Chapter 566: Your Majesty, It

Wang Wang Chonggu spoke of his methods: through cracking down on gambling, he made it clear to all officials that he knew everything.

Clearly, Wang Wang Chonggu knew very little himself, but those beneath him always imagined their superiors as omniscient—since Wang Wang Chonggu had discovered and shut down gambling dens hidden in construction sites, how could he not know the corruption in the Grand Construction Project? After all, Wang Wang Chonggu himself had once done such things.

This indeed effectively deterred the audacious.

Moreover, Wang Wang Chonggu permitted reasonable losses; if one truly tried to micromanage every detail of the construction site, it would be impossible.

"In truth, Your Majesty, I learned this from you," Wang Wang Chonggu bowed and said.

"Learned this from me?" Zhu Zhu Yijun blinked, shaking his head. "Wang, this is your own ability and skill—what does it have to do with me?"

"One year, His Majesty visited the Wool Office, and that Liu Qi-niang complained to you that someone there had allowed gambling dens to operate inside the office. You ordered me to investigate thoroughly. I found this method extremely effective," Wang Wang Chonggu explained the origin of his tactic—not a sudden inspiration, but accumulated experience from years of practice.

Since then, Minister of Justice Wang Wang Chonggu learned to use gambling crackdowns to intimidate all the flesh-eaters on construction sites: you may eat, but don't eat too greedily; you may eat, but don't devour the Grand Construction Project into ruin—before His Majesty took their lives, Wang Wang Chonggu would take theirs first.

"Then it is still your ability," Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled. "Good officials learn through practice, constantly summarizing lessons; but base Confucians are not like this—they believe they are always right, never wrong, and the world is at fault. I would never say such a thing, yet these base Confucians believe it, and think it perfectly natural."

"You've done well to assign Censorate censors to work at the Western Hills Coal Bureau."

Zhu Zhu Yijun had banished the base Confucians to the Western Hills Coal Bureau to get them physically grounded—he never expected them to produce much, only to humiliate them and vent his anger.

These base Confucians, once in the official workshops, would probably invent things like low-fat meals; after all, Confucius advocated fine food and finely sliced meat. As members of the scholar-official class, these base Confucians would naturally turn the greasy, salty, high-calorie food of the workshops into low-fat meals—it's no surprise.

After all, nothing they produce would be too astonishing.

So Wang Wang Chonggu truly did his best.

Wang Wang Chonggu opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, ultimately saying nothing—he very much wanted to tell His Majesty that the base Confucians suffered little at the Western Hills Coal Bureau; the symbolic meaning outweighed the practical, and labor reform didn't truly align with practice.

Because in this age, scholar-officials were nobles, while the Western Hills Coal Bureau was filled with poor laborers—these laborers naturally revered the scholar-officials.

Wang Wang Chonggu took on this hot potato mainly to prevent scholar-officials from being forced to haul manure—he could have ignored it entirely, but chose to act for the collective dignity of the scholar-official class.

Even after Wang Wang Chonggu intervened, he still got scolded.

"Your words today have greatly enlightened me, Your Majesty. I humbly accept your teaching," Zhu Zhu Yijun ended the audience. Wang Wang Chonggu and Wang Qian, father and son, were indeed fascinating in how they handled affairs.

When Wang Qian traveled to Sichuan, he loved visiting brothels most, using their quality to gauge local governance: if the courtesans were excellent, the local official was a complete failure; if the courtesans were poor, the people lived in peace and social tensions were mild.

Just as Wang Qian's strange standard was this, Wang Wang Chonggu judged a construction site's quality by the itinerant food vendors carrying baskets.

"Your servant takes his leave," Wang Wang Chonggu bowed deeply after laying bare his heart, organs, and soul before His Majesty. As he left, he glanced at Zhang Zhang Juzheng—his gaze was complex, mostly filled with envy.

That original crime of overstepping had deeply affected Wang Wang Chonggu's standing in His Majesty's eyes: though His Majesty relied on him, he had never trusted him.

Trust—Wang Wang Chonggu had never received trust.

The Emperor's trust was extraordinarily precious—no amount of imperial favor could buy it.

But if life truly began again, Wang Wang Chonggu knew he would still repeat the same mistakes.

