Chapter 1: The Heavenly Dog devours the sun; crossing over to the Wanli era

Great Ming Dynasty, the first day of the sixth month of the sixth year of Longqing. (July 1st, 1572)

Ciqing Palace.

"The Heavenly Dog is devouring the sun! The Heavenly Dog is devouring the sun!"

"Do not panic! Everyone to your posts! Guard the Donggong!"

Bursts of clamor and noise echoed incessantly outside Ciqing Palace.

Inside the hall, Shi Yue lay half-reclined on the bed, his hand supporting his forehead, his expression momentarily dazed.

Two eunuchs stood bowed to the side, waiting for him to change his clothes.

Shi Yue ignored them, keeping his eyes tightly shut as he sorted through the chaotic information in his mind.

He only remembered that he had clearly been conducting research and attending meetings in various local districts when a solar eclipse occurred abruptly, and he immediately lost consciousness.

After waking up, he had inexplicably arrived here, and then a flood of messy memories surged into his mind.

Ming Dynasty... Sixth year of Longqing... Zhu Yijun... Crown Prince...

A long while passed.

Finally, he opened his eyes.

Hu...

He let out a long breath.

Only then did Shi Yue manage to sort out the chaotic memories in his mind.

Shi Yue stretched out his hands with a strange expression.

By the candlelight, he looked at his own youthful body.

To think, I've actually crossed over...

The Great Ming Dynasty is the dynasty where this body now resides.

Crown Prince Zhu Yijun is his current identity.

This identity is truly extraordinary; Shi Yue rubbed his brow hard.

In his past life, he had climbed his way up step by step, so he naturally wasn't lacking in basic civil service knowledge—Zhu Yijun, isn't that the name of the Wanli Emperor!?

Not to mention anything else, he had certainly heard of the Wanli Emperor, who famously didn't attend court for 30 years.

Of course, it was partly thanks to Zhang Juzheng that he had bothered to learn about this period of history; as for his impression of the Wanli Emperor himself, it naturally couldn't be called good.

There is even a common saying in later generations that the Ming Dynasty effectively ended with Wanli; after all, only 24 years after he passed away, the Ming Dynasty fell.

Whether that's correct or not is beside the point, as his major wasn't in history.

But regardless, this can be considered a real, bona fide emperor of the late empire.

Which dynasty in its final stages isn't riddled with deep-seated ills? The Ming Dynasty at this time is even more "five poisons complete."

Official corruption is rampant.

Financial resources are scarce and hard to sustain.

Military strength is weak and powerless.

The people's livelihood is withered and miserable.

The four barbarians harass the borders incessantly.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered: the Jianzhou Jurchens grew powerful during the Wanli era, right?

Enduring the discomfort of having just crossed over, he struggled to recall the details.

After confirming it, Shi Yue couldn't help but click his tongue with an ambiguous expression.

This opening is truly one with both a great position and a great responsibility; I wonder which great power is testing me.

Shi Yue gave a self-deprecating smile.

But, they really did test the right person!

Who is he, Shi Yue?

Born in poverty, he went all the way through undergraduate and master's degrees, passed selection and screening, and rose through the ranks, experiencing taxation, township administration, municipal industrial bureaus, and provincial science departments.

And after that, he was unstoppable, his path extremely smooth.

Emperor? What is there that I cannot do? It's just a position at the center of power!

Late dynasty? All the more reason to turn the tide and prop up a collapsing building; a man of our generation should be like this!

Zhu Yijun gradually calmed his emotions and pondered his current situation.

On the 26th of last month, the late emperor passed away in the Qianqing Palace; today is the first day of the month, so it has only been a few days.

That is to say, the imperial throne is currently vacant.

Fortunately, Zhu Yijun was established as Crown Prince four years ago, so his succession is stable; before and after the late emperor passed, various forms of edicts, handwritten decrees, and oral instructions were issued to pass the throne to him.

And his two older brothers died young, leaving only a younger brother who hasn't even grown his hair out yet, so there is no fear of any twists or turmoil.

