Huangming

Chapter 520 No food in the box, Hokusai serves the emperor in bed.

Zhu Youxiao stared at Zhou Miaoxuan, who was still kneeling on the ground below, his eyes deep and his thoughts churning.

Liu Yiju may not have been directly involved in the specific planning of using the secret seal to report the crime and frame others. The flaws in his confession and the clues obtained from the interrogation by the Eastern Depot all confirm his "ignorance".

But Zhu Youxiao did not believe for a second that this matter had nothing to do with him.

"Do you really think that the newly established Fushe Society, with its group of pedantic scholars, has the ability to stir up trouble in the capital?"

Zhu Youxiao's voice was not loud, but it carried a penetrating insight.

"Their foundation is not yet stable. They have neither military power nor connections in the capital. The influence of the gentry in Jiangnan is far in the south. They cannot stir up any trouble under the emperor's nose."

Zhou Miaoxuan raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

She never thought about these things, only assuming that the members of the Fushe Society were acting out of righteous indignation.

"But they were able to move freely in the capital, which was under strict curfew, and use places like the Manchun Courtyard as cover to send secret messages and even precisely avoid the patrols and defenses of the Five Cities Garrison."

Zhu Youxiao stopped in his tracks, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"Without the secret assistance of powerful and influential people in the capital, how could they have accomplished this on their own?"

And this person, after much thought, is most likely Liu Yijuan.

Zhu Youxiao had already sketched out Liu Yizhu's situation and thoughts in his mind:
Liu Yi-ju, as the Vice Premier of the Cabinet, was originally a key member of the Donglin Party. However, since he ascended the throne, all the new policies he implemented were aimed at consolidating imperial power and breaking the old system.

In my eyes, ancestral rules and rites have never been a constraint. As long as they benefit the Ming Dynasty and the people, they can be changed or broken.

This behavior had already made Liu Yiju, who adhered to the old rules, resentful.

Not to mention that after the incident of Han Kuang kneeling to remonstrate, Han Kuang was exiled to Qiongzhou, and Liu Yizhu completely lost the emperor's favor.

With the cabinet power now entirely in the hands of Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, the newly appointed Sun Ruyou, Li Ruhua, and the reinstated Ye Xianggao have divided up the remaining authority, rendering Fang's position as Vice Premier a mere figurehead.

With power slipping away and ambitions thwarted, one can only imagine the frustration and resentment in his heart.

“Jiangnan was originally the foundation of Liu Yiju.”

Zhu Youxiao's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

"I allowed Wang Haoxian to act in Jiangnan, ostensibly to clean up those powerful gentry who exploited the people and evaded taxes, but it also caused great losses to his fellow townsmen, friends, students and former officials."

Though he didn't say it aloud, the resentment in his heart had probably already reached its limit.

With multiple disappointments intertwined, it's not hard to guess Liu Yizhu's thoughts.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhou Miaoxuan with a complicated expression:
"These high-ranking ministers, who usually spout the teachings of sages and always prioritize the country and the people's livelihood, are ultimately more swayed by self-interest and the desire for fame than by the principles in the books of sages."

Liu Yizhuo may not have intended to betray the Ming Dynasty; he simply wanted to use the Fushe Society to achieve his own goals.

If the Fushe Society's plan succeeds, the emperor, under pressure from "divine wrath and popular resentment," will back down and slow down the implementation of the new policies. He will then be able to stand up as the "leader of the upright officials," mediate between the court and the public, advise the emperor and his father, and regain real power in the cabinet.

If the Fushe Society fails and the conspiracy is exposed, Liu Yiju will be the loyal minister who is "wrongfully accused and wronged." Even if he dies, he can still earn the reputation of "dying for his principles by speaking out against injustice," leaving his name in history and being remembered for generations.

"Ha ha……"

Zhu Youxiao chuckled softly, his laughter filled with disappointment and helplessness.

"These people are only concerned with their own fame and fortune, and with the historical evaluations they will receive after their death. They have forgotten that I am implementing new policies not to consolidate power for the sake of consolidation, but to fill the treasury of the Ming Dynasty, to provide land for displaced people to cultivate and food to eat, and to prevent foreign enemies from invading the borders!"

He walked to the palace window, his gaze distant:
"They only saw that the gentry in Jiangnan had gone bankrupt, but they did not see the common people whose families were destroyed by the gentry's land annexation and exorbitant taxes."

He only thought about his own loss of power and frustration, never considering that the Ming Dynasty was upheld by millions of ordinary people!

Zhou Miaoxuan knelt on the ground, listening to Zhu Youxiao's words, her heart filled with turbulent waves.

