Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 133 The Tug-of-War with Jiajing (Third Update)
"Cry, cry, cry, just know how to cry!"

Xu Jie's words only made his son Xu Fan cry even louder.

Zhao Shichun walked in, saw the two-year-old child crying heartbreakingly, and told the trembling servant to take the child out. Then, looking at Xu Jie, who reeked of alcohol, he sighed softly, "Zisheng, why are you doing this to yourself..."

Xu Jie downed the last drop of wine in his cup and said in a deep voice, "Jingren, you can understand my suffering, right?"

Upon learning the truth, Xu Jie truly shed tears. He had thought that his outspoken nature had earned him the emperor's favor, but it turned out that it was because the emperor liked "Journey to the West" and was only showing respect for the Yixin Society.

He received the emperor's favor because of a novel, not because of what was said in his memorial. Wouldn't his reputation among scholars become a joke?

The key point is that he didn't even write "Journey to the West"!

Zhao Shichun could understand Xu Jie's frustration. If it were him, being pardoned by the emperor for such a reason would also feel humiliated, and he would rather be exiled to Lingnan. But he still said in a low voice, "Mingwei and Donglou have been working hard for you since they learned of this..."

Xu Jie said, “I know they have worked hard for me, and I will remember their kindness! I also know that this is not what Mingwei wanted! But I really do not want to be treated like this. I have made up my mind to speak to His Majesty, urging him not to indulge in fictional entertainment, lose his ambition, or deviate from the proper duties of governing the country!”

Zhao Shichun's expression changed. Although this move could preserve the reputation of the literati, it was undoubtedly a blow to His Majesty's conscience, giving the impression that he was ungrateful.

Once someone submits a memorial to the emperor, being demoted is almost inevitable.

He opened his mouth but ultimately did not offer any advice, because it seemed that this was the only option for Xu Jie to get rid of the negative impact!

"Zisheng! Jingren! You two, please help me think of a way to stop Mingwei from doing something foolish!"

Just then, accompanied by hurried footsteps, Yan Shifan rushed in, panting, and said, "He wants to disband the Yixin Society!"

Upon understanding the reason, Xu Jie and Zhao Shichun were both shocked. After a long while, they exclaimed in unison, "Mingwei is truly a gentleman!"

This matter originally had nothing to do with Haiyue. Even though he wrote "Journey to the West," the story of the journey to the West was well-known, and the Yuan Dynasty zaju version of "Journey to the West" was included in the "Yongle Encyclopedia," which was far superior to ordinary historical novels. Such vulgar language was not appropriate for this book.

Furthermore, Haiyue did not give this work to booksellers to print and profit from in bookstores. Instead, she gave copies to her classmates and friends. Somehow, it ended up on His Majesty's throne and is now being valued. It can be said that she planted willows unintentionally and they reaped the benefits. Although the scholars may criticize it, they are probably quite envious of this opportunity in private!
It is no exaggeration to say that the person involved was under very little pressure.

But if Haiyue were to disband the Yixin Society now, it would be equivalent to taking all the pressure onto him at once, abandoning a grand path that could have led to great success and the emperor's favor.

Xu Jie dared to risk offending Grand Secretary Zhang Cong by submitting a memorial to the throne, but he knew he could never do that. Then he thought that this matter was caused by him, but it had implicated his friend. He felt both guilty and agitated: "No, I have to go and make it clear to Mingwei that this matter has nothing to do with him!"

Yan Shifan grabbed him and shook his head: "I've already tried to persuade him, but Mingwei's decision is not easily changed! Alas! You two talented gentlemen, please think of a solution!"

Xu Jie and Zhao Shichun looked at each other, thought for a long time, and finally couldn't help but say in unison, "Truly a role model for us all!"

……

"Your Majesty, Mingwei's actions are those of a gentleman, a model for scholars. I don't know how to persuade him!"

Lu Bing stood before the throne and answered with difficulty.

He had been sending messages lately and had vaguely sensed that the Yixin Society, which was preparing to support Haiyue, was becoming a young core group exclusively for the emperor.

Lu Bing naturally supported this, but since His Majesty didn't say it, he couldn't say it outright. He could only hint at it indirectly, which was quite tiring. He thought that he would have succeeded by secretly spreading the news that he was determined to gain the Emperor's favor, but it had the opposite effect.

Zhu Houcong hadn't expected his test to unfold this way, and he remarked with some regret, "What a pity, he wasn't the perfect minister!"

What kind of minister did Zhu Houcong consider perfect?

We must adhere to discipline and ethics, uphold morality, and be flexible and adaptable, and not be overly critical of the emperor in every matter.
One must be magnanimous and composed, never showing one's emotions, and be utterly loyal to him, completely honest and impartial.

One must be upright and prudent, regarding fame and fortune as worthless, and also be quick to understand and respond to Your Majesty's urgent needs.

Hmm, sometimes he thinks to himself, are he asking for too much?

However, people are always changing.

Just like Sun Wukong, didn't he also go from being a born stone monkey to becoming the Victorious Fighting Buddha?

Zhu Houcong had previously identified with Sun Wukong, but now he felt like he was the Buddha, capable of training this highly capable and virtuous stone monkey into his own Victorious Fighting Buddha!

