Huangming

Chapter 316 A Heart of Iron, an Enduring Imperial Dynasty

Autumn had already arrived.

The heat of midsummer has dissipated in the warm pavilion, leaving only a just-right coolness, perfect for burying oneself in work.

Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Ming Dynasty was reviewing memorials, his brows showing a rare relaxation that had been absent for days.

The grand ceremony held outside Deshengmen yesterday concluded successfully, and the valor of the soldiers and the jubilation of the people still resonate in his mind.

Zu Dashou's troubles have finally come to an end.

The solution is actually simple and direct.

He instructed Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian to utilize the power of the Imperial Guard to "reason" with the impeachers who were jumping up and down in their accusations.

These officials and courtiers, who seem to be honest and upright, often argue based on "rules of conduct" and "ancestral system," but which of them doesn't have some shady dealings?
Perhaps they embezzled several hundred taels of disaster relief funds, or perhaps they allowed their servants to seize the people's land and houses, or perhaps they secretly colluded with local princes...

The secret agents of the Imperial Guard had already recorded all these details, but they didn't use them on a regular basis; they were just kept for future reference.

Now, with a single decree from the emperor, these "handles" have become the sharpest weapons.

The secret agents of the Eastern Depot quietly visited several officials who were leading the impeachment, either presenting them with a stack of account books recording their corrupt practices, or "unintentionally" mentioning their domineering nephews and nieces.

Without needing to say more, these people were already sweating profusely.

In addition, Zhu Youxiao adopted a tough stance in the imperial court.

By withholding all impeachment memorials from the emperor and even publicly commending Zu Dashou at the suburban celebration, it was clear to everyone that the emperor was determined to protect him. Anyone who dared to provoke him would be going head-to-head with imperial power.

After several rounds of questioning, the clamor of impeachment gradually subsided.

But Zhu Youxiao knew in his heart that this was only a temporary silence.

The resentment among the court officials had been building up in secret for some time, like a volcano about to erupt.

The reason is simple: every single one of his new policies is taking away the vested interests of those who already have them.

The investigation into military farms threatened the interests of princes and nobles; the reform of salt taxes cut off the source of income for the civil service and salt merchants...

The beneficiaries of these new policies are ordinary people and the national treasury, while the victims are the deeply entrenched bureaucratic class.

The reason they are temporarily lying low is simply because of the momentum brought by the great victory in Liaodong, as well as the high-pressure deterrence of the Imperial Guard.

However, if these two things loosen up, for example, if the border war takes another turn, or if the methods of the secret police cause a more intense backlash.

These people will definitely jump out immediately and launch a more fierce counterattack.

Zhu Youxiao looked out the window. The palace walls were majestic, enclosing the Forbidden City tightly, but they could not contain the undercurrents in the court.

He recalled the predicament of the Wanli and Taichang emperors after the Battle of Sarhu.

At that time, any action taken by the emperor was met with attacks from the censors, and he could only compromise and back down, allowing the situation in Liaodong to deteriorate.

If it were a weak monarch, faced with this impeachment, he would probably have already pushed Zu Dashou out as a scapegoat to "appease public anger," and the new policies would naturally have become nothing more than a mirage.

But he won't.

This battle against those who have already benefited from the status quo has only just begun.

The victory in Liaodong was a double-edged sword; it could pave the way for the new policies, but it could also make the country a target of public criticism.

All he could rely on was the imperial power in his hands, the fangs of the imperial guards, and the grassroots forces that yearned for change.

Just as Zhu Youxiao was pondering the next steps, Wei Chao approached quietly and whispered his message:

"Your Majesty, Minister of Revenue Li Changgeng has submitted a memorial requesting an audience with you."

Zhu Youxiao paused slightly in his grip on the pen, looked up at Wei Chao, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He's been avoiding Li Changgeng like the plague these past few days, so why is he suddenly taking the initiative to see him?

He put down the vermilion brush, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the edge of the desk as he pondered to himself.

