Chapter 255

In the eighth year of the Emperor Wanli reign, the Great Ming Dynasty encountered a severe challenge. The New Policies could not take a firm step forward, and the rectification and consolidation were far from over. The debate between "Hard Restraint" and "Soft Restraint" raged on without end.

The gentry in the south, misled by the erroneous judgment of "Soft Restraint," obstructed the land survey and incited conflict between the North and the South, with extremely grave consequences.

The Emperor's demand to accelerate the pace of the New Policies met with setbacks, and he lost patience with the sluggish progress.

To curb the "Soft Restraint" tendency of the southern gentry and continue exerting influence over the realm, the Emperor resolved to go south, seeking a breakthrough to continue the New Policies.

This inevitably required active responses from provincial and prefectural governments, as well as proactive support from the leaders at the center—especially the three individuals explicitly named in the imperial edict to assist in governance: Wang Wang Chonggu, head of the Five Chief Military Commissions; Hai Rui, head of the Censorate; and Zhang Zhang Juzheng, head of the Grand Secretariat.

Thus, this audience before the departure came into being.

The first to be received was Wang Wang Chonggu, who expressed his attitude of full support without reservation.

The second to enter the Gu Chengguang Hall was Hai Rui, who expressed his critical opinions with tact.

"My Emperor acts in an upright and open manner; how can you imitate Duke Zhuang of Zheng in his conflict with his brother Gongshu Duan at Yan?"

Hai Rui had spent several years in Sichuan, and his complexion had inexplicably lightened by several shades, which instead made his face appear even darker.

He seized the Emperor's hand and began to chatter incessantly: "If it is investigated and found that there is guilt, it should naturally be handled according to the law."

"If there is merely suspicion in one's heart, one should order them to exert themselves if they are innocent, and observe their subsequent performance."

"Your Majesty, sitting by and watching your subjects violate prohibitions will ultimately lead to criticism..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun attempted to pull his hand back, only to find he could not, and suddenly felt a pang of regret for his own eagerness in initiating the hand-holding.

He turned his head helplessly and blinked his innocent eyes at Hai Rui: "Minister Hai, I have clearly expressed my heart several times; why do you continue to misinterpret me?"

An emperor who endures for the sake of the country must sometimes bind his own hands and feet.

If Zhu Zhu Yijun wanted to launch a major case based on the "Demon Books," he had to pass the hurdle of the Censorate in terms of procedure.

Hai Rui, who had taken charge of the Censorate, clearly did not approve of the tactic of "luring the snake out of its hole."

Hai Rui gripped the Emperor's hand, refusing to let go: "Your Majesty should not have lifted the ban on newspapers, allowing those people to speak their minds freely!"

Volume 18 of the *Great Ming Code*, Criminal Law 1: "All those who fabricate prophecies, demon books, or demon words, or spread them to confuse the masses, shall be beheaded."

These were all capital crimes established by the Founding Emperor.

The imperial court should guide people toward goodness; one has never heard of luring people into committing crimes!

Once something like a newspaper is opened up, allowing people to speak freely, wouldn't the number of scholars committing such crimes increase with each passing day?

If one were to use this as a pretext to go south and launch massive criminal prosecutions, it would be strange if future generations didn't label you a second Duke Zhuang of Zheng!

Zhu Zhu Yijun truly could not pull his hand away and had to give up.

The two of them stood in the middle of the great hall, conducting their audience in a dry, awkward manner.

Zhu Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and decided to be direct: "Minister Hai, this time I must use the Demon Books to launch a major case, and after this, it is absolutely impossible to reinstate the ban on newspapers."

Upon hearing this, Hai Rui's expression changed slightly; clearly, his stubborn temper had flared up again, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Zhu Zhu Yijun took the initiative and countered: "Minister Hai, looking at these mountain hermits who violated the prohibitions in the case, if I hadn't lifted the ban on newspapers, would they not have written books, published them, and spread demon words?"

The "mountain hermits" he spoke of were not recluses living in the mountains; accurately speaking, they were marginal intellectuals who controlled public opinion.

Although these mountain hermits were educated, they were either unwilling or unable to embark on an official career.

High-end mountain hermits, such as Wang Wang Shizhen before his return to office, controlled the lifeblood of public opinion among the people.

