Sweep Yuan

Chapter 248 A String of Scholars from Jiangnan
Xia Yu was intelligent and studious from a young age, reading widely and covering all kinds of books, including classics, history, philosophy, and literature. He was especially good at poetry and lyrics, and his talent was known in Jiangning when he was young.

However, under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial examinations were changed frequently, and there were many restrictions on scholars from the south, which left him with no place to display his talents. Even though he was over thirty, he was still a commoner and could only find solace in nature and gain fame through poetry and prose. He often felt frustrated and unfulfilled.

When the Red Flag Battalion launched a major attack on Jiqing Road, Xia Yu was in Jurong County attending a poetry gathering hosted by his friend Sun Yan. Upon hearing of the great changes in Jiangning, he was worried about his family trapped in the city and didn't know what to do.

After learning of Xia Yu's concerns, Sun Yan, based on the rumors surrounding the Shishan Uprising, deduced that the Red Flag Battalion would not cause chaos in the local area or massacre the residents of the city. He advised Xia Yu that if he was still worried, he should wait until the situation became clearer and then go directly back to Jiangning to find out what was going on.

Sun Yan's words were subtle, but they implicitly encouraged Xia Yu to take the opportunity to observe the changing times. If the Red Flag Battalion truly became a force to be reckoned with, he might as well join Shi Shan's ranks and put his life's learning to use. It would be better than wasting his years in poetry and wine.

The Xia family had other farmland and villas outside Jiangning City, so they didn't need to worry about having nowhere to stay after returning to Jiangning. However, Xia Yu's doubts hadn't subsided, and he felt that the rumors couldn't be entirely believed, so he stayed at Sun Yan's manor for several more days.

During this time, I paid attention to the news from passersby and did not see the expected mass of refugees fleeing from Jiangning, nor did I hear of the Red Flag Battalion's atrocities of looting the countryside. On the contrary, a few merchants from the suburbs mentioned that the Red Flag Battalion's business was fair and did not harass the people.

Xia Yu felt somewhat relieved, then bid farewell to his friend and, half expectant and half apprehensive, bravely embarked on his journey back to Jiangning.

On the way, they happened to encounter Wang Bi leading the Mighty Guard army eastward towards Jurong County. Dust billowed on the official road, banners obscured the sun, and swords and spears were like a forest; a well-disciplined army was marching in a grand procession.

Xia Yu, a mere scholar, had never witnessed such a scene before. He was terrified, thinking he had encountered bloodthirsty soldiers. He hurriedly abandoned his donkey and stumbled into the woods by the roadside, trying to hide.

His desperate and reckless actions naturally attracted the attention of the scouts of the Mighty Guard, who were covering the battlefield.

Several elite scouts surrounded Xia Yu like cheetahs, and with little effort, they "invited" the panicked Xia Yu out from behind the bushes. He was then brought before Qiu Cheng, the commander of the vanguard of the Mighty Guard and the garrison commander of the Third Garrison.

After questioning Xia Yu carefully, Qiu Cheng learned that Xia Yu was from Jiangning and had only returned to Jiangning to reunite with his family. After explaining the Red Flag Battalion's policy of not plundering or harming the people, Qiu Cheng returned Xia Yu's donkey and let him leave.

He also instructed him that during the battle, entry into Jiqing Road was permitted but exit was not, and that he should not cause any further trouble along the way.

Although Xia Yu was quite frightened by this experience, he was also able to observe the Red Flag Battalion's military discipline and appearance up close.

The troops marched in an orderly fashion. Although the soldiers looked tough, they did not appear fierce or menacing. They did not beat, scold, or extort him, a "suspicious individual," which was quite different from the rumored Yuan army's defeated soldiers and some bandits.

He couldn't help but believe seven or eight parts of Sun Yan's assessment of the Red Flag Battalion's "royal army aura".

Yesterday, Xia Yu had just returned to his villa outside the city when some familiar gentry came to visit him, inquiring about the current situation in Jurong County, and "unintentionally" mentioning the news that the entire Chen family had been abducted to the Yuhuatai camp.

Xia Yu keenly realized that this might be an opportunity. The Chen family was a local powerful clan, and their fate was on the minds of countless gentry in Jiangning. If he could offer some advice on this matter, whether it was gaining Shi Shan's trust or building connections among the gentry in Jiangning, it would be of great benefit to him.

Early this morning, he tidied his clothes and went straight to the outside of the Red Flag Camp at Yuhuatai to request an audience with Shishan.

Meanwhile, on the Red Flag Battalion's side, Sun Wuben, who was in charge of intelligence gathering, had already compiled a list of well-known figures in Qinglu before crossing the river, which included Xia Yu's name.

