Di Ming

Chapter 425 The Regent Grand Tutor, praised and bowed without naming!
After offering sacrifices at Xiaoling Mausoleum, Zhu Yin led his officials to escort the new emperor back to the city, where he directly entered the Nanjing Imperial Palace, which had already been thoroughly cleaned up.

In the morning, Zhu Changluo was a down-on-his-luck prince forced to take up his fiefdom, but by noon he was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, living in the Qianqing Palace, where the Taizu Emperor, the Jianwen Emperor, and the Chengzu Emperor had once lived.

175 years after the Ming Dynasty moved its capital, the dilapidated Nanjing Palace finally welcomed another master.

Once inside the city, Zhu Yin became even more decisive and efficient. With power in his hands, he immediately issued orders!

At three quarters past 3 PM that afternoon, Zhu Yin changed into his marquis's robes and helped the new emperor to the Fengtian Hall to hold the first court assembly!
Thousands of civil and military officials from the capital attended the court assembly. Most participated voluntarily, while a few were forced to attend.

This court assembly was very rushed, and the matter was simple: to urgently issue several imperial edicts.

The emperor immediately issued the edict of accession drafted by Xu Wei, formally announcing the establishment of a new emperor.

The second imperial edict honored the Wanli Emperor as the Retired Emperor and Consort Wang Gong as the Empress Dowager.

With this edict, at least in the eyes of the new Nanjing dynasty, Wanli was no longer the current emperor, but the abdicated retired emperor.

The third imperial edict declared Nanjing as the new capital and Beijing as Beiping.

The fourth imperial edict ordered Nanjing officials to retain their original positions and perform their duties.

The fifth imperial edict stipulated that all officers and soldiers of the garrisons and garrison troops who supported the new dynasty would receive their back pay.

Upon the announcement of these five imperial edicts, almost all the officials of the new dynasty rejoiced and wholeheartedly agreed.

The sixth imperial edict was for Zhu Yin's appointment.

But then Xiao Lang, the Grand Eunuch of the Nanjing Directorate of Ceremonial, unfolded the imperial edict and announced:
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, being of meager virtue and limited talent, have inherited the throne at a young age, receiving the great blessings of my ancestors and bearing the weighty responsibility of the imperial regalia. However, with the weight of the realm and the myriad affairs of state, how can I, alone, make such decisions?"

"I respectfully address the Imperial Tutor, Marquis of Jiangning, Zhu Yin, a meritorious official unparalleled in the old dynasty and a pillar of the new dynasty. He is loyal to the country, pure in thought, his literary virtue is sufficient to secure the nation, his military prowess is sufficient to pacify the country, his reputation is sufficient to win people's hearts, and his piety is sufficient to move Heaven. Is he not a sage destined for this era? He was entrusted by Heaven to quell the rebellion, and I relied on him to restore order... He should be entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country and jointly safeguard its peace."

"He was specially promoted to the title of Duke of Ningguo, a hereditary title that would be passed down through generations and that he would forever enjoy the emperor's favor. He was also granted the titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Grand Tutor, and appointed as Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory, Chief Minister, and Minister of Personnel."

"At this critical juncture of the newly established dynasty and the perilous state of the nation, it is imperative to unify all power and place all authority under one person. This is an extraordinary time, requiring extraordinary measures. Only by entrusting this task to the Grand Tutor in this perilous situation can I ensure the safety of the nation. I hereby appoint Zhu Yin as Grand Tutor Regent, to manage state affairs, lead all officials, and hold absolute power over all matters… He has absolute authority over the appointment and removal of officials below the Nine Ministers. The appointment and removal of officials are decided by the court, and the Grand Tutor's approval or disapproval is also taken into account… With the Grand Tutor Regent in court, the nation can be at peace."

Upon hearing this, some of the court officials immediately expressed their dissatisfaction.

Zhu Yin was the most meritorious minister who supported the new emperor. Moreover, he was already a marquis and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. Before that, he was the Minister of War, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, and had served as the Governor-General and the Military Commissioner. He had made outstanding contributions and had a high reputation. Although he was only nineteen years old, he was fully qualified to be the Grand Secretary and the Grand Tutor.

None of the ministers disagreed with this.

It's not that Zhu Yin is incapable of being promoted. Based on his outstanding military achievements in Goryeo, he should have been promoted to Duke three years ago.

The Regent Grand Tutor… isn’t he a second Zhang Juzheng? No, even worse than Zhang Juzheng!

