Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 188: Stars hang over the purple pole, seeking order in chaos

The New Deal was never a dinner party.

In the eighth year of Jiajing's reign, Gui E, who petitioned to verify the acreage of his land, was forced to retire from the cabinet that same year.

Anyone who impeached the cabinet would be punished by being burned to death.

The leader of a foreign country that has revived the country, whose taxes have exceeded 70%, has his coffin filled with laws to prevent him from resurrecting.

Any intervention by the central government in distribution is often accompanied by bloodshed.

Zhu Yijun, who had long been aware of the situation, now had no intention of giving anyone any face.

Everything from the celestial changes to the Prime Minister's love affair were laid out on the table.

At this time, Zhao Jin was subjected to a soul-searching question - was he against the Prime Minister's seizure of love, or was he against the new policy?
When the emperor is angry, he will naturally be very imposing.

The entire altar, up and down, inside and outside, was silent for a moment.

Only the harsh sound of the wind remained, repeatedly urging Zhao Jin to respond.

After an unknown amount of time, the Left Vice Minister of Rites finally made a move.

He just sighed, slowly took off his hat, kowtowed again and again, and then slowly moved to the right train while kneeling.

Zhao Jin is sixty-four years old this year and his movements are very slow.

But his every move seems to be particularly contagious.

Seeing this, Lu Guangzu hesitated for a moment, then followed suit. After bowing three times to the emperor, he took off his hat and knelt behind Zhao Jin.

Seeing what these two people did, the other civil officials came to their senses one after another, and they were all shocked and their faces turned pale instantly.

A quiet bustle suddenly engulfed the entire southern suburbs.

The heads of the Ministry of Justice Shen Sixiao and Ai Mu, the censor Tan Yao and others took off their hats and knelt on the right side.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten people appeared from left to right.

The court officials who were originally standing on the right side either took off their hats and bowed, or moved to the middle with a look of fear, or moved to the left side with a look of disdain.

Dali Temple Minister Chen Yubei looked at the scene in a daze, kneeling on the ground at a loss as to what to do.

"Did you see it? This is the answer that Minister Zhao gave you and me. Do you still think this is just a matter of ethics?"

When Chen Yubi heard the voice, he subconsciously raised his head.

The emperor was looking at him sincerely.

Chen Yubi was stunned.

I don't know whether he was thinking about the good relationship between him and the emperor over the past three years, or he was thinking of his father Chen Yiqin who had served the late emperor in the cabinet.

Chen Yubi felt his mind was a mess: "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yijun shook his head and said with a hint of pity, "What Mr. Chen said just now is wrong. You have certainly performed your duties conscientiously and loyally in the past three years as the Minister of the Dali Temple. Not only have I and your colleagues seen it, but the fact that you have saved the wrongly executed prisoners over the years has not tarnished your father's reputation."

Chen Yubi already had mixed feelings in his heart, and when he heard the emperor's words with his own ears, he could no longer hold back.

His facial features were instantly squeezed together, and tears flowed like a spring: "Your Majesty, even if there are those who pretend to cover up, I am only concerned about maintaining the moral principles and I have no extra thoughts!"

After saying this, he burst into tears until he was hoarse.

This move almost vividly demonstrates the pain entangled between the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues and the grace and loyalty between the ruler and his subjects.

All the ministers looked at him sideways.

Zhang Han from the Ministry of Justice was most moved when he saw this.

He was stunned for a moment, then looked at the emperor and Chen Yubei, gritted his teeth, and took a step forward.

Zhang Han covered his face and bowed, "Your Majesty, I did collude with Chen Tingwei last night, but my words only involved the Yuanfu's observance of the system, and I have absolutely no ill intentions towards Your Majesty or the new policy!"

"Your Majesty, please give me a clear warning!"

As soon as he finished speaking, countless strange eyes turned to Zhang Han - this Minister of Justice was an undisputed party member of the emperor, but unexpectedly, he was also shaken by the astrological signs last night, and even secretly met with Chen Yubei to criticize Zhang Juzheng verbally and in writing.

