Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Storm Settles
Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Storm Settled
Time slipped away as usual.
After the Grand Empress Dowager left the Wen Yuan Pavilion with Zhu Qizhen, the ministers of the cabinet respectfully escorted her departure.
Yang Shiqi watched the Grand Empress Dowager leave, then his gaze settled on Yang Rong. Pausing briefly, he said, “Everyone, since the Grand Empress Dowager has spoken so decisively, let us properly handle the aftermath.”
Though the Grand Empress Dowager had delivered the final ruling, there were still many matters to wrap up at every level.
While none of these were particularly difficult, Yang Shiqi was not entirely pleased with Yang Rong’s eager approach to curry favor with the Grand Empress Dowager.
Yang Shiqi and his associates were trusted ministers relied upon by the Grand Empress Dowager.
One could even say that they depended on each other mutually. The Grand Empress Dowager needed the trio of Yangs to stabilize the realm, while the three Yangs required her to maintain order within the inner court.
After all, the Ming Empire was ruled by the emperor, who held true decision-making power. When the emperor was unable to perform his duties, the inner court stepped in.
Both were indispensable.
However, this did not imply that there were no tensions at all between Yang Shiqi and the Grand Empress Dowager.
Every minister in the cabinet was backed by their own network and faction, representing a considerable constituency. No one would willingly serve as a lackey, bowing unquestioningly to another.
Yang Shiqi respected the Grand Empress Dowager deeply, but he did not unconditionally endorse all her decisions.
At least on the matter of opening the sea trade, he dissented.
Yu Qian was Yang Shiqi’s disciple, and Yang Shiqi was no fool; he saw right through the minor tricks employed. No matter how strict the maritime ban was, now that a tiny crack had been opened, in the coming decade, that net would inevitably fail to hold.
This was the tide of history.
Yang Shiqi was not outright opposed to lifting the sea ban, but he disapproved of such a hasty judgment on a matter of state. Without Yang Rong, he might have delayed the decision, but Yang Rong’s near-sycophantic demeanor only deepened Yang Shiqi’s displeasure.
It was truly unbecoming of a minister.
Sensing Yang Shiqi’s thoughts, Yang Rong said, “Indeed, Minister Yang, please forgive me.” He adopted a respectful air, but somehow, hearing the words “Minister Yang” sounded awkward and forced.
Yang Rong’s ambitions toward the prime ministership were no secret, and this was not the first time he had made such moves.
Nevertheless, the two remained locked in a stalemate, and from an outsider’s perspective, the three Yangs still appeared united.
As Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong feigned harmony while harboring discord in smoothing things over, the Grand Empress Dowager also took the opportunity to instruct the young emperor.
“Do you understand now?” she asked.
Zhu Qizhen replied, “I understand a little. It seems that nothing today escaped Minister Yang’s foresight, does it?”
The Grand Empress Dowager sighed softly and said, “You’ve seen through it. Indeed, Yang Shiqi is a man of rare wisdom and strategy. Under Emperor Taizong’s fury, he played a crucial role in preserving Emperor Renzong’s reign.”
“Though I have endured many trials, I still fall short of Yang Shiqi’s skill. If it weren’t for Yang Rong’s presence today, many matters would not have been so easily resolved.”
“The smoothness of today’s outcome is partly because Yang Shiqi does not wish to stir up trouble in court.”
Zhu Qizhen asked, “How should I deal with ministers like Yang Shiqi in the future?”
The Grand Empress Dowager sighed again. “It’s hard to say whether this is your blessing or misfortune. Yang Shiqi is old now, and his descendants are unworthy; he already harbors thoughts of retirement. So when you take full power, you won’t have much to worry about with him.”
“He is very perceptive. As soon as you give a hint, he will submit a memorial requesting to retire to the countryside. He would never embarrass you openly.”
“You needn’t fear him usurping power.”
“But without such a steady anchor in court, your troubles will multiply.”
Zhu Qizhen said, “I do not doubt Minister Yang’s loyalty. Still, talents arise in every generation. When I face such ministers in the future, what shall I do?”
