The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

It is said that in the 43rd year of Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng's teacher Xu Jie was really far-sighted, and he recommended Zhang Juzheng to be the lecturer of King Yu Zhu Zaihou.Although Yude is only a false title, King Yu is very likely to succeed to the throne, so it is not an ordinary position to give lectures in Yu Mansion.In the 45th year of Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng took charge of the Imperial Academy.And this year, after the death of Emperor Jiajing, Yu Wang Zhu Zaihou succeeded to the throne for Ming Muzong, and Zhang Juzheng's opportunity also came.In the first year of Longqing, that is, the year when Zhang Fan was reborn and returned, Zhang Juzheng, as a former minister of King Yu, served as the left servant of the Ministry of Officials and a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and entered the cabinet to participate in government affairs.In April of the same year, he was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Bachelor of Wuyingdian University.

To be honest, Zhang Fan followed Steward Li to Zhang Juzheng's mansion, thinking about some information about Zhang Juzheng that Ma County Magistrate told him before leaving in his mind, and always sighed in his heart: "It seems that no matter whether it is a high-ranking person or a bad person, , Honest officials and traitors all need relationships!"

After entering the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng did not start to be complacent about his personal achievements, but he became more nervous.During this period, the Ming Dynasty suffered both internally and externally. Internally, land annexation was serious, refugees scattered, uprisings occurred frequently, and the country’s finances were empty; externally, there were many wars. In particular, Cen Meng's rebellion "Two Rivers Shocked", the pirates harassed the southeast coast, and the people were in dire straits.

And these are just some external factors. If you want to calm down, it will always be effective if you put in a lot of effort, but the most worrying thing is the growing political struggle within the cabinet.

Zhang Fan kept thinking about these things, and Steward Li had already led him to Zhang Juzheng's house.Seeing that it was Li Shan, the gatekeeper let the two of them in without asking any questions.Zhang Fan followed Li Shan to the living room, someone had prepared tea, Li Shan went to inform, and Zhang Fan was waiting here.

Zhang Fan looked at the house of this second-rank official, and it really wasn't that big.Just like this living room, it doesn't look extremely luxurious, and the furniture is not made of that kind of precious wood.Although the layout is very simple, it makes people look comfortable.

Zhang Fan is working on a calligraphy work on a large wall, and the owner will arrive soon.

"Master Zhang is here." A gentle and thick voice came to mind.

When Zhang Fan heard this, he immediately turned around and saw a middle-aged man in his prime looking at him.I saw that he was dressed in an ordinary blue cloth robe, his square face was a little soft, his small eyes looked at him with piercing eyes, and the beard under his chin seemed to be thicker, but his face On the surface, he was always melancholy, as if some troubles had been bothering him.

"Zhang Fan has met Master Shangshu." Zhang Fan immediately saluted him.

"Don't be too modest." Zhang Juzheng said, "It's been such a long journey from Qingyang to here, it's been hard work, Lingtang doesn't feel any discomfort, right?"

"Thank you for your concern, my mother is fine." Zhang Fan said, "I would also like to thank you for arranging a place for my mother and son."

"You don't have to thank me, I recommended you to come to the capital, so naturally I have to make arrangements for you." Zhang Juzheng said, "Mr. Ma Changwen, magistrate of Anhua County, how are you?"

"Maxian Magistrate is very good. Although he is old, he is still in good health." Zhang Fan replied, "Your Excellency knows Ma County Magistrate?"

"We worked together before." Zhang Juzheng didn't say much.

"My lord, there is something unclear about Wansheng, please enlighten me." Zhang Fan said.

"If you have any questions, just say it."

"My lord..." Zhang Fan thought for a while and said, "At the beginning of this year, my lord wrote a letter to Ma County Magistrate, saying that he would recommend the late students to go to the Imperial College, but this year the Imperial College will open the examination to accept students in August, I don't know Your lord is calling Wansheng now?"

"Something happened." Zhang Juzheng said, "I have to make plans early."

Zhang Fan didn't interrupt, waiting for his next words.

