Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 180 The Zuo Shunmen Case [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Three days later, shortly after the morning court session ended.

Zhu Houcong was in the Wenhua Hall summoning three cabinet ministers, Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi, and ordered them to discuss the edict, sacrificial rites, and funeral arrangements for Empress Dowager Zhang.

As a cabinet minister and having succeeded Yan Song as Minister of Rites, Zhang Bi naturally took the lead in this matter.

Zhai Luan and Xu Zan only need to provide support from the sidelines and offer their own opinions.

Things went very smoothly, after all, the "Great Rites Controversy" had long passed, and many things were already settled.

Now that Empress Dowager Zhang has passed away, there is no longer any need or significance for the debate. Everything can be handled according to the old system, except that some details need to be decided by Zhu Houcong himself...

But just as the meeting was drawing to a close...

Zhu Houcong suddenly asked a question that had stumped Xia Yan in history:
"Now that Empress Dowager Zhaosheng Cishou has passed away, Ciqing Palace, which was originally the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, is now vacant. Shouldn't the Crown Prince choose a date to move in?"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, all three of them changed their expressions slightly, then avoided Zhu Houcong's gaze and lowered their heads to remain silent.

The reason Zhu Houcong asked this question at this time was different from the reason he asked Xia Yan in history.

After all, just a few days ago, Zhu Houcong granted the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which was essentially the Western Investigation Bureau, supreme privileges under the pretext that "the Crown Prince has the duty to oversee the country."

This incident immediately caused a huge uproar both inside and outside the court, arousing strong opposition from many court officials, and quickly escalated to an increasingly serious level.

If Zhu Houcong hadn't issued this edict and then simply stopped attending the morning court sessions for the past few days, his ears probably wouldn't have had a moment of peace.

But even so...

The three of them came to the Wenhua Hall to pay their respects after the morning court session, just as they were leaving.

There were already people who jumped out and loudly advocated for officials who "upheld integrity and righteousness" to come together to kneel outside the Wenhua Hall and beg the emperor to withdraw his decree.

Otherwise, it might destroy the ancestral system and laws, undermine the balance of power among the three departments, and create a sore of political corruption!
Now that Zhu Houcong has suddenly asked the three of them this question, it is likely that he intends to force them to take sides in this matter.

Support the Crown Prince to take up residence in Cining Palace on an auspicious day.

That would be tantamount to supporting the Crown Prince's duty of overseeing the country, as well as supporting the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to assist the Crown Prince in overseeing the country's affairs, to have the power to supervise criminal cases, and to carry out the work of the Western Depot!
Once such a statement is made, it will put one in opposition to all civil and military officials, potentially alienating oneself from the court and incurring much criticism.

They did not support the Crown Prince choosing a date to enter Cining Palace.

That would be tantamount to opposing the matter, standing on the opposite side of the emperor, and would likely alienate the emperor, making it difficult to establish oneself in the cabinet.

For the three individuals who wanted to both protect themselves and maintain their positions, this was naturally the most difficult choice in the world...

"Did I put the three of you in a difficult position?"

Seeing that none of the three spoke, Zhu Houcong's expression turned slightly cold, and he asked with a half-smile.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am old and frail, my mind is clouded, and I hesitate in the face of matters. I am unfit to serve as a cabinet minister."

Upon hearing this, Zhai Luan trembled and immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"I humbly beseech Your Majesty to have mercy and grant me permission to return my remains to my hometown!"

"..."

Upon seeing this, Xu Zan and Zhang Bi both cursed Zhai Luan inwardly for being cunning and treacherous.

By pulling this stunt, he's essentially trying to absolve himself of responsibility, completely disregarding the lives of the two of them.

To speak of old age and decline.

Xu Zan is four years older than Zhai Luan, already sixty-eight years old. Wouldn't he be even more unfit to serve as a cabinet minister and should he beg the emperor to retire?

