Huangming

Chapter 136 Imperial Edict Unveiled at Dawn, Dragon's Mark Shining Brightly

"Mingqing, don't act rashly!"

Liu Yiju frowned upon hearing Zhou Jiamo's defiant words.

"You've been immersed in officialdom for decades, do you still intend to go against the tide?"

Zhou Jiamo snorted coldly and said, "A gentleman knows what to do and what not to do! This is something that Grand Secretary Liu will probably never understand."

Liu Yizhu remained silent for a moment, his expression turning somewhat grim.

He wasn't made of clay; he was a human being. After being repeatedly mocked by Zhou Jiamo, Liu Yijuan's temper flared up.

"Mingqing, you'd better take care of yourself!"

After saying this, Liu Yizhu turned and left.

As Zhou Jiamo watched Liu Yizhuo's departing figure, he merely sneered, "A despicable man!"

Afterwards, he climbed into the sedan chair and said to the old servant, "Let's head back home!"

Zhou Jiamo's sedan chair moved slowly forward in the cold night.

He leaned against the sedan chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the bronze hand warmer under his gray squirrel fur cloak. The warmer had long since cooled, but he still held it so tightly that it was burning hot.

The hoarse sound of the watchman's clapper came from outside the sedan chair, three long and two short beats, indicating that it was past 7 PM.

The snow on the stone road had not yet melted, and the sedan chair carriers made a crunching sound as they stepped on it, like crushing ice shards.

As they passed the Drum Tower, the Imperial Guards on night patrol marched by in procession, carrying torches. The firelight shone through the gaps in the sedan curtains, casting flickering shadows on his taut face.

"Minister, we've crossed the Silver Ingot Bridge."

The old servant Zhou An whispered a reminder from outside the sedan window.

Zhou Jiamo slightly opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of the dark river water under the bridge, reflecting the cold light of broken ice, just like his turbulent thoughts at that moment.

finally arrived at home.

Once inside the mansion, Zhou Jiamo's gloomy mood improved considerably.

"Sir, why are you home so late?" A beautiful woman greeted him.

She was Zhou Jiamo's newly acquired concubine not long ago, and a relative of Li Cong, the military supervisor.

Li was sixteen years old, slender, with fair skin like fresh snow, and her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a gentle, moist light under the lantern's glow.

Having waited so long for her master to return home, the tip of her nose was slightly red from the cold, adding to her delicate and shy demeanor.

"Let's not dwell on these troubles!"

Zhou Jiamo sighed and took off his gray squirrel fur cloak. Li Shi took the cloak and handed it to the maid beside her, saying with a smile, "Let's not talk about it. The dishes are all ready. Nuannuan will come up now. It just so happens that both Dalang and Erlang are home today."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiamo's eyes lit up.

"Yan Guang and Yan Xi are home? Bring out a jar of their best wine from the cellar!"

His two sons, the eldest of whom, Zhou Yanguang, was granted the title of Shangbaosi Cheng by hereditary privilege, was his successor.

The second son, Zhou Yanxi, passed the imperial examination in the 46th year of the Wanli reign and bought a mansion in the west of the city, which was considered a separate property.

The two sons don't often get together, so today is quite unusual.

Zhou Jiamo walked straight into the hall, and his two sons immediately bowed to him.

"Son greets Father!"

Zhou Jiamo smiled and said, "There's no need to use the same old set of rules at home. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since the whole family had a meal together. Please sit down."

The group sat down, and soon the servants brought out wine and dishes.

A steaming pot of lamb tripe and silver fish hot pot was placed on the rosewood kang table.

A rich, white mutton tripe broth was bubbling in a cloisonné pot, with Jizhou pine mushrooms, yellow chives, and Tianjin silver fish and snow frog floating in the water.

The servant brought over a box of roasted venison, the venison from the Xing'an Mountains sizzling and dripping oil on a red clay stove.

Beside it were bird's nest soup and goose fat pastry rolls, along with a pot of warm Jizhou yellow rice wine. The aroma of the wine mixed with the smell of charcoal fire, blurring the ice flowers on the window.

