Chapter 5: The Nine Ministers

Chapter 5: The Great Nine Ministers

Xu Jingchang swore to heaven that his intentions were purely good; he hoped his aunt would plead for leniency and not be too harsh. But judging by Empress Xu’s momentum, it seemed they were preparing for a combined assault.

“Xu Yi, Aunt’s temper isn’t too bad, right?” Xu Jingchang murmured.

Old Xu Yi nodded. “It’s not bad. Back then, she chased the Marquis all over the place with a kitchen knife just because he ruined her palace. Later, it was Empress Dowager Xiaoci who heard about it and specially sent over a box of gifts.”

Xu Jingchang was stunned. So Empress Xu had once been so fierce. Fortunately, Zhu Di was also a ruthless man; otherwise, marrying just anyone wouldn’t have been enough to withstand Aunt’s terrifying combat strength!

“So it all comes down to fate. Well, a tiger won’t eat its cub; as long as I’m not beaten to death, it’s fine,” Xu Jingchang lowered his expectations.

“Xu Yi, after all this, do you think Prince Han still harbors ambitions for the crown prince’s position?”

Xu Yi pondered briefly. “Aside from other things, Prince Han should behave for at least the next three to five years.”

Xu Jingchang breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as Prince Han doesn’t stir up trouble and the Xu family remains safe, I have nothing to worry about. By the way, Aunt said she wants to assign me some duties. What do you think those might be?”

Xu Yi smiled. “Young master, our family is noble, but you’re still young and haven’t led troops before. Don’t even think about commanding armies. When the Duke was young, the founding emperor sent him to Henan and Shaanxi to drill troops and suppress bandits. I imagine His Majesty has similar plans for you—to earn some merit and inherit the title. Later, for celebrations, you’ll come along to add to the crowd. You might even oversee the Five Armies’ headquarters or supervise major projects, like the recent fire at the three grand halls—you could be responsible for the reconstruction.”

Xu Jingchang listened patiently and finally had a clear picture. Early Ming nobles were no mere decorations; they led troops in battle, trained soldiers, suppressed bandits, attended court ceremonies, aided disaster relief, managed large projects, repaired rivers and waterways, and strengthened coastal defenses.

In short, they participated in everything. As long as one had ability, there was no shortage of opportunities to showcase talent. The saying went: “A good general must also be a good builder.” Xu Da and Chang Yuchun not only recaptured the capital but also built northern defenses and restored the Grand Canal. Even Tang He fortified coastal defenses in Fujian and Zhejiang; his fortifications still played a role over a century later when Qi Jiguang resisted Japanese pirates.

This speaks volumes about the might of the founding generals. Of course, the second generation of nobles was far inferior. As for Xu Jingchang, already third generation, he was probably just a lucky charm. But Zhu Di was a warmonger; perhaps during campaigns against the northern deserts, he would take Xu Jingchang along as a military advisor.

“Looks like I need to study some military strategy. At least I need to know how to talk tactics on paper,” Xu Jingchang murmured, then looked up. “Xu Yi, you’ve fought in battles and faced death many times. You must have many skills. Teach me—I want to become your apprentice now.”

Xu Yi smiled. “Young master, if you want to learn, I’d be honored. But martial arts training is tough. You didn’t want to learn before because you couldn’t endure the hardships.”

Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes. “Is that so? Before, people were backing me up, so I never worried. Now I have no choice. At least Aunt wants me to take on a task, and I have to carry it through. Don’t you think so?”

Xu Yi nodded eagerly, overjoyed. He quickly searched for military manuals, prepared horses, bows, armor, and cleared a training ground in the garden.

The young master was not only mature but also diligent and ambitious. Finally, there was hope for the Xu family.

Just as Xu Jingchang was full of ambition, ready to become a qualified noble, the court issued an edict executing Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, Lian Zining, Fang Xiaoru, and other loyalists of the Jianwen Emperor, eradicating their entire clans.

This was expected, but one person was treated particularly harshly: Minister of Rites Chen Di. Not only was his entire clan exterminated, but he was also subjected to a gruesome death, being quartered and sliced into pieces.

A Minister of Rites wasn’t very prominent—how could he surpass figures like Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng? What was going on?

The capital was rife with speculation. Some said Chen Di had drugged Zhu Di, trying to poison the new emperor; others claimed Chen Di, skilled with blades, intended to assassinate the emperor and avenge the Jianwen Emperor.

Xu Jingchang mulled over the news. From Chen Di’s fate, he could feel Zhu Di’s overwhelming fury. But Zhu Di hadn’t issued a decree to change the era name.

That was understandable—once an imperial edict was issued, it was hard to retract, especially a crucial accession proclamation. If it was announced and then revoked days later, wouldn’t the emperor himself be forced to step down for someone more suitable?

After all, Zhu Di had seized the throne by force.

If he wavered over such a pivotal decree, it would cause chaos and loss of direction, a price Zhu Di couldn’t afford.

