Huangming

Chapter 512 Reform of the Imperial Clan, Southern Confucius's Visit to the Emperor

The next day.

Dong Nuan Pavilion.

Zhu Youxiao sat upright behind the throne.

On the blue bricks in front of the throne, two men dressed in blue robes of lieutenants of the Feng State were kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Shenyun, who was a little older, had a straight back. He was thin, had a short beard, and his face was pale from years of working at his desk. Only his eyes were particularly bright.

Last year, during the Gengshen imperial examination, he defied the ancestral rule that "members of the imperial family are not allowed to hold official positions" and took the newly established imperial examination. He passed the examination as a third-class Jinshi, becoming the first member of the imperial family to pass the imperial examination in more than two hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. He was appointed as a Zhongshu Sheren (a high-ranking official in the imperial secretariat) and personally broke the shackles of the Zhu family's children that "received a salary but did not perform official duties".

The younger Zhu Tongfu beside him was about twenty years old, with a somewhat immature face, and his kneeling posture was a little awkward.

Although he did not pass the imperial examination, he passed the provincial examination last year and became a successful candidate in the imperial examination. He is one of the few young people among the imperial clan who is willing to settle down and study.

Both men had Zhu family blood in their veins, but because their branches were remote, they had long lost the wealth and status of princes and dukes. They lived on a meager salary as lieutenants of the Fengguo Army and couldn't even afford to make a new robe. Now that they were able to step into the East Warm Pavilion and meet the emperor, their excitement had already overwhelmed their awe.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze fell on the two of them, his eyes filled with scrutiny, but even more so with expectation.

He tapped the armrest of the throne lightly with his fingertips, his voice gentle.

"Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two responded in unison, their voices trembling slightly.

Zhu Shenyun stood up first, his movements slightly slow, perhaps because he had been kneeling for a long time and his knees were a little numb.

Zhu Tongfu followed closely behind, but stumbled as he stood up. He quickly steadied himself, lowered his head, and stood aside, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

The warm pavilion was quiet for a moment.

Looking at the two men's restrained demeanor, Zhu Youxiao recalled the scene when the Imperial Clan Examination was established last year.

At that time, he defied public opinion and added the Imperial Clan Examination to the regular imperial examinations, specifically to open up a path to officialdom for members of the imperial clan, but he did not expect that there would be very few candidates.

“When the imperial examination for clan members was held last year, fewer than 100 people from the clan applied nationwide, and fewer than 30 were ultimately admitted.”

Zhu Youxiao spoke slowly, his tone tinged with emotion.

Do you know why?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shenyun took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and replied:
"Your Majesty, I understand."

Firstly, most members of the imperial clan are pampered and few are willing to dedicate themselves to their studies. Even though the imperial examinations were less difficult than the regular examinations, few could pass.

Secondly, those who took the imperial examinations had to give up their noble titles and salaries. Although they could enter officialdom after passing the examinations, their salaries were far less than before.

For example, the annual salary of a lieutenant in the Fengguo army was 200 shi (a unit of dry measure), equivalent to about 60 to 100 taels of silver, while the annual salary of a county magistrate was only 45 taels. This disparity deterred most members of the imperial clan from pursuing such a position.

He told the truth.

Zhu Youxiao knew that those middle and lower-ranking members of the imperial clan from remote branches, though living in poverty, were accustomed to the comfort of "sitting and eating their salary." Even if the salary was meager, they were unwilling to give up this "iron rice bowl" and struggle in the officialdom.

People like Zhu Shenyun, who would rather give up his position as a lieutenant of the state than not seek a way out through the imperial examinations, are extremely rare.

It was even more remarkable that Zhu Tongfu passed the imperial examination at such a young age.

"You guys are quite clear-headed."

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, his tone showing more approval.

"Giving up a ready-made salary to take the imperial examination route, aren't you afraid that life will be even harder in the future?"

