The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 307 Shocking Change
A day off.

Li Xianmu sat by the window, gazing into the distance. He saw withered branches scattered in the courtyard, and even a light layer of frost and snow. A chill swept in from outside the window, and the desolate winter was colorless and lifeless.

"Why doesn't my husband strive for the position of Imperial Tutor?"

More than one person asked Li Xianmu this question.

"I only obey His Majesty's orders and follow His Majesty's wishes." This was Li Xianmu's answer to everyone, consistent with his established persona.

The truth is that, normally speaking, if Zhu Qizhen had ascended the throne after reaching adulthood, Li Xianmu, the imperial tutor, would have held a high position and great power, but at most his status would have been similar to what it is now.

However, if Zhu Qizhen had ascended the throne as a child and Li Xianmu had served as his tutor, it would have been too similar to the story of Sima Yi.

As the saying goes, "When the sun is at its zenith, it begins to decline; when the moon is full, it begins to wane." There must be someone to check and balance Li Xianmu in order to put people at ease.

"This winter is so lonely."

Standing beside Li Xianmu, Zhang Wan looked out with some confusion. She saw several blooming winter plum blossoms in the corner of the wall, no different from previous years. She turned her head and said, "If my husband feels lonely, why not have someone move the winter plum blossoms from the backyard into the courtyard? This year they are particularly beautiful. Although they do not have the color of peonies, they are like kings among plum blossoms."

Li Xianmu pulled his brocade fur coat tighter around himself and muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear: "It is loneliness in my heart that has brought about the heavens' murderous intent, and the world is in upheaval. The heavens of the Great Ming are about to change."

No one could know the weight in his heart. It was already the end of December in the ninth year of Xuande's reign, and he was about to enter the tenth year of Xuande's reign, a year for which the heavenly secrets had been revealed, and the emperor would pass away.

For the past ten years, Li Xianmu has been successful in everything he has done, and the emperor has given him tremendous support. How could he sit idly by and watch this happen?
But he could only watch helplessly!

This is the will of Heaven, this is the fate of man, how could he, a mere mortal, an ant, possibly shake or change it?
Throughout history, countless heroes and great men have emerged, but Li Xianmu only knew his own father, who transcended life, death, fortune, and misfortune, forever standing high in the heavens, looking down upon the ebb and flow of human affairs.

The others have all turned to dust and vanished into the dust of history. Some have been completely annihilated, while others remain in spirit, which we cherish.

A chill ran through Zhang Wan, and she shivered. Li Xianmu reached out and slammed the window shut with a loud bang, clearly separating the inside from the outside, and there was no more contact.

……

At the end of the ninth year of the Xuande reign, the most important event was the year-end financial settlement meeting and the new year's financial budget meeting.

As usual, the various departments of the imperial court were preparing materials for their respective officials to attend the meeting, and the meeting was drawing ever closer when suddenly a major change occurred in the palace.

On December 28th, just as they were about to enter the palace for a meeting, news suddenly arrived that the emperor was unwell and lacked energy, and the year-end meeting was temporarily canceled, with further notice to be given later.

This decree was not unexpected by anyone.

Throughout December, the emperor was unwell. The imperial physician diagnosed him with a cold and prescribed medication to keep him warm, but his condition did not improve.

In ancient times, the risk of death from colds was high because there were no antibiotics. However, this was a problem for the poor. After Zhang Zhongjing wrote the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, most colds could be cured as long as medicine was taken in time and the body was properly warmed. Therefore, no one paid much attention to this matter.

They assumed that the emperor felt unwell after getting up, and that the year-end meeting was very energy-consuming, so it was normal for him not to attend.

But the news that came the next day sent chills down their spines.

The emperor's condition was not simply due to physical discomfort; he suddenly fell into a coma in the palace. Fearing that this would cause panic outside, Empress Dowager Zhang personally ordered a news blackout and prevented officials from entering the palace until the emperor awoke today!
Most people don't bother to pay attention to the details, but the most important thing is that the emperor's coma is a sign of something very wrong. This is not a common cold, but a sign of serious illness!

After a month of gentle care, the lesions did not improve but instead worsened. The Imperial Hospital was extremely anxious, but they could not find the cause at all.

Even more anxious than the Imperial Hospital staff were the court officials.

No one could have imagined that the emperor, in the prime of his life, would fall seriously ill. If this happened... what would become of the Ming Dynasty?
The Crown Prince was only an eight-year-old child.

Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Sun were both women.

With the world in turmoil, although the kings have been stripped of their wings, who knows what other thoughts they might have? If a young emperor were to ascend the throne, would the borders still be peaceful?

Countless questions flooded into everyone's minds like a tidal wave, shattering all preparations.

