Wang Xijue's daughter, Wang Taozhen, was born weak and prone to crying. She also suffered from scabies and had a yellow complexion. Neither Wang Xijue nor his wife liked her very much. Later, as Wang Xijue's status rose, she was betrothed to an official son named Xu Jingshao.
When Wang Taozhen was older, she gave up studying the Four Books and Five Classics halfway, and had no interest in female workers. However, she became obsessed with religion and sat in meditation all day long. When he was finally about to leave the cabinet, Xu Jingshao suddenly fell ill and died.
Wang Taozhen cried for several days and claimed that she wanted to keep Xu Lang safe. Although the Wangs and his wife disagreed, Wang Xijue, as a court official, could not stop such things as observing the festival. It was enough to keep the rules, so she simply became a female Taoist priest. She claimed to have been instructed by the immortal, named herself "Tanyangzi", and requested to become a monk and practice. Wang Xijue also agreed to her. So she began to engage in the practice of cultivating immortals.
Later, the incident spread and attracted Wang Shizhen, who was also from Taicang. Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue became members of the same family and often visited each other. At this time, Wang Taozhen was already outside the country, so Wang Shizhen asked to meet her to discuss Taoism. As a result of discussing Taoism, Wang Shizhen was convinced by Tan Yangzi's theory of "the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism". She felt that she had found a close friend and immediately became a disciple of this little girl.
From then on, things just kept getting weirder and weirder. Maybe Wang Taozhen really has a lot of aura and insights, maybe it’s because of the weird customs in Jiangnan. More and more literati and celebrities came here to listen to her sermons and become her disciples. Among them, there are many great people like Feng Menglong, and even her Her father Wang Xijue and uncle Wang Dingjue also worshiped her as their master. Nowadays, many famous literary officials write articles in support of her.
Wang Chonggu, as a northerner, had not yet discussed matters with Tan Yangzi and had no feelings for this immortal master. At this time, when I heard Wang Xijue talk about it, I still analyzed Wang Xijue's motives from the perspectives of "profit, power, and hope."
Although Wang Chonggu did not understand the details, he could still imagine that Wang Xijue, Wang Shizhen and others were using the "Tanyangzi" phenomenon to control the right to speak in Jiangnan Shilin. By packaging Wang Taozhen, the hope of scholars is gathered in the names of Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue, and they have the right to interpret the relationship between "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism."
In this way, no matter how Wang Xijue aligns himself with the government, his political base, "Scholars' Hope," is still firmly in his hands. Even if something goes wrong, he will one day be able to use it to make a comeback - but this hope is not enough. The method is a little weird.
The more Wang Chonggu thought about it, the more he felt that he had underestimated Wang Xijue before. Faced with his unattractive daughter, Wang Xijue could actually use her to make a big fuss. How could this be a pattern and idea that a stick could have?
Thinking of this, the smile on Wang Chonggu's face became more friendly. The two of them exchanged a few polite words before Wang Xijue left and went to connect with others.
...
On October 30th of the fifth year of Wanli, Zhang Juzheng, who was far away in Jiangling, submitted a memorial to the General Affairs Department about the mass arrests of Jinyiwei across the country. On the same day, Wang Xijue also submitted a memorial filled with the names of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
Zhu Yijun, who was walking on crutches in the harem, read the two memorials carefully. As Wang Chonggu expected, Zhang Juzheng also raised objections to the increasingly fierce expansion of the investigation, and proposed in the memorial that he would not expand the scope of the investigation. As for the murderer who assassinated Zhang Wenming, it is undoubtedly Dong Jianxiong at this time. As for who is standing behind Dong Jianxiong, we will just find out later.
Zhang Juzheng still included this question book even though he knew what the emperor wanted. In fact, he was telling Zhu Yijun to give up when he saw what he wanted. It was impossible to physically eliminate all the opposition in one fell swoop. If it continues, it may really cause chaos in the world.
As for Wang Xijue's memorial, most of the officials in the capital signed their names, so the memorial almost represented the opinions of all the officials in the capital at this time. In the eyes of many court officials, Zhu Yijun's pursuit of Zhang Wenming's assassination case was very similar to the "Guo Huan case" during the Taizu period. However, Emperor Wanli aimed his sword at the squires who obstructed the reform rather than corrupt officials. All officials who knew about Guo Huan's case were afraid that the emperor would turn the tip of his knife.
Therefore, in this memorial to admonish the emperor, "The emperor is sincere in his feelings, and in order to uphold the principles and discipline, and to rectify the origin, all the people in the world know it." This sentence reflects Wang Xijue's high level.
