All Under Heaven

Don't underestimate this princely heir!

Two snails slowly glided across the stone table, Zhao Su stretched out his finger to touch their antennae lightly, and the head that had just been stretched out retracted again, and they did not move again for a long time.

“Is there any child who is not playful, when we were young, didn’t we also climb trees to play with bird’s nests and jump into the river to catch fish?”

Qi Jiguang laughed and said: “When I was young, I not only refused to study, but also refused to practise martial arts, so my father would punish me by chasing me around the courtyard trying to beat me with the wooden batten, and making me kneel in front of the ancestral tablets and reflect on my errors. At the time, I just thought my father was very pedantic and I resented him for his nagging, but now I know that I have long remembered his teachings in my heart.” He pointed to his heart with a sad face, “Even if I want to forget, I can’t.”

He looked at Zhao Su, and said, “But I can’t imagine a scholarly gentleman like you was outside climbing trees, weren’t you just sitting at home and studying?”

Zhao Su laughed and said, “What’s strange about it? Didn’t all young boys do this kind of thing? I am a concubine-born son and I was not favoured by my father. After my father died, my mother and I were driven out of the house and penniless. I worked hard to be able to sit here and be able to chat to you. But telling you all this now, I’m not afraid that you will mock me.”

When Qi Jiguang saw his gentle and elegant manner, he had always thought of him as a descendant of a prestigious household, but he didn’t expect that there would be this kind of background story behind him. He thought to himself that everyone has their own troubles, and he sighed, “You don’t have to be aggrieved, a hero pays no regard to background. Anyway, you are now a member of the imperial court, so you don’t need to suffer anymore under your step-mother and your younger brother. On the contrary, they even have to treat you with respect. Thirty years the river flows east, and for another thirty years, it flows west, fortunes rise and fall1, it is inevitable to have times of sorrow as well as of great joy.”

“Yes, this is what I wanted to say to cheer you up, but how come it’s become you comforting me?”

Just as they were chatting, three small dishes were served, with a pot of tea. Zhao Su lined up three tea cups and then poured the tea, before continuing with a smile: “Look at the current situation of the Yan faction falling from a position of power. The others are looting the burning house2, throwing stones at someone who fell down a well3, all of them fighting like black-eyed chickens4. You were able to ditch all your official duties and evade the limelight. Isn’t that a blessing in disguise in itself?”

Qi Jiguang felt a bit more relieved by what Zhao Su said, and nodded: “Sadly, Hu da-ren won’t have the same fate.”

The two of them were silent for a moment.

The Hu da-ren that he was referring to was Hu Zongxian, who had inspired the Southeast with the way he repelled the Wukou. Unfortunately, due to his connections with the Yan faction, he had been arrested twice and escorted back to the Capital. The first time, because of Jiajing’s protection, he was acquitted, was able to return to his hometown. However, three men talking will create a tiger5, the Emperor naturally eventually believed it as well. Therefore, the second time, Hu Zongxian was not so lucky. Yan Shifan’s right hand man, Luo Longwen had been beheaded and the Imperial Censor, Wang Ru ordered that the latter’s home be seized and searched, which resulted in the discovery of Hu Zongxian’s letters to Luo Longwen, Yan Shifan and others, but this was still not the fatal point. The most fatal thing was that there was an imperial decree drawn up by Hu Zongxian, that he originally wanted Luo Longwen to pass on to Yan Shifan, but before Luo Longwen had the chance to pass it on, his home had already been seized, so this imperial decree naturally served as a deathly talisman.

Within the imperial court, there were many people who wanted Hu Zongxian to die, and were overjoyed when they heard this news. The memorials impeaching him were quickly drawn up and submitted to the Emperor, accusing him of falsifying an imperial edict, not even the Gods could save him. Emperor Jiajing was naturally furious and threw him into jail once more.

This incident happened last year, and had caused quite an uproar back then. Although Hu Zongxian had been of great meritorious service to the country, he was also corrupt. He embezzled what he could and enjoyed himself, not letting any opportunity pass him by. Naturally, the entire imperial court at this time was also like this. The only one who could have possibly been utterly clean and righteous was probably Hai Rui. Therefore, when all was well and good, no one would jump out and say anything, but once there were political struggles – corruption, bribery, and extravagance had all become handles6 to lourd over him. What’s more, Hu Zongxian was not a particularly timid person, therefore, he’d made a lot of friends but made even more enemies.

