Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 242 Making Unfounded Claims, Maintaining Defense Between North and South

The Wenhua Hall is just like the Zixiao Palace.

He dwells atop the heavens, observing all the affairs of the Three Realms, yet because of his exalted status, if his true form were to descend upon the realm, it would inevitably cause a tremor throughout the Three Realms.

In this situation, governing is like preaching; only when the time is right can one find the right opportunity, either by choosing a chosen person or by sending an avatar to gradually open up the situation.

The officials in the Wenhua Hall called this practice "making a raft," while the emperor called it "grabbing a hand," which roughly means the same thing.

Many emperors did not understand this principle. They interfered in everything, big and small, and frequently issued edicts to rudely intervene. In doing so, they ruined the porcelain-like Great Dao of the Three Realms and ended up having to reopen the feng shui of earth and fire.

Of course, perhaps due to the superior bloodline of this dynasty, most emperors understood this principle.

The current emperor, in particular, has mastered this art to an exceptional degree, often using seemingly insignificant matters as a springboard to achieve his goals without leaving a trace.

For example, in a previous incident, the emperor wanted to spread the message of "tax reform" and "contest for tax power in Southern Zhili," so he deliberately chose the "calamity" of a civil unrest in Huizhou Prefecture. By using the resolution of this calamity as a starting point, he easily gained the "merit" of six counties and quietly crushed the "heretical" approach to the tax reform in Huizhou Prefecture.

Otherwise,

What if the central government directly issues an edict to merge miscellaneous taxes and integrate the poll tax into the land tax?

Those local scoundrels who secretly collect miscellaneous taxes will surely take turns jumping up and down, firmly refusing to comply—if they can get rich by repeatedly collecting taxes, why should they bother with tax collection?

But if you say that the six counties have been hostile to each other for a hundred years due to the chaotic taxation, and if they are not overthrown and started over, then a decisive battle is imminent. At that time, who will dare to stop them? The resentment of the six counties will be added to their burden in an instant!
Out of fear of this calamity, the demons and monsters could only disperse their powers and watch helplessly as the Huizhou tax laws were overturned and rebuilt.

The same principle applies to the taxation rights of Southern Zhili.

If the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue does not want to relinquish its tax authority over Huizhou Prefecture, and the tax affairs of the six counties are thrown into turmoil again, who will bear the consequences?

The saying "the greatest sound is silent, the greatest form is formless" perfectly describes this.

Of course, as anyone who has read the storybook knows, small things are often used to introduce bigger events behind them, one after another, until they brew up a great calamity that is enough to bring about the downfall of the saints of Zixiao Palace.

Otherwise, there would be no sign of a sage.

Just like in the Wenhua Hall right now.

The internal strife in Huizhou Prefecture was naturally steered by the emperor into the regional disputes of the dynasty.

How is the infighting among the six counties any different from the infighting between the North and the South?
Shuai Jiamo's unintentional miscalculation was no match for the deliberate instigation by various newspapers.

For a century, there has been animosity within Huizhou Prefecture. Now, six counties have raised troops for a decisive battle, and high-ranking officials of the imperial court are fighting in the Wenhua Hall. If this were placed in the context of the centuries-old North-South conflict, would it lead to the division of territory and a replay of the story of Emperor Chengzu?

The former was a minor matter of mobilizing troops in six counties, while the latter was a major matter that would shake the very foundation of the nation!

Or rather, since the founding of the nation, whenever the North-South conflict has been brought to the forefront, there has never been a time when not enough people have died.

In the distant past, during the imperial examination of the 30th year of Hongwu's reign (1387), the Taizu Emperor was furious and implicated and executed, his blood staining the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The subsequent power struggle between Emperor Chengzu and his nephew was even more intense, with one in the south and the other in the north, making it a true national battle.
A closer look reveals the ongoing struggle between the Yongle, Hongxi, Xuande, and Zhengtong emperors over the establishment of the capital in the north and south. Before Emperor Yingzong officially issued the edict in September of the sixth year of the Zhengtong reign, declaring "the capital to be established in Beijing, and not referred to as the temporary capital," countless people lost their lives, both openly and secretly.

Following closely behind, the Filial Piety Temple suspended the opening of the middle temple.

