My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 21 The Merit of Establishing a Crown Prince
On June 3rd, outside the capital, at Fuxing Residence, Chen Zan, the Censor of the Criminal Department, was giving a farewell banquet to Lu Shude, the former Censor of the Household Department who had been demoted.

Because today was not a day off, neither of them wore official robes. Lu Shude's servants were at Fuxingju, and they would set off immediately after drinking this wine.

The Ming Dynasty had strict regulations on the time limit for officials to take office. This time, Lu Shude was demoted to a magistrate in a prefecture in Zhejiang Province, which was a long way from the capital and he could not delay for a moment.

Chen Zan was a disciple of Xu Jie. He was also the pioneer who wrote a letter to impeach Gao Gong when Emperor Jiajing passed away. He was the most combat-effective censor among Xu Jie's disciples.

Chen Zan and Lu Shude's elder brother Lu Shusheng were of the same generation, and he was much older than Lu Shude. He spoke in a comforting tone, saying:
"Yucheng (Lu Shude's courtesy name), back then, Prime Minister En was also a magistrate in Yanping Prefecture, Fujian Province. Now, isn't he a prime minister? When you go to Zhejiang Province to serve as a magistrate, you should also follow Prime Minister En's example and learn the ways of being an official."

Lu Shude nodded with a wry smile. This time he became a victim of the struggle between Xu Jie and Gao Gong, but he did not resent Gao Gong.

There was only one person who made him hate him to the core.

Chen Zan naturally understood his thoughts and said:
"Su Ze is a treacherous man who appears loyal, yet some people actually think he is a clean official. This is outrageous!"

"Don't worry, Yucheng. After you leave Beijing, I will continue to impeach Su Ze and let the world know his true face!"

After hearing what Chen Zan said, Lu Shude finally felt relieved.

Back then, Chen Zan was able to impeach Gao Gong with just one memorial. Su Ze, a mere seventh-rank Hanlin editor, would surely be impeached and sent away by Chen Zan if he revealed his true intentions.

His elder brother Lu Shusheng had extensive connections in the Ministry of Personnel, and even after being demoted, he was arranged to serve as an official in Zhejiang, which was considered the best place to go.

Moreover, although he was demoted this time, he should be able to return to the capital soon as he finds an opportunity.

Su Ze simply relied on trying to figure out Gao Gong's intentions to get close to Gao Gong, and in Lu Shude's opinion, Gao Gong's character and behavior were not sustainable.

Once Gao Gong falls, or Su Ze himself makes a mistake, there will be no recovery.

Thinking of this, the feeling of being exiled was much lessened.

Just as the two were drinking, they suddenly heard people next door talking about Su Ze's name.

Fuxingju is close to the canal port and is the only way for officials going south. Lu Shude also had to take a canal boat to go south, so officials from the capital would choose to hold banquets here to welcome and see off guests.

Hearing Su Ze's name, Lu Shude quieted down and listened to the conversation at the next table.

"Have you heard? Su Zilin has written another petition, and this time he's got the upper hand again!"

"Yes, I have a good friend in the Censorate. I heard that those censors are so regretful that a Hanlin got there first!"

"Who would have thought that the previous emperor hadn't established a national foundation for decades, but Your Majesty actually did so just because of Su Ze's memorial."

Shangshu? Kunimoto?
Lu Shude was a little confused. What on earth was going on?

Lu Shude was curious, but Chen Zan was more impatient. He walked directly to the next table and asked:
"Su Ze submitted a memorial? What memorial did he submit?"

"Ah? Chen Zhengyan! Why are you here?"

In order to give Lu Shude a farewell party today, Chen Zan took a leave and did not go to the Kedaolang yamen in the morning.

Among these two officials, one was from the Ministry of Public Security. He took the opportunity of being out on business to invite his good friend to have a drink at Fuxingju. He recognized Chen Zan at a glance.

Chen Zan had a great reputation in the capital, and he was also a censor. This minor official from the Ministry of Public Administration was so frightened that he was shaking all over.

