Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 139: Disloyalty and unforgiveness should be severely punished!
"Master Sun, why are you here?" In order to show his respect for his teacher, Zhu Changluo personally walked to the door of the hall to greet Sun Chengzong.

"Your Majesty, Sun Chengzong pays homage to the Emperor, Long Live the Emperor." The Emperor gave him face, but the minister could not act arrogantly. He adhered to the proper etiquette of a minister and respectfully performed the five bows and three kowtows.

Zhu Changluo did not interrupt Sun Chengzong's formality. Instead, he waited until he had completed all the required movements before helping him to his feet. "Master Sun, please stand up."

"Master Sun, are you here to ask me about my homework?" Zhu Changluo's face was full of smiles. There was no trace of the solemnity he had when discussing the Donglin Party with the eunuch in charge of ceremonies.

"Your Majesty has already surpassed me. How dare I disturb you with this?" Sun Chengzong had indeed come to the Southern Study of the Qianqing Palace because the Emperor hadn't gone to the Right Wing of the Huangji Hall today. However, he wasn't there to urge the Emperor to study diligently, but to fulfill a request from Ye Xianggao, the Second Minister of the Cabinet. "Besides, Your Majesty is so busy with government affairs that he doesn't really need to review his old knowledge every day."

"Master Sun, you think I'm too old." Zhu Changluo laughed.

"I dare not." Sun Chengzong bowed.

"Master Sun, please sit down and talk." Zhu Changluo found a wooden stool nearby and brought it to Sun Chengzong's side.

"I thank you for your grace."

"Master Sun, please tell me if you have anything to say." Zhu Changluo waved to Wei Chao.

Wei Chao understood and quickly brought a wooden stool to the emperor, allowing the emperor and his minister to sit face to face.

"How does the emperor decide to deal with the Donglin Party?" Sun Chengzong asked straight to the point.

"Oh? Master Sun is here for this matter." Zhu Changluo's smile faded slightly. He looked into Sun Chengzong's eyes and asked, "Master Sun, what advice do you have for me?"

"I think the criminals should be severely punished to show the respect between the ruler and his subjects!" Sun Chengzong said firmly without any hesitation.

Zhu Changluo was slightly stunned, then laughed and said, "Haha. I thought Master Sun was going to talk about loyalty and forgiveness."

"What I've said is exactly the way of loyalty and forgiveness." Sun Chengzong said seriously, "Zengzi (Zeng Shen) said, 'The Master's (Confucius') way is loyalty and forgiveness.' Zhuzi (Zhu Xi) also said, 'To do one's utmost is loyalty, and to extend oneself is forgiveness.'"

"Loyalty means being central. Central means being impartial, sincere, and selfless." Sun Chengzong continued, "The Donglin people formed a clique to plot rebellion, vainly attempting to influence the government. This is partiality, not loyalty."

"Forgiveness means to be like one's heart. To be like one's heart means to extend one's own heart to others. Thus, it is 'to establish others when one wishes to establish oneself; to achieve others when one wishes to achieve oneself.' It is also 'not to impose on others what you do not wish upon yourself.' The Donglin people are rebelling against their superiors, using their officials to criticize the emperor, and wanting to impose on Your Majesty what they do not wish upon themselves. This is not forgiveness."

"The criminals in this case have actually violated the teachings of the saints. They are disloyal and unforgiving, and are unworthy of being ministers! Therefore, I ask the emperor to punish them quickly to serve as a warning to others." Sun Chengzong met the emperor's eyes and said in a sonorous and powerful voice.

"It would be great if all the ministers in the world could be as dedicated as Master Sun." Zhu Changluo was deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, I have another suggestion to make." The strategy chosen by Sun Chengzong was to praise first and then criticize.

"Master Sun, please feel free to speak." Zhu Changluo nodded repeatedly.

"I think that although the Donglin faction is evil, we should not punish them excessively." In order to follow up on his previous advice, Sun Chengzong said hurriedly: "It is enough to punish the ringleader of the crime."

"Why? Isn't it good to catch rabbits while raking grass?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"Your Majesty, I believe that forming cliques is unavoidable, but not all cliques seek personal gain." Sun Chengzong cited himself as an example, saying, "I, too, have classmates, fellow townsmen, and students."

"Yeah." Zhu Changluo nodded slightly, but did not respond.

"Moreover, attacking Donglin too much will lead to the 'alliance party' formed by Donglin to dominate. Isn't this another Donglin Party?" Sun Chengzong said carefully: "Moreover, the 'alliance party' is likely to split among itself because of the decline of Donglin. By then, the situation in the court may become even more treacherous, which will be detrimental to the emperor's control of the court." Sun Chengzong never mentioned the grand concept of "the world", and every advice he gave was based on the emperor's interests.

"Master Sun, I've taken note of your opinion." Zhu Changluo didn't express his opinion immediately. He was also observing the movements of all parties involved. Allowing the Jinyiwei to arrest people was like throwing stones into the lake. He could only ensure that the lake would eventually return to calm, but he had no idea how the ripples would dissipate before the calm settled.

