Chapter 560: Xu Jie Enters the Grand Secretariat

The study consisted of three connected rooms arranged in a “one bright, two hidden” layout. Ivy and climbing vines covered the exterior walls in thick green layers, giving the place the quiet elegance of a secluded scholar’s retreat. Before the study stretched a grove of bamboo, its emerald stalks swaying gracefully in the wind like slender jade maidens dancing beneath the sunlight. Between the bamboo stood carefully arranged bonsai pines and cypresses, while fragrant herbs circled the stone steps in lush clusters of deep green.

Beneath the window lay a small stone-lined pond. Several golden fish swam leisurely within, their shimmering scales glinting beneath the rippling water, filling the courtyard with lively vitality.

Two of the rooms served as private libraries.

Bookshelves lined wall after wall, packed densely with thousands upon thousands of scrolls and stitched volumes. The faint fragrance of ink and aged paper lingered heavily in the air, enough to reveal the owner’s lifelong obsession with learning.

The remaining room functioned as a reading chamber.

Wood-carved partition screens divided the interior elegantly. Beside the window sat an ink-washing basin usually reserved for cleaning brushes and grinding inkstones. At the moment, however, a wooden board had been placed over it, atop which rested two food boxes from which the rich aroma of freshly prepared dishes drifted enticingly into the room.

The writing desk—normally occupied by brushes, inkstones, paper, and seals—had now been transformed into a banquet table.

Six exquisite dishes and a steaming bowl of soup covered its surface.

Seated across from one another at the desk were two men behaving with the complete ease of lifelong brothers.

Naturally, they were Zhu Ping’an and Zhang Siwei.

This study was Zhang Siwei’s famed Bingzhu Study—its name derived from the phrase “reading by candlelight deep into the night.” The title perfectly reflected Zhang Siwei’s relentless pursuit of scholarship. His reputation as a “true gentleman of broad learning” was inseparable from his habit of studying tirelessly beneath candlelight until dawn.

“Zihou,” Zhang Siwei said seriously as he looked at Zhu Ping’an, “do you realize that your memorial has stirred the waters of the capital completely?”

“Oh, come now.” Zhu Ping’an waved the matter away dismissively. “We’re just sesame-seed-sized officials. What kind of influence could we possibly have? In this capital, you could toss a brick into the street and whoever it hits would probably outrank us.”

As he spoke, he lifted the wine pot and poured Zhang Siwei another cup.

“Enough about me for now,” Zhu Ping’an continued casually. “Tell me instead what’s been happening in the capital lately. I only returned today and know absolutely nothing about the current situation. Start from the beginning.”

Zhang Siwei shook his head with an amused smile before lifting his wine cup respectfully with both hands.

Zhu Ping’an mirrored the gesture.

The two raised their cups high before draining them in one motion.

After setting down the empty cup, Zhu Ping’an quickly picked up a piece of crispy fried pork—golden on the outside and tender within—and popped it into his mouth to suppress the lingering burn of strong wine coating his tongue.

“The capital these past days…” Zhang Siwei sighed as he wiped the traces of wine from his lips, “…has truly been a place of gathering storms and shifting clouds.”

He raised one finger as he began recounting events.

“The first and greatest matter is this: our honored teacher, Lord Xu Jie, has finally entered the Grand Secretariat.”

At these words, his expression became visibly solemn.

“Although Teacher Xu previously enjoyed prominence equivalent to a Grand Secretary, he had never officially entered the cabinet. But ten days ago, His Majesty issued an imperial decree appointing him Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, granting him participation in state affairs.”

The title Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion did not appear especially impressive on paper. In formal rank, it was merely fifth rank—far lower than the lofty title of Minister of Personnel.

Yet its actual power vastly exceeded that office.

After all, this was one of the Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet itself.

Such men possessed authority over reviewing memorials, drafting imperial responses, advising the throne, and participating directly in the empire’s central decision-making. Their influence could shape the political winds of the entire dynasty.

Only the Grand Secretary serving as Chief Grand Secretary—the de facto prime minister—stood above them.

Under normal circumstances, the Ming Grand Secretariat consisted of six members divided between the “Four Halls” and “Two Pavilions.”

The Four Halls referred to the Grand Secretaries of Huagai Hall, Jianji Hall, Wenhua Hall, and Wuying Hall.

The Two Pavilions referred to the Grand Secretaries of Wenyuan Pavilion and Eastern Pavilion.

Anyone holding one of these titles was a cabinet minister of immense authority.

At present, Yan Song himself held the title of Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion.

Though all cabinet ministers technically stood as equals within the Inner Cabinet, the Chief Grand Secretary was unquestionably the most powerful among them—essentially the equivalent of the ancient chancellor. Though the Ming Dynasty had abolished the official title of prime minister, the Chief Grand Secretary effectively wielded that power.

Aside from the emperor himself, the Inner Cabinet controlled the empire’s administrative machinery. And within the Inner Cabinet, the Chief Grand Secretary controlled everything.

