The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 76 contains three questions.
Xie Jin's words stirred up ripples in the imperial court, but did not cause a major storm.

Zhu Di narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing that Li Qi was beginning to prepare for the Yuan History Case, and he only needed to play along.

Most of the officials were bewildered by Xie Jin's words, not understanding why he suddenly proposed revising the History of Yuan and came up with such an absurd and incomprehensible reason.

"It has always been a tradition for Hanlin scholars to compile history for the previous dynasty and to name it after the dynasty. Why is this being changed today?"

"That's right.

Xie Hanlin, you are a man of great talent. It is only natural that you would want to revise the History of the Yuan Dynasty, given its inadequacy.

Moreover, there are two versions of the history of the Tang Dynasty: the Old Book of Tang and the New Book of Tang.

But to talk about restoring China, and thus neglect to compile the history of the Yuan Dynasty, instead focusing on events from the late Song Dynasty onwards—isn't that utterly childish?

Several senior scholars and academicians in the Hall of Literary Glory began to discuss among themselves. From their words, it was clear that they meant no harm; they simply did not understand what Xie Jin was going to do.

Li Qi had anticipated the court officials' reaction, because Xie Jin's words were considered heretical and incomprehensible in this era.

China has had a long-standing debate on the distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians, a universal value based on cultural ties, which can be considered a kind of simple nationalist thought in ancient China.

However, compared to modern nationalist thought, it is too superficial and insufficient to affect the underlying logic of a dynasty.

The simplest way to judge this is that a country established by modern nationalism will never accept an emperor or leader from a foreign or minor ethnic group.

Furthermore, they found it difficult to accept things like ceding territory, paying reparations, abandoning land, making peace through marriage, or paying tribute, as these were detrimental to national dignity.

Any ruler who does these things is highly likely to resign, or even see the entire cabinet government collapse.

The successful establishment of foreign dynasties such as the Northern Dynasties, Liao, Jin, and Yuan in history, with a large number of Han people actively entering officialdom without being condemned, demonstrates that before the Ming Dynasty, China and even the world did not have a systematic nationalism and the ruling model was still based on the integration of family and state.

Why explain before the Ming Dynasty?

Because of the development during the Ming Dynasty, by the end of the Ming Dynasty, China had already taken the lead in developing nationalism!
Gu Yanwu proposed the theory of the fall of a country and the fall of the world: "Changing the surname and the title is called the fall of a country; when benevolence and righteousness are filled to the point that people are led to eat each other like beasts, it is called the fall of the world. Those who protect the country are the rulers and ministers, the meat eaters; those who protect the world are even the humblest commoners."

This is the foundation of modern nationalism, and the "every man has a responsibility for the fate of the nation" that evolved from it became the strongest voice of that humiliating era. Unfortunately, this historical process was interrupted by the backward, dark, and barbaric Qing Dynasty entering the Central Plains.

Li Qi proposed revising the History of Yuan Dynasty. Both Zhu Di and Xie Jin believed that he was trying to undermine Fang Xiaoru's lineage.

But actually, that was just a convenient excuse. He had eighteen ways to make Fang Xiaoru's disciples and followers unable to survive, so there was no need for such trouble.

His real aim is to awaken the soul of nationalism, and even if he can't do that now, he wants to lay a foundation for it.

Because only true nationalism can unite all people in the world, whether they are high-ranking officials or ordinary people!
When these people unite, they have only one ultimate goal!

Returning to the matter of the court, while these old scholars may not have malicious intent, that doesn't mean others might.

The History of Yuan is known to all, and it was compiled by Song Lian and Wang Yi. Now, Xie Jin says that the History of Yuan is unacceptable, which is tantamount to criticizing these two men. Although they are dead, their descendant Wang Shen is still in the palace.

Wang Shen was the son of Wang Yi, a student of Song Lian, and a friend of Fang Xiaoru. He was one of the representatives of the literati in eastern Zhejiang and one of the leaders of the Dongming Academy school.

Hearing Xie Jin's criticisms, he naturally couldn't sit still and immediately stepped forward to refute them. Upon seeing this, the court officials immediately realized that this was no longer a simple matter of revising the Yuan Dynasty history, but a power struggle within the court.

Wang Shen pointed his tablet at Xie Jin and shouted, "Xie Jin, how dare you utter such arrogant words before His Majesty's throne?"

The History of Yuan was compiled by order of Emperor Taizu Gaohuang himself. The fate of the Yuan Dynasty had come to an end, and the current dynasty had received the Mandate of Heaven, which was also determined by Emperor Taizu Gaohuang!
In his ascension edict, Emperor Taizu clearly wrote, "I, the ruler of China, since the end of the Song dynasty, have been ordained by a true man from the desert to enter China and become the ruler of the world. This rule has lasted for more than a hundred years, but now it has also come to an end."

This is plain for all to see; how can you distort the truth here, and even attempt to usurp the legitimacy of our dynasty?