Shi Shan thus learned that Xia Yu's family lived in Jiangning City, that his courtesy name was Yunzhong, that he was skilled in poetry and prose, and that he was an active figure in the local literary circle, often making friends through literature and traveling around.

By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, poetry had long been relegated to a "minor pursuit," and scholars skilled in poetry might be ambitious but lack practical skills, not necessarily adept at governing the world.

However, those who can become famous for their poetry often come from wealthy families (they need to self-fund the publication of their poetry collections and sponsor literary societies), and have extensive social connections and a wide network of contacts within the scholar-official circle.

Shi Shan had previously recruited Li Xi in Dangtu, who had extensive connections. He appointed Li Xi as a doctor in the Marshal's Office and asked him to serve as his nominal "advisor" in order to stabilize the region. However, Jiangning was not yet pacified, and it would be inappropriate to subject the 82-year-old doctor to the hardships of horseback riding.

Currently, many of the advisory and staff matters in the Marshal's Office are still mainly handled by staff members from Jiangbei. There is an urgent need for Jiangnan scholars who are familiar with local customs and social networks to supplement and enrich the staff.

After all, the situation was vastly different from when they had just captured Dangtu and were still consolidating their position. Within ten days, the Red Flag Battalion had defeated tens of thousands of Yuan troops, sweeping across Jiqing Road with overwhelming force. Wherever their troops went, those who dared to oppose the Red Flag Battalion were crushed to dust, and Marshal Shi's fame had spread far and wide.

Unless they were inherently dull-witted, the local gentry could now see that the rise of the Red Flag Battalion was unstoppable. They dared not underestimate it any longer and were finally able to seriously examine this emerging force, and could "read" the cooperation signals released by Shishan.

In other words, Shishan can now temporarily adjust its work priorities, calmly select talents, and bestow favors upon local scholars.

Xia Yu took the initiative to join us at this time. Regardless of his talent or ability, his proactive attitude of "daring to be the best" alone is enough to make Shishan give him an opportunity to advance and set an example for all the scholars.

Therefore, when Hu Deji, who was in charge of the camp's defenses, sent someone to report that a scholar from Jiangning was requesting an audience, Shishan immediately summoned Xia Yu.

"Xia Yu, a commoner from Jiangning, pays his respects to Marshal Shi!"

The newcomer appeared to be around thirty years old, dressed in a blue robe and wearing a square scarf on his head. He was of medium build and slightly thin, but his demeanor was composed, his back straight, his eyes clear with a hint of caution, and his voice clear with a touch of nervousness. He gave Shishan a good first impression.

Shi Shan immediately stood up, quickly stepped forward, and reached out to support Xia Yu's arm, smiling gently:

"No need for formalities! I have long heard of Mr. Xia Yunzhong of Jiangning's exquisite poetry and refined character. Meeting him today, I can see that his reputation is indeed well-deserved!"

Although it was just a polite remark, it struck Xia Yu with a different kind of shock.

The renowned Marshal Shi before us came from Jiangbei. Before even conquering Jiangning City, he had already thoroughly investigated the local situation and even knew the courtesy name and nickname of an ordinary scholar who had not yet achieved any official rank.
This dedication and the attitude of treating scholars with respect are beyond the reach of ordinary heroes; their ambitions must be extraordinary!
Xia Yu was also observing Shi Shan. He had a handsome face, deep and steady eyes, and an air of authority that made him a true dragon or phoenix. What was even more remarkable was that his speech and manners were devoid of any vulgarity or thuggishness, instead exuding a calm and composed demeanor that was truly captivating.

He admired his close friend Sun Yan more and more for his insightful views and ability to recognize talent.

Xia Yu quickly composed himself, suppressing his turbulent thoughts, and feigned shock as he replied:
"How could someone as lowly as me, with only a few minor names, possibly have caught the attention of the Marshal?"

Shi Shan was used to this kind of scene. He took Xia Yu's arm and led him into the tent, while instructing his personal guards to "serve tea to Mr. Xia." Then, he smiled and said to Xia Yu:

"I, Shi, am not talented, but my advance into Jiangnan is not for personal gain, but for the destruction of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and the restoration of the Chinese civilization. With this ambition, how could I not care about the current situation and recognize the talents of the world?"

Although Xia Yu boasted of his talent and had a touch of arrogance, he knew that his reputation was at most limited to the literary circles around Jiqing Road, and he was far from deserving of the title "the most outstanding talent in the world".

