I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 326 As Shen Nian wished! Letting the older generation choose freely.
The barracks' front hall.

The young Wanli Emperor sat on the large chair above, while Shen Nian stood below.

Both of them kept their heads down, and neither seemed to intend to speak first.

About ten breaths later.

Shen Nian raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I understand your feelings, but if this matter is handled behind closed doors, it would be considered favoritism, and once the matter is exposed, the reputation of Jingwu Academy as a prestigious institution will be completely ruined!"

"But, what about my reputation...? What about the honor of the Jingwu Academy? I was planning to have the Jingwu Guards inspect the capital garrison at the end of the year to demonstrate the effectiveness of their training!"

Shen Nian could sense from the tone of Wanli’s voice that the latter knew he was in the wrong, but believed that this matter would damage his reputation and affect the progress of his personal rule.

He was eager to break free from the cage woven for him by Empress Dowager Li, Zhang Juzheng, and Feng Bao, and become an emperor who ruled the world with absolute power.

Therefore, they place great importance on their reputation.

Shen Nian slowed down.

"Your Majesty, the royal family's reputation is not earned through such means, but through achievements that earn the admiration of officials and the respect of the people. Furthermore, this matter is not necessarily a bad thing for the Jingwu Academy. This severe punishment will serve as a lesson for the students, preventing them from making even more serious mistakes..."

"Your Majesty, I know what you are worried about. You are worried about the impact on your imperial power and that you will not be able to control the court due to a lack of prestige after you assume personal rule! Your Majesty, please rest assured that after you assume personal rule, we will do our best to help you consolidate your imperial authority. Only when your power is stable can the Ming Dynasty be stable!"

"Some say that Grand Secretary Zhang's wielding of power has led to a situation where the ministers are strong and the emperor is weak. I disagree with this view. Grand Secretary Zhang's current power is entirely due to the fact that His Majesty is unable to rule personally. The Ming Dynasty needs him to have this power, otherwise the Ming Dynasty will surely fall into chaos!"

"In the future, after Your Majesty assumes personal rule, I will not become Grand Secretary Zhang, nor is it possible for me to become Grand Secretary Zhang, nor can any official become Grand Secretary Zhang. All matters concerning the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty require Your Majesty's decision and judgment. I only have the right to offer advice and suggestions... However, if Your Majesty does not act as a benevolent and virtuous ruler, I will become like Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty, Tang Jie of the Song Dynasty, and Bao Zheng, and will not hesitate to die to remonstrate with the emperor..."

Shen Nian could only say these words in this kind of situation.

If Shen Nianruo were to act in a way that circumvents imperial power after the emperor assumes personal rule, it would likely indicate a rebellious intent to overthrow the dynasty, which would be opposed by all the officials.

Upon hearing these words, the young Wanli Emperor's expression softened somewhat.

"Shen Qing, this...this is what you said. After I assume power, you must help me consolidate my imperial authority and ensure that all officials obey my orders. You...you are my man!"

"Your subject obeys!" Shen Nian bowed his head and clasped his hands.

Upon hearing this, he felt that the young Wanli Emperor still had the mind of a child, perhaps because he had not experienced enough setbacks.

The young Wanli Emperor stood up from his chair.

"Then I'll listen to you this time!" The young Wanli hesitated for a moment, then said, "However... however, I quite like Huang Hu and the others. These five made great contributions during the national land survey last year. Should we really kill them all?"

"We have no choice but to kill them!" Shen Nian said solemnly, continuing, "We'll provide some compensation to their families afterwards!"

“Alright!” Little Wanli looked at Shen Nian.

"Minister Shen, what I just said was all nonsense and said in anger. Please don't take it to heart."

"Your subject dares not!" Shen Nian bowed slightly.

The young Wanli Emperor walked up to Shen Nian and said, "Your reply shows you still have a problem with me. You should have said: Your Majesty should be careful with your words in the future and should never speak such nonsense again!"

When he said the second half of the sentence, the young Wanli deliberately prolonged his voice, imitating Zhang Juzheng's tone.

After saying that, he couldn't help but stroke his chin.

Shen Nian immediately smiled and repeated these words in the same tone she used when she spoke.

"Your Majesty should be more careful with your words in the future and must never speak such nonsense again!"

"That's more like it!" Little Wanli laughed happily.

After several years of getting along, the young Wanli Emperor and Shen Nian were not only emperor and subject, but also teacher and friend.

Immediately, the young Wanli Emperor sat back down in his chair and shouted towards the door, "Everyone except those who made mistakes, come in!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ping, a eunuch standing close to the door, quickly opened the door and welcomed Zhang Rong, Liang Menglong, Shi Qing, and the five instructors inside.

The young Wanli Emperor smiled as he looked at the crowd.

"I underestimated this matter. From now on, everything will be done according to Grand Secretary Shen's wishes. Also, please don't spread the words I said earlier that I was angry!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Everyone bowed in unison.

Zhang Rong and Liang Menglong were both somewhat bewildered.

They anticipated that Shen Nian might be able to persuade the young Wanli Emperor, but they did not expect that the emperor and his minister, who had just argued to the point of almost breaking up, would now have smiles on their faces.

