Gao Yi instinctively sensed something amiss, yet could not put his finger on it. Frowning, he said, "Senior Grand Secretary, if there is something on your mind, you might as well speak plainly."
With Zhang Juzheng dispatched to survey the imperial mausoleum, the Grand Secretariat was already down one man.
In such troubled times, with government affairs piling high, Gao Gong actually wanted him to take leave as well. Anyone could tell something was wrong.
Gao Gong naturally would not let the truth be pried out of him so easily. Putting on a solemn face, he bluffed, "Zixiang, within the next few days, I intend to make a move. I fear it may spill over and embroil both you and Shuda."
Gao Yi took a sharp breath. "Make a move?! Senior Grand Secretary, what do you plan to do?"
He was immediately on guard. As the Senior Grand Secretary, Gao Gong had made countless political moves, but he had never treated one with such solemn gravity.
Moreover, his past actions had never threatened to implicate his fellow Grand Secretaries.
For him to utter such words now meant the coming tempest would be far greater than anything before!
Gao Gong said in a deep voice, "The enmity between Feng Bao and me runs deep. If he is left alone, he will inevitably oppose me at every turn and obstruct the grand affairs of state."
As he spoke, he reached out, clenching his hand into a tight fist as words were forced through his teeth: "I must strike first!"
These words were half true, half false.
What he intended to do went far beyond merely uprooting Feng Bao!
Not just Feng Bao—the entire Directorate of Ceremonial had no reason to exist any longer.
Yet this could not be shared with Gao Yi.
Zhang Siwei's words that day had persuaded him.
The men under Gao Gong's faction did not trust these two Grand Secretaries, and he himself was unwilling to drag them into the vortex. Hence, today's conversation.
Seeing Gao Gong's relentless, unyielding demeanor, Gao Yi felt a fleeting sense of déjà vu, as though he were once again looking upon the domineering Senior Grand Secretary who had driven out Li Chunfang and Yin Shizhan.
He instantly believed him.
Besides, civil officials had never held any fondness for eunuchs like Feng Bao. Hearing Gao Gong's words, Gao Yi saw nothing objectionable.
If the Grand Secretariat did not suppress the Directorate of Ceremonial, were they supposed to let eunuchs ride roughshod over the scholar-officials?
Instead, it stirred a sense of shared indignation within him: "If that is the case, all the more reason for Grand Secretary Zhang and me to assist you, Sir."
Gao Gong shook his head. "Feng Bao enjoys Consort Li's deep trust and favor. Acting in this manner will inevitably incur her displeasure.
"If all the Grand Secretaries are embroiled in it, suspicion will inevitably arise between the inner court and the outer court.
"It is far better that I play the villain alone while you two remain detached from the affair. That way, you can help smooth over relations with Consort Li.
"I hear that you, Zixiang, are quite close to the new sovereign. That makes it all the more essential that you keep your hands clean to mediate between the inner and outer courts."
These words sounded thoroughly reasonable. Upon reflection, Gao Yi realized it was indeed sound logic.
For the Grand Secretariat to conduct state affairs, its members could not all fall out with the Two Palaces.
This arrangement also fit Gao Gong's character—he had never shrunk from playing the villain.
At this thought, Gao Yi was largely convinced, only asking with concern, "Are you certain of success?"
The situation was exceedingly delicate. He was terrified that a misstep by Gao Gong might destabilize the entire court.
Gao Gong let out a hearty laugh, brimming with confidence. Patting Gao Yi on the shoulder, he said, "Worry not, Zixiang. How does a Seal-Holding Eunuch of a mere half-month compare to Xu Jie, who served as Grand Secretary for over a decade?
"Did I ever back down even against Yan Song?
"Feng Bao's position as the Seal-Holding Eunuch was never granted by an explicit imperial decree in the first place. We only refrained from exposing it earlier out of forbearance for the good of the realm. Once the new sovereign ascends the throne, the moment will have arrived.