Hearing that Shishan was so kind, he was flattered and put aside his remaining reserve, deciding to get straight to the point and explain his purpose.

"Marshal, you have resisted the tyrannical Yuan in the north and brought peace to the people in the south. Wherever your banner points, the people offer you food and drink. Your army has not committed any offenses against the people, and your reputation for benevolence and righteousness has spread throughout Jiangnan. I, Yu, am not very talented, but I have some knowledge of the local conditions and problems in Jiangning. I am willing to do my best to offer a few humble suggestions, hoping that they can help the Marshal to pacify Jiangning as soon as possible!"

This man recognized the strength and potential of the Red Flag Battalion, and was also clear about his own situation and value. He didn't beat around the bush or put on airs; he directly expressed his willingness to serve, which pleased Shi Shan greatly. He raised his hand in acknowledgment and said:

“Mr. Xia, you have a great insight. Please feel free to speak. Please sit down and let’s talk.”

As soon as Shi Shan finished speaking, a personal guard brought over a small stool. Military conditions were simple, and the marshal's tent was no exception, but Xia Yu felt very pleased with the courtesy and respect Shi Shan showed him. He waited until Shi Shan sat down in the main seat before carefully turning sideways to sit down himself.

Just then, Deng Youde lifted the curtain and entered, quickly serving tea to Shi Shan and Xia Yu, before silently retreating to stand guard outside the tent. The entire process was quiet, swift, and respectful.

Xia Yu observed silently from the side. Seeing that even ordinary personal guards under Shi Shan's command were so polite and disciplined, and their actions exuded a strict military discipline, the last bit of unease in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by an expectation that he might really be able to realize his ambitions here.

He gathered his thoughts and began to speak:

"Marshal, you are wise. Jiangning is an ancient capital of five dynasties, with a flourishing literary culture and many talented scholars. However, the Mongol Yuan dynasty, being a small ethnic group ruling a large country, has been very suspicious and restrictive of the scholars in Jiangnan, causing many talented people to have no way to serve their country and to waste their precious youth indulging in romance."

If the Marshal can broaden the channels for selecting local talents and make the best use of their abilities, he will surely be able to quickly stabilize the hearts of scholars in Jiangning and even the Jiangnan region.

In fact, a year earlier, the beleaguered Yuan court, in an effort to gain the support of southern elites, had already issued an edict stating that "talented scholars from the south, according to the old system of Emperor Shizu, may be employed in the Secretariat, the Privy Council, and the Censorate," proactively breaking the restrictions on the appointment of "southern" officials. This is also one of the reasons why, after Tu City was captured, Jin Yi, the Taiping Road Commander-in-Chief, a "southern" himself, bravely faced death rather than bow to Shishan. It is conceivable that as the Red Flag Army's territory rapidly expanded, similar events would continue to unfold.

However, the Yuan court's appeasement policy mainly benefited the "Southern" elites who had already entered officialdom.

Many lower-level scholars, like Xia Yu, who were "swept away" in the early stages of the imperial examination due to fierce competition and quota restrictions, longed to completely break down all institutional barriers and obtain a "fair" opportunity to compete.

In fact, due to its dense population, the Jiangnan region was far more economically developed and had richer educational resources than the Jiangbei region. The Yuan court had already taken "preferential treatment" in the allocation of the imperial examination quotas. The number of candidates admitted to the provincial examinations in the Jiangzhe province alone accounted for one-fifth of the national total, ranking first among all provinces.

The core of the problem is that a portion of these seemingly numerous quotas are forcibly allocated to a small number of Mongols, Semu people, and Han people within the Jiangzhe Province.

This system of allocating opportunities for civil service examinations based on race rather than academic qualifications naturally aroused extreme dissatisfaction among the vast majority of scholars in the Jiangnan region.

When the world is unified in the future, Shishan will naturally take steps to abolish this extremely unreasonable system of selecting officials—both the privileges and preferential treatment given to Mongols and Semu people will be abolished, and the excessively high proportion of the national quota, which is one-fifth, in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces alone, will also be adjusted.

This has absolutely nothing to do with his origins in Jiangbei. If Huainan also accounted for one-fifth of the national examination success rate, it would still be abolished. Rather, it stems from a long-term strategic consideration of building a relatively fair system that can balance the interests of all parties across the country.

A slightly higher hiring rate for talent from one's place of origin can be a temporary measure, but it should never be a custom-designed, excessively high rate.

Otherwise, if this continues, the court will inevitably be monopolized by interest groups formed by officials from a single region. Strategic locations with relatively backward educational resources will easily be ignored or even sacrificed by bureaucrats who only care about their own group's interests, thus creating huge hidden dangers.

