The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 40 Li Qi's Teaching of His Son
The Imperial Guards are wreaking havoc in Jiangnan!

Since the Lan Yu case, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has not been mobilized on a large scale for more than a year. This time, like dogs that have smelled a bone, they have gone on a killing spree in Jiangnan.

Although Li Qi did not participate personally, in recent days, students from Zhili, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces have been frequently taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the Imperial Academy.

Among them were several officials recorded in the History of Ming. Li Qi couldn't help but marvel at the power of the butterfly effect, how it could blow people away with a flap of its wings.

He didn't usually pay attention to these things, but unexpectedly, his disciple Wang Gen came to him asking for help to save someone.

He served as a Grand Secretary during the reigns of the Yongle, Hongxi, and Xuande emperors, holding the position for 21 years, a position unmatched throughout the Ming Dynasty.

As for why this person knew Wang Gen, the reason is very simple. Although he had great talent in governing the country, he had no official rank. He was poor when he was young and supported himself by teaching. Wang Gen once studied under him for a period of time.

As for why he was implicated in the "clerk case" targeting wealthy and powerful families, Li Qi could guess even without looking into it that it was simply because someone with ulterior motives used this opportunity to frame him.

At least half of those who died in major cases were wrongfully executed. This was an inherent flaw in the ancient system that no one could solve.

He was lucky to have someone like Wang Gen to save him; otherwise, he would have become a victim of a major case.

Although the case of the clerk was handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Three Judicial Offices also had considerable power and responsibility in it. Li Qi wrote a letter to Chen Ying explaining the situation, and the next day he was released from prison. Afterwards, he followed Wang Gen to the princess's residence to thank Li Qi.

"Your teacher is Wang Shuying?"

"I was fortunate enough to follow Prince Wang and study for several years."

He was somewhat curious. He was just a commoner, while Li Qi was a prince consort and a high-ranking member of the Buddhist community. How could he know about his past?

Li Qi then inquired about his historical studies and current affairs, to which Qi answered fluently. Having traveled extensively in the countryside for many years, he was very clear about the hardships of the people, and every word he spoke was incisive and to the point.

As the sun set, the genius left the princess's residence.

Princess Lin'an, holding Li Xianmu's small hand, walked out from the back hall and asked curiously, "The consort seems to admire this person very much, why not keep him here?"

Li Qi pondered for a moment, "It's because of Wang Shuying."

Qi Neng entered the Jianwen Emperor's court as a commoner thanks to Wang Shuying's recommendation. Wang Shuying was able to rise from county magistrate to Hanlin scholar in the first year of the Jianwen Emperor's reign because he was a close friend of Fang Xiaoru.

After Emperor Jianwen committed suicide by fire and Nanjing fell, Wang Shuying, like Wang Gen, committed suicide with his entire family to die for Emperor Jianwen. Although he was a scholar, he was quite principled and not a weak or lowly person.

“Wang Shuying is Fang Xiaoru’s man, and Qi’s inclination is still uncertain. No matter how talented a person is, if he is not on the right side, he cannot be used.”

As Li Qi's wife who had accompanied him all the way from Jiangpu County back to the capital, Princess Lin'an was perfectly aware of Li Qi's scheme and immediately nodded in understanding.

Li Qifu then looked at his son, Li Xianmu.

Now over three years old, Li Xianmu is becoming increasingly intelligent, and his daily schedule is very full.

Unlike others who only studied Confucian classics such as the Four Books and Five Classics, Li Qi devised a completely different learning program for Li Xianmu after recognizing his intelligence.

First, there was an hour each day dedicated to studying Confucian classics, after all, this was ancient times when Confucianism flourished. Although the unshakeable position of Confucianism would inevitably be overthrown in the future, now was not the time. Li Xianmu was destined to become a sage, and therefore, he had to study.

With Li Xianmu's talent, one hour of study a day was enough for him to surpass others.

Secondly, there was the study of mathematics, astronomy, and geography. Within permissible limits, Li Qi transmitted as much knowledge to Li Xianmu as possible.

These were intended to help Li Xianmu develop rational thinking and a general understanding of the world.

When a person has a vision that transcends their time, their wisdom will be greatly enhanced.

Finally, Li Qi gave Li Xianmu a detailed explanation of Zhu Yuanzhang's "Hongwu Great Proclamation," which in this era should be called "Imperial Great Proclamation," "Imperial Great Proclamation Continued," "Imperial Great Proclamation Third Edition," and "Great Proclamation for Military Officials."

His detailed explanation of the "Great Proclamation" to Li Xianmu was not to cultivate Li Xianmu's loyalty to the emperor and love for the country, but rather—"Mu'er, the contents of this Great Proclamation are the Ming Dynasty system that you will reform in the future."

Li Qi will always remember Li Xianmu's incredulous expression at that time, but Li Qi must shatter Li Xianmu's illusions.

"Your maternal grandfather attributed almost all the cases in the Great Proclamation to his ministers, but this is wrong. Behind all of this lies the flaw in the system of our Great Ming Dynasty."

After your maternal grandfather passes away, future emperors will certainly not act in accordance with the Great Proclamation, but the system in the Great Proclamation will still be a malignant tumor that harms the world. You can change as much as you can.

The rest must be passed down from generation to generation.

Do you still remember Zhang Zai's four lines?

Although it is difficult to bring peace to all generations, it must be done. Every time you correct a mistake in the world, you are taking a step forward on the path to lasting peace.

“But Father, you are wiser and stronger than me, why don’t you do it?”

Li Qi looked at the palace that was not in front of him and said seriously, "Because your maternal grandfather is still alive, he suppresses the world, and no one else can do these things."

Li Xianmu felt a pang of sadness as he thought of his maternal grandfather's affection for him. "Was my maternal grandfather a truly wicked and evil person? Why did everything have to wait until his death to be done? It was like this to clear the name of the family, and it was also like this to change the world."

Since it's something beneficial, why can't we offer advice?

"Your maternal grandfather was certainly not a villain, but as people get older, they become stubborn and lose the courage to admit their mistakes. This is a mistake that most people make, so you cannot blame your grandfather for it."

It's just that because he was the emperor, his words and actions could influence too many people.

"I know you want to fulfill your filial duty to your maternal grandfather, but true filial piety is about carrying forward what he truly cared about. He cared about the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, so just give him a prosperous Ming Dynasty, that's all."

Thus, spring goes and autumn comes, the seasons change, and time marches forward.

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 winter of the twenty-seventh year of the Hongwu reign (1389) was filled with a chilling and desolate atmosphere for Li Xianmu. On this day, his father revealed to him the truth about the Ming Dynasty: all the warmth, prosperity, and splendor were merely decorations beneath a backdrop of devastation. The powerful nobles and the majestic palaces concealed the blood and tears of the common people. He was still young, yet he felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. He saw the hope and expectation in his father's eyes—family, country, and the world were all contained within. —From *The Path of Sages*

(End of this chapter)