Chapter 283: The Oriole Leaves the Valley, Reassembling Its Standards

Wanli Seventh Year, tenth month, eleventh day, afternoon.

Wenhua Hall, warm pavilion.

……

"Shi Yaochen and Lin Tan are both capable men; their departure is truly regrettable."

Inside the warm pavilion, charcoal burned as Zhang Juzheng, dressed in plain robes and a leather belt, sat on a low stool and sighed with regret.

Zhang Juzheng had come to the palace today to submit his resignation—though only for three months, the formalities could not be skipped.

Of course, discussing official matters before departure, and giving final instructions to colleagues and disciples, was only proper.

Zhu Yijun, without lifting his head from the memorials he was reviewing, replied: "Even if one possesses the talent to govern the world and manage affairs, if he cannot serve the new policies, there is nothing to be done but regret it."

He circled one memorial and set it aside, then picked up another: "Besides, forcing them to declare their stance was merely exploiting their sense of honor, was it not?"

"Those without honor remain well-hidden in court."

Distinguishing friend from foe has always been the most difficult task.

The recent disturbance at the Southern Altar appeared effortless, but in truth, it had been simmering for months before achieving its decisive strike.

Even so, we could only identify those who were too loud to hide, those too proud to conceal themselves.

As for certain ministers harboring the spirit of sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, we must wait and press forward—there is no shortcut; their true stance will inevitably reveal itself in action.

Zhang Juzheng placed his hand above the charcoal to warm it and warned: "Over one hundred and ninety officials have been removed; this has already struck at the bone and sinew—we must not expand the scope further."

What does one hundred and ninety metropolitan officials mean?

At least thirty percent of the core staff in each ministry and bureau are now missing!

Had it not been for the two imperial examinations of Wanli Second and Fifth Years, which each added two hundred new jinshi, daily bureaucratic operations across the ministries might already have been crippled.

Zhu Yijun, hearing this, could not help smiling: "Is that many? Not nearly enough."

What are these few people?

Historically, the man on the dragon throne went twenty years without filling vacancies—and still managed just fine.

I have already pre-emptively increased the number of jinshi and immediately begun filling posts; I am thoroughly prepared, and chaos must be avoided.

Of course, Zhu Yijun had no intention for now of expanding the purge.

Zhang Juzheng warmed his hands by the fire, silently watching the emperor behind the imperial desk.

Beneath the emperor's sharply defined features, one could still glimpse the faint shadow of his youthful, precocious youth.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he now shields Zhang Juzheng from wind and rain.

He observed the emperor's calm handling of memorials, filled with profound emotion.

The emperor has truly grown up.

Zhang Juzheng gathered his thoughts slightly and asked: "Regarding the mourning observance at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, how does His Majesty intend to conclude this matter?"

Strictly speaking, this affair is somewhat unkind.

Though it conforms to ritual and regulation, its motives remain heavily criticized.

Of course, the current public opinion does not claim the emperor cannot do this—but that Zhang Juzheng has no right to make the emperor do it, as it unjustly tarnishes the emperor's reputation.

Zhu Yijun slowly set down his vermilion brush and looked up at Zhang Juzheng.

He glanced at the rapidly thinning hair of the Chief Grand Secretary and mused: "I intend to issue an edict ordering all Grand Secretaries, Ministers of the Six Ministries, and Censors-in-Chief to undergo training at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau; upon completion, they shall receive an assignment, and this shall become a permanent rule."

"After all, it is unrealistic to expect Shen Shixing and the others to go through the same formal examination as you did."

It is not that Shen Shixing lacks intelligence, but that an Imperial Councilor taking such an exam appears frivolous.

Now, with Hai Rui overseeing the examination and lending his prestige as endorsement, the literati and bureaucracy dare not object.

But we cannot repeat this again; better to formalize it as a system.

Let it be a privilege granted to the Grand Secretariat and second-rank offices.

Zhang Juzheng unconsciously touched his head and said: "There will be no resistance to this now."

Zhu Yijun shook his head without speaking.

He lacked the prestige of the Hongwu Emperor and had no authority to casually establish a new ancestral precedent with a single word; otherwise, why must he now rely on this man's precedent?

But… it will not be long now.

He finished reviewing the last memorial, laid down his brush, and stretched: "Come, I shall escort you to Wumen."

Zhang Juzheng rose as well: "Your servant may go alone; I dare not trouble Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun smiled: "You've become so formal. Of the former Grand Secretaries, few remain whom I can escort to Wumen—yesterday I even helped Ma Gong walk; he accepted it without protest."

Saying this, he turned and walked out.

Zhang Juzheng followed helplessly, protesting: "My situation differs from Ma Gong's; I return in three months."

The official restriction is three months, but additional leave has been granted for travel, so I shall return in three months.

Zhu Yijun opened the door to the warm pavilion; a cold wind rushed in, and both old and young shivered.

