Chapter 188: With this auspicious hour, I respectfully pray for the Great Creation

The hour of the Tiger was more than half spent; the night was deep.

On the soft, fragrant bed, the Emperor's chest rose and fell with even breathing; he was clearly still in the midst of sleep.

Yet, perhaps because he felt uncomfortable, he tossed and turned frequently, unable to find rest.

It was unknown how much time had passed when Zhu Zhu Yijun, having felt a dry heat in his heart for some time, finally opened his eyes in a daze.

Subconsciously, he reached out to pull someone into his embrace, only to discover that he was the only one on the bed.

He looked up toward the outer chamber and saw that the sky was pitch black; there were no eunuchs or palace maids waiting outside the bedchamber with lanterns, so he knew he had woken up too early.

Zhu Zhu Yijun turned his gaze back into the bedchamber, where Imperial Consort Li, dressed in her sleeping garments, was wiping her face and rinsing her mouth with stealthy movements.

The latter seemed to hear the movement, turned her head, and said cautiously, "Did I wake Your Majesty?"

Having said this, she finished rinsing her mouth and slowly stood up to walk over.

Li Baiyang was twenty years old this year. Although the baby fat on her face had faded, it still retained a hint of her lively and adorable temperament, merely adding a touch of matronly charm.

The Emperor yawned, propped himself up into a half-reclining position, and rubbed his eyes: "What urgent matter is there in the inner palace today that you have risen so early?"

He looked at Li Baiyang a few extra times, but unfortunately, aside from her calves, there was no extra scenery to behold.

"Sleeping garments" did not refer solely to a bodice; it was roughly equivalent to pajamas. Just as when the Minister of War Wang Qiong "wore sleeping garments to sneak into the Leopard Quarter to drink and carouse with the Emperor all night," it clearly did not mean Wang Qiong wore a bodice into the palace; otherwise, the anecdotes about Emperor Wu Sect would likely be even more absurd than they are today.

Imperial Consort Li approached and sat on the edge of the bed: "There is nothing today. It is just that Your Majesty's Yang energy is too vigorous, and I was scorched awake in my dreams."

This way of putting it was rather euphemistic; to put it bluntly, she had been poked awake.

Zhu Zhu Yijun pinched the quilt, glanced down at his lower body, and said helplessly, "I returned to the palace late last night. Seeing that you were already asleep, I did not wake you."

"I did not expect that I would disturb your peaceful dreams in the end."

Li Baiyang did not mind. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and was about to lean down.

Zhu Zhu Yijun caught her hand: "It is cold outside."

"The hour is still early; come up and rest for a while. It just so happens that I have matters to discuss with you."

Li Baiyang nodded.

Her sleeping garments fell to the floor, just enough to cover her ankles.

Then, caught off guard, she was pulled into the quilt by the Emperor.

As Zhu Zhu Yijun stroked Li Baiyang's hair, he deliberated before speaking: "The maritime trade business of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau was entrusted by me to the Empress. Although she claims she is too busy and asked you to lend a hand, in truth, her nature is soft, and she is merely showing goodwill toward you. You must not truly intervene."

Since he began ruling personally, matters had become increasingly numerous.

As for these affairs of the inner palace, Zhu Zhu Yijun had delegated whatever could be entrusted, keeping control only over the general direction.

Li Baiyang hid in the quilt and mumbled: "I understand. There is a distinction between the Empress and the consorts; how would I dare to rely on favor and be arrogant?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun let out a satisfied and relaxed breath: "Also, since the land measurement began recently, all sorts of noble ladies and monks have been running to the two palaces and to you. In the future, if you encounter those lobbying for land measurement, just agree on the surface, but come and tell me in secret."

The pressure of the New Policies was felt in every aspect, and there were always short-sighted factions trying to get close.

Especially since the Empress Dowager Cisheng was a devout Buddhist, there had been quite a few monks lobbying recently.

After Li Baiyang spoke, she hesitated: "I will pay more attention when I go to pay my respects in the future."

Zhu Zhu Yijun stroked Li Baiyang's head, pondered for a moment, and continued: "There is one more thing. I discussed it with the Empress the day before yesterday, and I intended to tell you last night. It concerns the succession..."

Li Baiyang replied softly: "Your Majesty and the Empress should make the decision."

Her words were casual, but her movements slowed down immediately; clearly, the topic was one she cared about.

