Chapter 20: The Qilin of Our Household

Following behind the venerable Taoist priest, Zhu Zaiyu did not hasten to respond. Instead, he continued to silently ponder the two matters of the day.

Once the three entered the inner hall, the Jiajing Emperor was already seated cross-legged on the Taoist platform. Huang Jin brought over a basin and towels for the emperor to wash his hands and cleanse his face. Zhu Zaiyu remained deep in thought about the two pressing issues.

In the southeast, the provincial inspector of Zhejiang and Fujian, Zhu Wan, was clearly someone the old Taoist held in high esteem. Otherwise, he would not have been granted the authority to act with discretion, nor would it have been emphasized today that the inspection of both provinces should be deferred until Zhu Wan’s case was thoroughly investigated. This was plainly an indication that they awaited proof of Zhu Wan’s innocence before allowing him to continue overseeing the two provinces and the maritime trade embargo.

Within this affair, it was evident that local officials and powerful gentry families from Zhejiang and Fujian were secretly colluding. Many had long engaged in maritime smuggling behind the court’s back. Hence, Zhu Wan, who dared to expose the connections between these local elites and pirates, inevitably became a thorn in their side—a target they were eager to remove at the earliest opportunity.

Thus arose the incident involving the Japanese envoy Zhou Liang at the Ningbo guesthouse, as well as Zhu Wan’s impeachment of Lu Tang, Ke Qiao, and the execution of ninety-six men including the notorious Li Guangtou.

Regarding the affairs along the three northern frontiers of Xuan, Da, and the borderlands, it now appeared that the civil and military officials were using the pretext of Mongol invasions to create a sense of tension and crisis at court, thereby naturally securing the allocation of funds and manpower. In fact, Zhu Zaiyu even suspected that the governor-general of the three borders, Weng Wanda, requesting over 400,000 taels of silver to repair the walls of Xuanfu, was testing the court’s response.

If the court approved the full amount, it would signify trust from the emperor and central government. If only half was granted, caution would be warranted. But if no funds were allocated, it might mean the Mongols were on the verge of breaching the defenses. At this thought, Zhu Zaiyu’s heart tightened. Could it be that by next year, the Mongols would be at the gates of Beijing? And was the upheaval of Gengwu in the coming year connected to the current events?

Earlier, when Lü Ben reported on the southeast situation, he suddenly shifted to the three northern borders. What was the link between these matters?

After considerable reflection, Zhu Zaiyu looked up to find the old Taoist silently watching him with a gaze full of scrutiny and assessment. He hurriedly bowed and said, “Your Majesty, today during my observation of state affairs, there remain matters I do not fully understand. I humbly ask for your enlightenment.”

The Jiajing Emperor raised an eyebrow. He had appointed the crown prince to observe governance precisely so he could grow familiar with state matters and learn how to handle them properly. The prince’s question on his first day of observation was a test of his aptitude in governance. Seeing that his son did not answer hastily but sought clarification first, he found this composure commendable.

Smiling, the emperor asked, “What is it that you do not understand?”

Zhu Zaiyu gathered his thoughts and inquired, “I wonder about Grand Secretary Lü Ben’s origins and life story.”

Huang Jin, who had just brought tea to the emperor, smiled and replied, “Your Highness, Grand Secretary Lü Ben hails from Yuyao in Zhejiang. He studied under Xie Pi, son of the late grand councilor Xie Qian from the previous dynasty, and passed the imperial examinations in the eleventh year of Jiajing, entering official service thereafter.”

Zhu Zaiyu’s eyes lit up. “Xie Qian was also from Zhejiang?”

Huang Jin nodded, smiling. “Your Highness has a good memory. Xie Qian was also from Yuyao, Zhejiang.”

As they exchanged words, the Jiajing Emperor on the platform nodded with visible satisfaction. Then Zhu Zaiyu turned to him again, asking, “Father, what of Weng Wanda, the governor-general of the three northern borders and Minister of War? Where is he from?”