Above, they could coordinate with censorate officials to engage in political infighting; below, they could form literary alliances and become leaders of the scholarly community.

Mid-range mountain hermits usually made a living through soliciting patronage, selling writings, setting up schools, or becoming private secretaries.

Most of them wrote books, composed poetry, criticized current politics, or sold their intellectual labor.

Low-end mountain hermits could only resort to fortune-telling, storytelling, selling their services, or advertising for merchant firms.

They all published small newspapers and spread posters to attract attention; when it came to selling emotional value, even the "courtesans" and "sodomites" couldn't keep up.

Yet, this group of mountain hermits could not be easily offended.

Even if they were people released from prison, as long as they mixed into the mountain hermit circles, they would be bold and unconstrained—if a large merchant firm refused to "cooperate for mutual benefit," they would immediately publish a newspaper and start cursing; could you handle that?

Hai Rui subconsciously retorted: "At the very least, it wouldn't be like it is now, with everyone violating the prohibitions."

Zhu Zhu Yijun corrected Hai Rui's error without mercy: "That is because since the Hongzhi reign, public opinion has been rampant, becoming more rampant day by day, and it just happens to have reached its peak during my reign!"

Marginal intellectuals active at all levels of society are a unique social and cultural phenomenon of our Ming Dynasty.

It first emerged during the Hongzhi reign, developed and grew during the Emperor Jiajing reign, and has flourished until now.

Was it not present during the Zhengde reign?

The popular novel dramatizing that Emperor Wu Sect was born to a palace maid was a bestseller in Southern Zhili, selling over 17,000 copies.

Was it not present during the Emperor Jiajing reign?

Xu Wei, Tu Long, Wang Zhideng, Mei Dingzuo, Huang Shengzeng, and others published almost daily, monopolizing public opinion in the workshops.

Needless to say, during the Emperor Wanli reign, remonstrance has already developed to the level of the common people in the marketplace.

On the streets and in the alleys, today they talk loudly about how the imperial court is wrong here, tomorrow they list how the imperial court is bad there, and the day after, there are jokes about the Emperor in the small newspapers—"Now, in the busy streets and markets, those who sing songs and tell stories openly compile them into sets, clapping their hands and discussing them dramatically, without any restraint. Everything they say is about the various failures of the imperial court, and there are many who enjoy listening to it."

Even the "coercion of ministers" that Wang Daokun encountered was not pioneered by newspapers, but was a technique that mountain hermits had mastered.

Historically, even events like the "Succession Dispute" involved public opinion from the people; what more of other matters?

To describe the public opinion environment in the words of Tao Xie Zhaozhi: one person initiates it, thousands respond, and the people of the whole country run about as if mad, overturning heaven and earth, changing white to black.

Zhu Zhu Yijun met Hai Rui's gaze and spoke frankly: "In the early years, the ban on newspapers was strict, but in reality, it was just a piece of empty paper; small newspapers circulated, posters appeared everywhere, and the cursing was deafening; instead, we handed over public opinion to others."

"Now that I have lifted the ban on newspapers, the News Bureau is in the hands of the imperial court; words follow the law, and the degree of strictness is up to me."

"Minister Hai, I am following the trend of the times."

In the final analysis, the activity of public opinion dissemination in the Ming Dynasty was not accidental; it had its specific historical background and inevitability.

The development of material conditions created the economic foundation and dissemination environment for the activity of public opinion.

There were 143 land and water routes across the country, including 11 long-distance routes from Nanjing to various parts of the world, 12 routes from Jiangnan to neighboring regions, and 15 water routes connecting the two prefectures of Su and Song with various towns and county seats.

The acceleration of social mobility naturally brought about the development of information.

At the same time, the prices of materials and labor for writing books were very low. Taking the advertisement of "Mao's family recruiting engravers" as an example—"At that time, a string of silver was less than 700 wen, and it cost 3 fen of silver to engrave 100 characters, so it was only 20 wen per 100 characters." Combined with material costs, "two sticks of ink cost 1 qian; one jin of soot ink cost 5 qian." As long as a book sold reasonably well, the profit would not be bad.

For example, Wang Wang Shizhen's *Mingfeng Ji*, sold only in the two capitals, "consumed over 60,000 gold."

Where there is profit, there is a market; where there is a market, there will be commercialization.