"Since the fall of Yan Song in the 41st year of Jiajing, Xu Jie, the official's mentor, has been the chief assistant. The other chief assistant in the current cabinet, Gao Gong, was recommended by my mentor Xu Jie to join the cabinet. A fellow of Gong’s, Guo Pu.” Zhang Juzheng said, “Gao Gong is bold and talented, quite prefaced, when he first entered the cabinet, he had ambitions for actual combat. At that time, the former emperor lived in Xiyuan for a long time, and the ministers were called It is an honor to enter Zhilu, but things in the pavilion are not in order. The former emperor once said: "The government in the pavilion can be left by one person", but the teacher and the "Prime Minister of Qing Ci" Yuan Wei used the excuse that they could not leave the former emperor. He didn't go to the cabinet to do business. Gao Gong told his teacher that he, Li Chunfang and Guo Pu were willing to be alone. At that time, although Li Chunfang had entered the cabinet early, he was very respectful to his teacher. Gao Gong and Guo Pu were recommended by their teacher. However, Gao Gong said so bluntly, and his mentor really didn't like it. In addition, Gao Gong and Guo Pu are from the same hometown, and the relationship between the two is also very close, which formed a bad relationship.

"Gao Gong has read more than half a hundred years and has no children. He moved his family to the Xihua Gate, and often went home secretly to reunite with his wives and concubines when he went to the hut. Once the emperor was critically ill, but Gao Gong hurriedly took his books, The items were taken out. The official department impeached Hu Yingjia in the matter of Gao Gong's "Ye Ye Qiangui" and "the emperor violated peace, but it was a plan". It was just that the emperor was seriously ill and he was not deeply responsible. It was only because Hu Yingjia was a fellow villager of his mentor that he impeached him. It was reported by his mentor again, so he thought that Hu Yingjia was his mentor, but this added to his dissatisfaction and resentment towards his mentor.

"In December of the 45th year of Jiajing, the late emperor passed away. At that time, my mentor and I drafted the late emperor's last edict to correct the disadvantages of fasting, building sacrifices, and large-scale construction projects at that time. , something went wrong at this time. At that time, my mentor and I did not inform Gao Gong of the draft edict. As a result, Gao Gong and Guo Pu were provoked by the edict. I don’t know, but he has a deeper resentment towards his teacher. Now that the emperor is on the throne, his teacher took me into the cabinet with the elder Shuode as the chief assistant. Gao Gong couldn’t calm down, and he always sang against his teacher in political affairs, military affairs, and the appointment and retention of ministers. In the first month of the first year of Longqing, Hu Yingjia was demoted. The officials thought it was Gao Gong's so-called, and they attacked him. Some even compared him to Cai Jing. Retirement, the Holy Majesty refused. The mentor had no choice but to draw up an order to retain him, but did not condemn the officials. Up to now, Gao Gong had fought against his mentor several times, but they were all defeated. Later, the situation intensified, and the impeachment of Gao Gong in the three regions was as large as thirty Yu then said he was sick and begged for rest, and the Holy Majesty allowed him to return to his hometown with the titles of Shaofu, Prince Taifu, Shangshu, and University scholar to recuperate, and sent pedestrians to escort him."

Zhang Fan listened to Zhang Juzheng's narration, it seemed that Gao Gong was not very good at being an official, and he became the target of public criticism.But he still didn't understand the reason why Zhang Juzheng said this: "Then my lord, what do you mean..."

"I used to be Gao Gong's confidant, and I know that he also thinks about the Ming Dynasty." Zhang Juzheng said helplessly, "It's just that my teacher has become the hero who defeated Yan Song, but he is not as forbearing as before. .”

Zhang Fan understood now that Zhang Juzheng must have had an opinion about his mentor, but he couldn't raise it because of his status.

"I read your article during the provincial examination, and I appreciate it very much." Zhang Juzheng said, "The Ming Dynasty seems to be safe and sound, but in fact, it has reached a situation of internal and external troubles, and it is in need of reform!"

