[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-328":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"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},2322150,4542,"Chapter 328: Hermit Scholars of the Countryside, Roots and Branches Entwined","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-328",328,"\u003Cp>Wanli Eighth Year, second month, ninth day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By imperial decree, the Minister of Rites, Wang Zongyi, and the Director of the Hanlin Academy and Vice Minister of Rites, He Luowen, were appointed as examiners for the metropolitan examination of provincial candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Left Vice Minister of Works and Water Control Viceroy Pan Jixun submitted a memorial: the Wujiang River, Maotang, Xiuzhou Tang, Puhui Tang, Mengdu River, Shun River, Qingyang Harbor, and other locations had all been surveyed, constructed, and completed; yet dozens of tributaries remained in Suzhou and Songjiang, and he requested to divert 100,000 catties of stored cement from the Ministry of Works for experimental use as auxiliary material. The Emperor approved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the river works had reached half-completion on schedule, the Emperor ordered rewards for officials who had rendered service: Pan Jixun was promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, elevated to Minister of Works and Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and granted one son a hereditary post; Jiang Yilin and other officials were rewarded according to precedent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The provincial governors and censors of Shaanxi, including Zhang Ren, reported that the state and county relay stations in Xi’an and other prefectures were exhausted and the people could no longer bear the burden; they proposed reductions and savings. The Emperor rejected the proposal and ordered Xi’an and other prefectures to clearly list their relay stations, pre-collect and deliver taxes, and adjust levies appropriately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censorate reported that Cao Shipin, Prefect of Lintao; Wei Kongyu, Mobile Corps Commander of Miyun; and Cui Jingrong, Assistant Regional Military Commissioner of Henan, had illegally used the relay system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After morning court deliberations, Cao Shipin and Wei Kongyu were stripped of office and reduced to commoners; Cui Jingrong, having already retired, was not pursued. Imperial censors, officials from the Imperial Horse Supervision, and Ministry of War personnel were dispatched to Xi’an and other prefectures, alongside provincial governors and censors, to investigate the private use of official relay vehicles and unauthorized dispatch of relay orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhonghang, Chief Censor of the Court of Criminal Appeals, submitted a memorial: official conduct had deteriorated due to obsession with reputation, and human morality had decayed in old age. Those who retired after securing favors through connections showed no concern for the benefits or harms of reform; corruption and bribery were carried out at will. He requested that a precedent be established to investigate retired officials. The Emperor retained the memorial without action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ziyi, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Manuscripts and Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, was promoted to Right Assistant Director of the Tongzheng Office, in charge of the News Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Chun, Left Grand Censor, was reassigned as Minister of War and Provincial Governor of Guizhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Rui, Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief and Provincial Governor of Sichuan, was promoted to Right Grand Censor and placed in charge of the Censorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark waterways linked beneath the side pavilions; the Han dynasty’s imperial sons had dragon boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since spring began, the weather had been consistently pleasant—even the imperial household must organize occasional family outings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northeast of Qionghua Pavilion in the Western Garden, beyond a dam, lay a water pavilion housing delicate dragon boats and phoenix barges. The Wu Zong Emperor had found them too small and commissioned a black dragon palace-ship, which he never got to use, only to be mocked by Wen Zhengming; now it conveniently served Zhu Yijun’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spring breeze brushed the face; sunlight was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire family outing included only the imperial harem and household servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the literati who constantly monitored posture and speech absent, the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen, Empress Liu, and the imperial consorts were playing mahjong upstairs; Empress Li was exchanging pregnancy advice with Consort Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consort Li was sitting silently with the Emperor on the deck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun lay comfortably on a reclining chair, holding a fishing rod—rarely did he indulge in such leisurely boating and angling: “What did your grandfather write in his letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang propped her elbows on her knees, cradling her cheeks in her hands:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just family gossip, nothing important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandmother has gradually recovered since spring, and told me not to worry; she said she is too old to travel to the capital this year, and will send some gifts via my uncle; and she inquired about the studies of several siblings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun lay on his chair, eyes closed, listening, occasionally murmuring in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right—Grandfather asked me to convey his greetings to Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bored, Li Baiyang fiddled with her fishing rod, the float drifting aimlessly on the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said the manuscript fee Your Majesty entrusted him to deliver to Wu Cheng’en was finally collected this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The memorial from the Nanjing News Bureau requesting appointments to fill vacancies—please don’t keep it withheld. Grandfather genuinely seeks a successor, not merely to appease censors’ accusations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandfather also mentioned that a Zhang family