The entire court was on the verge of chaos, but Emperor Wanli seized the opportunity to hit the stop button, declaring that the meeting for the day was adjourned and everyone should go back and reflect. He, too, would return to his palace to reflect in his dreams.
The court session was over.
It felt quite novel to be "off work" in the Great Ming for the first time.
The Emperor and the ministers bickered, and in the end, he bestowed upon himself the official position of a *Guozijian Siyue* (Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy). He then composed a poem, and they started fighting amongst themselves... This infighting, was it a characteristic of the Ming bureaucracy?
From the fourth rank, a *Guozijian Siyue*. Of course, he would have to wait a few days for the official robe adorned with the divine beasts of the Great Ming. However, Ji Xiang had no intention of actually working at the Imperial Academy. He was an addition, essentially an honorary title.
It was fine. If he had been given a substantial position with real power, he wouldn't have been able to resign... But then again, that was unrealistic.
The censors, who had intended to clash in court, were forced to adjourn by the Emperor. Now they were blocking the Meridian Gate, engaged in a verbal spat with the old man, Old Liu.
A Ming characteristic: spewing venom in court, and engaging in political discourse after work.
Every day, they would chant once, "If so-and-so doesn't die, the Great Ming will perish." Everywhere, they claimed the environment was bad, and they were the ones to change it.
On the other hand, Ji Xiang's four-step poem was being recited by many. They decided to copy it down when they returned home. Among the civil officials, it was indeed appreciated.
Of course, there were also those who harbored hostility towards Ji Xiang. They preached nearby, "This Taoist is just another Tao Zhongwen! What happened last night might be his doing, just like when Tao Zhongwen set the fire back then – he caused it himself and then went to save the day!"
However, this slogan did not receive a majority response, as one of the three Grand Secretaries went over to speak with him.
"Who instructed you to spout nonsense here? What is your purpose in saying these things? Is your home near the Northern Commandery of the Imperial Guard? I see your new life, one that is both punishable and unpunishable, is right before your eyes."
"It doesn't feel good to be watched, does it? It's alright, they are all censors, they report what they hear. As long as you have a thick skin, it's fine."
The Grand Secretary, the Second Assistant of the Grand Secretariat, Shen Yiguan, spoke to Ji Xiang at this moment, and then praised him, "However, speaking of which, you are truly remarkable, this young lad. This poem is quite good. Does it have a title?"
Ji Xiang replied, "It was merely an expression of my feelings... I haven't thought of a title yet... Perhaps the Grand Secretary could bestow one?"
Shen Yiguan smiled with his old face, "That won't do. It's not that I don't want to give your poem a name, but if I were to get involved in composing poetry, I would inevitably be gossiped about by the censors, who would say that I instructed you to write this poem."
"Then it would be about metaphors, about schemes, and they would weave a grand conspiracy out of it. Forget it, forget it. If you have a title in mind, let me know later."
Ji Xiang's mind raced, and he murmured, "How about calling it 'Reform'?"
Reform and renewal. In a couple of days, he'd arrange a public petition. The feng shui of the Great Ming and the Qing Dynasty would rotate, truly a grand spectacle.
But Shen Yiguan pondered for a moment and found it acceptable. Although it sounded a bit strange when read aloud, it truly fit the main theme of the poem.
"The Poem of Reform, not bad."
The Grand Secretary was very satisfied and then asked, "By the way, do you want to abandon the Tao and study? I see you have extraordinary literary talent, and you don't seem like someone who merely dabbles. Let me tell you, studying has a very promising future. Cultivating immortality and longevity, so many people practice diligently every day, cooped up in the mountains, disliking the mundane world. What's so good about that?"
Shen Yiguan seemed to have a desire to recruit him, asking, "Do you know, True Master Zhang not only holds an official position, but his wife is the daughter of a reigning imperial son-in-law? His son, that little immortal, is treated as a godson by His Majesty... or perhaps a god-grandson? In short, he is highly favored."
