The matter of the Evaluation Law was debated for an entire morning at the regular court audience.
At long last, a general framework was hammered out.
The memorial submitted by the Grand Secretariat merely inquired whether, building upon the original proposal, officials who received favorable evaluations could be granted certain imperial rewards.
As for the pilot programs, the draft rescript ultimately designated three regions: Shuntian Prefecture, Southern Zhili, and the Fujian Provincial Administration Commission.
None of the factions were entirely pleased, yet all grudgingly assented—a product of mutual political maneuvering.
When the memorial was delivered to Noble Consort Li, however, two further changes were introduced.
Noble Consort Li instructed Feng Bao to return the memorial to the Grand Secretariat for reconsideration, appending instructions on two points.
First, the hundred thousand taels owed by the Ministry of Revenue to the inner court did not need to be repaid once summer set in; it could instead serve as funds for the Evaluation Law's rewards, to be distributed by people dispatched from the inner court when the time came.
Second, the Needlework Bureau was to be brought under the purview of the evaluation, with Zhang Hong placed in charge of the assignment.
While there was nothing objectionable about the former, Feng Bao vehemently opposed the latter, insisting on shutting Zhang Hong out.
Noble Consort Li was easily swayed.
Whose counsel she believed depended entirely on who had the last word.
In the end, the assignment went to Feng Bao's godson.
By the time Zhu Yijun caught wind of the news and hurried to Noble Consort Li's palace, Feng Bao was just walking out of the hall.
"This inner servant pays respects to Your Highness," Feng Bao greeted him with an immediate bow.
Seeing the eunuch behind Feng Bao cradling a stack of memorials, Zhu Yijun knew he had arrived too late.
He sighed inwardly. After all, years of shared history between master and servant could not be undone with a few words.
At that moment, a thought suddenly crossed his mind: in history, hadn't Consort Li moved into Qianqing Palace to oversee his studies? Following his recent interventions, would she still move?
If she still relocated to Qianqing Palace, he would be by her side every day to offer counsel, and he doubted things like this could happen under his watch.
The notion flashed through his mind, but his expression remained gentle. "Companion, please rise."
"Companion, you have labored hard serving both this prince and my imperial mother."
Feng Bao offered a fawning smile. "Your Highness flatters this lowly servant. If Her Ladyship and Your Highness have use for my worthless self, I could not be more delighted."
"Your Highness, Her Ladyship has entrusted me with some affairs, so I shall take my leave first. I will come to Qianqing Palace later to accompany Your Highness in your reading and calligraphy practice."
These senior eunuchs all possessed a fair degree of learning—without it, none could ever rise to the rank of grand eunuch; competition in the palace allowed no slackers.
Feng Bao was the preeminent figure among the eunuchs, well versed in the classics and skilled with the brush.
Ordinarily, in the afternoons when Zhu Yijun reviewed his lessons and practiced calligraphy, Feng Bao would attend to him for a time.
Lately, Zhu Yijun had deliberately displayed his intellect, giving Feng Bao no opening to lecture or correct him, yet Feng Bao still made a point of coming to attend.
Zhu Yijun gave a warm nod. "You may go, Companion."
Feng Bao bowed once more and backed away with a stoop, carrying himself with utmost humility.
Yet the moment they brushed past each other, the smiles vanished from both their faces in uncanny unison, replaced by completely different expressions.
Zhu Yijun remained where he stood, head turned slightly, watching Feng Bao's retreating shadow out of the corner of his eye.
After a brief pause, he resumed walking, his expression turning cold as he headed toward Noble Consort Li's chambers.
He had exerted his influence through Consort Li and Gao Yi, only just settling the broad strokes of the Evaluation Law, yet after a single turn around the palace, it had already been altered.
Not only had an extra capital region and province been added to the pilot areas, but Zhang Hong's ripe peach had been plucked clean by Feng Bao.
Feng Bao was indeed a capable man who had climbed to the heights on his own, not some marionette on strings.
Ah well, at least the general direction had not gone astray, and his main goal was accomplished.
One could only eat as much as one's stomach could hold.
With that philosophical thought, he arrived outside the hall.
