Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 248 Humorous and allegorical, the true meaning is indecent.

In every dynastic change, or even in the process of a change of dynasty without a change of regime, the rites and systems would be modified to some extent.

Scholars and Confucianists were accustomed to attributing all the real-world problems in social and political life to the lack and imperfection of the ritual system.

However, the system of rites is not a panacea. Its key lies in the state of interpersonal relationships within and outside the system of rites—interpersonal relationships here include cultural and institutional models and social relationships.

The design of ritual systems is often static, while the interpersonal relationships within and outside the ritual system are dynamic. This naturally leads to distortions in the ritual system itself, resulting in outcomes contrary to the good intentions initially intended.

A mature leader should not only focus on the design of the system, but also pay attention to the interpersonal relationships in the actual operation of the system; otherwise, all the good intentions of the system design will be in vain.

Emperor Wanli's tours after ascending the throne were aimed at examining the interpersonal relationships within the system implemented since the New Policies were introduced.

This is also part of his arduous exploration of building a better world and reforming the government.

In today's world, the complex situation and intense contradictions determine that construction and reform cannot continue in a remotely controlled manner, like blind men touching an elephant.

Therefore, Emperor Wanli left the Forbidden City to witness and practice it firsthand.

He traveled extensively throughout the north and south, engaging in conversations, discussions, and explorations with officials, tenant farmers, laborers, and merchants in provinces, prefectures, and counties. He observed the people's sentiments, understood their thoughts, and thus grasped the specific direction of construction and reform.

During his southern tour.

It's not surprising that we often hear criticism from some people, and even more people are keen to smear us.

Emperor Wanli was not a saint who understood the divine and the human, but rather the leader of the Ming Dynasty who shouldered the responsibility for the people and did his utmost. He had his faults and mistakes, and it is understandable that some people have some complaints about him.

He never expects everyone's approval.

He has the majority he needs to unite with.

This is why the Wanli Emperor was quick to kill officials who violated the law, yet he was incredibly patient with Confucian scholars and common people who harbored doubts, patiently explaining his motives, making his demands, and expressing his expectations along the way.

When the imperial procession left Shuntian Prefecture, some scholars stopped the emperor to request an audience.

These scholars couldn't understand why Weng Dali, the Minister of Justice in Nanjing, who had rendered such meritorious service, was to be executed for a minor mistake. They pleaded with Emperor Wanli to give Weng Dali a chance to redeem himself through his merits.

Emperor Wanli immediately stated that it was precisely because Weng Dali held a high position, had made great contributions, and had a great influence that he had to be executed. Only by executing him could more officials who might make mistakes or were about to make mistakes be saved. This was a way to learn from past mistakes and prevent future ones, and to cure the disease and save the patient. Confucian scholars should understand this principle.

The scholars were then convinced and left.

When the imperial procession arrived in Jinghai County, Hejian Prefecture, the local people could not understand the significance of the southern tour. They said that the emperor's southern tour was extremely costly, requiring the levying of labor along the way, and they envied the emperor's leisurely travels.

Upon learning of this, Emperor Wanli did not explain to the people. Instead, he spent several days inspecting the estates and fields. He personally traveled throughout Jinghai County, carefully inquiring about the hardships of the people, how much land they owned, where the water came from, what crops they grew, the harvest, the rent, the number of tenants, and their income and expenses.

Emperor Wanli demonstrated to the people through his actions that this southern tour was not for leisure.

During his inspection of the fields, Emperor Wanli noticed that there was very little water in the fields and asked, "Why is there so little water in the fields?"
Local officials replied that water would be supplied to the western area in the morning and to the eastern area in the afternoon.

In early September in the north, due to the low temperatures, the rice was just past the initial budding stage and beginning to show its ears, a beautiful and neat sight. Emperor Wanli then asked, "How much rice can you produce?"
The accompanying officials from Jinghai County said they could harvest over a thousand catties, which made Emperor Wanli's expression less than pleasant.

Thanks to the emperor's approachable image, the local people secretly gestured to indicate that four or five hundred catties was usually quite good. Upon seeing this, Emperor Wanli finally smiled with delight.

