prosperous age

The capital of the Ming Dynasty.

With the imperial edict regarding the Haojing, many people in the capital learned for the first time that there was actually a piece of land in the Ming Dynasty that had been leased to foreigners by local officials without their consent. The foreigners had even established their own administrative institutions and built fortifications, making it seem like a lawless land.

While the common people were buzzing about the extravagant lifestyle in the south, the eyes of the officials in the capital were all on Datong in the northwest.

No secrets stay hidden forever. The urgent report from Datong had already quietly spread: the snow disaster in the north was so severe that even the Mongolians, who were used to the harsh climate, were suffering from the cold.

Even though they were far apart, people in Beijing could still feel the chill in the air.

"Your Excellency, is there still no news from the palace?"

When Wei Guangde, the cabinet minister, was on duty, the routine meeting before the end of the office began. Shen Shixing inquired about the cabinet meeting convened earlier and the nomination of cabinet members.

However, Wei Guangde submitted the list of recommendations yesterday, but two days have passed and there has still been no imperial edict from the Qianqing Palace regarding the selection of candidates by Emperor Wanli.

"No, they're probably still considering it."

Wei Guangde smiled wryly, saying that Emperor Wanli had not summoned him these past two days, perhaps because no important memorials had been submitted.

As for Japan, Emperor Wanli seems to have recently chosen to let go and no longer keep a close eye on it.

This kind of mindset is actually the proper attitude when dealing with important national affairs.

People below can show anxiety and tension depending on the urgency of the matter, but once inside the palace, everything must be handled calmly. This not only shows the superior's disdain for the events below, but also allows them to clarify their thoughts and come up with better solutions from the perspective of an observer.

The list consisted of three names that Wei Guangde favored, but he hadn't expected the Wanli Emperor to consider it for so long.

However, this led Wei Guangde to speculate that perhaps Emperor Wanli was not simply considering adding another cabinet minister.

The cabinet of the Ming Dynasty never had a clear quota. The title of Grand Secretary of the Four Halls and Two Pavilions does not mean that the cabinet can only have a maximum of six people to assist in handling government affairs.

In fact, multiple people can hold the position of Grand Secretary in each hall at the same time.

Initially, cabinet ministers mostly started as Grand Secretaries of the Eastern Pavilion, and as their merits and seniority increased, they would gradually rise to higher positions.

However, there is no fixed match between the palace and its position in the cabinet.

Therefore, the emperor could fill any number of positions in the cabinet as he pleased.

During the Ming Dynasty, the number of cabinet members was usually between three and seven. Two-member cabinets were rare and were more often seen during the gaps between the addition of cabinet ministers.

Therefore, the current cabinet consisting only of Wei Guangde and Shen Shixing is merely a temporary measure and is definitely not a normal situation.

Of course, seven people is not actually the upper limit. At the peak of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet, there were as many as ten cabinet ministers working in the cabinet at the same time.

This occurred during the Tianqi era, specifically in the third year of Tianqi's reign. At that time, the cabinet originally consisted of six people, including Ye Xianggao, and four more, including Gu Bingqian, were added, resulting in "not enough room for anyone to sit in the main room."

Of course, at that time, only nine people were actually working in the cabinet, and one cabinet minister was sent to a remote area, namely Sun Chengzong.

"Perhaps His Majesty is considering adding more, after all, the three of us, including Ziwei, were too busy serving in the Wenyuan Pavilion before."

Wei Guangde offered a suggestion.

Shen Shixing was slightly taken aback upon hearing this; he hadn't expected that either.

Normally, it shouldn't be that when Zhang Siwei leaves, a new cabinet minister should be added to take charge.

As for the sudden increase in cabinet ministers, it is often because the emperor wants to reward merit by increasing the number of cabinet ministers.

Too many people can easily lead to disagreements and internal struggles within the cabinet, as cabinet ministers may have different perspectives on issues, which can cause cabinet turmoil.

This was primarily a test of Emperor Wanli's political acumen.

In the imperial court, officials from different parties can be brought in, but in the cabinet, it is best to keep it streamlined, with only one representative from each of the major parties.

This is also why, for most of the time, the Ming Dynasty's cabinet consisted of only three people.

With a small number of people involved, it is less likely for violent conflicts to break out.

"Alright, this is His Majesty's decision. We should just wait for his decree. Is there anything in today's memorials that we can discuss?"

Wei Guangde did not intend to delve into this issue, and even if he were to, it shouldn't be this place or this time.

As a result, the cabinet meetings between him and Shen Shixing were quickly brought back on track.

Meanwhile, in the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Wanli was also somewhat troubled by the list submitted at the final meeting of the Nine Ministers.

