The crowd pondered Zhang Juzheng's strategy once more, collectively gasping in shock. They felt this Grand Tutor was indeed a talent for the ages, a true strategist whose actions, when they came, shook the heavens and earth. They looked at his wide sleeves and his cool, clear demeanor, sensing an aura of world-altering might.
Seeing that everyone understood, Zhang Juzheng spoke again:
"I am the one who undertakes my actions, so rest assured and carry them out! Ru Mo, the matter of rectifying the academies requires meticulous investigation. The academies of the Yan Party must be thoroughly sealed. The academies of Neo-Confucianism shall remain untouched. As for the academies of the School of Mind that participated in the memorial, their directors are to be dismissed first, and all activities suspended. Additionally, a list of the gentry who donated to the memorial academies must be compiled!
In short, this matter is rather complicated. Find a few more sharp-minded individuals. The announcement must be issued tonight."
"Yes, Grand Tutor!"
The others immediately divided their tasks and departed.
...
These past few days,
No one dared approach Gao Gong's residence; even ordinary citizens skirted far around it. The small courtyard was like a desolate land, utterly devoid of life.
Lying on his bed, Gao Gong called out several times, but the two old women and the old man did not appear. His anxiety grew, and he cursed, "Ungrateful! Scoundrels! Lowlifes! I've fallen on hard times, and everyone has vanished..."
Yet, his voice echoing in the empty courtyard only made him more unnerved. He soon fell back into a stupor.
Having lost everything in this gamble, Gao Gong was consumed by rage and had been bedridden for three days. Even in his sleep, he heard rustling sounds, as if his three servants had packed up and left.
After an unknown period, he listlessly pushed himself up, intending to write a final testament. However, his mind buzzed, and he found himself unable to write a single word.
"Alas... I, Gao Gong, born with a talent for governance, yet one careless move led to complete ruin... Heavens! Why do you not strike down Zhu Mo and Xu Jie!"
"Two fiends! Fiends... Hahaha... Woo woo woo..."
Alternating between tears and laughter, he finally drifted back into unconsciousness.
As night fell,
He sensed someone's presence. Opening his eyes, he saw Wu Duen lighting a lamp in the room.
"Master, you must pull yourself together... Come, have something to eat! This ordeal will pass... Woo woo woo..."
Wu Duen was a righteous man. Seeing everyone avoid Gao Gong as if he were a malevolent spirit, he recalled that he owed his ascent from obscurity to becoming the Vice Commissioner of Jizhou's preparedness entirely to Gao Gong's patronage. Though his master had not heeded his advice and had brought this misfortune upon himself, Wu Duen felt bound by his debt of gratitude and could not abandon him.
Upon seeing Gao Gong, who was usually tall and robust, now curled up on the bed, weaker than any ordinary old man, Wu Duen could not help but weep.
Gao Gong never expected that among all his disciples, it would be Wu Duen, with whom he often bickered, who would come. This filled him with even greater pain, and tears streamed down his face as he said, "Junze, you must not be so good to people in the future, understand... You must not always be so earnest..."
These words came from the depths of his heart, and Wu Duen felt even more distressed, choking back his sobs, "Master, as for the current situation, I have already asked someone to find Tao Zhongwen and have him inform Lan Daoxing to intercede with the Emperor, to spare you from the death penalty... I have already drafted the memorial requesting forgiveness, and the Emperor, remembering your lifetime of incorruptibility, should grant your request to retire to your hometown... Woo woo..."
Gao Gong was deeply gratified by this, his spirits recovering somewhat. He sat up, grasped Wu Duen's hand, and said, "Junze, the Emperor will not do anything to me... You should worry about Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng. I am a Grand Tutor, I won't die, but you must be careful! I can't manage them anymore. This old man will help you one last time... You, go get the brush, I will dictate, and you will write..."
Wu Duen shook his head and sighed, complying.
"Listen carefully, the title will be 'Last Words from a Sickbed.' Uh, write to Prince Yu, saying that this old man, throughout his life, aspired to uphold justice, but in his old age, he acted perversely and failed the world... Please, Your Highness, remember this old man's lifelong integrity and do not implicate Wu Duen..."
Upon hearing this, Wu Duen blurted out, "Master, this...?"
"Don't question it, write! Please, Your Highness, do not implicate Wu Duen. This man advised me beforehand, and afterwards, he did not shy away from suspicion, serving this old man in his illness, which even his own children could not do. This old man has no other wishes; please, Your Highness, treat my usable disciples with kindness..."
After Wu Duen finished writing, Gao Gong read it over several times, patted his shoulder, and said, "Junze, this old man never expected you to come... Do you know? Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng, to clear themselves, will surely be ruthless! You, good deeds will be rewarded; Prince Yu will protect you... Alas, after this old man returns home, if you have time, come visit... alright?"
"Master, woo woo woo..."
The next day,
Gao Gong made his final appearance in the capital. He personally knelt long before Prince Yu's mansion and presented the "Last Words from a Sickbed." Then, he left without a word. Returning to his residence, he found an ox cart, casually packed some belongings, and departed the capital before sunset.
...
Simultaneously,
At Xu Jie's residence, Zhao Zhenji, Li Chunfang, Huang Guangsheng, Zou Yinglong, and his eldest son Xu Fan were all seated in a row.
It should be noted,
For years, Xu Jie had excelled in the art of discretion, cultivating numerous disciples and former associates. However, unlike Yan Song and Gao Gong, he never openly recruited followers, deliberately maintaining a distance. Thus, his strength remained hidden.
But today was different,
Because Xu Jie had received secret intelligence—
Zhang Juzheng had apprehended Yin Zhengmao in Jiangnan, banned one hundred and twenty academies, and also submitted a memorial impeaching Governor Zheng Bichang and five or six other members of the Yan Party. This essentially meant that Zhang Juzheng had preemptively initiated the purge against Gao Gong and a portion of the Yan Party.
The timing was certainly opportune, and the chances of success were high, yet Xu Jie felt anything but comfortable. He had always strived to remain out of the public eye, but this time, he had been placed at the forefront by Zhu Mo, becoming the schemer who brought down Gao Gong. Rumors had already spread among the Yan family and officials across the land.
This was a situation he had painstakingly avoided his entire life, but this time, the trouble was extreme. At the Baitan Academy, thousands of scholars had personally witnessed him, Xu Jie, discussing the debate between Confucianism and Legalism, while below, Gao Gong's secret letters were being circulated. Who in the world would believe that Xu Jie had no involvement?
His original intention was for Gao Gong to fall gracefully, without any purge, merely a reshuffling of certain personnel. For instance, Zhao Zhenji would succeed Zheng Bichang as Governor of Jiangnan, Huang Guangsheng would gradually dismiss Gao Gong's disciples in the Ministry of Justice, and Li Chunfang would directly intervene in the Ministry of Revenue, cooperating with Zhao Zhenji and his eldest son Xu Fan to slowly oust Gao Gong's confidantes like Lu Huang and Yang Zongqi.
However, to achieve these goals, a forceful liquidation of Gao Gong's faction was inevitable. If he truly initiated a purge, he would solidify his reputation as a schemer, which would be extremely detrimental to his future prospects of becoming the Grand Tutor. Furthermore, Zhang Juzheng had already impeached Zheng Bichang of the Yan family. To purge Gao Gong, they would certainly have to be apprehended together, which would directly lead to a conflict with Yan Song, and at present, he lacked the strength to confront Yan Song.
These past two days,
He had been quite hesitant, strongly desiring to hear others' opinions.
At this moment,
He paced a few steps with his hands behind his back and sighed,
"Mengjing, please state your opinion."