Yu Qian's safe retreat gave the old ministers a reassuring dose of calm. They felt that the Old Zhu family was not as harsh and unfeeling as rumors claimed; this Emperor was someone they could follow.
Then, the Imperial Court launched a new round of officialdom reform. The civil and military officials who had once sheltered beneath Yu Qian's wings were all investigated after losing his protection.
Pan Yun had always doubted Yu Qian's ability to judge people. Yet any group brought together by power and profit, regardless of whether its original intentions were good or bad, would inevitably become a faction once formed—and factions inevitably involved the transfer and struggle for interests.
Even if they called themselves the pure stream, in the eyes of the Emperor, some court officials, and even the common people, they were hardly anything good.
Without Yu Qian's protection, quite a few people fell from power. Naturally, many also took the opportunity to switch camps—either wholly obeying the Emperor or joining Xue Shao's ranks.
Xue Shao replaced Yu Qian as Chief Grand Secretary. The Emperor's control over the court grew stronger, and only then did he come personally to ask Pan Yun to leave seclusion and help him.
Pan Yun asked, "What do you want me to help you with?"
Zhu Jianji said, "Teacher once said that the Ming Dynasty's population is growing rapidly. To feed them, we must develop the economy and technology, using fewer resources and people to create the things they need to survive. Xue Shao can handle the economy. As for technology, I must rely on you, Teacher."
Pan Yun said, "Technological development has never been something one person can sustain. The Ministry of Works, the engineering academy of the Imperial College, the Celestial Master's Mansion, and the academies have all