Chapter Five: The Emperor’s Seal

Disobedience of imperial orders.

Under the institutional design of the Ming imperial system, defying imperial orders meant being forsaken by both heaven and men. The emperor could invoke non-criminal justice to accuse such acts as treason, and no one in the court dared to plead on behalf of Zhu Xixiao, the Commander of the Tiquan Cavalry, for disobedience.

The token Zhang Hong held was indeed the imperial token of Emperor Zhu Yijun of the Ming dynasty. Even if the emperor did not formally recognize Zhu Xixiao as his master, the Tiquan commander Zhu Xixiao was nonetheless obliged to mobilize the troops.

“I must go along,” Zhu Xixiao decided within moments without hesitation, ordering the troop deployment but insisting on accompanying the operation.

“I wouldn’t dare lead the Tiquan Cavalry on my own; that’s a death wish. Thank you, Commander Tiquan, for your understanding.” Zhang Hong's previously furious expression instantly softened into a broad smile, as if his earlier confrontational demeanor had never existed.

Even if Zhu Xixiao had not insisted on accompanying him, Zhang Hong would have demanded it; eunuchs commanding troops was a taboo that almost certainly led to death in some well or ill-fated well the following day.

How many calamities had eunuchs wielding military power caused during the late Tang dynasty?

As the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Hong was a man of measured judgment; he knew well what could and could not be done.

Eunuchs could turn hostile faster than flipping a page, and Zhu Xixiao had witnessed many such betrayals. Zhang Hong and that Feng Bao rivaled each other in the speed of their falling outs.

What kind of fiends lurked in the Ming imperial palace!

Zhang Hong, accompanied by two sworn sons and fifty Tiquan cavalrymen, began the purge of Qianqing Palace amid wails and cries like those of tormented spirits.

Despite the gravity of the events, Empress Dowager Li had not retired to rest. She and Empress Dowager Chen discussed the assassination attempt on the king. Hearing the wails outside the palace, Empress Dowager Li inquired of the palace maids but gave no order to stop the purge.

Dispatching Zhang Hong to Qianqing Palace was her decree. She intended for Zhang Hong to thoroughly offend Feng Bao. Having a chief eunuch who posed a threat to Feng Bao’s status was a means of keeping Feng Bao in check.

Zhang Hong had initially feared interference from the empress dowager, who held the lamp in the palace, but no one came to stop him for a long time. Emboldened, he expelled all eunuchs and palace maids loyal to Feng Bao.

Those removed from Qianqing Palace were not executed but sent to the Langxia residence.

Zhang Hong spared those loyal to the empress dowager, as the emperor had clearly delineated the boundaries of the purge within Qianqing Palace.

Empress Dowager Li resided in Cining Palace, entrusted by court officials to watch over the young emperor. Those around her were palace attendants of Cining Palace. Zhang Hong, a eunuch of Qianqing Palace, would be overstepping to extend his influence there, and the emperor would never plead on his behalf.

Zhang Hong was a man of discretion. Though a master of the Langxia eunuchs, the number of his sworn sons and daughters was limited. Those attending directly to the emperor, once nearly a hundred, had been reduced sharply to six: three eunuchs and three palace maids.

“Zhang Hong!” Feng Bao, accompanied by several guards, arrived at the palace gate, his face grim and contorted with rage as he bit his teeth and pointed accusingly. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The shout caused Feng Bao to wince in pain from his facial wounds.

Zhu Xixiao furrowed his brows in concern. Any conflict would place him and the Tiquan cavalry in a difficult position, having come under direct orders.

Zhang Hong dramatically swept his wide sleeves aside, brandishing the imperial token, and loudly demanded, “What do you think you’re doing? The emperor’s token is right here! Do you intend to defy the imperial decree? Even if you take this to the empress dowager, you will have no justification!”

“Whether the mission failed or not, it failed! The empress dowager and the emperor show mercy by not having you thrown into the well. Do you think you have a long life to spare by still causing trouble?!”