Although Zhang Bi is slightly younger, if he cannot answer the emperor's question at this moment, wouldn't that just be a case of making do on the spot and being incompetent and muddleheaded?
Most importantly, Zhai Luan has already served in the cabinet twice, totaling more than ten years as a cabinet minister.

After Xia Yan was dismissed and placed on leave, he failed to successfully advance to the position of Grand Secretary.

But over the years, they had already made enough, securing many benefits for their descendants and relatives in the court, ensuring that there would be successors. As long as they did not make any major mistakes, the Zhai family had established a foothold in the court.

Xu Zan and Zhang Bi had only been in the cabinet for a few months and hadn't gotten anything yet.

If they were to beg for their lives like Zhai Luan, they would truly be at a huge loss, not even having recouped their travel expenses to the capital...

Just as I was thinking this.

"Heh, when Xia Yan took over the cabinet before, no matter what I asked, he could at least answer calmly."

Zhu Houcong glanced at Zhai Luan, then his gaze swept over Xu Zan and Zhang Bi, and he sneered.

"Huang Jin, if I remember correctly, Xia Yan submitted a memorial to apologize a few days ago, and he should be returning to the capital soon, right?"

"Your Majesty, we should arrive in the capital within five days."

Huang Jin bowed and replied.

"..."

Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi felt another tremor in their hearts.

What does this mean?
Xia Yan submitted a memorial to plead guilty and will soon return to the capital... Could it be that the Emperor intends to reinstate him, reinstate him to the cabinet, and appoint him as the Grand Secretary?

To be honest, Xia Yan's previous dismissal and stay of leisure was not a major offense. The main problem was that he was late for the morning court and neglected the emperor. As long as he bowed his head and admitted his mistake, he could gain the emperor's forgiveness. His reinstatement would be a matter of just a word, without even having to go through any procedures.

the most important is.

They all knew what kind of person Xia Yan was. Once Xia Yan returned, they would probably be out of the picture!
The Emperor was telling them bluntly: If you don't do the work, there are plenty of others who will.

this moment.

Zhai Luan silently gave herself a thumbs up for her wisdom.

Fortunately, he has been lying low and making a mess of things recently, not getting involved in anything that might be detrimental to him, nor has he started to purge Xia Yan's protégés in the court, in order to fight hard for his chance to become the Grand Secretary.

Otherwise, when Xia Yan comes back this time, he'll probably be the first one she deals with...

Then Zhu Houcong picked up a secret report from the imperial desk and threw it down in front of Zhai Luan with a "thud":

"Grand Secretary Zhai, please take a good look at this memorial. It's not too late to ask for retirement after you've read it."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree..."

Zhai Luan snapped out of his daze, picked up the secret report with a puzzled look, and slowly opened it to examine it.

With just one glance, his pupils constricted uncontrollably, and his body stiffened.

The memorial mentioned his two sons: Zhai Rujian and Zhai Ruxiao.

His two sons had taken the imperial examinations together, and not only did they pass the provincial examinations consecutively, but they also passed the metropolitan examinations consecutively.

Furthermore, during the imperial examination, Zhai Rujian, Zhai Ruxiao, a man named Cui Qixun, and a man named Jiao Qing were assigned to the same examination room.

Coincidentally, Cui Qixun was the teacher of Zhai Rujian and others, and Jiao Qing and Zhai Rujian were related by marriage. They studied under Cui Qixun together, and even the same person had admitted them...

Zhu Houcong is now showing him this secret report.

Isn't this a clear accusation that he abused his power to cheat in the imperial examinations and secure official positions for his two sons?
This is no small matter. Zhai Luan has served as a cabinet minister for over ten years. How could he not know Zhu Houcong's attitude towards cheating in the imperial examinations!

However, upon closer inspection of the date on the secret report, it was from several months prior.

In other words, the Emperor had known about this matter for months, but kept it hidden. Even though he dismissed Xia Yan from his post for being late to the morning court and left him to live in seclusion, he still kept him in the cabinet, which was already an extraordinary act of leniency towards him.

