At this moment,
Yan Shifan cleared his throat and said, "Eunuch Lu, what's the need for this? It's already been done... If a catastrophe occurs, won't we all be here discussing it together? Eunuch Lu is being too serious..."
Last night,
His father and he, along with others, had discussed that at today's court session, it would be best to send Zhang Er to dismiss Yu Zhen and have him investigated. At the very least, the Grand Secretariat should issue a public statement ordering Zhu Mo and Yu Zhen to explain the details to the court, and simultaneously order Yang Xuan and the others to investigate the case thoroughly.
The purpose of this action was to exert greater pressure on Zhu Mo, who was in Datong, and to make those who supported and sympathized with him retreat once again. Yang Xuan and the others could then keep him firmly in check until Anda made his move.
Inside the Yuxi Palace at this moment were all of the top "old drivers" of the Great Ming. Everyone understood the situation clearly, yet no one dared to speak.
Yan Shifan smiled smugly and was about to state his intentions when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his sole. It was Yan Song stepping on his foot forcefully.
Despite the pain, his eyes remained fixed on Xu Jie, his expression completely unchanged. He wondered inwardly, What is my father doing? Why the sudden retreat at the last moment?
He did not know that Yan Song's lifelong ability to remain in power stemmed from his refusal to act decisively until he had absolute certainty. At this critical juncture, when he suddenly sensed something unusual about his prey, how could he possibly make a rash move?
The two sides remained in a stalemate,
After a long while, only the sound of the heavy snow falling outside could be heard. Still, no one uttered a sound.
...
Jiajing, of course, heard everything. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly – Yan Song, oh Yan Song, all the officials in this court are still no match for you...
He had observed for a while and was certain that Yan Song would not fall for the trap. At the same time, he was annoyed that Lü Fang was too impatient, releasing the bait so quickly. Yan Song, that old fox, had sensed something unusual and naturally wouldn't take the bait.
With this thought,
He slowly stood up, flicked his wide sleeves, and as he walked, he recited loudly:
"By the Huile Beacon, sand falls like snow,
Outside the Surrender City, the moon shines like frost.
Unknowing from whence the reed pipes blow,
All night the soldiers gaze homeward, lost."
He chanted slowly, walking from the rear hall to the main hall. He glanced at everyone one by one, then turned to face the hall entrance, gazing afar at the snow-falling sky, and continued:
"You are all Grand Secretaries. Who among you has ever served on the frontier...? The frontier is harsh. Being far from home, facing uncertain life and death. Since we are discussing frontier affairs, we must remember the hardships of the frontier soldiers and not speak from a position of comfort... In this bitter cold, I haven't seen anyone send them even a piece of clothing, let alone inquire about their well-being...
At this moment,
Everyone suddenly saw Lü Fang supporting a plain-clothed old man from a side hall on the left. Only then did they realize that while they had been watching the Emperor, Lü Fang had already moved to that side.
Looking at the trembling old man, Yan Song, Xu Jie, and Li Chunfang, the three veteran Grand Secretaries, were astonished—
Is that Huang Zhong?
How did he get here?
Yan Song immediately felt a sense of foreboding: Could it be related to him...? Fortunately, I acted swiftly, otherwise, it would have been troublesome... It's actually him...
Xu Jie also suddenly understood—
So Yu Zhen was recommended by him...
Indeed,
Jiajing smiled gently and said:
"You yourselves do not go to the frontier, yet you send your disciples to endure hardships, and you do not remember them. When they suffer, no one looks after them... Look at Huang Zhong. His disciple Yu Zhen is in Datong. First, he sent his disciple a package of Huang Qi and Xuan Cao. He, in turn, sent his disciple a set of cotton clothes... This is human nature! Where are all these twists and turns coming from..."
Huang Zhong immediately knelt and said softly, "Your Majesty's compassion for the common people and the myriad lives is truly brilliant. This old servant dares not accept such praise..."
Jiajing personally helped him up and said gently,
"You deserve it..."
Huang Zhong had been retired for twenty years and was seeing Jiajing for the first time. Recalling past events and contemplating the current dangerous situation, he couldn't help but shed tears...
"Your Majesty, I, I..."
Lü Fang said softly, "Please refrain from crying. The ministers are currently in session..."
Hmm, hmm, hmm.
...
This turn of events,
Yan Shifan finally understood—
My father's strategy was still one step ahead. Otherwise, they would have fallen into the trap of these two old eunuchs today.
At this moment, he looked at Yan Song and then at Xu Jie. Seeing both of them lowering their heads in silence, he couldn't help but secretly glance at Jiajing. At that very moment, Jiajing's deep gaze met his. Yan Shifan couldn't help but shudder.
Indeed,
Jiajing let out a soft sigh and said:
"Yan Shifan, you just mentioned the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing... Well said. That year was also eventful. I recall that Anda was attacking Datong then. That Chou Luan deceived me, diverting the disaster eastward, and Anda then attacked the capital, leading to a period of martial law, wasn't that right?
I heard from Lü Fang that the deputy general of the Imperial Guards you were discussing, named Li something, who almost caused that person to die, was the one who performed meritoriously in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing... If one performs meritoriously, one must be recognized. Why then did you push him out? He is old and disabled, how is he supposed to live?
The Wei Suo (military garrisons) system was established by the founding emperor, who decreed to maintain a million troops without burdening the public treasury. Why didn't it cost too much? Wasn't it precisely because the Wei soldiers endured hardships...? Although being a military household is disadvantageous and brings no honor, without those military households, how could the Great Ming have reached its current two hundred years? Whether they are called Imperial Guards or military households, why have they become like fire and water?"
He spoke seemingly casually, and as he reached Yan Song, he said:
"Yan Song, what do you say?"
Yan Song, having seen Huang Zhong enter, had already felt a sense of doom. After hearing Jiajing's sentiments about border defense, he understood that he had lost again today and that there was no point in holding on any longer. Moreover, Jiajing's every word, both overt and subtle, indicated that he had seen through everything. Yan Song couldn't help but shudder.
"There is no one as wise as Your Majesty. With Anda stirring and the nine borders in unease, I will certainly convey Your Majesty's compassion for the frontier soldiers to them, urging them to prioritize the overall situation and think of the country, and to cease quibbling over trivial matters..."
This statement, although admitting defeat, was still delivered with a strong tone, refusing to admit fault, merely emphasizing that the Emperor was using a broad pronouncement to suppress them...
Jiajing immediately felt a flicker of displeasure.
Yan Song was well aware of this, but at this moment, the contest was about momentum! Whoever backed down even an inch might determine the outcome. Thus, he made an unprecedented stand.
Jiajing sneered inwardly and stated clearly:
"What Yu Zhen did was commendable. He possessed righteousness, sentiment, family, and country. Lü Fang, have him replace Zhang Er and continue to oversee Datong Prefecture on my behalf..."
"Those of the Datong Right Garrison have suffered enough these past years... Grant each of them a cotton garment and ten taels of silver per household..."
With that,
He flicked his wide sleeves, turned, and strode back to the rear hall.
Yan Song and Yan Shifan exchanged glances. Although they felt extreme fear, upon reflection, they realized they were already committed, and there was no room for regret.