Chapter 3

"Gao Gong, what a Gao Gong, what a Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, what a Pillar of the State!"

Noble Consort Li did not express her position after hearing the little eunuch's report, only reciting Gao Gong's name twice, then turned and pulled Zhu Yijun with an ugly face, continuing toward Wenhua Hall.

The others naturally didn't dare to comment.

Except for an extra eunuch carrying a lantern to make it brighter, the group seemed unchanged.

But anyone with a discerning eye could see that Noble Consort Li was already truly angry.

Zhu Yijun looked at Noble Consort Li's ugly face and sighed inwardly; his cheap Mother Consort was indeed from a palace maid background, not only easy to provoke but also liked to show her anger on her face.

With his sophistication, he could naturally see that this was Feng Bao putting a stumbling block for that Chief Grand Secretary Gao Gong.

Perhaps this person really said something similar, but it definitely wouldn't reach the point of being so arrogant.

Feng Bao saw that Noble Consort Li had no political experience, and coupled with the separation of inside and outside, it was impossible to question him face-to-face, so he dared to do this.

But Zhu Yijun knew part of the history and had rich experience in struggle, so he was very clear about such things.

What was the main political environment now that the late Emperor had passed away and the successor was young?

Naturally, it was the absence of imperial power and wolves circling!

Everyone wished they could bite off a piece of meat!

Among them were people like Feng Bao, the great eunuch of the Ceremonial Secretariat, who attempted to isolate the inside from the outside and act as Noble Consort Li's agent.

There were also people like Gao Gong, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who took the opportunity to erode imperial power with the Cabinet, vainly hoping for the Son of Heaven to rule by doing nothing, the so-called "bringing the ruler to the level of Yao and Shun."

The two were not without a basis for cooperation, but who let them already have a grudge?

Gao Gong had blocked Feng Bao's promotion twice!

Adding fuel to the fire now could be called a life-and-death struggle.

Feng Bao's method was to isolate the inside from the outside and provoke Gao Gong and Noble Consort Li, the so-called "Gao Gong threat theory."

It was just that he didn't know what methods Gao Gong had, but looking at it now, Feng Bao was still in the upper hand; after all, he was an inner official, and as long as he firmly guarded the basic board of Noble Consort Li, he would be invincible.

When Zhu Yijun successfully ascended the throne and Noble Consort Li became Empress Dowager Li, ruling from behind the curtain in a justified manner, she could dismiss and expel Gao Gong with one word.

But...

Zhu Yijun shook his head inwardly; this did not conform to his interests.

The so-called "father dies, three years without changing his will."

How many days had the late Emperor been dead? How could one be so indecent to a veteran official of three reigns as soon as he ascended the throne?

One had to know, who was Gao Gong?

The late Emperor's mentor, a veteran official of three reigns, the current Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who had presided over the Longqing New Policies, and had the Altan Khan tribute to calm the border affairs, with significant prestige.

Even the late Emperor rarely managed state affairs and handed most of them to Gao Gong, so much so that when the late Emperor felt wronged, he had to run to him and cry, "Someone is bullying me!"

Before he passed away, he even specifically held his hand and said, "I entrust the world to you, Teacher."

He was almost called "Foster Father," which showed how much he was trusted.

For such a figure, dismissal was a matter of one word, but this consumed the political credit of the new Emperor!

The exercise of power always marks the price in the dark, and he didn't want to bear this cost for Feng Bao.

Zhu Yijun followed Noble Consort Li step by step, considering whether to pull Gao Gong, at least, to let him retire with dignity.

He felt a bit sorry inwardly; unlike Feng Bao and his ilk who stole imperial power just for power and pleasure, Gao Gong had taken on power and responsibility and had the heart to revitalize the Great Ming Dynasty; unfortunately, his ability was not enough.

If Gao Gong truly had both ideas and means, he wouldn't mind entrusting state affairs to him; after all, a ten-year-old Son of Heaven had not yet grown his wings, and no matter what, he needed a spokesperson.

