Chapter 77: Has Our Great Ming Become a Eunuch?

Inside the Gate of Heavenly Submission.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s gaze was cold as he looked over, his eyes growing even more frigid and disdainful.

That Zhanji boy appeared wise and heroic—how did he end up with such an offspring? In his thirties or forties, and still the only thing he knows to do in a crisis is seek out his mother.

Not a shred of decisiveness!

The plump Hongxi Emperor shuffled closer, scratching his ear suspiciously. “Youjian, did you hear that rascal mutter something about ‘Wang’ just now? Was he talking about that eunuch Wang Zhen?”

“Wang? Oh, I heard the Emperor Yingzong mumble something like that too. Perhaps he just wants to be a prince,” Zhu Youjian’s mouth twitched as he tried to smooth things over.

He couldn’t bear to see the Emperor beaten any more—any further and Baozong would truly be done for.

If there were no casualties, history might only accuse them of rewriting the records, but if someone actually died, how would the chronicles record it?

The eighteenth day of the first month, an auspicious day according to the almanac.

The retired Emperor Zhu Qizhen attempts to restore himself to the throne from the Southern Palace, inciting the wrath of gods and men. The spirits of Taizu, Taizong, Renzong, and Xuanzong manifest and beat the Emperor to death before the Gate of Heavenly Submission?

Well now, that would turn an official history into mere folklore in an instant.

In later generations, someone could say Hua Xiong was Hua Tuo’s son and there’d still be skeptics. But if anyone told this story, even a dog would shake its head.

“My grandson, I see it clearly now. In our Great Ming, every emperor after us is bound to suffer at the hands of eunuchs… The people are never spared the disaster of these palace men,” Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

Zhu Youjian’s vague answer didn’t fool the emperors, but the genial Hongxi Emperor laughed it off.

Old Zhu, though, saw the tip of the iceberg and discerned the whole.

At the Battle of Tumu Fortress, the military and noble class was decimated; with the court’s balance of civil and military power shattered, if future generations lacked ability or the civil officials grew too powerful, they’d have little choice but to rely on eunuchs to counter the bureaucracy.

Suffering from eunuchs?

Not entirely so.

Zhu Youjian considered for a moment and hesitated before saying, “In the Jiajing era…”

“That Jiajing again?”

At the mention of the name, Old Zhu frowned, the Fourth Prince’s face darkened, and Hongxi looked disgruntled.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, “Did he also fall prey to the eunuchs?”

“Not exactly.” Zhu Youjian shook his head. “The Emperor Shizong’s transgression was with palace maids.”

“Palace maids?” The emperors and crown princes all turned, astounded.

Old Zhu was perplexed. “How could an emperor transgress with a palace maid—did he favor some sort of enchantress?”

“Well… Actually, it was because the Emperor Shizong was obsessed with alchemy. One of the concoctions required the menstrual blood of maidens. Not only that, but the girls couldn’t have eaten any grains—no rice, only mulberry leaves. After a while, the palace maids were nearly spitting silk like silkworms!” Zhu Youjian paused, then continued, “Even so, they still had to provide their blood every month. Without proper nourishment, their bodies couldn’t bear it, and naturally, many couldn’t menstruate. Those who failed were put to death by the obsessed Emperor.”

“So one night, sixteen palace maids decided to sneak into his chambers and assassinate him. If it weren’t for their long-term frailty and a knotted rope, the Emperor might have met his end that night.”

The emperors and princes listened with furrowed brows, finding themselves ever more repulsed by the Jiajing Emperor. This foolish child would try anything.

What did he think he was, the divine farmer?

“Idiot! Did he not read the histories? Just like the Second Emperor! How many times have I said, don’t mistreat those who serve you closely!” Old Zhu cursed, then lectured the assembled emperors and princes sternly:

“In my day, when I led my soldiers to pacify the land, if any of them did wrong, I punished them as they deserved—but no one dared act out of line with me!

“But my cook, Xu Xingzu, followed me for over twenty years. I never once beat or abused him. How many times have I said: never make enemies of your close servants. Even if you scold them offhandedly, if they hold a grudge, how can you eat in peace?”

