My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 159 The Spring Equinox Bet
Everyone looked at Shen Yiguan, who, after catching his breath, said:

"Huang Hanlin and Zhou Xiang of the Imperial Observatory got into an argument inside the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture. Zhou Xiang started it!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ze immediately stood up. Everyone looked at Su Ze, and Shen Yiguan said:
"Brother Zilin, go and take a look!"

Wang Jiaping and Zhang Wei were eager to try. They spent all their time in the newspaper office, either editing newspapers or books, which was incredibly boring for them. They both wanted to watch the excitement, but this displeased Su Ze.

Unexpectedly, Su Ze said:

"What are you watching! Our Hanlin scholar has been beaten up, hurry up and help him!"

To lend a helping hand?

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then they were all stirred up by Su Ze's words and felt a sense of shared indignation!
Yes, even if people don't particularly like Huang Ji, he is still a Hanlin scholar! He is a distinguished and highly regarded scholar, a potential future prime minister!
He was actually beaten by an official from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?
Led by Su Ze, the group arrived at the Society for Research in Architecture next to the Sixth Department.

Just then, Su Ze saw a group of unfamiliar officials hurrying toward the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture.

Su Ze stopped and thought for a moment. The Imperial Observatory was an inner court of the emperor, and its offices were located within the palace. So he said to Shen Yiguan:
"Brother Jianwu, quickly go to the Hanlin Academy and find some people!"

"what?"

Su Ze pointed to the official who had just walked past and said, "Those people must be from the Imperial Observatory. They outnumber us and have a lot of influence. Go to the Hanlin Academy quickly and ask for help!"

"And what about you, Brother Zilin?"

Su Ze rolled up the sleeves of his official robe and said:

"I'll go stall for time, Brother Jianwu, hurry!"
-
"what?"

When the Second Grand Secretary Gao Gong heard the report from Guo Zhun, a drafter in the Imperial Secretariat, he slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji looked at each other in disbelief!

The Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Observatory got into a fight at the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture. In the end, the Hanlin Academy, which had more people, had a slight advantage. Even the Six Ministries' censors who came to mediate the fight were beaten up.

Gao Gong, enraged, asked:
"What's the cause?"

Guo Zhun had already inquired about the situation before arriving, and he quickly said:
"It was Hanlin scholar Huang Ji who said that the calendar of the Imperial Observatory was inaccurate. The Minister of the Imperial Observatory, Zhou, argued with him. After a long argument, the Minister of the Imperial Observatory could not win the argument and resorted to violence."

Upon hearing that it wasn't the Hanlin scholars who started the fight, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As for the reason, it is naturally because both of them were from the Hanlin Academy.

The Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Observatory were fighting in the palace, and Gao Gong was also extremely troubled. He first said to Zhao Zhenji:
"Please ask Grand Secretary Zhao to appear before the Emperor to explain this matter."

Zhao Zhenji nodded, stood up, bowed, and left the cabinet.

Gao Gong then said to Zhang Juzheng:
"Grand Secretary Zhang is in charge of the Hanlin Academy. Please come with me."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and stood up, but then he added:

"Grand Secretary Gao, should we have the Secretariat accompany you?"

Gao Gong nodded quickly, thinking that if these people started fighting again, the Secretariat could also step in to break them up.

So the group of people arrived at the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture in a grand procession.

Upon arriving at the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, Gao Gong looked around and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Upon seeing the two Grand Secretaries arrive, the officials on both sides helped each other to their feet. Seeing that there was no obvious blood on the ground, the fight was not very intense.

The situation is still under control.

Gao Gong's face was grim. At this moment, a man stepped out from the group of Hanlin scholars and said to Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng:

"Grand Secretary Gao, Grand Secretary Zhang, please do justice for us Hanlin scholars!"

When Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng saw Su Ze, they were a little confused. Gao Gong glared at Guo Zhun beside him, his eyes full of accusation!
Such crucial intelligence as Su Ze's involvement in the fight was not reported!
Guo Zhun could only lower his head. He had come in a hurry and only knew the basic situation; he had no idea about so many details.

