The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"Those people in the Sixth Department are always like this; they're more likely to cause trouble than get anything done!"

Yin Shidan was somewhat indignant. Prince Yu was already out of favor, so why did these officials from the Six Ministries keep bringing up Prince Yu alone?

"It was probably done on purpose."

"What?"

Those people in the Sixth Department are very shrewd; they wouldn't make such a low-level mistake. If they were truly naive and impulsive, they would all have died during the Great Ceremony.

Zhang Juzheng did not say much, but Yin Shidan frowned for a moment and said, "They only mentioned Prince Yu and did not want to involve Prince Jing. However, if Prince Yu leaves the palace and goes to his residence, Prince Jing will inevitably do the same."

"Using Prince Yu to lead the charge, and then promoting Prince Jing to reap the benefits—what a clever scheme! It seems someone has their eye on the position of lecturer in the Prince's residence?"

"Those who served in the prince's residence and made contributions to the emperor's rise to power are almost guaranteed a position in the cabinet and in charge of government affairs. Who wouldn't want that?"

"And what about you, Uncle? Yesterday I asked you what Prince Jing said to you, but you wouldn't tell me. Do you know that others have already begun to subtly shun you?"

Zhang Juzheng's expression remained completely unchanged upon hearing this. In fact, Prince Jing did not say anything, but that did not mean he was going to reveal his own affairs for others to accept.

Is it you who are isolating me, or me who isolating you?

As a friend, Yin Shidan understood Zhang Juzheng, so he said in a tone of disappointment, "Fine, you don't care about them, but what about Minister Xu? He has submitted several memorials to support Prince Yu, and there is no room for maneuver for him."

Xu, now holding the position of Minister of Personnel and concurrently in charge of the Hanlin Academy, if you cannot take a clear stance, what will become of your future?

This isn't just about writing a few poems for the Grand Secretary. In the struggle for the throne, you're either friend or foe. You need to think this through.

"I have no intention of supporting Prince Jing," Zhang Juzheng replied calmly. "Moreover, it seems that Minister Xu will soon be unable to concurrently manage the Hanlin Academy, which would be against the rules."

Yin Shidan was stunned. Looking at Zhang Juzheng's calm face, he suddenly felt a bit suffocated.

"Uncle," his tone softened, taking on a pleading tone, "you have to let me know what you're thinking. I'm not trying to force you to take sides, I'm just afraid you..."

"What are you afraid of me for?"

"I'm afraid you'll isolate yourself, and that you'll end up associating only with people like Yan Shifan."

Yin Shidan spoke slowly and deliberately.

Zhang Juzheng's expression softened, and he looked at his friend and said, "Brother Zhengfu, I really have no intention of getting involved in the struggle for the throne. The problems of the court cannot be solved simply by having a crown prince."

Just then, Chen Yiqin, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, walked over. He had a dignified appearance and an air of scholarly refinement, though he was a little short. His eyes were red and his face was somewhat pale.

Seeing his appearance, Zhang Juzheng and Yin Shidan exchanged a glance and bowed in unison, saying, "Brother Yifu."

"Uncle, Zhengfu," Chen Yiqin's voice was a little hoarse, "I have something important to discuss with you."

"Okay, let's talk over here."

The three of them walked to a secluded corner, where the dappled shadows of bamboo under the eaves fell on their shoulders. After Chen Yiqin stopped, he took a deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress his surging emotions.

His expression was urgent and sorrowful, yet he maintained his usual composure.

"My mother has passed away. I have already reported this to the head of the academy and drafted a memorial for mourning. I have sent it to the Ministry of Personnel's Department of Personnel Performance and Appointment. I should be able to return to my hometown tomorrow."

Yin Shidan exclaimed in surprise and quickly said, "Brother Yifu, please accept my condolences."

Chen Yiqin waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to comfort him. His eyes were even redder, but his voice was more steady than before: "Returning to my hometown to observe mourning for my mother is what a son should do. What I am worried about is something else."

He looked at Zhang Juzheng, then at Yin Shidan, his eyes filled with solemn entrustment. "Some time ago, His Highness Prince Yu privately confided his difficulties to me. His Highness is young and inexperienced, and is quite bewildered."

The position of Crown Prince is vacant, and the eyes of the court and the public are fixed on him like arrows. Yet, His Highness has not a single person by his side who can offer him guidance and advice.

Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly. His ideal was to eliminate long-standing abuses, revitalize the Ming Dynasty, and usher in an era of lasting peace.

He was confident in his abilities, but even as the Grand Secretary, without the emperor's unwavering support, it would be difficult to implement sweeping reforms.

After all, reform requires the courage to defy the world. The bureaucracy, the imperial family, the gentry, grain taxes, border defenses... none of these are easy to change.

Therefore, policies must not be changed frequently, otherwise everything will be in vain.

Throughout history, there have been many precedents like this, which can serve as a warning!

Is the gentle and benevolent Prince Yu truly the monarch who can help him realize his ambitions?

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but picture Prince Jing in his mind. Prince Jing was still young and his face was still immature, but his eyes contained a composure that surprised even Zhang Juzheng, as well as a certainty about the world.

When those eyes looked at him, there was no probing, no trying to win him over, and none of the arrogance or feigned humility typical of princes.

There was only a certainty, as if saying, "I know what you can do."

perhaps…

Chen Yiqin, unaware of Zhang Juzheng's thoughts, continued, "I originally intended to take care of His Highness, but now, fate has not been kind, leaving me torn between loyalty to my country and filial piety..."

Yin Shidan quickly said, "Brother Yifu, don't blame yourself like this. His Highness Prince Yu is kind and benevolent and will be blessed. Minister Xu has now risen to the position of Minister of Personnel and will arrange suitable candidates to assist His Highness."

Chen Yiqin shook his head: "Being kind is true, but being kind alone is not enough in this court."

Uncle Da, Zhengfu, after I leave, His Highness Prince Yu will have one less person to look after him. And if His Highness leaves the palace to take up residence one day, the selection of the Prince's lecturer will probably become the focus of competition among all parties.

I don't want that position to fall into the hands of those who only know how to fight for power. Would you two be willing to look after His Highness for me?

With a surge of emotion, Yin Shidan blurted out, "Of course, Brother Yifu, rest assured, His Highness is kind and filial, and I will never ignore him. I will do my utmost to help him."

Chen Yiqin looked at his sincere appearance, nodded slightly, and then his gaze fell on the silent Zhang Juzheng.

He knew that of the three, the most unpredictable and the most capable was the young man before him.

How could an ordinary person be valued by both the Grand Secretary and Minister Xu at the same time?

Zhang Juzheng lowered his eyes, his fingertips lightly gathering his sleeves, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.

"My brother Zhengfu and I are only junior scholars. Even if we pass the examination next month, we will only become compilers in the Hanlin Academy. How could we possibly have the ability to take care of the prince?"

The truly suitable candidates are in Nanjing. Brother Yifu shouldn't be looking for us; he should be going to see Minister Xu and urging him to transfer Brother Suqing and Brother Mengjing to Beijing as soon as possible.

Chen Yiqin frowned slightly: "I have considered it, and I have already met with Minister Xu. Gao Gong and Zhao Zhenji are suitable, but they have been transferred to Nanjing by His Majesty's decree."

Minister Xu has just taken office at the Ministry of Personnel and it is impossible for him to rashly disobey the Emperor's will. The only option is to wait until next year when the Ministry of Personnel conducts its assessment of officials outside the capital, or the year after that when it conducts its assessment in the capital, to recall those two officials.

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