The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 136 Maintenance

Xu Jie interrupted Zhao Kongzhao's impassioned speech: "Your subject has a memorial to present."

Jiajing looked at him thoughtfully for a moment and said, "Speak."

"Censor Zhao just said that Prince Jing promoted officials without the approval of the Ministry of Personnel, which is untrue. During the disaster relief period, dozens of officials from the Shuntian Prefecture, the Military Affairs Office, the Ministry of Revenue and other relevant departments did perform their duties diligently and made outstanding contributions. The Ministry of Personnel is verifying the merits and demerits of each person and drafting a list of promotions and rewards."

Therefore, these people were not promoted by Prince Jing. His Highness merely petitioned the court for their merits and did not bypass the Ministry of Personnel to promote them directly.

""

Minister of Revenue Xia Bangmo was also anxious. He never expected that Xu Jie would steal the credit!

Upon hearing this, Xia Bangmo did not hesitate any longer. He immediately stepped forward, bowed, and reported in a steady voice: "Your Majesty, I am in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, which oversees the receipt and disbursement of funds and grain throughout the empire, as well as the verification and reimbursement of the treasury. The claim by Censor Zhao that Prince Jing bypassed the Ministry of Revenue, privately distributed embezzled funds, and arbitrarily allocated silver is purely a one-sided conjecture and does not reflect the facts!"

"Minister Xia! The disbursement of silver and grain for disaster relief in the capital region is done immediately with just the seal of Prince Jing's residence, without any prior approval from the Ministry of Revenue. Isn't this an act of arbitrariness and overstepping of authority?"

"What do you know!" Xia Bangmo turned to look directly at the young censor, his tone firm, "A sudden snow disaster struck, freezing thousands of miles, leaving tens of thousands of refugees starving and hanging by a thread!"

"Your Highness is in charge of disaster relief by imperial decree. If everything still has to wait for the Ministry of Revenue to draft documents layer by layer, sign off at each level, and go back and forth for approval, how many people will die needlessly?"

As he spoke, Xia Bangmo sneered, his tone sarcastic: "I wonder if Censor Zhao, while sitting by the stove in the Censorate writing his impeachment memorial, ever once went to the soup kitchen to take a look, or even asked a single disaster victim a question?"

"You!" Zhao Kongzhao was young after all, and was at a loss for words when he was directly refuted by the two ministers.

Zhou Mian glanced at the other officials and censors behind him and saw that they were all somewhat timid, so he had no choice but to go himself. He showed no fear on his face, knowing that it was just another beating.

Before he could speak, Xu Jie preempted him, saying loudly, "Your Majesty, I believe that while it is acceptable to speak based on hearsay, it is unacceptable to make unfounded accusations. While it is commendable to speak frankly and dare to remonstrate, it is unacceptable to use impeachment to gain fame."

The accusations leveled in this joint memorial are mostly exaggerated and deviate significantly from the facts. Your Majesty, I earnestly request that you investigate thoroughly and not let the faults of those who speak out discourage meritorious officials, nor should you abandon the laws of our ancestors because of the errors in these channels of communication.

The key lies in the last sentence, which everyone understood. Yan Song glanced at Xu Jie slightly. Censors and officials could never be his match; they were nothing but barking dogs. Only this man was not to be underestimated.

Jiajing slowly spoke: "The power to speak on hearsay is a right given to officials by our ancestors. It is to enable you to investigate official corruption, correct malfeasance, and distinguish between the wicked and the wicked, not to make unfounded accusations, nitpick, or be jealous of the virtuous for their merits."

All officials who jointly submitted this memorial will be fined three months' salary and confined to their homes for one month to reflect on their actions. From now on, any official who submits a memorial without evidence or grounds for arbitrarily impeaching others will not be lightly forgiven by me!

The crowd immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

At this moment, the two princes announced their arrival and then entered the hall side by side. Looking over from a distance, one could see that Prince Jing was considerably taller than Prince Yu. Although Prince Yu tried his best to stand on tiptoe to elevate himself, the difference was still noticeable when he knelt down.

