Chapter 9

At night, outside the Qianqing Palace.

……

Zhang Hong stood outside the Qianqing Palace, nervously adjusting his attire.

His adopted son, Zhang Jing, held a lantern at his side: "Godfather, you've been adjusting yourself for nearly a quarter of an hour; don't worry, I'm watching, you're dressed properly!"

Zhang Hong ignored him, merely nodding his chin.

The adopted son reached out skillfully and caught the clove Zhang Hong spat out.

This was for freshening the breath and removing odors.

Zhang Hong dared not make the slightest mistake at this moment.

After the late Emperor ascended the throne, as an old person from the former residence, although he didn't have Meng Chong's fortune, he could still be considered to have risen with the tide.

The Needlework Bureau was a fat piece of meat that was almost his private territory.

But the good days didn't last long; the late Emperor had actually passed away!

He had only been on the throne for six years!

This news was truly like the sky collapsing.

A new emperor brings new ministers; didn't one see that as soon as the late Emperor passed away, Meng Chong and Chen Hong were replaced?

Zhang Hong felt he could be no exception and had long since prepared himself.

For this reason, he had even given up the Needlework Bureau to Feng Bao's adopted sons and voluntarily went to the Divine Palace Guard to be a high-ranking eunuch, managing the Taimiao—a clean job; he had already sought peace and retirement.

Did he want to retire? Was he willing to retire? It was just forced by the situation.

During these days and nights, he would recall the days when he was at the Needlework Bureau, with everyone responding to his call and the young ones fawning over him.

Waking up, he would look at the countless spirit tablets and incense lamps of the Taimiao, desolate and cold.

He had thought the rest of his life would pass like this.

As a result, he didn't expect that only a few days later, a sudden order from the Li Imperial Consort would arrive, actually ordering him into the Ceremonial Guard and to serve by the Crown Prince's side!

An opportunity! A heaven-sent opportunity!

How could he dare to be the slightest bit careless with an opportunity that had fallen from the sky!

Finally finished, Zhang Hong stopped his hands, turned to his adopted son, and said: "Alright, you go back; I'm going to see the Crown Prince."

After sending his adopted son away, he took a deep breath and walked to the palace gate.

"Please inform the Crown Prince, the inner official Zhang Hong..."

Before he could finish, the young eunuch smiled and said: "Of course I recognize Grand Eunuch Zhang; the Crown Prince has ordered that you may enter directly when you arrive, no need to inform him again."

As he spoke, he stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

Zhang Hong thanked him hurriedly, feeling even more nervous in his heart.

He didn't know how the Li Imperial Consort had chosen him, but he would definitely grasp this opportunity firmly.

Wasn't it because Feng Bao gained the Li Imperial Consort's trust that he was able to reach the sky in one step? If Feng Bao could do it, why couldn't he, Zhang Hong?

As long as he did this task assigned by the Li Imperial Consort well and left an impression in her heart, it was not impossible to replace Feng Bao!

After all, he was just a ten-year-old child; coaxing and serving him wouldn't be a difficult task, yet it would allow him to show his face well before the Li Imperial Consort.

It wasn't as if he hadn't served the Crown Prince before; he had held and coaxed him countless times at the Yu Prince's residence. With that foundation of affection, plus the fact that he was now old enough to understand things and could guess his thoughts, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Moreover, this Crown Prince was famous for being easy to fool.

Last year, he was even reported to the Li Imperial Consort by Feng Bao for being addicted to toys sent by young eunuchs.

As long as he coaxed him a little and put in some effort with the Li Imperial Consort, would he still need to suffer the indignities of these juniors like Feng Bao?

Thinking this, Zhang Hong walked into the Qianqing Palace with his body hunched and his steps small.

The Qianqing Palace was the Emperor's sleeping palace, but now, with the transition between the old and the new, many items had already been cleared out, prepared to be buried with the late Emperor.

Once the late Emperor's spirit was moved, it would be time for the new Emperor to take residence.

Therefore, the hall now appeared somewhat empty.

In addition, because of the mourning, to avoid disturbing anything, very few lanterns and candles were lit, and half of the hall was pitch black.

