Chapter 279: Yin-Yang Order: Warts and Appendages

A sovereign manifests reverence for Heaven and discerns the Earth; he sacrifices to Heaven at the Round Mound in the southern suburbs and to Earth at the Square Marsh in the northern suburbs, thus aligning with the positions of yin and yang.

Since ancient times, the Round Mound in the southern suburbs has been the place where the Emperor prays for rain, seeks a bountiful harvest, and confesses his sins.

By "confessing sins," it means solely the Son of Heaven blaming himself before Heaven.

But today, at the southern suburbs' Round Mound, the notion of "a minister bearing the blame on behalf of the sovereign" has emerged for the first time—the celestial omen points not to me, but to traitorous ministers.

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the ministers were nearly stunned into leaping to their feet.

They had assumed the Emperor was conceding ground on court affairs today; instead, he had grown recklessly audacious to this extent!

This was no sacrifice to Heaven—it was outright political mutiny!

Officials who had recently defied the Emperor, such as the notorious Shen Sixiao and Ai Mu, all wore expressions of shock and exchanged glances frequently.

Yet the Emperor's close ministers—Minister Ma Ziqiang, Minister Shen Shixing, and Censor-in-Chief Wen Chun—stood motionless, faces blank.

Only a group of junior officials—Assistant Ministers, Assistant Secretaries, and Clerks—utterly ignorant of the situation—were in chaos, at a loss.

Among them, those loyal and submissive reflexively knelt and begged for pardon: "We are guilty!"

Lu Guangzu, who had been lost in thought over the Emperor's words, now saw others bowing and snapped back to awareness.

He snorted coldly, surveying the ministers who had prostrated themselves: "His Majesty spoke of 'this sort'—meaning 'those others.' Why are you so eager to confess guilt..."

"Are you the very ministers His Majesty called heartless, devoid of loyalty to ruler and people?"

At this reminder, the ministers who had just knelt suddenly realized their mistake, unsure whether to remain bowed or scramble to their feet in shame.

At that moment—

A commotion erupted at the rear of the ranks.

There, Yu Shi Liu Tai, having removed his cap and held it in his hands, strode forward with head held high from the very end of the line.

All eyes turned to him.

In an instant, Liu Tai reached the front, head raised: "Your Majesty speaks of the myriad officials of the realm being steeped in wickedness, thus disturbing Heaven's harmony—your words are grand indeed, and those who hear them weep."

"Yet, Your Majesty calls First Minister Zhang Juzheng a loyal minister—I hold otherwise."

"The greatest traitor and rebel is none other than First Minister Zhang Juzheng!"

"The celestial omen points to none but him!"

Seeing this student of Zhang Juzheng step forward, the ministers instantly understood.

The true focus of today's debate had never been which minister the celestial omen indicted—everyone in court used Dong Zhongshu's system, yet none believed it more than they did.

So after the Emperor insulted the ministers, no one argued whether the comet was an omen of this or that—instead, they struck back at the critical point immediately.

The crux lay solely in the New Policies!

Zhang Juzheng was currently in mourning—his absence was the New Policies' weakest point.

Even if the Emperor now stood firm, appearing to defend the New Policies wholeheartedly,

Should First Minister Zhang Juzheng, who had governed for eight years, be removed, whoever replaced him would inevitably dilute the reforms.

If so, who else but Zhang Juzheng could be the traitor the celestial omen pointed to?

As expected, after Liu Tai's outburst, the Emperor shed his earlier self-congratulatory demeanor.

Zhu Yijun showed no concealment of his disdain for Liu Tai: "So you slander your own teacher?"

Liu Tai had prepared his reply in advance: "Your Majesty, I am first and foremost a censor of the Great Ming, your subject—only then can I speak as your student."

Zhu Yijun sneered: "Then, Censor Liu, tell us—how is your teacher a traitor and rebel?"

Liu Tai remained unshaken, speaking clearly: "I beg Your Majesty's scrutiny!"

"When the late Emperor lay dying, Zhang Juzheng feigned illness to drive out Gao Gong; since becoming First Minister, he has seized power and authority for himself, showing no regard for court protocol; he instituted the Examination and Performance System to coerce his colleagues; within a short time, he amassed wealth surpassing all of Hubei; he built a mansion in Jiangling at a cost of one hundred thousand taels, its design rivaling the imperial palace; he kept over a thousand concubines, treated with royal splendor."

"Is this not the conduct of a traitor and rebel?"

At these words, several ministers immediately echoed in agreement.

Shen Sixiao and Ai Mu stepped forward in unison: "Your Majesty."

"Since First Minister Zhang's father passed away, he has lingered in the capital, refusing to return home, and now celestial anomalies have appeared—unusual star changes."

"The sign of loyalty versus treachery is self-evident!"