During his southern tour, the imperial entourage also inspected Tianjin, where Emperor Wanli revealed his weakness.

Tianjin Wei has many reeds planted, and they are all different shapes. Emperor Wanli asked, "What's the difference between them?"

The locals covered their mouths and burst into laughter.

It was a child who came to the rescue, saying that one type is reed, a naturally growing reed, which can be used as firewood. The good ones can be used to cut reeds, and the thinner ones can be used to make reed curtains for doors and windows in summer. There is also a type that is artificially planted, called cultivated reed, which can be used to weave mats and is more precious.

Emperor Wanli listened attentively and accepted the instruction with folded hands.

The accompanying painter created a painting for everyone, and a few days later, a copy of the painting was published in the official gazette and the newspaper.

Later, Emperor Wanli personally inspected the 1,400 grain storage granaries established during the Yongle era, as well as the Daying Granary of Tianjin Zuowei, the Dayun Granary of Tianjin Wei, and the Guangbei Granary of Tianjin Youwei.

Because the granary accounts didn't match, 60% of the grain was missing out of thin air. There wasn't time to set a fire, and as the emperor was about to arrive, seven or eight officials from the Ministry of Revenue on Hubu Street inside the North Gate of Tianjin Weicheng agreed to commit suicide. Some hanged themselves, while others were stabbed in the back, their blood flowing all over the ground, making it look like a pool of blood and a forest of flesh.

The grain could not be recovered, so the Wanli Emperor ordered Wang Yingjiao, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Revenue who was accompanying him, to fill the vacancy and reorganize the Tianjin Ministry of Revenue.

Wang Yingjiao's promotion was not without reason. He had been working diligently and conducting research, which earned him the emperor's favor. In particular, he discovered that the soil along the south bank of the Haihe River from Hexi to Jinan in Tianjin was fertile. He then petitioned to reclaim the enclosed fields using the enclosed field farming methods of Jiangnan. Emperor Wanli had previously intended to have him stay in Tianjin to oversee this matter.

The investigation of dereliction of duty and the promotion of incorruptible officials all reflect the interpersonal relationships that Emperor Wanli sought to address in the actual operation of the system.

His painstaking efforts were further demonstrated after the southern tour entourage arrived in Shandong.

In response to the civil unrest in Shandong caused by the land survey, Emperor Wanli met with local gentry, prominent figures, representatives of workers and peasants, and members of various societies and alliances at the governor's office. He discussed issues related to local gentry and powerful families, the distribution of taxes and corvée labor, and internal conflicts among the people.

Finally, he confidently pointed out that as long as the new policies are upheld without wavering, the future of the world will not become darker, but will only become brighter.

Emperor Wanli was deeply concerned about the country and its people, and traveled a long and arduous journey.

He personally inspected the living conditions of the people in the counties of Jinan and witnessed firsthand the hardships and high taxes of the people of Shandong. He immediately issued an edict to reduce the corvée tax in Shandong by more than 96,400 taels of silver per year.

On the one hand, it was to heal the wounds caused by the civil unrest and appease the discontent of the people; on the other hand, it was also to demonstrate through concrete actions that the tax revenue obtained from the land survey was taken from the people and used for the people.

Emperor Wanli also personally received Yang Yikui, the official in charge of the Daodao (a type of official), and others.

The land survey and household registration were handled meticulously, and the mediation was exhausting. The Ministry of Personnel recorded the details on the spot and promoted or rewarded the successful candidates according to regulations.

In contrast, the Jinan Prefectural Government had many derelictions of duty and was repeatedly reprimanded by the Governor's Office. Even the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner had to personally supervise the process before the land survey could be carried out.

After discussions between Emperor Wanli and officials from the cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel, Prefect Yin Gao was dismissed and ordered to go to the Nanjing Censorate for investigation.

That’s all.

Several prominent families of sages, including Yan Sishen, Meng Yanpu, and Kong Chenghou, were summoned to the emperor's presence to lecture on the classics, citing their hereditary appointment as Doctors of the Five Classics in the Hanlin Academy. However, they were not heard from for several days.