At the same time, there was the ideological soil—the scholarly correctness of "opening up the path of remonstrance" created a good political environment; although the School of Mind had passed its prime after the second year of Emperor Wanli, its effect in promoting social ideological liberation over the past hundred years was real and undeniable.

For example, in Li Li Zaiting's memorial, he said that in Jianyang County, Fujian alone, there were over 80 bookstores!

Even piracy had already begun—"Whenever they encounter good books engraved in other provinces, if they hear the price is high, they immediately reprint them."

This is the trend of the times.

Under this rolling trend, Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Xianzong, and Emperor Xiaozong, each session was still there, repeatedly reinstating the ban on newspapers and punishing demon words and demon books; was it useful? It was just changing the medicine without changing the ingredients.

The stricter the blockade, the more unbridled it became in private.

On the contrary, lifting the ban on newspapers is the first step to mastering it, commercializing its market, making censorship transparent, layering supervision, and politicizing punishment; perhaps this is the way out for public opinion in our Ming Dynasty.

These words left Hai Rui stunned, and he frowned in deep thought.

Zhu Zhu Yijun took the opportunity to pull his hand out and pressed Hai Rui onto a low stool, letting the old man sit and think.

After a long while.

Hai Rui finally sighed faintly: "Your Majesty sees the subtle and understands the profound; then why, when the ban on newspapers was first lifted, was it loose rather than tight, and why did words not follow the law?"

It would be one thing if the Emperor had acted on a whim.

Since you saw so far ahead, why were there no supporting decrees when the ban on newspapers was first lifted?

Letting it grow wildly, colluding with the gentry who opposed the land survey, and causing such a stir that it reached the point of needing a southern tour; was this truly not intentional?

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled awkwardly upon hearing this: "At that time, I was thinking about discussing the New Learning and spreading it widely, and unconsciously I committed the error of 'Hard Restraint,' taking too large a step."

He had mainly been preventing "Soft Restraint" and had inadvertently committed the error of "Hard Restraint."

This was completely understandable.

Hai Rui stared fixedly at the Emperor: "You cannot wait until after the Demon Book case; Your Majesty must declare the crime of violating prohibitions through newspapers right now!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun, as if granted amnesty, nodded repeatedly: "It should be so, it should be so; I will issue a decree to the Three Judicial Offices later, classifying the crimes, and then have the ministers deliberate in court to perfect the News Bureau and strengthen newspaper censorship."

Looking at Hai Rui's stubborn donkey-like appearance of not letting go, he felt that the embarrassment of being directly remonstrated by Wang Wang Zongyi in the hall a few months ago was nothing at all.

Seeing the Emperor return to the right path, Hai Rui's expression finally softened.

The latter bowed and apologized for his previous loss of decorum: "There is no one in the world who does not know that Your Majesty is brilliant in reform and decisive in action, but the sages have said: 'If you are too rigid, you will be provoked; if you are provoked, you will be arrogant; if you are arrogant, you cannot last long.'"

"Your Majesty is like the sun at high noon, with boundless longevity; why be so intense in planning governance? I dare to offend you, and I humbly beg Your Majesty to take heed!"

As the saying goes, being too rigid makes one easy to break; it does not mean the Emperor is too strict and easily harmed, but that the Emperor's overly tense mindset is difficult to sustain.

This is the lesson from Emperor Shizong—his sharpness did not last long, and he was led away by delusions.

That is why Hai Rui said that the Emperor still had plenty of time, and if the New Policies encountered setbacks, they could be taken step by step; there was no need to "not be constrained by small details."

Zhu Zhu Yijun could not help but fall silent upon hearing this, subconsciously muttering to himself: "Boundless longevity is too long."

His eyes were full of emotion.

Hai Rui looked up suspiciously.

Zhu Zhu Yijun came back to his senses and smiled: "Minister Hai is right; I have noted it down; let us speak of official business."

The Emperor humbly accepted remonstrance; what else could the minister say?

Hai Rui silently moved past the previous topic and listened attentively.

Zhu Zhu Yijun held up two fingers: "Two things."

"First, public opinion in the workshops is surging, changing white to black, but I have looked at it carefully, and these censorate officials in the court are not without involvement."

"The system of 'remonstrating based on hearsay' established at the beginning of the dynasty could only adapt to the situation at that time; now, it is somewhat inappropriate."

