The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 156 Crying Before My Li Ancestors
In their panic, some people have already begun to consider backing out.

At this point, the effect of Li Xianmu's earlier decision to only collect grain taxes from the seventh and eighth years of the Yongle reign became apparent.

If the pursuit lasts for five or ten years, it will inevitably lead to a life-or-death struggle. Either Li Xianmu will leave Jiangnan in disgrace or die in Jiangnan, or Li Xianmu will slaughter Jiangnan to the point of carnage.

Two years' worth of grain tax would be painful, but not devastating. They would naturally be reluctant to give it up for nothing, but risking their lives for it would seem even more unworthy.

Li Xianmu could clearly sense that more people were coming to sound him out.

Although the tide has not yet turned in their favor, this fierce competition is gradually drawing to a close.

Someone once asked Li Xianmu, "Isn't the governor worried that someone might act desperately and cause unforeseen consequences?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xianmu immediately burst into laughter, "They're just a bunch of literati, nothing more than a few lamentations. They cry day and night, and night and day until dawn, but they can't cry me to death even if they shed all their tears."

His words carried a deep sense of disdain.

Civil officials have many uses and many advantages, but they lack the means to overturn the table!
Li Xianmu could even guess what these civil officials and gentry he had suppressed would do.

It's simply a matter of killing him from a societal perspective; as for any more brutal methods, they neither dare nor are capable of doing so.

The reason why civil officials were able to gradually gain power, and why emperors used them to govern the country and even to control the military, was that their methods were not violent; in other words, they did not have the ability to rebel.

For example, in real history and in movies and TV dramas, it is common to see hundreds of court officials kneeling together to submit memorials against the emperor, accompanied by heavy snow, bleak winds and rain, and thunder and lightning, creating an intense and tense atmosphere.

Many people feel that this is the ultimate form of coercion.

But what are the actual results?
Historically, large-scale remonstrances by civil officials began to occur frequently during the reign of Emperor Wuzong of Ming. The result was usually that the ministers were dragged out and beaten to death, and very few remonstrances were successful.

Has anyone considered what it would be like if hundreds of military generals knelt down and begged the emperor to listen to their opinions?

What a horrifying scene that was! Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had something to say about it at Mawei Post Station.

Who would dare to disagree?
One second they said no, the next second a knife went in and a bloody knife came out.

How could a civil official have this ability?

……

Although Li Xianmu was the governor of Jiangnan, he only arrested students from the four prefectures of Southern Zhili. This obvious strategy of division was surprisingly effective. Everyone understands the principle of mutual dependence, but many people still harbored a sense of hope. Seeing that Li Xianmu did not target them, they hesitated and began to observe.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard and its soldiers shattered the peace of Southern Zhili.

Refusing to pay grain?
Then we'll just ransack your house, and you can forget about everything else!

Although only a few households were affected, it truly stirred up a sense of shared hatred and indignation among everyone.

"What law? What law allows the governor of Jiangnan to confiscate the homes of gentry? Is there still any law in this world?"

Tens of thousands of students from the four prefectures, including those who had passed the imperial examinations, passed the provincial examinations, and passed the county-level examinations, were in contact with each other. Some even went so far as to demand an explanation from the governor's office.

Most of them were young students, and a group of over a hundred people gathered and headed to Nanjing together.

Li Xianmu, who had learned of this in advance, did not want to see them at all and blocked them directly, preventing them from even entering the six streets surrounding the governor's office.

Some people tried to force their way in, even shoving the Imperial Guards. Naturally, they couldn't just use their knives on these people who had achieved official rank; killing them would be a troublesome matter.

The Imperial Guards all took out short sticks issued by the governor's office from behind them, and then struck the scholars with six blows in a second, causing them to scream in pain.

Suddenly, no one rushed forward anymore. They all retreated far away, several feet away from the Imperial Guards guarding the intersection. The faces of the officials were full of indignation.

"This is truly a disgrace to civility."

“With hawks and hounds as his eyes and ears, Li Xianmu is a vain scholar.”

"If you have the guts, come out and confront us."

Amidst the angry shouts, a minor official emerged from the street corner, saying sarcastically, "Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself? What right do you have to see the governor? Didn't you say you wanted to see the governor?"

Even the Imperial Guards, who don't even draw their swords, dare not charge, yet they still utter such arrogant words—how laughable!

Six blows shattered the gentleman's soul; Governor, I am a true villain!
True villains are all sophisticated egoists. They come here to make a name for themselves, so why would they actually take the risk?
Although the Imperial Guards were very restrained and did not use their knives, it was still easy for them to get into trouble if a stick were to hit them on the head.

The group of students looked at each other, knowing they couldn't linger there any longer.

