Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 615 Court Meeting! Storm!
Gu Panjun knew this was the right thing to do.

Once the emperor's decree was sent to the government office, it was not usually issued immediately.

Especially matters concerning national policies and guidelines.

For example, the emperor said he wanted to implement compulsory education, but how exactly would he implement it?
This requires a very detailed implementation plan.

It's not something that can be resolved with just a few words.

Otherwise, the officials at all levels who receive the imperial edict will run into chaos.

For example, citing local financial difficulties and lack of funds as reasons for ignoring the issue.

Or they might just go through the motions, recruiting a few students to get by, but in reality, they don't actually implement anything.

Even if they are asked by their superiors, they can answer, "What am I supposed to do if I don't have money?"
Alternatively, under the pretext of providing compulsory education, an additional education tax could be levied on the public.

In reality, they were using the opportunity to extort and plunder, amassing wealth on a massive scale.

Such examples are numerous.

Especially with an imperial edict as a shield, chaos would ensue, and they would be capable of anything.

There's nothing that lower-level bureaucratic agencies can't do, only things you can't imagine.

Therefore, before issuing imperial edicts, especially those concerning national policies, it is essential to refine the details and have a specific implementation plan in order to constrain officials at all levels and better manage the administration.

However, the situation is different today.

Gu Panjun said, "Send it out immediately, without delaying for even a minute."

"When issuing the document, you can specify that this is the outline."

"The imperial court will issue specific implementation guidelines later."

"In addition, all levels of government should convey His Majesty's decree and post notices so that every citizen of the Ming Dynasty knows what His Majesty said in his prayers to the sage."

She paused, then continued, "Not only the Political Affairs Department should issue them, but the Military Affairs Department should also issue them."

"We must make sure that all the soldiers in the army know that this is His Majesty's decree."

"In addition, the Da Ming Daily will publish the full text of the prayer on the front page and publicize it extensively."

"In particular, His Majesty's decree to establish new learning should be deeply rooted in people's hearts."

Yang Shiqi was slightly taken aback.

Although it was only right to convey the emperor's prayers for the holy sacrifice.

But is there really a need to rush this?

Could something have happened?
However, he has always been cautious in his actions, especially after becoming a minister of state.

I would never say an extra word.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

He immediately sent a messenger to instruct the people in the telegraph room to quickly send the prayer to the various levels of government.

At this moment, Lan Yu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, according to the laws of this dynasty, the women of the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics."

"Although the Empress is of the highest rank, she only manages the affairs of the inner palace and the outer court. She is not allowed to hear a word from her, let alone speak out."

"Moreover, Her Majesty had previously issued an imperial edict confining the Empress to Kunning Palace."

"Today, Her Majesty the Empress openly defied the imperial decree and left Kunning Palace without permission, which is a serious crime."

"It is even more inappropriate for someone to come to this Hall of Duty and interfere in the affairs of the court and the military."

"Your Majesty, may I ask what has happened and why you have come here to interfere in state affairs?"

His barrage of questions immediately silenced the questioner.

His words were aggressive, and he was extremely dissatisfied with the Empress's open interference in politics.

After asking the question, he continued, "I just received a message from the garrison saying that His Majesty sent an urgent telegram from Qufu, ordering them to immediately lead the entire army to the Confucian Temple in Qufu."

"In my humble opinion, His Majesty has already set the rules."

"Any troop movement must go through the Military Affairs Department."

"Besides, telegrams are easy to use these days. What's wrong with sending a telegram to the Military Affairs Department and having them relay the order to mobilize troops?"

Why bypass the military affairs office to deploy troops?

"Furthermore, His Majesty was in Qufu, Shandong, offering sacrifices to the sage. Why would he suddenly need to mobilize troops there?"

"This is quite illogical."

"Your Majesty, I fear there may be a trap involved."

"Or someone may be falsely conveying an imperial edict."

"After all, it's just a telegram, and it's difficult to verify whether it's His Majesty's decree."

"Your Majesty, do you know what happened?"

Gu Panjun glanced at the aggressive Lan Yu, then slowly swept her gaze over all the ministers of state and military affairs present before speaking:

"That's right, I did indeed disobey the imperial decree and come out today."

"Because the emperor was in Qufu, Shandong, where he encountered a rebellion by traitors and was already in a dangerous situation."

"Currently, there is no one in the court to oversee the country."

"As the Empress, I have no choice but to step forward and take charge of the overall situation."

Upon hearing this, the ministers of state and military affairs below were all stunned into silence.

