Wanli Emperor Chapter 30 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 30 Part 2: At the Beginning of the Accession, a Clamorous Uproar

Zhang Xiao was, naturally, asking a question to which he already knew the answer. Not only did he know, but this was precisely what he had been waiting for.

He glimpsed Ge Shouli nodding discreetly, felt reassured, and continued to press the matter. "Oh... so it was an edict issued by Empress Dowager Chen at the time. In that case, this subject was indeed presumptuous."

Theoretically, the position of Seal-holding Director could only be appointed by the emperor.

But with the emperor's passing, it was natural for the empress to act as regent and make expedient decisions. That was justifiable.

Although... Zhang Xiao knew full well it was not Empress Dowager Chen who had issued the edict.

With the performance having reached this point, someone would naturally step in to help, raising the stakes.

The Right Vice Director of the Office of Transmission, Han Ji, berated him: "Zhang Xiao, how audacious! Empress Dowager Chen is a woman of great discernment. How dare you slander her! Grand Eunuch Feng's position as Seal-holding Director was chosen by the current Empress Dowager Li!"

As soon as his voice fell, the Left Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel, Song Zhihan, immediately stepped forward to argue: "Vice Director Han, please also be careful with your words. Our Six Offices of Scrutiny have never seen any clear edict from Empress Dowager Li at that time."

These two were known by all the officials to be Gao Gong's disciples.

At this point, the uninformed officials finally realized what was happening. The Senior Grand Secretary and the Seal-holding Director were about to engage in a real, no-holds-barred fight!

The Censorate and Remonstrance officials, the Six Offices of Scrutiny, and the Office of Transmission were all Gao Gong's men.

For these few to be singing in chorus now—it would be a miracle if it wasn't at Gao Gong's instruction!

The court was Gao Gong's home ground. The pitiful Seal-holding Director could only be surrounded and beaten, with absolutely no recourse.

As for the man at the center of it all, Feng Bao—watching himself being roasted over a fire in the blink of an eye—though his face remained expressionless, the hatred in his heart was no less intense.

Even though he had known in advance that Gao Gong would make his move soon and was somewhat mentally prepared, he still felt a surge of rage at this moment.

He had long been aware of this weakness.

When the late emperor passed away, Noble Consort Li, disliking Meng Chong, had him driven out and promoted Feng Bao.

As for a clear edict... the position of Seal-holding Director was truly not something a mere noble consort could decide with a single word.

Moreover, at that time, Meng Chong was the Seal-holding Director, and Gao Gong was the Senior Grand Secretary. The two were allies. It would have been miraculous if they had obeyed a mere noble consort's order.

So he had advised the then-Noble Consort Li to bypass the outer court and appoint him directly, presenting a fait accompli.

The heir apparent's birth mother had status, and he, leading the Eastern Depot, had men. Why would they need to care about procedures and etiquette?

The way of struggle in the inner court differed from that in the outer court.

Therefore, to cut the Gordian knot was a matter of expediency. At that time, it was simply impossible to issue a clear edict to the Grand Secretariat.

Otherwise, at best, it would be sealed and returned by the Six Offices of Scrutiny. At worst, it might even bring trouble upon Lady Li herself—Gao Gong was truly capable of shouting accusations of "a hen crowing at dawn." 

Afterward, with Lady Li suppressing the matter, no one pursued it for a time. Even if they had, the memorials could be held back.

Furthermore, with the recent elimination of Meng Chong and Lady Li becoming the Empress Dowager today, Feng Bao's position was already unshakable.

He just hadn't expected that Gao Gong would dare order a Censor to expose this matter in person at the grand enthronement ceremony!

This was to disgust him, even knowing it would prove useless.

He was truly disregarding the faces of the Two Palaces and the young emperor!

Feng Bao cast a subtle glance outside the hall, but the expected commotion did not arrive.

But he couldn't simply stand there and take it. He decisively brought out Empress Dowager Li. "Esteemed colleagues, perhaps you should reconsider. At that time, Empress Dowager Li did issue a verbal order!"

Feng Bao bit down hard on the words "Empress Dowager."

This was to remind these people that this was not just about offending him alone. Behind him stood the Son of Heaven's birth mother, a regent Empress Dowager!

Gao Gong aside, did these Supervising Secretaries and Censors really want to go down this dark path to the end?

But that Zhang Xiao—it was unknown what promises had been made to him. Not only did he not restrain himself in the slightest, but he became even more aggressive.

Hearing Feng Bao's words, Zhang Xiao's eyes widened in anger. After kowtowing to the imperial dais, he questioned in a loud voice: "How can a noble consort's verbal order decide the position of the Inner Grand Secretary!?"

He then turned to the hundred officials on either side and questioned loudly: "Has our dynasty ever had such a precedent!?"

This question was aimed directly at Empress Dowager Li. The hundred officials were all shocked, wishing they could flee their seats.

