Chapter 217: Zhou Jiamo Wants to Use the Assessment Method

Some people had previously brought up the fact that Xunzi wasn't enshrined in the Confucian Temple to make a point—this wasn't anything strange, after all, getting Xunzi removed from the Confucian Temple counted as one of their achievements, so bringing it up now to show off was only to be expected.

Some people used this very point to attack Huang Kezuan, saying that since Xunzi hadn't even been enshrined in the Confucian Temple, how could the imperial examinations test on his works?

Then Yu Maohuai submitted exactly such a routine memorial, clearly positioning himself in direct opposition to them.

Zhu Youxiao compiled and reviewed the routine memorials submitted recently, and roughly formed some ideas, also coming to understand what the current situation in court truly was.

Through his maneuvering over this period, the court had finally begun to show some signs of life.

Originally Zhu Youxiao had thought this matter might encounter considerable resistance, but unexpectedly the reality was not so. Judging from the current situation, this matter might pass very quickly, and should be relatively easy at that.

This would create two trends in court and among the people—one trend being approval at court, with those who felt this policy was very good and correct and needed support; as for the other trend, it would be opposition among the people, and the voice of opposition would not be small.

These seemed like two extremely contradictory things. After arriving at this conclusion, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel somewhat dazed.

Empress Zhang approached gracefully, and seeing His Majesty lost in thought, softly called out: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao snapped back from his contemplation and said with a smile: "Baozhu has free time today?"

"As long as I'm accompanying Your Majesty, I have free time at any hour." Empress Zhang said with a charming smile.

Having said this, she sat down close beside Zhu Youxiao and asked softly: "Is Your Majesty in a bad mood?"

Zhu Youxiao shook his head, reached out to embrace Empress Zhang, and said softly: "I'm not in a bad mood, just thinking about some things."

"There are so many matters under heaven—chaotic, tangled, and complex. Your Majesty should still ease your mind and keep your spirits up, for only then will you have the heart to get things done. Otherwise, if Your Majesty's dragon body is not healthy, when the time comes you won't even be able to do what you want." Empress Zhang said gently as she reached out and held Zhu Youxiao's hand in return.

While Zhu Youxiao was having a heart-to-heart with Empress Zhang, Sun Chengzong was meeting someone at his home—that person being Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamo.

After the two sat down, neither spoke a word, merely drinking tea with their own thoughts.

After a long while, Sun Chengzong could no longer hold it in. He set down his teacup and said with a smile: "Minister Zhou, is there something you've come to see me about today?"

Zhou Jiamo glanced at Sun Chengzong and said bluntly: "It's actually quite simple. I came today to discuss the matter of Huang Kezuan with you."

He hadn't expected Zhou Jiamo to be so direct, which left Sun Chengzong somewhat unaccustomed.

It wasn't too strange for ministers to discuss matters or people among themselves, but everyone was generally rather tactful about it.

Zhou Jiamo being so direct today was still somewhat hard to take.

But this wasn't the time to worry about such things. Sun Chengzong raised his head to look at Zhou Jiamo and asked with a grave expression: "Then what does Minister Zhou think of this matter?"

Glancing at Sun Chengzong, Zhou Jiamo set down his teacup and said with a smile: "As I see it, this is nothing more than Huang Kezuan preparing to expand the Ministry of Justice. I must say his reaction is faster than ours—that's something to admire."

"What does Minister Zhou mean by that?" Sun Chengzong stared fixedly at Zhou Jiamo, asking with some confusion. He truly couldn't quite grasp the logic behind it.

"I don't know—is Grand Secretary Sun truly not understanding, or pretending not to? No matter. Whether you truly don't understand or are pretending, since I've come today, I'll say what needs to be said." Zhou Jiamo said with an indifferent smile.

"Ever since Your Majesty began employing Xu Guangqi and the others, the court hasn't had a moment of peace. Though each has been busy in their own way, everything they've done has followed a discernible pattern. First the Ministry of Rites—Shen Tingyun became Minister of Rites. What did he push forward?"

"He stirred up the matter of lecturing and learning, stirred up the matter of the Imperial Academy. And what's the result now? The Ministry of Rites' power has grown greatly—not only does it oversee the imperial examinations, it also oversees the Imperial Academy."