Zhang Han sighed in his heart. He was the only one who understood Chen Yubi’s mood at this moment.

The emperor had deep feelings for him, and Zhang Juzheng was also his sponsor. Moreover, the moral code, which was the law for all ages, was above him.

The pain is hard to explain to outsiders.

When Zhang Han slightly moved his sleeves, he happened to meet the emperor's disappointed gaze, and he felt a sudden panic in his heart.

Zhu Yijun was of course very disappointed.

Zhang Han’s dissatisfaction with the seizure of his love was expected. What disappointed him was that nothing unexpected happened - are Confucian principles really so stubborn?

Zhu Yijun's eyes swept over the sobbing Chen Yubi, the ashamed Zhang Han, the hesitant Chen Wude, and the hesitant Wang Xijue...

He shook his head and said sincerely: "Okay, since you have said this, let's make it clear today!"

"Then I'll put it another way. Today, I'll stop the matter of seizing love, and you guys can choose your own side for the new law!"

After hearing this, Chen Wude was shocked and said, "Your Majesty wants to allow Yuanfu to return to his hometown to observe the mourning period!?"

Not only him, but the other civil officials also had different expressions on their faces.

Chen Yubi stopped crying.

Wang Xijue, Zhang Han and others all looked over with concern.

Chen Younian couldn't help but tug at Xu Fuyuan's sleeve.

Zhu Yijun did not respond to Chen Wude's question, but turned to look at Shen Shixing.

Seeing that Shen Shixing was taking a nap, he could not help but raise his voice and yell, "Where is the Minister of Personnel Shen Shixing?"

Shen Shixing was startled and subconsciously walked closer to the emperor: "I am here."

Zhu Yijun said expressionlessly: "Pass on my oral order, and let the Zhongshu Sheren draft it. You will draft it for me."

"The matter of Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng seizing his lover is over. He is allowed to carry the coffin back to his hometown and observe mourning for three months according to the rules!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtiers, who had just relaxed a little, frowned again.

What does it mean to observe mourning for three months according to the custom?

Do you really treat the Prime Minister as the vice emperor?
Imperial Censor Tan Yao reminded loudly: "A child is born three years before he is free from his parents' arms. Your Majesty, you should observe mourning for three years."

Zhu Yijun remained indifferent.

Shen Shixing understood what he meant, turned around and said loudly: "Perhaps Censor Tan doesn't know yet, but before the Southern Suburbs Sacrifice, the Ministry of Personnel posted the list of candidates who passed the Imperial Astronomical Observatory exam this year."

The ministers looked at each other.

Tan Yao frowned: "What does this have to do with it?"

Shen Shixing glanced at the officials and said seriously, "Zhang Juzheng of Jiangling Prefecture is a doctor of clepsydra at the Imperial Observatory, and is a ninth-rank official."

The court officials finally reacted.

Chen Yubi and Zhang Han both saw surprise and helplessness in each other's eyes.

Chen Wude shook his head and laughed at himself.

Lu Guangzu was stunned and speechless.

Zhao Jin's eyelids twitched.

Shen Shixing dutifully explained to the stunned Tan Yao, "It is a rule of our dynasty that if there is a three-year mourning period, one must be dismissed from his post and punished for taking away the mourning period, hiding the mourning period, or shortening the mourning period."

"Only the official of the Imperial Observatory, in the 19th year of Hongwu, was ordered by Emperor Taizu not to observe the mourning period. The following year, he was allowed to resume his post in March after the funeral."

"So, the Prime Minister should observe mourning for three months!"

The ministers looked at Shen Shixing talking and felt it was absurd.

The court officials naturally knew this law established by Emperor Taizu.

However, the fact that the prime minister of the dynasty passed the examination to the Imperial Observatory was really beyond everyone's expectations - the Imperial Observatory used to be hereditary, and they had no idea about the current imperial examination system.

The ministers were either dazed, or disappointed, or relieved.

