Chapter 14: Interest Exchange

In the institutional design of the Great Ming, the empire was a highly centralized system, infinitely close to an autocracy. The only limited restrictions were the drafting of rescripts by the Grand Secretariat, the court discussions, and the power of the Six Ministries' Supervising Secretaries to reject proposals.

The institutional design of the Great Ming could not function stably without the Emperor.

Against this background, the assassination attempt occurred—a malicious event challenging authority and imperial power. Both the Senior Grand Secretary and the little Emperor chose to settle the matter and keep the peace.

The price of continuing the investigation, regardless of who won or lost the factional struggle, would inevitably be borne by the Great Ming. The weak Great Ming empire could not withstand such violent turmoil at the moment.

The second key reason was that the Emperor was young, and imperial prestige was weak. Stability was the top priority.

These were the ghosts and monsters of the court, the deceit and treachery between adults. Zhang Juzheng actually didn't want to mention these filthy things in front of a child. Such interest exchange was truly ugly and did not conform to the Confucian teachings of self-cultivation.

"Senior! Grand! Secretary! Are you going to be like Gao Gong and oppose the Emperor too!" Feng Bao gritted his teeth and stared at Zhang Juzheng like a vicious wolf. He was responsible for the tearing and biting; Zhang Juzheng using the assassination case for interest exchange was a great disrespect, the greatest lack of submission.

Feng Bao watched Zhang Juzheng remain silent, his expression changing, and he shouted sternly, "You civil officials are all like this! Your mouths are full of benevolence and morality, but your hearts are all business!"

"Disgusting!"

"This subject did not agree," Zhang Juzheng said again, bowing his head. He really hadn't agreed; he had only said he would consider it, and he hadn't agreed to Yang Bo either.

"Grand Eunuch Feng, calm down. Let Us explain the Senior Grand Secretary's concerns and assist him a little." Zhu Yijun looked at Feng Bao, signaling him to stop the attack.

"Hmph, scholars." Feng Bao flicked his sleeve, turned around, and obeyed the Emperor's order, saying no more.

"The Shanxi Faction occupies the 'tribute and trade' matter with Altan Khan. They don't even need to do more to threaten the capital; they only need to tighten the troops in Xuanfu and Datong. If the northern barbarian cavalry moves south, the Gengxu Incident is a warning from the past." Zhu Yijun mentioned the Gengxu Incident.

The Gengxu Incident occurred in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, when Altan Khan used the Ming Dynasty's refusal to allow free trade as a pretext to launch a war against the Great Ming.

Altan Khan plundered near the Ming capital for eight full days and only withdrew after obtaining the Jiajing Emperor's promise to open tribute trade.

This was a great humiliation.

In the thirtieth year of Jiajing, the flames of war reignited. From the thirtieth year of Jiajing to the forty-fifth year, more than ten Regional Commanders and Vice Regional Commanders died in battle in the Xuan and Da regions, and countless soldiers were killed or wounded. Just for the capital and the Xuanfu and Datong passes, four to five million taels of silver were needed for expenditures. The imperial treasury was empty, and the annual revenue could not even cover half of the annual expenditure.

The imperial treasury's annual revenue could not even reach half of its expenditure, and the deficit was increasing rapidly.

The Great Ming had a hard time, and Altan Khan had a hard time too. Finally, during the Longqing years, the two sides reached an agreement, which finally brought peace.

The Shanxi Faction only needed to use the strength of the barbarians as an excuse to tighten the troops, and another Gengxu Incident was not impossible.

Zhu Yijun flipped through the memorials on the imperial desk and flipped one open, saying, "We have a report right here. General Qi Jiguang defeated the bandit chieftain Dong Huli of the Uriankhai Guard at four locations: Beigukou, General Tower, Sister Tower, and Hero Tower. The merit count was over two thousand five hundred, and Dong Huli escaped alone."

"The Zhejiang Army is indeed a brave army famous throughout the world!"

The first report Zhu Yijun received after arriving in the Great Ming was a victory report.