Zhang Juzheng proclaimed himself regent, and was also referred to as such by his followers. However, Zhang did not hold the official title of regent, while Zhu Yin officially bestowed upon him the title of "Grand Tutor Regent."

Officials below the Nine Ministers could be appointed and dismissed by the Regent Grand Tutor alone, without the need for court recommendation. Even the appointments and dismissals of the Nine Ministers and Grand Secretaries, while requiring court recommendation, were subject to the Regent Grand Tutor's veto power. Those he disagreed with could not be appointed!
This is more powerful than the prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty. Even Zhang Juzheng didn't have this much power over personnel appointments.

Zhu Yin effectively seized control of the cabinet's drafting power, the directorate of ceremonial's approval power, the Ministry of Personnel's personnel power, and the Nine Ministers' recommendation power in his own hands!
However, before the edict could be finished being read, Xiao Lang continued reading:

"...The new dynasty has just been established, the borders are in turmoil, and the people are restless. It is a time of great military activity, with frequent wars. It is more appropriate to act expediently in times of crisis...The Grand Tutor is well-versed in military affairs and has made outstanding military achievements. Therefore, the Grand Military Commission is hereby reinstated, and the Grand Tutor is appointed as the Grand Military Commissioner in charge of all military affairs. He is bestowed with the Imperial Sword, the White Banner and the Yellow Axe, and the Ministry of War is placed under the control of the Grand Military Commissioner..."

What?! The Grand Military Commission has been reinstated, all military power has been transferred to it, and Zhu Yin has been appointed Grand Military Commissioner?!

This is a powerful minister! A powerful minister! Isn't this just like the military commanders of the Wei and Jin dynasties who were in charge of both domestic and foreign affairs?

Previously, the imperial edict had not mentioned military power, and although some people were dissatisfied, they could still tolerate it. But now that the edict had mentioned granting military power to Zhu Yin, they could no longer hold back.

Only then did many people suddenly realize that Zhu Yin had no troops. Had he been preparing for this day all along? Many people broke out in a cold sweat in an instant.

Was Zhu Yinzhen truly a loyal minister? Or had he been plotting this for a long time?

"Your Majesty! You must not!"

Xing Jie, the Vice Minister of War, stepped forward, raising his imperial tablet high. "Your Majesty! With this edict, all state affairs will fall under the control of the Grand Tutor. Where does this leave the Grand Tutor? Where does it leave Your Majesty? Where does it leave all the officials of the court?"

"The new dynasty is still an imperial court, not a makeshift organization. How can it be treated so lightly? Your Majesty, Minister of War Xing Jie, humbly request that Your Majesty rescind your decree. The Grand General's Office must not be reinstated, and the position of Grand General must not be granted!"

He did not oppose Prince Xin's ascension to the throne, nor did he oppose Zhu Yin's regency; in fact, he and Zhu Yin were acquaintances. Several years ago, when Zhu Yin quelled the rebellion in the Northwest, he, as the governor of Shanxi, had even collaborated with Zhu Yin.

But Zhu Yin's power was too great!

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Several ministers immediately stepped forward to object. These were all high-ranking officials from the Nine Ministers and other ministries. To be fair, they were all willing to support the new dynasty, but this edict was simply too outrageous; it practically granted Zhu Yin absolute power, making him emperor in name only!

"Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor is a loyal minister. This is putting him in a position of disloyalty."

"The Grand Tutor is no longer fit to lead the Grand Military Commission..."

"In over two hundred years of our dynasty, how could such a precedent have ever been set? Absolutely not!"

However, the members of Zhu's faction were not to be trifled with. Zhang Meng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, immediately stepped forward and said:

"His Majesty's edict clearly states that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! Gentlemen, what is the current situation? Although the new dynasty has been established, the eunuch faction in Beiping still deceives the Emperor Emeritus. Apart from Nanjing, the entire country is still in the hands of the eunuch faction and the Zheng family! Without a regent to consolidate military and political power, how can we overcome this crisis?"

"This Grand Military Commission originally existed in our dynasty, but it was later divided into five. In fact, this Grand Military Commission is the Privy Council of the Song Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, the Privy Council was also a place where the prime minister controlled military power. What's wrong with that?"

"Indeed!" Liu Yuanzhen, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, also stepped forward. "I second that! Everyone knows the Grand Tutor's character; this is merely a temporary measure! The Grand Tutor is the Emperor's tutor, is that acceptable? Back then, Zhuge Liang, who served as regent, devoted himself to the cause until his death, and is a model of a great minister throughout the ages. Your Majesty is only fifteen years old; it is not too late to return power to the Emperor after a few years of personal rule!"

