Di Ming

Chapter 259 Tingtui
When Zhu Yin saw Hao Yunlai actually stand up to defend his godfather, he immediately understood the situation.

The Zheng Group wanted to win over the adoptive father, valuing his prestige in the military!

Hao Yunlai is secretly a henchman of the Zheng family, but not openly. Hao Yunlai is using this opportunity to befriend his adoptive father so that he can win him over for the Zheng family in the future.

With Consort Zheng secretly backing him up, Hao Yunlai was naturally unafraid of offending the emperor and affecting his career. Even if he defended Qi Jiguang and displeased the emperor, Consort Zheng would speak well of him to the emperor and salvage his image.

Other ministers who did not have the support of the Zheng family would not have easily risked speaking up for Qi Jiguang, a military general.

Moreover, Hao Yunlai's intervention at this time would also win the favor of court officials who sympathize with Qi Jiguang, achieving two goals at once.

But what does Zheng want to do by winning over her adoptive father? Could she be plotting a rebellion?

History has already been altered by time travelers; who knows what the Zheng family will do in the future?

But then Hao Yunlai said righteously and sternly:

"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext! Sun Yuhou! Huang Yuntai, you two, for your own selfish reasons, have framed a general of the nation, fabricated charges, and tried to gain public favor by fabricating charges against him. Your intentions are despicable!"

As a powerful figure who had served as an imperial inspector, Hao Yunlai possessed a commanding presence and eloquence far surpassing that of ordinary censors and officials. He continued, his expression stern:

"Qin Hui killed Yue Fei with three fabricated charges. Do you also intend to follow Qin Hui's example and kill Qi Jiguang with three fabricated charges? Unfortunately, our Great Ming Dynasty is filled with upright officials, unlike the weak Song Dynasty! His Majesty is wise and insightful, and is certainly not like Emperor Gaozong of Song! Under the eyes of the Emperor, loyalty and treachery, good and evil, are clearly revealed! Your treacherous schemes will not succeed!"

Hao Yunlai was only twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He was tall and imposing, and at this moment he looked very imposing. No one dared to underestimate this seventh-rank censor.

Zhu Yin, who knew Hao's background well, couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

This Hao Yunlai truly has the potential to be a great treacherous minister; he's incredibly good at putting on airs. Relying on the secret support of the Zheng family and taking advantage of today's grand court session, his persona is very cleverly crafted.

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yuntai originally thought that since the emperor disliked Qi Jiguang, and Qi Jiguang had just made great contributions, they could impeach Qi Jiguang now and use this opportunity to win the emperor's favor. Then, a simple word of praise in the imperial edict would save them a few years of seniority.

This is also to share the burden of the emperor and father.

But then Hao Yunlai suddenly appeared and immediately pinned the label on him.

But then Hao Yunlai pointed at Qi Jiguang and said:
"My lords! Look at this old general. He has fought for the country for forty years, and his hair has turned completely white. There is an old saying that peace is established by generals, but generals are not allowed to see peace. How can such a tragic thing happen in our Emperor's land?"

"I heard that when Qi Shaobao first left his post in Jizhou, the people of Jizhou spontaneously closed the market and gathered on both sides of the road in Jizhou, weeping as they bid him farewell. There is a poem that says: 'His love for the troops at the gate fills Youyan, but sixteen years have passed without the dust of the barbarians. Who will move the banners to the Lingnan region? The young and the old weep at the edge of the sky.'"

"Tell me, if he were truly arrogant and tyrannical, embezzling military funds, how could things have come to this? Even if he received some pay without working, it was to support his family and to fight for the court. Which general doesn't support his family? Is this a crime? If this is a crime, then which of the military generals of my Great Ming Dynasty is without fault?"

"As for the excessive number of personal guards, that's utter nonsense and ignorance. Former Liaodong General Li Chengliang had at least five thousand personal guards. Current Liaodong General Yang Shaoxun has three thousand personal guards, and Xuanzhen General Ma Fang and others also have three thousand personal guards. Sun Yuhou, are you ignorant, or are you deliberately pretending to be confused?"