She had always thought that the Fushe Society was for "correcting wrongs" and saving the people of Jiangnan, but now, after listening to His Majesty's analysis, she realized that there was such a complex power struggle behind it.

How could a seemingly upright Grand Secretary like Liu Yizhuo secretly condone or even support such a plot to disrupt the court for the sake of fame and fortune?

Zhu Youxiao turned around, his gaze returning to Zhou Miaoxuan, and his tone returned to calm.

"You stay by my side and observe. See if I am the tyrant you speak of, and see if these ministers who spout sagehood are truly acting for the Ming Dynasty or for their own benefit."

Zhou Miaoxuan raised her eyes, her gaze still carrying a hint of wariness, like a fawn that had been startled and had not yet let its guard down.

She looked at the young emperor before her, her tone stiff.

"Your Majesty has spared my life, but please do not harm loyal and virtuous people again in the future."

"Loyal and virtuous?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao chuckled, his laughter tinged with mockery.

"Tell me then, in your eyes, what is loyalty and integrity? And who truly deserves the title of 'loyal and integrity'?"

"A loyal and virtuous person is one who is devoted to the country, cares for the people, and possesses high moral character!"

Zhou Miaoxuan straightened her back, her eyes flashing with an almost stubborn light.

"Mr. Qian Qianyi of Yushan was well-read and cared deeply for the people of Jiangnan. He worked tirelessly for the Fushe Society, all for the sake of bringing peace to the world. He was truly a loyal and virtuous man!"

But His Majesty executed him on trumped-up charges; how is this any different from that of a tyrannical ruler?

"Hahaha!!!"

Zhu Youxiao suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world.

He laughed for a long time before gradually stopping, his gaze turning sharp as he looked at Zhou Miaoxuan.

Zhou Miaoxuan's cheeks flushed red from his laughter, her red lips were tightly clenched, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

For a fleeting moment, she was shaken by the emperor's profound analysis of his lust for power, and almost thought that he might not be the tyrant he was rumored to be.

But at this moment, his disrespectful attitude towards loyal and virtuous officials clearly makes him appear to be a foolish and incompetent ruler who cannot distinguish right from wrong!
Why is Your Majesty laughing?

She suppressed her anger and questioned him.

"Unfounded?"

Zhu Youxiao's smile vanished, and his tone suddenly turned cold.

"Qian Qianyi colluded with the gentry of Jiangnan, secretly communicated with the Fushe Society, fabricated treasonous reports, and slandered the emperor and father, intending to obstruct the new policies and shake the foundation of the country. Every single one of these cases has a pile of evidence in the Eastern Depot's files. How could it be considered a fabrication?"

He stepped forward, looking down at her with disdain in his eyes:
"Furthermore, was Qian Qianyi considered a loyal and virtuous man?"

Zhu Youxiao sneered inwardly.

He knew this person's true nature well; the later saying "the water is too cold to swim in" had already exposed his hypocritical face.

He appeared to be a renowned Confucian scholar, but in reality, he was a fame-seeker who abandoned the Ming Dynasty for the Qing Dynasty when the country was in peril. Even his disciple Zheng Chenggong was hurt by his integrity and his values ​​were shattered.

"This hypocrite, who spent his days frequenting brothels and indulging in sensual pleasures, was seen by these blinded scholars as a model of high moral character and loyalty who cared for the world."

Only now did Zhu Youxiao truly understand how terrifying the power of public opinion could be, and that he still had a long way to go in the battle of public opinion.

Today, the Huangming Daily can convey the emperor's voice and promote the benefits of the new policies in the capital, Shuntian Prefecture, and Beizhili area, but its influence is greatly reduced once it goes beyond this area.

In the Jiangnan region, the discourse was still controlled by the gentry and literati. They distorted the truth, confused right and wrong, portrayed themselves as victims, and slandered him as a tyrant for implementing the new policies.

Fortunately, he had already begun making plans.

The Disaster Relief Department went deep into the disaster area to provide relief to the victims and explain the new policies.

The Qingtian Division was deeply rooted in the grassroots, measuring land and cracking down on powerful local tyrants.

There were also secret agents and spies stationed throughout the country, gathering information and passing on messages.

These deeply ingrained organizational structures were not only a powerful tool for him to implement his new policies, but also a magic weapon for him to control public opinion at the grassroots level and break the monopoly of the aristocratic class.

In the end, the scholars of the Fushe Society who talked about principles in vain, and ministers like Liu Yizhu who harbored resentment and were obsessed with fame, were nothing more than grasshoppers in autumn, and they wouldn't be able to jump around for long.

