Chapter 49: Coming to the Eastern Tower for an Audience

The rain in the northern lands seemed as though it would never stop, as if a prolonged drought was inevitably to be followed by a deluge.

Yet, Yan Shifan, the current Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, leisurely held an umbrella and strolled along the imperial pathway outside the Wu Gate.

Beside him, another man in official robes walked in step, similarly holding an umbrella.

"Meicun, the old man is truly getting up in years and growing muddled."

Yan Shifan raised his umbrella slightly, peering past its rim up toward the watchtower of the Wu Gate.

Meicun was the literary name of Zhao Wenhua, the current Administrator of the Office of Transmission.

He also bore another identity: the adopted son of Yan Song, the Senior Grand Secretary of the current imperial cabinet.

Hearing this, Zhao Wenhua did not break his stride. He glanced sideways, an ingratiating smile on his face. "The Senior Grand Secretary holds the reins of the central government and deals constantly with matters of state and military survival. How could he possibly perceive minor details and side issues as clearly as the Junior Master?"

This was an artful reply that offended neither side while managing to flatter his companion.

Yan Shifan chuckled softly and narrowed his eyes. "His Majesty intends to open the seas, pushing the Crown Prince and the Eastern Palace faction to take the lead in the court. Yet the old man has actually lost his wits, demanding that our household go all out to fight those people in the Southeast. If a real war breaks out, who knows how many lives will be lost!"

In the current court, the faction centered around Zhang Zhi, with Zhang Juzhen as its backbone and Gao Gong, Yang Jisheng, and Zhu Heng as its foundation, was already being referred to as the Crown Prince's Faction, implying the party of the Heir Apparent.

Hearing this, Zhao Wenhua began to calculate inwardly. "Although this time the candidates for the Surveillance Commissioners of the two southeastern provinces and the opening of the seas at Laizhou in Shandong all hail from the Crown Prince's faction, are we really to do nothing at all?"

Only a few days prior, they had been contending with various factions in the court, desperately trying to secure one or two of those posts for themselves.

Who would have thought that the final outcome would be neither side gaining any advantage, with the Eastern Palace taking everything?

Yan Shifan offered another cold laugh before shaking his head. "The old man thought I was driven blind by greed. But if we were simply to bow our heads to the Eastern Palace for no reason, would they hold us in any regard? Bowing now would be nothing more than adding flowers to embroidery; but the timing right now is just right. Such a massive disturbance has erupted in Laizhou Prefecture, with local forces churning the waters—this is the perfect opportunity for us to offer timely help to the Eastern Palace in their hour of need."

This was the very reason Yan Shifan had been unwilling to contact the Eastern Palace days ago, and the crux of why he had dragged the matter out until now.

Hearing this, Zhao Wenhua smiled, a gloomy look crossing his face. "Bandits have invaded Laizhou, leaving countless dead and wounded. The Fushan vanguard post was listed among the coastal defense garrisons for opening the seas, yet now they have been completely wiped out. The Lingshan Garrison stood by and watched the bandits approach without making a move, and both the Jiaozhou granary and the military preparedness granary were burned to ashes. I fear that this newcomer to the Crown Prince's faction, upon arriving in Laizhou, will find himself in a tangled web, completely blind and at a loss for how to proceed."

The smile on Yan Shifan's face grew even wider. Seeing that they had reached the Wu Gate, he halted his steps and turned sideways to look at Zhao Wenhua, who was several years his senior.

"Let us stop here. You should return to the yamen and keep an eye on the memorials being sent into the capital."

Zhao Wenhua nodded slightly, then added, "The situation in Laizhou is chaotic right now. It would be best to seize this opportunity today to secure a post or two within the Ministry of Works."

They had their eyes set on the profits from the port construction and shipyards in Jiaozhou.

Yan Shifan hurriedly waved his hand and nodded. "Rest assured, allow me to go and test this Crown Prince of ours first."

The rain fell upon the Forbidden City, drumming against the glazed tiles.

The raindrops converged into streams, cascading in strings along the eaves before flowing through open and hidden drainage channels into the Golden Water River.

In the East Hall of the Wenhua Palace.

Zhu Zaiqi, having long since concluded his daily imperial lectures, set aside a copy of the *Zuo Zhuan* which he had been transcribing for defensive study, and looked up as Feng Bao walked in.