"All matters must first be judged by human conscience before aligning with Heaven's will—only then can celestial portents be dispelled."

"I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Zou Yuanbiao followed closely: "Your Majesty, Zhang Juzheng clings to power, disregards human ethics and moral order, and offends Heaven's harmony—please respond to Heaven's omen and heed the people's will!"

No matter how cleverly the Emperor argued, he could not evade the moral code of filial piety.

This was the voice of the literati!

Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary who led the New Policies, must go!

Lu Guangzu, Liu Tai, Shen Sixiao, Ai Mu, Zou Yuanbiao...

Zhu Yijun watched these men emerge one after another, unsure whether he felt sorrow or triumph.

He fixed his gaze on Liu Tai, the first to speak, and said slowly: "Censor Liu, you claim First Minister Zhang amassed wealth surpassing all of Hubei, built a mansion rivaling the palace, and kept over a thousand concubines—do you have proof?"

Liu Tai was about to reply—

Zhao Jin stepped forward suddenly: "Your Majesty, censors report on hearsay; they are not required to provide proof."

Seeing someone speak for him, Liu Tai fell silent, merely bowing respectfully to the Emperor to show his resolve.

Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhao Jin—another one.

He passed over Zhao Jin, his gaze returning to Liu Tai, and said seriously: "If so, why have you not yet requested retirement?"

Liu Tai froze, assuming the Emperor meant to dismiss him, and fell speechless.

Minister Zhao Jin of the Ministry of Rites could not help speaking: "Your Majesty, there has never been a case in our dynasty where a censor was dismissed merely for reporting on hearsay!"

Minister Chen Kai of the Ministry of Personnel also stepped forward: "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It is not I who dismisses you—it is you, Censor Liu, who should voluntarily request retirement."

At this, Liu Tai was stunned.

Zhao Jin and Chen Kai were left speechless, their words choked in their throats.

Zhu Yijun offered no hesitation in explanation: "Censor Liu, you yourself said you are first a censor of the Great Ming, then a student of the First Minister?"

"As a censor, you have fulfilled your duty by reporting on hearsay."

"Then... is it not your duty as a student to clear your teacher's name?"

"If you truly uphold human ethics and moral virtue—not merely mouth empty words—you should now withdraw from office, travel to Jiangling, and investigate the truth."

"In doing so, you honor both your duty as subject and your bond as student; whether you later return to office or not, whether the First Minister proves clean or corrupt, your name will be remembered as a paragon of virtue."

Zhu Yijun paused, his tone turning cold: "Or is human ethics and moral order merely a chamber pot for you, Censor Liu—used to chastise others but never yourself?"

At these words, Liu Tai opened his mouth, his words swirling inside, then swallowed back down.

He looked utterly taken aback, tongue-tied.

Liu Tai turned slightly to look at Zhao Jin and Chen Kai.

But all he received were helpless expressions.

Seeing their response, Liu Tai's earlier boldness collapsed entirely.

Lu Guangzu watched silently, thinking once more: the Emperor truly deserves the saying—his wisdom is sufficient to repel all counsel.

At this point, Liu Tai had no other path.

Worse—if Liu Tai found no palace in Jiangling, the very accusation of "disregarding human ethics and moral order" he had pinned on Zhang Juzheng would now rest upon his own head!

And the literary leader on the dais, still furiously writing, would surely earn eternal fame.

Truly, a killing blow to the soul!

Liu Tai, facing this directly, stood frozen, caught between advance and retreat.

After stammering for a long while, he finally knelt with difficulty, as if his spine had been broken, his voice faint: "I request retirement."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand, indicating approval.

Seeing the Emperor dispose of Liu Tai so effortlessly, those who had been poised to follow suit now hesitated.

Zhao Yongxian, in particular, felt a chill of dread and buried his head behind Zheng Zongxue's back.

Yet someone always must strike the wall.

Ai Mu, undaunted, spoke again: "Your Majesty, even if Censor Liu's motives are suspect, they have nothing to do with First Minister Zhang's mourning period."

Zhu Yijun did not look at Ai Mu; apart from his actions, even his name suggested a deliberate provocation for the cane punishment.

He ignored Ai Mu entirely and surveyed the ministers: "The matter of First Minister Zhang's mourning has been debated since the end of August."

"Since we have reached this point today, let me ask plainly..."

"Why can First Minister Zhang not be relieved of his mourning?"

The Emperor asked with genuine sincerity.

The ministers' reaction, however, was unexpectedly fierce.

Minister Chen Younian of the Ministry of Personnel suddenly stepped forward; Xu Fuyuan tried to stop him but was too late, and could only close his eyes.

Chen Younian stepped closer, bowed, and said: "Your Majesty, First Minister Zhang's only words regarding the Yang affair were: 'The Way of the sages, the laws of our ancestors.'"

