Di Ming

Chapter 196 Zhu Zhihu lies ill in Yunxiang Tower
Hearing the commotion outside, Black Tiger darted to the door like an arrow and guarded Zhu Yin with a vigilant expression.

Zhu Yin opened the door, and under the bright lantern light, the first thing that caught his eye was an imposing official dressed in the robes of a seventh-rank official; he must be the Imperial Censor on patrol.

He led a group of soldiers from the Military Command, pounced on them like wolves and tigers, subdued several officers in brocade uniforms, and seized their embroidered spring knives.

The leading Imperial Guard shouted, "My lord! This has nothing to do with me! We are here on the orders of Zheng Guojiu! Why should you make things difficult for me, Your Excellency!"

"Tie him up!" the censor shouted. "What do you mean, 'Brother Zheng' or 'Deputy Brother Zheng'? We'll talk in court! The national examination is just around the corner, and there are thousands of candidates in the city. If you cause trouble, you won't be able to afford the consequences!"

"If the candidates cause a disturbance, the Emperor will have to clean up the mess for you!"

The guards grabbed several Imperial Guards, knocked off their hats, tied them up, and dragged them out of the inn by their heads.

"Excellent!" Several scholars cheered, bowing and saying, "Sir, your integrity is unyielding, and the righteous spirit of the Ming Dynasty still remains! Those petty villains will not dare to act recklessly after all."

The censor said, "Gentlemen, prepare well for the exam. It is good that we care about the affairs of the court, but we should not be too high-profile."

After saying this, he cupped his hands in greeting to the scholars and led his men away from the inn.

Several scholars looked puzzled, and one of them said:

"I've been waiting for days, discussing politics and criticizing the current situation, but I haven't attracted the attention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Why are their henchmen here to spy on us today?"

Another person said, "Perhaps it's just a coincidence? Or perhaps they just had a sudden whim today?"

Zhu Yin knew what was going on, his expression cool and aloof.

What a Zheng family!

The information from Huya's family was indeed correct; the Embroidered Uniform Guard was after him!

I was just careful and nothing was overheard, but the scholar in the opposite room was. Or perhaps the Imperial Guards mistook me for the person in the opposite room.

In short, no sooner had I arrived at the Yunxiang Grand Inn than the Zheng family sent the Imperial Guards to follow me. However, their espionage methods were extremely rudimentary, and their professional skills were abysmal.

Zhu Yin knew that if these few Imperial Guards fell into the hands of the Censor, they would become scapegoats, killed as a warning to others, either exiled or stripped of their military posts.

Even the Zheng family couldn't protect them.

Being targeted by officials in the Ministry of Justice is a problem even the prime minister can't handle, let alone a few henchmen.

Deserve it.

"Young Tiger." Zhu Guozhen entered Zhu Yin's room. "I just heard that many imperial guards in the city have been arrested and imprisoned for clashing with candidates taking the imperial examinations. It's not just this one."

"Are the three judicial departments going to take action against the secret police and the imperial guards to intimidate the Zheng family? Is this the government's (cabinet's) intention?"

He also knew that the current Grand Eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot was someone promoted by Consort Zheng, and that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was also controlled by the Zheng brothers.

By taking action against the secret police and imperial guards during the triennial talent selection ceremony, the aim was clearly to target the Zheng family and to put pressure on the emperor.

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "Brother Wenyu, you have a keen eye for detail. This matter is most likely being handled by Hai Gangfeng, Pan Jixun, Yu Shenxing, and others, with the government's tacit approval."

Nowadays, not only the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but even the Eastern Depot is ineffective. Although Wei Zhongxian later restored the power of the Imperial Guard and the Eastern Depot for a few years, it was merely a brief resurgence.

After the Jiajing Emperor's reign, the secret police and imperial guards gradually came under the control of civil officials. They then turned around and began monitoring the emperor and the palace, providing intelligence and information to court officials.

Not only the secret police, but also the eunuchs of the Twenty-Four Offices and the vast system of female officials were infiltrated by the civil officials of the outer court.

"Very well." Zhu Guozhen stroked his beard and smiled. "In this way, the Imperial Guard will be even more weakened, and His Majesty will be more docile."