This meal would cost at least ten taels of silver.

Pouring out some fine wine, Zhou Jiamo said with a smile, "Seeing that you two have both achieved something, I can rest assured."

The eldest son, Zhou Yanguang, hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered his courage and asked, "I heard that Father is to be nominated for the position of Right Vice Minister of War tomorrow?"

Zhou Jiamo's smile vanished abruptly. He looked at his son with a scrutinizing gaze and said, "We don't discuss state affairs at home."

The second son, Zhou Yanxi, hurriedly said, "Father! This is not a matter of state, but a family matter! If you disobey the Emperor's will, our whole family will be beheaded and displayed to the public. Please reconsider!"

The two sons seemed to have known about it beforehand.

Even Zhou Yanxi made a special trip from the west of the city to persuade his stubborn old father not to act impulsively.

"boom!"

Zhou Jiamo slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the cups and saucers to clatter and spill wine, which then stained the brocade tablecloth with a dark red stain.

Li was so frightened that her face turned ashen, and the silver chopsticks in her hand clattered to the ground.

"Master, please don't get too angry and ruin your health."

Zhou Jiamo ignored Li Shi as if she were invisible, staring intently at his two sons with anger and disappointment in his eyes.

"Whom are you relaying messages for?" Zhou Jiamo's voice was as cold as ice.

The eldest son, Zhou Yanguang, gritted his teeth and said with a forced smile, "We're not speaking for anyone; we're thinking of Father, and for the Zhou family! Our Zhou family has had a tough time getting to where we are now."

"enough!"

Zhou Jiamo flew into a rage, abruptly stood up, and his sleeves flipped over, knocking over a celadon wine pot. Amber-colored wine dripped down the edge of the table and onto the ground, much like the undried bloodstains outside the Meridian Gate.

He coldly glanced at his two sons, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger: "You can't even have peace at home. Go eat your meal!"

The two sons, instigated by someone, dared to say that their father had come.

Liu Yiju?
Or.
Is it His Majesty?
"Father, please reconsider!"

Zhou Jiamo left without looking back, leaving only the two sons of the Zhou family sitting in the chair, and Li Shi standing by to serve.

"I'll go and try to persuade the master."

Li left in a somewhat flustered manner.

The Zhou brothers, Zhou Yanguang and Zhou Yanxi, remained noncommittal.

They didn't like their stepmother, who was even younger than them.

"If Father insists on doing this, alas, given His Majesty's temperament, we are doomed!"

“Father, if you still want us two sons, you should think twice before you act.”

Before even entering the back room, Zhou Jiamo heard his sons shouting, and his face immediately contorted in anger.

"He has truly given birth to two unfilial sons! I, Zhou Jiamo, am an upright and honorable man. How could I have given birth to such cowardly offspring who have disgraced my ancestors!"

After saying that, he turned and strode away.

Concubine Li hurriedly chased after him, saying, "Master, please calm down."

The two went into the dormitory together.

The night wind howled, and the curtains fluttered loudly.

Zhou Jiamo clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

He gazed at the pitch-black night, his heart turning cold—even his own flesh and blood had become his advocates; where in this court could he find a place to stand?
For a moment, Zhou Jiamo felt that his grief was greater than death.

"Master~"

Li was somewhat worried as she carried the increasingly frantic Zhou Jiamo, and she already regretted following him.

That slightly fearful "Master" immediately made Zhou Jiamo stare intently at Li Shi.

Do you think I'm crazy?

Zhou Jiamo pressed on relentlessly.

Lady Li retreated step by step, trembling as she said, "This concubine dares not."

"Dare not? Heh heh heh!"

Zhou Jiamo sneered and said, "Dare not? That means you think I'm crazy. Am I crazy? I'm almost crazy, but I'm not crazy yet!"

The old man glared fiercely at his newly acquired concubine, a desire for conquest rising within him from who-knows-where. He shouted, "Disarm her!"

