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After hearing this, Min Xi and Yun Ji finally felt relieved. After leaving the palace, they went straight to Zhang's house to inform the Zhang brothers to go to court the next morning. Although someone from the palace would come to inform them, they also had to go and inform them in advance.

The next day, during the morning court session, Min Xi and Yun Ji saw the four Zhang brothers who were officials in the court as soon as they entered the palace. They came quite early. When they saw them, the Zhang brothers nodded and greeted them, but did not come over to greet them, in order to avoid suspicion in front of others.

Many civil and military officials knew the Zhang brothers, and they were surprised to see them here. Zhang Juzheng had died, and his sons were not qualified to attend court. No one knew why they came here today, and everyone was guessing what was going on.

Except for a few officials who had a particularly good relationship with Zhang Juzheng, no one else greeted them. The Zhang brothers did not say why they came, but only said that they were responding to the summons from His Majesty.

Today's morning court was still lively, with the topics revolving around the selection of the cabinet's chief minister and various impeachment cases. The emperor proposed who to nominate as the cabinet's chief minister, and asked all officials to express their opinions at the court meeting to judge the supporters and positions of several cabinet ministers.

As expected, the main candidate for the cabinet's chief minister is still between Zheng Tuo and Wei Zhan.

There are more people who support Wei Zhan than Zheng Tuo, and the positions of those who support Wei Zhan are more complicated, including reformists, conservatives, and neutrals. This shows that he is very popular, but it also means that he is very good at scheming, and people can't see his true position. He may be a fence-sitter.

Those who supported Zheng Tuo were mainly the reformists.

Min Xi and Yun Ji did not participate in the discussion. They watched everything at the court meeting silently and judged the positions of several ministers in their hearts.

In fact, from the perspective of balancing power, Wei Zhan is obviously more suitable for the position of the cabinet's chief minister, so that he can reconcile the contradictions between the reformists and the conservatives. But for the reform, that is a huge hidden danger. Once his position leans towards the conservatives, the reform will be terminated, and all Zhang Juzheng's efforts will come to naught.

The officials argued back and forth, but no conclusion was reached. Wanli also did not come to a conclusion. This was a matter concerning the foundation of the country and could not be handled rashly.

Later, the censors began to impeach officials, and the court was in chaos. Min Xi just listened and took notes, and did not participate.

Finally, the emperor lost his patience and took the initiative to change the subject: "Yesterday, I received a memorial from the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Jingxiu, his brother, the Imperial Academy Editor Zhang Sixiu, the Imperial Academy Editor Zhang Maoxiu, and the Imperial Guard Commander Zhang Jianxiu. In accordance with their father's last wish, they requested to resign and return home, and donate all their property to the court. I was deeply shocked to learn of my teacher's last wish. What do you think, my ministers, how should this matter be handled?"

When the four Zhang brothers heard the emperor call their names, they knelt down in the center of the hall. The originally noisy hall suddenly became quiet. The news that Zhang Juzheng's son was going to resign and donate all his property was too shocking!

Someone immediately stood up and asked, "Is this what Lord Zhang meant? Why did he make such an arrangement?"

He asked everyone's question. Wanli looked at the Zhang brothers and said, "Zhang Jingxiu, why did your father make such an arrangement? Does he not trust me?"

Zhang Jingxiu raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, my father was loyal to the emperor and the people all his life. When he was alive, he mentioned his philosophy of governing the country to me many times, hoping that the court could streamline the military and government. I am willing to put my father's wishes into practice, and I beg Your Majesty to fulfill them!"

Zhang Jingxiu's words were very eloquent. Everyone in the court knew that the Zhang brothers resigned from office and retired not for the purpose of streamlining the government, but to avoid disaster. However, it must be said that this reason was very good. Even if Zhang Juzheng was dead, he was still planning for the emperor and the court. This was not just a matter of death!

When Wanli heard this, he couldn't help but look a little sad: "Even though the teacher is gone, he still remembers his service to the country and the people. He has devoted his whole life to the Ming Dynasty!"

The emperor's words not only defined the matter, but also gave Zhang Juzheng enough face.

Wei Zhan stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang is far-sighted and upright, and his last wish is truly admirable! But I think that Lord Zhang's sons are young and promising, and they are talents of our dynasty. If we allow them to resign, it will be a loss for our Ming Dynasty!"

As soon as he said this, many people immediately responded and agreed with him.

These people may not be Zhang Juzheng's supporters, but they also know that Zhang Juzheng was the former Prime Minister. If he died, his son would have to spend all his family wealth and resign from office to live in seclusion in order for their family to survive. This is a bit like "killing the dog after the rabbit has died". They also feel a sense of grief for the fox after the rabbit has died.

But when more people heard the news, they knew the Zhang family's intentions. They chose to cut off their tail to survive and retire at the right time. The emperor would give the Zhang family a break because of his old friendship with Zhang Juzheng, thus avoiding liquidation of the Zhang family and minimizing the losses.

Wanli also thought about it all night last night. Although he knew that this was a last resort for the Zhang family, if he agreed to the resignation of the Zhang brothers, it would be like crossing the river and destroying the bridge. Zhang Juzheng was his teacher. If his descendants could not stay in the court after his death, then he, as an emperor, would be too intolerant.

But if it was really Zhang Juzheng's last wish, then it should indeed be obeyed. After all, his family could not withstand investigation.

Wanli brought this matter to the court for discussion by civil and military officials, in order to let everyone see the Zhang family's attitude.

After listening to the ministers' discussion, Wanli said, "Everyone thinks you shouldn't resign. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Jingxiu prostrated himself on the ground: "Thank you all for your kindness, but my brothers and I resigned as our father's last wish. I dare not go against his wishes. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!"

The other three brothers of the Zhang family also said: "Your Majesty, please grant us your blessing!"

Wanli looked at the four brothers in the palace. To be honest, they were really talented young men. If it weren't for their father, their future might not be limited. Now, even if they stayed, their future would not be bright, so it would be better to just help them.

Wanli looked at the Zhang brothers' memorials and said, "Teacher has worked hard and made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty. Now that he is gone, I should take care of his family. But since it was the teacher's last wish to let his sons resign, I cannot go against it, so I have to agree. The court will take back the house in the capital, and the rest of the donation is not necessary, leave it to the teacher's wife for her old age."

Whether it was Min Xi, Yun Ji, or the Zhang brothers, they were all a little overjoyed. This meant that his resignation was approved, but his property did not need to be donated, and the Zhang family could keep it for their own use. This result was much better than expected.