Chapter 209: A Reshuffle in the Grand Secretariat

That afternoon.

Zhang Yunxiu's memorial passed through the Office of Transmission and the Directorate of Ceremonial, arriving on the Wanli Emperor's desk. The Wanli Emperor merely gave it a cursory glance, set down his brush, and said indifferently, "Send it back to the Grand Secretariat for the Drafting of Rescripts."

"Yes," Wei Qing replied respectfully.

He was now the number two figure in the Directorate of Ceremonial, concurrently serving as the Director of the Eastern Depot. Compared to Zhang Cheng, the Head Eunuch, his power was not a whit inferior.

The Grand Secretariat was located within the Forbidden City, separated from the Qianqing Palace by only a few gates; by the end of the Shen period, it had been presented to Zhang Siwei's desk.

Zhang Siwei opened it, took one look, and immediately furrowed his brows.

After scanning it roughly, he took up his brush and wrote: "Having perused your memorial, it does not conform to the Ancestral System. Denied!"

After writing this, Zhang Siwei rubbed his temples, his face showing signs of exhaustion.

Although Zhang Juzheng had already departed, Zhang Siwei had still felt immense pressure over these past three months. Zhang Juzheng had managed affairs for decades, and his students and former subordinates were spread throughout every key government office.

In recent days, he had begun secretly replacing people in prominent positions across the various ministries.

The first one he wanted to take a knife to was the Heavenly Official in the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Guoguang. The Minister of Personnel was the head of the Six Ministries, in charge of the promotion and transfer of officials throughout the empire.

Hence, he was also called the "Heavenly Official."

After Zhang Juzheng left, Wang Guoguang had effectively become the number one figure of the Zhang faction; as long as he could topple him, subsequent matters would be much easier to handle.

Things had gone quite smoothly; he ordered people to gather evidence of Wang Guoguang's crimes and spread it everywhere.

Wang Guoguang directly confessed his guilt, retired to his home, and submitted to investigation.

Just when he was feeling pleased with himself, he suddenly discovered a very serious issue—the officials under the various ministries appeared to comply with him, but in reality, they were feigning obedience while acting in opposition, playing a cold war with him.

In an instant, the various government offices fell into a state of semi-paralysis.

Holding to the belief that the law does not punish the masses, these officials had become like stubborn roosters, determined to see who was stronger between them and this new Grand Secretary.

They fired cold arrows and side-shots in secret, cursed behind his back, and watched the spectacle in the shadows.

Both openly and covertly, they were all waiting for him, this Grand Secretary, to capsize.

Facing such a barrage of attacks, even with an iron constitution, Zhang Siwei's face showed fatigue.

He finally understood what it meant to have every step be difficult and to be walking on thin ice.

Just at this moment, a clerk walked in.

Zhang Siwei looked up and asked him, "What is the matter?"

The clerk replied, "Vice Minister Qiu of the Ministry of Justice is outside, saying he requests an audience."

"Ah?! Go and invite him in quickly!" Zhang Siwei braced himself and shouted at the clerk.

The clerk acknowledged the order and left; before long, he returned, followed by an old man with white hair wearing a bright red official robe.

It was none other than Qiu Shun.

Upon seeing each other, the two sat down with the etiquette of host and guest.

Because they were old friends, Zhang Siwei could not be bothered with pleasantries and asked straight to the point, "Brother Maoshi, what urgent matter brings you to see me in such a hurry?"

Qiu Shun glanced at Zhang Siwei's cheeks, and seeing that the Grand Secretary was growing increasingly thin, he felt a pang of sympathy in his heart, so he answered a different question: "Grand Secretary, it has only been a month or so since we last met, how have you become so thin?"

Zhang Siwei gave a self-deprecating laugh and replied, "What kind of Grand Secretary am I? Above, I cannot gain the Emperor's trust, and below, I lack the support of the hundred officials. My role as Grand Secretary is just performing a solo act here."

He nodded.

Qiu Shun expressed his agreement with this.

In recent days, although Zhang Juzheng had left his post, his influence was still exerting its effect in the capital's officialdom.

Before he left, he had recommended many people, among whom Pan Cheng had entered the Grand Secretariat as a Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall.

Li Youzi had been promoted from Vice Minister of Revenue to Minister of Revenue.

This fellow spent his days flattering others, yet he had managed to become one of the Great Nine Ministers, the illustrious Grand Minister of Agriculture.

Furthermore, there was Wang Zuan, who was given the title of Senior Vice Minister of War and made Viceroy of Songjiang. One after another, the Emperor had actually agreed to all of them.

