Huangming

Chapter 213 Eliminating Falsehoods and Seeking Truth, Banning Newspapers and Centralizing Power

On the tenth day of the fourth month of the first year of the Tianqi reign (1621), the day after the palace examination.

The sky was clear and cloudless, and the blazing sunlight poured down, making the golden tiles and vermilion walls of the Forbidden City shine brightly.

Although it's only the beginning of summer, the sweltering heat is becoming increasingly oppressive, with the air thick with heat and not a breath of wind in sight.

It's not going to be bright yet.

The young emperor Zhu Youxiao was already sitting in Fengtian Gate, listening to the government's affairs.

He was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, and although his brows still showed signs of youth, he exuded a calmness that belied his age.

After all the memorials had been discussed, he slightly raised his hand, and the eunuch immediately shouted, "Prepare the carriage for the Wenhua Hall!"

In an instant, the imperial procession was as numerous as clouds, and the banners obscured the sun. The imperial carriage, surrounded by guards, slowly passed through the palace alleys.

The imperial carriage rolled over the blue bricks and headed towards the Wenhua Hall.

now.

Outside the Wenhua Hall, a group of cabinet ministers, led by Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, including Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing, had already knelt before the steps.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, the crowd shouted "Long live the emperor!" in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

"Everyone loves you."

Zhu Youxiao stepped down steadily from the imperial carriage and slowly entered the Wenhua Hall. Inside, sandalwood incense wafted through the air, the floor was paved with gold bricks, and a dragon was carved on the throne, displaying his majesty.

He turned and sat down, his gaze calmly sweeping over the assembled officials below.

Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, holding his official tablet, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a calm and steady voice:
"Your Majesty, yesterday we selected twelve outstanding works from the palace examination papers. They are all well-written and insightful. We respectfully request Your Majesty to review and approve them."

The rankings in the palace examination have always been decided by the emperor himself. The selection of the top three scholars—the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua—is of great importance to the face of the court and the prevailing sentiment among scholars, and cannot be decided by anyone but the emperor.

Zhu Youxiao was naturally aware of the procedure, and he leaned back on the dragon throne with a very relaxed expression.

"Read it."

"Yes."

The examiner, Sun Shenxing, held a copy of the imperial examination essay in his hands, knelt respectfully on the ground, and read aloud:
"Your Majesty, I respectfully present my Ten Memorials on Financial Management," humbly requesting Your Majesty's wise consideration:

Student Ni Yuanlu respectfully submits this memorial: Ten proposals on financial management for the benefit of the nation.

Students have heard that the way to govern a country is to first ensure sufficient food; the strategy for managing a state begins with financial management. Now, the national treasury is depleted and the people's strength is exhausted. I, your humble servant, despite my ignorance, dare to offer ten suggestions.

The first measure is to thoroughly survey the land. In the fertile lands of Jiangnan, five or six out of ten acres are secretly occupied by powerful and wealthy individuals. It is advisable to send honest and capable officials to survey the land and ensure that taxes and corvée labor are equitable.
Secondly, it calls for eliminating redundant expenses.
Thirdly, the salt administration system was reformed.
Fourth
No.
"

Half an hour later.

As the air inside the hall filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, Sun Shenxing's recitation of his policy essay abruptly ceased.

Zhu Youxiao's eyes flickered slightly; he was all too familiar with the sharp edge of this "Ten Treatises on Financial Management".

Last night, during the imperial examination, the candlelight flickered red, and the young emperor personally lit a lamp for Ni Yuanlu, who was writing furiously at his desk, watching him write "Ten Treatises on Financial Management".

At this moment, as the policy proposals reappeared in the court, a barely perceptible smile flickered across Zhu Youxiao's lips as his gaze swept over Fang Congzhe, who stood below with his head bowed and eyes lowered.

Old Fang, you're someone who knows how to appreciate kindness.

Sensing the emperor's gaze, Fang Congzhe sighed inwardly and exchanged a knowing glance with Sun Ruyou beside him.