The eunuchs outside hurried forward, draping a fur-lined cloak over the emperor and handing another to the Chief Grand Secretary.

Zhu Yijun rubbed his face: "Has the Chief Grand Secretary visited Master Gao and Lord Lu yet?"

He did not ask about Ma Ziqiang, for the latter had already visited Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng pulled the cloak on himself: "I visited them this morning; Zi Xiang remains unchanged—alert but unable to rise—while He Qing's phlegm condition has slightly improved."

Zhu Yijun sighed, as if speaking to himself: "Once I finish these few days' affairs, I shall visit them."

As they spoke, they walked out from beneath the eaves of Wenhua Hall, one ahead, one behind.

Zhang Juzheng followed half a step behind the emperor's right side; seeing the eunuchs far back, he resumed: "Your Majesty should appoint new Grand Secretaries."

Allowing vacancies to persist was acceptable before, but now, if no new Grand Secretaries are appointed, Shen Shixing will collapse from overwork.

Here, Zhu Yijun could not help feeling regret: "I originally intended to bring Yu Youding into the Grand Secretariat after he completed the Shandong salt administration—but now he is stuck as Provincial Governor of Shandong."

He turned to Zhang Juzheng, his tone ambiguous: "Master, do you think Wang Xilie died a natural death?"

He could not recall when Wang Xilie died in history.

But the man was nearly fifty, had held office for barely two months, and died of heart failure—hardly a coincidence.

Zhang Juzheng fell silent for a moment, then replied seriously: "Your Majesty, do not dwell on matters without foundation."

Zhu Yijun fell silent.

No snow fell from the sky, only winter winds sweeping back and forth.

Zhu Yijun pulled his cloak tighter, set aside the previous topic, and continued discussing the appointment of Grand Secretaries: "I intend to appoint Wang Xijue as Minister of Personnel; when you return, he shall relinquish Personnel and join the Grand Secretariat."

Zhang Juzheng was not surprised—he had known since early this year that the emperor planned to bring this man to the capital.

But he could not help adding: "Over the years, Wang Xijue has served as Vice Minister of Justice in Nanjing, Left Vice Minister of Rites, and Provincial Governor of Nanjing—his performance evaluations have always been excellent; his background and seniority are suitable, yet…"

"Yet his temper is volatile, much like the late Duke of Ding'an."

When Gao Gong headed Personnel, he was impeached every few days—his conduct naturally contributed to this.

Wang Xijue is no different.

Zhu Yijun smiled: "I shall take note."

He wanted Wang Xijue precisely because he had a bad temper.

Otherwise, how could Shen Shixing have controlled the Six Ministries—and even Wang Chonggu—over the past half-year alone?

Since Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue are known as the "Suzhou Lovers," they are perfectly suited for this interim period of divided authority between Grand Secretariat and Personnel.

Seeing the emperor had decided, Zhang Juzheng said no more, but immediately added: "What of the heads of the Six Ministries?"

After the Southern Altar purge, half the ministers of the Six Ministries have been removed; they must be replaced.

As they walked from Wenhua Hall onto the imperial avenue,

Zhu Yijun paused thoughtfully: "There are still a few uncertain cases—Master, please advise me."

Zhang Juzheng followed behind without declining—this had been his habit for years.

Zhu Yijun leaned closer to the old man, lest his hearing fail: "The Minister of Rites, Ma Ziqiang, has retired; the Left Vice Minister, Zhao Jin, has resigned; only the Right Vice Minister, Lin Shizhang, remains."

"I intend to appoint He Luowen, Director of the National Academy, as Left Vice Minister; the Minister's post remains undecided."

There are candidates, but the question is who is most suitable.

Zhang Juzheng was surprised: "Is Lin Shizhang unsuitable for promotion to Minister?"

Lin Shizhang was the third-place jinshi of Jiajing Thirty-Eight; his seniority far exceeds Xu Guo's—his position below Xu Guo was already unusual.

Zhu Yijun replied helplessly: "I considered it, but after the Censorate's review, the Censorate of the Scrutiny Office accused Lin Shizhang of smuggling foreign taxes, and the Imperial Censors impeached him as unfit for ritual duties."

"Moreover, during his two-year tenure, he witnessed Zhao Jin's scheming yet never confided in me—I cannot trust him."

Zhang Juzheng opened his mouth but fell silent.

The Censorate's accusations against Lin Shizhang were trivial matters.

As for tolerating Zhao Jin, it was no grave crime; who knows if Lin Shizhang was waiting to enact a "Zheng Bo Ke Duan at Yan"? After all, it was the emperor who first tolerated Zhao Jin.

But since the emperor expressed distrust, there was nothing more to say.

Zhang Juzheng abandoned his attempt to persuade and searched his mind for a suitable candidate; after a moment, he said: "What of Wang Zongyi?"