"Then I will take my leave." Sun Chengzong had already said what he wanted to say. If he continued to sit here, he would only be able to stare at the emperor.

"Master Sun." Zhu Changluo waved his hand to stop Sun Chengzong.

"Your Majesty, please give your orders." Sun Chengzong did not sit down, but bowed and waited.

"Master Sun, are you willing to join the cabinet?" Zhu Changluo asked with a smile. "I believe that with Master Sun's virtue and prestige, the court will not stop him from joining the cabinet."

"This..." Sun Chengzong was stunned. He was still waiting for the prince to ask the emperor to help build Tianjin. In order to train the next generation of monarchs of the Ming Dynasty, he also racked his brains to think of several teaching strategies that could be combined with practice.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty is terrified." Sun Chengzong thought for a while and replied in a tactful tone. "If the Emperor orders me to join the cabinet, I dare not refuse."

This was a polite refusal, and Zhu Changluo understood it. "Well, Master Sun, please go back first. I'll think about it." Zhu Changluo did not reveal it.

"I'm leaving." Sun Chengzong bowed again and said goodbye.

Sun Chengzong originally planned to go home directly after leaving the Southern Study, but in the end he turned back to the right wing of the Huangji Palace.

When he arrived at the right wing, Sun Chengzong heard that a class was being taught inside, so he did not go in. Instead, he came to the side hall specially set aside for the teachers to rest and drink tea.

"Zhisheng is here too?" Xu Guangqi, who was holding a cup of tea and in a daze, came back to his senses when he heard the sound of the door being pushed open. Seeing that it was Sun Chengzong coming in, he put down the teacup and greeted him warmly.

Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi were of similar age, both receiving Jinshi degrees in the 32nd year of the Wanli reign. However, Sun Chengzong placed second in the palace examination, earning him the title of Editor in the Hanlin Academy that same year. Xu Guangqi, on the other hand, ranked fifty-second in the third class, having been selected to the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi. After his three-year term ended, Xu Guangqi was granted the title of Reviewer in the Hanlin Academy. Within the Hanlin Academy, Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi formed a close friendship. However, in the 35th year of the Wanli reign, while Xu Guangqi was still a Reviewer, his father passed away in Beijing, prompting him to return home to observe mourning. Only after his mourning period was complete did Xu Guangqi return to Beijing to resume his official duties.

"Zixian. Will you personally teach the Ministry of Rites lessons today?" Sun Chengzong said with a smile.

"It's not a matter of being here in person. It's my honor to teach the princes," Xu Guangqi said with a wry smile. The Ministry of Rites had a lot of work to do, so he usually didn't come. But the Ministry of Rites didn't have a Left Vice Minister. After Right Vice Minister Sun Ruyou was arrested by the Imperial Guards, he was the only official left in the Ministry of Rites qualified to teach the princes.

"Zixian, you seem very worried. What happened?" Sun Chengzong was very perceptive and immediately noticed Xu Guangqi's discomfort, but his question seemed to be asking knowingly. This was because when Ye Xianggao and Shi Jixie came to him together, they mentioned Xu Guangqi's intrusion into the cabinet.

"Zhisheng. What do you think of what happened two days ago?" Xu Guangqi's smile faded, leaving only bitterness on his face. He didn't know that Ye and Shi had visited Sun Chengzong, let alone that Sun Chengzong had already visited the emperor before him.

"Handle them severely. If we don't, this matter will be unacceptable." Sun Chengzong's attitude remained the same. "This group is just trying to take advantage of the new emperor's accession to the throne to intimidate the emperor. Otherwise, how could such a small matter as a court meeting have escalated to this point? The emperor ordered the Northern Pacification Office to mobilize all its forces and arrest so many people in one go, which shows that the emperor is really angry." Sun Chengzong leaned close to Xu Guangqi's ear and whispered, "The Donglin Party wants to initiate a major ritual debate, but the emperor is not a young man from the outer vassal states who came to the capital. No matter how powerful the Donglin Party is, it can't compare to the omnipotent Yang Tinghe. And even if Yang Tinghe was, what could he do? In the end, he still lost. Zixian, I know you sympathize with the Donglin Party, and I agree with them on some things. But at this time, you must take the right stance. The emperor needs our support."

Looking at Sun Chengzong's sincere eyes, Xu Guangqi suddenly felt a sense of understanding. He nodded repeatedly and said, "I know, I know."

Ding! Ding! Ding! A eunuch rang the bell to signal the end of class.

"I have to go and say a few words to His Highness." Sun Chengzong stood up and bowed slightly to Xu Guangqi.

"Help yourself. There's a full quarter of an hour of break time." Xu Guangqi then remembered that Sun Chengzong shouldn't be in the palace at this time.

"Oh. Isn't this Brother Zhisheng?" Minister of War Cui Jingrong saw Sun Chengzong as soon as he walked out of the main hall of the right wing.

"Brother Ziqiang." Sun Chengzong wanted to perform the official etiquette, but when he heard Cui Jingrong calling his courtesy name in a friendly tone, he responded with an equally friendly smile.

