Chapter 27: Ju Zheng Has an Audience with the Emperor

Night fell.

The West Garden was bathed in brilliant light. Ripples danced across the lake, reflecting the lanterns in a shimmering display of light and shadow.

"Report to Your Majesty: the Duke of Cheng has agreed to cooperate with the Inner Court to secretly commission ships and trade overseas."

"After much deliberation, I believe that a gentleman’s affairs should be handled with rigor and kept in strict confidence. It is best that only the Duke of Cheng’s household is privy to this expansion of the inner treasury's revenue, and they shall be the ones to liaise with other usable nobles in the capital to carry this out."

"As for the matters regarding the Capital Garrison, the Duke of Cheng will soon submit a memorial to impeach the lawless elements within the ranks. However, he requires the censors of the Metropolitan Censorate to submit their impeachments first, so that he may then appear to follow suit, as if compelled."

"When I visited today, I found his son, Shitai, to be quite capable despite his upbringing as a noble scion. I dared to privately promise him a post as a battalion officer to win his loyalty, and also to ensure that when Your Majesty inspects the camps, there will be a crack force available to guard the capital region."

Zhu Zaiji followed silently behind the Jiajing Emperor, recounting the day’s discussions at the Duke of Cheng’s residence without reservation.

Jiajing stopped and smiled. "I heard that today, in front of Zhu Xizhong, you dissolved the incriminating evidence provided by Lu Bing into a teapot?"

Although it was already the fourth lunar month and early summer, Zhu Zaiji felt a sudden chill. He quickly bowed his head. "I did indeed do as Your Majesty said."

He admitted it openly, but inwardly, he grew extremely vigilant.

Jiajing merely chuckled. "Well done. To use both grace and power is the proper way. Had the people in the Duke of Cheng’s household not sent word, I would not have known that you, in your first time handling affairs outside the palace, could wield authority with such maturity. You did well."

Hearing this, Zhu Zaiji felt a weight lift from his heart and let out a silent breath. He could not help but glance back at Huang Jin, who was following behind. When the eunuch noticed the gaze, he immediately flashed a smile. Zhu Zaiji was now certain that there were Eastern Depot spies lurking within the Duke of Cheng’s residence.

Jiajing spoke again. "Zhu Xizhong is a man who understands the imperial will and knows his place. Letting him oversee the Regimented Camps, the Chief Military Commission, and the Five Military Camps, as well as managing the sacrifices all these years, was precisely because of his alertness and compliance. Letting him handle the shipbuilding and overseas trade is a safe move; the Inner Court will likely remain hidden. You planned this very well."

Zhu Zaiji continued his explanation: "I did not dare to overstep my bounds. I only drafted a proposal, estimating that the inner treasury would provide fifty percent of the capital and receive thirty percent of the profits. These revenues would go directly to the inner treasury, off the books, so that Your Majesty may use them for rewards or to pay the soldiers of the Capital Garrison in the future."

Jiajing turned to look at his son. Zhu Zaiji had no time to think and could only lower his head in silence.

"You have mentioned several times recently that since Zhu Wan has been targeted and impeached, there may be those who wish to harm him in secret. I have already ordered Lu Bing to send men to guard him."

Zhu Zaiji maintained his respectful posture, though he wondered if Lu Bing’s men would arrive in time.

Jiajing continued, "As for the matter of Zhu Xizhong’s son entering the Capital Garrison, I have approved it. You should continue to leave the palace to inspect various places and keep an eye on things yourself. But if he cannot train the soldiers diligently, I will strip him of his post."

Zhu Zaiji bowed deeply. "Your Majesty is wise."

Facing his son’s flattery, Jiajing merely smiled and waved his hand. "Though we must use the Duke of Cheng’s household as a front to build ships and conduct trade to open up revenue for the inner treasury, the matter has yet to begin. Since it is the palace operating from behind the scenes, providing fifty percent of the capital for thirty percent of the profit is acceptable. However, when the profits come, twenty percent shall go to the inner treasury, and ten percent shall be sent to the Qingning Palace."

