The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 101 Sober

When Jiajing awoke again at dusk, he was already lying in his own bedroom in Yongshou Palace.

The twilight filtering through the west window tinged the bright yellow curtains, bathing the entire hall in a warm, deep gold glow.

He opened his eyes, but didn't speak immediately. He closed them again, feeling his body and recalling what had happened.

His brows furrowed gradually, but quickly relaxed again. He cleared his throat: "Someone come here."

Almost instantly, Huang Jin knelt by the bedside with a bowl of warm medicine in her hands: "Your Majesty, you're awake."

"What time is it?" Jiajing looked in the direction of the voice. His eyes had regained their usual sharpness and indifference. Huang Jin knelt in front of the bed. The moment he saw that gaze, the heavy stone that had been hanging over his heart all day finally fell to the ground. The emperor who had ruled the Ming Dynasty for nearly thirty years had returned.

It's three-quarters past the hour of You (5:45 PM).

Jiajing did not speak again. Huang Jin put the medicine bowl aside, first helped the emperor sit back on the couch, and then slowly fed him the medicine.

"Where is Yan Song?"

"They're waiting outside the hall, Commander Lu is there too."

Jiajing nodded: "The imperial decree hasn't been issued yet?"

"no."

"it is good."

"Let Lu Bing in first."

"promise."

Huang Jin acknowledged and withdrew, his footsteps light and silent. A moment later, a tall and strong figure walked in. Lu Bing was dressed in plain clothes and walked with a steady gait. His son, Lu Jing, had passed away a few days ago.

Lu Bing stopped about ten feet in front of the bed, lifted his robe and knelt down, touching his forehead to the ground: "Your subject Lu Bing respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health."

"I am well, how are you?"

"I am still capable."

My condolences.

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. I was prepared long ago." Lu Bing hesitated for a moment before advising, "Your Majesty, the use of elixirs should be moderate—"

Emperor Jiajing waved his hand: "I know what I'm doing."

He had been taking elixirs for many years, and this mere disturbance of the elixir fire was nothing to frighten him. However, he felt that something was amiss because Tao Zhongwen was behaving strangely today.

He immediately thought of the day Prince Yu came to see him; it was a little late. All the clues combined might be the truth.

"What did they find out?"

"The elixir is fine, and I have also examined the traces on the sand table. There is only one thing that is a little strange. After His Majesty fainted, Tao Zhongwen's disciples surrounded Eunuch Huang and urged him to pass on the imperial decree, with every word pointing to His Highness Prince Jing."

Emperor Jiajing's expression remained calm and composed, without the slightest ripple. The elixir was flawless, the restoration of order was genuine, and the will of Heaven was not false.

This is the foundation of his decades of Taoist practice, the basis of his firm belief that he can attain Tao in the physical body and live a long life, and he will not allow it to waver in the slightest.

If there is any mistake, it can only be a human error, trying to take advantage of fate to do their own thing!

Jiajing continued, "What were the reactions of Prince Jing and Prince Yu?"

Lu Bing paused for a moment: "After receiving the news, His Highness Prince Jing immediately sent Zhang Juzheng to invite Grand Secretary Yan to the palace to take charge of the overall situation. Then he wrote a memorial requesting to abdicate and take up his fief. After that, he kept copying Buddhist scriptures in the Wenhua Hall."

His Highness Prince Yu received the news and wanted to come to the West Garden, but was stopped by Xu Butang's men. He then sent his chief attendant Zhao Cheng to find out the whereabouts of His Highness Prince Jing. Afterwards, he returned to his palace and wrote a memorial to inquire about his well-being.

Jiajing nodded slowly: "Bring Grand Secretary Yan in."

Huang Jin agreed and left. Soon after, Yan Song walked in, and Jiajing's gaze softened a bit when he looked at him.

Clearly, Yan Song's performance at noon pleased the emperor.

"Please sit down."

Huang Jin personally brought stools for the two of them, and they carefully sat down after expressing their gratitude.

After Yan Song sat down, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze falling on Jiajing's face, a hint of worry still lingering in his eyes.

"How is Your Majesty's health? Should we summon the imperial physicians again?"

Yan Song spoke, his tone calm and composed, regaining his composure as the Grand Secretary, a stark contrast to the discomposure of the old man in the Qingfu Hall.

Jiajing leaned back on the pillow and waved his hand. His face was still pale, and the dark purple on his lips had not yet faded. "It's nothing. It's just a minor tribulation. Tempering the body with alchemical fire is a common occurrence in cultivation."

Yan Song immediately bowed slightly and naturally continued, "Congratulations to Your Majesty on your great progress in cultivation and your ascension to immortality after tribulation."

Huang Jin and Lu Bing couldn't help but feel admiration. When it came to flattering His Majesty, probably no one in the world could surpass the Grand Secretary.

As expected, a faint look of satisfaction appeared on Jiajing's face, and he said, "These golden pills are quite good. You two each take three back later."