"If the Imperial Academy truly proves viable, then the Ministry of Rites will spread it across all of Great Ming, using it to replace the prefectural and county schools at every level. Under such circumstances, what is the Ministry of Rites? How much power will the Ministry of Rites have?"

"In the past people said the Ministry of Rites governed all the scholars under heaven, but we all know perfectly well how much water was in that claim. If the academies truly spread across all of Great Ming, then the Ministry of Rites will have truly achieved that—governing all the scholars under heaven."

"At that point, what kind of power and influence will the Ministry of Rites possess? Add to that this revision of the examination syllabus—that too will become a choke point in the future. Though this time the uproar has been great and Huang Kezuan has charged to the front, what about afterward?"

"In this world, where there's a first time there's a second. Since the Ministry of Rites revised the examination syllabus once, it can revise it a second time; when that happens, that will be the Ministry of Rites' power. Ever since Shen Tingyun arrived at the Ministry of Rites, he has been continuously expanding its power."

After hearing this speech, Sun Chengzong's brows knit tightly together.

"Next let's talk about the Ministry of Revenue. Using the matter of the Imperial Household Department as a pretext, the Ministry of Revenue wants to establish a bureau specifically for managing merchants. Word has already spread that Xu Guangqi has nearly finished his preparations—he wants to build this bureau throughout all of Great Ming, with one in every prefecture, city, and county, and not subject to local jurisdiction. Do you know what that means?" "It means the Ministry of Revenue has also extended its reach downward—the Ministry of Revenue is also expanding its power. Add to that Xu Guangqi's trial cultivation of crops and the Hundred Crafts Institute, and the Ministry of Revenue's power is inflating rapidly."

"Ever since those two rose to power, they've both been actively expanding their authority!"

Sun Chengzong looked seriously at Zhou Jiamo—he truly hadn't thought the matter could be viewed from this angle.

He hesitated slightly, because Sun Chengzong felt this surely couldn't be true.

But what Zhou Jiamo said made perfect sense—it was impossible not to believe it.

Sun Chengzong asked hesitantly: "Then Huang Kezuan is..."

"I call this behavior of Xu Guangqi and Shen Tingyun's the Great Six Ministries—they want a greater Ministry of Revenue, a greater Ministry of Rites; and what Huang Kezuan wants now is a great Ministry of Justice."

"Unlike the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice has always been rather unremarkable. If one wants to build a great Ministry of Justice, the first problem to solve is how to extend one's reach outward."

"So Huang Kezuan thought of Xunzi. Rites and law upheld together—that is Huang Kezuan's starting point and original intention."

After hearing this speech, Sun Chengzong was silent for a long time.

He had begun to believe what Zhou Jiamo said, but still asked hesitantly: "But what about His Majesty?"

"Haven't you seen it clearly yet? His Majesty no longer believes in that old set of ways. His Majesty wants to see who can produce something new."

"The facts prove that Xu Guangqi and the others have done reasonably well—at least since Xu Guangqi took over the Ministry of Revenue, he has indeed been doing real work. Whether it's the Hundred Crafts Institute or the cultivation of new crops, Xu Guangqi has been doing it all."

"As for the Ministry of Rites, they've also been doing real work. The Imperial Academy and the lecturing affairs may look unremarkable, but they concern factional struggle. Though we never admitted it before, that was factional struggle!"

"With these two men setting precedent, His Majesty will likely agree with Huang Kezuan's arguments this time as well. His Majesty wants to see what these people with new ideas will accomplish."

As he spoke, Zhou Jiamo turned to Sun Chengzong and said with furrowed brows: "The direction is already quite clear. As far as I know, people at the Censorate have already begun submitting memorials supporting Huang Kezuan."

"What that means, I think you understand very well. Though it's Cui Chengxiu and his lot submitting the memorials, and they look like Wei Zhongxian's people, the fact that Yu Maohuai of the Censorate hasn't suppressed them proves one thing—that His Majesty is pleased to see this come to pass."

"If I'm not mistaken, the next person to support Huang Kezuan should be Xu Guangqi and his group. As the saying goes, unite the vertical and ally the horizontal—they want to do new things now, but there are people who don't want them to; under such circumstances, they need to ally with others who want to do new things, so Huang Kezuan and Xu Guangqi's group will quickly draw closer together."

Listening to Zhou Jiamo's words, Sun Chengzong fell silent.

He had discovered something—he seemed unsuited for officialdom.

