I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Night fell, in a small courtyard near the Shen residence.

Shen Nian and 68-year-old Hai Rui sat around a dilapidated small wooden table.

On the table were four small dishes and a pot of lamb wine.

At this time, Hai Rui had gray hair and beard, and was thin but vigorous. Perhaps because he had been in too much contact with Shen Yanche after retiring from office, his temperament had become much gentler, and he smiled more often.

Shen Nian got straight to the point and told Hai Rui about Yao Bin's killing of the imperial eunuch in Dezhou.

After hearing this, Hai Rui remained silent for a long time, then sighed deeply and murmured, "This child has always been very stubborn. What a pity! What a pity!"

A tear glistened in Hai Rui's deep eyes.

"Elder Hai, what do you think should be done about this?" Shen Nian asked.

Hai Rui thought for a moment and said, "There is no such thing as an infallible ruler. No matter how big this matter gets, the practice of selecting officials through eunuch selection should not be abolished. Of course, I know that the cabinet has the ability to do so, but at no time should it create a conflict between the ruler and his ministers!"

Shen Nian nodded in agreement.

Hai Rui immediately saw the crux of the problem: the matter essentially involved a power struggle between the emperor and his ministers.

"I...I suggest that we prioritize the maintenance of imperial power and only severely punish eunuchs who violate the law. As for how to appease the people, you should know better than I do."

In Hai Rui's eyes.

Yao Bin is a younger, more impulsive, and less mature version of him.

People like them are destined to act out of step with the times; sometimes they know they are like moths drawn to a flame, but they still go ahead without hesitation.

Hai Rui at that time had some understanding of the current political landscape.

He knew that the eunuchs' practice of accumulating wealth originated from the emperor's indulgence, but the selection of imperial concubines was, after all, a matter concerning the foundation of the state, and even if it had some negative impact, he could not completely oppose it.

The stability of the Ming Dynasty should always be the top priority.

Shen Nian was not surprised by Hai Rui's answer, and at the same time, he established a basic principle for his own solution: this matter should not cause conflict between the emperor and his minister.

Currently, the cabinet absolutely has the ability to order the young Wanli Emperor to "recall the eunuchs and organize the Ministry of Rites to hold a new imperial selection."

But we can't do that.

This was a proposal put forward by the young Wanli Emperor, agreed upon by the two empress dowagers, and endorsed by all the officials in the court.

This matter involves the imperial heir and affects the foundation of the state.

Because if irreconcilable conflicts arise between the ruler and his ministers, the country will inevitably descend into chaos, with even worse consequences.

“I know what to do!” Shen Nian said, then raised her glass.

After the two drank their drinks in one gulp, Hai Rui said, "According to the Great Ming Code, Yao Bin should be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts. However, he had his reasons for committing this crime. I wonder if we could let him die more comfortably?"

"I'll try my best," Shen Nian replied.

Given how things have turned out, Yao Bin is doomed.

Anyone who requests to be spared the death penalty is going against the Ming Dynasty Code.

Hai Rui thought for a moment and said, "I would like to write him a letter, is that alright?"

“No problem!” Shen Nian nodded. Yao Bin’s closest person right now is Hai Rui, so Shen Nian can handle this little thing.

Half an hour later.

Slightly tipsy, Shen Nian left Hai Rui's residence, already having a solution to the matter in mind.

……

The next day, early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking.

When Shen Nian arrived at the cabinet office, the other four cabinet ministers had already been discussing Yao Bin's killing of the eunuch for almost half an hour.

The four proposed four solutions, but all shared the same underlying premise.

The four unanimously agreed on the premise that the selection of eunuchs was not a private selection as Yao Bin claimed, nor was it an act that trampled on ancestral rules and etiquette. Rather, it was a more efficient policy devised by the court to avoid disturbing local officials and the people, but some eunuchs distorted the implementation of the policy.

Trampling on ancestral rules and etiquette is a crime no one can bear.

Therefore, it was necessary to issue an edict to the world first, explaining the reasons why the court used eunuchs for the imperial selection, so as not to be misunderstood by the people.

The common people have always been hostile to the royal selection process.

Under this premise

Shen Shixing believed that, in order to maintain the dignity of the royal family, the selection of eunuchs should continue, while severely punishing those who violated the law, and then ordering local censors to strengthen supervision.

This is a classic example of minimizing a major issue.

Only those who break the law will be punished, while acknowledging that the selection of concubines by eunuchs is not inherently wrong, thus upholding imperial power.

……

Wang Xijue, however, believed that severely punishing corrupt eunuchs was necessary.

