Chapter 163
Chapter 163
[After Zhu Yuanzhang Returned to the Great Ming – 14]
Xu Youzhen lay dead in the hall, eyes unclosed. The Emperor’s ringing words seemed to echo in every official’s ears. After a stunned moment, civil and military officials knelt together and cried, “Long live Your Majesty!”
Those who had advocated moving south trembled and sweated, too frightened to raise their heads. Hu Ying, Chen Xun, Yu Qian, and the other advocates of defending the capital felt deeply encouraged.
Zhu Yuanzhang swept a cold gaze over the remaining cowards. In the Hongwu Era he would have executed them all. But this was a new reign, with the Oirats threatening the capital. He would settle with them after surviving the crisis.
“The Song fell because it elevated civil affairs over military strength, neglected defense, and suffered foolish rulers and treacherous ministers. Great Ming must heed that lesson. The Emperor Emeritus bears responsibility for poor judgment in the Tumu Crisis, but none is guiltier than Wang Zhen!”
Loyal officials who had suffered under Wang Zhen brightened.
The eminent Li Shimian had been punished merely for receiving Wang Zhen without sufficient ceremony. Countless officials were imprisoned or killed for refusing to flatter him. Three years ago, Yu Qian had been condemned to death after refusing to bribe him, escaping only because his great reputation made Wang Zhen cautious.
Worse, Wang Zhen directly caused the Tumu Crisis. He urged the Emperor Emeritus to campaign, interfered in military command despite knowing nothing, and forced Minister of War Kuang Ye and Minister of Revenue Wang Zuo to kneel on grass for a full day when they opposed him. During the retreat, he wanted the Emperor to visit his hometown for his family’s glory, then ordered a detour to protect his fields from trampling. The Oirats caught them. Duke of Cheng Zhu Yong, Wu Kezhong, and Wu Keqin successively covered the retreat and died heroically, while the Emperor Emeritus and Wang Zhen withdrew to Tumu Fortress.
What happened next needed no telling.
Minister of Personnel Wang Zhi declared angrily, “His crimes go further! After repairs to the Three Great Halls, the Emperor Emeritus feasted officials. Wang Zhen was excluded, so he compared himself to the Duke of Zhou and demanded to enter and drink because of his supposed merit!”
“He dared compare himself to the Duke of Zhou?” Zhu Yuanzhang demanded. “How did the Emperor Emeritus punish him?”
Wang Zhi: “…”
Damn.
The Emperor Emeritus had instead opened Donghua Gate, admitted Wang Zhen, made the officials bow to him, and gave him a seat.
Wang Zhi fell grimly silent.
Hu Ying impeached him next. “Wang Zhen built a faction, deceived the sovereign, and repeatedly violated law. When Hanlin lecturer Liu Qiu petitioned the Emperor to govern personally and prevent authority from shifting downward, Wang Zhen framed, imprisoned, executed, and dismembered him!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was appalled. “Such a beast! How did the Emperor Emeritus punish Wang Zhen? Did he honor Liu Qiu and aid his family?”
Hu Ying: “…”
Damn.
What could the Emperor Emeritus do? He had helplessly forgiven his beloved dead eunuch, of course.
Hu Ying remained silent.
Yu Qian raised his court tablet and declared, “Wang Zhen’s crimes extend far beyond this. He formed factions, accepted bribes, smuggled goods with the Oirats, and indulged criminal relatives. His offenses are too numerous to record!”
Zhu Yuanzhang asked again, “How did the Emperor Emeritus deal with him?”
Yu Qian: “…”
Damn.
Wang Zhi and Hu Ying had avoided saying it directly. Straightforward Yu Qian did not fear it. He said sharply, “Wang Zhen accompanied the Emperor Emeritus from childhood, and their affection was deep. Even knowing his crimes, the Emperor often protected him. Out of respect, he called him neither by name nor office, only ‘Teacher.’ Princes and princesses therefore addressed Wang Zhen as ‘Father.’ No powerful eunuch in this or any former dynasty surpassed him!”
The entire court: “…”
Damn!!!
The Empress Dowager had only one son. At most she could scold him; could she drag him out and beat him to death?
While the Grand Empress Dowager lived, Wang Zhen had not dared misbehave. Once she died, the Empress Dowager had almost no power to restrain him.
If a powerful eunuch seized government against a helpless emperor, that was one matter. But Wang Zhen was merely the Emperor’s dog. Could his lawlessness be separated from the Emperor’s responsibility?