Zhu Zhu Yijun brushed away the damp hair sticking to Li Baiyang's temple and said softly: "Husband and wife are one; you do not need to be so guarded all the time."

Li Baiyang caught her breath, looked up at the Emperor, and asked earnestly: "Is Your Majesty not planning to have an Imperial Prince in the near future?"

With the Emperor's current strong stance of having the final say in the inner court, naturally, no eunuch dared to be so reckless as to assist from the sidelines.

Whether or not to have an heir was always the Emperor's sole decision.

Zhu Zhu Yijun pinched her cheek and pressed her head back down: "It is not that I do not want you to conceive; it is that I am preparing to follow a proper method."

Roughly speaking, it was a transition from savage sowing to high-quality gestation.

After finishing this sentence, he explained: "This time, with my intentional indulgence, I have seen enough of the political situation. After the prayer at the southern suburbs tomorrow, there will be no need for you to suffer baseless scolding."

"Moreover, there are not a few court officials who have gambled their lives and fortunes on me, and even more who are wavering. There must first be an Imperial Prince to put these people at ease."

Even an Emperor cannot avoid the need to eliminate dissent.

Now that the timing was right, he naturally had to consider smoothing out these ripples.

While Li Baiyang was busy with her duties, she raised her eyes to look at the Emperor: "Then what method does Your Majesty intend to follow?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at the expression in Li Baiyang's eyes and couldn't help but press down firmly: "My father and ancestors had many heirs who died young. Only after reading through medical books did I realize that it is best for a woman to conceive around the age of twenty-four."

"Now, for the sake of the political situation, I have no choice but to have offspring, but I also pity you consorts..."

"As a compromise, I have decided to wrong Imperial Wu Jieyu and Noble Lady Wang first."

He paused: "The Empress has already agreed. What does my dear think?"

Since Zhu Zhu Yijun was already seventeen, for the sake of the political situation, he had to demonstrate his fertility.

But at the same time, he did not want the substitute players to enter the field too early, lest some "fatherly kindness and sonly filial piety" drama occur later.

The highly esteemed Empress and three consorts should all wait for a while.

Choosing the lowest-ranking Imperial Concubine and Noble Lady to break through the Nascent Soul stage was the most appropriate.

Of course, the matter of the age of gestation was also his heartfelt advice; if a woman is twenty-three or twenty-four, the survival rate of the offspring is also one or two percent higher.

With such a perfect method, Imperial Wu Jieyu's appearance was secondary.

As soon as Zhu Zhu Yijun finished speaking, he felt a light scrape from a canine tooth and couldn't help but gasp.

He saw Li Baiyang look up, slightly resentful: "Your Majesty pities me; naturally, I am too happy to be upset."

"It is just that Imperial Wu Jieyu is too beautiful; Your Majesty must be careful to exercise restraint."

Having been in the palace for these years, she knew the Emperor well enough.

She might not believe the Emperor when he said he had read through medical books, but when he said it was out of political considerations, she did not have the slightest doubt.

In this situation, aside from nodding, she had no other thoughts.

Seeing that her mood was poor, Zhu Zhu Yijun went through another round of coaxing: "Throughout the dynasties, where is there an Emperor as restrained as I?"

"If I had even the slightest thought of indulgence, why would I only begin to achieve a thorough understanding with you this year? And why would I withdraw at the critical moment every time?"

"I favor you the most; how can you still wrong me like this?"

When Imperial Consort Li heard the words "withdraw at the critical moment," she subconsciously swallowed, her pretty face slightly flushed.

She suddenly let go of the Emperor's lower parts and lay on the Emperor's chest: "Your Majesty, I..."

Seeing her like this, Zhu Zhu Yijun understood in his heart.

He reached out and patted the Imperial Consort lightly, frowning and scolding: "How are you speaking to your Shen Junfu?"

Li Baiyang's eyes were somewhat dazed: "Shen Junfu, daughter's legs are weak..."

The stars swayed, and the evening breeze stirred.

The seventeen-year-old Emperor was full of vigor.

Having risen early, he felt even more refreshed.

Zhu Zhu Yijun spread his arms, letting the palace maids dress him, and asked Zhang Hong: "Is the Ministry of Rites prepared for the prayer at the southern suburbs?"

The latter hurriedly said: "In reply to Your Majesty, the incense, the silk offerings, and the three presentations have all been prepared by the Ministry of Rites since early morning. The court officials are already lining up at the platform."