Once his new policies take root across the country, once ordinary people truly feel the benefits of the new policies, and once his public opinion campaign is fully launched, these people's lies will naturally crumble on their own.

Having thought all this through, Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhou Miaoxuan, who still looked unconvinced, and felt even more confident.

“You woman, you are ridiculously naive. From beginning to end, you have only been a pawn in someone else’s hands, used to spread rumors and frame loyal people. Now that the pawn is no longer useful and has been discarded like trash, you are still here cheering for them and counting money for them.”

Zhou Miaoxuan's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she gripped the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands.

She wanted to argue, to scream, but found herself unable to find a single powerful word.

At this moment, Qian Qianyi's image and the original intention of the Fushe Society began to become blurred.

But her stubbornness made her unwilling to give in easily; she just bit her lip tightly and looked at Zhu Youxiao with complicated eyes.

Zhu Youxiao was too lazy to argue with her anymore.

The emperor's time has always been extremely precious.

There were still mountains of memorials waiting for his review in the court, he needed to make decisions on the aftermath of the Jiangnan region, and he still needed to keep a close eye on the implementation of the new policies. As the emperor, he could not be idle for a moment.

"You take care of yourself."

Zhu Youxiao uttered a sentence, turned around and strode away, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the ground, leaving a series of steady footsteps.

He ignored Zhou Miaoxuan's conflicted expression and walked straight out of the hall.

mock up!

There will naturally come a time when you will voluntarily lay down your armor and serve me!
Inside the hall, Zhou Miaoxuan knelt alone, her mind in turmoil.

Zhu Youxiao's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

As she watched the emperor depart, the wariness and hatred in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by an increasingly deep sense of confusion and bewilderment.

Is it...

Was she really being used the whole time?
Is Mr. Yushan really as incompetent as Your Majesty says?
And this emperor, whom she denounced as a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, was he really working for the well-being of the people?
Countless questions flooded her mind, leaving her momentarily at a loss for what to do.

the other side.

At 1:15 PM.

The sunlight slanted across the glazed tiles of Wenyuan Pavilion, making the vermilion pillars inside appear even more imposing.

Liu Yi-jing, the Vice Premier of the Cabinet, sat upright at his desk, which was piled high with documents submitted by various ministries and departments. Drafts of imperial edicts with still-wet ink lay open in the center, but the vermilion pen in his hand remained suspended above the paper for a long time without being touched.

His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze falling on the report on "disaster relief in Jiangnan," yet it seemed to pierce through the pages, drifting towards the Jiangnan water towns thousands of miles away.

The rumors about the bankruptcy of the gentry and the rise of displaced people pierced his mind like needles, making it difficult for him to concentrate even on the most familiar tasks of reviewing documents and drafting imperial edicts.

The once well-organized government affairs had become chaotic and disorderly, and every word revealed the suffering of the people of Jiangnan and reflected his helplessness.

As dusk approached, the palace lanterns inside the pavilion were already lit.

Liu Yizhu finally put down his vermilion brush, hastily tidied up the documents on his desk, but instead of drafting the agenda for the next day as usual, he simply got up, straightened the wrinkles in his court robes, and hurriedly walked towards the palace gate, his steps revealing a hint of barely concealed anxiety.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Ye Xianggao, who was on duty in the next room.

He had just finished reviewing a memorial concerning the military pay for the Nine Garrisons when he looked up and saw Liu Yizhu's hurried figure, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

The case of Liu Yijun's unauthorized reporting and slander of the emperor has long been settled, and His Majesty has cleared Liu Yijun's name. Logically, he should be at ease.

But his absent-mindedness and eagerness to leave the palace today clearly indicate that he has something very important on his mind.

With doubts growing in his mind, Ye Xianggao simply quickened his pace, finished the remaining trivial matters quickly, and then got up and chased after them.

Outside the palace gates, the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows of the two people.

Just as Liu Yiju was about to step into the waiting carriage, Ye Xianggao's voice came from behind him:
"Lord Liu, please wait!"

Liu Yiju stopped at the sound, turned around, and saw that it was Ye Xianggao. He forced a smile.
"Lord Ye, why are you in such a hurry? Is there anything you wish to do?"

"Commands are out of the question."

Ye Xianggao strode forward, his gaze falling on his slightly haggard face, his tone tinged with concern.

"Just now I saw that Lord Liu looked solemn and walked hurriedly, as if he had something on his mind. I wonder what happened?"

Liu Yiju shook his head slightly, a trace of melancholy flashing in his eyes, his voice low and deep:
"As a subject, I receive the emperor's salary, yet I cannot correct His Majesty's mistakes and can only watch helplessly as the people of Jiangnan are plunged into suffering. This is truly a sin!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Xianggao was immediately puzzled.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and the new policies you have implemented are all for the long-term stability and prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

We assist Your Majesty in rectifying the court and pacifying the local areas. Aren't our actions precisely aimed at upholding the state and showing compassion for the people?

