Chapter 55 Pure Conversation Can Destroy the Barbarians—Where Are the Northern Barbarians Now?

During the early Ming dynasty, the Prime Minister's office held decision-making power, and Hu Weiyong wielded considerable authority. In contrast, the current Grand Secretary of the Cabinet possesses far less decisive power, often needing approval from the Directorate of Ceremonial before issuing edicts from the emperor. On the surface, Zhang Juzheng’s power seems much less than Hu Weiyong’s.

However, the current Ming emperor is only ten years old.

Zhang Juzheng presides over court deliberations, drafts memorials, and wields influence over both the court and the young emperor himself. Does this not suggest that his power is even more overwhelming than Hu Weiyong’s?

Did Hu Weiyong dare to challenge the Great Emperor Taizu?

But Zhang Juzheng dares and is capable of managing the young emperor.

With hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Juzheng gazed at the shimmering lake and said, “In the tenth year of Hongwu, Hu Weiyong served as the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat. He made life-and-death decisions and dismissals without reporting to Emperor Taizu, acting arbitrarily. He reviewed memorials from various internal and external departments, withholding any that were unfavorable to him from the emperor.”

“If that were the case, Emperor Taizu could have simply dismissed him,” You Qi said, puzzled. “Why then did Emperor Taizu order Hu Weiyong’s execution, and why did the case implicate so many?”

Zhang Juzheng answered with certainty, “Because Hu Weiyong maintained extremely close relations with the military meritorious officials in court.”

“Hu Weiyong was related by marriage to Lord Li Shanchang of Korea and frequently associated with Marquis Lu Zhongheng of Ji’an, Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang, Marquis Zhao Yong of Nanxiong, Marquis Zheng Yuchun of Xingyang, Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia, Marquis Jingning, and others. The Hu Prime Minister’s faction was tightly intertwined with one duke and twenty-one marquises of the Huai River West clique.”

“Marriage ties—do you understand now? The court feared the Jin faction precisely because it was a kinship faction.”

You Qi suddenly understood, “I see.”

“Hu Weiyong’s close relations with the military meritorious officials made Emperor Taizu restless, as if thorns pricked his back. Hence, Hu Weiyong appeared on the ‘Record of Treasonous Factions,’ a massive early state case implicating tens of thousands, whose aftereffects lingered.”

You Qi fell silent, having grasped the crucial point. His mentor, the Grand Secretary, did not seek to become a power-hungry official but aimed only to serve the state.

The military meritorious officials of Ming had declined; for them, maintaining their own safety amidst great state affairs was already an achievement.

Times were changing. The most capable fighting faction had shifted from the Huai River West clique to today’s southern troops.

And the commander of the southern troops was Qi Jiguang.

Qi Jiguang had sworn allegiance under Zhang Juzheng at the Quan Chu Guild Hall; their relationship was exceedingly close. The palace’s silence was due to the emperor’s youth and the priority on stability, but the emperor would grow up.

When the emperor matured, his view of Gao Gong and the border troops of Xuanda would reflect his perspective on the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Qi Jiguang.

Zhang Juzheng was cautious about securing personal power—not because he lacked ability, but because in a time of a young emperor and uncertain imperial authority, if he sought personal gain, he would fail to govern the nation.

Zhang Juzheng relaxed and continued, “Do you think it’s easy to be this Grand Secretary?”

“As the head of the cabinet, one cannot act arbitrarily. Take Gao Gong, for example—after submitting a memorial with some harsh words, he was immediately sent back to his hometown in retirement. He was too hasty. Even if Elder Gao did not consider the Empress Dowager or the emperor, did he not think about how the Jin faction behind him would react to the ‘Memorial on Five Matters’?”

“To be Grand Secretary and do nothing is no good either. Without some capability, one cannot handle civil unrest, border troubles, or Japanese pirates. Take Xia Yan during the Jiajing era, who ended up beheaded at the western market.”

“To be Grand Secretary means power—grasping, wielding, or manipulating it. Doing anything wrong leads to death; doing nothing is also wrong, and the ending is never good.”

“Given the current situation, things are just fine.”

Zhang Juzheng advocated a balance of leniency and severity. As Grand Secretary, one must tread carefully; a single misstep leads to death. Zhang Juzheng did not fear death but dreaded the demise of governance.

The Ming dynasty was already on its last breath. His determined reforms could be undone if he died and his opponents regained strength. How much vitality would Ming have then?

If the ruler dies and governance ceases, a political upheaval extending throughout the empire would be inevitable. This was not Zhang Juzheng’s ambition; he did not wish to see it.

“What about the Jin faction?” You Qi voiced his concern.

Why did the Jin faction fear Zhang Juzheng? Because Zhang had capable men in military, political, financial, and judicial affairs. Zhang’s faction could rival the Jin faction. After the loss of Gao Gong, the Jin faction lost ground to Zhang’s faction.

