[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties":3,"chapter-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-75":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Really Am Not Neglecting My Duties",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363344,4622,"Chapter 75: The Affairs of the World Have Constants and Changes; the Gentleman Conducts Himself with Principles and Flexibility","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>I truly am not neglecting my duties. Volume 75: The affairs of the world have constants and changes; the gentleman conducts himself with principles and flexibility. Hai Rui is a typical purist; his fiery words are enough to earn him a place in history, yet his administrative abilities are not as renowned as his moral reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui is a man who bends down to seek answers himself, a man of virtue who lowers his head, bows his waist, and walks firmly on the ground to practice what he knows and believes; likewise, Hai Rui is upright and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is one, two is two: Zhang Cheng should not have decided to levy a share on foreign ships, yet he indeed must levy it—so it is wrong, yet not incorrect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When your sister-in-law drowns, you rescue her with your hand—that is flexibility.” From—Mencius, “Li Lou Shang”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flexibility is the weight on a scale, the counterbalance that measures the lightness or heaviness of things; thus, when a man conducts himself, he weighs principles to achieve balance—that is flexibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunyu Kun was a rhetorician of Qi. Upon meeting Mencius, he asked: “Men and women must not touch when handing things; they must use objects to exchange—surely this is propriety?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mencius replied: “Indeed, this is propriety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunyu Kun then asked: “If your sister-in-law drowns, should your younger brother extend his hand to save her, or should he cling rigidly to propriety and do nothing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mencius answered: “If you do not rescue your drowning sister-in-law, you are a beast. The rule that men and women must not touch is propriety; rescuing her with your hand is adapting to urgent circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun truly knew this anecdote; Zhang Juzheng, as his imperial tutor, was exceptionally qualified—he excelled at citing classics, and during discussions on propriety, Zhang Juzheng had already mentioned this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui continued: “The affairs of the world have constants and changes; the gentleman conducts himself with principles and flexibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When a sister-in-law drowns, not touching her is the constant rule of propriety; extending your hand to save her is the flexible adaptation to urgent circumstances. Today, foreign ships arrive at Yuegang; eunuchs must not interfere in governance—that is the constant rule of propriety; the All-Supply Office collecting levies is the flexible adaptation to urgent circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We weigh urgency and importance to align with the correctness of heavenly principle and public sentiment. To know only propriety and not flexibility leads to small gains and great losses. Zhang Cheng’s actions demonstrate awareness of the times and adaptability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Hai Rui felt uneasy—he feared the emperor would not understand him, that he knew only rigid rules and no flexibility, which was dogmatic and led to little gain and great loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, on the dais sat a ten-year-old sovereign with a bright, sunlit smile. Hai Rui feared his ornate speech would be lost on the child emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Inspector Hai, should the court set up checkpoints to levy taxes?” Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui replied firmly: “Yes. Without money or grain, how can the court feed its soldiers, secure the borders, and let the people live in peace? How can it enable scholars to learn to read and understand propriety? How can it nurture talent and store virtue? How can it support officials and govern the four quarters?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui’s earlier ornate speech had been aimed at Ge Shouli, so he had spoken in flowery terms; but to the ten-year-old sovereign, he used language the child could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui believed the court must levy taxes, especially against the gentry whose land seizures had shrunk the tax base—like Xu Jie, that half-Huating scoundrel—who deserved a heavy blow. Hai Rui had been impeached and forced into retirement for targeting the gentry Xu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Hai Rui has returned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun pondered and asked: “So, levying a share on foreign ships is in accord with propriety—or rather, with the correctness of heavenly principle and public sentiment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Cheng, Luo Gongchen, and others decided to levy on foreign ships because the situation was urgent, so they made a temporary decision—after all, this concerns whether the All-Supply Office will continue its levies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should not have been done, so they must be punished; yet what they did was right, preserving propriety, so they must be rewarded. Is that your meaning, Chief Inspector Hai?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic of His Majesty’s words was flawless—he truly understood what Hai Rui had just said. This thrilled Hai Rui. Having endured the reclusive reigns of Jiajing and Longqing, Hai Rui now gazed upon the emperor as if seeing the rising sun, blazing in the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui hurriedly replied: “Rewards and punishments must be distinct: merit is merit, fault is fault. This is as it should be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Inspector Hai, how do you suggest we handle this?” Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui thought and said: “They should be fined and demoted—six months’ salary withheld, three ranks lowered; yet their merit must be recorded for future appointment to vital posts, to serve the state and act as the emperor’s vanguard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Punish them, yet record their merit for future promotion—that is reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Chief Inspector Ge think?” Zhu Yijun turned to Ge Shouli, who had impeached Zhang Cheng and Luo Gongchen. Would Ge Shouli be satisfied with Hai Rui’s proposal? If not, what would he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Ge Shouli sighed: “I find no fault with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Shouli had surrendered. How could he refute Hai Rui’s words? Should he continue accusing the eunuch faction of harming the state and competing with the people for profit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Ministry of Revenue did not join Ge Shouli in impeaching the eunuch faction—Ge Shouli stood alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Revenue certainly would not. They had secured their gains; they were so poor they were about to sell their trousers. They had taken on no responsibility and pocketed a fortune—why would they shut up, smile behind closed doors, and then impeach Zhang Cheng?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others might do it, but Wang Guoguang could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do the Grand Secretary and Minister Yang think?” Zhu Yijun turned to Zhang Juzheng and Yang Bo. “If you disagree, speak now—don’t gossip about this later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have no objection,” Zhang Juzheng and Yang Bo exchanged glances and offered no dissent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded: “Constants and changes, principles and flexibility—these are inseparable, one and the same. Propriety has its constant rules, like the markings on a scale’s beam, each grain and ounce distinct; flexibility has no fixed standard, like weighing objects to achieve perfect balance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Used together, they embody the principle of adapting to the times—that is the way of the gentleman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let it be as the Grand Secretary and Chief Inspector Hai have proposed.” Zhu Yijun, seeing no opposition, adopted Hai Rui’s proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui, hearing the emperor’s summary, stared in shock at the ten-year-old sovereign. What kind of words were these? Could a ten-year-old child speak them? He turned to Zhang Juzheng, seated firmly in the first position on the left. How had Zhang Juzheng trained such an emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Zhang Juzheng really this good a teacher!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty is wise,” Zhang Juzheng bowed, smiling as he watched Hai Rui’s stunned expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is only the beginning. There are many more things to shock Hai Gangfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I have a memorial to submit!” Hai Rui did not return to his seat. He bypassed Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng and bowed before the emperor on the dais: “Your Majesty, I request a full investigation into Xu Jie’s seizure of 240,000 mu of fertile land. The ancestral system of the Yellow Registers and Fish Scale Registers was established to collect the realm’s wealth and secure the realm. The court’s land tax is the constant rule of propriety. If this case of Xu Jie’s land seizure is not pursued, governance will slacken, the state weaken, discipline collapse. If Xu Jie does not return the land, the state’s finances will suffer grievously, and the realm will lose its moral foundation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-seven court ministers glanced at each other, each seeing in the others’ eyes: “Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui was still the upright, unyielding Hai Rui. He could not tolerate even a speck of dust. Xu Jie’s case was not over—Xu Jie still had not returned the land!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretary and imperial tutor Zhang Juzheng was Xu Jie’s student. Had Hai Gangfeng considered Zhang Juzheng’s face when speaking these words?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui’s return to court was a court factional struggle, but ultimately, it was the emperor’s compromise to prevent the censorial officials from siding with the Jin Party after Tan Lun’s impeachment—Tan Lun had betrayed the Jin Party and joined Zhang’s faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his first day back in court, Hai Rui immediately petitioned to reopen the unresolved case of years past. Xu Jie’s students Zhang Juzheng and Lu Shusheng still sat in the hall. Hai Rui gave not an inch of face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shusheng immediately rose: “Chief Inspector Hai, does the court’s virtue of honoring the elderly mean acting on private grudges?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the wicked ministers Yan Song and his son held power, court officials mostly flattered them and dared not speak up for justice—who was it who remonstrated, deposed Yan Song, and condemned Yan Shifan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Crown Prince Ai Chong and Crown Prince Zhuangjing died in succession, His Majesty refused to name a crown prince. The great rite of succession was delayed—no one dared to speak plainly. Who bore public expectation, won the emperor’s favor, and earned merit for supporting the throne?