These two fearless and stubborn people, I am sending you away for your own good.

Zhu Youxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that both personnel arrangements went smoothly.

Anyone who dared to jump out and scream would be dragged out and spanked, and then sent home to eat rice. Zhu Youxiao had already made preparations; he did not want to be a tyrant or a fool.

The emperor's appointment, and the officials' acceptance, was considered a normal personnel appointment and transfer. The cabinet had no reason to block it. At worst, they could issue an imperial decree, and there was no need to worry about officials refusing to accept.

Next, Zhu Youxiao promoted Li Banghua, the Shaoqing of Guanglu, to be the Imperial Inspector, who went to various regions to inspect and examine the administration of officials.

In the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Inspector was said to be on tour on behalf of the emperor. The chief executives of provinces, prefectures, states, and counties were all his subjects of inspection. Major matters were reported to the emperor for decision, and minor matters were dealt with immediately. He had considerable power.

After a series of fierce moves, the three key members of the Donglin Party were all removed from the court by the young emperor. However, from the perspective of others, they were all promoted to higher positions and entrusted with important tasks, which was a sign of the emperor's trust in them.

"Mr. Zou—" Zhu Youxiao took the memorial from the inner palace and asked Zou Yuanbiao, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, with some doubt, "Is this memorial your request to restore Zhang Juzheng's posthumous title?"

Zou Yuanbiao, who was already over seventy years old, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Jiang Ling's contributions were to the country, but his faults were to his family. The country's opinions will not end until his death. I am called a minister of the country. Why should I be ashamed?"

Zhang Juzheng was born in Jiangling County (Jingzhou), and is also known as "Zhang Jiangling".

Zou Yuanbiao's meaning was: Zhang Juzheng had made contributions to the country, and the "seizure of love" incident was a personal mistake. One thing should be treated separately, and Zhang Juzheng's reputation should be restored, and he should be given a share.

What surprised and puzzled Zhu Youxiao was not the redress of Zhang Juzheng, but why it was Zou Yuanbiao who advocated for him?

In the fifth year of the Wanli reign, the father of Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng died of illness.

According to the "Dingyou" system of the time, those who took care of their grandparents and biological parents had to stay at home in mourning for 27 months, starting from the month and day of the death, not counting intercalary months. After the mourning period was over, they could return to work.

But Zhang Juzheng didn't want to leave, and couldn't. The great cause of reform was already halfway through, and he was preparing to make drastic economic changes to promote benefits and eliminate disadvantages. A delay of twenty-seven months would likely ruin his lifelong ideal.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng planned the "Seizing Love" incident. The so-called "Seizing Love" means that the emperor will not let you go, the country needs you, turn your grief into strength and continue to work at your post!

The emperor issued an edict to reinstate him, and ministers petitioned to retain him. The entire court was in a state of turmoil. Mr. Zhang couldn't leave, he couldn't leave. If he left, the sky of the Ming Dynasty would collapse.

But just when Zhang Juzheng's plan succeeded and he thought everything was fine, four young men jumped out and wrote a petition of opposition, accusing Zhang Juzheng of violating the "eternal moral principles" and saying that Zhang Juzheng's seizure of love was "greedy for power and forgetful of relatives."

Then, these four young men were dragged out to be beaten with the cane. Some had sixty lashes, some had eighty lashes. They were all beaten until their skin was torn and their buttocks were bruised.

Now it’s all good, Zhang Juzheng has finally vented his anger, and no one is complaining anymore.

Hey, just after beating up these four fools, Zou Yuanbiao, a guy who is even dumber than the fools, popped out.

He wrote a memorial to Zhang Juzheng, accusing him of calling himself "an extraordinary person," but saying, "If anyone regards attending funerals as a commonplace thing and disdains to do it...then he is a beast." This was too harsh, calling Zhang Juzheng a beast, a pig, or a dog.

As expected, Zou Yuanbiao was beaten with 80 boards, nearly to death, and had one leg broken. That wasn't the end of it, as he was exiled to a garrison deep in the mountains of Guizhou, dragging his broken leg with him.

