The common folk thought so, but the officials in the hall felt utterly bewildered.
Xu Jie stood at the forefront of the crowd. His eyes had been closed, especially during Yan Shifan's dismemberment. A surge of fury had welled up within him. Since when had imperial examinations, which selected scholars, ever involved such utter humiliation? Was this world solely the possession of the imperial family? Such actions would surely plunge the realm into chaos.
Along with his rage, he was also deeply shaken.
This Prince Jing was undoubtedly a tyrannical figure spoken of in the annals of history.
But upon turning to witness his mourning for Li Chunfang and hearing the deeply moving story he told, which spoke of the aspirations of all scholars who pursued the imperial examinations, it was clear he was no mere arrogant prince relying on imperial might. He possessed a profound understanding of the common scholars. At this moment, his demeanor softened slightly. However, as he turned to see Li Chunfang's memorial hall, he was inexplicably aghast – httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Did this Prince Jing intend to tightly grip the scholars of the realm? To cast all grievances upon Zhu Mo? To equate Zhu Mo with Yan Shifan? And Zhang Juzheng, a paragon of a loyal and capable minister, was to be arrested and killed? He claimed it was to appease the scholars of the realm, but were the scholars merely puppets? They were living, breathing individuals, not the deceased Li Chunfang! This was truly terrifying!
Was this upheaval in the world the work of just one or two individuals? The Western barbarians with their formidable ships and cannons, the rampant Japanese pirates, were these mere figments of imagination? Clearly, the times had changed first, and then came the individuals to respond. Yet, Prince Jing inverted this, making it seem as if one or two people were making it impossible for everyone to live… Was Li Chunfang truly a character from a story or a painting? Did he possess no storms in his life, no human emotions? Was he merely the recluse he described, living in a paradise untouched by the world? A puppet killed for no reason by Zhu Mo, Yan Shifan, and Zhang Juzheng?
Upon reaching this thought,
He carefully observed Prince Jing. He felt that within the young man's profound eyes, a fierce fire seemed to burn. Beneath his humble and polite exterior lay an indescribable hatred…
Xu Jie, a seasoned expert in governing the realm, had weathered countless storms throughout his life. Coupled with his studies in Neo-Confucianism and the School of Mind, he instantly saw through Prince Jing's intentions.
The Doctrine of the Mean states, "Still and unmoving, they perceive and are thereby attuned to all under heaven." But this "perceive" refers to the supreme principle of harmony and balance, which is not a picturesque scene but vibrant life… Prince Jing’s distorted logic, however, stifled vitality and was devoid of any sense of harmony. By acting this way, he would undoubtedly ignite the hidden resentments of all people, quickly unleashing a flood and ferocious beasts…
Furthermore, how could this person be so formidable? Where did he acquire such skills? If he were to launch a southern campaign, he would likely win. Zhu Mo, though perplexing, seemed no match for him. What then would happen…?
He shivered, not daring to contemplate further.
Prince Jing's mastery of Neo-Confucianism and the School of Mind had far surpassed everyone. It was likely due to his years of meditation during his confinement. Indeed, since the Song dynasty, many treacherous ministers had intentionally painted Zhu Xi's philosophy in such an aesthetic light. One could even say that Yan Song was the ultimate culmination of this trend since the Song. Fortunately, the Emperor, who cultivated the Tao, never tolerated such tricks and was always able to restrain them in the name of Heaven's will, thus ensuring forty years of peace. In truth, Xu Jie himself had once been so fixated. It was not until he encountered Nie Bao, a disciple of Wang Yangming, that he understood that harmony, balance, and vibrant life were the true principles, and thus the mind. However, this principle was profound, and ordinary people could not comprehend it.
Now, Prince Jing had pushed the Emperor to a desperate end. Claiming "Heavenly Supervision," he had instead become the regent, with Prince Jing holding the reins. In this vast realm, there was almost no one who could restrain Prince Jing.
At this thought,
Xu Jie suddenly felt a profound despair. In a moment of clarity, he felt that all of history, from ancient times to the present, was illusory. Looking at the expressions of the people beside him, he increasingly felt that magnificent China seemed to have reached its end.
