Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 333 My brother, he should be like Yao and Shun.

At the beginning of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), before dawn, the morning stars still adorned the sky.

The winding palace paths within the Forbidden City were already bustling with figures. Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes of various ranks and holding ivory tablets, were guided silently by eunuchs like silent streams, passing through numerous palace gates and finally converging on the vast platform in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. From there, they were divided through the side gates and filed into the Hall of Literary Glory.

Inside the hall, giant candles burned brightly, illuminating every corner as if it were daytime. This only served to accentuate the solemn atmosphere of the hall, making it so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The controversy surrounding yesterday's exceptional promotion of "craftsman" Song Yingxing to Minister of Works still resonates and stirs within the hearts of officials.

Such behavior was seen as heresy by the scholar-officials who adhered to the established laws, like a boulder thrown into a stagnant pool that had remained unchanged for millennia.

Although no one dared to openly criticize the emperor due to his awe-inspiring power, the undercurrents beneath the surface were surging relentlessly.

Furthermore, the positions of Minister of Justice and Minister of War remained vacant.

This was like two invisible swords hanging over everyone's heads. No one knew whose gaze the young emperor on the throne would fall on next, whether it would be a generous reward or a thunderous wrath.

The young emperor on the throne has grown increasingly powerful and is no longer the same as before.

If this had happened a year earlier, there would still have been some atmosphere of contention in the imperial court. The censors and officials would have dared to cite classical texts and speak eloquently, engaging in several rounds of debate with the emperor.

But now, as one major event after another that could shake the court and rewrite the landscape has come to an end, and as one once-powerful name after another has been imprisoned, dismissed from office, transferred to remote border regions, or even... gone to the underworld, the courage and pride that belonged to the civil service group to "compete" has long been worn away.

All that remains is cautious speculation and heartfelt compliance.

Today's agenda was as uneventful as ever, consisting of routine reports from various ministries and departments.

The Ministry of Revenue reported on the income and expenditure of money and grain, the Ministry of War reported on military operations and drills, the Ministry of Rites reported on the preparations for ceremonies... The emperor sat upright on his throne, his face solemn.

He would either approve, refute, or suggest further discussion, his words concise and to the point, without a trace of redundancy, yet each word carried immense weight.

The officials stood with their heads bowed, holding their breath and concentrating intently, all being extremely cautious and not daring to slack off in the slightest.

After all matters were discussed, the Grand Eunuch Wang Chengen would, as was customary, loudly announce the end of the court session.

But Zhu Youjian on the throne slightly raised his hand, a very subtle movement that made Wang Chengen swallow back the words he was about to say.

The atmosphere inside the main hall instantly became even more somber.

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, thinking that the emperor was about to announce the long-awaited personnel appointments.

This was expected, but it still kept everyone on edge.

However, the emperor did not act as they expected.

He remained silent for a moment, then his deep, unfathomable eyes slowly swept over the officials below. Wherever his gaze fell, no one dared to meet his eyes, and they all lowered their heads even further.

After a long silence, the emperor finally spoke, his voice clearly reaching the ears of everyone in the hall.

"I often recall the day my late brother passed away."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, wondering why the emperor would suddenly utter such a sentiment at this moment.

The emperor continued, his tone tinged with reminiscence, emotion, and an undeniable weight: "On his deathbed, my elder brother held my hand and spoke words that still echo in my ears—'My brother, you should be like Yao and Shun.' These six words are as heavy as Mount Tai, and I will never forget them for a single day."

"I have been in power for over a year now. In these past years, I have worked tirelessly day and night, as if walking on thin ice, and have not dared to slacken in the slightest. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of our ancestors in heaven and the concerted efforts of all of you, the Ming Dynasty has finally regained some stability from the turmoil."

The palace was silent, with only the emperor's voice echoing among the carved beams and painted rafters.

The ministers bowed and listened, each pondering their own thoughts.

These words may seem like a routine remark from a monarch, but coming from the mouth of a young emperor known for his iron-fisted pragmatism, they are by no means trivial and must contain profound meaning.

Just when everyone thought the opening remarks were about to end, Zhu Youjian's tone suddenly shifted, his gaze becoming sharp and sincere as he swept his gaze across the assembled officials, his tone becoming extremely solemn:

"I believe that my late brother's spirit in heaven might find some solace in seeing this scene. However, I am able to be here today, able to sit in this hall and discuss state affairs with you all, all thanks to one person who, in a time of crisis, overcame all opposition and helped me ascend the throne. I will never forget this great kindness for even a day!"

