Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 333 Why does Your Majesty favor one over the other? A female envoy from Japan?
Upon hearing the Wanli Emperor's question, Zhang Cheng immediately looked troubled, stammering and sweating profusely.

The Wanli Emperor's gaze sharpened: "You scoundrel, you haven't forgotten about this, have you?"

Zhang Cheng was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please spare me! Yesterday, I was busy helping Your Majesty purchase goods for the Xishan Sales Fair, and in the evening I returned to the palace to handle matters related to the 'National Sacrifice,' 'Family Sacrifice,' and 'New Year's Day Greetings.' I really didn't have time to sell those goods."

"But Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Zhang Cheng forced a smile and said.

"We bought all these goods at low prices and stored them in the large and small warehouses of the imperial estates in the capital. We're not afraid they'll run away. After a few days, once the year is over, we'll sell them on the market, either in the capital or in Beizhili. I'm sure we'll make a fortune!"

In fact, Zhang Cheng was still somewhat dissatisfied with Zhang Yunxiu's methods.

In Zhang Cheng's eyes, Zhang Yunxiu's money-making businesses were nothing more than taking shortcuts.

If I could find some ideas in ancient books, and with the help of my adopted sons, I would definitely do better than Zhang Yunxiu.

Coal briquettes, modern medicine, fireworks, soap, and so on—these are all businesses that can make a lot of money, yet Zhang Yunxiu chooses not to make any money, saying he wants to benefit the people.
He got all the credit, but it was the eunuchs and His Majesty who earned less money!

In the past, the royal business was run by eunuchs. Now, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has usurped the throne and is even trying to rise above the Eastern and Western Depots.

In Zhang Cheng's eyes, the money that Xishan earned less of was rightfully theirs.

Emperor Wanli's "stop-loss" strategy was partly a whim, and partly fueled by the instigation of eunuchs like Zhang Cheng.

Emperor Wanli still seemed uncertain.

But he still wasn't entirely sure, his brow furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of hesitation: "I am well aware of your loyalty. But when it comes to making money, it's still safer to rely on Shiyuan. Or perhaps you should..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Cheng suddenly panicked, knelt down with a thud, and burst into tears.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please reconsider! Why do you treat Zhang Shiyuan so favorably, allowing him to be given important positions every day?"

He looked like he was crying with snot and tears streaming down his face.

“We servants toil day and night, yet we cannot even receive a sliver of the Emperor’s grace!”

Now that Xishan has taken over the coal mines, all the mining operations in various places have gone into Xishan's pockets. Our Yinguan Bureau is now practically useless.”

Since Xishan rose to prominence, Emperor Wanli's attention has been entirely focused on Xishan. The reason is simple: Xishan is far more efficient at making money than the previous group of eunuchs.

As a result, the Silver Bureau, which was originally in charge of mining and refining, has become a powerless department, and the Imperial Horse Administration, which was in charge of procurement, has recently been ordered to use goods from the Western Hills.

Even for many items, the Wanli Emperor preferred to have a copy of the Western Hills' standards, which greatly reduced the eunuchs' opportunities for personal enrichment.

However, Emperor Wanli always cherished old friendships, especially those who served him. Otherwise, a eunuch like Zhang Cheng would never have survived to this day.

He pondered for a moment, thinking that Xishan's dominance was not a long-term solution, and finally relented.

"Alright, alright, it's just a shipment of goods worth 100,000 taels of silver. You should manage the business well these days and make sure it's successful. If you make money, I will reward you handsomely."

With the imperial treasury now full, Wanli spoke these words with ease, as if 100,000 taels of silver were just a small amount.

Zhang Cheng knew very well that the imperial treasury was indeed not short of 100,000 taels of silver, but for the emperor who valued money above all else, if those 100,000 taels of silver were wasted, he would not have a good end.

He quickly kowtowed several times, overjoyed and expressing his gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! This servant will certainly do his utmost and live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

If we're talking about competing with Zhang Yunxiu, given his current methods and power, it's simply impossible for him.

Surely we can still get some meat out of the other person's mouth?

Zhang Cheng was already making plans in his mind, fantasizing about the wonderful life he would have when he earned money in the future.

"The New Year's Day court ceremony is approaching; let's proceed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

Emperor Wanli glanced at the faintly brightening sky outside and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Everyone says that being an emperor is good, so why do people often feel so restricted and uncomfortable when they sit on the throne?

He pondered to himself, but his face still maintained the dignified appearance befitting an emperor.

Before dawn, in the warm light of the palace lanterns, three chimes echoed from the watchtower. The Imperial Guards on both sides of the steps stood at attention with their hands on their swords, the wings of their black gauze hats fluttering from time to time.