Just at this moment, a burst of intermittent laughter suddenly rang out.

But it was Liu Tai who had not left yet.

The man had a silly look on his face and from time to time he let out bursts of foolish laughter.

He finally realized it at this moment.

How thoroughly the emperor was prepared for Zhang Juzheng's seizure of his love.

He also realized how ridiculous the way he walked forward with his crown in his hand and his head held high was.

The emperor made preparations layer by layer, including seizing the love, observing mourning for three months, and not avoiding the war. In the end, he even took into account the successful methods of the Imperial Observatory!

The emperor probably started to prepare for a rainy day after he took power!
The Taizu's custom... the ancestral law... was actually manipulated to this extent by the emperor.

He, Liu Tai, has truly become a joke.

Liu Tai had an idiotic smile, scratched his hands randomly, and tossed back and forth from time to time, looking like a madman.

Colleagues around him quickly moved away.

Immediately, the Jinyiwei came forward, each grabbed one of the arms and dragged the man away.

At this time, Tan Yao finally came to his senses.

He still refused to accept it, and angrily shouted at Shen Shixing, "How can a university scholar be an official of the Imperial Observatory?"

Shen Shixing always tried to smooth things over and ignored the anger of his subordinates.

He replied with a gentle look: "The main position of the Palace Grand Secretary is only the fifth rank, and it is common to have a part-time job. In the past, most of them were the ministers and vice ministers of the six ministries. Now, why can't they be the official of the Imperial Observatory?"

"Besides, the Imperial Observatory exam only limits candidates' academic knowledge, not their job duties. If Censor Tan has any objections, we can discuss it again next year. This year's results cannot be changed."

Ai Mu was kneeling on the ground without a hat, but at this moment he couldn't help but raise his head and look at Shen Shixing's villainous face in disbelief.

He said slowly with a mocking tone, "For this matter, Lord Shen did not hesitate to treat the several departments opened by His Majesty as a joke and privately transfer positions. What else can we say?"

Shen Shixing has a really good temper.

Facing such accusations, he remained patient and said with a smile, "Master Ai may have forgotten that Hai Rui, the governor of Sichuan, was the chief examiner for these three examinations when he returned to Beijing to report on his work."

"It's fine if Director Ai doesn't trust the Cabinet, the Ministry of Personnel, the Censorate, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Imperial Observatory, but he should at least trust the reputation of the Coast Guard Governor."

When Ai Mu heard this, he was speechless for a moment.

Tan Yao, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but get angrier and angrier, and wanted to continue to make things difficult for him: "Even so..."

"enough!"

Zhu Yijun shouted, regaining everyone's attention.

He wanted to deal with Tan Yao last, so he simply ignored him and looked at Chen Yubei in front of him: "The Prime Minister is abiding by the rules, do you agree or not, Chen Tingwei?"

Chen Yubi, who had been crying loudly just now, rolled up his sleeves and wiped his face, nodding fiercely: "Rules and regulations, human ethics, are all included! How can I not acknowledge it!"

Zhu Yijun nodded and looked at Chen Wude: "Does Chen Xiantai admit it or not?"

Chen Wude seemed to have finally let go of the burden and smiled carefreely: "It is in accordance with etiquette and law, and it is a complete minister's virtue."

Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Han, Wang Xijue, Chen Younian and others one by one, all the way to the end of the two groups, taking all the court officials in his sight, and asked seriously: "What about you?"

Zhang Han and Wang Xijue bowed in agreement.

Chen Younian pushed away Xu Fuyuan's hand and said loudly: "The Prime Minister took away my love, and I resisted in every way; now I am following the rules to observe mourning, and I am convinced!"

The remaining half remained silent, and the other half bowed down.

When Zhu Yijun saw this, there was no expression of great joy on his face.

He finally set his eyes on Tan Yao: "It has come to this, and Censor Tan is still trying to coerce us. How much does he hate the new law?"

Tan Yao was speechless for a moment.

Zhu Yijun looked at him coldly.

