The Prince of Yu returned to his residence, suddenly feeling an emptiness. On ordinary days, Xu Jie, Tan Lun, and others would be there. Whenever they encountered a difficult matter, after a brief discussion, they would always reach a resolution. But today, none of these men had come.
Several times he had considered sending for them, but then it suddenly occurred to him—
He was now the regent. How could he summon ministers to his private residence? If he summoned Xu Jie, what would Yan Song think? Wouldn't he lose his position as Grand Secretary then?
He sat alone in his armchair, suddenly feeling at a loss. In the Jianji Hall that morning, he had vaguely agreed to Yan Song's memorial. In a few days, he was to attend the Confucius Temple for the Shidian ceremony, and he didn't even know what the Emperor thought of it. This Shidian was undoubtedly significant and would convey a subtle message to the empire, suggesting that the reforms were over. However, the Emperor's intentions did not include ending the reforms.
Then there were the appointments. If Zhao Zhenji was sent here, and Zhang Yu there, Grand Secretary Zhang Yue would naturally be displeased. If personnel were mismatched, the reforms would effectively stall. And with the three-year deadline being so important, how could nothing be accomplished?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh. Just then, Lady Li, who had been watching from behind the curtain, naturally emerged.
"Your Highness, you are already acting as Emperor, why the sighs?"
She had already learned everything from Feng Bao and had already formed an idea.
The Prince of Yu said:
"I was too hasty. I haven't even sorted things out, and I've already approved Yan Song's memorial… Alas, there should have been a more proper way… Did Elder Xu and the others never imagine this?"
One must know,
Emperor Jiajing had not ascended the throne for forty years. Who still remembered what a court assembly was like? To say Yan Song was being intentional would also be incorrect. In fact, even Yan Song was unaccustomed to it. He had expected a brief discussion as before, but the Prince of Yu had simply approved it.
"My Consort, you see, on the very first day of my regency, Elder Xu and the others have stopped coming… Alas, how can I govern the country alone?"
Saying this,
He shook his head, deeply feeling the absurdity of the Great Ming dynasty. If it was a court assembly, there shouldn't be a Grand Secretariat. If there was a Grand Secretariat, there shouldn't be court assemblies. Otherwise, if the Grand Secretary spoke, who would dare to utter a word of dissent?
Only at this moment did he understand: this Emperor father was indeed formidable. With the Grand Secretariat acting on behalf of heaven, why hold court assemblies? He should be listening to affairs in the Yuxigong Palace.
With this thought,
He murmured, "The Emperor is indeed wise. By holding discussions in Yuxigong Palace, arguing openly, he said nothing, and then emerged with a few cryptic words, yet the officials were all obedient…"
Heh heh,
Lady Li then smiled and said:
"Your Highness, I have long reminded you that if you are to regent, you must have your own people! Look at everyone in the court; when Yan Song speaks, who dares to say anything? Every court assembly is prepared in advance, with roles assigned for who says what. You cannot let Yan Song decide everything. I have also read some history books, and they all say that the Crown Prince can also issue decrees! Since Your Highness disagrees with Yan Song, just issue a decree. Do things as they should be done. Yan Song and Xu Jie must both obey the Crown Prince!"
Mmm,
The Prince of Yu suddenly realized—
Yes,
"The Crown Prince naturally has decrees. I am now the regent, so why not call it 'Zhi' (制)? Yan Song wants to hold the Shidian ceremony; let's not rush it. We can say it will be held three years later, in the name of its completion. What do you think, my Consort?"
Lady Li nodded and said:
"That's precisely right. Your Highness, I have read the Veritable Records of Yongle. We can learn from Emperor Yongle and treat the platform convocations as mini court assemblies! Your Highness doesn't need to speak, and then learn from your father, speaking cryptically about everything, letting them figure it out!"
Mmm,
The Prince of Yu's worries immediately dissipated, and he smiled:
"My Consort is indeed wise! Let's use convocations! Someone! Draft a decree!"
With this thought,
He immediately summoned the eunuch Feng Bao and a Grand Master of the Household, ordering them to draft the decree immediately. The Grand Master of the Household was named Yin Shidan, a learned scholar, who promptly finished writing it.
Lady Li glanced at the decree and read:
"Regent's Zhi:
The Emperor still resides in the Daoist Palace, and the rituals for regency are not yet complete, let alone governing the nation and pacifying the land? For legitimacy and righteousness are the great principles of the empire. Henceforth, all discussions shall begin with a convocation in the Jianji Hall. After ministers have deliberated and drafted proposals, they shall be further discussed and agreed upon by all officials in the court assembly, which is the decree of the regency."
Lady Li nodded and said, "Master Yin is a talented official. This decree has clearly stated everything. Yan Song and Xu Jie will surely understand. Today's court discussion is now void; we shall start anew."
