Chapter 202: This Humble One, Song Yingxing

"What does my brother mean by that?" Zhu Youxiao asked with a gentle smile, looking genuinely curious.

In truth, he was quite interested in Song Yingxing's thoughts. In his previous life, he had only heard Song Yingxing's name, knowing he was a truly remarkable figure, but his understanding of Song Yingxing was limited — he only knew that Song had written a book called *Tiangong Kaiwu*.

Now that he had the chance to hear Song Yingxing speak openly and freely, Zhu Youxiao felt this was a good opportunity.

This was an excellent way to understand the thoughts of the elite minds of this era. Later on, he might not have such a chance again.

Once Song Yingxing learned that he was the current Emperor, he would speak with reservations; but right now, to Song Yingxing, he was merely a stranger, and Song would speak with him more deeply.

So Zhu Youxiao became interested, wanting to hear what Song Yingxing's views truly were — this was very important to him.

Glancing at Zhu Youxiao, whose face was full of curiosity, Song Yingxing asked, "Younger brother probably doesn't go out much, does he?"

Zhu Youxiao nodded silently.

"I can tell that younger brother's family background is quite distinguished, that you don't know much about outside affairs, and that your family discipline is strict. Younger brother shouldn't ask about these matters — they're nothing but sordid affairs." Song Yingxing said with a bitter smile, his face full of dejection.

The more Song Yingxing spoke this way, the more curious Zhu Youxiao became.

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said to Song Yingxing, "There's nothing going on here anyway, and it looks like the literary gathering won't start for a while yet. Brother Song might as well tell me about it — we've got nothing better to do."

"Fine. Since younger brother wants to know, I'll tell you." Song Yingxing thought for a moment, then spoke with slight resignation.

"Tell me, what is the purpose of studying?" Song Yingxing asked Zhu Youxiao, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"Speaking narrowly, it should be to understand principle; speaking broadly, it should be to cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Isn't that what everyone says?" Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment, then smiled and asked in return, "Does brother have a different view?"

"But what if what you study is wrong? If the principles you come to understand are incorrect, then what?" Song Yingxing asked again. A playful smile hung on his face as he quietly watched Zhu Youxiao.

Zhu Youxiao naturally knew what Song Yingxing was asking, but he wanted to hear what Song had to say rather than give his own answer, so he asked in return, "But those are the books of the sages — how could the sages be wrong?"

"The *Zuozhuan* says: who among men is without fault? If one errs and can correct it, there is no greater good. This saying has been repeated countless times, proven countless times, and revered by countless sages."

"So the sages themselves knew that being human means making mistakes. But what about now? There are no mistakes. The books are not wrong, the sages are not wrong. But who wrote those books? Was it the sages themselves?"

"No, it was their disciples and their disciples' disciples. Who knows what those things are really like? Whether they mixed in things that were favorable to themselves?"

"What's terrifying is not this viewpoint; what's terrifying is that questioning is not permitted." Song Yingxing said with a helpless smile: "Look at these people present here — younger brother will see in a moment. They do not permit questioning. If you question, they will attack you, they will find ways to make you shut up, they won't let you speak again. Rather than defeating you through reason, they simply won't let you have a voice."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Song Yingxing and suddenly became interested in him. Song Yingxing understood this principle very deeply.

In fact, that was exactly how it was. The Donglin Faction was precisely this kind of existence — they did not permit dissenting opinions to arise.

"What does brother intend to do?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Song Yingxing and asked with a puzzled expression.

"Because I want to do something. It might decide the rest of my life. So before that, I want to prove something." Song Yingxing said to Zhu Youxiao: "In a moment, it might implicate younger brother, so I'd better go stand aside for now."

Zhu Youxiao reached out and pulled back Song Yingxing, who was about to stand up, saying without the slightest concern: "This young master fears no trouble. Who knows, I might even be able to help you later. In the capital, there are very few troubles I can't resolve."

"It seems younger brother indeed comes from an extraordinary background." Song Yingxing said admiringly: "But I don't want to do that. I came here today for just one thing — once I get my answer, that's enough. Nothing else matters."

As he spoke, Song Yingxing looked toward the other side and said, "They've come. If younger brother wants to leave, now is still the time."

"I'm someone who loves watching a good show. I won't leave when there's excitement like this." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

The two exchanged a glance, and neither spoke again, both looking into the distance.

Not far away, a group of people was approaching.

At the head was a man in his thirties, who looked very refined and elegant, with a neatly trimmed beard, combed very tidily. His entire appearance was well-groomed, and his hair was also arranged very neatly.

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao seemed confused, Song Yingxing smiled and explained to him: "That man is Wei Dazhong, the prized disciple of Gao Panlong. You should know Gao Panlong, right? A few days ago, His Majesty had him arrested and taken to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Of course I know about that — it shook the entire court and countryside; there's no one in the capital who doesn't know." Zhu Youxiao asked in confusion: "But what does this matter have to do with Wei Dazhong? What do they intend to do? Surely they don't plan to charge into the Embroidered Uniform Guard to rescue people?"