At his age, he had long passed the age of regret; once a choice was made, it was made. Repeating regret only tormented his past self, endlessly wondering how things might have been better—this was bullying his former self.

Eyes are in front, and the road lies ahead.

Wang Wang Chonggu stepped out of the Zhao Wenhua Palace, looked up at the blazing sun, and suddenly smiled, muttering to himself: "This is good enough."

Wang Wang Chonggu left the Zhao Wenhua Palace with light steps—he had made peace with his past self. He was himself, unchanged.

"Any court official who has fought the Japanese pirates still has redeeming qualities," Zhu Zhu Yijun said sincerely, watching Wang Wang Chonggu's retreating back.

Qi Qi Jiguang, Tan Lun, Wang Daoqun, Wang Wang Chonggu, Shi Mao Hua, Ling Ling Yunyi, Yin Yin Zhengmao—all had fought the Japanese pirates. None of them were base Confucians; regardless of their stance, their abilities were exceptional.

"In terms of getting things done, I fully endorse Wang's abilities—he can truly be called a pillar of statecraft," Zhang Zhang Juzheng gave Wang Wang Chonggu high praise—though only regarding his ability to act.

Lately, Zhang Zhang Juzheng had stopped clamoring about how high office shouldn't be held too long or power too long, and how he must retire—he simply couldn't rest easy with Wang Wang Chonggu in court. The more capable Wang Wang Chonggu became, the more Zhang Zhang Juzheng had to stay, to prevent him from relapsing into old habits. As long as Zhang Zhang Juzheng was there, Wang Wang Chonggu would see his face and remember how badly he'd been beaten in the past.

Only those who had truly felt the iron fist knew how painful it was.

"Feng Da, go yourself to the Zhengya Bell and Drum Tower outside Donghuamen. I want to see whether Wang's claims are true," Zhu Zhu Yijun told Feng Bao.

Wang Wang Chonggu was right—Zhu Zhu Yijun did not trust him; his words needed verification through practice.

Feng Bao bowed and obeyed, taking several young eunuchs to Donghuamen's outskirts. The distance was short; Feng Bao even had the young eunuchs disguise themselves to ask the itinerant vendors about the construction site's details.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu Yijun discussed state affairs with Zhang Zhang Juzheng in the Zhao Wenhua Palace: major matters were discussed in small meetings; the greatest matters were discussed in closed-door sessions. Their main topic remained Ling Ling Yunyi's petition to equalize land and labor duties.

"Ling is also one of your men, Master. I'm surprised you don't support him," Zhu Zhu Yijun remarked on Ling Ling Yunyi's relationship with Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

Ling Ling Yunyi passed the imperial examination in Emperor Jiajing 26, same cohort as Zhang Zhang Juzheng, and was considered one of his faction. After passing, he was appointed as a Clerk in Nanjing's Ministry of Works, promoted to Director, then sent out as Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of Zhejiang, later promoted to Left Assistant Commissioner of Jiangxi for his anti-pirate achievements.

Ling Ling Yunyi had also fought the pirates, leading troops into battle, and rose through the ranks on the strength of those victories.

In Emperor Jiajing 28, Ling Ling Yunyi's parents died; the court denied him mourning leave under the rule of "no exemption during military service." In Emperor Jiajing 40, as the pirate threat waned, he petitioned to retire and observe mourning for his parents, only to be reappointed during Emperor Longqing.

Ling Ling Yunyi's background differed from Zhang Zhang Juzheng's; his family was wealthy: "Their estate was spacious and lavish, known as half of Taicang County."

Ling Ling Yunyi sought fame in history. He had a large stone in his courtyard inscribed "Huabiao Stone." When he left home, he told his parents: every achievement would be carved onto it. But he carved only four lines, 127 characters—recording only his passing the examination. After that, he never carved another word.

That was youthful ardor—and the pain of Ling Ling Yunyi's inability to return home for his parents' funeral due to his anti-pirate duties. Back then, loyalty and filial piety could not be both fulfilled.

"Your Majesty, Ling was once one of my men, but after he took over Yin Yin Zhengmao's post in Guangdong and Guangxi, that can no longer be said. I can no longer protect him," Zhang Zhang Juzheng shook his head. "He has earned a reputation for ruthless killing in the Two Guangs. Such men are called 'injuring officials'—unacceptable in officialdom."

