Chapter 27 The twenty-sixth round of the imperial gate announced the decree to cut down the status of the powerful officials.Jingnan farewell banquet jade girl elegy

The day after the three officials beat the Dengwen drum, that is, June 16, is the day of the regular court. Every three, six or nine dynasties, the emperor ascends to his seat on the golden platform of the Huangji Gate, and all officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital will kowtow at the entrance of Dongwu and Xiyu after the whip is fired, and then climb the steps and follow the corridors to divide into classes Stand by and follow the steps.As for those lower-level officials, they can only wait outside the Meridian Gate, perform five prostrations and three knocks under the guidance of Honglu Temple officials, and then stand in the north to wait for the decree.The Yumen Judgment was originally made in the Chang Dynasty, but the atmosphere of today's Regular Dynasty is quite different.This is all because yesterday and one day, major events inside and outside the Forbidden City happened one after another.Feng Bao, who had been in office for six days, was impeached. This was like a thunderbolt, which added a lot of tension to the calm capital.There are at least a few thousand officials and subordinates in all the yamen in the capital, and there is no one who will not let this incident make them feel uneasy.Therefore, when Dongfang was just getting pale, many officials had already come outside the Meridian Gate.As soon as Yinshi arrived, only the three-way drum was heard, and the Meridian Gate opened immediately.The Banner School of the Forbidden Army had already lined up to protect the road with spears in hand. The armor and weapons were so dazzling that it was impossible to look at them. Just as the drums stopped, two court elephants in red and green were led out of the Meridian Gate by the servants of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, and stood on both sides of the gate. All right, let's stretch out our proboscis to form a bridge.At this time, the imperial bell rang, and Su Yi, a high-ranking official, lined up under the Xiangbi Bridge and entered the Meridian Gate, while those who were not high enough stayed where they were.Time shifted, after the officials of the Honglu Temple of the Ministry of Rites counted the number of officials in the regular dynasty, they reported in with the yellow book.After a while, the eunuch who delivered the decree came to the steps outside the Huangji Gate and shouted in a shrill voice:

There is a decree to call the cabinet, the five governments, and the six ministries to come Upon hearing this decree, all the officials present knew that the emperor wanted all the officials in Beijing to be there.This kind of situation will only happen when the emperor wants to announce something important.All the officials first looked at each other in blank dismay, and then couldn't help whispering and chattering. As the head of the hundred officials, Gao Gong was located next to Jintai Yujiu in the early dynasty and only a short distance from the emperor.At this moment, seeing that the royal tent was empty, and the warriors in brocade clothes who were holding up five huge golden umbrellas and four large round fans to protect Dan Bi had not entered the hall, Gao Gong felt a little uneasy.He spent the whole day yesterday in excitement and anxiety.After Cheng Wen, Luo Zun, and Lu Shude's three papers were sent to the palace, the emperor did not report any news.As the prime minister for so many years, even leaving aside Meng Chong, Gao Gong still has a few eyes and ears in the palace, but after the Dengwen drum sounded, there were twice as many guards in the palace of the Forbidden City than usual. Entry and exit restrictions are extremely strict.Except for a very small number of dental cards who had a close relationship with Feng Baoguo, who could enter and exit freely, ordinary people could neither enter nor exit.Therefore, the restless Gao Gong never closed his eyes all night.And in today's early court, the emperor has been reluctant to sit on the throne for a long time, what is the trick here?Although Gao Gong is confident that mobilizing the spokesperson to impeach Feng Bao is the right time, place and people and all three, but because he can't get accurate information, Gao Gong seems to feel a little troubled in his heart.A person wanted to talk when he was bored, but he moved to the east eaves pillar.I saw Cheng Guogong Zhu Xixiao, Fuma Duwei Xu Congcheng, Hubu Minister Zhang Benzhi, Military Minister Yang Bo, Criminal Ministry Minister Liu Ziqiang, Ministry of Industry Minister Zhu Heng, Metropolitan Procuratorate Zuodu Yushi Ge Shouli, all the first-class officials in the capital. They had already stood up one by one, and when they saw Gao Gong approaching, they all bowed to meet each other.

Among the gang of nine ministers, apart from Zhu Xixiao and Xu Congcheng who are hereditary relatives, Yang Bo and Ge Shouli have the highest qualifications among the officials recommended for the opening of Jinshi. A highly respected person who attaches power to his ministers.Gao Gong came over and greeted them first. He said to Yang Bo: Mr. Bo, I heard that you wrote a "Poem on Cooking Porridge" a while ago, which is quite popular among scholars. Yang Bo grinned and replied: This old man is seventy-three years old this year, and he is already dying. Only then did he realize that eating porridge is a blessing and the most important principle in life.In recent years, my husband has searched many ways and wrote a book "Hundred Congee Books", which is dedicated to the treatment of different seasonal diseases with different formulas of porridge.The "Poems on Cooking Congee" mentioned by Shoufu just now is the preface poem written by the old man for "Porcelain of Hundred Congee".

