Di Ming

Chapter 438 Xu Wenchang enters the cabinet to assist in governing the country, and Zhang Juzheng exonerates the wronged.

"To serve the Ming Dynasty forever?" Zhu Yin smiled slightly, a hint of amusement in his expression.

The eight elders turned to look at each other, their deep, weathered eyes all gazing at the young regent.

They represent far more than just their own views.

The entire Southern Kingdom's distinguished families, gentry, nobles, wealthy merchants, and almost all the Confucian and morally upright clans were watching.

What is this? This is the true will of the people, the true sentiment of the people, the righteous spirit, vitality, and confidence cultivated by the Ming Dynasty for over two hundred years of nurturing scholars.

Whether it's a regent or a powerful minister, no one can be ignored, much less disregarded!
The tea room was silent, except for the sound of the autumn wind rising and the sight of red leaves fluttering in the air.

In such a solemn and heavy atmosphere, Zhu Yin suddenly wanted to laugh, yet also felt a deep sadness.

Do you, these virtuous and respected gentlemen, these sanctimonious and noble officials, really love the Ming Dynasty that much?

Even if you truly love it, you love your own Ming Dynasty, not the Ming Dynasty of the whole world.

If you truly love each other, why is the Ming Dynasty, with its vast wealth and empty treasury, so desperate? Why do you annex land across prefectures and counties, recklessly monopolize smuggling, and resist grain and commercial taxes?
If you truly love yourselves, why do you abuse your power, accept bribes, control local areas, manipulate the judiciary, and treat the people like pigs and sheep?

After the fifteenth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, the country declined rapidly, and corruption worsened day by day. After the twentieth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, each year was worse than the last, and the country was already showing signs of its impending doom.

I've been in the Ming Dynasty for ten years, but the difference between the lives of ordinary people ten years ago and now is striking; it feels like a lifetime ago. And all this in just ten years!

Ten years ago, it was a time of peace and prosperity, but what about now? So many people are selling their children and going bankrupt by pawning their houses! Even in wealthy areas like Jiangnan and Jiangxi, there are now refugees.

The number of people in the world who are displaced and suffering from cold and hunger is already countless!

You high and mighty, worldly-wise national elites, really didn't see this rapidly deteriorating situation?
If you truly love each other, why did the She'an Rebellion last for more than a decade, giving rise to the Later Jin dynasty in Liaodong, which the court lacked the funds to suppress, leading to the Ming dynasty's demise decades later?

I'm depreesed.

If you truly loved the Ming Dynasty, you would save me so much trouble!

Zhu Yin tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, then suddenly smiled and said, "Gentlemen, you have come to visit today for this very reason."

Shen Shixing did not deny it, and solemnly said, "Zhihu, although the Emperor has not rewarded you for your merits and feels ashamed towards you, he is still the sovereign and father. Besides, the Emperor was only temporarily misled by the eunuch faction, and in general, he is a wise and virtuous ruler. Only when the world is in the Emperor's hands can the Ming Dynasty enjoy peace and prosperity."

Zhu Yin almost rolled his eyes when he heard this awkward and forced praise of the money-worshipping emperor.

That's bullshit.

If Emperor Wanli had been even slightly capable, or even just an ordinary monarch, the Ming Dynasty could easily have lasted another sixty years.

Don't underestimate the significance of a 60-year period. By the time a 60-year period had passed, the Jurchens' period of rise had long ended. Even if they hadn't been wiped out by the Ming Dynasty, there would have been no possibility of a Qing Dynasty.

Therefore, there was a high probability that the Ming Dynasty would transition to a capitalist era.

Unfortunately, Wanli was Nurhaci's savior, squandering a winning hand, exhausting the Ming Dynasty's vitality, and greatly accelerating its demise.

He himself was lucky to die before the fall of his country, but his two grandsons, who were young and had not received an imperial education, were made to take the blame for him.