If he were not sitting in this position, the so-called "remonstrating based on hearsay" would have long ago become a tool for partisan strife among court officials.

That group of mountain hermits among the people, combined with the "remonstrating based on hearsay" of the censorate, had power that was simply unimaginable—even high-ranking officials like Wang Wang Xijue, Shen Li, and Lü Kun could not withstand it.

Yet these censorate officials fabricate things at will, and no one can say a word against them.

Pure officials, pure officials—when they are reduced to nothing but a mouth, they are naturally as pure as can be.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had gone to great lengths to install Hai Rui in the position of Censor-in-Chief; how could he not leverage his prestige to knock some sense into this group of Great Ming parliamentarians who have power but no responsibility?

As for the so-called "reporting based on hearsay," it was a tool left behind by the Founding Emperor to keep the hundred officials in check; Zhu Zhu Yijun could only express that he held it in contempt.

"Your Majesty intends to revoke the power of the Censorate to report based on hearsay!?"

Hai Rui's complexion changed abruptly, and he sprang to his feet!

How could such a matter that disrupts the ancestral laws be uttered so lightly!?

Seeing that the old man was quite frightened, Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled and waved his hand: "Of course not. You bear the great expectations of the world, and now that you head the Censorate, your authority will naturally only increase, not decrease."

Hai Rui's expression was hesitant; he already sensed that the Emperor had no good medicine in his gourd.

Zhu Zhu Yijun spoke unhurriedly, explaining in detail: "Reporting based on hearsay is an ancestral law that must not be changed, but the censorate officials have repeatedly fabricated matters, entangling the energy of the central government, which truly gives Me a headache."

"My meaning is that in the future, if there are reports based on hearsay, I will still send them back to the Censorate after reading them."

"The Censorate shall verify and investigate them before resubmitting them."

Hai Rui was stunned on the spot.

Verify and investigate... this is giving in name but taking in reality!

His thoughts raced, and for a moment he was speechless.

The Censorate is in charge of supervision, impeachment, and suggestions, relying almost entirely on a mouth, and is fundamentally not responsible for right or wrong.

But if they follow the Emperor's arrangement, the Censorate will have to be responsible for the content of their investigations!

Suddenly changing from pure officials to officials with real power, what would the reaction of the Six Ministries and Thirteen Circuits be?

Hai Rui pondered for a long while without expressing his stance.

It is unknown how much time passed before he took a deep breath, bowed, and said: "Your Majesty, rather than this, why not let the pure officials return to being pure, while I prepare other personnel to do the actual work."

The Emperor's way of doing things is always inexplicably urgent.

It is impossible to make pure officials roll up their pant legs and do the work.

Relying on his meager face, I fear I would only see the censorate officials bashing their heads to death in the Golden Throne Hall.

Rather than letting these people form actual resistance, it would be better to draw people from the Court of Judicial Review to do the work, even if they are just imperial students?

In this way, pure officials and pragmatic officials can be distinguished within the Censorate, and one can slowly advance like a pawn.

Zhu Zhu Yijun stroked his chin and pondered for a good while, then slapped his thigh: "Minister Hai is a veteran of three reigns; you truly find the leaks and fill the gaps. Then let us form a new team to do the work."

"Let's call it the Discipline Inspection and Experience Office!"

Hai Rui breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to accept the decree: "Your Majesty, this matter will surely be a long-term endeavor."

"If the second matter is also a major affair involving the political system, it might be better to plan it slowly."

To speak without taboo, Hai Rui knew he did not have many years left to live.

Just the first matter alone might not be successfully completed within three to five years, let alone adding another one.

If the Emperor has instructions, he should swallow them back!

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "The second is a small matter, a mere lift of a finger for Minister Hai."

He reached out and compared his index finger and thumb.

Hai Rui was half-believing and half-doubting.

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled and explained: "It is those imperial relatives of Mine; their lives have been too good in recent years, and they have become somewhat outrageous."

"It is a report from Li Li Chengming, saying that ships built by several shipyards were abandoned halfway for various reasons, and the Shipping Office allocated 13,000 silver to ease their difficulties."

"As a result, those shipyards owed money to the Grand Princess, and as soon as the silver arrived in the treasury, it was dragged away by the Grand Princess."

