Chapter 008: The Appointment of Hai Rui

Zhang Juzheng could only smile wryly and said, "This is also because Your Majesty has the heart to diligently govern; otherwise, how could I be able to recommend worthy individuals for the country?"

Zhang Juzheng pondered for a long while

Zhu Yijun saw Zhang Juzheng entering the trap and, being prepared, he smiled: "Sir, perhaps you have forgotten due to the complexities of state affairs? Not long ago, Liu Sijie, the Left Vice Minister of the Censorate, needed to return to his hometown for mourning and you had already approved his request. If this person leaves, wouldn't that create an actual vacancy? Before Hai Rui was dismissed, he was the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing, and his transfer to the capital as Deputy Censor would also align with the system of appointments."

As the youthful Emperor Zhu Yijun, as long as Zhang Juzheng still wishes to maintain his image of loyalty and dedication to the state in front of Wanli, he cannot possibly reject Zhu Yijun's reasonable suggestions

After hearing this, Lü Diaoyang was taken aback, looking at Zhang Juzheng. After a moment, he hurriedly said, "I will draft the decree right away"

Lü Diaoyang suddenly realized: "How astute indeed!"

Zhu Yijun also nodded in acknowledgment, and Zhang Juzheng, being considerate, naturally had to flatter him: "Master Zhang, the Prime Minister, is loyal and devoted to the state, and I am well aware of this. I have no other matters to inquire about; next, please, Master Zhang, explain the 'Comprehensive Mirror' for me"

Zhang Juzheng responded solemnly, his expression serious, as he looked at the book and the picture.

If we consider one's true intentions, Zhang Juzheng would absolutely not allow Hai Rui to hold such a significant position, where he could monitor him every day

After all, this indicates that Zhang Juzheng still regarded this emperor with some respect, and had not completely disregarded the emperor's opinions.

Subsequently, Lü Diaoyang reiterated to Zhang Juzheng, "Uncle Da, with such wisdom, you should go to Feng Bao!"

Zhu Yijun looked up at Zhang Juzheng after asking.

And thus, Feng Bao quickly learned of this matter from his trusted aide Xu Jue, and could not help but become furious: "We are merely nursing an injury, and yet Zhang Hong dares to speak ill of us in front of the Emperor?! We are not dead yet!"

After all, Zhu Yijun is the true Son of Heaven

Zhang Juzheng was momentarily taken aback, then immediately clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please ask."

Zhang Ju conveyed the imperial edict to the Grand Scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, Lü Diaoyang, immediately after the lecture concluded

Zhang Juzheng was able to abandon the appointment of Xu Jie’s two sons because of this statement, which made Zhu Yijun quite pleased

Zhu Yijun has raised the banner of benevolence and filial piety, and Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to nod in agreement: "Your Majesty shows compassion for your old minister, promoting benevolence and advocating filial piety, which is indeed a commendable act. I also believe this action is very appropriate, and I regret that my proposal on this matter did not fully consider Your Majesty's intentions! I am ashamed!"

These reasons related to filial piety and the way of the ruler are naturally beyond rebuttal for Zhang Juzheng

At the appropriate moment, Zhu Yijun is still able to change the situation in the court and turn his words into reality

"There is no need for you to be overly modest, this is merely another of my thoughts and does not constitute any significant insight into state affairs."

Otherwise, how can one say that Zhu Yijun is not entirely a puppet emperor

Xu Jue is a trusted confidant of Feng Bao, consistently responsible for conveying messages from Feng Bao to Zhang Juzheng. On the other hand, the individual responsible for receiving and relaying Zhang Juzheng's opinions and messages to Feng Bao is Zhang Juzheng's household servant, You Qi.

Zhang Juzheng said: "You tell Ma Ziqiang and the others that at the next imperial lecture, there is no need to use the trick of deliberately omitting words to test His Majesty's intelligence! Today, if it were not for my intercession on their behalf, the Emperor would likely have considered replacing the lecturer because of this!"

You Qi agreed and immediately went.