"When did the imperial court stipulate that a general's personal guards should not exceed three thousand?"

"The Qi Family Army that Qi Shaobao trained in Zhejiang back then was actually just a group of household guards. Didn't it number at least three thousand?"

"As everyone knows, Qi Jiguang was promoted to general four times and wore jade for more than 30 years. He had no fields and no arrows in his bag, but only a collection of several thousand volumes of books."

"Years ago, Zhang Dingsi impeached Qi Jiguang, but even Zhang Dingsi himself later said that Qi Jiguang's merits outweighed his faults. The Emperor also deeply agreed. If the Emperor really did not trust Qi Jiguang, why would he entrust tens of thousands of troops to him?"

"Previously, I accompanied General Qi on his western expedition. I only knew that Junior Protector Qi was strict in military discipline, commanded orders rigorously, loved his soldiers like his own children, and never violated the slightest rule. Although he was a renowned general who had won countless battles, he was approachable, upright, and truly a model of loyalty to the country and an indomitable bulwark. It is said that when the country is in trouble, it thinks of good generals. Does it mean that now that the world is at peace, some people no longer need good generals?"

"If you still insist on impeaching Qi Shaobao, then I will submit a memorial to defend him! Even if it goes to court deliberation, court interrogation, and joint trial by the three judicial departments, I will clear Qi Shaobao's name! I will also have to impeach you for the crime of slander. I refuse to believe that the Emperor is wise and just, and the court is full of upright officials, and cannot tolerate a veteran general with outstanding military achievements!"

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yuntai were rendered speechless and deflated by Hao Yunlai's righteous and forceful rebuke. However, they were unwilling to withdraw their impeachment.

The officials reacted with varying expressions upon seeing this. Zhu Yin, however, breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Qi Jiguang knew that Hao Yunlai was secretly part of Zheng's faction and had heard Zhihu say that the man was wicked, he still felt much better when he heard the man speak up for him.

Dismiss the person, but not their words!

Just as Sun Yuhou was about to refute Hao Yunlai, Jiang Dongzhi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, stepped forward at Zhu Yin's signal and said:

“Sun Yuhou, Huang Yuntai, although it is common for censors to report on matters based on hearsay, this is a common practice in the country. However, we cannot act rashly. Your impeachment petitions have no real evidence and are purely exaggerated and speculative. If you insist on impeaching, once the Court of Judicial Review opens a case for investigation, you yourselves will also be included in the investigation.”

As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, his remarks largely represented the attitude of the Court of Judicial Review.

If an impeachment case enters the court deliberation stage, and the impeached person is dissatisfied with the impeachment, then an investigation procedure will be initiated, and the three judicial departments, including the Court of Judicial Review, can intervene if necessary.

Seeing Sun Yuhou's grim expression, Huang Yuntai continued:
"Qi Jiguang returned to the capital in triumph yesterday, and today you impeach him. If this gets out, it will surely cause controversy..."

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yunlai did not expect that even Jiang Dongzhi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, would stand up and speak for Qi Jiguang.

The two immediately regretted their actions. With so many people opposing it, impeachment became pointless.

To put it bluntly, the success of an impeachment often depends not on whether the impeached person has a real problem, but on which side has the loudest voice and the most support.

Without support, even if nothing is happening, something is still happening.

With plenty of support, even if something goes wrong, nothing will happen.

Suddenly, Censor Qi Cai stepped forward and said, "I, Qi Cai, Censor of Shanxi Circuit, hereby impeach Sun Yuhou and Huang Yunlai for being instructed by others to slander a national general..."

Sun Yuhou said sternly, "No one instructed me! What evidence do you have?"

Qi Cai sneered and retorted, "Then what basis do you have for impeaching Qi Jiguang? You are a censor, and you can impeach ministers face to face. I am an imperial censor, and I can also impeach ministers face to face. His Majesty is wise and will surely deliver justice."

"If we falsely accuse a general who has won a great victory without any real evidence, who will be willing to serve the country when it is in trouble in the future? Therefore, I am impeaching you for being heartless and abusing your power!"

