Zhang Juzheng pondered for a moment and smiled, "Ru Mo and Zi Wei both make valid points..."
He stood up, hands behind his back, and said solemnly, "To be frank with you all, before the Emperor met the Korean envoys, I too was observing... You all asked privately, and I evaded. Why? Because this Great Ming Dynasty still has a wise ruler on the throne... and that is the greatest momentum."
He gazed at the suddenly overcast sky outside the hall, pondered for a moment, then turned back, sweeping his gaze over everyone, and said again, "Gentlemen, do you know why I requested to go to Jiangnan?"
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "Because during a court session, I accidentally discovered that it was actually the Emperor who wished to enact reforms."
Hiss!
The assembled officials had never heard him speak like this before and were instantly awestruck.
Zhang Juzheng continued, "Consider this, we all know the state of the Great Ming Dynasty; does the Emperor not know? You have all heard a rumor, haven't you? That Zhu Mo once submitted a secret memorial? In truth, by now, the so-called secret memorial has become quite clear; it is what Zhu Mo himself called the 'Way of Yao and Shun.' The Emperor has likely already agreed with it... So, is there merit to the 'Way of Yao and Shun'? I have re-examined the classics and pondered deeply, and now I feel there is indeed merit... The Emperor truly wishes to reaffirm the founding Emperor's systems."
To be frank, if the Emperor had not summoned the Korean envoys this time, I would have suspected that the Emperor merely wished to use Zhu Mo for balance, and that the reforms would likely end there. But it now appears the Emperor is absolutely determined to pursue thorough change.
Consider, how similar is the situation in Korea to that of the Great Ming? Their ruler claims to want to 'quell chaos' and states in his official letter that his people are 'extremely distressed and humiliated'—that is truly extraordinary. I believe you are all intelligent individuals and should understand this by now. In my view, the Emperor will not let the Yan faction off the hook... We must consider our subsequent strategy; that is the first question we must address.
Hiss...
Hiss!
The prolonged silence created a palpable tension.
They all knew Zhang Juzheng was exceptionally capable, and his words had indeed reached a depth that others could not articulate. They all pondered: If the Emperor does not spare Yan Song, then moving forward, can we no longer align with Prince Yu? Will we still be following Zhu Mo and the Emperor?
While they were still in doubt, Zhang Juzheng added, "We cannot follow anyone!"
"Consider this: if we continue to follow Zhu Mo, though it may please the Emperor, the 'Way of Yao and Shun' is not what we seek... What we seek is the governance of sages and benevolent rule! As for the 'Way of Yao and Shun,' it is vague and remote, impossible to verify. Even if it were real, what is its form? Who has seen it? How can it be achieved? Who can explain it thoroughly? Therefore, we must not pursue a phantom path; this is the first point.
Furthermore, I have also assisted Prince Yu and know him to be a benevolent and gentlemanly individual. He may occasionally be muddled, but his path as a benevolent ruler has never been violated! This is what I have personally witnessed, how can I abandon him and not support him? However, the times are not something that human effort can interfere with. Since he has harbored Yan Song's followers, we cannot help but make our stance clear.
You might ask: If we are neither with Mo nor with Prince Yu, then whom shall we follow? I have a plan that can navigate this situation, and it can be summed up in one sentence: Implement reforms in Prince Yu's name!
Why? Prince Yu will eventually become the Emperor. When Prince Yu ascends the throne, we will still enact reforms; our ambition remains the same. By implementing reforms in Prince Yu's name, the Emperor will surely understand our plight and will also be pleased to see Prince Yu detach himself from the Yan faction and become our ally. In this way, father and son will live in harmony, and we can also avoid domestic strife.
Therefore, my mind is made up: I will implement reforms in Prince Yu's name, viewing Zhu Mo as seventy percent friend and thirty percent enemy, and the Yan faction as seventy percent enemy and thirty percent friend!"
Excellent!
Clap, clap, clap!
Zhang Juzheng saw that his subordinates had shifted their perspective and immediately commanded, "Ru Mo, you shall draft a memorial, strongly urging Prince Yu to diligently implement reforms, to spread benevolence and righteousness throughout the land, and to bestow grace upon all the people. Then, instability will naturally dissipate, and we, the officials of the pure stream, will surely dedicate our utmost loyalty to guide the ruler towards the era of Yao and Shun."
Mmm, mmm,
Shen Shixing felt deeply impressed and thought: This 'Yao and Shun' is not that 'Yao and Shun'; it is truly supremely brilliant... This skill alone is enough to study for a lifetime.
...
At the same time,
In the capital,
Willow Spring Residence.
Some tea drinkers and idlers gathered to chat. One of them, with a booming voice, known to the neighborhood as Old Master Liu Si, frequented the Willow Spring Residence for tea. As he shared the same surname as the owner, he was also jokingly called Shopkeeper Liu by the tea patrons.
At this moment,
He was in high spirits, spouting enthusiastically, "Everyone, do you understand now? Can Wang Daoist's words be false? That Zhu Mo is indeed the son of a prince from Jiangnan..."
A few people, knowing his penchant for boasting, naturally did not believe him. One person laughed and said, "Daoist Priest Wang Jin is a friend of the Emperor. Where did you, Shopkeeper Liu, get to know him? Heh heh, I think it's best to forget it. Zhu Mo is an orphan; he was found by an old Daoist by the river... This is known to everyone in the world..."
"Spare me that! If I don't know Daoist Priest Wang, who does? Let me tell you, Daoist Priest Wang is from Guanzhong and knows the old Daoist who found Zhu Mo. They stayed together at Mount Wutai for several years! The old Daoist who found Zhu Mo was honored as Pu Qing. He came from a prince's mansion in Jiangnan. On that day, he brought a child, saying he had bad luck, that he was solitary and would not survive unless he followed a Daoist. You people have no insight!"
Shopkeeper Liu was naturally displeased.
But with the conversation reaching this point, it sounded plausible, and the crowd began to be half-believing, unknowingly drawing many others closer.
"So, is Zhu Mo really a prince's heir?"
"Most likely true, otherwise, why would the Emperor trust him so much?"
"If he's a prince's heir, then it makes sense! Otherwise, who has this capability? Who would even think of restoring the founding Emperor's systems?"
"Right, right, right..."
"Who else would care about these things?"
"Heh heh, you all, stop gossiping. I think this matter is not simple..."
Shopkeeper Liu didn't know who said it, but he immediately became vigilant and cursed, "What's not simple? I also heard it from others..."
Ha!
"Yes, what's not simple about it?"
"It's all the truth..."
The atmosphere suddenly became a little unnatural. Everyone feigned composure, but they couldn't hide a trace of fear.
Suddenly,
A shrill, high-pitched voice interjected, "You people really have no insight! Since Zhu Mo is a prince's heir, then naturally it's not simple... Why? Haven't you forgotten that the current Emperor himself ascended the throne from a princely state? Heh heh, then who should be worried..."
Hiss!
Hiss!
The timid ones immediately turned and left. The few bolder ones also exchanged glances. The same thought arose in everyone's mind—
This person, with such a shrill voice, isn't he an eunuch?
If Zhu Mo is a prince's heir, doesn't that mean he could also ascend the throne? Then what about Prince Yu?
No wonder so many strange things have happened recently...