The Crown Prince was only ten years old and incapable of managing state affairs. Though nominally serving as regent, he actually deferred entirely to the decisions of Chief Grand Secretary Gao Gong.
Meng Chong of the Directorate of Ceremonial was Gao Gong's yes-man. With the emperor ill and the crown prince young, Gao Gong's power reached its peak over these two months, growing increasingly arrogant and despotic.
As the Crown Prince's tutor, Gao Gong ought to have participated in the Eastern Palace lectures. However, monopolizing the Grand Secretariat and consolidating authority left him no time to teach the crown prince. He merely paid respects on days ending with three or six. Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, marginalized by him, had nothing to do and spent his days accompanying the crown prince in studies, growing increasingly close to Consort Li.
The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital were no idle hands. Over these two months, they diligently nursed the Longqing Emperor back to health, administering medicine as regularly as meals. After all, the emperor was only thirty-six, in the prime of life. Two months later, he could get out of bed and move about, his face regaining some color.
But the Longqing Emperor, once healed, forgot the pain. Having abstained from women for two months, he craved to break his fast.
Previously, he had suffered a collapse atop a woman, and upon hearing the news, his favored Consort Li rushed over, gathering all the Red Pills and discarding them (destroying the evidence).
When the Longqing Emperor asked Meng Chong for new Red Pills, Meng Chong trembled with fear, kneeling on the ground. "Your Majesty, please spare this servant. Last time Your Majesty collapsed, I nearly lost my life. The physicians said you must not touch the Red Pills again."
Without the Red Pills, he could not approach women, and thus could not father sons. The Longqing Emperor declared, "It's of no consequence. I feel much better. The previous emperor cultivated immortality and consumed elixirs in the Western Garden, yet lived past sixty. In terms of toxicity, the Red Pills are surely less harmful than elixirs. I am still young—can I not outlive my predecessor? Bring me the pills."
Meng Chong had no choice but to present his stock. "Your Majesty has just recovered from a serious illness; you must exercise restraint."
The Longqing Emperor eagerly took one pill and summoned a fresh, delicate beauty... A quarter-hour later, he ordered Meng Chong to bring another pill. Perhaps due to his prolonged illness, one pill was insufficient; he needed a stronger dose.
Meng Chong pleaded in terror, "No, Your Majesty! Taking two pills may harm your health."
The Longqing Emperor retorted, "I do not seek mere pleasure, but to produce heirs for the royal family." His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak; he could not even plow the field, let alone sow seeds.
Meng Chong, a mere puppet whom even Gao Gong could easily control, was powerless to resist the emperor's decree. He provided the second pill.
Upon taking it, the Longqing Emperor soon felt a surge of heat throughout his body, his vigor restored. He was capable once more!
The next day, the Longqing Emperor attended the morning court session for the first time in two months. Rising from bed, his legs felt weak, but he managed to seat himself on the throne. As the officials hailed him with "Long live the Emperor," he raised his right hand. "Rise, my ministers."
His right hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Summoning all his strength, he saw stars. Not only could he not clearly see the faces of the officials, but he also could not distinguish the crown prince seated to his right as regent. Everything before him resembled a painting doused with water, all figures faded and indistinguishable.
While Gao Gong was delivering his report, the Longqing Emperor heard nothing. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and he struggled to maintain composure through sheer will. Yet, being mortal, his ailing body ultimately overcame his resolve. His head lolled to the side, and he fainted on the spot.
At this, all officials began to suspect that the emperor was on his last legs.The Longqing Emperor was critically ill, finally facing reality and making arrangements for his succession in advance. He summoned his ten-year-old crown prince, his most trusted tutor Gao Gong, the prince's instructor Zhang Juzheng, and another Grand Secretariat minister Gao Yi to his sickbed.
