Chapter 181: Mutual Support, River Falls and Moon Sets

November 18th.

Cabinet Grand Secretaries Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi, Lu Diaoyang, Wang Chonggu and others reported that the position of the two yin and yang is to inherit Qian and Kun; the origin of all changes is from the family to the country. The king is responsible for external governance, and the queen is responsible for internal teachings. This is the great righteousness of heaven and earth, and they requested to establish a queen.

The upper one is kept in the middle and not sent out.

Two days later.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites and the chief officials of the Ministry made a statement and urged the Holy Mother Benevolent and Holy Empress Dowager and the Holy Mother Merciful and Holy Empress Dowager to specially instruct the relevant departments to select a virtuous woman to marry the Holy Emperor. Now that the truth has been revealed, we humbly request that the Holy Emperor appoint a empress as soon as possible.

The upper one is kept in the middle and not sent out.

Three more days.

All the ministries, temples, courts, departments and officials in charge should cite the old stories of their ancestors and the previous dynasties such as Emperor Hui of Han and Emperor Wu of Han, and I humbly request you to do so.

The next day, he went to the Huangji Palace.

He said, "Recently, the ministers have urged me to do so, and the two palaces have given me the order. I am young and insignificant, so I have hesitated again and again. I have received the mandate of heaven and inherited the ancestral foundation. I have been very careful day and night, wanting to preserve this dynasty and pass it down from generation to generation. I only care about the ceremony of a grand wedding, so as to prosper the foundation and culture. It is a great honor for humanity, and I dare not refuse it."

Therefore, Liu from Hangzhou Prefecture was canonized as the empress, and Li from Yangzhou Prefecture was canonized as the imperial concubine.

Han from Zhangde Prefecture was canonized as Consort Yi, and Zhang from Dongchang Prefecture was canonized as Consort Shun.

The Wu family of Xi'an Prefecture was made a consort, serving the Holy Mother Benevolent and Sacred Empress Dowager. The Wang family of Kaifeng Prefecture was made a noble lady, serving the Holy Mother Cisheng Empress Dowager. The rest were all made female officials, serving the Holy Mothers of the two palaces.

He ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare all the necessary ceremonies and come to report on a chosen day.

……

The emperor's wedding is a matter of great humanity.

In addition to the importance of setting an example for human relations, there is something even more important - a grand wedding means the emperor's personal rule.

This is also why the ministers were so unwilling to lag behind and submitted memorials one after another.

Just like during a court meeting, the courtiers’ bowing might not be worth the emperor’s attention, but if anyone stood up straight, everything on the throne would be visible.

Incomplete loyalty can easily be seen as complete disloyalty.

Because of this, all departments put their best efforts into the emperor's wedding, contributing money and manpower.

Even the usually idle Hanlin Academy had to work overtime.

It was almost dusk, and Wang Xilie, who should have returned home by this time, was still busy in the duty room, sometimes looking up ancient books, sometimes writing furiously.

Most of the affairs of the wedding ceremony were handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Inner Court, but as he was an expert in writing Qingci in the Hanlin Academy, he naturally had to contribute.

For example, the enthronement documents for the empress and imperial concubine could only be handled personally by Wang Xilie, who was in charge of the Hanlin Academy.

Wang Xilie put aside the draft of the imperial concubine's enthronement document and began to work hard on the empress's enthronement document.

He picked up his pen and wrote the routine opening "A country's governance is based on the harmony of the family" and then paused for a moment.

As for what happens afterwards, well, the stories from three generations are definitely indispensable.

Thinking of this, Wang Xilie continued to write: "... Gui Yu and Concubine Yu, opened up the destiny of Chonghua; Tushan Yi Yu, gave birth to the foundation of Wenming."

After writing this sentence, you have to look up information.

Wang Xilie brought the Queen's birth certificate sent by the Imperial Household Department closer and looked at it carefully.

After a while, he finally came up with an idea.

He wrote down: "I advise you, Mr. Liu. The stars will bring you good luck, and the divinations will bring you good fortune. You should be virtuous and wise to serve the heaven, and be calm and steadfast to respond to the earth."

As soon as he finished this sentence, Wang Xilie paused as if he had realized something.

He repeated it to himself and shook his head.

After pondering for a moment, he picked up the pen and crossed out the eight middle characters, changing it to "The Big Dipper brings beauty, the wise and holy bring auspiciousness."

After writing it, he pondered over it for a while and finally nodded with satisfaction - this way, while retaining the original meaning, it also pointed out that Liu was born on a spring night, his hometown was in Hangzhou, and his home was near West Lake, which was more appropriate than the previous sentence.

