Chapter 94: Punish the Past, Guard Against the Future; Bear the Nation

Xu Jie had already realized something was wrong.

In his expectation, this imperial edict would be nothing more than a mild reprimand, perhaps a minor punishment to put the matter to rest.

But now, Hai Rui had suddenly turned on him, arresting a Right Vice Censor-in-Chief—this matter… was not unfolding as he had anticipated.

Xu Jie’s silence only drew further prodding from the eunuch Wei Chao: “Senior Tutor Xu, it is time to receive the edict.”

He looked up at Hai Rui, then turned to gaze at the lacquered box holding the imperial decree in the eunuch’s hands.

He nodded silently, knelt, and listened to the decree.

Eunuch Wei Chao rolled up his sleeve and gently lifted out the imperial edict.

In the hall, Hai Rui and Gu Cheng both bowed in unison to listen.

“The former Grand Secretary Xu Jie is upright, clear-minded, and resolute in upholding justice.”

“He risked his life to serve the throne, aided the Shizong Emperor, purged treachery and evil, restored the sovereign’s authority, and brought peace to the realm.”

“His statesmanship was grand and decisive; he secured the succession for the Muzong Emperor, upheld governance and stabilized the age, eradicated bribery among officials, and brought order to the empire.”

“Upon his retirement.”

“He long bore a reputation for virtue, renowned at court; in his later years, his integrity was celebrated in his hometown.”

“With the resolve of winter’s frost, he cast himself into the mire of corruption, exposed the rot of officialdom, and laid bare its crimes before the Son of Heaven.”

“His lofty integrity and noble aspirations rise above the clouds; his spotless fame endures as long as the Huai River flows.”

“Therefore, we appoint him without reservation, entrusting him with great responsibility: we bestow upon the former Grand Secretary Xu Jie the title of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and appoint him Provincial Governor of Fengyang, Yingtian, and fourteen other prefectures.”

“Acting on the evidence he has provided, pursue the case step by step.”

“Investigate eleven major cases in Nanzhili: the Xu Fan murder and treason case, the canal grain-ship capsizing case, the scholarly forgery of edicts case, the Taizhou incitement of the ignorant case, the Huai’an disrespect toward imperial envoys case… and others.”

“Due to Xu Jie’s advanced age, he is specially permitted to oversee from the center; the Assistant Vice Censor-in-Chief Hai Rui shall hold the seals and assist him.”

“I now bestow these words: ‘In this world, there exists a spirit of unyielding integrity—I share this resolve with you.’”

…

At midnight, the imperial envoy’s party boarded a large vessel bound for Yingtian Prefecture.

It was now afternoon; Nanzhili loomed in the distance.

Xu Jie stood alone on the deck, silently holding the edict, studying it closely.

Since receiving the edict, Xu Jie had not slept a single night, endlessly reciting the few lines written upon it.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind: “The rains have just passed; the weather has turned cold again. Senior Tutor Xu, you might as well return to your cabin.”

Xu Jie did not turn around—he knew it was Hai Rui.

He spoke: “Who are we going to investigate in Yingtian?”

The emperor had granted him an empty title but entrusted the imperial seal to Hai Rui, making him merely a spectator to the emperor’s so-called “unyielding integrity.”

Naturally, as the accuser and now the nominal investigator, he would face no shortage of hatred.

As for his own ambitions to stir up trouble… the eunuch Wei Chao, who had come with him, held in his hands the edict stripping him of office, waiting to cut the cord the moment he was no longer useful.

Hai Rui walked beside Xu Jie and explained: “First, we visit the Prince of Wei, Xu Bangrui, and the Marquis of Huaining, Sun Shizhong.”

“These two are linked to the irregular movements of the Huai’an Garrison, Feixiong Guard, and Tiger-Warrior Right Guard.”

Xu Jie nodded, asking no further questions.

He turned to Hai Rui and asked another matter: “Must Xu Fan die?”

Xu Fan was Xu Jie’s eldest son; now that the emperor had displayed his unyielding resolve, he must now strip Xu Jie of his own will.

He gave him an empty title, forced him to oversee the very case he had exposed, and shattered his regional power base.

Making him investigate his own son’s treason was forcing Xu Jie to destroy the family he cherished most.

Even to prevent him from taking his own life, the emperor promised that after the case was settled, he could claim merit to pardon two other sons.

Hai Rui shook his head: “Xu Fan instructed his clerks to murder innocent civilians; the Embroidered Uniform Guard caught him red-handed. The Northern Office of Surveillance has already rendered judgment—it now awaits Senior Tutor Xu’s righteous act of sacrificing kin for justice.”

Xu Jie sighed with sorrowful expression.

He still did not understand why the emperor could wear the posture of a victor.

