Chapter 056: The Southern Migrants Are Executed

After the midday meal, the court session resumed.

That morning, the debate over relocating the capital had reached an impasse, greatly delaying the proceedings. Thus, when the session reconvened at noon, Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu, reminded the ministers to promptly present a resolution.

At this moment, Zhu Qiyu appeared much more composed. Earlier, Cheng Jing had returned to the palace with the Board of Astronomy’s interpretation of the “Mars encroaching upon the North Star” omen; the court astronomers maintained that Xu Cheng, being a Hanlin official untrained in astronomical divination, was not to be trusted in such matters.

Compared to Xu Cheng, Zhu Qiyu placed greater faith in the Board of Astronomy—professional matters should be left to professionals, after all. A Hanlin scholar ought to concern himself with essays, not presume to usurp the duties of the astronomers. Wasn’t this simply overstepping?

Following Zhu Qiyu's remarks, the relocation and war factions erupted into fresh argument. Xu Cheng watched coldly from the sidelines, not joining the fray, but inwardly he calculated that if he pressed a little harder, he could sway both Prince Cheng and the neutral officials. With their support, the war faction would be of no concern, and the matter of relocating the capital would be settled as a matter of course—gaining him unprecedented fame.

“Silence!”

Seeing that the ministers were on the verge of an outright shouting match, the supervising censor was compelled to intervene and restore order.

Seizing the opportunity, Xu Cheng stepped forward and declared with righteous conviction:

“Your Highness, first there was the movement of the stars in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure; then a meteor fell upon the capital; and just days ago, the disastrous omen of Mars obscuring the North Star appeared. These three signs together clearly show that Heaven’s mandate has departed from our Great Ming. Only by moving the capital south can we avert calamity. I urge Your Highness to decide swiftly—otherwise, when the Oirat army arrives, our dynasty will be in peril!”

Xu Cheng’s pronouncement brought silence to the hall for a few heartbeats. The ministers all turned to Zhu Qiyu, awaiting his decision.

Just as Zhu Qiyu was about to speak, a thunderous voice rang out across the hall: “Your Highness, I believe that Hanlin Xu’s words are untrustworthy!”

All eyes turned to see the Left Vice Minister of War, Yu Qian, step out and stand beside Xu Cheng.

On Zhu Qiyu’s prior instruction, Cheng Jing had discreetly informed Yu Qian of Xue Rui’s proposed strategy. Zhu Qiyu understood what Yu Qian intended to do and played along, asking, “Vice Minister Yu, what would you say?”

Yu Qian glanced at Xu Cheng, then addressed Zhu Qiyu: “Your Highness, I wish to ask Hanlin Xu two questions.”

Confronted by an official of higher rank, Xu Cheng showed no fear. With calm composure, he replied, “If you have any questions regarding the celestial phenomena, sir, please ask. I will answer to the best of my ability without holding anything back.”

But Yu Qian did not ask about the heavens. Instead, he inquired, “Has Hanlin Xu ever read the Great Ming Code?”

“Of course I have. As an official of the Ming, if one does not even know our laws, how can one set an example for the people?”

Xu Cheng saw his chance to impress and straightened his back, replying with upright fervor.

This was precisely the answer Yu Qian awaited. He raised his voice and pressed, “Then let me ask: According to the Great Ming Code, except for officials of the Board of Astronomy, no one may privately study astronomy or possess forbidden astronomical texts. The penalty is one hundred strokes. Hanlin Xu previously claimed to be well-versed in astronomical divination—did you learn this in the Hanlin Academy?”

Yu Qian, whom Xu Cheng had expected to cite ancestral tombs or grain stores as reasons not to move the capital, had instead taken an unexpected tack, questioning the legitimacy of Xu Cheng’s knowledge of astronomy. The inquiry caught Xu Cheng off guard.

Flustered, Xu Cheng stammered, “N-no, of course not.”