Later, Zhang Juzheng also ordered the governor to frame Zou Yuanbiao. However, Zou Yuanbiao was not destined to die. The governor died suddenly at night while passing by Zhenyuan to stay overnight, allowing Zou Yuanbiao to escape.

With such a feud, it's normal for people to feel deep hatred and unforgettable hatred, not to say that the hatred is as deep as the sea. No one will say that you are narrow-minded and hold a grudge.

Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes and looked at the seventy-year-old man with white hair and beard standing on the steps. His thoughts were in turmoil and he was deeply touched.

He had investigated the situation of his ministers, or at least read many of their resumes, and he was familiar with Zou Yuanbiao's experience.

Moreover, within the scope he defined, Zou Yuanbiao was definitely a member of the "Donglin Party".

Not only that, Zou Yuanbiao was also a heavyweight figure in the "Donglin Party", and was known as the "Three Lords of the Donglin Party" together with Gu Xiancheng and Zhao Nanxing.

"I have another memorial to present, 'He Zhong Jian Shu'." Zou Yuanbiao bowed again and raised the memorial in his sleeve high above his white-haired head.

Zhu Youxiao took the memorial of remonstration from the palace maid, opened it, took a look, closed it and put it away, saying, "Since it is a memorial of remonstration, I will take a closer look after the court is dismissed."

"My Lords..." Zhu Youxiao raised his head, glanced around, and asked, "Do you have any opinions on restoring Zhang Juzheng's posthumous title?"

Yeah? The emperor didn't ask, "What do you think?" but rather, "Do you have any opinions?" Judging from the tone of the question, the emperor essentially approved of Zou Yuanbiao's memorial.

"I second the motion." Censor Fang Zhenru bowed and said, "When our great grandfather first began his administration, he was strict and prudent in everything he did. As prime minister, Jiangling thoroughly reviewed everything. He has made great contributions to the country and should be given the honor he deserves."

Imperial Censor Zhou Zongjian stepped forward and reported, "Zhang Juzheng's attentiveness to border affairs led to the tribute payments during the reigns of Emperors Longqing and Wanli over fifty years ago. Your Excellency Zou's report is quite correct, and I second your opinion."

"I second the motion." Prime Minister Ye Xianggao bowed and said, "Zhang Jiangling has been prime minister for ten years. The country has been peaceful, prosperous, and strong. His contributions are invaluable."

Originally, they wanted to discuss it in court or have the cabinet propose it and ask the emperor for approval, but they didn't expect the emperor to be so impatient and make the final decision on the spot.

But given the prevailing situation, some had been speaking out for Zhang Juzheng since the late Wanli period, but they hadn't dared to speak out. The key to whether this matter would pass was the emperor's attitude.

This is equivalent to admitting that his father or grandfather did something wrong, and admitting that the Zhu family has wronged Zhang Juzheng. Only when the emperor admits this, will Zhang Juzheng's reputation be restored naturally.

"The cabinet has drafted an edict. Zhang Juzheng has made great contributions to the country. His official title and posthumous title shall be restored immediately." The young emperor said in a deep voice, "Search for Zhang Juzheng's descendants. Those who hold official positions will be reinstated, and those who do not will receive additional compensation."

"Your Highness obeys your command."

………………

Human beings are truly complex animals; human nature, like a stone in the water, only truly reveals itself after the water has subsided.

When Zhang Juzheng was in power, he held absolute power and even the emperor was afraid of him, let alone the officials in the court.

But after his death, the emperor turned against him and those who exposed and took advantage of his misfortune were mostly ministers promoted and appointed by Zhang Juzheng.

However, ministers who had previously been at odds with Zhang Juzheng, or had conflicts with him, dared to defend Zhang Juzheng at the risk of angering the emperor, thus saving him from having his coffin opened and his body whipped.

Decades later, it is this guy whose leg you broke and almost killed, who is now campaigning for your redress.

Zhang Juzheng, if you are still alive, I wonder what you would think?

Zou Yuanbiao, if you had realized this earlier, why did you get your butt bruised, your legs broken, and almost lose your life?