Chapter 23: Inheriting the Title

Faced with the enthusiasm of the two Ministers, Xu Jingchang remained unmoved. "Minister Xia, Ru Chang is one of your own, isn't he?"

Xia Yuanji paused for a moment. "Yes, but he ceases to be one the moment he commits a fatal error."

"You are certainly frank," Xu Jingchang scoffed. "You cast him aside like worn-out shoes!"

Jian Yi gave a slight cough. "He is very different from us."

Xu Jingchang found it increasingly amusing. "I am even more different from you, and our paths—civil and military—are entirely distinct. I am not a fool; how could I not understand? You saw the Emperor strike down Ru Chang in the grand hall, breaking his head open, and you are terrified. You want someone to stand in front of you, to shield you from the wind and rain. But you see, the thunder and the dew are both imperial favors. Even if the heavenly lightning strikes you down, that is still the Emperor's vast grace, so I shall not involve myself."

Xu Jingchang stood up abruptly. "Minister Jian, if you truly consider me one of your own, just give me a low performance rating and let me go home to inherit my title. This court is meaningless; with a mere wave of my hand, I could cause officials from two ministries to fall. It is truly boring. It would be far more comfortable to go home and fish."

If Yao Guangxiao had been there, he would have recognized Xu Jingchang's game, but these two were still inexperienced. Xia Yuanji continued to persuade him: "Director Xu, we bear no ill intent. You wouldn't want those Hanlin scholars in the Cabinet to have their way, would you?"

Xu Jingchang laughed heartily. "Minister Xia, you are brilliant in some matters but foolish in others. The Cabinet handles official documents and surrounds the Emperor; they are the de facto chancellors. Regardless of their rank, as long as they can sway the Emperor's thoughts and implement state affairs in his stead, they are the pivot of the Great Ming. You two can only manage one ministry each, while they control the entire picture. Sooner or later, you will fail. It would be better to save your breath, surrender, seek their protection, and become the Cabinet's lackeys—that is the best fate the six ministers can hope for."

With that, Xu Jingchang strode away, leaving the two ministers behind.

Xia Yuanji and Jian Yi were livid. This brat was truly asking for a beating. If it weren't for the sake of his father and his aunt, they would have impeached him for his arrogance!

Yet, after the anger subsided, Xia Yuanji said worriedly, "Old friend, though his words were harsh, they carry truth. Yang Rong, Xie Jin, Huang Huai, and Yang Shiqi are always by the Emperor’s side, discussing state affairs and evaluating policy. They truly resemble chancellors more than we do."

Jian Yi’s face was dark; his thoughts ran deeper. "For now, they are only fifth-rank grand secretaries, serving merely as consultants. Any decision they reach still requires the nod of us, the six ministers. They are still far from being chancellors."

Xia Yuanji said with a grimace, "They are far, but Xu Jingchang is right. They participate in the big picture and have a say in every policy. We, in the end, are only responsible for our own departments. In terms of reach, we lag far behind. You and I can still resist and argue our case, but the other ministers and vice-ministers will inevitably be bullied and have their authority usurped by these men. As time passes, the consequences will be endless."

Jian Yi frowned, lost in deep thought. After Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the Central Secretariat, he left a massive power vacuum. While he lived, his immense willpower filled the void, but now, a new normal had to be established.

In truth, one should not underestimate the officials. Had Zhu Yuanzhang not abolished the Central Secretariat, there would have been senior ministers to assist the government, which at the very least would have prevented Zhu Yunwen from making so many mistakes, and Zhu Di’s rebellion would not have succeeded so easily. Ultimately, Zhu Yunwen’s faction lacked experience in governing the nation yet suddenly held supreme power; they squandered a winning hand and pushed Zhu Di onto the throne.

"Nowadays, among the six ministries and nine ministers, the only one left to resist the Cabinet is the Office of Transmission," Jian Yi said in a low voice. "The Founding Emperor once said that administrative affairs are like water and must flow freely, hence the establishment of the Transmission Envoy. What if we propose that the Cabinet ministers be placed under the supervision of the Office of Transmission?"

Xia Yuanji felt a slight stir. "If that happens, the Office of Transmission would truly become the chancellery, which is not necessarily a blessing for us. Moreover, this kid Xu Jingchang is even more troublesome than those scholars. I fear it will lead to catastrophe."

