Chapter 53: The Schism of Donglin

Zhang Yan said, "Your Majesty, since the imperial treasury is short of funds, why not reduce the expenses of your consorts? That would be better than nothing, after all."

Zhu Youxiao gazed at her, confirming her sincerity, and was deeply moved. "Baozhu, I understand your intentions. However, I have an idea: I wish to release from the palace those palace maids who are older, so their futures are not wasted. Wei Banban tells me there are over nine thousand eunuchs in the palace already. Therefore, I intend to decree that no civilian may self-castrate, and we will cease recruiting new eunuchs. This should save a great deal of money, so you need not further reduce your own expenses."

"Your Majesty, I am but one person—how could I possibly require so much food and clothing? If I use less, Your Majesty will have more. If Your Majesty uses these funds for the benefit of the country and the people, then the merit will be ours as well. Please grant your consent."

Zhu Youxiao asked, "Do you think the other two feel the same?"

Zhang Yan replied, "We three discussed this matter recently, and they too felt that so many dishes at each meal are unnecessary; the palace's expenditures are far too extravagant. On this matter, they will certainly agree with me."

The next day, the Emperor issued a decree: Palace expenses would be drastically reduced; any palace maid aged twenty-three or older, or who had served eight years in the palace, could apply to leave and would receive compensation based on their years of service. From this day forth, civilian self-castration was forbidden, and recruitment of new eunuchs would cease. Those convicted of capital crimes who, though their circumstances might be excusable, could not escape the law, might, if willing, have their sentence commuted to palace punishment after joint review by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Rites, and by imperial approval. Those so punished could apply to become eunuchs, and after examination, could serve in the palace; those unwilling could redeem themselves according to age with money.

This imperial edict moved many palace maids to tears. Some had entered the palace decades ago, never glimpsed the Emperor, and had grown old without seeing their families. Rumor spread that this was the suggestion of the Empress, Lady Duan, and Lady Wang. Thus, before leaving, many maids came to pay their respects to these three, wishing them long life and many descendants, making them blush with embarrassment.

Some maids could not locate their families or their kin refused to take them back. The Emperor ordered that they be cared for in the palace, lacking neither food nor clothing. Their skills were categorized—administrative, accounting, and logistics—and elder merchants were invited to teach them specialized skills, so they would be prepared should opportunities arise.

The decree forbidding civilian self-castration, however, caused much dissatisfaction. At the next morning court, Zuo Guangdou stepped forward to oppose it (since Yang Lian had quieted, Zuo often led opposition to the Emperor): "Your Majesty, the poor are many in the realm. For some, self-castration and entry to the palace is a path out of poverty. Cutting off this route may drive some to desperation. Please reconsider."

Zhu Youxiao was amused by this logic, but seeing many ministers sharing such views, he replied, "As Son of Heaven, to have subjects so poor they would rather self-castrate and endure the agony of leaving no heirs—this is my failure, my shame, and the shame of the Ming Dynasty."

Here it comes again, the ministers thought, and reluctantly knelt as one: "It is our incompetence—we have failed to ease Your Majesty's burdens, and deserve death."

Zhu Youxiao continued, "I intend to tour the realm and see how my people truly live. Why are so many so poor that they would choose self-castration? Let the Grand Secretary and the Cabinet devise a plan. Let us begin in Shaanxi."

Fang Congzhe moved forward on his knees. "Your Majesty, that must not be! You have newly ascended the throne and the government is just settling. If you tour the realm, the court will be leaderless and disaster may follow. The court already has circuit censors whose task is to report local conditions. If they have failed, how dare they trouble Your Majesty? Please rescind your order; we dare not obey."

He finished, bowing repeatedly.

Li Zongyan, Chief Censor of the Censorate, spoke: "It is our incompetence. The Censorate has failed Your Majesty. Please allow us to redeem ourselves. I will personally lead the thirteen circuit censors to investigate the causes of poverty nationwide and report back. Please grant your favor."

Zhu Youxiao said slowly, "Each region must have its own reasons. Let Lord Li arrange it—each circuit censor to investigate why the people are so destitute, what their officials are doing, whether they seek ways to reduce poverty. Every day on this court, there is endless clamor about this villain or that scoundrel—but what is the point? I believe a good official is one who enriches his people. I want you, my dear ministers, to help me govern the realm so that my subjects live in abundance. Not to accuse and feud. The Ministry of Personnel must pay heed: judge officials by their true achievements, not empty words, and never allow factional strife. Remember this well."

Li Zongyan and the Minister of Personnel, Zhao Nanxing, stepped forward and accepted the decree.

Zhu Youxiao said, "Rise now. Also, send Yang Lian, Censor of the Ministry of War, to Yan’an Prefecture, to inspect military and civil administration and review Sun Chuanting’s newly trained troops, bringing them back to join the Imperial Guard."

Yang Lian, resigned, stepped forward to accept the decree. Since the incident with Li Sancai, he had become somewhat estranged from some in the Donglin faction. Now, with the Emperor sending him to Yan’an, he could not refuse, but knew it would increase Donglin’s discontent with him.

That evening, in Yang Lian’s study, Zuo Guangdou, Zhao Nanxing, Gong Nai, and Huang Zunsu sat quietly together. Yang Lian spoke first: "All of you mean well, but with the matter of Lord Li, you witnessed it yourselves. We agreed that I would uphold justice, yet now you say my response was inadequate. Such inconsistency cannot win my acceptance. There is no need to speak further of apologies."

The others had wanted Yang Lian to write a letter to Li Sancai admitting fault—this was their second attempt. Yang Lian insisted he had done no wrong; they knew this, yet wished to avoid splitting the Donglin faction. They hoped Yang Lian would yield, but he was resolute.

Zuo Guangdou hesitated but spoke: "Brother Wenru, if you persist, Donglin will fracture, and it will be hard to mend in the future."

Yang Lian considered, then firmly said, "If only by yielding and compromising can we prevent Donglin from splitting, then perhaps such division is not a bad thing. Today, the Emperor spoke wisely: every day there is clamoring over who is evil or corrupt, but what is the point? People should act, should accomplish real things—these empty disputes are meaningless. If Donglin must divide, let it begin with me."

Zhao Nanxing rebuked him: "Wenru, do not speak so. Only by unity can we serve the country and the people. Of course, we must distinguish between loyalty and treachery before we can unite."

Yang Lian retorted, "What is loyalty, and who is treacherous? Lord Li has such wealth, all claimed to be honestly earned—Mengbai, do you believe that? I certainly do not."

Zhao Nanxing was embarrassed and could not reply. After a long and silent exchange of glances, the group departed together.