The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"The Minister of Personnel is missing." Yan Shifan's expression was somewhat solemn. He stood under the corridor, and not far away, his second wife, Liu, was holding his eldest son, who was just over a year old.

To outsiders, this was his only child, but in fact he had another son raised outside the family, a fact that even his father didn't know.

Because he wasn't so sure whether the child was his or the woman's husband's, he would have to wait a few years until the child grew up and saw if the child resembled him. If the child did, it wouldn't be too late to bring the child back.

The steward continued, "There's one more thing. Huang Bingbi sent word that His Majesty, showing compassion for Grand Secretary Yan, has granted you permission to serve in the Western Garden."

"Hmph, a mere official in the Ministry of Personnel, exchanged for someone being released from duty?"

The steward didn't respond, and Yan Shifan didn't say anything more either; one can't choose between thunder and rain.

"Go down."

"Yes."

Yan Shifan didn't pay much attention. Ha, Minister of Personnel? That old bastard Wen Yuan isn't a minister.

Power isn't something you get just by sitting down; you have to fight for it yourself. Right now, it's just that the person in that position has changed to someone with a more unpleasant and troublesome background.

A moment later, Liu came over carrying the child. Yan Shifan took his son and lifted him up. The child was frightened and struggled and cried. Liu immediately snatched the child back and turned to leave.

A flash of anger crossed Yan Shifan's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. His wife was the daughter of Marquis Anyuan, Liu Xun, and came from a military family; she was proud and arrogant.

It wasn't that he was afraid of the Liu family, but his wife was not a concubine; she represented his dignity. It would be undignified for him to slap himself in the face.

And if the matter goes to my mother's place, I'll have to kneel in the ancestral hall.

"return."

Liu turned around and looked at him, clearly there was nothing important to do, she still had to leave.

"Great news!" Yan Shifan had no choice but to step forward himself and say, "You always complain that I'm getting too close to Qiu Luan. This time I'll give you a definite answer: I'll definitely avenge my father-in-law's humiliation."

Liu was somewhat skeptical. She scoffed, "Hmph, I know you too well. As long as that Qiu guy can still send you money, you won't do anything to him."

There was an old story. In the eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign, the court wanted to attack Annam, so it appointed Qiu Luan as the imperial commissioner and general. When he arrived in Guangdong and Guangxi, he attempted to use the imperial edict to force Liu Xun to wear military uniform and grovel before him.

Both men were marquises and generals; one was an imperial envoy from afar, and the other was a local general. There was a hierarchy, but there was absolutely no reason for either to kneel before the other. Liu Xun naturally refused.

With the stalemate continuing, neither side could gain the upper hand, so they could only submit memorials to impeach each other. Qiu Luan accused Liu Xun of disobeying imperial orders and being arrogant and rude, while Liu Xun accused him of insulting meritorious officials and overstepping his authority.

Liu Jiajiu had long been stationed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and was well-versed in the affairs of the Tusi (local chieftains), coastal defense, and military affairs on the Annam border. It was impossible for him to be replaced. Jiajing's original intention was to let Qiu Luan gain some merit, but he did not expect that this guy would actually dare to seize power.

The result was that the emperor reprimanded Qiu Luan for his arrogance, summoned him back to the capital, and appointed Liu Xun as the deputy general in charge of the southern expedition.

Although they had won, the Liu family felt deeply ashamed. However, because Qiu Luan had made contributions to the Great Rites Controversy and was highly favored by the emperor, they never had the opportunity to take revenge.

Yan Shifan's confrontation with Liu Shi began after he got Qiu Luan out of prison.

"What are you saying? We can't just give up that pile of silver, can we? Qiu Luan probably doesn't have much left to give. In a few days, I'll have the Imperial Guards gather evidence against him and submit it to the authorities. Once he's locked up in the imperial prison, I guarantee he won't live more than three days!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu's expression softened considerably. Her husband had a thousand faults: greed, lust, violence, and gambling addiction. But there was one thing he did: he would never lie to her.

