All Under Heaven

“No way, there’s absolutely no way!” Zhu Yijun suddenly hugged him around his waist.

As soon as he saw that the person he had bumped into was Zhao Su, Zhu Yijun’s anger momentarily turned into shock.

“Teacher……” As he was getting older and his status had changed, everyone’s attitude towards him had become stricter. Since the time that he called out ‘Susu’ and Zhang Juzheng happened to hear and was even lectured on it, Zhu Yijun would now only call him that way in private.

“What is it, you look so angry, it’s not good to go and see His Majesty like this.” Zhao Su smiled slightly and reminded him very quietly.

“Teacher, I have something to tell you.” Zhu Yijun said, still furious.

Zhao Su had no idea what it was about but seeing him so serious, he agreed. Zhu Yijun led him by the hand and advanced forward at a quick pace that he nearly tripped a few times. Zhao Su had no choice but to hold his hand tightly.

After walking for a while, Zhu Yijun looked at the imperial guards who were following behind them: “You don’t need to follow us.”

And then advanced forward with Zhao Su into a cluster of flowers, he then said quietly with much grievance: “Susu, mother1 wants me to change teachers.”

“Please explain further?”

Zhu Yijun lowered his hand: “Today, mother requested my presence and said that my status has changed and perhaps soon I will also be named the crown prince2, so I can’t just have one teacher……”

Zhao Su stared blankly for a moment, smiled and said: “This is a good thing, Your Highness should be pleased about Consort Li’s kindness.”

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Zhu Yijun bit his lip but did not speak.

In fact, Consort Li’s intentions were to replace Zhao Su with Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng. Because Li Chunfang achieved zhuangyuan in the 36th year of Jiajing, he was erudite and an outstanding literary talent. As for Zhang Juzheng, he was a Shu jishi, as well as Xu Jie’s favourite student. He had done meritorious work at the Prince of Yu Manor where Consort Li was able to personally see his capabilities, so naturally she saw him in a good light. She believed that these would be much more suitable to teach Zhu Yijun than Zhao Su.

As soon as he heard this, Zhu Yijun was confused and said that he did not need to change teachers. He also said that Zhao Su was a great teacher but Consort Li did not take this into account and had already made up her mind. She just said that this was for his own good, and she would find an opportunity to propose it to the Emperor. Zhu Yijun was at a loss and rushed out in anger to see the Emperor, hoping to get to him first and pull Zhu Zaiji to his side, but who knew he’d bump into Zhao Su at the entrance.

In Zhu Yijun’s view, he could not understand at all why he must have a different teacher when he already had such a good one. In terms of knowledge, Zhao Su had achieved tanhua, in terms of official position, he was now a fourth-rank official. Although, it was not as high as Zhang Juzheng or Li Chunfang, but after all these years, he had built up a strong relationship with his teacher. In Zhu Yijun’s heart, Zhao Su had a place that was more important than anyone else, because whilst his mother and father would leave him alone, they had always been Zhao Su who spent time with him.

In Zhao Su’s view, he could understand where Consort Li was coming from. Zhu Zaiji had just ascended the throne. He had gone from the unfavoured Prince of Yu to the venerable Emperor. It was not only his status that had changed, he had also elevated Consort Li and Zhu Yijun’s statuses with him. Although, it was still not official that he would be conferred the title of crown prince, but right now, the Emperor only had two sons and both of them were Consort Li’s sons. If there were no unexpected incidents, in the future, it would be the eldest son, Zhu Yijun who would be conferred the title. Therefore, his education had now also become a topic in the imperial court.

Consort Li had done this because she wanted to find two teachers for her son that had a strong enough influence, and this was also a method of elevating Zhu Yijun’s favour further. Because she was still from a lowly background born from a small farming family, to be able to have climbed up to where she was now was already a great merit. Since ancient times, mothers have long had great hopes for their sons, just like the parents of modern times who do everything they can to try to sign their children up for extra preparatory classes, and perhaps completely neglecting what the child actually wants, but all of this still comes from a good motive.

But she had forgotten that Zhu Yijun was a prince and perhaps in the future he may even become the Emperor. If she forced him to do what he didn’t like, in the future, the opposite outcome will occur. And for an Emperor who does the reverse will not only harm himself but also the people around him.

Don’t you like Tutor Zhang and Secretary Li?”

Zhao Su thought that he must attempt to convince this yet to be completely polished piece of jade.

He found a rock to sit upon. The scenery here was incredible as it had just snowed, leaving a layer of white snow upon the frozen lake. As far as the eye could see, the palace was open and majestic.

Seeing him sit down so casually as if he was not afraid of ruining his official’s robes that it made Zhu Yijun laugh, he wanted to say: Susu has all the answers.

“It’s not that I don’t like them,” he sat down like Zhao Su, both hands propping up his chin and he stared into the distance. “It’s just that sometimes, tutor Zhang is overly strict.”