When he said "Your Majesty should be more docile," he spoke as if it were the natural order of things, as if it were the only way it should be.

In the eyes of Confucian elites like Zhu Guozhen, the emperor should rule by doing nothing, only in this way can he achieve a state of perfect harmony, with peace between the ruler and the people, and harmony between the internal and external realms. Then the world will be at peace.

As for matters of state, of course, the ministers would handle them.

Is this system good or bad? Zhu Yin thought it was. But if he were the emperor himself and wanted to rule with absolute power, he would never allow such power to fall into the hands of others.

Zhu Guozhen added, “We have not yet entered officialdom, so we have no right to comment on these matters. In any case, there are many upright officials in the court, and Your Majesty cannot act arbitrarily.”

"What happened at Ciyun Temple today is clearly a result of the Zheng family's resentment towards you; you're just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Zhihu, if you fail the exam this time, it will be troublesome. The Zheng family might use you as an example to undermine the morale of the court officials."

Zhu Guozhen felt somewhat wronged for Zhu Yin.

He offended the Zheng family without doing anything. His reputation as a child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, on the contrary, aroused the Zheng family's resentment.

Zhu Yin was also speechless; he had been caught in the crossfire.

Of course, he was already mentally prepared.

Ever since he was named the top scholar in the provincial examination last year by examiners Liu Yuanzhen and Wang Zudi, and was hailed as a child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, he knew that he would be on the opposite side of the Zheng family.

Emperor Wanli repeatedly refused to allow his eldest son to leave the palace to study, citing his young age, and prevented ministers from meeting with the eldest son.

To begin his studies? He's too young. To be designated as crown prince? He's too young.

In any case, when court officials submitted memorials, the reason given was that their eldest son was too young and still too early.

Now that he himself, the child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, is being promoted as a typical example of "ambition knows no age," it is tantamount to negating Wanli's clumsy excuse.

If the emperor were to refuse his eldest son's request to leave the palace to study again, citing his young age, would he still be able to open his mouth? What other excuse could he use to delay the inevitable?

In order to help Prince Fu seize the throne, Zheng used every means possible, and naturally, she even came to hate herself.

However, being caught in the crossfire isn't necessarily all bad.

After Zhu Guozhen left, Zhu Yin immediately summoned Shang Yang, Han Shang, and other veterans of the Propaganda Society.

These men are now his own advisors, so of course they have to offer their advice and strategies.

As soon as Shang Yang arrived at Zhu Yin's room, he took the initiative to say, "Brother Zhihu, is this about the Zheng family? I also happen to have something to say."

"Those Imperial Guards from earlier were probably coming for us, weren't they?"

Zhu Yin stroked the black tiger's satin-like fur and nodded, saying, "They came here specifically to confront me, trying to find fault with me and seize me. The reason for inviting you here to discuss this matter is indeed related to the Zheng family."

Shang Yang sat down directly in front of the lamp, his weathered face obscured by the lamplight, and slowly said:
"Before the exam, there is nothing else to do but be patient. In order to avoid suspicion and prevent Zheng from finding any grounds to attack and frame you, you must not go to see your teacher, Minister Shen."

"The Zheng family now controls the imperial guards and their henchmen. If you go to see Minister Shen, it will be difficult to hide it from them. If you meet Minister Shen before the examination, it will be easy for the Zheng family to use it against you."

Zhu Yin hadn't thought of that; he was planning to see Master Shen tomorrow.

Shang Yang continued, "Only by enduring will you have a chance to take the next exam. Only by taking the exam can you turn defense into offense. Otherwise, what if the Zheng family finds an excuse to investigate you and prevents you from taking the exam? Are you going to wait another three years?"

"Before the exam, you have to be patient; after the exam, as soon as the results are released, that patience should turn into chaos!"

"Making a scene?" Zhu Yin frowned, his expression hardening.

Xiao Hei immediately raised its head, and its dog ears suddenly stood up.

