I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 219 Reinstatement After Being Seized from Wife's Restoration! Young Wanli: The Entire Court of Officials is No Match for the Grand Secretary.
The tenth day of August.

The cabinet was shut down, and all officials of the Ministry of Revenue were confined to their offices and kept at home for the second day.

The Office of Transmission received a constant stream of memorials.

Officials pleaded for the three Grand Secretaries and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, but the young Wanli Emperor rejected all the memorials, taking a very firm stance.

The Ministry of Revenue was the central authority for land surveying across the country, as well as the purse strings of the Ming Dynasty, responsible for tax collection and allocation, distributing salaries to officials, stipends to the imperial family, and wages to border troops.

It is running every moment.

Even the slightest stagnation will lead to a backlog of official business, affecting the national economy and people's livelihood.

However, neither the young Wanli Emperor nor Yin Zhengmao bowed their heads.

In addition, two other cabinet ministers were also dismissed, and all the memorials submitted by local authorities were sent to the Drafting Office and the Wenhua Hall.

Most of the memorials submitted by local officials concerned matters related to land surveying across the country.

However, with all officials of the Ministry of Revenue confined to their homes, many matters could not be coordinated, keeping the officials in charge of drafting bills extremely busy.

The officials in the other five departments were also completely disoriented and had lost their usual rhythm.

Wang Guoguang, the Minister of Personnel, Yan Qing, the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Li Youzi, the Minister of Works, and Chen Kai, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, all rushed to the Wenhua Hall to pay their respects after their memorials were kept in the capital. However, the young Wanli Emperor refused to see them.

This power struggle between the emperor and his ministers has caused great panic among the officials, but none of them have the ability to resolve this crisis.

Many officials immediately thought of Shen Nian.

However, rumors spread that Shen Nian firmly sided with Yin Zhengmao, and that it was Shen Nian's idea to order a strike at the Ministry of Revenue, which was the last person Emperor Wanli wanted to see.

……

August 11th.

Just when all the officials in the capital were in a state of panic.

Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue jointly submitted a memorial to the Court of State Affairs.

The memorials submitted by the two men differed from those of the other officials.

Instead of requesting the reinstatement of the three cabinet ministers and the lifting of the ban on officials of the Ministry of Revenue, they vehemently impeached cabinet ministers Lü Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang.

The two wrote in their memorial:

"Looking at the current state of government, the emperor is uneasy because cabinet ministers Lü Tiaoyang and Ma Ziqiang are of mediocre talent and are not up to the task of being pillars of the government, thus the cabinet has gradually become a mere formality."

“Although Grand Secretary Lü Tiaoyang is diligent day and night, his vision is narrow and his judgment is slow. He is also confused and his heart is in the countryside rather than in the imperial court.”

"Although Minister Ma Ziqiang is very diligent and conscientious, his spirit has declined early and his wisdom and strategy have been exhausted. In addition, he is suffering from a serious illness, which has depleted his physical and mental strength. Although he is struggling to stay in the imperial court, it is really difficult for him to plan and think about the world."

"The two of them standing side by side are like a tripod with a broken leg. This is the main reason for the gradual decline of the cabinet, the stagnation of documents and reports, and the rise of numerous criticisms. The recent matter of the silver in the imperial treasury is also a mistake of the cabinet!"

"For the sake of the new policies, for the peace of the borders, for the benefit of the people, and for the stability of the Ming Dynasty, I earnestly request Your Majesty to reinstate Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng despite his illness, so as to bring peace to the court!"

……

Because the two men's memorials differed from those of the other officials and were quite explosive in content, they spread throughout the various government offices in the capital in less than half a day.

Almost all the officials agreed with the two men's impeachment of Lü Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang.

After Zhang Juzheng returned to his hometown to observe the mourning period, Lü Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang were too conservative in their governance and far inferior to Zhang Juzheng.

This is common knowledge, both in and out of government.

this time.

When a dispute arose between the young Wanli Emperor and the Ministry of Revenue, the two officials had to immediately mediate the conflict between the emperor and his minister, but they were completely unable to control the overall situation.

After Emperor Wanli issued an imperial edict ordering the two men to persuade Yin Zhengmao and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue within a day, the two men not only failed to do so, but also caused a major strike in the Ministry of Revenue, which further exacerbated the conflict.

