Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 117 The Dragon Appears in the Field, Despair Also (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Zhu Youjian stood up, but did not speak immediately. Instead, he slowly walked over to the imperial desk and stood on the imperial steps.

The hall was very quiet. The autumn sunlight shone through the lattice windows, and the dust particles floating in the air could be clearly seen.

All eyes turned to them.

Zhu Youjian's gaze slowly swept across the faces of each of his ministers below.

From the calm gaze of Grand Secretary Huang Liji to the slightly forward-leaning posture of Ni Yuanlu, he made sure his eyes made brief contact with everyone.

This was a silent declaration, proclaiming that every word he was about to utter was of paramount importance.

"My question is why Confucius chose benevolence, why the ancient text replaced the modern text, why Neo-Confucianism chose principle, and why the School of Mind chose mind."

"To answer this question, we should not first argue about right and wrong, but rather look at where the sages were in and what their circumstances were."

Zhu Youjian paused, giving everyone room to think.

"Throughout his life, Confucius advocated the restoration of the well-field system and the rites of Zhou."

"However, if Confucius were born in our Great Ming Dynasty today, would he really still advocate restoring the well-field system?"

This problem is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

No one answered in the hall, but the beards of several old ministers trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

The Confucian scholars of the Ming Dynasty were no longer the same as those of the Han Dynasty.

The repeated debates and interpretations of Confucian classics over thousands of years have led them to no longer believe in the old well-field system.

That was merely a banner used to invoke the past to express one's own philosophy of governing the world and benefiting the people.

The emperor's words sounded somewhat disrespectful to Confucius, yet they were impossible to refute.

But... Your Majesty's words sound a bit like Wang Anshi's new school of thought, don't they? Surely you're not going to follow the example of that arrogant Li Zhi?
Everyone had their own guesses.

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell on one person, and he gently raised his finger, pointing at him.

“Minister Ni, tell me, what was the situation Confucius faced at that time?”

Ni Yuanlu, whose name was called, was startled and immediately stepped forward, speaking solemnly:

"Your Majesty, during the Spring and Autumn Period, the rites and music collapsed, the authority of the Zhou emperor was no longer evident, the feudal lords vied for supremacy, and the world was in great chaos."

—If only you didn't have those dark circles under your eyes, they almost ruined my composure.

Zhu Youjian tried to build up his composure, nodded, but then shook his head.

"It's more than that."

He paced slowly, his voice carrying a thoughtful, distant quality.

"During the chaotic Spring and Autumn Period, there were the Mohists who advocated universal love, the Legalists who were strict, and the Daoists who advocated non-action. All these schools of thought were vying for a way to govern the world."

"The mere collapse of rites and music cannot explain why Confucius chose benevolence and rites alone."

The hall grew even quieter, and everyone held their breath, listening intently.

"Confucius was born in the State of Lu," Zhu Youjian's voice rang out again. "What was the State of Lu at that time?"

"After Duke Zhuang of Lu died, Qingfu rebelled and murdered two rulers in succession. After that, the Three Huan families rose to power, and from then on, the government was no longer in the hands of the ruler, but in the hands of the three powerful ministers."

"In the fifteenth year of Duke Xuan of Lu, the first land tax was implemented. Since then, the well-field system has collapsed, and private land has flourished, continuing to this day."

Zhu Youjian sighed deeply, as if he had traveled through a thousand years and witnessed that period of history firsthand.

"This is the situation that Confucius faced."

"When he came of age and began to gather students to teach, the authority of the ruler of Lu had already been lost for more than a hundred years. And the well-field system had been in disarray for more than fifty years."

"The collapse of rites and music, and the emperor's name being forgotten, can be seen even in a small corner of the State of Lu."

"When Confucius traveled around the states, he understood even more clearly that this was not just a problem of the State of Lu, but a problem of the whole world."

"If the ruler is not benevolent, then the subjects will be unrighteous; if the subjects are unrighteous, then the world will collapse; if the world collapses, then the people will suffer."

"This is, in my opinion, the real reason why Confucius chose 'benevolence' and 'propriety'."

Zhu Youjian's voice echoed in the hall.

"The sages of the past were not gods; they too lived among mortals. Their learning and philosophical thinking were their responses to the world and all things in it."

"Leaving aside right and wrong, Confucius simply saw the problems of that era and, based on his knowledge, offered what he believed to be the solution."

After he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

The courtiers were all astonished.

They have devoted decades to studying classics and have read countless books, yet no one has ever thought of it from this perspective.

Why did Confucius choose benevolence? Why did he choose propriety?
This seems to be an innate truth, an irrefutable reality that requires explanation and adherence, not questioning.

Although Your Majesty's approach is somewhat "disrespectful" to the sages, it is groundbreaking and opens up a completely new world for the study of classical texts!

For a moment, everyone felt a mix of emotions, as if struck by lightning.

Is the Zhu family's emperor going to produce a great scholar of classical studies?
After a brief silence, Grand Secretary Huang Lijie was the first to react. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhu Youjian.

"Your Majesty is wise and virtuous. Your subject humbly accepts your instruction."

His bow served as a signal.