"Injuring official" was a concept in eight-character destiny theory. In Zhu Zhu Yijun's understanding, it meant profound moral deficiency. Neither Ling Ling Yunyi nor Yin Yin Zhengmao could be protected by Zhang Zhang Juzheng—they could only rely on His Majesty, just as Qi Qi Jiguang, after becoming Commander of the Capital Garrison, became entirely subject to imperial command.

Thus, Qi Qi Jiguang, Yin Yin Zhengmao, Ling Ling Yunyi—all were part of the Imperial Faction, like Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Wan Shihé.

"What do you think of Ling's petition to equalize land and labor duties?" Zhu Zhu Yijun asked.

In the court's zero-sum game, claiming someone as "your man" was pure illusion—backstabbing happened constantly. Wang Wang Chonggu daily crushed the Jin Faction to win imperial favor, yet factions did exist: "No faction within a faction is strange." Within the Jin Faction, there were even Wang Wang Chonggu's faction, Yang Bo's faction, and others.

Even without factional labels, one could still distinguish by cliques—it was merely renaming.

The petition to equalize land and labor duties must not be rushed. Zhang Zhang Juzheng and the Emperor discussed it carefully: it was too easy for enemies to exploit. Before the express roads were completed, any mishap by the Engineering Corps would be catastrophic. For the stability of the New Policies, it was better to delay—wait until the express roads were fully connected.

Feng Bao returned within an hour.

"Your Majesty, I went to Donghuamen's outskirts. Before noon, the food vendors were already jostling for space, quarreling several times. Their baskets carried meat—though only a thin layer of grease, cheap palm oil rather than soybean oil, still grease. One bowl of noodles with one tael of meat cost fifteen cash."

"I counted 172 vendors along the street. When the young eunuchs asked if business was good, they were scolded for delaying meal prep."

"As Wang Wang Chonggu said, these vendors travel everywhere—they never appear where no one eats or has no money to eat."

"I brought back one portion. Time was short, so I had the young eunuchs continue monitoring the Bell and Drum Tower site. The Imperial Treasury eunuch Cui Min is auditing the accounts—he'll have results in three to five days."

"You brought back a portion? Present it." Zhu Zhu Yijun's interest was piqued.

A large bowl of greasy, salty, high-carb noodles was placed before Zhu Zhu Yijun, fragrant with spices. The sauce was thick; the meat wasn't tenderloin, but large chunks—though only one tael, enough to eat. One tael of meat, two taels of greens, one jin eight liang of noodles—overflowing.

"Bring me chopsticks," Zhu Zhu Yijun said, ready to taste.

Zhang Hong bowed. "Your Majesty, you cannot eat this."

"Why not? If commoners eat it, can't I?" Zhu Zhu Yijun glared at Zhang Hong.

Zhang Hong replied firmly: "The Chief Physician said you cannot consume heavy salt or heavy oil."

"I am Emperor of Great Ming! Can't I even decide what I eat?!" Zhu Zhu Yijun slammed the table, pointing at Zhang Hong. "Bring me chopsticks!"

"Then execute me, Your Majesty," Zhang Hong dropped flat on the ground, pleading for death without hesitation. "I am merely Your Majesty's household slave, a worthless life—death is death. But Your Majesty bears the sun and moon, responsible for the empire. I only hope that after I am gone, Your Majesty will cherish your imperial health."

If you were a tyrant, hiding in the harem playing with ten thousand beauties and ignoring state affairs, you could do as you pleased. But if you wish to be a true emperor, to rule alone, to be lord of all under heaven, you must understand: you carry the empire. The Emperor's health equals the health of Great Ming.

Don't you know in your heart whether you can eat this?!

"Get up, get up—you're embarrassing yourself!" Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand in exasperation.

"Your servant obeys," Zhang Hong sprang up quickly—clearly practiced. This scene was not the first time.

"Ah, so even Your Majesty must avoid certain foods? I thought only I couldn't eat chili peppers," Zhang Zhang Juzheng watched the spectacle with delight, immediately firing back a boomerang.

The middle and upper Yangtze formed a region addicted to spice. Zhang Zhang Juzheng loved chili peppers—couldn't live without them. But since His Majesty visited the Quan Chu Quanchu Huiguan in Emperor Wanli Year One, Zhang Zhang Juzheng had sworn off chili peppers for life.