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xu swept away the accumulated corruptions of the Jiajing era, bringing about today’s achievements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xu merely erred slightly, yet you harshly condemn him—only for the sake of a little moral reputation, disregarding the court’s virtue of honoring the elderly. To pursue Lord Xu—where does this leave Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shusheng rebutted Hai Rui, listing Xu Jie’s achievements: exposing Yan Song and Yan Shifan, the deaths of Jiajing’s two crown princes, Jiajing’s refusal to name a successor, and finally, the edict naming the Prince of Yu as heir—written by Xu Jie himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the edict naming the Prince of Yu as heir was written by Xu Jie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui glanced sideways at Lu Shusheng and sneered: “Pathetic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!” Lu Shusheng was stunned—he received only two words: “pathetic.” The contempt and disregard mirrored exactly how Zhang Juzheng usually looked at him—as if he were a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Bo remained silent, signaling Ge Shouli to remain calm. Everyone knew Hai Rui would pursue this case upon his return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui looked at the emperor and said firmly: “Minister Lu, Yan Shifan corrupted governance, usurped authority, drained the state treasury, and exhausted the people’s wealth—yet he met his just end. Why did the Yan faction fall? Yan Song was old; Yan Shifan withheld the Prince of Yu’s annual stipend. Only after His Majesty sent him 1,500 taels of silver did Yan Shifan release the stipend!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When His Majesty learned of this, his wisdom and decisiveness led to Yan Shifan’s deposition—and thus the fall of the Yan faction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, regarding the merit of supporting the throne: after the deaths of Crown Prince Ai Chong and Crown Prince Zhuangjing, all five, six, seven, and eight imperial sons died before turning one. In Jiajing forty-four, Prince Jing died. Of His Majesty’s eight sons, only the late emperor remained. When His Majesty passed, did he have any choice? Minister Lu, dare you still mention this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minister Lu, what kind of cursed place is our Ming palace? Eight imperial sons born, yet only the late emperor survived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You truly claim heaven’s merit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui’s words were aimed at Lu Shusheng, but they were for the young emperor: Your Majesty must be wary of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his “Memorial on State Security,” Hai Rui had spoken of the relationship between emperor and minister. He believed Jiajing’s obsession with Daoist cultivation was flawed—but were the ministers blameless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people have long ceased to regard Your Majesty as upright—this is known to all court officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor had problems; the ministers had problems too. By the time Jiajing died, he had only one choice: the Prince of Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hai Rui spoke, the entire Wenhua Hall fell silent. Some even cautiously glanced at the boy on the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certain topics must not be touched: the deaths of Jiajing’s fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth sons, all dying before their first birthdays. By Jiajing forty-four, only the Prince of Yu remained. This topic was forbidden—but Hai Rui touched it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui looked at Lu Shusheng, a touch of sorrow in his voice: “As for the virtue of honoring the elderly—Yan Song lived in a tombhouse, without a coffin for burial, without mourners. Where is the virtue in that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Song was a wicked minister—how can he be compared to Lord Xu!” Lu Shusheng, hearing Hai Rui equate Yan Song with Xu Jie, grew agitated. The moment he spoke, he realized—he had fallen into Hai Rui’s trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui was not sympathizing with Yan Song’s fate—he was equating Xu Jie with Yan Song, labeling both as wicked ministers. Lu Shusheng had walked straight into the trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui sneered: “Yan Song was a wicked minister—was Xu Jie not one? After Yan Song’s dismissal, the state was no better than before he became chancellor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Song embezzled millions—did Xu Jie not embezzle? He deceived and delayed the transport of pigment silver, seized and misappropriated grain and tax revenues—evidence is clear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Song’s son built a grand hall—did Xu Jie’s son not build one? The stele in Yongshou Palace still records Xu Pan supervising its construction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Xu Jie’s seizure of land false? Half of Songjiang Prefecture’s fertile land bears the Xu surname—land deeds and records are all before you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Xu Jie’s partnership with Zhu Tang and other merchants in the cloth trade false? Even now, their Xu family’s cloth shops remain in the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Songjiang had many cotton fields. Xu Jie squeezed the people dry, ordering his servants to buy cotton at rock-bottom prices. I witnessed their suffering firsthand while managing waterworks in Songjiang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After Yan Song’s dismissal, the state was no better than before he became chancellor—this is not a bright and clear world.” These were Hai Rui’s exact words from his “Memorial on State Security.