"They don't have that ability." Song Yingxing said disdainfully: "If they actually did that, I would admire them instead. Younger brother, just wait and watch — there really will be a show in a moment."

At this moment, Wei Dazhong had already walked up onto the platform. He clasped his hands toward the crowd and said with a smile: "Gentlemen, Wei thanks you all for coming today. Thank you all. Today's literary gathering now begins."

Many people below the platform were watching Wei Dazhong.

Zhu Youxiao could tell that these people were all Wei Dazhong's lot.

"The reason I invited you all here today is that there is something I need to tell everyone. My teacher is still in the prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As his student, at a time like this, I naturally want to clear my teacher's name and rescue him. That is why I have invited you all here."

"As scholars of the Great Ming, we should contribute our strength to the nation and uphold the state. The current Emperor has been deceived by evil Daoists and eunuchs, and dotes on treacherous ministers at court; while loyal and upright ministers cannot gain a foothold in the court. This is a time of crisis for the Great Ming — precisely the moment for us scholars to rise up. We cannot sit by and do nothing — we must do something!"

Zhu Youxiao watched Wei Dazhong with a knowing look, finding his speech quite seductive.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao could see through this matter clearly — what they were saying perfectly catered to the ideals of young people. Such as: I should do something; such as: I am very capable, I can accomplish it; and such as: I believe what I am doing is right.

But in reality, that was not the case at all — Wei Dazhong was simply inciting these scholars.

"Sir, what do you intend to do?" Someone in the crowd shouted loudly.

Zhu Youxiao followed the voice and looked over, suspecting that this person was a shill. Because this straight man was simply too good at his role — his timing and restraint were perfectly executed. If it hadn't been arranged in advance, it would have been very difficult.

"We should unite with the loyal and upright ministers at court, have them admonish His Majesty, impeach the treacherous ministers at court, and rescue the loyal and upright men locked in the Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Only then will loyal and upright men be able to receive important posts, rather than having treacherous ministers dominate the court and capable men forgotten outside the government!" Wei Dazhong declared loudly.

If the first part was from an idealistic perspective, then the latter part was from a utilitarian one.

Although he shouted very loudly, Zhu Youxiao could see through some of what lay beneath it.

Only if loyal and upright ministers held office at court could loyal and upright men receive important posts. But who were the loyal and upright men?

Surely he wasn't talking about others. Then it could only be themselves. In other words, once this was accomplished, everyone would be able to receive important posts — that was the benefit.

Zhu Youxiao remembered very clearly that the Donglin Faction had a very appealing proposal — that the court should employ talent without restriction, not just look at seniority, not look at their examination results, and use anyone as long as they were useful talent.

The problem was: what counts as useful talent? Who gets to say who is useful?

There was a saying from later generations that Zhu Youxiao felt fit perfectly here: "Say you can, and you can — even if you can't, you can; say you can't, and you can't — even if you can, you can't."

Who is useful? Who is loyal and upright?

Only I get to decide.

It looks righteous and open, looks like it's for the good of the court. In reality, it's all hidden self-interest.

Those pushing the big shots do so to promote their own people; those cheering below do so to get promoted themselves.

Who truly thinks of the nation and the people? Who?

Zhu Youxiao sighed and turned his head to look at Song Yingxing.

From the very beginning, Zhu Youxiao had been paying attention to him.

At first, Song Yingxing had seemed somewhat tense, even a bit anxious. But at this very moment, he instead appeared very calm, and that urgency had vanished from his gaze — he seemed as still as an ancient well without ripples.

But Zhu Youxiao knew that it was not because Song Yingxing had given up his own ideas, but because he was ready.

Sure enough, Song Yingxing stood up directly and said loudly: "This humble one, Song Yingxing, has a few questions I wish to ask Brother Wei."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present fell silent.

They all turned their heads to look at Song Yingxing; no one knew what he intended to do by stepping forward at this moment.

"Who is this Song Yingxing?"

"No idea, don't recognize him. Do you know him?"

The scholars asked one another, but not many actually knew Song Yingxing.

At this moment, he naturally could not back down. Wei Dazhong looked at Song Yingxing and asked with a smile: "May I ask what instruction Brother Song wishes to offer?"

"Very simple. You say your teacher is a loyal and upright minister — then for what reason was your teacher thrown into the prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard by His Majesty? Was someone framing him, or someone slandering him?" Song Yingxing took a step forward and said with a smile on his face.

Upon hearing these words, a smile also appeared on Wei Dazhong's face.

"Brother Song, you may not be aware of the situation, so let me explain it to you. My teacher acted for the sake of all the scholars under heaven, for the sake of all the literati under heaven, for the sake of the Great Ming." Wei Dazhong said in a resounding voice.

Song Yingxing nodded and continued: "As far as I know, it was because the court wanted to prohibit private lecturing and forbid the establishment of academies across the realm. Was your teacher arrested for this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Dazhong took a deep look at Song Yingxing.

This man had definitely come to cause trouble, but he could not have someone throw him out just yet — he had to maintain his composure.