The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 161 Subordinate Officials

The next morning, Zhu Zaizhen slowly opened his eyes, and it took him a while to accept the fact that he had left the palace and was now at the Prince's Residence in the capital.

The bedchamber was warm, filled with a familiar, light fragrance that made him feel relaxed. Warm water was already prepared on a low pear wood table beside the bed, and occasionally, light footsteps could be heard outside the door.

He was a little too lazy to get up, so he turned over a couple of times, feeling a tingling, comfortable sensation all over his body no matter how he lay down.

After a long while, Zhu Zaizhen finally got out of bed barefoot, stepping onto a thick, bright red carpet with gold cloud patterns made in Suzhou.

At this moment, someone on duty went out to report, and soon the wet nurse led two palace maids carrying clothes and two maids carrying water to enter quietly: "Your Highness is awake. I was worried that you might not recognize the bed after the change of location."

"These are all commonly used items, so there's nothing I'm not used to."

Zhu Zaizhen stretched out his arms and let the palace servants help him put on his clothes. They were all old clothes brought from the palace, and the fabric was more comfortable and smoother than new ones.

Wearing a bright red robe with four dragon motifs, featuring a round collar, a fitted neck, and narrow sleeves, Ma Dezhao walked in and, seeing the prince's good complexion, smiled slightly.

"Your Highness, the security measures at all the gates of the inner quarters were completed last night, and all the sentries in the east and west alleys are in place. The palace maids and eunuchs in the mansion have been screened in batches."

Those who had previously served His Highness were all promoted to serve inside the palace, while the newcomers were temporarily assigned to do miscellaneous tasks outside.

Zhu Zaizhen stood in front of the mirror and nodded slightly: "After everything is settled, I will reward you as usual."

"promise."

Zhu Zaizhen turned to look at Ma Dezhao, noticing the weariness on his face: "You must be exhausted, my dear husband. Didn't you sleep all night?"

"I'm fine. It's just that if we establish these rules these next few days, things will be easier from now on."

With his partner around, he was spared a lot of worry.

"In addition, Prince Yu submitted a memorial early this morning and sent it to the West Garden."

Zhu Zaizhen guessed immediately: "It must be because of Consort Kang."

Consort Kang was, after all, the birth mother of Prince Yu, so how could she not miss him? And for a prince who had left the palace to live in his own residence, it would be difficult to visit him often unless the Emperor granted him permission.

At this moment, Hong Yuan, the head chef of the Prince's residence, and Zhang Xing entered and bowed. The former said somewhat apologetically, "Your Highness, I'm sorry to have troubled you. Today's breakfast was a bit simple, but it was all prepared by my own hands."

Zhang Xing bowed and replied, "This servant has led everyone to be checked."

With the kitchen newly established, caution was necessary. In addition to these two, Ma Dezhao also arranged for another person to keep a close watch on things.

Zhu Zaizhen naturally knew that this was the chief eunuch setting rules for his subordinates. He said calmly, "Having just established the government, there are many complicated matters to attend to."

"Simple is just right, no need for formalities, you've all worked hard."

He could never be a bad person when dealing with those around him.

The two were naturally grateful for His Highness's consideration and worked with even more enthusiasm.

Zhu Zaizhen arrived at the east wing of the palace, where a small square dining table made of huanghuali wood was set out. On it were soft and sticky rice porridge, tender chicken breast wontons, a basket of fluffy yam and jujube cakes, and refreshing side dishes such as stir-fried tender bean sprouts.

"Isn't this good?" Zhu Zaizhen sat down to eat. Although it was a bit cold, the food tasted very good. Hong Yuan was able to make simple dishes delicious, which showed that he was really skilled in cooking.

Hong Yuan replied happily, "As long as it suits Your Highness's taste, I'll make different dishes these next few days."

After finishing his breakfast, Zhu Zaizhen took a stroll around the back of the Prince's Mansion. The fresh morning air made him feel more energetic.

