The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 142 Experience

Ma Dezhao waited at the foot of the steps and hurriedly went to greet Zhu Zaizhen when he came out. He keenly noticed that the prince's expression when he came out of the cabinet was much more somber than when he came out of the Ministry of Revenue.

When His Highness left the Ministry of Revenue, there was a hint of youthful smugness in his eyes. But when he left the Wenyuan Pavilion, that smugness was gone, replaced by something deeper and heavier.

It was as if some heavy burden had just been taken off my shoulders and then pressed down on me again.

"Your Highness?"

"Go to Shuntian Prefecture."

Zhu Zaizhen boarded the imperial carriage, and Qiu Luan committed suicide. This traitor, who was supposed to bring the wolf into the house next year, destroy the Datong defense line, and lead Anda's iron cavalry to the capital, died prematurely in the imperial prison.

However, it is easy to forgive the sins of one person, but difficult to eradicate the ills of a nation.

The root cause of the Gengxu Incident was never Qiu Luan alone, but rather the long-standing decay of the Ming Dynasty's border administration: border troops lacking pay, border walls decaying, generals embezzling funds, military registers being vacant, the capital garrison in disarray, the court being stingy with its finances, and everyone prioritizing personal gain over all else.

Gubeikou was repaired every year, but corruption occurred every year, and it collapsed every year. The imperial court spent hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and executed more than a dozen officials, but still could not plug the loopholes.

This is not a problem of lax governance; the entire border town system, from top to bottom, has long been rotten to the core.

They soon arrived at Shuntian Prefecture. Zhu Zaizhen had been visiting this place frequently during this period, so the guards at the gate all recognized him. One of them hurriedly went back to report, while the rest knelt down to pay their respects.

Zhu Zaizhen did not stop to wait. He looked up at the plaque of the Shuntian Prefecture Office and strode inside, where there were three courtyards.

Passing through the ceremonial gate, you arrive at the main hall, which is five bays wide and three bays deep. It is tall, spacious, and imposing, with blue bricks, gray tiles, and vermilion beams and pillars, and a platform in front of it.

Silence was everywhere, with signs of avoidance standing tall. The winter light was dim, and charcoal fires provided warmth inside the hall. Clerks were bent over their desks copying documents, and servants came and went, but at this moment they were all kneeling on the ground.

"No need for formalities, everyone go about your business."

"promise."

Prefect Zeng Ping of Shuntian Prefecture led his assistants and vice-prefects to greet him. They were all respectful and knew how formidable Prince Jing was.

"Your humble servants pay their respects—"

"Alright, let's get down to business."

"Yes, Your Highness, please come inside and give your orders."

Zhu Zaizhen did not enter the main hall, but stood under the corridor, facing the cold wind blowing through, and went straight to the point: "Of the able-bodied young refugees from the surrounding areas of the capital under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture, how many can join the Imperial Guards to repair the defenses of Gubeikou?"

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture felt a pang of anxiety. After consulting with his subordinates, he bowed and replied, "Your Highness, this winter is cold, and there are quite a few refugees in the capital region. There are probably fewer than 100,000. Gubeikou is not far from the capital, and most of them are willing to go as long as they are paid money and food."

Zhu Zaizhen repeated it in a low voice, quickly calculating in his mind.

Yan Song's plan to mobilize the Shuntian Prefecture troops and refugees to repair the Gubeikou breach was by no means a foolproof solution, but it was the only life-saving measure that did not require a large amount of treasury funds.

The garrison troops were well-organized and trained, capable of both defense and repair. The displaced people were strong and needed food. By providing work relief, they could not only resettle the disaster victims and stabilize the morale of the people in the capital region, but also fill the manpower gap in the border defense, achieving two goals at once.

However, the hidden dangers remain enormous. The troops stationed in the capital region for a long time have become complacent and have long lost the fierceness of the border guards. They are lax and tired, and the displaced people have no military discipline and can only do rough work such as ramming earth, moving stones, and clearing obstacles.

