Chapter 225: The First Emperor to Split Heaven and Earth

Han Kuang was not in a good mood today—there was even a trace of pessimism, and urgency as well.

The events at court today had made one thing clear to Han Kuang: the time left to him was truly running out. If things continued this way, it would not be long before he had to leave the court, leave the capital.

Leaving like this, without any accomplishments to his name, Han Kuang truly could not accept it, because so far he had done nothing at all.

Many people said his position as Chief Grand Secretary had come too easily, and the scholar-official community heaped abuse upon him. The reason was very simple: they all believed Han Kuang had betrayed the Donglin Faction to obtain the post of Chief Grand Secretary.

In fact, no matter the era, there are many people who do not look at the process, only the result.

Looking at the outcome of the Donglin Faction case, many people had been imprisoned and punished on various charges, even beheaded, while Han Kuang alone had surged ahead to take the position of Chief Grand Secretary. Compared to those who were beheaded or had their families confiscated and exiled, Han Kuang had gained the most.

Under such circumstances, there was no doubt that everyone concluded Han Kuang had engineered the whole affair. Those who agreed with this conclusion were legion, and Han Kuang could not talk his way out of it—even jumping into the Yellow River could not wash him clean.

To bear this terrible reputation and leave this officialdom he had struggled in for most of his life without a single achievement—how could Han Kuang possibly be reconciled to that in his heart?

Having sat in the seat of Chief Grand Secretary, he naturally had to do something. So when he saw Zhang Yu, there was expectation in Han Kuang's heart.

Because what Han Kuang wanted was simple: a theoretical system that could support his governance. Only then could his reputation be somewhat salvaged.

Before coming here, Zhang Yu had known full well what was happening at court.

Such matters could not possibly be concealed. In fact, just as Zhang Yu had predicted, the court had ultimately passed Huang Kezuan's proposal to demote Mencius and elevate Xunzi—no different from what he had guessed.

There was only one thing Zhang Yu had not anticipated: that the high officials of the court had all agreed. Originally Zhang Yu had thought someone would step forward to oppose it, but now there was no voice of dissent.

It was precisely this situation that confirmed another thing for Zhang Yu: the time for the Great Ming to change had come—he was more certain of this than ever before.

In fact, this trend had already existed since the Tianqi Emperor ascended the throne.

The Donglin Faction's loss of power—many thought it was due to one reason or another, but Zhang Yu knew there was only one reason: they had gotten in the way of the new Emperor's affairs.

A new emperor brings new ministers. His Majesty no longer wanted to use them, or His Majesty found them displeasing, or His Majesty felt they had gathered too much power into their own hands.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was that His Majesty had begun to suppress them, to suppress the School of Principle—so His Majesty would find others to replace them.

Judging from the current situation, His Majesty did not want to see another Donglin Faction rise, so he had been searching for substitutes. Whether it was Xu Guangqi's doctrines or Li Zhi's doctrines, all were products of this search.

The one who reacted quickly was Huang Kezuan—he proposed Xunzi's thought, and this thought was also accepted by His Majesty. This showed how deep His Majesty's desire for change truly ran.

Under such circumstances, those who change survive; those who do not change die.

At the same time, this was also an opportunity—an opportunity for himself and the two Song brothers and their kind. Clearly Han Kuang could sense it too; the two sides could be said to have hit it off at once.

So Zhang Yu had full confidence that he could persuade Han Kuang today.

Upon seeing Han Kuang, Zhang Yu smiled and performed a salute, saying: "Your student pays respects to the Grand Secretary."

"No need for ceremony." Han Kuang said with a smile: "Sit down and let us talk."

At this moment Han Kuang's attitude was extremely amiable, appearing like a magnanimous elder treating a junior.

After Zhang Yu sat down, Han Kuang waved his hand to dismiss the servants, then asked: "Do you have business coming here today?"