Gu Panjun stood up from her seat with a flick of her wrist, staring at Lan Yu and said, "You just asked whether someone was forging an imperial decree to transfer troops by bypassing the Military Affairs Department?"

"I can answer you now. It was Consort Xu Miaojin, who accompanied the emperor, who issued the decree to mobilize troops in His Majesty's name."

These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Lan Yu stunned and frozen in place.

When the army below reported that they had suddenly received an order to mobilize troops, the ministers of military affairs found it strange.

But no one thought of it as a rebellion.

They never imagined that anyone would dare to plot against His Majesty.

After all, we live in a time of peace and prosperity.

The Ming Dynasty was flourishing, the court was stable, and the country was peaceful and prosperous.

At this point, if someone were to say that there were one or two traitors plotting to assassinate His Majesty, they might still believe it.

The Ming Dynasty is so vast that there will always be some treacherous rebels who are not afraid of death.

No matter how well the country is governed, it is impossible to satisfy everyone.

For example, the bandits who were wiped out, and the remnants of the White Lotus Sect who were suppressed and forced to disappear, would only grow to hate the Ming emperor more and more as they saw the Ming Dynasty becoming more and more prosperous.

It's possible that some desperate individuals might take the risk of assassination.

However, if it were said that a rebellion had broken out and reached the point where troops needed to be sent to suppress it, neither the Minister of State Affairs nor the Minister of Military Affairs would really believe it.

First, for the common people to rebel, they need to win over a large number of people.

It's impossible for just one or two people to rebel.

But now the Ming Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, and the people are living in peace and contentment. Who would listen to others' lies and rebel?
Is it good to live well?
Rebellion is something people do only when they are desperate to survive, and they take the risk of doing so.

Clearly, the Ming Dynasty at present does not have such a foundation.

Secondly, it's impossible for officials or generals to rebel.

Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, Your Majesty has swept across the world and governed the country with ever-increasing strength. Your Majesty's prestige is at its zenith.

In the eyes of many officials and generals, His Majesty was a true deity, the undisputed Son of Heaven. His imperial authority remained undiminished, and anyone who attempted to challenge imperial power would face certain death.

Therefore, they are not worried about such a thing happening.

Even if they suddenly receive a transfer order from the troops below, they are only suspicious.

Some people believe that His Majesty may have discovered another corrupt official and is about to send troops to raid his home.

But now that these words came from the Empress's mouth, they had no choice but to believe them.

Gu Panjun continued, "The reason why Consort Xu did not send a telegram to the Political Affairs Department and the Military Affairs Department was that she was afraid that there were too many people in the Political Affairs Department and the Military Affairs Department, and if such news were suddenly spread, it would cause a shock in the court and the public, and make the world uneasy."

"Or perhaps someone is colluding with traitors, leaking information, and delaying the rescue of the emperor."

"That's why I sent a telegram to you first."

"The reason I am here at the Hall of Diligent Governance is precisely for this purpose."

Yang Shiqi asked anxiously, "Your Majesty is protected by the Tian Shu Division. Although there are not many of them, they are all armed with muskets. In addition, the Shandong government will also send people to protect Your Majesty's safety."

"Who on earth would dare to commit such a treacherous act?"

Where is Your Majesty right now?

"How did you end up in such a dangerous situation? Please enlighten us, Your Majesty."

All the ministers of state and military affairs looked over at the same time.

Clearly, this is what everyone is thinking.

Gu Panjun said, "His Majesty is currently in the Confucian Temple in Qufu."

She then quickly recounted how Wang Shoulian and others had staged a military coup, forcing His Majesty to abolish the new schools.

However, there was no mention of any involvement from members of the royal family.

"That traitor Wang Shoulian, as the Shandong Provincial Inspector, dares to commit such a heinous act!" Lan Yu roared like thunder, shouting, "Then what are we waiting for? Immediately send a telegram to mobilize troops and wipe out all of Wang Shoulian and his traitorous foes!"

"Consort Xu has already dispatched several armies," Gu Panjun said. "These troops are more than enough to wipe out ten Wang Shoulians."

"But the most important thing right now is that His Majesty is still in the Confucian Temple."

"For His Majesty's safety, we are forced to hesitate and act rashly."

Minister of State Affairs Wang Zuo sighed and said, "I have long advised Your Majesty not to make a northern tour at will. Even if you must make a northern tour, you should mobilize a large number of troops to protect you."

"Turning the pages of history, it is clear that when emperors went on inspection tours, they invariably mobilized large armies to accompany them."

"This is the only way to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"After all, the emperor's life is tied to the fate of the nation, and there can be no mistakes."

"But His Majesty will not listen."

