The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 155 Fame and Fortune Gone
[System update complete. Current version: 2.0.1 (Yongle Tianxia). Please accept.]

Li Qi opened his newly updated 2.0.1 system, accessed the update information interface, and began browsing.

The main updates in the current version 2.0.1 are as follows:

1. In view of the power of the ruling class in the Ming Dynasty during the Yongle period, a detailed classification of family ranks was made.

2. Increased the protagonist's family's power and influence at the current level.

Looking at these two lines, Li Qi roughly understood why the system updated these two lines first. It was because the Ming Dynasty was a society where the status of families fluctuated greatly, and the Li family happened to be in a period of rapid rise.

The newly updated family system is very detailed, divided into three tiers and nine levels from low to high:
Lowest grade:
The lowest social status (hereditary, unchangeable, barred from taking the imperial examinations, holding official positions, purchasing land or property, and marrying ordinary people; a status from which one can never be changed).
Criminals (born into a criminal family, with virtually no chance of upward mobility)
Commoner families (families with no knowledge inheritance and no scholars within three generations).
Middle Class:
Poor family (a family that is poor and of ordinary means, but can access and support at least one scholar who is capable of passing the imperial examinations at the county level and can make a living by teaching and other knowledge-based means)
Powerful families (families with wealth and influence at the county and township levels, but lacking members who have passed the imperial examinations and achieved further advancement).
The gentry (families with considerable influence in the society at the prefectural or county level, who have produced at least one Jinshi or Juren, and who enjoy special privileges).

Upper Class:
A prominent family (a family that has produced high-ranking officials of the third rank or above for three consecutive generations, such as regional governors or ministers of the Six Ministries; a family that has been known for its officials for generations).
Noble families (possessing hereditary titles to ensure their social standing doesn't decline significantly, naturally close to imperial power to ensure their influence doesn't completely disappear, possessing numerous privileges second only to the royal family, and enjoying most judicial immunity except for treason; their families often have hereditary first-rank officials and even those above first-rank, the so-called "families of great wealth and power").
The royal family (the creators, interpreters, modifiers, and adjudicators of order, rules, and laws, and who are above them and subject to no judgment).

After reading it, Li Qi thought to himself, "If we judge it according to these three grades and nine levels, even within the same level, there are huge differences. No wonder we need to use power levels to judge it."

For example, among those of low social status, beggars, servants, hereditary servants, and slaves were roughly equal, and musicians were prostitutes, but clerks had a much higher social status, and many of them were even local powerful figures.

For example, among the same criminal clan, some people dig for wild vegetables in Hainan and eat ice and snow in Liaodong, but Li Qi can sit in the high hall of the temple and discuss philosophy with the emperor. Among the criminal clan, Li Qi's power is absolutely 100%.

Looking at the bigger picture, it's hard to say whether aristocratic families or noble families are superior or inferior. However, during the Yongle era, noble families clearly outperformed aristocratic families, so the system's ranking is not wrong.

Clan Chief: Li Xianmu (a fourth-rank civil official, a Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet with considerable power).
Family Rank: Noble (Temporary) (Benefiting from Princess Lin'an, they have joined the ranks of imperial relatives, but the family itself does not have a hereditary title, and their status as maternal relatives will decline with the passing of Princess Lin'an and Li Xianmu.)
Family power level: 70 (ranking in the upper-middle range among the many noble families, including imperial princes, dukes, earls, and maternal relatives, in the Ming Dynasty)

Almost twenty years have passed since Li Qi traveled to the present day. Relying on her status as Princess Lin'an, she climbed to the last vestiges of power in the Ming Dynasty's imperial relatives. The speed at which the Li family's power developed can be described as rapid.

But regarding family prestige...

Li Qi glanced at it; it was only 52.

From a family perspective, the Li family is still purely dependent on imperial power and the Ming system. Even the patriarch, Li Xianmu, still relies on the emperor's trust and has no ability to check or balance the emperor. This is completely incomparable to the powerful clans of the Wei, Jin, Sui, and Tang dynasties.

Moreover, the most important thing for a family to build its prestige is time. The key to a family's long-standing prestige lies in the long-term succession of generations. The reputation of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families was also built up over hundreds of years.

"The task is arduous and the road ahead is long," Li Qi sighed. "Both Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne as young emperors. It just so happens that the peak of power and influence of these two emperors coincided with the rise of Xianmu. I hope they can support the family on the path to godhood!"

After saying that, he turned his gaze back to the Jiangnan region, which was boiling like lava and fire.

……

Jiangnan is boiling with passion!
Driven by the belief that "the law does not punish the masses" and the instigation of certain individuals, many people chose to wait and see, hoping to find out if Li Xianmu would dare to defy public opinion and take action against so many students.
The calls to resist taxes and grain rations were incessant, resounding throughout the Jiangnan region.

