The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 85 Initial Hopes for Building on Suzaku Street

The Dongming lineage suffered a calamity that swept through like a hurricane, difficult to control. People from the Imperial Academy and various ministries were taken away for investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Ministry of Justice, and naturally, some innocent people were among those who perished.

At midday, Li Qi walked out of the Dali Temple to report the matter to the palace, but when he reached Zhuque Street, he was blocked by a group of scholars.

At that time, Zhuque Avenue was teeming with people, among whom hundreds of scholars dressed in Confucian robes looked anxious as they peered around the streets and alleys.

As soon as Li Qi's vehicle came into view, someone shouted, "Jinghe Gong's carriage has arrived!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of scholars rushed over, crowding the Vermilion Bird Avenue. The people on both sides of the street also gathered to watch the spectacle and see what had happened.

Li Qi's car was stuck at the front of the bridge, unable to move forward or backward, so he got out of the car to see what had happened.

Upon seeing the crowd of scholars swarming towards him, he immediately recalled the scene before his debate with Li Yuanming, when he was blocked in the street by Li Yuanming's disciples, and how similar it was to today.

That day also took place on Suzaku Avenue.

The only difference was their circumstances and status. Back then, Li Yuanming was a renowned scholar, while he was just a rising star whose reputation was far inferior to Li Yuanming's.

Today, Li Yuanming is dead and his clan has vanished. Yet Li Qi stands proudly in the world, stepping on the remains of Fang Xiaoru, the "seed of Ming scholars" and "grand master of Confucianism." His academic and scholarly status is far beyond what Li Yuanming could ever achieve.

"Duke Jinghe!"

The scholars who had gathered around bowed hastily and then said loudly, "Please forgive our improper behavior today, Lord Jinghe. We really had no other choice."

Li Qi glanced at the crowd. He didn't recognize most of the people, but he knew the first few. Some were officials from Zhejiang in the court, and others were top students from the Imperial Academy. He had taught at the Imperial Academy and knew that they would definitely pass the imperial examinations, at least in the second class.

The purpose of these people coming here to intercept him today is obvious. The Dongming Academy incident has a huge impact. Even though he has the Embroidered Uniform Guard under his control and has not allowed them to interfere too much, it is still somewhat difficult to control.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard came to handle major cases. These guards were overjoyed at the mere mention of a major case, because once a major case broke out, their power would expand dramatically, just like the power of military generals increases during wartime.

Ji Gang had long been fascinated by the overwhelming power of his predecessors during the Hongwu era, who had dominated all officials.

With this thought in mind, Li Qi said in a deep voice, "Have you all come here to see me?"

They actually blocked off Zhuque Street. If they are not evacuated soon, I'm afraid officials from Yingtian Prefecture will come to drive them away.

"I must go to the palace to see His Majesty. If there is anything important, please speak quickly."

"Lord Jinghe, the matter concerning the Yuan Dynasty has shocked the world, including us. Recently, many of our colleagues and friends have been arrested and interrogated, and we are all deeply saddened by this."

"Lord Jinghe possesses extraordinary talent, while the likes of Song and Fang are nothing special. Their current predicament is entirely their own fault."

“Lord Jinghe, the burden on Jiangnan has been long-standing, and it is not only the Song and Fang families, but also others.”

“Jiangnan is located in the capital region, with one-tenth to one-twelfth of the population of the country. Scholars and students have studied hard for years, and it is already difficult enough that they cannot pass the exam. Please, Lord Jinghe, show mercy.”

“We were unaware of the rebellion of Dongming Academy. We beg Lord Jinghe to show mercy.”

"Please, Lord Jinghe, leave us southerners a way to survive."

At first, the words were full of flattery, but as they went on, they became increasingly mournful. Li Qi raised his voice and demanded, "Are you all resentful of me and trying to kill me with flattery?"

The cacophony of voices abruptly ceased as everyone turned to look at Li Qi in a panic. Li Qi, the Imperial Son-in-Law, wore a cold and stern expression and shouted, “I truly do not understand the words of you students. The Dongming rebels have violated the laws of the state and died by the Emperor’s decree. What does this have to do with me, that you would dare to plead before my carriage?”

There are some things Li Qi cannot bear. The power of life and death belongs to the emperor. These scholars are here begging him for mercy. Isn't that utterly absurd? If this falls into the emperor's hands, it would be a grave crime of creating discord and usurping the emperor's power.

Upon hearing Li Qi's words, the scholars' expressions changed drastically. The reason they had come to Li Qi for help was because he could truly decide this matter and their lives. However, such an action seemed too rash!

This only fueled Li Qi's anger.

His words had gone too far and could not be rectified before Li Qi shouted again, "I am merely a scholar. I have neither the power to impeach like an imperial censor, nor have I ever been in charge of criminal justice."

If any of you scholars are involved in any legal trouble, it would be more appropriate to seek help from the Nine Ministers or even His Majesty, rather than uttering these slanderous words here. If the court and the public were to find out, they would think that I have already ascended to the highest palace, becoming a prime minister with the power of life and death!

"Lord Jinghe, please calm your anger."

"Lord Jinghe, please calm your anger. We have not been punished, but we are deeply saddened to see the Dongming Academy lineage fall to this place in a single day." "Lord Jinghe, the evidence against the Dongming Academy lineage is irrefutable. Must we, innocent people, be implicated?"

