Whether it is Gu Xiancheng, Yan Qing, or Li Youzi and Pan Jitao, the real focus of attention of all parties at this moment is by no means Cining Palace or Qianqing Palace, nor is it the Master of Ceremonies and Wenyuan Pavilion, but the Taishi Mansion in Shamao Hutong outside the entrance of Dengshikou, because the person who really decides the direction of the situation is here.

The Taishi Mansion is still full of people, and there is an endless stream of officials who come to visit and condole, You Qi and Yao Ba lead the servants who are still arrogant, and the prime minister's family is a seven-grade official, although the prime minister is sick, they have never fallen into prestige.

It's just that the officials who come in and out have a little more inexplicable gains and losses than their flattering expressions, and the arrogant servants of the Taishi Mansion always wear out the arrogance between their eyebrows, and the number of whispers has increased several times compared to the past.

Not only this mansion, from the dignitaries and dignitaries, to the officials of the Beijing Division, from the twelve eunuchs, four divisions and eight bureaus of the Inner Dynasty, to the six ministries, nine secretaries and thirteen departments of the Outer Dynasty, and even those who hold the highest power in the Forbidden City, who doesn't care about the news from the Taishi Mansion?

In the deep courtyard of the Taishi Mansion, among the tall houses with pink walls and blue tiles, Aguli and Briya held the folds, Zhang Jingxiu stewed the medicine in a casserole with his own hands, and You Qirate several capable servants waited with their hands, and everyone had a sad look on their faces.

Zhang Juzheng, the first assistant of the Taishi of the Ming Dynasty, was lying on the bed, his healthy and ruddy face became sallow, his eyes often emitted the power of thunder and lightning, and the eyes that made hundreds of officials frightened, covered with criss-crossed bloodshots, his lips were scorched and cracked, and even the black beard under his chin was a little gray.

Yes, he fell ill, the incomparable Taishi, with thunderous means and power schemes, the entire officialdom had to obey him, invincible in the Wanli years for more than ten years of repeated court battles, in the face of illness does not enjoy more privileges than ordinary people, he wants to support the court, wants to continue to implement the new policy in a big way, but there is nothing he can do.

"Take, take!" Zhang Juzheng's bell-like voice became much weaker.

The Persian beauty Briya stood next to her with a concerto, almost shed tears when she heard the words, and persuaded in an inaccurate official dialect: "Master, you are sick, you should rest more......"

"Nonsense, bring it quickly!" Zhang Juzheng's eyes widened, still full of irresistible majesty.

Bria had no choice, bit her lip, and finally handed the piece over.

Zhang Juzheng took the piece and looked at it carefully, of course he knew that Briya was for his own good, but where did the major events in the world say that if you drop it, you can drop it?

The great cause of the New Deal is at a critical juncture, and a whip law and the opening of the sea in the southeast must be fully rolled out; After Myanmar Mang Yingli succeeded to the throne, he ceased war with his neighbors, recuperated and regained his strength, and recently he was ready to move; When Pan Jitao's campaign to govern the Huai River came up, he had to allocate money and grain and requisition people's husbands...... How can Zhang Juzheng get rid of these things related to the national economy and people's livelihood?

The fragrance of medicine was pervasive, and Zhang Jingxiu boiled the medicine carefully, but he knew very well in his heart that these medicines were not of much use to his father's illness, because the best doctors said that they were not sure, and they could only do their best to obey the destiny of heaven.

Peeking at his father, who was seriously ill and bedridden and still dealing with government affairs, Zhang Jingxiu was really distressed as a son, but no one could persuade the tenacious Zhang Juzheng, the only hope was that his sister would come back as soon as possible, what she said, my father should always listen to it, right?

"Ahem, Jing Xiu, you see Pan Jitao's excerpt, he can only start the big work in the autumn, he is in such a hurry now, do you think your father really can't stand it? What do you think should be done about this? Zhang Juzheng laughed, these days he found an opportunity to explain the way of government to his son, that is, in his illness, he couldn't wait for his son to mature as soon as possible.

Zhang Jingxiu knew his father's intentions, but he deliberately didn't pick up the stubble, and said with some anger: "My father is in his prime, and his body has always been tough, and he will get better soon, and he will talk about it when the time comes." ”

Zhang Juzheng's voice was a little hoarse, ignoring his son's dissatisfaction, and said to himself: "Even if my father can't afford to be sick, it doesn't matter, Zhang Fengpan, Shen Rumo, and your uncles Wang, Zeng, Li, and Pan will also do what needs to be done for their father." ”

Saying that, Zhang Juzheng was a little proud, he single-handedly supported the powerful Jiangling Party, and he believed in these like-minded friends.