Zhu Yijun heard the name and remained silent, carefully weighing the option.

Wang Zongyi was a jinshi of Jiajing Seventeen, once famed as "elevated to the Eight Seats, admired through three reigns"—his seniority was unquestionable.

Moreover, his refusal to ally with Yan Song and his son gave him exceptional prestige among the literati, making him ideal for Minister of Rites.

His only flaw was excessive practicality: whether as county magistrate or ministry official, he was always clear, cautious, diligent, and energetic, rectifying long-standing abuses.

Even commoners called him "devoted to the state and people, tireless and patient"—such a man excels in administration, but not in Rites.

Especially if he were to become Minister of Rites… Zhu Yijun's years of casually manipulating Ma Ziqiang would be over.

Yet after careful consideration, Zhu Yijun found no candidate more suitable than Wang Zongyi.

Finally, the emperor slowly nodded: "Good."

Speaking thus, Zhu Yijun did not pause, but went on to outline the appointments for all six ministries: "The Right Vice Minister position in the Ministry of War is vacant; I have designated Chen Jingbang for it."

"The vacancy in the Ministry of Personnel left by Chen Kai's retirement will remain unfilled for now; let Yao Hongmo assist Wang Xijue alone—they are both steady and can learn to work well together."

"For the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, I favor Xu Guo."

"The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who oversees the granaries, has yet to be decided upon."

Zhang Juzheng listened quietly as the emperor recited these appointments as if they were household items.

When the emperor reached the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Juzheng immediately responded: "What about Fan Yingqi?"

Zhu Yijun's pace slowed abruptly.

Fan Yingqi… Zhu Yijun hesitated.

Fan was personally unproblematic—a top imperial graduate, currently Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, with exactly the right seniority and experience.

It's just that the family's moral standards were poor—the family engaged in land consolidation, accidentally sparked a mass incident, and the imperial examination top scorer was ultimately forced to commit suicide, making his background extremely complicated.

After long consideration, Zhu Yijun decided to give him a chance: "Then as you suggest, I shall have Shen Shixing oversee the court nomination."

This is the difference between wielding power and not wielding it.

The appointment of the heads of the six ministries rests with the court nomination process.

If the emperor held no real power, he wouldn't even see the names of candidates, let alone appoint whom he wished.

But now… well, it's only fitting to be considerate of Shen Shixing and let him play the role of a passive, ceremonial minister.

In just a few words, the new heads of the six ministries were decided—seemingly easy, yet Zhu Yijun already sensed a severe shortage of talent.

After exhausting the pool of familiar faces like Zhang Juzheng and Shen Shixing, others must undergo repeated screenings for both competence and trustworthiness—Lin Shizhang, for instance, has already failed the test.

And this will inevitably consume vast amounts of Zhu Yijun's time and energy.

Just as we've just discussed—the ministers He Luowen, Chen Jingbang, Xu Guo, and Fan Yingqi—all were jinshi of the forty-fourth year of Jiajing, all former lecturers in the Imperial Study, and since Wanli's first year, they have served in provincial posts and both the northern and southern capitals, finally completing their training and earning trust.

But as noted, this was only possible because they were Imperial Lecturers.

After this, Zhu Yijun could no longer afford to spend vast amounts of time on lectures and scholarly discussions as he once did.

One can only say… the value of Secretariat Secretaries continues to rise.

As he was lost in thought, Zhang Juzheng's voice pulled Zhu Yijun back to reality.

"Your Majesty, after I depart, I urge you to think thrice before acting on any matter."

The Meridian Gate loomed in the distance; Zhang Juzheng had already begun to speak his farewells.

Zhu Yijun took his hand from beneath his cloak and grasped Zhang Juzheng's: "You just said half a year isn't long."

Zhang Juzheng sighed helplessly, allowing the emperor to pull his hand out of the cloak and expose it to the biting wind.

He continued with his advice: "Your Majesty, once land survey and household registration begin, the situation will intensify. After the central government completes its part, there may be a brief respite, but locally, unrest will surely flare up—please proceed with caution and steady progress."

Zhu Yijun nodded.

He had long anticipated Zhang Juzheng's warning and would not take it lightly.

What was the scene like during Zhang Juzheng's historical land survey?

The governor of Fengyang, Jiang Yilin, reported: in northern Jiangsu, soldiers and civilians lived intermixed, and bandits rose and fell.

The governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi reported: banditry has recently multiplied.

The governor and censor of Sichuan, Wang Tingshan, reported: counties such as Zhao and Jianchang had suffered devastating raids and burnings.

And this was merely what emerged in a single month.

Meanwhile, Japanese pirates plagued Zhejiang, forest bandits swarmed Shandong, mine rebels erupted in Huguang, and White Lotus sectarians stirred in Henan—all appearing in quick succession.

