The Ming Dynasty officialdom was a place where morality was the only thing that mattered. Officials could make mistakes at work, and at most they could start over again, but they were not allowed to leave any handles in their private affairs at home.

Because Confucianism talks about "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, and bringing peace to the world", the four things are progressive. Without cultivating oneself, how can one regulate the family? Without regulating the family, how can one regulate the country and bring peace to the world?

But now, the School of Mind is flourishing, and egoism and hedonism have torn the cage of orthodox teachings to pieces. The emperor has taken the lead in being extravagant, so how can the officials of the younger generation be clean?

However, old-school officials like Gao Gong still adhere to traditional values. So in his opinion, Zhao Hao can't even control his lower body, so what great future can he have? He is just an upstart who rises and falls suddenly. He has seen many such people, and none of them can accomplish anything!

"It seems that I overestimated him... That's right, what can a child under 20 years old achieve?" Gao Gong stroked his beard and said with a self-deprecating smile.

Unconsciously, he had greatly reduced the threat level of Zhao Hao in his mind, and no longer thought of Zhao Hao as a demon who would bring disaster to the country as before.

How can a man who has accomplished great things be so sentimental? He doesn't deserve it.

But this is a good thing. Since that kid has cut off his official career, Lord Gao has nothing to worry about.

Moreover, he preferred the embarrassed uncle. The gloomy Mr. Zhang who always had everything under control was not good.

"But Uncle Da doesn't need to worry too much. He doesn't plan to pursue a career in politics, so what's the big deal about marrying several wives? Even if he wants to have two wives, he can just ask for the emperor's permission." So Gao Gong took the initiative to help him solve his problems:

"It's actually very simple. There's no need to discuss who's older or younger. Just let the emperor grant the marriage. The eldest princess' daughter has the title of county lady, so even if she's given the title of first-rank lady, it's a downgrade. That's perfect. I can give the title of lady to your daughter. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"That would be a great bargain for that beast!" Zhang Juzheng snorted angrily, but he obviously approved of this plan. "He only has a seventh-rank honorary title, how can he be qualified to receive an imperial decree? At best, he can only earn an imperial decree to be a concubine."

"Hey, didn't that kid make contributions in the last victory at Xifengkou?" Gao Gong's mind worked so fast that he had an idea in the blink of an eye. "His father is only a sixth-rank official, so it's not appropriate to raise his rank. Just give him an imperial decree and let your daughter be above him, so as to embarrass him a little and give you some vent to your anger."

In order to create disharmony between Zhao Hao and Xiao Zhuzi in the future, and then make him completely hostile to the Yue family, Lord Gao tried his best and started laying mines.

Politicians are like this. Even a straightforward person like Gao Gong, their motives for doing things are never pure.

Isn’t it even more so in Bu Gu?

"Alas..." Zhang Juzheng sighed as if resigned to his fate, and said with some embarrassment: "How can I have the nerve to tell the emperor about such a family scandal?"

"How can I ask for this kind of thing? I will ask for the decree for you!" Gao Gong waved his hand and said, "As long as that boy can really get the job done, I will be his matchmaker!"

"It's just dog shit luck to kill a person!" Zhang Juzheng snorted unhappily and said in a muffled voice: "I'm sorry to trouble Brother Suqing."

"Hey, you and I are like brothers, so it's a bit awkward to say that." Gao Gong stood up and patted his shoulder, smiling and comforting him: "I'm not trying to persuade you to be magnanimous, but in life, can you always have smooth sailing? Like the fall I made two years ago, it's no different from yours, but I still managed to get through it, right?"

"Alas, it may be that I was too successful before. I still need to learn more from Brother Suqing in the future." Zhang Juzheng nodded and sighed.

"Hahaha, that's right, you still have a lot to learn from me!" Gao Gong felt very happy, and laughed for a while before asking, "By the way, what conditions did that kid put forward?"

"He still dares to put forward conditions? Does he have the nerve to do so?!" Zhang Juzheng gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't it enough to kidnap my daughter?"

"You'd better ask clearly." Gao Gong advised: "After all, the ticket is not in his hands, and they still share the pot."

"That's his business, we don't need to worry about it." Zhang Juzheng said coldly: "He knows the consequences of failing to do it!"

"Hmm..." Seeing that he looked like he had Zhao Hao in his grasp, Gao Gong didn't know what to say, so he said, "There are still seven days until the next court meeting. You keep a close eye on him. Let him know if there is any chance, so we can think of other ways."

"Brother Suqing, don't worry." Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "I will keep an eye on it."

"We must settle this matter at the next court meeting!" Gao Gong said anxiously with blisters on his mouth. "The north wind blows the white grass to the ground, and snow falls in August in the Hu sky. Altan's army has been stationed outside Datong for a month. If there is no result, he will take risks! Even if he retreats for the sake of his grandson, the peace talks will be over if we miss this opportunity!"

"Understood." Zhang Juzheng nodded again and said, "I will urge them every day and report as soon as there is any news."

"Thank you." Gao Gong forced a smile, put on his reading glasses, and continued to work.

Gao Suqing was able to achieve in one year what others could not achieve in ten years. Besides his strong ability and fierceness, he also worked really hard.

He is almost sixty years old and lives in the residence behind Wenyuan Pavilion. He works day and night and can only go home once a month.

Zhang Juzheng was the kind of person who could balance work and life. He could obviously handle all his government affairs during normal working hours. But his brother Su Qing did not go home, so he could only accompany him. He could not bring his new concubine into the palace, which made Bu Gu very angry and even had a boil on his chin.