"However... the Grand Minister of Rites, upon hearing the news, insisted on serving as the Master of Ceremonies for Your Majesty, attending by your side. He is currently waiting for Your Majesty outside the Wang Xiyuan."

Zhu Zhu Yijun frowned: "He is of such an age; why must he insist on such trouble?"

He had not summoned Gao Yi or Ma Ma Ziqiang at all.

Even the Emperor had to walk to the southern suburbs to pray to Heaven; naturally, the court officials had no sedan chairs to sit in.

Walking all the way from the Meridian Gate was not friendly to old bones.

Zhang Hong replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, the Grand Minister of Rites said that his days are numbered, and he wishes to make one last appearance."

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head helplessly. This fellow became more of a mischievous child the older he got; now he was even starting to be willful.

But since things had reached this point, he couldn't possibly drive the man away.

He had no choice but to instruct Zhang Hong: "Arrange for people to support the old officials along the way later."

Zhang Hong bowed in acknowledgment.

Zhu Zhu Yijun lowered his head, letting the palace attendant, who was not tall enough, place the crown on his head, and asked: "After the celestial phenomena yesterday, what other excitement was there?"

If it could be said that ritual and law had constraints on both the Emperor and the scholars, then celestial phenomena were a targeted weapon against the Emperor.

Regardless of the effectiveness, there would inevitably be people who wanted to use them.

Zhang Hong seemed to have a lot to say, and only after organizing his thoughts for a moment did he speak: "Your Majesty, after the comet invaded the Ziwei star last night, the Right Advisor of the Beijing Garrison, Zhao Zhao Yongxian, secretly went to Shi Shi Maohua's residence."

Hearing the name Zhao Zhao Yongxian, Zhu Zhu Yijun felt only regret and sighed: "Why is it that Wu Wu Zhongxing could be tamed, yet Zhao Zhao Yongxian, whom I entrusted with heavy responsibilities, remains unmoved?"

He had long since separated the Beijing Garrison from the Ministry of War, taking all personnel and military pay into his own hands.

Currently, it was actually managed by Viceroy Gu Gu Huan, Left Advisor Zheng Zheng Zongxue, and Right Advisor Zhao Zhao Yongxian, with the three of them dividing the military and political affairs.

Zhao Zhao Yongxian held a low position but great power; he hadn't expected that such a key position would still be used to sing a different tune from his own.

Li Jin, standing to the side, suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty, perhaps it is because of Chen Chen Wenzhou, the Commissioner of the Guangdong Salt Tax. Zhao Zhao Yongxian's father-in-law has frequently sent people to deliver jewelry and wealth to his daughter over the past two years."

Zhu Zhu Yijun couldn't help but shake his head.

This was the distinct characteristic of the feudal bureaucratic class of the Great Ming: central officials intermarrying with local officials and gentry.

The latter provided benefits to the former, and the former provided protection for exploitation in policy.

The ruin of all things under Heaven lay right here.

You have me in you, and I have you in me.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Tell Wen Chun of the Censorate to send a letter to the Viceroy of Liangguang, Yin Yin Zhengmao, to investigate and dismiss Chen Chen Wenzhou."

Zhang Hong noted it down.

Then he spoke again: "In addition, the Zhang Gelao's student, Hai Yushi Liu Tai, submitted a memorial this morning impeaching the Zhang Gelao."

"He listed the Zhang Gelao's expulsion of the late Emperor's auxiliary official, the Earl of Ding'an, his arbitrary promotion of his confidants Shen Shen Shixing and Zhang Han, his use of the 'Kao Cheng Fa' to threaten colleagues, his construction of palaces in Huguang, and his keeping of thousands of beautiful concubines, among other things."

"Even though the Office of Transmission has suppressed the memorial, it has already spread outside."

Zhang Hong cautiously glanced at the Emperor, hiding the rumors circulating outside about Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Empress Dowager Li.

Zhu Zhu Yijun naturally did not notice and just sneered: "Previously, they cited the story of the Zhang Gelao Li Prince Xian 'retaining his position during mourning,' and today they are following suit with this student impeaching his teacher. Very good!"