Zhu Tongfu then dared to raise his head, his eyes filled with determination:

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to spend my life relying on the protection of my ancestors, living a life of idleness and waiting to die!"

Although my current salary is meager, I can rely on my own abilities to do things. If I can contribute to the Ming Dynasty in the future, I will be willing to endure hardship.

These words stirred something within Zhu Youxiao.

He established the Imperial Clan Examination not to select one or two talented individuals, but to open up a path to survival for the impoverished lower and middle-ranking members of the imperial clan.

This would not only relieve their hunger and cold, but also provide the court with some useful talents, and gradually break the ancestral shackles of "the imperial family not handling affairs".

Seeing that these two have such ambition, it seems his efforts were not in vain.

"What a great saying, 'do things based on one's own abilities'."

Zhu Youxiao's tone softened considerably, and his gaze swept over the two of them.

"Zhu Shenyun, you have been serving in the court for half a year, handling documents and files. What insights have you gained?"

Zhu Shenyun quickly replied, "Your Majesty, while serving in the court, I assist in organizing memorials from various regions every day. I deeply feel the complexity of local government affairs and the need to promptly report the hardships of the people to Your Majesty."

I have seen the memorials regarding the suppression of the rebellion in the southwest, and I know that the conversion of native chieftains to centrally appointed officials was not easy.

I also saw documents about disaster relief in Jiangnan, which made me realize that the government's efforts were needed to ensure the stability of people's livelihoods.

Although I hold a lowly position, I am willing to do my best to organize the documents clearly and logically, so as not to delay Your Majesty's decision.

Zhu Youxiao was satisfied with what he heard, and then looked at Zhu Tongfu:

Now that you have passed the imperial examination, what are your next plans? Will you continue to prepare for the Jinshi examination, or would you like to first gain experience in a local area?

Zhu Tongfu pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, I wish to first gain experience in local areas."

"My hometown is in Henan. I have witnessed the hardships of many members of the imperial family and know the difficulties of farming for ordinary people. If I could serve in a local county government, I could become familiar with government affairs and do some practical things for the people of my hometown. After gaining experience, it wouldn't be too late to take the imperial examination."

Looking at the two down-to-earth and hardworking members of the imperial clan in front of him, Zhu Youxiao's expectations for them grew even higher.

“You are all of Zhu family blood, yet you are willing to give up your secure job and earn your future through your writing. This spirit surpasses that of many officials in the court who are merely occupying positions without doing their jobs.”

After speaking, he sighed softly and continued:
"The Ming Dynasty is currently in a state of crisis. In the southwest, we need to promote the reform of native chieftains and the replacement of native chieftains with centrally appointed officials. In the south, we need to quell the rebellion of bandits. In the coastal areas, we need to build new ships to defend against foreign invaders. We are lacking capable people everywhere."

I hope that you can set an example for the imperial clan, so that more members will understand that relying on family wealth and privilege to live a life of idleness is not as good as using your abilities to serve the country and earn a decent living for yourself.

Upon hearing the word "role model," Zhu Shenyun was about to bow down again, but Zhu Youxiao stopped him by raising his hand.

"I know that some civil officials in the court are whispering among themselves, saying that 'the entry of members of the imperial family into officialdom is against ancestral rules'."

Zhu Youxiao's voice suddenly turned stern, carrying a hint of imperial majesty.

"But the ancestral system was established by the Taizu Emperor. The Taizu Emperor established the ancestral system in order to ensure the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty, not to let it become a shackle that binds our hands and feet!"

"Now the imperial clan's stipends are bankrupting the treasury, and members of the imperial clan are starving everywhere. If this ancestral system isn't changed, are we going to watch the Ming Dynasty be dragged down by 100,000 members of the imperial clan?"

These words carried weight and conviction. Zhu Shenyun and Zhu Tongfu were startled and immediately knelt down again, their voices filled with excitement:
"Your Majesty is wise! We are willing to serve Your Majesty with our lives, and we will never let Your Majesty down or bring shame to the imperial clan!"

