When the news that the Emperor was going to give Zhang Juzheng a posthumous title of "Wen" spread, it shocked countless people. Many people's eyes almost fell to the ground.
How could this be?
How could they give him a posthumous title of "Wen"?
Originally, the highest that everyone could accept was "Wen Zheng". Why did the Emperor want to give him a posthumous title?
On the third day after Zhang Juzheng's death, another piece of news came from the palace. Zhu Yijun was going to visit the Zhang Residence to personally pay his respects to Zhang Juzheng.
Everyone could tell that the Emperor was going to praise Zhang Juzheng.
Things didn't go beyond everyone's expectations. On the third day, Zhu Yijun's imperial entourage arrived at the Zhang residence.
Zhu Yijun got out of the imperial carriage and looked expressionlessly at the Zhang family's gate, which was covered in white banners. He glanced at the Zhang family members who were kneeling on the ground. Zhu Yijun walked toward Zhang Jingxiu and reached out to help him up.
"At ease!" Zhu Yijun glanced at the people kneeling on the ground and said.
When everyone stood up, Zhu Yijun pulled Zhang Jingxiu into the Zhang Residence and went straight to Zhang Juzheng's mourning hall.
The words written by Zhu Yijun were placed in the mourning hall and were very eye-catching.
*****，*****！
Zhu Yijun took the incense that Zhang Jing handed over and lit a stick of incense for Zhang Juzheng before going to the side hall.
Looking at Zhang Jingxiu behind him, Zhu Yijun said with a serious expression, "You can tell me what you want. Sir has worked hard for the Daming all his life and has been loyal to the country. No matter what request you have, I will grant it."
"Your Majesty trusts my father very much and has rewarded him generously. Your grace is deep. I have nothing else to ask for!" Zhang Jingxiu hurriedly knelt on the ground and said.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said with a sigh, "Mister has devoted your whole life to the country. Today I have lost you. It is as if the Heavens have taken away my heart. It is a heart-wrenching pain.
Zhang Jing, read the decree! "With that, Zhu Yiju turned to look at Zhang Jing.
Zhang Jing reached out and took an imperial edict. He gently unfolded it, a grave expression on his face.
"In accordance with the will of the Heavens, the Emperor has decreed: Zhang Juzheng of Jiangling, a loyal minister, is our backbone. Today, we have taken away our minister, and our heart is filled with sorrow."
"When you were alive, you had the talent to rule the world. You were virtuous and well-educated, kind and loving to the people. Ever since you became the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, you've served both domestic and foreign guests well. You've been compassionate both internally and externally. You've kept your purity and forsaken your death for the sake of the country. You're truly a good and loyal minister."
"Zhen has remembered him and bestowed him with the posthumous title of 'Wen' in recognition of his merits, and posthumously conferred the title of 'Marquis of Loyalty'!"
"I accept the decree and thank you for your grace!"
Zhang Jing respectfully prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed. He loudly said, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
With that said, he received the imperial edict with both hands. His face was already covered in tears.
The worries of the past two days were gone, and the terror of the past two days was also gone.
Zhu Yijun didn't stay long in the Zhang Mansion. He quickly returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
However, Zhu Yijun's imperial edict caused great waves. Not only did he give Zhang Juzheng the posthumous title of 'Wen', but he also posthumously conferred the title of Marquis of Loyalty. This evaluation was truly the highest since the founding of the Daming dynasty.
There were those who praised, those who envied, and those who were jealous. However, all of them had the same emotion: I should be like this!
Returning to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhu Yijun called over four people. These four people were the four heads of spies under Zhu Yijun.
The director of the Department of Rites was the eunuch Zhang Jing, who was in charge of Dongchang. The director of the Department of Rites was the eunuch Xu De, who was in charge of internal affairs. The director of the Department of Rites was the eunuch Zhang Cheng, who was in charge of the Imperial Horse. The Left Governor, the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, and the Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard was Liu Shouyou.
