Chapter 132: The Grand Court Assembly (Begging for First Subscriptions!)

Yu Maoheng's intentions, Zhu Youxiao could guess some of them.

To put it plainly, it was "since I must do this and can't avoid it, then don't vacillate between two stools—just get the matter done in one decisive stroke."

It had to be said that this kind of resolve wasn't something just anyone could possess. And precisely because of this, Zhu Youxiao had begun to regard Yu Maoheng with newfound respect.

Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao instructed, "Have him come in."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao turned back to his chair and sat down, quietly waiting for Sun Chengzong's arrival.

He wanted to see what Sun Chengzong would say.

Before long, Sun Chengzong walked in from outside, and upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, he hurriedly performed the ritual of obeisance.

Zhu Youxiao quickly waved his hand to signal Sun Chengzong to dispense with the formalities, then instructed Chen Hong, who stood to one side, "Offer him a seat."

Soon someone brought over a chair, and Sun Chengzong sat down. Only then did the sovereign and his minister prepare to begin their conversation.

Zhu Youxiao spoke first, asking, "My dear minister, is there something you've come for today?"

His tone was gentle, his demeanor sincere, and it carried even a trace of concern.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Sun Chengzong's expression relaxed considerably. Looking at his sovereign, Sun Chengzong said, "Your servant has heard outside that the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Yu Maoheng, submitted a routine memorial concerning the academies of the realm."

In truth, Sun Chengzong was not very interested in such matters; he had always wanted to stay far away from them.

Last time the Donglin Faction came to him, he had already shown his face once on their behalf, only the matter hadn't been handled well. Of course, it wasn't that he himself had failed to handle it—it was the Donglin side that had botched things.

Whether the Donglin Faction had been played by Wei Zhongxian, or because they were simply fools themselves, none of that mattered. Once a matter was botched, it was botched.

Last time he had already come once, and His Majesty had given him face; he couldn't possibly come again. So when Gao Panlong sought him out once more, he refused.

But this time was different. This time the matter was simply too big—it not only implicated the Donglin Faction, but also the Donglin Academy, and even the academies of the entire realm. This was a major affair.

If His Majesty heeded slanderous words and destroyed the academies of the realm, what would be lost would be His Majesty's reputation, and at the same time, the literary education of the Great Ming.

Wouldn't such an approach chill the hearts of all the scholars of the realm?

This approach would also make the scholars of the realm lose faith in the court, and moreover, it would not be conducive to the spread of learning.

As for those who recklessly discussed state affairs and slandered the sovereign, those were only a minority—one could not stop eating for fear of choking. After all, discussing governance also stemmed from a heart devoted to serving the country. Such a thing ought to be encouraged—how could it be suppressed?

Carrying such thoughts and intentions, Sun Chengzong entered the palace.

When Zhu Youxiao heard Sun Chengzong say he had come about this matter, he roughly understood in his heart what he was here to do.

The reason Sun Chengzong had come in such haste was nothing more than wanting to see him as quickly as possible, trying to move him before Yu Maoheng's memorial could take effect.

"My dear minister, what is your view on this matter?" Zhu Youxiao asked with an expressionless face.

Sun Chengzong had been observing his sovereign's expression the whole time, but unfortunately he could discern nothing from it.

Hearing His Majesty ask him, he quickly said, "Your servant believes this matter absolutely must not be done. Every dynasty and every era has promoted literary education—how could it be suppressed? When scholars and officials discuss governance, it is also for the sake of the court. Before the imperial examinations existed, discussing current affairs was also a good thing."

"As long as they don't cause trouble or meddle in government affairs, that should be enough. The flourishing of academies throughout the realm is a credit to the court's civilizing efforts. Though there are those who preach heretical doctrines and slander the sovereign, they are but a minority—how could the court stop eating for fear of choking?"

Seeing Sun Chengzong's anxious expression, Zhu Youxiao's heart stirred suddenly, and he asked, "I wonder how my dear minister views the teachings of Li Zhi?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's question, Sun Chengzong's heart also stirred.

In fact, Sun Chengzong knew that his sovereign had been listening to Li Zhi's teachings, but he had never offered remonstrance about it.

First, he feared offending His Majesty; second, Sun Chengzong did not hold such strong opposition to Li Zhi's teachings.

Of course, Sun Chengzong could hardly be said to support the teachings either—what he wanted more was to do practical things, rather than argue back and forth over such academic matters.

Sun Chengzong simply hadn't expected His Majesty to ask him such a question at this moment.

After pondering for a moment, Sun Chengzong said in a deep voice, "Your servant believes some parts are indeed untimely, but some parts are still worth adopting."

Zhu Youxiao hadn't expected Sun Chengzong to give such a fence-sitting, all-purpose answer.

He had roughly seen through things now—in fact, Sun Chengzong probably wasn't a member of the Donglin Faction, but he did walk somewhat close to them.

After all, the Donglin Faction's propaganda work was well done, because in the later struggles, the Donglin Faction and the eunuch faction had reached a point of mutual exclusivity.

Sun Chengzong naturally wouldn't be willing to curry favor with Wei Zhongxian, and many others who were unwilling to curry favor with Wei Zhongxian had also all been branded as Donglin.

In truth, Sun Chengzong's factional coloring was not strong; it was just that some things in court were beyond one's control—for Sun Chengzong to keep himself unsullied and aloof was also impossible.

