The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 283 Mingshi
Li Xianmu did not keep everyone waiting. He had gone to great lengths to persuade the emperor to set up this stage for today, so how could he possibly miss it?
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Li Xianmu walked step by step to Hu Rong, the father-in-law of the emperor. Hu Rong knelt down while Li Xianmu stood.

Li Xianmu stared at Hu Rong until Hu Rong lowered his head in shame before Li Xianmu's voice rang out, "Father-in-law Hu, I still remember when His Majesty and the Empress got married, I was the one who came to greet them. At that time, Father-in-law Hu and I had a very pleasant conversation."

Now, however, they have diverged into two different paths, experiencing such different fates. Why is that?

Hu Rong's face turned red. He felt like he was really going to die. After being reprimanded by Li Xianmu like this, he was afraid that he would become a laughing stock and would never be able to hold his head up again. But what could he do? The person in front of him was Li Xianmu, the grandson of Emperor Taizu.

If you were to ask who Emperor Taizu's favorite grandson was, the answer would likely vary widely. But if you were to ask who Emperor Taizu's favorite grandson was, there would only be one answer—Li Xianmu!

The only junior whom the Taizu Emperor personally tutored in his later years—oh yes, there was another one, named Zhu Yunwen, the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

If it were a junior, he could rely on his seniority, but Li Xianmu was of a higher generation, which made it very difficult for him to refuse. He had no choice but to remain silent.

Hu Rong wasn't the only one who remained calm and composed at this moment.

The entire palace was shrouded in silence, with a gentle spring breeze and the occasional chirping of birds. Apart from that, the area beneath the three palaces was as still as ink.

When the conjecture becomes reality, the shock it brings is unprecedented.

His Majesty the Emperor actually agreed to Li Xianmu's reprimand of a father-in-law of the Emperor right here in the palace, in front of all the officials, at the grand court assembly!

Who wouldn't know why?

This is the emperor's blatant expression of his attitude; this is the emperor increasing Li Xianmu's power; this is an announcement to the world just how illustrious Li Xianmu is at this moment.

At this moment, no further words were needed; everyone knew of Li Xianmu's power and influence over the emperor.

From this day forward, the attitude of all political forces, officials, and common people—both in the imperial court and among the people—to Li Xianmu will change once again.

We must be even more respectful now than we were before.

We should be even more fearful now than we were before.

"The late emperor's in-laws, the emperor's father-in-law, and the Ming dynasty's father-in-law." Li Xianmu said, word by word, "Haven't the imperial family given you, the Hu family, enough over the years?"

What is your background, Hu Rong? What talents do you possess that have led to your current position as the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a third-rank official?

Look at those court officials behind you. Which one of them didn't study diligently for over a decade or two, passing the imperial examinations twice? Which one of them isn't more talented than you? Yet, in the end, you surpass them all. Isn't this because of the Empress, who bestowed upon you the Emperor's favor, granting your entire Hu clan unprecedented glory?"

"Aren't these accolades enough to bring glory to your entire family?"

"Having obtained these things, you are still not satisfied and have actually embezzled the money from the imperial mausoleum, betraying the trust of the royal family. Is this how you repay His Majesty?"
Today you kneel here, apologizing to the world and to His Majesty, do you not feel even the slightest injustice?

"It is the fault of this guilty subject!"

Hu Rong wanted to remain silent, but Li Xianmu forced him to speak. In this situation, it would be a pipe dream for him to remain silent.

Since he was going to be used as a stepping stone, and since things had already come to this point, Li Xianmu would not show any mercy.

“The entire royal family will be disgraced because of you. You should be grateful that His Majesty is showing mercy. If this were the Hongwu era, you wouldn’t have enough heads to be chopped off.”

Li Xianmu shouted sternly, and Hu Rong's head almost touched the ground.

The other corrupt officials beside him were even more terrified. Even the emperor's father-in-law was scolded like a grandson. What kind of future awaited them?

They could all guess that Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong would likely be given a high slap on the wrist, but it wouldn't be the same for them; they would most likely be executed along with their entire families.

