Wanli Emperor Chapter 58 Part 1 (Patreon)

Chapter 58 Part 1: The Ought Belongs to the Sages, the Is Belongs to Me

Shen Shixing was now Left Vice Minister of Personnel. With Minister of Personnel Lu Shusheng not taking up his post, he was almost equivalent to the Minister of Personnel.

As for whether Lu Shusheng would assume his duties... the court had already inquired twice, but the man still showed no sign of movement.

In short, it was now Shen Shixing who was acting as head of the Ministry of Personnel and participating in court conferences.

In other words, Shen Shixing, not yet thirty-seven, was already a court minister who could influence the course of the Great Ming Dynasty—and a very important one at that.

Therefore, after arriving at the Imperial City, Vice Minister Shen could only regretfully part ways with his fellow graduate and proceed directly to Wenhua Hall to prepare for the court conference.

By the time Shen Shixing arrived, the Grand Secretaries were already standing at the head of the ranks.

He had wanted to find his examination master, Lü Diaoyang, to inquire about the matter of the emperor's imperial lecture and the new newspaper, but he saw that the emperor was already seated high at the imperial desk. He could only temporarily suppress his thoughts and wait until after the court conference to ask.

Not long after he had entered the ranks, Minister of Works Zhu Heng also arrived last.

This Minister of Works, since the new emperor's accession, had been busy with the Yellow River and the imperial mausoleum.

Having finally finished, he heard that he had been assigned new work by the new emperor recently. He was truly a man born to labor.

After Zhu Heng arrived, the court conference began as usual.

Zhang Juzheng was the first to speak, "We inquire after Your Majesty's well-being."

Zhu Yijun slowly nodded. "I am well."

Now that the imperial lectures had begun, the emperor's schedule had naturally changed.

The Senior Grand Secretary, the Associate Grand Secretary, the Minister of Rites, and the Left Vice Minister of Personnel all served as imperial lecturers. Naturally, they could not hold a court conference on one side and an imperial lecture on the other.

If anyone was absent from either side, neither could proceed.

So the schedule was changed to hold the imperial lecture after the court conference ended.

As for what the emperor did before the imperial lecture, that was his prerogative—this was something the emperor had won for himself through his own intelligence.

In the previous several tests, the emperor had not missed a single point and had passed with full marks, winning the approval of all the daily lecturers.

The final examination's difficulty was already on par with the Tongshi Examination.

【TN: Tongshi Examination — The first and lowest level of the imperial examination system.】

The emperor still passed with ease, which made the Two Palaces praise him endlessly; their trust greatly increased.

Therefore, it was only proper for the emperor to want to redirect some of his intellectual energy toward governance.

After being asked about his well-being, Zhu Yijun also smiled. "Are all my ministers well recently?"

This exchange served not only as a courteous formality but also aimed to foster a favorable political atmosphere. Such an atmosphere can significantly impact individuals' perceptions and decisions, often in subtle yet profound ways.

The court ministers quickly saluted and replied, "We are well."

Zhu Yijun nodded. "Let the court conference begin."

As soon as his voice fell, Vice Minister of Rites Ma Ziqiang immediately stepped forward.

His body bowed toward the imperial steps, but his face was turned to glare at He Yongqing of the Office of Transmission. "I, Vice Minister of Rites Ziqiang, have a memorial to present!"

Everyone looked at Ma Ziqiang.

Only to see Ma Ziqiang declare angrily, "I wish to impeach He Yongqing of the Office of Transmission for spying on the imperial lecture and distorting the sagely will!"

"For holding a key post and expanding his authority!"

"For spreading demonic words to confuse the public and disseminating rumors!"

Ma Ziqiang's impeachment immediately made clear to the assembled ministers what this was about.

Most court officials now had their servants purchase the new newspaper at the first opportunity.

They had, naturally, seen this morning's paper, and that so-called "study insight" was hard to forget.

With Ma Ziqiang stepping forward this time, most court officials secretly applauded.

When the emperor had first started this new newspaper, they had thought it merely a small, insignificant venture—a vernacular version of the court gazette to make his own voice somewhat louder.

Who would have known it would become increasingly outrageous, to the point where it now showed signs of seizing the right to interpret the classics!

If imperial power and the right to interpret the classics were to merge, would it not become a divine kingdom on earth?

And he dared to decide what was correct? Was this not an attempt to seize the power of judgment!

Even from the instinct of scholar-officials, they all believed it was absolutely impermissible!

