My father is Jiajing

In the 28th year of the Longqing reign, Zhu Zaiji was already 58 years old.

Over the years, Zhu Zaiji has also been committed to expanding overseas territories, seeking more possibilities and a future for the Ming Dynasty.

During his arduous journey of more than 20 years, Zhu Zaiji also experienced many ups and downs in life. Among them, the Gao Gong case in the thirteenth year of the Longqing reign was one of the things that Zhu Zaiji found most difficult to accept.
That winter was exceptionally cold.

Inside the Qin Zheng Hall in the West Garden, Zhu Zaiji, wearing a mink cloak, held a memorial in his hand, his brows furrowed.

The handwriting on the memorial was neat, but the content was shocking!
"Grand Secretary Gao Gong is corrupt and greedy, practices nepotism, accepts bribes extensively, and indulges in extravagance and debauchery, thus corrupting the court..."

Zhu Zaiji slowly closed the memorial and let out a long sigh.

"Feng Bao".

"The servant is here."

At this moment, Feng Bao, who had succeeded the elderly Meng Chong as the new Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, bowed and responded beside Zhu Zaiji.

"Who submitted this memorial?"

"Your Majesty, it is Zou Yuanbiao, the Censor of the Censorate."

Zhu Zaiji remained silent for a moment, his gaze deep. In the original history, this Zou Yuanbiao, who was still young at the time, would later become one of the three leaders of the Donglin Party.

Although influenced by some later historical perspectives, Zhu Zaiji held a negative view of the Donglin Party.

But sometimes, we have to look at things from both sides.

After all, Zou Yuanbiao was still a young, enthusiastic, and passionate censor. Moreover, the corruption of the Donglin Party was not due to him alone, but rather to the corruption of the entire public opinion and factional struggle.

Now that Zhu Zaiji has been on the throne for thirteen years, he dares not say how outstanding his achievements and political skills are, but at least he is certain that under the current political situation, it is impossible for a Donglin Party to emerge again.

Therefore, when selecting new people, Zhu Zaiji would not be easily swayed by his previous historical impressions. He would use the information he actually saw and could grasp as the basis to judge whether a person was usable or not.

If we simply copy history exactly, will history really recommend good people to Zhu Zaiji without any deviation, thus avoiding bad outcomes?

Obviously, this is also unlikely.

Therefore, Zhu Zaiji now has his own set of methods for selecting and appointing people, and is not entirely influenced by history.

Take Gao Gong, for example, who is currently being impeached and reported.

Even without impeachment or accusations against him, Zhu Zaiji already knew some of his current problems.

He only held back, wanting to preserve his last shred of dignity.

After all, the Ming Dynasty is currently in dire need of capable people. Although Gao Gong has problems, he can still be used.

But now that these things have been exposed, Zhu Zaiji certainly can't pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Moreover, Gao Gong is indeed quite old now. If he continues to work, won't he become the next Yan Song or Xu Jie?
Therefore, in order to improve Gao Gong's posthumous reputation, Zhu Zaiji had no choice but to allow him to undergo investigation and complete the political renewal of the new generation.

Otherwise, if the government is full of incompetent officials who have been in office for decades, without any fresh blood to keep things flowing, it would be too dangerous.

"Go check it out!"

Zhu Zaiji's voice was deep and cold, and he said to Feng Bao with utmost seriousness, "I want the truth."

A few days later, Feng Bao returned with secret reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot.

"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Gao... does indeed have some problems."

Feng Bao carefully handed over the confidential document.

Zhu Zaiji opened it and his face gradually darkened.

Although Gao Gong's crimes were not as exaggerated as those in the memorial, they were indeed true—he placed his cronies in the Ministry of Personnel, and his protégés and former associates were spread throughout the Six Ministries; he accepted bribes from local officials and allowed his family to engage in business for profit; his mansion was so luxurious that it even exceeded the regulations for princes…

What disappointed Zhu Zaiji the most was that Gao Gong was already over seventy years old. He should have been a highly respected senior official, but he lived like Yan Song and Xu Jie in their later years—greedy for power, clinging to power, and arrogant.

"How did he become like this?"

Zhu Zaiji muttered to himself, letting out a soft sigh.

Power is like poison; even the most clear-headed person will lose their way if immersed in it for too long.

Gao Gong was once Zhu Zaiji's most favored and most ambitious reformer, but now he has become the kind of person he once despised the most.

He's become like Yan Song and Xu Jie in the past.
However, Zhu Zaiji still decided to give Gao Gong another chance.

That evening, Zhu Zaiji summoned Gao Gong to the palace and spoke with him privately in the warm pavilion of the Qin Zheng Hall.

"Mr. Gao, over the years you have assisted me in implementing the new policies and your contributions are indispensable. Now that you are getting on in years, I would like you to... take a rest."

Zhu Zaiji got straight to the point without much preamble, clearly indicating that he also felt there shouldn't be too many roundabout ways in his conversation with Gao Gong.

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile, saying, "Your Majesty, although I am old, I still have the energy to serve the court for a few more years."

