Chapter 1570: Return

The earth-shattering upheaval left every noble and powerful figure in Jingcheng trembling for their own safety.

Although everyone had long known that the conflict between Longqing and Wang Yan was irreconcilable, and even speculated that the Emperor might order Wang Yan's execution, no one expected that the certain death plot against Wang Yan would be turned around by Wang Yan himself.

In an instant, a great terror enveloped Jingcheng. In a daze, many people actually felt the same oppression they had experienced during the era of the Taizu Emperor...

People cast Wang Yan as a rebellious traitor; after all, his ability to turn the tables proved he had prepared long in advance. Since he had prepared long in advance, he must have harbored disloyal intentions from the start.

A group of rebellious traitors who had tirelessly gnawed at the foundations of Great Ming, secretly seized power, and led this empire toward decline, now labeled Wang Yan—a man forced into self-defense—as a rebellious traitor.

Undoubtedly, this was simply a colossal joke...

Therefore, Wang Yan convened a grand court assembly of capital officials, and before thousands of people in the Forbidden City, he announced the edict of Emperor Longqing, promoting Wang Yan to Grand Preceptor and concurrently Prime Minister, with overall command of Great Ming's military and political affairs.

The title of Prime Minister was naturally arranged by Wang Yan himself. It ranked above the Grand Secretariat but below the Emperor; nominally equivalent to the former Chancellor, yet in terms of actual power, the Chancellor could not compare. After all, Wang Yan had merely not ascended the throne himself; he exercised the full authority and responsibilities of an Emperor...

Wang Yan did not even bother fabricating an excuse of illness or rest for Longqing, nor did he mention it; he simply and decisively confined the imperial family within the deep palace.

On the spot, some loudly cursed Wang Yan as a rebellious traitor and a treacherous villain, heaping such abuse upon him that he was drenched in vitriol. Some even committed suicide right in the court, aiming to utterly ruin Wang Yan's reputation.

Wang Yan paid no heed, allowing these people to reap exactly what they sought, and ensuring that those who had previously taken sides against him likewise received the returns of their chosen allegiance.

If one fails in choosing sides, one ought to harbor no complaints. Sadly, many people cannot achieve this. Most demand only success and only outcomes beneficial to themselves; otherwise, they unleash a torrent of grievances and utter the most vicious words imaginable, as if the world owed them something.

Thus, after holding a grand assembly to establish procedural legitimacy, Wang Yan commenced a great purge.

Executing a batch right in the court first was a display of stance. Since those above were lifted up by those below, naturally the roots had to be pulled out entirely. From the central government to local administrations, within every yamen, down even to the lowest clerks wielding brush and knife, all were to be implicated.

At this time, there was no question of innocence or guilt, no distinction between right and wrong. After all, standing in Wang Yan's position, he had no way to discern whether every implicated individual truly had issues or deserved prosecution.

He intended to expand the scope, so naturally his subordinates would do the same, and their subordinates likewise. How was it expanded? Naturally, whoever had conflicts with someone in daily life became the target of expansion. Using public affairs to settle personal scores and exact revenge—such incidents were far too numerous, and the count of wrongly accused was incalculable.

But there was no alternative; Wang Yan had to stabilize the entire situation of Great Ming in the shortest possible time and suppress those who opposed him.

Within the civil official bloc, the methods were relatively gentle. Even though many innocent people were indeed implicated, they basically suffered no great hardship, merely being dismissed from office and investigated, enduring a period of bitter life. Once Wang Yan stabilized the situation in the future, these matters would surely be revisited. After all, once hostile political forces were dealt with, the next step would inevitably be to turn the blade upon one's own people.

However, the great purge within the military was not so gentle.

After all, these were men commanding troops; leading their soldiers to revolt was unforgivable. Using their military forces to attempt to coerce Wang Yan, or aspiring to create separatist warlord regimes, was even more unpardonable.

The primary focus of rectification was on the troops in the Northwest and Southwest; genuine, large-scale battles were fought, causing considerable destruction. Of course, Wang Yan did not disappoint those seeking death; their entire families, neat and intact, contributed bricks and tiles to the Great Ming Empire.

As for the armies and navies in Jiliao and the South, they had long been infiltrated and controlled by Wang Yan. It was not merely the military; the great families of Jiliao and the South all earned their livelihoods alongside Wang Yan, forming a community of highly interconnected interests.

Besides the original great families, there were numerous newly risen emerging bourgeois classes; these people constituted an even more massive force, rapidly rising and growing stronger amidst the economic development and market prosperity of recent years, becoming a power that could not be ignored.

These people were already impacting Great Ming's original production and distribution structures and beginning to seek greater speaking rights, confronting the original great families.

But under Wang Yan's control, everyone engaged in what could be considered healthy competition.

In short, the economically developed regions had long been controlled by Wang Yan. The vast populace also knew clearly that it was because of Wang Yan that they enjoyed good lives, so naturally, they would not oppose Wang Yan.

