[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-37":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},2321859,4542,"Chapter 37: Strong Wind, Tough Grass—Steady and Improving","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-37",37,"\u003Cp>Night fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is Gao Gong waiting for?” Lu Diaoyang murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had been his troubling question all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At court, Gao Gong’s reaction to Yang Bo’s betrayal was unnervingly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the impeachment against him landed like a punch into cotton—Gao Gong offered almost no resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because the two imperial edicts pressured him into realizing the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would no longer tolerate him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or did seeing Lu Diaoyang’s impeachment make him realize it was Zhang Juzheng’s doing, leaving him utterly disheartened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he thought about it, he could not convince himself—he only grew more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang, still puzzled, reached his front gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, he didn’t notice that none of his servants had come out to greet him, nor did he see that not a single lamp burned inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed open the side gate of the courtyard and walked in as if in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when he opened the door to his chamber did he suddenly realize the entire interior was pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, two lamps suddenly flared to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side of the main seat, attendants held candles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze snapped over—and there sat Feng Bao on the high-backed chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward, abruptly raised his head, and fixed Lu Diaoyang with his stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s expression was dark, his tone aggressive: “Lu Minister, I know exactly what Gao Gong is waiting for.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Lu Minister, you’ve cost me the Eastern Depot—how can I still trust you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Gao Gong’s residence, the study remained serene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the storm, Gao Gong sat at his desk, rewriting his petition for resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He showed not a trace of agitation—as if he were merely copying it anew due to damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli pushed open the door and happened upon this scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood silently to one side, waiting without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong glanced up, then lowered his head and continued writing: “Yuli, I’ve told you before—close the door when you come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuli was Ge Shouli’s courtesy name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bond was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early Longqing reign, when Ge Shouli served as Minister of Revenue, Xu Jie led a group to attack Gao Gong; even as Gao Gong was powerless to resist, Ge Shouli stood by him without reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gao Gong’s defeat, Ge Shouli also submitted a petition requesting his own dismissal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Jie retired and Gao Gong returned to power, his first act was to appoint Ge Shouli as Censor-in-Chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had weathered storms together—they were comrades who trusted each other with their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s massive event made Ge Shouli feel as if he had returned to years past, when Gao Gong was besieged by Xu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he disregarded the gossip and came visiting at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter was urgent, yet his first words upon entering were this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli looked at Gao Gong, calm as if nothing had happened, sighed, and turned to shut the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he face Gao Gong again: “Your Excellency has such remarkable composure—it makes me seem emotionally unsteady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he couldn’t tell whether Gao Gong was unshaken by crisis or had already decided to step down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong grunted: “It does need more polishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, still making jokes—Ge Shouli was even more astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, puzzled: “Did you already know Yang Bo would betray you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had racked his brain trying to understand why Yang Bo acted this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because Wang Chonggu was promised a seat in the Grand Secretariat, and Yang Bo felt aggrieved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was there some secret collusion with Feng Bao or Lu Diaoyang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong shook his head: “I’m not a worm in his belly, nor do I control the Eastern Depot or the Embroidered Uniform Guard—how could I know what he thinks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This only deepened Ge Shouli’s confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave up trying to guess and demanded outright: “Gao Suqing, stop playing games.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ge Shouli’s irritation, Gao Gong finally laid down his brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled: “Of course I didn’t know Yang Bo would do this—but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped the smile and added: “I was already prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli frowned: “Prepared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong nodded: “Not just Yang Bo—even if you suddenly impeached me, I wouldn’t be surprised.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statement wasn’t wrong, but using himself as an example—how could anyone find that pleasant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That foul temper of his—no wonder he had so few close friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong, of course, lacked such delicate sensibilities; he didn’t care what Ge Shouli thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued: “Just watch—beyond Yang Bo and Lu Diaoyang, many others are watching me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rank of Minister of the Six Ministries, one no longer represents only oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the Ministry of Rites, seemingly powerless, has long controlled the vital levers of academies and imperial examinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is, in essence, a composite of cultural propaganda, diplomacy, and education—with unparalleled influence among the scholar-official class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Lu Diaoyang and Yang Bo, each backed by their own factions—the Jin Party and the New Party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever takes this position cannot be ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could one ever hope to accomplish great things by relying on everyone standing beside you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Emperor cannot achieve that—what makes you, Gao Suqing, think you can?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spectators, traitors, enemies—he had prepared for them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he said: even if Ge Shouli betrayed him, he would remain unmoved, steadfast to the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli froze, not grasping the meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned: “Not just Yang Bo? Who else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong stood up, speaking as he walked: “Only Heaven knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang stared at Feng Bao, his voice low and steady: “I, Lu Mou, Minister of Rites and Academician of the Hanlin Academy, rank Second Rank, a senior court official!