Chapter 405: Scholars Burning with Righteous Indignation

Tongfu Inn.

This was a small inn tucked away in a corner of the southern part of the city, hardly conspicuous amidst the bustle of the capital. Small establishments of this scale were like pebbles in a creek bed — countless numbers of them could be found throughout the capital.

However, this Tongfu Inn differed from other inns in one respect: the proprietor brewed fine liquor on the premises, and within the capital's small circles, it had earned considerable renown.

But because the establishment was small, it was little more than a modest tavern. Those who came here on ordinary days were drawn by the good wine and cheap dishes; no high officials or nobles would ever gather here. Even people of status who wished to drink this wine would only send servants to fetch some to take home.

The wine was excellent, but the food was poorly prepared, and the surroundings left much to be desired — so the wealthy and powerful never came. Instead, this little tavern became a haunt for impoverished scholars, for drinking wine and composing poetry was, after all, one of a scholar's favorite pastimes.

As time went on, Tongfu Inn became the customary gathering place for a circle of literary men.

Today was no exception at Tongfu Inn. A group of scholars and literati were drinking and conversing on the second floor.

Before the counter on the first floor, a comely female proprietor was clicking away at her abacus.

Hearing the noisy commotion from upstairs, the proprietress smiled and shook her head, then beckoned to the waiter standing nearby.

The waiter was a young man in a jacket, quite handsome in appearance, with fair, delicate features.

Seeing the proprietress's summons, the waiter hurried over and said with a smile, "Proprietress, what are your instructions?"

The proprietress glanced at the waiter and said with a smile, "Send a jar of wine upstairs. Tell them it's on the house."

"Right away." The waiter acknowledged, reached for a jar of wine beside him, and prepared to head up to the second floor.

But he had only taken two steps when the proprietress lowered her voice and said, "Keep an eye on them. If anything happens, come tell me at once."

"Understood." The waiter replied in a hushed voice, then carried the wine and made his way upstairs.

Turning the corner of the stairwell and stepping onto the second floor's planks, the waiter said with a smile, "Gentlemen, gentlemen — enjoying your drinks, are we?"

On the second floor, a dozen or so scholars were speaking with great fervor and passion. Hearing the waiter's words, they stopped their conversation and all turned to look.

Some, annoyed that the shop's waiter had interrupted their discussion, furrowed their brows with impatience written across their faces. Clearly, they were none too pleased at the waiter's intrusion.

But the young scholar at the head of the group stood up, and with a smile on his face, clasped his hands in greeting toward the waiter.

The young scholar asked with modest courtesy, "Brother waiter, is there something you need?"

Seeing the young scholar rise, the expressions of those around him softened considerably. Evidently, this man was well regarded in daily life, and those around him held him in considerable respect.

The waiter raised the wine jar in his hand and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, thank you all for your patronage of our humble establishment — it's only because of you that our little shop can stay in business. This wine was sent up by the proprietress as a gift to you all. This batch was just dug up from the cellar yesterday. Eat and drink your fill, and if you need anything at all, just give me a call."

As he spoke, the waiter walked over to the young scholar and placed the wine jar in his hands, saying, "You keep this, sir. Call on me anytime you need something."

The young scholar glanced at the waiter and gave a slight nod to indicate he understood.

Having handed the wine to the young scholar, the waiter clasped his hands to him, then to the other scholars in turn, and turned to head back downstairs.

After the waiter had left, the young scholar turned back to face the others and said with a smile, "I'll set this wine here. Let's drink and talk at the same time."

So saying, the young man set the wine on the table, pushed open the seal, took a deep sniff, and said with a smile, "This wine here — truly, one can never get enough of it."

Hearing this, the others all laughed as well.

After pouring the wine anew, the young scholar raised his cup and said, "Wang Linsheng is young and shallow of learning. I am deeply grateful that you all have not spurned me and have deigned to associate with one of lesser standing. Today, with this wine, I toast you all!"

"Why must you be like this?" someone said from the side. "The wine is worth drinking, but that pedantic drivel of yours — we'll just pretend we didn't hear it."

As these words fell, everyone around burst into laughter, loudly seconding the speaker's sentiment, though they still drank down their wine together.

Wang Linsheng set down his cup and said with a gentle smile, "I spoke amiss, brothers. But at this time and on this day, there is something I must say."

At this point, Wang Linsheng's expression turned serious.

Those around him sensed that Wang Linsheng had grown grave, and naturally ceased their joking and laughter.

They had known one another for quite some time now, and everyone present had some understanding of Wang Linsheng's character.

Though Wang Linsheng was not old in years, he was righteous and generous with his wealth, extremely open-handed. When the group went out drinking or on outings, Wang Linsheng often footed the bill and never gave money a second thought. His scholarship was also respectable, so everyone was willing to associate with him. On ordinary days they would chat about everything under heaven and comment on the state of the court — they could well be said to share kindred aspirations.

Seeing Wang Linsheng so serious today, everyone knew he had something to say, and so they all listened quietly.

Seeing that all present were giving him their ear, Wang Linsheng did not mince words and said directly, "I imagine you've all heard about the Academy business by now?"

At these words, everyone nodded in unison.

Though this matter had not been circulating for long, it had consistently occupied the high ground of public discourse, and everyone had been following it closely. At the slightest development, all of them would know at once.

