It is said that when Jiajing was forty-three years old, Zhang Juzheng's teacher Xu Jie was really far-sighted, and he recommended Zhang Juzheng to be the attendant of Yuwang Zhu Zaiyuan. Although Yude is only a fictitious title, King Yu is very likely to succeed to the throne, so it is not an ordinary position to lecture in Yudi. In the forty-fifth year of Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng was in charge of the Hanlin Academy. And this year, after the death of Emperor Jiajing, King Yu Zhu Zaiyuan succeeded to the throne, which was 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, Zhang Juzheng, as an old minister of King Yu, served as the left attendant of the Ministry of Officials and a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and entered the cabinet to participate in court politics. In April of the same year, he was reappointed as a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and a scholar of Wuyingdian University.

To tell the truth, Zhang Fan followed Steward Li to Zhang Juzheng's mansion, thinking in his mind about some information about Zhang Juzheng that Ma County Ling told him before leaving, and he always sighed in his heart: "It seems that whether it is a high-ranking person or a bad person, a clean official or a traitor, it needs a relationship!" ”

After entering the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng did not begin to be complacent about his personal achievements, but he became even more nervous. During this period, the Ming Dynasty was troubled both internally and externally, with serious land annexation, scattered displaced people, uprisings, and empty national finances; Outside, there were a lot of wars, the Tatars marched south, creating the "Gengxu Change", the Tusi in the south fought for power and profit, especially the Cen Meng's rebellion "Liangjiang Shock", the southeast coast was harassed by the Japanese bandits, and the people were not able to make a living.

These are all external factors, and efforts to calm down can always be effective, but what worries people the most is the intensifying political struggle within the cabinet.

Zhang Fan kept thinking about this in his mind, and Steward Li had already led him to Zhang Juzheng's door. The gatekeeper saw that it was Li Shan, and let the two of them in without asking anything. Zhang Fan followed Li Shan to the living room, someone prepared tea, Li Shan went to report it, and Zhang Fan was waiting here.

Zhang Fan looked at the home of this second-grade official, it was really not big. Like this living room, it is not the most luxurious kind of luxury, and the furniture is not made of precious wood. Although the layout is very simple, it is pleasant to look at.

Zhang Fan is working on a large number of calligraphy works on the wall, and the main owner has arrived.

"Zhang Gongzi is here." A gentle, thick voice remembered.

When Zhang Fan heard this, he immediately turned around and looked, and a middle-aged man who was not confused was looking at him. I saw that he was dressed in an ordinary cyan cloth robe, his square face was a little soft, his small eyes were looking at him brightly, and a strand of beard under his chin also looked heavy, but his face was always melancholy, like some trouble had been bothering him.

"Zhang Fan has seen Lord 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 hard, Lingtang doesn't feel any discomfort, right?" ”

"Master Xie cares, and my mother is fine." Zhang Fan said, "I would like to thank you for arranging a place for my mother and son." ”

"No thanks, I recommended you to come to the capital, so naturally I want to arrange it for you." Zhang Juzheng said, "Is Mr. Ma Changwen okay in Anhua County? ”

"Ma County Ling is very good, although he is old, his body is still very tough." Zhang Fan replied, "Your Excellency knows Ma County? ”

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

"My lord, there is something unclear in my late life, and I ask you to give me advice." Zhang Fan said.

"If there's any problem, just say it."

"My lord......" Zhang Fan thought for a while and said, "At the beginning of this year, the adults sent a letter to Ma County, saying that they wanted to recommend late students to go to Guozijian to study, but this year, the time for Guozijian to take the examination and collect students will be in August. ”

"Something happened." Zhang Juzheng said, "I have to plan ahead. ”

Zhang Fan didn't interject and waited for his next step.

"Since the forty-first year of Jiajing, after the fall of Yan Song, the official's mentor Xu Jie, Xu Gelao, succeeded him as the first assistant. And the other chief assistant of the current cabinet, Gao Gong was recommended to the cabinet by my mentor Xu Jie, and there is also a fellow villager of Gao Gong, Guo Pu. Zhang Juzheng said, "Gao Gong is bold and talented, quite self-ordered, and when he first entered the cabinet, he wanted to have practical ambitions. At that time, the emperor lived in Xiyuan for a long time, and the ministers were proud to be called into the Zhilu, but the cabinet affairs were not careful. The former emperor once said: 'The government in the cabinet could have been rotated by one person', but the teacher and the "Qingzi Prime Minister" Yuan Wei did not go to the cabinet to do things on the grounds that they could not leave the emperor. Gao Gong said to his teacher that he, Li Chunfang, and Guo Pu were willing to be alone. At that time, although Li Chunfang had already entered the cabinet, he was very respectful to his teacher, Gao Gong and Guo Pu were both recommended by his teacher, but Gao Gong said so bluntly, his teacher really didn't like it. In addition, Gao Gong and Guo Pu are fellow villagers, and the relationship between the two is also very close, which is why they have a mustard.

