Gu Xiancheng rushed to recommend Shangshu, but was criticized for Zheng Che's illness and resignation.

After Zhao Yongxian, the left attendant of the ministry, Li Shida, the left imperial history, and Li Zhen, the right attendant of the household department, went one after another, many officials were still unhappy with Zhao Yongxian and Li Shida, and they were all identified as Wang Xijue's chief envoys. Pedestrian Si Gao Panlong, Yushi Wu Hongji, Nanjing Criminal Department Langzhong Tan Yizhao, Director Sun Jiyou, Nanjing Ministry Director An Xifan, etc. For example, Gao Panlong said: "Auxiliary minister Wang Xijue and others treat themselves, if they are more than Zhang Juzheng, check their intentions, why are they different from fifty steps and a hundred steps." And accused Yang Yingsu of flattering the ministers.

Tan Yizhao also accused Wang Xijue of not being virtuous since he entered the cabinet. An Xifan, Sun Jiyou and others also interceded for Zhao Yongxian, Zhao * Nanxing, Li Shida, Sun Yan, Li Zhen and others again. accusing Zheng Cai of treating Zhao Yongxian like two people before and after, is really a shameless villain. Later, Gao Panlong, Wu Hongji, Tan Yizhao, Sun Jiyou, An Xifan, etc. were also refuted by some officials.

At this time, the imperial court seemed to have been divided into two factions, and they had long since deviated from the divorce case and turned into opposition to each other. The two sides fought with each other until November, when Gao Panlong impeached the cabinet and conspired against the ministry, but the emperor listened to the cabinet in everything. Yang Yingsu impeached Gao Panlong for being instructed by Gu Xiancheng, and the officials accepted bribes to resist the ministers.

Emperor Wanli issued an edict: "Recently, the ministers do not repair their professions, and they are more concerned with right and wrong." The ministry, together with the department, asked him why he saw that there were many dirty things in the ministry. and Gao Panlong was made by Gu Xiancheng, and also asked Panlong why he didn't care about me, and personally criticized and pointed out the meaning of the auxiliary ministers, and understood that it was not allowed to favor the party. ”

Whenever the court attacked the ministers, the Wanli Emperor always wanted to punish him severely, and Wang Xijue always publicly asked the Wanli Emperor to deal with things lightly, so as not to suspect the courtiers of his instructions. Later, Gao Panlong went up again: "Stealing close to see the court, the good class reprimanded, how can the auxiliary ministers sit back and watch the supreme excesses, so as not to vent their private anger, but to expel the expulsion" The ministers then argued with each other, Wanli was furious, and the core personnel of the two parties, Ren Langzhong, the principal, and the official were all demoted and transferred out of the capital for the crime of being a friend.

Wang Xijue invited Wanli to see him and said: "Your Majesty, the old ministers have to be sent away in the name of infringement and party, and their momentum will become more and more radical and unfair. The heavier the emperor's position, the more he is driven to attach himself to Panlong, Shida, etc., and wants to clear the evil and the evil and the evil to become more chaotic. Therefore, it is better to follow the minister's sparseness and peace, and the courtiers have a heart or no intention in political affairs and suggestions, and they should calmly listen to the rest of the public opinion. ”

Emperor Wanli was relieved when he saw Wang Xijue like this: "Recently, the courtiers have been jealous, and I want to be punished seriously, but the Qing is the rescue, so the ministers are unscrupulous, and they slander the will of my relatives as the secretary's draft, and then slander me for tyranny and stupidity, wanton slander, and have no form." You don't have to care. How to calm down the Huanghuai flood? ”

Wang Xijue said: "Henan disaster relief is not effective, after the flood will be hungry people everywhere, the minister thinks that the Huanghuai area is coming, the court and the provinces must concentrate all their efforts, the minister is willing to take the responsibility of supervision, coordinate as needed, monitor the disaster." Zhang Yiyuan has been appointed as the governor of Henan, although he is talented, but after all, he has little experience, and the minister recommended the ceremonial system Langzhong Zhong Huamin to serve as the imperial history of Henan Province and preside over disaster relief. ”

