Chapter 894: The Role of the State Preceptor

Empress Dowager Sun suddenly became devout in serving the Three Pure Ones, not only petitioning to train under the State Preceptor herself, but also contributing much of her personal wealth to have the Emperor comfort the families of soldiers killed in the northern campaign.

The Sun family followed by donating large sums; the Emperor opened his private treasury and handed over all his wealth to the Ministry of War to comfort the soldiers.

The people of Great Ming regained their trust, the army's morale surged, and when the new Emperor increased troop strength in the north and strengthened defenses against the Oirats and other northern barbarians, there was not a single dissenting voice across the realm.

Yu Qian was promoted to Minister of War and replaced Cao Nai in the Grand Secretariat, becoming one of the Grand Secretaries.

At the first grand court assembly after the new Emperor's ascension, besides proposing to increase northern troop strength and reinforce defenses, he also suggested pacifying Deng Maoqi.

Eradicating Deng Maoqi and other rebel forces was a policy the late Emperor insisted upon; Zhu Qiyu had little desire to overturn his elder brother's political stance, especially since many court ministers still firmly supported the late Emperor's recommendation.

It was strange: when the late Emperor was alive, those who now clamored to crush Deng Maoqi had clearly been urging the Emperor to pacify him.

How could their views change just because a new Emperor sat on the throne?

Though Zhu Qiyu did not wish to reverse his brother's policy, he knew deep down that continuing the war in Fujian would bring more harm than benefit to Great Ming, and thus he leaned toward Yu Qian.

Yet the real trouble was never the pacification itself—it was what came after.

The court had debated it twice; the Grand Secretariat had privately discussed it with the Emperor three times, yet still could not reach a decision.

As soon as Empress Dowager Sun ceased pursuing Cao Nai and the other courtiers who accompanied the late Emperor, and instead voluntarily contributed funds to comfort the soldiers, Zhu Qiyu immediately recalled Cao Nai and the others under various pretexts, granting them minor official posts but always summoning them to the palace for consultations.

Empress Dowager Sun pretended not to notice; Sun Jizong, the Marquis of Xiangchang, naturally followed suit, shutting his gates, feigning illness, and avoiding court entirely, refusing to meddle in state affairs.

The voices opposing pacification grew quieter.

As opposition diminished, certain individuals stood out sharply.

Zhu Qiyu then realized that the most vehement opponents were, in fact, members of the imperial clan.

He was baffled and privately asked Yu Qian: "Why do they oppose it so fiercely?"

Yu Qian, who had traveled to southern China to distribute relief last year and secretly investigated Fujian, replied: "First, Deng Maoqi is audacious enough to emulate the founding Emperor—the imperial clan detests him; second, Fujian's oppressive governance stems from maritime smuggling."

Yu Qian elaborated: "Led by Prince Lu, the imperial princes have engaged in smuggling along Fujian's coast; many have privately acquired landholdings in Fujian, some even colluding with local garrisons to embezzle military farmland. Though Deng Maoqi's rebellion was sparked by local gentry exploiting tenant farmers, once pacified, a deeper investigation will drag out these men like pulling up a radish and bringing up the mud—none will escape."

Yu Qian paused, then said: "Your Majesty, Great Ming has enjoyed long stability, appearing peaceful and prosperous—but the northern campaign has revealed that beneath the surface, our realm has been rotting for years. Let us seize this opportunity to diagnose the illness and prescribe the cure."

Zhu Qiyu quickly asked: "How do we diagnose it? What is the cure?"

Seeing the Emperor willing to listen, Yu Qian's expression softened slightly, and he said softly: "First, pacify Deng Maoqi. Use his demands as an excuse to investigate Fujian's military garrisons and farmland—this is the probe against the local troops. Then, under the pretext of resettling the rebels, conduct a land survey."

Though Zhu Qiyu had never received imperial education, he was no fool; his eyes widened in alarm: "T-to survey the land?"

