The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

June 20th, the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen reign.

Dawn.

Before dawn, the stars still shone brightly.

The city of Nanjing was still shrouded in thick, dark ink, and all was silent.

The majestic and magnificent Forbidden City, like a lurking behemoth, lies coiled at the easternmost edge of Nanjing, silently immersed in boundless darkness, its outline barely visible, still asleep.

The stars twinkled, their light cold and clear, while a crescent moon hung obliquely in the western sky, emitting a faint and pale glow.

All around was silent, even the summer insects were mute.

Outside Chengtian Gate, civil and military officials stood in solemn silence according to their rank, waiting for the emperor.

The June morning breeze carried a rare coolness, fluttering the sleeves of the officials' robes, but it could not dispel the solemnity that permeated the air.

The massive palace walls resembled a lurking beast in the night, while a row of giant palace lanterns hanging beneath them swayed gently in the breeze.

The dim, yellowish light spilled onto the white marble imperial road, illuminating the dense, silent crowd in the square.

All the civil and military officials in the capital, regardless of rank, had already stood solemnly in their designated areas, like pre-programmed puppets.

They wore court robes adorned with various colored animal and bird embroidered patches symbolizing their rank; under the flickering lamplight, the colors appeared somewhat mottled and blurred.

From a distance, they look like a group of silent, colorful stone figures forgotten by time, frozen in time, all life.

High-ranking officials had special quarters where they could temporarily escape the wind and cold, while officials of middle and lower ranks could only stand in the open square, enduring the night dew and chill.

No one spoke, no one moved; only the sharp eyes of the censor swept across the procession like those of a hawk, recording any possible "misconduct".

Chen Wang was tall and straight like a pine tree, dressed in a python robe, with a goose-feather knife hanging at his waist.

Standing before a group of military officers, his face was calm, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed, massive palace gates ahead.

Although he was ranked alongside the officials, there seemed to be an invisible boundary around him, preventing those behind him from daring to overstep it even a step.

Everyone subconsciously kept their distance from him, and even when their gaze fell on Chen Wang's back, it carried a hint of barely perceptible awe and caution.

"clang--"

The Great Ming Bell rang, its melodious and majestic sound echoing from the bell tower within the palace, breaking the silence before dawn.

The sounds echoed and reverberated within the many gates and walls of the Forbidden City.

The heavy Chengtian Gate slowly opened, revealing a deep, dark doorway.

A dull creaking sound rang in the ears of the civil and military officials at the main gate.

That was the dull groaning sound of the Chengtian Gate's hinges turning under immense pressure.

Outside Chengtian Gate, the eyes of all the civil and military officials were fixed on the tall and magnificent gate.

With a dull thud, the tall and magnificent Chengtian Gate slowly opened to the left and right.

Starting from Chengtian Gate, one palace gate after another, one palace after another, all follow the straight central axis of Yingtian Prefecture.

From the outside in, from front to back, the doors open one after another in an orderly fashion, like the coordinated operation of a set of precision instruments.

Inside the doorway, the scene gradually became clear.

One after another, the fully armed soldiers of the Jingnan Army, clad in cloaks and belts, stood like iron sculptures.

Holding long spears that gleamed with a cold light, they stood silently on either side of the palace gate, forming a solemn and imposing guard.

As the palace gates opened, all the imperial guards turned their gazes toward it.

The icy gaze and chilling killing intent converged into an invisible pressure that swept over us, making us hold our breath.

Upon hearing this, all the officials were startled, and everyone subconsciously lowered their heads.

Chen Wang's gaze swept around, and among the court officials, there were many military officers from the Jingnan Army faction, who were standing solemnly behind him.

On both sides and in the center of the formation, there were also a large number of guards armed with goose-feather sabers.

Inside and outside the imperial city, all the soldiers guarding the city were also soldiers belonging to the Jingnan Army.

His safety is not a problem.

All the court officials had been checked beforehand, and there were no weapons found.

Under the careful reminder of the master of ceremonies, Chen Wang slowly withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.

Then, Chen Wang calmly placed one hand on his jade belt and the other hand firmly on the hilt of his goose-feather saber at his waist.

This was a special honor bestowed upon Chen Wang after he became the Duke of Yan—to wear a sword and shoes in the palace.

At this moment, this privilege stood out conspicuously in the solemn setting of the court assembly.

Several elderly officials standing at the front exchanged glances, but none of them dared to show the slightest sign of anything amiss.

After traversing the long imperial road and making a brief stop at the Meridian Gate.

Three cracks of the whip pierced the morning mist, echoing between the palace walls and startling several birds perched on the eaves.

The side gates on either side of the Meridian Gate opened with a creaking sound.

Officials entered in single file through the left and right side gates, following the order of civil officials to the east and military officials to the west.

