Since he was not ill that day, Zhang Zhidong's health has been getting worse and there has been no improvement. He gradually lost weight and his ability to move worse. He could walk around the yard for two more times and recite two poems, but later, not only did he get out of bed and ask for help, but he even had to feed him even when he had to eat.

He was so slow that he finally survived June. When the weather was a little cooler, his asthma was incurred again. Traditional Chinese medicine did not have any special medicines to deal with asthma, so he could only use conditioning prescriptions, but it was not easy to relieve it. His family sought Western medicine for diagnosis and took special medicine for asthma. Who knew that the asthma the next day was relieved, but the stomach aches and he couldn't rest for a moment, so he had to find painkillers again. Even Zhang Nanpi's most hated opium was taken. After finally relieving the stomach pain, his intestines were not good anymore. He vomited everything he took and vomited out the medicine.

In the past few nights, Zhang Zhidong knew that the deadline was approaching and was unwilling to take medicine anymore. He relied on liquid to maintain his life every day and suffered a lot. Fortunately, his illness was delayed for a long time, and it did not happen suddenly. From spring to autumn, people from all over the country came in a constant stream, and everyone who wanted to meet met met.

The reason why Xu Shichang solemnly proposed Zhang Nanpi's illness as a major event was because he received a memorial from Zhang Zhidong. Of course, the memorial was written by others, but his wish to die and still love the till the paper was vividly displayed on the paper, with every word being sincere.

After receiving the letter, he didn't count it. Zhang Zhidong's brother-in-law Lu Chuanlin also personally visited Xu Shichang and told him the details. Although he was one year older than Zhang Zhidong, his body was much stronger.

After learning the news, Xu Shichang was shocked: "The emperor whispered to Master Zhang every day, although he had never received any knowledge and was very humble. However, the word "Master" was known to all the civil and military officials in the court. How could it not count? He had to report to the Emperor Ming to visit him, otherwise the outside world would think that the emperor was so ruthless and did not follow the teacher's words. We would also be scolded..."

Lu Chuanlin was very conflicted. He hesitated for a long time when he came to Xu Shichang's mansion to report this matter. He could not delay it before coming to the door. With Zhang Zhidong's status, the emperor should have personally visited the disease before his death, otherwise it would be unfavorable. But according to the experience since ancient times, once the emperor really visited the disease, the patient's disease would not be cured anyway. He was a friend of Zhang Zhidong for many years and a relative, so why didn't he want the other party to delay it for a while?

Seeing him hesitating, Xu Shichang hurriedly said, "I will report this matter to Emperor Ming tomorrow. No matter what, I must go this trip. Otherwise, the historian would be a whipman, even us would be a whipman."

The literati was most afraid of being criticized behind him. Seeing him say this, Lu Chuanlin nodded and agreed. That was why he made a report. It was also the reason why Wang Shang stood first. Since Zhang Zhidong had a serious memorial, the emperor had to respond. Therefore, when Wang Shang arrived at Zhang's mansion, he read the order. Zhang Zhidong was so sick that it was impossible to accept the order, and his eldest son Zhang Quan knelt on his ground to take it on his behalf.

"Military Secretary Zhang Zhidong, Grand Secretary Zhang Zhidong, is loyal to the country and works hard all day and night. I have not recovered from my long illness. I have been thinking deeply about it. I want to give you a leave again, so I don't need to detain the date and take care of it. I will sell the leave once it is cured. I will give you two taels of ginseng to get in order to adjust it. The so-called opening and withdrawing the gaps, so I don't want to discuss it. I admire this!" This imperial edict is also very particular. On the surface, it seems that the emperor still expects Zhang Zhidong to enter the military office again, but in fact it is promoting a desire for the patient to recover - I still hope that you will continue to serve, and the next sentence "No need to discuss" is also a word of affirmation for the minister.

The wild ginseng was handed over to Zhang Quan. The doctor looked straight and had never seen such a good ginseng. He praised the emperor's grace, but he had to regret to tell everyone: "Zhang Zhongtang's medicine is useless. It will take one day for a day. No matter how good ginseng is, it will not help. If you take it two years earlier, you may have improved." This was said without any leakage, but Zhang Nanpi was healthy two years ago, so how could he have today?

The night before Wang Shang announced the imperial edict and asked about the disease, Zhang Zhidong knew that his condition was serious and had already ordered someone to write a will. The person who wrote the pen was his two favorite students, and he was born in Lianghu Academy. Since the abolition of the imperial examination, theoretically speaking, unless the ministers were taught directly, there would be no reference to the master and apprenticeship. What Zhang Nanpi attached most was the students he served in Huguang.

"I already have the carelessness." Zhang Zhidong panted, and every word he said would exhaust his energy. "The carelessness is so - I have never built party support and encouraged myself in my life. I have no other thoughts, but the current situation is difficult and the people are exhausted. I only hope that the emperor will open up his own way of speaking, and work harder and change his efforts. All the things that should be broken, and the order of profit and loss should be reviewed. This sentence is very important! Do you understand what I mean?

"Did the mentor say that the new policy and reform should not be rushed, and we must follow the steps?"

