Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 41 It's Going to Rain
The autumn rains in Beijing came too quickly.

Just moments ago the sun was shining brightly, but in the blink of an eye, dark clouds loomed over the city.

The wind that swept by carried the smell of earth, and a heavy rain could fall at any moment.

Duke Zhang Weixian of England sat upright in his sedan chair, his brows furrowed deeply.

The various sounds he had heard over the past few days were now intertwined in his mind, forming a chaotic web.

"Lord Duke, His Majesty has newly established the Brave Guard Battalion, and among its three thousand men, not a single son of a noble or meritorious official is among them. What is the meaning of this?"

"We share the fate of the nation; does Your Majesty no longer trust us?"

"You are a veteran of three reigns, and are currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Please, on our behalf, plead with His Majesty!"

The anxious and fearful faces of the nobles flashed before his eyes.

Then, the image shifted to the young, passionate, and hopeful face of his son, Zhang Zhiji.

"Father! His Majesty is an unparalleled wise ruler, a divinely ordained opportunity for our Great Ming to eradicate its deep-seated problems and be reborn!"

"Burning books in the main hall is an act of leniency; bestowing favors upon cabinet ministers is an act of winning them over."

"Selecting soldiers at the drill ground is like thunder; personally wielding military power is like decisiveness!"

"Father, throughout history, His Majesty is in no way inferior to Qin Shi Huang or Emperor Wu of Han when they first ascended the throne. Please do not hesitate any longer!"

Two completely different voices, two completely different expectations, were like two mountains, pressing down on him and making it hard for him to breathe.

"Ugh……"

Zhang Weixian sighed, feeling his old knee injury throbbing again, and the chronic injury in his waist also began to protest silently.

These old bones of mine are better able to predict the wind and rain than the Imperial Observatory.

The sedan chair slowly came to a stop, and as he lifted the curtain, a shrill voice pierced the air.

"Your Excellency!" Ma Wenke, the imperial messenger, trotted forward with a beaming smile. "You've finally arrived!"

With a gentle smile on his face, Zhang Weixian casually took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve and stuffed it into the ingot with utmost ease.

The portion size is generous.

Ma Wenke's face flushed instantly. He glanced left and right instinctively, but ultimately caught it with his sleeve.

His movements were slightly flustered, and he almost dropped the heavy silver ingot on the ground, but it was much better than his awkwardness three days ago.

"Your Excellency is truly favored by the Emperor," he said, his smile becoming more genuine. "I was summoned just three days ago, and His Majesty is already thinking of you again today."

He paused, lowered his voice, and leaned closer: "We need to hurry, His Majesty... is getting impatient."

The Qianqing Palace is visible in the distance.

Before even reaching the palace, Zhang Weixian was so startled by the sight before him that he stopped in his tracks.

On the spacious Danbi steps, hundreds of tables and desks were arranged in a well-organized manner.

Three hundred strong men sat upright, heads buried in their desks, writing furiously.

Their expressions varied; some scratched their heads, others looked around, but only a few were focused and wrote with great speed.

Meanwhile, Emperor Zhu Youjian of the Ming Dynasty stood with his hands behind his back behind a burly man as tall as a black tower, leaning slightly forward as he looked at the answer sheet written by the man with great interest.

Seemingly sensing the gaze behind him, Zhu Youjian slowly straightened up and turned around.

Their eyes met, and a radiant smile instantly bloomed on his face, sincere and gentle, just like three days ago.

"The Duke has finally arrived!"

He strode down the steps and affectionately took Zhang Weixian's arm, his grip firm and steady. "I've missed you terribly these past three days!"

"Come, let's talk in the hall."

Having said that, without allowing Zhang Weixian to bow, she half-supported and half-led him into the Qianqing Palace.

After the emperor and his ministers took their seats, a young eunuch served them fragrant tea.

Immediately afterwards, the chief eunuch Gao Shiming personally brought over two long, narrow brocade packages.

Zhu Youjian took it and gently handed it to Zhang Weixian.

"When I last saw you, Duke, I noticed that you seemed to have some difficulty walking, and I was worried about you. Could it be that you are suffering from paralysis?"

"I specially ordered the Imperial Wardrobe to make two medicine packets, containing some herbs that promote blood circulation and dispel cold, and then warmed them with hot stones for two hours. Duke, please try them and see if they can provide some relief."

As he spoke, he personally placed a hand warmer on Zhang Weixian's lap and gestured for Gao Shiming to tie another one around his waist.

A warm sensation mixed with a faint herbal fragrance instantly dispelled the chill in my waist and knees.

Zhang Weixian was somewhat at a loss.

The emperor's favor was as great as a mountain, but such meticulous and thoughtful consideration was something he had never encountered before in his three reigns.

"Your Majesty... this old minister..." He was speechless for a moment.

Zhu Youjian smiled and waved his hand, interrupting him: "I invited the Duke here today to have you look at the test questions I have prepared for the Yongwei Battalion. I intend to use them to select officers and captains."