“You…” Sun Yuhou’s face turned ashen, “You’re spouting nonsense! You’re completely unreasonable!”

Hao Yunlai immediately chimed in Qi Cai's defense, saying, "You are the one who is unreasonable! Today is the first day of the lunar month, a day of peace and harmony, a day for people to come to the palace to offer their congratulations. Yet you have impeached a meritorious official in court without cause, which violates the principles of the court! I will also impeach you!"

Suddenly, another of Zheng's henchmen, the censor Gu Jiming, also stepped forward and said:

"I second Imperial Censor Hao's opinion. I also impeach Sun Yuhou and Huang Yuntai for abusing their power, acting recklessly, seeking to please the public, and disregarding the principles of the court."

Censor Yuan Keli also stepped forward and said, "This humble official will not impeach anyone, but only speak out for the injustice done to Qi Jiguang!" He took off his official hat and said, "Qi Jiguang is loyal to the country and has made great contributions. He has not yet been rewarded for his merits but has been impeached. Where is justice? If Qi Jiguang is impeached, this humble official can only resign!"

Yuan Keli was not instructed by Zhu Yin, nor was he instructed by Zheng Guowang. He stepped forward spontaneously to speak out for Qi Jiguang.

"Alright!" Seeing that the time was ripe, Grand Secretary Shen Yiguan finally spoke: "Qi Jiguang is a veteran general of the country who has rendered meritorious service to the court, and His Majesty still trusts him. Today is the first day of the lunar month, a grand court assembly, why are you all making trouble?"

He looked at Sun Yuhou with a serious expression, and gently tapped the ivory tablet in his hand. "Sun Yuhou, Huang Yuntai, are you sure you want to bother His Majesty with these two impeachments? Should you insist on the impeachment, or withdraw it? There is still time."

"If you insist on impeaching him, once the impeachment is sent to the palace, you will bear the consequences."

He did not stop the two from impeaching, because the censors could impeach anyone, and he had no right to stop them, nor could he stop them in public.

All he could tell them was that they would have to bear the consequences themselves!

Everyone can weigh the weight of those four words.

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yuntai immediately looked pale.

Impeachment failed!

Although they could persist in impeaching him, it was pointless. They themselves would also be impeached by several people, and Yuan Keli would have to resign.

Not only would they ultimately fail to do anything to Qi Jiguang, but they themselves would also suffer, and the emperor would think they had made a fool of themselves.

The only option now is to withdraw the impeachment. Although withdrawing the impeachment would be a loss of face, it is the best choice at the moment, and it is better than being dismissed from office.

Sun Yuhou sighed and said, "This humble official was inconsiderate and acted rashly. Please withdraw the impeachment!"

Huang Yuntai also said with a bitter expression, "This humble official also withdraws the impeachment."

Hao Yunlai sneered: "You'll just have to wait to be impeached."

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yunlai exchanged bewildered glances and looked around. They saw faces that seemed to be smiling, yet were filled with mockery. The gazes of the Nine Ministers and the Cabinet Ministers were all icy cold.

The two felt a sudden chill run down their spines, as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

Since they publicly announced the withdrawal of the impeachment, there was no turning back. An overwhelming sense of regret welled up in their hearts, and their faces turned ashen.

For a moment, the court session was eerily quiet.

Impeaching ministers has always been risky. Having the power to report based on hearsay doesn't guarantee a life without consequences. Sometimes, the price can be your career, your position, your reputation, or even your life!

The two did not expect that several civil officials would step forward on the spot to speak up for Qi Jiguang, a military general with a sensitive identity.

Sun Yuhou and Huang Yuntai felt utterly hopeless. They knew that their careers were now completely bleak.

Even if he wanted to stay, it wasn't something he could decide for himself.

The censors who had prepared to impeach Zhu Yin in court were now expressionless and had no intention of doing so.

Now that this has happened, it is no longer appropriate to confront Zhu Yin in person today. The only option is to go back and write a formal impeachment petition.

Zheng Guowang gave the others a wink, signaling them not to impeach Zhu Yin in front of them today.

