Wanli Emperor Chapter 88 Part 1 (Patreon)

Chapter 88 Part 1: Rewarding Merit, Weighing Worth

Wenhua Hall.

The day's court conference was marked by considerable contention. Even from a distance outside the hall, one could hear the heated voices within.

"Regardless of whether we acquiesce to the demands of the Tatar barbarians, we must first make our own preparations," said Shi Maohua, the Left Vice Minister of War, his voice heavy with concern.

The moment he finished speaking, Fu Yi, the Right Vice Minister of Revenue, spoke in a cool, detached tone. "Perhaps Vice Minister Shi could be more explicit. What manner of preparations ought we to make?"

"The Governor-General of Jiliao, Liu Yingjie, has already deployed troops and mobilized the garrisons."

"The Governor-General of the Four Garrisons, Qi Jiguang, has already personally led his forces to confront the enemy, reinforcing the borders and preparing for war."

"Surely we need not draw troops from other garrisons? Or could it be... that funds and provisions are once again insufficient?"

Liu Yingjie had begun his career in the Ministry of Revenue. After the Gengxu Incident, he had volunteered for a transfer to become a Vice Commissioner for Military Affairs, later serving as Governor of Liaodong and Henan before becoming Governor-General of Jiliao. He was a steady and experienced commander.

Qi Jiguang was a renowned general with distinguished military achievements in the southeast. Previously, as a Regional Commander, his authority to command other Commanders had been constrained. However, following a proposal from the Grand Secretariat and with the emperor's grace, he had been granted the additional title of Governor-General of the Four Garrisons.

Both men were of high rank and great authority, the finest of their time. What further preparations were needed?

It was nothing more than the Ministry of War coveting the silver brought back from the Lianghuai salt inspection.

Shi Maohua's expression remained unchanged. "It will be unnecessary to draw from other garrisons, but the recruitment bounties that must be paid cannot be spared."

"In addition, fodder and hay must also be prepared in advance."

"This minister's only fear is that some, who understand nothing of military affairs and are solely concerned with silver, will undermine our border defenses. Should another disaster like the Gengxu Incident occur, it is not something that can be remedied with silver."

With this statement, Shi Maohua had thrown down a weighty accusation; it was practically a public attack.

The ministers had recently grown somewhat heated in their disputes over the salt inspection silver. Hearing this, Fu Yi's face changed.

He was about to speak when suddenly, there was a commotion from the imperial dais. Seeing two young eunuchs carry the throne up, the ministers all understood—His Majesty was arriving.

Zhang Juzheng immediately cut off the argument. "Then let it be so."

"One million, two hundred thousand bundles of hay shall be purchased from the five markets, including Xicheng Fang, to supply the border defenses."

"The Mobile Corps Commander of Dingzhou, Wang Zhiyu, is promoted to Garrison Commander of Xifengkou Pass and is authorized to recruit two thousand men."

[TN: A pass in the Great Wall northeast of Beijing.]

Fu Yi shot Shi Maohua a glare and resentfully fell silent.

Before long, the young emperor's figure appeared on the imperial dais. The assembly bowed in unison. "Your Majesty!"

When the officials straightened after the salute, their expressions changed as one. It was not because the emperor had come to attend the court session, nor because he had once again broken with protocol by not sitting behind a screen. It was because, below the imperial dais, in the area reserved for the Ritual Correction Officer, there sat an additional person on a low stool, his eyes cast down in quiet contemplation.

Xu Jie!

How had this old man returned to the court?

The officials' minds raced, their brows furrowing in thought.

Zhu Yijun took in the expressions of his officials, finding it all rather amusing. He looked toward Zhang Juzheng and inquired, "Senior Grand Secretary, are we discussing the matter of the  Ji border (Jizhou border)?"

Zhang Juzheng stepped forward from the ranks and bowed. "Your Majesty, the Tumen Khan's border incursion cannot be taken lightly. We are in the process of deliberating a course of action."

Zhu Yijun nodded. "And what has been the result of the deliberations?"

Zhang Juzheng briefly summarized the points discussed over the past few days. "Regarding the matter of Dong Huli sending men to exchange prisoners, this minister's colleagues hold differing views."

"Qi Jiguang and Liu Yingjie have submitted memorials, hoping to exchange for our captured soldiers, so that the officers and men might see the court's benevolence and serve with greater dedication."

"The Ministry of War, however, is concerned that this move will embolden the Tumen Khan, encouraging them to raid the border and seize civilians to use as bargaining chips in exchanges with our court."

