Wanli Emperor Chapter 45 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 45 Part 2: A Hidden Storm Gathers, Who but I?

Today's court conference seemed calm and uneventful.

Matters decided upon:

To reward the envoys from the Ü-Tsang and Do-kham regions 【TN: Ü-Tsang and Do-kham — Traditional regions of Tibet】 of Sichuan—Chan masters, lamas, Wen and Fan monks, and others—with clothing and silk, converted to 452 taels of silver.

To transfer the elite troops of the Three Firearms Garrisons, with Brigade Commander Jin Zhang assigned to defend Tongzhou. The garrison commander of Gonghua City, Li Shi, was to be appointed as the new brigade commander of the Three Firearms Garrisons.

To approve the request of Chen Yingjian, acting Director of the Department of Waterways of the Ministry of Works: upon completion of the dredging of the new river at the estuary, 976.8 shi of rice would be disbursed.

【TN: Shi — A traditional Chinese unit of measurement for grain, roughly equivalent to 100 liters】

Matters not decided upon:

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng stated that the emperor's progress in the daily lectures was extraordinary and that the imperial lectures should begin early. Senior Grand Secretary Gao Gong refuted this, saying one should not pull up seedlings to help them grow.

Minister of Rites Lü Diaoyang stated that the grace of the Two Palaces was profound and without distinction, and the rites of veneration should not differ. He proposed that Empress Dowager Li be granted a two-character honorific title.

Senior Grand Secretary Gao Gong argued that in previous reigns, empress dowagers had their honorific titles expanded only when there was a major court celebration, and it was not appropriate to add to it so suddenly at this time.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng stated again that the affairs of the Grand Secretariat were numerous and that an auxiliary minister should be appointed. The former Grand Secretary Xu Jie enjoyed great prestige and the favor of the sovereign and could be recalled to the Grand Secretariat.

Senior Grand Secretary Gao Gong, greatly displeased, resolutely refused.

The court conference ended.

Although the two sides had drawn their battle lines, it was clear that Gao Gong held the upper hand.

More and more court officials gathered by Gao Gong's side, waving flags and shouting their support.

Zhang Juzheng slowly walked out of Wenhua Hall.

Lü Diaoyang followed at his side, sighing, "Gao Gong is, after all, the Senior Grand Secretary. Our actions were all in vain."

As long as Gao Gong did not agree, these matters could not pass the draft opinion stage.

Zhang Juzheng looked at him strangely. "Heqing, since when did you harbor the illusion that these matters could pass the court conference?"

Lü Diaoyang was stunned.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng with astonishment. "Grand Secretary, you knew it was a futile effort?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded. "If this could suppress Gao Gong, what would be the point of distinguishing between Senior and Associate Grand Secretaries?"

Lü Diaoyang understood. "So... this was just for show?"

Zhang Juzheng confirmed Lü Diaoyang's words with a look that said Of course. "Without this, Gao Gong would not be at ease."

"Furthermore, we must let our colleagues see that Gao Gong does not hold absolute power."

Lü Diaoyang asked, "If this is just a feint, then where is the real solution?"

Zhang Juzheng shook his head. "First, we wait."

Lü Diaoyang did not grasp his meaning.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng. "Wait? Wait for what?"

Zhang Juzheng suddenly stopped and looked at a eunuch running toward them in the distance.

He strode over, saying to Lü Diaoyang without turning back, "Is this not it?"

The two exchanged a few words, then left together.

Lü Diaoyang watched Zhang Juzheng being led away, first with a thoughtful expression, then with a look of sudden realization.

Zhang Juzheng was led by the eunuch all the way to Huangji Hall. 【TN: A ceremonial hall, used for imperial audiences and rituals.】

In the rear hall, he saw the young emperor.

Lü Diaoyang was indeed no match for the young emperor, who had dug such a large pit for him.

If he were to follow the previously established situation, he could still shake off the emperor and defeat Gao Gong.

But now, with Feng Bao stripped of the Eastern Depot and the power of the Directorate of Ceremonial suppressed by Gao Gong, he could be said to be of little use.

If he were to fight with Gao Gong at the court level, it would truly harm the situation and cause turmoil in the Great Ming Dynasty.

It could be said that if he wanted to defeat Gao Gong without destabilizing the situation, the young emperor before him was his only choice.

By the same token, the emperor must also see him in the same way.

Therefore, he had been eagerly waiting for the emperor and was certain the emperor would seek him out for a joint plan.

But between clever people, besides tacit understanding, there was also confrontation.

Consensus and distribution always required another round of discussion to be certain.

Zhang Juzheng struck first. "This humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"This subject has urgent business in the Grand Secretariat. I do not know for what matter Your Majesty has hastily summoned me?"

Zhu Yijun said consolingly, "I heard the Grand Secretary has suffered from the heat. I have come specially to show my concern."

"The urgent business of the Grand Secretariat is being handled by the Senior Grand Secretary. Grand Secretary Zhang need not be in such a hurry."

Zhang Juzheng was silent.

After a pause, he said, "This subject must also write the ceremonial protocols for the honorific titles of the Two Palaces for the Ministry of Rites."

Zhu Yijun was taken aback.

After a moment, he replied, "The Grand Secretary should also pay attention to his health. I only hope the Senior Grand Secretary can bear a little more of the burden, and let the Grand Secretary handle more of the lighter work of writing ceremonial protocols."