Members of the Zhu faction readily agreed, and their points were quite valid. Of course, their identities as members of the Zhu faction were kept secret, not publicly known.

For a time, both sides argued their points and neither side could reach an agreement.

Zhu Yin watched all this calmly, unsurprised. This scene was exactly what he had expected. With such immense power in his hands, it would be strange if the court officials didn't argue.

"Gentlemen," suddenly Wei State Duke Xu Xiaobai, who was standing at the forefront of the military officers, stepped forward, "For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the people, the Grand Tutor raised an army to quell the rebellion and support the Emperor's ascension to the throne. I, Xu, am the same."

"I, Xu, also hold military power, but I am willing to be under the control of the Grand Tutor and obey the orders of the Grand Military Commission. There is no other reason than that these are extraordinary times, and we cannot follow the rules. Otherwise, if the eunuch faction seizes control of the retired emperor and launches a counterattack, how can Nanjing be defended?"

"Speaking of power, what about Yi Yin? What about the Duke of Zhou? What about Huo Guang? What about Zhuge Liang? Even if we don't talk about these great sages, let's talk about some powerful and infamous ministers who held immense power in the court, such as Shi Miyuan, Han Tuozhou, and Jia Sidao. Didn't they all hold both military and political power? But what could they do? In the end, didn't power still belong to the emperor?"

Even if Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, what was his ultimate fate? Didn't the Han Dynasty eventually recover?

"Grand Tutor is a man of refined taste and lofty character. With his virtue and prestige, he would never stoop to such a level. So why should you all worry? Are you worried about powerful ministers emerging in the new dynasty, or are you worried about losing your power? In the end, Grand Tutor is only a regent; after a few years, won't power still return to the emperor?"

Another powerful figure, Zong Qin, also said: "The Grand Tutor's heart is as bright as the moon. Even the common people say that the Grand Tutor is a radiant star shining in the sky! Whether the Grand Tutor is acting for the sake of the Ming Dynasty or for his personal power, the people of the world know perfectly well. I believe in the Grand Tutor! If the Grand Tutor does not step forward, what will become of the people of the world!"

"Take military power for example. If it is not granted to the Grand Tutor, wouldn't the Grand Tutor, as regent, be a figurehead? If he can't manage military affairs, how can he truly unify power? That's why even Zhuge Liang had to hold the military tally in his hand to be able to devote himself to the cause."

"Furthermore, the military power in Nanjing is already in the hands of the Grand Tutor. Even if the court does not grant him the title of Grand Commander, the Grand Tutor is still the commander-in-chief of the army. Granting him the title of Grand Commander is merely a matter of legitimacy, bringing this army into the ranks of our Great Ming."

Xing Jie and other opponents thought about it and realized it was indeed the case. The army was already under Zhu Yin's command; if he wasn't granted the title of Grand Commander, wouldn't he have military power?

Speechless, they could only look at each other and exchange wry smiles.

Zhu Yin stood calmly in the court, appearing detached and indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

By now, Zhu Yin's power had reached a point where he no longer needed to fight on the front lines. Many people were willing to stand up for him and debate his strategies. His years of painstaking cultivation involved far more than just military force and commerce.

Yet he still sighed inwardly, feeling an overwhelming loneliness. He thought to himself, "What can I do if I don't seize power? Can you change history by relying on yourselves?"

Following Zhu Yin's earlier instructions, the new emperor Zhu Changluo seized the opportunity and said at the opportune moment:

"Your words are all reasonable. However, there are still priorities and urgency. Today's situation is extraordinary. I... after much consideration, I have decided that the full authority over military and political affairs must be entrusted to the Grand Tutor for decision-making. It is not too late to return the power to the Emperor in the future. The Grand Tutor's loyalty to the Ming Dynasty is as clear as the sun and moon. If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. You need not discuss this further. This is an imperial edict, and it cannot be changed."

Having adopted this firm stance, Zhu Changluo then spoke with some empathy about what was on his mind:

"The Grand Tutor is the Imperial Preceptor, renowned throughout the land. I...I rely on him as much as my backbone, far more than just my limbs. I was taught by him years ago; his earnest teachings and heartfelt admonitions, like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, still resonate in my ears. To me, his virtue is like two heavens, his kindness like a second birth. The Emperor Emeritus favored Lady Zheng, leaving my mother and me imprisoned in Jingyang, in the frosty, cold palace. It was only thanks to my benefactor that we were spared. My relationship with the Grand Tutor is like that of father and son. The Grand Tutor is my adoptive father, my prime minister..."