What's even better is that a whole host of people in later generations tried to whitewash him. All the blame was shifted to the court officials, ignoring the responsibility of the leaders.

The company went bankrupt, and the blame was placed solely on the employees' selfishness, slacking off, and undermining of the company. The boss, however, bore no responsibility. It's truly a bizarre situation.

However, Zhu Yin couldn't reveal the information these time travelers knew. He also couldn't be bothered to argue with Shen Shixing and the others about whether Wanli was a tyrant.

He replied perfunctorily, "Very well, I swear in this life that I will never fail the Ming Dynasty."

"To live up to the Ming Dynasty?" Shen Shixing and the others smiled knowingly, a hint of something strange appearing on their faces.

Zhu Zhihu... a slippery fellow.

Shen Shixing coughed, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and the veins on his old hand, which was stroking his beard, stood out.

He seemed to have made up his mind, and suddenly raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice:
"It's not about never betraying the Ming Dynasty, it's about being a subject of the Ming Dynasty forever. Zhihu, you should know the difference."

"Oh?" Zhu Yin smiled slightly, unsurprised. His bright and warm eyes suddenly turned sharp, and his tone carried a pressing pressure. "Master Xuan is indeed Master Xuan. He deserves to have served as the Grand Secretary for ten years."

Shen Shixing sighed, his expression desolate. "I never imagined that after two hundred years, there would be a second Jingnan Rebellion. And this time, it's the eldest son's descendants. Zhu Zhihu, Zhu Zhihu, you deceived the Emperor, you deceived the court, and you deceived the entire world."

"Upon hearing the news of the Jingnan Rebellion, I realized that you must be from the Wu family of Nanyang, right? Wu You, the woman who married the Duke of Wei, is not your adopted sister, but your biological sister, is that not so?"

Zhu Yin's smile turned cold, and his eyes were filled with frost.

"The Beijing cabinet knew about the Wu family in Nanyang more than 20 years ago, right? Someone reported that the Wu family were descendants of Jianwen, and you believed it back then."

He put down his teacup. “But so what? You can’t do anything about it. Because the Wu family is far away in Malacca, too far from the Ming Dynasty, you don’t even have a decent navy. You can only look on with envy.”

He gave a contemptuous smile and said, "So you can only keep this secret and hope that the Wu family will be eliminated by the foreigners or die out on their own."

"I truly feel sorry for you. You know perfectly well that we, the descendants of Jianwen, are in Southeast Asia, yet you are powerless to do anything about it. Can't you just build a navy, boldly set sail once, and take over Southeast Asia? Southeast Asia is so wonderful, why don't you want it?"

"You lack the courage and ambition. Forget about Southeast Asia, you've lost everything that originally belonged to China, including the Hetao region, the Western Regions, Jiaozhi, and the Three Xuan and Six Wei regions. You've abandoned thousands of miles of territory. You didn't even want Ryukyu and Dayuan Island, which were right next to you. You even gave up the Zhoushan Islands on the coast. How can you be expected to conquer Southeast Asia? Hah."

“You…” Shen Shixing and the others did not expect that once the matter was brought up, Zhu Yin would speak so bluntly and openly, not only not denying that he was a descendant of Jianwen, but also making sarcastic remarks about them.

But Zhu Yin said, "Let's not beat around the bush. I, Zhu Yin, am also called Wu Yin. According to the secret family genealogy, my real name is Zhu Dazhao. I am of the same generation as the Emperor Emeritus, and by all accounts, I am His Majesty's uncle."

"Even if my purpose in pacifying the country is to reclaim the ancestral land, what's wrong with that?"

"If the world knew my identity, would they still think that our eldest son's lineage was not a member of the Ming imperial family, not a descendant of the founding emperor?"

He lightly tapped his folding fan, "Gentlemen, do not forget that this Ming Dynasty throne originally belonged to my eldest son's family! Zhu Di... no matter how you look at it, he was an uncle who usurped the throne from his nephew, a traitor! Even after thousands of years, he will still be considered a usurper!"