He first entrusted the three regent ministers with the imperial decree for guardianship, then presented the succession edict to the crown prince. To the young heir, he instructed:
"I am unwell, and you shall assume the throne. All ceremonial matters shall be handled according to ministry protocols. You must rely on the guidance of the three ministers and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, pursue learning and cultivate virtue, employ the worthy and utilize the capable, avoid negligence, and preserve the imperial legacy."
Upon hearing this, Gao Gong thought the will favored him—the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was like his dog. By controlling both the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate, he would hold ultimate power.
Though inwardly ecstatic, Gao Gong maintained a facade of grief, weeping, "How can a ten-year-old emperor govern the realm? This humble servant will spare no effort, even at the cost of my life, to assist the crown prince!"
So absorbed in his impending absolute authority, Gao Gong failed to notice that Meng Chong, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs' Supervising Eunuch, was absent from the guardianship scene!
Where was Meng Chong?
He had been summoned by Empress Chen to Kunning Palace. As soon as he entered, Wang Daxia closed the main gate. Inside were Consort Li, Feng Bao—Chief of the Eastern Depot, and Wei Caiwei, the Palace female physician!
Meng Chong sensed danger and retreated, but Wang Daxia blocked the exit, leaving him no escape.
The usually gentle Empress Chen sternly declared, "Meng Chong, how dare you! Repeatedly presenting the Red Pill to harm the Emperor's health—do you admit your crime?"
Terrified, Meng Chong knelt. "This servant... could only obey the Emperor's orders. I had no say in the matter."
Consort Li signaled Feng Bao with a glance. Feng Bao stepped forward and announced, "By the Emperor's oral decree: Meng Chong has harmed Us. He is stripped of his position as Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs' Supervising Eunuch and sentenced to death. The Eastern Depot's Chief Eunuch Feng Bao shall concurrently serve as Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs' Supervising Eunuch to protect the crown prince. So ordered."
Wei Caiwei handed the poison to Meng Chong, who refused to drink. "This servant... wishes to see the Emperor. I don't want to die."
Wang Daxia forced the drug down his throat. Soon, Meng Chong lay motionless.
Wang Daxia presented Meng Chong's seal to Feng Bao. "Congratulations, Eunuch Feng, on achieving your wish."
In truth, the Longqing Emperor had never issued such an oral decree for Meng Chong's execution—it was all fabricated.
Until his death, Meng Chong never imagined that the same method he had used—forging imperial decrees with false memorials to save his godson involved in usurious loans—would be employed by Feng Bao, Consort Li, Empress Chen, and others to eliminate him.
The Longqing Emperor's guardianship decree intended for the three Grand Secretariat ministers and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs to jointly assist the young emperor. By eliminating Meng Chong and replacing him with Feng Bao, they secured the Directorate—a crucial asset—for their faction. The Directorate's eunuchs had long resented Meng Chong for his crude, culinary background. Feng Bao's appointment as Chief of the Eastern Depot taking over the Directorate was widely welcomed.
After Meng Chong's death, Empress Chen and Consort Li immediately went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Longqing Emperor had fallen into a coma. To prevent any miraculous recovery where he might call for Meng Chong and expose their scheme, Consort Li sprinkled powder hidden under her fingernail into ginseng soup and personally fed it to the Emperor—another of Wei Caiwei's "craft."
After consuming the soup, the Longqing Emperor never woke again. That day, the 26th of May in the sixth year of the Longqing era, the Emperor passed away.
With the Emperor's death, the urgent tasks were arranging the state funeral and drafting the posthumous title for the Great Departed Emperor (the temporary title used between a ruler's death and the formal bestowal of a posthumous name).As usual, Gao Gong picked up his brush and wrote a posthumous title without consulting the other two appointed ministers, Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi. He then sent it to the Directorate of Ceremonial for mere formality, expecting Meng Chong to affix the seal for immediate implementation.
According to the late emperor's will entrusting his orphaned son, both the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial were to assist the crown prince. Thus, the emperor's posthumous title required joint decision by both institutions.