Is he here to complain about being poor again?

Since the implementation of the new policies, the Ministry of Revenue's money has been spent like water: Liaodong military expenses, drought relief in Shaanxi, emergency repairs to the Yellow River dikes, and replenishment of military equipment for the Beijing garrison...

Everything required money, and Li Changgeng would come to "complain" almost every few days, saying that the treasury was empty or that the princes owed taxes, which gave Zhu Youxiao a headache.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Let him in."

"My slave takes orders."

Wei Chao bowed and withdrew. A short while later, he led Li Changgeng slowly into the East Warm Pavilion.

Li Changgeng was dressed in a scarlet official robe, his beard and hair were neatly combed, but there was a hint of worry between his brows.

As he entered, he bowed deeply to Zhu Youxiao, his movements precise and respectful, yet revealing a cautious and reserved demeanor.

After he kowtowed and stood up, Zhu Youxiao did not, as usual, instruct the eunuchs to offer him a seat, but simply looked at him indifferently.

Li Changgeng's heart sank, and he immediately understood.

The emperor doesn't want to see him.

That's true. Every time he comes, it's never anything good. He either wants money or to cut expenses. Anyone would be too lazy to deal with that.

But as the Minister of Revenue, in charge of the nation's finances, he had to say certain things, even if the emperor didn't like them.

He composed himself, stroked his short beard, and stepped forward with a forced smile. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come here today to discuss the military expenses for Liaodong."

"Military expenses in Liaodong?"

Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly; as expected, he still couldn't get away from money.

He waited patiently for what would happen next.

Li Changgeng, seemingly oblivious to the emperor's displeasure, continued, "Since the Battle of Sarhu, the number of troops stationed in Liaodong has increased dramatically, and guest troops (armies transferred from other provinces) have gathered in droves, resulting in enormous military expenditures. Although most of the expenses this year have been covered by the imperial treasury, the Ministry of Revenue has also advanced nearly one million taels of silver. Not to mention the countless losses incurred in mobilizing laborers from various regions to transport grain, fodder, and military equipment, which have already depleted the nation's strength."

He paused, his tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty: "Now that the Jurchens have achieved a great victory at Hetu Ala, their strength has been severely weakened, and they are unlikely to be able to invade the south for the time being. I dare to ask Your Majesty, is it possible... to withdraw a portion of the troops from Liaodong?"

The moment these words were spoken, the warm pavilion fell silent.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright on the throne, looking calmly at Li Changgeng.

He certainly understood what Li Changgeng meant.

Withdrawing the troops from the frontier would not only reduce military expenditures but also allow laborers to return to their hometowns to farm, thus relieving pressure on the national treasury.

But he knew even better that the situation in Liaodong was far from a time when it was time to relax.

Although Nurhaci suffered a severe blow, his foundation was not completely destroyed; Huang Taiji and others were eyeing him covetously and could make a comeback at any time.

Withdrawing troops at this time would undoubtedly give the Jurchens a chance to regroup, and might even cause their previous victories to be lost.

"Does Minister Li believe that once Hetu Ala is captured, Liaodong will be at peace?"

Zhu Youxiao's voice was not loud, but it carried a hint of coldness.

"The main force of the Jurchens has not been damaged, the Mongol tribes are still observing, and Xiong Tingbi's defense line in Shenyang is not yet secure... Is withdrawing the guest troops at this time intended to leave Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong to fight alone?"

Li Changgeng was momentarily speechless at the question, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, but he still insisted:
"Your Majesty, I am not trying to leave Liaodong without troops, but... the national treasury is simply not going to hold up. The disasters in Shaanxi and Henan have not yet subsided, and the salt tax reform in Jiangnan has affected the interests of salt merchants. Tax revenue has been delayed in being deposited into the treasury. If this continues, I'm afraid that before the Jurchens even attack, the treasury of our Great Ming will be empty!"

