Shen Shixing was not only talented but also possessed great foresight.
He sighed and said, "Esteemed Minister, gentlemen, I see that the Yan faction and Zhu Mo have become sworn enemies. With the defenses exposed, how can the isolated forces of Datong withstand an army of eighty thousand? Yan Song's actions clearly indicate his intention to kill Zhu Mo for all to see…"
Zhang Siwei also murmured, "If Zhu Mo is defeated like this, how will we ever overthrow Yan? Won't the Yan family's prestige only grow stronger?"
It should be known that over the years, how many censors and high officials had the Qing faction sacrificed in their attempts to bring down Yan? Now, Zhu Mo arrived and, with a series of decisive moves, had left the Yan family with almost no room to retaliate. Just as everyone was getting excited, Yan Song suddenly made a grand gesture, pushing Zhu Mo into a desperate situation.
The crowd immediately began to lament, feeling that the machinations of the court were far more treacherous than those of the martial world.
The atmosphere had completely solidified.
After a long while,
Ma Ziqiang sighed and said,
"It's laughable that Zhu Mo would send a letter to the Esteemed Minister Taiyue, asking us to express support, or he would no longer discuss state affairs? Is this madness? Does Zhu Mo truly know nothing about military affairs?"
Those with keen minds reread the letter, feeling that the situation had indeed reached an unmanageable point. It was also widely rumored that conflicts were fierce in Datong, with the Wei army and the volunteers at loggerheads. Although the Emperor had issued a decree to support the Wei army, how much effect could it have?
With Zhu Mo in Datong, facing a formidable figure like Yang Xuan, along with the Xuan-Da Governor Ge Jin and his faction, and the entire region filled with Yan loyalists, he likely hadn't even secured full authority yet, yet he was making grand pronouncements?
Shen Shixing knew that Zhang Juzheng was always exceptionally wise, and faced with such a significant matter, the others clearly weren't getting to the heart of the issue. He therefore asked,
"How does the Esteemed Minister intend to proceed?"
Zhang Juzheng, unlike Yan Song, always spoke openly, as this was how he retained talent. In his eyes, talent was more important than villains. Only with strong talent could effective governance be achieved and accomplishments be made.
At this moment,
He sighed and said leisurely,
"Yesterday, the Junior Senior Cabinet Minister sent someone to find me, saying that Yan Song and his son would soon face a court deliberation. He said to go if possible, but not to force it if not..."
"Gentlemen, have you understood by now? Why did Anda venture hundreds of miles deep last time and then hastily withdraw? Why, months later, did he mobilize eighty thousand troops? Why did Zhu Mo rush to Datong so urgently, even venturing into danger alone without proper preparation? And why did Yan Song suddenly withdraw the border garrison troops more than ten days ago?"
"These matters are all connected. If you understand this, you will know why Yan Shifan wanted me to return to the capital to attend the court meeting, and you will naturally understand why Zhu Mo sent this letter?"
Hiss!
Wow!
The crowd suddenly felt their hearts pounding—
Could it be that all of this was orchestrated by Yan Song and Anda? Zhu Mo wasn't going to relieve the disaster but to directly resist Anda? Had he predicted that Anda would launch a major offensive?
If so, with Yan Song withdrawing the border garrison troops at this time, Datong becoming isolated, and Zhu Mo's fate uncertain, yet Zhang Juzheng was being summoned to a court meeting, wouldn't that be telling everyone: this struggle has ended, the Yan family has won, and Zhu Mo has been defeated!
These people were not fools; they had already guessed: this court meeting was likely to condemn Zhu Mo, a definitive judgment, because by the time of the court meeting, Zhu Mo would likely be dead… Even, even… the crowd dared not think further.
But these Qing faction members were different from the Yan faction; they were more loyal.
Shen Shixing, having understood everything, said firmly, "Esteemed Minister, what we have done is righteous and open. Even if Yan Song overthrows Zhu Mo and then seeks to condemn us, I, Shen Shixing, will follow the Esteemed Minister to the end, even if it means living as a commoner for life, without regret."
Zhang Juzheng nodded heavily, patted his shoulder, and said,
"Ru Mo, things haven't reached that point yet... However, Zhang is extremely grateful!"
The others, who also wished to serve the people, expressed their support at this moment, stating that even if Zhu Mo died, the effort to overthrow Yan would not stop.
Gui Youguang, who was nearing sixty, was not only moved but also indignant at the righteous anger displayed by everyone. He exclaimed,
"Yan Song, that old scoundrel!