However, the Directorate of Ceremonial rejected the proposed title, deeming its meaning unfavorable, and requested several alternatives for Empress Chen and Consort Li to consider.
What is happening? Has that fool Meng Chong drunk himself senseless? How dare he reject my proposal! Gao Gong could hardly believe his eyes and went to the Directorate of Ceremonial to confront Meng Chong.
Yet, the person in the Duty Room was not Meng Chong but Feng Bao.
Moreover, Feng Bao currently held the concurrent position of Chief of the Eastern Depot. Eastern Depot agents had layered the Directorate of Ceremonial with protection, showing no fear of Feng Bao.
Gao Gong exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you here?"
Having finally attained the position he long coveted, Feng Bao faced Gao Gong's imposing presence with composure. "By the oral decree of the late emperor, I have been ordered to execute Meng Chong for endangering the imperial health and to assume the role of Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs."
"Impossible!" Gao Gong erupted in fury. "If the late emperor intended to execute Meng Chong, how could it be kept from me? You must have forged the imperial decree to silence a witness!"
"Grand Secretary Gao, why say such things?" interjected Chen Jingji, the duty eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and a trusted aide of Consort Li. "Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Consort were both present when the late emperor issued the oral decree, though the matter remains confidential and undisclosed. Does Grand Secretary Gao doubt the words of the Empress and Consort?"
Gao Gong hurriedly replied, "This subject would not dare."
Chen Jingji continued, "Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Consort are urging for the late emperor's posthumous title. The three Grand Secretaries and the Directorate of Ceremonial must decide promptly to avoid delaying the state funeral."
With the inner court firmly controlled by two women and half a man (Feng Bao), Gao Gong had no choice but to swallow his pride and return to the Grand Secretariat. After discussing with Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi, each of the three drafted two posthumous titles, totaling six, which were sent to the Directorate of Ceremonial for selection.
Feng Bao did not dare decide alone and forwarded them to the Empress's palace for the Empress and Consort to finalize. Empress Chen, now clear about her position, said, "This humble one finds them all suitable but is momentarily overwhelmed. Sister, please choose one.Li Jiubao picked up the vermilion brush and circled the character "Mu" (solemn). "Let it be this one. No more delays—the late emperor's funeral is paramount."
Upon seeing this, Feng Bao immediately sensed that this usually gentle Consort had hidden steel in her softness: everyone knew the Longqing Emperor had died from excessive consumption of the potent aphrodisiac Red Pill, which drained his kidney essence and led to his demise in the company of women. Yet Consort Li deliberately selected the solemn "Mu" as his posthumous title—what irony...
If the Longqing Emperor knew of this in the afterlife, he would likely be shaking his coffin lid in rage.
Feng Bao silently warned himself: Better to offend the Empress than the Consort. When this woman strikes, she destroys both life and spirit without shedding blood!
On the tenth day of the sixth month, the ten-year-old crown prince ascended the throne, adopting the reign title Wanli.
The ten-year-old Wanli Emperor, upon his accession, honored Consort Li as Ci Sheng Empress Dowager and Empress Chen as Ren Sheng Empress Dowager, granting both equal reverence.
Due to the young emperor's age, Ci Sheng Empress Dowager Li Jiubao moved into the Palace of Heavenly Purity, handling all state affairs on behalf of the child emperor. Thus, the imperial power of the Great Ming Empire effectively rested in the hands of Li Jiubao.Every day, Li Jiubao insisted that the Wanli Emperor pay respects to Empress Dowager Chen at the Cining Palace, regardless of weather. The two empress dowagers got along harmoniously, like sisters, jointly maintaining the tranquility of the inner palace.
Just as Gao Gong was about to mobilize his faction to expel Li Jiubao from the Palace of Heavenly Purity on the grounds that the inner court should not interfere in state affairs, Li Jiubao struck first and eliminated Gao Gong.
