The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 156 Lantern Festival

Hu Zongxian frowned as he read the new letter sent by Mao Zan. In such a short time, the situation in the capital had changed so much.

He looked at Shen Lian beside him and asked, "Shen, what do you think?"

Shen Lian frowned and looked at him: "What do you mean, 'how do you see it'?"

"Without His Highness Prince Jing's support, the repair of Gubeikou will be difficult to accomplish. The subsequent supply of manpower and materials is not something you or I can decide."

The two did not spend much time together, but they grew to dislike each other. After Shen Lian arrived, he fell out with the military commander of Gubeikou, while Hu Zongxian became friends with everyone.

As for Zhu Shitai, he maintained the arrogance of the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng, and did not take the local military commanders seriously, only demanding the supply of materials and manpower.

It was mainly thanks to him that Hu Zongxian and Shen Lian were able to use both soft and hard tactics to keep the project going.

"Grand Secretary Yan has fallen?" Shen Lian said sarcastically, "If Censor Hu wants to switch allegiances, it's easy. He can just feign illness and return to the capital."

Hu Zongxian had a toothache; this man didn't seem like a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but more like an imperial censor.

"Rest assured, Minister Shen, I may not be a renowned minister, but I will never be a petty person. My only concern is the important matters at hand. But I wonder, whose side are you on?"

Shen Lian took a sip of the wine he carried with him, which was frozen solid. He had to warm it up in his pocket for a long time before he could thaw half of it.

"I am a member of the imperial court. As long as it is a legitimate matter, whether it is assigned by Prince Yu or Prince Jing, I will do my best to carry it out."

Hu Zongxian was too lazy to argue with him about positions, and simply said, "If no money or grain is sent after the New Year, we will have to stop work."

According to the rules, the six ministries of the cabinet would be sealed from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and all promotions and criminal cases would be put on hold. Only urgent military reports could be sent directly to the emperor. The seals would not be opened again until the 15th day of the first lunar month.

Starting from the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the Xiyuan Garden held a five-day Spring Festival and Longevity Golden Register Fasting Ritual, but Lantian Yu Zhaohe failed and was punished.

On the first day of the lunar new year, Duke Zhu Xizhong of Chengguo held the imperial insignia to perform the sacrificial ceremony on behalf of the emperor, and all the officials followed suit. Afterwards, they went to the West Garden to bow five times and kowtow three times, and presented a memorial to wish everyone a happy new year.

On the fifteenth, the streets and alleys of the capital were decorated with lanterns and teeming with tourists, but inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, the candlelight was dim.

The cabinet is currently reviewing the revenue and expenditure situation of the past year with six ministries, and everyone looks grim.

On the table were stacks of thick ledgers of money and grain, accounts of border towns, and accounts of supplies for the inner court, all densely covered with ink. Each entry was a heavy burden.

Last year, the expenditure exceeded the budget by 1.16 million taels of silver and 1.67 million shi of grain. The reserves that Taicang had painstakingly accumulated over more than a decade were almost completely depleted in just a few years.

The remaining funds and provisions must not be touched. In other words, if things continue like this this year, the imperial court will be unable to provide relief to various regions in the future due to natural disasters or man-made calamities, and they will have to rely on their own efforts.

"Last year, the Xiyuan Temple held several grand rituals, and the gold and jade ritual implements, incense and candles, and altar offerings cost 280,000 taels of silver—" The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue spoke in a deep voice, looking at the Grand Secretaries and officials.

But no one spoke up, meaning they had no opinion on the matter and dared not express one.

"The soldiers stationed along the nine borders were short of clothing and food, and the border generals repeatedly sent urgent reports requesting the allocation of grain and fodder, the replenishment of military pay, and the repair of the border walls."

