Chapter 239: I Was But a Commoner of Huaixi — What Has the World to Do with Me?

Hearing Lu Xiangsheng announce his own name, Zhu Youxiao was taken aback.

The name Lu Xiangsheng — of course he had heard it before, and one could say it was familiar to the ear, ringing like thunder.

Anyone with even a slight understanding of late-Ming history would have heard of Lu Xiangsheng.

This Lu Xiangsheng's reputation was simply too great. He was a civil official, a jinshi by examination, who had loved martial affairs since childhood.

What made Lu Xiangsheng famous was his ability to lead troops in battle. Whether fighting against the peasant armies or against the Jianzhou barbarians, Lu Xiangsheng could absolutely be called brilliant in military achievement, victorious in every battle.

His death in the end also added a touch of tragic quality to the man.

Zhu Youxiao had not expected to encounter Lu Xiangsheng here, which surprised him somewhat, and also shocked him a little. Had his own Imperial Academy attracted a figure like Lu Xiangsheng?

This truly was something Zhu Youxiao had never anticipated.

Seeing Zhu Youxiao's dazed expression, Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but furrow his brow.

What was wrong with this young master before him?

No need to react like that just from hearing my name, surely?

That shouldn't be — logically speaking, he shouldn't know me, should he?

"This worthy brother, what's the matter with you?" Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but look at Zhu Youxiao and ask.

"Seeing elder brother dressed like this, I was merely a bit surprised." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Judging by your attire, elder brother should be a juren. Juren who dress like you are rare indeed."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Lu Xiangsheng smiled and said: "Then in worthy brother's view, what should a juren look like?"

At this, Zhu Youxiao laughed with some delight — this Lu Xiangsheng was an interesting man.

Zhu Youxiao pointed at a person not far ahead and said: "Shouldn't it be like that?"

That man ahead was clearly also a juren, holding a folding fan in his hand, wearing a light-colored long robe, the very picture of a standard scholar. Four or five page boys followed at his side. His overall image was completely different from Lu Xiangsheng's — like two entirely different people.

"Who says a juren has to look like that?" Lu Xiangsheng said with a smile.

"A juren is a title of honor granted by the court, recognition of one's learning. It never said that one dressed like that is a juren, while one dressed like me is not. Worthy brother, don't you think that's the logic of it?"

"But like this, aren't you afraid someone will say you disgrace the scholarly profession?" Zhu Youxiao asked again.

"A gentleman has six arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. Archery means shooting arrows — what's improper about me carrying a bow and arrows on my back?"

"As for this blade in my hand, there's even less improper about it. This is what I'll be using for today's examination."

"You even know what's being tested?" Zhu Youxiao asked with a smile.

Lu Xiangsheng looked at Zhu Youxiao with slight disbelief, and asked hesitantly: "Worthy brother actually doesn't know?"

"Should I know?" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

"I take it worthy brother is not here to take the Imperial Academy examination." Lu Xiangsheng also said with a smile: "If worthy brother were here to take the Imperial Academy examination, then you ought to know."

"What do you mean by that?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Lu Xiangsheng and asked.

"Because everyone taking the Imperial Academy examination has studied the examination procedures in detail. Roughly over a month ago, the Imperial Academy already published the examination procedures — worthy brother actually doesn't know?"

"That means worthy brother has never paid attention to this matter. Since you haven't paid attention, naturally you're not here to take the examination."

Zhu Youxiao clasped his hands toward Lu Xiangsheng and said with a smile: "Elder brother has sharp eyes. I did want to come, but alas my family's circumstances don't permit it. I truly have the will but not the means, so today I could only come to watch the excitement. Since elder brother knows, would you be willing to tell me about it?"

Hearing His Majesty's words, the few people around all looked at Zhu Youxiao helplessly.

Indeed — family circumstances didn't permit it.

Among them, Xu Guangqi was rather worried, worried that Zhu Youxiao might truly have a whim and come here to study.

In Xu Guangqi's view, the current Emperor had something of Emperor Wuzong about him.

That Emperor Wuzong of years past had done things far more excessive than this. He had conferred a noble title upon himself, and had also made himself Grand General, spending his days traveling in plain clothes. He was much the same as the current Emperor — one could say he was utterly unreliable.

Looking again at the current Emperor, Xu Guangqi felt there were indeed some similarities.

If His Majesty truly turned out that way, then he feared that in the future, they who served as his ministers would have plenty of headaches.

