It didn't take long before the question book was brought up.

Zhu Youxiao tapped the manuscript for a moment, then turned to Chen Hong and said, "Call Zou Yuanbiao."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong agreed and went out to pass on the message.

Looking at the manuscript in his hand, Zhu Youxiao smiled: "Zou Yuanbiao, let me see whether you truly care about the world or are you just deceiving the world and stealing the reputation. Sometimes, words are useless, and actions are the key."

These past few days have been quite stressful for Zou Yuanbiao.

First, the case of framing Xiong Tingbi took up too much of his energy. Secondly, there was the matter of Gao Panlong and Yang Lian. Yang Lian and Gao Panlong expressed different attitudes in front of His Majesty, making the relationship between the two people a little delicate, and even the relationship within the Donglin Party became a little delicate.

Before the relationship could be eased, news came from the palace that Gao Panlong was colluding with Wei Zhongxian, which was why he disagreed with handing Feng Sanyuan, Wei Yingjia, Zhang Xiude and others over to the three courts for trial.

When this news came out, it was like a stone that caused a thousand ripples, instantly causing an uproar within the Donglin Party and the court.

This news directly changed the situation of the Donglin Party. With many people fanning the flames, Gao Panlong was directly labeled as a traitor who colluded with Wei Zhongxian. Even such arguments were heard within the Donglin Party.

You can't explain why Gao Panlong disagreed with having Feng Sanyuan, Wei Yingjia, and Zhang Xiude tried by the three courts. If they weren't connected to Wei Zhongxian, why didn't he agree to have these three people tried by the three courts?

In fact, Gao Panlong proposed a joint trial by the three courts, and also wanted to make a big deal out of a small matter, which was completely in line with the interests of the Donglin Party. However, the news coming from the palace was not like this.

The only people present at the time were himself, His Majesty, and one of His Majesty's personal eunuchs, Eunuch Chen Hong. Who should I ask to testify? Should I ask His Majesty?

Go find Eunuch Chen Hong? Maybe he is Wei Zhongxian's man. How can the eunuchs in the palace help him? Gao Panlong is now full of words and can't explain himself clearly.

Zou Yuanbiao also met Gao Panlong and learned what had happened.

In Zou Yuanbiao's view, this was Wei Zhongxian's conspiracy.

His Majesty wanted to hand the case over to the Three Courts, but he did not like Gao Panlong to make a big deal out of a small matter, and instead hoped that it could be thoroughly investigated.

This is why Your Majesty did not hand the case over to Gao Panlong, but to Yang Lian.

This made Wei Zhongxian, who wanted to take the opportunity to stir up a big case, very dissatisfied.

But this was the Majesty's intention, and Wei Zhongxian could not go to the Majesty to argue, so he spread this rumor.

"He is indeed a powerful eunuch!" After Zou Yuanbiao figured out what had happened, the expression on his face was one of agony.

This matter cannot be let go like this. We must defend Gao Panlong. Otherwise, this basin of dirty water cannot be washed away, and Gao Panlong will be finished. But rumors are very difficult to wash away. It has always been like this!

Zou Yuanbiao suddenly stood up, slapped the table with his hand, and said loudly: "The powerful eunuchs really do great harm to people."

At this moment, Zou Yuanbiao saw a man walking in from the door. It was the emperor's personal eunuch Chen Hong.

The moment he saw Chen Hong, Zou Yuanbiao's face suddenly became embarrassed.

Unexpectedly, Chen Hong heard this angry outburst. Zou Yuanbiao wanted to explain, but he didn't know how.

In Zou Yuanbiao's view, this incident was caused by Chen Hong in collusion with Wei Zhongxian, and he still believed in Gao Panlong's character.

"What brings you here, eunuch?" Zou Yuanbiao said with a serious look on his face.

Chen Hong looked at Zou Yuanbiao expressionlessly. He had naturally heard Zou Yuanbiao's scolding, so it would be a miracle if he was happy.

However, he was here to do something serious, so he naturally didn't dare to neglect it. He quickly said, "Sir Zou, His Majesty summons you."

After saying this, Chen Hong turned around and left. He was obviously very dissatisfied with Zou Yuanbiao and was ready to go back and make trouble.

When Zou Yuanbiao saw this scene, he felt helpless. This is what they call "disaster comes from the mouth", and as luck would have it, Chen Hong came in.

After arriving at the palace, Zou Yuanbiao met Zhu Youxiao. He found that Zhu Youxiao was still not in good health, so he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is not in good health. You should send for the imperial physician to see him!"

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "My dear Zou, you are so thoughtful. I have been feeling much better these past few days. I think I will be able to attend the morning court in a few days."

Zhu Youxiao pretended to be sick these days, largely because he did not want to attend the morning court. Another reason was that emperors would usually believe in Taoism only when they were seriously ill, which gave the powerful eunuch Wei Zhongxian an opportunity.

Although he didn't care about the reputation of being a tyrant, he couldn't be truly tyrannical, otherwise he would lose his truly loyal subjects. This was unacceptable, and he had to find a good reason.

When the time comes to purge the powerful eunuchs, I can recover from my illness, and then when I suddenly find out what they have done, I can put them in jail and kill them. I am King Zhuang of Chu!

"Lord Zou, I've read your memorial these past few days." Zhu Youxiao didn't beat around the bush and addressed Zou Yuanbiao directly, "In it, you highly praise Zhang Juzheng's reforms. But from what I understand, you and Zhang Juzheng don't seem to be on good terms. You were even beaten with eighty canes in court and then exiled to Guizhou for impeaching Zhang Juzheng for seizing power."

"Your Majesty, it is true. Zhang Juzheng was a rebellious man, possessing power and governing frugally. He was extremely arrogant and extravagant, and he failed to observe filial piety upon his father's death, a truly unfilial act. However, his flaws outweigh his merits. Zhang Juzheng's reforms enriched the Ming treasury, and he was a great contributor to the nation." Zou Yuanbiao said impartially, "Therefore, I believe that Zhang Juzheng should be rehabilitated and given justice."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and sighed softly, "The country is facing financial difficulties right now, and the court is short of ideas. Since you are so supportive of Zhang Juzheng's new laws, I wonder what you think of the reforms?"

"Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has now reached a point where it must reform in order to become a strong country." Zou Yuanbiao was overjoyed when he heard Zhu Youxiao's words and spoke quickly.

He had always been in favor of reform, so now that His Majesty had asked this question, Zou Yuanbiao naturally became excited and quickly began to explain his point of view: "I believe that if we want to reform, the leaders should set an example for the people below."

"Your Majesty should set an example for the world. Without this, reform cannot be achieved. The Imperial Palace should practice frugality and prohibit extravagance. This should serve as a warning to the world."

Looking at Zou Yuanbiao who was talking freely, Zhu Youxiao had a smile on his face, but he was cursing in his heart. "Is this reform? You are reforming me!"

Not to mention what the subsequent reforms will be like, if I am fooled by your tricks, then doesn’t that mean I have to listen to you in everything I do?

Is this innovation?

You want the emperor to obey you!

It would be strange if Zhu Youxiao was happy.

Zou Yuanbiao said a lot later, basically asking Zhu Youxiao to set an example.

To put it bluntly, it was very simple. That was to let Zhu Youxiao set an example. The reform started with the royal family and Zhu Youxiao himself.