"Therefore, two hundred years later, there was a second Jingnan Rebellion. This is the principle of cause and effect, and every drink and every bite is preordained."

"Even if I reclaim the throne, it will be to set things right, restore order, and return what belongs to its rightful owner. What's wrong with that?"

Zhu Yin no longer intended to hide anything. He held military power, Zong Qin was his confidant, Xu Xiaobai was his brother-in-law, and even the emperor was his good student. What did he have to worry about?
Although the powerful clans in the south were strong, what were they in the face of absolute force? If they were truly tough, why would they obediently become slaves under the Manchu's butcher's knife?

Upon hearing this, Shen Shixing and the others couldn't help but tremble their beards, like fallen leaves in the wind.

Is the Jiangning clan determined to usurp the throne?
"Cough cough cough!" Xu Guo coughed again.

Looking at his white beard and hair reflected in the teacup, Shen Shixing couldn't help but feel a profound sense of powerlessness.

Wang Yi'e sighed, and said with great sorrow, "Zhihu, we have watched you grow up in the court. You are a minister of the Ming Dynasty, a disciple of the emperor. Since Wang Mang, how has a civil official ever usurped the throne!"

"Did all those resounding words from the classics you read since childhood just go in your eyes but not in your heart? As a disciple of Confucianism and a follower of the sages, how can you so blatantly disregard moral principles and trample on etiquette! Where do you place your principles and righteousness?"

Xu Guo coughed, his face flushed, and pointed at Zhu Yin, "You brat! Aren't you afraid of leaving a bad name for all time? I was wrong to help you back then!"

"Why are you unmoved and stubbornly insist on going your own way despite my heart-wrenching plea and earnest advice today?"

"Although Emperor Chengzu was not the successor to the throne, his four branches of the family reigned for two hundred years, spanning ten generations and twelve emperors! This established the legitimacy of the dynasty! Otherwise, how could he have enjoyed such a long reign!"

Zhu Yin gestured for the boy to pat Xu Guo's back, and said slowly, "Lord Yingyang, please don't upset your health. I'm just telling the truth."

"I cannot agree with what you said, Lord Yingyang. Take the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, for example. From the Khitan to the Mongol Yuan, they were in the hands of the barbarians for more than four hundred years, even longer than two hundred years. Can we say that just because they were occupied by the barbarians for a few hundred years, they became barbarian lands and were no longer the homeland of the Han people? What kind of logic is that?"

"And the Imperial Seal of the State, it is said to have been in the hands of the barbarians for over six hundred years. If the Imperial Seal of the State were to see the light of day again, would it cease to be a treasure of China simply because it was in the hands of the barbarians for so long?"

"Let's not talk about something that big. Let's just talk about a farmer in the countryside. His lawfully wedded wife was abducted and forced to have children with a thug. Can we say that because his wife was forced to have children with him for many years, she is no longer the farmer's wife?"

"If we accept this view, wouldn't it encourage people to turn to evil? Whether it's by trickery or force, whoever grabs it gets it—where is justice and morality? In this situation, why are there no moral principles or ethical codes?"

As Zhu Yin spoke, his tone gradually became clearer: "There are also some powerful and wealthy families in recent times who have seized the ancestral property of ordinary people, with fields stretching to the horizon, so vast that even crows cannot fly over them. But after occupying them for so long, they have come to believe that those fields truly belong to them. Little do they know that justice resides in the hearts of the people, and the land they have seized will always belong to those who have been displaced and reduced to tenant farmers and vagrants!"

Do you all agree?

This is an opportunity to give them a warning.

You've been trying to intimidate me with your moral principles and social norms, haven't you? Fine, what about you powerful clans who annex land and seize farmland?
The eight elders were all speechless upon hearing Zhu Yin's words.

They knew very well that Zhu Yin could no longer be persuaded.

