Chapter 32: Rubbing fists and wiping palms, coming and going

Feng Bao seemed to have expected it and went up to meet him.

The officials turned their heads in astonishment.

They saw that the person coming was none other than the Directorate of Ceremonial's Pen-holding eunuch, Cao Xiantu, who was holding two imperial decrees but did not unfold them to read.

Instead, he looked at Zhang Xiao.

Zhang Xiao felt a shiver down his spine under this stare.

Cao Xiantu smiled gently and said: "Hai Yushi Zhang, Empress Dowager Li has a verbal instruction for you."

His words were quite polite, but anyone with a discerning eye knew that Zhang Xiao was about to be in trouble.

After calming his emotions, Zhang Xiao bowed very openly: "I respectfully listen."

Cao Xiantu restrained his smile, pinched his voice, and said: "Hai Yushi of the Guangxi Circuit, Zhang Xiao! I had only just passed by the Zhongji Hall when I heard you roaring before the throne; what exactly are you trying to do!?"

After saying this, Cao Xiantu raised his eyelids and said to the officials: "The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and already someone is bullying my orphan and widow; are the ritual officials blind?"

"Hai Yushi of the Guangxi Circuit, Zhang Xiao, has lost decorum before the hall, disturbed the young Emperor, and is to be immediately escorted home to reflect on his mistakes and fined one month's salary."

After saying this, he bowed toward the Cining Palace, indicating that the verbal instruction was finished.

After this verbal instruction was read, the hall inexplicably fell into a strange silence.

Zhang Xiao had been mentally prepared for this; he was just a stone thrown to ask the way, a mere pawn.

The Senior Grand Secretary and the censors certainly wouldn't protect him now.

He could only endure it himself; only then would there be a generous reward in the future.

However, even though he knew this was a pledge of allegiance to be handed over, Zhang Xiao couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his forehead at this moment.

After all, he was facing the anger of a regent Empress Dowager.

"Let's go, Hai Yushi Zhang."

A voice woke Zhang Xiao, and he looked up to see Feng Bao's amiable expression.

Seeing that Zhang Xiao didn't move for a long time, Feng Bao didn't urge him, but instead asked: "Could it be that Hai Yushi Zhang still wants to argue?"

He turned his head to look at the ritual official and then at Gao Gong: "Gentlemen, you don't think Hai Yushi Zhang's behavior just now was not a loss of decorum before the hall, do you?"

Even if they wanted to protect him, no one would dare to openly call a deer a horse; that would be asking to be purged.

Feng Bao saw Gao Gong silent and Ge Ge Shouli looking away, and only then did he smile.

As he nodded to Cao Xiantu, some people came to carry Zhang Xiao away, one on each side.

Zhang Xiao snorted coldly: "I will walk myself!"

……

Zhang Xiao was driven home—escorted out of the Meridian Gate by the Jinwu Guards.

This, of course, couldn't be called much of a punishment.

After all, the dynasty had always had the established rule of opening up the path of remonstrance and not punishing censors for their words.

Not to mention that Gao Gong was powerful now, and Empress Dowager Li truly couldn't use the excuse of losing decorum before the hall to severely punish a censor lightly.

As for how to retaliate later, it would depend on everyone's methods.

Dealing with Zhang Xiao was a verbal instruction; anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was just swatting a mosquito in passing, a mere addition.

The other two imperial decrees were the main event.

Cao Xiantu unfolded an imperial decree and read: "Because the former Director of Ceremonial, Meng Chong, has passed away, Feng Bao has served for a long time and is loyal and diligent in his duties, so he is temporarily replacing him; in a few days, the position will be transferred from acting to substantive; let the Grand Secretariat and all ministries and offices know."

The officials listened obediently to the little eunuch reading the imperial decree, occasionally glancing at Feng Bao.

Did the officials not know how Meng Chong died?

Now that the raw rice had been cooked into rice, they were only now supplementing the procedures for the Grand Secretariat.

Doing things by shooting the arrow first and then drawing the target was something that only those without eggs didn't need to care about face for.

Zhu Zhu Yijun also quietly watched Feng Bao from behind the crown beads.

This great companion of his was still experienced, seamless, and after receiving the news that Gao Gong was going to make trouble, he immediately knew to ask Empress Dowager Li for an imperial decree in advance to complete his shortcomings.

