Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 170 People's Hearts: Thoughts of Jiangling Amidst National Turmoil

Lai Zongdao stood bowing, awaiting the young emperor's final instruction.

He remembered clearly that the Ministry of Rites needed to handle three matters today.

The first two tasks were to stabilize the hearts and minds of the people and to restore the credibility of the dynasty.

So what will be the third thing?
As expected, Zhu Youjian, sitting on the throne, spoke calmly after a brief pause.

"Third..."

"...It is still a matter of the human heart."

Zhu Youjian's gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials.

"Our Great Ming Dynasty is now beset by internal and external troubles, and is plagued by a hundred ills."

"But is it only today that things have started to turn out this way?"

"In the past, have there never been prime ministers who saved the day by turning the tide?"

In an instant, everyone in the hall realized who the emperor was talking about.

But...didn't Zhang Juzheng already get his original post reinstated and be granted a proper funeral in the second year of the Tianqi reign?
Is this an attempt to restore his posthumous title?

Duke Zhang Weixian of England suddenly raised his head, looking surprised and uncertain.

The ministers exchanged glances and simultaneously lowered their breathing.

Zhu Youjian took all of this in view, but he ignored it and continued talking to himself.

"Yes, Zhang Juzheng was such a person."

"The Single Whip Law comprehensively verifies the facts, rectifys official corruption, and brings peace to the world."

"At that time, the country was prosperous and the laws and regulations were well established."

However, Zhu Youjian's tone suddenly shifted, becoming incredibly sharp.

"But what became of them?"

"If you plan for the country but not for yourself, you will die and your whole family will be wiped out."

"The eldest son, unable to bear the punishment, hanged himself; the second son was exiled to a remote, malarial land; the third son attempted suicide by jumping into a well but survived, and was stripped of his official rank and reduced to commoner status!"

"The prime minister who saved the day has ended up like this!"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the heads of all the civil officials in the hall.

Those officials who were just moments before excited about being rewarded for their past achievements now felt a chill in their hearts.

Zhu Youjian's gaze was like a knife, sweeping over Huang Liji and the faces of all the civil officials.

"Now that I wish to implement new policies, the country is eager for talented individuals."

"The wise minister I have been seeking is Zhang Juzheng."

"But when the wise and talented of this world read about the past of Zhang Jiangling, did they not feel even a trace of fear?"

"Do any of you ministers here, serving the country, not have a single concern in your hearts?"

"If rewards and punishments are unclear, loyalty and treachery cannot be distinguished; if merits and demerits are not differentiated, people's hearts will turn away!"

"Given the events of Jiangling, even if I were to lay bare my heart today, how could you all be fully convinced?"

Huang Liji's lips moved slightly as he stood up shakily, as if he wanted to say something, perhaps to defend the late emperor, or perhaps to express his loyalty.

Or perhaps... it's just an attempt to offer some comfort.

But Zhu Youjian simply waved his hand gently, signaling him to sit down.

The emperor's gaze then shifted to the nobles and military generals on the other side.

"Then, were there no generals in the past who sacrificed their lives to save the country?"

The atmosphere in the hall changed again, and the breathing of the nobles and military officers became noticeably heavier.

Zhu Youjian sighed.

"Yes, Qi Shaobao is such a person."

"We eliminated all the abuses, trained elite troops, first pacified the Japanese pirates in the southeast, then suppressed the northern barbarians in Jizhou, and for fourteen years, the border was peaceful."

"But what became of them?"

At this point, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but bring up the emotions of later generations.

He momentarily detached himself from his identity as emperor, and his words carried a sorrowful tone:
"After being demoted and dismissed from office, he returned to his hometown, suffering from poverty and illness, and lived a life of hardship. In the end, he was separated from his wife and children!"

"Such a meritorious official should not be able to grant titles and privileges to his wife and children, or preserve his wealth and status."

"Nowadays, among the generals and deputy generals of the nine border garrisons, who is thinking about doing their job diligently, and who really expects the so-called reward of the Duke?!"

"Huang Yuntai's words about the reward for being the world's governor of Liaodong are truly..."

Zhu Youjian shut his mouth, swallowing back the even harsher words, but the disappointment and anger in his eyes were undisguised.