……

Nanjing Confucian Temple.

Li Xianmu was offering incense in a side hall of the temple, where a statue of Li Qi was enshrined. He was the only one from the Ming Dynasty to be enshrined there.

After offering incense, Li Xianmu rose from the prayer mat and looked up at the statues of the sages. His father, Li Qi, was in the last and most corner position. He frowned almost imperceptibly.

The ambition that had been born during his first visit to the Duke of Yansheng's mansion was growing wildly in his heart once again, like vines.

"Now is not the time. When the School of Mind has become renowned throughout the world and is a prominent school of thought, we will surely transform the Confucian Temple!"

People are different.

Li Xianmu felt that it was a disgrace for his father to be placed at the end of the Confucian Temple, but the officials of the governor's office around him looked at him with envy. What an honor it must be to have a sage as a father!

"In this world, only the governor can come to this Confucian temple to pay homage to his father and grandfather, such close relatives."

"Li Zhongwen's achievements are astounding, and he has made great contributions to the Confucian school. He is truly a role model for us."

“The philosophy of mind will one day flourish in Jiangnan, and then spread throughout the southern provinces.”

Everyone flattered Li Xianmu, but their words also contained a few genuine sentiments. No one could criticize Li Qi's character and scholarship. His "Records of Transmission" and "Li Zi's Sayings" recorded by Wang Gen, Li Xianmu and other disciples of the School of Mind were both excellent works.

If one day these two books could become essential reading for the imperial examinations, just like the Four Books and Five Classics, then the philosophy of mind would truly soar to new heights.

The people in the hall were exchanging pleasantries when they suddenly heard a rather noisy and chaotic crying sound coming from outside.
It was a forced howl that couldn't be uttered, and just hearing it brought an uncomfortable metallic friction, like the nauseating noise of a broken bell or the buzzing of a shattered drum.

For a moment, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, some even wondering if they had misheard.

"Is someone crying outside?" "I heard it too."

As they spoke, the crying grew louder and louder, becoming clearly audible. Judging from the sound, there was more than one person crying.

This is the Confucian Temple, why would someone be crying here?
Li Xianmu was also taken aback, but then immediately realized what was going on and said sarcastically, "This is someone pretending to be indignant, calling himself a loyal minister, and coming to the temple to cry."

Upon hearing this, an eerie silence fell over the crowd in the hall. The next moment, someone shouted angrily, "Absurd!"

"How can the practice of crying at temples be abused like this?"

The others also nodded in unison, their faces showing deep dissatisfaction and unease, their eyes all fixed on Governor Li Xianmu.

"Crying at the temple" is a long-standing custom in the Suzhou area. Scholars from wealthy families and the middle class are an indispensable social watchdog force. Zhu Yuanzhang also had high hopes for these students who were no longer in the court.

It is hoped that when the government commits illegal or improper acts, scholars well-versed in the classics will speak out for justice.

Therefore, scholars would often gather at the Confucian Temple to compose the "Juan Tang Wen" (a type of memorial), lamenting to their ancestor Confucius, and even rallying the people to appeal to higher-level government officials.

The petitions of a large and powerful group to "cry at the temple" often deterred the government from taking them lightly and thus made them take the matter seriously. In theory, this was a mechanism of mutual supervision between the literati and the government.

The general direction of mutual supervision is correct, since the government is sometimes indeed not very competent. However, in cases like Li Xianmu's, where the government is not problematic, the supervision mechanism may become an obstacle.

Such as now.

The sounds from outside had already reached everyone, and they could hear them clearly. They were criticizing and angrily rebuking Li Xianmu, the governor of Jiangnan. Everyone in the governor's office lowered their heads, hoping they hadn't heard it.

What a coincidence! How could the governor happen to be at the Confucian Temple to pay respects to his deceased father, and these people actually came to the temple to cry?
Someone immediately spoke up: "Your Excellency, we will go out immediately and disperse these people."

Li Xianmu smiled and raised his hand, "No need. They must have already spread the news of the temple crying incident on their way here. Many people will gather here later. Go and summon all the officials from the Six Ministries in Nanjing, and then summon the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the soldiers of the garrison as well."

Although he was smiling, there was no warmth in his smile; instead, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Li Xianmu turned to look at his father's statue, his voice soft yet clear, "The Confucian Temple is a good place. We scholars should resolve our affairs here."

It's a good opportunity for the father to see that his son has already grown into a pillar of society.

Those who received Li Xianmu's orders hurriedly left from the side room, while the rest of them all lowered their eyes to look at the governor who was kneeling on the prayer mat again. With a sense of tranquility, all the unease in their hearts had vanished.

High above, Li Qi looked down at his son. Wisps of smoke seemed to connect heaven and earth without him even realizing it.