scion, transferred to the Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner post, came to pay formal respects with ten taels of gold, and entrusted someone to deliver it to Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun rocked his recliner, one leg bent, the other ankle resting on his knee, lounging with complete disregard for decorum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this last, he slowed his leg’s shaking and looked at Li Baiyang: “Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chunfang would not go to such lengths merely to pose as incorruptible for ten taels of gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a snitch report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang met the Emperor’s gaze and nodded, puzzled: “Your Majesty, is something amiss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun smirked: “Nothing. The Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner post was abolished two years ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng’s unpopularity had its reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the Examination System, he frequently targeted the livelihoods of the million canal workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few years ago, he claimed that officials inside and outside the capital had increased tax quotas several times over the early Ming standards, ignoring the people’s hardship and causing endless disturbances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Grand Secretariat and ministries pressed down, orchestrating a streamlining campaign: “All provinces shall investigate and report any newly created redundant posts for abolition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner post was among those abolished two years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Chunfang’s report clearly showed that top-down policy met bottom-up resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang, long in the palace, was accustomed to such things and even found humor in it: “What can you expect when Your Majesty is far from the southern lands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun gave her a look: “The Zhang family you mentioned as a family friend—what clan is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since its founding, the bureaucratic system had developed a biological instinct: its foremost duty was self-preservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this vital trait also stemmed from human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put plainly: the Sunderland civil servants couldn’t be cut because they had Humphrey’s protection; similarly, the Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply office still lingered—likely because of the Zhang family Li Chunfang mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they were family friends, Li Baiyang knew perfectly well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began: “The Zhang family of Taicang, renowned for filial piety and righteousness. Their three sons were all jinshi and juren of the Jiajing era, collectively known as the Three Zhangs of Taicang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The eldest, Zhang Qing, served as Director of the Nanjing Ministry of War; the second, Zhang Yi, was Vice Prefect of Taicang Prefecture; the third, Zhang Xing, was formerly Assistant Prefect of Hangzhou Prefecture, demoted two years ago, and now holds the very post of Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his leg and sat up slowly: “No high-ranking official among them—just a fifth-rank Director and Vice Prefect—and yet they dare cling to a post the central government ordered abolished? Truly, the Emperor is far away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang sighed: “Your Majesty has never been to Jiangnan; it’s utterly different from Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Emperor’s gaze, she paused, then explained: “Take the Zhang family: Zhang Fang held no office, yet he built a charitable estate, founded a Confucian school, and aided famine victims—earning great prestige among scholars and commoners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the time of his sons, the Three Zhangs of Taicang, they began exchanging writings with Wang Shizhen, Gui Youguang, and others. After the publication of the ‘Loudong Poetry Anthology,’ students flocked to study under them, and they gradually became known as the Loudong School—clearly establishing themselves as a new intellectual lineage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They also formed numerous marital alliances—for instance, Zhang Qing married a daughter of the Wang family, the Minister of Personnel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Xing, who now holds the Suzhou-Songjiang post, married a clan daughter of my family—that’s why he came to pay formal respects to Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun sat upright, tapping his knee with his fingers, listening quietly as Consort Li explained Jiangnan’s political ecology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, the roots ran deep, tangled and intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A phrase suddenly flashed in his mind: production, academia, and officialdom intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first generation accumulated initial wealth, then distributed it generously, performed benevolence, and whitewashed their image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second generation entered the imperial examinations, built scholarly cliques, forged marital alliances, and infiltrated the local scholar-official ecosystem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third generation would leverage their accumulated power to influence the central court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, with wealth, lineage, connections, and the prestige of the Loudong School as backing, such a figure would inevitably begin as a junior compiler in the Hanlin Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—the Loudong School…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun suddenly remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Li Baiyang: “Does the Zhang family have a scion named Zhang Fu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang glanced at the Emperor, puzzled—where had he heard that name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s recollection, she confirmed: “Yes, he is Zhang Xing’s son. He passed the juren examination two years ago, and his thirtieth birthday celebration was held simultaneously—I attended with my father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, Zhang Fu should be taking the jinshi examination today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun’s expression cleared in realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this Zhang family was