This person will usurp the throne sooner or later. Therefore, he promised never to betray the Ming Dynasty, but was unwilling to promise to remain a subject of the Ming Dynasty forever.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yin continued, "In truth, I am willing to serve the Ming Dynasty forever. As Mencius said, the people are of utmost importance, the state is next, and the ruler is of least importance. The state of the Ming Dynasty is of course above the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Even the emperor of the Ming Dynasty should be a subject of the Ming Dynasty!"

What? The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was also a subject of the Ming Dynasty?

Upon hearing these almost treasonous remarks, Shen Shixing and the others suddenly thought of one person: Li Zhi!
The emperor is supreme and represents the Ming Dynasty. How can the emperor be considered a subject of the state?

How absurd! But then they remembered Mencius's words and fell silent once more.

They suddenly realized that Zhu Yin wasn't being sophistical, but rather that what he said made a lot of sense. At this point, the discussion had essentially reached an impasse.

The Jiangning clan...didn't even bother with pretense, displaying an air of "what can you do to me?", clearly intending to reclaim the throne of the eldest branch. They completely disregarded public opinion and the sentiments of the people of the South.

Shen Shixing closed his eyes and sighed deeply: "In truth, even if you had made a promise today, it might have been like autumn leaves, scattered in an instant. But I waited for your promise, which at least guaranteed ten years of peace and comforted me in my twilight years. Who knew that even that would be unattainable."

He was very disappointed. Zhu Yin didn't give him any face at all.

“The tea is excellent,” Shen Shixing suddenly said. “The autumn scenery is also beautiful.”

He downed the tea in one gulp, swept a fallen leaf off the table with a flick of his sleeve, his eyes filled with a sense of desolation.

Your Majesty, we have done our best. The Jiangning clan has been plotting for a long time, and we old ministers are ultimately just a group of scholars. We cannot accomplish anything with just our tongues.

That's it, that's it.

It's all a family matter for the Zhu family anyway, so why get involved? It's lamentable that all the Zhu family's plundering and fighting has resulted in the suffering of the common people and the disgrace of the nation.

Ugh--

If the Way cannot be followed, I will take a raft and float on the sea.

During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Sima clan held absolute power. What did the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove do?

They were simply observing coldly from the sidelines.

Xu Guo hesitated, but Shen Shixing had already stood up: "Since Zhihu has this intention, we old folks are powerless to stop you and can only watch you continue down this wrong path."

He sighed deeply and said, "When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer. When a dynasty falls, the people suffer."

"Grand Tutor, please take care of yourself. We will take our leave now."

This change of heart before parting is hard to tell; it's unclear whether it was sarcasm or a helpless bowing to reality.

Zhu Yin cupped his hands and said, "Please, gentlemen, do as you please. I have official duties to attend to, so I will not insist that you stay. Take care, gentlemen."

Xu Guo and the others also stood up, bowed silently, and turned to leave.

As I left the garden, the setting sun was painting the green hills red.

Zhu Yin saw them off at the gate, watching the eight elders' carriages gradually disappear into the twilight.

He wasn't seeing off Shen Shixing and the others; he was bidding farewell to an old era that was slowly fading away.

As the sun set, Zhu Yin still stood under the maple tree, his white clothes fluttering in the autumn wind, letting the red leaves fall all over his shoulders.

He picked up a red leaf, crushed it into powder in his palm, and let it scatter into the deepening twilight of Nanjing.

In the distance, on the Qinhuai River, the sounds of music and lanterns have already begun to rise.

Suddenly, an old man dressed in a Taoist robe appeared beside Zhu Yin.

"Hehe, Shen Shixing and the others think too highly of themselves."

The old man's tone was sneer, "It's time for them to wake up and realize who truly rules the Southern Dynasty. If they were truly sensible, they should change course and restrain themselves."

This old man was none other than Xu Wei, Zhu Yin's strategist.

"Master Wenchang sees through everything perfectly, but unfortunately these old ministers still harbor illusions." Zhu Yin sneered. "Do they really think that I'm merely taking back the throne and changing the imperial lineage?"

