My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 626 Xue Guoguan Retires!

Xue Guoguan paused, then looked up.

Zhu Cilang had straightened up slightly from behind his desk, one elbow casually resting on the armrest, the fingers of his other hand lightly tapping the smooth tabletop. He looked at him calmly, the faint smile on his lips still lingering.

"Does it have to be in such a hurry?"

Zhu Cilang spoke, his tone still calm, as if he were discussing the weather.

"I haven't even warmed my seat yet. Is Grand Secretary Xue already impatient?"

These words were spoken casually, even with a touch of mockery, but to Xue Guoguan, every word was clear as a morning bell.

He felt a chill run down his spine, then relaxed.

The new emperor was indeed astute; he had seen right through my thoughts long ago. Good, it saved me from all that feigned intrigue and probing.

He no longer tried to kneel, but instead changed his posture from bowing down to a deep bow, almost to ninety degrees.

This gesture is both a subject's courtesy to his monarch and an old minister's respect for his former and benefactor.

He remained bowed, his voice aged yet clear, echoing in the quiet, warm chamber:

"Your Majesty's wisdom shines brightly, and your understanding extends far and wide. This old minister... dares not deceive Your Majesty."

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of genuine weariness and感慨:

“This old minister is truly old. My energy is not what it used to be, my hearing and eyesight are failing, and my legs are not very nimble. In the past, when Your Majesty was in charge of the country, this old minister could still rely on Your Majesty's divine power to manage some trivial affairs. But now…”

He raised his head and looked at Zhu Cilang, his old eyes filled with a complex expression—a mixture of relief, pride, and a hint of melancholy in the twilight of a hero.

"Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne and reigns supreme over the world, you have absolute power and authority. The new dynasty is full of vitality and vigor. It is the time to realize your grand ambitions and reform the old order. Your Majesty needs capable and energetic officials like Hong Hengjiu who are in the prime of their lives and can shoulder great responsibilities, and capable ministers like Sun Baigu who are ambitious and knowledgeable in military affairs, rather than old ministers like you who are like rotten wood and withered stumps."

He bowed deeply again, his words extremely earnest:

"Your Majesty, this old minister's withered bones can no longer occupy this position, merely holding a post without performing its duties, wasting salaries, and hindering the nation's grand plan of selecting virtuous and capable officials. I humbly beg Your Majesty to have compassion on this old minister's declining health and grant me permission... to return to my hometown to live out my remaining years. These are my heartfelt words, without any pretense, and I humbly beg Your Majesty's wise decision!"

After speaking, he remained bowed, motionless, as if he would not get up unless Zhu Cilang agreed.

The warm pavilion fell silent again.

The chirping of birds outside the window sounded particularly crisp. The sunlight moved, lengthening the shadows of the window panes and falling onto the gleaming gold-brick floor.

Zhu Cilang gazed silently at the elderly, white-haired minister before him, bowing deeply, and remained silent for a long time.

The teasing smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a deep calm and a barely perceptible hint of emotion deep in his eyes.

He remembered many things.

I recalled how, in the later years of the Chongzhen reign, this old minister struggled to maintain the situation amidst factional infighting and national decay; I recalled how, at the beginning of my rebellion, when the court and the public were filled with suspicion, it was this chief minister who took the lead in expressing his support and stabilizing the civil service system.

He recalled that when he was implementing new policies and reorganizing military affairs, Xue Guoguan, although occasionally having doubts, generally cooperated and carried them out.

I also recalled the incident a few years ago, when Xue Guoguan was imprisoned for "accepting bribes" and almost lost his life. It was because of his past merits and the need to stabilize the court that I secretly intervened and managed to save his life...

In every single matter, this veteran official has indeed made contributions and endured hardship.

After a moment, Zhu Cilang sighed softly.

The sigh was soft, yet it seemed to carry weight.

"Never mind."

He spoke, his voice much softer, no longer carrying the invisible pressure he had just felt.

"Your mind is made up to leave, and I... will not be able to keep you here. You have suffered these past years."

These words, though spoken in a plain tone, conveyed a sincere sense of recognition.

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan's body trembled almost imperceptibly. He felt a mix of emotions, including relief at finally being "cleared" to leave, a slight sense of loss at parting from the center of power, and, most of all, comfort from the new emperor's words of "hard work."

However, Zhu Cilang did not finish his sentence.

He leaned forward slightly, placed his hands clasped on the table, and his gaze became solemn and sharp as he looked at Xue Guoguan, slowly saying:

“You have rendered great service to the country. This was true during the Chongzhen reign and during my regency. I cannot allow you to leave disheartened, nor can I allow the loyal ministers and generals of the world to feel that they have served the Ming Dynasty wholeheartedly only to be discarded like birds after the bow is used up and dogs after the rabbit is killed.”

His tone suddenly turned resolute, each word crystal clear, carrying an unquestionable determination:

"Therefore, Xue Guoguan, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, shall be appointed Grand Tutor!"

