Chapter 25: The Day of Departure from the Palace

Qingning Palace.

Accompanied by Feng Bao, Zhu Qi, and Tao Zhongfu, Zhu Zaiji did not wear the cumbersome and solemn ceremonial robes of the Crown Prince. Instead, he chose a simple indigo-colored yisa.

Turning his gaze away from the bronze mirror, Zhu Zaiji looked toward the three men and spoke with a demeanor of one who values talent.

"Since I have received the Imperial Father's decree, we must get to work. However, I will have to trouble you all to accompany me outside the palace more often in the days to come."

The Crown Prince was being humble and virtuous. The three men, not daring to overstep their bounds, bowed in unison. Feng Bao, with a flattering smile on his face, quickly replied, "Your Highness, everything for leaving the palace has been arranged. Guard Zhu has already assembled a team for the escort, and as you commanded, we have dispensed with the formal ceremonial guards."

Zhu Zaiji nodded in satisfaction. If he were to follow the strict protocols, his departure would require a full ceremonial retinue, complete with the Crown Prince's golden carriage—ten feet, two inches, and two tenths high; eight feet, nine inches wide; with shafts nineteen feet, five inches long. He would need scouts leading the way, flag-bearers carrying the Crown Prince's standards, palace guards and imperial guards on either side, and cavalry bringing up the rear.

It was far too detached from the common people, and hardly consistent with the reputation for wisdom he was cultivating outside. As for his safety? That was a matter of opinion.

Seeing that everything was ready, Zhu Zaiji led the three out of his bedchamber. As they walked through Qingning Palace, the retinue behind him grew larger. By the time they reached the outside of the Eastern Palace, forty or fifty people had gathered around him. While he wanted to avoid a grand display to appear more accessible, he could not go entirely unprotected.

Settling into his palanquin, Zhu Zaiji looked at Feng Bao, who was walking alongside, and suddenly remembered something.

"I expect to return late today, so I likely won't be able to pay my respects or serve dinner at the Yongning Palace and the Yikun Palace."

Feng Bao quickly responded with a smile, "Your Highness's filial piety toward the two Imperial Noble Consorts and your closeness to the ladies of the palaces are known to everyone, inside and outside the Forbidden City. Since you are now carrying out a mission for His Majesty, a slight delay is of no consequence."

Zhu Zaiji shook his head. "Etiquette must not be neglected. Didn't we make some peony cakes in the palace recently?"

Feng Bao understood immediately; this was something the Crown Prince had mentioned in the presence of the other princes and princesses. He nodded at once, "This servant will have them prepared and sent to each palace."

"Do not forget to send a portion to the Wanshou Palace as well." Zhu Zaiji, who had been quite satisfied with Feng Bao's attitude lately, added, "Distribute some among our own staff as well. You decide; let everyone have a taste of something fresh."

Feng Bao’s smile deepened, his demeanor becoming even more respectful, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

When the group reached the front of the Wenhua Hall, near the Grand Secretariat, Zhu Zaiji looked toward the Secretariat and suddenly raised a hand. The procession halted. Feng Bao, having just finished giving orders to distribute the peony cakes to the inner palaces, looked over curiously: "Your Highness?"

Zhu Zaiji gazed at the buildings of the Grand Secretariat for a moment before instructing, "Go and get three portions of peony cakes now and send them to the Grand Secretariat."

Feng Bao complied. However, Zhu Zaiji intentionally slowed the pace of the procession afterward. It was not until he had passed through the Xihua Gate that footsteps and shouts could be heard from far behind.

"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness!"

Hearing the voices, Zhu Zaiji smiled slightly and signaled for the procession to stop again. Looking back, he saw Zhang Zhi, the Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, who was also involved in the inner cabinet, hurrying toward him.

Noticing the beads of sweat on Zhang Zhi’s forehead, Zhu Zaiji feigned ignorance. As he sat in his palanquin, he displayed a look of surprise. "Teacher? Why have you come here?"

Zhang Zhi glanced around before bowing. "Is Your Highness leaving the palace?"

Zhu Zaiji nodded, looking toward the Wanshou Palace across the Taiye Lake. "The Imperial Father has issued a decree. I am to go outside the palace on his behalf to inspect the various camps of the Beijing Garrison."

Zhang Zhi also glanced toward the Wanshou Palace, a look of hesitation crossing his face. "I... we just received the peony cakes bestowed by Your Highness, and I came specifically to offer my gratitude."

Zhu Zaiji remained noncommittal. "The Imperial Father often tells me that you, along with Grand Secretary Yan and Grand Secretary Lu, work tirelessly for the country. It just so happened that some cakes were made in Qingning Palace, so I thought I would send some over."

Although he had intentionally waited for his teacher to arrive, Zhu Zaiji had no intention of speaking first. Everyone knew why he was leaving the palace; the Grand Secretariat and the imperial court could not possibly be without objections. As for the debates at court, Zhang Zhi, who now regarded him as a favored protégé, would surely address them.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhi scanned the surroundings again. "Where does Your Highness intend to go after leaving the palace?"

Zhu Zaiji smiled and gave a signal to Feng Bao and the others. He and Zhang Zhi walked ahead, while Feng Bao and the retinue hung back. Only then did Zhu Zaiji speak: "Does Teacher have any instructions for me?"

