Wanli Emperor Chapter 88 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 88 Part 2: Rewarding Merit, Weighing Worth

The ministers exchanged glances, their eyes filled with resistance. Forcing everyone to reinstate Hai Rui after Gao Gong's retirement had already been the limit. Did he now intend to let this stubborn mule into the Grand Secretariat? How absurd!

The Minister of Rites, Zhang Siwei, was the first to step forward. "Your Majesty, a Jinshi is selected through the palace examination. How can it be bestowed on the basis of merit?"

"Even when our dynasty has done such a thing, it has been a posthumous honor. There is no precedent for bestowing a Jinshi degree upon a living person."

"To do so is not only unfair to the provincial graduates, but it also undermines the established system of the imperial examinations."

"This minister implores Your Majesty to reconsider, and not to break the ancestral laws."

Zhu Yijun explained in a gentle voice, "Minister Zhang may not be aware, but while this is rare in our dynasty, it is common in the annals of history."

"Was not Lu You, Lu Fangweng, granted a Jinshi degree by Emperor Xiaozong of Song?"

He explained amicably on the surface, but inwardly, he sneered. What ancestral laws? They are merely excuses.

Bestowing a Jinshi degree was truly no great matter. The historical Wanli Emperor, in his later state of disarray, had he not, in the intercalary fourth month of the forty-sixth year of his reign, imperially bestowed Juren degrees on local students and Jinshi degrees on Juren? That was a whole batch of people. How was it that no one had made a fuss then?

In the end, it was simply that Hai Rui was not well-liked, and the court officials rejected him.

The Minister of Justice, Wang Zhigao, stepped forward with a grim face. "Your Majesty, the previous dynasty is the previous dynasty. This dynasty is this dynasty."

"The selection of Jinshi is a great ceremony of the state. How can it be so lightly undermined?"

Because of the affair in the Southern Directly-Administered Region, which had resulted in his son being exiled three thousand li, he naturally held no favorable impression of Hai Rui.

Li Youzi, who had just been transferred from Left Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision to Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, also stepped forward to concur. "Your Majesty, if Jinshi degrees are bestowed so lightly and become commonplace, this minister fears it will lead to great trouble."

Subsequently, another seven or eight officials, including Right Censor-in-Chief Huo Ji, Vice Minister of Rites Ma Ziqiang, and Chief Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Revenue Cai Ruxian, all stepped forward to express their agreement to varying degrees.

Zhu Yijun quietly observed these court officials. Among them were those who resisted Hai Rui and those who simply feared the emperor would disrupt the imperial examination system.

He had anticipated great resistance, but he had not expected it to be this intense.

He glanced again at the expressionless Zhang Juzheng. He could not help but sigh inwardly. The Grand Secretariat likely did not wish to see Hai Rui climb to the third rank or higher, which was the threshold for entering the cabinet.

The Vice Minister of Personnel, Shen Shixing, looked around at the attitude of his colleagues, made his decision, and immediately stepped forward to persuade. "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be better to grant hereditary official posts to Censor Hai's parents and ancestors?"

Zhu Yijun remained noncommittal.

Just then, the Chief Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel, Li Zaiting, also took a step forward. He advised with stern righteousness, "Your Majesty, this subject also believes that bestowing a Presented Jinshi degree is somewhat contrary to ancestral precedent and risks undermining the imperial examinations."

"This subject proposes that we follow historical precedent and grant Hai Rui permission to participate directly in next year's spring palace examination—just as the Song dynasty once permitted Yan Shu to sit for the examination by imperial grace."

The moment his voice fell, Zhu Yijun spoke at once, giving no one a chance to interject. He declared loudly, as if in self-reproach, "Our ministers speak with reason. A Jinshi degree relies on talent and learning; it ought not be bestowed lightly."

"Then let us follow Minister Li's meaning and have him participate in the palace examination next spring. Henceforth, it shall depend on his talent and learning."

The assembled ministers glared at Li Zaiting. What manner of persuasion was this? The palace examination did not eliminate candidates!

In the past, Zhang Yuan of the Song Dynasty had been eliminated in the palace examination and had defected to the Western Xia, where he was immediately granted a position equivalent to chancellor. Thereafter, he led the Western Xia and beat the former Song into submission. In the Battle of Haoshuichuan alone, he had slaughtered over ten thousand men. After the battle, he even wrote a poem of mockery, signing it, "Grand Preceptor, Director of the Secretariat, and Concurrent Director of the Chancellery Zhang Yuan, accompanied the grand procession to this place," leaving the Song court apoplectic with rage.

With this precedent before them, everyone understood that it was best not to let a talented man feel his talents were unrecognized. If too many such men appeared, it would lead to chaos. Thus, henceforth, the palace examination would only rank the candidates; it would no longer eliminate them.

