The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 94 The Story of Inheritance

The autumn wind from Jiangbei carries the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, and the waves of the river gently fall into Yingtian.

This was written amidst a restless atmosphere in the imperial court.

Rumors, which seemed to come from nowhere, circulated throughout the capital that Li Qi was doomed. The common people in the streets and alleys simply regarded it as a curse from someone who was jealous of Li Qi, cursing it and then laughing it off.

But most officials knew this was true.

Many people wanted to visit Li Qi, but most were turned away. The only thing that came out was, "I won't die for now. The autumn examination is approaching, so don't let it interfere with the candidates' affairs."

This statement left people speechless, and then filled with emotion.

Li Qi was worried that the scholars who regarded him as their spiritual leader would not be able to accept this reality, so he deliberately kept it a secret, showing the love and care of a parent for their child.

"There are many people in this world who wish for my death, but there are also many who hold me in their hearts. If my actions affect their exam performance, causing those who should pass to fail while those who shouldn't pass to succeed, wouldn't that cause pain to their loved ones and joy to their enemies?"

Even now, Li Qi remained very clear-headed. Although he was universally recognized as a saint, being universally recognized did not mean that no one would object to him, nor did it mean that he had to be obeyed.

It was simply because he was invincible that those people dared not challenge his might.

But as soon as he dies, those people will immediately jump out. That's why it's necessary to reconcile with the scholars of Zhejiang. Li Xianmu is too young, has handled too few affairs, and has too few achievements. Even if he is capable, his reputation is not enough.

It should be noted that after Li Qi used the legacy of the great Confucian scholars, coupled with the wisdom of later generations, he was essentially at the maximum level after leaving seclusion. It took him twelve years to reach the point where everyone in the world had to admit that he was invincible and that he was a sage!
To travel through time for seven days would shock the emperor, to travel through time for a month would shock the court and the public, and to travel through time for a year would shake the world—only a god could accomplish such a feat.

For Li Qi, only time is the greatest force that supports him to reach greater heights.

As he grew older, his hair and beard turned white, he had more and more disciples, more and more achievements, and his prestige grew ever higher!
Li Qi's low-key approach was very effective; the initial discussions that had just begun in the capital were quickly overshadowed by the imperial examinations.

With the autumn imperial examinations just around the corner, the imperial court suddenly changed the date of the spring imperial examinations for the following year. This was a truly earth-shattering event, and the entire population of Yingtian Prefecture focused their attention on the candidates from various prefectures.

……

On the eve of the autumn imperial examination, under the bright sunshine, a carriage with not particularly luxurious decorations drove into the Imperial Academy. Li Qi sat inside. He lifted the curtain and appeared before all the students like a gentle breeze breaking through the misty mountains and rivers.

Wang Gen and Li Xianmu helped him out of the car.

There was a quiet clamor in the Imperial Academy; no one spoke, but Li Qi could almost hear the pounding heartbeats of the scholars.

"Are you all well?"

Li Qi laughed heartily at everyone.

These words seemed to shatter the silence, and the Imperial Academy instantly transformed from tranquility to a cacophony of activity. Countless greetings and cheers echoed in Li Qi's ears, approaching from afar as if ten thousand people were chanting in unison.

Wang Gen and Li Xianmu felt Li Qi's body sink for a moment, and with a barely perceptible sorrow in their eyes, they forcefully supported Li Qi.

"Tomorrow is the autumn imperial examination, and the spring imperial examination is only three months away. Are all of you fully prepared?"

Li Qi did not go into the hall. A servant brought over a chair, and Li Qi sat down. He said gently, "All of you are pillars of our Great Ming Dynasty. The future ministers of the Six Ministries and other high-ranking officials will all come from among you."

I have some modest reputation in this world, and I always feel I should do something. That is why I have come to the Imperial Academy today to bother you all and say a few words. If even one or two of my words reach your ears, it will be my contribution to the long-lasting prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty.

Li Qi's words seemed to have a magical power; the once noisy Imperial Academy gradually quieted down again, leaving only his voice echoing.

Everyone looked at Li Qi, the sage of the time, who fulfilled all their imaginations of a saint: forever gentle, calm, powerful, wise, and compassionate!

His eyes were very clear, like the sweet spring water of Wudang Mountain, broad and gentle, with the composure to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him. He spoke slowly and deliberately, without the passion he had shown in heated debates, like a gentle stream.

Even those academic factions unwilling to submit to Li Qi had to admit that he was a saint of high moral character, and that his values ​​transcended all universal principles.

Just as Wang Anshi and Su Shi were political rivals, they respected each other's character and even had a close personal relationship.

Only the wise and virtuous can win people's hearts.

Li Qi lived up to Emperor Zhaolie's words throughout his life. If he had been given another twenty years, he might have truly been able to subdue all the factions in the world and unify the scholar-official class.

"Perhaps it's because I've gotten older over the years, but I've become quite fond of being a teacher. When I come to the Imperial Academy, I always think about what to say to everyone, but I can never find a reason to do so."

I thought I might as well encourage them to study, but these students are already among the best in the world, so why should I bother to say anything here?
He wanted to advise the students not to be too nervous, but the imperial examination was a matter of life and death, and the students carried the expectations of their families; it was only natural for them to be nervous. How could he sit on the shore and make sarcastic remarks?