Zhu Yijun smoothly resumed his bright smile and stepped inside. "Mother, your child has come to pay his respects."
Upon entering, he found that Noble Consort Li was not attending to official business at all, but doing needlework.
Seeing her son arrive, Noble Consort Li immediately beckoned to him. "Just in time! Come, come here. Let Mother see how tall you've grown."
Before Zhu Yijun could make sense of the situation, the palace maids fussed over him, measuring him from head to toe.
Only after they finished did he recall that Noble Consort Li had promised to sew him a new padded coat.
Zhu Yijun said helplessly, "Mother, winter is still a long way off."
Noble Consort Li shot him a reproving glare. "You know nothing of needlework, so hold your tongue. If I wait until winter to make a padded coat, it will be too late. I'll make it now and simply cut the measurements a bit large."
Zhu Yijun pursed his lips, deciding not to argue further.
Continuing her stitching, Noble Consort Li asked casually, "I heard that at the daily lectures this morning, you suggested having the tutors and me examine your scholarship?"
Zhu Yijun nodded and said half in jest, "Wasn't Mother suspicious last time that I wasn't studying hard enough? This way, Mother can test me on a set schedule."
To foster closeness in any relationship, one had to exchange intimate jokes.
Blind deference and rigid propriety would never bring someone close to those in authority.
Knowing her son was teasing, Noble Consort Li glared at him fondly. "Insolent boy."
Zhu Yijun leaned in shamelessly. "Mother, your child has been studying so diligently; naturally, I want Mother and the tutors to see the results. Otherwise, wouldn't it be like parading in embroidered robes in the dark?"
He put on an eager front of wanting to show off his talents, never breathing a word about endorsing the Evaluation Law.
If one said too much, the contrived hand behind it would become far too obvious.
Noble Consort Li remarked, "That is true enough. It is good that you have confidence in your studies. I give my approval."
"Still, let the tutors do the testing. Your mother understands nothing of the Four Books and Five Classics."
Zhu Yijun explained, "It is merely reciting passages and explaining their meanings. Mother can simply hold the book and test me against the text."
"Besides, there is also Empress Mother."
This matter required the presence of the Two Palaces; otherwise, the scale would be insufficient to capture widespread public attention.
If only the lecture officials were present, people might suspect that as ministers, they were glossing over his faults and going through the motions.
Moreover, having both imperial mothers conduct the examinations would let them witness his progress firsthand—a subtle, gentle way of winning them over.
It mattered little if Noble Consort Li did not fully understand the texts. At the very least, Empress Chen would make a qualified examiner, helping to broadcast his reputation for diligent learning.
Yet the moment those words left his mouth, Noble Consort Li's expression turned frosty.
She looked away and snapped coldly, "Then go ask your Empress Mother. Your mother lacks learning; I shall merely serve to fill out the procession when the time comes."
With that, she claimed she had to hurry with her sewing and had no time to entertain him, dismissing Zhu Yijun back to Qianqing Palace to review his lessons.
Faced with her sudden change of mood, Zhu Yijun stood completely bewildered.
By the time he came to his senses, the palace maids had already ushered him out, leaving him standing outside the hall in confusion.
Only after pacing down the path in contemplation for a good while did Zhu Yijun realize the truth—there was bad blood between his birth mother and Empress Chen.
He recalled that on the day he first crossed over, when he proposed having the Two Palaces supervise his studies, Noble Consort Li had reacted with noncommittal indifference.
Whenever Empress Chen was mentioned afterward, her tone had always been lukewarm.
Zhu Yijun's expression turned peculiar. Had he stumbled upon an old grudge from the inner palace rivalries?
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
The principal consort had been relegated to another palace, while a secondary consort had gained honor through her son to rule over the imperial harem. It would be stranger if there were no friction between them.
Zhu Yijun chided himself inwardly. He had maintained too clean a lifestyle in his past life, leaving him utterly blind to palace intrigue until it hit him in the face.
Indeed, learning was an endless pursuit.
It was a pity he had been driven out so quickly that he never found the chance to advise her on the Needlework Bureau's evaluation.
Well, it had been a desperate bid anyway. Since Feng Bao had already left for the Grand Secretariat with the memorials, the odds of getting Noble Consort Li to change her mind were slim.