The ministers who signed Wang Xijue's memorial all understood the hidden meaning behind this sentence, and they all expressed their "sincerity" to the emperor in the form of admonishment. The emperor has used the "Assassination of Zhang Wenming" to show the world that when it comes to implementing reforms, he would rather kill people than have any room for retreat or compromise. This kind of "unified thinking" can only be achieved when the imperial power is supreme. Only in the Ming Dynasty was it possible to operate like this.
After Zhu Yijun read the memorial, he signed "I understand" on Zhang Juzheng's inscription, and then revealed it, but left Wang Xijue's inscription in the middle.
On the day Zhang Juzheng's inscription was published, everyone in the civil and military dynasties knew that the emperor had sent a signal of compromise, and now it was time for the ministers to bring the steps to the emperor's feet.
On the second day of November, the Second Assistant to the Cabinet Lu Tiaoyang and the cabinet ministers Wang Guoguang and Zhang Siwei met at the East Nuan Pavilion of the Yangxin Hall and advised the emperor not to expand the "Zhang Wenming Assassination Case", release the relevant irrelevant personnel, and return property.
Zhu Yijun listened and said: "According to the report from Jin Yiwei, these families who were arrested may have close contact with Dong Jianxiong, or may be in tandem with each other. Although there is no actual evidence of conspiracy, is it appropriate to let them go lightly?"
Lu Tiaoyang responded: "I think it is better to investigate based on evidence. There is no evidence of assassination among the people who contacted Dong Jianxiong. Although there were some bites, it was just what Sanmu wanted, and the confession was absurd and incompetent. Confront evidence. If you are convicted based on evidence, the criminal will be punished; if you are convicted by punishment, you will inevitably be imprisoned unjustly. Our ancestors in the past generations have never killed a person unjustly? I ask your Majesty to make a careful decision."
Zhu Yijun sneered after hearing this, pointed to his leg and said: "These crazy beasts first murdered me, and then assassinated the ministers' families to obstruct the great political reform. I can't kill them, right?"
When Lu Tiaoyang saw that the emperor's tone was less calm and conciliatory than usual, and more vicious and resentful, he felt a sudden attack in his heart. He did not dare to remonstrate any more, but just kowtowed and remained silent.
Wang Guoguangxin said that the emperor had indeed changed a lot after being injured. These few words were completely unreasonable when he said them. On the contrary, his rare arrogance and unreasonable energy came out again.
He was about to take over Lu Tiaoyang's words, but he didn't expect Zhang Siwei behind him to echo back: "Your Majesty, Zhang Hong and others are treasonous and immoral, and breaking their bones and scattering ashes will not make up for their sins. Since the sacred heart has been determined, it is better to issue a charter. I will definitely do it according to the will."
Wang Guoguang was lying on the ground, and when he saw Lu Tiaoyang in front of him, his shoulders shook. He himself also resisted the urge to turn his head to look at Zhang Siwei, and swallowed all the words he wanted to say.
Zhu Yijun was silent after listening to Zhang Siwei's replay. Just when Wang Guoguang was wondering whether the emperor had fallen asleep, he heard the emperor say on the kang: "Well. Wang Daokun has no reason to plot to assassinate Zhang Wenming. I have already warned the Jin Yiwei. As for the rest, I have asked the Jin Yiwei to do it. Screen and compile a list of suspects."
Wang Guoguang's voice was a little hoarse when he heard the emperor's words. He didn't know that Zhu Yijun said these words while suppressing his fear. He only heard Zhang Siwei asking after the emperor's words: "As for the sentencing standards for these people, Dali Temple has also discussed with me several times. It is rare to meet the emperor today, so I would like to ask the emperor to give you the general outline."
Although the prisoners detained by Jinyiwei have not been transferred, sooner or later these people will have to go through the process of the Ministry of Punishment and be tried by Dali Temple. Therefore, Zhang Siwei took this opportunity to ask the emperor to give a sentencing standard.
Zhu Yijun on the dragon bed was silent again. He was repeatedly entangled and fighting in his heart - it is almost certain that these people on the list have nothing to do with the assassination of Zhang Wenming.
Then, he raised his eyes and looked at a poem he had copied on the Kang screen: "Ten thousand years is too long, just seize the day." Although he still has at least forty years to live, compared with the wildness in his heart, I'm afraid I really want to seize the day.
So, he continued in a hoarse voice: "Those who plot to assassinate Zhang Wenming, whether they are the leader or the subordinate, will not be forgiven for their crimes. The leader envoys are greatly promoted, and the Yi tribe is added. Those who are subordinates are hanged, and the three tribes are scattered around the river. These people Descendants will not be allowed to serve as officials or join the army."
Wang Guangming clearly saw that the shoulders of Lu Tiaoyang, who was kneeling in front of him, shook again. Then he calmed down, and together with Lu Tiaoyang and Zhang Siwei, he sang back with a well-trained aria: "My ministers, I obey the order!"
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