Chapter 7: Strikingly Resembling Myself

“Prime Minister Yan is a loyal and virtuous servant of the Ming Dynasty,” Zhu Zaiyu replied cautiously.

Seated on the throne, Emperor Jiajing maintained his smile and curiously asked, “Why does the Crown Prince hold this view?”

Zhu Zaiyu stepped forward lightly, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that all affairs within and beyond the court stem from Your Majesty’s grace. As the sovereign overseeing the Western Gardens, you alone govern the realm and select your officials by divine judgment. Prime Minister Yan’s rise is due to his loyalty and virtue, which earned Your Majesty’s favor and entrusted him with managing the Grand Secretariat and overseeing all officials.”

After speaking, Zhu Zaiyu fixed his sincere gaze upon Jiajing.

The emperor merely smiled in response.

Immediately, Zhu Zaiyu inquired cautiously, “Have I answered incorrectly, Father?”

Jiajing’s smile deepened. “Your words are certainly true. If I did not rely on Prime Minister Yan’s loyalty, how could I have appointed him to oversee both civil and military officials? However...”

He glanced at his son with a hint of uncertainty, pondering whether the Crown Prince could truly answer his next question. Still, he pressed on, “I want you to evaluate Prime Minister Yan as a man.”

There was no escaping it.

Silently, Zhu Zaiyu lamented that he had already tried to avoid such sensitive topics, yet the old emperor insisted on probing further.

With no choice, Zhu Zaiyu nodded and feigned deep thought.

Seeing his son ponder, Jiajing remained unhurried, patiently awaiting. This was his son, the heir he had high hopes for, now touched by the divine, enlightened anew. To Jiajing, his son was meant to stand apart from the rest.

After a deliberate pause, Zhu Zaiyu finally spoke, “Father, when I earlier described Prime Minister Yan as loyal and virtuous, it was from Your Majesty’s perspective.”

Jiajing’s eyes brightened immediately. “Why so?”

“Your Majesty is the emperor of the Ming, and governing the realm requires comprehensive judgment, not simply selecting officials at random. To you, Prime Minister Yan’s greatest merit is his loyalty. While officials may lack in talent or learning, loyalty must never be absent.”

Talented officials? Geniuses?

From ancient times until now, the world has never lacked talent or capable ministers.

Jiajing’s enthusiasm grew. His son truly was exceptional, able to voice such thoughts at his young age.

He urged, “Continue. What else do you wish to say?”

Zhu Zaiyu nodded and went on, “Though I reside in Qingning Palace, I often overhear debates about the previous reign. Prime Minister Yan is loyal in Your Majesty’s eyes, but some officials and commonfolk harbor criticisms. Among the countless officials — tens of thousands across the empire, thousands in the capital alone — many possess greater talent than Prime Minister Yan.”

“Yet, when a sovereign employs officials, Your Majesty’s governance prioritizes loyalty and righteousness above ability. If a minister harbors divided loyalties, the ruler’s policies will barely leave the Forbidden City or extend beyond the capital region. Only loyal ministers, entrusted with power and managing the central government, can ensure edicts flow smoothly to all departments.”

As Zhu Zaiyu spoke with measured deliberation, Jiajing fell silent, deeply struck.

In truth, the Crown Prince had touched upon the art of rulership.

Jiajing recalled that although the prince studied in Qingning Palace, no tutor had specifically taught such matters.

His surprise grew as he glanced toward Huang Jin, who smiled knowingly beside him.

Seizing a pause in Zhu Zaiyu’s speech, Huang Jin said with a smile, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is wise and does not disappoint Your Majesty’s sagacity. This is truly a blessing for our dynasty!”

Zhu Zaiyu blinked and glanced sideways at Huang Jin’s flattering words, inwardly silent.

He had only spoken according to his age and understanding, yet it had been just right.

Jiajing’s interest was thoroughly piqued; he wanted to test his son’s intellect further.

He asked, “If an official appointed proves flawed and stirs scandal, causing chaos in the country, what would you do?”

This question went beyond evaluating a single official; it touched on governing the state.

Jiajing expected a longer contemplation from the Crown Prince.

Instead, Zhu Zaiyu answered without hesitation, “Dismiss them immediately!”

He had wanted to say “execute them” out of frustration, but that would be too harsh and inappropriate for his age.

Even so, the phrase “dismiss them immediately” brought a hush to the hall.

Huang Jin’s eyes gleamed as he looked deeply at the Crown Prince, who had endured great upheaval yet emerged enlightened.

Jiajing nearly rose to his feet.

