Chapter 13: A Grand Gift for Zhu Gaochi

Chapter 13: A Grand Gift for Zhu Gaochi

Hearing Qiu Fu boast about the strict military discipline, even Zhu Di wanted to laugh.

"I'm no child like Zhu Yunwen, born and raised deep within the palace. I've charged into battle countless times, far more than you, Qiu Fu. I know the state of the army all too well."

Though Zhu Di rigorously restrained his troops, forbidding them from disturbing civilians or engaging in pillage, his forces were not the famed Yue Family Army. After four grueling years of war, fighting desperately for their lives, if you didn’t offer them some rewards, what if these men defected to Zhu Yunwen?

Furthermore, Zhu Di’s army included many Mongol cavalrymen from Duoyan’s Three Guards, whose discipline was notoriously questionable.

So, when Zhu Di saw these memorials, he believed about eighty percent of them.

But Qiu Fu stubbornly refused to admit it.

"Your Majesty, Sheng Yong is a defeated general who surrendered unwillingly at first. Now he harbors treasonous intent. I believe he should be immediately imprisoned to the death. Investigate thoroughly to see how many accomplices he has; all must be rounded up!" Qiu Fu added, "Your Majesty, I recommend the Imperial Censor Chen Ying. He is shrewd, capable, and utterly loyal. He will surely uncover the truth of this matter."

Zhu Di furrowed his brows and pondered for a long while before finally saying, "Send for Xu Jingchang, the Commissioner of Communications."

Not long after, Xu Jingchang arrived, swaying and yawning. Zhu Di cast him a glance, instantly irritated.

"What’s going on with you? I’ve told you to be diligent in your duties, yet you still look so sluggish."

Xu Jingchang replied woefully, "Your Majesty, you wrong me. The Office of Communications is short-staffed, and there are many memorials from across the land that I must personally sort through before presenting them to the palace. I am overwhelmed, unable to eat or sleep. This post is truly exhausting."

Zhu Di took a deep breath. "It’s not easy for you either. Let me ask, what’s your opinion on the memorials accusing generals of abducting women into the army?"

"A misunderstanding! Absolutely a misunderstanding!" Xu Jingchang denied vehemently. "I have heard that the soldiers are loyal and diligent. They would never do such things. Someone must be harboring ill will and slandering them. I have been too busy and negligent in my duties. I beg your Majesty to punish me."

At these words, not only Zhu Di but even Qiu Fu was stunned. Could it be that he misunderstood? Was this fellow not as bad as he seemed?

Zhu Di contemplated briefly, then suddenly grew angry. "Your momentary negligence allowed these memorials to reach me. Can I simply turn a blind eye and deaf ear? This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Have Minister of Justice Zheng Ci, Imperial Censor Chen Ying, and Minister of Justice Wu Zhong of the Court of Judicial Review jointly try this case and clarify the truth. Duke of Qiguo, rest assured, if there are injustices, I will stand for the soldiers. As for Commissioner Xu Jingchang, this case clearly belongs to the Ministry of Justice but ended up in the palace due to your oversight. I hereby dock three months’ salary and relieve you of your post. Leave at once!"

Xu Jingchang’s eyes widened in disbelief. Already exhausted, now unpaid—what a fool he was!

"Your Majesty, I wish to declare illness and take a three-month medical leave…"

Before Xu Jingchang could finish, Zhu Di’s eyes blazed with fury. He grabbed the inkstone, ready to hurl it.

That was a fine Duan inkstone, a large stone. If it struck his head, he’d surely be done for. Xu Jingchang dared not utter another word and took to his heels, fleeing the scene of trouble.

With him gone, Qiu Fu was left dumbfounded and could only retreat as well.

Once the two had left, the anger on Zhu Di’s face faded considerably. From a nearby side hall emerged an elderly monk: Yao Guangxiao.

"Your Majesty’s idea to have the three judicial offices jointly try the case is truly brilliant," Yao Guangxiao smiled. "In this world, matters without measurement weigh little. Once measured, even a thousand pounds cannot be ignored."

Zhu Di rubbed his temples helplessly. "Grand Tutor, these secret reports came from Ji Gang."

He then produced a thick stack of documents and placed them before Yao Guangxiao.

The old monk said nothing but understood well.

"Your Majesty succeeded in pacifying the rebellion thanks to these meritorious generals. They must never be neglected. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is a fine blade but must not be wielded recklessly. As for this young marquis, his methods are cunning and his future boundless. In time, he will surely become your Majesty’s right hand and mainstay."