"A Tian Shu Division was established because with firearms, there would be no need for a large number of guards."

"Now look what's happened, we're in danger."

"If His Majesty had more men with him, the guards in the Confucian Temple would never be outsiders."

"Why let that traitor Wang Shoulian find an opportunity to strike?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another minister, Zhan Hui, immediately said, "What's the use of saying all this now? The most important thing right now is to quickly come up with a way to rescue His Majesty."

Minister of State Affairs Wang Zuo then asked, "Your Majesty is being held captive in the Confucian Temple by Wang Shoulian. Where did that prayer that could be transmitted by telegram to proclaim to the world come from?"

“The prayer was written a few days ago. Consort Xu has read it and still has the manuscript in her hand,” Gu Panjun explained. “After learning that His Majesty was trapped in the Confucian Temple and encountered a military coup, and that the rebels wanted to force His Majesty to abolish the new schools, Consort Xu made a decisive decision and sent out the prayer first.”

"His Majesty has already read this prayer in the Temple of Literature, in front of the sage's memorial tablet."

"By announcing this to the world, we can declare that Wang Shoulian and his associates' conspiracy will never succeed."

Wang Zuo, however, cupped his hands and said, "In my opinion, this is inappropriate."

"His Majesty is currently trapped inside the Confucian Temple. Announcing such a prayer to the world at this time will undoubtedly greatly provoke the traitors like Wang Shoulian."

"If His Majesty were to suffer any mishap as a result, it would be too late for regrets."

"I believe that the prayer that is proclaimed to the world should be temporarily withheld and not issued."

After saying that, he turned to the guards outside and instructed them, "Go to the government office immediately. According to the tradition of the military office, His Majesty's prayer should not be telegraphed to the lower levels yet."

A glint of light flashed in Gu Panjun's eyes as she angrily said, "Wang Zuo, are you going to submit to the traitor Wang Shoulian?"

Wang Zuo cupped his hands and said without backing down, "Your Majesty, I am only thinking of His Majesty's safety."

"Your Majesty's safety is of paramount importance."

"The debate over new and old learning can be put aside for now."

"Ensuring His Majesty's safe return is of utmost importance."

"Given the current situation, the court cannot act rashly and disregard His Majesty's safety."

He looked around and said, "Furthermore, if His Majesty agrees to Wang Shoulian's request, then this prayer will have already been announced to the world, which will put the court in a dilemma, cause His Majesty to lose face, and cause his prestige to plummet. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully."

Gu Panjun coldly said, "Wouldn't His Majesty lose face and his prestige plummet if he were forced to issue an imperial edict and submit to the traitor?"

“That’s different!” Wang Zuo argued confidently. “As long as His Majesty returns safely, then killing Wang Shoulian will only require an imperial edict.”

"Killing these traitors will naturally preserve His Majesty's face and prestige."

No outsider can say that His Majesty and the court were forced to abolish the new schools.

Gu Panjun countered, "If the decree is issued, it will be impossible to promote new schools in the future. Do you mean to exchange the abolition of new schools for His Majesty's safety?"

Wang Zuo said, "In my opinion, this is not impossible."

"No matter how important the debate between the new and old schools of thought may be, it is not as important as His Majesty's safety."

"Your Majesty, aren't you worried about His Majesty's safety?"

"Are you going to disregard His Majesty's safety?"

A heavy accusation was leveled at Gu Panjun, but he remained unmoved and said, "Although Wang Shoulian was the initiator of the military remonstrance, he was only a civil official, and those soldiers were not his own men."

"I'm afraid that if a mutiny breaks out, Wang Shoulian himself will find it difficult to control the situation."

"At this point, what use would it be if the imperial court agreed to his request?"

Wang Zuo immediately replied, "Your Majesty's words make sense."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty's failure to specify who would oversee the country when you left the capital was a major oversight."

"Now that His Majesty is in danger, the court cannot be left without someone to take charge."

"The Supreme Emperor has left the Western Expeditionary Army's camp again, and we cannot contact him by telegram in an emergency."

"The best course of action now is to find someone from among the Ming Dynasty's imperial relatives to oversee the country."

"Only in this way can people's hearts be at peace."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell completely silent.

At this point, Wang Zuo suggested finding someone from the imperial clan to oversee the country, implying that if anything were to happen to His Majesty, that person would inherit the throne.

But what he said happened to be the right thing to do.

With the emperor trapped, the court certainly needed someone to take charge.

But everyone knows that His Majesty has no son yet.

Adult members of the royal family were all sent overseas.

Who was the person Wang Zuo was referring to?
……

(End of this chapter)