He stared at his son, whose recent trials had sharpened his insight, stirring a profound turmoil within.

Was this a mere accident or did his son truly possess such innate talent?

Suppressing his excitement, the emperor asked gravely, “Why would you do so?”

The shift in atmosphere did not escape Zhu Zaiyu’s notice.

He knew his modest display of political insight had genuinely surprised the old emperor.

Yet he remained calm, even showing a hint of timidity as he looked up at Jiajing. “Father... Father, have I misspoken?”

Jiajing replied firmly, “No. I only wish to understand why you say this.”

Zhu Zaiyu nodded, relieved, continuing, “I think that if an official causes scandal yet their appointment does not disrupt the court, it is tolerable. But if such controversy unsettles the court and empire, then great calamity will follow.”

“Disputes over one official can spark factional strife across the capital and provinces. Though the Ming domain is vast, its regions are intertwined.”

“At that time, from the central government to local prefectures, factions will clash and accuse one another ceaselessly. This would bring grave troubles to the nation and its people.”

He spoke slowly, ensuring each word was clear.

Jiajing muttered under his breath, “Intertwined... intertwined...”

Zhu Zaiyu went on, “Your Majesty bears the weight of the realm. How can you allow one person to bring chaos? Even loyal ministers, if they cause such upheaval, must be set aside to preserve Your Majesty’s wise and benevolent name, to calm the hearts of officials, and safeguard the empire’s peace.”

The fate of Yan Song was a fitting example.

Having lost control over the court and with local unrest spreading, reformist ministers like Xu Jie rose to prominence, causing trouble. Ultimately, Yan Song was expelled from court.

This was precisely the meaning of “set aside and not employ.”

Jiajing’s eyes shone with emotion as he fixed his gaze on his son.

For a fleeting moment, he even felt the urge to personally instruct him.

But he soon hesitated and withdrew the thought.

After a long pause, Jiajing spoke with reluctance, “Your words resonate with the principles of the universe. Upon returning to the palace today, you must soon resume your studies diligently. Do not be negligent, lest your talent be obscured.”

Still, the two dragons did not meet.

Zhu Zaiyu lowered his head, his eyes tightening slightly as he wondered when the old Taoist Tao Zhongwen might help him break the ancient prophesy.

He bowed deeply, “Your servant obeys, I take my leave.”

With that, he quietly withdrew, bowed still bent.

Jiajing watched him go, reluctant to let him leave, then said, “Huang Jin, send escorts to accompany the Crown Prince back to the palace.”

Huang Jin promptly obeyed.

After seeing Zhu Zaiyu safely away and returning to the inner hall, Huang Jin found the emperor bent over his desk holding a brush.

Approaching quietly, Huang Jin saw that the emperor had already completed a calligraphy piece.

He read softly, “White-headed old man by the waves, his home drifting with the river breeze.”

Before finishing the first couplet, Jiajing set down his brush, smiling as he continued aloud, “A freshly caught perch, grandchildren warm themselves amid blooming reeds.”

Huang Jin praised, “This Tang Dynasty poem by Zheng Gu is excellent, and Your Majesty’s calligraphy is superb!”

Jiajing’s expression darkened momentarily. “Zheng Shouyu captured the joyous scene of a fisherfolk family, but my royal family...”

He trailed off, waving his hand and shaking his head. “Enough, enough. Today, seeing the Crown Prince grow, talented and wise, speaking with startling insight and reason, I am truly comforted.”

Huang Jin eagerly agreed, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is unparalleled, and the Crown Prince, as Your Majesty’s bloodline, naturally possesses extraordinary talent. What he said today amazed even your servant. Your Majesty’s sagacity continues in him!”

Hearing this, Jiajing smiled once more.

He glanced at the calligraphy on the desk, then lightly patted Huang Jin’s shoulder.

“The Crown Prince is clever, and though his political knowledge is still shallow, it is deeply profound.”

Recalling his recent examination of his son’s responses, Jiajing’s smile grew wider.

He placed his hands on his hips, excitement brightening his face. “Indeed, the affairs of the world are just as the Crown Prince said: intertwined and inseparable. If one person disrupts the order, dismiss them immediately — well said! When I was young... I could only have said the same.”

Huang Jin beamed beside him.

The emperor had long maintained a “no meeting of the two dragons” policy, but Huang Jin need not abide by that, having watched the Crown Prince grow. How could he not rejoice?

Suddenly, Jiajing waved his hand, “The Crown Prince has grown to resemble me deeply — a joyous matter!”

“Huang Jin, bring wine and food.”

“Today, I shall celebrate!”