Li Zaiting's proposal was still to bestow a Jinshi degree upon Hai Rui; it merely legitimized the process. It even made the earlier objections from the court officials about the process being irregular seem as if the emperor had been deliberately leading them to this conclusion.

The Censor-in-Chief, Ge Shouli, stepped forward to concur. "His Majesty's sagacity is without equal!"

The Director of the Office of Transmission, He Yongqing, the Right Vice Minister of Personnel, Wen Chun, and others also bowed in agreement.

At this point, the Grand Secretariat had no choice but to state its position.

Zhang Juzheng hesitated for a long moment before speaking. "Your Majesty, Hai Rui is indeed meritorious, but since the Ministry of Personnel has already granted him a reward in official rank, would it not be somewhat excessive to grant him the additional grace of participating in the palace examination?"

He and Hai Rui simply could not coexist harmoniously. Temperament was one aspect, but the principal issue was their differing political views.

Zhang Juzheng feared that this kind of man, possessing a sterling reputation and acting without leaving any room for compromise, would enter the central government and disrupt important affairs. 

During the recent affair in the Southern Directly-Administered Region, he had heard that Gao Gong had stepped forward to relieve the emperor of his burdens, only to be blocked by Hai Rui.

He had seen it with his own eyes and understood even more clearly that for Hai Rui, the greater situation of the Great Ming was of no concern. In this man's eyes, there were only the emperor and the common people.

This kind of disposition, unable to balance competing interests, was not suited for the central government. To stand solely on the emperor's side would only worsen the relationship between the officials and the emperor.

Before the emperor could speak, Xu Jie, seated on the low stool below the imperial dais, suddenly rose. "The Senior Grand Secretary may not know."

"In the investigation of the case in the Southern Directly-Administered Region this time, Hai Rui holds first-class merit. These old bones of mine have not the slightest merit."

This was to cede all credit to Hai Rui, to curry favor with the sovereign now, without having to worry about being rewarded for a rank he could not hold.

The court officials all turned to look at Xu Jie. Many could not help but glance at the emperor.

Again? If we do not allow him to cede the credit to Hai Rui, is he preparing to use Xu Jie's return to court to threaten us all?

Zhang Juzheng was also taken aback. Although Xu Jie was his teacher, he did not desire his return to court.

At this moment, Zhu Yijun finally spoke. "Senior Grand Secretary, it is difficult for the Censorate to achieve merit, and it will be even more so in the future. We cannot bear to treat a high minister coldly. This small act of grace now is also to show Our sentiment."

Hearing these words, Zhang Juzheng's expression cleared slightly. "It is difficult for the Censorate to achieve merit" was naturally false.

The emperor was telling him that he did not intend to let Hai Rui enter the cabinet, but was paving the way for him to take the position of Censor-in-Chief.

If that were the case... it was still acceptable. The Censorate was the most suitable place for Hai Rui.

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng finally bowed. "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough. It was this subject who was presumptuous."

Zhu Yijun nodded. With the Grand Secretariat's agreement, the matter was settled. "Then let it be so."

"By the way, as for Xu Jie, We will have him remain in the capital for consultation, and grant his son, Xu Fan, a hereditary appointment as Minister of the Court of Imperial Seals."

Shen Shixing waited for a moment. Seeing that no one else was going to push back against the emperor, he bowed and acknowledged the order.

Having concluded this matter, Zhu Yijun looked around the hall. He paused, then let out a soft sound of inquiry. "Where is Minister Yang Bo? Did he not attend the morning court today?"

Zhang Juzheng replied, "Grand Secretary Yang's illness has worsened. He is unable to rise. After submitting his memorial requesting retirement a few days ago, he has not entered the palace again."

Zhu Yijun sighed. "Another pillar of the state is to depart from Our side."

He instructed Zhang Hong, who stood beside him, "Have the Imperial College of Medicine go and see him. If medicine and treatment cannot cure him, then approve his memorial of retirement for Us in vermilion (red)."

"By the way, if he is to return to his old home in Shanxi, have the imperial physicians Wang Wenli and Song Zhaohe accompany him to care for him. Otherwise, We will not be at ease."

As he gave these instructions, his peripheral vision caught Zhang Siwei, his expression one of barely suppressed excitement. He secretly shook his head.

He gathered his thoughts slightly and turned to the principal business. "Let us speak of the Tumen Khan."

At this moment, Zhu Yijun finally turned his gaze to the man who had just joined the court conference today but had not yet spoken a word, the Minister of War, Wang Chonggu.

He inquired, "Does Minister Wang have any counsel on this matter?"

Would you like to read in advance? Join as an Enforcer on Patreon to access content before anyone else.

If you are enjoying the story, please leave a 5 rating on Novel Updates!

[Dossier]

[Index]

[Prev] || [Next]