Chapter 1, The Arrival

Zhang Mingda suddenly understood that these were the souls of people who had died like himself, but where would he and they ultimately go

Indeed, some refer to it as the river of life, while others call it the realm of reincarnation

At this moment, a gust of fierce wind blew in, and Zhang Mingda, whose thoughts were somewhat hazy, could not help but move closer to the center of this long river

According to observations from the Purple Mountain Observatory, the Sun experienced a flare a few minutes ago, and it is expected that the resulting solar wind will cause immeasurable damage to global electromagnetic communications

The capital has been plagued by incessant rain, which is a divine retribution against the court and the treacherous ministers. For five years, the Eastern Palace has neglected learning, while the officials remain indifferent, not taking the matter to heart, and the ministers are secretly forming factions. As the ancients said: 'Without order, there is no peace; all rivers boil over.' The events of today are indeed disheartening, and it cannot be merely addressed through fasting and prayers. Jiang Hao, the official in charge of household affairs, also requests matters concerning the ancestral temple, court audiences, daily lectures, listening to opinions, seeking assistance, and financial management, as a means to avert disasters and eliminate calamities.

After reading many miscellaneous books, Zhang Mingda suddenly realized what this river was.

After reading it, Li Tingji understood that Zhu Geng was angered by the "ministers secretly forming factions," believing that someone was using the examination system to attack his appointment of private individuals and the organization of the Zhejiang faction, and that the mastermind behind this was very likely himself, who served as the secondary assistant.

Therefore, Zhu Geng waved his hand and said, "Er Zhang, you are being too serious..."

Moreover, there are quite a few floating points of light in the city, scattered like stars, all drifting towards a certain spacetime singularity

The doctors and nurses walked out, and a minute later, a crowd of weeping people surged in

Zhang Mingda looked carefully at his wife, mother, and young daughter, crying in despair. Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew by, and Zhang Mingda felt himself involuntarily floating up, soon breaking free from the constraints of time and space, drifting towards an unknown place

The Jiangling mentioned by Li Tingji is certainly not a geographical name, but rather refers to Zhang Juzheng, the chief minister during the early Wanli period. During Zhang Juzheng's time, the cabinet's supervisory departments were cautious and did not dare to attack the cabinet ministers at will. However, after Zhang Juzheng's departure, Emperor Wanli was intent on consolidating power, thus stripping the cabinet of its supervisory authority over the departments. As a result, subsequent grand secretaries faced attacks from the reformist faction, and there was even a saying at the time: anyone who could enter the cabinet had an impeachment case as tall as themselves. In other words, those who had not faced impeachment were not considered ministers. Emperor Wanli was intent on consolidating power, thus stripping the cabinet of its supervisory authority over the departments, leading to subsequent grand secretaries being attacked by the reformist faction, and there was even a saying at the time: anyone who could enter the cabinet had an impeachment case as tall as themselves. In other words, those who had not faced impeachment were not considered ministers.

Therefore, Li Tingji explained: "Old sir, do not be angry. Jiangling has already surrendered. It is not a new occurrence for the officials to attack ministers and form factions. As long as you can accomplish the fundamental matters of the state, these baseless accusations will naturally cease."

Zhu Geng's expression softened slightly, and he sighed: "The matter of the national foundation has caused His Majesty displeasure to this day, to the extent that even the issue of the Crown Prince going out to study has yet to be resolved. Is this something that can be salvaged by the efforts of a single person like Gu?"