Zhang Hong was somewhat timid. Feng Bao’s roots in the palace were deep and entrenched, with loyalists everywhere. Yet, facing Feng Bao, Zhang Hong stood firm, raising his voice with authority.

Behind him stood the emperor; this was an imperial assignment, tacitly approved by the empress dowager.

He held the emperor’s token.

He had every right to speak boldly!

Yet, looking at Feng Bao and the token in his hand, Zhang Hong wondered if this token could truly control this palace patriarch.

Feng Bao’s eyes narrowed at the token; he recognized it immediately. It was the full set of imperial seals forged by the Seal Office in June of last year, following the previous emperor’s funeral. Feng Bao himself had retrieved the seals and presented them to the empress dowager, who then entrusted them to the emperor.

“Greetings to Your Majesty!” Feng Bao respectfully saluted the imperial token before standing up.

With so many witnesses, any sign of disrespect would be reported to Empress Dowager Li, jeopardizing his position as chief eunuch, or even his life.

“Well, very well!” Feng Bao clapped his hands repeatedly, his expression softening into a smile. “We all serve His Majesty. You must diligently attend to the emperor. If there is the slightest mistake, you will answer for it!”

Feng Bao had shown weakness.

Zhang Hong keenly sensed Feng Bao’s fear—both because of the botched mission and because of the power embodied in this token.

This token was not merely a sign of authority.

It was imperial power.

This token was a thousand, even ten thousand times more effective than Zhang Hong had imagined! Without it, if Feng Bao clashed with him, a hundred Zhang Hongs would be no match for Feng Bao.

Zhang Hong raised his eyebrows and smiled. “What nonsense! We all seek to earn our livelihood. If mistakes happen, there’s no need for the old patriarch to intervene. I’ll find a well to jump into myself and spare His Majesty and the empress dowager the trouble.”

His words carried a sharp jab at Feng Bao. Letting villains into the palace and even to His Majesty’s presence was a grave offense. No matter how much the heavens intervened, Feng Bao was in the wrong. Were the slaps on his face inflicted by someone else? Was the injury on his head caused by others pressing him down?

Feng Bao was left speechless, choked by Zhang Hong’s words. Zhang Hong pressed his advantage, but his hatred was greater for that traitor who betrayed from within.

Should he blame the emperor for his leniency? The empress dowager for her old affections? Zhang Hong for his sharp tongue? Or Feng Bao for his incompetence? Only a thief must always worry about thieves.

With the emperor’s token in hand and imperial authority above, Feng Bao was at fault and could only endure the assault silently.

More than twenty eunuchs and over thirty palace maids were expelled from Qianqing Palace. Feng Bao arrived at the palace gate with a dozen guards. Though silent as he watched the two chief eunuchs quarrel, his mind was calculating schemes beyond the ken of outsiders.

“Old Patriarch, the empress dowager sent you to root out the inner enemy. How is that going? If His Majesty asks tomorrow, I need something to say, don’t I?” Zhang Hong, riding his momentum, pressed Feng Bao about the mission.

Ultimately, who was the true patriarch of the palace?

Who was close to the emperor and the empress dowager was the true patriarch.

“We caught them—the Chen Hong faction and his sons and grandsons!” Feng Bao answered curtly, snapping his sleeve to avoid further questioning. Zhang Hong, now empowered, was not worth humiliating further.

“See off the old patriarch.” Zhang Hong, sensing good fortune, ceased his inquiries. The emperor had ordered the palace purge, and Zhang Hong had already asserted his dominance over Feng Bao. That was enough.

This was a rare chance to press down on Feng Bao’s mistakes. Without Feng Bao’s errors, no matter how bold Zhang Hong was, he would not dare.

Spring days are often overcast, with thin yet deep clouds. At dawn, Emperor Zhu Yijun woke yawning. Zhang Hong had completed his mission and returned outside the Qianqing Palace chamber. Hearing movement inside, Zhang Hong entered, opened the door, and motioned to two palace maids waiting at the entrance to attend to the emperor’s dressing and washing.

“I will do it myself.” Zhu Yijun sat down, dismissing the maids, and changed into his Yanbian ceremonial crown and robe alone.