All signs pointed to a reckoning to come, which truly frightened many gentry and officials.

People kept reaching out to the Jinan imperial court, trying to find out what was going on.

Fortunately, not long after, news came from the Jinan imperial court that the Shandong governor, Yu Youding, had already reported on the land survey, and the emperor would soon set off to leave Shandong via the Grand Canal and continue south.

……

It must be said that the emperor's southern tour this time was truly unhurried and leisurely.

When Emperor Wuzong made his southern tour, he rode his horse at a brisk pace, covering hundreds of miles a day, and arrived in Jiangnan in twelve days.

Emperor Shizong returned to Huguang from the capital in just twenty-six days, even including the time lost due to the three fires that broke out at the temporary palaces in Zhao Prefecture, Linming, and Weihui.

Now, the Emperor left Beijing on August 30th, and more than half a month has passed before he arrived in Shandong.

After that, he will have to go to Xuzhou and Huai'an to inspect the dangerous situation on the Yellow River. It is unknown how long it will take before he reaches Jiangnan.

Procrastination can ruin countless lives.

Fortunately, the city walls of Nanjing were long and large enough to accommodate the eagerly waiting people.

Yingtianfu City has two city walls.

The outer city wall was built by piling up earth using natural hills. The wall was 120 li long and was known as the "Earth City Wall". As the population grew, most of the original city wall collapsed and was abandoned, leaving only the foundation and place names, such as Qilin Gate and Crane Gate. These walls gradually became residential areas and markets.

The inner city was built on a foundation of giant stone blocks, topped with specially made city bricks. It was more than 60 li in circumference, embracing mountains, rivers, lakes and streams. The city had the court in front and the market behind, with the ancestral temple on the left and the altar of the land and grain on the right. A central axis started from Zhengyang Gate, passed through Hongwu Street and went straight to Chengtian Gate, Duan Gate and Wu Gate of the Imperial City, and then directly into the palace.

The Forbidden City, which awaited the emperor's arrival, was located in the southeast corner, backed by Zhongshan Mountain and facing south.

Fugui Mountain and Fuzhou Mountain were the locations of the Imperial Guards, protecting the Imperial City; Lion Mountain, Bazi Mountain, and Qingliang Mountain had garrisons, guarding the Yangtze River and the land route north of the city.

The Qinhuai River enters the city from the East Water Gate, starting from the Jubao Gate, and meanders through the city like a jade belt. It exits the city from the West Water Gate. Along the riverbanks, houses are densely packed, with teahouses, restaurants, brothels, and theaters thronging the streets, hence the name "Ten-Mile Qinhuai".

A grand city layout; a dense population of over a million; a thriving commercial sector including silk, printing, and glass; a gathering of literati and scholars; and a century of flourishing in opera, calligraphy, painting, and poetry.

Willows and painted bridges, green curtains and emerald screens in the wind.

The city is filled with pearls and jewels, and every household is overflowing with silk and brocade.

In short, everything can be summed up in the word "prosperity".

but.

However, there is often an unavoidable "but".

Such prosperity—not just ordinary prosperity, but unparalleled prosperity as the political, economic, and cultural center of the South—naturally has its reasons.

Its unique geographical location, the well-developed water system encompassing the Yangtze and Huaihe Canals, and the rich cultural heritage nurtured over millennia, among other internal factors, all contribute to its success.

The internal factors are self-evident and something the people of Yingtian Prefecture should be proud of.

Of course, there are also external factors, such as its name, the word "Nanjing," which is an extra power granted by politics.

External factors are not so obvious and often make people feel anxious and uncertain.

No one can deny the impact of policies on urban development.

Chongming, located in the east, was a barren land a few years ago, but under the influence of favorable policies, it has gradually taken shape in just six years.

Once the salt tax collection offices of Southern Zhili were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Shandong Salt Administration, the cities of Huai'an immediately became weak and powerless.

This is the visible, large hand.

Just like Nanjing, one of the two capitals of the Southern Zhili region, although its status as a secondary capital declined after the capital was moved to Beijing in the nineteenth year of Yongle, its urban layout still naturally retained the magnificent framework and grandeur of the "capital city".

