Chapter 200: 138. Chapter 137: Dialect and Refined Speech, Breaking the Square to Form a Circle

138. Chapter 137: Dialect and Refined Speech, Breaking the Square to Form a Circle

Zhu Zhu Yijun knew full well that Song Ru had falsely accused Xiong Xiong Dunpu, so after entering the hall, he skipped interrogation entirely and directly denounced him as treacherous and deceitful.

Now, forcing the Hanlin junior scholars to confront him was merely going through the motions.

"... Thus, when Xiong Xiong Dunpu merely praised His Majesty twice, Song Ru twisted it into a memorial, spreading slanderous lies."

Wu Wu Zhonghang stared sternly at Song Ru, radiating righteous fury.

He recounted the events of that day in full.

It was simply that after all of us received our appointments, exactly one month had passed, so we decided to gather informally to strengthen our class bonds.

During the banquet, Xiong Xiong Dunpu engaged in ordinary conversation—there was no criticism of state affairs or insults directed at His Majesty; Song Ru simply provoked trouble.

Upon hearing this, Song Ru naturally refused to accept it.

His face flushed with anxiety as he immediately retorted: "I did not fabricate this out of thin air! Xiong Xiong Dunpu truly did utter the blasphemous words that His Majesty had committed incest with his mother!"

"I was merely outraged, so I reported this to Minister Shen!"

If my age was falsified, I might lose my status as a Hanlin junior scholar, but I still retain my Tong Jinshi title.

But if I'm now proven to have slandered a fellow official and manipulated the Emperor and the New Policies for personal gain, I may truly face punishment!

Facing imminent disaster, Song Ru spoke without restraint.

The palace eunuchs turned pale with shock.

The Hanlin junior scholars watched with malicious delight.

Shen Shen Shixing cast a glance at Zheng Zheng Zongxue on the imperial dais; the latter, who had been recording the imperial daily records, silently set down his brush.

Song Ru was cornered with no room to retreat.

He turned his head, scanning his fellow junior scholars: "I heard it with my own ears—though Xiong Xiong Dunpu was praising His Majesty, he also said, 'His Majesty has committed incest with his mother!'"

He paused, feigning recollection, then mimicked the words: "Xiong Xiong Dunpu's exact words were: 'The Emperor's mother is really impressive!'"

"How could I dare fabricate such disrespectful words!"

His expression was rigid, his tone absolute.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shen Shixing could no longer contain himself and immediately rebuked: "Song Ru, how dare you!"

He glanced at the Embroidered Uniform Guard below the dais and gave a signal.

But Jiang Jiang Keqian stared straight ahead, unmoved.

Shen Shen Shixing grew anxious and prepared to step forward himself to subdue Song Ru.

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw this and raised his hand to stop Shen Shen Shixing.

Shen Shen Shixing realized the Emperor had already prepared a response; he exhaled in relief and stepped quietly aside.

Zhu Zhu Yijun regarded Song Ru, Wu Wu Zhonghang, and the others with keen interest: "Continue."

Wu Wu Zhonghang had finished speaking and quietly returned to the ranks of the Hanlin junior scholars.

His fellow scholar Li Li Deyou understood and stepped forward immediately.

He glanced at the frenzied Song Ru and spat in disgust.

Then he bowed to the Emperor and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, Xiong Xiong Dunpu is from Fushun County, Sichuan; I am from Yibin County, Sichuan."

"Allow me to inform Your Majesty and all present: the words just spoken by Song Ru are Sichuan dialect."

"They are merely grammatical particles, carrying no actual meaning."

"They mean the same as: 'His Majesty is truly impressive!'—intended as praise for His Majesty!"

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"Not the meaning Song Ru claimed—that His Majesty committed incest with his mother."

"Others might misunderstand, but Song Ru is from Guizhou—he knows the true meaning yet deliberately deceived Minister Shen, causing rumors to spread throughout the capital and beyond."

"This man spreads falsehoods, using His Majesty as a tool to frame his colleagues—his heart is wolfish, his nature venomous, his crime unforgivable!"

"To stand beside him is to be stained with filth—I long to slap his face!"

"Your Majesty, please examine the facts and the sequence of events!"

He finished speaking.

The eunuchs and secretaries exchanged bewildered glances.

Is Sichuan dialect really like that?

Such a grammatical particle is far too vulgar!

Song Ru still refused to yield, continuing to argue: "Even so! It was still Xiong Xiong Dunpu's exact words!"

He turned to the Emperor and pleaded: "Your Majesty! Xiong Xiong Dunpu's words were indeed disrespectful to you—please take note!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun had been listening quietly to the confrontation, but now suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Everyone was confused.

Wu Wu Zhonghang, seeing this, joined in laughing.

The Hanlin junior scholars, a half-beat late, also broke into smiles.

