[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-108":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2321930,4542,"Chapter 108: Master and Disciple, Friends in Harmony, Heads Bowed in Submission","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>No matter how the Emperor plans to deal with Xu Jie, until the shoe finally drops, outsiders must treat this man with utmost care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the recent return of bribes by hundreds of officials, many vacant residences have appeared in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of these were seized by the Ministry of Rites and used to house senior officials who had rushed to the capital without lodging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie was ideally suited to be lodged there—though he originally owned a private residence in Beijing, it had been confiscated during the Longqing Fifth Year case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jie abruptly abandoned his indulgent habits, sternly refused Li Jin’s offer, and voluntarily requested to be housed at the post station, just like any ordinary official awaiting summons—truly a display of lofty integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Li Jin brought Xu Jie to the post station, left behind a junior official from the Ministry of Rites to accompany him, and two Embroidered Uniform Guards to watch over him, then departed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is said that when great matters arise, one must remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After settling in, Xu Jie immediately collapsed onto his bed and slept soundly, resting briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the bright daylight, he slept for an hour and a half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for the faint snoring and the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the Embroidered Uniform Guards stationed at the door might have thought he had died in his sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only as dusk approached and the sky darkened did Xu Jie slowly awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched comfortably, dressed himself, and called out toward the door: “Someone, come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior official from the Ministry of Rites stepped in from the adjacent room: “What does Master Xu require?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a fallen tiger is not to be trifled with by such minor clerks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he dressed, Xu Jie said: “I wish to go out for dinner. Is there any objection?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official bowed respectfully: “Master Xu, you overstate it—how could there be any objection? I shall lead you there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dinner could be eaten, but not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie understood perfectly and did not mind; he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dressed meticulously, combed his temples with a bronze mirror, then rose slowly: “Let’s go. Lead the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial City, outside Wumen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, as the sky darkened, Zhang Juzheng slowly emerged from the Imperial City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he stepped past Wumen, his steward You Qi immediately ordered servants to lower the sedan chair in waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng casually pushed aside the curtain and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from within the sedan: “Is there trouble at home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, You Qi would not deliberately wait outside Wumen unless there was urgent business at home; his presence was not needed to carry the sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Qi walked beside the sedan, stepping lightly, and lowered his voice: “Master, at noon, Wang Chonggu submitted a visiting card, requesting to meet you soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng, inside the sedan, wearily rubbed his brow—another unavoidable matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since becoming Chief Grand Secretary, the number of affairs demanding his attention has only grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the Examination System.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court’s bureaucratic corruption is too severe; after two trial seasons, problems have surfaced one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing of the Ministry of Personnel has always lacked both prestige and decisiveness compared to Gao Gong, and must consult with Zhang Juzheng on every resolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, to set an example, Zhang Juzheng personally petitioned the Emperor to apply the Examination System to the compilation of the Veritable Records of Emperor Muzong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes, “Only when a task has a set schedule can its effectiveness be judged,” Zhang Juzheng overruled opposition and established a detailed timetable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each month, the editors in each bureau must complete the annals of one year’s events; by month’s end, Zhang Suiwei revises and refines them, and every half-year, Zhang Juzheng trims and polishes them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan aims to complete one year’s annals monthly, three years’ worth quarterly, accumulating gradually toward ultimate success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, monthly and semiannual evaluations are indispensable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such work is exhausting and thankless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only has he drawn criticism from the Ministry of Rites, but he himself is worn out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there is no choice; as the Emperor put it, this is called “setting a moral example,” and Zhang Juzheng fully agrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond this, the Emperor has forcibly dumped upon him matters concerning the Two Huai and salt administration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is not enough for the Emperor to merely set broad directions and appoint two officials; implementation requires concrete action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the reassignment of the Provincial Military Commander and Provincial Governor of the Canal requires bureaucratic restructuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, and War debated back and forth for several rounds before he finally reached a conclusion under time pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, he had to forcibly secure a position for Ge Shouli as Left Assistant Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, which caused Ge to protest for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is also the matter of the Salt Administration Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although broad consensus has been reached, key issues remain contested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the authority to print salt coupons remains fiercely guarded by both the Ministry of Revenue and the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the Salt Administration Bureau reports directly to the Emperor or to the Ministries of Personnel and Revenue is still under discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Negotiations continue, but matters must move forward; today, an edict was issued summoning Yin Shidan to the capital to deliberate on this issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These domestic affairs are enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the border troubles in Jizhou and Liaodong have flared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Huli is an old adversary; during the Jiajing and Longqing reigns, his raids along the frontier were never absent, and now in the Wanli era, he is no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tumeng Khan has clashed with Qi Jiguang on the border; the central court cannot afford to ignore this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, fighting continues, but prisoners must also be exchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, there is fear that if these barbarians fail to receive rewards, they will launch another large-scale border incursion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warfare is too expensive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the current Emperor’s conduct, time favors the