Emperor Wanli asked, "What can Zhong Huamin do to take on this heavy responsibility?" Wang Xijue replied: "Zhong Huamin is studious, wise, astronomy, geography, and economic strategy. After a long period of local experience, wherever he goes, his political achievements are quite high, the people love him, the courtiers admire him, the officials are diligent, and he travels through the eight mansions, and he has a voice. I will be able to take on this important task. In addition, in order to raise money and grain from various parties, the minister asked the first to temporarily stop the use of Jiangnan weaving and Jiangxi pottery, reduce the tribute of Yunnan, and save expenses to cooperate with the treasury to help Henan. The Huanghuai area of the disaster has not been seen for a hundred years, coinciding with the national treasury is difficult, the people are precarious, always look up to the saint De Puyou, the minister asked to exempt the Henan disaster area should pay taxes to calm the people's hearts, the minister is willing to rate hundreds of officials to donate official money, and also ask the emperor and the queen mother to make the palace also have something to say, so the world is deeply inspired, Nanzhili, Zhejiang and other ministers want to send people to the local businessmen to ask for donations. "Emperor Wanli played.

Emperor Wanli asked again: "Has the Korean envoy returned?" What do you think about the canonization of the army? Wang Xijue replied: "North Korea is not willing to stop fighting in this matter, and has been informed of it, and has also reprimanded its behavior, and the minister observed that North Korea was secretly dissatisfied, and the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese did not let North Korea participate in it, nor did they completely annihilate the Japanese invaders, and the minister guessed that North Korea should be like this." ”

Emperor Wanli was displeased: "What qualifications does North Korea have to be dissatisfied?" All the armies were overwhelmed, and the king of Joseon was almost captured. It is my soldiers who have been fighting, and it is my soldiers who have regained the land for him. The so-called surrender is not to North Korea but to the Ming Dynasty, now the land is about to be returned to him, and the Japanese have also ordered him to withdraw, not only should not be dissatisfied but should also be grateful, and bow down in front of me. I don't need him thousands of miles to come to the DPRK, and I don't want him an inch of land, so kind to North Korea, I don't know? Ling Zhen wondered if North Korea was disobedient. ”

Wang Xijue said: "The emperor's grace is vast, and North Korea will be able to understand it." It is reported that the Japanese army has withdrawn from Pusan and returned to the Japanese country, and in order to prevent accidents, Song Yingchang has been ordered to stay in the army to defend. Emperor Wanli ordered the draft: "Since the Japanese have withdrawn, there is no point for us to continue there, and the whole army is ordered to retreat, so that Song Yingchang and Li Rusong will return to Beijing to report on their work." "Wang Xijue's decree.

The Ministry of Officials Shangshu Sun Yan retired, the Ministry of Officials left Lang Zhao Yongxian returned to his hometown, and the Ministry of Officials Wenxuan Shilang Zhong Menghua Carp was recently dismissed by the Wanli Emperor for recommending Zhang Dong, a minister who was specially demoted to the people. The vitality of the officials was greatly damaged, and the selection of talents to fill the posts was also concerned by the imperial court. And Wang Xijue was ready to let Luo Wanhua, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, transfer to the secretary of the ministry and recommend it, but this move once again caused the dissatisfaction of many officials in the ministry.

Gu Xiancheng deliberately found two officials to ask Zhu Jue and Xu Honggang in the matter: "Both of them are honest and outspoken, loyal to the monarch and ministers of the country. Now that there is a vacancy in the ministry, it is the time to select and appoint talents. However, the cabinet wants to nominate the secretary of the Ministry of Rites to be transferred to the secretary of the ministry, I wonder what the two think? ”

Zhu Jue praised Luo Wanhua: "Uncle Dazong has always been admired and erudite, and if he is transferred to the ministry, it seems that there is nothing wrong with it." Xu Honggang asked: "However, Uncle Dazong has a close relationship with Shoufu on weekdays, is Gu Bulang worried about this?" Gu Bulang thinks that the great uncle will be unfair because of the first assistant? ”

Gu Xiancheng said: "I originally thought that Wang Xijue was also a selfless person, from the time he was appointed as an official to the time he entered the cabinet, and his various suggestions on state affairs were also commendable. It's just that the country has not dared to fight for the emperor's reasoning, and the Son of Heaven has been able to abuse his power, and since Jingcha, it has intensified, and loyal ministers and wise men have been repeatedly expelled by its design, which can be described as talented and virtuous, and wants to be the minister of power. Uncle Dazong was deceived by him and befriended him, since Luo Wanhua was appointed to the Ministry of Rites, the affairs of the Ministry of Rites have been controlled by the cabinet, and now Wang Xijue asked him to transfer to the Ministry of Officials, in my opinion, he wants to use his hand to control the selection and transfer of personnel in the Ministry of Officials, so as to cut off the way of speech. ”