He slowly stood up, looked around at the civil and military officials in the hall with their various expressions, and asked, word by word.

"My lords, how can things in this world be like this!"

"How can we allow those who carry firewood for the masses to freeze to death in the wind and snow?!"

These words caused an uproar among the officials, and several of the older officials even had tears welling up in their eyes.

If the aforementioned failure to deliver the reward could be attributed to Emperor Shenzong's unclear system of rewards and punishments, then...

The cases of Zhang Juzheng and Qi Shaobao were practically veiled criticisms of Emperor Shenzong.

But such an unfilial act, such harsh words.

Among the officials in the hall, not even the nobles who shared the fate of the nation, nor even Li Guopu who held a plaque inscribed with Wei Zheng's name, not one stepped forward to offer any advice or objection.

Everyone has a scale in their heart.

Even Yan Song, who was notoriously corrupt, would sigh at Hai Rui's incorruptibility.

Even those who kneel and serve as slaves would feel ashamed in the face of Wen Tianxiang's dazzling brilliance.

Even the notorious Eastern Depot, known for its ruthless and cunning officials, still revered Yue Fei.

Some things, even if left unsaid, will be judged by the hearts of the people and by the annals of history.

To cover it up and not say anything is just to fool the ignorant and foolish. Wise people have a thousand thoughts and ten thousand calculations in their hearts.

All this fuss and calculations, in the end, are nothing more than self-preservation and going with the flow.

The Ming Dynasty began to fall during the Wanli era, starting with issues related to finance and taxation, officialdom, and border defense. However, it also began with the hearts and minds of the people.

At this point, Zhu Youjian could no longer contain his emotions and simply spoke, issuing the Ministry of Rites' third order of the day:
"Even though my elder brother restored the official positions of Zhang Jiangling and Qi Shaobao in the second year of the Tianqi reign, I still think it is not enough!"

"Past merits and demerits are buried in history, but when it comes to me, they must be properly evaluated and discussed!"

"I will bestow rewards that could not be granted in the past, and I will determine rewards that have never been set before!"

Zhu Youjian leaned forward slightly, looked at Lai Zongdao, and said, word by word:

"Today, I hereby order the Ministry of Rites to determine the posthumous conferment of titles upon Zhang Juzheng and Qi Jiguang!"

"The Ministry of Rites may be able to handle this matter!"

All eyes immediately turned to Lai Zongdao, the Minister of Rites.

This is no longer just "breaking the sky," it's about turning the Wanli era upside down!

It wasn't even about restoring their original positions, re-establishing their posthumous titles, or allowing them to be worshipped and receive blessings.

Instead, we should discuss titles, and titles that have not yet been awarded!

From the Wanli Emperor to the present, only a little over fifty years have passed.

Almost everyone in this room grew up during that period.

A child begins his education, a young man studies, a middle-aged man passes the imperial examination, and once he enters officialdom, he is confused and drifts along with the tide.

Even if one or two rise up, they will inevitably get caught up in factional strife.

All the people in this room who were over forty years old had witnessed the decline of the Ming Dynasty.

And among the young, who doesn't have a heart full of passion? Who doesn't have a bit of ambition?
When a family is poor, one longs for a virtuous wife; when a country is in turmoil, one longs for a capable prime minister.

Even now, in the Ming Dynasty, who doesn't think of Zhang Jiangling!

Lai Zongdao felt a chill run down his spine.

The idea of ​​rewarding and punishing people over the years instinctively flashed through his mind.

—According to the Great Ming Code, civil officials could only be granted titles if they had served as generals or prime ministers during their lifetime, eliminated major threats, and served the country with utmost loyalty. Zhang Jiangling…after all, had never served as a general.

—Although Qi Jiguang made great contributions and sat peacefully on the frontier for fourteen years, he ultimately did not achieve great merit because he did not behead enough people.

but……

But so what!
The Wei family had three noble titles, and several of the documents conferring these titles were handled by the Ministry of Rites!
How absurd! How disgusting!

Compared to such a humiliating disgrace, what does posthumously bestowing titles upon Zhang Jiangling and Qi Jiguang, two unparalleled heroes, amount to?

