The Red Mansion

Chapter 273 Two Saints Praise Him, Is Yuan Yi Crown Prince?
Emperor Taishun, accompanied by Yuan Yi, took his leave from Qingxi Study and then rode in a bright yellow sedan chair with a long procession to Ningchun Hall to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Inside the study, silence returned in an instant, broken only by the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window and the clear sound of the babbling brook.

Emperor Jingning did not immediately pick up the Song Dynasty edition of the Book of Changes on his desk. Instead, he slowly picked up a cup of warm tea beside him, gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid, and took a sip.

As the tea went down his throat, leaving a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth, his mind was not on the taste of the tea, but rather immersed in the impromptu test he had just had, savoring Yuan Yi's two responses.

This great ruler, who reigned for 61 years, weathered many storms, and possessed profound knowledge, was now enjoying his retirement. Yet, his sharp vision and profound thoughts were beyond the reach of ordinary people.

The two questions he asked just now, which seemed casual, were actually carefully considered and contained hidden meanings. They were both touchstones to test a prince's character, vision, and wisdom.

The first question he asked was based on the quote from the "Appended Remarks to the Book of Changes," which states, "Heaven is high and earth is low; thus, the order of heaven and earth is established. The lowly and the high are arranged, and the noble and the lowly are positioned." Using heaven and earth as a metaphor for humankind, he was actually asking: How can people establish their social identity and moral responsibility by understanding the order of heaven and earth?

In his memorial to the throne, Yuan Yi emphasized that the order of heaven and earth should not be transgressed, and that people should acknowledge and abide by the hierarchical division of labor in society (such as the benevolence of the ruler, the loyalty of the minister, and the filial piety of the son), which is essentially the Confucian idea of ​​"rectification of names." He opposed both overstepping one's bounds and passively shirking responsibility, echoing the concept of "acting according to one's station and not desiring anything beyond it" in the Doctrine of the Mean. He also quoted the Book of Changes, "The superior man avoids calamity through frugality and virtue, and does not seek honor through wealth and reward," to illustrate that even in a lowly position, one can cultivate honor through frugality and virtue, revealing an important Confucian paradox: external status may be high or low, but moral dignity can transcend worldly hierarchy through self-improvement.

Yuan Yi's memorial conformed to Confucian orthodoxy, emphasizing that "maintaining a humble position" was not a passive submission, but an active cultivation of virtue to become a sage. He also pointed out that the monarch needed to be bound by "benevolence," and provided a spiritual way out for the weak.

This dialogue perfectly met the ideal standard of "dialogue at the imperial lecture".

The second question, quoted from the "Revolution" hexagram in the Book of Changes, "When heaven and earth change, the four seasons are formed; Tang and Wu's revolutions were in accordance with heaven and in response to the people," asks: When should one choose "reform" and when should one choose "not to reform" in governing a country? How can one, like Tang and Wu, make a reform "in accordance with heaven and in response to the people"?
This is indeed a very important question. A good answer will make you a "wise and virtuous ruler"; a bad answer may be seen as "heretical" or "stubborn and inflexible".

Yuan Yi's memorial was very cautious, thorough, and insightful.

He first rejected radical and impulsive reform ideas, placing reform under objective laws.

He proposed the necessary conditions for "reform": to observe the changes in the way of Heaven and the direction of people's hearts.

He further emphasized the equal importance of "maintaining the status quo," stressing that the principle of "unchanging" is especially crucial in daily governance. We cannot only discuss reform while neglecting the fundamental principles that must be upheld in routine governance. No matter how the system is fine-tuned, the core principles of caring for the people and respecting the laws of nature must remain unchanged.

He summarized his methodology as follows: Observe the principles of Heaven, verify the thoughts of the people, and act in accordance with the trend.

He pointed out the ultimate goal: to promote virtue and expand achievements, so that the world may be at peace!

Yuan Yi's memorial can be summarized as follows: the way to govern a country is to strike a balance between maintaining the status quo and making changes. Under normal circumstances, the core principle of benevolence towards the people should be upheld; only when the old system is corrupt and goes against the principles of heaven and the people's hearts should decisive changes be made. Regardless of whether to change or not, the criteria for judgment are objective laws and the will of the people, and the ultimate goal is the long-term stability and security of the country.

This memorial accurately grasped the core contradiction between "change" and "unchanging," and provided a systematic and dialectical framework, demonstrating his ability to consider the fate of the nation from a macro perspective. The entire argument is firmly based on the Confucian classic "The Book of Changes" and core Confucian thought, exhibiting both sharp insight and remaining entirely within the orthodox discourse system of governance.

This audience with the emperor demonstrated exceptional political wisdom, avoiding any extremes. Its comprehensive reasoning far surpassed that of an ordinary imperial grandson, resembling the thinking of a mature politician. It also aligned with the emperor's mindset and strategic thinking.

