Chapter 3: The Son of Heaven should not be overly intelligent

Regardless, it is imperative to save Lord Yang. Wei believes that we should immediately submit a petition to plead for Lord Yang, for since the Son of Heaven is not a foolish monarch, he ought to recognize Lord Yang's reputation among the people

Wei Dazhong nodded and said, "Mr. Wang's words are reasonable. This matter should not be delayed any longer and should be reported immediately"

Indeed, I must submit a petition to plead for Yang Gong!

Yang Lian clenched his lips tightly and ultimately could not help but grit his teeth and reply: "I am doomed!"

Yang Lian did not resist; he now only felt aggrieved, feeling frustrated about how he had ended up in such a predicament. Clearly, he had intended to seize the Crown Prince from Li Xuan's hands to keep him under the control of himself and the other civil officials, in order to prevent Li Xuan from using the Emperor to command the ministers. Yet, he had unwittingly ended up in prison as a result.

Yang Gong has been imprisoned by imperial decree! Everyone, we cannot remain silent on this matter!

The Grand Secretary Liu Yiyan also hurriedly pleaded, saying: "Your Majesty! What the Left Censor has said is indeed true. Although Yang, the official, acted inappropriately, it was indeed to protect Your Majesty. I implore Your Majesty to pardon his offense"

This may very well be the scheme of someone with the surname Fang. This person has always appeared neutral, yet in reality, he is closely aligned with the Qi faction and its teachings. It is possible that he is secretly inciting Li Xuan to manipulate the Emperor, using His Majesty's hand to eliminate Lord Yang! Although the Emperor is young and intelligent, he is still inexperienced in the ways of the world and does not realize the deep intentions of the traitor Fang. This time, we must ensure the rescue of Lord Yang, so that the traitor Fang's ambitions to incite the Emperor against loyal officials are thwarted!

Therefore, the officials of the Jinyiwei clearly did not react in time

If Zhu Youjiao easily lets Yang Lian go now, Yang Lian will become even more arrogant

Today, daring to challenge me, do you think you will not dare to hold a knife to my neck tomorrow? Yang Lian's actions, whether intentional or unintentional, are contrary to the principles of loyalty to the sovereign

Zuo Guangdou listened to Wang Wenyans words and also turned his attention to Zhu Youjiao: "Indeed, today we entered the palace with concerns that Li Xuanshi would control the emperor, but unexpectedly, the emperor was not under Li Xuanshis control. Instead, he first conveyed the edict of the late emperor to Fang Congzhe, and then proclaimed his rightful position through the will. The ministers were momentarily at a loss on how to respond, leading to Yang Gong's imprisonment, while Your Majesty received the homage of the ministers. Throughout this process, it seemed as if everything was under Your Majestys control."

Wei Dazhong stood up as he spoke

Wang Wenyuan nodded and said, "Naturally, seeking leniency is a matter of seeking leniency. All of us from the Donglin faction are loyal and outspoken individuals; how could we stand by and watch Lord Yang be imprisoned? However, what I did not expect was that the current Emperor would be so resolute, unlike what Wang An described in the past as a person of timid character, which is truly unexpected."

At this time, Zhu Youjiao must impose severe punishment on Yang Lian

Especially officials like Yang Lian who are adept in the art of rhetoric

Zhu Youjiao then asked: "Does the Jinyiwei Academy also believe that Yang Lian should not be arrested? What are you waiting for? Throw Yang Lian into the imperial prison! Did you not hear me?"

Your Majesty, the officials of the Department of Civil Affairs have submitted a memorial, stating that all ancient wise and benevolent emperors have always cherished kindness and cultivated virtue. Although Lord Yang has committed an error in the presence of the Emperor, he has acted with genuine public spirit. As the Emperor has just ascended the throne, it is indeed the right time to implement benevolent governance, and thus, it is appropriate to pardon his transgressions and commend his loyalty

... ...

Wang Wenyany also stated: "Not only that, before you intruded into the Qianqing Palace with the intention of seizing the Son of Heaven, there were rumors from within the inner court that Wang An of the Court of Ceremonial wanted to assist us in taking the Son of Heaven and carrying him out. However, he was slapped by the Son of Heaven, who also rebuked him for his disrespect, and then ordered Wang An to come out and announce this to Fang Congzhe."

Otherwise, the current court would not be in a situation where the censors hold significant power

There was no other option; Emperor Taichang, Zhu Changluo, passed away too quickly, having only reigned for one month before his demise. Thus, a period that originally belonged to the forty-eighth year of the Wanli era had to be designated as the first year of Taichang.

