[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-39":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},2321861,4542,"Chapter 39","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>Imperial Censor Tang Lian was a jinshi of the Jiajing 41st year, never entered the Hanlin Academy, and was assigned to the provinces as magistrate of Baodi County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his tenure, he repaired the city walls and dredged the moats; for his defense of the city, he caught Gao Yi’s attention and was promoted to Director of the Ministry of Works, then transferred to Imperial Censor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the most typical patron-client relationship in officialdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Gao Yi was impeached and, as per protocol, submitted his resignation, Tang Lian would join other disciples and old associates of Gao Yi in petitioning to retain the Grand Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, this very man knelt on the ground, wailing, trying to sever ties with Gao Yi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even dared say Gao Yi had lost his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s willing to become a fickle traitor, abandoning even his scholarly reputation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials who had not yet read the memorial were utterly alarmed—what could Gao Yi have written that even his closest ally had abandoned him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked at Tang Lian: “Tang Lian, I summoned you all to deliberate, not to attack your colleagues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Secretary is virtuous and respected, a minister entrusted by my late father—how dare you belittle him so lightly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Gao Yi had indeed startled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not enough to make him lose reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter could be large or small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the small side, it was merely haste and poor deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the large side, it was treason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter meant overturning the table—how could he bear to let Zhu Xizhong raise the blade unless it was the final moment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This concerns the stability of court affairs; it must not be spoken of lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like this reckless Tang Lian—if Gao Yi is insane, what does that make the late emperor who appointed him? What does it make the young emperor he now serves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggles have winners and losers, but if you label someone “insane,” the situation will spiral out of control—unless he truly stationed five hundred executioners in this side hall, Gao Yi cannot be called insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the ceremonial officer rebuked and expelled Tang Lian, all ministers had finished reading Gao Yi’s memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, the Minister of Justice, old and frail, collapsed from standing too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rushed to aid him; his limbs responded normally, but his eyes would not open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This further panicked Gao Yi’s partisans, leaving them flustered and helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun observed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Gao Yi’s memorial truly this powerful? Naturally, it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called Five Urgent Reforms—what were they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, first, during court audiences, when each department reported, the emperor himself would respond verbally, leaving the Directorate of Palace Affairs no role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, after court sessions, the emperor would personally handle memorials, excluding both imperial consorts from involvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, all matters must be reported face-to-face. If the emperor was in the palace, urgent matters must allow ministers to request immediate audience at any time, with no one permitted to obstruct them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth, the emperor’s edicts must be approved by the Grand Secretariat before implementation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth, edicts must not be withheld; if the emperor stubbornly refused? Then the third provision was tailor-made—don’t blame me if you’re dragged from bed at midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any single one of these could stir a major uproar in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when all five were submitted together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It forced Feng Bao and Zhu Yijun onto the same side—pressure was palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun was tempted to approve some of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, abolishing the Directorate of Palace Affairs would help him remove Feng Bao; if he later became overwhelmed, he could always reinstate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the rest—he could only shake his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second provision seemed to empower the emperor, but forget not: the emperor is young, the state uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Empress Dowager is excluded, leaving him alone to face the Grand Secretariat, things become dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last three provisions made one suspect Gao Yi had lost his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If edicts cannot leave the Forbidden City without Grand Secretariat approval, then who is the emperor—you or me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you want to summon me at any hour? If I can be dragged from bed while sleeping, why bother being emperor at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked at Lu Diaoyang: “Lu Qing, what is your view on the Grand Secretary’s memorial?