Gao Gong read more than half a hundred and had no children under his knees, he moved his home to the vicinity of Xihua Gate, and often secretly went home to reunite with his wife and concubine when he was straight. Once the emperor was critically ill, Gao Gong hurriedly took out the books and items in his house. In the matter, Hu Yingjia impeached Gao Gong for 'sneaking back at night' and 'the Son of Heaven violated the peace, but it was a plan', but the emperor was seriously ill and had no deep responsibility. It's just that Hu Yingjia is a fellow villager of his mentor, and the impeachment was reported by his mentor, so he thinks that Hu Yingjia is a mentor, which adds to his dissatisfaction and resentment towards his mentor.

"In December of the forty-fifth year of Jiajing, the first emperor died. At that time, my mentor and I jointly drafted the emperor's edict to correct the shortcomings of the construction of Jiao and the construction of the building at that time, and many diligent courtiers who had been convicted of unjust cases were also restored to their official positions. It's just that something went wrong at this point. At that time, the teacher and I did not inform Gao Gong of the edict, but when the edict was written, it provoked Gao Gong and Guo Pu. Gao Gong thought that he was the new emperor's heartfelt minister, but he was ignorant of the edict, and he had a deeper resentment towards his teacher. Now that the emperor has ascended the throne, the teacher is the first assistant to the elder of Shuode, and he leads me into the cabinet. Gao Gong's heart can't be calm, and he has always been in opposition to his teacher in political affairs, military affairs, and ministers. In the first month of the first year of Longqing, Hu Yingjia was degraded, and the ministers thought that it was the so-called Gao Gong, and the group attacked it, and some people compared him to Cai Jing. The teacher had no choice but to make a decree to keep him, but he did not condemn the official. At this point, Gao Gong several times against the teacher, but all defeated and returned, to the later form intensified, the impeachment of Gao Gong in the three domains of more than 30 pieces, then called the sick begging, the Holy Lord Zhun to the young master and the prince Taifu, Shangshu, the university rank back to recuperate, send pedestrians to escort. ”

Zhang Fan listened to Zhang Juzheng's story, it seems that this high arch is really not very good at being an official, and it has become the target of everyone. But he still didn't understand the reason why Zhang Juzheng said this: "Then my lord, what do you mean ......?"

"This official used to be Gao Gong's confidant, and he knew that his people were also thinking about the Ming Dynasty." Zhang Juzheng said helplessly, "It's just that since the teacher became the hero who defeated Yan Song, he is not as forbearant as before." ”

Zhang Fan understood now, Zhang Juzheng must have an opinion on his teacher, but he couldn't put it forward because of his identity.

"This official read the article during your township examination and appreciated 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, so he wrote very obscurely, but Zhang Juzheng saw it. It's just: "My lord, I did have this idea in my later years, 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 reformers will not die well. ”

"This official has thought of it too." Zhang Juzheng sighed slightly, "This official is not afraid of these, but he is afraid that if he dies, this matter will be really delayed." ”

"We have to think about it slowly, and we have to think of a way to get the best of both worlds, so that the reform can go smoothly without allowing others to find fault with it." Zhang Fan said.

"The implementation of the reform can be put down, but this plan has already been put on the agenda." Zhang Juzheng said, "The official originally planned to let you enter the Guozijian to study, and with your ability, you will definitely be able to be of great use to the imperial court in four years." It's just that the plan is ahead of schedule. ”

"Oh? What the adult means ......" Zhang Fan still doesn't know what Zhang Juzheng really means.

"I'll let you enter the country now, which can be regarded as a temporary study, and after four months, take the exam." Zhang Juzheng said.

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

"Is there anyone else in your family besides you and Ling Tang?" Zhang Juzheng finished talking about business and began to talk about other things with Zhang Fan.

"There is no one else in the family except me and my mother." Zhang Fan said, "But the late life has already been married." ”

"Oh? Whose daughter is it? Zhang Juzheng asked.

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

"Chen Wenchuan I know, I also saw him that year, and he is also a capable person." Zhang Juzheng said, "It's okay this way, you can be more stable if you get married." ”

Zhang Fan listened to his words and was very happy in his heart.

"You go back today and have a good rest, and then tidy up tomorrow." Zhang Juzheng said, "The day after tomorrow, I will have someone go to you and lead you to Guozijian, and there are still some formalities to be done." ”

"Lord Xie cares." Zhang Fan thanked.

"No thanks. 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 a little." I have some business to attend to in the afternoon. ”

"Don't bother the adults, I'll leave when I'm late." Zhang Fan said.

