The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 158 The situation is determined
"Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?!"

Li Xianmu's question was truly a wake-up call!

Before everyone could recover from their daze, he had already stepped forward with his sword and shouted loudly, as if thunder had struck from the heavens: "You are all learned men, have you even forgotten the Great Learning?"
"If you can improve yourself every day, keep improving yourself every day, and keep improving yourself again," "Make new people," "Although Zhou is an old state, its mandate is ever new"—more than one sage or wise man has told you that this world is never static.

You're spouting this bullshit 'it's always been this way'. If we held onto that idea, we'd still be under the rule of the Xia Dynasty, shouting that we'd never see Xia Jie again!

If things had always been like this, you would still be toiling in the soil and working under the scorching sun. Where would you get your fine clothes, delicacies, and even high status now?
just now!

Answer this question!

Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?

The Confucian Temple was now completely silent.

Those who had previously spoken out in heated debate fell silent.

The scholars who cried at the temple all lowered their heads. They had nothing to argue about and nothing to say, so why should they speak any more and suffer humiliation for nothing?
The dazzling light fell on Li Xianmu, making him appear even taller and more radiant, like a saint in a religious mural. No, he was holding his sword, his face cold and solemn, as if judging someone.

The sun, half-hidden in the clouds, cast a line of light and shadow across the Confucian Temple.

Li Xianmu stood on high ground, bathed in sunlight; the students of Jiangnan stood on low ground, hidden in shadow.

“Since this organization has given you a way to live, you should be grateful.”

If I release you from this world, you should live in reverence.

"To meet someone as reasonable as myself is a cause for celebration."

Suddenly, it seemed as if sacred words had fallen.

Calm yet full of sincerity.

"In this dark and murderous world, those who are not content will be punished."

A gentle breeze whispered in everyone's ears, along with Li Xianmu's words: "Once or twice, how can there be a third or fourth time?"

Since you have done this, you know that you will be punished, even more severely than the lowest of the low in my Great Ming Dynasty.

This cabinet will not kill you; isn't death the easiest thing to do?

But you will surely lose this glory and spend your life atoning for it and repenting.

You will inevitably be far from the Ming Dynasty, seeking survival in a remote, barbaric, and uncivilized foreign land.

Your noble servants and maids will be dismissed, and all your gold, silver, fame, and office will be lost. You will toil all your lives to get food from the ground, and you will eat by the sweat of your brow until you return to dust.

Because humans were originally created by Nuwa from the earth, they were returned to the earth.

Many people collapsed to the ground, their faces blank with shock. Some shed tears unknowingly, some wailed silently with their mouths wide open, and others trembled and convulsed involuntarily.

The final outcome of the temple protest was unacceptable to them: exile to Qiongzhou and Jiaozhi, stripping them of all their titles and honors, confiscating all their property, and leaving them to fall from the sky onto the muddy ground, covered in mud.

"At this point, the governor still gave people a way out; it has been many years since anyone has done this."

All the officials in Jiangnan sighed with regret. Political struggles are always bloody and cruel, but now Li Xianmu is willing to give these people a way out.

Li Xianmu simply felt that human life was precious, and the lives of scholars were even more precious, as they were very difficult to cultivate. Rather than killing these people, it would be better to exile them to Jiaozhi. The people of the Ming Dynasty were unwilling to go to Jiaozhi to reclaim wasteland, so these criminals were the only option.

The praise for Li Xianmu never stopped.

"His mind is so broad that it can encompass the whole world."

"These people really... haven't they brought this upon themselves?"

"Those who fail to assess the situation will inevitably meet such an end, if not today, then tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianmu waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards came forward to take away the scholars who were crying at the temple. Most of them had already lost the ability to walk and were dragged on the ground, a complete disgrace to their civility.

Like a dog stripped of its spine.

After the scholars who came to the temple to cry were taken away, the atmosphere in the Confucian temple seemed to remain unchanged, still as stagnant as if the air was not flowing.

Everyone was looking up at Li Xianmu.

This young governor of Jiangnan won a brilliant victory in Jiangnan in an almost flawless manner.

He will gain prestige and power, as well as the admiration and awe of the world, from this victory, but at a price...

There was no cost.

A bloodless victory is the most admired form of virtuous governance by scholars. It does not involve the destruction of the body, but rather persuasion through reason. This is a feat that only a sage could accomplish.

But the governor of Jiangnan still held his sword, his face showing no sign of satisfaction. His brows were furrowed like towering mountains, and his eyes resembled the cold winds and glaciers of a snow-capped peak.