The Jiangnan Examination Hall, where renowned scholars and Confucian masters considered themselves students; the Nanjing ministries, where high-ranking officials and dignitaries frequented; the Nanjing treasury, where half of the nation's taxes were collected... all served as byproducts of the "capital city," contributing to the current state of Nanjing.

So, can the preferential treatment unique to "Beijing" be maintained as a matter of course?
At this critical juncture, many people are pondering and worrying about this.

This concern is certainly not unfounded.

In fact, this trend began when Emperor Wanli left the palace for his southern tour.

As the emperor passed through Shuntian Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, and Jinan Prefecture, getting closer and closer to Jiangnan, this trend intensified.

In late September, on September 21st, the Office of Transmission in the capital published an article titled "The New Policies Are Undergoing Changes" in the official gazette. On the one hand, it indicated that the purpose of the emperor's southern tour was to continue to promote the new policies, and on the other hand, it warned some officials without naming them.

The article says.

"In recent times, among some local gentry, scholars, and high-ranking officials, the 'Rouke elements' who oppose the new policies have been the most resolute and rampant."

They disregarded everything, wanting to unleash a devastating earthquake that would harm crops and destroy lives on the land of the Ming Dynasty. They were willing to incite civil unrest and issue numerous proclamations to sow discord among the people, all in an effort to hinder the continuation of the new policies.

The 'Rockist' attack has not yet reached its peak; they are jubilant and about to reach it.

The emperor, as the ruler of the realm, foresaw this, and thus embarked on a southern tour outside the palace.

The harsh words and the characterization of ingratitude sent a chill straight to the heavens, spreading like wildfire to Jiangnan and to the ministries in Nanjing.

As the saying goes, "throwing a stone to test the waters"—when a stone falls into water, it naturally splashes everywhere.

Some people panicked and hid behind closed doors to avoid the disaster.

Some people outwardly comply but inwardly defy the rules, accelerating their collusion.

Some people were furious and took continuous actions.

A forged memorial impeaching Zhang Juzheng was created in Hai Rui's name, which was used as a pretext to denounce the new policies; anonymous articles criticized the cabinet, saying that political trust between the government and the public had been severely damaged; there were even prophecies pointing directly at the emperor, cursing that the emperor would be struck by lightning sooner or later.

Posters, newspapers, memorials, and secret letters spread like snowflakes across Jiangnan.

"Now that students are taking to the streets in protest, ordinary citizens should join them!"

"The situation is extremely serious; the imperial court has lost its footing!"

"The situation is on the verge of exploding. Zhang Juzheng and his ilk can no longer stay in office; it's time for them to retire!"

"People from the South and the North should take turns being in charge!"

"The garrisons of the northerners followed Beijing, while the garrisons of the southerners followed Nanjing!"

Amidst the clamor of discussion, it was noted that Emperor Wanli, who had only been on the throne for eight years, had already listed over 300,000 opinions, mistakes, and crimes, with the undercurrents almost bursting forth!

however.

As the saying goes, only a true dragon can cross the Yangtze River.

The stubborn resistance was to be expected and was not beyond the central government's control.

The emperor's itinerary remained unhurried, involving visits to veteran officials, inspections of the common people, and guidance on water conservancy.

Only one imperial edict, titled "Instructions on Rectifying the Atmosphere in Jiangnan," was delivered to the Nanjing ministries in a very unremarkable manner. The simple title seemed to reflect the central government's calm and unwavering resolve in its handling of the new policies.

As for what kind of trend it was promoting, the imperial edict did not explain it in detail.

However, everyone knew the truth.

Along with this imperial edict, He Luowen, the Vice Minister of Rites, and his subordinates also arrived in Nanjing.

The Ministry of Rites in Nanjing was very sensible. When Liu Sijie, the Minister of Rites, withdrew, and He Shilang vacated his office, he simply claimed to be ill and stayed at home.

He Luowen was a boorish northerner with no manners whatsoever.

He brazenly occupied the Ministry of Rites, openly acting as a high-ranking official, and frequently questioned military and civilian officials, causing chaos in Nanjing.

