Chapter 15: The First Glimpse of Political Views
Page 1/3
A clear clang of a bronze chime echoed through the inner hall of the Longevity Palace. Emperor Jiajing had already seated himself back on the Bagua Dao Platform in the side chamber, his expression contemplative. Zhu Zaiyuan glanced sideways, took the tea that had been prepared with yellow brocade, and walked steadily forward.
“Meow…”
A cat’s call.
Zhu Zaiyuan stood beneath the platform, looking at the curled-up cat cradled in Jiajing’s arms—a creature with fur tinged faintly blue, its only pure white feature being the twin eyebrows known as Frosted Brows.
This cat had accompanied the venerable Taoist in the Western Gardens for many years.
Understanding human nature well, it would often lead the emperor’s way during his strolls through the Western Gardens and frequently kept company during the emperor’s rest, thus earning the deepest favor and being treasured like a precious gem.
Frosted Brows curled its body atop the emperor’s lap, only the white eyebrows raised, its bright eyes fixed upon the approaching Crown Prince.
“Meow!”
The cat called once more.
Zhu Zaiyuan stepped forward, handed the tea to the old Taoist, and reached out to stroke Frosted Brows, prompting the little creature’s tail to lift and a distinctly human-like expression of disdain to cross its face.
Jiajing sipped the tea before finally speaking: “Today, you spoke so openly before so many—were all those truly your own thoughts?”
Zhu Zaiyuan nodded softly.
What the old Taoist sought to know was not whether the words spoken in the east side hall of the Wenhua Hall were coached, but whether these were the prince’s genuine beliefs.
Facing the emperor’s scrutinizing gaze, Zhu Zaiyuan quietly explained, “Though I am but at the age of dancing elephants, and today was my first time venturing outside to study, having observed and heard much of Your Majesty’s governance over the years, I have come to understand certain principles.”
Jiajing raised an eyebrow, set down his cup, and laid a hand gently on Frosted Brows, smoothing the cat’s fur disturbed by his son’s stroking. “Then tell me, what principles do you understand?”
It was time for the examination.
Zhu Zaiyuan knew this well and began his reply: “What I spoke today at Wenhua Hall pertained entirely to military affairs and agriculture and land reclamation; however, for the state, the Ming’s two capitals and thirteen provinces are not solely about military matters and farming.”
Jiajing nodded knowingly at this.
He had truly worried that his increasingly promising son might become like his childless cousin, obsessed with military matters while neglecting civil governance and failing to balance the civil officials.
Zhu Zaiyuan continued, “But at such an occasion as today, there are things I cannot say, and even dare not mention!”
After speaking, he silently glanced at the old Taoist who was still stroking Frosted Brows.
Sure enough, Jiajing’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression darkened.
The prince hastily lowered his head.
Then came the emperor’s question: “Oh? What is it that you cannot say, and what is it you dare not speak?”
Page 2/3
Zhu Zaiyuan answered cautiously, “I believe the way of governance begins with the management of officials. If the administration is unclear and disorderly, no amount of good policy can be effectively implemented, and the people will never benefit from benevolent rule. However, to reform the administration inevitably causes upheaval in court, unsettling the ministers, who may then act independently, forming factions and attacking one another to protect themselves. Or perhaps… or perhaps…”
He hesitated deliberately, casting a look at Jiajing seated above.
Jiajing sneered coldly, dismissing the concern: “Or perhaps they secretly conspire, colluding in wickedness, then come to the palace gates to kneel in petition to force me to cease reforming the administration? They did no less of such acts in the past; there is no need for you to hold back or be afraid to speak.”
Zhu Zaiyuan bowed in acknowledgment: “I obey your command.”
He then went on, “Though the emperor holds the realm in his hands, all matters of the world depend upon civil and military officials carrying out orders faithfully. Therefore, I believe that the management of officials is the foremost matter of state.”
This was a sober political insight.
Jiajing nodded in approval and then asked, “If the administration is reformed, what policies should follow?”
“To reply to Your Majesty,” said Zhu Zaiyuan, “if the administration is greatly renewed, then the economy must be rectified. I am foolish and only know that to rectify the economy, one must conduct a thorough land survey, prohibit land consolidation, restrict tax exemptions, and revise commercial taxes, tariffs, and merchant fees, recalculating the proper levies. Reclaim wasteland, flush out saline land in Henan and other areas, and encourage border settlers to cultivate frontier lands. Only thus can the state gradually amass sufficient grain, funds, and taxes, providing the court the confidence to undertake greater endeavors.”
