The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 320 Departure
"Greetings, Your Excellency."

grown ups--

It can refer to three things: 1) a virtuous and wise person; 2) royalty and nobility; 3) relatives and elders.

As for why Li Xianmu is referred to in this way in official circles today, even the officials themselves probably can't explain it.

As Li Xianmu traveled, the bright sun shone down, and all the civil and military officials retreated, bowing their heads and obeying him.

Within the nine provinces, across the four seas, and under the whole heaven, he was already second only to one person.

This person was not the emperor, but the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager granted him almost the highest level of authority over her subjects, handing over almost all administrative power except for military power.

The political situation in the Ming Dynasty changed drastically immediately.

At that time, everyone in the world was waiting to see how Li Xianmu would seize this power.

It's important to understand that even emperors, who theoretically possess all power, often don't actually have much power in reality.

Li Xianmu didn't keep everyone waiting long; soon after, he unleashed the powerful measure of the performance evaluation system.

Once the performance evaluation system was introduced, it acted like a rein, binding the 100,000 officials of the Ming Dynasty within its noose. Even the most unruly wild horses had to kneel down.

The nineteen tribes bowed down to his command, and whether they were cunning, flamboyant, or hateful, they all obediently hid and dared not show their faces in the slightest.

The governors of the nineteen provinces, regardless of their own thoughts, mostly dared not delay the tasks assigned by the imperial court, the cabinet, and the nineteen ministries.

Over the past two years, 10,000 officials have been dismissed or removed from their posts, including governors who were demoted or even forced to retire due to their poor performance.

The performance evaluation system was like a whip, relentlessly lashing at the officials. Li Xianmu used this system to almost maximize the power granted to him by the Empress Dowager.

It is no exaggeration to say that since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, including the reigns of powerful emperors such as Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, the current central government has the strongest control over all parts of the Ming Dynasty!

In the power struggle between the central and local governments, Li Xianmu has become the strongest figure of his time. To move forward, he needs to increase social productivity in order to hire more full-time civil servants to participate in social governance.

The Ming Dynasty is already at its limit in supporting this group of officials numbering 100,000.

"Motosuke."

As Li Xianmu stepped into the Wenyuan Pavilion, Hu Ying hurriedly approached and said urgently, "Someone from the palace has come to summon us to the palace to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

Li Xianmu immediately grasped the key point in Hu Ying's ambiguous words and asked urgently, "Where should we go to pay our respects?"

Hu Ying's voice was somewhat hoarse, "The Empress Dowager's bedroom."

boom!
Li Xianmu's hand trembled suddenly. He looked at Hu Ying, but before he could speak, Yang Shiqi and Yang Pu came out of the pavilion. The four of them looked at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

"Has the Grand Secretary arrived?"

A person walked out of the Wenyuan Pavilion. Li Xianmu and the others were familiar with her. She was the head maid who had served the Empress Dowager for many years.

"Your Excellency, please come to the palace with me immediately. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you."

"Empress Dowager..."

"This servant dares not say more; Your Excellency will know once you enter the palace."

Li Xianmu's heart tightened again; such words were not a good thing.

Upon entering the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, the tense expressions of the palace servants and the heavy atmosphere of gloom made Li Xianmu and his companions feel even more somber.

Upon entering the palace, as expected, a strong smell of medicine wafted towards them.

Li Xianmu and the other three felt a chill in their hearts; this was the worst possible guess, yet it had come true.

Each of them restrained their facial expressions and stepped forward to pay their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor.

The Empress Dowager's face was pale, with a slightly haggard look, and her spirit was not as good as before. Li Xianmu stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Empress Dowager, when did this happen?"

The Empress Dowager and the cabinet did not interact much. Usually, when she consulted on politics, she would send someone to the cabinet. But now, it is clear that this has been going on for more than just a day or two.

Madam Zhang forced a smile. "I thought it was just a common illness, but I didn't expect it to persist. Seeing how busy the cabinet is with government affairs, I'm just an old woman. Birth, old age, sickness and death are common occurrences for me, so I won't trouble you ministers."

These words came from Zhang's heart. After entrusting the government to Li Xianmu, she basically stopped interfering in most political affairs.

Li Xianmu's voice was a little hoarse, "The Empress Dowager is the pillar of our Great Ming Dynasty. We cannot do without the Empress Dowager, no matter who else is missing."

Upon hearing this, Zhang smiled and shook her head, perhaps because she was too weak to refute Li Xianmu.

"Where is the imperial physician?"

"The imperial physicians were unable to save him, so they were all sent back."

Everyone in the hall fell silent.

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural course of life." Zhang moved her body with difficulty, and Empress Dowager Sun supported her, her eyelids lowered. "Xianmu, is there any important state matter that hasn't been addressed?"