Everything should start with preventing the other side from disbanding the Isshin-kai.

It's not that a small school with only six people is so important, but rather that this pure and untainted original intention needs to be maintained, otherwise it would contradict Zhu Houcong's original intention.

Why destroy a society that could have been united in purpose, and then recruit a society with ulterior motives, suspicion, disloyalty, and evil intentions?
Therefore, Zhu Houcong no longer hesitated and said calmly, "Have you found out the origins of the Yunyin Society?"

Lu Bing immediately knelt down, filled with shame: "I have failed Your Majesty's grace; to this day... I have no clue!" "Rise!"

Zhu Houcong personally came to his side and helped his childhood friend up: "You and Wang Zuo are both my trusted ministers. The fact that you couldn't find the whereabouts of the rebels is not your fault, but because the Embroidered Uniform Guard was already seen through by these traitors. Do you understand?"

Lu Bing was actually aware of this as well, but he was unwilling to accept it. However, now that he heard this person say it directly, and considering the previous conversation, he suddenly realized: "Your Majesty's intention is to send Hemingway?"

"He can't manage alone, let Ichishin go!"

Zhu Houcong made his point clear: "I trust your judgment and his talent. My Great Ming Dynasty can tolerate thousands upon thousands of societies, but it will absolutely not tolerate a group of treacherous officials with rebellious intentions who secretly subvert the court and wreak havoc on the country! Tell him about this matter, and make him loyal to me wholeheartedly. The matter of disbanding the Yixin Society must not be mentioned again!"

Lu Bing was greatly encouraged: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

……

"elder brother!"

Hai Rui entered the dormitory and saw Hai Yue leisurely reading a book. He sat down next to her and kept her company.

Haiyue put down her book and smiled, "Now no one's bothering you to join, right?"

"Gone!"

Hai Rui laughed too: "They're all avoiding us like the plague!"

"They're afraid I'm ungrateful and will offend His Majesty, thus implicating them."

Haiyue said easily, "That's good!"

When the emperor bestowed upon him a calligraphy scroll, he instantly became famous throughout the capital. His act of saving the emperor also became known to everyone, and the enthusiastic reception he received was unimaginable.

When Xu Jie was spared demotion and exile because of his association with Yixin Society, good heavens! Not only did he immediately request to join the society after receiving the Journey to the West as a gift, but people who appeared out of nowhere also offered large sums of money to obtain a copy of the Journey to the West, all hoping to take this shortcut.

Now they've all scattered again.

Originally, everyone was too enthusiastic. If Haiyue hadn't accepted any of them, she would have offended too many people. They would have said that she was favored by the emperor and that she was arrogant and disdainful of her classmates. After this incident, those clingy guys gave up on their own, which was exactly what she wanted. It was a double blessing.

Of course, some upright classmates advised him not to be so intense, arguing that he might offend the emperor and lose his promising future for nothing. Even Lin Daqin felt it was a pity, but he respected Haiyue's decision.

Only Hai Rui agreed. Seeing that the dormitory was empty, he whispered, "Brother, there might be something fishy about this. His Majesty is a wise and diligent ruler. Even if he enjoys traveling to the West, he shouldn't do this..."

"well said!"

Haiyue smiled sincerely. He was relieved that his younger brother's reasons for supporting him were not rigid, conservative ideas: "Do you remember what I told you about 'thinking thrice'?"

Hai Rui immediately replied, "Think of danger, think of retreat, think of change?"

"Yes!"

Haiyue nodded: "Thinking about danger means anticipating risks and avoiding crises; thinking about retreat means retreating to advance and preserving strength; thinking about change means reflecting and adjusting, and seizing opportunities! If one can master these three thoughts in officialdom, retreating to advance, and not competing is competing, one can basically be invincible."

Hai Rui frowned slightly: "But I don't like this 'thinking it over' thing. I prefer another saying my brother once said: 'When doing something, don't ask if it's possible, but ask if it's right!'"

"I don't really like it either, because this kind of thinking is a complete path of power struggle. The key is to hide one's strength and keep a low profile, rather than to be enterprising. Over time, one will inevitably lose courage and determination and only think about protecting oneself!"

Haiyue said, "But those in high positions, once they truly avoid danger by following this line of thinking, will regard it as a golden rule and stick to it, naturally losing all ambition!"

Hai Rui suddenly realized: "But now, we need to think twice before we act, don't we?"

"Yes!"

Haiyue said, "When I received His Majesty's bestowed calligraphy and the praise of the masses, I thought of these three considerations! Because I still have no foundation, if I become complacent, the outcome will not be good. Therefore, at this time, I must remember to think about danger, think about retreat, and think about change! The purpose of disbanding the Yixin Society is precisely this!"

This analysis convinced Hai Rui: "I understand!"

The two brothers began to quietly study, and the dormitory was peaceful, no longer bothered by the outside world.

When Lu Bing rushed over, this was the scene he saw. He sighed inwardly, dismissed Hai Rui, and said with an unprecedentedly solemn expression, "Hai Yue, His Majesty has asked me to ask you a question—"

"Can you be loyal to the Ming Dynasty? Are you devoted to His Majesty?"

(End of this chapter)