As expected, Su Ze's move to file a complaint first caused a commotion at the Imperial Observatory.

Gao Gong sat down at the head of the table and said coldly:
"quiet!"

"Let's take turns speaking, Su Ze, you go first!"

Su Ze pointed to Huang Ji, whose face was bruised and swollen, and said:

"Huang Hanlin met with Zhou Xiang of the Imperial Observatory to discuss the establishment of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture. When they got to the issue of calendar, they had some disagreements, and then Zhou Xiang took drastic action!"

After Su Ze finished speaking, Zhou Xiang also jumped in and said:
"Grand Secretary Gao! That Huang Ji dared to make irresponsible remarks about the calendar! He even slandered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. I could not bear it any longer and that's why I took action!"

Su Ze sneered:

"Your Imperial Observatory's calculations are wrong, and you won't even let us say it?"

"you!"

This stirred up the Imperial Observatory, and they began to direct their anger at Su Ze.

Gao Gong flicked his sleeve and said:
"quiet!"

Then Gao Gong glanced at Zhou Xiang and saw that his injuries were not as severe as Huang Ji's, which gave him a bad impression from the start.

To demonstrate fairness, Gao Gong still said:
"Prime Minister Zhou, you should also speak."

Zhou Xiang stepped forward and said:
“Grand Secretary Gao, Huang Ji and I were originally discussing matters related to the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, but he suddenly brought up the calendar and said that the ‘Datong Calendar’ used by our Imperial Observatory was wrong. The ‘Datong Calendar’ was personally approved by Emperor Taizu, so how could it be wrong!”

Su Ze immediately interjected:

"The 'Comprehensive Guide to the Great Unification Calendar' is correct. It's because your Imperial Astronomical Bureau only knows the facts but not the reasons behind them. You can't understand the principles behind the 'Comprehensive Guide to the Great Unification Calendar' formulated by Emperor Taizu, which is why you have repeatedly made mistakes!"

Zhou Xiang's face flushed red, and Gao Gong said to Su Ze:

"Shut up!"

Su Ze lowered his head, feigning grievance. Zhou Xiang continued:

"That Huang Ji spoke arrogantly, saying that our Imperial Observatory's calculation level was too low. I, an official, have been studying astronomy for generations, and I was so angry that I fought with him."

Su Ze said again:
"So, were your calculations accurate?"

"you!"

Zhou Xiang glared at Su Ze, but Su Ze still said:
"Last year's summer solstice was off by a full three quarters of an hour in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's calendar! The rainfall was off by three days as well. Were your calculations accurate?"

The officials from the Imperial Observatory behind Zhou Xiang glared angrily at Su Ze, but Su Ze only said one thing:

"You guys just can't calculate it accurately!"

However, this statement was extremely damaging, and the officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau present all turned red in the face, unable to utter a rebuttal.

Gao Gong glanced at his prized student again, but this time he did not reprimand Su Ze.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng stood up and said:
"Huang Ji, you say the Imperial Observatory's calculations are inaccurate, but can you calculate them accurately?"

Huang Ji, supported by Shen Yiguan, quickly stood up and said:
"Master, I was able to predict it accurately!"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Huang Ji, the head of the Hanlin Academy. Although he didn't go there often, he knew everything about the Hanlin Academy.

He also knew that Huang Ji was highly regarded by the Crown Prince and was skilled in the art of assessing wealth, which was why the Emperor had specifically named him and included him in the list of lecturers at the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture.

Who would have thought he also knew about calendars?
No, Zhang Juzheng glanced at Su Ze and felt that this matter was related to Su Ze.

Huang Ji stepped forward, and the Imperial Observatory began to hurl insults again. Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door:
"His Majesty has arrived! The Crown Prince has arrived!"

All that could be seen was Emperor Longqing entering the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, accompanied by Li Fang, followed by Su Ze and Zhu Yijun, a good disciple of Huang Ji.