Wang Xilie was thinking about how to write the next step.

Suddenly, I saw a figure in my peripheral vision.

He subconsciously shook his whole body, and the pen in his hand lost its balance and fell on the table.

Wang Xilie was concentrating when he was suddenly startled. When he came to his senses, his first reaction was to yell. How dare someone from the Hanlin Academy enter his duty room without permission!

However, after seeing clearly who was coming, he immediately had a second reaction.

Wang Xilie put his pen on the inkstone, smiled apologetically at the uninvited guest, and bowed: "When did the Prime Minister arrive? I was so absorbed in my thoughts just now that I have kept you waiting for so long."

It was Zhang Juzheng, the chief minister of the cabinet, sitting aside with a calm look on his face.

Zhang Juzheng did not take it too seriously, he stood up and clasped his fists in response: "I was waiting for Zizhong outside the courtyard after the court was dismissed, but Zhou Xima said that Zizhong was still busy with paperwork, so I came in to find him."

Then he explained, "I wanted to call you just now, but I saw that Zizhong was lost in thought and couldn't bear to interrupt."

While listening, Wang Xilie bent down and searched for tea leaves under the table.

He said in a friendly manner: "It's not a trance poem, it's clearly scratching my head at the book. Please don't make fun of my shallow knowledge, Prime Minister."

After saying this, he took out tea leaves and tea sets, walked up to Zhang Juzheng, and extended his hand to invite him to sit down.

Zhang Juzheng sat down and said soothingly, "Your Majesty's wedding date is a bit urgent. Thank you for your hard work."

Wang Xilie made some tea before sitting down. “As a minister, being able to write an imperial edict for the emperor is a blessing that we have been waiting for. It cannot be called hard work.”

"But the wedding date... is indeed a bit urgent."

According to his idea, getting married at the age of fifteen, like Emperor Wuzong, is in line with the doctrine of the mean.

Zhang Juzheng did not elaborate on the wedding date, but just explained with a sigh: "Time waits for no one. Now that the people above and below have submitted to me, it is time for me to take charge of the government. It is better than going fishing whenever I have free time."

Wang Xilie personally poured tea for Zhang Juzheng and explained, "It is a good thing for you to rule the country yourself, but Your Majesty is still young. I am just afraid that Your Majesty will not know how to control himself and damage the foundation."

The position still needs to be made clear.

So as to avoid people thinking that Wang Xilie did not support the emperor's personal rule.

Zhang Juzheng took the teacup and shook his head: "I have already mentioned this matter to the two palaces, and I will know how to handle it properly."

If the emperor wants to favor the queen, he has to follow the procedures.

Not to mention other empty rituals like welcoming in front of the palace and music played by ceremonial officials.

The most crucial thing is that once the emperor has an idea, he needs to seek the consent of the two palaces and wait for the two palaces to issue an order before he can visit them.

With the example of Emperor Muzong, the two palaces will certainly be able to control the emperor.

To take a step back, Zhang Juzheng heard that when the emperor was choosing a queen some time ago, he gave up the most beautiful Wu with a struggling look on his face, and only made her a concubine and placed her next to Empress Dowager Chen.

With such brilliant performance, there seems to be no reason to worry too much about the emperor indulging in sensual pleasures.

Wang Xilie nodded, agreeing with this statement.

He poured himself a cup of tea and said, "Prime Minister, what's the important matter that you are looking for me today?"

Although the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is strictly speaking also a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, he usually does not go to the Hanlin Academy in person to negotiate official business like this.

Most likely it's something important related.

Zhang Juzheng did not get straight to the point, but instead started from the side: "The training of the top candidates and scholars in this year's imperial examination in the Hanlin Academy is almost over, and the Ministry of Personnel will assign them positions and transfer them to the local areas at the end of the month."

He paused and asked, "Any complaints?"

The Shujishi selected at the end of April started their studies in May and lasted until the end of November, which was exactly half a year.

Wang Xilie was used to the detours in the officialdom, and followed Zhang Juzheng's topic with a wry smile: "How can there be no complaints? Although these scholars were willing to do so by giving them preferential treatment and the first-class candidates taking the initiative to request to be sent out."

"But it's hard to complain openly, but people are gossiping behind the scenes. Now everyone is saying that our ancestors enjoyed the benefits, but now they turn around and block our way for their own selfish interests."

This kind of accusation is particularly damaging among scholars.

The former Shujishi enjoyed the benefits and rose to high positions, but then turned around and sent them to the local areas to be replaced by newcomers. The selfishness behind this is enough to make people indignant.