Of course, these are all matters for later. At present, Shishan has not yet declared himself king and opened the imperial examinations, and unifying the world is still a very distant prospect. However, recruiting scholars from Jiangnan into his staff is already an urgent matter—it is also related to the stability and governance effectiveness of the new regime.

The new court of the future Red Flag Battalion regime must not be composed entirely of people from Jiangbei; it must include a considerable proportion of talented individuals from Jiangnan to reflect the broad representativeness of the regime and to facilitate the unity and governance of the entire country.

Therefore, although Xia Yu's suggestion was still a tired old argument from the perspective of the Jiangnan scholars, and even more so aimed at securing benefits for his own group, it wasn't exactly a brilliant insight. But Shi Shan still nodded in approval, saying:

"What you say is very true, sir. My intention in leading my army across the Yangtze River southward was to unite the righteous men of Jiangnan to resist the tyrannical Yuan. I will vacate positions for all talented people who are truly committed to resisting the Yuan, regardless of whether they are from the north or south, and will never be stingy with official titles and rewards!"
When the world is at peace and the imperial examinations are held, all the corrupt practices and outdated regulations of the Mongol Yuan dynasty will be abolished, so that no worthy person will be overlooked!

Seeing that Shi Shan readily agreed and his attitude was so clear, Xia Yu was overjoyed. He quickly stood up, bowed respectfully to the ground, and said sincerely:
"The Marshal's magnanimity is a blessing for the world, and even more so for the scholars of Jiangnan! On behalf of the scholars of Jiangning and even Jiangnan who have long suffered under the oppressive rule of the Yuan court, I express my gratitude to the Marshal for his benevolence in restoring order!"

Shi Shan's so-called "abolition of the corrupt practices and outdated regulations of the Mongol Yuan dynasty" was not what Xia Yu had imagined. However, as a ruler, there were many things that could not be revealed to his subjects in advance. He immediately waved his hand and said in a generous tone:
"Expelling the barbarians, restoring China, reviving education and culture, and continuing the tradition are the duties of those of us who rose up to resist the Yuan! There is no need for such formalities, sir!"

Xia Yu knew that his words were more about stating his position and demands, which was an attempt to avoid the real issues and did not address any specific strategies for "stabilizing the hearts of the people in Jiangning".

Now that he had received Shi Shan's promise for the future, which had greatly boosted his reputation for his future career, he naturally could no longer engage in empty talk, lest Marshal Shi underestimate his practical abilities.

After he sat down again, his expression became more cautious, and he tentatively asked a question:
"Marshal is magnanimous and readily accepts advice; he is truly a rare and great ruler! I dare to ask, how will Marshal deal with Chen Yexian and his clan who stubbornly resist the royal army?"

Xia Yu hadn't officially joined Shi Shan's ranks yet, and this issue involved his status as a gentry member of Jiangning. He carefully observed Shi Shan's reaction as he spoke, and seeing that Marshal Shi wasn't angry, he added:

"The Chen family has been entrenched in Jiangning for many years, and their branches and leaves have flourished. The fate of the Chen family is not just a matter for the Chen clan, but it has touched the hearts of many local scholars."

Shishan had long planned how to deal with Chen Yexian's family. The reason he held back was that he was waiting for local scholars like Xia Yu to come and test the waters and persuade him, so as to observe their reactions.

Seeing that Xia Yu had brought it up himself, he took the opportunity to throw the question back at him, wanting to see his true stance and the depth of his knowledge:
"I was just about to ask for your insightful opinion, sir."

Xia Yu had come today with the intention of offering advice on this matter, so he didn't hesitate. He quickly organized his thoughts, trying to make his words sound fair and persuasive, and said:
"Marshal, you are wise. Although the Jiangnan region has undergone many changes over the past few centuries, the ties of clans have remained strong and are the foundation of the region. Many scholars come from poor families and rely on the strength of their clans to pursue their studies and achieve success. It can be said that where there are clans, there are scholars."

Chen Yexian defied fate, went against the tide, and stubbornly resisted the imperial army; he deserved his punishment. The marshal's swift and decisive victory over tens of thousands of troops within ten days demonstrates his thunderous power, enough to awe all.

Xia Yu paused briefly, and seeing that Shi Shan's face remained calm, he changed the subject and continued:
"However, if after the thunder, one can extend kindness and compassion, show leniency to the Chen clan and forgive most of the coerced members, then one can demonstrate the Marshal's magnanimity to Jiangning and even the entire Jiangnan region's major clans."

