Chapter 100: The Third Calm After the Storm

Chapter 100: The Calm After the Storm III

Wang Zhen replaced Ruan An.

This matter was settled—no need for anyone else's interference. Zhu Qizhen could handle it himself.

But the remaining issues required Zhu Qizhen’s careful consideration.

He flipped through the slips of paper before him, each bearing a name. The first he saw was Ma Shun.

“Your Majesty, I pay my respects,” Ma Shun knelt beneath the grand hall.

Zhu Qizhen was not seated on the throne but stood near a bookshelf. With one hand holding a memorial, the other gently brushing across a stack of books, he said, “Ma Shun, Commander Ma.”

“I am present,” Ma Shun replied.

Sweat poured down his face as he bowed his head to the ground, not daring to lift it, only listening to Zhu Qizhen’s footsteps, shifting left and right, his voice faint and elusive. Ma Shun had to rely on his heart to discern the emperor’s position.

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Whose man are you?”

“I am Your Majesty’s man,” Ma Shun answered.

Suddenly, Zhu Qizhen appeared beside him, striking the memorial against Ma Shun’s head. “You are quite bold. Were all these matters concerning Wang Zhen carried out through you?”

“How could I possibly entrust you?” Zhu Qizhen said coldly.

“Your Majesty,” Ma Shun dared not look up. The memorials were sealed, he could not read their contents. Bowing incessantly, he said, “I am Your Majesty’s servant. I only obeyed Wang Gonggong because I could not see Your Majesty and believed Wang Gonggong’s words to be your orders.”

“My Ma family has served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard since the Taizu era. Every member holds one belief: loyalty to Your Majesty. There is no other thought.”

Zhu Qizhen sneered, “Is that so? Then why did you not report to me?”

Ma Shun replied, “I had no way to enter the palace except through Wang Gonggong, so I dared not disobey.”

An oppressive silence filled the hall; Ma Shun could almost hear the drops of sweat falling from his forehead.

After a long pause, Zhu Qizhen spoke: “I will trust you for now. I also trust the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s loyalty to the royal family. Remember that I have told you before: the Guard are the court’s watchdogs, not hunters. A watchdog that steals the household’s poultry is worthless. I never repeat myself—this is the last time I say this. The next commander will hear it for the first time.”

Ma Shun felt his heart swell with joy as if it might burst.

With the recent turmoil in the court and news that Wang Zhen had taken to farming, Ma Shun had been anxious and fearful that this palace visit might be his death sentence.

Hearing these words, he finally understood his head was safe.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless,” Ma Shun kowtowed repeatedly, “I thank Your Majesty—”

“Enough nonsense,” Zhu Qizhen interrupted. “Go and deal with all the Embroidered Uniform Guards involved in this matter. Remember, as commander, if you wish to see things through, you must never forget your true identity.”

“I understand,” Ma Shun said firmly. “The Embroidered Uniform Guard obeys only the orders of Your Majesty.”

“Good.” Zhu Qizhen nodded. Ma Shun immediately understood and almost fell backward as he retreated.

“Rise,” Zhu Qizhen commanded. “Take this.”

With a sharp ‘thud,’ a red wooden plaque fell to the floor, gilded with a single large character: “Forbidden.”

Ma Shun was overjoyed. This was a palace permit; with it, he had the right to enter the palace and see the emperor at any time.

He cupped it reverently in both hands. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great favor.”

Zhu Qizhen did not look at him but waved him away.

After Ma Shun left, Zhu Qizhen returned to the throne and tore the slip with Ma Shun’s name into shreds. He sighed inwardly, thinking, “Though achievements may fall short of expectations, I have no one better for now; I will just tolerate Ma Shun.”

In the Embroidered Uniform Guard, talent was not lacking, but Zhu Qizhen did not yet know who could replace Ma Shun—and whoever was chosen would be no other than Ma Shun himself.

At least Ma Shun had proven he was Wang Zhen’s man. By giving him the palace permit, Zhu Qizhen had effectively brought Ma Shun under his control. Since Ma Shun could contact the emperor directly, how loyal could he be to Wang Zhen?