An imperial decree directly perfected the procedure for appointing the Director of Ceremonial and solidified the position.

But what he cared more about was that Feng Bao's understanding and influence on Empress Dowager Li were truly not to be underestimated.

He actually issued the decree during his ascension court, not even waiting for the next day.

Zhang Xiao, this mere pawn, was slapped back home by Empress Dowager Li as soon as he poked his head out.

Just how deep was Empress Dowager Li's trust in Feng Bao!?

"Senior Grand Secretary, please receive the decree." The eunuch urged.

Gao Gong didn't express his stance, and for a while, no one dared to receive the decree.

His student, the Left Investigating Hai Yushi of the Ministry of Personnel, Song Song Zhihan, looked at Gao Gong frequently; as long as his teacher gave a look, he would dare to charge into battle.

For a time, all eyes were focused on Gao Gong.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was no exception.

He saw Gao Gong close his eyes slightly, as if he had just reacted, and said 'ah': "We subjects receive the decree."

Feng Bao secretly said it was a pity.

Anyway, his butt was already seated, and Gao Gong not receiving the decree wouldn't bring Meng Chong back to life.

He was even happy to see Gao Gong continue to be at a stalemate with Empress Dowager Li, disobeying the decree.

Cao Xiantu saw that this imperial decree had been sent out and unfolded another one.

He chanted: "The new Emperor has ascended the throne, and we are an orphan and a widow, unfamiliar with court officials; according to the old rules, all officials should report their gains and losses in their posts to the Emperor for his knowledge."

As soon as he finished reading.

The officials immediately showed shock, and even couldn't help but whisper to each other.

These were not good words!

The so-called reporting of gains and losses was naturally not as simple as making a work summary for the Emperor in the literal sense.

It was a euphemism for requesting resignation!

The dynasty had always had this precedent: when a new Emperor ascends the throne, the officials should resign on their own, and whether to keep them or not was entirely up to the Emperor.

It was equivalent to giving the new Emperor a step to reorganize the leadership team.

However, a precedent was a precedent; it would have been fine if there was a tacit understanding between the Emperor and the court officials, but issuing an imperial decree to urge them was too impatient, wasn't it?

This was a naked beating of the officials!

Combined with the first imperial decree, it was clearly saying—if you dare to make things difficult for Feng Bao, then don't blame me for approving your memorial requesting resignation.

The officials couldn't help but look at each other.

Although that was the case, the decree still had to be received; there was no need to disobey such an imperial decree without an actual order.

A Hai Yushi received the two imperial decrees from Cao Xiantu without any extra words.

Cao Xiantu bowed and withdrew, as if he had never been there.

Only the strange atmosphere in the hall reminded the officials of the scene that had just happened.

……

The matter in the hall soon fermented.

Gao Gong and Feng Bao each began their blatant struggle.

First it was the censors; in just two days, several censors successively impeached Feng Bao.

Especially pointing to Feng Bao's actions before the Emperor ascended the throne.

First, Zhang Xiao took the lead, saying "I have not heard of any decree to dismiss someone and use someone else, but once the decree is passed, it comes from Feng Bao, etc., and we look at each other in shock, not knowing what to do," pointing directly to the fact that Feng Bao had illegally taken office before Meng Chong died.

Then censors followed, calling Feng Bao "a treacherous eunuch who relies on power to be arrogant, monopolizes power and disrupts politics, deceives the ruler and ignores the law, without days and without heaven, greatly failing the imperial grace, and greatly violating the ancestral system."

A charge of usurping the divine vessels and deceiving the ruler was slapped hard on Feng Bao's face.

In the past, these memorials couldn't even pass the Directorate of Ceremonial, but because of Zhang Xiao's behavior before the throne, the news couldn't be suppressed at all.

It soon stirred up momentum in the court.

The leaving of memorials unanswered accelerated the collusion of the censors.

From a few people, it increased to more than ten.

Subsequently, they brought up the stories of the ancestors, claiming that in the tenth year of During Hongwu of Taizu Gao Emperor, there was an attendant who relied on his seniority and had served the Gao Emperor for many years, so he interfered in political affairs.

Then they cited Taizu's imperial decree: "The disasters of Han and Tang, although called the crimes of eunuchs, were also caused by the ruler's trust and love…… Now this eunuch, although serving me for a long time, cannot be tolerated, and must be decisively removed, so as to punish the future."

