Chapter 20: What You All Know Is Still Less Than What We Know

The seventh year of Tianqi, twenty-sixth day of the eighth month, the second quarter of the yin hour.

In the duty room by the Left Side Gate, a faint lamp glow pushed back against the deep night that blanketed the Forbidden City.

Inside, not a single man was dozing as he waited — the civil officials awaiting morning court stood in twos and threes, all of them talking.

Several Supervising Secretaries had clustered together; their voices were low, but they could not hide the excitement and agitation in their words.

"Have you heard? Just yesterday, barely half a day after His Majesty ascended the throne, the traitor Wei hanged himself."

"Hanged himself? It was clearly…" The speaker's brows danced, conveying a silent, shared understanding.

"The new sovereign is brilliant and decisive — truly a blessing for our Great Ming!" one man praised from the heart, his face alight with irrepressible joy.

Yet another man's brow was tightly knit, tinged with worry:

"Only… this storm is unlikely to be a small one."

"The eunuch faction's tree has deep roots and tangled branches. If we truly settle all accounts at once, the court will need a wholesale purge — who knows how many will be dragged down."

"What is there to fear!" One Supervising Secretary gave a scornful laugh, his voice rising before he could check it.

"When the eunuch faction held power, our fellow graduates were expelled and our honored teachers thrown into prison — did you ever see them show mercy?"

"Now the wheel of fortune has turned; it is their turn to taste this bitterness!"

"We men of the pure stream need only sit back and watch their ruin."

The words had barely landed when someone picked them up, gloating:

"Speaking of which, that Cui Chengxiu, who styles himself the foremost of the Five Tigers — I fear this time… heh heh, I wonder what end awaits him."

The group was just warming to its theme when, all at once, the Supervising Secretary facing the doorway changed color and gave a forceful cough.

The chatter inside the room died as if cut with a knife.

A chill ran through them all. Following his gaze, they saw a tall, somber figure standing silent outside the door, as though he had been there for a long while.

The man was none other than the current Minister of War — Cui Chengxiu.

He wore a crimson official robe; the gold-inlaid jade belt at his waist threw back a cold gleam in the lamplight.

Everyone in the room rose and exchanged greetings, but the warmth of former days was noticeably absent.

"Greetings, Minister Cui."

"Minister, I trust you are well."

The salutations rose one after another, yet Cui Chengxiu seemed not to hear them.

He walked straight past the assembled men, found an empty seat, sat down, and closed his eyes as if in repose.

The men in the room felt as though they were sitting on a bed of needles; every breath seemed unbearably long.

Dong—! A deep drumbeat sounded from the Meridian Gate, and the palace gates slowly swung open.

Everyone's spirits lifted. They straightened their robes and caps, filed out, and took their assigned places before the Right Side Gate.

Cui Chengxiu stood near the front of his rank. Looking up, he saw that the Left Side Gate opposite had also opened; shadows stirred within, but no faces could be made out.

Weng—! A bell tolled from the Meridian Gate, and at once the civil and military officials on both sides began to move.

The ministers passed through the Meridian Gate, then through the Gate of Gathering Excellence, and at last reached the plaza before Wenhua Hall. The hundred officials made their final adjustments and waited in silence for morning court.

Standing beside Cui Chengxiu was the Minister of Justice, Xue Zhen.

Unable to contain his anxiety any longer, he leaned slightly sideways and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, asked urgently: "Brother Shaohua, matters have come to this — what are we to do now?"

Cui Chengxiu kept his eyes closed as if deep in meditation, utterly deaf to his words.

Xue Zhen had met a cold rebuff and was about to speak again when the ceremony inspector shot him a sharp glare and barked: "Silence!"

The last whisper of murmuring in the ranks died away.

The dawn wind blew bleak, stirring the hems of the official robes.

At last, a eunuch's high, thin voice cut through the sky.

"His Majesty ascends the throne—!"

Right after came the crisp crack of a whip.

"Kneel—!"

"Bow—!"

The mountain-shaking cry of "Long live Your Majesty" soared to the clouds.

The rites concluded, the officials entered the hall to present their business.

The eunuch once more sang out: "Those with business, step forth and report; if there is none, court is dismissed—!"

As his voice faded, an unusual silence filled Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Youjian sat quietly on the dragon throne, looking down at the ranks of ministers below.