If Feng Bao wanted the assignment, let him take it. When errors cropped up down the line, Zhu Yijun would certainly make use of them.
If Feng Bao dared to feign compliance while secretly defying orders, that would be even better—it would only erode Noble Consort Li's trust in him.
Rather than obsessing over this minor setback, he would do better to think of a way to bring Feng Bao down entirely.
With that in mind, he turned and beckoned toward Jiang Keqian, who stood not far away.
Noticing the signal, Jiang Keqian jogged over. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Zhu Yijun asked, "Has the Senior Grand Secretary made any moves recently?"
A young heir apparent with no real foundation lacked the authority to dismiss the Director of Ceremonial with a single word. To bring Feng Bao down, he had to wait for momentum to build before pushing the boat along with the current.
This matter still hinged on Gao Gong.
Why hadn't the two of them come to blows yet?
If no blood was drawn, how was he supposed to reap the fisherman's spoils?
Since Gao Gong was locked in a mortal feud with Feng Bao, how could he remain still for so long?
Jiang Keqian hesitated before replying, "The Senior Grand Secretary remains as he always was. Over the past two days, his interactions with court officials have even been less frequent than before."
Zhu Yijun felt helpless. He could hardly urge Gao Gong to hurry up and make a move.
He could only nod. "Keep watching him."
With that, he glanced at Jiang Keqian, noticing the dark circles under his eyes had deepened considerably. He offered a comforting word: "Just see that the tasks are done well. Do not push yourself too hard, and take care to rest."
Jiang Keqian's bowed posture froze visibly. In a slightly muffled voice, he replied, "This humble subject understands."
Zhu Yijun waved a hand, dismissing Jiang Keqian.
Yet his thoughts lingered on Gao Gong.
What in the world was the Senior Grand Secretary planning?
***
"What on earth is Consort Li planning?" Gao Gong asked in bewilderment.
Feng Bao had just conveyed the intentions of the Two Palaces, and none of the Grand Secretaries could conceal their surprise.
Noble Consort Li had not only generously agreed to leave the hundred thousand taels owed by the Ministry of Revenue to the palace treasury as rewards for the Evaluation Law, but she had also proposed testing the Evaluation Law within the inner court.
The sun truly had risen in the west.
Gao Yi was filled with admiration and chuckled. "I never expected Noble Consort Li to possess such magnanimity. Truly swift and decisive."
The palace treasury had always drained silver from the Taicang Vault; this was the very first time Gao Yi had seen money flow back.
Indeed!
His instincts had been correct: so long as they properly guided the new sovereign, they could harmonize the inner and outer courts and govern in concert.
Once the young emperor took personal charge of the government... the Great Ming might well be reborn from the ashes.
Zhang Juzheng's expression was conflicted. "In that case, let us draft a new rescript. We must first finalize the Evaluation Law; the details can be discussed in due course."
When he first heard of the palace treasury providing the funds, he had not thought much of it. After all, sovereigns of the Great Ming were well accustomed to buying popular support.
If the Ministry of Revenue funded it, the practice could become an enduring institution; but if the palace treasury funded it, there was no telling when the money might vanish.
That precocious young sovereign was likely parting with a bit of flesh temporarily just to court favor.
Yet after the court audience concluded that morning, Zhang Juzheng had heard that Zhu Yijun had volunteered to submit to evaluation himself, asking the lecturers and the Two Palaces to examine his studies.
He had immediately grasped the underlying intent: this was a deliberate endorsement of the Evaluation Law.
This distant, tacit support left Zhang Juzheng with an unfamiliar, complex feeling.
Now, hearing that Noble Consort Li intended to implement the Evaluation Law in the Needlework Bureau, he felt an even deeper sense of wonder.
Just how much calculating cunning did this young sovereign possess, and how much did he truly share Zhang Juzheng's own convictions?
Gao Gong did not overthink the matter. He nodded. "I shall draft the rescript at once."
With that, he picked up his brush and bent over the paper.
Multitasking as he wrote, Gao Gong added, "Right, there is one more thing I forgot to mention."
Gao Yi and Zhang Juzheng looked over.