Grand Tutor! The head of the Three Dukes, the highest honor a subject can bestow!

Xue Guoguan suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock! His lips moved as if he wanted to say something.

Zhu Cilang didn't give him a chance to speak and continued:

"By special decree, Xue Guoguan is permitted to retire with full salary as a first-rank official! From this day forward, his annual stipend of rice and silver will remain the same as his current first-rank position, for the rest of his life!"

"His Majesty!"

Xue Guoguan finally couldn't hold back and cried out in surprise, his voice even changing tone.

"Your Majesty! This...this is unacceptable! Since the Hongwu reign, only a handful of people, including the late Minister of War Shan Anren and Tang Duo, have been granted the special privilege of retiring with full pay! This is a rare honor of the dynasty, and can only be bestowed upon those who are founding fathers of the nation and have made unparalleled contributions! This old minister...this old minister has only made a small contribution, how dare...how dare I compare myself to the likes of Shan and Tang? Your Majesty, this reward is too great, this old minister dares not accept it! I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"

He was genuinely frightened and stunned by this sudden and overwhelming favor.

Retirement with full salary means that after retirement he will still receive the same amount of salary and rice as when he was the Grand Secretary. In the Ming Dynasty, which was extremely particular about the treatment and ranking of officials and often reduced the treatment of retired officials, this was an unprecedented act of great favor!

This is not just about money, but also about status, honor, and the emperor's ultimate assessment of his life's achievements!

Zhu Cilang waved his hand, interrupting his excited words, and looked at him calmly and firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt:

"You can handle it."

These four short words carry immense weight.

He paused, then continued, his voice steady:

"Furthermore, I will order the cabinet to draft a decree, which I will personally approve, bestowing upon you an imperial edict of commendation. It will clearly and meticulously record in black and white all your deeds, from your entry into officialdom during the Wanli era to your service under the Taichang, Tianqi, and Chongzhen reigns, up to the Tianwu reign of this dynasty, serving as an official for decades, stabilizing the court, assisting me, rectifying affairs, and contributing greatly to the nation. It will be written down in the finest brocade, in the most elegant official script, and stamped with my imperial seal!"

He looked at Xue Guoguan and said clearly, word by word:

“You can have this imperial edict engraved on the archway in your hometown to glorify your family; you can respectfully invite it into the ancestral hall and write it into the family genealogy so that the descendants of the Xue family can pass it down for generations and never forget it. This is what you deserve.”

"You deserve it."

The last four words were spoken by Zhu Cilang with exceptional slowness and force, like a heavy hammer striking Xue Guoguan's heart.

A series of honors—the supreme title of Grand Tutor, the tangible guarantee of a full salary upon retirement, and the eternal honor of an imperial edict—struck like three thunderbolts, each more powerful than the last, striking the already turbulent lake of Xue Guoguan's heart and stirring up towering waves!

The scale of this reward is simply... simply comparable to, or even surpasses, that of Zhang Juzheng, who once held immense power and enjoyed great posthumous honors!

But Xue Guoguan asked himself, what virtue or ability do I have to compare myself to Zhang Jiangling?

After a tremendous shock, fear, and even a sense of absurdity, he was overwhelmed with gratitude, which surged like a flood.

He recalled a few years ago when he was imprisoned in a cold and gloomy prison, where his colleagues kicked him when he was down, and the emperor was furious and difficult to offend, and he was almost facing death.

It was Zhu Cilang, who was then the crown prince, who, despite the possibility of getting himself into trouble, ultimately saved his life.

The grace of protecting them is compounded by this extraordinary reward, which will shine for eternity and bless future generations!

The new emperor was like a second life to him!

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, witnessing the fickleness of human nature and experiencing the coldness of human relationships, Xue Guoguan was not a perfect man. He had his own selfish desires and had formed factions, but on matters of principle and crucial choices, he believed he had been worthy of the court and the emperor.

But he never dared to hope for such a rich reward, such a dazzling farewell as he left the stage. The immense emotional impact made this veteran minister, over sixty years old and having served three dynasties, unable to maintain his composure.

All restraint, all concerns, all words seemed pale and powerless at this moment.

He let out a suppressed, almost sobbing sound from his throat, and then—

"thump!"

Xue Guoguan's knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily onto the hard, cold gold brick floor.

He stopped trying to control himself and let the turbid tears well up in his eyes, flowing freely down the deep wrinkles on his face.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Your grace is boundless... This old minister... This old minister..."

He wept uncontrollably and spoke incoherently.

"Back then, this old minister... merely... merely fulfilled his duty as a subject... barely escaping with his life... was already a stroke of luck... how dare... how dare he accept such... unprecedentedly generous reward! Your Majesty's grace in protecting me... your kindness in recognizing my talent... your trust in me... this old minister... even if I were to die nine times... I could not repay... even if... by Your Majesty!"