These conflicting voices eventually coalesced into a unified one: they wanted to enter the palace to see the emperor and find out how things were going. If things had truly gone wrong, the emperor should at least leave them, his ministers, some explanation.

Are we really going to let orphans and widows arrange everything for the future of the Ming Dynasty?

……

The inner palace, the emperor's sleeping quarters.

The once magnificent carved dragons and painted beams, pavilions and towers are now shrouded in a gray shadow. In the outer hall, palace eunuchs are anxiously going in and out, each with a look of gloom as if the sky has fallen.

Inside the inner hall, a strong medicinal smell wafted in, lingering and inescapable, as if one were immersed in it. Zhu Zhanji had long lost his former heroic and dashing appearance, becoming somewhat thin, with sunken eyes and a haggard look. Only the light in his eyes remained bright. Although he was weak, he still had spirit. At a glance, he resembled an old wolf king in a pack of wolves, who, even at the end of his life, still had the demeanor of a king.

After reigning over the world for ten years, even knowing that his life would end in the not-too-distant future, Zhu Zhanji was unwilling to lose his dignity.

Empress Sun lay on the couch, sobbing uncontrollably. She was essentially a woman who had been pampered by her husband her whole life. Even the palace intrigues were done for her by her husband. Since ancient times, the deposition of empresses has always been a political struggle. Where else could one get the empress position simply because of her husband's favor?

At this moment, the emperor saw that things were truly hopeless. The grief in her heart was unimaginable to ordinary people, like being pierced to the bone and suffering excruciating pain.

"Queen."

Zhu Zhanji gazed at his beloved woman, who, even though she was over thirty, was still graceful and charming, just like when he first saw her in his youth.

"His Majesty."

"Don't cry anymore. After I'm gone, you must protect the country for me and raise our son well. Don't let this vast empire fall into his hands."

"Alas, since ancient times, how easy is it for an orphan and a widow to secure the throne? Your mother is a heroine among women. Both Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong praised her, and your teacher also respects her. If there is any trouble, go to your mother for help."

Empress Sun wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, still choking back sobs. After a long while, she said with concern, "Your Majesty, I am certainly capable, I have never doubted it. But my son is still so young. It is said that a country is fortunate to have a mature ruler. Will you allow the other sons of the late Emperor to ascend the throne?"

Zhu Zhanji remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head and said softly, "Don't worry, Mother will not do that. Moreover, with your teacher here, I, the rightful Crown Prince, will surely ascend the throne."

"To bypass the crown prince and establish a prince as heir would be met with the teacher's death in protest against such an unjust act that corrupts the system."

Empress Sun breathed a sigh of relief; this was the thing she had been most worried about. “My teacher and I are not much different in age. We are uncle and nephew, teacher and student, as well as friends and brothers. From the Yongle period to now, for the past twenty years, we have been loyal to each other and supported one another, which has led to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty today. He is loyal and reliable. If you have any questions about government affairs, you can consult him.”

"The wisdom and virtue of Lord Shouzheng are known throughout the land." Empress Sun was on the verge of tears. "With Your Majesty here, I am not worried about Lord Shouzheng. However, Lord Shouzheng is not yet of age to know his destiny. If Your Majesty were to pass away, how could I possibly make Lord Shouzheng obey my orders?"
Orphans and widows, a weak ruler and powerful ministers—people's hearts are fickle. Even if someone is loyal and dutiful now, they may not be so tomorrow. This is by no means a fortunate situation. What can be done?

"Your Majesty is overthinking it."

Zhu Zhanji immediately answered, then fell silent. He naturally trusted Li Xianmu completely. Although Li Xianmu had been extremely powerful over the years, he had never interfered with the core of imperial power. The distance between the emperor and his ministers was both intimate and clearly defined.

Li Xianmu's sense of propriety was key to this.

However, Empress Sun's considerations were also based on a comprehensive understanding of history. To take a recent example, Sima Yi was a veteran minister of three generations, diligent and conscientious, and his reputation was even comparable to that of Zhuge Liang.

"I will later appoint several regents, among whom there will naturally be those who can check and balance the teacher."

Although the cabinet holds great power, the power to approve imperial edicts rests with the Directorate of Ceremonial. This Directorate of Ceremonial holds the seal of office and does not go through the outer court; it only obeys the emperor's orders. After the empress dowager passes away, it can be controlled by you, which is enough to oppose the cabinet.

Furthermore, the power of governance rests with the Empress Dowager and you; you are the de facto representative of imperial authority. With a host of meritorious officials and generals loyal to the royal family, you need not worry about a weak ruler and powerful ministers.

Zhu Zhanji spoke gently, explaining his arrangements to Empress Sun bit by bit. He had considered everything very thoroughly. Under his arrangement, Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Sun, who were ruling from behind the curtain, as well as the ministers in charge of governing, could only cooperate sincerely, and no one could act arbitrarily.

