Wanli Emperor Chapter 115 Part 1

Chapter 115 Part 1: Echoes Beyond the Grave, the Great Matter of Life and Death

The Princedom of Jing was first established when Emperor Renzong enfeoffed his sixth son. The princedom was founded in the fourth year of the Xuande era (1429) and moved to Qizhou in the tenth year of the Zhengtong era (1445). It had been rooted there for over a century.

To say nothing of its vast manors and estates, the princely city itself had been expanded time and again, built to be magnificent and imposing. It was surrounded by a wall of nine li and thirty-three paces, standing one zhang and eight chi high. Within the walls, the princely residences stood in great numbers, their scenery unparalleled.

Li Shizhen had diagnosed patients here. Wu Cheng'en had composed poetry here. It was a place of storied significance.

[TN: Li Shizhen — A renowned physician and pharmacologist of the Ming Dynasty, author of the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica).]

[TN: Wu Cheng'en — A novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty, widely recognized as the author of Journey to the West.]

Anyone who saw this prosperous and magnificent princely city could not help but praise it: "The palatial towers rise from the flat land, their grandeur rivals the Imperial Capital." But now it had suffered a devastating fire without warning.

This fire reduced the Prince of the Blood's central residence and the tightly adjoining Residence of the Prince of Taining to ashes, turning them into scorched earth.

But this fire did more than just destroy the princely residences and burn to death the family of the Prince of Taining, who administered the Princedom of Jing. The faint glow of the flames seemed to burn through Qizhou, spreading all the way to Wuchang and Changsha.

It swept across all of Huguang.

In less than half a day, the calamity at the Residence of the Prince of Jing was on everyone's lips, known throughout Huguang.

The rumors, naturally, were not so simple as to call it an accident; otherwise, the common people would not have relished discussing it.

Those who spoke of it did so with an air of absolute certainty—this second son of the Prince of Jing, the current administrator of the princedom, the Prince of Taining, Zhu Changxin, had most likely seen the tragic slaughter at the Residence of Prince Lishan of the Min Princedom and the humiliation of the Prince of Dong'an of the Chu Princedom. Overcome with fear, he had set fire to his entire residence and perished.

As for the source of this claim... the Prince of Taining, Zhu Changxin, had apparently left behind a final letter, entrusting it to the Heir Apparent of Jing, Zhu Changling.

The Heir Apparent of Jing, overcome with grief, had then relayed its contents to those around him.

The letter was filled with fierce and indignant words, declaring: "An emperor's son, a dragon's grandson, ruling in the south as a prince, encounters a benighted and violent court, facing a repeat of the Jianwen affair. Rather than be humiliated by base slaves, it is better to take one's own life and not betray the noble bloodline."

This statement alone left all who heard it stunned and horrified.

These words were almost identical to those of the Prince of Xiang, who had set himself ablaze during the Jianwen era!

Back then, Emperor Jianwen's brutal "reducing of the fiefdoms" had found its way to the Prince of Xiang. He sent men to surround the Prince's palace city, intending to arrest him. The Prince of Xiang knew he could not survive. 

He sprinkled the ground with water, then with his own blood, dressed in his full court regalia, and walked into the fire to die. "Alas," he had said, "I have seen ministers of the past who, upon encountering a benighted and violent court and facing imminent arrest, would take their own lives. I am a son of Emperor Taizu, ruling in the south as a prince... Am I now to be humiliated by base slaves? I cannot bear to beg for such a life."

The stele recording this very event still stood in Jingzhou Prefecture!

Could it be that the old affair was repeating itself?

This was especially true when one thought of what the Imperial Commissioner had been doing in Huguang recently.

The direct line of the Residence of the Prince of Yueyang had been nearly exterminated, and their properties were being picked clean by opportunistic neighbors. 

The Residence of Prince Lishan had seen its kinsmen slaughtered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard right before the Prince of the Blood's eyes. 

The head of the Huguang Imperial Clan, the Chu Princedom, had seen its acting administrator, the Prince of Dong'an, thrown into prison for days, his fate unknown.

Under these circumstances, the Prince of Taining of the Jing Princedom, unwilling to suffer humiliation and demonstrating the unyielding spirit of an imperial son and dragon's grandson, had resolutely chosen death. It made for a story of profound dramatic weight.

