Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Inside Renshou Palace, Empress Dowager Sun sat serenely on her phoenix throne.

But her slightly furrowed brows and somewhat stiff fingers betrayed her displeasure.

Consort Wu sat at the lower end, her face filled with worry, and she hesitated several times before speaking.

The palace maids and eunuchs standing by dared not utter a sound.

Zhu Qiyu entered the hall, faced Empress Dowager Sun, and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."

He then turned to Consort Wu and said, "I hope Mother is well."

Empress Dowager Sun remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I heard that His Majesty went to the Beijing Garrison's drill ground today? He is truly diligent."

Zhu Qiyu sat down in the chair below him: "The affairs of the state are arduous, and we dare not slacken our efforts."

"Diligence is a good thing, but the emperor has just ascended the throne and things are not yet stable. He should act with leniency and prudence."

I heard that His Majesty flew into a rage in court yesterday over the issue of grain prices, and even threatened to deploy the Imperial Guards to search the entire city?

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this is indeed the case. Grain prices in the capital have risen several times a day, causing widespread panic among the people, who are on the verge of starvation."

This is a major threat that undermines the foundation of the nation and demoralizes the military and the people.

As the Son of Heaven, how can I sit idly by and do nothing?

The order to have the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate was precisely to expose unscrupulous merchants who were hoarding goods and profiting from the national crisis, in order to ensure the safety of the millions of people in the capital.

Empress Dowager Sun raised her voice slightly: "Does Your Majesty know that the unscrupulous merchants you speak of are all long-established businesses that have been in business for generations?"

Did he contribute to the prosperity of commerce and trade and the flow of goods in the capital?

Some even had close ties with members of the imperial family and nobles, so much so that a single move could have far-reaching consequences.

Aren't you afraid that such a large-scale operation will cause panic in the market and disrupt business travel?

Zhu Qiyu raised his head and looked directly at Empress Dowager Sun: "Mother, it is precisely because the country is in crisis that we cannot tolerate anyone taking advantage of this to make exorbitant profits!"

Your Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Revenue to open the granaries and sell grain at a fair price. If those merchants abide by the law and buy and sell at a fair price, Your Majesty will naturally not make things difficult for them.

However, they outwardly complied but inwardly defied the order, intending to sell at a higher price. Some even transported grain out of the city, which was tantamount to cutting themselves off from the imperial court!

It is my right to investigate and punish them!

A flicker of panic crossed Empress Dowager Sun's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "Transport grain out of the capital?"

Is there any solid evidence? Don't believe one-sided accounts.

Moreover, even if some merchants committed illegal acts, the Shuntian Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice should investigate and handle them according to the law. Why bother using the Embroidered Uniform Guard and causing such a commotion throughout the city?

Zhu Qiyu bowed slightly: "Your Majesty is right. Your son has already ordered Lu Zhong to investigate."

If no evidence is found, your son will clear their name.

But if the evidence is conclusive…”

He paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on the faces of the several eunuchs in charge of Renshou Palace: "No matter who it is, the law of the land is as firm as a mountain, and there will be no leniency!"

These words seemed to lower the temperature inside the hall.

The eunuchs lowered their heads even further.

Empress Dowager Sun's face darkened.

Zhu Qiyu's words seemed reasonable at first glance, but in reality they were a barbed tongue.

Empress Dowager Sun originally intended to use her status as an elder and the need to maintain stability to put pressure on Zhu Qiyu.

Tell him to be lenient with the grain merchants, and at least not to implicate Renshou Palace.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhu Qiyu's attitude was so firm, refusing to budge an inch.

Seeing this, Consort Wu quickly smoothed things over: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is only thinking of you. She is afraid that you are young and impetuous and will act too hastily, which may cause trouble."

We're all family, let's talk this out.

Empress Dowager Sun took a deep breath, knowing that forcing the issue would probably not work.

Her tone softened slightly: "Your Majesty, some expenses at Renshou Palace Estate do involve some buying and selling, and perhaps the people below have done something inappropriate."

But these are all trivial matters, nothing more than supplementing the palace and maintaining its dignity.

If the Emperor deems it inappropriate, I will strictly regulate and punish those involved, and confiscate any ill-gotten gains.

Don't make a scene in public and let outsiders laugh at our family.

She is taking a step back and admitting that there may be problems with Renshou Palace Estate.