However, it is not enough to simply have local censors strengthen their oversight; officials from the Ministry of Rites must also be involved.

Once the Ministry of Rites gets involved, although it will not be in charge, it will prevent the eunuchs from having a dictatorship in the selection process, and the selection process will become more transparent.

This move is actually changing the current way talent shows are conducted.

……

Yin Zhengmao was even more radical.

He believed that this matter had caused a public outcry and made the royal selection of concubines known to all the people, so those families who did not want their daughters to enter the palace would inevitably take some measures.

To prevent the situation from escalating and causing unrest among the people, all eunuchs selected for the imperial concubine selection should be recalled immediately, and the Ministry of Rites should once again take charge of the matter, proceeding according to established practice.

This strategy is clearly aimed at overturning the eunuch selection policy of the young Wanli Emperor.

……

As for Zhang Juzheng, he shared similar ideas with Shen Shixing, but he added a cabinet oversight.

Cabinet oversight means that the draft process and results should be reported to the cabinet, which has the right to oversee and refute any decisions.

Zhang Juzheng's move was to correct the selection process and make it easier to proceed, while not overturning the eunuch selection policy of the young Wanli Emperor.

This can be considered a reluctant "moderate" solution, and Shen Shixing is the most suitable person to do such a thing.

……

Before long, Shen Nian had heard the solutions proposed by the four people.

In short: Shen Shixing preferred minor adjustments and maintaining the status quo; Wang Xijue advocated that the Ministry of Rites participate, but not take the lead; Yin Zhengmao advocated abolishing the selection of relatives by eunuchs and selecting relatives again according to the old system; Zhang Juzheng hoped that the cabinet would supervise and participate in the process to correct the bad behavior of the eunuchs.

"Ziheng, what do you think?" Wang Xijue asked.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "His Majesty may not be satisfied with Grand Secretary Zhang's plan; His Majesty will certainly not be satisfied with Grand Secretary Yin's plan; His Majesty and the people may not be satisfied with Grand Secretary Wang's plan; His Majesty will be satisfied with Grand Secretary Shen's plan, but the people of the world will certainly not be satisfied!"

Upon hearing this, all four of them slightly pursed their lips.

Shen Nian's summary was very accurate, and they were all aware of the problems with their respective strategies, but no one could come up with a perfect solution.

"Ziheng, don't you have any other ideas? Tell me quickly," Zhang Juzheng said to Shen Nian.

Based on his understanding of Shen Nian, when Shen Nian overturns other strategies, she will definitely have new strategies, rather than just knowing how to refute them.

Shen Nian slowed down.

"I believe the prerequisite for resolving this matter is that it absolutely must not lead to conflict between the ruler and his ministers. The harm caused by such conflict is far greater than the harm caused by this matter itself!"

All four nodded at the same time.

The young Wanli Emperor, nearing eighteen, was at an age where he was concerned about his reputation and was striving to elevate his imperial power in order to assume personal rule. Officials could not oppose him at that time.

Shen Nian continued, "Based on my understanding of His Majesty, at this moment, His Majesty must feel that there is nothing wrong with the eunuch selection of candidates, but some eunuchs have made mistakes in implementation, and then Yao Bin has magnified the mistakes. If we overturn the policy of selecting candidates by eunuchs, His Majesty will definitely disagree and may even take some radical actions."

"Therefore, the Cabinet cannot participate, nor can the Ministry of Rites. However, this matter has caused such a great commotion that if we cannot ensure that the subsequent selection of eunuchs will not disturb the local areas, the problems that will arise among the people will be even greater. I suggest that the problems within the inner court be resolved by the inner court, using eunuchs to control eunuchs, and returning all decision-making power to His Majesty!"

"Using eunuchs to control eunuchs?" Shen Shixing asked with a puzzled expression.

"Using eunuchs to control eunuchs means that in addition to sending out a team of eunuchs to select candidates, the inner court will also send out a team to supervise the selection of eunuchs. I recommend Eunuch Feng as the leader of this team."

"Eunuch Feng and Zhang Cheng, who is in charge of this talent selection, have always been at odds. It is very appropriate to have Eunuch Feng's people supervise Zhang Cheng's people!"

“Can this work? Ziheng, you need to know that a leopard can’t change its spots. These eunuchs will always be corrupt whenever they go out. Won’t they join forces to embezzle and continue to oppress the people?” Yin Zhengmao said.

Yin Zhengmao had always opposed the interference of eunuchs in politics.

His greatest wish was for all eunuchs to reside in the inner court and remain detached from world affairs.

Shen Nian shook his head.