Now hearing these words from Sun Chengzong, Zhu Youxiao could roughly understand, and he naturally could tolerate these people who didn't form factions—he was even prepared to use them.

So Zhu Youxiao didn't press further on this matter, merely nodding.

Since Sun Chengzong didn't oppose the School of Mind, that was enough. As for the questions he had raised, Zhu Youxiao wasn't prepared to give him an answer.

Though he had ideas in his own heart, this matter was only just beginning.

Unlike Sun Chengzong's desire to resolve things as quickly as possible, Zhu Youxiao was prepared to drag it out—at least let it develop for a few days.

To borrow a phrase from later generations, Zhu Youxiao was prepared to let the bullet fly for a while.

This matter was meant to be made into a major issue—how could it possibly be resolved at this time?

Even if he gave Sun Chengzong a simple answer, once it spread outside, it would represent far too many things. So Zhu Youxiao was not prepared to give him an answer.

Glancing at Sun Chengzong, Zhu Youxiao said slowly, "Court affairs have been complicated of late, with all sorts of matters coming thick and fast. I was unwell these past days, and indeed I have delayed many things."

"Now matters are growing more and more intense, and I cannot shirk my share of the blame. Now that I am much better, I am preparing to bring these matters up for discussion at the next grand court assembly, and to hear the opinions of all the ministers as well. Listening to both sides brings clarity—that, I still know."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, the expression on Sun Chengzong's face froze for an instant.

He naturally understood his sovereign's meaning. Though unwilling to accept it, he had no recourse.

"In that case, your servant takes his leave." Having said this, and receiving His Majesty's assent, Sun Chengzong withdrew.

Watching Sun Chengzong depart, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Chen Hong and asked, "Has word from the Embroidered Uniform Guard still not come back?"

"Your Majesty, word has already come back. Tonight, Fang Congzhe will be able to enter the capital."

Hearing this news, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile, "Then spread the word—the grand court assembly the day after tomorrow will be held as scheduled. I will attend in person. Tell the ministers not to be late."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

He knew—it had finally come.

For the officials of the Great Ming, the court assembly was a topic that could never be avoided.

Whether His Majesty held court or not, the civil officials were always quite worried.

Previously, His Majesty had not been attending court sessions, and the civil officials had submitted no few routine memorials impeaching him for this matter.

Although there had been no large-scale wave of routine memorials, basically every so often someone would poke at the issue, but His Majesty simply never responded.

As time went on, everyone's interest gradually faded. Some people wanted to use this matter to provoke a beating at court and build their reputation, but since His Majesty did not respond, they too stopped reacting.

This time, His Majesty suddenly deciding to hold court was naturally no ordinary matter. Especially under the current circumstances, everyone throughout the court could see what the problem was this time.

With matters having reached the state they were in today, everyone was waiting—this grand court assembly was bound to become the flashpoint where all contradictions erupted.

Thus, every faction was also working hard to make preparations, ready to strike the other side down in one blow at this grand court assembly.

As for what the ministers were thinking, Zhu Youxiao naturally knew, but he neither approved nor disapproved.

Time flowed like water, days passed like a shuttle, and in the blink of an eye, two days had gone by.

That morning, Zhu Youxiao rose early, ate and exercised, then, attended by Chen Hong, put on the dragon robe.

In all this time, this was the first time he had dressed so formally.

Once everything was properly arranged, the time was about right, and Zhu Youxiao let out a gentle sigh.

Although he had not held court all these days, that did not mean he was not looking forward to this day.

For an emperor, holding court was the embodiment of his authority—and besides, having lived two lives without ever doing such a thing, he naturally wanted to try it.

With eunuch attendants at his side, Zhu Youxiao stepped out of the Qianqing Palace.

Because this was a grand court assembly, Zhu Youxiao did not choose to hold court at the Huangji Gate or the Qianqing Gate, but instead at the Huangji Hall, where grand ceremonies were ordinarily held.

It should be known that this was not a place that was lightly put to use.

By placing this grand court assembly in the Huangji Hall, one could see how much importance Zhu Youxiao attached to this assembly.

Moreover, this was also a way of telling the assembled ministers that this grand court assembly was no ordinary affair, so they had best be prepared.

Zhu Youxiao stepped into the great hall, then walked to his seat and sat down—this process was called "ascending the throne."

After Zhu Youxiao sat down, the hundred officials began to pay their respects.

After the hundred officials had shouted "Long live" three times, Zhu Youxiao gently raised his hand and said, "Rise, no need for ceremony!"

Zhu Youxiao sat upon the imposing and majestic golden dragon throne, gently stroking the enormous dragon head on the armrest. At this moment, looking at the ministers kneeling below, his heart was surging with excitement, yet the expression on his face showed not the slightest ripple.

So this is what it felt like to be emperor! In this moment, the feeling struck him even more deeply.

At the same time, Wang An, standing at the other side, called out loudly: "If there are memorials, present them now; if not, court is adjourned."

"I have been feeling a bit unwell these past few days and may have been somewhat remiss. Now, present whatever matters there are!" Zhu Youxiao smiled and said loudly.

Although Zhu Youxiao spoke lightly, for a moment no one opened their mouths.

All the officials kept their heads lowered; some of the more timid ones had even begun to tremble.

This court assembly was simply too momentous.

However, one person suddenly stepped forward, lifted his robes, knelt down, and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject has a memorial to present."