Chapter 14: Jiajing Instructs His Son

Surrounded by the gazes of the courtiers, the Jiajing Emperor naturally felt their scrutiny. Yet at this moment, his heart was heavy with complexity. On one hand, he recognized that the Crown Prince was diligent in his studies; although his knowledge seemed superficial at first glance, it far exceeded the emperor’s expectations, even by several folds. On the other hand, the words his son had spoken openly before everyone today were simply too… too unreasonable.

Indeed, Jiajing was utterly convinced that the matters his son spoke of—whether the emperor inspecting the military camps or using supplies seized from the enemy to motivate the troops, even the vague and unexplained comments about expanding territories and sailing the oceans—were, in the eyes of the court officials, utterly incomprehensible and unacceptable.

And it was precisely this that gave Jiajing such a headache. He had never paid much attention before, but upon reconsidering the Crown Prince, he truly was rather stubborn. Yet, this boy understood so much; could he not grasp the principle that rigidity leads to breakage?

Jiajing’s eyes swept across the assembly, his face darkening as he deliberately raised his voice: “Absurd! Illiterate and unlearned!” he scolded. “You have just come out of the palace to study; you should be diligently following your teachers in mastering the Four Books and Five Classics. How could you waste your time reading those miscellaneous texts?”

“Today, you spoke such nonsense again. The great affairs of state—the two capitals, thirteen provinces, the countless subjects of the realm, the military and governmental matters—are managed by the venerable Grand Secretaries. How could you presume to interfere?”

The Crown Prince Zhu Zaiji raised an eyebrow, then immediately clasped his hands and knelt. Bowing his head, he said quietly, “Your humble son acknowledges his mistake.”

Seeing this, Zhang Zhi’s heart softened. He quickly clasped his hands and admonished gently, “Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is of pure character. On this first day of study, he was quite familiar with his lessons, showing the innate brilliance inherited from Your Majesty’s sagacity. In his leisure, he has not indulged in the vulgar stories that common scholars chase after but has merely read the classics of various schools. His initial understanding, though shallow, is not a fault. As his instructors, we shall dedicate ourselves fully to teaching and guiding His Highness.”

Compared to Yan Song and Lü Ben, Zhang Zhi, as the day’s appointed instructor, had witnessed the Crown Prince’s natural potential and did not wish for this precious jade to be despised or punished by the emperor.

Finally, Gao Gong found an opportunity and stepped forward, bowing his head in counsel: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s intelligence remains undiminished. As the heir of the celestial lineage, Your Majesty’s own bloodline and the nation’s future sovereign, he is no ordinary scholar. While other scholars read only the Four Books and Five Classics to enter officialdom and govern their domains, a ruler must study broadly, listening to all voices to gain clarity.”

Jiajing glanced at the two men, then shifted his gaze toward Yan Song and Lü Ben. Disregarding the advice of Lü and Gao, he continued his rebuke, “The affairs of state are not yet for him to speak of! To think that reading a few books grants him the authority to command! Truly laughable! He is but a mere child!”

Hearing this, the kneeling Zhu Zaiji felt a sense of relief within. He was unfamiliar with the others but knew the old Grand Secretary well. If the old man were truly angry, he would not have spoken so much—especially that last remark, calling him a child. Viewed from another angle, was it not a form of defense, a way to shield him?

It seemed the Crown Prince’s words today had struck a chord with the old Grand Secretary, though others had yet to grasp it.

Yan Song’s brow furrowed deeply. Seeing the emperor’s anger, he finally spoke: “Your Majesty, please calm your wrath. If the Crown Prince erred, it was only that his extraordinary talents were applied in the wrong direction, not entirely devoted to the Four Books and Five Classics. Yet what he said was not without reason.”

After a moment, Yan Song added, “Upon reflection, I find the Crown Prince’s words today, though somewhat simplistic for the country’s affairs, quite sensible. If Your Majesty chooses an auspicious day to inspect the capital’s garrison and the Imperial Horse Department, and have the Grand Secretariat, Ministry of War, and the Five Army Governors thoroughly assess the capital’s military situation and punish wrongdoers, surely as the Crown Prince said, the soldiers’ morale will be greatly boosted, and none will fail to take pride in defending the capital.”

Picking and choosing his words carefully to avoid further angering the emperor, Yan Song mentioned only the inspection of the capital garrisons, intentionally neglecting the Crown Prince’s suggestion about inspecting the border troops.

Since the emperor had raised this matter today in the Longevity Palace, it was better to let him vent his frustrations in the capital; at least the prince would remain under the court’s watchful eyes.

Lü Ben, seeing the Prime Minister also intervening, quickly chimed in, “Indeed, Your Majesty, though the Crown Prince has read some miscellaneous texts, his remarks on revitalizing agriculture and reclaiming borderlands align well with the current priorities of the court. The border troops suffer yearly attrition; if wasteland can be cultivated, even exempt from taxes, it will locally provide food and supplies for the troops. What the Crown Prince said is not without merit, showing he truly studies diligently and observes governance attentively.”

Seeing Yan Song and Lü Ben finally offer their counsel, Jiajing swept his gaze over everyone, then snorted coldly, lowering his head to scold his kneeling son with a stern face: “You remain far too distracted and loose, muddled by those miscellaneous books! You shall copy the ‘Great Learning’ ten times and present it before the throne. If there are errors or disorder, you shall be punished further!”

