Surging Undercurrents

"Your Highness, is something amiss?" Feng Bao stepped forward and inquired. Thoughts raced through Zhu Yijun's mind, and for a moment he did not answer. The screen before him was like an insurmountable chasm, separating him from the court deliberations not merely physically, but by ritual protocol. He knew that the instant he spoke up to sway state affairs, all manner of ancestral precedents and historic statutes would immediately be cited to silence him. Tomorrow, the supervising censors and censorial officials would likely even submit memorials admonishing him to diligently cultivate virtue instead. Moreover, an old fox like Feng Bao did not take him seriously in the least. Otherwise, he could have used the old rascal as a human mouthpiece, conveying his intent under that cover. Since that was out of the question, he had no choice but to fully deploy his devastating weapon: "This prince is deficient in virtue and young in years." He could not casually interject in court deliberations, so he would force Yang Bo to offer him a stepping stone! If he could not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to him. He immediately looked up at Feng Bao, his voice unlowered, sounding genuinely bewildered: "Companion, isn't something wrong? Isn't Xuan-Da one of our realm's border garrisons? How could messages travel back and forth so quickly?" His voice naturally carried across the hall, plunging it into instant silence. Censor-in-Chief Ge Shouli's perplexed expression shifted to sudden enlightenment—only now realizing what was amiss. Minister of War Yang Bo's face drained of color at once! Any minister capable of discerning the implications here would have preserved the veneer of propriety without puncturing it so abruptly. Why? Because once it was exposed, shouldn't Xuan-Da be held culpable? Shouldn't Wang Chonggu be arrested and questioned? What if Wang Chonggu tore off the mask and turned against the central court in self-preservation? Who dared take such a political risk? Yet on this court floor sat an anomaly—one could hardly expect a ten-year-old heir apparent to grasp such political calculations. Yang Bo cursed inwardly, wishing the boy on the dragon throne were an absolute fool instead. Right now, he dared not let Feng Bao answer. Heaven only knew if a single word from Feng Bao might plunge their Shanxi Faction into irrecoverable ruin! He dropped to his knees immediately and forced himself to speak in a ringing voice, cutting in: "Your Highness, Xuanfu lies merely four hundred li from the capital. By courier on swift horse, such speed is entirely ordinary." Zhu Yijun sneered inwardly. Five days in total, two days for the round trip, and three days spent fending off multiple border incursions—did they take this for a real-time strategy game? Leaving aside where the Tatars could have found urgent courier relays, their mobilization speed would have rivaled a modern army from his past life. Still, one could not push words too far. Forcing Yang Bo to step forward and take the bait was already the limit; overdoing it would spoil the effect. A few apologetic remarks filtered through the screen into the hall: "This prince is deficient in virtue and tender in age. A moment of surprise caused me to blurt that out and inadvertently disrupt the court deliberation. It was truly improper. "Neither this matter nor Minister Yang's words are clear to this prince. I shall simply make note of it all for now and reflect upon it carefully later on. "My ministers, please proceed with your discussions and pay no heed to this prince." The tone was earnest and modest, yet it made the hairs on Yang Bo's neck stand on end. Make note of it? Reflect upon it later? If he failed to gloss over the issue today and the new monarch truly took it to heart, bringing up this old grievance down the road would ignite a monstrous crisis—and he, Yang Bo, would be the first in the line of fire! Yet having reached this point, he could no longer keep interjecting. He could only cast a pleading glance toward Gao Gong. Gao Gong paid no heed to Zhu Yijun's words, merely regarding Yang Bo with cold detachment. His expression darkened further. Yang Bo's conduct could only mean that he had genuinely been kept in the dark about the scheme; otherwise, he would not be in such a passive posture. Yet this meant the situation was even worse than he had imagined! In the past, he could rely on his prestige to suppress Yang Bo, and thereby rein in the Shanxi Faction. Today, he suddenly discovered that even Yang Bo, the faction's leader, could no longer control Wang Chonggu! If it were merely Yang Bo's personal ambition to extort a promotion, it would be harmless enough; after all, Yang Bo was right here in the capital and could do little real damage no matter how much he squirmed. But if Wang Chonggu, a regional commander guarding the frontiers, harbored unruly ambitions, then disaster loomed. With his mind entirely off the