However, having said that, in the current Cabinet, it was not that there were no people with both ideals and abilities; he had been friends with him in spirit for a long time...

It was just that he didn't know what role he played in this game.

The stage hadn't been set yet, but the actors on the stage had all shown their presence.

Zhu Yijun looked at the gradually receding solar eclipse.

The morning sun rose, but because the solar eclipse had not yet passed, it was covered in gloom, and the sky looked even darker.

He couldn't help but rub his eyebrows; it was truly, wind and rain were coming.

Inside Wenhua Hall.

"Chief Grand Secretary, one must not lose the etiquette of a minister."

Gao Yi, who was already in his fifties, sighed softly and pleaded with Gao Gong.

Although both had the surname Gao, they were not from the same family.

But Gao Yi, whether it was his return to office or entering the Cabinet, was recommended by Gao Gong, and their relationship was extraordinary, so only he could speak up for such remonstrance.

Of course, there was friendship, but since he had already entered the Cabinet, the so-called relationship of recommender naturally faded away tacitly.

Now there were only the two Gaos and Zhang Juzheng in the Cabinet, totaling three people.

The late Emperor passed away, and the new and old alternated; it was the time when the big picture was most important, but this Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet had a temperament that was hard to describe.

Being stubborn was one thing, but he was also a straight shooter, repeatedly speaking out to damage the majesty of the successor; the day before yesterday, he was sighing about the situation in the Cabinet, saying how could a ten-year-old child govern the world? Gao Yi could only pretend not to hear.

Today, he was acting arbitrarily in front of many court officials, intending to manipulate the Donggong.

This forced Gao Yi to come forward and stop the official Gao Gong had ordered to go to the Donggong to ask for an oral decree.

Otherwise, losing decorum was one thing, but if it reached the ears of the two palaces, I'm afraid it would cause suspicion between the two palaces and the Cabinet, shaking the foundation of the country.

Facing Gao Yi's admonition, Gao Gong clearly didn't take it to heart; his expression was solemn, but his tone was exceptionally arrogant: "Zixiang, as a minister, how can one cherish one's reputation to the point you have?"

Zixiang was Gao Yi's courtesy name; Gao Gong didn't leave any face when he opened his mouth.

He continued: "Now the big matter is the succession of the great lineage; since I have been trusted by the late Emperor to assist the country, I naturally have to dare to take on the task."

"This matter concerns urging the ascension; if the successor doesn't come, how can I wait here like you, doing nothing?"

"I have made up my mind; if the Crown Prince doesn't arrive in a while, I will send the memorial urging the ascension to the Donggong and ask the Crown Prince to reply with an oral decree to finish today's business!"

"I ask Zixiang to distinguish between urgency and delay and not to delay the big matter."

The implication was already pointing directly at Gao Yi for blocking him, which would delay the new Emperor's ascension and hinder the big picture.

Gao Yi shook his head helplessly.

Was this him cherishing his reputation? He was clearly afraid that Gao Gong's arbitrary actions and manipulation of the successor would plant deep trouble!

How could one handle such a matter as urging the ascension by doing it for others!?

The Crown Prince is young and doesn't understand, don't you, Gao Gong, understand? If the Crown Prince doesn't come, can't you report the truth to the two palaces' consorts?

As a minister, one shouldn't do what one shouldn't; once done, no matter the size, it's inevitable that there will be theories of killing the heart, and fortune and misfortune are hard to predict.

He knew the temperament of this Chief Grand Secretary well, and he was afraid that more words would be useless.

Thinking of this, he turned his pleading gaze to the last of the three Cabinet members, Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng felt Gao Yi's gaze, his expression calm as he nodded: "The late Emperor instructed the Chief Grand Secretary and me to supervise the Crown Prince's study and understanding of reason; now the Crown Prince is trapped in the Donggong and alienated from the officials, the Cabinet cannot shirk its responsibility."