Gao Gong originally wanted to find a way to make an opening remark, but Yang Bo couldn't get Yang Bo to give him a serious answer.He didn't want to stop the conversation, but he had to be perfunctory. After he glanced at the empty imperial tent, he forced a smile and said: I heard that this "Poem on Cooking Porridge" is very charming. Where is it, just a few jingles for a poor chat. There is no need for Mr. Bo to be modest, your poem is just well written. Ge Shouli, who was standing next to him, interjected at this moment, "I only read it once and then remembered it. If the first assistant wants to appreciate it, I will read it to you, Lao Ge."

Appreciate further details.Gao Gong said. Ge Shouli pounded the wat board with his hands, and began to chant in his strong Shanxi accent: Cooking is better than cooking porridge. It is best to discuss it with your children. One liter can be used as three liters, and two days can be used as six days of food. If you have guests, you only need to add water and fire, and if you have no money, you don't need to ask for soup. Mo Yan said that thinness has little taste, and thinness has long taste. After singing, Ge Shouli brushed his long white beard, and asked Gao Gong meaningfully: Shou Fu, what do you think of Bo Lao's poem?

well.Gao Gong replied thoughtfully, the taste grows in the indifferent, well, in this poem of Bo Lao, there should be no embrace. Yang Bo looked at the two corridors and the officials standing on the royal road, nodded slightly and replied: Don't dare to be an official, but the old man really expresses his feelings. There will be a lot of smoke in the distance. It was only then that Gao Gong realized that the two old ministers were trying to persuade him in different ways, and he couldn't help but think that his fight with Feng Bao was a matter of principle related to the society, and they regarded it as a personal grievance for power and profit.Then look at the several ministers next to him, all listening to this conversation with their ears pricked up.Immediately, his originally unhappy mood suddenly exploded for no reason, and he replied coldly:

Thank you, Mr. Bo, for your enlightenment, but from what I've seen, eating porridge and being an official are not the same thing after all.The light taste can be compared to porridge, but it cannot be compared to official.Take your own example, Bo Lao, when you led the governor of Jizhen as the right servant of the Ministry of War in the 40th year of Jiajing, I said that it was not your fault that you suffered a defeat in the battle of Gubeikou, but the military department gave it to you. Ben Shen went up and said that your poor command caused holy anger, and decreed that you should be dismissed and ordered to return to your hometown to live in peace.I've lived in this house for five years, tell me, can the taste of this place become indifferent?

Gao Gong's words were mixed with a gun and a stick, sweeping Yang Bo's face red and white. Seeing that a dispute was about to erupt, Ge Shouli hurriedly stood up to smooth things over and said: Shoufu misunderstood Bo Lao's meaning. He said indifferently, referring to the self-preservation of officials, who often chew vegetable roots and enjoy them as much as they like. This should be the duty of a scholar.As for major matters such as the education and education of the society, the rules and regulations of the country, as a minister who serves the emperor, he cannot avoid stealing peace and hanging his head and ears. "Table Notes" says that when serving the emperor, if you are far away and admonish, you will flatter; if you are close but not admonish, you will benefit.Which scholar does not understand these principles?Shoufu, it's not me, Lao Ge, who is talking about you. Don't pant when you hear someone cough.Right and wrong, everyone has a steelyard in their hearts.At the very beginning of the young master's ascension to the throne, you should try your best to master the outline and create good governance. Except for a few people with crooked minds, who else can not support this civil and military dynasty!

Ge Shouli had always spoken sharply and aboveboard, not to mention among the ministers, even when Emperor Longqing was alive, every court meeting, as long as Ge Shouli participated, seemed much more cautious than usual.Gao Gong was originally full of displeasure, but after eating his meal, which was obviously a criticism but a compliment, his mood improved all of a sudden.He rubbed his bloodshot eyes, and slowly a little rosiness appeared on his ashen cheeks.He was about to strike up a conversation with Ge Shouli, but he caught a glimpse of Zhang Juzheng walking in from the steps.Gao Gong was taken aback for a moment, and immediately left Dongyan and returned to Yuji to stand still. After Zhang Juzheng fought with the Jiuqings, he also came to stand beside Gao Gong.

Uncle, are you feeling better?Gao Gong asked. The diarrhea stopped, but his legs were still as soft as cotton, Zhang Juzheng replied in pain, he said he would rest for two days, but the genius Ma Maliang urged me to go early three times in a row, so I had to come. Gao Gong felt that Zhang Juzheng's illness was not as serious as he said. Seeing that he deliberately pretended to be weak, he felt unhappy in his heart, and said angrily: "I heard that you are sick and recuperating at home, but in fact you are not sick. Idle, there are constant visitors at home all day long. Gao Gong's attitude was already in Zhang Juzheng's expectation, he didn't want to get angry with the chief assistant beside Yu Wei, so he just replied in a low voice: since a person is sick, three friends and four friends will naturally come to visit him , what is so strange about this?It's just that Wei Xue came to my house yesterday, but I was too tired to see him. He left me a note, and he was not polite at all.

