Chapter 189

Kings serve heaven with brightness and serve earth with observation; they sacrifice to heaven at the circular mound in the southern suburbs and to earth at the square marsh in the northern suburbs, thus following the positions of Yin and Yang.

The circular mound in the southern suburbs has been the place where emperors pray for rain, seek harvest, and confess sins since ancient times.

The so-called confession of sins refers solely to the Son of Heaven blaming himself before heaven.

And today at the circular mound in the southern suburbs, for the first time, the saying "bearing sins on behalf of the subjects" was encountered—the celestial star signals sin, but it does not signal me, but rather the rebellious subjects.

At this moment, when the officials heard the Emperor's words, they were almost shocked enough to jump up.

They had thought the Emperor was making concessions for the court situation today, but who knew he would be so reckless and arrogant to this extent!

Is this sacrificing to heaven? It is clearly a political mutiny!

The officials who had frequently disobeyed the Emperor recently, such as the noisy Shen Sixiao, Ai Mu, and others, all showed horror and frequently exchanged glances.

While the assistant officials Ma Ziqiang, Shen Shixing, and the Censorate's Wen Chun, and other close officials of the Emperor, stood with their hands tied, expressionless.

Only a group of junior ministers, directors, and secretaries who were completely unaware of the situation were in a mess, at a loss.

Among them, those who were respectful and compliant almost reflexively knelt down to plead guilty: "We are guilty!"

Lu Guangzu, who had been distracted by the Emperor's words, immediately came to his senses when he saw someone kneeling.

He snorted coldly and looked around at the court officials pleading guilty: "The Emperor said 'these kinds,' referring to 'those people,' and you are all in such a hurry to plead guilty..."

"Could it be that you are the subjects without lord or people in the Emperor's mouth?"

After this reminder, the court officials who had just knelt down suddenly realized, and for a moment didn't know whether they should continue to kneel or get up in a sorry state.

Just at this moment.

There was a commotion at the end of the line.

They saw Hai Yushi Liu Tai, who had taken off his crown and was holding it in his hand, walking up from the end of the line with his head held high.

Everyone looked at him.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Tai walked to the front and said proudly: "The Emperor's words about the many crimes of local officials leading to heaven's anger are truly imperial words, and those who hear them shed tears."

"But, the Emperor says the Grand Secretary Juzheng is a loyal subject, and I think otherwise."

"Rebellious subjects should be led by the Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng!"

"The celestial star signals it, and there is no one else!"

Seeing this student of Zhang Juzheng come forward, the officials couldn't help but understand.

The focus of today's debate was never whose crimes the celestial star signaled—the officials in court used Dong Zhongshu's theory, but they knew better than anyone what it was in their hearts.

So after the Emperor scolded the court officials, no one argued with him about what the comet signaled, but immediately returned the favor at the critical point.

The key lies only in the new policy!

Zhang Juzheng is in the mourning period, which is the weak point of the current new policy.

Even if the Emperor's attitude is tough right now, looking like he wants to stand up for the new policy.

But as long as Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary who has governed for eight years, leaves office, whoever replaces him will have to make a big discount.

Since that is the case, if the celestial star signals a rebellious subject, who else could it be but Zhang Juzheng?

Sure enough, after Liu Tai made his move, the Emperor also put away his self-boasting appearance.

Zhu Yijun showed no attempt to hide his disgust for Liu Tai: "You slander your teacher like this?"

Liu Tai had long prepared for this: "Your Majesty, I am first a Hai Yushi of the Great Ming Dynasty, and a subject of Your Majesty, before I can discuss teacher and student."

Zhu Yijun sneered: "Then Hai Yushi Liu, tell me, how is this teacher of yours a rebellious subject?"

Liu Tai was fearless and said loudly: "I ask Your Majesty to examine clearly!"

"When the late Emperor was dying, Juzheng feigned illness to expel Gong; since becoming Grand Secretary, he has been arrogant, ignoring the court; he created the Examination Method to coerce colleagues; he has not been assisting the government for long, yet he is the richest in all of Chu; he built a large residence in Jiangling, costing up to 100,000, with regulations similar to the palace; he has thousands of concubines, and his service is the same as a king's."