"Now the ascension is a big matter; since the Ministry of Rites has already drafted the procedures, it cannot be delayed; the Cabinet should not stand by, and I agree with the Chief Grand Secretary's decision."

"As for what follows, I have already reorganized the curriculum and selected lecturers to teach the Crown Prince the classics and assist in correcting his behavior."

Zhang Juzheng's statement was even more weighty, directly making Gao Yi's frown into a "Chuan" character.

His words not only confirmed that the Crown Prince had lost decorum but also took advantage of the Cabinet's supervision of the Crown Prince's curriculum to properly educate this successor.

What was Zhang Juzheng trying to do!?

Thinking again that Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were both reformists who advocated for the new policies.

Could it be... these two seemed to have reached a consensus, consciously advocating for the Cabinet, intending to make the new Emperor rule by doing nothing, and planning to push for reform through the Cabinet's arbitrary actions!?

His recommender hadn't revealed anything to him!

Gao Yi looked back and forth between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng in disbelief, as if he wanted to see flowers on their faces.

Looking at their calm expressions, the thought of retiring had already faintly arisen in his heart.

If it were truly as he thought...

Gao Yi couldn't help but shiver; then even if he died, he would have to be dug up and mutilated!

Gao Gong saw this and spoke at the right time: "Alright, Zixiang, I have my own plans for this matter, you don't need to worry about it."

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Zhang Juzheng, and just as Zhang Juzheng looked at him, their eyes met and then separated.

Gao Gong sighed inwardly; he hadn't revealed his thoughts to Zhang Juzheng, yet he had seen the clues from the traces and immediately followed, understanding him better than Gao Yi, who was closer; he was worthy of being his friend of many years.

The three Cabinet bigwigs were chatting in a circle, and others didn't dare to come over.

Just then, someone near the door happened to see the situation outside the hall.

He immediately apologized and moved to Gao Gong's ear, whispering something.

Gao Gong's expression moved, and he waved him away.

Then Gao Gong immediately clapped his hands and laughed, saying to Gao Yi and Zhang Juzheng: "Zixiang, Shuda, Noble Consort Li has finally 'invited' the Crown Prince out."

"It really wasn't easy."

As soon as the words fell, he went out to meet them.

Gao Yi had guessed when he saw the whispering just now, and when he heard this, his heart immediately relaxed.

As for the overstepping in Gao Gong's words, he pretended not to hear.

His tone also turned relaxed, and he casually probed Zhang Juzheng: "The successor is at a young age and carries a heavy burden; you two, the responsibility is heavy and the road is long."

Zhang Juzheng slightly raised his head and glanced at Gao Yi, nodding slightly without speaking, only standing up and following Gao Gong out to meet them.

Gao Yi looked at Zhang Juzheng's back and sighed inwardly; Zhang Juzheng had been famous as a prodigy since he was young, and he had read extensively and had broad knowledge, so he must have known the source of these words and heard the probing and admonition in his words, but he was unmoved, clearly his determination had been made and he was going to take action.

Alas, these two.

Wouldn't it be better to be a steady paper-hanger until retirement?

Like the former Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Xu Jie, after retirement, with fine wine and beauties, owning hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile land.

Or like Li Chunfang of the Cabinet, continuing to study after retirement.

Or even going back to support his parents.

Does the Great Ming Dynasty really have to be saved? How can there be an eternal dynasty in the world?

Is the Great Ming Dynasty worth dying for? Isn't the end of Yu Shaobao chilling?

Alas, these words could only be thought in his heart; he had been in the Cabinet for less than half a year, his qualifications were insufficient, and Gao and Zhang made all the decisions, so naturally, he had no ability to change their minds.

Well, well, since Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng have the heart to do things, let them go; the dynasty has been around for two hundred years, and there are signs of collapse, so it should have benevolent people and righteous scholars.

As for him, Gao Yi? He had been an official for decades and had resigned more than ten times; his heart had long been cold; not mingling with the turbid flow and forming cliques for private interests was already the limit of his personal integrity, and he would absolutely not get involved in this matter.

