Chapter Thirteen: He Who Sets Things in Motion—Will He Leave No Heirs?

Chapter Thirteen: He Who Initiates Such Evil, Shall He Be Without Descendants?

To see what is right and not do it is not courage. This phrase comes from the Analects. It was also precisely how Zhu Qizhen felt at that moment.

Indeed, the education he had received in later generations made it impossible for him to simply stand by and do nothing.

He knew that when a new emperor ascended the throne, it was customary not to alter his father's policies for three years—this, too, was an act of filial piety. To follow ancestral customs was, in itself, a form of filial respect.

What Grand Preceptor Jian advised was not merely for Zhu Qizhen to act as a dutiful son by pleasing the Grand Empress Dowager. Rather, he was to follow the governance of the Hongxi and Xuande reigns in politics, always first inquiring how the late Emperor Xuanzong would have handled any matter, and then acting accordingly.

If he did so, the so-called Hong-Xuan governing group—praised in later generations—would surely support him. By then, even if the Grand Empress Dowager had other intentions, she would have to consider whether the court and the country stood behind her.

Yet now, barely a month into his reign, he was about to alter an ancestral practice.

The content of the change was not the point. What mattered was the attitude Zhu Qizhen displayed.

He could weigh many pros and cons, but when so many lives were at stake, Zhu Qizhen simply could not allow himself to remain indifferent.

"Very well. If this is what you wish to do," came the Grand Empress Dowager's even voice. "You are the Emperor now. Do as you see fit."

"It grows late; I will not keep you longer."

The Grand Empress Dowager then ordered Lady Hu to enter and escort Zhu Qizhen out.

When Lady Hu returned, she found the Grand Empress Dowager kneeling before a portrait of Emperor Renzong, her hands pressed together, murmuring words unknown.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has returned to his palace," Lady Hu announced.

"Shanxiang, what do you think of the Crown Prince?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked.

"With such compassion in his heart, surely the late Emperor can rest in peace," Lady Hu replied.

"Indeed," said the Grand Empress Dowager. "Now that the realm is at peace, as long as Qizhen preserves this heart, the world may not be perfect, but it will not become too wretched. I can meet our ancestors and forebears with a clear conscience."

"If so, why did Your Majesty not immediately grant the Crown Prince's wish?" Lady Hu wondered.

The Grand Empress Dowager gently shook her head. "Grand Preceptor Jian is too cautious. He has taught only half to the Crown Prince; the other half he must come to understand on his own. I, an old woman, have no need for reputation, but the Crown Prince needs it now."

Lady Hu understood some, but not all. Whether she fully grasped her meaning, she did not inquire further.

Of the Grand Empress Dowager’s intentions, Zhu Qizhen knew nothing.

Returning to a side hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhu Qizhen pondered whether the Grand Empress Dowager's parting words were sincere or ironic. Despite his fears, his mind was made up.

Since he had already decided, he would see it through.

He asked Wang Zhen, "Eunuch Wang, make arrangements for this matter first—hold things back for now."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Zhen replied. "There is no need to worry so much. The Grand Empress Dowager did not object, so simply issue your command to the Inner Cabinet."

Of all under heaven, Wang Zhen only feared the Grand Empress Dowager. He cared little for the civil and military officials outside the palace.

His wariness stemmed from past losses at her hands. Should she truly wish to destroy him, it would be the simplest thing. He had entered the palace in the Yongle reign and seen countless ministers fall; before Emperor Yongle, they were like chicks, easily thrown into prison.

Yang Shiqi, for instance, had been imprisoned several times. Even when his mother died, he was still behind bars.

In some respects, Zhu Qizhen did not yet grasp the true power of his imperial station; Wang Zhen, at least, understood it better.

Zhu Qizhen, ever cautious, said, "I heard that when my father faced difficulties, he always consulted Yang Rong?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty. The matter of deposing the Empress was first devised for the late Emperor by Master Yang Rong."

"Very well," said Zhu Qizhen. "Tomorrow, go to the Inner Cabinet and invite Master Yang Rong to see me."

"As you command," Wang Zhen replied.

Having settled the matter, Zhu Qizhen could finally rest.

Early the next morning, Wang Zhen personally went to the Wen Yuan Pavilion.

By then, the pavilion was bustling with activity. Its layout had changed: previously, a golden throne stood at the center, draped in red cloth. This was the emperor’s seat and was unused unless the emperor himself was present.