All the officials in the hall, regardless of their inner thoughts, stepped forward in unison and bowed in respect.

"Your subjects respectfully accept your instruction."

The sounds merged into a torrent, echoing throughout the Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Youjian gave Huang Liji a satisfied look.

Old Huang, Old Huang, your political acumen is truly unparalleled.

"Then," Zhu Youjian's voice rang out again, "why did Han Fei choose this as his model? Can anyone answer this question?"

This is a completely new question, yet it is inextricably linked to the previous one.

Everyone in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

Having just had the door to a new world opened to them, they were all eager to try it out.

However, they still couldn't quite understand this brand-new method of scholarship, and hesitated for a while, not daring to speak rashly.

Just then, a figure stepped forward resolutely.

"Your Majesty, I would like to attempt to answer!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Qi Xinxiao, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy.

His face was flushed, and his eyes shone with an almost fanatical light, like a believer who had found his life's purpose.

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly: "Granted."

Qi Xinxiao took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Han Feizi was a prince of the royal family of the state of Han. He lived during the late Warring States period, when the rites and music had long since disappeared!"

"At that time, no one in the world thought about restoring the Zhou dynasty. All the feudal lords wanted was to annex the six states and unify the world!"

"Therefore, his learning abandons benevolence and righteousness, focusing solely on the art of emperors and the practice of tyranny. This is not because he is inherently evil, but because times have changed and circumstances have altered, leaving him no choice but to act this way!"

"Times change, things change, and preparations must change!" He almost shouted his last sentence, but his voice was muffled because he was wearing a mask.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but want to applaud, but seeing the surrounding silence, he subtly withdrew his hand and instead praised loudly:
"color!"

"What you say, Minister Qi, is absolutely true!"

As he spoke, Zhu Youjian walked down the imperial steps and into the crowd of officials.

The emperor's presence caused the surrounding officials to involuntarily take a half-step back, their expressions becoming even more respectful.

Zhu Youjian, however, paid no attention. He paced back and forth, continuing his "lectures" in an almost casual tone.

"Later, when the Han dynasty came to power, the Qin laws were harsh and the people suffered. Therefore, at the beginning of the Han dynasty, the Huang-Lao philosophy was adopted, and the government was governed by non-action, allowing the people to rest and recuperate."

"However, the Xiongnu look northwards and covet our Central Plains. The teachings of Huang-Lao are beneficial for nurturing life, but not for conquering."

"Therefore, Dong Zhongshu, drawing on the Gongyang School and combining it with the theories of prophecies and apocryphal texts, dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, thus enabling Emperor Wu of Han to achieve the unparalleled feat of sweeping away the enemy's dens and sealing the wolf's lair!"

Is this statement true?

His gaze swept over the excited faces.

The Hanlin officials all had shining eyes and were breathing rapidly.

They vaguely sensed that a profound field of knowledge, enough to establish a new school of thought, was slowly unveiling itself before their eyes.

"At the end of the Han Dynasty, families with a long tradition of studying the classics monopolized official positions, keeping it a secret, and used their reputations to control power."

"Therefore, classical Chinese Confucianism flourished, breaking the family traditions of Confucian scholars and severing the ties between academic cliques!"

"Is this true?" No one answered. Everyone's attention was captivated by the emperor's magnificent discourse. They simply watched him silently and followed his steps.

Zhu Youjian took a deep breath, slowed down his pace slightly, and allowed the torrent of thoughts to calm down a little.

He stopped and turned around to ask:

"Then why did Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi choose the principle of reason? Who can answer that?"

Before the words were finished, a figure suddenly rushed out from the crowd, his voice trembling with excitement.

"I can answer that!"

Zhu Youjian, who had his back turned, was startled by the sudden sound.

He turned around and saw Ni Yuanlu's face, which was flushed red from excessive excitement, and couldn't help but laugh.

He smiled and raised his hand: "Minister Ni, please speak."

Ni Yuanlu swallowed hard, trying her best to calm her voice, but the trembling was impossible to hide.

"At that time, it was the transition between the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, when the Song dynasty was confined to a corner of the country. In the imperial court, extravagance prevailed and officials were corrupt; outside the court, the northern barbarian chieftains were eyeing the country with predatory intent!"

"Amidst internal and external troubles, the two sages Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi sought the principles of Heaven to preserve the principles of Heaven and eliminate human desires, all in order to rectify people's hearts and rebuild morality!"

Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction.

He did not go on to discuss why the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism flourished in the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and the present dynasty.

Some things, though correct, might be too shocking to say at this moment, and therefore not beautiful.

He was, after all, still a weak emperor, and needed something to adorn his crown.

But sooner or later, he himself will be the crown!

Zhu Youjian looked around at everyone again and asked one last question.

"So, why was it that Mr. Yangming's teachings, apart from Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, were able to forge a new path and create such a tremendous wave?"

This time, he didn't wait for anyone to answer; instead, he asked and answered his own question.

The proliferation of Neo-Confucianism involves the rise of grassroots power and the rise of humanism.

If one truly desires a dynasty that lasts forever, the best choice is indeed the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism.

