"The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True; Hu Yun Shall Return."
These words quickly spread throughout the Great Ming Dynasty. From the highest-ranking nobles to the lowliest commoners, everyone knew of the message inscribed upon the shooting star.
In the streets and alleyways of the Ming capital, a nationwide guessing game had begun.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The Grand Omen! That massive shooting star… It's made of pure, top-grade Purple Spirit Crystal! Imagine how much it's worth!"
"Hah! Your perspective is too narrow. Pure, top-grade Purple Spirit Crystal is valuable indeed, but the true wealth lies in the message it carries, the will of Heaven conveyed to our Emperor!"
"The will of Heaven? What do you mean?"
"Tsk! You truly know nothing! Let me tell you: 'The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True; Hu Yun Shall Return!'"
"What does it mean?"
"If I knew, I'd be a Grand Secretary in the cabinet!"
"Sigh! I heard the scholars at the Imperial Academy are trying to decipher the meaning of those eight characters, but they can't agree on a single interpretation."
"For example, a scholar surnamed Kong discovered that the character 'Hu' in 'Hu Yun' can actually be written in four different ways…"
…
Great Ming imperial palace.
The massive, egg-shaped, crystal-clear Purple Spirit Crystal stone, weighing over a thousand pounds, was erected beside the Path of Respect, the route all civil and military officials had to take when entering the Golden Luan Palace for an audience with the Emperor.
Emperor Jiajing, in a rare display of imperial authority, had issued a decree, bestowing an official title upon the shooting star – "Lingxiao Supreme Pure Marvelous Unity Purple Spirit Star Official," or "Purple Spirit Star Official" for short.
The Emperor, known for his decades-long absence from court, had made an unprecedented announcement: He would hold court that morning, and no official of the fourth rank or above was permitted to be absent.
Emperor Jiajing intended to discuss a single matter with his officials:
The will of Heaven.
Within the Golden Luan Palace, two burly eunuchs, clearly possessing cultivation, struggled to carry a massive golden plaque. Inscribed upon the plaque were the words: "The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True; Hu Yun Shall Return."
The Emperor's throne was concealed behind a silk curtain, preventing anyone from seeing him. But the officials knew he was seated behind the curtain, listening to their discussions.
"The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True…"
"These words signify Heaven's praise of our Emperor! He is a wise and virtuous ruler, a brilliant and enlightened leader!"
"As the ancient poem 'Jiang Han' states: 'The bright and glorious Emperor, his good name known far and wide, spreading his wisdom and virtue, bringing peace and harmony to the four corners of the land.'"
The speaker was Wu Peng, the current Left Vice Minister of Personnel, a third-rank official.
After he finished speaking, a chime echoed from behind the curtain. The sound was ancient and elegant, its melody evoked a sense of peace and tranquility.
The officials within the Golden Luan Palace knew this was a sign of the Emperor's pleasure.
It was understandable. Most people, hearing praise and flattery, would feel a sense of joy.
Emperor Jiajing was no exception. In fact, he reveled in compliments and flattery, even having them written down and burned as offerings to Heaven, known as "Qingci."
The purpose of "Qingci" was to show Heaven how he, Emperor Jiajing, was praised and admired by the people, proving his virtue and wisdom as a ruler.
"Excellent," Grand Secretary Yan Song, the only person aside from the Emperor permitted to speak freely in the Golden Luan Palace, said. "His Majesty has approved of Vice Minister Wu's interpretation of 'The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True.' All officials should learn from his example."
"Yes!"
The entire court responded in unison. But in their hearts, they felt nothing but envy, jealousy, even hatred towards Wu Peng. Because he was a member of the Yan faction.
The Yan faction currently held immense power. It was only natural that Grand Secretary Yan Song would arrange for his trusted subordinate to answer the Emperor's question regarding the meaning of "The Ming Emperor's Mandate is True."
It was a freebie.
Every official present was a scholar, well-versed in literature and history. They had all read the ancient poem "Jiang Han." They could all offer elaborate and flattering interpretations like Wu Peng.
But they didn't have the opportunity.
Thus, the "muddy stream" officials felt envious, while the "clear stream" officials were filled with jealousy and resentment.
It was an interesting phenomenon.
In the Jiajing era, both the "clear stream" and the "muddy stream" eagerly sought to please the Emperor, resorting to flattery and sycophancy, hoping to catch his attention.
Their moral standing might be different, but their actions were the same.
Wu Peng, kneeling, kowtowed three times before retreating with a smug smile. He was truly delighted. With his stellar performance, he was sure to receive a high score during the upcoming capital inspection.
And as expected, his superior, the Minister of Personnel, would soon be dismissed, sent to a cushy post where he could spend his days tending to birds.
He, Wu Peng, would finally achieve his dream of becoming the Minister of Personnel.
"Now, let us all decipher the meaning of the remaining words delivered by the Purple Spirit Star Official," Grand Secretary Yan Song said.
"Gentlemen, what is the meaning of 'Hu Yun Shall Return'?"
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the official beside him – Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie.
Take the credit for success, delegate the blame for failure.
This was Yan Song's guiding principle.
Xu Jie cursed inwardly, but he also saw this as an opportunity.
Rumors had already spread throughout the capital – Yan Song and his son were planning to rescue Hu Zongxian, sending him to lead the army and retake Yunzhou City.
This charade with the shooting star, the so-called Grand Omen, was undoubtedly their scheme.
As the leader of the "clear stream," Xu Jie had immediately seen through the true meaning of "Hu Yun Shall Return."
But he would never agree. He had to ensure that Hu Zongxian remained imprisoned.
As the Yan faction's most powerful figure within the military, Hu Zongxian's imprisonment was a significant victory for the "clear stream," a blow that had crippled the Yan faction!
Thinking of this, Xu Jie decided to act. Of course, he wouldn't personally intervene.
He simply glanced at the officials, and one of them, understanding his intention, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," Zhao Zhengji, the current Left Vice Minister of Rites, said loudly. "Your subject wishes to offer his interpretation."
Gong!
The chime sounded once more, granting him permission to speak.
Zhao Zhengji performed the grand kowtow before speaking.
"Regarding the phrase 'Hu Yun Shall Return,' your subject believes that 'Hu' refers to the northern barbarian tribes. I have heard that the Bannaji tribe of the grasslands wishes to submit to the Great Ming. They have sent envoys to our court numerous times, offering tribute and behaving as loyal subjects, with great humility."
"As for the character 'Yun,' it refers to Mount Yunmeng."
"Your Majesty has previously issued a decree, summoning the descendant of Guiguzi from Mount Yunmeng to serve the Great Ming. This matter has yet to be resolved."
"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, your words are absolute law. Therefore, Heaven's will is for you to send another envoy to Mount Yunmeng and seek out the descendant of Guiguzi."
"This is your subject's interpretation of 'Hu Yun Shall Return.'"
Xu Jie nodded with satisfaction. His student, Zhao Zhengji, had indeed offered a convincing interpretation, well-reasoned and righteous.
The same character "Yun," the Yan faction hoping to draw a connection to Yunzhou City in the north, while Zhao Zhengji had cleverly shifted the focus to Mount Yunmeng in the south.
A brilliant maneuver!
"Your Majesty!" a voice suddenly came through the hall. "This official disagrees with Vice Minister Zhao's interpretation!"
The voice was arrogant and overbearing, its tone sending a shiver down Xu Jie's spine. He knew the Yan faction's most aggressive fighter had stepped forward.
Junior Grand Secretary Yan Shifan.