So he had to pin the blame on Minister Chen Di.

Though Zhu Gaoxu was negligent, the instigators were the civil officials in the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy.

“The court is in turmoil, life and death hang by a thread. I think staying in the mansion is quite good enough. No archery practice today,” Xu Jingchang yawned.

Xu Yi was speechless. The young master had ambition, but not much.

“Young master, the Empress always keeps her word. Soon your noble title will be granted, and you’ll be given duties. You can’t disappoint the Empress, can you?”

Xu Jingchang frowned, as if recalling the days when he forced himself to work hard. “I’ve become a noble, why isn’t everything going smoothly?”

Helpless, he continued training with Xu Yi.

Two days passed without word from the palace, but news arrived that Zhu Di’s strategist, the monk Daoyan, had handled affairs and returned to the capital.

After meeting the emperor, Zhu Di was deeply moved. He allowed Daoyan to resume his secular surname and bestowed upon him the name Yao Guangxiao, transforming him from Monk Daoyan to Yao Guangxiao.

He was also granted the rank of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and appointed Left Moderator of the Buddhist Clergy, overseeing all monks in the realm.

Xu Jingchang was slightly moved.

“Yao Junior Tutor has done great service. It’s only right he receive titles and ranks. When they finish their business, it’ll be my turn,” Xu Jingchang quietly muttered.

But no one expected that Yao Guangxiao, newly appointed, didn’t go to the office or his Qing Shou Temple. Instead, he came straight to the Xu residence to pay a visit.

Xu Jingchang was startled. Others were one thing, but Yao Guangxiao, a monk who had helped Zhu Di seize power, was a legendary figure shrouded in rumors that bordered on the supernatural.

For such a person not to focus on official duties but to seek him out directly, Xu Jingchang felt something was amiss.

Had I offended him somehow?

Though puzzled, Xu Jingchang respectfully welcomed Yao Guangxiao inside. Rumor had it Yao Guangxiao looked like a sick tiger, fearsome in appearance. But upon seeing the old monk, Xu Jingchang found him kind and gentle, with a faint smile. If he were a bit plumper, he could pass for the Laughing Buddha.

Once seated and served tea, Yao Guangxiao took a sip and smiled. “Young Marquis, to be honest, before His Majesty marched south to Ying Tian, I urged him to spare Fang Xiaoru’s life. Yet now he’s dead.”

Xu Jingchang was taken aback, a bad premonition stirring.

“Junior Tutor, Fang Xiaoru was utterly devoted to the Jianwen Emperor. He got what he sought. Sparing his life would have been more painful than killing him; His Majesty was merely granting a favor.”

Yao Guangxiao suddenly laughed. “Such clever words! Killing him was the true favor! Young Marquis, frankly, if the matter of the Yongle era name had not been exposed, there might still have been room to maneuver. But the man I sought to protect, you killed. What am I to do?”

Yao Guangxiao narrowed his eyes meaningfully, fixing Xu Jingchang with a piercing gaze.

That single look sent a chill through Xu Jingchang’s heart—damn, the old monk resented me.

“Junior Tutor, even if I hadn’t spoken, His Majesty would have found out sooner or later. They might deceive for a while, but never forever. Besides, I thought—given your wisdom—how could you mourn Fang Xiaoru? He was a corrupt scholar; dead is dead. You worry too much.”

Yao Guangxiao shook his head. “I do not worry too much. With Fang Xiaoru’s death, the seeds of scholars across the land are cut off. Young Marquis, you have committed a grave sin!”

Xu Jingchang’s brow furrowed deeply. Though wary of Yao Guangxiao, he was angered by such baseless accusations.

“Junior Tutor, how many civil officials did the founding emperor kill? Did the seeds of scholars vanish? Officials eager to serve the Ming dynasty remain countless. Your words are clearly empty threats. No wonder His Majesty does not agree. In any case, this guilt cannot be laid at my feet. I ask you to retract these words.”

Yao Guangxiao looked at Xu Jingchang and suddenly laughed heartily. “Young, but capable. To be frank, I already spoke to His Majesty before coming and recommended you for the position of Tongzhengshi.”

“Tongzhengshi?”

Xu Jingchang was greatly surprised. This official post, specially established by Zhu Yuanzhang, oversaw the submission of memorials from all regions and the promulgation of imperial edicts. Its main duty was to prevent ministers from deceiving the emperor.

Ranking among the Great Nine Ministers, alongside the six ministers and the Left Chief Censor, its status was even above the Minister of Justice.

Such a high-ranking official position was not something a mere youth like Xu Jingchang could expect, even if he had passed the imperial examinations; it would normally take ten or twenty years of service.

Most importantly, for a noble like him to take on a civil official’s role was against convention!

“Junior Tutor Yao, what exactly do you mean?”

Yao Guangxiao smiled amiably. “Nothing more than preventing anyone from deceiving the emperor again.”

(End of chapter)