Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 410 Breaking the Ice! Unafraid of Death! Zhu Yunwen's Reflections!
The teahouse was deathly silent.

The crowd was initially stunned by Xie Jin's earth-shattering and shocking remarks.

In an instant, the entire teahouse seemed to be shrouded in an invisible frost, and everyone seemed to be frozen in place.

Soon, everyone's gaze was drawn, as if by an invisible hand, to Zhu Yunwen's location.

Everyone present was puzzled: Brother, Xie Jin said that the person in the world who can best understand the words of sages is His Majesty the Emperor, but you spat out a mouthful of tea after hearing that. What does that mean?

Could it be that, in your heart, even the current emperor has failed to grasp the sage's meaning? Do you hold the current emperor in utter disdain and contempt?

Are you tired of having your head on your neck, or do you think your family has too many members and you want to bring disaster upon yourself?

The official's son who had just recognized Yang Shiqi was particularly shocked; his expression changed drastically, as if he had been struck by lightning.

Everyone in the world knows that Yang Shiqi is His Majesty's most trusted minister.

But right now, he is leisurely drinking tea and chatting with someone who seems to be disrespectful to His Majesty.

What untold secrets are hidden here?
Or perhaps, deep down, Yang Shiqi also harbored such disrespectful thoughts?
Such thoughts swirled wildly in the mind of the son of an official, and his heart suddenly raced as if it were about to burst out of his chest. A premonition that he was about to uncover a shocking secret overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

At this moment, after a tense period of observation, the people in the teahouse finally withdrew their gazes from Zhu Yunwen.

Everyone understood that disrespecting His Majesty was a heinous crime.

But then I thought about it again. After all, the other person hadn't said anything disrespectful; it was just a subconscious action, and it could very well have been just a coincidence.

If we were to cause him trouble over this matter and report it to the government, and if the matter were to be seriously investigated, everyone present in the teahouse would be taken back to the government office for questioning.

In that case, it will probably cause a lot of trouble, and no one will benefit.

It's better to pretend you didn't see it or know anything, and have some peace and quiet.

After all, as long as it doesn't escalate, it's not a big deal.

As the saying goes, "If you don't go on stage, you won't have any weight to lose."

"Jie Jin, how dare you compare yourself to His Majesty!"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted angrily, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, making everyone in the teahouse's eardrums ache.

Clearly, the debate is still escalating.

The conflict between the two sides is becoming increasingly intense.

"Are you saying that His Majesty supports Fang Xiaoru's new school of thought?" the man asked rhetorically.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jin nodded slightly, showing no sign of panic, as if he had expected this question. He said, "If His Majesty had not strongly supported the new learning, how could Fang Xizhi have been able to travel around and preach the new learning despite the strong opposition from many officials?"

"Without His Majesty's support, Fang Xizhi would probably have been thrown into prison long ago, or even executed."

"Furthermore, without His Majesty's support, how could I have been summoned back to the capital to discuss the new policies and new schools?"

"His Majesty's support for the new education goes without saying."

"Spreading heresy! Spreading heresy!" A wealthy man dressed in luxurious silks and satins, exuding an air of riches, stared at Xie Jin with wide eyes and a furious expression, shouting, "His Majesty has never uttered a single word expressing his support for the new learning, yet you are here spouting nonsense, insisting that His Majesty supports the new learning. Isn't this blatant deception?"

"Hmph, you are just relying on your limited knowledge to act so recklessly and arrogantly."

The rich man's anger grew stronger, his face filled with hatred, as if he had some kind of mortal feud with him.

"Such blatant forgery of the Emperor's will is an outrageous act of treason, a crime deserving of death!"

“I have noted down every single word you have said here today.”

The wealthy man's gaze was cold as he swept his eyes over the crowd around him before raising his voice.

“All of you present here are witnesses and can testify for me.”

“I will definitely report the matter of forging the Emperor’s will to the Censorate and implore the court to severely punish you.”

Just you wait and see!

After saying this, the wealthy merchant abruptly flicked his sleeve, his face filled with determination and disdain, and strode outside.

Indeed, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

When Xie Jin first stepped into this place, this person had a big smile on his face and respectfully bowed to greet him.

He looked as if Xie Jin were a close friend he hadn't seen for many years.

At that time, he mistakenly believed that Xie Jin would definitely oppose the new policies and new learning.

