[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-30":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},2321852,4542,"Chapter 30: At the Dawn of Ascension, the Multitude Roars","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>Military and civilian representatives, civil and military officials, knelt prostrate outside the Wumen, when suddenly a drumbeat rang out—the timing drum arranged by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the drum sounded, the morning sun rose, shining upon the Wumen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All raised their heads to gaze up at the city tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There appeared the Tongzan, Zanli, Suwei officials, and various attendants, filing out in sequence to clear the way and await.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud canopies and cloud trays followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure clad in the Gunmian  appeared slowly, surrounded by attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An edict!” someone cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military, civilians, and officials immediately bowed their heads: “We humbly receive Your Majesty’s decree!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked down at the sea of kneeling figures below, stretching endlessly, his chest rising and falling several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and finally calmed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, looking down, he spoke slowly and clearly: “Our state has opened a grand legacy, passing it on for ten thousand generations; our ancestral emperors, through all generations, have held one purpose—creating and guarding it for over two hundred years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the eunuchs on either side repeated his words, transmitting them downward; every few paces, another eunuch echoed them, passing the words back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layer upon layer, like a wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My late imperial father, the Great Emperor, was wise and exemplary, diligent in governance… suddenly ascended to heaven, entrusting me with the sacred mandate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, in obedience to his final edict and in accord with the people’s will, on the tenth day of the sixth month, I solemnly proclaimed it to Heaven, Earth, the Ancestral Temple, and the Altars of Soil and Grain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun paused, closed his eyes, and with full voice uttered those words: “I ascend the imperial throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Court Music Bureau’s Zhonghe Shaoyue began to play; bells and drums sounded together, music and drums united.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards on either side shook their armor, their mail rustling loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, military, civilians, and officials—regardless of their inner thoughts—all raised their hands to their foreheads, bowing once, twice, thrice, four times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chanted in unison: “Ten thousand years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten thousand years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten thousand years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collective cry of hundreds of thousands of “Ten thousand years!” surged toward the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts, cries, music, rustling armor, bells and drums—surging like ocean waves, echoing as if heaven and earth resonated, filling the entire Forbidden City!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Henceforth, next year shall be the first year of Wanli; we renew ourselves with the people…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reading of the edict continued; military and civilian representatives still knelt, listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials, however, had risen and were entering one by one through the Wumen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun also turned and descended the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he would proceed to the Zhongji Hall to receive the officials’ congratulations, but at this moment, his enthronement ceremony was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The core of the ceremony lay in the proclamation—when the crowd roared “Ten thousand years!”, the ceremony had already ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment on, he was the emperor, revered by millions of Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… this was far from over—or rather, it was only the beginning of his ten-thousand-li journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not the only one waiting for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong was waiting too—he waited for the throne to be occupied by a ten-year-old child, so he could pretend to serve a child emperor, abolish the Directorate of Ceremonial, and turn the emperor into a nodding puppet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng were waiting too—they needed Lady Li to become Empress Dowager and regent, so they could expel Gao Gong and seize sole power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun, Feng Bao, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng—their confrontation would now officially begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike regular court sessions, the enthronement audience was a ritual of officials paying homage to the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of attendees was dozens of times greater than a council meeting; the Wenhua Hall could not possibly accommodate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To display the majesty of the imperial house, the Hongwu Emperor decreed that enthronement audiences must be held at the Fengtian Hall, on the central axis of the Forbidden City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the Ministry of Rites petitioned the Two Palaces and moved it to the Zhongji Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shangbao minister’s attendants had already set up the imperial throne within the hall; Zhu Yijun sat down calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer paid attention to the ceremonial ascent; he simply waited quietly for the officials to present their congratulatory memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a round of whip-cracks and music, the officials filed in one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four nobles commissioned to announce the enthronement stepped forward first: “We, your servants, have not disgraced our mission—we have proclaimed Your Majesty’s ascension to Heaven, Earth, and the Ancestral Temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven, Earth, and the Ancestral Temple, upon hearing of Your Majesty’s enthronement, have showered auspicious colors—surely they rejoice greatly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We dare to present Your Majesty with our congratulatory memorial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, Zhu Xizhong cast a furtive glance at the emperor upon the throne, his mind swirling with thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun’s view was obscured by his beaded crown; he merely nodded: “I know your sincere devotion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Feng Bao: “Feng Qing, Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, present the memorials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao bowed: “Your servant obeys.