"Sun Guangzong".

Li Xianmu turned his gaze to Sun Guangzong. When Sun Guangzong heard Li Xianmu call his name, his body trembled. He had dared to say a few words when facing Li Mao, but today, facing Li Xianmu, he was filled with fear and dared not say another word.
Sun Guangzong thought Li Xianmu would reprimand him in the same way he reprimanded Hu Rong, but to his surprise, Li Xianmu asked him a question that left him somewhat bewildered: "Are you short of money?"

He raised his head blankly, only to be met with Li Xianmu's cold gaze. He immediately trembled and stammered, "No, I don't lack anything."

Sun Guangzong wasn't lying; he genuinely wasn't short of money. The Emperor had bestowed upon Consort Sun so many estates and other gifts that they couldn't possibly spend them all. Ever since the silver mines in Japan were discovered, the Imperial Treasury had never lacked funds.

"I'm not short of money." Li Xianmu sneered. Before Sun Guangzong could react, he was struck by a tremendous force and instantly kicked to the ground, howling in pain. Sun Zhong was stunned at the sight but dared not say anything.

Silence fell before the palace, but their minds were in turmoil. They could hardly believe what they had just witnessed: the Grand Secretary had kicked the Imperial Uncle right in front of the Emperor, sending him flying three meters away. His arm must have been dislocated.

"Yuan...Yuanfu".

Sun Guangzong had never been treated like this before, but he still dared not say anything. While he was in prison, both his father and sister had clearly told him not to offend Li Xianmu. They said that once this matter was over, he would be safe, but if he really offended Li Xianmu, then everything would be over.

He was just a spoiled brat, not someone who was truly fearless. Those who bully the weak and fear the strong know best who they shouldn't mess with. Even though he was beaten up like this by Li Xianmu, he endured it.

“A spoiled brat like you is the one who tarnishes the reputation of the royal family. The people who have been gathered together with great difficulty have been completely ruined by your one act.”

Li Xianmu's eyes flashed coldly. "Do you really think that the laws and regulations of the country don't apply to you? If there's a next time, you'll spend the rest of your life behind bars."

Sun Guangzong shrank his neck and dared not utter a sound. He observed people's expressions and felt that something was wrong today. Even with the assurances of his father and sister, he planned to be a little cowardly and not run into Li Xianmu's blade again.

Upon seeing Sun Guangzong's reaction, Li Xianmu knew that he had been appeased. He didn't care too much about it, since the goal had been achieved. Judging from the gazes of the officials in front of the palace, today's intimidation was quite successful.

"I have a question for you. When you were officials, did you already intend to embezzle and accept bribes, becoming such despised corrupt officials?"

"You weren't like this back then, but you ended up in this situation. Is it because the government didn't provide enough allowance for maintaining integrity?"

"Is it because you are insatiable and greedy, that you have fallen to this state? The court has been more than kind to you, yet you have disappointed the court."

Li Xianmu said sternly, "Back in the Hongwu era, I asked Emperor Taizu a question: Why not give officials higher salaries?"
The founding emperor said, "The salaries given to those officials are already enough for their livelihood. How could any of them possibly have enough? Even if we gave them more, they would still feel it wasn't enough."

I initially thought that Emperor Taizu was too harsh on his ministers, so when the late emperor asked me about it, I proposed the "integrity allowance." The late emperor, understanding the difficulties faced by his ministers in supporting their families, readily agreed. This measure was intended to bring more honest and good officials to the country.

But what was your final answer?

They embezzled the imperial tombs, they embezzled the money meant to build the late emperor's mausoleum. Killing you would not appease public anger, nor would it comfort the spirit of the late emperor in heaven.

You are ungrateful, heartless, and treacherous; you don't even deserve to be called human.

After a scathing and unrestrained tirade, Li Xianmu slowly took a couple of breaths and then exhaled softly.

Amidst the court officials before the palace, angry shouts suddenly rang out. The late Emperor Zhu Gaochi's prestige was indeed high, and the matter of embezzling funds to pay for the imperial tombs was indeed increasingly outrageous. In particular, many officials who had not been corrupt had maintained their integrity by relying on the allowances for maintaining integrity.

