Wanli Emperor Chapter 34 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 34 Part 2: Muddying the Waters, Stirring the Political Tides

Gao Gong looked deeply at the imperial dais, turned around, and coughed lightly. "Let us discuss the matters."

As soon as his voice fell, Ge Shouli was about to speak.

A Right Supervising Secretary from the Office of Scrutiny for Revenue suddenly stepped out, getting ahead of him.

Li Zaiting took the lead and said, "Esteemed colleagues, I have a matter here that needs to be discussed."

The Minister of Revenue, Zhang Shouzhi, was inspecting the imperial mausoleum. At today's court conference, one Vice Minister and one Supervising Secretary had come.

Li Zaiting was a jinshi from the second year of the Longqing era, with very little seniority.

For him to speak so boldly made everyone turn to look at him.

Li Zaiting took out a memorial from his sleeve. "Recently, I was reviewing the military supply accounts for Xuan-Da and discovered a pending case."

"In the fourth year of the Longqing era, the expenditure of grain exceeded ten thousand shi. In the fifth year, it was about fifteen thousand shi. However, after verification, it was found that in the fifth year, only eleven thousand shi were accounted for. I do not know where the remaining four thousand shi went."

"That is one thing, but this year, the Ministry of War is requesting from my Ministry of Revenue seventy-one thousand three hundred shi, several times more!"

He turned around and stared at Yang Bo. "Minister Yang Bo, I do not know where Xuan-Da plans to use this?"

The hundred officials had not expected this court conference to be more exciting day by day. Never mind the usual confrontation between Feng Bao and Gao Gong.

Now someone was finding fault with the Jin Clique. It was unknown who was muddying the waters.

Yang Bo, having been suddenly called out, could only answer cautiously. "This is the expenditure requested by Xuan-Da, to be used for repairing the border defenses of Xuanfu Town."

"The Ministry of War's deliberation found no problem before it went to the Ministry of Revenue. It is not my own idea."

"As for that four thousand shi, perhaps it was also used for repairing the border defenses."

These words deflected responsibility cleanly, and he responded with considerable skill.

According to precedent, when it came to border defenses, these speaking officials should remain silent. They could hardly travel to Xuan-Da to verify matters now, could they?

Even if some stubborn official were to make the journey to Xuan-Da, by the time he returned, all evidence would have been thoroughly scrubbed clean.

Unfortunately for Yang Bo, Li Zaiting was acting on imperial orders.

The evidence in his hands came entirely from the Duke of Cheng's comprehensive records.

Hearing this, Li Zaiting not only refused to let the matter drop but pressed his advantage. "What a coincidence. When I was examining the accounts, I happened to encounter the Xuan-Da touring Censor who had just returned last month."

"When we compared our findings, we discovered that the previously proposed defensive construction projects were not even half completed!"

"Moreover, we uncovered extensive false reporting and embezzlement in past construction expenditures!"

Many officials had already begun to whisper among themselves.

To come so well-prepared, it did not seem like a coincidence.

Li Zaiting looked directly at Yang Bo. "Minister Yang, the money was requested by your Ministry of War on behalf of Governor-General Wang, and it was supervised by your Ministry of War. Now that something has happened, does Minister Yang not know?"

"This seventy-one thousand three hundred shi this year—should my Ministry of Revenue give it or not?"

Zhu Yijun observed with satisfaction from behind the screen as his advance forces struck.

This Li Zaiting was proving invaluable.

Not only was he loyal and principled, but he also executed his attack with precision, immediately cornering Yang Bo in an untenable position.

This case had been carefully selected by the emperor himself.

Viewed gravely, it constituted negligence in border defense, corruption, and dereliction of duty.

Viewed charitably, it was simply inadequate oversight.

At minimum, it would occupy Yang Bo's attention for some time to come.

Li Zaiting was still pressing. "Minister Yang, will your Ministry of War investigate and correct itself and give an account, or should I report it to the Two Palaces?"

Yang Bo simply felt weary of cleaning up these messes.

He clasped his hands. "I will return to the Ministry of War to verify it after the court session."

Li Zaiting shook his head. "Since Minister Yang is Governor-General Wang's in-law, I suggest he recuse himself to avoid any appearance of impropriety."

This demand was rather brazen.

Gao Gong also sensed something amiss. He cast a questioning glance at Ge Shouli. Was this merely an overzealous reformist, or was something more deliberate at work?