As he spoke, he knelt down abruptly, his voice trembling with tears: "I know that withdrawing the troops is risky, but the Ministry of Revenue really has no money left! If we continue to hold on, I fear there will be uprisings in various places!"

Zhu Youxiao looked at Li Changgeng kneeling on the ground, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He knew that Li Changgeng was telling the truth; the empty treasury was an undeniable fact, but the defenses in Liaodong could not be relaxed either.

It's like walking on a tightrope; one wrong step and you're doomed.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice tinged with weariness but unusually firm: "The guest troops in Liaodong cannot be withdrawn."

Liaodong did indeed win a resounding victory. Hetu Ala burned down the Jurchen's dragon vein and temporarily stabilized the chaotic situation in Liaodong.

But to suggest retreating now and watching Nurhaci gather his remaining forces and recover his strength would be utterly absurd.

Zhu Youxiao understood the principle of beating a drowning dog better than anyone else.

The Jurchens are like weeds; if we don't seize this opportunity to uproot them, they will only make a comeback once they recover, and the price we pay then will be ten or a hundred times greater than it is today.

However, Li Changgeng's words were not entirely without reason.

It is an undeniable fact that the national treasury is empty, and even the imperial treasury will eventually run out of money.

Disaster relief efforts across the country, the reorganization of the Beijing garrison, and the repair of river works...

They're all asking for money.

If this continues, the Ming Dynasty's finances will likely collapse before the Jurchens even attack.

The crux of the problem ultimately boils down to the four words "increase revenue and reduce expenditure".

Open source, the first thing to be affected is the salt tax.

Zhu Youxiao recalled the numbers he had seen while reviewing old files, and his anger could no longer be contained.

Today, the annual salt tax of the Ming Dynasty is only a little over one million taels, but in the later Qing Dynasty, the salt fields of Lianghuai alone could collect tens of millions of taels a year.

The same salt fields and the same production and transportation system have such a huge disparity. What other explanation could there be but salt merchants colluding with officials and evading taxes?
Those salt merchants who dominated the Jiangnan region were incredibly wealthy, yet they complained of poverty every year, shifting the tax burden onto the people. This lucrative business had to be taken.

To cut costs, we must shave the rotten parts out at the root. The border military system, for example, is the biggest sieve.

Even though he personally oversaw Liaodong, the wages and rewards issued by the imperial court were deducted at each level, and less than three-quarters of them actually reached the soldiers.

The fact that those officers dared to tamper with things right under his nose shows how deep-seated the problems were.

If Liaodong is in such a state, the situation in the other nine important border towns is even more dire.

It was an open secret that officers in Xuanfu and Datong were falsely reporting troop numbers and embezzling military pay; in Gansu and Ningxia, military farms were being embezzled by officers, forcing soldiers to beg for a living...

If these malignant tumors are not eradicated, no matter how much money is poured in, it will only fill the pockets of corrupt officials.

These things cannot be reversed by a single victory.

Zhu Youxiao rubbed his throbbing temples, his gaze falling on the memorial on the table concerning "reducing redundant border troops".

This requires the courage to undergo radical reform and a step-by-step approach to change things.

From investigating military records and verifying land reclamation to severely punishing corruption and purging generals, every step touches the nerves of those with vested interests, and every step may provoke a fierce backlash.

He recalled the secret report sent by Wei Zhongxian, which said that salt merchants in Jiangnan had secretly contacted several censors and were preparing to impeach the officials who were implementing the salt tax reform.

It is also said that the generals of the nine border regions have been traveling frequently recently, seemingly in concert to resist the military registration investigation.

Indeed, reform is always a tough battle.

Fortunately, he had already laid out his plans both openly and secretly: generals such as Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou were completely devoted to him, and the Beijing garrison had been trained to be elite under Yuan Keli's command, enough to deter villains.

Within the inner court, although Wei Zhongxian, Wang Tiqian, and others each had their own agendas, they were all firmly under his control. The secret agents of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Eunuch were spread throughout the capital, and no movement could escape his notice.

