The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 63 The Holy Dynasty Emphasizes Filial Piety
"For Your Highness, killing one person is not difficult, but Fang Xiaoru is skilled in writing, and is praised by all under heaven. His writing is unrestrained and bold, and is quite similar to that of Su Shi and Long Chuan. His writing is profound and vigorous, and every piece he writes is widely read and recited throughout the country."

Your Highness should know that such people throughout history cannot have their names trampled upon by a temporary demotion!

Therefore, I dare to ask Your Highness whether you wish Fang Xiaoru to die as a loyal minister of Jianwen, or as a traitor?

If he dies as a loyal subject of Jianwen, he can be executed in the West Market after the country is at peace.

As soon as Li Qi spoke, the expressions of the people in the camp varied. Zhu Gaoxu stared blankly at the wine cup in front of him, Zhu Neng seemed to be deep in thought, and Zhang Fu, who was at the end, stared at Li Qi with great interest.

Dao Yan, who was seated first on the left, had a sharp glint in his eyes, and then slowly narrowed his eyes.

Zhu Di was furious and resentful. If Li Qi hadn't mentioned it, he would have been kept in the dark and almost fell victim to Fang Xiaoru's scheme.

He was no ignorant person; how could he not know that someone like Fang Xiaoru, who was willing to die for his principles, was destined to be remembered for eternity, and might even be exonerated in this dynasty, serving as a model of loyalty to educate scholars throughout the land!
But he was truly furious. He had asked himself if he had shown the other party, Xiaoru, enough respect, yet this old scoundrel had actually schemed against him. Zhu Di slammed his fist on the table, gritted his teeth, and said fiercely, "I have gone through countless hardships and dangers, faced countless life-and-death situations, and endured countless infamy to get here."

Fang Xiaoru thinks he can gain eternal fame through death? He's dreaming! Jinghe taught me that if I can trample on his name, I will reward him handsomely!

Li Qi solemnly said: "It is neither easy nor difficult to trample on their name. We only need to do two things: first, ask them about their major crimes; second, cut off their lineage and doctrines for all generations."

No matter how impressive an academic achievement is during one's lifetime, if there are no descendants to inherit it, it can only be arbitrarily belittled or even smeared in the future. The glory of ancestors and predecessors mostly comes from the flattery of their descendants. This has been the case throughout history, and this is the meaning of inheritance.

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, then hesitated and said, "It is not difficult to find out his serious crimes, but to sever his lineage and doctrines, wouldn't that be the same as burning books and burying scholars alive?"

Everyone in the camp paled.

Even a reckless man like Zhu Gaochi knew that there were some things that should not be done, otherwise he would only be condemned for all time. This was not just the criticism of scholars; it should be noted that even Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who built the Temple of Emperors, did not include Qin Shi Huang.

Zhu Di did not believe that Li Qi was unaware of this matter. "Perhaps I misunderstood Jing He's words?"

"Your Highness has said the exact opposite. Fang Xiaoru's lineage has problems from the root. It is not difficult to sever his lineage and doctrines. I have a way to make Your Highness sever his lineage in a reasonable way. Not only will you not be attacked by scholars all over the world, but you will also be praised."

In reality, it is this matter of questioning that is most difficult!

His Highness raised an army under the pretext of the Ming Dynasty's ancestral precepts, and entered Yingtian under the guise of purging corrupt officials and quelling national turmoil.

The current result can be described as quite a success!

But everyone in the world knows that once you've arrived in the capital, you won't leave. Your true goal is the throne. Unless you truly return to the Jianwen lineage, this is something you can't hide no matter what.

The camp fell silent again, with the wind whistling through the tents, the sound clearly reaching everyone's ears. For the first time, Zhu Gaoxu felt a sense of respect for Li Qi. There was such a brave person in the world who dared to say such things!
Ancient people, unlike modern people, did not have a genuine sense of awe for imperial power. Zhu Di was momentarily at a loss for words and could only awkwardly say, "Brother-in-law, please continue."

"May I ask Your Highness, have you decided what kind of face and identity you will use to face the doubts and attacks of the people?"
"The argument I just gave to Fang Xiaoru about the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng must not be used again, or it will only make us a laughing stock!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's expression changed again, and the generals of the Yan vassal state in the camp also had strange expressions.

Zhu Di was completely speechless after being shut down by Fang Xiaoru's few words. Naturally, Zhu Di was extremely embarrassed and could only argue irrationally. In the end, he lost his temper and became so angry that he wanted to kill Fang Xiaoru.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't hold back any longer. His mustache twitched, and he shouted loudly, "Anyone who dares to say another word will see whether their bones are harder or their sword handles are harder!"

All the generals agreed, and even Zhu Di's eyes suddenly flashed with a murderous aura. Most leaders who had emerged from bloodshed were accustomed to using violence to solve problems.

Li Qi had always dismissed this idea. If violence were so effective, why were the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, which were the most violent, so chaotic?
Li Qi said solemnly, "Your Highness can act tyrannically and make the ministers fear you like a tiger, or act benevolently and make the ministers serve you like a father, but you must never act like an actor and make people laugh!"

The argument that Zhou Gong assisted King Cheng in front of Fang Xiaoru was seen by the world as a contradictory statement and a self-deceiving act. He first claimed to be Zhou Gong, and then did what Cao Cao did. Wouldn't he be ridiculed by the world?

Can Your Highness kill not only those you speak of, but also those you think of?

Moreover, by killing all those loyal to Jianwen and those with backbone, and then accepting those sycophants, the whole world can see that loyal ministers die without a complete corpse, while opportunists are promoted and made rich. Hey, it's true that murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, while those who repair bridges and roads are left without a corpse. In the end, when they sit on the throne and look around the world, they can only sigh and ask, "Where are the loyal ministers now?"
Your Highness has been granted a great dynasty, like the Jin Dynasty, which "rules the world with filial piety," even before you have ascended the throne. What an honor!
"Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Li Qi's words silenced the previously restless camp, leaving Zhu Di speechless and devoid of any murderous intent.

That damned woman!

Almost everyone had this thought in their mind: How can a scholar's mouth be so venomous?
Leaving aside the fate of the Jin Dynasty...

The phrase “I humbly submit that the Holy Dynasty governs the world with filial piety” can be interpreted in this way.

You only have filial piety, but no loyalty, right?

Zhu Gaoxu almost burst out laughing, but the atmosphere wasn't suitable for it, so he forced it back, not even caring that Li Qi's words were a response to his theory of murder.

Dao Yan suddenly burst into laughter, “The words of the Imperial Son-in-Law are insightful and profound. They are already offering advice from the perspective of Your Highness as the ruler of the world. Therefore, they are able to hit the nail on the head and express the truth in a single sentence. Jianwen could not use the Imperial Son-in-Law, but Your Highness has. I congratulate Your Highness.”

His words instantly dispelled the stagnant atmosphere in the camp. Zhu Di stepped down, grasped Li Qi's hand, and said with emotion, "Brother-in-law's words are truly insightful. If it weren't for Jing He, I would have almost ruined the moral climate of loyalty and righteousness in the world today!"

But killing them is one thing, not killing them is another. Does Jinghe have a solution?

If we don't kill these people, they will refuse to surrender, and some of them are even leading loyalist armies outside the capital, which will always be a threat. But if we kill these people, we will end up like Li Qi just said, with the decline of the spirit of loyalty and righteousness in the world!

(End of this chapter)