That is how the meritorious nobility are; if you pinch their necks, they play dead, and if you let go, they lose their way.

After hearing this, Hai Rui finally realized.

For the Grand Princess to act this way is indeed outrageous.

Zhu Zhu Yijun sighed: "I will be touring the south in a few days."

"If I continue to let these imperial relatives run wild, I fear that at some point they will harm the laws of the state and end up under Minister Hai's tiger-headed guillotine."

The interest group he raised up cannot be crushed directly, yet they must be appropriately knocked down; after thinking it over, the Censorate is the most suitable.

This time, Hai Rui did not feel troubled at all.

He held his head high and chest out, accepting the matter: "It is my duty, why would Your Majesty need to entrust it to me?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled with gratification.

"And there is my maternal grandfather..."

In the vast Zhao Wenhua Hall, Little Zhu inventoried the crimes of his relatives for the "Blue Sky" official.

He knew them like the back of his hand, speaking incessantly.

Until Hai Rui accepted the order and left, the echoes in the hall seemed to continue their narration.

Zhu Zhu Yijun watched the direction Hai Rui left, still feeling unfulfilled.

It was not until Zhang Hong reminded him from the side: "Your Majesty, it is almost noon; would you like to have a meal before continuing the audience?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hands repeatedly, just about to call for the audience to continue, when the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered something.

He glanced at the sky outside and nodded: "Just in time for lunch, I will go pay my respects to the two Empresses."

Gu Chengguang Hall is not far from Ganguang Hall.

Plus the Emperor's dragon-like stride, the crowd followed behind the Emperor, walking extremely fast.

Before long.

The group arrived outside Empress Dowager Li's sleeping quarters.

Confirming that a family banquet was taking place inside, Zhu Zhu Yijun made a gesture of silence to the eunuch on duty, then followed and swaggered into Ganguang Hall.

As he stepped into the main hall.

Zhu Zhu Yijun discovered that a large family had arrived in the hall, sitting around Empress Dowager Li.

Maternal grandfather Li Wei, Uncle Li Wanquan, Second Aunt Li Li Caiyun who married into the Pingjiang Earl's mansion, and cousin Li Li Chengming.

In addition, there was his own sister, Princess Princess Shouyang Zhu Zhu Yaoe, who had just turned sixteen this year. "Ahem."

Zhu Zhu Yijun coughed lightly.

Everyone turned their heads and was startled; seeing the Emperor had arrived, they all stood up to pay their respects.

"Your Majesty."

"Big Brother Emperor."

Zhu Zhu Yijun reached out and pressed down, signaling everyone to be at ease.

Only then did he walk to Empress Dowager Li, bow, and say: "Child greets Mother."

Her own son had arrived, but Empress Dowager Li's reaction was flat.

She was even somewhat sarcastic: "Your Majesty is busy with ten thousand affairs, it is rare to have time to come to Ganguang Hall."

Even with Zhu Zhu Yijun's thick skin, he felt somewhat embarrassed at this moment.

He smiled stiffly and managed to explain: "Mother, I will be leaving the palace for a southern tour in a few days, so all the big and small matters of the inner court and outer court have piled up together; I have truly been busy recently..."

This was the truth; from early morning, there was ancestral worship and then audiences, and even paying respects had to be squeezed into lunch time.

But just as Zhu Zhu Yijun was halfway through his words, he felt that Empress Dowager Li's expression was not quite right.

Empress Dowager Li's needlework suddenly stopped, and she seized a wind collar she had just finished sewing, gradually pulling until the veins stood out.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's intuition warning flashed constantly, and he silently choked off his words.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Regarding the southern tour, too many people had merely accepted it through gritted teeth, while secretly harboring dissatisfaction in their hearts, and as time passed, it gradually climbed.

This dissatisfaction finally reached its peak on the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month!

Some people could no longer hold back and made a move against the Emperor Wanli Emperor!

"Southern tour! Southern tour! I'll let you tour the south!"

Empress Dowager Li swung the wind collar in her hand and lashed out at the Emperor indiscriminately!

"Your wings have hardened! You decided on a southern tour behind my back!"

"The whole court knows, but you didn't tell me! Only when you wanted me to supervise the state did you let Zhang Hong come to fob me off!"