Without looking up, Gao Gong said, "Regarding the inspection of the imperial mausoleum site, I have settled matters with the Ministry of Works. It will be at Tanyu Ridge in Mount Tianshou. I am giving you both advance word before tomorrow's court deliberation."
The two nodded. This was standard procedure. Mount Tianshou had long been the designated area, and Tanyu Ridge was the location selected through geomantic surveys by Buddhist and Daoist experts alongside the Ministry of Works; both had heard whispers of it in recent days.
Gao Gong continued, "Zixiang's health is not as robust as Shuda's. The weather is dry and scorching, which might prove too much for him to endure. It is better for Shuda to make the trip."
Gao Yi was tempted to argue, but remembering his advanced age, he realized that preserving his strength for useful service was wiser than putting on a brave face.
He could only cast an apologetic glance at Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Juzheng paused, then broke into a smile. "That is only natural."
"Who else will be accompanying the mission?"
Though he responded casually, Zhang Juzheng's fingers rubbed against his knuckles unbidden.
Reason dictated that Gao Yi was indeed advanced in years and unsuited for surveying the mausoleum, making it entirely appropriate for Zhang Juzheng to go.
And yet... Gao Gong should not have offered an explanation.
Zhang Juzheng knew Gao Gong well. For something so natural and self-evident, Gao Gong never deigned to justify himself.
Given Gao Gong's temperament, he should have simply assigned the task with a dismissive remark.
This considerate, conciliatory manner only set off warning bells in Zhang Juzheng's mind.
Unaware that a simple habit had given him away, Gao Gong continued, oblivious, "Following the established precedent from the seventh year of the Jiajing reign, Zhang Shouzhi, Minister of Revenue; Zhu Dashou, Right Vice Minister of Rites; and Zhao Jin, Left Vice Minister of Works, have already been decided upon."
"As for the rest, one investigating censor and one supervising secretary will go. We shall decide that at tomorrow's court deliberation."
"As for whom the inner court sends, let them choose for themselves."
A hundred thoughts raced through Zhang Juzheng's mind, yet he nodded with outward composure. "I shall set out after the grand coronation ceremony."
Just then, Gao Gong finished penning the draft rescript.
He summoned a duty official and instructed him to deliver it to the Directorate of Ceremonial.
"Very well. Once the Two Palaces apply the vermilion rescript to the Evaluation Law tomorrow, we will pass it down to the Ministry of Personnel for detailed deliberation."
For now, the Evaluation Law was only settled in broad strokes: whether to do it, and how to approach it.
To implement it in practice, detailed regulations had to be drafted. This required not only reviewing past performance records, but also collating all manner of archives from Shuntian Prefecture, Southern Zhili, and the Fujian Provincial Administration Commission.
By the time the various bureaus of the Ministry of Personnel drew up the fine print and coordinated with the ministries and the Six Offices of Scrutiny, two or three months would have passed at the very least.
Yet Zhang Juzheng was already at ease. A balance among all factions had been struck, and that was enough.
Even if Gao Gong retired after this, his protégés, old associates, and the other factions would still honor the outcome.
This spared Zhang Juzheng the trouble of having to broker another consensus himself, saving him at least half a year of wasted effort.
Instead, it was Gao Gong's reaction just now that roused Zhang Juzheng's suspicions.
He harbored a few guesses, but could not be certain.
Pondering Gao Gong's intentions, Zhang Juzheng bowed with clasped hands and returned to his office.
Seeing that business was concluded, Gao Yi followed closely behind.
Just as Gao Yi was about to cross the threshold, Gao Gong's voice called out from behind him.
"Zixiang, wait a moment."
Gao Yi turned back in confusion.
Gao Gong slowly rose from behind his desk.
He walked over to Gao Yi, looked him up and down, and sighed. "Zixiang, you have gathered quite a few more white hairs."
Assuming he was merely reminiscing, Gao Yi shook his head. "Time spares no one, that is all."
Gao Gong looked at his old friend, gave Gao Yi's arm an affectionate squeeze, and said with feeling, "Zixiang, once His Highness ascends the throne, take a few days of sick leave to rest."
Chapter 26