Chapter 33: Graping the Vines, Picking the Melons, Flowers in Full Bloom

After the screen was pulled away, a voice came from above.

“I have just ascended the throne, and already officials have jointly submitted memorials—could this be due to my lack of virtue?”

The attention of all ministers was instantly drawn.

They all looked up.

There, the young emperor held the Analects, propped his wrist on the imperial desk, slightly rose his body, and spoke with startled expression.

Even Feng Bao beside him was taken aback.

He mentally marked Zhang Jing, the eunuch who had moved the screen, for future retribution.

He then glanced warily at the young emperor, unsure what scheme this was.

Gao Yi also frowned deeply.

Only he held the status to respond to this.

He looked up at the young emperor on the dais and bowed: “Your Majesty, censors have always reported rumors and grievances.”

“Perhaps these accusers are universally despised, hence their simultaneous actions—not a coordinated impeachment, and unrelated to Your Majesty’s virtue.”

“Please, Your Majesty, continue governing with confidence; we ministers will deliberate and resolve this matter.”

The young emperor knew nothing of state affairs, so he offered these two explanations.

In short: none of your business—go play elsewhere.

Zhu Yijun knew clearly that appearing in court would draw suspicion from both Gao Yi and Feng Bao.

So he had to strike the right balance.

If he failed to mediate and was instead crushed by their combined forces, he’d become a laughingstock.

He had long understood this, and spoke bluntly: “Chief Minister, you ministers deliberate thoroughly on this matter—I will not interfere.”

“But these censors have all submitted memorials together, accusing my eunuch—my eunuch claims it is factionalism. Either way, it is too sensational. Can you explain the truth to me?”

I don’t care how you deliberate or how you draft your recommendations.

I’m just terrified—factionalism, joint impeachment—it’s all too alarming.

Just explain what’s going on—I’ll find out sooner or later anyway.

With the matter put this plainly, no one answered immediately.

Suddenly, Li Zaiting stepped forward and blurted: “Your Majesty, this matter is long-winded.”

“Simply put, Feng Da’s entire set of offices violates ancestral precedent—it is the beginning of chaos!”

Hmph, sharp eyes.

If he weren’t a jinshi, Zhu Yijun would have given the Director of the Office of Eunuch Affairs to Li Zaiting.

He ignored Feng Bao’s expression and asked curiously: “Where does it violate ancestral precedent? If not an eunuch, should the Director of the Office of Eunuch Affairs be chosen from among jinshi?”

The ministers naturally could not let this go unanswered.

Since the point had been raised, they might as well educate the emperor.

Zhu Heng, Minister of Works, a half-technocrat, immediately fell into the young emperor’s trap.

He chuckled and explained: “Your Majesty, the Director of the Office of Eunuch Affairs is naturally held by an eunuch, but according to ancestral precedent, he may not concurrently serve as Director of the Eastern Depot.”

Zhu Yijun seemed to understand.

He turned to Feng Bao and asked innocently: “Big Eunuch, is this true?”

Feng Bao’s face was expressionless, reciting like a textbook: “This humble servant, of lowly status, knows nothing of state precedents.”

“The Director of the Eastern Depot was appointed to me by the late Emperor; the Director of the Office of Eunuch Affairs was promoted by Empress Li. I never heard of any order to remove either post, so I assumed both.”

“If the court’s deliberation results in Empress Li’s approval, I shall comply.”

No matter how you spin it, this matter cannot bypass Empress Li.

You say it violates ancestral precedent—I merely obeyed imperial orders.

You deliberate among yourselves—I accept whatever outcome you reach.

Zhu Yijun secretly glanced at Feng Bao—truly unmoved by wind or storm.

At this intensity, with dozens of censors and remonstrating officials involved, mishandling could become a major state scandal.

Even his mother couldn’t stop it—let alone if the late Emperor returned from the dead!

The late Emperor once treated Gao Yi as a father, yet still was driven home by Xu Jie.

Even a de facto emperor and his Grand Secretary could be so easily ousted—how much less a regent Empress and a eunuch?

Yet Feng Bao was so unshaken—only because someone planned to turn against him!

If a few weighty ministers emerged to support Feng Bao against Gao Yi, Empress Li could calmly resume her role as judge—judges are never wrong.