Li Xianmu shook his head, "Fortunately, thanks to the support of the Empress Dowager, all major court affairs are proceeding in an orderly manner."

"That's good."

"I trust you to handle things."

Madam Zhang nodded slightly, looked at her grandson Zhu Qizhen, and softly called out, "Emperor."

Zhu Qizhen knelt before Zhang's bedside, saying, "Grandmother, your grandson is here."

"Take a good look at these ministers, especially Li Xianmu." The Empress Dowager pointed at Li Xianmu and the others and said, "The prosperity of the country depends on them. You must listen to their teachings so that you can become a wise ruler in the future and live up to the expectations of your ancestors and the Ming Dynasty."

Remember? "

Zhu Qizhen was very sad and choked up as he said, "Grandson will remember this and will listen to the words of his masters from now on."

Zhang looked at Empress Dowager Sun again, her eyelids lowered, a faint look on her face. "Empress Dowager, after I leave, you will be above all others. The Emperor is young, and I hope you will not rule from behind the curtain."

Empress Dowager Sun immediately knelt before Zhang and wept, saying, "Empress Dowager has not yet ruled from behind the curtain, so how could your daughter-in-law possibly surpass her?"
"Heaven above, and our ancestors as witnesses, your daughter-in-law would never dare to rule from behind the curtain. She only hopes that the emperor will grow up soon, to be like his grandfather and father, and to bring glory to the Ming Dynasty."

Zhang stared at Empress Dowager Sun for a while, and slowly said, "Emperor Xuanzong disregarded the opposition of the court officials and made you empress. Later, Xianmu contributed a lot to your ascension to the position of empress."

He is an indispensable minister of the Ming Dynasty. You are just a woman, and you are not as knowledgeable about state affairs as I am. So don't get too involved. As long as you give him important responsibilities in the future, the Ming Dynasty will not be lost.

"Emperor Xuanzong and you were a loving couple. You should take good care of this empire he left behind and ultimately hand it over to the emperor." Empress Dowager Sun paused, then whispered, "The Grand Secretary's talent is unparalleled, known to all. How could I not give him an important position?"

Another chilling silence followed.

Li Xianmu appeared sorrowful, and in his heart he also felt a touch of grief at the impending passing of the Empress Dowager.

They showed little reaction to the emperor and empress dowager's words, nor were they overjoyed.

People are fickle.

Most of them hold grudges but not gratitude.

Especially when the two sides became adversaries, Empress Dowager Zhang's lack of greed for power was naturally a sign of high moral character, but what about Empress Dowager Sun?

Can she compare to Empress Dowager Zhang?
Where is the emperor?
Li Xianmu could tell that the emperor still respected and feared him, and did not harbor any resentment because of what had happened before. However, powerful ministers and emperors were born to be adversaries.

Countless complex thoughts surged in my mind; the future of that post-Empress Dowager era was fraught with uncertainty.

“Xianmu”.

The Empress Dowager's call interrupted his thoughts. He stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your subject is here."

With a touch of nostalgia, Zhang said, "When I first met you, you were still a boy. After Emperor Renzong met you, he came back and excitedly told me that he had seen a unicorn."

When you turn twelve and dominate three hundred states, becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, your name will resound throughout the land. I will then know what a prodigy is. Only those who can do what ordinary people cannot can be truly prodigies.

Later, after you entered the service of the Yongle Emperor, you saved the Crown Prince from danger on two or three occasions. Emperor Renzong and I are both grateful to you. Your contribution was indispensable to Emperor Renzong's successful ascension to the throne amidst the turbulent and unpredictable disputes.

I have witnessed your loyalty and sincerity. Emperor Xuanzong also grew up listening to your stories. It's just a pity that both Emperor Renzong and Emperor Xuanzong died young..."

Zhang sighed softly. Even though many years had passed and she was approaching the end of her life, she still couldn't help feeling a little sad.

Li Xianmu also lowered his head and sobbed softly, "The previous emperors have always trusted and valued me. I am deeply grateful and will always remember this. I only hope that the Ming Dynasty can prosper and flourish, so as not to fail the great kindness of the previous emperors."

"Yes, I have seen your sincerity. With Emperor Xuanzong gone too soon, where is this great Ming Dynasty headed?"
"You are the only one I can trust, so I maintained the status quo during Emperor Xuanzong's reign, and even gave you more power. You have not disappointed me. The Ming Dynasty is now prosperous and well-organized, which is excellent. I believe that if things continue like this, things will get even better in the future."

“Look at the emperor.”