How can it be said that it 'cannot be corrected'?

"Correct?"

Liu Yiju suddenly raised his voice, his tone filled with excitement and resentment.

"The problems in Jiangnan are deep-seated issues such as land grabbing and tax evasion by gentry. If handled properly, initial results can be seen within a year."

But now?

The delay lasted for half a year, and the entire Jiangnan region was thrown into chaos. Petty people like Wang Haoxian had actually gained power, and there were refugees everywhere, with people living in misery!
What have we cabinet ministers done? We've only stood by and watched!

"Be careful!"

Ye Xianggao quickly looked around and saw that the guards outside the palace gates were all standing far away and no one was approaching, so he lowered his voice and said:

"Lord Liu is foolish! His Majesty is not unaware of the chaos in Jiangnan, but what he wants is not temporary relief, but complete control of Jiangnan!"

The powerful clans of Jiangnan are deeply entrenched, and their problems are deeply entrenched. Without drastic measures, how can this deadlock be broken?

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly earnest:
"Has Lord Liu forgotten how rampant the Jurchens were in Liaodong? His Majesty used swift and decisive measures to strengthen the army and suppress them in just a few years."

The land reform in Beizhili affected the interests of many powerful families, but His Majesty overruled objections and carried it out to the end, resulting in increased revenue for the national treasury and benefits for the people.

The nine border regions had long been neglected, but Your Majesty, with your discerning eye and ability to appoint capable officials, has gradually reorganized them, and now the borders are secure.

"Your Majesty always plans carefully before acting; the stability of Jiangnan is only a matter of time."

"A time issue?"

Liu Yiju gave a bitter smile, his eyes filled with worry.

"To control a region, he imprisoned tens of millions of people. Can such actions be considered those of a benevolent ruler?"

Ye Xianggao remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking:

“In times of chaos, strong medicine is needed. Although Your Majesty’s move may seem harsh, it is for the long term.”

Once the power base of the Jiangnan gentry is completely destroyed and the new policies take root, the people will naturally be able to live and work in peace and contentment.

"But His Majesty's ambition is too great!"

Liu Yiju's voice trembled slightly.

"The nation is of paramount importance, the emperor is secondary. His Majesty is indeed wise and mighty, but he is too wise, and too daring!"

Breaking with ancestral traditions, reforming Confucianism, building up the navy, expanding territory...

Each and every one of these actions was earth-shattering.

He gazed at the towering outline of the palace walls in the distance, his eyes filled with a complex expression:
"Emperor Wu of Han was a man of great talent and ambition, but he squandered the nation's resources."

Emperor Yang of Sui expanded the territory, ultimately leading to widespread chaos.

Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, but his dynasty lasted only two generations.

These precedents are still fresh in our minds.

"I wonder whether Your Majesty's ambition is a blessing or a curse for the people of our Great Ming!"

The sun sank completely into the western hills, and twilight enveloped the Forbidden City.

Looking at Liu Yizhu's worried profile, Ye Xianggao felt a ripple in his heart.

Liu Yiju's concerns were not entirely unfounded.

His Majesty's methods are too ruthless, and his ambitions are too grand. His unwavering determination is indeed both awe-inspiring and unsettling.

But he knew even better that the Ming Dynasty was riddled with deep-seated problems, and if it did not undergo thorough reform, it would only be waiting for its demise.

His Majesty's choice may be the only way for the Ming Dynasty to survive.

"Lord Liu".

Ye Xianggao patted him on the shoulder, his tone heavy.

"His Majesty has his own plans. As his subjects, all we can do is to assist him to the best of our ability and offer timely advice when he makes mistakes. As for what the future holds, how can we say?"

Ye Xianggao adjusted his scarlet official robe and continued to gently persuade him:

"Lord Liu has been working hard for days and doesn't look very well. He should get some rest for the night. He still has to deal with draft documents and assist in government affairs tomorrow. His health is the most important thing."

He thought to himself that Liu Yijuan's melancholy must be because of the execution of several scholars from the Fushe Society the day before for privately reporting slander against the emperor and father.

Those young men acted radically, and most of them were from Jiangnan. Liu Gong had always cherished talent, so he must have been heartbroken by this.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yijing slowly shook his head, a hint of weariness and melancholy flashing in his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse:

"Court affairs? How many court affairs in the Wenyuan Pavilion are truly under our control these days?"

