Chapter 1458: Good Father-in-law and Son-in-law in Ming Dynasty
"In fact, I feel really wronged." Zhao Hao leaned on his side beside Zhang Juzheng, and said with a look of confusion: "I tried my best to find a doctor and let the famous doctor from Jiangnan Hospital treat the High Chancellor. It was to please the old man Gao, not to let him mess things up. How could I arrange a big gift-giving event to irritate the High Chancellor?"
"Yes." Zhang Juzheng nodded. This statement was more in line with Zhao Hao's usual style of not wanting to confront Gao Gong head-on. "So, someone else was behind this?"
"It's possible." Zhao Hao nodded.
Zhang Juzheng closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then asked, "Feng Bao came to see you, right?"
"Has he also looked for his father-in-law?" Zhao Hao asked back.
"Yes, he is anxious. He has offended the emperor because of the things in the palace, and he is like an ant on a hot pot." Zhang Juzheng took a sip of tea and guessed slowly: "So many people lined up to give gifts, most likely he instigated it to ruin the reputation of Gao Gelao."
"It's possible." Zhao Hao suddenly realized, "Eunuch Feng is really good at this."
"Humph, just doing useless work." Zhang Juzheng said disapprovingly: "If Gao Suqing cared about his reputation, he would not do things so recklessly. Because no matter how bad his reputation is, it can't shake him in the slightest - so Bu Gu... That's why I'm telling you, stop doing these little tricks, it's useless, useless..."
"Yes." Zhao Hao nodded, thinking that his father-in-law was indeed an idol, and he had a clear view of the situation. He even felt that even if he put the evidence of Gao Ge Lao's rebellion in front of the emperor, Longqing would not believe it. Unless Gao Huzi really led his troops to attack the Qianqing Palace... That kind of absolute trust between the monarch and his subjects was unprecedented and unparalleled. It brought endless despair to Gao Ge Lao's political enemies.
Zhao Hao could clearly feel Zhang Juzheng's depression. The feeling of seeing no hope was really depressing.
"Fortunately, this time the mistake was made. Elder Gao has lost face because of this incident. I'm afraid he will have to stay quiet for a while." Zhang Juzheng glanced at Zhao Hao and said, "What's more terrible is that this incident may alienate the relationship between the Prime Minister and his disciples. They need time to win back Elder Gao's trust. Before that, the pressure on your side will be much less."
"Really? I didn't expect that." Zhao Hao said with a look of surprise, "Father-in-law is indeed very insightful. Now I can spend the New Year with peace of mind."
"But it's only a temporary lull." Zhang Juzheng sighed and said with envy, "Lord Gao and his group of censors are the best combination. They are more handy and obedient than Lord Xu was at the beginning. Lord Gao can be so domineering now, and it is inseparable from these good students who are particularly good at fighting. So it is estimated that in a few months, they will be back to normal."
"It would be good if we could have some peace for a few months." Zhao Hao smiled bitterly and said, "Since ancient times, the people have never fought against the officials, and our Jiangnan Group is no exception. We have to make concessions to Mr. Gao, but a 70-30 split is too much. I hope my father-in-law can help mediate."
"In fact, the 70-30 split is just to scare you. He knows it's unrealistic." Zhang Juzheng looked at him with a complicated expression, and then said, "It's called reconciliation and compromise. If you think the 70-30 split is too hard to accept, then the original 50-50 split is not so disgusting, right? I will try to help you and see if we can go back to the original division."
"Thank you, father-in-law!" Zhao Hao stood up and said gratefully, "But that old man Gao is extremely overbearing. Will it be too difficult for father-in-law?"
"How can I take a beating for him for nothing? He should give me some face..." Zhang Juzheng said, and suddenly thought of the birthday preface. He stopped talking and said with a self-deprecating smile: "Of course, he may not agree. After all, Mr. Gao is not a person who likes to give face."
Bu Gu realized that he was feeling down, and wanted to cheer himself up, but he became more helpless and said, "He wants Gao Nanyu to take over the position vacated by Lord Yin after the new year, so I, as a father, will have to be more cautious in the future."
Gao Nanyu is Gao Yi. He and Gao Gong were both Jinshi in the same class, and they were both Shujishi. Later, they were both in the Hanlin Academy for many years. They had a very close relationship. It is conceivable that Zhang Xianggong might become a Roujiamo by then.
~~
The father-in-law and son-in-law were silent for a moment, and Zhang Juzheng encouraged Zhao Hao: "Don't worry too much. Since you are my son-in-law, your father will always be able to protect you. Otherwise, you don't deserve to be a university scholar."
"Yes, I now rely entirely on my father-in-law." Zhao Hao nodded quickly and looked at Bu Gu with admiration.
"In fact, it's easy for us to get along. It's just that I have to suffer a little and you have to cut some meat. We can always get by." Zhang Juzheng frowned and shook his head and said, "The problem is with Eunuch Feng.
He has already lost his composure. Even if he discredits Gao this time, it won't solve his problem. Even if Meng Chong falls, will the emperor let him take over? I don't think so. "
"Really?" Zhao Hao looked shocked.
"In the final analysis, he has forgotten who his servant is. Just because you are the prince's companion, you should treat the prince and his wife as masters. He has forgotten who gave him all this." Zhang Juzheng stroked his soft long beard and said slowly.
Zhao Hao understood what his father-in-law meant. Feng Bao's problem was the death of Hua Hua Nu'er. Could he shake off this suspicion? Obviously not. So there was only one way out, sooner or later.