As long as the common people did not gather to rebel or form a significant momentum, then even if the ruling class wanted to stir trouble, they could not make it big. The biggest incident they could muster was gathering together to make noise and spread alarming rumors, acting as if Great Ming were truly on the verge of collapse.

But in reality, it was merely that their own days had become difficult; the lives of the common people were still quite good.

Otherwise, the great families would not have merely shouted complaints; they would have incited rebellions in certain regions to achieve the results they desired...

Thus, after more than a year passed, by the summer of the sixth year of Longqing, Wang Yan finally concluded this great purge, returning Great Ming to a stable and correct path.

Everyone tacitly accepted the existence of this Great Ming Empire led by Wang Yan and obeyed his commands.

Emperor Longqing appeared only during activities spanning from year-end to early spring. The great affairs of state lie in sacrifice and warfare. At year-end, sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors were required; in early spring, grand ceremonies were held to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.

On such major occasions, the Emperor's absence would be utterly improper; legitimacy has always been important. After all, since Wang Yan had not ascended the throne himself, he still had to show full respect to the nominal Emperor of Great Ming.

During the remaining time, Longqing stayed in the palace sleeping with women, eating and drinking well every day. However, he did not recover his health; instead, he grew increasingly weak.

The main reason was that Longqing's heart was too narrow; he could never come to terms with this matter, remaining depressed and gloomy all day. Even sleeping with women occurred only at the very beginning; later, even if allowed to sleep with them, he lost all interest. All day long, he thought only of his previous struggle against Wang Yan, pondering how he had failed his ancestors and let down future generations.

Trapped daily in the past with no escape, he naturally lost appetite for tea and rice, growing thinner day by day. This in turn led to a decline in immunity, causing various ailments to multiply, and the man began his countdown.

This was a sickness of the heart that medicine and stone could not cure; even Wang Yan could not save him.

In comparison, the young Wanli accepted the situation quite well; he ate and drank well every day. Wang Yan also selected concubines for him and sent many women, so the young Wanli lived quite happily.

Perhaps it was because the young Wanli had never been Emperor and had never grasped such immense power. Although he could imagine it, the difference between imagination and actually sitting in that position was vast, so his sense of loss was naturally much smaller.

As for restricted movement, as Crown Prince, the young Wanli's activities had already been quite limited in daily life, unable to run around freely. Although there was still some psychological resistance—after all, 'I may choose not to go out, but you cannot forbid me from going out'—the young Wanli was still relatively content.

Among other relevant high-level figures, Feng Bao was still working, while Zhang Juzheng and others were confined within Jingcheng. Wang Yan simply let them watch how the Great Ming Dynasty improved.

After all, as reforms gradually proceeded, the number of literate people increased. Consequently, the information in newspapers grew ever more abundant, intended to help the common people understand the central government's various policies and simultaneously gain an awareness of Great Ming's overall situation.

On this foundation, newspapers were then used to enrich the spiritual and entertainment needs of the populace. Publishing story collections and the like allowed the common people to enjoy themselves...

In midsummer, the sun scorched the earth, always making people feel rather uncomfortable.

Hai Rui, drenched in sweat, arrived at the Wenhua Hall, where he saw Wang Yan dressed in a simple inner robe, drinking chilled wine within the hall while casually reviewing memorials.

"You observe no propriety whatsoever; if you set such a bad example, those below..."

"Who do you see imitating me?" Wang Yan waved his hand. "I may disregard propriety, but would they dare? If they dared, wouldn't my rise to power have been in vain?"

Seeing Hai Rui about to unleash a tirade, Wang Yan continued, "Besides, haven't I ordered research into new official robes? Summer versions for summer, winter versions for winter, and spring-autumn versions for spring and autumn. Not hot, not cold, everyone relaxed. It's just that the style and form have yet to be finalized; the Ministry of Rites has argued until the sky nearly fell. I estimate after arguing this year, it will likely be settled by next year."

Thus, Hai Rui fell silent; he greatly appreciated this aspect of Wang Yan, making everyone comfortable just to make himself more comfortable. Although Hai Rui was a rigid man, that did not prevent him from admiring Wang Yan's flexibility...

He asked, "What matter brought me here?"

"The previous great purge created many unjust cases, for which you have scolded me plenty. I told you long ago it was an expedient measure, something that had to be done. Now that the overall situation is settled, it is time to counterattack and reverse the injustices. Many treacherous villains, waving their banners, have harmed many innocent people; these parasites must definitely be investigated and punished.

You preside over the Censorate; entrusting this matter to you puts my mind most at ease. Your primary task henceforth is to thoroughly investigate the cases of the past year, ensuring no good person suffers injustice, and certainly not letting those with malicious intentions escape. Those who tarnish the court's reputation to pursue their own gain must be made to pay the price."

Hai Rui nodded: "Even if you didn't ask me to do this, I would have to."

