prosperous age

The Donglin Party was a bureaucratic political group in the late Ming Dynasty, mainly composed of literati from the south of the Yangtze River. It lasted for more than 40 years until the end of the Ming Dynasty.

The "Donglin Party" was the largest political force in the late Ming Dynasty. It sprouted in the Wanli period, rose during the Tianqi period, and came to power during the Chongzhen period, eventually destroying the country completely.

It can be seen that the rise of the Donglin Party and the demise of the Ming Dynasty actually took place at the same time.

As the Donglin Party took complete control of the government, the Ming Dynasty also slid into the abyss.

The origin of the Donglin Party can be traced back to the Donglin Academy founded by Gu Xiancheng. In the 22nd year of the Wanli reign, Gu Xiancheng was stripped of his official position and sent back to his hometown by Emperor Wanli.

After returning to Wuxi, Gu Xiancheng used his literary background to restore the Donglin Academy, and convened a group of frustrated bureaucrats and scholars to initiate the "Donglin Conference", forming an organization that used lectures as a pretext to satirize the government.

This activity attracted the participation of a large number of scholars and opposition politicians, and gradually became the center of public opinion in the Jiangnan region, and then formed the "Donglin Party" that confronted political factions such as the Qi Party and the Zhejiang Party.

The development of the Donglin Party went through several key periods. After Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne, the Donglin Party once controlled the government, but because Emperor Tianqi trusted the eunuch Wei Zhongxian more, the Donglin Party was suppressed.

Wei Zhongxian used the protection of Emperor Tianqi to suppress the Donglin Party, resulting in their elimination one by one.

After Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, although he made use of the Donglin Party, due to the lack of a consistent political program within the Donglin Party, the Ming Dynasty eventually wasted its time in internal and external troubles.

After all, it was because the Donglin Party was an organization without a unified program since its inception. It was a group of people who were frustrated in the court and wanted to return to the court and temporarily formed together to provide help to each other.

As a result, everyone in Donglin had their own little thoughts and could not form a joint force at all.

However, it was still too early for the Donglin Party to be formed, and Wei Guangde was not aware of this.

After all, it happened more than ten years later.

Although the Donglin Party was very famous, it was ultimately criticized more than praised, and was often criticized harshly by later generations.

Now Wei Guangde is still considering how to help Zou Yuanbiao escape this disaster.

After all, this fool is still a fellow Jiangxi native. If he does not help the person in danger, it will somewhat dishearten other fellow Jiangxi natives.

After Lu Bu left, Wei Guangde had no intention of dealing with state affairs and was thinking about how to deal with the situation.

As for Zhang Juzheng, he must be gritting his teeth and vowing to tear Zou Yuanbiao to pieces.

Feng Bao probably knew about this and would have the same mentality. It took a lot of effort to maintain this situation after a few days.

Thinking of the news Chen Ju had given him before, Wei Guangde believed that Feng Bao would definitely spread the matter to higher authorities, saying that Zou Yuanbiao bullied the young emperor and would either be dismissed from office or exiled after being beaten in court.

Of course, this is the worst situation. At this point, Wei Guangde cannot plead with the little emperor as a fellow villager.

At this time, in the backyard of the Ministry of Justice, a fierce quarrel was breaking out in Wei Shiliang's duty room.

Yes, the fact that Wei Guangde was able to hear the news meant that the news had already spread.

The observer in his own yamen submitted a memorial to impeach the Prime Minister, and he was still not giving in under the current circumstances, which made everyone in the Ministry of Justice look at him with awe.

After hearing the news, Wei Shiliang was furious.

Wei Guangde had also told him before to tell the people in the Ministry of Justice not to get close to him.

Before, because there were many people submitting memorials, especially the first memorial from a newly-minted Jinshi, Wei Shiliang did not say much because he thought that the law does not hold everyone responsible.

But even so, Wei Shiliang still repeatedly warned Zou Yuanbiao and other newcomers yesterday not to submit any more memorials.

But what about the result?

The next day, Zou Yuanbiao submitted the memorial and continued to criticize Zhang Juzheng.

"Zou Yuanbiao, I told you clearly yesterday that this matter was a decision made by the palace and you cannot get involved. Why didn't you listen?

Hurry up and go to the Tongzhengshisi to get the memorial back. Maybe you can still settle the matter. Otherwise, your future career will be uncertain."

At this time, Wei Shiliang was already calling Zou Yuanbiao's name, which made him very angry. After talking for a long time, he still remained unmoved.

No matter what, as a senior official in the officialdom, he is so earnestly admonishing him. Is he trying to harm him?

"Erzhan's mind has been made up, there is no way this matter can be changed.

The Prime Minister is disloyal and unfilial, and he wants to frame Your Majesty as unkind and unjust. This is despicable."

Zou Yuanbiao lowered his head. Although he was dissatisfied with Wei Shiliang's attitude, he did not dare to act rashly after all as he was a senior in the imperial examination, but he still insisted on his own opinion.

"This is Elder Wei's request."

