The Ming Dynasty: A bookstore sells the history of the Ming Dynasty, leaving Emperor Chongzhen bewil

When ancient swordsmen encountered their opponents on a narrow path, no matter how powerful the opponent was, even if the opponent was the best swordsman in the world, they would still draw their swords even if they knew they were no match for them. Even if they fell under the opponent's sword, they would still be honored in defeat. This is the spirit of "drawing the sword".

A military unit with a fine tradition often has the fertile ground to cultivate heroes. Heroes or outstanding soldiers often emerge collectively rather than individually, for the simple reason that they are influenced by the same traditions and develop the same character and temperament.

Every military unit has its own traditions. What are traditions? Traditions are a kind of character, a kind of temperament!

This tradition and character are determined by the personality and temperament of the leaders when the unit was formed. Only a decisive and courageous leader can lead the group to move forward fearlessly and bravely.

Even though we are outnumbered and surrounded, we dare to draw our swords and fight to the last man. In short, when two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail!

What the Ming Dynasty lacked was precisely this spirit of "showing one's sword."

Without this spirit of courage and determination, even if we could do it all over again, even if the Ming Dynasty had foresight, it might still have been defeated.

On the carriage back to the palace, Zhu Ziming's words still echoed in Chongzhen's mind.

Emperor Chongzhen's words were like a thunderclap, shaking him to his core...

……

During the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, the morning court session was suspended three times in a row, an unprecedented event in history.

In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang stipulated that the morning court session would be held daily and strictly enforced this rule. However, during the Wanli era, after reforms by Zhang Juzheng, it was changed to once every three days.

The fact that the morning court session has been suspended three times is equivalent to a full nine days of suspension.

Nine days was arguably the longest holiday ever granted during the Chongzhen Emperor's reign. Naturally, some people were happy about the holiday because they could relax and spend time with their families, which was very pleasant. However, others were worried.

The most worried were naturally the upright officials in the court. They used Confucianism and the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism as the absolute standard to judge all policies and people's character. They took pride in daring to speak frankly to the emperor and impeach ministers, and even regarded being punished for it as the highest honor, which they called "pure reputation".

Now, the Ming Dynasty is going through a turbulent period, and Emperor Chongzhen's sudden nine-day holiday has forced them to manipulate him.

So, it was the first morning court session after returning from the holiday.

The morning court session had barely begun when an official submitted a memorial impeaching the emperor, immediately citing the Ming Taizu's "Imperial Ancestral Instructions": "Your Majesty, I have humbly read the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions': 'A ruler, managing myriad affairs daily, should be diligent day and night, and must not slacken for even a moment.' Now Your Majesty, reigning in the imperial palace, has not held court for ten days; this is contrary to the teachings of our ancestors and the will of Heaven in appointing a ruler!"

"According to the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, when the state faces a major crisis, the emperor reduces his meals and suspends music. Now, the people of Shaanxi and Henan are burning their own bones for fuel, and the soldiers of Liaodong are exposing their blood to the open fields. How can Your Majesty be so leisurely reclining in bed and abandoning the usual court rites?"

Officials immediately followed suit, elevating the issue to the level of disregarding military and political affairs and seeking only pleasure.

"Some say His Majesty is unwell, yet there is no clear edict ordering the Imperial Medical Academy to conduct a consultation; others say he should meditate and contemplate, yet there is no mention of summoning cabinet ministers for consultation. There is uproar both within and outside the court, with many saying that eunuchs have misled His Majesty, or that sycophants have offered him sensual pleasures… We, your humble servants, would rather die a thousand deaths than believe this, but public opinion is powerful; how can we dispel the doubts of the people?"

This is even more ingenious. On the surface, it exonerates the emperor, but in reality, it guides public opinion to speculate that the cause must have been the seduction of eunuchs, treacherous officials, or women. This is a stroke of genius that kills the heart.

On the throne, Emperor Chongzhen felt a chill run down his spine.

No.

He only took nine days off, why does it seem like he committed some heinous crime?

In the past, Emperor Chongzhen might have been truly swayed by them, but now, he remained unfazed, glanced at the upright officials who had stepped forward, and slowly said:

"You only granted a nine-day holiday. Does this mean I must issue a 'Decree of Self-Reproach' to the entire nation to atone for my sins?"

"what?"

"this……"

The few upright officials who stepped forward to offer their advice were stunned.

Does that seem unnecessary?

Granting a nine-day leave and issuing an edict of self-reproach? Wouldn't that be utterly ridiculous if word got out?

"Pfft!"

Some of the other officials couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The laughter, deliberately meant to be heard but then suppressed, made the faces of the advisors even more unpleasant.

However, Emperor Chongzhen did not make things difficult for them. Instead, he offered them a way out: "Alright, I understand the deep concern of my officials for the country. However, as the old saying goes, haste makes waste. Relax a little, and the Ming Dynasty will not perish."

The steps had been set up, and the few upright officials naturally had no choice but to step down. They were speechless after hearing the Emperor's words and had to thank him.

The other officials present all secretly gasped.

The Emperor is different now!

The Emperor is really different from before!

The emperors of the past readily accepted good advice, but the emperors of today... are all eloquent and persuasive?

Just as the ministers were all sighing inwardly, Chongzhen took the initiative to bring up the matter that had been arguing about recently: "During the nine-day holiday, I did not do nothing. I have already made a decision on the matters of the cabinet."

Has the cabinet been decided?

The officials immediately showed expressions of curiosity.

This cabinet struggle was fierce, involving figures such as Qian Qianyi, leader of the Donglin Party; Zhou Yanru, the youngest top scholar in the imperial examinations; Wen Tiren, who was adept at flattering the emperor; Cheng Jiming, known as the "clean and honest prime minister"; and Xu Guangqi, who was pragmatic and incorruptible but also unconventional.

Another major highlight of this cabinet struggle is the battle between Qian Qianyi and Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren. Qian Qianyi represents the Donglin Party, which currently has the greatest power, while Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren represent the power of non-Donglin Party officials. Will the Donglin Party prevail and take another step forward this time, or will the non-Donglin Party turn the tide?

Everyone is watching with bated breath.

The ministers listened with curiosity to the emperor's decision.

"This time, there is a vacancy in the cabinet, and one more person should be added. I think Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites, can be added to the cabinet to assist in important matters."

Only one additional person?

And this person was Xu Guangqi?

Qian Qianyi, Zhou Yanru, and Wen Tiren fought tooth and nail for power, but in the end, Xu Guangqi, who did not fight or grab and was seen by the ministers as an "outlier who changed the Chinese culture with barbarians," came to power.

What happened?

After his eloquence and persuasive arguments, the Emperor has now gained another ability: absolute control over the court.

At this point, Chongzhen added, "Besides the matter of supplementing the cabinet, I have also made a decision regarding increasing the Liaodong levy!"

Upon hearing this, the entire hall was once again stunned.

What?

Has this been decided?

Whether it was the cabinet dispute or the showdown over the Liaodong military expenditure, both of these matters were debated in the court for many days, and the repeated arguments in the court yielded no results.

How come the Emperor made all the decisions after only nine days of rest?

Is the Emperor truly ruling unilaterally?

Is there someone behind the scenes stirring things up, influencing the emperor, and secretly orchestrating everything?