that Zhang family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, his suspicions were largely confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fu, the third generation, even if he passed the jinshi at forty, would still be appointed as a Court Envoy, rise steadily to Director, Vice Minister, and Minister—his official career would be remarkably smooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had overlooked one more generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the fourth generation, Zhang Pu, it was all about cultivating prestige—extreme prestige cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Pu inherited the entire Loudong School legacy, forged the “Two Sons of Loudong” personal brand, leveraged his father’s status as a Minister, passed the jinshi, became a junior compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and enhanced his credentials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he resigned from office, returned home, gathered famous scholars into societies, led tax resistance movements to expel eunuchs, and mobilized students to storm government offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his vast network, he cultivated immense public prestige, with hundreds of thousands of students regarding him as their leader; he extended his society into the court, making scholars and Confucians treat him as a second sovereign; he manipulated the Grand Secretary, controlled the imperial examinations, and styled himself the people’s emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the rise of the Fusha Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder—it had been cultivated since the Jiajing era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peak of Ming popular movements had been built step by step like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun rose slowly and paced the deck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemingly trivial matter now aligned precisely with later historical records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if parting the mist of history, the underlying trajectory had suddenly become clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through this single example, Zhu Yijun now grasped concretely the political ecology of Jiangnan as described by Li Baiyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no longer merely about the Suzhou-Songjiang Grain Supply Commissioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangnan scholar-gentry… literary societies… social structure… popular thought…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor walked back and forth, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang, seeing this, couldn’t help calling out: “Your Majesty, will you attend to official business now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it, but her tone carried a hint of resentment—she should have waited to relay Grandfather’s serious matters next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her soft voice reached Zhu Yijun’s ears; he turned instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He met Consort Li’s pained expression and realized belatedly he had been lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, yes—but it wasn’t urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun set the matter aside in his mind and shook his head: “It’s a minor matter—not urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat back down on the recliner: “What else did Grand Tutor say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang sniffed, suppressing a smile: “That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she remembered something else, looking at the Emperor with mild exasperation: “He added one final note—my age is no longer young; if I fall ill, don’t hide it or refuse treatment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun awkwardly rubbed his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li must have seen Consort Wu’s pregnancy and grown anxious for his granddaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter is truly hard to speak of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the fishing rod twitched; Zhu Yijun seized the chance to change the subject: “Ah! The float moved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Baiyang pursed his lips and echoed: “Oh my, another fish caught by His Majesty himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun pretended to be serious as he lifted the rod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing those wolfish words, he instantly turned red with embarrassment, sweat beading on his brow despite the chilly lake wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Taiye Pool shimmered with ripples as several small boats approached from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, Imperial Consort, the Empress Dowager says it is nearly time for the meal.” The eunuch’s voice intruded into their private world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colorful clouds stretched like jade ribbons, curling down from the azure heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright spring sunlight fell upon the dragon boat, where figures large and small bustled about their tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some leisurely enjoyed themselves, but Shen Shixing’s side? Oh, what a miserable sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, all say he is now the sole Grand Secretary, holding the highest rank among ministers, wielding power that overshadows the sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet few realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sole Grand Secretary with power but no responsibility is heavenly dew; one with power and responsibility is doomed to be worked to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day he reviews hundreds of memorials in minute detail, fulfills extra tasks assigned by the Emperor, and barely has time to rest his feet—this is putting it mildly; Shen Shixing feels his soul is nearly leaving his body, floating away in bliss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretariat’s duty room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By noon, Grand Secretary Shen had not moved from his seat, hastily swallowing only two mouthfuls of food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tossed aside the newspaper tucked beneath his utensils, waiting as another stack of memorials for draft approval filled his desk once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing sighed, pressed both hands to his face, and rubbed hard to refresh himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juzheng returns to the capital next month; Wang Xijue will join the Grand Secretariat then, and things should become much easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one more month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Shen Shixing straightened his expression, seized the memorials, and began drafting replies one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surveying Jiangxi’s sixty-six prefectures and counties, we found six million one hundred forty-five thousand nine hundred fifty-four additional mu of land in ponds and pools beyond the original registered amount.