Zhu Zaiji inwardly groaned—still the old-fashioned punishment of copying texts. Ten copies! Over twenty thousand characters in total! At least the old Grand Secretary did not set a deadline.

He bowed his head and accepted the penalty: “Your humble son acknowledges his fault and accepts the punishment.”

Zhang Zhi, seeing this precious student accept the penalty, stepped forward and helped him up before everyone’s eyes.

Yan Song twitched at the corner of his eye. Jiajing glanced around once more and, annoyed, swept his sleeve: “That will be all for today. Let the ministers witness the folly of this arrogant child.”

The emperor displayed a look of losing face because of his son.

Yan Song and the others knew today’s session was essentially over. They bowed respectfully: “We take our leave.”

With that, the ministers filed out before the emperor.

Outside the hall, the emperor’s angry voice echoed again: “Illiterate and unlearned! Adding only to the court’s laughter! Copy ten copies of ‘Great Learning’ here in the Longevity Palace today! If there is a next time, I shall not tolerate you!”

Hearing this, the ministers slowed their steps and silently looked back toward the hall.

Lü Ben shook his head and whispered, “We must be even more careful in instructing the Crown Prince from now on. He must not read those miscellaneous texts again.”

Yan Song nodded: “From what we have seen today, the Crown Prince is simply distracted by those miscellaneous books. Though he spoke much of agriculture, warfare, and soldiers, it was only superficial. Still, we must take care that the Ming never has another Emperor Wuzong.”

All nodded in agreement silently.

Ah, Emperor Wuzong—the emperor who had stirred unrest throughout the entire Ming dynasty.

Zhang Zhi hesitated but forced a smile: “Gentlemen, there is no need to worry too much. At least for now, the Crown Prince’s nature is pure and kindhearted. He worries about state affairs—that cannot be a bad thing. The true purpose of the sages’ teachings is to educate. We must work together to guide the Crown Prince well.”

His words won the agreement of all present, save Gao Gong, who remained silent.

As they conversed on the education of the heir, they parted ways to return to their respective offices.

Elsewhere, the young attendants Zhu Zaiji and Zhu Zaizhen watched their Crown Prince brother follow the emperor away, both exhaling deeply.

Arriving at the Longevity Palace in the Western Garden, Zhu Zaiji pondered how the old Grand Secretary would treat him next.

As he lowered his head and followed Emperor Jiajing into the inner hall, he stopped promptly when he saw the emperor’s boots halt ahead, meekly folding his hands and ceasing his steps.

The emperor, brows furrowed with worry, after some contemplation, asked in a low voice, “Where did those words you spoke today come from?”

After a pause, sensing the boy might not understand, he continued: “I was not truly angry at what you said, but… in front of the former court ministers, some things must be handled carefully. Do you understand?”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaiji immediately clasped his hands and bowed: “Your humble son understands. Today I sought to ease Your Majesty’s burdens. I pray for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Jiajing waved his hand, accepting the tea presented by the yellow silk servant.

Taking a sip to soothe his throat, he nodded solemnly and said earnestly, “One day, you will understand why I acted as I did today.”

Of course I do! Zhu Zaiji muttered silently in his heart.

The emperor then said, “Tell me, how did you come to those thoughts?”

Zhu Zaiji respectfully glanced at the old Grand Secretary, his face cautious: “Your humble son read some books and knew that Your Majesty was troubled by the matter at Xuanfu, as well as the affairs involving Censor Zhu Dou in Zhejiang and Fujian. That is why I spoke as I did.”

Hearing this different explanation, Jiajing’s brow twitched: “Still, you should not have spoken such things in front of the former court ministers!”

The Crown Prince’s martial inclinations made him prone to trouble. Jiajing understood at least how those ministers saw it.

Seeing the old Grand Secretary’s reaction, Zhu Zaiji knew his earlier suspicions were roughly correct.

Gaining courage, he said: “Your humble son cannot bear to see Your Majesty and the court compromise so much! Nor can I bear to see that the Ming’s founding emperors—Taizu, Chengzu, even Emperor Xianzong—could defeat the enemies so thoroughly that the bandits dared not raise their heads, yet now at mere news of war, there is fear! But… but Your humble son rarely sees Your Majesty. Today, I dared to speak these words openly before the former court…”

His face was full of frustration and grievance, as if expressing the emperor’s own urgency and anger.

Truly, the actions of a devoted and filial Crown Prince.

In Zhu Zaiji’s view, though he was the Ming Crown Prince, everything he did now was necessary.

After all, the road to power is paved with pretense and sacrifice.

He would feign filial piety and sacrifice some face if it meant gaining more trust and authority.

All was worth it.

Rarely, Jiajing stepped forward and patted his son’s head, then withdrew his hand.

He continued patiently, “Foolish child! Your father knows you have always been filial. Now, hearing of the affairs at court, you do not wish for your father to compromise. But I am the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of Ming—how could I be as wronged as you say?”

With a soft sigh, Jiajing looked at his son, who had almost grown as tall as himself.

His heart stirred.

He was reminded of the Crown Prince’s last words.

Jiajing pondered silently, feeling hesitation arise.

If the Crown Prince could see him every day,

Perhaps today he would not have spoken those words before the ministers.

Yet, two dragons cannot share the same sky.