Zhang Fan immediately thought that when he was taking the exam, he secretly mentioned the idea of ​​reform in the article. Because he was afraid of being attacked by some people, he wrote it very cryptically, but Zhang Juzheng saw it.It's just: "My lord, Wansheng does have this idea, but this reform has to be considered in the long run. Since ancient times, reforms can bring benefits to the country, but most of the people who reformed did not end well."

"This official has also thought about it." Zhang Juzheng sighed slightly, "I am not afraid of these, but I am afraid that if I die, this matter will really be delayed."

"This matter has to be considered slowly, and we have to think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds, so that the reform can go smoothly without letting other people pick out any problems." Zhang Fan said.

"The implementation of the reform can be put aside, but this plan has already been put on the agenda." Zhang Juzheng said, "I originally planned to let you study in the Imperial College. With your ability, you will be able to be used by the court in four years. It's just this The plan is ahead of schedule.”

"Oh? My lord means..." Zhang Fan still didn't know what Zhang Juzheng really meant.

"I let you enter the Guozijian now, which is regarded as a temporary admission. After four months, you can take the examination." Zhang Juzheng said.

When Zhang Fan heard his arrangement, he liked it in his heart: "In this way, Ruxue's side... No, now is not the time to think about these things, there are more important things to do right now."

"Is there anyone else in your family besides you and Lingtang?" Zhang Juzheng finished talking about the business, and began to chat with Zhang Fan about other things.

"There is no one else in the family except me and my mother." Zhang Fan said, "But Wansheng has already made an engagement."

"Oh? Which family's daughter is it?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

"It's Chen Ruxue, the eldest daughter of Chen Wenchuan, the inspector of the border patrol," Zhang Fan replied.

"Chen Wenchuan, I know, I met him that year, and he is a capable person." Zhang Juzheng said, "That's good, we can be more stable when we get married."

Zhang Fan was also very happy after hearing his words.

"Go back and have a good rest today, and tidy up tomorrow." Zhang Juzheng said, "I will send someone to find you the day after tomorrow and lead you to the Imperial College. There are still some formalities to go through."

"Thank you for your concern." Zhang Fan thanked.

"No need to thank you. You don't have to take those things too seriously. Do the things in front of you first." Zhang Juzheng shook his hand and said, "If you have any difficulties in life, go to Steward Li, he can help to some extent. I have some things to attend to this afternoon."

"Don't disturb my lord, Wansheng will leave now." Zhang Fan said.

"Well, let's go." Zhang Juzheng replied.

Zhang Fan left Zhang Juzheng's house, and when he returned home, Mrs. Zhao had already tidied up the room in an orderly manner.Zhang Fan talked to his mother and went to rest in his room.Along the bumpy road, Zhang Fan had never had a good night's sleep, and he slept for several hours.When he woke up, it was already the first lights, and Mrs. Zhao had already prepared dinner.

After dinner, Zhang Fan looked at his mother's busy figure, and remembered what Steward Li said to him this morning, and said to his mother: "Mother, you always work like this, but it makes the child feel unfilial, why don't I let Li The butler should find a maid to serve you."

"Your mother is not too old to do work, why do you want a maid?" Of course Mrs. Zhao disagreed.

"Mother, don't rush to say no, just listen to me." Zhang Fan explained, "I'm going to the Imperial College the day after tomorrow to study, so I won't have time to meet my mother then."

Guozijian has regulations on what to do every day. The first day is off, lectures will be given on the second and third days, endorsements will be made on the fourth day, lectures will be resumed on the fifth and sixth day, endorsements will be made on the seventh day, and meetings will be held on the eighth day. Lecture, endorsement on the ninth and tenth day of the first day, re-teaching on the 21th, endorsement on the 22th and 23th, lecture on the 24th, holiday on the 25th, endorsement on the 26th and 27th, and reply on the 28th Lecture, endorsement on the 29th and [-]th, lecture on the [-]st, endorsement on the [-]nd and [-]rd, re-speak on the [-]th, lecture on the [-]th, endorsement on the [-]th, re-speaking on the [-]th and [-]th, and endorsement on the [-]th. Resume on ten days.There are only two days off every month, which is quite cruel!I usually live wherever I live, and I don't have time to come out at all.