The identity of the "one person" he was referring to was self-evident to all the officials in the court.

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and they instantly understood what the emperor was about to do.

"My sister-in-law, Empress Tianqi, has carried on the legacy of the late Emperor and brought peace to the hearts of the imperial clan, making great contributions to the country! Now, she resides alone in Cining Palace. Whenever I think of this, my heart is torn apart, and I cannot eat or sleep in peace. Her maternal family, the Zhang clan, are also relatives of the Emperor and have made contributions to the nation. They must be rewarded with great favor, so that the world may know my intentions and that my Great Ming Dynasty will not fail those who have rendered meritorious service!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Chengen, standing to the side, already understood. He stepped forward, took out a pre-prepared imperial edict from his wide sleeves, unfolded it with both hands, gathered his energy in his dantian, and read it aloud in his distinctive high-pitched yet resonant voice:

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"Your Majesty, Empress Zhang of the Tianqi Emperor, are of the highest rank among women, possessing virtuous character and profound wisdom. When the late Emperor passed away and the nation was in peril, you were able to uphold righteousness, distinguish between loyalty and treachery, stabilize the foundation of the nation, and assist me in succeeding to the throne. Your contributions to the nation are immense, and your virtue is universally acknowledged. To recognize your virtue and to express my heart, I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Empress Yi'an,' and grant you a golden book and golden seal. This is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know!"

"Zhang Guoji, the father of Empress Yi'an and former Earl of Taikang, was posthumously honored with the title 'Gonghe'."

"His younger brother Zhang Guoyan was granted the position of Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was granted imperial titles for three generations."

"Furthermore, a thousand acres of fertile land in the suburbs of the capital and a thousand taels of gold are hereby granted to support your retirement. This is the imperial decree!"

This imperial edict, like a gentle spring breeze, instantly dispelled the oppressive and somber atmosphere that had enveloped the Wenhua Hall.

The entire court was shocked, but their shock was not mixed with any confusion or doubt; it quickly turned into a natural admiration.

The emperor's actions were aboveboard, reasonable, and beyond reproach!
This is not merely a private favor to the Zhang family, but also a clear and public political gesture!
He was proclaiming to the world: I, Zhu Youjian, am not a cruel and ungrateful monarch! I remember all those who supported me in times of crisis and rendered meritorious service to the country, and I will never forget them! This favor is given openly and justifiably!
……

In the afternoon, the autumn sun was no longer scorching, but became gentle and mellow.

Light streamed through the exquisite window frames of Cining Palace, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, mirror-like gold bricks.

The furnishings inside the hall are still the same as they were during the Tianqi Dynasty; every table, chair, bottle, and stove is exactly as it was.

However, without the presence of the male owner, the room's exquisite and elegant atmosphere was tinged with a lingering loneliness.

Empress Zhang Yan had just finished listening to her trusted eunuch's report on today's court assembly.

From the imperial decree granting the promotion to the emperor's heartfelt words in the palace, and the officials' enthusiastic cheers for the emperor, the young eunuch imitated it vividly, his joy overflowing.

Zhang Yan listened quietly, and a faint smile of relief did indeed appear on her calm and gentle face.

She waved to the young eunuch, dismissed everyone else, and sat alone on the couch by the window.

The warm sunlight shone on her, but she didn't drift off into thought; instead, her eyes were clear and bright.

More than a year.

Although she lived deep within the palace, she was never a woman who knew nothing about the outside world.

As a former First Lady, she understood the importance of information better than anyone else.

She knew what her brother-in-law had been doing for the past year or so.

Those news reports were indeed terrifying at first.

They killed Shanxi merchants, grain merchants, princes, officials and gentry, and even dared to destroy the reputation of the Duke of Yansheng's mansion. Wherever the sword went, blood flowed like a river. The extent of the harm caused was unprecedented since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

But the news that followed made her gradually realize that it had a different meaning.

The figures reported by the Ministry of Revenue were the most accurate.

When she learned that the national treasury was now far fuller than the combined wealth of the Wanli, Taichang, and Tianqi reigns, she truly understood what kind of wealth, swallowed up by parasites over a century, lay behind those severed heads. She also knew that the battle reports from Liaodong were no longer the urgent, snowflake-like dispatches of defeats.

Although there were no frequent reports of good news, the reassuring silence itself was the best news.

This means that the border troops have sufficient food and supplies, their equipment is in good working order, and the soldiers can stand tall again.

She also knew that taxes from Jiangnan were now being transported to the capital in a steady stream, instead of being siphoned off by officials at all levels under various pretexts, leaving only a fraction of the original amount.