You Qi, armed with imperial orders and a giant wolfhound, inspected Zhang Zhang Juzheng's household daily for hidden chilies. The Three Great Scenic Spots of the Capital: the Quan Chu Quanchu Huiguan throwing out chilies, Wang Wang Chonggu killing his son, and the Censorate hauling water.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng had just learned: even the Emperor was controlled by the Medical Bureau's physicians—this forbidden, that forbidden.

Zhang Hong's current demeanor was identical to You Qi's "dead pig unafraid of boiling water" attitude!

Emperor, you've got it coming!

"Are you mocking me?" Zhu Zhu Yijun snapped.

"Yes, Your Majesty forbade me to eat chili peppers," Zhang Zhang Juzheng admitted openly—he clearly still harbored deep resentment over being denied chili peppers.

Zhu Zhu Yijun finally let Zhang Hong go, let Zhang Zhang Juzheng go—he could only look, not eat. It wasn't Zhang Hong's audacity; the Chief Physicians of the Medical Bureau had demanded it. Once, a young eunuch left the palace on errands, stayed overnight outside, ate unclean food, returned with cold sweat, diarrhea, collapse, eyes swimming with stars—nearly met his great-grandmother.

Acute gastroenteritis—back then, a single misstep could kill.

Three to five days was short. Eunuch Cui Min quickly clarified the accounts of the Zhengya Bell and Drum Tower—nearly identical to Wang Wang Chonggu's report, even faster. In terms of construction quality, every part of the Bell and Drum Tower met standards; perhaps when Great Ming falls, this tower will still stand.

"According to Cui Min, these Grand Construction Projects are imperial edicts, funded directly from the Imperial Treasury. With ample funds, progress naturally accelerates," Feng Bao reported. Most Grand Construction Projects in Great Ming were funded from the Imperial Treasury—their greatest advantage: funds arrived quickly, with no Cengcengzhuanbao —all handled directly by the Engineering Corps.

Thus, the smooth progress of Grand Construction Projects resulted from multiple factors.

In summary: those who work receive payment, and the more they earn, the harder they work. Qi Qi Jiguang in Jizhou paid only half rations, yet still repelled the Tartars and ambushed Dong Dong Huazi.

Wang Wang Chonggu's arrangement for Censorate censors to work at the Western Hills Coal Bureau quickly took concrete form. He selected an abandoned mine—abandoned because coal reserves were depleted or lacked economic value—and enclosed it. All censors assigned to the Western Hills Coal Bureau worked inside this pit; how much they dug didn't matter.

Using abandoned mines for waste disposal was perfect.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had expected a wave of censors to resign, believing such harsh treatment was too humiliating for scholars.

But as Feng Bao said, Southern Han scholar-officials would castrate themselves to become officials. These censors loudly proclaimed: "When the ruler treats his ministers as hands and feet, they treat him as heart and belly; when he treats them as dogs and horses, they treat him as a fellow countryman; when he treats them as dirt and grass, they treat him as an enemy." Yet they swallowed this humiliation and chose to work at the Western Hills Coal Bureau for labor re-education.

The Censorate hauling water had stripped the base Confucians bare—His Majesty's harshness was no surprise.

Lin Fu and Li Zhi, in their "Leisurely Anecdotes," discussed how power corrupts people: due to the failure of oversight. Top-down oversight had collapsed; bottom-up oversight had never been established. Without limits, power inevitably enslaved men.

The Emperor naturally grew angry: oversight failure meant no corrective force. The essays of the Hanlin Academy and memorials of the Censorate could no longer be trusted—this had become social consensus.

Wang Wang Chonggu seeking governance insights from itinerant vendors was a practical application of bottom-up oversight.

Shen Shen Yiguan stared blankly at Wang Wang Xiyuan before him; Wang Wang Xiyuan stared blankly back. They were transferring duties of the Capital Office—both bewildered by the sudden appointment.

"Wait—I still have a pile of unfinished work in the Capital Office. I've barely started, and now I'm being transferred to Shaanxi? It's not that Shaanxi is hardship—it's that my work isn't done." Shen Shen Yiguan sighed. Wang Daoqun, the party leader, never managed affairs; the Zhe Party was in a state of daily slackness. Then suddenly, the post of Viceroy of Shaanxi fell from the sky.