In fact, she and Hao Yunlai's impeachment memorials had already been submitted to the palace. The person who planned to meet with Zhu Yin today was merely an accomplice.

Zhu Yin knew that those people wouldn't impeach him in court today. This was truly unexpected.

It's no longer advisable for me to use the grand court session on the first day of the month to launch a counterattack. But today, there's another scene unfolding in the Wenhua Hall!

Grand Secretary Wang Xijue said, “Everyone, please return to your offices after the court session. The Nine Ministers and officials of the third rank and above in the capital, as well as the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits officials, shall all go to the Wenhua Hall to participate in the court discussion and recommendation!”

Everyone immediately understood that it was related to the military merits and promotions in the Northwest.

Immediately afterwards, all the officials exited the Meridian Gate in turn and returned to their offices.

Officials qualified to participate in court discussions, led by cabinet ministers, would proceed eastward to the Wenhua Hall in the southeast of the Forbidden City.

The Wenhua Hall is located next to the Wenyuan Pavilion and faces the Wuying Hall to the west. It was the place where the Crown Prince studied outside the palace, the Emperor held lectures, the Grand Secretariat discussed politics, and the court held recommendations, discussions, and interrogations.

Upon entering the Wenhua Hall, the cabinet ministers led the assembled officials in bowing before the empty throne.

Those who participated in the court deliberations and recommendations were mainly the Grand Secretariat and the Nine Ministers, as well as civil officials of the third rank and above. Although officials from the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits also participated, they were only present and supervised, and had no voting rights or power to discuss matters.

Zhu Yin was previously a Hanlin official, and this was his first time participating in the imperial recommendation process.

Incense was already burning in the hall, and desks were arranged around it. The hall was filled with books, and the fragrance of books mixed with sandalwood filled the room.

The morning light slanted through the carved windows of the Wenhua Hall, casting dappled patterns on the blue bricks inside. The gold brick floor gleamed with a cool, faint light.

The throne sits high facing north, with a plaque inscribed with "Upholding the Middle Way" hanging in front of a dragon-patterned screen, and bronze crane incense burners on both sides emitting sandalwood smoke that swirls around.

Of course, the emperor would not appear as usual.

Inside the hall, red lacquered wooden tables were arranged according to rank, covered with brocade cushions. Grand Secretary Wang Xijue and Second Grand Secretary Zhao Zhigao sat on either side of the Emperor, with a low black lacquered table placed across their knees, on which a stack of memorials with vermilion annotations were spread out.

On the west side are cabinet ministers Zhang Wei and Shen Yiguan.

Before the desk beside the incense burner, two secretaries stood holding inkstones.

On the east side, seated at the head of the table was Sun Long, the Minister of Personnel, dressed in a scarlet robe and wearing a jade belt.

Since the first topic of discussion today is the recommendation of officials, it is customary for the Minister of Personnel to preside over the meeting.

The Minister, the Censor-in-Chief, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Commissioner of the Court of Transmission sat in order on both sides of the hall, their scarlet robes and black gauze hats slightly tilted to their sides, their tablets held horizontally, resembling a line of vermilion geese.

Secondly, there are high-ranking officials of the third rank, such as Vice Minister, Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and Grand Master of the Palace.

Secondly, there were officials such as Zhu Yin, the Vice Censor-in-Chief.

The bronze beast-shaped incense burner at the corner of the hall emitted agarwood incense, and amidst the swirling blue smoke, the officials of the Censorate sat in a circle behind, their blue robes and white belts standing like pines in the cold.

After everyone sat up straight, Sun Long, the Minister of Personnel, first looked at Wang Xijue.

Wang Xijue nodded, gesturing with his ivory tablet, "Grand Chancellor, please preside."

Although cabinet ministers hold the highest position and have the most authoritative voice in court deliberations and recommendations, they do not preside over court recommendations and deliberations.

The selection of officials was presided over by the Minister of Personnel. The selection of military officers and generals was presided over by the Minister of War... The matter was handled by the minister in charge.