Shang Yang nodded, "That's right, just cause trouble. As long as you pass the imperial examination, deliberately cause trouble for the Zheng family, so that all the officials in the court know that you, the Ming Dynasty prodigy, are at odds with the Zheng family! Unite the newly appointed scholars who are dissatisfied with the Zheng family and become an anti-Zheng faction!"

Zhu Yin was unsure what to do. Although he was a spy, he had no experience in political struggles, especially in ancient political struggles.

“Brother Zhouming, the Zheng family is very powerful. Even if I pass the exam, I am just a newly appointed scholar, a mere seedling. How can I possibly compete with the Zheng family so early? If I am not careful, I, the first bird to stick out, will be crushed to pieces.”

Zhu Yin was well aware of the treacherous nature of politics, and he originally intended to keep a low profile and lay low for a few years before speaking out. He never imagined that passing the imperial examination would lead to such a confrontation with the Zheng family.

As a newly appointed scholar, openly challenging the favored Consort Zheng in the imperial harem felt like courting death. The risk was too great; even the most expensive fish wasn't worth it.

"There's no escaping it." Shang Yang said calmly, "Brother Zhihu, ever since you received the prize of the prodigy and the auspicious omen, you've been caught in the whirlpool and can no longer control your own destiny."

"Otherwise, why would the Zheng family make trouble for you? You haven't offended them. Who told you to be a child prodigy like Xiangrui?"

"The saying goes, 'If you cower, you'll get stabbed; if you stick your head out, you'll get stabbed too.' The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. Even if you don't fight the Zheng family, they will still deal with you, and they will be even more unscrupulous in their attacks."

"You've been unlucky enough to be stuck in the wax, your reputation as a child prodigy has become a laughing stock, and the eldest prince will have even less reason to leave the palace to study."

“Consort Zheng would whisper in the emperor’s ear, saying that you are too young and ignorant to be an official, and that you would not be granted an official position. Or she would find you a boring bench to sit on for many years until you were disheartened.”

"It would be easy for me to ruin your future career. Even Mr. Shen wouldn't be able to save you then."

"The court officials want to use you to force the emperor to allow the eldest son to study. The Zheng family wants to use you to suppress the court officials' hopes. Both sides are holding you hostage. Brother Zhihu, can you escape this situation? There is no other way but to take advantage of the situation, let alone stay out of it."

Zhu Yin knew, of course, that Shang Yang's words made a lot of sense, and said with a wry smile, "According to Brother Zhouming, I can only take the initiative and strike first?"

"Only in this way!" Shang Yang nodded, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness. "If Mr. Wenchang were here, he would certainly have made the same suggestion!"

"Since the court officials have put you out there as a pawn, then you should play that pawn well. If a pawn is too important, too important for the player to bear, then it is more than just a pawn. Only if you dare to take action can you use the court officials' influence to your advantage, leverage their strength, and command the wind and rain."

"In this way, it becomes like water dripping and rolling, with officials choosing their positions. The courtiers, drunk on the lees, are happy to drive you across the river to compete with the Zheng family, which could lead to a situation where one substitutes for another."

"At that time, Brother Zhihu may seem to be in grave danger, but the court officials will have to protect you, so in reality, you will be safe and sound."

"If handled well, it will become a case of the Zheng family targeting you being targeting the Crown Prince. You will be tied to the Crown Prince, with the righteous cause in your hands and public opinion on your side, as if protected by all the gods."

"In the end, not only will they pass through safely, but they will also stand out from the crowd, turning misfortune into blessing, winning praise from both the court and the public, gaining prestige and popular support, and even forming their own faction..."

"Alright!" Zhu Yin no longer hesitated. "Then I will be a pawn for once, a soldier crossing the river for the court officials, and take the initiative to challenge the Zheng family, so that the court and the public can see my courage and responsibility!"

"That's right!" Shang Yang exclaimed in approval. "Brother Zhihu is truly decisive! This move was unexpected by the Zheng family, catching them completely off guard."

Han Shang also nodded and said, "I also think that this strategy of enduring first and then making a scene is the most appropriate method. It seems bold and risky, but upon careful consideration, it is irreplaceable."

Zhu Yin stood up and paced back and forth in the lamplight. Little Black Pan wagged its tail in his shadow, its gaze following its master.

