Chapter 77: I Find Zhang Zhang Siwei Ugly

I truly neglect my duties. Main Text Chapter 77: I Find Zhang Zhang Siwei Ugly. Yang Bo, in the assassination plot, traded his own retirement and the position of Minister of Personnel for Zhang Zhang Juzheng's intervention to quell the affair—this had long been agreed upon. Six months passed in a flash; the Examination System now operated smoothly in the capital. Yang Bo fulfilled his promise and retired to his hometown to live in leisure.

"No, I'm old now. If I don't leave, even dogs and people will find me annoying. If I stay any longer, Zhang Zhang Siwei might even bite me. I refused to let him become party leader, and now he's full of complaints—he doesn't even reflect or reform." Yang Bo answered Zhang Zhang Juzheng's question; he had no intention of staying.

When the spear and shield collided and doubt arose, Yang Bo chose to flee. He no longer possessed the courage of his youth to fight heaven, earth, and himself. He was old, and sick. If he clung on any longer, he would be utterly ruined.

"Let the Left Vice Minister, Zhang Han, temporarily assume the post of Minister of Personnel." Zhang Zhang Juzheng pondered a moment, then named Zhang Han.

Zhang Han, from Zhejiang, was a Ming Jinshi of the 14th year of Emperor Jiajing; his seniority even exceeded that of Zhang Zhang Juzheng. He was a man who posed no threat—not a virtuous or capable minister, and held little influence at court. As a native of Zhejiang, he worked tirelessly during the Japanese pirates raids in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong to advocate for the Zhejiang troops.

No roots meant, in other words, Zhang Han was easy to control.

The Left Censor-in-Chief Ge Ge Shouli and the Minister of Works Zhu Heng were both strong contenders.

But Ge Ge Shouli was the leader of the Jin Party. As former party leader, Yang Bo had already relinquished this position; the Jin Party must not touch the power of the Ministry of Personnel.

Meanwhile, Minister of Works Zhu Heng had also sought connections, hoping to transfer from the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Personnel. The Minister of Personnel, as the head of appointments and evaluations, held the top position among the Six Ministries in the Emperor Wanli era; moving from Works to Personnel was a lateral promotion.

Zhu Heng clashed with Zhang Zhang Juzheng on policy, especially regarding the Examination System. Zhu Heng believed the system preyed upon officials and was an immoral law. Thus, Zhang Zhang Juzheng promoted Zhang Han, this harmless man, to implement the Examination System.

"For Minister of Rites, I nominate Wan Shihé." Yang Bo named a man: Wan Shihé—the same Left Vice Minister who, earlier that day beneath Eight Banners Hall on Jingshan in the Shanglin Garden, had failed to find his short robe and been deeply embarrassed.

"Wan Shihé?" Zhang Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly. Wan Shihé was the classic type of loudmouth—raising the banner of ritual and law, lacking both breadth and resolve, knowing only the constant classics, ignorant of flexible authority.

If the Ministry of Rites continued like this, it would be unacceptable. The young emperor in the palace was clearly restless; such a man as Minister of Rites would surely give the rebellious emperor plenty of scolding to endure.

This was mutual exploitation between the Zhang and Jin parties to settle internal rivalries. On the surface, Lu Lu Shusheng was Zhang Zhang Juzheng's classmate and fellow Ming Jinshi, supposed to be his ally—but Lu Lu Shusheng switched allegiances, leaving Zhang Zhang Juzheng on the defensive. Meanwhile, Yang Bo relinquished the Minister of Personnel post but did not give it to the Jin Party—he knew that if he did, Zhang Zhang Juzheng's Examination System would face insurmountable obstacles.

"The Ministry of Rites is full of mundane Confucians; change is nearly impossible. At best, they'll just nag." Yang Bo knew Wan Shihé was no good choice—but no better candidate existed.

"Then nominate Wan Shihé." Zhang Zhang Juzheng sighed. Ritual and law should accord with heavenly principle and human heart—but how many truly upright men could be found?