If one respects objective reality, these very events will soon land on Zhu Yijun's desk.

That is what is meant by "unwilling to remain idle."

But equally, the central government must not be dragged around by these disturbances.

No matter how intense the resistance, the land survey must not stop—once land is surveyed, banditry will gradually subside.

Zhu Yijun gripped Zhang Juzheng's hand, his expression earnest: "Master, rest assured—I understand."

He paused, then added: "The tax officials recently recruited by the Ministry of Revenue will be dispatched alongside the Embroidered Uniform Guard to supervise the provinces after the New Year."

"We aim to complete the land survey and household registration within three years."

Land surveying employs the square method, calculating area through diameter and circumference, adjusting irregular plots.

Without clerks skilled in arithmetic, this task cannot be done.

Thus, sending skilled arithmeticians from the center to assist the provinces is entirely reasonable.

And the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Merely for protection—equally reasonable.

Zhang Juzheng asked curiously: "Who will oversee this?"

Zhu Yijun had already prepared his answer: "Shen Li."

Zhang Juzheng fell silent for a moment, recalling Shen Li's character.

To be honest, he had never held a favorable impression of him.

Shen Li was a fellow native of Henan from Gao Gong's circle and had once refused an offer from the Marquis of Ding'an.

Zhang Juzheng's ears had inevitably heard many disparaging remarks about Shen Li.

But now, upon calm reflection, he suddenly realized that such a rigid traditionalist might be precisely suited for this task.

Zhang Juzheng slowly nodded: "Your Majesty has his own judgment."

After saying this, he hesitated, then added a final warning: "Your Majesty, please strictly restrain the tax officials and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, lest they provoke unnecessary trouble."

Zhu Yijun, far from being offended, smiled: "That is precisely why I will send censors and eunuchs to accompany them as supervisors."

Establishing a full-fledged tax-and-police apparatus won't be easy, but for this special mission of land survey, it's straightforward enough—a solid foundation laid.

As they reached the Meridian Gate, Zhang Juzheng felt he still had too much to say and halted.

Zhang Juzheng subtly studied the emperor's physique and advised: "Your Majesty, after the New Year, perhaps you should inspect the Beijing garrison troops."

This had been proposed by Zhang Juzheng since the emperor's accession, but was then rejected on grounds of the emperor's insufficient stature to command respect from soldiers.

Seven years later, the timing is now ripe.

Zhu Yijun did not immediately agree this time either; after a moment's thought, he replied cautiously: "I shall consult with Grand Secretary Wang and General Gu first."

Though he did not commit, he was inwardly inclined.

Thanks to his balanced diet of meat, eggs, and dairy, combined with morning exercise, jogging, and archery practice, he had now grown to nearly 1.7 meters tall by age seventeen.

Physically, there was little concern—only political implications needed consideration.

As long as Wang Chonggu supported it and Minister of War Shi Maohua did not react too strongly, there would be no major issue.

Zhang Juzheng removed his cloak and returned it to the eunuch, then looked at the emperor and hesitated: "Your Majesty, if Shen Shixing loses control of the situation, you may write to me."

His hesitation stemmed from the fact that this remark bordered on overstepping.

But he could not help saying it.

Zhu Yijun could not help but grin: "For eight years now, I have never done anything foolish—Master, rest easy and return home."

He then took the cloak back and draped it over Zhang Juzheng's shoulders.

Zhang Juzheng himself felt slightly embarrassed and smiled in return.

He composed himself, stepped back half a pace, and bowed deeply to the emperor: "I depart now—Your Majesty, take great care in all matters."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "I shall watch you depart from the city wall."

With that, one turned and exited the Meridian Gate, while the other ascended the steps to the rampart.

As Zhang Juzheng's figure faded down the thousand-step avenue, Zhu Yijun stood on the wall, gazing into the distance.

When Zhang Juzheng's silhouette vanished entirely, Zhu Yijun finally spoke softly: "Big Bao, what else have I yet to do?"

Zhang Hong, aged slightly over the past four years, stepped forward from behind the emperor and bowed: "Your Majesty, you mentioned earlier this month that after the southern altar rites, you would personally tour Shuntian Prefecture."

Zhu Yijun suddenly remembered—he had forgotten to appoint a Shuntian Prefect.

He turned to Zhang Hong: "Big Bao, send another note to Shen Shixing and Wang Chonggu."

"Tomorrow's court meeting will nominate a candidate for Shuntian Prefect to accompany me on the tour."

"Also, discuss the New Year's military review."

Lately I've been having trouble sleeping and feeling anxious, but I discovered a particularly soothing travel vlogger—like a traveling bullfrog—named Lan Zhanfei (this reflects only my brief personal impression from the videos viewed so far and does not endorse any future inappropriate statements he might make). 【188】 (End of Chapter)

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(End of chapter)