Zhang pointed at Zhu Qizhen and said softly, "He is the eldest son of Emperor Xuanzong. Before Emperor Xuanzong passed away, besides the Ming Dynasty, he was the one he trusted the most. In the future, the Ming Dynasty and the emperor will be entrusted to you. Let him be a wise ruler and ensure that Emperor Xuanzong's reputation is not ruined. It will also be worthwhile for you and Emperor Xuanzong to have been such a good ruler and nephew."

Lady Zhang was very clever. She knew that Li Xianmu and Zhu Qizhen were not close and did not have much personal relationship. So she used Emperor Xuanzong as a guise to have Li Xianmu take care of Emperor Xuanzong's children.

This intelligent woman was the epitome of virtue and kindness throughout her life. In the common people and the imperial court, there is a saying: "Empress Zhangsun and Empress Gao are the most virtuous empresses we have ever heard of, and the Empress Dowager is the most virtuous empress we have ever seen."

In ancient times, what a high evaluation this was for a woman!

At this moment, she was about to step into the Yellow Springs of death, yet she still cared about the country and its people—something many emperors could not do. Many emperors ruined the empire of their ancestors and did not care about the millions of their subjects.

From any perspective, she deserves the highest praise in history books.

Li Xianmu, his eyes filled with grief, kowtowed and said, "Long live the Great Ming! I will do my utmost to assist the Emperor and bring peace to the Great Ming."

We will never betray the trust placed in us by the late emperors.

His words were full of determination, but a few traces of hesitation arose in his heart. He would do his best, but would Empress Dowager Sun and the Emperor really give him this opportunity?

The Empress Dowager passed away too soon!

Even if he were given another three years, the situation would change again. By then, he would have built an impregnable fortress, and even the emperor would be a match for him.

"I believe."

The Empress Dowager's voice grew softer and softer until it was barely audible.

The candles lit inside the hall flickered in the breeze outside, and some were even blown out in the blink of an eye.

"The Queen Mother!"

The head maid in charge of the palace exclaimed in shock first. Empress Dowager Sun immediately stepped forward to check her breath. After just one test, her hand trembled, and she cried out in grief, "The Empress Dowager has passed away!"

boom!
Li Xianmu and the others could not go forward, but they all prostrated themselves on the ground. Then, a loud cry rang out in the hall, and Emperor Zhu Qizhen stepped forward and burst into tears.

After crying a few times, Empress Dowager Sun stood up and issued her first order: "The Empress Dowager has passed away, and the whole world is in mourning. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices shall immediately prepare for the Empress Dowager's funeral. This matter shall still be entrusted to the Cabinet for supervision."

After the reform of the nineteen ministries, all ceremonies related to the royal family were transferred to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, while the Ministry of Rites was only responsible for matters related to the state, such as the emperor's enthronement ceremony.

After the implementation of the Performance Evaluation Law, the Cabinet, in all respects, has become a semi-superior to the nineteen ministries, and nothing can be done without the Cabinet's approval.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices was under Hu Ying's jurisdiction. Upon hearing this, he first glanced at Li Xianmu, who nodded slightly. Hu Ying immediately stepped forward and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Empress Dowager Sun naturally noticed the subtle interaction between the two.

Although he was somewhat angry, he couldn't show it now because he had just made a promise to the Empress Dowager.

He then said, "The Empress Dowager has left a will. Bring it quickly, and then summon all the princes, relatives of the empress, dukes, marquises, earls, and second-rank civil officials to announce it in the palace."

The second-rank civil officials in the capital, namely the ministers and vice ministers of the nineteen ministries, plus the imperial relatives, are the true rulers of the Ming Dynasty.

This arrangement is perfectly normal.

Shortly afterward, the preparations for composing and concealing her appearance began in an orderly manner. After all, Empress Dowager Sun had been empress for ten years and was not truly incompetent.

She was quite efficient in this regard, directing the palace servants to handle everything in a clear and organized manner.

Emperor Zhu Qizhen was still not old enough.

Empress Dowager Sun told Zhu Qizhen to rest first, as there were other matters she wanted him to attend to later.

Only Li Xianmu and others were left in the palace to wait for the others to enter and discuss the matter.

Li Xianmu stared blankly at the coffin containing the Empress Dowager.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the seventh year of the Zhengtong reign, Empress Chengxiao Zhao passed away. This was a great loss for the Ming Dynasty. The people of the Ming Dynasty lost not just an empress dowager in the harem, but a wise ruler.

Li Xianmu was probably the saddest person. Since the Yongle era, the last Ming Dynasty ruler who unconditionally supported and trusted him had passed away.

His eulogy for the Empress Dowager was a lament for the old era, for the alternation of the old and the new is not always progress.
With the passing of Empress Dowager Zhang, the future of the Ming Dynasty seemed to be shrouded in shadow, like dark clouds gradually gathering beneath the bright sunlight. —From *These Events of the Ming Dynasty*

(End of this chapter)