It is especially easy to undermine the legitimacy of the new policy.

Wang Xilie, who was in the middle and was in charge of the Hanlin Academy, could only express his pressure to the Prime Minister with a wry smile.

Zhang Juzheng pondered for a moment and said slowly: "The cabinet has also heard about it, so..."

"Zi Xiang and I want to give them a brief explanation and get over the complaints from the scholars."

"Now that we have established a precedent for this subject, it will be easier to handle in the future."

Wang Xilie's eyes flashed when he heard this.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip to cover it up.

After a moment, Wang Xilie cast a questioning look at Zhang Juzheng: "Prime Minister, please speak frankly."

Zhang Juzheng held the teacup in his hands to keep it warm, and met Wang Xilie's gaze: "I want to put Zizhong outside."

Wang Xilie did not respond for a moment.

He thought for a moment, frowned, and asked, "Your Majesty has a prejudice against me?"

He is a Grand Secretary of the Chancellery and is in charge of the Hanlin Academy. It would be a demotion if he were to be assigned to any other official position.

It was just criticism from the scholars, and it was actually a matter led by the emperor and the cabinet. How could it be demoted to Wang Xilie now?

What kind of approach is this?
Especially since he was a direct descendant of the New Party and seeing Zhang Juzheng's friendly attitude, he couldn't help but think of the emperor.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "Zizhong, don't think too much. This is what I, Gao Zixiang, and Lu Heqing meant."

Wang Xilie seemed to realize something and slowly calmed down.

He lowered his eyes and said hesitantly, "Does the Prime Minister have other plans for me?"

There is no other reason besides this.

As expected, Zhang Juzheng nodded calmly after hearing this: "We should start measuring the land and make preparations early."

Wang Xilie was stunned for a moment, and finally realized what Zhang Juzheng meant by this exile.

Zhang Juzheng continued, "We all know that the hidden farmland in the country is most concentrated in South Zhili, Shandong, Sichuan, and Huguang. When the time comes to measure the farmland, we must do it with lightning speed. These provinces are the highlight."

"Last June, I took advantage of a major case and transferred Liang Menglong to Huguang. The royal family there had been completely ploughed through, and there were almost no constraints, so it was just right for him to go there."

"In March this year, your majesty ordered Hai Rui to be the governor of Sichuan. He is just the right person for this kind of job. He has a stubborn temper but is also very resourceful."

"Now that Shandong is under construction, you are the most suitable person to go there."

At this point, he sighed, "Your Majesty has previously insisted on employing Yin Shidan, but in my opinion, this person is entangled with the gentry and nobles of Shandong, and does not have the qualifications of Zizhong. If an ordinary person goes, he will definitely be constrained by him."

The land measurement system is different from the performance evaluation system.

The latter can be optimized step by step and repeatedly, but the former cannot. You can't test the fields once a year, right?
What Taizu couldn't do is naturally even more impossible now.

Therefore, it is wise to make preparations while there is still energy left. What is the situation in the local prefectures and counties? What is the situation of the people? Who are the big families? Which officials and social parties are involved? What should be done to best suit the local customs and practices? These all require time to understand.

In addition, local officials are independent and cannot be interfered with; the central government officials are mainly based on experience, and most of them are trying not to offend both sides. If we don't go to the local areas to sort out the factions and seize power in advance, even if we insist on measuring the land, there will inevitably be many hidden dangers, and we may even be fooled by the local government for accounting purposes.

Of course, this is the truth, but we cannot suddenly replace all the local governors at once, otherwise it will shock people both at home and abroad.

Even sending the core confidants outward must have reasonable reasons in order to go smoothly.

Therefore, Liang Menglong took advantage of the big case at that time to be transferred to Huguang, and Hai Rui took advantage of the case exposed by Chang Chunqiao, the magistrate of Jiangyou County, Sichuan at the end of the year to become the governor of Sichuan to cover up these things.

The situation in Shandong is more complicated than those two provinces. Yin Shidan will help the emperor in the salt administration, and he may make some tricks when it comes to land measurement, which affects his own wealth.

Since the emperor wanted to give face to Yin Shidan, Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to fill the gap - taking advantage of the criticism of the Hanlin Academy by the literati, he sent Wang Xilie, who had the qualifications to suppress Yin Shidan, to Shandong.

Wang Xilie listened quietly to Zhang Juzheng's explanation.

After a while, he slowly asked, "How many years will it be?"

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a moment, then said ambiguously: "Wait for the Beijing camp to practice again, it will be soon."

He didn't say when.

Wang Xilie hummed and tacitly stopped asking questions.