"The eunuchs are greedy because they have no other pursuit than money, but this time, Eunuch Feng will definitely not, because Yao Bin's article contained two words: 'eunuch faction'!"

"These two words are enough to make Eunuch Feng seriously supervise Zhang Cheng, so that he would not dare to encourage his subordinates to embezzle or accept bribes!"

Officials of the previous dynasty, regardless of rank, were all terrified of the mention of factions. Once accused of forming a faction, demotion was not far off.

The term "eunuch faction" was actually appearing in everyone's ears for the first time.

The eunuch faction is not the emperor's party, but the party of eunuchs. It is a faction that acts behind the emperor's back. Feng Bao cannot bear these two words at all, so he will definitely be very serious about this supervision.

“Eunuch Feng is not a bad eunuch! I think Ziheng’s plan is good. Using eunuchs to control eunuchs gives His Majesty face. At the same time, if Feng Bao can supervise seriously, then the people of the world will benefit. As long as there are no more instances of eunuchs embezzling or deceiving the people in the subsequent implementation, then over time, the people will no longer argue about this matter or insult the court!” Shen Shixing said.

“I think it’s feasible!” Wang Xijue chimed in.

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, then looked at Yin Zhengmao.

Yin Zhengmao hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's feasible, but if Feng Bao fails in his supervision and also engages in bribery and deceiving the people, then we will immediately stop the eunuch selection!"

“No problem!” Zhang Juzheng said, stroking his long beard.

At this moment, Shen Nian said, "Gentlemen, according to the Great Ming Code, Yao Bin should be sentenced to death by slow slicing, but slow slicing is too cruel. Can we find a reason to plead with His Majesty to let him die a quicker death?"

“Simple, inform Yao Bin in advance and let him commit suicide in prison!” Wang Xijue said.

Shen Nian shook his head.

"Yao Bin knew his crime warranted the death by a thousand cuts. If he wanted to commit suicide, he would have done so long ago. In his eyes, suicide was dying out of fear of punishment, but he wanted to die honorably!"

Zhang Juzheng raised his head and said, "Let this old man persuade His Majesty!"

"Later, I will go to the Wenhua Hall. Besides discussing this plan, I also have some words to tell His Majesty!"

"I'll stay with you!" Shen Nian said.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head.

"Let Grand Secretary Yin come with me. It's better for us to say things that might offend His Majesty and make him unhappy. The three of you should avoid offending His Majesty. The future of the Ming Dynasty depends on you!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Shen Nian bowed to Zhang Juzheng.

The current young Wanli Emperor certainly needs to be reprimanded.

Zhang Juzheng and Yin Zhengmao, who were about to retire, were not afraid of offending the young Wanli Emperor, so they decided to speak some strong words. In the past, Zhang Juzheng could reprimand the young Wanli Emperor in his daily lectures, but now he could only offer gentle advice in private.

……

Near noon.

Zhang Juzheng and Yin Zhengmao arrived at the Wenhua Hall.

The two first reassured the young Wanli Emperor, explaining that the selection of officials by eunuchs was not a policy to trample on ancestral rules and etiquette, but that the people were unaware of the reason. They said that once the court drafted an edict to inform the people, they would understand.

Immediately, the two began to point out the faults of the eunuchs based on the reports from the local authorities.

The fact that the eunuchs dared to act so recklessly was essentially due to the lack of control exerted by the young Wanli Emperor.

The two men cited examples from previous dynasties and spent nearly half an hour recounting numerous historical instances of eunuchs disrupting the government.

After the young Wanli Emperor realized that he had been too lenient with the eunuchs, the two revealed Shen Nian's strategy of "using eunuchs to control eunuchs".

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli's face immediately broke into a smile.

Using eunuchs to control eunuchs proves that he, as emperor, has done nothing wrong.

If the policy of using eunuchs to control eunuchs is successfully implemented, then no one will complain about eunuchs taking bribes and seeking personal gain through the imperial concubine selection process. This proves that the eunuchs' bribery and disruption of local affairs is just an isolated case, since the imperial concubine selection process for eunuchs has not yet been carried out in many parts of Jiangnan.

Thus, everything remained under the control of the young Wanli Emperor, and it was precisely this control that he valued.

After saying all this, Zhang Juzheng cupped his hands and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think should be done to convict Yao Bin?"

Upon hearing the name Yao Bin, Emperor Wanli's face darkened.

He picked up the "Great Ming Code" from the imperial table, slammed it down, gritted his teeth, and said angrily, "This man has no regard for the emperor or the people; all he thinks about is seeking fame and profit. I suggest that he be executed by slow slicing in accordance with the 'Great Ming Code'!"