The two went back and forth like this, testing each other for a quarter of an hour.

Both understood the principle that the first to speak would be at a disadvantage and were unwilling to easily reveal their hands.

But in the end, it was the emperor who had summoned the Grand Secretary.

He had to reveal a little of his hand.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng. "Grand Secretary, I have a clan uncle who is now the Admiral of the Eastern Depot. He is in a difficult situation."

"...Grand Secretary, do you think it is possible to grant his mother an imperial patent of nobility?" 【TN: an official decree honoring the parents of a meritorious official with titles.】

Zhang Juzheng sighed inwardly.

The emperor was telling him that he already controlled Li Jin and the Eastern Depot.

This was something he had not expected.

He had previously given instructions that if the young emperor wanted Zhang Hong to pluck the peach, it would surely bring him a great deal of trouble.

But he had not expected him to make such an unexpected move, bringing out Li Jin and splitting Feng Bao's power.

But it was also for this reason that, although he knew that cooperation would benefit them both, he stubbornly refused to yield—he had lost too much power and could only rely on this opportunity to demand more from the emperor.

He slowly bowed. "Your Majesty might as well issue an edict for the Grand Secretariat to discuss. If Li Jin's merits are sufficient, I believe the court officials will gladly agree."

The subtext was: so what if you have the Eastern Depot? The outer court is now in Gao Gong's hands, and you cannot just have people beaten to death.

From his understanding of the emperor, he would not do something as foolish as ambushing Gao Gong with axemen and having him killed.

Zhu Yijun glanced at the stubborn old man and advised, "With the Grand Secretary's words, I am relieved. My mother is also urging me about this clan brother's matter."

He truly could do nothing to Gao Gong, but now it was not just the Eastern Depot; Empress Dowager Li also listened to him.

Although cooperation would benefit them both, you, Zhang Juzheng, are empty-handed in the inner court, a completely different situation from before. Do not think of making exorbitant demands.

Zhang Juzheng had no rebuttal.

Empress Dowager Li's trust in the emperor now was truly not to be compared with before.

Under Gao Gong's pressure, in the past, Empress Dowager Li would surely have chosen to rely on Feng Bao and then seek help from Zhang Juzheng.

But who would have thought that the one before her was an outstandingly intelligent and sagacious emperor, one whom Empress Dowager Li could rely on?

With the conversation having reached this point, Zhang Juzheng could no longer be stubborn.

Since he was bidding his time for the best offer, he had to know when to stop.

Zhang Juzheng bowed and offered his counsel. "Your Majesty, rather than being anxious about family matters, why not be more anxious about the affairs of the empire?"

"The common people of the empire are crying out for food, and the nine provinces and ten thousand regions are on the verge of collapse."

"They all hope that Your Majesty will get rid of the old to bring in the new, and remake heaven and earth!"

Getting rid of the old to bring in the new—this was Zhang Juzheng's demand.

He finally stopped beating around the bush.

He had laid out his conditions.

This was both a demand and a bottom line.

If even this could not be agreed to, then there was no need to talk.

Conversely, if there was a will to support the new policies, then there was nothing that could not be discussed.

Hearing these words, Zhu Yijun rose to his full height.

He walked toward Zhang Juzheng.

"Since we have reached this point, I will not beat around the bush with you."

"I despise the weak and submissive manner of the former Song and wholeheartedly admire the spirit of the Han and Tang."

He straightened his back and slowly descended from the imperial dais.

"I have heard of Zhuge Wuhou, who, before even leaving his mountain retreat, had the ambition to compare himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi." 

【TN: Zhuge Wuhou — a strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. Guan Zhong and Yue Yi — Renowned strategists and statesmen from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, respectively, exemplars of great ministerial talent.】

"I have also seen Emperor Taizong of Tang say, 'At twenty-four, I pacified the world; in martial prowess, I surpass all emperors of history.'"

【TN: Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the Tang dynasty, was revered for his military prowess and governance.】

"And there is one whom I admire greatly who said, 'To count the great figures of history, one must look to the present day.'"

He walked with a composed gait, looking directly at Zhang Juzheng.

"I, today, will also not pass on my duty! I will also declare, if not me, then who!"

"Zhang Qing, I will tell you plainly!"

Zhu Yijun walked up to Zhang Juzheng.

He grasped Zhang Juzheng's hand and said, word by word, "When my imperial grandfather was on his deathbed, he summoned me and my imperial father."

"He said to himself, 'Half my life was spent on reform, half in inaction and mediocrity. In both cultivating the Dao and governing the state, I achieved nothing, and nearly brought the world to ruin.'"

"At that time, my youthful ambition was sparked. I kept this in my heart, and as I grew older, my understanding gradually formed."

"Every time I recall this, waves surge in my chest, and thunder rolls!"

"I have resolved to take my imperial grandfather as a warning! I must achieve merits that surpass the Three Sovereigns and virtues that exceed the Five Emperors, to be a sagacious ruler who saves the empire from collapse and brings peace for ten thousand generations!"

"The matter of getting rid of the old to bring in the new! Even if I must die for the state, I will surely do it!"

"The sun and the heavens are my witness, there is absolutely no room for turning back!"

"Zhang Qing, do you believe me?"

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