Chapter 053: The Inquiry by the Palace Official

Xue Rui had recently been studying the situation at court and was quite familiar with Cheng Jing, the inner official close to Zhu Qiyu; thus, he immediately recalled the man’s identity.

“So it is Eunuch Cheng in person. I was rude just now—please forgive me, Sir,” Xue Rui quickly apologized once he was sure the man was not an enemy.

Cheng Jing smiled amiably. “Then may I ask, can you now tell me whether the register for July is in the hands of the Chief Astrologer?”

“The July register is indeed with the Chief Astrologer. If you wish to see it, I can fetch it for you immediately.”

Cheng Jing was Zhu Qiyu’s confidant and naturally stood in opposition to Wang Zhen’s faction. If he sought this register, it was likely with the intent to settle accounts after autumn, uprooting Wang Zhen’s partisans entirely.

Yet events took an unexpected turn.

Cheng Jing shook his head, drew a booklet from his sleeve, and raised it slightly. “I did not come today for the July register, but rather for this one from August.”

When he arrived earlier, Cheng Jing had already asked Xu Dun to bring him this year’s register for review.

The supervising officials all believed the court intended to purge Wang Zhen’s followers. Peng Deqing was among the eunuch faction, so he claimed the July register might be with the Chief Astrologer, prompting them to summon Xue Rui for questioning.

But to everyone’s surprise, Cheng Jing produced the August register. For a moment, everyone was at a loss.

Seeing their confusion, Cheng Jing explained, “Earlier I visited the Observatory and obtained this month’s register. There is a celestial record here of great significance. Please, gentlemen, take a look.”

The officials all crowded around. When they turned to the entry from the day before yesterday, the striking astronomical record nearly made their hearts stop.

On the night of the sixteenth of August, during the dusk hour, Mars trespassed upon the circumpolar stars!

Since ancient times, the trespass of any star upon the circumpolar constellations was an event of grave importance, touching upon the stability of the imperial throne. Once such a phenomenon was observed, it was to be reported immediately.

Yet, for such a critical omen, the officials of the Astronomical Bureau were completely unaware!

Xu Dun and the others broke out in a cold sweat.

Swallowing nervously, Xu Dun instructed a clerk at the door, “Go quickly to the Chief Astrologer’s office and see whether a register from the Observatory for August has been delivered.”

After a short wait, the clerk returned with a register, the cover clearly marked “August.”

At the sight of it, Xu Dun and his colleagues felt a chill run through their hearts.

Ever since news of the defeat at Tumu Fortress arrived, unrest had gripped the officials of the Bureau. Many had taken leave to help their families escape the city. The August register should have been submitted to Hu Zhong for review, but Hu Zhong had been on leave for several days. By custom, it ought to have been presented to the bureau’s senior officials for collective review. Whether through oversight or ignorance of the rules, the person delivering the register simply left it in Hu Zhong’s office without handing it over to anyone.

The officials had just reported for duty today and had not thought of the register at all. It was only Cheng Jing’s reminder that brought it to mind.

With looks of alarm, Xu Dun and the others rose to their feet and begged forgiveness: “Eunuch Cheng, please forgive us. Many of our colleagues have recently lost family and taken leave, which delayed the review of the register. As senior officials, we cannot shirk our responsibility and are willing to accept any punishment from the court.”

“Please be seated, gentlemen,” Cheng Jing said reassuringly. “I did not come with this register to assign blame, only because certain changes have arisen at court related to the celestial sign on the sixteenth of August. His Highness therefore instructed me to seek the opinion of the Chief Astrologer and clarify the matter.”

The officials sat uneasily, asking what had occurred at court.

Cheng Jing’s explanation brought them to realization.

At this morning’s court session, Prince Cheng presided on behalf of the emperor, and all officials of rank six and above were required to attend. Yesterday morning, Prince Cheng Zhu Qiyu, Yu Qian, and other ministers had met with Empress Dowager Sun in the Cining Palace and resolved to defend the capital at all costs.

But as soon as the court conference began, a large contingent of officials petitioned to move the capital to Nanjing. The opposition disagreed, and both sides engaged in fierce debate, plunging the session into stalemate.