It seemed that from now on he must be careful — he must never let His Majesty develop in that direction.

Lu Xiangsheng also understood the meaning of Zhu Youxiao's words. What he understood was that because his family didn't permit it, Zhu Youxiao couldn't come to take the Imperial Academy examination.

This "family circumstances don't permit it" naturally didn't mean his circumstances were too poor, but rather too good. Perhaps Zhu Youxiao's family were relatives of the imperial house, or descendants of some noble lineage.

So Lu Xiangsheng said with a smile: "This is common knowledge. Since worthy brother wishes to know, then I shall tell you."

"This Imperial Academy examination has no restrictions on civil or martial, no restrictions on age, and no restrictions on scholarly titles. As long as one is a subject of our Great Ming, one may register."

"Beyond that, the examination subjects also differ from the imperial examinations — there are no separate categories. Anyone participating must take all of them. The examination is divided into several sections, and the total scores from all sections are added together to determine the final score. Admission is based on the total score."

"Speaking of it, this kind of examination is the first of its kind in the Great Ming. Many people want to come and give it a try."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile: "Then what exactly is tested?"

"Today's test is the same as the imperial examinations, except the specific content isn't known yet. It seems there will be two sessions — one in the morning and one in the afternoon."

"Tomorrow tests martial matters, divided into two parts total. The morning is a written examination on military strategy, and the afternoon tests horsemanship and archery. The specifics still depend on how the Imperial Academy arranges things — anyway, it seems quite a lot is tested."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, looking as if he suddenly understood, and said with a smile: "So that's how it is. Seeing so many people coming, the competition must be fierce indeed. Then let me wish elder brother an early victory!"

"I accept your good wishes!" Lu Xiangsheng also said with a smile.

This rich young man before him, though dressed in splendid clothes and bearing an impressive demeanor, was nevertheless approachable and easy-going, with no trace of arrogance in his speech — which made Lu Xiangsheng feel somewhat fond of him.

Since they were walking rather slowly anyway, having this person to chat with was quite pleasant.

So the two of them chatted idly as they walked forward, following the main crowd, and soon arrived at the gate.

Everyone ahead had their identities verified by the gatekeeper. They would show a number plate, and only after the gatekeeper confirmed their identity would they be allowed inside.

Naturally, Zhu Youxiao did not have such a number plate, because he had never registered.

As for impersonation or proxy examination, there was also a very strict set of inspection standards, though such incidents were unlikely to occur.

The Ministry of Rites had organized the imperial examinations how many times already? They had their own established procedures.

Seeing that it was almost Lu Xiangsheng's turn, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Mountains and waters will meet again. This younger brother will take his leave now. I wish elder brother an early victory and success on the honor roll. When we meet again in the future, elder brother will already be serving as an official at court, able to devote himself to the Great Ming!"

"Then this elder brother thanks worthy brother!" Lu Xiangsheng also said with a smile, and at the same time clasped his hands toward Zhu Youxiao, saying with a very jianghu air: "The mountains are high and the rivers are long — in days to come, there will surely be a time we meet again. Then this elder brother will invite worthy brother for a drink, and we won't leave until we're drunk!"

Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "This invitation — this younger brother has noted it down. When the time comes, I will certainly come to elder brother to collect on it."

The two exchanged their goodbyes and then went their separate ways.

Lu Xiangsheng went inside to prepare for the examination, while Zhu Youxiao turned and walked to a side door on the other side, entering the examination hall directly.

Seeing this, Lu Xiangsheng could only shake his head with a smile.

The young brother he had come to know was indeed no ordinary person—even a place like the examination hall, he could enter through the back door. Truly extraordinary.

He just wondered which powerful family this young man belonged to.

But Lu Xiangsheng quickly collected himself. Preparing for the examination before him was what mattered most.

By the time Zhu Youxiao walked in from the other side, Lu Xiangsheng had already completed his registration and entered the examination hall.

Zhu Youxiao had not walked far into the Imperial Academy before someone came running over to receive him.

The one leading them was naturally Shen Tingyun, Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

The Imperial Academy examination this time was a major affair, so Shen Tingyun had to come personally to oversee it.

Upon learning that His Majesty had arrived at the Imperial Academy, Shen Tingyun dared not be negligent in the slightest and hurried over to receive him.

Following behind him was also Feng Congwu.

The appearance of these two did not surprise Zhu Youxiao. What interested him was another person.