It was already a tale people loved to tell, and with a few interested parties fanning the flames, it spread throughout Huguang in the shortest time possible.

The common people mostly saw it as dogs biting dogs, calling it a good death. The Imperial Clansmen, however, felt the sorrow of the fox grieving for the hare, and were filled with indignation and unrest. 

The Huguang officialdom, with tacit unity, began to apply pressure on the capital—the Imperial Commissioner had stirred up this great a mess. Was it not time to be done with it?

In the blink of an eye, the situation in Huguang had completely changed.

...

Residence of the Prince of Min.

Zhu Dingyao looked with pity upon his clan cousin, Zhu Dingjiong, who had been taken away by Zhu Xizhong days before.

The latter was covered in wounds, lying on a bed as if at his last breath.

Seeing the Prince of Min enter, Zhu Dingjiong forced himself to rise and offer a salute.

The Prince of Min, Zhu Dingyao, hurried to press him down. "Do not move your vital energy. Just lie down and rest."

Zhu Dingjiong offered his thanks, then gave a bitter smile, his voice extremely weak. "The Northern Imperial Prison only let me return because they see I cannot last these next two days. It is merely a gesture of convenience."

News of the affair at the Jing residence had already reached Wugang Prefecture.

The two of them naturally knew what had transpired.

If not for this tense juncture, Zhu Xizhong would likely not have released the man, allowing him only to die in a different location.

Zhu Dingyao clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He said with hatred, "Zhu Xizhong! This prince will surely kill him! If I do not avenge you, I swear I am not human!"

It was easy to find a trusted subordinate in the princely residence, but not so easy to find one with talent.

Zhu Dingjiong had grown up by his side, handling affairs for him. Their bond, whether of sentiment or trust, was deeper than any outsider could match.

Otherwise, he would not have entrusted the matter of raising water bandits to this collateral relative.

Zhu Dingjiong was exceptionally bright from a young age and was, moreover, the most capable man in the Residence of the Prince of Min.

Zhu Dingyao, as the second son of a concubine, had only been able to inherit the Min Princedom thanks in large part to this man's immense contributions.

When Zhu Dingjiong was young, he had begun to plot and plan, working with Zhu Dingyao to cultivate a reputation for filial piety.

The former was known for "cutting flesh from his thigh to save his mother"—"In his youth, he served his mother, Lady Huo, with great filial piety."

The latter spread tales of "inheriting his father's will, serving his mother, and raising his younger brothers."

The two were closer than true brothers.

Seeing Zhu Dingjiong on his deathbed, Zhu Dingyao was immediately overcome with rage.

But unexpectedly, Zhu Dingjiong struggled to grab the Prince of Min's hand, gritting his teeth and shaking his head.

He gasped, his breathing rapid. "Your Highness, do not be rash!"

"The matter of the water bandits—I made preparations to insulate you in advance. The Embroidered Uniform Guard can trace it, at most, to the Residence of Prince Lishan. It has nothing to do with you."

"Now, with the Prince of Xiang's story re-emerging at the Jing residence, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will not dare to act recklessly."

"The Central Government, seven parts out of ten, now wishes to reduce the fiefdoms. The safety of the Min Princedom rests on you alone. You must not be impulsive!"

Zhu Dingyao paid him no mind, snorting coldly. "Reduce the fiefdoms? I fear they no longer have the chance!"

"Zhu Xizhong has already fled back to Wuchang Prefecture overnight. I hear Wu Jinghe has also rushed back. They are overwhelmed just trying to save themselves. What time do they have to bother with us?"

"I do not plan to strike now. But once we have passed this crisis, this prince will settle the score of the Residence of Prince Lishan with the Residence of the Duke of Cheng!"

"Rest assured. Now, as long as we unite and pressure Hai Rui and the others, we will certainly drive them out of Huguang."

He was naturally confident.

With the affair at the Jing residence, this was no longer a matter the Imperial Commissioners could handle alone.

After all, the story of the Prince of Xiang stained the emperor's sagely virtue!

Did these ministers intend to place the current young emperor in the same position as Emperor Jianwen?

They could only end this with a whimper, appease the Imperial Clansmen, and clear the emperor's name.