Frowning slightly, he asked, "Are you saying Yan Shifan wishes to see Us?"

Feng Bao nodded. Given the current influx of talent into the Eastern Palace, he ventured to speak, "This humble servant believes he has come because of the affair in Laizhou Prefecture. He harbors no good intentions and likely intends to bargain with Your Highness."

Having subtly displayed his own discernment, Feng Bao stood waiting on the spot.

Zhu Zaiqi inwardly found this amusing.

He had not expected Feng Bao to begin playing such games before him so quickly.

Still, it could be considered a good thing!

Only someone with ambition was easy to manipulate and control.

Nodding with a measure of approval, he spoke, "Well said. The purpose behind our Junior Master's request for an audience today is likely eight or nine parts what you have guessed."

Feng Bao's face lit up with delight at the praise and affirmation.

Then, he softly asked, "Then shall Your Highness grant him an audience or refuse? If not, this humble servant shall go and turn him away."

Zhu Zaiqi looked up, casting a sideways glance at Feng Bao. "Do you dare to offend the current Junior Master of the court?"

Embarrassment instantly washed over Feng Bao's face.

Seeing this, Zhu Zaiqi merely waved a hand. "Go, let him enter. We do not yet require you to stand up to and offend the Junior Master of our Great Ming."

Hearing that the Crown Prince had not refused to see Yan Shifan, Feng Bao felt a wave of relief wash over him. Yet, judging by the Crown Prince's tone, would he himself be expected to cross swords with the Yan family in the future?

He could not help but feel his shoulders grow somewhat heavier.

A short while later.

When Zhu Zaiqi was seated properly in the East Hall, he saw the plump and wealthy Yan Shifan walk in, trailing the damp aura of the rain.

"This subject, Yan Shifan, pays respects to Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Stepping into the hall, Yan Shifan wore a benign and amicable smile, bowing deeply with folded hands.

Looking at the smiling Yan Shifan, Zhu Zaiqi felt as though several pounds of grease could be scraped right off the man's face.

Yet he too wore a smile, his tone warm and pleasant as he asked, "We wonder what business brings the Junior Minister to the palace to see Us today?"

Playing with his words, he observed Yan Shifan closely after finishing.

Yan Shifan's brow arched slightly, and the smile on his face deepened. "This subject begs an audience with the Crown Prince not to report on any official business, but rather because affairs of state have fallen into chaos, and I wish to offer strategies to relieve Your Highness's worries."

Zhu Zaiqi smiled faintly. "Does the Junior Minister refer to the matter of the maritime bandits invading Laizhou?"

Yan Shifan looked up at the young Heir Apparent, pulling back his smile just a fraction. "Your Highness is brilliant; this subject is indeed speaking of this matter."

Seeing that this Yan Donglou readily admitted it, Zhu Zaiqi could not help but scoff inwardly.

He came neither early nor late, choosing precisely to arrive the very day after word came of Laizhou Prefecture being raided by maritime bandits.

To speak of relieving worries—it would be more accurate to call it trimming sails to the wind and seizing advantages.

However, he let none of this show on his face, speaking casually instead. "The Three Offices of Shandong are all present, and Gao Gong and Yang Jisheng will arrive in Laizhou before long. Though there may be some turmoil now, once they arrive, they will surely sweep away the corruption."

Was this Crown Prince confident or arrogant?

Did he truly understand, or was he merely muddled?

Yan Shifan pondered briefly, then his expression shifted, his words laced with righteous indignation. "Does Your Highness truly believe this pirate raid happened without cause? Once Gao Gong and Yang Jisheng reach Laizhou, will there truly be no more chaos born?"

Zhu Zaiqi arched an eyebrow, meeting Yan Shifan's gaze with a look of curiosity. "Why does the Junior Minister say such a thing? The opening of the seas at Laizhou has already been decided by His Imperial Majesty's sacred decree and executed by the central government. How could any further chaos arise?"

Steeling his resolve, Yan Shifan lowered his voice and said urgently, "Reporting to Your Highness, it is because there are treacherous ministers within the court! Our Great Ming dynasty has traitorous officials blocking the way!"

"This subject comes here today for two reasons: first, instructed by my father; second, because I have gathered intelligence."

"If Your Highness so desires, this subject is willing to eradicate these traitorous officials for Your Highness!"