Chapter 651: Ministers Change with the Emperor

Compared to the mansions of high-ranking officials in the capital, which often occupied most of a street, Yuan Fang’s residence as former commander of the Jinyiwei appeared extremely shabby. Yuan’s small household employed only a dozen or so servants, including four who accompanied him to and from the Jinyiwei office, two gatekeepers, and the rest handling miscellaneous tasks and cooking. The two maids were also in their forties, already married, hired merely for labor.

Having served as commander of the Jinyiwei for seven years, Yuan Fang was seen by outsiders as a lonely official who rarely interacted with other officials. He was diligent and frugal, and even in matters of women, few could find fault with him. Yet no one is perfect. At the beginning of the new emperor’s reign, several cases of corruption were uncovered against him. But considering his usual diligence and prudence, as well as his quick response when news of Zhu Di’s death arrived, Zhu Gaochi ordered Wang Jie to take over the Jinyiwei and promoted Yuan Fang by two ranks, sending him to Nanjing to retire.

Now that he was a defunct powerful official about to leave Beijing, Yuan’s household was naturally deserted. The two gatekeepers were dozing off, and the other servants were listless and unmotivated. News of their master’s demotion had been circulating for days, and it wasn’t until today that an old acquaintance secretly came to visit. At such a low rank, his situation was truly desolate!

Yet the former commander of the Jinyiwei, who they thought should be disheartened, was in the main room, personally organizing his belongings while chatting cheerfully with someone. As he took out each piece of clothing from the wicker box and stacked it on the kang, he said without turning around, “The emperor didn’t touch the people of the Eastern Depot this time. As a chief executioner, you’re also highly trusted by Lu Feng. You should take this opportunity to excel—maybe you can even advance further in the future. Why come to see me now? You’ll only give others material for gossip.”

“It doesn’t matter if I give others gossip. I have no great ambitions anyway. Besides, I’ve already told Lu Feng that I’m using our old friendship to get capable people from you. He’s probably happy about it. And even if I rise further, could I possibly become commander of the Jinyiwei again?” Mu Ning watched Yuan Fang skillfully organize the items and glanced around at the ordinary clothes in the room before sighing. “Those people in the Eastern Depot are all laughing at you for not seizing opportunities to profit. Instead, you’re helping those prisoners under the Northern Pacification Commission, losing money but risking your own future. What fools!”

“Well, you’re smart too. In that position, you don’t need to be as cautious as I am. Just make sure you please your superior. But Lu Feng is too greedy; one day he’ll surely fall. If I were to amass wealth like him, I’d be exiled to Jiaozhi instead of retiring comfortably in the south!”
Yuan Fang sneered, placed a set of faded gray cloth clothes on the kang table, then turned around. “All those people from the Beizhenfu Si have been released now. Huang Huai, Yang Pu, and others have all been promoted. Xia Yuanji and Wu Zhong have also regained their positions. Although I took bribes from their families and did them a favor, I still did help them. Even if they may not be grateful to me, their former Jinyiwei commander, they at least won’t harm me. As for the emperor… he won’t use another of his former lackeys, but he’ll surely think I’m cowardly. Otherwise, why would he just send me to a nice place?”
“That’s true. Although Nanjing is mostly an idle government office, the Left Military Governor’s Office is the most relaxed. No matter what military matters arise, they certainly won’t keep you busy!” Though disappointed, Mu Ning was used to being optimistic, so he smiled and asked, “I’m really curious about one thing—when will you and Miss Lin get together?”
“A dog can’t spit out ivory!” Yuan Fang glared at Mu Ning irritably before becoming serious. “I no longer need her, but it would be a shame to waste her talents. Since you claim to be here today out of loyalty as a former superior and subordinate, yet still try to poach people from me, I’ll entrust her to you. She’ll surely be useful to you in the future.”
“Good heavens! Yuan Fang, you’re entrusting such a remarkable person to me?”
In his urgency, Mu Ning couldn’t help using his old title, his eyes wide open. He grabbed a celadon teacup nearby, ignoring that the tea leaves were quite ordinary and the tea had gone cold. He gulped it down in one go before waving his hand and saying, “That’s absolutely unacceptable. I have a formidable wife at home. If she finds out I have such a talented subordinate working undercover for me, she’ll probably tear me apart. Besides, her heart is entirely on you…”