The five Inner Cabinet ministers sat below the throne, at long tables with benches on either side. These benches, painted red, resembled those still found in some school canteens—simple, backless wooden planks.

Now, two chairs stood at the head: one for the emperor, the other for the Grand Empress Dowager.

At their last visit, the Grand Empress Dowager and the emperor had sat thus, and the arrangement had been preserved ever since.

Each morning, countless memorials arrived here from the two capitals, thirteen provinces, six ministries, five military commands, and the six censorate offices. The secretaries would sort and classify these memorials, presenting them to the Inner Cabinet for review.

After the Cabinet drafted their comments, young eunuchs would deliver them to the palace. Where once the emperor would review them, now Wang Zhen did so in his stead.

Once Wang Zhen marked them in red, the memorials returned to the Inner Cabinet.

Based on these marks, the Cabinet would draft edicts, which would then be sent to the Imperial Seal Office for stamping. The Ming dynasty possessed twenty-four imperial seals, each for different matters, though there is no need to elaborate here.

Only after these steps did an edict become legally binding. Even then, officials could return unsatisfactory edicts.

Any imperial commands bypassing this process were considered palace directives.

Of course, when the emperor's authority was strong, there was little difference between an edict and a palace directive.

At least, so Wang Zhen believed. Thus he thought a single directive from the emperor would be enough for the Cabinet to comply.

Though the emperor was still in deep mourning—the late Emperor Xuanzong had been gone less than twenty-seven days—state affairs could not pause for imperial bereavement.

Thus, the Cabinet was already hard at work.

When Wang Zhen arrived, Yang Shiqi set down his brush and rose. "Eunuch Wang, why have you left His Majesty’s side to come here?"

Wang Zhen dared not put on airs before Yang Shiqi, and bowed at once. "Master Yang, is it not permitted for me to visit if I have no pressing business? Besides, His Majesty has commanded me to invite Master Yang Rong to the Palace of Heavenly Purity."

Yang Shiqi’s heart stirred. "Is the Grand Empress Dowager also present?"

"No, only His Majesty," Wang Zhen replied.

Yang Shiqi’s breath caught for an instant, then steadied as he looked at Yang Rong. A fleeting look of satisfaction crossed Yang Rong's brow but quickly vanished. He said, "Master Dongli, I shall return shortly. I leave matters in your capable hands."

"Go ahead, Master Mianren. With me here, nothing will disrupt the affairs of state," Yang Shiqi replied.

Yang Shiqi’s given name was Yu, style Shiqi, and sobriquet Dongli. His style name was so renowned that few remembered his personal name. Yang Rong’s style was Mianren.

Though their conversation appeared calm, undercurrents ran deep.

The Three Yangs together did not mean perfect harmony among them. On the contrary, Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong’s relationship was fraught; could the eldest and the second ever truly get along? Only the youngest, Yang Pu, content with his position, avoided conflict with them.

This was the first private audience with a minister since the new reign began; previously, the Grand Empress Dowager had always been present, and Zhu Qizhen merely accompanied her.

That Yang Rong was summoned first—did it not reveal where the young emperor’s favor lay? Yang Shiqi, long aware of Yang Rong’s ambition to surpass him, could not help but dwell on this.

Yang Rong accompanied Wang Zhen to the side hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Zhu Qizhen, clad in mourning, had just been keeping vigil for Emperor Xuanzong. It was winter, and only through many precautions had the late emperor’s body been preserved.

In a few days, the coffin would be moved. Though the imperial mausoleum was not yet complete, a temporary resting place had been prepared.

When Emperor Xuanzong’s coffin left the capital, that would also be when his concubines were to follow him in death—thus Zhu Qizhen was anxious.

Upon seeing Yang Rong, he said, "I have heard that when my father faced difficult decisions, he always consulted you. I am young and inexperienced, and wish to seek your counsel on a matter."

Hearing Zhu Qizhen mention the late emperor, Yang Rong’s heart grew heavy. The scholars of the Ming revered the reigns of Ren and Xuan because during that time, the emperor and his ministers shared genuine goodwill and harmony.

"Your Majesty, please speak. I shall hold nothing back," Yang Rong replied.

"What does the phrase, 'He who initiates such evil, shall he be without descendants?' mean?" Zhu Qizhen asked solemnly.