Chapter 223: You Have No Right to Object

Everyone's opinion of Han Kuang, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, was rather poor.

Some even felt that Han Kuang was a traitor to the Donglin Faction, a treacherous minister who had no principles and no bottom line in order to gain power. If this question were placed in Han Kuang's hands, it would basically be as good as hopeless.

Under everyone's complicated gaze, Han Kuang steadily stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your minister also agrees to replace Mencius with Xunzi."

After saying this, Han Kuang made no extra movements and directly turned around to stand on the other side.

After hearing Han Kuang's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Alright, I understand. It seems all my beloved ministers share the same view. Very good, then let it be done this way."

He then turned his head to look at Huang Kezuan, and said with a slight smile: "Beloved Huang, I'll leave this matter to you to handle. You will work together with the Ministry of Rites to get this done properly, without any mistakes."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your minister will not let Your Majesty down." Huang Kezuan hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully.

Upon hearing this guarantee, Zhu Youxiao put away his smile, directly stood up and said: "Then let's end things here for today."

After saying this, he paid no more attention to the crowd, turned around, and walked out toward the back.

The news from today's grand court assembly spread quickly, and no one expected the approval to be so one-sided.

Isn't this too strange?

Could it be that the entire court was filled with mediocre people, without a single one daring to step forward and speak?

For a time, public opinion was in an uproar.

In fact, the reason this situation occurred was very simple — because there was no one at the top.

Ever since Zhu Youxiao had transmigrated into the Great Ming Dynasty, he had been continuously purging the Donglin Faction from the court, and every time, Donglin members were removed in batches.

The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, as well as the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War — all had been thoroughly cleansed by Zhu Youxiao.

The four Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat were also people who had remained after the purges.

The Censorate, which had always excelled at attacking and berating others, had long since been cleansed beyond recognition. Now its head was Yu Maoheng, one of Zhu Youxiao's trusted ministers, and the most vigorous loudmouth jumping around in the Censorate was Cui Chengxiu.

Under such circumstances, how could there possibly be any dissenting voices at the top?

As for those at the lower levels wanting to object — what means did they have?

You don't even have the opportunity to stand in the court — how can you object?

You want to speak at the morning court session?

Unfortunately, you don't have that qualification.

This grand court assembly had only summoned civil and military officials of the fourth rank and above; in any case, officials below that level were not qualified to attend. So the appearance of this one-sided approval was not strange at all.

To put it plainly, although this decision did not conform to the hopes of the common people, it was recognized by the court.

It was precisely because the court and the common people thought differently — every big shot at court had his own thoughts and his own interests. Starting from their own interests, they decided that this policy should be supported, because everyone could share in the benefits from it.

Although these big shots were not very approving in their hearts, they could still agree for the time being, and so the current situation was formed.

The opposition from the common people remained extremely fierce, but it was useless — it could not reach the upper levels, so no matter how much they jumped around, there would be no result.

Besides, this kind of reform was not like the implementation of some system that required cooperation from the lower levels.

This kind of imperial examination reform was entirely top-down, requiring no cooperation from the lower levels at all.

Well, either you simply don't take the exam — that's the most you can do to refuse.

If you don't participate in the imperial examinations, so be it. But you can't possibly make everyone refuse to participate — there will always be people willing to go.

Once someone goes, then this kind of resistance measure loses most of its usefulness.

As for lower-level officials — the court tells you to be examined on Xunzi, but you don't listen and directly take the exam on Mencius instead — what is that?

Defying the court's orders, going against the Emperor's sacred decree. Do you know what crime that is?

Other crimes can be excused with excuses or brushed aside, but this crime cannot be dodged. This is a policy pressed down from top to bottom.

For a time, the capital was in turmoil — countless people were running about crying out, countless people were cursing madly, and there were even several incidents of people blocking sedan chairs.

Of course, what they blocked were the sedan chairs of important court ministers, furiously venting their emotions, loudly cursing that these ministers were unworthy of being officials, unworthy of being scholars; at the same time, they also wailed for these ministers to step forward and speak up.

For a time, the entire capital was buzzing with excitement.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Youxiao actually smiled.