Chen Zan asked again:

"Say it!"

The junior official from the Tongzhengsi Department then said:
"Chen Zhengyan, don't you know?"

"I have requested leave today to see a friend off. What exactly did Su Ze submit?" Hearing that Chen Zan was also out to see a friend off, the official relaxed a little and said:

"The other day, Hanlin Academy member Su Ze submitted a memorial requesting the National History Institute compile a book called 'Illustrated Accounts of the Emperors' based on the history of past emperors.' Using simple, easy-to-understand stories and accompanying illustrations, it summarizes the lessons learned by past emperors."

"Then Su Ze suggested that the illustrated book be divided into two volumes. The first volume, "The Good Rules of Sages and Sages," describes the efforts of successive emperors to govern the country with diligence, while the second volume, "The Mistakes of Madmen and Fools," analyzes the misdeeds of successive emperors."

Hearing this, Chen Zan and Lu Shude looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

Chen Zan quickly asked:

"How did His Majesty respond?"

Although this minor official from the Tongzhengsi Department held a low position, he was well-informed. He said:
"I heard that the cabinet did not dare to draft it and sent it to the palace for your Majesty's approval. Your Majesty originally wanted to keep it in the palace and not issue it, but..."

Lu Shude was anxious. He asked quickly, "But what?!"

"But it just so happened that Concubine Li brought the Third Prince to see the Emperor. After His Majesty met with the Third Prince, he approved Su Ze's memorial and ordered the National History Museum to compile the 'Imperial Mirror Illustrated Explanation'."

Hearing this, Lu Shude sat down on the stool and muttered:
"The foundation of the country has been established! This is the achievement of establishing a crown prince!"

Chen Zan also fell silent.

Su Ze is not very old, but he has such skills!

It is not new to use stories of emperors of past dynasties to advise kings.

However, what Su Ze submitted in his memorial was to compile the "Imperial Mirror Illustrations".

What is a picture book? It is a comic book with pictures. The picture books on the market today are basically for children's enlightenment or for women to read.

The current emperor is already thirty years old, so he naturally doesn't need to read any illustrations. Then who was this "Imperial Mirror Illustrations" written for?
The result is naturally self-evident.

Emperor Longqing currently has only one living son, the third prince Zhu Yijun, born to Concubine Li.

However, Emperor Jiajing was superstitious about the saying "two dragons cannot meet each other", so he was not close to his son and never officially appointed a crown prince. Before he ascended the throne, Longqing was only Prince Yu, not the crown prince.

So after Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, some ministers proposed to appoint a crown prince, but it was delayed.

However, the appointment of a crown prince does not matter. The current emperor has only one living son, and the position of the crown prince is stable, so the cabinet leaders no longer force the emperor to appoint a crown prince.

The merit of establishing a crown prince does not matter to the cabinet ministers, but to ordinary ministers, it is a huge achievement!

Su Ze proposed to compile "The Illustrated Book of the Emperor" to remind Emperor Longqing to attach importance to the education of the princes.

Although the third prince Zhu Yijun is only six years old, it is time to start his royal education. He can start by getting an illustrated copy of "The Illustrated Book of the Emperor".

This was a tactful request to Emperor Longqing to appoint a crown prince.

This time, the emperor did not keep it in his pocket, but ordered the National History Museum to compile the "Imperial Mirror Illustrations". This was to convey his attitude to his ministers that he was going to appoint a crown prince.

Lu Shude was so angry that his teeth were about to break! This was the merit of establishing the crown prince!

The third prince Zhu Yijun's position as crown prince is secure, and it is certain that he will inherit the throne.

The merit of establishing a crown prince is no less than the merit of making decisions. It is a great achievement that will benefit future generations!
Once the emperor really establishes a crown prince and enthrones the Crown Prince, the Hanlin officials will have another way to be promoted.

As the initiator, wouldn't Su Ze be on the verge of success?
(End of this chapter)