The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

If he passes the exam next year, according to the usual rules, he can be promoted to the sixth-rank Hanlin Academy Reader. However, once he reaches this point, there is not much room for further advancement in the Hanlin Academy.

If one still wishes to achieve something in one's official career, one should seek a transfer to other government offices in the capital and continue to strive for advancement.

As a prestigious and respected position, the best option for a Hanlin Academy Reader was naturally to be transferred to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and appointed as a fifth-rank official such as the Left or Right Grand Secretary of the Spring Palace, or a fifth-rank official such as a Junior Tutor or Imperial Tutor.

Promotion is fast, and one can establish a direct relationship with the crown prince early on. If the crown prince they assist ascends the throne in the future, it is common for them to be promoted several ranks.

A slightly less desirable option is to serve as an examiner for the provincial and metropolitan examinations. Although there is little chance of meritorious service and promotion, it can help cultivate and select promising young scholars to serve as future assistants in the court.

The next best option is to be transferred to a position as a fifth-rank official in one of the Six Ministries or a fifth-rank assistant official, but the superiors above them are not easy to serve, and without special favor or promotion, it can take many years to get through.

Alternatively, one could be transferred to the Censorate as a seventh-rank censor, a position with considerable power, capable of impeaching officials and accumulating prestige.

"Suqing, we have been in the Hanlin Academy for many years. It is time to make some plans."

Gao Gongsheng had a square face, slightly dark skin, several deep crisscross lines on his forehead, and a broad jaw, giving him an inexplicable sense of stubbornness and determination.

"Go and join them in submitting the petition; I have my own ideas."

The man was startled and cautiously looked around before whispering, "Su Qing, you wouldn't be thinking of turning against Prince Jing, would you?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong slammed his hand heavily on the table, his thick, dark eyebrows bristling, and his expression exuding a chilling and agitated aura as he loudly rebuked, "There is an order of seniority! How could I possibly serve someone who is not respected?"

His arched posture resembled that of a man-eating tiger, which frightened the man so much that he went limp and ran away without even answering a word.

"Hmph, what a petty mind!" Gao Gong stroked his long beard to calm his anger. He would never assist Prince Jing, which would be a case of a young man offending an elder. He also disdained to compete with others for credit. What he wanted to do was to be Prince Yu's tutor and the future emperor's teacher. Only in this way could he realize his lofty ambitions.

…………

That day, Yan Song was finally able to return to his residence earlier than usual. For the past month, he had been working from dawn till dusk, extremely busy. If it weren't for the nourishing effects of ginseng tea, he probably would have collapsed long ago.

Yan Shifan was in the same boat, but he was busy winning over officials and excluding Xia Yan's remaining faction, so the father and son finally had time to exchange news.

Yan Shifan couldn't hide his joy and sat down casually, saying, "This is a good thing! I was worried about how to resolve the Crown Prince's grudge over Xia Yan's matter, but I didn't expect that Heaven would help me and solve everything."

Yan Song waved his hand, indicating that such words were unnecessary. He drank half a cup of ginseng soup before speaking, "Good fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune, and misfortune may be a harbinger of good fortune. I'm afraid things will only get more complicated."

Yan Shifan touched his protruding belly and said, "Are you worried about the matter of choosing an heir?"

"Yes, it would be best if Prince Yu were to be established, thus avoiding court disputes."

Yan Song had already reached the pinnacle of his official career, so he didn't need to rely on any prince for advancement. Therefore, it was best for him to remain stable and without any major setbacks.

Yan Shifan, known as a genius, had an extremely high level of understanding of Jiajing's thoughts: "Father, the more you think this way, the less likely His Majesty will appoint Prince Yu."

Yan Song was suffering from a severe headache due to exhaustion. He didn't even have the strength to drink the ginseng tea, let alone think. So he directly asked his son, "Do you think His Majesty will bypass Prince Yu and install Prince Jing as emperor?"

Thinking of Zhu Zaizhen's appearance that day, Yan Shifan touched the eyebrow above his one eye and sneered, "That's even more impossible. Most likely, he'll just let the two princes fight it out while His Majesty sits and watches."

Yan Song casually remarked, "Although Prince Yu lacks a reputation for virtue and ability, he has never made a mistake. Anyone in the court who dares to support Prince Jing will inevitably be impeached by the ministers. No one has the courage to do so. Without support, how can Prince Jing contend for the throne?"

Yan Shifan suddenly stood up, his forehead covered in cold sweat. He stepped forward, snatched the ginseng tea from his father's hand, and gulped it down. He said in a rough voice, "Leaving aside courage, there are very few people in the court with that kind of power. It's about defying the world's opinion and advocating for the deposition of the eldest son and the establishment of the younger son..."

Yan Song was startled by his son's sudden action, which immediately sobered him up. After a moment's thought, the father and son exchanged a glance, both seeing the answer they least wanted to see in each other's eyes. Yan Song sighed and rubbed his forehead: "Is there any way to refuse?"

Yan Shifan shook his large, fat head: "That means he's cutting himself off from His Majesty. No matter what happens in the future, I'm afraid he won't even need to collect the charcoal tribute this year."

The father and son fell silent for a moment. It was easy to get involved in the struggle for the throne; if you won, all would be well, but if you lost, it would bring disaster to your entire family and even your children and grandchildren.

Even though Yan Song was already the Grand Secretary, he knew very well that it was not possible for the officials to support Prince Jing simply by raising their arms and calling for his ascension.

On the contrary, if he insists on doing so, he will only damage his own reputation. Many officials and students will abandon him, and the censors will relentlessly impeach him, causing his reputation among scholars to vanish overnight.

After a moment, Yan Song said, "Then let's delay for now and see if His Majesty is willing to do so."

Compared to Yan Song, Yan Shifan was more impatient, stubborn, and arrogant. He had already determined that things would turn out this way. After thinking it over and over again and finding no other way, he gritted his teeth and said, "Either we don't do it at all, or we go all the way. Prince Jing it is. With my support, even a pig can sit on that dragon throne!"

"Be careful what you say!"

…………

Zhu Zaizhen relaxed and lay on the bed. Over the past month, there had been many things happening in the palace, such as fires in palaces and eunuchs stealing the late crown prince's belongings, but these were all minor matters.

Tomorrow, the officials will formally request the establishment of a crown prince. As for the candidate, there is no doubt that it will be Prince Yu. The civil and military officials are united in their determination.

This is what Zhu Zaiji wanted to see, and it's also what Zhu Zaizhen wanted to see.

But he was still a little uneasy. Even though he had countless reasons to believe that Jiajing would not establish Prince Yu, what if he did just that?

Human effort accounts for eight or nine out of ten, but one or two are left to fate.

"Your Highness." Ma Dezhao stood bowing beside the bed, and the wet nurse, Liu, led the others away.

"My servant has returned. How is Mother Consort? Would the Imperial Concubine like to see me?"

Zhu Zaizhen wanted to see Consort Wang, not to win her over. After the Crown Prince left, Consort Wang was naturally also angered by the Emperor. Although her rank was not demoted, the Emperor did not summon her to comfort her, so he knew that she would probably never have the chance to go to the West Garden again.

Having cared for her for so many years, Zhu Zaizhen should have gone to comfort her, both out of courtesy and reason; however, the Imperial Concubine has consistently refused to see him.

"Consort Jing is well and has sent me with some newly made clothes for Your Highness," Ma Dezhao said in a low voice. "The Imperial Concubine is grieving and does not wish to see Your Highness, but on her way back, the Palace Attendant Zhao Jingxian stopped me."

…………