Zhang Juzheng's condition developed faster than Zhang Siwei expected. When he initially took on the responsibilities of chief assistant, this figure who had been in control of the court since the sixth year of Longqing, and who looked like a towering mountain to Zhang Siwei, quickly lost weight. By the end of March in the thirteenth year of Wanli, it was difficult for him to drink water. meters, entering the stage of counting days.
Although everyone from the emperor to the ministers knew that this day would come sooner or later, Zhang Juzheng's health still made the entire capital and even the world hold their breath. Unconsciously, the entertainment industry in Beijing was obviously in depression. The officials in the capital were like insects before their awakening, still feeling the chill hanging over Shuntian Mansion in the spring when all things resurrected.
No one wants to lose track at this critical moment. The poetry and singing of the brothel can certainly relieve the depression of implementing various tasks of the new plan, but if you are not careful, you may be labeled as "frivolous" and lose the opportunity that should belong to you.
The new planning edict, which embodies the hard work of the Prime Minister on the hospital bed, is being implemented without any fuss. The first thing the Zhengshitang under the leadership of Zhang Siwei must solve is the problem of the Northern Expedition. After two years of preparation, the Ming Dynasty, which had initially unified the power of Mongolia, was about to cross the Sayan Mountains and march north - to conquer the vast land where the snow had not yet melted.
The entire northern expedition plan is different from the Stroganov family just sending mercenaries. The 7,500 Han-Mongolian coalition forces will lead tens of thousands of Chinese who are willing to take risks at the northern foot of the Altai Mountains, along the Hatun River, The Yinshui River and the Altai River flowed northward to attack all other ethnic groups in the "Sleeping Land", and controlled key points by building fortresses, thus bringing the entire Luo wilderness into the emperor's ambition.
As national power continued to rise, furs had become standard equipment for the wealthy in the north in the thirteenth year of Wanli. In the winter of the Saihanba Meeting, first the emperor began to wear fur hats and mink velvet, and then fur coats and fox scarves became popular among the women in the palace.
After the clan caught up with the trend, the price of furs in the entire capital began to double. When the trend took full effect, the price of furs north of the Huaihe River increased tenfold before the Spring Festival in the 11th year of Wanli!
Of course, this would cause a backlash, and officials soon warned the emperor that it was wrong to use the example of Xuanzong to persuade the emperor to trigger this trend: "In the same year, officials were sent to Nanjing to pick jade-faced civets. The emperor rebuked them and said: 'The villain It is not in line with the overall governance. I am issuing an edict to do all the non-urgent tasks in order to calm the people. How can I lose my trust because I am careful about my diet?'"
Your Majesty, it is wrong for you to like to wear fur coats. Xuanzong liked to eat jade-faced civets, but he resisted not eating them - wild animals must be protected. Since the Western Zhou Dynasty in China, we have had the "Fa Chong Order" which says: "Do not destroy houses, fill in wells, cut down trees, and do not touch livestock. Those who are not as good as the order will not be pardoned." "Li Ge" also has "Li Ge" What about the short story "Duan Kuangjun". Since the Han Dynasty, all dynasties have issued laws prohibiting the arbitrary killing of wild animals, and our country also has relevant laws.
"No buying and selling, no killing!" the daily newspapers in both Beijing and Beijing issued a rousing appeal. So the emperor followed suit and ordered to close the mountains and prohibit the entry of furs from the Northeast. Moreover, traders from the Northeast were trading furs as smuggling. This directly increased the price of furs in the 12th year of Wanli to 40 times that of the 10th year of Wanli, but the emperor still wore mink. Qiu is still the same.
With such an economic foundation, Zhang Siwei's job will be easy. The imperial court will issue a hunting license in the Luo Wilderness - any fur transported from the north of the Sayan Mountains is not within the imperial ban.
Dozens of times the profit was enough to stimulate the adventurous factor in the hearts of the most conservative hunters, and the formation of the Han-Mongolian coalition was therefore very smooth.
For the Han soldiers and herdsmen, as long as the prey can be collected into a fur coat, food and clothing will be provided for half a lifetime. The banner owners fought fiercely for the hunting ground designated by the imperial court in the Luo wilderness and a place in the coalition forces, and almost came to blows.
...
Zhang Siwei was in charge of various tasks in the Zhengshitang one by one, asking the emperor for instructions, issuing decrees, and coordinating all parties. The emperor did not keep him waiting long, and soon a new edict came down: nominating Shen Shixing, Liang Menglong, Xu Guo, and Luo Wanhua to the cabinet, and Xu Tingtui.
Zhang Siwei breathed a deep sigh of relief. The top two, Shen Shixing and Liang Menglong, were recommended by himself - indicating that the emperor fully took care of the face of the new prime minister; and Governor Luo Wanhua, who was far away in Myanmar, entered the list, which was the emperor's explanation to Zhang Juzheng: his family interests will be taken care of by him. The person who single-handedly promoted it will protect it.