The Martial Temple Southern Tour;

Emperor Shizong increased taxes in Suzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou;

Even during the Longqing reign, the sea was opened, and during the Wanli reign, the canal transport system was rectified.

Every single incident, every major and minor conflict between North and South, whether overt or covert.

It was a scene of carnage and bloodshed!
This critical matter, at this very moment, has been brought back to the forefront by the emperor!
The officials in the Wenhua Hall exchanged glances, and without prior arrangement, they were reminded once again of the fear of being dominated by regional conflicts.

The emperor on his throne seemed to think that the courtiers in the hall were not yet in a state of panic, and he sighed to himself, "What a Northern Dynasty ruler, what Southern Dynasty people!"

"My people no longer recognize me."

The hall fell silent suddenly.

All the officials in the court, regardless of whether they were from the north or south, were terrified and alarmed.

The emperor knew that someone was stirring up trouble, yet he still spoke so recklessly. Just how much bloodshed did he want to unleash?
Almost no one could respond to this, but Zhang Hong, the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, stepped in to smooth things over, laughing and saying, "A few scoundrels are just using the title to attract attention, but once it comes to the main text, no one will dare not address us as subjects."

"Your Majesty, the first sentence you see is, 'Land survey, please wait for the people of the south...'"

As he spoke, Zhang Hong read a few more lines.

The situation differs between the North and the South. While a land survey is insignificant in the North, it imposes a heavy tax on the people in the South, which must be taken seriously.

Or perhaps the South was thriving with commerce, and unregistered people relied on workshops for a living, unlike tenant farmers. These people were wandering around without jobs, and once a population census was conducted, a "Southern slave revolt" might be imminent.

They even brought up old stories, saying that the North-South Examination Case humiliated the scholars of the South; that establishing the capital in the North wasted the able-bodied men of the South; and that the salt administration, canal transport, and land tax had almost drained the lifeblood of the South, yet they were still greedy and taking advantage of every opportunity.

Even more extreme, some newspapers have claimed that the current dynasty's existence is entirely due to the support of the people in the southern border, and that this is not a long-term solution. They argue that the northern border today is like the former Nurgan State, and that streamlining the army and administration is the best course of action.

Zhang Hong read these words aloud, and the faces of all the court officials from both the North and South turned ashen.

Zhu Yijun could only look on with pity and sigh repeatedly: "I do know that, both inside and outside the court, people like to form alliances with their hometown cliques and rely on them for support."

"I have heard of the Jin Party, the Zhejiang Party, the Qin Party, the Chu Party, etc. Officials in the court intermarry with each other, merchants establish guild halls based on their hometowns, and common people in the streets also distinguish kinship based on region.

"But I really don't know when the Southern Party and the Northern Party came about."

"My lords, my ancestral home is Fengyang Prefecture, but I have settled in Beijing. Given the current situation, if I were to follow the example of my fellow townsmen, whose side should I take?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the assembled officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Although the emperor was known for his harsh words, one couldn't help but sigh inwardly upon hearing them; he truly lived up to the temperament cultivated by living in the deep palace.

Despite their inner grumbling, no one dared to step forward and speak before they understood the emperor's true intentions.

As the saying goes, "A hundred battles are fought every day," and the answer can only be gradually understood through discussions and deliberations with the emperor. Wen Chun, the dignified Censor-in-Chief, was sent away from the capital because he easily expressed his opinion before figuring out the emperor's ways. This serves as a cautionary tale.

Then.

At this very moment, in the Wenhua Hall, who else could be the minister who could withstand the emperor's harsh words during the North-South conflict?
Everyone turned to look at the leader of a certain Southern Zhili local clique.

Shen Shixing looked down at the newspaper, silently feeling countless burning gazes imprinted on his back, his heart filled with unspeakable bitterness.

At this moment, he recalled the evening of the third day of the eleventh month of the sixth year of the Longqing reign, when Jia Daiwen, Hu Xiao, Zhang Daoming, and Shen Yiguan, a group of fellow villagers from Southern Zhili, were convicted.

At that time, Zhang Juzheng asked him, "Jia Daiwen and other fellow villagers are all talking about death. How should I, a native of Suzhou Prefecture in Southern Zhili, conduct myself?"