To put it plainly, from this incident one could see that, in many cases, the interests of the court and the interests of the localities did not align.

What Zhu Youxiao wanted was to select some truly useful talents for the country, talents who could be employed by the country.

But the localities did not think this way — their primary thought was "I want to be an official," and how they passed the exam didn't matter. Even if it were a contest of physical strength, as long as it was something they were good at, it was fine.

This policy was opposed by so many people because most scholars had studied the Mencius; suddenly switching to Xunzi, they couldn't adapt.

But even more than that, it was the fear of the unknown, the fear of not wanting to change.

Lifting his head to glance at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked expressionlessly: "No one is preparing to kneel in front of the palace, are they?"

If someone ran to the front of the palace to curse him out, or pulled some stunt like kneeling in remonstrance before the Meridian Gate, that would be the real trouble.

As for everything else, it simply wasn't that important — if they wanted to block officials' sedan chairs, let them block.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, nothing of that sort will happen." Chen Hong hurriedly bowed and guaranteed.

In fact, nothing of that sort truly would happen, because this time the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot were both keeping watch.

If anyone wanted to do such a thing, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot were prepared to strangle it in the cradle.

Whoever dared to do so would simply be killed.

Zhu Youxiao nodded. He understood the meaning behind Chen Hong's words and did not continue asking.

As long as such an incident didn't occur, that was enough — the reason why it wouldn't occur was not so important.

Standing up and stretching his body, Zhu Youxiao seemed to remember something and said: "Today is the day of the Imperial Household Department's examination for clerks, isn't it?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, indeed it is." Chen Hong hurriedly lowered his head and said.

"Then make some preparations — let's go take a look." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao had truly grown somewhat bored staying inside the palace; on the other hand, he genuinely cared quite a bit about the Imperial Household Department's examination.

The reason was simple — this was a path for the future. Because the announcement permitting clerks to participate had been made, it had stirred up some commotion, but not a very big one, because after all this was the Emperor's household affair, so others weren't too able to interfere excessively.

According to Fang Zhenghua's report from a few days ago, the Imperial Household Department had indeed received quite a few registrations from clerks.

For these petty clerks, taking the exam couldn't hurt.

Besides, who wants to be a petty clerk for their whole life?

As long as they could pass the exam and get into the Imperial Household Department, they would become officials. Even if they were private officials of the Emperor's household, and might even be scolded as the royal family's servants, what did that matter?

They would still be officials. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was even called the Emperor's hawk and hound, yet who dared to look down on them?

So-called differences in status are all relative. Some people inflate their own worth, putting on airs of being nobler than others, shaping and elevating themselves countless times, until those beneath them actually come to believe it.

This is what the scholar-officials keep doing, because they hold the power of discourse.

In fact, this is the same as some racial and ethnic theories of later generations. Those who hold the power of discourse and control the world's economic power tell you, "I am nobler."

What's most exasperating is that some people actually believe it—and the ones who believe it are the lower classes.

Even if Imperial Household Department officials would be looked down upon, weren't petty clerks looked down upon too?

No matter how you looked at it, going from petty clerk to Imperial Household Department official was a huge step up.

Under these circumstances, one could imagine the enthusiasm with which petty clerks signed up. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—who knew if there would ever be another like it?

So they had to seize it.

Zhu Youxiao wanted to go see the examination, to see what results it would bring, whether one or two talents might emerge.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go make preparations at once." Chen Hong hastily acknowledged.

While Zhu Youxiao was preparing to leave the palace, the Song brothers and Zhang Yu also arrived at the doorstep of a household.

Although Zhang Yu had said he would come alone, the Song brothers still accompanied him.

In Song Yingsheng's words: the three of us have come this far, so let us advance and retreat together. If we succeed, we stand together in the court; if we fail, we go home and farm together.

Zhang Yu said nothing more about the Song brothers' loyalty—the three of them came together.

Where Song Yingsheng and the others went was Feng Congwu's home.

For Song Yingsheng and the other two, this was not a place they should be coming to. But they all knew they had no choice.

After receiving the visiting cards from Song Yingsheng and the other two, Feng Congwu's side had sent back a reply, agreeing to see all three of them. That was how today's meeting came about.