Zhu Jue didn't dare to say anything about this: "It's unbelievable that Shoufu has such a mind, is Gu Bulang too worried?" The cabinet has been fighting for a long time, and it is difficult for the lower officials to determine that the first assistant can cut off the way of speech by borrowing the great uncle. Xu Honggang asked again: "I am also asking this question, I don't know what Gu Bulang wants the two of us to do?" ”

Gu Xiancheng said: "This matter is indeed just speculation, I also respect the great uncle, but if there is such a risk, how can I not avoid it, and the uncle is too upright, and the affairs of the ministry are the most likely to offend colleagues, and even offend the emperor." It will be criticized, and the ministers have always been more out of the Ministry of Rites, and the great uncles have talents, and they are in line with the Ministry of Rites to enter the cabinet. I would like to ask the two Shangshu to elaborate on the need not for the great uncle to serve in the Ministry of Officials, but to ask Chen Younian, the right attendant of the Ministry of Officials, to serve as the secretary of the Ministry of Officials. Chen Younian is very familiar with everyone, well versed in the affairs of the ministry, and is also admired by the world, and it is reasonable to be promoted to Shangshu. The two agreed.

After discussing with Zhu Jue and Xu Honggang, Gu Xiancheng went to visit Chen Younian, and Chen Younian asked what was the matter? Gu Xiancheng replied: "Recently, the DPRK and the Central Committee are electing candidates for the new secretary of the ministry, and the lower officials think that Shao Situ is deeply trusted by the ministry and hundreds of officials, and it is the most suitable to serve as the secretary of the ministry. ”

Chen Younian didn't have this intention, and thanked him politely: "Uncle Shi is too famous, the cabinet has proposed that Luo Wanhua be appointed as the secretary of the ministry, and I also deeply admire Luo Wanhua, and I have no objection to the appointment of the secretary of the ministry." Gu Xiancheng persuaded again: "Uncle Dazong is indeed admirable, but there is a suspicion of cabinet manipulation behind this matter. Since the Jingcha, many colleagues have been impeached and dismissed for no reason, and the foreign transfer is expelled from the Beijing Division, all of which are the hands of the cabinet, and Shao Situ is also one of the presiding officers in the Jingcha, so the cabinet does not choose from the ministry and recommends others, and the lower officials are deeply afraid that the cabinet wants to manipulate the officials to block the way of speech, cultivate cronies, and monopolize power. However, it is just a guess, and I don't want to slander the ministers, but in case the official thinks that it is still Shao Situ to serve as the secretary of the ministry. ”

Chen Younian said: "Uncle's words are excessive, but what the cabinet ministers have done recently is indeed inappropriate, and I am also very sad that Sun, Zhao Ergong and many colleagues have suffered hardships. Seek things for the country but with public intentions, but this matter is still decided by the emperor, whether to serve as the secretary of the ministry I have no desire to force, but wait for the will. ”

Gu Xiancheng saw that although Chen Younian didn't say anything, he also had a tacit meaning, and he was happy in his heart: "Shao Situ said this, the lower officials understand, Shao Situ is already competent, and after the public discussion of the court, the emperor can also make a clear decision, and if he can be appointed, it is also what the courtiers want." Chen Younian thanked him again and again.

Later, under the contact of Gu Xiancheng, the courtiers recommended Chen Younian to be the secretary of the ministry. Wang Xijue entered the palace to ask to see Emperor Wanli, and Emperor Wanli also knew Wang Xijue's intention, and opened his mouth to point out: "The elder of the pavilion is here to elect the secretary of the ministry, I think about it again and again, Chen Younian is familiar with the ministry, and there is a public discussion of the court, I think it is better to promote Chen Younian to be a scholar." What does Elder Ge think? ”

Wang Xijue asked: "Chen Younian is indeed enough to serve, but Luo Wanhua has been tempered for a long time, and he is a genius, and the emperor also appointed him as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and there is nothing wrong with serving in the Ministry of Rites, and his talent is also better than Chen Younian. ”

Emperor Wanli replied: "Luo Wanhua is still of great use in the Ministry of Rites, and he is well prepared, I also hope that he will join the cabinet in the future, so that he can work with the elder of the cabinet to assist me in governing the world." I know that there are many contradictions between the cabinet and the officials, and the cabinet elder is on the cusp, and many people suspect that your Wang Xijue and Luo Wanhua have a conspiracy. I was almost angry a few times with such speculation and slander, but I can't bear to let the two of you be criticized again, and after I rectify the atmosphere, I can put Luo Wanhua in a new position. The elder of the pavilion was relieved. Wang Xijue didn't say anything more and retired.