Just like today, the seventh day of the tenth lunar month is the winter solstice, which is usually a day of rest, but the main hall of the Ministry of Rites is still packed with people.

"The Grand Historian said, 'I dare to offend your dignity in order to achieve my goal.'"

"The doctrines of the people are the names of principles and moral principles, referring to the principles of learning, the spirit of humanity, and the system of governance for the community."

"I have been ordered to rectify the social atmosphere, and today I will deal with your regionalism."

After saying this, He Luowen sat in the main seat, leisurely raised his teacup, and took a sip.

The so-called elegance of the new dynasty, besides creating new words, also deeply grasps the essence of old words with new meanings. The new is good, and the new symbolizes progress.

Just like the term "regionalism," it breaks free from the confines of the North-South divide and accurately and subtly summarizes the widespread sentiment among the military and civilians in Jiangnan today, which is quite remarkable.

Unfortunately, the knowledgeable people present could not appreciate its subtlety, and the main hall of the Ministry of Rites remained silent.

He Luowen didn't mind. He put down his teacup, picked up a file beside him, and called out names one by one: "Shi Guan, the Nanjing Ministry of Rites official."

After he finished speaking, he did not receive the expected response.

Everyone turned to look at him, but he ignored their gazes and remained silent.

He Luowen was used to it. He turned his head and looked over, saying to himself, "Shi Jishizhong."

"Both the capital and the secondary capital are of equal importance, and the role of the southern hub should be promoted. All matters concerning rituals, construction, and other affairs should first be discussed and decided by the secondary office. For once the opinions of the masses are reached, the strategic planning will be more precise, just as the plans of three people can benefit Zhuge Liang."

"Is this the original text of the article written by Shi Jishi?"

This is Shi Guan's public publication in the Nanjing Imperial College Journal, and there is even a vernacular version circulated among the people. Beijing and Nanjing should be the two political cores, and Nanjing should play a greater role. Some basic constructions in the system of rites can be discussed in Nanjing in advance, and then decided by Beijing. Three cobblers can make one Zhuge Liang.

The suggestion, though seemingly far-fetched, clearly targets a specific problem.

How can a national policy like land surveying be left to be decided and implemented arbitrarily by a single person or a small group?

After being implemented for so long, the people in the south are full of complaints. Isn't it because the central government has ignored the interests of the people in the south?
If Nanjing had been allowed to fulfill its inherent political function, how could it have ended up being used as a southern tour for the emperor?

Upon hearing this, Shi Guan finally raised his head, pursed his lips, and asked in return, "What's wrong with acting in the interest of the nation's foundation?"

Dissatisfied, he even stopped using the honorifics commonly used in officialdom.

He Luowen nodded and surprisingly didn't say anything more.

There's nothing these people wouldn't dare to manipulate.

From the common people of Jiangnan to the political figures in the capital, everyone was a bargaining chip to resist the new policies, leaving no room for reform.

He Luowen quietly wrote "Rockist" on the file and closed it silently.

He picked up another file and said, "Lin Shao, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Justice."

A middle-aged official in his thirties was clearly the person involved.

He raised his head and met He Luowen's gaze directly, showing no fear.

He Luowen glanced at the case file and questioned, "Manager Lin, it's said that you openly discriminate against northerners. Whenever a southerner commits a crime, you show mercy, but whenever a northerner commits a crime, you punish them even more severely."

"Is this possible?"

Lin Shao's face darkened, and he snorted coldly, "Nonsense!"

He Luowen turned a page of the file without looking up: "Nonsense?"

"When a southerner committed suicide by drowning, you ordered his innocent northern friend, who was traveling with him, to pay you two hundred taels of silver. When a northerner jumped into the river and committed suicide, he was clearly cheated out of several hundred taels of silver by a southerner, but you claimed it was just normal friendship and even seized and burned the IOU left by the deceased's sister."

“A northerner stole 85 taels from a southerner, and you sentenced him to one year in prison; a southerner stole 330 taels from a northerner, and after the case was reported, you only ordered him to pay 118 taels in compensation.”

“A northern coachman reported that he had been stabbed and had his throat cut. When you learned that the perpetrator was a southerner, you not only spared him from imprisonment, but also gave him 1500 coins.”