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My residence, Feng Bao—you dare intrude!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, his anger surpassed even his curiosity about Feng Bao’s claims regarding Gao Gong’s schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere eunuch dared sneak into his home!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to act as if he could take and give at will—did Feng Bao truly think Lu Diaoyang’s temper was made of clay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao shot back: “A fine senior court official you are!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly smiled, bowed deeply, and spoke with rigid formality: “Then, my esteemed Senior Court Official, will you see justice done for me, now that my Eastern Depot has been stripped away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang dared not accept the bow—he quickly stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fury, however, had already been largely drained by Feng Bao’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held firm only on appearances: “Your Eastern Depot? It belongs to the Great Ming—it belongs to His Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao chuckled softly, stepped closer to Lu Diaoyang: “So it’s not yours, is it, Senior Court Official?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you stand by and watch me lose my position?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao clung to this point, and Lu Diaoyang finally began to falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He softened his tone: “Feng Dang, you saw for yourself yesterday at court—I was dragged away by the Emperor himself. I was as helpless as you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you have me throw a tantrum in front of the court?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something he had never anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined the situation would shift so suddenly—in just one day, the Eastern Depot was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed: “Then what did you say to Empress Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Cining Palace, even the number of flies buzzing could be known to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fatefully, Zhu Xizhong, as an outer court minister, could not be received in the inner quarters—he was taken to the Qianqing Palace instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That place was guarded entirely by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; if they couldn’t keep Zhu Xizhong’s secrets, the Commander of the Guard was worthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even now, he had no idea what had transpired yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang glanced at Feng Bao, expressionless: “Yesterday, Empress Li asked me why the censors impeached you, and what ancestral laws were involved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Zhu Xizhong present, I could only answer truthfully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To answer truthfully meant harm to Feng Bao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men understood this perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Feng Bao dismissed the two attendants holding the candles, ordering them to stand guard outside and keep all others away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he ask Lu Diaoyang: “Then what of Li Jin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang answered honestly: “When I arrived, the Imperial Father-in-Law and the Duke of Cheng were already there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jin was also recommended by the Duke; whether he and the Empress Dowager’s father have a tacit understanding is unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the perspective of outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as rumors surfaced in the outer court accusing Feng Bao, the Empress Dowager’s father brought Zhu Xizhong to see the Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, coincidentally, Zhu Xizhong recommended someone from the Empress Dowager Li’s maternal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether there is any connection between them is truly hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why the Emperor suddenly summoned him to meet the Empress Dowager—whether it was a whim or part of the same tacit understanding—Lu Diaoyang dared not think further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Feng Bao’s grim expression, he could only soothe him: “Eunuch Feng, Li Jin is still an imperial relative. Once Gao Gong retires, we’ll find an excuse to impeach the imperial relatives for interfering in state affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether such distant relatives truly count as imperial relatives depends entirely on the whim of the court officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That it conforms to ritual propriety is what Lu himself says—it certainly doesn’t represent the attitude of the censors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Feng Bao showed no improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he flew into a rage: “Wait until Gao Gong retires!? I fear I’ll die in his hands first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s expression changed; he sensed the implication in those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurriedly pressed: “What do you mean? And what exactly did you mean earlier when you said Gao Gong is waiting for something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao let out a cold snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His display was merely to seize control of this conversation—not to truly accuse or interrogate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mutual benefit is what he understood; he knew which grievances to swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao pulled a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Lu Diaoyang: “This is a copy I transcribed from the Grand Secretariat’s main hall. Minister Lu, take your time reading it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s face darkened: “You dare steal documents from the Grand Secretariat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the target was Gao Gong, Lu Diaoyang could never tolerate this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could sneak into the Grand Secretariat to copy memorials today, what might he do tomorrow—he dared not imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang gave Feng Bao a long, piercing look; he could only admit: no wonder he was Feng Bao—even without the Eastern Depot, his weight was not to be underestimated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also understood this was not the time for petty grievances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he despised him inwardly, he still took the memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters on the cover were crooked and uneven, clearly written in haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang initially paid it no mind, but after flipping through two pages, his face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gasped in horror: “How dare Gao Gong!