“Well what about tutor Chen and tutor Gao?” Zhao Su was talking about Chen Yiqin and Gao Gong, although they were also entering the Grand Secretariat like Zhang Juzheng, he still used the old way of addressing them as when they were back at the Prince of Yu manor.

Zhu Yijun counted out on his fingers: “Tutor Chen is old-fashioned, tutor Gao has a bad temper, both are bad.”

“Not everyone will be as undisciplined as I.” Zhao Su smiled and patted his head. “Everyone has their own personality, I once told you the story about Hai Rui, do you still remember?”

Zhu Yijun nodded.

“This person scolded your royal grandpa, but Emperor Jiajing did not have him killed. Because although the Emperor has a lofty status, he cannot escape from opprobrium. Although he was abominable, he did not say anything wrong, everything he said was the truth so however indignant Emperor Jiajing was, he only imprisoned him in the imperial prison and did not kill him.”

Zhu Yijun looked pensive, and then he frowned: “Susu, I don’t want it to be like this. Today, mother has prepared tutor Zhang and tutor Li for me, tomorrow, she will probably arrange something else, I don’t like this.”

Zhao Su laughed: “There are many things that you don’t have the ability to change yet, so you can only try it and bear it. Plus, although tutor Zhang and tutor Chen and the others aren’t the most interesting people, you should see the bigger picture. They also wish to fight to make this country stronger and more prosperous, so because we all have a common goal, you must also be more tolerant. Even Emperor Jiajing was not able to dismiss all his officials at will, and it was for this exact reason.”

Zhu Yijun sighed: “Then being the Emperor is truly terrible, but why does father3 look so happy?”

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That’s because your father has some powerful officials holding up the imperial court, even if he lived a luxurious and playful lifestyle, enjoying himself every night, this court would not fall – Zhao Su thought to himself whilst saying out loud: “That is because His Majesty is open-minded and capable of accepting criticism and advice. Even if his officials say something that he does not wish to hear, he will not take it to heart.” Just as before, he could do whatever he wanted, even when someone criticised Zhu Zaiji for not favouring his Empress and indulged in others, he neither got angry nor reprimanded that official. It was clear to see that the Emperor had already become open-minded and tolerant.

“Each and everyone of us has our own paths to follow, for you, for me, for tutor Zhang and the others, the affairs of the world cannot bend to your will. Instead of being unhappy, why not let go and face it head on. The relationship between us, even if we are no longer teacher and student, will not change.”

The sun rays were shining upon them, bringing warmth with it. Zhu Yijun was sitting next to Zhao Su and leaning up against him. He closed his eyes, feeling comfortable, the anger that was rushing up to his head previously, had disappeared out of sight.

He was still young, and had no way of putting it into words why he liked Zhao Su so much, but he knew that Zhao Su was different from other people. Everyone else would treat him differently because of his status, there was only ever Zhao Su who was always patient and reasonable, treating him as a peer.

“Susu, wait for me to grow up. When I can make decisions, I will still want you as my teacher!”

“I’m afraid by then Your Highness will be more knowledgeable than this official and will no longer need me.”

Zhao Su broke out into laughter and did not take these words to heart, instead he felt a warmth in his heart. No matter how Zhu Yijun turned out when he grew up, in this moment, he was true and genuine and was truly respectful towards him. In ancient times, amongst the Emperor and the imperial family, this was extremely rare.

“No way, there’s absolutely no way!” Zhu Yijun suddenly embraced him around his waist.

In the first year of the Emperor’s reign, everything was new, and there was an indescribable air of joy in the capital and beyond. Perhaps it was for the New Year, or perhaps for the enthronement of the new Emperor and the pardon for all under heaven4. A cheerful atmosphere and joy on everyone’s faces appeared that was different from the past.

Thanks to Xu Jie and the others, the imperial court was stabilised. Using the name of Jiajing, the Grand Secretariat began to release edicts reforming old measures. Within these measures, there were a few larger changes. The first measure which had been enforced since the 16th year of Zhengde until the 45th year of Jiajing, was regarding those officials who had been admonished or found guilty and serving a sentence. Those who were still alive were released from prison or had their official position re-established. Those who had already died were pardoned of their crimes posthumously and their families were compensated. The second measure was to get rid of all Daoist priests in the palace, and remove all sacrificial ceremonies on palace grounds. The third measure was to reverse the Seaban which had been enforced since the reign of Taizu Emperor, not only increasing the frequency that officials could go out to trade overseas, it also allowed the common people to do trade with overseas as well. This no doubt was to strike against those merchants who had been colluding and doing illicit business under the table with the Wukou. All of this also aided to improve an empire on the verge of collapse and ruin under the rule of Jiajing.

All of this was also within Zhao Su’s expectations, advancing along in the history that he was already aware of. But under the flourishing surface, there was something sinister that was slowly and silently coming forth from the depths.

