Chapter 124: 124. Chapter 123: Setting Things Right, Dismissing the Mediocre and Enlightening the Sage

124. Chapter 123: Setting Things Right, Dismissing the Mediocre and Enlightening the Sage

After Wang Wang Shizhen's bizarre and outlandish remarks, a silence fell over the scene.

Zhu Zhu Yijun walked in the lead, lost in silence, not knowing what to say.

If anyone else had said such things, he would have immediately invited them to go boating.

Such a thinly veiled threat, if spoken, who wouldn't be sent to the bottom of the lake?

The problem was, Wang Wang Shizhen saying this... actually left Zhu Zhu Yijun unable to grasp the pulse of the situation.

Wang Mengzhu might actually believe such things!

By now, this was no longer the Wang Wang Shizhen of his youth.

When Wang Wang Shizhen first entered officialdom, his personality was arrogant and haughty, and his political activities were frequent.

Among the people, Wang Wang Shizhen utilized his influence in the literary world to form an illicit association with Li Li Panlong.

They established a literary alliance with the "Six Masters" at its core.

The alliance was strictly hierarchical, with ranks and order; Wang Wang Shizhen even commissioned the "Painting of the Six Masters," depicting them sitting in a bamboo grove.

Anyone who refused to obey the orders of Wang Wang Shizhen and Li Li Panlong would be demoted in rank within the society, or expelled from the membership entirely.

Tao Xie Zhen, one of the Six Masters, was senior in years and had a stubborn personality; he refused to submit to Wang Wang Shizhen. Once, after refusing to "harmonize with the Five Masters' poems," Wang Wang Shizhen immediately held a meeting to strike his name from the list.

Even when others said the Five Masters were not up to par, Wang Wang Shizhen remained determined not to change.

Subsequently, Wu Guo Lun, one of the Five Masters, was also demoted in rank within the society due to the affair of "fawning over the talented."

The "Painting of the Six Masters," like that other painting, was repeatedly altered and revised, resulting in several different versions.

At the same time, Wang Wang Shizhen successively created "The Later Five Masters," "The Expanded Five Masters," and "The Continued Five Masters," further expanding the scale of the literary alliance.

It was said, "Of those with the highest talent and most prominent status, whose reputation and spirit covered the world, there were no scholars, mountain hermits, poets, monks, or Daoists who did not run to his gate."

On the other hand, Wang Wang Shizhen held the literary handle alone, and he applied his influence to the political arena.

Wang Wang Shizhen believed that "between heaven and earth, there is nothing but history," and he was determined to write a history of the Ming Dynasty—for the leader of the literary world to compile history, even if it were unofficial history, the influence could not be underestimated.

Aside from serious works like the history of the examination system, the history of posthumous titles, and the history of eunuchs, there was naturally no lack of personal histories of ministers.

Unofficial histories are subjective, and Wang Wang Shizhen added even more of his own private views when writing history.

Once he held the pen, if there was the slightest dissatisfaction in officialdom, it would immediately be followed by a short essay.

Fellow members and allies, who could understand?

For example, his "Biographies of Grand Secretaries Since the Emperor Jiajing Era" exposed Yan Song at the top and smeared Zhang Zhang Juzheng at the bottom—the absurd rumor of Zhang Zhang Juzheng's thirty-two-bearer sedan chair originated from this book by Wang Wang Shizhen.

At that time, the movement to topple Yan Song was prevalent, and Wang Wang Shizhen would immediately open fire with his essays.

He repeatedly wrote articles, either openly insulting or indirectly mocking the father and son, Yan Song and Yan Yan Shifan.

Openly, there was "The Official of Lujiang at Lingshan," and secretly, there were the widely circulated "Jin Pingmei" and "Ming Feng Ji."

Yan Song was so angry he could have died.

But these were elegant affairs among scholars; how could one get angry?

Helplessly, Yan Song took the beating with a smile, declaring that the criticism was correct and that he would strive to improve himself.

This act of not fearing the powerful earned Wang Wang Shizhen a reputation for integrity, and the younger generation all regarded him as an idol.

Scholars from all over the world flocked to him, and he was truly at the height of his influence.

Unfortunately, the old fox Yan Song had plenty of tricks.

It was similar to Zhang Zhang Siwei's situation now. Yan Song couldn't do anything to this literary leader on the surface, so he turned around and pitted his father to death, suggesting to Shizong to order his execution.