Taizu would not tolerate eunuchs interfering in politics; now do you, the Li clan and the Emperor, want to violate the ancestral teachings?

They also advised the two palaces and the Emperor to consider the painstaking efforts of the ancestors.

Empress Dowager Li had no choice but to issue an order in the name of the two palaces and the Emperor, ordering Feng Bao to confess his crimes and remain in his post while guilty, to observe his future performance.

This was a small scolding helping a big cause, a warning punishment, not painful or itchy.

And on Feng Bao's side, he also showed the style of the Eastern Depot's factory supervisor.

He didn't know where he got the evidence of Zhang Xiao's corruption and dereliction of duty.

Without waiting for the relevant authorities to intervene, he directly led people to ransack Zhang Xiao's home.

He even brought an imperial decree, tied up Zhang Xiao, rode a horse through the streets, and threw him directly at the gate of the Censorate, stripping him of his status.

And then he brought Zhang Xiao's so-called confession and climbed up to bite other officials everywhere.

Especially several of Gao Gong's students were frequently disturbed.

With things reaching this point, the situation escalated again.

Memorials impeaching Feng Bao drifted into the inner palace like snowflakes.

From Feng Bao stealing imperial treasures, calligraphy, and paintings, to embezzling tributes and accepting bribes, to privately withholding memorials and isolating the inner and outer courts.

Even the bottom line of Feng Bao serving in the Prince of Yu's mansion was turned over.

Not only did they want to dismiss Feng Bao, but they also wanted to immediately investigate him to save the ancestral temples.

……

The thirteenth day of the sixth lunar month, mid-afternoon.

The heat was getting deeper, and the sun began to be scorching.

It not only scorched the Forbidden City but also burned the situation.

"What? A eunuch came out to report, accusing Feng Bao of killing Meng Chong?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun was looking through the congratulatory memorials one by one and couldn't help but look up at Zhu Zhu Xixiao in surprise.

Zhu Zhu Xixiao deliberated and said: "It is Meng Chong's former adopted son; after Meng Chong died, he was protected by Chen Hong."

"Now I don't know if he was instructed by someone, or if he saw the opportunity to retaliate against Feng Bao."

Since Zhu Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, Zhu Zhu Xixiao had been personally guarding the Qianqing Palace.

Major matters that Jiang Jiang Keqian was not qualified to know were also reported by him.

Zhu Zhu Yijun heard the name Chen Hong and suddenly remembered this person.

The head eunuch of the Prince of Yu's mansion, a person who had also served as Director of Ceremonial, seemed to have been brought down by Feng Bao.

He remembered…… it seemed he was Empress Dowager Chen's person?

So was this his own idea, or Empress Dowager Chen's idea?

He didn't show it on his face and asked: "Where did he report it? The Ministry of Justice or the Censorate?"

This was the difference between pursuing a criminal case and impeaching an official.

Although criminal cases were always the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, since it involved the official gentlemen, the Censorate was somewhat more useful; anyway, it was all Gao Gong's territory.

Zhu Zhu Xixiao's expression was strange: "He reported it to our Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned: "Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhu Zhu Xixiao then explained.

It turned out that the eunuch originally intended to report it to the Censorate, but the Eastern Depot somehow got wind of it and searched everywhere.

The eunuch couldn't even get out of the palace gate.

With no other choice, he had to run to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to cry for injustice, seeking protection and also dragging the Embroidered Uniform Guard into it.

Zhu Zhu Yijun heard this and asked with interest: "Then what does the Duke of Cheng intend to do?"

He estimated that Zhu Zhu Xizhong was almost angered to death.

With the inner and outer courts fighting, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was inexplicably lying down and getting shot, and he was probably hesitating about how to deal with this hot potato.

Zhu Zhu Xixiao lowered his head: "This humble servant came here precisely to ask for Your Majesty's instructions."

"Should I send it to the Censorate, or put it back in the palace……"

This was asking whether to help Feng Bao or Gao Gong.

Since he had already placed his bet, there was absolutely no reason to be half-hearted, especially for nobles who weren't worth much.

In short, it was one sentence.

When the Emperor was still reliable, the Emperor said what to do, and he would do it.

Zhu Zhu Yijun continued to look through the congratulatory memorials and smiled faintly when he heard this.

