Chapter 108: Recommending Talent

Zhu Hao pondered these thoughts, realizing what he needed to do. He immediately spoke up, "Big Brother, I have a solution that will ensure these court officials hold their tongues and stop their bickering!"

Upon hearing that Zhu Hao had a way to silence the quarreling ministers, Zhu Youxiao hurriedly asked, "Dear brother, what is your plan? Tell me quickly! If you can truly make those officials go quiet and grant me some peace, you will have done me a great service!"

Seeing his Emperor brother's desperate expression, Zhu Hao knew he was deeply troubled, so he didn't beat around the bush. "Big Brother, my plan is quite simple. It can be summed up in two words: 'balance'."

As Zhu Hao said this, he looked at his brother, who still appeared confused. Unable to avoid it, Zhu Hao continued to explain, "The Left Censor-in-Chief, Li Shilin, wants to condemn Qian Qianyi immediately, doesn't he? And the Right Censor-in-Chief, Zhao Nanxing, argues that one cannot make an arrest without evidence, right? You can have both sides take a step back. Send an imperial envoy to investigate the case thoroughly before deciding on any punishment. By doing this, you are neither indulging Qian Qianyi nor arresting him rashly. I believe if you act this way, neither side will have any reason to argue further."

After hearing the explanation, Zhu Youxiao immediately grasped the intent and clapped his hands, laughing, "No wonder our late father always praised you, brother. Today I see that you truly have an extraordinary gift! This is a great plan. I will send an envoy to investigate the truth, and I doubt they will dare to utter another word!"

Zhu Youxiao paused, his brow furrowing again as he continued, "Brother, while your plan is sound, I have only just ascended the throne and am not well-acquainted with these ministers. I do not know who is fit for such a heavy responsibility! I fear that if I choose the wrong envoy, it may backfire, and the officials will start yet another dispute."

Zhu Hao understood his brother's logic. He knew that when the Emperor claimed not to know the ministers, he didn't mean he lacked knowledge of their names or abilities, but rather their political affiliations. If he chose an official from Zhao Nanxing's faction, Li Shilin would surely disagree, and vice versa. It was clear that the recent court debates had drawn everyone into the fray, and his brother could not identify anyone neutral enough to be accepted by both sides.

Understanding this, Zhu Hao felt not anxiety, but excitement. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for—the perfect scenario to volunteer as the imperial envoy and complete his system's daunting mission. Once Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, Zhu Hao immediately interjected, "I understand your concerns, Brother. I believe it is inappropriate for any of these ministers to go. If you trust me, why not let me make the trip to Zhejiang to investigate this matter for you? What do you think?"

Zhu Hao felt compelled to do this because of the system's mission. He did not want to entrust such a vital task to anyone else, for if the mission failed due to another's incompetence, he would regret it forever.

In truth, if not for the system, Zhu Hao would have preferred to send both Zhao Nanxing and Li Shilin as envoys. Since they enjoyed fighting so much, he would let them battle it out and see what resulted. As for the truth—it was rarely the point; in political struggles, right and wrong are defined by power. Whoever wins dictates the truth. It might not lead to a perfect outcome, but it would be better than their daily squabbling in the court. Such is the nature of monarchical balancing.

Hearing Zhu Hao volunteer, Zhu Youxiao’s expression brightened. He took Zhu Hao’s hand and said, "If you are willing to handle this, that would be for the best. With you there, neither side could possibly object. However, it pains me to think of you enduring such a long and arduous journey to Zhejiang. I am truly uneasy about the hardships you will face."

Zhu Hao replied quickly, "Sharing your burdens is my duty as your brother! As long as it pleases you, I do not fear the long distance or the toil of the journey."

Zhu Youxiao was moved by this, nodding slowly to accept the proposal. He moved on, saying, "Brother, you have solved a great trouble for me. I must reward you. Tell me what you want; as long as I possess it, I shall grant it to you."

Recalling his promise to Hua Rong earlier that morning, Zhu Hao answered, "I am already a Prince and lack for nothing. However, I would like to recommend a few talents to you."

Zhu Youxiao looked surprised, then sighed, "I offer a reward, yet you refuse it and instead recommend talent to me. You truly have the welfare of the state at heart! Tell me, whom do you wish to recommend? As long as they are truly capable, I shall approve!"

Zhu Hao intended to recommend his own men—not out of disloyalty, but as a pragmatic choice. Given the current court climate, his conflict with the Donglin Party was inevitable, and the rising threat of Wei Zhongxian loomed as well. He needed to build his own power base, both for his own future and to assist his brother, while ensuring that talent was put to its best use.

Zhu Hao smiled and said, "I hear the position of Assistant Minister of the Left Military Commission is vacant. I wish to recommend the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Xie Gang, for the post. Xie Gang performed meritorious service during the rebellions of Consort Zheng and Lady Li, and deserves to be rewarded. What do you think, Brother?"

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then frowned, "I am aware of that, but the position of Imperial Guard Commander is of great importance. If I promote Commander Xie, who will lead the Guard? That was the very reason I hesitated to promote him before—I had no suitable successor."

Zhu Hao had been wondering how to suggest Hua Rong for the post, and since his brother had opened the door, he responded joyfully, "Brother, I have someone in mind who is perfectly suited for the position! And you know him as well."

Zhu Youxiao looked at him in astonishment. "I know him? Who is it?"

Zhu Hao replied, "When the palace was in turmoil, I was forced to take command of the Imperial Guard and appointed my own guard, Hua Rong, as Deputy Commander. He is the one I wish to recommend. Surely you remember him?"

Zhu Youxiao exclaimed, "You mean the Hua Rong who saved my life at the Royal Hunting Grounds?"

Zhu Hao nodded. Zhu Youxiao became excited, "I approve! Commander Hua is more than capable of this role."

After a pause, Zhu Youxiao added, "Both your recommendations are to my liking. Do you have any others?"

Zhu Hao felt a bit sheepish, but continued, "I have one more, my personal reader, Gongsun Ce. He is a man of great talent; it is a waste of his potential to keep him merely as a reader at my side."

Zhu Youxiao looked thoughtful. "Is this the same Gongsun Ce who solved the case of the Great Palace Fire?"

"Indeed, that is the one," Zhu Hao replied.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, "He is a true talent. Thanks to him, I no longer have to worry about the late Emperor's inquiries regarding that fire. If you are willing to let him go, I would like to appoint him as the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture. Let him guard the capital’s stability and ensure no more unjust cases occur! Are you satisfied with this arrangement, brother?"