"Is this not a rebellious subject?"

As soon as these words were spoken, several people immediately echoed them.

Shen Sixiao and Ai Mu came out in unison and said loudly: "Your Majesty."

"After the Grand Secretary mourned his father, he has lingered in the capital until now, unwilling to return home, and then there were celestial anomalies, with strange star changes."

"This is a sign of loyalty and treachery, it goes without saying!"

"Everything must be questioned by the human heart to be at peace, and then follow the will of heaven to be smooth, and then the changes in heaven can be eliminated."

"I ask Your Majesty to think twice!"

Zou Yuanbiao followed closely: "Your Majesty, Zhang Juzheng is greedy for power, ignores human ethics and principles, violates heaven's harmony, I ask Your Majesty to respond to heaven's changes and follow the people's hearts!"

No matter how the Emperor uses his tongue, he must pass the test of human ethics and principles.

This is the long-standing public opinion of the scholar class!

Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary who presides over the new policy, must go!

Lu Guangzu, Liu Tai, Shen Sixiao, Ai Mu, Zou Yuanbiao...

In the blink of an eye, Zhu Yijun saw these people jump out one after another, and for a moment he couldn't tell if he was sad or happy in his heart.

He stared at Liu Tai, who emerged first, and slowly said: "Liu Hai Yushi's words about the Grand Secretary being the richest in Chu, having a residence like a palace, and having thousands of concubines, is there any real evidence?"

Liu Tai was about to speak.

Zhao Jin to the side suddenly came out: "Your Majesty, Censors report matters based on hearsay, and do not need real evidence."

Seeing someone speak for him, Liu Tai didn't say anything more, just bowed to the Emperor calmly to show his intention.

Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhao Jin, another one came.

He skipped Zhao Jin, his gaze fell on Liu Tai again, and he said earnestly: "Since that's the case, why hasn't Liu Qing resigned yet?"

Liu Tai was startled, thinking the Emperor was going to dismiss him, and couldn't help but be speechless.

Zhao Jin of the Ministry of Rites couldn't help but advise: "Your Majesty, there has never been a case of dismissing a Hai Yushi for reporting matters based on hearsay in the country!"

Chen Kai of the Ministry of Personnel also took a step forward and advised: "Your Majesty, think twice."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It is not that I want to dismiss him, but that Hai Yushi Liu should resign on his own."

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu Tai was stunned.

Zhao Jin and Chen Kai were even more blocked in their chests.

Zhu Yijun didn't mind explaining, he looked at Liu Tai earnestly: "Didn't Hai Yushi Liu say that he is first a Hai Yushi of the Great Ming Dynasty, and then a student of the Grand Secretary?"

"Now that Liu Qing, as a Hai Yushi, has fulfilled his duty of reporting matters based on hearsay."

"Then... isn't clearing the grievances for your teacher something you, as a student, should do?"

"If you truly have human ethics and great virtue in your heart, and are not saying one thing while meaning another, then you should avoid suspicion and resign, rush to Jiangling, and find out the truth."

"In this way, you fulfill the duty of monarch and subject, and fulfill the feelings of teacher and student. Whether you return to office in the future, and whether the Grand Secretary is clear or turbid, it will be a beautiful story for future generations."

Zhu Yijun paused, his tone turning cold: "Or is it that human ethics and principles are just a night pot for Liu Hai Yushi to strictly discipline others?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Liu Tai's mouth opened, the words turned in his mouth, and he swallowed them back.

It was a look of being caught off guard and wanting to speak but stopping.

Liu Tai turned his head slightly and looked at Zhao Jin and Chen Kai.

Unfortunately, he only got an expression of being unable to help.

Seeing this response, Liu Tai, who had just been holding his head high, saw his momentum collapse.

Lu Guangzu watched coldly from the sidelines, feeling again that the Emperor was truly worthy of the evaluation—his wisdom is enough to reject advice.