These people naturally hate corrupt officials with a passion.

Li Xianmu, supporting his back, stood before the assembled officials and pointed to the group of convicted officials on the ground, saying, "Take a good look at these people."

"Remember what these people look like now, and then think about how the late emperor treated you all." Li Xianmu looked around at the ministers and shouted sternly, "He has done everything he could to be kind and righteous. Touch the brocade and silk on your bodies. If it weren't for the late emperor's allowance for maintaining integrity, would you be so well-off today?"

Don't think that just because someone is corrupt and there's a high-ranking official protecting them, you can get away with it. Right here in front of the Fengtian Hall, right before His Majesty, I tell you, the Ming Dynasty will never tolerate corruption. No matter who it is, under the law and the discipline of the state, they will inevitably be punished. Every corrupt official is a leech, clinging to the body of the Ming Dynasty, harming the country and enriching themselves. We are resolutely and thoroughly opposed to all corrupt officials; this is the eternal theme of the Ming Dynasty.

Do you think that "cleaning up officialdom" is just empty talk?

Each word and phrase struck like a heavy drumbeat, reverberating in the hearts of countless court officials. Some turned pale and felt a chill run down their spines, while others stood proudly, unperturbed.

Li Xianmu glanced around, taking in everyone's expressions.

The court must always do the right thing, and anti-corruption is the right thing to do. Only by making corrupt officials live in constant fear can honest officials be promoted. If the court tacitly approves or even condones it, what value is there in the perseverance of honest officials?

People often use the saying "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish" to confuse certain things, but this does not mean that the water should actually be made muddy.

Today, Li Xianmu has set this benchmark for the court, and upright officials will naturally have a backbone to follow.

When they are lost, they can look up and see someone watching them from the top floor of the Ming Dynasty, encouraging them to do things that are beneficial to the world.

If the emperor cannot bear this responsibility, then he must take it upon himself. A leader who has truly transcended base desires will bring about tremendous changes to the entire world.

This brings us back to Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. The Zhenguan era is considered the most valuable period of governance in ancient times because he created a model that showed how the relationship between the emperor and his ministers could be, and that an emperor could be both humane and wise in his decision-making.

For the next two hundred years of the Tang Dynasty, countless people tirelessly tried to restore the glory of the Zhenguan era. What they wanted to achieve was not just the so-called tribute from all nations, but a dazzling and enchanting civilization.

Wise rulers and virtuous ministers.

Subsequently, the country was well-governed, and this political tradition profoundly influenced the Tang Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty, however, never had such a political tradition.

It is very likely that the relationship between the emperor and his ministers has been a mess since the Hongwu period. The Ming Dynasty is very powerful now, but if asked what is worth commemorating and emulating, they can't say for sure.

This was just an ordinary, prosperous era that occurred in the early stages of a dynasty. It did not have many political traditions that could be passed down to later generations and be talked about by countless people.

Instead, people will only remember the voyages to the West and the Yongle Encyclopedia.

After everyone had silently digested what Li Xianmu had said, Li Xianmu spoke again: "A few days ago, I went to the palace to report this matter to His Majesty, and then discussed it with His Majesty and decided to establish a new yamen, which will be attached to the Censorate and under the jurisdiction of the Right Censor-in-Chief."

These words immediately invigorated the officials present, who were about to establish a new department, one that would be under the jurisdiction of the Censorate.

The Censorate is now truly powerful and well-equipped.

The nineteen provincial governors and censors, all of whom were of the second rank, were under the jurisdiction of the Censorate. Now, a new department is to be established.

The Censorate already held a very important position, and now its power and responsibilities have become even stronger.

"This new government office is called the 'Anti-Corruption Bureau,' which is headed by the Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, a third-rank official. The Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau is directly under the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. As you can probably tell from the name, this is a government office that specializes in dealing with corruption."

In the capital, there was the General Headquarters for Anti-Corruption, and branch offices were established in various provinces and prefectures to receive complaints from the court and the public, and to specifically handle cases of corruption.

