On June 15, 1960, the 19th year of Wanli, Zhang Ju, who returned to his hometown to bury his father, and the officials' request to pay attention to the matter early. After a bumpy journey, he finally returned to the capital and left the capital for three months and four days. After arriving at the southern post station in Beijing, he stayed here for one night under the will of the emperor.

The next morning, Zhu Xixiao, the governor of the Governor's Office of the Five Army, rushed to the south post of Jingnan and invited Zhang Juzheng to go outside Zhengyang Gate to review. Logically speaking, such a military parade could be held only if the generals on the expedition returned to the court or the emperor returned from traveling.

Now Zhang Juzheng enjoys this special gift, which is indeed a special honor given by the emperor. Later, the emperor sent an ambassador, the eunuch Zhang Hong, to hold a banquet to cleanse the dust. The empress dowagers of the two palaces also sent officials to express their condolences and gave them eight treasures, golden nailed river fans, and imperial meal cakes, fruits and tea.

After drinking and eating, Zhang Juzheng, surrounded by civil and military officials, promoted and guided him back to the mansion of Shamao Hutong. After a while, a eunuch came to pass the imperial edict. Today, he was chasing his tired journey and asked him to rest at home for ten days before entering the cabinet.

He said he was resting at home, but Zhang Juzheng was not idle for a day. After all, he had been out for more than three months. Although in the past three months, he still decided on the Yima. However, he still needed to understand the changes in the court during this period. When he asked someone to ask for information, many officials came to him to report. Therefore, people who came to his house to pay homage every day went one after another like a lantern.

After working hard for a few days, until the sixth night, the cabinet assistant Zhang Siwei visited the door. Because he was an important guest, Zhang Juzheng ordered to meet in the study.

At this time, according to the emperor's order, he reported the major affairs in the court to Zhang Juzheng. He was responsible for the minor affairs. Because of this, Zhang Siwei was always uneasy. After thinking about it, he decided to come to the Zhang Mansion first, to represent the three-month separation to the chief minister, and to explain in person everything that happened in the past few months.

The four auxiliary ministers of the cabinet went to Zhengyang Gate to welcome Zhang Juzheng back that day, but Zhang Siwei was the first to visit him. Therefore, he showed special affection. He ordered someone to make a cup of new tea for Zhang Siwei that he brought back from his hometown. Zhang Siwei took a sip and immediately praised:

"This tea is so fragrant, the tea soup is green and beautiful, and it is also very beautiful."

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile.

"This is a tea produced in my hometown Yiling Prefecture. It is located in the mountains and is surrounded by clouds and mist all year round, so the tea smells rich and fragrant."

"Yes," Zhang Siweiqi immediately flattered.

"I feel that the taste of this tea is not much worse than Longjing."

“It’s rare that you like,”

Zhang Juzheng smiled.

"I brought a lot of them when I came back this time. I'll have someone to bring you two cans later."

"Thank you, the first minister."

Zhang Siwei was a Jinshi in the 31st year of Jiajing. His father was a great salt merchant in Shanxi Province. He was a Shujishi, with a good and capable business, and was also a capable minister. During the Longqing period, Zhang Siwei was familiar with border defense affairs and promoted peace with Altan and was highly valued by the chief minister of the cabinet. In terms of age, he was only three years younger than Zhang Juzheng, but he looked very respectful. He looked like a junior.

Zhang Juzheng had been accustomed to this for a long time. After a while of gossip, he took the initiative to ask.

"I heard that Lu Diaoyang handed over a memorial to Jin, saying that he wanted to retire and return home?"

Lu Diaoyang has always been Zhang Juzheng's most capable assistant in the reform, and what is even more rare is that he is not hated by political enemies. He heard that Lu Diaoyang requested to retire, so he was naturally a little unhappy.

Zhang Siwei didn't expect that Zhang Juzheng would ask this as soon as he came up. The relationship between the cabinet ministers had always been subtle, so he had to answer cautiously.

"It's true. In the past three months since the Prime Minister left, Master Lu Ge handed two notes to Jin Shang."

"He has a great determination!"

"Lu Ge is really getting worse day by day. He used to be asthma in winter, but now he is also suffering from hot weather. Sitting there is like a bellows pulling box. As soon as he opens his mouth, he hears a phlegm in his throat."

"Ge Lao Lu is 62 years old?"

"Probably."

"In my opinion, Mr. Lu wants to ask for retirement, but he is afraid he has a heart disease."

"Heart disease?" Zhang Siwei's eyes showed surprise.

"Yes, it's heart disease!"

Although there was a smile on his face, Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhang Siwei with a torch.

"Last October, my family passed away. Today, the Empress Dowager asked Bugu to take over the relationship, which really caused a storm. Bugu was obeying the system at home. The Hanlin Academy's sons rushed to the cabinet and asked Lu Ge Lao to take the position to replace Bugu. This was a farce, and the responsibility lies with them, not Lu Ge Lao. But after this incident, Lu Ge Lao always felt a little embarrassed when he saw Bugu. In fact, Bugu never blamed him. Lu Ge Lao is an honest man, and I guess his request for retirement should be related to this."

Zhang Siwei naturally did not agree with Zhang Juzheng's confession. Zhang Juzheng was naturally extremely angry when he heard about it. After observing the mourning at home, he returned to the cabinet and saw Lu Diaoyang's face turned pale and talked to him for several days. Lu Diaoyang was so scared that he didn't dare to show his feelings, but he couldn't find a way to express his feelings. But now the prime minister said this, which is also a gesture. Any winner always shows magnanimity to the weak who are unable to resist.

From the inside out, Zhang Siwei naturally sympathized with Lu Diaoyang, but he was good at judging the situation and felt that it would be better to offend Lu Diaoyang than offend Zhang Juzheng. After thinking about it, he took the opportunity to provoke:

"The chief minister's evaluation of Mr. Lu is extremely reasonable, but in my opinion, there is another reason for Lu Diaoyang's request to retire this time."

"Ah, what's the other reason?"

Zhang Juzheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

"This time the chief minister returned to his hometown to bury his father. Mr. Lu guessed that he could temporarily lead the cabinet. In those days, I saw that he was still happy. Later, the emperor sent a sage to the cabinet. You still have to make a decision on all major events. Mr. Lu didn't say anything after hearing this, and submitted a memorial that day, requesting to retire and return home."

"It's not my own intention to do this today. Why should Master Lu be too careful?"

With his eyebrows tightly frowned, Zhang Juzheng's face became a little unnatural.

"Old Ge Lao Lu refused to be on duty, and in the eyes of outsiders, it was also suspected of shirking responsibility. Now he wanted to transfer 200,000 taels of silver from Taipu Temple to the inner court. This is obviously unruly. Not only Master Lu, but even you assistant ministers, did not mention it. Is this a big matter that is unruly? I have to deal with it myself?"

Although it was Lu Diaoyang who blamed him, Zhang Juzheng brought Zhang Siwei and several other cabinet ministers in, which made Zhang Siwei blush and explained in a low voice.
Chapter completed!