King Jing is very strong!

Both of them had become much darker and thinner than before, and given that they were at the age where they were growing taller, they looked completely different after just a few days apart.

What remained unchanged was their demeanor and temperament. Prince Jing held his head high with a smile on his face, like a general returning from a victorious battle, while Prince Yu was still reserved and nervous, always wanting to lower his head and look down.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities." Jiajing glanced at his two sons, then slowly shifted his gaze to Xu Jie, his tone rising: "Xu Jie, you are the Minister of Personnel, tell me, how should I reward them?"

When the emperor asks for your opinion, he may not genuinely want to hear it. Sometimes he just wants to use you to express a decision he has already made, and sometimes he is setting a trap for you to fall into.

The ability to distinguish right from wrong is a crucial skill for officials in this dynasty.

Xu Jie kowtowed without hesitation: "The favor comes from His Majesty. Only His Majesty can reward the two princes. Please forgive me for not daring to speak."

"You know how to play the game, putting me first."

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."

"What do you two want?" Jiajing asked his sons again, wanting to see their reaction.

Prince Yu, being the elder brother, naturally had to reply first. He hesitated for a long time before saying, "Your subject has done so little and dares not ask for reward. I only wish that the people of the capital region live in peace and that the court is peaceful year after year. That is my only wish."

After listening, Jiajing did not speak, only thinking that your wish was too grand for even me to make a decision.

Zhu Zaizhen laughed and said, "I've been through wind and snow, and my clothes are worn out several times. It's almost the New Year, so please grant me a new set of clothes, Father."

Jiajing pointed at the censors and officials, his tone somewhat strange: "They've all impeached you for embezzling hundreds of thousands of taels of silver under the guise of disaster relief, yet you can't even afford a set of clothes?"

"Hmph." Zhu Zaizhen glanced at the people over there and sneered, "Never heard of a son helping his own father with work and making money in the process."

Minister of Rites Ouyang Bijin reminded him, "Your Highness, how can you speak such vulgar language in front of the emperor and father?"

"It's alright, the words may be rough, but the principle is sound." Jiajing laughed, "Since you both say so, then I won't reward you any more. I'll increase your stipends by 1,000 shi and give each of you a new set of clothes."

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Emperor Jiajing patted the armrest of his throne and said, "My sons can be rewarded less, but meritorious officials should be richly rewarded. The same applies to families who have made contributions through donations. The Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel should go back and discuss this carefully."

"Your Majesty, we will obey your decree."

Emperor Jiajing seemed to suddenly realize something and asked the Minister of Revenue, "Does the imperial harem also make donations?"

"Your Majesty, many imperial concubines and ladies-in-waiting donated gold, silver and cloth for disaster relief. We used them to make cotton clothes and distributed them to the elderly, weak, women and children. The people are grateful and say that Your Majesty is a god and the ladies-in-waiting are bodhisattvas."

This was also customary; whenever there was a natural disaster near the capital, the imperial harem would reduce its spending and symbolically donate some gold, silver, and cloth to show the royal family's love for the people.

"Who has the most?"

Xia Bangmo's eyes lit up: "The most are Consort Jing."

Actually, the one who donated the most was Consort Shen. Donations to the imperial harem were also based on rank; it couldn't be that a mere concubine could be above the Empress.

Currently, there are two Imperial Noble Consorts and one Noble Consort in the harem. However, Noble Consort Wang, the birth mother of Crown Prince Zhuangjing, has stopped interfering in all matters. When Consort Jing, née Lu, donated silver, it actually indicated that she was donating on behalf of Noble Consort Wang and her own share.

But since the money all came from Consort Jing's palace, it's not wrong for him to attribute it to Consort Jing now.

He was willing to take this risk in order to protect the emperor.

Xu Jie and the others immediately became anxious, knowing that the Emperor's words must have a deeper meaning.

Could it be that they intend to take this opportunity to elevate the status of the King Jing's birth mother?

If it is the Empress, then Prince Jing is the legitimate son, and there is little doubt about his position as heir apparent.