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He descended the imperial steps and collected the memorials from the four nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four nobles returned to their ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the Grand Secretaries stepped forward: “We, your servants, offer our congratulations on Your Majesty’s enthronement, and present our memorial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereafter, officials from the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries and Nine Courts, down to seventh-rank petty officers, presented their memorials in order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything proceeded in perfect order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty has ordered the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial to collect the memorials—who are you, fellow?!” Zhang Xiao, Censor of Guangxi Circuit, frowned at Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell instantly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xizhong appeared unwell, closing his eyes tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong stared straight ahead, as if he had heard nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s lips parted slightly, in perfectly timed surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi held his tablet with both hands, as if he had expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the uninformed officials glanced around, exchanged glances with their colleagues, their eyes filled with confusion and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao, despite this provocation, maintained perfect composure—not a flicker in his eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely bowed toward the imperial desk and spoke slowly: “I am the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao swept his sleeve aside, raised his finger toward Feng Bao, and scanned the assembly: “This is the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials were all shrewd—they knew this was the prelude to trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you didn’t recognize him, even if you harbored doubts, was this the moment to shout in the Zhongji Hall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether high or low, every official who met Zhang Xiao’s gaze turned away, unwilling to be drawn into this vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceremonial officer below the imperial steps immediately shouted: “Zhang Xiao! The Son of Heaven has ascended the throne—observe propriety!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao bowed Shunshi : “Your Majesty, I have just returned from my inspection in Guangxi and was unaware that the late Emperor issued an edict replacing the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial. I am guilty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Feng Bao was Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, then surely it was by the late Emperor’s final edict?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retreat to advance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao’s words, though an admission of guilt, actually placed the issue of Feng Bao’s irregular appointment squarely on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao knew full well what play was being staged; even with preparation, he couldn’t help but glare bitterly at Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun understood perfectly—it was merely a pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, he feigned ignorance: “Zhang Qing, rise. Ignorance is no crime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are unaware—Feng Dang is appointed by my mother, not by the late Emperor’s edict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiao, of course, knew full well—he wasn’t ignorant; he had been waiting for this very moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught Gu Shouli nodding subtly; reassured, he pressed on: “Ah… so it was Empress Chen’s edict at the time. Then I have been rash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, the position of Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial could only be appointed by the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the emperor died, the empress dowager, as regent, could temporarily appoint one—it was plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though… Zhang Xiao knew perfectly well it was not Empress Chen’s edict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point in the drama, someone naturally stepped in to raise the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Ji, Right Secretary of the Tongzheng Office, rebuked: “Zhang Xiao, how dare you! Empress Chen possesses discerning judgment—how dare you slander her? Feng Dang’s appointment as Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial was made by the current Empress Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than Song Zhihan, Left Censor of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward to dispute: “Secretary Han, please be cautious. Our Six Censorates have never seen any imperial edict from Empress Li at that time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were Gao Gong’s disciples; all officials knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the uninformed officials finally realized—the Chief Grand Secretary and the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial were about to fight with real blades!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censors, the Six Censorates, the Tongzheng Office—all were Gao Gong’s men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men singing in tandem—could it possibly be without Gao Gong’s instruction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court was Gao Gong’s domain; the hapless Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial was being mobbed, utterly powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man at the center, Feng Bao, watched himself being set ablaze in an instant; though his face showed no expression, his inner hatred burned no less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he had anticipated Gao Gong’s recent move, he still felt furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long known this weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the late Emperor died, Lady Li despised Meng Chong and expelled him, promoting himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for an imperial edict… the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial could not be appointed by a mere imperial consort with a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, at that time Meng Chong was Director of the Office of Imperial Secretariat, and Gao Gong was Chief Grand Secretary; they were allies, so how could anyone possibly obey such a mere Imperial Consort’s edict?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he advised the then-Li Imperial Consort to bypass the outer court entirely and directly appoint him, thus making the deed irreversible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birth mother of the heir had rank, and he himself commanded men of the Eastern Depot—why bother with procedures or formalities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The methods of struggle within the inner court differed from those of the outer court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, cutting through the tangle with a swift blade was merely a temporary expedient; it was utterly impossible to issue a formal edict to the Grand Secretariat at that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, at best the Six Censorates would have returned it for rejection; at worst, the Li family might have been implicated—Gao Gong was perfectly capable of uttering the words “a hen crowing at dawn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereafter, thanks to Li’s suppression, no one pursued it; even if someone had, the memorials could have been retained without action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with Meng Chong eliminated just days ago, and Li now elevated to Empress Dowager, Feng Bao’s position had become unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had not anticipated that Gao Gong would dare order a Censor to expose this matter outright during the enthronement ceremony!