The nature of spies is to remain hidden and operate from behind the scenes, rather than to charge into battle openly.

But now, Zhu Yin is being forced to charge forward, which is completely contrary to his usual style.

He underestimated the attention and hostility that the Zheng family, his maternal relatives, had towards him.

He really didn't want to oppose the Zheng family, his maternal relatives. He just wanted to develop his power quietly for a few years, keep a low profile, stir up trouble in secret, and slowly build his own power base.

He's been doing the same thing for the past two years.

But who would have thought that now they would have to go against the grain and charge into battle in full view of everyone, to openly confront the Zheng family, the maternal relatives, in the struggle for the succession of the Wanli Emperor's dynasty.

He really isn't used to it.

But no matter how unwilling he was, he had to bite the bullet and do it. Faced with the Zheng family, who were backed by the emperor, only the court officials who upheld the rules of propriety could protect him.

Only by firmly standing on the side of the court officials who uphold the rules of propriety and clearly supporting the eldest prince can the court officials protect him. Those who remain neutral, try to please both sides, or refuse to take sides will only hasten their demise.

Often, not taking sides is the most foolish thing to do. Such people think they are clever, but they are truly alone.

Now is the time to choose sides.

Zhu Yin suddenly stopped, gritted his teeth and sneered:
"I came to the capital with the intention of being kind to others and living a peaceful life, only wanting to pass the imperial examination and become an official. Who would have thought that someone would make things difficult for me? What can I do?"

"A rabbit can kick an eagle to death when it's angry. Even a fish on a chopping board will jump around. If Zheng wants me to be unhappy, I'll make Zheng unhappy for the rest of her life."

"If I fail the exam, so be it. But if I pass this time, I will publicly challenge the Zheng family at the Qionglin Banquet! Even a single pawn can be used to checkmate an entire army once it crosses the river!"

"If I pass this test, I'll be a tough nut to crack. If I fail, I'll simply leave Beijing, refuse to serve the court, and never put up with the Zheng family's mistreatment!"

"Hahaha!" Shang Yang laughed. "That's right, the best opportunity to launch an attack is at the Qionglin Banquet!"

Zhu Yin's face was cold. "The Zheng family is arrogant and domineering, with many bad deeds. It won't be difficult for anyone with a discerning eye to find their crimes."

"Either don't do it at all, or do it big."

Shang Yang took a sip of tea and continued speaking eloquently:

"Making a fuss is something that will happen after you pass the exam. If you fail, you won't be able to use it as a pawn, and you won't have a chance to make a fuss. The Zheng family will definitely instruct their henchmen to slander you for suspected cheating in last year's Yingtian provincial exam, using this to attack the upright officials, and even strip you of your title of top scholar."

"Back then, Tang Yin was dismissed from his position as the top scholar in the provincial examination for cheating, wasn't he? You have to be wary of such underhanded tricks."

Shangyang's words make a lot of sense. Historically, the vast majority of top scholars from Southern Zhili (the region south of the Yangtze River) passed the provincial examinations; very few failed. It was simply a matter of ranking.

If a candidate who is the top scholar in the Southern Zhili region fails to pass the imperial examination, then the quality of that candidate's qualifications needs to be re-evaluated.

If Zhu Yin fails the exam, then Zheng can use this as an excuse to question his status as a child prodigy and top scholar, and then use this opportunity to accuse him of cheating in last year's provincial examination in Yingtian, making him follow in Tang Yin's footsteps.

In the end, the so-called child prodigy will just be a joke.

Not only will he suffer, but ministers like Liu Zhenyuan will also be implicated and punished.

Zhu Yin thought for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "Then let's release the news first, saying that I suddenly fell ill, am mentally confused, and can only take the exam while sick, and am unable to perform well."

He was very confident, but what if things didn't go as planned?
There must be a foolproof plan to prevent the Zheng family from launching an attack.

Shang Yang laughed and said, "That's a good idea, and that's the only way. Once the news spreads, everyone will know that you took the exam while ill, so even if you didn't pass, you'll have a cover-up. Even if the Zheng family wants to make a fuss, they'll have no excuse."