Having been an official for so many years, he had never thought or schemed in such a manner. Looking at it now, he was far behind—these people truly were each more shrewd than the last.

"Then why has Minister Zhou come to see me today?" Sun Chengzong looked at Zhou Jiamo and asked.

"If we don't make a move, then we'll be the ones in trouble." Zhou Jiamo tapped lightly on the tabletop, then continued: "His Majesty wants to see new things. If we have nothing new to offer, then we needn't remain at court. Don't you think Great Ming truly needs some new things?"

Sun Chengzong looked at Zhou Jiamo and said hesitantly: "Is Minister Zhou speaking of reform?"

"Since His Majesty wants to see it, then let's give it a try. His Majesty is young now—he wants to act. Why shouldn't we, as his ministers, act alongside him? The reason I've brought you in is that I don't want you to leave the court."

"Everyone in this world wants to accomplish things, but what they'll ultimately achieve, no one knows. Xu Guangqi and the others are bold and full of ideas, but whether they'll botch it, I don't know either."

"I hope they succeed. But if they do botch it—if they turn laws meant to benefit the people into laws that harm them—then we'll need to step in and rein them in. So we must remain at court and keep watch over them."

"Then what does Minister Zhou plan to do?" Sun Chengzong asked with confusion.

"What the Ministry of Personnel does is very simple — nothing more than the selection and management of officials. For selection, there's the civil service examinations, so there's nothing for us to do there. And now that His Majesty has established the Imperial Academy, we can't even get a foothold in that either."

"Then it can only be management. As for how to manage — no need to think about it, just learn from our predecessors."

Listening to Zhou Jiamo's words, three characters flashed through Sun Chengzong's mind.

He raised his head and looked at Zhou Jiamo, saying with some disbelief: "Lord Zhou, are you talking about the Assessment Law?"

The moment those three characters came out, Sun Chengzong felt his breathing tighten. These three characters were simply too weighty, too sensitive!

One had to know that the Assessment Law had been promoted by Zhang Juzheng back in the day — how many people opposed it then?

Zhang Juzheng's final fate was not unrelated to the Assessment Law.

Now Zhou Jiamo actually wanted to use the Assessment Law. Once this news got out, it would absolutely cause an uproar — Zhou Jiamo might even become the target of universal condemnation.

So Sun Chengzong looked at him with some hesitation.

Glancing at Sun Chengzong, Zhou Jiamo said with a smile: "I was born in the twenty-fifth year of Jiajing, became a jinshi in the fifth year of Longqing, and I am seventy-six this year."

"The common folk say that when yellow earth covers you halfway, you're half-buried. I'm already buried up to my neck now. I don't know how much longer I have to live — I might die tomorrow. At a time like this, what do I have to fear?"

"If there's anything to come, let it come at me! What I'm telling you today is this: if His Majesty agrees with Huang Kezuan and also agrees with me, then you need to start making your move."

"I don't understand the Ministry of War's affairs very well, but His Majesty has already had Qi Jin training the new army, so you should understand as well. Do your work well. I hope we can keep an eye on them together — but first we need to blend in with them." As he said this, Zhou Jiamo smiled like a wily old fox, and at the same time like a mischievous child.

Sun Chengzong fell silent for a moment.

He felt that what Zhou Jiamo said made sense, yet he didn't feel he should act the way Zhou Jiamo suggested. He felt he should do more, rather than quietly watching and waiting.

Sun Chengzong glanced at Zhou Jiamo and said: "I will go to the palace and ask His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiamo laughed outright.

He clapped his hands and said: "Those words — only you, Sun Chengzong, would dare say them. But you are His Majesty's teacher, so it's fine to go ask. At least it will put your own mind at ease."

"In that case, I shall take my leave." Zhou Jiamo said with a smile.

"Then let me see Lord Zhou out." Sun Chengzong said with a smile.

After seeing Zhou Jiamo out of the gate, Sun Chengzong did not go back inside. Instead, he had someone prepare a carriage — he was going to the palace.

In the Western Park.

Empress Zhang looked at Fang Zhenghua kneeling before her, and did not tell him to rise. She simply watched him kneel there in silence.

She gently raised her hand, took a sip of the tea in her grasp, and remained silent all the while.

At Empress Zhang's side, Wang An stood respectfully.

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat tense. No one knew what this Empress intended to do.