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong sat down on one of the guest seats, idly adjusting his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried himself with a certain casual ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his temper was poor, when facing major matters, he displayed remarkable calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured for Ge Shouli to sit: “Don’t worry about who opposes me—we just carry on with our work as planned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli sat down reluctantly, puzzled: “But the palace keeps pressing us, and Yang Bo has already impeached you—this is clearly forcing you to submit your resignation. How can you still do anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong handed him the resignation memorial he had just written: “Good, you’ve come just in time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my petition for voluntary retirement. I’ll send it to the Tongzheng Office first thing tomorrow morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli leapt to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Grand Secretary…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong placed a hand on his shoulder: “Calm down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli’s voice was urgent: “Are you truly going to retire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong looked straight into Ge Shouli’s eyes, suddenly grave: “Ge Yuli, listen carefully. I’m telling you this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli immediately sat up straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong spoke slowly: “After I submit this petition, the Tongzheng Office won’t deliver it to the palace immediately—they’ll delay it for half a day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow, during the court assembly, you will present another memorial on my behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his sleeve, he pulled out another memorial and gestured to Ge Shouli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli frowned: “Won’t you attend the court assembly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If both memorials were to be presented by someone else, where was he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong shook his head: “I have other urgent matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gao Gong refuse to explain further, Ge Shouli could only nod helplessly and accept the memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the cover were bold, sweeping characters: “Memorial on Five Urgent Reforms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing the details, Ge Shouli flipped open two pages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured aloud: “When the Emperor holds court to hear petitions, all departments must follow ancestral precedent: the Emperor must personally respond to each petition, to show that authority originates solely from the Son of Heaven, and ministers dare not interfere…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned pale; his heart thundered like lightning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did “the Emperor personally responds” mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that when the Grand Secretariat submitted matters for approval, the Emperor himself would say yes or no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the Grand Secretariat submitted documents to the Directorate of Ceremonial, which then passed them to the two Empresses Dowager and the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, if the Emperor must personally respond, what role was left for the Directorate of Ceremonial!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was effectively abolishing the Directorate of Ceremonial!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this memorial—this was Gao Gong’s plan to seize power from the Directorate of Ceremonial!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He read further, each line sending chills down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If any edict is issued directly by the palace without prior draft by the Grand Secretariat, we, your ministers, must be allowed to formally object before it may be executed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Direct imperial edict” meant the Zhongzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even Zhongzhi required the Grand Secretariat’s formal objection before execution, what was left of a Zhongzhi!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning was clear: any Zhongzhi not drafted by the Grand Secretariat could not be enforced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli could hardly bear to read further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Petitions from officials and commoners, whether approved or rejected, must not be withheld in the palace. Henceforth, all petitions must be issued without delay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Petition” meant memorial. What did “must not be withheld in the palace” mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant the Emperor could no longer withhold memorials indefinitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was even restricting the Emperor’s privilege to withhold memorials!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart trembled; he dared not read further and slammed the memorial shut: “Chief Grand Secretary…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong had previously discussed power consolidation with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he never imagined Gao Gong would go this far!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Gao Gong said he wouldn’t be surprised even if Ge Shouli turned against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he, just reading this, felt his legs trembling, ready to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong shook his head: “Do your utmost, leave the rest to Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao hissed: “He’s not just trying to kill us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s declaring war on the entire inner court—even the Emperor and the two Empresses Dowager!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this memorial were enacted, not only would the Directorate of Ceremonial be abolished, but even the two Empresses Dowager could no longer interfere in politics; the Emperor would have to consult the Grand Secretariat on every matter—how could anyone endure this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading the memorial, Lu Diaoyang remained deeply unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Gao Gong? No wonder he was Gao Gong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the phrase “the Emperor personally responds” had shattered Lu Diaoyang’s composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor and his ministers were truly in harmony, and the Emperor could handle all these affairs himself, this wouldn’t be overreaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how did the Grand Secretariat come into being?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because the Emperor couldn’t handle so many affairs—that’s why the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial were created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There could be several Grand Secretaries, but only one Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could any one man possibly oversee all state affairs? Not everyone had the genius of the Hongwu Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, wouldn’t most matters still be decided by the Grand Secretariat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even more absurd—the current Emperor is only ten years old!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You want a ten-year-old Emperor to personally respond to every petition? How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t you yourself say a ten-year-old Son of Heaven cannot govern the realm? Now you demand he personally respond?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention restricting the Emperor’s Zhongzhi and forbidding him to withhold memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t the Grand Secretariat anymore—it’s a de facto Chancellor’s Office!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he dare? The inner court, the two Empresses Dowager, the Emperor—all will oppose him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such brazenness, what hidden move could he possibly have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang looked up at Feng Bao: “Gao Gong would dare submit such a memorial only if he had some backing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eunuch Feng, things have changed—send for Zhang Gelao at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao glanced sideways at Lu Diaoyang, irritable: “Do you think I don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Gelao has ‘fallen ill from heatstroke’—he’ll be returning to recuperate in a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang ignored Feng Bao’s attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely clutched the memorial, staring blankly into space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had the situation come to this?\u003C\u002Fp>",2875,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6a1c9b8bb6e179502f9b6c682b4c3dbfaf37b15cbf1b2a8f92cf16754b0ca2fd","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-38","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-36",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]