"Father meditates and recupes, and when he is cured, he will do better on his own, and he will not expect others!" Zhang Jingxiu took the casserole off the red clay stove.

Zhang Juzheng smiled: "Jing Xiu, you are a righteous gentleman, but you must know that what is said in the book is not all true." What kind of gentleman group and not party? As a politician, the most important thing is to know people well, put a group of talents by your side, assist you, help you, and cultivate qualified successors in the process. Zhuge Liang is a personal leader, but after death, no one can take the lead, your father and I will not be Zhuge Liang! ”

"Okay, Zhang Fengpan and Shen Shixing are your right-hand men, okay?" Zhang Jingxiu handed the cold medicine to his father, but he did not have the slightest doubt about his words.

Although Zhang Juzheng was recuperating at home, the Wanli Emperor ordered him to be allowed to deal with government affairs at home, and Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing would also visit the Taishi's Mansion every day, and respectfully presented the chapters everywhere, please review the Taishi, and at the same time, all Zhang Juzheng's opinions and suggestions, as well as personnel arrangements, were still implemented to the letter as before.

It is said that in order to repay the kindness of the Taishi, he fasted and bathed at home every day, praying to the heavens that the Taishi would get better as soon as possible - this is almost something that only the patient's son would do, and it happened to the second assistant of the current dynasty, which is really commendable.

"Alas, it would be nice if the imperial court didn't send these pieces to my father, so that he could really calm down and recuperate!" Zhang Jingxiu thought like this, and looked in the direction of the mansion gate again, when will the secret sister come back?

"I'm back, I'm back," Zhang Maoxiu shouted as he ran, and said happily: "My sister is back with Qin Lin!" ”

Yes? Zhang Jingxiu was surprised, it was supposed to be a few days before the journey, why did it come so quickly?

Zhang Juzheng's face did not move at all, and he seemed to be indifferent, but the hand holding the medicine bowl trembled, and splashed the medicine on the thin quilt, in order to hide it, he pretended to be indifferent: "If you marry your husband, why delay Qin Lin's fame?" What's more, the old man is not seriously ill, so there is no need to rush back at all! ”

The two brothers, Zhang Jingxiu and Zhang Maoxiu, looked at each other and smiled, their father's words were really four words - insincere.

Qin Lin and Zhang Zixuan hurriedly walked into the room, and when they saw their father's haggard expression, Zhang Zixuan's tears rolled down at once, and she threw herself to her father's bedside and mourned: "Daddy, you, you are still reviewing the recital when you are so sick, why bother...... Brother, why don't you persuade your father? ”

Zhang Jingxiu, Zhang Maoxiu, and Zhang Sixiu, Zhang Jianxiu, and Zhang Yunxiu, who rushed to hear the news, all had bitter faces, no one had ever persuaded them, but who could persuade their father!

Zhang Juzheng gently stroked his daughter's hair and said self-deprecatingly: "Daddy is greedy for power, and he refuses to stop, who dares not to bring the concerto?" I am still the Taishi and Shoufuli of the Ming Dynasty, and the Son of Heaven allows me to govern at home, are you going to take my power? ”

Zhang Zixuan smiled bitterly, and before she could be persuaded again, Qin Lin gently patted her shoulder.

Of course, Qin Lin knew that Zhang Ju was joking, he was greedy for power and couldn't be indifferent to fame and fortune, just because he had great ambitions and chose the path of joining the WTO to save the country and helping the people, he couldn't be an idle cloud and wild crane in the world, in the final analysis, it was for the implementation of the new policy, for the sake of the country and the people's wealth.

"Qin Lin," Zhang Juzheng's gaze was kinder than ever, and he didn't talk to him in a reprimanding tone for the first time, "It's my idea to call you back, what to say Tumen Khan and Dong Fox into the Kou, I asked Zeng Shangshu of the Ministry of War to make it up." ”

The old man is really frank, he clearly said that he was making up a reason to make up a holy decree to recruit Qin Lin back!

Qin Lin smiled, leaned over and said, "My son-in-law has half a son, so he should come back to visit." ”

"It's not to see you," Zhang Juzheng's old face was slightly red, in fact, he meant this, "After the old man fell ill, the undercurrent of the Jingshi was turbulent, and all parties were ready to move, so I summoned you back to sit in the town, so as not to suddenly change in case of chaos." ”

"Father!" Zhang Zixuan and several brothers were shocked, what do you mean by "just in case"? This is a bad omen!