Li Qi spoke slowly, and some of the scholars already had tears welling up in their eyes. "Li Jinghe treats people with sincerity and speaks with genuine kindness; therefore, he is worthy of being a friend and a teacher to the world." This sentence suddenly came to most people's minds. Only by being close to Li Qi could they truly appreciate the weight of these words and understand what a good teacher and helpful friend meant. Wang Gen's face was full of pride. This was his teacher, not only his academic teacher but also his moral teacher, his role model and his sacred figure. He was willing to go through fire and water for his teacher and be the first in the world to serve him!
"After much thought, perhaps it is most appropriate to talk about the ways of being an official. This is also a hope for all students, wishing that you will all achieve great success and shine in the imperial examinations!"

The students bowed to Li Qi in a disorderly manner, and then gradually calmed down and looked at Li Qi again. The way of the sage to govern was perhaps something that even His Majesty had never heard of. What would he say?

Almost everyone was filled with curiosity, even the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy and others couldn't help but prick up their ears.

"The officialdom is a dark place."

Li Qi's first words stunned everyone. Was this something he could say?
Especially when it comes from the mouth of a sage!

"Among the students, there are many young people who are full of enthusiasm and want to do great things, create a peaceful world, apply the principles taught by the sages in reality, and then govern the country and bring peace to the world, leaving their names in history."

Li Qi spoke calmly, yet his words resonated with many scholars: "But the officialdom is not like that. Even if you have endless passion, it will be constantly worn down here. During the Hongwu reign, many corrupt officials were killed. Did they think of corruption when they first entered the officialdom?"
But as time goes on, they become complicit and corrupt, a practice known as "blending in with the world," which is considered the way of human beings.

There was already some commotion in the crowd. What Li Qi said were all pain points, but they were all very real.

A scholar stepped forward and said loudly, “Lord Jinghe, my father was once a principal officer in the Ministry of War. He was unjustly killed because he offended his superior. It was not until His Majesty ascended the throne that the case was overturned. He was innocent throughout his life, but if His Majesty had not ascended the throne, he seemed to be of little use. If he had gone along with the crowd, he might have been able to save his life. Please enlighten me, Lord Jinghe.”

There are two kinds of good people in this world.

Li Qi looked around at everyone, and then said gently to the young scholar, "There are people with strong character who can die to remonstrate with the emperor and fight for the world. These people are the backbone of the world and have been praised for thousands of years. The reason why the world and people's hearts can be rebuilt time and time again is because of the existence of such people. Your father is such a person. You should not have this doubt. You should be proud to have such a father in this world."

The young scholar, with tears in his eyes, bowed deeply to the ground.

Li Qi's voice rose somewhat, "There is another kind of person who endures and plots, like Wang Yun of the Later Han Dynasty, who endured before Dong Zhuo, even to the point of being humiliated by the tyrant!"
Such people also possess great courage and wisdom; before things succeed, who can discern their loyalty or treachery?
If things don't go as planned, it will bring eternal infamy and even eternal stigma.

For such people, even if condemned by a thousand men, they will not flinch. Why? Because their hearts are as hard as iron, their inner light shining within, and their principles are as clear as heaven!

After Li Qi finished speaking, the scholars felt their blood boiling. But then Li Qi said something that stunned them: "But it is very difficult to be a good person. Sometimes you will have to do things. No one can cherish their reputation and remain spotless forever. Most of them will die on the road."

The scholars felt their minds were about to explode. Li Qi had just praised the two types of good people, then turned around and said that this path was difficult to survive on.

Yes.

If this path were truly that simple, then the entire world would be filled with such renowned ministers.

"There will always be people who are forced by the times to do wrong things against their conscience, but people must never give up on themselves and really think that they are beyond saving, and then really sink into darkness."

The darker the situation, the more firmly you must hold onto your beliefs. You were born to do great things. You are different from those beasts in human skin. In your heart, you still have conscience and ideals.

Those hearts that beat in your chests now, though they have weathered countless storms, are still vibrant, a vivid crimson like blood. As long as they remain, you will forever be that young man who aspired to bring peace to the world!

As Li Qi finished speaking, the Imperial Academy fell silent. Only the gentle breeze, carrying the fragrance of cosmetics from the Qinhuai River and the scent of blooming osmanthus blossoms, lingered around the nose.

"This heart is bright, so what can I say!"

There were many disciples of the Central School of the Imperial Academy. Even those who were not disciples of the School of Mind knew this extremely powerful statement and the teachings on good and evil in four sentences.

"That's exactly right!"

Li Qi cupped his hands in greeting to the surroundings, saying, "Today, I am too restless to disturb you all. Tomorrow is the exam. I wish you all success in the exam and that you will bring benefits to the region in the future."

After saying this, he got back into the carriage with the help of Wang Gen and Li Xianmu.

The earnest teachings were still ringing in their ears when they saw Li Qi about to leave. The students rushed forward, many wanting to say something, but they only heard Li Qi say one last thing: "That's all I have to say. We shall disperse today."

Although reluctant, the students still made way for them.

"Lord Jinghe, will you attend the Deer Cry Banquet after the provincial examination?"

"maybe."

The lingering sound lingered.

A sage came and went as lightly as a feather, taking nothing with him except a few words.

(End of this chapter)