Otherwise, he would definitely not be able to continue in his position as cabinet minister.

His two sons will also be stripped of their academic titles or even exiled to the frontier for their involvement in the imperial examination fraud.

Thus, although he always felt like he was walking on thin ice throughout his life, he ultimately still fell into the water.

Even if he were to live to old age and die, his carefully cultivated reputation and the path he had paved for his two sons would be ruined. In his eyes, it wouldn't be a peaceful end at all... "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Zhai Luan turned pale and immediately kowtowed, begging for mercy.
“Your Majesty would never dare to cheat in the imperial examinations. I humbly request that Your Majesty personally set the questions and order the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel to conduct a second examination for my two sons, so as to clear my name.”

"Even if your two sons possess the talents of Shi and Zhe, how can you clearly distinguish between them and use them together, instead of indulging in such unrestrained and eccentric behavior?"

Zhu Houcong sneered and asked in return,
"The cabinet is my right-hand man. Since you have not served me faithfully and shared my burdens, and you do not understand the importance of the nation's foundation, how can I tolerate you?"

With just this one sentence, the issue of the nation's foundation has been brought back to the present.

Let's see if Zhai Luan can still make excuses and continue to be that non-stick pan that doesn't offend either side this time.

In Zhu Houcong's view, Zhai Luan's silence was a statement in itself, and he was even less compliant than the court officials who openly stood up to oppose him.

This is the main reason why Zhai Luan served as a cabinet minister for more than ten years and saw four or five chief cabinet ministers come and go, but he never managed to take charge of the cabinet.

In fact, if Zhai Luan hadn't been so senior and still had some role as a ballast and a handyman, Zhu Houcong wouldn't have even considered letting him into the cabinet. This is also mentioned in historical records, with the original words being, "Zhai Luan alone is not what the emperor is in a hurry for."

So now, he only gave Zhai Luan two choices:

Alternatively, as a senior cabinet minister, he could stand up and support the Crown Prince's entry into Cining Palace, which would be tantamount to supporting the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in taking control of the Western Depot, thus tarnishing his reputation in ways he could never clear.
Otherwise, don't blame me for handling this strictly by the book, and I'll burn your non-stick pan, leaving it covered in a stain that's impossible to wash off.

In short, no matter what, non-stick pans are bound to stick this time!
"Your humble servant... Your humble servant..."

Zhai Luan understood Zhu Houcong's meaning perfectly well, and this choice wasn't difficult for him. He was finally forced to kowtow.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you prioritize the stability of the nation and choose an auspicious day to have the Crown Prince enter Cining Palace."

"..."

Seeing this, Xu Zan and Zhang Bi unconsciously hesitated.

Logically speaking, with Zhai Luan, a veteran, leading the charge and bearing the pressure, their burden should be much lighter, so there's nothing to hesitate about.

Even Xu Zan and Zhang Bi were beginning to feel a little regretful.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have hesitated and made my statement first. Maybe I could have won the Emperor's favor and made a run for the position of Grand Secretary.

But then I thought about it again.

Let's forget about it. Xia Yan will be back soon, and making an enemy of Xia Yan is not a wise choice.

Especially now, when I think about Xia Yan's matter in more detail.

Why do I always feel that the Emperor's decision to dismiss them from their posts and put them on leave, and then, just before their return, forced the three of them to choose sides?

It seems like they're protecting Xia Yan, treating the three of them as pawns to be discarded?

However, Zhai Luan had no choice at this moment, but the two of them still had choices.

Considering the current political situation in the court, especially after this morning's court session, those officials seem poised to cause trouble...

I thought so in my heart.

Xu Zan seemed to have made his decision, and kowtowed first, saying:

"Your Majesty, I privately believe that the Crown Prince's marriage should take place after his coming-of-age ceremony, when all officials perform the five bows and three kowtows outside Fengtian Gate..."

