Chapter Forty-Nine: The Three Gentlemen of Donglin

Hearing this, Wei Xiaobao hastily knelt and kowtowed. “Your humble servant understands! Please rest assured, Your Highness!” Then, upon Zhu Hao’s approving nod, he respectfully withdrew from Zhu Hao’s chamber.

Once Wei Xiaobao had left, Zhu Hao once again sank into deep thought. This time, his worry was no longer the matter of the Empress, but rather his father’s efforts to protect him. After all, he had killed Cui Shi—a deed of such gravity that the Donglin faction would hardly let it rest. Who knew what storms might arise from this?

As Zhu Hao was pondering these matters, an attendant entered and announced loudly, “An imperial message: His Majesty commands Youjian to come to the Imperial Study tomorrow morning to see him!”

At these words, Zhu Hao quickly rose from his bed, turned, and knelt. “Your son accepts the decree!”

The attendant smiled warmly, helping Zhu Hao to his feet. “Your Highness is still recovering; the floor is cold, please rise.”

Taking the opportunity, Zhu Hao stood and exchanged a few courteous words with the attendant before seeing him out. After the attendant departed, Zhu Hao mused inwardly, “What is Father up to this time?” His confusion stemmed from the fact that, though called a study, the Imperial Study was where the Emperor conducted affairs of state. Typically, after court, ministers were granted audiences there. Since coming to this world nearly half a month ago, Zhu Hao had only been there once, accompanying his elder brother during the investigation of a major fire.

No one could answer Zhu Hao’s question, but he knew his father, though not a sovereign of immortal renown, was far from an inept ruler. Summoning him to the Imperial Study surely harbored some intention. With this thought lingering, Zhu Hao drifted off to sleep, a trace of doubt on his mind.

At dawn the next day, Zhu Hao, attended by his servants, rose early and made his preparations, then set out for the Imperial Study to meet his father. Arriving at the door, he dared not be presumptuous and knelt outside, declaring in a clear voice, “Your son Zhu Youjian, summoned by imperial command, comes to pay respects to the Emperor. May Father’s sacred health endure!”

No sooner had his words faded than a hearty laugh rang out from within. “Youjian has come! Quick, come in!” As he spoke, Zhu Changluo emerged, lifting Zhu Hao to his feet.

Zhu Hao, observing closely, noticed that though his father smiled kindly at him, his eyes were shadowed with deep worry. Zhu Hao thought inwardly, “It seems Father’s mood has been poor of late. Those damnable Donglin men—no doubt they’ve been tormenting him constantly. This is enough to make anyone lose patience!” Somewhat agitated, Zhu Hao calmed himself and considered, “I suspect Father called me here today still because of the matter with that old scoundrel Cui Shi.”

With this in mind, Zhu Hao asked, “Father, may I ask for what instruction Your Majesty has summoned your son today?”

The worry in Zhu Changluo’s eyes vanished briefly, replaced by fatherly affection. “Today I want you to see for yourself the hidden motives at court, and to learn who among the ministers are loyal and who are treacherous. When the day comes that you ascend the throne, you’ll know how to employ them.”

With these words, Zhu Changluo led Zhu Hao behind a screen in the study. “Stay here quietly, watch and listen well, but do not make a sound,” he instructed.

Zhu Hao nodded vigorously. “Yes, Father, I understand.” He understood that his mere presence in the Imperial Study was already irregular for a prince, let alone to eavesdrop unseen. If discovered, it could cause a scandal.

Seeing Zhu Hao’s obedient demeanor, Zhu Changluo nodded in satisfaction and proceeded to his seat upon the imperial throne. Turning to his attendant, he asked, “Have they all arrived?”

The attendant replied, “The Fifth Prince just arrived, but this old servant did not wish to disturb Your Majesty’s family moment. They have been waiting for a while.”

Zhu Changluo nodded. “Since they are here, admit them. I wish to see whether the fate of the Ming realm is decided by me, or by these petty schemers. Hmph!”

The attendant then called out, “His Majesty decrees: Summon Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Vice Minister of Personnel Zou Yuanbiao, Vice Minister of Works Zhao Nanxing, and Marquis Guo Zixuan for audience!”

