Chapter 51: The Enchantress of the Ming Dynasty

The imperial edict to Yan Shifan was soon issued from the Longevity Palace.

Although it was conveyed as an official decree, one must not forget that the Grand Secretary was Yan Song himself.

Upon receiving the edict, Yan Shifan was promoted from Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites to Minister of Rites, concurrently overseeing the Kaohai Guard of Laizhou Prefecture and the reorganization of the Northern Naval Fleet.

Within the court, led by Lü Ben and others, widespread slander arose, particularly from Vice Minister of War Zhan Rong, whose criticisms were most vehement. Rumors circulated that Zhan Rong had loudly condemned the Yan faction at home, accusing them of usurping authority over the Ministry of War.

At the Yan residence, there was no joy either.

In the study, Yan Shifan’s face was dark and clearly displeased. He glanced at his father, who had just returned from the court, and snorted twice.

“Did you see it all?” he asked.

“How can this be called employing talent? It is plainly pushing your son to the front lines for those southeastern factions to take advantage of,” his father replied.

Yan Shifan understood perfectly the hidden intent behind the emperor’s edict.

While his rank had risen a notch—from a fourth-rank official to a third-rank—the post in the Ministry of Works was not granted.

Yan Song, calm and composed, swept his gaze over his son and said, “I told you to seek an audience with the Crown Prince early on, but you insisted on using your little schemes.”

Yan Shifan frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Yan Song tossed the brush he was holding into the water pot and fixed his gaze on his son. “If you had gone back then, even if you didn’t get the Ministry of Works post, the emperor would have at least considered it. Do you think this is a charity? To the emperor, it’s nothing but taking advantage of a crisis. Since you have demands, the emperor can entice you with benefits, while making sure you wouldn’t dare complain openly.”

Listening to his father’s explanation, Yan Shifan only moved his lips slightly but said nothing. He knew well the reasoning behind it, yet he still felt a sense of injustice.

Yan Song glanced at the calligraphy he had just completed and chuckled, “Now that the emperor has already issued the edict, whether you want to or not, you have to do it. Don’t dwell on the small gains at the Ministry of Works. Weng Wanda will soon return to the capital to assume the post of Minister of War. You should think about how to stop him and do a good job with the tasks in Laizhou Prefecture on behalf of the emperor.”

Hearing his father’s words, Yan Shifan’s heart stirred with a faint hope. “If I handle the affairs in Laizhou well, will the emperor then transfer me to the Ministry of Works?”

Over the years, the emperor had launched many grand construction projects—palaces, temples, and monasteries both inside and outside the capital. Any post in the Ministry of Works, even a minor one, would bring considerable benefits.

Yan Song glanced sideways at his son but remained silent.

He lowered his head, picked up several seals, and began stamping the calligraphy.

Yan Shifan glanced twice, bored, then called out to take his leave.

At the same moment, in the eastern side hall of the Wenhua Hall:

Zhang Juzheng looked at the Crown Prince diligently practicing his calligraphy.

Though he did not quite understand why the Crown Prince had been copying the Zuo Zhuan for penmanship practice lately, it was indeed a good thing that the heir apparent was diligent in his studies.

When the Crown Prince put down his brush, signaling the end of his practice, Zhang Juzheng immediately spoke, “Your Highness, I believe the current matter of the Laizhou pirates presents an opportunity.”

Zhu Zaiji smiled as he looked at Zhang Juzheng, who was now comfortably seated in his role as a compiler at the Hanlin Academy and an official in the Ministry of War. “What opportunity does Mr. Zhang refer to?”

“The system of performance evaluations.”

Zhang Juzheng was always concise and to the point, never mincing words.

He spoke firmly and confidently, “I believe now is the most suitable time to submit the proposal Your Highness previously mentioned regarding establishing a system of performance evaluations.”

However, upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s brow furrowed slightly.

Zhang Juzheng noticed the hesitation and asked with some concern, “Does Your Highness feel it is still premature to submit the performance evaluation proposal now?”

The recent pirate raids at Laizhou Prefecture had made Zhang Juzheng restless.

Was this merely a matter of pirate invasions?

Behind it all were those who had monopolized maritime trade profits for over a century causing trouble!

