You Zha Xian Yu

Chapter 45 The Envoy May Announce His Name!

Ji Xiang stood beside the other two Grand Secretaries, feeling a little nervous. It was his first time attending court; how should he appear as if he attended often? He was waiting for advice.

The officials before him exuded an aura of imperial authority, clad in red robes and jade belts, their rank indicated by embroidered badges, accompanied by mythical beasts!

Golden pheasants and peacocks, mandarin ducks and white pheasants, qilin and tigers and leopards... it was practically a zoo.

However, these divine beasts were merely manifestations of imperial power, and in terms of rank, they were a tier below the pure Ming imperial power that Song Wuji and his ilk had stolen.

Ji Xiang listened as Emperor Wanli recounted the events of the previous night. He temporarily omitted the part about Zhu Changluo colluding with the Fire Lord, referring to him only as "a certain person."

The ministers were also quite perplexed.

Emperor Wanli said, "This 'certain person,' I will reveal at the end, who it is."

As he spoke, he scanned the ministers before him. After all, the ringleader was gone, and the dispute over the imperial succession had concluded. These civil officials should have nothing more to say.

Since the imperial audience and chatting at the gate were not much different, although the number of people was not excessive, it was unrealistic to clearly discern the expression on everyone's face. Emperor Wanli primarily looked to see if anyone lowered their head, to see if there were any followers of the ringleader among these ministers.

It was like roll call in class; whoever lowered their head would be called upon to answer.

However, none of the ministers present had colluded with the ringleader and thus did not know what the Emperor intended to say. At least, on the surface, everything appeared normal. Emperor Wanli then lowered his gaze and continued his storytelling.

The events of the previous night were narrated by Emperor Wanli. Although many details were unclear, the overall sequence of events was lucid. The perils and twists and turns made the civil and military officials exclaim with delight... no, exclaim with alarm.

The Forbidden City, the greatest sanctuary and forbidden ground for spirits and ghosts in the world, had actually been set on fire from within last night! How could this be tolerated!

Among the officials were Korean officials from the Ministry of Rites. Liu Mengyin, a Korean official who had been terrified outside the city all night, finally emerged from the inn at the fifth watch of the night, only to be driven out by the strange innkeeper. Upon returning to the imperial city, he was immediately spotted by officials from the Ministry of Rites and dragged to court in a semi-conscious state. Unexpectedly, upon hearing Emperor Wanli's story, he immediately perked up, listening intently, and his mind gained new material!

A peaceful Ming dynasty, with divine battles every day.

And your Ming Emperor, is his side hustle telling stories of gods and monsters? Have you considered publishing a book? Our Joseon dynasty prohibits the circulation of such books in court. It's unexpected that the Ming Emperor is the leading enthusiast of these supernatural tales.

"I almost abdicated last night... Fortunately, the sacrificial offerings sent from Mount Wudang to the Longde Hall saved me, and I escaped with my life."

"Two years ago, Censor Yuan Keli said that the Jingde Gate was struck by lightning and caught fire, attributing it to my lack of virtue and neglect of court affairs, thus incurring heavenly wrath! That was utter nonsense. Look at the state of the Forbidden City now; was my demotion of him unjustified!"

"Was that fire truly caused by lightning! It was arson by someone trying to harm me, a deliberate act to test me! Last year, when the Qianqing and Kunning Palaces caught fire, I took refuge in the Yangxin Hall and escaped. How many of you, who among you wrote memorials saying that I had angered Heaven..."

"I went to repair temples... and those temple repairs almost sent me to my death!"

"That Yuan Keli, doesn't he like to submit memorials? Tomorrow I will summon him back and have him stand before my burnt-out rooms to examine them closely, to see if it was due to malevolent spirits or if I truly lacked virtue!"

Emperor Wanli spoke with emphasis, pointing out the severe fire safety hazards in the Forbidden City. He berated the officials, saying they only knew how to engage in empty talk all day, and that governing by talk was less effective than him staying in his residence!

