Chapter 35: My Name is Juzheng

Unable to resist, Zhu Zaiyu chose to confront directly. In the end, he still played a clever game. No matter what, at least on the surface, he was just a young, somewhat cynical crown prince. Yet the people in the hall were visibly astonished and surprised by his series of inquiries.

Yan Song silently lifted his head and looked at the crown prince, who seemed to be angrily blaming the southeastern officials for their incompetence, and he couldn’t help but smile inwardly. His earlier stance was not wrong. Meanwhile, Lü Ben, Wen Yuan, and Xu Jie wore expressions of surprise and amazement. The others had varied reactions.

Zhang Zhi, however, felt both shock and delight. The crown prince had exceptional vision. Though not from the southeast himself, he understood local affairs, and in the future, he would naturally not be deceived by court officials. But today, the crown prince was far too sharp and forceful! This was both good and bad. As the heir apparent, revealing his stance so early would instantly lose the support of nearly half the officials at court.

Facing Zhang Zhi, an old official eager to become the imperial tutor, Zhu Zaiyu keenly sensed his worries and gave him a meaningful glance. Although he might lose much support because of this, he had never expected to be a universally beloved crown prince. Losing everything meant he would inevitably gain support elsewhere.

Yet the hall fell silent. Even the Jiajing Emperor, who had initially intended to observe his son’s capabilities, was now stunned. He furrowed his brows and glanced at the ministers and officials present.

Zhu Zaiyu then firmly declared, “I humbly believe that the posts of governor-general for Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, much like the currently vacant Minister of War, cannot be further delayed. We must swiftly appoint capable individuals to these positions to consolidate power, enforce duties, supervise provincial inspectors, the Three Departments, and local officials. It is unacceptable for authority to be fragmented among local powers, causing trifling matters to require lengthy bureaucratic exchanges and deliberations across multiple offices.”

This was his first public statement on a matter before the court. His voice did not waver as he continued, “Honored elder ministers and ministers, your counsel today is undoubtedly for the good of the nation and the people. Since the governor-general posts for these two provinces are vacant, and the situation is as Elder Lü, Minister Wen, and Minister Xu have described — chaotic local governance and unsettled public sentiment — I believe the candidates must be selected directly from capable officials within these provinces, regardless of origin or rank. Only those with firm will and sufficient talent should be appointed swiftly to manage affairs.”

His earlier interrogation had already silenced the assembly. Now urging quick selection of new governor-generals from local officials rendered them even more speechless.

At that moment, someone stepped forward, holding a tablet. “I, your subject, second the crown prince’s words. If the officials of Zhejiang and Fujian are truly capable, then the recent persistent coastal pirate attacks and unrest would not have occurred. It is indeed urgent to appoint new governor-generals for these provinces.”

“I further support the crown prince’s proposal that the new governor-generals be chosen locally, assume office promptly, take charge of all affairs, unify provincial personnel management and consolidate authority, carrying out imperial orders faithfully.”

Zhu Zaiyu looked over with the others and saw it was Tu Qiao, the current Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, the key figure overseeing the Ming legal institution. Originally silent, he now openly and unequivocally supported Zhu Zaiyu’s proposal.

Even Zhu Zaiyu blinked in surprise. He had never interacted with this Left Censor before, yet here he was, expressing firm support. Before anyone could ponder Tu Qiao’s motives, Xia Bangmo again bowed and spoke: “I also respectfully submit that the crown prince’s balanced approach—selecting existing officials from the provinces—avoids lengthy travel and delays; with imperial orders delivered, appointments can be immediate, and those appointed are already familiar with provincial circumstances. This is the most prudent course.”

Following him, both Yan Song and Zhang Zhi spoke almost simultaneously, “This old minister concurs.” They exchanged glances but harbored different thoughts.

Lü Ben felt a sinking heart. Now within the cabinet, there were four officials supporting the crown prince: Yan Song and Zhang Zhi, Minister of Revenue Xia Bangmo, and Left Censor Tu Qiao.

More crucially, Yan Song was not only the current prime minister but deeply trusted by the emperor.

As Lü Ben hesitated, the Minister of Works, Wen Ming—who had remained silent all day—also stood holding his tablet. Known as a mild-mannered official concerned solely with works affairs and a moderate centrist in court, he glanced at Zhu Zaiyu above and then nodded in assent, “I support the crown prince’s words.”

Now, only Minister of Justice Yu Maojian had yet to express his stance. But at this point, his opinion had become insignificant.

Suddenly, the entire pattern within the Wuyi Hall shifted. It was not only Zhu Zaiyu who had not anticipated this but even the Jiajing Emperor himself was taken aback. He glanced sideways at his son with a mix of admiration and astonishment.

Just as the emperor was about to approve the matter, another voice sounded.

All eyes turned to the one remaining silent official—Minister of Justice Yu Maojian. But he was baffled, unable to respond.

Everyone was stunned.

Then the voice came again, this time clearly from behind them—outside the hall!

Outside Wuyi Hall, Zhang Juzheng, who had heard the crown prince’s loud interrogation inside, finally made up his mind after much deliberation.

“I, Zhang Juzheng, have a memorial to present.”

“I dare to submit a petition regarding the empire’s maritime trade restrictions, humbly beseeching the emperor’s approval.”

Outside the hall, Zhang Juzheng suddenly knelt before the entrance, causing Feng Bao to tremble with fear and nervously glance behind the gate. In his heart, he cursed the young bachelor official for his recklessness.

This man truly had the boldness of a small official. Did he not realize where he was and who was inside? How dare he boldly petition in such a place and at such a moment?

While Feng Bao silently scolded and contemplated how to plead for this reckless youth, Huang Jin emerged from the hall. Standing by the gate, he first looked at Feng Bao, then lowered his gaze toward the kneeling Zhang Juzheng with a curious and puzzled expression.

“The emperor permits you to enter and present your memorial.”

“Come with me inside.”

Inside the hall, Zhu Zaiyu, standing before the throne along with everyone else, stared wide-eyed at Zhang Juzheng as he followed Huang Jin inside. Looking into his eyes, Zhu Zaiyu felt a surge of emotion. Old Zhang truly was a loyal comrade—he was reliable when it mattered!

Although currently just a minor bachelor official, and Zhu Zaiyu himself was entering Wuyi Hall for the first time, aside from the emperor, everyone there was either a cabinet minister or a Six Ministries minister, at the lowest rank a deputy minister of war.

Yet Zhang Juzheng’s face bore no fear. He stood tall, head held high, composed as he walked into the hall and knelt on the floor.

From the throne, the Jiajing Emperor’s eyes held a trace of curiosity: “Who are you, and what do you seek to report?”

Zhang Juzheng raised his eyes to the figure on the throne, then slightly turned to look at Zhu Zaiyu nearby, a calm smile on his face.

“I am Zhang Juzheng, ranked ninth among the second class of successful candidates in the imperial examination of the twenty-sixth year of Jiajing, a bachelor official assigned to the Wenhua Hall assisting the crown prince’s governance.”

Within the vast, solemn Wuyi Hall of the Longevity Palace, Zhang Juzheng’s voice echoed for the first time, carrying his name for the first time into the ears of the ministers and officials present.

After introducing himself, he still held his head high, his gaze encompassing everyone in attendance.

“I respectfully submit my petition, humbly begging the emperor to open the sea and lift the trade ban!”

“So that the glory of our dynasty’s virtue may shine throughout the four seas, and the Ming dynasty’s legitimate rule may eternally illuminate the eight directions!”