The situation of the former Zhang Gelao Li Prince Xian was similar to that of Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

Although the Cabinet at that time was not as powerful as it was now, Li Prince Xian relied on the Emperor's deep trust and held great power—"Whenever those around him recommended people, he would summon Li Prince Xian to ask what he thought; if Li Prince Xian thought they were acceptable, he would use them; if not, he would not."

And when this Li Prince Xian "retained his position during mourning," he was impeached by his student Luo Lun.

It was also from then on that "retaining position during mourning" was no longer a "precedent" in the Great Ming.

This was playing the historical origin card in addition to the impeachment.

Zhang Hong hurriedly reported the follow-up: "Zhang Gelao Shen has summoned the previous Zou Zou Yuanbiao, Shen Shen Sixiao, and today's Liu Tai and others to line up at the platform, and they will follow the court officials to pray at the southern suburbs later."

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled; the way this was said made it seem as if there were assassins at the southern suburbs.

At this moment, the Emperor was finally dressed.

Now that Zhu Zhu Yijun was wearing the crown and robes again, he could finally support the momentum, no longer looking like a small horse pulling a large cart as before.

Zhu Zhu Yijun lowered his head, looked at himself in the slightly discolored glass mirror, nodded with satisfaction: "Let's go."

Having said this, he turned and walked out of the palace.

The inner officials hurriedly followed.

The group exited the Wan Shou Palace.

Xu Xu Wenbi, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard guarding outside the palace, saw the Emperor traveling and immediately greeted him: "Your Majesty."

Seeing the Emperor's chin move slightly, he reported the matters: "Your Majesty, the cause of the posters in the city has been investigated; it should be Hai Yushi Tan Yao."

Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned: "One of the fourteen people who passed the examination for Judge from County Magistrate last year?"

Zhang Hong, standing to the side, confirmed the Emperor's memory: "The former Magistrate of Jiaxing County, Zhejiang, who passed the examination for Hai Yushi of the Fujian Circuit on the Ding Chou day of the tenth month last year."

Zhu Zhu Yijun sighed in his heart.

Aside from the path of rising to the Prefecture through political affairs, County Magistrates also had the selection of speech officials, which they could take examinations for.

These speech officials who passed by their own ability were often capable officials who understood practical affairs.

He hadn't expected that even speech officials from such grassroots backgrounds would not support the New Policies, actually running off to distribute posters, cursing the Emperor as a tyrant and the Zhang Gelao as inhuman.

When the foundations were being shaken, all the monsters and demons jumped out!

Xu Xu Wenbi followed behind the Emperor, step by step: "Recently, court officials have been extremely careful in private. The Embroidered Uniform Guard did not detect any gatherings last night, but..."

"Vice Minister of Personnel Chen Kai, Vice Minister of Rites Zhao Jin, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yubi were all absent from their residences after the celestial phenomena last night, and were only seen at their residences late at night."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded and didn't say anything more.

The New Policies were just like this; it would be strange if there were no opposition.

Once land measurement was mentioned, everyone was unhappy.

After all, taxing real estate was difficult everywhere; if the central government couldn't distinguish between high and low, there would be no results.

To put it bluntly, on such matters, the Emperor and the Cabinet were the minority.

Let alone seven years of Emperor and Zhang Gelao, even a dozen years of prestige might not be enough to push it through.

This was also the reason why Zhu Zhu Yijun did not hesitate to indulge intentionally—only by intensifying the contradictions could he begin to resolve them.

When the monsters and demons jumped out, the wind would be stronger.

When the wind was strong, there would be a reason to tidy things up.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's thoughts were numerous as he walked out of the Wang Xiyuan.

At this time, a group of Secretariat Drafters, Ministry of Rites chanters, and officiating officials were already waiting here.

Seeing the Emperor's ceremonial guard, they bowed one after another.

"Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty."

Zhu Zhu Yijun's gaze first looked toward Ma Ma Ziqiang.

He felt moved in his heart that this fellow had aged quite a bit more, reached out to help him up, and complained: "Today is the time for me to stand on my own; why did Ma Qing have to come out and steal my limelight?"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng was mourning his father and had been observing the mourning period at home; after Gao Yi had a stroke, his lower limbs were paralyzed; Lu Lu Diaoyang had been suffering from phlegm since the beginning of winter; Wang Wang Chonggu had never participated in political affairs and was also claiming illness today; Shen Shen Shixing had been in office for less than a year, his prestige was insufficient, and he only had the role of following behind the Emperor.

Thus, naturally, he had to stand on his own.

