Since the result of the interrogation was out, it couldn't be hidden anymore. Soon, the news that Gao Gong colluded with Chen Hong in an attempt to assassinate the Emperor spread all over Beijing.
Not only was the public opinion in an uproar, but the people were also panicking.
Everyone could see that it was obvious that Dongchang's Feng Bao had framed him.
Once it was done, it would be terrible. Based on what Feng Bao and Dongchang had done, there would be a lot of repercussions.
No one knew what would happen then. Besides, Gao Gong was the former Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and the teacher of the late Emperor.
If even he ended up like this, what about the other officials?
Wouldn't everyone be in danger? Who wouldn't be afraid?
Zhang Juzheng got the news as soon as possible, even earlier than others. At this time, Zhang Juzheng was sitting in the study with a dark face.
You Chi was serving him carefully. You Chi could tell that his master was angry.
Although Zhang Juzheng was angry and had a serious expression on his face, he didn't show any extreme behavior.
Zhang Juzheng wasn't Gao Gong. The more it was like this, the calmer Zhang Juzheng was.
"Tell Liu Shouyou that the Imperial Bodyguard should keep an eye on Chen Hong. Don't let anything go wrong."
Zhang Juzheng thought for a while and added, "Tell Minister Gao to be careful with the Imperial Bodyguard. Don't make any trouble. Prepare my clothes. I'm going to the palace!"
Now that things had become like this, it was clear that there was no way to clean it up. No matter what, he had to confront Zhang Juzheng head-on.
If he didn't do anything, his prestige would instantly be suppressed to the bottom.
Wasn't Gao Gong's ending today also his ending tomorrow?
This kind of atmosphere had to be suppressed.
"Master, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Yang Boyang, and the Imperial Censorate's Left Imperial Censorate are here to see you!"
Just as Zhang Juzheng was about to leave, the steward outside suddenly came in to report. It was obvious that these two people had also received the news.
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Juzheng said, "Let them do their best!"
Not long after, the Minister of Rites, Yang Bo, and the Imperial Censor of the Left, Ge Shouli, walked in from outside.
When the two of them saw Zhang Juzheng, they exchanged a few simple pleasantries and got down to business.
One of them was the Minister of Rites, and the other was the Left Imperial Censorate. They were definitely the leaders of the Imperial Censorate.
This time, the two of them were not representing themselves, but the officials of the imperial court.
"Elder Zhang, Elder Gao has already returned to his hometown. How could he be plotting to assassinate His Majesty? This is utter nonsense!"
Ge Shouli opened his mouth and said, "Feng Bao is framing others with malicious intentions. He's trying to seize power!"
Yang Bo, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, chimed in, "Though Minister Gao is hot-tempered, Minister Zhang should know what kind of person he is.
Minister Zhang, since Minister Gao has already left, why do you have to put him to death?
You should be lenient wherever possible! "
"Of course, Gao Gong was indeed in the wrong regarding Grand Elder Xu's matter, but he didn't put Grand Elder Xu to death!"
Ge Shouli's words were nothing, but Yang Bo's words stabbed straight into Zhang Juzheng like a knife.
Zhang Juzheng's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He was not stupid. How could he not understand Yang Bo's meaning? Besides, he almost made it clear.
He had colluded with Feng Bao to get rid of Gao Gong. From the perspective of political struggle or profit, it all made sense. But the point was that he didn't have to put Gao Gong to death!
What good would it do him to start a big case? Wipe out the remaining forces of Gao Gong?
He was the Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel. Did he have to do that?
Only eunuchs would do that.
As for avenging his teacher, that was even more ridiculous.
He had just asked Zhang Jiayin to punish his teacher severely. Although there was an action to rehabilitate his teacher, it was only to restore his reputation. More importantly, he hadn't done it yet!
However, Yang Bo's words also made Zhang Juzheng realize one thing: the civil officials were excluded and dissatisfied with him.
Obviously, they believed that he had colluded with Feng Bao to get rid of Gao Gong. That was the first reason. This time, they wanted to put the blame on Gao Gong to death. That was the second reason.
If they had only gotten rid of Gao Gong, it would not have been a big deal. But colluding with Feng Bao to kill Gao Gong was a violation of the bottom line.
Unless he wanted to be Yan Song, he couldn't really collude with Feng Bao. Besides, if he bowed to Feng Bao, he couldn't be Yan Song at all. He could only be Xu Jie, while Feng Bao was Yan Song.
What about his reputation and the career he wanted?
What about the ambition in his chest?
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Zhang Juzheng looked at the two people and said in a low voice, "Do you think this is my doing?"
At this time, he couldn't hide it, so Zhang Juzheng simply made it clear.
Ge Shouli and Yang Bo looked at each other. They didn't expect that Zhang Juzheng would be so direct.
Although they didn't say it, that was what they meant.
Since they didn't say anything, it was obvious that they acquiesced.
Sighing in his heart, Zhang Juzheng was helpless. Driving Gao Gong away was too simple and rude, and the sequelae came.
When his teacher was still alive, Gao Gong was forced to go back to his hometown. Later, when Gao Gong came back, he was always forced to go back to his hometown. It was a big mess, but it didn't have such a serious sequelae.
Zhang Juzheng also knew that because Feng Bao was involved.
If he couldn't wash away the fact that he colluded with Feng Bao, they wouldn't believe him. They never trusted eunuchs.
"I don't know why you think this way. I'm also a disciple of a Sage. I passed three subjects and two rolls. I also survived the era of Yan Song. I also stayed in the former emperor's mansion. How could I do such a thing?"
"What grudge do I have with Gao Gong?
Why do you insist on killing him? Do you think I, Zhang Juzheng, am Yan Song? "After saying this, Zhang Juzheng stood up and walked away, leaving the two of them in the living room.
Zhang Juzheng's words were clear. He was a civil official, and he was also a scholar in the imperial examination. They were on the same side. How could he associate with a eunuch?
The subtext was: I won't cross the bottom line of a civil official. It's wrong for you to suspect me.
Ge Shouli and Yang Bo naturally heard it. However, the doubts in their hearts didn't disappear. Instead, they had another doubt. Was it really not Zhang Juzheng who did it?
Zhang Juzheng left, but You Chi didn't. He knew what to do.
"Sirs, let me say something that I shouldn't say. If it weren't for your visit, my master would have entered the palace.
When my master heard about this, he was very anxious and was about to go to the palace to explain it. "
"To tell you the truth, the assassin was a subordinate of Qi Jiguang, the Commander-In-Chief of Ji Liao. It was Feng Bao who asked about it first."
Ge Shouli and Yang Bo were stunned. They looked at each other again. Of course, they knew that Qi Jiguang was Zhang Juzheng's man. Feng Bao targeted Qi Jiguang first?
Didn't that mean that Feng Bao targeted Zhang Juzheng?