Chapter 419: Calmness in the Face of Fury
As the emperor issued an edict calling for honest opinions, Li Shimian, a reader at the Hanlin Academy, and Zheng Ji, a lecturer, were among the first to submit memorials. With them leading the way, other officials such as censors and supervisors also began to submit their own opinions. Numerous memorials poured into the Tongzheng Office like snowflakes. Some accused the censors in charge of evaluating officials of failing to conduct thorough investigations—those who did not flatter or curry favor were given mediocre evaluations, while those who were corrupt and adept at ingratiating themselves received high ratings. Others pointed out that year after year, envoys from barbarian tribes from all directions clogged the roads, and urged the court to issue an edict requiring foreign countries to pay tribute every three years for those nearby and every five years for those farther away. Still others mentioned that transporting grain from regions like Jiangnan to Beijing was a dangerous and arduous task that left the laborers exhausted, and suggested building granaries along the canals in Huai’an, Xuzhou, Jining, and other places to facilitate grain distribution…
There were a wide variety of memorials demanding honest feedback, keeping the officials at the Tongzheng Office and several scholars in the Cabinet extremely busy. That day, in the Cabinet’s office, Yang Rong, who was busy transcribing excerpts, suddenly slammed the table in anger upon reading a memorial. He then snorted coldly, “How absurd! This Xiao Yi claims that the lightning strike that destroyed the three main halls was because moving the capital angered the Heavenly Emperor. He even says that if the capital isn’t moved and benevolent governance isn’t implemented, disasters will surely plague the land!”
“Since an edict was issued to seek honest opinions, it’s not surprising that some would target this issue,” Yang Shiqi replied, continuing to write, with a pile of memorials on the table. “Besides, Yi Shan and Youzi predicted long ago that someone would raise this point.”
“Brother Shiqi, do you think this Xiao Yi, a minor official in the Ministry of Rites, only mentioned this one point? His memorial contains much more—he argues that sending treasure ships to the West wastes money and resources and suggests abolishing such missions. He also claims that the maritime ban was decreed by the founding emperor and should not be violated, urging its abolition along with punishing the responsible officials. He says the remote and barbaric region of Jiaozhi isn’t worth conquering and suggests abandoning it. The most important point is to move the capital back to Jiangning… Hmph! This man, just a low-ranking official, manages to tear apart the emperor’s major policies completely. It’s not boldness—it’s arrogance!”
Du Zhen, who was sorting through memorials from various departments, finally looked up after hearing Yang Rong’s words. The emperor’s edict calling for honest opinions was nothing but a last resort. If the opinions were constructive and addressed current problems, that might be acceptable. But using excuses like celestial phenomena to try to change the emperor’s mind on such crucial matters was nothing but delusion. To decide to move the capital just because of a lightning strike on the three main halls—wasn’t that treating state affairs as a joke? Moreover, one proposal after another to abolish things, even considering abandoning Jiaozhi… Wasn’t that the behavior of a squanderer?
“Hey, Yishan, there’s even a submission from Zhang Yuanjie here!”
Hearing Jin Youzi’s voice, Du Zhen wasn’t surprised at all. After straightening up, he smiled faintly and said, “Since an edict was issued to seek honest opinions, it’s not strange to have his as well. I’ve also submitted my own memorial.”
Yang Rong and Jin Youzi were greatly astonished upon hearing this. At that moment, Yang Shiqi stood up holding a document and said, “This is Yishan’s memorial. He mentions that in recent years, in addition to conscripting ordinary people, countless military troops have also been employed in the construction of the capital. These military households suffer from poor living conditions and have no time to take care of their families. They should be given generous monthly rations; if that’s not possible, at least their family members should be exempted from corvée labor. Still, I think his last point is the most important. Since the last northern expedition, except for strategic military areas like Xuanfu and Datong, military defenses in other places have indeed weakened, and this must be addressed. I’ve also submitted a petition to enforce stricter punishments, requiring triple review for all death sentences.”
Compared to officials from various ministries and departments, the cabinet members stationed at the Wenyuan Pavilion could meet the emperor daily and present their opinions face-to-face. Therefore, neither Yang Rong nor Jin Youzi wanted to submit memorials at this time, fearing that the other officials watching closely might use it against them. Hearing that both Yang Shiqi and Du Zhen had responded to the edict calling for honest opinions, they regretted their decision slightly, but it would be pointless to follow suit now. After everything was sorted out, Jin Youzi, who was on duty that day, went to the Qianqing Palace with the two eunuchs who came to collect the memorials.
However, Jin Youzi soon regretted not bringing anyone else with him to the Qianqing Palace. He knew the emperor’s temper was becoming increasingly fierce. He also knew that the destruction of the three main halls had dealt a huge blow to Zhu Di. Moreover, he understood that most of the memorials and summaries submitted at this time would only make the emperor even angrier. But even knowing all this, why did he still come alone?
All the documents neatly stacked on the emperor’s desk were angrily swept aside by Zhu Di, scattering everywhere. Neither the eunuchs serving around nor Jin Youzi dared to step forward to pick them up, not even daring to breathe loudly. In their fear, they didn’t hear the emperor’s angry roars; all they could hear was his heavy breathing. Yet that breathing was even more terrifying than the roars, because no one knew when the emperor might suddenly explode or what terrible thing might happen.
