My father is Jiajing

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of the sixth year of the Longqing reign, at the Wanshou

The retired Emperor Jiajing lay on his dragon bed, gazing at the falling snowflakes through the carved window lattice.

The 65-year-old Jiajing Emperor's face was ashen, but his eyes remained sharp as an eagle's.

He knew that this time he really wouldn't make it through the winter.

He felt an unprecedented exhaustion and chill, as if his very bones were cold and he couldn't warm himself up no matter what he tried. Even though Li Shizhen tried his best, he couldn't alleviate the immediate situation.

Therefore, under these circumstances, the Jiajing Emperor was perfectly aware that his time had truly come.

Even so, the Jiajing Emperor was not afraid.

For Emperor Jiajing, these few years were essentially free money.

Moreover, over the years, many of my old friends have passed away. Huang Jin is gone, Yan Song is gone, and Xu Jie passed away a few days ago.

It can be said that there are almost no relatives or old ministers left for Emperor Jiajing to remember or cherish.

Therefore, with this mindset, the Jiajing Emperor naturally did not feel resentful when he reached the last moment of his life.

On the contrary, he felt that he should leave cleanly and simply, giving himself a perfect ending.

"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine."

Now, it was still the eunuch Li Fang from the Directorate of Ceremonial who was carefully approaching the dragon bed, holding the jade bowl.

The Jiajing Emperor shook his head slightly, his voice weak but firm: "No need, I know my own body."

Upon hearing this, Li Fang's eyes reddened, and her hands holding the medicine bowl trembled slightly.

Having served the Jiajing Emperor for so many years, he knew better than anyone that the retired emperor was a man of his word. Now that he had stopped taking his medicine, it was clear that he truly did not intend to continue.

"Go and bring me my Yongle Encyclopedia, the Jiajing edition."

Emperor Jiajing recalled the catalog of the Yongle Encyclopedia, Jiajing Edition, that Zhao Zhenji had sent a few days earlier. Although it was just a catalog search book, it was still a very thick book.

After saying this, the Jiajing Emperor thought of two more books. He raised his hand with difficulty and pointed to the bookshelf in the study, and continued, "There is also my Imperial Commentary on the Tao Te Ching."

Li Fang quickly put down the medicine bowl, turned her back, secretly wiped away her tears, and went to fetch the two books herself.

These two large books were extremely heavy, and when Li Fang took them, she had to call two eunuchs to help carry them to the small table next to the dragon bed.

The Jiajing Emperor's withered fingers gently stroked the gilded cover of the book, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

In his life, besides cultivating Taoism and seeking longevity, his greatest achievement was undoubtedly these classic texts.

He re-copied the Yongle Encyclopedia, continued the Jiajing supplement, and also funded the writing of a continuation of Li Shizhen's Pharmacopoeia of the Ming Dynasty. These are all achievements worthy of being passed down to future generations!

Moreover, it is much more real than those illusory elixirs.

"Huang Jin," the Jiajing Emperor suddenly spoke, "do you still remember what I looked like when I first ascended the throne?"

Li Fang was slightly taken aback. He knew that the Jiajing Emperor had mispronounced his name, but Li Fang didn't mind, because the Jiajing Emperor usually called him Huang Jin.

It is evident how highly Huang Jin held a position in the eyes of the Jiajing Emperor!

Li Fang knelt before the bed, tears streaming down her face, and answered on behalf of Huang Jin: "This old servant remembers that His Majesty was only fifteen years old at that time. He came to the capital from the Prince of Xing's residence in Anlu, and ascended the throne in the Fengtian Hall wearing plain clothes."

Upon hearing Li Fang's words, Emperor Jiajing couldn't help but smile slightly. Then, as if relaxing, he closed his eyes, seemingly returning to the day that changed the course of his life.

That year was the sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign. His absurd cousin, the Wuzong Emperor, died without an heir, and he, the heir of a remote vassal king, became the successor to the throne of the Ming Dynasty overnight.

Memories came flooding back.

The Jiajing Emperor seemed to see himself at fifteen years old standing in the Fengtian Hall, facing the disdainful or calculating gazes of the court officials.

"Your Majesty should regard Emperor Xiaozong as your imperial father and Prince Xingxian as your imperial uncle!"

Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe's voice was thunderous.

The young emperor clenched his fist beneath his dragon robe.

Asking him to acknowledge someone else as his father? Absolutely not!
How could his father, Prince Xingxian Zhu Youyuan, the father who taught him to read and write and took him horseback riding and archery, become his "royal uncle"?
Deceiving too much!

"I am succeeding to the throne of my ancestors, not to Emperor Xiaozong!"

The young Jiajing Emperor replied firmly and resolutely, "The Prince of Xingxian is my biological father, and I will certainly honor him as my imperial father!"

This grand ritual dispute, which ostensibly seemed to be a battle over who the father was, but was in reality a battle over who held power, lasted for three years.

