The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"These are all negotiable; it's just the beginning." Yan Shifan was greedy, but not stingy either; he just wanted even more in return: "If Prince Jing likes it, send people to Jiangnan to plunder some more and bring it back."

The others also offered suggestions and made preparations in advance. Supporting a prince is a major event with far-reaching implications. If it succeeds, his children and grandchildren will all benefit.

Two hours later, the crowd gradually dispersed. Yan Shifan returned to his inner courtyard to drink and enjoy himself. He now had a total of sixteen wives and concubines, and countless others.

The following evening, Ma Dezhao returned with a sandalwood gift box in his pocket. After entering the room, he quietly watched His Highness squat down and stand up repeatedly with his hands behind his back.

Only when he saw sweat beading on His Highness's forehead did Ma Dezhao take out an exquisite wooden box and step forward, saying, "Your Highness, someone just gave me a gift box, saying it was a trinket given to Your Highness by the young Grand Secretary Yan Shifan for your amusement."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded but did not reach out to take it. Ma Dezhao held it with one hand and opened the gift box with the other. After confirming that there were no unusual noises or smells, he presented it to His Highness.

The gift box contained only three items: a letter, a gift list, and a small, three-legged censer made of pure bronze, with a brilliant gilding and a warm patina, which could be held in the palm of one's hand. The censer was decorated with exquisite cloud patterns.

Zhu Zaizhen reached out and took the letter, flipping through its contents.

"Your humble servant Yan Shifan pays homage to His Highness Prince Jing, may you live a thousand years."

As spring warms, I humbly wish Your Highness good health and continued progress in your studies. Although I live a life of worldly affairs, I have always admired the noble bearing of the Emperor and have always longed for it.

I have heard of Your Highness's lectures in the Wenhua Hall. I felt that you were exceptionally intelligent and insightful, able to extract the true essence of governance from ancient texts. Your breadth of vision and character goes beyond mere words and phrases. I have spoken with my colleagues about this, and we are all full of admiration.

Fan Xinjian's Wenyuan Garden is located in a secluded spot in the west of the city. Fortunately, it has a stream of flowing water that meanders like a ribbon. Last year, it was slightly renovated and has gained some beauty in terms of springs and rocks. The library also contains some old books from previous dynasties and local chronicles, including some rare editions.

Considering Your Highness's erudition and love of antiquity, which may allow you to peruse the garden in your leisure time, the garden gates are always open. If Your Highness happens to feel the urge to visit, you can simply have your servants sweep and clean the courtyard.

Spring is deep in the capital, and the weather is still chilly despite the warming trend. I humbly beg Your Highness to take care of yourself for the sake of the dynasty. I am foolish and dull, but I serve the court with unwavering loyalty and diligence. If Your Highness ever inquires of me in the future, I will do my utmost to repay Your Highness's kindness and concern.

I am filled with trepidation as I write this, and words fail to express my full meaning.

Your subject Yan Shifan respectfully submits this petition.

An auspicious day in the fifth month of the twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign.

Zhu Zaizhen's gaze finally settled on the blood-red Donglou seal at the end of the signature page. He didn't speak, and picked up the gold-flecked gift list again. His fingertips traced the names of the items.

Song Dynasty Longwei She inkstone, Xuande blue and white brush rest, Siamese ivory screen, Song Dynasty Jun ware vase with protruding flanges, ancient copy of the Dan Ding School's "Huan Dan Tu" (Illustrated Book of Elixir Reversion), Burmese ruby ​​ring, ambergris from the East China Sea, Yunnan ivory carving, swallow-patterned stationery...

This wasn't a gift; it was a display of power. His gaze lingered on the ten Ru ware pieces for a moment, and finally, he glanced at the inconspicuous small print at the end of the gift list: "In addition, a house and land deed for Shiyuan Garden are prepared and attached to the desk in Jiyaxuan in the garden, awaiting Your Highness's review."

"Take a look, Da Ban."

Ma Dezhao did not refuse. He placed the box on the table to the side and quickly read through the letters and gift list. He was first shocked by the gift list, and then said, "Gifts are always given with some expectation of something in return, let alone such an important gift."

Even to Ma Dezhao, an old eunuch who had been in the palace for decades and had seen wealth and luxury, these were truly rare treasures, worthy of being presented to the emperor.

Zhu Zaizhen picked up the small Xuande incense burner and examined it for a moment before saying, "At least it shows that they are sincere."