What note did he send?Gao Gong asked knowingly. It is not related to the impeachment of Feng Bao by the officials. Gao Gong nodded grimly, and he glanced at the two eaves again. The west eaves column, which is symmetrical to the east eaves column erected by Da Jiuqing, is the place where the officials of the Six Sections Corridor stand in sequence.The official rank of the six divisions is only six ranks, but the salary and yamen are all treated as the fourth rank. When attending court, their status is only second to the second rank hall officials, and they can be ordered to serve as close servants.At this moment, in front of the west eaves pillar, more than 30 officials stood neatly, each with a serious expression, and they never seemed to be whispering to each other. This calmness was greatly appreciated by Gao Gong.He asked Zhang Juzheng again: "I asked the cabinet officer on duty to inform you in your mansion yesterday about the impeachment of Feng Bao by the three speech officials. Have you seen it?" The duty officer went there in the afternoon and saw him. What do you think the outcome of this matter will be? Zhang Juzheng replied vaguely: We will know the emperor's attitude when the emperor ascends the seat later. When Gao Gong heard Zhang Juzheng's hidden words, he knew that it was impossible for him to be in harmony with him, and he became even more angry in his heart.So he said angrily: "After the emperor ascends the seat later, if I ask about Cheng Wen, Luo Zun, and Lu Shude's performance yesterday, I will make a generous statement and speak with righteousness and righteousness."Speaking of this, Gao Gong paused for a while, and then continued, "It's just that what I want to say may be harsh to my ears. If it violates the holy will, I will bear the responsibility alone. Don't worry, there will never be a single word that will implicate you. Since Xu Jue's secret visit to his mansion yesterday, although Zhang Juzheng has not heard any new news, he can roughly guess the general result, but this festival can only be kept secret.In order to appease Gao Gong's anger, he forced a smile and said: "Yuanfu don't need to worry about it. Although the emperor is young, he is smart and wise, and he can judge right from wrong." I hope so. Just as Gao Gong answered, he suddenly heard three crisp cracks of whips in front of the palace gate, followed by a high-pitched shout: decree to The voice of the eunuch passing the decree has been specially trained, the three words seem to be roaring but not roaring, but they are melodiously transmitted outside the Meridian Gate.In an instant, from the square outside the Meridian Gate to both sides of the royal road in front of the Huangji Gate and between the eaves and pillars of the Jintai Royal Pavilion, nearly a thousand civil and military officials knelt down in unison. It was a scene of chattering and whispering, and suddenly became silent .The sun just rose at this time, and the glazed tiles covering the gate tower of Huangji Gate reflected a dazzling light.The kneeling officials didn't dare to raise their heads, they only heard the footsteps of du, du, du, stepping up to Danchi in front of the golden platform, and then heard someone say: Long live the Lord is not early today, and he ordered his servants to come and pass the decree. Gao Gong, who was kneeling in front of him, looked up and recognized that the person speaking was Wang Zhen, the eunuch in charge of Huangji Palace.Gao Gong asked suspiciously: Prince, why doesn't your majesty stay in court? Wang Zhen glanced at Gao Gong, and said with a frosty face: Mr. Gao, don't talk too much, this servant will declare the decree. According to the rules, the decree was announced early, and the person who received the decree should be the chief assistant of the cabinet.Therefore, Gao Gong took a knee step forward in a habitual way, and said: Chen Gaogong led all civil and military officials to receive the order. Wang Zhen looked left and right, as if trying to trick her, she suddenly gritted her teeth and shouted with all her might: Mr. Zhang please accept the order. When Gao Gong heard this, he couldn't help trembling all over, and couldn't help turning his head to look at Zhang Juzheng.Zhang Juzheng also happened to raise his head to look at him at this time, his eyes met with indescribable astonishment.Seeing this scene, Wang Zhen flashed a sinister smile on her face, raised her finger to Zhang Juzheng, and shouted again: Mr. Zhang, hurry up to receive the order. This time it was not only Gao Gong, but also the Jiuqing on the hatchback and the speaker who heard it clearly, and they all raised their heads one after another.Gao Gong is the first assistant, so he should be the one to receive the order, why bypass him and let the second assistant take the order?Everyone was puzzled, but they didn't dare to speak, they just asked each other with their eyes.At this moment, Gao Gong was blushing and moved his body backwards, while Zhang Juzheng walked forward on his knees, and said in his mouth: Minister Zhang Juzheng received the order. Wang Zhen looked at Zhang Juzheng, unfolded the imperial decree of the yellow silk scroll with both hands, and read aloud: Queen's Edict, Imperial Concubine's Edict, Emperor's Edict: Talking to the officials of the Cabinet, the Five Governments, and the Six Ministries, the Daxing Emperor Bin Tianxian called the three cabinet ministers in front of the imperial couch to accept the will with my mother and son.Said: Donggong