Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 734 Finale
In the autumn of the 28th year of the Hongwu reign (1389), at the Huangji Hall in Nanjing.

As the morning sun shone through the carved window lattices onto the imperial road, Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his piercing gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials.

Three days have passed since the victorious army returned from its northern expedition, but discussions about the Mongol war in the imperial court have not ceased.

"Your Majesty," the Minister of War stepped forward and reported, "Although the remnants of the Northern Yuan have retreated to the northern deserts, their main force remains intact. I fear they may recuperate and then launch a counterattack."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the head of the civil officials' ranks: "What insightful opinion does the Imperial Advisor have?"

Lin Che stepped out of the ranks slowly, the crane emblem on his dark court robe gleaming faintly with his movements. Although this elderly minister, well past sixty, had white hair, his eyes remained as clear as ever.

“Your Majesty,” he bowed slightly, “I do have some humble opinions regarding the matter in the northern deserts.”

The entire court held its breath.

Everyone knew that although the Imperial Advisor Lin Che rarely spoke, every time he did, it was a groundbreaking and insightful statement. Zhu Yuanzhang leaned forward, showing great interest: "Imperial Advisor, please speak freely."

Lin Che did not rush to answer, but simply nodded slightly towards the outside of the hall.

A guard strode in carrying a gilded tray containing a letter sealed with sealing wax.

"This letter comes from the northern desert. Your Majesty, please take a look." Lin Che's voice was calm and unwavering.

Zhu Yuanzhang received the letter from the eunuch, his brow furrowing slightly as he unwrapped the sealing wax. As he read further, his expression grew increasingly serious, and his hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

The letter details many aspects of the northern expedition: how the Ming army unexpectedly penetrated deep into the Mongolian steppe, how they cut off the Yuan army's supply lines, and how they used the desert terrain to ambush and annihilate the enemy.

Even more shocking is that this letter was written by Hala Zhang, the Grand Tutor of the Northern Yuan Dynasty—the mortal enemy that Zhu Yuanzhang had been relentlessly pursuing for many years.

"With a wise ruler in power and soldiers fighting bravely, this is truly the mandate of Heaven. Though I have been defeated, I am still honored; I only lament that I was born at the wrong time." Upon reading this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but burst into laughter, "What a fine 'honorable defeat' indeed!"

The letter also specifically mentioned a "Mr. Jinling," praising him for "strategizing within the tent and winning battles a thousand miles away."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing Lin Che like lightning: "How did this letter end up in the hands of the Imperial Advisor?"

Lin Che bowed calmly and replied, "Three years ago, I was ordered to establish the 'Listening Guard,' which has already infiltrated the Northern Yuan court. Hala Zhang's letter was originally intended for Goryeo to request aid, but I intercepted it over a month ago. The reason I am only reporting it to Your Majesty now is to wait for a suitable opportunity."

An uproar erupted in the imperial court. No one had expected that this seemingly frail imperial advisor had begun planning today's battle three years ago.

Minister of Works Li Wei stepped forward first: "Your Majesty is wise! The Imperial Preceptor's foresight is truly a blessing to our Great Ming!"

"If it weren't for Your Majesty's discerning eye and your trust in the Imperial Advisor, how could we have achieved such a great victory today?" Xu Da exclaimed. "During this northern expedition, the Imperial Advisor's strategy of 'using war to sustain war' ensured our army's food supplies were plentiful; the 'feint attack' kept the main Yuan army constantly on the move. Such strategies are rare throughout history!" Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose, descended the steps, and personally helped Lin Che, who was bowing respectfully, to his feet: "I remember when I first met you twenty years ago, you said, 'Gaining the world is easy, but maintaining it is difficult.' Over the years, you have repeatedly devised ingenious plans to help me stabilize the world. Today's achievement surpasses even that of the past."

Lin Che looked up, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Your Majesty flatters me. I have merely fulfilled my duty as a subject. If it weren't for Your Majesty's great talent and willingness to accept good advice, even the best strategies would be difficult to implement."