What else does he want?
Questions arose from the depths of their hearts, then showed on their faces, and restlessness rose among the crowd.

"Everyone."

Li Xianmu suddenly spoke, and the crowd below breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if there was a cracking sound as the stagnant atmosphere shattered. "What happened today will be recorded in history. So we should come to a conclusion and make some judgments."

Li Xianmu's first words made everyone's hearts sink, but they knew that what Li Xianmu said was true. In the vast history, even the most powerful and influential officials might only be mentioned in a sentence or two, but today's events would definitely be recorded in history.

It will be clear who is loyal and who is treacherous, who is for the country and the people and who is harmful to the nation.

Since Li Xianmu's journey to the south, all the officials in Jiangnan today may have been involved in this matter. Whether they will be remembered in history or criticized is unknown.

Therefore, I felt a sense of awe.

"Do you all think that our pavilion has won a great victory, and that you must be overjoyed and full of pride right now?"

This is yet another statement that leaves everyone puzzled. Why not be happy?

"I feel only sorrow. The Ming Dynasty has been established for so many years, but only forty years. As the most prosperous region of the Ming Dynasty, Jiangnan has already become so corrupt in its administration and so shameless in its scholars."

What about the livelihoods of ordinary people?

What about the fate of my Great Ming Dynasty?
And what about the future of Confucianism?

Should we rely on the scholars in the Confucian temple today?

Li Xianmu finally took his hand off the sword hilt, and he even sat down directly on the steps. Those who had been by his side stood on the steps below, one on each side, and no one was level with him.

He stood tall; he was the tallest person.

Even seated, he remains the tallest person!
Behind him stood the grand and imposing Confucian temple, its wooden doors creaking under a layer of metal. The rising sandalwood incense wafted from the hall, and the sun shone into it, revealing several statues, one of which was of Li Qi.

Gentle, wise, intelligent.

It seemed as if he was looking at Li Xianmu, or perhaps at the clear blue sky he saw beyond the threshold and eaves. "You people are different from me."

Li Xianmu seemed to be talking to them, but also seemed to be talking to himself.

“From a young age, you began your education and studies, hoping to pass the imperial examinations and rise above others. As the saying goes, ‘Mastering both literary and martial arts is the way to serve the emperor.’ In the process of learning from the sages, you developed some ideals, wanting to govern the country and bring peace to the world.”

The words were simple yet deeply resonated with everyone, especially those students from humble backgrounds.

Li Xianmu rambled on, “But I am different. I could speak in June and write in September. By the age of one and a half, I was already well-versed in human affairs.”

When I was young, I spent half my time in the palace, where the late emperor personally taught me. That's why I was determined to revitalize the Ming Dynasty when I was just two years old!

But I couldn't do it alone. I asked my father how to bring peace to the world, and he said, "Find your like-minded people—a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand. If a hundred thousand people can practice your way, the Ming Dynasty will be invincible."

The common people cannot be my allies; I can only seek them among scholars. Jiangnan is a gathering place for scholars from all over the world, and many talents are born here. Therefore, I have great expectations for Jiangnan.

I do not wish to implicate Jiangnan with matters of sorcery and the White Lotus Sect, nor do I want the talents of the Ming Dynasty to be needlessly wasted on such matters taboo by ghosts and gods.

This was the first time Li Xianmu explicitly stated why he did not instigate a large-scale purge in Jiangnan: because he always held hope for all scholars!
"Your Excellency!"

"The Governor..."

The scholars of Jiangnan were finally moved, and some even shed tears.

Li Xianmu glanced at them; whether it was true or false, it didn't matter. At this moment, when Li Xianmu said these words, they could only have one reaction.

But Li Xianmu believed that some of them must be genuine. There were officials willing to die for their country in the late years of the dynasty, and now that it was still the early years of the dynasty, there should still be many honest officials.

"But after the grain shortage and the temple crying incident, I'm a little uncertain. Can you really be my comrades?"

Li Xianmu's comrade.

At this moment, he represents justice, loyalty to the court, and the importance attached to the Ming Dynasty. Those who oppose him are naturally the corrupt officials of the Ming Dynasty who were just dragged away.

Although Li Xianmu was asking, he didn't expect them to actually answer. He said directly, "I'm afraid it won't work."

From the moment I started arguing with those rats, I've been pondering a question: is it an inherent problem, or is it due to what we learn during our upbringing?

