Huangming

Chapter 25 Imperial Reign and Literary Splendor, Wind and Rain Arise

September 7th of the first year of the Taichang reign.

The first moment of Yin hour.

It was still dark outside the window, and the palace lanterns were still needed to illuminate the inner chambers of Cining Palace.

Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Ming Dynasty had already woken up thanks to the wake-up call from the eunuch on duty.

no way.

Yesterday's coronation ceremony really wore Zhu Youxiao out, so much so that he went to bed early after dinner.

The extent of his body's weakness was far beyond his expectations.

Zhu Youxiao felt that if he did not get some training afterward, he might collapse before he even began to outwit and outmaneuver those officials, and before he could solve the problems of the Ming Dynasty.

The body is the capital of revolution.

What's the point of being an emperor if you ruin your health?

Attended by palace servants, Zhu Youxiao donned the court robes of the Ming emperor for the first time.

He wore a black gauze hat with wings, a bright yellow robe with dragon patterns, and a jade belt around his waist. The majesty of the Ming emperor was revealed unintentionally.

After a quick breakfast, Wei Chao, with a smile on his face, handed the emperor the intelligence that the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot had gathered the day before.

"Your Majesty, this is yesterday's intelligence report."

Zhu Youxiao opened the report, which contained several items.

But what caught Zhu Youxiao's attention the most was the gathering of Liu Yizhu, Han Kuang, Yang Lian, and a group of officials at Zuo Guangdou's residence to offer their condolences.

"They stayed inside for an hour. What they discussed, neither the Eastern Depot nor the Embroidered Uniform Guard knows?"

Seeing the emperor's great dissatisfaction, Wei Chao immediately said, "The people employed in Zuo Guangdou's household are all private individuals, and there are no members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Luo Sigong has done a poor job, so I will go down and punish him severely."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "The punishment is waived. From now on, Luo Sigong will personally report any intelligence."

Wei Chao's expression remained blank for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.

"The slaves obey."

Looking at Wei Chao's state, Zhu Youxiao said, "During the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was able to monitor the entire country, but now it has fallen into such a state. It pains me to see this. If anyone can restore order to the country, I will certainly give them an important position."

Upon hearing this, Wei Chao's eyes lit up, while behind him, Li Jinzhong, though looking meek and obedient, suddenly clenched his fists, which were hidden in his sleeves.

Your Majesty has a preference.

His chance to advance seems to have arrived!
Outside Cining Palace, the darkness gradually faded, and the sky began to lighten with the first light of dawn.

It was already the seventh quarter of the Yin hour.

It's time for the regular court session.

The daily court session in the Ming Dynasty began at 5:00 AM (卯时).

As the time drew near, Zhu Youxiao mounted his imperial carriage and addressed Wei Chao and Li Jinzhong, who were attending him:

"Head to the Hall of Literary Glory!"

The court assemblies of the Ming Dynasty were divided into five types: Grand Court Assembly, Regular Court Assembly, Noon Court Assembly, Imperial Lecture Court Assembly, and Temporary Court Assembly.

The most important daily court sessions, during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, were held every day.

However, the later Ming emperors were not as energetic as Zhu Yuanzhang, nor as diligent in their duties as the Taizu Emperor.

As a result, the number of regular court sessions was gradually reduced. After the Chenghua era, they were changed to be held on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th of each month. During the Jiajing era, they were further reduced to the first and 15th of each month.

After all, only a workaholic like Zhu Yuanzhang could endure having to attend court at five o'clock every morning.

Today is the seventh day of the month, not the usual time for court sessions. However, since the new emperor ascended the throne yesterday, at Zhu Youxiao's request, an exception was made to hold court sessions. Court sessions are usually held at Fengtian Gate, and are called "the emperor listening to government affairs at the gate."

However, since it was during the period of national mourning, the regular court sessions were moved to the Wenhua Hall.

now.

In the center of the Wenhua Hall stands a throne lacquered with carved dragons, with a screen in front of it bearing the inscription "Learning that encompasses heaven and man".

Twelve burly generals of the Embroidered Uniform Guard stood at the palace gate, each holding a golden mace. Officials from the Hanlin Academy set up a table in the northeast corner of the palace to record the emperor's edicts and major decisions.

dong dong dong~
The morning bell tolls.

Officials entered the palace through the Donghua Gate, passed through the Zuoshun Gate, and waited for imperial orders at the square in front of the Wenhua Hall.

Outside the palace gate, eunuchs checked the identification tokens one by one, prohibiting the carrying of weapons and private manuscripts.

After the officials took their places, the musicians began to play "The Song of the Flying Dragon," led by Wei Chao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Zhu Youxiao, dressed in ordinary clothes, took his seat, and the music stopped.

After the officials had lined up and taken their positions, an official from the Court of State Ceremonial led them below the hall, saying, "Bow!"

