Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

The Qianqing Palace belonged to the inner palace. After Zhu Youjian separated the inner and outer treasuries and clarified the uses of the front hall and the inner palace, he rarely received foreign officials here.

Normally, he would hold court assemblies and banquets in the three main halls, and summon his ministers to the Wenhua Hall and Wuying Hall.

For ministers whom he highly valued, he would summon them in private settings, such as the Western Garden.

The Qianqing Palace falls somewhere in between, as it served as both Zhu Youjian's sleeping quarters and his daily office.

Receiving officials here is relatively formal, yet also shows a sense of intimacy.

The etiquette is relatively casual and not so strict.

As Chen Jiru followed Liu Zongzhou and others into the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, he immediately felt warm.

Watching them remove their ear warmers with the help of eunuchs, Chen Jiru felt a pang of unease.

Previously, he treated these people as equals, and could even sit in the seat of honor.

But once inside the palace, the difference became immediately apparent.

According to the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty," he and Zhang Pu were not court officials and were not allowed to wear earmuffs into the court without authorization.

The current emperor's revised rites and music have not yet addressed this ritual, and they must follow it until the relevant regulations are abolished.

Therefore, this old man in his seventies could only stand outside in the cold wind like Zhang Pu, instead of wearing earmuffs like Liu Zongzhou and Qian Qianyi.

Zhang Pu, being a young man, was able to persevere, but Chen Jiru, after standing outside for a while, felt his ears were so cold that he could barely feel them.

This experience made him realize even more the difference between Beijing and the Jiangnan region.

The methods he developed in Jiangnan would be difficult to implement in Beijing.

Now he only hopes that the emperor will be truly benevolent and treat him with sufficient courtesy.

Instead of dismissing it as a mere illusion and casually sending it away.
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After Chen Jiru entered the West Warm Pavilion, Zhu Youjian kept a close eye on him.

He was very curious about this famous "recluse," wondering how Chen Jiru, a mere scholar, had become so famous.
According to contemporaries, both Chen Jiru and Shu Yuejing were considered remnants of the past.

However, Shu Yuejing had at least passed the imperial examination and was now in charge of Bailudong Academy.

Chen Jiru really had no status; he was just a scholar who had passed the county-level imperial examination.

If we judge scholarship by academic achievements, there were countless people in the Ming Dynasty who surpassed him.

However, he managed to become a renowned scholar, regarded as the contemporary Su Dongpo, and even attracted the attention of a high-ranking official who sought his advice.

This man's extensive network of connections and immense influence in the court and among the people were so great that even Zhu Youjian found it unbelievable and had to acknowledge his status.

Zhu Youjian, who aspired to reshape the scholarly atmosphere, decided to bring Chen Jiru into the system. He did not want Chen's "reclusive style" to lead the scholarly atmosphere.

Seeing Chen Jiru and the others bow and pay their respects, Zhu Youjian said:
"Stand flat, please sit down."

"Please, Master Mei, take the first seat on the right."

Liu Zongzhou, Qian Qianyi, and Chen Renxi, who held official positions, were seated on the left, while Chen Jiru and Zhang Pu sat opposite them on the right.

This simple arrangement immediately divided the five people into distinct groups, each representing an official and a commoner.

This also shows respect for Chen Jiru, placing him first.

Upon hearing this arrangement, Chen Jiru felt immediately relieved, as he could sense that the emperor was treating him with great courtesy.

Therefore, he respectfully bowed to express his gratitude, and then, with the help of the eunuchs, knelt down on the right.

After he and the others were seated, Zhu Youjian smiled and said:

"I have long admired the name of Lord Chen Mei!"

"I wonder what advice you, Lord Mei, have for me now that you have come to the capital?"

Chen Jiru, of course, was not unprepared when he entered the palace for an audience. He took out a memorial and respectfully said:
"His Majesty has restored the rites and music, and will govern the Ming Dynasty together with his subjects." "As a subject of the Ming Dynasty, I will do my best."

"These are my humble opinions on the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, which I respectfully submit for Your Majesty's perusal."

He formally submitted his own writings on the relationship between the ruler, his subjects, and the people as a memorial to the throne.

Most of the content inside had been published before and had received Zhu Youjian's approval.

Otherwise, Chen Jiru would not have been granted the title of Yuanshi, and thus forced to go to the capital to pay homage to the emperor because of this incident.

After quickly glancing through the memorial, Zhu Youjian said:
"What Master Mei said is truly the voice of the people!"

"I wish to retain Lord Mei in the Preparatory Office of the National Assembly. I wonder if Lord Mei would be willing?"

Chen Jiru was taken aback upon hearing this, not expecting the emperor to have arranged for him to serve in the National Assembly.

He had considered that the emperor might retain him in a position in the court, and had even planned how to refuse—

He is already over seventy years old this year. According to the current emperor's rules, he needs a special decree to remain in office every year. Such an official position is really meaningless, and he does not want to ruin his hermit status for it.

However, he couldn't very well refuse the position in the preparatory office for parliament. Especially since, according to the emperor, he represented "the people" in parliament.

If he serves in parliament, he can not only maintain his status as a "citizen," but also participate in the preparation of parliament and the restoration of ritual music.

This would be an immense temptation for any Confucian scholar.

Chen Jiru, in particular, had his own agenda in associating with famous scholars and high-ranking officials.

Therefore, upon hearing the emperor's words, he immediately hesitated.

Liu Zongzhou, on the other side, said happily:
“There is indeed a need for someone to represent the people in the preparatory office for the National Assembly.”

“Mei Gong was a renowned scholar, a true recluse of virtue.”

The Book of Documents, in the chapter "The Great Plan of Yu", says: "When there are no worthy men left in the countryside, all nations will be at peace."

"His Majesty's appointment of Lord Mei has brought joy throughout the land."

We warmly welcome Chen Jiru to the Preparatory Office for the National Assembly and to work with him to prepare for the establishment of the National Assembly.

Qian Qianyi, Chen Renxi, and Zhang Pu were Chen Jiru's good friends, and they also expressed their support and hoped that Chen Jiru would accept the offer.

In their view, the emperor's appointment of Chen Jiru was like Liu Bang's appointment of the Four Recluses of Mount Shang. Chen Jiru's continued presence in the court also represented that there were no worthy men overlooked in the countryside.

Chen Renxi, in particular, was the most supportive of this, because he also wanted Chen Jiru to join him in supporting the Crown Prince and consolidating his position.

In the past, Liu Bang wanted to change his crown prince, but the Four Sages of Mount Shang expressed their support for the crown prince, forcing Liu Bang to abandon this plan.

Although the Crown Prince's position is now secure, he, as the Crown Prince's subject, naturally hopes to have more support.

Faced with the expectations of these people and the approving gaze of the emperor, Chen Jiru had no choice but to state his position:

"Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated by this humble subject."

"How dare we not serve Congress!"

He agreed to serve in Parliament, but still as a commoner.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian laughed heartily and said with great pleasure:
"I have gained another great sage today!"

"Congress is truly full of talented people."

Pointing to Liu Zongzhou and Qian Qianyi, and then to Chen Jiru, Zhu Youjian said:
"Mr. Liu is currently presiding over the National Assembly and is also in charge of the Etiquette and Law Committee."

"Mr. Qian is assisting Mr. Liu in the Committee on Rites and Laws, and I also intend to put him in charge of the Committee on Education."

"This Education Committee was separated from the Citizens' Committee, but the Citizens' Committee still has many affairs to attend to. I wonder if Master Mei would be willing to take on this responsibility?" (End of Chapter)