Moreover, once this group of people leaves, the border generals don't know how to treat them, and whether the soldiers will cause trouble and demand benefits.

Even the most talented person needs someone willing to listen. With Zhu Zaizhen as a backer, at most they won't be bullied too much. The emperor is still in his prime, so at this time, let alone Prince Jing, even the crown prince can't expect the border troops to give him any face.

Just then, Yan Shifan arrived. He entered the capital as if he were returning home, swaggering around as if he were there.

The Prefect of the Capital and others bowed to him, but Yan Shifan only raised his hand from a distance. When he got closer, he bowed to Zhu Zaizhen and said, "It has been a long time since I have paid my respects to Your Highness."

Zhu Zaizhen smiled and asked, "Is it ready?"

Yan Shifan smiled very kindly: "If I were not well, I wouldn't dare to come to see Your Highness."

The others had never seen the young Grand Secretary act like this before, and their awe of Prince Jing grew even stronger.

"Today, I have prepared a small banquet around the fireplace in the warm pavilion. Governor Lu has already taken his seat. Hearing that Your Highness has left the palace, I have come to invite you."

Zhu Zaizhen originally didn't want to go, but when he heard that Lu Bing was there, he changed his mind.

"Since you've come to invite me personally, it would be impolite of me not to accept this meal."

Zhu Zaizhen straightened his clothes and said to the Shuntian Prefect beside him, "Select those who are good at construction and strong from among the refugees, and make a preliminary list."

"promise."

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture quickly bowed and agreed. He felt awkward attending the banquet and decided to stick to his duties.

He then boarded the carriage and headed straight for the Yan residence. On the way, Zhu Zaizhen asked, "Besides Commander Lu, who else is there?"

"Besides Zhao Wenhua and others, it was all under Commander Lu's confidants."

Yan Shifan thought for a moment and said, "Should I send someone to invite Zhang Juzheng, Xu Wei, and Qi Jiguang?"

"No need. Who are the General of Jizhou and the Assistant Commander of Beikou?"

Yan Shifan didn't claim to have a photographic memory, but he did have an exceptionally strong memory. After thinking for a moment, he said, "General Liu Fang, and Zhao Qing, the Assistant Commander of Gubeikou."

What kind of person is he?

"Liu Fang came from a family with a hereditary post in Jizhou Guard. He served on the border for decades without any major merits or demerits. As for Zhao Qingchen, I know nothing about him."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded without saying anything more. They soon arrived at the Yan residence, where Zhao Wenhua, Lu Bing, and others were waiting at the entrance. Yan Shifan stepped out of the carriage first, then turned around and reached out to protect the carriage edge, smiling as he said to Zhu Zaizhen, "Your Highness, please."

This attitude is quite different from what they discussed when they first met at Wenyuan. It seems that Yan Shifan has also realized that being an ally could really lead to death, and he still has to learn from his father.

Zhu Zaizhen didn't stand on ceremony. He calmly got out of the carriage, his gaze sweeping over Lu Bing before finally settling on him.

"Your Highness, we pay our respects."

"No need for formalities." Zhu Zaizhen raised his hand to help him up and nodded slightly. "I'm sorry to have troubled Governor Lu and everyone else to wait."

Lu Bing stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and replied in a respectful yet military manner: "Your Highness has been working tirelessly for the country, while I have merely been sitting idly by and waiting. I have no complaints about being tired. Your Highness has been overseeing disaster relief efforts for days on end, which must have been very tiring."

Zhao Wenhua quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Yes, it's freezing cold, Your Highness should be resting and recuperating, but you've been running around to various government offices. You truly care about the country, and we admire you greatly."

Please take good care of yourself!

Yan Shifan interrupted their flattery and stepped aside to lead the way: "Outside, the cold wind is blowing snowflakes, and it's easy to catch a chill if you stay in it too long. The underfloor heating in the warm room is burning brightly, and the food and wine are all prepared. Let's go inside and talk."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded and stepped inside in the direction Yan Shifan pointed out. The bluestone path under his feet was swept clean and there was no snow. The sky was a little dark, and lanterns hung under the corridors on both sides, their warm yellow light extending into the deep courtyard, illuminating the layers of the Yan family mansion.

