Chapter 164
Chapter 164
[After Zhu Yuanzhang Returned to the Great Ming – 15]
How could the officials let the Emperor weep at the Imperial Ancestral Temple during such a crisis? If he went, the reputations of the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager would be destroyed.
Emperor Taizu had forbidden palace servants from interfering in government on pain of death. Yet Wang Zhen removed that iron tablet before both sovereign and Empress Dowager, and neither objected. Even a wealthy common household would never let a steward tear down an ancestral tablet before its master and mistress.
In any court of judgment, the Zhu emperor was right and Wang Zhen, a Zhu servant, was wrong.
The officials paled. Elderly Minister of Rites Hu Ying threw himself around Zhu Yuanzhang’s legs. “Your Majesty, reconsider! The greater situation comes first. I understand your grief, but the Oirats are watching us now…”
He understood the performance. Weeping to Emperor Taizu would seek ancestral authority to punish the Emperor Emeritus. Weeping to Emperor Xuanzong would humiliate his widow and force her from politics. If a newly adopted emperor from a junior line could not confront an elder, then let her dead husband do it.
It was ruthless, but mother and son had left countless handles to seize.
Wang Zhi, Yu Qian, and the others knelt, blocking the exit. Zhu Yuanzhang never truly intended to visit the temple. Seeing Hu Ying send for the Empress Dowager, he gladly continued the standoff.
The Empress Dowager had closely followed the first court session, especially policy toward the Oirats who held her only son. Anger turned to grievance. If her son remained, how could a mere former prince treat her so rudely?
When her matron timidly asked whether they should go, she slapped the table. “Why? To watch Zhu Qikun swagger after gaining power?”
Everyone knelt. After weeping for a time, however, she wiped her tears. “Prepare the palanquin. I will go.”
Refusing had been angry talk. If Zhu Qikun truly wept at the ancestral temple, what could she do? Without her son as support, what sort of Empress Dowager was she?
Wang Zhen’s deeds could not be denied, and her son had made disastrous decisions. She had cultivated this bitter fruit and must taste it.
At court, she admitted fault and tearfully lamented failing to educate the Emperor Emeritus, disappointing Emperor Xuanzong, and allowing villains to deceive her son until he fell into enemy hands.
Old ministers who had taught Zhu Qizhen also confessed their failures. Others pitied a widow whose middle-aged son was now captive.
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered inwardly and cried even louder. “I left the capital as a child and remember only Grandmother’s fairness and kindness. I admired her more with every report from Luoyang!
“She first served as consort to the Prince of Yan’s heir, then Crown Princess when Emperor Renzong became Crown Prince. She served Emperor Taizong and his wife with perfect devotion. When the Empress Dowager entered the palace, she received Grandmother’s instruction and served her for years. Surely she understands Grandmother’s virtuous conduct best!”
The hall fell silent. The Empress Dowager suppressed blazing anger and forced out, “Yes.”
Zhu Yuanzhang spoke loudly. “At Emperor Xuanzong’s accession, major affairs were submitted to Grandmother, yet she never coveted power. She kept even her honest brothers from government and restrained her maiden family!”
The Empress Dowager: “…”
“After Emperor Xuanzong died, rumors claimed Grandmother would summon my father as emperor. Before the entire court, she confirmed the Emperor Emeritus’s succession and stabilized the realm!”
“When the Emperor Emeritus first ascended, Grandmother guided government but never monopolized authority or ruled from behind a curtain. She taught the Emperor, urged good policy, trusted capable regents, and never appointed officials from selfish motives!”
The Empress Dowager: “…”
Damn Zhu Qikun. He had harvested every bamboo shoot on the mountain, leaving her nothing to say!
Zhu Yuanzhang watched her with earnest expectation until she surrendered. “I am far inferior to the late Grand Empress Dowager. The Emperor Emeritus became this way because I failed to teach my son. I also failed to recognize Wang Zhen’s crimes.”
She had endured only one great setback before: entering the palace expecting to become wife to the imperial grandson, only for Empress Hu to arrive. Later Emperor Xuanzong favored her, deposed childless Empress Hu, and installed her instead.
After his death, her son became emperor. The Grand Empress Dowager rarely embarrassed her. She finally outlived the older woman and became Great Ming’s highest authority-only for her son to be captured and a junior relative to force her into submission.