Among the three people, Yu Youding, Xu Guo, and Wang Jiaping, Emperor Wanli actually wanted to appoint Xu Guo the most because he had openly stood against Zhang Juzheng. Although he did not support Zhao Yongxian and others, he was indeed one of the few officials who dared to openly express their sympathy for them at the time.

Arranging for someone who was at odds with Zhang Juzheng to enter the cabinet was in line with Emperor Wanli's wishes.

However, of the two people, Yu Youding and Wang Jiaping, Yu Youding's entry into the cabinet seems to be a popular choice.

The order of the recommended memorials shows that Wei Guangde placed him first.

Dismissing Yu Youding would likely cause some dissatisfaction among the cabinet and senior officials.

These emotions are not expressed outwardly, for fear that they will leave a thorn in one's heart.

Emperor Wanli was actually very sensitive, perhaps because of his leg ailment, which allowed him to notice small things that many others missed.

As for Wang Jiaping, it was clear that he was not the person Zhang Siwei wanted to promote, but rather Wei Guangde's student.

In order to stabilize the cabinet, the Grand Secretaries of the Ming Dynasty would recommend their own people to the cabinet, or at least people they thought were useful to them.

Therefore, Emperor Wanli was not averse to Wei Guangde's recommendation of Shen Shixing in the past, and was even somewhat pleased with his recommendation of Wang Jiaping now.

This shows that the close relationship between Wei Guangde and Shen Shixing inevitably developed a rift with the departure of Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Siwei.

The fact that the Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary were beginning to drift apart pleased the Wanli Emperor.

It wasn't that he wanted chaos in the cabinet, but rather that if the outer court was united in purpose, he, as emperor, would feel uneasy.

Is Yu Youding one of Shen Shixing's people, or someone Wei Guangde wants to bring into the cabinet?

It was because of this matter that Emperor Wanli had not yet made up his mind to select a cabinet member.

Instead, Zhang Jing was assigned to investigate Yu Youding and his connections with Shen Shixing and Wei Guangde.

Meanwhile, in a secluded teahouse in the capital, Zhang Jing, dressed in casual clothes, sat in a private room. A man stood opposite him, respectfully flattering him, not even daring to sit down.

"This is a gift from my master to the eunuch. I hope the eunuch will accept it with pleasure."

Wearing an exquisite long cotton robe and with a crystal jade pendant hanging at his waist, he was clearly not from an ordinary family.

However, standing humbly in front of Zhang Jing at this moment, with a fawning manner, one could guess from his words that he was the steward of a high-ranking official's mansion in the capital.

Looking at the gift list in front of him, Zhang Jing was overjoyed but appeared calm, as if he didn't care about these material possessions.

However, the greed in his eyes was almost overflowing through the paper.

"Your master is very perceptive. Why did he think of sending gifts to me? Shouldn't they be sent to the Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary? They strongly supported your master at the Nine Ministers Meeting."

Zhang Jingqiang suppressed a smile, looked at the person opposite him, and said.

"The Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary are my superiors, so my master must naturally obey their orders."

However, the imperial court was not entirely controlled by the cabinet; the Directorate of Ceremonial, where the eunuchs resided, was the true core of the court's operation.

In the central government system of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial were the core of the entire system. The Grand Secretariat had the power to draft proposals, which could be seen as a governing strategy.

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs had the power of imperial approval, which was the legally mandated review procedure for the implementation of policies.

In maintaining the operation of the Ming Dynasty, the two actually served to check and balance each other.

Despite the cabinet's seemingly great power, with the chief and deputy chief ministers often having the final say on the selection of officials for the six ministries, they are usually at a disadvantage in the power struggle between the cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial.

The power to influence the court is not determined by the number of people or anything else, but by the emperor's decisions and will.

When the emperor favored the Directorate of Ceremonial, the Directorate of Ceremonial could almost completely seize power from the Grand Secretariat, as exemplified by powerful eunuchs like Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian.

When the emperor trusts the Grand Secretariat, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs can only keep a low profile and comply with the Grand Secretary's will. For example, during Yan Song's reign, Huang Jin knew that the Jiajing Emperor trusted Yan Song, so he did not fight against Yan Song.

Even at the height of Yan Song's power, he would never dare to go against Huang Jin. Instead, he had to be extra careful to curry favor with Huang Jin.

It is evident that, in reality, after the establishment of the cabinet system in the Ming Dynasty, if the emperor had no interest in state affairs, the power of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs mostly surpassed that of the cabinet.

If the emperor was determined to make a difference, the cabinet would be completely suppressed by the imperial power and the Directorate of Ceremonial, unable to do anything but follow the emperor's lead.

The Cabinet was always inferior to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Zhang Jing sat there, savoring the fragrant tea, watching the steward of a high-ranking official at the pinnacle of power in the capital fawn over him, displaying the utmost obsequiousness.

