Chapter 39: A Gentleman's Revenge

Outside the Hall of Longevity.

The weeping willows along the banks of the Taiye Pool cast shadows over the red walls and glazed tiles of the inner imperial palace to the east, blocking out the intense sun. Yet, Lü Ben and his associates felt an unbearable, stifling heat. Conversely, Yan Song and his faction were all smiles, appearing completely at ease. Xia Bangmo was even more extravagant in his speech, unreservedly praising the First Grand Secretary’s steady hand in governing the nation.

To the likes of Lü Ben and Xu Jie, this was undoubtedly another victory for the corrupt faction of Yan Song, and yet another defeat for their own. Only Zhang Juzheng, trailing behind the group of ministers and grand secretaries, remained silent.

The events before the Emperor today had dealt him a series of profound shocks and fresh realizations. Were men like Lü Ben, Wen Yuan, and Xu Jie—who had always appeared so devoted to the public good and concerned for the state—truly as virtuous as they seemed? And were those like Yan Song, branded by all as treacherous villains, truly rotten to the core? If that were the case, what then of his own proposal today to open the seas?

The young bachelor of the Hanlin Academy pondered these questions incessantly. Just as he was beginning to see clearly, Huang Jin, the Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat, caught up with the group.

"Master Zhang! Master Zhang!" Huang Jin called out twice.

Zhang Juzheng halted, and Yan Song, Lü Ben, and the others stopped as well, turning to look at the Chief Eunuch who had chased them down for reasons unknown. With everyone watching, Huang Jin fixed his gaze solely on Zhang Juzheng.

"Bachelor, there is an imperial decree for you."

Zhang Juzheng felt a jolt to his heart, his mind momentarily dazed. It was Yan Song who, seemingly having grasped the situation, smiled from the side and said, "Why don't you kneel and receive the decree?" With that, the old man folded his arms and stepped aside, watching with calm composure.

Zhang Juzheng finally snapped to his attention and hurriedly knelt on the ground. "Your subject, Zhang Juzheng, receives the decree."

Huang Jin took the scroll from his sleeve and, without opening it, spoke directly: "His Majesty says: Bachelor Zhang Juzheng is loyal and devoted to the state. Though his time as a probationer has not yet reached three years, his talent is already manifest and his training sufficient. His thoughts are with the nation, and his heart is with the people; he is a man of great use to the country. Effective immediately, he is appointed as a Compiler of the Hanlin Academy and Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of War. He shall continue to be stationed at the Wenhua Hall to serve as an advisor to the Crown Prince."

After finishing, Huang Jin stepped forward and tucked the decree into Zhang Juzheng's robes, then patted his arm. "Hanlin Zhang, His Majesty also says that while it is not a bad thing for a young man to be passionate when discussing state affairs, once you take on greater responsibilities, you must never be so impulsive again."

As he offered this advice, Huang Jin looked toward Lü Ben and the others with a smile. "All you gentlemen and ministers are serving the nation with loyalty; such talk of 'deceiving the Emperor' should not be repeated."

At that moment, Zhang Juzheng was still reeling from the sudden end of his internship and his official appointment to the prestigious posts of Hanlin Compiler and Ministry of War Supervising Secretary. Lü Ben, Wen Yuan, Xu Jie, and Zhan Rong wore expressions of surprise, yet also of relief. Huang Jin's final words were less a warning to Zhang Juzheng and more a reassurance to them. As for Yan Song and his group, they remained as they had always been, already beginning to scheme on how to bring this new star of the court into their fold.

In the twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign, the Great Ming seemed to have changed—yet it also seemed as if nothing had changed at all.

***

"Meow."

"Meow, meow..."

Deep within the Wuyi Hall, Zhu Zaiji watched as the cat, Frost-Brow, stretched on the imperial desk and meowed at him. Unable to resist, he followed the old Taoist priest closer and secretly stroked the cat a few times.

"Meow, meow, meow!"

The Crown Prince’s touch was perhaps too heavy. Frost-Brow’s snow-white brows twitched, and it let out a protest. Jiajing looked back, hurriedly scooped up Frost-Brow into his arms, and glared at his son. "You rascal, stop teasing it!"