The new Zhengshitang will be composed of Zhang Siwei, Wang Guoguang, Pan Sheng and four new members. Although Zhang Siwei and Wang Guoguang have no support, it is obvious that Pan Sheng and Liang Menglong will cause a split in the Zhang Party. Xu Guo, as the third party of the Zhang Party, will determine the rise and fall of their power - this is the same as when Zhang Siwei nominated Liang Menglong. The design matches, indicating that he got the correct answer. And Shen Shixing, who is "Jane in the Emperor's heart", may not be willing to be inferior to Pan Sheng. With his bipolar character, he can win over him to help him in certain decision-making processes.
This is a list that neither Zhang Dang nor Jin Dang can find fault with. It is also completely consistent with today's political spectrum - Pan Sheng, as the backbone of the Zhang Party and a determined reformer, will become the nominal third and actual second figure in the political hall; he will join Wang Guoguang, Luo Wanhua, Liang Menglong together provided a strong guarantee for the continuation of the reform; Shen Shixing and Xu Guo, as centrists between the conservative and the reform ends, played the role of an insurance valve when the country's policy shifted radically - Zhang Siwei acted as the executioner of the emperor's will It plays the most important role in "reconciling yin and yang".
The results of the court decision did not cause any disturbance, and the determination of the new list of political affairs hall also started the prelude to the "post-Zhang Juzheng era".
Mr. Zhang, who was living in the Zhang Mansion, heard the latest news, but it was difficult for him to react in a way that would make people understand his intentions - Zhang Juzheng was on his deathbed. Both Chen Shigong and Li Shizhen have concluded that Zhang Juzheng will reach his end in the next day or two. Although Millennium Ginseng has been used, it is no longer able to play a role in extending life.
On the fourth day of April in the thirteenth year of Wanli, Zhang Juzheng turned sixty-one. On this day last year, the whole country congratulated him on his sixtieth birthday - the official sedans that came to pay homage to his birthday in Hufangqiao Hutong were densely packed for more than two miles.
Today's birthday man is already in a semi-conscious state - although the entire Zhang Mansion is decorated with lanterns and decorations to celebrate his birthday, no unsighted official comes to bother him. Only Pan Sheng, Qi Jiguang and a few other important ministers who had the honor to enter the palace could come to visit. Of course, although there are many confused officials who feel that they have saved a fortune on birthday gifts, most people are still honest enough to send gift orders to congratulate them.
At the end of the morning, Wei Chao, who had not been seen in the capital for a long time, suddenly appeared in front of Zhang Mansion. The head concierge did not dare to neglect and hurriedly reported to You Qi. Zhang Jingxiu and Zhang Sixiu went out to greet him hand in hand.
Wei Chao was wearing the uniform of a fourth-grade general eunuch. One position behind him was an old internal official who was hunched over. He wore a yellow hat and lowered his head like a follower of Wei Chao. Four Han generals were guarding him - as expected given the power and position of the Wei Dynasty. The two brothers Zhang Jingxiu were busy meeting the Wei Dynasty.
Wei Chaodao: "Our family has just returned from Nanjing. I heard that the old gentleman was not hesitant and came here without replying to the order." Zhang Jingxiu and Zhang Jingxiu hurriedly bowed to the ground to thank the emperor's first favorite attendant.
Wei Chao cleared his throat, coughed, and led the old eunuch deeper into Zhang Mansion. He was accustomed to following the emperor on the way to Zhang Juzheng's study, so he didn't notice Zhang Jingxiu leading the way.
Zhang Sixiu said with a slight embarrassment: "Eunuch Wei, my father lives in the main house and is no longer in the study room of the Summer Palace."
Wei Chao suddenly realized this and hurriedly turned around to follow Zhang Jingxiu, sighing and saying, "Is this serious, sir?"
Zhang Sixiu said with red circles, "Yes. The emperor came to see me again yesterday, but my father was no longer able to greet him. He woke up for a while today and is still asleep now."
Wei Chao nodded and asked: "Is there an imperial doctor taking care of the old gentleman?" Zhang Sixiu whispered: "Yes...it is said that there is no way to save him."
Wei Chao stopped talking, but his steps quickened a bit. When he arrived outside the bedroom where Zhang Juzheng lived, he suddenly stopped and said, "Brother Yanzhou, follow me in. The others can wait outside."
Zhang Jingxiu was startled, and then he realized that the reason for the Wei Dynasty's coming was because of him, maybe because of the emperor's orders. Although Zhang Sixiu was a little disgusted, looking at Wei Chao's serious face, he didn't dare to say anything, so he watched his second brother lead Wei Chao and the old eunuch into Zhang Juzheng's bedroom. In a short time, the waiters inside The imperial doctor and servants all came out.
Zhang Sixiu continued to wait for half an hour. The bedrooms opened with a creak, and Wei Chao walked out. Zhang Jingxiu followed behind, but the old eunuch remained in the room. Zhang Jingxiu's face looked both happy and sad, and he told You Qi: "Go and get a reed mat yourself, and call Eunuch Zhang's companions over."
You Qi didn't know why, but looking at the expressions on Wei Chao and Zhang Jingxiu's faces, he didn't dare to ask, and ran off to do things like flying. Zhang Sixiu was confused and asked nervously: "Second brother, father?"
Zhang Jingxiu said softly: "Father is already awake. Wait a moment and clean up the room before you go in."
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