Hiding behind the screen, Zhu Hao quietly analyzed their identities. What startled him most were Vice Minister Zou Yuanbiao and Vice Minister Zhao Nanxing—not due to their ranks, but because, in history, they were renowned figures. Along with the late Assistant Minister of the Nanjing Court of Imperial Entertainments, Gu Xiancheng, they were known as the “Three Gentlemen of Donglin” and were true leaders of the Donglin faction. Their presence today clearly represented Donglin interests and portended an attempt to hold him to account.

Thinking this, Zhu Hao couldn’t help but shake his head. His own brilliance had drawn their attention too soon, before he had any real power—a troublesome predicament indeed.

Yet, after a moment, Zhu Hao’s expression shifted from gloom to a touch of delight, for he realized that Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, though aligned with Consort Zheng, was not of the Donglin Party. His presence likely indicated opposition to Donglin views. As for Marquis Guo Zixuan, unknown to Zhu Hao but a hereditary noble nonetheless, he would naturally stand apart from the self-styled “pure” Donglin literati. It seemed he had underestimated his father’s skill in balancing factions—a far more elegant and effective strategy than the coercion and inducement Zhu Hao himself had conceived while imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Thus, Zhu Hao waited quietly behind the screen for the four dignitaries to arrive.

Soon after the attendant announced them, four officials in red court robes entered, knelt before Zhu Changluo, and intoned in unison, “Your subjects, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Vice Minister Zou Yuanbiao, Vice Minister Zhao Nanxing, and Marquis Guo Zixuan, pay respects to Your Majesty—long life, long life, ten thousand years of long life!”

Zhu Changluo greeted them with a smile. “My loyal ministers, you are early indeed. Today I have summoned you to consult regarding the matter of Youjian’s shooting of Minister Cui Shi. Each of you may speak your mind; I am all ears.”

Hiding behind the screen, Zhu Hao listened carefully, now able to distinguish each official’s identity from their self-introductions.

No sooner had Zhu Changluo finished speaking than a man with a goat beard and graying temples stepped forward. This was none other than Vice Minister Zou Yuanbiao. Unhurriedly, he bowed and declared, “In reply to Your Majesty, I believe that when the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he should be judged as any commoner. There is no need to deliberate further on this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hao fumed inwardly behind the screen. “Damn you, old fox! Are you trying to drive me to my doom? ‘No need to deliberate’? Do you mean for my father to kill me outright? Infuriating! Zou Yuanbiao, I’ll remember this!”

While Zhu Hao seethed, Zhu Changluo’s expression grew cold. “So, Minister Zou, you would decide in my stead? How about this, then: I hand Youjian over to you—do with him as you please. How does that sound?”

This was a trap, a test of loyalty. If Zou dared accept, it would be tantamount to usurping the Emperor’s prerogative—proof of disloyalty. The Donglin scholars, for all their self-interest, would never dare rebel openly.

As expected, Zou Yuanbiao immediately prostrated himself. “Your subject dares not! I misspoke—please forgive my offense!”

With Zou defeated in the first exchange, his ally, Vice Minister Zhao Nanxing, could not sit still. He hastened forward. “Your Majesty, Lord Zou’s words were indeed ill-considered. However, in years past, the Taizu Emperor erected a bronze stele outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony inscribed with the edict forbidding the execution of remonstrators. I beg Your Majesty to see that Lord Zou’s only intent is the welfare of Ming’s realm—do not punish him.”

Behind the screen, Zhu Hao cursed again. “Another old fox! Are you two performing a comic dialogue—one provoking, the other supporting? Now you’re invoking the Taizu Emperor to intimidate my father! Don’t you know he’s timid? If you frighten him into rashness, I’ll make you pay for it! And to utter such self-serving nonsense with a straight face, claiming it’s for the country, when it’s plainly for your own party’s reputation. If killing Cui Shi could bring down the Ming dynasty, I’d be amused! If not for your faction’s reckless meddling, the dynasty might never have fallen. In this life, I won’t let you have your way!”

Zhu Changluo, however, ignored Zhao’s words, fixing him with a cold gaze. “Don’t try to cow me with the Taizu’s edicts. I am not the Taizu Emperor. If I were, with his thunderous methods, none of you would dare stand before me today! Hmph! Now, tell me, how do you think this matter should be handled?”

Zhao Nanxing, not so bold as Zou, replied with measured indirectness. “A debt must be repaid, a life for a life—this has ever been the universal principle. Your Majesty, I believe you already know what must be done. As to the final decision, your humble subject will not presume to advise; all rests on Your Majesty’s supreme judgment.”