Li was still unaware of what was going on, so she timidly took off one of her clothes.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Jiamo shouted even louder, "Take it off again, take it off again, take it off again! Didn't you hear me telling you to remove your armor?"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Li could only take off her clothes one by one until she was left with only her undergarment and underpants.

Zhou Jiamo walked up, looked at the youthful and beautiful body, and reached out to touch it.

But soon, he lost interest. Zhou Jiamo not only stopped what he was doing, but also turned around and left.

Li was left standing there, completely ignored.

When a man grows old, he may hold a beautiful concubine in his arms, but he is powerless to help her.

Severely ill chickens are weak.

He was a high-ranking official in the imperial court, holding one of the six ministries, seemingly enjoying immense prestige. However, he was also like a decrepit old man, helplessly clinging to the Ministry of Personnel as his beautiful concubine.

Fang Congzhe is a puppet chief minister, and Zhou Jiamo will soon be a puppet minister as well.

The next day.

It was still dark outside the window, and the sound of the clapper at dawn drifted from afar, sounding particularly desolate in the cold wind.

Zhou Jiamo opened his eyes, feeling a splitting headache. He had tossed and turned all night and could barely close his eyes until the third watch of the night.

He slowly sat up, reached out and rubbed his temples. His fingertips touched the throbbing veins on his forehead, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Master, it's time to get up."

The old servant Zhou An's voice rang out from outside the door, tinged with a hint of caution.

"Come in." Zhou Jiamo's voice was hoarse, as if he had been hit by a cold wind.

Zhou An pushed open the door and entered, carrying a cup of warm ginseng tea in his hands. Behind him were two servants, one carrying a copper basin of hot water and the other carrying an official robe and a black gauze hat.

Zhou Jiamo took the ginseng tea, took a sip, and the bitter taste spread on his tongue, but it could not dispel the depression in his heart.

"Master, it's cold today, please wear more clothes," Zhou An whispered, handing over a fox fur cloak.

Zhou Jiamo nodded and let the servant help him wash up and change his clothes.

The hot water in the copper basin steamed up white mist, blurring his face, but his eyes remained sharp, though they held a hint of weariness.

After dressing properly, he stood in front of the bronze mirror and looked at himself in the mirror—the scarlet official robe made his face look even paler, and the wrinkles between his brows were deeper, as if he had aged several years overnight.

He reached out and adjusted his official hat. When his fingertips touched the brim, he paused slightly, as if he had remembered something, and his eyes darkened.

"Master, the sedan chair is ready," Zhou An whispered from behind.

Zhou Jiamo snapped out of his thoughts and said calmly, "Let's go."

As he pushed open the door, a biting cold wind rushed towards him, and he instinctively tightened his cloak.

The snow in the courtyard had not yet melted, and it crunched underfoot.

A faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon, but the night was still deep. The lanterns in the mansion swayed in the wind, casting flickering shadows.

The two sons were already waiting in the courtyard, while the concubine, Li, lowered her head and avoided Zhou Jiamo's gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Father, we've arrived at the Ministry of Personnel."

Zhou Jiamo had no interest in arguing with his two sons and walked straight out of the courtyard.

The sedan bearers were already waiting outside the courtyard. When they saw him come out, they quickly lifted the sedan curtain.

Zhou Jiamo stepped into the sedan chair, and after he was seated, the chair was slowly lifted and headed towards the Ministry of Personnel.

The interior of the sedan chair was dimly lit, with only the occasional faint light from the lanterns.

Zhou Jiamo leaned back in the sedan chair, closing his eyes to rest, but the argument from the previous night kept replaying in his mind: his son's admonition, Liu Yizhu's warning, the emperor's relentless pressure... everything was in turmoil, making his chest feel heavy.

"Sir, we've arrived at the Ministry of Personnel."

Zhou An's voice came from outside the sedan chair, interrupting his thoughts.

Zhou Jiamo opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and lifted the sedan curtain.