One had to know that in the Great Ming, although her reign had not been long, everyone knew how much His Majesty doted on this Empress.

The ministers might be somewhat less aware, but the eunuchs in the palace — they knew exactly what status the Empress held.

If one offended the Empress, what the consequences would be, they knew very well.

After a long while, Empress Zhang gave a soft smile, slowly set down the teacup in her hand, and said gently: "My father is simply not cut out to be an official. Although he fancies himself skilled at officialdom, that is all in his own imagination."

"This Imperial Household Department is such a large operation, and you have all been helping to keep an eye on it. You have worked hard." As she spoke, Empress Zhang turned to the palace attendant beside her and said: "Give them some rewards."

So the attendant hurriedly carried a tray over to Fang Zhenghua.

"This servant thanks the Empress for her reward." Fang Zhenghua hurriedly took the tray, then respectfully prostrated himself on the ground to pay his respects.

Empress Zhang smiled and nodded, saying: "Within the Imperial Household Department, getting things done still relies on people like you. Please be more tolerant of my father over there — don't let him make any major mistakes. And when you go about your work, be careful as well. After all, this is the Imperial Household Department of the royal family. If something goes wrong, it won't look good for His Majesty."

Although she had given rewards, the Empress's few words still made Fang Zhenghua's heart cry out in distress.

The Empress's meaning was already very clear: you made the Empress's father take the blame, and I won't say anything about that. But there is one thing you must remember — you cannot make the Empress's father take too much blame.

To put it plainly, you cannot harm my father too badly. If you go too far, then don't blame me for being impolite.

The remaining meaning was that you still need to work hard and not push everything onto the Empress's father's head. If it really came to that, then what would you servants even be doing?

"Rest assured, Your Majesty the Empress. This servant knows how to proceed." Fang Zhenghua said hurriedly.

"Alright, then you may go." Empress Zhang said with a smile, waving her hand.

After Fang Zhenghua had walked out, Empress Zhang let out a soft sigh and said to Wang An beside her: "I must rely entirely on Eunuch Wang. Please keep an eye on the Imperial Household Department side — don't let the Empress's father suffer too great a loss."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress. This old servant understands." Wang An hurriedly bowed and said.

"This palace has all kinds of people and all kinds of affairs. As a woman who has only just entered the palace, there are many matters in which I must rely on you. So you should also understand how to conduct yourself — I need not say more." Empress Zhang said with a smile: "His Majesty sent you to my side, so of course I must trust you."

"Your Majesty the Empress's kindness — this old servant is deeply grateful." Wang An hurriedly bowed and said.

This was not empty flattery. He was indeed very grateful to Empress Zhang. If not for Empress Zhang, his days in the palace would not have been nearly so comfortable.

Now everyone knew he was the Empress's trusted confidant. With the Empress's status so high now, his own standing naturally rose along with it.

Empress Zhang waved her hand, then turned and asked: "That Hu Fei — is he one of the Duke of Ying's men?"

Wang An hurriedly nodded and said: "He is indeed one of the Duke of Ying's men."

"Have the Duke of Ying's wife come to the palace tomorrow!" Empress Zhang stood up and said flatly: "You've been away from your duties for quite a while now. Go back — the Imperial Household Department still needs your oversight."

"This old servant understands." Wang An acknowledged, then bowed and said: "This servant takes his leave."

By the lakeside, within a pavilion.

Zhu Youxiao lay in a rocking chair, letting the breeze blow over him, enjoying his leisure time.

Hearing footsteps approaching from far to near, Zhu Youxiao didn't even raise his eyelids. At this time, the only one who would dare walk over was Chen Hong.

"Your Majesty, the Empress's side has sent Fang Zhenghua back. However, the Empress has summoned the Duke of Ying's wife to the palace." After saying this, Chen Hong directly withdrew to one side — he dared not say more.

He knew that although he enjoyed His Majesty's trust, he could not compare to the Empress. If, because of him, the Empress and the Emperor fell into some conflict, those ministers would tear him apart.

So Chen Hong directly withdrew to one side and quietly waited for his master to speak.

Now everyone in the palace knew that His Majesty and the Empress had a very good relationship. The Empress did not yet have a child. Once the Empress gave birth to a son, her status would immediately become something else entirely.

The Empress plus a legitimate imperial prince — that was an unbeatable combination in the harem. Because everyone knew that the Empress's son would one day become the Crown Prince, would become the Emperor.

