As if smelling something ominous, all the young masters of the Zhang family took leave and no longer cared about the government affairs. They hid in their homes one by one.
From the eldest, second to sixth.
The young masters of the Zhang family, together with their younger sister Zhang Jingxiu, took turns accompanying their father at his bedside.
Not to mention the adults who were blocked from the door, all of them anxious like ants on a hot pot, even the young masters of the Zhang family were also confused.
You can stay calm at this time.
There was only one Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth son of Zhang.
Looking at the mournful expressions on the faces of the Zhang Mansion Hanlin, Shen Lie couldn't help but shook his head. Bai Wuyi is a scholar. This is absolutely true.
None of them are as useful as a fourth brother with a military position.
In deathly silence.
Shen Lie found an opportunity and winked at Zhang Jianxiu, then walked over and said softly: "Fourth brother, please take a step to speak."
Zhang Jianxiu nodded and said softly: "Let's go to my little sister's courtyard."
As the two of them left the living room, came to Zhang Jingxiu's elegant courtyard, and closed the courtyard door, they began to murmur in a low voice.
The courtyard was empty.
Now I am taking care of my unconscious father.
Zhang Jingxiu already had room and board in his father's room.
After closing the door of the small courtyard, Shen Liexian and Zhang Jianxiu exchanged the information they had. At present, the situation in Beijing, China and North Korea is generally stable.
But the various undercurrents surging beneath the calm can no longer be hidden.
Zhang Jianxiu paced the courtyard and muttered: "The court is generally quite peaceful. After all, my father Yu Wei is here, but the place..."
Speaking of which.
Zhang Jianxiu's eyes flashed coldly, and he said coldly: "Those local officials have been writing endless letters demanding the abolition of the New Deal."
Shen Lie nodded.
This matter is reasonable. Zhang Juzheng's New Deal offended too many people. There are countless people in the world who are waiting for him to die of illness.
Then take the opportunity to counterattack!
Zhang Juzheng’s disease.
Sooner or later all kinds of monsters and ghosts will jump out one by one.
At this moment, Shen Lie hesitated to speak, wanting to tell the truth about the Grand Master's condition, but in the end, he hid the shocking secret in his heart.
Didn't say much.
The so-called care is chaos.
Shen Lie was afraid that Brother Zhang would lose his temper and leak the news.
at this time.
A servant knocked on the door outside and said softly: "Fourth Master... I'm awake... I want you and your uncle to go there."
Shen Lie and Zhang Jianxiu looked at each other and hurriedly walked towards the big house.
Not long after.
The quaint and gorgeous big house was filled with the fragrance of herbs, and there were crowds of people inside and outside the door. Zhang Jingxiu and several concubines of the Zhang family were weeping silently in front of the bed.
Zhang Juzheng was very awake at this time, but he didn't look very good.
After a few light coughs.
Zhang Juzheng looked at the most capable fourth child, his eyes seemed a little pleased, and then looked at Shen Lie who lowered his head and said nothing.
"Ahem."
The Grand Master of the Ming Dynasty seemed to have made some decision. He coughed lightly and said weakly: "Don't cry anymore. I will be upset if I cry."
The woman in Zhang's mansion quickly put away her tears and stood aside silently.
Zhang Juzheng cheered up again and said: "Jian'er... listen carefully, there are two urgent things for you to do, first."
He looked at his precious daughter who was waiting in front of the bed, and then at Shen Lie who had a calm demeanor, and then said decisively: "Jing'er's marriage will go ahead."
Zhang Jianxiu said hurriedly: "Yes, what my father said is absolutely true. It doesn't matter if I am happy about it."
Shen Lie had no choice but to bow and agree: "Yes."
Zhang Juzheng took a rest and then said resolutely: "Secondly, Jian'er, please immediately write a book for my father, saying... Shen Ke has been with my father for many years, and now he is bedridden. He is no longer qualified to be the first assistant. Please Your Majesty, please show mercy... I will resign my position as chief assistant in favor of my father."
The words fell.
There was dead silence in the room.
Zhang Jianxiu's face turned pale for a moment, but Shen Lie's heart moved. He looked at the resolute Grand Master and couldn't help but admire in his heart.
Farewell?
This may not be a good way to protect yourself wisely.
This illness made Zhang Juzheng finally think about it. He had a profound enlightenment and was no longer obsessed with power. He wanted to let go.
This way.
Maybe the emperor will be more lenient?
From Zhang Juzheng's perspective, Shen Lie felt that this might be the only way to preserve the Zhang family, but he didn't know if it would be too late.
Zhang Jianxiu still wants to defend himself.
But Zhang Juzheng glared at him, and he could only say bitterly: "Yes."
As Zhang Juzheng decided on two important things, he became weak again and said feebly: "Everyone, go down."
Shen Lie and others filed out of the room.
Afternoon.
Shen Mansion.
Shen Lie, who was busy at work, also had some back pain. He hurriedly returned home and called Yun'er over and gave some instructions to the pretty maid.
"Yun'er... you take my invitation to the Forbidden City and invite Mr. Feng to our home... just say that our Bianyifang has a new dish and you want to invite Mr. Feng to taste it."
Yun'er nodded in agreement and hurried away with Shen Lie's post.
After Shen Lie arranged everything, he walked to the eaves a little tiredly, sat on the rattan chair, and looked up at the gloomy night sky above his head.
Thinking, pondering.
finally.
Shen Lie sighed quietly: "Man's calculation is not as good as God's calculation."
After a whole year of busy work, his plan finally came to nothing.
Maybe it's God's will.
now.
Feng Bao was probably the only one who could help, so after thinking again and again, Shen Lie decided to bring Feng Bao over for discussion. He was at least 90% sure.
Feng Bao would not have any evil intentions. The chief steward of the inner court was in the same boat as Zhang Juzheng.
So after half an hour.
Feng Bao, who came incognito, looked at the trembling Ma Jintang.
But said nothing.
a long time.
After learning the inside story, Feng Bao asked in a deep voice: "How long does the Grand Master have to live?"
Ma Jintang hurriedly said: "If the treatment is correct, it can be as short as half a year, or as long as... one year."
Then Feng Bao and Shen Lie fell silent again.
Another night fell, but strangely, fire clouds rose from the sky, and the bright red sunset enveloped the capital of the Ming Dynasty in fiery red.
Come out of the wing.
Feng Bao was already restless. Today's bad news made this veteran of three dynasties and the chief steward of the inner court a little confused, as if he had seen the coming storm.
Feng Bao frowned and asked instinctively: "What should we do?"
At this moment, Shen Lie was extremely calm.
Think about it.
Shen Lie said quietly: "Firstly, please Feng Gong report this time to the Empress Dowager Ming so that preparations can be made early. Secondly... tomorrow morning, the Grand Master's resignation letter should be handed over."
Feng Bao nodded.
It is exactly the same as what Shen Lie had in mind.
The problem today is.
Will the emperor approve it?
When another night fell, Shen Lie waited for the answer he wanted to know. Amid the uproar between the government and the public, the emperor sternly rejected Zhang Juzheng's resignation.
He even issued an edict and gave some instructions.
But Shen Lie knew that this imperial edict was not a genuine attempt to retain him, it was just a show of force. Now it is a foregone conclusion that master and disciple will turn against each other. From now on.
This prosperous Ming Dynasty will enter a troubled period.