Qin Lin hesitated: "...... Governor Liu?"

Zhang Ju said straightforwardly: "Liu Shouyou and Zhang Whale are very close, and Yan Qing is not at peace there, I don't worry about him!" ”

Although she didn't say it explicitly, the old lady's eyes seemed to say: I believe in you! Then he looked at his eldest son Zhang Jingxiu and second son Zhang Sixiu, full of deep meaning.

Qin Lin thought about it and nodded heavily, whether it was the White Lotus Sect or any other force, don't want to make waves during this time!

"By the way, Daddy, we invited Doctor Li from Qizhou, let him take a look for you," Zhang Zixuan cheered up and said hopefully.

When he came in, he learned about Zhang Juzheng's condition from the mouthpiece of the housekeeper You Qi, he was hemorrhoids at first, and he didn't take it seriously, but he knew that the condition was getting more and more serious during the treatment, and there were undesirable phenomena such as thirst in the mouth, body dryness, etc., and finally he was sick in bed.

Li Shizhen is a well-known miracle doctor, who also worked in the Tai Hospital back then, and is a fellow villager in Hubei with Zhang Juzheng, Zhang Juzheng was naturally happy when he heard it, and said again and again that he would invite the old gentleman in.

Li Shizhen wore a green coat and a square hat, a white beard, two big sleeves floating, quite a bit of fairy wind bones, and saluted Zhang Juzheng when he came in: "The Taishi is above, Xiao Ke can be called to diagnose your illness, Shi Wangwang Wenwen and the method of inquiry, if there is any rudeness, I also hope that the Taishi Haihan." ”

"It's okay, Doctor Li is too polite!" Zhang Juzheng smiled and waved his hand, "You are from Qizhou, I am from Jiangling, we are fellow villagers in Hubei, I have long heard that you are the miracle doctor of the national dynasty, and you have the ability to bring the dead back to life. ”

"How dare you. Xiao Ke only understands the prescription of the doctor, and the Taishi is an expert in the medical country, so he can really be called a miracle doctor! Li Shizhen said, and went up to diagnose Zhang Juzheng's illness, first looked at his complexion, then listened to the voice, then asked about the condition, and finally cut the pulse.

Li Shizhen put three fingers on Zhang Juzheng's wrist inch, guan, and ruler, and did not say a word for a long time.

Others are still worried in their hearts, Qin Lin's heart has already sunk, you must know that Li Shizhen is not only a miracle doctor in the world, but even the first medical skill in the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty...... Sure enough, Li Shizhen's expression became more and more solemn, and he hesitated unprecedentedly, put down Zhang Juzheng's left hand, and cut off his right hand.

Now even Zhang Zixuan secretly said that it was not good, she had heard Qingdai say that her grandfather Li Shizhen had a wonderful hand, and he only needed to cut one hand, and only for extremely difficult diseases, he would cut the pulse of both hands.

What is the reason why the miracle doctor Li Shizhen is so difficult to decide?

After pondering for a long time, Li Shizhen smiled: "Taishi is fine, wait for Xiao Ke to carefully open a prescription, and it should get better." ”

Huh~~ The five brothers led by Zhang Jingxiu all breathed a sigh of relief, the secret doctor is the divine doctor, the group of fools in the Tai Hospital have not been sure, Li Shizhen is different as soon as he comes.

Who knows that Zhang Juzheng, as the first assistant of the Taishi, has been immersed in silver officialdom for decades, and his kung fu is so powerful, and he immediately laughed and said: "Why does the old doctor coax me? The old man's official residence is a product, the python robe is the country, he is used to seeing life and death, and he can withstand a little wind and waves, you can tell the truth! ”

Li Shizhen admired it and arched his hand: "Sure enough, he is worthy of being the first assistant of the imperial master of the dynasty!" Okay, Xiao Ke just told the truth. ”

"Intramuscular?" Zhang Juzheng asked, he also knew that he was so sick that it was impossible to be in the middle of it.

Li Shizhen shook his head.

"Sick in the guts?" Zhang Juzheng's expression changed slightly.

Li Shizhen hesitated, but still shook his head.

Zhang Juzheng's face froze, his eyes suddenly darkened, and finally he waved his hand with a smile: "I know, it is terminally ill, beyond the reach of the medicine stone." There is Lao Li Divine Doctor, this is the old man's life limit has arrived, and he can't complain about the short doctor's skills. ”

Li Shizhen's face fell to the ground with a heavy face, he couldn't save such a patient, he felt very uncomfortable.

