[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2321825,4542,"Chapter 3: Manipulating Power, Prioritizing the Greater Good","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>“Gao Gong, what a fine Gao Gong, what a splendid Chief Grand Secretary, what a pillar of the state!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Imperial Consort, upon hearing the eunuch’s report, made no comment; she merely murmured Gao Gong’s name twice, then turned away with a grim expression, pulling Zhu Yijun along toward Wenhua Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others naturally dared not speak up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from an additional eunuch carrying a lantern to brighten their path, the group seemed unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those with sharp eyes could see that Li Imperial Consort was truly enraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun glanced at Li Imperial Consort’s sullen face and sighed inwardly—his adoptive mother was indeed a former palace maid, easily swayed and prone to wearing her emotions on her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his experience, he could plainly see this was Feng Bao’s doing, setting a trap for the Chief Grand Secretary Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Gao Gong had indeed said something foolish, but he would never be so brazen as this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao had counted on Li Imperial Consort’s lack of political experience and the separation between inner and outer court to make such a move with impunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Yijun, aware of parts of history and possessing rich experience in power struggles, understood this game perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the primary political environment now that the late Emperor had passed and the new sovereign was a child?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the imperial authority was vacant, with wolves circling all around!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one eager to tear off a piece of flesh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them was Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Office of Attendants, seeking to isolate the inner and outer courts and act as Li Imperial Consort’s proxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was Gao Gong, the Chief Grand Secretary, seizing the chance to erode imperial power through the Grand Secretariat, hoping for the Son of Heaven to govern by mere inaction, claiming to elevate the ruler to the level of Yao and Shun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two might have had grounds for cooperation, but what made them enemies was their prior feud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong had twice blocked Feng Bao’s promotions in the past!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, adding fuel to the fire meant a fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s tactic was to sever communication between inner and outer court, sowing discord between Gao Gong and Li Imperial Consort—the so-called “Gao Gong Threat Theory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was Gao Gong’s countermove? At present, Feng Bao held the upper hand; as an inner court eunuch, as long as he held fast to Li Imperial Consort as his base, he was invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Zhu Yijun ascended the throne and Li Imperial Consort became Empress Dowager Li, she could legally act as regent—and with a single word, dismiss and expel Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head inwardly—this did not serve his interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saying goes: after a father’s death, the son does not change his father’s ways for three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many days has it been since the late Emperor passed? Is it right to disgrace a three-generation veteran the moment one ascends?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know who Gao Gong is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The late Emperor’s former tutor, a three-generation veteran, the current Chief Grand Secretary, who had overseen the Longqing Reforms and secured peace on the northern frontier through the Altan Khan’s tribute agreement—his prestige was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when the late Emperor neglected state affairs and entrusted most to Gao Gong, he would still go to him and weep, “Someone is bullying me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his death, he had specifically taken Gao Gong’s hand and said, “I entrust the empire to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might as well have called him “foster father”—such was the depth of his trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To dismiss such a man is but a single word, but it drains the new Emperor’s political credibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exercise of power always carries a hidden price—and he had no intention of bearing the cost for Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun followed Li Imperial Consort step by step, pondering whether to lend Gao Gong a hand—at least allow him to retire with dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a pang of regret: unlike Feng Bao, who seized imperial power merely for personal gain and pleasure, Gao Gong had taken on responsibility with genuine intent to revive the Great Ming—yet alas, he lacked the ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao Gong had truly possessed both vision and skill, Zhu Yijun might have entrusted him with governance; after all, a ten-year-old emperor lacked the strength to rule alone and needed a proxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, there were others in the Grand Secretariat who possessed both ideals and ability—he had long admired one such man…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just didn’t know what role this man played in this game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage had not yet been set, yet all the actors had already made their presence known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun glanced at the retreating solar eclipse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising sun, still dimmed by the lingering eclipse, cast a gloomy pall over the heavens, making the sky appear even darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help rubbing his temples—it was truly a storm brewing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Wenhua Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Grand Secretary, do not forget the manners befitting a subject.