"The Six Offices of Scrutiny, the Censorate, and the Six Ministries are all filled with my men. I refuse to believe Consort Li can withstand that."
Hearing this, Gao Yi set his mind at ease.
After all, this was not like the Great Rites Controversy, where countless courtiers had rallied behind Emperor Shizong.
When the Grand Secretariat took action against the Directorate of Ceremonial, what civil official would dare risk universal condemnation to side with a eunuch?
Did they not fear being beaten to death on the palace floor just like Ma Shun?
Seeing no flaw in the plan, Gao Yi nodded. "Then please proceed with utmost caution, Senior Grand Secretary. I shall request a few days' leave to rest."
Gao Gong chuckled. "Rest well for a few days. By the time you return, the new sovereign will likely be opening the Classics Colloquium, and we shall have our hands full."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Gao Gong saw Gao Yi out, reminding him at the door, "Oh, right—do not mention this to Shuda. The Directorate of Ceremonial will also be sending people to survey the mausoleum. The more people who know, the easier it is for word to leak."
Only after completely placating Gao Yi did Gao Gong breathe a sigh of relief.
Watching Gao Yi walk away, Gao Gong returned to his desk with an inscrutable expression, lost in thought.
What he intended to do next was far more radical than anything he had revealed to Gao Yi.
Not just Feng Bao—the entire Directorate of Ceremonial, all inner court eunuchs, even Consort Li and every talon of imperial authority would be his adversaries!
He knew that taking this step would lead either to ruin—leaving his name in the annals of history tainted with the infamy of intimidating the sovereign—or to a complete restructuring of the court, restoring the central premiership that had been lost for two hundred years.
Men like Emperor Taizu had dared to abolish the prime ministerial system that had endured for nearly two thousand years, reducing ministers of state to mere household retainers—an utter disgrace!
Look at the emperors of the Zhu lineage: how many of them were remotely fit to rule?
For the decay of the realm, those men bore half the blame!
Without restraint, what did emperors become? Frolicking in the Leopard Quarter? Chasing immortality and Daoist arts? Drowning in lust?
Gao Gong had long found it intolerable!
Emperors were merely products of bloodline inheritance; their talent and wisdom were entirely a matter of chance.
If one were wise, so be it; but what if one were incompetent? An unchecked fool on the throne was a catastrophic blight upon the realm!
For the empire to have fallen to this state, men like Emperor Shizong bore inescapable blame! And the tragedy was that no one had possessed the authority to restrain them.
When Emperor Yingzong of Song acted improperly, Fu Bi dared to proclaim openly, "The deeds of Yi Yin and Huo Guang are things this minister can do as well." Could any Grand Secretary of the current dynasty dare utter such words today?
If the Grand Secretariat held the status Fu Bi had once possessed, would Emperor Shizong ever have dared behave as he did?
Over this, Gao Gong often tossed and turned through sleepless nights.
Consider Liu Shan: he possessed only mediocre ability, yet had he not been aided by Marquis Zhuge Liang, how could his name have been preserved in history?
Had the Song emperors not shared governance with the scholar-officials, how could their realm have flourished with such wealth?
Thus, an emperor could never do without prime ministers drawn from the prefectures and commanderies to assist a worthy sovereign, supervise an unworthy one, and invigorate the empire!
How ridiculous that Emperor Taizu had cast aside two thousand years of prime ministerial precedent—utterly ridiculous.
Fortunately, Gao Gong had finally caught sight of an opportunity.
For two hundred years of this dynasty, no one had set things right. Now, Gao Gong would be the one to do it.
The realm was terminally ill; emperors could not save it. Better to let successive "Marquises of Zhuge" make the attempt!
Even if he failed, it would still leave behind a glorious tale for the ages.
At this thought, Gao Gong's resolve hardened once more.
He summoned an attendant official and ordered, "Have Left Censor-in-Chief Ge Shouli come see me."
In major affairs of state, those who charged at the vanguard were always the surveillance officials.
The Left Censor-in-Chief was the head of the Censorate and one of the Nine Chief Ministers. Ge Shouli was Gao Gong's foremost mouthpiece.