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun had reread Hai Rui’s memorial many times. This phrase, in any reading, sounded far from praise: after Yan Song’s dismissal, Xu Jie governed—and the state was no better than before Yan Song became chancellor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this clash with Lu Shusheng, Lu was on the defensive, momentarily speechless, unable to counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the pursuit against Xu Jie had not ceased after Hai Rui’s retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Hai Rui retired, Xu Jie sought to return to power. Gao Gong, seeing this, relentlessly pursued Xu Jie’s case. Hai Rui’s words were not empty—they were true. Lu Shusheng was on the defensive because Yan Song’s crimes were precisely what Xu Jie had done—even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Lu Shusheng defend himself? Everyone spoke vaguely, avoiding facts. But when you insist on facts, break them open, and dissect them—how can you argue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shusheng looked helplessly at Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng, however, remained silent, flipping through his memorials as if none of this concerned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shusheng cleared his throat loudly. Zhang Juzheng finally seemed to awaken, looked at Hai Rui, and asked calmly: “Chief Inspector Hai, what do you propose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui replied succinctly: “Return the land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shusheng exclaimed in surprise: “Just return the land?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui had made such a grand show—Lu Shusheng expected some earth-shattering move. Yet after all that, it was only returning the land?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Return the land? It would just end up back in Xu Jie’s pocket anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng raised his head and looked at Hai Rui. Hai Rui’s performance upon returning to court exceeded Zhang Juzheng’s expectations. This was no political novice—he was a classic, flexible, pragmatic official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Zhang Cheng and Luo Gongchen’s tax levy, Hai Rui had used the analogy of rescuing a drowning sister-in-law to separate merit from fault. In pursuing Xu Jie’s case, he made his stance clear: the pursuit must continue, yet he did not seek total annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng realized he had underestimated Hai Rui. Two years of retirement had taught him something profound—he had learned compromise, learned that yielding preserves the whole. The new Hai Rui would be formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How exactly should the land be returned?” Zhang Juzheng frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a memorial.” Hai Rui produced a memorial and placed it before Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng opened it, glanced a few lines, then closed it, eyes half-lidded as he looked at Hai Rui: “Chief Inspector Hai, your intent is to benefit the people, not to elevate talent. I must present this to His Majesty for his decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng finished, slipped Hai Rui’s memorial into his sleeve, and bowed to the dais: “Chief Inspector Hai’s proposal, I find entirely acceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Then let the court session continue,” Zhu Yijun said, puzzled. What had Hai Rui written in his memorial that made Zhang Juzheng so cautious—why had he hidden it in his sleeve, refused to show it, and refused to discuss it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court session ended amid clamor. The ministers bowed and took leave of the emperor. Aside from Zhang Juzheng, Hai Rui also remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I pay homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!” Hai Rui performed the full kowtow, sweeping his sleeves, bowing five times and kneeling thrice—solemnly. His return to court was not due to anyone’s recommendation, but by the emperor’s own decree. Hai Rui owed no one any favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun smiled and said, “Your Majesty, henceforth, when reporting privately, you need not kneel. The court needs mountain inkstands in the capital to purify the atmosphere and rectify public morals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant obeys.” Hai Rui rose and bowed his head. “Your Majesty, while in Qiongzhou, I came and went daily, devoted myself to books and poetry, seeking stillness to endure sorrow. I have worries: I cannot resign and retreat into nature, nor can I retain my office and salary in peace, nor can I drown myself in wine and sing wildly. Principle runs through my heart and liver; loyalty and righteousness fill my bones. The court commands me to sign official documents—I am ashamed, for I cannot find peace within. When impoverished, one must cultivate oneself alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who ordered you not to sign official documents?” Zhu Yijun frowned, sensing something amiss. Gentry in the provinces enjoy judicial privileges and bear the duty of pacifying the land and governing the people; thus, local affairs require consultation with the gentry. If they offer advice, they may use the official courier routes to communicate with the capital—this is called signing official documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, Gao Gong, though retired to his native place, may not interfere in state affairs. Retirement means he may not sign documents, use official courier routes, or correspond with officials in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jie, however, could exchange letters with court censors Shu Hua and Dai Fengxiang. Eventually, Hai Rui was reassigned on charges of oppressing the gentry and forced into retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Emperor Zhezong of Song ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Gao ruled as regent. Lü Huiqing, one of Wang Anshi’s chief allies in reform, was appointed Deputy Military Governor of Jianning Army and ordered to reside in his prefecture, forbidden to sign official documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhu Yijun knew, Hai Rui had been retired. According to Great Ming’s official norms, as a gentryman, he could still comment on state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some people would not allow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All that is past,” Hai Rui said, not wishing to dwell on it. The matter was over; one should not