Wanli Emperor Chapter 55 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 55 Part 2: Methodical and Assured, a Meeting of Minds

The two men, focused on serious business, ate efficiently, and after a simple meal, they finished quickly.

Zhu Yijun then led Hai Rui from Wenhua Hall.

He instructed the attendants to maintain a greater distance before turning to resume their previous conversation.

The two walked along the broad imperial road with no one nearby.

Zhu Yijun spoke apologetically, "As they say, if a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers. Wenhua Hall, after all, has too many eyes and ears. It proves less convenient for discussion than an open space such as this."

This explained why he had interrupted Hai Rui at the crucial moment and refused to continue speaking.

Hai Rui regarded the emperor with some surprise.

It was difficult to imagine such shrewdness in so young an emperor—to maintain such vigilance even within a place like Wenhua Hall.

He felt his confidence grow inexplicably.

Zhu Yijun gestured casually. "Where did we leave off?"

Hai Rui responded carefully, "We were discussing to what extent Your Majesty wishes this subject to proceed."

Should he stop after making a demonstration?

Or should he turn Lianghuai completely upside down?

Or should he investigate to the very foundation of the corruption, sparing no one regardless of rank or station?

If the emperor harbored different objectives, then his appointment would naturally require different responses and methods.

Zhu Yijun walked ahead, gesturing for Hai Rui to come closer.

Only then did he turn and speak seriously to Hai Rui, "Hai Qing, I do not intend to use you as a blade to be discarded after use."

These were heartfelt words, sincere and earnest.

Hai Rui naturally sensed their genuineness, but he dared not accept such words, as they seemed to contain veiled criticism of the late emperor.

He was about to confess his fault.

Zhu Yijun supported him and quickly advised, "Qing, listen carefully to what I have to say."

The Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, deeply ingrained in the mind, served well for command but made casual interaction somewhat difficult.

He managed to persuade Hai Rui to listen.

Only then did he continue, "For the matter of Lianghuai, I shall draw clear lines for you."

Hai Rui looked puzzled. "Please clarify, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun nodded and explained methodically, "First, this matter need not achieve complete success. An effect of forty or fifty percent will suffice. You may gauge the situation yourself, Qing."

"Second, for matters occurring before the first year of the Wanli era, let bygones be bygones."

Two months remained until the first year of the Wanli era—sufficient time for Hai Rui to reach Lianghuai.

Not investigating past offenses and leaving room for compromise represented necessary concessions.

If one insisted on investigating everything thoroughly, the resulting fire would surely spread across half the realm.

The flames might even consume the emperor himself, as corrupt officials would rally together, carrying Hai Rui's banner against him.

Who dared guarantee that those upon whom he relied—Zhang Juzheng, Lü Diaoyang—were pure as jade?

Or even his imperial father-in-law, his mother-empress, his Three Ducal Ministers, his inner court, his Embroidered Uniform Guard—could even one of them be entirely clean?

To launch an indiscriminate anti-corruption campaign would amount to nothing less than dark turmoil.

It would only cause the real work to become magnified and lose structure, ultimately ending in a hasty retreat.

Though this represented his principle, he remained somewhat concerned that Hai Rui, in his stubbornness, might not agree.

After all, historical reputation and actual character were not necessarily identical.

After speaking these words, he could not help glancing up at Hai Rui, wanting to observe the reaction of this "Hai Qingtian."

If Hai Rui truly could not tolerate a single grain of sand in his eyes, alternative plans would be necessary.

But to his surprise, not only did Hai Rui refrain from demanding that all corrupt officials be executed without quarter, he actually cast a look of admiration and approval.

Only when the emperor regarded him with confusion did he explain somewhat helplessly, "Does Your Majesty truly consider me some kind of stubborn fool?"

After all, he was a figure who had risen from a county magistrate all the way to the central government.

He knew not what sort of person the world had made him out to be.