In that case, sooner or later, he would have his revenge on the Residence of the Duke of Cheng!

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Dingyao felt his hand grasped even tighter.

He looked at Zhu Dingjiong, only to see him shaking his head in disagreement.

Zhu Dingjiong forced himself to sit up, coughing violently twice.

After catching his breath, he said weakly, "This affair was, eight parts out of ten, done by Zhu Xiankuan."

"Back then, we were merely instigated by that royal uncle of ours, just beating the drum for him. Now that the Imperial Commissioner has traced it to him, he had no choice but to strike viciously to save himself."

"But, following him last time was one thing. This time, we cannot follow his lead again."

Those Imperial Commissioners might not be entirely without recourse.

Furthermore... Zhu Xiankuan had struck so ruthlessly at the Jing residence; there was no reason to believe that this Prince of the Chu Princedom would care about the interests of their Min Princedom.

There was no need to pull chestnuts out of the fire for him.

Zhu Dingyao frowned. "Your meaning is..."

Zhu Dingjiong gripped the Prince of Min's hand tightly, his tone growing more earnest. "Your Highness, the Central Government is reducing the fiefdoms. First one, then another."

"We do not know if this is the emperor's will or the Grand Secretariat's idea. If it is the latter, it is of no consequence. But if it is the former... who knows how many years he has left to live?"

"Seize this opportunity, and pull free of this!"

Zhu Dingyao remained silent.

Zhu Dingjiong knew his cousin's stubbornness. He wished to persuade him further, but his body was failing. He could only say what was most important.

He was grievously injured and his voice grew hoarse. "Your Highness, seize this chance. Submit a memorial at once, exposing the Commandery Prince of Lishan for raising water bandits and colluding with the Miao soldiers!"

"Your Highness was deceived by him and knew nothing of it, but you bear the crime of failing to observe. Voluntarily request to have your title stripped and your stipend removed!"

Zhu Dingyao was utterly astonished.

His face was full of confusion as he blurted out, "Why!?"

Zhu Dingjiong was growing dizzy and could only speak quickly. "Your Highness, based on what Wu Jinghe did at the Residence of the Prince of Yueyang, you should be able to see his methods."

"The stipends of the future will certainly not be issued as before. If they are to be removed, let them be removed."

"As for stripping the title of Prince of the Blood, it is merely a gesture. It may not truly be stripped."

He spoke to the end, then leaned his head back in pain, rubbing his brow. "Besides, as long as you keep the princedom, being a Commandery Prince is just the same!"

Since the Residence of the Prince of Yueyang had already opened its commerce, the privileges of a title might no longer be so important.

As he thought, his mind grew more chaotic.

He forced his eyes open, only to see the Prince of Min frowning in deep, hesitant thought.

Zhu Dingjiong could restrain himself no longer. He practically threw himself upon the Prince of Min, adopting a posture of kowtowing. "Second Brother! I have exhausted my heart and blood for the Min Princedom, plotting for decades! You and I have been of one mind, and you have followed my counsel in all things!"

“Now I am broken, my spirit spent, the last drops of oil in my lamp gone. On this final matter—must you truly betray your brother’s trust?”

His voice was filled with tears, sharp and mournful.

He looked as if he would not rest until he agreed.

Zhu Dingyao could not bear it. He quickly comforted him, "I will listen to you! I will listen to you!"

He helped the man back onto the bed, speaking softly. "I will listen to you. I will not make any more trouble."

"Jiong-di, rest well and recover. You will slowly get better. There will be plenty of time for you to plan in the future."

His Highness the Prince of Min offered comfort for a long time, finally soothing Zhu Dingjiong, who soon fell asleep.

Only when the room was filled with the sound of Zhu Dingjiong's ragged breathing did Zhu Dingyao slowly back out.

Once outside, the gentle look on his face vanished, replaced instantly by a mask of grief and fury.

He muttered to himself, "I can follow you on other matters. But your revenge... If I had no chance, fine. But now, if this prince does not avenge you, what was the point of you putting me on this throne?"

His mind made up, he strode away with purpose, his steps quick.

Want to read ahead? Join as a Pledge Member on Patreon to access content before anyone else.

If you are enjoying the story, please leave a 5 rating on Novel Updates!

[Dossier]

[Index]

[Prev] || [Next]