There was nothing more to say; with his father dead, he naturally had to resign and observe the mourning period.

Wang Wang Shizhen "wailed for several days and resigned to return home."

This defeat, and even the death of his father, immediately crushed his spirit.

After the mourning period ended, he humbled himself everywhere, begging for favors, with his heart set solely on clearing his father's name.

He constantly wrote letters to ministers like Xu Jie and Yang Bo.

Later, the previous Emperor ascended the throne, and his fellow examinee Zhang Zhang Juzheng rose in power. Wang Wang Shizhen "passed through Dezhou and heard that Zhang Zhang Juzheng had entered the Grand Secretariat."

Seeing the opportunity for a general amnesty, Wang Wang Shizhen wrote to Zhang Zhang Juzheng to climb the social ladder.

One letter, "To Grand Secretary Zhang of Zhang Jiangling," began with "Your unworthy servant Wang Shizhen has committed grave sins, causing my late father to suffer a great disaster," which was sincere and earnest, with a very low posture.

Later, the Emperor Longqing Emperor cleared his father's name.

Regardless of what Wang Wang Shizhen thought in his heart, he had to express his gratitude on the surface.

At the same time, other schools in the literary world began to compete.

Sheng Xiang promoted and led the alliance.

Wang Daokun gathered people from all over in Huizhou, successively founding the Fenggan and Baiyu societies, wishing to "dominate one side and establish his own banner."

At this time, Wang Wang Shizhen, who had once held the literary handle alone and excluded outsiders, not only did not intervene but even publicly catered to Wang Daokun's encroachment.

He wrote a letter of congratulations, saying, "She County previously had no poetry; if it has any, it began with Minister Wang Boyu."

It can be seen that after this back and forth, his sharp edges had already been worn smooth.

With no pursuit of an official career and having abandoned the great cause of literature, he simply "grew fond of Buddhism in his later years and changed his interest to the Daoist path."

What official career, what literature? His father had been harmed by his own actions; it was better to chant sutras and practice meditation.

He spent his days chanting sutras, practicing meditation, and reflecting on his past mistakes, seeking only to speak less and be kind to others.

His writing was also filled with a repentant state of mind, and he was called the "Repentant" leader by the scholars.

Now, this "Repentant" leader had begun to repent for the Emperor Jiajing Emperor, perhaps out of empathy—if the Emperor Jiajing Emperor had practiced Daoism earlier, his son would not have died; if I had practiced Daoism earlier, my father would not have died.

They were fellow sufferers.

Zhu Zhu Yijun thought more and more, unable to grasp whether this literary leader was speaking to threaten him or simply promoting Daoism.

After all, this literary leader would, in a few years, become a disciple of Wang Wang Xijue's twenty-something-year-old daughter, Tanyangzi.

He not only wrote essays to praise her but also helped Tanyangzi ascend to heaven in broad daylight, inviting ten thousand people to witness the ceremony.

Wang Wang Shizhen wept and bowed, lying on the ground to absorb the "spiritual energy" left behind by Tanyangzi.

Uh, Zhu Zhu Yijun suddenly thought.

Wang Wang Shizhen had been glowing with excitement since he arrived at the West Garden, breathing rhythmically; could it be that he wanted to absorb the spiritual energy of the Emperor Jiajing Emperor?

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked suspiciously at Wang Wang Shizhen and continued to probe: "Then how did Wang Qing determine that the Emperor Jiajing Emperor had already attained the Dao and ascended to heaven?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Wang Shizhen became excited.

He revealed a look of agitation: "Your Majesty is the proof!"

"I have heard that as soon as Your Majesty ascended the throne, it was as if you were endowed by heaven, and overnight, your divine nature erupted."

"You suddenly developed the demeanor of a great bird and mastered the profound learning of the classics."

"And upon entering the West Garden and residing in the Wanshou Palace, that was the Daoist altar of the Emperor Jiajing Emperor."

"Your Majesty is imbued with the fruits of the Dao, your intent is one with the rhyme of the Dao, the meritorious officials are awed, the imperial clan bows their heads, and the old ministers of the Emperor Jiajing Emperor surround you, bowing and scraping."

"If the Emperor Jiajing Emperor had not attained the Dao and resided in the thirty-third heaven, what could have bestowed this?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun was speechless.

In a sense, this situation of his really did require asking the Daoist ancestor for the reason.