The emperor's flogging of ministers may seem like a humiliation to scholars, but weren't those who were beaten the main culprits who formed cliques, pursued personal gain, and obstructed the new policies?

He was dismissed from office as often as he did, but those who came in to replace him were mostly capable officials like Song Yingxing, who, despite lacking family background, possessed practical talent.

He promoted and ennobled artisans from the lowest classes, disregarding the dignity of scholars. But it was precisely because of this that the Ming Dynasty's firearms and warships were becoming more sophisticated and powerful at a visible pace.

These events, pieced together in the eyes of this wise empress, no longer depicted a cruel and ruthless tyrant, but a wise ruler who, with thunderous wrath and swift and decisive measures, was scraping the bone to heal the wounds of this vast, terminally ill empire.

What worried her was never the cruelty of his methods, but the danger behind them.

She knew all too well the terrifying power of those deeply entrenched gentry groups; every new policy she implemented was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.

Therefore, she understood better than anyone why the emperor wanted to hold power tightly in his own hands.

In such a period of change, any slight dispersion of power could lead to the failure of a new policy or even trigger unpredictable backlash.

The late emperor wanted him to be like "Yao and Shun," but the rule of "Yao and Shun" was the ideal of a peaceful and prosperous ancient world.

Faced with the Ming Dynasty now riddled with problems and rotten to the core, if it were to truly follow the lukewarm "kingly way" and discuss state affairs with its ministers, it would likely only fall into endless wrangling and compromises, ultimately achieving nothing and watching helplessly as this dilapidated ship sinks.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

The younger brother-in-law was walking a domineering path that no one had ever walked before, a lonely and extremely difficult path of thorns.

In her view, today's generous reward was not a comforting gift, but a declaration, a gesture.

The emperor was using this method to tell the people of the world, especially those ministers who had truly worked hard for the country and supported the new policies: I will reward those who deserve rewards and punish those who deserve punishment, and I will never mistreat anyone who has made a contribution. This was both a way to appease and reward the Zhang family, and also a way to unite and inspire the people of the world.

Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard the distinctive high-pitched announcement from outside the palace: "His Majesty has arrived!"

Zhang Yan felt a warmth in her heart; on top of the existing understanding and support, there was an added touch of familial affection.

She quickly composed herself, stood up, and hurried out to greet them.

Zhu Youjian did not ride in the imperial carriage, nor did he bring any concubines. He only brought Wang Chengen with him, and had him stand guard outside the palace.

Alone, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, he slowly stepped into the main hall of Cining Palace.

The bright colors stood out in the simple and quiet palace, bringing a touch of vitality that no one else could provide.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you." Zhang Yan curtsied and prepared to perform a grand salute.

Zhu Youjian quickened his pace, reached out his hands, and personally helped her up. His voice was gentle, without a trace of the majesty of the court: "Sister-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. Today, we are uncle and sister-in-law, just chatting about family matters, not about the etiquette between ruler and subject."

The address of "Imperial Sister-in-law" instantly and gently dispelled the barrier between the emperor and his subject.

Zhang Yan felt comforted and stood up to lead Zhu Youjian to a seat.

After Zhu Youjian sat down, he did not immediately discuss the matter of the rewards and honors bestowed upon him that day.

His gaze swept across the furnishings in the hall, as if searching for traces of the past.

"I remember that my elder brother loved to sit by this window and read, sometimes for an entire afternoon." He pointed to the couch by the window, his words filled with reminiscence and longing.

“Yes,” Zhang Yan’s eyes welled up slightly, and her voice softened. “The late emperor also said that the sun here is the best, and it feels warm and comfortable on the skin.”

The uncle and aunt reminisced together about the life of the Tianqi Emperor.

From his amusing fascination with woodworking to his indulgence and dependence on Madam Ke and Wei Zhongxian… these shared memories, which no one else could access, acted like a warm bond of kinship, gradually softening and warming the atmosphere in the hall.

In a moment of reminiscence, Zhang Yan looked at the young emperor before her, whose brows bore an undeniable weariness yet whose heroic spirit remained undiminished, and spoke up.

Her tone was full of concern and agreement: "Your Majesty has shown favor to me and the Zhang family in court today, and I appreciate your kindness. But Your Majesty's actions must be to show your sincerity to all the officials and ministers, so that those loyal ministers who support the new policies can serve with peace of mind and without any worries, right?"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback by Zhang Yan's words. He hadn't expected that Zhang Yan could see through his hidden intentions so clearly.

