Li San had previously believed Zhu Mo was doomed, but a miraculous reversal had occurred. His initial concern had transformed into genuine admiration. Now, anticipating another tempest when he next traveled south, he felt the need to prepare. Otherwise, any further mishaps would be difficult to manage. He smiled and asked:
“Scholar Zhu, what exactly are you going to do on this second trip to Jiangnan?”
The old Daoist also showed great interest, chiming in: “Yes, yes, we must be informed beforehand. We wouldn’t want to miss anything, hehe…”
Heh heh.
Zhu Mo smiled and said:
“It’s actually quite simple. Much like writing an essay, the first thing is to have lofty aspirations… To be frank with you both, I’ve already invited He Xinyin and Yan Shan Nong to oversee the academies. The goal is to provide education without discrimination, allowing anyone from humble laborers to high-ranking officials to attend. What will they learn? They will study the Neo-Confucianism of the Xinzhai school.
Their teachings, which they describe as ‘achieving innate knowledge to reach the level of Yao and Shun,’ are, in essence, for the common people. There will be no exams; it’s about daily cultivation and understanding. Everyone will be on an equal footing. This way, I will have my foundation. This is extremely important, and I will personally oversee it when I get there. What do you both think?”
Good!
Good!
The old Daoist chuckled, “Indeed, the aspirations are lofty. One must have the heart of Yao and Shun… Li San, Young Master Zhu is far more formidable this time…”
Li San also smiled, “Isn’t that the truth? It must be the heart and ambition of Yao and Shun…”
The two understood implicitly—
While the officials and gentry could direct the flood of disaster towards the Emperor, they could not direct it towards Yao and Shun. This was Zhu Mo’s most brilliant move.
The incredibly wise old Daoist instantly devised a complementary strategy. Once Zhu Mo stirred things up in Jiangnan, Prince Yu would also perform sacrifices to Yao and Shun, making it a grand and lively affair. This way, everyone in the land would realize the imperial family was also changing…
After all,
He had been truly terrified just moments ago and had now fully awakened. If the imperial family didn’t keep pace with the times, they might miss their last chance.
Looking at the spirited Zhu Mo, the old Daoist was filled with emotion—
Fortunately, he had such a son. Otherwise, how could he have managed to turn things around alone? He had underestimated the Yan family too much in the past. If it hadn’t been for divine intervention and the people’s continued respect for the founding emperor, they would have capsized this time.
After a long discussion, the two finally departed.
…
The next day, Zhu Mo arrived at the Wenyuan Pavilion duty office. All the case files had been prepared. He immediately wrote a brief opinion, using his title as Grand Academician of Wenyuan Pavilion and concurrently Imperial Supervisor for the Jiangnan Educational Case, affixed the seal of the Ministry of Justice, and personally delivered it to the Grand Secretariat for Xu Jie. He smiled:
“Grand Academician Xu, the case is concluded. Please review it and draft a memorial, would you?”
Xu Jie and Li Chunfang sat closer. Yan Shifan feigned ignorance, occupied with playing with an ivory artifact. The two donned their reading glasses and read through it word by word, immediately becoming fearful, almost exclaiming aloud.
This is too ruthless!
Two full Ministers?
And sixteen officials of the fourth and fifth ranks from the Six Ministries!
Even more than a hundred minor officials of the fourth and fifth ranks and below!
Fifty-three academy principals!
However,
The punishments were not severe—
Dong Fen, Minister of Works, was sent to the Imperial Prison. Upon review, he was executed and all his property and assets confiscated. His son, Dong Daochun, was executed, and Dong Hong was executed. Huizhou Prefect Wang Chang and Wu Cheng County Magistrate Wan Yong, who initially reviewed the case, were dismissed. Guo Pu, Minister of Personnel, was dismissed. Yuan Wei, Vice Minister of Rites, received fifty strokes of the court cane and was dismissed.
All sixteen officials of the fourth and fifth ranks were dismissed. Only three were given twenty strokes of the court cane for accepting bribes. Over a hundred minor officials were all dismissed. The fifty-three academy principals were merely dismissed and handed over to their respective counties and prefectures for reprimand.