Her tears became genuine. “My indulgence allowed matters to decay. The Emperor is grown and ambitious. I should no longer interfere in court and will remain in the palace to worship and pray.”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face eased. “The Empress Dowager understands righteousness and resembles the late Grand Empress Dowager. Since she sincerely worships Buddha, invite eminent monks to lecture and distribute disaster relief and porridge. That will create supreme merit.”
She smiled bitterly. “The Emperor is thoughtful.”
The officials praised his benevolence and filial piety.
As she left, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at kneeling Jin Ying. “Blind dog, escort the Empress Dowager properly.”
Jin Ying forced a smile and followed. A sudden cough from the Emperor stopped him. Understanding, he removed his official hat and respectfully placed it on the floor. The Empress Dowager did not look back.
Her hand reaching into court had been severed. Confined to the palace, she would cause little trouble.
Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the throne. Jin Ying’s abandoned hat lay starkly on the floor.
Led by Yu Qian, officials impeached Wang Zhen’s allies: Wang You, Ma Shun, Guo Jing, Chen Guan, Tang Tong, and Wang Zhen’s nephews Wang Shan and Wang Lin.
Chen Xun condemned Vice Minister of Works Wang You. “When Wang Zhen asked why he grew no beard, Wang You answered, ‘Father has no beard. How dare a son grow one?’ I have never heard of such shamelessness!”
Zhu Yuanzhang calmly decreed, “Exterminate Wang Zhen’s nine clans. Execute the entire households of his chief allies, Wang Shan, and Wang Lin. Flay and stuff the faction’s leaders as a warning.”
The court rejoiced. Hu Ying, Chen Xun, and Yu Qian saw hope for Great Ming, while Wang Zhen’s faction fell pale and begged.
Officials knelt and cried, “Long live Your Majesty!”
Zhu Yuanzhang issued orders methodically. “With internal traitors removed, we may face the enemy. Ministers Wang Zhi and Hu Ying are veteran officials who can manage civil affairs. Younger talents such as Wang Hong, Peng Shi, and Shang Lu may participate. Guide them well.”
The ministers accepted, and the younger officials thanked him excitedly.
“The Minister of War died on campaign. Vice Minister Yu Qian has managed the Ministry admirably. Promote him to Minister of War immediately. He will plan the defense with Shi Heng, Wu Jin, Geng Jiuchou, Yue Zheng, and the others.”
They accepted solemnly.
Zhu Yuanzhang surveyed the hall. “I have summoned garrisons from both capitals, Henan training forces, coastal anti-piracy troops from Shandong and Nanjing, and grain transport troops from Jiangbei and the northern prefectures. They will arrive soon. Great Ming merely lost one battle. I remain, the capital remains, and all of you remain. No hardship can defeat sovereign and ministers united!”
The court answered as one.
“Yu Qian, accompany me to inspect the Nine Gates and review the capital troops.”
After changing clothes, Zhu Yuanzhang climbed the walls with Yu Qian and the young commanders. “I hear you have worked through many nights since Tumu, planning state affairs?”
“As a minister, devotion to the state is merely my duty. I claim no merit.”
Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply moved. “So many slippery men only desire holidays. Look at Minister Yu! Aren’t they ashamed?”
Emperor Gaozu, Liu Che, and Li Shimin all turned toward the other workaholic, Ying Zheng.
“Don’t look at me. I work hard, but I am not stingy. I pay and grant titles.”
The three looked away.
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…”
He asked Yu Qian, “When others advised you to bribe Wang Zhen, did you truly say you had nothing but clean sleeves?”
Yu Qian replied, “How could one serving country and people speak of wealth? A loyal and benevolent heart is enough.”
Zhu Yuanzhang told the emperors, “You money-minded fellows, behold his integrity!” Then he said, “Emperor Taizu often lamented that the world held many rats and few good ministers. How fortunate if he had met you.”
Yu Qian protested that he was unworthy.
Zhu Yuanzhang draped his cloak over Yu Qian’s shoulders. “A loyal minister like you is a blessing to Great Ming and the realm. You deserve it.”
Liu Che dropped his melon seeds. “Old Zhu demands ministers work without complaint, overtime without pay, all year, and without worldly desire. Who expected…”
Li Shimin finished, “…that Yu Qian would perfectly match every requirement?”
Emperor Gaozu sighed. “He eats grass, produces milk, and serves Great Ming his entire life.”
“Nonsense! Zhu Qizhen wronged him before. With Old Zhu here, how could I? Money can be earned again. But once conscience is lost…”
Ying Zheng supplied, “You earn even more.”