But after hearing Xie Jin's remarks, his attitude instantly changed completely.

Without hesitation, I severed ties with them and went my separate ways.

“Mr. Xie!” Another young man, dressed in fine clothes and looking like a wealthy young master, stepped forward and spoke in a proper manner: “You keep saying that His Majesty supports the new learning, so I dare to ask, in your opinion, would His Majesty also support the full implementation of the new policies in the three northeastern provinces within the Ming Dynasty?”

"Of course!" Xie Jin nodded slightly, a confident smile appearing on his face.

"Although Duke Liang is a fierce general and has extraordinary talent in leading troops into battle, it is not his forte when it comes to governing the country. He would never be able to come up with such a brilliant and ingenious policy for governing the country as the new policy."

"In my humble opinion, the new policies must be the result of His Majesty's careful consideration."

"We're just letting Duke Liang try it out in the three northeastern provinces first, and then we'll promote it throughout the entire Ming Dynasty in the future."

"How could His Majesty not support it?"

"Nonsense!" someone in the crowd shouted angrily, "His Majesty has never made a clear statement on the new policies."

The man's face was flushed, and he trembled with emotion: "The new policies implemented by the Duke of Liang in the three northeastern provinces are most likely the work of those treacherous officials in the court who have ulterior motives."

"You...you...you actually dare to pin this on His Majesty! I think you are clearly up to no good and have ulterior motives!"

“That’s right. If the Duke of Liang doesn’t understand, can’t he ask others for advice? How can he arbitrarily attribute the credit for the new policies to His Majesty!” Another voice rang out from the crowd, echoing the accusation.

"It must have been those treacherous and wicked officials in the court who gave the Duke of Liang this terrible idea."

"His Majesty is most likely kept in the dark and knows nothing about it."

"If this is truly His Majesty's will, why would His Majesty need to issue a special edict summoning virtuous and capable officials from across the land to the capital to discuss this matter? Wouldn't it have been simpler to issue the decree directly?"

"You're clearly using His Majesty's name and his name as a shield to support your claims. How dare you!"

In an instant, everyone echoed his sentiments.

Accusations surged like a tidal wave, rising and falling incessantly.

Xie Jin remained calm and his tone was firm: "Every word I have said is true, and I have not made any unfounded speculations about His Majesty's intentions. Whether you believe me or not is up to you." "If anyone wants to report me, Xie Jin, to the Censorate, feel free to do so."

“Since I, Xie Jin, dare to speak frankly in public, I am not afraid of being impeached by the censors, nor am I afraid of being reported.”

"His Majesty has issued an edict summoning all virtuous and talented people from across the land to the capital to discuss the new policies and new learning. As the one who has been summoned, what is wrong with what I have said?"

"Jie Jin, stop being so arrogant!" A burly middle-aged man with a face full of scars angrily pointed his thick finger at Jie Jin and shouted, "The court gave you permission to discuss new policies and new learning, but it didn't give you permission to act recklessly under His Majesty's name."

"I think you won't learn your lesson until you see the coffin. Once the authorities arrest and punish you, you'll regret it!"

After saying that, the big man suddenly stood up, stomped his foot heavily, and walked out of the teahouse.

Immediately afterwards, seven or eight people, all with angry expressions, stood up one after another, glared fiercely at Xie Jin, and hurriedly left the teahouse.

Clearly, they were extremely dissatisfied with Xie Jin's remarks, but out of respect for Xie Jin's status, they dared not take any action and could only express their "protest" by leaving the scene.

I'm afraid that after I leave, I'll really have to go to the government office to report Xie Jin.

In a corner of the teahouse, Yang Shiqi's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

Although the new policies and new education were strongly supported by His Majesty, and even actively promoted in secret.

However, His Majesty has not publicly expressed his opinion, which clearly indicates that he has some concerns and is unwilling to make the matter public.

Xie Jin, on the contrary, directly exposed this hidden truth with his first words. Doesn't this put His Majesty in the eye of the storm and embarrass him?
Does he really think he's living too long?
Such behavior is simply that of a reckless and ignorant youth, showing no trace of the composure and prudence expected of someone entering officialdom.

Yao Guangxiao recommended him to the capital, which shows he really misjudged him.

Yang Shiqi pondered to himself, while secretly glancing at the emperor across the table.