"The southerner, unable to resolve his grudges with the northerner, stabbed him in the neck, causing him to bleed profusely. Such a heinous crime, yet you spared the perpetrator from imprisonment and even wrote a letter to appease him, showing your true kindness."

“Whenever a southerner sues a northerner, you arrest and imprison them without distinguishing right from wrong.”

"There was such an incident a while ago. You clearly knew that the former was a false accusation, but you were unrepentant. Not only did you refuse to clear the person's name, you even sent the constables to knock on your door in the dead of night and coerce the people in the neighborhood who spoke ill of you behind your back."

"He even went so far as to say that he would gradually abolish the long-standing problem of punishing criminals in the South with death sentences."

"Are all these things just baseless rumors of mine?"

It wasn't that He Luowen had done enough research; it was simply that there were too many wrongful convictions like this, and you could find them all by simply digging through old documents.

Whether it was unconscious discrimination or deliberate instigation of North-South confrontation, the Southern people were effectively drawn into the conflict, their collective consciousness was shaped, and they joined the torrent of confrontation with the Northern court.

No one in the world agrees with banning the death penalty, but it's hard to say whether it should only be banned for southerners.

Similarly, the gentry said that taxes in Jiangnan were too heavy and that the land survey was wrong, but the court turned a blind eye. However, if the whole of Jiangnan said the same thing, the land survey might not be able to continue. In fact, it was precisely because of this that the emperor had to make this southern tour.

It can be said that Lin Shao and his ilk were all traitors to the country!

However, Lin Shao's expression remained unchanged after hearing this.

He smiled dismissively, raised his neck, and said confidently, "Jiangnan bears the heavy burden of taxes from all over the country. How can it be compared with the people of the North?"

"The scales of law tip in favor of the Southerners; this is where the justice of the Ming Dynasty's laws lies!"

Lin Shao had his own way of convincing himself.

Since Southerners occupy an important position in the distribution of tax revenue, the three judicial departments should adhere to the principle of combining leniency with severity in criminal law when handling cases of Southerners' illegal and criminal activities, and treat Southerners' illegal and criminal activities differently.

This is a principle based on reality; how can it be called regionalism?

He Luowen was speechless for a moment.

This is the terrifying aspect of the North-South regional conflict. Southerners have unparalleled political immunity on this topic, and they dare to say such things even in front of him, a northerner who is also a vice minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Isn't it regionalism?

Try saying these things to He Luowen, a northerner? Unless he wants to be an honest official and stop publishing his collected works.

He wouldn't have dared to openly touch on such matters in the past, but it's fortunate that the higher-ups have spoken up now, so he dares to stand up straight in front of these southerners and denounce this unhealthy trend.

He Luowen shook his head, wrote the words "Rock elements" on the file again, and then silently closed it.

He paused, then turned to look at another person: "Fang Liangshu, the Vice Commissioner of Education."

The so-called Deputy Commissioner of Education, whose full title was Deputy Commissioner of Education of the Provincial Judicial Commissioner, was a fourth-rank official in charge of education in the province.

If the methods of the first two were to coerce the capital and its people, then Fang Liangshu was even more despicable.

He went so far as to extend his reach to Confucian schools at the county, prefecture, and state levels.

They incited students everywhere to submit joint petitions.

What they're saying is that there's a lot of dissatisfaction among officials and leaders of Confucianism in official schools. They suggest that there should be a broad discussion about whether or not to let official schools operate independently—that is, let the court just provide funding, while the management should be left to the scholars and literati.

As for which scholars and prominent figures were there? Sorry, there were no scholars and prominent figures in the North.

He Luowen loathed this guy so much that his tone when calling out to him was harsh, and he was about to directly reprimand him.

Unexpectedly, before he could even utter a word...

Fang Liangshu, who was called upon, stood up abruptly and interrupted with a sneer: "Minister He, don't talk to me about these things. We're not on the same level."

"I have no principles or bottom line and will always stand on the side of my own territory."
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I used so many references in this chapter, but no one dared to post any of them. How sad.

(End of this chapter)