When he reopened his eyes, which had closed in despair, over six hundred heads had already fallen… Han Chong was exceptionally excited, shouting and jumping about, while Prince Jing sat with his eyes closed on his palanquin, as if everything before him was unrelated to him. Xu Jie sighed deeply, and a thought arose in his heart:
"Yan Song, Yan Song, this is the scoundrel you raised…"
Following this, until he returned home, he felt nothing, as if he were a walking corpse. He didn't even know how he had reached home.
…
Sleepless through the night,
Xu Jie had no inclination to read. He sat in contemplation until dawn, his thoughts a complete blank. He counted his disciples and old friends, finding not a single one he could rely on. Inexplicably, he suddenly thought of the popular tales and historical romances. Why was it that Wang Situ in the late Han dynasty could devise a plan? He found himself in a similar role, yet utterly at a loss. Even if he were to replicate the method, that young man was a monk…
He let out a series of bitter laughs and, without realizing it, his thoughts had wandered until the sun was high in the sky.
A gruff voice called out:
"An imperial decree has arrived…"
An imperial decree?
The Emperor?
Xu Jie jolted awake and hurried to the courtyard gate to kneel. Before him stood two soldiers, not the usual palace attendants who delivered decrees.
"The decree states:
I, residing in the secluded Taoist Palace, sought to escape the decline of all phenomena. Who would have foreseen the repeated calamities within the realm and the repeated upheavals in the capital. I believe that all sins within the realm lie with my own person. Prince Jing has presented his proposal for three years of Heavenly Supervision, which I have deeply considered after prostrating myself before the Three Pure Ones and reflecting within the inner court. I find it to be entirely reasonable. It is hereby decreed that Xu Jie shall manage all secular affairs. He shall hold court at the Hall of Supreme Harmony every three days, with Prince Jing seated to my left, to hear matters."
Xu Jie's mind cleared at this point.
The Emperor was also out of options…
But anything was better than nothing. Having someone to oversee things was better than having no one. As for whether this could resolve this extraordinarily bizarre crisis, it remained to be seen.
The capital finally returned to its usual state. After several days, sparse signs of life began to appear on the streets. A few days later, ordinary people started to whisper among themselves, and after a few more days, the streets were once again bustling.
…
Jiangnan,
The atmosphere was even more grim than that of the capital before.
Zhu Mo also realized that he had once again fallen into the toxic environment he had experienced when he was besieged in the past. Apart from Lu Kun and Li Zhi, everyone else was feigning compliance.
After all, Prince Jing's declaration of a southern campaign had been sent via imperial courier to the entire realm. That person was so formidable, eradicating the Yan faction, upholding justice for scholars, attacking external enemies, and eliminating internal traitors, performing funerals and dismemberments, all in a dazzling display that left everyone stunned.
Zhu Mo pondered for a long time, and his thoughts turned to Xiao Xiaosheng. After all, his great work had depicted the myriad states of human existence in the world he inhabited. A certain esteemed educator had said it was a microcosm of feudalism, a truly insightful observation. Thinking of Xiao Xiaosheng, he then recalled another book: "The Story of the Stone."
If one were to compare them, he felt that the two were indeed similar in their essence. Xiao Xiaosheng was humorous and absurd, yet he possessed a method of hidden wisdom, deeply understanding the secrets of the Tao. Only those who had seen through the world and its circumstances could achieve this. Therefore, his book was exceedingly realistic. None of the characters in his book had a way out of their plight. Even those who were alive longed for death but could not find it. If not for the reform, the Great Ming would have met such an end.
And after the reform, and its failure, the situation became very much like "The Story of the Stone." The world created by Prince Jing was illusory, absurd, yet extremely real, even cruel, carrying an indescribable spectral aura. It seemed like the Grand View Garden! Did he want people to live within paintings or stories, or rather, within a perfect feudal world?
No wonder that esteemed educator said it should not be read as a novel but as history, and that one must read it five times. It was a pity that Zhu Mo had only read five pages before. However, although he had not read it all, he had now understood its essence, which could be summarized in one sentence:
This ghost story must end!