"However, you have to play the part completely. Not only do you have to pretend to be sick afterward, but you should also faint when you leave the exam room and be carried out."

"Next, we'll first call a doctor. Of course, a doctor can't cure your illness. Then we'll call a shaman to exorcise the evil spirits and spread the word that you may have offended some powerful figure in the capital and been bewitched by him."

"Hahaha!" Han Shang couldn't help but laugh. "Brother Zhouming, you're really something else. No wonder you're a veteran of the anti-Japanese war."

"In this way, the court will speculate whether Zheng used witchcraft to make Zhihu fail the exam. Even if Zhihu really fails the exam, Zheng will not only be unable to make a fuss about it, but will also have to avoid suspicion."

Zhu Yin laughed, "Brother Zhouming, that's a good idea. Let's go all out and make it a proper show. Tomorrow, we'll go to the Ministry of Rites to register and print the exam papers. Once we get the exam permits, I'll feign illness and possession..."

After discussing for a while, Shang Yang and the others returned to their rooms to rest.

As soon as Zhu Yin gave the order, the spies in the North Dormitory of Huya (the Records Office) sprang into action that very night.

Beiliao was a branch office established in Beijing last year by Ning Caiwei, who sent some of her "family members" there during Zhu Yin's provincial examination. In the past six months, thanks to its professional expertise and ample funding, Beiliao has developed rapidly and has effectively become the most secretive, professional, and tightly organized intelligence agency in the capital.

The espionage activities of Beiliao have even extended into the imperial palace.

Soon, unsigned secret letters were delivered to the official residences of Hai Rui and Shen Yiguan, and some were even sent to Tian Yi in the palace.

Some people even began to secretly build momentum and spread public opinion.

These secret operations were unknown even to Shang Yang and his advisors.

Zhu Yin finally revealed his fangs!
Even if forced to confront the Zheng family's maternal relatives head-on, he will not give up the method of confrontation with spies; he will only intensify the use of espionage tactics!
...

Early the next morning, Zhu Yin took Lan Cha and Kangxi directly to the Ministry of Rites' Department of Ceremonies to register, print documents, and collect tickets.

With only ten days or so until the exam, many candidates went to the Ministry of Rites' Department of Ceremonies to register. When they met Zhu Yin, they were all very curious about this rising prodigy who had achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to register, print exam papers, and collect tickets together at the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Yin met many fellow candidates from various regions, thus making his debut.

These imperial examination elites from all over the country, although they all had doubts about Zhu Yin's prodigy status as the top scholar, had to admit that this rising star of Jiangzuo Zhu Lang was indeed outstanding and extraordinary.

Perhaps it is truly a case of innate intelligence?

But if he fails the provincial examination, then this child prodigy who became the top scholar...

Zhu Yin immediately became the focus of attention among the scholars in Beijing, and was widely discussed.

Some questioned it, some were envious, and some admired it. But many more were filled with suspense: "This child prodigy, a harbinger of national prosperity, can he really become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) at the age of twelve?"

However, a few days later, on the Flower Festival, news about Zhu Yin began to circulate from the Xiangyun Inn where he was staying.

Zhu Zhihu was ill and bedridden in Yunxiang Tower. He was vomiting and having diarrhea, and was in a state of mental confusion.

His attendants had consulted doctors and sought medicine several times, but there was no improvement.

With the exam fast approaching, Zhu's attendants were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Many scholars from the Southern Zhili region who were acquainted with Zhu Yin came to visit him.

Two days later, news spread that Zhu Yin may have offended a powerful family in the capital and was under a spell, which was why the medicine was ineffective.

Left with no other option, the Zhu family servants had to hire a shaman to exorcise the evil spirits at the inn.

It is said that his condition has improved somewhat, but it is still quite serious, and he may not be able to take the exam.

But the child prodigy who won the provincial examination said that he dared not disregard the national talent selection ceremony and would insist on taking the exam no matter what, even if he died in the examination hall.

Soon, the entire capital knew that the Ming Dynasty's child prodigy was ill and bedridden in Yunxiang Tower.

Zheng Guowang, who lived in Ciyun Temple, was quite surprised to receive this news.

