Huangming

Chapter 3: Meeting of Cabinet Ministers, Temptation of Cabinet Positions

Cining Palace was the residence of the Crown Prince, and it had three gates in front of it.

The first gate is Huiyin Gate, the second is Linzhi Gate, and the third gate is Ciqing Gate, inside which is Ciqing Palace.

At this moment, a soft, effeminate voice of a eunuch came from inside Cining Palace.

"Your Highness, please have breakfast first so you will have the energy to deal with the matters to come."

Wang Tiqian, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen, had already prepared breakfast, which was now placed on the food table and could be described as a dazzling array.

The dishes include beef, mutton, donkey, pork, roe deer, deer, pheasant, rabbit, aquatic seafood, and wild vegetables; rice dishes include steamed fragrant rice, steamed glutinous rice, steamed millet, rice porridge, Job's tears porridge, and Xiliang rice porridge; pasta dishes include rose, osmanthus, fruit fillings, and oil and sugar; snacks include millet, jujube and bean cake, millet and sorghum cake, barnyard millet, sorghum, mugwort juice, mixed beans, and alfalfa.

No wonder everyone wants to be emperor. One meal for the emperor is equivalent to the annual expenses of the people in the capital.
However, despite the variety of breakfast options, Zhu Youxiao was not happy.

"How can we afford such extravagance during the mourning period?"

Wang Tiqian, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen, was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

"This servant will go and change it right away."

It's no wonder Zhu Youxiao was angry. According to the Ming Dynasty's etiquette and palace dining customs, the emperor's meals during the mourning period were indeed subject to special adjustments.

The succeeding emperor must observe a vegetarian diet for 27 days (in days instead of months), and abstain from meat and fish.

During the mourning period for Emperor Chengzu of Ming, Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi ate only a bowl of plain noodles and a bowl of tofu soup every day for 27 days, which resulted in his "pale complexion".

During the mourning period for the Jiajing Emperor, the Longqing Emperor strictly ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to refrain from eating fresh fruits from the south and to allow only apples and frozen pears stored in northern cellars to be consumed, in order to show that he "did not indulge in the desires of the palate."

During the mourning period for the Wanli Emperor, the Taichang Emperor, who had only recently died, was only served dinner:
Staple foods: vegetarian steamed buns and rice porridge.

Main dishes: Braised Three Delicacies (bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and tofu), and stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.

Soup: Winter melon vegetarian broth.

A vegetarian diet, characterized by simplicity and abstaining from pleasure, embodies the Confucian ethics of "governing the world with filial piety."

This system served both as a way of mourning the late emperor and as a political performance to cultivate an image of benevolence and filial piety in the new ruler.

Zhu Youxiao did not want to be branded as unfilial before even ascending the throne.

Is Wang Tiqian truly stupid or just malicious?

Or was it orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives?
The Imperial Kitchen was responsible for the emperor's meals, and it had to be controlled by family members. Otherwise, if someone secretly poisoned him, then the emperor of the Ming Dynasty would truly be finished.

But Zhu Youxiao changed his mind and did not punish Wang Tiqian; he just watched him with unease.

This person is cunning and treacherous, but there will still be times when he can be of use.

of course
The prerequisite is that this person must be tamed.

"Wang Da Dang".

"The slave is here!"

"The officials in the Wenhua Hall have been waiting for a long time. The Imperial Kitchen prepared some rice porridge and soup and sent it to the Wenhua Hall for the officials to eat."

To gain the gratitude of one's subordinates, it is not enough to rely solely on the emperor's status; regular acts of kindness are also essential.

Enwei has accumulated his influence little by little in this way.

While some court officials formed cliques for personal gain, these cliques were not monolithic, and some were even forced into forming them.

These are all people Zhu Youxiao can win over.

"Your Highness is compassionate, this servant will go and do it right away!" Startled by Zhu Youxiao, Wang Tiqian dared not look up at him, clearly terrified.

Wang An raised an eyebrow and instinctively followed up with flattery: "Your Highness is considerate of the court officials, truly a wise ruler. Our Great Ming is blessed."

The Imperial Kitchen made a mistake in serving the food. Is the head eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen senile? Is the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs also senile?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang An expressionlessly.

I don't know if the Ming Dynasty will be blessed, but you, Wang An, certainly won't.

Wiping his mouth with a silk handkerchief, Zhu Youxiao slowly rose and said, "Let's go out and meet the pillars and backbone of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

In fact, while Zhu Youxiao was having breakfast, the cabinet ministers and Sun Ruyou, the Minister of Rites, had already arrived at Cining Palace.

They waited at least fifteen minutes until Zhu Youxiao finished his breakfast.

But in Cining Palace, no one dared to show any displeasure, and they didn't even dare to talk to each other, communicating only with their eyes.

Zhu Youxiao did not understand these ministers, and likewise, the ministers did not understand their successor.

At this time, no one wanted to be the first to act and leave a bad impression on the heir apparent.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

The eunuch in the inner room shouted in a hoarse voice, and then Zhu Youxiao, dressed in a long robe, came out from the inner room.

"Your Highness, we pay our respects." Zhu Youxiao stepped forward and helped Fang Congzhe up, then said to the crowd, "You are all pillars of the Ming Dynasty, there is no need for such formalities. I am still young and the times are difficult, so I still need your assistance."

While speaking, Zhu Youxiao observed the current cabinet members.

Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe was very old, but his eyes were still quite clear.

