Chapter Five: Attending Court Seated (Special Additional Chapter for the First Alliance Leader, as His Majesty Personally Oversees State Affairs, Especially for the Alliance Leader!)

Regarding the handling of Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen, after a joint review by the Three Judicial Departments, the conclusions reported by Minister of Justice Wang Ji, Left Censor Zou Yuanbiao, and Chief Justice Zhou Yingqiu were that both men should be executed. Historically, Xiong Tingbi was executed in the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, while Wang Huazhen died in the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign.

Of course, this conclusion was only a preliminary judgment that both had lost the territory and deserved death; it was not an immediate execution order but rather left the timing up to the emperor’s discretion, thus giving the ministers room to maneuver.

The court officials began factional efforts to save the two. The Eastern Forest Party, being numerous and powerful—from Deputy Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao, Cabinet Minister Han Kuang, and Sun Chengzong, down to Minister of Justice Wang Ji, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, as well as Censor Zou Yuanbiao and Left Censor Guang Dou—collectively believed that Wang Huazhen should not be executed, but Xiong Tingbi should.

Their reasoning was that Wang Huazhen lost Guangning because he lacked military knowledge and ability, which led to failure. They conveniently omitted how someone as incompetent as Wang Huazhen had been promoted to the position of Provincial Governor. On the other hand, Xiong Tingbi was capable but refused to aid Guangning, which was an issue of attitude rather than ability, thus meriting execution.

Conversely, the three parties of Zhejiang, Hubei, and Shandong, led by Fang Congzhe, argued that although Xiong Tingbi was nominally the commander, he only controlled five thousand troops, while the over a hundred thousand soldiers were under Governor Wang Huazhen’s command. How could Xiong be expected to accomplish what Wang could not with such a disparity in forces? They also implicated Zhang Heming, the local commander, asserting that his favoritism toward Wang caused discord between the provincial commander and the military governor, ultimately leading to the loss of Guangning.

At that time, the leaders of the three parties were still active in court, and the atmosphere was charged with zeal, a stark contrast to the historical record. The factions were evenly matched in their disputes.

After Emperor Zhu Youxiao distributed the Three Judicial Departments’ verdict for discussion among the ministers, the court was a constant scene of one faction presenting their argument only to be met by the other’s counterpoint. The resulting uproar amused the emperor greatly. Zhu Youxiao felt this truly resembled the workings of a court; with equal forces, no single faction could dominate, and if one side held absolute power, the emperor himself would be disregarded. In this balance, only he retained the final say.

After two days of bickering, the time for the Grand Court Assembly arrived. That morning, after the emperor and ministers paid homage, Zhu Youxiao remarked, “I have been pondering a matter these past few days. There are many senior ministers in court; I wonder if the older ones might be exempted from the grand formal bows?”

The ministers were stunned. Wasn’t the issue of Xiong and Wang supposed to be discussed today? Why was the emperor bringing up this unrelated topic? The initial confusion quickly turned to strong opposition, especially from the elder and higher-ranking officials like Fang Congzhe and Ye Xianggao.

Fang Congzhe stepped forward, “Your Majesty, ritual must not be discarded. The Zuo Tradition states that great ritual defines the Xia dynasty. We are not barbarians. Please, Your Majesty, do not say such things again.” The others echoed his sentiment.

Zhu Youxiao inwardly grumbled. Even Confucius was not a saint, yet you heed his words so religiously. I meant well to spare you from kneeling, but since you refuse, there’s nothing I can do. This must be approached gradually. He smiled and said, “I only wish to show compassion for the elder ministers. Since all oppose, I shall abandon the idea. But I wonder, if seats were arranged in court so everyone could sit instead of stand, might that be better?”

Ye Xianggao replied, “On behalf of the elder ministers, I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. However, setting seats in the hall would occupy much space, preventing those farther away from hearing Your Majesty’s instructions. This may undermine the spirit of court deliberations. I respectfully submit this for Your Majesty’s judgment.”

Ye Xianggao was less aggressive in factional disputes than Liu Yizhi and others, so Zhu Youxiao felt a certain fondness toward him. He said gently, “Your concerns are reasonable. I propose placing ten seats with cushions in court. Would that not address your worries?”

Upon hearing “ten seats,” Han Kuang immediately grew concerned. Ten seats would mean four for cabinet ministers and six for ministers of the six ministries, placing cabinet ministers on equal footing with ministers—a situation he found unacceptable. As soon as the emperor finished, he stepped forward, “Your Majesty, I think having ten seats plus cushions will divide the ministers and sow discord. Since the Grand Court Assembly occurs only once every five days, it would be better if everyone used cushions, ensuring no distinctions. What does Your Majesty think?”

Zhu Youxiao gave him a meaningful glance and said, “Scholar Han’s suggestion has merit. But I feel that elder ministers like Prime Minister Fang and Deputy Ye find sitting on cushions uncomfortable, hence this proposal. Bring the seats and cushions here.”

Immediately, eunuchs carried ten grand seats into the hall, arranged in two rows facing each other near the imperial throne. Zhu Youxiao said, “Please, cabinet ministers and ministers, sit on the chairs. Other ministers, please step aside so the cushions may be laid out.”

Those called forward approached the chairs, and a brief bout of polite refusals ensued over who should sit where. Zhu Youxiao, growing impatient, commanded, “Prime Minister Fang on the left front, Deputy Ye on the right front, then Scholar Han and Scholar Sun’s seats remain empty for now. The six ministries shall be seated according to rank, not by their civil service examination seniority—that is too complicated.”

The eight men finally ceased their pretenses and sat in order (Sun Chengzong was absent, and the Ministry of War had no minister at the time). Eunuchs arranged six rows of cushions behind them. After some commotion, all officials were seated in order by ministry and rank.

Everyone was inwardly impressed. The emperor had clearly planned this in advance; the chairs and cushions were prepared beforehand. First, he proposed abolishing the bows, then having everyone sit on chairs. These were merely smokescreens to mask his true intention. Such cunning was hardly that of a mere youth.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the assembled ministers and said, “The Grand Court Assembly can sometimes be long. Sitting will allow everyone to focus better on state affairs. Some may think this shows insufficient respect, but I believe this is like filial piety: it’s the heart, not the form, that matters. Prime Minister Fang, do you think my words are reasonable?”

He recalled a saying: Of all virtues, filial piety comes first; it is the heart, not the outward act, that counts. Those who judge only by acts find no filial children among commoners. Of all evils, licentiousness is worst; judging only by acts, no one is perfect in heart. This saying originated from the Qing era, so when Fang Congzhe heard the question, he thought for a moment before answering, “Your Majesty is wise. Among all virtues, filial piety is paramount. Filial piety can only be judged by the heart. Some have no means to properly care for their parents, yet cannot be called unfilial. Your Majesty’s words have enlightened me; I bow to Your Majesty’s wisdom.”

Zhu Youxiao was puzzled. Had this saying not yet come into being at this time? If not, then he was once again benefiting from the knowledge of a time traveler, gaining much influence. It was perfect to counter the Eastern Forest Party’s arguments.

He smiled and said, “I often think, of all virtues, filial piety is foremost, judged by heart, not deeds. Those who judge only by deeds find no filial sons. Of all evils, licentiousness leads, judged only by deeds; judged by heart, no one is perfect. Therefore, when judging a person’s faults, one should judge by deeds, not by heart.”