If you offended the Empress at a time like this, what would your fate be in the future?

When the new emperor eventually ascended the throne, you would have nothing left. Wouldn't dealing with you however they pleased be just a single word from the Empress Dowager?

So everyone in the palace was extremely cautious; no one dared to offend Empress Zhang. At this moment, there was no one like Wei Zhongxian who held power over the entire court.

Zhu Youxiao gently rocked in his chair, still without opening his eyes, and said with a hint of jest: "My Empress has grown sensible. It's good to knock those people around a bit, lest they forget their place."

"The Duke was sent by me, and it's not wrong for the Imperial Household Department to be under his charge, but he can't be made to bear responsibility for everything. I still want him to serve for many more years! The way they're going about it, the Duke probably won't last much longer. Even if the Empress hadn't knocked them around, I would have done so myself. Now the Empress has done it on my behalf."

Zhu Youxiao had arranged those people to go to the Imperial Household Department to do work, and doing work meant bearing responsibility.

Zhang Guoji, as the Duke, had gone there to take the big black pot for the Emperor — not so that those people could dump every black pot that came along onto Zhang Guoji.

They wouldn't bear the responsibilities that should be their own, and let Zhang Guoji bear them all — this was what Zhu Youxiao did not want to see.

If Zhang Guoji were removed right now, Zhu Youxiao couldn't even find a suitable successor.

"The Empress did well. Open the inner treasury and let the Empress pick out some things. Tell the Empress to choose whatever she likes." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, signaling Chen Hong to withdraw.

Chen Hong didn't dare say a single word and retreated backward.

He had discovered one thing: everyone had still underestimated His Majesty's affection for Her Majesty the Empress.

Even though Her Majesty the Empress had done such a thing, His Majesty not only didn't reproach her, but instead wanted to give her a reward — and this reward was especially heavy, directly opening the inner treasury for the Empress to pick from, and even specifically instructing her to choose whatever she liked.

Such favor was practically unrivaled throughout the six palaces.

Hmm, His Majesty seemed to have only two other women.

Chen Hong dared not be negligent and hurried off to Empress Zhang's quarters to deliver the decree.

After Chen Hong returned, he received another piece of news: Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong of the Grand Secretariat had submitted his card, requesting to see His Majesty.

So Chen Hong hurriedly delivered the news to His Majesty.

"Sun Chengzong is here?" Zhu Youxiao was somewhat hesitant.

In truth, Zhu Youxiao didn't know what Sun Chengzong had come for.

Since Sun Chengzong had taken up his post, he didn't seem to have done much, but neither did it seem like he had done nothing at all.

At the very least, Sun Chengzong had quickly pacified the Ministry of War and gotten it running smoothly.

Although he appeared to do nothing, the real work was all done in the shadows — that in itself was a kind of skill. However, Zhu Youxiao always felt that Sun Chengzong was more than adequate at maintaining the status quo, but lacking in drive for advancement.

Still, the court ultimately needed to have such a minister. If everyone were like Xu Guangqi and Shen Tingyun, that would be troublesome instead.

Having a steady person at the helm could avoid many problems — this was also where Zhu Youxiao valued Sun Chengzong.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said: "Let Sun Chengzong come in."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged and immediately turned to summon Sun Chengzong.

Before long, Zhu Youxiao heard the sound of someone approaching.

Sun Chengzong knelt directly on the ground and said: "Your servant Sun Chengzong pays respects to Your Majesty."

This startled Zhu Youxiao quite a bit. After all, Sun Chengzong was his teacher and now a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat — he no longer needed to perform such a grand ceremony when meeting him.

For him to perform such a grand ceremony today meant something was up!

Zhu Youxiao quickly stood up from his chair, walked over to help Sun Chengzong up, and said soothingly: "Master, what is this? Have I done something wrong somewhere? Master, please speak frankly."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao call him Master, Sun Chengzong's face showed a trace of daze, but he still hurriedly said: "To answer Your Majesty, your servant has something he wishes to consult Your Majesty about."

"Master mustn't say that — it is I who should be consulting Master. Master, if you have something to say, speak freely." Zhu Youxiao said gently: "Come, come, Master, sit down and speak."

With that, Zhu Youxiao pulled Sun Chengzong to sit down, then had Chen Hong serve tea to Sun Chengzong.