At that moment, many officials rushed to plead for Yang Lian

The sixth day of the ninth month in the forty-eighth year of the Wanli era

Regardless of how intense the struggles within the court may be, the Jinyiwei will always serve as the emperor's close ministers, obedient to the emperor's commands, and cannot contravene the emperor's orders

Not long after Zhu Youjiao ascended to the throne, he received memorials from the ministers pleading for Yang Lian, among which the first memorial was from Wei Dazhong

Indeed, submit the memorial immediately

Yang Lian's recent behavior has indeed shown a blatant disregard for the Son of Heaven; in his eyes, the Son of Heaven seems to have truly become nothing more than a mere ornament, a symbol of supreme power, something that anyone can touch or handle

At this moment, Yang Lian found himself at a loss for words, as he had indeed just grasped the emperor's hand, which was undeniably a great act of disrespect

Wang Wenyang said

In summary

Zhu Youjiao completed the coronation ceremony and officially became the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He and his ministers agreed that the following year would be the first year of the Tianqi era, while the period from August of the 48th year of Wanli until January 1st of the first year of Tianqi would be designated as the first year of Taichang.

Wang Wenyin furrowed his brow and began to speak

However, Zuo Guangdou, the city patrol censor who was also an official of the Donglin Party, was unwilling to see Yang Lian, the top figure of the Donglin Party, imprisoned by imperial decree

The more arrogant Yang Lian becomes, the more disastrous the consequences he will face

However, Yang Lian did not have the opportunity to participate

Zhu Youjiao had no choice but to speak first, and since the ministers had already paid their respects to him as the emperor, he also referred to himself as "I." As he spoke, he looked towards Yang Lian and said: "Yang Lian, you speak for yourself. When you were disrespectful to me just now, did you still have the etiquette of ruler and subject in your eyes? Should you not be punished for this?"

Fang Congzhe noticed Zhu Youjiao's gaze, but he chose to evade it, feigning ignorance as he lowered his eyelids

Subsequently, Zhu Youjiao ascended to the Wenhua Hall to formally receive the homage of the ministers

After listening to Wang Wenyans words, Zuo Guangdou glanced at Wei Dazhong and said, "If that is the case, the current emperor is not to be underestimated! The future is indeed unpredictable!"

Zhu Youjiao glanced at Fang Congzhe; if Fang Congzhe and the others were to plead for Yang Lian, he might consider sparing Yang Lian.

... ...

Zhu Youjiao did not speak, but silently observed. He wanted to see how many of the ministers present were members of the Donglin Party.

Thus, Zuo Guangdou hurriedly interceded on behalf of Yang Lian, saying: "Your Majesty! Although Yang Ge Shi acted inappropriately before Your Majesty, it was due to a moment of impatience. He did this to ensure Your Majesty ascends the throne as soon as possible, so that our Great Ming may have a ruler at the earliest. I implore Your Majesty to consider this! To imprison him by edict is indeed excessively harsh and not an act of compassion towards the entrusted ministers. I beseech Your Majesty to think it over carefully!"

Zuo Guangdou chimed in.

Zuo Guangdou continued, "First, he slapped Grand Secretary Wang of the Court of Rites, then he slapped Yang Gong, and even had him imprisoned. Your Majesty, the authority of the Son of Heaven comes so swiftly!"

What Lord Wei said is indeed correct; the Son of Heaven should not be overly clever, nor should he be excessively harsh. If he frequently sends officials to prison for their words, it will be uncertain whether this will bring fortune or disaster to the great Ming in the future

After Zhu Youjiao's inquiry, the officials of the Jinyiwei finally came to their senses and took Yang Lian into custody

At this time, Wei Dazhong, an official of the Donglin Party, spoke of this matter to Zuo Guangdou and other officials of the Donglin Party at the residence of Wang Wenyuan, a secretary in the Central Secretariat

Imperial Prison

Zhu Youjiao's actions not only prevented the intensification of party strife in the future but also dealt a blow to the arrogance of the Donglin Party, making it clear that the Ming Dynasty is governed by the emperor's decree, rather than by the Donglin Party.

Zuo Guangdou replied.

Zuo Guangdou also stood up: "Indeed, it is a pity that we originally planned to expel Fang Congzhe from the court together, but unexpectedly, we now have to save Yang Gong first"

Because Zhu Youjiao knew that Fang Congzhe was not a member of the Donglin Party, if Fang Congzhe and others could plead for Yang Lian, it indicated that Fang Congzhe and his associates had a broader perspective. They would not act solely for the benefit of their own faction, nor would they allow their disdain for the Donglin Party to lead to Yang Lian being imprisoned.

The Ming Dynasty has not been so harsh towards the civil officials for many years

It is better for Yang Lian to be imprisoned now than to face the death penalty in the future for offending Wei Zhongxian and other eunuchs.

There is no other reason

Therefore, Zhu Youjiao's punishment of Yang Lian is both justified and reasonable