is young and needs your help.Today, there is a university scholar Gao Gong who is in power and is good at governing. He has seized all the power and blessings of the court, and the emperor is not allowed to be a monopoly.I don't know what he wants?My mother and son were frightened and restless.Go back to your hometown with a high arch and live idle, and you are not allowed to stay.Each of your ministers receives the state's great favor, and you should try your best to repay the Lord with all your loyalty. Let's not investigate how you only attach yourself to the ministers and despise the young master.In the future, we must wash our hearts and minds, and work hard.If there are such others, they shall be punished.This is it. After Wang Zhen finished reading the imperial decree, she walked down from Danchi and handed the scroll of yellow silk to Zhang Juzheng.With just this one action, all the officials present knew that Gao Gong had suddenly fallen from the pinnacle of power where one person was under one man and over ten thousand people, and Zhang Juzheng had replaced him.This change came so suddenly that all the officials were panicked and at a loss as to what to do.After completing the errand, Wang Zhen has returned to the palace, but inside and outside the Huangji Gate, there is still a deathly silence. At noon the next day, a group of Ti cavalry with bright swords and spears staggered out of Xuanwumen with an old ox cart.The car was piled up in a mess with suitcases and luggage.Sitting on the front of the car was a pair of weng women who described themselves as haggard, but at first glance they turned out to be a distressed Gao Gong couple. After Huangji Gate announced the decree yesterday, the Jinyi Wei Ti cavalry stepped forward to escort Gao Gong who was kneeling on the ground home, and immediately put the alley where Gao Mansion lived under martial law.All idlers are not allowed to enter, this is also the preventive measure Li Guifei took after listening to Feng Baozhi's words.Considering that Gao Gong has been in charge of the country for many years as the prime minister, he has cultivated many party members, and he already has the influence of calling the wind and the rain.Now that he has resorted to thunderous tactics and stripped him of his official position, he can no longer give him a chance to breathe and let him provoke and make trouble, so he sent a team of Ti cavalry to guard Gao Gong as a criminal.Ti cavalry is under the jurisdiction of Jinyiwei, and they are responsible for arresting and escorting prisoners, and they are usually domineering and arrogant.Now that he has obeyed the imperial decree, he is blowing his beard and staring at his eyes.The people in the Gao Mansion are also used to holding their heads high and bossing around on weekdays.Now suddenly being scolded by people with supercilious looks, they all became like sparrows in the snow for a while.There are even some servants who are ignorant of their conscience, taking advantage of the chaos to steal the master's thin soft axes and scattered them as birds and beasts, only to suffer from the loyal Gao Fu, who can take care of one side but not the other, who can take care of one but not the other. Like a headless fly, scurrying in and out of the house, not knowing what to do.At dawn today, the Ti cavalry slammed the gate so loudly that Gao Gong hurriedly set off back to his hometown in Xinzheng, Henan.In a hurry, Gao Fu hired an ox cart, packed some luggage indiscriminately, helped his master Gao Gong and his wife into the cart, and set off on the road in such a hurry. Although the bullock cart tried to choose a secluded road, many people came to watch along the way.Most of these curious people are ordinary people in the capital.Seeing that the officials of the country who had worked hard to plan strategies and participate in the emperor's career ended up like this, the viewers were all sighed with emotion. Ever since he got on the bullock cart, Gao Gong had been dozing off with his eyes closed.In fact, he didn't feel drowsy at all, he just didn't want to open his eyes to see this Beijing teacher who was a man.When he heard the imperial decree for the first time yesterday, he was so dazed that he prostrated himself on the ground and lost consciousness.It wasn't until the cavalrymen picked him up from the ground and walked down the royal road that he suddenly woke up and realized that he had completely failed in this palace battle.Although this is unexpected, it is within reason.He was about to walk out of the Meridian Gate, and he knew that once he walked out of this gate, he would never have a chance to walk in again in this life.So he angrily broke free from the captivity of the Ti cavalry, turned around to look at the Huangji Gate with double eaves and flying corners and the layers of palace bans with red walls and green tiles, he straightened his clothes, and bowed to the Huangji Gate.At this time, the civil and military officials had not yet left the stage, and they all clearly saw Gao Gong, who was the chief assistant just now but now a sinner, and his two sharp eyes were full of affection and resentment.In order not to lose his composure in front of the former subordinates, Gao Gong tried his best to maintain his aloofness and composure, but once he returned home, he could no longer control his emotions, and the turbid tears flowed down his wrinkled face .Sitting on the bullock cart now, Gao Gong was in a state of turmoil. After thinking about