This battle was just a trivial matter in Qi Jiguang's fierce record. Qi Jiguang was not only skilled at suppressing Japanese pirates but was also a master at defending against barbarians. Dong Huli ran to Beigukou to demand rewards from the Great Ming, saying that if they didn't give them, he would invade. Qi Jiguang set a trap for him, and Dong Huli's main force was wiped out. Dong Huli's nephew, not knowing the situation, came to save his uncle and was captured alive, then sent to the capital in chains.

"Even if the northern barbarians invade at this time, this subject has the confidence to make them come and never return!" Zhang Juzheng said extremely solemnly. He spoke with great confidence.

Qi Jiguang's move from south to north was recommended by Zhang Juzheng. The Grand Coordinator of Jiliao Liang Menglong and the Regional Commander of Jiliao Qi Jiguang were his disciples, and they were also his confidence in confronting the Shanxi Faction.

Only with a sword in hand can one speak firmly!

If the northern barbarians really move south, we will fight them and see.

Zhu Yijun closed the victory report and shook his head, saying, "In war, victory or defeat is a common occurrence for a military strategist. No one dares to claim certain victory."

"When Gao Gong was Senior Grand Secretary, he promoted many people. If this case is pursued, I fear all clues will point to Gao Gong. Who told Gao Gong to lose his power?"

"Arresting Gao Gong will inevitably cause an uproar in the court, and people will be in a state of panic. They will trip up the Senior Grand Secretary behind his back. They don't need to do much—just three or five things, and winning will be even harder."

Once the flames of war start, the Datong, Xuanfu, and capital regions, which have just recovered some vitality, will become turbulent again. The ones who bear the cost of war are the most ordinary people. If we win, it's fine, but if we lose, the people will suffer even more.

The Shanxi Faction is a political faction closely bound by marriage, teachers, and hometowns. They control key towns like Xuanfu and Datong, the Beijing Garrison, personnel, and the winds of public opinion in the court. This is the strength of the Shanxi Faction.

Emperor, you want to punish Gao Gong and then dismiss those promoted by Gao Gong.

What do you want to do, Emperor? Do you want to rebel!

"These rebellious subjects are just targeting the fact that the Great Ming's vitality is not full, and they are so lawless!" Feng Bao immediately added. As a eunuch, attacking civil officials every moment was his duty.

"This subject believes it hasn't reached that point. If it really becomes chaotic, this subject also has the confidence to quell the chaos," Zhang Juzheng said extremely arrogantly.

Since he dared to unite with Feng Bao to drive Gao Gong out of the Secretariat, he naturally had something to rely on. Military, politics, personnel, laws, and public opinion—the Shanxi Faction had them, and so did he.

Gao Gong had lost all power, and he, Zhang Juzheng, was the Senior Grand Secretary of the Great Ming.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng and shook his head, saying, "Then, Senior Grand Secretary, what is the price?"

"The price is the vitality that the Great Ming has just recovered, which will be exhausted in this factional struggle. Since the Senior Grand Secretary has come to discuss this matter with Us, you naturally intend to settle the matter and keep the peace. Wasting national strength is not what you wish, nor is it what We wish."

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a long time before saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

This was why Zhang Juzheng said he was incompetent in front of the Emperor. He had no way to pursue the Shanxi Faction without consuming the Great Ming's national strength, so he could only say in front of the Emperor that he would settle the matter and keep the peace.

Gao Gong was not actually important; he was just an old man who had lost power. The deeply rooted Shanxi Faction in the court was what mattered.

At this very moment, Zhang Juzheng suddenly remembered the annotation the Emperor had made about 'comrades, fellow travelers, and sharing joy together.' Zhang Juzheng even had a strange feeling that the little Emperor actually had the same ambition as him: to restore the Great Ming's vitality and revive the Great Ming.

Yang Bo had underestimated Feng Bao. Feng Bao not only saw it, but also explained the severity of the situation clearly to the little Emperor.

Zhang Juzheng thought that the little Emperor's clear and analytical explanation was taught by Feng Bao.