What counted as a weighty minister?

Perhaps… Yang Bo, or Lu Diaoyang.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun looked at Lu Diaoyang, Minister of Rites and the second leader of the New Faction.

Good—he had requested to attend court these days precisely for this matter. Betrayal was fine; wait until Feng Bao had suffered enough.

With a curious expression, he asked: “Lu Minister, as Minister of Rites, you should understand these state precedents best—why may these two offices not be held concurrently?”

Lu Diaoyang was lost in thought and was suddenly called out—he snapped back to attention.

He bowed first, then spoke: “I dare not claim to know best, but I may explain to Your Majesty—the Office of Eunuch Affairs…”

Before he finished, Zhu Yijun raised his hand to interrupt him.

He only needed the first half—no need to hear the rest, lest he say something uncontrollable.

Zhu Yijun: “Lu Minister, court deliberation is the empire’s great matter. If the Ministry of Rites has no urgent business to discuss, would you accompany me to the side hall to clarify this for me?”

No matter what schemes you’re hatching, hold your ground today.

Lu Diaoyang opened his mouth, then closed it, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

He finally dodged: “Your Majesty, I do have matters pending in the Ministry of Rites.”

Then you definitely can’t deliberate!

Zhu Yijun quickly turned to Gao Yi: “Chief Minister, dozens of censors have submitted memorials—this matter is too grave. I am anxious, yet dare not disrupt court deliberation. Might I borrow Lu Minister to clarify this for me?”

“I ascended the throne as a child, ignorant of state affairs; my mother, the regent, a woman of the inner palace, needs Lu Minister’s explanation to understand why the censors are so indignant.”

Gao Yi found the young emperor’s words reasonable.

While the swarm of censors was terrifying, the emperor and Empress were still mere children and women of the inner palace—they might not grasp the gravity.

Fine—let Lu Diaoyang explain the current situation clearly.

Thinking thus, he turned to Lu Diaoyang: “Lu Minister, postpone the Ministry of Rites’ deliberation until tomorrow. The Emperor has summoned you—how can you refuse?”

Lu Diaoyang touched the memorial in his sleeve, his heart bitter.

Now that the censors invoked ancestral precedent, this was a perfect opportunity.

Everyone says Feng Bao holds two offices, violating ancestral law.

True enough… but isn’t Gao Yi the same?

He holds the position of Chief Minister—yet still serves as Minister of Personnel?

Ancestral precedent is a weapon; if a eunuch like Feng Bao can’t wield it, that’s fine—but for civil officials, it’s universally applicable.

Gao Yi assumed all ministers and heads of the Six Ministries stood with him, hence his boldness.

But if any minister exposed Gao Yi’s dual roles as identical to Feng Bao’s,

this impeachment of Feng Bao would become an impeachment of both the Director of the Office of Eunuch Affairs and the Chief Minister—either both are dismissed, or both retained.

Can ancestral precedent be selectively applied?

At that point, whether the New Faction or Empress Li, all could muddy the waters, claiming stability demands they both be quietly let go.

Moreover, this massive impeachment campaign targeted Feng Bao using ancestral precedent—why ignore Gao Yi?

Perhaps the Chief Minister is unaware, but are these censors truly acting for state affairs—or exploiting the issue?

Once pursued, someone must be held accountable.

These censors, and their leader Ge Shouli, are first in line.

And Feng Bao’s claim of factionalism can now serve as justification to intervene in the Censorate.

In short, the New Faction’s goal now is to seize Feng Bao while breaking one of Gao Yi’s arms.

Thus, they can keep the fire from burning too hot to destabilize court politics, yet still pin Gao Yi down until his graceful retirement.

This was the unspoken understanding between them.

It was also Zhang Juzheng’s final instruction before leaving.

Today, they planned to have Yang Bo defect and expose this layer.

But Yang Bo’s hands were dirty—he was forced to withdraw immediately after court opened, submitting a memorial begging for dismissal.

If Yang Bo failed, it didn’t matter—he was a latecomer. Lu Diaoyang was just as good.

He had the memorial from the Censorate’s Memorial Office in his sleeve, ready to strike at the right moment!

