Wanli Emperor Chapter 104 Part 1 (Patreon)

Chapter 104 Part 1: Pickled Vegetables and Princely Plots

Palaces of five-colored clouds reach the celestial Han,
Golden light illuminates, dazzling the eye.
Jade moats and golden waters murmur and flow,
Observing from above, watching the hurried steps below.
Imperial guards stand solemn, a thousandfold array,
Their might strikes fear into the hearts of men.
…

Within the hall, the banquet music played. A rendition of "Joy Before the Hall," the singer's voice melodious and moving, the dancer's form graceful.

The sounds of the huigan, zhu, yu, bofu, qin, se, xiao, sheng, di, xun, chi, panpipes, bells, and chimes intertwined, gradually warming the atmosphere of the feast.

A round of pleasantries, inquiries after health, and the clinking of cups ensued.

Grand Consort Wu and Princess Consort Wang excused themselves from the banquet, claiming inability to hold their liquor.

Wu Jinghe watched the Grand Consort depart, understanding inwardly that the time for serious discussion had finally arrived.

The Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, was the first to speak. "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, Heaven has shown its favor, and the seas and lands have been tranquil. We must offer congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Saying this, he rose, raised his wine cup high, and faced northward, waiting for the others in the hall to join him.

The assembled guests exchanged glances and rose one after another.

Wu Jinghe raised an eyebrow, glancing at Zhu Dingyao.

The Min Princedom…

Originally enfeoffed to the eighteenth son of Emperor Taizu, it had passed down seven generations to the present, making the current prince of Emperor Shizong's generation.

The Residence of the Prince of Min had a history of restlessness. During the Zhengde era (1506–1521), Prince Lishan of the Min Princedom, Zhu Yanmo, had "gathered wicked followers and indulged in wrongdoing."

During the Jiajing era (1522–1566), they had "recruited fugitives and engaged in plunder and banditry."

More recently, in the first year of the Longqing era (1567), they had "formed cliques, run rampant, acted wildly day and night, and gathered a mob to beat the investigating censor's advisor nearly to death."

In summary, they were professionals at harboring bandits, with an innumerable and lengthy criminal record.

This princedom was also a primary target for scrutiny on this trip.

At this moment, everyone had risen to offer a distant toast to the emperor, yet Wu Jinghe remained seated, unmoving.

The Prince of Dong'an shot a meaningful look, which Zhu Yingkuang, Bulwark-Lieutenant of the State from the Residence of the Prince of Yong'an, immediately understood.

He feigned displeasure, frowning as he said, "We rise to toast His Majesty from afar. Why does the Red Helmet General remain seated?"

He wore the very picture of a man whose sovereign had been slighted.

As his voice fell, everyone in the hall turned their gazes toward Wu Jinghe.

Wu Jinghe sat cross-legged behind his table, surrounded by their stares, yet he calmly picked up a morsel with his chopsticks and savored it slowly.

It was not that he was unwilling to maintain basic courtesy.

Rather, the words of that Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, held hidden meanings, which he was unwilling to acknowledge.

The phrase "Heaven has shown its favor, and the seas and lands have been tranquil" was not spoken lightly.

It was the very phrase Emperor Taizu had used when enfeoffing the various vassal princes.

What followed immediately after was, "Yet the realm under Heaven is vast, and vassal screens must be established to guard the state above and pacify the people below."

If he were truly to toast to those words, he feared it would set them upon a path of mutual accommodation.

Wu Jinghe ignored the Bulwark-Lieutenant of the State, instead meeting the gaze of the Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, from across the hall.

He slowly rose and walked over. "His Majesty bestowed upon me the yellow battle-axe to wield and the golden seal to wear at my waist."

"Entrusted by the sovereign's heart, sanctioned by the sagely will, manifested by imperial authority, reached by imperial might."

"This official is an Imperial Commissioner, representing His Majesty. Why must Your Excellency toast from afar?"

Amidst the astonished expressions of the onlookers, he gently took the wine cup from Zhu Dingyao's hand.

And drained it in one gulp.

Then, strolling back to his original seat, he smiled. "It is sufficient for all of you to toast me."

The crowd looked at each other in dismay.

Zhu Changwen's mouth hung open, never having expected this granduncle-in-law of his to possess such an arrogant and domineering side.

But one had to admit, there was an enviable flair to his nonchalance.

