Huangming

Chapter 24: Zuo Fuchen gathers, Dao Fang reinstated.
Nanxunfang outside Xuanwumen

This area mainly consists of the residences of officials from the Six Ministries. Among them, near Xuanwu Gate, there is a residence with the words "Left Mansion" written on it.

This is the former residence of Zuo Guangdou, the former censor.

Zuo Guangdou was from Tongcheng, Anqing Prefecture, Southern Zhili. The layout of his residence here is mostly in the style of Jiangnan gardens.

The walls are made of "Tongcheng gray" (lime mixed with glutinous rice paste and bamboo fibers), which is waterproof and insect-proof; the floor is paved with "Qingyi River pebbles" in the shape of tortoise shells and coins, symbolizing longevity and wealth.

Inside the study in the front house, several people sat around a round table.

Zuo Guangdou, dressed in mourning clothes, was leaning against the screen and lying on the bed. Liu Yijuan and Han Kuang, Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, Yang Lian, Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of War, Zhou Jiamo, Minister of Personnel, Sun Shenxing, Vice Minister of Rites, and Gao Panlong, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, were all seated among them.

These are all key figures in the Donglin Party.

After being flogged in court, Zuo Guangdou was physically unwell, but his spirits were good.

The Qingliu faction invited Zuo Guangdou to serve as an honorary official, and Zuo Guangdou did receive the honor, but unfortunately he lost his official position. Otherwise, there would not be a trace of sorrow in his eyes right now.

"With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, our Great Ming Dynasty has undergone a change of dynasty. However, some things can be changed, while others cannot. His Majesty is young and inexperienced in many matters. If we allow him to continue to act willfully, we fear that treacherous people will take advantage of the situation. We who eat the emperor's food must be loyal to him. Our Great Ming Dynasty cannot be changed!" said Yang Lian, a censor, from the side.

Han Kuang frowned and said as if sighing, "The new emperor is full of energy, but I'm afraid some things are not as good as before."

Emperor Wanli was lazy in governing, and Emperor Taichang completely decentralized power. Previously, the cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs could decide most matters of state.

However, judging from the new emperor's performance, the previous situation is probably no longer applicable.

"Motivation? And how long can it last?"

Yang Lian didn't take it to heart.

The emperors of the Ming Dynasty were diligent in their early years, but later, realizing the difficulty of governing the country, they quickly became lazy in their governance.

There are precedents for this.

For example, Emperor Shizong, after ascending the throne, rectified officialdom, eliminated redundant institutions, suppressed the power of eunuchs, and implemented the "Single Whip Law" pilot program.

By using the "Great Rites Controversy" to strike at former officials, they established their own authority and strengthened the functions of the cabinet (such as Zhang Cong's reforms).

The results of it?
Governing a country is nothing compared to the bliss of cultivating Taoism.

He quickly became superstitious and devoted himself to alchemists, pursuing immortality. He did not attend court for more than twenty years, leaving government affairs to Yan Song.

The large-scale construction of Taoist temples (such as Yongshou Palace) depleted the national treasury, leading to a shortage of military funds during the "Jiajing Japanese Pirate Rebellion".

Yan Song and his son seized power, official corruption was rampant, border defenses were neglected, and the Mongol general Altan Khan approached Beijing (the Gengxu Incident).

In the first ten years of Emperor Shenzong's reign, with the assistance of Zhang Juzheng, he implemented the "Performance Evaluation System" and the "Single Whip System" to reorganize finances and strengthen border defenses.

He attended court every morning and reviewed memorials until late at night, and he personally proofread the Yongle Encyclopedia.

As a result, after Zhang Juzheng's death, he purged the reformists, stopped attending court for thirty years, and kept memorials in the palace without issuing them.

These are all verifiable.

Emperor Shizong was diligent in his duties for twenty years, but Emperor Shenzong only managed ten years, and even then, he was forced to do so.

How long can His Majesty remain so diligent in governing?

Under the heavy pressure of national affairs, when things were not going smoothly, and tempted by all sorts of novelties, he was immersed in the gentle embrace of the concubines and beauties in the harem.

How long can the new emperor hold out?
In Yang Lian's view, it would only take three years at most.

If more pressure is applied, they might start to stagnate within a year or two.