"There is indeed a matter I wish to discuss with the Grand Secretary." Zhang Yu said with a smile.

"The Grand Secretary should know that your student was born of the Guanzhong lineage. When it comes to our Guanzhong lineage, there is one person who can never be bypassed—that person is Feng Congwu, the Chief of the Seal Office. The day before yesterday we went to visit him."

Hearing the name Feng Congwu, Han Kuang's brow furrowed.

In terms of official rank, Feng Congwu was far beneath him; but from the perspective of the scholar-official community, Feng Congwu was different—his prestige was very high, and his students were very numerous.

As a former member of the Donglin Faction, Han Kuang knew very well that although Feng Congwu was in Guanzhong, he held considerable standing throughout the entire northern scholar-official community.

Han Kuang had not expected Zhang Yu to bring up Feng Congwu—the two of them were not even of the same school of thought!

So Han Kuang asked with puzzlement: "Did you discuss something then?"

Nodding lightly, Zhang Yu said with a smile: "Master Feng is truly worthy of being a great master of our Guanzhong lineage. Not having seen him for several years, his scholarship has advanced further still. This time your student went to seek his instruction, and truly I can say I benefited immensely."

"Master Feng put forward several ideas unprecedented in history—though still somewhat imperfect, they already struck your student as divinely inspired. Your student thought to come and seek the Grand Secretary's counsel." Zhang Yu said with a smile.

"Oh? Something like that? Then tell me about it." Han Kuang put on an appearance of interest.

"Master Feng believes we should cast aside the Song Confucians and instead study the Confucians of the Han and Tang. In his view, the Song Confucians are rotten and declining, far inferior to the vigorous and enterprising Confucians of the Han and Tang. That the former Song fell to such a fate had much to do with their Confucian doctrines. By contrast, the Han and Tang were vigorous and enterprising—they are the model our Great Ming should study."

"Of course, Master Feng also proposed discarding the dross and keeping the essence, seeking out scholarly thought that suits our Great Ming. After all, our Great Ming's Emperor Taizu drove out the barbarian Hu and restored Chinese civilization—an achievement unprecedented in history. Among all emperors past and present, none holds the throne more legitimately than our Emperor Taizu."

"Since Emperor Taizu accomplished such a deed, then our Great Ming naturally ought to establish laws for ten thousand generations."

Listening to Zhang Yu's words, Han Kuang's body jolted violently.

He had read books all his life and served as an official for most of it—how could he fail to catch the subtext in anyone's words?

Moreover, Zhang Yu was no longer speaking in metaphor; he was telling Han Kuang plainly that Feng Congwu and Zhang Yu had reached a cooperation, wanting to promote a new doctrine.

This doctrine from the very start was about studying the Confucians of the Han and Tang and casting aside the Song Confucians. Put plainly, it was digging up the roots of the School of Principle—telling it to go do whatever it pleased elsewhere.

This was far more ruthless than replacing Mencius with Xunzi, because once the Song Confucians were cast aside, Zhu Xi's Four Books would be thoroughly swept into the rubbish heap.

As for Zhang Yu's later words, Han Kuang understood them truly as well. That was to use the framework of Han-Tang Confucianism to establish anew a scholarly thought. As for what this scholarly thought was—though Zhang Yu had not yet said it, Han Kuang could guess a bit.

"Oh, is that so?" Han Kuang looked at Zhang Yu and said with a smile: "This old man is rather intrigued."

"Since the Grand Secretary is intrigued, your student will tell you." Zhang Yu hurriedly said with a smile: "For example, Master Feng believes we should study the Han-Tang Confucians' practical, truth-seeking approach, discarding superficial and empty trends—whether in officialdom or in study, one should proceed from a pragmatic standpoint."

"At the same time, inspired by His Majesty, Master Feng combined his pragmatic doctrine with His Majesty's principle that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. He believes the people of the realm should read books and serve as officials from a pragmatic angle, do things steadily and honestly, judge solely by merit, and discard empty boasting. There is only one requirement for officials: they must produce results."