"Nowadays, the Embroidered Uniform Guard runs rampant, and criminal officials roam freely in the Imperial Academy, using words to fabricate rumors and accuse people of being terrified. We scholars from Jiangnan have no way to defend ourselves. Lord Jinghe is a renowned scholar of the world, and no one in the world can surpass him. In terms of writing and prose, Lord Jinghe can make a judgment with a single word. Moreover, he is favored by His Majesty. Therefore, we request to come to your side!"

The scholars who uttered these words were already in tears. They were all scholars from Jiangnan, and many of them were even scholars from Zhejiang. How could they not have had contact with each other on a regular basis? In the eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, these unsubstantiated contacts were enough to serve as evidence.

If they had known that the Dongming School would commit such a heinous crime that would result in the extermination of nine generations of a family, they would have stayed far away from it.

Li Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, secretly sneering to himself. Song Lian and the others missed the Yuan Dynasty, but were these people in front of him really so clean?
Since we both belong to the Jiangnan region, do we really not miss the former Yuan dynasty?

After all, the treatment given by the Yuan Dynasty was such that not dying for the country would be considered an inability to repay the great kindness of the dynasty!
It's just that he didn't go as far as Song Lian, who served as an official of the Ming Dynasty and then slandered it. But Li Qi also knew that it was best to end this matter at Dongming Academy.

The evidence against Dongming Academy was irrefutable and irrefutable. No one could utter a word against it. Therefore, neither scholars nor officials criticized the court for indiscriminate killing. They only said that the Dongming Academy deserved their fate.

But once others are implicated, the situation will be beyond his control and will inevitably fall into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who will fabricate charges and create bloody injustices!
Even though Li Qi harbored ambitions to suppress Jiangnan, he would never resort to such framing tactics.

Li Qi's bottom line was to prevent the Embroidered Uniform Guard from interfering.

Although the suppression of Dongming Academy was due to personal grudges, it was ultimately a matter of public duty. However, once it implicated others, it became a personal grudge or even a deadly feud.

Why did the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and other powerful eunuchs throughout the Ming Dynasty rarely meet a good end?

It was because they acted beyond the bounds of what was right and beyond their authority that the resentment that should have been directed at public resources was instead directed at them by their excessive actions.

"Since you are all gathered here today, if I do not give you an explanation, I am afraid you will not be able to leave. In this bustling place, I will also explain the laws of the court to you!"

Li Qi proudly stated, "Regarding the Dongming Academy in the History of Yuan, His Majesty ordered me, Minister of Justice Zheng Ci, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Ying to oversee the matter, with the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard assisting in the investigation."

This is His Majesty's order, why is it so?
His Majesty is well aware that many of the commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the Hongwu reign were lawless, and the people of the land dared not speak out but only dared to be angry. Regarding the Yuan Dynasty history matter, His Majesty, with a benevolent heart, did not wish to implicate many innocent people, and also to appease the people's hearts. Therefore, he only ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to assist in the investigation. But you all fail to understand His Majesty's good intentions. You have merely arrested a few people, and before even subjecting them to torture or death, you have already stirred up trouble, truly chilling His Majesty's heart!

Li Qi's words immediately made everyone feel ashamed. The Embroidered Uniform Guard had a notorious reputation, and the current emperor was similar to the late emperor, which made people fearful. However, upon closer reflection, the emperor had not committed any acts of tyranny or indiscriminate killing since the Jingnan Rebellion.

From the moment he began questioning officials in the palace, his punishments were all based on reason and evidence, a stark contrast to the late emperor's temperament.

Li Qi's first words were in defense of the emperor, attributing all glory and benevolence to the powerful emperor. This was still his survival strategy, and the reason why he was able to gain favor during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns.

As for a weak emperor, Li Qi never had the chance to meet one.

"Furthermore, you are innocent. Since you are innocent, you shouldn't be so hasty!"

Li Qi said sternly, "This is not the dark and tyrannical end of a dynasty. The Holy Emperor is in his prime, reigning high above the nine heavens. The ministers in the court are also virtuous officials. What do you mean by blocking my way here?"
Are you implying that Minister Chen of the Court of Judicial Review and Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Justice have unjustly framed you?"

The moment Li Qi pinned this label on everyone, panic ensued. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was already acting arrogantly, and if they offended the two officers in charge of criminal matters, their fate would surely be dire.

However, Li Qi's reassurance was very effective. At least they could tell that Li Qi would not allow the incident to escalate, nor would he allow the Embroidered Uniform Guard to become deeply involved in the matter, so that the scholars would not be framed for no reason.

This put their minds at ease. When they looked at Li Qi, they felt as if he were plated with gold, especially the young scholars, whose eyes were filled with admiration.

At this moment, they deeply understood what those famous figures of ancient times who could help those in distress were like. Wasn't that Li Jinghe Gong today?
"I am here to go to the palace to report to His Majesty on the whole story of the Yuan History Case. What I can guarantee is that no innocent person will be killed in this case!"

"Alright, all of you disperse. The final decision on this matter, including its beginning, end, and follow-up, rests with His Majesty."

"Lord Jinghe is of noble character!"

The scholars surrounding Li Qi cheered excitedly and slowly made way for him.

Li Qi returned to the carriage. After walking a little further away, a slight smile appeared on his lips. He only said that he would not let innocent people die.

However, there are no other guarantees. If the scholars of Zhejiang think that this matter is over, they would be too naive.

Now that things have come to this point, how can we let them get away with it without paying any price? Some things, if obtained too easily, are not cherished.

Li Qi was already planning what to say after entering the palace when the carriage passed Zhuque Avenue and arrived at the palace gate.

(End of this chapter)