Ji Xiang quoted this poem, but it wasn't a poem of praise or admonishment. It was originally a Qing Ci for summoning deities, written by Mr. Gong at the invitation of a Taoist. Its meaning was that the old society urgently needed a thunderous rain to break the stagnant social atmosphere, hoping that the heavenly deities would open their eyes again and allow extraordinary talents to emerge in this world.
However, poetry is something that everyone understands differently. Ji Xiang's four-step interpretation of this poem, using the myriad officials as a metaphor for the crowd and the heavenly emperor for the Ming Emperor, was not problematic.
The sounds before the Fengtian Gate reached all directions, stirring the morning wind. After a brief silence, the officials began to murmur amongst themselves.
The old man Liu Yingqiu was speechless. At this moment, with the poem presented, he even felt like praising Ji Xiang.
Emperor Wanli looked at his ministers and asked, "What do you all think of this poem?"
He himself was quite satisfied with the literary talent displayed in the poem, feeling that Ji Xiang had a lot of substance.
He had frowned at the first two lines, sensing the sarcasm, but the latter two lines could be considered a transformation from criticism to praise. Firstly, the term "heavenly emperor" pleased Emperor Wanli greatly. Then, the last two lines, taken together and combined with his sudden decision to hold court that morning, were indeed very fitting.
"Rejuvenated," he truly felt that way. If he hadn't felt the urge to rejuvenate, why would he have come to court today? Was it to hold a story-telling session? It would be better to publish a book. After all, many Ming emperors had side businesses, and publishing a book might even be a bestseller...
This poem criticized the officials but not too harshly, while subtly advising the emperor and giving him face. It neither embarrassed the emperor nor deprived him of substance.
Emperor Wanli narrowed his eyes: "I think it's acceptable."
I think it's fine, Old Liu, do you think it's acceptable or not?
The old man did not say anything out of line at this moment. Instead, he had a special way of responding:
"Regarding this poem by this young man, I have nothing to say. It is indeed fitting, and the poem is excellent!"
The old man first praised it and nodded repeatedly. Then, a flash of light appeared in his eyes:
"Your Majesty, after hearing this poem, I suddenly feel as if I have been enlightened and my mind has been opened!"
"Currently, the court is rife with slander. Little is discussed about state affairs, and instead, people are busy attacking others' privacy and shortcomings. They speak to slander, not to rectify the court. The conduct of the censors is in disarray!"
"The vitality of the Nine Provinces has turned into stagnation. The wind and thunder do not sound, and the myriad horses are in disarray. This is precisely why Your Majesty has returned to court today. You should vigorously rectify these officials, allowing the spirit of clarity to sweep through the court. The heavenly emperor is rejuvenated and unleashes the thunderous roar. Talented individuals should be promoted!"
"May Your Majesty reign for ten thousand years, and may our Great Ming be as radiant as the sun! May the turbidity of the world be cleared, and may the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers be forever firm!"
The old man Liu Yingqiu first expressed that Ji Xiang's words were not wrong and that he liked his poem. Then, his tone suddenly shifted. With a swift maneuver, he subtly attacked the faction of censors, earning himself favor with the emperor.
The censors were all stunned.
"You old man!
Turning your blade to strike your own teammates, then offering a borrowed flower to Buddha, you've managed to make a strong impression on the emperor. This act of switching sides shows at least twenty years of cultivation!"
However, Old Liu's thoughts were simple and direct! Whoever the emperor wants to attack, I will attack. Whatever the emperor says, I will listen to. His Majesty has returned to court, so how can I, a fifth-rank official, get promoted? By flattering him!
A good opportunity for promotion has arrived!
"Hmm, well done, Liu Yingqiu. It seems that your position as Libationer of the Imperial Academy was indeed chosen by the Grand Secretaries based on your own merits."
Emperor Wanli was very pleased with Liu Yingqiu's counter-attack, indicating that Old Liu was very sensible.