Zhang Hong did not have the qualification to carry a lantern and could only walk carefully in the hall, his pace extremely slow, yet echoes still rang out.

The surroundings were decorated with some Buddhist and Daoist ritual objects, talismans, and the like.

The sound of a chime occasionally came from within the hall, faint and distant.

The late Emperor had treated these inner officials very generously, yet he had passed away in the prime of his life; as an old servant, Zhang Hong had his share of emotions.

It was a pity that he was already approaching fifty; he had originally counted on borrowing the late Emperor's prestige to spend the rest of his life comfortably, but he didn't expect the young to go before the old.

If he were ten years younger, he could have counted on serving this new Emperor well, and once the new Emperor took personal control, he could have soared to the sky.

Unfortunately, he couldn't wait; the new Emperor was only ten years old now, and by the time that happened, he was afraid he would already have one foot in the grave.

He only hoped to use this opportunity to gain more face before the Li Imperial Consort.

With his seniority, he was only one glance away from a high position in the Inner Court.

Thinking of this, he remembered again that the Noble Imperial Consort had clearly said to pay respects tomorrow morning, yet the new Emperor had ordered him to come and pay respects before the late Emperor's spirit hall at this time.

Should he secretly report this to the Li Imperial Consort?

While his mind wandered, he suddenly discovered that the scene before him had changed, and a coffin that had not yet been sealed came into view.

He had actually walked into the hall!

His peripheral vision caught a figure kneeling beside the coffin; the dark hall made it hard for him to see clearly—was this the ten-year-old new Emperor?

Thinking this, Zhang Hong hurriedly knelt down, burying his head to pay his respects: "Inner official Zhang Hong, by the order of the Li Imperial Consort, comes to pay respects to the Crown Prince."

He was estimating that the Crown Prince would ask him to rise, and his knees had already exerted force in advance, but he didn't wait for the expected answer.

His body swayed slightly, and Zhang Hong hurriedly steadied himself and knelt firmly again.

The Crown Prince did not speak, and the hall fell silent for a moment, making Zhang Hong feel inexplicably uneasy.

Fortunately, it didn't last long.

He saw from the corner of his eye that the figure beside the coffin slowly stood up.

Just as Zhang Hong thought he was going to be asked to rise.

A voice, carrying a sneer, reached his ears: "You high-ranking eunuchs all call yourselves 'Old Ancestor,' but here, you call me 'Master'."

"What, do you want to be my ancestor?"

The soul-piercing words immediately made Zhang Hong's heart jump!

Zhang Hong was instantly stunned by this sentence.

These two things were completely different; why did the Crown Prince suddenly change his expression?

These words were too heavy; he didn't even dare to think about what would happen to him if they reached the outside world!

He almost prostrated himself on the ground, hurriedly knocking his head heavily: "Inner official dares not! Inner official dares not!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun watched coldly.

First impressions were extremely important; if he didn't beat him down properly, there might be a second Feng Bao.

He was kneeling in mourning for the late Emperor, and no monks, Daoists, or guards were allowed to enter; he chose this place precisely so he wouldn't have to hide his true self and pretend to be a young child.

The late Emperor's spirit hall was a place of solemnity and was not to be trifled with, and the dim background helped conceal his childish physique.

It was all to completely manipulate this person.

"Zhang Hong, raise your head."

Zhang Hong was still guessing the Crown Prince's thoughts and raised his head upon hearing this.

He saw that the hall was dim and lightless, and the new Emperor was standing sideways to him, half his body hidden in the darkness, his expression flickering; he stood a little far from Zhang Hong, his shadow falling exactly on Zhang Hong, making his own small body seem infinitely large.

This was a ten-year-old child!?

He only felt an unfathomable pressure, even greater than the late Emperor!

He almost had the feeling of facing the Shizong Emperor Jiajing Emperor!

A voice came: "This is my Imperial Father; pay your respects."

Zhang Hong's mind was in chaos, and not knowing what to do, he just kowtowed randomly.

His head touched the ground, and his posture was very appropriate.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's voice became solemn and obscure: "Zhang Hong, born in the first year of Emperor Jiajing, son of a farming family, sold by his parents into the palace in the eleventh year of Emperor Jiajing."

