment, and the eldest brother Zhang Jingxiu spoke with difficulty: "We have discussed it. We will take the initiative to apologize to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to punish us. What do you two adults think?"

Min Xi and Yun Ji looked at each other, and Min Xi said, "Taking the initiative to plead guilty is not a bad idea, but this will confirm that Zhang Ge Lao violated the law and discipline. Zhang Ge Lao's life's achievements will be recorded in history. Are you willing to let his reputation be tarnished?"

The three Zhang brothers were all silent. In this era where filial piety is more important than anything else, it is a huge sin to throw dirty water on ancestors, let alone a great man like their father.

Yun Ji also said: "This method is not appropriate. If someone is interested in investigating, you may still be unable to escape the fate of being thoroughly investigated. By then, not only will Zhang Gelao bear the infamy, but the Zhang family will also be confiscated and exiled."

Zhang Sixiu asked hurriedly: "What should we do then?"

Min Xi said: "In my humble opinion, I suggest that you resign from your official positions, give away your wealth, move your family back to your hometown in Jiangling, and stay out of the world for a while."

As soon as he said this, the Zhang brothers' faces suddenly changed. Zhang Jingxiu said, "Does it really need to go to this extent?"

Min Xi analyzed: "I know this is a very difficult decision. You are all young and talented. You have a bright future as officials in the court. It would be a pity to abandon your future and waste twenty years of hard study. But if the whole family is investigated and exiled, then the Zhang family will never be able to study and become an official in the future."

Yun Ji added: "The Zhang family will spend all their wealth in the name of the elder. This will not only win a good reputation for the elder, but also for the Zhang family. The people of the whole capital will praise the elder and his brothers. In this way, the court will have no reason to pursue the matter, and His Majesty will not have the heart to pursue it. In this way, you can retreat unscathed, and your brothers and nephews can continue to participate in the imperial examinations in the future. There may be opportunities for you to make a comeback in the future."

Min Xi said: "After you return to Jiangling, if you can't make a living, my seventh brother and I can help you."

Zhang Jingxiu raised his hands and said, "Thank you both for your kindness. We don't need to support you. We can still survive if we go back to our hometown in Jiangling."

Zhang Sixiu said: "This matter is of great importance. We need to discuss it with mother before making a final decision."

Min Xi nodded: "This is a big deal, and it does require careful discussion. Then we will take our leave first and make a decision as soon as possible. As for the specifics, you can have someone come to Yun Mansion to discuss with us."

Min Xi stood up after he finished speaking, and Yun Ji followed him. He hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke: "When the birds are gone, the good bows are hidden; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked. To retreat bravely in the face of adversity and to bide one's time is great wisdom."

The Zhang brothers stood up to see the guests off, and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your advice, sir!"

After Min Xi and Yun Ji left, the three Zhang brothers stood there in silence for a long time. Zhang Maoxiu said, "Big brother, second brother, are we really going to do what they say?"

Zhang Jingxiu turned around and looked at his two younger brothers: "Before my father passed away, he talked to me once and asked me to listen to Lord Min's advice."

Zhang Sixiu and Zhang Maoxiu were both very puzzled: "Why?" They could understand Yun Ji, after all, he was a first-class Jinshi and was highly valued by his father, while Min Xi was just a Juren and did not even pass the Jinshi exam. Before entering the Censorate, he was just an idle minor official in the Honglu Temple.

"I was also confused. My father said that Lord Min is very knowledgeable and can guess the emperor's intentions. His Majesty trusts him the most. When the relationship between my father and His Majesty was tense, it was Lord Min who mediated. His Majesty has a stubborn personality, but he is willing to listen to his advice."

"Really?" Both brothers were very surprised.

Zhang Jingxiu nodded: "I didn't really believe this. But Lord Min actually came to visit us at this time and advised us to resign. I think he has his reasons."

"So do we really have to resign from our official positions and give away all our wealth?" Zhang Maoxiu felt extremely sad when he thought about the future of his brothers. He was really unwilling to accept this.

Zhang Jingxiu was silent for a long time, then he closed his eyes and sighed: "For the sake of my father's reputation and the future of the Zhang family, I may have to do this!"

After leaving Zhang's house and getting on the carriage, Min Xi spoke up: "Seventh Brother, do you think they will agree?"

Yun Ji shook his head: "It's hard to say."

"Yes, if it were me, I would definitely not give up such wealth and splendor." This is a drop from the top of the cloud to the ground. Who can bear it? But if you are not willing to give it up, it will be like falling from the top of the cloud into hell. I am afraid that it will be too late to regret it in the future.

Yun Ji raised his hand and patted the back of Min Xi's hand: "We have already advised them. If they are unwilling to do this, we can only wait until they are really impeached and investigated, and then we will go and persuade His Majesty again."