Su Ze moved to a hotel next to Lingji Palace by himself. He was discussing folk arts issues with a young scholar who came here because of his fame, when he suddenly received a greeting card from the waiter in the hotel.
After seeing the name on the invitation, Su Ze said to the young scholar: "This distinguished guest is here. Brother, please come back tomorrow."
The young scholar quickly stood up and said goodbye to Su Ze.
Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng stepped into the room, and Su Ze was also looking at them.
It can be said that these two people are the most famous people in the history books that Su Ze has seen since time travel.
Needless to say, Zhang Juzheng is a figure that almost all studies of Ming history cannot avoid.
Gao Gong was actually quite important in the middle and late history. During the six years of Emperor Longqing's reign, Gao Gong was almost the policy executor at that time. The famous Longqing Kaihai was completed under the leadership of Gao Gong.
It can be said that many of Zhang Juzheng's policies are actually a continuation of Gao Gong's policies.
Gao Gong has a tall figure and a serious face that makes you feel righteous at first glance. At this time, Gao Gong was already in his forties and was in the golden period of his career as an official.
In comparison, Zhang Juzheng's appearance was even more outstanding. History books said that Zhang Juzheng had outstanding appearance. Su Ze really wanted to admire him when he saw it. Zhang Juzheng was indeed a handsome man.
Zhang Juzheng's fine beard is much fairer than Gao Gong's, and his facial features are much softer. He is now in his thirties and is still among the ranks of young officials.
However, although Gao Gong is obviously older, it seems that Gao Gong is more impatient, while the younger Zhang Juzheng appears to be more steady.
Su Ze was sizing up Zhang Juzheng, and Gao Gong Zhang Juzheng was also sizing up Su Ze.
Regarding Su Ze, a young man who has become famous this year, Zhang Juzheng admires his literary talent, but also treats him as a junior.
After all, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were awarded Jinshi early on. They are all Hanlin officials and are already the country's senior reserve cadres.
In fact, senior officials in the Ming Dynasty were promoted very quickly. For example, in the thirty-seventh year of Jiajing, which is 1558 AD, Zhang Juzheng is still the editor of the Hanlin Academy. In the sixth year of Longqing, which is 1572 AD, he was Just 14 years later, Zhang Juzheng was already the chief minister of the cabinet.
This kind of promotion speed would be very explosive in later generations, which is equivalent to a researcher in a policy research office rising to the position of prime minister in only fourteen years.
They naturally have a sense of psychological superiority towards Su Ze. Whether it is the academic circle or the cultural circle, in the end they all revolve around the power circle of the officialdom.
However, at this time, Zhang Juzheng did not dare to underestimate Su Ze anymore. With his small promotion, he stirred up the capital with just one book.
What's more, Su Ze is still so young, only in his twenties, yet he can use such methods!
Zhang Juzheng himself was a handsome man, and he also felt that Su Ze had a dignified appearance, a steady manner, and the demeanor of a celebrity.
"Gao Jiaodu, Zhang Hanlin, I'm Su Ze, you're polite."
Su Ze's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, which made Gao Gong appreciate him. Gao Gong even forgot the purpose of his visit. He said:
"I have read Su Rulin's new work, and it is indeed another masterpiece that will be praised all over the world!"
Zhang Juzheng coughed, and Gao Gong stopped smiling.
Su Ze looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Zhang Hanlin came to see Su for literary matters, right?"
Zhang Juzheng looked at Su Ze in surprise, only to hear Su Ze point out his purpose directly.
"Xu Ge is always your teacher. You want me to change the postscript in the book this time, right?"
Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes, and he was even more surprised now.
There are many literary geniuses in their twenties, such as Wang Bo of the Tang Dynasty, who could write famous works in his teens.
But political geniuses in their twenties are very rare. For example, when Zhang Juzheng first entered the officialdom, he ran into many obstacles without clearly seeing the situation in the court.
Later, after he took sick leave and traveled for three years, he finally gained some insights into life. When he returned to the Hanlin Academy, he changed his previous flamboyant character and became very cautious in his words and deeds.
During this time, Zhang Juzheng was indeed observing the court, studying the current political struggles in the court and studying the official documents and edicts in the Hanlin Academy's collection.
But before Su Ze entered the officialdom, he was able to point out his goals in one sentence. This political acumen was much stronger than his own back then!
Zhang Juzheng was not embarrassed by this, but said directly: "Su Rulin, since you already know the purpose of my coming, I also want to ask you to withdraw the postscript. You must also know that the traitor party is powerful, so please put the overall situation first. ! General Yu’s matter can still be settled slowly, there may not be any other way, so why bring the matter to this point? "
Su Ze sneered in his heart, but this was what he expected.
Later generations always thought that Zhang Juzheng presided over the reform and regarded him as an iron-blooded prime minister like Huo Guang.