As he was speaking, a voice from outside suddenly came through: “Master, someone from the leather shop on East Street has come to deliver news. The leather goods you ordered have arrived. You can pick them up now or in three days. May I ask if you’d like to go get them now so as not to delay your departure?”
“Go get them now!” Yuan Fang ordered without hesitation. After the person outside replied affirmatively, he stood up and spoke in an unyielding tone, “The matter regarding Lin Sha is settled. She’s a smart girl; there’s no need for her to waste her thoughts on someone like me. As you heard, Zhang Zhuo wants to see me, so I need to leave. All that needed to be said today has been said. From now on, we’ll be in different places with no chance of meeting again. Take care of yourself and stop worrying about me. I’ll arrange for your share of the estate to be separated and given to you.”
Mu Ning, who had initially intended to joke, saw this last sentence and his smile vanished instantly. He first stood up from his seat, then suddenly knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times in a row. Caught off guard, Yuan Fang was stunned for a while before helping him up. Just as he was about to reprimand him, he saw the man suddenly lift his head.
“Yuan Tou, it was you who saved me from the pile of dead refugees back then. Then we worked together on the streets, served as officers in the Jinyiwei, and tried to start businesses… I’ve been able to get where I am thanks to your support. No matter what happens in the future, as long as you send a word, I’ll follow you through fire and water!” Mu Ning said, gritting his teeth before taking a deep breath. “You don’t need to go to the trouble of separating my share of the estate. I trust those you trust, and if we lose contact, won’t we truly become strangers? I’m not short of money. Even if I am, I’d rather ask you for it myself in the future.”
Watching Mu Ning break free, bow deeply, and turn to leave, Yuan Fang stood there frozen for a while before sighing again. There is no feast that never ends. Even their long-standing friendship could not withstand the changes in circumstances.
The Dade Silk Shop in the capital was doing very well these days. After all, top nobles like the Duke of Cheng ordered deliveries from here specifically, let alone other wealthy families of lower rank. Now that the 27-day mourning period for the late emperor had ended, officials still had to wear plain clothes with black hats and straps, but others could dress as usual. With the need to purchase winter clothing, brightly colored silks were extremely popular.

Near the Beijing branch of Dade Silk Shop, there were also gold and silver stores, shoe and hat shops, teahouses, and restaurants. The entire street was filled with shops lining up one after another, bustling with activity everywhere.

However, at that moment, the two-story restaurant next to Dade Silk Shop had only half its seats occupied, with much quieter business than usual. After all, even though the mourning period banning alcohol had ended, the ban on slaughtering animals still remained, so most of the food available was vegetarian. As for what went on in those private booths, it was better left unknown to outsiders. Unlike those booths simply separated by screens, these ones were double-layered partitions, providing excellent soundproofing and privacy.

Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Yue were sitting in one of these private booths at the moment, with only some preserved fruits and pastries on the table. Even so, neither of them paid attention to them until the door to the booth creaked open and someone came in from outside. The father and son both looked up, and upon recognizing the visitor, they stood up.

It was only when Yuan Fang entered that he noticed there was Zhang Yue beside Zhang Zhuo. He was greatly surprised. After sitting down, he couldn’t help but scold them, “At such a critical time, you two should be more restrained. Why did you come to see me? Zhang Yue has just returned to Beijing—shouldn’t he be very busy? And as for you, you know my situation well. Why don’t you advise your son instead of letting him act recklessly?”

Although he was rebuked right away, Zhang Zhuo didn’t mind. With a wry smile, he glanced at Zhang Yue and said, “Over the years, Yue has benefited greatly from your care. He insisted on coming. How could I stop him? Besides, we’ve known each other for so many years. If you leave, you might stay in Nanjing forever. We might not get another chance to meet like this.”

Hearing this, Yuan Fang froze. Looking at the father and son, who resembled each other so much, he felt somewhat relieved but then sighed. “I’m grateful that you two still remember me. But what’s important now is you two. The emperor is showing favor to the Zhang family, and you, Zhang Zhuo, are in mourning—there’s nothing you can do. But Zhang Yue is different. He’s still young, and with the emperor seeking capable people, he has a bright future ahead.”