He gestured for the eunuch to hand over the dossier, and continued, "However, I have no military experience and am merely a theorist. I fear I will make a fool of myself. I need the Duke to oversee this for me."

Zhang Weixian quickly accepted it, bowed and said, "This old minister is old and his eyesight is failing. He needs to wear an amulet to see things. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my disrespect."

"Your Excellency may look without hesitation."

Zhang Weixian then carefully took out a cloth bag from his bosom, took out two crystal lenses, and tied them behind his ears with a thin string.

This was the first time Zhu Youjian had seen these Ming Dynasty eyes since his time travel, and he found them quite interesting.

A series of related ideas flashed through his mind.

Telescopes, microscopes, mercury mirrors...

Military, medicine, and money!
No rush, no rush. After tomorrow's court assembly, we'll ask where the most advanced mirror-making technique is currently located, and find a few craftsmen to come and do some experiments.

Personnel matters must be handled, military power must be secured, and technological advancements cannot be neglected.

……

The file contained only four questions, covering strategy, tactics, morale, and logistics. They were concise yet went straight to the heart of the matter.

Zhang Weixian read very slowly, but his mind was in turmoil.

Having served in the Five Military Commands for decades, he was well-versed in military affairs, even though he had never actually led troops.

How can one not see the difference between these test questions and the standards for the military examination?

One is illusory, the other is real.

One is shrouded in mystery, the other goes straight to the heart of the matter.

After reading it, Zhang Weixian slowly took off his glasses and put them back in his cloth bag.

At this moment, the heat packs on his knees and waist were continuously radiating heat, soothing his old leg pain and back injury.

But his heart was tormented by a variety of thoughts, and he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Is there truly such a thing as divine gift in this world?

He thought of the nobles' anxiety, the civil officials' wait-and-see attitude, and finally, he thought of his son's eyes, burning with anticipation.

"Father, His Majesty is such a wise and virtuous ruler..."

Yes, what a wise and capable ruler.

But it was precisely because of such an enlightened ruler that he felt a deep-seated fear...

What if, just what if?
He took a deep breath, having already made up his mind.

He raised his head and looked directly into the emperor's still smiling eyes. His voice was not loud, but every word was as clear as a bell.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask... are you afraid of something?"

……

The air inside the warm pavilion seemed to freeze in that instant.

The smile on Zhu Youjian's face froze instantly.

What am I afraid of?
Of course I know what I'm afraid of!
I am terrified of Coal Hill seventeen years from now!
I fear the natural and man-made disasters that are about to sweep the world! I fear the resistance and conspiracies that will be encountered in the process of change!
but……

How come even you know I'm afraid?

—Zhang Weixian, Duke of Ying of the Ming Dynasty.

Are you loyal or treacherous?!

Zhang Weixian ignored the emperor's loss of composure and continued speaking, though his voice trembled slightly.

"His Majesty ascended the throne at noon on the 24th, and before 3 PM, he had already ordered the traitor Wei to hang himself."

"On the 26th, he presided over court and listened to government affairs. His keen insight into politics and his understanding of the people's sentiments amazed all the officials in the court."

"Afterwards, books were burned in the main hall to appease the civil officials, and favors were bestowed upon the cabinet ministers to soothe the people's hearts."

"Now, in the capital region, from the highest officials to the lowest commoners, who does not believe that a sage ruler has been born?"

Zhu Youjian listened intently, his face ashen.

He knew the real truth was about to be revealed.

Sure enough, after Zhang Weixian finished speaking, he stood up shakily.

The hand warmer on her lap slipped quietly to the ground with a "thud".

He straightened his clothes, knelt down slowly before Zhu Youjian, and performed an extremely solemn salute between ruler and subject.

"What does the Duke mean by this!" Zhu Youjian's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly stood up to help him.

But as soon as his hand touched the old man's arm, he found that the old minister, who was over sixty years old, was kneeling on the ground, as steady as a mountain, and did not move an inch.

Zhang Weixian slowly raised his head, his voice aged, yet each word clear as iron.

"I have served three emperors and was honored to be entrusted with their care. Now I am old and frail."

"There are some things that others dare not say, cannot say, or are unwilling to say, but this old minister cannot remain silent about!"

He paused, as if gathering a burst of thunderous power.

"The palace grounds, though seemingly heavily guarded, were never secrets among the officials and civil servants, as they shared information with each other."

"On the day His Majesty ascended the throne, he immediately ordered the former troops of Prince Xin's mansion to guard the inner palace, which can be said to be to prevent the rebellion of Wei."

"The officials were already whispering among themselves about the reorganization of the imperial guards' roster and the relocation of the eunuchs' families to the imperial estates."

"As of yesterday, His Majesty personally visited the training ground to select soldiers through martial arts. In an instant, the Brave Guard Battalion was established, with three thousand soldiers under his command. The Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions had no say in the matter!"

"At this point, the court appeared calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, turbulent undercurrents were already surging!"

With each word Zhang Weixian spoke, Zhu Youjian's face grew darker.

He never harbored any expectations regarding the current secrecy of the palace walls.

