Days later, at night, in the Two Seals Mountain Study.
Yan Song felt a chill and, wrapped in a blanket, leaned on his couch with his eyes closed, exuding an air of tranquility as if the world had nothing to do with him. He held a collection of books, appearing to read without truly doing so.
Yan Shifan, holding the imperial edict, found himself unsure of his emotions. Everything he had ever desired seemed to have arrived at once, yet it tasted nothing like he had imagined. The assembled officials sat around, their minds clearly elsewhere.
He paced a few steps, scoffed, and said sarcastically:
“It’s truly strange, why doesn’t this feel right? Old Luo, you’re sharp, explain it to me again?”
Luo Longwen took the imperial edict and reread it several times. He truly had no idea what to make of it. The decree read:
“By imperial decree:
For forty years of my reign, though my virtue has been meager, I am fortunate that the four seas have not yet known destitution, and the heavenly mandate has not yet ended. However, I recognize the arduousness of the times and the fading vitality of life. Rather than await the inevitable decline, it is better to usher in the new by replacing the old. I hereby decree that the Crown Prince shall oversee state affairs, and Yan Song shall continue to manage the general administration, with the aim of achieving a complete transformation of the realm within three years. This is my command.”
This decree seemed to say much, yet also nothing at all. The officials had received it at noon, and by this hour, they still hadn’t grasped its meaning. The Crown Prince’s assumption of regency had come too suddenly. For reasons unknown, both Jiajing and Zhu Mo had suddenly withdrawn…
Luo Longwen had been pondering for a long time and could only offer a wry smile:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, I apologize for my inadequacy. This decree truly is… unsettling. I cannot pinpoint the reason, it’s just inexplicably so…”
Mm-hmm,
The assembled officials nodded in agreement.
If the realm were to be transformed anew, wasn’t Zhu Mo already enacting reforms? Was that to cease? Was the three-year period meant to accelerate things, or to pause them? If Elder Yan continued to lead the administration, what would he do? Now that Prince Yu was overseeing state affairs, he would naturally be present at court assemblies. But would he attend at the Jade Serenity Palace, or the Hall of Supreme Harmony? And the Emperor, would he continue to hide in the rear chambers, or perhaps withdraw altogether?
The officials had long awaited Yan Song’s return, but this return was far too unexpected. Zhu Mo had been doing quite well in Yunnan and Guizhou; why the dissatisfaction?
Yan Shifan swept his gaze over the assembled officials, a hint of anger surfacing in his eyes.
Yan Maoqing, bracing himself, said:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, I believe, uh, this…”
Yan Shifan impatiently interrupted, “Stop ‘uh-ing’ for so long without saying anything!”
Yan Maoqing cleared his throat and continued:
“I believe, is His Majesty perhaps… unwell?”
Oh?
Hiss!
What?
The assembled officials were startled at first, finding the idea unlikely. Yet, upon a moment’s reflection, it seemed to hold some truth.
Yan Maoqing pressed on:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, His Majesty is already over sixty. Thirty to forty years of cultivation, his diet and lifestyle are unlike ordinary people. In these past few months, His Majesty has dispatched many people across the land to search for secret arts and talismans. Isn’t that the very issue?”
Mm-hmm,
Yan Shifan couldn’t help but nod and say:
“Indeed. Qin Shi Huang became muddled in his later years… When one becomes Emperor, if they act in this manner, it signifies a problem… Jingqing, you are correct! Think further!”
Luo Longwen, prompted by his words, suddenly recalled a point and said:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, could it be that His Majesty no longer wishes to enact reforms? This decree seems to carry a hidden message, implying that… reforms are inauspicious?”
Reforms are inauspicious?
Brilliant!
Insightful!
The officials instantly felt a sense of shared understanding. Upon closer examination of the decree, it indeed seemed to suggest this.
Luo Longwen continued his explanation:
“Think about it, everyone. His Majesty’s words are already quite anxious. What is the rush? Honestly speaking, Zhu Mo is quite capable, and the reforms haven’t failed… If they had failed, it would be easier to understand. But they are currently gaining momentum, so why is there a call for a complete transformation? Furthermore, His Majesty mentions the heavenly mandate. That phrase is from the Book of Documents, originally stating ‘the four seas are impoverished, and the heavenly mandate is eternally ended.’ His Majesty has adopted this phrasing, seemingly implying that although the reforms are good and have had an effect, they are simply unlucky…”
Precisely, precisely.
This has hit the nail on the head.
The officials immediately felt a strong sense of accord.
Yan Shifan mused for a moment, then nodded, saying, “Old Luo, there is indeed a hint of that… What do you all think? Speak your minds!”
Gao Hanwen cleared his throat and also said:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, Master Luo’s words do offer a reminder. That is, His Majesty’s attitude towards Zhu Mo’s reforms is becoming clearer here… Uh, His Majesty neither wants to negate the reforms nor continue them. He wants the court officials to create a new atmosphere, and quickly so, to see results within three years.”
