Zhang Juzheng - Complete Works of Mao Dun Literature Prize Winning Works (4 Volumes)

Author: Xiong Zhaozheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Zhang Juzheng contemplated and fell silent. Gao Gong said again, "Taiye, when you meet the Emperor, don’t bring up the matter of replacing the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Whether Li Yan stays or not, Yin Zhengmao cannot take over anyway. Besides, if the Grand Secretariat hasn’t decided on something, suddenly bringing it to the Emperor’s attention, and if there’s a dispute, how will the other ministers view it?" Gao Gong’s words were advice, but also a veiled threat. Zhang Juzheng gave a wry smile and replied, "You’re the Chief Minister, so it’s still up to you." As they spoke, the two walked out of the Huaji Gate. Further north was the Imperial Way in front of the Huangji Gate. Suddenly, a commotion came from the Imperial Way, and the two looked toward the source. They saw the Emperor’s carriage parked in the middle of the road near the Huangji Gate. Gao Gong immediately grew suspicious and said to Zhang Juzheng, "The Emperor isn’t in the Huangji Hall, so why is he here?" Zhang Juzheng was equally puzzled. Faintly, he saw the Longqing Emperor gesturing wildly beside his carriage, as if furious.
"Grand Minister, the Emperor seems to have something on his mind," Zhang Juzheng said just as an eunuch carried two small sedan chairs and hurried over, calling for the two Grand Secretaries to get in, saying the Emperor wanted to see them. When the two ministers arrived, they saw the Longqing Emperor, Zhu Zaiyun, pacing beside the carriage. At the age of thirty, he had taken the throne from his father, Emperor Jiajing, and changed the era to Longqing. Zhu Zaiyun was now thirty-six, in the prime of his life, but had prematurely aged due to excessive indulgence in wine and women. Now, he looked furious, though his robes for the grand court were still on, his crown was askew, and the jade and pearls hanging from it swayed chaotically. A large group of attendants from the Qianqing Palace knelt around him, trembling and nervous.
"Your Majesty!" Before the sedan chairs stopped, Gao Gong jumped out and shouted urgently, approaching the Emperor to kneel and kowtow. Zhang Juzheng followed suit.
"Ah, you’re here! Good! I’m furious, furious, furious!" the Longqing Emperor paced back and forth, ranting endlessly. Though the rain had stopped, the sky remained overcast, and the north wind grew stronger. The two ministers, kneeling on the wet cotton robes, felt the cold, hard stone beneath their knees, and the chill seeped into their bones. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but since the Emperor hadn’t given the order, none dared to rise.
"Your Majesty, please allow the two old ministers to rise," a court official named Zhang Gui, who stood nearby, whispered. The Longqing Emperor then bent down, grabbed Gao Gong’s robe, and yelled, "Get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng rose and bowed in gratitude. They exchanged glances, unsure why the Emperor had suddenly become so furious. The Longqing Emperor still tugged at Gao Gong’s sleeve. Another gust of wind blew, and Gao Gong’s neatly combed beard became disheveled again, covering his face. He felt a bit awkward and reached to brush away the white beard, then said softly, "Your Majesty, it’s time for the morning court."
"Morning court? What morning court?" The Longqing Emperor seemed completely oblivious to the matter. The two ministers then noticed the Emperor’s distant expression, unlike his usual self. Gao Gong asked cautiously, "Since Your Majesty isn’t holding the morning court, what do you intend to do instead?"
The Longqing Emperor fell silent, his eyes fixed intently on Gao Gong. Suddenly, he pulled Gao Gong aside and whispered, "You’re my teacher and the one who promoted me to Chief Minister. Now someone is bullying me—will you stand up for me or not?" Gao Gong asked carefully, "Who dares to bully the Emperor?"
The Longqing Emperor paused for a moment, then continued, "Find Nü’er Hua Hua for me."
"Thi—" Gao Gong was speechless. As the Longqing Emperor and Gao Gong were speaking, Zhang Juzheng quietly asked Zhang Gui, "What’s wrong with the Emperor this morning?"