Seeing everyone nod, Wang Linsheng continued, "There are treacherous men at court."

When these words came out, no one found them surprising. On ordinary days, Wang Linsheng had more than once loudly denounced the treacherous ministers at court — only, he had never been as grave and earnest about it as he was today.

"These men have turned their backs on the ways of our ancestors and on the Sage Confucius — they are utterly unworthy of being called scholars! These men have blinded the sacred wisdom of His Majesty and spouted nonsense — they are utterly unworthy of being called sons of men!"

"In this reform of the Academy, these men actually submitted memorials to Your Majesty, so that the Academy will no longer teach the way of the Sage Confucius — this is nothing less than severing the very roots of us scholars!"

"Conduct such as this marks them as the greatest villains in a thousand years!"

Hearing these words, everyone nodded, and looks of righteous indignation appeared on their faces.

Beside them sat a man in his thirties with a beard on his face and a very composed, steady bearing.

He too spoke up at this moment, saying with righteous fury, "Brother Wang speaks truly. We cannot allow such people to have their way. If we let them succeed today, how will the scholars of future generations look upon us?"

Seeing someone endorse his words, Wang Linsheng turned and clasped his hands to the man, saying, "Brother Qi's words are most reasonable. We cannot sit idly by and watch such a thing happen, or would that not be to destroy the very principles of ethics and order?"

Hearing Wang Linsheng say this, someone nearby frowned and said, "But what are we to do? The Imperial Academy reform was, after all, a policy set down by the court. If we oppose it, would we not be going against the government?"

"The Academy reform is a good thing." Wang Linsheng said with a grim face. "What the court intends by reforming the academies — we have discussed this before."

"The learning taught at academies throughout the land is all the one-sided opinion of a single school — one might say it is utter chaos, with everyone saying whatever they please. Some people take this opportunity to spread their own twisted doctrines and turn their backs on the way of the Sage — this is an insult to all learning, and they are unworthy of being called scholars!"

"And the Academy reform brings all academies under unified control of the court, with all teachers receiving salary and grain subsidies and being granted official posts — this is Your Majesty's benevolent heart. Your Majesty's devotion to the spread of education can be seen clearly in this. When all academies teach the way of the Sage, how flourishing will the culture and education of our Great Ming become?"

"A policy of such benevolence as Your Majesty has enacted is truly unprecedented in a thousand years! Your Majesty's heart for promoting education is something the emperors of ancient and modern times alike have never possessed! Toward us scholars, the present Your Majesty may truly be said to have shown the utmost kindness and consideration!"

Everyone nodded, all concurring with what Wang Linsheng had said.

In truth, they all understood in their hearts that only after the matter was implemented would they know how things would truly turn out. But the reason they lingered in the capital was nothing more than to seek office and distinction. If they opposed the court and opposed His Majesty, would that not be opposing their own interests?

And so no one objected to Wang Linsheng's words.

Seeing everyone nod, Wang Linsheng suddenly hurled his wine cup to the ground. The cup shattered into pieces on the instant, shards scattering all over the floor.

Wang Linsheng said in an angry voice, "Yet even against such a benevolent policy, there are still those with sinister designs who seek to exploit it. We absolutely must not allow this!"

"What are these people doing? They actually want the academies to stop teaching the way of the Sage. Then what will they teach? Isn't it to spread their own twisted doctrines? These people want to seize control of the scholars — their intentions deserve death. Their aims are unclear, and they are truly traitors to our Great Ming!"

After hearing Wang Linsheng's words, the scholar surnamed Qi beside him also grew indignant, and said loudly: "Right, this is precisely the great traitor of the Great Ming! We scholars absolutely cannot sit by and do nothing. Brother Wang, tell us—what do you intend to do?"

Wang Linsheng said directly: "Here in the capital, Senior Zhong Yuzheng of the Shoushan Academy has already refused this matter. Senior Zhong Yuzheng has made his stance unmistakably clear—if the court will not permit the academy to teach the Way of the Sages, then he will absolutely not agree to the court's reforms of the academy."

"I think we should go voice our support for Senior Zhong, go to the Shoushan Academy, and make a real commotion. Let the court know, let Your Majesty know, that we scholars oppose this."

After hearing these words, the second floor fell silent so suddenly that a dropped needle could be heard. For a time, no one answered; they all exchanged uneasy glances, and all that could be heard was the rise and fall of breathing.

Clearly, they were all worried. After all, this matter had wide-reaching implications. People had made a fuss before—that was back when Li Zhi's teachings were being promoted—and quite a few had been thrown into the dungeons of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Though they were later released, they had still been implicated.

If the people present truly went to make a fuss, last time they might have been released, but this time they might not be so lucky. Everyone still had their reservations.

Wang Linsheng looked at the crowd and said: "Gentlemen, with Senior Zhong setting the example before us, what have we to fear? Besides, here in the capital, we are not the only scholars. Once word spreads, there will surely be a throng of supporters! What we do will surely be known to all!"

The meaning of these words was simple: with Zhong Yuzheng bearing the brunt up front, what were we afraid of? If anything happened, he would be the one to shoulder it. Besides, this matter was stirring up such a fuss—going now was a fine opportunity to make a name for oneself.