Chapter 65: The Authority of the Crown Prince

The trial of opening maritime trade in Laizhou Prefecture had not been interrupted.

The Merit Evaluation Law was likewise being tested and evaluated across Shandong in connection with the opening of maritime trade.

And now, even the appointment of a minor magistrate for Jiaozhou had been vetoed by Zhu Zaiyi. Lü Ben and the others could not help but feel deeply emotional inside, losing all desire to continue the discussions.

Wen Yuan, Xu Jie, and the others also wished to take their leave early so they could carefully ponder how they should conduct themselves now that the Crown Prince’s supremacy over the imperial court was clearly established.

Yet Zhu Zaiyi had no intention of ending this first session of controlling the court in such a hasty manner.

His gaze had already shifted toward Zhan Rong, the Left Vice Minister currently managing the affairs of the Ministry of War.

"Vice Minister Zhan."

Unsure of why he was being singled out by the Crown Prince, Zhan Rong glanced left and right before stepping forward with a trace of puzzlement. "This subject is here."

Looking at this Left Vice Minister who had served under several immediate superiors yet managed to retain the authority of the Ministry of War all along, a smile played across Zhu Zaiyi’s face. "This prince recalls that the post of Minister of War has seen frequent changes this year. Thanks to the Emperor’s sagacity a few days ago, Weng Wanda, the Grand Coordinator of the Three Frontiers of Xuanfu and Datong, was summoned back to the capital to take over the post. I wonder how many days before he arrives in the capital?"

He had never forgotten Weng Wanda, the figure among the southeastern faction of officials in the current court who wielded the greatest military power.

If not for the wariness of his deep-rooted influence across the Three Frontiers of Xuanfu and Datong over the years, he would not have been granted the honorary title of Junior Guardian and summoned back to the capital. The very purpose was to weaken his influence and control over the border armies.

A shock ran through Zhan Rong’s heart, not expecting the Crown Prince to ask about this matter. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Replying to Your Highness, the Ministry of War received word a few days ago. Judging by the travel time, Minister Weng should be passing through the Juyong Pass within these next few days."

The Juyong Pass was the final barrier guarding the northwest side of Beijing. Once through the Juyong Pass, no matter how leisurely the pace, it would take at most two or three days to enter the capital.

Zhu Zaiyi nodded. "I was thinking that Junior Guardian Weng has been serving at the Nine Borders for all these years; it would be no exaggeration to say he has spent years facing the wind and sleeping in the dew. Now, summoned back to the capital to take on the heavy responsibilities of the Ministry of War, one can call his efforts arduous and bitter."

Zhan Rong’s eyes flickered, wondering what the Crown Prince’s sudden display of ruler-subject affection was meant to achieve. He could only silently watch the Crown Prince seated upon the grand chair.

Zhu Zaiyi continued, "Therefore, I am thinking that this time when Junior Guardian Weng returns to the capital, the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies should make proper preparations. Has there been any arrangement made regarding where Junior Guardian Weng will reside? Once he takes charge of the Ministry of War in the future, has a residence been arranged for him? During his years commanding troops at the border towns, does he carry any chronic hidden injuries from old wounds?"

At this moment, Zhu Zaiyi cut entirely the figure of a wise and benevolent monarch showing deep solicitude for an aged veteran of the border towns. Yet precisely this demeanor filled Zhan Rong, Lü Ben, and the others with utter puzzlement and confusion.

At that moment, Yan Song spoke up once more, "Your Highness’s heart of deep consideration for your ministers cannot be surpassed. If this subject remembers correctly, there is a vacant residence outside the Dong'an Gate in Chengqingfang, which is still in the hands of the Shuntian Prefecture."

"Then bestow that residence upon Junior Guardian Weng!"

Without even inquiring about the size or specifications of the estate, Zhu Zaiyi made the executive decision simply because Yan Song had suggested it. Only then did he cast a glance toward Yan Song.

This old man truly understood him. Chengqingfang was considered a fine location in the capital, situated very close to the imperial city. But the most crucial point was the Dong'an Gate nearby. Within the Dong'an Gate lay the Eastern Depot.

Before the others could react, Zhu Zaiyi added, "Send physicians from the Imperial Hospital to take up residence in that estate first. Once Junior Guardian Weng arrives in the capital, they are to personally attend to his pulse and recuperate his health. Junior Guardian Weng has guarded the borders for the country for many years; the imperial court must never treat such an aged minister with neglect."

