Chapter 169: The Censorate Holds a Meeting

After the first person was nominated, everyone in the Grand Secretariat except Xu Guangqi wore somewhat complicated expressions.

They all realized one thing: Xu Guangqi's status was rising at lightning speed, putting tremendous pressure on Han Kuang. Perhaps this was His Majesty's intention.

This was, of course, Zhu Youxiao's design, because the Jiajing Emperor had done exactly this before. Even though the Jiajing Emperor trusted Yan Song deeply, he still placed a Xu Jie behind Yan Song to check him.

In the reputation of the scholarly circles, Xu Jie was far better than Yan Song, at least before he was exposed. But in fact, Xu Jie was wealthier than Yan Song — his family held hundreds of thousands of qing of land in Jiangnan, with tentacles reaching into every trade and industry; one could say it was an enormously vast family fortune.

By comparison, even Yan Song was not as rich as Xu Jie. So many matters truly cannot be clearly labeled good or bad, loyal or treacherous — often there is no such obvious line.

Han Kuang, as Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, now felt enormous pressure as well.

For Han Kuang, the fact that Xu Guangqi had been promoted up was already something that surprised him greatly. By comparison, if Sun Chengzong had been promoted by His Majesty to be Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Han Kuang could have accepted that more readily — but as it happened, it was precisely Xu Guangqi who had been promoted.

At this moment, Han Kuang could finally see it — Xu Guangqi had the ability to sit in this position, and most importantly, this was His Majesty's arrangement.

Once Shen Tingyun's nomination was made, the others did not put forward anyone else; they merely found a few token candidates to run alongside him.

Because everyone knew that the Ministry of Rites post was already Shen Tingyun's for the taking. Given the current situation and present circumstances, no one could mount a challenge against Shen Tingyun — after all, His Majesty's side would not allow it.

Once Shen Tingyun's name was reported up, he would inevitably receive His Majesty's appointment. If they wanted to stop Shen Tingyun from becoming Minister of Rites, they could only do so at this moment. But at this moment, could they actually stop it?

No one could stop Shen Tingyun from becoming Minister of Rites, because this was Xu Guangqi's nomination.

Xu Guangqi was the Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat — if he wanted to make a nomination, no one could possibly stop him; you cannot very well silence a Second Grand Secretary. So on this point there was no suspense left. After arranging a few token candidates, the matter was hastily wrapped up.

Although this matter had been settled, the remaining Grand Secretaries were still deeply worried, because they did not know in what direction things would develop.

Once something went wrong, it would likely produce unpredictable consequences, because this affair was simply too big.

Han Kuang, Sun Chengzong, and the others consulted among themselves and ensured that someone was always on duty in the Grand Secretariat's duty room; they established a rotation system for the Grand Secretariat.

Should any sudden situation or emergency arise, the Grand Secretariat could receive word at the first possible moment and handle it at the first possible moment.

Meanwhile, the entire court was abuzz with discussion. Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong had been arrested and thrown into the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison. No one had expected matters to end up heading in this direction; no one had expected things to evolve into what they had become.

Regarding the way Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong had sought fame through blunt remonstrance, the two factions reacted in extremely opposite ways.

Cui Chengxiu's side directly sent people to manufacture public opinion in the capital, spreading everywhere that Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong were disloyal subjects, saying that pressuring His Majesty like this was not what a minister ought to do.

The other side rebutted, proclaiming in the scholarly circles that when the sovereign errs, one must remonstrate; if the sovereign will not listen, then one must remonstrate unto death. Therefore Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong had not done wrong at all — they had done right, displaying the conduct of loyal ministers, the conduct of men of integrity.

For a time the capital was in turmoil, arguments dragging on without end. But most people could see clearly that this was fundamentally a matter of the two sides' positions.

If you opposed the previous policies, then you had to support Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong; if you stood on Cui Chengxiu's side, then you necessarily had to beat Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong down into the dirt.

The Censorate.

Because of the case of Yang Lian and Zou Yuanbiao forming a faction for private gain, the Censorate's prestige had suffered a heavy blow. But over this period, the Censorate's momentum had been very strong, showing signs of recovering its former standing.

All of this was because of Cui Chengxiu. During this time he had been extremely high-profile, vaguely giving the impression of becoming the Censorate's leader, while also rallying quite a few people around him.

Some even felt that Cui Chengxiu had more presence than Yu Maoheng, the Left Chief Censor of the Censorate. But those in the know all understood that Cui Chengxiu was far inferior to Yu Maoheng.

When had Yu Maoheng risen to his position?

It was when the Censorate's standing was at its lowest, when it enjoyed the least trust from His Majesty. At that time Yu Maoheng rose to take charge of the Censorate — what did that show?

It showed that Yu Maoheng was a man His Majesty trusted, that His Majesty believed he could take control of the Censorate at that time.

So even though Cui Chengxiu had been making a lot of noise lately, he knew in his heart that he could not compare with Yu Maoheng. Thus within the Censorate, Cui Chengxiu showed great respect toward Yu Maoheng. This time's affair was also something Yu Maoheng had tacitly permitted him to stir up.

This time, several people gathered in the Censorate's main hall, and everyone wore grave expressions.

Because previously Yu Maoheng had not really bothered with their affairs — if they wanted to make noise, Yu Maoheng did not interfere; clearly this was a tacit understanding.