"If you study, your official career should be smooth. Perhaps you can also become a member of the imperial family, like True Master Zhang."
"So, if you want to study now, come find me."
After the court session, the Grand Secretariat still had work to do. The three Grand Secretaries returned to their tasks, and Ji Xiang also had to return to the Longde Hall. Emperor Wanli had already ordered that the items from the Yangxin Hall be moved out, and he would reside in the Longde Hall.
As for the other consorts, they all stayed in the Yangxin Hall, as almost all of the West Six Palaces had been burned down. Only the Yongning Palace of Consort Dowager Shang remained untouched.
The Imperial Hospital went to the Yangxin Hall, but around noon, a piece of gossip was leaked. It was estimated that some consorts would die in the next few days. Consorts Zhou and Xu were already delirious and barely breathing, and Consort Liu Zhao had also been frightened and fallen gravely ill.
The Emperor had mobilized some guards into the Longde Hall. The Longde Hall did not belong to the inner palace. Around noon, Ji Xiang saw a group of... divine eunuchs?
They were divine, not insane. These eunuchs were indeed divine beings. Although most were minor deities, Ji Xiang was still very surprised.
"Which one is Daoist Ji?"
Ji Xiang glanced at the eunuch leading the group. In his Inner Scenery Divine Tablet, divine position texts were reflected.
[Azure Realm Attendant: High God, Celestial Official! Thirty ranks of middle-grade celestial positions in the Human Department. According to Tang Dynasty legends, he is a celestial official in the heavens, responsible for communicating between the heavens and the human realm for sacrifices. The sounds of sacrifice pass through him and reach the ears of Taishang Laojun.]
Ji Xiang bowed, "This humble Taoist is he. May I ask why the honorable eunuch is looking for me?"
"Oh, I am the eunuch in charge of the Divine Palace Directorate. By order of His Majesty, we are returning the statues of Lord Zhenwu and Emperor Ruizong to the Divine Palace Directorate."
The Divine Palace Directorate was the name of a Ming eunuch office. It was established in the tenth year of Hongwu, located outside the main gate of the Imperial City, quite far from the Forbidden City. It was one of the Twelve Directorates, headed by a eunuch in charge. It had subordinate officials such as scribes and managers, responsible for the sweeping, incense, and lighting of various temples.
Although their numbers were not large, they all held divine positions and belonged to the Celestial Officials. However, they were minor deities responsible for sacrifices.
The Three Pure Ones in the Longde Hall were officially retired. Zhenwu the Great and Ruizong were rehired.
Watching the statues of the Three Pure Ones being moved outside the hall, Ji Xiang couldn't help but shake his head.
The promotion and demotion of celestial beings, their rise and fall in status, were all determined by the current dynasty. However, moving statues was a minor matter.
The statues of the Three Pure Ones did not suppress the great fire. After such a major incident, they were immediately replaced after the matter was concluded, and Zhenwu the Great was brought back to service.
Furthermore, this eunuch in charge of the Divine Palace Directorate also mentioned that they would replace the small incense burner with a large one in a couple of days, and they would take the current small incense burner away.
Ji Xiang immediately understood. Was the Divine Palace Directorate a warehouse? Did they store everything inside?
"Honorable eunuch, my magical artifacts are damaged. Are you responsible for this...?"
Ji Xiang expressed that his magical artifacts were broken and asked if he could get a second-hand one from them, or if they could repair it. The eunuch in charge smiled, stating that where there was procurement, there were plans, and where there were plans, there was profit. It all depended on how great the Daoist's needs were.
At this moment, the statue of Zhenwu the Great was being brought in. As it passed by Ji Xiang, Ji Xiang suddenly felt something and looked at it a few more times.
This statue of Zhenwu the Great was said to have been acquired by Emperor Jiajing from somewhere during his reign. Ji Xiang stared at the statue of Zhenwu the Great and suddenly felt an indescribable strangeness emanating from it.