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood perfectly why Feng Bao had pushed him forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi’s memorial must be crushed during the court deliberation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, once it reached the palace, the number of supporters would swell far beyond these twenty-odd voices in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Provincial governors, administration commissioners—all were Gao Yi’s disciples and old associates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this truly erupted into chaos, it would no longer be simple to quietly bury the memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, he must act personally—quash it during court deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was likely one of the strategies Feng Bao and Lu Diaoyang had agreed upon yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He responded in kind, immediately asking Lu Diaoyang’s opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang had already prepared his response, bowing deeply\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty’s health has not yet recovered; not only must he continue daily lectures and study, but he must also attend court and hear governance. After the mourning period ends, he must also learn archery and military affairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Chief Grand Secretary is merely pulling up seedlings to help them grow—responding personally to imperial edicts, handling memorials, and constantly receiving ministers. I deem this utterly unacceptable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attitude was made perfectly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor is already young and still growing; to burden him with so much is simply beyond his capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong’s memorial is clearly motivated by ulterior intentions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded, then turned to Wang Guoguang: \"Wang Qing, what is your view?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order in which he called on them was deliberately calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he would call on all those who opposed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside the herd mentality, even if each one opposed individually, the psychological pressure on those still wavering would force them to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang bowed and replied: \"I also believe this is incorrect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Merely the phrase 'After His Majesty has reviewed it, all draft responses from the Grand Secretariat shall be submitted for approval, and only if deemed proper shall they be issued' is utterly inappropriate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By imperial precedent, not every memorial requires the Grand Secretariat to draft a response before issuance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For instance, appointments within the inner court have never been subject to court deliberation—so why was Li Jin’s appointment as Director of the Eastern Depot not submitted to the Grand Secretariat for discussion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark defended the emperor while also warning him that the Grand Secretariat was genuinely eroding imperial authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared the emperor, being young, might not grasp the underlying implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun smiled and turned to Feng Bao: \"Feng Daban, Wang Qing’s words seem reasonable—what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s expression was unreadable: \"Your Majesty, if the Chief Grand Secretary does not wish the Directorate of Ceremonial to red-pen his memorials, then why not directly petition for the imperial seal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark cut to the heart of the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretariat wants both the right to propose and the right to veto; imperial edicts must pass through them—so why not simply take the imperial seal as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun did not respond, but continued calling on each minister in turn: \"Yang Qing, what is your view?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Bo hurriedly said: \"The emperor’s and the empress dowager’s will is the will of our Ministry of War.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun ignored all of Gao Gong’s disciples and old associates, leaving men like Ge Shouli, Han Ji, and Luo Zun standing aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after he had forced every possible ally to declare their stance did the court remain filled only with Gao Gong’s men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, they were nearly half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun bypassed certain individuals and said on his own: \"Since half the court does not endorse the Chief Grand Secretary’s memorial, there is no need for further discussion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the Chief Grand Secretary return to revise and polish it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he revised it, Gao Gong’s resignation memorial would already have been red-penned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang immediately bowed: \"Your Majesty is wise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang, Yang Bo, Zhang Sihui, and others followed suit, bowing to receive the imperial decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Heng and others, slightly slower, quickly joined in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, all eyes subtly turned toward Ge Shouli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of stunned silence, Ge Shouli finally bowed and accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhu Yijun and Feng Bao on the imperial dais exchanged a glance and let out a long breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the two relaxed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch Feng Bao had sent to retrieve Gao Gong’s resignation memorial rushed in from the side hall, face pale with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhu Yijun’s heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the eunuch whisper two sentences into Feng Bao’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s face turned ashen: \"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without regard for protocol, he immediately descended the imperial steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grabbing the young eunuch, he left the court directly from the side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao could leave, but Zhu Yijun could not so casually abandon his post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat quietly until the court session ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not a military mutiny—why rush so desperately?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ruler must maintain calm in moments of crisis—this is an essential quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court session ended, and the ministers dispersed; Zhu Yijun only called out to Lu Diaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked out of the Wenhua Hall, one behind the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun asked first: “Lu Qing, don’t you have something to teach Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang evaded with tact: “If Your Majesty has doubts, Your servant will speak without reservation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun had no patience for his circumlocutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand and asked directly: “What do you think of the Grand Secretary’s memorial?