Li Xianmu felt as if he were in a dream, and he heard his father's voice.

"I give you a sword; you shall be the sharpest edge in the world. Glory shall be yours, and blood shall flow from you. I make a covenant with you and all your descendants to protect you forever. You shall uphold glory and respond with your blood."

"My father bestowed upon me a sharp sword, and I will make it the sharpest weapon in the world. I will abide by my father's last words, uphold honor, and respond with my blood."

When Li Xianmu came to his senses, he felt his entire body surging with power. Looking at the incense stick he had just inserted, he saw that it was already mostly burned. This was an incense that was extremely difficult to burn completely.

How long has it been?
Before he could ask, the people he had sent to invite the officials of the Six Ministries had already returned. The sounds of carriages and horses' hooves filled the air outside, even momentarily drowning out the wailing in the Confucian Temple, followed by a cacophony of voices.

The officials of the six ministries in Nanjing felt like their heads were about to explode. They never expected that these gentry would dare to come to the temple to cry under such circumstances!

They really don't know how to write the word "death".

"Now that the six ministers have arrived..."

Li Xianmu straightened his clothes and said coldly, "Then let's go out too. The matter in Jiangnan should come to an end."

……

It was the transition between summer and autumn, and Nanjing was quite hot. The relocation of the capital did not affect the prosperity of the Qinhuai River, which stretches for eight hundred miles. Amid the sweltering heat, the fragrance of perfume seemed to permeate the entire city, carrying a touch of decadence.

Inside the Confucian Temple, where the sage resides, the wind and waves, carrying the fragrance of flowers, landed on Li Xianmu, who was standing on the steps.

"How dare you cry in the temple here? You are truly ignorant. Take advantage of the fact that the Governor of Jiangnan is unaware of this matter and leave immediately, or the consequences will be unimaginable."

"You are all important officials of the dynasty and powerful figures in Jiangnan. Why do you not dare to speak up for the good people under your rule? The governor of Jiangnan tramples on Jiangnan and disregards human feelings and national laws. Such a heinous crime, and instead of you trying to stop him, you blame us for crying at the temple."

Do you all still remember that you are disciples of a sage?

The officials of the Six Ministries were sternly rebuking the scholars who came to the temple to weep. The hundreds of scholars who gathered in the Confucian Temple to weep also accused the officials of failing to defend Jiangnan.

"In moments of indignation, I sing of the Yi River; with unwavering loyalty, I weep at the Zhaoling Mausoleum!"

From the high platform, a loud voice suddenly rang out, drowning out all the noise in the Confucian Temple: "I never expected that I would see so many loyal ministers of my Great Ming in Jiangnan, who, with a heart full of righteous indignation, are crying out in this temple, lamenting the injustice and expressing their unwavering loyalty!"

The officials of the Six Ministries frowned, but the voice seemed somewhat familiar. The scholars who had come to the temple to weep were also invigorated, and everyone looked up. They were unaware that someone had entered the Confucian temple earlier, but was in a side hall.

On the steps stood a group of people, some civil officials and some military officials, all of whom were of relatively high rank, mostly fifth grade. The military officer on the right was fourth grade, and in the middle, surrounded by a young man, as handsome as the sun.

The six ministers' expressions changed the moment they saw Li Xianmu.

To everyone's surprise, Li Xianmu was already in the Confucian Temple.

Among the scholars who came to the temple to weep, some naturally recognized Li Xianmu, while the others who did not were not fools. In Jiangnan today, apart from that powerful governor who dominated the region, who else was so young yet had so many officials accompanying him?

However, if this person is the governor of Jiangnan, then the poem praising him just now would be ironic, a deep mockery.

Seeing the silence in the room, Li Xianmu laughed and said, "I came to the Confucian Temple to pay respects to my late father, but I never expected to see such a good show. This trip has truly been worthwhile."

My great Ming Dynasty has so many loyal ministers.

But I feel that you all look familiar. It seems that you are on the list of those who owe the court money and grain!
What difference is there between defaulting on taxes and provisions owed to the imperial court and a thieving rat?

Instead of hiding in the gutter, this big rat dares to come to such a bright place as the Confucian Temple and enter its halls. Isn't he a despicable person?

Those who are disciples of Confucianism should rid the sages of petty men!

As a son, I know my father is right behind me watching over his son; I must strive to move forward.

Li Xianmu's voice echoed throughout the entire Confucian Temple. His words were simple, but his meaning was clear: "My father is watching me from inside the Confucian Temple, while you hypocrites are crying and cursing me here. Today, I will settle things with you."

Otherwise, I, Li Xianmu, would have no face to face my late father!
(End of this chapter)