The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 115 Praying for Snow

Before Yin Shidan could finish speaking, Prince Yu's body trembled slightly, and his hands on the table clenched into fists.

The next instant, he swept all the books on the table to the ground with a loud crash. Dozens of classics and historical texts crashed onto the blue bricks, their pages scattered. "Your Highness!" Yin Shidan exclaimed in shock, somewhat bewildered by what had happened.

Zhu Zai stood up, his chest heaving violently. His face showed no grievance, only anger and helplessness, but tears streamed down his face.

He looked at the scriptures and articles scattered on the ground, but he couldn't answer a single question in front of his father. Master Tao said that he had a lucky star on him and that he only needed to stay true to himself. But Master Tao died.

Minister Xu said he would definitely help him secure his position as Crown Prince, but now he is kneeling in the West Garden begging for forgiveness, and he may not even be able to protect his own son.

As for Zhu Zaizhen, with the emperor's favor and the prime minister's protection, what did he have to fight for?

After a moment, Yin Shidan sighed, squatted down and slowly picked up the books. Prince Yu was even more annoyed. It seemed that everyone had their own reasons, but he didn't. He was the one wasting everyone's efforts.

"Enough! Get out!"

Yin Shidan stood up and bowed: "Your Highness, I know you are troubled, but Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon you—"

Prince Yu closed his eyes: "I am not feeling well today, please go back, sir."

Yin Shidan was really confused. There was nothing serious going on, so why did things turn out this way?

"promise."

A moment later, Prince Yu's chief attendant came in, first coaxing him to sit down, then squatting down to pick up the book—

When Xu Jie stepped into the main hall of the Ministry of Personnel, his staff, subordinates, and students had been waiting for a long time. Seeing his safe return, everyone's tense expressions relaxed.

Some people breathed a sigh of relief, some clutched their chests repeatedly, and several young students immediately teared up, it was unclear whether they were worried about their teacher or their own future.

Xu Jie exhaled and then bowed deeply to the crowd.

The staff hurriedly stepped aside, unable to accept the compliment, while several of the students simply knelt down, saying, "Minister, what are you doing? You've made us feel ashamed."

"Over the years, you have all followed me in navigating the court, offering advice and weathering storms together. Today, because of my family's private affairs, I have caused you all to worry. This is my fault."

The son's reputation is beyond saving, but his own reputation still needs to be salvaged as much as possible. Even if he fails the imperial examinations, there's always the option of receiving an official position through patronage. As long as he remains in that position, everything will be fine.

-

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. This is not your fault. With many children in the family, there will always be a few naughty ones. This is inevitable."

""

Xu Jie straightened up, sighed, and said with weariness and self-mockery, "That may be true, but the father is to blame for not teaching his son properly. I am ultimately to blame, and my lifelong reputation has been ruined in an instant."

Everyone offered words of comfort, and even if there were some complaints, they couldn't voice them anyway.

As everyone took their seats in the main hall, before they could say anything, Yin Shidan and several of Prince Yu's lecturers came up to them.

"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to the Minister."

"No need for formalities, Zhengfu, what brings you here?"

Yin Shidan briefly recounted Prince Yu's reaction. Xu Jie, feeling helpless, could only reproach himself once more before saying, "We must summon Gao Suqing back to the capital to assist His Highness."

Ouyang De frowned and said, "I'm afraid it's not appropriate. Even you and I would find it hard to tolerate Gao Suqing's temperament. His Highness Prince Yu is already very perceptive, so we're probably like oil and water."

Several other lecturers nearby echoed this sentiment, including Yin Shidan, who, like Yin Shidan and a graduate of the Hanlin Academy, also felt that Gao Gong was unsuitable.

"Yes, Gao Suqing is too rigid and speaks without holding back. He is always straightforward."

"Your Highness is currently in a vulnerable state of mind and is most susceptible to stress. If Gao Gong returns to the capital, he will likely be harshly reprimanded and severely reprimanded, which Your Highness may find even more difficult to bear."

Xu Jie shook his head: "You only know that Gao Suqing is tough, but you don't know that what His Highness lacks now is not gentle words of comfort, but sharpness to break the deadlock and calm the mind."