In fact, it was not like this. In the Ming Dynasty, the imperial system had reached its peak. Not to mention Huo Guang, even the prime minister of the Song Dynasty did not dare to say "I can do anything about Huo Yin".
Otherwise, Yang Tinghe, who had the merit of being registered, was a veteran of three dynasties, had the support of the Queen Mother, and was a leader in the literary world, would not have lost to the Emperor Jiajing who had just succeeded to the throne.
As for Zhang Juzheng treating Emperor Wanli as a son, it was just because he was the assistant minister at the time and had the responsibility to advise and educate the underage emperor. Moreover, he did not treat the Wanli Emperor as a son, but just a teacher's persuasion to his disciples.
It was still useful when Wanli was young, but when Wanli got older, for example, Wanli wanted to use the spare money from the warehouse to buy pearls, and Zhang Juzheng tried to persuade the emperor not to listen. Zhang Juzheng could only hold his nose and admit it, and he could not stop the emperor from The household department takes the money.
Later, Zhang Juzheng's father died of illness and when the court wanted to seize love, the officials at that time rushed to Zhang Juzheng's home and scolded him. Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to make these officials famous and became known as the "Five Sages to Seize Love". Finally, It was only when the emperor came forward to defend the five people that Zhang Juzheng was able to win his love.
However, the five people were defeated by the imperial court, but their reputations rose. Zhang Juzheng only stayed in the position of chief minister for a year, and then went back to observe his filial piety in despair.
If Zhang Juzheng's power was really so powerful, this would never happen.
Therefore, rather than saying that Zhang Juzheng is an iron-blooded prime minister who always speaks the truth, it is better to say that he is a super manager who is proficient in power.
As expected, Zhang Juzheng directly stated his purpose without exchanging pleasantries, and even brought up the politically correct matter of "removing strictness".
Gao Gong didn't speak. He looked at Zhang Juzheng and then at Su Ze. Su Ze didn't speak for a long time. Gao Gong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Zhang Juzheng had convinced Su Ze.
Unexpectedly, Su Ze said: "I didn't understand this matter. What does Yu Shibo's matter have to do with the Yan Party? Could it be that Hu Zongxian was fighting against the Japanese in the southeast, and those who resisted the Japanese were all the Yan Party, right?"
Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment. He was also a child prodigy and his mind was spinning very quickly. He already regarded Su Ze as an equal opponent.
He immediately said: "Brother Rulin, we are all smart people, why do we pretend to be confused while pretending to understand? As soon as your "Shuo Yue Quan Zhuan" was published, the world said that my teacher, Xu Ge, was always Qin Hui. If we attack Master Xu now, won't Qingliu be passive?"
Su Ze said coldly: "I wrote a book about Yue Fei to express his grievances against Yu Shibo. Why did he do it to Mr. Xu Ge? Could it be that Mr. Xu Ge really instigated Yu Shibo to be imprisoned?"
Zhang Juzheng was stunned, and so was Gao Gong.
"It's really interesting. The official and censor can catch the wind and shadow, and he plays Yu Shibo to support the bandits. I just published a book to tell the story of Yue Wumu. How can I help the traitors to overthrow Xu?"
Zhang Juzheng was completely at a loss for words. He waved his sleeves and said, "Brother Rulin, this is sophistry!"
Su Ze nodded and said, "It is indeed sophistry."
Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were stunned again. Are they admitting it now? How can I accept this after admitting it? You are acting too irrationally!
Su Ze said: "Su does things with a clear conscience. This "Shuo Yue Quan Zhuan" is to save Yu Shibo. As for whether Mr. Xu Ge is Qin Hui or not, Su doesn't care."
Zhang Juzheng said: "You! Brother Su, you are also a scholar. Don't you know that the overall situation is the most important thing and that tolerance is for the sake of the country?"
Su Ze shook his head and said: "Speaking of the overall situation, Yu Shibo is dedicated to serving the country and fighting against the Japanese pirates. Isn't that the overall situation? He was falsely accused and imprisoned. How many anti-Japanese patriots will be chilled? How many innocent people will be affected by the Japanese pirates raging in the southeast? Isn’t this the overall situation?”
"It's really strange. Why is it that the overall situation is not the same as being strict with Japan, but resisting the Japanese is not the overall situation? So Su is right. Mr. Xu Ge, like Qin Hui, killed Yue Fei for the 'overall situation'?"
Now Zhang Juzheng was completely angry. He looked at Su Ze angrily, but couldn't say a word.
The reason is also very simple, Su Zezhanli.
Su Ze also said unreasonably:
"The fight against the Japanese is also about the overall situation. I advise Mr. Xu Ge to also put the overall situation first and clear Yu Shibo's name. If you want to fight, just fight. Just wait until after the fight against the Japanese."