Compared to civil officials with strong self-awareness, nobles were much more sensible.

Since he had this attitude, he didn't mind giving him some guidance: "Neither. You arrange for Chen Chen Shanyan to 'happen' to take over, and see what he does."

Chen Chen Shanyan was Empress Dowager Chen's brother, a battalion commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; this was equivalent to letting Empress Dowager Chen know.

It could be called spring breeze turning into rain, a wild goose passing without a trace.

Zhu Zhu Xixiao was stunned and blurted out: "Your Majesty is not……"

Zhu Zhu Yijun closed the congratulatory memorial, expressionless: "I am not what?"

Zhu Zhu Xixiao hurriedly shut his mouth.

According to his brother's guess, this holy ruler should have intended to remove Feng Bao, so why not add insult to injury and send the person to the Censorate?

But these were all guesses and couldn't be said on the table.

He stammered and couldn't say a word for a while.

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw this and shook his head, sighing: "Zhu Qing, the Analects say, only the highest wisdom and the lowest stupidity do not change."

"You can't learn from the Duke of Cheng, so you might as well learn more from Jiang Jiang Keqian."

He arranged it this way only because he suddenly discovered that he had previously miscalculated Empress Dowager Chen's stance.

This person, as the Empress, had always been like an invisible person, so much so that everyone ignored her.

Now that there was an opportunity to test it, how could he let it go?

He wanted to see if it was Chen Hong acting on his own, or Empress Dowager Chen's intention.

These words were naturally not enough to be told to outsiders.

The pitiful Zhu Zhu Xixiao had neither the wit to guess the holy will nor the temperament to do things silently, looking like he was neither up nor down.

Seeing that he was an angel investor after all, he rarely gave him a warning.

Zhu Zhu Xixiao didn't understand what the holy words meant, but he knew they weren't good words, and he was instantly in a state of panic.

He hurriedly bowed and confessed his guilt: "This subject is guilty!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't intend to pursue it; whether Zhu Zhu Xixiao could listen or not was his own business.

He waved his hand: "Go."

Zhu Zhu Xixiao was covered in sweat and withdrew with a heavy heart.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked up, withdrew his gaze, and lowered his head to continue reading the congratulatory memorials.

Although the congratulatory memorials were empty, one could still tell whether they were written with care.

Those who had this attitude were not necessarily loyal to the ruler, but those who didn't even have this attitude would inevitably be marginalized.

Zhu Zhu Yijun could have a rough idea after reading the content.

For example, Gao Yi's congratulatory memorial was particularly sincere, which was moving, and Zhu Zhu Xizhong's congratulatory memorial was also written with care.

Like that Zhang Zhang Juzheng's congratulatory memorial, the writing was brilliant, but it was clearly not very attentive.

Gao Gong went without saying, perfunctory to the extreme.

Besides these people, there were hundreds of other congratulatory memorials.

He had taken time to read them one by one these past two days, and had only read half of them so far.

Yu Youding? Zhu Zhu Yijun picked up another one and flipped through it roughly, hmm, the rainbow fart was very well shot.

He flipped open another one, Chen Dong? Such high expectations for himself?

Shen Shen Shixing, tsk, this guy doesn't look like he's thirty, but like he's fifty.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked through them one by one, classifying these people in his heart.

Wang Wang Xijue? The congratulatory memorial from Nanzhili has also arrived?

Nanjing Ministry of Justice Secretary, Li Zhi!?

Zhu Zhu Yijun's spirit was lifted, and he silently placed this person's congratulatory memorial to the side, reminding himself.

It wasn't urgent yet; he would need this person after the classics lecture started—the Great Ming Dynasty must have its own Confucian studies.

Thinking of this, he simply organized in his heart the people he would care about in the future.

Taizhou School, Li Zhi, Cheng Cheng Dawei, Hai Rui, Qi Qi Jiguang, Lu Kun……

Just at this moment, Zhang Hong walked in quietly.

Seeing the Emperor observing the congratulatory memorials, he called out softly: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked up and glanced at Zhang Hong.

He spoke first: "Have all these congratulatory memorials been collected?"

Zhang Hong originally had something to report, but swallowed the words that reached his lips and replied: "Your Majesty, the congratulatory memorials were all collected yesterday."