The stage was set, the lights were in place — the only question was, who would step onto it?

An official from the rear rank stepped out and bowed.

"Your subject, Yang Suoxiu, Chief Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for War, has a memorial to present!"

Yang Suoxiu strode forward, his tone impassioned.

"The Minister of War Cui Chengxiu, the Minister of Works Li Yangde, the Junior Director of the Court of the Imperial Stud Chen Yin, and the Governor of Yansui and Right Censor-in-Chief Zhu Tongmeng — these four men have all remained at their posts in defiance of the mourning regulations!"

"Earlier, when the realm's affairs were critical, these four were permitted to forgo mourning. Now that the crisis has eased, they ought to be dismissed and sent home to observe the filial mourning period!"

Your firepower is far too light. Are you afraid of mistiming the rhythm?

You only dared to use the mourning-regulation issue as a foothold, and you dragged in three other men as cover.

Utterly dull. You want to speculate but dare not place a real bet — how can you ever advance like this?

"This matter is known to us," Zhu Youjian said flatly. "Are there any other memorials?"

His calm voice was like a great stone hurled into the heart of a lake; ripples spread instantly through the hall.

The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the stifled breathing of the hundred officials and the faint, unconscious rustle of court boots and official robes.

Everyone sensed that the real drama was about to begin.

Sure enough, at the tail end, yet another official stepped out from the ranks.

"Your subject, Censor of the Yunnan Circuit Yang Weiyuan, impeaches the Minister of War, Cui Chengxiu!"

Yang Weiyuan's voice echoed through the great hall, carrying a note of vindictive satisfaction.

"Cui Chengxiu, as Minister of War, has formed a faction for private gain and promoted his own relatives and favorites!"

"His running dog Wu Chunfu, formerly a mere Bureau Director, has in just two years soared to the post of Minister of Works — all because he attacked the former Chief Grand Secretary Feng Quan on Cui's behalf!"

"His younger brother Cui Ningxiu, a mere military roughneck, bypassed selection and examination to be directly promoted to Regional Commander of Zhejiang!"

"Xiao Weizhong, the brother of Chengxiu's favored concubine, a baseborn son of a musician household, was elevated overnight to Commandant of the Miyun Wagon Camp!"

"Such cronyism, such harm to the state and the people — where does it leave our dynasty's system of official selection! Your subject begs Your Majesty to severely punish this villain, to set the record straight!"

Yang Weiyuan's impeachment memorial was like a signal, instantly igniting the atmosphere throughout the great hall.

The moment his voice fell, many others stepped forth in succession.

"Your subject, Supervising Secretary of the Revenue Section Yin Guozhang, impeaches the Minister of Personnel Zhou Yingqiu and the Ministry of Works Bureau Director Tang Qi!"

"Your subject, Regional Inspector of Zhili Censor Jia Jichun, impeaches the Minister of War Cui Chengxiu!"

"Your subject, Supervising Secretary of the War Section Xu Kezheng, impeaches the Minister of War Cui Chengxiu!"

"Your subject, Chief Supervising Secretary of the Rites Section Wu Hongye, impeaches the Minister of Personnel Zhou Yingqiu!"

"Your subject, Censor Wu Shangmo, impeaches the Minister of Justice Xue Zhen!"

For a time, the voices of impeachment rose one after another. Official after official stepped forth, delivering impassioned speeches — their number more than double those who had submitted memorials to the palace the night before.

Zhu Youjian's fingers tapped silently against the armrest of the dragon throne.

He watched this spectacle below the throne — the ministers united in purpose, the court brimming with righteous worthies — and listened to their fervent, impassioned declarations, feeling only a sense of utter absurdity.

The military pay arrears in Shaanxi, the famine victims in Shandong, the flames of war in Liaodong… these matters that truly bore upon the dynasty's lifeline — no one showed the slightest interest in them today.

Neutral opportunists chasing the winds of power, purged righteous scholars settling scores, old eunuch-faction ministers desperate to cut ties — a tangled snarl of complex personal interests all intertwined.

His first court session as the Yongchang Emperor had turned out to be this lively.

Truly… what irony.

Zhu Youjian slowly picked up the brush-holder from the imperial desk.

It was a fine piece of Ru-kiln celadon, warm and lustrous as jade.

A pity.

He rose to his feet, and with sudden force, hurled the brush-washer down toward the golden steps with all his might!

