Chapter 221: The Grand Court Assembly, Opening the Door to Reform

Zhang Yu calmly looked at Song Yingxing, who was somewhat agitated, and said with a smile: "Isn't that just how life is? You can't get ahead by playing it safe—how can you accomplish anything without taking risks? If the three of us don't take risks now, are we willing to be manipulated by Han Kuang?"

Seeing that Song Yingxing wanted to say more, Song Yingsheng reached out and stopped him, speaking slowly: "Zhang Yu is no fool; his schemes are the best among the three of us. You should know this as well. Since he's saying this now, let's hear what he plans to do."

Hearing his elder brother say this, Song Yingxing did not continue speaking.

Zhang Yu smiled and said: "Everyone is being suppressed quite heavily right now, and the ones suppressed most severely are Feng Congwu and his people. You should both know this."

"At a time like this, Feng Congwu counts as someone in need of support. He lectured in Guanzhong for twenty-five years, but what official position did the court give him?"

"Director of the Seal Office—a fifth-rank position—and without much real authority at that; his duties were nothing more than managing the imperial seals, tallies, and stamps. Yet Feng Congwu still went. Why?"

"I'm willing to measure people by a guilty heart. Whatever the reason, it shows that Feng Congwu wants this post. Since he wants it, he'll have to change his stance."

"Everyone in officialdom knows now that Donglin men are not favored by His Majesty. The big figures have already been struck down—how much more so someone like Feng Congwu?"

"Our relationship with Feng Congwu may not look harmonious, but as long as our interests align, there's nothing discordant about it. Right now Han Kuang needs support, but the Donglin men don't care for him, which is why he sought us out. What is our relationship with Feng Congwu?"

"We are the Guanzhong School, and Feng Congwu is the Guanzhong Master—that is our connection. As long as he's willing, he will attach himself to Han Kuang's banner. Then the two sides will come together, and there's nothing improper about that."

"As for scholarship—our Guanzhong School is also a School of Principle lineage; and Feng Congwu is called the great synthesizer of the School of Principle and the School of Mind, without any obvious partiality. Why can't he recast his writings and change his allegiance?"

"Making Feng Congwu convert to the Guanzhong School is probably impossible." Song Yingxing said hesitantly.

"There's no loss in trying. If Feng Congwu is willing, that's best; if he's not, it doesn't matter—we lose nothing either way. If he agrees, the benefits to us are many. Besides, no one is asking him to convert to the Guanzhong School. Perhaps we can create a new school of learning together."

The Song brothers exchanged a glance, disbelief written all over their faces. They turned to look at Zhang Yu, their eyes full of shock.

"Why do you look at me like that?" Zhang Yu said with a laugh: "Isn't this exactly what Han Kuang called us over to do today? Though that's what he said aloud, we all know in our hearts what he truly meant."

"At this moment, we can use this matter to draw Feng Congwu in. Founding a school—I don't think many people could refuse such a thing. Since Feng Congwu is the great synthesizer of the School of Principle and the School of Mind, why can't he establish his own Feng School?"

"Then wouldn't we all become his disciples and followers?" Song Yingxing said with a trace of anger on his face.

"He is a man of Guanzhong, known as the Guanzhong Master—what learning could suit him better than the Guanzhong School?" Zhang Yu said with a smile: "If that truly won't work, we can call this new learning the New Guanzhong School. This matter is negotiable."

The two Song brothers exchanged another glance—they found that they had actually been persuaded by Zhang Yu.

Clearly Zhang Yu's scheme had feasibility. As for Zhang Yu's talk of founding a new school of learning, the two Song brothers were not opposed to it either.

There is no one who does not want to have their own doctrine—that will never change, no matter the era.

Though the two Song brothers studied the Guanzhong School, that did not mean they had no ideas of their own.

If they gained the support of the Chief Grand Secretary, together with Feng Congwu and the three brothers, perhaps they really could forge something new.

If it truly came to that, the three of them would become the founders of a new school. Moreover, in officialdom they could form a new force, and their own positions would not be low.

"You think it can succeed?" Song Yingsheng turned to look at Zhang Yu, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

"I'll go see Feng Congwu." Zhang Yu said with a smile: "I'm certain it will succeed. He also knows what the most advantageous choice is. If one wants to accomplish something at court these days, change is unavoidable. Look at Xu Guangqi, then look at Huang Kezuan—clinging to the old ways only leads to a dead end."

Finally, Song Yingsheng nodded and said: "Alright, let's give it a try."

And so the matter was settled. He continued: "The three of us came to the capital, even willing to enter the Imperial Academy, for no other reason than to display what we have learned and fulfill our ambitions. If we're going to scheme and scramble for petty gains in officialdom, we might as well not bother; if we do this, we do it big—and if it fails, we can always go home."