How could he even afford the leisure to crush Xu Jie’s spirit?

The matters he exposed were not limited to those in Nanzhili.

From the Empress Dowager in the Forbidden City to the Grand Secretary, his colleagues, the Six Ministries, all bureaus, noble families, and provincial governors—almost none had escaped.

The emperor could not possibly punish them all; he must conceal some, or the court would collapse.

But if he shielded his own confidants while pretending to show no mercy to outsiders, would the uninvolved not think so? What would the people of Nanzhili think?

If this were true, then as soon as those few who knew the truth spread the word, Nanzhili would see this as naked persecution and humiliation!

“It is not scarcity they fear, but inequality”—not just officials, but scholars, gentry, and commoners alike would rise in righteous fury.

If manipulated by those with ill intent, it would instantly become a catastrophic upheaval.

Nanzhili was the empire’s primary source of tax revenue—could the central court truly risk inciting rebellion here?

He had pondered this all night, yet still could not fathom how the emperor dared to be so confident.

After speaking, Hai Rui fell silent.

“There is still room to maneuver.”

A sharp voice rang out.

Both turned to look.

There stepped forward Wei Chao, the chief eunuch who had delivered the edict.

Seeing the faint glimmer of hope in Xu Jie’s eyes, he explained: “Senior Tutor Xu, do not overthink it. His Majesty requires nothing of you—just watch.”

Hearing this, Xu Jie’s hope flared, then sank instantly to despair.

If the emperor used his son to control him, it meant the emperor still needed him—there might yet be room to negotiate.

But if the emperor truly needed nothing from him, he had lost all leverage.

Wei Chao looked at Xu Jie, his gaze tinged with pity, and spoke: “His Majesty says:”

“The principal and accomplices are determined by the confessions of Xu Fan and Xu Kun. Senior Tutor Xu may decide for himself.”

The emperor decreed: the principal shall die; the accomplices may be spared.

As for who is the principal… the decision now rests with Xu Jie.

Xu Jie’s face changed instantly.

He pointed at Wei Chao, his entire arm trembling uncontrollably.

His lips quivered, voice dry and horrified: “Cruel and vicious! Not the conduct of a sovereign!”

“Even the Jiajing Emperor never stooped to this level—do you fear the judgment of history?!”

This was no mercy left to him.

This was forcing him to choose which son to kill—knowing full well he cherished his wise eldest son, the emperor had deliberately set this trap!

How could there be such a sovereign?

To crush a man’s spirit to this extent—this was tyranny! This was a despot!

Wei Chao shook his head solemnly: “His Majesty knows Senior Tutor Xu values family and kinship—that is why he grants you this chance to save yourself. How can you speak so disrespectfully?”

His tone turned icy: “Do you wish for the accomplices to be executed as well?”

Xu Jie’s body grew cold; he stammered for a long while, too afraid to answer.

Wei Chao snorted coldly and turned away.

Xu Jie turned to Hai Rui, voice hoarse: “Has the central court concealed its own crimes, daring only to pursue those in Nanzhili?!”

“Does he not fear provoking a backlash across Nanzhili?!”

This conduct is clearly factional vengeance—where is the spirit of renewal?

By doing this, the emperor is personally cultivating the soil of regional cliques.

For at least decades, Nanzhili will never be stable!

To vent his anger, he disregards the empire’s welfare?!

Facing Xu Jie’s accusation, Hai Rui finally spoke: “Senior Tutor Xu, you overestimate the matter. Most of those implicated in the central court have already been resolved; His Majesty has shown no favoritism.”

“Similarly, His Majesty will treat Nanzhili with equal justice.”

Xu Jie froze.

Then he let out a bitter laugh: “How quickly—so many implicated, yet already resolved…?”

At that moment, he suddenly understood.

Xu Jie realized, yet could hardly believe it: “Zhang Juzheng! Zhang Juzheng, isn’t it?!”

“The emperor made the Grand Secretariat take the blame, forced every implicated official to confess, then granted clemency under the guise of amnesty! Isn’t that it?!”

“My good student trusts the emperor this much?!”

Hai Rui would not lie—but such a swift resolution was impossible.

Only this theory could explain the contradiction.

He had never considered it before, because based on his experience leading the Grand Secretariat, no Grand Secretary would sacrifice himself so utterly for the emperor’s fleeting rage.

Xu Jie stared fixedly at Hai Rui, seeking the answer in his eyes.

Hai Rui met his gaze, his expression one of awe and admiration: “His Majesty said: ‘He who bears the nation’s disgrace is called the lord of the altar; he who bears the nation’s calamity is called the king of all under heaven.’”

He paused, then spoke to Xu Jie with deep meaning: “Senior Tutor Xu, do you understand?”