The Jiajing Emperor still remembers how he spent sleepless nights studying the ritual systems of past dynasties; how he secretly cultivated his confidants to counter Yang Tinghe's faction; and how he had sixteen ministers who opposed him flogged to death at Zuoshun Gate, thus intimidating the court and the public.
It was as if those were his fearless and glorious youth!

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Li Fang's worried voice brought the Jiajing Emperor back to reality.

When the Jiajing Emperor opened his eyes, he found that his hands were trembling involuntarily.

The bloodshed and turmoil of those years still stir his emotions when he thinks about them.

"Bring me pen and ink."

The Jiajing Emperor suddenly spoke.

He knew his time was running out. Now, whenever he thought of something, he had to deal with it immediately. Otherwise, when the time came for him to let go, he wouldn't have a chance to hold on anymore.

Li Fang quickly prepared writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and helped the Emperor Emeritus sit up.

With trembling hands, the Jiajing Emperor wrote the four characters "Minglun Grand Ceremony" on the Xuan paper.

This is a book of rituals he compiled after his victory in the Great Rites Controversy, which established the imperial status of his biological father, Prince Xingxian, and also established his unchallengeable imperial power.

"Yang Tinghe, Xia Yan, Yan Song"

The Jiajing Emperor murmured the names of these once powerful figures, "They are all dead, but I am still alive and well."

The Jiajing Emperor revealed a barely perceptible smile of victory.

Those powerful ministers who tried to control him and undermine his authority ultimately fell to him.

He spent forty-five years proving one thing—the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was never anyone's puppet.

After writing these four large characters, what else came to mind for the Jiajing Emperor?

"Li Fang, what year has my 'Veritable Records of the Jiajing Emperor' been completed?"

The Jiajing Emperor suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty, it has been completed up to the fortieth year of the Jiajing reign."

The Jiajing Emperor nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this.

Originally, this "Veritable Records of the Jiajing Emperor" could not have been compiled during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor.

However, considering the long period since the Jiajing Emperor abdicated and his concern for his posthumous reputation, Zhu Zaiji issued an edict last year ordering the Hanlin Academy to organize Hanlin compilers and students of the Imperial Academy to begin compiling the Veritable Records of the Jiajing Emperor.

As the Jiajing Emperor pondered Li Fang's words, the fortieth year of his reign—five years before his abdication and the most fruitful year of the "Jiajing New Deal"—his memories seemed to drift back to those years of diligent governance.

After the Great Rites Controversy, he appointed promising new ministers such as Zhang Cong and Gui E to implement a series of reforms: surveying land to increase tax revenue; eliminating redundant officials to save expenses; reducing taxes to allow the people to rest.
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Zhang requests an audience."

The sound of the eunuch announcing something still seems to echo in my ears.

It was the tenth year of the Jiajing reign. Zhang Cong brought the good news of the land survey in the south to the palace. More than two million hectares of land nationwide had been newly added to the tax-paying area, increasing annual revenue by 1.5 million taels of silver!
"it is good!"

The young Jiajing Emperor was very excited. He felt that he was much better than his predecessors at achieving these results!
"Issue an imperial decree to reduce taxes in Henan, Shaanxi, and other regions by 30%!"

Emperor Jiajing was not a foolish ruler who was unaware of the suffering of the people.

At that time, he used most of the increased revenue from the new policies to reduce taxes and build water conservancy projects.

During those years, the Ming Dynasty's treasury was full, and the people lived in peace and prosperity, a period known in history as the "Jiajing Restoration."

"Li Fang, I have a question for you."

The Jiajing Emperor suddenly asked, "How do the common people perceive me?"

Li Fang prostrated herself on the ground, her voice trembling with a sob, "The Emperor is a wise ruler throughout the ages, praised by all the people."

"to be honest."

Emperor Jiajing's sharp gaze sent a shiver down Li Fang's spine. At this moment, he didn't want to hear just pleasant words.

"Some scholars have expressed slight reservations about His Majesty's pursuit of Taoism."

Li Fang answered cautiously, her heart trembling.

The Jiajing Emperor chuckled, completely unconcerned.

It's just the opinion of some pedantic scholars.

As long as it's not said that he abused the people or was a tyrant, then it's acceptable.

After all, cultivating Taoism is a fact!
Moreover, the Jiajing Emperor also felt that if he had not achieved success in Taoist cultivation, how could he have lived to the ripe old age of sixty-five?

How could a great son descend from heaven to help the Ming Dynasty repel the army of Anda who was attempting to invade the capital at the most critical moment?
Thinking of Anda Khan, the Jiajing Emperor's thoughts drifted back to the defense of the capital in the twenty-eighth year of his reign.

That autumn, Anda led his supposedly hundreds of thousands of elite cavalry across the Great Wall and marched straight towards Beijing.

The incident caused a stir in the court and among the public, with some ministers even suggesting moving the capital to Nanjing.

He summoned the twenty-year-old Prince Yu to the Yuxi Palace in the Western Garden overnight.
"Your subject is willing to lead the troops into battle!" The young Prince Yu knelt down and pleaded for the order.