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ponds and pools are one category of land, referring to artificial or natural reservoirs, along with embankments, dikes, and adjacent marshes directly related to the ponds—commonly called pond fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land surveying has been underway for some time, and each province has made some progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangxi completed its dry land survey last year; half a year later, it finished surveying ponds and pools. Arable land and dry land surveys are still ongoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Shen Shixing wrote: “Offset against the province’s past unpaid grain quotas owed by commoners,” and placed it on his right side—these were matters already discussed in court or requiring no court deliberation, awaiting only the Emperor’s red approval before replying to Jiangxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surveying Nanyang County’s leased tenant fields yielded forty-seven thousand three hundred shi; Wuning County’s confiscated but unsold state lands totaled three hundred seventy-one mu, yielding thirty-six thousand four hundred ninety taels of silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leased land and confiscated land not yet sold are state assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing pondered, then wrote “For the Ministry of War’s border relief” and placed it in the box behind him labeled “Ministry of War”—surely destined for military use, but the Ministry must decide priorities and urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Previously, in Shanxi’s land survey, the Jin Prince’s estate and the Ninghua Prince’s estate disputed land: the Jin Prince’s estates in Taiyuan and elsewhere totaled seven hundred twenty thousand three hundred fifty mu; the Ninghua Prince’s estates in Nieying and other garrisons totaled fifty-seven thousand five hundred fifty-two mu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this stack pertained to the land survey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shanxi princely clans were deadlocked over land; the Emperor had dispatched a Censor to mediate—this was already the second reply, and at last, a conclusion had emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing shook his head, did not draft a reply, and placed it on his left side—matters involving princely clans must go before court deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary, Left Director of the Tongzheng Office Ni Guangjian and Right Director Zhou Ziyi request an audience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shen Shixing was buried in work, a voice sounded outside the duty room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interrupted in his task, he reluctantly set down his brush and told the Grand Secretariat’s scribe: “Show them into the main hall; I’ll come out immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Shen Shixing closed the memorials, laid down his brush, and slowly rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blew warm air onto his hands, wiped them along his temples, glanced at himself in the bronze mirror, then stepped out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The side rooms with incense burners and potted flowers were the refined touches of the Grand Secretaries’ duty rooms; the main hall for meetings and audiences was far more solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue bricks, gray tiles, deep and spacious, with rows of purple sandalwood chairs lining both sides for seating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shen Shixing stepped out of his duty room, he saw Ni Guangjian and Zhou Ziyi already seated in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both rose upon seeing him and bowed first: “Apologies for disturbing Grand Secretary Shen’s noon rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing smiled wryly and shook his head: “We officials are all weary souls—don’t speak of such foreign words as ‘noon rest.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned their bows and gestured for them to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing took the seat of honor and turned to Zhou Ziyi: “I have yet to congratulate you on your promotion, Yifang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ziyi sat half a seat behind Ni Guangjian and replied: “Blessed by His Majesty’s trust, I, a foolish man, now oversee the News Bureau. Should I make errors, I beg Grand Secretary Shen and my colleagues to bear with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exchanged polite pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Shen Shixing asked the real question: “The Tongzheng Office is a rare visitor here—what brings you both?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tongzheng Office was naturally a rare visitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since its authority was usurped by the Grand Secretariat, its rank in court deliberations plummeted; it now barely dares stand forward, lest it be struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so little real power, it had no reason to come to the Grand Secretariat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only in recent years, with newly assigned duties, had it occasionally appeared here. Ni Guangjian and Zhou Ziyi exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former spoke up: “Today, Yifang assumed my post as head of the News Bureau, and we have some thorny matters requiring handover—I’ve come to seek your advice to resolve them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian had served in the Tongzheng Office for ten years, rising by seniority to Left Director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accustomed to routine governance, he found the new laws, new studies, and new newspapers difficult to keep up with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ziyi’s division of authority was the result of Ni Guangjian’s repeated pleas to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Tongzheng Office now had many accumulated thorny problems, and they had brought Zhou Ziyi to the Grand Secretariat to set a direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing did not immediately agree, but asked noncommittally: “Why not seek His Majesty in the Western Garden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ni Guangjian and Zhou Ziyi found it thorny, it