Plus, the show he put on the other day had stunned Wang Mengzhu.

Wang Wang Shizhen was already a devotee of the Dao, and now that he had encountered something beyond his cognitive boundaries, he had to have an explanation to convince himself.

It was similar to those wealthy people in his previous life who sought gods and worshipped Buddhas.

This was meaningless; he had thought Wang Mengzhu's head was iron-hard and that he was going to threaten him.

"Half god, half sage, and half immortal; fully Confucian, fully Daoist, and fully virtuous." Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand casually.

With a perfunctory sentence, he ended Wang Wang Shizhen's wild fantasies.

Turning to serious business, he said faintly: "I heard from the inner officials who went to deliver the decree that Wang Qing seems to have become indifferent to officialdom?"

This question had the connotation of holding him accountable, and it was somewhat impolite.

Asking so directly was also for a reason—Wang Wang Shizhen's actions were truly not honorable.

Just after receiving the imperial decree for his reinstatement, he wrote a poem saying something like "The disease of entering the garden has become a habit, and the decline of feelings for children is deep."

And he wrote to people, "My brother's trip this time is truly involuntary; I am bitter that the authorities are relentless, and I have no excuse to refuse."

You can pretend to be aloof if you want, but what does it mean to be constantly urged by those in power, and you have no reason to refuse?

And he even published it for others to see?

Zhu Zhu Yijun asking this question now, while not polite, was giving Wang Wang Shizhen a chance to explain.

If he didn't even have a basic attitude by now...

Never mind serving in office, he might as well be buried.

At worst, he would support Wang Daokun and change the leader of the literary alliance to someone who would work for him.

Wang Wang Shizhen hurriedly bowed to plead guilty: "Your servant is guilty!"

"Your servant did not know of Your Majesty's brilliance and speculated that the Grand Secretary had summoned me out of personal friendship, so I made excuses to refuse!"

This was a tactful way of saying that the Emperor had not yet personally governed, and Zhang Zhang Juzheng had driven away Gao Gong.

He thought it was Zhang Zhang Juzheng who was holding all the power and summoning him back to the capital to flesh out his own wings.

He, Wang Wang Shizhen, did not want to form a clique out of personal friendship and damage Your Majesty's prestige, so he deliberately shirked it.

Anyway, regardless of the details, the original intention was good.

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw his appearance and felt moved in his heart.

It could only be said that after Wang Wang Shizhen experienced clearing his father's name, he had become much more slick, at least his stance in speaking was firm.

This statement could probably be believed.

Historically, Wang Wang Shizhen fell out with Zhang Zhang Juzheng because of his scholarly views, respecting rituals and restoring the past, believing that Zhang Zhang Juzheng's power was too great and that he was oppressing the Emperor.

As for whether there was any political posturing involved in maintaining the persona of not fearing the powerful since the Yan Song era, it was unknown.

However, having this attitude was enough—he was not a political idiot, so he could be trusted to handle things.

Moreover, at least he put the Emperor in his eyes and was not too arrogant.

Zhu Zhu Yijun reached out to help him up and said with a straight face: "The Grand Secretary is my backbone and heart; how could Wang Qing listen to rumors!?"

Saying it this way meant he accepted Wang Wang Shizhen's explanation and his slickness.

Wang Wang Shizhen bowed again: "Your servant's virtue is insufficient, and I actually listened to rumors and slandered the Grand Secretary. I am extremely ashamed."

Zhu Zhu Yijun continued to reprimand: "I heard that Wang Qing is determined to compile history; have you not heard the words 'textual research' and 'seeking truth'?"

"With Wang Qing's frivolity and gullibility, how can I trust you to lead the Orchid Terrace?"

Wang Wang Shizhen was about to continue performing with the Emperor and continue to admit his mistakes.

When the words reached his lips, he suddenly froze.

Orchid Terrace!?

The Emperor said he would let him lead the Orchid Terrace!?

Since the Han Dynasty established the place for archives and classics, and set up the Orchid Terrace officials to compile history, the Orchid Terrace had been the synonym for the office of the historian for a thousand years.

So, the Emperor called him back to the capital to compile history!

No wonder he saw the middle secretary recording the daily records beside the Emperor the day before yesterday!

This... this sudden surprise left Wang Wang Shizhen at a loss.

His recognition of the Emperor rose by several levels.

A sage king!