Even this young emperor seemed to fear he was such an inflexible old traditionalist.

Zhu Yijun coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment. "Not at all. I was merely concerned that the actions of corrupt officials might prove too excessive and stir your righteous indignation."

He looked around and continued, "Wherever the Law of Evaluation is implemented, I will distribute performance-based rewards."

"Previously, insufficient salaries caused the hundred officials to lose their restraint. That also represents a failing of my virtue."

"But if, after the Law of Evaluation is implemented and performance rewards distributed, they still do not know how to restrain themselves, then Hai Qing, there is no need to show mercy."

Lianghuai and the Southern Directly-Administered Region also fell within the scope of this round of the Law of Evaluation.

If their salaries prove insufficient and they reach out their hands, the blame can be placed upon the Zhu family.

But if, in the future, with performance rewards distributed, they still refuse to restrain themselves, then they should not blame me for ruthless action.

High salaries do not necessarily foster integrity; they must be paired with thunderous methods.

Beside him, Hai Rui—whether thinking of his own impoverished official career or recalling the faces of colleagues who had turned to corruption from poverty—showed a trace of complexity in his eyes.

He cupped his hands, bent at the waist, and performed a salute of deep gratitude. "Your Majesty's benevolence moves this humble subject. I thank you on behalf of all reform-minded idealists under Heaven."

Was Hai Rui not short of funds? Did he not wish for his wife, son, and elderly mother to live more comfortably?

But the court's salary was simply insufficient, and he could do nothing about it.

He understood the hardships of relying solely upon one's official salary, and he naturally comprehended how difficult it was for ordinary people to persist as he had.

That was what had led so many of his colleagues down the wrong path.

Now that His Majesty showed consideration for the difficulties of reform-minded idealists and had implemented this virtuous policy of performance-based rewards, he truly thanked him on behalf of future generations and his colleagues.

Zhu Yijun paid it no mind and gestured for him to rise.

He continued, "As for how to deal with them, I shall draw several more lines for you."

Hai Rui bowed and listened respectfully.

Zhu Yijun clasped his hands behind his back and spoke with authority, "First, for powerful local officials, salt merchants, and gentry family members who hold no official post, you may deal with them severely, Qing. Kill as many as you can."

Those without official rank always possessed limited power and could not stir up excessive trouble.

It presented an excellent opportunity to eliminate a batch of parasites, confiscate their property, and wipe out their families, which would also help replenish the national treasury.

"Second, for those involving the seventh rank and below, you may deal with them according to law, Qing, without regard for public opinion."

This group had to be addressed.

The atmosphere was already corrupted. It was time to clear out these minor officials and make way for qualified officials from the Law of Evaluation to fill these crucial positions.

"Third, for those below the fourth rank, you must ensure they receive public trials and sentencing, Qing, working with Wang Zongmu and the Ministry of Justice to build ironclad cases. If you need to act independently, you must inform me before taking action."

Anyone above the seventh rank could be considered a high official of a region.

Even with the title of Imperial Commissioner-Grand Coordinator, Hai Rui could not act alone.

Building ironclad cases was, naturally, intended to reduce Hai Rui's political risk.

If it became a matter of seizing opportunities and acting expeditiously, he should report to him, and he would naturally help complete the procedures afterward. If anyone pursued the matter, he would shoulder the blame.

As for public trials and sentencing, that too served specific purposes.

High officials of this level represented the weathervanes of a region's political atmosphere.

A proper number had to be executed to achieve a deterrent effect.

"Fourth, for those of the fourth rank and above, do not act rashly, Qing. Your fourth-rank position cannot bear such weight. Inform me directly, and I will personally handle the matter for you."

Hai Rui, as Vice Censor-in-Chief, held only fourth-rank status himself, while the Southern Directly-Administered Region housed numerous third-rank Vice Ministers and second-rank Ministers.

Not to mention certain old and undying super-rank figures.