The Yongle Emperor listened intently, then burst out, “Father is right! This Jiajing is simply outrageous. To receive the divine favor of Taizu and ascend the throne, yet disregard your teachings—I’ll beat him for you, Father!”

“I’ll do the same!” The Fourth Prince fumed, though whether out of anger at this, or for his own reasons, it hardly mattered—he just wanted to let off steam.

The plump Hongxi Emperor sidled up to Zhu Youjian, whispering, “Youjian, do you have a grudge against Jiajing or something?”

Zhu Youjian realized he’d said too much and forced a laugh. “Of course not. He’s my highly respected forebear. Even if our bones were broken, the family ties remain—how could there be a grudge?”

“No worries, I’m just asking. Look at you, always so guarded.” Hongxi chuckled amiably.

Yongle’s son Zhu Gaoxu approached and said, “Eldest brother means, if you do have a grudge against Jiajing, he’ll help you take care of it.”

“Yes, yes…” Hongxi echoed with a laugh, then his expression changed and he smacked Zhu Gaoxu, scolding, “Second Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? Our Youjian is the very model of filial piety. You’ll lead him astray!”

“Heh.” Zhu Youjian smiled, watching the brothers’ spirited squabble.

Ahem!

The Yongle Emperor cleared his throat.

“Father, you can’t blame me! Eldest Brother started it!” Zhu Gaoxu protested boisterously.

“That’s just how you are, Second Brother.” Hongxi muttered with a pained expression.

“Don’t mind him. Our Prince Han is all brawn—you know that.” The plump Yongle Emperor comforted him.

The Yongle Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Are you all done?”

At once, the brothers and Hongxi fell back into line at the old Taizu’s side.

As the officials began to file in, Yu Qian seized the moment to join them, kneeling with the civil and military officials.

“We ministers pay our respects to the spirits of Taizu, Taizong, Renzong, and Xuanzong!”

“Rise,” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The officials kept their heads bowed, standing with hands clasped, silent as cicadas in winter.

“I’ve come here for a few matters only!” Zhu Yuanzhang swept his icy gaze over the assembly and announced:

“Zhu Qizhen forever forfeits any claim to the legitimate succession of the Ming throne. All those who participated in this attempted restoration in the Southern Palace are to be executed!”

“We obey!” The officials bowed deeply, accepting the decree with reverence.

“No!”

Upon hearing this, Baozong, trembling with anxiety, finally saw his last hope extinguished. Tears gushed forth as he clung to his mother’s leg, sobbing uncontrollably, “Mother, will I never be emperor?”

“My child, don’t cry. It is no matter if you cannot be emperor. With your mother here, there is nothing to fear,” Empress Dowager Sun patted his back, sighing in comfort.

Zhu Yuanzhang exchanged a glance with the Xuande Emperor.

Xuande immediately understood, stepping forward with a cold voice:

“Lady Sun, as a concubine, you incited the Emperor to depose the Empress; as a mother, you failed to guide your son, letting him run wild; as Empress Dowager, you aided the wicked, allowing the eunuch Wang Zhen to dominate court affairs. For these crimes, which scandalize our ancestors, from this day forth you are confined to the Cold Palace, never to leave for all your days!”

The officials seemed dazed, as if they’d returned to the days when Grand Empress Dowager Zhang and the Three Yangs of the cabinet nearly stifled Wang Zhen.

Since Grand Empress Dowager Zhang’s death, this unremarkable Empress Dowager Sun ruled in her son’s stead, but her governance was far inferior to Empress Renzong’s. As a result, Wang Zhen monopolized power, and the court fell into chaos.

This ultimately led to the calamity at Tumu Fortress, which cost the Ming half its destiny.

“No! Please, no!”

Empress Dowager Sun burst into tears, panic-stricken. To be cast into the Cold Palace meant her son would share her fate—a slow death in seclusion.

“Your Majesty, I beg for mercy!” she wailed in utter despair.

Zhu Qizhen, stunned, found his tears dried up, and could only try to console her, “Mother, don’t cry. It’s all right not to be Empress Dowager. With me here, there’s no need to be sad.”

“Waaa…”

Empress Dowager Sun only cried all the harder.

…