[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties":3,"chapter-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-33":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Really Am Not Neglecting My Duties",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363302,4622,"Chapter 33","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-33",33,"\u003Cp>After hearing Zhang Juzheng’s “Five Matters Memorial,” Empress Dowager Li rose to her feet, sat in silent, uneasy contemplation for a long, long while, then returned to her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen of Cining Palace, watching Empress Dowager Li’s anxious indecision, couldn’t help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concern breeds confusion; desirelessness breeds strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li’s son sat on the throne; Empress Dowager Chen had no children of her own, and thus saw more clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of Empress Dowager Li’s worries and doubts, at their core, were not with the outer court, not with Zhang Juzheng or Gao Gong; nor with the inner court, not with Feng Bao or Zhang Hong;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crucial point lay in the young emperor, who was gritting his teeth and holding a horse stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the young emperor thrives, the Great Ming shall have a clear sky; if he does not, the Great Ming has no hope at all—everything is lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will the young emperor thrive—or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To drive off the wolf only to invite the tiger—is that wise?” Empress Dowager Li watched the young emperor standing firm, drenched in sweat, her heart tightening further. Gao Gong, the wolf, had been driven away; now Zhang Juzheng, the tiger, was baring his fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen, however, spoke with casual indifference: “I don’t know what you’re afraid of—our son is a dragon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether wolf or tiger, what does it matter? No need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li was overly concerned—regardless of whether Zhang Juzheng was truly a tiger, even if he were, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor is the true dragon; he fears no minister as vicious as wolves or jackals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the young emperor the true dragon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen believed he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen seemed slightly uncertain, turned her head toward Zhu Yijun, then smiled with relief, confirming she was right, and continued cracking her melon seeds: “My son has great perseverance and strong will—he cannot be bullied by Zhang Yuanfu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the young emperor’s earnest demeanor, Empress Dowager Chen knew he would surely thrive—and he was indeed the true dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who are harsh on themselves are the fiercest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen lazily stretched, and since the assassination attempt, the young emperor’s conduct had grown increasingly reassuring; even the meritorious guards and sword-bearers lacked his iron will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen had watched the emperor’s debates with Zhang Juzheng; Zhang Juzheng was occasionally left stammering in evasive replies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen’s expectations and confidence in the young emperor were far surer than Empress Dowager Li’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Lu, Zhu Yiliu, lay sprawled on a stool, gripping its back, watching his brother struggle. At four years old, he could barely speak in full sentences; he pointed at the young emperor and said, “Mother, what is brother doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li affectionately patted Zhu Yiliu’s small head and smiled: “Your brother is practicing martial arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen said nothing, observing Empress Dowager Li’s behavior. In stark contrast to her strict demands on the young emperor, she indulged Prince Lu excessively—even to the point of enabling him. When he broke something, Empress Dowager Li would only scold the eunuchs for neglecting their duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the young emperor broke something, Empress Dowager Li would only rebuke him for improper conduct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun ended his practice and looked toward Luo Sigong. Yesterday, Luo Sigong had tried to slack off and been caught by Zhu Xixiao; today he was exceptionally earnest, even as his legs trembled from exhaustion, showing no intention to slacken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was progress. As long as he was willing to improve, Zhu Yijun would allow mistakes once or twice—but never a third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ending his practice, Zhu Yijun smiled brightly and walked to the two Empress Dowagers, bowing respectfully: “Mother, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down and rest—you’re drenched in sweat. The weather has warmed; peach and pear blossoms have bloomed. Tomorrow is the twenty-third, no lessons—why not take a day off from martial training?” Empress Dowager Chen pulled out a stool, placed a bowl of rock-sugar pear water before the young emperor, and urged him to drink while it was still warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third, sixth, and ninth days of each month, the emperor rested from studies; Zhu Yijun had nine rest days per month. But if following Empress Dowager Chen’s logic—nine rest days out of thirty—what was the point of martial training?