Chapter 235: The Reformer Who Feared Not Death

Setting down Mei Zhihuan's file, Zhu Youxiao let out a soft breath and said slowly, "Go find this man. I want to talk with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go at once." Chen Hong replied respectfully and hurried off to find the man.

Rehabilitating Zhang Juzheng—this truly struck a chord in Zhu Youxiao's heart.

For Zhu Youxiao, this was indeed a good thing, because it represented an attitude of His Majesty, an encouragement to the reformist faction.

The current Emperor did not oppose reform but instead supported it—this could be seen from the rehabilitation of Zhang Juzheng.

So Zhu Youxiao felt that the benefits of this matter outweighed the drawbacks; it could conveniently win over some hearts while also appointing Mei Zhihuan.

After this period of study, Zhu Youxiao had confirmed one of his conjectures. That was, among the court officials, some were quite principled and full of ideas; but more of the officials at court were truly just bureaucrats—they preferred to go with the flow, preferred to read the wind, and were not so steadfast. It could be said that whatever benefited them, that was what they would do.

These people became officials purely for promotion and wealth; they had no ideals. Whatever benefited them, they would advocate.

So Zhu Youxiao felt that officials like Mei Zhihuan were especially rare, particularly those who could see eye to eye with him.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Everyone knew that Mei Zhihuan had been summoned by His Majesty.

For a moment, everyone was baffled.

After all, a place like the Court of Imperial Sacrifices could hardly draw His Majesty's attention, and now, judging by the look of things, the situation was clearly different—the one who came was Chen Hong.

Mei Zhihuan himself hadn't expected it either. Looking at Chen Hong before him, he asked with some hesitation, "Eunuch Chen, go right now?"

Chen Hong smiled and nodded, then said, "Lord Mei had best make haste. His Majesty is still waiting for you. If you are too late in going, His Majesty will be displeased."

"In that case, this humble official will go with you, Eunuch." Mei Zhihuan said hurriedly.

Others didn't know why he had been summoned by His Majesty, but Mei Zhihuan had some inkling in his heart. What he had done, he himself ultimately knew.

How much time had passed since he submitted that routine memorial?

The most crucial point was that he had written many things in that memorial—it was probably for this very reason that His Majesty had summoned him.

He just didn't know what the outcome of this summons would be, but Mei Zhihuan leaned toward it being a good result; otherwise, it wouldn't have been Chen Hong coming to bring him into the palace.

If His Majesty wanted to punish him, there was naturally the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle it. If His Majesty didn't want to bother with him, the memorial would have been left unanswered.

Now that His Majesty wanted to summon him, it clearly meant a good result.

There was some excitement in Mei Zhihuan's heart—not because his memorial had been valued by His Majesty, nor because being summoned by His Majesty would bring him rewards.

The main reason for his excitement was that he had guessed correctly: His Majesty truly intended to push forward reform.

In Mei Zhihuan's view, the Great Ming had reached a point where reform was unavoidable. If His Majesty truly had the resolve to implement reform, that would be the hope for the Great Ming's revival.

Judging from the various events of this period, Mei Zhihuan felt he had to have this idea, so he had spoken his thoughts aloud, hoping to do something for the Great Ming.

Now it seemed he had obtained a good result.

Mei Zhihuan followed Chen Hong to the Western Park.

Speaking of it, this was Mei Zhihuan's first time here. But judging from the lush bamboo groves all around and the winding covered bridges over the water, the Western Park indeed had less solemnity and gravity than the imperial palace, and more ease and leisure.

This made Mei Zhihuan somewhat puzzled. Judging from His Majesty's various ways, the Emperor should be a young and energetic ruler with many ideas—how could he come to live in the Western Park, a place suited for retirement?

Of course, Mei Zhihuan dared not ask this question; he could only think about it in his heart.

Turning past a green-tiled wall, accompanied by faint wafts of floral fragrance, Mei Zhihuan walked to a lakeshore where lotuses were in full bloom and saw His Majesty.

This Emperor of the Great Ming was indeed resting. He was lying in a rocking chair, swaying gently. Beside him was a table set with tea, pastries, and candied fruit, along with some fresh produce.

Judging by the look of it, His Majesty truly seemed to be living out his retirement.

Not far away, a fishing rod was also placed—it seemed His Majesty had just finished fishing.

Chen Hong put his hands behind his back and waved them. Mei Zhihuan, taking the hint, stood still in place, watching from afar as Chen Hong went to His Majesty's side.

Chen Hong walked softly to his master's side and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Lord Mei Zhihuan has arrived."