Crown Prince, Gao Gong gave a faint, absentminded nod of his chin, signaling Gao Yi. The Grand Secretariat had naturally discussed the matter beforehand. Having received the signal, Gao Yi sighed inwardly and began searching for the right words to smooth things over for Yang Bo. Suddenly, to his astonishment, Zhang Juzheng stepped out ahead of him and bowed. "Your Highness! The Book of Documents states: 'When men seek much knowledge, it is in order to establish their affairs.' Today, Your Highness is not ashamed to inquire of your subordinates. Your subjects are overjoyed beyond measure. How could we hoard our knowledge like a treasured broom and leave Your Highness to 'reflect on it yourself'? "Regrettably, the inner court does not oversee border matters, and we ministers are occupied with court deliberations, lacking the leisure to resolve Your Highness's doubts. "Therefore, your subject makes bold to earnestly propose: after each regular court audience, Your Highness may summon the Grand Secretaries to answer questions and resolve doubts, so that you may come to understand state affairs." His voice rang like a bronze bell, his gaze burning bright. When Zhang Juzheng finished his address, absolute silence fell behind the screen. Apart from Yang Bo and several members of the Shanxi Faction who cast grateful glances toward him, the rest of the ministers looked on cold and detached. Gao Gong did not even glance his way. He knew that this close friend of his had always been exceptionally devoted to instructing the young monarch. Presumably, this was merely another attempt to take on the duty of expounding state affairs to the new ruler; Gao Gong did not take it to heart. For sweeping reforms, he had his own path to forge. Only after a long pause did a voice emerge from behind the screen. "Grand Secretary Zhang's words accord greatly with this prince's wishes. In that case, after the morning audience concludes, might the three Grand Secretaries remain behind for a brief while?" Gao Gong's eyelids lifted slightly as he replied, "As Senior Grand Secretary, your subject is encumbered with pressing affairs of state and has no spare leisure." Zhang Juzheng took up the thread: "Your Highness, the Senior Grand Secretary speaks truly. In this period of national mourning, all matters rest upon the Grand Secretariat; he ought not to be overly burdened." The voice sounded again from behind the screen. "If so, then Grand Secretary Zhang may stay behind after court is dismissed to resolve my doubts." Zhang Juzheng bowed once more: "Your Highness, after the court dismisses today, your subjects must proceed to the Sishan Gate to pay respects and mourn the late Emperor. "Might it wait until tomorrow, after the court deliberation and once Your Highness's daily lectures are concluded, for you to summon your subject?" Zhu Yijun nodded. "Approved!" To the side, Gao Yi silently breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he had not been pushed forward to deal with this. It was hardly a comfortable assignment. The Crown Prince's various demonstrations today proved he was certainly no pliable fool. Whether it was executing a eunuch before the hall, putting Feng Bao in his place, or spotting the glaring flaws in Wang Chonggu's memorial at a single glance, it all proved that this heir apparent possessed a keen instinct for statecraft. This was more than enough to offset any perceived lack of genius for the Four Books and Five Classics; after all, being a ruler was not about scholarship in ancient texts. Judging solely by his conduct in court today, he already bore the demeanor of a true sovereign! To analyze politics for a clever person while smuggling in one's private agenda was far too difficult and carried immense hidden perils. One had to remember that clever people possessed sharp memories, and the heir would eventually grow up. A single misstep could leave behind enduring poison—both for oneself and for the Great Ming. That Zhang Juzheng dared to step forward and shoulder this burden moved Gao Yi to silent admiration. ... Behind the screen, Zhu Yijun rhythmically tapped his knuckles against his knee, his thoughts wheeling. His feigned retreat had been calculated to apply pressure to Yang Bo and secure himself the right to raise questions on the court floor. Whether it was Yang Bo as the Shanxi Faction's chieftain or Gao Gong who had recommended him, any reply they gave would have breached the wall. Once such exchanges became frequent, the assembled ministers would grow accustomed to them. Yet Zhang Juzheng had cut in across his path, parrying his advance and practically volunteering himself for private audience, throwing Zhu Yijun's entire deployment into disarray. Had Zhang Juzheng seen through his intentions? Or was he merely trying to keep him locked out of open court deliberations? Tomorrow's audience... it seemed that crossing swords with the foremost minister of the Great Ming was truly unavoidable.