Yang Bo spoke with certainty: "Wang Chonggu is no longer fit to oversee the capital's military affairs. Send him back to Xuanfu and Datong to oversee the Ansa tribute. If he stays in the capital any longer, he'll end up in the Dissection Courtyard—courtesy of his own nephew."

"According to old precedent, the command of the capital's military should be given to the Tan Sima, Tan Lun. No one who has never fought should hold this post—otherwise disaster will strike. If you don't understand the peril of war, and merely guess from afar, pushing the front lines, how could you ever win?"

Yang Bo was finally leaving, and these words had long been burning inside him. The conflict between Great Ming and the Altan Khan had lasted over a decade. The border troops' incompetence was one reason—but so too were the mundane Confucians in court, shouting orders daily, ignorant of frontline conditions, constantly pressuring the troops, making warfare impossible.

"Wang Wang Chonggu himself doesn't want to go," Zhang Zhang Juzheng said, puzzled.

Yang Bo spoke with absolute certainty: "Wang Wang Chonggu will agree. Zhang Zhang Siwei is now idle, without assignment. Only when Wang Wang Chonggu leaves the capital can Zhang Zhang Siwei be reinstated. If he refuses, I'll make him agree."

Zhang Zhang Siwei had bribed Gao Gong eight hundred taels of silver to obtain the position of Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince. This was discovered by Cao Cao Daye, a censor of the Ministry of Revenue, who impeached Zhang Zhang Siwei. Then Zhang Chucheng, a censor of the Ministry of War, pursued him for selling offices. Zhang Zhang Siwei was forced to submit another petition for retirement and was ultimately dismissed.

Zhang Zhang Siwei had remained active in the capital, seeking reinstatement.

Yang Bo intended to use Wang Wang Chonggu's departure from the post of Commander of the Capital Military to enable Zhang Zhang Siwei's return—thus removing any obstruction to Zhang Zhang Juzheng's plan to revive military prestige.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng put down his brush and shook his head: "Also warn Zhang Zhang Siwei—I won't show mercy."

Wang Wang Chonggu was protected by the Ansa tribute affair; Zhang Zhang Juzheng could not press too hard. But Zhang Zhang Siwei was returning to court—and still hadn't learned to keep his tail between his legs. Then Zhang Zhang Juzheng would teach him how.

Hai Rui remained silent throughout, knowing this was a game of interest exchange. Such dealings were indeed repulsive—but the emperor in the palace was still young. As long as Zhang Zhang Juzheng didn't overstep the imperial authority, Hai Rui would not act.

People change. Hai Rui himself had changed. He understood Zhang Zhang Juzheng had invited him here merely to use his reputation as a witness.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng looked at Hai Rui, then at Yang Bo, and said clearly: "Tan Sima, Grand Marshal Tan Lun, recommends Yu Yu Dayou to command all patrol and inspection offices in Songjiang Prefecture. The Xu family's land will be returned to the inspection offices. Songjiang is a fine port."

Hai Rui's memorial had been read by only three people: Zhang Zhang Juzheng, Hai Rui, and the emperor. Hai Rui had virtually no influence in court; his recommendation of Yu Yu Dayou would make no waves. But Tan Lun was the Tan Sima of Great Ming, known as Grand Marshal—his weight was sufficient.

Hai Rui had merely proposed that Yu Yu Dayou return to the capital to lead sweet potato cultivation; he had not specified the location.

Yu Dayou would go to Songjiang Prefecture to reclaim Xu Jie's land, ordering Songjiang to return seized farmland to the court. These lands would become the Military Colonies of the Songjiang Inspection Office, used to pay military rations and supplies.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng told Yang Bo because a new faction was forming in court: the Zhe Party.

