Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 230: The Fourth Place and the Last Place Elimination
Liu Ruoyu trembled as he stood up and tried to rest his butt on the edge of the stool, but he always sat crookedly. He was so nervous he was panting like a cow, and he felt a dazzling golden light flashing before his eyes. It was like he had been squatting on the ground for a long time and suddenly stood up.

Joining the Imperial Household Department's close attendants wasn't just a promotion; it was a leap to heaven. For an eunuch of his rank, if he were truly chosen by the Emperor, it would be like a civil servant jumping from a clerk in the Ministry of Rites to a senior official in the Imperial Cabinet.

With the exception of the emperor's biological and legal mothers, everyone had to look up when they saw him. Liu Ruoyu, seated, could gaze upon the emperor from a relatively flat angle. From his perspective, the emperor was a majestic sculpture, motionless except for the occasional blink. Liu Ruoyu understood that the emperor was examining him. He straightened himself, making himself appear more erect.

After a period of silence, Zhu Changluo spoke: "A few days ago, Wang An gave me a problem. I haven't solved it yet." Zhu Changluo did not avert his gaze, but remained seated. He waved his right hand to open a drawer, pulled out a memorial written by Wang An, and placed it on the imperial desk. He asked, "The Imperial Household Department is currently reviewing vacancies and redundant personnel, preparing to cut them. I wonder if you've heard about it?"

"I have heard rumors, but I have never known whether these rumors are true or not." Liu Ruoyu replied.

Ever since the Eastern Depot began arresting people in and outside the capital under imperial orders, all sorts of rumors and gossip began to spread within the walls of the imperial city.

However, compared with topics such as "Torture in the East Factory", "Which eunuchs will be arrested tomorrow", and "How much silver did the eunuchs in the East Factory confiscate today", things like "The Imperial Household Department is checking accounts and preparing to lay off employees" are not very eye-catching.

After all, there are rumors that the emperor is going to increase everyone's salary. How can such words be believed? Since Taizu founded the country, more than 250 years have passed. Let alone raising the salaries of the servants in the inner court, it is considered a great wisdom of the emperor that the court officials in the outer court are not owed wages.

"It's enough to have heard the rumors. Give it to him." Zhu Changluo beckoned Wang An, then said to Liu Ruoyu, "The Imperial Household Department originally planned to use the old register from the tenth year of the Jiajing reign as evidence. As long as the employed craftsmen can be traced back to a named craftsman in the register, they can continue to serve in the palace. Conversely, those who are not on the register will leave the palace and find their own way to make a living. This is also legitimate and will have less resistance."

"But most craftsmen are illiterate, and few can even identify their ancestors, let alone prove it. Wang An reported this matter to me. It's the thing you hold in your hand." Zhu Changluo snapped his fingers, pointing to the memorial Wang An had just handed to Liu Ruoyu. "But I haven't had time to make a decision yet."

Zhu Changluo rested his chin on his hand, his eyes growing more scrutinizing. "If I asked you to come up with this idea, what would you do? You can open it and take a look. The content inside is much more detailed than what I can say in just a few words. Think it over before answering. There's no rush."

"Yes." Liu Ruoyu took a deep breath and carefully opened the leaf folded book. He knew that whether he could make a leap and soar to the sky depended on the book in his hand.

Liu Ruoyu's reputation as a scholar wasn't just a figment of Wei's imagination. His father, Liu Yingqi, noticed his talent for learning when he was still a child. Liu Yingqi was overjoyed, believing his ancestors' graves were finally filled with joy, believing that after more than two hundred years, his family would finally produce a Jinshi (a successful jinshi), a civil servant.

To cultivate Liu Ruoyu, Liu Yingqi spared no expense, hiring renowned local scholars and even juren to teach him how to read and write. Unexpectedly, Liu Ruoyu castrated himself after a strange dream. Liu Yingqi, understanding enough, did not kill Liu Ruoyu in a fit of rage. Instead, he begged and pleaded with various parties, spending money and resources to secure a path for his son, a career as an eunuch.

Therefore, although Liu Ruoyu had never studied in the inner school, he was also known for his ability to read ten lines at a glance and remember everything he read. Otherwise, Chen Ju would not have adopted a nearly twenty-year-old eunuch as his godson at the age of sixty-four.

Soon, seeing Liu Ruoyu close his memorial, Zhu Changluo asked, "Have you finished reading it?"

"Yes." Liu Ruoyu handed the memorial back to Wang An who was standing beside him.

"It seems you already have an idea." Zhu Changluo smiled and said, "Tell me about it."