Of course he had to cooperate with Yan Shifan. Without Yan's faction, how could he compete with Prince Yu, let alone use Yan's influence to expand his own power?

However… Zhu Zaizhen looked towards the West Garden. Did his father know?

The palace had long been like a sieve; outsiders could see what was happening inside, let alone the master.

Zhu Zaizhen gently stroked the rather heavy small stove, pondering his next move. It was rather inappropriate to accept it so easily. Going back was an option, but that would mean getting caught up in the probing and tug-of-war with Yan Shifan.

To outsiders, it appears as a close relationship, but without any real benefit.

As things stand, the Yan family is the support he needs, but outwardly he doesn't want to share their fate, because they are too greedy and have a bad reputation.

So we still need to distance ourselves first. As long as the Qingliu faction continues to strongly support Prince Yu, Father will eventually get the Yan faction to support me. As for whether Yan Song or Yan Shifan are willing or not, does it matter?

If so, how would Qingliu react?

Zhu Zaizhen casually placed the Xuande incense burner on the table. He had very few capable people under his command, especially those who could operate outside the palace.

"Otomo, are there any members of my maternal clan in the capital?"

According to the regulations established after the reign of Emperor Chengzu, the emperor, his sons, and members of the imperial clan would regularly select eligible, virtuous women from the common people to become concubines.

These families are usually low-ranking officials, military households, or ordinary people, excluding high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy merchant families.

Therefore, the vast majority of concubines and even empresses in the Ming Dynasty came from ordinary backgrounds. Du Lin, the maternal grandfather of Prince Yu, was originally a commoner in Daxing County. It was not until Consort Kang entered the palace and gave birth to Prince Yu that he was promoted to the rank of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and became a fifth-rank official.

Zhu Zaizhen's maternal grandfather, Lu Yan, was even better off. He was a commander of the Nanjing Imperial Guard, which was not in accordance with the regulations. However, he and his wife had five sons and two daughters, none of whom died young.

Empress Dowager Jiang believed that such good fortune indicated the virtue of her ancestors, and that her daughter would surely be outstanding, contributing to the prosperity of the imperial family. Therefore, she specially designated her to be brought into the palace.

With the Empress Dowager's favor, Lady Lu naturally prospered. After all, the Emperor was a filial son, as can be seen from Lady Lu's title. In the fifteenth year of Jiajing's reign, she was granted the title of Consort Jing, a title of great honor in the dynasty.

Because of his daughter's high rank, Lu Yan was promoted to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The following year, Consort Jing gave birth to a prince and was promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Lu Yan was then promoted to Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a fourth-rank official. However, he remained in Nanjing and could not go north.

His mother was the youngest in the family, which means that Zhu Zaizhen had five maternal uncles and one paternal aunt. As for how many cousins ​​he had, he was not sure, let alone where they worked.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Dezhao replied, "Most of the Lu family members hold positions in Nanjing and the Suzhou-Hangzhou-Jiangsu-Zhejiang area. However, your aunt is in Beijing, and her husband, Lü Fu, is the Director of the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War."

Zhu Zaizhen didn't mind that the position of the Ministry of War official was a sixth-rank official, but he was afraid that people wouldn't dare to get involved with him, and after all, his uncle was still a distant relative.

"What are the character and current positions of my uncles? Are any of my cousins ​​outstanding?"

In Zhu Zaizhen's memory, he had only met his maternal grandfather once with his mother, and that was five or six years ago. As for his maternal grandmother and uncles, he had never met them, let alone their children.

It's not that I don't want to see them, it's just that once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. Without the Emperor's special permission, it's difficult to even see one's parents, let alone brothers and nephews.

"The Lu family is a family of hereditary military officers with a clean and upright family style. Several of the maternal uncles are of pure and honest character. The eldest maternal uncle is a centurion of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard. The second maternal uncle passed the imperial examination and served as the county magistrate of Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture. The third maternal uncle served as the captain of the Dantu Garrison of Zhenjiang Guard. The fourth and fifth maternal uncles are still waiting to take the imperial examination."

As for the young masters, I recall there are about fourteen. There may have been more children born in recent years, but I know little about their talents and character.

Zhu Zaizhen nodded silently. His maternal clan was not powerful, but fortunately they were honest and numerous. In the future, a few of them could be transferred to the capital to serve him.

…………