Neither secondary ministers nor ordinary cabinet members dared openly challenge the Chief Grand Secretary’s authority.

If the Chief Grand Secretary disliked someone, removing them from the cabinet was often alarmingly easy.

During the Xuande era, for example, Secondary Grand Secretary Chen Shan had attempted to compete with Chief Grand Secretary “Southern Yang” for influence within the cabinet. He had only served two months before offending the Chief Grand Secretary so thoroughly that a single sentence from the latter effectively sent him back home to farm sweet potatoes for the rest of his life.

Of course, under ordinary circumstances even the Chief Grand Secretary could not casually expel cabinet ministers at will.

After all—

the emperor was still watching from above.

Overall, if the imperial examinations represented the leap of a carp through the dragon gate for scholars, then entering the Grand Secretariat represented the same transformation for officials.

The moment one entered the cabinet, it was much like becoming one of the five top Standing Committee members in modern times—an office of immense power at the highest level beneath the throne.

Thus, Xu Jie entering the Grand Secretariat was unquestionably the most earthshaking event currently shaking officialdom.

After finishing, Zhang Siwei looked toward Zhu Ping’an expectantly, clearly waiting to see shock or surprise on his face.

Instead—

he found Zhu Ping’an utterly calm.

Not even slightly surprised.

That reaction startled Zhang Siwei far more than if Zhu Ping’an had gasped aloud.

“Zihou… had you already heard Teacher Xu entered the cabinet?” Zhang Siwei asked strangely. “This is enormous news, yet you don’t seem surprised at all.”

Of course I’m not surprised.

I came from the modern era.

Not only do I know Xu Jie entered the cabinet—I know most of the major events of Ming history like the back of my hand.

And not only that…

I even know that you, Zhang Siwei, will one day enter the cabinet yourself.

You’ll even become Chief Grand Secretary eventually.

Naturally, none of that could ever be spoken aloud.

Zhu Ping’an merely took a slow sip of tea before replying calmly.

“To me, Teacher Xu entering the cabinet was never a matter of if, only when.”

He leaned comfortably back into his chair as he continued speaking in an unhurried tone.

“Ever since Grand Secretary Zhang Zhi passed away from illness two years ago, the cabinet has been left with only Lord Yan Song and Lord Li Ben. Though Lord Yan remains energetic, he is advanced in years, and matters of state cannot be left with cabinet vacancies indefinitely. Naturally, new members had to be added.”

“At present, among the entire court, there are probably no more than five people truly qualified to sit in that seat.”

“And among them, our teacher Xu Jie was the most likely candidate.”

He calmly analyzed the situation one point at a time.

“Teacher Xu serves as Minister of Rites, and historically the Minister of Rites entering the cabinet has practically become convention. Even Grand Secretary Yan Song himself entered the cabinet from that same office.”

“Moreover, during the Gengxu Crisis, Teacher Xu stepped forward at a critical moment and helped stabilize the situation. His actions left a deep impression on His Majesty. Even before formally entering the cabinet, he was already treated with cabinet-level honors.”

“Other than Teacher Xu, the only remaining person with a strong chance would have been Minister of Personnel Li Mo.”

At this point Zhu Ping’an gave a faint smile.

“However, after studying the historical changes of our dynasty’s cabinet appointments, I discovered that no Minister of Personnel has ever entered the cabinet before. I doubt this time would become the exception.”

“Besides…” Zhu Ping’an added meaningfully, “Lord Li Mo and Grand Secretary Yan do not exactly get along. Calling them fire and water would not be an exaggeration.”

“If His Majesty wishes to appoint a cabinet minister, he would certainly consult Grand Secretary Yan’s opinion to some extent. And I highly doubt Grand Secretary Yan would willingly invite his own political enemy into the cabinet.”

“Our teacher, however, is different.”

Before leaving the capital, Zhu Ping’an had attended banquets at the Yan Residence and met Xu Jie there several times. From that alone, it was obvious that Xu Jie’s relationship with Yan Song was far better than Li Mo’s.

“While traveling back to the capital,” Zhu Ping’an continued, “I overheard people at relay stations discussing how unusually busy the postal routes had become half a month ago. Officials from various regions were sending congratulatory gifts to the Yan Residence.”

“I asked around and learned that Teacher Xu had brought one of his nieces from the Xu family in Nanchang to the capital and married her to Yan Shifan as a concubine.”

At this point, Zhu Ping’an shifted into a more comfortable posture in his chair before concluding calmly:

“So Teacher Xu entering the cabinet…”

“…was entirely expected.”

Throughout Zhu Ping’an’s analysis, Zhang Siwei had unconsciously straightened his back.

His eyes never left Zhu Ping’an’s face for even a moment.

Shock.

That was the only emotion left in his heart.

He had always known Zhu Ping’an was intelligent—

but he had never imagined his political instincts could be this terrifyingly sharp.