The crux was governance.

For the Ming dynasty to truly reform, it must first cleanse its bureaucracy.

Only by sweeping away corruption and treacherous schemers both inside and outside the court could beneficial policies for the nation and people be implemented.

Otherwise, even sound policies would degenerate into bad governance once they left the capital, corrupted by greedy local officials.

After some thought, Zhu Zaiji quietly said, “Do you feel yourself ready to submit such a proposal at this time?”

Facing the twenty-five-year-old Zhang Juzheng, he harbored some worries.

Displaying too much sharpness in court was seldom advantageous.

Especially since he hoped Zhang Juzheng would one day lead reform efforts, he needed him to bide his time, preferably gaining experience locally to truly understand the needs of the people in the two capitals and thirteen provinces.

In truth, he would have preferred that the proposal be submitted by Hai Rui, the historical figure celebrated for his integrity and remembered for centuries.

Hai Rui was a sword-bearer, unburdened by the need to transform the sword into a plowshare.

Zhang Juzheng, however, needed to be the plow that deeply tills Ming soil.

Unfortunately, recent inquiries revealed Hai Rui had only just passed the provincial exams and would not enter the capital for the imperial exams until next year.

Arranging for Hai Rui to emerge as a jinshi graduate was a thought Zhu Zaiji had entertained for a long time.

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, a flicker of doubt crossed his face. “At that time, I was on duty in the Wenhua Hall. Your Highness revealed great ambitions, and I resolved then that I would fear no sacrifice for the reform of Ming. How could I care for my own safety?”

“But I, on the other hand, do not wish this!” the Crown Prince said firmly.

Zhu Zaiji fixed his gaze on Zhang Juzheng.

Though older and more experienced, Zhu Zaiji was moved inexplicably by the earnest care of the heir apparent, whose heart was plainly displayed.

Zhang Juzheng’s face flushed with emotion. “I... I am unworthy...”

The Crown Prince rose, approached Zhang Juzheng, grasped his hands warmly, and said sincerely, “Sir, now that I have Master Longhu teaching me and you assisting in governance, how could I sacrifice your reputation and future for fleeting gains? I would never use you as a mere tool for momentary purposes.”

Those words went beyond the earlier statement of unwillingness.

Zhang Juzheng’s face reddened in response.

Feng Bao, standing nearby, felt dizzy watching this exchange.

He swore that if he were not mistaken, the Crown Prince would not even flinch or blink if he asked this Zhang Hanlin to charge to the nine border regions with a sword.

Seeing Zhang Juzheng so moved and Feng Bao’s dazed expression, Zhu Zaiji smiled knowingly.

The esteemed tradition of the Liu family truly proved effective.

With this in mind, he patted Zhang Juzheng’s hand and said, “Sir, your suggestion to submit the performance evaluation proposal is most reasonable. Now, with Laizhou Prefecture trialing maritime openings while simultaneously besieged by pirates, countless civilians and soldiers have perished. I imagine the Shandong Military Commission and local officials are in disarray, each harboring their own agendas.”

“In such times, submitting the performance evaluation proposal could seize the opportunity to implement the system in Laizhou just as the maritime opening is trialed. This way, tasks and offices could be assigned clear deadlines and requirements. Completion would be rewarded; failure punished, thus motivating officials to perform diligently.”

In essence, the performance evaluation system was a work plan.

It involved outlining tasks that the government must accomplish, setting completion deadlines, and then evaluating officials’ abilities based on these.

Though Zhang Juzheng’s heart still raced with excitement, he suppressed it and nodded. “Your Highness is wise. It was precisely this vision that led me to propose submitting the performance evaluation plan. If the trial in Laizhou succeeds, it can be extended to the two capitals and thirteen provinces, thereby refreshing the officialdom of our dynasty.”

After speaking, he looked at the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness protects your subordinates with kindness and sincerity, but if I do not submit this proposal, whom else can you rely on?”

For no particular reason, Zhang Juzheng thought of Gao Gong.

Only someone of Gao Gong’s temperament was best suited to submit such a petition.

Though now, Gao Gong was probably already heading to Laizhou.

Zhu Zaiji smiled slightly. “Have you forgotten, sir, that I have other gentlemen as well?”