In the Gyeongsang-do prison camp in North Korea, the leader of the rebel army, Guo Zaiyou, who had been appointed as the pastor of Seongju, had always wanted to pursue the Japanese army when they were retreating, but the Gyeongsang-do inspector Kim Ji thought that it was necessary to attack together with the Ming army. Guo Zaiyou said angrily: "Ming Army, Ming Army, Ming Army, when do you have to read it?" When we were slaughtered by the Japanese in Jinju, the Ming army was also watching the fire from the other side, did we still have expectations for them? ”

Jin Zhen asked rhetorically: "Have you forgotten that Marshal Quan Lidu fought the enemy alone without the assistance of the Ming army, and could only abandon the city and retreat?" Guo Zaiyou replied: "We do not want to fight the enemy with all our strength like Marshal Du, but we are just using guerrilla tactics to constantly harass the Japanese around Busan." ”

Jin Jian patted the case and said: "Why can't anything always be explained to you? The command of the Korean army is still under the jurisdiction of the Ming army, and we do not have the authority to send troops on our own. The Japanese army is also withdrawing one after another, so what is the significance of guerrilla tactics now? ”

Guo Zaiyou could no longer suppress his boredom with Jinji: "I am the most depressed, why is it so difficult to attack and defeat the retreating enemy?" The patrol envoy must have also heard rumors that the Ming army stopped all operations because it was negotiating peace with the Japanese invaders. If we are indifferent, what will the suffering people think? ”

Jin Ji stood up and warned: "Don't regenerate right and wrong!" This is the military order of Shangguan, Guo Mu envoy, please remember that you are no longer the leader of the rebel army, but a person with an official position, just follow the order! ”

Guo Zaiyou said with a smile: "It's really chilling, I don't care about the official position, if the inspector doesn't go, he will stop blocking my way, and those who stop me will be regarded as a widow." "Say goodbye and leave. Later, Guo Zaiyou resigned from his official position, and led the rebel army to raid and harass the Japanese garrison in all directions as a red-clothed general from the sky, and won a lot. He was repeatedly given official positions, but in order to facilitate the fight against the Japanese invaders, he repeatedly abandoned his official position.

Xie En sent Zheng Che to return to Korea from the Ming Dynasty to meet the king of Joseon, Li Hao, Li Hao asked about the situation, Zheng Che replied: "Although the minister wants to see His Majesty the Emperor to inform him of the current situation of Korea, but he failed to do so, but almost showed that Korea has a heart of disobedience. The Ming Dynasty was ready to accept the peace of the Wa Kingdom. Because the incompetence of the ministers made the Ming Dynasty even more misunderstand North Korea, the ministers of such crimes could not escape the blame, please give the ministers a death. As he was talking, he saw Zheng Che coughing nonstop, his face was like earth, and his body was weak. Li Hao saw that Zheng Che was sick and comforted him.

Zheng Che thanked: "The old minister is mediocre and incompetent, and he is seriously ill, what is the need for such a crippled body to exist in the world, the minister is about to tell the old man to return to his hometown, and he hopes that His Royal Highness will promise." Li Hao hurriedly comforted: "Where is this, how can loyal ministers and virtuous ministers easily leave the widow, there are many government affairs, please take care of your body quickly and then assist the widow." ”

Zheng Che was grateful, and overheard the request of the eunuch Liu Zu outside the door to severely punish Zheng Che, and the supervisor Liu Zu held a lot of recitals and said: "Your Highness, this is the impeachment of Zheng Che by the hundred officials, and the hundred officials unanimously believe that Zheng Che has not fulfilled his mission, humiliated the king's life, damaged the reputation of the country, and can no longer stand in the court, please dismiss Zheng Che from office." Li Hao was very surprised by this: "What does this mean, Zheng Che traveled thousands of miles, and contracted a disease because of it, this matter is the will of His Majesty the Emperor, what is Zheng Che's crime?" ”

Si Zai Jian Zheng Liu Zu said: "Your Highness, the minister just conveyed the ministers' play, this is a public discussion, because Zheng Che's incompetence has made North Korea lose face, Zheng Che's suffering is felt in the world, Zheng Che's sin is unforgivable in the world, and I ask His Highness to decide." ”

Zheng Che had already retreated in his heart, and asked Li Hao to resign again: "Your Highness, what the hundred officials said is exactly what the ministers think, please punish the ministers severely." The ministers will wait for His Highness's will. Then Zheng Che retired on his own, and Li Hao was full of sadness, and he looked at the supervisor for a long time and was silent.