Zhao Zhenji followed at the back. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Su Ze and glared at him fiercely.

Zhu Yijun originally entered the palace to pay his respects, but overheard the eunuch reporting this matter.

Little Fatty Jun, who loves excitement, couldn't miss such a good show, so he begged the emperor to take him along.

Emperor Longqing could not resist his son's request, so he took him to the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture.

Upon seeing Huang Ji, Zhu Yijun, ever theatrical, immediately stepped forward and said:
"Master Huang! Who beat you up like this!"

Then Zhu Yijun started crying, and even Huang Ji, who was pretending to be injured, couldn't keep up.

"Your Highness, I am not dead yet."

Huang Ji was moved, but fearing that the Crown Prince would be too heartbroken, he spoke in a low voice.

Little Fatty Jun also whispered:

“Master Huang, if I cry more pitifully, Father Emperor won’t punish you too much.” Huang Ji also felt that what the Crown Prince said made sense, and was moved by the Crown Prince’s intentions, so he cooperated by crying out in pain.

Emperor Longqing was actually quite pleased to see this, as he had also come to watch the spectacle.

Of course, as the emperor, he couldn't show it. Gao Gong gave up his seat, and after the emperor sat down, he said:

"How dignified!"

Everyone present, including Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, began to apologize.

The Longqing Emperor declined the formalities and said:

"Minister Gao, is the matter clear now?"

Gao Gong reported the results of his inquiry to the emperor, who also frowned.

The inaccuracy of the Ming Dynasty's calendar was an old problem.

Almost every emperor attempted to revise the calendar.

When the Longqing Emperor ascended the throne, he also ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to revise the calendar.

However, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's reply at the time was:
"At the beginning of the dynasty, the Great Unified Calendar was established and promulgated throughout the country. It was extremely precise and meticulous. If we were to change the precession of the equinoxes to match the celestial order, it would be a matter of great importance and beyond the ability of your subjects."

The meaning of this sentence is very simple: the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had already done its best to maintain the calendar, and it was simply impossible to revise the calendar!
After understanding the reason, Emperor Longqing felt even more dissatisfied with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

You're powerless to revise the calendar, but you're quite formidable in a fight.

The Longqing Emperor then looked at Su Ze, also feeling that Su Ze was involved in this matter, and asked:

"Su Qing, you say the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's calendar is inaccurate, but can you calculate it accurately?"

Su Ze said:

"Your Majesty, I cannot calculate it."

The Longqing Emperor was somewhat disappointed, but Su Ze continued:

"Huang Hanlin is skilled in divination."

The Longqing Emperor looked at Huang Ji and asked:

"Huang Qing can calculate?"

This was Huang Ji's first time facing the emperor directly, and he was so nervous that he could hardly speak.

Su Ze said:

"Your Majesty, why not let Hanlin Huang and the Imperial Observatory have a competition?"

"A contest? How will the contest be conducted?"

Su Ze said:

"Let's see who can calculate more accurately, Your Majesty. According to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the 21st of this month is the Spring Equinox."

"At the vernal equinox, day and night are of equal length, making it the easiest time to measure."

Everyone nodded; they were all educated and naturally understood.

Su Ze's next words surprised everyone.

Su Ze said:

"But Huang Hanlin once told me that the Spring Equinox is on the 19th of this month!"

"what!?"

"nonsense!"

At this point, the officials of the Imperial Observatory could no longer tolerate it. Disregarding their decorum before the Emperor, Prime Minister Zhou directly stated:

"Your Majesty, Huang Ji and Su Ze have made unwarranted comments on the calendar. Please punish them severely!"

The Longqing Emperor looked at Su Ze, then at Huang Ji, and asked:

"Huang Ji, are you sure?"

Thinking of his observations and calculations over the past few days, Huang Ji gritted his teeth and said:
"I vouch for it with my official position, and I confirm it!"

Emperor Longqing hesitated for a moment, then looked at his two regents.

Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng exchanged a glance, and Gao Gong stepped forward and said:
"The Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Observatory were punished for their breach of etiquette before the Emperor, and their salaries will be reduced by one month."

Gao Gong continued:
"Imperial Astronomical Bureau, what day is the Spring Equinox this year?"

Zhou Xiang said:

According to the Datong Calendar, it is the 21st day.

Gao Gong looked at Huang Ji, who said firmly:

"According to my calculations, it will be the 19th of this month, when day and night are of equal length!"

Now the emperor made up his mind and said, "Then on the 19th and 21st, order the various supervisory offices to calculate day and night, and see who can calculate accurately."

After saying this, the emperor left with the crown prince.

After the emperor left, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Zhao Zhenji also departed.

Neither side dared to continue fighting. After the Imperial Observatory left, Shen Yiguan pulled Su Ze aside and asked:

"Brother Zilin, His Majesty didn't say whether the prediction was accurate or not."

Su Ze smiled slightly and said:
Isn't His Majesty's meaning simple?

Everyone looked at Su Ze, and Su Ze said:
"If Huang Hanlin's calculations are correct, then our Hanlin Academy will be responsible for revising the calendar!"

This caused a stir among the crowd, who all stared intently at Huang Ji.

Rewrite the calendar!

Compiling history and revising the calendar are both things that will leave a mark on history!
In fact, revising one's history is more important than leaving a lasting mark!

Apart from Sima Qian and a few other historians, many of the compilers of the Twenty-Four Histories were not well-known. In particular, the histories from the Tang Dynasty onwards were compiled by many people, and only the chief editor was able to leave his name and be remembered by later generations.

But the calendar is revised!

Guo Shoujing of the Yuan Dynasty and the monk Yi Xing of the Tang Dynasty both clearly recorded these events.

Moreover, once the new calendar is compiled, it will be published nationwide and used for hundreds of years!

Huang Ji's breath almost stopped. What if the emperor really put him in charge of revising the calendar?

But Su Ze poured cold water on the idea, saying:
"Of course, this calendar is not so easy to compile. Guo Shoujing of the previous dynasty conducted tests all over the country and it took four years to complete the Shoushi Calendar."

"If a more accurate calendar is to be established, I, Su, must also petition His Majesty to re-measure the four seas!"

Surveying the four seas again!

Su Ze said quietly:
"To measure the four seas to rectify the calendar, to inherit the past and open a new chapter."

After saying this, Su Ze led Shen Yiguan and the others away, leaving Huang Ji, lost in thought, standing there in a daze.
-
On March 18th, the brawl within the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture only lingered on the lips of lower-ranking officials in the capital for a few days before being quickly replaced by various comments about the capital's internal investigations.

For example, the news that Hong Chaoxuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was to be dismissed during the capital inspection, and that many other officials were also held accountable by the inspection, quickly made headlines in the capital.

Su Ze was not concerned about this inspection in the capital; the cabinet and the six ministries had a tacit understanding on this matter.

The imperial examinations in the capital during the Longqing era had not yet become a tool for factional strife as they had at the end of the Ming Dynasty. They were generally fair, and those who were dismissed were officials who did have real problems.

For example, there were already rumors of officials like Hong Chaoxuan being dismissed beforehand, so it didn't cause much controversy.

Therefore, among mid- to high-ranking officials, this spring equinox bet is actually something that is taken more seriously.

The reason is simple: the calendar is a major factor in agricultural production, and its accuracy can even affect the legitimacy of a dynasty.

The Yuan Dynasty's extensive efforts to revise the Shoushi Calendar were not merely for show; rather, the calendar was a tool of governance. The Yuan Dynasty granted accurate calendars to neighboring countries to solidify its status as the legitimate successor to the imperial calendar.

March 19th has finally arrived!
The sunrise observation point on the mountain outside the capital city immediately fired gunpowder flares into the sky after sunrise.

Upon receiving the signal flare, the water clock and hourglass in the palace started their timers!
(End of this chapter)