Chapter 133: I Hear His Majesty Often Reads the Histories?

Wang Yongguang emerged from the warm chamber, his face impassive. He gave Lu Xiangsheng and Cheng Jiming, who were waiting outside the door, a perfunctory cupped-hand salute, then left without a word.

He passed the soldiers who were gradually setting down their brushes and soon turned out of the great hall.

Lu Xiangsheng and Cheng Jiming stood outside the door in silence, each resting with eyes closed.

After a moment, a young eunuch poked his head out from inside and called in a thin, soft voice, "Minister Cheng, His Majesty summons you for an audience."

Cheng Jiming drew a deep breath, straightened his official robes, and strode in.

The door opened then slowly closed again, cutting off everything outside.

Outside the warm chamber, only Lu Xiangsheng remained.

He stood where he was, listening to his own steady heartbeat, closed his eyes again, and ran through once more in his mind the various questions he might soon face.

On the matter of horse fodder he had full confidence — though this memorial had taken only three days, it was already a masterwork worthy of the statecraft rankings.

But... what about matters beyond horse fodder?

Inside the warm chamber, Cheng Jiming performed the full kneeling prostration with meticulous precision.

"Your subject, Cheng Jiming, kowtows before Your Majesty. Long live His Majesty, for ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

"Minister Cheng, rise," Zhu Youjian said, his voice mild, carrying a clarity particular to the young.

He studied the old minister, nearing seventy, hair graying but still hale and spirited — truly living up to what the floating chronicle had called "the unsullied minister."

"Minister Cheng, you are advanced in years. Speak seated."

Cheng Jiming thanked him for the grace and rose, but did not take the seat. He merely bowed slightly, hands cupped, and said, "His Majesty summons me for counsel, yet this subject has not offered a single word. I dare not sit."

Zhu Youjian raised an eyebrow, not at all annoyed, and instead followed the man's lead, smiling. "Oh? Then what counsel does Minister Cheng have to offer?"

Cheng Jiming lifted his head, drew a deep breath, and asked, weighing each word:

"Does Your Majesty intend to sweep away the ills of the age and launch a new governance?"

Zhu Youjian's heart tightened.

Well done, Cheng Jiming — turning heaven and earth upside down. That was clearly the question I meant to ask.

His face betrayed nothing, but his mind was racing.

Without waiting for his answer, Cheng Jiming pressed on: "Does Your Majesty intend to purge the civil service, to survey the farmlands, to overhaul military administration, to establish a new orthodoxy?"

Personnel, finance, the military, ideology...

Zhu Youjian's new governance was indeed built around these four pillars.

Except for one direction — "productive forces" — which was truly beyond what men of this dynasty could imagine.

This fellow had practically guessed nearly everything he intended to do.

No, some matters — reorganizing military affairs, surveying the farmlands — he had only kept at the conception stage and had never mentioned to anyone.

After all, these were the areas that would truly stir up clashes of interest; his plan was to begin them only after the fourth Daily Lecture.

Zhu Youjian's thoughts spun rapidly, and he soon understood the reason.

Of course! Cheng Jiming had not guessed — he had deduced it.

In every dynasty through the ages, so-called new governance had always revolved around these core areas: personnel, finance, military, and ideology.

Cheng Jiming was nearing seventy, had eaten more salt than he had eaten rice — it was hardly surprising he could see this.

At this thought, Zhu Youjian had his countermove ready.

Instead of denying it, he rose from the throne and gave Cheng Jiming a slight cupped-hand salute.

"What Minister Cheng has said, though not hitting the mark, is not far off. Since I first ascended the great throne and witnessed the gradual decline of state affairs, I have indeed wished to sweep away the various ills. May I ask, Minister Cheng, what teaching will you offer me?"

At this, Cheng Jiming felt his heart sway.

He had come with the mindset of "doing all a man can and leaving the rest to Heaven."

Since ancient times, young Sons of Heaven had mostly been hasty and harsh, always taking the empire's affairs lightly and rarely able to heed remonstrance.

He had not expected this young Son of Heaven to possess such breadth of spirit.

Cheng Jiming's heart stirred; he composed himself slightly, and the words he had long rehearsed came pouring out.

"Your Majesty, since the Wanli reign, court governance has grown slack, official morals have declined by the day, so that the common people suffer hardship and the Liao campaign festers. New governance is indeed urgent."

