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In the late spring of the sixth year of the Longqing reign, a time when plants should have sprouted and life should have been vibrant, an invisible sense of oppression quietly enveloped the Forbidden City.

At the young age of thirty-six, Emperor Zhu Zaiji, after a period of indulgence in sensual pleasures, finally swayed violently like a candle flickering in the wind.

Late that night, the moon was hidden and the stars were few.

The Qianqing Palace was brightly lit, yet it exuded a chilling sense of unease.

The palace maids who were originally supposed to serve the emperor had already been dismissed. Only a few close eunuchs, such as Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Meng Chong, the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Secretariat, as well as the Empress, Crown Prince Zhu Yijun, and several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet (Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, etc.) who rushed to the scene, knelt before the dragon bed.

The imperial physicians were pale, their foreheads covered in cold sweat. They took turns taking each other's pulses, exchanging desperate glances.

On the dragon bed, Emperor Longqing's face was ashen, his eyes were closed, and his breath was barely a whisper. He occasionally let out a few unconscious groans, and there was even a trace of white foam left at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Feng Bao knelt by the bedside, his voice trembling with sobs, yet he dared not raise his voice, only calling out softly.

Empress Li held the young and bewildered crown prince tightly, tears streaming silently down her face, her body trembling slightly with fear.

Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng lay prostrate on the ground. Although their expressions were not visible, their taut backs and slightly trembling official robes betrayed the turmoil in their hearts.

Suddenly, a loud gurgling sound came from the Longqing Emperor's throat, as if something was blocking his breathing.

He suddenly opened his eyes wide, but his pupils were already unfocused and lifeless. He stared blankly at the pattern of a dragon spitting pearls on the ceiling. His arm unconsciously rose, as if trying to grab something, but in the end it fell limply to the ground.

"Your Majesty—!" Feng Bao let out a shrill scream, rushed to the bedside, checked his breathing, and then collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears.

"His Majesty... has passed away!" Meng Chong announced this earth-shattering news to the people inside and outside the palace with a sob in his voice.

In an instant, the Qianqing Palace was filled with weeping.

The Empress and the Crown Prince were devastated, and the palace maids knelt down and wailed.

Gao Gong suddenly raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed heavily to the ground, shouting, "We deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

Zhang Juzheng also prostrated himself on the ground and wept bitterly, his shoulders shaking, but in the instant he looked up, his eyes met Feng Bao's for a fleeting and complex moment.

……

The emperor died suddenly, and the country could not be without a ruler for even a day.

According to ancestral rules, the ten-year-old Crown Prince Zhu Yijun should ascend the throne before the coffin.

However, in the power vacuum of the transition between the old and the new, the most crucial thing was that imperial edict.

The Longqing Emperor passed away suddenly, without leaving a single word.

Who would draft the will and what its contents would be became the focus of contention among various factions.

Grand Secretary Gao Gong, without hesitation, took on the role of regent and, suppressing his grief, immediately summoned the cabinet ministers to a side hall of the Qianqing Palace to take the lead in drafting the imperial edict.

He was filled with grief and indignation, and spoke vehemently, accusing the emperor of dying from excessive indulgence due to the guidance of "favored officials around him." His intention was to purge the inner court, especially the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial who had a long-standing feud with him.

However, he underestimated the political alliance that Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng had already formed.

While Gao Gong was busy crafting his words and trying to imprint his political mark on the will, Feng Bao, with his position as the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial and his absolute control over the inner court, had already taken action in secret.

He secretly consulted with Zhang Juzheng and quickly drafted a will in the voice of the Longqing Emperor, conforming to etiquette and seemingly proper, but in fact containing hidden secrets.

The most crucial point was that, under the pretext that "the Crown Prince is young and needs capable assistance," the cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were strengthened to "assist each other wholeheartedly." This laid the groundwork for Zhang Juzheng's later alliance with Feng Bao to sideline Gao Gong and seize absolute power.

When Gao Gong saw the almost finalized edict, he was furious, but given the national mourning, the young age of the crown prince, and the delicate internal and external situation, he had no choice but to temporarily restrain himself and countersign the edict.

However, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao was filled with icy killing intent.

At dawn, the heavy tolling of the Jingyang Bell rang out from the Forbidden City, its sound resounding endlessly, striking the hearts of the people in the capital region and throughout the entire empire.

The bell tolled 108 times, announcing the national mourning for the emperor's passing.

Soon, the white mourning clothes, like a white wave, quickly submerged the splendor of the Forbidden City and then spread to the entire city of Beijing.

All officials and their wives, in accordance with custom, wept as they arrived, removed their hats and tassels, wore mourning clothes, closed markets, and stopped entertainment, plunging the entire country into a state of grief and solemnity.

Six hundred cavalrymen, carrying obituaries and wills, sped off like arrows to every corner of the empire.