What kind of earth-shattering battle was this today, to be criticizing a regent Empress Dowager!

Seeing him barking like a dog, Feng Bao's words also grew heated. "Is Censor Zhang questioning Empress Dowager Li?"

If the position of Seal-holding Director could be removed with a few words, Gao Gong would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?

It was precisely because his appointment was firmly tied to Empress Dowager Li!

With this great accusation thrown down, Feng Bao waited to see how a mere Censor would dare to respond.

Unfortunately, Zhang Xiao was charging at the front, but there were plenty of people behind him.

At this moment, someone naturally came out to control the situation.

Gao Gong spoke in a mild tone: "You two, be careful with your words. Do not casually involve your superiors in your own problems."

Zhang Xiao knew when to stop and how to gauge the situation.

He ignored Feng Bao and continued to address Zhu Yijun: "At the beginning of Your Majesty's accession, who knows how many are watching! How can name and authority be lent to another?"

"Since the congratulatory memorials are to be collected by the Seal-holding Director, this subject dares not present them to a bystander!"

His words carried the accusation that Feng Bao was usurping name and authority, a grave crime of overstepping imperial power.

As the Left Censor-in-Chief, Ge Shouli could not truly allow the enthronement ceremony to be ruined by the Censorate and Remonstrance officials.

He stepped forward and berated him: "Zhang Xiao! Must you disrupt His Majesty's ascension? Present your memorial at once and withdraw!"

After speaking, he advised the emperor: "Your Majesty, even if what Zhang Xiao says is reasonable, it is merely a matter of an inner courtier overstepping his authority. It is not as important as Your Majesty's court today. This subject requests that it be dealt with later."

With a few words, these speaking officials had branded Feng Bao as someone who had usurped the position of Seal-holding Director and overstepped his authority.

They didn't even give Feng Bao a chance to interject.

Zhu Yijun found it laughable. These people truly had no regard for the emperor, even using his enthronement ceremony as a battlefield.

No wonder the Hongzhi Emperor was praised to the heavens by these civil officials, called a truly benevolent ruler below the Three Dynasties—during the Hongzhi court, the civil officials were in precisely this state.

According to the Veritable Records of the Ming from Joseon 【TN: The official Korean annals that recorded Ming court proceedings】, when the Hongzhi Emperor held court, the court officials held their own small meetings, arguing endlessly, while the emperor could only sit on the dragon throne like a wooden puppet.

Was this the kind of emperor these people wanted?

It was fortunate that Zhu Yijun had other plans at the moment; otherwise, seeing these people so disrespectful to their sovereign, he might have had a public falling out.

With this in mind, he adopted a spectator's attitude and went along with the flow. "What Censor Ge says is reasonable. Censor Zhang, this matter can be discussed later. Do not get entangled here."

To cause a disturbance at court now was, at most, the first step in bringing this matter to the forefront. It could not shake Feng Bao's position.

Gao Gong must have other moves in store. A storm was sure to follow.

Today's prelude should come to an end.

As a pawn, Zhang Xiao's task was already complete. Hearing this, he immediately bowed respectfully, proclaiming his obedience. "This subject was worried that an inner courtier would overstep his authority and obscure Your Majesty's sight and hearing, and was momentarily overcome with anxiety."

"In my presumptuousness, I inadvertently disturbed Your Majesty's enthronement court. After this subject withdraws, I will submit a memorial to confess my fault and await Your Majesty's judgment."

"As for the matter of Feng Bao, this subject will also submit a separate memorial."

After speaking, he finally handed the congratulatory memorial to Feng Bao.

But as the two passed each other, Zhang Xiao let out a quiet sneer.

Feng Bao took a deep breath, suppressed the emotions in his chest, and endured the humiliation.

His face was expressionless, as if he were waiting for something.

Seeing Feng Bao swallow his anger, Zhang Xiao couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Just as he was about to return to his rank, before he had even taken a step, a eunuch suddenly entered from a side hall.

"An edict from the Empress Dowager!"

—---

Author's Notes:

Note 1: In the sixth month of the sixth year of the Longqing era, Censor of the Guangxi Circuit Zhang Xiao submitted a memorial stating: "At the beginning of Your Majesty's accession, who knows how many are watching! How can a name and authority be lent to another? The one in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial's seal is Meng Chong. We have not heard any edict to dismiss one and appoint another. Suddenly, the one transmitting the edict is Ma Baochen and others. We looked at each other in astonishment, not knowing what to do." — Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong 【TN: The official annals of Ming Emperor Wanli's reign, compiled by court historians】

Note 2: Under normal circumstances, Empress Dowager Li would not issue edicts directly, but would use the names of the Two Palaces and the emperor to issue decrees jointly. The plot has been simplified here and deviates from historical practice for narrative purposes.

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