Zhu Di snorted, "He was just complaining about wanting sick leave! This boy is lazy and sly, far less trustworthy than his father. Grand Tutor, you must keep an eye on him for me."

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Di stood and took a golden ruyi scepter from a nearby table, handing it to Yao Guangxiao.

"Consider this a gift from me to that boy. Grand Tutor, please do me the favor."

Yao Guangxiao accepted the exquisitely crafted ruyi, weighing two or three catties, his face beaming. Forget three months’ salary; this was worth three years’ pay.

Xu Jingchang had truly stumbled into fortune and gained a great advantage.

The old monk took his leave and rode to the Xu family residence.

Upon entering, he found the household bustling. Approaching Xu Jingchang’s quarters, a strong medicinal scent wafted out. Xu Jingchang lay under covers, a towel on his forehead, coughing softly now and then.

"Grand Tutor has come… Forgive me, I am ill and cannot properly greet you."

Yao Guangxiao’s face fell immediately and he coughed lightly. "Xu Commissioner, your illness came on rather quickly!"

Xu Jingchang responded solemnly, "It’s true. The old saying goes, illness comes like a mountain crashing down; a huge mountain collapses all at once, no one can bear it. Recovery is like pulling silk threads; no telling when it will end! Could you help me request sick leave?"

Yao Guangxiao gritted his teeth. He suddenly felt that Zhu Di’s description of Xu Jingchang as lazy and cunning was mild—this was a shameless rogue!

"Xu Commissioner, not all illnesses are hard to cure. I have a fine remedy."

Saying this, Yao Guangxiao sat at the bedside and produced the golden ruyi from his sleeve.

"Look at this medicine—what do you think?"

Xu Jingchang’s eyes widened, and he swallowed nervously. "Is this real gold?"

The old monk smiled. "Not only real gold, but palace craftsmanship. His Majesty sent me to give it to you, to make up for three months’ salary. Is that enough?"

Xu Jingchang’s heart pounded fiercely. In his previous life, he had admired the Wanli Emperor’s golden silk dragon-winged hat—an exquisite masterpiece of Ming goldsmiths. This ruyi was similarly filigreed gold, delicate beyond compare, fit to be a family heirloom.

Instinctively, Xu Jingchang asked, "This is for me?"

"Indeed, it is a reward from His Majesty."

He hastily sat up, forgetting his illness, reaching to take it.

Yao Guangxiao smiled, noting that this rogue was not just shameless but fond of money.

Just as Xu Jingchang’s hand was about to touch the ruyi, he suddenly withdrew it.

Then he looked up and sighed aloud to himself, "Congratulations, you have finally not been defeated by money!"

With that, Xu Jingchang lay back stiffly. "I cannot go on. I am seriously ill. Please, Grand Tutor, go back."

Yao Guangxiao was furious. How could he say he was not defeated by money? He simply thought the reward was too small!

"Young Marquis, you know my methods. I advise you not to refuse the wine only to be forced to drink the penalty wine."

Xu Jingchang shivered slightly but quickly regained his composure. "Grand Tutor, one must be honest in conduct. Now that His Majesty and you are pushing me to oppose Qiu Fu and the new nobles of the Jingnan campaign, this task is no less dangerous than charging into battle. Yet, all I get is a ruyi scepter? Isn’t that too little?"

Yao Guangxiao’s expression turned grave. "Then what do you want?"

"I want allies, comrades to share the burden."

The old monk smiled. "Young Marquis, look around at the court—who has a firmer foundation than you? Who could share the burden with you?"

Xu Jingchang grinned. "Grand Tutor, you’re good enough… but don’t worry, I’m not asking you to help this time."

Yao Guangxiao was taken aback. "Then who?"

"Naturally, my eldest cousin."

"The Crown Prince!" Yao Guangxiao was startled again. A few days earlier, the Empress Dowager had mentioned appointing him as the Crown Prince’s tutor.

In other words, to use Yao Guangxiao’s skills to protect Zhu Gaochi.

Now that Xu Jingchang brought it up, Yao Guangxiao grew interested. "What’s your plan?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "No matter the outcome, we must get Sheng Yong under my eldest cousin’s command. That way, they have protection, and my eldest cousin gains a foothold in the army, no longer bullied by the Prince of Han. What do you think, Grand Tutor?"

(End of chapter)