certainly wasn’t an easy matter to decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each ministry had its own affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To rush to the Grand Secretariat at every difficulty—was this now the Chancellor’s mansion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian bowed: “His Majesty is boating today and has no time for audiences; he instructed me to come to you, Grand Secretary Shen, and if we still cannot decide, we will bring it to tomorrow’s court deliberation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing’s fist clenched unconsciously in his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he nodded helplessly: “Director Ni, please speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian straightened his expression: “There are two main thorny matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first is the unfinished business left by Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Han had handed over his duties peacefully to Pan Cheng; by his nature, he wouldn’t deliberately leave traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even if he had, what did it have to do with the Tongzheng Office?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six years ago, a murder case in Hangzhou Prefecture ended with the court sentencing the accused to death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During the triple tribunal’s review, the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review were hesitant, rejecting the Ministry of Justice’s verdict multiple times, stalling for two years without resolution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Upon learning this, Minister Zhang deemed the Court of Judicial Review negligent and evasive; he overruled objections, ordered Hangzhou to re-examine and reaffirm the death sentence, then forced the Court to sign the documents—after which the convict was executed in autumn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by Confucian teaching or the Great Ming Code, capital punishment must be handled with extreme caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once sentenced to death, triple tribunal review is mandatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The matter should have ended there—but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Ni Guangjian paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing immediately sensed something terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian met his gaze with a strange expression and slowly spoke: “Last New Year’s Eve, the victim of this case returned home for the holiday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In other words, there was no murder—the prefecture forcibly found a scapegoat and executed him publicly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing finally understood why the Tongzheng Office found this so thorny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Zhou Ziyi sighed bitterly and added: “The Ministry of Justice has been drafting memorials for half a month, yet the court remains silent—but the literati of Zhejiang are already in an uproar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Major scholarly societies are spreading the news; common people are filled with righteous fury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hangzhou Prefecture has forcibly suppressed the matter, arresting literati who printed newspapers and posted placards, charging them with spreading heretical rumors and inciting the masses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All news outlets registered with the Tongzheng Office have been shut down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing’s gums throbbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the Tongzheng Office found this so thorny—it needed the Grand Secretariat’s decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The triple tribunal likely hoped to quietly bury the matter, or else the public outcry would not have grown so loud while official channels remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the retired Zhang Han bears responsibility is unclear—it also raises the question of whether retired officials should be held accountable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prefecture? Even less excuse—they’ve caused such a scandal; Shen Shixing wanted to slap them dead on the spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this has escalated from a few constables and jailers to the entire prefectural administration, even the provincial three-bureau apparatus’s political stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dead cannot be revived; to quell public anger, one must adopt an even lower posture, implicating more people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is now a tangled mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Tongzheng Office is now ordered to manage news and public opinion, even it is blind when faced with such a case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing rubbed his temples, saying nothing for a moment: “The Tongzheng Office must not take any stance yet—wait for tomorrow’s court deliberation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Emperor said to bring it to court if uncertain, Shen Shixing, though nauseated, would not rashly make a decision himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the other matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Shen Shixing asked directly, he had already decided to dump it all onto tomorrow’s court deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian gestured to Zhou Ziyi beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter smoothly took over: “Grand Secretary Shen, this concerns the land survey and the Provincial Governor’s office. Mid-last month, after Shen Li’s party arrived in Shandong, He Xinyin published an article titled ‘The Sin-Laden Kong Family,’ which immediately sparked a storm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing sighed: “Another wave of public outrage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Public opinion—only when things reach a certain intensity do people start shouting like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If matters don’t escalate to a certain point, the News Bureau won’t even bother to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ziyi, facing the mess he’d inherited, could hardly bear to look at it; he sighed and nodded: “The Three Departments of Shandong Province, the Duke Yansheng, and even Director Yin of the Salt Administration have all sent letters, asking whether this was ordered by the Tongzheng Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the scholar-official class is now reacting with even greater fury—the Tongzheng Office has been flooded with letters condemning us for publishing Yao Shu on He Xinyin’s behalf, accusing