Wang Daoqun was indeed powerful—but this wasn't what Shen Shen Yiguan wanted. A gentleman values completion. He had only halfway finished his work when promoted.

This transfer marked the beginning of rapid advancement: nine years in local office, passing evaluation, and entry into the Zhao Wenhua Palace would be effortless.

The Deputy Prefect of Shuntian was a rank-four position—a precarious role. The Prefect of Shuntian was always a Minister of the Six Ministries; the Deputy could not enter the Zhao Wenhua Palace as a court minister. Only by serving on the frontier could one gain entry to the Zhao Wenhua Palace and the decision-making circle.

The Viceroy of Shaanxi was a place to achieve merit—indeed, to achieve heavenly merit! So many Confucians rushed to Gansu, convinced the court intended to reopen the Western Regions.

Emperor Zhu Zhu Yijun of Great Ming had impeccable credibility: he promised to reopen the Western Regions, and he would overcome all obstacles to do so.

Reopening the Western Regions might even create a Duke's mansion—and the candidate was already decided: Li Li Rusong, eldest son of the Marquis of Marquis Ningyuan, currently dismantling levees in Baoding.

Duke Zhang Fu also rose to his dukedom through his father's marquis title—this was not unprecedented. With Li Li Chengliang inch by inch expanding his territory in the northeast, and Li Li Rusong achieving the heavenly merit of reopening the Western Regions, a dukedom's mansion now lay within reach.

"I'm merely returning to the capital for my official report. There's still a mountain of work at the mines. Isn't Hou Hou Yuzhao perfectly suited? With Zhou Zhou Liangyin going to Liaodong, we can all fulfill our duties." Wang Wang Xiyuan spoke with deep emotion.

Returning to the capital as Vice Prefect of Shuntian, serving a few years before becoming Provincial Governor, then entering the Zhao Wenhua Hall—this was a major step in officialdom, far superior to overseeing Yunnan's copper mining.

But if given a choice, after careful thought, he would still choose Yunnan.

The round trip from Yunnan to the capital took half a year, yet he had no regrets.

He had been mining in Yunnan for nine years, witnessing the transformation of Yunnan copper from utter ruin to an annual output of 9.7 million catties. The copper mines and smelters were built bit by bit by Wang Wang Xiyuan and his artisans. He watched homeless peasants find stable livelihoods, and children who once ran through the mines grow into strong young men.

In impoverished Yunnan, copper was the pillar among pillars. As long as copper mining endured, Yunnan could slowly grow wealthy.

Wang Wang Xiyuan was now a land master, an expert in prospecting. From ore veins to dragon veins, he needed only one glance to know where copper lay.

Shen Shen Yiguan spread his hands helplessly. "Zhou Zhou Liangyin once attacked General Qi and Li Li Chengliang, accusing Qi of seeking glory through reckless advances and the Marquis of Marquis Ningyuan of mistreating censors. His Majesty nearly shot Zhou Zhou Liangyin dead. At the time, General Qi was commanding troops on campaign—Zhou Zhou Liangyin's audacity was truly immense."

When a general commanded troops far from court, Zhou Zhou Liangyin's accusations amounted to forcing Qi Qi Jiguang into rebellion. Had His Majesty not handled it wisely, how much chaos might have erupted?

Zhou Zhou Liangyin, a lowborn Confucian, was the crux of the problem. Had he not been a lowborn Confucian, everyone could have fulfilled their duties. Many in Great Ming waited for office, but true administrators were rare. Zhou Zhou Liangyin was a model of reform, yet there was only one Zhou Zhou Liangyin.

Shen Shen Yiguan began transferring his duties in the capital. Wang Wang Xiyuan, as Chief Superintendent of Yunnan's copper mines, was deeply familiar with such engineering matters.

After returning to the capital and settling into the Huitong Pavilion Inn, Wang Wang Xiyuan was preparing to bathe, change clothes, and visit the Quanchu Guild Hall to pay respects to his master—before he even washed his face, he received the official appointment. After reporting to the Ministry of Personnel, he immediately went to the Shuntian Dai Dai Fuya.