Most of the ministers in the hall nodded in agreement. The theory of the Mandate of Heaven was more in line with the mainstream view at present, and Wang Shen's words were correct. Moreover, with the endorsement of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Gaozu, they were reasonable and well-founded. They were truly inspiring words and deserved praise.

But who is Xie Jin? He was the most talented man during the Yongle era of the early Ming Dynasty. He had also discussed this matter with Li Qi for a long time. How could he back down? He immediately said in a loud voice: "The enthronement edict of Emperor Taizu Gao was written by Song Lian. The fact that the Yuan Dynasty was the legitimate dynasty was influenced by Song Lian and others."

Before Song Lian was by Emperor Gaozu's side, the emperor wrote a proclamation to the Central Plains containing many grand pronouncements, requesting that His Majesty allow him to inquire about Wang Shen's words.

Zhu Di's voice, filled with interest, descended from the throne: "Granted!"

All the officials in the hall turned their gazes toward the two men, and this duel attracted everyone's attention at this moment.

Xie Jin said with a sigh, "Wang Shen, let me ask you something."

Emperor Taizu Gaozu once wrote: "Since ancient times, when emperors ruled the world, China was located inside to control the barbarians, and the barbarians were located outside to serve China. I have never heard of barbarians living in China and ruling the world."

Do you have it?

This imperial edict to the Central Plains was a model text that almost every Ming Dynasty official had to memorize; how could anyone not know it?

Wang Shen's face darkened as he replied, "Yes."

"it is good!"

Xie Jin struck his tablet heavily, "Since it exists, then it's clear."

Confucius once said, "It is better for the Chinese people to be without a ruler than for barbarians to have one." This is precisely what is meant by Emperor Taizu and Emperor Gaozu in accordance with the way of the sages. How can barbarians have a ruler if they have the mandate of heaven?
"A Heavenly Mandate True Man from the desert, entering China to become the ruler of the world—is this not absurd?" Wang Shen angrily flicked his sleeve and coldly snorted, "Sophistry!"

Xie Jin didn't care; Wang Shen was just getting impatient. "Wang Shen, let me ask you again!"
Emperor Taizu once wrote: "At this time, the cycle of destiny will be in full swing, the Central Plains will be thriving, and among the millions of people, a sage will be born to drive out the barbarians, restore China, establish order and discipline, and save the people."

Do you have it?

Wang Shen's face grew increasingly grim, but when Xie Jin asked, he replied that this was what the emperor had just requested, and he could only grit his teeth and say, "Yes!"

Xie Jin proudly replied, "Since it exists, then it is clear."

When the Central Plains were prosperous, sages were born. This is the Mandate of Heaven being given to the Han people of the Central Plains. However, during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, the Central Plains were weak and thus lost the world.

"Expel the barbarians and restore China"—such bold words and great kindness are something that all the Han people under heaven can never forget.
Perhaps only those who have received favors from the former Yuan dynasty would remember them so fondly.

These words were a blatant veiled insult, which startled Wang Shen and made his eyelids twitch.

He was struck by what he was thinking, but he dared not respond too hastily, lest he be admitting his guilt.
He could only retort with a hint of guilt, "Still resorting to sophistry, picking apart every word and phrase—this is not the behavior of a righteous gentleman!"

The emperor, sitting on his throne, was extremely perceptive. In just a few words, he had already discerned something. He suddenly thought of how, in the later years of the Hongwu reign, the late emperor had suddenly ordered Li Qi to investigate the old customs of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. Had he already noticed something?

Was there really a group within the Ming Dynasty that missed the former Yuan Dynasty?
If Li Qi knew what the emperor was thinking, he would tell him that of course there was such a group, and that this group existed not only in the early Ming Dynasty, but also until the Jiajing era and the end of the Ming Dynasty, when prominent families and literati in Zhejiang were still reminiscing about the heyday of the Yuan Dynasty.

This is not just hearsay. There was a man named Wu Luzhen from Songjiang during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He wrote a note that said, "During the Yuan dynasty, the legal system was not strict and the tax collection was not strong. My hometown, Songjiang Prefecture, was located in a remote coastal area, which could be described as a paradise. Scholars and common people were not very interested in becoming officials, and life was very free and happy. However, after the Ming dynasty came to power, many people in Songjiang Prefecture passed the imperial examinations and became officials. The people suffered from corvée labor, and nine out of ten houses were empty. The former prosperity was gone. The policies were specifically aimed at the wealthy people in Jiangnan. Once they committed a crime, they were heavily fined, and the people could not live and work in peace."

This passage suggests that even though the Yuan Dynasty has been gone for over two hundred years, people still miss it, so how much more so now?

Was the incident in the Yuan Dynasty really just an accident?

When Zhu Yuanzhang first launched his Northern Expedition, he did not recognize the legitimacy of the Yuan Dynasty. It was only later, when he was persuaded by the concept of the Five Elements and the Mandate of Heaven, that he was convinced to acknowledge the former dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang was not well-educated in this regard, so he could only listen to the words of learned scholars like Song Lian. But did Song Lian and others not have any other thoughts?