Even Zhang Juzheng didn't seem to have this ability.

Immediately afterwards, the young Wanli Emperor returned to the palace, and Zhang Rong and Liang Menglong accompanied Shen Nian to handle the matter.

……

Near dusk.

News that five students from the Jingwu Academy had committed five crimes—gambling, alcoholism, prostitution, fighting, and fraud—spread throughout the various government offices in the capital.

Emperor Wanli demanded that Shen Nian, Zhang Rong, and Liang Menglong, the three deputy chief instructors of the Jingwu Academy, be dealt with severely.

The officials heard the news in less than half an hour.

Then they heard that, under the orders of Shen Nian, Zhang Rong, and Liang Menglong, the Imperial Guards had the five criminals beaten to death in front of all the students of the Jingwu Academy, and the five instructors who were responsible for training the five were also beaten fifty times.

The officials were quite shocked.

Unexpectedly, these pampered young people in the capital were also severely punished by the young Wanli Emperor with such fairness and impartiality.

Some of the military officers in the Beijing garrison were so surprised that they were speechless.

If such harsh military orders were followed, many generals would probably have been beaten to death long ago.

……

The next morning.

Shen Nian, Zhang Rong, and Liang Menglong, in their capacity as deputy chief instructors of the Jingwu Academy, submitted a memorial to the emperor regarding this matter, and each submitted a memorial admitting their guilt, acknowledging that their lax supervision had led to this egregious situation.

Emperor Wanli immediately decided to punish the three by deducting one month's salary from each of them.

Near noon.

Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, Wang Xijue, and Shen Shixing, the four Grand Secretaries, jointly submitted a memorial praising the young Wanli Emperor for his righteousness, public service, and clear distinction between rewards and punishments.

The four of them guessed that when Wanli Emperor only took Duke Zhang Rong of England to the Jingwu Academy, Wanli Emperor's initial idea was to cover up the matter, and that Shen Nian must have persuaded him.

The four judges only considered the outcome and chose to publicly announce the severe punishment for the young Wanli Emperor, which deserves their praise.

After the four Grand Secretaries submitted their memorials of praise, officials from other government offices naturally followed suit.

This made the young Wanli Emperor very happy.

……

That evening.

A group of Imperial Guards stormed into the gambling den that Huang Hu and his four companions had visited that day, and arrested the gambling den owner, who would most likely never be released in his lifetime. The gamblers were taken away by the Shuntian Prefecture yamen runners and soldiers from the Five Cities Garrison who arrived later.

At the same time, the Shuntian Prefecture yamen runners also raided the brothel in Fenzi Hutong.

This brothel is truly shady.

Taking advantage of the guest's drunkenness, they dared to charge two taels of silver for a pot of ordinary wine worth two hundred coins.

In the coming period, Shuntian Prefecture will crack down on all entertainment and leisure venues that engage in extortion.

If the gambling dens and brothels hadn't been so ruthless, Huang Hu and his four companions might never have committed such a serious crime.

...In the blink of an eye, it was winter, and the weather was getting colder and colder.

The fifth day of the eleventh lunar month is the winter solstice.

Emperor Wanli (the young emperor) ordered Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi to perform the grand sacrifice to Heaven at the Altar of Heaven on his behalf. After the ceremony, in accordance with custom, the five Grand Secretaries were generously rewarded.

……

On the sixth day of the eleventh month, at midnight.

The first winter snow arrived in the capital. At first, it was as fine as grains of salt, but soon it turned into a heavy, all-encompassing snowfall.

By the time it got dark, a thick layer of snow had accumulated on the ground.

Soon, all officials were granted an imperial decree to be exempt from court.

After learning that Shen Nian did not need to go to the yamen, Shen Yanche dressed neatly.

They called Shen Nian, Gu Yue'er, Shen's mother, Shen Nian's father Shen Yaoshan, his father-in-law Gu Dongxing, and Shen Zhiyi, who was a little over one year old, to the backyard, and then shouted that they should build a snowman.

So, on a cold morning with snowflakes still falling, the whole family built a snowman.

After lunch, Shen Nian leisurely made his way to the cabinet.

……

In the following days, everything in the imperial court remained the same.

The only thing that made Shen Nian feel different from the past was that the clerks, assistant clerks, and principal clerks in the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Revenue would always run into Shen Nian "unintentionally," and then they would have questions that Shen Nian needed to answer.

These people are still secretly vying to make Shen Nian the Minister of their government.

In her spare time, Shen Nian would chat with them for a few minutes.

However, if the other party asked Shen Nian whether he wanted to take charge of the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Works, Shen Nian would remain silent.

……

November 19th was the birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi, and all the officials sent their congratulatory messages.

The five Grand Secretaries led the officials in performing the kowtow ceremony to offer congratulations, and then received another generous reward.

……

November 25th.

Zhao Jin, Minister of Rites in Nanjing, reported to the court that the elimination of redundant officials and positions in Nanjing had been completed, as had the elimination of redundant officials and positions of the seventh rank and above in Southern Zhili.