These words naturally won yet another round of praise from the cohort of officials led by Yan Song and Zhang Zhi.

Entering his element, Zhu Zaiyi finally issued his instructions. "My lords also know that I have only recently begun observing political affairs. Now, trusted by His Majesty and entrusted with heavy responsibilities, I am acting as regent and reviewing memorials. In recent years, those scoundrels of the Tumen Tumut tribe have grown quite arrogant, and Junior Guardian Weng has spent many years at the Three Frontiers of Xuanfu and Datong. I desire that when Junior Guardian Weng returns to the capital to recuperate, he should compose a strategic treatise on military preparedness, troop reorganization, and agricultural colonization across the Nine Borders of the Great Ming. Let him detail the current flaws of the Nine Borders, speak freely on what strategies should be employed to restore the former glory of the Nine Borders, so that our Ming elite may recapture the legacy of Emperor Chengzu, galloping their horses across the desert and watering their mounts in the vast seas!"

This was his true objective concerning Weng Wanda. First, summon him back to the capital and sever his ties with the Three Frontiers of Xuanfu and Datong. Then, under the guise of treating an old minister well, detain him in the capital while barring him from touching the affairs of the Ministry of War in the short term, lest he meddle in the matters of maritime trade and garrison towns. Along the way, he would also pressure the man, squeezing out every last drop of value from someone who genuinely possessed ability.

Having spoken, he swept his gaze quickly across Lü Ben and the others. Seeing their heavy expressions yet finding themselves speechless, a smile rose in his heart.

He wanted precisely for them to know full well that this matter was improper, yet unable to utter a single word of opposition. Was there anything wrong with treating an old minister kindly? Was there anything wrong with the regent requesting policy proposals from an old minister? Everything was proceeding strictly within the rules they were familiar with, yet forcing them to shower him with praise—proclaiming him a wise and benevolent crown prince who cherished his veteran subjects!

Lü Ben hesitated for a long while before speaking, "Your Highness, when Your Majesty initially summoned Junior Guardian Weng back to the capital, it was precisely so he could take over the Ministry of War as swiftly as possible. Now Your Highness shows solicitude to Junior Guardian Weng by bestowing a residence and ordering imperial physicians to check his pulse, and furthermore consults him on military affairs. However... what of the affairs of the Ministry of War..."

Zhu Zaiyi glanced at Lü Ben, then turned his gaze to Zhan Rong, the Left Vice Minister of War. "Master Lü, Vice Minister Zhan has been handling the affairs of the Ministry of War these past few days without a single error or omission. Everything remains in perfect order under Vice Minister Zhan's hands. Could it be that Vice Minister Zhan is incapable of enduring a bit more toil for a few more days?"

As these words fell, Lü Ben was instantly struck dumb. If he were to truly press this point, it would be equivalent to declaring Zhan Rong incompetent. Such disparaging remarks against an ally were words he could neither bring himself to utter nor dared to speak aloud.

Zhan Rong tossed his head back, casting a scrutinizing gaze toward Lü Ben. Seeing that the man uttered no further foolish remarks, a sense of security settled in his heart, and he turned his gaze back to the Crown Prince.

Although the Crown Prince's recent methods had been somewhat extreme, his ability to judge people was by no means false. Were the affairs of the Ministry of War not managed properly by his own hands?

Zhu Zaiyi swept his gaze around the room, and seeing no one else speaking, he patted the armrests and rose to his feet.

The officials within the hall immediately bowed with clasped hands.

Zhu Zaiyi had already begun to speak. "Junior Guardian Weng is a veteran minister who has rendered meritorious service to the country; this prince cannot treat him poorly. As for the affairs of the Ministry of War, Vice Minister Zhan has done an excellent job without a single omission or error. His Majesty trusts him, and this prince trusts him even more. The affairs of a single ministry must not be allowed to burden the rare opportunity for recuperation granted to Junior Guardian Weng."

As he spoke, he had already walked down from the dais.

Stepping into the midst of the officials, Zhu Zaiyi looked left and right with a smile on his face. "Just like all of you loyal pillars of the state—if any of you backbone ministers were to suffer exhaustion and strain due to state affairs, this prince would treat you in this very same manner. We must never let affairs of state cause suffering to you, our cherished pillars of loyalty."