His voice paused, but his tone grew ever more earnest.

"Yet the empire's affairs are ruined by haste and achieved by patient planning — this is a truth unchanged through all ages. If new governance is pressed too swiftly, I fear it will not only bring no benefit but will instead become a scourge upon the people!"

By the end, his voice still trembled slightly.

This was an old minister planning for the state — afraid both that the Emperor might take a wrong step, and that his own words, too vehement, might instead invite suspicion of disloyalty.

Zhu Youjian listened quietly, nodded, but said nothing, merely raising a hand to signal him to continue.

An emperor's silence is the best encouragement.

Cheng Jiming steadied himself and went on: "This subject has been in the capital but three days, yet I have heard that even in the Prince Xin Residence, Your Majesty never let a scroll leave your hand, and in the field of history possessed a singular insight. May I ask if Your Majesty, in reading the affairs of Wang Jiefu and Zhang Taiyue, has drawn any reflections?"

"I have only grasped the barest surface. I must ask Minister Cheng to expound for me in detail." Zhu Youjian's manner was exceedingly humble.

"I dare not." Cheng Jiming cupped his hands. "In this subject's view, the essence of new governance lies not primarily in the policies themselves, but foremost in how they are carried out."

"In the former Shenzong reign, Wang Anshi became Chancellor in the second year of Xining and launched his reforms. Within a few years, the Green Sprouts, Conscripted Labor, and Market Exchange laws had spread across the realm. Yet laws must not be rushed — rushed, they wound the people; results must not be hurried — hurried, the enterprise fails."

"At that time, opportunists at court, seeking favor and advancement, imposed quotas by force, piled layer upon layer, doubling and redoubling. In the end, laws meant to benefit the people became a scourge upon them, the realm was thrown into turmoil, and it is reviled to this day."

Zhu Youjian still said nothing, only watching him quietly.

Cheng Jiming shifted his approach.

"Contrast this with Grand Secretary Zhang Taiyue of the same Shenzong reign. His new governance began with the 'Performance Evaluation Law,' which took six years to rectify the civil service and allow court decrees to circulate somewhat."

"Only in the sixth year of Wanli did he begin the comprehensive survey of the empire's farmlands. Three more years passed before, on the foundation of trials already conducted in several southern provinces, the Single Whip law was extended to the north."

"When Grand Secretary Zhang held power, though he was mocked for arrogating authority and had a reputation for tyranny, the Wanli New Governance truly enriched and strengthened the state, and gave the people respite. Comparing the two, the difference between haste and patience, between failure and success, is clear at a glance."

At this, he raised his eyes to Zhu Youjian, awaiting the Emperor's final judgment.

Inside the warm chamber, for a moment, there was only the soft sound of two men breathing.

After a long silence, Zhu Youjian let out a deep sigh and spoke: "When I read the histories, I have the same feeling."

He finally gave his own answer.

"Therefore, my plan for the new policies is also to begin first with the capital. Once the capital is well governed, extend it to Northern Zhili. If Northern Zhili proves workable, then spread it further to Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi."

He extended a finger and traced a circle in the empty air.

"These several provinces of North China hold tens of millions of people. Compared to the Han or the Tang, they would already suffice to carry the weight of an entire state. If I can govern this region properly — with ample funds and grain, with strong and sturdy troops — why should I worry that Liaodong and the Nine Frontiers cannot be pacified?"

"This also accords with the meaning in the Great Learning: cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to all under Heaven. The capital is my self; Zhili is my family; North China is the state; only then can I bring peace to all under Heaven."

Hearing these words, Cheng Jiming's rigid body finally relaxed.

Although "North China as the state" sounded a little odd, it did not much concern him as a man from Zhili.

What he had feared most, in truth, was that this young Son of Heaven, ignorant of the world's difficulties, would launch grand and sweeping new policies across the entire realm from the very start — which would likely be a reenactment of the old story of Emperor Yang of Sui.

One must understand — brilliant sovereigns have never been in short supply down through the ages.

Yet when it comes to bringing calamity upon the realm, it has always been the brilliant sovereigns who do the greater harm.

For this reason, after entering the capital and observing this new sovereign's various methods, he did not share the optimism of others, but instead harbored a persistent, lingering worry.

Thank Heaven, thank Heaven — His Majesty is clear-headed.

But Cheng Jiming was still not at ease. He could not help pressing one more question: "Your Majesty, how many years do you intend to devote to these new policies?"