Sun Long said in a booming voice:
"Bo Bai rebelled, and the false emperor overstepped his bounds. His Majesty appointed Zhu Yin as Imperial Envoy to lead the campaign on behalf of Heaven. Thanks to the Emperor's great blessings and the soldiers' valiant efforts, Ningxia was pacified within a few months, Gansu was recovered, and the Hetao region was reinstated. The rebel leader was executed. Yesterday, the prisoners were presented at the Meridian Gate, and the victory was announced at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. All the officials presented memorials to congratulate him."

After finishing his opening remarks, Sun Long picked up his teacup, cleared his throat, and continued:

"The Ministry of Personnel recorded the merits, and the Ministry of War inspected them; all have been reported to the Emperor. According to the system of the dynasty, civil officials who are appointed to military affairs are promoted for their merits. Naturally, the Emperor's grace is boundless, and rewards and punishments are clear."

"The position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War is currently vacant. By imperial decree, Zhu Yin is to be promoted to Right Vice Minister and given the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince for his meritorious service."

In fact, everyone knows that there was no shortage of Right Vice Ministers in the Ministry of War, but the emperor did not want to grant them titles. In order to get rid of Zhu Yin by using the Right Vice Minister of War, he sent the original Right Vice Minister of War, Li Zhen, to be the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, leaving the position vacant.

Today's announcement is supposedly for the appointment of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, but it's really just a formality, since the only candidate is Zhu Yin, and there aren't even any other candidates to accompany him.

Sun Long, holding a ruler and a tablet, bowed towards the direction of the Qianqing Palace and said, "By imperial decree, let us vote now."

Once the cabinet ministers and the nine high-ranking officials vote and the appointment passes by a majority, it will take effect immediately, and Zhu Yin will become the Vice Minister of War and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Given Zhu Yin's reputation among the nine high-ranking officials, he will certainly receive a high number of votes.

As the Minister of Personnel spoke, the Imperial Secretary wrote furiously, ink splattering across the paper.

However, at that moment, a man stepped forward from among the officials of the Censorate at the corner of the hall and said in a soft, melodious voice, "I, Geng Suilong, a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, request that the court recommendation be suspended!"

The hall fell silent instantly, filled only with wisps of smoke and the chirping of birds outside the windows.

"Why?" Sun Long narrowed his old eyes, his aura as the Grand Chancellor was overwhelming.

Everyone looked at Geng Suilong, the supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel.

In court deliberations and recommendations, officials below the rank of Vice Censor-in-Chief and those in the Censorate indeed had no voting or political power. However, they did have supervisory power and could raise objections at any time.

And when they raise objections, even the chief minister cannot stop them.

Zhu Yin sneered inwardly. Well, they didn't jump out in the main court, but now they've finally done so in the imperial decree.

But then Geng Suilong spoke eloquently and politely:

"I have heard that an imperial censor has impeached the Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhu Yin, and His Majesty has issued a decree: 'Return to court for deliberation!'"

"Since His Majesty has issued an edict to deliberate on the impeachment in court, I believe that the impeachment should be discussed in court first, and then the court recommendation should be carried out."

"If the court finds Zhu Yin innocent and the impeachment is invalid, it is not too late to recommend him as Vice Minister of War. Otherwise, if he is first recommended as Right Vice Minister of War, and then the court finds him guilty, then the appointment as Vice Minister of War will have to be revoked. Wouldn't that be like playing a child's game?"

"Therefore, I dare to suggest that we should first follow the imperial decree, hold a court hearing on the impeachment case, and after the verdict confirms that the defendant is innocent, then proceed with the court hearing. This would be more appropriate."

After Geng Suilong finished speaking, his voice lingered in the hall. Suddenly, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

The autumn wind swept through the corridors outside the hall, stirring the bronze bells beneath, their sound as clear and cold as ice.

Zhu Yin glanced at Geng Suilong almost imperceptibly; the young man's gaze was as indifferent as white clouds!
P.S.: That's all for today. Thank you, goodnight. This is my first time writing about political intrigue, so please forgive any shortcomings.

(End of this chapter)