The story of the emperor breaking with tradition last night to hold a candle for a poor scholar has already spread throughout the capital.

Since they have been favored by the Emperor, these three top scholar positions are like gold-plated jade belts. How could these examiners dare not give them up?
He, this puppet prime minister, still wants to stay in power for a few more years!
"Your Majesty, this examination paper has been read." Sun Shenxing respectfully closed the examination paper.

Upon hearing this, Wei Chao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, bowed and presented the examination paper to the Emperor.

Zhu Youxiao received the examination papers for the palace examination.

This imperial examination paper was strictly regulated: the Ministry of Rites' seal at the beginning of the paper was as red as blood, and the three characters 'Ni Yuanlu' below it were written with great force.

Turning the title page, the resume, written in tiny characters, is detailed as a record: a native of Shangyu, Zhejiang, a Juren in the 46th year of the Wanli reign, and a Gongshi in the first year of the Tianqi reign, with the names of three generations neatly listed on yellow hemp paper.

Of particular note is the official record of his father, Ni Dong: during his tenure as the prefect of Qiongzhou, he expanded the coastal areas and promoted education. Although he has passed away, his reputation for integrity and uprightness has been passed down among scholars.

The fact that Ni Yuanlu could write such a policy essay suggests that he received early family education and absorbed his father's ambition to govern the country and benefit the people.

Such a family tradition of scholarship is worthy of the family's illustrious lineage, whose ancestors had held high-ranking official positions for generations since the Southern Song Dynasty.

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Sun Shenxing had no choice but to pick up the next exam paper, clear his throat, and continue reading.

His voice echoed throughout the hall, each word clear and distinct:

"To clear taxes, the first step should be to measure the land area and crack down on the cunning and deceitful practices of powerful and wealthy individuals..."

"To cut unnecessary expenses, we must abolish the postal service and stop non-urgent work..."

"To facilitate trade, the maritime ban should be relaxed, and border markets should be established to promote commerce..."

As the sun's shadow shifted, the cicadas outside the palace began to chirp shrilly.

Twelve policy essays, twelve names.

Ni Yuanlu, Wen Zhenmeng, Lu Xiangsheng, Fu Guan, Chen Renxi, Zhang Tianlin, Yang Tianxi, Dong Zhongxing, Fang Fengnian, Wan Guoxiang, Wang Qiaonian, Lin Yinchang.

Zhu Youxiao nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

These strategies and proposals do indeed contain insightful observations.

The measures included streamlining taxes, reducing unnecessary expenses, promoting commerce, establishing a new coinage system, developing military farms, investigating illegal occupation of land, developing mining, being cautious with rewards and honors, maintaining the Ever-Normal Granary, and strictly evaluating performance. Each measure addressed the pressing issues of the time.

The question is, do these scholars, who speak and write about it, dare to actually do it? Are they aware of the obstacles they face?

Land survey?

These four words sound simple, but they will unleash countless bloody storms!
Abolish the postal service?
If this proposal is put forward, it may cause a stir in the imperial court.

Lifting the maritime ban?
The benefits of opening up the sea are easy to talk about on paper, but difficult to implement, like crossing an ice-covered abyss.

There is an even greater concern: decisions made at the highest levels of government must ultimately be implemented at the local level.

However, most of the officials in the prefectures and counties came from the gentry, whose families had land holdings and trade routes deeply intertwined with the old system.

Those people outwardly comply but inwardly defy the law, either using the pretext of "understanding the people's sentiments" to delay new policies, or misinterpreting laws and regulations to profit from them.

Even with the newly emerged imperial faction led by Ni Yuanlu determined to reform, how could a few individuals possibly overcome a century of accumulated problems?
Zhu Youxiao's gaze gradually turned cold.

"Gentlemen, how many of these strategies do you think will actually be implemented?"

Fang Congzhe felt a bead of sweat on his forehead, but he steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing as he said, "Your Majesty's wisdom is profound, and it is only right that... the best be chosen for use."