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yue, an official from the Military Armory Department, has come as ordered to meet with you!”
The young eunuch standing in the outer hall didn’t want to anger the emperor at this moment. Yet recalling that Zhang Yue had once overthrown three heads of the Imperial Secretariat, and that the other senior eunuchs seemed to get along well with this young Mr. Zhang, plus the emperor’s own order, he really didn’t dare delay. With a heavy heart, he reported the message and then waited anxiously. Soon, he heard a shout from inside.
“Pass it on!”
Relieved, the young eunuch replied and quickly ran down the stairs. When he saw Zhang Yue waiting below, he announced it loudly before lowering his voice and saying, “Mr. Zhang, be extremely careful. Just now, the emperor almost threw those memorials in Scholar Jin’s face. He must still be extremely angry.”
“Thank you for the warning, young sir,” Zhang Yue replied sincerely, nodding at the eunuch before hurrying up the stairs. The moment he stepped into the main hall, he instinctively narrowed his eyes to adjust to the difference in light between inside and outside. Outside was a bright spring day, but inside it was like a bitterly cold winter night. Aside from Zhu Di’s frosty expression, Jin Youzi and the other eunuchs also had grim faces. Just as he was about to bow, the extremely tense atmosphere finally erupted.
“Nothing is feasible, everything is wrong. Why didn’t they speak up before? Why wait until the three main halls were burned down to point out so many flaws? Every day, thunder kills a few people and burns down a few houses. But now that the three main halls are burned, it’s some kind of divine warning that I shouldn’t move the capital? You bunch of scoundrels! Do you think I don’t know how long you’ve been suppressing yourselves? Do you think I don’t know your intentions? Zhang Yue!”
Zhu Di had completely forgotten the original reason for summoning Zhang Yue. Without even thinking, he pointed at him and shouted, “Go to the Imperial Stables and pass an order—tell Shanghai Shou to throw these people… all of them into the Jinyiwei prison!”
Hearing this, not only was Zhang Yue shocked, but Jin Youzi also cried out in alarm. He could ignore whether Zhang Yue had offended anyone, but if this were done, the backlash would be severe, and he, as a cabinet minister, would bear responsibility. Thinking this, he quickly stepped forward to persuade them, but Zhu Di cut him off after just a few words.
“Do you only want them to impeach you, the Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and declare you worthy of death?”
Last time, during the turmoil in the capital, he was sent by the emperor to arrest people, which was one thing, but this time Zhang Yue understood that unless he wanted to never be able to lift his head among the scholars again, he must not do such a thing. Moreover, he himself was also involved in it. After some thought, he stepped forward, bowed calmly, and then said, “Since Your Majesty has issued an edict seeking honest opinions, if all those who submitted petitions are imprisoned now, I fear no one will be willing to speak up in the future. Besides, I also submitted a petition in response to the edict. If Your Majesty really wants me to arrest people, then II’m afraid will have to arrest myself.”
Since the first petition submitted by Jin Youzi was that of Xiao Yi, an official from the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Di, in his anger, hardly glanced at anyone else’s petitions. Hearing Zhang Yue’s words, he frowned and glanced at the petitions on the ground, still looking furious. Seeing the emperor’s expression soften slightly, Zhang Yue glanced at Jin Youzi beside him, then bent down to pick up the scattered petitions one by one. After gathering them all and folding them neatly, he stepped forward and presented them with both hands.
“You’re quite bold,” Zhu Di said coldly, staring at Zhang Yue. Then he slapped the imperial desk in front of him. “I have no mood to look at these now. Since you say you also submitted a petition, very well, read yours to me first. Then read those of others… In short, read them one by one. I want to hear how many people act out of fairness.”
Although Jin Youzi was left aside, he wasn’t displeased at all. It was understandable that, aside from those who knew their limits, other officials’ petitions would surely be harsh in tone, and reading them was like walking on eggshells. When he heard Zhang Yue reading his own petition in a measured tone, he gradually felt a prickle on his scalp.
“Since ancient times, the methods of transporting grain have been by river, land, or sea. Land transport uses carts, while river and sea transport use boats. In terms of labor, transportation capacity, and cost, sea transport is the most economical, followed by river transport, and then land transport. However, even in areas where river transport is inconvenient, human labor is still needed to pull the boats. Although sea transport saves on labor, it still faces the risk of capsizing, so the advantages and disadvantages are roughly equal. Nowadays, river transport is convenient, and the wealth from the southeast is transported northward via it. Sea transport has been abandoned for many years. Yet river transport is like a person’s throat; if the river siltates heavily or freezes over in winter, grain from the south cannot be transported north, leading to unforeseen disasters. Although it’s a time of peace now, we must consider the long term. Please allow the wealth from western Zhejiang to be transported by sea, so that people can become familiar with sea routes, strengthen coastal defenses, learn naval warfare, and defend against Japanese pirates…”
The meeting held that day was to discuss the transportation of grain between the north and south. Thus, Zhu Di ordered the suspension of sea transport from then on. Now, Zhang Yue actually proposes to resume sea transport—won’t the emperor be even angrier? However, after slapping the armrest forcefully to interrupt Zhang Yue, Zhu Di did not immediately explode in fury but merely let out an indignant snort.
“Enough. Don’t think I don’t know your motives… Put it aside for now. Move on to the next document!”