Chapter 170
Chapter 170
[After Zhu Yuanzhang Returned to the Great Ming – 21]
Yu Qian, Hu Ying, and Wang Zhi exchanged looks, their expressions distinctly strange.
Zhu Yuanzhang pretended not to see and continued, “As Son of Heaven of the Great Ming, We wished to emulate Emperor Taizong and defend the nation from its frontier. Was that wrong? The Oirats did not know what was good for them, so We dealt with them in passing. Was that wrong?”
“Ah.” He sighed and indulged in some brazenly humble boasting. “Who could have expected Us to go a little too far by accident and swallow Esen’s entire main force in one bite?”
Yu Qian said nothing.
Neither did Hu Ying.
Nor Wang Zhi.
The corner of Yu Qian’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. After choking on his words for some time, he finally said, “Your Majesty’s wisdom and martial greatness are gifts from Heaven. We stand in awe!”
Wang Zhi asked with concern, “Swords and arrows show no mercy on the battlefield. Was Your Majesty injured? Shall we summon an Imperial Physician to examine you?”
Zhu Yuanzhang waved a broad hand and said proudly, “Why summon a physician? The Oirats are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs. How could they harm Us in the slightest?”
Hu Ying glanced at the emperor’s smug face, then lowered his head in disagreement.
His Majesty did not look entirely well. At the very least, an Imperial Physician ought to give him something to bring down that raging fever of vanity!
…
This battle had annihilated several hundred thousand of the Oirats’ main force and taken countless prisoners. The Oirats would be unable to menace the Central Plains for at least thirty years. It was truly one of the greatest victories in recent decades. That very night, a banquet was held in the palace. Every court official attended as merits were praised, failures punished, and rewards bestowed.
The Empress Dowager-protected in name, imprisoned in truth-also appeared at the palace banquet. Resentment filled her face, unable to conceal her grief and anger. Empress Emerita Qian sat to one side, frail and hollow-eyed. She was as thin as paper, as though the slightest wind would topple her.
Compared with the Empress Dowager, who had spent the first half of her life getting whatever she desired, Empress Emerita Qian was a truly pitiful woman.
She came from no distinguished family, and her father was already dead. The Qian family had two sons, both of whom accompanied the Emperor Emeritus on his personal campaign and perished at Tumu Fortress. Neither returned. In the Tumu Crisis, Empress Qian lost not only her husband, but both her brothers as well.
When the Oirats sent men to Beijing demanding wealth, Empress Qian gave them everything she possessed. She prayed before the Buddha day and night until her knees were injured and she had nearly cried herself blind…
That was only the first half of her tragic life. Worse still lay ahead.
Empress Qian had no children. In the original timeline, after Emperor Yingzong regained the throne, Noble Consort Zhou became exceedingly arrogant because she had borne his eldest son, Zhu Jianshen. She argued that the childless, disabled, and sickly Empress should be deposed according to the precedent set by Emperor Xuanzong. Fortunately, Zhu Qizhen retained a tiny shred of conscience. He still restored Lady Qian as Empress. After forcing his younger brother’s beloved consorts to follow him in death, he finally issued an edict abolishing the practice of burying living consorts with the deceased…
But sometimes, living was no better than death.
Noble Consort Zhou had already dared stir up trouble while Zhu Qizhen was alive. Once he died and her own son became emperor, how could she not grow even more insufferable?
First, she claimed the disabled Empress Qian was unworthy to become Empress Dowager. The ministers firmly rejected her. Then she claimed that, as the emperor’s birth mother, she should be the more exalted of the two dowagers even if both held the title. The ministers rejected her again.
Empress Qian had occupied the proper seat in the central palace. Before his death, the former emperor repeatedly told his successor, “The Empress is your lawful mother. You must honor her and allow her to live out her years in comfort.” He even specifically instructed the regent Li Xian that the Empress was to be buried with him after her death. With so many advantages stacked together, how could Noble Consort Zhou still fail to recognize reality?