In truth, since the founding of the dynasty, many statutes had gradually relaxed and were no longer strictly enforced. Nowadays, private study of astronomy was hardly a serious offense; even the Board of Astronomy, when short-staffed, recruited talented amateurs from among the people. If not for such private study, where would new talent come from? Even Xue Rui’s father, Xue Yuanhao, had been recruited through unofficial channels during the third year of the Zhengtong era, illustrating just how lax the rule had become.

However, studying was one thing—few would openly flaunt their expertise as Xu Cheng had. That was rare indeed.

Yu Qian gave Xu Cheng no time to collect himself, pressing further, “If the Hanlin Academy did not teach you, then did you study on your own?”

Xu Cheng instantly grasped Yu Qian’s implication, his expression changing dramatically. If he held to his claim, it meant he had privately studied astronomy and possessed forbidden texts. Even if the court accepted the proposal to move the capital, the war faction could seize on this to punish him with two hundred strokes, which would surely end his life.

But to save himself, he would have to repudiate his previous claims—publicly admitting fault and destroying his own reputation. What face would he have left to serve as an official?

Under the predatory gaze of the war faction, Xu Cheng ultimately chose survival. He dropped to his knees with a thud, his head nearly hitting the floor, and pleaded:

“Your Highness, forgive me! In truth, I do not understand the art of astronomical divination, nor have I ever studied it. I only heard some rumors and found the theory of celestial omens persuasive. My suggestion to move the capital was made out of loyalty, a heart as clear as the sun and moon. If I have erred, I beg Your Highness’s pardon!”

Zhu Qiyu had not expected him to so brazenly recant his previous stance and found it somewhat amusing. He deliberately asked, “Then, in your opinion, Hanlin Xu, what do these celestial omens signify?”

Having just been caught, Xu Cheng had learned his lesson and dared not say more. He quickly replied, “Your Highness, I do not know. The Board of Astronomy is responsible for interpreting such phenomena. Let the officials of the Board offer their explanation.”

Zhu Qiyu, a little disappointed at not having teased Xu Cheng further, exchanged a glance with Cheng Jing. Cheng Jing stepped forward and announced to the ministers:

“Earlier, His Highness sent me to the Board of Astronomy. The astronomers all agree that the omen of Mars encroaching upon the North Star concerns the Oirat Taishi, Esen, and His Majesty. It has nothing to do with the safety of the capital. You may all be at ease.”

“So that’s how it is!”

“If that’s the case, then the capital is safe?”

“Curses—so that villain Esen really dares to threaten His Majesty!”

The officials murmured among themselves at the Board’s interpretation. Once quiet returned, Zhu Qiyu turned to Yu Qian, who had so deftly resolved the relocation issue, and asked, “Vice Minister Yu, do you have anything further to say?”

Yu Qian glanced at Xu Cheng and declared forcefully, “Your Highness, the situation is perilous. I urge you to quickly summon loyal troops from all regions to defend the capital. Any further talk of moving south should be punished by death!”

Xu Cheng trembled in fright; had he been standing, his legs might have given way.

At this moment, Hanlin Academician Xu Xun stepped forward to plead on his colleague’s behalf:

“Your Highness, although Hanlin Xu spoke out of turn, his heart is loyal to the state, which Heaven and Earth can attest. Moreover, we are in desperate need of capable men. I ask Your Highness to pardon him, allowing him to atone through meritorious service.”

As Zhu Qiyu was only acting as regent and Xu Cheng and the others were his elder brother’s subordinates, there was no need to make enemies among the scholar-officials. With magnanimity, he declared:

“Hanlin Xu, rise. Since your advice was intended for the good of the court, I will pardon you this once. Hereafter, mind your words and do not speak recklessly. Do you understand?”

Xu Cheng, trembling with fear and gratitude, replied, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your mercy. I will remember this always!”

As he returned to his place, Xu Cheng felt the scornful gazes of the other ministers, his heart nearly breaking. After years of building his reputation in the Hanlin Academy, he had become a laughingstock in a single day…