Only after finalizing his handover did Wang Wang Xiyuan hurry to the Quanchu Guild Hall. As he exited the Shuntian Dai Dai Fuya, he encountered Gao Qi.

"His Majesty originally intended to appoint you as Vice Prefect, but Master disapproved." Wang Wang Xiyuan looked at his old friend with deep emotion. It had been over a decade since they last met. When Wang Wang Xiyuan first became a disciple, he had looked up to Gao Qi as a model—but after so many wasted years, they had become rivals.

"Even Sun Sun Wukong was imprisoned beneath the Five Finger Mountain for five hundred years. Master's difficulties toward me are nothing." Gao Qi spoke with calm acceptance. Zhang Zhang Juzheng's harshness might have been his final act of benevolence toward his student—training him through hardship was no harm.

Gao Qi's mindset was excellent. To become Assistant Director of the Grand Honglu Temple was already a position many Ming Jinshi would never reach in their lifetimes.

"If you can maintain this attitude, I need not worry." Wang Wang Xiyuan sighed in relief. If Gao Qi had harbored resentment, he might have followed Liu Liu Hanru's fate. Gao Qi was far more capable than Liu Liu Hanru; wasting his years now would be a tragedy.

Gao Qi sighed slightly, shook his head, and said: "Brother, are you going to visit Master today? I only ask you to deliver a greeting on my behalf—nothing more."

Gao Qi could not go to the Quanchu Guild Hall himself, so he entrusted someone else to convey his regards.

"Of course, of course." Wang Wang Xiyuan agreed, then boarded his carriage for the Quanchu Guild Hall. Along the way, he felt the capital's congestion—especially at dusk, when movement became nearly impossible.

"Brother Li! Ten years have passed, yet your bearing remains unchanged." Wang Wang Xiyuan spotted an old acquaintance—the Provincial Governor of Nanjing, Li Le.

"Congratulations on your promotion to the capital. In a few more years, you'll be a Provincial Governor yourself." Li Le, equally delighted to see his old friend, had not seen Wang Wang Xiyuan since leaving for Xuan-Da to oversee the Great Wall construction project.

Wang Wang Xiyuan quickly waved his hands. "I am unworthy—everything is due to Master's recommendation and protection."

Li Le's reputation had suffered these past years—not from corruption, but from his peculiar style. Like his earlier refusal to act on bribes, he now governed the Nanjing Prefecture with ruthless impartiality: conducting population censuses, abolishing the status of lowborn slaves, showing no mercy, obsessed solely with results—much like Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

Wang Wang Xiyuan and Li Le entered the Quanchu Guild Hall and found Zhang Zhang Juzheng already waiting.

"In a flash, you've both become leading officials. Excellent, excellent." Zhang Zhang Juzheng praised his two accomplished disciples. The difficulty of Yunnan's copper mining far exceeded that of Lu Song's mines, yet Wang Wang Xiyuan had done superbly.

"Gao Qi asked me to deliver a greeting." Wang Wang Xiyuan mentioned Gao Qi's message.

"Don't mention him, don't mention him. Sit, sit down. Ge Shouli, bring good tea." Zhang Zhang Juzheng gestured for his disciples to sit and ordered You Qi to serve fine tea.

Casual greetings and reminiscences were unavoidable. As a native of Huguang and a core member of the Chu Faction, Wang Wang Xiyuan had been assigned by Zhang Zhang Juzheng to Yunnan's copper smelting—effectively a form of exile. Yet Wang Wang Xiyuan harbored no resentment; instead, he excelled.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng's recommendation of him was true meritocracy without favoritism.

"I am still concerned about Yunnan's mining operations." Though Wang Wang Xiyuan had been recalled to the capital, he still worried about Yunnan.

"Rest easy. I've already assigned Huang Qing to go there." Zhang Zhang Juzheng explained his arrangements.

Huang Qing, Yang Guo, and Zhao Jiao were all specially granted Ming Jinshi through imperial examinations for clerks—true administrators, utterly reliable in their work.

Li Le's expression turned complex. "Master, while serving as Provincial Governor in Jiangnan, I am deeply troubled: after a flood of silver poured in, people have abandoned fundamentals for trivialities. The Fengqi of money worship has become widespread."