Chapter 007: The Exercise of Power by the Sovereign

Historically, Zhu Yijun referred to Zhang Juzheng as "Mr. Zhang, the Prime Minister of the Yuan," where "Prime Minister" denotes his official position, and "Mr. Zhang" indicates that he regarded him as his teacher. In summary, it reflects a great deal of respect.

Zhang Juzheng also specifically presided over the compilation of a book titled "Illustrated Commentary on the Imperial Mirror" for Zhu Yijun

According to Zhang Juzheng's teaching arrangement for Zhu Yijun, during his studies at the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Yijun was required to read the "Great Learning" ten times each day, followed by reading the "Book of Documents" ten times, after which the lecturer would proceed to give his lecture.

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Therefore, it can be seen that Zhu Yijun was not entirely a puppet emperor; he was, in name, still the decision-maker of the Ming Dynasty and, in reality, also participated in the highest-level political discussions.

In their perception, the Son of Heaven can rule according to their expectations of a benevolent and virtuous sovereign, which provides them with a significant sense of accomplishment

However, the "Imperial Mirror Book" that Zhu Yijun eagerly anticipated and found meaningful would not be discussed until close to noon. After completing the study of Confucian classics, following the schedule arranged by Zhang Juzheng, Zhu Yijun was to first take a short rest in the warm pavilion

This book was presented to Zhu Yijun by Zhang Juzheng and the lecturers on December 17 of the sixth year of the Longqing era. It selected eighty-one virtuous deeds of past emperors that could serve as models and thirty-six wrongful acts that should serve as warnings. Based on this book, Zhang Juzheng personally taught Zhu Yijun about the virtuous and wrongful governance of past emperors, aiming to ensure that Zhu Yijun truly possessed the qualities of a wise ruler

Today, there is no issue with hetushu.com. However, there is one matter that I must inform Mr. Zhang Yuanfu about. During yesterday's lecture, the official speaking on the "Great Learning" made a slight error in wording. I wished to correct it, but I feared that the official might feel apprehensive or ashamed, so I did not bring it up.

Especially Zhang Juzheng, who aspired to educate the emperor to become a ruler like Yao or Shun, seemed to see his life's value being realized step by step

At this time, the Grand Council submitted the memorials from various government offices for the Emperor's review

After Zhu Yijun finished reading the "Great Learning" and the "Book of Documents" here, the lecturers stepped forward to give a lecture to Zhu Yijun

Among them were well-known Hanlin scholars and officials such as Ma Ziqiang, Tao Dalin, Chen Shoubang, He Luowen, Shen Li, Ding Shimei, Ma Jiai, and Xu Jizhong, who served as daily lecture officials or secretarial officials at that time

Mr. Huanyuan Fuzhang

Your Majesty, Xu Fan and Xu Kun were previously dismissed from their positions due to the impeachment by the Grand Coordinator Hai Rui, who accused them of forcibly occupying farmland and failing to uphold personal integrity. Considering that they have submitted a memorial to defend themselves and have returned the occupied farmland, demonstrating a significant spirit of concession, I propose to reinstate them as a model for the nation

Zhu Yijun understood that Zhang Juzheng had good intentions, and naturally he was willing to cooperate. Moreover, he genuinely wished to learn some real skills from Zhang Juzheng, so he did not show any impatience while studying the Confucian classics.

According to the "Comprehensive History of Chinese Customs: Ming Dynasty Volume" recorded by hetushucomcom, the most esteemed title for the bureaucrats in the capital is "Old Gentleman." Xu Jie, who once served as the Chief Minister of the Ming Dynasty, is still referred to as such by Zhu Yijun, in accordance with the memory of the original master.

Additionally, in order for Zhu Yijun to better understand how to be a good emperor

It even led to the historical evaluation of "the Ming dynasty effectively perished during the Wanli era"

Zhu Yijun nodded: "The Ministry of Personnel has proposed that these two individuals may be reinstated to their positions as officials of the Tai Chang Si and Shang Bao Si, based on the recommendations of the Grand Council, considering their merits and the favor of their seniority. The proposal seems acceptable. However, what I do not understand is why these two were dismissed in the first place, leading to their current reinstatement."

After Zhang Juzheng entered the warm pavilion, he clasped his hands and bowed, requesting Emperor Zhu Yijun to inquire, and asked: "Your Majesty, is there anything you do not understand?"

Zhu Yijun informed him

Fortunately, in this life, Zhu Yijun possesses the soul of a future era and has resolved to be a Wanli Emperor who is different from the one in history

However, if Zhu Yijun has any inquiries, he may summon the ministers to the court and have them explain the matters of the memorials one by one.