After all, his swift and decisive actions upon ascending the throne only temporarily suppressed the deeply entrenched problems, and were far from reversing the already froze-deep decline.

But he never expected that his every move would be seen so clearly by the entire court.

No wonder, no wonder!
From yesterday to today, not a single memorial concerning the Yongwei Battalion has been submitted.

It turns out that everyone was waiting to see what this "sage ruler" would do next!
The old man took a slight breath, but his voice became even more impassioned.

"In the eyes of the entire court, every single incident showed that the emperor distrusted his ministers!"

"However, if Your Majesty doubts your ministers, how can your ministers not fear Your Majesty?"

"If the ruler and his ministers distrust each other, what is the point of governing the country? What is the point of governing the world?"

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply once again.

“My words come from the bottom of my heart and are sincere in their sincerity.”

"However, to spy on the palace and presumptuously discuss the emperor's intentions is an unforgivable crime. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Inside the main hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Zhu Youjian slowly sat back on the soft couch, his heart feeling cold, yet a nameless fire was rising within him.

This is the real imperial court, the real politics!
But so what?
His life and fortune were his top priority after he transmigrated, and no one could shake that!
He looked at Zhang Weixian lying on the ground, his full head of white hair standing out starkly against the polished gold bricks.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian let out a long sigh, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

"Duke, rise. I forgive you for your crime."

His voice carried a deep weariness.

"You dare to speak frankly and directly to me? Am I, then, such a petty and magnanimous ruler?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Weixian slowly straightened up, but remained kneeling and did not rise.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

He raised his head, and suddenly two terrifying beams of light shot out from his cloudy old eyes.

"However, what I am saying today is not merely about the doubts between the ruler and his subjects!"

Zhu Youjian's pupils suddenly contracted.

Suddenly, Zhang Weixian's voice rose sharply, like a resounding bell, deafening and awakening!
"Your Majesty, you are the supreme ruler, the one to whom Heaven has ordained you!"

"When the emperor is angry, a million will die; when the emperor speaks, he can determine the rise and fall of dynasties!"

"The whole world belongs to the king; life and death, decision and control, are all in the king's heart!"

"Among the officials in the court, those who are capable, Your Majesty shall employ them; those who are incompetent, Your Majesty shall dismiss them!"

"If we select the virtuous and capable, rectify official corruption, there will eventually be a day when the nation can be saved!"

"Mere suspicion between ruler and subject can be melted away one day, as long as Your Majesty is fair in rewards and punishments and combines kindness with severity!"

His eyes were frighteningly bright, as if he were burning with his own life force.

"What I truly worry about today is that Your Majesty, because of this fear, will henceforth manipulate people with power and use them with coercion!"

"If Your Majesty only believes in tricks and schemes, then you are putting the cart before the horse and destroying your own Great Wall!"

"Your Majesty!" He looked at Zhu Youjian, his voice trembling with a hint of earnestness.

"Your Majesty, I know that the affairs of the state are difficult and people's hearts are unpredictable. But the world is so vast, how could Your Majesty be the only one who is racking your brains?"

"Among the civil and military officials, dukes, marquises, and nobles, there may be mediocre people or corrupt officials, but how could there not be those willing to die for Your Majesty?"

"With a wise and benevolent ruler in power, a new era has dawned, and new policies are about to be established. Loyal men throughout the land, willing to sacrifice themselves for the Ming Dynasty, are eagerly awaiting this moment, like a swarm of locusts crossing a river!"

"What they are waiting for is not His Majesty's methods, nor His Majesty's schemes, but His Majesty's trust!"

"Your Majesty, I only hope that you can uphold your principles, practice benevolent rule, treat people with sincerity, and govern the country with impartiality! Do not follow the old path of Emperor Shenzong because of temporary difficulties, and lose your temper with your ministers and the world!"

"Your Majesty, please have faith in the world, faith in the people's hearts, and faith in the Ming Dynasty's three-hundred-year tradition of nurturing scholars!"

After finishing this series of words, Zhang Weixian was panting, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.

He slammed his forehead heavily onto the cold floor tiles once more, making a dull thud.

"This old minister has said all he has to say. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

……

Sitting on the soft couch, Zhu Youjian listened to these words with his eyebrows furrowed deeply, remaining silent.

At this moment, outside the palace, the long-awaited downpour finally arrived.

A fierce wind, carrying large raindrops, suddenly poured in through the palace gates, causing the beaded curtain in front of the throne to sway wildly, jingling like a pipa with its strings out of tune.

On the steps of the imperial palace, hundreds of examinees gasped in surprise. Papers were blown into the air and ink was washed away by the rain, leaving the examination hall in a mess in an instant.

The eunuchs shouted "Collect the scrolls!" in shrill voices, and the scene became chaotic.

But all this commotion seemed to go unnoticed by Zhu Youjian.

All he could see was the lonely hand warmer on the ground.

The bright yellow of the brocade, on the cold floor tiles, resembled a lonely, still flame.

(End of this chapter)