Wherever the news reached, regardless of whether it was sincere or not, officials at all levels, garrisons, gentry, and common people were required to set up incense tables, kneel to receive the imperial edict of mourning, and observe mourning rites.

When this devastating news reached the Nanjing Yingtian Governor's Office at top speed, Su Ning was reviewing the preliminary plan for the land survey.

The messenger brought not only news of the emperor's death, but also a copy of the imperial edict that hinted at underlying tensions, as well as secret reports from spies in the capital about the power struggles between Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Feng Bao, both in public and in private.

Zhou Zhengjie's face was pale, and his voice was hoarse: "Anbang, the sky has fallen! His Majesty is in the prime of his life, how could he suddenly... This will surely cause a major change in the political situation!"

Su Ning put down the secret report in his hand, slowly stood up, walked to the window, looked at the northern sky, and remained silent for a long time.

He didn't show much surprise on his face. He had long anticipated the historical trajectory of the Longqing Emperor's indulgence in sensual pleasures, but he didn't expect this moment to come so quickly and so suddenly.

“The old era has ended.” Su Ning’s voice was low and calm, revealing neither joy nor sorrow. “A ten-year-old young emperor, a young emperor and a suspicious country… Gao Gong was stubborn, Zhang Juzheng was patient, and Feng Bao was cunning… These three are bound to have a fierce battle.”

He turned around, his eyes gleaming with calculation: "For us, this is both a crisis and an opportunity. If Zhang Juzheng wins, our reforms may be able to take advantage of his momentum to go further; if Gao Gong gains power, I'm afraid that you and I, as well as this new policy in Jiangnan, will all face annihilation."

He took a deep breath and ordered Zhou Zhengjie: "Immediately set up a mourning hall with the highest honors. I will personally lead all civil and military officials in Nanjing to mourn and pay our respects. At the same time, all new policies should be temporarily suspended, and we should wait and see. In addition, we should use all our connections in the capital to closely monitor the court's movements, especially the actions of Zhang and Gao, and report back immediately!"

The sudden death of the Longqing Emperor was like a bolt from the blue, tearing apart the seemingly peaceful political landscape. One era abruptly ended, while another era, brimming with uncertainty, was slowly unfolding, accompanied by the cries of a young emperor and the ambitions of powerful ministers.

Meanwhile, Suning, far away in the south of the Yangtze River, was on high alert like a keen hunter, preparing to find the right course for himself and his grand ambitions at this turning point in history.

……

The funeral of the Longqing Emperor was extremely grand, with the enormous coffin being slowly lowered into the Zhaoling Mausoleum amidst a shower of paper money and mournful cries.

As the yellow earth buried the emperor who had reigned for only six years, the Ming Dynasty officially entered the "Wanli" era, and real power fell into the hands of Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng.

With the authority of the emperor's tutor and the weight of his appointment, he joined forces with Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, to swiftly eliminate his political rival Gao Gong, thus beginning his decade-long reign as a powerful minister with absolute authority.

A new dynasty has just been established, and everything is waiting to be renewed.

One imperial edict after another was issued from the Forbidden City, one of which summoned Su Ning, the governor of Yingtian, to the capital to report on his duties.

This move was not only a routine inspection of this high-ranking official, but also a close examination and confrontation by Zhang Juzheng of this potential ally and "troublemaker".

The capital city remained solemn, but the air was filled with an atmosphere different from that of the Longqing era—a more rigorous, even slightly oppressive, sense of order.

Su Ning arrived in the capital after a long journey and, in accordance with regulations, paid an audience with the ten-year-old Emperor Zhu Yijun, and reported on the affairs of Jiangnan.

After many years apart, the young emperor had long since become estranged from Suning.

Suning didn't aspire to become a close advisor to Emperor Wanli, as it already possessed its own administrative methods and development plans.

He was then led to a side hall of the Wenhua Hall, which was his true destination in the capital.

Inside the hall, Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a scarlet official robe with a crane emblem, exuding an imposing aura.

Compared to a few years ago, the resolute look between his brows was more pronounced, and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. Clearly, holding great power had given him unprecedented confidence and authority.

"Governor Su, you must be tired from your journey." Zhang Juzheng's voice was steady, revealing no emotion, and he gestured for Su Ning to sit down.

"Serving the country, I dare not complain of hardship." Su Ning bowed and sat down calmly.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Juzheng dismissed his attendants, leaving only himself and Su Ning in the hall.

He stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point:
“Anbang, that memorial you submitted some time ago,” Zhang Juzheng said, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Su Ning, “'Equalizing the poll tax and land tax' and 'Gentlemen and gentry serving the same duties and paying taxes' were truly groundbreaking and shook the court and the public!”

Su Ning's expression remained unchanged: "I am merely stating the facts, believing that this is the fundamental way to alleviate the country's difficulties and equalize taxes and corvée labor."