Fang Congzhe has a bit of the air about him, just like Section Chief Ma.

It's that same ambiguous nonsense again.

These cabinet ministers were all mature, prudent, and worldly-wise. They were unwilling to offend the emperor, nor did they dare to touch their vested interests.

They say they will "select the best," but in reality, it's just a perfunctory excuse, as they're afraid of getting into trouble.

Whatever.

It's just panning for gold in the sand!

The world is vast and full of talented people. If enough people are selected, a few fearless individuals will be found who dare to survey land, dismiss redundant officials, compete with powerful families for profits, and are truly willing to save the Ming Dynasty.

As for those who are timid and hesitant, and who seek to protect themselves, they are ultimately just passersby in this corrupt court.

Seeing that the emperor was deep in thought for a long time, Sun Shenxing stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, it is getting late, and it is time to appoint the three best scholars."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

The ministers held their breath, their eyes all focused on the throne—this was not merely the selection of a few distinguished scholars, but also the setting of the political direction for the Tianqi Dynasty.

Zhu Youxiao's eyes flickered slightly, and his voice was clear and melodious, like the clinking of gold and jade: "The top scholar is Ni Yuanlu."

Below the steps, Zhe's tablet trembled almost imperceptibly.

Last night, the emperor personally lit the lamp for this poor scholar, and today he is indeed going to make this 'love story between the emperor and his subject' a reality.

What's even more ingenious is that Ni Yuanlu's "Ten Treatises on Financial Management" was incisive in every word, and his policies on land surveying and salt administration reform clearly laid the groundwork for future reforms.

"Lu Xiang-sheng, the second-place finisher."

"Wen Zhenmeng, the third-ranked scholar."

Sun Shenxing hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the selection of the third-ranked scholar may be inappropriate."

Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Sun Shenxing replied, "According to the old ancestral system, the third-ranked scholar is chosen for his handsome appearance. Although Wen Zhenmeng is exceptionally talented, he is already over thirty. If he were to be ranked among the top three, it would hardly be in line with the original meaning of the 'third-ranked scholar.'" Although Wen Zhenmeng was exceptionally talented, he was already over thirty, with a gaunt face and the marks of time on his brow. How could he compare to the young scholar who was handsome and elegant?
If Wen Zhenmeng is indeed chosen, I'm afraid the teahouses in the capital will be buzzing with the joke tomorrow that "the Emperor has chosen an old third-place scholar."

"Fu Guan was chosen as the third-ranked scholar. Wen Zhenmeng came in fourth."

Upon hearing the emperor speak, Sun Shenxing felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Youxiao lowered his gaze slightly and tapped the dragon-patterned armrest lightly with his fingertips.

"The rest is up to you gentlemen."

As the assembled officials held their breath and bowed their heads, the young emperor suddenly rose, left the palace, and departed.

"Let's go!"

The sharp, shrill announcements of the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial pierced the palace.

The Imperial Guards, armed with halberds, cleared the way, while the Imperial Guards, holding five-colored fans, lined up on both sides. The gilded imperial carriage shone brightly under the blazing sun, resembling a moving sun.

The vermilion palace gates opened one after another, and the ceremonial guards surged through the passageway like a crimson tide.

On the imperial carriage, the emperor's eyes flickered.

Choosing Ni Yuanlu as the top scholar completes the famous story of "the emperor and his minister holding candles together".

The selection of the top scholar from a poor family by the emperor himself, with lanterns lit, is enough to keep teahouses and taverns talking for three months, and can give hope to poor scholars all over the world.

Zhu Youxiao's decision to promote Lu Xiang to the second-highest rank in the imperial examinations reflects his appreciation of Lu Xiang's talent. Such a capable official, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and able to learn and embrace the innovative ideas of the Imperial Daily, deserves to be given important responsibilities. He will be sent to the border regions to hone his skills and will surely become a pillar of the nation in the future.

As for Wen Zhenmeng, he is now working for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Such an obedient minister of the emperor should naturally be promoted as soon as possible so that he can occupy an important position in the court in the future.