After entering the Meridian Gate, the procession proceeded along both sides of the Imperial Road and passed through Fengtianmen Square.

Chen Wang walked at the very front of the military officers' procession, his steps steady and powerful, the sword at his waist swaying gently with each step.

As they passed by, the Jingnan Army guards standing on both sides all straightened their bodies more and looked up at them with their heads held high.

The outline of Fengtian Hall gradually became clear in the brightening light of the day.

The glazed tiles on the roof began to gleam with golden light, and the immortals and beasts on the eaves appeared and disappeared in the light and shadow.

As the sun rises, its golden rays slant across the glazed tiles, creating a hazy glow.

The cold morning light also illuminated half of Chen Wang's face.

Chen Wang was positioned at the very front, only a dozen steps away from the jade steps in front of him.

The distance was so close that you could see every carved pattern on the jade steps, and the nine dragons coiled around it gleamed with a warm luster in the morning sun.

He calmly gazed at the empty dragon throne deep within the hall, his eyes unfathomable.

Chen Wang turned his head slightly and looked at the ranks of civil officials on the left.

Throughout the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, there was never a shortage of upright and unyielding civil officials.

Throughout the past three hundred years, countless individuals have risked their lives and died upholding their integrity.

When the country was destroyed and the family perished, countless military officials died on the battlefield, and countless civil officials also gave their lives to serve the country.

Lu Xiang-sheng died a heroic death, Fu Zong-long died on the battlefield, and Wang Qiao-nian died unyielding...

but.

The Ming Dynasty was never short of civil officials who were afraid of death.

Chen Wang's gaze swept across the ranks of civil officials like a blade, and all the ministers looked away, not daring to meet his eyes.

However, amidst these evasive gazes, quite a few people bowed slightly.

Even when their interests are harmed, many civil officials still submit petitions to serve under powerful figures.

The words are filled with calculations of survival and profit.

In chaotic times, it is already difficult to survive.

Chen Wang's gaze finally landed on Ma Shiying.

This Grand Secretary, dressed in a scarlet robe embroidered with cranes, stood tall at the head of the civil officials with his prestigious position as the Minister of Personnel.

The golden rays of the rising sun shone on his robe embroidered with delicate cloud patterns, but could not illuminate his downcast eyelids.

Ma Shiying's gaze remained fixed on the smooth stone surface of the imperial road beneath his feet, as if trying to read some secret from the patterns on those bluestone slabs.

Ma Shiying lowered his gaze, staring at the ground, seemingly lost in thought.

But when Chen Wang's gaze fell upon him, Ma Shiying's breath caught in his throat.

He could still clearly catch Chen Wang's slight head turn out of the corner of his eye.

Ma Shiying's body involuntarily stiffened for a moment.
Ma Shiying's body stiffened slightly, and his heart sank.

He could feel the gazes of the officials behind him, gazes filled with speculation and observation.

As the leader of the civil service, he knew that every small action he took at this moment would be magnified infinitely and become a sign of the political climate in the court.

Time seemed to stretch out, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Ma Shiying's forehead as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

After a brief but prolonged period of hesitation, the Grand Secretary finally bowed slightly forward.

Ma Shiying's movements were small, but enough for everyone who was paying attention to him to see clearly.

As Ma Shiying bowed, Chen Wang noticed that among the civil officials, a few with bright eyes also lowered their heads.

Time passed quietly, and before anyone knew how much time had gone by, the bells and drums on the city tower suddenly rang out in unison, the magnificent sound piercing the sky in an instant.

Accompanied by the clear and resonant command of the official in charge of rites, all officials were to enter the palace at this moment.

However, just as everyone was about to step forward, they were surprised to find that Chen Wang, standing on the right, had not moved an inch from beginning to end.
Upon discovering that Chen Wang was still standing there, all the civil and military officials stiffened slightly, hesitating and not daring to take a step forward. Officials who had already taken a step hurriedly withdrew their steps.

The atmosphere in the square immediately became heavy and filled with unspoken fear.

Chen Wang stood with his hand on his sword, his sharp gaze slowly sweeping over the civil and military officials.

Wherever his gaze fell, civil officials bowed their heads and military officers prostrated themselves.

The master of ceremonies was deathly pale, his lips trembling slightly, but he could not utter any commands.

He looked pleadingly at the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial who was standing to the side, but saw that the other man was also meek and obedient, as if he didn't see the strange thing in front of him.

The palace guards still stood there, seemingly oblivious to everything.

The unspoken silence finally melted away when Chen Wang stepped forward.

Chen Wang, sword at his side, strode forward.

The civil and military officials behind them could only follow along.

This is.

Do not bow when entering the court!

Chen Wang strode ahead, far ahead of the other court officials.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, countless palace guards, composed of soldiers from the Jingnan Army, bowed their heads in respect.