“Fundamental?” Zhang Juzheng shook his head slightly, a complex smile appearing on his lips, tinged with admiration but mostly with a sense of helplessness in the face of reality. “Anbang, I deeply admire your talent and courage. But neither of us are scholars discussing politics; we should know the difficulty of governing a country. Do you know that your memorial almost made you the public enemy of all the gentry? If it weren’t for the special circumstances at the time, you probably wouldn’t have been able to save your head.”

He leaned forward slightly, his tone resolute and unwavering: "This is absolutely impossible. I cannot do it, nor can any of the civil and military officials in the entire court. Even if the founding emperor were alive, he might not have been able to do it! It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I simply cannot. This would be tantamount to shaking the very foundation of the nation, making an enemy of all the scholars, nobles, and members of the imperial family. The Ming Dynasty would be in imminent danger of collapse!"

Suning remained silent for a moment; he had already anticipated this outcome.

Zhang Juzheng was not only a reformer but also a pragmatic politician. He would not do something that was destined to fail and would backfire on him.

"So, the Grand Secretary summoned me here because he hopes that I will..." Su Ning asked tentatively.

"The Single Whip Law," Zhang Juzheng said, emphasizing each word. "I need you in Yingtian to give me your strongest support as I fully implement the Single Whip Law. Make Southern Zhili a model for the whole country, proving that this law benefits the country and its people! As long as we work together to establish and promote this law, it will be a tremendous achievement for the court and His Majesty!"

Su Ning knew that this was Zhang Juzheng's bottom line, and also the only feasible path at present.

If he wanted to maintain his position in officialdom and use Zhang Juzheng's power to promote some of his ideas, he had to compromise.

"Your Excellency's good intentions are understood," Su Ning said, pausing for a moment before looking up earnestly. "Supporting the 'Single Whip Law' is my duty. I will do my utmost to make the Jiangnan region a model for the new policies. However..."

"Just what?" Zhang Juzheng raised an eyebrow.

"Prime Minister, the reform of taxes and corvée labor is related to the foundation of agriculture. However, nowadays, the proportion of commercial taxes in the national treasury is increasing day by day. The 'Single Whip Law' also requires the collection of silver, and the circulation of silver depends on commerce." Su Ning spoke eloquently, "However, merchants in the world are of varying quality, and there are many who cheat the market, evade taxes, and sell inferior goods. If commerce is disorderly, the silver supply will be unstable, which will be harmful to the new policies."

Zhang Juzheng seemed thoughtful: "What do you mean?"

"Your humble servant humbly requests the establishment of the 'Great Ming Chamber of Commerce'!" Su Ning finally revealed his true purpose. "This Chamber of Commerce is no ordinary merchant guild; it is a semi-official, semi-commercial organization recognized by the imperial court. It will oversee all industrial and commercial management in the realm. All traveling merchants and established traders must apply for a 'business license' from the Chamber of Commerce to operate legally. The Chamber of Commerce will be responsible for assessing commercial taxes, regulating market prices, mediating disputes, and eliminating unscrupulous merchants. In this way, commerce will be orderly, tax revenue will be clear, and a stable financial guarantee will be provided for the 'Single Whip Law'!"

As Zhang Juzheng listened to Su Ning's account, his fingers tapped lightly on the table.

He was skilled in political maneuvering and adept at financial administration, but he did not fully grasp the profound strategic significance of this forward-thinking idea of ​​organizing and officializing business management.

In his view, this was perhaps just an opportunity for Suning to legitimize and expand its existing commercial influence in Jiangnan. At most, it was just a means to strengthen the collection and management of commercial taxes, which was a matter of "tactics" and not on the same level as the "Single Whip Law" that he promoted, which was related to the foundation of the country.

Moreover, establishing a chamber of commerce is much more reassuring than Suning's outrageous ideas like "equalizing land tax and labor service" and "gentry paying taxes together."

After a brief deliberation, Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, “Commerce is complicated and indeed needs to be rectified. Since you have this intention, I will grant your request. The ‘Great Ming Chamber of Commerce’ can be established, and you will take charge of its affairs. But remember, the most important thing at present is still the ‘Single Whip Law’! The affairs of the Chamber of Commerce should not be put in the wrong order, and you should not use it to disturb the people or increase the burden on merchants.”

"Your humble servant obeys! I will certainly not fail the trust placed in me by the Grand Secretary!" Su Ning felt a weight lifted from his heart and bowed solemnly.

A deal that would profoundly impact the future economic landscape of the Ming Dynasty was reached in a few words in a side hall of the Wenhua Hall.

Zhang Juzheng received the strong support he needed to implement core political reforms in Jiangnan; while Su Ning got the "imperial sword" to legally rule the business world.

He knew that this seemingly insignificant "Ming Dynasty Chamber of Commerce," once in operation, would wield power far exceeding any single administrative order.

A new, invisible empire, with commerce and finance as its core, has finally obtained its legitimate birth certificate.

...(End of chapter)