After Zheng Che left, he said goodbye to Yi Dou Shou, and Yi Dou Shou asked, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave, Your Highness the Lord has always been unwilling to punish you." Zheng Che sighed: "This makes me feel even more ashamed, the past years are like a dream, the past and the present are just dreams, in the future, His Royal Highness and Sheji will please you." ”

Idou Shou strongly advised: "Don't think about him for the time being, find a secluded place to recuperate your body and mind, and if I have hurt you because of my upright temperament over the years, please forgive me." If you have a grudge in your heart, you might as well scold me here, but please be sure to recuperate before returning to the court. ”

Zheng Che held Yi Doushou's hands tightly and thanked him with a smile. Idoushou persuaded again: "In the final analysis, it's just some short-sighted people impeaching you, but I know that you are loyal and worried about the country, even when you are facing dismissal, you are worried about state affairs and His Royal Highness, Matsue is like losing an arm of the country, and who can I talk to in the future?" Yi Dou Shou kept it again and again, but Zheng Che had already made up his mind to go, Zheng Che said goodbye and left, leaving Yi Dou Shou to stop and shout, secretly sad.

Although Zheng Cheol was a literary master in North Korea at that time, because he was the leader of the Westerners' Party, he had a greater influence on the side of the court fight. There is a vicious and lustful evaluation in the senseless party struggle, which coexists with the good evaluation of the poets and writers, loyal ministers and virtuous ministers. After Zheng Che left, he lived in Songting Village, Ganghwa Island, and died of illness soon after.

In December, Emperor Wanli ordered Gu Yangqian, the governor of Jiliao, to take care of the follow-up affairs of North Korea, and all the troops stationed in Korea were withdrawn. When the decree reached Hanyang, North Korea, Song Yingchang was shocked: "Although the Japanese army has begun to withdraw from North Korea, there are still many Japanese troops in the lower three provinces. ”

The preacher replied: "After a little peace of mind, holy will, and cunning, you can't finish the hurricane, and you have your own preparations." Song Yingchang asked, "What kind of preparation?" Even if the army is withdrawn, there should be thousands of elite soldiers to guard the main road, and the mining in Tuntian is the only way. The preacher replied: "The holy will is so, please Song Jingluo return to Beijing as soon as possible." Song Yingchang was speechless.

After Song Yingchang and Li Rusong bid farewell to the king of Joseon, Li Hao thanked: "Thank you to Your Majesty the Emperor, thank you very much for the help of thousands of miles, North Korea is finally about to recover, the spirits of the ancestors and ancestors in the sky will be gratified, and the widows and descendants of the royal family will never forget the kindness of the Ming Dynasty." It's just that the Japanese have not completely retreated, can they stay for a few more months, and then return to the court after confirming that there is no trouble? ”

Song Yingchang replied: "The holy will ordered us to return to Beijing, Your Highness is relieved, if the Japanese return, the Ming army will definitely come to the aid again, and even if the Japanese are gone, it is difficult to say that there is no trouble, Your Highness, the national disaster has always been inside and not outside, with all due diligence to the foreign minister, this time the Japanese can so easily attack the eight roads, occupy the three capitals, and force North Korea to ask for help from the Ming Dynasty is not precisely because of the internal fatigue and innovation of North Korea, so that the national strength is weak. This time, I have heard a lot about the fighting of the Korean military and civilians, and I admire it very much, and His Royal Highness also has virtuous ministers and good generals around him. ”

Li Hao replied: "What the strategy said is very true, the widow will be remembered, the widow can comfort the ancestral temple at the end, and there is no need to blame yourself for this, no, or blame yourself, you should always work hard, work hard in state affairs, and prevent the recurrence of such wars." Song Yingchang wanted to leave, Li Hao repeatedly asked him to stay for the banquet, Song Yingchang politely refused, and the rest of the Ming army left Hanyang for Liaodong on the same day.