Ge Shouli appeared equally perplexed. He frowned and interjected, "Li Zaiting, confine yourself to the facts at hand. Do not level unfounded accusations."

As soon as his voice fell, the Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Justice, Zhang Chucheng, suddenly interjected. "Censor-in-Chief, I think what Supervising Secretary Li said is reasonable."

Ge Shouli looked at Zhang Chucheng with confusion.

Zhang Chucheng also stepped out and looked at Yang Bo. "I also have a matter here concerning the Vice Minister of Personnel, Zhang Siwei."

"It is that Vice Minister Zhang accepted bribes and placed his fellow provincials in my Ministry of Justice. Coincidentally, the person he placed is also Minister Yang's relative."

"In my humble opinion, when relatives and friends are involved, it is better to avoid any hint of impropriety."

It was different for court officials than for the inner court.

Once impeached, one had to submit a memorial in defense, either arguing one's case vigorously or requesting resignation.

Now, with two Supervising Secretaries bearing down on him, Yang Bo immediately felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

He did not even know who was orchestrating this attack!

At this juncture, Gao Gong had to take a stance. He could not allow this to escalate into factional warfare. Otherwise, what if Wang Chonggu, driven to desperation, decided to unleash his full political arsenal?

Now that he stood alone in the Grand Secretariat, he wielded sole authority.

He looked at Li Zaiting and Zhang Chucheng. "How can you make such accusations without substantiating evidence? After the court session, present your proof."

"Minister Yang, first return to the Ministry of War to investigate the situation thoroughly. Let us clarify all facts before proceeding. Do not rush to submit defensive memorials."

These words were designed to shield both Yang Bo and Zhang Siwei.

If there were indeed irregularities, they could return and rectify matters quietly. Better to handle things discreetly than let them spiral into public scandal.

Yang Bo immediately grasped the lifeline. "I will return to the Ministry of War at once to examine the case files and provide a full response to the Office of Scrutiny for Revenue."

He pointedly avoided addressing Zhang Siwei's alleged placement of relatives. If the appointment had followed proper procedures, there would have been no issue. If not, he could simply ensure the paperwork was completed retroactively.

Gao Gong nodded approvingly, signaling for Yang Bo to withdraw first.

Li Zaiting and Zhang Chucheng looked at each other, saw that the timing was right, and withdrew.

To have accomplished this much, Zhang Siwei and Yang Bo would at least have to offer their resignations. That was enough.

After this matter was concluded, Ge Shouli was about to step out to discuss matters.

Feng Bao had sharp eyes. Seeing this Left Censor-in-Chief looking so impatient, he immediately knew that another speaking official was going to impeach him.

He naturally had to seize the opportunity.

Feng Bao did not hesitate, seizing the initiative to speak. "The Supervising Secretary's words just now are quite reasonable. This matter of relatives and friends pervading the court has indeed grown excessive."

"I know little of the specifics regarding Yang Bo and Zhang Siwei, so I shall refrain from comment."

"However, yesterday, while investigating a case on imperial orders, I stumbled upon something truly shocking from the confession of a certain Censor."

"I never imagined that there were ministers in this very court who have been forming factions among themselves!"

Ge Shouli had been outmaneuvered twice and could not suppress his irritation.

Seeing Feng Bao now holding forth so smoothly from the imperial dais only deepened his frustration.

Since a Censor had been mentioned, he was compelled to respond. "Grand Attendant Feng, mind your words. My Censorate operates on reports and rumors. Do not malign those who share common principles as mere factionalists."

Feng Bao did not even spare Ge Shouli a glance.

He addressed Gao Gong directly. "Yesterday, the Censor Zhang Shouyue confessed that someone had instructed his disciples and former subordinates to launch attacks against me."

"Senior Grand Secretary, the Empress Dowager has commanded me to ask whether you have any defense to offer."

Gao Gong's expression remained stone-cold. "Grand Attendant Feng, you may as well speak directly. Do not circle around the matter while attempting to implicate me."

He naturally would not fall into Feng Bao's trap.

Accusations of factionalism were impossible to disprove once leveled.

Feng Bao smiled and clasped his hands toward Cining Palace. "The Two Palaces and His Majesty have issued an edict."

"Supervising Secretary Song Zhihan, for disrupting court proceedings and committing breaches of protocol before the throne, is to be remanded to the Grand Secretariat for deliberation of his crimes."