With the new sovereign set to ascend the throne in a matter of days, it was time for him to strike.
***
Early morning, the ninth day of the sixth month.
Zhu Yijun did not hold the customary court audience.
Today was the eve of his enthronement. For tomorrow's grand ceremony, he had to go through a rehearsal with the Ministry of Rites.
Holding a long scroll containing the sacrificial address, Zhu Yijun read until his mouth was parched.
By his rough count, it contained four thousand three hundred and forty-nine characters—without a single punctuation mark!
He had no idea which inconsiderate scholar had drafted it, completely lacking empathy for leadership.
He made a silent vow: the moment he gained enough sway over the Ministry of Rites, the very first thing he would do was promote the use of punctuation.
His eyes were practically going blind!
Zhu Yijun went through the motions at Fengxian Hall, Hongxiao Hall, and Shenxiao Hall one after another.
Aside from the excessive text, there was little difficulty to it.
However, when it came to paying respects to the Two Palaces afterward, neither empress had time to attend today, leaving him to recite his lines entirely alone.
Only during a brief rest break did Zhu Yijun find a moment to summon Zhang Hong and ask, "Where did the Two Palaces go today?"
Though rehearsals were mere formalities, unless there was an urgent matter, the Two Palaces would never have been absent.
Zhang Hong replied, "Both the Noble Consort and the Empress departed the palace early this morning."
Zhu Yijun asked in surprise, "Left the palace?"
Zhang Hong lowered his voice. "Last night, Li Ming, Count of Deping, passed away.
"Not only the Two Palaces, but also the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, the Nine Chief Ministers, and most of the nobility went to pay their respects."
Understanding dawned on Zhu Yijun.
Li Ming, Count of Deping, had died. No wonder the turnout was so grand.
This was no ordinary noble; he was the late father of his "mother"—popularly known as the Grand Imperial Father-in-Law.
Of course, not either of his two current mothers, but the late emperor's original primary consort, Empress Xiaoyi.
That primary consort had married the late emperor in the thirty-first year of Jiajing and succumbed to illness in the thirty-seventh year.
Though long deceased, a primary consort remained a primary consort. In the future, even after the current Two Palaces passed away, they would not be eligible to share the main chamber of the Imperial Ancestral Temple alongside the late emperor—only that primary consort held that right.
Therefore, with the Grand Imperial Father-in-Law's passing, the Two Palaces had to show proper deference.
After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Companion Zhang, go offer condolences on my behalf as well. A few polite, formal remarks will suffice."
Fulfilling filial duties was something no one could reasonably oppose.
Once everyone grew accustomed to his sending emissaries to external estates, that in itself would count as a modest step forward.
Zhu Yijun never passed up any opportunity to test the extension of his authority.
Accepting the imperial instruction, Zhang Hong bowed and withdrew, brushing past Jiang Keqian on his way out.
Jiang Keqian exchanged a nod with Zhang Hong in acknowledgment.
He stepped up to Zhu Yijun's side. Just as he was about to speak, Zhu Yijun cut him off: "If it is not urgent, wait until I finish here."
After wrestling with the Ministry of Rites for well over an hour, the hour was already late.
Seeing that the rehearsal was nearly concluded, he did not want to lose focus; it was better to deal with it all at once, as nothing could be terribly pressing at this moment.
Jiang Keqian tactfully stepped aside.
Another half-hour passed.
Only then did Zhu Yijun thoroughly master the Ministry of Rites' elaborate enthronement protocol.
He walked over to Minister of Rites Lü Diaoyang and offered a polite greeting: "Minister Lü, I am now fully versed in the ceremonial procedures for the enthronement. If there is nothing else, I shall return to my palace."
Lü Diaoyang offered a genial smile.
Bowing first, he said, "Your Highness is indeed exceptionally gifted. There is nothing further on our end. Please just take care not to miss the auspicious hour tomorrow."
