Chapter 17: Observing Governance in the Western Garden

Returning from the Western Garden to the Palace of Tranquil Purity, Zhu Zaijiang was unaware that after his departure, the Jiajing Emperor summoned Tao Zhongwen. The thought of having to copy ten chapters of the Great Learning before nightfall the next day filled him with frustration.

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, he saw Zhu Zaikun and Zhu Zaizun, who had been brought here under the pretense of study. Without waiting for them to speak, Zhu Zaijiang, with a mischievous expression and stern face, said, “Although today is the first day of studying outside the palace, reviewing lessons is a duty every student must fulfill. His Majesty just emphasized this. The purpose of review is to understand thoroughly; rote memorization is inferior to diligent writing. Third brother, fourth brother.”

Zhu Zaikun and Zhu Zaizun exchanged glances, unsure why they felt inexplicably nervous before their elder brother, the Crown Prince. They respectfully responded, “Crown Prince.”

“We three are close brothers; henceforth, let us address each other simply as elder brother in private,” Zhu Zaijiang said, waving his hand, eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Back to the point: to ensure that you do not bring shame upon our royal family, by midnight tonight, each of you will copy three chapters of the Great Learning and present them to me.”

At these words, Zhu Zaikun and Zhu Zaizun’s faces turned ashen. But Zhu Zaijiang gave them no chance to speak further; with a wave of his hand, he took a step forward, his voice carrying behind him, “Father the Emperor has decreed that since you now reside in the Palace of Tranquil Purity, it is my responsibility to oversee your studies. I dare not be negligent; this is for your own good.”

Having shifted the burden of punishment, Zhu Zaijiang disappeared from their sight.

Upon reaching his bedchamber, Feng Bao personally brought tea and quietly informed Zhu Qi and the others guarding the palace gate, “Your Highness, the tea has arrived.”

Zhu Zaijiang casually pointed to the desk where he had already laid out a blank copybook and asked, “I am busy with my studies; what news from inside and outside the palace recently?”

Feng Bao cautiously glanced around before replying in a low voice, “Your Highness, all inquiries have been made. The eunuchs and maids who served in the Eastern Palace have been removed, with the leaders gone entirely and the rest punished by being sent to work in the imperial estates.”

Zhu Zaijiang’s expression darkened slightly as he silently nodded. It seemed the old Taoist had taken his concerns seriously, which eased his mind somewhat.

He then lifted his brush, preparing to tackle the arduous task of copying over twenty thousand characters.

Feng Bao whispered further, “Recently, some news has come from the Palace of Assistance to the Emperor, where Imperial Noble Consort Shen resides.”

This was the palace of the Imperial Noble Consort Shen, the highest-ranking consort after the Crown Prince’s mother, Empress Dowager Wang.

Zhu Zaijiang glanced sideways in interest.

Feng Bao continued, “Consort Kang has been visiting Consort Shen frequently these days, often speaking wistfully of Prince Yu.”

Zhu Zaijiang smiled faintly. It was clear that his mother wished to have her son reside in her palace, perhaps fearing harm might befall him otherwise.

He asked, “And what did Consort Shen say?”

Feng Bao’s face brightened, “What else could she say? She only said that the education of imperial princes is a matter of great importance to the royal family, cultivating virtue and intellect in accordance with ancestral traditions. Since Prince Yu and Prince Jing have already begun their studies outside the palace, there is no reason for them to return. Thus, Consort Kang was sent away.”

Zhu Zaijiang was somewhat surprised but not shocked by Consort Shen’s response. He smiled and said, “This evening, as usual, I shall first pay respects at the Palace of Eternal Peace to my mother, then visit the Palace of Assistance to the Emperor to greet Consort Shen. From now on, this shall be the routine.”

Consort Shen had no children of her own and cared for her younger sister, Princess Zhu Luxian. Without offspring, a consort had little influence in the harem. Zhu Zaijiang figured that by cultivating a closer relationship with Consort Shen, he might one day have some use for her influential family outside the palace.

Feng Bao agreed and stepped aside.

Zhu Zaijiang then called upon Zhu Qi, standing guard outside. Though clad in the Flying Fish uniform, Zhu Qi’s strong physique was evident.

Zhu Zaijiang’s eyes shone with joy and expectation.

Zhu Qi responded formally, “Your Highness, Crown Prince.”

Zhu Zaijiang smiled broadly and said, “Zhu Baihu will likely remain in the Eastern Palace for a long time. When opportunity arises, I shall petition Father the Emperor to appoint him as one of the two commanders of the Eastern Palace’s imperial guards.”

There were two such command positions, officially responsible for the security of the Eastern Palace. The position was more honorary than practical, but Zhu Qi was visibly pleased.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness,” Zhu Qi said earnestly.

Zhu Zaijiang waved his hands and curiously said, “I observe that Zhu Baihu is strong and agile, surely one of the best in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

Zhu Qi blushed and modestly replied, “The Embroidered Uniform Guard has always been the Emperor’s loyal servants, with many exceptional talents. I am but a humble officer.”

Zhu Zaijiang shook his head, “There is no first in literature, nor second in martial arts. Since Zhu Baihu was chosen for the Eastern Palace, he must have extraordinary skills. As I study now, I recall Confucius’s Six Arts and how sages of old traveled the states wielding swords. Tell me, does Zhu Baihu think I have potential for martial training?”

In truth, these past days, as his studies progressed smoothly and he had more free time, Zhu Zaijiang’s mind dwelled on a looming matter: the great upheaval of the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing’s reign—the Gengwu Incident—when the Mongol Oirat forces would assault the capital, Beijing, shaking the empire’s face and stirring the court.

For Zhu Zaijiang, though perilous, that year held great opportunity.