If the clan can be at ease, then the scholars who depend on the clan will naturally be at ease; if the scholars are at ease, then local public opinion will be easier to quell, and order in Jiangning and even the entire Jiangnan region will be more easily restored. This is my humble opinion; I humbly request that the Marshal consider it.”

The core message of these words is still the traditional approach to local governance: "combining suppression and appeasement, with appeasement as the main focus." It emphasizes stabilizing the existing order, winning over the elite class, and believing that gaining the support of scholars is key to winning the country.

Upon hearing this, Shishan had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

As the intelligence indicated, Xia Yu was indeed better at poetry and macro-level discussions, but lacked a deep understanding and effective strategies for the operation and underlying logic of specific government affairs, especially how to break down the old structure and establish a new order.

His suggestions were more from the perspective of the gentry and clans, hoping to maintain or even increase the existing local power structure, just by changing the object of loyalty. This did not conform to Shishan's deeper strategy of trying to assimilate Jiangnan and reshape the grassroots order.

But governing a country is like cooking a small fish; everything in excess is as bad as deficiency.

Given the current situation of the Red Flag Battalion, it is indeed inappropriate to use overly harsh methods. After demonstrating the Red Flag Battalion's strong military power and severely punishing some local gentry, it is also a necessary strategy to show a more conciliatory side.

After all, you have to eat one bite at a time and do things one step at a time; taking too big a step can easily lead to big problems.

So, Shi Shan's face showed an expression of receptive acceptance, and he smiled and said:
"Sir, are you here for those young men of the Chen clan detained in my camp? You can rest assured. The Red Flag Camp will not kill innocent people indiscriminately. Apart from the ringleader Chen Yexian and a few of his most heinous subordinates who will be severely punished, most of the other members of the Chen clan will be spared."

I will also order that they be reunited with their families as soon as possible and properly resettled.

Shi Shan did not explicitly state that he would "exile" the Chen family. In any case, he only promised that "all of them would be spared death." He did not break his promise. Regardless of whether his subordinates were from the south or the north of the Yangtze River, they had to prioritize the interests of the Red Flag Camp. If they could not even accept this, there was no need for cooperation.

Xia Yu had thought he would have to use all his persuasive skills to convince Shi Shan, but he hadn't expected the other party to agree so readily, and even seem to have considered things more thoroughly. Overjoyed, he stood up again, bowed deeply, and said with words full of admiration and expectation:

"The Marshal is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness, and possesses keen insight! Such a handling of the matter, combining kindness and severity, will surely win the hearts and minds of the people! The fate of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty has run its course; the future of the world belongs to none other than the Marshal!"

Ishiyama had heard similar words many times before, and his heart remained unmoved; he simply smiled slightly.

Although the man before him was all talk and no action, the Red Flag Battalion was thriving and needed talent in all areas. Propaganda, education, and diplomacy were precisely the fields where intellectuals like Xia Yu could truly shine.

Since Shishan had already decided to grant Xia Yu a proper social standing, he did not delay any longer and said:

"What you said today, sir, is truly insightful and will greatly benefit my great cause. I have long admired your talent, sir. Would you be willing to join my command and serve as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel?"

Xia Yu was unfamiliar with the Red Flag Battalion's official system. The title "Xuan Cao Yuan" didn't seem to be a very high position, but he also knew that Shishan already had a mature administrative team. He had only joined the army today, and he was already able to obtain a real position in the Marshal's Mansion, rather than an honorary title, which far exceeded his expectations.

He was thrilled and quickly bowed in response:

"I am grateful to Marshal Meng for his kindness and will do everything in my power to repay his kindness!"

Immediately, he thought of his good friend Sun Yan, who had strongly urged him to return to Jiangning and serve under Shi Shan. He reasoned that working under Marshal Shi would naturally require the help of his fellow townsmen and friends, so he seized the opportunity to offer his advice:
"The Marshal is eager to find talented people, and the best talents in the world will surely flock to him. I have a close friend named Sun Yan, courtesy name Borong, from Jurong County. His talent and learning surpass mine tenfold. He is not only full of knowledge but also has eloquence, quick wit, and a strong desire to help the world. May I introduce him to you?"

Because of discrimination and suppression by the Yuan court, scholars in the Jiangnan region had much more frequent exchanges within their circles than scholars in the Jiangbei region, making it virtually impossible to find a scholar who "did not have a circle".

Shishan naturally didn't harbor such extravagant hopes. If he could gain another influential local scholar, it would be a good thing, so he readily agreed.

"Excellent! I implore you, sir, to make the introduction! If Mr. Sun is willing to come, I, Shi, will welcome him with open arms!"

(End of this chapter)