Zhu Yijun chuckled. "Minister Lü jest. In all my study of history, I have never heard of an enthronement that missed its hour."
After exchanging a couple more pleasantries with Lü Diaoyang, he departed accompanied by his guards and palace attendants.
Once outside the hall, he gestured for the attendants to keep their distance, retaining only Jiang Keqian.
Catching the Crown Prince's glance, Jiang Keqian immediately understood: "Your Highness, last night Li Ming, Count of Deping, died."
*Look at that—his phrasing is even coarser than Zhang Hong's. Zhang Hong knew to say 'passed away,' while you just blurt out 'died.'*
Zhu Yijun criticized him inwardly, though he knew better than to expect classical refinement from someone trained in the arts.
He cut Jiang Keqian short: "I already know of this. Get to the point."
Jiang Keqian lowered his head in assent.
He continued, "Your Highness, Zhang Siwei went to pay his respects, arriving almost simultaneously with Grand Secretary Zhang.
"The two lingered at the Count of Deping's residence for a time. Though they took pains to conceal it, my men clearly observed them holding several covert conversations."
Zhu Yijun paused.
His expression turned solemn as he fixed his gaze on Jiang Keqian.
Zhang Siwei belonged to the Shanxi Faction, and the entire Shanxi Faction was supposed to be operating under Gao Gong.
To that end, Gao Gong had deliberately transferred Zhang Siwei to the Ministry of Personnel as a Vice Minister, demonstrating just how close their relationship was.
How had he ended up entangled with Zhang Juzheng?
Zhu Yijun had always assumed that only after Gao Gong was dismissed did the Shanxi Faction latch onto Zhang Juzheng out of necessity, leading Zhang Siwei to serve under him.
From the looks of it, that alliance had formed far earlier than anticipated.
Jiang Keqian continued, "Afterward, Zhang Siwei proceeded to the residence of Minister of War Yang Bo, staying inside for an hour before emerging. They must have discussed something significant."
Frowning, Zhu Yijun asked, "And Grand Secretary Zhang?"
Jiang Keqian replied, "He returned to the Grand Secretariat without stopping along the way."
Zhu Yijun slowed his pace, turning the situation over in his mind.
This maneuvering was certainly not aimed at him.
If Zhang Juzheng wanted to deal with him, he would have approached Gao Gong, rather than bypassing Gao Gong to establish contact with Zhang Siwei.
In that case...
Was Zhang Juzheng preparing to stab Gao Gong in the back right now?
Choosing this precise timing—tomorrow was the enthronement, and Noble Consort Li would transform into Empress Dowager Li.
With Feng Bao applying pressure within the Directorate of Ceremonial to sway his mother into dismissing Gao Gong, while simultaneously subverting the Shanxi Faction to prevent Gao Gong from flipping the board in retaliation?
And what about Gao Gong? Was he completely oblivious, sitting idly by waiting for the axe to fall?
Zhu Yijun looked at Jiang Keqian: "What about the Senior Grand Secretary? What has he been doing?"
Jiang Keqian answered promptly, clearly having prepared his report: "According to our informants, the Senior Grand Secretary met yesterday with Censor Ge Shouli.
"The two conferred at length in his office. Afterward, Ge Shouli returned and assembled his censors.
"As for the exact details... this subject has been incompetent."
Zhu Yijun waved a hand to signal it was fine. "And today?"
Jiang Keqian replied, "The Senior Grand Secretary went to the Count of Deping's residence to pay respects today. He met no one of consequence, merely exchanging formal courtesies with the Two Palaces when crossing paths."
With that, he recalled another detail and added, "Oh, word also arrived from Wenhua Hall that during today's court deliberation, the Senior Grand Secretary drafted a rescript appointing Grand Secretary Zhang to survey the imperial mausoleum."
Zhu Yijun listened intently, the gears of his mind turning swiftly.
It seemed both sides were making their moves.
Gao Gong had given instructions to Ge Shouli yesterday, likely concerning Feng Bao.
At the same time, he had packed Zhang Juzheng off, evidently preparing to flex his muscles unhindered.