After a long while, Zhu Zhu Yijun wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at Li Li Deyou: "What a clever grammatical particle—Xiong Xiong Dunpu deserved no less than this mockery!"

Li Li Deyou tugged at his lips, forcing a smile.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand toward Shen Shen Shixing: "Minister Shen, after this, discuss with the Ministry of Personnel: officials from Sichuan must not casually reveal their dialects in the capital."

Shen Shen Shixing bowed deeply in assent.

Zhu Zhu Yijun seemed unsatisfied, turning to Zheng Zheng Zongxue behind him and teasing: "Lately, the capital has been busy defiling my reputation."

"I thought there was some deeper reason—turns out it's just this."

"This story would surely earn a place in the Laughing Forest."

Zheng Zheng Zongxue understood instantly and quietly noted the Emperor's words in his mind.

The Emperor's words sounded amusing, yet carried hidden meanings.

He was hinting that Zheng Zheng Zongxue should use this opportunity to publicly debunk the incest rumor—as a joke.

Though it might seem disrespectful to the Emperor, it was better than letting the rumor grow more absurd.

After the performance concluded.

Zhu Zhu Yijun slowly suppressed his laughter.

He paused, then responded to Song Ru's earlier claims: "Xiong Xiong Dunpu's crude words were indeed disrespectful to me."

Hearing the Emperor's judgment, Shen Shen Shixing exhaled in relief.

Even if it was merely a grammatical particle, if the Emperor called it disrespectful, then it was disrespectful.

The Emperor was ensuring he hadn't wrongly punished anyone.

Zhu Zhu Yijun finally turned to Song Ru, his expression dark: "And you—what are you, then, framing your fellow scholar and using me as your tool?"

Song Ru prostrated himself in panic: "Your Majesty! I reported rumors to serve as Your Majesty's ears and eyes!"

"My loyal heart, Your Majesty, please understand!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun sneered: "Is that so? Then, to ensure Xiong Xiong Dunpu could never recover, have you not spent these days spreading rumors about me under his name—all for my benefit?"

Song Ru was bewildered, unsure what the Emperor meant, and opened his mouth to protest.

But at that moment, the Emperor waved his hand.

Two guards below the dais immediately moved.

They lunged, knocked Song Ru to the ground, clamped a hand over his mouth, pinned him under their arms, and dragged him out roughly.

The young Emperor had merely gone through the motions—he never intended to give Song Ru a real chance to defend himself.

Once he'd heard enough, it was time to throw him into prison and await judgment.

After easily ending this farce, Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled at the Hanlin junior scholars: "Gentlemen, how should this man be punished?"

He must be executed.

Song Ru was not merely treacherous—he was far worse.

Historically, Zhang Zhang Juzheng, out of respect for Song Ru's relative Sun Ying'ao, only demoted him to the Guizhou Surveillance Commission, and after two years, he retired peacefully.

But after returning to Guizhou, he used his retired official status to commit crimes: harboring bandits, raping women, oppressing the people, and humiliating women.

He even dared to forge seals and mobilize barbarian troops to massacre civilians within the province!

He continued his atrocities for years until Guizhou Provincial Governor Wang Ji discovered him and had him executed.

Such a creature—if Zhu Zhu Yijun had not known, fine; but now that he knows and still lets him live, the innocent dead will be counted on his conscience.

Li Li Deyou, reflecting on the events in the hall, suddenly had a flash of insight.

He stepped forward immediately: "Your Majesty, I petition for the execution of this villain!"

Wu Wu Zhonghang, a half-beat late, grew furious—he should never have given this man a chance to speak.

He also saw the Emperor intended to kill him.

Moreover, whether the Emperor or not, exposing the corruption of official age falsification would make countless enemies.

He must be killed!

Zhu Zhu Yijun glanced at Li Li Deyou.

He had no particular memory of this man, but he seemed sharp-witted—realizing the conservative faction's meal was over, he was already seeking a new patron.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's mind raced, but his face remained calm as he nodded: "Then as you suggest—Song Ru shall be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for sentencing."

"As for Xiong Xiong Dunpu..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun paused, then continued: "Though his intent is understandable, his words were still disrespectful."

"When he returns to the capital next year for his official review, let him apologize face-to-face to my mother, then we shall see what the Empress Dowager decides."

Blending opinions—Shen Shen Shixing could do it; Zhu Zhu Yijun could too.

Xiong Xiong Dunpu did not slander the Emperor or frivolously discuss state affairs, but he did speak disrespectfully to the Two Palaces.

Then let us compromise.

Though somewhat innocent, is this not more humane than history's case of Zhang Zhang Juzheng being wrongly disgraced, yet treated as if nothing had happened?

All bowed down: "Your Majesty's judgment is wise."

"No one surpasses Your Majesty in sagacity."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded and spoke again: "As for the concerns many of you have regarding the Examination of Achievements Law..."

