The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Just as Zhu Zaizhen was about to read it, freshly made pastries and water were delivered one after another, all sent by the concubines who lived in the West Garden.

Since they had no children and it was rare for a prince to visit the West Garden, they naturally didn't mind showing off a little. It was just a matter of giving an order, so why not?

Besides, if others give you gifts and you don't, what will the emperor think if he finds out? Even if you don't expect a reward, you might still be disliked.

"On behalf of the King, I thank Consort Huai."

"On behalf of the King, I thank Consort Shun."

"On behalf of the King, I thank Consort An..."

In just a short while, not only food and drink, but also clothing and daily necessities are provided. If one were to stay here for an extended period, there would be no need to go back to retrieve anything; one could simply settle down here.

He ate a couple of bites of Eight Treasures Cake and Pine Nut Pastry, and then started reading. The Taoist scriptures were obscure and difficult to understand, and the Ministry of Revenue's account books were similar.

Fortunately, what he needs to know right now isn't that detailed; he just needs a few key figures.

Last year, the imperial court's land tax revenue was over 26 million shi of grain, mainly rice and wheat. Based on the current grain price, each shi of grain was worth 5.8 qian of silver, which is approximately 15 million taels of silver.

Salt tax amounted to 2.1 million taels, while the output of official lands rented out to the imperial estates could be converted into more than 1 million taels of silver. Commercial taxes collected along the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River, and other major waterways amounted to 400,000 taels.

Mining tax and market tax totaled 150,000 taels, plus miscellaneous expenses such as corvée labor, postal service fees, and compensation for other expenses totaling over 100,000 taels…

All things considered, the Ming Dynasty's revenue last year amounted to approximately 20 million taels of silver. However, it was impossible for all of these in-kind taxes to be converted into silver. Most of the grain mixed with paper money was distributed to officials and members of the imperial family after their salaries were paid out, and then distributed to various garrisons and frontier areas for their needs. Finally, some of the grain was retained locally to prepare for famine.

According to the account book, only a little over two million taels of silver were actually deposited into the Taicang Treasury and directly controlled by the central government last year.

The vast imperial court only has this much silver and grain at its disposal, which is naturally insufficient. Last year, it overspent by 1.47 million taels of silver.

The situation at the Jingtong Grain Depot is also not good. This year, 3.7 million shi of grain were received, while 5.37 million shi were spent, resulting in a sharp decrease in reserves.

Currently, the granaries still hold over 17 million shi of grain, and the silver treasury holds over 1.6 million taels of silver. This is the wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, these are just the figures on paper; it's hard to guess how much is actually stored.

After reading the documents, Zhu Zaizhen's expression turned somber. After a moment, he put down the Ministry of Revenue's account books and began reading Taoist scriptures.

.........

"Your Highness has awakened."

"Your Majesty!" The Crown Prince's eunuch, Zhao Quan, rushed in, his face beaming with joy. "This servant heard that His Majesty has issued a decree..."

Zhu Zaiyi was not fully awake after waking up from his afternoon nap. After hearing the news that the emperor had ordered him to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple and that powerful figures such as Cui Yuan, Yan Song, and Xu Jie had been appointed to preside over his coming-of-age ceremony, he paused for a moment before finally smiling.

He had somewhat anticipated this, but if it dragged on any longer, he would really start to suspect that his father intended to choose a different heir.

"This servant congratulates Your Highness!"

The crown prince sat up and suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous, but he just thought he hadn't slept enough and didn't pay attention to it. He took the warm, sweet water that Zhao Quan offered him and drank a big gulp, and immediately felt better.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Rites will be here shortly to deliver the imperial decree. After receiving it, will you go to the Western Garden to pay your respects and express your gratitude?"

According to custom, he should go to express his gratitude immediately, but he had declined to go earlier. Now that he had received the favor, it would be too opportunistic for him to go to express his gratitude immediately. Even in front of his own father, Zhu Zai Rui felt a little embarrassed.

"Today is probably too rushed. You should send someone to inform Huang Daban later that I will burn incense and bathe early tomorrow morning before going to see my father to express my gratitude for the Emperor's grace."

"Yes." Zhao Quan thought for a moment and then said in a low voice, "This servant heard that His Majesty just praised Prince Jing in front of Duke Cheng and Yan Song."