Zhang Yunxiu wore a Liang crown, a flying fish robe, and an embroidered spring knife at his waist. He looked energetic and didn't seem like someone who had stayed up all night and drunk alcohol.

Today, on this "New Year's Day court audience," as the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he naturally had no reason to be absent.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

As Feng Bao loudly proclaimed, the Wanli Emperor's entourage slowly approached. The chubby emperor, dressed in a robe embroidered with twelve imperial symbols and dragons, ascended the dragon throne with the help of eunuchs.

Immediately afterwards, in the square of Taihe Gate, Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng led civil and military officials in a joint salute, their official robes of scarlet, blue, and purple layered upon each other.

"Long live my emperor!"

The subsequent rituals proceeded in an orderly manner, with Feng keeping his post and proclaiming the imperial edict, his voice echoing continuously inside and outside the Taihe Gate.

The edict was drafted rigorously by the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial, and its content was nothing more than a prayer for the well-being of the people, hoping for favorable weather and abundant harvests in the tenth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, and instructing officials to be honest and upright, etc.

The content remains largely the same each year, but the wording and quotations vary greatly from year to year, which is also an extraordinary ability.

Of course, this year is a little different from previous years in that it also includes a lot of praise for the achievements of the Wanli Emperor in the ninth year.

Such as controlling the plague, stabilizing the displaced people, stabilizing prices, and punishing corrupt officials and gentry.

The presentation of gifts was quite interesting, with tributes from various provinces being presented one by one, such as Jiangnan brocade, Sichuan brocade, and Liaodong ginseng, among others.

In the past, there were always some upright officials who would impeach the emperor before and after the ceremony, saying that the court was wasting money and resources and that the gifts presented by local officials were too extravagant.

This year, however, there have been far fewer such voices. Firstly, the upright officials who dared to speak out have suffered a series of major losses, leaving them severely weakened and with no chance of regaining their former glory. Secondly, brocade and silk are no longer rare items.

Since Xishan launched some kind of "Tiangong Textile Machine", not only has the price of cloth fallen, but the price of silk brocade has also plummeted.

As a result, in the eyes of many high-ranking officials and nobles, wearing fine silks and satins was no longer a symbol of status.

After all the ceremonies were completed, Zhang Juzheng led the officials in a series of three kneelings and nine kowtows before rising to report on the new policies implemented at the beginning of the tenth year of the Wanli reign.

In fact, many court officials were already fully aware of the contents of this new policy, and they had no choice but to know it, since Zhang Yunxiu was constantly promoting it, making it difficult for them to pretend they didn't know.

Those points that can be brought up publicly at court meetings have basically already been discussed.

Emperor Wanli sat upright on the dragon throne, but he seemed somewhat drowsy.

Fortunately, Zhang Juzheng's memorial was concise and to the point, and did not take much time.

The "New Year's Day greetings" process has now reached its climax.

"Announce to the envoys of all nations!"

With a shout from the eunuch, the Ministry of Rites officials led the envoys from various countries into the hall, making the atmosphere of the court assembly even more lively.

Emperor Wanli turned his gaze to Zhang Yunxiu, who was standing not far away. The latter looked very confident, which made Emperor Wanli shudder.

In previous years, when envoys visited the capital, that was it. They would receive some gifts from foreign countries, and the court would bestow some rewards upon them, and that would be the end of the visit.

This year's "tribute to all nations" is quite different. It is not only a gathering of various countries to pay homage, but also a way to further promote the national policies of the Ming Dynasty.

Starting from the tenth year of the Wanli reign, the Ming Dynasty was determined to truly lift the maritime ban and strengthen trade relations with other countries. Some highly respected Confucian scholars even went to various countries to assist in learning Confucian doctrines.

Whether other countries will cooperate will also determine how much silver the Ming Dynasty will earn in the future, and whether the surplus silk fabrics produced in Jiangnan can find suitable markets.

As the envoys entered one by one, the gifts they presented were announced one by one.

"The Japanese envoy presented ten pairs of Satsuma ware porcelain vases, three hundred strings of Seto pearls, and one thousand samurai swords."

"The Korean envoy presented two hundred ginseng roots and a celadon plum vase."

"The Annamite envoy presented five hundred pairs of ivory and agarwood."

"Turpan Envoy"

Samarkand.

"U-Tsang"

Just reciting the list of tribute gifts and tribute personnel almost took another half an hour.
Once everyone had settled down, the sky brightened, and the warm sunlight shone on the steps, making Emperor Wanli's dragon robe appear even more dazzling.

"The King of Annam respectfully dispatches his foreign minister Nguyen Van Trung to pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming on New Year's Day."