Seeing their devout expressions, Zhu Youxiao's tone softened.

"Get up.

I summoned you here not merely to praise you.

You are all excellent steeds, and my generous reward to you today is not merely a token gesture, but a way to cultivate your character and improve your character.

"I want all members of the imperial clan to know that as long as they are willing to put aside their laziness and work for the Ming Dynasty, whether it is through the imperial examinations, joining the army, doing business, or reclaiming wasteland, I can give them a way to survive and a future."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious:

"But let me make this clear: I'm giving you a chance, but you must also follow the rules."

"If you commit acts of corruption or negligence in the future, I will not show you any leniency just because you are members of the imperial family. Those who deserve severe punishment will be punished without exception. Do you understand?"

"Sir, you understand!"

The two answered in unison, their voices firm, no longer showing any of the awkwardness they had when they first arrived.

"Go down."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.

"Your tasks will naturally be assigned to you later. Go back and do your jobs well, learn and think more. In the future, I will give you even greater responsibilities." Zhu Shenyun and Zhu Tongfu bowed and slowly withdrew from the warm pavilion.

As he reached the door, Zhu Shenyun glanced back at the figure on the throne, his heart filled with gratitude.

If His Majesty had not broken the ancestral rules and established the Imperial Clan Examination, these distant relatives of the imperial clan would probably have been able to survive on meager stipends for the rest of their lives, and would never have had the opportunity to see the Emperor and be given important positions.
The warm pavilion returned to tranquility. Wei Chao quietly brought over a cup of freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea. The teacup was made of Ru porcelain, with a warm and lustrous glaze and a lingering aroma of tea.

Zhu Youxiao picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the refreshing aroma of the tea dispelled some of his fatigue. His gaze fell on the "Regulations for the Reform of the Imperial Clan" on the table, and his eyes flickered.

The re-appointment of Zhu Shenyun and his associates was only the first step in the reform.

He knew in his heart that the problems of the imperial clan had been entrenched for two hundred years, and relying solely on the imperial examination system was far from enough.

Different paths to success must be paved for different members of the imperial clan.

Those who are cultured and willing to study should be allowed to take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom. Although their initial salary is not as high as that of the imperial family, they have the opportunity to be promoted, and their future prospects are far superior to those of a "Fengguo Zhongwei" (a high-ranking official).

Those who lacked literary skills but possessed business acumen were allowed to lift the ban on industry and commerce, permitting them to engage in the salt and iron trade and participate in overseas trade, provided they paid heavy taxes.

This allows them to earn money and also adds to the imperial court's revenue.

As for those who are willing to work diligently, they can also invest in government-run mines, "sharing the profits from the mines to alleviate the people's suffering," using the mine's dividends to replace their official salary. However, once they invest, they are forbidden from receiving official salaries for life, and the same applies to their descendants, thus cutting off their desire to "have it both ways."

Those who lacked both literary talent and business acumen but possessed considerable strength were incorporated into the "Zongjun" (宗军), receiving the same rations and pay as garrison soldiers. They trained daily and fought alongside the regular army in times of war, thus ensuring their basic needs were met and also adding another force to the Ming Dynasty.

Finally, for those who were willing to leave their homeland and venture to the frontier, the immigration and border settlement program was launched.

They were relocated to the southwest and northwest, given silver, wasteland, seeds, and farming tools, and encouraged to cultivate the land.

The southwest is still undergoing the reform of replacing local chieftains with centrally appointed officials, and the northwest needs to guard against the Mongols. There are too few Han Chinese in these areas, and their foundations are unstable.

Sending members of the imperial clan to reclaim wasteland would not only alleviate the pressure on the imperial family in the interior, but also allow more members of the Zhu family to be deployed to the frontier, thus consolidating border defenses. In the future, when conquering the Western Regions, they would also have a stable logistical supply, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

As for those who are unwilling to take the imperial examinations, engage in business, join the army, or immigrate...