Just as Zhang Zhang Juzheng's Chu Party was not entirely composed of Chu natives, the Zhe Party was not entirely made up of Zhejiang men. The Zhe Party was more clearly defined: centered on recruiting Zhejiang troops, active in Zhejiang, Fujian, Nanjing, and Guangzhou against the Japanese pirates, united by their anti-piracy achievements, and advocating maritime trade.

Tan Lun, Wu Wu Baipeng, Qi Qi Jiguang, Yang Wen, Yu Yu Dayou—all these men. Zhang Zhang Juzheng had personally fostered this Zhe Party's formation, aiming to replace the Jin Party at any moment.

One reason Zhang Zhang Juzheng could not crush the Jin Party outright was to avoid creating a one-party dictatorship that would alarm the emperor and empress dowager into fearing he would become Wang Mang.

Once the Zhe Party truly formed, the Jin Party would lose all utility. Zhang Zhang Siwei, Wang Wang Chonggu, Ma Gui, and others—better they rebel, so the court could crush them.

"Hmm." Yang Bo offered no objection. The Jin Party needed external pressure; otherwise, it would collapse eventually—especially as the young emperor grew increasingly wise. If the Jin Party continued like this, the emperor himself would one day lead troops to exterminate them.

Yang Bo sighed: "I'm leaving too. If the Jin Party chooses to destroy itself, Bai Gui can do as he pleases."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng thought carefully and said solemnly: "If another assassination attempt occurs, no matter the cost, the Jin Party will be annihilated."

This was a threat: whoever orchestrated the assassination attempt—no matter who—would see the Jin Party destroyed first.

In the long term, Zhang Zhang Juzheng had staked everything on the young emperor. The emperor had only become wise and insightful because of the assassination attempt. If another occurred—if the emperor died, or reverted to laziness and neglect—Zhang Zhang Juzheng would never accept it.

This was an absolute, untouchable bottom line: the emperor's safety.

Hai Rui understood perfectly and smiled: "Grand Secretary Yang, the Grand Secretary's words are not a request."

Yang Bo, however, felt utterly at ease: "I can only warn them. Whether they bring disaster upon themselves and end up in the Dissection Courtyard—that's beyond my control."

After retirement, floods may rage—but none of it concerns Yang Bo. Last time he denied Zhang Zhang Siwei the Jin Party leadership, Zhang Zhang Siwei even returned the marriage contract between his son and Yang Bo's granddaughter. There was no tie left.

"Then it's settled." Zhang Zhang Juzheng rose and saw Yang Bo off.

At the door, Yang Bo halted and turned back: "Bai Gui, I'm no match for you. Ge Ge Shouli isn't either. The emperor grows ever wiser. Your greatest enemy is yourself—don't become Wang Mang or Gao Gong."

"Don't become me either. Power brings downfall; great merit leads to ruin. When you reach this state, even death won't bring peace. Live with the word 'know'—you clearly know you shouldn't act this way, yet are dragged into it anyway. Bai Gui, heed the lessons of the past."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng smiled at Yang Bo: "I become Wang Mang? You speak strangely—the Examination System has succeeded in the capital; now I must extend it across Great Ming. My reputation will become what, I wonder?"

"I can't become Gao Gong either. Hai Hai Gangfeng has returned—he'd love to impeach me tomorrow. On his first day back, in the Zhao Wenhua Hall, he asked me if I'd overstepped the imperial authority. Had I not prepared the Imperial Diary in advance, who knows how he'd have viewed me?"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng did not speak of his personal virtue to assure he'd never become like Gao Gong. He only said: once the Examination System is implemented, he'll offend every official in the realm. If he oversteps the imperial authority, isn't that suicide? And besides—he has Hai Rui in court. How could he ever become Gao Gong?

"True enough." Yang Bo smiled. "I'm off."

"Farewell, Grand Secretary Yang." Zhang Zhang Juzheng bowed, seeing Yang Bo off.

After Yang Bo exited, Ge Ge Shouli waited outside, supported him, and escorted him to the Quanjin Hall.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng held his hands and said to Hai Rui: "Yang Bo is a man of great virtue. Some things he did out of necessity. Overall, his major principles remain intact, though minor flaws exist. Grand Censor Hai, don't fixate on them."