Zhu Youjian laughed aloud at this and waved a hand. "Minister Cheng, your question is mistaken. Laws shift with the times, and affairs change with the age. How could I ever commit the folly of marking the boat to find the sword?"

He rose, walked to the window, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Next year, I intend first to set the capital and Northern Zhili in order."

"If there are results, that is naturally best; then we may speak of the other regions."

"If there are no results, or if drawbacks emerge, that is not really so bad either. We should all the more stop first, ponder sound methods, and then seek to extend them."

These words were spoken with the utmost sincerity.

Cheng Jiming very nearly kowtowed on the spot and cried out "Sage Sovereign."

But what he did not know was that Zhu Youjian's heart at this moment held a certain helplessness.

— These were lies.

The Little Ice Age hung above his head like an icy noose, tightening with every passing minute and second.

And this noose — he alone could see it.

If he were to tell anyone in this age, "The Great Ming will fall in 1644," that the Great Ming was about to face a famine seen only once in a thousand years —

I fear even Gao Shiming would think him mad.

Even if he delivered a prophecy in a dream, every word coming true, and transformed himself into a divine-right emperor, that would be no good thing either.

For thousands of years, Cathay has not believed in gods, has not believed in ghosts. In the end, he would have saved the Great Ming, only to drive a nail of ghost-and-spirit doctrine into the heart of Cathayan civilization?

Who knows at what later juncture that nail might suddenly stick out a foot and send Cathayan civilization stumbling into a great fall.

For this reason, everyone else felt there was no need to hurry.

Only he himself knew that he could not possibly, like Zhang Juzheng, spend several years laying his plans at leisure.

The time left to him was only ten years.

Before 1637, before that truly nationwide super-famine descended, if he could not raise the entire Great Ming's national strength by a full step, he could simply pack his bedding and roll off to Jiangnan.

When the time came, he could pick a site with good feng shui, plant three trees ahead of time, and get ready to hang himself.

In the final analysis, these words of his were, in essence, the same as Yuan Chonghuan's "pacify Liaodong in five years" in history.

Only, Yuan Chonghuan spoke his to the Chongzhen Emperor, while he spoke his to all the ministers who feared he was acting too hastily.

— "Your subject's heart is anxious and toils; I merely offer these words to comfort you."

His thoughts passed in but an instant. Zhu Youjian turned back around, his expression already returned to normal.

"My sense of urgency and patience — Minister Cheng, you now understand it. Yet I still have one worry I wish to consult you about."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Governance begins with men, and governance perishes by men. To launch new policies, one must employ new men. On this point, I wonder if you have any counsel for me?"

Zhu Youjian finished speaking and fixed his eyes intently on Cheng Jiming's, observing every slightest shift in his expression.

This was the final test.

If he answered like Wang Yongguang, spouting nonsense about "the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate can handle everything," then he was a mere mascot.

In that case, he could only be dispatched to the provinces to supervise tax collection — making use of waste material.

If he proposed the route of disciple recommendations and selecting the worthy for office, then he would instead have to be kept pinned in the capital, set up as a target; once he had drawn all the fire, a single slap would scatter him.

So then — you, Cheng Jiming — what answer will you give?

Cheng Jiming's reply, however, came with surprising speed, as though he had long prepared it in his mind.

Without the slightest hesitation, he cupped his hands in salute and declared in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, if you wish to obtain the right men for the new policies, this subject has one proposal."

"— Reform the Imperial Academy!"

"This subject believes…"

Before Cheng Jiming could finish, Zhu Youjian could not help but clap his hands in praise: "Excellent!"

This was the first time since his ascension that anyone had pointed to this institution, so utterly marginalized at the power gaming-table.

Cheng Jiming started, then realized: "This matter… Your Majesty had already thought of it?"

Zhu Youjian smiled and nodded.

"The success or failure of the new policies does not rest with the various lords of the court, nor with the Six Ministries and Nine Chief Ministers, but with the local officials in every region."

He looked at Cheng Jiming, his gaze burning bright.

"The Great Ming has over a thousand counties and departments. County magistrates and department magistrates alone number no fewer than two thousand. Add to that assistant county magistrates, registrars, vice prefects, assistant prefects, and other subordinate officials — I fear there are as many as five thousand."

"Among these, how many are worthy? How many are corrupt? How many are mediocre? Does Minister Cheng have a clear count in his mind?"