Zhu Zaiji offered a sheepish smile. He withdrew his hand, though he was already plotting how to lure the cat back to the Eastern Palace. He had heard that cats loved dried fish; he wondered if he could use some to entice it over.

While he was preoccupied with his feline plans, Jiajing said with a smile, "The method you proposed today to pilot the opening of the seas in Laizhou is quite clever. How did you come up with it?"

Zhu Zaiji quickly gathered his focus. "The Southeast is far away; a round trip takes months, and the local factions are deeply entrenched, colluding everywhere. Rather than getting tangled with them over whether to open the seas, it is better to bypass them entirely and choose a place like Shandong, which is near the capital, to pilot the policy."

Jiajing chuckled. "Still a bit childish, like a street urchin who doesn't like the game and decides not to let anyone else play."

Zhu Zaiji immediately flashed a bright smile. Since the old Taoist thought so, he would not deny it. Jiajing nodded, adding, "But it is indeed a good method; otherwise, I would not have approved your suggestion."

Zhu Zaiji bowed deeply. "It is thanks to your Majesty's wisdom."

Jiajing curled his lip. "Though it is a bit childish, the strategy is steady. Choosing only Laizhou to pilot is not as reckless as a child might be."

Seeing that the conversation had reached the core issue, Zhu Zaiji composed himself. "Your son believes that even though we have managed to push through the pilot program with the help of Grand Secretary Yan and the others, we cannot afford to relax. By limiting the pilot to Laizhou, your Majesty can handle any situation that might arise with ease."

Jiajing’s brows flickered. "You mean... there will be complications?"

Zhu Zaiji looked up at the old Taoist. "Your Majesty knows well that even if we pilot the opening of the seas in Laizhou, it will surely stir up trouble and perhaps even spark chaos. How could my meager calculations ever escape your Majesty's notice?"

Seeing that his son was not easily fooled, Jiajing merely laughed heartily.

Zhu Zaiji continued, "I am not surprised that Grand Secretary Yan and his faction supported this today; given your Majesty’s past methods of employing them, they would have supported it regardless. I was, however, surprised that Censor-in-Chief Tu Qiao suddenly supported my words. But looking back, if this can serve as an opening, it is a good thing."

Jiajing nodded in agreement. Could he not see the infighting between Yan Song and the other court officials? The "Jiajing Restoration" of the past twenty years was not just an empty phrase.

Zhu Zaiji then added, "Now that everything is ready for the pilot in Laizhou, we only need to issue the decree and have the Secretariat and the ministries work in unison. In fact, opening the seas in Laizhou is only one part of it. I believe that through this, we can also train a functional naval force and garrison troops, which is equally important."

He looked up at Jiajing, who was silently stroking the cat. Military power was a taboo in the Ming Dynasty. Jiajing mused for a long while before speaking softly, "Whom do you intend to put in charge of the navy and the maritime garrisons?"

Zhu Zaiji deferred, "I leave the decision entirely to your Majesty. However, those appointed must be of clean character and loyal to your Majesty alone."

Jiajing nodded and said no more on the matter. Zhu Zaiji tentatively reached for Frost-Brow and finally took the cat from the old Taoist’s hands.

After a long silence, Jiajing spoke again. "Zhang Juzheng is a man who can be used; you should guide him well. But do not be entirely candid with him, nor too intimate. I heard that Zhang Zhi recommended five men to you; you should also grow close to the other four. Do not let everything rely on a single person."

This was the old Emperor’s instruction to the Crown Prince, a lesson in the art of governance. Zhu Zaiji pressed Frost-Brow down on the desk and nodded.

Just then, Huang Jin returned. Jiajing looked toward him and muttered, "If it were not for... I truly could not bear not to send someone to the Southeast immediately to ask exactly how Zhu Wan died!"

Huang Jin glanced at them, then lowered his head and began preparing tea for the Emperor.

Zhu Zaiji pondered for a moment before whispering, "Censor Zhu was diligent and loyal to the state. His tragic death in the Southeast fills me with grief. But as the saying goes, a gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years. Your Majesty governs the world; there is no need to rush."

He hesitated for a moment. "However... I believe the time for your Majesty to vent this anger..."

"...will not be too far off."