The numerous details, personally observed by He Xinyin and his companions in Huzhou, greatly shocked Zhu Mo and made him realize his prior significant oversight—
At the very least, his research had been insufficient.
Much like conducting market research in his previous life, failing to diligently complete this step would lead to the failure of all subsequent product planning and launches. No amount of marketing ingenuity could salvage it. Now, it appeared the common people of the Great Ming had indeed fallen into widespread decline. His mistake lay in a degree of misjudgment regarding the actual situation, ultimately misled by the supposed experts on some platforms. He had believed the late Ming dynasty was highly developed, but in reality, this development was superficial, harboring immense crises.
For the past few days,
Zhu Mo had also been visiting the Feixuan Palace and Chaotian Temple almost daily.
If he could find the Old Daoist and Third Master Li, and entrust them to speak to Immortal Lan, who could then convey just a word or two to the Emperor, he would have a chance to turn things around. These few words were simple: "change the strings and mend the bows." Grafting the reforms onto the School of Mind, changing the banner to advocate for the revival of the era of Yao and Shun. Therefore, he wanted to suggest to the Emperor that the School of Mind of Yangming could be established as the official doctrine, but in substance, it would be a reform.
This was a major invention by Zhu Mo during this period, which he felt was very reliable. It could secure orthodox status, avoiding attacks as the Legalist Qin reforms, and win over the majority of gentry. This would undoubtedly facilitate the next step of reform and change, greatly increasing his chances of success.
Moreover, by honoring the School of Mind of Yangming, the court would also be seen as making concessions to the gentry, naturally protecting Zhu Mo. He could then publish an article for the world, clarifying that his reforms were intended to revive the era of Yao and Shun and were not in conflict with Confucianism. In this way, everyone would have a way out, and the turmoil would pass. Zhu Mo could even operate from behind the scenes, with Zhang Juzheng managing things publicly, and the laws would still be reformed.
But reality was so unforgiving.
Chaotian Temple was indeed a mysterious place. Normally, it was bustling with people, much like temples in a busy market, but the hidden profundities remained unseen.
Zhu Mo felt anxious with each visit, his aspirations seemingly stuck here, which was truly inexplicable. He couldn't compare to Wei Yang and Duke Xiao of Qin, nor to Guan Zhong and Duke Huan of Qi, not even to Wang Anshi and Emperor Shenzong of Song.
Ultimately, it was the enigmatic Jiajing Emperor who was too mysterious! That fellow shrouded everything in fog. While this made things convenient for him when doing things, it also made them harder to rectify when trouble arose. https:/
…
Returning home one day, his jaw nearly dropped—
The Old Daoist and Third Master Li, whom he had been searching for everywhere, were now sitting in the pavilion chatting!
Damn it.
Zhu Mo strode over, smiling:
"Old Daoist, Third Master, where have you two been recently? I couldn't find you anywhere."
A fleeting, almost imperceptible surprise flickered across Li San's face. It vanished instantly, and he smiled warmly, "Heh heh, where else could two old rascals like us go? How has young master Zhu been lately?"
The Old Daoist watched Zhu Mo approach. Seeing the weariness etched all over him, his heart surged, and tears almost welled up. He quickly turned his head and took a deep breath.
Zhu Mo also noticed something unusual about the two. Thinking they were ashamed of their inability to help, he immediately tried to console them:
"My two elder brothers, my life is difficult. No one else can help with this matter. Fortunately, a few friends are willing to speak up for me, which is why I came to the temple to look for you, hoping to ask Immortal Lan to convey another message. But I haven't been able to find anyone lately, haha…"
Heh heh,
Seeing his genuine sincerity, the two also smiled from the bottom of their hearts, but their expressions conveyed an unspeakable sadness.
Li San thought, "This person is truly good, but why does he face so much hardship?"
