Wanli Emperor Chapter 77 Part 1 (Patreon)

Chapter 77 Part 1: Learn from Past Mistakes to Avoid Future Ones; Bear the State's Disgrace

By now, Xu Jie realized something was amiss.

In his estimation, this imperial edict should have contained some painless admonishments, at most a minor punishment to conclude the matter.

But now, with Hai Rui's sudden reversal and the arrest of a Right Censor-in-Chief, the affair... was likely not developing in the direction he had anticipated.

Xu Jie's silence only earned him a prompt from the eunuch Wei Chao. "Junior Preceptor Xu, it is time to receive the decree."

The former looked up at Hai Rui, then turned back to the casket holding the imperial edict in the eunuch's hands.

He silently nodded and knelt to receive the decree.

The eunuch Wei Chao rolled up his sleeves and gently brought forth the imperial edict.

Within the main hall, Hai Rui and Gu Chengguang both bowed to listen.

"It is decreed:

"Former Grand Secretary Jie is a man of integrity, principled and resolute, magnanimous in his administration.

"He has risked his person to serve the throne, shielded Emperor Shizong, eliminated corrupted officials, and swept away evil, restoring the sovereign's authority and bringing peace to the realm.

"His accomplishments as grand secretary are magnificent and renowned. He established policy for Emperor Muzong, righted the government, and supported the times, putting an end to bribery among the hundred officials and bringing order to the seas.

"And upon his retirement.

"In his early years, his worthy name was known throughout the imperial court; in his later years, his upright character was heard of in his hometown.

"With the fortitude of one who withstands winter's cold, he has cast himself into the turbid mire, exposing the rottenness of officialdom and presenting a detailed catalog of crimes before the sacred throne.

"His stern principles and high aspirations soar above the clouds. The purity of his fine name is as enduring as the Huai River.

"Therefore, his appointment is not to be avoided due to suspicion; great responsibility must be entrusted to a worthy minister. The former Grand Secretary Jie is hereby appointed Right Censor-in-Chief, with the authority of Governor of Fengyang, Yingtian, and fourteen other prefectures.

"Following the evidence presented by Jie, he shall pursue the clues to their source.

"He is to investigate, in the Southern Directly-Administered Region, the case of Xu Fan's murder and conspiracy, the case of the capsized Grand Canal grain transport ships, the case of the false dissemination of seditious texts among the literati, the case of inciting the ignorant and stubborn in Taizhou, the case of contempt for an imperial commissioner in Huai'an... eleven cases in all, great and small.

"In consideration of Jie's advanced age, he is specially permitted to coordinate from a central position, with Vice Censor-in-Chief Hai Rui acting on his behalf and holding the imperial tallies in his stead.

"We have words of encouragement for you: The world possesses a will of integrity that cannot be seized. Let us, sovereign and subject, strive together to uphold it."

…...

Around midnight, the imperial commissioner's retinue boarded a large ship bound for Yingtian Prefecture.

Now, well past noon, the Southern Directly-Administered Region was distantly in sight.

Xu Jie stood alone on the deck, quietly holding the imperial edict, studying it intently.

Ever since receiving it, Xu Jie had been sleepless, repeating the few lines of text on the edict over and over in his mind.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him. "The spring rains have just passed, and the weather has turned cold again. Junior Preceptor Xu might be more comfortable inside."

Without turning, Xu Jie knew it was Hai Rui.

He spoke, "This journey to Yingtian Prefecture—who is the target?"

The emperor had granted him a nominal position but had given the imperial tallies to Hai Rui to hold in his stead. This was to make him an observer, to witness the emperor's so-called "will of integrity that cannot be seized."

Of course, as the accuser and now the nominal investigator, he would surely not lack enemies.

As for using this status to stir up trouble... the accompanying eunuch, Wei Chao, clearly held an edict for his dismissal, merely awaiting the right moment to dispose of him once his usefulness ended.

Hai Rui walked to Xu Jie's side and explained, "First, we will visit the residences of the Duke of Wei, Xu Bangrui, and the Marquis of Huaining, Sun Shizhong."

"These two are implicated in the unusual movements of the Huai'an Garrison's Ge Company, the Flying Bear Guard, and the Right Tiger Guard."

Xu Jie nodded and did not inquire further.

He turned to face Hai Rui and asked about another matter. "The case of Xu Fan's murder and conspiracy—must he die?"

Xu Fan was Xu Jie's eldest son. Now that the emperor had displayed his irresistible will, it was time to seize the will of Xu someone.

To grant him a nominal position, with the task of overseeing the cases he himself had reported, was to shatter the foundations of his regional clique.

To have him oversee his own son's conspiracy case was to force Xu Jie to destroy the family he valued most with his own hands.

They had even gone so far as to prevent him from taking his own life by promising that after the cases were concluded, his other two sons could be pardoned through his meritorious service.

Hai Rui shook his head. "Xu Fan instructed an official runner to attempt to murder an innocent person. The Embroidered Uniform Guard caught him in the act. The Northern Imperial Prison has already determined his guilt. They are merely waiting for the Junior Preceptor to execute his own kin righteously."