It was just a pity that although Ma Ma Ziqiang was critically ill, he was still unwilling to be lonely.

Zhang Gelao Ma was sixty-seven this year; even with the Emperor helping him up, his waist and back were somewhat hunched.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out slightly, and he smiled: "After today, I will retire. I want to walk one more time with Your Majesty."

Zhu Zhu Yijun did not try to persuade him again, his gaze carrying a consultation as he looked at Ma Ma Ziqiang: "After Ma Qing retires, do you intend to return to your hometown, or stay in the capital so I can see you off?"

Life and death are determined by fate; there was nothing to avoid.

The Imperial Physician said that as long as Ma Ma Ziqiang could survive this winter, he might improve after the spring.

But looking at him now, this winter was likely difficult to pass.

The Emperor talked with Ma Ma Ziqiang while leading the group of Secretariat Drafters, ritual officials, and the Golden Guard toward the Huangji Hall.

Ma Ma Ziqiang followed on the Emperor's right side and replied: "Your Majesty, I still wish to return to my roots."

Originally, he had wanted the Emperor to see him off to complete this story of a good sovereign and subject.

But his condition worsened after the start of winter, and he had been near death several times, occasionally recalling his hometown in a daze.

After thinking it over, Ma Ma Ziqiang finally decided to return to his roots.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu Yijun felt his heart soften and condescended to support the old man: "I understand. When the time comes, I will grant you the title of Grand Tutor, and you shall return home with honor."

Ma Ma Ziqiang was stunned, his old face somewhat bashful: "No... that wouldn't be very appropriate..."

Seeing the old man's face turn rosy instantly, Zhu Zhu Yijun couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

Seeing that they were almost at the Great Platform, the Emperor cast his gaze toward Wang Wang Shizhen: "Wang Qing, you shall record the history of today yourself."

Hearing this, Wang Wang Shizhen couldn't help but feel a jolt of spirit.

His current status generally only involved the review and refinement of the Daily Records, and he did not need to do it himself.

Only on major occasions would the Emperor have him take up the brush.

It was time for him to add a rich and colorful stroke again!

Wang Wang Shizhen did not hesitate, immediately taking the paper and brush from the hands of the Secretariat Drafter He Luoshu.

He looked at the line "Zhang Gelao Ma Ma Ziqiang is critically ill, the Emperor speaks words of comfort" and couldn't help but shake his head.

He stood where he was, casually changed the period recently promoted by the Ministry of Rites into a comma, and added a stroke at the end: "Holding hands and walking together, just like the seven years of advancing side by side, sovereign and subject choked with emotion."

Wang Wang Shizhen put down the brush with satisfaction, then hurried to catch up with the Emperor.

"Celestial stars show anomalies, I reflect on myself and blame myself..."

Before the Huangji Hall.

The hundred officials were respectfully lined up, the Emperor stood high above, his voice loud and clear as he recounted the origin and purpose of today's gathering.

The court officials looked at the Emperor with different expressions.

This was the first time they had seen the Emperor reflect on himself and blame himself because of celestial phenomena.

It was not as if there had been no celestial warnings in the past.

There were two in the sixth year of Emperor Longqing.

The grass on the grave of Hu Xiao, who used the celestial phenomena to make a point at the time, was already three feet high.

There was also one in the second year of Emperor Wanli.

Unfortunately, the Emperor directly used his status as a grandmaster to suppress people, criticizing Dong Dong Zhongshu's "interaction between Heaven and man" until it was riddled with holes.

The Hai Yushi who submitted the memorial was even forced to bow and enter the school of Li Zhi, where he had been studying deeply ever since.

There was also a comet streaking across the sky in the fourth year of Emperor Wanli; this time the Censors learned to be clever and did not come forward, instead letting the Imperial Observatory divine and interpret the prophecies.

Of course, the fate of the Imperial Observatory was also seen; the hereditary rice bowl was forcibly turned into an examination system.

An Emperor who so despised the will of Heaven was now, for the first time, going to pray to Heaven, which was truly puzzling.

Until the Emperor set off and led the group of officials toward the southern suburbs, everyone could finally no longer hold back and began to whisper to each other in secret.

As the group exited the Meridian Gate and walked to the Thousand-Step Imperial Road outside the Six Ministries, Shen Shen Sixiao pulled Ai Mu slightly to the side.