He Yongqing of the Office of Transmission quickly submitted, confessing his fault, "This subject is guilty. I request permission to retire!"

It was not that he wanted to remain in this position.

It was simply that Gao Gong had forcefully left him to the emperor, and the emperor had insisted he stay.

Previously, the Office of Transmission had been controlled by Song Zhihan. He had basically nothing to do, merely occupying the post, and was content to remain idle.

Who would have thought that after the Earl of Ding'an left, the situation would take such a sharp downturn!

Look at it now. It had been less than four months since he took over the Office of Transmission, and he had been impeached more than ten times in succession!

He had long wanted to quit!

Unfortunately, it was unrealistic for He Yongqing to flee. Zhu Yijun had not yet found a suitable replacement and did not want him to leave for the time being.

Zhu Yijun listened to the two's exchange and quickly stepped in to take sides. "Ma Qing, do not speak words unfavorable to the court's situation so casually. Why not submit a memorial afterward and write out the details?"

Spreading demonic words to confuse the public—who was he being passive-aggressive with?

Ma Ziqiang felt a surge of anger in his chest.

He said sullenly, "Your Majesty, the memorial of impeachment this subject submitted last time was held back by Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand. "That was held back by my mother-empress. One thing at a time. Rest assured, Qing, and submit your memorial. I will study it carefully and persuade the Two Palaces."

At this time, Right Vice Minister of Revenue Fu Yi also stepped out. "Your Majesty, for He Yongqing to publish Your Majesty's words from the imperial lecture for the world to see, I fear there is suspicion of spying on the sagely heart. It is indeed improper."

As soon as his voice fell, Left Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision Li Youzi also took a step forward, held his ceremonial tablet, and bowed. "Your Majesty, today's imperial lecture has not yet begun, yet the so-called sagely insights are already circulating throughout the empire. Do you think this is acceptable?"

Zhu Yijun glanced at the court ministers.

The Grand Secretaries' faces were expressionless, and the ministers of the Six Ministries said nothing, making it impossible to tell who held opinions on this matter.

He naturally knew that his recent actions had already aroused the dissatisfaction of many.

From Gu Huan taking charge of the Capital Garrisons, to Hai Rui returning to the capital, and yesterday's news that he intended to move on the Lianghuai salt administration.

Today's attack on the morning post was probably the convergence of dissatisfaction from these several matters.

He did not rush to speak, merely watched coldly from the side.

Now that the ministers were all making an issue of He Yongqing, it was not for him to personally step in.

As expected, Chief Supervising Secretary Li Zaiting understood the sagely will and immediately stepped out. "I also believe that what Junior Minister Li said is mature and prudent."

He saluted the imperial steps. "Your Majesty, I have a proposal. I ask that Your Majesty order He Yongqing that in the future, he must wait until after the imperial lecture to publish Your Majesty's words, to show proper procedure."

Zhu Yijun smiled slightly.

Although he could not have Li Zaiting serve in the inner court, having him at the court conference was still very convenient.

As soon as his voice fell, Ma Ziqiang was about to argue again.

Censor-in-Chief Ge Shouli also stepped out. "Esteemed colleagues, is it that He Yongqing should not have published His Majesty's words, or is it that His Majesty's words are in error and not suitable for publication?"

These words were somewhat malicious.

As someone left behind by Gao Gong, Ge Shouli had become the emperor's stalwart supporter—he was extremely grateful that Gao Gong, after his defeat, was still able to enjoy such honor.

Not to mention that after these days of contact, he only felt that this sagely one was not at all inferior to his former master!

How could Ma Ziqiang fall for this? He clung to one point. "It is naturally not that His Majesty's words are improper, but that He Yongqing should not have spied on the sagely heart!"

Although he understood what the situation was, his words could not reveal any flaws.

Li Zaiting said sarcastically, "If that is the case, then all the Drafters of the Central Secretariat should be held guilty."

The two sides were momentarily at a stalemate.

After the ministers had argued for a while, Zhu Yijun raised his hand to stop the debate, "Ministers, may I say a word?"

After they had all fallen silent, he looked at Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi and slowly asked, "Since we have reached this point today, two sirs, why not first have an imperial lecture and then a court conference?"

The two knew some of the inside story and nodded silently.

The former, for the sake of one million taels, watched the emperor's performance from the side.

The latter looked at his own disciple with gratification, quietly waiting for him to speak eloquently.

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