Controlling the court is not something that can be achieved by the emperor shouting slogans, nor can it be achieved by killing.

You still need to have obedient ministers under your command, ministers who can do things for you.

The more ministers like this there are, the stronger his control over the court will be, and the more effective his words will be.

The emperor is the supreme ruler, but what is he if he has no henchmen to serve him?
As the emperor's procession receded into the distance, Fang Congzhe remained standing on the white marble steps in front of the Wenhua Hall, his official robes scorching hot from the blazing sun.

"Prime Minister." Sun Ruyou's voice came from behind, tinged with hesitation.

Fang Congzhe did not turn around, but stroked his white beard and sighed: "Did you see? Of the three scholars chosen by His Majesty, Ni Yuanlu's 'Ten Treatises on Financial Management' is incisive, Lu Xiangshan's 'On Financial Strategies' is powerful and resounding, and even the substitute Fu Guan is known for his practical strategies."

"Since Yan Fenyi took charge of the government during the Jiajing reign, the court and the public have been fond of idle talk for nearly a century. Countless Hanlin scholars have spent their days composing poems and reciting classical texts, their memorials filled with 'Confucius said' and 'The Book of Poetry says.' But today, His Majesty has selected these three candidates, and which of them doesn't have a down-to-earth style of policy writing? Land surveying, reforming the canal system, reforming the military system—this is not selecting Hanlin scholars, but clearly choosing potential regional governors!"

As Fang Congzhe gazed at the scattered birds, he suddenly recalled the editorial in the Huangming Daily last month entitled "On the Cultivation of Practical Talents".

At the time, he thought it was just a new trick by His Majesty, but now it seems that His Majesty had planned it all along.

"Is the Grand Secretary worried about the political climate in the literary world?" Sun Ruyou asked tentatively.

"Worry?"

Fang Congzhe chuckled to himself.

"I'm afraid that in the future, at the lectures at the Imperial Academy, those old scholars with white hair who have been studying the classics will be dumbfounded by the students reciting the 'Discourses on Salt and Iron'!"

"Just watch, within three months, the 'Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration' and 'A Comprehensive Overview of River Defense' will be sold out in the bookstores of the capital. Those scholars who have studied hard for years will probably start to include terms like the benefits and drawbacks of paddy fields and the regulations for canal transport in their essays."

Is it a good thing or a bad thing to add practical work to the rigid, formulaic writing style?
Fang Congzhe dared not question it; he would just wait and see how things developed.
After a moment of reflection, Fang Congzhe immediately snapped out of his reverie and focused his attention on the imperial examination.

"Time is tight and the task is heavy today, so let's not waste any time."

Once the top three candidates are selected, the process of reviewing the papers, filling out the official list, writing the announcement notices, and preparing for the grand announcement ceremony to be held at dawn the following day will proceed in stages.

From stamping the official seal and posting the notice to coordinating the ceremonial attire, from rehearsing the ceremony to the positioning of the officials, everything had to be arranged before the evening drum sounded.

Outside the Wenhua Hall at this moment, clerks carrying dossiers hurried back and forth, officials checking lists, and servants transporting official robes.

The urgency of the situation is evident.

the other side.

The emperor returned to the Qianqing Palace and, as usual, sat down at his desk to review memorials.

The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the candlelight illuminated his focused profile.

At this moment, Wei Chao, the personal eunuch, bowed and carefully carried in a red lacquered and gold-painted tray.

"Your Majesty."

Wei Chao smiled broadly, his voice carrying a hint of ingratiation.

"The Empress of Chuxiu Palace specially sent you a letter of thanks and even embroidered a brocade pouch with her own hands."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao raised his head and gently placed the vermilion brush in his hand on the brush holder.

The woman residing in Chuxiu Palace was Zhang Yan, the future empress whom he had personally chosen.

In a few days, after the grand wedding ceremony, this gentle and virtuous woman will officially become the Empress of the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking back to the day of the talent show, Zhang Yan stood out among all the contestants.