us of deliberately insulting the Sage, demanding we be expelled from the Confucian fold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard there are already signs of mobs gathering to storm the Land Survey Offices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing clicked his tongue and gave a self-deprecating smile: “I told you this would stir up a hornet’s nest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ni Guangjian and Zhou Ziyi exchanged bitter smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing waved his hand: “Bring it before the Court Deliberation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is no longer a matter of public opinion management—the Tongzheng Office should step back entirely. Cease publication of the New Paper. Wait for the deliberation’s outcome before responding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he lifted his teacup and took a light sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the signal to take leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Tongzheng Office officials, sharp-eyed as they were, immediately rose to take their leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing felt restless inside, but merely stood to see them off, not moving to escort them to the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his two colleagues depart, Shen Shixing slowly sat back down, weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tongzheng Office didn’t know how to respond—merely found the matter troublesome. It was the Grand Secretariat, directly overseeing state affairs, that felt the fire burning its flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Literati forming private associations, wealthy families storming government offices, students staging frequent marches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Land Survey began, the empire had become a powder keg—officials estranged from the people, north and south divided, gentry tearing down dikes to flood fields to block land verification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to this, the emperor’s newly launched newspaper as a tool of public opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was truly a spark away from explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let there be no real chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Shen Shixing suddenly rose and called toward the adjacent office of the Secretariat: “Prepare my palanquin—I’m going to the Ministry of Personnel!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Secretariat official inside responded and hurried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing glanced at the office; sunlight streamed through the window, casting shifting shadows over piles of memorials stacked like mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head, reached out to close the office door, and walked out slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shandong Provincial Administration, Jinan Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After retiring from the Grand Secretariat, Yin Shidan built a cottage by the Luo River, lecturing and writing, drawing crowds of disciples, and naming his garden “Tongle Garden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Yin Shidan was recalled to serve as Salt Administration Viceroy, he entrusted the garden to his son Yin Gao. Though Yin Gao was Prefect of Jinan, he had little literary reputation and never attracted scholars to enjoy the garden with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today was clearly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the Baotu Spring, over a hundred scholars and students sat cross-legged, forming three concentric circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Gao, the host, sat proudly in the innermost circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides those who claimed geographic advantage, the innermost circle was filled with luminaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Three Zhangs of Taicang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of the Five Virtuous Men of the Southeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Descendants of the sages Yan and Meng gathered together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhao Nanxing, Zou Yuanbiao, and others who had retired after the Southern Suburb Sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, all the worthy were present, young and old assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was passing around a booklet, whispering and debating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It detailed how the Kong family’s lands spanned five provinces—estate lands, sacrificial fields, official farms—listing them roughly, totaling over a million mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It recounted how the Kong family had repeatedly submitted surrender documents, the disputes between the Southern and Northern Kongs over legitimacy, their conduct since the Mongol Yuan took control of the Central Plains—as if the reader had witnessed it firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It exposed how, under the guise of education and worship of Confucius, they manipulated local officials to seize farmland, exploited peasants on the brink of ruin, bought land through deceit, and outright seized it—ruthlessly swallowing it whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even revealed how the Kong family raised rents using tricks like “doujian” and “dipi” to exploit peasant households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its appendix apparently included interviews with local villagers, listing the horrific suffering inflicted by the Kong family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Li Xianke of Jining: his family genealogy recorded an ancestor named Li Jing from the Xuande era, whose name matched exactly that of a “household servant” of the Kong family during Hongwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kong family then accused Li Xianke of being a runaway household, forcing him to register as their servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The government aided the villains, leaving Li Xianke with no recourse—he was indeed forced into becoming a Kong family “household servant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these accounts were plainly recorded in the booklet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People whispered, passing it eagerly from hand to hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it reached Kong Chenghou, he suddenly tore the booklet to shreds!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Chenghou flushed with rage: “To insult my ancestors—is this tolerable? What is not?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were met with a chorus of agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well said!