If people like Chen Younian are still worth persuading, then people like Tan Yao, if they have a good ending, then he, the emperor, should be struck by lightning. In history, when Emperor Wanli encountered a severe drought, he also prayed to the heavens and added a private sentence after confessing his guilt: "Although it was caused by my lack of virtue, it was also because many officials in the world were corrupt and corrupt, cruelly harming the people, and unwilling to provide relief and love, which offended the harmony of heaven."

Tan Yao immediately refuted, "Feng Jing told Emperor Shenzong: 'Your Majesty's retreat from the palace and reduced meals are not enough to reverse the natural disaster. You should blame yourself and seek good advice.' How many bad policies were there in Xining? How many people in the world used the Qingmiao Baojia system to oppress the people? When Feng Jing told you, he must first hope that he would blame himself." - Xining's new policies caused natural disasters. And after Wanli's new policies, there was a three-year drought. As an emperor, shouldn't you "blame yourself"?

Even more, he said something like "Why did you obey me before, why do you disobey me now?" The state affairs were fine before, why did they fail in your hands? Can you still blame the officials?

It is really ridiculous for such people to talk about moral principles.

Especially now, Tan Yao also has no intention of restraining himself. He jumps up and down, not knowing whether he is living or dead.

Zhu Yijun continued to ask coldly: "Imperial Censor Tan keeps talking about human ethics and moral principles."

"When you spread the revelations the other day and insulted me as a tyrant, why didn't you think about the relationship between the ruler and his subjects?!"

As soon as the emperor said this, all the ministers changed color and looked at Tan Yao.

The blood color on his face faded away in an instant, and he became as pale as paper.

The whole body was shaking.

After Tan Yao glanced at Jinyiwei Xu Wenbi, his lips moved for a while, but he ultimately did not protest.

He could only argue with difficulty: "Your Majesty, putting aside the inappropriate words, I am also sincere!"

Zhu Yijun was so angry that he almost laughed.

He nodded: "Okay, you have a sincere heart. In this case, you can go to the Imperial Academy and be a doctor, responsible for teaching the principles of monarchy and ministers!"

Then he looked at He Luowen, the Imperial College's chief academic officer, and said, "Mr. He, carve Dr. Tan's deeds in the academy. When the words become blurred by wind, let him retire."

After saying that, without caring about Tan Yao's wonderful expression, he waved his hand and asked the ceremonial officer to take him away.

Zhu Yijun looked down at him and said in a serious tone, "I have finished my analysis of the matter."

"Behind the moral principles of mankind, there is no place for you to hide in your opposition to the new policy."

"Now you might as well give me a definite answer."

“Who is in favor of the New Deal and who is against it?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Jin suddenly raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, before I retire, I have something to say from the bottom of my heart. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhao Jin and couldn't help but shook his head and laughed: "Let's talk about it. There are six hundred officials here. I will follow your instigation. Even if only ten people are left, I will push the new policy forward!"

From the moment the emperor forced his court officials to take sides, it was clear that the matter would not end well.

The emperor must want Zhao Jin and his people to retire.

Zhao Jin naturally knew this, otherwise he would not have kept saying that he had one more thing to say before retiring.

This is the tacit understanding of both parties.

It is also the focus of the fight between the two sides: whether Zhao Jin and his gang can be expelled directly.

Zhao Jin was confident of the overall situation - most of the court officials did not support the new policy. Once the emperor expelled them all, the two capitals, nine borders and thirteen provinces would probably be paralyzed immediately.

Therefore, he had some heartfelt words to say, which were naturally not spoken to the emperor, but to his colleagues present.

The emperor's confidence lies in the fact that... there is no robe that he cannot take off.

Just as he said, even if there were only ten people left supporting him, it would not prevent him from boarding the boat on Taiye Lake and holding another meeting.

With righteousness, military power, and a national treasury, how could one be afraid of having no one?

As the two of them spoke, all the court officials could not help but feel their thoughts surge.

After all, who is in charge of the overall situation?