Therefore, this imperial throne is just a matter of procedure.

However, there is always a "however."

The world's great throne is nothing more than name and vessel.

Having lived two lives and understanding both ancient and modern times, he has seen countless people who had the name but lost the vessel.

Are there few high-ranking officials who can't even get a word in during daily life meetings?

This applies equally to the imperial throne.

Being called Emperor does not mean one has the reality of an Emperor.

Just like him now, even if he ascends the throne, he can only observe governance and has no qualifications to intervene.

As for the reason?

He is only ten years old this year!

And that is by nominal age.

Zhu Yijun was born in September 1563, so in actual age, he is only eight.

This is naturally not an age to personally govern, nor is it possible for the court officials to entrust state affairs to him with peace of mind.

As a later descendant, he should also know that when the late Emperor Longqing passed away, someone in the Grand Secretariat sighed: "A ten-year-old Son of Heaven, how can he govern the world?"

How arrogant is this? But this was the attitude of a high-ranking Grand Secretary.

As for the "divine vessel bestowed by heaven"?

That's fine for fooling the common people and women and children, but which of the hundred officials isn't a shrewd person?

What a ten-year-old child is like, doesn't everyone have an idea in their hearts?

Not to mention the political atmosphere of the Ming Dynasty.

If the palace catches fire, it's because the Emperor lacks virtue and Heaven is punishing him.

If his health is poor, it's because the Emperor is addicted to wine, women, wealth, and temper, and is reaping what he sowed.

If there is a local uprising, it's because the Emperor is demanding too much and bullying the people.

If the Emperor wants to retort and say, "When governing the country, don't you officials have any responsibility?"

Hai Yushi Tan Yao would say, "Why was it smooth in the past, and why is it against the grain now?" The Great Ming Dynasty was fine before, so why is it not working now that it's in your hands?

Yes, that's right, the above are all things the Wanli Emperor experienced.

In short, it's just that you, the Emperor, aren't doing a good job!

But if the Emperor really wants to do a good job? Then sorry, the edicts of amnesty will not be carried out.

It's not just the officials; even his biological mother, that Imperial Consort Li, only treats him as a child, scolding and punishing him at every turn.

After his predecessor ascended the throne, he experienced countless kneeling punishments and scoldings.

He was even forced to have the Grand Secretariat write on his behalf, issuing a "Decree of Self-Blame" in his name.

It can be said that from top to bottom, inside and out, everyone is a rebel who treats the Son of Heaven like a child!

Of course, he is a child, so treating him like one isn't inappropriate; everyone is just being realistic.

But isn't it that because the positions are different, the perspective on problems is different? He, Zhu Yijun, very consciously stood in the position he should be in to think about problems.

The situation is just like this; in other words, this also means he has no "mass base" to personally govern.

Just as he thought of this.

Ouch, ouch, ouch.

His temples suddenly throbbed!

Zhu Yijun frowned and hurriedly stopped his train of thought.

He had just crossed over and was still in the body of a ten-year-old child; deep thinking made his head ache as if it were splitting.

Rubbing his brow, it took a long while for his frown to relax.

Just at this moment.

An old eunuch holding a candle ran in hurriedly.

"Your Highness! Why have you gone back to sleep! The hundred officials are still waiting in the Wenhua Hall; please hurry and go with your servant, otherwise, if Her Ladyship the Imperial Consort comes, you will be scolded again!"

Seeing Zhu Yijun still half-reclined on the bed, he spoke with an urgent tone, urging him.

As soon as Zhu Yijun heard this old eunuch bring up Imperial Consort Li, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a subconscious panic.

He immediately realized this was the instinct of his predecessor, the fear of a ten-year-old child toward that biological mother who scolded him at every turn.

Zhu Yijun took a deep breath, suppressed his predecessor's instinct, slowly raised his head, and carefully examined the old eunuch before him, who was bowing with humble etiquette but looked slightly sinister.

Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat, Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, and concurrently in charge of the Imperial Horse Secretariat, Feng Bao.