Unspokenly, Shen Shixing understood the underlying meaning in Zhang Juzheng's words—after the cabinet turned its sword against the original Southern Zhili natives, it hoped that he, Shen Shixing, would take over so that he could guide those Southern Zhili natives and protect the new policies.

Shen Shixing still remembers saying at the time that it was too harsh on him, a fellow countryman from Southern Zhili, and that he could not stand idly by.

Zhang Juzheng was pleased and delighted upon hearing this. (Chapter 61)
After that night, several leaders of the Southern Zhili local clique fell from power, including Jia Daiwen, a censor, and Bi Qiang, a vice minister of the Ministry of War. Shen Shixing, then vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, seized the opportunity to rise to power.

More than seven years have passed.

Shen Shixing had risen from a lowly Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who was subservient to the cabinet, to a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, which held a significant position in the Wenhua Hall, and had become the leader of the Southern Zhili local faction, whom everyone admired.

And that political debt that will have to be repaid for a lifetime...

Today, escape seems impossible!
He buried his head in his books, pretending to read, but his mind was filled with countless thoughts.

I do not know how long it has been.

Shen Shixing let out a long sigh, and with no other choice, he finally took action.

Of course, what outsiders see is this scene.

The powerful and influential Grand Secretary for half a year, the leader of the Prince of Shen alliance who could rival Zhang Juzheng, and the leader of the Southern People's Party who held up half the sky of the Ming Dynasty, Grand Secretary Shen Shixing abruptly closed the seditious book, stepped forward with his head held high, and took the emperor's harsh words without hesitation: "Your Majesty!"

"Now that we are all of one voice and one family, why should we be divided into North and South? We are all descendants of the Chinese nation!"

"These kinds of wicked books sow discord between the ruler and the people, incite evil in the regions, stir up trouble between the North and the South, and divide the world. Your Majesty should issue a decree to the prefectures and counties to arrest the compilers. We must not fall into their trap!"

Grand Secretary Shen, who usually harmonizes yin and yang, rarely speaks with such conviction now.

When his fellow villagers and colleagues saw him, they all nodded in admiration.

Looking at Shen Shixing's broad and generous back, Cai Ruxian, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, felt his unease ease somewhat.

The newspapers that the emperor displayed must have been carefully selected by him.

Southerners usually follow the rules when running newspapers, so why did the emperor specifically choose to collect such bad newspapers?

In this light, it seems that having the capital guard the northern border was not necessarily a good thing, as it actually led emperors throughout history to develop misunderstandings about the people of the south.

It's truly tragic and lamentable!
Fortunately, Grand Secretary Shen handled the situation well, deflecting the emperor's sharp retort—don't say anything detrimental to unity, it's just a few individuals who have lost all conscience.

However, his relief did not last long.

He Luowen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stepped forward, holding his official tablet, and said, "Grand Secretary Shen is mistaken."

"If Your Majesty executes Commander Jiamo without investigating the reasons for the unrest in the six counties, how can you possibly quell the conflict?"

"Now that conflicts have arisen between regions, how can we simply kill them all?"

"Trying to stop boiling water by adding more water will only burn the pot through in the end."

"In my opinion, given His Majesty's exemplary benevolence, this matter should not be handled with hasty killings. Instead, we should carefully investigate and nip the source of resentment in the bud."

These words were mild and polite, seemingly more cautious than those of Shen Shixing, and even the newspaper was willing to let them off the hook.

However, almost without prior agreement, many of the southern officials cast resentful glances at He Luowen!

Yuzhou brat!

Minister of Rites Wang Zongyi turned around in astonishment, looking at his humble and prudent colleague in disbelief.

Sometimes, killing is done to save more lives.

Conversely, acts of kindness and forgiveness can escalate the situation and ultimately lead to more deaths.

No official in the court was unaware of this principle; Shen Shixing understood it, and He Luowen clearly understood it as well.

In other words, He Luowen was deliberately fanning the flames! He wished that the emperor, like the founding emperor, would once again be caught in a bloodbath due to the conflict between the North and the South!
"The world is one family, and a gentleman does not form factions?" Such words would never even leave the Wenhua Hall!

Seeing that Shen Shixing had stepped forward to plead for leniency, and that He Luowen had interfered, the courtiers in the hall immediately followed suit, abandoning their previous caution and restraint.