If she could ask a pop diva for courage, why had she not asked another for a pair of discerning eyes while she was at it?!
Noble Consort Zhou made Empress Qian’s life miserable, and would not even leave her in peace after death. She adamantly refused to allow Empress Qian to be buried with Emperor Yingzong. Driven into a corner, the ministers proposed that both dowagers share his tomb, but Noble Consort Zhou still refused. Only after the ministers knelt outside Wenhua Gate and wept for several days did she reluctantly give her consent.
Did that mean it was over?
Noble Consort Zhou agreed in public, but privately mastered the art of saying one thing and doing another. She ordered the eunuch responsible for the burial passage to dig Empress Qian’s corridor off course and block its connection to Zhu Qizhen’s burial chamber. She even forbade Empress Qian’s spirit tablet and portrait from being placed in Fengxian Hall, where those of past emperors and empresses were enshrined.
It was intolerable!
I said I wanted to be buried with my Empress. Why the hell did you shove yourself in here?!
His old wife had borne no children and had exhausted herself into sickness and disability for his sake. Before dying, he had repeatedly ordered his son to honor his lawful mother and have her buried beside him when she passed. Yet the moment he died, another woman climbed over his old wife’s head and tormented her in every possible way. The succeeding emperor grew estranged from her too, showering favor only on his birth mother’s clan while ignoring the family of his lawful mother. Even in death, his old wife was denied burial beside him, and another woman was stuffed into the tomb instead…
If I wanted to see you, I would have made you Empress while I was alive! You forced yourself into my tomb and left Old Ma all alone. Did you spare a single thought for my feelings?!
He was so furious that only flaying someone could calm him down!
Emperor Gaozu and Li Shimin imagined themselves in his place and grew furious in sympathy.
Li Shimin said, “This is exactly why, after I deposed Chengqian, I refused to appoint Qingque and chose Zhinu instead! They were full brothers, both children born to Guanyinbi and me!”
Liu Che curled his lip in disdain. “I do not understand how any of you think. An emperor is destined to stand alone. Why trouble yourselves over petty affairs of the inner palace? Am I right, Shi Huang?”
Ying Zheng gave a quiet hum of agreement, unusually siding with Liu Che.
Li Shimin stepped over and patted Ying Zheng’s shoulder. “Brother, the anger we feel comes from two things. First, someone we cherished was bullied after our death. Second, once a man is gone, his tea cools-even after repeated orders, our sons and ministers stop taking our words seriously the moment we die. You cannot reduce this to a mere harem dispute.”
His tone turned airy. “In terms you understand, it would be like ordering Fusu to succeed you on your deathbed, only for Zhao Gao and Li Si to have ideas of their own and deliberately ignore you!”
Ying Zheng fell silent.
A knife plunged straight into his heart!
“Exactly,” Emperor Gaozu said as he strolled closer. “Not only did they disobey, they forged an edict and forced Fusu, the heir in whom you placed all your hopes, to take his own life. Shi Huang, does that make you angry?”
Ying Zheng said nothing.
Another knife!
He was getting angry now!
He wanted to send every member of Li Si’s and Zhao Gao’s clans to build the Great Wall!
Ying Zheng drew a deep breath and silently closed his eyes.
Emperor Gaozu turned to Liu Che. “To put it in terms you understand, Zhi’er, imagine that shortly before your death you ordered Lady Gouyi to die, but your subordinates outwardly obeyed while secretly sparing her because they feared killing the mother of the future ruler. Then, with a young son and a vigorous mother, Lady Gouyi became arrogant, autocratic, wanton, and unrestrained, with no one able to stop her!”
Liu Che fell silent.
A knife plunged straight into his heart!
Li Shimin continued with a smile, “Or imagine that Huo Guang, the regent you carefully selected while alive, later followed Yi Yin’s example?”
Another knife!
Now he was angry!
He wanted to slaughter the families of those bastards!