Since losing his wife, Yuan Fang had given up the idea of remarrying. With no children of his own, he had lived alone all these years. Although he had considered adopting a child, his busy schedule over the years had prevented him from doing so. Watching Zhang Yue grow up, he had helped him like a father, which naturally influenced his tone.

“I came to see Uncle Yuan today for two reasons: to say goodbye and because of this matter.” Seeing Zhang Zhuo and Yuan Fang both stunned, Zhang Yue hesitated for a moment before speaking, “My uncle once told me that now that he is a high-ranking official in charge of the military, he brings prosperity to the Zhang family. While that’s good for others, it poses obstacles for me. The fact that I was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Rites already shows this. Almost everyone in the Zhang family has been promoted, even my elder brothers, so naturally I should too. Ever since I passed the imperial exams and was sent on external assignments, I’ve often been away, but I’ve never held any official position outside. Now, however, I’m being sent to serve as the deputy magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture.”

The spacious room fell silent for a while. Even Zhang Zhuo, as the father, had not heard about this before, so his expression became stiff. Yuan Fang’s brows furrowed even more. After a long while, Yuan Fang shook his head, picked up a candied fruit from the plate in front of him, fiddled with it for a moment, and then threw it away.

“There’s no news of this outside yet. Mu Ning didn’t mention it when he came to see me just now. How can you be so sure?”

“Of course. It was the Crown Prince who had Princess Chenliu tell me.”

When Yuan Fang first entered, Zhang Yue had sensed a sense of weariness in him, but now he noticed that sharpness again, which made him happy. “The emperor changes his ministers with each new reign. Since the emperor ascended the throne, many of the policies from the Yongle era have been abolished. Some of these measures are good, but others go too far. The overseas expeditions have been completely halted, the Maritime Administration has faced heavy criticism, and the same is true for military actions in the north. Although the last two haven’t been touched yet, it’s only a matter of time. Even if it weren’t for my uncle, I’d still be useless.”

Zhang Zhuo had always placed his hopes on his son, but now that he had just learned of this, he couldn’t help but complain softly in shock, “When Emperor Taizong was still alive, because you were young, you achieved many accomplishments, but received few promotions. I thought that after the emperor ascended, he would surely reward you fairly… If what you say is true, all those efforts will have been in vain.”

Although Yuan Fang had expected to be sent to retire someday and usually acted as if nothing was wrong in front of others, he was still under fifty, at the height of his strength. After having held a high position for so long, being dismissed as a hindrance was certainly unpleasant. Now that Zhang Yue said he might also be useless, thinking of his lifelong hard work potentially going to waste, he felt anxious.

“If Uncle Yuan doesn’t want to consider this trip to Nanjing as retirement, I do have a few things to say.” Last night, Zhang Yue had thought that someone who had been through countless crises would surely feel uncomfortable taking a break, so he came up with this idea. Now, he calmly explained, “Although the position in Nanjing used to be a minor one, as soon as the emperor ascended the throne, many important officials were sent there, inevitably with ulterior motives. Nanjing has been the capital for decades—it’s by no means a place of idleness. We can also achieve a lot there. Besides, if things are turned around by others, we can turn them around again later!”
Before Zhang Zhuo could respond, he saw Uncle Yuan’s eyes suddenly shine with intensity, just as sharp as before. Soon, his elder brother, with whom he had known each other for years, got up from his seat, took a few steps, then turned around and bombarded Zhang Yue with questions, to which Zhang Yue answered fluently. Watching this, he felt as if he had become unnecessary.
Half an hour later, after Uncle Yuan left in a hurry, the father and son finally got another chance to talk. Seeing Zhang Yue’s pleased expression, Zhang Zhuo couldn’t help but reproach him, “Uncle Yuan has finally gotten a chance to live a leisurely life. With your words, he’s all fired up again!”
“Dad, I also hope Uncle Yuan can live in peace, but only if the world is stable and free from unforeseen crises. Besides, just look at how energetic he became again—he’s not willing to give up, so he doesn’t want to retire so early.”
At that point, Zhang Yue added in his mind—neither of them was someone who disdained fame and wealth, and now wasn’t the time to retire. Retiring after achieving success would be far better than idling away one’s time now.