It was still uncertain whether that Fire Lord was dead. He was still a wanted fugitive of the Ming dynasty. Although rotten flesh had been seen, whether she was alive or dead would depend on Old Zhang's judgment.

The ministers had always criticized the Emperor in the past. Today, being criticized by the Emperor, they were unable to retort, which greatly pleased Emperor Wanli. He couldn't help but scold them more, venting all the grievances from his nine years of self-imposed isolation. The entire court session turned into a political debate.

When Emperor Wanli had vented enough, he appropriately steered the topic back. Seeing the ministers remaining silent, he felt immensely satisfied.

"Last night, the Commander of the Southern Commandery, Luo Sigong, and the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Tian Yi, rendered meritorious service in protecting His Majesty. The two squadron leaders of the Southern Commandery, Zhuo Deyuan and Shi Xiang, also contributed to the defense. All were rewarded, and those who died will receive posthumous honors."

Emperor Wanli announced the rewards. Tian Yi was promoted to Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and all those from the Southern Commandery who survived last night were promoted two ranks. Luo Sigong, the Commander of the Southern Commandery, bravely fought against the evil deity with fearless valor, and was specially promoted to Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard.

This windfall from heaven left Luo Sigong, who was in the Imperial Bodyguard ranks, stunned!

The Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard oversaw both the Northern and Southern Commanderies. After the previous Commander was dismissed and vanished, the position of Commander had remained vacant! This was the Emperor's personal guard, the Emperor's foremost subordinate!

Although the Eastern Depot seemed to have more influence now, the previous Commander, Liu Mou, and the previous Director of the Eastern Depot, Zhang Mou, were removed together. Therefore, Tian Yi was temporarily acting as the Director of the Eastern Depot. This old eunuch made no significant changes to the Eastern Depot, so the Eastern Depot had been quiet for the past two years. As a Grand Eunuch, this old eunuch was relatively easy to deal with and not power-hungry.

Over sixty years old, with no adopted sons or any influence, such a person was rare in the Forbidden City. This was also why Emperor Wanli favored this old eunuch, Tian Yi – they were both like dried salted fish, you had no dreams, and neither did I.

Luo Sigong's excitement was beyond words. After all, becoming the Commander was a meteoric rise, and he no longer had to endure Zheng Guotai's taunts. As expected, the Emperor's brother-in-law, whose face was ashen, was now merely an honorary titleholder in other departments, as the Imperial Bodyguard now had a legitimate Commander, and he, who was acting as head of other departments, was now just an honorary titleholder.

After confirming the rewards and with no one objecting, Luo Sigong stepped forward to express his gratitude for the promotion, pledging his loyalty as the Emperor's top dog from now on. It was truly not easy to become the Ming dynasty's top dog at the age of thirty!

"At that time, you will go to the Northern Commandery and take over the position of Commander."

"Also... I have nothing more to say. Apart from them, Ji Xiang of Mount Wudang rendered the greatest service in protecting His Majesty! I wish to bestow upon him a title and an official position. However, as he has no academic achievements, it cannot be too high, nor too low. My intention is to grant him the position of Libationer of the Imperial Academy, a fourth-rank official. What do you all think?"

The officials below whispered amongst themselves. Emperor Wanli said, "Grand Secretary Zhao, please speak."

The three Grand Secretaries had already conferred with the Emperor. Chief Grand Secretary Zhao stepped forward and stated, "The Wudang Taoist Ji Xiang rendered meritorious service in protecting His Majesty and should be rewarded accordingly."

Emperor Wanli then addressed the other two Grand Secretaries, and they all expressed their agreement.

However, some officials below were displeased and immediately declared, "This minister has a memorial to present!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister..."

"I know what you are about to say, Emperor Shizong and the heretical Taoist Tao Zhongwen, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"But what but? I have a good relationship with True Man Zhang. I didn't see you speak up when I enfeoffed True Man Zhang with an official position... By the way, who are you?"

Emperor Wanli glared. He realized that he had not attended court for a long time and did not recognize the official before him.

The minister who came forward, state your name!