There was no longer the presence of his old rival Yan Song and Emperor Jiajing had already passed away. The newly crowned Emperor Longqing, Zhu Zaiji appeared to be credulous and voluble on the surface but in reality, there were many things that he left to the Grand Secretariat to deal with. And as the Senior Grand Secretary, naturally Xu Jie held all the power over the imperial court. There were many people in the Grand Secretariat, Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng were both his students. Although Chen Yiqin was from the Prince of Yu manor, he did not like to fight with others, so he maintained a neutral position. Guo Po was still furious with Xu Jie for keeping Jiajing’s imperial edict a secret, but had yet to express his resentment so on the surface, he was just like Chen Yiqin maintaining a neutral stance. There was only Gao Gong who had an irascible temper who did not agree with all of Xu Jie’s reforms, and this was also gradually becoming quite obvious.

When two tigers are at war, there will be one which gets hurt. Xu Jie and Gao Gong’s contradictory views were getting more extreme, and it was obvious that when they came to blows, there would definitely be one who would have to step down from his official posts. Xu Jie had students up and down the imperial court, and he was slick, sly and good with words. It was more likely that Gao Gong would suffer a defeat. But Gao Gong had an advantage on his hands and that was the fact that he was the longest serving tutor for Zhu Zaiji. The Emperor was deeply attached to him, so this battle between tiger and dragon5 was destined to be an incomparable and unpredictable event.

As a student of Gao Gong as well as having come from the Prince of Yu manor, Zhao Su had long been labelled as a member of the Gao faction. Plus, the Emperor saw very highly of him, and Gao Gong often came to discuss matters with him. Many other officials also took advantage of the situation and often came to see him, causing Zhao Su headaches and problems.

After being promoted to Chancellor of the Directorate of Education, he could no longer live with Chen Zhu anymore, so he bought a small house and lived next to Zhao Nuan. —— Nowadays, Zhao Nuan’s business had become more and more profitable. The pardon of all under heaven included Zhao Nuan’s crush from back then, Lady Yu一 her family had been released and regained their good name. But Yu Che was now aged and no longer wanted to return to officialdom, and only wanted to retire and return to his hometown. Maiden Yu accepted her father’s wishes to return to their hometown, and Zhao Nuan followed them there. His patience and sincerity had finally touched the Yu family, and Yu Che agreed to their marriage. The wedding had been set for next year. When Zhao Nuan’s father, Zhao Shenyu heard that his son was going to marry a daughter of a court official he was delighted and somewhat relieved and no longer nagged or complained about his son about “making something of himself,” by taking imperial examinations instead of running off to do business.

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Back to the affairs of the courts, what Zhao Su was worried about was not Gao Gong losing to Xu Jie or Gao Gong gaining the advantage but he was actually looking to Zhang Juzheng, who had remained hidden behind Xu Jie all this time.

Because he had the least experience, Zhang Juzheng did not hold a high position within the Grand Secretariat. On the surface, it seemed that there were not many things that he dealt with personally, but that did not mean that he did not do anything. To the contrary, there were many things that Xu Jie discussed with him, and acted upon his suggestions. An old scheming fox like Xu Jie with the addition of the highly intelligent Zhang Juzheng meant incalculable might. Although Gao Gong was intelligent, unfortunately he had a bad temper, a fox may grow grey, but never good6. Zhao Su could only give advice to his best ability, since he had still not entered the Grand Secretariat, there were many things that he could not partake in.

On the surface, everyone naturally still seemed to be harmonious and working together well, and he had just met with Zhang Juzheng recently, and like before, they exchanged greetings. But everyone knew that things would never be the same again.

Politics was thus, there were no eternal enemies, nor were there forever friends, former comrades-in-arms had now become political enemies. Even if it was Zhao Su, he could not always to strike water right and left7. If Gao Gong was defeated, as a member of the Gao faction, he would also be crushed and disposed of.

Putting the happenings in the imperial court, after the first snowfall of the first year of Longqing, Zhao Su having received leave to go home and get married, he had a clear cut plan in mind: Aside from seeing his mother, he also had to get married to the Chen family’s concubine daughter and conveniently, he could also attend Chen Zhu’s wedding. —— It was a great coincidence that Chen Zhu and Zhao Su were getting married at almost the same time, he was getting married half a month earlier than Zhao Su, and his fiancée was the daughter of an official’s family. It was also under the will of his parents and the matchmaker had set up the wedding.

Many people could not understand Zhao Su’s decision. Given his prospects and his status, he could have chosen any daughter of an imperial court official but instead he decided upon the younger sister of his passed away fiancée, and she was also concubine-born.

Only Zhao Su knew that state of affairs were ever malleable and this was his safest option.

Translator Note:

Yikes, I had the booster jab this morning and I’m starting to feel a bit sick (｡╯︵╰｡) NGL I haven’t proofread this chapter very thoroughly…

Good news! My evening classes have finished so I now have evenings after work free to do some TL-ing again and I want to finish this novel before the end of 2022 so it looks like I’ll be pumping out 2+ chapters a week ~ Well I’ll try anyway.