During the conversation, Zhu Geng, the then Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, slammed a memorial he was holding onto the table in front of him

However, when he stood before the bed and looked back, the pale, emaciated corpse reminded him that he was already dead

However, within the solemn and majestic Ninefold Heavenly Palace, an invisible storm is beginning to unfold

Li Tingji remarked: "If the original elder can accomplish what the previous six Yuanfu failed to achieve, he will undoubtedly be recorded in history, earn the respect of all officials, and be remembered for eternity"

Such a grand undertaking should be left for the future, for you to accomplish it yourself, Zhu Geng remarked. This year, I am already seventy-three years old, frail and weak, and no longer capable of serving as the Prime Minister. It is a pity that I have requested to resign several times, but the Emperor has always refused. Otherwise, this burden would have been handed over to you long ago

All of this proves that the emaciated corpse in Zhang Mingda's eyes is indeed his former self

However, just as Zhang Mingda was preparing to gather the past, over 8 minutes ago, a massive stream of particles ejected by the sun had crossed a full astronomical unit and reached the Earth's magnetic field. Immediately, the violent solar wind collided fiercely with the Earth, creating magnificent auroras while simultaneously delivering a tremendous impact on the river of light that Zhang Mingda was about to merge into

"Er Zhang! Has His Majesty not already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to distribute 200,000 shi of rice from the Grand Granary for public sale, and commanded the Ministry of Imperial Horses to issue 100,000 taels of silver for relief? How is it that Wang Ruolin, the Right Assistant in the Ritual Department, still submits such a petition that slanders His Majesty's person?"

Indeed, I have been lying on that bed for a full 4 months, so how could I possibly move about freely all of a sudden

Zhu Geng coldly said: "You, Zhang, need not be modest. Since you have the favor of the holy heart, you are also worthy of that position."

Li Tingji adopted a strategy of retreating to advance, and naturally, Zhu Geng could no longer press the issue. Otherwise, if word got out, not only would public opinion be in an uproar, but it is also feared that the current Emperor Wanli would not tolerate Zhu Geng remaining in the position of Chief Minister any longer

Zhang Mingda had never imagined that all of this actually existed

Both Zhu Geng and Li Tingji felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, realizing that the Prince of Fortune indeed had a son. This was certainly not good news for the still unstable Eastern Palace

Everything unfolds as naturally as a baby falling into its mother's embrace

Li Tingji was drenched in cold sweat upon hearing this, and immediately stood up to say: "The junior official has limited experience and is fortunate to have received the Emperor's favor in being granted a position in the Cabinet. It is essential for the Cabinet to be led by seasoned ministers and veterans like the original elder."

Zhu Geng had not finished speaking when the tightly closed door of the pavilion suddenly opened from the outside. Zhu Geng and Li Tingji frowned simultaneously, intending to see who was bold enough to interrupt the private discussion of the two grand secretaries. However, they saw Zhu Geng's attendant, Zhongshu, hastily enter to report: "Your Excellency, the Second Assistant, we have just received news from the palace that the Prince's consort, Lady Yao, has given birth to a son today"

At all times, points of light automatically converge within it, and this rushing river of light flows through heaven and earth without beginning or end

The thirty-fifth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, in the month of August

Zhang Mingda became panicked, however, he soon realized that he was floating higher and higher, gradually becoming a white dot of light

The radio of the patient in the adjacent bed was intermittently broadcasting the news, at this moment, Zhang Mingda slowly crawled up from his hospital bed

Of course, what is even more critical is that within the following few minutes, the doctors and nurses who came for emergency aid passed through his body without any obstruction, and not a single person could hear the sound of his inquiries.

Li Tingji said with a bitter smile: "If the original gentleman believes that Wang Zhe is inciting the attendant, the attendant will immediately go to seek a reprimand, and will not linger at all"

Having just endured months of torrential rain, the majestic capital now boasts a sky of deep blue, with not a cloud in sight, presenting a scene of refreshing autumn clarity

As he was thinking, Zhang Mingda and the other light points had already ascended to an altitude of over 10,000 meters, transforming the city into a chessboard, with the crowds below completely out of sight. However, the number of light points continued to increase, and by the time Zhang Mingda reached 30,000 meters, the numerous light points had converged into a brilliant river of light

Li Tingji, the Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, looked at Zhu Geng, who had a gloomy expression. His lips twitched slightly, but he ultimately restrained his anger and began to read the memorial before him.

Countless points of light vanished in the collision with solar particles. Although Zhang Mingda was relatively fortunate and was not directly annihilated, he inadvertently fell into a miniature black hole, completely disappearing from this spacetime