Xu Jie’s expression stilled; for an instant, he grasped a thread of meaning—but it slipped away like mist over flowers.

He strained his mind, desperate to comprehend, yet found no path.

Wei Chao cut in: “Yesterday in Huai’an, there were too many ears—now we may tell you, Senior Tutor Xu.”

Xu Jie looked at him.

Wei Chao’s sly face bore a hint of pride: “On New Year’s Eve, the imperial father-in-law Li Wei, deeply moved by the Emperor’s grace, voluntarily surrendered to the Censorate and returned twenty-one thousand taels of embezzled silver.”

Hearing this, Xu Jie lifted his head, thought for a moment, then shook his head: “It’s still the same old trick—granting amnesty while secretly returning the silver. It won’t fool the world.”

If this is all, you’re vastly underestimating the intelligence of the world.

Such deception only adds fuel to the fire.

You can’t truly punish the imperial father-in-law—that would surely drive the Emperor into open conflict with the Empress Dowager.

Wei Chao shook his head, speaking with the condescension of one who speaks to a summer insect: “You, Master Xu, are merely petty-minded. The imperial father-in-law’s embezzled silver has been fully allocated as this year’s military pay for Guangdong and Guangxi.”

“Meanwhile, during the investigation, the Censorate discovered that the Empress Dowager Cisheng was also implicated, having received twelve thousand taels of the imperial father-in-law’s illicit silver.”

Xu Jie was stunned.

The case was being deliberately minimized—how could it possibly reach the current Empress Dowager? What did this mean!?

Wei Chao glanced at him and continued: “The Three Judicial Departments, in accordance with the law, petitioned His Majesty under the ‘Eight Privileges,’ and the Grand Secretariat drafted the imperial edict requesting clemency.”

“His Majesty refused, but followed the precedent of the ‘Eight Privileges,’ reducing the sentence by one degree—thus sparing Li Wei from exile and sentencing him to one hundred strokes of the cane.”

“The Empress Dowager Cisheng received forty strokes, and His Majesty took the punishment in his mother’s place…”

“In the Fengtian Hall, clad in imperial robes, he received thirty-seven strokes personally; three of the lashes were administered by the Empress Dowager Rensheng.”

Hearing this, Xu Jie finally understood what the Emperor intended to do!

Expansion—this was the essence of expansion!

He couldn’t help but stare blankly, murmuring: “And then—will the Grand Secretariat, moved by His Majesty’s virtue, voluntarily surrender themselves?”

Wei Chao looked at him in surprise, then nodded: “Indeed. Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, moved by His Majesty’s filial piety and benevolence, voluntarily returned all past gifts of silver and charcoal—eighty-one thousand taels in total.”

“According to the Great Ming Code, Volume on Officials, Article Twenty-Three, eleven provisions state: accepting bribes without perverting justice, if exceeding one hundred and twenty guan, incurs one hundred strokes and exile three thousand li.”

“The Three Judicial Departments petitioned again under the ‘Eight Privileges,’ and His Majesty ruled: exile waived, one hundred strokes imposed.”

“The Grand Secretary personally received the strokes outside the Wu Gate.”

“The embezzled silver was used to exempt the nine gates of Beijing from taxes in the first year of Wanli.”

“Zhang Juzheng submitted a memorial requesting retirement; His Majesty withheld it. That same day, Deputy Grand Secretary Gao Yi surrendered, admitting he had accepted eleven copper coins and seven eggs, and received twenty strokes.”

“Immediately following him, Deputy Grand Secretaries Lu Diaoyang and Yang Bo surrendered.”

At this point, Xu Jie finally understood what the Emperor intended to do.

Even he, Xu Jie, could not help but feel a sense of awe.

This was the true master of expansion!

He had merely tried to drag as many powerful figures as possible into the matter, forcing the Emperor to hesitate.

But the Emperor had dragged everyone into the water!

Hearing that Gao Yi had accepted seven eggs, he understood the next move.

Xu Jie sought survival through chaos.

The Emperor sought renewal through destruction!

Wei Chao continued recounting the events in the central court: “The next day, the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of the Imperial Household all surrendered.”

“Each returned their illicit gains and received corporal punishment outside the Wu Gate.”

“Minister of Justice Wang Zhigao, who had shielded his son from murder charges, submitted a memorial requesting retirement; the old case was reopened by the Three Judicial Departments.”

“Subsequently, officials from the top down exposed one another, and nearly all officials became entangled in the corruption scandal.”

“On the same day, the Chief Censor of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Zaiting, reported on the first quarter’s implementation of the Kaocheng Law in the Northern Zhili region, revealing countless corrupt officials.”