This means that the elimination of redundant officials and positions in the entire Southern Zhili region will only involve some minor, piecemeal tasks, and there will be no major problems.

at the same time.

The reforms in the capital and the inner court were also coming to an end.

With five Grand Secretaries in charge in the capital, no one dared to oppose them. Feng Bao, the head of the inner court, was also quite diligent, eliminating many people with connections and useless positions.

This move made the officialdom in the capital healthier and more efficient.

……

November 26th, the weather was cold.

By the time the government offices closed normally, it was almost dark.

Shen Nian returned home and had just entered the front hall when she heard a crisp, clear sound.

"Go! If you want to leave, leave today. Nobody's stopping you!"

Upon hearing it, Shen Nian knew it was her mother's voice and quickly walked towards the back.

At this moment, Gu Yue'er, carrying Shen Zhiyi, came to greet them.

Upon seeing Shen Nian, Shen Yanche ran over to her, pointed to his mother's room, and said, "Daddy, Grandma... is making noise... making noise at Grandpa!"

"What were they arguing about?" Shen Nian asked, puzzled. He hadn't seen his mother and father argue in a long time.

Under normal circumstances, Mr. Shen would not dare to argue with Mrs. Shen.

Grandpa... he said... he said, Grandma won't let us go back to Qiantang!

"Let's talk inside, let's talk inside!" Gu Yue'er said in a low voice.

Soon, Shen Nian and her family of four arrived at their own bedroom.

Shen Nian pulled Shen Zhiyi into her arms and said, "Speak!"

"Half an hour ago, in the front hall, my father-in-law told my parents-in-law that life in the capital was too boring. There was nothing to do at home, and even when he went out, he was recognized. So he told them that he wanted to go back to Qiantang after the New Year to become a teacher. But my parents-in-law wouldn't allow it, saying that Qiantang was unsafe and would easily hold him back. In the capital, the family could be together. Then, the two of them started arguing..."

"To be a schoolteacher?" Shen Nian murmured, a distant memory involuntarily surfacing in her mind.

After failing the imperial examinations multiple times, his father, Shen Yaoshan, became a private school teacher. Later, in order to help Shen Nian pass the imperial examinations, he abandoned teaching and went into business to earn money to hire famous teachers to educate Shen Nian.

During the days when Shen Nian was studying hard, Shen Yaoshan said more than once: after Shen Nian passed the imperial examination, he would set up an academy in Qiantang, become a teacher, study the methods of the imperial examination, publish examination books, train famous teachers, and then enable more children in Qiantang to pass the imperial examination.

Becoming a teacher has always been his dream.

At this moment, Shen Nian couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Just three days ago, when Shen Yaoshan said he would teach Shen Yanche to read early next year, Shen Nian directly and decisively said, "I have already promised to hand Shen Yanche over to Elder Hai!"

Although Hai Rui was more outstanding than Shen Nian's father, Shen Nian did not consider Shen Yaoshan's feelings at all when she said this.

Furthermore, Shen Yaoshan and Gu Dongxing have been somewhat bored since returning to the capital recently.

Because of Shen Nianzhi's name and to avoid being assassinated, the two rarely went out.

Shen Nian looked at Gu Yue'er and said, "Has my father-in-law told you that he also wants to go back to Qiantang?"

“I already told you, my father said it a long time ago. He said that no matter whether my parents-in-law go back to Qiantang or not, he will go back after the New Year. He is planning to set up his mathematics society. He didn’t want me to tell you right away, so that you wouldn’t feel that I haven’t treated him well and neglected him!”

"Sigh! I have indeed neglected these two fathers!"

Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "I agree with my father and Lord Taishan returning to Qiantang. They have their own hobbies and lives. They are indeed unhappy staying in the mansion all day."

After saying that, Shen Nian nudged Gu Yue'er's shoulder with his arm and asked, "How's the matter I asked you to discuss? Your father-in-law isn't even sixty yet, are you really not planning to remarry?"

Gu Yue'er's mother died early, and Gu Dongxing never remarried.

"I...I'm embarrassed to say it, but my dad said he won't remarry, and he'll leave all his assets to his grandson and granddaughter!"

"We should renew it. I'll talk to him about it later," Shen Nian said with a smile.

"Also... also, do you think our mother wants to go back to Qiantang?" Shen Nian looked at Gu Yue'er.

"My in-laws... have been very busy since they came to the capital, and they haven't mentioned going back to Qiantang, have they?" Gu Yue'er asked with a puzzled look.

Shen Nian shook his head slightly.

“Our mother has her own hobbies. She loves flowers and trees, she loves giving alms, and she loves interacting with farmers in the countryside. She loves the weather and scenery of Jiangnan, but she gave all of these up to take care of our children!”

“I’ve been neglecting her feelings all along. She should live the life she wants, just like our two fathers, instead of living for us. Yan Che and Zhi Yi can go back to Qiantang. Later, you can talk to our mother and ask her what she thinks. I’ll be responsible for communicating with the two fathers! We should think about them too.”

"Okay!" Gu Yue'er nodded.

“I’m going too!” Shen Yanche said earnestly, having understood what Shen Nian meant.

(End of this chapter)