Chapter 12: Mutual Protection Among Officials

In the Wen Yuan Pavilion.

Huang Liji, Shi Fenglai, Zhang Ruitu, and Li Guopu, four senior ministers, were seated together in the cabinet chamber, each bearing an expression tinged with gravity.

All four were members of the infamous eunuch faction.

Yet, when the new emperor had just ascended the throne, they had already planned to turn the tables and purge Wei Zhongxian.

However, sensing that the emperor seemed reluctant to move against Wei Zhongxian, they refrained from immediate action.

Huang Liji, the chief minister, set down a cup of fragrant tea brought as tribute, cleared his throat, and said, “Since His Majesty’s ascension, he has not held court for several consecutive days. Meanwhile, the number of memorials advising the throne has been steadily increasing.”

Shi Fenglai nodded in agreement. “After ascending the throne, it seems the emperor places great trust in the eunuchs. In just a few days, the atmosphere within the inner court has changed. But relying solely on those men, how can our great Ming dynasty be properly governed?”

Zhang Ruitu added, “Moreover, His Majesty also shows considerable trust in the meritorious nobles and military men. I heard that after the first court session, the emperor secretly summoned Duke Zhang Weixian to the palace late at night. No one knows what was discussed.”

“We, as ministers of the cabinet, have yet to be granted such an honor,” Li Guopu remained silent, sipping his tea quietly.

Hearing Zhang Weixian’s name, Huang Liji twirled his graying beard thoughtfully. “What has Duke Zhang been doing these days?”

“Spending his days indulging in pleasures, drinking himself into stupor,” came the reply.

The four exchanged glances, falling silent.

Having been political foxes for decades, they immediately recognized two possibilities behind Zhang Weixian’s behavior.

Either it was a deliberate act—outwardly he sought pleasure, but secretly he was plotting great matters.

Or he truly had given in to despair and was letting himself decay.

Considering the emperor had been training the imperial guards within the inner court these past days, the former seemed more likely.

A heavy silence settled over the cabinet chamber.

Finally, Huang Liji broke the tension. “During the recent morning court sessions, His Majesty made no decisions on any matters. At first, we worried he might neglect state affairs.”

“But now it seems we were overthinking. His Majesty is wise and mighty, and appears to have already made plans in his mind regarding court affairs. His conduct is unlike that of a young, inexperienced sovereign.”

Li Guopu, who had been silent all along, spoke up then. His words were laced with subtle irony.

“So, what you’re saying, Chief Minister Huang, is that you harbor concerns about the emperor’s wisdom and might?”

Huang Liji snorted coldly. “Hmph! Li Guopu, don’t be so sarcastic here. If you covet my position as minister, I’ll gladly retire tomorrow and hand the chief minister’s seat over to you.”

Shi Fenglai and Zhang Ruitu quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Enough, enough. Our real concern is how to advise His Majesty not to become too indulgent in the eunuchs of the inner court.”

“Moreover… His Majesty seems quite interested in the reforms to the capital’s military garrison proposed by Duke Zhang during the recent court session.”

“The reform benefits the state above and the people below. Naturally, we must share the burden with His Majesty and think carefully about how to implement it—that is of utmost importance.”

At these words,

The four ministers exchanged glances and silently raised their tea cups.

Through Zhang Weixian’s late-night palace visit, they discerned the emperor’s intent to reform the capital garrison.

Yet, they remained uncertain from which angle His Majesty would begin.

As ministers and elders of the Ming cabinet,

They had to support any reform benefiting the realm.

At least, they must appear to do so.

What happened behind the scenes, however…

What a joke. The reform of the capital garrison threatened the personal interests of the vast majority of officials.

Such a change was not something to be made lightly.

If imperial power grew even slightly stronger, their own influence would be divided and diminished.

Though these four ministers often schemed and fought one another, even to the point of bitter enmity,

When the crucial moment came,

The entire officialdom remained remarkably united.

This was the so-called mutual protection among officials.

Of course,

Such matters could never be openly discussed, lest it break protocol.

Drinking tea served as a means to remain silent.

Though the ministers did not know how the young emperor would play his next hand, their minds were already made up in the silence.

The simplest way to sabotage a decree was to enforce it tenfold.

For example, if the court sought to ban officials from hosting banquets, then even the lowest clerks buying a simple baked cake would be magnified and documented extensively.

Thus, the entire court and populace would erupt in protest.

They could execute the reform orders while preserving their own interests, and avoid the stigma of villainy.

A dilemma resolved.

Reflecting on this, the ministers recalled the overwhelming authority displayed in court a few days prior, and felt a newfound respect.

To be so composed upon first ascending the throne—no one had expected a seemingly idle prince to be so astute.

Yet, reform was hardly the effort of one man alone.

…

Elsewhere,

Within the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Wei Zhongxian sat in a sandalwood chair, clad in a red robe, attended by only two trusted young eunuchs.

These days, he felt restless.

Not because of the increasing memorials impeaching him and urging the emperor to distance himself from the inner court.

Wei Zhongxian was close to His Majesty and knew well those memorials would likely have no effect.

Just the day before,

He saw with his own eyes the emperor personally leading the martial exercises on Wansui Mountain, striking down several armored criminals.

His swiftness and terrifying vigor were unlike anything Wei Zhongxian had ever witnessed.

Such a sovereign could never be easily swayed by a few memorials.

What truly worried him was the emperor’s inquiry about the great Ningyuan victory a few days ago.

Though His Majesty showed no signs of blaming him, who could truly fathom the emperor’s mind?

The condition for a peaceful end within the Directorate was that he first complete his duties well.

Thus, Wei Zhongxian spent these days carefully guessing the emperor’s intentions, seeking ways to better align with the sovereign’s will.

Undoubtedly,

The best method now was to secure funds for His Majesty.

Money never fails—that eternal truth remains unchanged.

But how to obtain it, from where, and how to win the emperor’s favor—that was the real art.

On this thought, Wei Zhongxian found himself envying Wang Cheng’en.

That worthless sycophant.

Unable to check the civil officials, incapable of raising money for the emperor, and not even as adept at guessing the sovereign’s will as himself, even to a fraction.

Yet, because he was a trusted retainer of the Wang household, his position was far more secure.

Of course,

Now Wei Zhongxian dared only mutter such thoughts inwardly, never aloud lest a third ear overhear.

Soon,

Wei Zhongxian connected the emperor’s questions about the Ningyuan victory with the situation in Liaodong and military affairs…

And a familiar face surfaced in his mind.

This man was the leader of his many godsons—the “Five Tigers”—Minister of War Cui Chengxiu.