“Nearly ninety percent of officials in Northern Zhili were implicated in the grand corruption case.”

Xu Jie no longer needed to hear more.

This was not a case of broad conspiracy—it was an accounting purge!

Any official who surrendered now would have all offenses prior to the first year of Wanli erased.

Under these circumstances, his denunciations were useless.

Adding mud to mud does not change its nature.

The Emperor intended to take this entire pool of muck and destroy it to rebuild!

Not only Northern Zhili—Southern Zhili could be treated the same way; under equal treatment, Southern Zhili could not stir up rebellion.

Moreover, those tied to his boat were mostly corruption cases; reducing the punishment for corruption and granting amnesty for past offenses would likely cause them to jump ship.

And some, perhaps, were guilty of crimes beyond pardon.

No wonder the eleven cases assigned to him contained not a single corruption charge—they were all cases of treason!

What a holy emperor—truly a holy emperor.

But how did the Emperor manage it!?

Xu Jie murmured to himself: “How is this possible…”

Why would these nobles and high officials willingly damage their reputations to play this game of destruction and renewal?

Wouldn’t it be better to settle quietly?

Yang Bo was about to retire—why endure this stain now, merely to elevate the Emperor?

And Gao Yi and others—without guilt, they still inserted themselves, even for seven eggs, recorded in history—was that truly honorable?

And as he knew, why would Zhang Simei, Ma Ziqiang, Wang Zhigao, and others cooperate with the Emperor?

Hearing Xu Jie’s murmurs, Hai Rui could no longer hold back: “Master Xu, besides your grand strategy, there is also the grand strategy of shared fate.”

“The Emperor and the Grand Secretariat—that is the grand strategy!”

He well knew how difficult it had been for the Emperor to persuade each noble and high official.

He coerced the imperial father-in-law through kinship, revived the Kai Zhong system to win over northerners, enticed nobles with the establishment of maritime trade offices, and even pledged his own political credit as guarantee.

He had never witnessed such humble political consultation—aiming to resolve the case without destabilizing the court.

To encounter such a holy sovereign—what great fortune!

Wei Chao pulled another edict from his sleeve—such edicts, meant for widespread distribution, were always copied multiple times.

“His Majesty, having performed the southern sacrifice, issued a self-censure edict saying…”

Xu Jie suddenly reached out and seized the edict.

He read it eagerly, alone.

He needed to reassess this young emperor.

“I am young and lacking in virtue; I have just ascended the throne, yet have achieved nothing.”

“In less than half a year as Emperor, corruption has spread like wildfire—is this not my responsibility?”

“I questioned officials who excelled under the Kaocheng Law; they all said their incomes could not cover expenses, that they could not even afford enough food. I sent envoys to investigate and learned that these men lived in thatched huts, with firewood scarce, their wives dressed in coarse cloth, their children fed like pigs and clad like beggars.”

“When I asked why, I learned the state had withheld their salaries for four months, and even compounded their poverty by paying them in paper money and chili peppers.”

“Could this be acceptable?”

“Heaven and the ancestral temples—corruption among officials clearly bears my share of blame. If I do not correct myself first, how can I punish my ministers?”

“Thus I have decided: to abolish tribute of jewels and other luxuries, to correct my own past excesses in diet and expenditure, thereby reducing the inner court’s expenses.”

“Moreover, I pledge that when the Kaocheng Law is fully implemented, all qualified officials will receive their full salaries, and outstanding officials will receive additional bonuses to compensate for the court’s past failures.”

“Similarly, under the general amnesty, corruption offenses prior to the first year of Wanli, if the illicit silver is returned, will be reduced by one degree, allowing merit to atone for guilt.”

“As for the suffering inflicted upon the people during this period, it shall be borne entirely by the Emperor himself—by me.”

“To compensate the people, the court will reduce taxes for a certain period, using the recovered illicit silver.”

“At the same time, the Kai Zhong system will be reopened to supply grain to frontier troops.”

“As for merchants, the court will reestablish the Fujian Maritime Trade Office in spring and summer, and open a new one at Chongming Sha, permitting ships to sail overseas.”

“For the Northern and Southern Zhili regions, and Fujian Province under the Board of Revenue, I expect officials to actively surrender and redeem themselves through merit.”

“When you read this edict, understand my resolve—my intentions and aspirations remain unchanged.”

After reading the self-censure edict, Xu Jie’s eyes grew vacant, his mind in a daze.

He staggered and fell into Hai Rui’s arms.

He struggled to lift himself, looked at Hai Rui, and said hoarsely: “What a noble one who bears the nation’s disgrace! What a noble one who bears the nation’s misfortune!”

There is more, but it will come much later; the exact time is uncertain.

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(End of Chapter)