Not long after Shen Jun left, Zhu Yiheng led a procession of serving maids into Jinshen Hall. Seeing the wound on Zhu Yushen’s shoulder, he glanced aside. The attending eunuchs acknowledged and hurriedly withdrew. In mere moments, they had summoned the Director from the Imperial Medical Academy.
Zhu Yiheng bowed to Zhu Yushen. “This subject brother pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Zhu Yushen made no response.
He was utterly still, profoundly silent—different from his usual delirium. It wasn’t until a palace maid cleaning the inner hall picked up the broken red-tasseled spear that he spoke: “Don’t touch that.”
All the serving maids in the hall froze. The next moment, they all trembled as they bowed their heads to the ground.
The new Emperor, afflicted with dementia and unable to recognize people or remember events, had suddenly spoken.
Those who constantly served in the deep palace knew what consequences came from penetrating secrets.
Fortunately, Zhu Yushen showed no intention of “silencing” them. He merely added, “Bring it to me.”
The red-tasseled spear, split in two—the spearhead section only a foot long. Held in his hand, the crimson tassels brushed across the back of his hand.
Before long, the attending eunuch Wu Chang reported: “Your Majesty, Minister Luo from the Ministry of Rites and Minister Zeng from the Ministry of Personnel heard that Your Majesty was injured and have come to Jinshen Hall to pay their respects.” He added, “They say they also have matters to memorialize.”
Zhu Yiheng answered on Zhu Yushen’s behalf: “Summon them.”
Luo Songtang and Zeng Youliang paid their respects to Zhu Yushen together. Luo Songtang first glanced toward the dragon couch, seeing His Majesty lying with eyes closed while the Director bandaged his wound. He spoke first: “Tenth Prince, this old minister just heard that this morning, due to the Late Emperor’s passing, Her Majesty the Empress was overcome with grief and said… she doesn’t wish to be Empress anymore?”
Zhu Yiheng glanced at him but didn’t answer.
Luo Songtang continued: “But the Late Emperor left an edict stating that should he pass from illness, the era name should be changed that very month, and the enthronement ceremony should also be held that same month—the state cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Right now the era name hasn’t been established, and the Empress position has lost its occupant. My Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices can’t even find a starting point for the upcoming ceremonies. Do you think we should petition the two Dowager Consorts to establish a new mistress of the central palace?”
No wonder he asked these questions in Zhu Yushen’s presence. Matters concerning the imperial succession required the Emperor’s presence for discussion, even if he was demented.
Who knew that when his words fell, the entire Jinshen Hall became so quiet a dropped needle could be heard. Luo Songtang sensed something amiss. Just as he was about to turn and ask Zeng Youliang, the new Emperor, half-reclining on the dragon couch, slowly opened his eyes and answered: “If the central palace position isn’t established, then I cannot ascend the throne?”
Luo Songtang froze, still thinking why these words sounded so familiar. When he finally realized, he and Zeng Youliang knelt on the ground together with a thud. “In response to Your Majesty, this subject, this subject was presumptuous. This subject didn’t mean that.”
An enormous secret lay spread open before their eyes—they dared not speak a single word more.
The wound had been bandaged. Zhu Yushen pushed aside the bedding. An attending eunuch draped the dragon robe over him. “The era name will be determined today. The Empress position will still be held by the Shen clan.”
Luo Songtang couldn’t quite fathom Zhu Yushen’s meaning. He wanted to ask but didn’t dare inquire too closely lest he offend him, so he could only say: “Yes, then shall this old subject request Her Majesty the Empress to return to the palace?”
Zhu Yushen remained vague: “No need. Let her be.”
Then he looked toward Zeng Youliang. “What matter does Minister Zeng wish to memorialize?”
“In response to Your Majesty, it’s like this: when a new Emperor ascends, there should be a general amnesty throughout the realm, as well as the promotion of a group of officials with political achievements to demonstrate benevolent virtue. The matter of amnesty has already been handled by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Rites, awaiting only the new year’s proclamation. As for the officials to be promoted, the Ministry of Personnel has also prepared a roster and submitted it to Director Zhao of the Imperial Censorate for verification. However, since this is after all a new reign, among this group of promoted officials, there should be one or two elevated to high rank. This subject is somewhat uncertain about the selection of these one or two individuals.”