"Your Majesty, if we execute him by slow slicing, he might truly become famous for all time. His essay, 'The Harm of Eunuch Selections,' has won the hearts of the people. In their eyes, he may not be a virtuous minister, but he is a wise minister. It would be better to let him die quietly. Otherwise, the people will probably start discussing this matter again!"

The young Wanli Emperor cared deeply about what the people thought of him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's listen to the Grand Secretary and have him hanged!"

"Your Majesty is benevolent; this action will surely be praised by the people of the world!" Zhang Juzheng said, bowing.

Emperor Wanli was as clear-headed as a mirror; he knew exactly how to win the hearts of the people, but he always put his own interests first.

……

As dusk approached, the Wenhua Hall was filled with the sounds of the wind.

When Feng Bao heard the young Wanli Emperor mention "using eunuchs to control eunuchs," he instantly became excited.

This is the best opportunity to prove that "there are good eunuchs in the world." The stricter he supervises eunuchs like Zhang Cheng, the more it proves that no "eunuch faction" has formed in the inner court.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will do everything in my power to ensure that the common people will never utter another word of criticism against the eunuchs!" Feng Bao said, kneeling on the ground.

Little Wanli looked at Feng Bao.

"My lord, Zhang Cheng is still capable of serving me. You don't need to think about eliminating all his men. Tell them that they must not embezzle money this time. I will reward them handsomely after they complete the task!"

"This old servant obeys!" Feng Bao bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Emperor Wanli was very familiar with both Feng Bao and Zhang Cheng.

As for the eunuchs sent to the provinces to amass wealth in private, Emperor Wanli actually turned a blind eye to it.

Because these rootless people value money the most.

Sometimes they would even use the money they had embezzled to do things for the young Wanli Emperor. The young Wanli Emperor always made sure they got something in return, otherwise why would they be so devoted to doing things for him?

In the mind of the young Wanli Emperor, greedy people were the easiest to control; if they benefited, they would do good deeds.

The most difficult to control are people like Yao Bin, who risk their lives to slander the imperial court for the sake of so-called reputation and the so-called basic needs of the people.

These people can't solve the problem; they'll only create more problems.

……

On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, there will always be a court meeting.

The official on duty at the Office of Transmission read aloud the official document concerning the "selection of eunuchs".

The official document stated that the imperial court broke with the old system by appointing eunuchs to select candidates in the provinces. The purpose was to avoid disturbing the local people and their livelihoods, rather than to conduct arbitrary selections in private and trample on ancestral rules and etiquette. It was only due to the improper execution by a few eunuchs that the people misunderstood the process, causing the rumors to spread and reach a wider audience.

To ensure the smooth conduct of the draft.

After discussing with the two empress dowagers, Emperor Wanli appointed a team of eunuchs to supervise the selection of imperial concubines. If the people discovered any illegal activities by the eunuchs, they could report them to the supervising eunuchs. If the report was unsuccessful, they could report it directly to the local authorities, and the court would guarantee to punish them severely.

The official document also stated that this selection was not for palace maids, but for nine imperial concubines, and that the selection was based on the principle of voluntariness, without coercion, without retaining palace maids, and those who were not selected were not required to stay in the palace and could return to their hometowns to marry freely.

As for Yao Bin, the three judicial departments were responsible for determining his guilt, and the young Wanli Emperor did not mention him at the court meeting.

This decision to "use eunuchs to control eunuchs" greatly pleased all the officials in the court.

Because most people know that Feng Bao and Zhang Cheng have a grudge, and this action saved Wanli Emperor's face. If the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites were to intervene, the matter would escalate further!
……

September 12th, nightfall.

Zhang Cheng, a eunuch in Kaifeng, Henan, received a fast letter from the young Emperor Wanli ordering Feng Bao to oversee the selection of eunuchs for imperial concubines.

He was furious.

He only accepted the reality after smashing four teacups, a teapot, and two chairs.

but.

The young Wanli Emperor also sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to tell him: If you occasionally do anything out of line, as long as it is not leaked, I will not pursue it. If the matter is accomplished, I will reward you.

This warmed Zhang Cheng's heart.

Before Zhang Cheng left the capital, Emperor Wanli asked him to choose the type of woman he liked, and also to monitor local areas and make contact with some local officials. The purpose, of course, was to consolidate imperial power and use some of his own people to monitor other people.

"That old bastard Feng Bao, this time he's under investigation is just because of the huge negative impact caused by that madman Yao Bin. At most five years, his position will definitely be mine!" Zhang Cheng muttered.

……

September 15th, afternoon.

Texas, the state prison.

A ray of sunlight, as big as a bowl, shone into a prison cell.