If it is an Imperial Noble Consort, it is no small matter either, as the former Crown Prince's mother was also an Imperial Noble Consort.

Zhu Zaizhen also had a sudden thought. He knew that his father was a respectable man and wouldn't really just give him a new set of clothes to get rid of him.

Yan Song's heart also tightened, but he didn't dare to speak, so he just lowered his head and looked drowsy.

Ouyang Bijin took a deep breath, but he had no interest in getting promoted or making money, nor did he care much about posthumous fame. He just wanted to do as much as possible for the country and its people.

This disaster relief effort confirms that Prince Yu is not bad, but only Prince Jing may be able to become a great ruler and revitalize the Ming Dynasty.

He immediately straightened his court robes, stepped forward, bowed, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, in this snow disaster in the capital region, the ladies of the harem have shown great righteousness by reducing palace expenses, donating silver and cloth, showing compassion for the people, and helping each other overcome the disaster."

Among them, Consort Jing, née Lu, was the most sincere. She used all the palace's savings to help refugees and sew winter clothes. Her merits were evident and the people were grateful.

His Highness Prince Jing has devoted himself wholeheartedly to overseeing disaster relief and ensuring stability in the capital region. His loyalty and diligence, showing the same devotion as mother and son, are commendable. Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty commend him and bestow upon him an extraordinary honor, to recognize his virtue and encourage the women of the inner palace!

Ouyang Bijin never mentioned the matter of promotion, only saying that it was a commendation and encouragement, which was both an offensive and defensive strategy.

The civil and military officials in the hall all held their breath. Everyone knew that the commendation was an open favor, but the key was the promotion in rank.

Xu Jie was anxious, but fortunately, an imperial censor immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Prince Yu has also contributed to disaster relief, and Consort Kang has also donated silver for disaster relief. Please reward them both."

The Minister of Works immediately replied, "Merits vary in magnitude; how can they be generalized?"

With a half-smile, Jiajing looked at Yan Song and asked, "Grand Secretary Yan, what do you say?"

Yan Song didn't reply, not even raising his head, which surprised everyone.

Xia Bangmo glanced at Yan Song and immediately understood. He quickly called out, "Grand Secretary, His Majesty summons you!"

"Ah!" Yan Song's eyes widened suddenly: "I am guilty for being disrespectful before the Emperor. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

2

Upon hearing this, Jiajing felt a pang of sadness, but also some doubt, so he asked, "Weren't you perfectly fine the last time I saw you?"

Yan Song coughed twice, his tone slow: "To be honest, Your Majesty, after seventy, I'm getting worse every day. If it weren't for the golden pills bestowed upon me by Your Majesty, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it through this winter."

Having said that, he disregarded the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, looked up and met the emperor's eyes, his gaze filled with reluctance: "I am already so old, I fear I may be neglecting the affairs of the state. Perhaps you should allow this old minister to retire and return to his hometown."

Yan Song was feigning weakness. He understood the emperor and knew that he valued checks and balances most. The more he wanted Prince Jing to benefit, the more he had to make his side appear weak.

Emperor Jiajing had used Yan Song for a long time. Even a dog would develop feelings over such a long period of time, let alone a loyal minister who could shelter him from the wind and rain and who had accompanied him for many years. Their relationship could not be simply described as that of a ruler and his subject.

"Huang Jin, bring a stool for the Grand Secretary. From now on, when the Grand Secretary comes to the West Garden to pay his respects, he can sit down and will not need to stand to reply."

Emperor Jiajing then comforted Yan Song, saying, "There are advantages to being old. You are mature and prudent. How can we entrust the affairs of the country to young people? I will only feel at ease if I entrust this family to you."

Yan Song was overcome with emotion and nearly fell over when he wiped his tears with his sleeve. Even Emperor Jiajing was so frightened that he almost stood up. The seventy-year-old white-haired man would have died instantly if he had fallen on this gold brick.

"Quickly help the Grand Secretary to sit down."

Xu Jie appeared anxious, but inwardly he cursed, "That old bastard is such a hypocrite!"