What shocked him even more was that his father-in-law's words actually indicated that he wanted to cut ties with Feng Bao.
This really shocked Zhao Hao. Normally, in that period of history, Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao lived together until old age. But now with himself as a variable, everything is uncertain...
Could it be that because he had angered Lord Gao, the idol had to endure too much pressure that he shouldn't have to endure? As a result, his situation had deteriorated and he was no longer able to maintain his fake brotherhood with Eunuch Feng?
That's absolutely not allowed! Zhao Hao was shocked. Feng Bao was his real protector. Only if the factory guards kept covering it up, the things done by Jiangnan Group would not cause an uproar. If another factory manager revealed the whole picture of Jiangnan Group, I'm afraid disaster would come immediately!
He racked his brains to find reasons to persuade Zhang Juzheng not to give up Feng Bao.
What is this? 'Eunuch Feng is someone the prince cannot live without for a day, and he is in charge of the factory guards and the imperial stables, so he is extremely valuable to us.'
Something like, "The emperor is in low spirits now and may not be willing to start a war."
In short, Feng Bao is our irreplaceable strategic resource, and we must not let him feel betrayed unless it is absolutely necessary.
Zhang Juzheng listened to him patiently, then smiled coldly and said, "It seems that you two are deeply involved in this conspiracy."
"He was able to take good care of the child because of my father-in-law's face." Zhao Hao hurriedly explained: "And Eunuch Feng swore to me that although he was indeed the one who discovered and spread the affair between the Concubine Chen and the Mongolian guard, he was definitely not the one who caused the Concubine Chen to jump into the well. So the emperor only suspected that he was behind it, but he didn't confirm that it was him."
"For the emperor, suspicion of a person is enough to sentence him to death." Zhang Juzheng was not someone who could be easily persuaded. He shook his head decisively and said, "At least during the reign of Emperor Longqing, he is finished. What chance does he have? Wait for the crown prince to ascend the throne? The emperor is in his prime, I'm afraid he won't be able to wait until that day."
"Please, father-in-law, please help Eunuch Feng!" Zhao Hao stood up, bowed deeply, and begged: "Jiangnan Group has been taken care of by him over the years, and I really can't bear to abandon him. We can't afford this loss! If someone like Gao Gong is replaced in charge of the factory guards, Jiangnan Group will never have peace!"
"Hmm..." Zhang Juzheng understood what Zhao Hao meant. He had read all the memorials from the censors impeaching the Jiangnan Group. The charges of monopolizing people's livelihood, keeping assassins, and running schools illegally were definitely groundless. There were reasons for everything. As long as you look carefully, you can always find fault with it.
"Well, it seems that I can't stay out of this. I can only help Eunuch Feng to get through this." He nodded, feeling very depressed. But Zhao Hao, his son-in-law, is his greatest asset in the future, so he has to help.
"I have already taught Eunuch Feng..." Zhao Hao then told Feng Baozhi the trick he had given him, and added, "As long as father-in-law says a few good words for him, he should be able to pass this test."
"Oh?" Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up when he heard it, and he muttered to himself, why do they feel so connected? However, after questioning him for a while, he no longer doubted it. He just passed by a trace of suspicion. He commented on Zhao Hao's idea and said, "This should help him keep his position as the chief writer, but he will have to give up the Imperial Stables. Forget about the eunuch in charge of ceremonies."
"That's enough." Zhao Hao looked relieved.
Because the chief clerk of the Imperial Household Department also served as the eunuch commander of the Eastern Depot, preserving the former would preserve the latter.
“My father-in-law, your kindness is deeper than the sea. I will always be a filial son and never let you down!” Finally, Mr. Zhao expressed his gratitude again with tears in his eyes, saying that he would love his father-in-law even closer than his biological father.
~~
Otherwise, why is it said that marriage is the most effective way to form an alliance since ancient times? If it were in the past, Zhang Juzheng would never believe his nonsense, but now he thinks it is natural.
Little did he know that the person his son-in-law was most wary of was him...
Last year, when Li Chunfang and Zhao Zhenji were still alive, his elder brother Zhao Jin, who was still among the Nine Ministers, hinted to Zhao Hao whether they should unite and force Gao Gonggong to step down.
After all, Gao Gong was not really invincible. Didn’t Lord Xu deal with him once?
But Zhao Hao disagreed. He would suffer too much if he fought against Gao Gong. He didn't have much time left anyway, so wouldn't it be better to wait for him to step down?
There is also a more important reason, which is to lay the foundation for the next ten years of Zhang Juzheng's rule over the country.
At that time, he made a rule that when Zhang Xianggong and Gao Xianggong worked together to achieve great things, he would give their full support.
If the two of them turned against each other in the future, I must not show my rebelliousness, let alone make Mr. Zhang feel threatened. It is best to stay away from it and not see the hideousness in Mr. Zhang's heart.
In that case, not only will the idol be shattered, but when Prime Minister Zhang becomes the prime minister in the future, he will regard himself as a thorn in his side just like Gao Gong did!
Because it is the butt that determines the head, not the head itself. Even if I am half of him, if I act too domineering, Jiangnan Group and my immigration business will be ruthlessly suppressed by him. At least I will not get full support.
On the contrary, if you show weakness appropriately and demonstrate your dependence on your father-in-law, your future situation will be much better.
Zhao Hao’s greatest strength is that once he sets a rule, he will follow it.
So after the Chinese New Year, he would go back to Huizhou to hold another wedding...
p.s. I went to bed.
(End of this chapter)
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