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang hesitated: “Your Majesty, I already answered in court…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun stopped walking and turned sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fixed his gaze on Lu Diaoyang and spoke slowly: “Lu Qing, this concerns matters of great weight—do not deceive me with empty words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang could not evade him, so he sighed helplessly: “Your Majesty already knows—why force me to say it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was already an outburst of grievance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang truly feared saying the wrong thing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head: “The Grand Secretary pressures me; the two Grand Secretaries are absent—I can only trust you, Lu Qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, he seemed suddenly weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Lu Diaoyang’s reply, he lifted his foot and continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang stared at the emperor’s helpless back, suddenly feeling at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused a moment, then clenched his teeth and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking beside the emperor, he whispered: “Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary’s move aims to abolish the Directorate of Palace Affairs, sever the Two Palaces, and even restrict Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This violates the way of a loyal minister—I cannot tolerate it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun slowed his pace, waiting for Lu Diaoyang to catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head to look at Lu Diaoyang and said, hollowly: “Lu Qing, why does the Grand Secretary treat me this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between their question and answer, Zhang Hong ran up from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhang Hong arrived, he did not speak immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Lu Diaoyang, seeking Zhu Yijun’s permission with his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun frowned: “Lu Qing is a pillar of state—what I hear, I hear from Lu Qing. Why hide it? Report it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong bowed and replied: “Your Majesty, something has happened at the Tongzheng Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Da’s men went to retrieve the memorial, but the Tongzheng Office said it had already been taken by the Directorate of Palace Affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The two sides quarreled over it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun heard this, drew a deep breath, and kept his emotions hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his temples, looking weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang could not hold back: “Didn’t Feng Da go? Did he get results?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong glanced at the emperor—seeing no objection, he gained confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded to Lu Diaoyang and replied: “Feng Da returned to the Directorate precisely for this—he got the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was the duty eunuch on shift who took the memorial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang froze: “Where is the memorial?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun suddenly raised his hand, cutting off both men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression unreadable, he murmured: “The memorial… was delivered to Ciqing Palace, wasn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang realized!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned sharply to Zhang Hong, hoping for confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lu Diaoyang’s horrified gaze, Zhang Hong slowly nodded: “Yes—the duty eunuch delivered the memorial to Empress Dowager Chen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clouds parted, the waters sank, the stones revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it all made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though half a step late, he finally understood Gao Gong’s leverage—and his scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Gao Gong dared submit the memorial “Five Urgent Matters of New Policy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he was so close to Chen Hong—when Gao Gong impeached Feng Bao, Chen Hong secretly passed his memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Gao Gong dared openly block the imperial edicts of Lady Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he promised Wang Chonggu a seat in the Grand Secretariat and showed no regard for the emperor’s education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he had noticed the estrangement between the Two Palaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder, after his transmigration, his first visit to Empress Chen ended in a closed door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every one of them was an actor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly understood why, historically, Lady Li behaved so paradoxically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she saw Gao Gong as monopolizing power and wished to remove him, why then tolerate Zhang Juzheng—who was even more dominant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She drove out Gao Gong, yet appointed Zhang Juzheng as Chief Grand Secretary, placed him in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, made him the emperor’s tutor, and granted him the title of Pillar of State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Gao Gong’s upgraded version—why could she tolerate it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Feng Bao spoke well of him, she should have remained wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The root was here…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly connected it: after Gao Gong’s dismissal, Zhang Juzheng’s first act was to grant both Palaces identical honorific titles, erasing the last vestige of Lady Li’s weakness and placing her on equal footing with Empress Dowager Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly understood why Feng Bao, despite bullying the Wanli Emperor so severely—earning the emperor’s bitter judgment as “a traitor who deceived the throne and corrupted the state”—was never executed, but merely exiled to Nan Zhili under Lady Li’s protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun had forgotten these details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, as he recalled them, they came flooding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even remembered that before Gao Gong’s dismissal, this forgotten memorial, “Five Urgent Matters of New Policy,” had clearly been approved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words, “Within four days, came the reply: ‘We have read your memorial; it greatly aids the new policy, revealing true loyalty. All proposals are approved,’ ” hovered before his eyes, refusing to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who approved it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the emperor nor Lady Li would have approved it—there was no other possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun finally saw clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mists of history were