As dawn broke, the vermilion gates of the Ministry of Personnel appeared particularly solemn in the morning light.

He straightened his clothes, stepped out of the sedan chair, looked up at the two characters "Ministry of Personnel" on the plaque, and his eyes were complicated.

"today."

He murmured softly, as if speaking to himself, or perhaps questioning the heavens.

"Let's see how it goes."

Having said that, he strode into the government office, his back stretched long in the morning light, yet exuding a sense of solitude.

Not long after entering the Ministry of Personnel, someone came to inform him that the heads of various ministries, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, the officials of the Six Ministries, and the censors of the Censorate had all arrived at the East Chamber outside the Meridian Gate.

Your Majesty came prepared!
Zhou Jiamo sighed deeply and said, "Then let's go!"

The regular place for imperial decrees was the East Court Room outside the Meridian Gate.

If the selection of ministers of the six ministries and governors-general is to be conducted in the Wenhua Hall or Zhongji Hall, it must be done in court.

At this moment, everyone was gathered in the East Court room.

Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, Vice Minister of War Zhang Jingshi, Minister of Revenue Li Changgeng, Minister of Justice Huang Kezan, and Minister of Works Wang Yongguang.

The Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, Cao Yubian, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Li Zhi, the Censor of Henan Circuit of the Censorate, Cui Chengxiu, and one official from each of the Six Ministries were all in the East Court Room at this moment.

As Zhou Jiamo stepped into the East Court room, everyone's eyes immediately focused on him.

"Please take your seats, everyone!"

Inside the east-facing room, the charcoal fire glowed faintly red, yet it could not dispel the heavy chill.

Zhou Jiamo sat upright in the main seat, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips. His gaze swept over the nine ministers in attendance, finally landing on the four resumes in front of him: Yuan Yingtai, the former governor of Liaodong; Yuan Keli, the vice minister of the Court of Imperial Stud; Zhang Heming, the governor of Shanxi; and Xiong Tingbi, the military commissioner of Liaodong. The names of the four men gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

Of these four people, it's obvious that one of them is just filling in the numbers.

Xiong Tingbi is the military commissioner of Liaodong. His Majesty intends for him to guard Liaodong, so it is impossible for him to return to the capital as the Vice Minister of War.

"Now that you gentlemen have arrived, please give your comments." Zhou Jiamo's voice was deep and slow, and the peacock patch on his scarlet robe gleamed dark blue in the morning light.

"In that case, I'll make the first move!"

Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing was the first to speak.

As for why Sun Shenxing was promoted from Vice Minister of Rites to Minister of Rites, it was because Sun Ruyou joined the cabinet.

According to the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty - Ministry of Personnel", when a Minister enters the cabinet, it is considered as "resigning from his duties", and his original position will automatically become vacant.

After Sun Ruyou joined the cabinet, the position of Minister of Rites became vacant.

Sun Shenxing was appointed Vice Minister of Rites and was recently promoted to the position by the court.

Although he had a bad reputation within the Donglin Party, being a favored minister, a member of the emperor's faction, and a lackey of eunuchs.

but.
The position of Minister of Rites was truly something that was sitting right under someone's buttocks.

With his connection to his student Sun Chengzong, Sun Shenxing is gradually moving closer to the emperor.

Now that His Majesty intends to appoint Yuan Keli as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, even if it is somewhat contrary to ancestral rules, he doesn't care!

As a subject, how could he disobey His Majesty's will?
He said slowly:
"Although Yuan Keli is still relatively inexperienced, His Majesty has repeatedly praised his talent, so he should be the first choice!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Jiamo, the Minister of Personnel, coughed lightly: "Minister Yuan has no experience in governing a region. His sudden promotion to Vice Minister may not be convincing to the people."

The debate began.

Minister of Revenue Li Changgeng stroked his beard and said, "When Yuan Yingtai was the governor of Liaodong, he made great achievements in garrisoning farms and training troops."

