Wang Xijue's daughter, Wang Taozhen, was born weak and prone to crying. She also suffered from scabies and had a yellow complexion. Neither Wang Xijue nor his wife liked her very much. Later, as Wang Xijue's status rose, she was betrothed to an official's son named Xu Jingshao.
When Wang Taozhen was older, she gave up studying the Four Books and Five Classics halfway, and had no interest in female workers. Instead, she became obsessed with religion and meditated all day long. When she was finally about to leave the cabinet, Xu Jingshao suddenly fell ill and died.
Wang Taozhen cried for a few days and claimed that she wanted to keep the festival for Xu Lang. Although the Wangs did not agree with it, as a court official, Wang Xijue could not stop it. Keeping the festival was enough, so she simply became a female Taoist priest and claimed to be inspired by immortals.
She gave her advice and called herself "Tanyangzi" and asked to become a monk and practice spiritual practice. Wang Xijue also agreed to her. So she began to engage in the practice of fasting and cultivating immortals.
Later, this matter spread and attracted Wang Shizhen, who was also from Taicang. Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue were related to the same family, and they often communicated with each other. At this time, Wang Taozhen was already from outside the country, so Wang Shizhen asked to meet her to discuss Taoism.
As a result, Wang Shizhen was convinced by Tan Yangzi's theory of "integration of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism", and felt that he had found a close friend, so he immediately became a disciple of this little girl.
From then on, things became more and more outrageous. Maybe Wang Taozhen was really smart and insightful, or maybe it was because of the weird customs in Jiangnan. More and more literati and celebrities came here to listen to her sermons and pay homage to her. Among them
There is no shortage of great figures like Feng Menglong. Even her father Wang Xijue and uncle Wang Dingjue became their masters. Nowadays, many famous literary officials also write articles in support of her.
As a northerner, Wang Chonggu had not discussed matters with Tan Yangzi and had no feelings for this immortal master. At this time, when he heard Wang Xijue talk about it, he still analyzed Wang Xijue's motives from the perspectives of "profit, power and hope".
Although Wang Chonggu did not understand the details, he could still imagine that Wang Xijue, Wang Shizhen and others were using the "Tanyangzi" phenomenon to control the discourse power of Jiangnan Shilin. By packaging Wang Taozhen, the hope of Shilin was condensed in the names of Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue
and have the right to interpret the relationship between "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism".
In this way, no matter how Wang Xijue takes sides in the government, his political base, "Scholars' Hope," is still firmly in his hands. Even if something goes wrong, he will one day be able to use it to make a comeback - but this hope is not enough.
The method is a little weird.
The more Wang Chonggu thought about it, the more he felt that he had underestimated Wang Xijue before. Faced with his unattractive daughter, Wang Xijue could actually use her to make a big fuss. How could this be a pattern and idea that a stick could have?
Thinking of this, the smile on Wang Chonggu's face became more friendly. The two exchanged a few polite words, and Wang Xijue left to connect with others.
...
On October 30, the fifth year of Wanli's reign, Zhang Juzheng, who was far away in Jiangling, submitted a memorial to the General Affairs Department regarding the Jin Yiwei's mass arrests across the country. On the same day, Wang Xijue also submitted a memorial filled with the names of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
Zhu Yijun, who was walking on crutches in the harem, read the two memorials carefully. As Wang Chonggu expected, Zhang Juzheng also raised objections to the intensifying expansion of the investigation, and proposed in the memorial that no further expansion should be carried out.
Claims on the scope of the arrest. As for the murderer of Zhang Wenming, it is undoubtedly Dong Jianxiong at this time. As for who is standing behind Dong Jianxiong, we can only investigate slowly in the future.
Zhang Juzheng even wrote this question book even though he knew what the emperor wanted. In fact, he was telling Zhu Yijun to stop as soon as he saw fit. It was impossible to wipe out all the opposition in politics at once. If he continued, it might really cause trouble.
The world is in chaos.
As for Wang Xijue's memorial, most of the officials in the capital signed their names, so this memorial almost represents the opinions of all the officials in the capital at this time. In the eyes of many court officials, Zhu Yijun investigated the assassination of Zhang Wenming and the "Taizu period"
The "Guo Huan Case" is very similar, except that Emperor Wanli aimed his sword at the gentry who obstructed the reform instead of corrupt officials. All officials who knew about the Guo Huan Case were afraid that the emperor would turn his sword.
Therefore, in this memorial to admonish the emperor, "The emperor is sincere in his feelings, and for the sake of upholding the principles and disciplines and purifying the origins, all the people in the world know it." This sentence reflects Wang Xijue's high level.
The ministers who signed Wang Xijue's memorial all understood the hidden meaning behind this sentence, and they all expressed their "sincerity" to the emperor in the form of admonishment. The emperor had used the "Assassination of Zhang Wenming" to show the world that he was promoting reforms.