Otherwise, if you just barged straight up to someone's door, no one would see you at all—the gatekeeper would throw you out.

Because that would be a breach of etiquette; you would be showing contempt for the other party. Unless a great personage deigned to visit someone of lesser standing, in which case going directly was acceptable—that was called honoring the worthy by condescending to the humble.

The gatekeeper knew Song Yingsheng and the others were coming, so he received them and led them inside directly.

Song Yingsheng and the other two were brought to the second hall's reception room in the rear, where tea was served before the servant withdrew.

Song Yingsheng and the other two exchanged glances.

Zhang Yu said languidly, "How hard it is to live in the capital!"

Song Yingsheng shot Zhang Yu a glare, because what Zhang Yu had said was clearly sarcasm.

The reason was very simple—Feng Congwu's residence was by no means small; it was a compound with three courtyards. Most crucially, the location of this residence was in an absolutely prime area.

To have such a large mansion in such a location—setting aside how much it cost, this was a place ordinary people couldn't buy. Even if you wanted to live here, your neighbors might not agree to it.

For Feng Congwu to be able to live here, his status was naturally not low. Otherwise, as a fifth-rank official, living in such a place in the capital would have been utterly impossible—even with money, he wouldn't have been qualified to reside here.

So Zhang Yu's remark was clearly a jab at Feng Congwu for advocating frugality on the surface while indulging in every kind of comfort behind closed doors.

In fact, this had become a very, very familiar pattern in the officialdom of the Great Ming—just about everyone did it.

Just like back then, when the Wanli Emperor hated Zhang Juzheng for this very reason. Zhang Juzheng taught the Wanli Emperor: you must be thrifty, the state is in difficulty, so you must live simply; the palace must not burn too many lamps, the halls must not be renovated, and food and clothing must all be frugal.

If Zhang Juzheng had led by example, then he would indeed have been a good teacher.

But the truth was exactly the opposite—his life was extremely extravagant. He accepted bribes on a grand scale and rode out in a sedan chair carried by forty-eight men. That sedan chair was like a moving little house, with everything inside it.

Every time Zhang Juzheng went out, he was surrounded by attendants front and back, with all the trappings of high office. How did the Wanli Emperor view that?

You stripped me of my power, and you won't let me spend money. But you—you exercise my power and spend my money?

If I weren't no match for you, I'd have had you killed long ago!

This situation had grown worse and worse over time, until now, when basically all these officials lived simply on the surface while living extravagantly in private.

Especially some Donglin Faction officials from Jiangnan—while in the capital, they cried out, "Your Majesty, you must be thrifty," yet the lives they led themselves were not the least bit frugal.

Every year people sent them gifts—ice money in summer, charcoal money in winter; and when nothing else was happening, someone would come asking for a piece of calligraphy, eagerly pressing a writing fee upon them. Even if they did nothing at all, they still had a hefty income every year.

What's more, although some appeared incorruptible on the surface, back in their hometowns, their families, relying on their power and prestige, engaged in every kind of money-making scheme—doing business, opening shops, lending at usurious rates, annexing land—they did everything.

Because these great officials shielded them, local authorities dared not intervene.

They appeared clean and uncorrupted on the surface, but in reality their families sent them large sums of silver every year. A typical example was Xu Jie, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Jiajing era.

Who would have thought that such a renowned minister of his generation was actually wealthier than the great traitor Yan Song?

Zhang Yu's remark now was clearly turning the tables to satirize Feng Congwu.

The reason was also simple—the young man had not yet stepped into officialdom, had not yet been swayed and baptized by such customs, and still harbored patriotic ideals in his heart, so he couldn't stand to see it; combined with a touch of mischievousness in his character, that was why Zhang Yu said what he did.

Song Yingsheng shot him a glare and said, "Gossiping about others behind their backs is not the conduct of a gentleman. If you want to know, wait until Lord Feng arrives, and you can ask him directly."

Zhang Yu glanced at Song Yingsheng and let out a helpless sigh.

How did he ever become friends with these two?

This was their first meeting with Feng Congwu—they hadn't discussed anything at all, and he was supposed to ask Feng Congwu how he came by his house?