As the Second Grand Secretary, he was originally a key figure who, along with the Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao, was stationed at the highest decision-making center of the Ming Dynasty.

According to the system, the second-ranking minister should assist the chief minister in participating in state affairs. Every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), he should read the memorials sent by the Office of Transmission with the cabinet ministers, speak first during the meeting to explain the advantages and disadvantages, assist the chief minister in reviewing the drafts, and then jointly submit them to the emperor for approval.

Drafting documents, managing archives, coordinating six departments, and preparing for ceremonies—which of these is not within the scope of the Vice Minister's duties?
But now, these responsibilities have become mere empty formalities.

"His Majesty is diligent in his duties, reviewing nearly two hundred memorials a day."

"Our cabinet's so-called draft proposals are nothing more than a copy of His Majesty's pre-selected ideas, without even the slightest room for addition or subtraction."

The cabinet was originally established to assist the monarch in governing and to advise on state affairs; now, this power to draft proposals has long been rendered meaningless.

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more indignant:
"Not to mention His Majesty's newly established Inner Court Affairs Department, all memorials related to military affairs are handled by those newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and close ministers, and we don't even have the right to review them."

They are young and impetuous, unaware of the difficulties on the border and the complexities of government affairs. They act solely according to His Majesty's wishes. How can this continue? Ye Xianggao remained silent upon hearing this.

How could he not know?

Liu Yiju was telling the truth.

Since ascending the throne, Emperor Tianqi has changed the trend of previous emperors neglecting their duties, personally handling everything, but also seizing power everywhere.

The cabinet was originally an important force to check and balance the emperor's power, but now the emperor not only personally reviews a massive number of memorials, but also sets up an inner court agency to divert power. It is clear that he dislikes the cabinet's power and wants to gradually take power back into his own hands.

Liu Yiju gazed at the twilight gradually settling outside the window and sighed wistfully.
"Enough, enough, there's no point in saying more."

He turned around and bowed to Ye Xianggao, his movements revealing a hint of weakness.

"Lord Ye should also return to his residence and rest early."

After speaking, he boarded the sedan chair with the help of the eunuchs. The sedan chair bearers slowly lifted it and headed towards the Liu residence.

The sedan curtain fell, obscuring his lonely figure and blocking out the last rays of sunlight from the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Ye Xianggao stood in front of the pavilion, watching the palanquin gradually disappear into the distance, and sighed softly.

The wind swirled up the fallen leaves on the ground, carrying a sense of desolation.

He recalled how powerful the cabinet was during Zhang Juzheng's time as regent. Not only did they oversee court affairs, but they also had a say in the emperor's daily life and the Crown Prince's lectures. At that time, the cabinet truly deserved to be called "the head of all officials and the central authority of state affairs."

But now?

It is a good thing that the emperor is diligent in his duties. Many ministers once wrote to His Majesty, urging him to personally manage state affairs, hoping that the Ming Dynasty could regain its order and discipline.

But when such a hands-on, all-powerful emperor appeared, the cabinet became a dispensable decoration, and even he, a cabinet minister, often felt at a loss.

"A new emperor brings a new court."

Ye Xianggao muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Forbidden City, where lights were gradually coming on, illuminating the grandeur and solemnity of the imperial city.

As long as Your Majesty's actions are for the stability of the Ming Dynasty and for the people to live and work in peace, what does it matter if the power of the cabinet is slightly reduced or if Your Majesty occasionally goes astray?
It remains to be seen how long this situation of absolute imperial power can sustain the Ming Dynasty.

As dusk settled, Liu Yiju's sedan chair slowly came to a stop in front of the mansion gate.

The vermilion gate was already wide open, and the steward and a group of servants bowed to greet them. However, their usually attentive smiles today revealed a hint of undisguised unease.

He stepped into the mansion along the bluestone path.

Just as he settled into his study, his personal steward rushed in, beads of sweat on his forehead, his voice barely audible:
"Master, something terrible has happened! There have been many Imperial Guards and Eastern Depot agents guarding the street corners and alleyways outside the mansion for the past few days. They all have sharp eyes and seem to be up to no good!"

"Oh?"

Liu Yijuan picked up the hot tea served by the maid. The rising steam blurred the expression in his eyes, but his eyebrows were slightly raised.

He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.

It seems His Majesty has finally come to his senses.

Although he was not directly involved in the private reports that slandered the emperor and father, he was already aware of them.

Those scholars from the Fushe Society were incredibly audacious. They used the printing of private newspapers to criticize the government and subtly satirize His Majesty's monopolization of power. The person who helped them get in touch and provided them with secret printing locations was none other than his former subordinates whom he had introduced.