Zhu Yunwen's expression had returned to calm, showing no anger, but rather a thoughtful look.

Just then, another person in the teahouse raised his voice: "Mr. Xie, is what you say truly beyond doubt? Does His Majesty really support the new policies and new learning?"

This person was completely different from the previous ones who were full of anger and spoke vehemently. Although his tone was apprehensive, it carried an undisguised surprise and was full of anticipation.

A glint seemed to shine in his eyes, as if he had seen a ray of dawn in the darkness.

Xie Jin's expression was firm, and his words were resolute: "It is absolutely true! If it weren't for His Majesty's support, even if the new policies could be piloted in the three northeastern provinces, it would never have been allowed for people in other places to discuss them at will."

"Furthermore, we will not ignore the actions of scholars who write letters to the court."

"If it weren't for His Majesty's tacit approval, Fang Xizhi would probably have been arrested and punished long ago."

"That's wonderful!" The man slammed his hand on the table and stood up excitedly. "It seems that His Majesty truly wants to stand up for the poor and suffering people of the world!"

In this small teahouse, everyone is drinking tea and chatting, but in reality, the gap between the rich and the poor is as vast as an insurmountable chasm.

For wealthy people with ample means, such teahouses are simply ordinary places where they can casually come and go every day, leisurely enjoy tea, and chat, just like their own backyard.

For the poor, however, this place is a luxury they only visit once every ten days, half a month, or even longer.

Each time I step inside, it feels like a rare ritual, meant to dispel the weariness of life, relax my tense nerves, and reward myself for my hard work.

This is thanks to the rapid economic development of the Ming Dynasty after Zhu Yunwen came to power, which greatly improved the lives of the poor.

Without this transformation, very few poor people would be able to come to teahouses like this; it would have become the exclusive domain of the rich.

"That's right, it seems that we poor people are really about to have our day of liberation."

An elderly man with patched clothes was deeply moved, and a tear welled up in his cloudy eyes.

"Hahaha, seeing those rich people so furious just now, I feel so happy!"

A young, strong man laughed heartily, his face full of delight.

"The land under heaven should be cultivated by all people under heaven; this is a matter of course."

A scholar spoke with righteous indignation.

"Yes, why do those rich people have the right to occupy so much land, while we poor people are destitute and have nothing?" A middle-aged man with a dark complexion said, his face full of resentment, clenching his fists.

"It's not just farmland; they've seized mountains, rivers, and lakes as well. If Your Majesty could implement the new policies you did in the three northeastern provinces and redistribute the land and forests across the country, it would truly be a blessing for the poor!"

A person standing nearby spoke excitedly, their eyes gleaming with hope.

"I don't care about others, but I'm determined to support the new policies and the new education!"

A young man stood up, waved his arms, and shouted loudly.

"It is truly admirable that Mr. Xie was able to stand up and speak out for us powerless and poor people, and for the millions of people in distress around the world!"

Everyone looked at Xie Jin with admiration.

"That's right, Mr. Xie is righteous and awe-inspiring, truly a disciple of a sage!"

As the group of people left, the atmosphere in the teahouse seemed to be suddenly reversed by an invisible hand, completely changing its appearance.

Originally, everyone overwhelmingly opposed and criticized Jie Jin.

But at this moment, it suddenly turned into one-sided support without any warning.

The wind direction changed so quickly it was truly unbelievable.

Zhu Yunwen witnessed this scene, his eyes gleaming slightly, and his expression subtly changed.

Public opinion is like flowing water, and it can be overturned at any time.

However, what appears to be public opinion may not necessarily be the true public opinion.

If I had left earlier, I wouldn't be seeing this scene now.

Furthermore, if Xie Jin hadn't firmly stated that the implementation of the new policies and new learning was His Majesty's intention, most of the poor people in the teahouse, after witnessing the group of wealthy people's fierce opposition, would have dared not speak out in support of the new policies and new learning.

Even if they have their own thoughts, they may not dare to express them.

They are speaking freely now because they have the emperor's support.

Therefore, it can be seen that the public sentiment collected by the government can yield completely different results if the approach taken during the investigation is slightly different.

This is something we must be aware of.

Zhu Yunwen picked up the teapot and calmly poured himself a cup of tea. However, instead of sipping it slowly as before, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. As his Adam's apple bobbed, it seemed as if he was swallowing down a host of complex emotions.

……

(End of this chapter)