This place is not a prince's residence after all, but a temporary residence. The scale is much smaller. The three palaces, three sleeping quarters, the offices of the prince's officials, six bureaus, one warehouse, stables, six east and west offices, study, retreat hall, and back garden are all much smaller. Some of the buildings that should be there are not even there.

Even if you include the Prince Yu's residence next door, it would only be about half the size of a prince's residence.

However, it's quite nice to have a place like this to stay in the capital.

Zhu Zaizhen was very satisfied and strolled over to Cunxin Hall, which had seven bays, a single-eave hip roof, and blue glazed tiles.

The interior is much simpler than the Chengyun Hall, and there is no Sumeru pedestal. What comes into view is a large huanghuali wood desk, with a wide solid wood chair behind it.

After Zhu Zaizhen sat down, the four key figures—Zhao Bichang, the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace; Luo Longwen, the judge; Ma Dezhao, the chief of the Imperial Household; and Chen Zhao, the chief of the Imperial Guard—were quickly assembled.

The four of them each have their own responsibilities. They were busy all day yesterday, and now they are starting to get back on track.

Ma Dezhao walked to the side and stood still. He was a servant of Prince Jing and was not on the same side as these three.

The three men also have interesting backgrounds: Zhao Bichang was a disciple of Yan Song, Luo Longwen was a protégé of Yan Shifan, and Chen Zhao was a subordinate of Lu Bing.

"Your Highness, we pay our respects."

"No need for formalities. You have done a good job in making the Prince's residence so orderly today."

Zhu Zaizhen waved his hand, and Ma Dezhao took out the rewards he had prepared in advance. The chief secretary received a Duan inkstone with ice patterns from the imperial kiln and a pair of imperial brushes with purple hair. Luo Longwen received a paperweight made by the imperial kiln and a gilded openwork brush holder. As for Chen Zhao, he received a Qiushui Yanling knife of excellent quality and a tiger-embroidered wrist guard.

"We are ashamed to accept this."

The three bowed deeply in gratitude, their faces showing obsequiousness. They felt uneasy about receiving such a generous reward without having accomplished anything.

Zhu Zaizhen leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the three faces in turn, his tone calm: "I don't care whose door you were in before."

Once you enter the gates of Prince Jing's mansion, you are one of my people.

As the founding emperor once said, "Zhao Changshi, you are a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, do you know what I meant by that?"

Zhao Bichang, holding the reward, bowed his head and said, "Your subject is foolish and ignorant, but I dare to guess that it might be: 'We drink from the golden cup together, but the white blade will not spare us.'"

The thought of the founding emperor and his two companions sent a chill down their spines; that man's blade was indeed ruthless and merciless towards no one.

Although King Jing was young, his performance in disaster relief showed that he was a decisive and ruthless ruler.

"Your Highness, we will humbly follow your teachings and be loyal and diligent, never daring to fail you."

Zhu Zaizhen was merely giving a heads-up in advance to avoid accusations of punishing someone without prior instruction.

"That's good. Rise and let's proceed with the council."

"promise."

First, there was the Chief Secretary, who spoke of nothing more than money, provisions, and personnel. Zhu Zaizhen listened and approved his instructions. Then came the Chief of Ceremonial Guard, who spoke of nothing more than weapons, gate security, and patrols. Zhu Zaizhen also approved his arrangements.

Finally, it was time for the trial committee to take charge. However, Luo Longwen was a little embarrassed because he had never done it before, and everyone had been on high alert these past two days, so no one had made any major mistakes. He only gave a brief speech.

Zhao Bichang frowned upon hearing this. The duties of the investigating officer were certainly not limited to those stipulated. The main task was to investigate the entire Prince's residence to see if there were any spies who had infiltrated.

However, Zhu Zaizhen didn't care. What he wanted from Luo Longwen was not this. In officialdom, this man's talent was just that of an ordinary person, but in business, he was able to take the lead in the ink industry at a young age and become a leader in the industry.

Among all scholars in the world, who can live without pen, ink, paper, and inkstone?

What writer or scholar wouldn't want a handy tool?