"Compared to Xu Xu Jie, how corrupt was he?" Hai Rui still stared at Yang Bo's back, his words laced with barbs—Zhang Zhang Juzheng was Xu Xu Jie's student, and Xu Xu Jie was a great corruptor.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng didn't mind: "One fiftieth? Perhaps less."

"Then forget it." Hearing this small amount, Hai Rui lost interest in pursuing Yang Bo. Xu Xu Jie had seized 240,000 mu of land in Songjiang. If Yang Bo owned only five thousand mu, as a retired first-rank official, he appeared remarkably upright.

Hai Rui never judged others by his own standards—he was strict with himself, lenient with others.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng did not sit. Yang Bo had left; Hai Rui would soon depart the Quanchu Hall. He thought a moment and said: "Let Xu Xu Jie return the land only after Yu Yu Dayou arrives from Nanjing, receives the sweet potato seals and axe-and-mace insignia, then proceed."

"Not in a hurry?" Hai Rui was surprised—had Zhang Zhang Juzheng really conceded so easily?

"See Grand Censor Hai off." Zhang Zhang Juzheng waved his hand. You Qi led the way, guiding Hai Rui out.

The world all said Zhang Zhang Juzheng was Xu Xu Jie's student. But in Emperor Jiajing 33, Zhang Zhang Juzheng wrote a poem: "My ambition lies in emptiness and stillness; what I gain is not what I seek. Though dwelling in this world, I float like mist and smoke."

His ambition in this court was emptiness and stillness. What he gained was not his pursuit. Without worldly desires, one could transcend the dust of the world.

After writing this poem, Zhang Zhang Juzheng wrote Xu Xu Jie a letter: "You inwardly harbor uniqueness, outwardly blend with the crowd." Then he left court, wandered mountains and rivers for three years. The dire state of Great Ming drew Zhang Zhang Juzheng back to the capital.

This time, he became the world's image of the vengeful Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

After returning to court, Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Xu Xu Jie were more like political allies. Political alliances are neither unbreakable nor invincible.

Previously, Zhang Zhang Juzheng defended Xu Xu Jie because remnants of the Xu Party still existed. But Lu Lu Shusheng, another student of Xu Xu Jie, had become estranged from Zhang Zhang Juzheng—there was no need to defend Xu Xu Jie anymore.

The road is wide; each walks his own way.

"Oh! Almost forgot." Zhang Juzheng changed clothes, picked up a spade, and under moonlight, went to Nine Turns Bridge to harvest sweet potatoes.

He had planted some himself. Though he rarely tended them, the servants in his household cared for them meticulously.

His garden, at least a quarter mu, yielded 1,200 jin of fresh sweet potatoes. After a five-to-one conversion, that was 240 jin of rice.

This figure matched that of Jingshan and Qionghua Island. Without pinching tips or high-temperature roasting, properly tended sweet potatoes yielded 3,000 jin per mu, 600 jin dry weight, five shi output. The palace eunuchs had not deceived the young emperor as they had deceived Emperor Renzong of Song.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng wanted to know the true yield. He feared palace eunuchs flattered the emperor, and if the emperor were misled, widespread promotion might harm the people if yields fell short.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng brushed the dirt from his hands and smiled: "Eating too much causes stomach acid—but you must eat a lot to save from famine. It's absolutely useful."

Court deliberations, like the daily sun, rose as usual. Court ministers filed in. Today, twenty-seven ministers were joined by two more: Zhang Han and Wan Shihé. They waited outside the Zhao Wenhua Hall for the deliberation's outcome.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng, on Yang Bo's and Lu Lu Shusheng's retirement memorials, and on his own recommendations of Zhang Han and Wan Shihé, wrote his own marginal notes and passed them to Zhang Hong, who delivered them to the emperor's desk.