"The Japanese pirates along the southeast coast have been plundering incessantly, and prefectures and counties have been repeatedly massacred. Local requests for military funds, warships, and the recruitment of local militias have piled up like mountains. The Ministry of Works has no silver to allocate and can only put these requests on hold. In addition, various localities—"

Each and every incident left everyone speechless. Finally, Yan Song declared, "Issue an edict to all prefectures and counties throughout the land: this year's taxes and autumn grain must be delivered urgently, without the slightest delay. Salt tax, customs duties, and tea tax must all be thoroughly investigated and recovered. Those who embezzle or delay payment will be investigated by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice."

Everyone agreed, but things didn't get any easier. They did the same thing every year, but the deficit couldn't be plugged at all, and there was no hope of increasing revenue or cutting costs.

Everyone silently looked towards the West Garden, knowing that they were also settling accounts there.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zaizhen was cooking and eating glutinous rice balls. He said to his wet nurse, "I finally got to come home for the New Year, why are you back so early?"

Lady Liu smiled and said, "I feel restless without you. I'll be leaving the palace and going to my own residence in a few days, then it will be easy to come and go, and I'll be back soon."

It wasn't easy to leave or enter the palace, and wet nurses were traditionally known for reporting only good news and not bad.

"Did someone bully you?" Zhu Zaizhen frowned and looked at Ma Dezhao. "Does your husband know?"

Liu quickly replied, "No, no one would dare to bully me."

Ma Dezhao remained silent, and Zhu Zaizhen's expression immediately turned cold.

"Hmph, it seems someone has forgotten that without you entering the palace, your family wouldn't be living such a life of luxury."

Seeing that she was a little nervous, Zhu Zaizhen held the wet nurse's hand and comforted her, "Why hide it from me? They are my own children, my own brothers and sisters. I won't do anything to them for your sake."

Madam Liu breathed a sigh of relief and shook her head: "Our children are grown up now. Although we're not as close anymore, they're still honest and filial. Your Highness has misunderstood."

Zhu Zaizhen laughed: "So it was him. What, are you asking you for money again, or do you want to take a concubine? Breaking both your legs will make you behave."

If the children were the wet nurse's children, Zhu Zaizhen would find it difficult to act against them. At most, he could threaten them and make them pretend to be filial. But if it were her husband, he wouldn't have so many concerns.

Only then did Lady Liu realize that she had been tricked out of her by His Highness, but she was not angry. The prince she had raised was so intelligent and close to her; she was overjoyed.

"We only see each other a few times a year, so our relationship has faded. I don't blame him. Now that our children are grown up and have started their own families, he just wants someone who cares about him."

Zhu Zaizhen said in a calm tone: "It's just that I'm too soft-hearted. I let him take advantage of me. All the rewards and personal savings I've accumulated over the years have been used to buy him property and land. I also arranged a job for him in Shuntian Prefecture. He has servants and maids to serve him at home. Isn't that enough to show him care and concern?"

"It's not easy to go back home for a few days, so it's not unreasonable to pamper and spoil you. Why do I have to hurt your feelings during the New Year?"

Seeing that His Highness was on her side, Lady Liu was already beaming with joy: "Actually, I'm too lazy to pay attention to him. I'm just going home to see my children."

Zhu Zaizhen said, "My daughter is married, and my son is the same age as me. After we settle down, I will bring him here to raise by my side. As for that other person, let him go. I am reluctant to let you go home."

"Yes, that's what I think too."

That being said, given Zhu Zaizhen's personality, how could he possibly let him off the hook? He wouldn't kill him, but he had to at least vent his anger for his wet nurse.

Just then, Zhang Xing rushed in to report, "Your Highness, Eunuch Huang has arrived."

"Please come in."

Soon, Huang Jin came in, still with that smiling face, and first offered his New Year's greetings to Zhu Zaizhen.

"This servant, Huang Jin, kowtows to Your Highness to wish you a Happy New Year, and to wish you peace, good health, and a long and prosperous life."

Zhu Zaizhen personally helped him up: "I just cooked some glutinous rice balls, Huang Ban, quickly have a few bites."