Food is the original sin.

Although Lü Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang were exemplary in their diligence and integrity in the court, the most important thing for a cabinet minister is the ability to govern.

Many officials in the six ministries were dissatisfied with the two men.

In contrast, Yin Zhengmao's actions this time did not raise any concerns among the officials.

As the Minister of Revenue, Yin Zhengmao was responsible for guarding the Imperial Granary.

He did not threaten to resign, did not jump into the Jinshui River, and did not sharpen his knife in the middle of the night to scare Feng Bao, who had taken away 270,000 taels of silver. He was already very restrained.

He fulfilled his duties as Minister of Revenue.

this moment.

Many officials have realized that the recent problems in the court are actually caused by the lack of ability and energy of Lü Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang.

It seems that the only way to completely resolve this kind of problem is to invite Zhang Juzheng back to the capital.

Zhang Juzheng left Beijing on the tenth day of the tenth lunar month last year to observe mourning for his parents, and ten months have passed since then.

During these ten months, neither the stability of the court nor the implementation of policies such as performance evaluation, post station regulations, and land surveys were as good as when Zhang Juzheng was in power.

soon.

An official then submitted a memorial, seconding a proposal to the young Wanli Emperor to reinstate Zhang Juzheng despite his mourning period.

Of course, some opponents still insist that delaying mourning is a great act of filial impiety, and that a subject must observe mourning for twenty-seven months, not a day, an hour, or a quarter of an hour less.

……

August 12th, near noon.

Front hall of the Office of Transmission.

Many officials gathered together to submit their memorials.

"Filial piety is the crown of all virtues and the beginning of all good deeds. Our dynasty governs the world with filial piety. The twenty-seven-month mourning period was established by Emperor Taizu. As a high-ranking official, Zhang Gong should set an example and must not use his merits to violate the rites!" A clerk from the Ministry of Rites, who was about fifty years old, shook his head and said in a drawn-out voice.

His speech was intended to teach a lesson to all the officials who supported Zhang Juzheng's return to the capital.

At this time.

A young censor rolled his eyes at him and said, "Master Liu, it's not that Grand Secretary Zhang wants to return to court, but that the court has no choice but to make him return! Besides Grand Secretary Zhang returning to court, who else can solve the problem of the comprador silver?"

Manager Liu straightened his chest.

"Within the capital, there are over a thousand civil and military officials. Are there no virtuous and capable people to entrust with important tasks? Does the Ming Dynasty collapse without Grand Secretary Zhang, and are all other officials just sitting idly in their positions? Your words are a mockery of the incompetence of the scholars and officials of the world!"

"Master Liu, don't pin the blame on me. I didn't mock the scholars and officials of the world. I was just mocking your empty talk and grandstanding!"

"If you can resolve the conflict between His Majesty and the Ministry of Revenue, and if you can bring the cabinet back on track and the six ministries in order, I... I will not only oppose Grand Secretary Zhang's return to court with all my might, but I will also... I will write a memorial recommending you to be exceptionally admitted to the cabinet!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Clerk Liu flicked his long sleeves and left the Office of Transmission.

Last October, there was a debate about whether Zhang Juzheng was in mourning for his parents or being heartless. Opponents relied on the established rites to criticize Zhang Juzheng for being power-hungry and argued that the court could function normally even without him.

If Zhang Juzheng is not brought back soon, the Ming Dynasty court will be in complete chaos.

In front of the Office of Transmission.

Several Imperial Guards stood on either side, listening intently to the discussions among the officials inside.

The purpose was twofold: firstly, to prevent officials in the hall from fighting over debates; and secondly, to report everything heard to the young Wanli Emperor.

At this point, it's not that Zhang Juzheng doesn't want to relinquish his power, but rather that the court urgently needs Zhang Juzheng to resolve the matter.

……

On the morning of August 13th, at the Huangji Gate, the regular court assembly was held.

All civil and military officials gathered together.

There were no three cabinet ministers, and no officials from the Ministry of Revenue.

The young Wanli Emperor sat on his throne, his face solemn, looking around.

The officials below all bowed their heads, some even burying their heads almost in their collars.