"Reclaiming the throne is not the goal, but merely a means."

"What I want to change is the entire Ming Dynasty, the entire world."

"When that time comes, their real pain will be excruciating."

Xu Wei also laughed, stroking his beard in the wind, and said, "By then, they will realize that this is not just an internal strife within the Zhu family. No one can stand aside, and no one can remain indifferent. Unfortunately, by the time they understand, it will be too late to resist."

"However, my lord, you must still be careful and guard against their schemes and underhanded tricks. These retired gentry from the south are very capable of influencing the winds and rains and stirring up trouble. Not to mention anything else, their household servants and private armies, if they really had the chance to be gathered together, could number in the tens of thousands."

Zhu Yin nodded. "Don't worry, sir. They are actually formidable enemies, and I have never dared to underestimate them."

The power of the wealthy and powerful in the south should not be underestimated.

Historically, they were naturally weak and powerless against the Manchu Qing dynasty, which possessed core military power and carried out massacres, and shamelessly acted as traitors. However, their destructiveness towards any Han Chinese regime was also catastrophic.

Xu Wei laughed heartily, “Congratulations, my lord. The identity of being a descendant of Jianwen and the secrets of your ancestors have come to light like mercury spilling from the ground. It’s a natural progression. Even if Shen Shixing and the others try to conceal it, it will eventually spread like wildfire. Within three to five years, the country could change hands.”

As dusk settled, Zhu Yin invited Xu Wei to play chess in the tea room, and, holding the chess pieces, said:

"The first move is a game of catastrophe. The second move is a game of earth-shattering force. The third move is a game of complete upheaval! Mr. Wenchang, I hope you can help me play this game to the very end."

Xu Wei bowed respectfully, his tone full of emotion: "When I was down and out, and my heart was ashen, I was fortunate enough to meet an unparalleled wise ruler, and it has been nine years since then."

"I am deeply grateful to my lord for not abandoning me, for sharing his food and clothing with me, and for becoming his close friend despite our age difference. He has taken me under his wing and listened to my every word. I am but a dull and unworthy man, and have lived a life of hardship. I never expected to receive your favor in my old age, like a withered tree blossoming in spring. How kind Heaven has been to me!"

"Yi Yin assisted Tang of Shang in overthrowing Jie at the age of eighty, and Jiang Shang served King Wen in conquering Zhou at the age of eighty. The extraordinary encounters between rulers and ministers in ancient times cannot compare to my good fortune today. This is because Your Majesty's great talent and strategy surpass even those of Tang of Shang and King Wen, while my talent and virtue are far inferior to those of Yi Yin and Jiang Shang. Therefore, my good fortune surpasses even the most beautiful stories of harmonious and understanding relationships between rulers and ministers in ancient times!"

At this point, Xu Wei even referred to himself as a subject, directly using the taboo term "subject to the ruler."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yin was somewhat moved and said, “Why are you so humble, sir! We are old friends who met at first sight, despite our age difference. We are not related by blood, but we share the bond of brothers. There is no need for such formality between us. In my opinion, your talent is ten times that of Yi Yin and Jiang Shang. I am fortunate to have you by the grace of Heaven.”

He then said to Xu Wei, “It is time for you to step into the limelight, sir. I intend to appoint you as Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and Military Advisor to the Grand Commander’s Office. In a few days, I will go to Sichuan to conquer She Chongming. You will represent me in the central government, and together with Caiwei, you will manage everything and preside over the overall situation.”

"After a few years, when I accept Changluo's abdication, I will ask you to serve as the Grand Secretary."

Xu Wei cupped his hands and said, "I am deeply grateful for the trust and respect my lord has shown me. How could I not be loyal to you? I only wish to live a few more years so that I can witness my lord rebuilding the Ming Dynasty and truly surpassing the Han and Tang Dynasties!"