The two of them sat quietly for a while.

It was completely dark.

Zhang Juzheng slowly stood up and bowed to Wang Xilie.

Wang Xilie sat still and accepted it calmly.

After Zhang Juzheng turned and left, he raised his head and drank the tea in the cup in one gulp.

……

Although the emperor's wedding ceremony was scheduled for March, from the moment the emperor selected the queen, every day thereafter was within the emperor's wedding etiquette.

Since December.

The Needlework Bureau was busy tailoring and weaving clothes for the Emperor and Empress to wear on the day of the grand ceremony.

Shuntian Prefecture selected a temporary residence overnight to temporarily house the queen's family in the capital.

The Ministry of Rites taught the etiquette for the ceremony of the Queen's parents day and night.

The Imperial Household Department was busy decorating the Qianqing Palace and the Empress's mansion.

The Shangshenjian started selecting suitable wine and golden jug fruits early on.

The Jinwu Guard and the Jinyi Guard who train in ceremonial guards.

The Hanlin Academy that wrote the imperial edicts.

The Ministry of Rites is in charge of the grand ceremony.

A nobleman who was invited to be an elder.

In addition, the time spans New Year's Day and Lantern Festival, and the whole city of Beijing is in full swing.

As the protagonist, the emperor naturally could not avoid being ordered around by the two palaces, the inner court, and the outer court.

Trying on clothes, rehearsing, explaining etiquette, teaching how to have sex, etc., kept the emperor busy from morning to night.

Because of this, this year's year-end meeting between the emperor, the cabinet and the six ministries was postponed to February.

"Mr. Zhang, your work with the Dali Temple to sort out the criminal cases is not only a great achievement, but also a great virtue. I, the court officials, and the people have all witnessed it." Perhaps because he was in a hurry, Zhu Yijun spoke a little faster, responding to the Ministry of Justice's achievements this year, "But when I asked you to explore the cause and effect of the judicial theory last year, I was not blaming the country for its incomplete laws and asking you to make laws at random. This is chaos!"

Zhu Yijun's tone was very serious. He wanted the Ministry of Justice to work on legal principles, but this guy ended up carrying out campaign-style legislation.

He wanted to explain what legal principles, legal interests, and the sources of law are.

But then he thought, it might as well be that the soil is immature, he himself doesn't quite understand it.

He had no choice but to leave some words like "combine the laws and regulations with the recently popular theories of epistemology, practice, etc. to explore the essence of law", and then waved his hand, leaving Zhang Han and the Ministry of Justice to figure it out on their own.

Zhang Han wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and sat back as if he had been pardoned.

The other five officials who had already spoken couldn't help but look at Zhang Han, the only one who was scolded, with sympathetic eyes.

After Zhu Yijun finished scolding Zhang Han, he looked around at everyone and said, "There is one more thing. I have to practice the audience ceremony later, so I will make it short."

He paused, then continued, "I have approved the petition of Lu Shusheng, the Minister of Personnel, to retire. Now that the position of the emperor is vacant, do you have anyone to recommend?"

Everyone looked at Shen Shixing.

This is the job of the Ministry of Personnel, and it is the Ministry of Personnel that should recommend people. However, perhaps in order to avoid suspicion, Shen Shixing, who hopes to have this position, is now looking straight in the face, as if it has nothing to do with him.

Everyone looked towards the cabinet again.

Since the Ministry of Personnel has no say, only the Cabinet has the qualification to do so.

However, the four ministers in the cabinet remained silent.

After a while, no one responded.

At this time the emperor made a move.

The emperor waved his hand and said decisively: "Then let Yuanfu take charge of the Ministry of Personnel! When there is a suitable candidate, please report back."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

The emperor looked as if it was a matter of course.

Everyone in the cabinet had a blank expression on their faces.

Obviously they had already reached an understanding.

However, given the previous precedent of Gao Gong, it is not a good thing for the Prime Minister to be in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.

Chen Wude, the Minister of Revenue, opened his mouth to speak.

Zhu Yijun interrupted directly: "You are all my trusted aides, so I will speak frankly."

"Last year, everything was good. The Ministry of War commanded the north well, the Ministry of Rites rectified the Confucian orthodoxy well, the Ministry of Works managed the water system well, the Ministry of Revenue collected taxes well, the Ministry of Justice cleared up cases well, and the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation system was even better."

"The only bad thing is me."

"The Cabinet, as my political advisor, had unclear powers and responsibilities, which led to frequent disputes within the Cabinet over the past year."

