Chapter 96: Forcing an Audience with the Three Lords

Although Zhu Hao was inwardly astonished by Yang Lian’s change in demeanor, he had no time to dwell on it. Supporting Yang Lian once more, he said, “Lord Yang, just now this prince’s tone may have been harsh, but I was only worried for the court’s situation. I ask you not to take offense.”

After a brief pause, Zhu Hao continued with a solemn expression, “I hope Lord Yang can rally the court officials and accompany me to the Hall of Heavenly Purity to bring His Highness the Crown Prince out.”

Yang Lian frowned slightly at these words before replying, “Your Highness, you hold Grand Chancellor Guo’s letter. According to reason, I should not refuse Your Highness’s request. However, I am of humble rank and little authority. If we wish the court officials to act in unison and go to the Hall of Heavenly Purity, I’m afraid we’ll need the ‘Three Exemplars’ to take the lead.”

The “Three Exemplars” Yang Lian spoke of were later known as the “Three Lords of the Donglin Faction”: Zou Yuanbiao, Vice Minister of Personnel; Zhao Nanxing, Vice Minister of Works; and Gu Xiancheng, the late Vice Minister of the Nanjing Court of Sacrificial Rites. Of these three, Zhu Hao had never met the deceased Gu Xiancheng, but Zou Yuanbiao and Zhao Nanxing left a deep impression on him. Back when he killed Minister of Works Cui Shi during the royal hunt, his father had summoned Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Marquis Guo Zixuan, and these two men to the imperial study to clean up the aftermath. Zhu Hao recalled how his father had made him hide behind a screen to observe, and these two old foxes had spared no effort in slandering him, eager to see him destroyed. Even now, Zhu Hao still ground his teeth in hatred, wishing he could bite the two of them.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Zhu Hao’s expression grew cold. Yang Lian, noticing his displeasure, knew what he must be thinking and advised, “I am aware, Your Highness, that there have been past conflicts between yourself and the Donglin gentlemen. But rest assured, though our Donglin Faction is united, it does not persecute dissenters. We may form factions, but not for private gain. All our hearts are set on the public good, the court, and the people. The virtue of the Three Exemplars is as lofty as a great mountain. In such a time of national peril, they will not let old grievances stand in the way of duty. They will certainly lend Your Highness a helping hand.”

Listening to Yang Lian’s words, Zhu Hao thought to himself, “Nonsense! Others may not know the Donglin Faction, but as someone well versed in Ming history, I know all too well what you’re about. The downfall of the Ming owes at least half its cause to your lot! ‘Forming factions but not persecuting others, forming parties but not seeking private gain, not letting old grudges interfere with public duty’—what rubbish! The truth is the opposite. If you really didn’t let old grudges get in the way, those two old foxes wouldn’t have been so eager to see me dead. Now you put on airs of sainthood before me, but in truth you’re nothing but a bunch of self-serving hypocrites! You’re even more detestable than Wei Zhongxian, who at least is an honest villain—straightforward in his selfishness, simple and genuine!”

In truth, Zhu Hao’s thoughts here were somewhat unfair. The Donglin Faction, at its founding, had indeed been committed to the welfare of the people and the stability of the realm. But as time passed and political struggles intensified, they became mired in self-serving partisanship and factional strife—especially after Emperor Xizong Zhu Youjiao took the throne. Still, at this moment, most Donglin officials remained idealistic and upright, though there were, of course, a few with ulterior motives.

Though Zhu Hao felt indignant, he had no choice but to rely on these men’s power for now. He took a deep breath, forcibly quelling his anger, and said as calmly as he could, “Lords Zou and Zhao have their opinions of me, and it would be awkward for me to visit them directly. Since you are all on familiar terms, Lord Yang, perhaps you could go in my stead, persuade them to unite the officials, and bring the Crown Prince out of the Hall of Heavenly Purity as soon as possible, before any further complications arise.”

Yang Lian looked troubled as he replied, “Your Highness, I’m afraid I cannot manage this. My rank is low and my words carry little weight; the two lords may not heed me. Moreover, since this involves the imperial family, without a prince present, I doubt I could persuade them.”

Zhu Hao knew Yang Lian spoke sense and was not making excuses. Deep down, though, he was loath to meet those two old foxes. Yet as a scion of the Zhu family, with the blood of emperors in his veins, he understood that in politics there were only interests, no eternal enemies or friends.