Zhang Zhi, trailing half a step behind, shook his head. "Your Highness is wise and sagacious; I dare not offer instructions. I only wonder if Your Highness is aware of the deep-seated problems currently plaguing our Beijing Garrison? As you are acting as the Emperor's vanguard, do you already have a plan in mind?"

If not for the sudden gift of the peony cakes, he would never have had the opportunity to discuss these matters with his student face-to-face. While the Crown Prince was brilliant, the world outside the palace walls was far more complex, and the issues with the Beijing Garrison could not be resolved simply.

Zhu Zaiji nodded, then shook his head. Explaining under Zhang Zhi’s curious gaze, he said, "I will not hide the truth from you, Teacher. This trip is intended for the residence of the Duke of Cheng. The Imperial Father gave me evidence of illegal activities within the garrison yesterday so that I would not be easily deceived or obstructed."

"As for a plan? I believe the priority is to reduce the corruption in the garrison, to ensure the soldiers are not mistreated, and to foster a sense of loyalty to the Ming and the court. If they feel this, they will not fear battle when the time comes."

Zhang Zhi listened in silence as they walked, nodding occasionally. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Your Highness is truly brilliant. If you proceed in this manner, the mission will go smoothly. The Duke of Ying’s influence is waning, and while the Duke of Ding has prestige in the military, he is far from being as trusted by the Emperor as the Duke of Cheng. Your visit to the Duke of Cheng is logical. However..."

Zhu Zaiji looked at him sideways. "However, what? You need not worry about other matters in my presence; please, speak freely."

Zhang Zhi felt the tension. He looked up at Zhu Zaiji several times. By the time they were nearing Wansui Mountain, he spoke in a low voice: "There is much discussion at court today regarding the Emperor's inspection. The Grand Secretariat has already prepared for the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate to conduct a preliminary investigation of the garrison before the Emperor departs."

Zhu Zaiji’s brows tightened. He had not anticipated this. "Teacher, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Zhi took a deep breath. For the sake of the title of "Imperial Tutor" he so desired, he finally made his decision. "Your Highness, the current state of the Beijing Garrison is like our thirteen provinces—riddled with deep-seated ills and entangled with many factions. You are as wise as the Emperor was in his youth, and I know you have great ambitions, but now is not the time to force a total reform. I beg you to be cautious; do not let your noble self be tarnished by this. The Duke of Cheng is a man of great wisdom; if you are well-prepared, he will surely cooperate. You must know in your heart what to punish, what to overlook, and what to keep silent about."

Once these words were spoken, even Zhu Zaiji, who had already made his own assessments, felt his expression turn serious. This was truly Zhang Zhi’s sincere advice.

Zhu Zaiji nodded and bowed. "I will remember your teachings, Teacher. But... must I truly do nothing? This was not what you wished for when you taught me in the past."

Zhang Zhi fell silent. After much deliberation, the old minister, who was devoted to the role of Imperial Tutor, gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Your Highness can negotiate carefully with the Duke of Cheng. Do not seek to overhaul the entire army of hundreds of thousands, but aim to win over a few loyal officers and three or five thousand soldiers. Train them into an elite force. When the court has a need, you can mobilize them. That would be your achievement, and those soldiers would be loyal only to the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Zaiji’s heart skipped a beat; this was highly presumptuous. Zhang Zhi watched the Crown Prince with bated breath. He had always viewed him as a future enlightened monarch, but today, he had truly gambled everything.

Zhu Zaiji paused for a moment before nodding heavily. "Indeed."

Then, with a smile, he reached out and took Zhang Zhi’s hands. Zhang Zhi’s shoulders trembled.

Zhu Zaiji said with sincere emotion, "I shall remember your advice, Teacher. It is only a pity that since you are a Grand Secretary, I can only see you during our daily lectures and cannot consult you as often as I would like."

It was a success! The Prince understood him! Zhang Zhi was overjoyed, a look of delight appearing on his face. "Your Highness is far more intelligent than ordinary men; there is no need to rush. Although I am old, the Senior Grand Secretary is already seventy and still manages the affairs of the court."

He was comparing himself to Yan Song; even if he were in his seventies or eighties, he could still serve Zhu Zaiji when the latter became the master of the realm.

Zhu Zaiji looked moved, then whispered, "I am slow-witted and often fail to grasp the complexities of national policy. If I could have someone like you by my side to consult on state affairs, that would be for the best."

After saying this, he looked at Zhang Zhi with a glint in his eyes. "You have served in the court for many years, held posts in the north and south, and led the Hanlin Academy. You must surely know many virtuous men, or perhaps some talented individuals from your own home province of Huguang?"

As he spoke, he pondered inwardly. Huguang was a fine place indeed! The man before him, Zhang Zhi, was known as "Zhang of Chaling," but Huguang also produced another—Zhang of Jiangling! That was the talent he secretly considered his own.

Zhang Zhi thought about it and realized it was true. Not to mention that he could not always be by the Prince's side; if he could recommend someone to serve him, it would be a way to cultivate his own people within the Prince's inner circle.

After some consideration, Zhang Zhi bowed and said cautiously, "Your Highness is quite right. However, the selection of talent requires caution. Allow me to observe the virtuous men at court carefully before recommending them to you."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Zhu Zaiji smiled. "Teacher, please feel free to select a few candidates, and we shall discuss them together."

Zhang Zhi nodded, noting the task. He then stepped aside to watch as Zhu Zaiji re-boarded his palanquin, crossed Taiye Lake, and headed toward the Xihua Gate.