Without Zhu Qizhen’s indulgence and protection, how could Wang Zhen have dared so much?
The officials were not fools. Zhu Yuanzhang had first blamed Song’s fall on foolish rulers and treacherous ministers, then repeatedly asked whether the Emperor Emeritus punished Wang Zhen. They understood.
Great Ming’s treacherous minister was Wang Zhen. Who else could be its foolish ruler but the Emperor Emeritus?
The implication was bold, but after the catastrophic campaign destroyed two hundred thousand elite troops, no one objected. Their silence accepted the pairing.
Only Jin Ying, the Empress Dowager’s confidant and Eunuch Director of Ceremonial, changed expression. He bowed. “Your Majesty, Wang Zhen alone was guilty. The Emperor Emeritus was deceived and could not hear the officials’ appeals.”
Before he finished, Zhu Yuanzhang’s lightning gaze struck him. “What are you? A eunuch dares stand openly in court? Guards, throw him out of the hall!”
Jin Ying froze, then flushed with humiliation. The Empress Dowager had assigned him to Zhu Qizhen. Though never especially favored, he had been treated with respect. After the Emperor’s capture, she appointed him Eunuch Director of Ceremonial, and even Grand Secretaries acted politely toward him.
Already angry at the new Emperor’s attacks on Zhu Qizhen’s reputation, he refused to endure public humiliation. “This servant was appointed Eunuch Director of Ceremonial by the Empress Dowager’s decree. Why may I not speak at court? Great Ming governs through filial piety. Even as Son of Heaven, Your Majesty cannot disrespect the Empress Dowager!”
The new Emperor had barely ascended and possessed shallow foundations. The Empress Dowager held filial duty as a sword. If she wept at the imperial tombs immediately after his accession, who knew how long his throne would last?
Zhu Yuanzhang heard the threat. Frost covered his face. He suddenly turned and shouted, “Hu Ying!”
Hu Ying shuddered and kowtowed. “This minister is here.”
“You became a presented scholar in Jianwen’s second year and have served five reigns. Tell me: which carries greater weight-Emperor Taizu’s decree or the Empress Dowager’s?”
Without hesitation, Hu Ying answered, “Emperor Taizu’s decree naturally carries greater weight!”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. No one spoke. Jin Ying’s face alternated green and white as the laughter scraped at every heart like nails on glass.
When Zhu Yuanzhang finished, he walked over and kicked Jin Ying down. Pointing at the palace gates, he sneered, “Palace servants who interfere in government shall be executed. Emperor Taizu erected an iron tablet bearing that command at the gates. Since taking the throne, I have looked everywhere without seeing it. Ministers, where is that tablet now?”
Wang Zhen had removed the first object that obstructed him. The Emperor Emeritus surely knew, but since he said nothing, the officials dared say nothing.
Jin Ying went deathly pale. Allies of the Empress Dowager and remnants of Wang Zhen’s faction fell silent.
With one hand on his sword, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. “Did the Empress Dowager obtain Emperor Taizu’s permission before appointing you Eunuch Director of Ceremonial? Where did Wang Zhen place Emperor Taizu? Where did the Emperor Emeritus place his ancestors? The Empress Dowager is not young. She received instruction from the Grand Empress Dowager and Emperor Xuanzong, yet allowed a lowly eunuch to trample Emperor Taizu’s decree!”
Jin Ying knelt and kowtowed frantically.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked past him with tragic indignation. “Emperor Taizu rose from a commoner to win the realm. How difficult was his achievement? Yet his unworthy descendants allowed a eunuch to climb over his head. How can I face him after death?
“The Emperor Emeritus dishonored his ancestor by indulging Wang Zhen, while the Empress Dowager ignored it. But they are my elder cousin and aunt. I must consider public opinion. What can I do to them? Kin conceal one another’s faults. I would never say one harsh word!”
Tears fell. “Enough! Say no more about Wang Zhen removing Emperor Taizu’s tablet, or the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager condoning contempt for our ancestor!”
The officials: “…”
Wasn’t he the only one saying it?
The emperors: “…”
Old Zhu’s move was impressive.
He wiped his eyes. “Forget everything you heard. Pretend none of it happened. They’re my family. Don’t make matters difficult for me!”
The officials: “…”
He said it again!
“Prepare horses!” Zhu Yuanzhang choked out. “I will weep before Emperor Taizu and Emperor Xuanzong in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!”
Emperor Gaozu summarized, “Walk the Empress Dowager’s road and leave her nowhere to walk.”