Similarly, he couldn't elaborate on this point either, and could only cite current popular opinions.

“Since the founding of the dynasty, Neo-Confucianism has gradually become a rigid dogma. Scholars use it to pass the imperial examinations, only reading contemporary essays and not its underlying principles. They often talk about investigating things to extend knowledge, but they always try to investigate first and then extend, or even investigate first and then fail to extend, or neither investigate nor extend!”

"Therefore, when Master Yangming raised his arm and called for the unity of knowledge and action and the extension of innate knowledge, it was the prescription he offered to that era!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head again at this point.

"However, if Yangming's method is a good remedy, how could the country have fallen into such a state of decline!"

Neither the Neo-Confucianists nor the School of Mind in the hall cared about this clearly derogatory evaluation.

They just want to know the final answer!

After Zhu Youjian finished speaking, he turned around and walked back up the imperial steps, one step at a time.

All eyes were on him.

He stopped again, looking down at the most brilliant minds of the Ming Dynasty in the hall, his voice becoming more serious and earnest than ever before.

"So why did Confucius choose benevolence, why did the ancient text replace the modern text, why did Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi choose principle, and why did Wang Yangming choose the mind?"

"In the end, it all boils down to just one sentence!"

He suddenly raised his voice, his gaze burning like a sword being drawn from its sheath!
"Every era has its own problems! And the sages of the past have devoted their entire lives to trying to answer the questions of their respective times!"

"When studying history, one should aspire to communicate with the past, and even more importantly, have the insight to discern the ills of the present!"

"What I seek has never been right or wrong, but only a 'why'!"

"If there is a new sage today who wishes to bring about the greatest good in this world, he must first answer my question today!"

He stepped forward, his dragon robe billowing, his voice like thunder!
"The question is..."

"What, then, is the real problem facing the Ming Dynasty today?"

New Saint!

The ultimate good in this world!
These words, like a spark, instantly ignited the entire Wenhua Hall!

The pent-up passion and fervor within the hall erupted completely at this moment!

"His Majesty!"

"minister……"

"The greatest flaw in the world lies in..."

Almost simultaneously, more than a dozen people rushed out of the queue, jostling and clasping their hands in a gesture of urgency, as if they wanted to speak.

The entire hall was in complete chaos, with various sounds drowning out each other, and all traces of the solemnity of the imperial court were gone.

Wang Zuoyuan, who was standing to the side, finally came to his senses from the great shock.

Seeing the scene almost out of control, he was sweating profusely and hurriedly shouted, "Silence! Silence! What kind of decorum is this, behaving so improperly in front of the palace!"

He called out several times before the hall gradually quieted down.

However, those officials who stepped forward all stiffened their necks, their faces flushed, and none of them were willing to return to the queue. They still looked eager to try, their eyes shining with an unprecedented light.

Wang Zuoyuan then turned around and bowed to Zhu Youjian: "Your Majesty, the Hanlin scholars are so concerned about the affairs of the country that they have momentarily forgotten themselves. Please forgive them."

Zhu Youjian smiled and shook his head.

"Your loss of composure is a sign of your love for me and for the Ming Dynasty. I am very pleased and would not blame you."

He raised his hand and said gently, "However, this question cannot be answered in a few words, nor can it be answered today. Please go back."

The people who had stepped forward reluctantly bowed and returned to the queue one after another.

Zhu Youjian looked at them and slowly walked back to the side of the imperial desk.

Everyone's eyes followed his footsteps, as if they were following the one who ushered in a new era.

He turned around and asked:

"Gentlemen, have you read the official documents on governance that have been posted these past few days?"

Most people in the audience nodded immediately, with only a few looking embarrassed.

Zhu Youjian nodded, not surprised by this.

"Today I entrust this question to you all. You may submit your proposals in accordance with the rules of official documents for governing the world, so as to resolve this doubt for me."

"...Let's set a ten-day limit this time."

He paused, looked around, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Gentlemen, this time let's not spout empty rhetoric like the 'Ten Evils of the World' again."

Upon hearing this, the officials below the stage were first taken aback, and then burst into knowing laughter.

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly relaxed.

Zhu Youjian's smile slowly faded. He straightened his clothes and solemnly bowed slightly to the assembled officials.

"Gentlemen, please have some soup and rice."

Upon hearing this, all the laughter in the hall abruptly ceased.

The officials all knelt down and shouted their gratitude.

When they looked up again, the emperor's figure had already disappeared behind the screen in the back hall.

The atmosphere in the hall fell silent for a brief moment.

In just a moment, the place erupted in uproar!

Zhu Youjian stood behind the screen, listening to the clamor of voices behind him, a smile playing on his lips.

Previously, he sought advice at the Wuying Hall, which seemed to be the same as today—both were inquiries about the ills of the world.

However, the people, the scenery, the situation, and the emotions are completely different!

No hurry, no hurry.

Take it slow, take it one step at a time, and everything will eventually get better.

After all, the thirty-odd top scholars in this academy alone were a group that even the Later Jin and the rebel army couldn't assemble in ten years.

With the advantage in my hands, how could I possibly lose!
(End of this chapter)