Yan Song and Lu Bing rose at the same time, cupped their hands in greeting, and said, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."

"Quite a few more people must have submitted memorials." The question was posed, but Jiajing's tone was full of certainty.

Yan Song replied, "These are nothing more than impeachments and petitions, which are trivial matters compared to Your Majesty's health. I can handle them and submit a summary report to Your Majesty in a few days."

"I heard that Prince Jing has submitted a memorial requesting to take up his fiefdom?"

"Yes."

"So, what are your plans to do?"

"His Highness Prince Jing's filial piety is commendable, but there are established ancestral rules for princes to take up their fiefs. Since His Highness is not yet of marriageable age and the heir apparent has not been determined, he should not leave the capital lightly."

Jiajing observed Yan Song's expression and asked, "But Heaven says it's a clash of energies, this is no small matter."

"This old minister is aware." Yan Song lowered his head slightly, his tone becoming even more respectful. "Therefore, upon receiving the news, this old minister immediately ordered the Imperial Observatory to observe the celestial phenomena and deduce the will of Heaven, and also sent over the spirit writings from Qingfu Palace."

Jiajing raised his chin, signaling him to continue.

But Yan Song only said, "This matter is of great importance. The Imperial Observatory must observe the Ziwei constellation tonight before reporting."

Jiajing looked at him for a moment, then slowly nodded, his tone carrying a very faint hint of approval: "Grand Secretary Yan, you are a wise and experienced strategist."

"I dare not accept such praise; this is all my duty to serve my sovereign and father."

"Let's appoint Ouyang Bijin as Minister of Rites."

Yan Song showed no joy whatsoever, but simply nodded calmly: "Your Majesty is wise."

"Even the imperial court's meals should be prepared in separate pots, don't you think, Grand Secretary Yan?"

Yan Song easily guessed Jiajing's meaning: the Ministry of Rites could be brought under your control, but the people in the Hanlin Academy didn't want to share the same resources with you, so don't force it.

"I have been thinking about this for several days. Minister Xu is currently burdened with heavy responsibilities. Why not let Ouyang De promote him to share some of those responsibilities and concurrently take charge of the Hanlin Academy? It would be a good thing for a scholar to be in charge of the Hanlin Academy."

After a while, seeing that the emperor was tired again, the two took their leave. Yan Song was to stay overnight at Wuyi Palace, while Lu Bing had to leave the palace as soon as possible.

At midnight, Yan Song was drinking strong tea alone when he was summoned again. After bowing respectfully, he saw Jiajing leaning against the couch, intently reading the memorial sent by the Imperial Observatory.

Jiajing quickly finished reading and a smile appeared on his face: "Your Excellency, please take a look."

Huang Jin handed the memorial to Yan Song, who squinted at it, then looked up with some shame and said, "This old minister's eyesight is a bit poor; I can't see very clearly at night."

Jiajing pursed his lips. This is how pitiful it is to be old, which is why he wanted to live forever.

"Huang Jin, bring the ancestral tablet to the Grand Secretary."

"promise."

Yan Song stood up and took it. The lenses were clear and transparent, without a single impurity. The frame was made of red gold inlaid with tortoiseshell, and the beam was inlaid with fine beads. Every detail showed its exquisite craftsmanship, and it was obviously made by the emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yan Song carefully put it on, and upon closer inspection, it was indeed clear.

Zhang Luodao, Director of the Imperial Observatory, and others respectfully submit this memorial to the throne, in order to humbly examine the Five Elements as ordained by the Emperor, and to deduce the true mechanism of the elixir of immortality, so as to clarify the great transformation of the Holy Way:

Your Majesty, we humbly acknowledge that you have been bestowed with the destiny of gold by Heaven, possessing the austere nature of the West, the robust and upright character, and the utmost stubbornness and purity of gold.

Recently, the Emperor has been refining and nourishing the elixir fire, circulating his true essence within, which is the great illumination of fire and the ultimate use of yang.

According to the principles of the Five Elements, fire overcomes metal, but this does not harm metal. Metal without fire becomes stagnant, and fire without metal becomes wild. Metal gains strength from fire, and fire gains energy from metal.

Thus, one can find life in adversity, turn adversity into fortune, break free from personal biases, and establish a foundation for destiny for all generations.

This is not a calamity, but rather a great opportunity for Your Majesty to attain enlightenment, realize truth, and transcend the ordinary to become a saint.

We, your humble servants, have observed day and night that the brilliance of the Purple Palace is increasing, and Mars is moving in a favorable direction, aligning with the natal Venus. The cinnabar fire is refining its form, which is truly an auspicious sign, not a calamity of conflict, but rather an opportunity for mutual benefit.

I humbly hope that Your Majesty will find peace and joy, and not be alarmed by temporary restlessness, so that your physical body may be renewed daily, ultimately leading to longevity and enduring vision.

Your humble servants are filled with trepidation and respectfully submit this memorial, awaiting Your Majesty's decree.

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