Chapter 70: Entering the Palace to Offer Counsel

Passing the annual examination was the happiest event since Xue Rui had crossed into this world. If not for being on duty and unable to go out, Xue Rui would certainly have joined Liu Jin and the others at a restaurant for a celebration. Since they couldn’t go, those who had passed the exam could only gather in the canteen and toast one another with water instead of wine.

On the way back to the archives, Xue Rui happened to overhear several astronomy students ahead discussing the matter of a political marriage, and he immediately pricked up his ears to listen. According to them, since yesterday, rumors had been circulating in the capital that the court had resolved to arrange a marriage alliance with the Oirat, intending to marry off a princess in exchange for the emperor’s return.

Those familiar with palace affairs didn't believe it. After all, there were no eligible princesses left in the royal family, so the notion was unfounded. Yet, somehow, the rumor was spreading ever wider in the capital, and now it was the talk of every street and alley. Strangely, the news hadn’t originated from the palace, nor had it leaked from court officials—it had started among the common people and then spread outward. Even the Grand Secretariat only learned of it much later, surprised to find such rumors circulating in the city.

Gao Gu, upon hearing of it, immediately sensed something amiss. Among the thousands of memorials submitted in recent days, only a naive young student from the Bureau of Astronomy had suggested a marriage alliance, which Gao Gu remembered clearly—he had thrown it aside in anger at the time. But now, with the rumor suddenly sweeping through court and city, it seemed likely that someone was deliberately fanning the flames.

“Could someone be creating momentum for a political marriage?” The thought made Gao Gu uneasy, and he hurried to confer with the other two cabinet ministers.

“Is there really such a thing?” Both Chen Xun and the other minister were astonished. In the current situation, a marriage alliance was by no means the best option—if the Oirat caught wind, wouldn’t it signal weakness? If the Oirat saw through the Ming’s predicament, they might well march south immediately, instead of holding the emperor hostage and extorting money.

Recognizing the gravity of the matter, Chen Xun suggested that they immediately consult with Prince Cheng. After the morning court audience, Prince Cheng had returned to his palace. Upon hearing the rumors from the three grand secretaries, he did not react as emotionally as they had expected.

“Your Highness, the Oirat are wolves at heart; a political marriage was only ever a pretext for them. Under no circumstances should we agree!” Gao Gu pleaded earnestly.

The seventy-nine-year-old Miao Zhong also concurred, “Our dynasty has never set a precedent for intermarriage with foreign tribes. If we open this door, both Your Highness and we will be condemned by the people.”

Since the founding of the Ming, envoys from all nations had come to pay homage, and the four corners of the world submitted—this was the dynasty’s era of greatest strength. In such times, Ming subjects were proud and confident, always looking down on the “barbarian” tribes of the steppes. Just days ago, after the disastrous defeat at Tumu Fortress and the emperor’s capture, the entire city had wept in mourning—a testament to the blow suffered by the people.

Fortunately, the court acted swiftly, issuing a series of edicts to stabilize the situation and calm the frightened populace. In recent days, the war faction led by Yu Qian had called for total mobilization, vowing to fight the Oirat to the end—this greatly boosted morale in the capital. Yet now, at this critical juncture, the uproar over a marriage alliance would severely undermine morale.

Those who believed in a marriage alliance would see it as a lifeline and lose the courage to fight with their backs to the wall. Those who opposed it would see it as a sign of the court’s weakness and submission to the Oirat, further eroding their trust in the government. Either way, the controversy would be a grave setback for the upcoming defense of the capital.

Gao Gu and Miao Zhong took turns persuading, but Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu, remained silent throughout. Chen Xun, ever shrewd, observed his reticence and soon guessed his thoughts. He asked, “Your Highness, do you have concerns you cannot speak of?”

“It is Elder Chen who understands me best,” Zhu Qiyu sighed, his face full of bitterness.

The other two ministers paused, then realized that Zhu Qiyu’s silence was not for lack of opinion, but because he dared not voice it. After all, the one taken by the Oirat was the reigning emperor—Zhu Qiyu’s own elder brother. The marriage alliance was intended to exchange for the emperor’s return. As the regent holding the reins of state, if Zhu Qiyu openly opposed the alliance, the Empress Dowager would surely suspect him of plotting for the throne, not wanting his brother returned.

Conspiracy theories find fertile ground in any age. Should such suspicions arise, his position as regent would become untenable, and to avoid suspicion, he would have to resign.

Chen Xun thought it over and said, “Since Your Highness cannot personally reject the proposal, we three will seek an audience with the Empress Dowager and persuade her to abandon the idea.”

Gao Gu and Miao Zhong turned to Chen Xun in surprise. In such sensitive matters, Chen Xun was never quick to take a stance; in crises, he preferred to remain neutral and decide cautiously—just as he had during the recent debate over relocating the capital south.

During that heated debate, as a cabinet minister, Chen Xun had offered no opinion, maintaining complete neutrality. Only after the contest was decided did he step in to smooth things over, even assisting his fellow Hanlin official Xu Cheng—a testament to his tact.

Yet now, faced with an even more sensitive issue, Chen Xun went against his usual caution, risking the Empress Dowager’s displeasure to lead his peers in opposition—leaving Gao Gu and the others puzzled.

In truth, Chen Xun’s proactive stance was for the sake of his own future. During the debate over relocating the capital, he had refrained from taking sides because the situation was fluid; choosing wrongly would jeopardize his prospects. Now, however, with the government’s edicts restoring stability and the city united, defending the capital no longer seemed impossible. In such circumstances, Chen Xun needed to plan ahead.

After the disastrous battle at Tumu, the Grand Secretary Cao Nai and Cabinet Minister Zhang Yi had died for the nation, leaving only three ministers in the cabinet. The position of Grand Secretary would not remain vacant long, and naturally, Chen Xun aspired to it. Yet, his path was not without obstacles: Miao Zhong was his senior, and Gao Gu was better liked at court. Without a standout performance, the grand secretary’s post might go to someone else.

Thus, Chen Xun seized this chance to oppose the marriage alliance. The majority of officials and commoners opposed such an arrangement; by taking a firm stand against the Oirat, he would surely win their support.

After leaving Prince Cheng’s residence, just before boarding his sedan chair, Chen Xun remembered something and asked Gao Gu, “Elder Gao, do you recall that memorial written by the astronomy student from the Bureau of Astronomy, opposing the marriage alliance? It was an excellent piece.”

The memorial Chen Xun referred to was the one Gao Gu had read to him and Miao Zhong; they had all praised it highly. It had only been a day, so Gao Gu naturally remembered. Upon hearing Chen Xun’s question, he replied, “Elder Chen, are you thinking of making use of it?”

“Indeed. While we have many reasons to oppose the alliance, the Empress Dowager also has her own justifications for supporting it. We must be prepared for a war of words. That memorial is well-argued and contains some stirring lines. If the officials model their own memorials on its reasoning, the result will be extraordinary,” Chen Xun said earnestly.

Gao Gu, ever the straightforward man, nodded at once. “Rest assured, Elder Chen. I will copy out Xue’s memorial and see that it is widely distributed!”