Cabinet Minister Liu Yiju stood at the very back of the group of four, his head bowed and eyes lowered.

Han Kuang and Zhu Guozuo openly sized up Zhu Youxiao.

Good grief, he's just staring right at me like that?
What happened to the rule that looking up at the emperor was a capital offense?

Looking up at the emperor with intent to assassinate him, he shall be executed on the spot!
"Left and right, capture these two on the spot!"
of course
Zhu Youxiao could only think about it in his heart. He had not yet ascended the throne and did not have the prestige and control over the court officials that Emperor Shizong had. He could not kill whomever he wanted.

"The late Emperor has passed away. Your Highness, please do not overexert yourself. The two capitals and thirteen provinces of our Great Ming now depend on Your Highness's shoulders. I earnestly hope that Your Highness will take care of your health."

Fang Congzhe was already no match for the Donglin Party during the Wanli era. During Zhu Changluo's reign, his position as Grand Secretary was merely nominal, and he was originally preparing to retire.

But the new emperor seemed different from the late emperor, which stirred up different emotions in his heart.

The imperial heir is exceptionally gifted and insightful, far from the incompetent person rumored to be.

Donglin Party members Liu Yizhu, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, and others could not control him in the palace.

Although the Crown Prince is young, I personally witnessed him in the Cining Palace. His manner of dealing with people and things was not like that of a young man, but rather like that of an old man who had been immersed in officialdom for many years.

As expected of the son of Emperor Shizong, the emperor of our Great Ming Dynasty was born with the majesty of an emperor!
"I am well, so the Grand Secretary need not worry."

Zhu Youxiao wiped away tears with his sleeve, feigning a sorrowful and worried appearance, and said, "With the passing of my late father, many things in the court and beyond are unclear. Fortunately, there is Wang Da Dang in the inner court, and the Grand Secretary and other important officials in the central government. Seeing you all, I feel reassured."

Grand Secretary Han Kuang stepped forward and said, “The late Emperor has passed away suddenly, and all the officials are at a loss. We request Your Highness to ascend the throne in the Wenhua Hall to calm the minds of the officials.”

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "What Lord Han said is very true. However, since I am going to meet with all the officials, I must know some etiquette. So please let Minister Sun explain the details."

Behind the four cabinet members, Sun Ruyou, the Minister of Rites, bowed and stepped forward.

"Your subject, Sun Ruyou, pays his respects to Your Highness."

Sun Ruyou is already seventy years old, in his seventies, and his hands and feet are becoming somewhat unsteady.

"Wang Daban".

"The slave is here!"

Unbeknownst to him, Wang An had changed his self-reference. In the Qianqing Palace, he referred to himself as "臣" (chen, subject), but when he arrived at the Cining Palace, he referred to himself as "奴婢" (nubi, slave).

These eunuchs were adept at treating people differently based on their status, and Zhu Youxiao was used to it.

"You take the Grand Secretary and the other cabinet ministers and go to the Wenhua Hall to wait. I will be there shortly."

Wang An lowered his head, his eyes slightly darting around.

Fang Congzhe immediately bowed to Zhu Youxiao and said, "In that case, we will wait for Your Highness to ascend the throne in the Wenhua Hall!"

When Han Kuang, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, and the others saw that the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet had said so, they had no choice but to bow to Zhu Youxiao and slowly retreat.

But as he left, his eyes unconsciously glanced at Sun Ruyou, with a meaningful look.

"The British Duke remains."

Duke Zhang Weixian of England had been keeping a low profile, and was now trying to slip away when Zhu Youxiao called him back.

The others had different expressions, but they still slowly left Cining Palace.

"Sit down."

At this time, in the inner hall of Cining Palace, besides Zhu Youxiao, there were only Zhang Weixian, Sun Ruyou, and the Grand Eunuch in charge of the Imperial Kitchen.

"This old minister thanks Your Highness for your great kindness."

Sun Ruyou sat with half his buttocks on the seat, his expression slightly hurried.

Duke Zhang Weixian of England remained calm, his head bowed, not daring to directly criticize the successor.

"Sun Qing passed the imperial examination in the 23rd year of the Wanli reign and was then selected as a probationary official to study in the Hanlin Academy. In the 25th year of the Wanli reign, he was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Subsequently, he served as Right Assistant Minister, Imperial Tutor, Junior Tutor, Junior Chamberlain of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Chamberlain, and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. During this period, he presided over the provincial examinations in Huguang and Shuntian Prefecture once each, and served as the head of the Hanlin Academy in both Beijing and the capital once each. By the 45th year of the Wanli reign, he had completed the examinations for the third rank. In the 47th year of the Wanli reign, he was appointed Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to act as the Minister. Is that correct?"

Sun Ruyou was startled, his beard bristling, his heart churning with turmoil, yet he could only utter one word:

"Yes."

Sun Ruyou calmed himself down and pondered the deeper meaning behind the Crown Prince's words.

The heir to the throne grew up deep within the palace, and there was no one capable of serving in the outer court. Yet, when summoning the cabinet ministers, he was specifically kept behind for a talk. Could it be that...?
"The Minister is renowned for his virtue and integrity, and is wise and sincere. He is qualified to enter the Imperial Secretariat. What do you think?"

Just as I expected, just as I expected!
My chance has come, Sun Ruyou!
In the Ming Dynasty, which civil official didn't dream of entering the cabinet?

Now that this opportunity is before him, Sun Ruyou must consider whether it is the only chance he will ever have in his life!
(End of this chapter)