Zhu Zhu Yijun glanced at them, picked up the Emperor Wanli Seal, stamped all four memorials, and ordered them to the Ministry of Personnel.

"Grand Secretary Yang," Zhu Zhu Yijun said, addressing Yang Bo.

"Your servant is here," Yang Bo quickly bowed.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Yang Bo's white hair and wrinkled face, and sighed: "Thank you, Grand Secretary Yang, for your years of service to the state. On your journey home, use official post stations to prevent lowlifes from disturbing you."

"Your servant dares not accept such honor. I am ashamed. I kowtow to Your Majesty's boundless grace." Yang Bo swept his sleeves and knelt, bowing deeply, his voice tinged with sorrow.

His early life had been brilliant; his old age, shameful. At least he did not act against his conscience—he knew what was wrong, yet still did it. But in the end, after retirement, his major principles remained intact.

"Your servant… takes leave." Yang Bo bowed again. This departure was forever. This departure meant eternal exit from history's stage.

When Yang Bo rose, he pushed away Ge Ge Shouli's hand offering support. Step by step, he retreated to the door, made a long bow, then left the Zhao Wenhua Hall.

Yang Bo's expression as he stepped from the Zhao Wenhua Hall was complex—yet carried a touch of relief.

To depart unscathed filled Yang Bo with profound relief. Old age sought only a good name in history. Whatever the Jin Party did henceforth concerned him no longer.

When Yang Bo left, Zhu Zhu Yijun bid him farewell, thanking him for years of service. But when Lu Lu Shusheng departed, the young emperor did not even speak—let Lu Lu Shusheng leave on his own.

Lu Lu Shusheng had no choice but to kowtow five times, then slowly withdrew from the Zhao Wenhua Hall.

Zhang Han and Wan Shihé entered the hall, cried "Ten Thousand Years!" and knelt.

"Ministers, burdened with the state's great grace, should think only of loyal service, purify your hearts, and work diligently. Gentlemen, rise." Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his small hand, signaling Zhang Han and Wan Shihé to take their seats for deliberation.

"Censor Zhang Chucheng of the Ministry of War still impeaches Wang Chonggu for harboring bandits to strengthen himself and neglecting defenses." Zhang Juzheng presented a memorial—this was the arrangement agreed upon the night before: Wang Chonggu returns to Xuanfu and Datong as commander; Yu Dayou enters the capital to receive axe-and-mace insignia; Tan Lun takes command of the capital's military; Zhang Siwei returns to court.

Zhang Chucheng, from Jiangling, Jingzhou Prefecture, was Zhang Zhang Juzheng's fellow townsman and the vanguard of attacks against the Jin Party. The scandal of Zhang Zhang Siwei's bribery of Gao Gong had settled—but Zhang Chucheng refused to let go, determined to impeach Zhang Zhang Siwei until he was dismissed.

The two memorials impeaching Wang Wang Chonggu were also initiated by Zhang Chucheng.

Thus, Li Le had no reason to fear the Jin Party—the Jin Party feared Zhang Zhang Juzheng's retaliation more.

"Your servant begs Your Majesty's scrutiny: this matter was already deliberated in May." Wang Wang Chonggu rose and bowed to the young emperor on the dais.

Wang Wang Chonggu is a turncoat!

Nothing like Yang Bo's detachment!

Zhu Zhu Yijun barely suppressed his smile. An nephew is just an nephew—how could he value kinship over his own position?

You Qi had passed the news of major personnel changes in the court to the palace through Xu Jue last night; Empress Dowager Li did not believe Zhang Han and Wan Shihé were superior to Yang Bo and Lu Lu Shusheng, but Yang Bo was truly old and no longer capable, so she ultimately approved the personnel changes.

Wang Wang Chonggu was simply unwilling to accept defeat—he had finally come from Xuan-Da to the capital, holding the title of Wang Shaobao of the Crown Prince and overseeing the capital's military affairs, and now they wanted him to return? He refused!

