Chapter 40: The Cabinet System!

Jianwen Era.

After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he changed the era name to Yongle, continued to implement the policy of consolidating the autocratic centralization of power, and rewarded those who had contributed to the Jingnan campaign.

All officials who had been demoted during the Jianwen reign were reinstated, and the princes had their titles and stipends restored.

This series of actions quickly solidified his position as emperor.

Zhu Di understood that the hidden dangers of reducing the power of the princes still remained. The excessive influence of the feudal princes would eventually threaten the central government. After a night of discussion with the monk Daoyan, he decided to bring the powers of the princes under central control.

Thus, while restoring their titles and stipends, he also began to plan the reduction of their powers.

During this period, he first transferred borderland princes back to the interior, reduced their guards, reclaimed their military command, and issued imperial edicts:

The princes were forbidden to arbitrarily command military or civilian officials;

They were forbidden to interfere in local affairs;

If a prince erred, he was first admonished in writing, then punished, and finally, if necessary, demoted to commoner or otherwise disciplined!

From that point on, princes who broke the law were punished as severely as commoners, if not more so, for Zhu the Fourth was always plotting how to rid himself of these brothers.

His intention to curb the power of the princes was obvious to all!

The princes were no fools either. Each became so cautious that they dared not even raise their voices to the common people when leaving their residences, afraid that the Embroidered Uniform Guard would report them, and they would suffer the consequences.

These strategies greatly weakened the power of the princes, allowing Zhu Di to grasp the military and political authority of the Ming dynasty in a very short time.

Fengtian Hall.

As evening approached, Zhu the Fourth sat draped in his imperial robe, meticulously reviewing memorials.

“Your Majesty, Master Daoyan has arrived.”

The personal eunuch shuffled in with small steps and announced reverently.

“Let him in, but tell him, if he asks about the immortal again, I’ll send him straight back to his temple.”

Zhu the Fourth rubbed his brow in frustration. He truly did not wish to see this obsessed Daoyan, yet there was a problem that needed solving, so he had summoned him to the palace.

Usually, after court, Daoyan would leave his official robes and don his monk’s habit, and he had been lingering in the palace for quite some days.

After court, he wouldn’t return to his temple; after eating and drinking, he would keep watch at the palace gate, always being the first to enter court the next day, and each time he met Zhu he would incessantly ask:

“Your Majesty, has the immortal come today?”

“Your Majesty, did the immortal come yesterday?”

“Your Majesty, when will the immortal come?”

“Your Majesty, is the immortal coming or not!”

Such frequent questioning made Zhu the Fourth feel just as he had in his days as a prince, when Daoyan would daily lecture him about rebellion.

The problem was, this monk was truly peculiar.

Zhu the Fourth had tried rewarding him, but Daoyan refused. He promised him a marquisate and high office, but Daoyan refused. He offered him fine women and maidservants; after some hesitation, Daoyan still declined.

Ever since his return, the monk seemed possessed, unable to speak three sentences without mentioning the immortal, intent only on meeting this being to discuss the Dao, with no other desire!

“Greetings, Your Majesty. May your sacred health endure.”

Daoyan bowed slightly in salute.

“I am well,” Zhu the Fourth nodded, then asked, “Since the realm stabilized, memorials from all regions have flown in like snow. I am growing weary, yet cannot violate the ancestral injunctions against restoring the chancellorship. What is your opinion?”

Ever since taking his seat, his awe for his father Zhu Yuanzhang was as boundless as the river, but also despairing.

The abolition of the chancellor’s office meant all state matters went directly to the emperor. After only a few months of such strenuous work, he found himself exhausted and could not imagine how his father had managed to persist for years.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a workaholic, but Zhu the Fourth was not. He had no desire to become the first emperor in history to die from overwork reviewing memorials!

After all, Zhu Di had great ambitions—he knew there was much he must accomplish and could not devote all his time to paperwork. He planned to personally lead a campaign against the Japanese, and later consider moving the capital to intimidate the remnants of the Mongols.

So, he could not possibly put all his energy into daily governance.

“Establish an institution to specifically assist Your Majesty in reviewing memorials, composed of eminent scholars who jointly participate in state affairs.”

“But would that not violate the ancestral injunctions against restoring the chancellorship?” Zhu the Fourth sighed, full of worries.

Daoyan smiled faintly, evidently having considered this long ago, and said, “The Taizu Emperor once appointed Grand Academicians to the Huguang, Jinshen, Wuying, Wenyan, and Eastern Pavilions as advisory ministers, sharing much of the burden. Though Your Majesty has restored the ancestral system, these imperial advisors have not yet fulfilled their potential.”

“Your Majesty may have these Grand Academicians stationed at Wenyan Pavilion within the Meridian Gate to participate in key decisions and process memorials. This would not violate the ancestral system and may be called the Inner Cabinet.”

The more Zhu the Fourth listened, the brighter his eyes became. In the end, he laughed heartily and praised, “Master, you are truly a genius of our times!”

Daoyan smiled, “In fact, Your Majesty has a way even better than mine.”

“Oh?” Zhu the Fourth raised an eyebrow.

“Seek the immortal’s wisdom! If Your Majesty would travel to the future with the immortal, even if he does not impart wondrous methods, you could glimpse the opportunities ahead!” Daoyan’s eyes were fervent, growing more excited.

The monk was at it again!

Zhu the Fourth pressed a hand to his forehead and could only smile wryly.

Suddenly.

A voice sounded within the hall.

“Rather than seeking fortune from immortals, one should decide for oneself. Master Daoyan’s Inner Cabinet system, when implemented, lasted more than two centuries. There is no need for undue humility!” Zhu Youjian appeared, smiling as he spoke.

“The immortal!”

“I am but a mere mortal—your praise is too much!” Daoyan could not hide his delight, his smile stretching wide with pleasure at the words.

Zhu Youjian smiled at him, then turned and took Zhu the Fourth by the arm, saying, “Ancestor, come with me.”

“Very well,” Zhu the Fourth rose and nodded.

The two figures vanished from the spot.

“What could be so urgent? Couldn’t they have waited for just a cup of tea?” Daoyan’s smile froze on his face, and he was left standing there, on the verge of tears.

...

In the small world.

“Greetings, Father Emperor!”

Zhu the Fourth returned to his seat and immediately saluted Zhu Yuanzhang, who was eating contentedly; only after receiving a nod of approval did he return to the Jianwen throne.

He glanced at the new arrival—a somewhat older, portly son—now sitting atop the Hongxi throne, and understood at once. He exchanged a look with Zhu Di beside him, both tacitly turning away.

The father and son of the Hongxi era stared at each other, dumbfounded.

They had expected the Jianwen throne to be occupied by Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Gaochi had even prepared himself to apologize privately to Jianwen, drafting his speech in his mind.

Who could have guessed—now there was an extra father!

Busy as ever, Zhu Youjian had no time to explain. He simply called out, “Yongle Emperor, Hongxi Emperor, please accompany me to the Xuande era to meet Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji.”

“Agreed,” Zhu Di nodded, looking forward with great anticipation to the achievements of his illustrious grandson.

Hongxi’s portly son wiped his mouth and quickly declared he was ready as well.

...