Once the time comes, power can be immediately returned to the emperor, completing this power transfer.

After hearing the emperor's arrangements, Empress Sun finally put aside her worries about the future. However, she would rather there were no such arrangements at all, if only the emperor could stay healthy and by her side.

Regardless of Empress Sun's character, she was truly devoted to the Emperor. Their love, which began in their youth, was very deep.

The wind howled outside the palace, while inside it was cold and damp. The emperor and empress gazed at each other, tears streaming down their faces.

……

On the first day of the first month of the tenth year of the Xuande reign, the emperor summoned several important ministers to the palace, including Grand Secretary Li Xianmu, Second Grand Secretary Yang Shiqi, and two other Yangs, all of whom were ministers from the cabinet faction.

With the death of former Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji in the fifth year of the Xuande reign, the ministers of the Six Ministries had been completely removed from the ranks of close advisors. This is why, in recent years, the status of the ministers of the Six Ministries has become increasingly lower, and they have even been gradually overshadowed by ordinary cabinet ministers.

Upon entering the hall, the group immediately noticed the emperor's appalling condition. The once valiant emperor lay on his sickbed, looking haggard and devoid of his former glory, a sight that evoked only sighs of pity.

The group had prepared themselves mentally before entering the palace, but their hearts still sank. The emperor was truly dying and was about to make his final arrangements.

"My dear ministers, as you have all probably realized, I am truly incapacitated this time."

The group immediately knelt on the ground and said in unison, "May Your Majesty be well."

Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and said softly, "Let's not talk about these formalities. Before I leave, I want to tell you some things and make some arrangements. The Crown Prince is still young, and I am really worried about him. I can only feel at ease if I entrust the major affairs of state to you."

The group remained motionless, heads bowed in listening, their hearts filled with growing sorrow.

The late emperor was a good emperor, but he only reigned for one year. The current emperor is also a wise ruler, reigning for ten years. Who could have imagined that he would leave this world when he was in the prime of his life?
Does Heaven not want the Ming Dynasty to prosper?

"In my will, after my death, the Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen shall succeed me as Emperor, with the Empress Dowager and Empress listening to my decree. All matters concerning the military and the state shall be subject to my command."

"My beloved ministers are regents, with my tutor Li Xianmu at the head. The Crown Prince is my eldest son, and I entrust him to the throne."

"I will obey your orders!"

Regent Minister!

It can be said to be one of the highest honors for a subject in ancient times, representing both the trust and confidence of the previous emperor and the path to the pinnacle of power.

In ancient times, figures like Yi Yin, the Duke of Zhou, Huo Guang, and Zhuge Liang were all chief regents who subsequently controlled major political affairs. Who wouldn't aspire to that?
"teacher."

Zhu Zhanji looked at Li Xianmu, his eyes filled with regret.

"The minister is here."

"We, ruler and subject, once made a pact to spend ten years, then another ten years, and thirty years to bring peace to the world and create a golden age that far surpasses any previous one. But now, I am going to break my promise."

The regret in Zhu Zhanji's words swept through the hall and settled in the hearts of almost everyone.

He was truly disappointed.

"minister……"

Even Li Xianmu was speechless for a moment.

What were Zhu Zhanji's regrets?

He died before his ambitions were fulfilled, and he wished to bring peace to the world, but Heaven did not grant him a long life!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The death of Emperor Xuanzong of Ming marked the end of an era. In academic circles studying the Ming Dynasty, there is a professional term for this: "The First Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty," which refers to the reigns of five emperors, starting with Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang) and continuing through Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji.

During the reigns of these five emperors, the Ming Dynasty was under a complete monarchical autocracy, with the emperor as the absolute core of everything. Although Li Qi and Li Xianmu made reforms, these were merely patching things up within the larger framework and did not shake the entire system in the slightest. Moreover, the overall social and ideological level remained in the same state as in the late Hongwu period.

All of this changed dramatically after the death of Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, Zhu Zhanji. In the decades that followed, the Ming Dynasty underwent earth-shattering changes that truly shook its fundamental system.

The root of all this was the death of Zhu Zhanji, whose successor Zhu Qizhen was too young and not a qualified ruler of the empire, which led to the inevitable decline of imperial power!

The monarchical autocracy centered on the emperor had to shift its ruling core, and the one who took on this important task was Li Xianmu, the Grand Secretary and Minister of Personnel, who had already accumulated enough prestige!

History here has entrusted the vast and boundless sea of ​​stars to Li Xianmu, who will steer the colossal ship of the Ming Empire, braving the winds and waves on its expanse! —From "The Evolution of the Political System in the Ming Dynasty"

(End of this chapter)