Liu Ruoyu had never participated in the imperial examination, but at this moment, he actually felt like he was taking the imperial examination in the Huangji Hall. Liu Ruoyu closed his eyelids slightly, and a faint, soft, moist feeling immediately moistened his dry eyeballs. When he opened his eyes again, the trembling in his heart had mostly faded, and a hint of confidence flashed in his eyes. He said:

"In reply to your Highness, I believe there's no need to dwell on past records; simply discard them. Since most craftsmen can't produce proof, there's no need for it. Simply calculate the number of personnel needed for each position and vacancy, and then conduct an assessment based on that. After the assessment, arrange them in order of merit, with the best at the front and the worst at the back. Finally, work your way back down, eliminating all personnel until the pre-approved number is reached."

"The last place will be eliminated." Zhu Changluo chuckled and nodded slightly, but he did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "Liu Ruoyu, do you know what you are saying?"

"I know." Liu Ruoyu nodded deeply and said, "Our ancestors' laws clearly state that positions are hereditary. This advice from me goes against the ancestral system."

"Then what are you talking about!?" Zhu Changluo narrowed his eyes and raised his voice, putting pressure on Liu Ruoyu.

Liu Ruoyu was startled, but after a few breaths, he calmed down. "Although the established law is the teachings of the Ancestor, it doesn't mean it can't be slightly modified." Liu Ruoyu wanted to give an example, but it was easier to give examples than to choose the right words. If he wasn't careful, it would easily become a criticism of the Ancestor. His thoughts raced, and his blood rushed to his cheeks, staining them red and making his entire face feel hot.

"Ahem." Liu Ruoyu coughed lightly, taking a slight breath, and decided to use his own family as an example. He said, "During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the entire country had garrisons in the form of military governors and guards. After Emperor Chengzu, all key locations were garrisoned by officials. Take my father, Yingqi, for example. Although he held the hereditary title of Commander of the Left Guard of Yanqing, he inherited the title without any official title. It wasn't until he passed the military examination in the 24th year of the Wanli reign that he was promoted to the garrison commander of the Xuanfu Zhenxi City and officially commanded the troops."

Liu Ruoyu swallowed, took a deep breath, and concluded, "This change in ancestral system isn't against our ancestral teachings, but rather crucial to protecting the nation." At this moment, an idea struck him, and he used the Emperor's court meeting to defend himself against Zhang Juzheng. "Your Majesty, with his unwavering royal spirit, resolutely defended Grand Tutor Wen Zhonggong at the court meeting. That's why I dare to offer this advice."

Liu Ruoyu thought: If I flatter the emperor, he won't be angry even if he doesn't accept my advice.

In fact, according to his rank and income, he was not even qualified to send money to the Liancaifang according to the notice posted by the Silijian, and therefore he was not qualified to participate in the court meeting. However, it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites to redress the reputation of the previous emperor and his ministers, and Liu Ruoyu happened to be working in the Neizhifang to polish the imperial edict related to the ritual department. He happened to have handled and polished this edict, otherwise he would not have felt so surprised.

"Okay, okay." Zhu Changluo said "Okay" twice, then turned to look at Wang An and asked, "Wang An, you have a good junior brother. Why haven't I heard you mention him before?"

"My godfather knows Liu Ruoyu's talent, but I don't. Therefore, I dare not advise the emperor on his own initiative." Wang An immediately seized the opportunity to distance himself from the matter.

"Indeed, Liu Ruoyu is only five years older than Cao Huachun, old enough to be your son." Zhu Changluo glanced at Wei Chao but said nothing more. He shook his neck from side to side, returning to his lazy, relaxed posture. "The Imperial Household Department could certainly use a brave young man like this. Wang An, Wei Chao, what do you think?" "The master is wise." Wei Chao praised the emperor even faster than Wang An. As soon as the emperor finished speaking, he stood up and bowed.

"Liu Ruoyu, listen." Zhu Changluo turned his gaze.

Liu Ruoyu quickly left the stool and knelt on the ground. He tried to regulate his breathing, using his voice as calmly and steadily as possible to greet the divine command that would completely rewrite his life and destiny. But at this moment, when he was about to bring honor to his family, how could he remain calm? His forehead was already sweating profusely, and he could only grit his teeth and reply with a voice that was almost clenched: "Your servant respectfully listens to the Holy Commandment."

"Liu Ruoyu, the clerical officer of the Rites Department of the Neizhifang, is transferred to the Silijian today and appointed as the fourth clerical eunuch. He is also granted the flying fish robe." In contrast to Liu Ruoyu's excitement, Zhu Changluo remained calm as always.

Liu Ruoyu was shaking like a sieve, his brain was shut down, and he almost fainted. For a moment, he even forgot to thank the emperor.

"Thank you! Why are you standing there?" Wang An reminded.