With this arrangement, even if some petty person were to try something desperate, they would have no chance.

For Zhu Youxiao, the determination to reform was already firmly established in his heart.

Anyone or any force that dares to stand in the way of the new policy will be swept into the dustbin of history without hesitation.

Even if these hands are covered in mud, even if this road is fraught with thorns.

Of course, all of this must be done by starting with the details.

Zhu Youxiao did not set his sights too high, but continued to review memorials while pondering how to solve the financial problems.

As for Li Changgeng, he naturally took his leave with a bitter expression.

time flies.

It was getting late at night.

The candle on the table had burned down to almost nothing, leaving a thick layer of wax dripping from it.

Zhu Youxiao rubbed his sore eyes and was about to stretch when Wei Chao tiptoed in and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent someone to inquire that it is late and requests that Your Majesty move to Kunning Palace to rest."

Upon hearing the word "Empress," Zhu Youxiao's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he realized how exhausted he was, along with a feeling of emptiness in his stomach.

He nodded: "Understood, prepare to proceed to Kunning Palace."

A warm late-night snack had already been prepared in Kunning Palace. Empress Zhang Yan was sitting by the window waiting. When she saw Zhu Youxiao enter, she quickly got up to greet him.

She wore a moon-white palace dress today, without much makeup. Her beautiful face appeared even more gentle in the candlelight, but there was a hint of obvious heartache in her eyes.

"His Majesty."

She stepped forward and took the outer robe that Zhu Youxiao had taken off. Her fingertips touched his slightly cool wrist, and she said softly, "There is a limit to diligence in governance. Even an iron body can't withstand staying up this late every night."

Zhu Youxiao felt a warmth in his heart when he saw her concerned eyes, and smiled, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He allowed the palace maids to help him remove his heavy dragon robe and change into light everyday clothes. He then turned around, opened his arms, and picked Zhang Yan up in his arms.

"ah!"

Zhang Yan gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She gave him a reproachful look but didn't struggle.

Zhu Youxiao carried her into the bedchamber and gently tossed her onto the bed covered with brocade.

The brocade quilt bounced up and fell back down, carrying a faint fragrance that lingered between the two of them.

Zhang Yan lay on her side, her black hair scattered on the pillow, her face flushed as she scolded, "Your Majesty is becoming more and more reckless."

Zhu Youxiao leaned closer, his nose almost touching her cheek, his voice husky with a hint of teasing: "My good Empress, you've been dealing with all the troubles of the day, and you're in a bad mood. Tell me, how should you put out my fire?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's face turned even redder, and even the roots of her ears turned crimson.

She raised her hand to cover her face, her voice barely audible: "Your Majesty... you're so improper..."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhu Youxiao had already leaned down and kissed her lips.

The sharpness he displayed in the imperial court and the solemnity he showed while reviewing memorials have now transformed into tender affection, tinged with an irresistible passion.

Zhang Yan's scolding was quickly replaced by soft panting. The flickering candlelight cast indistinct shadows on the dragon and phoenix pattern on the curtains.

The night outside the window grew deeper, but the candlelight inside the Kunning Palace seemed to shine even brighter.

The palace maids and eunuchs outside the hall had already quietly retreated, leaving only warmth and tranquility in the room, keeping the power struggles and battles of the day outside the heavy palace walls.

After a long while, the candlelight dimmed, the curtains fell low, and the hall finally fell silent, with only their steady breathing remaining.

"Your Majesty, there is something I must tell you."

Zhang Yan nestled in Zhu Youxiao's arms, her cheeks still flushed, but her tone gradually became calmer and more serious.

Zhu Youxiao was still catching his breath when he heard this and casually asked, "What is it?"

Zhang Yan raised her hand to tidy her slightly disheveled hair, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, and said softly, "Palace maid Zhao Qingyue is pregnant, already more than three months along."

"what?"