At this point, the new emperor couldn't help but tear up.

Upon seeing this, all the courtiers were deeply moved!
It turns out that the new emperor's affection for Zhu Yin has reached such a level that it seems genuine.

They couldn't possibly understand Zhu Changluo's feelings. Locked in the treacherous inner palace, Zhu Changluo never received fatherly love; all he experienced was indifference, fear, and oppression.

It was Zhu Yin who filled the void of fatherly love when he needed to rely on him the most, allowing him to feel warmth and strength, grow step by step, and gradually become stronger. Only then did he understand many truths that his peers did not understand, and even though he was locked in the cold palace, he still had a broad perspective.

In Zhu Changluo's heart, there were only two people in the world who were truly good to him: his mother and his teacher.

Zhu Yin hadn't expected Zhu Changluo to express his teacher-student relationship in public. Moved, he couldn't help but say with concern:

"Your Majesty is a man of deep feelings and pure nature. I merely happened to be there at the right time, which led to this wonderful meeting between ruler and subject. I am truly unworthy of Your Majesty's trust and respect. I only wish to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the Ming Dynasty."

Having said this, he bowed to the assembled officials and said, "I have absolutely no selfish motives. My life is dedicated solely to the Ming Dynasty and the nation. If I break this vow, may I be forsaken by both gods and men!"

This was a cursed oath. Upon hearing this, many of the courtiers couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

Zhu Yin continued, “What has happened today is beyond my control; it is truly the will of Heaven. The mysteries involved are beyond my comprehension.” “Now, the new dynasty’s greatest enemies are not only the Zheng family and the eunuch faction who have deceived the retired emperor. I have received intelligence that there are rebellious chieftains and ambitious Tibetans plotting to rebel against the Ming Dynasty. Overseas, there are also Burma and foreign barbarians intending to invade the Ming. This is truly a critical moment of survival; in the coming years, the court will likely have to wage war on every front.”

“I can give up the position of Grand Commander, but as long as someone stands up and says that he can handle the crisis, defeat the enemy, and protect the new Nanjing dynasty from danger, then he can become the Grand Commander.”

These words struck everyone's hearts like a final blow. Xing Jie and the others could only sigh inwardly, that was all they could think. They hoped that Zhu Zhihu would remain true to his original intentions, genuinely care for the Ming Dynasty, and return power to the emperor in a few years.

Seeing that no one objected anymore, Xiao Lang continued reading:
"...The Grand Tutor is granted the privilege of entering the palace in a palanquin, not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, and not having to announce his name when being praised, so as to enhance his authority both inside and outside the court, effectively making him the regent...At all grand court sessions, regular court sessions, and banquets, a regency seat made of rosewood with dragon patterns will be placed to the left of the throne, only three feet lower than the throne..."

"...The officials first knelt and bowed to the throne facing north, then bowed to the Regent's seat facing east...When the officials encountered the Regent Grand Tutor, they performed the rites befitting a prince..."

"...He was bestowed with great honors in both his carriage and clothing, and was granted the privilege of riding in a six-horse chariot drawn by blue silk and gold, and wearing a red silk robe adorned with python patterns..."

"...The Regent Grand Tutor, acting on behalf of the Emperor, reviews and responds to memorials using vermilion and ochre ink. Imperial edicts are stamped with the blue seal 'Acting Regent.' Without the Regent's blue seal, the edict is not valid..."

Xing Jie and the others all had gloomy expressions.

Is this ever going to end? He actually dares to enter the palace in a palanquin, enter the court without bowing, and receive homage without being named! He calls it an act of authority both inside and outside the palace, but in reality, it's a pretense of regent!

Furthermore, a regent's seat would be set up below the emperor's throne. After all the officials knelt before the emperor, they would also have to pay their respects to the regent!
In all these ways, how is this any different from Wang Mang?
But Zhu Yin currently controls the military, and even the palace guards and imperial guards are all Zhu Yin's men. What can they do? For now, this is all they can do.

Zhu Yin listened calmly, as if nothing had happened. Why these formalities? They are actually very important.

Without these rituals, his regency would be difficult to demonstrate. Now is the time to seize this opportunity to establish a superior position by simultaneously strengthening both real power and ritual, so that he can rightfully command all officials in the future.

This is not for empty fame.