Zhengfu and Rude, you are both gentle and kind. Your advice and comfort can only soothe his emotions temporarily, but they cannot bolster His Highness's faltering spirit.

"this--"

They had actually realized that Prince Yu was indeed very sensitive. No matter how much they reasoned with him or presented the facts, Prince Yu was unwilling to believe them or take charge, preferring to stay in the background.

Thinking about it this way, a high arch might indeed be suitable.

Yin Shidan, however, thought that if Zhang Juzheng were still here, he might be more suitable than Gao Gong.

He was young and resolute, with a deep mind and a broad vision. He had the foresight and courage of Gao Gong, but without Gao Gong's fierce arrogance. He was introverted and insightful, knew when to advance and retreat, and understood the proper measure. He could speak frankly about the advantages and disadvantages, and also knew how to guide people's hearts in a tactful way. He was best at stabilizing chaotic situations and comforting people's hearts.

In the past few months, Zhang Juzheng has rarely returned to the Hanlin Academy. When he does return, he only consults classical texts and documents before leaving again. He does not take the initiative to communicate with anyone, nor does he bother to respond to the cold words and sarcasm of others.

When he saw this, he didn't know what to say. Each served their own master, so what more could be said?

Yin Shidan pondered for a long time before sighing helplessly: "What the Minister said is absolutely right. We gentle assistants can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Your Highness's spirit is now broken, and you really need a thunderous reprimand to awaken the deaf and enlighten the blind."

"Immediately draft a memorial requesting that Gao Gong be summoned back to the capital to serve as a lecturer to Prince Yu, citing the vacancy of a lecturer in the Prince's Palace. I will bear all the criticism and accusations."

"Yes." The staff immediately drafted a memorial.

In front of the Jinan Prefectural Government Office in Shandong, a three-zhang-high (approximately 10 meters) list was displayed, with a dragon coiled at the top and a tiger crouching at the bottom.

After three cannon shots, the colorful pavilion escorted the list out, followed by officials from the prefecture and county, and a large crowd of onlookers swarmed in.

Qi Jiguang stood at the front of the crowd. He scanned the list from bottom to top and suddenly saw the name Qi Jiguang at the front. He breathed a sigh of relief.

The crowd behind him pushed and shoved forward, some cheering, some sighing, and some failed martial arts students squeezed out of the crowd and walked away without looking back.

Qi Jiguang did not move. He stood there and looked at the name again. Although he felt that he had performed well in the three examinations of horsemanship, archery, foot archery and policy essay, he was still a little uneasy when he did not see his name on the list.

According to the rules of the imperial examination, newly qualified military candidates had to attend three consecutive days of social events: thanking their teachers at the prefectural government, visiting the provincial administration, and having a banquet with their fellow candidates from the military examination. Only then could they go to the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examination.

-

Faced with days of polite social interactions, Qi Jiguang responded only by saying that he had been fortunate enough to pass the examination and was grateful for the guidance of his master, displaying impeccable manners and humility.

Finally, under the candlelight in the official residence, Qi Jiguang unfolded the scroll of paper. There was not a single word of pride in it. He simply picked up his pen and wrote: "Self-discipline and self-reflection are easy to obtain, but difficult to maintain one's original aspirations. Today's passing of the examination is not the beginning of glory, but the beginning of responsibility."

As he put pen to paper, he suddenly remembered the last line of the poem expressing his aspirations that he had written at night a few years ago when he was still in his hometown.

I do not desire titles and honors; I only wish for calm seas.

Several years have passed in the blink of an eye, and many things have changed. But, are we willing to change now?

Unwavering commitment!

By early November, preparations for the two princes' residence in the capital were almost complete. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were now studying auspicious dates for their departure from the palace, and all officials had been arranged.

The biggest reshuffle was naturally the return of Gao Gong and Zhao Zhenji to the capital. One was promoted to Hanlin Academy Reader and served as a lecturer in the Prince Yu's residence, while the other was promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Right Spring Palace and in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Academy.

This shifted the rumor that His Majesty's favor was solely for Prince Jing to Prince Yu, since everyone knew that it would have been impossible for these two to return without His Majesty's approval.