"Your Majesty! I believe that Grand Secretary Shen has hit the nail on the head. These scoundrels dare to claim to rule the North and the South. Why bother asking for the reasons? They deserve a swift and decisive blow!"

“Minister Wan is too bloodthirsty; this is merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause.”

"Indeed, just like the uprising in the six counties, besides the opportune moment, it is also due to the accumulation of resentment over the past century. The court should govern with gentle and nurturing care."

"Perhaps the newspapers, like Shuai Jiamo, had their reasons for their actions, so how can they be killed arbitrarily?"

“Minister Ni, Vice Minister He, do not be so soft-hearted. If you do not deal with this matter quickly, wouldn’t you be condoning their poisonous influence? At that time, I’m afraid the people in the north and south will truly be provoked!”

All the officials came down to the stage, arguing endlessly. It was clearly the southern newspapers that had committed the crime, but in the Wenhua Hall, a strange phenomenon emerged where the southerners wanted to kill them, while the northerners wanted to protect them.

Dude, dunk, dunk.

A familiar voice rang out in the hall, and the officials inside lowered their banners, bowed, and fell silent.

Zhu Yijun loosened his knuckles from tapping, looked down at the crowd, and took in the reactions of the officials in the hall.

Are there any Southern or Northern factions within or outside the government?

They jumped out on their own almost without any need for probing.

Zhu Yijun paused for a moment, then slowly said, "You have all misunderstood me. I have no intention of using the newspaper matter to stir up a major factional struggle."

The speaker meant well, but the listener didn't.

The emperor's words were too formal and the officials could not discern the truth. They all bowed perfunctorily and admitted their guilt.

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun shook his head helplessly.

He looked at Shen Shixing, He Luowen and his group: "Minister Shen, Minister He, let's stick to the facts of this case."

“The criminals in the newspaper case will naturally be punished in a just manner.”

"Similarly, I also wish to trace back to the source and sincerely ask a question..."

Zhu Yijun looked around at his ministers, seemingly worried and sad: "My lords, what is the root of the conflict between the North and the South?"

The emperor's question was exceptionally earnest and sincere.

He truly had no intention of stirring up a major partisan dispute; he simply didn't understand the source of the animosity between the North and South.

What is there to resent? So much so that the officials in the Wenhua Hall are clearly divided based solely on their place of origin (north or south).

What is there to resent? As a result, the three Zhangs of Taicang from the Fushe Society, and Zhao Nanxing and Zou Yuanbiao from the Donglin Society, were able to use the North-South conflict as a weapon of public opinion to obstruct the land survey.

What is there to hate? So much so that after reading the newspapers, ordinary people put regional conflicts first and were willing to put aside class differences and unite with the wealthy families in the south to fight against the common enemy.

The expressions of the courtiers inside the hall varied.

Others might not know this, but the emperors of the Zhu family throughout the ages had migrated people from the south to the north. How could they not know about the conflict between the north and the south?

"Your Majesty, I have something to say, and I dare to offer my advice."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Zongyi, the Minister of Rites, bowing deeply, looking very serious.

Zhu Yijun sized up Wang Zongyi.

Although Wang Zongyi was from Huguang, he never considered himself a fellow townsman because of his lack of close relationship with Zhang Juzheng.

Strictly speaking, they belonged to the conciliatory faction in the North-South conflict.

He didn't expect it to be Minister Wang who would respond, especially given the way he was setting the stage; it was clear that what he was saying wouldn't be pleasant.

Zhu Yijun nodded with curiosity: "I will wash Wang Qing's ears."

Wang Zongyi bowed deeply in gratitude.

He slowly straightened up, looked up to meet the emperor's gaze, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty asked what grievances have arisen from the conflict between the North and the South. I think you are going too far ahead."

"Looking at today's strife, it is all His Majesty's fault!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the court officials in the hall stared wide-eyed at Wang Zongyi, completely unaware of what had provoked their colleague!

The emperor often said that if anyone is guilty, the guilt lies with him, but that was self-reproach. How could an outsider point at the emperor's nose and curse him like that during the morning court session?

This is absolutely not the way to be an official!

"Grand Minister of Rites! Be careful what you say..."

Yin Zhengmao was interrupted by the emperor when he was only halfway through his attempt to defend himself.