Unconsciously, Zhang Jing suddenly realized that if he could take his godfather's position, could the person opposite him be replaced by the prime minister?
Without realizing it, Zhang Jing had already identified the other person as Wei Guangde, and he was trembling as he fawned over him in every way.

A thought inevitably popped into my head: was Zhang Juzheng like this in front of Feng Bao back then?

Well, all of this is just his fantasy, the fantasy of a eunuch.

However, it seems not impossible to get that position.

Wei Guangde had no idea that someone was making up stories about him in their mind.

Although he was somewhat respectful when interacting with Zhang Hong, it was definitely not to the extent that Zhang Jing thought.

With the Wanli Emperor still trusting him, he had no need to bow down to Zhang Hong.

In fact, even as the second-in-command, he was able to refuse Feng Bao to his face.

However, in order to implement certain policies, Wei Guangde also chose to use incentives to ease the bad relationship between him and Feng Bao.

In feudal dynasties, bowing to the emperor was one thing, but if it really came down to being too obsequious to someone who was too hypocritical, then it was better not to hold office at all.

That night, Zhang Jing entered the palace gates before the locks were put on.

Actually, he didn't want to stay in the Forbidden City that night; the rooms prepared for eunuchs were in terrible condition.

Not only was it low-lying, but it was also very dark and damp, completely unlike his mansion outside the palace.

Moreover, once inside, he was no longer the imperious Eunuch Zhang outside, but a eunuch Zhang who had to look up to the nobles in the palace.

"Is His Majesty resting or doing something?"

Upon entering the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Jing pulled aside a eunuch and asked him a question.

"His Majesty is reading a book."

The eunuch hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty did not drink tonight?"

Zhang Jing asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No, His Majesty did not order me to bring in any wine."

The eunuch hurriedly explained.

"Okay, I understand. Go and prepare the wine. If His Majesty wants some, bring it up immediately."

Zhang Jing gave the order and then strode into the hall.

Based on his understanding of the Wanli Emperor, drinking every night was already a habit of the emperor, and it was impossible for it to change.

Before long, Zhang Jing entered the Imperial Study after being informed by Liu Ruoyu.

Emperor Wanli was indeed reading a book. Although it was unclear what he was reading, Zhang Jing had already put on a smiling face and bowed to Emperor Wanli.

Before long, a thin piece of paper was transferred from Zhang Jing's hand to the Wanli Emperor's hand.

"Is this all the information you've gathered over the past two days?"

The Wanli Emperor took it, and under the brilliant light of the lamps on his desk, carefully examined the contents written on it.

"Yu Youding is exceptionally capable and deeply respected by the State of Xu for his hatred of evil and noble character. Wang Jiaping."

This document, compiled by the Eastern Depot through consulting the archives of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, records in detail the deeds of the three men during their years in office and the evaluations of their colleagues.

Their close personal relationships with officials in the court were also meticulously documented.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards wouldn't talk about these things, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't record them.

They are the eyes of the royal family in the capital, and they will record everything they see exactly as it is.

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but when the emperor wanted to do something, these records could be used to fabricate charges against him, turning a powerful official who held great power just the day before into a prisoner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After reviewing the investigation materials provided by Zhang Jing, Emperor Wanli nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Well done, you can go and rest now."

"This servant isn't tired, and can still serve His Majesty."

Zhang Jing immediately tried to ingratiate himself.

Now that we're in the palace tonight, we should make a good impression on the emperor and absolutely not let a small matter cause us to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Eunuchs, everything is given by the emperor. Only if the master thinks you are useful will you be promoted.

Moreover, Zhang Jing has now set his sights on the position of his godfather and is determined to serve the Wanli Emperor well.

"Your Majesty, reading so late is bad for your eyes. Shall I have someone prepare some wine and food?"

Zhang Jing had already walked to Emperor Wanli's side, to the position of serving the emperor, and said in a low voice.

"Oh, right. Let someone prepare some food and drinks."

Emperor Wanli laughed.

The next day, shortly after Wei Guangde entered the cabinet office, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs hurriedly entered.

"Greetings, Your Excellency. This is a memorial sent by my godfather. His Majesty has already approved the matter of adding cabinet ministers that the cabinet submitted the other day."

As he spoke, the eunuch presented a memorial with imperial annotations to Wei Guangde with both hands.

"Father-in-law, you've worked hard. Please sit down, have some tea, and rest for a while."

Wei Guangde had already gotten up and walked out. He took the memorial with both hands, first leading the eunuch to sit down, and then opened the memorial and glanced at it. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the Wanli Emperor granted permission for all three of his recommended candidates to serve in the cabinet, promoting them to Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion. (End of Chapter)