Zhu Zaiyi was taken aback. It seemed that his father was indeed particularly fond of his sons today, otherwise he would never have praised Prince Jing in front of the court officials.

However, if it weren't for this, the Emperor probably wouldn't have agreed to let him perform the ancestral temple sacrifices and come of age. Compared to this, the few words of praise that Prince Jing received were really nothing.

"It's alright. Zai Zhen has been likable since childhood, and besides, he's the only one visiting Father Emperor today, which naturally pleases the Emperor."

Zhao Quan nodded in agreement. He didn't think this matter was a big deal. After all, the order of seniority and the foundation of the country were already established. He was just doing his duty to let the Crown Prince know what had happened.

As they were speaking, a eunuch came in to announce: "Your Majesty, the newly appointed Minister of Rites, Xu Jie, has come to deliver an imperial edict."

The crown prince got up to change his clothes, while Zhao Quan asked the people who came, "Have you set up the incense table? The candlesticks and incense burners must be arranged properly without any mistakes."

"Everything is arranged."

After the Crown Prince changed his clothes and tidied his appearance, he stood solemnly in front of the hall to wait. Xu Jie, dressed in a thick crimson silk court robe and facing south, took out an imperial edict in the shape of a seven-colored cloud brocade from a sandalwood edict box.

"The Emperor has decreed that the Crown Prince should receive the decree."

The Crown Prince led everyone in bowing and kowtowing. Xu Jie held the imperial edict in both hands, unfolded it, and held it horizontally to his chest.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

I, having inherited the Mandate of Heaven and ruled over all realms, have been diligent and cautious day and night, revering Heaven and honoring my ancestors, praying for eternal prosperity. However, due to my personal tranquility and focus on spiritual cultivation, I have been unable to personally visit the ancestral temple to express my sincere respect. Yet, the rites of sacrifice are of paramount importance to the state and cannot be neglected even for a moment.

Crown Prince Zaiyu is of high moral character and virtue, and is filial and devoted. He is capable of carrying on my will and is fit to act on my behalf.

I hereby specially appoint the Crown Prince to preside over the affairs of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On this auspicious day in early spring, he shall respectfully approach the ancestral tablets, dress in full regalia, and perform the rites with utmost sincerity and reverence, so as to demonstrate my heart's respect for my ancestors. The sacrificial animals, silks, and wine shall be prepared in accordance with the usual rites. The officials of the Ministry of Rites shall accompany him in the sacrifice, and the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial shall assist in the ceremony. All shall be done with utmost piety and purity to fulfill my wishes.

So be it.

"Your subject Zhu Zaiyi receives the imperial decree and kowtows in gratitude for the boundless grace of Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

After the Crown Prince expressed his gratitude, he raised his hands with palms facing up. Xu Jie stepped forward and placed the imperial edict in the Crown Prince's hands. The Crown Prince took the edict, kowtowed again, and then slowly stood up and placed the edict on the prepared incense table.

Then he led everyone to bow to the imperial edict, and only then was the reading and acceptance of the edict completed.

When reading the imperial edict, he represented the emperor; after reading it, he returned to his role as a subject. Xu Jie immediately took three steps back and bowed to the crown prince: "Your subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness live a long life."

"Minister Xu, you may dispense with the formalities."

Zhu Zaiyi's attitude was somewhat cold, and his gaze was scrutinizing. Xu Jie was promoted by Xia Yan, but he did not say a word during last year's incident, and has even been promoted now.

Having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for many years, Xu Jie naturally sensed the Crown Prince's attitude. However, he did not rush to express his opinion, but simply said, "Your Highness, the matter of the sacrifice is of utmost importance and must be performed with perfect rites. The coming-of-age ceremony following the sacrifice is of paramount importance and concerns the continuation of the dynasty."

Time is of the essence now, and Your Highness will likely have to spend some time diligently familiarizing yourself with the various rituals.

"Yes, I am aware of the importance of this matter and will certainly concentrate on making sure everything is in order."

After ordering his men to move the incense table back into the hall to burn incense and make offerings, Zhao Quan came over and said, "Your Majesty, tea and refreshments have been prepared in the hall."

Zhu Zaiyi nodded and invited Xu Jie, saying, "I'm sorry to trouble Minister Xu to come and deliver the imperial decree. Please come inside and rest for a while."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply humbled." Xu Jie bowed respectfully. "It is my duty; how could I dare to complain of hardship?"

………………