“I think that in three to five years, the new emperor will definitely become negligent in his duties, and we need to ensure that the Ming Dynasty does not deviate from the right track during this period!” Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamo pondered for a moment, his face not relaxed, and said, “When His Majesty was in the Prince’s residence, he was like a dragon lying in wait. Now that he has ascended the throne, I am afraid it is not so simple. To be honest, I see the shadow of Emperor Shizong in His Majesty’s actions.”

Since arriving at the Qianqing Palace, the new emperor has handled all matters with the remarkable skill of a seasoned novice, as if he had been granted innate wisdom.

Internally, he used swift and decisive measures to expel Wang An from the inner court and promoted Wei Chao, Wang Tiqian, and Li Jinzhong, thus creating a three-way balance of power.

This is the way of checks and balances in imperial rule!
My Ming emperor was truly born with the art of imperial power.

"It is too early to talk about these things now. His Majesty is young and does not understand many things. Therefore, it is normal that things cannot be done exactly as we plan. As time goes by and His Majesty understands the principles through lectures and debates, he will naturally understand our difficulties and our loyalty."

Yang Lian remained very optimistic about the situation.

"Moreover, His Majesty is an intelligent man. At the very least, he has not changed any of the policies left by the late emperor, which proves that the new emperor is still calm and composed. With us as his advisors, what worries does the Ming Dynasty have about not prospering? Treacherous people, such as Fang Congzhe and his ilk from the Chu and Zhe factions, will certainly not be able to stand between the throne and the throne!"

Yang Lian became more and more excited as she spoke, but found that everyone present was very calm.

He turned to look at Liu Yijun and asked, "Master Liu, what do you think?"

Liu Yiju opened his sleepy eyes and said, "We need time to observe His Majesty's temperament. It's better to do nothing now than to act now."

Sun Shenxing said, "If we don't act now, when will we? Fang Congzhe has been holding the position of Grand Secretary without merit, and he has almost ruined the country's affairs. He cannot escape the blame for the late emperor's death. We can put aside other matters, but overthrowing Fang is imperative!"

"But what exactly is Your Majesty's opinion of Fang Congzhe?" Zhou Jiamo asked with concern.

If the emperor does not think Fang Congzhe is doing a bad job, wouldn't this attempt to overthrow Fang be going against the emperor's wishes?
If that's the case, wouldn't it be pushing His Majesty towards Fang Congzhe and his group?

Yang Lian's expression also darkened, and he said, "We'll find out after testing them a bit."

Fang Congzhe has held the position of Grand Secretary for a long time, and it is imperative to overthrow him.

But the new emperor's attitude is indeed very important.

of course
If the new emperor favors Fang Congzhe, they won't refuse to overthrow him, but they will find a different way to do so.

In short.

What they had to do was to force things to be done even if the emperor forbade it.

Your Majesty may be the emperor, but what does it matter if you are an emperor?

"And one more thing."

After a long silence, Zuo Guangdou finally spoke.

"I was indeed impolite in the Wenhua Hall that day, but His Majesty wants to dismiss me from my post."

Yang Lian immediately stepped forward and said, "Yizhi need not say more. The order to suspend him has not yet been approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial. I am the Supervising Secretary of the Six Ministries, and I have the authority to reverse an unreasonable order. Yizhi was indeed impolite that day and displeased His Majesty, but it was out of public interest. Now that His Majesty has ascended the throne, he will certainly not dwell on this matter."

"Moreover, Yizhi was a trusted minister of the late emperor, almost entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the emperor's dying wish. Does Your Majesty intend to disobey the late emperor's edict?"

After saying that, Yang Lian turned to look at Liu Yijing and asked, "What does Lord Liu think?"

Liu Yiju slowly stood up and said, "This move will surely displease the new emperor. I think we should test His Majesty's attitude towards Fang Congzhe before making any further considerations."

Zuo Guangdou was somewhat disappointed, but remained silent.

Yang Lian frowned; he felt that Liu Yizhu was being a bit too conservative.

Why is Lord Liu so hesitant and indecisive?

Yang Lian disagreed, saying, "We are in the right, so what can't we do? If Lord Liu is afraid and it's something that might offend people, then I, Yang Wenru, will take care of it."

(End of this chapter)