The emperor half-raised a hand and replied, “He is from Chaozhou Prefecture, Guangdong.”

Zhu Zaiyu furrowed his brow slightly. “He is from the southeastern provinces, but not Fujian?”

His muttering was clearly heard by both the emperor and Huang Jin. Huang Jin stepped forward and laughed, “Your Highness, why do you concern yourself whether Minister Weng is from Fujian? Though not a native of Fujian, his in-laws, the Zou family, come from Putian County, Xinghua Prefecture, Fujian.”

“I see now!” Zhu Zaiyu said suddenly, his tone laced with surprise. Then, feigning a belated realization, he hastily bowed to the emperor, as if confessing a fault.

The emperor paid no mind and instead looked curious. “What have you understood, my son?”

Zhu Zaiyu bowed again. “Your Majesty, regarding today’s court discussions, I have come to some understanding.”

The emperor’s eyes shone with expectation. “Since you understand, share it with me.”

Nodding, Zhu Zaiyu decided to elaborate on the points he had just grasped, adding a touch more gravity. His expression visibly grew solemn and serious.

“Your Majesty, I believe that the provincial inspector of Zhejiang and Fujian, the Censor Zhu Wan, has been repeatedly impeached because he threatened the interests of those who profit from maritime smuggling in these provinces.”

The emperor looked surprised, glancing at Huang Jin, who also wore an expression of astonishment.

Zhu Zaiyu continued, “Since the dynasty’s founding by Emperor Taizu, strict maritime prohibitions have been enforced. Although Emperor Chengzu sent the three treasure eunuchs on voyages to the Western Seas, the maritime ban itself has never been relaxed. Yet, it is well known that the profits of maritime smuggling have always been immense—almost unfathomable.”

“The southeastern provinces—Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong—are mountainous with little arable land, but face the sea. Shipbuilding has been a traditional industry, and without much farmland, commerce flourished, as seen among the merchants of Zhejiang and Fujian.”

“Since coastal provinces lack fertile land, merchants abound. Despite the ban, maritime trade existed even in the Tang and Song dynasties. People naturally pursue profit; how could they quietly abide by maritime restrictions?”

“The number of smugglers is countless, and as Zhu Wan said, local gentry and powerful families secretly engage in overseas trade, accumulating wealth to support their relatives in education and government positions. Thus, officials collude with local elites, protecting each other.”

“Even if the court attempts to enforce the ban rigorously, officials leak information privately, allowing local elites to hide their activities swiftly. When pressured, they collude with overseas bandits and Japanese pirates, posing as victims of pirate attacks, while in truth, most are their own hired ruffians who assault government forces, terrorize localities, and reap profits.”

“This is the fundamental problem along the southeastern coast of the Ming Empire. The ‘Japanese pirate menace’ is merely a pretext for these provinces to monopolize the vast profits of maritime smuggling.”

At this moment, the emperor felt nothing but shock. He had expected some talent from his son but was taken aback by the depth of Zhu Zaiyu’s insight into national affairs.

He asked, “What of the three northern borders’ affairs?”

Zhu Zaiyu replied gravely, “The three northern borders, and indeed all nine border regions of the Ming, are much the same as the southeastern coastal provinces.”

“Oh?” The emperor’s face showed curiosity. “Why do you say that?”

“Your Majesty,” Zhu Zaiyu’s face darkened with resentment, “the nine border regions serve as the walls of the mountain peoples’ households. While they defend the north, protecting the capital and provinces like Shanxi and Shaanxi, they have come to act in their own interests, holding the court hostage.”

The emperor raised an eyebrow, his excitement growing. “Explain.”

“At the dynasty’s founding, the nine borders may have truly guarded the realm’s peace. Yet today, the funds and supplies the court allocates to these regions have long surpassed those of the early days.”