For Zhu Qi, unaware of this, the Crown Prince’s talk of martial arts was seen simply as a form of bonding and patronage.

“Though Your Highness is past the prime age for refining one’s constitution, it is still fitting to strengthen the body and master sword and spear,” Zhu Qi said.

Hearing the Crown Prince’s keen interest in martial arts, Zhu Qi saw it as a favorable sign.

Zhu Zaijiang asked, “How long would it take to train proficiently in combat?”

Feng Bao’s face tightened, silently praying the Crown Prince did not intend to engage the Mongols himself.

Zhu Qi replied honestly, “In battle, personal skill is but one part; the army fights as a formation. However,” he glanced at the eager Crown Prince and smiled, “if Your Highness trains diligently, two or three years of practice could surpass that of ordinary soldiers.”

Satisfied, Zhu Zaijiang nodded, “Then I hope Zhu Baihu will labor each morning before my studies. I wish to train in martial arts with you daily, as a way to strengthen my body.”

Zhu Qi was delighted and bowed, “I gratefully accept your command.”

Days passed without incident. Zhu Zaijiang’s life settled into a steady rhythm. Before dawn, he practiced martial arts with Zhu Qi, impressing the officer with his focus and quickly mastering lethal techniques.

After morning training, he would wash, then proceed first to the Palace of Eternal Peace to pay respects to his mother, then to the Palace of Assistance to the Emperor to greet Consort Shen, gradually expanding their conversations beyond palace affairs.

Following breakfast in either palace, he would hurry to the eastern side hall of the Wenhua Hall to study the Four Books and Five Classics under the tutelage of Zhang Zhi and Lü Ben.

However, the lessons were divided: while Zhu Zaijiang had advanced to reading the Analects after finishing the Doctrine of the Mean and commentaries, Zhu Zaikun and Zhu Zaizun were still struggling with the Great Learning.

Consequently, Zhang Zhi and Lü Ben adjusted their teaching methods, providing the Crown Prince with extended explanations and deeper insights, while the Princes of Yu and Jing were only required to memorize and understand the classics.

As a result, rumors spread through the court that the Crown Prince was exceptionally intelligent and virtuous, a rare scion blessed by Heaven, destined to be a wise and benevolent ruler.

Such talk, especially the suggestion that Zhu Zaijiang would soon reign as a sagely sovereign, might have once made the Emperor uneasy. Yet now, upon hearing such praise, the Jiajing Emperor grew increasingly pleased, often remarking before Huang Jin that the Crown Prince resembled himself and had matured into a capable heir.

On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, just after lessons, Zhu Zaijiang received a message from Huang Jin, who had rushed over from the Western Garden.

Before Zhang Zhi, Gao Gong, and others, Huang Jin bowed to the Crown Prince and conveyed the Emperor’s edict:

“His Majesty decrees: ‘I have heard in the Book of Rites: “Jade must be carved to become a gem; a person must learn to know the Way.” The Crown Prince, young and gifted, has mastered the Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean within a month, grasping their essential meanings. The Hanlin Academy and officials say: “The Eastern Palace’s wit rivals King Cheng’s recitation of the Classic of Filial Piety, and Emperor Ming’s instruction from the Book of Documents.” I am greatly comforted. Yet governance is not merely study of texts but practical observation and administration. Fortunately, the Crown Prince has come of age and now supervises the court. From tomorrow, after the daily lectures, he shall attend court at the Palace of Longevity to observe governance and listen to decisions.’”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhi, a minister from Chaling County in Huguang, was the first to react with excitement. He looked from Huang Jin to the Crown Prince, then hurried forward, bowing deeply.

“The Emperor commands the Crown Prince to observe governance before the throne, uphold ancestral laws, and stabilize the realm. We congratulate His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the Great Ming!”

Since the Crown Prince’s first foray into studying outside the palace and display of talent, Zhang Zhi had increasingly valued the Prince’s education above his own role as a minister. What was a mere ministerial title compared to being a trusted advisor to the future sovereign?

Gao Gong, standing behind, was also astonished, stealing glances at the Crown Prince, his mind swirling with countless thoughts.

Zhu Zaijiang remained composed. He had been privately informed of this matter days earlier by the old Taoist Tao Zhongwen.

He bowed calmly, “Your humble servant will obey this command.”

Huang Jin smiled broadly, lifting the Crown Prince’s hand before all, saying, “His Majesty hopes the Crown Prince studies diligently, observes governance, understands the people’s hardships from financial affairs, discerns the heavenly mandate through judicial matters, grasps foreign defense at the borders, and comprehends the lifeblood of the realm through grain transport. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will wield the power of Heaven and Earth with ease, ruling the four seas as one might cook fresh fish.”

Zhu Zaijiang smiled and nodded, “Please convey my heartfelt thanks to the Emperor. I shall not fail Father’s earnest teachings and high expectations.”

Zhang Zhi’s heart rejoiced. Although the Crown Prince was naturally the heir, this was the first time the Emperor openly mentioned succession. As long as the Crown Prince remained blameless, the Ming dynasty’s succession was set.

This minister, who no longer valued his ministerial rank, felt a surge of hope.

Gao Gong, among the crowd, opened his mouth several times but hesitated. Yet quietly, he began formulating many strategies. Perhaps in the future, when Zhang Zhi and Lü Ben no longer taught, he could engage the heir more actively in state affairs beyond Confucian studies.

This ambitious official had forgotten that only days before, he had been reluctant to enter the palace to lecture.

Thus, within the eastern side hall of Wenhua, each person harbored their own thoughts.

After Huang Jin departed and the Crown Prince returned to the palace, news of the Crown Prince’s forthcoming court attendance at the Palace of Longevity spread swiftly throughout the Forbidden City like a breeze.