"Southern tour! Why don't you tour the south and return to the capital before seeing me again!"

Bursts of wind without any pattern blew up inside Ganguang Hall.

The Emperor's muscle memory from childhood surged wildly, and he fled in a sorry state.

The perfectly fine Ganguang Hall turned into a scene of chaos in the blink of an eye!

The imperial relatives in the hall were dumbfounded.

Ritual and law are a discipline.

When family hierarchy is clear and the atmosphere between members is tense, even an Emperor must kowtow respectfully before the Empress Dowager.

Just like Emperor Wu Sect.

Every time he paid his respects, he had to kneel and could not stand up—he would set up a seat before her, kowtow, kneel to receive tea, and never dared to sit.

When parting from the Empress Dowager, he had to kneel and beg her to stay—the Emperor and the Empress would still kneel and beg her to stay.

But when the son is promising and family relations are harmonious, these rituals become mere formalities that can be dispensed with.

Just like today.

Paying respects turned into a good beating of maternal kindness and filial piety.

When parting, it was an even more "lively" scene with the cousin and the imperial sister covering the rear to protect the Emperor's hasty escape.

Does all this not show that the Emperor is good at managing his family!

When Zhu Zhu Yijun came out of Ganguang Hall, he was tidying his clothes while trying to save face in his heart.

At this moment, his clothes were disheveled and his hair ornaments were crooked, making him look quite wretched.

Although the old lady had a heart of tofu, she was truly a butcher when it came to beating her son.

But at least he had vented the bad air in his chest and had her agree to supervise the state.

"Your Majesty, these are the winter clothes, wind collar, and Buddhist amulets woven by Empress Dowager Cisheng herself..."

Zhang Hong chased out from behind, holding a stack of clothes and accessories: "Her Majesty also said, let Your Majesty be careful along the way, and if you are not accustomed to the water and soil, return to the palace early."

Zhu Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Hong.

He let the inner officials tidy his clothes, reached out to pick up the amulet on the winter clothes, and tucked it into his bosom.

Zhu Zhu Yijun did not think the old lady was making a mountain out of a molehill by losing her temper because she was afraid her son would "not be accustomed to the water and soil."

The ancients did not understand what fish oil was for brain development; they only knew that drinking more fish soup made one smarter.

Empress Dowager Li also did not know what microbial ecology was; she only heard that when people changed places, they would not be accustomed to the water and soil.

Although with the exchange of north and south, the experience of not being accustomed to water and soil and miasma had gradually become outdated, this concern was always sincere.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Let's go, to Yuanxi Yannian Hall."

He couldn't eat the meal at Empress Dowager Li's place, so he would see if he could sponge off Empress Dowager Chen's lunch.

The hungry Emperor had to divert to Yuanxi Yannian Hall.

Compared to the lively scene of a room full of people sitting around Empress Dowager Li's place, Empress Dowager Chen's sleeping quarters were quiet as usual all year round.

An old cat carrying a kitten wandered around the hall, and a fox followed behind, looking around curiously.

Princess Princess Yanqing finished today's lessons and was sitting obediently in a chair, gnawing on a pastry.

Empress Dowager Chen, in plain-colored casual clothes, was sitting upright by the table, holding a bowl in one hand and blowing on the hot porridge with her side face, while holding a book in the other, reading with her eyes lowered, looking very engrossed.

After the Emperor stepped into Yuanxi Yannian Hall, Princess Princess Yanqing was the first to react: "Imperial Brother!"

Empress Dowager Chen heard the movement and looked up belatedly.

Zhu Zhu Yijun patted Princess Princess Yanqing's head, pulled her to Empress Dowager Chen, and bowed formally: "Child greets Mother."

Empress Dowager Chen closed the book and smiled calmly at the Emperor: "I am a person of leisure and wealth, naturally I am well; Your Majesty is touring the south, you must also be well."

Zhu Zhu Yijun's ears had grown calluses from hearing such words.

He said almost helplessly: "I understand, Mother."

Empress Dowager Chen smiled.

"Your Majesty has not eaten yet, right?"

She brushed her hair behind her ears and looked at the female official beside her: "Please bring another set of bowls and chopsticks."

Zhu Zhu Yijun had come to sponge off a meal anyway, so he did not stand on ceremony and sat down.