Zhu Yin clapped his hands and laughed, "With Mr. Wenchang in the capital, I have nothing to worry about."

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yin, on behalf of Emperor Taichang, issued an imperial edict, granting Xu Wei the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), appointing him as a Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, enlisting him in the Wenyuan Pavilion, and concurrently appointing him as the Military Advisor of the Grand General's Office.

Overnight, Xu Wei became the second most important figure in the Southern Dynasties!

Xu Wei's life was full of misfortunes. He never even passed the imperial examination and never held an official position before his death. Although he was very talented, he always worked as a secretary or advisor.

But now, Xu Wei is old, yet he has been appointed to the cabinet to assist in government affairs and to take charge of the military and political power of the Southern Dynasty!
Second only to two people, above ten thousand!
Once the imperial edict was issued, everyone knew that after Zhu Yin left the capital, this famous but unsuccessful scholar from Shaoxing would become the leader of the Nanjing court.

Many officials were dissatisfied with Zhu Yin's decision to promote Xu Wei despite the existing system.

Xu Wei was just a scholar. Although he was very famous and indeed very talented, he never served as an official, not even as a county magistrate. So how did he become a Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall and enter the Wenyuan Pavilion?

This is outrageous.

For a time, countless people felt resentful, envious, jealous, and hateful.

The most dissatisfied were Li Tingji, Fan Lun, and other high-ranking officials.

They were all successful candidates in the imperial examinations, having endured many years of ups and downs in their official careers to reach this position. However, Xu Wei, a mere scholar, suddenly rose to a high rank, surpassing them and instantly becoming above these court officials.

If a scholar enters the cabinet, what becomes of the national order? Is the position of Grand Tutor a trivial matter?
But this was the Regent's order, so what could they do even if they were dissatisfied?

They could only swallow their anger. They hoped this was merely a temporary expedient under special circumstances, and that Xu Wei would be relieved of his post as regent once Zhu Yin returned to court.

On the same day that Xu Wei entered the cabinet, Zhu Yin issued another imperial edict as regent:
"Zhang Jiangling served as regent for ten years, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the cause. The benefits of his new policies are known throughout the land. Although Jiangling's policies had their drawbacks, they ultimately could not overshadow the good laws governing the nation. He can be considered a panacea for the world and a wise and capable minister. The nation is fortunate to have Jiangling, for only then can it show signs of revival..."

"...It is a pity that Jiangling was good at governing the country but bad at protecting himself. He spent ten years sweeping the world clean, and his ruthless and incorruptible approach inevitably made countless enemies and brought disaster upon himself... Moreover, the retired emperor was harsh and ungrateful, and suspicious and jealous. In the end, Jiangling could not avoid being disgraced, his family destroyed, and his body mutilated and his bones scattered to the winds..."

"Throughout history, those who save the times rarely suffer tragic deaths. Closing the book and reflecting on this, I feel deep pity. Justice resides in the hearts of the people, and history can judge loyalty and treachery. Fifteen years have passed since Jiangling's death; though his legacy remains, his infamy persists, for the retired emperor is still in power, and ultimately, his injustice cannot be redressed..."

"Now, by His Majesty's decree, Jiangling is exonerated and his reputation restored. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel may submit proposals regarding posthumous titles, posthumous honors, and pensions, and the matter shall be decided upon with the utmost favor and generosity."

"This order is hereby issued!"

The imperial decree shocked the court and the public.

What is Zhang Juzheng's current status? He is a treacherous minister, a rebellious minister.

But today, Zhang Juzheng is going to be exonerated!

Moreover, the Grand Tutor Regent intended for the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel to draft a posthumous title, confer posthumous honors, and provide appropriate compensation.

The Regent Grand Tutor is going against the Emperor Emeritus at every turn.

...

P.S.: Zhang Juzheng has been exonerated, and Xu Wenchang has joined the cabinet. Please send me some monthly votes! I'm so upset, I'm about to drop out of the top 500 on the site. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)