The Ming Dynasty and all corrupt officials will forever be mortal enemies; I hope you all remember this.

The Right Censor-in-Chief was both surprised and delighted. He was surprised because he himself was not entirely clean, but delighted because his power had been greatly enhanced. Anyone could see that this was to give him the ability to confront the Left Censor-in-Chief. The Anti-Corruption Bureau was only under his control, and the Left Censor-in-Chief had no power to interfere.

Li Xianmu would not give power to the Right Censor-in-Chief for nothing. This anti-corruption office was ultimately subordinate to the Censorate. If the Right Censor-in-Chief wanted to truly confront the Left Censor-in-Chief, he would have to get close to the cabinet.

Moreover, Li Xianmu plans to remove the current Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and then promote his faction to power. The current Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, who is in charge of the anti-corruption office, can play the greatest role in clarifying official conduct in the future.

The courtiers in front of the palace displayed a variety of expressions.

While Lee Hsien-mok's previous political declaration was unsettling, many people have made grand pronouncements throughout history, but in reality, it is extremely difficult to shake a large bureaucracy.

But now Li Xianmu has actually established a special anti-corruption office, which is quite unusual, even terrifying.

In fact, there are quite a few government offices in the Ming Dynasty that have the function of anti-corruption. In theory, any agency with the authority to handle cases can deal with corruption cases, such as the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, and even the Ministry of Justice, which appeared in this case of corruption in the imperial tombs.

However, unclear responsibilities and powers sometimes mean that no one is in charge.

In many cases, without absolute evidence or strong impetus from a high-ranking official, the imperial court generally will not deal with such matters.

Historically famous cases were all reported by chance, which enraged the emperor, who then organized various government departments to jointly investigate the case.

This efficiency is naturally extremely low.

But now a special government office has been established. If this office wants to achieve political results, it can only do so by arresting corrupt officials. Otherwise, it is considered ineffective. As for the claim that there are no corrupt officials, that's just a joke.

Anyone with a brain knows that once this government office is established, the number of corrupt officials caught will inevitably increase exponentially. In particular, since this government office also accepts complaints, it will inevitably become a new channel for political struggle.

Many people are guilty and don't dare to actually allow this government office to be established, but what reason can they use to reject it?
I never would have guessed!

Moreover, look at Hu Guozhang and Sun Guojiu kneeling on the ground. The emperor has paid such a high price; can't you see his resolute determination?
It must have been the corruption scandal at the imperial tombs that enraged the emperor, leading to what happened today.

Everything unfolded exactly as Li Xianmu had envisioned. The trampling of Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong sent a signal to everyone, a signal that silenced them and saved them a lot of trouble.

This is just the beginning. Once the news of today's events spreads, a tremendous force will fall upon him.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau is like a newly drawn sword, hanging over everyone's heads. Everyone knows it will draw blood, but who it will actually strike is anyone's guess.

Nobody wants to get into trouble at this time.

This is the opportunity for Li Xianmu to quickly expand everything.

"Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to say?"

The emperor uttered his first words, his voice calm and still, carrying a deep indifference and cold solemnity.

In the midst of a warm spring, a cold snap swept through, causing many ministers to shiver and bow their heads deeply.

No one spoke, no one answered.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The "Imperial Mausoleum Corruption Case" directly led to the establishment of the "Anti-Corruption General Office," which was a major step forward for the Ming government towards a more refined approach. The Ming government consistently demanded control over the bureaucracy and strengthened oversight of lower-level officials.

Since the Qin and Han dynasties, the entire set of government offices that the central government had relied on to operate had gradually become unable to adapt to the development of the Ming dynasty. Therefore, starting from the Yongle period, the Ming dynasty successively established some high-ranking government offices, and this trend became a consensus during the Xuande period.

Behind this situation was the continuous push by the cabinet to disperse the absolute power of various ministries, thereby establishing the cabinet's transcendent position. The power struggle within this system ended with the cabinet gradually gaining more influence. —From *The Evolution of the Political System in the Ming Dynasty*

(End of this chapter)