"Yes, Imperial Majesty. Old Slave will do it right away!"
Zhang Jing nodded. Of course, he knew what memorial Zhu Yijun was reading. This memorial was handed over by the Director of Rites, and he had read it before.
Seeing the memorial impeaching Zhang Juzheng for abusing his power, Zhang Jing's heart trembled.
Everyone knew what was going on. Originally, Zhang Jing thought that the Imperial Majesty was going to personally govern and punish Zhang Juzheng. But now, hearing these orders from Zhu Yijun, Zhang Jing knew that it was impossible.
Giving these things was nothing. The Imperial Palace gave Zhang Juzheng a lot of rewards every year. Although Zhang Juzheng was lenient to himself and strict to others, he was strict with Zhu Yijun.
He even advised Wanli many times to "save money and love the people" and "protect the foundation of the country". Not only did he not allow the Emperor to eat well, wear well, and live well (forbidding the reconstruction of Ci Qing, Ci Ning, and Wu Ying Hall), he even stopped the expenses for fireworks and lanterns during festivals.
But the Imperial Palace still treated Zhang Juzheng with great respect. Every year, they gave him a lot of rewards. Sending these things at this time was obviously a show of support for Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Jing was not stupid and could naturally see this.
As a eunuch, Zhang Jing looked forward to the Imperial Majesty personally governing. But Zhang Jing did not know why the Imperial Majesty tolerated Zhang Juzheng so much.
Zhu Yijun naturally did not need to explain to Zhang Jing. If he understood, he had to do it. If he didn't understand, he had to do it. If he let Zhang Jing do it, it was obvious that he was using Zhang Jing to give face to Zhang Juzheng. It was inappropriate for anyone else to do it.
As for whether Zhang Jing would understand Zhu Yijun's meaning, Zhu Yijun was still very confident.
The Daming Imperial Court had very few secrets. Basically, it was like a leaky spoon. It was impossible to hide the news.
Liu Tai's memorial quickly shocked the entire capital. This was something that many people did not expect.
Some were excited, some sighed and shook their heads, and some cursed loudly.
Zhang Juzheng sat on the chair with a gloomy face. Not far away, there was a pile of broken pieces on the ground. That was the teacup that Zhang Juzheng had just smashed.
This time, Zhang Juzheng really didn't expect that someone would impeach him. However, he didn't expect it to be his own student and even more so, he didn't expect it to be Liu Tai.
As for Liu Tai, Zhang Juzheng thought highly of him. If he did well, he might have a chance of taking over the Imperial Censorate in the future.
Now, with this incident, Liu Tai's career was over. No one would use a person who betrayed his teacher. However, this wasn't what Zhang Juzheng was concerned about. Instead, he was concerned about what he should do!
Zhang Juzheng wasn't satisfied with returning to his home.
He wanted to do something big and wanted to achieve something in the position of the Prime Minister. He didn't want to continue being mediocre.
Sweeping away the thoughts of returning to his home, Zhang Juzheng sighed and said to You Chi, who was standing not far away, "Ji Mo, I want to write a memorial to ask for forgiveness!"
As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Zhang Juzheng had to submit a memorial to ask for forgiveness no matter what. This was what he should do.
But before Zhang Juzheng could start writing, a servant came from outside to report that the eunuch Zhang Jing, who was in charge of the East Faction Guards and had received the imperial edict, was here to deliver the imperial edict.
Although Zhang Juzheng was experienced in the battlefield, his heart couldn't help but sink when he heard the imperial edict.
Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but think of Gao Gong. Was he going to end up like Gao Gong and end up like this?
Even so, Zhang Juzheng still tidied his clothes and walked out expressionlessly.
Zhang Jing put his hands in his sleeves and smiled as he watched Zhang Juzheng walk out. "Cabinet Elder Zhang, I am here on the orders of the Imperial Majesty to deliver the edict. Cabinet Elder Zhang, receive the edict!" After saying this, he smiled and took the imperial edict from the eunuch behind him.
This imperial edict was drafted by the Ministry of Rites and directly stamped with its imperial jade seal. It didn't go through the Cabinet, so it was considered an imperial edict.
In history, the Wanli Emperor was very useless. One of the main reasons was that he couldn't even issue an imperial edict. This was because the eunuch in charge of the Ministry of Rites was Feng Bao, and the imperial jade seal was in the hands of Queen Dowager Li. If Queen Dowager Li didn't agree, the imperial jade seal couldn't be stamped on the imperial edict, even if it was written by the Wanli Emperor himself.
Without the imperial jade seal, the imperial edict wasn't an imperial edict, but a piece of calligraphy written by the Emperor himself.
Zhang Juzheng had great power because he had won over Feng Bao and Queen Dowager Li's support. He could get Feng Bao to stamp the imperial jade seal.
Even if it was a note written by him and stamped with the imperial jade seal, it was still an imperial edict.
Although things were a little better now, if Zhu Yijun wanted to issue an imperial edict to depose Zhang Juzheng, he would still need to stamp the imperial jade seal. However, Queen Dowager Li would definitely not agree to Zhang Hong stamping the imperial jade seal.
As for whether Zhang Hong would stand on Zhu Yijun's side, Zhu Yijun didn't have much confidence.
Even towards Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jing, Zhu Yijun didn't have much confidence. At that time, it was hard to say who would stand on which side.
If Zhu Yijun wanted to issue an imperial edict to depose Zhang Juzheng, then he would first have to take back the imperial jade seal, preferably the position of the Ministry of Rites.
If he didn't do this, then he would have to resort to violent means.
At this moment, Zhang Juzheng wasn't thinking about these things. Up until now, he hadn't reached the level where he could write a note and make it an imperial edict.
Although Zhang Hong didn't stand on Zhu Yijun's side, he also didn't stand on Zhang Juzheng's side.
If Zhang Juzheng, Zhu Yijun, and Queen Dowager Li were divided into three extremes, Zhang Hong's side ranked first was Queen Dowager Li, followed by Zhu Yijun, and finally Zhang Juzheng.
However, Zhang Hong was Daming and had his own principles and attitude.
After all, in history, Zhang Hong died on hunger strike because of Zhu Yijun's revenge against Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Juzheng bowed and said, "This subject, Zhang Juzheng, receives the imperial edict!"
Zhang Jing nodded and began to read the imperial edict. The beginning was, of course, "In accordance with the will of the heavens, the Emperor, the imperial edict reads." After that, there was a lot of praise for his loyalty to the country, for his dedication, for helping the young master out of danger, and for helping the people out of trouble. In any case, there were many good things to say.
Then came the reward. After reading out the gift, Zhang Jing said in a loud voice, "Here is the Emperor!"
After reading the imperial edict, Zhang Jing handed it to Zhang Juzheng and said with a smile, "Minister Zhang is loyal to the country. The Imperial Majesty knows this. These dishes were personally chosen by the Imperial Majesty. This is the Imperial Majesty's concern for Minister Zhang."
Zhang Juzheng quickly said with a smile, "His Majesty's kindness, I am ashamed!" After that, he made a gesture of invitation and said, "Eunuch Chang, please come in and have some tea."
The two walked inside while talking and laughing. They didn't look like enemies, but like old friends who had been talking and laughing together.
Although Zhu Yijun asked Zhang Jing to pass the imperial edict and it had some effect, it was not very good.
Many people continued to submit memorials to impeach Zhang Jing.
Zhang Juzheng still submitted a memorial asking for forgiveness and then closed his door at home to wait for punishment.