Zhu Zaiyu’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I have often heard that many civil and military officials at the borders engage in clandestine trade beyond the passes, buying and selling goods, secretly dealing in salt, iron, tea, and horses, amassing vast profits. Not to mention, while the capital garrison suffers from empty pay rolls and the conscription of soldiers, the border troops, distant from the emperor’s gaze, face no such hardships.”

“Desertions have increased sharply in recent years. Though the court provides abundant supplies, shortages are still reported. Besides genuine difficulties, this likely stems from officials exploiting and overworking their soldiers.”

“This is the corruption among the border officials. I have not yet spoken fully, but I am certain there is more to be revealed!”

“Moreover, these border officials often invoke the threat of bandits to justify requests for funds and manpower. They emphasize the critical importance of the borders to the capital’s security, warning that if places like Xuan and Da fall, the capital will be shaken and vulnerable to attack.”

“To protect the capital, the central government must treat every border request with utmost seriousness, either approving fully or partially, but never daring to rebuke or refuse.”

By the end of his speech, Zhu Zaiyu had laid bare the court’s hypocrisy, leaving no face for the central government. The emperor’s expression darkened from surprise to gloom.

There was no other explanation—the crown prince’s words were all true.

The emperor gazed deeply at Zhu Zaiyu and spoke slowly, “So you asked today about Lü Ben and Weng Wanda’s origins...”

Zhu Zaiyu raised his arm, clasped his hands, and bowed. “I believe that Lü Ben, Weng Wanda, and their associates, all hailing from Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong and holding high office, must be connected to the maritime smugglers of the southeastern coast.”

Though initially uncertain and unwilling to leap to conclusions, learning Lü Ben was from Yuyao, Zhejiang, and Weng Wanda from Guangdong with in-laws in Fujian, he could almost confirm these ties. Otherwise, Lü Ben would not have abruptly switched his report from southeastern affairs to the northern borders.

The emperor’s eyes flickered with surprise. He had never imagined his son, so young and recently out of school, would bring such unexpected insight on his very first day observing governance. Such acumen was rare even among his own peers.

While the old Taoist looked on in amazement, Zhu Zaiyu continued in a low voice, “Father, now that I understand the connections between Lü Ben, Weng Wanda, and others, I dare predict that if the matter of Censor Zhu Wan drags on, these southeastern officials will increase their impeachments.”

This was a display of political foresight.

The emperor nodded knowingly. “What you say will likely come to pass.”

Zhu Zaiyu pressed on, “Father, I even believe if Your Majesty delays responding to these impeachments, officials like Weng Wanda will use the northern border issue to pressure you, forcing concessions on the maritime ban in the southeast.”

At this, the emperor’s eyes darkened, sharpness flashing within. Seeing his son’s warning, Zhu Zaiyu felt a quiet relief and cautiously added, “Father, having observed these two matters, I understand their connection. I fear if these men see Your Majesty hesitate, they will move against Censor Zhu Wan. I hope Your Majesty will pay close attention, perhaps recalling him for protection or assigning bodyguards to ensure his safety.”

“Move against him!” The emperor suddenly exclaimed, brow furrowing as he looked at his son with concern.

A thought flashed through his mind: if these men dared secretly harm Zhu Wan, could it be related to the previous mysterious incident at Qingning Palace?

A shadow fell over the emperor’s heart. Yet, would such events truly unfold as his son predicted? He felt torn and uncertain.

Zhu Zaiyu stood silently before the platform, undisturbed by the emperor’s hesitation.

After a long pause, the emperor suppressed his doubts, smiling broadly at Zhu Zaiyu and glancing at Huang Jin with laughter in his eyes. “My son, on his first day observing state affairs, has shown such understanding. Truly, you have surprised me.”

Huang Jin chimed in, “Your Highness is of the master’s bloodline. Naturally, he cannot be measured by ordinary standards.”

The emperor laughed heartily, looking at Zhu Zaiyu with boundless affection. “My son grows and improves daily. Truly, he is the auspicious child of our family!”