"That's good, then I can at least comfort my father's spirit in heaven."

Yan Shifan stepped forward and embraced his wife and children: "There's plenty of work over there, you can pick a few later."

"There's absolutely no need for that."

The Imperial Prison, also known as the Northern Garrison Command's prison, was located underground. It was damp and cold year-round, impervious to water and fire, and filled with the stench of plague. Even without torture, prisoners could not endure it for long.

If torture is inflicted, the first five items are standard: a wooden yoke around the neck, which must be removed all day; iron chains around the feet, making it difficult to move an inch; a large poplar stick, which tears the skin and flesh apart; a stick that pinches the fingers, shattering the finger bones; and a stick that pinches the calves, breaking the bones and crippling the person.

In addition, tortures such as playing the pipa, washing and combing, wearing red embroidered shoes, and writing a letter were used. In such places, killing a person was easier than killing a chicken.

The two separated. Yan Shifan held the child, and Liu Shi reached out and gently straightened the slightly crooked buttons on his collar.

Then she took the child back, and this time she didn't turn around and leave, but stood on the veranda, standing side by side with him for a moment.

"I heard about the Ministry of Personnel..." she suddenly said.

Yan Shifan raised his hand, stopping her from continuing: "You don't need to worry about what's happening outside."

After a moment of silence, Liu said, "Then let's talk about family matters. I... I think I'm pregnant again."

Yan Shifan was overjoyed upon hearing this. No matter how indifferent he said he was, how could he possibly not care about having offspring?

"Very well, my dear wife, you've worked so hard to bring forth new generations for the Yan family. Just tell me what you want, and I will never talk back!"

"I don't want much, I just hope you and the child are safe and sound, Deqiu... never mind, you won't listen to me anyway."

Yan Shifan smiled broadly and eagerly led his wife to the library. Several more precious items had arrived yesterday, originally intended to be sent to Consort Jing in Jingren Palace, but now it seemed they would have to search for more.

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

"Uncle, the transfer of Minister Xu to the position of Minister of Personnel is truly a great stroke of good fortune!"

Yin Shidan, also a junior official, arrived excitedly before Zhang Juzheng's desk. His tone was enthusiastic and joyful, and his voice was clear and loud. All his colleagues in the junior official office turned to look at him upon hearing this.

"Really? Zhengfu, you're not kidding, are you?"

Before Zhang Juzheng could speak, the other junior scholars excitedly stood up and crowded around to inquire.

"It's true!" Yin Shidan's face was flushed, whether from excitement or from walking too fast, it was hard to tell. "The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel just sent word, it's absolutely true!"

"What a blessing for the nation!"

"With Minister Xu in charge of personnel selection, we can sweep away the ills of officialdom."

A smile appeared on Zhang Juzheng's face, but he also keenly sensed that something must have happened, given how abruptly the events had occurred.

The only variable recently is Prince Jing?

Has King Jing's actions already affected the six ministers?

Zhang Juzheng glanced at the memorial he had already written on his desk. He decided that he should give it a try, no matter what.

"In that case, Brother Suqing and Brother Mengjing should be able to be transferred back soon."

"If that's the case, then those two are really lucky; it's like they've gone on a sightseeing trip to Nanjing for nothing."

"His Majesty is wise and will not wrong his loyal ministers."

The crowd dispersed to celebrate this rare victory with their friends and acquaintances, while Yin Shidan pulled Zhang Juzheng to the corridor.

"Uncle, there is another matter today. An official from the Six Ministries has submitted a memorial suggesting that Prince Yu should select a consort as soon as possible to ensure that the Ming Dynasty has a successor."

Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly: "Only Prince Yu was mentioned?"

The two princes were of similar age, differing only by a month. Even if there was a difference in their order of birth, the preparations for selecting a consort should have been done together.

"Yes." Yin Shidan felt a little uncomfortable when asked this question. After all, Prince Yu was not yet the Crown Prince. If he brought it up, it would probably displease His Majesty again.

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