The Governor's Office of Jiangnan.

The atmosphere was rather tense, and the officials stood uneasily, occasionally glancing slightly at the governor above.

Li Xianmu was reviewing the current situation regarding the resistance to grain taxes in Jiangnan, his tone revealing no particular attitude. "Since the Song Dynasty, there has been a saying that 'When Suzhou and Changzhou are prosperous, the whole country is well-fed.' Our dynasty also relies on Jiangnan. Sure enough, in this matter of resisting grain taxes, Suzhou Prefecture and Changzhou Prefecture are the most active. This must be because they are feeling guilty."

As the sage once said, "Learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones, and cure diseases to save people."

A new notice is issued: those who owe the imperial court grain taxes must pay them in full by the first day of next month. Anyone who dares to shirk responsibility will be severely punished.

Upon hearing Li Xianmu's words, the atmosphere in the yamen immediately relaxed, but then they looked at Li Xianmu with considerable doubt, their hearts pounding. Why didn't the governor arrest people directly?

Even if given another chance, those people wouldn't hand over the grain, so why bother?

Li Xianmu, however, had a cold smile on his lips.

During the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin could have directly defeated Li Jiancheng, so why did he have to make concessions again and again?

When you have absolute control, being aggressive is sometimes less effective than taking a slight step back.

The three provinces south of the Yangtze River are densely populated, but the area is not large. Li Xianmu's order, originating from Nanjing, was quickly sent to various prefectures and counties.

The gentry were overjoyed to see that Li Xianmu had actually backed down and postponed the deadline for delivering the grain.

"As expected, he's all bark and no bite!" someone asserted, adding that Li Xianmu only dared to speak.

More clamor arose, and the uproar intensified.

The collective will of a crowd is a terrifying force. When this force coalesces, it is enough to shake everything. Those within it are inspired by it and lose their fear and dread.

Li Xianmu's concession almost ignited the enthusiasm of the wealthy gentry in Jiangnan. They seemed to have found a way to deal with Li Xianmu and actively traveled around making contacts.

He was so engrossed in his own fantasy world that he couldn't extricate himself.

However, they failed to notice that the accompanying soldiers and Imperial Guards began to frequently travel to various garrisons in Jiangnan, and that the nobles guarding Jiangnan also frequently entered and exited the governor's office.

Those high-ranking officials in Jiangnan who actually had access to the governor's office had long since hidden themselves away like quails, leaving only ignorant frogs at the bottom of a well still barking wildly.

Li Qi, who came from a new era, had seen the greatest, most noble, and most sacred soldiers of the people in history, so he despised the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who were like bandits. Li Xianmu inherited Li Qi's ideas and also disliked the soldiers.

But we still have to use them when necessary; evil people need evil people to teach them a lesson.

The yamen runners of the prefectural and county governments alone could not arrest tens of thousands of students with academic titles; the cooperation of the garrison was necessary.

As the dawn breaks free from the darkness of daybreak, countless golden shadows leap into everyone's eyes.

Accompanying the thousands of golden figures were the Imperial Guards, clad in black robes and carrying embroidered spring knives at their waists, followed by the soldiers of the garrison, each one looking fierce and menacing. The gentry, who were trying to maintain their composure, were actually trembling with fear. The era of Hongwu had only recently passed, and those bloody scenes seemed to return from the depths of their memories.

In just a moment, countless people regretted it.

"you……"

Before he could utter a single word, the soldiers had already stepped forward, seized him, stuffed a cloth into his mouth, and carried him away right in front of everyone.

This scene unfolded across various parts of Southern Zhili.

Li Xianmu could not possibly arrest all 100,000 students, but arresting the most prestigious ones who owed the most grain would not be a problem.

Thanks to the loyalty of officials in Jiangnan, he had a partial list in his hands. Although it was incomplete, it was enough. After careful selection, he arrested more than 300 people.

Most of them were local gentry, and without exception, they all held official titles. In the Ming Dynasty, even merchants who wanted to grow powerful would obtain official titles through various means, let alone these landlords and gentry.

"Is the governor planning to kill all of these people?" A subordinate advisor frowned and said worriedly, "If he kills them all, I'm afraid..."

Li Xianmu waved his hand and said, "It's just a matter of being in arrears with grain; it's not enough to kill someone."

Besides, all 100,000 students in Jiangnan are in arrears. If we kill these people, are we going to kill everyone else as well?

You can't do that.

Even though His Majesty has given me the power to deal with officials below the fourth rank, he cannot actually go on a killing spree in Jiangnan. If that were the case, he could simply send a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; there would be no need for me.

"His Majesty didn't even purge Jianwen's former officials after ascending the throne. He's always valued his reputation for benevolence and righteousness. He knows I'm capable of handling things, which is why he sent me. Naturally, I can't afford to mess this up."