Zhu Zhu Yijun suppressed his smile and said, "Wang Shaobao Wang, rise and speak."

Ge Shouli, seeing the situation slipping beyond his control, stood and said, "Your Majesty, the announcement of the inspection and reconstruction of the Great Wall at Xuanfu and Datong has sparked widespread criticism and shocked both court and capital. Ma Fang, Ma Gui, and others have been dismissed, and many say they are being made scapegoats. I humbly beg Your Majesty to examine this matter clearly."

As the leader of the New Party, how could Ge Ge Shouli allow a promised deal to go unfulfilled by Wang Wang Chonggu? He immediately launched an internal purge, deploying the card of nationwide outrage.

Hai Rui stood up, looking puzzled, and said, "Your Majesty, I have just returned to the capital and am unaware of prior events. Ma Fang and Ma Gui are merely generals. The Great Wall reconstruction was overseen entirely by the Viceroy—why are the generals punished, their battlefield merits revoked, while the Viceroy escapes unscathed? I have long lived in the countryside and do not understand court norms. Though the capital's military affairs are of great importance, Wang Shaobao Wang continuing to hold the post of Viceroy over the capital's forces, I believe, is inappropriate."

Hai Rui played a card: I may not understand, but I am deeply shocked—is this truly the court's standard? He then played a follow-up card.

Minister of Revenue Wang Guoguang sighed and said, "Your Majesty, the deficit from the Great Wall reconstruction is vast. The Inspection Commissioner Wu Baipeng requested to inspect Xuanfu and Datong—when he does, we must account for every shortfall."

Wang Wang Guoguang, guarding an empty treasury, knew Zhang Cheng had brought back a large sum, but it could never fill the gaping hole of the Xuan-Da Great Wall project—he played the deficit card.

Tan Lun stood, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, since the Emperor Jingtai era, the Tan Sima has commanded the capital's forces—it is ancestral law. I humbly beg Your Majesty to take note."

This touched upon Tan Lun's authority as Viceroy over the capital's forces; Tan Lun naturally fought for it—he played the card of ancestral law.

"What does the Chief Cabinet Minister think?" Zhu Zhu Yijun turned to Zhang Zhang Juzheng and asked for his opinion.

"I believe it is fitting to appoint Wang Chonggu back to Xuanfu-Datong as Viceroy to plug the hole in the Great Wall reconstruction and allow him to redeem himself," Zhang Juzheng stated his position—this was also his note on the memorial. The deficit was real; whatever was taken must be returned.

If the Jin Party has the guts, let them rebel—kill Wu Wu Baipeng, Li Le, Zhang Jing, and the rest, and turn this into an outright crisis!

The Jin Party's strength had been severely weakened by repeated court struggles, especially after the dismissal of the Datong Regional Commander and ten Assistant Regional Commanders—would the border troops truly rise in rebellion if the Jin Party dared to revolt?

Zhu Zhu Yijun witnessed firsthand what "kicking a man when he's down" meant. After Zhang Zhang Juzheng's death, his new policies would likely dissolve under such collective fervor.

The newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Zhang Han, did not fully understand the situation, but still stood and declared loudly, "Chief Cabinet Minister's handling is impeccable."

Zhu Zhu Yijun turned to Wang Wang Chonggu and said, "Wang Shaobao Wang."

"Your servant is here." Wang Wang Chonggu had still hoped to struggle further, but seeing the mood, he chose to surrender—further words would only invite Feng Bao to curse him into oblivion.

"Return to Xuanfu and Datong to clean up the mess of the Great Wall reconstruction?" Zhu Yijun tapped his desk with a pencil.

Wang Wang Chonggu wanted to say more, but seeing no one speak for him, he bowed his head and said, "I obey the imperial decree. Your servant takes leave."