Yet the emperor had disrupted his plan.

He wondered—was today just an unlucky day?

Now under the gaze of the Emperor and the Chief Minister, he realized this was not the time.

Yang Bo and he were heads of the Six Ministries—sufficient weight; other censors lacked the standing to speak before Gao Yi.

When Cao Daye once impeached Gao Yi for ten crimes, the next day he was exiled to Qianzhou as a judge—no ripple stirred.

Against Gao Yi, no gradual tactics work.

Very well—then wait until tomorrow’s deliberation. Gao Yi cannot escape this.

Thinking thus, he replied to the dais: “Your Majesty’s request is binding—I dare not refuse.”

Zhu Yijun nodded in satisfaction, then turned from the imperial dais and entered the side hall.

Lu Diaoyang reluctantly followed.

As he passed his colleagues, he exchanged a glance with Wang Guoguang and subtly signaled him.

He also gave a barely perceptible shake of his head toward Feng Bao, whose expression was grim.

…

Lu Diaoyang had been headed for the side hall, but when he arrived, the eunuch Zhang Jing said the Emperor was waiting for him outside the Wenhua Hall.

Confused, he stepped out of the Wenhua Hall.

There, indeed, he saw the Emperor waiting outside.

Lu Diaoyang hurried forward and bowed: “Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yijun nodded and explained: “I’ve thought it over—my mother must be unaware of this matter.”

“I am dull-witted and fear I cannot fully grasp your words, Minister Lu.”

“Why not accompany me to see my mother? Explain it to both of us together.”

Lu Diaoyang froze, then hesitated: “Your Majesty, how could I possibly enter the inner palace…”

Zhu Yijun smiled: “We’re going to my Qianqing Palace—my mother is in my side hall, receiving congratulations from the Duke of Cheng.”

Saying this, he turned and walked toward the Qianqing Palace.

He didn’t forget to wave his hand, signaling Lu Diaoyang to follow.

Lu Diaoyang had no choice but to follow.

Zhu Yijun strolled ahead, speaking slowly: “Minister Lu, tell me first—why can’t these two offices be held by one person?”

There must be some preliminaries; one cannot immediately strike hard at Lu Diaoyang.

Lu Diaoyang replied respectfully: “Your Majesty, this matter is complex.”

“Simply put, the Office of Eunuch Supervision holds too much power—it controls the deployment of regional eunuch governors, the review of prisoners with the Three Judicial Offices, guard duties and camp command, and oversees the Eastern Depot.”

“The Seal Keeper and the Chief Grand Secretary jointly manage state secrets; the Drafters and the Brush Holders, along with those in charge of the Imperial Library, function as de facto deputy ministers; their subordinates and junior eunuchs all consider themselves imperial scholars; especially, the eunuch surveillance over the Ministry of Personnel controls appointments and postings.”

“This is civil authority.”

“Meanwhile, the Imperial Commissioner in charge of the Eastern Depot commands hundreds of eunuch guards and thousands of subordinates, armed with weapons and armor, empowered to arrest, surveil, and investigate treason.”

“This is military authority.”

“If both powers are concentrated in one man’s hands, the entire inner court falls under his palm—it is like holding the sword by its blade, the very beginning of chaos.”

No matter how he planned to turn, he could not abandon political correctness.

Whatever he did, his words must always sound reasonable.

Zhu Yijun murmured: “So the ancestral laws were designed to balance power between large and small?”

Lu Diaoyang’s eyelid twitched and he quickly corrected: “Your Majesty, this is not about balancing large and small or stirring discord—it is about overlapping authority and civil-military checks.”

Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly, as if deeply instructed.

Seeing this, Lu Diaoyang continued: “Our dynasty has many precedents—for instance, the Censor-in-Chief and the Director of the Tongzheng Office each have a left and right official.”

“Likewise, local military and civil affairs are divided between the Provincial Governor and the Three Boards.”

“Previously, when Cao Daye impeached the Chief Grand Secretary for holding the post of Minister of Personnel, it was precisely for this reason.”

He subtly slipped in his own agenda, quietly shaping the young Emperor’s perception.

But they were all seasoned veterans—none of them lacked a veneer of smoothness.

