Chapter 40: Manipulating Hearts

Inside the Wuyi Palace, Frost-Brow let out a few mews from time to time. One could only wonder if the cat was in need of a companion.

Jiajing suppressed the anger in his heart and said in a deep voice, "Prince, when will it not be too late?"

Zhu Wan was dead. He had died in a most inexplicable manner. This matter now weighed heavily upon the Emperor’s heart, and he could not afford to relax for even a moment.

Zhu Zaiji had grown accustomed to discussing affairs before the old Taoist priest. He spoke in a calm and relaxed tone: "Just as Your Majesty mentioned earlier, since you intend to trial the opening of the seas in Laizhou Prefecture, I believe that this endeavor will inevitably attract slander and stir up trouble from the very beginning."

This was, in truth, an outcome that could be anticipated without much thought.

Zhu Zaiji continued: "For years, the Southeast has been reaping the profits of the sea. In reality, the maritime ban is most advantageous to them. Once the Imperial Court opens the seas and everyone is permitted to build ships and engage in trade, the profits they have enjoyed will inevitably be encroached upon. Having feasted on these gains for over a hundred years, how could they ever allow others to share in them so suddenly?"

Jiajing nodded. He had already considered this, but he felt that his son was becoming increasingly extraordinary, with a vision growing ever more acute.

Zhu Zaiji’s eyes flickered: "Therefore, I fear that the opening of the seas in Laizhou will lead to one incident after another. To open the seas, we must build ports and shipyards. This will require the Ministry of Works to oversee the operations, and it is hard to say when someone might be found embezzling funds. Or, once the ports and shipyards are completed, they might suddenly be reduced to ashes, or the ports might become unusable, or the newly built ships might sink to the bottom of the sea—the possibilities are endless."

Jiajing’s expression shifted slightly. He looked at his son with profound meaning: "You mean to say that the opening of the seas and the construction of ports in Laizhou is not only a trial, but also a trap to lure them deeper?"

"Meow!"

Frost-Brow, lying on the table, let out a well-timed cry, appearing to flatter the Emperor. Jiajing smiled and reached out to stroke his beloved cat.

Zhu Zaiji could only step back slightly and offer a compliment: "Your Majesty is wise."

Jiajing enjoyed the moment for a while before waving his hand: "Continue." Yet, in his heart, he mused: *Why did I never realize before that it is so pleasant to be flattered by one's son every day?*

Zhu Zaiji spoke on his own initiative: "The opening of the seas in Laizhou is the first step, and luring them into making a move is the second. Beyond these two, the opening of Laizhou, being far from the Southeast, can be used to divide the hearts of those in the Southeast, which are currently as solid as iron. That is the third."

Jiajing, who had been thoroughly enjoying his son's flattery, suddenly felt his eyes light up. He looked at the brat before him with a hint of surprise: "Did you come up with this as well?"

Zhu Zaiji nodded and admitted: "I believe that, in the final analysis, this world is nothing more than the dealings between people. The Southeast is bound together by the profits of the sea. From the coast to the interior, from the countryside to the government, from the local level to the central administration, all have reached a tacit understanding for the sake of these profits."

"Now, the opening of the seas in Laizhou is a double-edged sword. Those with malicious intent will use it to sabotage the effort. But what about those who do not wish to oppose the Imperial Court? Perhaps they will observe from the sidelines. Once the Laizhou initiative proves successful, these people will surely see it as a virtue and petition the Court for permission to trial the opening of the seas in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong."

Opposing the Imperial Court was, after all, a capital offense. How many people were truly determined to go against the crown?

Being able to trade openly, even if the profits were slightly less, was still more peaceful than smuggling. In Zhu Zaiji’s view, the current Laizhou Prefecture was a piece of fruit; once the maritime opening succeeded, it would become a sweet confection. By then, that small clique in the Southeast would be unable to resist clinging to it. In this way, he could, without any effort, divide the currently impregnable hearts of the Southeast.

It is far easier to strike at one person with two fists than to fight a whole group. And it is even easier if one can pull the people on the other side into helping to strike down their own ringleaders.

This was something Jiajing had not anticipated. Having only just conceived of the idea of trialing the maritime opening today, there were aspects he had not yet had the time to ponder. It was precisely for this reason that, as he looked at his son now, he found himself at a loss for words.

After a long while, Jiajing let out a long breath and said softly: "In the art of war, the most important strategy is to attack the heart. My son, this Qilin of mine, has already mastered it." He looked at Zhu Zaiji with complex emotions, a smile gradually appearing on his face.