Wang Wang Chonggu bowed again and left the Zhao Wenhua Hall, accepting the outcome. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhang Juzheng wrote his note on the memorial recommending Zhang Zhang Suiwei: Zhang Zhang Suiwei would remain as Lecturer of the Palace, overseeing the Office of the Crown Prince's Household, and serve as Deputy Chief Compiler of the Veritable Records of the Ming Shizong and Lecturer of the Palace.

The Veritable Records of the Ming Shizong covered the period from the fourth month of During Zhengde Sixteen to the twelfth month of Emperor Jiajing Forty-Five—roughly forty-six years. The Chief Compiler was Grand Secretary Zhang Zhang Juzheng; the position of Deputy Chief Compiler was the condition Wang Wang Chonggu traded for his departure from court.

According to Ming bureaucratic norms, once the Shizong Emperor's Veritable Records were completed, Zhang Zhang Suiwei would become a Lecturer in the Imperial Audience, and after several years, qualify for appointment to the Grand Secretariat.

The memorial recommending Zhang Zhang Suiwei's return to court flowed from the long table in the Zhao Wenhua Hall to the imperial desk. Zhu Zhu Yijun stared at it for a long time, then did not pick up the great seal to stamp it, and said, "I do not approve of Zhang Zhang Suiwei's return to court."

The young emperor deployed his Emperor Wanli Fifteen–era tactic of deliberate inaction: he would not stamp.

He held the authority to decide on appointments of capital officials; without his seal, Zhang Zhang Suiwei could not return.

Though Zhu Zhu Yijun had not yet assumed personal rule and lacked full decision-making power, he possessed the power to refuse—a small test of authority beneath the great shield of imperial power.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng rose and asked, "Your Majesty, I overstep, but Zhang Zhang Suiwei possesses profound and far-reaching talent. To let such a virtuous man remain idle outside court is a loss to the state."

Zhu Zhu Yijun replied firmly, "I find him ugly."

"Ugly?" Zhang Zhang Juzheng froze. Your Majesty, you are making a personal attack!

But upon reflection, Zhang Zhang Suiwei truly was not handsome—sunken eyes, fleshy cheeks, a pointed chin. The Emperor spoke truth.

Ugliness is inherited from one's parents. In folk tales, Zhong Kui, the guardian deity, was barred from office because of his appearance. In the Ming, too: in the fifth year of Emperor Jingtai, the Hainan Ming Jinshi Qiu Jun lost the top rank due to his unattractive looks and became the highest-ranked Second Class Ming Jinshi.

At this, even the Ritual Officer struggled to suppress a smile. The Emperor's angle was truly sharp.

Feng Bao was awestruck—the Emperor's biting power far surpassed his own. His own "annoyance art" reached only the twelfth level; the Emperor's reached perfect mastery—just one word, and everyone was stunned.

And it was utterly reasonable.

If you are ugly, how dare you return to court to serve as Lecturer of the Palace, attending upon His Majesty?

"He frightens me," Zhu Zhu Yijun said innocently. "I am but a child of tender years. Seeing him fills me with dread. When I am older, I will recall him to court."

He was only ten years old. To place such an ugly man as Lecturer of the Palace, forcing him to be seen daily—how could Chief Cabinet Minister bear to terrify the child?

What if the child is traumatized!

Zhang Zhang Juzheng fell silent, and bowed his head: "I obey the decree."

Wang Wang Chonggu had broken his word in court, clinging to power. Had not public outcry forced him, Wang Wang Chonggu could have reneged—and Zhang Zhang Juzheng could have reneged too. But this excuse—"he is ugly"—was truly humiliating.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng had to admit: the Emperor's verbal assault surpassed even Feng Bao and Zhang Chucheng combined.

It was no wonder Commander Zhu Zhu Xixiao was constantly enraged.

Feng Bao could no longer hold back—he smiled, not loudly, but his lips refused to close.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng returned to his seat, still dazed. After a pause, he said, "Continue the court deliberation. What is next? The capital's military recruitment: Qi Qi Jiguang, Yu Yu Dayou, and Ma Fang to return to the capital to oversee the evaluation of martial talent."