Ji Xiang was dumbfounded. If it came to a battle of wits, he wouldn't lose to anyone. But now, someone else was using his own display of brilliance to gain even more favor with the emperor. This maneuver truly left him speechless.
"The position of Fourth-Rank Assistant Libationer is hereby established, with one additional person. In two days, you will receive your official robes and all related items."
Emperor Wanli set the official position. In fact, this position was also a sinecure, as it was newly established. The three Grand Secretaries had discussed why Ji Xiang wasn't assigned to a department related to sacrifices. Firstly, officials in the Directorate of Astronomy could not be transferred to other posts. Their positions were hereditary, and without a special decree, they could not be promoted or retired. If there was a vacancy, it would be filled by promotion within the Directorate.
In the Directorate of Taoism, there was only one position for Mount Wudang, the Grand Director of Taihe Mountain. Ji Xiang could not be appointed to this, and it required Old Zhang's seal. Old Zhang hadn't arrived yet.
Moreover, rewards were solely at the emperor's discretion. The great demon Taoist Tao Zhongwen had served as Minister of Rites. The current Old Zhang had served as the guard at the Meridian Gate (a gatekeeper of the Forbidden City) from the fifth year to the eighteenth year of Wanli's reign. The specific position of such a reward was irrelevant.
"Next... I have one more matter to discuss with everyone."
Ji Xiang had accepted the emperor's praise, but upon hearing the next three words, he immediately understood that the matter of Zhu Changluo was about to be discussed. At this moment, he needed to feign ignorance.
So, Ji Xiang stepped back, remaining silent, believing that silence was golden, and stood beside the three Grand Secretaries. The three Grand Secretaries also knew what the emperor was about to say. They immediately narrowed their eyes, deciding that as long as the emperor didn't name them, they would pretend to have senile dementia.
"What are you discussing? We are old and cannot hear clearly. What is this struggle for the nation, or this country of barbarians?"
Emperor Wanli began to speak, announcing that Zhu Changluo had been apprehended and that he had colluded with the Fire Lord, rebelled, and set fire to the Forbidden City.
The ministers were dumbfounded.
So, the Emperor Wanli had been withholding the identity of that "certain person," and that person turned out to be the Eldest Prince!
For a moment, no one dared to speak. They all understood that by making this matter public, Emperor Wanli was telling his ministers that the struggle for the succession had ended!
This time, seniority would be respected! Since the eldest son was to be exiled to Fengyang, and the second son had died early, the third son Zhu Changxun would ascend the throne!
"Does anyone object to me and wish to plead for the Eldest Prince?"
Emperor Wanli asked the question again, this time to all the officials in the court. After a moment of silence, someone finally stepped forward to "fulfill expectations."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince colluded with evil deities and set fire to the Forbidden City. This matter may have hidden circumstances..."
"Hidden circumstances? Didn't I say that he admitted to all of this? The three Grand Secretaries all heard it."
Emperor Wanli had now pulled the three old men to his side. The three Grand Secretaries had indeed heard clearly. This time, there were truly no hidden circumstances. The Eldest Prince was indeed planning to rebel.
However, he did not succeed, and from the "mastermind" of the case, he became "Zhu Mou."
"The Eldest Prince colluded with evil deities this time and caused chaos in the Forbidden City, burning nine palaces and three halls. Over three hundred people died, all of them charred corpses, with no falsehood. Everything Your Majesty has said is factual. The Eldest Prince has confessed his guilt and was apprehended by the Northern Bureau of Investigation at the fifth watch."
It was only then that the ministers suddenly remembered that when the Grand Secretaries had gone out and announced that the ministers were to enter, people from the Northern Bureau of Investigation had escorted a person covered in a black cloth away... They never expected it to be the Eldest Prince!
"I know what you are thinking, but the matter of the Crown Prince will not be discussed today! I have not slept all night and am very tired. If you have anything to say, please wait for two more days."
"Court dismissed!"