[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-35":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},2321857,4542,"Chapter 35: Offering Alternatives, Creating Something from Nothing","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>After the screen was pulled away, a voice came from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have just ascended the throne, and already officials have jointly submitted memorials—could this be due to my lack of virtue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attention of all ministers was instantly drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, the young emperor held the Analects, propped his wrist on the imperial desk, slightly rose his body, and spoke with startled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Feng Bao beside him was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mentally marked Zhang Jing, the eunuch who had moved the screen, for future retribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then glanced warily at the young emperor, unsure what scheme this was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong also frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, only he held the status to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the young emperor on the dais and bowed: “Your Majesty, censors have always reported rumors and grievances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps these accusers are universally despised, hence their simultaneous action—not a coordinated impeachment, and unrelated to Your Majesty’s virtue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Your Majesty, continue governing with confidence; our court deliberations are precisely to address this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young emperor knew nothing of state affairs, so Gao Gong offered these two explanations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short: it has nothing to do with you; go play by yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun knew clearly that appearing in court deliberations would draw suspicion from both Gao Gong and Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he must strike the right balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he failed to mediate and was instead crushed by their combined forces, he’d become a laughingstock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long understood this, so he spoke bluntly: “Grand Secretary, you court ministers deliberate this matter thoroughly—I will not interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But these censors have all submitted memorials together, accusing my eunuch—yet my eunuch claims this is factionalism. Either way, it’s alarmingly outrageous. Can you explain the truth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t care how you deliberate or what draft edicts you prepare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just terrified—factionalism, joint impeachment—it’s too shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just explain what’s going on—I’ll find out sooner or later anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the matter put so plainly, no one answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Li Zaiting stepped forward and blurted: “Your Majesty, this matter is lengthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short, Feng Da’s entire portfolio violates ancestral precedent—it is the beginning of chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph, sharp eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he weren’t a jinshi, Zhu Yijun would have given Feng Bao’s position as Director of the Office of Attendants to Li Zaiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored Feng Bao’s expression and asked curiously: “Where is ancestral precedent violated? Must the Director of the Office of Attendants not be an eunuch—should he be chosen from among jinshi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court ministers naturally could not let this pass unchallenged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the point had been raised, they might as well educate the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Heng, Minister of Works, a half-technocrat, immediately fell into the young emperor’s trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled and explained: “Your Majesty, the Director of the Office of Attendants is naturally held by an eunuch—but according to ancestral precedent, he may no longer concurrently serve as Director of the Eastern Depot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun seemed to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Feng Bao and asked innocently: “Eunuch, is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s face was expressionless, reciting mechanically: “This humble servant, of lowly status, understands nothing of state precedents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Director of the Eastern Depot was appointed by the late Emperor; the Director of the Office of Attendants was promoted by Empress Li. I never heard of any order to remove either post, so I assumed both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the court’s deliberation leads the Empress Dowager to approve, I shall comply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much was said, the matter could not bypass Empress Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You say I violate ancestral precedent—I merely obeyed imperial orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deliberate among yourselves; I accept whatever outcome you reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun secretly glanced at Feng Bao—he was utterly unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this intensity, with dozens of censors and remonstrating officials involved, mishandling could become a major state scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his mother couldn’t stop it—let alone if the late Emperor returned from the dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The late Emperor once treated Gao Gong as a father, yet still was driven home by Xu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a mature emperor and his grand secretary could not withstand such pressure—how much less a regent empress dowager and a eunuch?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Feng Bao was so unshaken—only because someone planned to betray him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a few weighty court ministers stepped forward to support Feng Bao against Gao Gong, Empress Li could calmly resume her role as judge—judges, after all, can never be wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who, then, were the weighty court ministers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps… Yang Bo, or Lu Diaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun turned to Lu Diaoyang, Minister of Rites and the second leader of the New Party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good—he had requested to attend court these days precisely for this matter; betrayal was fine, but wait until Feng Bao had suffered enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a curious expression, he asked: “Lu Minister, as Minister of Rites, you should understand these state precedents best—why may these two posts not be held concurrently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang, lost in thought, was suddenly called out and snapped back to attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed first, then said: “I dare not claim to know best, but I may explain to Your Majesty—regarding the Office of Attendants…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, Zhu Yijun raised his hand to interrupt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only needed the first half—no need to hear the rest, lest he say something uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun: “Lu Minister, court deliberations are the empire’s paramount affairs. If the Ministry of Rites has no urgent matters to discuss, might you accompany me to the side hall to clarify this matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever schemes you’re hatching, hold them until today is over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang opened his mouth, then closed it, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he dodged: “Your Majesty, I do have matters pending in the Ministry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then you absolutely cannot deliberate them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun quickly turned to Gao Gong: “Grand Secretary, dozens of censors have submitted memorials—this matter is too grave. I am anxious, yet dare not disrupt court deliberations. Might I borrow Lu Minister to clarify this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong found the young emperor’s words reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the swarm of censors was terrifying, the emperor and empress dowager were still mere children and women—they might not grasp the gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine—let Lu Diaoyang explain the current situation clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking thus, he turned to Lu Diaoyang: “Lu Minister, postpone the Ministry of Rites’ deliberations until tomorrow. The Emperor’s summons cannot be refused.