Zhu Zaiji, for his part, naturally assumed a shy expression and took the opportunity to lower his head and stroke Frost-Brow.

After a long pause to calm his internal astonishment, Jiajing said in a low voice: "What about candidates for the new Governors of Zhejiang and Fujian, and the Minister of War?"

Zhu Zaiji replied immediately: "For the position of Minister of War, I recommend the current Viceroy of the Xuan-Da Three Frontiers, Weng Wanda!"

Having said this, he looked steadily at Jiajing. The father and son stared at each other for a moment. Jiajing suddenly burst into hearty laughter and pointed at Zhu Zaiji: "Good! You have become increasingly adept at the art of attacking the heart! Good!"

Zhu Zaiji smiled along with him: "I believe that not only should Weng Wanda be made Minister of War, but he should also be heavily rewarded and sent to the capital to take office in a blaze of glory, so that his fame will be known throughout the court and the country!"

Jiajing nodded and laughed for a while longer before quietening down. Since the beginning of the year, Lü Ben and that faction of officials from the Southeast—or those with ties to it—had constantly used the Xuan-Da Three Frontiers as a talking point. If Weng Wanda were brought back to the capital and given a grand reward, even placing him in the position of Minister of War would be of little consequence. As long as he left the post of Viceroy of the Xuan-Da Three Frontiers, someone else could be chosen for the nine frontiers, and Lü Ben and his associates would no longer be able to use border affairs to profit elsewhere.

Jiajing asked again: "And what of the candidates for the Governors of Zhejiang and Fujian?"

This time, Zhu Zaiji hesitated. He then said: "The candidates for the new Governors of Zhejiang and Fujian must be loyal to the Imperial Court and to Your Majesty. Since I am to succeed the late Censor Zhu, I dare not speak lightly. If Your Majesty requires me to suggest one or two names, I ask for time to better understand the officials in the central and local governments before presenting my report."

In truth, he already had candidates in mind. But as the saying goes, one should not be too conspicuous. If he knew everything, answered every question the old Taoist priest asked, and provided the perfect answer every time, anyone would grow suspicious. It simply defied common sense.

As expected, Jiajing accepted this explanation immediately, nodding: "With the death of Zhu Wan, there is no need to rush the appointments for the two provincial governors. Take these next few days to carefully review the officials in the court, and if you find suitable candidates, just report them to me."

"As you command, Father." Zhu Zaiji replied with a smile.

With the major issues broadly settled, Jiajing’s expression became increasingly composed; his agitation over Zhu Wan’s death had also subsided somewhat. He looked at Zhu Zaiji with a smile: "Tell me, your academic progress has been steady, you have been observing the government for some time, and today you have rendered such a great service to me by suggesting the maritime trial, dividing the Southeast, and removing the Xuan-Da influence. What reward do you want?"

*I want you to become the Retired Emperor and let me be the Emperor!* Zhu Zaiji muttered to himself, but aloud, he shook his head: "I am your son. Doing things for my father, why would I ask for a reward? However..."

He changed the subject. Jiajing immediately looked curious. In his eyes, his son, even up to this day, had acted passively or solely because of him, never once asking for anything for himself.

Zhu Zaiji’s face flushed slightly: "However, if Your Majesty truly wishes to reward me, perhaps you could delay my marriage for a while."

He had heard this by accident a few days ago while dining with Noble Consort Shen in the Yikun Palace. According to her, the Crown Princess should not be from a powerful official’s family, but the Shen family seemed interested in planting two girls as secondary consorts for him. This was the benefit of being filial to the Inner Palace; otherwise, he would not have known that the palace had already begun discussing his wedding arrangements.

Jiajing narrowed his eyes: "Nonsense! I was selected and married shortly after I ascended the throne, at the same age as you are now. The succession of the Royal House has always followed rules. I cannot agree to this request!"

Jiajing was truly flaring up now. He was currently hoping to hold a grandson and ensure that the Eastern Palace had a legacy. Did this boy want to escape his marriage? Giving birth to eight or ten royal grandsons early on and watching them grow up healthy and strong was the only proper business.

Zhu Zaiji’s face instantly fell. He began to pray silently that they would not find him some frail, bean-sprout-like Crown Princess.

Seeing his son’s dejected expression, Jiajing suppressed his anger and said, "Choose another reward, and I will grant it."

*You wouldn’t give me the throne even if I asked.* Zhu Zaiji continued his silent grumbling, then fixed his eyes on Frost-Brow, who was lying on the table.

Before he could even speak, Jiajing’s expression changed drastically, and he shouted urgently: "Choose another!"