Zhang Juzheng was concerned that Zhu Yijun was not being educated adequately, so he specifically increased the number of learned Confucian scholars assigned to accompany the emperor during lectures at the Wenhua Hall, in addition to the original number of lecturers allocated by precedent, to be available for consultation at Zhu Yijun's side

Zhang Juzheng and the officials were reading aloud from the Zhu and Tu books, their expressions filled with satisfaction, as if listening to the beautiful melodies of celestial music

Zhu Yijun remarked: "Although it is said so, from my perspective, it is still better not to employ Xu Fan and Xu Kun. The main reason is that we must consider Mr. Xu, as he is the teacher of Xu Fan and Xu Kun, and I am also a student of Mr. Xu, so I naturally need to take Mr. Xu's feelings into account. I believe Mr. Xu, having reached an advanced age, must also wish for his children and grandchildren to be by his side to show their filial piety."

The way of the university lies in the cultivation of virtue, in the affection for the people, and in the pursuit of the highest good

Zhu Yijun began to speak with a smile: "Xu Fan, Xu Kun, are you not the sons of the esteemed Mr. Xu Qing, Master Xu?"

At this moment, Zhu Yijun said: "After the conclusion of yesterday's imperial lecture, while completing the assignments given to me by Master Zhang Yuanfu, I also reviewed the memorials in order to understand the principles of governance and the abilities and virtues of officials across various regions from the proposals of the gentlemen. At the same time, I noted down some areas of confusion, which I am prepared to inquire about today. I kindly ask the gentlemen for their generous explanations"

At this glance, Zhang Juzheng's body trembled slightly, and then he cast a glance at Zhang Hong.

The class that Zhu Yijun enjoyed the most in his memory was the one on "The Illustrated History of Emperors," because this book is rich in illustrations and text, and contains stories that are vivid and engaging, capturing the interest of his youth. At the same time, Zhang Juzheng, as a master of political strategy in this era, was able to teach him the essential tactics of emperors with precision and clarity, allowing him to quickly absorb the important means that a ruler should master

After reviewing several memorials, Zhu Yijun summoned Zhang Juzheng.

These two individuals are still young, and they will have plenty of time in the future to serve the country. However, the opportunity to serve their parents is one that can easily be lost. Our dynasty governs the world through filial piety. Since I ascended to the throne at a young age, I should further promote benevolence and filial piety in governance. What does the esteemed gentleman think of this?

Zhang Juzheng felt a sudden jolt in his heart and had no choice but to plead on behalf of the speaker: "The speaker is under the divine authority of Heaven, and a minor mistake has occurred; I humbly hope for Your Majesty's gracious tolerance." He further stated: "If a person commits an offense, if it arises from an unintentional error, even if it is serious, it can still be forgiven."

Zhang Juzheng held the imperial edict with both hands and then glanced at the contents on the official paper.

Although Zhang Juzheng appointed Xu Jie’s sons due to his obligation as a student of Xu Jie to take care of the Xu family politically, disregarding the fact that the character of these two sons was quite poor, when Emperor Zhu Yijun inquired about it, he still had to respond truthfully

At this moment, Zhu Yijun continued to address Zhang Juzheng in the same manner as the original owner of the memories did.

Alternatively, this would make them feel that the Son of Heaven is under their control, giving them a sense of having dominion over the Son of Heaven

Therefore, I believe it is better to allow Xu Fan and Xu Kun to continue fulfilling their filial duties at home

Your Majesty's diligent governance and earnest scholarship bring great fortune to the state

Zhang Juzheng and other ministers then retreated to the west wing to wait

Certainly, he would not know that, according to the original course of history, the emperor student he had devoted himself to teaching and had high hopes for would, after his death, abandon all the expectations placed upon him by his teacher, plunder his estate, and even nearly heed the demands of the bureaucratic group to desecrate his corpse, as well as abolish all his new policies. Furthermore, after this, out of disappointment with the civil officials, he would capriciously refrain from attending court for over twenty years, becoming the laziest emperor of the Ming Dynasty, neglecting governance to the extent that he could not even be bothered to fill vacancies among the central six ministries' officials.

Therefore, after Zhu Yijun arrived at the Wenhua Hall, he first began to read the "Great Learning"

Zhang Juzheng, saying this, hurriedly clasped his hands again and eagerly said: "Please, Your Majesty, inquire!"

Zhu Yijun then had Zhang Hong deliver a note he had written on an imperial notepaper to Zhang Juzheng

It can be said that Zhang Juzheng would not have anticipated that the monarch he had devoted ten years of effort to educating would, after his death, transform into the very figure he most dreaded to see

Zhang Juzheng replied: "Indeed! He is certainly the son of Mr. Xu."

Zhu Yijun pointed out that he did not know whether the officials had intentionally omitted words during the lecture or if Zhang Juzheng had deliberately left them unmentioned. However, he understood that he must bring it up himself to demonstrate that he was indeed listening attentively. At the same time, this served as a prelude to something he was about to say, aimed at making Zhang Juzheng realize that he was not so easily deceived and that he was genuinely acting as the Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty

Yes