They would rather kill people than have any room for retreat or compromise - this kind of "unified thinking" was only possible in the Ming Dynasty where imperial power was supreme.
After Zhu Yijun read the memorial, he signed "I understand" on Zhang Juzheng's inscription, and then revealed it, but left Wang Xijue's inscription in the middle.
On the day Zhang Juzheng's inscription was published, everyone in the civil and military dynasties knew that the emperor had sent a signal of compromise, and now it was time for the ministers to bring the steps to the emperor's feet.
On the second day of November, the cabinet ministers Lu Tiaoyang and cabinet ministers Wang Guoguang and Zhang Siwei met at the East Nuan Pavilion of the Yangxin Hall and advised the emperor not to expand the "Zhang Wenming assassination case", release the relevant irrelevant personnel, and return
property.
After hearing this, Zhu Yijun said: "According to the report from the Jinyi Guards, these families who were arrested were either in close contact with Dong Jianxiong or in tandem with each other. Although there is no real evidence of conspiracy, is it appropriate to let them go lightly?"
Lu Tiaoyang responded: "I think it is better to investigate the case based on evidence. There is no evidence of assassination among the people who contacted Dong Jianxiong. Although there were some attempts to bite, it was just what Sanmu wanted, and the confession was absurd and incompetent.
Confront evidence. If you are convicted based on evidence, the criminal will be punished; if you are convicted by punishment, you will inevitably be imprisoned unjustly. Have our ancestors ever killed someone unjustly? I ask your Majesty to be careful in your judgment."
Zhu Yijun sneered after hearing this, pointed to his leg and said: "These crazy beasts first murdered me, and then assassinated the ministers' families to obstruct the great reform. I can't kill them, right?"
When Lu Tiaoyang saw that the emperor's tone was less calm and conciliatory than usual, and more vicious and resentful, he felt a sudden attack in his heart. He did not dare to remonstrate any more, but just kowtowed and remained silent.
Wang Guoguangxin said that the emperor had indeed changed a lot after being injured. These few words were completely unreasonable when he said them. On the contrary, his rare arrogance and unreasonable energy came out again.
He was about to take over Lu Tiaoyang's words, but he didn't expect Zhang Siwei behind him to echo back: "Your Majesty, Zhang Hong and others are treasonous and immoral, and breaking their bones and raising ashes will not make up for their sins. Since the sacred heart has been determined, it is better to issue a charter.
I will definitely do it according to the will."
Wang Guoguang was lying on the ground, and when he saw Lu Tiaoyang in front of him, his shoulders shook. He also resisted the urge to turn his head to look at Zhang Siwei, and swallowed all the words he wanted to say.
Zhu Yijun was silent after listening to Zhang Siwei's replay. Just when Wang Guangguang was wondering whether the emperor had fallen asleep, he heard the emperor say on the kang: "Well. There is no reason why Wang Daokun conspired to assassinate Zhang Wenming. I have given the order."
Jin Yiwei. As for the rest, I have asked Jin Yiwei to screen them and compile a list of suspects."
Wang Guoguang's voice was a little hoarse when he heard the emperor's words. He didn't know that Zhu Yijun was suppressing his fear before he said these words. He only heard Zhang Siwei asking after the emperor's words: "As for the sentencing standards for these people, Dali Temple and
I have also discussed this several times. It is difficult to meet the Holy Spirit today, so I would like to ask the Emperor to give you some important information."
Although the prisoners detained by Jinyiwei have not been transferred, sooner or later these people will have to go through the process of the Ministry of Punishment and be tried by Dali Temple. Therefore, Zhang Siwei took this opportunity to ask the emperor to give a sentencing standard.
Zhu Yijun was silent again on the dragon bed. He was repeatedly entangled and fighting in his heart - it is almost certain that these people on the list have nothing to do with the assassination of Zhang Wenming.
Then, he raised his eyes and looked at a poem he had copied on the Kang screen: "Ten thousand years is too long, just seize the day." Although he still has at least forty years to live, compared to the wildness in his heart,
I'm afraid I really have to seize the day.
So, he continued in a hoarse voice: "Whoever plots to assassinate Zhang Wenming, whether the leader or the subordinate, will not be forgiven for his crime. The leader will be envoyed, and the Yi tribe will be added. The followers will be hanged, and the three tribes will be scattered around the river. These people
Descendants will not be allowed to serve as officials or join the army."
Wang Guangming clearly saw that the shoulders of Lu Tiaoyang, who was kneeling in front of him, shook again. Then he calmed down, and together with Lu Tiaoyang and Zhang Siwei, they sang back in a well-trained aria: "I, my ministers, please obey me."