Zhou Jiamo nodded slightly, about to agree, when he heard Cui Chengxiu, the censor of the Censorate, sneer: "Yuan Yingtai? I haven't seen him accomplish anything. If the Jurchens attack, he might not even be able to hold Liaoyang. He only knows how to control the floods! As for courage and strategy, Yuan Keli's previous memorial, 'Records of Military Training,' was personally approved by His Majesty as 'worthy of great use.' This is the will of Heaven!"

After speaking, he looked around at everyone and reminded them meaningfully, "Can we really defy the will of Heaven?"

This was, of course, the will of Emperor Zhu Youxiao.

Zhou Jiamo's face darkened, and he clenched his fist in his sleeve.

Yesterday's warning from Liu Yiju is still ringing in our ears, and now, before the court has even finished its final push, the wind has already shifted.

He suppressed his anger and said calmly, "Seniority, political achievements, and character are all indispensable. Yuan Yingtai has long served on the frontier and has made outstanding contributions. How can someone who has risen through the ranks by chance be compared to him?"

"Xing Jin?"

Zhang Jingshi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, suddenly slammed his fist on the table.

He wants to be a favored minister too!
Sun Chengzong was not in the capital, but in Liaodong. As the first person under the Minister of War, Zhang Jing's family had attended the court recommendation for generations.

As the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, the next step up would be to become a high-ranking official in one of the Six Ministries.

Who doesn't want to take it to the next level?

Given His Majesty's high regard for Sun Chengzong, it's only a matter of time before he enters the cabinet.

After joining the cabinet, who will become the next Minister of War?
it goes without saying!

With Sun Shenxing as his role model, Zhang Jingshi already knew which path to take in the future.

That is the only sun in the sky above the two capitals and thirteen provinces, closely following the great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
Now that the emperor has already hinted that Yuan Keli will be put on the throne, how can he disobey the order?
Therefore, driven by his desire for promotion, Zhang Jingshi fiercely rebuked Zhou Jiamo:
"Yuan Keli was personally appointed by His Majesty. Does Minister Zhou's statement imply that His Majesty's decision was flawed?"

His words were like sharp blades, piercing Zhou Jiamo's heart.

His eyes twitched as he caught a glimpse of Cao Yubian, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, secretly wiping the sweat from his brow, the ink spreading like tadpoles on the draft document.

He was speechless and felt exhausted.

"Vote."

Zhou Jiamo abruptly pushed away the jade paperweight.

The nine wolf-hair brushes rose and fell silently as he wrote "Yuan Yingtai," his brushstrokes sharp as knives.

Your Majesty may kill or torture me as you see fit!
Even if it means death, he would uphold his principles and honor!
Soon, the nine secret letters were written.

The six supervising secret officials and the censors of the Censorate sorted out the nine secret letters, and after confirming that they were correct, they began to open and read them.

As the book was being opened, the ram's horn lamp suddenly dimmed.

Cui Chengxiu shouted the vote in a shrill voice: "Yuan Keli—first vote!"

"Yuan Yingtai—the first vote!"

Upon hearing the name Yuan Yingtai, everyone looked at Zhou Jiamo in shock.

No, you really dare to defy the Emperor's will?
Zhou Jiamo remained expressionless, like a stone.

Cui Chengxiu glanced coldly at Zhou Jiamo, sneered, and continued counting the votes:
"Yuan Keli—second vote!"

"Yuan Keli—the third vote!"

"Yuan Keli—eighth vote!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Cui Chengxiu smiled and said, "Most of you are virtuous ministers who are loyal to the country. His Majesty will surely be pleased to know this."

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamo could no longer hold back.

Zhou Jiamo's sigh, "Eight to one," echoed between the beams.

Is this the general trend?

The vast imperial court is now completely controlled by His Majesty!

Zhou Jiamo suddenly realized that his official hat was askew and his jade belt was loose and hanging down.

The snowflakes drifting in from the window landed on the back of his hand, and he was surprised to find them somewhat hot.

Unbeknownst to many, the Ming Dynasty's heaven...
Things have changed!

(End of this chapter)