A look of sorrow crossed Xu Jie's face, and he sighed.

To this day, he did not know how the emperor could assume such a victor's posture.

To even possess the leisure to turn and slay his heart.

The people he had exposed were not limited to those in the Southern Directly-Administered Region.

From the Empress Dowager in the Forbidden City to the Senior Grand Secretary and auxiliary ministers of the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, the various courts and departments, the nobility, and the provincial governors—almost no one had been spared.

The emperor could not possibly prosecute them all; he would surely have to shield some, or the imperial court would be emptied.

But if he protected his own confidants while presenting an image of merciless justice to the outside world, never mind what outsiders would think—what would the people of the Southern Directly-Administered Region think?

If that were to happen, as long as a few of those in the know spread the word, in the eyes of the Southern Directly-Administered Region, it would be naked, targeted humiliation!

It is not scarcity that is to be feared, but inequality. Not only the officials, but the literati, the gentry, and the common people would all be filled with righteous indignation and rise up in protest.

If they were then swept up by someone with ulterior motives, it would instantly become a monstrous disaster.

The Southern Directly-Administered Region was the source of the empire's tax revenue. Was the central government not afraid of inciting turmoil in this place?

He had pondered this all night and still could not imagine what the emperor could possibly do to act with such confidence.

After speaking, Hai Rui fell silent.

"It is not entirely without recourse."

A slightly sharp voice rang out.

The two men turned to look.

The eunuch in charge of delivering the edict, Wei Chao, was slowly approaching.

He met Xu Jie's hopeful gaze and explained, "The Junior Preceptor need not overthink. His Majesty does not require you to do anything. You need only observe the entire process."

Hearing this, the hope that had just ignited in Xu Jie's heart sank to the depths once more.

If the emperor were using his son to control him, it could only mean the emperor still needed him to resolve the situation, and there would still be room to maneuver.

But it seemed the emperor truly did not need him to do anything, and he had lost his opportunity to negotiate.

Wei Chao looked at Xu Jie with a hint of pity in his eyes and spoke, "Junior Preceptor, His Majesty says."

"The principal and accomplice offenders were determined by the confessions of Xu Fan and Xu Kun. The Junior Preceptor may also deliberate on this himself."

The emperor had said the principal offender would be executed, while the accomplice could be spared.

As for who the principal offender was... that decision was now being given to Xu Jie.

Hearing this, Xu Jie's expression changed abruptly.

He pointed at Wei Chao, his entire arm trembling uncontrollably.

Xu Jie's lips opened and closed, his voice dry and horrified. "Vicious and cruel! Unfit to be a sovereign!"

"Even Emperor Shizong was never so venomous! Does he not fear the clear judgment of history!"

How was this leaving him recourse?

This was making him choose which son to kill! This was a deliberate act, knowing full well his affection for his intelligent eldest son!

How could such a sovereign exist!

To slay the heart to this degree—this was a tyrant! A despot!

Wei Chao shook his head and said earnestly, "His Majesty knows the Junior Preceptor values his family and cares for his relatives and friends. That is why he has given you this room for maneuver. Why do you still speak so impertinently?"

His tone turned icy. "Does the Junior Preceptor wish for the accomplice to be executed as well?"

A chill ran through Xu Jie's body. He stammered for a long moment, not daring to answer.

Wei Chao snorted coldly and ignored him.

Xu Jie turned to look at Hai Rui and said in a hoarse voice, "Did the emperor conceal the crimes of the central government and only dare to pursue the people of the Southern Directly-Administered Region!"

"By doing this, is he not afraid of provoking a backlash from everyone in the Southern Directly-Administered Region!?"

Such an act was clearly factionalism, a far cry from the spirit of reform.

Once he did this, the emperor would be personally cultivating the soil for regional cliques.

For at least several decades, the Southern Directly-Administered Region would not know peace!

To act so recklessly, without regard for the greater good, merely to vent his anger!?

Faced with Xu Jie's questioning, Hai Rui finally spoke. "The Junior Preceptor worries excessively. The cases involving the central government have mostly been concluded. His Majesty has not shown the slightest favoritism."

"Likewise, His Majesty will treat the Southern Directly-Administered Region with equal impartiality."

Xu Jie was stunned.

Then he sneered. "How long has it been? With so many people involved, the cases are already concluded..."

As he spoke, he suddenly understood.

A look of dawning realization, mixed with disbelief, crossed his face. "Zhang Juzheng! It is Zhang Juzheng, is it not!"

"The emperor had the Grand Secretariat take the blame, forced everyone involved to confess their guilt, and then bestowed grace under the guise of a general amnesty! Is that not it!"

"Has that good student of mine's trust in the emperor reached such a degree?"

Hai Rui was not one to lie, but to conclude the cases so quickly was impossible.

Only his speculation could explain the contradiction.

He had never considered this point before because, according to his own experience leading the Grand Secretariat, the cabinet would never go to such lengths for a momentary fit of imperial pique.

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