"Well, go ahead." Zhang Juzheng replied.

Zhang Fan left Zhang Juzheng's house and returned home, and the Zhao family had already cleaned up the room in an orderly manner. Zhang Fan talked to his mother and went to his room to rest. There were bumps along the way, Zhang Fan had never slept well, and this sleep was several hours. When he woke up, it was already the beginning of the lights, and Zhao had prepared dinner.

After dinner, Zhang Fan looked at his mother's busy figure, remembered what Steward Li had said to him this morning, and said to his mother: "Mother, you always work like this, but let the child feel that he is not filial, why don't I let Steward Li find a maid to serve you." ”

"Your mother is not old enough to do work, what are you looking for a maid for?" Zhao, of course, disagreed.

"Mother, don't be busy saying no, listen to me." Zhang Fan explained, "I will go to Guozijian to study the day after tomorrow, where will I have time to meet my mother at that time." ”

There are regulations on what Guozijian does every day, the first day off of the new year, the second and third days of the first month, the fourth day of the first month, the fifth and sixth days of the first month, the seventh day of the first month, the eighth day of the first month, the ninth and tenth days of the first month, the eleventh day of the first day, the twelfth and thirteenth day of the endorsement, the fourteenth day of the lecture, the fifteenth day off, the sixteenth and seventeenth day of the endorsement, the eighteenth day of the repetition, the nineteenth and twentieth day of the endorsement, the twenty-first day of the lecture, the twenty-second and twenty-third day of the endorsement, the twenty-fourth day of the second day, the twenty-fifth day of the speech, the twenty-sixth day of the endorsement, the twenty-seventh day, The lecture was repeated on the 28th, endorsed on the 29th, and resumed on the 30th. There are only two days off a month, which is quite cruel! I usually estimate where to live, and I don't have time to come out at all.

"This ......" Zhao didn't expect that Zhang Fan would be so busy when he entered the National Prison Commission, wouldn't it be difficult to even meet him.

"So, find a maid to serve you, and you can talk to your mother when you are bored, what's wrong." Zhang Fan continued, "What's more, the girl who will come out to be a maid is not in a recession at home, let's help one of them." "Although Zhang Fan is not a tribute student of Guozijian and does not enjoy state subsidies, he still has some money at home, and the expenses are not large, which is enough.

"Well, alright." 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 shopping again. Anyway, when I came to this ancient city of Beijing, I was so sorry not to go shopping.

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

When I returned home, Steward Li was already waiting at home, talking to my mother, and there was a girl standing beside her.

"Fan'er is back." Zhao was very happy to see his son come back.

"Mother, Steward Li is also here!" Zhang Fan greeted and looked at the girl on the side, "This is?" ”

"Gongzi Zhang, this is Xiangmei, let her serve Mrs. in the future." Steward Li said.

"Hello young master!" A somewhat timid but crisp voice came.

Zhang Fan looked at the girl in front of him and found that she was just a child at all, only thirteen or fourteen years old, and couldn't help asking: "Steward Li, this girl is only so old, how can she ......?"

"Alas, speaking of which, this Gu Nian was originally from Zhangjiakou, and her parents died early, leaving her and her sister alone." Steward Li said, "The family is poor, and there is no means to make a living, so she was almost sold into the kiln, and I also saw her pitiful, so I saved her." ”

"Madame, young master, please keep me." Xiangmei thought that Zhang Fan couldn't look down on herself, so tears immediately flowed, and she knelt down and cried and said, "I'm very capable, cleaning, cooking, and doing anything, please leave me." ”

Zhang Fan was stunned by the scene in front of him and didn't know what to say. However, Zhao was very soft-hearted, and personally went to help her up: "Don't cry first, 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 is deeply poisoned by those TV series, and the things that Xiang Xiangmei encountered abound in ancient times, which sounds simple, but they are extremely difficult, and it is not something that can be imagined casually. Although Zhang Fan has not lived a hard life, he can imagine some of it. And the Zhao family lived that kind of life, thinking that she was alone back then, and she had to take care of Zhang Fan and provide him with education, the hardships of this can be imagined.

"Don't cry, I didn't say I didn't want you." Zhang Fan also said softly, "You can stay in the future, but don't call me young master again." ”

"Then ......" Xiao Xiangmei stopped crying when she heard Zhang Fan promise to stay, and when she heard Zhang Fan's request, she quickly thought about it in her heart and said, "Got it, childe." ”

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

"Well, Xiangmei knows, she will definitely serve a good lady." Xiao Xiangmei nodded firmly.

Looking at her as if she had been granted a major mission, Zhang Fan was very satisfied.

Since then, Zhang Fan's family has one more figure, and Zhang Fan's life in the capital is about to begin.