However, they hoped to limit the matter to "trivial matters in the palace" and "lax discipline."

She decided to handle the matter internally to avoid public investigation and preserve the royal family's reputation.

Zhu Qiyu sneered inwardly. The resale of 100,000 shi of grain involved salt permit qualifications. Could this be called a "trivial matter"?

But he also knew that Empress Dowager Sun had already made her point so clearly.

If I insist on a public and thorough investigation, I will be disrespecting her, the Empress Dowager, and disrespecting my "mother."

In the Ming Dynasty, with its strict etiquette and laws, even the emperor could not bear the stigma of being unfilial.

Zhu Qiyu adopted a slightly helpless expression: "Your Majesty is too kind."

How could I, Your Majesty, trouble Your Majesty with trivial matters in the palace?

They dared not tarnish the dignity of the imperial family.

However, there are many eyes and ears in the capital now, and the issue of grain prices is related to people's livelihood and morale.

If we turn a blind eye to certain obviously illegal acts under the watchful eyes of the public, it will be difficult to convince them.

This will further chill the hearts of the soldiers on the front lines and the people of the capital.

However, since Mother has spoken, I will obey.

Well then, the affairs of merchants outside the palace are related to national law and military affairs, and your son must investigate them thoroughly and give the people of the world an explanation.

As for matters concerning palace personnel, I will leave them to the Empress Dowager to handle.

If there is anything improper, I ask that Your Majesty discipline them strictly as a warning to others.

All the money and grain they received must be used for military supplies; this can be considered their contribution to the country.

Zhu Qiyu's move, seemingly a concession, actually drew a clear line between them.

Personnel matters and "minor mistakes" in the palace can be handled internally by the Empress Dowager, which can be seen as giving her a way out and saving face.

However, merchants outside the palace must be investigated and dealt with by the imperial court and the emperor in accordance with the law.

At the same time, the results of the Empress Dowager's "discipline" were linked to "being used as military funds".

This not only prevented the Empress Dowager from further protecting the wrongdoer, but also emphasized the importance of prioritizing national affairs.

Empress Dowager Sun stared at Zhu Qiyu for a long time, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

She discovered that this illegitimate son, who was previously low-key and even somewhat timid, had become incredibly difficult to deal with after ascending the throne.

He was no longer the Prince of Cheng who could be manipulated at will.

He had his own ideas, the power of an emperor, and the determination to confront the harem and even some court officials.

Finally, Empress Dowager Sun waved her hand wearily: "That's enough. Since His Majesty has made up his mind, I will not say anything more."

I only hope the emperor remembers that water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers.

Leaving room for maneuver in everything is the way to long-term success.

I'm tired, you can leave now.

"Your subject takes his leave. Your Majesty, please rest well."

Zhu Qiyu bowed and then left Renshou Palace.

Immediately afterwards, Consort Wu also bowed to Empress Dowager Sun and left.

Stepping out of the palace gate, a cool autumn breeze caressed my face.

Zhu Qiyu breathed a slight sigh of relief.

This round ended in a draw, albeit barely.

At least it clarifies that the power to investigate cases is in their own hands.

The Empress Dowager is unlikely to openly obstruct us in the short term.

But he knew the real battle would be fought in the imperial court.

Those court officials whose interests were tied to the grain merchants would never sit idly by and watch Zhu Qiyu cut off their source of income.

"Your Majesty!" Consort Wu called out to Zhu Qiyu, who was about to leave, after she came out.

Zhu Qiyu turned around and looked at Consort Wu with a slightly embarrassed expression.

He originally wanted to leave quickly to avoid seeing his birth mother.

Zhu Qiyu knew Consort Wu's personality.

In her eyes, Empress Dowager Sun was the thigh, and Zhu Qiyu was the arm.

How can an arm twist a thigh?

As expected, Consort Wu immediately sided with Empress Dowager Sun: "Your Majesty, you shouldn't have offended the Empress Dowager like that..."

Zhu Qiyu interrupted her and said in a low voice, "Mother, you don't need to get involved in these matters. I have my own arrangements."

Don't worry, I value my life very much.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhu Qiyu even struck a few poses to show off his muscles.

"You're the emperor, don't be so undignified!"

Despite her verbal rebuke, Consort Wu still smiled.

Zhu Qiyu's quirky actions reminded her of the days when they lived outside the palace.

Back then, Zhu Qiyu also tried to make her happy in the same way.