The Yanbian crown and robe were designed by Emperor Jiajing, grandfather of Emperor Wanli, during the Great Rites Controversy. This ceremonial attire was the emperor’s regular formal wear, limited to four sets.

The crown’s front was adorned with multicolored jade clouds symbolizing the five elements; the rear featured four mountains representing the four directions.

The robe was black, trimmed with cyan on the collar, sleeves, and lapels. The front chest bore a round dragon patch, the back embroidered with two dragons in a square patch arranged one in front and two behind, symbolizing the Three Powers.

This garment was costly beyond measure; the gold thread embroidery on the three dragons was invaluable craftsmanship. The robe was not difficult to wear, but Zhu Yijun preferred to keep others at a distance.

The full ceremonial dress was cumbersome and required palace attendants to help him put it on.

Zhang Hong knelt respectfully and, seeing the emperor’s dressing complete, raised the imperial token above his head and proclaimed, “Your servant has completed the mission. I humbly request Your Majesty to reclaim the token.”

“Hm.” Zhu Yijun approached Zhang Hong, took the token, and hung it at his waist before speaking. “Rise and speak. In future matters, speak plainly. No need to remain kneeling all the time. Did Feng Bao trouble you?”

Zhang Hong stood, bowed his head, and replied, “Chief Eunuch Feng Bao came to inspect the palace purge once but said nothing, only reminding me to attend carefully to Your Majesty and not be lazy.”

“Oh, nothing said.” Zhu Yijun continued, “How about the inner accomplice? Was he caught?”

Zhang Hong pondered briefly and bowed, “Chief Eunuch Feng Bao arrested Chen Hong, claiming he and his remnants were responsible.”

Chen Hong, former chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was notoriously devious, ruthless, and fond of using poisonous drugs. Empress Dowager Li deeply resented him. After Emperor Longqing’s funeral, Chen Hong was dismissed from all posts and sent to live in the Langxia residence.

Zhang Hong made a motion to kneel again, but the emperor had forbidden it. Tentatively, he said, “Your Majesty, I am guilty. Though I am the master, I have only three sworn sons and three sworn daughters and could only dispatch this many attendants.”

Zhu Yijun was unconcerned and smiled, “Fewer is better, easier to manage. Consider it settled—these seven shall attend before me. If fewer, add more; if too many, it becomes troublesome.”

A bloated organization breeds rigidity and intrigue. Seven attendants were not too many.

Within three zhang (about nine meters), the fewer the people, the less trouble. Outside three zhang?

Outside three zhang, imperial authority is invincible.

After early breakfast, Empress Dowager Li reminded him about the upcoming imperial lectures.

According to Ming ancestral rules, the harem must not interfere in governance. She was forbidden from entering the Wenhua Palace and could neither hold court behind the curtain nor reign in place of the emperor. Each time the young emperor attended lectures at Wenhua Palace, Empress Dowager Li was filled with anxiety.

Though called “lectures,” these sessions included regular court discussions.

Wenhua Palace was the venue for court deliberations involving twenty-seven civil and military officials. This was known as the Nine Ministers’ Council, deciding numerous state affairs. The Fengtian Palace hosted grand court assemblies, primarily announcing council decisions.

The young emperor was naive and inexperienced, and Empress Dowager Li feared he might be bullied at Wenhua Palace.

“Chief Eunuch Feng Bao has a facial injury. For today’s lectures, let Zhang Hong accompany the young emperor,” she decided after carefully inspecting the young emperor’s attire.

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, “Zhang Hong won’t do. Let Chief Eunuch Feng Bao accompany me. Otherwise, the foreign ministers will start speculating and cause trouble.”

Major personnel changes should not be abrupt, lest they stir disorder.

Like a sieve, news of the assassination attempt had long leaked outside the palace. Should Feng Bao fail to attend Wenhua Palace, even with Zhang Juzheng’s influence, the foreign ministers would surely stir unrest.

Without Feng Bao’s help, it was uncertain if Zhang Juzheng could firmly control the outer court.