The representatives from the Xiang and Jing Princedoms exchanged glances, not anticipating that invoking the name of respecting the emperor, such a perfect opportunity to step down gracefully, would be rejected by Wu Jinghe.

That he would even utter such arrogant words.

The Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, was the last to react, his face turning ashen.

This was a deliberate insult!

Zhu Dingyao looked on the verge of erupting.

Just then, the Prince of Dong'an, seated in the host's position, finally spoke.

Zhu Xiankuan gave a wry smile. "My residence holds only good intentions, wishing to welcome the General and wash away the dust of his journey. It is precisely a time for exchanging toasts, full of joy and harmony…"

"Why must the General always present himself as the embodiment of our sovereign lord, making even our drinking uncomfortable?"

The emperor was so far away. Why refuse to give even a shred of face? Who was this performance for?

Besides, it was not as if they were preventing him from completing his mission. Why make things difficult for everyone?

Wouldn't a win-win situation be better?

Wu Jinghe shook his head. "The trust of my sovereign lord rests upon me; I dare not lightly cast it aside."

The Prince of Dong'an, Zhu Xiankuan, rubbed his belly, feeling the matter had become somewhat thorny.

This Imperial Son-in-Law was truly impervious to persuasion.

He paused, finally abandoning the probing. He waved away the singers and dancers in the hall, and the princely residence officials also withdrew silently.

Only after the hall had quieted did Zhu Xiankuan look seriously at Wu Jinghe and speak, "Son-in-law, we are family; let us not speak as outsiders."

"Since the son-in-law says that His Majesty is deeply troubled by the affairs of Huguang, worn out in mind and spirit."

"We too hold our sovereign lord in our hearts and naturally cannot sit idly by."

"I wonder, is there any way we might alleviate His Majesty's burdens?"

Seeing his royal uncle step forward to take charge, the Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, could not help but feel relieved.

Although he himself was a Prince of the Blood and this uncle was merely a Commandery Prince, the Chu Princedom simply carried more weight than the Min Princedom.

At this moment, facing Wu Jinghe, who represented the emperor, to draw the lines, it was naturally more appropriate for this royal uncle to step forward.

Wu Jinghe toyed with the wine cup in his hand, using three fingers, pondering for a moment.

He spoke words of praise, "The Prince of Dong'an is mindful of his sovereign lord. Such loyalty and filial piety deserve commendation."

Then his tone shifted, asking curiously, "However, the Chu Residence currently lacks a Prince of the Blood to lead the princedom. I fear you may have the will but lack the power?"

Zhu Xiankuan's face darkened.

This was clearly questioning whether he could make decisions.

But the words were far too blunt, showing him no face whatsoever.

Zhu Yingkuang, Bulwark-Lieutenant of the State from the Residence of the Prince of Yong'an, bristled with displeasure. "Currently, my Chu Residence has six Commandery Princes, one hundred and ninety-eight Generals of the State—Defender, Bulwark, and Supporter ranks—totaling over one thousand two hundred and sixty imperial kinsmen."

"United in purpose, of one heart from top to bottom, there is strength aplenty!"

Wu Jinghe glanced at the Prince of Dong'an, Zhu Xiankuan, whose expression showed satisfaction, yet inwardly, Wu Jinghe felt quite surprised.

The imperial court had clearly ordered the Prince of Wugang to temporarily administer the Chu Princedom. Why was it now the Prince of Dong'an who commanded such popular support?

Wu Jinghe pondered this inwardly, betraying nothing on his face, but merely shook his head. "If that is the case, then earlier this year, when the Chu Residence contested land at Lingquan Mountain, drove out the residents of Jiashan, seized property through force and trickery, and killed several commoners…"

He looked at Zhu Xiankuan, questioning, "Setting aside the failure to restrain them beforehand, why afterward did you claim inability to investigate, feigning ignorance of the culprits?"

Wu Jinghe had naturally done his homework before coming.

From the Chu Residence's old accounts during the Jiajing era—digging up the coffin of the deceased minister Zhang Pu, opening it to desecrate the corpse, and beating and extorting court officials.

To the Longqing era's forced occupation of civilian land in De'an Prefecture, Huguang, and harboring murderers.

Even the most recent incidents, such as gathering a mob to commit murder alongside the Residence of the Prince of Yueyang—all had been unearthed.

Now, he could cite them effortlessly.

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