Fortunately, the beard is not visible...

Before leaving, he couldn't help but advise: "Brother Su Qing, take care of yourself. You still have to assist the Holy Emperor for another twenty years."

"Ten years is enough." Gao Gong said unconcernedly, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with the affairs of state. What can I do? I can only devote myself to the work until my death. When I collapse from exhaustion, you can take over..."

"Hey, Brother Suqing, don't joke around. Take care of yourself." Zhang Juzheng sighed. For Gao Gong and for himself, when would these days of being a Jishibang end?

~~

Because Yuan Fu had already submitted his resignation, although the emperor issued an edict to retain him, Li Chunfang no longer came to the cabinet.

Gao Gong was now too lazy to even bother with the matter of saving face. He just worked in his duty room every day. He had the secretary deliver memorials directly to the second floor and never entered the meeting room on the first floor.

Zhang Juzheng felt it was awkward to be alone with Zhao Zhenji, so he came down from the second floor of Wenyuan Pavilion and went straight back to his duty room.

Who knew that while he was avoiding others, they would come to him on their own initiative.

Zhang Juzheng had just sat down in his seat, and before he had time to drink a sip of tea to moisten his throat, sort out his feelings, and review the gains and losses of this performance, Zhao Zhenji knocked on the door and walked in.

"Taiyue, take a look at this." Zhao Zhenji strode in and placed a memorial in front of Zhang Juzheng.

"Brother Dazhou, wait a moment." Zhang Juzheng had the tea tray moved to the tea table, picked up the white cotton towel on the table to wipe his hands, and then picked up the impeachment letter and opened it. It was the impeachment letter from Cao Daye, the Imperial Censor of the Ministry of Revenue, accusing Zhang Siwei of colluding with border officials and leaking the court's top military and political secrets.

In addition to the impeachment letter, there were also copies of two letters, both of which were written by Zhang Siwei to his uncle, Wang Chonggu, the governor of Xuanda.

Zhang Juzheng had a deep understanding of the Shanxi Gang, and naturally knew that Zhang Siwei, a rich second-generation from his family, was the new leader of the Shanxi Gang after Yang Bo stepped down. Negotiating peace with the Tatars was the top priority of the Shanxi Gang. Only by doing this well could Zhang Siwei completely convince the crowd, secure his position as the leader of the Shanxi Gang, and win Gao Gong's trust.

So Xiao Wei has been busy these days. He is also the nephew of Wang Chonggu, who is in confrontation with Altan Khan. It is natural for him to have frequent correspondence with his uncle at this time.

Zhang Juzheng read the two letters calmly. One letter informed Wang Chonggu that the court had not passed the resolution, and described in detail the disputes among the parties during the court resolution.

The other was a reply to Wang Chonggu's letter dated the 3rd of this month. Zhang Juzheng learned from the letter that Altan had been waiting outside Datong for a long time and was getting impatient... Obviously, this was the reason why Gao Gong was so anxious to urge him.

But this is not the point. The point is that Zhang Siwei actually revealed the draft that had not yet been circulated by the cabinet to Wang Chonggu in the letter!

This is a matter of life and death! Sweat broke out on Zhang Juzheng's forehead.

First, Zhang Siwei and the Governor of Xuanda exchanged secrets in private letters. It was actually copied down verbatim and sent to the enemy. What was going on?

Secondly, the cabinet's draft was only issued yesterday and was still being approved by the Imperial Household Department, and had not yet been sent to the six ministries. How did Zhang Siwei, a mere Hanlin scholar, know about it?

Third, once the news was made public, it would be easy for the government and the public to point the finger of suspicion at Gao Gong and ask him what kind of hidden dealings he had with Wang Chonggu, Zhang Siwei and their gang.

How did Xia Yan and Zeng Xin die? Wasn't it the crime of "close ministers colluding with border generals"?

The cause of the prison was just a few letters that the two discussed copying, which fell into Lu Bing's hands...

Now, of course, Emperor Longqing would not doubt his teacher, nor would he massacre border officials for unfounded charges. But in order to quell the raging controversy, he might have to stop the proposal of tribute.

"A bunch of troublemakers, unable to accomplish anything, more likely to cause trouble!" Zhang Juzheng gritted his teeth secretly, musing in silence.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Zhao Zhenji threw out another bombshell: "There are also censors who have evidence that Zhang Siwei bribed Gao Gong! In June, he bribed Gao Gong 800 gold coins to be selected as the East Palace attendant!"

Zhang Juzheng's eyebrows twitched slightly. Lord Zhao had crossed the line. What could eight hundred taels of silver do? It was just a routine charcoal tribute!

Even though Gao Gong had many faults, he was truly honest. Otherwise, with Zhang Siwei's wealth, how could he only spend 800 taels to embarrass Gao Huzi? That would not be filial piety, but humiliation...

In this way, the Shanxi gang gives me gifts every year in the name of ice and charcoal, which is ten times more than Gao Gong. Shouldn't they be picked out and criticized?

Zhao Zhenji brought this up to show that he was not following the rules and was breaking the unspoken rules in order to attack his opponent.

Zhang Juzheng suppressed his fear and asked in a low voice, "Brother Dazhou, what do you want to do?"

"Taiyue, give up the dark and join the light, and make a clear distinction between you and the surname Gao!" Zhao Zhenji finally said what he meant, and said expectantly: "Gao Huzi is arrogant and intolerant. You are not someone who can stay under someone else for long. Sooner or later, you will turn against each other!"