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wenhua Hall deliberations would never cease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zhu Yijun accepted Zhang Juzheng’s “Five Matters Memorial,” he would have to attend court daily at Wenhua Hall—no day off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first point of the “Five Matters Memorial”: the emperor presiding over court hearings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head: “Thank you, Mother, but diligence must never cease. I cannot skip a single day of martial training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, Zhu Yijun, love learning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked toward Feng Bao, who sighed helplessly and shook his head—the emperor was clearly asking about the “Five Matters Memorial.” Feng Bao could only shake his head, indicating Empress Dowager Li still hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course Empress Dowager Li would hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she agreed now, would this fierce tiger, Zhang Juzheng, demand more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, Yuanfu Master lectured on the ‘Illustrated Mirror of Emperors,’ recounting the story of Emperor Daizong of Tang and Guo Ziyi,” Zhu Yijun continued, his demeanor bright as ever, as if discussing his studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guo Ziyi’s son, Guo Nuan, married Princess Shengping, daughter of Emperor Daizong. Once, Guo Nuan quarreled with the princess, who angrily rebuked him: ‘My father is the Son of Heaven—how dare you defy me?’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guo Nuan replied: ‘Your father is emperor only because my father chose not to be!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said: ‘Do you rely on your father as the Son of Heaven? My father despises the throne!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen gasped in alarm: “Why would Guo Nuan speak so recklessly? How could he utter such blasphemy? Doesn’t this endanger Guo Ziyi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun continued: “Princess Shengping returned to the palace and reported this to Emperor Daizong, who replied: ‘You don’t understand. It is true—if Guo Ziyi truly wished to be emperor, the empire would long ago have ceased to be Li Tang’s.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said: ‘This is beyond your understanding. Had he truly desired the throne, would the empire still belong to your family?’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li frowned, fell silent for a moment, then asked: “What happened after?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, when Guo Ziyi heard of it, he bound his son and brought him before Emperor Daizong, begging for punishment. But the emperor said: ‘Children quarrel—don’t take it seriously. A father-in-law must be deaf and dumb; such private words between husband and wife are not worth heeding!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emperor Daizong pardoned Guo Nuan’s insolent words, yet Guo Ziyi still beat his son with a cane—only releasing him after Princess Shengping pleaded for mercy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Nuan said: “My father didn’t want the throne, so your father is emperor.” Translate this: give him face, call him Son of Heaven; withhold face, and let the Son of Heaven and the Li Tang dynasty both rot in the grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Daizong merely laughed it off, dismissing it as mere marital squabbles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng told this story primarily to illustrate the trust between Emperor Daizong and Guo Ziyi, expressing an ideal political environment: a sage ruler and virtuous minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet beneath this radiant glow of sage ruler and virtuous minister, shadows always linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Daizong had indeed considered acting against Guo Ziyi, whose merit overshadowed the throne and whose power dominated the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the spring of the fourth year of Dali, the first month, Emperor Daizong’s eunuch Yu Chao’en invited Guo Ziyi to tour Zhangjing Temple. This was Emperor Daizong’s first Shitan  against Guo Ziyi after the An Lushan Rebellion had largely subsided, carried out by Yu Chao’en.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ziyi’s officers feared Yu Chao’en meant him harm; over three hundred soldiers donned armor to accompany him. Guo Ziyi dismissed them, and went with only a few servants and Yu Chao’en to tour Zhangjing Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Chao’en’s end came as a treacherous eunuch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Emperor Daizong’s death, Emperor Dezong ascended and honored Guo Ziyi as “Shangfu.” Dong Zhuo had once held the title “Shangfu.” Guo Ziyi, bearing this title, restored the Li Tang dynasty, achieved unparalleled merit, and stood as the guardian of the realm’s safety for twenty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun paused here, waiting for Empress Dowager Li to realize it herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The An Lushan Rebellion was the turning point where the Tang Dynasty shifted from prosperity to decline; Guo Ziyi played a decisive role in suppressing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gengxu Incident—the northern barbarians’ southern invasion—saw twelve years of relentless warfare from Jiajing 32 to Jiajing 44, severely weakening the Great Ming. Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng promoted the Anma tribute agreement, securing peace on the northern frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty declined, with regional warlords rising. As long as Guo Ziyi lived, the warlords dared not rebel like An Lushan or Shi Siming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Ming, too, was half-buried in the grave, its fate trembling like a leaf in the storm—even the northern barbarians, once chased across the world by Emperor Chengzu, could now not be defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Daizong tolerated Guo Ziyi; Zhu Yijun can tolerate Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All for the Great Ming’s revival! All for the Great Ming’s greatness once more!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li fell into a long, distracted reverie. The young emperor had mentioned this story specifically—it was clearly about the “Five Matters Memorial.” Finally, she sighed and said: “Enough, enough. It is only a hardship for our son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not feel hardship—I find it fascinating,” Zhu Yijun replied, still beaming, continuing to recount today’s lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Li’s agreement was unsurprising. Zhang Juzheng was no Gao Gong. Gao Gong was backed by the Jin Party—a tightly knit faction bound by kinship and native ties, centered on privileged economic interests. Whether Gao Gong wished to press further or not, the Jin Party would push him forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng, however, appointed no kin or fellow townspeople.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, Zhang Juzheng’s “Five Matters Memorial” did not seek to abolish the Directorate of Palace Affairs, nor strip the young emperor of his power, nor restrict his authority to approve memorials. Instead, while imposing demands on the emperor, it also imposed obligations on the capital officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time to go plant!” Zhu Yijun finished his lessons and dashed off, heading for Jingshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Planting was the top priority—must inspect daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, take me!” Zhu Yiliu shouted, eager to join. But Empress Dowager Li picked up the four-year-old boy and did not let him go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Zhu Yijun would open his kiln—more precisely, he would germinate seedlings. The special research project on potatoes and sweet potatoes: forget everything else, first make them grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If sweet potatoes and potatoes could be grown, the people would be fed; when fed, they would have strength; with strength, they could overcome heaven!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, may Your Majesty’s health be well?” Xu Zhenming bowed with several elderly farmers. Though these farmers had no experience planting potatoes or sweet potatoes, they were the most skilled in cultivating water chestnuts, selected from the countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Zhu Yijun so obsessed with potatoes and sweet potatoes—and why did he lower the emperor’s dignity to do this himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because under the Great Ming’s system, only princes and commoners could rebel. When the people had nothing to eat, they would storm the capital and smash the emperor’s skull. Feed the people, and they would never come to the capital to twist the emperor’s head off like a ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun waved his hand: “Well. Rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, sprouted or green potatoes are absolutely poisonous—they can kill,” Xu Zhenming warned. If the emperor ate sprouted potatoes—even if only to suffer indigestion—it would be a major incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zhenming was the one who least wanted the emperor harmed. He was a staunch advocate of agriculture as the foundation of the state. If the emperor fell ill from eating potatoes, he himself would be gone—and all land reclamation and farming efforts would collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded. All Great Ming emperors had special tasters—eunuchs who tested dishes for poison before serving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What shall we do today?” Zhu Yijun looked at the completed fire chamber. Under Feng Da’s strict orders, over a hundred eunuchs had worked overtime to build it, even installing the glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zhenming replied firmly: “Germination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Palace Affairs, had specifically sent a young eunuch to warn Xu Zhenming: do not burden the emperor with dirty or exhausting labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, had also dispatched his chief steward, You Qi, to send word to Xu Zhenming: engaging in agriculture was primarily symbolic. The emperor already spent mornings in court and lectures, afternoons in martial training—he was already overburdened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zhenming understood and fully implemented this directive.\u003C\u002Fp>",2132,"2026-06-21T07:55:54.218Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","8f4dfa3ec237cb4c016d976d827c537d264dfa721f378d7b289eb29ae29c9fee","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-34","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-32",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-cover.jpg"]