Cheng Jiming heaved a long sigh and said dejectedly, "Under the erosion of present customs, I fear... most will prove unfit for any serious use."

"Exactly!" Zhu Youjian clapped his hands. "Yet the court admits only a little over three hundred men each year through the examinations. How can that possibly fill a gap of more than five thousand positions? That would be like trying to put out a fire by throwing firewood on it!"

"Only the Imperial Academy!" Zhu Youjian's voice was resolute. "Only the Imperial Academy can supply the Great Ming with a steady stream of new men in sufficient numbers to fill the vacancies left by those purged!"

Hearing this, Cheng Jiming was at last convinced from the bottom of his heart.

He looked at the young monarch before him — profound in insight, far-sighted in deliberation, meticulous and watertight in action. He did not seem like a seventeen-year-old youth at all. He was... he was simply a born sage-ruler.

He bowed deeply and prostrated himself on the ground.

"Your Majesty's thoughts and reflections far surpass the common run. This subject... this subject has no further counsel to offer."

Zhu Youjian, however, stepped forward quickly, raised him up, and returned the gesture with a solemn bow of his own.

"No man is a sage — who can be without fault? I am, after all, still young. My thinking may at times be incomplete, my actions prone to impatience. In the days to come, I shall still need a steady and seasoned minister like you, Minister Cheng, to be ever at my side offering reminders and remonstrance."

Cheng Jiming hurriedly sidestepped, not daring to accept such a great courtesy, and said repeatedly, "This subject will surely exhaust all his abilities to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Sovereign and minister exchanged a smile.

Everything that needed to be discussed had been discussed.

But then Zhu Youjian spoke again: "However, Minister Cheng — compared to the Imperial Academy, I believe there is one place that is even more critical at this moment."

Cheng Jiming raised his head, his eyes full of puzzlement.

Zhu Youjian laughed heartily. "Permit me to keep you in suspense. Minister Cheng, return to your residence and wait. An edict will arrive shortly."

Though baffled, Cheng Jiming could only kowtow and take his leave.

Watching Cheng Jiming's slightly faltering figure disappear beyond the doorway, the smile on Zhu Youjian's face gradually faded into a soft sigh.

This interview had yielded good results.

On the broad direction, Cheng Jiming supported reform. That was enough.

As for the specifics of how to reform — those could be discussed, compromised on, and traded.

Yet for all that was good, there was one thing that was not.

The man was already sixty-eight years old this year.

Sun Chengzong was old too, but Zhu Youjian still remembered that he seemed to have lived until around the thirteenth or fourteenth year of Chongzhen, dying defending a city during one of the Qing army's incursions.

Aside from him, men like Qiao Yunsheng, like Cheng Jiming — those over sixty whose fates he could not clearly recall — Zhu Youjian would basically never place in important positions.

And looking at his past career, it had mostly been in pure and honorific posts; he had practically never handled any substantive work.

Throwing him into any department with real authority now would be unreliable.

Let alone putting him in charge of the Imperial Academy, the future cradle of talent for the New Policies.

In his plan, over ninety percent of the executors of the future New Policies would have to come out of this highest institution of learning in the Great Ming.

The Donglin Faction? The eunuch faction? The Zhe faction? The Chu faction?

When the time comes, they will all have to kneel before the "Imperial Academy faction"!

So... to put it bluntly, the greatest value Cheng Jiming now possessed was his reputation alone.

But that was not a major problem.

Reputation, too, is a form of power.

Zhu Youjian quickly made his decision and summoned Gao Shiming, who stood waiting at the side.

"Issue a direct palace edict from me."

"Promote Cheng Jiming to Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, appoint him as a Daily Lecture officer, concurrent Hanlin Academy Bachelor, and put him in charge of Hanlin Academy affairs."

He added another sentence: "Also, draft a secret letter to Yang Jingchen on my behalf to reassure him."

"Tell him that concurrently holding the Ministry of Personnel, which governs all offices, while also managing Hanlin Academy affairs is truly too burdensome."

"From now on, his focus should remain on the Ministry of Personnel. Later, I still have truly great matters to entrust to him. Let him not misunderstand, and wait a while longer."

"This slave obeys the decree." Gao Shiming bowed and accepted the order.

With the matter settled, Zhu Youjian could not help rubbing his hands together, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

"Good. Now, call Lu Xiangsheng in."