In conclusion, Yuan Yi's two memorials were both composed and thorough, with insightful analysis. He adhered to the fundamental meaning of the classics without being bound by the literal meanings, and was able to elaborate and expand upon them, hitting the nail on the head.

What's even more commendable is that he's only seventeen years old. Despite his young age, he showed no frivolity or arrogance during the audience, maintaining a respectful and humble attitude throughout. In particular, his self-deprecating remarks at the end, such as "my humble opinion," "my presumptuous comments," and "I'm just showing off my limited skills before an expert," were sincere and genuine.

Such performance was hardly ordinary in the eyes of Emperor Jingning, a great ruler who had seen countless people.

This is not merely a display of the talent of a bright and studious imperial grandson; his composure, dialectical thinking, benevolent nature, and courage to take responsibility are already subtly revealing... the potential to become the crown prince!
"The qualities of a crown prince..."

Emperor Jingning silently pondered these four words in his heart.

In selecting a successor to the nation, academic knowledge is certainly important, but character, vision, wisdom, and even benevolence are of paramount importance.

Everything Yuan Yi revealed in this impromptu test today is exactly in line with this standard.

Emperor Jingning seemed to see a fine tree that had grown strong, with upright branches and deep roots, which, given time, would be able to stand tall and provide shade for all living beings!

Thinking of this, Emperor Jingning felt a rare surge of admiration and joy. The jade teacup in his hand trembled slightly, and the clear green tea in the cup, along with the unfurled tea leaves, rippled gently.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This boy... is truly a prodigy! From what I've observed, his talent, virtue, and insight are already sufficient to shoulder great responsibilities..."

However, just as this thought arose, another cold reality suddenly struck like a cold wave, quietly burying the joy.

Emperor Jingning's gaze dimmed slightly, and he sighed inwardly, "What a pity, what a pity! This child has been wandering among the common people for many years and has only recently returned to the family. For a prince to be found among the common people is already an unprecedented event, rarely recorded in history. If he were to be established as the crown prince and inherit the throne... the intricate web of issues involved concerns the foundation of the nation, the laws of propriety, and the stability of the court... I wonder what kind of tumultuous waves it would unleash! I fear... I fear it would not be a blessing for the country, but rather lead to great chaos..."

These concerns, like invisible shackles, bound the mind of the retired emperor, forcing him to suppress the budding passion he had just begun to feel.

Coincidentally, Emperor Taishun, who was currently seated in a bright yellow sedan chair on his way to Ningchun Hall, was also silently reflecting on the exchange that had just taken place in Qingxi Study. Yuan Yi's calm and wise voice, and the brilliance of wisdom that shone when he analyzed the principles of the Book of Changes, were also stirring up waves in his heart.

He also clearly saw the extraordinary potential within this son, far surpassing that of ordinary young princes. An equally irrepressible thought surfaced in his mind: This son is truly the heir apparent!
However, almost simultaneously, concerns about "people returning to their ancestral roots" also arose in people's minds.

Emperor Taishun involuntarily turned his head and looked at Yuan Yi, who was respectfully following beside him. He saw that Yuan Yi's steps were steady, his demeanor was dignified, and there was a clear and bright air between his brows.

Such a talented individual, yet due to his background, may find it difficult to inherit the throne…

Thinking of this, Emperor Taishun couldn't help but let out a silent sigh, his heart overflowing with regret.

However, Emperor Taishun was, after all, the current emperor, in the prime of his life, ruling the world. His regret was quickly replaced by the decisive power of an iron-fisted ruler! His gaze narrowed slightly, and he thought to himself, "Yi'er may not necessarily be unfit to be the crown prince! Although ancestral laws are strict, I am the ruler of the nation, and my decisions are absolute. If in the future I determine that this son is indeed the most virtuous and insist on making him the heir, under this majestic imperial authority, among these countless court officials, who can truly stop my decision?"

With this thought, Emperor Taishun felt a sudden sense of clarity, and the gloom caused by his worries about Yuan Yi's background seemed to dissipate somewhat.

He withdrew his gaze, sat upright in the carriage, and continued on his way, but his eyes now held a deeper level of contemplation...

The future is long and uncertain!
……

……

Yuan Yi accompanied Emperor Taishun to Ningchun Hall, where the Empress Dowager and Empress were conversing.

Yuan Yi entered, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, speaking respectfully and behaving with dignity. The Empress Dowager and the Empress both smiled and nodded. The Empress Dowager then asked a few more questions, which Yuan Yi answered one by one.

Upon learning that Yuan Chun was waiting, the Empress Dowager granted permission to bring Yuan Chun over.

When Yuan Chun arrived at Ningchun Hall, Yuan Yi took his leave at the opportune moment. Yuan Chun stayed as planned, and softly explained that she wished to spend more time talking with the Empress Dowager and the Empress to relieve their boredom. The Empress Dowager naturally agreed.

So Yuan Yi rode alone in the Duke's carriage and left Changchun Garden.