Hearing these words from Zhang Yu, Han Kuang already understood—everything else was false; aligning with His Majesty was the only truth.

This, Han Kuang was not surprised by. Confucian schools had always operated this way; those that did not were all minor schools, and many of them had already died out.

And the most famous, most successful practitioner of this approach was Dong Zhongshu.

Even now people still spoke of "Emperor Wu of Han dismissing the hundred schools and honoring only Confucianism"—but was that truly what happened?

Han Kuang did not think so.

Was Confucianism at that time truly more advanced than the other schools?

That was not the case either.

The reason was actually very simple: at that time, Emperor Wu of Han was single-mindedly determined to attack the Xiongnu, and Confucianism happened to support this idea of his.

Whether it was the Gongyang school raising the cry of "a grudge ten generations old may still be avenged," or the other schools of thought championing great unification, all catered to Emperor Wu's thoughts and policies at the time.

It was precisely for this reason that they gained Emperor Wu's favor and thereby became the foremost school of learning in the realm.

At Han Kuang's level, one's understanding of such things ran far deeper. The growth of the Confucian school had never relied on preaching benevolence and righteousness; if it had, then why had neither Confucius nor Mencius succeeded in anything?

Confucius and Mencius traveled through the various states—did their ideas ever gain true acceptance?

Instead, it was Xunzi's thought that produced a host of great figures, used by rulers from beginning to end. Even by the Great Ming dynasty, the Ming Code still followed this path, carrying through Legalist thinking.

The reason Xunzi's teachings never flourished or were passed down in full was largely that his theory of the Mandate of Heaven did not please the emperors.

Now Zhang Yu, though flying the banner of reviving the Confucianism of Han and Tang, was actually doing what his predecessors had done before.

Han Kuang directly stroked his beard and laughed.

Because he knew that this single point Zhang Yu had raised was enough to win His Majesty's support.

Praise the Founding Emperor to the skies, then put forward the notion of reviving the Confucianism of Han and Tang. Beyond that, following His Majesty's pragmatism, spread outward the proposition that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

This would surely gain His Majesty's support, because these were His Majesty's own words.

At the same time, once this argument was established, many things could be pushed forward. For example, rectifying officialdom's atmosphere and reshaping a pragmatic scholarly ethos.

Under the leadership of the pragmatic school, the Assessment Law could be implemented, and likewise the doctrine of merit solely through military achievement could be promoted within the army.

Once the ideological problem was solved, policies would naturally be able to proceed.

Thought guides policy; only fitting thought produces fitting policy.

When thought is not in chaos, policy can maintain continuity.

Han Kuang understood this clearly. He raised his head and glanced at Zhang Yu, sighing inwardly—this young man was truly remarkable.

He did not believe for a moment that Feng Congwu had come up with this. The entire affair was being orchestrated by Zhang Yu. Feng Congwu had been propped up by him, merely a spirit tablet placed out front.

Watching Zhang Yu speak with such eloquence, Han Kuang smiled.

Having such a junior was a good thing. Zhang Yu had not even entered officialdom yet; by the time he could one day threaten him, Han Kuang would probably have long since died of old age at home.

So this man could only be an asset to him. If not someone like this, then who would one use?

Seeing Han Kuang smiling at him, Zhang Yu said with a laugh: "May I ask what the Grand Secretary thinks?"

"Truly breathtaking." Han Kuang nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard as he said: "Truly remarkable! But there is one matter I wish to ask—regarding the Mandate of Heaven, what does Mr. Feng say?"

Han Kuang had changed how he referred to Feng Congwu, and the meaning was obvious—he had accepted him.

Zhang Yu understood in his heart and said with a smile: "Regarding the Mandate of Heaven, Mr. Feng believes that the Way of Heaven operates with constancy—it does not exist for a Yao, nor perish for a Jie. On this point, the gentleman admires Xunzi's teachings, finding the proposition of mastering the Mandate of Heaven and putting it to use to be excellent."