That person was none other than Zhao Bingzhong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites—the minister he intended to put to important use.

Zhao Bingzhong revered the laws of Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, believing that the law should be strictly enforced and discipline within the officialdom should be stern; at the same time, he was a great advocate of fines, always feeling that whenever anything happened, one should be fined until bankrupt.

Zhu Youxiao had not expected Zhao Bingzhong to come as well—it seemed he was highly regarded by Shen Tingyun.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand to let everyone dispense with formalities and said with a smile: "Go busy yourselves with what needs to be done. I am merely here today with nothing better to do, just taking a look. Do not let me disturb your proper work—let them all disperse."

Shen Tingyun quickly said: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Then he sent everyone back to their duties.

Zhu Youxiao led Xu Guangqi and Shen Tingyun toward the examination hall.

The group soon arrived at the invigilation room of the examination hall. Zhu Youxiao asked: "Are the examination papers all prepared? Bring them to me for a look."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they are all prepared. The papers are all sealed inside the boxes, and the boxes will be opened when the examination begins." Shen Tingyun quickly said: "If Your Majesty wishes to see them, I am afraid the boxes would have to be opened ahead of time."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao directly waved his hand and said: "Then forget it. I will look after the examination begins."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shen Tingyun quickly acknowledged, and the tension on his face gradually faded.

If His Majesty had insisted, then he would inevitably have had to open the boxes. In that process, problems could arise—His Majesty naturally would not leak the examination questions, but during that process, someone might seize the opportunity to obtain the questions and then leak them out.

Such a situation naturally could not be permitted, so now that Shen Tingyun saw His Majesty was not insisting, he breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao did not have to wait long at all. Once the examinees and invigilators were arranged outside, the examination began, and a copy of the examination paper was delivered into Zhu Youxiao's hands.

After flipping through the examination paper, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

The difficulty of this paper was not great. The first page was entirely fill-in-the-blank questions, with the items all drawn from the Four Books and the Five Classics.

The next page consisted of recitation-from-memory questions. For the scholars of today, this was already the most basic of basics—if you could not even do this, then there was no need for you to come take the examination at all.

As for the second paper, it was mathematics questions. In Zhu Youxiao's view, they were all simple math problems—some were even directly copied from existing questions, with not even the numbers changed.

Clearly, this was only meant to screen for people with some foundation, removing those who were unqualified—those with no foundation whatsoever.

"The paper is not bad." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Then what is in the afternoon?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the afternoon examination is policy essays." Shen Tingyun said.

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

This did not surprise him in the least. Zhu Youxiao raised his head to look at Shen Tingyun and asked with a smile: "What is the topic?"

This was what Zhu Youxiao cared about—he wanted to know what topic they had set.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the topic is 'Heaven operates with constancy, not existing for Yao's sake, nor perishing for Jie's sake.'" Shen Tingyun said slowly.

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Youxiao was stunned.

He raised his head in disbelief, staring fixedly at Shen Tingyun.

Are they playing this big?

Zhu Youxiao asked again: "Who set this topic?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was Lord Feng Congwu." Shen Tingyun said.

In fact, Shen Tingyun was quite dissatisfied with this topic, but it had been proposed by Feng Congwu, and had received the support of Han Kuang and Grand Secretary Huang Kezuan within the Grand Secretariat, so it had been passed.

Naturally, Zhu Youxiao was no stranger to this phrase.

This phrase came from Xunzi's "Discourse on Heaven," meaning: Nature's operation has its own laws, and these laws will not change because of Yao's sageliness or Jie's tyranny.

This was also a very important viewpoint within Xunzi's thought—indeed, many of his ideas were derived from this one, and it could be said to be the foundation of Xunzi's philosophy.

In the book of Xunzi, this was the very first sentence of the opening chapter. Its status was like that line in the Great Learning: "What the Great Learning teaches is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence. The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then determined; and that being determined, calmness may be attained. To that calmness there will succeed a tranquil repose. In that repose there may be careful deliberation, and that deliberation will be followed by the attainment of the desired end. Things have their root and their branches. Affairs have their end and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in the Great Learning."

This phrase could be said to be the general outline of Xunzi's thought. Zhu Youxiao had not expected Feng Congwu to actually use this phrase as an examination topic.

It seemed that Feng Congwu and his group were dead set on promoting Xunzi's thought, and were also treating the Imperial Academy as their base for advancing Xunzi's philosophy.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Xu Guangqi and Shen Tingyun, then asked with a smile: "Why did my ministers not tell me of this matter?"