Zhu Yijun frowned and looked at Wang Zongyi: "Minister Wang is my Wei Zheng. His remonstrances must have a reason. That is why I am truly puzzled at this moment."

Over the years, he has been remonstrated with countless times, but these remonstrances were mostly just officials trying to gain fame by being outspoken; they were empty words and not worth a second glance.

This was the first time I had ever heard a critical word from the mouth of a high-ranking official like the Minister of Rites, who was involved in the new policies.

Could Minister Wang really be so easily corrupted by the North-South conflict?
Wang Zongyi had no idea what the emperor was thinking. He paused, looked at the emperor, and said seriously, "Your Majesty, land surveying, household registration reform, tax reform... these are major policies that were decided long ago."

"Whether it disrupts people's livelihoods or evokes resentment among southerners, it was to be expected that the whole country would be in uproar."

"If that's the case, then how is the establishment of privately run publications or newspapers by scholars any different from carrying a sharp blade and harboring murderous intent?!"

"I advised Your Majesty several years ago that the lessons of the Song Dynasty are still fresh in our minds."

"To take the unreal as real, and the non-existent as existent, is a matter that may or may not be true. If it is true, then the matter is not confidential; if it is not confidential, how can one gain trust? This is extremely harmful to governance!"

"Looking at the North-South partisan struggle, it was something that had been gradually worn down and settled over the years. If it hadn't been mentioned, it would have been long forgotten. But once it caught the attention of the newspapers, it immediately turned into a bloody battle!"

"Your Majesty acted willfully at that time, indulging the gossip of scholars. Now, some people with ulterior motives have used the newspapers to stir up a conflict between the North and the South in an attempt to obstruct the land survey!"

"Isn't this just digging your own grave?!"

"Now that things have come to this, why doesn't Your Majesty reflect deeply on the past, discuss how to get to the root of the problem, and ban newspapers? Instead, you're still entangled in the North-South conflict, thinking all day long about luring the enemy out of their hole!"

After Wang Zongyi finished speaking, he bowed to the emperor and then remained motionless as if frozen in place.

The Wenhua Hall was completely silent.

The courtiers, who had just been arguing about the North-South issue, looked around for help, seemingly seeking calm from the gazes of others.

What a vehement remonstrance!

"To be caught in one's own trap"—it's been so many years since I've heard such words used in the morning court session. It's a wonder that Wang Zongyi dared to say it.

However, it was precisely this strong wording that put the court officials in a dilemma.

Logically, at this point, he should have immediately stepped forward to refute Wang Zongyi and earn a chance for his future.

But I also feel that Minister Wang's heartfelt advice is absolutely correct!
What newspapers' instigation and the poisonous influence of newspapers? Aren't they all the result of the emperor's leniency?
At the time, almost none of the court officials in the Wenhua Hall were willing to lift the ban on newspapers.

That's the same mistake the Song Dynasty made!

In the early Song Dynasty, from the ninth year of the Tiansheng era, a reward was offered for "separate reports and petitions". In the fourth year of the Daguan era, "a reward of 1,000 strings of silver was offered for reporting and arresting those who wrote tabloids". In the fifteenth year of the Chunxi era, the punishment was even more severe, with exile as a consequence. "Recently, it has been heard that unscrupulous people have been writing baseless rumors called tabloids. If there are such people, they should be severely punished and exiled. The officials who have received the tabloids should carry out the punishment according to the imperial decree."

Since the advent of tabloids, there has never been an emperor who voluntarily lifted the ban on newspapers!
When the emperor initially authorized the Office of Transmission to publish the newspaper, the court officials turned a blind eye.

After the establishment of the Press and Publication Administration, which intended to lift the ban on newspapers, the ministers never stopped remonstrating against it.

The Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial stating that "officials are appointed in each household and have specific duties"; the Censorate cited the story of Emperor Huizong of Song fabricating an edict of self-reproach in a tabloid in September of the fourth year of the Daguan era of the Former Song Dynasty; the head of the Ministry of Revenue brought up money, saying that the newspapers "gained enormous profits"; and the governors of various regions were even more outspoken, saying that this practice was not conducive to restraining the people.

Newspapers were accused of slandering current affairs, stirring up public sentiment, and spreading misinformation throughout the country; this was almost a consensus among the court officials at the time.