Zhao Jin raised his head and stared at the emperor's expression for a long while, then suddenly sighed: "Your Majesty, I had a dream last night. I only dreamed that the Ming Dynasty only lasted for more than 50 years. The Jin people marched south, and the royal family fled south, and all their clothes and hats were buried in Yashan."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

Looking at Zhao Jin suspiciously.

what's the situation?
Zhao Jin continued, "Later, in a trance, I suddenly remembered that this was a story from my ancestors."

"I am the 21st generation descendant of Emperor Taizu of Song. My ancestors crossed the Yangtze River to Zhejiang in the second year of the Jingkang reign of the Qing Dynasty, and it has been more than 450 years since then."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. He was almost scared by this guy.

He said with a slight dissembling tone: "Zhao Qing is also an open and honest gentleman, why do you have to use prophecies and divinations to make it so?"

Zhao Jin shook his head and continued, "It is not a prophecy, but the people of Song Dynasty had no time to mourn themselves. I, as a descendant, mourn for them, so that Your Majesty can learn from it."

"Many people at that time said that the two saints lost the country, but..."

"In my humble opinion, the demise of the former Song Dynasty probably began with the Xining Reforms!"

"After Wang Anshi's new policies, the struggle between the old and new parties became rampant, the court was in turmoil and the situation was chaotic, the people were fighting for profits and complaints were rampant, and local centers were in conflict with each other!"

"In just sixty years, foreign races have marched straight into the imperial city and destroyed it!"

"Your Majesty, since the first year of the Wanli reign till now, has our dynasty not been heading towards this abyss from which there is no return?"

"Zhang Juzheng today is just like Wang Anshi back then."

"Today's new policies are just like the new policies of Xining."

"Measurement of land and census of population are more serious than the original exemption from military service, green seedlings, and market exchange!"

"Since Zhang Juzheng took office, his actions have been even more brutal than Wang Anshi's! Southern Zhili, Huguang, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian... there is resentment everywhere!"

"Since the new policy, the central party struggle has reached the point where His Majesty wants us to take sides. The local gentry and local officials are fighting back desperately and intensifying. The national treasury is full but the people are more distressed. The Tuman Khan in the north, who established a system two years ago, is eyeing us covetously."

"Your Majesty, how similar are the two!?"

"If you don't stop now, I'm afraid that 60 years won't be enough!"

After Zhao Jin finished speaking, the southern suburbs fell silent again, leaving only the sound of the man bowing his head.

Even the court officials who had thought that he was just pretending to be righteous fell into deep thought.

They all looked towards the emperor.

But the emperor was in a trance and had no intention of debating with him.

Seeing that Zhao Jin had stopped moving, Zhu Yijun turned around and asked, "Are you done, Zhao Qing?"

The emperor's reaction was unexpected and Zhao Jin was stunned.

Then he reluctantly replied: "I risk my life to make this suggestion, please understand your majesty!"

Zhu Yijun nodded: "If that's the case, then please express your opinions."

Zhao Jin hesitated to speak.

Seeing him like this, Zhu Yijun finally laughed: "Mr. Zhao, you don't think I can't help but debate, do you?"

Hearing the emperor say this, Shen Shixing couldn't help but secretly give the emperor a blank look.

The emperor loved debates, so it was rare for him not to argue. Otherwise, how did he think he was smart enough to reject advice?

Now I have become more reserved.

Zhu Yijun was completely unaware that someone was criticizing him. He just put his hands behind his back, shook his head and sighed: "In the past eight years, I have said at least eight hundred reasons, if not a thousand, and I have argued with countless people."

"Before and after he ascended the throne, he debated with Ding'an Bo, debated with Master Xu on the reform of the salt administration, debated with the great masters on sorting out the orthodoxy, and after he took power, he debated with the censors who heard rumors and reported things..."

"My mouth is dry and I have said all I can."

