Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youjian knew that the first leadership transition would not be peaceful, so he specially asked Yuan Keli to stay and keep him in charge.

But he still didn't expect that, right after the February elections ended, people were already preparing for the August reshuffle.

Upon seeing Liu Hanru, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, impeaching Cheng Jiming by citing the recusal system, Zhu Youjian keenly sensed that someone was eyeing the position of Grand Secretary:

"They've all become smarter."

"Impeachment was carried out using the rules of etiquette and law, and there was solid evidence."

Do you know why Mr. Liu submitted his memorial to the throne?

"Was someone instigating this?"

Zheng Shiyi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was sweating profusely and said somewhat nervously:
"Nothing was found."

“Many people outside are talking about this. As a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, if Mr. Liu does not impeach him, it would be considered as protecting him.”

Zhu Youjian was now certain that someone was stirring up trouble and was even using the people around him.

Liu Hanru was Zhu Youjian's tutor in the Prince Xin's residence. Although his position was not high, he was a former official from the Prince's residence.

Zhu Youjian placed him in the position of Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel in order to strengthen his influence over the Ministry.

Unexpectedly, this point was exploited by someone who stirred up trouble at this time.

Now that this memorial has been submitted, Zhu Youjian cannot ignore it. Otherwise, Liu Hanru's influence will collapse, as everyone knows he has no influence over the emperor.

After thinking it over, Zhu Youjian felt he should give his teacher face and decided to say:

"Please invite Minister Cheng over and ask him what happened."

"Be polite and make him give an explanation."

Zheng Shiyi hurriedly left, secretly relieved.

He couldn't help but be nervous, because this time the one being used was the emperor's tutor from his time as a prince.

Their duty as the Embroidered Uniform Guard was to protect the emperor, including those close to him.

If Liu Hanru is used this time and the Embroidered Uniform Guard can't find out, they will have to take responsibility.

This infuriated him, and he harbored a deep hatred for the person who had secretly plotted this.
"I was just about to retire safely, and now you're trying to trip me up."

"If I can't find out, then I'm not a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Few Imperial Guard commanders were able to land safely in the Ming Dynasty, and each one deserves to be thankful.

Zheng Shiyi was looking forward to stepping down during the leadership transition in August, but he never expected this to happen.

He decided to investigate thoroughly, lest some people look down on him.

After conveying the emperor's edict to Cheng Jiming, Zheng Shiyi immediately returned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrange the matter. The goal was to find all those who spread the rumors and identify the original disseminator.

After hearing Zheng Shiyi relay the imperial edict, Cheng Jiming was not overly worried. He knew that the emperor still valued him highly, and his performance as Associate Grand Secretary had satisfied the emperor.

However, once he entered the palace, he discovered that he faced a problem:
“Mr. Cheng, there are rumors circulating that you and Han Kuang are both members of the Donglin Party and should not serve in the same institution, and should recuse yourselves from the cabinet.”

"What is your opinion on this, sir? Is there any solution?"

Cheng Jiming said calmly:
"This is utter nonsense!"

"The so-called Donglin Party is nothing but a frame-up by the traitor Wei."

"The Donglin Party has never been a political party."

Zhu Youjian said "Oh," and took out Liu Hanru's memorial, saying:
"But the gentleman does have close ties with Han Kuang and others, so one can't help but be suspicious."

"According to the rules of factionalism, it seems that someone should recuse themselves from the relationship between you and Prime Minister Han."

This is a provision in the recusal law: those who do not form an association but frequently stand on the same side are treated as partisan and also need to recuse themselves.

The Donglin Party was a de facto political party, tacitly accepted by both the government and the public.

Cheng Jiming could not deny this, and he had even thought before that he would need to pass this test if he wanted to become a Grand Scholar.

His fears have now come true; some people are using this as an excuse to try and remove him from office.

Faced with this situation, he could only say: "The innocent are innocent, and we are all for the public good, and we are not afraid of slander from petty people."

Zhu Youjian sighed, seemingly with regret, and said:
"That being said, I cannot allow you to suffer an unjust accusation."

"Rumors are circulating that you are a member of the Donglin Party, but I do not wish to investigate further."

"As long as Mr. [Name] publicly issues a statement severing ties with the Donglin Party."

"Sir, you will be appointed as a Grand Secretary in the next cabinet. I will not regard you as someone who forms cliques for personal gain."

Cheng Jiming's eyes widened upon hearing this, unsure how to respond.

The emperor's words seemed like self-deception, a cover-up for his Donglin Party membership.

But for the self-proclaimed upright members of the Donglin Party, this was a fatal matter:
If someone is willing to sever ties with the Donglin Party for the sake of power, which other party member would respect them?
The emperor's words were a decisive blow, severing his ties with the Donglin Party at the root.

If he so desires, the position of Grand Secretary will naturally be his.

If he was unwilling, the requirement for his accomplices to recuse themselves from the impeachment memorial was designed specifically for him.

For a moment, Cheng Jiming could only remain silent and utter no words.

Zhu Youjian knew he was a kind and generous old minister, so he didn't press him, and said to him:

"Sir, please think it over carefully!"

"Is it to join the cabinet and realize one's ambitions, or for the benefit of the Donglin Party?"

"You are a politically astute and strategically minded veteran minister. I hope there will be more people like you in the court."

"Sir, you must consider the bigger picture and not put me in a difficult position!"

He gave Cheng Jiming some encouragement and told him to reply later.

Cheng Jiming walked out of the palace in a daze, his mind in turmoil.

He didn't value power that much; in the past, he would have submitted a memorial to retire without hesitation.

However, given the current situation, he can no longer simply back down.

As the only minister in the Donglin Party, he and Han Kuang needed to protect others in the court.

If he steps down, no one can take his place.

He was reluctant to give up the honor of becoming a cabinet minister.

So after returning home, he sent someone to tell Han Kuang about the matter and asked Han Kuang for advice.

If Han Kuang did not want him to leave the Donglin Party, he would rather give up the glory of becoming a cabinet minister and resolutely retire.

But his sons did not want their father to step down. They wanted to become the sons of a Grand Secretary, and even to receive a noble title.

His third son, Cheng Kegong, said:
"Father, it's just issuing a statement, what's so difficult about that?"

"It is impossible for Prime Minister Han to sever his relationship with his father with a single statement."

The eldest son, Cheng Keyan, said:

"What do you know?"

"If Father does that, he will lose his integrity!"

Cheng Kegong curled his lip and said:
"What principles have you lost?"

"Which of the tenets of loyalty, filial piety, and chastity has been violated?"

“My father was never aligned with the Donglin Party, otherwise why would he have married Huang Lijie and Zhang Woxu?”

These words ignited Cheng Keyan's anger, and Cheng Jiming was also somewhat annoyed.

Yes, it is undeniable that he married into the eunuch faction, including Huang Lijie and Zhang Woxu.

If Huang Lijie hadn't already retired to the Court of Colonial Affairs, he probably would have had to avoid this person even if he joined the cabinet.

Now that his son had revealed it, he felt both ashamed and angry.
Because he genuinely didn't value his Donglin Party affiliation that much, and had considerable ties with the eunuch faction. (End of Chapter)