Chapter 67: As the Act Went On, Real Feelings Emerged

The Kong family father and son were thoroughly sidelined by the emperor, and upon hearing the order from outside, the attending eunuch summoned Zhang Zhengchang inside.

Zhang Zhengchang entered with measured steps, and as soon as he entered the imperial study, he prostrated himself in salute.

"Your servant, Zhang Zhengchang, greets Your Majesty!"

"Zhang Zhengchang, if I recall correctly, you were in the capital just two months ago. What brings you here again this time?" Zhu Yuanzhang feigned ignorance, though Zhang Zhengchang had already prepared his answer.

"Your Majesty, after returning to Mount Longhu, I entered a meditative state and witnessed the Black Tortoise soaring into the sky. Then, the Supreme Lord bestowed upon me a scripture, ‘The Supreme Lord’s True Classic on the Subtle Wonders of the Microcosm,’ along with a treatise on medicine. I reflected upon this: though I have cultivated the Dao for many years, I never once encountered such immortal fortune until after I met Your Majesty, when I was granted this transmission from the Supreme Lord!

"This destiny is not mine alone, but Heaven’s gift through my humble self to Your Majesty—the medical treatise is for you. This is a sign that our Great Ming is destined for eternal prosperity and boundless blessings!"

His words left those present with varied expressions. Xu Da furrowed his brow but said nothing. The Kong father and son cursed Zhang Zhengchang inwardly for his shamelessness—could he truly spout such nonsense?

Since ancient times, Daoists presenting auspicious omens was an overused act, so much so that few believed such claims anymore. In other words, if someone else had brought a so-called omen, perhaps it could be overlooked. But after the Zhang family had just been reprimanded by the emperor, they still rushed to present auspicious signs? Anyone with a discerning eye could see Zhang Zhengchang’s transparent ambitions; the Kong father and son privately despised his character.

Though the Zhang and Kong families were both great houses, the Kong family now found it shameful to be mentioned alongside the Zhangs. Even if one wished to present an omen, could Zhang at least choose a more thoughtful name? "The Supreme Lord’s True Classic on the Subtle Wonders of the Microcosm"? It sounded more like a Buddhist scripture than a Daoist one.

"Oh!" The emperor and Zhu Biao were already well aware of the so-called scripture and had trouble suppressing their amusement. That rascal Zhang Yi was truly audacious, forging a scripture as easily as he spoke, with no fear of the gods above.

Zhu Yuanzhang had the scripture and medical treatise brought forth and, with great ceremony, began to peruse them. He might have remained unmoved, but after reading, his expression became deeply affected.

"Master Zhang, this is no matter for jest. Are the methods described in these books genuine?"

"Your Majesty, before coming to the capital, this humble Daoist already verified them. They are absolutely authentic. There was an outbreak of plague at the foot of Mount Longhu, which was identified as smallpox. All those on the mountain used the method bestowed by the Supreme Lord to inoculate the people, and none who received the treatment suffered from smallpox!

"Your Majesty, this method truly has the power to rid our land of smallpox forever! This is Heaven’s way of rewarding Your Majesty for your unparalleled achievements in driving out the Mongol invaders and restoring our Han homeland. For your virtue, Heaven has bestowed this sweet dew—Your Majesty’s virtue indeed rivals that of the greatest emperors of history..."

"For centuries, our Han people were ruled by foreign powers. Countless ancestors marched north in campaign after campaign, only to fall along the way. The bones of our forebears lie buried in the soil of the northern banks, their heroic souls wandering there still, day and night longing for a wise ruler to set foot in the North, to grasp a handful of earth and tell those fallen spirits: ‘The land of the Han has been reclaimed by the Han!’

"Your Majesty, you have come too late..." Zhang Zhengchang, overcome with emotion, burst into loud, unrestrained sobs.

Everyone present was struck dumb. Was it truly necessary to go to such lengths for flattery? Yet, none among them were easily fooled. Upon careful observation, they realized that Zhang Zhengchang’s tears were genuine.