Upon hearing this, the officials felt this interpretation was quite accurate.
Zhao Wenhua immediately took up the conversation, saying:
“Now that Moqing has said this, I’ve also had a thought… Does His Majesty mean that Zhu Mo’s reforms should be temporarily halted, and over the next three years, they should be consolidated? Those that can be implemented in other provinces should be pushed, and new initiatives, for now, should not be pursued?”
Yan Shifan blurted out:
“Yes! Wenhua, that hits the mark! This is a viable path! Moving forward, we can begin to act on this! Anything else? Think, everyone, think! Don’t just stand there idly…”
Zhang Yu said:
“Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, I too have had a thought, but I don’t know if it’s correct… Uh, when Prince Yu paid homage to Confucius in Qufu on the twenty-seventh of August, the momentum was quite significant. Many gentry and scholars from various provinces came, some having traveled for over a month. This clearly shows where the people’s hearts lie… I believe that since His Majesty desires a complete transformation, then upon the Crown Prince’s assumption of regency, a grand ceremony should be held to pay homage to the Sage Ancestor, so that the people of the realm may have a clear direction… Didn’t Master Luo just say that reforms are inauspicious? This would be a way to compensate for His Majesty’s perceived ill fortune. If Prince Yu moves heaven with filial piety, His Majesty will not need to be so anxious…”
Smack.
Smack.
Smack.
Yan Song suddenly clapped his hands in admiration and said:
“Wei Shi, this is the way to ascend! Filial piety moves heaven, and naturally, the destiny will be replenished. This, this is the way of the Sage… You all, think along Wei Shi’s lines, and don’t entertain unfounded rumors or speculation…”
At this moment,
Luo Longwen suddenly thought of something and said:
“Senior Cabinet Scholar, Young Senior Cabinet Scholar, I also have an idea. During these three years, let Zhang Juzheng handle the reforms. As for us, we shall focus on crafting essays and creating an atmosphere. He is pragmatic, we are idealistic. If mistakes are made, they are his. If successes are achieved, they are ours…”
Hahaha,
Yan Shifan finally burst into hearty laughter, saying, “This is excellent! Old Luo, you are truly cunning! Hahaha…”
The officials, seeing that the Young Senior Cabinet Scholar had not laughed so heartily in a long time, also breathed a sigh of relief.
For the past half-year, they had truly felt stifled and uncomfortable. Old Yan Song had instructed everyone to be cautious and not to stand out, allowing Zhu Mo and the other meritorious officials to contend. It seemed that strategy had indeed been effective. Now, by letting Zhang Juzheng also contend, and then defeat him, much trouble would be avoided.
Yan Song, however, shook his head and said:
“You all, do not forget the lessons learned! You must still be cautious. Han Zhang is correct; let Zhang Juzheng handle the practical matters. The reforms cannot stop. It is his endeavor to forge a new path, and we shall not interfere… However, since I am returning to the Cabinet to preside over the general situation, I cannot but offer some support to Zhang Juzheng… We must dispatch people to assist him, not to undermine him, nor to let him have his way in everything… Several of you, who is willing to go?”
Speaking to this point,
Old Yan Song’s expression turned serious once more.
Yan Shifan said:
“This Zhang Taiyue is rather overbearing. We need someone with a more gentle demeanor to go down… Uh, I think, Wei Shi, it should be you who goes! The trivial matters of the Dali Temple are not particularly engaging. Why not go down and move around a bit? I recall you haven’t left the capital for many years. Perhaps you can relax?”
Zhang Yu bowed and said:
“Your subordinate obeys.”
The matter of the imperial edict had, for the most part, reached a conclusion.
However, Yan Song could not let go of the matters in Yunnan and Guizhou. He truly did not understand why the Emperor had suddenly developed such thoughts. With this imperial edict issued, what about Zhu Mo? Would Zhu Mo simply accept this?
Upon thinking this,
He murmured, “Shifan, remember you sent people to Yunnan and Guizhou, that fellow… what’s his name? What’s the report?”
Yan Shifan replied, “Father, that man is named Wang Cai. He possesses quite a bit of talent. I sent him to try and persuade Mu Chaobi, but after so long, he hasn’t returned. He only sent a letter saying he couldn’t do it and wanted to return home to study and farm…
Then there was that Daoist priest from Chaotian Temple, Wang Daren. He was formerly a Jinshi scholar and later specialized in finding elixirs for His Majesty. This time, he was also sent to monitor the Governor of Yunnan, You Juying, but he too threw in the towel. It is said he has returned to the capital without so much as a word!”
Oh…
Yan Song mused,
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Yan Shifan replied, “Sonny wanted to wait a little longer. I didn’t think they wouldn’t come back!”