"This is the true face of the Ming Dynasty," in the candlelight, Zhang Juzheng's eyes were shining, radiating an angry light, only to hear him say in a deep voice: "When countless poor people have no food and clothing, sell their children and girls, wander around, and have no way to enter the ground, we noble adults are feasting all night, throwing pots and playing beautiful women." Saying that, he burst into tears and said: "Zhumen's wine and meat stink, and there are frozen bones on the road!" What Du Zimei said is true......"

Shen Mo can only follow Mo Ran, he has not been to many places, basically in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Zhili, these are still rich places to go around, and they are also hugging and watching, there is no chance to be like Zhang Juzheng, from the perspective of an ordinary person, to observe the people's livelihood in the inland areas at close range. So he knew a lot about the suffering of the people...... But most of them are from the books, and they are heard from other people's mouths, although they are said one by one, but they are by no means as unforgettable and painful as Zhang Juzheng.

So he didn't have the right to speak, he could only listen to Zhang Juzheng's story, how the common people ate grass roots and gnawed tree bark, Guanyin soil could not be digested, and people would be swollen to death, and although they were skinny when they died, their stomachs would be swollen high...... It turns out that 'easy to eat', 'dissect the remains and cook', these words that will make people shudder when they see them in books, are really happening in this Ming Dynasty, it turns out that many people's greatest wish is to eat a bowl of brown rice at every meal, even if it is just a small bowl...... It turns out that his so-called concern for the country and the people is not just thinking about a few people, but he has never thought about whether most of the compatriots can survive...... In an instant, a sense of shame came to his heart, and he even felt that his Qige Golden Gate, brocade clothes and jade food were simply a great sin, and even the original mellow and heavy wine only felt extremely bitter after entering it. Swallowing the 'bitter wine' in his mouth with great difficulty, the silent smile turned into a bitter smile: "Brother Taiyue, I am considered to have followed your way." ”

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said: "Only when you have a Buddha in your heart can you become a Buddha." ”

Shen sighed and said: "The Buddha is in the Pure Land of Bliss, smiling with flowers, sighing at the hard work of sentient beings, but not opening the door to Bliss. ”

"Then I'd rather be an Earthly Bodhisattva," Zhang Juzheng said angrily: "Hell is not empty, and I will not become a Buddha." ”

At this moment, from Zhang Juzheng's eyes, Shen Mo saw the enthusiasm for burning everything, the pride of taking the world as his own responsibility, and the passion that made him ashamed...... Compared with him, he still lacks initiative, and always thinks about himself first when he encounters problems, which is indeed not the surname of doing big things, and it is also contrary to the ambition in his heart.

Actually, there was no need for him to be ashamed, because the sage said, "Man does not perish for his own sake" - which means that man is an inherently selfish and eternally selfish animal. Looking back on his two lives, he has been going all out to fight, to struggle, to pay all his efforts and hard work, the starting point has always been self-interest, even if others get favors, it is just because of self-interest and others, along with it.

The only exception was in Hangzhou when he was holding the bag for Hu Zongxian, but at that time, there was national righteousness dominating him, and he just did what a man should do.

If you want to let silence take the interests of the general public as your highest interest, the psychological obstacles to be overcome are not only closed? He knew that he would not be a saint in his life, because he could not completely eliminate selfishness, and he could not treat everyone in need with a compassionate attitude.

In fact, he doesn't have to be presumptuous at all, he can always maintain hope after understanding the darkness and despair of the world, and is willing to fight to change all this, silence is already remarkable.

From this point of view, he and Zhang Ju are standing on the same height...... The two of them also bear the name of genius, and already have a great future, it can be said with certainty that as long as they don't make big mistakes, they just need to keep to themselves, and they can have a lifetime of fine clothes and food, fame and fortune.

This is something that many people can't ask for, but these two fools have coincidentally chosen another path, this road is destined to be rugged, destined to be dark, destined to be full of thorns, and even to death do not know themselves, whether it is the merit in the future, or the sin in the generations?