"Has the Emperor finally realized his mistakes and wants to use this to show goodwill?" Shen Shen Sixiao almost pressed his face against Ai Mu's neck, his voice very low.

Both were Secretaries of the Ministry of Justice, minor officials, and were not conspicuous at the end of the line.

Ai Mu only felt a puff of hot air blowing on his neck and shrank his neck.

He pretended to yawn and covered his mouth, letting his voice pass backward, whispering: "It seems so. I'm afraid the Emperor also understands what it means when the general trend is irreversible."

Shen Shen Sixiao nodded with satisfaction: "Let's strike while the iron is hot. Later, we will all submit a memorial together, asking the Zhang Gelao to return to Huguang to observe the mourning period."

Ai Mu turned his head and pointed forward: "And the likes of Gao Yi, Lu Lu Diaoyang, and Ma Ma Ziqiang."

"Old, weak, sick, and disabled, yet still lingering in the Cabinet—if this isn't clinging to power, what is? Let's take this opportunity to have the Emperor dismiss them all together."

It wasn't as if no one had impeached these people for clinging to power and refusing to retire over the years, but they had all been kept by the Emperor.

It was time for the Emperor to set things right together.

Shen Shen Sixiao nodded in deep agreement: "When the time comes to recommend Cabinet Ministers, as long as they are not these sycophants who fawn on the Emperor, the court situation will return to the right path."

Ai Mu pondered for a moment: "Zhao Jin, Lord Zhao, is naturally filial and friendly, with pure and complete inner conduct. I hope that fellow Shen Shen Shixing can have a discerning eye."

Zhao Jin was a kind elder, his actions were gentle, and his position as Vice Minister of Rites was sufficient.

Shen Shen Sixiao followed up: "And Lu Lu Guangzu, Lord Lu, who pities talent and handles affairs, has the style of the ancient masters and can be one of the recommended Cabinet Ministers."

Lu Lu Guangzu was the Vice Minister of Justice and had already suppressed that incompetent fellow Zhang Han, speaking with authority in the Ministry of Justice.

The two discussed in low voices, and naturally, outsiders could not hear them.

After all, the sacrificial procession had thousands of people.

In addition to the more than six hundred court officials, there were ceremonial guards of jade, gold, elephant, leather, and wood, as well as the drum music of the Office of Music, the military flags of the Golden Guard, and the painters and craftsmen of the inner court, and so on.

It stretched for several miles, grand and magnificent.

The group walked across the Heavenly Bridge—the Wangliang Five Stars, in the north of Kui, residing in the river... also known as the Bridge, governing the wind, rain, and waterways. The Heavenly Bridge was the Emperor's exclusive passage for sacrifices, first built in the former Yuan.

Zhao Jin, walking in the front row, looked at the Emperor's back and secretly thought it was a pity.

He had originally planned to submit a memorial to the Emperor today regarding the celestial phenomena.

With his status as a high official of the Six Ministries, the Emperor could not easily brush him off like a Hai Yushi; he would inevitably have to respond—he had once remonstrated against Emperor Shizong regarding a solar eclipse, which also caused a huge uproar in the court.

As for the consequences?

Either he would enter the Cabinet, or he would be hated by the Emperor.

The former was naturally good, and there was nothing to fear about the latter.

Emperor Shizong was so angry at the time that he was furious, cursing him, Zhao Jin, as "deceiving Heaven and slandering the Sovereign," looking as if he wanted to kill him and be done with it.

And the result? In the end, he was just dismissed from his post.

Once the limelight passed, naturally, court officials would remember his dedication and prestige and restore him to office.

And now, this Emperor, although somewhat headstrong, was ultimately not as ruthless as Emperor Shizong.

He had calculated everything, and even the memorial was still in his sleeve.

Who would have thought that before he could even exert his strength, the Emperor would take the initiative to bow his head early in the morning and pray at the southern suburbs.

It was truly a pity for this good opportunity, which had been planned for a long time, to be a model for the scholars of the world.

I'm afraid there won't be such a good opportunity in the future to represent the officials and gentry of the world.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jin couldn't help but shake his head.

Sigh, so be it. Since the Emperor is now willing to ease his attitude toward the court officials, he must bring out the positions in the Cabinet—otherwise, if they are always usurped by sycophants like Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi, isolating the top from the bottom, how can the court situation be eased?

Cabinet Minister...

