Chapter 134: The Troubles of Great Men

Ever since Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, ordered the dredging of the canal, almost everyone in the land knew that the capital would be moved. On this northern inspection, Zhu Di left the crown prince, Zhu Gaochi, to govern the country with the assistance of Yang Shiji and others, while bringing along more than half of the other civil and military officials—a clear sign of the impending capital relocation. Although construction was underway everywhere in Beijing, there were ample residences for officials. Moreover, many meritorious officials had bought properties early on, and by the New Year, most of them had settled in.

Just before the New Year, everyone from the sick Hu Guang to Yang Rong, who was now assisting in governance, as well as scholars like Du Zhen and Shen Du, was granted a residence. Though the houses varied in size and location, everyone was overjoyed. Yang Rong’s residence was on Qianmen Street, very close to the palace under construction, in a prime location surrounded by the mansions of dukes and marquises. As a fifth-rank civil official, he lived there in a position of prominence.

That day, as Yang Rong and Du Zhen left the Western Palace, Yang Rong complained half-jokingly, “The emperor bestowed upon me such a large house; I am deeply grateful. But if I don’t leave half an hour early for court, it’s almost impossible to get out. There are three marquis mansions and five earl mansions around me. If I happen to encounter their processions, I must give way. So I prefer to return late rather than early, otherwise I won’t know when I’ll get home. Yishan, it was really clever of you to choose such a secluded place like Yangshu Alley—there’s hardly anyone around when coming and going!”

“If that’s the case, go to the Hanlin Academy and see how many people would be willing to exchange houses with you,” Du Zhen said with a casual smile. Seeing Yang Rong’s proud expression, he sighed again, “The Duke of Yingguo is almost recovered, but my elder brother Guang’s condition is still unstable. A few days ago, the emperor sent imperial physicians to check on him, but they brought no good news. I’m afraid…”

Although both worked in the Wenyuan Pavilion assisting in state affairs, after Jie Jin, Hu Guang could be considered the most important among the cabinet ministers and was even appointed Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion. The title of Grand Scholar had the same rank as that of a Hanlin scholar but carried a different significance. Yang Rong was the youngest among the cabinet ministers and often harbored ambitions to stand out. But now, thinking of Hu Guang’s critical illness, his desire to compete faded, replaced by a sense of shared sorrow.

Yang Rong and Du Zhen had only a superficial acquaintance from their time working together in the Hanlin Academy. But now, on this northern inspection tour with Zhu Di, they spent more time together every day, and he gradually realized that the other man wasn’t as cold and indifferent as before—occasionally sharing his true thoughts. Although he could handle himself well in Zhu Di’s presence usually, he felt the need to express his feelings now.

“All those who fell seriously ill—during the time the Duke of Yingguo was sick, the emperor bestowed continuous rewards. Even imperial physicians were sent to the Zhang family’s residence, and the emperor personally visited him, reviewing medical records daily. But even though my elder brother has been ill for so many days, though the emperor often inquires, the care shown is still far less…”

“Be cautious with your words!” Du Zhen coughed as Yang Rong’s words grew increasingly inappropriate. Seeing that Yang Rong realized his mistake, Du Zhen said seriously, “Friendships forged through shared hardships are always stronger than those built through wealth and status—that’s only natural. It’s good that the emperor treats meritorious officials well; don’t let others misunderstand. By the way, when he came to visit me during the Yuan Festival a few days ago, I asked him about his studies and the Duke of Yingguo’s condition. I also mentioned how generously the emperor favored the Duke of Yingguo. Guess how he replied?”

Yang Rong immediately became interested. He raised his eyebrows and asked, “How did he answer?”

“He said that Yue Fei once said that civil officials should not love money, while military officials should not fear death—only then can they restore the country. It shows that civil and military roles each have their own responsibilities and principles. Behind the glory of military officials lies bloodshed on the battlefield. Just like the Duke of Yingguo—had it not been for the early death of the Duke of Rongguo while saving the emperor, and his own victorious campaigns in Jiaozhi, he wouldn’t have achieved such prominence. In the past, Qiu Fu was the foremost hero of the Jingnan Campaign, but he ended up suffering a crushing defeat in the northern expedition, leading to the downfall of his entire family. So, status is unpredictable. As long as those who receive favor remain humble, everything will be fine.”

“He’s so young, yet so bold in speaking!” Yang Rong smiled at this, though he also felt some approval. “The Duke of Yingguo is indeed calm and modest, but his two brothers and nephew are utterly unacceptable. If he doesn’t adopt someone soon, I’m afraid this illustrious family will decline rapidly! By the way, will he take part in the imperial examinations in Beijing this time?”

“I told him that even if he fails, it’s not bad to try once. His status as a candidate was obtained effortlessly, and if he can’t pass the imperial examinations on his own, it won’t benefit him in the future.”

Seeing Du Zhen adopt such a teacherly demeanor, Yang Rong burst into laughter. After laughing, as the palace gates came into view and his family’s carriage was waiting there, he suddenly had an idea. Winking, he said, “I heard your wife places great importance on Yuan Jie, seemingly considering making him her son-in-law. If you really have such intentions, you’d better be careful. It’s said that the Meng family intends to form another alliance with the Zhang family, and they have their eyes set on Yuan Jie. Well, the emperor has met him twice as well. Out of respect for the Duke of Ying, he might, in a fit of kindness, grant him one of his imperial granddaughters. Be careful, lest your son-in-law be snatched away!”