"I have worked hard until now, and I personally command a hundred thousand troops in the Beijing camp. The warehouse and the treasury have a total of tens of millions of silver. The governors-general of the nine frontiers are my darlings, and the governors-general of the thirteen provinces are my confidants. If I continue to persuade them with all my heart, I am afraid that I will only chill the trust of my loyal ministers."

"I have nothing to say today, I just want you to express your opinions!"

"I want to rebuild the Ming Dynasty. Will you follow me or not?"

By the end of his speech, his voice and tone had become stern, and all the ministers looked terrified.

Zhu Yijun sneered and simply turned away, too lazy to look anymore.

The emperor was forced to this point, and his ministers finally had no room for maneuver.

In addition to Ma Ziqiang who was the foreman on the right side, Shen Shixing, Wen Chun, Wang Guoguang, Zhu Heng and others stood silently on the left side.

His calm expression reveals an unwavering determination.

Wang Xijue came from behind, pushed Wen Chun aside, and stood behind Shen Shixing with his head held high.

Zhang Han and Chen Wude looked at each other and stood silently behind the few people.

Chen Yu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, sighed, went the other way, took off his hat and knelt on the right row: "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has been ill for a long time. I'm afraid that a dose of tiger and wolf medicine will be counterproductive!"

"I hope your majesty will think twice!"

Having said this, he took off his hat and prostrated himself to take his leave.

After Chen Yu stepped forward, several people immediately stood in the right row.

Shi Yaochen, the Minister of Works, fell behind and knelt down without a hat. He said, "I am only an average person and cannot distinguish right from wrong. I would like to retire and return home."

The warehouse governor Lin Dun followed closely behind him, but he said nothing and silently took off his hat and knelt on the ground.

More than ten people stood over there.

Jin Lijing, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, choked up and said, "Your Majesty is a great leader. I admire you very much."

"It's just that I have to deal with the ups and downs of officialdom, and I have many students and old officials, as well as relatives and family members. I often can't help myself."

"I will retire from my post and become a poet. This will be regarded as removing a great hero from Your Majesty's life."

Zhu Yijun had his back to him, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but be moved.

He slowly turned around and said with regret: "If your career is not going well, you will surely have a lot of ideas."

Jin Lijing kowtowed again and said no more.

With these senior officials taking the lead, both sides were no longer restrained and lined up in a swaggering manner.

The two groups of civil officials went from left to right and from right to left.

The rustling sounds of clothing rubbing against each other and of hats being taken off made the southern suburbs seem especially quiet.

After a while.

The entire southern suburbs has been divided into left and right.

The people on the right, including Zhao Jin, Lu Guangzu, Chen Yan, Lin Dun, Jin Lijing, Shi Yaochen… a total of more than 190 people, took off their hats and prostrated themselves on the ground.

From Shen Shixing on the left, there were Wang Xijue, Wang Guoguang, Zhu Heng, Wen Chun, Zhang Han, Chen Wude... a total of more than 400 people, all standing and bowing.

The dust has settled.

The Jinyiwei, who had been holding the knife handle the whole time, finally put down the weapon.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhao Jin's bitter smile and wanted to say something, but suddenly he felt bored.

The emperor glanced at the crowd and sighed, "I have worked with you all for several years. It is a pity that we have different political views today."

"Finally, I will offer sacrifices to the gods, and complete the last fate between you and me as king and subject, and then we will go our separate ways!"

Zhao Jin seemed to lose his energy in an instant and bowed down with difficulty.

Shen Shixing and others watched coldly.

It was midday and the blue sky was dotted with clouds.

The sun passed overhead, seeming timid in this winter, and its light cautiously penetrated through the clouds.

Scattered on the left and right of the southern suburbs.

Wang Shizhen looked at the emperor with a dignified demeanor and felt deeply moved.

He thought for a moment, made some minor revisions, and then wrote: "... officials violated Tianhe and more than 190 people, and offered sacrifices to the heavens to pray for help. Suddenly, the sky suddenly broke, separating yin and yang."

"The comet is trailing its tail, and the star is hanging in the purple pole. This is a sign that order will be sought in the midst of chaos."

(End of this chapter)