He colluded with Anda and then withdrew the forward defenses, exposing Datong to eighty thousand cavalry. This is a clear attempt to kill Zhu Mo for all to see! It's as if he's saying: Look, Yan Song still calls the shots in this Great Ming! Whoever dares to oppose him, even Zhu Mo, will lose their head!
Shameless old scoundrel, unheard of! He is threatening everyone! Esteemed Minister, in my humble opinion, Yan Song's treasonous dealings with the enemy are unforgivable. At this juncture, we can only support Zhu Mo. Even if Zhu Mo were really Wei Yang or Jing Gong, we must support him at this critical moment! Otherwise, where is righteousness in the world? If one can collude with the enemy at will to defeat an opponent, the Great Ming Dynasty will immediately fall into chaos! We seek only justice, and we will not flinch even from death! Esteemed Minister, please return to the capital quickly and denounce Yan Song's treason in the imperial court! The people of the world will surely rise up to condemn him!"
Seeing his unwavering conviction despite his age, and his lack of official title, the others were filled with awe. But then they thought that this old scholar was perhaps too naive.
Yan Song was indeed killing Zhu Mo for all to see and was indeed threatening the world, but was this something that could be resolved with a few curses?
So, everyone shook their heads and sighed again.
Shen Shixing felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, saying,
"Old Master Gui, but Yan Song's collusion with the enemy is also without evidence... Who has proof that he had correspondence or verbal messages with Anda? According to the secret letter from Minister Liang, Yan Song's sudden withdrawal of border garrison troops was ostensibly to reinforce the capital due to the approaching enemy forces. This is not wrong, is it? Who can say this move is wrong? If someone says it's wrong, what will the Emperor think? Yan Song can immediately place the blame, and counterattack!"
Mm-hmm,
Zhang Siwei also said in a deep voice, "Yes, during the Gengxu Incident, Qiu Luan colluded with Anda, diverting the disaster eastward, and the capital was nearly captured. How many people were implicated afterward? This is a cautionary tale. Based on this alone, Yan Song and Yan Shifan can instantly condemn their opponents..."
Yes,
Indeed,
Cannot go!
At this moment, the crowd descended into chaos.
Ma Ziqiang, being from the borderlands and having studied some military texts since childhood, spoke up,
"Gentlemen, have you considered this? The reforms of Zhu Mo were supported by all of us present. How could Yan Shifan let this go? Even if we no longer support Zhu Mo's reforms, we cannot join the Yan family in condemning him! Know this, that would also be condemning ourselves! If Zhu Mo dies, we will all be considered part of the villainous faction! Therefore, we absolutely must not go!"
"But if we don't go, won't the Yan family condemn us anyway?"
"I think, whether we go or not, the outcome will be the same!"
"Exactly! Then let's not go!"
"I think we should still go. If the green hills remain, there will be no lack of firewood. What if he gets away with it once or twice?"
"But if Yan Shifan brands us as villainous, where will there be any green hills left?"
"..."
For a time,
The crowd argued heatedly in the hall.
...
After a long while,
Zhang Juzheng waved his hand, paced a few steps, and said,
"Have you considered this? The reforms of Zhu Mo were actually approved by the Emperor. Even if Zhu Mo dies, the reforms may not die...
I've thought about it for several days. Old Master Gui's words are reasonable. We must overthrow Yan, and we must reform! We will not retreat from this, no matter what. If Zhu Mo dies, we will continue to reform. I believe that even if the Emperor cannot save Zhu Mo, he will surely save the reforms. The great cause of reform will not die!"
Shen Shixing suddenly understood and blurted out,
"Right! Zhu Mo has the people's deep support, and the common folk eagerly anticipate his reforms... Esteemed Minister, you are correct. Even if he dies, we must continue to carry the banner of reform. Once we yield, the Yan Song father and son will relentlessly pursue us. By persisting in reform, we are actually turning a desperate situation into an opportunity!"
Mm-hmm,
Yes, absolutely right!
The crowd could not help but admire Zhang Juzheng's strategic vision once again.
Zhang Juzheng also nodded slowly and said,
"When times favor, all forces unite; when fortune fades, heroes are powerless..."
"Zhu Mo's one misstep has led to a complete loss. Forced by circumstances, it seems he is doomed this time... My mind is made up. It is summarized in four words: Non-Mo Reforms!"
Huh?
What?
What does this mean?
The crowd immediately looked at each other in bewilderment.