He cried with genuine emotion, tears streaming down his face.

At this moment, there is no calculation, no weighing of options, only the purest gratitude and loyalty that erupts from the deepest, most tender part of the heart touched by such immense kindness.

These tears were for his arduous yet ultimately successful career, for the new emperor's magnanimity and trust that far exceeded his expectations, and for the relief that he could finally lay down his burdens and return home without regrets.

Zhu Cilang sat quietly behind his desk, watching the white-haired old minister weep bitterly before him, without speaking immediately.

He understood the excitement.

What he wanted was precisely this genuine gratitude.

Only when Xue Guoguan's sobs gradually turned into low whimpers and his shoulders stopped shaking violently did Zhu Cilang slowly get up, walk around the large imperial desk, and stand in front of Xue Guoguan.

Instead of letting Ma Bao help him, he bent down himself and steadily supported Xue Guoguan's trembling arms with both hands.

"Get up."

Then Zhu Cilang patted Xue Guoguan's arm, his tone sincere:

"The Ming Dynasty will not forget your contributions, and neither will I, the Emperor."

"His Majesty……"

Xue Guoguan's voice was still choked with emotion, but his emotions had calmed down considerably, leaving only a heart full of warmth and gratitude.

He bowed deeply once again.

"This old minister...kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty for your boundless grace! This old minister...though I have retired to the countryside, my heart and body will forever belong to the Great Ming Dynasty and to Your Majesty! I will gladly die for any command!"

"well."

Zhu Cilang nodded and smiled.

A moment later, Xue Guoguan got up to take his leave.

Zhu Cilang looked at Ma Bao and said:

"Ma Bao, escort Grand Secretary Xue out of the palace properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ma Bao quickly stepped forward and respectfully led the still agitated Xue Guoguan out of the West Warm Pavilion.

The palace doors closed again, leaving Zhu Cilang alone in the warm pavilion once more.

He slowly walked back to the imperial desk, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction Xue Guoguan had left, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

His bestowing such an extraordinary reward upon Xue Guoguan was certainly a recognition and reward for his personal contributions and a way of repaying him for his support at a crucial moment, but at a deeper level, it was a shrewd political calculation.

Firstly, this was a reward for merit, to thank this veteran official for his stabilizing efforts during the late Chongzhen reign and during his own regency.

Secondly, this is about establishing credibility.

He wanted all the officials in the court and the country to see clearly that he would never mistreat those who served the Ming Dynasty and him, Zhu Cilang, wholeheartedly.

To retire gracefully after achieving success is to have a peaceful end and, more importantly, to gain glory.

This is more effective in winning people's hearts and inspiring those who follow than any empty preaching.

Furthermore, this sets the tone.

Xue Guoguan was the highest-ranking civil official left over from the Chongzhen era.

Such generous treatment of his retirement was tantamount to sending a clear signal of appeasement to all former officials of the previous dynasty:

As long as one is loyal and devoted, regardless of whether one is a new or old official, I will treat them all equally and reward them for their merits.

This can minimize the turmoil caused by the transfer of power and stabilize the political situation.

Finally, this also sets a benchmark and precedent for any possible subsequent wave of resignations.

This allows meritorious veterans to retire with peace of mind, dignity, and honor, handing over their positions to more energetic young people, thus achieving a smooth and orderly transfer of power.

Inside the warm pavilion, the sunlight shifted slightly, illuminating the stack of unfinished memorials on the emperor's desk even more clearly.

Zhu Cilang withdrew his gaze, sat back down in his chair, and picked up his vermilion brush.

Outside the window, birds still chirped merrily, and the May morning light was bright and full of hope.

It was afternoon.

After tidying up briefly, Zhu Cilang headed straight for the Firearms Research Institute.

Before long, the emperor's full entourage, like a majestic and magnificent dragon, appeared not far away.

Leading the procession were burly generals of the Imperial Guards, riding tall horses and gleaming in armor, holding aloft vermilion tiger-head plaques that read "Silence" and "Avoidance."

Following closely behind were colorful sun and moon flags, star flags, Five Sacred Mountains flags, and Azure Dragon and White Tiger flags, fluttering in the wind.

Then came a large band, complete with bells, chimes, drums, and cymbals. Behind them were ceremonial guards carrying golden maces, axes, and ceremonial stirrups, as well as eunuchs and palace maids holding parasols, fans, and whisks.

Finally, there was the magnificent golden chariot of the emperor, pulled by eight pure white horses.

Its majestic power is unparalleled.

This extremely solemn and magnificent procession, symbolizing the highest power on earth, forms a stark contrast to the simple, rugged environment of the Firearms Research Institute, which is even filled with the smell of gunpowder and metal, yet they are strangely integrated together.

Now that he's become emperor, the proper ceremonial regalia must be present! (End of Chapter)