it, two figures were revolving in his mind: one was Feng Bao, and the other was Zhang Juzheng.In his opinion, it was the internal and external collusion between these two people that made him end up where he is today. As soon as you leave Zhengyangmen, you will find uneven dirt roads. It hasn’t rained for many days. The road surface is harder than copper. In addition, the scorching sun was shining straight down, and the leaves of corn in the field beside the road were all white from the sun.Gao Gong felt like his whole body was on fire.Although he felt overwhelmed, he still insisted on keeping silent in order to maintain his dignity.It's just that his wife has suffered so much. She has lived in a deep house all her life, how many times has she ever suffered such torture?Not far from Zhengyangmen, he almost passed out.Fortunately, Gao Fu found an oil-paper umbrella to support her head, and often twisted a sweat towel soaked in well water to cover her forehead, so as not to suffer from heat stroke. At about noon, the ox cart came to a place called Vacuum Temple five miles outside Xuanwu Gate. This is a small market town with twenty or thirty shops on Jialu Street.If you walk from here, you will leave Gyeonggi and embark on the official road leading directly to Henan.After walking for half a day, everyone's mouths were dry and their stomachs were rumbling. Gao Fu was about to go forward and have a discussion with the leader of this group of ti cavalry, a small school with an overbearing attitude and an extremely difficult attitude. Have lunch in the small town and rest for a while, and then go on the road after the sun is westward.But he found a person standing on the street. Looking carefully, he turned out to be Gao Gong's in-law, Cao Jin, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment.Gao Gong had only one daughter, who was married to Cao Jin's second son. At this moment, Cao Jin was still wearing a third-rank official uniform.The black boots school saw an official blocking the way, so he quickly got off his horse.Normally, such a low-ranking officer would have avoided the side of the road and stood by the side of the road long ago when he saw a senior official of the third rank in the court, but now the situation is different. Humble, imperial envoys are a big deal.So instead of avoiding the road, the little school went up to meet him, cupped his hands and asked: May I ask which yamen your lord belongs to? Cao Jin knew that Gao Gong was going back home today, so he came here ahead of time to wait, and now he didn't dare to ignore the junior officer's unreasonableness, so he replied with a smirk: My official is Cao Jin, the right servant of the Ministry of Punishment. Ah, it's from the Ministry of Punishment. When the principal heard that this yamen had something to do with his errand, he quickly put on a smile and asked, "What's Mr. Cao doing?" Come on, let's take a step to talk.As soon as Cao Jin said that, he took the little school to a place of shelter, slapped a silver ingot in his palm, and said, the twenty taels of silver is my Cao Mou's consolation to the brothers. The small school suddenly got such a big fortune, he was happy but also surprised, and asked: Why did Mr. Cao do this? Cao Jin looked at the ox cart resting under the sun, and the exhausted Gao Gong and his wife, and said: To be honest, Gao Gong on the ox cart is my in-law. Ah, so that's the case, the little principal immediately restrained his smile, stared at Cao Jin and asked, what does Mr. Cao want? You see, the sun is so poisonous, what do you think of letting the bullock cart rest and have lunch here before going on the road? The small school was also hungry and thirsty and wanted to rest and eat, but he wanted to take the opportunity to blackmail Cao Jin, so he deliberately said, "Master Cao, I'm afraid this won't work. When I left the capital, my superiors repeatedly told me to get rid of him as soon as possible." Gao Gong pushed out of the ground of the capital, and he was not allowed to contact any officials.In order not to miss lunch, I arranged for the brothers to bring pancakes with them before departure. Cao Jin thought to himself that this was a tiger falling into Pingyang being bullied by a dog, and he felt unlucky in his heart, but he had to apologize and said with a smile: Master, you are accommodating anyway. The small school replied: It's not that I'm not willing to accommodate.It's just that once it stops, I will be responsible for any incidents.I can't afford to lose my family and life for a mere ten taels of silver. When Cao Jin heard it, he knew that the little school was thinking that there was too little silver and took the opportunity to rip off. Although his teeth were itching with hatred, he still called his family, took another ten taels of grain silver and handed it to the little school, saying: "Just eat a piece of silver." After lunch, if anything happens, I, Mr. Cao, will take care of it. What do you think, Master? Since Mr. Cao said so, the younger one had no choice but to sell this favor. The Xiaoxiao said that he was going to arrange for the two ingots of Wenyin to be put away, when he suddenly heard a rush of horseshoes coming from the direction of Xuanwumen.In a short time, a school guard came to the bullock cart, rolled his whip and dismounted, and asked loudly: Who is in charge here? I, the small school greeted me, and saw that the school official was dressed in bright clothes. Although the official rank was the