Cui Jingrong, courtesy name Ziqiang, was a Jinshi (Jinshi) in the 11th year of the Wanli reign (1616-1768). He ranked 22nd in the third class, a year of achievement, alongside Fang Congzhe and Ye Xianggao. However, he failed the imperial examination to become a Hanlin Academy student, and that same year he served as a magistrate in Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi Province. After more than 30 years of wandering, he finally ascended to the imperial court in May of the 43rd year of the Wanli reign.

"Brother Zhisheng, when are you free to come to my house for a chat?" Cui Jingrong looked relaxed, and it was obvious that he had attended a class that gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

"How can I let Brother Ziqiang entertain me? It should be the younger generation hosting the older generation." Aside from social interactions during festivals, Sun Chengzong rarely visited high-ranking officials in the court. Firstly, he didn't like it, and secondly, he had no money.

"Forget it. Brother Zhisheng lives on his salary. I have a big appetite and I'm afraid that I can empty your rice jar with just one meal." Cui Jingrong was implicitly praising Sun Chengzong for his integrity.

After a few pleasantries, Cui Jingrong left, and Sun Chengzong was finally able to return to the right wing of the Huangji Palace.

"Your Highness!" Sun Chengzong waved to Zhu Youxiao.

"Master Sun, what's wrong?" Zhu Youxiao was a little surprised.

"Your Highness. The Emperor wants to summon me into the cabinet." Sun Chengzong said.

"What?" Zhu Youxiao's smile suddenly faded. "Why is that?"

"It happened very suddenly. I don't know the specific reason." Sun Chengzong probably guessed the reason, but he didn't intend to teach his son about factional strife. It wasn't the right time yet. At this age, he should learn more about the ways of the sages. It wouldn't be too late to teach him about intrigue when the time was right.

"Did Master Sun agree?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Sun Chengzong eagerly, his round face full of "no".

"I have a prior agreement with Your Highness, so I have categorically refused." Sun Chengzong puffed out his chest and raised his head. In Sun Chengzong's view, the six current cabinet members, although they held different political views and were even hostile to each other, were all very talented. As long as the emperor remained wise, infighting would not be a problem at all.

Entering the cabinet would simply add icing on the cake for the neutral faction formed by Ye Xianggao and Shi Jixie, which was unnecessary. Instead of engaging in intrigue within the cabinet, it would be better to assist the future emperor and do my best to ensure the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty for two generations.

"Master Sun is so nice!" Zhu Youxiao wanted to go forward and hug Master Sun, but due to etiquette he only took two steps and then saluted.

"Your Highness, please report that matter to the Emperor as soon as possible." The fifth prince, Zhu Youjian, was also present, so Sun Chengzong used "that matter" instead. However, Zhu Youjian's mind was full of recess, and he had no desire to participate in the conversation between his brother and Master Sun.

Zhu Youxiao hesitated for a moment before timidly saying, "I haven't finished my gift yet." Zhu Youxiao had originally intended to please his father with his handmade wooden crafts first, and then make a subtle request. But he didn't expect his father to also take a fancy to Master Sun.

"Once the imperial edict is issued, I have no choice." Sun Chengzong said with regret.

"I'll finish the work tonight!"

------

Northern Pacification Office, Imperial Prison, Type A Prison.

"Master Zou, confess now." Xu Xianchun looked down at Zou Yuanbiao, who was tied to the torture device, with a smile on his face. He looked like a smiling tiger. "If you confess, I'll buy you a drink."

"Hurry up!" Zou Yuanbiao tilted his head and spat out a large mouthful of water. "You cruel official! Just buy me some water."

"Why are you so stubborn?" Xu Xianchun suddenly had a flash of inspiration and came up with a good idea. "Someone come here."

"Sir." A Jinyiwei strongman who was in charge of interrogation came over.

"Go to the kitchen and get some oil and salt." Xu Xianchun ordered.

"Sir, do you want lard or sesame oil?" asked the strong man.

"Your brain is clouded by lard," Xu Xianchun said rudely. "Why would you need lard in the middle of winter? Would you like to have Master Zou chew some ointment?"

"Okay. I'll go right away." The strong man was tall and strong, but he looked like a quail in front of Xu Xianchun, who was obviously smaller than him.

"Master Zou, this sesame oil doesn't taste as refreshing as water." Xu Xianchun threatened, "Tell me who your accomplices are. Even if you don't, someone else will. Save yourself some trouble."

The Jinyiwei had actually already locked down a group of Donglin Party members, but only by obtaining a signed confession could Tian Ergeng bypass Luo Sigong and report it directly to the Imperial Household Department to ask the emperor for approval to arrest them.

"Get lost." Zou Yuanbiao spat at Xu Xianchun. However, the water had little power and fell to the ground halfway through its flight.

"Humph." Xu Xianchun sneered and waved to another strongman. "Come here."

"grown ups."

"Go get the needle and the pick." Xu Xianchun said fiercely, "If our Lord Zou still refuses to change his ways, I'll pick off all his toenails one by one."

　I had the flu and felt very uncomfortable, so I came a little late.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)