Lai Zongdao almost instantly cast aside all his concerns and constraints. He stepped forward, bowed deeply to the throne, and answered in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty! The Ministry of Rites can handle this matter! Your subject, Lai Zongdao, is willing to accept this order!"

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction, then gestured with his hands to indicate that the hall should be quiet.

He looked around, pondered for a moment, and his tone became even more earnest:
"I still need to say a few more words, lest the people of the world think that I am bestowing titles and honors indiscriminately."

"This conferment of titles spans from the Jiajing Emperor to the Wanli Emperor, and the individuals involved are all unrelated to the officials in the court today."

“There are those for whom rewards have been announced but not yet given, such as Hu Zongxian; there are those for whom rewards have not been announced but I have posthumously given, such as Zhang Jiangling and Qi Shaobao.”

"But are those whom I admire from the past or from the present?"

"Ultimately, it all comes down to the word 'people's hearts'."

"To govern the Ming Dynasty well, the administration of officials, finance and taxation, military preparedness and other aspects are of paramount importance."

"However, all these things must be discussed from the perspective of the human heart."

"At this critical juncture, with China facing two thousand years of chaos and difficulties, and with the Ming Dynasty striving for survival, how can we turn the tide if we cannot unite as one?"

Zhu Youjian stood there, scanning the faces of the ministers and nobles.

Inside the main hall, the ministers and nobles, their eyes filled with excitement, fervor, or determination, all gazed intently at the emperor.

Zhu Youjian spoke.

"Therefore, from this day forward, all loyal and righteous men in the world should exert all their strength to reverse this disastrous situation."

"Then how could I dare to be stingy with even a penny of my money, possessions, titles, and honors?"

Zhu Youjian raised his right hand, his face calm, and immediately made his second political promise since ascending the throne, following the incident at the Banquet of Severed Tassels.

"I have made a pact with you all, and with all the people of this world."

"Right here, at this very moment, with Heaven and Earth, and the Ming Dynasty as our witness!"

"Those who are loyal to the country, speak out for the people, and bring lasting peace to the Ming Dynasty, I will ensure that their titles are not bestowed in vain, their merits are not wasted, and their names are not forgotten!"

"When the Ming Dynasty reaches this point, it will surely have twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion and twenty-eight generals of the Yuntai Pavilion!"

"My lords, honors and titles are bestowed upon you, and lives are at stake. I await you with an empty seat. This meritorious deed to save the world is right before our eyes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, heavy breathing filled the hall.

The ministers had different expressions, but they all had a vague feeling in their hearts.

History is long and winding, and it seems as if the pen has already written its way onto it in the unseen realm.

—In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, the Emperor, in the Wuying Hall, determined the merit of saving the nation and made a pact to reward the nation.

When a wise ruler recognizes talent, all the wise men will come to him.

When a wise ruler determines rewards, then many merits will arise.

How fortunate the Ming Dynasty was!
With these three things—the hearts of the people and the will of the people—the revival of the Holy Dynasty is already within reach!
Overwhelmed with emotion, the British Prime Minister finally set aside all his worries, and was the first to rise from his seat, knocking down mountains of gold and jade pillars, and kneeling on the ground.

As if it were a signal, the civil and military officials, nobles and officials in the hall knelt down in unison, like a tidal wave!
Inside the silent Wuying Hall, only the rustling of robes and the muffled thuds of knees hitting the ground could be heard.

Even the seasoned Duke Xu Xigao, with his mature and experienced nature, had tears in his eyes and bowed his head in apology.

The difference is too great, far too great!
Let alone compare it to Emperor Shenzong.

Apart from the Taizu and Chengzu emperors, which emperor in the history of the Ming Dynasty possessed such heroic spirit?!

So what if my Duke Dingguo's mansion goes along with this game?
Among the court officials, the middle-aged and elderly officials and nobles who had lived through the Wanli reign were the most excited.

Those young officials, though they may not have experienced Zhang Juzheng's era or Wanli's turbulent rule, still felt that sense of resentment and sorrow in history books and in the sighs of their predecessors.

But more importantly, this era presents opportunities!