"Otherwise, why would they call you Hai Gangfeng or Hai Bijia?"

Just as Hai Rui was about to speak, someone rushed in panic from outside.

"Bad news, bad news! Grand Preceptor, His Majesty has passed away!"

"What?"

Hai Rui abruptly rose, staring at the messenger, before finally turning his bull-like eyes to glare at Wang Yan.

"That's enough; my not holding it against you is due to my magnanimity. If you glare at me again, I will get angry."

Wang Yan shook his head speechlessly, "If I wanted to kill him, I would have done so last year; why wait until now? Do I look like someone who cares about reputation? As for the impact of his death, what difference does it make whether he lives or dies? Those who oppose me will still oppose me, and those who want to rebel will still rebel."

I know his condition clearly; it was simply that he worried too much, fell ill from excessive anxiety, and could not get past this hurdle in his heart. Just think, he was a perfectly fine Emperor who never defeated me, yet I confined him within the imperial palace. Although I did not change the dynasty, tell me, will those sons of mine with rebellion born in the backs of their heads usurp the throne or not?

"Ai, don't speak such foolish words about returning power. If power were truly returned, my entire family would certainly die, and your entire family would die too; of this, you can rest assured."

Hai Rui let out a long sigh and, in the end, spoke no further words.

Wang Yan stood up, stretched his limbs, and said to the messenger subordinate: "Go, gather personnel to announce the Emperor's death and plan for the new Emperor's ascension."

"Yes." The subordinate accepted the order and departed.

Wang Yan also put on his outer robe and, taking Hai Rui with him, went to the Western Garden, where he saw the already deceased Longqing, as well as the dazed little Wanli.

Little Wanli ought to be dazed; after all, previously he still had his father, but from now on, he would have to face Wang Yan all by himself.

Stepping forward, he rummaged through Longqing's corpse a few times, confirmed that he had died of a heart attack, and thus avoided a major trouble.

Actually, Longqing had caused Wang Yan quite a bit of trouble, even concocting the affair of the Edict in the Sash, though it failed to stir up any waves and was completely suppressed.

Wang Yan waited there for a while until ministers, imperial physicians, and even coroners from the government offices arrived; everyone jointly witnessed Longqing's death, and only after confirming there were no issues did they begin the procedures.

Longqing's imperial mausoleum had begun construction upon his accession; in this regard, Wang Yan would absolutely not skimp on money. After all, he was still looking everywhere for places to spend money, and an immense project like an imperial mausoleum, spanning years and months, was simply perfect. Therefore, Longqing's imperial mausoleum had long been prepared.

After a great deal of bustling activity, the funeral procession finally marched out of Jingcheng in majestic force, with Wang Yan leading the ministers to the imperial mausoleum.

"No need to glare at me; I did not kill him," Wang Yan said, glancing at Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng replied in bad temper: "If it were not..."

"Old Zhang, why have you also started speaking such nonsense? On what grounds do you say that if I wanted to kill, I would kill? Is it wrong that I do not wish to die? When words do not match, half a sentence is too many; it is utterly boring."

Wang Yan waved his hand and strolled over to stand beside two old men who were already there.

"Eunuch Lv, Eunuch Huang."

These two were precisely Lv Fang and Huang Jin; old eunuchs truly know how to survive. Lv Fang was approaching eighty, and Huang Jin was also in his sixties.

Indeed, thanks to Wang Yan's care, which improved their treatment here, neither of them had to work, had no burdens weighing on their minds, and did not exhaust themselves; most importantly, they could see things clearly. Otherwise, they would have ended up like Longqing and could not have lived this long.

"Just tell me, what kind of mess is this? Ai..."

Lv Fang said tremblingly, "Wang Yan, how am I supposed to go down and explain this to my master, the Lord of Ten Thousand Years?"

"No need for you to explain; this is his own son, who can explain it himself."

Huang Jin spoke a fair word: "You have not had it easy either; having done so much only to receive such a result, your heart must be chilled."

"Eunuch Huang sees clearly."

"Then what about the imperial throne..." Huang Jin immediately pressed further.

"I thought Eunuch Huang truly cared for me, but it turns out you are still thinking of the old Zhu family." Wang Yan laughed heartily. "To speak the truth, I really do not covet this Jiangshan; you all know clearly that back then I only wanted to gather silver, yet I was forced into acting for the people's sake, and thus was forced step by step to this current situation. Moreover, nowadays I, as the Prime Minister, am no different from an Emperor; it is merely a matter of title.

Therefore, I can state with certainty that I will definitely not usurp the throne and ascend. However, my sons and grandsons will be different..."

Seeing Wang Yan tilt his head toward the distance, Lv Fang and Huang Jin followed Wang Yan's gaze.

There, at the front of the procession, was a young man chatting and laughing freely with Hu Zongxian, who in a fleeting moment resembled Wang Yan from years past...

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