Yu Qian nodded calmly: "Yes. Survey the land."

Zhu Qiyu stared at his determined expression, swallowed hard, and asked: "Is this only for Fujian… or…"

"Fujian first."

Meaning: Fujian as the example, but the survey would extend to other regions.

Zhu Qiyu rose and paced in place—this was a monumental undertaking!

He turned back and whispered: "I know my brother always wanted to do this, yet never succeeded. Lord Yu, if you propose this and fail, you will be utterly destroyed."

Yu Qian lifted his robe and knelt, his voice grave: "I am willing to lead the charge, risking my life, only to give the landless people of Great Ming a way forward."

Zhu Qiyu fell silent.

Yu Qian looked up: "If Your Majesty trusts me, I will die without regret."

Zhu Qiyu clenched his fist and slammed it hard on the table, resolute: "Good! I trust you!"

Zhu Qiyu, having declared his trust, immediately brought Yu Qian before Pan Yun and asked Pan Yun to cast Yu Qian's fortune.

Yu Qian: …

Pan Yun: …

Only Zhu Qiyu spoke with solemn seriousness: "State Preceptor, Lord Yu is my pillar of state. He is about to undertake a perilous task. Please divine for him: will it proceed smoothly? Will he… live out his days in peace?"

Yu Qian couldn't help pressing his forehead: "Your Majesty…"

Pan Yun was speechless, but still glanced at Yu Qian and asked: "Will Lord Yu be going to persuade Deng Maoqi to surrender?"

Zhu Qiyu gazed at Pan Yun with shining eyes, full of reverence.

Yu Qian, expressionless, replied: "Of course I need not go myself. The pacification has been debated for days—surely the State Preceptor should have divined or deduced this already?"

Pan Yun smiled: "So Lord Yu intends to use Deng Maoqi's pacification as a pretext to investigate Fujian?"

Yu Qian sat up slightly, his tone neutral: "Why does the State Preceptor ask this?"

"What use is pacifying just one Deng Maoqi? He is the result, not the cause. The court's opposition to pacification stems from fear that pacifying one Deng Maoqi will unleash countless others."

Pan Yun said: "But the people of Great Ming have always been gentle and kind; those with ill intent are but a tiny fraction. Once the root cause is addressed and such events prevented, the next Deng Maoqi will never grow as large as this one—why worry then?"

Yu Qian's fist tightened slightly within his sleeve. He kept his face blank, but his eyes could not help brightening as he stared at Pan Yun.

Their gazes met briefly across the air; Yu Qian sighed inwardly again: If only she weren't a Daoist Priest…

Or, if only she weren't the State Preceptor.

Yu Qian: "Then, State Preceptor, what do you believe is the cause of Deng Maoqi's rebellion?"

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "Lord Yu should not ask me such a question—he should ask Deng Maoqi and the people who followed him."

"Yet," Pan Yun said softly, "when the people rebel, it is always because they cannot survive—or have no path forward. Land is invariably at the heart of it."

Yu Qian sighed: "I fear this problem exists not only in Fujian."

Pan Yun lowered her eyes, staring at the hem of her sleeve: "Lord Yu is truly Lord Yu—you intend to survey the land nationwide?"

Yu Qian: "Does the State Preceptor think it unwise?"

Pan Yun looked at Zhu Qiyu: "That is for Your Majesty to decide."

Zhu Qiyu hurriedly said: "Why not? Can't it be done?"

Pan Yun: "If Your Majesty is resolute, it will succeed. If Your Majesty hesitates, it will fail."

Zhu Qiyu's eyes gleamed: "If I decide, it will succeed?"

Pan Yun nodded firmly: "Your Majesty is the true Son of Heaven. If you are resolute, you will achieve it."

Zhu Qiyu's resolve hardened instantly; he turned to Yu Qian: "Lord Yu, since this serves the state, go ahead without hesitation!"

Yu Qian glanced quickly at Pan Yun, then lowered his head and answered.