To Xu Jie, Hu Zongxian was a leading figure in the Yan faction. The reason why the Yan faction had been rampant for so many years was inseparable from Hu Zongxian’s achievements on the frontline. If Xu Jie wanted to completely defeat the Yan faction, he must also get rid of Hu Zongxian, and naturally he would never let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip him by.

Zhao Su, as a bystander, was not involved in this dispute. He naturally saw it clearly. Although he wanted to rescue Hu Zongxian, he also knew that with his own current position, and Xu Jie’s determination to put Hu Zongxian to death, there was almost no hope whatsoever.

Zhao Su had to try indirectly by going through Zhang Juzheng and asking him to persuade Xu Jie. Zhang Juzheng immediately agreed and he had even said to Zhao Su at first that Hu Zongxian had done great merit and should be dealt with lightly. However, gradually he received less and less updates and it was no longer mentioned when they met. Following that, Zhao Su knew the situation was lost.

For Qi Jiguang, Hu Zongxian was not only his superior, but also his benefactor. Without Hu Zongxian believing in his potential, perhaps he would not have become the Qi Jiguang that he was today, so he did not hesitate to spend his money, and plead with everyone in the imperial court, in order to protect Hu Zongxian’s life.

At this moment, news spread that Hu Zongxian had committed suicide in prison.

Regardless of whether he had committed suicide or was forced committed suicide, his death was a huge nail to the Yan faction’s coffin, so naturally everyone rejoiced.

However, to Qi Jiguang and Zhao Su, this was nothing short of a bolt from the blue. Even if Hu Zongxian was not completely innocent, after all, he could have been demoted to a commoner, and seized of his assets. Instead, he was ruthlessly forced down a road that led to his death.

Qi Jiguang smiled slightly, with a hint of sorrow: “I don’t want to hide it from you, lao-di7, I didn’t want to be stabbed in the back whilst I’m fighting to the death on the battlefield, so over the years, my sleeves have not exactly been blowing in the breeze8.”

Zhao Su nodded his head without any change to his facial expression: “Those who achieve great things will not bother with the trivial matters, as long as they are beneficial to the country and the people, even a few last resort methods are understandable.”

“Back in Changle, when I heard that you, with just the status of a juren, dared to go to the frontlines and fight with the County Magistrate of Changle, I already knew that you were worthy. You are not as inflexible as other civil officials. Come, let us use this tea in the absence of alcohol and make a toast!” Qi Jiguang raised his teacup and motioned to him.

Zhao Su picked up the cup and was about to clink the cups together, but Zhu Yijun emerged from nowhere. He also held up a cup and bumped his cup with force against theirs, grinning: “Cheers!”

Qi Jiguang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Your Royal Highness, princely heir?”

Zhu Yijun finished the cup of hot tea in one go, tilted his head and asked, “Qi da-ren, are you afraid that you will end up like Hu Zongxian?”

His words were shocking, Qi Jiguang’s expression changed completely, his hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air.

Zhu Yijun didn’t seem to think that what he said was particularly shocking. He snuggled against Zhao Su and stuck out his tongue like a spoiled child and said: “Hot.”

“Drink slowly.” Compared with Qi Jiguang who had forgotten his manners, Zhao Su was much calmer. He poured another cup of tea and blew it before handing it to the child.

Qi Jiguang smiled bitterly: “It seems that my worries are not well hidden, and even His Royal Highness can see it clearly.”

This time, Zhu Yijun drank the tea one sip at a time, then said: “Not all gold is sufficiently red9, everyone has their defects. Whether you do good or bad, as long as you are wise, you will know, even if no one can see it for the moment, in a thousand years, the history books will be the best judge.”

Qi Jiguang couldn’t believe that these words were coming from a child under nine years old, and he didn’t know what to say for a while.

Zhu Yijun saw his expression and was triumphant: “Don’t underestimate this princely heir!”