Zhao Jin glanced at Wang Wang Xijue, who had entered the capital, and then shook his head.

This person's qualifications were too shallow; even if he were given a Cabinet recommendation quota, he wouldn't be able to compete with him in the court deliberation.

He cast his gaze toward the Vice Minister of Personnel Chen Kai and shook his head again.

When this person was previously the Hai Yushi-in-Chief, he made the Censorate a mess; he was just an incompetent person. Now that he was still staying in the Ministry of Personnel, it was more because the Emperor wanted him to occupy the pit, fearing that someone would share Shen Shen Shixing's power.

Then, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yubi?

This fellow was even worse; the third-rank high official was still two steps away from the Cabinet, and at least he had to be promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries first.

This time it was definitely missed.

Therefore...

Zhao Jin slowly looked toward Lu Lu Guangzu.

It just so happened that Lu Lu Guangzu also looked over.

The two smiled at each other, their gazes touched and then separated, their thoughts unclear.

Lu Lu Guangzu, who withdrew his gaze, secretly shook his head in his heart. This fellow Zhao Jin was old and useless, his thinking was corrupt, and his expression was still one of holding the winning ticket. Don't know how he will die when the time comes.

Lu Lu Guangzu turned his gaze back to the Emperor, feeling increasingly suspicious and uncertain.

The Emperor prayed to Heaven and reflected on himself; could it be that he really wanted to allow Zhang Zhang Juzheng to retire to calm the court disputes?

This would certainly be good, but this really didn't look like the Emperor's style!

The more he thought about it, the more his brows furrowed.

Lu Lu Guangzu actually didn't care too much about whether Zhang Zhang Juzheng observed the mourning period or not.

He only had ten thousand prejudices against the New Policies he was managing, and he wished he could get rid of them quickly!

This New Policy thing was simply a tiger-wolf medicine, a policy for rapid destruction!

Measuring land and counting heads—was that something that could be touched?

If you are not careful, it will be a situation where everyone under Heaven rebels! The Great Ming might be destroyed in the hands of these people!

Since he entered office, he had seen County Magistrates with a hundred properties, Prefects who seized thousands of acres of fertile land, and Administration Commissioners who controlled half the province's trade and had a treasury of one hundred thousand silver.

After reaching a high position in the central government, his eyes were full of corrupt relatives of the state, even more excessive nobles, and hypocritical Beijing officials.

Not to mention the local gentry who hid land and the wealthy merchants who kept slaves.

From top to bottom, from inside to outside, he didn't know how this New Policy could be carried out!

Even if he, Lu Lu Guangzu, was as clean as he was, he had hidden some land and hidden a few heads, let alone others?

These people, the Emperor and the Cabinet, had been high above for too long; they didn't understand the local situation at all, and the decrees were childish.

How could these people harm the Great Ming?

To save the Great Ming, the current plan was to recuperate and rest, and to suppress it with stillness!

Once the Tatars and Japanese pirates were defeated, wouldn't the situation slowly improve?

Unfortunately, if the Emperor is not made to truly see the resistance, the Emperor will not realize his own childishness.

He, Lu, hoped that the Emperor and the Cabinet could understand his painstaking efforts.

Lu Lu Guangzu's thoughts surged, and he was moved by himself again.

In his heart, he burst forth with the courage to deal with all the Emperor's means.

He held his head high and stepped forward.

As the group arrived at the southern suburbs, everyone stopped their thoughts one after another.

Lining up and standing in position.

Sweeping the sacrificial altar.

Slaughtering and setting up the sacrificial animals.

Each was busy with the sacrificial matters.

The Emperor stood before the altar, letting the ritual officials tidy his appearance, showing no extra expression.

Not long after.

Ma Ma Ziqiang stood out: "Play the music!"

A burst of music sounded, and they sang in unison: "The rules of ritual and music for ten thousand years, the songs of the four seas are prosperous. The clothes and hats dance on the Nine Dragon Terrace..."

The music gradually stopped.

Ma Ma Ziqiang endured his cough and stood out again: "The Edict says, on the Gengchen day of the tenth month of the seventh year of Emperor Wanli, Emperor Majesty performs the Great Sacrifice to Heaven at the southern suburbs!"

As soon as the voice fell.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites retreated to the position of subjects.

The ceremonial guards, musicians, and guards all retreated.