Gao Gong actually felt that what Su Ze said made sense and couldn't help but applaud.
Gao Gong was originally dissatisfied with this matter. The last time he was persuaded by Zhang Juzheng that the overall situation was the most important thing, but after hearing what Su Ze said today, it seemed that what Su Ze said made sense!
Zhang Juzheng calmed down instead. He no longer regarded Su Ze as a small official, but as his biggest enemy in this life.
A child prodigy since childhood, Zhang Juzheng was noticed by various court officials before he was twenty years old. He was admitted to the Juren Examination at the age of sixteen. Gu Lin, then governor of Huguang, admired him very much and took off his rhinoceros belt and gave it to Zhang Juzheng. , once said to others, "This son will be a talented person" and thought that he would wear a jade belt in the future.
Zhang Juzheng was awarded Jinshi at the age of twenty-three, ranking ninth in the top two classes. He was awarded the title of Shujishi and entered the Hanlin Academy.
It can be said that his life has been extremely smooth so far. His classmates in the same year have long been left behind by him, and he has become a perfect protagonist.
But now he met Su Ze.
Zhang Juzheng knew very well that Qingliu's advantage over Yandang was reputation.
If Xu Jie's reputation is ruined, what's the difference between Qingliu and Yandang? His debate can be said to have discussed the foundation of the Qingliu Party.
Zhang Juzheng calmed down, and Su Ze looked up to him even more.
Sure enough, people like this who can leave a big name in history are top figures.
Zhang Juzheng's attitude even improved a lot. He raised his hand and said: "Brother Rulin, the merits of General Yu will naturally be judged by the law in a few years. It is also his duty to report to the officials for impeachment."
Su Ze looked at Zhang Juzheng in surprise now. He was indeed Zhang Juzheng, he really reacted quickly!
Zhang Juzheng added: "General Yu's guilt or innocence has nothing to do with Mr. Yan Ge or Mr. Xu Ge. But Brother Rulin, do you really think that it is good for Party Yan to be in power?"
"If we can stabilize the country and drive out traitors, General Yu may not be able to be entrusted with important tasks in the future. Wouldn't it be more effective to fight against Japan by then?"
Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng. This was the first time he felt the skills of his younger brother. This young man who was regarded as a junior had better skills than many senior officials. No wonder Xu Jie relied on and valued this disciple so much!
Seeing that Su Ze stopped talking, Zhang Juzheng thought he had convinced Su Ze, and he felt relieved.
Su Ze raised his head and said, "Brother Zhang, what is righteousness?"
Zhang Juzheng almost blurted out: "Practical love is called benevolence, and doing it appropriately is called righteousness."
Su Ze said: "In this case, to protect the environment and the people, it is righteous for Yu Shibo to resist the Japanese. Since Yu Shibo drove away the Japanese, why should he be involved in raising the Japanese to respect themselves?"
Zhang Juzheng was stunned, and so was Gao Gong.
Su Ze said: "The disadvantage in fighting is to support the bandits' self-respect, and to expel the Japanese pirates is to support the bandits' self-respect. If everything can be done with the support of the bandits, then what is righteousness?"
"In the final analysis, the imperial court does not trust military generals. It uses border guards to protect the slaves in the courtyard. It is also afraid of foreign enemies coming to the hospital and the slaves causing chaos. Don't they understand the principle that 'the king regards the people as a piece of grass and the people regard the king as an enemy and bandit'?"
"I wrote "The Complete Biography of Shuo Yue" just to bring justice to the world, not for Mr. Xu Ge or Mr. Yan Ge."
Zhang Juzheng wanted to continue talking, but Su Ze said:
"Brother Zhang, there is no need to say more. The right and wrong are decided by the people's hearts. Today, General Yu can be sacrificed to defeat the strict rule. Who can be sacrificed to defeat the strict rule tomorrow? The people of Zhejiang Province?"
Zhang Juzheng was speechless.
Su Ze finally said: "Please go back, please. Su has one last question, what will happen to Qingliu after the defeat of Yan? Is it possible that once the Yan party is defeated, the people of the world will have a good life?"
Su Ze meant to see the guests off behind closed doors, so Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong could only stand up and leave.
The next day, Su Ze gave a lecture in front of Lingji Palace. He was still talking about "morals of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce". This time he also talked about justice in the world.
On the first day of the lecture, only a few curious scholars came to watch, and Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng also watched secretly.
The next day when the news spread, the streets of the capital were deserted. From ministers to peddlers and lackeys, they all gathered in Lingji Palace to listen to Su Ze's lecture.
After Su Ze finished his lecture, news came from the Forbidden City that Yu Dayou's son Yu Zigao, with the "Da Gao" on his head, appealed for his father's grievance in the General Affairs Department.
(End of chapter)