Therefore, Zhu Qizhen merely chastised Ma Shun.

But the next person required more thought.

Because the next person was Yu Qian.

To Zhu Qizhen, Wang Zhen was no more than a household servant, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard but a pack of watchdogs. Yet Yu Qian—once regarded by Zhu Qizhen as a teacher—he now realized that had been a mistake.

Yu Qian—and most of the literati—should be treated as collaborators.

Zhu Qizhen took a deep breath and said to those nearby, “Summon Mr. Yu.”

Yu Qian arrived in the grand hall and said, “Your Majesty, I failed to foresee this, resulting in today’s troubles. I ask for Your Majesty’s punishment.”

Zhu Qizhen observed Yu Qian’s every move and detail. The genuine remorse in his heart was clear. Zhu Qizhen relaxed and said, “Mr. Yu, what fault do you have? I was the one who oversimplified this matter and did not heed your counsel. That was my mistake.”

Yu Qian began, “Your Majesty, I—”

Yu Qian was honest. He was capable and shrewd in local affairs but had not yet fully grasped the intrigues of court politics.

He had already prepared himself to be demoted out of the capital, but Zhu Qizhen had not even mentioned punishment and wiped the slate clean.

How could he not be moved?

Zhu Qizhen said, “Sir, no need to say more. All the mistakes were mine. I still need your assistance. After all, I have paid a heavy price and must see things through.”

“Even moving the Grand Empress Dowager is not easy.”

Yu Qian then said, “Chief Minister Yang has already acted according to Your Majesty’s will. Xin’an is a special case, allowed for overseas trade without tribute obligations.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “I know. I’m not eager for grand achievements but wish to open a source of revenue for the court. The court needs money everywhere—for disaster relief, for military expenses.”

Yu Qian said, “Forgive me for speaking frankly: haste makes waste. Today’s events have already stirred the officials. The world will eventually be yours, Your Majesty. Why such impatience? You should study diligently; your time to govern personally will come.”

“Your words are wise,” Zhu Qizhen acknowledged. “I understand. I do not intend a grand display, only to prepare for the future.”

“I have no other intentions but to ask you, sir, to select a new magistrate for Xin’an to oversee maritime trade affairs. So that when matters arise, I may act with precision.”

Yu Qian finally relaxed. A mere magistrate.

This was something within his capability, and he did not consider it a major matter. Whether Zhu Qizhen ruled personally or not, appointing a magistrate was within his rights.

If Yu Qian openly informed Yang Shiqi, Yang would surely arrange it for Zhu Qizhen.

“Whom does Your Majesty favor?” Yu Qian asked.

Zhu Qizhen replied, “I have no candidate yet. But whoever it is must be incorruptible and talented.”

Yu Qian considered and said, “Such a person is difficult to find.”

“Why?” Zhu Qizhen inquired.

Yu Qian explained, “Chief Minister Yang has recently purged many officials: the incompetent removed, the capable promoted. Those with a spotless reputation are at least prefects. Unless one selects from the newly minted jinshi graduates.”

Zhu Qizhen was taken aback. He had not expected this.

He had to admit, the political group led by Yang Shiqi and Hong Xuanfu was remarkably capable. The era of the Three Yangs was considered a politically enlightened period in the Ming dynasty.

Most officials were competent; though corruption existed, it was kept in check.

Zhu Qizhen said, “The new graduates lack experience; I fear they might cause trouble. What do you think of Li Shimian?”

Yu Qian asked, “Li Daren? Is he Your Majesty’s choice?”

Zhu Qizhen sighed, “Li the lecturer was exiled today not by choice but by circumstance. Since he must be sent away, why not give him a chance to make his mark, so he can be recalled to the capital later?”

“I worry, though, that Li Daren, accustomed to refinement, may not handle mundane affairs well.”

Yu Qian said, “Your Majesty’s care for Li Daren is truly a blessing for the people. But Your Majesty worries too much.”