The so-called high ranks weren’t as simple as third or second rank. Looking at the previous two reigns, during the Jingyuan era there were Xie Xu and Meng Liang; during the Jin’an era, Su Jin and Shen Xi—all held positions of utmost ministerial power.
These people were all meritorious officials who had walked the path alongside their Emperors. Therefore, by rights, with Zhu Yushen as Emperor, the first who should be promoted was Liu Yun, but he was already Regent and Chief Grand Secretary. To promote him further would require enfeoffment as a prince.
Though there were indeed people in the palace speculating that the Liu clan would produce a prince of different surname.
“I have heard that Qingyue is already on his way back to the palace?” After a moment, Zhu Yushen said.
Zeng Youliang was puzzled, not understanding why His Majesty mentioned Shen Xi.
Shen Qingyue had always belonged to the Eastern Palace faction. After Zhu Minda’s downfall, he had helped Zhu Nanxian rise to power. That His Majesty hadn’t had him beheaded already showed magnanimous benevolent virtue.
“In response to Your Majesty, yes. After Lord Shen went to Wuchang, he worked tirelessly day and night on the embankment construction. Before autumn, he had already properly settled the local disaster victims and gathered craftsmen to begin rebuilding the embankment in the eleventh month. Previously he sent word that he would wait until after spring to return to the capital, but then somehow, at the beginning of this month, he suddenly handed over the subsequent embankment matters to Censor Zhai and rushed toward the capital without stopping. We subjects sent him letters but received no reply. We only heard from people at several relay stations along the route that Lord Shen was traveling day and night, and should arrive at Yingtian around the New Year festival.”
Zhu Yushen said: “Promotions should be based on political achievements. During the Jin’an era, aside from Liu Yun, three people exhausted their minds and efforts for court affairs: Gong Quan, Su Shiyu, and Shen Qingyue. Gong Quan has already been enfeoffed. Su Shiyu bears criminal charges, so we’ll set him aside. Since Qingyue was promoted to Minister of Revenue and first-rank Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he has募集ed military provisions, grain, and warhorses for the three battlefronts of the Northwest, Northern Frontier, and Eastern Sea; resolved the floods in Huguang and drought in Guangxi; pacified disaster victims; and now has coordinated and arranged the embankment reconstruction, enabling relief from flooding conditions along the Yangzi River. He is a pillar talent of the nation and must be rewarded.”
“He is already a first-rank Grand Secretary. When he returns, bestow upon him additionally a first-rank ducal title. Promote him to Duke Shenguo.”
Luo Songtang and Zeng Youliang exited Jinshen Hall without speaking the entire way.
It wasn’t until they’d circled past Fengtian Hall, descended the stone platform, and left through the Meridian Gate at noon that Luo Songtang couldn’t help but ask: “Old Zeng, what do you think His Majesty means by this?”
Zeng Youliang said gloomily: “How would I know? At the time I was also puzzled. I thought when His Majesty mentioned Shen Qingyue, he was looking for a pretext to charge him with crimes. Who knew he intended to bestow rewards?”
Luo Songtang looked around, then said in a low voice: “Could it be that he thinks Liu Yun’s power is too great, so—”
Zeng Youliang pursed his lips and shook his head. “I don’t think so. If His Majesty truly wanted to elevate someone to counter Liu Yun, he wouldn’t elevate Shen Qingyue of all people. With Shen Qingyue’s temperament, whether he’ll even accept this first-rank ducal enfeoffment is debatable. He might very well follow his two elder sisters’ example—’a scholar can be killed but not humiliated’—and chase after the Late Emperor into death.”
“True.” Luo Songtang nodded. “In this respect, Qingyue resembles Shiyu. You didn’t see the other day—when Shiyu heard of the Late Emperor’s passing, she nearly, ah—”
Speaking to this point, he sighed of his own accord and stopped himself. First, thinking of Su Jin brought inexplicable heartache. Second, Zeng Youliang had friction with Su Shiyu, so mentioning her to him wouldn’t gain much empathy.
Who knew Zeng Youliang would actually sigh as well, nodding: “Su Shiyu is indeed a pity.”
This was hardly surprising.
Since Zhu Zhaowei’s death, Zeng Youliang had been keeping his tail between his legs. Fortunately, with various official posts in court left vacant, the position of Minister of Personnel was crucial, and aside from him, no one had the qualifications to do it well.