"The court conference is currently debating this matter."

"There is also Dong Huli's demand for rewards. We dare not act on our own authority and await Your Majesty's sacred judgment."

There were some unspoken implications unfit to be said aloud. The concern about "seizing civilians to use as bargaining chips" was, in truth, a deeper fear that a habit of exchanging prisoners would eventually lead to tacit collusion. One side would raid and plunder, the other would earn military merit, and then they would exchange prisoners to settle the accounts—a mutual benefit. Such things had happened before, and bitter lessons had been learned.

Zhu Yijun was lost in thought. However, he did not state his position clearly, instead moving past the matter. "Senior Grand Secretary, let us discuss this later."

"This emperor has just received Junior Preceptor Xu and has learned of the hardships and dangers of the salt inspection. My heart is truly moved."

"The rewarding of such meritorious officials cannot be delayed. Have the Ministry of Personnel and the Grand Secretariat deliberated on the rewards for the meritorious officials from this affair?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Xu Jie, who was now present at the court conference, and immediately understood the emperor's decision. He could not help but feel a sense of relief.

He turned toward Shen Shixing, signaling for him to present the report.

Shen Shixing understood. He stepped forward from the ranks. "Your Majesty, this matter has been reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel and re-examined by the censorial officials. It was on the verge of being discussed in this conference."

"Among them, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Hai Rui, Right Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision Chen Dong..."

He glanced again at Xu Jie, seated on the low stool, and, surmising the emperor's intent, added another name. "...and former Grand Secretary of Zhongji Hall, Junior Preceptor Xu Jie."

"These three have first-class merit."

"The rest, such as Jiao Ze and Gu Chengguang, are secondary."

"For Hai Rui, it is proposed he be promoted to Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, with a two-year reduction in his tempering period."

"For Chen Dong, it is proposed he be promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision, with a one-year reduction in his tempering period."

"As for Junior Preceptor Xu... his rank is high and his stipend generous. The decision must rest with Your Majesty."

The emperor had not previously indicated how he intended to deal with Xu Jie. They could hardly be discussing his rewards one moment and then sentencing him to public execution the next. Furthermore, even if Xu Jie were to be rewarded, his special status made it a delicate matter. They could not very well grant him a position of real power and bring him back into the court to create difficulties for all.

Zhu Yijun nodded. The conventional rewards did not surprise him. The principal issue was that they had offended too many people. The promotions had been achieved by stepping on others' heads; to reward them extravagantly would be a thankless task.

But from Zhu Yijun's perspective, this seemed to be giving meritorious officials inadequate recognition.

He pondered for a moment, then spoke. "What Minister Shen has proposed is comprehensive and follows precedent. We approve the proposal."

At this, his tone shifted. "However, in addition to the rewards of official rank, We also have a token of Our own sentiment to express, lest it be said that We treat Our loyal ministers coldly."

"Bestow upon Chen Dong a residence for lease outside Donghua Gate, with the rent waived. He may bring his wife and children. Furthermore, grant hereditary privilege for his two sons to enter the Imperial College."

Zhu Yijun had heard that Chen Dong's father was a lunatic who took all of his son's salary for his own amusement and would frequently subject him to canings and forced kneeling. It was a disgrace to the dynasty's honor. However, it was a family matter, and outsiders could not easily interfere.

Now, with the pretext of a reward, rather than some gaudy trifle, it was better to give him a reason to take his children to school and move away on his own.

Shen Shixing did not grasp the emperor's thoughtful gesture, thinking it merely a gracious act, and respectfully acknowledged it.

He then heard Zhu Yijun continue, "As for Hai Rui, he has no heir, so it is not fitting to grant hereditary privilege to his relatives..."

He feigned a moment of contemplation, then said with some reluctance, "Then let Us bestow upon him a Presented Jinshi degree."

Shen Shixing, who had been preparing to reflexively acknowledge the order, came to his senses and looked up in astonishment.

Hai Rui's humble origins were well known. For a man who had only passed the provincial examinations, a seventh-rank post was typically the limit of his career.

But he, by shouldering the great hopes of the reform-minded idealists and forging an incorruptible golden reputation, had fought his way to the position of Vice Censor-in-Chief, a Senior Fourth-Rank post. This was already a rare achievement in the dynasty's history.

To advance further, to the third rank, would be to become a true court minister, a position that could sway the affairs of the empire. Without a Jinshi degree, it was simply impossible to be appointed.

Now, the emperor was bestowing a Presented Jinshi degree now. He was paving the way for Hai Rui.

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