The Grand Empress Dowager looked at him and said, “At least you have some self-awareness.”
Zhu Qizhen smiled awkwardly. “Please do not mock me, Your Majesty.”
After this upheaval, Zhu Qizhen was fully awakened to a truth: often, ministers’ abilities and political wisdom exceed those of the emperor.
This was a high-probability reality.
Born within the Forbidden City, Zhu Qizhen could imagine the great sacrifices many had made just for a single audience there.
He was born with the greatest golden key in hand, yet that key did not translate into ability. Facing these brightest talents, culled from all corners of the Ming realm, each was a prodigy of the era.
What confidence could he have that he would surpass them all?
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled gently. “Let us play a game.”
A nanmu chessboard lay before them, etched with delicate gold lines, its surface as hard as iron and stone. When lightly tapped, it emitted a deep, pleasant sound, like a musical instrument.
The black and white jade pieces were exquisitely smooth and fine. If not for their faint coolness, Zhu Qizhen might have mistaken them for a beauty’s fingertips.
The four arts—qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting—were the marks of a gentleman. Zhu Qizhen was not proficient in all but had an artistically gifted father. His own acquaintance with these arts was merely superficial.
His moves were awkward.
Yet, the Grand Empress Dowager did not seem much more skilled at chess. By midgame, Zhu Qizhen had gained the upper hand. He studied two great dragons entwined in a deadly struggle and finally placed a piece, saying, “Your Majesty, it’s your turn.”
Zhu Qizhen had already calculated it: with a single move, he could slaughter the Grand Empress Dowager’s great dragon. But to kill his own great dragon, she would need two moves—too slow.
This single move sealed the victory.
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled slightly and said, “The emperor has some skill, but you think the game is won at this point.”
Zhu Qizhen said, “Your Majesty, how will you turn the tide?”
“Watch closely.” She placed two pieces consecutively, blocking Zhu Qizhen’s great dragon.
He was shocked. “That’s not possible!”
“Why not? It is indeed possible,” she replied.
At first, he was angry, but then he understood. Even if the Grand Empress Dowager was a poor player, she would never stoop to such poor sportsmanship.
She was using the game to teach him.
Cautiously, Zhu Qizhen asked, “Does Your Majesty mean one can use such methods dealing with the outer court?”
The Grand Empress Dowager said, “Some ministers are truly beyond your control. You must know, the emperor’s words are golden and carry the weight of heaven’s law. When necessary, you must wield this power.”
“Just as the Ming Code governs the people and ancestral laws govern the officials, the emperor is ostensibly a figurehead ruling silently. What could be wrong with that?”
“That is precisely the problem.”
“As long as there are established laws and regulations, the emperor cannot outplay the ministers. Even the wise and mighty Emperor Taizong had no legal grounds to imprison Yang Shiqi and others.”
“There was none at all.”
“This is the emperor’s greatest power—the power beyond all rules, the power to overturn the board.”
“This power must not be used often, lest you become a tyrant. But if it is never used, or if it does not exist, you become a mere figurehead like Emperor Xian of Han or Emperor Huai of Jin.”
“If you intend to be a conservative ruler, I would not have told you this.”
“But since you aspire to emulate Emperor Taizong, can you do what he did? Taizong replaced the entire six ministries’ officials in a single day. Can you?”
Zhu Qizhen said, “I understand now. I shall not be presumptuous again.”
The Grand Empress Dowager gathered the chess pieces with a crisp clatter. She sighed and said, “It is not important what you think; what matters is that you dared to think and even speak it aloud. Didn’t you say before that before acting, you must distinguish friend from foe?”
“Now tell me, if you want to accomplish what you desire, who is your enemy?”
Zhu Qizhen pondered a moment. “The Oirat.”
The Grand Empress Dowager chuckled. “Wrong. Think again.”
Zhu Qizhen answered, “The officers of the various garrisons in the army?” He reasoned that to defeat the Oirat decisively, one must first clean up the military, as many officers were corrupt.