In principle, Zhang Cheng couldn't be considered the head of spies. However, the intelligence department of the Imperial Horse had already been established, and it had been operating smoothly for the past few years.
The entire military's spies and surveillance were all operated by the Imperial Horse. The results were already quite good.
"Of the four of you, three are Eunuchs. Liu, you are the commander of the Imperial Bodyguard. The Imperial Bodyguard is the Emperor's personal army. The four of you are Zhen's closest subjects.
I now have a task for you to do. I hope you won't disappoint me. "
"We will do our best to live up to Your Majesty's great trust!" The four people hurriedly knelt on the ground and said loudly.
Zhu Yijun nodded. He glanced at Zhang Jing and said, "Zhang Jing, mobilize the people in Dongchang, both overt and covert, to publicize Mister Zhang's contributions. At the same time, publicize Zhen's trust in Mister Zhang, as well as the honor Zhen bestowed upon Mister Zhang after his death."
"Send someone to all the brothels and places where scholars are reluctant to leave. Let them know that if they work for the court and Zhen, I will not be stingy with rewards."
Zhang Jing hurriedly said, "Old Slave understands!"
Zhu Yijun turned his head to look at Xu De and said, "In the Pear Garden, tell Mister Zhang's stories. Start with Mister Zhang's imperial examinations and focus on his feelings for the country. Didn't he fail the examinations?
Spread the news! "
"Get your people in the lower levels of the marketplace to move. Spread Mister Zhang's deeds. At the same time, spread my honor Zhen bestowed upon Mister Zhang after his death. In short, Mister Zhang and I are the role models of a ruler and a minister."
"Remember, don't mention Tang Taizong and Wei Zheng. If you want to mention it, mention Tang Taizong and Zhangsun Wuji. Do you understand?"
Xu De nodded with a serious expression. "This servant understands!"
Tang Taizong almost dug up Wei Zheng's grave after his death. This matter must not be mentioned at such a sensitive time.
Zhuge Liang also could not be mentioned. Although White Emperor City entrusted an orphan to the emperor was a good story, what kind of person was Liu Chan?
He ascended the throne at a young age and the late emperor entrusted an orphan to the emperor. Everything was too similar. However, he had become Liu Chan in this story.
This was unacceptable.
"Liu Shouyou, get the people of the Imperial Bodyguard to move as well. Spread the news. Start with the merchants traveling north and south. Say the same thing as them." After giving orders to Liu Shouyou, Zhu Yijun turned his gaze to Zhang Cheng.
"Zhang Cheng, get the people of the Imperial Horse Bureau to move as well. Spread the news in the army. You are different from the three of them. You mainly spread the news about Zhen's reward for Mister Zhang.
Make people feel that as long as they work hard for Zhen and perform meritorious deeds for the Daming, We will not be stingy with rewards. "
"Even if we have to confer the title of Duke and Marquis on his wife, we will not hesitate. Do you understand?"
"This servant understands!" Zhang Cheng hurriedly replied.
Zhu Yijun nodded. He looked at the four people with a serious expression and said, "This matter must not be leaked out. It must be done beautifully. If anyone messes it up for me, I will not let them off lightly."
"Go!"
After hearing Zhu Yijun's words, the four of them turned around and walked out with large strides.
The four secret agencies of the Daming court mobilized with all their might. On that day, they saw the results. The Liyuan Teahouse and Tavern began to talk about Zhang Juzheng's stories.
In the Liyuan Teahouse, there was even a long story. The first sentence was "The first appearance of a virtuous minister," describing the birth of Zhang Juzheng.
All kinds of myths and legends were brought up and pinned on Zhang Juzheng's head, such as "an auspicious sign from the heavens" and "the descent of the Literary Star."
It was the same in other places. Everywhere people talked about Zhang Juzheng's great achievements. At the same time, they praised the monarch and minister relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Zhu Yijun, as well as the master-disciple relationship.