The Jiajing Emperor remembered how he had a brilliant idea to have Prince Yu, under the alias "Zhu San," lead the Beijing Garrison as its commander; how he secretly mobilized elite border troops and set up an ambush; and how he planned and executed a strategic maneuver on the eve of a major battle, only to meet his opponent on a narrow path.
"Your Majesty, Prince Yu has achieved a great victory! Over ten thousand heads have been beheaded, and Anda has fled in disarray!"

When the good news arrived, he was performing a ritual in the meditation room of the Longevity Palace. Upon hearing the news, he threw his ritual implements to the ground and laughed loudly.

That battle not only saved Beijing, but also demonstrated the might of the Ming Dynasty.

Later, the imperial court conquered the northern deserts, swept away the Japanese pirates in the southeast, rebuilt the navy, and opened up maritime trade. Which of these achievements was not with his tacit approval and support? Otherwise, how could they have succeeded?
At this moment, Emperor Jiajing's memory is in disarray. He mistakenly believes that Zhu Zaiji's secret departure from the city to seize Feng Bao's military power and begin the defense of the capital was an achievement he personally orchestrated and commanded.
It is evident that sometimes, the oral histories of certain people can only be heard as fact, not taken as fact.

"Li Fang, do you think I can be considered a wise ruler?"

The Jiajing Emperor suddenly asked again, his voice choked with emotion.

Li Fang kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty's civil and military achievements are comparable to those of Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang!"

The Jiajing Emperor closed his eyes wearily.

Yes, in his life, he reformed the bureaucracy and reduced taxes domestically; he repelled the Mongols and quelled the Japanese pirates externally; and culturally, he rebuilt the Great Classic and compiled the Pharmacopoeia. Apart from spending some money on Taoist practices, what faults did he have?
"Summon the Emperor to see me."

After a long silence, the Jiajing Emperor finally remembered Zhu Zaiji.

When Zhu Zaiji rushed to Wanshou Palace, it was already dusk.

He had just returned from a meeting at the Wenhua Hall when he heard that the Jiajing Emperor had summoned him. He rushed over without even changing out of his court robes.

Moreover, a group of civil and military officials arrived with him, but they all tacitly stood on the outermost edge and did not follow him.

These officials all knew that the Emperor Emeritus probably didn't have much time left, so their hasty summons of the Emperor at this time most likely meant that something important was going on.

Therefore, these officials did not dare to leave immediately after the court session, but silently followed along, preparing to deal with the important matter!

"father."

Zhu Zaiji arrived at Emperor Jiajing's bedside and looked at his father, who was so thin he was almost unrecognizable, and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

When Emperor Jiajing saw Zhu Zaiji arrive, he slightly raised his hand and said, "It's San'er. Come to my side."

Zhu Zaiji got up and carefully sat down on the edge of the couch.

He noticed that the Jiajing Emperor also had the Yongle Encyclopedia and the Imperial Commentary on the Tao Te Ching spread out beside him, and he couldn't help but feel sad and sentimental.

Clearly, at this moment, Jiajing was beginning to reflect on his life.

"Third son."

The Jiajing Emperor tried hard to see Zhu Zaiji clearly before him, "In my life, have I ever wronged the Ming Dynasty in any way?"

Zhu Zaiji immediately said solemnly, "Father worked diligently to govern the country and created the Jiajing Restoration; he defended against foreign invaders and promoted civil administration. I have been on the throne for six years, but I have only followed the old ways."

The Jiajing Emperor revealed a slightly gratified smile.

This son is more outstanding than he imagined. Choosing to abdicate and retire early was one of the best decisions he ever made.

"In recent years, I have been obsessed with cultivating Taoism and neglected state affairs."

In a rare instance, the Jiajing Emperor offered self-criticism, saying, "Fortunately, you were here."

Zhu Zaiji grasped his father's withered hand: "Everything I have done has been supported by you, Father. Otherwise, I would not have achieved what I have today."

What Zhu Zaiji said was quite true.

Every reform he implemented during his regency was backed by the support and tacit approval of the Jiajing Emperor.

Otherwise, how could the lifting of the sea ban, the establishment of a navy, and the suppression of Japanese pirates have proceeded smoothly without the tacit approval of the Jiajing Emperor?
"After I leave, you must treat the royal family well, and your younger brother, although he has gone far away to the Southern Sea, is still your younger brother. If he feels bitter over there and wants to come back, you must bring him back, understand?"

Zhu Zaiji said, "I've remembered."

The father and son talked for a long time, from court politics to family matters, from border defense to the coastal areas. Finally, the Jiajing Emperor closed his eyes wearily: "Go. Come see me again tomorrow."

Zhu Zaiji took his leave with tears in his eyes.

He knew this might be the last time he would have a long talk with the Jiajing Emperor.

So after taking his leave, Zhu Zaiji did not actually leave Wanshou Palace, but waited silently with a group of ministers in the main hall of Wanshou Palace.

They didn't speak to each other, but they understood each other perfectly.

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