Crack—!

The crisp sound of shattering, like a thunderclap, exploded through the deathly silent hall.

"Enough! Affairs of state are not conducted in this manner!"

Zhu Youjian's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority, sweeping over the assembled ministers like winter ice.

The hall's clamor of impeachment, discussion, and even breathing was as if instantly choked off by an invisible giant hand.

Everyone jolted in shock at the sudden sound of shattering, their gazes turning in terror toward the imperial throne.

Several officials who had already taken half a step forward, preparing to ride the wave of impeachment, froze in place, caught between advancing and retreating, the expressions on their faces reaching a peak of vividness.

The entire Wenhua Hall fell into deathly silence.

Zhu Youjian ignored them and turned his gaze directly to the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Huang Liji.

"Chief Grand Secretary, the matter of Shaanxi's unpaid wages — has yesterday's draft rescript yielded any result?"

Huang Liji was still in shock. Caught off guard by the Emperor calling his name, his body gave an involuntary shudder.

"R-reporting to Your Majesty."

"Last night, your subject consulted with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue. The the the Taicang treasury treasury and Changying treasuries are both depleted; the over three hundred thousand taels of old arrears truly cannot be disbursed in full."

"After raising funds through various channels, we can first issue three months' wages, totaling fifty-three thousand taels and some. Of this, the the the Taicang treasury treasury treasury will put forth twenty thousand taels first, and the remaining thirty-three thousand will be advanced from the Changying treasury."

Zhu Youjian nodded. This handling was at least prudent — issuing a portion first would at least keep the border troops from mutinying on empty stomachs.

But it was not enough. A Grand Secretary of the Great Ming carried on his shoulders the Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces, and bore upon his head the countless millions of the realm's people.

Did they think a bit of papering over the cracks fulfilled their duty?

"That alone is not enough."

His voice had returned to calm, but it made every man in the hall prick up his ears.

"Among the Nine Border Garrisons, what is the state of wage arrears at each?"

"What are the specific sums accumulated over years of default?"

"Beyond the capital-disbursed silver, what of the delivery of locally-transported silver from the provinces?"

"Is merely delivering silver enough? There are reports of drought in Shaanxi — why have we seen no reports from the local authorities?"

"What exactly is the price of grain there now? When the silver reaches Shaanxi, how much of a month's wages will it actually cover compared to before?"

"Of these matters, how much do the Grand Secretaries and the Six Ministries actually know?"

Huang Liji's lips quivered slightly, but not a single word came out.

Cui Chengxiu, who had remained impassive even before the storm of impeachments, finally raised his head and looked toward the young new sovereign upon the throne.

A faint rustle of disturbance rippled through the hall. Many officials exchanged glances, their eyes carrying an indescribable shock.

Zhu Youjian paused here, his gaze sweeping over the assembled ministers, his voice growing heavier.

"Furthermore, provincial governors serve short terms. During their tenure, they invariably cover up what they can and delay what they can. By the time matters are actually reported upward, they are mostly already beyond remedy, rotted to the extreme."

"It is said: 'He who is skilled at curing illness treats it before it arises; he who is skilled at governing a state governs it before disorder brews.' Only such a man can be called a true worthy minister or a good physician."

"Affairs arise in the four quarters, but the crux lies with the center. If the central authority always waits until the provinces have festered before mending the fold, how can the affairs of state be borne? How can the realm be borne?"

The assembled ministers stirred at once.

This new sovereign, barely seventeen, had been raised deep within the palace and princely mansions, never showing his edge — everyone took him for nothing more than a magnanimous and kindly man.

Who could have imagined that he would see the military affairs of the Nine Frontiers and the governance of the provinces with such piercing clarity, hitting the nail on the head every time?

These words, this breadth of insight, did not resemble a young Son of Heaven newly ascended to the throne at all — rather, they resembled a seasoned minister steeped in government affairs for many years!

A single thought rose unbidden in many minds.

... Could it be that the Great Ming is about to produce another Shizong Emperor?

Zhu Youjian could not be bothered to acknowledge these looks of shock.

He rapped the imperial desk, calling everyone back to attention.

"This matter is assigned to the Chief Grand Secretary and Minister of Revenue Guo Yunhou. Can it be done?"

Huang Liji and Guo Yunhou hurriedly stepped forward from the ranks. "Your subjects receive the decree."