same, the pattern of the waist badge was different. The school official replied: I am the head of the guard of the new chief assistant Zhang Juzheng. His name is Li Ke. Mr. Zhang is going to see Mr. Gao off here. I am afraid that your party will pass by, so I sent the younger ones to report. The farewell banquet prepared by Zhang Juzheng for Gao Gong was prepared in Jingnan Post, which is only separated from the Vacuum Temple by a wall.Cao Jinben prepared a table in a restaurant on the street, but when he heard that Zhang Juzheng came to see him off in person, he had to keep it for his own use.This news also surprised Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng's move was something he never expected.But he was in a fit of rage, and he had neither the face nor the mood to sit at the same table with his enemies and pass on a cup of food.Therefore, he didn't even want to stay in the Vacuum Temple, so he urged the bullock cart to hit the road.Cao Jin kept trying to persuade Gao Gong, but Gao Gong couldn't bear to go on the road immediately when he saw that his wife was dying, so he went down the steps and muttered: "Okay, I'll stay and see what kind of table Zhang Juzheng will set for the old man." Hongmen Banquet! Jingnan Station is an official station, where the courtyard is shaded, the windows in the lobby are bright and clean, and the breeze is blowing.Gao Gong's old couple rested in the side room for more than half an hour before Zhang Juzheng's horse sedan chair arrived.Now that he is the new chief assistant, the guards of honor and retinue who go out are different in style, with a hundred and ten people cheering and hugging, and six golden melon guards have been added in front of the horse sedan chair.Inside and outside the Jingnan Station, there was a loud noise for a while.When Zhang Juzheng got off the sedan chair, he coughed Qingqing, and the courtyard was immediately silent. Where is Mr. Gao?Zhang Juzheng asked the Yi Cheng who was kneeling to welcome him. Without Yicheng's answer, Gao Gong had already walked out of the side room with his hands folded behind his back.The straight blue linen jacket he wore when he went out in the morning was soaked in sweat and dusty.After entering Beijing Nanyi, he changed into a half-worn brocade gown, which looked like an old school teacher in the country.Seeing him like this at first, Zhang Juzheng felt very uncomfortable, and a pang of sadness naturally surged in his heart. But it was said that after Gao Gong was led out of the Meridian Gate yesterday by the Ti cavalry, the ministers of Jiuqing, headed by Ge Shouli and Yang Bo, surrounded Zhang Juzheng, hoping that he would show off his mask and intercede for Gao Gong.Zhang Juzheng knew that the holy will had been decided, and there was absolutely no room for change.But in order to appease the emotions of the ministers and to avoid suspicion, Zhang Juzheng didn't care to go home to recuperate, but went straight to the cabinet, borrowed pens and paper, and carefully wrote a memorial to the emperor in defense of Gao Gong: The minister is overwhelmed with fear and fear.The ministers and others have seen that Gao Gong has lived in three dynasties for more than 30 years, and he has never been cautious.Although his arguments are straightforward and his appearance is majestic, Zhongshi is too cautious.Be as cautious as you are afraid of victory.Yesterday, Emperor Bintian of Daxing called all three cabinet ministers to the couch to accept the will in person, and Gong and the ministers waited to the cabinet.Every time the late emperor entrusted him with great care, and the country was in trouble, he trembled day and night.But if you are afraid of not being able to bear the burden, how dare you have the heart of authoritarianism! At this point in the Shuwen, Zhang Juzheng really moved a little bit of emotion, and the next thing is the statement sincerely hope that the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor can take back their orders and keep Gao Gong.After finishing writing the memorandum, Zhang Juzheng ordered Feima to report to Gao Yi who was seriously ill at home, and after obtaining his consent, they were sent to the palace in the name of the two.That afternoon, the emperor's imperial decree was sent to the cabinet: You and others must not be party members to protect the country! All the above incidents have been recorded in the residence newspapers sent to various yamen this morning.Zhang Juzheng issued this issue of the residence newspaper originally with the intention of clearing his name and exonerating his responsibility.This was still not enough, so he went to the cabinet in the morning to deal with urgent matters, and then came straight to Xuanwumen in a sedan chair. He was determined to see off Gao Gong who had returned home in a hurry. Facing Gao Gong standing in the corridor at this moment, Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment, then hurried up to meet him, and said apologetically: "Old man, the servant is late, which made you wait so long." Seeing that Zhang Juzheng was wearing a first-grade official uniform made of cloud silk, there was no trace of sweat.Gao Gong resentfully said: You, the new chief assistant, should be dealing with all kinds of affairs, but you come to see me off, a person who is waiting for crimes. Zhang Juzheng couldn't answer in front of everyone, he just pretended not to hear, and asked Yi Cheng: "Is the banquet ready?" Back to adults, everything is ready. At Mrs. Gao's