Zhu Youxiao gently opened his eyes, glanced at Chen Hong beside him, and said with a mild expression, "Have him come over."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Having said this, Chen Hong returned to Mei Zhihuan's side and said softly, "Lord Mei, His Majesty summons you."

"Much obliged to you, Eunuch Chen." Mei Zhihuan said with a smile, cupping his hands in salute.

The two came together to their master's side. Chen Hong stood to one side, while Mei Zhihuan knelt and performed the ritual, "Your servant Mei Zhihuan pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Enough, rise." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

As he said this, Zhu Youxiao looked Mei Zhihuan up and down.

This was a middle-aged man in his forties. From his appearance—a square face, regular features, and an air of righteousness between his brows and eyes—there was not the slightest hint of shabbiness about him.

An official like this, standing there, gave one a feeling of solidity and reliability. Of course, one couldn't judge people by appearance alone.

Because Zhu Youxiao knew that the Great Ming was a dynasty where looks mattered even more severely. If you were ugly, you could forget about becoming an official. To put it in a more apt phrase: an ugly man holding office tarnished the court's image.

And in times of chaos, when literati chose their sovereign, they also adhered to this principle. If you were ugly, or looked rather shabby, then you were seen as lacking the bearing of a ruler.

That one statement was a death sentence. It could be said that the Great Ming cared about looks far more severely than later generations.

From the perspective of appearance, Mei Zhihuan was a qualified Great Ming official—and among the more outstanding ones at that.

Withdrawing his gaze, Zhu Youxiao reached out and picked up the memorial on the table, saying, "This is the memorial you submitted. You still remember what was written in it, don't you?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, your servant remembers." Mei Zhihuan said with a bow.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and asked, "Why did you submit such a memorial?"

"You should also know that this memorial brings no benefit. Even if I don't punish you, those outside will have no good words for you. Whether I act or not, you likely won't have a good outcome."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao raised his head and looked at Mei Zhihuan with a smile, waiting for his answer.

Mei Zhihuan naturally understood Zhu Youxiao's words.

The meaning of these words was actually very simple—it was saying that what he had put forward was truly a thankless task.

If His Majesty disagreed, what would people outside say about him?

Thinking about this for a moment, Mei Zhihuan knew there would be no good outcome at all.

But if His Majesty agreed, the criticism against him would likely be even greater. The matter would still need to be done by himself, and he might have to get involved—and then there would probably be no good end for him either.

This was His Majesty asking him.

Mei Zhihuan was silent for a long moment, though his expression remained stern. Finally, he spoke slowly: "Confucius said to achieve benevolence, Mencius said to embrace righteousness. Only when righteousness is fulfilled can benevolence be attained. We read the words of the sages—what do we learn them for? From this day forward, I may hope to be without shame."

Countless people had spoken these words before, and Zhu Youxiao had heard them many times as well.

But this time, spoken through Mei Zhihuan's mouth, Zhu Youxiao felt they carried particular weight, so he asked slowly: "No regrets?"

"In answer to Your Majesty—even if I die a hundred deaths, I shall have no regrets!" Mei Zhihuan's words rang out with conviction.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, set down the routine memorial in his hand, and turned to Chen Hong, saying: "Send someone to deliver this memorial to the Grand Secretariat and have them draft an edict rehabilitating Zhang Juzheng."

Taking the memorial with both hands, Chen Hong bowed and said: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Then he held the memorial and arranged for someone to take it to the Grand Secretariat.

Mei Zhihuan had not expected His Majesty to act with such swift resolve—after only a few exchanged words, the matter was already handled, and with an attitude so firm that no refusal was permitted.

Such an imperious sovereign—why did he instead feel so pleased about it?

Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Since you've spoken of rehabilitating Zhang Juzheng, then let us discuss it—among the policies of Zhang Juzheng's New Governance, which would you rank first?"

"In answer to Your Majesty, I believe it should be the Assessment Law." Mei Zhihuan said with absolute certainty.

"I thought you might say the Single Whip Law!" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Then tell me—why the Assessment Law?"

"In answer to Your Majesty, no matter what policy the court implements, in the end it is the officials who carry it out. The people of the realm look up to Your Majesty, but what they actually encounter is only the officials. Officials represent the court; officials represent Your Majesty."

"Today corruption runs rampant in officialdom, officials shift responsibility onto one another, and countless officials court favor with empty reputations while accomplishing nothing of substance—always composing poetry and verse, strumming lutes in their hometowns, playing mostly extravagant tunes. Merchants and the powerful have no heart for serving the nation, spending their nights in drunken oblivion; officials collude with merchants, oppress the common people, levy exorbitant taxes, and the people have no way to survive!"

Zhu Youxiao's expression did not change in the slightest; he simply listened quietly.