Having gained several years of life for nothing, working alongside Su Jin—though she later outranked him officially, she never held their past friction against him much. Whether she lacked the energy for it or truly possessed broad magnanimity, he never asked. Over time, watching her act forthrightly with sharp methods, he gradually developed some respect for her.
The two stood in the snow talking for quite a while. As they neared the Six Ministries, two junior clerks from the Ministry of Rites approached from not far off, presenting an imperial document. They bowed: “Two Minister Lords, this morning Lord Liu already determined the era name and specifically ordered it sent to each ministry.”
Zeng Youliang and Luo Songtang exchanged glances and took the imperial document to read.
On it was indeed Liu Chaoming’s handwriting, containing only two characters: Yongji.
Luo Songtang and Zeng Youliang were quite astonished.
By rights, determining the era name was a major matter that should have the Hanlin Academy and Ministry of Rites draft several options for His Majesty to choose from. When drafting, the Seven Ministers and Cabinet should all be present.
This year’s situation was special—His Majesty was “delirious”—so the Ministry of Rites had asked the Regent’s opinion. Who knew Liu Yun would be perfunctory, writing only this one. Yet what was strange was that even with just this one era name, it had still been presented to Zhu Yushen to view, and Zhu Yushen had specifically taken the vermilion brush and circled the two characters “Yongji.”
Who knew what these monarch and subject were thinking?
Zeng Youliang raised his head. “It’s decided? No further discussion?”
The junior clerk nodded. “Yes. Word from Liuzhao Pavilion says it’s decided. From today onward, this is the Yongji era, and our Majesty is the Yongji Emperor.”
Luo Songtang still didn’t believe it. The Jin’an Emperor’s determination of his era name could already be called hasty. The Yongji Emperor’s determination of an era name somehow had nothing to do with his Ministry of Rites.
“Where is Lord Liu?”
The junior clerk said: “In response to Lord Luo, this morning the Regent was at the Imperial Censorate. After drafting the era name, he sought out His Majesty. Just now he probably returned to Liuzhao Pavilion, but—” He paused. “It’s still that rule—this month, no one may disturb the Lord at Liuzhao Pavilion.”
This rule was established by Liuzhao Pavilion the day after Minghua Palace caught fire. Thinking about it, there was nothing unusual—the Late Emperor had passed, and all the ministers had their own ways of paying respects. As Regent, Liu Yun should set an example. Spending three to five hours daily offering incense and reciting sutras for the Late Emperor for a month was appropriate.
Hadn’t the palace people spread the word that the Liu clan emphasized the character of loyalty above all? When the Regent’s father entered the capital, because Liu Yun had rushed back to his residence during duty hours, hadn’t his father punished him by making him kneel before the tablet of the Grand Ancestor Emperor for two full hours?
Indeed, the scent of sandalwood wafted through the main hall of Liuzhao Pavilion.
A Buddhist altar had been set up beside the desk. The Late Emperor’s posthumous title hadn’t been determined yet, so it still bore the two characters “Jin’an.” However, Liu Chaoming, who was supposedly reciting sutras for the Late Emperor, stood before the window as if waiting for something.
Dusk was approaching. Outside the window, light snow continued to fall.
Shortly after, a medical official came from the rear hall. Facing Liu Chaoming’s back, he cupped his hands in salute: “My lord, that person just woke.”
Liu Chaoming’s gaze showed no ripples.
“He still can’t speak. It must be from inhaling too much smoke during the fire—he’s injured his lungs. Director Li from the Imperial Medical Academy has already examined him and says the internal organs are damaged. The injury to his arm isn’t serious—it will heal with rest.”
Liu Chaoming made an acknowledgment sound.
“Although that person temporarily can’t speak, when he woke, he seemed lucid for half a moment. He opened his mouth—judging by the shape, it seemed he said he wanted to leave, and also seemed to say the character ‘rain.'”
“Did he say where he wanted to go?” Liu Chaoming asked.
The medical official shook his head. “No. He was too weak and fell asleep again immediately. Director Li took his pulse and said the pulse was very poor. An ordinary person with lungs damaged this severely would likely not survive. Fortunately, this person practiced martial arts since childhood and has a sturdy constitution. Unfortunately, he’s abandoned the will to live, so who knows if he can be saved in the future. The Director also had this official bring word to you, my lord—he can only do his utmost to treat him. If he cannot be saved, please don’t blame him, Regent.”