The carriage traveled along the official road in the western suburbs. The sky outside was gloomy and dark, the willow branches by the roadside drooped limply, and the distant mountains were shrouded in mist, suggesting that a heavy summer rain was about to fall.

Inside the car, Yuan Yi leaned against the soft cushions, closed his eyes, and concentrated on his experiences at Changchun Garden today.

Paying respects to the emperors and showing filial piety was a natural and expected gesture; the emperor's request for severe punishment of Gu Bao'an had been granted, so the objective had been achieved.

To his surprise, it was his grandfather, Emperor Jingning, who had decided to conduct the test on a whim.

The two questions, which originated from the Book of Changes, seem ordinary, but in fact they are deeply related to the essentials of self-cultivation and governance. Without diligent study and profound understanding, it would be difficult to answer them properly.

Reflecting on his two audiences, he felt quite satisfied that he had adhered to the classics while expressing his own views, remaining composed yet sharp, humble yet possessing inner strength. The expressions of his grandfather and father at the time clearly showed their admiration, which was an unexpected joy, far beyond any ordinary favor.

Thinking of this, Yuan Yi felt a sense of joy and was so engrossed in the gloom outside the window that he didn't even notice it.

He smiled slightly, lifted the curtain, and looked at the gray sky. The difference between his mood inside the car and the weather outside was like heaven and earth. The bright and clear sky filled his heart with peace!

The carriage traveled swiftly and arrived back at the Duke of Ningrong's mansion around 9:00 AM. Under Yuan Yi's orders, it stopped in the main courtyard of the mansion.

As soon as Yuan Yi stepped onto the bench set down by the coachman, dismounted from the carriage, and stood in the main courtyard, the long-brewing rain poured down like a celestial river, instantly creating a curtain of rain and a misty atmosphere.

If this heavy rain had come down earlier in the morning, even with a carriage to protect him, he would have been in a sorry state. But now it fell just as Yuan Yi was returning home, as if it were specially made to wash away the dust for him.

At this moment, Gu Baoan, the eunuch in charge of guarding the gates and summoning people in the mansion, was standing in the main courtyard. When he saw Yuan Yi get out of the carriage, the rain suddenly intensified, so he hurriedly opened an umbrella to shield himself, afraid that the rain would wet his brand-new eunuch robe. He seemed not to see the Duke Yuan Yi standing in the rain, and did not immediately step forward to shelter his master from the rain, which showed his disrespect and indifference.

Standing behind Gu Baoan, the young eunuch Tian Feng hurriedly opened his umbrella, lowered his head, and stole glances at the scene.

Since Gu Baoan didn't immediately hold an umbrella for Yuan Yi, someone else quickly did just that.

Yuan Yi took the umbrella and stood in the rain, holding it himself. His gaze was cold as he swept over Gu Baoan's self-centered appearance. His dissatisfaction over the past few days and the imperial decree he had obtained today transformed into a chilling aura.

He suddenly strode forward, and before anyone could react, he kicked Gu Baoan!
Gu Baoan cried out in pain, caught completely off guard. His umbrella flew from his hand, and he stumbled onto the wet, splashing ground, mud and water instantly staining his brand-new eunuch robes, leaving him utterly disheveled. He was utterly horrified, looking up at Yuan Yi, who stood tall in the rain, and stammered, "Your Highness? You…you did this…"

Yuan Yi stood tall and straight as a pine tree in the torrential rain, his voice piercing through the rain, high-pitched and authoritative: "You insolent servant! Relying on your meager power as a gatekeeper, you dare to bully guests and extort them at will, insatiably greedy, disgracing the reputation of my Duke's mansion, and disregarding my admonitions! Now, by His Majesty's decree: arrest you, you insolent servant, and hand you over to the Minister of the Imperial Household Department and Prince Zhuang for strict investigation and punishment! Guards! Seize him!"

This rebuke left the ceremonial staff, guards, soldiers, and eunuchs present speechless with astonishment.

Meng Xiong reacted the fastest, immediately lunging forward and firmly pinning down Gu Baoan, who was struggling to get out of the muddy water.

Upon seeing this, the other guards and soldiers suddenly realized what was happening and rushed forward. Without saying a word, they used ropes to tie up Gu Baoan, who was screaming and struggling like a pig being slaughtered, and forced him to kneel in the rain.

The young eunuch Tian Feng, standing to the side, was already pale with fright. He dropped his umbrella, letting the rain soak him. He watched helplessly as the once arrogant and self-important "Master Gu" became a prisoner in the blink of an eye. Terrified, he thought to himself, "My God! How could this be? The Duke actually... actually obtained an imperial decree to punish Master Gu? What... what will become of us now?"

A bone-chilling cold instantly permeated his entire body.

The rain intensified, washing over the main courtyard of the Duke's mansion, and also washing away the sudden change that had occurred within it.

Yuan Yi still held the umbrella himself, his gaze cold as he looked at the bound Gu Baoan.

The scene was grim, with the incessant sound of rain mingling with Gu Baoan's wails and pleas for mercy...

(End of this chapter)