Qi Jiguang was the pillar of Zhang’s military power. Qi had returned his official token, so wouldn’t the Jin faction seize the opportunity to strike?

Zhang Juzheng laughed at You Qi’s question and said, “If the Jin faction tries to court Commander Qi, it will only bring shame upon themselves. They don’t even share the same ‘pot,’ so trying to cozy up will only get them scolded. The Jin faction is currently struggling to survive. The Great Wall at Tiger Valley was only completed last year and collapsed easily. Someone must be held responsible.”

“The emperor once said, ‘Comrades and peers can share joy together.’”

Gentlemen’s factions are bound by shared ideals; villains’ factions by self-interest. The key ties in villain factions are marriage and regional kinship—what His Majesty calls kinship factions.

Zhang Juzheng was not worried that Qi Jiguang’s return of his token meant he would collude with the Jin faction because he knew Qi’s aspirations matched his own.

To revive the Ming, to restore its greatness.

Therefore, Qi Jiguang’s returning of the token purified their relationship, making it clean and straightforward. Both were loyal ministers sharing a common ambition, which was beneficial for both.

His Majesty the emperor had already demonstrated his concern for the realm and his resoluteness.

“A scholar must be broad-minded and resolute, for the burden is heavy and the road long.”

That morning, a memorial impeaching Qi Jiguang’s arrogance was delivered to the Wen Yuan Pavilion, placed before Zhang Juzheng.

“They really are impatient. Qi Jiguang just returned his token yesterday, and today they start impeaching him. Can these people restrain themselves at all?” Zhang Juzheng said with a strange expression to Lu Diaoyang.

Deputy Prime Minister Lu Diaoyang set down a tray filled with memorials before Zhang and said, “These are all of them.”

Normally, Zhang Juzheng would lavish praise on Qi Jiguang in his review, but now Qi was no longer under the Quan Chu Guild Hall, no longer directly under Zhang.

Zhang Juzheng dipped his brush, gathered his sleeves, and began to write.

Qi Jiguang’s return of the token signified a complete parting from Zhang Juzheng, meaning Qi lost his political backing and was now vulnerable to impeachment.

Previously, officials dared not impeach him out of respect and fear for Zhang Juzheng. Now that Qi was merely a meritorious noble, who feared him?

Zhang Juzheng’s comments refuted the officials’ accusations, still defending Qi’s reputation as before—unchanged.

Is a gentleman’s faction merely sustained by a token and a mentor’s patronage?

Zhang and Qi’s friendship of over twenty years would not end because of a token. They still stood on the same front, endeavoring to eradicate the empire’s ills and restore Ming’s vigor.

Zhang championed Qi Jiguang because of his patriotism. He supported Qi in raising the Zhejiang troops because Qi was truly capable in battle.

He supported Qi, and Qi delivered victory after victory, aiding Zhang’s political efforts. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, not, as You Qi supposed, one-sided favor.

You Qi, a servant, saw only Zhang’s kindness toward Qi.

The Directorate of Ceremonial’s attitude toward Zhang Juzheng was somewhat strange. Zhang was known for his meticulousness, yet when Qi Jiguang was slapped outside Xuanwu Gate, Zhang still defended him in his reviews.

Where had the vindictive Zhang gone?

As always, the young Ming emperor wore his regular robes and entered the Wenhua Hall, waiting for eunuchs to carry the dragon throne. Zhu Yijun sat steadily upon it.

Yesterday, Zhu Yijun had responded to all memorials impeaching Qi Jiguang. Zhang Juzheng’s “Memorial on Five Matters” was to be fully endorsed, and the emperor had devised his own approach to the impeachment.

Qi Jiguang’s ennoblement and return of the token to You Qi did not mean the young emperor had gained command over the troops.

It only meant Qi Jiguang was now a noble with merit.

Generals are individuals; military power lies in army organization. These are entirely separate.

The Zhejiang troops were never Qi Jiguang’s private army; they belonged to the Ming dynasty. If the troops had become Qi’s personal force, their fate would not have been so tragic.

“Ministers, we pay respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty’s health be well?” the officials bowed.

Zhu Yijun extended his hand, signaling them to rise, and smiled, “I am well. Rise and begin the court deliberation.”

Zhang Juzheng remained seated in the foremost position on the left. Looking at the twenty-seven ministers assembled, he took out a memorial and said, “The memorials impeaching Commander Qi have been rejected by His Majesty.”

“The emperor said: ‘The facts are clear and well-documented. If empty talk could eliminate the northern barbarians, where would they be? Those who wish to impeach Commander Qi may go to Jizhou to oversee military affairs for three months. If they persist in accusations thereafter, further discussion will follow.’”

Zhang Juzheng finished speaking and laughed quietly to himself.