Hearing his elder brother's words, Song Yingxing was the first to laugh, teasing: "I truly never expected that you, elder brother, would have a moment like this."

Song Yingsheng paid no mind to his younger brother's teasing. He straightened his back and said with firm eyes: "A man's life is like grass in autumn. Since a true man is born into this world, he must fight his battles—how could he shrink back? Being steady does not mean being conservative."

"In that case, I'll make the trip tomorrow." Zhang Yu said with a smile.

The three then walked off into the distance together, their silhouettes disappearing completely at the crossroads.

In the Western Park.

Zhu Youxiao was fishing again, but his luck today seemed poor. Two fish had taken the bait, yet both slipped off the hook quickly, leaving Zhu Youxiao with not a single catch today.

He had originally thought of getting a fish to eat, but there was no way to manage it now.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Youxiao beckoned to Chen Hong, who was not far away.

Once Chen Hong had come to his side, Zhu Youxiao asked: "Are there still many routine memorials impeaching Huang Kezuan these days?"

Since the matter had come to light, no small number of people had impeached Huang Kezuan. Zhu Youxiao had not even read such memorials, because they held no real significance.

Under these circumstances, Zhu Youxiao's question was really just to gauge the general situation at court.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are still quite a few memorials impeaching Grand Secretary Huang these days." Chen Hong said hurriedly: "But unlike before, more people have also submitted memorials endorsing Grand Secretary Huang's position."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and asked: "Who has submitted memorials?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, people from the Censorate and officials of all ranks at court have submitted memorials, among them Vice Minister Li Zhizao of the Ministry of Revenue." After saying this, Chen Hong did not continue.

His meaning was clear—the highest-ranking official to submit a memorial in favor was Li Zhizao.

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Zhu Youxiao's face. Now this was getting interesting.

He waved his hand and said: "Then make preparations. At tomorrow's grand court assembly, we'll settle this matter."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong promptly acknowledged.

Upon receiving this news, Zhu Youxiao was fairly certain in his heart that this matter could now be resolved.

He made up his mind to bring the whole affair to a definitive end before sunset tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Zhu Youxiao rose very early. Under Empress Zhang's attendance, he donned his dragon robe, ate a simple meal, and then walked forward together with Chen Hong.

By the time Zhu Youxiao arrived, the ministers had long been waiting there.

Looking at the ministers bowing in homage, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "All of you, dispense with the formalities."

After everyone had risen, Zhu Youxiao spoke slowly: "My health has not been good these past days, and many matters have been delayed. It is all thanks to your diligence, my ministers, that no great troubles have arisen at court. You have all done well."

"This is but our duty." Han Kuang, standing at the very front, declared in a clear voice.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and continued: "Today I have summoned you all because there is a matter on which I wish to hear your opinions—concerning the guiding principles of the imperial examinations."

"This matter has been contentious and dragged on for so long that it truly deserves a resolution. You must all be aware of the memorial Huang Kezuan submitted. In it, he proposes replacing the book Mencius with Xunzi. Some ministers have submitted memorials opposing this, and others have submitted memorials in favor. I wish to hear your views."

After Zhu Youxiao spoke these words, no one in the great hall stepped forward to speak directly.

It was not that they did not want to speak, but that they had not yet figured out what to say. Such matters were inherently ones where each side had its own justification.

Mencius advocated that human nature is good; Xunzi advocated that human nature is evil—these are themselves two extremes.

Moreover, Xunzi upheld both ritual and law equally, even valuing law above ritual. This can be seen from several of Xunzi's students—those he taught were all great figures of the Legalist school.

Now that Xunzi is being brought to the fore, what exactly is the intent?

Doesn't the Great Ming govern the realm with Confucianism?

Now you bring up Xunzi—is the Great Ming changing its ways?

If Xunzi's thought gains prominence, the Great Ming would at least be a mixed rule of kingly and hegemonic governance. How could anyone want such a thing?

As a disciple of the Confucian school, such a matter should never even be raised.

Yet now there are precisely people proposing to demote Mencius and elevate Xunzi. The one who originally raised this should have been branded a heretic, yet now there are actually people in court willing to support it.

Many people couldn't make sense of this matter, so for a moment none of them knew what to say.

It was at this moment that someone was the first to step forward.

Zhu Youxiao turned to look and saw it was Cui Chengxiu of the Censorate, so he asked with a smile: "What does my beloved Cui wish to say?"

At this very moment, Cui Chengxiu's heart was filled with bitterness, but he knew he had no choice but to step forward.