"Entered the Yu Prince's residence in the thirty-sixth year of Emperor Jiajing, serving before my Imperial Father."

"After the first year of Emperor Longqing, served successively in the Weaving Bureau, the Capital Garrison, and the Needlework Bureau; four days ago, you were in charge of the Divine Palace Guard."

"Did I remember anything wrong?"

Listening to the Crown Prince count his resume word by word, Zhang Hong became increasingly uneasy.

"Your Highness's memory is extraordinary, and your heart is vast; you have even included the humble background of this servant—this servant is terrified!"

This was all common knowledge, known to everyone in the palace.

But hearing it from the Crown Prince's mouth, the feeling was different.

Wasn't it the Li Imperial Consort's order that he should come to watch over the Crown Prince? How could the Crown Prince know his background so clearly? Could it be that the Crown Prince had selected him?

Zhu Zhu Yijun tapped the coffin lightly, the sound echoing in the empty hall.

"You don't stay in the Needlework Bureau to eat the fat of the land, but go to sweep the Taimiao—what, do you want to retire?"

Zhang Hong didn't know how to stall for a moment: "This servant... this servant is getting old, and my energy..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun suddenly interrupted him: "You fear Meng Chong and avoid Feng Bao."

"But before me, you dare to deceive the Emperor."

"Zhang Hong, do you think you are Gao Gong or Feng Bao? With you, you dare to deceive me because I am young?"

Zhang Hong felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and he shuddered!

These words suddenly awakened him!

He suddenly realized the inconsistency from just a moment ago!

Was this the ignorant child rumored in the palace?

What ignorant child would dare to be hostile to the Inner Minister and contemptuous of the Chief Zhang Gelao!?

The Crown Prince's words clearly showed he understood the political situation and palace affairs; he was clearly a man of great wisdom and foresight!

The rumors about him were probably just him lying low and biding his time!

The position of Director of the Ceremonial Guard that opened up this morning, and even his own selection by the Li Imperial Consort—the Crown Prince before him definitely couldn't be uninvolved!

Once he understood, the Crown Prince's figure towered before him once again!

Ten years old! A new Emperor who had opened his mind at ten years old was hard to find in history.

The First Emperor of Qin ascended the throne at thirteen, sweeping away the six states and rolling up the world.

Emperor Zhezong of Song ascended the throne at nine, restarting the New Policies and defeating Western Xia twice.

Which one of them wasn't a sage of divine martial arts and heavenly decisiveness!

If this Crown Prince Zhu Zhu Yijun was also like this, why should he still curry favor with the Li Imperial Consort? There was no sage ruler who didn't fight for power!

Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne at nine; even if he lay low, he only waited eight months before helping Wang Zhen to the position of Seal-Holding Eunuch of the Ceremonial Guard!

With a sage ruler before him, why not fight to be a loyal dog!?

If you hesitate, you will suffer the consequences! He immediately made a decision in his heart and replied tremblingly: "Master has eyes like torches! This servant was indeed avoiding Feng Bao's edge and had no choice but to give up the Needlework Bureau."

Zhu Zhu Yijun watched Zhang Hong quietly.

He understood what Zhang Hong was thinking.

Although he was only ten years old now, as long as he showed the ability to govern and seize power, there would always be a group of people who would unite tightly around him.

Why? Political prospects and political promises were his bottom-line reliance and the greatest advantage for a ruler!

With this as a foundation, and by deliberately using his years of high-ranking experience to manipulate the atmosphere and suppress Zhang Hong, it was not a difficult task.

"Oh? Since you are afraid of offending Feng Bao, then don't serve by my side."

Zhang Hong heard the implication, and his heart almost jumped into his throat.

He immediately prostrated himself at the Crown Prince's feet: "I appreciate the Crown Prince's appreciation and promotion! This servant will go through fire and water, and will not die in vain!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It was my mother who appreciated and promoted you."

Zhang Hong kowtowed repeatedly: "Since this servant has come before the Master, I have received the Master's grace, and I see no one else in my eyes!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun finally smiled.

He chuckled, and suddenly remembering there was no one else in the hall, he simply laughed out loud.