Once this path is chosen, the open guns and arrows from the enemy, although deadly, can be endured, but the most painful thing is the loneliness of not being understood, and the torment is enough to make people crazy.

So how fortunate is silence? met Zhang Juzheng; How fortunate is Zhang Taiyue? met Shen Shuyan...... How is a song sung? 'Walking alone is always uncomfortable, and there is less care from others; Everyone comes together, and loneliness and loneliness will not be there. ’

It's hard to sound with a lonely palm, and only with both palms can you slap loudly, that's probably what it means.

A spirit called 'comrade' echoed in the hearts of the two. Finally, Shen Mo shook up his spirits and said in a deep voice: "Brother Taiyue, with your material, you will become a great tool, I am willing to encourage you to work together in the future, Kuang Fu Sheji, and establish an immortal cause!" ”

Zhang Juzheng stared at Shen Mo intently, he found that he had changed, and when he was in the capital, he wanted to force him to show some attitude, it was eight sticks that couldn't knock out a fart, and ten out of ten stuffy men. It seems that after five years of foreign experience, this round spirit stone has finally been sharpened, and then he stretched out his hand, nodded firmly, and said: "We are in the same boat through thick and thin, and we will never give up on life and death!" ”

Shen Mo also stretched out his hand, clasped it tightly with him and said, "Lips and teeth depend on each other, and we share weal and bene." ”

This is really, the world's heroes are outstanding to my generation, not to say that the book of heaven is ninefold!

Scholars are not interested in blood alliances, so when the two shake hands, it is already an alliance. When you sit down again, the tone and phrasing of the speech are naturally different...... Shen Mo said bluntly: "Brother Taiyue, what do you think I should do next?" ”

Zhang Juzheng no longer hid his clumsiness, and took out his true skills and said: "The current court is already a dead end for us...... Taking the cabinet alone, Yan Ge Lao and Xu Ge Lao each accounted for half of the sky, as well as Yuan Wei, Guo Pu and other seven or eight people lined up; As for the six departments and nine qing, it is also a radish and a pit, and there are many radishes without pits. said with a wry smile and said: "I'm afraid that at that age, the momentum will be gone, and the blood surname will be diluted, and we will also become crippled, get by, and get by." ”

Shen Mo nodded, and said softly: "Brother Taiyue means, let's take a shortcut?" ”

"That's exactly what it means." Zhang Juzheng said: "Humble words, I understand what you mean, you want to be between King Yu and King Jing, and then decide who to take refuge in after the form is clear...... But have you thought about it, everyone is already winning, and it will be rare for you to add the icing on the cake? Saying that, he smiled and said: "When the time comes, people's own people will enter the cabinet one after another, and you can only watch them come from behind, and you can't help it." ”

Silent and silent: "Then what should I do?" ”

"Then I want to ask you, are you optimistic about King Yu or King Jing?" Zhang Juzheng kicked the ball back and said.

The corners of Shen Mo's mouth pulled up a smile and said, "I won't tell you, I came to Yuan Wei today just to quit King Jing." ”

"So, are you optimistic about King Yu?" The joy in Zhang Juzheng's eyes flashed, and he pretended to ask indifferently.

Shen Mo pretended not to see the change in his expression, nodded and said, "Yes, if I have to choose one, I choose His Royal Highness King Yu." ”

"Why?" At this stormy moment for His Royal Highness King Yu, Zhang Juzheng also needs someone to confirm his choice.

"Because your brother-in-law chose Prince Yu," said with a silent smile: "Sometimes people don't need to think, they just need to follow the wise people down, and they can achieve the same goal." He was telling the truth, and after a few days of contemplation, he finally found a trick in this intertwined situation-that is, to follow Zhang Juzheng closely, he will go wherever he goes, and he will do whatever he wants.

