When Zhang Juzheng was in power, with the support of Zhu Yijun, he had overwhelming power over hundreds of officials, and he was known as the prime minister by the people. He was the first to pass the imperial examination, and then cooperated with Zhu Yijun to implement major reforms, which made his official career difficult and his reputation among scholars was extremely bad.
Although "Ming Feng Ji" written by Wang Shizhen is about "defeating Yan", some of the verses in it will be obvious to anyone with a discerning eye as insinuating Zhang Juzheng. The popularity of "Feng Ming Ji" in the south of the Yangtze River is not due to the touching theme of the work. The main reason is that there are too many people who resonate with it among the rich and powerful.
Ironically, on the day Zhang Wenming was assassinated, the troupe sang an excerpt from "The Legend of Phoenix". Feng Bao really humiliated Zhang Juzheng to the bone.
As the emperor, Zhu Yijun had tried his best to remove obstacles for Zhang Juzheng - as evidenced by the fact that he jumped to the stage to directly confront the conservatives at the beginning of the Great Reform. But while Beijing officials and high-ranking officials know this information, low-level local officials often don’t know much about it. As for the people, although on the surface they say that the emperor is a wise man, in their hearts the landlords and gentry all think that a young man can do nothing. The "chaos" in recent years is all caused by the evil prime ministers!
Although Zhu Yijun gave the deceased Zhang Juzheng the highest courtesy, he suppressed the huge rebound in the original time and space. But the hatred caused by the loss of interests cannot be resolved. The wealthy gentry who were half-dead and tortured by the reform policies such as land measurement and whipping law quickly switched to industry and commerce and started a new business; those who were slow to see the opportunity suffered great losses - it is impossible for these people not to hate Zhang Juzheng.
Therefore, the rumors surrounding Zhang Juzheng have not stopped over the years. Throughout the ages, the easiest thing to spread is romantic rumors. Some say that Zhang Juzheng never had trouble with women, and that Qi Jiguang could become the standing commander of Nanhaizi Military Academy only after he entered the Sea Dog Pen; some say that when he returned home to Beijing from a funeral, the 32-man sedan chair given to him by the emperor was actually a bedroom. Zhang Juzheng did not abide by his filial piety and played "car jolting" while walking. He talked about everything with his nose and eyes, as if he had seen it in person.
The most outrageous one is that Zhang Juzheng and Li Caifeng, the queen mother who was nominally in power, were unclear. Wang Tingzhan had heard of the rumor that there was a tunnel in Zhang Juzheng's garden leading to the inner palace - "the black-hearted prime minister is lying on the dragon bed". This rumor is not worth refuting, but there is nothing anyone can do. If there is a law for this, it will become even darker.
Word of mouth among the people is just a source of conversation, and it cannot make any big waves. But if it is written and posted on the wall, it is a big deal - it means that there are bad signs in the scholar's mind, and the court must deal with it harshly.
After being helped up, Wang Tingzhan calmed down and ordered: "Notify all prefectures and counties to send the government officials out quickly. Any posts that are posted will be cleaned up. I will keep an eye on them. Anyone who dares to continue posting will be arrested!" This was an emergency measure, so Liu Yao agreed and ran away.
Wang Tingzhan waved to Zhongshu, who was waiting in the corridor, and said: "You arrange for the shopkeeper to find a room. We have finished eating and need to change into court clothes." Before he finished speaking, a person flashed out from behind Zhongshu, it was Hui Cui Lou. Shopkeeper, it turns out he is here to serve you.
The shopkeeper was surprised and said: "Sir, we have only been eating for two minutes, and there are still many dishes that have not been served - our boss is coming soon." Wang Tingzhan said solemnly: "That's a lot of nonsense! Do you want to commit suicide?" The shopkeeper turned pale with fright, slapped himself in the mouth, and ran to arrange the room.
Wiping the sweat from his head, Wang Tingzhan turned around and entered the private room. Seeing his pale face, Liang Menglong smiled and asked, "Zhibiao, what happened?"
Wang Tingzhan smiled apologetically at Pan Sheng and others, turned the table and walked to Liang Menglong, unfolding the post in front of him. Liang Menglong glanced at it, stood up and said to everyone: "I am going to the palace immediately, Mr. Shui Lian, let's talk as we walk. Zhibiao, you also come with me." After saying that, he left the table. Everyone present was shocked and confused.