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes.

Five years from now, the stipend will be completely abolished. Without the stipend, if they still want to live a life of ease and comfort, they will have no choice but to fend for themselves.

As for whether these people will rebel when they lose their livelihood?

Zhu Youxiao was not worried that these people would rebel.

Those with literary talent were recruited through the imperial examinations, those with martial prowess were absorbed into the Zong army, and those with brains made a living through business. Those who were truly willing to join the trouble were nothing more than lazy and gluttonous "crooked gourds and cracked dates." Without a foundation or a leader, they couldn't stir up any big waves.

Of course, there will inevitably be resistance when this reform is implemented.

Civil officials might invoke ancestral rules, and upper-class members of the imperial family might object because their interests would be harmed, but so what?
Since he ascended the throne, which reform has he undertaken without facing pressure?

The abolition of the old Beijing Inspection System, the establishment of the Academy of Sciences, and the appointment of the Directorate of Ceremonial to supervise all officials—which of these was not a violation of ancestral rules?
As long as the imperial clan members are given a legitimate way to live, and as long as they see hope, these 100,000 members of the imperial clan will not be a burden that drags down the Ming Dynasty, but will instead become an asset to the Ming Dynasty's revival.

With the matters concerning the imperial clan settled, Zhu Youxiao was just about to go to the training ground in the Western Garden to practice his martial arts.

no way.

Two days later, they were to meet the Western envoy.

He wanted to let that Western envoy know that he, the emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, was not a civil emperor, but a military emperor.

However, he had just folded the draft of the imperial clan reform plan and placed it on his desk, and before he could put it into practice, Wei Chao stepped forward lightly, bowed, and reported:
"Your Majesty, Kong Zhenyun, a Doctor of the Five Classics from the Hanlin Academy, is waiting for your decree outside the hall."

"Kong Zhenyun?"

Zhu Youxiao paused, his gaze shifting from the "Regulations on the Imperial Clan" on the table, and instantly discerned the man's identity in his mind.

Representative of the Southern Confucian School, and head of the Confucian clan in Quzhou.

He pondered for a moment, tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the edge of the imperial desk, and then nodded:

"Let him in."

He summoned this man to the capital a month ago.

The core issue of this summons was the position of Duke Yansheng.

This title has been passed down for hundreds of years and has always been inherited by the direct line of Confucius in Qufu. It is a symbol of the orthodox tradition in the hearts of Confucian scholars all over the world.

However, the direct line of the Northern Confucian family had dwindled, and of the few remaining disciples, Zhu Youxiao met five, but none of them met his approval.

They were either pleasure-seeking, ignorant playboys or stubborn old men who clung to old customs and were resistant to the new policies. None of them could bear the weight of the title "Duke Yansheng," let alone become his assistant in promoting the new policies.

Since there was no one available at the Northern Confucian Temple, the only option was to turn to the Southern Confucian Temple.

During the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty, Kong Duanyou, the 48th generation descendant of Confucius, followed Emperor Gaozong south and settled in Quzhou, forming the Southern Confucian lineage. Although not as prominent as the Northern Confucian lineage for hundreds of years, it has passed down Confucianism from generation to generation and has not lost its traditions.

Kong Zhenyun is the current leader of the Southern Confucian school. He serves as a Doctor of the Five Classics in the Hanlin Academy and is in charge of the sacrificial rites at the Confucius Temple in Quzhou. He can be considered a representative of the orthodox Confucian school.

A moment later, the door to the East Warm Pavilion was gently pushed open, and an old man slowly walked in.

Kong Zhenyun was over sixty years old, with white hair and beard, but he combed his hair meticulously. Although his official robe as a Doctor of the Five Classics of the Hanlin Academy was not luxurious, it was washed clean and neat.