In a family that has been a scholarly family for generations, which one wouldn't want to collect some heirlooms?

He didn't take any money when he was providing disaster relief, so naturally he wouldn't ask for any salt tax during this southern tour either. However, the Prince's Palace needs to spend money everywhere, and it's really difficult to rely solely on the annual stipend from the court, which is mixed with a lot of paper money.

This naturally requires Luo Longwen's help. Since he wants to be an official so much, then he should use his abilities to get it.

After reporting, all three wanted to privately express their loyalty to Prince Jing. The prince had made it clear, and they naturally understood it even better. Although the swords were hanging high, the golden cup of fine wine that could be sipped with a mere glance was far more tempting.

Seeing that the chief clerk had no intention of leaving, the two had no choice but to take their leave.

After everyone else left, Zhao Bichang bowed and earnestly said, "I am a disciple of Grand Secretary Yan. The Grand Secretary has been kind to me by teaching and mentoring me. But now that I am Your Highness's subordinate, I will put Your Highness first in everything and would never dare to have any disloyal thoughts."

"Regarding matters both within and outside the palace, without Your Highness's permission, even if Grand Secretary Yan personally inquires, I will never reveal a single word. I am solely dedicated to assisting Your Highness, and I hope Your Highness will understand."

Zhu Zaizhen stroked the texture of the table and said, "I will not ask you to do anything ungrateful. However, the bond between master and disciple is a private matter, while the duties of the Prince's Palace are public. If you can distinguish between these two things, that is better than anything else."

"promise."

Then came Chen Zhao, who only said one sentence: "Commander Lu told me that from now on I only need to be loyal to Your Highness and be Your Highness's henchman."

"What if Governor Lu tells you again that you can pledge allegiance to someone else?"

Chen Zhao firmly stated, "I may be a rough man, but I understand the principle that a loyal minister does not serve two masters, and a virtuous woman does not serve two husbands!"

When it was Luo Longwen's turn, he immediately knelt down and said, "Your Highness, Yan Shifan ordered me to convey any important news to him, but I would never dare to do so."

That bastard Yan Shifan took over 100,000 taels of silver from him, but only gave him the powerless position of a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and constantly forced him to offer rare and precious treasures.

It was one thing to have no choice before, but now that we have His Highness Prince Jing, only a fool would still follow that one-eyed fatso!

Zhu Zaizhen was not surprised to hear this. Both Yan Song and Lu Bing were mature and experienced smart men. Although Yan Shifan was also smart, he was short-sighted and would occasionally do stupid things like crazy. Luo Longwen had tens of thousands in assets, became famous at a young age, and controlled a business. He was a rare talent, but Yan Shifan only treated him as a private slave to amass wealth and an accountant to collect rare treasures.

He accepted heavy bribes and held his position indefinitely, while also constantly extorting and exploiting his subordinates. Anyone would feel disheartened by such treatment.

And he was completely unaware of this, entrusting such a person with the task of gathering information; Zhu Zaizhen didn't know how to evaluate him.

"If you can tell the truth, I will not hold it against you."

Luo Longwen relaxed his back, but still dared not get up: "I used to live under someone else's roof and had no choice in what I did. From now on, I will serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty."

"I personally requested you to come; I have very high expectations for you."

Luo Longwen was taken aback upon hearing this; he knew nothing about it, and Yan Shifan hadn't told him about it.

He disregarded the money he had been extorted for and looked at King Jing with anticipation.

He had no shortage of money; what he wanted was power and the dignity that merchants could never attain!

"The world is bustling with activity, all for profit. With your talent, if you only labor in paperwork, you'll only be a seventh or eighth-rank official. But if you engage in business and amass wealth, in my eyes you'd be worthy of wearing a scarlet robe."

Luo Longwen's voice trembled slightly: "Your Highness, I—I am not a scholar—"

"If you can achieve a feat that even a first-class scholar could not attain, then you can naturally drink this golden cup of jade liquor without hesitation."

"Your subject—is willing to die for you!"