"This..." Mrs. Zhao didn't expect Zhang Fan to be so busy in the Imperial Supervision Committee, wouldn't it be difficult to even meet him.

"So, there's nothing wrong with finding a maid to serve you, and you can talk to your mother when you're bored." Zhang Fan continued, "What's more, the girl who will come out to be a maid is not in a downturn at home. We can help one. One." Although Zhang Fan is not a Gongsheng student of the Imperial Academy and cannot enjoy state subsidies, he still has some money in his family, and the expenses are not large, which is enough for him.

"It's like this, okay." Mrs. Zhao also agreed.

On the second day, Steward Li came to see if Zhang Fan needed any help. Zhang Fan told him about the maid, and Steward Li naturally agreed.Zhang Fan started to go shopping again.In other words, when you come to this ancient city of Beijing, it is really a pity not to go shopping.

The important place of the capital is really extraordinary, and the largest city in the world at that time reveals its uniqueness everywhere.Although the people living inside are ordinary people, it gives people a different feeling.Because this is the capital and the place where the emperor lives?Because there are many rights here?Or is it because of the luxury of living here?Some are not all right.Zhang Fan thought for a long time, and finally came to a conclusion: "Maybe it's because there is a life that everyone yearns for here!"

Back home, Steward Li was already waiting at home, talking to his mother, with a girl standing beside him.

"Fan'er is back." Mrs. Zhao was very happy to see her son back.

"Mother, Butler Li is here too!" Zhang Fan greeted and looked at the girl beside him, "This is?"

"Master Zhang, this is Xiangmei, let her serve Madam in the future." Li Butler said.

"Hello, young master!" A timid but clear voice came.

Zhang Fan looked at the girl in front of him, and found that she was just a child, only thirteen or fourteen years old, so he couldn't help asking: "Butler Li, this girl is only at such an age, why..."

"Well, speaking of which, Gu Nian was originally from Zhangjiakou. Her parents died early, so she and her younger sister were the only ones left." Li Butler said, "The family was poor and had no means of earning a living, so they were almost sold into a brothel. Seeing how pitiful she was, I saved her."

"Madam, young master, please keep me." Xiangmei thought that Zhang Fan looked down on her, tears streaming down her face immediately, she knelt down and cried, "I'm very capable, cleaning, cooking, what? I will do it, please leave me."

Zhang Fan was stunned by the scene in front of him and didn't know what to say.On the contrary, Mrs. Zhao was very soft-hearted, and went to help her up herself: "Don't cry, stand up quickly."

Xiao Xiangmei stood up, still whimpering.It's not that Zhang Fan doesn't look down on this little girl, but he feels that he seems to have heard her experience countless times, and then he is relieved that he has been deeply poisoned by those TV dramas. Yes, it sounds simple, but their life is extremely difficult, which cannot be imagined casually.Although Zhang Fan has never lived a hard life, he can still imagine some.But Mrs. Zhao lived that kind of life. Thinking back then, she was alone, and she had to take care of Zhang Fan and provide him with education. One can imagine the hardships involved.

"Stop crying, I didn't say I don't want you." Zhang Fan also said softly, "You can stay in the future, but don't call me young master anymore."

"Then..." Xiao Xiangmei stopped crying when she heard Zhang Fan's promise to stay. When she heard Zhang Fan's request, she quickly thought about it and said, "Got it, my lord."

"Well, I won't be able to go home often in the future, you have to take good care of my mother." Zhang Fan said, "Just don't let her do so much work."

"Well, Xiangmei knows, and she will definitely serve Madam well." Xiao Xiangmei nodded firmly.

Looking at her appearance as if she had been entrusted with a major mission, Zhang Fan was quite satisfied.

From then on, there was another figure in Zhang Fan's family, and Zhang Fan's life in the capital was about to begin.