Chen Wang walked until he reached a point not far from the imperial steps before finally stopping.

After standing still for a while, the civil and military officials finally entered the main hall.

The civil and military officials who entered the court quickly found their places according to their ranks.

Civil officials lined up to the east, and military officials to the west, their scarlet and blue robes arranged in a row, stretching from inside the palace all the way to the steps and square outside.

Throughout the entire process, no one dared to make the slightest sound; only the rustling of fabric and the soft thud of official boots echoed in the empty hall.

The whip cracked three more times.

The crisp sound of the whip pierced the sky, its echo reverberating between the palace walls.

Before the echo of the whip had faded, solemn and magnificent ritual music began to play.

Surrounded by a group of eunuchs in scarlet robes and palace guards.

Wearing a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with the twelve symbols and a winged crown, Emperor Long ascended the dragon throne located on the nine-tiered platform.

The officiant drew out his voice, and the chanting resounded throughout the hall.

"Schedule—"

Inside and outside the main hall, a group of civil and military officials stood solemnly, their scarlet and blue robes arranged neatly like a painted mural.

The chanting of praise: "Bowing—"

Inside the main hall, a group of civil and military officials faced Emperor Longwu, who sat high on the steps, and bowed deeply with their tablets in their hands.

The rustling of the fabric as hundreds of officials bowed was like a spring breeze rustling through a wheat field, and the tops of their official tablets were all tilted at the same angle.

However, Chen Wang only bowed slightly and lowered his head gently.

Singing praises: "Bye—"

Like wheat fields swaying in the wind, inside and outside the palace, from Grand Secretaries and Ministers to the lowest-ranking officials, tens of thousands of officials swept up their sleeves and knelt on both knees in unison.

The dense crowd all bent down.

Chen Wang maintained his bowed posture.

Singing praises: "Prosperity—"

Officials inside and outside the hall rose.

Singing praises: "A mountain shout—"

"Long live!"

"A roar of cheers—"

"Long live!!"

"Again, shout!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

Chen Wang didn't need to kneel or kowtow, and even amidst the deafening shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", he didn't need to utter a word.

This is.

No need to kneel during an audience.

As the final shout of "Long live the Emperor!" faded away.

The eulogist chanted the praises again.

"Reporting a matter—".

The officials who presented their reports did so in a pre-arranged order.

During court assemblies, most matters are generally planned in advance and have already been decided.

Emperor Longwu remained seated on his dragon throne, waiting for each court official to finish their report. He then nodded slightly and approved all the matters presented, in accordance with the pre-determined decision.

"Granted."

"As agreed."

"The relevant department is instructed to handle this matter severely."

The entire process of presenting the memorial was like a meticulously choreographed play, with each step proceeding according to a predetermined plan.

But this time, everyone understood clearly.

This court assembly will not end hastily as it has before.

As the last official finished his performance and returned to his post.

Chen Wang turned slightly to the side, his gaze falling on the civil officials' ranks on the left.

A civil official in a scarlet robe looked slightly panicked. He subconsciously avoided Chen Wang's gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. Finally, he made up his mind and stepped forward.

All the civil and military officials in the hall turned their attention to that official.

The official in the scarlet robe appeared calm, but the slight trembling of the tablet he held betrayed that his emotions were not as composed as they seemed.

“Your subject, Zhang Wenjia, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, has important matters to discuss and dares to offend Your Majesty.”

"Accurate."

Emperor Longwu's deep voice echoed in the hall.

Zhang Wenjia gritted his teeth, knowing that what he was about to report would cause a great uproar and stir up a storm.

But there's no turning back now. If he doesn't speak up now, his entire family will be executed when the court session ends.

The thought sent a chill down his spine, and the scepter in his hand trembled even more violently.

"Your subject Zhang Wenjia, during an investigation by the Ministry of Revenue, discovered that the number of acres of land reported by various provinces, prefectures, and counties has been decreasing year by year for more than a decade."

"I conducted a secret investigation and dispatched officials to visit various places. I found that local gentry and officials in various prefectures and counties often abused their power for personal gain and concealed their land holdings. They also used methods such as 'donation' and 'deceptive entrustment' to shift taxes and deceive the court in various ways."

"The fish-scale map records currently kept by the Ministry of Revenue are full of errors and omissions, and the records in the Yellow Register are far from the actual situation."

Zhang Wenjia's voice wasn't loud, but it sounded like a thunderclap from a clear sky within the hall.

All the civil and military officials changed their expressions suddenly, their eyes filled with fear.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request your permission."

Zhang Wenjia knelt deeply on the ground, trembling as he spoke.

"An imperial edict was issued to re-measure all the land in the realm and to rectify the records, in order to restore the foundation of the nation!" (End of Chapter)