"Does anyone object?"

Tan Lun immediately spoke: "In strategic acumen, Yu Yu Dayou is inferior to Tan Lun. In rewarding merit and punishing failure, Yu is inferior to Qi. In boldness and mobility, Yu is inferior to Liu Zhang Xian. Yet all these are minor skills—Yu Yu Dayou excels in comprehensive ability!"

"Da shou": entrusted with great responsibility.

Though Tan Lun, Qi Qi Jiguang, and Liu Zhang Xian surpassed Yu Yu Dayou in certain areas, Yu's strength lay in his lack of weakness in any—this was the complete talent, worthy of great responsibility.

Qi Qi Jiguang was now Marquis of Qian'an, a nobleman, and his return to court was backed by Zhang Zhang Juzheng and the Emperor—no one dared object.

Ma Fang was the Jin Party's flagship; he was the fiercest warrior in all of Xuanfu-Datong. Even if the Jin Party disliked him, they could only use him as their symbol.

Yu Yu Dayou's greatest problem: no one backed him. The injustices Qi Qi Jiguang suffered, Yu suffered even more. Zhang Zhang Juzheng protected Qi—who protected Yu?

Tan Lun, now Tan Sima and Viceroy of the capital's forces, must defend Yu Yu Dayou in this Hall of Heaven!

Yu Yu Dayou was currently Assistant Director of the Southern Military Commission. From southern court to northern court, a journey of fifteen days by day and night—Tan Lun desperately hoped Yu Yu Dayou would finally realize his ambition, no longer a pearl hidden in dust, no longer a hero with unfulfilled dreams.

Tan Lun was openly raising his banner: a new faction would emerge—the Zhe Party—with Tan Lun himself as its leader.

"Experienced veteran," Ge Ge Shouli, adjusting to his role as party leader, paused and gave a neutral reply: "Experienced veteran" was high praise—he agreed.

If he opposed Yu Yu Dayou's return, Tan Lun would immediately oppose Ma Fang's. Ge Ge Shouli remembered Yang Bo's words: uphold the Emperor's supreme authority, reconcile with Tan Lun, Wu Wu Baipeng, Qi Qi Jiguang, Yu Yu Dayou, and the Zhe Party, and jointly resist the Chief Cabinet Minister's dominance over the throne.

Ge Ge Shouli pondered this strategy again—how brilliant.

Yu Yu Dayou was from Fujian; strictly speaking, not Zhe Party. But their wartime camaraderie during the anti-pirate campaigns, their mutual defense, bound them.

"Then summon the three generals back to the capital to oversee the martial evaluation of the capital's forces." Zhang Zhang Juzheng wrote his note on the memorial.

The newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Zhang Han, wholeheartedly agreed: "Chief Cabinet Minister's handling is impeccable."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng glanced at Zhang Han—the new Minister of Personnel could only say, "Chief Cabinet Minister's handling is impeccable"?

The memorial flowed to the imperial desk. All eyes turned to the dais. The young emperor had defied convention over Zhang Zhang Suiwei's return—now, how would His Majesty rule on Chief Cabinet Minister Zhang's memorial?

Zhu Zhu Yijun picked up the great seal and stamped the memorial.

The ministers exhaled in relief. There was no clash between ministerial authority and imperial power. It seemed the ten-year-old sovereign did not oppose Zhang Zhang Juzheng's governance—he simply found Zhang Zhang Suiwei ugly and refused to have him near him.

Instantly, the ministers realized: perhaps Zhang Zhang Suiwei truly was unattractive.

No one had noticed before. Now that it was mentioned, Zhang Zhang Suiwei's appearance seemed grotesque.

Tan Lun: Wang Wang Chonggu, you dare break your word? Take this reverse D-kick! Tan Lun's evaluation of Yu Yu Dayou was his own words, from the Ming History: Biography of Yu Yu Dayou. Please vote for monthly tickets! Awoooooo!!!!!!!!!!