"The King of Joseon has dispatched his foreign minister, Yi In-sin, to pay homage to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

The Annamese envoy, Nguyen Van Trung, appeared somewhat arrogant, while the Joseon envoy, Yi In Shin, seemed quite humble. The difference in the envoys' attitudes naturally reflected the different statuses of their respective countries. Joseon, now relying on the protection of the Ming Dynasty, had its kings for generations submitting to the Ming.

But Annam was quite different. Since the Le Loi Rebellion at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming army suffered repeated defeats in Annam. Annam went through the Le and Mo dynasties and was in great turmoil. Even though it nominally regarded the Ming Dynasty as its suzerain state, it secretly harbored rebellious intentions.

With the Ming Dynasty opening its sea routes and sending a group of great Confucian scholars to spread its teachings, Annam was clearly the target of everyone's criticism and was naturally even more vigilant.

Of course, even if the Annamese envoys were to act recklessly, they would not dare to openly oppose the Ming Dynasty. After all, the country was in turmoil, with the conflict between the North and South Trinh Nguyen and the restoration of the Le Dynasty royal family. All factions needed to rely on the Ming Dynasty as their banner.

The most unique of all is Japan.

The Japanese envoy, Hosokawa Yusai, was dressed in a dark blue robe and wore a black hat. Unlike the barbaric manner of the Japanese people in the past, he appeared gentle and refined.

Hosokawa Yusai bowed and knelt down.

"The King of Japan has dispatched his foreign minister, Hosokawa Yusai, to congratulate the Emperor of the Great Ming on the New Year's Day, and to wish that the diplomatic relations between the two countries will be forever strong and that the seas will be calm."

"Your humble servant Hosokawa Iya pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

A crisp, clear voice rang out.

The officials then noticed that Hosokawa Yusai was followed by a woman.

The woman was wearing a twelve-layered kimono, with a sheer outer layer of gauze and a layered skirt of different colors underneath.

This attire of Japanese noblewomen is inspired by the ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) of the Tang Dynasty, but the shrine patterns on the neckline and the bronze bells hanging at the waist also reveal some Shinto influences from Japan.

It looks elegant, but there's something strange about it.

"Rise."

Emperor Wanli tapped the armrest lightly with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping over Hosokawa Yusai before finally settling on the woman, exuding an air of authority without anger.

“Envoy Hosokawa, you have come to court on the orders of the King. Why have you brought a woman into the palace? In the court assemblies of our Great Ming Dynasty, only princes, nobles, envoys, and important officials are allowed to enter without permission.”

Since Hosokawa Yusai was sent to Ming China by Oda Nobunaga, he must have been fluent in some Chinese. He had done a lot of research before coming, so he quickly replied.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, this is the daughter of a foreign official, Hosokawa Iya."

"Your Majesty the Emperor~"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hosokawa Iya took two steps forward and knelt down.

At this moment, Zhang Yunxiu, who was standing beside Emperor Wanli, finally saw what the woman looked like.

Hosokawa Iya's skin had a healthy tan, but his eyebrows and eyes were lively, with the corners of his eyes slightly upturned.

By the standards of the Ming Dynasty, he was merely of average appearance.

In Japan, such a beauty must be quite rare.

Hosokawa Iya's completely unfazed demeanor was already surprising.

What surprised everyone even more was that Hosokawa Iya's Chinese was even more fluent than his father's, with clear pronunciation and a soft, gentle accent from the Jiangnan region.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, I am Hosokawa Iya, a foreign subject. I have been studying the poetry and books of the Great Ming Dynasty since childhood and deeply admire the flourishing of literature and culture in our country. I humbly request Your Majesty and my father to accompany me to the Great Ming Dynasty to study and learn. I only wish to receive guidance from a renowned teacher and have no intention of offending the rules of the court. If there is anything inappropriate, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Wanli was about to get angry, but he listened to the woman's clear speech, and she even occasionally used some classical allusions. Her purpose was to learn.

He nodded slightly and said.

"It is rare for a woman like you to be so knowledgeable in poetry and literature."

During the casual conversation between the emperor, his ministers, and the envoys, Zhang Yunxiu suddenly remembered the identities of Hosokawa Yusai and Hosokawa Iya.

It's no wonder Zhang Yunxiu couldn't remember them; even in Japan, these two were far less famous than Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Hosokawa Yusai came from a branch of the Ashikaga clan, a prominent family in Japan, and was a key cultural figure under Oda Nobunaga.

He was also accomplished in poetry, tea ceremony, and swordsmanship. It is said that many of Oda Nobunaga's diplomatic documents were written by him.