Wearing prison clothes, Yao Bin read Hai Rui's letter to him by the light and couldn't help but burst into tears.

"My mentor didn't blame me, my mentor didn't think I... I did something wrong!"

Yao Bin's eyes were filled with tears, but he had a smile on his face.

He knelt on the ground, kowtowed deeply towards the direction of the capital, and murmured, "Master, your unfilial disciple is unable to serve you. Please take care!"

In his letter, Hai Rui did not accuse Yao Bin of being reckless and stubborn.

He simply said that he understood Yao Bin and knew that if he were in this situation, he would definitely make such a life-threatening choice.

Hai Rui said: After Yao Bin is freed, he will surely be born in a prosperous era in his next life. At that time, there will be no more thorny contradictions that require officials to die to prove their integrity.

Then, Yao Bin knelt on the ground and burst into tears.

At that moment, he felt completely liberated and had no regrets about leaving this corrupt world.

……

On September 19th, the sentencing documents from the three judicial departments were delivered to Dezhou.

Yao Bin, a criminal official, defied imperial authority and arbitrarily killed a eunuch who was acting on imperial orders. He was sentenced to be hanged, and the execution was to take place three days later.

Upon receiving the conviction document, both Xiao Wenguang, the prefect of Dezhou, and Wang Hu, the judge, breathed a sigh of relief.

They were not involved in this matter.

……

On September 22nd, the sun was high in the sky.

The back hall of the Dezhou Prefectural Government Office.

Xiao Wenguang, the prefect of Dezhou, had just put on his official robes and was preparing to go to the execution ground to supervise the execution when Judge Wang Hu came running up, panting.

"Your Excellency, something terrible has happened! Outside the execution ground, there are layers upon layers of onlookers. Some are shouting that Yao Bin shouldn't have died, and some are preparing to give him a grand funeral. Should I drive them away immediately?"

Xiao Wenguang glared at him and said, "Judge Wang, are you not planning to stay in Dezhou?"

"Your Excellency, what does this mean? Have I also committed a crime?" Wang Hu asked, looking puzzled.

"Although Yao Bin is guilty and not a good official, he is an upright official, and he has a good reputation in Dezhou. By driving away the people, aren't you going against them? If you go against the people, won't that make them go against you in the future? If the people mourn him and want to give him a proper burial, just let them do so!"

"Then...then...His Majesty will probably be displeased if the people do this!"

"Are you a pig-brain? Do you think His Majesty and the Grand Secretaries didn't expect the people to support him and mourn him? Why report this kind of thing to the higher-ups? Are you just trying to upset His Majesty?"

"Also, you must remember that this matter has nothing to do with us. When the execution is carried out at noon, we should also appear to be sad, preferably with tears in our eyes, so that the people of Dezhou can feel that we are also grieving for Yao Tongzhi. Do you understand? Only in this way can we win the hearts of the people and succeed!"

"Understood, Your Excellency understands!" Wang Hu nodded repeatedly.

……

At noon, in the capital, outside the office of the Grand Secretariat.

Looking at the autumn sun in the sky, Shen Nian said with some sadness, "By now, Yao Bin should have already left!"

"Although he was somewhat stubborn, he was a good man, a brave man who dared to risk his life for the honor and disgrace of his country. Nowadays, officials like him are too rare. What a pity! What a pity!" Shen Nian sighed.

Not far away, Zhang Juzheng happened to see Shen Nian, who was feeling sentimental.

He walked to Shen Nian's side and said, "Ziheng, for Yao Bin, this may be a relief. When dealing with state affairs, principles should come first, and one should not be trapped by petty kindness."

After saying that, Zhang Juzheng patted Shen Nian on the shoulder and walked forward.

After Shen Nian joined the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng felt that his talent was superior to his own. If Shen Nian were to become the Grand Secretary, he would be more decisive and implement more new policies and reforms, making the Ming Dynasty even stronger.

However, Shen Nian has one flaw: she is too kind and soft-hearted.

He disdained the intrigues and power struggles of the imperial court, and always showed sincerity and goodwill to both the young Wanli Emperor and his colleagues.

However, when he becomes the Grand Secretary, his kindness will become his weakness, and some colleagues will use this to attack him.

This was Zhang Juzheng's only concern.

After a while.

Shen Nian stretched and exhaled a breath of stale air.

As he walked toward the Cabinet Office, he muttered to himself, "My next task is to ensure that paranoid officials like Yao Bin have no room to maneuver!"

Having said that...

A bright smile spread across Shen Nian's face, and she felt a renewed surge of fighting spirit and energy. (End of Chapter)