The Rise of Xu Jie and the Shadow of Yan Song

In the mid-16th century, the Ming Dynasty was grappling with internal corruption and inefficiency under the long reign of the Jiajing Emperor (Zhu Houcong). The emperor’s preoccupation with Daoist rituals and alchemy left governance largely in the hands of his ministers, most notably the notorious Grand Secretary Yan Song and his son Yan Shifan. Their two-decade dominance was marked by nepotism, extortion, and the suppression of dissent.

When Xu Jie succeeded Yan Song as Grand Secretary in 1562, he immediately signaled a break from this toxic legacy. In his office, he hung a scroll declaring his principles: “Return authority and blessings to the emperor, return administrative duties to their proper offices, and return personnel decisions to public discourse.” This manifesto encapsulated Xu Jie’s mission—to restore integrity to the Ming bureaucracy.

A New Style of Governance

Xu Jie consciously positioned himself as Yan Song’s antithesis. Where Yan had centralized power, Xu collaborated with his deputies like Yuan Wei. Where Yan purged upright officials, Xu promoted talent like Zhang Juzheng, a brilliant statesman-in-the-making. And where Yan indulged in leisure, Xu worked tirelessly, often late into the night, to address state affairs.

His reforms resonated deeply with younger officials, particularly Zhang Juzheng. Though Zhang harbored no personal animosity toward Yan Song, he despised the former Grand Secretary’s passive governance. Xu’s proactive leadership was exactly what Zhang believed the Ming Dynasty needed.

The Mentorship of Zhang Juzheng

Recognizing Zhang’s potential, Xu Jie began grooming him for greater responsibilities. In 1563, he appointed Zhang as deputy editor of the Cheng Tian Da Zhi—a seemingly minor project documenting the Jiajing Emperor’s hometown. While outsiders dismissed the role as insignificant, Xu used it to discreetly elevate Zhang’s influence without attracting backlash. Behind the scenes, Zhang became Xu’s most trusted advisor.

One early test of their partnership came when Xu assigned the reluctant Wu Weiyue to govern Guizhou, a remote and undesirable posting. Wu, who had once mentored Zhang during the imperial exams, was furious. Zhang intervened, persuading Wu that this assignment was a stepping stone to greater things. Wu’s eventual compliance demonstrated Zhang’s diplomatic skill—a trait that would define his later career.

The Jingwang Crisis and the Succession Struggle

The most critical challenge Xu and Zhang faced was the Jingwang succession crisis. The Jiajing Emperor’s fourth son, Zhu Zaijin (Prince Jing), and his third son, Zhu Zaihou (Prince Yu), were locked in a covert rivalry for the throne. Yan Song had openly backed Prince Jing, leaving Prince Yu marginalized—even his stipend was withheld until he bribed Yan.

When the emperor cryptically asked Xu Jie about the historical precedent of Emperor Yongle favoring his second son over the heir apparent, Xu sensed danger. He consulted Zhang Juzheng, who cited two cautionary tales: the rebellion of Zhu Gaoxu (Yongle’s disgruntled son) and the disastrous reign of Emperor Yang of Sui. These examples convinced the emperor to tacitly endorse Prince Yu, though he never formally named him crown prince.

Xu Jie further solidified Prince Yu’s position by appointing Zhang Juzheng as his tutor—a role that positioned Zhang for future influence when Prince Yu eventually ascended as the Longqing Emperor.

The Downfall of Yan Shifan

Despite Yan Song’s removal, his son Yan Shifan remained a threat. Exiled to Guangdong in 1562, Yan Shifan instead retreated to his Jiangxi estate, living lavishly and allegedly conspiring with coastal pirates. When the censor Lin Run investigated, Xu Jie discreetly guided him to expose Yan’s crimes.

Yan Shifan, a man of legendary cunning, attempted to manipulate the trial by spreading rumors that prosecutors should focus on his role in the execution of Yang Jisheng—a martyr whose death had been ordered by the emperor. Recognizing this as a trap (accusing Yan would indirectly blame the emperor), Xu and Zhang crafted an alternate charge: Yan Shifan had built a mansion on land with “imperial feng shui,” implying treason. They also tied him to pirate collaborators.

The strategy worked. In 1565, Yan Shifan was executed, and the Yan clan’s wealth was confiscated. The public celebrated, but Xu Jie remained somber, aware that some might see this as revenge for Yan’s earlier purge of Xia Yan, another reformist minister.

Legacy and Historical Impact

Xu Jie’s brief tenure as Grand Secretary set the stage for Zhang Juzheng’s later reforms under the Wanli Emperor. His emphasis on meritocracy, transparency, and ethical governance contrasted sharply with Yan Song’s venality. The fall of the Yan clan also demonstrated the dangers of unchecked power—a lesson that resonated through the late Ming period.

Yet Xu’s story is also one of pragmatism. His alliance with Zhang Juzheng and his tactical dismantling of the Yan faction reveal the intricate balancing act of Ming politics. As Zhang later reflected, Xu’s actions were driven not by personal vendetta but by a commitment to restoring the dynasty’s moral foundation—a principle that would guide Zhang’s own transformative chancellorship.

In the end, Xu Jie’s reforms were a fleeting bright spot in the Ming’s decline, but they proved that even in a corrupt system, determined leadership could spark meaningful change.