Did he believe Feng Congwu wouldn't just have someone throw him out?

"Sorry to keep you waiting." At that moment, Feng Congwu walked in, a smile on his face, speaking in a gentle tone.

At the same time, he clasped his hands toward Song Yingsheng and the other two in greeting, without the slightest air of superiority.

Song Yingsheng and the other two quickly rose from their chairs and bowed all the way to the ground.

Feng Congwu was a senior elder after all—the respect due to him had to be shown. So the etiquette of Song Yingsheng and the other two was flawless in every detail.

"No need for such formalities, no need. Sit, sit." Feng Congwu said with a smile, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation toward Song Yingsheng and the other two.

After they sat down, neither side spoke first—instead, they sized each other up.

Feng Congwu in particular studied the three men before him carefully; in fact, he had already sent people to make inquiries about all three of them.

These three had gained no small reputation in their circles, especially Song Yingxing's refutation of Wei Dazhong.

Now that these three had come to his door, Feng Congwu was somewhat pleased in his heart, because it reflected his standing.

However, as to what business these three had with him, Feng Congwu had no idea in his heart.

Song Yingsheng and the other two were also looking at Feng Congwu.

Feng Congwu was in his fifties, with no trace of villainy on his face; the whole man exuded an air of refined elegance. In any case, he was a handsome older gentleman, appearing to have no faults, and his conduct in dealing with others was quite amiable.

"I was just writing a routine memorial and couldn't interrupt myself. I've kept the three of you waiting." Feng Congwu explained his lateness, then said: "I hope you won't take offense."

"We wouldn't dare." Song Yingsheng and the other two hurriedly replied.

At this moment, Zhang Yu said: "May I ask, Master Feng, is this regarding the matter in the court of replacing Mencius with Xunzi?"

No one had expected Zhang Yu to ask this question so directly, and for a moment the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

The smile on Feng Congwu's face slowly faded, because this question was not particularly easy to answer, nor was it a question that Zhang Yu and the others should be asking.

Glancing at Zhang Yu, Feng Congwu still nodded and said: "Yes. As the saying goes, there is nothing that cannot be said openly. There is nothing I need to hide in admonishing Your Majesty; what I wrote is precisely about this matter. If no one in the court opposes it, it will make Your Majesty think everyone approves. They may do nothing, but I cannot turn a blind eye."

Zhang Yu nodded and said: "But I feel that doing so is inappropriate."

Feng Congwu glanced at Zhang Yu and said with a grave face: "When a minister errs, he must be impeached; when the sovereign errs, he must be directly admonished. What is inappropriate about that?"

As he said this, the expression on Feng Congwu's face had already grown somewhat displeased. Clearly he had begun to suspect these three, and had directly asked this question.

If Zhang Yu could not give him a satisfactory answer, then he would certainly raise his hand to see the guests out.

"Because I believe that aside from angering Your Majesty, such an approach is utterly useless." Zhang Yu said with a smile: "Let me ask one more somewhat inappropriate question — in your memorial, sir, is the wording extremely fierce?"

"Without fierceness, one cannot shake the deaf and rouse the blind." Feng Congwu said.

However, that Zhang Yu could guess this point did make Feng Congwu regard him with some newfound respect.

Feng Congwu then asked: "Is there something improper about it? Even if it angers Your Majesty, as ministers we must still admonish where admonishment is due — how could we shrink back for fear of angering Your Majesty?"

"As ministers, we naturally should admonish Your Majesty. But you must also understand, sir, that this approach does nothing to remedy the situation." Zhang Yu continued: "What is it we want to do — anger Your Majesty? Or hope that Your Majesty will retract the order? Or hope that Your Majesty can set things right through the Restoration?"

"Only after clarifying one's purpose can one continue to act. If you wish to anger Your Majesty, to win fame through blunt remonstrance, then there is naturally nothing wrong with such an approach. Indeed, the fiercer the words and the more Your Majesty is angered, the better the goal is achieved; ideally, you would be beaten with the court flogging, or directly thrown into the Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard — only thus could you complete your reputation."

Hearing Zhang Yu's words, Feng Congwu kept a grave face and said nothing.

But judging from his expression, Feng Congwu was truly angry.