When the imperial edict was read aloud, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

From this point on, Zhu Yin was no longer the Marquis of Jiangning and the Magistrate of Pengshui, but the Duke of Ningguo, the Grand Secretary, the Regent, and the Grand Commander, wielding supreme military and political power over the new dynasty.

Many people looked at Zhu Yin with extremely complicated expressions. Many suddenly felt that Zhu Yin had become a stranger.

The final imperial edict was also an appointment. It appointed Zong Qin as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Xu Xiaobai as the Associate Commander of the Grand Military Commission, while retaining his concurrent position as Commander of the Beijing Garrison…

After several imperial edicts were announced, Zhu Yin suddenly said, "The newly established court needs money everywhere. The court needs to recruit soldiers, Jiangxi needs disaster relief, and officials need to receive their salaries, but the Nanjing treasury is insufficient, and there is a shortage of supplies. I am willing to sell my family property and ancestral assets to lend the Ministry of Revenue two million taels of silver to support the national expenses and Your Majesty's expenses."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shixuan, the Minister of Revenue, could hardly believe his ears. However, his reaction was swift; fearing Zhu Yin might change his mind, he quickly stepped forward and said:

"Your humble servant thanks Grand Tutor Xie! May I ask when the two million taels of silver lent to the Ministry of Revenue can be redeemed?"

The courtiers all pricked up their ears and looked at Zhu Yin with expectant expressions.

Although many people were dissatisfied with Zhu Yin earlier, their impression of him improved greatly after hearing that he was willing to lend the court two million taels of silver.

With the addition of two million taels of silver, the court's expenses will be greatly alleviated. The Grand Tutor, having just been appointed to govern, has already solved a major problem!

Zhu Yin smiled slightly and said, "Grand Minister, please be patient. At most, two million taels of silver will be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue in three days."

Upon hearing this, Xing Jie and the others once again held Zhu Yin in high esteem.

That's two million taels of silver! It's enough to ruin a family fortune.

Such selflessness and such spirit alone are awe-inspiring.

Once the imperial edicts were issued, they were immediately published in the official gazette. These were explicit edicts from the emperor, so of course they had to be widely publicized immediately.

The court assembly ended quickly, and the officials left the palace in turn. Zhu Yin also returned to the Linhuai Marquis's residence in Dagongfang.

This was originally the Marquis's mansion of Li Zhuting, but he expanded it beyond the bounds of propriety, relying on the protection of the Zheng family. In reality, it was built to the standards of a Duke. It was a famous mansion in Nanjing.

Yesterday, Li Zhuting sank into the Yangtze River, and his entire family was imprisoned, with their property confiscated and taken to the palace. This magnificent mansion thus benefited Zhu Yin's family.

The Ning sisters and others all moved in. The Zhu family once again recreated the scene of thousands of people living together in one house in Caomao Hutong, just like in Beijing back then.

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, Ning Caiwei, who had only occupied the Li residence for a day, led a large group of people out to greet them.

The inscription "Marquis of Linhuai Mansion" on the main gate has been changed to "Duke of Ningguo Mansion".

"Oh my, the Duke has returned to his residence!" Ning Caiwei said with a smile. "Having been in the palace for half a day, he has already become the Regent Tutor."

"Congratulations, my lord!" Xu Wei also smiled and cupped his hands. "Now that my lord is ruling the new dynasty, he is realizing his grand ambitions. We old folks can also benefit from his glory."

Sun Chengzong and his staff also offered their congratulations.

As Zhu Yin entered the mansion he had usurped, he laughed and said, "As expected, there were people who objected at the court meeting, but there was nothing they could do. The reins of this new dynasty are now in my hands. From now on, for the sake of the Ming dynasty, I will have to work tirelessly day and night."

His gaze shifted, and seeing the expectant looks on Sun Chengzong and the others, he stopped beating around the bush and said directly:
"This Grand Commandery is an independent headquarters. I have already drawn up a list of officials, all of whom are new positions. Would you like to work in the Grand Commandery, or would you prefer to join the Cabinet or the Six Ministries?"

Sun Chengzong quickly replied, "I am willing to go to the Grand Commander's Office."

Zhu Yin nodded, "Good! Zhisheng is a great talent, proficient in both literature and martial arts. He shall be appointed as the Chief Secretary of the Grand General's Office. This is a new official position, a fifth-rank official!"

Sun Chengzong was overjoyed. "Thank you for your trust, my lord!"