half-parted, half-concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official records had concealed and distorted the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had hidden a grand surprise from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once everything clicked, he suddenly smiled—who said this Grand Secretary lacked political cunning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun turned to Lu Diaoyang: “Lu Qing, why not go to the Ministry of Rites? If I’m not mistaken, the Grand Secretary was there this morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang was still dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, he looked up, bewildered: “Your Majesty’s meaning…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply stood by the roadside, waiting quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian appeared in the distance, running toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun said to Lu Diaoyang: “Lu Qing, let us make a wager: if the Grand Secretary was at the Ministry of Rites this morning, you shall enter the Grand Secretariat and assist me in implementing the new policy—what do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lu Diaoyang’s mind reeled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to reply, but the emperor gave him no chance—he walked straight toward Jiang Keqian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s mind still buzzed; he followed instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drew near, he heard the emperor say: “Is it about the Grand Secretary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian could only gasp for breath, then cried: “The Grand Secretary was at the Ministry of Rites this morning—he settled the honorific titles for the Two Palaces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang’s heart jolted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with the earlier incident of the memorial’s removal, he finally understood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding onto his last hope, he asked: “What honorific titles were decided for the Two Palaces?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Keqian was a man of action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not memorize such details, so he copied them onto slips of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now asked, he pulled a slip from his sleeve and presented it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Diaoyang looked to the emperor, who waved his hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he cautiously take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned it once, then whispered in shock: “Honorific titles for the Two Palaces: According to precedent, Emperor Xianzong honored his empress dowager as Empress Dowager Ciyi and his birth mother, imperial consort, as Empress Dowager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s case is identical: thus, we honor Your Majesty’s empress dowager as Empress Dowager Rensheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We honor Your Majesty’s birth mother, empress dowager, as… Empress Dowager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, he staggered two steps, his hands suddenly limp, letting the slip fall to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong, sharp-eyed, rushed to support Lu Diaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Diaoyang snapped back to attention, looked at the Emperor, and said hoarsely, “I shall return immediately to the Ministry of Rites! Stop the memorial from reaching the Ministry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded: “Zhang Daban, see Lü Qing off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched Lü Diaoyang walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, he bent down and picked up the slip of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew full well that Lü Diaoyang’s return was now too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong, during the court deliberation, used the urgent five-point memorial to force them into a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All to slip away while Lü Diaoyang was absent, rush to the Ministry of Rites’ assembly, and persuade the Vice Minister and the Sacrificial Master to settle the honorific titles for the two imperial mothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, taking advantage of the fact that he alone remained on duty in the Grand Secretariat, he would approve the draft edicts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memorial has likely already been delivered to Empress Chen’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be fooled by the difference of just two characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is rank, this is righteousness, this is the mandate of office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two characters—this alone determines superiority or inferiority!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these two characters are settled, the Empress Dowager will have no chance at all against the Benevolent Holy Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Empress Chen’s backing, Gao Gong is nearly a mirror of Lady Li and Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even more so! Even Zhang Juzheng still had to watch Feng Bao’s face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao Gong truly transfers the power of the Directorate of Ceremonial to the Grand Secretariat, and uses Empress Chen to exercise imperial authority,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone will be crushed beneath Gao Gong’s weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun even wondered if his own status was some kind of innate suppressed sacred body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An underage Emperor, if he stumbles even slightly, risks being branded unfilial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A biological mother is one thing—but a wild, disloyal Empress Dowager? What can she possibly use to challenge Gao Gong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a masterstroke, Gao Gong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, heroes of this realm flow like fish crossing a river!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun tucked the slip into his robe, marking this lesson—history’s half-hidden truths had finally bitten him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Jiang Keqian: “Go, summon Chen Mingyan to the Qianqing Palace tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall go see the future ‘Benevolent Holy Empress Dowager’ myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Gong’s move—elegant, effortless—had indeed startled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had not forgotten: in the end, history had still dismissed Gao Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This game is not over yet.\u003C\u002Fp>",3287,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2e727f4cf3141290778899a40e114741ee3dcd700328acd23e8f45a290563afb","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-40","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-38",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]