If such people were truly implicated in cases, Hai Rui could not manage them.

To have him continue bearing such burdens would risk him becoming too rigid and breaking.

Zhu Yijun was not so heartless.

Naturally, he had to assume this responsibility himself.

Hai Rui listened quietly as the emperor sincerely outlined these boundaries for him.

A few sentences, spoken with resolve and filled with chilling authority. For some reason, Hai Rui suddenly broke into a smile that grew increasingly bright.

This method of conduct, this talent, clearly surpassed Emperor Shizong's.

How could he fail to hear the meaning within these words?

With his many years of experience, Hai Rui understood immediately that this represented a targeted approach.

The emperor, as if deploying troops for battle, knew both himself and his enemy, divided them, and would defeat them one by one.

Beyond this heaven-sent talent, the trust and care embedded within moved Hai Rui even more deeply.

To deal with those below the seventh rank as he saw fit.

To follow proper procedures for those below the fourth rank.

What tremendous entrustment of authority was this?

Other imperial commissioners, even bearing Imperial Command Banners, could not lightly order the execution of civil officials.

[TN: Imperial Command Banner — A flag or tablet bestowed by the emperor upon a special commissioner (like an Imperial Commissioner-Grand Coordinator), granting them the authority to act on his behalf.]

His Majesty was granting him complete authority.

Even more precious was the instruction not to execute those of fourth rank and above.

Without this final sentence, the emperor would still be treating him as a blade to be used and discarded.

But with this concluding instruction... Hai Rui sighed inwardly. He truly had no way to adequately repay such consideration.

Yet moved as he was, he did not forget to check for omissions and fill gaps.

Hai Rui asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, what about hereditary nobility and imperial relatives?"

The corruption in Lianghuai's salt administration was no mere local affair.

In the two capitals, those of high position were mostly involved, and among the hereditary nobility and imperial relatives, some surely participated in these schemes.

Zhu Yijun had long anticipated this question.

His tone carried a strange quality. "Let them come find me. Tell them I have a substantial business proposition here. They should not entangle themselves in petty profits; otherwise, they should not blame me for turning hostile."

If they showed him proper respect, it would mean an exchange of interests. If they refused, then he could only strip away these nobles' dignities himself.

These words carried some mystery.

But since the emperor chose not to elaborate, Hai Rui would not inquire further.

He simply performed a salute, expressing his compliance.

Finally, he added a reminder, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice, Wang Zhigao, is said to have enjoyed considerable popularity in official circles of the Southern Directly-Administered Region."

Killing was one matter.

But a Vice Censor-in-Chief could at most investigate cases. How could he simply execute people at will?

To conduct public trials and sentencing, this matter still had to involve the Ministry of Justice.

However, the current Minister of Justice, Wang Zhigao, maintained rather too favorable a reputation in the Southern Directly-Administered Region.

Zhu Yijun naturally grasped the implication.

He shook his head slightly and declared solemnly, "We shall not proceed through the Ministry of Justice's normal channels."

"The Minister of Justice in the Southern Directly-Administered Region has already retired. I will not fill the vacancy for now. At that time, the Left Vice Minister of Justice in the Southern Directly-Administered Region, Wang Xijue, will cooperate with you."

"And the newly appointed Right Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision, Chen Dong, will accompany you to Lianghuai."

Hai Rui was filled with admiration.

The Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, the Grand Court of Revision... this represented a specially tailored Three Judicial Offices [Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Grand Court of Revision] for him, Hai Rui.

Truly, not a single detail had been overlooked.

He had never expected that he, Hai Rui, would see a day when he would not need to worry about authority while handling affairs.

He saluted again, his tone firm as he made a military pledge, "With such trust from Your Majesty, this subject will surely not fail his mission!"

Zhu Yijun suddenly grinned. "Hai Qing, do not be in such haste. There is more."

"Come, I shall take you to the training ground and provide you with additional personnel."

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