Even though Du Zhen usually kept his emotions hidden, hearing this, his expression froze instantly. Watching Yang Rong quickly leave the palace and board the carriage while he remained standing still, he frowned and fell into deep thought. He had never considered his daughter’s marriage before, let alone trying to match her up with anyone. But if his wife had such plans, he had no intention of stopping her. The question was, how did Yang Rong know about this? And were the two possibilities he mentioned true? Because of Yang Rong’s casual remark, the usually calm Du Zhen was now troubled.

Hu Guang and the rest of their families had arrived in Beijing before the New Year, but Du Zhen didn’t rush to pick them up. It wasn’t until he obtained a residence before the first month of the new year that he sent his family to Nanjing to report back. Soon after, he submitted a petition to Zhu Di, stating that due to his limited abilities and his current absence from Nanjing, he should return the mansion he had been granted there.

Zhu Di was good at appointing civil officials but inevitably suspicious. Knowing Du Zhen was from the Jiangnan region yet unwilling to cling to his property there, his slightest hesitation vanished. After all, Du Zhen had been exiled at the beginning of the Jingnan Campaign for accusing Huang Zicheng and others of advocating the abolition of the regional fief system. He then wandered abroad like a scholar for over a decade, and the Jinyiwei had already thoroughly investigated his movements and contacts, finding no connection to the remnants of the Jianwen regime.

Because he favored the emperor’s eldest grandson, Zhu Zhanji, whenever Zhu Zhanji was idle after finishing his studies, Zhu Di would keep him by his side, even allowing him to watch as he reviewed memorials. At that moment, Zhu Zhanji clearly saw Du Zhen’s memorial and, noticing Zhu Di’s smile, couldn’t help but ask, “Grandfather Emperor, since Hu Guang is seriously ill and you value him so much, why not summon him to the cabinet?”

“Not everyone is suitable for entering the cabinet,” Zhu Di wrote an approval mark on the memorial and set it aside before turning to study Changsun. “Du Zhen is different from Yang Rong and the others. They went out to welcome me when I captured Nanjing; though they had ulterior motives, it showed they knew when to advance and retreat. As for Du Zhen… he’s a bit stubborn, but his knowledge and abilities are decent. Using him as an attendant in the Hanlin Academy is a waste of his talents. I plan to assign him to an external post in a while; he could serve as a department official in the future.”
Zhu Zhanji then understood at last, his face showing admiration. He respectfully asked a few more questions. He had intended to mention Liang Qian, who was still in the Jinyiwei prison, but after careful consideration, he held back. Seeing Zhu Di look tired, he quietly took his leave. After leaving Jingfu Palace and stepping down the stairs, he saw several maids surrounding someone as they walked over.
“Aunt Ning!”
Princess Chenliu rushed forward upon seeing Zhu Zhanji, bowed, and stood up before asking with a smile, “Has the Crown Prince been listening to the Emperor’s teachings since leaving Jingfu Palace? No wonder every time I see your uncle, he speaks highly of you. With such diligence, none of the royal descendants can compare to you.”
Princess Chenliu, Zhu Ning, and Zhu Zhanji were nominally aunt and nephew, but Zhu Zhanji was actually two years older than her. Since Zhu Ning would stay in the capital for several months each time she accompanied the Prince of Zhou on official visits, they had always been very familiar with each other. Hearing Zhu Ning say this, Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, “Aunt Ning, aren’t you afraid I’ll become arrogant if you say such things? By the way, it’s already late. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to visit the Meng family, of course!” Zhu Ning replied cheerfully. “The Emperor is worried about Master Yao staying in Nanjing. At first, he was concerned about the fatigue of the journey, but now he plans to send an official ship to bring him here. I’ve met Master Yao twice, so I insisted that the Emperor take along one of my close friends, and I also recommended Meng Xian to go along.”
Zhu Zhanji had also studied under Daoyan in his early years and was aware of this matter. As for who Zhu Ning’s close friend was, he naturally didn’t dare ask. Thinking of his father Zhu Gaochi governing in Nanjing while one of his key allies had been forcibly removed by his grandfather, and Liang Qian’s fate still unknown, his brows gradually furrowed.

Although Zhu Ning had been raised as a boy since childhood and had a straightforward personality, being born into the royal family meant she naturally also possessed the skill to observe others carefully. Seeing that Zhu Zhanji seemed distracted, she frowned slightly and guessed what was going on. As a woman, though she knew certain things and didn’t agree with them, she didn’t feel comfortable speaking up. After hesitating for a long time, Zhu Zhanji finally sent his attendants away and, with another glance, dismissed Zhu Ning’s maids. Then he asked, “Aunt Ning, since you spend the most time by Grandfather’s side, do you know what the truth is about Lord Liang’s case?”
“Such state affairs…” Zhu Ning managed to say only five words. Seeing Zhu Zhanji’s displeased expression, she pondered for a moment until she decided what could be shared. Then she whispered, “In that unsolved case from a few months ago, someone used Lord Liang Qian’s case as an excuse to file a complaint against Zhang Yue, Grandfather’s nephew, with the Jinyiwei. When Commander Yuan mentioned it to Grandfather, he immediately became angry and ordered a thorough investigation. Although nothing has been resolved yet, since Zhang Yue is fine, as long as someone intercedes for Lord Liang, there should be hope.”
Although Zhu Zhanji had heard of the matter, he didn’t know as much as Zhu Ning. He sighed in relief but couldn’t help saying, “But someone has accused Zhou Mian of being reckless and disrespectful!”
“Zhou Mian is Zhou Mian, and Lord Liang Qian is Lord Liang Qian. The Crown Prince cannot intercede for Lord Liang Qian, but surely he can try to help someone else?”