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang touched the memorial in his sleeve, his heart bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The censors invoking ancestral precedent was a perfect opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone says Feng Bao holds dual posts, violating ancestral law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True enough… but isn’t Gao Gong the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s already Chief Grand Secretary—why does he still hold the post of Minister of Personnel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancestral precedent is a weapon the eunuch Feng Bao cannot wield—but for civil officials, it’s universally usable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong assumed all ministers and heads of the Six Ministries stood with him, hence his reckless boldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if any minister exposed Gao Gong’s dual posts as identical to Feng Bao’s,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then this impeachment of Feng Bao becomes an impeachment of both the Director of the Office of Attendants and the Chief Grand Secretary—either both are dismissed, or both retained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can ancestral precedent be selectively applied?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, whether the New Party or Empress Li, all could muddy the waters, citing stability, and quietly let both men off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still—this massive impeachment targeted Feng Bao solely with ancestral precedent—why ignore Gao Gong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Grand Secretary is unaware, but are these censors truly acting for state order—or exploiting the moment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once investigated, someone must be held responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These censors—and their leader, Ge Shouli—must bear the blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Feng Bao’s claim of factionalism could now serve as grounds to intervene in the Censorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the New Party’s goal now is to seize Feng Bao while crippling Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, they can keep the fire from burning too hot to destabilize court politics, yet pin Gao Gong down until his honorable retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the unspoken understanding between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also Zhang Juzheng’s final instruction before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, they planned for Yang Bo to defect and expose this layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yang Bo’s hands were dirty—he was forced to withdraw from court and submit a memorial begging for dismissal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yang Bo failed, it didn’t matter—he was a latecomer; Lu Diaoyang was just as good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had the memorial from the Censorate’s Ministry of Rites ready in his sleeve, waiting for the right moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the emperor had disrupted his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered—was today just an unlucky day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now under the gaze of the emperor and the Grand Secretary, he realized this was not the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Bo and he were heads of the Six Ministries—sufficient weight; other censors lacked the standing to speak before Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Cao Daye, a censor of the Ministry of Revenue, once impeached Gao Gong for ten crimes, he was exiled to Qianzhou as a judge the next day—no ripple at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against Gao Gong, no gradual approach works.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very well—then wait until tomorrow’s deliberation; Gao Gong cannot escape this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking thus, he replied to the dais: “Your Majesty’s request is binding—I dare not refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded in satisfaction, then turned from the imperial dais and entered the side hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang reluctantly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed his colleagues, he exchanged a glance with Wang Guoguang and subtly signaled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also gave a barely perceptible shake of his head toward Feng Bao, whose expression was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang had intended to go to the side hall, but when he arrived, the eunuch Zhang Jing told him the Emperor was waiting for him outside the Wenhua Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused, he stepped out of the Wenhua Hall\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, he saw the Emperor waiting outside the Wenhua Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang hurried forward and bowed: “Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded and explained: “I’ve thought it over—my mother must have been kept in the dark about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am of mediocre talent and fear I cannot fully grasp your words, Lord Lu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Lu, why not come with me to see my mother? Explain it to both of us together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang froze, then hesitated: “Your Majesty, how could I possibly enter the Inner Palace…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun smiled: “We’re going to my Qianqing Palace—my mother is in my side hall, receiving congratulations from the Duke of Cheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned and walked toward the Qianqing Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved casually, signaling Lu Diaoyang to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang had no choice but to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun walked ahead, strolling leisurely, and said: “Lord Lu, tell me first—why can’t these two offices be held by one person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be some preliminaries; one cannot immediately strike Lu Diaoyang with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang replied respectfully: “Your Majesty, this matter is complex.