cling to the past, but look to the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?” Zhu Yijun insisted on pressing the matter. He wanted to see who was behind this trickery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui thought a moment and said, “Former Assistant Director of the Imperial Stable, Shu Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Hai Rui should have said, “It was all my fault—I failed to cultivate virtue, did not maintain good relations with my colleagues, and cannot blame others.” This, in Confucianism, is called: be lenient toward others, strict with oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hai Rui felt there was nothing wrong in speaking out. If Shu Hua dared do this, why could he not speak of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun flipped through the roster and said with deep feeling, “Former Assistant Director of the Imperial Stable, Shu Hua, retired in July and has returned to his native place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hai Rui returned, Shu Hua fled immediately—he knew full well he feared Hai Rui’s revenge upon returning to court. But Hai Rui said it was all past; he had no intention of holding grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui continued, “Since my journey here, I have been deeply troubled. Your Majesty, in your mercy, raised me from commoner status. What I have seen and witnessed has shocked me to the core: the people suffer from land consolidation; official corruption runs deep; decadent customs abound. I am truly heartbroken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have just returned to court and am still unfamiliar with court affairs. Eager to repay Your Majesty’s grace, I dare to overstep and ask a few questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?” Zhu Yijun had anticipated this. He gestured for Hai Rui to speak. Before retirement, Hai Rui served as Censor-in-Chief and Provincial Governor of Yingtian; upon return, he was again Right Censor-in-Chief. Courtiers flatter and obey, causing disaster. Hai Rui is a straightforward minister—that is his nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the state is chaotic and its actions unjust, yet one dares to confront the sovereign’s face, speak of the ruler’s faults, accepts death without regret, and dies for the state’s safety—this is a straightforward minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui had heard too many rumors on his journey; he needed to ask, to find peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear Your Majesty practices martial arts, farming, shooting sparrows with pearls, and playing ball in the side hall. I dare to overstep and ask: what of Your Majesty’s reading?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, copies of lectures and memorials shall be sent to Hai Zongxian.” Zhu Yijun gestured with his hand. Xu Zhenming, the Lecturer, handed Hai Rui the imperial examination papers from the past twenty-nine days and records of daily lectures and memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui flipped through two pages and quickly bowed his head. “Your Majesty’s wisdom is innate, your insight profound. Your servant’s petty mind wrongly presumed the will of heaven. Your Majesty’s studies—I have nothing to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui had merely glanced at them. He knew the emperor, though indulging in diversions, had not neglected his duties—his speech and writing were all properly structured. Let him indulge; it mattered little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Great Ming emperors had their hobbies. But Your Majesty’s are many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear some people are close to the eunuchs; others are employed because of the eunuchs; others are part of the Xinzheng faction and should not be retained; still others were promoted by Xinzheng and should not be used. Rumors abound. I dare to overstep and ask: concerning the eunuchs and the Grand Secretary, who have overshadowed the sovereign and usurped the imperial authority?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “eunuchs” refer to Feng Bao; “some people close to the eunuchs” refers to the Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some people employed because of the eunuchs” refers to the six Censors of the Six Boards replaced under the Kaocheng system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some people as followers of Xinzheng Gong”—that is, Gao Gong’s faction, dismissed: Lin Shaohuai, Wu Zhe, Ma Fang, Ma Gui, Ma Jin, and ten other Assistant Regional Commanders, removed during the inspection of the Dingjian case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some people who were Gao Gong’s disciples should not be reappointed.” Many believed Hai Rui and Gao Gong were allies; thus, Hai Rui should not be reappointed, precisely because he investigated Xu Jie and offended Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accusations pointed to Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng usurping imperial authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense,” Zhang Juzheng scoffed, bowing toward the terrace. “Your Majesty, decrees encounter resistance at every turn. Even after matters are settled, disputes persist, even deliberate provocations—all because a few ministers, unable to seize power, spread rumors across north and south. Listeners, heedless, meddle. When sovereign and minister grow suspicious, north and south become as fire and ice, then you blame me, the Grand Secretary, for failing to maintain harmony? I cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know the shame of this slander. I lay bare my heart. I humbly beg Your Majesty’s judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young emperor had not yet assumed personal rule, yet before any decree moved, he saw the sordidness. Even after decisions were made, disputes continued. Some deliberately stirred trouble—those who coveted power but could not obtain it, spreading lies between north and south. Others listened and gossiped. Once sovereign and minister grew distrustful, north and south became as fire and ice, then they blamed Zhang