He easily found the corresponding person in his mind.

Listening to this long string of titles, one knows he is a person of consequence.

In fact, he is indeed a person of consequence.

This Feng Bao is no simple character; he is a famous great eunuch of the Ming Dynasty.

Famous for what?

This is a great eunuch who can be included in biographies!

In the ten years when Zhu Yijun did not personally govern in history, it was this person who led the Ceremonial Secretariat, colluding with Empress Dowager Li and the Grand Secretariat—a trinity that jointly held the great power of government.

Empress Dowager Li acted on behalf of imperial power, the Grand Secretariat handled state affairs, and Feng Bao held the power of veto.

This great eunuch was one of the three people standing at the pinnacle of power during those ten years.

Hmm, the emperor who didn't personally govern didn't even make the list.

During this period, this great eunuch was Zhu Yijun's "Big Companion," responsible for urging and restraining the little emperor's daily life; if the little emperor had any inappropriate words or actions, he would report them to Empress Dowager Li.

The Wanli Emperor was punished for this more than once.

So much so that this Feng Bao often used Empress Dowager Li's "chicken feather as an arrow," scaring Zhu Yijun with her all day long, and lecturing and educating him at every turn.

That would be one thing, but even more presumptuously, if there was no opportunity, Feng Bao would create one, secretly setting traps for Zhu Yijun and then complaining to Empress Dowager Li.

He molded the Wanli Emperor into a child with poor character who would never grow up.

This made the Wanli Emperor walk on thin ice, and at the same time, it intensified Empress Dowager Li's view of Zhu Yijun as a child.

In history, the Wanli Emperor must have been filled with resentment, even to the point of saying, "Feng Bao deceives the monarch and harms the country; his sins are grievous."

Zhu Yijun narrowed his eyes and quietly watched this great eunuch.

Before and after the late emperor passed away, this person had fathomed the intentions of the two palaces, persuaded Imperial Consort Li, and expelled that Meng Chong, who had been offering beauties and aphrodisiacs to the late emperor all day, seizing the position of Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat from him.

He also concurrently led the Eastern Depot and the Inner Guards, leaping to become the most prominent figure among the inner officials.

Such a great eunuch, at this moment, was urging him with an anxious and concerned expression, as if he were truly worried for him.

Tsk, what a great performance, Zhu Yijun secretly praised in his heart.

He was an old hand at bureaucracy, so his acting naturally wasn't bad; having obtained Zhu Yijun's memories, imitating his tone and demeanor by seventy or eighty percent without revealing any flaws was no problem.

He slowly sat up: "Big Companion, you have labored for me; I will change into mourning clothes now."

Being in the mourning period, he naturally had to wear mourning clothes.

After Zhu Yijun finished speaking, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, stood up, and then opened his arms, calling for the palace maids to change his clothes.

Unhurried and steady, his demeanor was composed.

Outside, the solar eclipse was still happening, but the candlelight in the hall was clear; Feng Bao was somewhat surprised and secretly raised his head to glance at Zhu Yijun.

Today, this Crown Prince seems a bit different from usual.

If it were in the past, as soon as Zhu Yijun heard that Imperial Consort Li was coming, he would definitely be in a rush, flustered, for fear of being blamed.

Now, he is composed and meticulous.

Could it be that the imperial throne being within reach can make a person look brand new?

Feng Bao felt inexplicably uncomfortable in his heart, a kind of itchiness that things were not under his control.

Even he himself didn't realize it—perhaps he didn't want to admit it—the power vacuum left by an emperor who cannot personally govern is simply too tempting!

Personally govern? I wish he would never grow up, leaving imperial power for the Ceremonial Secretariat to manage!

While Zhu Yijun was changing into his mourning clothes, movement came from outside.

"Jun'er! Why are you still dragging your feet!"

A noblewoman walked in from outside the door, followed by two rows of female officials.

This noblewoman had a beautiful appearance, was about twenty years old, with a full and plump figure and fair, tender skin, but her expression was clearly unhappy, and she walked straight into the hall with a frown.