He stole a glance at the Old Daoist, only to see a faint glimmer in his deep eyes. He understood that the Old Daoist's pain was no less than Zhu Mo's. He immediately poured him tea and sighed softly.
The Old Daoist, having recovered slightly, thought, "Mo'er is still alive after all. This great storm, no matter what, he has weathered it. That is better than anything else."
Seeing that the two remained silent, Zhu Mo forced a smile,
"It's good that you're here today. There are some things I need to say, or I'll feel stifled in my heart. Uh, I still want to ask the Daoist to convey a message to the Emperor through Immortal Lan…"
Before arriving, the Old Daoist and Li San had expected Zhu Mo to be dejected, his spirit broken, and his edge dulled. Hearing this, they felt even more sorrowful—
This child, how could he still have so much spirit?
The two couldn't help but exchange glances.
The Old Daoist pondered for a moment, his heartache gradually subsiding. Finally, he spoke with a smile,
"Young Master Zhu, you study the Dao, don't you? I see that the Way of Heaven and the way of man are still different. Is it not said that the Way of Heaven reduces the surplus to supplement the deficient, while the way of man reduces the deficient to supplement the surplus? Who can control this?
The will of Heaven has always been high and difficult to question, and the way of man is inherently flawed. All cycles of order and chaos, birth and death, are ultimately governed by fate. How can human effort force it? The way of man can never truly be like the Way of Heaven. Young Master Zhu, I think it's best to take some matters with a lighter heart. What do you say?"
Mmm, mmm, mmm,
Li San also interjected,
"Yes, yes, Young Master Zhu, the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge. Forcing things has never yielded good results since ancient times. I am just a lowly servant and do not understand grand principles, but there is a saying that I have always wanted to express. In the end, all human endeavors are empty. Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth, and no one can escape that.
Didn't Yang Shen have a line of poetry that was quite good? What was it, uh… 'A few names etched in history, countless barren mounds in Beimang. Forefathers plant trees, descendants reap. What is this talk of fierce struggles'? Heh heh, that line really has some flavor…"
The Old Daoist smiled again,
"Indeed, leaving one's name in history ultimately amounts to emptiness. Those countless heroes and valiant men are merely piles of white bones and three feet of yellow earth! I think it's best not to be too insistent on some matters. Look how carefree the Daoists are! Speaking of Jiangnan, there was Xu Xiake. Have you heard of him, Young Master Zhu? This great world, traveling his entire life, how joyful! The affairs of the world cannot all be managed."
Zhu Mo nodded and smiled, but in his heart, he understood—
They were telling me to give up and go home to rest.
Was this a message from Immortal Lan to the Emperor, or the personal opinion of the two old friends?
Winning or losing itself was not important. Even if that insidious villain Gao Gong became Grand Secretary, it was his own ability. But I couldn't just admit defeat like this. Moreover, the outcome wasn't yet decided, so why assume I was utterly finished?
Did they think I was pursuing fame? That was a great misunderstanding! Why would I want that fame? Besides, how could the Daoist scholars of the world speak favorably of what I was doing? I had merely come to the Great Ming and wished to speak for its people.
He poured them both tea and smiled,
"My two elder brothers, there's a saying: 'When the water reaches its end, sit and watch the clouds rise.' It's like a game of chess; sometimes victory and defeat are not so obvious. I have never concealed anything from you two, and today I will speak truthfully. I am not convinced, and I have not lost yet!
Earlier, I hadn't finished explaining. I have already thought of a method. Don't those gentry scholars want to establish Yangming as the official doctrine? Very well, let them establish it. I will change the banner again, also to the School of Mind, calling it 'Achieving Innate Knowledge, Seeking Great Harmony.' The reforms will still be reforms, but with a different name. This way, the common people will support me, and the gentry will have no grounds to object. This is what is meant by 'changing the strings and mending the bows.' What I want to ask the Daoist to convey to Immortal Lan are these four characters."
Oh?
This time, the two were truly surprised.