The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chen Yiqin continued to explain: "You two are of low rank and your actions are inconspicuous. It is perfectly legitimate for you to serve by Prince Yu's side. No one in the court or the public can criticize you."

Yin Shidan immediately replied, "Brother Yifu, you don't need to say anything more. I have already agreed to your request and I will never go back on my word. As for His Highness, I will do my best to help him."

He firmly believed that the eldest son should be chosen, not the most virtuous, in order to avoid disputes. This principle applied even to ordinary families, and it was equally true for major changes in the dynasty.

Even if we were to be honest, Prince Jing seemed to be a little better than Prince Yu, but how much better could he really be?

Are we really willing to tear apart the court and cause factional strife just to promote a few capable individuals?

He preferred to abide by the rules and uphold the rightful title of Prince Yu, even if Prince Yu was not a powerful ruler, at least there would be less bloodshed in the court.

Zhang Juzheng stood aside without saying a word. He looked at Yin Shidan's open and sincere face and Chen Yiqin's expectant eyes, but his heart was calm.

He wasn't unaware of these principles; he just thought further ahead than they did.

In the early days of a nation, it would be natural to establish the eldest son as heir. The country was established by the founding emperor, the people were loyal, the treasury was full, the borders were peaceful, and the court was enlightened.

In those days, as long as the person sitting on the dragon throne wasn't someone like Emperor Yang of Sui, who was ambitious and warlike, everyone was pretty much the same.

But what year is it now? One hundred and eighty-one years after the founding of the nation, the country is declining day by day, the administration is corrupt, the rich own vast tracts of land but do not pay taxes, while the poor have no place to stand but bear heavy burdens of taxes.

The southern pirates and northern barbarians invaded every year, and the garrison system was almost completely corrupted.

This country is no longer the impregnable country it once was.

Every time he closed his eyes, what flashed through his mind were his own memorials on current affairs, the shocking figures from the Ministry of Revenue, the reports of widespread famine in the regions, and the plight of the soldiers on the nine borders who couldn't even get their pay.

Prince Yu was not bad, but his aptitude was what it was. He was a mediocre ruler who might be kind and diligent, but he would only be a mild tonic for the Imperial Medical Academy, slowly leading the country to its demise.

What the world needs most today is change, a raging fire, a powerful remedy to revitalize itself!

The only thing that still troubled him was the question: would Prince Jing be the drastic medicine that the Ming Dynasty, a body terminally ill, needed?

Is it that life-extending formula that someone dares to open and someone dares to drink?

Looking at Zhang Juzheng's expressionless face, both of them felt a little disappointed, but Chen Yiqin didn't say anything more.

He had said everything he needed to say, and it was no longer his place to say what he shouldn't have. He only glanced at Zhang Juzheng one last time before leaving, his expression a complex mix of urging, reproach, and helplessness.

Three years later, he will return to personally protect Prince Yu. During those three years, he will also urge Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and others to protect Prince Yu, but that will be his limit.

After Chen Yiqin left, Yin Shidan opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. Even though they were close friends, no one could make the decision for the other in this matter.

Moreover, Zhang Juzheng never said he wanted to join Prince Jing; perhaps it was just his personality. Yin Shidan could only console himself with this thought.

…………

"You seem to have been saying quite a few good things about that brat to me lately. What, are you changing your mind about becoming Prince Zhongjing?"

While the Jiajing Emperor was having his meal, he suddenly spoke softly. Huang Jin, who was bowing and serving dishes beside him, trembled almost imperceptibly at the tip of his finger. He quickly composed himself and, as usual, steadily served the dish that the emperor was pointing to with his chopsticks, his voice respectful and gentle.

"Your Majesty, please have your meal first; your health is of utmost importance."

Jiajing did not speak again, and Huang Jin served him the meal as usual.

When the emperor lay languidly on the rosewood chair in front of the study, Huang Jin gently massaged his legs. Seeing that Jiajing's breathing was steady, he slowly said, "I entered the palace when I was a child and have been serving people all my life. I am loyal to His Majesty and naturally I must also be loyal to His Majesty's son. Father and son are one body."

As for always mentioning Prince Jing, firstly, His Highness Prince Jing is indeed approachable, and secondly, I've seen him many times, so naturally I mention him often. As for Prince Yu, he is kind and benevolent, and I've said that quite a bit about him too.

"Hmph." Jiajing slowly opened his eyes and said, "You've already explained all the reasons. In that case, I was the one who wronged you."

"This servant dares not say that I understand any principles." Huang Jin's movements were neither too light nor too heavy, still with just the right amount of force.

"This servant only acts according to her own conscience. Whoever is filial to His Majesty, this servant will say a word to them. I have not thought about anything else."

"This servant is incomplete; my whole life has been dedicated to one thing: serving you, Master."

He paused, his voice softening slightly, as if stating something perfectly natural: "When His Majesty attains immortality and becomes an immortal, he will no longer need me. I will then serve His Majesty's son and grandson."

Jiajing closed his eyes and did not speak again. His hand, which was resting on the armrest, tapped the rosewood armrest with his index finger.

Tap, tap, tap, the rhythm is slow, it's hard to tell if it's anger or contemplation.

Huang Jin's leg-pounding motions are always gentle and measured, the same intensity he's maintained for decades.

He lowered his eyes and hunched his back slightly. Everyone in the palace knew that serving the emperor was like walking on thin ice, but he had endured decades by the emperor's side and had long since figured out the soft spot the emperor hid in the cold palace.

After a long while, the intermittent knocking suddenly stopped.

Jiajing kept his eyes closed, his voice hoarse and languid, the coldness from his earlier probing gone, as if he were casually chatting: "You, you've always been the most honest of all."

Huang Jin felt a lump in her throat, but still replied cheerfully, "With your words, Master, I know I've served you well in this life, and I want to serve you again in the next."

"I know."

Jiajing uttered three words indifferently, raising his hand to brush up the hem of his wide, plain-colored Taoist robe: "If I were truly angry with you, I wouldn't have just asked casually during the meal."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise!"

"No need for flattery." A very faint smile appeared on Jiajing's lips.

"Keep hitting, the force is just right."

"As Your Majesty commands, long live the Emperor!"

In the vast and cold Forbidden City, this small hall unexpectedly exudes a rare sense of peace and warmth.

A moment later, the emperor fell asleep. Huang Jin propped himself up and slowly got up. His legs and feet were sore and numb, but he didn't make a sound. He just stood up with all his might until he regained feeling in his legs.

He turned around quietly and took a neatly folded moon-white silk quilt from the wooden shelf beside him. He bent down and carefully spread the soft quilt out, gently covering Jiajing's shoulders and chest, tucking the edges in.

He then went outside the palace and ordered two eunuchs to serve him carefully. He took the opportunity to eat something and relieve himself before quickly returning.

He dismissed the palace servants and sat alone beside the Drunken Old Man's Chair, silent and still, guarding this little corner of the world.

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