If this matter were to be exposed, failing to report it would be a serious crime, let alone the fact that he was indirectly involved.

But why hasn't His Majesty made a move to arrest them yet?
Is it because they are wary of his position as the second-in-command of the cabinet, and fear that taking action against him rashly might cause turmoil in the court?
Or are they gathering more conclusive evidence in an attempt to bring him down in one fell swoop?
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, and the warm touch of the tea spread along his fingertips, but it couldn't warm his cold heart.

As he was deep in thought, the steward stumbled back, his face ashen.

"Master! The Eastern Depot's Director, Eunuch Wei... Wei Zhongxian, has arrived in person and is waiting in the main hall!"

"Wei Zhongxian?"

Liu Yijun nearly choked on his tea. He gave a bitter laugh, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes.

What was supposed to come finally came.

His Majesty actually sent Wei Zhongxian, this wicked devil, to personally come to the door; it seems he is determined to deal with him.

He slowly put down his teacup, raised his hand to pat the scarlet official robe he was still wearing, the wrinkled fabric seemingly reflecting his chaotic state of mind.

Composing himself, he stood up, straightened his hat and sash, and walked towards the main hall with steady but slightly heavy steps.

Passing through the corridor, one can see in the distance that a figure sits at the head of the main hall; it is none other than Wei Zhongxian.

He wore an official robe with python patterns and a jade plaque bestowed by the emperor at his waist. His face, which was usually full of fawning smiles, was so gloomy that it looked like it could drip water. His narrow eyes were half-closed, exuding a chilling pressure.

The Eastern Depot agents standing on both sides, each with an embroidered spring knife at their waist, looked menacing.

As soon as Liu Yizhu stepped into the hall, Wei Zhongxian slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice:
"His Majesty has issued an oral decree; Liu Yijun receives the decree!"

"Your subject Liu Yijun respectfully obeys Your Majesty's decree!"

He dared not hesitate for a moment, and immediately knelt down, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick, ready to accept his punishment.

"You are a pillar of the nation, having served the government for many years, and your contributions are immense."

I have recently noticed that you are walking unsteadily and looking tired, which has greatly worried me.

A special imperial meal is hereby bestowed as a token of our consideration. So be it!

Wei Zhongxian's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and reached Liu Yijing's ears.

Liu Yizhu was suddenly stunned, his body stiffening on the spot.

He had imagined countless possible outcomes: imprisonment, confiscation of his property, or even execution by slow slicing. But he never expected that His Majesty would simply send Wei Zhongxian to deliver the imperial meal.

He raised his head and stared blankly at Wei Zhongxian, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! Long live the Emperor!"

Coming to his senses, he quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, his voice trembling slightly.

After getting up, Wei Zhongxian gestured to the eunuch beside him to present an exquisitely decorated gilded food box.

Liu Yiju reached out and took it, feeling the food box was heavy in his hand, as if it contained not only imperial food but also a heavy burden.

"I have important matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer, Grand Secretary Liu."

Wei Zhongxian slowly stood up, walked to Liu Yizhu's side, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

"Grand Secretary Liu is getting old, and after years of hard work in government affairs, his health is not what it used to be."

In my opinion, it would be better to resign now, live a carefree life, and enjoy my remaining years.

Otherwise, if one remains caught in the vortex of court politics for too long, one might one day incur bloodshed, and then it would be too late for regrets!

These words were like a cold dagger, piercing straight into Liu Yizhu's heart.

He instantly understood that this imperial meal was not a gesture of compassion, but a warning!

His Majesty already knew everything, but was unwilling to publicly punish him, the second Grand Secretary, for fear of shaking the foundation of the country. Therefore, he sent Wei Zhongxian to put pressure on him, forcing him to resign and retire voluntarily.

After Wei Zhongxian finished speaking, he didn't look at him again, and turned to leave with his group of servants.

The heavy vermilion doors were slowly closed, leaving only Liu Yizhuo inside, holding the box of imperial food in his hands, his face terribly gloomy.

But after a moment, Liu Yijun sighed and said nothing.

He slowly raised his hand and lifted the gilded clasp of the food box. The soft "click" sounded particularly clear in the quiet study.

The box was opened, and the inside was empty, except for the plain brocade lining.

The steward standing beside him peered in, and upon seeing the contents of the box, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly turning into deep fear, his voice trembling:

"Why...why is it empty? What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

The manager's mind was suddenly filled with memories of the Three Kingdoms period.

When Cao Cao sent Xun Yu an empty food box, it meant, "There is no fruit in the box, please pick it yourself," subtly urging him to commit suicide.