With things said to this point, Liu Tai could not have a second path to take.

Not only that, if Liu Tai couldn't find any palace in Jiangling, then the hat of "ignoring human ethics and principles" he put on Zhang Juzheng would probably have to be worn by himself!

Looking at the leader of the literary world on the platform writing furiously, I'm afraid it will be passed down through the ages.

It is truly killing and punishing the heart!

And Liu Tai, who faced this, was stunned on the spot, caught in a dilemma.

After stammering for a long time, he finally knelt down with difficulty, as if his spine had been broken, and said weakly: "I request to resign."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand, indicating approval.

Seeing the Emperor deal with Liu Tai so easily, those who were just about to move and prepare to follow suit couldn't help but hesitate.

Zhao Yongxian was even more afraid, burying his head back behind Zheng Zongxue.

Unfortunately, there are always people who want to hit the south wall.

Ai Mu was fearless and spoke again: "Your Majesty, even if Liu Hai Yushi has the suspicion of seeking fame, it has nothing to do with the Grand Secretary observing the mourning period."

Zhu Yijun didn't look at Ai Mu; setting aside his actions, just looking at his name, it was also a style that deliberately sought a beating.

He couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Ai Mu and looked at the court officials: "The matter of the Grand Secretary observing the mourning period has been disturbing since the end of August."

"It just so happens that we are talking about this today, so I will ask clearly..."

"The Grand Secretary is mourning his father, how can he not observe the mourning period?"

The Emperor asked sincerely.

The reaction of the court officials was also unexpectedly intense.

Chen Younian of the Ministry of Personnel suddenly came out. Xu Fuyuan saw this and wanted to reach out to stop him, but it was too late, and he could only close his eyes and not look.

The former walked to the front and bowed: "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary's words about the principles of sages and the laws of ancestors."

"Confucius said: 'Does Yu have three years of love for his parents?' The prince asked for mourning, and Mencius said: 'Even if it is one day more, it is better than what has already happened.'"

"Then ending the mourning is the correct teaching of the sages, and violating it oneself must be what one cannot bear."

Wang Xijue looked at the Emperor with some worry.

The matter of Zhang Juzheng observing the mourning period is not only about those who are dissatisfied with the new policy, but also many pedantic scholars like Chen Younian.

Even, out of Wang Xijue's own heart, he was happy to see Zhang Juzheng return home to observe the mourning period.

This is the filial piety of the Great Ming Dynasty.

Even when he, Wang Xijue, was in charge of the Ministry of Justice and encountered a case of a father having an affair with his daughter-in-law, the verdict still had to be written as "only treat it as the father hiding evil, and expel his wife."

Under this kind of filial piety, the matter of Zhang Juzheng retaining his position, apart from those with ulterior motives, naturally lacked no scholars who spoke out for justice out of morality.

If the two merge, if the Emperor does not carefully distinguish them, I am afraid it will lead to a big mistake.

Thinking of this, he suddenly moved in his heart.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Xijue slowly came out: "I ask Your Majesty to examine clearly, it is not that he cannot retain his position, but that there is no such precedent in ancient times."

I don't know if the Emperor caught his helping hand, or was simply gentle toward him.

Only heard the Emperor explain softly: "If it is the unbearable nature of the Grand Secretary mentioned by Chen Qing, then it is my insistence on retaining his position."

"If it is the ancestral law mentioned by Wang Qing, there are also the old precedents of the assistant officials Yang Pu and Li Xian."

"Why?"

Chen Younian was about to say more, but felt a tightness behind his back, and was dragged back to the line with a stumble.

Wang Xijue immediately followed up: "Your Majesty, examine clearly."

"Since there are old precedents of Yang Pu and Li Xian to check, they also did not end the three years, rather than saying they did not go for a day."

"Your Majesty can order the Grand Secretary to return home, wait for the edict at home, and after the funeral is over, then discuss retaining his position."

There is no precedent for not observing filial piety for a day, but there is a precedent for not observing it for three years.