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simply put, the Office of Eunuch Supervisors holds too much power: all appointments of regional eunuch governors, oversight of prisoners with the Three Judicial Offices, guarding and camp command, and control of the Eastern Depot all fall under its authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Seal Keeper and the Grand Secretary jointly manage state secrets; the Drafters and the Brush Holders, along with those overseeing the Imperial Library, function as de facto Deputy Secretaries; their subordinates and junior eunuchs all regard themselves as Imperial Secretaries; especially, the Eunuch Supervisors monitor the Ministry of Personnel and control appointments and postings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is civil power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meanwhile, the Imperial Commissioner in charge of the Eastern Depot, commanding hundreds of eunuch guards and thousands of subordinates, armed with weapons and armor, may arrest, surveil, and investigate treason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is military power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If both authorities are united in one man’s hands, all inner court power rests in his palm—this is like holding the sword by its blade; it is the very beginning of chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he plans to betray, he cannot abandon political correctness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever he does, his words must always sound reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun murmured: “So the ancestral laws were designed to balance large and small powers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s eyelid twitched and he quickly corrected: “Your Majesty, this is about overlapping authority and civil-military checks—not about balancing large and small powers or fostering dissent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly, showing he had learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang continued: “Our dynasty has many precedents—for example, the Censor-in-Chief and the Director of the Tongzheng Office each have a Left and Right official.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Likewise, local military and civil affairs are divided between the Provincial Governor and the Three Boards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the former Grand Secretary was impeached by Cao Daye for holding the post of Minister of Personnel—that was precisely this principle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subtly slipped in his own agenda, quietly shaping the young Emperor’s perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—they were all old hands; who didn’t have a bit of slickness on their faces?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary?” Zhu Yijun seized the opening perfectly, as if recalling something, “Ah, I see. You didn’t mention it, Your Majesty, but now I realize—it’s exactly what Grand Secretary Zhang told me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was calm, as if it were truly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang blinked: “Did Grand Secretary Zhang tell you this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun wore a thoughtful look: “Grand Secretary Zhang laid out the great ills of the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He spoke of taxation, land surveying, maritime trade, and official administration, giving examples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When discussing the imbalance in the official system, he mentioned the Grand Secretary, Eunuch Feng, and affairs in the Northern and Southern Directly Governed Regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>June 2nd—that was the day Zhang Juzheng was summoned for audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng had certainly not said these things—but since only the two of them were present, what they said now rested entirely with Zhu Yijun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Zhang Juzheng were here, he’d have to grit his teeth and accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he likes pretending to be clueless, let him stay clueless forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this left Lu Diaoyang utterly baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth had Grand Secretary Zhang told the Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang, being a seasoned veteran, wouldn’t believe everything he heard—he ventured cautiously: “Grand Secretary Zhang never mentioned this to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked at him strangely: “What, Lord Lu, do you often eavesdrop on imperial conversations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s face darkened and he quickly apologized: “Your servant…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun was only joking, teasing the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise, why do you think I supported the Examination System and humbled myself to have the Daily Lecturers and the Two Palaces review performance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang now hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s support for the Examination System had thrilled the New Party for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his true motives had always been unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, could it truly be that Grand Secretary Zhang had secretly influenced him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun gave Lu Diaoyang ample time to think, secretly observing his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing clear signs of inner turmoil, he pressed on: “It’s not just the Examination System—everything Grand Secretary Zhang said that day, I deeply agree with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Land surveying, the Single Whip Tax, reorganization of the Capital Garrison, maritime transport, official schools—all of it opened my eyes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Lu, this is how one truly serves the ancestral temples and the state—learn more from Grand Secretary Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun strolled leisurely, his words sincere and heartfelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The New Party?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who says it must be Zhang Juzheng’s New Party? Why can’t it be mine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly wouldn’t accept all of Zhang Juzheng’s reforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their limitations—such as forcing false land reports in land surveying, or the Single Whip Tax crushing the northern economy by ignoring market laws—were unacceptable to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as per old custom: I won’t fight over the naming rights, but I can optimize the content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to steal credit from Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Diaoyang didn’t know the Emperor’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his cultivated composure, he couldn’t help frowning repeatedly and scratching his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Zhang Juzheng’s consensus with the Emperor really surpass his own—his longtime deputy and trusted ally!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng had never told him so comprehensively!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only vaguely heard a few words about the Capital Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What were official schools and maritime transport even supposed to change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer merely suspicious—he felt a pang of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had withheld things even from this longtime friend, yet laid everything bare before a ten-year-old Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, no matter how well one masters literature or martial arts, one must ultimately sell them to the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the verge of speaking, he forced a smile: “Yes, Your servant should learn more from Grand Secretary Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun suddenly turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Lu Diaoyang earnestly: “But what you said also aligns closely with Grand Secretary Zhang’s words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eunuch Feng and the Grand Secretary do indeed violate ancestral norms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Lu, what is your view on this impeachment by the censors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Some readers asked about fan groups—I’ll clarify: due to unforeseen circumstances, the author will not create any form of discussion group for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, don’t complain about the cliffhanger. Everyone loves to save books; without these hooks, this novel would’ve died long ago. Besides, I’ve only left a small tail while preserving the chapter’s integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must consider practical realities, after all~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2890,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","29d7a13b43d26c03c662275b540ecbd8e380c26452ca9879e76bf98c030c4980","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-36","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-34",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]