Having grasped this, Zhu Hao pondered briefly, then said, “Very well! I will accompany you. Let us hope the two lords will put the state before all else. If truly they can do so, I would not hesitate to kneel and beg their forgiveness.”

Yang Lian was pleased Zhu Hao agreed, though he remained somewhat dispirited, and offered comfort: “Your Highness, you are too harsh on yourself. I have dealt with both men, and they are reasonable. I’m sure they will not make things difficult for you.”

“Let’s hope so,” Zhu Hao thought, and followed Yang Lian toward the homes of the two old foxes he least wished to see. Zhao Nanxing’s and Zou Yuanbiao’s residences stood side by side. Upon arrival, Yang Lian, seeking to save time, sent his visiting card into both houses. Soon, the servants from each came out to invite him in, but Yang Lian told them, “The Fifth Prince is here in person; please ask the lords to come out and receive him, so as not to breach the etiquette between sovereign and subject.”

Zhu Hao could not help but sigh inwardly, “Yang Lian is truly a master of subtlety. He knows of my history with those two old foxes. If he’d said from the start that I was here, they’d likely have sent word through their servants that they were not at home. By sending in only his card first and being invited in, he confirmed their presence. Now, with the prince’s arrival announced, those old foxes have no way to avoid me and must come out. Such finesse—no wonder Grand Chancellor Guo holds him in such high regard!”

As Zhu Hao was silently marveling at Yang Lian’s cleverness, the house servants hurried back to make their reports. Shortly after, Zhao Nanxing and Zou Yuanbiao emerged from their respective gates. Seeing that it was indeed Zhu Hao, both knelt and saluted: “Your servants, Zou Yuanbiao, Vice Minister of Personnel, and Zhao Nanxing, Vice Minister of Works, pay respects to the Fifth Prince. May Your Highness enjoy robust health!”

Though their manner was respectful, after bowing they shot blaming glances at Yang Lian, who lowered his head in embarrassment, not daring to meet their eyes. These subtle exchanges did not escape Zhu Hao. He inwardly curled his lip: “Hmph, all sweet words, but I wager these two old foxes are cursing me in their hearts right now.”

Despite these thoughts, Zhu Hao put on a humble, respectful demeanor and said, “Please rise, both of you. You are pillars of the court—I am unworthy of such great honor.”

Of the two, the more sophisticated Zhao Nanxing promptly stood and replied respectfully, “Your Highness is mistaken; as a prince, you are above, while we are mere ministers, below. How could Your Highness be unworthy of our salute? If Your Highness says so, does that not imply your ministers are disloyal and disrespectful of the royal family? That, I dare not bear.”

Zhu Hao, hearing this, thought, “You old fox, Zhao Nanxing! I was just being courteous, but you had to find a loophole in my words and turn it against me right away. Damn you!”

Compared to the shrewd Zhao Nanxing, Zou Yuanbiao was more direct. After rising and hearing Zhao’s words, he said, “Your Highness, the late emperor has just passed. Instead of observing mourning in the palace, you come to the gates of a minister’s residence. This is a violation of propriety, unfilial to the late emperor and disloyal to the court. To spare Your Highness from censure, my humble opinion is that you should return to the palace at once and observe mourning for the late emperor.”

Zhu Hao nearly laughed in exasperation at this, thinking, “These two old foxes really are a pair! One plays light, the other dark—their teamwork is flawless! Zhao Nanxing subtly trapped me with his words, which is irksome enough, but Zou Yuanbiao is even more direct. I haven’t even explained myself yet, and you’re already trying to send me back to the palace! Outrageous!”

“One day, if I get the chance, I’ll properly deal with you two. Since you work so well as a pair, I’ll send you both to perform comedic sketches on the city bridge—stand-up, cross-talk, far better suited to you than office!”

Having vented thus in his mind, Zhu Hao felt a little better, though he still had to face reality. After all, he needed their help.

He could only force a smile and feign ignorance of their words: “The emperor’s passing means I should remain in mourning, but with the throne vacant and my Crown Prince brother imprisoned in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, I must trouble you both for the sake of the dynasty and our ancestors. I beg you, for the sake of my late father’s trust in you, to rescue my brother as soon as possible. I thank you both most sincerely!” With that, Zhu Hao bowed to them respectfully.