"The military secretary impeached Wang Ge Lao for usurping the power of the military department every month; the Ministry of Rites argued with Lu Ge Lao over the selection of Shujishi; the various officials and doctors of the Ministry of Personnel were dissatisfied with the performance evaluation system and made frequent small moves to oppose the cabinet."

"This is all my fault."

At the end of the conversation, the officials of the six ministries hurriedly pleaded guilty: "I am guilty..."

Zhu Yijun ignored him and continued, "The cabinet is one of the foundations of the great system. I have no idea at the moment and dare not act rashly. I have no choice but to take advantage of Lu Shangshu's departure to lend the power of the Heavenly Official to the cabinet so that the cabinet can manage the court affairs for me, so that even the new policy will not be hindered."

"This is a temporary measure. I will take action when there is less resistance to my new policy."

He looked at Chen Wude and said earnestly, "Chen Du Jieshi Zhong, is my consideration reasonable?"

Chen Wude hesitated for a moment, but finally sighed and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty's thoughts are reasonable, but the Prime Minister is in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and there will be hidden dangers. I hope Your Majesty will be cautious."

Zhu Yijun nodded gently, "Your sincere and mature words are in my heart. There is no need to discuss the Ministry of Personnel further."

Zhang Juzheng sat at the head of the class the entire time and did not respond.

Only when he finally came to a conclusion did he stand up and salute: "I obey your command."

Zhu Yijun nodded.

He stood up and looked around at his ministers again: "Then let it be so."

Having said that, Zhu Yijun was about to turn around and leave to rush to the rehearsal of the audience ceremony - this annual meeting lasted an extra hour, and the Queen must have waited for an extra hour.

But at this moment, Gao Yi suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more matter. I will report it to you."

Zhu Yijun came to a sudden stop.

We still have to give face to Grohe.

He suppressed his anxiety about not being able to be punctual and said with a forced smile, "Sir, please go ahead."

Several ministers, hall officials, and secretaries looked at each other.

Gao Yi subconsciously slowed down his voice and said, "Your Majesty's wedding is a celebration for the whole world. I would like to congratulate you with fireworks at Aoshan Mountain."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

Aoshan Fireworks was his father and grandfather’s favorite show.

The main feature is just one: liveliness - lights are piled up to form Aoshan mountains to open a market. How can such a festive event not be lively?

At the same time, it also cost a lot. Together with the rewards, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of taels were spent in the blink of an eye.

Since he ascended the throne, in the sixth year of Longqing, the dynasty was abolished due to the censors' criticism of its wastefulness.

Why have the court officials changed their temperament so drastically now?

Gao Yi saw the emperor looking at him and couldn't help but smooth out his wrinkles: "When I submitted a petition to stop the fireworks at Aoshan, I said that in the future, when the country is peaceful for a long time, maybe we can do it once to show our great event."

"Since your majesty ascended the throne in the sixth year of Longqing, till now in the third year of Wanli, although the general situation of the country has not changed, there are signs of progress."

"Your Majesty's wedding is a grand occasion, and it is just in time."

Zhang Juzheng, who was standing nearby, also had a smile on his face, but it was fleeting.

He was solemn and bowed, "I should congratulate your majesty on your wedding and on your taking power."

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Lü Diaoyang and Wang Guoguang looked at each other and then spoke in unison to comfort him: "Your Majesty, you don't have to use the treasury to pay for the money. Although a lot was spent last year, at least there is a surplus of 370,000 taels."

"Your Majesty, as Lord Lu said, the Taicang Warehouse was supposed to exchange some of the cloth, leather, silk and other items that were about to decay for the past two months. Now it's just right to use them for the Lantern Festival."

Seeing that everyone was rushing to celebrate his wedding, Zhu Yijun felt a little complicated and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"Last year, Your Majesty spent money like water, giving rewards to soldiers at the border and repairing ports. Now that you have this foundation, you don't have to be too hard on yourself."

Not only Wang Chonggu and Zhu Heng, but even Zhang Han nodded in support.

Zhu Yijun then realized that this was the same idea shared by all the cabinet ministers.

His eyes swept across the faces of the chief minister, the second minister, the group ministers, the six ministers, the Censorate, and the chief secretaries of the Personnel and Revenue departments.

Everyone responded with greetings: "Congratulations to your majesty on your wedding and congratulations to your majesty on taking power."

Zhu Yijun walked up to the crowd and helped them up one by one.

He sighed and said, "I am already a married man. Aren't you my wives and concubines who have been with me through thick and thin?"

Zhu Yijun bowed to everyone and said: "After I take power, I will continue to work with you all as equals and work together."

（Part 3，Complete）

(End of this chapter)