But this time Yu Maoheng had called everyone over, clearly indicating there was something he needed to instruct.

Seeing everyone seated, Yu Maoheng nodded slowly and unhurriedly, then spoke: "Today I have called you all here because there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Our Censorate serves as the ears and eyes of the Son of Heaven and the arbiter of conduct, priding ourselves on being pure and upright, taking as our duty the remonstrance of the Emperor, the impeachment and inspection of all offices and officials, and the touring and examination of local governance. Before us stand countless predecessors who gave their lives without hesitation, served their sovereign loyally to repay the state, and upheld the altars of the nation — these are the models we juniors must learn from."

"When the court selects Censors, the following are the most basic requirements:

First, one must forget one's family for the nation and forget oneself for loyalty;

Second, one must be upright and unyielding, principled and bold in speech;

Third, one must possess outstanding learning, understanding all aspects of court governance while also being broadly versed in past and present."

Everyone present had been selected and had become among the best, so naturally they all met these requirements.

"Now the court is in chaos; there are those who wield power to disrupt governance and wreak havoc upon the court. This is precisely the time for us to speak out for justice. Perhaps we will be criticized, perhaps we will face retaliation, but I, your Chief Censor, still wish to submit a memorial. Today I have called you back to explain this matter to you."

"If you are willing to follow me in this, then go back and have your people submit memorials as well; if you are unwilling, then I will not force you."

After saying this, Yu Maoheng gently picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and quietly waited for their replies.

Although Yu Maoheng used a consultative tone, everyone present knew this was not actually a consultation.

None of those present had expected that Yu Maoheng, who was usually quiet and seemed very easy to get along with, would be so resolute this time.

Everyone sank into contemplation.

Cui Chengxiu, off to the side, was secretly somewhat excited.

Unlike the others, Cui Chengxiu had Eunuch Wei Zhongxian behind him and knew some things from inside the palace — namely, that His Majesty was dissatisfied with the Donglin Faction at court. Of course, this was already common knowledge.

But Cui Chengxiu knew another thing: His Majesty not only intended to deal with the Donglin Faction but also to promote new people. This included Second Grand Secretary Xu Guangqi and his circle.

Under such circumstances, whoever grew close to Xu Guangqi and his people might well become one of them. Eunuch Wei had once said that Cui Chengxiu's direct superior — that is, Yu Maoheng, the Left Chief Censor of the Censorate — was very likely one of Xu Guangqi's people.

So all along, Cui Chengxiu had been trying to build a closer relationship with Yu Maoheng, only the other man would not pay him any attention.

Now, at this moment, Yu Maoheng stepping forward to say such things clearly meant he was about to act. Yu Maoheng naturally could not be helping Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong; he was certain to be stepping on them.

This time Yu Maoheng and his people were about to make their move, and Cui Chengxiu felt this was a golden opportunity to blend in, because he thought it was a good choice.

Before this, the Chen Kedao affair had caused a great stir, yet Chen Kedao was one who lectured His Majesty. Xu Guangqi becoming Second Grand Secretary had surprised everyone, and this was already His Majesty openly showing support for them.

So in this affair, even if it were not for dealing with the Donglin Faction, Yu Maoheng would still propose abolishing the Donglin Academy and all academies under heaven. Because this was what His Majesty wanted done; only by doing so could Yu Maoheng gain His Majesty's favor.

After the affair of Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong, matters had taken a sharp turn for the worse, so Yu Maoheng had to enter the fray.

Having worked all this out, Cui Chengxiu's body trembled with excitement. He hurriedly rose to his feet and declared loudly: "Chief Censor! Confucius said to achieve benevolence, Mencius said to achieve righteousness; only when righteousness is fulfilled can benevolence be attained. What do we study the sages' books for? From now unto the end, may we have no shame! Now treacherous factions dominate the court; they bully His Majesty and wield power to manipulate governance — this is the greatest man-made calamity of the Great Ming!"

"We who study the sages' books naturally must serve our sovereign loyally and repay the state. At this moment of crisis and survival, we must submit memorials to attack them, using the pen in our hands to protect His Majesty! To root out the treacherous faction for the court, even if we are ground to dust, we will not regret it!"

Watching the agitated Cui Chengxiu and hearing his thunderous words, although Yu Maoheng's face showed no expression, inwardly he was thoroughly disgusted.

In this speech, Cui Chengxiu had ruined two people, which made Yu Maoheng quite uncomfortable.

He used Wen Tianxiang's death poem at the beginning, and Zhuge Liang's Memorial on Dispatching the Troops at the end—are you really that kind of man, Cui Chengxiu?

Don't we all know what kind of person you are?

How dare you quote the words of these two men?

It's practically defiling those two quotes!

So Yu Maoheng felt a wave of disgust in his heart. But he also knew there was nothing he could do about it—he couldn't very well have Cui Chengxiu killed.

Yu Maoheng could only listen quietly, nodding while stroking his beard, putting on a satisfied expression as he looked at Cui Chengxiu with considerable appreciation and said: "Well spoken. You are truly a rising star of our Censorate. One day you will surely become a pillar of our Censorate."

The meaning of these words was simple: young man, you've done well. Keep on like this, and your future will be boundless. After this matter is settled, you'll be promoted—I will recommend you to Your Majesty.

This was, in essence, a leader expressing that he had high hopes for you and was about to add more weight to your shoulders.