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi, already past fifty, sighed deeply and pleaded earnestly with Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though both bore the surname Gao, they were not of the same clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet every promotion Gao Yi received, every step into the Grand Secretariat, had been secured by Gao Gong’s recommendation—their bond was extraordinary, and only Gao Yi could dare to speak such words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was affection between them, but now that both were in the Grand Secretariat, the master-disciple relationship was tacitly set aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretariat now consisted of only three men: the two Gao’s and Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the late Emperor’s death and the transition of power, this was precisely the time to prioritize the greater good—yet this Chief Grand Secretary’s temperament was beyond description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stubborn and obstinate was one thing, but he was also blunt to the point of repeatedly undermining the new heir’s dignity; just the other day, in the Grand Secretariat, he had lamented the state of affairs, asking how a ten-year-old child could possibly govern the empire. Gao Yi had pretended not to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, before numerous court officials, he had acted unilaterally and arrogantly, attempting to manipulate the Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi had no choice but to intervene and stop the official sent to the Eastern Palace to summon the heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, it wasn’t merely a breach of decorum—it would reach the ears of the two imperial consorts and breed suspicion between the inner court and the Grand Secretariat, shaking the very foundation of the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Gao Yi’s counsel, Gao Gong clearly paid no heed; his face was stern, his tone imperious: “Zixiang, how can a subject be so obsessed with reputation as you are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zixiang was Gao Yi’s courtesy name—Gao Gong’s words left no room for politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued: “The paramount matter now is the succession of the throne. Since I was entrusted by the late Emperor with the duty of guardianship, I must act boldly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regarding the petition for enthronement, if the heir does not come, how can I sit idle like you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have made my decision: if the Crown Prince does not appear shortly, I shall send the petition for enthronement to the Eastern Palace and demand his verbal response to settle this matter today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zixiang, please distinguish between urgency and triviality—do not delay this great matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear: Gao Yi’s obstruction was delaying the new emperor’s ascension and harming the greater good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi shook his head helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this about his reputation? He feared Gao Gong’s autocratic manipulation of the heir would sow deep disaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who ever lets someone else handle the petition for enthronement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crown Prince is young and ignorant—surely you, Gao Gong, are not? If he does not come, why not report it truthfully to the two imperial consorts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a subject, once you take a decision you have no right to make, no matter how small, you invite accusations of treason—and the consequences are unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Gao Gong’s temperament well; further words would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his gaze to the third member of the Grand Secretariat: Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng, sensing Gao Yi’s look, nodded calmly: “The late Emperor entrusted both you, Chief Grand Secretary, and me with the supervision of the Crown Prince’s studies and moral cultivation. Now that the Crown Prince is confined to the Eastern Palace, estranged from the officials, the Grand Secretariat bears full responsibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The enthronement is of paramount importance; the Ministry of Rites has already drafted the protocol—no delay is permissible. The Grand Secretariat cannot stand idle. I fully endorse the Chief Grand Secretary’s decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for what follows, I have already reorganized the curriculum and selected lecturers to instruct the Crown Prince in the classics and correct his conduct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s words carried even greater weight, causing Gao Yi’s brow to furrow deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He not only confirmed the Crown Prince’s misconduct but, under the pretext of supervising the heir’s education, intended to discipline him thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Zhang Juzheng planning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the fact that both Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were staunch reformers advocating new policies,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… that the two had already reached a tacit understanding, deliberately strengthening the Grand Secretariat’s authority, aiming to make the new emperor a figurehead and rule through the Grand Secretariat’s autocracy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own patron had given him not the slightest hint!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi stared in disbelief between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, as if trying to find flowers on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their impassive expressions, he had already begun to consider retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his suspicions were true…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi shuddered—then he might be exhumed and mutilated even after death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong, seeing this, spoke up: “Enough, Zixiang. I have my own plan—do not concern yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Zhang Juzheng, who was already looking at him; their eyes met briefly and then parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong inwardly marveled—he had never revealed his intentions to Zhang Juzheng, yet this man had discerned the truth from the faintest clues and immediately aligned himself, understanding him better than even the closer Gao Yi—no wonder he was his lifelong confidant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Grand Secretaries conversed in their circle; no one dared approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a man near the door caught sight of something outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately apologized, stepped to Gao Gong’s side, and whispered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong’s expression shifted, and he waved the man away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he clapped his hands and laughed aloud: “Zixiang, Shuda—Li Imperial Consort has finally ‘summoned’ the Crown Prince out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was truly hard-won.