Zhu Zaiji's face darkened, and he slowly said, "Sir, please listen to what I have to say first."

Gao Gong's smile froze, and he had a bad feeling.

Zhu Zaiji continued, "Sir, you have been my subject for decades, and it is no exaggeration to say that your relationship is like that of father and son. But everyone grows old eventually. Li Chunfang, who is younger than you, made way for you long ago, and you have been in this position for seven or eight years. Shouldn't you also consider the ambitions of other young people?"

Zhu Zaiji first tried to reason with him and explain the situation to him.

Gao Gong listened in silence, but he was still somewhat unconvinced, feeling that he was capable of more.

After all, this was the position of Grand Secretary, second only to the emperor. Yan Song and Xu Jie had both been cornered back then, but neither of them took the initiative to give up.

Therefore, the current Gao Gong would not be like that.

Moreover, he felt that there were still many things he hadn't done, and he needed to stay in this position and continue to do his work.

But Zhu Zaiji's next words sent a chill down Gao Gong's spine!
Zhu Zaiji poured Gao Gong a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him, then said indifferently, "I've heard that you've placed many protégés in the Ministry of Personnel, and that your residence is even more luxurious than that of a prince? I wonder if these things are just rumors?"

Cold sweat beaded on Gao Gong's forehead. He quickly rose and knelt down. "Your Majesty, please understand! This old minister had absolutely no intention of overstepping his bounds, but..."

"Just what?"

Zhu Zaiji said in a calm tone, "I just feel that since I have made great contributions, it wouldn't hurt to enjoy a little?"

They knelt on the ground, too afraid to speak.

Zhu Zaiji sighed deeply: "Mr. Gao, I originally intended for you to retire with dignity, but you... seem reluctant to give up this position. You may step down."

Gao Gong retreated dejectedly, realizing he had missed the last chance Zhu Zaiji had given him.
The following day, Zhu Zaiji issued an imperial edict ordering Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng to thoroughly investigate the Gao Gong case.

The investigation was better than expected—although Gao Gong practiced nepotism and lived a life of extravagance, he did not amass wealth or frame loyal officials like Yan Song did.

Ultimately, Zhu Zaiji, mindful of their past relationship, did not severely punish Gao Gong, but merely dismissed him from his official post and ordered him to move to Qincheng Manor to live out his remaining years in peace.

On the day Gao Gong left the capital, light snow was falling. He stood beside his carriage, glanced back at the majestic capital, and gave a bitter smile: "Power... indeed, one cannot hold onto it for too long."

The Gao Gong case served as a warning to Zhu Zaiji.

Power must be restrained, otherwise even the most virtuous minister will become corrupt. In the twelfth month of the thirteenth year of the Longqing reign, Zhu Zaiji issued an imperial edict:
"The ministers of the Grand Secretariat are mostly of high rank and status, and their hearts are often filled with selfish desires and disorder. Now, a new system is established—"

"All officials in key positions such as the Cabinet, the Grand Council, and the Six Ministries serve a five-year term, after which they are replaced."

"The Grand Secretary and the Chief Minister of the Military Affairs Council shall not serve two consecutive terms."

“Each term of appointment shall be by recommendation of Hanlin Academy scholars, engineering scholars, and censors of the Censorate who do not hold any substantive positions, and then submitted to me for imperial approval.”

The imperial edict caused a stir throughout the court and the country.

This was the first time in the history of the Ming Dynasty that a term limit for officials was explicitly stipulated!

Naturally, there were people who opposed the new policy.

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, prime ministers have needed to serve for a long time to accomplish things. If they are replaced every five years, how can policies be sustained?"

An old minister submitted a memorial.

Zhu Zaiji replied calmly, "If the policy is truly good, the successor will naturally continue it. If the policy is bad, changing people is just the right way to correct the situation."

"But if we do that, won't all the officials feel insecure and only care about short-term political achievements, neglecting the long term?"

Zhu Zaiji chuckled, then said coldly, "If officials only think about securing their positions, then they are truly disregarding the long term!"

Zhang Juzheng stood in the court, silently pondering the emperor's profound meaning.

The term limit system, while seemingly restricting power, is actually designed to prevent powerful ministers from becoming too powerful and to avoid the recurrence of powerful ministers like Yan Song, Xu Jie, or even Gao Gong.

In the fourteenth year of the Longqing reign, the first batch of officials whose terms had expired began to be rotated.

Zhang Juzheng succeeded him as Grand Secretary, while Hai Rui took charge of the Grand Council.

Standing on the steps of the Hall of Diligent Governance, Zhu Zaiji gazed at the rising sun and thought to himself, "Power is like flowing water; only when it flows will it not become corrupt."

Having retracted the memories of the thirteenth year of the Longqing reign, Zhu Zaiji was reminded of the pain of the twentieth year of the Longqing reign.

His crown prince died that year.

In early spring of that year, Tai Zhu Yi fell seriously ill and never recovered.

The imperial physicians and academicians from the Imperial Medical Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences took turns treating him, but there was still no improvement.