“Chief Grand Secretary?” Zhu Yijun seized the opening perfectly, as if recalling something, “Ah, I see—Minister Lu, you didn’t mention it, but I’ve just realized—it’s exactly what Grand Secretary Zhang told me.”

His expression was calm, as if this were truly the case.

Lu Diaoyang blinked: “Did Grand Secretary Zhang tell you this?”

Zhu Yijun wore a thoughtful look: “Grand Secretary Zhang outlined the great ills of the realm.”

“He spoke of taxation, land surveying, maritime trade, and official administration, citing examples.”

“When discussing the imbalance in the official system, he mentioned the Chief Grand Secretary, Eunuch Feng, and affairs in the Northern and Southern Directly Governed Regions.”

That was June 2nd—the day Zhang Juzheng was summoned for audience.

Zhang Juzheng had certainly not said these things—but since only the two of them were present, what they said now depended entirely on Zhu Yijun’s word.

Even if Zhang Juzheng were here, he’d have to grit his teeth and accept it.

If he liked pretending ignorance, let him remain ignorant forever.

But this left Lu Diaoyang utterly baffled.

What on earth had Grand Secretary Zhang told the Emperor?

Lu Diaoyang, being a veteran, wouldn’t believe everything he heard—he cautiously probed: “Grand Secretary Zhang never mentioned this to me.”

Zhu Yijun looked at him strangely: “What, Minister Lu, do you often spy on the Son of Heaven’s conversations?”

Lu Diaoyang’s face darkened and he quickly apologized: “Your servant…”

Zhu Yijun was merely joking, teasing the old man.

He waved his hand with a smile: “Perhaps because you’re not a Grand Secretary, you wouldn’t understand even if he told you too much.”

“Otherwise, why do you think I support the Examination of Performance system and humbly invited the Daily Lecturers and the Two Palaces to oversee its implementation?”

Lu Diaoyang now hesitated.

The Emperor’s support for the Examination of Performance system had long thrilled the New Party.

But no one had ever clearly understood his true motives.

Now, was it possible Zhang Juzheng had secretly influenced him?

Zhu Yijun gave Lu Diaoyang ample time to think, quietly observing his expression.

Seeing clear signs of inner turmoil, he pressed on: “It’s not just the Examination of Performance—everything Grand Secretary Zhang said that day I deeply agree with.”

“Land surveying, the Single Whip Tax, reorganization of the Capital Garrison, maritime transport, official academies—all of it has opened my eyes!”

“Minister Lu, this is how one truly serves the ancestral temples and the state—learn more from Grand Secretary Zhang.”

Zhu Yijun strolled calmly, his words earnest and sincere.

The New Party?

Who says it must be Zhang Juzheng’s New Party? Why can’t it be mine?

He certainly wouldn’t accept all of Zhang Juzheng’s reforms.

Their limitations—such as the forced falsification of land records in land surveying, or the Single Whip Tax’s brutal disregard for economic laws in the north—were unacceptable to him.

Of course, as per tradition, he wouldn’t dispute the naming rights—only the content needed refinement.

He had no need to steal Zhang Juzheng’s credit.

But Lu Diaoyang knew none of this.

Even with his cultivated inner calm, he couldn’t help frowning repeatedly and scratching his arms.

Zhang Juzheng’s consensus with the Emperor surpassed even his own decades-long partnership and shared convictions!?

Zhang Juzheng had never told him so comprehensively!

He’d only vaguely heard a few words about the Capital Garrison.

What were official academies and maritime transport even supposed to change?

He was no longer merely suspicious—he felt a pang of sorrow.

He had withheld things from his longtime friend, yet revealed everything to a ten-year-old Emperor.

Indeed, no matter how well one masters literature or martial arts, one ultimately sells them to the Son of Heaven.

With the words on his tongue, he forced a smile: “Yes, Your Majesty—I should learn more from Grand Secretary Zhang.”

Zhu Yijun suddenly turned around.

He looked at Lu Diaoyang with sincerity: “But what you said also aligns closely with Grand Secretary Zhang’s views.”

“Eunuch Feng and the Chief Grand Secretary do indeed violate ancestral norms.”

“Minister Lu, what is your opinion on this recent impeachment by the censors?”