Liu Che said nothing.
He drew a deep breath and silently closed his eyes.
Thoroughly satisfied, Li Shimin and Emperor Gaozu slapped palms. “Perfect!”
Zhu Yuanzhang could not help laughing. Then he looked at Empress Qian sitting so desolate and grief-stricken at the banquet and felt a measure of pity for her.
As Empress, Lady Qian had conducted herself humbly and possessed a gentle nature. Her natal family had also been kept under excellent discipline. So long as she caused no trouble, supporting her comfortably for the rest of her life would be no problem. Allowing her to be buried with Zhu Qizhen afterward would be even less of one.
As for abolishing the custom of burying living consorts with the dead, that was a good thing too.
The thought passed in an instant. Zhu Yuanzhang withdrew his gaze and raised his cup toward the assembled ministers. The civil and military officials below stopped talking and turned toward him as one.
Yu Qian had not expected the emperor to call him first. Flattered and surprised, he rose. “This minister is present.”
Zhu Yuanzhang treasured both his talent and character and pitied what he had suffered in his previous life. Overcome with emotion, he raised his cup. “In the defense of Beijing and the preservation of Our realm, Minister Yu’s merit stands first. We appoint you Junior Guardian, grant you the hereditary rank of Duke, and bestow upon you the title Wei!”
The entire hall froze.
Everyone knew Yu Qian had rendered outstanding service in the defense of Beijing. Everyone knew the emperor admired him and that his achievements deserved reward. But no one had imagined the reward would be so lavish.
The emperor had granted him a dukedom-and made it hereditary!
Only twice in the history of the dynasty had dukedoms been bestowed. The first was when Emperor Taizu unified the realm and rewarded his founding ministers. The second was after Emperor Taizong’s victory, when he rewarded those who had served him in the Jingnan Campaign. Noble titles were exceedingly rare. To receive even a countship or marquisate was a blessing from Heaven. Who would dare dream of becoming a duke?!
Envy filled the hall. The fine wine everyone had just swallowed seemed to ferment in their stomachs and turn a little sour.
Yu Qian was equally stunned. Recovering, he hurriedly knelt and declined with complete sincerity. “The Oirats reached Beijing and forced the dynasty to defend the very outskirts of its capital. This is a humiliation for every scholar-official. How could this minister dare claim merit?”
That was Yu Qian-far too diligent, far too loyal and upright.
Such words pleased the emperor, but how were his colleagues supposed to feel hearing them?
Then again, only a minister like this deserved Old Zhu’s special favor and lavish rewards.
In the previous life, victory in the defense of Beijing had preserved both the Great Ming’s dignity and its northern realm. Was a noble title excessive for such an achievement?
Not in the slightest!
Emperor Jingtai had occupied the throne then. Though he had not granted Yu Qian a title, he had shown him favor in every other way. But what happened afterward?
That bastard Zhu Qizhen regained the throne and immediately killed Yu Qian. Shi Heng, who helped engineer the seizure of the palace gates, received the title Duke of Zhong, while the eunuch Cao Jixiang became Eunuch Director of Ceremonial. Where the hell was the justice in that?!
“The peril to the capital arose entirely from the Emperor Emeritus’s incompetence. What had it to do with any of Our worthy ministers?”
Wine cup in hand, Zhu Yuanzhang descended the jade steps and personally helped Yu Qian up. “We have already drafted the edict. The Duke of Wei need not decline!”
He raised his cup in salute. “Drink!”
Yu Qian stood dazed, a flash of tears in his eyes. He raised his own cup and declared in a ringing voice, “It is this minister’s greatest fortune to serve the Great Ming! I will serve Your Majesty like a dog or horse and gladly spill my brains upon the ground!”
Hu Ying smiled faintly beside them. Zhu Yuanzhang drained his cup, then immediately turned toward him. “Minister Hu.”
Hu Ying was about to rise when Zhu Yuanzhang pressed a hand to his shoulder. The emperor then turned to the other side. “Minister Wang.”