During that period, whenever Zhu Zaiji had free time, he would rush to the Eastern Palace every day, sit in front of the Crown Prince's bed, and comfort the young Crown Prince.

However, Zhu Zaiji knew very well that his crown prince had truly encountered a calamity this time.

The hereditary disease that originated from Empress Xiaoyi's lineage finally manifested in Zhu Yi's young body.

Even though Zhu Zaiji possessed the entire empire and controlled all wealth and power, he could only helplessly watch as the crown prince grew thinner and more listless day by day in this situation.

"father……"

Zhu Yi slightly opened his eyes, his voice weak, "I...I'm afraid I can't hold on any longer."

Zhu Zaiji grasped the Crown Prince's cold hand, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and said in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense. I have already sent someone to Hubei to invite Li Shizhen to come out of seclusion. You will definitely get better."

Zhu Yi shook his head gently and sighed, "Father... In fact, I have known about my health for a long time. I also knew that you did not make me the crown prince all those years ago. Now, the thing you have been worried about... has finally come. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and stop making things difficult for you."

Zhu Zaiji fell silent upon hearing Zhu Yi's words, tears silently welling up in his eyes.

Zhu Zaiji knew that the Crown Prince carried a certain hereditary illness, and he had discussed this matter with the Jiajing Emperor in his early years.

However, the Jiajing Emperor did not know what to do, after all, Zhu Yi was the eldest grandson of the Zhu family and the future of the Zhu family.

Later, after Zhu Zaiji ascended the throne, he was still hesitant and never determined Zhu Yi's position as the Crown Prince.

As his sons grew older, the court officials became hesitant. To prevent the officials from speculating about his intentions and arbitrarily siding with the various princes, thus disrupting the positive momentum of the nation, Zhu Zaiji...

Therefore, an imperial edict was issued to formally appoint Zhu Yi as the crown prince. At that time, although Zhu Zaiji was still worried, he often wondered what if his initial conclusion was wrong?
It is important to know that the average lifespan of people in ancient times was very low, especially for the Zhu family imperial line.

Therefore, Zhu Zaiji was also thinking that the Crown Prince might be safe and sound, and could grow up smoothly, receive his education and training, and become the future successor of the empire.

But now, the outcome that Zhu Zaiji least wanted to see has still happened.

Zhu Yi suddenly fell ill, and his condition deteriorated rapidly, leaving all the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital and all the academicians of the Academy of Medical Sciences helpless.
"father……"

The crown prince laboriously raised his hand, pointing to a stack of memorials on the desk, "Your son... still has some unfinished official business to review..."

Zhu Zaiji's eyes reddened, and he gently comforted her, "Don't worry about these things. Just focus on getting better, and I'll take care of everything for you."

The prince closed his eyes briefly and whispered, "Thank you, Father. I'm sleepy. I want to... take a nap."

Before he finished speaking, the crown prince's hand suddenly fell limp, as if he had truly fallen asleep.

When Zhu Zaiji saw the Crown Prince like this, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

This was his first child after he came into this world, his first time being a parent, the child he raised, and the child on whom he had placed high hopes.

But now this child has left this world before him.

That kind of heart-wrenching pain made even the usually calm and composed Zhu Zaiji feel like he couldn't breathe!
At that moment, he finally understood what it felt like for parents to see their child leave them so helplessly.

It felt as if my soul had been ripped away in that instant.

My heart is filled with boundless pain, so much so that I can't even cry.

Finally, Zhu Zaiji held an extremely grand funeral for the crown prince and personally drafted the posthumous title "Crown Prince Xianhuai," and buried him in the Western Hills.

On the day of the funeral, a light rain was falling. Zhu Zaiji stood in the Hall of Diligent Governance, gazing towards the direction of the Eastern Palace.

He recalled the Crown Prince's adorable and obedient childhood; he also recalled the Crown Prince's quiet maturity after his mother's death; and he remembered the Crown Prince's diligence and prudence during his years as regent, as well as his love and care for his younger brothers and his filial piety and respect towards him.
"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

Feng Bao stood behind Zhu Zaiji and whispered his advice, afraid of disturbing Zhu Zaiji's thoughts.

Zhu Zaiji slowly closed his eyes, his voice hoarse: "I... am fine."

Zhu Zaiji understood that he was neither an ordinary person nor an ordinary father.

He was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the helmsman of the Ming Dynasty!
Even if his heart is breaking, he must stand tall and keep moving forward, not letting anyone see his weakness.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty needed a stable political structure.

Therefore, Zhu Zaiji could not hesitate or waver in any way, and could not allow the position of Crown Prince to remain vacant for too long.

After all, he had more sons than the Jiajing Emperor had, and if he hesitated, it would surely lead to an even greater political crisis.

Therefore, in the spring of the twenty-first year of the Longqing reign, Zhu Zaiji issued an edict to re-appoint the crown prince!
The imperial edict reads: "The second son of the Emperor, Prince Fu, Zhu Yijun, is intelligent and dignified, and is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the ancestral temple. He shall be established as the Crown Prince today, and shall sit in the Eastern Palace to oversee the country and govern the state."

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The End. (End of Chapter)