Wanli Emperor Chapter 37 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 37 Part 2: A Strong Wind Reveals Sturdy Grass, A Situation Trending Towards Stability

In the side hall, Lü Diaoyang was still explaining matters to Empress Dowager Li.

The origins of the ancestral system.

The stories of its hidden dangers and benefits.

He explained and analyzed thoroughly, befitting his position as Minister of Rites.

Empress Dowager Li listened very seriously.

Initially, she would occasionally glance at Zhu Xizhong, probably considering emulating Emperor Shizong.

But the more she listened, the more silent she became.

From time to time she would ask Zhu Xizhong for confirmation, and the answers she received only made her frown deepen.

Suddenly, Empress Dowager Li interrupted Lü Diaoyang and asked in confusion: "Minister Lü, isn't the Duke of Cheng also one of the Three Ducal Ministers and concurrently Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"How is it that he conforms to established precedent?"

Lü Diaoyang wanted to explain, but since it involved the nobility, it wasn't easy to speak plainly.

It was Zhu Xizhong who said frankly: "Empress Dowager, our dynasty's Three Ducal Ministers and Three Solitary Ministers have only the name, not the substance." [1]

"If we made an equivalent, it would be like having this subject lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard while entering the Grand Secretariat to handle affairs."

Lü Diaoyang couldn't help giving this Duke of Cheng a second look.

These words were extremely direct and could help Empress Dowager Li understand the harm, but... it wasn't in keeping with an official's proper conduct, nor did it seem like Zhu Xizhong's style.

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Li remained silent for a long while. Finally, she said: "So I should follow the speaking officials' request and strip Grand Attendant Feng of his position as Admiral of the Eastern Depot?"

As soon as she spoke, Zhu Xizhong immediately responded: "This humble subject could also, for the Empress Dowager, have these dozens of speaking officials all arrested and thrown into prison!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is at the Empress Dowager's disposal at any time!"

Lü Diaoyang's heart skipped a beat!

What was wrong with this Zhu Xizhong!

He quickly advised: "Absolutely not!"

Empress Dowager Li looked at Lü Diaoyang speechlessly. Did he think her so foolish?

She could still understand Zhu Xizhong's roundabout way of remonstrating.

It was just...

Empress Dowager Li remained unconvinced and uneasy.

The emperor had just ascended the throne, leaving only an orphan and widow. It was one thing for court officials not to think of assisting them, but they were ganging up to impeach the inner courtier she relied upon.

How did she feel about this?

Not to mention—not only Gao Gong and his faction, but even Lü Diaoyang, whom Feng Bao usually praised, didn't speak for him.

Even the nobility offered no help.

This was truly an isolated minister!

Now they wanted her to strip Feng Bao of his position. Wasn't that like severing her own arm?

Seeing Lü Diaoyang's expression, she suddenly had the idea to test him: "Absolutely not?"

"Then does Minister Lü think I should strip Feng Bao of his position?"

"I wonder if Minister Lü has a suitable candidate to take over the Eastern Depot?"

Lü Diaoyang's heart grew bitter. These words likely carried some suspicion.

This trip had cost him dearly.

He was about to answer when, in his peripheral vision, he suddenly saw Zhu Xizhong slowly rise: "Empress Dowager, this humble subject does have someone to recommend."

…..

Outer hall.

Zhu Yijun was already chatting warmly with Li Wei.

He smiled and listened quietly as Li Wei recounted Empress Dowager Li's mischievous deeds from years past.

Li Wei was quite animated: "In the twenty-ninth year of the Jiajing era, to escape the Gengxu Incident 【TN: A 1550 military crisis when Mongol leader Altan Khan besieged Beijing】, I brought the Empress Dowager to the capital."

Zhu Yijun interjected at the right moment: "Then how did Mother enter the Residence of the Prince of Yu?"

This was to steer the conversation.

Li Wei drank deeply of his tea and wiped his mouth: "Ha, when I came to the capital seeking refuge back then, I naturally had a plan!"

"Your Majesty may not know, but I chose to come to the capital because I had someone to look after me."

"My clan nephew, Li Jin, was serving in the palace at the time as an attendant eunuch in the Directorate of the Imperial Stud."

"Back then, when the Empress Dowager entered the Residence of the Prince of Yu, it was through his connections."

The Directorate of the Imperial Stud was one of the twelve directorates of the inner court. Though far below the Directorate of Ceremonial, it also controlled guard camps and held corresponding status.

The Prince of Yu was expected to inherit the throne then, so not just anyone could enter.

As an attendant eunuch in the Directorate of the Imperial Stud, Li Jin happened to have this influence.