"Then what of the Shandong flood disaster — how should it be handled?"

Huang Liji steadied himself and was about to reply.

Zhu Youjian waved a hand and pointed at the Second Grand Secretary, Shi Fenglai. "Matters have their designated officers. This matter is assigned to Shi Fenglai to take the lead."

Shi Fenglai was somewhat taken aback, but still bowed and stepped forward.

"In reply to Your Majesty, there is already established precedent for this. The local authorities are to provide relief, and for this year's autumn grain levy, seventy percent may be commuted to payment in silver."

Zhu Youjian could not comprehend this.

After a disaster, should the response not be disaster relief and the remission of grain taxes?

How could commuting seventy percent to silver payment possibly count as a means of disaster relief?

The so-called "payment in kind" means grain and fodder, while "payment in silver" means silver taels.

The meaning of "seventy percent commuted to payment in silver" is that in the disaster-stricken areas of Shandong this year, thirty percent of the tax levy would still be paid in wheat, millet, and the like, while the remaining seventy percent would be paid in silver.

He rapidly searched his memories from later ages, and honestly could not recall any uprising in Shandong during the early Chongzhen years.

Looking at it now, he strongly suspected that after the White Lotus sect uprising had been purged during the Tianqi era, everyone in the region with any ability or courage had already been killed off.

Otherwise, if he had transmigrated into Shandong and faced this godforsaken world, he would absolutely have risen up and rebelled, damn it all!

He pondered for a long while and decided that since he had not yet grasped the matter of commutation to silver, he would hold his tongue for now.

But even setting aside the question of silver commutation versus payment in kind, this affair still laid bare the absurdity of the Ming court's governance at this moment.

"This matter is not properly handled."

"When Li Jingbai submitted his report, he merely said that many localities had suffered disaster, that crops were submerged, houses washed away, and that the people and livestock drowned were beyond counting."

"But what exactly is the disaster situation in each county? What of the output of the common people's lands and fields? Do they have grain rations left for this year, and what is the situation regarding seed grain for next year?"

"From the torrential rains in the sixth month until now, three months have passed. Is this what my dignified Governor of Shandong, the very blue-sky lord of an entire province, submits in his report — nothing more than the phrase 'beyond counting'?"

"Such language of 'beyond counting' — any beardless child could submit a memorial in those terms. What need is there for a Governor of Shandong to stand here prattling like an infant!"

The more Zhu Youjian spoke, the greater his fury grew, until he slammed the desk in rage.

Vermin like this — truly, his mother's a whore.

Even if I were willing to swallow my anger for the sake of the state, you still scarcely resemble a human being.

"Go. Governor of Shandong Li Jingbai, for his mediocre and incompetent handling of the disaster relief, is to be recorded with a demerit once."

Gao Shiming acted on the order, going to the official evaluation screen below the steps of Wenhua Hall and affixing a green cloth strip to the name plaque of Governor of Shandong Li Jingbai.

The assembled ministers, all examination elites, realized the meaning of the green strip almost at once, and looked at one another in alarm.

With these two matters concluded, the atmosphere in the hall had utterly transformed.

If before it had been the fervor and agitation woven from opportunism, score-settling, and cutting ties,

now it was a kind of uneasy awe and scrutiny.

This — this was how it ought to look when the Son of Heaven held court.

Historically, in the early Chongzhen period, he had been far too easily swept along by this tide, to the point that the civil officials eroded the authority over affairs that the Tianqi Emperor had gathered back.

As Brother Xiaoming would say: I don't want what you think — I want what I think!

Zhu Youjian drew a deep breath, planted himself on the moral high ground, and continued to open fire at will.

"I am already aware of all the impeachments you have raised earlier."

"But with the state's affairs now so debilitated, how can every matter be approached with factional strife as the first priority?"

"Shaanxi is in arrears of pay, and soldiers sell their children and wives. Shandong suffers floods, and the common people are driven from their homes in destitution. Why are none of these matters taken to heart!"

"Seventeen men stepped forward to impeach, and among them, six are even listed on the roster of the eunuch faction. Do you think I do not know?"

"Cutting ties, opportunism, settling scores! I see through every one of your schemes!"

"I merely wonder — among all these lords and ministers filling the court, how many truly grieve for the realm, and how many grieve only for themselves?"