Wu Wu Zhonghang stepped forward hastily: "Your servant dares not!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Wu Wu Zhonghang and shook his head.

He said slowly: "The Examination of Achievements inspection has now been underway for two months. The Minister of Personnel is vacant, the Head of the Personnel Censorate has been reassigned, and now you all have impeached the Vice Minister of Personnel—your doubts are entirely understandable."

"To be frank with you all, I too harbor doubts!"

No one knew what the Emperor was planning.

Having just suffered a setback, they all fell silent.

At this moment, Zhu Zhu Yijun sighed deeply: "Very well. Today I happen to have no other business."

"I wish to observe how the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate implement rewards and punishments under the Examination of Achievements, and whether they do so fairly."

"Gentlemen, come with me and see for yourselves!"

All exchanged glances, startled and uncertain.

…

The Grand Secretaries, also called Palace University Scholars, refer to those stationed in several halls within the imperial palace.

Their rank is determined by proximity to the Emperor's location—Dongge is farthest and lowest among the assistants; Zhongji is closest and highest as the Chief Zhang Gelao.

Their duty rooms are located within the imperial city—this is a privilege granted only to Grand Secretaries.

Naturally, below the Palace University Scholars, the Six Ministries and other offices must be situated outside the imperial city.

Inside and outside the Wu Men gate is one of the dividing lines between the inner and outer imperial city.

Within Wu Men lies the imperial city; beyond it are three further palace gates: Gongshu Duan Men, Chengtian Men (Tian'an), and Great Ming Men.

The Ministry of Personnel is located between the latter two.

Though not far from the palace, it is still outside the imperial precinct.

Now that the Emperor intends to inspect the Ministry of Personnel, he must leave the palace.

The Emperor leaving the palace is, at any time, a major event.

Previously, when he visited the Academy, he had notified the Two Palaces, the Grand Secretariat, and the Directorate of Ceremonial in advance—all were prepared and cleared.

But today's sudden decision caught everyone off guard.

Moreover, how many people were at the Academy? How many now crowd the dozens of offices outside the palace?

A chaotic mix of people!

Thus, upon hearing the Emperor had left the palace, chaos erupted everywhere.

In Yuanxi Nianian Hall.

Empress Dowager Li sat upright, her hair low and adorned with a jade phoenix hairpin.

She was examining the younger generation's studies—since testing the Emperor, she had grown fond of it.

The children were still young, so it was tolerable.

But her nephew Li Li Chengming suffered greatly.

He frowned and explained to Empress Dowager Li: "Aunt, this is not mere wordplay or sophistry."

"Mozi spoke of the Three Criteria: historical evidence, conformity to inherent principles, and practical utility."

"The Academy's scholars now study the second: conformity to inherent principles."

Mozi judged the validity of statements by three standards: whether they had historical precedent, whether they aligned with inherent natural laws, and whether they had practical value.

Li Li Chengming now studies with Cheng Cheng Dawei how to determine conformity to inherent principles.

But Empress Dowager Li did not believe such distinctions mattered.

She didn't understand it well enough, so she simply scolded Li Li Chengming for sophistry and wordplay.

Left speechless, Li Li Chengming quickly cited Mozi and offered a brief explanation.

Empress Dowager Li regarded him skeptically—she still did not believe him.

She was about to press further.

At that moment, a eunuch hurried in and whispered several words into her ear.

Empress Dowager Li's expression changed instantly.

She lost all interest in testing Li Li Chengming and ordered at once: "Find Li Jin—send more men to follow him! Do not let anything go wrong!"

Li Li Chengming did not know what had happened, but seeing his aunt in distress, he felt immense relief.

He immediately rose to take his leave.

But Empress Dowager Li called him back, reproachfully: "The Emperor has left the palace—go to the Office of the Right Army Commander and find your father. Have him take men to guard the Emperor!"

Li Li Chengming then understood.

He asked, puzzled: "The Emperor left the palace? Where to?"

Empress Dowager Li snapped: "He passed through Wu Men—no one knows where he's going! Now he's grown so bold—when he was little..."

She cut herself off, glaring at Li Li Chengming: "Enough. Just go. Don't waste my time with questions!"

Li Li Chengming, chastised, bowed quickly and vanished in a flash.

Meanwhile, in Ganguang Hall.

Empress Dowager Chen sat by the window, her black silk headdress adorned with two golden dangling hairpins, gazing at the sky.

Her hair was slightly disheveled from playing with the cat, lending her a languid air.

In Empress Dowager Chen's peripheral vision were her daughter, being tutored, and Li Baiyang.

She glanced back at them, her eyes soft, nodding almost imperceptibly.

Though Li Li Chunfang's intentions were suspect, having Li Baiyang tutor her daughter was far more convenient than sending her to the Imperial Book Hall for lessons with eunuchs.