Jian Yi waved his hand. "You cannot look at it that way. Xu Jingchang spoke the truth—he has a hereditary title; his tenure at the Office of Transmission is temporary. It won't be hard to remove him, and future officials won't be able to emulate him. But the Cabinet grand secretaries—there are dozens of Hanlin scholars, all the learned men in the world are watching, and with the triennial imperial examinations, they will sooner or later turn the Cabinet into a true chancellery."

After much discussion, the two reached a consensus: Xu Jingchang was a minor issue; the Cabinet was the true threat.

***

Xia Yuanji said, "At the last imperial conference, we already opposed the Office of Transmission supervising the hundred officials. To change our stance so suddenly might be inappropriate!"

Jian Yi pondered for a while. "How about this: I will submit a memorial suggesting that the six ministries and nine ministers meet every ten days at the Office of Transmission to discuss state affairs, coordinate major matters, and have the Ministry of Personnel lead while the Office of Transmission hosts."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuanji was overjoyed. Brilliant! If the six ministers acted alone, they were no match for the Cabinet, but if they gathered together, they could communicate and no longer fear the Cabinet. Furthermore, by nominally placing it under the Office of Transmission, they gave Xu Jingchang a small bone to chew on, while in reality, the Ministry of Personnel held the reins. Through these decadal meetings, the status of the six ministries would be consolidated, and they could better implement policy, fulfilling their duty to the Emperor—a move that served both the state and themselves.

Jian Yi’s prowess was evident. "I will submit the memorial, and I will follow suit. The Emperor is still hesitant and unsure whom to entrust with government affairs. If we persuade him carefully, we may well succeed."

The two reached an agreement, and the entire civil official system began to stir.

With the exception of the battle-damaged Ministry of War and Ministry of Works, the other four ministries, along with the Censorate, the Court of Judicature, and the Court of Ceremonial, all began to push their proposals under the guise of offering advice. They urged Zhu Di not to establish a Cabinet, claiming the existing ministries were sufficient; they only needed to discuss matters at the Office of Transmission.

Their actions soon alarmed another group: the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial Academy, the Prince’s Household Administration, and the Six Offices of Scrutiny. These were traditional "clear water" offices—low in rank, small in power, and difficult to live on, with no clear path for promotion. Since Zhu Di was selecting personnel from the scholars to enter the Cabinet and assist the Emperor, this was undoubtedly their best path to advancement. They could not let the six ministries succeed.

Though low in rank, they were numerous. For instance, Hu Yan, a reviewer in the Hanlin Academy, pointed out directly that if the Ministry of Personnel’s proposal were followed, it would turn the Office of Transmission into a Council of State, making the six ministers the equivalent of the Song Dynasty’s chancellors, effectively forming a collective chancellery through these decadal meetings. This would violate the ancestral laws and must not be agreed to.

His memorial immediately drew countless supporters.

Xu Jingchang sat in the Office of Transmission every day, happily watching the argumentative memorials—a stack supporting Jian Yi, a stack supporting Hu Yan. The two sides went back and forth, which was simply marvelous.

"Quarreling is good; the more they quarrel, the more fun it is. Send it all to the Emperor and let him worry about it."

Xu Jingchang crossed his legs, looking every bit the court’s premier hedonist.

***

If you don't fight, where would I get a show to watch?

"I am but... a carefree soul... from Wolong Ridge..." He began to hum.

Just as Xu Jingchang was enjoying himself, Yao Guangxiao arrived.

Xu Jingchang was not surprised. "Is the Master craving vegetarian food again? I’m in a good mood; you don’t need to do anything for me, I’ll treat you."

Yao Guangxiao nodded. This time, he ordered eighteen dishes, filling the table.

"Director Xu, you don't need me to do anything, but I have a piece of good news for you."

"What good news?" Xu Jingchang asked, puzzled.

Yao Guangxiao smiled. "The Eldest Prince has sent a memorial from Beiping, mourning his uncle and requesting the Emperor to grant you the title of Marquis of Wuyang."

Inheriting a title?

Xu Jingchang was stunned. He already held an official post! Could he go home now?

Yao Guangxiao picked up a piece of spare rib and said with a smile, "The Emperor not only agreed but also bestowed upon you the rank of Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince, while keeping you as the Transmission Envoy."

Xu Jingchang was even more surprised. There was such a good thing?

"By the way, the Emperor also agreed to the decadal meetings of the six ministries and nine ministers, with the highest-ranking official presiding."

Xu Jingchang was dumbfounded. After a long while, he muttered, "Those ministers are all second-rank, right?"

"Indeed," the old monk said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Only you are of the first rank."