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was meant, even if futile, to disgust and humiliate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly cared nothing for the Two Palaces or the young Emperor’s dignity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao cast a subtle glance toward the hall’s entrance, but no expected commotion followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he could not remain passive; he decisively invoked Empress Dowager Li: “Gentlemen, reconsider—did not Empress Dowager Li issue an oral decree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao stressed the word “Empress Dowager” with ironclad emphasis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was reminding them this was not merely an offense against him—he stood behind the Emperor’s birth mother, a Regent Empress Dowager!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong is one thing, but you censors and remonstrators—do you truly intend to walk this path to its bitter end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Xiao, unaware of what promises had been made to him, not only showed no restraint but escalated further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Feng Bao’s words, Zhang Xao glared fiercely, kowtowed toward the imperial desk, and cried out: “How can an Imperial Consort’s oral decree decide the post of Director of the Office of Imperial Secretariat?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then loudly questioned the assembled ministers: “Has our dynasty ever had such a precedent?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This accusation struck directly at Empress Dowager Li; the ministers all froze in shock, wishing they could flee their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What colossal battle was this, to openly denounce a Regent Empress Dowager?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao, seeing him bark like a dog, grew more vehement: “Are you, Censor Zhang, accusing Empress Dowager Li of wrongdoing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the position of Director of the Office of Imperial Secretariat could be removed with a few words, Gao Gong would have done it long ago—why wait until now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because his appointment was inextricably bound to Empress Dowager Li!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped a heavy accusation—now let the mere Censor see how he would respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, Zhang Xao charged forward, but behind him stood a host of others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, someone stepped forward to control the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong spoke indifferently: “Both of you, be cautious—do not casually drag the throne into your personal disputes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xao knew when to stop; he knew how to hold his ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored Feng Bao entirely and continued addressing Zhu Yijun: “At the very beginning of Your Majesty’s reign, how many eyes are watching? How can titles and emblems be lent to others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the congratulatory memorial was received by the Director of the Office of Imperial Secretariat, I dare not hand it to anyone else!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words implied Feng Bao was spying on imperial authority and committing the grave crime of usurping the symbols of sovereignty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli, as Left Censor-in-Chief, could not allow the enthronement ceremony to be ruined by the censors and remonstrators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and rebuked: “Zhang Xao! Do you insist on disrupting His Majesty’s ascension? Hand over the memorial and withdraw at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then added: “Your Majesty, even if Zhang Xao speaks reasonably, it is merely a matter of an inner eunuch overstepping imperial symbols—this cannot outweigh the importance of Your Majesty’s first audience. I humbly request this matter be addressed later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These censors, in mere words, branded Feng Bao as a thief who had seized the Office of Imperial Secretariat and usurped imperial symbols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gave Feng Bao no chance to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun found it absurd—these men truly held no respect for the Emperor; even his enthronement ceremony had become a battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Emperor Xiaozong had been praised to the heavens by these literati as the true benevolent ruler since the Three Dynasties—during Xiaozong’s audiences, the ministers had behaved exactly this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Ming Veritable Records of Korea, when Emperor Xiaozong presided over court, ministers held private meetings, arguing incessantly; Xiaozong could only sit on the dragon throne like a wooden statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the kind of emperor they truly wanted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Zhu Yijun had other plans; otherwise, seeing these men so utterly disrespectful, he might have openly turned on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking thus, he adopted a spectator’s attitude and took the easy way out: “Minister Ge speaks wisely. Minister Zhang, let this matter be postponed—do not dwell on it here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s disruption at court was merely the first step in bringing this issue to light—it could not shake Feng Bao’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong must have further moves; storms and gales were surely coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This opening act should now come to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xao, as the vanguard, had fulfilled his mission; hearing this, he immediately knelt reverently and declared: “I feared an inner eunuch would usurp imperial symbols and blind the Emperor’s ears and eyes—I acted in haste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my indiscretion, I disturbed Your Majesty’s enthronement audience. After retiring, I shall submit a memorial confessing my fault and await Your Majesty’s judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for Feng Bao’s case, I shall submit a separate memorial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he handed the memorial to Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as they passed, Zhang Xao let out a quiet sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and endured the humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face remained expressionless, as if waiting for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Feng Bao swallow his anger, Zhang Xao felt satisfaction; he turned to return to his place, but before he could take a step, a eunuch entered from the side hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Empress Dowager’s Imperial Edict!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note 1: In the sixth month of Longqing Sixth Year, Censor Zhang Xao of the Guangxi Circuit submitted a memorial: “At the very beginning of the Emperor’s reign, how many eyes watch every action? Titles and emblems must not be lent to others. The Director of the Office of Imperial Secretariat was Meng Chong; no edict had been issued to remove or appoint anyone. Yet suddenly, edicts issued by Ma Bao and others appeared, leaving all astonished and uncertain what to do.” — Ming Shenzong Veritable Records. Note 2: Normally, Empress Dowager Li would not issue edicts directly, but rather jointly under the names of the Two Palaces and the Emperor; here, the plot has been simplified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2853,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","af58ff5bbf422d3065bbddeadc509d7ab7f19ad1951b967a32a974a3e19ba2db","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-31","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-29",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]