Zhang Juzheng must have caught wind of the plot and was now preparing to backstab Gao Gong.
Subverting the Shanxi Faction was an integral part of that plan.
Thus, when the moment came, Gao Gong would be in the open, while Zhang Juzheng remained at a distance.
Only Zhu Yijun stood both in the shadows and right beside the center of power.
Having untangled this layer, Zhu Yijun began to consider a crucial question: what position should he take?
Between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, whom should he keep?
Without question, it could only be Zhang Juzheng.
In terms of statecraft alone, Zhang Juzheng far surpassed Gao Gong. When it came to implementing new policies, it had to be Zhang Juzheng, not Gao Gong.
From the perspective of seizing power, it also had to be Zhang Juzheng.
Gao Gong's prestige was simply too towering.
A figure akin to a foster father to the late emperor, he had occupied the seat of Senior Grand Secretary for years while simultaneously serving as the head of the Ministry of Personnel. The Censorate were his hounds, the Ministry of Revenue his backyard, provincial governors looked to him as their patron, and rival factions whimpered under his heel.
Even with Gao Yi's assistance, Zhu Yijun could not hope to suppress such a titan in the short term.
Zhang Juzheng, on the other hand, held seniority and standing roughly on par with Gao Yi.
Zhang Juzheng championed the new reforms, while Gao Yi led the pure stream. With Gao Yi backed by Zhu Yijun to hold the fort in the Grand Secretariat, Zhang Juzheng would never be allowed to dominate unchecked.
Therefore, Gao Gong had to fall.
Yet how he fell was another matter.
It could not be too unsightly, nor could it cause excessive upheaval. And... it would be best to strip a layer of skin off Feng Bao in the process!
The ideal outcome would be to wrench the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Eastern Depot from Feng Bao's grasp and kick him aside.
Meanwhile, Gao Gong would step down from the Grand Secretariat to retire with dignity, resting peacefully at home until Zhu Yijun felt capable of handling him, at which point he could consider recalling him to service.
Having sorted out the pieces, his thoughts cleared.
Zhu Yijun immediately turned to Jiang Keqian: "Come with me back to Qianqing Palace. I need to write two letters, and you will deliver them for me."
With that, he quickened his pace toward Qianqing Palace.
To move against Feng Bao, he could not rely solely on whispering in his mother's ear. After all, Feng Bao and Consort Li shared years of master-servant rapport; that trust could not be eroded overnight.
He could only add fuel to the fire when Gao Gong applied pressure at court.
As for people he could rely on, Gao Yi went without saying. Zhu Xizhong could not escape either—once ensnared, he would have to do his duty obediently.
In terms of military force, he could covertly mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
In terms of public standing, he was currently hailed as a benevolent sovereign of profound imperial virtue.
In the inner court, he had Zhang Hong and his godchildren; in the Grand Secretariat, he had Gao Yi and the pure stream behind him; among the nobility, he had the Duke of Chengguo; and countless civil officials pinned their fervent hopes upon him.
He was no longer the isolated figurehead his predecessor had been. When it came to this court intrigue, he finally had the leverage to tilt the scales.
Was Zhang Juzheng not heading off to survey the mausoleum? If things unfolded as expected, there was nothing stopping Zhu Yijun from bringing along the Embroidered Uniform Guard, holding down Feng Bao's head, and bestowing a Red Pill upon him.
Once Grand Secretary Zhang returned, they could sit down and properly discuss how to govern the realm.
A triumvirate? A regent empress dowager, a governing emperor, and an assisting Grand Secretariat—was that not already a perfect triad? Why let a middleman take a cut?
With these thoughts turning in his head, Zhu Yijun walked forward, gazing upon the eunuchs and officials from various ministries and offices bustling frantically across the Forbidden City for tomorrow's grand enthronement.
An oddly surreal feeling washed over him...
Tomorrow's enthronement did not feel like a solemn ceremony at all.
It felt more like the opening curtain to a grand drama!
Chapter 27