Because of his closeness to Zhang Siwei, a wretch like Li Youzi had dared to reduce the salary silver of the Ministry of Justice where Qiu Shun was located—originally, when Zhang Juzheng reformed the tax laws, it was stipulated that all capital officials would have their payments in kind converted into silver according to the highest market price.

Now, things were different; Li Youzi used the excuse that the Taicang silver reserves were insufficient and was again giving rice to the Ministry of Justice officials as salary.

Currently, on the market, one shi of rice was worth five to seven mace of silver.

With this back and forth, the salaries of the Ministry of Justice officials were effectively reduced in disguise. These days, while on duty at the office, Qiu Shun always felt that his subordinates were hiding behind his back and secretly gossiping about him.

Seeing that Qiu Shun had remained silent for a long time, Zhang Siwei spoke first, interrupting his train of thought: "Brother Maoshi, what is it that you actually came to see me about?"

"Oh, look at my memory, I almost forgot." Qiu Shun tapped his forehead, leaned forward, and asked, "Have you heard about the matter a few days ago where that madman He Zheng spouted nonsense and got into a brawl with Huang Cheng?"

"I have heard of it." Zhang Siwei nodded and asked, "Do you want to make an issue out of this?"

Before Qiu Shun could speak, he poured a bucket of cold water on him: "The flourishing of academic lecturing has become a major trend in the Great Ming. There are many officials in the court who believe in the teachings of Wang Yangming, and He Zheng relies on this, which is why he is so fearless."

"Correct." Qiu Shun echoed, then replied with a sinister tone, "If we don't use the academic lecturing to convict him, we can just disgust him; we'll pin a charge of mutual assault on them and lock both Huang Cheng and him away for a few days."

"That is indeed a method."

"Furthermore, I have already sent people down to Jiangnan, to Songjiang Prefecture, to collect evidence of the Xu Family's evil deeds."

"You are preparing to move against the Xu Family?"

Qiu Shun nodded, his murky eyes suddenly flashing with a sharp light: "The Xu Family is not only on good terms with Zhang Juzheng, but they are also the natal family of Zhang Yunxiu's legal wife. Doesn't he keep saying he wants to plead for the people? This Xu Family is the biggest local bully and tyrant in Songjiang; it is only natural that I deal with them!"

Zhang Siwei was slightly moved, but suddenly thinking of something, he frowned and reminded him: "Don't forget, Wang Dehan is still in his hands; he still has a trump card that can keep us in check."

If you investigate his father-in-law, won't he investigate you? In the end, both sides will suffer, and it won't look good for anyone when we tear off the masks.

Qiu Shun, however, had his own views; rather than letting this blade hang over his head forever, it would be better to grit his teeth and let it fall.

This matter, if it is to be stirred up, the bigger the better.

The more chaotic it is, the more Zhang Siwei, as the Grand Secretary, can seize the opportunity to grasp power.

After thinking it over, Qiu Shun simply decided to add a dose of strong medicine for Zhang Siwei: "Grand Secretary, allow me to say something treasonous: your current situation is already in imminent danger. I don't know who is stirring up sentiment outside, saying that both Pan Cheng and Shen Shixing have the potential to replace your position."

Zhang Siwei was taken aback, clearly unaware of where Qiu Shun had gotten this news.

After Zhang Juzheng left.

Yu Youding also withdrew from the Grand Secretariat due to serious illness.

As of now, only Pan Cheng, Shen Shixing, and he remain in the Grand Secretariat.

Pan Cheng has a good relationship with Zhang Juzheng, and there is no need to mention Shen Shixing; he is a fence-sitter who leans whichever way the wind blows.

In order to dilute the power of these few people.

Zhang Siwei took the initiative to draft a memorial to the Emperor, requesting the addition of three more Cabinet Ministers.

Among them, the ones with the most support are: Minister of Justice Wang Xijue, Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy Yu Shenxing, and Left Vice Minister of Personnel Shen Li.

Both Yu Shenxing and Shen Li are members of the pure stream faction, have always had a reputation in the imperial court, and hold Zhang Juzheng in contempt.

Wang Xijue offended Zhang Juzheng even more and was kicked by him all the way to Nanjing.

If these three were to enter the Grand Secretariat, only then would the Grand Secretariat be truly impenetrable.

Now is a critical moment, and Zhang Siwei does not want to cause extra trouble, so he shook his head and denied it: "The Xu Family is too prominent and invites trouble; its decline is only a matter of time. The most important thing now should be how to gain the trust of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager; everything must be done for stability."

"The Grand Secretary is absolutely right." Seeing that he was wary of Zhang Yunxiu making a scene, Qiu Shun could only follow his lead.

Before they knew it, the sky had turned completely dark.

Qiu Shun knew it was time for him to leave, so he cupped his hands toward Zhang Siwei and turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)