Zhu Zhu Yijun frowned: "What about Zheng Wang Zhu Houwan?"

This poor relative, Zhu Houwan, was not the point; the point was his precious son, whom he could make great use of.

Zhang Hong heard the question and hesitated: "Your Majesty, Zheng Wang originally offended the Shizong Emperor and has been relatively introverted since his title was stripped……"

Introverted meant he didn't like to pay attention to people, and the people he didn't like to pay attention to naturally included the Emperor, or rather, specifically the Emperor.

Zhu Zhu Yijun naturally understood and was stunned: "Resentful until now? Didn't my Imperial Father restore his princely title?"

Zhang Hong didn't dare to take these words, otherwise it would be a charge of alienating the Imperial House.

Everything was left unsaid.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Alright, I know, we'll talk about it later. What is it, Zhang Daban?"

Zhang Hong lowered his eyebrows and said: "Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Gao will take leave this afternoon, asking you to review your lessons well these few days."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded and didn't respond.

Gao Yi taking leave, Zhang Zhang Juzheng leaving the capital to inspect the imperial tombs early tomorrow morning—the Grand Secretariat was finally left with Gao Gong alone, and the intensity was only going to escalate.

Zhang Hong continued: "Also, those two censors will impeach Yang Bo and Zhang Zhang Siwei tomorrow, asking whether to give them directly to Your Majesty or submit them according to the rules."

This was not a simple formality.

If the memorials were truly sent directly to the imperial presence, bypassing the Grand Secretariat, it would mean that some court officials had recognized the new Emperor's ability to handle political affairs.

In other words, this was a signal of support for the young Emperor to rule personally.

Once this precedent was opened, a bloody storm would immediately be set off in the court.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head; this was far from the time.

He said: "Impeach during the court deliberation."

There was no need for extra branches.

Moreover, there was no need to make such a big scene; just binding Yang Bo and Zhang Zhang Siwei's hands and feet, letting them submit memorials to defend themselves and be too busy to take care of themselves would be enough.

Zhang Hong responded and then carefully said: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing; just at this moment, outside the Meridian Gate, a censor is kneeling to submit a memorial."

Zhu Zhu Yijun was stunned and immediately reacted: "Kneeling to submit? Impeaching Feng Bao?"

Zhang Hong nodded: "It is the Hai Yushi of the Guangdong Circuit, Zhang Zhang Shouyue, saying……"

He paused, recalling while imitating: "According to the established rules of the dynasty, censors are not punished for their words, but now they are being retaliated against for personal grievances."

"A mere eunuch, relying on the power of the Eastern Depot, tying up censors and riding horses through the streets—what kind of logic is this!"

"Especially the position of Director of Ceremonial, how can he also hold the position of Eastern Depot?"

"Violating the ancestral system is the beginning of chaos."

Zhang Hong's demeanor and actions were extremely well-grasped, just like a censor.

Zhu Zhu Yijun heard this, stood up, and paced back and forth.

This had poked Feng Bao's dead spot.

Before, Feng Bao's identity was unclear, so it was fine.

Now that the imperial decree had been issued, it was a problem that Feng Bao still held the position of Eastern Depot supervisor.

No matter how big Empress Dowager Li was, she might not be able to withstand the court officials grouping together and bringing out the big hat of "ancestral system."

The so-called ancestral system, no matter how strange or ridiculous it was, as long as it was the embodiment of the collective will, the pressure it brought was realistic, personal, and no one could ignore it.

This was the same as the absurd public opinion he encountered in the department he managed in his previous life; he couldn't laugh even if he wanted to, and even if he wasn't wrong, he could only pinch his nose and admit his mistake first.

Gao Gong, a Senior Grand Secretary of many years, naturally didn't make a simple move.

Perhaps he was deliberately waiting here. These old ginger pieces, none of them were easy to mess with.

It wasn't in vain that he had been persuading Empress Dowager Li these past few days, for the sake of court stability, not to dismiss the Senior Grand Secretary unless absolutely necessary, let him jump for a few days, and then request resignation on his own.

However…… since Gao Gong had done this, he couldn't just sit idle.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Go, follow me to pay respects to my mother, and tell me in detail on the way!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 33 =====

However... since Gao Gong had gone this far, he could not remain idle either.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Let's go, follow me to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, and we can talk in detail on the way!"

(End of chapter)