Zhao Su laughed a lot: “Your Royal Highness is naturally brilliant, but…”

“When the water is full, it will overflow10, don’t be too arrogant, ummmm, I remember. Susu, don’t become an old man, so long-winded!” Zhu Yijun had stood for a long time, so he was now simply leaning his entire body against Zhao Su. Zhao Su made some space and pulled him to sit down and the two of them snuggled up together affectionately, not resembling teacher and student at all, but rather like brothers.

Qi Jiguang was dumbfounded for a long time, and finally said: “I take back what I said earlier, lao-di, you are a great teacher, in future, I’ll also get you to teach my son!”

The peaceful days passed quickly, and when it came to autumn during the forty-fifth year of Jiajing, Emperor Jiajing’s health was fluctuating between good and bad.

He rarely attended morning court just as before, but at least he used to summon the Grand Secretariat from time to time. But now the Grand Secretaries had rarely caught sight of the Emperor’s face. Every time they requested an audience with the Emperor, they were told that his Majesty was not well. As time passed, as an official, it was inevitable that one would start to become suspicious.

The officials of the Ming Dynasty were unlike those of Qing Dynasty who under the high pressure of imperial power did not dare to speak up. From the Grand Secretariat above, down to the Imperial Censors, if they believed that the Emperor’s words and deeds were inappropriate, they would inevitably offer up a memorial requesting the Emperor to correct his actions. Those who held high-ranking official positions such as those within the Grand Secretariat could also seek an audience directly with the Emperor.

Just as at this moment, Shen Xiu was standing at the entrance, facing the burning eyes of the four people in front of him, that he felt like his scalp was on fire. He said with a bitter face: “Grand Secretaries, it’s not that we are refusing to announce your arrival, but his Majesty is unwell and refuses to see anyone.”

Gao Gong sneered: “Is that really the imperial decree of His Majesty? Or could it be the plan of you bunch of castrated dogs11. We will not leave today unless we have seen the Emperor!”

Shen Xiu was infuriated by the castration insult, his face darkened, and he sneered: “Gao da-ren is truly awe-inspiring, why bother to mess with a lowly personal attendant like myself? It doesn’t matter if you continue to stand here until tomorrow. His Majesty has spoken, how could anyone go against that?!”

Gao Gong was furious and was about to retort, but Guo Po tugged on the corner of his sleeve.

Xu Jie, who was standing behind him, finally spoke slowly: “You mean, even with four grand secretaries requesting an audience, His Majesty is still unwilling to see us?”

Shen Xiu’s tone was reluctant: “Teng-gonggong12 said…”

He dared to speak harshly to Gao Gong, because Gao Gong had a shallow foundation. He had just entered the Grand Secretariat and had no previous influence on the imperial court. But Xu Jie was different. He was the Senior Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, under one person, above ten thousand people13, and his previous students were littered up and down the imperial court. Shen Xiu would dare to be rude to anyone and did not dare to be rude to Xu Jie. ——This was called, choosing different kinds of dishes dependent on the person14, and choosing the soft persimmons to squeeze15.

“Teng-gonggong? Shen Xiu, isn’t your master Huang Jin, when did it become Teng Xiang?” Xu Jie narrowed his eyes.

Shen Xiu said dryly: “Grand Secretary16, please forgive me. I am not clear on this. My master was punished and was demoted to serve elsewhere. Previously, His Majesty really did say that he wasn’t going to see anyone….”

“Previously doesn’t mean now. You, go in and ask again, maybe His Majesty would be willing to see us now?” Xu Jie glanced at him, “What is it, now you’ve been promoted, you don’t recognise us anymore?”

Shen Xiu sneered: “Grand Secretary must be joking, how could that be? I will go in and ask, but His Majesty has not been feeling well recently, and his mood is not very good. Even my master has been……. we are naturally all being more cautious…..”

He continued to talk in a long-winded fashion, seeing that Xu Jie’s expression hadn’t changed, he turned around and went into the inner hall to report.

Xu Jie gathered his sleeves whilst he stood, closed his eyes to rest, when Li Chunfang leaned in towards his ear, whispering something.

Gao Gong snorted, but did not speak.

Guo Pu knew what he was thinking, so he hurriedly tugged at his robes.

After a while, Shen Xiu came out: “Grand Secretaries, His Majesty has asked you to enter.”