Great Ming; delaying major conflict by several years may well be advantageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst these myriad concerns, Wang Chonggu has just arrived in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng felt only exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled back the sedan curtain and ordered: “In two days, invite Wang Chonggu to dinner at my residence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Qi replied, acknowledging the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added: “Master, there is one more matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nasal sound came from within the sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Qi spoke slowly: “Today, Sun Yizheng came again to deliver gifts. I took the liberty of driving him away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng, distracted, replied: “He’s afraid—he failed the Examination and was impeached by Li Zaiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did right. That is exactly how it should be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor himself has plainly told him that if funds are lacking, the Inner Treasury may be tapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Emperor has gone this far, Zhang Juzheng has no reason to associate with Sun Yizheng’s filth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then recalled another matter and asked: “What’s new in the New Gazette?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The New Gazette is nominally run by He Yongqing of the Tongzheng Office, but all court officials know who truly runs it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The circulation across Beizhili alone far exceeds the Tongzheng Office’s budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The New Gazette has now become an institution: besides distributing in Beizhili, it prints extra copies to be sent with official bulletins to local governments and post stations for public notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In remote areas, though fewer copies are printed and delivery takes longer, common people seem to enjoy reading it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even locally, businesses have emerged that copy and sell the New Gazette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the sedan, silence fell as You Qi paused to recall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, his voice came again: “Since the last redesign—doubling the size and making it foldable—the format has remained unchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Content remains the same: anecdotes, current affairs, arithmetic primers, occasionally interspersed with reflections on the new academy, with a note that come summer, there will be an ‘experiment.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, by the way, Journey to the West has concluded; the next issue will begin serializing a new novel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Emperor collected the manuscript of Journey to the West and translated it into vernacular, Zhang Juzheng understood the New Gazette’s audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, publishing arithmetic primers confirms his suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has read it twice, but those crooked symbols held no interest for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But You Qi’s mention of the “experiment” did catch his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had hinted to him last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rotting grass becomes fireflies…” he himself was quite curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng casually inquired about other matters: market rice prices, whether the exemption of taxes at the Nine Gates was being obeyed or flouted, whether his children were studying properly, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway home, the sedan fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng took out a memorial from his sleeve and, in this quiet moment, began reading it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rank of Chief Grand Secretary, there is no such thing as absolute rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is either handling affairs or on the way to handling them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nanzhili region has just been bled dry by the Emperor; many must be appeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether writing letters to soothe feelings or promoting officials to win favor, all must be addressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the two Maritime Trade Bureaus, whose promises still await fulfillment—petitions concerning them have flooded the Grand Secretariat like snowflakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some oppose and resist—claiming the Maritime Trade Bureaus bring no benefit, only banditry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others inquire anxiously—especially whether only tribute ships are permitted, or if civilian vessels may also pass, and asking about customs duties and garrison strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is simply no time for Zhang Juzheng to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng read on, swaying gently with the motion of the sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Qi heard the snoring from within and dared not disturb him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a bumpy ride to the gate, the sedan settled steadily, and You Qi woke his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng suddenly woke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after regaining his senses did he lift the sedan curtain and step out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he straightened up and took a step toward the mansion, his gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, beside the main gate of the Zhang mansion, stood an old man, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the door’s couplets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng studied him closely, and his expression subtly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved off You Qi, who had moved to assist him, and told him to enter first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and walked slowly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng approached the old man from behind, bowed deeply as a disciple, and spoke softly: “Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man waiting outside the mansion was none other than his own master, Xu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie did not turn around, only murmured with ambiguous tone: “When I taught in the Hanlin Academy, I favored you above all others—but I never imagined you would rise to the position of Chief Grand Secretary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not erect a new gate pillar to display your family’s prestige?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng fell silent for a long while before replying: “Master, family prestige is displayed at ancestral homes in the countryside; here in the capital, the couplets are enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jie slowly turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Chief Grand Secretary’s face bore admiration and satisfaction as he smiled: “Soft on the outside, firm within—excellent. Truly the bearing of a Chief Grand Secretary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not dwell on the subtle distance in Zhang Juzheng’s phrasing, and offered praise without reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie reached out to help Zhang Juzheng rise, then said casually: “You’ve been Benbo  for state affairs, rushed into the capital, just settled in—come to my place for dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng looked at his master, understood his plight, and his gaze grew more complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bent forward to support Xu Jie: “Master, I’ve already dined in the Grand Secretariat. There’s nothing prepared at home. Let me take you to a restaurant to welcome you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie’s step toward entering the mansion halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, gazed deeply at Zhang Juzheng, then slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie had not expected his own disciple to be so unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come voluntarily; refusing to help was one thing—but even refusing to bring him inside, fearing others might misunderstand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a fine Chief Grand Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng did not look at his master’s expression, but supported him and turned toward the exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each lost in thought, they had no appetite for delicacies, and chose a nearby tavern, taking a quiet room overlooking the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng respectfully guided Xu Jie to his seat, fulfilling all the rites of a disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter accepted it calmly, his expression showing no discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie pushed open the window, gazed at the night outside, the distant river, and spoke as if idly: “The water in the Tongzi River is clearer than when I left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tongzi River was the Jinshui River, flowing from Yuquan Mountain, through the Inner Palace, out of the capital, and into the Tonghui River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a moat connecting the interior and exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng sat opposite Xu Jie, his tone gentle: “All thanks to His Majesty’s wise governance. After last year’s fire at Ciqing Palace, His Majesty specifically ordered attention to these waterways.