He turned his head to take the bowls and chopsticks, and while serving porridge, he said to Empress Dowager Chen: "Mother, I will be touring the south the day after tomorrow; the imperial edict for naming the prince will have to trouble Mother to look into it."

Empress Dowager Chen nodded lightly.

Family banquets are much more casual, and Zhu Zhu Yijun did not pay attention to any etiquette, his mouth not stopping: "I will be gone for a year; the Empress might be lonely in the palace. If Mother has time, why not get closer to the Empress."

Empress Dowager Chen nodded lightly.

"Mother's Longevity Festival is approaching; I have already notified Zhang Hong to take from the inner treasury. Would Mother like to invite the Earl of Gu'an for a family banquet?"

Empress Dowager Chen shook her head lightly.

"Is the kitten sent by Big Brother Zhang still to Mother's liking..."

The Emperor fulfilled his filial piety verbally while eating, occasionally instructing Princess Princess Yanqing.

Empress Dowager Chen and Princess Princess Yanqing both did not speak while eating or sleeping, only nodding or shaking their heads.

Just like that.

Simply, Zhu Zhu Yijun said goodbye to the two Empresses.

The eighth year of Emperor Wanli, the thirtieth day of the eighth month.

Early morning, the sky was not yet bright, and the humidity was condensing into dew.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng, Wang Wang Chonggu, Hai Rui, Shen Shen Shixing, Wang Wang Xijue, officials of the Six Ministries, and hundreds of officials of various ranks were lined up in two rows, quietly waiting outside the Meridian Gate—even Gao Yi, who was paralyzed, was among them.

Because today was the day of the Emperor's southern tour!

Outside the Thousand-Step Corridor, officials in the offices of the Six Ministries opened their doors and windows one after another, craning their necks to watch.

Wealthy people who were curious could not enter the Thousand-Step Corridor, so they had to climb to high places, secretly taking out telescopes and aiming them at the Thousand-Step Corridor.

Everyone looked at the sky, waiting for the Great Ming Emperor, who had not appeared for more than forty years, to inspect the world.

Boom!

A drum sound suddenly rang out.

It was the time drum arranged by the Imperial Observatory; the third quarter of the Yin hour had arrived!

As the drum sounded.

The heavy vermilion palace gates, accompanied by a creaking groan, opened one after another.

There was no singing from the hundred officials, no mountain-shaking cheers from the people, only golden melons, battle axes, and stirrups flowing out in a dull and solemn manner.

In the blink of an eye, the imperial guards stood solemnly on both sides of the imperial road, surrounding the waiting officials.

The mighty imperial procession flowed out of the Meridian Gate; the grand carriage, the dharma carriage, the nine-dragon umbrella with curved handles, banners, golden items, announcers, ritualists, guards, and other attendants filed out.

A newly made dragon banner was clustered in the very center, flapping in the wind.

The cloud canopy and cloud plate followed closely behind.

A figure surrounded by stars slowly stepped out of the Meridian Gate.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

In an instant, a black mass knelt down, and one could not see the end of it.

Zhu Zhu Yijun stood still outside the Meridian Gate and looked around: "Ministers, please rise."

The southern tour is without ceremony, everything is simplified—even the ceremonial guard in front of him was temporarily decided by the Ministry of Rites.

The officials received the decree and rose one after another.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had sharp eyes and, seeing someone having difficulty rising, quickly stepped forward.

He pushed aside the inner officials, personally helped Gao Yi up, and said helplessly: "Sir, do you really want to follow me to the south of the Yangtze River?"

Gao Yi sat back in his wheelchair, panting, and looked at the Emperor with kind eyes: "The Chief Minister is sitting in the central government, so I will just follow the imperial carriage on the southern tour."

Zhu Zhu Yijun could not help but be silent.

With labels like Zhejiang native, cabinet minister, and great Confucian of the School of Mind, Gao Yi's assistance in the southern tour is self-evident—plus he is childless and has a reputation for "accepting bribes" of seven eggs from a neighbor, Gao Yi's reputation and prestige in the scholarly circles are even higher than Zhang Zhang Juzheng's.

The problem is, how can Gao Yi withstand the tossing and turning of the journey?

This posture clearly shows he wants to exert one last bit of effort and return to Qiantang County to fall like a leaf returning to its roots.