His weeping fell like blades upon the Kong father and son, each word cutting deep. Yet, to Zhu Yuanzhang, the iron-willed emperor, Zhang’s grief touched something soft within his heart.

"Yes, I have come too late..." Zhu’s eyes grew moist. Though he knew Zhang’s performance was in part a show, his words were not without truth.

Those ancestors whose bones were left in the North had waited far too long for a Han regime to reclaim the land. The grace of a gentleman lasts five generations, but the division between North and South had dragged on far longer. Centuries had sufficed to turn Han people from North and South into strangers, even enemies.

Zhu recalled Zhang Yi’s words about historical destiny, and his heart grew heavy, burdened with immense pressure.

"Xu Da..." Zhu Yuanzhang called Xu Da’s name in a low, grave tone.

"Your servant is here!" Xu Da answered, kneeling immediately.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked heavenward at a forty-five-degree angle and took a deep breath.

"Transmit my decree: henceforth, whenever our Ming army sets foot in the North, after every battle, the entire army shall stand in solemn silence, in my name, to comfort the spirits of our ancestors. Tell them that the armies of the Han have come; they may rest in peace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"And moreover, from every battlefield, bring me a handful of earth back to the capital. When the foreign invaders are finally driven beyond our borders by our iron cavalry, I shall personally offer sacrifices to Heaven and to the spirits of our ancestors!"

"Your servant will remember your command, never daring to forget!"

Xu Da knelt and bowed three times, knocking his head to the floor nine times. The dull thuds echoed through the chamber, each one striking the hearts of all present. At that moment, not only Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Zhengchang were on the verge of tears; even Xu Da’s tiger eyes were red with emotion.

The most awkward of all present were Kong Kejian and Kong Xixue. Every passing moment in the imperial study was a test of their composure.

"Beloved Minister Zhang, rise quickly!" Zhu Yuanzhang, having subdued his own emotions, now looked upon Zhang Zhengchang with increasing favor. Comparison is always the thief of joy: had Zhu heard these words in another context, he might have been less moved. But after the Kong family’s earlier display of self-interest, old Zhang seemed all the more pleasing. They were both scions of great families—how could the difference be so stark?

"You live outside the world, yet your heart is with the people. The Zhang family is truly admirable. If everyone were as you are, why should we fear that the Northern Campaign would not succeed?"

"Your Majesty, my family is ashamed. After all, during Mongol rule, we too enjoyed certain benefits..."

"That is not the same, I understand!" Zhu clapped Zhang Zhengchang on the shoulder—a familiarity that made the Kong father and son deeply uncomfortable.

"The Mongols were powerful; to temporarily submit was an expedient. But your family soon pledged itself to the new dynasty. I still remember the bond of destiny that brought you to us. To lie low for a time is no shame; what matters is that, when the time came for restoration, you sided with the Han. Those who clung to the old regime even as we rose—those are the true traitors!"

The emperor and Zhang Zhengchang exchanged words, never naming the Kong family yet never straying far from them. Kong Kejian’s breath grew hurried; rage nearly betrayed his composure.

"I must reward you richly. Yes, for the words you have spoken today, you deserve a great reward!"

Zhang managed a self-deprecating smile. The speech he had just delivered had, in fact, been revised overnight by Zhang Yi. At first, when memorizing it, he had found it cloying and embarrassing. Yet, in the moment, he had somehow become deeply invested, and his emotions had flowed forth sincerely. That feeling, he realized, was not unpleasant at all.

"Ah, and about this inoculation method you mentioned—let us discuss it over a meal. Someone, prepare a banquet! I would like to drink with Minister Zhang. And Xu Da, the Duke of Yansheng shall join us as well!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Unbeknownst to all, the dynamic between the Zhang and Kong families had shifted. The emperor’s attitude was already a slight to the Kong family, yet they dared not utter a single complaint.

Traitors to the Han...

Those words—was the emperor referring to them?

P.S. The editor has notified me that the book will be launched tomorrow, around noon. I’ll look into how to set that up! When it goes live, I’ll do my best to release extra chapters. I hope for the support of all my esteemed readers!