Their behavior was not due to fear of the young Wanli Emperor's power, but rather to a lack of effective strategies to resolve the chaos in the court.

After about ten breaths, the young Wanli Emperor slowly spoke. "I never imagined that the court would be in such a state over 270,000 taels of silver for the inner court's expenses. The Ministry of Revenue is on strike, the cabinet is incompetent, and there are even officials threatening to die for their remonstrances!"

"I have not yet assumed personal rule, and there are many things I am willing to discuss with you all, but... are you all willing to discuss with me? You strike, you die for me, you are all loyal and virtuous ministers, only I am a foolish ruler!"

"Many officials have no regard for the Emperor, the country, or the people; they only care about their own reputation. They find the slightest mistake in the Emperor and quickly escalate it to a major issue, using ancestral laws to reprimand the Emperor, demanding apologies and written edicts of self-reproach, using the Emperor's mistakes to glorify their own loyalty. Such officials are a scourge to the court and bring no benefit whatsoever to the Ming Dynasty!"

……

A quiet atmosphere prevailed beneath the Huangji Gate.

Anyone could tell that the young Wanli Emperor was criticizing a type of official, represented by Shi Yingyue, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.

Most officials also felt that the matter had escalated to an irreconcilable point, making it impossible for the young Wanli Emperor to step down, which was ultimately Shi Yingyue's fault for dying by crashing into the ancestral temple stele.

Emperor Wanli paused for a moment, then continued, "Through this matter, I have also discovered many problems, the most serious of which is the decline of the cabinet. Two of the three Grand Secretaries are no longer able to shoulder the responsibility of assisting in governance."

"I...I miss the Grand Chancellor! With the Grand Chancellor here, I wouldn't be bullied like this by some ministers; with the Grand Chancellor here, this matter would never have escalated to this point; with the Grand Chancellor here, the current new policies will certainly be implemented more orderly; with the Grand Chancellor here, I wouldn't be so exhausted..."

Emperor Wanli's eyes reddened as he continued, "I believe it is time for the Grand Secretary to return to court. I have decided to reinstate him despite his mourning period. Do any of you have any objections?"

At the Imperial Gate, all the officials remained silent.

The officials who had loudly proclaimed yesterday at the Office of Transmission that Zhang Juzheng must not be allowed to return to court despite the mourning period were now completely silent.

The young Wanli Emperor's words, "I miss my chief minister," immediately distanced Zhang Juzheng from the civil and military officials.

"Among all the civil and military officials, none are as good as the chief minister."

This was Wanli's current understanding, and the officials below could not refute it.

"Is there any objection?"

All the officials bowed in unison, a gesture that indicated they dared not object, but did not express their agreement.

The young Wanli Emperor stood up.

"I have issued an edict to revoke your leave and order you to return to court. You dare not disobey. However, once you return, there will surely be people who use this matter to attack and slander you. I will not allow it!"

"I cannot allow the Grand Secretary to return to court to govern while grieving the loss of his father, and at the same time be criticized for his reputation. I have decided that all civil and military officials shall sign my memorial requesting the Grand Secretary to return to court without mourning!"

"what?"

Some officials couldn't help but look up; in their eyes, the young Wanli Emperor was forcing them to defy etiquette.

“Your Majesty, I may refrain from objecting, but this matter is contrary to filial piety, and I absolutely cannot second it!” A censor stepped forward and said.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at him.

"For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Secretary is not afraid of damaging his reputation or being criticized by future generations. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, can't you make some sacrifices?"

"Your Majesty, I am afraid I cannot comply!" The censor bowed deeply, his voice clear and bright.

"Dismiss this man on the spot and give him forty strokes of the cane!" The young Wanli Emperor's face was gloomy. He continued, "Who else is in the same situation as him? Step forward."

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Immediately, five more officials stepped forward.

"Is there anything else?" Little Wanli asked, looking down.

After about ten breaths.

The young Wanli Emperor smiled faintly and said, "Dismiss these six men on the spot, give them forty strokes of the cane, and never employ them again. Take them out!"

Immediately, several Imperial Guards dragged the six people away.

The six people were stunned when they heard the words "never to be employed again".