As for Hosokawa Iya, she was a rare female writer in Japan. Historical records show that she was obsessed with Ming Dynasty poetry and collected hundreds of Tang and Song poems to translate into Japanese, making her a veritable "Ming Dynasty expert".

In order to cooperate with the Ming Dynasty, Oda Nobunaga not only continued to pay tribute, but also specially sent his father and daughter, which clearly shows that he had tasted the benefits of previous maritime trade.

The Ming Dynasty is domineering and bullies people, but cooperating with the Ming Dynasty can really make you money!

However, Zhang Yunxiu squinted his eyes and tasted something different in this.

Who was Oda Nobunaga? He was a ruthless character who regarded both Buddhism in Japan and Catholicism from abroad as threats to his rule and did not hesitate to order their suppression. How could he genuinely allow Confucianism from the Ming Dynasty to enter Japan?

This father and daughter claimed to be seeking knowledge and enlightenment, but it cannot be ruled out that they had other motives behind the scenes.

The atmosphere in the hall had eased considerably by this time.

Hosokawa Iya spoke with increasing composure, even quoting classical texts and discussing poetry and literature with his courtiers.

The Book of Songs of ancient China says, "Stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade."

While in Japan, he found a tattered copy of "Selected Tang Poems". When he read the line "To see a thousand miles further, climb one more story" from Wang Zhihuan's "Ascending the Stork Tower", he felt his heart surge with emotion.

From that time on, he longed to come to the Great Ming Dynasty to personally experience its flourishing culture and scholarship, hoping to "reach a higher level."

Hosokawa Iya was young and had a quirky and clever demeanor. He spoke eloquently, quoting classical texts, and his words drew nods of praise from many civil officials.

Women from foreign lands come to learn from him, which is a wonderful thing that showcases the great Ming Dynasty's superior style. Who wouldn't be happy to see it?
Yu Youding, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, it is inappropriate for Hosokawa Iya to come to court so abruptly. However, his eagerness to learn is understandable.”

The Wanli Emperor nodded slightly, turned his gaze to Hosokawa Iya, and said with a smile.

"So, you've come here to seek out a great poet of my Great Ming Dynasty to become his disciple? Tell me, which master do you admire, and I will personally introduce you."

Emperor Wanli would be reluctant to spend his private treasury on bestowing gold and silver treasures, but simply recommending renowned teachers could demonstrate the magnanimity of the Ming Dynasty without costing him a penny. He was naturally happy to do such a favor.

Hosokawa Iya's face immediately lit up with joy, and she bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! This humble woman is deeply grateful!"

“No need for formalities,” the Wanli Emperor waved his hand. “Tell me, do you wish to become Geng Ding’s disciple, or study poetry under Vice Minister Wang? Or perhaps another renowned poet? I can arrange it all for you.”

Foreign official. Foreign official

But after he finished speaking, Hosokawa Iya suddenly fell silent.

She lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting her sleeve, her cheeks flushed, revealing a hint of shyness, her previous composure completely gone.

The Wanli Emperor saw through the scheme.

This must be some talented scholar from the Ming Dynasty who has caught the eye of this noblewoman from Japan.

He smiled and joked.

"You are merely seeking knowledge, not discussing marriage. Why are you being so hesitant? Speak freely; I and all the officials are listening."

Upon hearing this, a low chuckle rippled through the hall, further lightening the atmosphere.

Hosokawa Iya took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. She slowly raised her head, her gaze passing through the crowd and landing directly on the tall and upright young man on the side of the hall.

Her gaze grew increasingly resolute, and though her voice was soft, it carried clearly throughout the hall.

"Your Majesty, when I was in Japan, I often heard of the illustrious reputation of your esteemed Lord Zhang Shiyuan. He achieved fame at a young age but was not arrogant or conceited. He served his country and people with utmost sincerity."

His actions for the country and its people were widely praised in Japan, and the new sciences he introduced were admired by Japanese intellectuals, who praised him for having "the integrity and character of a wise minister of ancient times."

Not to mention the new sciences taught by adults, from the principles of investigating things to acquiring knowledge to the methods of mathematics and surveying.

I have come all the way across the ocean not for any reward of gold or silver.

My only request is that Your Majesty grant me the grace to become a disciple of Lord Zhang Shiyuan and receive his instruction day and night!

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire court assembly fell silent.

The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang Juzheng was startled, and his gaze toward the Japanese envoy became even sharper.

Emperor Wanli's eyes widened, his body leaned slightly forward, he looked at Zhang Yunxiu, then at Hosokawa Iya, and a half-smile appeared on his face.

Zhang Yunxiu's body trembled, and he was somewhat stunned.

He never imagined that Hosokawa Iya's target was actually him.
(End of this chapter)