But how to discuss this matter with Emperor Wanli is another problem! Because Emperor Wanli seems to have grown up recently and is already ready to take action! You actually know how to seize your rights for yourself!
He met Feng Bao not long ago. Feng Bao's words were full of resentment towards Emperor Wanli, and he was also dissatisfied with Empress Dowager Li! The reason is naturally because he was eliminated from the Dongchang position!
Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng became even more determined to send Liu Haojia out as soon as possible! If this Dongchang falls into Feng Bao's hands, it will only become more and more in decline. Over time, it may even collapse! But if it falls into the hands of Liu Haojia, God knows what tricks he will pull out! Zhang Juzheng is sure that if Liu Haojia is willing to cut off and enter the palace, he must be someone like Liu Jin who established the emperor!
Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but sigh: "The emperor has grown up, and he has actually found ways to increase his rights! So we can no longer treat him like a child before!"
But as for delegating power to the emperor, he never thought about it! Because he knows his student so well! He is just a middle-aged man. His thoughts are not about me, but his will is not firm. At most, he can only be a conservative emperor in peacetime.
If I delegate power to him, I'm afraid that my reform plan will only fail halfway! For the sake of all the people in the world, you should try to restrain him as much as possible until your reform is completed!
Having made up his mind, Zhang Juzheng regained his calm demeanor. He was as quick-thinking as before in the morning and smoothly arranged all the matters that needed to be discussed. And he decided to take advantage of the opportunity he gave to Emperor Wanli to talk to him today! Thinking that he knew this student well, he would not reject him!
The teaching time ended soon. Zhang Juzheng had just made up his mind today, and naturally he felt happy, so he was much gentler to Emperor Wanli than before!
But Emperor Wanli was frightened by this softness! He knows that when anyone's attitude changes, something big will happen! So Emperor Wanli concentrated all his attention and passed the morning lecture!
At the end of the lecture, Zhang Juzheng waved his hand to send all the eunuchs in the study out. When Emperor Wanli saw this, he knew that today's drama was coming! So brace yourself and prepare to listen to Zhang Juzheng's teachings.
Hear Zhang Juzheng say: "A few days ago, news came urgently from eight hundred miles away. I think your majesty has seen it! This time the cowpox was a great success! The total population of the 20 places where cowpox was tried was more than 2,700 people. No one died! This is really gratifying! The imperial court rewarded him heavily and began to prepare to promote cowpox throughout the Ming Dynasty!"
When Emperor Wanli heard that this was what Zhang Juzheng wanted to say, he felt a little relieved! Because Liu Haojia has already rectified this matter.
Just the day before, Liu Haojia went to the palace and admitted to him that he had spread news among the people. The reason is naturally that because of his great achievements, the court not only refused to reward him, but kept suppressing him, and didn't even say a polite word, so he took this opportunity to vent his anger!
Emperor Wanli naturally supported this matter, which made his plan more stable! Moreover, he also felt that Liu Haojia was loyal, and he had to explain this to him carefully.
Therefore, Emperor Wanli not only did not blame Liu Haojia, but also comforted him with gentle words. The two even discussed how to face Zhang Juzheng's accountability. Naturally, Liu Haojia stuffed a lot of private goods into this.
So Emperor Wanli said very calmly: "Yes, it is indeed hard for Mr. Peng to travel around the Ming Dynasty. He has meritorious service! But should Liu Haojia, who invented cowpox, also be rewarded?"
After saying this, Emperor Wanli took a closer look at Zhang Juzheng's face, trying to discern some clues from his face. But Zhang Juzheng had already expected what he was thinking, so he didn't see anything.
Zhang Juzheng said in a steady voice: "Liu Haojia naturally deserves the reward! And what I want to tell your Majesty today is what I heard."
Emperor Wanli felt much more relaxed after hearing this, but he still said with a little trembling: "Sir, please speak."
Zhang Juzheng said: "I hope that your Majesty can release Liu Haojia as an official!"
Emperor Wanli was very happy when he was sure that he heard it right! But in order to suppress this joy, his efforts distorted his face into a very strange expression, which seemed to be close to fright! When this scene fell in Zhang Juzheng's eyes, he naturally thought that Emperor Wanli was greatly shocked!
Sure enough, Emperor Wanli said categorically: "No! Liu Haojia is my loyal minister, and I can't live without him just like Mr.!"
Zhang Juzheng had naturally expected Emperor Wanli's answer, and he said calmly: "I thank you in advance for your majesty's trust! Similarly, I also know that Liu Haojia has some achievements, and he has won your majesty's trust! But what he just said does not matter. It is of great benefit to Liu Haojia and to Your Majesty, so Your Majesty might as well listen to the minister’s reasons!”
Emperor Wanli pursed his lips and did not speak, but his eyes revealed the intention to continue speaking. Zhang Juzheng was naturally able to understand his intention and said directly: "Liu Haojia is indeed capable and has a keen mind. If he had not come from the imperial examination, it would be possible for him to join the cabinet in the future!"
Emperor Wanli said: "He is from Xie Guo, and his future is guaranteed by our town!"
Zhang Juzheng nodded and said: "I understand this, and I believe that your Majesty can do it! But your Majesty must consider Liu Haojia's future! He has offended too many people now because of the money collection, and I don't know how many people in Beijing are waiting for him to make a mistake! Ning Baiqiang is just one of them! At the same time, he has almost cleaned up all the gangs in the capital. Although the people have reduced the harassment from the gangs, the people behind the gangs all hate him to the core! And he has a monopoly on glass The sales of utensils and snow candy, with huge profits, I don’t know how many people are jealous and eyeing him! Your Majesty, you see, I just casually found three places where he has made many enemies, not to mention the opponents he faces in other aspects. More! That’s why I beg your Majesty to release him. It’s really for preservation!”
Emperor Wanli said slowly: "He is my subject, I can protect him!"
Zhang Juzheng said: "I believe this too! But your Majesty can protect him once, but you cannot protect him forever! What's more, he is young and has already had the reputation of trying hundreds of households not long after he entered the officialdom. I don't know how many people are jealous!" As the saying goes, if a tree is beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy it! Moreover, he is in a high position, but he does not have the experience of heterodyne. After all, if he wants to climb to a high position in the future, he will be one level behind! Therefore, if he is released, he can both Isn't it good to let him avoid the whirlpool that thousands of people are pointing at and make up for the experience of hearing?"
