The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaizhen sat up straight. Zhao Jingxian was the head of the female officials and had been staying by the side of the Consort, without going to Zhongcui Palace.

I heard that Consort Kang has already declared that she will be expelled from the palace and sold off sooner or later.

"What did you say?" As soon as he said this, Zhu Zaizhen shook his head and laughed, "I didn't expect that the first person to try to sabotage my humble abode would be a woman."

How could someone in the harem, especially someone like Zhao Jingxian who had been through so much palace intrigue, suddenly approach his chief attendant on such a crucial day when the crown prince was to be appointed the next day? This was clearly a gamble.

Ma Dezhao was thrilled, but reported calmly, "I didn't say much, just a few polite words."

That's enough.

...

The next day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), a crescent moon hung high, dark clouds covered the sky, and a north wind howled. Officials, dressed in thick robes, spontaneously gathered outside the Meridian Gate. The older officials sighed with emotion, while the younger officials felt a sense of novelty.

Since the emperor moved to the Western Garden, there has been no court assembly for six or seven years. All government affairs are compiled by the Office of Transmission, sent to the Grand Secretariat for review and drafting, and then sent to the Western Garden for the emperor's approval.

This was not a court assembly, since everyone knew the emperor wouldn't be there. However, the matter of establishing an heir was a matter of national importance and could not be treated with utmost solemnity. Even if it was just a petition, it should still be discussed by the public.

Illuminated by the surrounding ox-horn palace lanterns, the civil and military officials stood in their respective government offices according to their rank. Officials of the fourth rank and above gathered in one place, with the Grand Secretary Yan Song standing in the very center. He was wearing a black fox fur coat and looked somewhat timid. His son, Yan Shifan, supported him and shielded him from the wind.

"Prime Minister." Minister of Personnel Wen Yuan broke the silence, his voice carried slightly by the wind, "This is a matter of national importance; it is time to report it."

Yan Song coughed, his entire hunched body trembling. He reached into his sleeve to take out a memorial, but his fingers were stiff and wouldn't obey him.

"Cough cough," his voice was hoarse, yet it carried clearly throughout the empty square. "Last night I pondered deeply. The matter of the heir apparent concerns the fate of the nation. It is not something we, your humble servants, can presume to discuss and submit a memorial to. We should request Your Majesty's judgment!"

In the silence, only the howling wind remained, followed by a commotion. No one expected that the Grand Secretary would try to shirk responsibility for such a matter.

Minister of Works Wenming's expression changed drastically: "Prime Minister! Ancestral rules clearly state that the foundation of the nation should be decided by all officials through public discussion!"

"That is indeed what we should discuss." Yan Song said calmly, his face haggard and his eyesight failing. "That is why I said we should request an imperial decree to convene a court assembly, invite His Majesty to attend court and preside over the deliberations, and then decide on the heir apparent."

Yan Shifan, standing to the side, couldn't help but smile. His father was truly skilled in this area, turning an imminent decision into an invitation sent to Xiyuan that was destined to sink into the West Sea.

"But His Majesty has not attended court for six years!" the Imperial Censor said urgently.

"That's why we must invite him even more." Yan Song pushed his son aside, stood facing the assembled officials, his black fur coat billowing in the wind like a raven's wing: "If His Majesty does not attend court, it will be a warning from Heaven. The matter of choosing an heir must be handled with utmost care. What do you all think?"

He surveyed the entire room, and no one dared to respond. Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and the others simply clutched their memorials tightly.

The important matter of establishing an heir apparent has now turned into inviting the emperor to court. The conflict between the ministers and the emperor has been taken over by Yan Song. This is truly a loyal, virtuous, and capable minister who protects the emperor from harm.

"The Prime Minister is wrong!" A voice filled with indignation rang out from among the outermost officials, drawing Yan Shifan's gloomy gaze. Everyone who saw him backed away until Zhao Zhenji, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, was revealed.

He was of slender build, and his official robes were slightly oversized, making him inconspicuous amidst the sea of ​​red and purple robes. Yet, at this moment, he stood upright like a bamboo, this seventh-rank official said with conviction.

