My father is Jiajing

Chapter 391: Unjustified?
Zhu Zaigui, who still holds the power of regent, seems like an alternative in the current court political situation.

It was as if two suns suddenly appeared in the Ming Dynasty, making people confused and at a loss.

Even Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and others were confused about this situation.

After all, Emperor Jiajing has finished fasting and praying, and has begun to summon cabinet ministers to handle state affairs.

Although he still did not attend court and continued to practice Taoism in the deep palace of Xiyuan, no one dared to question the supreme authority of Emperor Jiajing.

Therefore, when the political situation emerged in which Emperor Jiajing was cultivating himself and governing the country in the Western Garden, and Zhu Zaigui was continuing to perform his duties as regent in Prince Yu's Mansion, anyone who saw this situation would be confused.

Gao Gong sat restlessly in Zhu Zaigui's study, looking at Zhu Zaigui's desk which was still filled with memorials sent by the Ministry of Public Administration, as well as memorials with the imperial approval of Emperor Jiajing sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cabinet. He couldn't help but feel anxious. What was going on?
Zhu Zaigui put down a memorial he had just read, looked at Gao Gong who was nervous, and said with a chuckle: "Meng Chong, didn't you add more tea for Mr. Gao?"

Just as Meng Chong was about to reply, Gao Gong spoke up first, "Your Majesty, I am not thirsty."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Even if you are not thirsty, you have to refill the tea. Otherwise, if word gets out, people will think that my Prince Yu's Mansion does not know etiquette and does not like to entertain people."

Meng Chong arranged for the eunuch who served tea to refill Zhu Zaigui's teacup and Gao Gong's teacup with new tea.

At this time, Gao Gong looked at Zhu Zaigui, who was still calm and composed, but he was actually very anxious and confused.

But he didn't know how to ask or what to say.

Zhu Zaigui naturally saw Gao Gong's embarrassment, and he took the initiative to ask: "Mr. Gao, are you a little confused?"

Gao Gong couldn't bear it any longer when he heard Zhu Zaigui's initiative to talk about it. He said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand. Why does His Majesty want you to continue to serve as the regent? You haven't been officially appointed by His Majesty yet. It's not right for you to participate in government affairs like this. If you were the crown prince, all this would be reasonable, but now..."

Zhu Zaigui chuckled, "But now I am not the crown prince, but I am participating in politics as the regent, so it seems inappropriate, right?"

Gao Gong did not answer, but he meant the same thing.

Like most people, Gao Gong still advocated a legitimate approach. He hoped that Emperor Jiajing would first enthrone Prince Yu as the crown prince, and then allow Zhu Zaigui to participate in politics as the crown prince. This was in line with court rules and etiquette.

Otherwise, as it is now, Emperor Jiajing is in charge of all state affairs in the Western Garden, and allows Zhu Zaigui to continue to participate in state affairs as regent, which is inappropriate no matter how you look at it.

Therefore, Gao Gong wanted to clear Zhu Zaigui's name and allow him to participate in political affairs with a more suitable identity.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Gao Gong who was silent. He stood up and stretched his body, then said, "Your Majesty did this to test me. Some time ago, Your Majesty fasted and prayed for the disaster-stricken areas in Huazhou, and ordered me to supervise the country, but I did not achieve any results."

"But His Majesty did not blame me for my stupidity, so he deliberately let me continue to participate in government affairs as regent and try to deal with all matters after the Huazhou earthquake. This is actually to give me a chance to see if I have administrative ability."

Gao Gong listened to Zhu Zaigui's words, still mumbling in his heart. Gao Gong said: "But Your Majesty, this is not a long-term solution after all. Since ancient times, the responsibility of regent is only when the emperor is away or has something to do, and the crown prince or the prince will be appointed to act as regent. Now that His Majesty has finished praying, Your Majesty should return the power and resign the position of regent. This is the right way."

"But now the prince continues to supervise the country, and His Majesty is in charge of the Western Garden. This has never happened before in all dynasties. So I am worried that the prince will be criticized by the world because of his improper status and words."

Zhu Zaigui sighed, he knew that Gao Gong was still worried about him.

Zhu Zaigui said: "Mr. Gao, please do not worry. My position as regent does not conflict with your majesty's ruling. Your majesty is in charge of all affairs, and I am just taking on a small responsibility. If I cannot even bear this so-called criticism, how much of the heavy responsibility will I be able to bear in the future?"

"Moreover, this time, His Majesty did not take away my power as regent, and asked me to continue to deal with the follow-up of the Huazhou earthquake. This is also a test for me. Therefore, I hope Mr. Gao will not have any psychological burden. Just follow your heart and the authority granted by the court to do your job well, which is the greatest trust and support for me!"

After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, Gao Gong also understood what Zhu Zaigui wanted him to do.

Although the matter of being the regent now is not legitimate, as an old man in Prince Yu's Mansion, he cannot hesitate about this matter like others. What he has to do is to unconditionally support all decisions made by Zhu Zaigui.

Only in this way can everyone in Prince Yu's Mansion be at peace with themselves both internally and externally, and not be bound by the so-called "reputation" that would prevent them from getting anything done.

After Gao Gong realized this, he bowed to Zhu Zaigui in shame. He had indeed cared too much about Zhu Zaigui's "reputation" before. He was always worried that Zhu Zaigui's "reputation" would be bad and would affect future events.

But he forgot that if he didn't do the current things well, it would offend Emperor Jiajing's opinion of Zhu Zaigui.

If Emperor Jiajing had a bad feeling about Zhu Zaigui, then he would not only lose his "reputation" but even his "position" in the future.

So at this moment Gao Gong immediately understood what Zhu Zaigui meant.

Gao Gong replied: "Your Majesty, I understand! I will do my best to assist Your Majesty in governing the country."

Zhu Zaigui turned around and looked at Gao Gong's current attitude, smiling slightly: "Thank you, Mr. Gao. Please, Mr. Gao, comfort the others on my behalf. Don't dwell on some insignificant issues at this time. Our focus right now is to complete the duties that Your Majesty has entrusted to me. Properly handling the problems after the Huazhou earthquake is the best reward we can give to the people of the world and to Your Majesty."

Gao Gong bowed deeply: "I obey your command!"

Looking at Gao Gong who had been persuaded by him, Zhu Zaigui felt relieved. Gao Gong was currently a core figure among the officials in Prince Yu's Mansion. His attitude and opinions would influence the attitudes and opinions of others to a great extent.

Now, as long as Gao Gong does not continue to worry about whether Zhu Zaigui’s current title of regent is legitimate, the subsequent people and matters will be much easier to deal with.

Then Zhu Zaigui didn't waste any more words and got straight to the point. He asked, "Mr. Gao, what do you think is the first priority after the Huazhou earthquake?"

(End of this chapter)