Both Xu Jie and Li Chunfang, seasoned veterans who had weathered many storms, immediately understood Zhu Mo’s intention—
This was a display of deterrence!
The thunderous pronouncements were indeed loud, but the raindrops were surprisingly small. Given they had committed the crime of coercion, simply being dismissed should have been cause for gratitude.
However, the outcome that was most unacceptable to the two were Dong Fen and Yuan Wei, as it carried distinct humiliation! Let Dong Fen die, but to have his family’s assets confiscated—Dong Fen’s family, his immense wealth, all gone just like that. As for Yuan Wei, he had indeed received three hundred thousand taels, but then received the humiliation of the court cane? He was not only a Vice Minister but had previously served as a Minister!
Xu Jie glanced at Li Chunfang, who shook his head. Just as he was about to voice his objection, Xu Jie stepped on his left foot and smiled, “Scholar Zhu, the facts of the case are all present. I believe it is not severe, only Dong Fen’s confiscation of family assets… uh…?”
He asked this because he was concerned Zhu Mo might have further humiliations in store, such as assigning Dong Fen’s female relatives to the Directorate of Imperial Entertainment, and Zhu Mo publicly patronizing them, thereby humiliating all the gentry. If that happened, Xu Jie would not be able to account for himself.
One must understand,
Such actions were commonplace in the Ming Dynasty. When the two sides engaged in fierce struggle, they often went to such extremes, achieving the ultimate humiliation.
Zhu Mo naturally understood his concern and smiled,
“Grand Academician Xu, rest assured. I dislike the ways of the Directorate of Imperial Entertainment the most. If their family assets are gone, they must fend for themselves! Dong Fen’s family members can become tenant farmers, or work on the imperial farms. In any case, they will not enter the Directorate of Imperial Entertainment. I believe that the Directorate of Imperial Entertainment will eventually be abolished. I’ll discuss it with you two esteemed lords another day…”
Mm-hmm.
Xu Jie felt a stone lift from his heart: He would not humiliate Minister Dong’s female relatives, so this was somewhat acceptable… However, three individuals were close to the Yan couple. He needed to inform this “devil’s harbinger.”
He smiled at Yan Shifan from a distance, “Donglou, would you like to come over and examine it as well?”
Yan Shifan knew the outcome would not be good and naturally did not want to humiliate himself. He smiled, “Grand Academician Xu is here to see. I won’t look…”
Xu Jie nodded and said, “Scholar Zhu, I believe this case has been handled appropriately. I will draft a memorial by noon and submit it to the Directorate of Ceremonial… Uh, Scholar Zhu, when will you be heading to Jiangnan? My colleagues and I would like to bid you farewell…”
Zhu Mo merely cupped his hands and smiled, not wanting to prolong the pleasantries. He took his leave.
After Zhu Mo had gone far away,
Li Chunfang whispered urgently, “Grand Academician Xu, this is not right… Won’t all the gentry say we are shirking our duties and merely indulging this fiend?”
Xu Jie sighed helplessly and handed him a post from the table. “Brother Shilu, you will understand once you read it…”
Li Chunfang, after reading it, also let out a long sigh.
This post was sent by Prince Yu, stating that Jiang Dong, the Minister of War in Nanjing, had resigned and returned to his hometown. Prince Yu’s attempts to dissuade him were unsuccessful.
The two were both top-tier experienced strategists, how could they not understand—
While the words were polite, it was essentially the Emperor kicking Jiang Dong out!
Jiang Dong, in terms of seniority, ability, and merit, was superior to Dong, Guo, and Yuan. If even such a person was dismissed, how could Dong, Guo, and Yuan be protected? This was the Emperor personally bolstering Zhu Mo’s handling of the case! No wonder Yan Shifan, the devil’s harbinger, wasn’t here to make a fuss.
The two exchanged glances, both sensing that this was likely only the beginning of a great storm.