place, a table will be sent alone, and the accompanying family members will also be entertained with food and wine.Elder Yuan, I heard that your in-law Cao Shilang is also here, why don't you see him? When he heard that you were coming, he had already avoided it. That being the case, Cao Shilang also sent a table over. After Zhang Juzheng finished his orders, he entered the banquet hall hand in hand with Gao Gong.This is a hall with three couplets connected to the flower hall. Outside the window, there are shadows of trees and women's robes, and cicadas are singing endlessly.In a short while, the food and wine were served, and the table was full, and the Yicheng was busy and retreated, leaving only Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong sitting at the banquet.The hall was empty, but it looked a little desolate.Zhang Juzheng held the pot himself, poured wine for Gao Gong and said: Elder Yuan, I thought it would be better to invite a few more people to see you farewell, but then I changed my mind after thinking about it. It is more appropriate for us to have a heart-to-heart chat.Come, have a drink first. When the two clinked glasses, they both drank in one gulp.While Zhang Juzheng was pouring the wine, Gao Gong said coldly, "Aren't you afraid of being accused of protecting the party and the country by doing this?" Zhang Juzheng smiled bitterly, and said: So, the elders already knew about the emperor's decree yesterday. Didn't you just want me to know that you published it in the Dibao so quickly?Gao Gong gave Zhang Juzheng a hard look, and said angrily, "Uncle, I swear to God, I, Gao, have never treated you badly, and you have betrayed me like this." Senator, don't get me wrong I didn't misunderstand, Gao Gong interrupted Zhang Juzheng's words roughly, and said, you have formed an alliance with the eunuch party, and you must want to get rid of me and replace it. Although you do things secretly, after all, you still leave clues for people to see. Zhang Juzheng really deserves to be a prime minister, Gao Gong pointed at him and scolded him, but he was still not angry.He took a mouthful of food, chewed and swallowed it slowly, took another sip of wine, and then replied slowly: Elder, you can really understand the state of mind you are in right now.But what you said about the alliance between servants and eunuchs is pure nonsense.What's more, the position of Zaifu is the most important tool in the country, and it is not something you can get if you think about it.Yesterday's change in the Huangji Gate, you and I were suddenly promoted and demoted, advanced and retreated, prospered and degraded, it should be said that it was not our original intention. I came here today to see you off, originally to show you my feelings Speaking of this, Zhang Juzheng paused for a while, and was about to continue, when he heard a commotion from outside.Both of them turned their heads to look for a while, and saw that a woman in plain clothes had broken into the flower hall, and wanted to enter the banquet hall, but was stopped by Gao Fu who was waiting there.The two were torn apart, when Gao Gong immediately recognized that the woman was Yuniang, he shouted loudly: Gao Fu, let Yuniang come in. As soon as Gao Fu let go, Yuniang took advantage of the situation and rushed into the banquet hall, looked at Gao Gong and called "Master", tears rolled down her eyes, and she knelt down on the ground. This sudden encounter surprised Zhang Juzheng.He fixed his eyes on the young woman kneeling in front of the banquet, and saw that she was naturally beautiful and had a delicate face. Although her face was stained with tears and her light makeup was stained, it could arouse people's sympathy and pity. Elder, who is this woman?Zhang Juzheng asked a half-spoken question. Gao Gong was also very surprised.After Gao Fu sent Yuniang away that night, he no longer remembered her in his heart.But I didn't expect Yuniang to appear here and now. Yu Niang, why are you here?Gao Gong asked. Yu Niang choked up and replied: Last night, the slave family heard about the master's affairs, so they wanted to visit the mansion, but the soldiers stopped the slave family from entering.Early this morning, the slave family went again, saying that the master had left for his hometown in Henan, so the slave family hired a mule cart to chase after him. Gao Gong was greatly moved by Yuniang's mourning.In the world of ice blades and frost swords, it is rare to have such a passionate woman.He got up from the banquet and went to help Yuniang up, let her sit on the banquet, pointed to Zhang Juzheng and said to her: "Yuniang, this is Mr. Zhang." Yuniang stood up and said a thousand blessings, then asked shyly, "My lord, which Mr. Zhang is this?" Mr. Zhang Juzheng.Gao Gong replied. Zhang Juzheng?Immediately, Yuniang's cheeks flushed, her almond eyes widened, and she asked Gao Gong angrily, "Master, isn't he the one who robbed you of the position of chief assistant?" What do girls know!Gao Gongming reprimanded secretly but said happily, and then said to Zhang Juzheng, this girl is called Yuniang. Someone introduced her to the old man and asked her to take care of the old man's daily life. She was sent to the temple. You are reckless!Zhang Juzheng wanted to tease Gao Gong, but he swallowed the words again.In all honesty, Zhang Juzheng also saw quite a few famous beauties in the capital at the private gatherings of his colleagues and officials.But it is extremely rare to see someone as gentle