"Confucius asked: 'Do you not have three years of love for your parents?' Prince Wang mourned his father; Mencius said: 'Even one extra day is better than none.'"

"Thus, completing the full mourning period is the true teaching of the sages—and to violate it oneself is surely unbearable."

Wang Xijue glanced at the Emperor with concern.

The matter of Zhang Juzheng's mourning was not merely a grievance of those opposed to the New Policies—it included rigid scholars like Chen Younian.

Indeed, even from Wang Xijue's own heart, he welcomed Zhang Juzheng's return home to mourn.

This was filial piety in the Great Ming.

Even when he presided over the Ministry of Justice and encountered a case of a father committing incest, his verdict still read: "Only conceal the father's wickedness; dismiss his wife and that suffices."

Under such filial piety, Zhang Juzheng's case of being retained from mourning naturally drew forth righteous words from scholars who upheld moral principle, as well as those with ulterior motives.

If the Emperor fails to carefully distinguish between them, a great error may result.

As he thought of this, a sudden idea struck him.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Xijue stepped forward slowly: "Your Majesty, it is not that retention from mourning cannot be done, but that no such precedent exists in antiquity."

He did not know whether the Emperor had accepted his offer of aid, or simply found his demeanor mild.

The Emperor spoke softly: "If Master Chen's concern is the Chief Minister's reluctance, then it is I who insist on retention."

"As for Master Wang's reference to ancestral law, there are precedents in former ministers Yang Pu and Li Xian."

"Why so?"

Chen Younian was about to speak again when he felt a sharp tug at his back and was yanked back into his place.

Wang Xijue immediately continued: "Your Majesty's insight is profound."

"Even if Yang Pu and Li Xian serve as precedents, they did not leave their posts for less than three years—much less for a single day."

"Your Majesty may order the Chief Minister to return home, await imperial summons there, and only after completing the burial rites, reconsider retention."

There has never been a precedent of observing no mourning at all, but there are precedents of observing less than three years.

This would merely delay matters by half a year.

It would also help the Emperor remove some of the scholarly opposition.

Zhu Yijun listened, then nodded slowly.

He then cast a questioning gaze upon the ministers: "What do you all think?"

Chen Younian, who had just spoken with righteous indignation, sighed inwardly and finally chose to remain silent.

Hanlin officials such as Zhao Zhihao and Yu Shenxing exchanged glances, their faces uniformly showing hesitation.

At that moment, Zou Yuanbiao suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty."

"I disagree. Though Li Xian was retained from mourning, he was impeached by his disciples, and his act was criticized even in later generations."

"Even Yang Tinghe, when retained, resigned forcefully and earned the admiration of the scholarly class."

"The Chief Minister has built his prestige over years, yet Your Majesty would destroy it in a single day—I cannot fathom how Your Majesty can bear to do this."

Zhu Yijun suddenly shook his head and laughed: "So, Master Zou's meaning is that if the Chief Minister does not forcefully refuse, he is clinging to power—and if I insist, I am placing my minister in moral wrongdoing?"

"Once retention occurs, the minister ceases to be a minister, and the sovereign ceases to be a sovereign?"

Zou Yuanbiao seemed not to notice the Emperor's displeasure, and replied firmly: "Precisely so!"

Zhu Yijun nodded.

He no longer addressed Zou Yuanbiao, but turned to Chen Wude: "Master Chen, you are universally recognized as a gentleman, and the first high official to submit a memorial urging me not to retain the Chief Minister."

"I have a question I need you to clarify."

This is precisely why Zhang Juzheng's retention from mourning became such a massive controversy.

Even Chen Wude, who had served with the Emperor for seven years and strongly supported the new policies, disapproved of Zhang Juzheng's retention.

He had repeatedly led memorials, his language even more vehement than Zhao Jin and others.

Chen Wude had originally been unwilling to embarrass the Emperor in public and had remained silent.

But now that the Emperor had called on him, he could only step forward: "I will speak without reservation."

Zhu Yijun cut straight to the point: "If this is a matter of human ethics, why then is ritual not extended to commoners?"

"If this is a matter of human ethics, why did I observe only twenty-seven days of mourning when my father died?"

Such a question, of course, posed no difficulty to the old-fashioned scholar.

Chen Wude replied without hesitation: "Your Majesty, we scholars bear the weight of the realm, and are the eyes of the empire—we must first correct ourselves before we can correct the commoners."

"Confucius said: 'When granaries are full, people learn propriety.' Commoners often lack clothing to cover their bodies and food to fill their bellies."

"Thus, ritual does not extend to commoners."

"As for Your Majesty…"

"The sage's greatest filial piety lies in virtuous succession. The weight of state affairs, the urgency of military matters—these must be inherited and upheld without pause. To substitute days for months is an established precedent."