After a lengthy build-up, Li Xianmu finally unleashed his sharpest sword strike at the scholars of Jiangnan!
Naturally, we cannot admit that this is an inherent problem in human beings!
Otherwise, wouldn't that mean that the people of Jiangnan are born evil?

It should be noted that the people in Jiangnan who were just taken away were not the only ones who were in a food shortage. However, those people had committed serious political errors and participated in the temple crying incident, which is why they suffered the most tragic fate.

Even the three hundred or so people who were arrested for the first time were only stripped of their official titles, had a portion of their property confiscated, and some of the men exiled. There was a chance for them to turn things around in the future.

To reiterate, failing to provide food is not a capital offense.

Since it's not an inherent problem, it must be a problem that arose during the process of growing up.

After everyone spoke up, they realized that this statement couldn't be made lightly, because during one's upbringing, one is primarily influenced by the following types of people's teachings.

The teachings of the imperial court, the various edicts issued by the emperor, and the great proclamations that were passed down to almost every household during the Hongwu era—who dares to say there is anything wrong with these teachings?

Then comes the influence of parents' words and deeds, which goes without saying and no one would say there's a problem with that.

That leaves only one option—

The teacher's instruction is flawed!

The teacher is not just a teacher, but someone who imparts knowledge and teaches skills. He is simply someone who transmits the sacred way. The point that Li Xianmu's sword is pointing to is then clearly visible.

The problem lies with the sacred doctrine you have learned!

Li Xianmu was simply taking advantage of the fact that Zhu Xi was dead and no one was speaking up for him.

To be honest, Li Xianmu's words would be somewhat far-fetched under normal circumstances, because the blame could easily be shifted onto people. After all, the classics of the sages are good, but those who study them have misinterpreted them.

They never blamed the classic texts they studied for being bad when something went wrong.

But now the situation is quite special. Since Li Xianmu entered Jiangnan, through one thing after another and one concession after another, he has placed himself on an absolute moral high ground.

He was kind to the students of Jiangnan.

He followed political rules completely and was even more tolerant; no one could criticize him.

Behind him float three swords, each powerful enough to sever all life, fame, honor, and even eternal reputation: one for sorcery, one for the White Lotus Sect, and one for the temple weeping incident!

Just because he doesn't use it doesn't mean he can't use it.

He possessed both supreme moral superiority, the power granted by the emperor, and even the advantage of cultivated influence.

He has already stood in the light; anyone who criticizes him is going against the righteous path!
Thus, the seemingly far-fetched criticisms of Neo-Confucianism were incredibly convincing, leaving people no choice but to believe them, from high-ranking officials in the Six Ministries to ordinary scholars.

In today's context, there is only one choice left: to acknowledge Li Xianmu's words.

Everything is attributed to Neo-Confucianism.

"The governor is right. It seems that some of the sage's teachings are outdated, and some people who lack talent are influenced by them, which leads them to go astray."

“Yes, I think that the unity of knowledge and action and conscience that Li Zhongwen once mentioned is better than the separation of knowledge and action in Zhu Xi’s teachings. This part can be completely based on the philosophy of mind.”

"Isn't today's situation a case of good and evil not existing in their hearts? If they had known Li Zhongwen's good and evil deeds earlier, perhaps they could have guided them onto the right path, and things wouldn't have turned out this way."

Most of these people are flexible and adaptable. Moreover, among them are many who are dissatisfied with Neo-Confucianism and approve of the philosophy of mind, and they are making these pronouncements.

Although it was not a complete critique of Neo-Confucianism, such a scene was unseen for a long time. Nanjing had only seen such a grand spectacle when Li Qi was still alive.

"I am very pleased with what you all have said. The matter of crying at the temple is of great importance. Although I am in Jiangnan and cannot return to the capital for the time being, I must report the details to His Majesty as soon as possible."

Today's conclusion is reached jointly by all of you and this cabinet. I will now write down today's events here, and I request that you all affix your seals together before sending it to the Emperor."

Li Xianmu smiled.

The area under her eyes felt cold.

All the high-ranking officials from Jiangnan wore long faces, and it was hard to tell whether they were unwilling or not, but they still stepped forward one by one to affix their private seals.

They exchanged a glance and smiled bitterly. They regretted coming today; now they were truly on a sinking ship.

Li Xianmu put away the names of the crowd, and then proudly surveyed the scholars from Jiangnan.

Everyone's eyes met for a moment, then lowered their gazes somewhat awkwardly.

Do not kill.

It can also place one above all others!
He exiled them and confiscated their property, yet the world still praised him for his gentlemanly tolerance and kindness!

(End of this chapter)