Zhu Yijun showed surprise: "Mother has never told me about this benefactor, nor promoted anyone named Li Jin."

He asked, knowing the answer.

Li Wei said helplessly: "Before Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager was also afraid of causing trouble."

"The reputation of imperial relatives by marriage—how can one promote them casually? The speaking officials love to impeach such things."

"If it angered the late emperor, the loss would outweigh the gain."

Despite her former position as matriarch of the rear palace, Empress Dowager Li dared not overstep in the slightest.

Empress Dowager Chen's family was ennobled in the first year of Longqing, while he, the biological imperial father-in-law, could only watch with envy.

This was long-term planning for stability, waiting for the new emperor to ascend the throne.

Of course, now that the time was finally ripe, he dared run to the palace asking Empress Dowager Li for a title.

Zhu Yijun was displeased: "This is also the Imperial Father-in-Law's fault. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Is this clan uncle still in the Directorate of the Imperial Stud?"

Though Li Wei was being blamed, he felt perfectly at ease—a sign of their close relationship.

He was even more forthcoming: "Yes, he's still a Scribe in the Directorate of the Imperial Stud."

The Directorate of the Imperial Stud was the same. The Seal-holding Director headed it, and the few Scribes were deputies—not a low position.

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "How can I be ungrateful? With this ennoblement, I must also reward this clan uncle!"

Li Wei's face beamed. Even a clan uncle was treated so generously, showing the emperor's affection for his kin.

As imperial father-in-law, his good days lay ahead.

Li Wei asked casually: "Is Your Majesty going to make that fellow Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of the Imperial Stud?"

After all, he was a eunuch and couldn't be ennobled.

A Scribe in the Directorate of the Imperial Stud was second only to the Seal-holding Director.

If the emperor wanted to promote Li Jin, he could only elevate him from Scribe to Seal-holding Director.

But... wasn't the current Seal-holding Director Feng Bao?

Zhu Yijun was stunned: "Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of the Imperial Stud?"

"Admiral of the Eastern Depot, of course!"

…...

"You mean, let Li Jin take charge of the Eastern Depot?" Empress Dowager Li looked at Zhu Xizhong with surprise.

Zhu Xizhong nodded.

Empress Dowager Li savored the idea carefully and tasted its implications. She couldn't help giving Zhu Xizhong a second look.

No wonder they said the nobility were forever loyal dogs.

The outer court, disregarding her dignity, had impeached the grand eunuch at her side. If she simply gave in, she would lose both substance and face—the emperor was still young, and it wasn't good to burden him with these matters.

Now, Zhu Xizhong's proposal perfectly solved this problem.

Even making a slight concession, she wouldn't lose substance at all!

The Eastern Depot, from the hands of a confidant to the hands of a clansman—wasn't that just moving it from left hand to right?

Thinking this through, the resistance in her heart also dissipated.

She slowly nodded, but suddenly paused and looked at Lü Diaoyang: "Minister Lü, does this conform to the ancestral system?"

Lü Diaoyang was stunned for a moment and considered it along these lines.

Actually, it would be best if the Eastern Depot weren't in an imperial relative's hands.

But this kinship wasn't close, and after all, he wasn't a court official. Chen Hong, as Empress Dowager Chen's household slave, had also served as Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

If he made an issue of this, and the Empress Dowager asked, "How is it Chen Hong could, but Li Jin cannot?" he would be in an even more difficult position.

Thinking this through, Lü Diaoyang could only affirm: "It doesn't violate the system."

Only then did Empress Dowager Li nod with satisfaction.

…..

Empress Dowager Li and Li Wei left together.

Before departing, both seemed in rather good spirits, as if a great worry had been resolved.

Especially Li Wei, who only regretted not entering the palace earlier.

The emperor had not only promised him a stipend of twelve hundred shi, but also promised future wealth and honor, hinting he should send people to the southeast to investigate—next year he could form a merchant guild and participate in sea transport.

Truly a good grandson.

Zhu Yijun personally escorted Lü Diaoyang outside the hall, grasped his hand, and said enthusiastically: "The matter of the Senior Grand Secretary will still trouble Lü Qing."

Lü Diaoyang left as if fleeing.

Zhu Yijun watched his retreating figure and chuckled softly.

Only then did he turn to look at Zhu Xizhong and say with sincerity: "The Duke of Cheng is truly a pillar of the dynasty—devoted to both throne and nation."

—---

[1] 【TN: Three Ducal Ministers and Three Solitary Ministers: civil posts—Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, Grand Guardian, and their junior counterparts】

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