-

Zhu Zaizhen didn't care about this at all; in fact, he thought it was quite good. Otherwise, he would always be hesitant and afraid that he would defeat his brother, Prince Yu, in one fell swoop.

In the Western Garden, the emperor is holding a ritual to commemorate the lack of snowfall. The newly arrived high-ranking Taoist priests in the Western Garden are also taking turns performing rituals, hoping to strike it lucky.

The Emperor also personally instructed the Ministry of Rites: "If there is no snow in the depths of winter, how can the wheat and barley grow? Today, I personally pray at the Hongying Altar, and all officials in blue robes are to carry out their duties without delay!"

He also dispatched ministers to offer sacrifices at various palaces and temples, provided vegetarian food, prohibited slaughtering, and suspended executions.

Following the imperial decree, Zhu Zaizhen arrived at the West Garden dressed in plain blue robes. In fact, the Imperial Observatory had already released its results last month, and the Taoist priests in the West Garden had also restored order, confirming that Prince Jing and the Emperor had no conflict.

Moreover, this was not actually ordered by Zhu Zaizhen or Yan Shifan; it's just that everyone has seen what happened to Tao Zhongwen.

It's said that he achieved immortality through corpse liberation, but what a coincidence! He didn't become an immortal the year before last, nor the year after, but he immediately became an immortal after interfering in the succession struggle and offending Prince Jing. I'm afraid that becoming an immortal is fake, and that corpse liberation is real.

Who wouldn't be afraid of dying a gruesome death, their bones crushed and scattered to the winds?

Everyone comes here hoping for wealth and status, so why bother!

"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to an audience."

This time, it was unusual that Huang Jin didn't come to pick him up at the entrance of the West Garden. He was probably busy accompanying his father, the Emperor, on his religious ceremony. Zhu Zaizhen walked along the familiar road, admiring the scenery along the way.

Withered lotus leaves lay broken and crooked on the water's surface, while the willows on the bank swayed bare in the wind. In the distance, the faint sound of Taoist priests chanting sutras drifted from the direction of Hongyingtan, mingling with the rhythm of bronze chimes and wooden fish, carried by the north wind, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Hongyingtan, also known as Leiting Hongyingdian, is located in the northeast corner of Xiyuan Garden. Facing south, it is surrounded by red walls and covered with yellow tiles. The hall has a double-eaved hip roof with seven animal figures on the eaves. With vermilion pillars and red pillars, it is solemn and dignified.

This was also Zhu Zaizhen's first time here. Upon entering the main hall, he saw a three-tiered circular altar, with a base of bluestone and covered with yellow silk. In the center was a gilded statue of the Heavenly Venerable of Universal Transformation and Responding to the Origin of Thunder, wearing golden armor and holding a thunder hammer, exuding a majestic and awe-inspiring presence.

Before the statue of the deity, the Jiajing Emperor, dressed in a plain dragon robe, personally ascended the altar to offer incense, unfurled a yellow silk scroll and recited the inscription aloud. After the ceremony, he performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows, praying for auspicious snow to fall from the sky, nourish the wheat fields, and bring peace to the people of the world.

The high-ranking Taoist priests surrounding the emperor, dressed in ceremonial robes and wearing Taoist hats, performed rituals in front of the altar, chanting incantations, drawing talismans, and burning talismans, taking turns to perform rituals, hoping for the Thunder God to manifest his divine power and for auspicious snow to fall.

Following Huang Jin's instructions, Zhu Zaizhen obediently knelt down on the prayer mat. Before him was a large sandalwood table, on which were displayed ritual implements and burning sandalwood incense. The smoke curled and the candlelight flickered, creating an atmosphere of mystery and supernatural activity.

The little ice age is frightening because it doesn't bring snow. The fields lack moisture, which will inevitably lead to a poor wheat harvest next year, and the livelihoods of the people will be in jeopardy.

The relentless snowfall was even more frightening, collapsing houses and leaving countless people freezing, starving, and displaced.

Without snow, there is worry about drought; with heavy snow, there is fear of cold. Both advancing and retreating are dilemmas.

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