Only more than six hundred civil and military officials remained, divided into two classes, facing the altar.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had been facing the court officials and the altar from the side, and at this moment, he slowly turned around.

Under the gaze of a thousand people, the Emperor slowly bowed: "Subject Emperor Jun, respectfully arrives at the southern suburbs."

Below, the hundred officials lowered their heads one after another, listening to the Emperor chanting the sacrificial prayer.

Liu Tai, standing at the end of the line, felt comforted in his heart and nodded slowly.

The Emperor was not yet beyond saving; at least he had not gone to the extent of Jie or Zhou.

This situation was the best result.

The Emperor on the altar bowed again.

His voice was clear and bright as he continued to pray: "Comet appears at night, invading Ziwei, I am deeply worried day and night."

Zou Zou Yuanbiao heard this, his thoughts wandering, only feeling that this celestial phenomenon came at just the right time.

Otherwise, the Emperor was rebellious, and without a way to step down, who knows when he would repent.

It is good now; everyone sees the situation and stops, which can be considered a reenactment of the old affairs of Xining, and it will be recorded in history in the future.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's voice grew louder by several points: "It is because."

"Local officials are greedy and break the law, cruelly harming the people, offending the harmony of Heaven..."

The court officials had been bowing, but at this moment, many suddenly raised their heads.

The court officials who had just had a look of comfort on their faces suddenly changed color.

Zhao Jin was shocked, his mouth wide open as he looked at the Hanlin Academy's He He Luowen, who wrote the green text, and Ma Ma Ziqiang of the Ministry of Rites, but unfortunately, both were lowering their heads, and their expressions could not be seen.

Lu Lu Guangzu narrowed his eyes suddenly, the last glimmer of luck in his heart extinguished, looking at the Emperor's back, sighing in disappointment.

Zhu Zhu Yijun seemed not to hear the movement behind him at all, chanting eloquently: "Officials in the capital are hypocritical, resisting the New Policies, harming the virtue of the Earth..."

Shen Shen Sixiao, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, finally could no longer hold back and stood out proudly: "Your Majesty! The sacrificial prayer written by He He Luowen harbors evil intentions; I ask Your Majesty to stop!"

Hai Yushi Tan Yao was even more furious, scolding without concealment: "Shifting the blame to subordinates is by no means the act of a holy monarch! I ask Your Majesty to think thrice!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun seemed not to hear these discordant sounds at all.

He focused on chanting the last sentence: "I respectfully take the blame for my subordinates, with jade, silk, sacrificial animals, grain, and other offerings, preparing this brightness and purity, hoping for your inspection, and bestowing blessings on the people."

The court officials were all in an uproar.

Looking at the Emperor in disbelief.

A cold east wind blew, piercing the marrow.

Seeing this, Wang Wang Shizhen's face was rosy, his brush moving as if by divine inspiration.

Shen Shen Shixing shook his head slightly at Wang Wang Xijue, who had a look of doubt in his eyes, signaling him to just watch.

At this moment, the Emperor, who was the focus of everyone's attention, unhurriedly inserted the incense and bowed three times.

Only then did Zhu Zhu Yijun turn around, sweeping across the crowd of court officials, calmly meeting all their gazes, whether angry, shocked, disappointed, appreciative, or panicked...

Everything was taken into his eyes.

Zhu Zhu Yijun slowly walked to the edge of the Heaven and Earth Altar, looking down at the officials, and said lightly: "Since I ascended the throne, I have promoted salt administration, cleared up official governance, taught the Imperial Clan, pacified Duoyan, suppressed Japanese pirates, managed water conditions, promoted trade, and attended to agriculture..."

"In more than eight years, I have finally swept away the decadence of the country, my virtue covers all under Heaven, and my achievements will last for a hundred generations."

"Looking at the subordinates, there are indeed loyal and patriotic teachers like Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi, but there is no lack of rebellious subjects, just like Mara stealing the Buddha, gnawing at the national treasury, deceiving the people, hiding from the monarch, confusing the holy mother, disrupting the 'Kao Cheng Fa', annexing land, hiding heads, blocking maritime transport..."

"All these people who have no monarch and no people, forming cliques for private interests, harming the people and deceiving the monarch."

"Now that there are celestial anomalies..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun lowered his head, looking at Zhao Jin, Liu Tai, and the others, and said earnestly, word by word: "If it is not a sign for them, could it be a sign for me?"

(End of chapter)