"The heir apparent is the foundation of the nation. How can the matter remain unresolved simply because the emperor does not attend court? If we, his ministers, dare not discuss matters or formulate policies because His Majesty does not attend court, then what use are all these officials in court?"

"Well said!" Among the Hanlin Academy officials, the tall and imposing Gao Gong strode forward. "The Crown Prince's palace is empty, and the world is in a state of panic. At this critical moment, instead of advocating for a swift and decisive plan to reassure the people, the Grand Secretary uses requesting an audience as a pretext to delay his departure!"

Is this what a prime minister should do? Is this what a loyal minister should do?

Commissioner Zhao Wenhua pointed at Gao Gong and sternly rebuked him: "How dare you, lowly officials, presume to discuss state affairs and question the Grand Secretary! Such arrogance deserves severe punishment!"

Gao Gong scoffed contemptuously, his voice echoing throughout the room: "Zhao Tongzheng, though your official rank is high, it was obtained through flattery and sycophancy. I, Gao, though of low rank, still know shame and am ashamed to be ranked alongside someone like you in the court!"

"You...you!"

In the dim light, many people laughed. Everyone knew that Zhao Wenhua had long ago recognized Yan Song as his godfather, and the two had always addressed each other as father and son in private.

Zhao Zhenji ignored them and continued, looking at Yan Song: "If His Majesty does not hold court today, then the heir apparent will not be discussed. If His Majesty does not approve the imperial edict tomorrow, then the Six Ministries will cease operations. If His Majesty does not issue an edict the day after tomorrow, then the borders will not be guarded and the grain transport will not be suspended."

Such actions, seemingly loyal and diligent, are in reality a form of shirking responsibility; seemingly prudent, are in reality a form of ineffective governance!

Yan Shifan's one eye flashed with a fierce light, and he was about to reprimand him, but Yan Song stopped him with a very subtle gesture. He simply adjusted his black fox fur coat, as if he were looking at an interesting object.

What's a little wind and rain? It's just a few noises. It doesn't matter if it bothers his ears, as long as it doesn't disturb His Majesty's peaceful sleep.

"The younger generation is truly formidable." He said softly, "Then, what do you suggest we do?"

"Today, all officials have gathered at the Meridian Gate, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the nation. The position of Crown Prince cannot be vacant for even a day, and the grand ceremony cannot be delayed under any pretext. We beseech Your Majesty to consider public opinion and follow the court's recommendation to establish Prince Yu as the Crown Prince, so as to reassure the hearts of the people."

Yan Song nodded very slowly and deeply, as if making an extremely difficult decision: "What you say is not without reason. Matters concerning the foundation of the nation cannot be delayed for long, then..."

He looked around at the officials and said clearly, word by word, "In the name of all of us, let us jointly sign this petition and request the establishment of Prince Yu."

Many officials were overjoyed, but quite a few keenly sensed something was amiss. Their main purpose today was not simply to elect Prince Yu as the crown prince; important matters of the court always required a proper procedure.

Today, the purpose is simply to get His Majesty's approval that the position of Crown Prince cannot remain vacant for long, then to order the ministers to recommend a candidate for Crown Prince, and after several days of court deliberation, a decision will be made, and finally, a joint memorial will be submitted to request the establishment of a Crown Prince.

Although many of the memorials submitted by the officials today directly proposed to establish Prince Yu as the heir, those were merely private remonstrances. Now, forcing the Grand Secretary to designate Prince Yu and requiring all civil and military officials to submit a joint memorial is tantamount to forming a faction to force the emperor to abdicate, which is bound to cause great chaos.

In the emperor's eyes, if he is being forced to establish Prince Yu today, wouldn't he be being forced to abdicate tomorrow?

The officials exchanged glances and said in unison, "This is inappropriate. Although it is done with the public good in mind, it will also offend His Majesty. We should follow the advice of the Grand Secretary and ask His Majesty to make a decision based on his own conscience."

...............