Thinking of this, he suddenly understood why Gao Gong said that about a ten-year-old emperor governing the world.

If Gao Gong truly wanted to reform and continue the dynasty, such intense matters naturally couldn't rely on a ten-year-old child raised by women in the deep palace.

Not to mention the successor's natural talent; it would be good if he didn't become a stumbling block!

Perhaps only with the Son of Heaven ruling by doing nothing and the Cabinet governing could there be a glimmer of hope.

This new Emperor...

I'm afraid he can only "put the big picture first" and make some sacrifices.

Thinking wildly like this, Gao Yi got up a bit late and went out to meet them.

As soon as Gao Yi walked outside the hall, he saw Noble Consort Li's procession turning away from a distance, which startled him.

They didn't even meet with the officials?

He muttered in his heart; it seemed that this successor had angered Noble Consort Li quite a bit.

He had witnessed Noble Consort Li being so angry that smoke came out of her seven orifices because of Zhu Yijun, so he knew that this time the Crown Prince had shrunk in the Donggong and dared not accept the urging, and Noble Consort Li was afraid she had lost her composure in anger again.

Noble Consort Li perhaps didn't want to lose the successor's face at such a time, so she left directly.

It was just this successor, who was truly hard to describe; hiding in the Donggong and not coming out was one thing, but in the future, don't be like his grandfather, who didn't attend court for twenty years.

While slandering him like this, he turned his gaze to the successor.

The successor of the Great Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yijun, followed by the newly promoted Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat, Feng Bao, walked slowly one after the other.

The Crown Prince studied in the Pavilion, and Gao Yi, as one of Zhu Yijun's attendants, naturally saw this successor many times.

In his impression, to put it nicely, this successor had a pure heart and followed his nature; to put it bluntly, he was naughty and impetuous, with mediocre intelligence.

But today, it made him feel a bit different.

Regardless of the rest, just this demeanor made him unable to help but secretly praise him in his heart.

He saw Zhu Yijun wearing mourning clothes, his figure thin, his back straight, his steps calm. His expression was weary and sad, yet solemn and upright. When he looked around at the officials, he was subtle and humble, yet stern and spirited. When he exchanged greetings with everyone, it could be said to be meticulous.

"This palace is first presiding over Wenhua Hall, and everything depends on you, the pillars of the state."

——

Note 1: The Emperor said to the officials in hatred: "My ancestors' two-hundred-year world has reached today, the country has a long-reigning ruler, it is the blessing of the country, but the Donggong is small?" He said it several times, stamping his feet and holding the official's hand once for each sentence. The official replied, "Your Majesty has a long life, why say this?" The Emperor said, "Someone is bullying me." — "Last Words on the Sickbed".

Note 2: The Crown Prince studied in the Pavilion, Gao Yi, Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, Minister of Rites and Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Zhang Siwei, Vice Minister of Personnel and Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Yu Youting, Master of the Secretariat and Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, Chen Dong, Right Assistant of the Right Spring Pavilion and Editor of the Hanlin Academy, served as attendants. Ma Ziqiang and Tao Dalin, Junior Preceptors of the Crown Prince's Household and Readers of the Hanlin Academy, Chen Jingbang and He Luowen, Compilers of the Hanlin Academy, Shen Li and Zhang Zhi, Reviewers, served as lecturers. Shen Yuan and Xu Guo, Reviewers, served as editors, working in the Edict Room. Ma Jiwen and Xu Jishen, Left Judges of the Court of Judicature and Revision, served as scribes. Previously, Grand Secretary Gao Gong and others asked to select officials to assist the Crown Prince, and consulted with the Ministry of Personnel to recommend. There was an edict to be careful in selection, no need to fill the quota. So Gong and others reported the names, and the Emperor followed it. Still instructed Gong and Juzheng to supervise the officials' lectures. — "Veritable Records of Ming Muzong", Volume 5

(End of chapter)