The Prince of Yu also said:
"Mmm, this is excellent. Zhengfu, you have been overlooked these past few years…"
Yin Shidan was overjoyed, thinking: With the Crown Prince acting like this, there is finally a framework. My position from now on, connecting the superior and the subordinate, is truly crucial. After more than ten years, I have finally seen my day…
He immediately knelt and said:
"Your subject is ashamed."
…
The next day,
In the Jianji Hall.
Seats were arranged on the second-floor platform, and the atmosphere was relaxed, unlike the Yuxigong Palace or the main hall of the court.
Yan Song, Xu Jie, and other ministers sat in a circle. Although there were no designated seats, they habitually arranged themselves according to their years of entry into the Grand Secretariat.
After everyone was seated, the Prince of Yu arrived late. He was not wearing ceremonial robes but, as in his usual residence, a set of the Crown Prince's daily attire.
"Grand Secretary Yan, Grand Secretary Xu, Master Li, uh, Donglou, Meng Jing, and also, Minister Wu, Minister Lü, everyone, please relax. Today is a convocation, not a court assembly. Let's all be more at ease…"
Everyone stood up and paid their respects to the Prince of Yu before slowly resuming their seats.
The Prince of Yu smiled and said:
"Grand Secretary Yan, I felt quite uncomfortable at yesterday's court assembly. Could you elaborate on the Shidian matter that you proposed?"
Cough, cough,
Yan Song immediately coughed a few times, thinking: This Prince of Yu still has a bit of cunning. How can such grand court assemblies be used for deliberation? This convocation is not bad either…
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, your humble servant thinks that now that the Emperor has withdrawn from worldly affairs and the Crown Prince is regent, there should naturally be a certain aura… The nation is currently in difficulty, and the people's hearts are unsettled. Although the reforms are beneficial to the nation, they are nevertheless major changes. The people's hearts are not always in agreement. Furthermore, the Emperor is aging, and these past few days have been too hurried, with many matters, naturally leading to weariness… Uh, we, as ministers, should harmonize the yin and yang and unite the people's hearts. Therefore, your humble servant believes that if the Crown Prince holds the Shidian ceremony as regent, he can first satisfy the Emperor's sentiments and then appease the hearts of the common people, letting the world know that everything has a new beginning…"
Mmm, mmm,
Everyone nodded.
Xu Jie had wanted to object from the beginning, but the court assembly yesterday was so crowded and solemn that he couldn't voice his opinion. At this moment, he said:
"Grand Secretary Yan's words are very true. Appeasing sentiments and calming the populace are indeed important matters of the present… Uh, your humble servant believes that there is nothing inappropriate with the Shidian ceremony, but it seems it could be postponed until three years after its completion? Historically, when a Crown Prince acts as regent, he should strive for excellence in governance. Even if not to endure hardship, he must be diligent and outstanding… I wonder if Grand Secretary Yan agrees?"
Yan Song smiled but did not reply.
Although Yan Shifan was not a Grand Secretary, he had been involved in state affairs for many years and was widely regarded as the "Young Grand Secretary." Moreover, the Prince of Yu knew he had many followers and was indeed a powerful minister, so he naturally had to let him participate in the deliberations.
At this moment,
Hearing Xu Jie reject his father's proposal, he immediately said:
"Grand Secretary Xu, throughout history, nations have been established on the teachings of the sages. The Crown Prince acting as regent is the beginning of a new era. How can we not perform the Shidian ceremony for the former masters? Even if it's not grand, or extravagant, it can't be completely absent, can it?"
Hiss!
With just the second sentence, a tense atmosphere emerged.
Yan Shifan dared to bring up "establishing the nation on the teachings of the sages" right from the start, which clearly meant rejecting Zhu Mo's actions.
Since Zhu Mo's "Great Dao Sacrifice to Confucius Text" was circulated throughout the empire, everyone knew that the Great Dao of Yao and Shun was different from the teachings of the sages. Bringing up this topic at this time, Yan Shifan's intention was naturally very clear: Xu Jie should not think of smoothing things over! Zhu Mo had spoken recklessly about the imperial title and harbored resentment towards the current Emperor, and had fallen out of favor! The reforms were over!
Xu Jie had been dealing with him for over a decade and knew his intentions. Their trap was this: to make all officials in the empire mistakenly believe that the reforms were over and Zhu Mo had lost his influence. Then, the time for revenge and retribution would arrive. In this way, the empire would not only be unstable but would also stir up immense waves…
He was not bothered and smiled:
"Donglou, it's just a Shidian ceremony; it has nothing to do with the way of establishing a nation… Your humble servant believes that although the Great Ming now has some vitality, its deep-rooted problems remain. Only by diligently governing can we gain the trust of the empire."