Liu Ruoyu was like a victim who had been strangled and was about to suffocate, finally being released. He took a deep breath and kowtowed three times on the smooth floor, heavily and slowly. He said loudly: "Your Majesty, I bow to you and thank you for your great grace and favor. I will not hesitate to sacrifice my life for you!"

He knelt in such haste that he forgot to pull his front lapel in front of him. He kowtowed three times, as if he had run into a pillar.

"Stand up." Zhu Changluo ordered.

"I obey your command." Liu Ruoyu's handsome features twitched unnaturally. A large bump gradually appeared on his forehead.

"It is said that an elder brother is like a father. Wang An, take good care of your junior brother. Help him prepare everything he needs." Zhu Changluo said to Wang An.

In fact, Wang An was not Chen Ju's eldest son, as Chen Ju's eldest son had already passed away. However, he did not argue, but bowed his head and accepted the order honestly: "Yes, I obey your order."

"Liu Ruoyu, my first assignment for you is to implement the last-place elimination policy you just proposed across the twenty-four inner court offices and the independent treasurers, eliminating redundant personnel," Zhu Changluo said. "I don't care how the process goes. I have only one requirement: that after the reductions, the total stipend expenditure of the inner court must be less than before. As for how much less annual expenditure can be achieved after the reductions, that depends on your ability."

"Your servant will obey the imperial edict." Liu Ruoyu was stunned and felt a little strange: cutting down on redundant staff would definitely reduce expenses, so how could there be more?
"Okay, that's all for today." Zhu Changluo stood up, stretched his limbs, and stretched lazily.

Seeing this, Wang An immediately stepped over, but before he could ask, he heard the emperor say, "Don't run around anymore. Just stay here, chat with your junior brother, and teach him the rules here. I'll rest in the east warm room today, Wei Chao will come for you." After that, Zhu Changluo walked towards the palace gate of the south study.

"Yes." Wei Chao hurried to follow.

"Your servants respectfully escort your Majesty." Wang An and Liu Ruoyu knelt down at the same time and kowtowed to see him off.

------

After the door to the South Study closed again, the two men climbed up from the ground. The floor of the South Study was very clean, so clean that even if you rolled on it, you wouldn't get dust on it. But even so, Wang An still rolled up his sleeves and slapped his robe.

Liu Ruoyu's sense of detachment hadn't faded yet, the unreality of a dream still lingering around him. But the sharp pain on his forehead kept reminding him that this wasn't fake. He ran to Wang An, restrained his limp legs, knelt, and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your recommendation."

"Stand up and talk." Wang An waved his hand.

"Yes." Liu Ruoyu stood up and made a respectful gesture of bowing his head to listen to the instructions.

"First, I have to tell you clearly," Wang An said solemnly, his face devoid of the warmth and joy that one might expect from a fellow apprentice. "I didn't recommend you, and I never intended to cause myself any trouble. If it weren't for that old widower Wei Chao flattering me and recommending you to the master, you wouldn't have the opportunity you have today. Do you understand me?"

Liu Ruoyu's heart trembled, and her pupils trembled. Then she knelt down again. "Yes. I understand."

"For godfather's sake, I will take care of you, but not now, and I will never send you to the Imperial Household Department." This time Wang An did not ask him to get up, but squatted in front of Liu Ruoyu and said, "Although the eunuch in the Imperial Household Department has a high position and power, it is not an easy job. If you are not careful, it is common to implicate family members and relatives. I was lucky to have the care of the eunuchs Zhu Xian and have the honor to come to where I am today." Wang An's thoughts seemed to have gone back to more than 30 years ago.

"In the sixth year of Wanli, I was recommended by the late eunuch Feng Bao to enter the inner library and became his disciple. In the tenth year of Wanli, the case of the late eunuch Feng Bao was exposed, and all his disciples were confiscated. But I was lucky enough to get the help of the late eunuchs Du Mao and Zhang Hong. When I was old enough to worship my godfather, the old eunuch Zhang originally wanted to adopt me as his godson, but in the twelfth year of Wanli, the old eunuch Zhang refused to persuade the late emperor to be close to the wise and stay away from slanderers many times, so he starved himself to death. Alas! Godfather, at the request of the old eunuch Zhang, accepted me, took care of me, and educated me, so I became your senior brother." Wang An sighed.

Facts had proven this deathbed remonstrance to be meaningless. After the death of Grand Tutor Zhang Juzheng, the Wanli Emperor completely let himself go, and Zhang Hong's death was in vain. But no matter how wrong the late emperor was, it was not for a servant to slander him. He closed his eyes, his brow furrowed, his face filled with sorrow.

(End of this chapter)