This is just waiting for half a year.

It can also be considered as shaving off some obstacles for the Emperor from the scholar class.

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun nodded slowly.

And then cast an inquiring look at the hundred officials: "What do you think?"

Chen Younian, who had just been righteous, sighed in his heart when he heard this, and finally chose to give up.

Zhao Zhigao, Yu Shenxing, and other Hanlin scholars looked at each other, and expressions of hesitation appeared on their faces.

Just at this moment, Zou Yuanbiao suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty."

"I don't think so. At that time, Li Xian retained his position, but was impeached by his student, and was criticized by later generations."

"Even Yang Tinghe retained his position, resigned, and won the praise of the scholar class."

"The Grand Secretary's merit has been accumulated for several years, but Your Majesty ruined it in one day. I don't know how Your Majesty can bear to do this."

Zhu Yijun suddenly shook his head and laughed: "So, Zou Qing's meaning is, if the Grand Secretary doesn't resign, then he is clinging to power, and if I insist on doing it, then I am putting the assistant official in injustice?"

"Once the position is retained, then it is the subject not being a subject, and the monarch not being a monarch?"

Zou Yuanbiao didn't seem to hear the displeasure in the Emperor's words, and replied solemnly: "Exactly!"

Zhu Yijun nodded.

He didn't pay attention to Zou Yuanbiao anymore, but looked at Chen Wude: "Chen Qing, you are a recognized gentleman, and also the hall official who first submitted a memorial asking me not to retain his position."

"I have one thing I don't understand, please enlighten me."

This is also why the matter of Zhang Juzheng retaining his position became so big.

Chen Wude, who has worked with the Emperor for seven years and advocated the new policy, also does not agree with Zhang Juzheng retaining his position.

He even repeatedly took the lead in submitting memorials, and his words were more intense than those of Zhao Jin and others.

Chen Wude was not willing to lose the Emperor's face on such an occasion, and had been silent.

But at this time, the Emperor pointed him out, and he could only come out to respond: "I will say everything I know."

Zhu Yijun went straight to the point: "Since it is human ethics and principles, why is the ritual not for the common people?"

"Since it is human ethics and principles, why did I only observe filial piety for twenty-seven days when my father died?"

Such questions naturally couldn't stump the old pedant.

Chen Wude blurted out: "Your Majesty, we scholars bear the heavy responsibility of the world, and are the focus of the four seas, so we must correct ourselves before we can correct the common people."

"Confucius said, 'When the granaries are full, people know the etiquette,' but the common people have many clothes that don't cover their bodies, and food that doesn't fill their stomachs."

"Therefore, the ritual is not for the common people."

"As for Your Majesty..."

"The great filial piety of the sage lies in inheriting well, the importance of the government, the importance of the military and state, inheriting and carrying it on, without a moment's delay. Replacing months with days, this is the old rule."

Zhu Yijun asked: "Replacing months with days was created by Emperor Wen of Han according to his own will, not taken from the 'Rites of Zhou', is that so?"

Chen Wude was startled.

But he still nodded reluctantly: "Just as Your Majesty said."

Zhu Yijun looked at Chen Wude, Wang Xijue, Chen Younian, Yu Shenxing, and other scholars: "The common people have granaries that are not full, and the Emperor has the importance of the military and state, so there is a change in the mourning system."

"Since this is the case, now the Grand Secretary holds the importance of the new policy, and handles the urgency of the military..."

He paused and said earnestly: "No avoidance of metal and leather, is it possible?"

This word "no avoidance of metal and leather" was spoken, not only asking Chen Wude, but also asking Chen Wude, Zhao Zhigao, and other scholars.

It was also carefully distinguishing the two groups of people who had merged.

The word "no avoidance of metal and leather" came out, and the group of Hanlin scholars who were moving suddenly stopped.

Chen Younian's eyes lit up, and he nodded slightly.

Chen Wude hesitated for a long time, seemingly still pondering.

Wang Xijue opened his mouth again to speak.