Zhu Zaiji’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at the old Daoist with confusion.

Jiajing’s expression was tinged with a faint sorrow. "After all, these past years... never mind. In any case, that ten percent is for you at the Qingning Palace. In the future, you won't have to reward people with just a few cakes, looking so stingy!"

He wanted to say that he had neglected his son over the years and wanted to make amends. But in the context of traditional Chinese father-son relations, the words died on his lips.

Zhu Zaiji dared not accept, and instead said, "I was at fault; I should not have rewarded people because of Master Zhang..."

Before he could finish, he felt the old Daoist place a hand on his shoulder. Then, Jiajing reached out and patted his head.

"What? You’ve only just begun to observe the government and handle affairs outside the palace, and you’re already worried that I would be wary of the Crown Prince associating with ministers?"

Zhu Zaiji’s heart tightened, and he became even more submissive. This was indeed a concern that had always weighed on him. After all, an emperor is not a creature to be treated or thought of like an ordinary person.

Jiajing let out a scoffing laugh. "I have had eight sons over these years, and only three remain. When you were born, I publicly referred to you as the 'Primogenitor,' placing the future of our Great Ming’s ancestral foundations upon your shoulders." Speaking of this, Jiajing grew nostalgic.

He shook his head, looked at the lake nearby, and said softly, "Your third brother, Prince Yu, is slow and overly cautious; if he earns the name of a 'virtuous prince' in the future, it will be a blessing from Heaven. Your fourth brother, Prince Jing, has little talent but great ambition, and his temperament is hidden and volatile; he cannot be entrusted with affairs."

Jiajing looked at his son again. "Having gone through such great calamities and survived, I have often thought that perhaps this is the fortune bestowed upon you by the Immortals and our ancestors."

"Learn to handle affairs well. The things I have wanted to do all these years but could not, perhaps they will fall upon you to accomplish."

"With such high hopes and expectations, why would I be wary of my son associating with outside ministers?"

When Zhu Zaiji returned to the Eastern Palace from the West Garden, his head was still spinning. What Jiajing said that night was truly frightening. Yet, regardless of what the old Daoist said or how much guilt he felt for not taking good care of his son, Zhu Zaiji could only listen. It was impossible for him to truly stop considering such dangers. Although the Crown Prince is the heir, there is only one sovereign.

However, he had now taken a step forward in gaining more of Jiajing’s trust, had secured the opportunity to leave the palace, and had used Zhang Zhi as bait to draw him into the trap, while also winning over the Duke of Cheng’s household through the maritime trade.

What remained was to wait for the situation outside to change, and to continue, step by step, to gain more of the old Daoist’s trust and authorization.

After considering all the day's events, Zhu Zaiji finally closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

...

The next two days passed in the court without major incident. If there was anything to speak of, it was that the censors submitted memorials discussing the corruption and lawlessness of the noble commanders in the Capital Garrison, acting as if the garrison would mutiny within days if it were not reorganized.

The clamor was loud. Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Cheng, had no choice but to submit a memorial. While defending the garrison, he threw a few people under the bus. The Emperor was furious, immediately stripping those individuals of their duties and confining them to their homes. Later, perhaps to appease the nobility, he bestowed upon Zhu Shitai, the heir to the Duke of Cheng, the command of the Horse Cavalry Battalion of the Fenwu Battalion, one of the Twelve Regiments.

The battalion had a quota of five thousand soldiers, but only three thousand in practice.

Three days later, Zhu Zaiji rose early, followed his usual routine of practicing martial arts with Zhu Qi, washing up, paying his respects at the Yongning and Yikun Palaces, and then heading to the East Side Hall of the Wenhua Palace for the daily lecture.

His studies in the East Side Hall had become quite relaxed. Since finishing the *Great Learning* and the *Doctrine of the Mean*, he had been steadily studying the *Analects*. Meanwhile, his younger brothers, the "little bee" Zhu Zaiji and the "simpleton" Zhu Zaizhen, had only just finished the two thousand characters of the *Great Learning* and their various commentaries.