Zhu Yijun pressed: "To substitute days for months was invented by Emperor Wen of Han according to his own will, not drawn from the Zhou Rituals—correct?"

Chen Wude froze.

Yet he still nodded reluctantly: "As Your Majesty says."

Zhu Yijun looked at Chen Wude, Wang Xijue, Chen Younian, Yu Shenxing, and the other scholars: "Commoners lack full granaries; the Son of Heaven faces urgent state affairs—thus, mourning rites may be adapted."

"If so, now the Chief Minister holds the weight of the new policies and commands the urgency of military affairs…"

He paused, then said seriously: "Is it permissible to set aside mourning for military necessity?"

This question was not merely directed at Chen Wude, but at Chen Wude, Zhao Zhihao, and all those present.

It was also a careful distinction being drawn between the two converging factions.

As soon as the phrase "military necessity overrides mourning" was spoken, the restless Hanlin officials fell silent.

Chen Younian's eyes brightened, and he gave a slight nod.

Chen Wude hesitated for a long while, still weighing his words.

Wang Xijue opened his mouth to speak again.

At that moment, Minister of Rites Zhao Jin suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty's claim that the Chief Minister commands urgent military affairs is somewhat forced and implausible."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun's expression instantly darkened.

He drew a deep breath and suppressed all emotion.

Then he calmly surveyed the court officials: "Since so, and given today's sacrifice at the Southern Altar, with six hundred officials present…"

"Each of you, state your position."

"Those who believe retention is proper, step to the left! Those who believe it is improper, step to the right!"

"Master Ma! Master Shen! You two lead the two sides!"

He then pointed to Ma Ziqiang and Shen Shixing.

The ministers instantly erupted in uproar.

What is the Emperor doing!?

Even Wang Xijue, who favored the Emperor, could not help but turn pale and hastily kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Would this not give the opponents of the new policies a legitimate excuse to form factions!?

How unwise!

Zhu Yijun ignored them: "I have already reconsidered!"

Chen Wude, who had been restraining himself as Right Censor-in-Chief, suddenly regretted not having agreed with the Emperor earlier.

His face pale, he pleaded sharply: "Does Your Majesty intend to personally ignite factional strife!?"

The Emperor's action was utterly beyond his expectations!

Even with seven years of trust, he could not believe this was something the Emperor would do!

Zhu Yijun, seeing this, finally flew into a rage: "Is factional strife not already raging in court! Why pretend ignorance, Master Chen!"

"Do you think Zhang Juzheng's retention concerns only human ethics?"

"Do you think the reason Prince Lu was once prevented from taking his fief was merely because my mother favored him?"

"Do you know how many traitors secretly conspired last night, as revealed by the celestial signs?"

The Emperor's sudden fury, coupled with his fierce words, shook every heart.

The hall fell utterly silent.

Chen Wude stammered for a long while, unable to find a reply.

Zhao Jin and Lu Guangzu instinctively exchanged glances, then quickly looked away.

Wang Xijue stared in shock at the Emperor, then turned to count the number of guards nearby.

The Minister of Justice, Chen Yubin, suddenly staggered forward, knelt, and prostrated himself.

His voice filled with sorrow: "Your Majesty!"

"Since taking office as Minister of Justice, though I cannot claim to have fulfilled every duty perfectly, I have never once perverted justice or shown favoritism to any individual!"

"Over three years, I have cleared wrongful cases, revised laws, and clarified legal principles—all witnessed by Your Majesty and your colleagues!"

"In regard to my duties, I swear before heaven: I have no regrets!"

"Must I now be deemed a traitor simply because I care for imperial succession and human ethics, and have clashed with Your Majesty!?"

Saying this, he performed three full kowtows, his head bowed, choking with emotion.

A high-ranking third-rank official wept openly on the Southern Altar!

Zhu Yijun suddenly clapped his hands in praise and declared loudly: "Good! Since we have spoken so plainly, I too have words to say."

"Each of you, ask yourselves: how many of you truly advocate for human ethics in this matter of the Chief Minister's mourning?"

"Historically, Emperor Wen of Han invented substituting days for months, yet you all revere it as sacred."

"In precedent, our dynasty has seen ministers like Li Xian and Yang Pu retained from mourning."

"In adaptation, in these seven years I have retained countless officials under the principle of military necessity."

"In truth, this is only because the Chief Minister has pushed new policies for eight years, making him a thorn in the side of certain people!"

Zhu Yijun turned to Zhao Jin: "Master Zhao, tell me—are you merely opposed to the Chief Minister's retention, or to the new policies I and the Grand Secretariat have implemented?"

This weekend I took sleeping pills; though I slept well, I was dazed for two days and delayed

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(End of Chapter)