On the sixteenth day of the sixth month, merely six days after the Wanli Emperor's ascension to the throne, Gao Gong entered the palace to handle Grand Secretariat affairs. As soon as he entered, he was seized by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Wang Daxia guarded the Donghua Gate, ordering the palace gates closed and surrounding Gao Gong's carriage.
Gao Gong roared in fury: "Wang Daxia! I am the Chief Grand Secretary! How dare a mere Embroidered Uniform Guard commander block my path?"
Wang Daxia replied: "By the decree of the Cisheng Empress Dowager, I guard the Donghua Gate. No one may move without authorization."
Feng Bao, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs Supervising Eunuch, emerged with an imperial edict and proclaimed: "By decree of the Rensheng Empress Dowager, Cisheng Empress Dowager, and His Majesty the Emperor: The Grand Secretary Gao Gong has monopolized power and governance, seizing the court's authority for himself, preventing His Majesty from ruling. What are his intentions? Our mother and sons live in fear and unrest. Gao Gong is hereby ordered to return to his hometown in retirement, not permitted to remain!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's face turned ashen, sweat pouring down like rain. He prostrated on the ground, unable to rise for a long time. Eventually, Grand Secretariat member Zhang Juzheng ordered guards to assist him to his carriage to rest.
The edict's phrase "not permitted to remain" meant immediate expulsion from the capital. After hurriedly packing his belongings at home, he was escorted under the supervision of the Embroidered Uniform Guard back to his hometown the following morning.
With Gao Gong gone, Zhang Juzheng became Chief Grand Secretary. Feng Bao and Li Jiubao, all allies on the same side, implemented new policies together, ushering the Ming dynasty into an era of revival.
Grateful and remembering past kindness, Li Jiubao, upon gaining power, rehabilitated the Lu family and restored some of their confiscated properties. Lu Yi and Lu Cai returned from Tieling, while Lu Ying was reinstated as Embroidered Uniform Guard Assistant Commissioner.
However, the Lu residence had become the property of imperial relatives and could not be returned. Having seen through the vanity of fame and fortune, the Lu family moved to the countryside at Sanlitun, retiring from worldly affairs henceforth.
Meanwhile, San Niangzi and Anda Khan of the Mongol Tatar Tribe decided to establish a city on the northwestern border. Upon completion, both Mongols and Ming people could trade freely within its walls. San Niangzi wrote to the Ming court seeking assistance in building the city. Surrounded by green mountains, the city was named Hohhot, meaning "Blue City."
Li Jiubao agreed to help and, in the young emperor's name, bestowed upon Hohhot the name "Guihua City" (City of Civilizing Influence).
Beyond requesting the name, San Niangzi also sent Li Jiubao a secret letter, stating that Anda Khan's health was failing and his sons were circling like tigers. She needed the Ming's support to maintain her power after Anda Khan's passing.
Lu Ying and Ding Wu decided to go to Guihua City to assist San Niangzi, preserving the hard-won peace.
Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei chose to retire and live a quiet life. Wei Caiwei gifted her elder brother and sister-in-law several cartloads of emergency medicines. Wang Daxia chuckled and said: "This time we truly go our separate ways. You all undertake great deeds, but Caiwei and I have grown weary of such a life. We only wish to find a place to live in seclusion within the world, free from excessive worries. Henceforth, let us four reunite in the capital once every ten years."
Ding Wu and Wei Caiwei embraced, both with red-rimmed eyes.Lu Ying said to Wang Daxia, "Even so, you must always be prepared. If I encounter troubles I truly cannot resolve, I will still send someone to seek your help. The Embroidered Uniform Guard needs talents like you and Doctor Wei. The rise and fall of the nation concerns every—"
Before Lu Ying could utter the words "common citizen," Wang Daxia pulled Wei Caiwei onto his horse and galloped away as if fleeing a plague, shouting loudly, "What did you say? I can't hear you! My ears haven't been working well lately! Farewell!"
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