The reason is very simple, the poor high school history knowledge in his previous life made him know the name Zhang Juzheng, and knew that this old man had done the famous 'Zhang Juzheng Reform', as well as a 'whip', which was used to 'torture and punish'. Shen Mo can know that in the Ming Dynasty, he can toss such a big move, except for Shousuke, he doesn't think about it as a second person.

And if a person wants to be the first assistant, at least he will not make a mistake in the route before, and throughout the forty years since Jiajing, from Zhang Xuan to Xia Yan, from Xia Yan to Yan Song, which first assistant was not able to enter the cabinet because of accurate speculation?

Therefore, the policy of 'following closely and waiting for an opportunity to surpass' set by Shen Mo for himself is extremely pragmatic and wise.

Remembering an old saying in Shaoxing, Nong thinks Nong is the second person? Yes, I am.

But the absurdity of the world is that when you tell the truth, you are often treated as a joke.

Listening to the silent answer, Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a while, and then laughed and said, "Humble words, why are you flattering me?" Then he said: "To tell you the truth, in my opinion, the current situation is chaotic and unclear, although Prince Yu occupies the righteousness, but the voice of King Jing is gradually rising, and the victory or defeat of the two princes is also greatly affected by the party struggle. He said in an accentuated tone: "It's really not certain who will kill the deer." Because of Yuwang's status as an official, I naturally became Yuwang's party, and I had no choice...... In a humble way, don't make a hasty decision. ”

"It's all said that we're in the same boat through thick and thin, sharing blessings and misfortunes, is it just a high-pitched song?" Shen Mo smiled faintly and said, "Brother Taiyue, there is no need to say more, I am with King Dingyu." ”

"Can you tell us why?" Zhang Juzheng looked at him and said, It's like you bought something you don't understand, but you hope that people will praise it.

Shen Mo did have his own judgment, but he couldn't say a word, because once it affected Zhang Juzheng's own judgment, then he implemented the strategy of 'following closely', but he was led to the wolf's den by Xiao Zhang. So he said earnestly: "To trust your own judgment, I just instinctively say it, and it has no other benefit than interfering with your train of thought." ”

Zhang Juzheng saw that he didn't say anything, so he had to stop asking.

Shen Mo said again: "I went to the Ministry of Rites to visit Zhao Butang before, and he gave me a letter of recommendation, and I was hesitating whether to hand it over to the Ministry of Officials." ”

"What recommendation?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

"Not at hand." said silently: "It was recommended that I go to Guozijian to be a businessman." ”

"It's a good thing," Zhang Juzheng said happily: "Come on, here, the two of us are colleagues." ”

"Gao Xinzheng is also in Guozijian, right?" Shen Mo asked softly.

"Yes, Lord Gao Gong, it is the priest of the country." Zhang Juzheng said.

"Then whose authority did you appoint to serve as the secretary of the country?" Shen Mo asked.

"Elder Xu Ge." Zhang Juzheng replied: "Is there anything wrong?" ”

"I think we're going to the same place," said the silence, "it's unlikely to be a coincidence." ”

"Are you saying that Elder Ge intends to arrange this?" Zhang Juzheng said.

"Possibly." Shen Mo smiled and said, "It seems that that high arch is very material, and it makes Xu Ge Lao attach so much importance to it." ”

Zhang Juzheng understood the meaning of silence, and said in a low voice: "You mean, Xu Ge Lao wants us to watch him?" ”

"Maybe." Shen Mo nodded, and said slowly: "Don't forget, if you bet on the right one, then Gao Gong is the biggest winner......

Zhang Juzheng was silent, and he realized that he had always underestimated the Henan boss.

The two chatted all night and exchanged views on the situation and the future of the DPRK, and both sides felt that they had made great progress, and of course, more importantly, they had established a relatively close offensive and defensive alliance, which laid a solid foundation for surviving the fierce Korean struggle in the future.

Seeing that it was dawn, Shen Mo stretched his waist and said, "Let's go have breakfast, and have a good sleep after eating." "I haven't stayed up late for a long time, and I really can't stand it.