This commoner, dressed in plain clothes, suddenly became a fifth-rank official, a chief clerk. Even passing the imperial examination wouldn't lead to such a rapid promotion.

Gao Panlong, not to be outdone, said, "I am willing to go to the Ministry of Rites. I am most interested in matters of education and culture."

Zhu Yin waved his hand, "Alright! Go to the Ministry of Rites and be a secretary, that's a fifth-rank official!"

Gao Panlong couldn't help but feel excited, "Thank you, my lord!"

Zhuang Shu quickly gave Feng Menglong a wink, and Feng Menglong, remembering his wife's words, said:
"My lord, I do not wish to go anywhere else. I only wish to serve as your advisor, assisting you with plans and writing for you. I am willing to be a humble scholar."

"Hahaha!" Zhu Yin couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Is this what You Long really thinks?"

Feng Menglong said solemnly, "These are indeed my heartfelt words."

Zhu Yin didn't point it out, and said with a smile, "Then you can be my advisor."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shu breathed a sigh of relief. She felt that staying by Zhu Yin's side and maintaining the closest distance between them was better than any official position at the moment.

More important than official positions in the Grand General's Office, the Cabinet, or the Six Ministries was Zhu Yin's trust and closeness. She was confident she hadn't misjudged this.

Zhu Yin returned to his magnificent backyard and immediately held a banquet to entertain his retainers and others, as well as to celebrate the great success of his mission!
...

Although the news of Prince Xin's ascension to the throne in Nanjing spread like wildfire, it could only reach the south for the time being and could not cross the Yangtze River.

Because Zhu Yin had made preparations long ago. In order to delay the news of the uprising in Beijing, the Jinghai Navy fleet blockaded the Yangtze River. Huya also did everything in its power to prevent the news from reaching Beijing.

So much so that three days after Prince Xin proclaimed himself emperor, Nanjing began holding a coronation ceremony, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Zhejiang all knew about it. However, Yangzhou Prefecture, which was only separated from Nanjing by a river, did not receive any news of the "Suppressing the Rebellion in Fengtian".

Zhu Yin urgently needed time to stabilize the situation in the south before the Beijing court could react.

It's estimated that it will be early July before Wanli receives the news.

All the prefectures and garrisons in the Jiangnan region of Southern Zhili were brought under control. The people of southern Jiangsu, southern Anhui, and Shanghai immediately supported the Nanjing court.

The once leisurely Nanjing government offices, including the Six Ministries, the Censorate, various temples and departments, the Hanlin Academy, the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, became as busy as they were before the capital was moved to Beijing.

Most of the officials in Nanjing were former courtiers who had fallen out of favor and were essentially exiled there. Many of them were losers in the succession struggle of recent years and had always supported the eldest son of the emperor. Now, they shed their idleness and became as energetic as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

Nanjing already had a complete set of personnel, and the newly established Nanjing court immediately began operating at high speed.

On the day Prince Xin proclaimed himself emperor, after offering sacrifices at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Zhu Yin's first act was to issue an edict in the name of the new emperor, using a newly carved jade seal, to nine provinces: Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Huguang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. The edict was sent by the Ministry of War in Nanjing with an urgent message, requiring the nine provinces to support the new Nanjing dynasty and break away from the Beijing court.

At the same time, the 10,000-strong armed merchant group that had already gathered in the three locations was divided into three parts. Three thousand men helped Xiong Tingbi defend Chuzhou, three thousand men helped Mao Wenlong defend Huai'an, and four thousand men helped Cao Wenzhao defend Xiangyang.

Within a few days, Zhu Yin, in his capacity as regent, issued dozens of edicts covering all aspects of life. These edicts were all aimed at stabilizing public sentiment and maintaining control of the situation, and did not involve any reforms or modernization.

With his military power in hand, he easily and completely seized control of the Nanjing court. Zhu Yin controlled the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel, and the newly restored Grand Military Commission. Zong Qin, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, naturally followed his lead.

In the more than two hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, no minister has had more power than him.

What he cares about most now is how many provinces in the south will submit to the orders of the Nanjing court!
The answer to how large the initial territory of the Nanjing Xin Dynasty was will soon be revealed.

By then, Emperor Wanli had also received news from Nanjing.

So, would the money-worshipping emperor be driven to impotent rage?

Really been waiting.

...

P.S.: This is a 6600-word chapter. The next chapter is definitely what everyone wants to see, haha! Thank you, goodnight. The monthly ticket ranking depends on everyone! Please vote and leave reviews!

(End of this chapter)