Zhu Yijun nodded after hearing this: "But I have heard my father, the Emperor, mention this person many times, saying that he speaks boldly! Especially, he even dared to advise my grandfather, and nearly faced the death penalty and punishment. My father once said that as a son, he wished he could kill this person! Yet, as a sovereign, he must employ this person! Since my father has said this, how can I, wishing to initiate the Wanli Reforms, not use this person to demonstrate my desire to accept advice and seek talent? Therefore, I believe that while this person may not get along with his colleagues, we can take his strengths and appoint him as a Wind and Constitutional Official to correct the virtues of the ruler, which is still feasible.

Thus, Zhang Juzheng could only respond: "Your Majesty is correct; I also intend to utilize those who dare to speak. However, it seems that there are currently no suitable vacancies in the Censorate for him."

After hearing this, Lü Diaoyang smiled even more broadly and asked, "What does Uncle Da mean by this?"

Therefore, nowadays, due to Zhu Yijun's explicit proposal, coupled with reasons that are quite compelling, Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to dismiss Xu Fan and Xu Kun, and appoint Hai Rui instead

Thus, Zhu Yijun further pressed, saying: "The official department has recommended Hai Rui through the Grand Councilor Luo Zun, and has impeached Tan Lun for misconduct, which constitutes a grave offense of disrespect. Regarding this matter, I also have questions to ask you, sir"

However, Zhang Juzheng could not possibly say such words in front of Zhu Yijun, which is why he fabricated a reason

As he spoke, Lü Diaoyang sat at the desk, took up his pen, and continued, "It is widely rumored that you, Uncle Da, only associate with your fellow townsmen from Huguang and your relatives for personal gain, and that you do not favor loyal and outspoken individuals like Hai Rui. Therefore, you have repeatedly ignored the recommendations of ministers. I simply do not believe this; otherwise, how could I have been recommended into the cabinet by you, Uncle Da? Look, today you have mentioned Hai Rui in front of His Majesty and even appointed him as the Vice Minister of the Censorate. This shows that he is not disregarded; rather, you have been waiting for a significant position to arise in order to promote him! Thus, it undoubtedly helps to dispel the rumors without any effort!"

Zhu Yijun said with a smile

You Qi and Xu Jue are merely the conduits through which Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng collude.

By the Emperor's decree, it is ordered that Xu Fan and Xu Kun shall remain at home to care for Mr. Xu, allowing them to fulfill their filial duties before their loyalty, and there is no need for reinstatement. Additionally, Hai Rui is appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Censorate, recognizing his boldness in speech, which reflects the Emperor's desire for virtuous governance. Then, let the seal be affixed and the decree issued

Although Zhang Juzheng did not obstruct Zhu Yijun's political opinions from becoming a reality throughout the process, upon returning to his residence, he summoned his household servant, You Qi, and sternly instructed: "Go immediately to see Xu Jue! Ask him who brought up Hai Rui in front of His Majesty, and also let His Majesty know that Xu Fan and Xu Kun are the sons of Mr. Xu!"

The matter concerning Tan Lun is indeed understandable; it is due to his severe illness that he inevitably coughed and wheezed during the sacrificial rites. The sovereign should show compassion towards his elderly ministers and cannot dismiss him over such a trivial issue. However, why is it that you do not employ Hai Rui, sir?

However, the great righteousness between the ruler and the subjects is evident here

Although the Left Vice Minister of the Censorate is able to advise the monarch on gains and losses, he is also capable of investigating and impeaching the officials regarding their merits and faults

As instructed

Zhang Juzheng no longer responded.

is not

Zhang Juzheng replied with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, Hai Rui is excessively principled, does not get along with his colleagues, and is overly strict in his duties. I fear this may lead to disputes, which is why I have not dared to employ him."

However, now Zhu Yijun has brought up the words of the late emperor, and personally stated that this person dares to speak out and cannot be overlooked. Moreover, as the newly ascended emperor, he cannot neglect to employ renowned ministers to demonstrate his intention to govern well.

As he spoke, Zhu Yijun asked Zhang Juzheng, "Sir, what do you think?"

Zhang Juzheng gave a wry smile and could only respond: "Your Majesty is correct. I truly forgot about this matter! Fortunately, Your Majesty mentioned it. It is indeed very appropriate for Hai Rui to fill this position, as he is just the right person to speak candidly."

In fact, the reason Zhang Juzheng did not employ Hai Rui was not because Hai Rui was overly principled, stern, and upright, but rather because Hai Rui could not become his faction and follow his orders