Wei Shiliang from the Ministry of Justice was still trying to persuade Zou Yuanbiao, while Lu Bu had already hurried out of the imperial city and headed straight for the Ministry of Public Security.

The Tongzhengshisi was just outside the imperial city, not far away, so Lubu arrived there quickly.

Fortunately, Zou Yuanbiao's memorial was still in the yamen and had not been sent to the palace for the time being.

After finding the person, Lu Bu quickly informed the other party of Wei Guangde's intention.

"Put the memorial on hold for now and don't send it to the palace. Wait for Zou Yuanbiao to come and take it back himself."

“But there are rules.”

"Don't talk about the rules. It's easy for you to do it in one day. I'm not asking you to take this memorial away privately."

"The memorial will be delivered to the palace tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Row."

After everything was arranged here, Lu Bu immediately rushed to the Ministry of Justice.

So, in Wei Shiliang's duty room, Lu Bu saw Zou Yuanbiao with his head down and no words.

"Sir Wei, this is just a note from the cabinet minister. The Ministry of Public Administration has put the memorial on hold for one day. You must ask him to take it back today no matter what."

Without avoiding Zou Yuanbiao, Lu Bu also realized that he was a stubborn guy, so he simply spoke to Wei Shiliang in person, seemingly in a low voice.

Using power to suppress others is the norm in official circles.

For most people who are obsessed with officialdom, knowing Wei Guangde's attitude will mostly change as a result.

However, it is not known whether Zou Yuanbiao was trying to show himself in front of Emperor Wanli, or whether he really insisted on "etiquette and law". After Lu Bu expressed his opinion, Zou Yuanbiao remained unmoved.

Normal people naturally have their own purposes when they do things.

Impeaching Zhang Juzheng at this time was not just for fame and profit, but also to curry favor with Wei Guangde in the hope of getting promoted.

But when Wei Guangde's attitude was clear and the emperor's attitude was clear, it was unwise to still insist on doing so.

"Master Wei, please persuade him again. If persuasion fails, pass a note to the cabinet before the court is dismissed."

Before Lu Bu left, he pulled Wei Shiliang outside the duty room and whispered to him.

When Lu Bu returned to the cabinet and told Wei Guangde about what happened in the Ministry of Justice, he was also very angry.

I really think that passing the imperial examination is a great achievement, but there are many imperial scholars who waste their lives.

Wei Guangde thought about it for a moment and made up his mind. After this matter was settled, this person must not be allowed to stay in the capital. He should be exiled to a remote and low-class county to live out his life there.

In fact, Wei Guangde had heard of Zou Yuanbiao.

I had seen him at the Jiangxi Guild Hall at the beginning of the year, and many people said that he was the most talented candidate among the candidates who came to the capital for the imperial examination this time.

Jishui was a place where many high-ranking officials of the Ming Dynasty came from, so the atmosphere was very scholarly.

When Zou Yuanbiao was young, he studied under Hu Zhi, a Jinshi in the Jiajing period. He traveled with Hu Zhi, visited many famous mountains and rivers, visited many academies, and learned about various schools of thought. He was a man of insight. In this respect, his starting point was much higher than Wei Guangde's.

Before taking the imperial examination, Wei Guangde traveled all over Jiangxi and visited many academies.

This is what the ancients called "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." Of course, this view was actually very questionable in ancient times, because many scholars insisted that "Traveling ten thousand miles is not as good as reading ten thousand books."

There are actually three key points here: the meanings of "reading thousands of books", "traveling thousands of miles" and "meeting countless people".

Reading thousands of books means reading widely and mastering theoretical knowledge; traveling thousands of miles means experiencing and discovering through practical life and traveling in nature.

Only by traveling thousands of miles can you see far and improve and sublimate your existing knowledge level.

Lu You once said, "What you learn from books is always shallow; you must practice it yourself to truly understand it." This means that if you want to truly grasp the essence of things, you must "practice it yourself", you must practice it yourself and see it for yourself.

In his poem, Lu You emphasized the importance of learning through practice, highlighting his extraordinary insights.

However, the saying "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles" is biased.

Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles are not contradictory. The two complement each other and enhance each other.

Neither can be neglected, nor can one replace the other.

"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles" is said to be proposed by essayist Liu Qi, and Dong Qichang of the Ming Dynasty recorded in "The Purpose of Painting": The Six Principles of Painting: One is to create a lively and vivid spirit. Spirit cannot be learned, it is something you are born with, and it is a gift from heaven, but it can also be learned. Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles will free your mind from the dust, and naturally you will be able to create a vivid and lively spirit.

However, Wei Guangde's view is the popular view of later generations. Combined with his personal experience in the Ming Dynasty, it is different from what is recorded in the book.

The purpose of reading thousands of books is to go to Beijing to take the imperial examination and get your name on the list of successful candidates.

Traveling thousands of miles is also for the purpose of entering the official career. Traveling thousands of miles to the capital to take part in the joint examinations and palace examinations to seek fame, to be an official in the court and serve the emperor, and to fulfill the meaning of one's life.