Her clear, bright eyes and sharp words left a deep impression on Zhu Youxiao.

Now she has sent a letter of thanks and a brocade pouch she sewed herself, presumably to express her gratitude for the jade bestowed upon her that day.

Zhu Youxiao took the brocade pouch and examined it carefully.

On the brocade pouch, a five-clawed golden dragon soaring through the clouds was embroidered with gold thread. Every scale was lifelike, and the stitches were fine and neat, showing that a lot of effort had been put into it.

Upon closer inspection, the sachet emitted a faint ambergris fragrance, neither strong nor pungent, yet refreshing and invigorating.

He gently unfolded the letter of thanks, on which were written in delicate handwriting his gratitude for the Emperor's favor.

After reading it, Zhu Youxiao smiled slightly and said gently, "I understand."

After saying this, he tied the brocade pouch to the jade belt around his waist and put the folded document back into the tray that Wei Chao was holding.

Seeing that Wei Chao was still standing in the same spot, Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "Is there anything else?"

Wei Chao's fat face was full of smiles, his eyes narrowed into slits: "Your Majesty is wise. It was Wang Tiqian, the director of the Western Depot, who discovered the matter and specifically asked me to report it to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao's heart stirred.

How could the dignified Director of the Western Depot have to obey the orders of the Wei Dynasty?

It seems that Wang Tiqian is still planning to play dumb to take advantage of others.

This was clearly intended to encourage Wei Zhongxian to fight against the Wei dynasty so that they could reap the benefits.

Wang Tiqian, that old eunuch, wants to be like Yu Zecheng, doesn't he?

Zhu Youxiao remained expressionless and said calmly, "Speak, what is it?"

"Your Majesty."

Wei Chao lowered his voice and said, "Since the publication of the Huangming Daily, it has had a huge impact, and some people in the public have even followed suit. Now, someone in the capital is running the Fushe Daily, and in Jiangnan, there is even a Donglin Daily. If this matter is not dealt with in time, I'm afraid those scholars will try to mislead the people."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao frowned deeply.

What a courage!
How dare they challenge the imperial court for the right to speak?

His long, slender fingers tapped lightly on the imperial desk, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

This is no ordinary scholar; we must take strong measures!

"Have the cabinet draft an edict."

The emperor's voice was as cold as ice.

"A ban on newspapers shall be issued immediately: all unofficial tabloids not bearing the seal of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the countersignature of the Grand Secretariat shall be confiscated by the Five City Garrison Commands. The chief editors shall be punished for treason under the Great Ming Code; the principal offender shall be executed by slow slicing, the accomplices shall be beheaded, and their entire families shall be exiled to Qiongzhou!"

"This servant...this servant will do it immediately!"

Wei Chao was about to leave, trembling, when he was suddenly called back.

Zhu Youxiao stroked the gold thread on the brocade pouch, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Wait. Tell Wei Zhongxian, Wang Tiqian, and Luo Sigong that the Eastern Depot, Western Depot, and Embroidered Uniform Guard must find out the source of funds for these treasonous reports within three days. I want to see which powerful family is behind this."

Those madmen who dare to run newspapers privately have probably forgotten the bloody lesson of the "seditious book case" during the Wanli era.

In order to suppress public criticism, Emperor Wanli had Jiao Shengguang executed by slow slicing and his family exiled to the frontier.

Now, Zhu Youxiao not only wants to emulate the ruthless methods of the Taizu Emperor, but also to learn the strategy of destroying hearts and minds of the Chengzu Emperor. Tomorrow, he will have the front page of the Huangming Daily publish the tragic scene of the imperial prison, so that all the scholars in the world can see the consequences of recklessly discussing the government.

What the imperial court can do, you cannot do privately.

Do you know what a monopoly is?

Do you know what thought control is?

What I grant, I take; what I take, I abolish!
You shall not do anything which I have not permitted.
Then let's see if your neck is tough enough, your entire family is too powerful, or if my imperial prison blade is faster!
(End of this chapter)