Looking into his sister-in-law's clear and wise eyes, he was somewhat surprised, but a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He nodded, his voice carrying a rare hint of ease and candor: "Your Majesty, I am wise. I have indeed considered this. To ensure people's loyalty, we must first ensure they have no worries. Clear rewards and punishments are essential to motivating heroes throughout the land."

Having received an affirmative answer, Zhang Yan's smile grew even more gentle. She continued, "Your Majesty's concerns are in line with the mindset of an emperor. However, I still have a question."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

“Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, everything you have done has been aimed at undermining the foundations of those gentry and nobles. Although this may fill the national treasury and strengthen the army and enrich the country, it also puts you at odds with the scholars of the land. Isn’t Your Majesty afraid that they will outwardly comply but inwardly defy you, or even... secretly obstruct you, making it difficult for the new policies to continue?” This was the real concern she had, the danger at the implementation level.

Zhu Youjian gave her a deep look, a hint of approval in his eyes. He hadn't expected that his sister-in-law, who had lived in the deep palace for so long, would have such profound insight.

He did not evade the question, but replied in a deep voice, “What my sister-in-law said is exactly what I have been worrying about day and night. I know that I am taking a dangerous path. But the ship of the Ming Dynasty is already riddled with holes. If we try to repair it with gentle methods, it will only hasten its sinking. Only by making a painful decision and scraping the bone to remove the poison can we have a glimmer of hope.”

"As for scholars," he paused, his tone becoming firm, "the scholars of the world are not a monolithic entity. There are those who only know how to talk big and protect their family's interests, and there are also those who have the country in their hearts and yearn to realize their ambitions. What I want to do is to smash their inherent barriers and open up a path for advancement for those who are truly talented and willing to work hard, regardless of their background or social status. Song Yingxing is a banner that I have raised."

"I want the world to know that in my court, good writing is not as important as good deeds! Whoever can make the country prosperous and strong, and whoever can relieve the people's worries, will be given my important positions! As for those so-called 'pure officials' who only know how to quote classics and obstruct the new policies, I will not keep a single one of them!"

These words were powerful and assertive, brimming with authority.

Then, the emperor changed his tone, becoming gentle and sincere, and took the initiative to mention her family: "Today's decree in court, besides this public purpose, also reflects my personal motives. I will never forget the kindness of my elder brother and sister-in-law in supporting me back then. As for Guoyan," he mentioned Zhang Yan's younger brother Zhang Guoyan, "I appointed him to a sinecure in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not because I do not trust him, but precisely to protect him and the Zhang family."

Zhang Yan nodded slightly and replied, "Your Majesty understands your good intentions. Guo Yan is simple and kind-hearted, but the court is treacherous and beyond his ability to cope. Placing him in a stable position, away from trouble and enjoying a life of wealth and honor, is the greatest protection Your Majesty can offer him and the Zhang family. This familial affection brings me more peace of mind than any reward."

She had already figured this out, and she was saying it now so that Zhu Youjian would know that she understood and appreciated his good intentions.

There was no longer any barrier between the uncle and sister-in-law.

Every word he spoke hit the nail on the head, and every thought he expressed was clear to the heart.

Zhu Youjian's heart, which had been tense from constant scheming and vigilance, was relaxed like never before. He looked at his sister-in-law in front of him, his heart filled with gratitude and comfort.

Zhang Yan slowly rose and solemnly bowed deeply to Zhu Youjian.

Her voice, choked with barely suppressed sobs, was full of strength: "Your Majesty shoulders the safety of the nation on your shoulders, doing what ordinary people dare not do. Although I am a woman and cannot share Your Majesty's burdens in the court, I wish to pray for Your Majesty in the palace, that our Great Ming Dynasty may, under Your Majesty's leadership, once again witness the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties! If the late Emperor were alive in heaven, he would surely be gratified by what Your Majesty has done today!"

As the sun sets, its golden afterglow bathes the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City in a warm and magnificent light.

Zhu Youjian left Ciqing Palace.

Zhang Yan stood alone at the palace gate, remaining motionless for a long time.

She watched his departing figure. His bright yellow dragon robe still looked somewhat lonely on the desolate palace road, yet it exuded a firmness that could shake heaven and earth.

Zhang Yan's heart was free of any worries or sorrows; instead, she felt an unprecedented clarity and sense of belonging.

She knew that this young emperor was protecting this vast empire on this thorny path to becoming emperor in a way that was incomprehensible to the world but was absolutely right, fulfilling his weighty promise to his elder brother and to the world.
(End of this chapter)