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than he stepped out to meet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi, having already suspected something from the whispered message, now felt a wave of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Gao Gong’s impertinent phrasing, he pretended not to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone lightened, and he casually probed Zhang Juzheng: “The heir, so young, bears a heavy burden. Gentlemen, your responsibilities are immense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng raised his head slightly, glanced at Gao Yi, nodded faintly, and said nothing—only rose and followed Gao Gong out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi watched Zhang Juzheng’s back and sighed—he had been famed as a child prodigy since youth, well-read and widely traveled; he surely knew the origin of these words, heard the Shitan  and counsel in Gao Yi’s tone, yet remained unmoved—clearly, his resolve was fixed, and he meant to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, these two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not settle for being a mere patchworker until retirement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like former Chief Grand Secretary Xu Jie, who, after retirement, enjoyed wine, beauties, and tens of thousands of acres of land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or like Li Chunfang, who, after retirement, devoted himself entirely to scholarship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or even returning home to care for one’s parents?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must the Great Ming be saved? Has any dynasty ever endured forever unchanged?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the Great Ming worthy of dying for? Did Yu Shaobao’s fate not chill the heart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, these thoughts could only remain in his mind—he had been in the Grand Secretariat for less than half a year, lacked seniority, and everything was decided by Gao and Zhang; naturally, he had no power to alter their resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very well, very well—if Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng are determined to act, let them proceed. The state has endured two hundred years, and now signs of collapse have emerged; it is fitting that virtuous men arise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Gao Yi? He had served for decades and submitted over ten memorials resigning; his heart had long grown cold. Refusing to join the corrupt factions was already the limit of his personal integrity—he would never involve himself in this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he understood this, he suddenly grasped why Gao Gong had said, “How can a ten-year-old emperor rule the realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao Gong truly wished to reform and prolong the dynasty’s life, such radical measures could never rely on a ten-year-old child raised entirely by palace women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention this heir’s natural talents—he’d be lucky not to become an obstacle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if the emperor remained aloof and the Grand Secretariat governed might there be a sliver of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This new emperor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Might have to make sacrifices for the greater good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in such musings, Gao Yi rose somewhat late and went out to meet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Gao Yi stepped outside the hall, he saw Lady Li’s procession turning away in the distance, leaving him stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t even greet the ministers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured inwardly—this heir must have enraged Lady Li terribly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen Lady Li so furious with Zhu Yijun that she was nearly apoplectic; he knew well that this time, the Crown Prince had again hidden in the Eastern Palace, refusing to accept the formal petition for succession, and Lady Li had surely lost her temper again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Lady Li could not afford to humiliate the heir at such a moment, so she left directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this heir… truly beyond words. He hides in the Eastern Palace—that’s bad enough—but let him not follow his grandfather’s example and avoid court for twenty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought this, he turned his gaze toward the heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Ming’s heir, Zhu Yijun, walked slowly forward, followed by the newly appointed Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of Zhu Yijun’s attendants during his lectures outside the Eastern Palace, Gao Yi had seen this heir many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his memory, to speak kindly, the heir had the heart of an innocent child, unspoiled by nature; to speak plainly, he was mischievous, restless, and of only below-average intellect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, he felt something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from all else, merely his bearing made him silently admire within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun wore mourning robes, his frame slender, back straight, steps calm. His expression was weary and sorrowful, yet solemn and upright. When glancing at the ministers, he was modest and restrained, yet his eyes held firm resolve. He exchanged formal greetings with everyone, meticulously precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I now assume the Hall of Literary Brilliance; I rely entirely on your loyal ministers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note 1: The Emperor, enraged, spoke to his ministers: “Our ancestors ruled for two hundred years until today; having an adult sovereign is a blessing for the state—why is the Crown Prince still a child?” He repeated this several times, pausing with each phrase, stamping his foot and gripping his ministers’ hands. The ministers replied: “Your Majesty’s life shall be boundless—why speak thus?” The Emperor said: “Someone is mistreating me.” —《Words from the Deathbed》\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note 2: When the Crown Prince began his lectures outside the Eastern Palace, the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, Minister of Rites, and Hanlin Academician Gao Yi; the Left Vice Minister of Personnel and Hanlin Academician Zhang Siwei; the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Manuscripts and Hanlin Compiler Yu Youding; and the Right Assistant Tutor of the Right Spring Pavilion and Hanlin Compiler Chen Dong served as attendants. The Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat and Hanlin Reader Ma Ziqiang, Tao Dalin; Hanlin Compilers Chen Jingbang and He Luowen; and Hanlin Examiners Shen Li and Zhang Zhi served as lecturers. Examiners Shen Yuan and Xu Guo served as proofreaders, handling imperial edicts. The Left Chief Judge of the Dalisi  Ma Jiwén and Xu Jishen served as scribes. Previously, Grand Secretaries Gao Gong and others had petitioned to select tutors for the Crown Prince, jointly recommending candidates with the Ministry of Personnel. The Emperor ordered: “Select with utmost care; no need to fill all posts.” Gao and others submitted their nominations, and the Emperor approved, instructing Gao and Zhang Juzheng to oversee the lecturers’ duties. —《Veritable Records of the Ming Mu Zong 》, Volume 5\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2771,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2f140ac47da57036deaac9517ac406d66288ba0928aaa99cfe5cb539943c6726","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-4","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-2",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]