Zhu Yijun didn't let Feng Bao send troops to Xinzheng to capture Gao Gong because he had already anticipated this situation. Did the Shanxi Faction have such courage? Zhu Yijun knew clearly that not only did they have it, but it was also very large.

After Zhang Juzheng died, it was the Shanxi Faction's new leader, Wang Chonggu's nephew Zhang Siwei, who launched the liquidation of Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng's ten-year reform was completely destroyed, and the Great Ming's last chance for self-correction disappeared.

Yang Bo was a good judge of character. He said Zhang Siwei was two-faced because he saw through Zhang Siwei's character. Zhang Siwei could rely on Zhang Juzheng for power, and he could also sell him out for profit after Zhang Juzheng died, stabbing the most critical knife into his reform.

"So, tell Us, what conditions did Yang Bo give to make the Senior Grand Secretary come forward to settle the matter?" Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.

Zhang Juzheng deliberated for a moment and said, "The 'Examination of Merit' law, the position of Minister of Personnel, and Yang Bo's retirement."

"If there were only the first two, We would not agree. Adding Yang Bo's retirement is just about right. He is the faction leader, after all." Zhu Yijun closed the *Direct Explanation of the Four Books* and looked at Zhang Juzheng, asking, "The Senior Grand Secretary took the lion's share here, but We, the principal, suffered a grievance. What should be done about that?"

Yang Bo agreed to the 'Examination of Merit' law, Yang Bo gave up the position of Minister of Personnel, and Yang Bo retired. The biggest beneficiary was Zhang Juzheng. But what about the Great Ming Emperor who suffered the grievance?

Zhang Juzheng was a bit confused when he heard this. He wasn't sure what the little Emperor wanted, so he hurriedly said, "This is this subject's duty to report to the late Emperor and be loyal to Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yijun heard Zhang Juzheng was about to chant scriptures again and hurriedly said, "Stop."

"In the future, when you report, stand up and speak. Don't kneel at every turn. We know what you mean: settle the matter and keep the peace." Zhu Yijun rubbed his fingers and asked, "How much did you exchange for it?"

Zhang Juzheng stood up and earnestly recalled His Majesty's words word for word, only then confirming he hadn't misheard.

His Majesty was asking how much benefit had been exchanged for settling the assassination case. ===== CHAPTER 15 =====

Zhang Juzheng sensed something was wrong. If it were truly taught by Feng Bao, how could Feng Bao have known about the memorial Ge Shouli submitted today in advance, and then told the little Emperor what to say?

Zhang Juzheng bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty should govern the world with benevolence and forgiveness. Benevolence, wisdom, trustworthiness, uprightness, courage, and firmness—these six are virtuous acts. Death by a thousand cuts might damage the harmony of Heaven."

"Grand Tutor Feng, take the fire-tally and the seal. Order the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to personally lead six hundred guards, march to Xinzheng, and arrest Gao Gong and his entire family. Anyone who resists is to be killed without exception!" Zhu Yijun finished organizing all his notes, stood up, and said calmly to Feng Bao.

"Your servant obeys the decree!" Feng Bao was overjoyed and immediately intended to go get the fire-tally and the blank imperial edict.

"Grand Tutor Feng, wait a moment." Zhang Juzheng felt helpless; the tactic he used yesterday to deal with Yang Bo had been turned against him by the little Emperor.

This little Emperor was acting perfectly fine, but suddenly decided to flip the table—it was truly lacking in martial virtue!

Zhang Juzheng immediately said, "I will lead the Three Judicial Offices to submit a memorial to have the group of criminals executed by death by a thousand cuts."

Since Zhang Juzheng would be the one leading the memorial, he would naturally have to bear the infamy.

Only then did Zhu Yijun sit down, signaling Feng Bao not to go get the fire-tally and seal. He looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "The Imperial Academy of Medicine has a skilled physician named Chen Shigong, who is especially adept at the surgical art of dissection. Let this matter of death by a thousand cuts be handed over to Chen Shigong. Clear out a four-courtyard residence in the Imperial Academy of Medicine and fix it up properly."