Lu Bing, Zhao Wenhua, and others followed closely behind. The group walked in an orderly fashion, and no one spoke loudly anymore. The slightly lively atmosphere at the courtyard gate just now quieted down in an instant.

Everyone sensed that His Highness seemed to have something on his mind, and it would be a great help to relieve his worries.

After passing through two hanging flower gates, the warm pavilion in the backyard was already in sight. When the servants guarding outside the pavilion saw the group approaching, they quickly stepped forward and lifted the curtain. A warm aroma mixed with the scents of meat, wine and sandalwood wafted over, instantly dispelling the chill from their bodies.

The interior was spacious, and the floor was warm and pleasant thanks to the heating system. In the center was a large round table with a brass double-handled hot pot steadily placed on a charcoal stand. The bone broth inside was bubbling and churning, with wisps of white steam rising gently.

Plates and dishes were arranged around the perimeter, with thinly sliced ​​lamb neatly arranged and a variety of winter ingredients on display. Several side dishes of braised venison, cured chicken from Jiangnan, and candied kumquats were also placed nearby to accompany the drinks.

Several tin kettles were placed on a small stove to the side, keeping the rice wine inside warm.

There are three chefs waiting next door, so you can have whatever you want made to order anytime.

"Please make yourselves at home." Yan Shifan gestured and led Zhu Zaizhen to the head seat first. After Zhu Zaizhen was seated, Lu Bing, Zhao Wenhua and others were invited to take their seats in order of their status and rank.

Zhu Zaizhen looked at the several unfamiliar faces, which seemed to have been brought by Lu Bing.

The men stood up and bowed, and Zhu Zaizhen simply nodded until a name was called out.

"Your subject is Shen Lian, a senior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

He was of medium to tall stature, with a square face and broad forehead, and a strong frame. He was neither a weak scholar nor a rough and uncouth warrior, nor did he possess the unique air of a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This kind of image and temperament was quite rare among the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This man is a tough guy, not the kind of person he needs right now. Like Hai Rui, he can only be used after he becomes emperor to deal with corrupt officials and powerful gentry. But for now, he has to make do with him for the time being.

Zhu Zaizhen's gaze lingered on Shen Lian for a moment. Others didn't notice, but Shen Lian himself did. It wasn't like admiration; it was a feeling of being weighed, like examining the edge of a weapon.

He felt unwell, but he didn't say anything. He had come to the capital in the autumn and had witnessed Prince Jing's disaster relief efforts. As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he knew better than anyone how much the prince had sacrificed for hundreds of thousands of refugees.

"Shen Jingli doesn't look like a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Zaizhen's voice wasn't loud, but it fell into the background noise of the bubbling hot pot, causing the laughter and conversation at the table to quiet down.

No one expected His Highness to ask about this little experience.

Is there some special quality they can't see?

They didn't understand why Lu Bing valued this person so much and kept him by his side every day.

"Your Highness, I was a Jinshi in the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign. I served as a county magistrate for two terms and was highly regarded by Commander Lu. I have just been transferred to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

He spoke with his back still ramrod straight, and his broad face showed no fawning smile, only a stubborn seriousness.

Zhu Zaizhen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Shen's slightly worn blue robe, and asked calmly, "Aren't you afraid of being criticized by the literati for abandoning a promising career in the civil service?"

"Your Highness, I have been serving in the provinces for several years and have witnessed the exploitation by local officials and the annexation of territory by powerful clans. In the court, there are many who are only concerned with protecting themselves. Officials who submit memorials often find their reports ignored. Ordinary civil officials who want to thoroughly investigate corruption are restricted at every turn."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had direct access to the Emperor and held the power of secret investigation throughout the country, which allowed them to bypass layers of personal relationships and see the truth directly.

As for the discussions among scholars, I have no interest in them and pay them no heed.

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