Hearing Zhang Yu say this, Han Kuang furrowed his brow.

The reason was simple—although His Majesty currently made use of Xunzi's teachings, they were not necessarily truly to His Majesty's liking.

Because Xunzi's teachings had an insurmountable hurdle. That was, if one followed Xunzi's line of reasoning, then all beings were equal, and the Mandate of Heaven watched over no one.

From this would derive a claim: the emperor was merely a title of nobility, no different from anyone else. There would be no such thing as the Son of Heaven, let alone any talk of the Mandate of Heaven belonging to one. And since no one was different from anyone else, one would have grounds for rebellion.

Under such circumstances, this kind of thought could never please His Majesty. No emperor would ever like such a claim.

This was the most critical reason Xunzi's teachings were not accepted.

If this problem were not resolved, then Xunzi's teachings would never make it onto the list supported by the emperor.

Han Kuang looked at Zhang Yu and asked with a smile: "Then what of the Son of Heaven?"

Though his question was brief in words, it struck precisely at the crux of the matter.

You people do this—where does that leave the Son of Heaven?

Now everyone says the emperor is the son of Heaven, sent by the azure heavens to rule over you.

Heaven gives birth to the multitudes, and appoints the Son of Heaven to shepherd them as a herdsman tends his flock.

Who may be the Son of Heaven?

One with great fortune, one with great merit toward all living beings, may be the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven's fortune derives from great merit toward all living beings.

The Founding Emperor of our Great Ming, born a commoner of Huaixi, drove out the Tartar barbarians, restored Chinese civilization, resolved to pacify the realm, and swept away the age of chaos—this was the achievement of founding the dynasty. With such merit, fortune naturally gathered upon him, and he naturally could be the Son of Heaven.

Our Great Ming's legitimacy in taking the throne is unmatched in ancient or modern times. Our Great Ming's sage Son of Heaven, above receives the Mandate of Heaven, below spreads grace and virtue throughout the realm; the myriad common people all receive the imperial grace of our Great Ming's Son of Heaven—thus our Great Ming's emperor is naturally the Son of Heaven.

Han Kuang glanced at Zhang Yu, feeling he had still underestimated him.

This shameless audacity—why did it always feel like the School of Diplomacy?

This doctrine was not the first time Han Kuang had heard it. When Chen Kedao had lectured on it before, it had stirred up a great uproar, and afterward had kicked up countless waves.

But no one had raised Chen Kedao's doctrine for a long time now. Presumably everyone thought it was merely a wild rant from a heretic, and no one took it to heart.

Who could have imagined that this Zhang Yu would pick it up again—and even revise it.

Everywhere it emphasized that our Great Ming's Founding Emperor's legitimacy in taking the throne was proper, that our Great Ming's Founding Emperor drove out the Tartar barbarians and restored Chinese civilization.

In short, no one could compare to our Great Ming's Founding Emperor, and therefore our Great Ming dynasty should naturally be where the Mandate of Heaven resided.

This doctrine was easy for people to accept, and Han Kuang knew this very well.

Because in this era, the Three Bonds and Five Constants were perfectly normal things. A son does not speak of his father's faults; a son boasting of his own ancestor—no amount of boasting could be excessive.

On the contrary, not boasting would be the error. You should take pride in your own ancestor. So was it abnormal for His Majesty to take pride in the Founding Emperor?

It was utterly normal, nothing more.

According to Zhang Yu's formulation, the Founding Emperor of our Great Ming far surpassed Emperor Taizong of Tang and Emperor Taizu of Song—he was practically the first emperor since the separation of heaven and earth.

Was it acceptable to say this?

Han Kuang felt there was nothing unacceptable. Our Great Ming's Founding Emperor was exactly that—seeking truth from facts.