Fang Congzhe, Liu Yizhu, and other officials performed a bow and three kowtows, and then shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

The sounds lingered in the hall, creating a sense of ceremony.

"I bow again!" the official from the Court of State Ceremonial said again.

After the officials performed four more bows, Zhu Youxiao spoke up, saying, "All of you may dispense with the formalities."

The officials then took their places in turn.

Zhu Youxiao looked around at the assembled officials and said, "Today, during the court session, I heard a report."

Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe immediately stepped forward, knelt down and reported: "Your subject Fang Congzhe respectfully reports: I humbly acknowledge that the late Emperor has passed away, and the matter of his mausoleum is of great importance. The Ministry of Rites has prepared the ceremonial procedures and reported them to me. The coffin is currently placed in the Qianqing Palace, and the departure date is set for the 22nd of the ninth month. I humbly request that the Emperor decree the posthumous title and temple system, and order the Ministry of Works to quickly prepare the gold coffin and funerary objects, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to assist in the sacrificial ceremony."

The first thing Fang Congzhe reported was about the late emperor's funeral.

Moreover, the proposal presented by Fang Congzhe was already a cost-effective version. Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and said, "As proposed."

Fang Congzhe showed no surprise and continued, "The Ministry of Revenue reports that the Liaodong military pay shortfall is 4.7 million taels of silver, and the garrisons of Ji and Xuan are six months behind on their pay, nearly causing a mutiny among the soldiers. Furthermore, the capital region and Shandong are suffering from locust plagues and droughts, and the Yellow River has breached its banks. They request that 500,000 taels of silver from the Imperial Granary be allocated for relief. However, the Imperial Granary currently has less than 1 million taels of silver in reserve, and if it is all distributed, the nine border regions will be without provisions. We propose to temporarily transfer 300,000 taels of silver from the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue's reserves to Liaodong, and also to divert 200,000 shi of grain from the grain transport to sell at a fair price in the disaster-stricken areas. Is this acceptable? We await Your Majesty's decision."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao frowned and said, "Let's discuss it again!"

The Liaodong military pay was a bottomless pit; misappropriating this and that was nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst.

Fang Congzhe frowned, opened his mouth, but didn't say a word. He got up and went back to class.

After the head of the troupe began his report, the next step was for the departments and courts to present their cases.

Minister of Revenue Li Ruhua immediately stepped forward, holding his official tablet, to present his report.

"Your humble servant, Li Ruhua, Minister of Revenue, respectfully reports:"
"Your Majesty, having inherited the throne, works tirelessly day and night, while I have failed in my duties, resulting in a depletion of national funds. My crime deserves ten thousand deaths. Currently, the annual revenue of the imperial granary is 4.7 million taels, while expenditures exceed 6 million taels. The funds for imperial tombs, disaster relief, and Liaodong military supplies have already amounted to 5.6 million taels. The treasury is nearly empty, and even digging will exhaust our resources."

When Li Ruhua stepped forward, Fang Congzhe raised an eyebrow, while Liu Yiju, Han Kuang, and others frowned, seemingly anticipating what Li Ruhua was about to present.

The Minister of Revenue continued, "Regarding the imperial tombs, the Ministry of Works initially estimated 800,000 taels of silver. However, with the soaring price of stone and increased expenses for craftsmen and laborers, the actual amount needed is 1.2 million taels. As for disaster relief, Shandong and Henan are devastated by both drought and plague. The original allocation of 500,000 taels is a drop in the ocean; I request an additional 300,000 taels. The annual military allowance for Liaodong is 4.2 million taels, but the garrisons of Ji and Liaodong are urgently demanding payment, and it has been more than half a year in arrears. Soldiers are selling their armor and weapons to survive, which may lead to unforeseen events."

Your Majesty and I have been strategizing all night, but to no avail. We only request a temporary increase of three li per mu in the Liaodong tax, which would amount to an additional 1.5 million taels annually; and an additional five hao per mu for the mausoleum construction tax, totaling approximately 200,000 taels annually. These additional taxes will be abolished once the mausoleum is completed and the Liaodong region is pacified. Although I know this measure may go against the people's wishes, the safety of the ancestral temple and the state is of paramount importance, and I humbly beseech Your Majesty to make a decision!
Your subject trembles and awaits punishment, and respectfully submits this report.

Before Li Ruhua could even speak as he stepped forward to report on the matter, the court erupted in uproar.

So brave!

Li Ruhua, how dare you advocate for additional taxes on Liaodong in front of the new emperor?

Are you trying to ruin my Great Ming Dynasty?
I will never tolerate such acts that harm the country!

Censor Yang Lian, holding his official tablet, stepped forward, glared at Li Ruhua, and said sternly, "I have a memorial to present!"

(End of this chapter)