Wang Wang Shizhen was surprised, excited, hesitant, and thrilled, all sweeping through his heart, and his tongue was tied.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was not in a hurry, waiting leisurely for Wang Wang Shizhen to reply.

Wang Wang Shizhen's reaction was naturally within his expectations.

This was a position tailor-made for Wang Wang Shizhen.

This person had no ability to govern a locality; historically, in the third year of Emperor Wanli, Zhang Zhang Juzheng sent him to patrol Yunyang, and he was impeached several times in one year.

It was either "because of his pedantry, he lost the direction of the powerful minister, and was criticized again," or "disturbing the people and disrupting production."

It can be seen that this kind of mouthpiece should be kept in the palace to criticize current politics.

Besides, Wang Wang Shizhen would surely be very satisfied with this.

His ambition was "in the Orchid Terrace."

Historically, when Wang Wang Shizhen was reinstated, Zhang Zhang Juzheng promoted him to be the Surveillance Commissioner of Huguang, which was the position of Du Si, who was being escorted to the capital.

Wang Wang Shizhen was not satisfied with this position, not only refusing to take office but also submitting a resignation.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng wrote a letter to persuade him—"How fortunate is it for such a remote and desolate place to hear the sound of the zither and see such a precious treasure?"

Like coaxing a child, Wang Wang Shizhen reluctantly set off.

Later, he kept writing letters, saying, "Grand Secretary Zhang, I really can't do this anymore; let me return to the capital to serve; I want to do clerical work."

Zhu Zhu Yijun now had the "heavenly eye" and gave him exactly what he wanted in one step, turning his interest into a job; what else could he say?

Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Wang Wang Shizhen finally bowed slowly, bowing to the ground: "Your servant has heard Your Majesty's teachings on rituals and music, and your personal instructions, as if receiving a father's love, and I will keep it in my heart."

"Your servant has received Your Majesty's holy grace and heavenly favor, and your benevolence is like rain after a long drought, moistening my entire being!"

This bow finally carried sincerity.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was listening with a light heart, but when he heard this, he almost stumbled.

He looked at Wang Wang Shizhen, who was nearly fifty, and wondered how he could say the words "receiving a father's love."

It could only be said that he was worthy of being the leader of the literary world; his level of speech was impeccable.

But this was not the end.

Just a position as a historian, how could it make Wang Wang Shizhen completely convinced?

Zhu Zhu Yijun helped Wang Wang Shizhen up again: "Since we are talking about father and son..."

"Wang Qing, I am keeping you in the Orchid Terrace, not just because I love your talent, but also because of your father's merits."

Wang Wang Shizhen was just getting up and bending over, and he was stunned when he heard this.

Unable to grasp the Emperor's pulse, he said cautiously: "My father...?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun sighed.

Meaningfully, he said: "Recently, there has been some right and wrong in the court."

"Yesterday, the Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Censorate, Ge Ge Shouli, submitted a memorial."

"It said..."

"The former Hai Yushi-in-Chief of Jiliao, Wang Yu, defeated the captives and pacified the Japanese pirates, and his achievements are worth recording. Occasionally, because the captives suddenly broke in, he was falsely accused by corrupt officials and forced to commit suicide, which was not his crime."

"The former Governor of Zhejiang, Zhu Wan, was upright and honest, but because he strictly prohibited smuggling, he was slandered. Later, he was changed to patrol and supervise the troops, but he was slandered and investigated. On the day he took poison, his family had no savings, and to this day, his wife and children depend on others for food and cannot survive."

"If they are not specially favored, it will not be enough to encourage loyalty and stimulate the spirit of serving the public. I request that Yu be given two altars of sacrifice according to the regulations and be buried; Wan be given one altar of sacrifice according to the regulations and be buried with half the cost."

"After the event, I read the resumes of the two ministers, and they were loyal and good officials of the country, which made me burst into tears!"

"Since Wang Qing is the descendant of the loyal Wang Yu, how can I not favor you a little?"

This memorial was naturally submitted by Ge Ge Shouli at Zhu Zhu Yijun's instruction.

Wang Yu had made great contributions, but because he occasionally suffered setbacks when the enemy suddenly invaded, and because he unfortunately touched the interests of powerful ministers, he was forced to commit suicide. This was not his crime.

So, clearing his name was not enough; he had to be buried and sacrificed—of course, Zhu Wan was also brought along to borrow Wang Wang Shizhen's east wind.