and refined as the Yuniang in front of me who is so lovable.Although Yu Niang's attitude towards him was not friendly, he didn't care.Seeing Yuniang's deep affection for Gao Gong, he couldn't help but feel jealous of Gao Gong in his heart: This old guy, on the surface, is serious, but unexpectedly, he hides his beauty in a golden house, and even lied to me that he would send him to a temple. The two men who looked like fighting cocks just now became amiable because of Yuniang's arrival.Gao Gong could probably guess Zhang Juzheng's state of mind at the moment, and asked with a smile: "Uncle, it seems that you don't speak a word, it seems that you don't believe what the old man said just now?" That's right, Zhang Juzheng didn't hide it, and replied bluntly, Yuniang was also considered a strange woman, and the old man returned to the south, traveling thousands of miles, with Yuniang accompanying him, he was not lonely anymore. The servant came here just to accompany the master home.Yuniang temporarily hid her grief, and took the opportunity to interject. well.Zhang Juzheng glanced at Yuniang covetously, and said enviously, with a peerless beauty to accompany him, Jiangshan can be abandoned.Come, old man, for your affair, let us make another confession. Yes, I have beauties, you have Jiangshan, we are even.Gao Gong raised his beard and laughed loudly, but careful people could tell that the laughter was forced.After the two clinked glasses, Gao Gong said to Yuniang, did you bring your guy? what guy?Yu Niang asked with a blushing face. For singing. Ah, the master is talking about the pipa.Brought, in the carriage. Gao Fu, go to the mule cart and fetch Yuniang's pipa.Gao Gong yelled out the door, Gao Fu responded, and after a while he brought the pipa over, Gao Gong said again, "Yu Niang, today's scene can be regarded as a farewell at the Changting Pavilion, please sing us a song." The slave cares. After Yuniang had answered, she moved the stool she was sitting on a little, and concentrated her eyebrows for a moment, only to see that she flicked her slender jade fingers on the four silk strings, and the music of Cheng Cheng Cong Cong immediately flowed out, accompanying With the provocative sound of silk strings, Yu Niang sang: The summer grass is luxuriant and the spring flowers have fallen, The cicadas sing and fall in the shadow of the sun. The two ministers sat in the hall, Listen to the slave family singing a Mulan song: Yuniang sang these few lines first, her voice was neither too fast nor too slow, but it was three parts sad and two parts bleak.Zhang Juzheng's heart sank, he no longer thought of it as a joke, but listened carefully to her playing and singing: Things in the world are half absurd and half sinister, The imperial city is full of intrigues, The iron horse in the yamen is Jinge. Feather fan scarves, said to be some of Confucianism and elegance, But why do I grab you, you tear me, make traps and stumbling blocks, One is more neat than the other. Alas!Today, the fists are galloping and majestic, Tomorrow I will defeat Maicheng, It only ended up in tears of the hero who was inseparable from each other. It's just a pity that the rise and fall of honor and disgrace are fleeting. A lonely journey at the end of the world, a sad wind on the ancient road. They are all singing that one word: wrong!wrong! !wrong! ! ! Yuniang sang like weeping, unknowingly put her whole body and mind into it, and when she finished singing the three typos, she was already full of anger and tears were pouring down like rain.The two men present were also moved with awe when they heard this, and sighed endlessly.After a while, Gao Gong popped out two words like he just woke up from a dream: finished? Yu Niang suppressed her tears and replied: I don't sing well, if I offend you, I hope the master will forgive me. Gao Gong didn't say anything, he just picked up the cup to drink frequently, but Zhang Juzheng asked: May I ask Yuniang, who wrote the lyrics of "Song of Mulan" just now? 玉娘答：我寄居的尼姑庵對門，住著個賣畫為生的老頭兒，這詞兒是他替奴家填的。 高拱搖頭一笑，半是自嘲半是挑釁地說：叔大，這首《木蘭歌》詞，倒像是專為咱們兩個寫的。 張居正不置可否，只低頭喝了一杯悶酒。玉娘並不顧及張居正的存在，只眉目傳情地望著高拱，淒然說道： 老爺，奴家此番追來，就打算和您一起回河南老家。 那怎麼成？高拱頭搖得撥浪鼓似的。 怎麼不成？玉娘追問。 高拱沉默不語，此時他打心眼裡有點喜歡玉娘了。但他不願意在張居正面前顯露兒女情長的落魄之態。權衡一番，他橫下心來答道： 老夫這一回去，已是雨中黃葉樹，燈下白頭人，桑榆晚景已經沒有幾年了，哪還敢奢望有什麼紅顏知己。 奴家才疏藝淺，不敢當老爺的紅顏知己，但暮鼓晨鐘之時，做紅袖添香之人，奴家還是勝任的。 玉娘愈是懇求，高拱愈是心硬。他不想這麼沒完沒了地糾纏下去讓張居正看笑話，於是一咬牙，竟說出了傷人的話：玉娘，女子以三從四德為本，哪能像你這樣，纏住人家不放。 一個守身如玉的女孩兒家，哪經得這般羞辱？玉娘頓時臉色臊紅，她怨恨地看了高拱一眼，哭訴道：老爺如此說話，奴家還有何面目見人。今天，奴家就死在你面前了。說罷，不等高拱反應過來玉娘已站起身來，一頭向堂中楹柱撞去，只聽得一聲悶響，玉娘頓時倒在楹柱之下。 兩位男人猝不及防，眼看躺在地上的玉娘頭上已是血流如注，慌得高拱連聲大叫：來人！快來人！ 高福立刻衝了進來，同時還有四五個皁隸跟在他後頭，大家七手八腳，抬起玉娘就往外跑。 要救活她！ 高拱朝急速離去的高福的背影喊了一句，聽得雜遝的腳步聲遠去，他頹然若失坐回到椅子上，神情沮喪一言不發。 張居正因不知道高拱與玉娘這件事的前因後果，也不便貿然相勸，暗地裡卻在為玉娘歎息。看看時候不早，張居正還要急著趕回京城，便開始說收場的話： 元老，僕已乞恩請旨，為您辦好了勘合，您可以馳驛回籍了。 所謂馳驛，就是動用官方的驛站，一站接一站派員用騾馬接送。高拱用上馳驛，等於就去了罪臣的身分，而成了正常致仕的回籍官員。這份勘合的確是張居正為高拱爭取到的。但高拱此時心情壞透了，不但不領張居正這個人情，反而大聲吼道： 行則行矣，要它馳驛做甚？ 張居正依然好聲好氣回答：牛車過於顛簸，元老年事已高，哪經得起這番折騰。 你不要又做師婆又做鬼，把老夫趕下臺，今日又跑來這裡賣乖。這勘合，我說不要就不要！ 高拱隱忍了多時的怒氣終於歇斯底里爆發，一下子從椅子上跳起來，像頭獅子在屋子裡旋轉咆哮。張居正臉色鐵青，看得出他也是強抑怒火。他起身踱步到窗前，看看寂寂無人的花廳庭院，長歎一口氣說： 元老，僕若有心把你擠出內閣，又何用拖至今天。 高拱一聽話中有話，沒有即刻反駁，但依舊是兩眼凶狠地盯著張居正。張居正緩緩地從袖口中掏出幾張紙來，一聲不吭地遞給高拱。 高拱接過一看，不禁倒吸一口涼氣。這幾張紙中，有兩張是李延為他購置田地的契約。還有一張紙上，密密麻麻譽寫著上百位官員的名字，都是接受了李延的賄賂，數額多少，何時接受都寫得一清二楚。這件事高拱自以為是神不知鬼不覺地處理得乾乾淨淨不留一點後遺症，卻沒想到實實在在的證據都捏在張居正手上。這幾張紙若是一交給皇上那裡，他高拱的下場就不僅僅是回籍閒居了，而且他留在京城各大衙門的門生故舊，恐怕也就會一網打盡。 好哇，證據都捏在手上了，你想要怎樣？高拱色厲內荏地問。 並不想怎樣，原物奉還而已。 說罷，張居正已是閃身出門，高拱追到門口，喊道：叔大，你等等，你 張居正回轉身來一揖，說道：元老，我倆就此別過，惟願你旅途保重，早日平安抵家。 聽著張居正登登登腳步走遠，餘恨未消的高拱狠狠啐了一口，把那三張紙撕得粉碎。 （《張居正一》完）