Wang Tingzhan felt that although the matter was big, it was not urgent. He reminded: "Prime Minister, please change into court clothes. I have already arranged a place to change." Liang Menglong thought about it and smiled: "Don't be nervous, everyone. It is a big matter, but it is not urgent." Everyone suppressed their doubts and looked at each other.
The waiter, Zhongshu, had already gone to the adjacent private room to call the relevant people, and came over with a suitcase containing court clothes.
So Liang Menglong and others went to change clothes first. After the court robes were put on and the python robes and jade belts came out, the volume in the lobby of the Huihui Building suddenly dropped. Everyone looked at these rare high-ranking officials and did not dare to speak loudly. Youxuniao whispered in a low voice: "The Prime Minister of the Political Affairs Hall also went to the restaurant to eat in person - he has gained a lot of experience."
When I walked to the door, I saw a middle-aged man in plain silk clothes bowing at the door. He said: "Why did the prime ministers leave so quickly? It's rare for the young ones to show their friendship as landlords." When Wang Tingzhan saw the shopkeeper's obedience, he became furious and signaled to his surroundings that he would take down the man.
Unexpectedly, Liang Menglong burst into laughter: "Is it Uncle Zhuang's second brother or third brother in front of you? I can't remember clearly." After hearing this, the man stood up and replied: "I don't dare bother you to ask. I'm going to call you Zhuang Yunzhi." , Don’t dare to taint your ears with a cheap name.”
Liang Menglong asked him just to give him face, smiled slightly and walked forward. Wang Tingzhan deeply doubted his ability, and also doubted whether he could do well as the governor of Shuntian. As he walked, he explained: "Because there is something urgent, I will come over to bother you another day." Zhuang Yunzhi hurriedly said that he was waiting.
The accompanying Zhongshu people did not know that the "Hui Hui Building", the first hotel in the capital, was owned by Empress Zhuang's natal family, so they followed behind and kept talking. However, there are so many situations like this in the capital and even in the world, so everyone is not surprised and sighs with a clear mind: "Uncle Zhuang does not use his power to make profits, he opens a restaurant in a serious manner, and he sincerely sets an example for you."
When Pan Sheng heard this, he turned around and said, "Which noble family is using their power for profit? Tell me."
Everyone: ".?"
When they arrived at the palace, Liang Menglong and others asked for an audience. The Wei Dynasty came out and notified the ministers to meet at Wuying Palace. Liang Menglong asked Wei Chaodao: "The emperor is not in the Yangxin Hall today?"
Wei Chao pondered for a while, but decided to give the new Prime Minister a face, swallowing the words "I don't know", and said: "Just now, Wang Tong. Well, the Crown Prince Shaobao Wang Xizhi came to see him, and the Emperor came from the Yangxin Hall Came here for a walk.”
Wang Tingzhan swallowed his saliva when he heard this. Wuying Palace is close to the Political Affairs Hall. The Wei Dynasty meant that the emperor was waiting for them to visit him at Wuying Palace. But what Wang Tong said in the audience can be known without asking.
Sure enough, Zhu Yijun also knew about the unveiling case. He didn't get angry, he just asked Wang Tingzhan: "Zhibiao, how did you arrange it?"
Wang Tingzhan hurriedly replied: "In response to your Majesty's words. I have already sent all the government officials to collect all the stickers. At the same time, keep a close eye on them to prevent others from committing crimes." Zhu Yijun nodded and said: " You go back - this is not a big deal. There are always some young people who do these shameful things. You have to pay close attention these days and cooperate with the National Security Bureau."
After Wang Tingzhan retreated, Zhu Yijun said to Liang Menglong: "This case is easy to solve - the Mexican National Security Bureau already knows which houses in the capital are selling the paper on which the announcement was written. In addition, one of the four lines of the poem leaked his information. He must be a high-ranking official in the court."
After saying that, he snorted coldly and said: "The 'robbery case' was stopped when Han Bixian arrived. Just as Prince Zhongxing was dying, the matter was dropped - these bastards have been quiet for two years and are ready to start again. This time it must be I want thunder to sweep my acupoints and clean them all!"