Only they themselves truly know the wickedness and cruelty that these people, who came from the old Yuan Dynasty, harbor in their hearts!
The atmosphere in the hall had changed after Xie Jin's two questions, and many ministers had begun to carefully consider Xie Jin's words.

Words and speech themselves possess power!

Xie Jin did not stop, and once again said sternly, "Wang Shen, I will ask you three questions!"

Emperor Taizu once wrote: "Forgetting the surname of the Chinese ancestors, instead adopting the name of barbarian beasts, those who submit to me will live in peace in China, while those who betray me will flee to the borderlands."

"The people of China are destined by Heaven to live in peace; how can barbarians possibly govern them? Our aim is to expel the barbarians, eliminate tyranny, ensure all people find their place, and wipe away the shame of China. You, my people, must understand this!"

Do you have it?

Wang Shen was already sweating profusely, and his courage was gradually dissipating, but he still forced himself to remain calm and said, "Yes!"

Xie Jin said sternly, "Since it exists, then it's clear!"

"Explain to me what you mean by 'barbarian beasts'? Are you suggesting I'm the ruler of China? Am I the emperor who received the mandate of heaven?"

The assembled officials in the hall were all shocked. How could the ruler of China, the emperor who had received the mandate of heaven, be a barbarian beast?
Wang Shen racked his brains to defend himself, saying, "This is just a disguised proclamation. Proclamations have always been like this. 'Beast' is just a metaphor. Moreover, the one who received the order was Kublai Khan, the Yuan Emperor, not Emperor Shun of Yuan. This proclamation is directed at the ruler of a fallen country, so it is not unreasonable."

Even Li Qi nodded in agreement with Wang Shen's sophistry. He was indeed a remarkable person, worthy of being the current leader of Dongming Academy. However, in this debate, he was inherently inferior and had no chance of winning!
As expected, Xie Jin didn't give him any time to react and shouted again, "Then explain again what kind of shame is being avenged when it says 'the people of China, the people of China live in peace' and 'wipe away the shame of China'?"

These two sentences are the most difficult to refute in this passage: the people and the rulers of China, the Mongol Yuan dynasty's occupation of the world is a disgrace, and it cannot be covered up by any talk of destiny!
Wang Shen was truly at a loss for words. Cold sweat almost soaked through his clothes. If things continued like this, he would have no choice but to force Xie Jin to rewrite the History of Yuan, thus trampling his father's and teacher's reputations into the ground!
"What Xie Hanlin said is too arrogant. If barbarians enter China, then China becomes China; if the Yuan dynasty enters China, then China naturally becomes China!"

Upon closer inspection, everyone recognized him as Lin Jiayou, who had stepped forward with Xie Jin earlier. He was a student of Fang Xiaoru and had been implicated and killed by Fang Xiaoru in history. In this generation, Zhu Di only exterminated Fang Xiaoru's three clans and did not implicate Fang Xiaoru's students, so he survived.

Wang Shen knew he was in trouble as soon as he heard this. How could he not know what Lin Jiayou was talking about? But if the Yuan Dynasty was China, then what kind of shame was the Taizu Emperor avenging?

This is the Ming Dynasty, so naturally we must take the words of the Great Ancestor of the Ming Dynasty as the standard. Even the words of a sage must be deleted or modified if they do not conform to the Great Ancestor's wishes.

Sure enough, several obvious jeers rang out in the court. Lin Jiayou, who had been so confident just moments before, blushed and stood there in the hall, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.

Xie Jin sneered, "Although Fang Xiaoru was arrogant and lawless, he was still a Confucian master. How could he have such an ignorant student as you? Among the barbarian rulers who entered China throughout history, Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei was the best. You should study these historical records first before you speak in the hall!"

Laughter erupted in the hall. Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei changed his surname to Han and promoted Han clothing, completely assimilating the Xianbei people. Among the ancient monarchs, he could be considered a wise ruler. Compared to Emperor Xiaowen, what kind of Chinese monarch was the Mongol Yuan dynasty?

Seeing that Lin Jiayou and Wang Shen were both unable to speak, Xie Jin bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I asked you three questions just now, and Wang Shen could not give a direct answer. He could only mumble like an old farmer. The difference in rank and status is already clear."

The Yuan History compiled by Song Lian and Wang Yi is contrary to the Ming Dynasty and out of step with the times. I request that a "History of China for One Hundred Years Since the End of the Song Dynasty" be compiled, which will not be based on the Yuan Dynasty's reign titles, but will instead record the years 'one or two years after the fall of the Song Dynasty' as the year of chronology. Instead of the usual historical books that are divided into biographical sections, it will be a chronological history like the "Zizhi Tongjian" that records the events of the more than one hundred years from the fall of the Song Dynasty to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to revise the historical records.

Now the court officials understood: the History of Yuan had been completed, and what happened during the Yuan Dynasty was recorded in it.

Xie Jin had no interest in changing that pile of garbage.

He intends to revise a chronological history book to record the story of the hundred years during which the Han people lost their rule.

This is a completely different perspective, a perspective entirely focused on the Han people!

(End of this chapter)