It was only because the emperor insisted on doing it that it was carried out!

If it weren't for that, how could things have turned out this way?
Even the North-South conflict, which had been gradually fading away, has now resurfaced. The saying "to weave one's own cocoon" is truly apt!
Zhu Yijun took in the expressions of his ministers.

Sure enough, no one can escape the instinct to bully the weak and fear the strong.

The North-South conflict is a tough issue; if you ignore it, it's as if it doesn't exist. But newspapers, by their very nature, bring the conflict to the forefront, making it impossible to ignore.

How could such a thing not be hated?

Zhu Yijun waved his hand at Wang Zongyi: "I still have some magnanimity. Don't act like you're ready to die. Get up and speak."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongyi not only did not get up, but instead bowed down again to beg for forgiveness.

Zhu Yijun was too lazy to shout anymore, so he just shook his head and said softly, "I have two points to make."

The ministers were greatly encouraged.

Sure enough, it was time for the emperor to demonstrate his wisdom in rejecting advice once again.

Inside the palace, all the court officials remained composed and respectful, awaiting the emperor's decree.

Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment before slowly speaking: "Firstly, regarding the newspaper matter, it was my oversight that gave the thieves an opportunity."

The courtiers were stunned and looked at the emperor in disbelief.

Zhu Yijun ignored him and continued, "As I said before, lifting the ban on newspapers is to allow a hundred flowers to bloom and classics to flourish; it is also to allow a hundred schools of thought to contend and bring forth new ideas."

"This also led to the publication of dictionaries and the dissemination of written language."

“This is a great merit in educating the world, and I do not think it is wrong.”

Promoting the arts and reforming intellectuals are essential paths for the modernization of Confucianism. Zhu Yijun never felt that lifting the ban on newspapers was a mistake.

"Of course, new things are always fraught with difficulties. I did not expect that after the ban on the press was lifted, they would turn on me so immediately!"

"Not only did they wreak havoc on the government and sway public sentiment, but they even refused to acknowledge the court, forcing me to change my approach and lure the snake out of its hole."

"This is naturally my oversight, and I acknowledge Minister Wang's outspoken remonstrance."

Zhu Yijun glanced at Wang Zongyi, whose expression was unreadable, before his gaze returned to the Wenhua Hall.

He pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "I haven't gone down the wrong path, I just need to slow down. The reason I've brought these newspapers to the Wenhua Hall is precisely to discuss how to make adjustments."

The assembled officials fell silent.

"Secondly, do you all really believe that the current North-South conflict is merely a matter of newspapers pushing it out, and that it will disappear on its own as long as we don't bring it up?"

Looking at it from a historical perspective, this is an idea that couldn't be more naive.

When Emperor Yingzong returned from his studies in the Oirat Mongols, he knew that when selecting probationary officials, people from the south should not be chosen. He said, “Among the current imperial examination graduates, more than twenty people with dignified appearances and proper speech can be selected as probationary officials. Only people from the north should be selected, and people from the south should not be chosen.”

Even the tolerant Emperor Xiaozong accepted the painting "Southern People Cannot Be Made Physicians" presented by Grand Secretary Jiao Fang, which is now enshrined in Emperor Xiaozong's mausoleum.

Jiao Fang slandered the Southerners in the Veritable Records of Emperor Xiaozong. Later generations wanted to revise it, but Emperor Shizong gently declined, saying, "Jiao Fang did as he pleased. The world will judge him. There is no need to revise it."

Even now, at Qiushi Academy, a new institution personally established by Zhu Yijun, Cheng Dawei, who hails from Southern Zhili, has begun to call on his friends and associates to promote the court-recommended and voted selection process, where senior scholars recommend new scholars.

If we ignore this, I'm afraid that within a hundred years, there will be a bunch of fathers and sons, brothers, fathers-in-law and sons-in-law who are scholars.

If luck were against them, and if Southern Zhili and Zhejiang provinces figured out a method of inbreeding, accounting for half of the scholars in the two academies, the new academy would essentially be ruined.

Automatic cancellation? Who on earth has ascended the throne and dares to disregard the defense between the North and South?
Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun shook his head, then said solemnly, "My lords, you may deceive me, but don't deceive yourselves as well."

(End of this chapter)