"Censor Zhang Shouyue, for courting notoriety through reckless criticism and pointing accusations at the imperial person, is to be demoted to sub-prefectural magistrate in Daozhou, pending Grand Secretariat review."

"Furthermore, based on the confessions of Zhang Xiao, Song Zhihan, and Zhang Shouyue, evidence suggests factional activity within the court. The Grand Secretariat is commanded to submit an immediate explanation."

With that, he gestured toward the entrance of Wenhua Hall.

"I have brought Zhang Shouyue to the Grand Secretariat for questioning. Once the Grand Secretariat completes its interrogation, both he and Song Zhihan may be transferred to the Censorate to await final sentencing."

Gao Gong looked at Feng Bao with cold eyes.

His tone was frigid. "The Grand Secretariat understands this order. I will naturally submit a statement to the Two Empresses Dowager and His Majesty to explain this matter."

"Coincidentally, Grand Attendant Feng mentioned factionalism."

"I also have a major matter here, which involves a wide range of issues, and also concerns the speaking officials. It is that our dynasty's Censors and Supervising Secretaries are impeaching the same person, and the content is also the same."

"Everyone might as well distinguish whether this is factionalism, or if it is driven by the great righteousness of the country's laws."

He turned his head and nodded to an official.

An official, holding dozens of memorials, walked up.

Gao Gong gestured with his chin and said, "The Grand Secretariat has received memorials from forty-nine Censors and twenty-seven Supervising Secretaries, all impeaching Grand Attendant Feng at the same time."

"Everyone, let us discuss it."

Over seventy speaking officials launching impeachments!

Even the uninformed technical officials from the Ministry of Works could not help but exchange shocked glances.

The court officials murmured among themselves in hushed tones.

Having delivered his blow, Gao Gong returned to his position at the head of the ranks and fell silent.

This was how he escalated the confrontation—step by calculated step.

It was precisely through such methodical advances that he could bind the court officials firmly to his cause.

Today, the speaking officials could impeach Feng Bao despite pressure from Lady Li.

Once successful, the resulting momentum would shake the very foundations of power.

When that moment came, his presentation of the "Memorial on Five Urgent Matters for the New Administration"—calling for the abolition of the Directorate of Ceremonial—would rally even more supporters to his banner.

This was the art of building political momentum.

Forty-nine Censors, twenty-seven Supervising Secretaries—such a scale had not been seen in recent years, second only to the Left Gate of Obedience incident during Emperor Shizong's time.

Back then, to suppress such resistance, Emperor Shizong could only resort to having the Embroidered Uniform Guard beat court officials to death. What tools did Lady Li and Feng Bao possess now?

He was eager to discover whether Lady Li and her Eastern Depot allies commanded the same ruthless foundation and methods as Emperor Shizong.

With this thought, Gao Gong swept his gaze across the assembled officials once more.

He then lifted his eyes to meet Feng Bao's stare directly, returning the challenge without yielding an inch.

The two men's gazes clashed like crossed blades, their silent confrontation crackling with tension throughout the hall.

At precisely this moment, to everyone's astonishment, the screen concealing the imperial dais was abruptly swept aside.

—---

Author's Note:

Historical Notes:
In the sixth year of the Longqing era, Zhang Siwei, the Left Vice Minister of Personnel and concurrent Hanlin Academy Reader-in-waiting, was impeached by the Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Justice, Zhang Chucheng. He submitted a memorial requesting his dismissal, which was not approved.

The Ministry of Revenue also submitted a memorial, stating that Governor-General Wang Chonggu and others had requested grain for repairing the border forts of Xuanfu Town. It said: "According to the grain and fodder ledgers, in the fourth year of the Longqing era, the expenditure was over ten thousand shi; in the fifth year, it was over fifteen thousand shi, all within the annual quota. Now, checking the end of the fifth year for that town, the actual grain and fodder in kind is four thousand shi less than in the fourth year. It is also proposed to use seventy-one thousand three hundred shi from within, and checking the past construction costs, there are many false reports and abuses, with no practical use. Because the appointed officials are accustomed to deceit and skilled at false reporting, when checking, they use false names to take the place of real ones; when distributing grain, they count the number of mouths and issue it; they report completion by the deadline, without being held responsible for any embezzlement. When the barbarian threat is great, the walls and forts in various places collapse at the sight of the wind, and the previous proposals for construction, repair, and defense are completely inconsistent. The waste of money and resources on the border, and the resulting shortages, are all due to this."

—---

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