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Xinyin, a mere criminal, deserves execution for spreading heretical words!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Easy to say—look at the thousand cult followers gathered around him. Can you arrest them all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end, it’s just Shen Li’s dog let loose to bite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alas, Shen Li has always enjoyed good standing among scholars. Why must he do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a question you know the answer to—who isn’t just a dog let loose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your tongue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your tongue? We’ve retreated again and again—our families’ wealth and status hang behind us. Where is there left to retreat? Even that dog must have its claws cut off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s gathering at Tongle Garden was nominally to admire the spring, but everyone knew the real reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were merely a local land survey, we could still collude with the prefectural office—hand over a third to appease the emperor, and we could still endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what is Shen Li being sent out to inspect land?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now they dare to use the Sage’s family as a warning example!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve truly driven us to the wall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Gao listened to the murmurs and sighed: “When the Salt Administration case flared up in Nan Zhili, everyone knew the final outcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that they’ve even turned on the Sage’s family—what can we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed sadly at his mansion and garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze seemed to pierce the courtyard walls, seeing his ten thousand mu of fertile land about to be confiscated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a fine estate—must it truly be shared with the common folk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the hard-won land, the hidden tenant farmers—must they all be returned in full?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White silver scattered to the poor—what a sin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so—what can we do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no wonder Yin Gao felt despondent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the ranks of Nanjing’s Six Ministries under Xu Jie or the nobles of old, we’re not even fit to carry their shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were utterly defeated—what can we possibly do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not true. The Salt Administration case was nothing like this situation, not in the slightest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Gao turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was Zhang Yi, one of the Three Zhangs of Taicang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yin Gao could ask, Yan Sishen pressed: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yi stroked his beard: “Remember, the Salt Administration case involved only a few court ministers and nobles colluding with wealthy merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their power rested on officialdom; once the imperial authority crushed them, they turned to dust—even the Young Master Xu was no exception.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused lightly, and someone impatiently interrupted: “Stop teasing—keep going!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yi was about to explain when someone else cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhang means that today’s reforms—whether land survey or insulting the Sage—are matters of the entire empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned; the speaker was Zhao Nanxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had once scolded the Grand Secretary for filial impiety during the Southern Suburb Sacrifice; his younger brother had publicly denounced the Emperor’s faults with a petition. A family of loyal integrity, his scholarly reputation was high—and as soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Nanxing spoke calmly: “Power rooted in the bureaucracy crumbles under imperial authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if the entire empire rises in opposition—can the Emperor slaughter the whole empire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd understood at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Gao hesitated, then reminded: “Brother Zhao, though we are all models of the scholar class, we are not yet at the point where a single cry will bring the whole empire to follow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boasting is fine—but surely no one truly believes this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of wild laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Chenghou, in poor spirits, swept his sleeve aside: “Speak plainly—don’t play the refined scholar. This noise is unbearable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Yuanbiao fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he snorted coldly, ignoring the Kong family, and raised his head: “The provinces are not the capital region—where scholars gather in vast numbers, what power can the Emperor truly wield?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we lead, how can the empire not follow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Yanpu’s expression shifted: “Brother Zou means…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Fang Yi spoke, someone eagerly answered before he could finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The events in Hangzhou this month may serve as a lesson!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The people’s ignorance can still be subtly manipulated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yi and Zhao Nanxing spoke at the same time; they exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others understood at once and clapped their hands in mirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, laughter echoed throughout Tongleyuan, inside and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spring water of Baotu surged forth, as if responding in harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>",5586,"2026-06-20T16:31:35.124Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","291f9dc1b91a22db29b28c54ee47f660e016deca8885e886e10e90d96b32896f","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-329","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-327",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]