The political triangle of Zhang Juzheng, Feng Bao, and Empress Dowager Li was interdependent; missing any link would plunge the fragile Ming court into chaos.

Demons and monsters, a wild dance of evils.

Zhu Yijun was keenly aware that his power was scarce.

Feng Bao, or rather the eunuchs, were the emperor’s dogs, kept to tear into the outer court.

The wound on Feng Bao’s face was minor. As long as Feng Bao appeared at Wenhua Palace, the foreign ministers would keep their heads down.

“Very well,” Empress Dowager Li hesitated deeply.

Should Feng Bao attend Wenhua Palace or not?

If he did not, foreign ministers would cause trouble; if he did, she feared Feng Bao might conspire with Zhang Juzheng against the young emperor. Her anxiety grew, making sleep elusive.

She had been awake all night pondering the assassin’s identity but was powerless to interfere directly, relying heavily on Feng Bao, who was proving unreliable. This left her deeply unsettled.

At just twenty-seven, Empress Dowager Li had little sway. Since her son insisted Feng Bao accompany him, so be it.

At Wenhua Palace, surrounded by ministers, the young emperor would feel protected with Feng Bao’s presence.

Zhu Yijun walked, not riding in a sedan, toward Wenhua Palace. Feng Bao followed at a measured pace, maintaining exactly one imperial step behind.

Suddenly, Zhu Yijun stopped and said, “Chief Eunuch Feng Bao, you once established your authority over me. I know and do not mind. I let you have your power so you could do your job. The palace has many people, and as I have just ascended, you needed some prestige.”

“You established your authority, then let villains into the palace to harm me? Is that how you serve the old patriarch?”

“Your servant deserves death!” Feng Bao, holding the Wanli imperial token, immediately knelt, trembling with both hands raised.

Zhu Yijun turned calmly and said, “Look at me.”

“Yes.” Feng Bao lifted his gaze through the Wanli token, looking at the slightly plump young Ming emperor, who now seemed taller than the heavens.

With a single word, Feng Bao, the old patriarch, could be cast into the Jinshui River.

The eunuchs’ power stemmed entirely from imperial authority. The person before Feng Bao was the emperor; the Wanli token belonged not to the empress dowager, nor Zhang Juzheng, nor Feng Bao, but to the emperor.

Zhu Yijun stared calmly at Feng Bao and said, “Mother is but a woman. Do not deceive her. Now that Chen Hong has fallen and Gao Gong too, things are as they are inside and outside. Do not exaggerate and cause her undue worry.”

“Rise.”

Zhu Yijun spared Feng Bao further embarrassment; he disliked Feng Bao lying to Empress Dowager Li.

The empress dowager was a fragile woman, prone to anxiety. The Ming dynasty was battered and precarious. Emperor Longqing had died young, and Feng Bao’s continual fabrications stirred her into waking nightmares.

Feng Bao respectfully kowtowed and solemnly said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!”

At this moment, the political alliance of Feng Bao, Zhang Juzheng, and Empress Dowager Li was both the greatest obstacle to Zhu Yijun’s direct rule and his strongest shield as a young ruler.

Feng Bao was still needed, but not in the old way of relying on him for everything.

“Let’s go to the regular court!” Zhu Yijun strode forward toward Wenhua Palace.

“Ascend the throne!” Feng Bao hurried inside, loudly announcing as he placed the Wanli token on the imperial desk on the Danbi Moon Terrace.

Four yellow-clad palace attendants carried the dragon throne and placed it behind the desk; after each regular court session, the throne was removed.

“Announce the entry of civil and military ministers!” Feng Bao cracked his whip three times at the door. The Tiquan commander stood there and shouted, “Enter the hall!”

The palace guards searched the ministers for weapons as the officials filed in. Once assembled, led by Zhang Juzheng, the twenty-seven ministers performed the customary triple kowtow with five bows.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live forever!”

Zhu Yijun raised his hand halfway and said, “Rise.”

He appraised the central attendant, who was none other than the Grand Secretary of the Central Hall and prime minister, Zhang Juzheng.