Ma Dezhao brought over a stool, and Liu brought over a bowl of osmanthus and sesame pastry filling: "Please, Eunuch Huang."

After thanking you, Huang Jin happily accepted the bowl, saying, "This servant was thinking of cooking a bowl for myself tonight, but I didn't expect to get to eat it here with Your Highness."

"Has Father eaten yet?"

Huang Jin quickly ate two bites: "Not yet. I've been meditating all day, and I checked the accounts last night. I'm summoning Your Highness now."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded: "Pack up the uncooked glutinous rice balls. I'll take them to see Father Emperor. Don't forget the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty' that I copied."

"Yes, this servant will prepare it immediately."

Soon, the group was ready and headed straight for Xiyuan, where Zhu Zaizhen had been under house arrest for a long time.

Although the emperor did not specify the exact time of confinement, he only made him copy the ancestral precepts thirty times, which can be understood as meaning that he could go out and move around after he finished copying them.

But after he finished copying, he didn't leave the palace at all. He stayed in his sleeping quarters every day, and his calligraphy and painting skills improved a lot.

Upon arriving at Yongshou Palace, one finds several long tables piled high with thick account books and abacuses of various sizes.

But none of the accountants were there. Zhu Zaizhen walked ahead, while Huang Jin and Ma Dezhao followed behind, carrying food boxes and notebooks for copying. They made two turns before finally arriving at the study.

Zhu Zaizhen glanced at the blurry figure and, unsure of his father's feelings, could only obediently perform the five bows and three kowtows. The two then knelt down as well.

Your son, Zaizhen, respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health, ever-increasing achievements, and a long and prosperous life.

Jiajing slowly walked down from the study, ignoring Zhu Zaizhen kneeling on the ground. He walked to Huang Jin, picked up the manuscript and began to read it. Then he looked at Ma Dezhao's food box and asked.

"What's inside?"

Ma Dezhao immediately replied, "It was a Lantern Festival gift specially brought to His Majesty by His Highness."

Jiajing's lips curled up slightly. He hadn't eaten all day and was thinking about what to eat.

"Go cook it."

Huang Jin agreed, then first put all the copies together, and then took the food box to cook it himself.

Jiajing then casually sat down on the steps in front of the study, while Zhu Zaizhen kept his eyes down and didn't look up at all.

"What's wrong? Are you upset?"

Zhu Zaizhen said, "I'm not wronged."

"I have to consider both national affairs and family matters; I can't just think about you."

"Your subject understands."

Zhu Zaizhen looked up at his father. It was fine to pretend to be wronged, but if he kept pretending, it would become annoying.

If the ruler or father is willing to give an explanation, that's a huge favor, and you have to accept it with a smile. Otherwise, it's like a huge slap in the face, and you'll have to accept it with your face even if you don't want to.

Seeing this, Jiajing finally showed some affection. He had really missed this brat who had been bothering him for so long.

"Let's spend the Lantern Festival together, father and son."

Emperor Jiajing patted the seat next to him, and Zhu Zaizhen naturally walked over and sat down on the lower step. He was already shorter than his father, and after sitting down, the difference became even more obvious.

"Then Father Emperor is in for a treat! This year's Lantern Festival dishes were made under my personal supervision, and there are several different flavors."

"Is that so? Then if I don't call you today, you'll miss out on this delicious meal?"

Zhu Zaizhen nodded without hesitation: "If you don't call me, then Father will have to eat it tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Jiajing was not angry, but rather found it amusing and was quite pleased.

Huang Jin walked over carrying two steaming bowls of glutinous rice balls. Three glutinous rice balls floated on the honey-colored soup in the white porcelain bowls. The fragrance of osmanthus mixed with sweetness spread, diluting the dryness of the cinnabar filling the room.

It is just as the Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, and Three gives birth to all things.

"Hooray! This is the osmanthus sesame filling. There are also jujube paste and walnut filling, red bean paste and pine nut filling, white sugar and rose filling, and hawthorn and tangerine peel honey filling later."

"it is good."

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