Wang Zhi made to rise as well, but Zhu Yuanzhang gestured for him to remain seated.
His expression grew solemn. “The Great Ming owes today’s victory first to the Duke of Wei and second to the two ministers. We have always said that wrongdoing must be punished, so naturally merit must be rewarded. We have already drafted the edicts: Minister Hu shall be Marquis of Yongjia, and Minister Wang shall be Marquis of Pingning. The decrees will be formally issued tomorrow. And because We have newly ascended the throne and expelled the Oirats, We shall also proclaim a general amnesty so the entire realm may celebrate with Us!”
This unexpected delight filled Hu Ying and Wang Zhi with genuine joy.
They were not Yu Qian, burning with enough passion for the country and people to eat grass, give milk, and generate power around the clock without rest. They were honorable men of considerable ability, but they still had to plan for their descendants.
A noble title was a lasting meal ticket. Their descendants would no longer have to be driven through generations of study and imperial examinations while trembling at the prospect of slipping down the social ladder and seeing the family collapse. Their gratitude deepened. Together with all the officials, they knelt and cried, “Long live Your Majesty!”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed with delight. Music and dancing began, lifting the banquet to its climax.
Elegant melodies mingled with the clink of cups, laughter, and the fragrance of wine, leaving the officials pleasantly intoxicated-and bringing tears to the Empress Dowager’s eyes.
Zhu Qikun had dared stage his prayer at the Imperial Ancestral Temple as soon as he ascended the throne. Even before defeating the Oirats, he had dared imprison the Empress Dowager. Now he controlled the court and bestowed favors high and low. He no longer showed the slightest restraint regarding the Emperor Emeritus, calling him incompetent in one breath and guilty in the next!
Resentment churned in the Empress Dowager’s heart and tears wet her eyes. Afraid others would see and gossip, she hurriedly dabbed them away with a handkerchief. But when she looked around, the civil and military officials were reveling at their tables. Not one spared her even half a glance.
The pain of separation from her son mingled with the desolation of being ignored, deepening the resentment in her heart. She glanced at her daughter-in-law sitting beside her like a wooden puppet and, for an instant, seemed to see Empress Hu from years ago. Her displeasure intensified. She shot to her feet and swept away in fury.
Empress Qian started in fright. After several dazed moments, she peered through her blurred vision toward the imperial seat, too uneasy to know what to do.
Zhu Yuanzhang was speaking with the generals. Smiling, he asked the young officer, “What kind of woman do you like? We will find one for you!”
The young officer had thought he was merely completing a side mission by helping General Zhu retake Juyong Pass. Never had he imagined stumbling upon an epic quest to befriend the Son of Heaven. After learning the emperor’s identity, he felt as though he had won the grand prize.
Now that the emperor had asked, he naturally would not give a list of detailed preferences. He answered respectfully, “Your Majesty’s judgment must be excellent. Whatever kind of woman you choose, this minister will gladly accept!”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, taking a great liking to the young man.
He was driven, courageous, and knew how to speak. He was worth cultivating!
After they joked for a little longer, a eunuch quietly approached. “The Empress Dowager has left the banquet. The Empress Emerita is still sitting there.”
A faint shadow crossed Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, but his tone remained warm. “The Empress Dowager is tired. Let her go. The Empress Emerita is in poor health; do not make her endure the banquet any longer. Escort her back and take good care of her.”
The eunuch departed to carry out the order.
The Empress Dowager’s departure had eventually drawn the ministers’ attention. At a moment like this, however, no one would spoil the occasion by leaping up to lecture about filial piety and ritual. Instead, it reminded them of another important matter.
After the palace banquet ended, Hu Ying and Wang Zhi left together. Hu Ying said, “When we traveled to Luoyang to welcome His Majesty to Beijing and inherit the throne, he had already selected his Princess Consort. The crisis in Beijing forced us to set the matter aside. Now that the Oirats have retreated and peace has returned beneath Heaven, it is time to arrange His Majesty’s grand wedding!”