No matter how much you study, it’s of no use if you can’t enter the capital to take part in the imperial examination.

Wei Guangde was pragmatic, but he had no idea what to do when faced with a young man like Zou Yuanbiao. He could only think about making a fortune as far as possible to avoid getting into trouble and ruining his future.

As a Jinshi, what matters most is the official position. Wei Guangde plans to talk to Feng Bao later and ask him to show mercy and not to beat him with a stick directly in the court but to dismiss him from his post and take away his official position.

Zou Yuanbiao would definitely not be able to escape the beating in court. If he did not withdraw the memorial, the most critical thing would be whether he would be demoted to a commoner, which would destroy all his previous efforts.

Demoting him to a remote place was the best outcome Wei Guangde could have done for him.

Next, he had to talk to Zhang Juzheng and tell him not to hold any hatred in his heart, and then he could kill them all.

Wei Guangde also lamented in his heart that this person was not able to do anything good but was always causing trouble, and he still had to clean up his mess.

This young man does things out of loyalty and thinks he can take on everything, but he doesn't know how much the "leader" of Jiangxi has to do behind the scenes to protect him.

Sure enough, before the court was dismissed, Wei Shiliang brought news that Zou Yuanbiao refused to take back the memorial and refused to let go.

Wei Guangde didn't have the ability to take this kind of thing directly from the Ministry of Public Security. It was a memorial to the emperor, and no one could touch it unless they were the emperor himself.

After all, everything sent there will be recorded.

Not only the time, place and name of the official are recorded, but a copy of the contents of the memorial will also be kept on file.

If it is so easy to cover up, then the channels of speech can be cut off at will, and there is no way the imperial power can be maintained.

Wei Guangde was in a bad mood today, so he just casually talked to Zhang Siwei about today's memorials, and the cabinet's daily meeting was over.

After Zhang Siwei left, Wei Guangde immediately sent someone to invite Feng Bao.

"Shandai, why are you in such a hurry to ask someone to find me?"

Feng Bao entered the cabinet, looked at Wei Guangde with a smile and asked.

"Brother Shuanglin, please sit down first."

Wei Guangde did not answer, but first led Feng Bao to sit down, and asked Lu Bu to bring tea.

After he left, Wei Guangde smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Shuanglin, I won't speak in secret in front of others. I had no choice at the Ministry of Justice this morning.

But I have feelings for my hometown, so I can only sacrifice my dignity and ask Brother Shuanglin to show some mercy."

"Haha. Zou Yuanbiao really doesn't know the seriousness of the matter. Why bother with him?"

Feng Bao still had that expression on his face and spoke in a cold voice.

He had known about the Ministry of Justice's affairs for a long time, and he also knew that Wei Guangde had sent someone to pass on a message, but he met a fool who didn't know his own limits.

To be honest, Feng Bao did not expect that there would be someone who dared to commit a crime against the law, so when he heard the news, he took action and sent people to investigate.

He also heard about what happened in Wei Shiliang's duty room and knew that it was not Wei Guangde's intention, so he came to see him.

Otherwise, he would have resorted to some means long ago.

It is easy to deal with officials, so it is even easier to deal with a newly-minted scholar who has no official position.

"Newly minted scholars are all like this. There's no need to bother with him."

Wei Guangde smiled.

"So how do you want to end this?"

Feng Bao asked with a smile.

He really didn't take this matter to heart, although it made him shocked and angry for a while.

We have to give face to Wei Guangde. After all, he is the second-in-command and the court often needs his help. At the very least, we have to turn a blind eye to things.

What's more, the two of them are planning to go to Myanmar to make money recently.

Today, news came that Myanmar had looted one million taels of silver, which made Feng Bao very worried.

There are also more than ten boxes of various gemstones and jades, which is also a considerable fortune.

In the future, it would not be too much to get 100,000 or 200,000 taels of silver and one or two boxes of gems and jade from Myanmar every year.

Nowadays, the purchasing power of silver in the Ming Dynasty is still very strong.

The annual income of an ordinary family in the capital is only about ten taels of silver, and in other places it is probably even less than ten taels of silver.

One or two hundred thousand taels of silver is almost the level of a marquis.

"Zou Yuanbiao is young and inexperienced, so he will definitely be beaten. Please show some mercy, Brother Shuanglin."

Having said that, Wei Guangde bowed to Feng Bao.

Wei Guangde saw the beating in court yesterday, and that stick was a solid blow.

Even though Feng Bao had no intention of killing them, the four men were seriously injured and would not be able to get out of bed unless they recovered for three months.

Even so, they still had to leave the capital within a few days, and could only lie on the carriage and heal their wounds while walking.

To put it bluntly, if you are not in good health, you might die on the road.

Therefore, the first thing to do is to rescue Zou Yuanbiao from the imperial beating. Minor injuries are not a big deal. It is enough to teach him a lesson, as long as there are no serious injuries.

Feng Bao nodded upon hearing this, but remained silent. (End of this chapter)