Zhang Juzheng looked at the sky and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I'm not as good as you, I have to hurry up to Guozijian and start classes for the students, if it is a minute or a second late, I will be scolded by Principal Gao." ”

"Is he powerful?" Shen Mo asked.

"After you experience it, you will know that you will never forget him for the rest of your life." Zhang Juzheng got up and picked up his hat and said, "I'm leaving, you should also go to Guozijian to report as soon as possible." ”

"Let you say that," Shen Mo sent him out the door, smiling, "I still have to think about whether or not to suffer that sin." ”

"It's not that I didn't remind you, if you don't report for a long time," Zhang Juzheng sat in the sedan chair and dropped a sentence: "He will definitely give you a good look." And he hurried away.

Standing at the door, staring at the sedan chair all the way to the entrance of the alley, Shen Mo shook his head, turned back to the courtyard with a smile, and saw Xu Wei coming out of the next guest room with sleepy eyes. Shen Mo suddenly said angrily: "Last night, I asked you to go with me, but you pretended to be dead, and now as soon as you leave, you immediately get up again?" ”

Xu Wei scratched his head like a nest of grass and said, "If I am involved, can you two talk about speculation so much?" Said hehe said with a smile: "Didn't cut off the head of the chicken, burn yellow paper, and engage in some bloody deeds?" ”

"you, when we're bandits?" Shen Mo hung the bucket on the wheel, went down to the well in the yard, and slowly put the well rope down, and said: "From today on, brother, I will completely abandon my principles and join the party struggle. ”

"Listen to people's advice, eat well, your choice is wise." Xu Wei took two sets of basin sanitary ware from the guest room, placed them on the well platform, and said with a smile: "Gou Fugui, don't forget each other." ”

Shen Mo shook the wheel slightly harder, shook the bucket up, and said softly: "Actually, I have no choice...... The day before yesterday, I sent a letter from Suzhou, Yan Maoqing made a miasma, very disagreeable, I am afraid that sooner or later I will have to clash with the Yan Party head-on, and when the time comes, it will be too late. ”

"Oh," Xu Wei lifted the bucket from the well hook, poured it into the two basins, and then pricked his head into the basin, letting the cold to the bones drive away the sleepiness, and it took a long time to raise his head, touch his face and say, "Is this indeed the case?" ”

Shen Mo dipped a towel in water, wiped his upper body, and said: "Su Song's officials have sued me of five charges of corruption and lawlessness: First, blackmailing subordinate officials to bribe tens of thousands of taels. Second, accepting lawsuits at will, collecting money from wealthy people, deliberately creating unjust prisons, and extorting merchants. Third, the banquet is said to cost a lot of money, and the money is like dirt. Fourth, the torture and killing of innocent civilians. Fifth, the increase in the quota of industry and commerce has led to radical changes. Twisting the towel hatefully, he said, "I've only been away for less than half a year, and Suzhou City is already full of chicken feathers." ”

"Is there a secret in this?" After all, it's none of his business, Xu Wei can still keep calm.

"You're right, it's really a slap that doesn't make a sound." Shen Mo nodded and said: "They are all relaxed and comfortable under my command, and they are suddenly replaced by a greedy person, so they naturally don't want to accept it, and in turn they squeeze him enough, and the contradictions between the two sides are getting more and more serious, so they have made one incident after another." He sighed and said, "Having said that, I will always and only appraise their interests...... Even if he is an enemy of Yan Ge. ”

Xu Wei was silent, he knew that Shen Mo was carrying such a heavy burden, after brushing his teeth and spitting out the balm in his mouth, he whispered to Shen Mo: "I will do my best to help you." ”

Shen Mo patted him on the shoulder and nodded movingly. He knew that Xu Wei had no official addiction at all, and he was even deeply tired of the darkness and despair of officialdom, and the reason why he couldn't go and greeted him with a smile was just because his brother was in court and needed help......

(To be continued)