Zhu Yin actually fell ill?

A self-proclaimed clever scholar suddenly laughed, "Fourth Master, what skill you have! A single spell of curse has rendered that child prodigy a bedridden..."

Zheng Guowang glared with wide, almond-shaped eyes, his face contorted with rage. "What kind of maggots are you chewing on? When did I ever hire anyone to curse him? Nonsense! It was his own bad luck, what does it have to do with me!"

The man with the bamboo strip slapped the horse's leg, and his smile froze instantly.

Zheng Guowang, however, thought much more deeply: "Wouldn't anyone in the court believe that it was my Zheng family who used witchcraft to seduce Zhu Yin?"

……

On the fifth day of the second lunar month, not long after Zhu Yingang fell ill, an uninvited guest arrived at Yunxiang Inn.

It was Hao Yunlai.

When he heard that Zhu Yin was ill, he brought his two brothers-in-law and some folk remedies to visit Zhu Yin.

"Child Tiger!" Hao Yunlai swaggered into Zhu Yin's room. "Weren't you perfectly fine just a few days ago? Exams are coming up soon, how did you suddenly get sick?"

He looked at Zhu Yin, who was lying on the bed, looking haggard and with a sallow face, and said in a feigned sorrow.

His feelings at this moment were quite complicated. He felt a bit of schadenfreude, but also a little sorry for Zhu Yin.

They both hoped Zhu Yin would suffer misfortune and hoped his condition would improve.

Although he came to visit with the intention of seeing Zhu Yin make a fool of himself, he was actually there to deliver medicine.

This contradictory emotion was so strange that even he himself couldn't explain it.

Zhu Yin, lying on the hospital bed, raised his head weakly and said:
"Ahem, are you Brother Huaji? I can't see you clearly."

"It's me!" Hao Yunlai sat down and reached out to touch Zhu Yin. "He's not hot, so why are you a little confused?"

"Hey, weren't you living at Ciyun Temple? Why did you move to Yunxiang Inn?"

"What?" Zhu Yin was slightly out of breath, his eyes dull and lifeless. "Ciyun Temple?"

Hao Yunlai shook his head, his expression genuinely moved. "You can't even remember?"

Zhu Yin said, "Cough cough, I remember, I remember."

Hao Yunlai took a dose of medicine from his brother-in-law and said with concern, "Zhihu, this is a folk remedy from Taoist Xiao. It might work for you. Try taking a couple of doses, even if it's a last resort."

Zhu Yin forced a smile and said, "Okay, okay."

Hao Yunlai sighed dramatically, "How can you take the exam like this? You're still young. If you don't take it this time, you'll have another chance. If you do take it, you might die."

Zhu Yin, with his neck stiff, said, "It can be tested, it can be tested! I dreamed that the first question was about Mencius."

Pointing to the books on the desk, he said breathlessly, "I'm currently studying Mencius."

"Bet on Mencius?" Hao Yunlai shook his head.

In your current state, what's the point of even taking the exam? Even if you correctly guessed Mencius, you still wouldn't pass.

Hao Yunlai tucked the blanket around Zhu Yin and said, "Don't take the exam anymore, just focus on getting better. I'm leaving."

Zhu Yin tilted his head back and watched Hao Yunlai leave.

Hao Yunlai glanced back, his feelings becoming even more complicated.

He left Yunxiang Tower, muttering to himself as if talking to himself:
"Zhu Zhihu, Zhu Zhihu, you arrogant rich young master, aren't you very proud and smug? Don't you look down on me?"

"How are you now? You're too sick to take the exam."

"Sigh, you'd better not take the exam. Your life is more important. Don't risk it."

Then, as if by some strange twist of fate, he said, "You bet on Mencius, but I'll bet on The Great Learning, and I'll do the opposite of what you say."

"Child Tiger, you just focus on getting better and watch me pass the imperial examination with flying colors!"

P.S.: The next chapter is about the exam. You can guess the rankings. Because the provincial exam was written very similarly, the metropolitan exam was simplified. The provincial and metropolitan exams are almost identical. Please support me in any way you can; those who are reading this should consider subscribing!

(End of this chapter)