Li Qi nodded slightly upon hearing this. Li Xianmu was quite sensible. The mere reason of unpaid grain taxes was not enough to warrant killing someone. Even the Manchu Qing, which was always considered bloodthirsty, only stripped those who owed taxes of their official titles.

Moreover, the Qing dynasty's suppression of Jiangnan was more of a political revenge against Jiangnan gentry for colluding with Zheng Chenggong in an attempt to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming dynasty. It was to suppress Jiangnan literati who missed the Ming dynasty, just like Zhu Yuanzhang and Li Qi suppressed Jiangnan literati who missed the Yuan dynasty.

Li Xianmu then said with a cold laugh, "But if they really commit a capital crime, then don't blame me. I can't bend the law for personal gain and let the law of the country go unpunished."

These words caused everyone in the governor's office to look at each other in bewilderment, and the breath they had just breathed out was caught again.

What does the governor want to do?
The more than three hundred people arrested in the governor's office thought they would see Li Xianmu, the governor of Jiangnan, but they did not expect that only a clerk would come to see him and bring news that was like a bolt from the blue: "The governor has ordered that you all be given forty strokes of the cane in the West Market Hall of Nanjing, stripped of your official titles, and exiled to Jiaozhi if you fail to pay your taxes within a certain period of time. It just so happens that the imperial army is about to go there and can take you with them."

strip him of his official rank!

Almost everyone only heard this sentence, which was no different from killing them. In this cannibalistic world, without fame and fortune, they were nothing more than lowly people at the mercy of others!
“What right does Li Xianmu have to strip us of our academic titles! Our titles were all bestowed by the imperial court.”

"I am a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), a disciple of the Emperor. Li Xianmu has no right to strip me of my academic honors!"

The group, already deeply dissatisfied with their arrest, started making a fuss again. Even the soldiers escorting them couldn't keep them in check, and the prison became quite chaotic.

The clerk did not respond, but coldly said, "All soldiers, listen to my orders. The governor has decreed that anyone who dares to make a move will be beaten first, and they may be spared death!"

Naturally, some people didn't believe that mere clerks and soldiers would dare to touch them. Then, the Imperial Guards beside them raised the scabbards of their Embroidered Spring Blades and slammed them hard on their backs and legs. Seeing that these soldiers really dared to make a move, the gentry immediately adopted the principle that a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle and quieted down.

"Since you all know about the peace and quiet, I have a few words for you."

As he spoke, the clerk tried his best to imitate Li Xianmu's voice and said sternly, "Your Majesty has granted me the Shangfang Sword, which allows me to execute officials of the fourth rank and below first and report later. There are thirty million people in Jiangnan. Even if one or two die, what difference does it make?"
"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, which is already unforgivable. If you still wish to cause trouble, would you like to test the sharpness of my sword?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the clerk regained his original expression, with a hint of vengeful pleasure. After all, these were people he couldn't afford to offend in the past, but today they were in his hands.

The governor's entourage arrived in a hurry and left just as quickly.

"Will they be allowed to leave once these people have paid their grain tax?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't think so. The governor has gone to such great lengths, how could he let these people off so easily? Even I, a mere clerk, know the principle of eradicating evil completely, how could the governor not know that?"

"That's it. I heard that even though they paid their taxes, they couldn't get their titles back."

The clerk was immediately startled upon hearing this, "Really?"

"It's true, of course. It's not just these people. If anyone else refuses to pay, they will all be stripped of their titles and honors. The governor said he wouldn't kill anyone and would try to avoid bloodshed, but this is no different from killing someone. Things are about to change in Jiangnan."

"Where did you hear this news? Such an important matter is not something you should know."

"It wasn't exactly a secret, but the governor intentionally leaked it as a deterrent."

The two of them drifted apart.

The news that more than 300 gentry from the four prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou and Zhenjiang in the Southern Zhili Province, all of whom were Jinshi or Juren degree holders, had been taken away by the governor's office spread like wildfire throughout the Jiangnan region.

Not long after, news came from the governor's office again that Jiangnan Governor Li Xianmu, using the power granted by the emperor, stripped these gentry of all their official titles, reducing them to commoners.

Before everyone could respond in fear, another rumor spread that Li Xianmu, the governor of Jiangnan, was considering dismissing all registered gentry and officials in the four prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang who were in arrears with their grain, regardless of whether they were high-ranking officials or how much they owed. Those who had not paid their taxes, whether they were scholars, licentiates, or jinshi, would have their academic titles and status revoked!
If the official is currently in office, those below the fourth rank will be immediately dismissed, and those above the fourth rank will be reported to the court for demotion by three ranks and transferred away, and will no longer be allowed to remain in Jiangnan.

Upon hearing this news, the four prefectures were immediately thrown into a panic!

(End of this chapter)