Now that His Majesty is following this example, does it mean that His Majesty wants the Master to…

Thinking of this, the steward's face turned ashen, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he even began to breathe cautiously.

Seeing his frightened appearance, Liu Yijuan slowly shook his head, a faint smile of relief appearing on his lips:

"You think too much."

He tapped the inside of the empty box lightly, his voice calm yet clear and distinct:
An empty food box does not mean "no fruit," but rather "cannot be shared."

The phrase is a homophone for "unable to work together," implying that the relationship between ruler and subject has ended, and their official positions have been lost.

His Majesty intends for me to retire and return to my hometown.

The previous implication by Wei Zhongxian, "His Majesty, mindful of the Grand Secretary's hard work, has granted him permission to return to his hometown to spend his later years in peace," now corresponds to this empty food box, and everything becomes clear.

The pent-up frustration in his heart that had been building up for days quietly dissipated at that moment.

Compared to those Jiangnan gentry who were executed and had their homes confiscated, and compared to many meritorious officials in history who were discarded after their usefulness was over, His Majesty has been extremely benevolent in treating him.

There was no punishment, no humiliation; only an empty food box conveyed his sentiments, giving him the dignified right to resign.

"Alright."

Liu Yiju chuckled softly, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes, but more so a sense of relief.

"Retreating to the mountains and forests may be my best destiny."

He turned to the steward and ordered, "Bring me paper and pen."

Although the steward was still shaken, seeing that the master looked calm, he calmed himself down a bit, quickly turned around and brought out the finest Xuan paper and wolf-hair brush, ground the thick ink, and laid it out on the table.

Liu Yijing picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, paused slightly, and then wielded the brush to splash ink.

Throughout his life, he reviewed countless documents and drafted numerous imperial edicts, yet at this moment he wrote his own memorial requesting to retire.

His brushstrokes are vigorous and his handwriting is steady; every character conveys the vicissitudes and acceptance of a lifetime spent in officialdom.

"Your subject, Liu Yijing, is nearly sixty years old, frail and exhausted, and unable to shoulder the responsibilities of the Second Premier of the Cabinet. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to retire and return to my hometown to farm and study, supporting myself until the end of my days..."

In just over a hundred words, he fully expressed his intention to leave.

Putting down his pen, Liu Yijun sighed softly, as if he were exhaling all the glory and disgrace of his life with that breath.

All the pent-up frustration, doubts about the new policies, and worries about the emperor's ambitions vanished.

"Let me watch from afar and see where His Majesty will lead this Ming Dynasty, whether it will get better and better, or..."

He didn't continue, but his eyes held a complex mix of expectation and uncertainty.

"Immediately send this memorial to the palace and have it forwarded by the Office of Transmission."

Liu Yiju folded the memorial and handed it to the steward.

"Yes, sir!"

The steward bowed and accepted the money, carefully tucked it into his pocket, and quickly left.

As night deepened, the Liu family's figure disappeared into the depths of the streets and alleys.

According to regulations, this memorial requesting retirement was first sent to the Office of Transmission.

The Commissioner of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices dared not delay, and worked through the night to register and compile a copy for archiving. He then urgently sent the original to the Cabinet.

At this time, the cabinet minister on duty was Sun Ruyou.

According to the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, the memorial submitted by the Vice Minister of the Cabinet requesting retirement had to be reviewed by the entire Cabinet, with all Grand Secretaries taking turns to read it and mark the important points.

The meeting was followed by a discussion chaired by Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe. The retired official himself recused himself, and the other cabinet ministers gave their opinions in turn.

Finally, the Grand Secretary or a designated cabinet minister would draft a proposal for handling the matter, which would be affixed to the cover of the memorial and then forwarded to the Directorate of Ceremonial, before finally being presented to the Emperor.

This process is both a manifestation of the cabinet's power and a sign of respect for its ministers; it has always been rigorous and orderly, and has never deviated from its intended course.

However, when Sun Ruyou took the memorial, opened it, and saw a glint of understanding in his eyes.

As a trusted confidant personally promoted by the emperor, he had long since figured out the emperor's mind.

His Majesty sent an empty food box to Liu Yiju, indicating his mind was made up. There was no need for the cabinet to go through the unnecessary process of discussing and proposing a resignation.

If we follow the normal procedure, and a cabinet minister tries to persuade His Majesty to stay, it would go against His Majesty's wishes.

Sun Ruyou acted decisively, not following the custom of leaving the memorial for public review the next day, but directly summoning his trusted subordinates and instructing them:

"Send this memorial to the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs immediately and forward it to Wei Chao. It must be presented to His Majesty tonight."