The five sons of the Zhang family were already stunned, dumbfounded as if they were carved from clay and wood, only Zhang Zixuan was unwilling, endured the sourness in her heart, pulled her sleeves and gently pulled Li Shizhen out, just went out and turned the corner, and knelt on her knees.

"Why bother?!" Li Shizhen was in a hurry, his face was full of embarrassment, and he was even a little ashamed, Zhang Juzheng had inscribed a compendium of materia medica for him, but in the end he could not cure the illness of the Taishi.

Qin Lin followed, smiled apologetically at Li Shizhen, and then helped Zhang Zixuan up from behind, only to feel that her body was almost paralyzed, and she would fall down as soon as she let go.

Helping Zhang Zixuan to sit down on the vermilion lacquer seat in the corridor, Qin Lin asked in a deep voice: "Grandpa, what kind of disease does my old Taishan have?" Why can't it be cured? ”

Zhang Zixuan's body was weak and weak, but she still cheered up and listened to what Li Shizhen said.

"Originally, there was no serious illness, but if it was placed on Taishi Zhang, it became a serious illness," Li Shizhen let out a long sigh, extremely helpless.

It turned out that Zhang Ju was the first minister of the Ming Dynasty in three hundred years, and he implemented the new policy reform in a big way, and implemented the way of enriching the country and strengthening the army, but he himself was not a Qing official in the traditional sense, and learned from the actions of Kou Zhun in the Northern Song Dynasty.

After all, he is old, and he is very tired from dealing with government affairs for many years, of course he can't stand such indulgence, Zhang Juzheng takes big tonic medicine, and it is easy for him to get these things, take Qi Jiguang as an example, he sends Liao ginseng, deer antler velvet, and sea dog kidneys to Zhang Juzheng every year.

These big dry and hot things to eat, one or two points are nothing, a lot of food over the years, it will lead to a strong void fire, it looks red and strong, in fact, the internal organs have long been damaged, not sick is enough, once the disease overwhelms the false fire, the condition will be fierce in an instant, even if Hua Tuo is resurrected and Bian Que is reborn, it is difficult to treat.

"Qi Shuai, Qi Shuai didn't send the sea dog kidney later!" Zhang Zixuan said in surprise, and suddenly regretted that he didn't send the sea dog kidney, but the ginseng and deer antler velvet and the like have not decreased, and other officials often give Zhang Juzheng tonic from all over the country as gifts.

Ginseng and deer antler velvet were originally elixirs to cure diseases and save people, but if they are not used properly, they become harmful poisons! But can this be blamed on Qi Jiguang, who gave gifts, and can it be blamed on other officials? They are all sincere, hoping that Zhang Juzheng can live for another 500 years!

Li Shizhen arched his hand, shook his head and sighed and left, depressed that he couldn't save such a ruler.

Zhang Zixuan leaned softly on the stone pillar, tears welled up from her deep and charming eyes, and tears were left on her fair goose egg face.

Qin Lin let out a long sigh and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her, and the setting sun cast a long silhouette of the two of them.

However, Zhang Juzheng recruited Qin Lin back to Beijing, not to let him comfort his children, but to have a difficult task, and soon a slightly hoarse shout came from inside, recruiting Qin Lin in.

If Zhang Juzheng was still a little out of shape when he suddenly heard the news of life and death just now, then now his expression was as solemn as usual, holding Qin Lin's hand and looking at him with earnestness: "Since Doctor Li said so, it seems that the old man is Yangshou has arrived." Qin Lin, you are a talented person in the world, if it is ten years later, the old man will hand over the Jiangling Party to you......"

Zhang Sixiu, Zhang Jianxiu, Zhang Yunxiu were shocked, You Qi and several servants also changed their expressions, Zhang Juzheng had a son, and there were champions and lists, he was surprised when he said this.

Who knew that Zhang Jingxiu, who was the eldest son, and Zhang Maoxiu, who was the champion, had expressions that should be like this, the two of them knew Qin Lin's ability very well, and they also knew why their father belonged to him and what he was going to say next.

Sure enough, Zhang Juzheng changed his words and gently patted the back of Qin Lin's hand: "However, you are too young, too young...... Therefore, I can only hand over the Jiangling Party to Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing, but Zhang Siwei's prestige is too shallow, Zeng Shengwu, Wang Guoguang, Li Youzi, Pan Jitao, and Wang Zhan are not convinced by him, and Shen Shixing is a good gentleman...... So, after 10 years, you're in the right place, and you, you know what to do. ”

(To be continued)