At this time, Zhao Jin of the Ministry of Rites suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty's words, the Grand Secretary handling the urgency of the military, is a bit far-fetched."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun's face collapsed instantly.

He took a deep breath and restrained all his expressions.

And then quietly looked around at the court officials: "Since this is the case, taking advantage of today's prayer at the southern suburbs, with six hundred court officials in attendance..."

"Gentlemen, express your stance one by one."

"Those who think it is reasonable to retain the position, stand to the left! Those who think it is not reasonable, stand to the right!"

"Ma Qing! Shen Qing! You two lead a class on the left and right!"

After speaking, Zhu Yijun pointed to Ma Ziqiang and Shen Shixing.

Seeing this, the group of officials was instantly in an uproar.

What is the Emperor doing!?

Even Wang Xijue, who was inclined toward the Emperor, couldn't help but change his face and kneel down in a panic: "Your Majesty, think twice!"

If the Emperor does this, isn't he giving those who oppose the new policy a legitimate reason to form a clique!?

How unwise!

Zhu Yijun ignored it: "I have already thought twice!"

Chen Wude, the Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief, who had been restraining himself, regretted not responding to the Emperor's words just now.

He was pale and sternly remonstrated: "Does Your Majesty want to provoke a party struggle with your own hands!?"

The Emperor's actions were truly beyond his expectations!

Even with the trust of seven years of working together, he didn't dare to believe that this was something the Emperor would do!

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun finally became angry: "Is it that there is no party struggle in the court already!? Why does Chen Qing have to pretend to be deaf and dumb!"

"Do you think the Grand Secretary retaining his position only concerns human ethics!"

"Do you think the fact that Prince Lu could not go to his fiefdom was just my mother's doting!"

"Do you know how many rebellious subjects were secretly colluding after the celestial phenomena last night!"

The Emperor's sudden anger was one thing, but his mouth was full of tiger and wolf words, which shocked everyone's hearts.

The scene was silent for a moment.

Chen Wude stammered for a long time, and couldn't find any words to respond.

Zhao Jin and Lu Guangzu looked at each other subconsciously, and then separated.

Wang Xijue looked at the Emperor in astonishment, and then turned to count the number of guards around.

The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, Chen Yubi, suddenly stumbled out and knelt on the ground.

His tone was tragic: "Your Majesty!"

"Since I have been in charge of the Court of Judicial Review, although I dare not say that I have been diligent and loyal, I have never violated the law in any matter, and I have never favored anyone!"

"In three years, I have cleared up prison cases, combed through laws and regulations, and understood legal principles. Your Majesty and my colleagues have all seen it!"

"As for my duties, I can swear to heaven that I have a clear conscience!"

"Is it because I care about the imperial succession and human ethics, and have disobeyed Your Majesty, that I am seen by Your Majesty as a rebellious subject!?"

After speaking, he bowed three times again, choked with sobs and kowtowed.

A dignified third-rank hall official actually shed tears at the southern suburbs!

Zhu Yijun suddenly clapped his hands in praise and said loudly: "Good! Since things have reached this point, I also have something to say."

"Gentlemen, you might as well ask yourselves, regarding the Grand Secretary observing the mourning period, how many people are doing it for the sake of human ethics and principles?"

"Look at the origin, Emperor Wen of Han created the replacement of months with days, and you all also regard it as a standard."

"Discussing precedents, the assistant officials of the country retaining their positions, there are Li Xian, Yang Pu, and others before you."

"Speaking of flexibility, in these seven years, I don't know how many people have retained their positions without avoiding metal and leather."

"In the end, isn't it because the Grand Secretary has been pushing the new policy for eight years, making some people regard him as a thorn in their side!"

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhao Jin: "Zhao Qing, tell me, do you just disagree with the Grand Secretary retaining his position, or do you disagree with the new policy that I and the cabinet are pushing?"

I took medicine for sleep this weekend, and although I had a good sleep, I was muddled for two days, delaying the update, I am really sorry.

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(End of chapter)