This question was in fact directed at Xu Guangqi.

Zhu Youxiao's attitude was also very clear—he was not asking Xu Guangqi why he had not reported to him, but rather asking Xu Guangqi why he had not opposed it.

In Zhu Youxiao's view, Xu Guangqi should not have approved.

Upon hearing Zhu Youxiao's question, Xu Guangqi quickly said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your minister feels this examination topic is very fitting."

"At present, the court is in turmoil, and there is considerable debate within the scholarly community. Some say we should promote Xunzi, some say we should emulate the Han and Tang dynasties, and still others say we should abolish the Song Confucians. Amidst all the clamor, no one can discern the path ahead."

"Since that is the case, let the scholars take the examination and see what they think and what they say. Let them speak their minds freely—that would be good as well."

After hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded gently, then said with a smile: "My minister truly has ideas. Very well then—let me see what they have to say."

As for how the answers would ultimately be graded, Zhu Youxiao did not ask.

There were in fact two possible answers to this question: one was in favor, and one was opposed.

If one were to approve, one would have to write out the reasons for approval, and that would require finding the answers from Xunzi's philosophy.

If one were to oppose, one would likely have to find the answers from Mencius's philosophy.

As for how the final grading would go, Zhu Youxiao didn't need to think to know that those who found their answers from Mencius's philosophy would ultimately be cast aside, because that line of reasoning simply wouldn't work here.

But then Zhu Youxiao thought of another matter, and he asked: "I recall that back then, the Grand Ancestor Emperor also had quite a bit to say about Mencius. Which of my beloved ministers remembers what his assessment was?"

At this moment, Zhao Bingzhong stepped forward. As a die-hard fan of the Grand Ancestor Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, he felt that this was the time for him to speak.

So Zhao Bingzhong took a step forward and said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your minister knows."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then smiled and said directly: "Then go ahead and let us hear it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhao Bingzhong acknowledged and said: "The Grand Ancestor Emperor compiled the *Abridged Mencius*, deleting passages from the *Mencius* such as 'The people are of utmost importance, the altars of state come next, and the sovereign is of least importance' and 'A man who maims and murders is called a mere fellow — I have heard of the execution of the mere fellow Zhou, but I have never heard of the assassination of a sovereign.'"

"The Grand Ancestor Emperor once said, 'If this old man were alive today, how could he escape punishment!' He also proclaimed to the realm that many of Mencius's sayings were 'not words that subjects ought to utter,' and ordered Mencius to be expelled from the Temple of Confucius."

"The next day, Qian Tang submitted a memorial urgently remonstrating against this, and the court astronomer also reported that the star of culture had dimmed and lost its luster. So the Grand Ancestor Emperor issued another edict: 'Mencius refuted heresies, repudiated false doctrines, and expounded the way of Confucius — let him be enshrined as before,' thereby restoring Mencius's status in the Temple of Confucius."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and nodded, saying: "My beloved minister remembers this quite clearly."

Upon hearing these words from Zhu Youxiao, the expressions on the faces of the several people present each differed.

This already counted as a statement of position.

Because before the literati and scholars, the Grand Ancestor Emperor's discourses on philosophy had rarely been brought up.

There were no more than two reasons. One was that the Grand Ancestor Emperor's discourses differed from their own. If one followed the Grand Ancestor Emperor's discourses, then everything they were doing now violated ancestral regulations, and they would all have their households confiscated, their heads chopped off, and their skins stuffed with straw.

The other reason was the Grand Ancestor Emperor's background — no one considered the Grand Ancestor Emperor to be a great Confucian scholar. It was only out of deference to his face as the Grand Ancestor Emperor that they could not openly refute certain matters concerning him.

Back then, some people wanted the Grand Ancestor Emperor to acknowledge the great Song-dynasty Confucian scholar Zhu Xi as his ancestor — in reality, this was also digging a pit for the Grand Ancestor Emperor.

Zhu Youxiao knew about this matter. Had Zhu Yuanzhang actually done that back then, the consequence would have been that the entire Ming dynasty could never have escaped Zhu Xi's doctrines. After all, you couldn't very well oppose your own ancestor's doctrines, could you?

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang was rather shrewd and didn't fall for that trap. Instead, he came out with a very domineering line: "I was but a commoner from Huaixi — what has the realm to do with me?"