Zhu Youxiao was startled, then his eyes lit up with surprise, and he sat up straight, his breathing becoming rapid.

"sure?"

Since his ascension to the throne, although he has favored several palace maids, no good news has come, which inevitably makes him secretly anxious.

The royal family values ​​offspring above all else, especially during times of internal and external troubles. The birth of a royal heir not only ensures the continuation of the bloodline but also brings peace of mind to the people.

Seeing his excitement, Zhang Yan quickly nodded: "Your Majesty has already had someone check carefully. The Imperial Concubine's Record shows that His Majesty visited her on March 20th this year, and the Imperial Daily Record has also been checked, the date matches perfectly. The Imperial Physician also said after examining her pulse that it is indeed a pregnancy pulse."

In other words, his bloodline finally came into the palace.

Zhu Youxiao felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, and the fatigue from handling government affairs for days seemed to dissipate.

His hard work these past few days has finally paid off; otherwise, he would have secretly wondered if there was something wrong with his health.

He reached out and stroked Zhang Yan's hair, his tone full of satisfaction: "Good, good!"

"Then... how does Your Majesty intend to handle this matter?" Zhang Yan looked up at him, her eyes clear.

Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment, then asked, "What does the Empress think?"

Zhang Yan sat up, straightened her clothes, and said solemnly, "According to the ancestral rules, since Zhao is pregnant with the emperor's child, she should be promoted to the rank of concubine. However, since she comes from a palace maid background, promoting her too high in one step may cause controversy. Let's start with 'Jieyu' or 'Guiyi'. In addition, we need to assign someone to take care of her diet and daily life, and the imperial physicians should also conduct regular check-ups. We must not make any mistakes."

She had considered everything thoroughly, adhering to etiquette, preserving the royal family's dignity, and highlighting the most crucial security matters.

Zhu Youxiao nodded approvingly: "Do as the Empress says. Confer the title of 'Noble Consort,' a rank above that of Jieyu. As for the caregivers, select a few reliable nannies from your palace. I trust you."

Zhang Yanwen replied obediently, "Your Majesty, I obey."

Looking at her composed and dignified demeanor, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

Even eunuchs like Wei Chao and Wei Zhongxian, who spent all their time in the palace, were unaware of Zhao Qingyue's pregnancy. Clearly, Zhang Yan had deliberately suppressed it until she was certain before telling him.

This shows that the Empress had long since managed the inner palace in an orderly manner, and was able to keep such private matters under her complete control.

With such a calm, capable, and unambitious empress in charge of the inner palace, he was able to handle the complex affairs of state without any worries.

If the inner palace is stable, then the outer court will be at peace.

Zhu Youxiao understood this principle better than anyone else.

He lay back down, pulled Zhang Yan back into his arms, and said in a much gentler tone, "You've worked hard on the affairs of the harem."

Zhang Yan shook her head, nestled against his chest, and whispered, "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, and your mind should be on state affairs. The affairs of the harem are simply my duty, how can they be considered hard work? Being able to share some of Your Majesty's burdens makes me feel at ease."

Looking at Zhang Yan, whose eyes were sparkling in his arms, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel a pang of pity and admiration.

She was clearly only a fourteen-year-old girl, with a hint of naivety in her eyes, yet she acted with such composure and grace, managing the harem in an orderly manner that even he felt inferior to her.

He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her smooth forehead hard, his tone teasing yet filled with genuine expectation: "It seems that simply getting others pregnant with the imperial heir is not enough; the most urgent matter right now is for you, Empress, to give birth to a son for me as soon as possible."

Zhang Yan blushed at his words and was about to scold him when he turned her over and pinned her down.

The heat that had just subsided reignited, the curtains swayed gently, the candlelight flickered, and ripples rose again on the dragon bed.

The girl's soft murmur and the emperor's low laughter intertwined, like a melodious yet passionate musical movement, echoing in the quiet autumn night.

Kunning Palace was destined to be sleepless that night.

(End of this chapter)