For the Emperor, this was naturally not a difficult task.

But for Wang Wang Shizhen, it was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Historically, it was not until the fifteenth year of Emperor Wanli, after many twists and turns, that he achieved this step.

However, the background was different; this was a gift from someone to Wang Wang Shizhen, who "did not fear the powerful and exposed Zhang Zhang Juzheng's true face" after the court cleared Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

Now that the Emperor personally proposed this, the legitimacy of setting things right was incomparable.

It immediately stunned Wang Wang Shizhen on the spot.

His father, Wang Yu, had been executed by the Emperor Jiajing Emperor.

In the first year of Emperor Longqing, he took the opportunity of the general amnesty to clear his father's name.

But, the charges were only cleared; the punishment of execution remained, so he had no place to be buried.

Wanting to achieve the step of "building a grave and burying him" was extremely difficult.

The Emperor actually fed it to his mouth like this!?

Wang Wang Shizhen was stunned and silent.

After a long while, he regained his reason and sighed: "Your Majesty, your servant has not made any contributions, yet I have received such favor from Your Majesty, and I am truly terrified."

"Please give me your orders."

There is no free lunch in the world.

When he cleared his father's name, the sacrifice was his integrity, and the price was his reputation in the literary world.

Now the Emperor was re-establishing the Orchid Terrace for him and throwing out the bargaining chip of "building a grave and burying" his father.

What step did he need to take?

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Wang Shizhen with appreciation.

Talented, valuing gratitude, and sharp-minded; he was at ease with smart people handling things.

Even at nearly fifty, Wang Wang Shizhen was worthy of the description "graceful and elegant, with a gentle and beautiful aura overflowing from his brows."

While waiting for the Emperor to speak, he was also radiant, which was no wonder that Xu Wu Zhongxing and Zong Chen praised him as "a god-like person, it is a pity he is not a woman."

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand.

Zhang Hong was prepared and walked forward with a jar, bending over.

Wang Wang Shizhen looked over curiously.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was not in a hurry to get to the point, asking leisurely: "Does Wang Qing know about 'rotten grass turning into fireflies'?"

Wang Wang Shizhen was confused.

Not knowing the Emperor's intention, he could only say in a standard way: "The 'Monthly Ordinances' in the 'Book of Rites' says, in the season of late summer... rotten grass turns into fireflies."

"It means that every late summer, rotten grass and rotten bamboo roots turn into fireflies."

The Book of Rites, the classic of Confucius, one of the three rites and five classics of Confucianism.

It can be said to be the foundation that has not moved for ten thousand generations.

Even if the world is wrong, the Confucian classics cannot be wrong; at most, they should be re-interpreted to suit the times.

Of course, there was little dispute about the Monthly Ordinances.

After all, they were just some habits of birds and beasts, such as fish on ice, otters sacrificing fish, and wild geese coming.

This sentence about rotten grass turning into fireflies was the same.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded, seemingly very satisfied with the literary leader's knowledge.

He took the jar from Zhang Hong and said lightly: "Wang Qing, do you think the words of the sage could be wrong?"

Wang Wang Shizhen was shocked and suddenly lost his composure!

He suddenly had an extremely ominous premonition!

The feeling of impending disaster struck his heart!

What exactly did the Emperor want to entrust to him!?

Wang Wang Shizhen opened his mouth several times to speak, but found it difficult to make a sound in his shock.

After calming down a little, Wang Wang Shizhen said hoarsely: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

▲￠o

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded and handed the jar in his hand to Wang Wang Shizhen.

Wang Wang Shizhen looked at the jar following the Emperor's gaze, only to see some light yellow spots in the jar, not knowing what they were.

He was looking intently when the Emperor's words suddenly reached his ears.

"Wang Qing, these are the eggs of fireflies, obtained from the mating of adults."

This sound was like a raging wave.

Wang Wang Shizhen's hands went soft, and the jar fell.

Luo Luo Sigong, who was on the side, was quick-witted and caught it immediately.

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't care, his expression gentle as he looked at Wang Wang Shizhen: "Wang Qing, can you write an essay about this?"

This sound was like a stormy sea.

Wang Wang Shizhen's hand softened, and the bottle fell.

Luo Luo Sigong on the side was quick-eyed and caught it immediately.

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't care, his expression was gentle as he looked at Wang Wang Shizhen: "Wang Qing, can you write an article for this?"