How could a ruler who restores a dynasty not have renowned ministers by his side?

At that moment, they felt a surge of heat rush from their chests to the top of their heads, burning their eyes and making their whole bodies tremble!
“Your Majesty is wise!!”

It is unknown who uttered those four words in a hoarse voice.

It was as if a powder keg had been lit.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!!"

A roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami erupted from inside the Wuying Hall.

In this voice, there was no perfunctory or numb demeanor, no routine of morning assemblies, only suppressed excitement and bursting forth hope!
Zhu Youjian stood quietly, trying to calm his excited emotions.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian slowly raised his hand and said, "All of you, rise."

The ministers rose as instructed, many with slightly disheveled robes and excited expressions, but their gazes toward the throne were full of fervor.

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell on Lai Zongdao.

"Lai Qing."

"Chen is here!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said:
"The three matters concerning the Ministry of Rites are all matters of public sentiment, and I have already written down the many key points and considerations in the edict."

"Go back today and quickly list out the plans for all matters, and assign people to discuss them. Once a date is set, report it to Gao Shiming of the New Policies Committee."

“Each proposal was written according to the format, and once a proposal was approved, it was posted outside Chengtianmen.”

"The first task of this new policy will be undertaken by you. Do not disappoint me!"

Lai Zongdao took a deep breath and replied firmly, "Your subject dares not fail to serve you to the death!"

Zhu Youjian then turned his gaze to another person.

"Huo Weihua, Left Vice Minister of Military Affairs."

"Your subject is here!" Huo Weihua stood up, his face showing excitement but also some embarrassment.

There were things he needed to say, but in the current atmosphere, he dared not speak them.

Zhu Youjian, however, spoke directly:

"The matter of awarding military merits should have been handled by the Ministry of War."

"But such a matter of returning the favors and rewards of the previous dynasty is no ordinary matter. Although it is called a reward, it is actually the beginning of the new dynasty's efforts to win over the hearts of the people."

"Therefore, I placed it in the Ministry of Rites."

"But the Ministry of War must also cooperate with all the old archives and past commendations."

"From today onwards, the matter of rewarding merits and bestowing titles will still be handled by the Ministry of War."

"Do you accept my arrangement?"

Huo Weihua breathed a sigh of relief, the slight hesitation in his heart instantly vanished, and he bowed to accept the order: "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and waved for him to sit down.

He paused for a moment, then finally turned to the next person.

"Minister of Justice, Qiao Yunsheng, rise to receive the order!"

……

Lai Zongdao sat down again, his fingers tracing the three silk edicts personally written by the emperor, and for a moment he felt his fingertips burning hot.

These are not just cold, hard rules; they are sparks that can ignite a prairie fire.

The new dynasty's elegant policies will begin from this point.

He subconsciously raised his head and looked around the Wuying Hall.

Duke Zhang Weixian of England was still not fully recovered; his eyes were slightly red, and he sat upright.

Grand Secretary Huang Lijie kept his head down, making it impossible to see his expression, but his hands, which were resting on his knees, were trembling slightly.

Among the remaining six ministries and nine ministers, there were many with white hair.

The young people who had just joined the secretariat stood up straight, their eyes burning with a light that was hard to look directly at.

On one side, the sun is setting; on the other, the sun is rising.

Lai Zongdao suddenly realized that this was only the beginning.

A storm that will sweep across the Ming Dynasty has quietly gathered here in the Wuying Hall today.

He came to Zongdao this year and is only fifty-six years old, yet he is fortunate enough to stand in the eye of the storm.

He took a deep breath and felt the blood that had been dormant in his chest heat up once again.

but……

Can the past of clinging to the eunuch faction really be so easily forgotten?
Lai Zongdao's initial enthusiasm was short-lived; his shrewdness, honed over twenty years in officialdom, quickly prevailed.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and couldn't help but turn his head to look at Qiao Yunsheng, the Minister of Justice, who had stood up.

What are Your Majesty's plans regarding the Donglin case?
Lai Zongdao's fingers, which were stroking the imperial edict, gradually stopped.

(Attached image: Emperor Yongchang's "Decree," a new tool for the new dynasty~)

(End of this chapter)