Zhang Hong's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he didn't dare to wipe it.

"Zhang Hong, my Imperial Father once praised you before me; do you know what he said?"

Not waiting for Zhang Hong to answer, Zhu Zhu Yijun continued to smile, speaking to himself: "He praised you as a loyal and good servant."

"Are you?"

This voice truly seemed to come from the clouds, making Zhang Hong's soul leave his body.

He didn't hesitate to kowtow repeatedly: "Master, Zhang Hong is a servant of the Imperial family, and I dare not be anything but loyal!"

Zhang Hong prostrated himself and confessed sincerely, but he didn't wait for the Crown Prince's kind words.

Only from the corner of his eye, touching the ground, did he see a pair of boots pass by him.

The voice behind him grew distant: "I want a list of all the eunuchs who went to Huguang to collect taxes during the Emperor Longqing era; verify it."

After saying this, no other words came.

Only the sound of footsteps leaving echoed in the hall, the lingering sound fading away.

Zhang Hong almost collapsed on the ground.

He tugged at his collar; his back was actually soaked, as if he had walked through a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.

Even if he had opened his wisdom, the majesty was too heavy!

What ten-year-old new Emperor? If someone said this was an Emperor who had held high office and supreme power for decades, he would believe it!

Especially the four words in the last sentence made his heart tremble even more.

The tone, the habitual actions—he had almost seen through him!

After gasping for a few breaths, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly turned over.

Toward the direction the Crown Prince had left, he kowtowed again and sang in the empty hall: "This servant respectfully sends off the Master!"

……

Gao Yi looked at the fence he had just built, nodded with satisfaction, and stretched.

The chickens and ducks raised in this corner of the yard were always sneaking out, but it was finally resolved.

He had wanted to build a stone wall, but this one-courtyard house he was renting—although the landlord didn't dare refuse him, he obviously wasn't willing to let him build a wall, so he had to give up.

Today was the first day of the month, and the court had finally paid half of the owed salary, which allowed him to build a fence.

Just as he was admiring it, an old servant approached: "Master, someone from Zhang Gelao Zhang's mansion is here."

Gao Yi was startled.

Why did Zhang Zhang Juzheng send someone?

Official business between Cabinet ministers was indispensable, but private interaction was somewhat taboo.

Especially during the sensitive period of the dynasty's new mourning.

He looked at the old servant: "Where is the person? Why didn't you invite them in?"

The old servant held up a book with both hands: "He asked the old servant to pass this book to you, saying he had an unreasonable request, and he is waiting outside for your word."

Gao Yi took it and glanced at it; it was "The Book of Documents."

Why did Zhang Zhang Juzheng give him this book?

"What unreasonable request?"

The old servant replied: "He said, can you lecture on this chapter tomorrow, Master?"

Tomorrow? The Crown Prince's daily lecture? Gao Yi opened the book suspiciously, and sure enough, one of the pages was folded.

He turned to this page and was suddenly stunned.

Then he remained silent.

After waiting for a moment, he sighed: "Tell Zhang Gelao Zhang that I agree to this matter, but it will not happen again."

The old servant responded and left.

……

"Master, Zhang Gelao Gao said he agrees to the matter, but it will not happen again."

The young servant lifted the carriage curtain and said in a low voice.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng didn't speak, just nodded.

He raised his eyes to look at the gate of Gao Yi's courtyard and lowered the curtain: "Let's go, back to the mansion."

He gently stroked his temples; he seemed to have thought too much today, and two more white hairs had appeared.

He didn't know if he had thought too much or too little.

The late Emperor's spirit... the Director of the Ceremonial Guard... the questioning in court... Zhang Hong...

How much substance does the Crown Prince really have?

Let him take a good look tomorrow.

——

To boost the follow-up reads for Tuesday, Wednesday's chapter was released at midnight. Future normal update time is 4:30. Every Wednesday is at midnight.

Note 1: His manner was simple and quiet, he had few desires, and there were no concubines in his residence. His old house was destroyed by fire, and he lived in borrowed quarters for the rest of his life. When he died, there was almost nothing to pay for his burial. — "History of Ming, Biographies, Volume 81"

(End of Chapter)