Although the subordinate official hesitated, after all, it violated the cabinet's procedures, but seeing Sun Ruyou's resolute expression, he dared not ask any more questions, quickly bowed and agreed, and left with the memorial in his hand.

In the Forbidden City at night, the lights of the Office of Transmission, the Grand Secretariat, and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs lit up one after another, and then quickly went out.

A memorial requesting retirement bypassed the established procedures and, through the machinations of the emperor's confidants, went directly to the Qianqing Palace.

Liu Yijuan's fate was sealed the moment the empty food box was handed over.

Behind this lies the emperor's absolute control over the government, and the quiet removal of yet another obstacle on the road to implementing the new policies.

It was past midnight, but the East Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace was still brightly lit with candles.

The flickering candlelight cast a long shadow of Zhu Youxiao as he reviewed memorials; he had already reviewed more than half of the mountain of memorials piled on his desk.

Beside him, Zhou Miaoxuan, dressed in a light blue palace maid's uniform, was grinding ink with her head bowed.

With a gentle turn of her wrist, the pine soot ink gradually dissolved in the inkstone, releasing a faint fragrance.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on Zhu Youxiao's back, and the ice in her heart was quietly cracking.

He had been reviewing memorials for two full hours since nightfall.

Sometimes he would frown in deep thought, sometimes he would pick up his pen and write quickly, and sometimes he would circle and annotate on memorials without pausing for a moment.

He didn't even have time to drink a sip of tea. Although there was weariness between his brows, he always exuded a tenacious spirit that refused to be relaxed.

Is it...

Is this emperor, whom she denounced as a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, truly a diligent and hardworking one?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Zhou Miaoxuan forcefully suppressed it.

She shook her head vigorously, silently admonishing herself:

It's definitely an act!

It was just a show he did to win people over, to make her change her opinion of him.

But the grinding motion with his fingertips unconsciously slowed down a bit, and the wavering in his heart could no longer be hidden.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. Wei Chao bowed and quickly entered, lowering his voice to report:
"Your Majesty, Lord Liu Yiju's memorial requesting retirement has been submitted overnight."

"Oh? Begging for your remains?"

Zhu Youxiao didn't even raise his head, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"This Liu Yiju is quite sensible; he acted quickly."

He put down his vermilion brush, took the memorial handed to him by Wei Chao, and casually unfolded it.

His gaze swept over the opening, then he stopped looking at it closely, picked up the vermilion brush, and wrote two words at the end of the memorial in a flamboyant style.

No!

Zhou Miaoxuan stood aside, watching clearly, her eyes filled with astonishment.

She originally thought that since the emperor had already hinted at Liu Yizhu's resignation with the empty food box, he would definitely approve it. She never expected that he would try to retain him.

"Your Majesty, didn't you dislike Liu Yijun and think he was unsuitable for the cabinet? Why then did you forbid him from retiring?"

Zhou Miaoxuan couldn't help but ask, her tone tinged with confusion.

Zhu Youxiao put down his vermilion brush, stretched, his joints making a slight cracking sound, and a lazy smile appeared on his face:

"I have never disliked anyone, it's just that Liu Yizhu's ideas are contrary to the new policies, so he is indeed not suitable to stay in the cabinet."

"As for why it's not allowed, it's just a matter of procedure."

According to the ancestral rules of the Ming Dynasty, when a minister requested to retire, he would usually have to ask three times and decline three times, in order to show that the emperor and his ministers were of goodwill and that the court valued his talent.

If I were to immediately grant his request, it would not only be against the rules, but it would also make me appear heartless and cold-hearted, giving others grounds for criticism.

Zhou Miaoxuan seemed to understand but not quite, and shook her head, wrinkling her small nose:
"so complicated!"

Although she didn't fully understand the intricacies of the situation, she could sense that every word and action in the court held profound meaning, and the complexity of the political struggle far exceeded her imagination.

"so."

Zhou Miaoxuan sighed softly, her tone tinged with melancholy.

"Being a clueless idiot and not having to worry about these troublesome things is a kind of happiness."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at her, his gaze falling on her graceful figure.

Her pale blue palace dress accentuated her exquisite curves. In the candlelight, her skin was as white as snow, and wisps of hair hung down by her temples, adding a touch of gentle charm.

A slight stirring ran through him, and his previous weariness dissipated considerably. His tone carried a hint of amusement.

"You don't need to worry about these troublesome things, but there are some things you probably can't escape."

Zhu Youxiao's eyes held a hint of aggression.

It's like a big bad wolf looking at a little lamb.

"Miss Zhou, the moonlight is just right tonight, how about you serve me in bed?"

Leprechaun!

I need your help in my cultivation!
(End of this chapter)