"Hang a plaque that reads: 'Dissection Institute'."

"The Dissection Institute will specialize in the death by a thousand cuts of treacherous ministers, wicked officials, and those who are unfilial and disloyal. It just so happens that after the dissection, it can also help the Great Ming medical field reach a higher level."

"Dissect them slowly, bit by bit, one by one. Carefully study the mysteries of physiology. What does the Senior Grand Secretary think?"

Modern medicine is built upon anatomy. With Chen Shigong, who is particularly skilled in surgery, the addition of a master physician to the Dissection Institute would be a perfect match.

These treacherous ministers and wicked officials have to die anyway; why not let them contribute their final light and heat to illuminate the great path of Great Ming medicine?

Zhang Juzheng chewed on the three words "Dissection Institute," and his expression changed drastically. This was no longer just a matter of "damaging the harmony of Heaven" in the ordinary sense.

At such a young age, why is His Majesty so ruthless?! If he agreed to this, he wouldn't just be enduring a round of criticism; as long as this Dissection Institute existed for a single day, Zhang Juzheng would be grabbed and scolded by the civil officials every single day.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Feng Bao; clearly, these tactics must have been taught by Feng Bao.

Feng Bao had gauze wrapped around his head and his cheeks were swollen, making it impossible to see his expression, but he also felt a sense of trepidation. Although he had already come to accept that His Majesty was an Emperor with methods, he could never have imagined it would be this kind of death by a thousand cuts, this kind of extreme punishment, and this kind of method to achieve the effect of intimidation and punishment.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng and asked with a smile, "The Senior Grand Secretary refuses?"

"That is not the case." Zhang Juzheng let out a turbid breath, bowed his head, and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Since we want to settle the matter, let's establish the Dissection Institute today and send the criminals in tomorrow. This case involves many people; it is better to be early than late. I will go to the Dissection Institute to observe the execution tomorrow afternoon."

"Your servant obeys the decree." Zhang Juzheng had no choice; this infamy had to be borne by him, otherwise, His Majesty would absolutely not be willing to settle the matter.

What was Zhu Yijun doing?

He was forcing Zhang Juzheng to take a side, forcing him to do things that would anger both Heaven and men, forcing him to be a solitary minister, forcing him to be a lonely minister.

The position of the Minister of Personnel, the implementation of the Evaluation System, and the retirement of the Jin Party were all completely insignificant compared to Zhang Juzheng's total surrender to imperial power.

For Zhang Juzheng, enduring a few scoldings was a good thing. What Zhang Juzheng would do in the future would mostly be that saying: "I am not a minister, but a regent." If you are a regent and your reputation is still incredibly good, are you, Zhang Juzheng, planning to imitate Wang Mang?

Letting Zhang Juzheng take the scolding was protecting him!

The purpose of establishing the Dissection Institute was to let Chen Shigong, this master of surgery, practice his skills. Zhang Juzheng would die in the tenth year of Wanli due to a hemorrhoid surgery infection; he was only fifty-eight when he died.

Chen Shigong would cultivate his dissection skills to perfection at the Dissection Institute, and he would definitely give Zhang Juzheng a surprise.

A small knife cutting into the big buttocks—giving the Senior Grand Secretary Zhang a real eye-opener.

"Respectfully sending off Your Majesty." Zhang Juzheng respectfully saw His Majesty leave the Zhao Wenhua Hall. When he walked out of the Zhao Wenhua Hall, the noon sun shone on him; the early spring sunlight still carried a cold, sharp edge.

He was a bit dazed. In today's dialogue, His Majesty was not resistant to interest exchanges. The interest exchange between His Majesty and him was as smooth as the one between him and Yang Bo; it felt as if His Majesty were an old hand.

But Zhang Juzheng knew one thing for certain: His Majesty, though still young, had a goal that was extremely consistent with his own—the resurgence of the Great Ming.

The road to making the Great Ming great again was long and difficult.