If it were done according to the established rites, the coming-of-age ceremony would normally take place after the crown prince turns fourteen, which could delay it for at least eight or nine years.

His words were also very skillful.

Although she did not oppose the Crown Prince entering Cining Palace, she hoped that he would enter slowly, gradually, and rhythmically.

Once this got out, it was naturally difficult for him to become a scapegoat. Since he hadn't openly opposed Zhu Houcong, even if Zhu Houcong was dissatisfied, he couldn't punish him for it.

This can be considered a choice between two evils, choosing the lesser one.

After all, this court wasn't just Zhu Houcong's court; cutting himself off from the court was far more serious than slightly displeasing Zhu Houcong...

The words have not yet fallen.

"Wow--!"

"what--!"

"Ugh——!"

A sudden uproar erupted, followed by deafening cries and even a series of thunderous bangs that shook the palace gates.

"?"

Zhu Houcong, whose brows were already slightly furrowed by Xu Zan's words, frowned even more upon hearing this commotion.
"Huang Jin, go and see what's going on!"

At this moment, Zhu Houcong seemed to be dreaming back to the third year of the Jiajing reign, seventeen years ago.

That time, it was also in the Wenhua Hall, shortly after the morning court session, and it was also an imperial edict to the Ministry of Rites to discuss matters such as presenting edicts to parents, offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, ancestral temples, and the state. The commotion was exactly the same as it is now.

That was the most intense moment of the "Great Rites Controversy," historically known as the "Zuoshunmen Case."

More than two hundred court officials knelt outside the Zuoshun Gate, not far from the Wenhua Hall, and wept bitterly in an attempt to force him to change his decree.

He ordered the eunuchs to convey his decree that the court officials should leave immediately, but these officials did not leave until noon. They even pounded on the gates and cried loudly, their cries echoing throughout the palace.

In the end, Zhu Houcong had no choice but to order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest the eight ringleaders and imprison them.

One hundred and thirty-four officials of the fifth rank and below were imprisoned and interrogated, while eighty-six officials of the fourth rank and above were suspended from their posts pending punishment. As many as sixteen court officials died from being flogged in court.

After that, the officials who opposed the Great Rites Controversy fell silent. The Great Rites Controversy finally ended in his victory, and after that, even if these people wanted to cause trouble, they only dared to make small-scale disturbances.

Could it be that these traitors have forgotten the pain of past wounds and are trying to pull this trick on me again?

Do you really think my court beatings can't kill people?!

"..."

Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, each harboring a somewhat detached and indifferent attitude.

As they had predicted, things eventually escalated to this point.

Thus, the pressure was relieved for Zhai Luan, who had no choice but to submit, Xu Zan, who chose the lesser of two evils, and Zhang Bi, who had not yet expressed his opinion.

Afterwards, they had something to say to both Zhu Houcong and the imperial court.

Now it's up to Zhu Houcong to deal with it; that's no longer their concern...

Just as I was thinking this.

Huang Jin rushed in, looking flustered.
"Your Majesty, a group of officials have surrounded the gates of the Imperial Household Department, pounding on them and wailing..."

"The Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

Zhu Houcong was taken aback.

Oh right, the office of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is right next to the Hall of Literary Glory.

This time, these court officials learned from their mistakes and were afraid that if they pushed me too far, another "Zuo Shunmen Incident" would occur. So they didn't dare to coerce me and instead went directly to put pressure on Yan Maoqing.

That's a pretty wise choice.

Because the office of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is right next to the Hall of Literary Glory, the sound of them banging on the door and crying can be heard by me just as well, and they can express their attitude to me just as well.

But I don't have to risk my own life by personally getting involved...

Then, Huang Jin, Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi, who were carefully observing Zhu Houcong's reaction, saw Zhu Houcong suddenly sneer:
"Ha, of all people to mess with, why did they have to provoke Yan Maoqing?"

"Come on, Xu Zan, continue what you were saying. Don't let these trivial matters affect you."

(End of this chapter)