His figure was slightly hunched, perhaps due to the long journey, but his steps were steady. He stopped about ten feet in front of the throne, straightened his robes, and slowly knelt down. His voice was slightly hoarse, but full of energy:

"Kong Zhenyun, a Doctor of the Five Classics from the Hanlin Academy, respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health!"

"Get up."

Zhu Youxiao raised his hand, his gaze falling on Kong Zhenyun.

Although the old man looked old, his complexion was ruddy and his eyes were bright, indicating that he was still in good health and was by no means the kind of person who was frail and unable to do anything.

Despite the long and arduous journey from Quzhou to Beijing, her spirit and energy were admirable, which earned him his favor.

Wei Chao then brought over a round-backed chair and placed it in front of the throne.

Kong Zhenyun thanked the emperor for his kindness, then slowly sat down, placing his hands properly on his knees, leaning slightly forward, his posture respectful but not obsequious, always maintaining the demeanor of a Confucian scholar.

After a moment of silence in the warm pavilion, Zhu Youxiao spoke first.

"Does the Doctor know why I summoned you to the palace today?"

Kong Zhenyun felt a sudden chill, and the fingers hanging on his knees subconsciously curled up.

How could he not know?

From the moment he stepped into Beijing, discussions about the "vacancy of the position of Duke Yansheng" never ceased. The news that the Northern Confucian disciples had been repeatedly rejected by His Majesty had already reached his ears through his colleagues in the Hanlin Academy.

What else could His Majesty have summoned us for at this moment, besides the title of Duke Yansheng?

An overwhelming surge of excitement welled up inside me.

The Duke Yansheng was the highest honor of the Confucius family and a benchmark for Confucian scholars throughout the land.

For hundreds of years, the Southern Confucian lineage had been relegated to Quzhou. Although they upheld the orthodoxy, they were never as prominent as the Northern Confucian lineage. Now that they had the opportunity to inherit this title, how could he not be excited?
But amidst the excitement, there was even more worry.

What kind of monarch is His Majesty?
Less than three years after ascending the throne, he broke with ancestral rules, implemented new policies, rectified the imperial clan, and quelled the rebellion in the southwest. He was ruthless and deep-thinking.

Such an emperor would never bestow the title of Duke Yansheng upon the Southern Confucian Academy without a reason.

What His Majesty desires is certainly not just a "Confucian scholar who adheres to propriety," but a Duke Yansheng who can serve the new policies and help him control the "orthodox tradition."

What price will he have to pay?
Does this mean that Nan Kong should openly support His Majesty's new policies?
We still need to cooperate with the court to rectify Confucianism and eliminate those old rituals that hinder the new policies.
He was even asked to use his status as the Duke of Yansheng to persuade Confucian scholars throughout the land to accept His Majesty's various reforms.
These thoughts flashed through his mind. Kong Zhenyun suppressed the turmoil in his heart, slowly raised his head, met Zhu Youxiao's gaze, and spoke in a respectful yet firm tone:

"Your Majesty has some knowledge of this matter. Your Majesty has summoned me, presumably because the position of Duke Yansheng is vacant."

Zhu Youxiao looked at the excitement and caution in his eyes and nodded inwardly.

He was indeed a shrewd and calculating Confucian scholar, neither humble nor arrogant, neither feigning ignorance nor eager to show loyalty; he was a man who could remain calm and composed.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said slowly:

"The direct line of the Northern Confucian family has dwindled, and the remaining descendants are not up to the task. The position of Duke Yansheng has been vacant for a long time, and Confucian scholars all over the world are watching and waiting."

After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that the Southern Confucian lineage has inherited the orthodox tradition of Confucianism and has upheld the principles of propriety for hundreds of years. You, Doctor, have presided over the sacrificial rites at the Quzhou Confucian Temple for many years and enjoy a long-standing reputation; you are indeed a suitable candidate.”

"Doctor, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)