He turned to the assembled civil and military officials, his voice clear and resonant: "In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han had Zhang Liang, and Emperor Taizong of Tang had Fang Xuanling. Your Majesty's literary and military prowess surpasses even those of the past. In this northern expedition, Your Majesty personally led the troops to the front lines, sharing their joys and sorrows, which enabled the army to fight with unwavering resolve and achieve resounding victories."

Zhu Yuanzhang gazed at the old minister who had assisted him for twenty years, and the past events came vividly to mind: from the "military agricultural system" when Nanjing was first established, to the "naval system" when Chen Youliang was pacified, and then to the "step-by-step" strategy when he launched the Northern Expedition against the Yuan Dynasty. Every suggestion Lin Che made propelled the Ming Dynasty forward at crucial moments.

"I have decided," Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his voice, "to bestow upon Lin Che the title of Grand Tutor, promote him to the position of Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, grant him the title of Imperial Preceptor, and bestow upon him a hereditary imperial edict!"

A moment of silence fell over the court, followed by bursts of congratulations. The imperial edict was a pardon from death, and since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, only a handful of people had received this honor.

Lin Che bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated. However, I am already advanced in years and only wish to wholeheartedly assist Your Majesty, daring not to covet any rank or reward."

Zhu Yuanzhang took Lin Che's hand and walked out of the palace. The rising sun cast its golden light upon Nanjing.

“I know,” Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, “that the reason you have remained behind the scenes all these years is because you do not wish to become too powerful and overshadow your sovereign. But I am not Goujian, and you are not Wen Zhong. The Ming Dynasty needs pillars of society like you.”

Lin Che gazed at Jinling City bathed in the morning light, his eyes welling up with tears: "Your Majesty, I will always remember your kindness and favor."

For the next ten years, Lin Che served as Prime Minister and implemented new policies: reforming the tax system to reduce the burden on farmers; rectifying officialdom and punishing corruption; and establishing schools to cultivate talent.

Under his rule, the Ming Dynasty grew increasingly powerful.

In the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang passed away.

On his deathbed, he summoned Lin Che to the palace and entrusted his son, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, to him. However, Zhu Biao died of illness shortly after ascending the throne. Amidst the turmoil of the court, Lin Che overruled objections and supported the enthronement of Prince Yan, Zhu Di, who became the Yongle Emperor.

Lin Che, already in his seventies, returned to public life to assist the new emperor: compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia, a collection of ancient and modern classics; making seven voyages to the Western Ocean to enhance the prestige of the Ming Dynasty; and moving the capital to Beijing to strengthen the northern border defenses.
In the winter of the twelfth year of the Yongle reign, Lin Che, at the age of eighty, passed away peacefully in his residence as Grand Secretary. Before his death, he left a will: "I was originally a commoner, but fortunate to have encountered an enlightened ruler. I have served faithfully and dutifully, and die without regret. My only wish is that Your Majesty will consider the well-being of the people, befriend virtuous ministers, and distance yourself from petty men, so that the Ming Dynasty may be passed down for ten thousand generations."

Upon reading the memorial, Zhu Di wept bitterly and posthumously conferred upon Lin Che the title of "Grand Tutor," the posthumous name "Wenzheng," and ordered him to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On the day of the funeral, the people of Nanjing spontaneously came to see him off, dressed in white as snow, their cries shaking the heavens.

Later historians commented: Lin Che served two dynasties and assisted three emperors, laying the foundation for the Ming Dynasty's golden age. His wisdom was comparable to Zhang Liang, and his loyalty was no less than Zhuge Liang's; he was truly a peerless national hero!
The biography of Lin Che in the History of Ming concludes: "Throughout his life, Che served the country but not himself, and the ruler but not himself. He held a high position yet possessed no wealth, wielded great power yet cared deeply for the common people. Truly, he was worthy of the title 'Wenzheng,' for his ability to govern the world with both civil and military virtues, and for his uprightness to command respect both internally and externally. The posthumous title of 'Wenzheng' is well-deserved."

Thus, the story of the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty came to an end, but his legend continues to be told. Every year during the Qingming Festival, people see an old man in a blue robe standing quietly atop the city walls of Nanjing, gazing at the beautiful land he dedicated his life to protecting.

(End of this chapter)