Chen Hong, who had just turned back from his errand, heard such words and his face immediately changed dramatically. When he looked at Mei Zhihuan again, the expression on Chen Hong's face was one of sheer terror.

Was this man surnamed Mei out of his mind?

Or had his brain cramped up?

Saying such things before His Majesty—this was courting death!

His Majesty had just shown him such regard, yet he had squandered that opportunity!

Chen Hong had originally thought this Mei Zhihuan would become a newly rising power in the court, but judging by how things looked now, if the man wasn't thrown into prison, it would only be because His Majesty was showing mercy.

In this man's words, the Great Ming was on the verge of collapse! Was that something one could just say casually?

But Mei Zhihuan did not stop. This time he was prepared to speak everything he had in his heart, because he did not know whether he would ever have such an opportunity again—so he might as well say more.

If it could serve as a thunderclap to awaken the deaf, making His Majesty vigilant and prompting change, then it would be worth it; if he were thrown into prison for this matter, then he would have died a worthy death.

"I believe the Great Ming has reached a moment of survival or extinction. If reform is not undertaken now, the day of the Great Ming's fall is not far off! To reform, the first thing that must change is the governance of officials. Purifying officialdom, selecting the worthy and employing the capable—this is where renewal begins."

"In the court, officials are mediocre and truly unequal to their heavy responsibilities. Therefore I wish to implement Zhang Juzheng's Assessment Law—I believe Zhang Juzheng's reform of the Assessment Law should rank first." After saying this, Mei Zhihuan fell silent, standing respectfully to one side, awaiting His Majesty's response.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Mei Zhihuan, his face betraying neither pleasure nor anger.

Reaching out to pick up the teacup beside him and taking a sip, Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Has my Great Ming truly fallen to such a state? On the verge of destruction?"

"I never imagined that I, too, would face the day of becoming a sovereign of a fallen nation."

At this point, Zhu Youxiao laughed at himself, then suddenly hurled the teacup in his hand away.

The teacup hit the ground with a shattering crash, like a heavy hammer striking against everyone's hearts.

The people around immediately knelt, saying in trembling voices: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

But Mei Zhihuan did not move, nor did he kneel to beg forgiveness—he simply stood there quietly.

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao asked with a smile: "Are you not afraid I will have you killed?"

"To shed blood for the Great Ming's renewal, I would gladly do so. Throughout the dynasties, few reformers have met good ends. Those who came before and those who follow—what they seek is nothing more than the nation's prosperity and the people's well-being. I am not unaware of this, and I believe our predecessors were not unaware either."

"But some things must be done even at the cost of death. What I have said today in peril of my life, I hope Your Majesty will examine carefully. If so, I shall die without regret!"

After saying this, Mei Zhihuan knelt directly on the ground, pressing his head to the floor.

Zhu Youxiao rose from his rocking chair, walked expressionlessly to Mei Zhihuan's side, then bent down, reached out, and gently supported Mei Zhihuan, helping him up from the ground.

This scene left everyone somewhat bewildered.

What was going on?

Shouldn't His Majesty be angry and have this man dragged out?

Even if he weren't beheaded, he should at least receive a beating with the court staff. How had he been helped up instead?

Even Mei Zhihuan's own face showed astonishment—what was happening?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Mei Zhihuan, reached out to straighten his official's hat, and said slowly: "The official hats of the Great Ming have gone askew. Yours is one I have straightened for you. I hope you can maintain it and not let it tilt again."

Zhu Youxiao's words naturally carried a deeper meaning.

Mei Zhihuan said respectfully: "Your Majesty need not worry. If one day this hat of mine tilts, it will be because my head is no longer there. Otherwise, as long as my head remains, this official hat will never tilt."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Throughout the dynasties, among those who undertook reform, some succeeded and some failed, but none did so without bloodshed. If one day in the future, you, my minister, should die because of reform, would you be willing?"

Hearing this, Mei Zhihuan immediately lifted his robes and knelt on the ground, saying in a firm tone: "Throughout the dynasties, reformers have all had those who bled and sacrificed. If today there is need for someone to shed blood for reform, let it begin with me."

Zhu Youxiao reached out and helped Mei Zhihuan up once again. This time, a smile appeared on his face.

Reaching out to gently pat Mei Zhihuan's shoulder, Zhu Youxiao said: "These words—I will have them recorded in the annals of history. Future generations will remember you, my minister, and know that the Great Ming once had a reformer who feared not death, whose deeds could move heaven and earth, whose spirit could touch the sun and moon, whose brilliance could stir the ages!"

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty!" Mei Zhihuan knelt to the ground once more, speaking with tears streaming down his face.