At this critical juncture, Hanlin Lecturer Xu Cheng stepped forward. He recalled that before the army’s departure, the former Chief Astrologer Huangfu Zhonghe had memorialized, noting the shifting of the Ziwei star and a meteor falling in the capital—both ominous signs, inauspicious for military action, and urged the emperor not to lead the campaign himself.

Alas, the emperor, misled by the powerful eunuch Wang Zhen, insisted on going to war, which led to the imperial disaster. In retrospect, recent events seemed to fit the predictions of the celestial signs.

Moreover, there were rumors in the capital that Xue Yuanhao, disciple of the Chief Astrologer, had previously warned Duke Yingguo that the portents indicated he would not return alive if he accompanied the army.

Now it appeared that both prophecy and omen had come true, lending credence to these celestial warnings.

The first event was widely known; the second had circulated among officials in recent days, though few understood Xu Cheng’s purpose in raising it now.

While the officials pondered, Xu Cheng proclaimed loudly, “The night before last, I observed the heavens and saw Mars trespass upon the circumpolar stars for three divisions of time. I consulted all the augury books and found they unanimously warned that such a sign foretells warfare in the capital. Heaven’s mandate has departed; only by moving south can we avoid disaster. I urge the court to consider carefully.”

The hall erupted into commotion.

Celestial omens were held in the highest regard; the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang placed great faith in them and wrote in the Astronomical Bureau’s edict, “Heaven and earth speak not, but reveal themselves through signs, which the ruler must revere and fear.”

Zhu Yuanzhang even personally studied the art of observation, often discussing celestial phenomena with Grand Historian Liu Ji. Emperor Renzong was also adept in this field and built a private observation terrace within the palace, frequently comparing his own observations with the Bureau’s records.

Now, Xu Cheng used the very metaphysics in which both the founding emperor and Renzong had believed to argue for the necessity of relocating the capital. The opposition was left speechless.

At this moment, Censor Xu Dong stepped forward and addressed Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu: since Xu Cheng was not an official of the Astronomical Bureau, who could vouch for his calculations? With no report from the Bureau, who could say if this omen was genuine?

The ongoing debate over moving the capital weighed heavily on Zhu Qiyu, who was already somewhat swayed. The Oirat forces were formidable, and defending the capital seemed nearly impossible. If they moved to Nanjing, he could escape the battlefield and perhaps live a few more days as a carefree prince. If he stayed to defend and the enemy breached the city, he would be the first to die.

Hearing the ministers invoke metaphysics, Zhu Qiyu thought that Hu Zhong, as Chief Astrologer, had decades of experience, and his disciple Xue Yuanhao seemed talented as well. It would be best to consult master and disciple before making a decision, so he dispatched Cheng Jing in person.

For certainty, Cheng Jing first went to the Observatory to obtain the register and confirm the celestial event on the night of the sixteenth of August. Only then did he seek out Hu Zhong and his disciple.

By misfortune, Chief Astrologer Hu Zhong was seriously ill and on leave, while Xue Yuanhao had been imprisoned by imperial order. Xu Dun, mistaking Cheng Jing’s purpose to be the search for evidence of Hu Deqing’s collusion with Wang Zhen, had summoned Xue Rui instead.

Hearing the officials’ analysis, Xue Rui was deeply shaken.

For in the original history he knew, no one at today’s court session mentioned Xue Yuanhao advising Zhang Fu.

In other words, the history he was so familiar with had subtly changed today.

PS: Many readers have noted the novel’s lack of content on celestial phenomena, which seems inconsistent with the title and synopsis. A brief explanation: in ancient times, astronomy and calendrical science primarily served the emperor’s rule. The work of Astronomical Bureau officials was not purely academic, but often intertwined with political events. Because the protagonist comes from humble origins, it would be unrealistic for him to immediately participate in celestial observations, so such content has been sparse thus far. The earlier chapters focused on resolving crises and laying the groundwork for what is to come. Owing to my limited skill as an author, I have not yet presented the most exciting material. I apologize for this. From this chapter onward, the protagonist will step onto the main stage, using his knowledge of astronomy to face new challenges. The story will only become more thrilling. Lastly, thank you to all readers who have made it this far, and to those who have voted, rewarded, or offered valuable feedback—my deepest gratitude to you all!