"That's true!" Zhang Zhidong continued, "Manchus and Han dynasties are regarded as one, and both inside and outside must be paid. Financial management is based on fostering the people, abiding by the rules of never adding taxes to ancestors, and teaching wars puts shame first, and never forget the ancients' behaviour of not burning themselves."

Zhang Zhidong did not agree with the establishment of the Imperial Guard and the concentration of military power of the Ministry of National Defense. He thought that the central government had extended its hands too long and violated the "Tongzhi" method, but he also abides by the distinction between the monarch and the ministers and will not fight the emperor's insistence on it.

He said one sentence, and the two students wrote one sentence, while writing it while quietly wiping their tears.

"The general trend has changed rapidly, and more people are eager to serve the people, especially those who are honest and honest. Anyone who is greedy and profit-loving will be eliminated from the screen. So that the righteous spirit will be extended, the administration will be renewed, and the country will be strengthened." Recently, he has been cleaning up two corrupt groups in a row. Although he is not without mutual appreciation for Sheng Xuanhuai and Zhang Zhidong, he also believes that this person has some real skills. However, he is a pure and clear-headed person. Although he has become a Westernization master, he still hates corruption and bribery. Even if he does not take it as his own responsibility to punish corrupt officials like Cen Chunxuan, he still attaches importance to the word "virtue" first, and he is ashamed to be with him if he is a poor person.

—

Just when Wang Shang arrived at Zhang's Mansion, he had been idle for twenty years and was also a friend of mine for many years. Chen Baochen came to visit him if there was no Lin Guangyu, and Xuan Tong was established, and Chen should be the emperor's teacher.

"I have a concern. I originally wanted to face the emperor when he was sick, but looking at the current situation, I don't know what happened tomorrow, so I will tell you in my remembrance first. There is also an explanation in the future." While speaking, my hands were trembling and trembling, and my hands were shriveled and sallow, like dry bark. Chen Baochen knew very well that the other party always liked to eat candied fruits when reading books. How flexible and round it was at that time? Now he looked like this. He couldn't help but feel sad and burst into tears.

After exploring for a long time, Zhang Nanpi finally took out the manuscript drafted by the two students yesterday and handed it to Chen Baochen.

"Tao'an! This is what my two students have planned. Although their knowledge is outstanding and their skills are solid, compared to you, it is still less than one-tenth of the time, so I will change a few things for me."

Chen Baochen held back his tears and replied softly: "Okay."

Seeing the other party grinding ink and picking up the pen and considering the words, Zhang Zhidong suddenly laughed out loud: "I remember the old years and the youthful scene in the forest of poetry. But the years passed, and you and I were both old Prime Ministers..."

As we grow old, we love to recall the past, Zhang Zhidong is like this, and Chen Baochen is like this. It’s just that the hero is old and his ambitions are not fulfilled!

He had no objection to me all the way, but when he thought, "I am stupid and ignorant, and had no academic knowledge, and was regarded as the knowledge of the special masters of the previous dynasty, and the countermeasures of the palace examination, and pointed out the current affairs, and was appointed as the top student, and promoted to the cabinet bachelor." Zhang Nanpi said: "Although the four words 'Teacher' are extremely concise, they are too brief, and it seems that there should be an explanation."

Decades ago, Zhang Zhidong wrote the strategy papers out of orders during the palace examination. According to the marking requirements, it was a serious violation and suspected of fraud. Fortunately, the marker was not harsh and still planned to be admitted. It was just ranked at the end of the third grade, so it was no longer possible to pin Hanlin. However, because the test papers were extremely special, the marker needed to obtain the consent of the main examination examiner. However, the main examination treasure Zhongtang Baoyan was extremely appreciated and did not hesitate to use his power to list him as the first in the second grade. Some examiners had different opinions. Later, the lawsuit was in front of the imperial court. Empress Dowager Cixi admired him greatly after reading it, and personally promoted Zhang Zhidong to the first grade, and changed from a list to a Tanhua.

Like Cen Chunxuan, Zhang Zhidong was grateful for this extraordinary promotion and never forgets it until his death. Even if he had to write a special letter in his remembrance, it could not be too obvious, otherwise he would have shallow regrets. He was not satisfied with his disciple's manuscript, but it was difficult to repair it for a while. Chen Baochen pondered for a moment and said, "If it is changed to the 'countermeasures of palace examinations, referring to Chen's current affairs, Empress Meng Xiaozhenxian and Empress Xiaoqinxian were promoted to the highest level, and met the romance of Hezhi. Although Empress Dowager Xuanren of Song was no longer far from the Song minister Su Shi.' Next, he would follow the 'Baiju Ciguan' and so on. What do you think?"

"That's great!" Zhang Zhidong nodded repeatedly, "Tao'an, you are not old!"

Chen Baochen wanted to laugh, but felt extremely bitter and could not laugh.

When Wang Shang entered the inner hall, although Zhang Nanpi was already lying on the bed and dying, when he saw him, his eyes shone and he wanted to struggle. He stopped him repeatedly: "Zhang Zhongtang, I haven't seen him for a few days, why are you so sick?"

“I’m close…”

"The emperor is concerned about the condition of the Zhongtang, so I specially ordered me to send ginseng today and visit it in person tomorrow."
Chapter completed!