Zhang Juzheng naturally knew Zhang Hong's worries. In terms of identity, Zhang Hong was a eunuch and was one with Zhang Jing.
If he betrayed the eunuch organization and joined hands with Zhang Juzheng, then even if he was the eunuch in charge of the Rites Department, he wouldn't be able to last long.
In terms of closeness, Zhang Hong was Zhang Jing's godfather. Zhang Jing entered the palace under his tutelage.
If he didn't help Zhang Jing at this time, then he would be criticized by others, especially by the eunuchs, because this was equivalent to betraying the unwritten rule of the eunuchs.
It was the same in the future. If the leader didn't take care of the younger brother, then the younger brother definitely wouldn't work with you.
However, in terms of personal desire, he wanted to help Zhang Juzheng. In Zhang Hong's view, it wasn't easy for the Daming to have a cabinet minister like Zhang Juzheng!
The emperor had few doubts about the country, but Zhang Juzheng could stabilize the Daming's empire and serve the country with all his heart. Such a person was worthy of his protection.
Zhang Juzheng naturally understood Zhang Hong's thoughts, so he said with a smile, "This time's matter is so big, the Empress Dowager should know."
Zhang Hong was stunned, then he nodded. He understood Zhang Juzheng's meaning, and he also knew Zhang Juzheng's thoughts. Zhang Juzheng just wanted him to tell the Empress Dowager.
It didn't even matter if he didn't go in person, as long as the Empress Dowager knew.
However, this time's matter was so big, he really should tell the Empress Dowager, so he said with a smile, "What Lord Zhang said makes sense!"
Zhang Juzheng nodded to Zhang Hong, then turned around and walked outside. He was ready to return to the cabinet.
Although he knew that the Empress Dowager would call him later, Zhang Juzheng still chose to return to the cabinet and come back when the call came.
As expected, not long after, Cining Palace sent someone to call him. Zhang Juzheng stood up again and went to Cining Palace.
This news also spread in the cabinet, and then to the officials in the capital.
Outside the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, Zhu Yijun stood calmly in the same place, followed by two people. One was the eunuch of the Department of Rites, Zhang Jing, and the other was the eunuch of the Department of Rites, Zhang Cheng, and the eunuch of the Department of Rites, Zhang Jing, and the imperial horse supervisor.
"Do you know why I like the Tang Dynasty's saber?" Zhu Yijun said with a smile as he played with a saber in his hand.
This knife was specially made by Zhu Yijun's craftsman. It was a short knife that was only the length of a forearm. The blade was narrow and straight, and the tip was sharp.
Since it was made, Zhu Zhu Yijun had with it, and rarely did it.
"Because I really like its straightness. This is the saber of the Tang Dynasty's army. It goes forward with indomitable will and would rather break than bend."
Zhu Yijun didn't wait for the two to speak and spoke first. Then Zhu Yijun turned his head and looked at Zhang Cheng with a smile. "Today, I give you this saber, and at the same time, I give you these words: go forward with indomitable will and would rather break than bend!"
Zhang Cheng was stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Yijun to give him this saber. He knelt on the ground with a plop.
"I have high hopes for you. The Imperial Horse Supervisor will be of great use in the future. Do a good job!"
After saying that, Zhu Yijun patted Zhang Cheng's shoulder and smiled as he put the saber on the short saber that Zhang Cheng raised above his head. Then he said casually, "Get up!"
"The Old Slave will remember the teachings of the Imperial Majesty!" Respectfully kneeling on the ground and kowtowing three times, Zhang Cheng stood up with the saber in his hands.
Looking at the palace maid coming out of the Palace of Benevolence and Peace, Zhu Yijun smiled. "They are calling you. Go in!"
These words were said by Zhu Yijun to Zhang Jing. However, it was Zhu Yijun who stepped forward first. If he didn't go in, he wouldn't have come.
When Zhu Yijun went in, Zhang Juzheng was already there. Seeing Zhu Yijun, Zhang Juzheng was obviously stunned.
Zhu Yijun smiled indifferently. He walked to Zhang Juzheng and said respectfully, "Master Zhang!"
Zhang Juzheng quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"
After the greeting, Zhu Yijun turned around and smiled at Queen Dowager Li, who was sitting in the middle. He saluted and said, "Son greets Mother!"
Queen Dowager Li nodded. She looked at her son and looked at Zhang Jing, who was standing respectfully behind her son. Queen Dowager Li sighed slightly in her heart.
These years, her son was sensible, well-behaved, filial and polite.
He never misbehaved, didn't drink, and didn't pamper the palace maids. He was absolutely strict with himself.
Although Queen Dowager Li didn't read much, she knew that it wasn't easy to do this. After all, she had an Emperor as her husband. Naturally, she knew what the sons of the royal family were like.
She was very satisfied with her son and also very gratified.
In the future, when she went to the underworld, she could go to see the former Emperor or the previous Emperors of Daming.
At this moment, looking at her son who was as handsome as jade and the short beard on his chin, Queen Dowager Li suddenly realized that her son had grown up.
After a while, Queen Dowager Li said with a slight sigh, "My son has grown up!"
As soon as she said this, Zhu Yijun didn't have any reaction, but Zhang Juzheng's body was shocked.
After so long, Zhang Juzheng was most afraid of people mentioning this matter. The Emperor had grown up!
How could Zhang Juzheng not care about these words coming from Queen Dowager Li's heart?
However, seeing that Queen Dowager Li didn't say anything else, he was relieved in his heart.
However, when Zhang Juzheng saw Zhu Yijun sitting opposite him, his heart sank, especially when he saw Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jing standing behind Zhu Yijun.
"Zhang Jing, I heard that you've arrested a lot of people recently?" Queen Dowager Li glanced at Zhang Jing and said.
Without waiting for Zhang Jing to speak, Zhu Yijun said first, "Mother, it's like this. A few days ago, Dongchang found some illegal officials. In order to keep it a secret, we didn't tell anyone."
"Originally, we planned to arrest them after asking Master Zhang. However, yesterday, we suddenly found that the cabinet scribe Chen Lian leaked the cabinet's information, and there was a possibility of colluding with the Mongolians.
After Zhang Jing reported it to me, I sent Zhang Jing to arrest them. "
After Zhu Yijun said this, the hall was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.
Queen Dowager Li was stunned and glanced at her son. Queen Dowager Li nodded and said after a while, "So that's how it is. Since they've been arrested, they need to be interrogated. Hand them over to the Supreme Court!
Hand them over to the Supreme Court?
Zhu Yijun was stunned. Queen Dowager Li's move was very clever. Hand them over to the Supreme Court, and Zhang Juzheng could do whatever he wanted with them.
However, Zhu Yijun didn't say anything, but looked at Zhang Juzheng.
The final settlement of this matter depended on Zhang Juzheng's attitude.
If Zhang Juzheng didn't let go of Zhang Jing, then Zhu Yijun couldn't hand them over to the Supreme Court. If Zhang Juzheng acquiesced to this method of smoothing things over, then Zhu Yijun would hand them over to Zhang Juzheng.
Although it seemed to be a draw, people with discerning eyes knew that if Zhang Juzheng accepted this method of smoothing things over, then he would be at a disadvantage.