At least, under her own watchful eye, she felt at ease.

Just then, a eunuch entered and bowed to report: "Your Majesty, the Secretary from Wanshou Palace has just come to inform us that the Emperor has left the palace."

"To let Your Majesty know."

Empress Dowager Chen listened quietly, then nodded: "Understood."

She turned and summoned Li Baiyang, who was teaching.

The little girl bowed clumsily.

Empress Dowager Chen pinched the girl's delicate cheek—this innocent appearance was far more mature than when she first entered the palace.

She smiled and said: "The Emperor has left the palace—go and follow him to see what he's doing."

The Emperor has been frequently appearing in public—time to let the right rumors spread.

It is nearly time for the imperial selection.

Li Baiyang, who had not left the palace in half a year, beamed with joy.

She curtsied gracefully and was led out by the eunuch.

The Two Palaces reacted because the Emperor gave no prior notice.

They assumed he was going out for amusement.

The late Emperor was like that—once he decided to leave the palace, he would first indulge in sightseeing before performing the ancestral rites.

In the second year of Emperor Longqing, he had promised to lead ministers to pay respects at the tombs—but upon leaving, he insisted on sightseeing first.

Even worse was the Wu Zong Emperor, who frequently left the palace for pleasure; ministers who advised against it were beaten to death with bamboo rods.

Long journeys naturally caused concern.

But the Grand Secretariat was different—the Secretaries would be notified clearly, and the destination would never be vague.

Thus, rather than surprise, the Grand Secretariat was merely caught unprepared.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi rose simultaneously, exclaiming: "The Emperor is going to the Ministry of Personnel?!"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng frowned—weren't they dealing with the petitioning incident?

Why suddenly go to the Ministry of Personnel?!

Even if others were unprepared, the entire Ministry of Personnel had no warning—what if they made fools of themselves?

Moreover, there are over a dozen offices clustered there—crowded, chaotic. What if something went wrong with this sudden visit?

Zheng Zheng Zongxue added: "The Emperor is leading a group of Secretaries, Junior Scholars, and Hanlin editors to inspect the Ministry of Personnel—to review the Examination of Achievements Law."

Before he finished speaking, the Grand Secretaries were gone.

The two Grand Secretaries had already rushed out the door, heading straight for Wu Men!

…

In obscurity, one despises "no notice, no prior warning"; in power, one understands it.

Now that he is Emperor, for the first time, he has fallen in love with "no notice, no prior warning."

Outside the Ministry of Personnel.

Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jinwu Guard, and Eastern Depot filled the Qianbu Corridor before Chengtian Gate, dispersing gentry and students who happened to be conducting business at the various offices.

The Qianbu Corridor was lined with government offices.

The Five Military Commissions, Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wu Tongzheng Office, Six Ministries and Three Supervisory Bureaus, the Imperial Clan Court, Hanlin Academy, and others.

Low-ranking officials who had never before seen the Emperor now crowded onto the upper floors of the ministries, climbing high to catch a glimpse of His Majesty.

A restless curiosity naturally brought unusual bustle to the Thousand-Step Corridor outside.

Of course, these were people who had no stake in the matter, merely eager to watch the spectacle.

The Ministry of Personnel, however, was a different matter—trembling with dread, walking on thin ice.

Zhu Zhu Yijun, hands behind his back, paced into the Ministry of Personnel.

Wen Chun, Right Vice Minister of Personnel, bowed low, drenched in sweat; the Directors of the Four Pure Ministries—Selection, Verification of Ranks, Inspection of Merit, and Evaluation of Performance—stood behind him, uneasy and fidgeting; a host of Assistant Directors and Secretaries knelt on the ground in salute, utterly bewildered.

After the courtiers completed their bows, Zhu Zhu Yijun immediately reached out to help Wen Chun to his feet, then gestured for all to rise: "My lords, do not be tense. I have merely brought a group of Junior Scholars and Hanlin compilers to observe how the Ministry's Performance Evaluation System is being implemented."

Wen Chun rose and wiped the sweat from his brow, shooting a reproachful glance at Shen Shen Shixing—why didn't you stop him?

Shen Shen Shixing looked up at the sky, saying nothing.

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw this exchange and understood without words.

He had come to inspect the Ministry on a whim, which was somewhat irregular—but who could resist exploiting the momentum of the Junior Scholars' petition?

Even Shen Shen Shixing couldn't have stopped him.

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled: "Good. Since both Shen Qing and Wen Qing are here, tell me how many officials in the two capitals performed well or poorly this year."

He then turned to the Secretary Deng Deng Yizan and ordered: "Deng Qing, accompany the Directors of the Four Pure Ministries and prepare the records of the Great Performance Review."

"I wish to see every official, whether outstanding or failing, beyond those who merely met the standard."

"Let my loyal ministers hear whether justice has been served."