Having said this, Zhu Zaiyuan paused.
Faced with the old Taoist’s scrutiny, what he had spoken was sufficient for now.
As for policies like spreading the head tax across land, requiring officials and gentry alike to provide grain, or consolidating firewood taxes to the state—these were certainly necessary but would only raise suspicion if mentioned now.
One must not forget that he was still a fourteen-year-old crown prince, long confined within the palace walls.
Jiajing listened with satisfaction to his son’s political views.
He then smiled and said, “I thought that when you spoke at Wenhua Hall, you focused solely on military matters.”
Zhu Zaiyuan immediately bowed deeply, with concern in his voice: “I dare not speak recklessly of military affairs and bring suspicion upon Your Majesty, causing unforeseen troubles.”
Some things, at this moment, could not yet be spoken openly.
But Jiajing understood, his gaze deepened as he looked at his son, and he sighed softly: “My son has truly grown, understanding the difficulties Your Majesty faces, as well as the challenges of our great Ming.”
Huang Jin, standing nearby, smiled quietly as he watched this exchange between the imperial father and son.
Though the emperor appeared troubled, Huang Jin knew that, deep inside, the emperor was pleased.
His lord had not been in such a good mood for a long while.
Zhu Zaiyuan’s expression grew solemn: “Father bears the weight of the realm, inheriting the heavy hopes of our ancestors. Governing is like treading on thin ice; I would never cause you needless worry because of me.”
Afterward, he smiled and added, “However, I do believe that if the administration is renewed and the economy rectified with ample treasury funds, then we can speak again of military matters. The local garrisons are no longer as elite as during the times of the ancestors Taizu and Chengzu; even the capital troops are in disarray, and the border armies fear battle. If the treasury is sufficient, Your Majesty can reward the soldiers handsomely, for where there are great rewards, brave men surely arise. Throughout history, this has always been so. With ample military pay, how could the loyal warriors of Ming fail to know whom to serve? How could they dread battle and flee before the enemy?”
“There is no need to wait until the economy is set right and the treasury full before discussing military preparations.”
Jiajing looked at Zhu Zaiyuan with playful eyes.
Since the day he praised the crown prince before Huang Jin, saying the prince resembled himself so closely, Jiajing had grown more convinced.
Today, the prince’s views—administrative reform first, then economic rectification, and military matters last—truly brought the emperor great comfort.
What little dissatisfaction had arisen from the prince’s remarks before the ministers in the east wing of Wenhua Hall was now completely dispelled.
Page 3/3
Zhu Zaiyuan’s face showed puzzlement: “Is it truly acceptable to speak of military matters now? I am foolish—please enlighten me, Father.”
Seeing his once confident son now uncertain, Jiajing laughed heartily.
Zhu Zaiyuan responded with an embarrassed, sheepish smile.
Jiajing firmly massaged the plump rump of Frosted Brows resting on his lap and said with a broad grin, “The way of governance indeed begins with the management of officials—this you have not yet said. But how is the administration to be managed?”
He posed the question.
Jiajing added, “Managing officials is a matter of the human heart. Though it is the harmony of yin and yang, it is also their struggle. If I truly followed what you said today and personally inspected the nine border regions, the court would naturally erupt with opposition. Yet due to your words, by fate’s design, Yan Song feared I would truly act so and voluntarily took a step back, permitting me to inspect the capital garrison and boost morale.”
After speaking, Jiajing’s face bore a look of triumph: “Since the prime minister has opened the door, how could I refuse?”
At this moment, Zhu Zaiyuan raised both arms, clasped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Jiajing toyed with Frosted Brows’ white eyebrows and smiled: “For now, focus on your studies. Perhaps in a few days, I shall reward you with a fine assignment.”
Zhu Zaiyuan’s heart stirred; he already guessed that this ‘fine assignment’ likely involved inspecting the capital garrison.
But for now, he could feign ignorance.
“I obey,” he said.
Jiajing, already lost in thought, glanced at his son: “Return to your Qingning Palace.”
Zhu Zaiyuan bowed in compliance.
As he moved, Jiajing’s voice called after him once more.
“Ten chapters of the Great Learning—bring them to me before nightfall tomorrow.”
Zhu Zaiyuan’s steps faltered.
He knew the punishment of copying over twenty thousand characters was inescapable.
Jiajing continued, “Remember, some things cannot be spoken plainly, nor openly discussed with the ministers and officials of the previous dynasty.”
“The imperial family, as rulers, should govern the court and people subtly and invisibly.”
Page 3/3