If he went back and Eunuch Wei learned that he hadn't stepped forward at this moment, then he would likely be in for a world of trouble. So Cui Chengxiu could only steel himself and step out.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, your minister believes this is feasible." Cui Chengxiu said solemnly: "When did the Mencius become one of the civil examination texts? In the fourth year of Xining, under Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song, the Mencius was first listed as one of the civil examination subjects. Afterward, the Mencius was elevated to the status of a Confucian classic."

"In the Southern Song, Zhu Xi combined it with the Analects, the Great Learning, and the Doctrine of the Mean into the Four Books. In the first year of Zhishun in the Yuan dynasty, Mencius was posthumously conferred the title 'Duke Yasheng,' and thereafter was called the 'Second Sage,' second only to Confucius in status. What can we discern from all this?"

"After Mencius entered the civil examinations, the Northern Song collapsed; after Zhu Xi listed Mencius among the Four Books, the Southern Song fell. And when the Yuan dynasty enfeoffed Mencius as Duke Yasheng—what was the Yuan? It was the Mongol Yuan."

"Our Great Ming's Emperor Taizu drove out the Mongol Yuan, restored our Han rivers and mountains, and reclaimed the Central Plains' sacred territory. Naturally, we should not emulate previous dynasties. Whether it be the corrupt Confucian Song or the beastly Yuan, neither can serve as a precedent for our Great Ming."

"Your minister believes it is time to set things right, and so your minister proposes that the Xunzi be listed as one of the Four Books."

Cui Chengxiu's words immediately stirred up an uproar, and countless people in the court glared at him with fury.

What Cui Chengxiu said was far too sensitive. Everyone knew he was talking nonsense, but the problem was that you couldn't actually refute him from that angle.

After all, what Cui Chengxiu said was fact—the Northern Song fell, the Southern Song fell too, and then the Yuan also fell.

In the court, what topic was the most sensitive?

Naturally, it was the fall of a dynasty.

For the imperial house, what question was the most feared?

Naturally, it was still the fall of a dynasty.

Cui Chengxiu had directly elevated this matter to that height, and from his words one could tell that he was criticizing Zhu Xi.

If this reasoning could pass, and the Xunzi could replace the Mencius, then one could estimate that in the future other books would come to replace the other texts of the Four Books—the justification might even already be prepared.

This was like a blade striking the vital spot—this was a direct attempt to topple Zhu Xi! This was digging at the very root of the School of Principle!

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Cui Chengxiu, and inwardly he regarded him with newfound respect.

Truly, they struck hard enough—none of these people were pushovers.

As long as they had his support, they would really do anything. Without any scruples of principle, and striking with speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness.

Zhu Youxiao didn't even know how to evaluate such a minister.

For himself as Emperor, this was a loyal minister, an absolutely loyal minister; but for those outside, this kind of person was nothing less than a great treacherous minister who beguiled the sovereign—even being sentenced to death by slow slicing wouldn't be unjust.

In the end, it was still a matter of standpoint.

At this moment, Li Zhizao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also stepped forward. He said directly: "Your Majesty, your minister believes what Censor Cui said makes sense. Our Great Ming has reopened sun and moon, so naturally we must implement the laws of our Great Ming. In the early years, the Great Ming's rivers and mountains were not yet stable, so many places inherited Yuan dynasty institutions—this was a temporary measure Emperor Taizu took for the stability of the Great Ming's realm."

"Being a temporary measure means it was adopted out of necessity. Now that the Great Ming's realm is stable, your minister believes the time has come to implement the laws of our Great Ming."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Li Zhizao, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly—these people were indeed more shameless than one another.

According to Li Zhizao's reasoning, the Great Ming had only just been established, and was by no means a dynasty that had sat on the throne for over two hundred years.

What Li Zhizao was saying made it sound as if the Great Ming had just emerged from chaos and unified the realm only a few years ago.

Yet everyone present knew that the Great Ming had been around for over two hundred years—it wouldn't even be strange to call it a dynasty in its twilight. Since when was there an eternal dynasty under heaven?

But no one dared to jump out and say it.

What do you want to say?

Do you want to say the Great Ming's realm has lasted long already?

That it has already reached the end of its dynastic cycle?

Tired of living, are you? Seeking death isn't done like this.

The most critical point was that Li Zhizao's argument directly pushed open another door—the door of reform for the Great Ming.

What ancestral systems, what institutions—those were all measures of necessity adopted at the founding of the state when it was not yet stable. Naturally, now they must be changed.

If this reasoning also passed, then the door to reform would be thrown open.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Cui Chengxiu, then at Li Zhizao, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Being this Emperor was truly not easy—not a single one of his subordinates was a lamp that saved oil.

These people were simply a death sentence.

Originally it was Huang Kezuan's examination framework, but now everyone was smuggling their own goods into it—and smuggling them in like mad.

They all wanted to stuff their own ideas into this matter, and they certainly weren't being the least bit polite about it.