Wang Zhi had never gone to Luoyang. His expression grew solemn. “Selecting a princess consort is one thing. This time we are choosing an Empress. There can be no mistake…”
Hu Ying’s confidence in the emperor bordered on blind faith, and that confidence extended naturally to the Princess Consort of Lu. “She is virtuous, gentle, and gracious, with all the bearing of a mother to the realm!”
Grand Secretary Chen Xun happened to pass by. Hearing this, he stared at Hu Ying in bafflement. “Have you even met her? You are already praising her to the heavens!”
Hu Ying replied with perfect conviction, “Does meeting her matter? His Majesty is so wise, mighty, and brilliantly capable. How could the wife he chose possibly be wrong?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard repeated their entire conversation to Zhu Yuanzhang. The corners of his mouth rose and never came down again.
The emperors in the space smiled along with him.
Emperor Gaozu recited, “Sweet rain after a long drought; an old friend in a foreign land; the bridal chamber on one’s wedding night; success in the imperial examination.”
Li Shimin said, “Sweet rain after a long drought-just like the Great Ming encountering Old Zhu again!”
Ying Zheng said, “Old Zhu meeting Yu Qian could indeed count as finding an old friend in a foreign land.”
Liu Che added, “Old Zhu reuniting with his old wife counts as the bridal chamber. As for success in the imperial examination…”
Zhu Yuanzhang finished with high spirits, “We crushed the Oirats, all commands beneath Heaven now issue from Our hand, and Our name resounds across the realm. Is that not a thousand times better than placing first in the examination?!”
His smile widened. He asked the Embroidered Uniform Guard, “What else did they say?”
“Nothing but praise for Your Majesty’s magnificent virtue…”
Then he had to hear it!
Zhu Yuanzhang coughed lightly. “Tell Us.”
The guard said, “They said Your Majesty possesses extraordinary martial prowess and judges affairs of state with wisdom. You have all the virtues of Emperor Taizong of Tang, but none of his faults…”
Li Shimin stared. “What?!”
He began to question reality. “I think I just heard something very strange!”
Zhu Yuanzhang said happily, “Really? Their opinion of Us is that high?!”
“Old Zhu! Stop pretending you did not hear that!”
Li Shimin raged, “What faults do I have?! Ask him! What faults?!”
Zhu Yuanzhang cleared his throat. “Emperor Taizong of Tang was an enlightened sovereign of his age. What fault could there be in him?”
The guard replied, “Lord Hu asked the same thing. Lord Wang said Emperor Taizong of Tang was admirable in every respect: the prosperous Zhenguan Era, the Heavenly Khan, a sage ruler for the ages. There was only one flaw-he cared too much about his reputation and failed to end as well as he began. He raised Wei Zheng like a monument, then later knocked that monument down himself…”
Li Shimin fell silent.
Humiliating tears escaped his eyes.
Emperor Gaozu handed him a handkerchief. “Brother, are you all right?”
Li Shimin ground his teeth. “That damned bumpkin!”
Emperor Gaozu had no answer.
Li Shimin spat after every word. “If he had not gone too far, I could have kept pretending forever!”
The emperors fell silent.
Li Shimin’s teeth clenched until they creaked, each word hammered from between them. “An emperor has to play his part for the occasion, doesn’t he? It was mutually beneficial! But he secretly collected dirt to undermine me. How could I not be angry?! Tell me, who would not be angry?!”
The emperors remained silent.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little awkward. “Shimin, calm down.”
“Our perfect sovereign-minister bond collapsed, and now people in the Ming Dynasty are actually laughing at me! Laughing at me! At me!”
Li Shimin seemed not to hear. His expression twisted savagely. “Damned bumpkin! You had better pray I never catch you in your next life!”
Zhu Yuanzhang coughed. “I think I shall go to sleep.”