Looking at Mr. Gao's appearance of having seen through life and death, Zhu Zhu Yijun knew he could not persuade him, so he could only sigh silently.

He looked at Wei Chao, signaling him to take good care of Mr. Gao.

Immediately, Zhu Zhu Yijun walked toward Zhang Zhang Juzheng again.

He grabbed the Chief Minister's hand and said earnestly: "The government affairs of the court are entrusted to you, Sir."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng scratched the palm of the Emperor's hand, frowning in confusion.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned and pulled back his palm: "What is Sir doing?"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng looked around and lowered his voice to plead guilty: "Your Majesty is touring the south, Concubine Wu has given birth to a son, and Concubine Han is pregnant; I thought Your Majesty had a secret edict to entrust to me!"

Only when Zhu Zhu Yijun heard this did he finally react.

The old man is using a roundabout way to mock him!

Zhu Zhu Yijun retorted righteously: "Sir, the south of the Yangtze River is the heartland of the country, how could it be turned into a demon's den?"

"I am neither engaging in close-quarters combat with others, nor am I going to go boating for fun."

"Where is the need for any secret edict for succession?"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng was expressionless and noncommittal, with an expression that said, "Really? I don't believe it."

The two held hands and looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Outsiders only saw the monarch and minister whispering to each other, speechless and choked with emotion, and could only be extremely envious.

After a long time.

It was Zhang Zhang Juzheng who first broke the silence and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, on the journey, it is better to believe it exists; caution is the priority."

Zhu Zhu Yijun paused and gently helped him up.

"My meals and expenses on the journey will still be transported from Beijing."

"The accompanying guards are all sons of good families; Zhu Zhu Xixiao was a guard of the Eastern Palace back then, and he is an expert in fire and theft prevention."

"The four combat battalions and one vehicle battalion exchanging defense with the Nanjing military will arrive in Nanjing even before I do..."

The Emperor seemed a bit long-winded.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng listened silently without interrupting.

Speaking to the end, Zhu Zhu Yijun suddenly smiled: "The new policies of the world do not necessarily all depend on me. If there is an emergency, Sir should assist in the government and continue to develop them; you will surely be able to stabilize the country and finalize the great cause."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng looked at the Emperor in astonishment.

He opened his mouth to persuade him.

But when the words reached his lips, he couldn't help but bow down and state his position in a deep voice: "I dare to exhaust my strength and loyalty, and follow it to death!"

Shen Shen Shixing and Wang Wang Xijue, who were closest, couldn't help but look at each other.

The monarch and minister's conversation just now was clearly the original words of the conversation between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.

Can the monarch and minister be so compatible?

Zhu Zhu Yijun watched Zhang Zhang Juzheng bow down quietly.

He did not reach out to help him up, but repeated the words from the beginning: "The government affairs of the court are entrusted to you, Sir."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng bowed again and accepted the edict in silence.

At this moment, the Zhonghe Shao music arranged by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices sounded, bells and chimes rang together, and drums and music played in unison.

Everyone turned back and saw Luo Luo Sigong, commander of the Imperial Guard of the Five Military Commissions, leading a horse from outside the Great Ming Gate: "Grand Marshal! The Imperial Guard has arrived outside the Great Ming Gate to protect you!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun glanced outside the Great Ming Gate.

The distance was too far to see clearly, only shadows could be seen.

Fan Xue Yingqi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped out: "I request Your Majesty to tour the south!"

The guards on both sides vibrated their armor, making a rustling sound.

The waiting officials all bowed and shouted in unison: "Please, Your Majesty, tour the south!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun withdrew his gaze.

Looking at the scene before him, he made no extra movements, only pressed the sword of the Son of Heaven at his waist and replied in a deep voice: "Set off for the southern tour!"

The Emperor's voice was clearly resonant, but outside the Meridian Gate, it was suddenly silent.

The shouting, calling, music, armor vibration, and bell and drum sounds all disappeared.

Zhu Zhu Yijun silently turned over and stepped onto the precious horse led by Luo Luo Sigong, riding lightly toward the Great Ming Gate.

The dragon banner followed behind.

The civil and military officials, guards, attendants, and inner officials merged into the imperial procession in an orderly manner.

The prelude to a major political event.

It happened without a sound, and moved without a sound.