The sound of reading and lecturing drifted out of the hall. Unlike usual, there were a few young men waiting outside the doors today. There were only five of them, all in their twenties or thirties, dressed in green official robes. One of them stood out: his face was square, and even in stillness, his brow revealed a sense of resilience and tenacity. With his sideburns and beard, he was exactly the type of "handsome man" most admired in the current officialdom. The group listened intently to the sounds inside the hall.

After a long while, inside the East Side Hall, Zhu Zaiji smiled and bowed to Zhang Zhi, Gao Gong, and the others. "You have worked hard, gentlemen."

Zhang Zhi and the others stood and returned the bow. Zhang then said to Prince Yu and Prince Jing, "The daily lecture is concluded. You two may return to the Eastern Palace to review your lessons and prepare for tomorrow’s content."

Zhu Zaiji and Zhu Zaizhen were naturally pleased not to be kept behind by their tutors; they bowed and scampered off.

Zhang Zhi then looked at Sun Sheng, Min Rulin, and Gao Gong. Sun and Min bowed first: "Since the lecture is over, we shall return to our offices to attend to official business." Zhang Zhi nodded and watched them leave.

Gao Gong, however, remained where he was. Zhu Zaiji watched this "Gao Suqing" with a playful glimmer in his eyes.

Zhang Zhi looked at him. "Suqing, do you have something else to say?"

Gao Gong quickly bowed, then hesitated before saying, "Grand Secretary... the Crown Prince’s studies are progressing, and you hold duties in the Grand Secretariat as well. If you come for lectures every day, will your health..."

He meant to say that Zhang Zhi coming every day might interfere with his work in the Grand Secretariat, but his true intent was unspeakable.

Zhu Zaiji, hearing this from the side, couldn't help but smile. *He’s anxious! This Gao Gong is actually anxious!*

Zhang Zhi could not show his true feelings and merely brushed it off. "I appreciate your concern, Suqing, but the Crown Prince’s studies reflect the state of the nation. I dare not slacken."

Gao Gong looked reluctant. Zhu Zaiji, watching the impatient Gao, smiled and said, "Master, I have long heard that you have a profound mastery of the *Classic of Rites*. Although I am studying the Four Books and Five Classics in order, the rites are a matter of great importance. I would like to take the time to ask for your guidance on them."

He was not wrong; Gao Gong had been locally renowned for his study of the *Classic of Rites* since he was seventeen. Zhang Zhi knew this and nodded. "The rites are a matter of great importance. If Your Highness has any confusion, you may indeed consult with Suqing."

With that, he looked at Gao Gong, signaling for him to leave. Gao Gong knew he would not get a chance to be alone with the Crown Prince, so he retreated silently.

Once he was gone, Zhang Zhi took a booklet from his sleeve. "Your Highness, this is the list of usable men in the court I have selected for you. Though their current ranks are not high, they are all in the Hanlin Academy, the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, or the Six Ministries."

Zhu Zaiji pretended to be surprised. He took the booklet and saw five names. The name he had been longing for was right there!

Zhang Zhi introduced each of the five men, then bowed. "Your Highness’s selection of talent to assist in governance is truly a labor of love. These five are all trustworthy. Regardless of whom you choose, they will surely serve you with all their heart and strength."

Zhu Zaiji looked at the booklet again, pretending to ponder. After a long moment, his finger landed on one name, and he smiled at Zhang Zhi.

"Master, you are from Huguang, known as 'Zhang Chaling.' This man also seems to be from Huguang, but he resides in Jiangling. A difference of one character, but a deep connection nonetheless. Why don't we... try using him?"

Zhang Zhi glanced at the name the Crown Prince had pointed to, then smiled and nodded. "Your Highness has a sagacious eye for talent. Trying him is certainly fine."

Soon after, Feng Bao went outside to pass the order. As footsteps approached from the hall door, Zhu Zaiji straightened his posture, his eyes filled with anticipation.

A moment later, a resonant, clear voice rang out:

"Your subject, Hanlin Academy Shujishi, Zhang Juzheng, presents himself for an imperial audience. I wish the Crown Prince ten thousand years of peace."