Without these four words, even if they were dismissed, they might be reinstated, or even have officials plead for them, thus avoiding punishment.

Just like last year, Wu Zhongxing, Zhao Yongxian and others who opposed the decision to discontinue mourning were sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane and exiled to the far frontier, but in the end they were only given forty strokes.

However, once the phrase "never to be employed again" is attached, it means that they will never be reinstated throughout the entire Wanli Emperor's reign.

Their careers were completely cut off!
After the six men were dragged out, the young Wanli Emperor returned to his throne, and Feng Bao, who was not far away, called out loudly, "Court adjourned!"

now.

Shen Nian, Wang Xijue, and Shen Shixing all breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Juzheng's decision to return to court despite being sidelined with his parents is now a foregone conclusion.

……

That afternoon.

The Hanlin Academy then drafted Zhang Juzheng's memorial requesting his reinstatement despite his illness. After Emperor Wanli read and stamped it, officials all seconded and signed it.

Simultaneously.

The three Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were released from their posts and restored to their original positions. The 270,000 taels of silver that Feng Bao took from the Imperial Treasury were also temporarily sealed in the Inner Treasury.

The matter is temporarily frozen, and everything will be dealt with after Zhang Juzheng returns.

In addition, in order to ensure that Zhang Juzheng could return to the capital with peace of mind, Emperor Wanli specially ordered Wei Chao, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, to escort Zhang Juzheng's mother, Lady Zhao, a first-rank official, to the capital to live with him.

That night.

The memorial requesting the reinstatement after the illness was sent by express courier, traveling at an urgent rate of 800 li, towards Jiangling in Jingzhou.

……

Early the next morning.

Two teams, led by Shi Qing, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Wei Chao, a eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, set off almost simultaneously. One team was to pick up Zhang Juzheng, and the other team was to pick up Zhang Juzheng's mother, Zhao.

Shi Qing had already calculated the ratio of waterway to land route from Jiangling to the capital, a distance of over two thousand li, to ensure that Zhang Juzheng could arrive in the capital quickly and comfortably.

His mother, Zhao, being older, naturally prioritized comfort and would walk more slowly along the way.

……

soon.

News of Zhang Juzheng's impending reinstatement to the court spread to the streets and among the common people.

There are supporters and critics.

Anyone familiar with the national situation and new policies knows that the Ming Dynasty court cannot do without Zhang Juzheng, just as humans cannot do without sunlight, food, and water.

……

Another day, night fell.

Inside a private room of a teahouse next to the Sanguan Temple, east of Zhengyangmen.

Lu Diaoyang and Ma Ziqiang sat facing each other, leisurely sipping their tea.

When Zhang Juzheng reinstated him despite his illness, the two men were undoubtedly the happiest, because they were finally able to relieve themselves of their burdens.

Both of them were very self-aware.

Knowing that Zhang Juzheng was the only one capable of shouldering the responsibilities of the two capitals and thirteen provinces at that time, it is clear that he was the only one who could do so.

Lü Diaoyang began requesting to retire in the spring of the third year of the Wanli reign, his heart no longer in the court. Ma Ziqiang, on the other hand, suddenly suffered a deterioration in health this year, leaving him unable to do his job despite his good intentions.

Both men knew that once Zhang Juzheng returned to court, they would be able to retire.

Lu Diaoyang looked at Ma Ziqiang and said, "Old Ma, I'm not surprised that Wang Xijue impeached us, but Shen Shixing is at least half our student, and given his personality, it seems a bit dubious that he would impeach us like this..."

Seeing Ma Ziqiang's smiling face, Lü Diaoyang couldn't help but say, "You...you guessed it all?"

Ma Ziqiang stroked his beard lightly.

"His Majesty wrote a secret letter to Ziheng, and Yangshi also wrote a secret letter to Ziheng. After Ziheng returned to the capital, the matter immediately took a turn for the better. It was clearly Ziheng's plan!"

"Haha... This kid has guts and courage, making things easier for the two of us!" Lu Diaoyang said.

Ma Ziqiang nodded and said, "In the future, he will definitely be the one to support most of the Ming Dynasty. He might even create an unprecedented golden age. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that you and I will live to see it!"

(End of this chapter)