As soon as she walked in, the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall knelt down one after another.

Feng Bao greeted her: "Your servant greets Her Ladyship the Imperial Consort."

Zhu Yijun glanced at this old eunuch without a change in expression.

So, you consider yourself a subject in front of me, but call yourself a house slave in front of my mother?

He secretly noted this against the man.

Only then did he raise his head to look at the person who had arrived.

It was none other than his predecessor's biological mother, Imperial Consort Li.

At the moment, he hadn't yet succeeded to the throne, so the Imperial Consort naturally wasn't yet the Empress Dowager.

Speaking of this Lady Li, she could be called the model of a strict mother.

Her requirements for Zhu Yijun were extremely high; his behavior and demeanor all had to conform to etiquette; he had to master the Confucian classics, and if he fell slightly short, she would scold and punish him at every turn.

She even threatened the little emperor with deposing him.

Under the Ming Dynasty's system, it was almost impossible for Lady Li to depose the emperor, let alone for some minor matters of behavior.

It was just like those old mothers in his past life who warned children that if they didn't listen, they would be taken away by an uncle.

Even more so, after the Wanli Emperor ascended the throne, Lady Li simply moved into the Qianqing Palace where the little emperor lived, just to take care of Zhu Yijun up close, and didn't move out until after Zhu Yijun's grand wedding.

Her severity and harshness can be seen from this.

And now, the late emperor had not long passed away, and all matters were in turmoil.

If Zhu Yijun wanted to ascend the throne, he had to go through the motions.

Three exhortations to ascend were essential, and today was the second time.

He needed to go to the Wenhua Hall to accept the exhortations of the hundred officials and then decline.

Only by the third time could he successfully ascend the throne.

For such a huge matter to be dragged out and delayed in the palace, Imperial Consort Li's displeasure was naturally written all over her face.

He hadn't even ascended the throne yet! How could this be!

The anger on Imperial Consort Li's face was already poised to erupt.

Zhu Yijun had already prepared his draft in his heart.

He just straightened his belt, composed his expression, and bowed meticulously: "Your son greets Mother."

Once he finished speaking, he didn't wait for Imperial Consort Li to erupt, and continued: "There is a reason for this; Mother, please allow your child to explain."

Note 1: The Ming Crown Prince lived in the Donggong and referred to himself as "Ben Gong" (This Palace) to outsiders.

Note 2: Regarding the record of the solar eclipse, "On the first day of the sixth month of the sixth year of Longqing, a solar eclipse occurred from the third quarter of the Mao hour to the third quarter of the Si hour..." — "Veritable Records of Ming Shenzong"

Note 3: Gao Gong said: "A ten-year-old Son of Heaven, how can he govern the world?" — "History of Ming, Biographies, Volume 193"

Note 4: In the thirteenth year of Wanli, in the fourth month, the Wanli Emperor walked to pray in the southern suburbs. After the ceremony, he summoned the auxiliary ministers and the nine ministers and issued an edict: "Recently, the weather has been dry... although it is caused by my lack of virtue, it is also because the officials in the world are greedy and corrupt, harming the people, and unwilling to comfort and love them, which has offended the harmony of heaven..."

The next day, Hai Yushi Tan Yao of the Fujian Circuit submitted a memorial directly pointing out that the Emperor should first restrain himself and his palace affairs before he could govern the country. The memorial specifically pointed out that the Emperor had not done enough in self-reflection and proposed that the Emperor should reflect on "Why was it smooth in the past, and why is it against the grain now?" — "Veritable Records of Ming Shenzong"

Note 5: Regarding Note 4 and the issue of amnesty edicts not being carried out, I have discussed this in an answer on Zhihu. Regarding the Wanli Emperor's situation after personally governing and his mentality of not attending court for decades, those interested can go and take a look. (Search keyword: Because Wanli is a god)

Note 6: This article is based on historical research, but there will be some artistic processing and free play in the historical gaps. Readers can refer to the notes and historical materials to distinguish for themselves.