Juzheng for failing to maintain order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such slanderous rumors were everywhere. Zhang Juzheng knew them well, but he could not tear out his heart to show it to others—he could only ask the emperor to judge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng felt some injustice. Had he usurped imperial authority? Did the emperor not know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Base slander! Utter base slander! How dare I usurp the sovereign’s authority! Do not slander my purity!” Feng Bao immediately flew into a rage. Beneath the young emperor’s bright, cheerful demeanor lay a cruel edge. Feng Bao, even with a hundred lives, would never dare usurp imperial authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The iron chests in the palace could end him at any moment. Zhang Hong, the eunuch of Qianqing Palace, watched him with hungry eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary, Feng Daban, do not disturb.” Zhu Yijun extended his hand again. “Xu Xueshi, bring the Emperor’s Daily Records for Hai Zongxian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Daily Records were the official chronicles of the emperor’s daily life, used as sources for compiling the state history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Taizu of Great Ming established the Daily Records, then abolished them, even dismissing the recorders. For centuries, no Great Ming emperor had such records—until the young Wanli emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wanli emperor’s Daily Records were proposed and established by Zhang Juzheng. The recorder, appointed from among the daily lecturers, was to rotate daily, recording the emperor’s movements, imperial edicts, decrees, and proclamations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng created these records precisely to show the world. Everyone said Zhang Juzheng dominated the court and overshadowed the sovereign—the Daily Records made it clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui stood in the Wenhua Hall today, for the first time since returning to court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distance reveals a horse’s strength; time reveals a man’s heart. Whether Zhang Juzheng overshadowed the sovereign—Hai Rui needed only to look to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I overstep,” Hai Rui carefully examined the Daily Records, flipped through several pages, then closed them and bowed. “I am terrified. Your Majesty’s wisdom is heaven-born. In palace and court, great or small, you have never delegated authority. Eunuch and Grand Secretary—I am ashamed. I beg your pardon, Eunuch and Grand Secretary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even on his deathbed, Emperor Jiajing had waited in vain for Hai Rui, imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, to beg for mercy. Hai Rui, after merely glancing at the Daily Records, apologized to Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao interfered in external affairs—but that was within the Grand Secretariat’s duties. Since Yongle’s reign, the Grand Secretariat had been established to safeguard imperial authority. Feng Bao’s words and deeds never exceeded his duties. Zhang Juzheng, within the palace, cultivated the emperor’s virtue; outside, managed state affairs. As for the filth of the Jin Party, Hai Rui could not even bear to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui had believed rumors on his journey and voiced them in the Wenhua Hall. Right is right, wrong is wrong. When he erred, he would not cling to his reputation or stubbornly speak nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng raised his hands and smiled. “Hai Zongxian is also concerned for state affairs, upholding the sovereign’s authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hai Zongxian understands the matter well. Do not follow the example of Ge Zongxian, deceived daily without knowing it.” Feng Bao raised an eyebrow and laughed. Hai Rui was the most renowned upright minister of the court. His apology was an affirmation from Hai Rui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng with solemn expression. “Hai Zongxian demands Xu Huating return his lands. Grand Secretary, what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This must be clarified. Though Zhang Juzheng publicly supported it in court deliberation, Hai Rui’s memorial on land restitution had never been submitted. Did Zhang Juzheng truly support Xu Jie’s land return? This is not a court session—it must be asked clearly. If land is to be returned, a plan must be drafted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun did not doubt Zhang Juzheng secretly opposed it, withholding Hai Rui’s memorial to delay. Zhang Juzheng had handled the memorial with great solemnity—clearly, this was a matter of great weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had Hai Rui said that made the Grand Secretary so cautious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe this matter requires long-term deliberation—not delay, but because Hai Zongxian’s proposal on land return requires a capable official to be dispatched. I am still considering.” Zhang Juzheng retrieved the memorial, handed it to Zhang Hong, who presented it to the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun opened it and studied it long, made no annotations, then returned it to Zhang Hong. “Grand Secretary, Hai Zongxian—this matter must be handled thoroughly, with utmost caution. See it done properly. The state’s greatest interest is at stake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui’s return had brought Zhu Yijun a great surprise: demanding Xu Jie return land was merely the pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote for the month! Awooooo!!!\u003C\u002Fp>",4934,"2026-06-21T07:55:54.218Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","c3e2cb8ea960876bdb56aec3560f0bf78034e052cc06e34f79c46a3c3140fdc0","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-76","i-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-chapter-74",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-really-am-not-neglecting-my-duties-cover.jpg"]