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then spoke earnestly: “After all, this is a river connecting inside and out—everyone watches. It’s better if it remains clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng had his own difficulties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chief Grand Secretary, managing internal and external affairs, he could not emulate Yan Song and sacrifice public duty for private gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie shook his head: “If this is merely for fish swimming among algae, for mere leisure, it’s a waste of resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng patiently explained: “Not so. His Majesty said he fears another fire, and this water may be relied upon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared another palace fire, and would need this water then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged veiled remarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie pressed relentlessly, probing without gain; Zhang Juzheng spoke sincerely, but gave not an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long stalemate, Xu Jie sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, he understood Zhang Juzheng would not relent—would not lift a finger to save him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This disciple, though outwardly respectful, was as cold and unfeeling as his nature—ready to abandon nearly everything for his so-called ideals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie had to change tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He passed over the previous topic and spoke of today’s incident: “On my way here, I met a Tartar envoy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng likewise smoothly dropped the earlier topic and picked up the thread: “Yes, lately the Tumens have raided the border again; they’ve come to the capital demanding rewards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they called “rewards” was merely their euphemism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was tribute money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No different from robbery: pay, and they won’t attack; refuse, and their army invades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie urged: “For the sake of the greater good, if war truly breaks out, millions more will be spent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng snorted: “The Ministry of War agrees—but Qi Jiguang’s memorial says these bandits are insatiable; even rewards won’t help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie smiled: “Then it falls to the Grand Secretariat to decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng fell silent at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he looked at his master and said seriously: “Since ancient times, war and ritual originate from the Son of Heaven—naturally, it is the Son of Heaven’s decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s stance toward the Emperor was flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie smiled without speaking, secretly pinching himself inside his sleeve to stay calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhang Juzheng’s impenetrable demeanor, he had to speak more plainly: “Speaking of the Son of Heaven… tomorrow I shall meet His Majesty. I do not yet know what manner of wisdom and talent His Majesty possesses—I am truly uneasy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed inwardly: Zhang Juzheng refused to help—but surely he wouldn’t deny him even the chance to save himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wouldn’t even reveal the Emperor’s character, this meal wasn’t worth eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng fell silent again. Xu Jie waited for his reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Zhang Juzheng raised his head, looked at Xu Jie, and said seriously: “Master, you need not be so uneasy. His Majesty… is a benevolent ruler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never expected such an assessment of the Emperor to come from Zhang Juzheng’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A benevolent ruler!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So all the cruelty was pretend? The unrest in Nan Zhili, the hundreds of innocent officials and salt merchants killed, and he pretended not to know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng ignored Xu Jie’s expression and pleaded earnestly: “Since ascending the throne, His Majesty has reverently honored his teachers, filially served the two Empresses, treated old ministers kindly, and shown indulgence to meritorious nobles—clearly deserving the title of benevolent ruler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhang Suiwei showed disrespect during lectures, and Tao Dalin muddied the waters, the Emperor never once failed in courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Empresses often clashed; the Emperor mediated between them, upheld filial piety, and cared for them—something all outer ministers have witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gao Gong met a good end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not be called a benevolent ruler? Even if outsiders deny it, Zhang Juzheng at least acknowledges it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Emperor still showed great leniency toward close ministers—otherwise Zhang Juzheng would not defend him so fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, he was truly a political creature without personal preferences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useful? He bestows grace and honors lavishly. Useless? He kills without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was actually good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least it meant the Emperor wouldn’t kill him out of momentary anger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps even his path to survival lay within this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Xu Jie slowly drew from his sleeve a memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed it before Zhang Juzheng, his expression solemn: “Since my retirement, I have resided long in Nanjing, and have gained considerable insight into local governance, Japanese pirates raids, and local gentry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I have the chance to meet His Majesty, I have written this memorial for His Majesty’s reference.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Grand Secretary, could you deliver it to the Western Garden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, he no longer called himself “Master,” but addressed Zhang Juzheng as “Chief Grand Secretary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately rose, bowed respectfully, and reached out to receive the memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held it upright, lowered his head to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the cover, six large characters: “Memorial on the Five Evils of the Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3044,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","07b3fe2d851d0fd2004c61ba9ddf2392f0dabefb320dae53aaae4c710456e345","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-109","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-107",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]